Are we experiencing the death of plastic? Asia’s first plastic-free hotel has opened.
The environmentally conscious Akaryn Hotel Group would like to think so. They’ve revealed that their fourth Asian hotel opening will feature no single-use plastic whatsoever.
Akrya Sukhumvit Bangkok opens later in 2018 and all guests will be given a refillable stainless steel water bottle upon check in. Water coolers will be added to every floor, so guests have an easy and constant supply of water.
Industrial materials meet warm, glamorous accents of gold and lemon yellow
Inside, “simple natural woods” and “accent of modern retro-chic” create a distinct style, within the city’s fashionable Sukhumvit district. Industrial materials meet warm, glamorous accents of lemon yellow and golden in the bedrooms and communal areas.
Away from the historic old centre, Sukhumvit is famous for its shops and bars, as well as authentic restaurants and nightlife.
Family rooms, superior rooms and suites all herald a “5 star” service promise, and there’s an on-site spa.
12.7 million tonnes of plastic find its way into oceans every year
The Akaryn Hotel Group have a diverse range of properties around Thailand. Properties in Chiang Mai and Phuket are relaxing in different ways. The former to experience the north of the country’s spiritual tranquility, while Phuket is the country’s original luxurious beach resort.
The hotel group also have another hotel in Bangkok, in the city’s fashionable Thonglor district, also a hub for nightlife, restaurants and bars.
David Attenborough’s landmark British television programme Blue Planet 11 called on viewers to drastically cut back their plastic use, to help protect the environment for future generations. An estimated 12.7 million tonnes of plastic finds its way into the oceans every year, according to Green Peace.
Rooms are simple and functional, with views out over the the city.
An airy and spacious restaurant will have city views, as is the norm in Bangkok where skyline bars and rooftop bars provide accessible luxury. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows and high ceilings create an opulent feel, highlighting space and the views from the window.
Akrya Sukhumvit Bangkok opens later in 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand
British culinary prophet Rick Stein has the power to revitalise communities with his hotels.
A TV legend known for his travel shows which span the world with a food focus, Stein will extend his luxury hotel group Bannisters to a third location in Port Stephens, Australia later this year.
The hotel group’s third territory will breathe new life into the Port Stephens area. Aside from the contemporary luxury feel, a large pull for guests will be Stein’s world famous seafood. On site will be a signature seafood restaurant, making use of local catches from the Karuah River and bay area, which feeds into the ocean.
Fifty of the hotel’s rooms overlook the bay, where river meets the sea
Fifty of the hotel’s rooms will overlook the bay, where the river meets the sea, and where forest and Aussie ‘bushland’ meet the ocean, and a selection of luxury penthouses and suites will also be available.
The 80-room hotel will be designed by architect Tony Freeman, and interior designer Romy Alwill, who specialises in stylish and contemporary modern refits, often in a white wash or monochrome, with simple colour palettes.
“Another beautiful stretch of the New South Wales coastline,” says Stein
Rick Stein’s other two Australian hotel properties, both under the Bannisters brand, are Bannisters Pavilion, Mollymook Beach, and Bannisters By The Sea, also on Mollymook Beach, New South Wales.
Bannisters’ third property in Newcastle is around 360 kilometres north, up the beach.
Rick Stein said in a statement to press: “The abundance of top-quality seafood is a massive attraction, as is the proximity to the Hunter Valley’s wineries.”
Stein adds: “[The area of Port Stephens] is another beautiful stretch of New South Wales coastline, like Mollymook. My wife Sas has long been a lover of the Port Stephens area, and even stayed in the old Salamander Shores hotel when she was 19.”
Bannisters Port Stephens is slated to open later in 2018, images featured here are from Bannisters hotels further down the coastline which retain the brand standards of stylish and contemporary luxury
Hard Rock International insist their continued roll out of new hotels will now have a focus on areas with “deep musical roots”. The latest is Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans.
In the traditional heartland of America’s jazz music scene, Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans will be in the city’s historic French Quarter and New Orleans Theatre District.
The look and feel will be no different to the Hard Rocks already found in 75 countries worldwide. Nostalgic music memorabilia ranging from rock to pop, jazz and further will be displayed on the walls, and the hotel will have an emphasis on upscale facilities including restaurants and a spa suited to both the leisure and business markets.
Music is promoted as a benefit to a healthy lifestyle
A holistic approach to music means that yoga and wellness initiatives combine music in treatments. Music is promoted throughout the hotel as a benefit to a healthy lifestyle, and there’s in-room yoga experiences which combines music too.
The restaurant will promote the soulful Seafood dishes popular in the area, and there’ll be a lobby bar with additional food options.
“Our focus is on cities with deep musical roots”
Todd Hricko, senior vice president for Hard Rock International explained: “As Hard Rock continues to expand globally, our focus will be influential cities with deep musical roots”.
“Home to a unique melting pot of cultures, New Orleans — known for its nightlife and vibrant live-music scene – has been a desirable choice for our next Hard Rock Hotel.”
Suited to tourists to the local area and business workers alike, the country’s largest conference centre is next to the hotel.
Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans will comprise 350 rooms, and a further 62 suites.
‘Europe’s first sustainable hotel’ has opened in Dublin.
The Iveagh Gardens Hotel on Harcourt Street is powered by an underground river 50 metres below the hotel. Turbines convert power from the river Swan, which will be used for all the energy needs of the hotel.
The property, which cost £40 million when totaling the renovation and initial acquisition of the building, is the new sister property to Dublin’s Harcourt Hotel.
The innovative turbine energy systems are the work of Eurotech Renewables, and Swedish firm Ochsner Warmepumpen, and are world-leading in their approach.
All heating, cooling, plumbing and hot water systems have been removed and replaced by this new natural system which owners The McGill Family are confident will wipe out waste and their carbon footprint.
A contemporary fit comprises bold, block colours with patterned detailing and contrasting tones. All fixtures and fittings for the rooms, and the hotel’s bar, have been sourced locally, from Ireland.
There is also an on-site bistro restaurant, and alongside the vibrant, distinctive interior style, guests will appreciate the views out onto the Iveagh Gardens from some of the rooms, and the eating and drinking areas.
Marriott have been re-energising their Le Meridien offshoot with openings in China, US, Italy and South Korea, and the latest will be in Melbourne.
Le Meridien Melbourne will take over a property that previously served as the Melbourne Palace Theatre. The historic building will be given an extensive face-lift, but won’t end up feeling all that modern, as the interior style will be mid-Century.
“Light hearted yet sophisticated”
Global Brand Leader Brian Povinelli called the style “light-hearted yet sophisticated”.
“We are delighted to re-introduce the brand – born in Paris during an era of glamorous travel – to global guests and locals alike”, he said.
The hotel will open in 2020 in downtown Melbourne, in the heart of the city’s creative district, surrounded by art galleries and boutique galleries, cafes, restaurants and shops.
“A momentous move for Marriott International”
Richard Crawford, senior development director for Australia, said: “The arrival of Le Meridien brand into Australia is a momentous move for Marriott International.”
“It comes at a perfect time. Alongside Melbourne’s growing demand from domestic travellers, new international direct routes from the United States, Asia-Pacific and South America are driving continued growth in international visitation.”
Le Meridien Melbourne will have 235 rooms, two bars, a restaurant and a heated swimming pool.
One of the strings of the Marriott International Bow, there are almost 150 Le Meridien properties in 40 territories.
Editor’s note: the images used in this article are from other Le Meridien properties.
The Hotel Summit celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2018 and is pleased to announce its partnership with Anchor Hospitality Logistics.
The Hotel Summit is the hotel industry’s premier networking event, where industry suppliers and buyers meet and will this year be held at the Radisson Blu, London Stansted on June 4th – 5th. Click here for all the details.
Anchor Hospitality Logistics provide tailored transport solutions for the hospitality industry. A “white glove” style service that is suitable for antiques and high-value items, the firm are trusted by the industry’s leading hotels, bars and restaurants. They transport fine items by “sea, air land or rail” and say they “not only handle freight” but “can handle the unique intricacies of hospitality logistics”.
A worldwide network of agent contacts ensure peace of mind
Their worldwide black book of agents ensure a personalised travel solution for any freight is possible, with peace of mind.
Bill Rinn, managing director explains: “Our experience and success with clients in the hospitality sector was the catalyst for our decision to create a dedicated division to cater for Hospitality Logistics. We are able to offer the high standards of service and attention to detail that clients in this sector require,”
Hotel Summit has also welcomed B Light Group, and Simba mattress professionals to the event recently. For more information on Hotel Summit as a whole, please click here.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or partner of the Hotel Summit or would like more information, please contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk
An emerging hospitality technology company have secured a deal with a leading hotel group, thanks to a relationship built and maintained at the Hotel Designs Meet Up.
Technology brand Wi-Q deliver web-app mobile ordering solutions to help streamline the payment processes in the hospitality sector. After attending the Hotel Designs Meet up at Home House, London, the brand secured a deal with a leading hotel group and the app is already live in one flagship London hotel.
Wi-Q is a “web-based mobile ordering allows your customers to browse, order and pay for your products or services, without having to download a dedicated native mobile ordering app”.
From a chance conversation to live technology in a matter of weeks
Talking of the plans for global expansion, Wi-Q gushed: “We went from a chance conversation over a glass of wine, to mobilisation and live technology in place in one of the world’s leading hotel chains in less than eight weeks!”
The brand explained further: “The Hotel Designs Meet Up was a busy event, with delegates from a range of sectors and services. We spent some time chatting with an events team from a major global hotel chain, and they were really excited about our solution”.
From a chance conversation to live technology in a matter of weeks
Talking of the plans for global expansion, Wi-Q gushed: “We went from a chance conversation over a glass of wine, to mobilisation and live technology in place in one of the world’s leading hotel chains in less than eight weeks!”
The brand explained further: “The Hotel Designs Meet Up was a busy event, with delegates from a range of sectors and services. We spent some time chatting with an events team from a major global hotel chain, and they were really excited about our solution”.
A flagship London hotel is on board
“A few days later, we had a call. This same team had been raving about wi-Q to the management team and we were invited to come in for a meeting”.
“They loved it, and the first phase of mobile ordering technology is already live and in place at a flagship London hotel, with global plans in the pipeline”.
The leading hotel chain can’t yet be revealed, but congratulations to all involved!
The next Hotel Designs Meet Up takes place on 21 March 2018 from6pm – 9.30pm at the London Edition, located on the edge of Soho in London’s Fitzrovia. The boutique hotel blends thoughtful design and intuitive service featuring custom lighting by Patrick Woodroffe.
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.
The Hotel Summit celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2018 and is pleased to announce its partnership with James Alexander bespoke upholstery.
The Hotel Summit is the hotel industry’s premier networking event, where industry suppliers and buyers meet and will this year be held at the Radisson Blu, London Stansted on June 4th – 5th. Click here for all the details.
James went it alone in 2017 and set up as a bespoke furniture maker having cut his teeth at his family’s contract furnishing company.
Led by ‘creative’ and ‘technical’ excellence
James describes his own furnishings as being led with ‘creative’ and ‘technical’ excellence, gained from his wide and extensive background in manufacturing.
“I realised there was a demand for artisan crafts within the furnishing industry and limited time and talent. Despite the cottage industry nature of most factories outside the few large producers, most companies still have production lines and are not set up to devote the time to develop and produce bespoke work. I am able to respond quickly to quotation requests,” explains James.
“Furniture that is timeless”
“We cover all aspects of interior furnishings, but our manufacturing speciality is all types of seating and upholstery and our projects include everything from retirement villages & cinemas to hotels and private commissions. We have been trading for 3 years now and our ability to make excellent furniture here in the UK quickly to specification is proving a hit with designers and contractors”.
“My aim is to keep the service both personable and efficient at all times whilst creating furniture that is both timeless and special to you”.
Hotel Summit has also welcomed B Light Group, and Simba mattress professionals to the event recently. For more information on Hotel Summit as a whole, please click here.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or partner of the Hotel Summit or would like more information, please contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk
Marriott have revealed ambitious plans to extend their luxury footprint in 2018 with a giant 40 hotel roll out.
Global Brand Officer Tina Edmunson has written a statement insisting Marriott’s luxury expansion understands the “global shift in perception around luxury”.
“We are uniquely positioned to provide personalised and truly differentiated experiences that resonate with this next generation jetsetter,” she said.
There are eight distinct brands within the Marriott portfolio. They include The Ritz Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, St. Regis, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, EDITION and JW Marriott.
Marriott will launch in new territories in 2018 including Iceland, Nepal and Cuba
If 40 new hotels sounds like steep growth, Marriot have some 200 hotels “in the development pipeline”, across the 60 countries currently represented by Marriott, and further afield, having taken on an extra 25 countries.
Some of those countries include Iceland, Nepal, Cuba and The Philippines.
Tina’s statement went on: “From former palaces in Venice and Vienna, to skyscrapers in Hong Kong and Dubai, to intimate, remote escapes in the Maldives and Mexico, the breadth of our portfolio is incomparable and allows us to surpass the expectations of our guests around the globe.”
Authentic experiences are the bedrock of the modern day luxury seeker
The hotel are keen to promote the work of travel intelligence platform Skift, whose research suggests authentic experiences are the bedrock of the modern day luxury seeker.
Tina Edmundson agrees. She thinks “today’s global luxurian defies traditional stereotypes, moving far beyond the antiquated notion of ‘time’ being the ultimate luxury. Our guests are on a journey towards personal fulfilment, seeking meaningful and purposeful travel experiences that speak to their inner, idealized selves. Whether that be creating a signature dish at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s Culinary Studio, prioritizing wellness by tapping into on-demand fitness with JW Marriott’s Behind the Barre program, recharging in an over-water villa at The St. Regis Maldives or exploring one of the world’s most energetic cities through a W Insider.”
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
Hilton have made an incredibly bold statement: they opened more than one hotel a day in 2017.
Despite current trends suggesting that guests are demanding more boutique hotel experiences, and for hotels to feel more personalised like Airbnbs, the hotel group’s yearly report suggests big brands are still retaining customer loyalty.
This is not to say that the hotel group haven’t been modernising by becoming more boutique. Their Canopy by Hilton rooms, soon to open in London with bespoke in-room artwork by independent suppliers Dais Contemporary, are just one example of how the group are pushing boundaries and distancing themselves from being seen as providing an anonymous hotel experience.
Bucking the trend for Airbnb and boutique hotel experiences?
In the group’s annual business report, the hotel say they opened 399 hotels last year. Significantly more than one a day across their 14 international hotel brands.
Hilton’s report also revealed the group have 345,000 rooms in the pipeline to open, and that they returned $1.1 billion in capital to investors throughout the year.
2018 net income predictions revealed
The group’s net income for 2018 is predicted to be between $802 million and $837 million.
Looking further at Hilton’s fresh hotel designs, ACME design studios have unveiled the look and style of the first room from the new Canopy by Hilton hotel project in the City of London.
The landmark expansion in the heart of the City has been described as “part refurbishment, part new construction” and takes its inspiration from the City’s cultural and historic capital.
The first look at the design appears brutal and industrial, with the eponymous treetop canopies lending softness from the window. Furnishings are modern and in rich, earthy tones and parquet wood flooring is underfoot.
The personalised design reflects the local community
The Canopy by Hilton brand can also be found in Reykjavik, Iceland. It’s the Hilton’s way of saying they’ve learnt about the demands of the modern traveler: out with anonymous colours, textures and patterns, in with a more personalised design reflecting the local community.
The hotel draws on the Jewish and Bangladeshi immigrants who moved to Aldgate in the 19th and 20th Centuries, while respecting the modernist frame of the building, by exposing the concrete framework (typical of the period) wherever possible.
Bespoke furniture and fabrics have been developed for the hotel. Some of which lay as bedspreads, while others form the chaise longue, cushions, chairs and lights.
Small Luxury Hotels Of The World, the boutique hotel group who “don’t believe bigger is better” have unveiled the latest editions to their international portfolio.
Intriguing hotels in Indonesia, Netherlands, Jamaica, Florida, Kenya and Anguilla are now available through the company, who book and manage luxury getaways for an international audience. Here are the best bits from the new additions.
Enjoy the peace and quiet in Indonesia at the Lombok
This new resort on the exclusive Nipah Bay has all the mod cons, including ‘hydro massage’ jacuzzis, but still aims to feel distinctly Indonesian, thanks to local art work and a close connection with the Indonesian people, who work within the hotel directly with guests. Personal butlers are even available. There’s a spa and a “check in ritual” that’s supposed to be immediately relaxing for guests visiting this golden stretch of coast.
Or keep busy in Amsterdam at the TwentySeven Hotel
One of Europe’s culture capitals, Amsterdam’s renaissance is showing no signs of slowing. This boutique stay overlooks key areas, like Dam Square and Royal Palace, but is also very removed from them, due to upholstery with fine detailing which aims to make the hotel feel like a private and secluded home.
The world has been trawled and objects gathered from the farthest points. Carpets are from Nepal, velvet wallpaper is from France, curtains, Italian. But the artwork stays local – made by local people it roots the hotel in Amsterdam.
Be eccentric in Jamaica at The Trident Hotel
The throwback addition to the Small Luxury Hotels Of The World portfolio? Find that in Jamaica. The Trident Hotel has mid-Century detailing and is actually, rather than one big hotel, a collection of 13 oceanfront villas. Retro furniture frames each villa’s very own plunge pool, but there’s a bigger infinity option overlooking the seawater. There’s a seafront spa and oceanfront, open-air dining with cabaret and live jazz – so more than just the furniture is throwback.
Go for style over substance at The Plymouth, Miami Beach
Warholian hedonism combines with Art Moderne design splendour at this historic Miami hotel, designed to echo the 1940s. Staying here is really about doing absolutely nothing more than enjoying the guest’s services. A private beach is connected, there’s large in-room French bathtubs, a very good sushi restaurant and outside dining under the terrace. But the hotel, more than anything else, is a real design statement.
Get botanical in Kenya at the Hemingways Watamu
Within the Watamu Marine National Park, this hotel has been part of the furniture of the region for a while, although it has just undergone a contemporary redesign, which is luring guests back. Rooms are now more spacious, and the shared communal areas equally generous too, and new larger windows look out onto the Indian Ocean. The beach and luxury spa are both a few minutes’ walk away, as is the opportunity to kite surf, scuba dive or go on safari to the Tsavo or Maasai Mara.
Small Luxury Hotels Of The World insist on an “independently minded” approach to the hotels they manage around the world, and are constantly adding new boutique properties to their database
Hotel Lutetia, the destination hotel for the Twentieth Century’s Parisian society elite, has reopened with a contemporary design.
The hotel was once the dwelling point of eminent artists, philosophers, scientists and politicians.
Lutetia has been closed four years for a total refurbishment, to bring its facilities up-to-date with the demands of the modern traveller. Opened in 1920, Hotel Lutetia is famous for being the only hotel (still, to this day) on the fashionable Left Bank of Paris – it’s also famous for its starry cast of guests.
The hotel’s distinct position in the Parisian bohemian district lent itself to the 1930s social elite
The new redesign respects the histories of the building while adding a modern, elaborate touch. There will be a particular luxury feel. Of the 184 rooms, a quarter will be suites and each will be decorated with local art and photography. Flora and fauna will play another key part.
The hotel’s distinct position in the bohemian St. Germain district of the city lends itself to the city’s social elite. The hotel is within minutes of some of the best Parisian boutiques, art galleries and bars and clubs.
Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were live-in residents
It was during the 1930s that the hotel became a cultural epicenter. Writers James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway famously stayed here, and artists Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were actually residents.
A traditional French brasserie, the Lutetia Brasserie, will open alongside a spot for lighter food, the Salon St. Germain, which will be the focal point of a statement courtyard within the hotel.
A jazz club, cigar bar and spa with a “holistic” approach to wellbeing will feature a swimming pool.
Step things up by joining the Virtuoso Program, which has partnered with the hotel to offer a range of bespoke benefits to their members. Benefits to the membership include a guaranteed room upgrade upon check-in, guaranteed early check in and late check out and ‘hotel credit’ to spend on site.
Albert Herrera, who works as Virtuoso’s senior vice president of Global Product Partnerships, explained: “The extensive refurbishment of this beautiful legend will enhance its spirit and charm, and usher it into a new era of serving 21st-century travelers while remaining true to the authentic soul of the Left Bank. Even in a city with many wonderful luxury hotel options, Hotel Lutetia’s elegant blend of heritage and modernity will make it a true standout.”
Hotel Lutetia reopens later in 2018, although no official date has been set yet
The world’s first fully vegan room service has launched and we’ve had a peek inside the London hotel heralding it, which has central London views from the windows of some of its rooms.
The St Giles London hotel in Bloomsbury, central London, is a relatively upmarket stay, with its best design features in the newly refurbished lobby and reception areas.
Those have a monochrome palette and an industrial feel, with fixtures and fittings disrupting the space with clean lines, against high ceilings. A relaxed service style means check in staff are placed at check in ‘hubs’ rather than traditional desks, and a statement staircase sits below a modern glass chandelier.
The rooms are more traditional. Bold colour schemes play their part, but the real sell is the views, which for central London are good (most central London hotels have obstructed views due to the general low rise nature of the buildings). The hotel is located at the Tottenham Court Road end of Oxford Street, so the views reach theatres, nightlife, restaurants, bars and main thoroughfares of the area.
But the hotel have made the news recently for their vegan room service menu launch. Their fully plant-based menu is provided by Bol – a firm who say their “mission is to make it easy to eat more plants, even if you don’t have the time to cook from scratch”.
The company offer fuss-free, straightforward dishes company founder Paul Brown confesses may not “win any medals”, but will provide an access point to easy, attainable vegetarian and vegan food.
“Being in Cali opened my eyes to the world of healthy fast-food,” he says. “My vision of building a healthy food brand finally came to life… with the help of expert nutritionists, top chefs and some friends who feel the way I do about food, I set up BOL. It’s been a hell of a journey so far, and it’s become pretty clear to us that more than ever we have a responsibility to change the way we eat. Put simply, we need to eat less meat and more plants. It turns out my Mum was right, we need to eat more veg. It’s better for our wellbeing and kinder to the planet.”
Vegetable pots, salad jars and soup bowls will all appear on the menu, but for a start, the dishes will only be available in the executive suites.
It’s a distinct change in direction for the hotel, who have never provided room service before, let alone vegan room service. Abigail Tan-Giroud, the CEO of the hotel, is a fan of Bol and made contact with the brand.
“The partnership with BOL is a result of a growing trend in hotel guests looking to keep up their healthy habits when travelling abroad, especially on business. We have seen a dramatic increase in visitors requesting gym passes, vegan and vegetarian restaurant recommendations and guides for running and cycling in the city. Our partnership is an exciting step towards the future of room service and a reflection of London as the conscious cosmopolitan capital,” she says.
The historic RBS bank building in central Edinburgh will become the new Edinburgh Grand Hotel, the luxuriant stay of choice for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe attendees.
The suites are in a prime location for city adventuring. Primed, right on the edge of St Andrew Square, a natural meeting point in the city’s New Town, the 50 bespoke suites will feature a design that will make the most of the historic building, while offering contemporary luxury all the same.
For instance, the original coffered wood panelling that used to form the infrastructure of the RBS global banking headquarters has been kept in place in the apartments. More fittings, including fireplaces and decorative features from the bank have also been left, along with the original brass door handles.
Versatile new design features, in vibrant colours, contrast with original fixtures and fittings
Splashes of vibrant colour, new materials and clean surfaces have made the atmosphere more modern and light. Versatile new design points include flexible lamps and convertible furnishings, which state their case against the historical pieces.
Suites cater for groups up to six, and each apartment has purposefully been designed to feel distinct from the rest. The most impressive, at the top of the building, is the Penthouse suite which has 360 views of Edinburgh.
Suites make the most of the historic building’s features, while offering contemporary luxury
A 170-cover bar and restaurant will assume the space that once was the former banking hall.
The hotel is owned by Chris Stewart Group and operated by Lateral City Apartments, whose general manager Gavin MacLennan commented: “We are re-writing the blueprint on luxury accommodation with the Edinburgh Grand. It is a property which has been expertly tailored to the needs of the modern traveller – from the cutting-edge in-room technology through to the bespoke interior decoration that references the building’s illustrious heritage.”
“Whether guests are visiting for pleasure or for business, we have ensured that all expectations will be surpassed. It is set to become the new landmark in tourism for the capital.”
The Edinburgh Grand hotel will open to the public in June
Hilton are making an impact in Africa in 2018. The worldwide hotel group are pushing further into Egypt, where they opened their first hotel 60 years ago, with a couple of new ‘landmark’ hotels.
Both the Hilton Cairo Heliopolis and the Waldorf Astoria, Cairo, will open this year, and most notably this will be the first time the Waldorf Astoria brand have entered Africa.
The rooms of the currently-standing Towers Luxury Hotel will be entirely repurposed and made to reflect “the finest traditions of Egyptian hospitality” when it re-opens as the Waldorf Astoria, with 247 rooms.
Statement stone flooring and a spacious atrium will make the new lobby a focal point
The initial photos suggest warming gold colour palettes and statement stone flooring in block colours, with laid-back woven wooden chairs which will encourage guests to stick around longer in the lobby.
The lobby, which features an impressively spacious atrium, will become more of a central feature of the hotel. A spa will be one of the new luxurious features, with traditional treatments that will reflect the country’s steep culture with water-based medicinal care.
The hotels, famous for their ubiquitous Waldorf Salad, are classically luxurious with a glamourous feel and send a message of timeless glamour.
First though, the Hilton Cairo Heliopolis opens, the sixth Hilton hotel in the Egyptian capital, and will feature 593 rooms.
President of Hilton for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey Rudi Jagersbacher explained Hilton’s partnership with Gulf-Egypt for Hotels & Tourism for the projects. He revealed the “great partners”, who will manage the properties day-to-day, will bring “great success”.
Design high points include two ballrooms, and an Ampthitheatre
Mohsen Abu Al Azm, who is the managing director of Gulf-Egypt for Hotels & Tourism insisted the hotels would be “world class” and will “set the standard for accommodation in Cairo and across the region”. Hilton, he says, “brings nearly 100 years of experience to these hotels and their international reputation for service, quality and excellence will ensure the continued success of these great hotels”.
Other design high points include two ballrooms, an Ampthitheatre, and tonnes of high spec business facilities for conferences at every level.
More opulent is the choice of two swimming pools, and a whopping 17 eating and playing destinations across both properties. Food will be international and eclectic, pulling influence from Italy with a “subtle and modern” twist, Far Eastern and Asian and Lebanese food, and there’ll be a large nod to the local Egyptian fare.
Hilton continue to expand. With 5,100 hotels, seven more hotels across Egypt are pegged to launch over the next five years.
Hilton Cairo Heliopolis and the Waldorf Astoria are set to open later in 2018, although no set date has been announced
New LEGO NINJAGO themed rooms are opening at the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel next month, giving guests the exciting chance to sleep like a ninja. Opening for the first time during February half term (from 16 February 2018), the four new rooms, filled with bright LEGO NINJAGO wallpaper and LEGO models, are available to book now.
Bringing the awesome world of the LEGO NINJAGO heroes – Nya, Kai, Cole, Lloyd, Zane and Jay – spectacularly to life, the rooms have separate sleeping area for two adults and up to three children. During their stay, mini ninjas will discover 10 new LEGO models in their room from impressive LEGO throwing stars, to a magical hatching dragon made up of 2,852 LEGO bricks, and a bricktacular LEGO dragon’s egg. Wannabe ninjas will delight in solving the clues hidden around the room to unlock the LEGO surprise that waits in the LEGO safe. Plus there’s a LEGO building station, two TVs, and a premium en-suite bathroom complete with more LEGO twists and flourishes.
The LEGO NINJAGO themed rooms are available to book now from £99 per person per night for a family of four including breakfast and Park tickets for two days.
New LEGO NINJAGO 4D MOVIE The ninja fun doesn’t end there, when the LEGOLAND theme park opens for the season on 9 March 2018, LEGO NINJAGO fans will be delighted by the arrival of ‘LEGO NINJAGO – Master of the 4th Dimension’ – an exciting new 12 minute, 4D film screening at the popular LEGO 4D Movie Theatre. Exclusive to LEGOLAND Parks worldwide, the 4D movie will see guests plunged into the action as Master Wu prepares Kai, Nya, Lloyd, Zane, Jay and Cole to take on the teachings of the mysterious ‘Scroll of the 4th Dimension’ complete with 4D effects including water, wind, fire and snow.
Lauren Moss, Senior PR Manager, comments: “Following the opening of LEGO NINJAGO World – a new themed land – at the park in 2017, the addition of our new NINJAGO Hotel rooms and an awesome NINJAGO 4D movie in 2018 will make the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort the ultimate place for mini ninjas to see LEGO NINJAGO come to life.”
2018 also sees awesome new additions to the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort’s world famous Miniland attraction. Guests will be delighted by iconic new additions from across the globe, as Miniland expands to include landmarks from India, Russia, Australia, and China for the very first time. Little ones can also get a taste of the American dream as a miniature LEGO version of the USA comes to Miniland in 2018. An awesome digital aquarium, The LEGO Reef, also joins the line-up of exciting new attractions, where families can dive deep under the sea and build colourful sea creatures out of virtual LEGO bricks using touch screen technology. Visit www.legoland.co.uk for more information.
As Prince Harry and Megan Markle prepare to tie the knot this spring, Mason Rose has compiled a list of the world’s most romantic spots for a royal honeymoon this year.
Whether your dream is to live like north African nobility at the Royal Mansour in Marrakech – owned by King Mohammed VI of Morocco – or cosy up in your own cabin in the Swiss Alps, Mason Rose’s selection of options offers something for every couple to enjoy.
Why go: Settled on its own private island, JW Venice offers a full package of romantic treats for newlyweds. The Honeymoon Bliss package includes a champagne and chocolate-covered-strawberries welcome on arrival and a 50-minute massage for two in the privacy of a GOCO Spa Venice Spa Suite, as well as a free upgrade upon availability and late check-out.
Rate: The Honeymoon Bliss package is available from 599EUR per night (approx. £530).
Booking: Visit jwvenice.com or call +39 041 852 1300 and quote the promotional code ‘HON’
A princess-perfect honeymoon in Marrakech
Where: Royal Mansour, Marrakech
Why go: The exquisite Royal Mansour – one of the world’s most discreet hotels and owned by King Mohammed VI of Morocco – is designed to regal standards, fit for any princess. The ‘rooms’ are set in 53 individual Riads with exquisite craftsmanship throughout and the hotel is just a stone’s throw from the medina and a short distance from the recently opened Yves Saint Laurent Museum (October 2017). It has an exceptional spa which – among its myriad relaxing treatments – offers one of the best hammam experiences in the world.
Rate: The ‘Romance’ package starts from 3,300EUR (approx. £2,903) and is based on two people sharing a Riad. Valid until 27 December 2018.
Why go: A three-night stay in the palatial, historic Grand Hotel Tremezzo – lauded as that ‘happy, sunny place’ by Greta Garbo in 1932 film Grand Hotel – is the picture-perfect location for a honeymoon to rival any movie star. The special offer promises luxury accommodation with lake views and a special champagne and strawberries welcome. Wake up to breakfast served every day in your room, or at the gourmet La Terrazza buffet, and enjoy a romantic three-course à la carte dinner for two at La Terrazza, masterminded by the late, award-winning chef Gualtiero Marchesi.
Rate: The ‘Tremezzo for two’ offer is available from 900EUR (approx. £798) per night, based on two people sharing a Lake View Prestige Room, and stays can be extended at a favourable rate.
Where: JOALI Maldives, Muravandhoo Island, Raas Atoll, Maldives
Why go: Opening in the last quarter of 2018, the new JOALI Maldives is a sophisticated and artistic luxury retreat. Celebrating the joy of life, JOALI is a honeymoon hideaway that represents the ultimate romantic desert island dream; with a focus on sustainability, creativity and individual flair, it couldn’t be further from the feeling of a chain resort.
Booking: For bookings and further information please visit joali.com
Why go: Rustic, cosy and incomparably peaceful, Gstaad Palace’s Shepherd’s or ‘Walig’ Hut – built in 1783 and changed little since – can be hired for an exclusive overnight stay, warmed by candlelight and log burning stoves and complete with a mouth-watering three-course dinner complimented by Swiss wine. With the building sitting proudly at 1,700m above tPatrickhe Gsteig region, couples can enjoy an inimitably romantic evening gazing over Gstaad and the Saanenland. Pair with a luxurious stay at the fairy tale Gstaad Palace itself.
Rate: The Alpine Night at Walig Hut is available from 1,600CHF (approx. £1,220. Summer season only). The Time For Romance package is on offer on select dates subject to availability, from 1,973CHF (approx. £1,505)
Booking: Contact info@palace.ch or call +41 33 748 50 00
Free ski pass for two across Colorado
Where: The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado
Why go: Ski stylishly into married life together by exploring the stunning scenery over Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass with two free daily ski passes for every night at this luxurious mountain haven (based on a minimum three-night stay).
Rates: The Ski Free package is available from 585USD (approx. £421) per night, based on a three-night stay in a Town Side Guest Room
Playful treehouses and bookable ‘hideaways’ are being added to the Costwolds’ luxury The Fish hotel as a part of its £5 million renovation and expansion plans.
The luxury Cotswolds hideaway is undergoing a Herculean expansion, which rolls out throughout the first half of 2018, with some of the accommodation ready for guests by March, and others by June and July. New accommodation veers from historic rooms in the converted stable of the countryside property, to newly built huts, with modern day amenities, in the middle of nature. All accommodation has been designed to recreate the splendour of gentle British countryside living, just with modern day amenities.
Private baths big enough for two out on the deck
Hideaway Huts have been designed by joining two bespoke Shepherd Huts together. They have underfloor heating, and L-shaped living rooms with a log fire, as well as private baths big enough for two out on the deck, under the stars.
The Fish hotel say treehouses are one of the childhood memories we can take with us into adulthood. These grown up-sized houses immersed within the woodlands of the Cotsworlds are slightly more functional than the Hideaway Huts, with two bedrooms, able to accommodate four in total. Each has its own tree incorporated into the design, rising up through it.
Treehouses are childhood memories we take with us into adulthood
For groups of us to 15 guests, The Farmhouse provides more of a conventionally homely experience, within the comfort of four actual brick walls. Originally the farmer of the land’s private home, the house has views out over the stirring countryside.
Or rest in the Coach House, which has been segmented into a selection of traditionally fitted bedrooms, all with sweeping countryside views.
A new seafood restaurant is to open in March called Hook, led by the hotel’s gourmet chef, Martin Burge. Options to ‘gather’ your own food, or ‘feast’ outdoors, on the decking, will also be available when the hotel re-opens.
The Fish reopens 6 March 2018 and new treehouses are available from May, check website for specific booking dates
The first images of the Grand Central Hotel Belfast have been unveiled ahead of the opening of Belfast’s largest hotel later this year.
The new luxury hotel has been inspired by the Grand Hotel that stood on Belfast’s Royal Avenue, once Ireland’s most glamourous destination and home to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones when they were in town. The Grand Central was a focal point on the city’s social map until its closure in 1971, as growing civil unrest took over the inner-city area of Belfast. The hotel was later demolished in the 1980s after it fell into disrepair.
The hotel’s namesake was home to The Beatles in the 1960s
The newly rebuilt hotel will channel the original Grand Central’s timeless opulence, and sense of style. Statement chandeliers, marble floor and brass detailing nod to the past, while flora and fauna, and lots of open spaces have modernised the design to make the hotel feel lighter and airier.
Flora and fauna, and lots of open spaces, have modernised the design
The 23-storey 300 bedroom property will also feature a number of restaurants and bar options, and the hotel as a whole is expected to produce 150 jobs in Belfast.
Julie Hastings, marketing director of the Hastings Hotels group, said: “We are delighted to report that the building of the Grand Central Hotel is running to schedule and with only four months to go until it opens its doors, we are pleased to share internal impressions of the stunning hotel to give people an idea of what they can look forward to. Inspired by the original Grand Central Hotel on Royal Avenue, the new hotel will blend timeless design, classic service and true style fused with glamour and grandeur – simply beautiful, beautifully simple.
“We are also proud to announce that the restaurant and bar on the first floor is a further nod to Belfast’s maritime history and will be named the Seahorse Bar & Bistro and on the ground floor with entrance off Bedford Street there will be The GC, Grand Café which will be open from 6am until late at night”.
“The hotel will also boast two smaller conference suites, three meeting rooms, the Panorama Lounge for private receptions of up to 100 guests, a range of superbly appointed offices and retail units making it the ideal location for both leisure and business guests.”
Grand Central Hotel Belfast is due to open in June 2018
Kaldewei bathroom solutions have unveiled their Iconic World just outside of Cambridge, a destination for the brand which allows buyers “multi sensory” experiences with their products.
At the four-storey brand development centre, guests will get a holistic understanding of leading bathroom brand, Kaldewei. Interactive elements will allow guests to test the durability of Kaldewei bathroom products, by doing things like throwing heavy weights onto their products to check for durability, and heating the brand’s signature steel enamel plate to over 1,000 Celsius with a Bunsen burner.
The destination is aimed at architects, planners, wholesalers, hoteliers and residential developers keen to discover the latest bathroom innovations.
Experience the Kaldewei factory first hand
A showroom area will feature the brand’s bath tubs, sinks, and other appliances, while experts will be on hand to comment.
There’s also a factory tour element combined into the Iconic World experience, where those guests interested will be able to tour part of the brand’s factory for insight into the production process.
The brand are modernising traditional techniques
Watch enamel being manufactured at high temperatures and learn how the brand are modernising traditional techniques.
Franz Kaldewei build bathrooms from steel enamel for strength and quality. Their portfolio contains over 600 showers, washbasins and bathtubs. The brand have received over 150 design awards since their conception in 1918.
Visit the Kaldewei website for more information, and to visit the Iconic World, go to Kaldewei, Kings Hall, St. Ives Business Park, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 4WY. Mon – Thur: 9 – 4, 9 – 2pm on Friday
Trip Advisor have unveiled the results of their Travelers’ Choice Awards, which reward “the very best in travel” and have unveiled Baros in Maldives as the most spectacular and luxurious hotel in the world.
A user’s review on the website describes the hotel as “a real escape”. “We spent the whole week just marveling at the natural beauty. It was possible to believe that nowhere else existed or even mattered,” the reviewer said.
Voted Trip Advisor’s most luxurious hotel
The island’s contemporary accommodation features floor-to-ceiling glass windows to allow in natural light, and villas are crafted using timber and sandstone which make the huts in-keeping with the environment. Each villa has its own private veranda or sun deck.
Baros is a small coral island a twenty minute speedboat ride away from Maldives airport. In utter isolation, guests are met by a sandy beach which circles the entire island, and azure blue oceans.
‘Water villas’ immersed within the ocean
Guests can stay in ‘water villas’ immersed within the ocean, with each their own access to the sea, and some with their own private pools. Or, more traditional villas on the sand with private sun loungers and decks are available.
A spa, gym and luxury restaurant are available on the island. The latter of which serves food caught nearby and day trips to more populated parts of the Maldives are also encouraged, although most guests go for utter removal from life.
Out of the thousands of luxury hotels in the world, the top 5 luxury hotels in the world according to Trip Advisor also featured hotels in Marrakech, Hong Kong, India and Peru.
They are the Riad Kheirredine, Marrakech, The Upper House in Hong Kong, The Oberoi Vanyavilas in Sawai Madhopur, India and Belmond Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco, Peru.
The Hotel Summit celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2018 and is pleased to announce that the latest confirmed attendee is Pulsar Light.
The Hotel Summit is the hotel industry’s premier networking event, where industry suppliers and buyers meet and will this year be held at the Radisson Blu, London Stansted on June 4th – 5th. Click here for all the details.
Pulsar Light, who create architectural LED lighting, are the latest industry specialists to announce their attendance. The innovative light specialists create bespoke LED light installations for the creative industries.
Future-proof LED lighting
The designers say: “As industry forerunners in LED lighting technology, we design and manufacture beautiful, powerful, future-proof LED lighting solutions for architectural, entertainment and creative projects. Our products are designed by a team with over 3,500 collective years of lighting industry experience and are built to the high standard British manufacturing is renowned for.”
Their work has formed part of iconic buildings
Their work has formed part of iconic buildings, including the World Trade Center in Bahrain, and the Milennia Tower Singapore.
Pulsar Light have three key ranges: Luxeosrange, for industry standard lighting, Chromarange, for reliable high quality, and Ecorange for efficiency. The brand will no doubt have much to say on sustainability and efficiency at the event.
Hotel Summit has also welcomed B Light Group, and Simba mattress professionals to the event recently. For more information on Hotel Summit as a whole, please click here.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or partner of the Hotel Summit or would like more information, please contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk
If you’re after design inspiration, London Design Week 2018 is where world-leading creatives and amateur design lovers in equal measure go to be inspired.
London Design Week 2018 boasts hundreds of producers, showrooms and immersive design experiences. It’s the go-to for the inspiration hungry – whether you work in the industry or not. Visitors get, in Design Week’s words, “the inside track on creative thinking”.
120 exhibitors and 600 international brands make cutting-edge design accessible. Pop-up experiences go back-to-back with interactive installations and world exclusive previews of the latest technologies, materials and trends from the world of design.
Talks, demonstrations and workshops
Eminent designers including Martin Brudnizki, Martin Hulbert, Jay Grierson, Lord Snowdon, Sophie Ashby, Hubert Zandberg, Sir Peter Osborne, Susie Atkinson, Peter Mikic, Linda Boronkay, Christopher Jenner, Jo leGleud, Afroditi Krassa, Simon Mitchell of Sybarite, architects Fiona McLean and Mike Stiff and Marianne Cotterill will participate in talks and discussions. Meet the Designer sessions and Designer Close Ups will reveal new projects and insider tips from the best in the business in an intimate exchange.
Original collaborations between designers and tastemakers
Like Christmas windows, but in March, designers and artists are collaborating to create distinct art installations, to be displayed throughout the various rooms. Figureheads from the worlds of art, architecture, decoration, design and fashion will work together to make one-off creations full of “skill, wit and nerve”.
Design trends made couture for the home
A series of interactive events mean guests can learn how to make statement items bespoke for their own homes. Jacaranda Carpets, Siberian Floors, Houlès, Artisans of Devizes’ Q&A sessions, Jacaranda Carpets, Summit Furniture and Topfloor by Esti will all host practical advice sessions on everything from digital marketing of your own brand blog, to ways to enhance fixtures, fittings and furnishings to fit your own needs.
London Design Week 2018 runs 4 – 9 March, with trade preview running until 6th and then public entry thereafter | Register online for complimentary tickets
Scotland’s oldest hotel and one of its most well-loved Highland Way pitstops, which served as a layover for walkers of the serene Glencoe since the 1750s, has had controversial plans for a modern renovation approved.
The “industrial” new look planned for the hotel has angered some locals, although neither Highlands Council nor Mountaineering Scotland have objected to plans for the renovation.
Managing agents Bidwell have released photos of the proposed changes, designed by Covell Matthews Architects. It shows the original 1700s hotel still in tact, but with more modern-style terraced buildings adjoined that are one storey taller than the original hotel, and four or five times the size.
Managing agents: Hotel will be “In-keeping with the majestic environment”
And here’s how the original, historic hotel looks now, pre-renovation, which has stood in Glencoe since the 1700s.
Now that Highlands Council have approved the new look, Bidwells explained things from their perspective: “This is a superb result for our client who has been very focussed on providing a well thought out project which will bring employment to the area and encourage more visitors to this stunning part of Scotland.”
Bidwells surveyor James Allan went on to insist the plans are “in-keeping with the majestic environment” as well as “sustainable”.
“The de Spoelberch family… have always been adamant that they didn’t want to do anything that would displease the community and would not have proceeded with something that was not supported”.
“Sustainable” plan for new project has received formal complaints
National Trust for Scotland and John Muir Trust had previously logged a complaint against the proposed building style for being “not sympathetic to its surroundings or to the existing historic hotel building”.
The hotel marks the adjoining point where the West Highland Way descends from the Rannoch Moor, and is a popular pit stop for walkers.
Covell Matthew Architects, who won the bid to design the innovative new structure, say on their website that “design excellence, budget and programme control, proficient project management and the achievement of best value” are key to their work.
A speedy renovation is forecast to take place throughout 2018 ready for the hotel‘s relaunch in 2019 | Main image shows artist’s representation of how the hotel will look
A historic London office block overlooking Trafalgar Square is being transformed into a new boutique London hotel.
The St Martin’s Place Hotel, a 136 room property, will take inspiration from Art Deco styles, with brass-detailed bar stools in emerald green, and profound, statement arm chairs in bold blue.
The colour palette featured in the initial photos suggests monochrome, with warming golden tints and marble finishes to the communal areas.
A new London hotel with warming golden tints and marble finishes
The five-storey building will also increase in height by one floor. A new sixth floor will boast a rooftop bar, presumably with views over Trafalgar Square, and the fifth floor will be occupied by a new restaurant.
Willmott Dixon Interiors have been on boarded for the design, who are experts in London office building to hotel transformations. Their recent hotel projects include the Dorsett City Hotel near London’s Aldgate station.
A new rooftop bar for London
“This is also another big investment in London as one of the world’s top destinations for visitors and we’re proud to be playing our part in stimulating further growth for our capital,” says managing director of Willmott Dixon Interiors, Graham Shaw.
The building’s transformation is being managed by EPR Architects, who will respect the office block’s heritage by leaving the building’s Post Office unscathed by renovations.
The hotel also adjoins the nearby Grade II Star listed St Martin’s Vicarage, Vestry and School.
Best Effort Ventures chose Willmott Dixon Interiors and EPR Architects for the project.
St Martin’s Place Hotel 7 -8 Martins Place, Charing Cross has no opening date as of yet
Vaughan Designs will unveil a new collection of articulated library and reading lights in brass at London Design Week 2018.
A series of paired fabric lampshades and brass spun shades in different shapes will accompany the lights, all to be unveiled at the annual event, which takes place between 4-6 March for trade guests and from 7-9 March for all other attendees. London Design Week is the seminal event for the latest design products and trends.
Vaughan Designs were set up in 1983. The company is run by a former antiques dealer who identified a gap in the market for both stylish and classical lighting fixtures, which appealed to modern buyers.
Our header image, and the image below, are two examples from the new collection.
Vaughan will also boast a new addition to their floor lamp collection at the event, available in brass or bronze, with a glass table and mirror wall light attached. The light will feature jewel shapes and an embroidered linen design, with blue motifs.
The Vaughan business has grown from lighting to incorporate furnishings, needlework and fabrics and their full collection can be viewed online, or at their showroom at London Design Week from March 4th.
The Vaughan showroom at London Design Week, G1 Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, London SW10 OXE from 4th March
Pete Doherty and The Libertines stirred up a PR storm this week by revealing they’re launching a hotel with recording studio in British seaside town, Margate.
The news that the Four Seasons are launching their second property in India, in the country’s emerging tech capital, has pulled in readers from all around the world.
Business hotel group Crowne Plaza have declared it a new era for the modern business traveler – they’re revivifying their hotels and making them cooler, brighter and generally more future-proofed.
The hotel group, who are a part of the Intercontinental Hotels Group, are working with creatives NB Studio, who have branded other business hotels ‘generic’ and ‘bland’ and have insisted their new look is much “friendlier”.
Crowne Plaza have reportedly agreed to remove all red from their colour scheme, and have gone in on more positive, lighter palettes. White, yellow, orange, light blue, navy blue and grey will now signify the brand, report Design Week in their report about the redevelopment.
Appealing to a younger audience
Interior designers PearsonLloyd have reportedly come on board for the design to help Crowne Plaza entice in a younger audience, who travel often but refuse to accept the standards of old fashioned hotels.
The international hotel group have 400 hotels in 52 countries throughout the world, and were previously known for their deep purple branding. Now, though, it seems a breezier, more youthful, industrial-chic feel will permeate across their properties as the group roll out the new look.
“Huge… transformative” redesign
Speaking to Design Week, NB Studio called the project “huge” and “transformative”, and noted that it will “elevate the brand out of the traditionally generic world of business travel.”
The redesigns will be a slow and gradual process across the group’s international portfolio.
The photo we’ve used is from a Crowne Plaza in Leeds – we’ll update with officially imagery when we receive it.
One of San Francisco’s famous historical hotels has undergone a vast modernisation, and photos have been revealed.
The hotel hails from the early 1900s so the designers have borrowed from its vast history to inspire the new design. It is here that it is claimed the Martini cocktail was dreamed up in the late 1800s, when the hotel was a society hotspot.
The extensive renovation has transformed the lobby, entrance area and mezzanine and has been the project of celebrated local architect, BAMO.
Just last year the hotel completed the renovation of its residential rooms, all 177 and eight suites getting a refreshed look.
A daily Martini Hour has been introduced
The look is richly diverse. Ultimately luxurious, the entrance has been given a statement white marble tile flooring, while other areas of the hotel boast a lighter, softer feel with cream walls given definition by antiqued mirrors.
Elsewhere, modern artwork is brightly colourful, and pairs with bolder carpeting in charcoal and brandy notes which sweep through the communal areas.
The mezzanine area offers the Gaspar Brasserie, and a daily Martini Hour will give a nod to the history of the hotel.
General Manager Suzie Yang explained: “Over the years, our guests have expressed a desire for a casual common area where they can enjoy cocktails… We saw this renovation as the perfect opportunity to create a new experience out of the existing mezzanine, offering our guests the freedom to enjoy the vibrancy of the lobby from a contemporary and intimate space.”
The previously renovated rooms were given a ‘new neutrals’ colour palette with a fresh feel, although marble desks remind of the hotel’s glamorous past.
In the late 1800s the property that now houses the hotel was the home of two properties, The Occidental Hotel and Lick House, the stomping grounds of eminent locals of the West Coast in the day.
It was here that the Martini cocktail was reportedly invented.
However, a fire destroyed the hotels in 1906 and it later turned into a roaring Twenties speakeasy – the remnants of which can still be found in the basement of the hotel today.
It was in the 1980s that the property was renamed Galleria Park Hotel.
The boutique hotel group Joie de Vivre now run the property.
Whether or not you’ve heard of the interior design trends in our title, it’s time to get on board with the new colours, shapes and textures that’ll be guiding interior designers this season.
One of the fastest entry points to new trends are industry suppliers Style Library Contract, who have been guided by the newest work of their producers to name-check the top four trends for SS18. Here’s what we made of them.
Maximalist
Inspired by the pronounced shapes and enlivened colours of the Art Deco movement, maximalist is all about making a statement. It’s about print and upholstered fabrics, and the designers at the helm include Anthology, who have launched bold nine-wide-width wallcoverings in 42 different colours. The brand’s new range of velvets, for upholstery or drapes, are equally powerful and attention-grabbing.
Revival
There seems to be no slowing the pace and impact of The Roaring Twenties on the design world. Years after it became re-glam, the 1920s are still soaring in popularity. Similar to Maximalist, Revival is concerned with excess. The cocktail chair is in. Try Zoffany’s The Muse, a chair which combines a modernist aesthetic with contrasting colour. Rich gold, emerald green and the chair itself, a sort of powder pink light purple crossover.
Nomadic
This is about representing your travels at home, but with subtlety. Treat interior design like food, by giving a twist to the statement styles of other cultures. SLC’s in-house lighting design features are this year inspired by travels to South America. Full of the vibrancy of the Amazon rainforest, they say: “The collection exudes the energy of a tropical setting whilst highlighting the delicate nature of forest flora and fauna, showcasing sophisticated and dramatic depictions.”
Haven
This trend is about the harmony of the seaside, particularly, the concept of where the sea meets the land. Stepping out of our frenetic lives and into a haven has an almost childlike quality, and Sanderson’s Embleton Bay collection is a series of hand-drawn sketches which capture the joy of a life without stresses. Distinctly British, the works take a literal stance too, with depictions of speckled eggs, hares, dragonflies and puffins.
Style Library Contract are suppliers of innovative fabric, wallpaper and trimmings, and have a bespoke service
And now, in a report about the latest industry trends for 2018, Grohe insist re-using waste products will be the new ethically conscious fashion. Here are the trends for 2018 they spotted in full.
Waste is now seen as a status symbol
As the world becomes ever more focused on ditching plastic, such as plastic straws, designers are re-thinking ways we can creatively use waste. Waste is now bizarrely, but wonderfully seen as a status symbol. Ikea introduced a range recently entirely devoted to waste. KUNGSBACKA features cupboard doors made from scrap wood from mills, old furniture and packaging materials. And burgeoning brand Pentatonic released a range furniture made from things like plastic, fizzy drink cans and smartphone screens. See their chair made of waste, above.
Revel in pastels
Grohe spotted this one a mile off. Last year’s obsession with ‘Millennial Pink’ has opened the gateway to a broad range of pastels, such as soft corals, which the brand describe, cheerfully as “youthful and optimistic”.
Experiment with jesmonite
Jesmonite is a favourite with designers, because it can be used to replicate the look of pretty much any surface or texture. The diverse material is making a big impact right now, thanks to the trend for Terrazzo. Grohe describe the material as having “tactile warmth”, inviting touching and in this light, owners form close relationships with the innovative material. What’s best is that it can literally form the surface of your dreams, without the stresses of buying in less functional, less hygienic ‘authentic’ products, like stone.
Bring the outside in with botanicals
This one’s been at boiling point for a while, but for 2018 the botanicals trend shows no signs of slowing. Now, wallpaper is the latest design item to be given a floral touch, as the trend moves forward and interior fans are investing in florals not only in their natural flower pots, but on the walls, too.
Make a statement with glass
The expansive look and feel of glass compliments the ongoing trend for open spaces both at home, and at work. Glass represents freedom of expression and thought, and now that textured glass is back in, we’ll likely see a lot more statement glass ornamental features, as well as the material being used for fixtures. Experimental design studio, Rive Roshan are at the helm of this spectacular new use of glass. See the image, above.
Sir Richard Branson’s burgeoning hotel empire is set to land in the UK for the first time, with the arrival of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh.
Virgin Hotels is a relatively new premise for the entrepreneur. Although 10 hotels are planned to open, currently only the hotel in Chicago is actively open to the public.
There is no word yet as to the design and style of the hotel – though, Virgin Hotel Chicago is all about fun. It has a functional feel, with a colourful palette which plays around with primary colours. The hotels schedule live gigs, alongside events tied into the local community, and have a friendly and personable service style with an anything goes approach. You can even take your dog.
Sir Richard Branson: “Scotland has always held a special place in my heart”
The Chicago Hotel assumed a historical building, and while respecting its grandness, modernised rooms to make them functional for the busy traveler who craves instant, accessible luxury.
India Buildings on Edinburgh’s Victoria Street is to be transformed into a 225-room luxury hotel, pegged to open in 2020.
Virgin Hotels chief executive Raul Leal explained: “The location is fabulous and we love the fact we had to work round the building… It has charming little spaces, especially the beverage areas. There will be plenty of surprises and delights – little coves and places for privacy, where people can have meetings or dine.
First of its kind in the UK
Sir Richard Branson added: ““Edinburgh is such an iconic city and we’re thrilled to be able to say it will be the home of the first Virgin Hotel in the UK and across Europe.
“My grandparents were from Edinburgh, so Scotland has always held a special place in my heart.”
Further Virgin Hotels are planned to open in Nashville, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Palm Springs, California and New York, Dallas, New Orleans.
Robert De Niro, 74, has his fingers in a lot of pies. Aside from still making films, the budding entrepreneur has been working with the Nobu group to launch hotels and the next will open shortly in Marbella.
De Niro has worked with restaurant and hotel group before, and the style of this opening will be no different. Head chef Nobu Matsuhisa, behind the eponymous brand, will collaborate with De Niro and film producer Meir Teper to launch a Nobu-branded property, the company’s second in Spain.
Nobu Hotels, from a design perspective, have an contemporary industrial feel, with light, airy spaces, but they also aim in some way pay homage to their local environment too.
Naturally the luxury Nobu Hotel Marbella, due in March, will have a strong focus on the Asian-inspired food Nobu are globally famous for, and will be an adults-only set up.
The hotel will be relatively intimate, with 81 rooms. Opening on Marbella’s holidaying destination, the Golden Mile, the hotel has lifestyle elements like a golf course which will keep it open for all four seasons, even when the weather turns.
Talking of the brand’s interest in pairing local cuisine and culture with Nobu’s Asian heritage, general manager of Nobu Marbella explained: “This will be a lifestyle-focused hotel for adults only, with an incredible focus on food and drink, with Chef Nobu’s incredible input. Having spent a week with him in the region, I know he has come up with ways to bring a local Andalusian flavour to the cuisine.”
Further features include a roaming hotel cocktail trolley, DJ sessions and access to neighbouring Hotel Puente Romano, which has its own nightclub and exclusive restaurants.
There’s also a beach club, tennis club, golf course and equestrian centre available for guests.
Nobu’s expanding hotel empire includes properties in London, Ibiza, Malibu, Toronto and Barcelona. The group are set to launch in more destinations in the near future, including Los Cabos, Chicago and Sao Paulo.
Highly acclaimed designer André Fu and The Berkeley Hotel have collaborated on stunning rooftop suites at classic London hotel, The Berkeley.
The high-end suites are a part of a much wider modernisation for the historic hotel. Positioned at the top of the building, and both with rooftop access, these contemporary designs are going to turn heads among the capital’s design elite.
Both suites have been created around a glass pavilion, which douses the interiors in plenty of light. Generous terraces surround the suites, and the highly opulent but casual interiors are designed to a muted rock and stone colour palette, with dashes of emerald green and warm terracotta. Scroll down for a full image gallery.
The front entrance and two of the hotel’s social spaces, the Blue Bar and Collins Room, have already been updated for a modern audience who prefer relaxed sophistication to a formal aesthetic.
The glasshouse offers 270 degree views of London
The Crescent Pavilion and Grand Pavilion are two of the hotel’s four suites, following the renovation of The Apartment in 2017, by John Heah, and the Opus Suite, which launched in 2012 and was also designed by André.
Andre Fu explains: “I have always been fascinated with the modernist legacy of the glasshouse and how it brings natural daylight centre stage as part of the overall design. It has been inspiring to work with The Berkeley, and having this unique opportunity to introduce this purist form into two of its luxury suites. My overall aim was to create an effortlessly contemporary space, where relaxed modernity sits alongside what is quintessentially classic British.”
Casual sophistication is André Fu’s stamp
The idea is that the hotel’s ‘Signature Service’ will add to the dramatic feel of the spatially palatial suites. The food of twice-Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wearing can be ordered direct to the room, and an in-room cocktail maker is available on request (cocktail parties on the terrace are possible), along with the rental of things like bespoke Burberry trench coats, and access to a private concierge throughout your stay.
Making outdated interiors feel casually sophisticated is André Fu’s stamp. He’s given lifts to Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, The Upper House in Hong Kong, and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore.
Positioned on Knightsbridge with Hyde Park views, and within a few minutes’ walk of the area’s shops including Harrods, the two suites are perfectly situated for the best of west London’s luxury spas, shops and dining experiences.
One Crown Place, a new property development in the City of London, has unveiled plans to transform a humble row of six Georgian townhouses into a boutique hotel.
The developers will be keen to ensure the original fixtures and fittings, and the historical look of the properties, will remain at the forefront of the transformation. The buildings, which date to the early 1800s, will be reimagined into a luxury hotel pegged to launch early in 2020.
Interior designers Bowler James Brindley have been appointed to look after the project, and bring the six townhouses into one.
The designers say their company “reflects an English attitude of eccentricity, understatement, quirkiness, and inclusion”.
An English attitude of eccentricity, quirkiness, inclusion…
Bespoke Hotels will operate the new five-storey venture, which will have 41 bedrooms, which will begin at £295 for a one night stay.
Somewhere in the redesign, a 100-cover restaurant and bar will take shape, alongside a members’ club which will likely tie in with the One Crown Place project more widely.
One Crown Place is an emerging hub in the City, with private property in two new towers.
The architects are working to a brief of “imagination and efficiency”
One Crown Place, in the developers’ words, is “a building that challenges the perception of what the City stands for today, radiating confidence from its prismatic silhouette and offering a welcome antidote to ubiquitous concrete and glass towers. Here a new generation of contemporary taste-makers are invited to make their home within sight of the City’s iconic boundaries”.
London and New York-based architects KPF are working to a brief which combines “imagination and efficiency”. As well as securing a distinctly modern look and feel, the design is taking extra care to respect the wider community, by ensuring the towers block little to no natural light to the streets and inhabitants below.
One Crown Place has two property towers designed with prism-like silhouettes, and will repurpose some buildings nearby, including these Georgian townhouses. The project is set for completion in 2020.
After teasing a launch as far back as 2014, French hospitality group Mama Shelter are finally opening one of their hotels in London, which will fuse restaurant and hotel concepts to make one distinct social space.
Aimed at Millennials, the Mama Shelter hotel will overtake the RE Hotel on the outskirts of Shoreditch in east London, and will take on the likes of Generator Hostel, by offering social activities for guests, and an unmissable design-led approach.
Further details about the style of design, the rooms, restaurants or opening date are yet to be unveiled, although the colour schemes and furnishings in other countries are lively, fresh and vibrant.
French designers Dion & Arles are responsible for uniting Mama Shelter’s bar, restaurant and hotel concepts into one social space. There will be ping pong tables for guests’ use, and – unlike at Generator – walk-ins who aren’t staying at the hotel will also be welcome to use the facilities.
Mama Shelter will have a tech-first approach. Apparently, video and photo booths will allow media to be taken in-room and then developed on site, at the hotel, so guests can take away a physical memory from their stay.
At Mama Shelter, the emphasis is truly on socialising
“The RE Hotel property offers us an exciting opportunity to create a new destination hotel in an emerging and vibrant part of London,” says Jeremie Trigano, chief executive of Mama Shelter.
Mama Shelter currently run ten hotel properties and have a global approach. Hotels are currently in key cities including Los Angeles, Rio, Paris and Prague.
Mama Shelter say: “More than simply rooms or restaurants, Mama Shelter is a living and meeting space, a true urban refuge that’s not just beautiful, modern and lively but also popular, friendly and sexy. Curl up on our sofas and savour our sharing plates, enjoy a drink and relax, you can sleep like a baby… Mama takes care of everything!”
The hotel will join legions of other new openings in the Shoreditch area. They include The Curtain Hotel and Nobu Shoreditch, both of which opened recently, and design-led favourites The Ace Hotel and Hoxton Hotel, which both similarly focus on large, communal foyer areas fit for working, dining and socialising.
There is no opening date yet, but we’ll update when we have further details
Britton Bathrooms have unveiled a new range of luxurious bathroom ceramics with Nano Glaze coating, a strong protector for surfaces which are prone to a build up of bacteria.
The discreet Nano Glaze lends the ceramics extra shelf life, so they hold their contemporary look for longer, even with persistent daily use.
The slender designs suit modern, contemporary bathrooms with a stylish yet simplistic aesthetic. The ceramics (including basins and WC furniture) have gentle curves, and non-fussy finishes which, thanks to the advanced surface technology, are easy to clean, as dirt and germs can be easily wiped away.
Advanced surface technology
While some ceramics are traditionally floorstanding, others create more of a talking point by being freestanding (or wallhung).
Britton Bathrooms are part of the Crosswater bathroom design group, pioneers of their field who lead with an innovative approach. Within Crosswater, there are three well-respected brands: Crosswater, Simpsons and Bauhaus.
Crosswater Contracts have worked with both boutique and international brands including Hilton, Mondrian, Malmaison, Ampersand and Laslett. They have become particularly known for being the UK’s seminal provider of stunning brassware and showers for a wide range of high-specification bathrooms.
Britton’s designs extend more widely across furniture, toilets, basins, taps, baths, showers, mirrors and accessories.
Visit the Britton Bathrooms website for more information about their contemporary range of Nano Glaze ceramics, and for more information on their wider collections
You may as well throw your iPhone into the glacier on your way in: there’s no internet or mobile coverage whatsoever at this remote Alaskan hotel in the middle of a glacier.
What there is instead, in abundance, is what the Sheldon family call “comfortable luxury” within “the wildness of Alaska.” The two-storey Sheldon Chalet is 6,000 feet in elevation, and positioned on a nunatak: an exposed piece of rock that’s covered by snow, in the middle of the mountains, in absolute isolation.
The Sheldon Chalet is the result of a dream. The dream of Don and Roberta Sheldon, who in the mid part of last Century questioned whether this unimaginable abyss could ever be inhabited.
Luxury where it was thought impossible
Three generations later and the hotel is due to open next month, in February 2018. Boasting comfort, warmth and luxury where it was thought to be impossible, the stunning property features a light wooden exterior influenced by the ski chalets of mountainous towns, plenty of generous windows and doors to allow the natural light in, and a traditional Alpine feel interior.
The hotel – which is now taking bookings – is positioned only 10 miles from the summit of the mountain of Denali, North America’s highest mountain.
The chalet has five bedrooms, which can accommodate up to ten guests, and can be prepared into single or double beds, depending on occupancy. The Sheldon Chalet is available privately, or to share with other guests, depending on the size of your party.
Taken at surface value, the experience seems to be all about staying in – but the natural landscape nearby is thrillingly untouched. Adventurous souls can go igloo building, night trekking, sledding and crevasse exploring in the local area, where herbs are foraged and served with seafood and Champagne (and other seasonal dishes) by staff back at the chalet. Or, discover untouched hot springs and hike along a ridgeline with a unique perspective and unmatched views of Mount Denali.
The nunatak was the stomping grounds of eponymous ‘bush pilot’ Don Sheldon, and his mapper and explorer confidante Brad Washburn, who spent time here in the middle of last Century, mapping the Alaska Range area. In his lifetime Don pioneered glacier landings, in and around the Denali area.
Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru will launch in the Indian tech capital later in 2018. It’s opening with the help and consultation of Indian property developers Embassy ONE.
Bengaluru – India’s fastest-growing city – is a burgeoning destination for international travelers. The city largely suits business travel, although the surrounding area has great natural landmarks too. The city’s Embassy ONE building, already home to office space and luxury shops, will soon house private accommodation and Four Seasons’ second luxury hotel in India (the first is in Mumbai). Debuting in summer 2018 (no fixed date yet), Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE, and Four Seasons Private Residences Bengaluru at Embassy ONE will be a new major pull for the city.
HKS Architects and Studio u+a are behind the design of the build, and interior designers Yabu Pushelburgh are on board for the look. George Yabu and Glenn Pushelburgh have been working together since the early 1970s. Their experimental design aims to provoke emotional responses, and between them, the duo have designed much-lauded hotels including Four Seasons New York Downtown and Toronto, Waldorf Astoria Beijing, London Edition and St Regis Mexico.
Bengaluru is India’s emerging technology capital
There will be three buildings in total. The South Tower will house the hotel and part of the residences, The North Tower will be entirely private property, and a third reserved for retail and office space.
LW Design Group are behind the look and feel of the restaurants. Three eateries will hold more than 600 covers, and there’ll be 24 hour dining, and an Asian-themed brasserie.
A spa, salon, fitness centre and an innovative ‘outdoor oasis’ will also feature, including butterfly garden and waterfall.
National parks and ancient monuments are nearby
Bengaluru is India’s tech hub. Although, national parks and ancient monuments nearby mean there is a genuine tourist pull to the city too. The hotel, though, will likely encourage guests to stay in and enjoy the luxurious setting.
J.Allen Smith, President and CEO of Four Seasons, explains: “Bengaluru is a very exciting city, in part through the tremendous progress of industry, technology, research and education, with just as much to offer in the way of culture and nightlife… It’s attractive to business and leisure travellers, and with a growing population of more than ten million, is also a significant residential market.”
“India is an incredibly important market for us at Four Seasons, and we have been looking for the right opportunity to expand our presence here. This project is the perfect opportunity to do so, in an ideal location and with our visionary partners at Embassy Group, who are deeply involved and committed to the evolution of this city.”
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are keeping their finger on the pulse as they enter new and emerging cities. India’s Bengaluru is tipped as a hotly tipped as India’s new destination for work and leisure. The luxury hospitality group have partnered with Embassy Group – India’s leading property developers – to launch this expansive new property.
After a year of change and growth in the hotel industry, from the explosion of Airbnb to serviced apartments and an increased interest in the on-demand culture, it isn’t just London that will see its effect in 2018.
Taking place on July 18, 2018 at King Street Townhouse, Manchester, the northern edition of our Meet Up format is bringing together hoteliers, designers and hospitality industry suppliers to forge valuable professional relationships.
We have chosen the very central King Street Townhouse for our Manchester soiree. King Street Townhouse, located within the upper King Street Conservation Area of Manchester city centre, is an impressive Italian renaissance building, designed by local architect Edward Salomons and originally built in 1872 for the Manchester Salford Trustees Bank.
If you are a supplier to the hospitality industry looking to meet the top hoteliers and interior designers, contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or on j.lane@forumevents.co.uk – or click here to book your place.
The Hotel Designs summer Meet Up is completely free for hoteliers and interior designers; click here to confirm your attendance.
A new TV series aims to understand the world’s most famous hotels, “where the past, present and future converge”.
Fronted by iconic US journalist Peter Greenberg, Hotels with a Past will get deep into the histories of some of the best-known hotels, including Hotel Raffles, Singapore, The Plaza in New York, Hot Springs, Virginia and The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia.
The oldest hotel in the series, The Buccaneer in St Croix, dates from 1653 and the most recently built was New York’s The Plaza, which dates from 1907.
The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg is one of America’s most popular travel TV shows. It gained popularity because of its user friendliness; the show offers snappy half-hour episodes on hidden gem destinations designed with the ease of the traveler at heart.
“Historic hotels appeal to Millennials and seniors”
“Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide are thrilled to be collaborating with Peter Greenberg to increase the recognition and celebration of many iconic and legendary historic hotels through his Hotels With A Past series,” explained Lawrence Horwitz, executive director Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide.
He went on: “Historic hotels appeal to all types of travelers from millennials to seniors. Whether celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a romantic escape, or looking for a great family getaway, historic hotels are chance to create lasting memories. Hotels With A Past will feature many of the most places where history has been written.”
Peter Greenberg added: “Great travel is, at its core, great storytelling, and the great historic hotels of the world have the great stories.” He insisted hotels give travelers “a sense of place” and that hotels give holidays “a sense of meaning.”
Peter Greenberg is also an Emmy Award-winning producer for his NBC News Dateline story, Miracle on the Hudson, about the passenger jet which crashed on the Hudson river in 2009.
Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide both nurture and support the heritage of internationally important hotels.
Watch Hotels with a Past on The Travel Detective show on PBS, on PeterGreenberg.com, HuffingtonPost.com and on YouTube.
The distinctive indie-rock style of pioneering band The Libertines will set its stamp on the interior design world now that the band are opening their own hotel.
The Albion Rooms hotel will be located in Margate, on the north coast of Kent, and has been named after the Bethnal Green room the band used to play informal gigs in early years of their careers.
The tongue-in-cheek establishment will also feature a restaurant, bar and recording studio for aspirational guests with pangs to pen a genre-defining track like The Libertines did with Don’t Look Back Into The Sun.
Margate is home to an emerging hipster elite
The hotel is a five-storey Victorian house on the beachfront, overlooking Margate’s bandstand, and has been described by the band as “inspired by the celluloid cohabitation antics of the Beatles and the Monkees.”
“Carl, Gary, John and Peter had been looking for a creative home: a living art space, a Warholian factory, with guestrooms, a bar and studio. The band members have already made themselves at home, and have commenced writing their fourth studio album, and will be inviting fans and the world’s press to play a part in the creative process.”
And the band have teased the possibility of one of the band pulling you a pint from the downstairs bar, when booking opens for general guests. The band have already moved in, and are working tirelessly on music ahead of the summer.
The Libertines release their fourth album in the summer.
ACME design studios have unveiled the look and style of the first room from the new Canopy by Hilton hotel project in the City of London.
The landmark expansion in the heart of the City has been described as “part refurbishment, part new construction” and takes its inspiration from the City’s cultural and historic capital.
The first look at the design appears brutal and industrial, with the eponymous treetop canopies lending softness from the window. Furnishings are modern and in rich, earthy tones and parquet wood flooring is underfoot.
The personalised design reflects the local community
The Canopy by Hilton brand can also be found in Reykjavik, Iceland. It’s the Hilton’s way of saying they’ve learnt about the demands of the modern traveler: out with anonymous colours, textures and patterns, in with a more personalised design reflecting the local community.
The hotel draws on the Jewish and Bangladeshi immigrants who moved to Aldgate in the 19th and 20th Centuries, while respecting the modernist frame of the building, by exposing the concrete framework (typical of the period) wherever possible.
Bespoke furniture and fabrics have been developed for the hotel. Some of which lay as bedspreads, while others form the chaise longue, cushions, chairs and lights.
Aldgate also has a rich publishing history, which inspires the design. Freedom Press, an anarchist publisher, set up in Aldgate in 1886, and the Whitechapel Art Gallery opened in 1901. So the hotel have put individual letterpress trays in every room, filled with work from local artists, and objects from Petticoat Lane Market.
Dais Contemporary studios have also provided artwork for the bedrooms and public areas of the property, which have been inspired by the local area.
Friedrich Ludewig, ACME’s Director explained: “The original 1977 building with its complex facade has been a great stage to work within. Each of the new fixtures and fittings for the guest room have been developed using local Aldgate and Whitechapel references, creating a guest experience rooted in the history of context of East London.”
A whole load of people are expected to, now that the first Indian ‘slum hotel’ has opened.
The idea is that foreign visitors to India will be able to experience living in poverty, with a real family, in an ‘authentic’ family house.
The ‘slum hotel’ is now open in Mumbai and a night’s stay costs 2,000 rupees (£22) for one room fit for two people with one single mattress. Guests will share the simple living environment with 50 other members of the community, including the basic toilets.
Guests will share toilets with 50 other families
To the modern traveler the accommodation may seem incredibly budget, but relatively speaking, guests are in luxury. To put the room into context, next door, in the living and kitchen space of the house, Slum Hotel owner Ravi Sansi lives with 16 other members of his family.
Ravi explained to The Guardian that this is a typical way of living for many Indian families.
Ravi insisted slum tourism (where guests visit slums for half an hour or so) is “superficial” and offers none of the “authentic” experience he provides. Slums are, says Ravi, “part of the reality of Mumbai – not the only part, but a part”.
Slums “the reality of Mumbai”
On the Slum Hotel’s Facebook page Ravi explains: “This is a real experience and so are the pictures, not doctored or only shot from the right angles, but made to give you an honest impression of what your stay will be like.”
The Slum Hotel may be the first of many. David Bijl, from the Netherlands who works for the NGO who set the project up, has said other Mumbai locals are interested in taking part in the (very profitable) scheme for locals.
Oasis Hotels & Resorts have revealed the title of their upscale ‘resort within a resort’ concept that aims to be as intimate as an Airbnb, but as luxurious as a grand resort.
The Sian Ka’an will open in Cancun, and Tulum, Mexico, although no official opening date has yet been slated.
The adults-only accommodation will be the most luxurious accommodation available at the group’s Grand Tulum and Grand Sens resort hotels, after a multi-million dollar cash injection.
The resort are yet to reveal the details of any design partnerships or style influences for the property; the hotel group’s key claim at this stage is reconciling the hotel market with that of Airbnb.
Intimate like Airbnb, luxurious like a grand resort
There will be 76 different Sian Ka’an room styles, some of which have their own private terraces with plunge pools and in-room whirlpools, so the Sian Ka’an will particularly suit romantic escapes.
Rooms will also have access to a personal concierge and butler service, as well as upscale in-room dining services and access to private bars.
Guests can access a private spa and Champagne bar
Jesus Almaguer, director of marketing and communications for Oasis Hotels & Resorts, said: “We continuously seek to elevate the guest experience. The creation of the Sian Ka’an concept represents an opportunity to capture the attention of an entirely new audience. By blending the best of both worlds – the convenience of an all-inclusive resort with the tailored appeal of a boutique property – the Sian Ka’an resort within a resort experience is sure to take the Oasis Hotels & Resorts brand to the next level.”
A spa and Champagne bar will be available exclusively to Sian Ka’an guests, as well as access to a private beach club, pool, bar and a collection of four restaurants exclusive to the resort.
The Sian Ka’an experience will be available within close proximity of family-friendly Grand Oasis Tulum, and The 21-and-over resort, The Sian Ka’an at Grand Sens.
After a year of change and growth in the hotel industry, from the explosion of Airbnb to serviced apartments and an increased interest in the on-demand culture, it isn’t just London that will see its effect in 2018.
Taking place on 18 July 2018 at King Street Townhouse, Manchester, the northern edition of our Meet Up format is bringing together hoteliers, designers and hospitality industry suppliers to forge valuable professional relationships.
We have chosen the very central King Street Townhouse for our Manchester soiree. King Street Townhouse, located within the upper King Street Conservation Area of Manchester city centre, is an impressive Italian renaissance building, designed by local architect Edward Salomons and originally built in 1872 for the Manchester Salford Trustees Bank.
If you are a supplier to the hospitality industry looking to meet the top hoteliers and interior designers, contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or on j.lane@forumevents.co.uk – or click here to book your place.
The Hotel Designs summer Meet Up is completely free for hoteliers and interior designers; click here to confirm your attendance.
To mark the release of a new mental health BBC TV documentary, Sleeperz Hotel Cardiff has been transformed into a billboard image depicting a live human brain.
Charlotte Church: Inside my Brain, which aired this weekend, followed the Welsh singer as she explored depression, mental illness and research into new cures for these conditions.
The show features the exterior of Sleeperz Cardiff, which producers used as a projector screen for the world-first brain scan.
“Sleeperz Cardiff was thrilled to be asked to take part in Charlotte Church: Inside my Brain,” said Laura Peeroo, general manager at Sleeperz Hotel Cardiff.
“We are located in one of the busiest footfall areas in Cardiff, on route to the rail station, and the living brain image really turned heads and got people talking; which is exactly what this important programme hopes to achieve.”
The image of the scan came courtesy of Dr Chantal Tax from Cardiff University’s Brain Research Imaging Centre and was beamed onto the wall of Sleeperz Hotel in November last year.
Javeed Anwar, head of sales and marketing for Sleeperz Hotels, added: “It’s normal to receive unusual requests in the hospitality industry, but, in over three decades working in hotels this is easily the most unusual collaboration I’ve been involved with.
“Sleeperz Hotels loved it and our guests were both intrigued and understanding about the bright lights, cameras and sight of Charlotte Church enjoying a cup of tea in our lounge bar.”
The Pig hotel group are expanding their litter from five to eight with the opening of three new properties.
The £30M expansion will see the group of boutique, quintessentially British hotels spread further into the British heartlands of Kent, West Sussex and Cornwall.
The hotel group have explained how they will upkeep the brand’s message of rustic, rural sophistication at their new destinations. For example, the fixtures and fittings will favour natural interior tones, to compliment the British countryside, so expect plenty of reclaimed wooden paneling.
The ‘shabby chic’ interiors at each new property are homegrown. They’re the work of interior designer Judy Hutson, the wife of Robin Hutson, the chief executive of the Home Grown Hotels group who own The Pig.
‘Effortlessly chic’
The Pig at Bridge Place, in the village of Bridge near Canterbury in Kent, will be the first of the new Pigs to launch in autumn 2018. The homely-feel hotel will inhabit a Grade 11 listed 17th Century manor house first built in 1638.
The building, which was a live music venue for 50 years, retains many of its original fixtures and fittings including Jacobean panelling.
Alongside the bedrooms in the historic house, there’ll be cosy ‘hop pickers huts’, with wood burning stoves, made from foraged and reclaimed materials.
The second and third hotels – in Arundel and Padstow – are due to open in 2019.
Robin Hutson sold the Hotel du Vin group in 2004
Both hotels will also assume Grade 11 listed buildings, which will be lightly modernised but also celebrate the histories of the local area.
In 2011 the hotel group acquired financial backing from businessman Jim Ratcliffe, of international chemical company Ineos, who continues to support the hotel’s growth.
Robin Hutson and his business partner Gerard Basset founded the Hotel du Vin group in 1994, but sold it a decade later. Hutson went on to launch The Pig group of hotels seven years ago.
Guests have fallen for the historic and stately destinations – which are currently in Devon, Dorset, New Forest, Hampshire and Somerset – because of their gently British theme, and their excellent on-site restaurants, which only cook and serve food caught or foraged from within 25 miles of the hotel, to leave a sustainable footprint and support their local communities.
Hotel Designs is delighted to welcome Adam Bloodworth to the team as the brand’s new editor.
Up until now, Bloodworth has been working for a wide range of publications as a freelance writer including Metro.co.uk, FoodSpark, London Evening Standard and South China Morning Post.
Prior to this, he was also the in-house editor for restaurant openings website, Just Opened London, where he spent three years in the business.
With his wealth of experience as a writer, Hotel Designs is looking forward to see where he can take the brand in the future.
“It is an exciting time to be joining the brand. With the new year well under way, we have a huge number of exciting features planned including hospitality driven interior design, bathroom and lighting design, outdoor furniture and spas, fabrics and textures plus lots more,” said Katy Phillips, publisher of Hotel Designs.
“In addition, we also have a number of highly focused events planned too – those of you that know our well-established Meet Up brand will have seen that the spring soiree at The London Edition on March 21 is now available to book on to. We also have the hugely popular Hotel Summit now in its 20th year. If you are a hotelier or supplier to the hotel industry you cannot miss this event.”
AccorHotels has announced the rebranding of a landmark hotel in Jordan to Le Grand Amman.
The property consisting of 298-rooms and 67 well-appointed serviced apartments was launched in partnership with Iskan Co. for Touristic & Hotel Investments.
A welcome addition to Jordan’s rapidly evolving tourism and travel industry, the property is set to become Sofitel Amman following the first phase of refurbishment towards the end of 2019. Upon completion, this will mark the debut of Sofitel Hotels & Resorts in Jordan.
“This opening signifies the strategic expansion of our luxury portfolio in Jordan. While this property will be operated as Le Grand Amman – managed by AccorHotels, we are delighted to announce that it will transition into Sofitel, making way for the entry of one of our most prolific luxury brands in Jordan.
“Through this development with our trusted partner, we aim to bring the French art de vivre to a vibrant and growing market.”
The hotel features two specialty restaurants, an all-day dining restaurant, a trendy lobby lounge & bar along with a pool bar. Guests can relax and unwind at the spa or focus on wellness through the health club, indoor and outdoor pools.
Business travellers also have access to eight meeting rooms in addition to the largest ballroom in Amman for large-scale events and family occasions.
Sami Elmabrouk chairman of Iskan Co. for Touristic & Hotel Investments, added: “AccorHotels’ unparalleled network of hotels across the Middle East and strong distribution platform makes them the ideal partner as we look to expand our hospitality offering within Jordan.
“We are confident that Le Grand Amman – Managed by AccorHotels, which will later be reintroduced as Sofitel Amman, will be a truly remarkable and unique property within a growing market.”
This year sees the Hotel Summit celebrate its 20th anniversary, and Forum Events Ltd is delighted to announce the attendance of Simba at the event.
British innovator bedroom brand, Simba has confirmed its support of the Hotel Summit 2018 as the Headline Partner, which takes place at the Radisson Blu London Stansted on June 4th – 5th.
Having witnessed 350 per cent year-on-year growth with over 100,000 happy customers across Europe, the mattress maker is Europe’s fastest growing sleep brand.
“We’re excited to be joining this year’s Hotel Summit. As our focus widens towards commercial opportunities, this partnership seemed like the perfect alliance,” said James Cox, CEO and co-founder of Simba.
“Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Summit’s credibility within the sector is second to none and we’re very much looking forward to the upcoming networking event in June.”
Engineered for optimal sleep, Simba’s bedroom range has grown to 14 products, including a zero-gravity adjustable bed, temperature regulating pillow and a duvet with an official Space Certified Technology seal-of-approval.
Katy Phillips, publisher of Hotel Designs, added: “We’re really excited to have Simba join the Hotel Summit in June. The event is already boasting a robust line-up of suppliers and attendees and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone this year.”
As Grohe continues to count on its innovative strength in 2018, the company is planning to introduce 3D printing to its production process.
To mark this development, Grohe will launch its third ceramic line in March. In addition, Grohe is working on various product innovations in light of the 2019 ISH.
As digitalisation continues to expand, the firm’s CEO Michael Reuters’s will address the topic ‘Water as a resource in times of digitalisation’ during the World Market Leaders Summit in Schweich Hall, Germany on January 31.
Grohe’s projects continue the innovative approach of the year 2017. At the ISH in Frankfurt am Main, trade fair for bathroom, heating and air-conditioning technology, Grohe presented numerous new products, including Sense and Sense Guard.
With this intelligent water control system, Grohe is setting new standards for the smart home of the future. The system allows early detection and prevention of water damage.
Another highlight of the ISH was the presentation of the new Grohe shower toilet. Sensia Arena is now the shower toilet with the most numerous awards and has already received 14 design awards.
Last year, Grohe successfully completed its development into a full-service provider for the bathroom launching Abu Ceramic, the first of three ceramic lines onto the market in October.
The hospitality sector is the place where architectural signage truly comes to life. The impression guests receive when they first arrive at your hotel and step inside can make or break their experience and determine the success of your business. Architectural sign company Signbox lists the top ten architectural sign solutions for the hotel industry.
We’ve spent 30 years conceiving remarkable signage solutions that have inspired, motivated and empowered our clients around the world. We put it down to an innate creative energy that our team embraces every day and channels it into iconic, intelligent sign schemes that bring buildings to life.
Welcome to a world of signs to take your breath away.
Top 10 architectural sign solutions for the hotel industry:
1. External brand signs
The sky is the limit when it comes to exterior signage – projecting or post-mounted fabricated letter signs, with various finishes to complement your building and brand, high-elevated letters and LED illumination are just a few of options. Go for a bespoke architectural sign that will create a remarkable first impression.
2. External wayfinding
Powerful exterior wayfinding signage will welcome your guests and direct them within unfamiliar surroundings, informing them that they arrived at the correct destination. Signbox’s full range of exterior signage solutions includes directional signs, directory signs, landmark signs and entrance signs and, whether illuminated or otherwise, all are designed to be low maintenance, durable and complement their environment perfectly.
3. Internal reception signs
Upon arrival your guests first interaction is at reception – an inviting lobby where the guests feel welcomed and a reception sign, designed on brand and manufactured to high standards will convince your guests that they will be well looked after.
4. Internal wayfinding
Use wayfinding signs to help your guests find what they need with ease, feeling safe, informed and engaged. From the elegant and easy to install off-the-shelf Signkit collection of signage components to bespoke architectural signs that are designed to inspire and captivate, Signbox pushes the boundaries of sign design and creativity.
5. Meeting room signs
If you have meeting rooms you need appropriate signage to direct multiple users efficiently – take the signage to the next level and use a sign that shows the occupancy status. Signbox has an eye- catching solution for you – Project Lumos can incorporate an RGB switchable LED from red to green or white to signal that a room is ‘engaged’ or ‘vacant’.
6. Manifestation for glazing
Glass manifestation is one of the best solutions for privacy, safety and branded visual impact. It’s mandatory to avoid accidents, but can also be a great way to enhance the environment using CAD cut designs or digitally printed graphics. If you have a meeting room with large windows, make sure they are part-covered to ensure privacy.
7. Digital wallpaper
Vibrant environmental graphics will exude quality and deliver an amazing guest experience. Digitally printed wallpaper also reveals your style – luxury, modern and contemporary, traditional or boutique hotel.
8. Hotel room signs
The secret of an effective room identification signage scheme invariably lies in its simplicity. Signbox guestroom signs are manufactured using a wide range of materials, including timber, metals and contemporary glass/acrylic. They are designed to be elegant and beautiful, yet robust, tamper proof and low maintenance. Project Lumos signs are another sought after solution because they are attractive, colourful and visible in low lit corridors.
9. Statutory signs
Statutory signs such as safety, fire safety, hazard and warning signs are fundamental to the safety of your guests and employees. They should be located at strategic points and include prohibition, warning, fire action, mandatory and escape signage elements. Signbox designs and manufactures a range of high quality fire and safety signs that comply with all current regulations.
10. Wall art
There is no rule for all when it comes to wall art. Tell us what you want to display and we will translate your 2D vision into a 3D reality. We’ve spent 30 years conceiving remarkable signage solutions that have inspired, motivated and empowered our clients around the world. We put it down to an innate creative energy that our team embraces every day and channels it into iconic, intelligent sign schemes that bring buildings to life. Welcome to a world of signs to take your breath away.
Lighting firm Lyco has successfully helped to reduce energy consumption across the Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin estate by replacing all existing light bulbs with LED alternatives.
The hotel group, which owns 31 hotels throughout the UK, needed a tailored solution for each of its sites to help combat its energy consumption.
Lyco surveyed the sites and carried out analysis to ensure that the most appropriate lighting solutions were used for illuminating specific areas. Where necessary, bespoke components were sourced to complement the unique style of each hotel.
“We were made aware from the outset that whatever lighting solutions we suggested needed to have no detrimental effect on the look or feel of the premises because the Hotel Du Vin Group has such a strong brand identity and its customer base have very definite expectations of their experience,” said Charles Barnett, MD of Lyco.
“We’re delighted with the results both aesthetically and financially as the company has had the opportunity to refresh its lighting solution but with huge cost savings too.”
As a result of the changes, the Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin Group hopes to see immediate energy consumption reductions.
Following the conversion to LEDs, the company has witnessed energy savings of up to 90 per cent and carbon emissions reduced by 4.4000.
Ray Begley, group maintenance manager at Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin Group, added: “For over ten years, the team at Lyco have helped us with our lighting needs in every way.
“From helping us to easily convert our leading hotels to LEDs and then to quickly realise significant cost savings, through to providing technical guidance and support to our maintenance teams.”
Radisson Red Glasgow has received a number of applications to attend its casting day earlier this week, with 1,600 showing interest in the positions available.
Scheduled to open in spring 2018, the Radisson Red marks the first Red hotel to open in the UK and is looking to employ around 80 people in total.
The call went out in December last year, inviting anyone looking for a new challenge in 2018 to apply for a place on the casting day held at The Lighthouse on January 22. Alongside their CV, applicants were asked for a video clip, selfie or Instagram link.
Encouraged to be conscious, courageous, captivating and versatile, successful candidates will be able to take the lead, be part of a team and create a spark with everything they do.
“We were blown away with the response to our Casting Day. 1,600 applications is an amazing number. It really reinforced in our minds that Glasgow was the right location for the first Radisson RED hotel in the UK. This city is brimming with creativity, style and ambition, and we can’t wait to be a part of it,” said Michael Weston, curator of the hotel.
“The candidates who attended had a great connection with the brand, and really embraced the spirit of the day and it was great to get to know so many of them.
“We want Red brand ambassadors who connect with the world around them. We want our team of creatives to be socially aware and able to make genuine friendships with our guests. We encourage laughter, playfulness and even a little mischief with guests that will drive them to come back again and again. At Red personality is the most important part – we can show you the rest.”
After a successful 2018, Kempinski Palace Portorož will shut its doors for a short winter closure from January 21 to March 2.
The closure will enable the hotel to revive and rejuvenate itself for the upcoming 2018 season, where guests will be able to make the most of special offers and new ideas.
Meanwhile, reservations, sales and marketing and groups and events are remaining open to drive the sales for the upcoming season and assist guests with future reservations.
To mark the 120th anniversary of The Kempinski hotel chain, guests were treated to various offers throughout 2017, while the chain’s loyalty programme was redesigned, relaunched and renamed Kempinski Discovery.
Numerous events were also hosted, including several car events, car tours and a record number of weddings.
Plus, throughout the summer months, Kempinski Palace Portorož hosted a traditional series of culinary events called Guest Chef Events, where chefs visited the Restaurant Sophia and prepared their culinary delights for the guests to sample.
“The success of the hotel cannot be pinned down to only one specific area of business; it is a conglomerate of many variables and a representation of coherent work among employees,” said Kempinski Palace Portorož in a release.
“It gives the hotel recognition that the hard and quality work from the past is paying off, and it serves as the basis for the professional and hard work in the future.”
If you haven’t already, now is your time to secure your place at the 2018 Hotel Summit.
This year’s event marks the 20th anniversary of the Summit, which will take place on June 4 to 5, 2018, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted.
Over the course of the two days, attendees can enjoy interactive seminars and networking opportunities, while taking part in one-to-one business meetings.
Places are limited and on a first come, first serve basis, so if you’d like to join us at this year’s 20th anniversary Summit, please click here to confirm your place.
Suppliers already confirmed to take part include the likes of Chroma, Simba Sleep, Salto, Wandsworth and Trivago, who will also be hosting a speaking session – more details will be announced on the session soon.
For more information and what to expect from the two-day event click here.
If you are interested in exhibiting at the 2018 event, please contact Jennie Lane now on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk.
In February, Hotel Designs will be focussing on architecture and interior design.
We will look at current trends in architecture to determine what we might expect to see more of as hotel projects continue to crop up all over the world – from floating pools and sustainable wooden buildings to working with organic materials.
Our clients within this sector include Duravit, Roca and Laufen – see the full list of our recommended suppliers here.
Meanwhile, we will be showcasing the very best work of hospitality-driven interior designers – earthy colours will make a comeback including beiges, browns, oranges and reds, while designers will reflect the exteriors of buildings by using more organic materials.
Our clients within this sector include Richmond International and Lighting Design Studio – see the full list of our recommended suppliers here.
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 focussed editorial, this is a fantastic opportunity.
If you wish to find out more, please contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk.
Cheval Phoenix House, tucked away on a side street in one of the most exclusive parts of London, is a marvellous example of serviced apartment-style accommodation, in a beautiful part of the capital. Just off Sloane Square, this is an ideal location for people looking to be close to the heart of the city but away from the hustle and bustle of the streets of central London.
The rooms are set in a stunning Victorian building, with interiors designed by the award-winning Fox Linton Associates, one of the UK’s leading interior designers. They offer spacious studios, as well as one-bedroom apartments and expansive duplexes. Although the attractive brick and stone frontage is unchanged on the exterior, the interior of this six storey building has been completely remodelled in contemporary style, so there aren’t any original features. Rooms are accessible by lift, though some, with mezzanine floors have internal staircases.
All accommodations on offer at Phoenix House consist of a living room, desk area, full kitchen and dining area, and added bonuses such as luxurious goose down duvets, Bang & Olufsen televisions, Frette satin sheets and Royal Doulton china. They are definitely aimed at executives and business travellers who want the freedom of their own flat while in town, but also families who need more space and flexibility than a hotel room offering.
The rooms’ colour scheme is a little conservative, consisting mainly of browns and creams but contemporary furnishings and furniture of decent quality makes up for that. I stay in an apartment with an open-plan kitchen and a well-appointed, good-sized sitting/dining room. The bedroom was spacious and was accompanied by a medium sized marble-lined bathroom.
The bedrooms have been adapted from older reception rooms , with some on the first floor like the apartment I stayed in, where ceilings are high and have been converted into two-storey apartments with an interior staircase. Perhaps oddly, the bedroom is on the lower floor, which is an interesting design choice but definitely gives the guest a feeling of separation from living area and bedroom that isn’t always the case with serviced apartment accommodation.
Cheval Residences has been around for 35 years, and their experience in delivering luxury accommodation shows in their properties. The company offers a collection of London’s most desirable serviced apartments, located in some of its most sought-after neighbourhoods. Each residence has its own individual style, yet all share the same ethos and levels of service rarely enjoyed outside the world’s finest hotels.
Available for one night or more as well as for extended stays of 3 months or more, Phoenix House provides beautiful, comfortable and thoughtfully-furnished apartments. Whether travelling for extended periods on business, or staying as a family, Cheval is one of the first names that comes to mind. And Phoenix House should be a name at the top of any list of potential locations.
Grohe has unveiled its new Euro Ceramics line, designed specifically to combine performance with an attractive price.
The collection boasts design flexibility for specifiers who can choose between four styles of basin for their project including wall hung, countertop and under counter basins, and wall hung and floor standing toilets and bidets.
“Following on from the Grohe Bau Ceramics collection, the Euro line harnesses parent company Lixil’s expertise in the ceramics market and combines it with Grohe’s award-winning innovation and design leadership,” said Said Raj Mistry, UK marketing director at Grohe.
“The range provides a one-stop solution for designers, reducing the need to specify products from different manufacturers and offering reassurance that all aspects of the Grohe ceramics and brassware will co-ordinate perfectly, both in terms of style and functionality.”
There is also the option to upgrade to a basin or toilet that comes with Grohe’s hygiene coating combining ProGuard, which provides a repellent layer against stains and dirt, with HyperClean technology.
This helps to protect against lime scale and bacteria for a long and hygienic product life. The collection has also been specially designed to suit the needs of small bathrooms, as all Euro basins and toilets feature a compact size and design to use space effectively.
Michael Gray, UK product manager at Grohe, added: “The Euro line collection comes with a number of added benefits, including a Triple Vortex flush on the toilets, ensuring the bowl is thoroughly and powerfully rinsed and Rimless technology leaving dirt nowhere to hide.
“The toilets also come with a Quick Release seat for easy removal and maintenance, the option of a soft or regular close, and a fully skirted design and hidden fixation for a sleek appearance.
“The basins are available in a wide range of sizes and mounting options, including full and semi-pedestal. For ultimate peace of mind and emphasising Grohe quality, the Euro line collection is available with a five year guarantee on all products.”
Roca places a huge importance on innovation, design and style and its new Modo collection is the epitome of all three. Modo’s unique quality is that it can be moulded and sculptured into bespoke and individual pieces ready to suit all interior décors. It has been created using Roca’s new and exclusive material SURFEX® – a breakthrough in manufacturing technique and an unprecedented evolution in bathroom design.
SURFEX® is a malleable solid surface material formulated from a combination of minerals and resins, allowing for the creation of shapes that were unthinkable until now. The Modo range offers a complete bathroom suite from basins to freestanding baths, which can be completely bespoke. The SURFEX solution is poured into the production mould, which allows for complex design pieces with no joints and seams. The flexibility of this material allows for complete free reign in creating different shapes and sizes.
Alan Dodds, Managing Director of Roca UK comments, “The level of thought and creativity that has gone into developing the Modo collection is tremendous. Using the innovative SURFEX formulation, defined angles and shapes can be formed that other materials simply couldn’t create. From the design to the finishing touches, the material is really what makes this range stand out.”
Geometric design lines The SURFEX material creates curves, straight lines and angles with precision. With Round, Soft and Square basin bowl shapes available as standard, customers can choose basin shapes and sizes, tap positions, and additional options such as towel holders and basin countertop skirts. To ensure the design lines are kept clean, the basin overflow is hidden and built-in to Modo basins.
A sustainable solution The sustainability is at the heart of the Modo collection as it consists of organic and 100% recyclable materials. Any product that is made of SURFEX material can be reprocessed in the future as well as being easily repairable. SURFEX’s special composition makes it possible to preserve the temperature for longer, saving water and energy, as well as using low chemical emissions in the creation process. The material is certified as complying with international standards that guarantee its suitability for interior use, even in the most sensitive areas used by children.
Long-wearing furniture Modo was designed to be a collection that lasts. It’s high resistance to chemical agents and UV light makes for a long-wearing surface, perfect for a family or communal bathroom. The solid surface offers a pure white finish, with a delicate, soft, matt texture that makes the surface pleasant to touch. Due to its mineral nature and polishing process, SURFEX is also extremely anti-slip, making it safe to use in even humid areas of the bathroom space.
Total hygiene Because of its robust and smooth nature, every surface is easy to clean. Being virtually fireproof and resistant to extreme environments, any stain can be easily removed from a SURFEX surface, returning it to its original appearance.
Duncan Neil, creative director at Earthed by William Clark, shares his expert opinion on how to utilise nature-inspired design to create best results in the hospitality industry.
Creating a welcoming and memorable experience in the hospitality industry is vital and the natural world holds a wonder of unique colours, patterns and materials that can inject life into interior spaces.
Hallways and entrances
A spacious entrance with lots of natural light grabs the guest’s attention as soon as they set foot into the venue. The space should have clean lines and a neutral colour palette to create a fresh feeling no matter what time of day or season. The use of large green plants can also help achieve this. Adding greenery in any form to hotel hallways will maintain an air of freshness around the premises and bring a sense of rejuvenation.
Restaurants
It’s important to create a comfortable restaurant area to promote a relaxed dining experience. Red, yellow and green palettes are the most common colours found within food and naturally complement our eating experience. Eating is a basic primal function, so using earthy natural materials, such as natural woods, cottons and linen, can synchronise experience and our primal needs.
In this busy environment pattern can be used to add character and depth, potentially through furniture, upholstery or soft furnishings. Patterns inspired by nature are ideal for hotels as they create calming environments when soft flowing patterns are used, but can also be perfect to add bursts of excitement and vibrancy when sharp bold designs are used. Our collections utilise a mix of elements found within the natural world, from the soft flow of water to the sharp lines of minerals found in the earth’s surface.
Bedrooms
The guest room is arguably the most important area to get right as this will have an effect on how well a guest rests. A spacious room incorporating neutral tones really helps to create a relaxed and calm atmosphere. However stronger colour schemes are more atmospheric and can make a real statement.
The best colour palettes to experiment with in bedrooms are greens and blues. Greens have clear links with nature, one of the most peaceful influences to bring into the bedroom. While blue tones are traditionally linked to harmony and calm, which will help guests to have a restful sleep. Our debut collection, The Upperlands incorporates these colours and tones, with fabrics that have an earthy, calming effect. Incorporating quality fabrics also enable depth and texture to be added to a room, either by print or structured textiles.
Additionally, it has been proven that headboards aid a better night’s sleep, therefore should always be present – they are also an ideal opportunity to add personality and colour.
There is no rule book when utilising our natural world in interiors, so it’s important to be playful and have some fun experimenting to see what works for your hotel and your guests.
Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG), Hidrock Properties and Hilton Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of the new 310-room Embassy Suites by Hilton New York in Midtown Manhattan.
BPGS Construction oversaw the entitlement and construction of the project, while PM Hotel Group performed technical services during programming, design and construction and manages the hotel.
Campion Platt Interiors was selected to design the hotel’s public areas, while HVS Design was responsible for the guest suite and corridor designs, and PPA provided the architectural plans.
“BPG believes that if we hired a typical commercial hotel designer, we would get a typical commercial hotel design,” said Dave Pollin, co-founder of BPG.
“Many travellers today can’t tell the difference between a hotel located in Cleveland or one in Canberra due to ‘generic hotel aesthetic blur’. We hired Campion Platt to set the tone and lead the design team due to his New York experience and sensibilities; they were apparent at our very first meeting. Campion grasps the city at its DNA level, including a deep historical understanding of the Garment District.”
Based at the crossroads of New York City, the 39-storey building boasts a glass façade and is a quick walk to Times Square, the Empire State Building and 5th Avenue.
Plus, each of the hotel’s studio suites feature Wi-Fi, two 42-inch HDTVs, a spacious work area, mini fridge, microwave and a coffeemaker.
SkyLawn, the hotel’s outdoor venue can host events for up to 300 people, while the Heist Bar & Lounge celebrates the greatest jewel heists in history through inventive cocktails while paying homage to New York’s famed Diamond District.
Long stay apartment rooms are a growing trend among hotel guests, with 35 per cent expecting a sitting room or lounge area as standard, Beacon Design Services (BDS) has found.
Using its research, BDS partnered with Citadines Research to create a home away from home for guests by refurbing the Citadines Barbican London Hotel.
Comprised of seven phases covering seven floors, the apart’hotel refurb featured a kitchen, bedroom, dining and living areas of BDS’ long stay apartments.
“An aim of the refurbishment was to reflect the hotel’s London location. It was important to give guests a taste of where they were staying, and to experience something new and exciting,” said Chris Johnson, design services manager at Beacon.
“To achieve this, London based artwork was very important so BDS sourced specific artwork of Smithfield Market, a very well known, very local area to the property. The bathrooms even included maps of London on the floor to further add to this look.”
Based in the North of London’s financial district, the apart’hotel was in need of storage, kitchen appliances and bedroom and living room furniture, which BDS were able to supply.
Johnson added: “Previously the rooms in the hotel were very corporate looking. As more people are choosing long stay apartments the aim of the brief was to create a warmer, homely feel.
“We created this look by sourcing furniture which deliberately did not match, but that complemented each other, creating a more relaxed, eclectic feel. For example, there were different bedside tables on each side of the bed. To further enhance this relaxing environment, we provided products such as the rugs to create a softer atmosphere.”
Moxy Hotels, Marriott International’s experiential hotel brand, continues to make its mark on the hospitality scene as it introduces its third property in the UK and second in the British capital.
Following the successful launch of Moxy London Excel, Moxy London Stratford brings the brand’s characteristic vibrant, playful design and approachable service to the fashionable East London scene, offering the style and spirit of a boutique hotel without breaking the bank.
The 294-bedroom is ideally located in booming Stratford, which has benefited from over a decade of regeneration to become one of the city’s best shopping and sporting destinations, having played host to the 2012 London Olympics and being home to one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. Excellent transport links also provide easy access to London City Airport, St Pancras International, Excel London, and the edgy social scene of nearby Shoreditch, making it a perfect choice for business and leisure travellers alike.
“Our Fun Hunter guests continue to seek inspiration from their travel,” said John Licence, VP Premium and Select brands at Marriott International Europe. “The new Moxy London Stratford will offer guests a cocktail at check-in, spontaneous games in the lively communal spaces, and an energetic crew to bring out the most fun from this vibrant corner of London and give them something to rave about when they return home.”
Welcome #ATTHEMOXY Moxy’s fun, inclusive and youthful spirit is reflected in the combination of bold design and affordable style where communal engagement is at the centre of the experience. The interiors fuse refined and raw materials, organic and linear lines, and shared spaces. The Moxy experience kicks-off with a bright, airy and buzzing lobby. The contemporary lobby’s modern furniture invites guests to relax, pick up a book from the Moxy library, connect and catch up with friends or retreat to the gym to re-energise by punching the pink Moxy punching bag. Guests of Moxy London Stratford are encouraged to take a selfie in the photo-booth-inspired hotel elevators, complete with props.
Living Room #ATTHEMOXY Moxy London Stratford’s Living Room is the centre of activity, giving guests fun ways to work and play hard. Sealed concrete floors, walls lined with intriguing art and fun references to local culture including artistic nods to the area’s 2012 Olympics legacy are complemented by ambient lighting and comfortable accents of colour. The Living Room also features abundant power and USB outlets, and furiously fast and free Wi-Fi for ultimate connectivity. A high-energy yet cosy space for gatherings, special events or cocktails, the lounge plays host to eclectic upbeat music.
Stay #ATTHEMOXY The hotel’s 294 contemporary bedrooms, ranging from Standard to Family size, are outfitted with sound-reducing walls, 42″ LCD flat screen televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi, abundant USB ports, comfortable bedding and deep-seated armchairs in calming, neutral fabrics. Every bedroom makes a statement with a fun floor-to-ceiling art piece. The design is functional, flexible and uncluttered with simple, thoughtful touches including glass shelving and an open storage concept featuring a peg wall for ultimate flexibility when unpacking, in lieu of a traditional closet. Stylish bathrooms feature complimentary Muk toiletries, bright pink hair dryers, power showers and large mirrors alongside a spacious vanity area.
24/7 Dining #ATTHEMOXY Moxy’s 24/7 B&F (Beverage & Food), smart and fun self-service concept gives guests access to what they want, whenever they want it. The Moxy dining area offers lots of options for food and drink including fresh juices and a coffee bar. Guests can enjoy fresh Panini sandwiches and a range of healthy alternatives from salad to antipasti. An evening Crockpot entrée will be served along with a variety of cocktails, craft beers and specialty wines. The bar is full-service and the hub of activity in the lobby – it also doubles as the hotel’s physical check-in, where guests are greeted with a complimentary ‘Got Moxy’ cocktail upon arrival.
Marriott Rewards #ATTHEMOXY Moxy guests who are members of the award-winning Marriott Rewards loyalty programme will get exclusive access to even more digital features through the Marriott Mobile app when they book direct, including mobile check-in and check-out, keyless entry and Mobile Requests to make their travel experience seamless. Marriott Rewards members will also earn points for their stay at Moxy Hotels and can redeem for hotel stays across the Marriott Rewards portfolio of brands.
Rates #ATTHEMOXY Special opening rates at the new Moxy London Stratford begin at £68.
Following the recent openings both Moxy Stratford and Moxy London Excel, the UK is expected to see a further seven Moxy hotels launch by the end of 2018 alone, covering all four corners of the country with properties in vibrant destinations such as Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Southampton set to offer bold and experiential stays for fun-hunting travellers.
With the Hotel Summit coming back in 2018 for its 20th anniversary edition, Forum Events Ltd is delighted to announce the attendance of B Light Group at the event.
Supplier to the industry, B Light has confirmed its support of the Hotel Summit 2018 as the Gold Partner for the event, which takes place at the Radisson Blu London Stansted on June 4th – 5th.
Having offered hotel lighting solutions for more than 35 years, B Light Group is one of the leading manufacturers of technical, decorative, bespoke luminaries and sources for hospitality market, assuring professional and unique approach to every single customer and project.
B Light Group told Hotel Designs: “We are looking forward to meeting decision makers in the hospitality industry and catch up on potential open projects.”
Past customers include Club Med, Crown Plaza, Hyatt, Hilton, Intercontinental, Jumeriah, Marriott, Radisson, Relaix & Chateaux, Sofitel, The Leading Hotels of the World, WA and many more.
The company joins the likes of Salto Systems, Chroma Global Flooring Solutions, QCR Recycling Equipment, Wandsworth Group and Centrica Business Solutions, all of which join us as Gold Partners of the Summit. In addition, we are pleased to welcome Crosswater and Birchall Tea as our Silver Partners.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the Hotel Summit or would like more information on the event please contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk or click here
Wilton Carpets has unveiled its latest collection, reinventing Art Deco by introducing new textures for clients to enjoy.
Dubbed Decadence, the line boasts tones of orange and brown, teal and salmon pink, bringing a refreshed approach to Art Deco.
“As part of the Designer Collection, Decadence reveals the true elegance of unrestrained modern carpet design,” said Damian Roscoe, head of creative at Wilton Carpets.
“As we explore our creativity without the usual practical limitations, such as designing for a particular location, we can apply a bold use of both pattern and colour and the results really do make for a truly extraordinary collection.”
Developed by Becky Smith, senior designer, Decadence is available in eight patterns and each carpet has been crafted in a high-quality 80/20 wool blend and can be specified in any quality.
With the ability to adapt any of the eight woven axminster designs in a colourway suited to any interior, this is a collection that offers huge potential for designers looking to strike out with statement carpet.
Jonathan Tuckey Design has been appointed to build an extra floor for the Michelberger hotel in Berlin.
The creation of an additional floor provides the opportunity to offer more space to even more guests, plus the new aesthetic ties in with the design approach across the hotel, where every inch is used, creating practical, warm and spatially interesting rooms.
“We are incredibly lucky to have been appointed for our first hotel project by the team at the Michelberger,” said practice director, Jonathan Tuckey.
“This hotel is built around a creative community and so the social experience is paramount. We feel that by taking aspects of the city and building them into the fabric of the interiors we can create a series of spaces that can be enjoyed and shared by the guests, both new and returning customers.”
Jonathan Tuckey Design will celebrate the original features of the building, which dates back to 1903, and will boast open floor plates, large windows and beams traversing the full width of the ceiling.
Meanwhile, communal walkways provide access to the rooms but also act as social spaces where guests might bump into one another, just as they would in the city.
Azar Kazimir, creative director at Michelberger, added: “In researching for this project, Jonathan’s work leapt out at us with his ability to create simple, almost minimalist spaces but ones which are full of warmth, charm and humility.
“That is a rare thing to find! He has a wonderful sensitivity to working with light and natural materials and has great ability in working with existing buildings and adding to them to create something beautifully new.”
Work on the new floor and its rooms is slated to start in early 2018, while the new floor will open in the summer.
Despite launching a week ago, the Hotel Designs Meet Up 2018 is already filling up fast with a huge increase in registrants.
The event will see a number of interior designers and architects attend, from companies including the likes of ABDA Design, Elektra Lighting Design, Gensler, Gregory Phillips Architects, Osborn Interiors, ReardonSmith Architects and more.
Taking place on 21 March 2018 from 6pm – 9.30pm and located on the edge of Soho in London’s Fitzrovia, this boutique hotel blends thoughtful design and intuitive service featuring custom lighting by Patrick Woodroffe.
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.
To mark the return of the Lumiere London light festival, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts will showcase a month-long installation of three light-inspired orbs by award-winning sculptor, Mark Beattie MRBS.
The lighting event will see more than 40 UK and international artists transform the capital into an outdoor exhibition.
To complement Beattie’s designs there will be a range of illuminated floral displays by Chic Flower Designs, which will reflect the interiors of each hotel including cherry blossoms at Chino Latino restaurant based in Park Plaza London Riverbank and other locations across the hotels and resorts.
Guests will also be able to enjoy dinner in the dark at Florentine on January 22. Designed to heighten your culinary senses, dinner will be bought to life with luminous table décor and candle light.
Meanwhile, Chino Latino will host two dinners in the dark lit only by hand-crafted paper lanterns and bespoke floral illuminated installations.
This will take place on January 17 and 22 with a new seasonal Asian Pickle menu.
Those wanting to extend the Lumiere festivity one step further with bright, colourful nails, Mandara Spa at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London will be offering shellac manicures for the one-off cost of £45 over the course of the event.
Opening April 2018 in Crete, Abaton Island Resort & Spa provides a personal sanctuary for all its guests. The brand new 5-star resort guarantees an amazing holiday with 152 uniquely designed rooms (71 with pools), ultra-luxurious interior design, fine dining on the water’s edge and exceptional guest service.
The inspiring design, style and grandness of Abaton are apparent on arrival. Marble staircases, fountains of lights and historic architecture frame the entrance. The hotel is designed in such a way it reflects a beautiful maze, each room leads to another and never fails to impress.
However, the feeling and emotion of arriving at Abaton cannot be described in text like its beauty, it has to be portrayed in reality, which is why the hotel decided to mark its opening with a storytelling video, to show guests the reality of how Abaton makes you feel.
Owner George Kaloutsakis said: “Rather than simply showcasing our facilities, we wanted to go the extra mile and take viewers on an emotional journey. We provide a personal sanctuary at Abaton for our guests, which formed the main concept of our video.”
The concept was based on a modern take of the Legend of Ariadne’s Thread. “Guests often want to take a break from the stress of everyday life and Abaton provides a place to unwind, relax and enjoy. We want all our guests to feel their best with us, to explore Abaton and leave feeling refreshed”.
Abaton is already making a name for itself due to its exceptional hospitality and attention to detail in guest relations. Kaloutsakis concludes “We are not a one size fits all approach hotel. Each guest is extremely important to us, we acknowledge their individual needs and go the extra mile so that each visitor can really find their personal sanctuary here at Abaton”.
If you’re looking for a new hot-spot this summer, watch the brand new video from Abaton Island Resort & Spa, book a stay this year and find your personal sanctuary.
W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, has announced the development of W Osaka in Japan.
Set across 27 floors, the new hotel is expected to open in 2021 and will boast 337 guestrooms and suites, restaurants and cocktail bars.
Under an hour away from Kansai International Airport, W Osaka will be based within the indie boutiques and restaurants of the city.
“In 2020, Japan will capture the global spotlight, welcoming nations from around the world to the country on a grand scale for the 2020 games. This is a great build up to the launch of the first-ever W in Japan,” said Anthony Ingham, global brand leader for W Hotels Worldwide.
“W is always bringing its new/next vision and bold approach to new destinations, especially cities as vibrant and energetic as Osaka. We are confident W Osaka will add even more energy and excitement to this already action-packed year in Japan.”
Inside, guests will also be able to maintain their health and fitness with the Away Spa and fitness centre.
Isami Wada, chairman of Sekisui House, added: “We are excited to add yet another Marriott International property to our portfolio and even more thrilled to be introducing a brand as daring as W to the country.
“It will be an exciting year for Japan, and the W brand will surely offer limitless experiences to those visiting from all corners of the world.”
The new opening joins more than 50 W Hotels currently open globally, including the W Shanghai – The Bund, W Suzhou, W Bellevue and W Goa, as well as the soon-to-open W Panama, W Amman and W Brisbane.
Arora Hotels and AccorHotels have revealed the completion of a multi-million pound refurbishment to transition Arora Hotels’ Stansted hotel to the Novotel brand.
The new hotel boasts restaurants, bars, meeting and event spaces, as well as 250 bedrooms for guests to stay in.
“We’re delighted to unveil our newly refurbished hotel and to bring the highly regarded Novotel brand to Stansted,” said Surinder Arora, founder and chairman of the Arora Group.
“Our ongoing investment into the hotel ensures that we continue to offer guests the very best quality facilities.”
The development marks the third partnership between Arora Group and AccorHotels, plus the group also manages and operates Sofitel London Gatwick and Sofitel London Heathrow.
Located within the airport perimeter, the hotel is minutes away from the terminal and 30 minutes from central London via train.
Paul Muscroft, general manager of Novotel London Stansted Airport, added: “The refurbishment includes a fantastic upgrade to our meetings product, which includes eight purpose-built fully equipped meetings rooms with a capacity for up to 250 people, theatre-style.
“In addition, our dedicated team of in-house specialists are on hand to advise, organise, and help you plan your meeting every step of the way.”
The St. Regis brand is set to make its way to Hong Kong in 2019 thanks to a new collaboration with China Resources Property.
Located in Wan Chai, the new St. Regis Hong Kong will be within walking distance to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, as well as Victoria Harbour.
“Hong Kong is a bustling center of commerce with an incredible mix of glamour, culture, history and tradition. This vibrancy makes it an ideal destination for St. Regis,” said Lisa Holladay, VP and global brand leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts.
“With its excellent location, impeccable service, and refined elegance, we look forward to offering guests an exquisite experience in one of the world’s most exciting cities.”
Inside the interiors have been designed by Hong Kong-based designer André Fu and will boast 129 guest suites, signature Chinese and French restaurants, a heated pool and 320-seat banquet hall.
Frankie Y.F. Bao, MD of China Resources Property, added: “We are proud to be bringing this iconic brand to Hong Kong. All St. Regis Hotels & Resorts represent the ultimate in timeless, tasteful luxury, which the discerning and sophisticated traveller appreciates.
“We are also happy to note that the presence of the outstanding new St Regis in Wan Chai district will add a new level of prestige and appeal to this vibrant quarter of our city.”
There are currently more than 40 St. Regis branded hotels open worldwide, with nine properties in the Greater China region.
The hotel industry witnessed many changes in 2017. What is in store for this year?
Micro-rooms to compliment big communal spaces, pop up hotels, ways to combat and capitalise on the Airbnb effect – we will see it all.
And, what better way to discuss industry changes and trends than at the Hotel Designs spring Meet Up. The next event will mark our 4th in the industry and we want to make it the best yet. So, join us at The London Edition for an evening of canapés and fizz as we put you in contact with some of the industry’s biggest names.
Taking place on 21 March 2018 from 6pm – 9.30pm and located on the edge of Soho in London’s beautiful Fitzrovia, this boutique hotel blends thoughtful design and intuitive service featuring custom lighting by Patrick Woodroffe.
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.
Chris Johnson, design services manager at Beacon Design Services (BDS), discusses this year’s Dulux Colour of the Year, Heart Wood, how it is having an influence and tips on using the colour in the hospitality industry.
“2018 is looking to be extremely uncertain in many ways, and with an unpredictable year ahead, a colour that contrasted from this environment was desired. The panel wanted to pull together a palette of comfortable, relaxing colours – where people can feel they can shut the front door, press pause and have a place of peace,” said Chris Johnson, design services manager at Beacon Design Services.
“This is why Heart Wood and the colour palette that accompanies it, was chosen. There are a lot of softer shades, however deeper, dramatic inky blues and purples also feature. It doesn’t go too far from Denim Drift, 2017’s shade, but with a warmer palette, to ensure a calmer feel.”
BDS is already seeing this colour implemented across the hospitality industry; Chris discusses a recent case with a client.
“I suggested Heart Wood the very day after it was announced to the Best Western Royal Clifton Hotel & Spa and they loved it. They have so far completed a sample room using this colour as a feature wall,” Johnson added.
“This warm, welcoming colour has been incorporated into a mulberry and mocha colour scheme using faux leathers, luxurious velvets and textured woven fabrics. The idea behind this was to create a feeling of cosiness in the superior rooms, with their high ceilings and large footprint, and this has been achieved.”
The colour satisfies the ‘home away from home’ trend many guests are now requesting. Chris gives his tips on incorporating the colour of the year.
“Trends come and go, but it is important to consider industry announcements such as this to ensure you don’t become out-dated in your décor,” Johnson commented.
“There are simple ways you can incorporate new colours such at this, in a cost-effective way. This can be done through a feature wall, as it was at the Best Western Royal Clifton, or through cushions and fabrics – a splash of Heart Wood can add a welcoming atmosphere to hotels and restaurants wanting to avoid a cold feeling.”
The Columbia River Gorge’s iconic Skamania Lodge, A Destination Hotel, has debuted its second pair of tree houses.
Boasting an extra sleeping area and queen bed, the new houses overlook the Gorge and Skamania Lodge’s golf course.
Like the previous two tree houses, these are situated in the Douglas Firs of the Columbia River Gorge and have been placed higher, sitting twice as high at about 30 feet.
“We’re thrilled at the way our first two tree houses turned out,” said Ken Daugherty, general manager at Skamania Lodge. “They became so popular, we wanted to be able to provide our guests with additional options to truly have that quintessential Columbia River Gorge experience.”
Each of the houses also feature an additional nook space with a bed and large windows, meaning couples and families can enjoy the space.
Plus, an outdoor fire pit has been placed in each house, as well as an indoor-outdoor fireplace.
In line with the first two tree houses, design elements were once again inspired from the idea of a creative childhood, with carefree days and playing outdoors.
Guests are also a short walk away from all of the lodge’s offerings, including hiking trails, dining facilities, the Waterleaf Spa and more.
Caesarstone surfaces have been selected for a range of contemporary, industrial-themed apartments in East London.
The Goodluck Hope Project by Ballymore Property Group will feature 804 one, two and three-bedroom warehouse and tower apartments, which will boast Caesarstone worktops, splashbacks and islands.
The project is set to be completed in 2020 and will offer buyers contemporary warehouse lifestyle on the River Thames.
40 apartments were unveiled in September 2017, while a second release will launch in Q1 2018. These will offer open plan interiors, high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows.
“Rugged Concrete offers all the aesthetic qualities, charm, even imperfections of cast concrete but without any of the shortcomings,” says Guy Rawstorne, VP of sales at Caesarstone.
“It has a beautiful coarse appearance that perfectly emulates the randomly pitted texture of actual cast concrete; but it’s smooth and cool to touch which is a true virtue of quartz. It will offer something truly unique and contemporary for the open-plan kitchens.
“We are delighted that Ballymore selected Caesarstone to partner on this project and we look forward to delivering surfaces of an unrivalled quality for all 804 apartments.”
Award winning design agency I‐AM London has launched its second report on its interactive online portal exploring the future of hospitality.
It looks at the key trends that are changing the hotel landscape and the emerging signals that are prompting developments in experience design.
From novel service offerings to immersive worlds, ultra-‐convenience to reconfigurable buildings, we looked into what things make people feel hosted – and what hotels will look like in the near future.
We started our research by asking people what they really think about the hotel experience. We asked over 500 Millennials across Germany, France and UK everything from pricing to entertainment, Instagram to reservations, and health to pet care. Our insights delved into what people love and hate about the hotel experience, but most importantly – how they want to feel hosted in the future.
The report looked into the top trends of 2017, from flexi-solutions to active stays that offer fitness opportunities for visitors.
You can read the full report on their website for more information.
To kick off 2018, why not indulge in a much deserved digital detox in luxury with Première Neige. With a wide range of activities and luxurious accommodation at Chalet Merlo, The Peak or La Marquise, Première Neige offers the perfect excuse to ditch technology and sharpen the senses on the slopes in Sainte Foy and surrounding resorts this 2018.
Première Neige offers a selection of curated experiences guaranteed to help guests to switch-off their devices and ensure that their trip is unforgettable. From husky riding, to soaring through the valley with their paragliding activities, to diving into the icy depths and exploring the surreal atmosphere of the underwater world with their ice diving experience, Première Neige promises to assist in the digital detox process.
Activities Be at one with nature and find a sense of clarity whilst soaring through the skies with Première Neige’s helicopter rides or paragliding experiences. Embrace the sense of freedom whilst floating through the crisp mountain air and glancing down at the beautiful snow-capped mountains below.
Excursions Première Neige’s new digital detox concierge service helps guests wean themselves off phones, tablets and laptops with curated digital free skiing itineraries, helping guests ignite a connection with the Alps’ natural environment. Rolling hills, snow covered trees and frozen lakes provide the perfect backdrop in which to switch off from the modern world and restore a little more of the all-important work/life balance. With Première Neige’s fully accompanied ski tours throughout the Tarentaise valley, guests can experience the thrills of the slopes over a period of three or six full days.
Spa & Meditation Première Neige offers a unique chance to practice yoga and meditation against a backdrop of adrenalin pumping ski activities. Relax in the hot tub to soothe the muscles and mind after a long day of the slopes and help deepen the digital detox practice. Taking place in the stillness of the mountains outdoors or in the warmth of the chalet, gaze out towards magical panoramic mountain views a world away from normal life. Guests can heighten this sense of relaxation with an afternoon massage in the comfort of their own villa. Première Neige’s Beanie & Boots Spa treatment consists of a deeply relaxing and restorative massage for the head, focusing on the eyes, neck and shoulders designed to melt away any stress and tension in these areas.
Accommodation Detox in true style at Première Neige’s luxury catered Chalet Merlo, nestled directly above the village of Le Miroir and offering panoramic vistas of the Tarentaise valley. Containing little luxuries such as Elemis Spa bathroom products, saunas, steam rooms, a roaring log fire and more, this is alpine luxury at its finest.
For those wishing to fully heighten the digital detoxification process, guests can surrender their devices and request the removal of in-chalet TVs and enjoy some precious uninterrupted time. In addition, books, journals and board games are provided in the chalet to encourage pause and reflection.
With 6 en-suite bedrooms available, Chalet Merlo sleeps up to 12 people and includes a fully-equipped gym spread over two floors, a private massage suite, a hot tub and sauna facilities. The chalet also comes with a dedicated team consisting of a professional chef, host and a chauffeur to ensure a seamless visit. Due to its impeccable location, Chalet Merlo is the perfect accommodation for multi-resort skiing. With the chauffeur included, guests have a wide array of ski resort options with Sainte Foy, Tignes, Val D’Isere, Les Arcs and La Rosiere in close proximity. For those looking for a more adrenaline-fueled experience, Chalet Merlo can also arrange heli-skiing excursions.
Moroccan Bazaar has revealed its top five tips to help companies complete a client’s lighting project.
From advice on budgets to the importance of communication, the manufacturer of orientalist decorative lighting and furniture provides all the details necessary for a successful project.
To find out more information you can read the full article here.
Sony has highlighted some upcoming home styling trends for 2018, with the help of interior stylists Selina Lake and Cate St. Hill.
To coincide with Sony’s recently launched pop-up space in Shoreditch featuring its Life Space UX range, new themes that the firm has revealed include Lagom, Painterly, Wabi-Sabi, Botanicals and more.
Lagom is a Swedish word that translates to ‘not to little, not too much’ and follows the hygge trend from Denmark and embraces ideas for a scandi style interior which is cosy, cool and relaxing.
Wabi-Sabi is an ancient Japanese philosophy turned décor trend that is about embracing your own authentic, and the imperfections of your space, while Painterly is the trend that celebrates colour.
Lastly, Botanicals brings the outside in with houseplants and as the trend continues into 2018, designers are thinking up new ways to give outside spaces even more Botanical style.
Other new trends set to make an impact in 2018 include rich earthy colours, slender furniture legs and jewellery-inspired lighting.
Sony’s Life Space UX design-led pop-up space is open from 11am to 7pm until January 18, 2018 at 188 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6HU.
Working with interiors stylists Selina Lake and Cate St. Hill, Sony has revealed home styling trends for 2018 which include Lagom, Painterly, Wabi-Sabi, Botanicals.
Selina Lake is a freelance Interior & Lifestyle Stylist & Art Director in London, she is also the author of seven leading interior and styling books including Bazaar Style, Romantic Style, Homespun Style, Pretty Pastel Style, Outdoor Living, Winter Living and Botanical Style.
Cate St Hill is a Design and Interiors Writer, Blogger, Stylist and Interior Designer based in South London. With a strong belief that good design should be accessible to all, she set up her blog in 2011, to share light Scandi-inspired interiors and simple interior tips for everyday living.
Championing beauty in the living room of the future, Sony has recently launched a pop-up space in Shoreditch featuring its Life Space UX range – products that transform your existing living space. Beautiful and stylish design combined with technology innovation.
Below are Selina’s New Year new home styling trends and tips:
Lagom – Lagom is a Swedish word which translates to ‘not to little, not too much’ its follows the cool hygge trend from Denmark and embraces ideas for a scandi style interior which is cosy, cool and relaxing. Colours used for get this style are a mix of whites with soft greys mixed with natural wood. To create this Scandi vibe, introduce natural woods, on trend Scandinavian designed furniture and mix simple brass or metallic lighting. (Sony speaker light)
Painterly – This trend celebrates colour and has an artsy feel, walls are decorated with oversized watercolour digital printed murals and accessories are embellished with paint brush stoke marks or splattered paint designs. To get this look at home get crafty make your own textiles using fabric paint. Additionally, you could use the Sony LifeSpace UX short throw projector to create painterly wall art installation or invest in painterly style cushions to update a chair or sofa
Wabi-Sabi – Wabi-sabi, is an ancient Japanese philosophy turned décor trend, is about embracing your own authentic, and the imperfections of your space. Think bare plaster walls, with a simple yet beautiful vase displayed in front of the ‘imperfect’ wall. Wabi-Sabi interiors are minimal, ideally tech needs to fit the space effortlessly so the new Sony LifeSpace UX products are a perfect choice. If your wallpapers peeling or you have chipped painted walls don’t worry for this trend you won’t need to redecorate just find a console table and make a beautiful arrangement with vases, interesting objects and architectural style flowers like artichoke flowers or a single branch.
Botanicals & Garden Style – the trend for Green Botanicals continues to romp on, first it was all about bringing the outside in with houseplants and now as the trend continues into 2018 we’re thinking up new ways to give our outside spaces even more Botanical Style. Garden rooms are being furnished with botanical prints and displays made with potted plants on outdoor tables is the garden style idea for the summer. To achieve this look at home buy house plants and lots of them display them in baskets, concrete planters & zinc containers. Experiment with painting walls, rooms and wooden furniture shades of deep dark green. And style areas in your garden with plants and gardenalia.
Cate St Hill’s predicts the following trends will be big in 2018:
Rich, earthy colours – It might just be the time of year as we hunker down for the colder months, but I’m seeing a rich range of warm, earthy colours being used in minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired homes, from deep Burgundy reds and burnt oranges to rusty terracottas and murky greens. Scandi spaces are moving away from pure white and monochrome colour schemes to cosier, more nuanced settings that are still clean and contemporary.
Slender furniture legs – Tapered, mid-century-style wooden legs are making way for more slender, reductionist, powder-coated metal designs, from stackable chairs with thin, black frame to minimal trestle table legs for desks, sofas too are raised on thinner legs, giving furniture a lighter appearance.
Lighting – Lighting is taking inspiration from jewellery, with round, pearl-like lamps and elements that give the appearance of a hanging mobile.
Sony’s Life Space UX design-led pop-up space is open from 11am – 7pm from 2nd November 2017 until the 18th January 2018 at 188 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6HU.
We’re given five top tips for buyers to navigate and accomplish a successful project, with the help from Adnan Bennani who heads up the contract team at Moroccan Bazaar, manufacturers of Moroccan decorative lighting for the Four Seasons Group and SBE’s Mondrian Doha, among many others.
Preamble. Decorative lighting is our side of the partnership. Interior designers reach out to us early from concept development stages to final weeks of delivery when in cases things have gone wrong with their current supplier; they need a fast solution.
Things don’t always go to plan, managing the complex process from researching products, costing them, pitching them and assessing whether your client loves or hates them, is a lengthy and time-consuming progression. But nevertheless expected. Only when you find out the lights now part of your scheme is not fit for purpose. Nightmare. However, the risk can be greatly reduced. But how?
A lot can be learnt from experience. So here is mine. Having worked on projects from everything from a residential apartment in London to multi-production runs for global hotel groups, here are my five essential tips for executing the successful lighting component of your project.
Understand the nature of the end use of the lighting within the project.
Ensuring that lighting is suitable and effective for the environment comes down to a balance of what the client’s overall hopes and ambitions are and tempering and amplifying this vision and making it tangible with your own developed, professional sense of what works.
It seems obvious but it is fundamental and essential. If it’s better to understand your client and their expectations as early as possible. The later, the more drawn out and potentially painful. Depending on the scope of the lighting required and its place on the project, getting clarity from a client on what purposes and ambitions the light will deliver can often be the most crucial factor. I suspect it is important or why else would you be reading this article.
Often it requires back and forth but will really be the foundation upon which success is built.
Authenticity of product and its provenance.
Subjective, indeed. Balancing a budget, deadlines, internal and external partners communications are all part of the intricate details that make up the grand vision of the job. The subjective nature of taste is why a client requires a designer and the lighting has a place within the overall plan. We understand that and know our place within it.
Our experience, especially as we work with hand crafted products with an allure, any quality products made by an artisan have such an impact on the finish feel of a space. Lighting with a soul or furniture for any matter, where you a client sees the detail and effort gone into producing them, will illuminate not only the room but your contribution to the project.
With our lighting, a client will pay for a decorative lamp, but free of charge will benefit from a spectacular ceiling feature of cast shadows. Sometimes more important than the functional lighting application. These are significant details for our clients. What’s significant to yours?
Ask your lighting company about the products: who made them and how they’re made, any unseen benefits and interesting stories. People crave authenticity. Providing them this gives a connection to the project and invests them into it being a success. It’s your job to take them through this process, unscathed.
Getting the first-choice lights, without using all the budget.
Have you spoken to the manufacturer? You might be surprised to find your lighting supplier can engineer a product within reason to fit into a workable budget. Often picking lighting comes from a catalogue of preset sizes, gauges of material and components, but with a contract enquiry can be adapted to fit your project. It won’t hurt to ask but can be very rewarding if you do. always want the best but clients don’t necessarily want to pay for the best. Have that discussion with suppliers to see how they can work around budgets restraints.
Are we going to meet the deadline?
Each company and product have its own requirements and most notable in time taken to manufacturer it. To ensure you deliver on time and stick to your procurement schedule, take into account nature of product. For example, part of the exquisite charm of our handcrafted artisan lighting range is they can take four to 12 weeks, depending on the light usually longer than industrial or more modern approaches.
This may be stating the obvious, but then make this part of the agreement with the supplier and stay in regular contact to keep tabs on manufacturing progress. Once in a blue moon something goes astray but it can be easily navigated if you stay in regular contact.
Want to know if they are capable of delivering?
Ask their view on the project and ask them to be honest. Here you get to judge their honesty and hear their technical understanding of delivering the lights you want. This phone call can take 30 minutes but will be the best time spent in the entirety of your lighting specification.
To conclude:
Communication is key. By far the most important aspect of project management and the running theme here. Be open about what are the most important factors to your client – the rest can be navigated, but securing the most important gives enough room to breathe and maneuver.
Moroccan Bazaar is a third generation manufacturer of Moroccan and orientalist decorative lighting and furniture for contract hospitality and residential projects. There are many talented craftsmen in Morocco that can produce interior lighting and case goods but there are few who offer our capacity of output and amount of expertise and experience to deliver projects of scale under one roof. Our vision is to put Moroccan goods on the map for contract projects.
Conceived as a contemporary lifestyle destination that embraces the energy of Singapore’s urban spirit, architect Andre Fu and his design studio AFSO seek to capture the city’s eclectic shop-house experience of dining at Andaz Singapore.
Working within the framework of the modernist Duo development by German architect Ole Scheeren, Fu has fashioned a multi layered journey that conveys relaxed luxury yet captures the vibrant atmosphere of local areas such as Kampong Glam and Bras Basah Bugis.
As guests explore the hotel, they will experience a strong sense of discovery – an experience that is quintessential to Singapore itself.
THE ARRIVAL & PANDAN The Andaz journey begins with a dramatic 8m high lobby where guests encounter an abstract interpretation of the traditional Singaporean shop-house façades which is a recurring theme throughout the hotel. The arrival experience also introduces the concept of a Pandan where guests are enticed by a spectrum of Pandan chiffon cakes and a selection of sweet and savoury soft buns to enjoy.
ALLEY ON 25 Conceived as the hub of the hotel, Alley on 25 brings the spirit of the local neighbourhood into a matrix of seven distinct shop-house experiences. Sunroom is an airy timber pavilion with an intricate checkered grid ceiling that has drawn inspirations from the works of modernist architect Schindler. Hanging ferns and greeneries are suspended from the ceiling to entice the guests with a sense of urban retreat. Icehaus , which is crafted in monolithic white Carrera marble has an open kitchen and views to a terrace of frangipani and guests can view live cooking preparations.
Aunties Wok & Steam is an eatery dedicated to the art of steam and wok cooking and has been designed to evoke a lively market dining experience. Decked with tilted metallic windows and timber furniture upholstered in olive green and lemon yellow, this intimately-proportioned dining room offers panoramic views of the city and exemplifies a genuine street-dining spirit. Other shop-houses guest can visit are Bar Square, Smoke & Pepper, Plancha’Lah! and The Green Oven.
THE GUEST ROOM EXPERIENCE In-keeping with the alley concept, the experience of the guestroom also embraces the neighborhood spirit. Conceived as a contemporary bungalow, Fu has introduced whimsical moments throughout the room – from the entrance doorbell that is housed in a bespoke post-box, the shop-house doors in bold mango yellow to the floor-to-ceiling ivory paneling. The room experience is also punctuated with ethnic touches in aubergine and mustard yellow to celebrate Singapore as a city.
MR STORK Nestled high above the hotel is Mr Stork – the destination rooftop bar set within a lush tropical landscape and cobbled paving. At the heart of Mr Stork is a free-standing bronze pavilion, designed as an installation with radial tilted fins reminiscent of a classic wind-mill. The journey is also layered with a series of private tents where guests are invited to escape into a rural dreamscape. The exposed aggregate and tropical landscape reinforce the idea of an urban yet rustic al-fresco experience.
For many interior designers, keeping expensive lights and shades clean can prove to be a tricky process.
To help combat this, Delightfull has complied a list of tips on how to keep your light fixtures clean and tidy.
Preparation:
Before you start to clean, unplug the light from its power source. Unscrew any articulations and take off any light bulbs.
Iron, aluminium and copper:
The best way to clean lamps that are made of iron, aluminium or copper is by using a clean soft cloth and wipe the lamp clean. Lamps with a solid metal base can also be polished using lemon oil. The best tip is to be careful when wiping the lamp, always using gentle motions.
Brass:
Brass bases are lacquered to prevent tarnishing, which means that using a brass cleaner isn’t usually necessary. To maintain the finish, you can use a clean and soft cloth to wipe your lamp down. This will ensure you will have a shiny and clean lamp at all times.
Lacquered colours:
In order to clean all the colourful parts of your lamp, you should make sure to use a clean and soft white cloth. If you prefer, you can dampen your cloth with a little soapy water, which will help to keep the dust away for longer. You should thoroughly rinse the cloth in clean water and then re-do the whole process to ensure optimum cleaning.
Marble:
For marble lamps, you can again use a clean cloth to wipe away any dust or dirt. You can also opt for a little soapy water for a more intense clean.
For more details check out Delightfull’s blog here.
Shangri La Hotels and Resorts announced Shangri-La Hotel, Jinan, its third hotel in Shangdong Province, will soft open on 13 December; considered to be one of the origins of Chinese civilization, Shandong has emerged as one of the biggest industrial producers and among the top manufacturing provinces in China since its storied history began over 5,000 years ago.
Located within Jinan”s central business district, the 20-storey Shangri-La Hotel, Jinan is part of a multi-use complex opening in Q1 of 2018 that will feature an office tower and shopping mall offering guests refreshing and redefined experiences for work and life. Beyond the hotel, guests can explore Jinan”s natural beauty which has earned the city the reputation of a “Spring City”. With no less than 72 artesian springs, the Baotu Spring is revered as the “Number One Spring under the Heaven” and a short walk from Shangri-La Hotel, Jinan.
Other popular attractions nearby include the Five-Dragon Pond, Black Tiger Spring, Daming Lake and shopping at Kuan Hou Li. The Jinan Station and Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport is 20 minutes and 40 minutes away by car respectively.
Known for creating a sense of place, Shangri-La drew design inspiration for the hotel from the Baotou Spring Park to illustrate the times when Jinan city developed around the lake and surrounding gardens, infusing public spaces with a blend of traditional elements and modern Chinese architecture.
A total of 364 rooms and 32 serviced apartments overlook Jinan”s landmark Quancheng Square or the Daming Lake. All guestrooms are adorned with impressions of the lotus flower – the symbolic flower of Jinan – and equipped with an air purification system, complimentary Wi-Fi, a pillow menu, and a deluxe bathroom with luxury amenities. Each apartment is fully furnished with a kitchen.
Hilton is celebrating the opening of Tru by Hilton Las Vegas Airport, marking a number of milestones for the brand including its eighth US hotel, its largest location, and its westernmost property to-date.
Tru by Hilton Las Vegas Airport is located less than three miles from the Vegas Strip, offering access to some of the country’s most exciting restaurants and tourist attractions. With more than 470 hotels in various stages of development, Tru by Hilton has achieved the fastest-growing pipeline in the history of the hospitality industry.
Owned by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, the six-floor, 166-room Tru by Hilton Las Vegas Airport is the largest Tru by Hilton hotel property to-date. Located at 6862 Gilespie Street next to the McCarran International Airport, the hotel offers a 24-hour complimentary shuttle that includes stops at the airport and the Strip. Guests can enjoy a comfortable, spirited and affordable hotel experience with easy access to everything Las Vegas has to offer.
The hotel is also located steps from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) International Training Center (ITC), an incredible, state-of-the-art facility spanning more than one million square feet, also managed by Prism Hotels & Resorts.
Just a short drive from the ancient Roman ruins of Carthage and the traditional village of Sidi Bou Said, a sanctuary of modern luxury and style has opened its doors on the Mediterranean shore of the capital: welcome to the all-new Four Seasons Hotel Tunis.
“We are delighted to greet our first guests at Four Seasons Hotel Tunis,” says General Manager Ahmed Khalaf. “Already there has been great interest among our Gammarth neighbours and inquiries from around the world, and now I join my team in their excitement to show off our new Hotel, and invite guests to explore the ancient wonders of Tunisia, and the wonderful seaside lifestyle of the city.”
Contemporary Arabesque architecture and design details including mashrabiya latticework screens reflect both the Hotel”s proximity to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and its easy access to the city.
Spilling down toward the sea is a palatial complex of white buildings connected via arched walkways and surrounded by pools, fountains and gardens beneath swaying palms before giving way to a sandy beach edging the Mediterranean beneath a bright blue sky. Public areas are designed in an open concept to capture gentle sea breezes, while guest rooms and suites open to either garden or sea views.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has opened its first boutique hotel in Charlotte. Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel is located at the corner of Third and Church Streets in the Queen City.
From its three-story glass lobby to the expansive views from its rooftop lounge and event space, the 18-story Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel is set in the midst of a vibrant activity centre anchored by Romare Bearden Park and BB&T Ballpark. The boutique hotel presents a fluid façade evoking the contours of the 5.4-acre urban park.
Connected to the new 300 South Tryon office tower, the hotel’s 217 rooms–including 14 suites and a 1,300-square-foot presidential suite–offer views of Romare Bearden Park or uptown Charlotte.
Kimpton Tryon Park’s lobby, with crystal chandeliers and a staircase that allows guests different views of the park as they ascend upward, serves as a dynamic introduction to a new kind of luxury hotel experience in Charlotte underscored by Kimpton’s personalised customer care.
The new year hasn’t yet arrived, but it’s already stacking up to be a consequential one for the hospitality industry, with a number of large hotel companies dedicating resources to the launch of new lifestyle brands and other initiatives.
One such example of this is Jumeirah Group, which is launching a new brand that it hopes can stand out to consumers as a lifestyle option that appeals to the “millennial minded,” the companies interim CEO Marc Dardenne has said. This new brand is slated to launch in early 2018, and when it does it will have smaller rooms but locations in key desirable areas, while also retaining a strong focus on food and beverage services. Dardenne has also said that the new brand, which has not yet been named or fully revealed, currently has three to five new projects that have already signed on to be a part of it.
Jumeirah Hotels has been around for two decades, and this recent decision to launch what will become just its second brand was inspired in part by a desire to access markets where the company already has existing properties that are under the Jumeirah name. This is far and away one of the most common motivations that large hotel companies have cited for launching additional brands, with recent examples of companies that have done this including Trump Hotels and its new Scion brand, Langham with its Langham Place brand, and Capella Hotels with Solis.
Although the lifestyle segment is becoming somewhat crowded within the global hospitality space, Jumeirah is confident that its new creation will stand out a bit from the pack, which contains many lifestyle brands that have been in this arena for 15 to 20 years old now, making them seem a bit dated to guests. Jumeirah leadership has painted its late arrival to the lifestyle segment as a great opportunity to ensure that it is able to provide some of the most modern and up to date offerings of any hotel in the space.
No star rating or category has yet been assigned to the brand, but Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts are likely above its price range, and the new brand will not be associated with Jumeirah’s loyalty program, Sirius. Leadership does, however, hope to have a little bit of association between it and the Jumeirah brand so that savvy travelers will draw a connection between the two.
Marriott International has announced the company is set to open nearly 40 luxury hotels in 2018 as the company continues to cater to a new affluent traveler, offering an unmatched variety of transformative travel experiences.
Providing globetrotters with a truly global perspective and an unparalleled portfolio of eight distinct luxury brands, Marriott International Luxury Brands include world-renowned hospitality hallmarks The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, St. Regis, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, EDITION and JW Marriott. With an unrivaled network of landmark hotels and resorts in 60 countries today, Marriott International is set to expand its luxury footprint yet further with 200 hotels in the development pipeline, representing 25 new countries, from Iceland and Nepal to Cuba and the Philippines.
“From former palaces in Venice and Vienna, to skyscrapers in Hong Kong and Dubai, to intimate, remote escapes in the Maldives and Mexico, the breadth of our portfolio is incomparable and allows us to surpass the expectations of our guests around the globe,” said Tina Edmundson, Global Brand Officer, Marriott International. “We see luxury as a launch pad for self-actualization, with bucket lists evolving from where you want to go to who you can be. With data showing a global shift in perception around luxury, we are uniquely positioned to provide personalized and truly differentiated experiences that resonate with this next-generation jetsetter.”
Personalised Fulfillment is the Future of LuxuryA global luxury study conducted in partnership with Skift, the largest travel industry intelligence platform, revealed that the number one priority for luxury travelers is centered around transformative travel and authentic experiences that provide a new perspective on the world. Edmundson continued: “Today’s global luxurian defies traditional stereotypes, moving far beyond the antiquated notion of ‘time’ being the ultimate luxury. Our guests are on a journey towards personal fulfillment, seeking meaningful and purposeful travel experiences that speak to their inner, idealized selves. Whether that be creating a signature dish at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s Culinary Studio, prioritizing wellness by tapping into on-demand fitness with JW Marriott’s Behind the Barre program, recharging in an over-water villa at The St. Regis Maldives or exploring one of the world’s most energetic cities through a W Insider.” With a new lens on luxury and focus on the fast-evolving expectations and aspirations of the global traveler, Marriott International elevates travel with highly contextualized, nuanced brand experiences that signal the future of luxury. “Access is the new authentic, and our brands are portals to diverse cultures and one-off travel moments,” said Edmundson.
The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Further Define the Luxury Landscape in 2018 The Ritz-Carlton, the legendary hospitality brand with 94 hotels in 31 countries, will continue to set the standard in luxury in 2018. Known for creating exceptional experiences, the brand recently celebrated the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de La Paix, Geneva and in 2018 is slated to debut six exciting locations, including China’s scenic Jiuzhaigou Valley. 2018 will also see renovations of key properties including The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin and The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul. With three Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties open, the debut of Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Los Cabos, will further define the brand’s ability to create an intimate, culturally immersive experience that is set apart by heartfelt care and human connection.
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, with 42 hotels in 21 countries today, is scheduled to celebrate the renovation of The St. Regis Rome in 2018, as well as openings in destinations such as Cairo and Amman. This follows recent debuts, including The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan and The St. Regis Astana.
Luxury Rebel W Hotels Spins Explosive Global Footprint Scheduled to reach 75 hotels by 2020, W Hotels skillfully balances the power of a global brand with the relevance and personality of a local insider. In 2017, the iconic lifestyle brand electrified the skyline with the premiere of W Shanghai – The Bund, and debuted the next generation of boundary-pushing design in the United States with W Bellevue. Defined by visionary design, edgy fashion and buzzing music programming, W Hotels sits alongside luxury, not confined by it. 2018 will be a year of unprecedented growth for the brand with 8 hotels set to open, ranging from Tel Aviv and Dubai to Brisbane and Panama City.
EDITION Set to Reach 20 Properties by 2020 With seven new properties scheduled to launch across three continents, and many more in the pipeline, 2018 will mark a pivotal moment for EDITION. Created through a ground-breaking partnership between boutique hotel creator and innovator Ian Schrager and Marriott International, the EDITION brand is slated to grow exponentially from a collection of four to eleven properties by the end of 2018. Its timeless design, uncompromising quality, true originality and impeccable modern service, further defines the boutique hotel category. Following The Sanya EDITION’s launch in December 2016, EDITION’s Asian presence is scheduled to expand with two additional properties launching in Shanghai and Bangkok in 2018. In addition, the brand’s second and third European hotels are set for launch in Bodrum and Barcelona. EDITION will launch its first outpost in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi, whilst EDITION’s plans to increase its US presence with two properties located in New York’s Times Square and West Hollywood.
With a Growing Global Portfolio, The Luxury Collection Embodies Experiential Travel A rapidly growing ensemble of 102 hotels in more than 30 countries around the world, The Luxury Collection takes guests on journeys to the world’s most inspiring places, enriching and transforming modern global travel with authentic and indigenous experiences. From epicurean delights in the heart of iconic wine regions to city landmarks in Paris and Milan to historic masterpieces such Cristallo, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa nestled in the Italian Dolomites, the brand continues to offer global explorers hotels that define the destination. The Luxury Collection is set to debut 10 properties next year in captivating locations that span the globe, including Los Cabos, Savannah, Vail and Okinawa.
JW Marriott Expands Global Footprint and Breathes New Life into Iconic Properties Inspired by its legendary namesake, JW Marriott is a brand committed to cultivating enriching experiences for guests seeking approachable, modern luxury. With 79 hotels and resorts today in nearly 30 countries, including the recent openings of JW Marriott properties in Vancouver, Jaipur and Phu Quoc, an island oasis off the coast of Vietnam, the brand is looking forward to yet another milestone year with openings slated for 2018 in Nashville and the Maldives. JW Marriott will also continue to reinforce and revitalize its global portfolio with multi-million dollar renovations in more than half of its properties, including JW Marriott Bangkok and Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel.
Experience both the colours and culture of Playa Del Carmen while enjoying exceptional service and innovative gastronomy at The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Marking the first Curio Collection property in the country and Hilton’s first hotel in Playa del Carmen, the boutique hotel features 93 contemporary guest rooms, a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea and four dining outlets, including an authentic tequila bar with more than 100 different tequilas and mezcals.
Located at Avenida 10 Norte and Calle 2 in Playa del Carmen, The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences is located two blocks from the picturesque Playa del Carmen beach and offers convenient access to the area’s top attractions, including Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba, as well as Xplor Park and Xcaret Park. Guests can also visit the shops and restaurants along Fifth Avenue, just a block away from the property.
Designed by architects Gabriel Téllez and Erick Alcalá, with interiors by Mario Téllez Gurbina, the hotel design is inspired by traditional Mexican decor, translated into a contemporary and authentic retreat for travelers. The hotel’s stylish guest rooms feature authentic Mexican design details accented with vivid colors and natural textures inspired by the Caribbean Sea and the region’s jungle and cenotes. Guests can relax on private furnished balconies or terraces, as well as enjoy the hotel”s courtyard, featuring a vertical garden and modern artwork from renowned international artists.
Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) has expanded its worldwide portfolio and Western Europe options with the addition of the Netherlands’ acclaimed Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin in Noordwijk, just outside Amsterdam.
Located directly on the beach, in the picturesque province of South Holland, the 5-Star hotel provides stunning views of the North Sea and has won the prestigious “M&IT Award” for “Best Overseas Hotel” in 2014, 2016 and 2017. ALHI, the world’s leading independent hotel Global Sales Organization, now represents the renowned 254-room hotel to the European and North American meetings, conventions and incentive market, according to ALHI’s Chief Sales Officer Mark Sergot.
ALHI Global Luxury Sales features a distinguished portfolio of more than 250 luxury and upper-upscale hotels and resorts around the world, plus 23 luxury cruise ships appropriate for meetings and incentive programs, and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) in 100-plus locations worldwide. All of ALHI’s member hotels and resorts are either independent or are with an independent hotel brand, and specialize in serving the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions/Conferences and Exhibitions/Events (M.I.C.E.) marketplace.
Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin becomes ALHI’s third member hotel in the Netherlands, joining the luxurious and historic Grand Hotel Karel V Utrecht, offering 121 guest rooms and 935 square meters of meeting space in Utrecht/Amsterdam; and the elegant 75-room Duin & Kruidberg Country Estate in Santpoort-Noord in the truly beautiful South Kennemerland National Park.
With this newest member, ALHI’s luxury portfolio now features 38 distinctive hotels and resorts in Western Europe; 13 in Eastern Europe; more than 150 in the USA and Canada; 16 in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean region and Mexico; 13 in the Middle East; 33 in Asia; 9 in Africa; and 4 in South America.
“Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin is a remarkable hotel offering an impressive beachfront setting, first-class accommodations and wonderful meeting and event space,” said Sergot. “We are very proud to now showcase this exceptional hotel to meeting professionals, incentive specialists and business executives throughout Europe and North America.”
Sergot added, “The Netherlands continues to be a very popular choice for groups, and the addition of this acclaimed hotel will help us address that demand. Add in Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin’s ideal location just 20 minutes from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, and it is a terrific new option for meeting and incentive groups.”
The Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin is a family-owned 5-star property that offers 254 luxurious guest rooms, which includes 20 attractive suites and 4 stylish penthouses. Featuring its own private beach, the hotel also has 19 meeting rooms, with a total of 2,650 square meters of meeting space, making it possible to accommodate up to 1,500 guests. Plus, the hotel offers the celebrated MC Wellness spa, an indoor pool, free Wi-Fi and a wide selection of dining outlets including Restaurant Latour, Breakers Beach House, and Brasserie La Terrasse. Besides its beautiful beaches, Noordwijk is known for its museums and picturesque tulip fields. The hotel is just 30 minutes from Amsterdam, Leiden, Haarlem, and The Hague.
Globally recognised as a world-class entertainment and lifestyle brand, Hard Rock International announces plans to expand its portfolio with Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and Hard Rock Cafe Maldives, slated to open 1 October 2018.
As part of the Emboodhoo Lagoon project, the first integrated resort destination in the Maldives, the brand will work in collaboration with Singha Estate Public Company Limited, a leading Thailand-based development company, to provide travellers with the ultimate, family-friendly Maldivian experience.
The highly anticipated property will be located within one of the Maldives’ largest lagoons, Emboodhoo Falhu, a 20-minute speedboat ride from the airport. A convenient destination for flights from Asia, Europe and the Middle East, the integrated resort project will appeal to the rapidly growing niche of medium to upscale tourism, as well as the affluent travellers who typically frequent the nation. The first phase of development consists of a $311.5 million (£232 million) investment that is expected to stimulate tourism, offering visitors a rich combination of world-class offerings such as hotels, entertainment, retail and fine dining. Hard Rock Hotel Maldives will be one of three resorts included in the development, boasting 178 expansive guestrooms, family suites, beach villas and one and two-bedroom overwater villas.
Inspired by local Maldivian culture, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives will infuse contemporary design features with tropical architecture throughout the property, alongside regionally-inspired, authentic music memorabilia. The hotel will provide guests with exclusive brand offerings and amenities, including The Sound of Your Stay® music programme, offering complimentary use of Fender guitars and Crosley record players for in-room jam sessions, as well as a renowned full-service Rock Spa®, a Rock Shop® selling all brand merchandise, Roxity Kids Club® and Teen Spirit® Club. Guests can also treat their taste buds to delectable on-site food and beverage options, ranging from a Pool Bar and all-day dining, to a Beach Grill restaurant and in-villa dining experience.
Just steps from the hotel, guests will enjoy authentic American cuisine amidst the ultimate rock atmosphere at Hard Rock Cafe Maldives. With direct boat transportation from the airport and situated within the Emboodhoo Lagoon development, Hard Rock Cafe Maldives will provide approximately 185 seats both indoors and outdoors while offering diners exclusive beach access, taking dining with a view to a whole new level.
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives will create more than 350 jobs and the entire integrated resort will create an additional 1,250, further stimulating the Maldives community. Through music appreciation and an imaginative environment, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos delivers products for the varied aspects of life – work, play and personal sanctuary.
Minor Hotels has signed a management agreement with Safari International Group for a new AVANI hotel to be developed in Muscat, the Omani capital.
Scheduled to open in 2020, the 250-room AVANI Musc at Hotel will be located in Seeb to the west of the city, 15 minutes’ drive from Muscat International Airport. Seeb is a prime residential area in Muscat and a key area for future development as the city grows westwards. The AVANI hotel will be connected via a sky bridge to the upcoming Al Araimi Boulevard Mall, which is currently being developed and is scheduled to open in 2018 with over 250 retail and dining outlets, a medical centre and a 10-screen cinema complex.
With a total development cost of $50 million (£37 million) by Safari International Group, the new-build hotel will open in two phases. The first phase will comprise 160 guest rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, an AVANI Pantry and a rooftop lounge. Additional facilities will include a swimming pool and health club and a 1,000 square metre ballroom and eight meeting rooms. The second phase, which will commence two years after the main hotel opens, will offer a total of 90 serviced apartments including studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, plus two 175 square metre three-bedroom apartments.
Launched in 2011, AVANI Hotels & Resorts currently operates 21 properties in the Asia Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, with the brand most recently debuting in both Australia and New Zealand. AVANI is a true lifestyle brand, imaginatively blending genuine hospitality and technology with savvy design and contemporary style. The AVANI experience is designed to satisfy important guest needs.
The future launch of the brand in Oman represents a key strategic addition to Minor Hotels’ portfolio in the country, following the launch of the group’s luxury Anantara brand in Oman in late 2016 with two new openings – Anantara Jabal Al Akhdar Resort located on the Saiq Plateau in the north of the country and Al Baleed Salalah Resort by Anantara in the Dhofar region in the south.
Minor Hotels currently operates 13 properties in the Middle East across four of its brands – Anantara, AVANI, Tivoli and Oaks – and has a further strong pipeline in the region across these four brands. In 2018 AVANI will launch in North Africa with the opening of AVANI Les Berges du Lac Tunis Suites in the Tunisian capital, with further pipeline properties announced in 2017 including both Mauritius and the Maldives.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
To keep up to date with all the latest news and features, sign up to receive our weekly newsletter and bi-monthly HD Edit.
