Hotel Designs

NEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR HOTELIERS, DESIGNERS AND INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS
Guestroom interiors of the hotel

Hotel group announces unveiling of latest property in North Wales

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West Yorkshire-based Northern Powerhouse Developments (NPD), has announced the opening of its latest property – Caer Rhun Hall, a three-storey, late-Victorian mansion in North Wales with a private house atmosphere, opens to the public on August 8…

The North Wales luxury accommodation, which is set in 20 acres of rolling parkland and gardens, is the latest addition to the company’s portfolio of 18 stylish hotels either open or in development…

The Grade II listed building was acquired two years ago and has undergone an extensive, multi-million pound refurbishment, creating 32 bedrooms in exclusive surroundings. The hotel will add further rooms in the grounds, growing to 80 by the end of 2019.

Exterior of hotelRichard Lewis, CEO of NPD Hotels said “Caer Rhun Hall is a magnificent property in a wonderful location in the heart of the Conwy Valley, bordering Snowdonia National Park. “Our sympathetic refurbishment has created a venue which will initially operate as luxury accommodation with breakfast, and which will also cater for weddings and events.

“In the next 18 months we will add a restaurant and spa as we develop Caer Rhun into a Manor House with boutique feel – a destination hotel and spa.”

large guestroomIn May, NPD announced the acquisition of Grade II listed Monk Fryston Hotel near Selby, boosting its portfolio of Yorkshire properties which also includes the Imperial Crown Hotel in Halifax, the Old Golf House Hotel in Huddersfield and Scarborough’s Esplanade Hotel.

Caer Rhun Hall is a 15-minute drive from the coastline of North Wales and Llandudno where NPD operates three other hotels.

Designing Instagrammable: Guest-driven brand stories and how to better understand the mindset of niche guests?

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In the second instalment of Designing Instagrammable, Valé Architects explores the routes as to why design has to evolve to cater to the modern traveller and how to understand the mindset of niche guests…

Design – and hotel design specifically – is centred around the end user. Therefore, as designers, we should be looking for avenues to better understand the people we are designing for.

Before Instagrammable

One interior design firm which understands the concept of designing for niche guests is HBA London. “Designing for Instagram moments is nothing new,” explains Constantina Tsoutsikou, Creative Director, HBA London. “As hospitality designers, we have always sought to create moments that make memories, that move guests’ emotions and engage them. It’s just that we used to call them something else. These moments can inspire awe – a soaring atrium or a beautifully crafted staircase for example, or they can be much quieter – a carefully framed view or a tiny detail in an artwork that paints a thousand words. The difference now is that with Instagram guests can share this memory with all their followers, essentially endorsing the experience. In effect, Instagram moments enable guests to become ambassadors of the hotel.”

The benefit of using Instagram as a design tool is we can generate guest driven brand stories

In today’s world of the instant post and share, there’s three main differences that have existed for the first time in our history.  This is the vast volume of photos being taken and shared, secondly the influential sway that many of these photos can have on the success of a hotel and thirdly detailed look into the mindset of a hotel’s guest.  “A what?! What do you mean a look at guest mindset?” At Valé we use instagram photos as a design tool to measure user mindsets and influence the directions of a design.

Using Instagram as a design tool

The benefit of using Instagram as a design tool is we can generate guest driven brand stories. We touched on this in the Niche Hotel Design Guide, but we believe it needs to be explained in detail to be fully appreciated how valuable this could be for a hotel business.

Our goal is to see brands through the eyes of the end user, which in the case of a hotel is the guest. The better we understand the hotel brands guests like, the existing relationships they have with those brands and what they like about them, the more defined our design briefs can be to reach that niche guest.

The process involves researching the hashtags and locations tags of brand you want to be like (a muse brand), and categorising the photos users are taking of the property. Sorting into design elements, moments that show people or other common themes you see in a photostream on Instagram.  The remarkability chart below we’ve compared two hotels who we believe would attract similar niche guests, but in very different locations.

What this does is help build a design story of that muse brand, a story about what their guests finding so remarkable they have to share it with the world. Over a sizable data set of photos, we can start to build brand stories driven by how the guests experience at the property. It can help indicate to the design team things that are important to guests.

Measuring mindset affects your profits

Understanding your guests mindset in-depth could give hotel owners greater clarity on where to invest time and money in their hotel, if it’s important to the guests you probably want to consider it in your hotel brief. Understanding the social status associated with your public areas (restaurants, bars) play a significant role in a brand identity and awareness. Further detailed analysis over a much larger data set may reveal that a room design only needs to be “good enough” where as your public areas MUST shine, must be remarkable. This again focuses budget where it will have the most effect on your business.

How to measure mindset  

We studied a six hotels using social media, review sites and our own observations and broke them into niche guest types, commonly known as archetypes in marketing. Our findings from the social status study is that the guest profiles of what we called Thrifty Destination Junkies & Reality Escapees were more likely to show off they are at a certain hotel. While the Luxury Aesthetic Chaser finds greater delight in sharing the remarkably design buildings, interiors and food with their followers.

Those without their finger on the pulse are frankly risking it all.

We measured from similar size data sets (in this scenario 50 photos for each hotel) to try understand the importance of being photographed at the hotel vs photos of the hotel. We would link such a study to the social status a guests received from being seen at the hotel and their mindset on the importance of being seen at the coolest places in town.

Note we found that when the location was tagged there were greater volumes of images that had account holders in them, rather than images of objects, interior design or architecture. This indicates to us there is a social importance to be recognised to be aligned with a brand.

Conclusion

As competition grows and the desire for personalised experiences becomes increasingly popular, designing for niche guests is a hotel’s ticket building a brand long-term brand loyalty. As our online footprint increases, technology and data collection improves we’re going to be able to build ever greater experiences for niche guests. Those without their finger on the pulse are frankly risking it all.

Learn more about designing for niche guests in the Niche Hotel Design Guide by Valé.

Bisque introduces rustic finishes to Classic collection

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Bisque, the UK’s first ever luxury radiator brand, has unveiled two new distinctive finishes for spring 2018, Rustique and Rose Copper. Both styles are produced using an oxidation technique, creating a truly authentic finish. These bespoke designs are made to order and are available exclusively on Bisque’s Classic collection of radiators and from its newly opened showroom in Islington.

The organic Rustique finish is not simply a paint effect but is created by spraying iron metal over a base coat. This is followed by a water-based solution, which produces a rust patina, making the result individual every time – similar to the brand’s much loved Arteplano. The Classic is primed, coated and lacquered throughout the process to ensure you achieve an authentic ‘rust’ finish of paramount quality.

Next up is the Rose Copper finish, which contains genuine copper and is finished with a matt lacquer, to prevent further tarnishing. This ultimately maintains its gorgeous rose colour and beautiful glow.
The Classic is by far Bisque’s most popular design and today offers a variety of models in various and sizes and styles. In addition to thirty-eight stock sizes, Bisque also offers a vast range of bespoke size options and can colour match to popular paint ranges such as Farrow & Ball and Little Greene.

Bisque are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

Hotel Designs Brit List 2018 welcomes BIID as industry partner

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Hotel Designs has announced that the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) will be this year’s industry partner for The Brit List…

The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) has been named as the industry partner for this year’s Brit List.

Announced days after the news that nominations for the Brit List had opened, the event, which launched last year, acts as a platform in order to help amplify Britain’s most influential people in hotel design.

Taking place at BEAT London on November 22, the award ceremony will celebrate Britain’s top 25 interior designers, hoteliers and architects, and also name the winners of the six new awards.

“On behalf of the BIID, we are delighted to be partnering with such an influential awards programme that celebrates leading interior designers, architects and design professionals in the hospitality sector,” said Gilly Craft, BIID President. Many BIID members are very active in this industry, and the Hotel Designs Brit List represents a great opportunity for them to build their business and keep up to speed with the latest innovations in hotel design.”

The event, which is hosted by Hotel Designs, is also an opportunity for leaders and visionaries in the industry to network. “We are proud and incredibly privileged to announce our partnership with the BIID, an association which totally shares our vision to help promote talented creatives in Britain,” explained publisher of Hotel Designs Katy Phillips. “This is the second year we have hosted the event, and with the addition of the six new awards – as well as also celebrating architects in The Brit List – we are convinced that we have raised the bar to provide a totally unique networking event.”

The partnership between the two brands is expected to further encourage and support creativity and competence in the field of interior design in International hotel design.

To find our more information on The Brit List 2018, click here.

5 Stories of the Week: Underwater firsts, re-defining luxury and The Brit List early bird tickets

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As July falls over the horizon, August is looking bright-full of juicy stories. Editor of Hotel Designs Hamish Kilburn breaks down the top five stories of the week…

As we run into August, I’m heard a number of designers and architects asking where 2018 has gone. Already, this year has thrown some serious shapes in the never-stopping world of hotel design. Imminently upon us, the world’s first underwater hotel suite is about to be opened. This is why this month is dedicated to Hotel Concepts and Flooring & Carpets, two ever-changing elements in our industry.

As we conclude another week, here are the top five stories from the last five dates.

1) Designing Instagrammable: understanding the psychology of Instagram

Animation of Instagram

All this month, we are working with Australian-based architecture firm Valé Architects to investigate how to design the Instagrammable hotel. In PART ONE of FIVE, Scott Valentine, the firm’s Managing Director, explains the psychology of Instagram… The next article will be live on Monday.

2) 9 eye-catching hotel concepts from around the world

As we being to shine the spotlight on ‘hotel concepts’ this month, the editorial team have pulled together a handful of the most striking hotels from around the world…

3) The Brit List 2018 launches early bird tickets

Following the opening of nominations for this year’s Brit List, Hotel Designs has launched early bird tickets for both delegates and suppliers.

4) Designing the world’s first luxury underwater hotel

Coridor leading to underwater guestroom

The race to designing the first underwater hotel has been more like a marathon than it has a sprint. There have been false starts, claims of cheating along the way and training plans that in reality have been non-starters. But now, for the first time ever – and proudly entering the history books – Conrad Maldives – led by a talented handful of architects, engineers and interior designers – is about to open the world’s first underwater accommodation in a hotel.

5) Hot hotels around the globe to cool down in

Last month was the second hottest July ever on record in the UK, reported The Telegraph. In light of the sweltering heat that the UK is facing this year, and that this month the spotlight is on Hotel Concepts, Hotel Designs has listed the hottest hotels around the globe to cool down in.

Hot hotels around the globe to cool down in

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As the UK experiences one of the hottest summers on record, Hotel Designs took a sneak peek at hot hotels to cool down in…

Last month was the second hottest July ever on record in the UK, reported The Telegraph. In light of the sweltering heat that the UK is facing this year, and that this month the spotlight is on Hotel Concepts, Hotel Designs has listed the hottest hotels around the globe to cool down in.

1) Velaa Private Island – Maldives’ Only Snow Room

The first and only one of its kind in the Maldives, the snow room at Velaa Private Island instantly cools the body whether it be following a sauna, a steam room or after a long day in the sun. Situated within the island’s My Blend by Clarins Spa, Velaa takes the aspirational escape to a whole new level and the island’s snow room is just one of the exclusives including it’s own semi sub-marine; equally perfect for an afternoon out of the sun.

2) The Nai Harn – Cold Brew Coffee

Recently introducing home-made Cold Brew Coffee, The Nai Harn provides a refreshingly cooling alternative to traditionally hot-brewed coffee for a welcoming boost to the day. Allowing the aromas and flavours unfold, the three cold-brewed varieties come from Ehiopia, Costa Rica and Sumatra and are produced in specialised coffee machines at room temperature. Take a moment to cool down on the infinity-edged rooftop bar, Cold Brew Coffee in hand overlooking what has been voted as Thailand’s best beach.

3) Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort – Water Source Journey

The idyllic Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort sits in a special location, providing both Thermal and Thalasso waters to their sprawling Myrthia Spa. Offering the perfect opportunity to cool down, the spa offers a  ‘Water Source Journey’, including 6 contrast pools of between 32 and 10 degrees, all giving the skin a chance to calm and heal. The experience then culminates in the opportunity to relax inthe semi-submerges sun loungers overlooking the dazzling Aegean giving you a chance to sunbathe without the heat.

4) Aphrodite Hills Resort – The Red Lobster Calming Facial 

‘The Retreat Spa by Atlantica’ at Aphrodite Hills Resort has recently launched a ‘Red Lobster Calming Facial’. Targeting those who have been out in the sun all day, making the most of the outstanding sporting facilities, including the PGA National Golf Course for Cyprus, they uses the best in ELEMIS, Phytomer and VieCollection products to counteract over-exposure to the sun. The process includes a light exfoliation, a mild cleansing and deep moisturising treatments to have the skin looking fresh and radiant, not burnt and painful.

5) Nobu Hotel Miami Beach – South Beach Revival Treatment

With Miami Spa Week in full swing, Nobu Hotel Miami Beach are offering the ‘South Beach Revival’ treatment, which uses a full body wrap made out of green clay to regenerate, sooth and oxygenate the skin. Perfect to sooth and repair the skin at this sweltering time of year, this 110 mins treatment is then followed by a relaxing 75 mins massage and hair and scalp treatment to make sure all sun and heat damage is fully relieved.

Image credit: Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, New York

Coridor leading to underwater guestroom

Designing the world’s first luxury underwater hotel

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As Hotel Designs puts ‘hotel concepts’ in the spotlight, editor Hamish Kilburn dives in to understand what it takes to design the world’s first underwater hotel…

The race to designing the first underwater hotel has been more like a marathon than it has a sprint. There have been false starts, claims of cheating along the way and training plans that in reality have been non-starters. But now, for the first time ever – and proudly entering the history books – Conrad Maldives – led by a talented handful of architects, engineers and interior designers – is about to open the world’s first underwater accommodation in a hotel.

Many believe this race was won by Dubai a few years ago, when it launched its version of the underwater suite at the Atlantis The Palm. But, like many greats in the world of sport that were caught out for cheating and seriously bending the rules, the hotel also fell short of the title. What the hotel claimed to be the ‘Underwater Suite’ in 2008 was actually just a floor-to-ceiling view into a very large – and equally impressive – aquarium. Dubai’s ‘go big or go home’ attitude was in full swing, and plans and renders for more underwater experiences were launched.

The residence at Conrad Maldives’ The Muraka comprises an above-sea residence and an underwater level, which is completely immersed in the ocean

Aerial shot of the hotel

Meanwhile, over in the Maldives, plans and concepts were becoming a reality much faster. 13 years in the making, and USD 15 million later, The Muraka – which translates to ‘coral’ in native Dhivehi – in Conrad Maldives is now on track to open a unique, luxurious two-level residence. The residence comprises an above-sea residence and an underwater level, which is completely immersed in the ocean. This offers guests an unobstructed 180-degree panoramic view of the marine life in natural surroundings.

Mike Murphy the engineer of The Muraka Residence at Conrad Maldives had the job in making sure the equations add up. “Site conditions are paramount,” he says when explaining what factors must be taken into account when designing the ambitious accommodation. “This includes tidal range, water depths, protection from storms, storm wave heights, wind loads, type of soil for driving piles, access for big crane ship rick of tsunami etc. This dictates freeboard heights, the depth of undersea unit below the sea level, height of stairwell, piling design and everything else.”

Render of underwater bathroom

Elements that would not cross your mind, such as working out if the client needs to install a wheelchair lift, would impact on the final volume of the underwater unit. “The greater the volume, then the more water displaced, which means more buoyant uplift, which means more weight to hold the unit down so that it doesn’t float,” Murphy adds.

The bathroom is mind-blowing, even if I do say so myself

Elsewhere in the project, but in constant communication with the engineers and interior designers, Ahmed Saleem, the director of Crown Company Pvt;. Ltd was the lead architect on the The Muraka Residence. “Like all architects, I was also trying to come up with a unique Maldivian image,” he said.

The bedroom is an acrylic tunnel that makes guests feel completely submerged under the waves

Once all the issues with privacy, safeguarding and supplying air to the underwater areas was addressed, Saleem and his team got to work in designing the underwater room to great a full underwater-living environment. “The bathroom is mind-blowing, even if I do say so myself,” he adds. “I have designed it so that the ocean is the constant view, with the ocean above your head and the sense of being surrounded by water.”

Render of Underwater guestroom

The interiors were led by Japanese architect Yuji Yamazaki. What makes the room design unique is the varying uses of acrylic that has been incorporated into one unit. The bedroom is an acrylic tunnel that makes guests feel completely submerged under the waves. The acrylic that forms the living room is curved vertical glass, which allows guests to further marvel at the marine wildlife outside the sea-wrapping pod.

The main challenge for this project, aside from the obvious being that architects, designers and engineers do not have gills, was the sheer scale of it, and the logistical nightmare of transporting it from Singapore, where it was built, to the Maldives. “The room is the maximum weight (600 tonnes) that can be lifted by the ship’s crane and that can moor close to the reef,” explained Murphy. “Finding the right ship [to transport the parts] with crane capacity to be able to do the job.”

The result of years of planning and construction is an out-of-this-world hotel experience that literally takes hotel concepts to new depths. The underwater level features in the property includes one king bedroom, a living area, a bathroom and an impressive spiral staircase.

This very special part of the hotel, which will settle on the seabed for years to come, will be open to guests from November of this year.

New luxury hotel set to change the face of hospitality and design in Grenada

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Changing the face of Grenadian hospitality and design, the fabulously chic Silversands Grenada, designed by Aw2 Design, will comprise 43 suites and nine residential villas, and also be home to the longest pool in the Caribbean…

Launching this November 2018 on the ivory white sands of Grand Anse beach, Silversands Grenada is slated to introduce a new way for discerning travellers to experience the unspoiled island of Grenada – the ‘Spice of the Caribbean.’ Sleek and modern in its design, unlike anything else in the Caribbean, the all-suite resort and residential project will offer a chic luxury experience perfectly befitting the warmth and authenticity of a true Grenadian lifestyle, as well as the opportunity to purchase a slice of paradise with Grenadian citizenship included.

A new member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Silversands Grenada’s minimalist design aesthetic was imagined and created by architecture and interior design firm AW². Having worked on the project since 2014, the firm’s partners, Reda Amalou and Stéphanie Ledoux, set Silversands Grenada apart from any other resort in the Caribbean. This is ‘next generation Grenada’, with a design-savvy traveller in mind. The linear architecture and design is deliberately cool, slick and understated, using pale marble and light wood while playing with a neutral colour palette of grey, blue and hues of cream. Bringing the lush surrounding landscape into focus, the resort’s aesthetic blends authenticity, nature, luxury and modernity in a stunning display of clean lines against the undulating sands of Grand Anse beach and its rugged beauty.

Day bed areas and pools are all designed to blend seamlessly into the architecture

“The client was looking for a project who will give a contemporary vision of tropical resorts and architecture,” explained Ledoux. “This is something that we have developed over the years in many different countries. Even if the conditions are always different, the design process remains the same: how to make the best use of site context, in order to create a unique destination with a strong sense of place.”

The layout has been designed to showcase the spectacular sea views, while simultaneously ensuring the utmost privacy and providing unique spaces for guests’ relaxation. Exterior spaces echo the architecture’s modern lines through gardens, courtyards and water features. Terraces, day bed areas and pools are all designed to blend seamlessly into the architecture, with the setting lulling guests down to the rhythm of the island in a sea of bright whites, natural teak and neutral tones. The view lines and spaces are wedded to Grenada’s contrasting green landscape, encouraging well-heeled travellers to get out and explore the island and forge a personal connection with the Caribbean’s last undiscovered hideaway.

 The resort is also intersected by an artfully-designed 100-metre outdoor infinity pool, the longest in the Caribbean

Silversands Grenada will be home to 43 studio suites and a mix of nine Hillside and Beachfront residential villas unobtrusively peppered into the surrounding landscape. The resort is also intersected by an artfully-designed 100-metre outdoor infinity pool, the longest in the Caribbean.

Accommodation will span across two main buildings off Grand Anse Beach, encompassing 39 open-plan guestrooms, three one-bedroom suites, and a sprawling 2,066ft² penthouse with sweeping views of the sea and resort grounds from two private terraces. All rooms, suites and villas will feature modern open floor-plans with floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the rooms with natural light and perfectly complementing natural wood and stone textures and light hardwood floors. Rooms include king size platform beds surrounded by remote controlled curtains ideally situated for maximum views.

Nine residential villas will be discreetly dotted into Silversands Grenada’s lush surrounding landscape

Minimalistic furniture and muted colours will be wedded to a high-spec entertainment system, with portable technology granting unlimited access to video entertainment, glossy publications and newspapers. A curated selection of original artwork will be featured in every guestroom, as well as throughout the resort. Each en-suite bathroom is designed with the modern traveller in mind, with space, privacy and light reigning supreme. All bathrooms include at least 134ft² of space outfitted with a deep soaking tub and separate rain shower, double vanity units, frosted glass water closet, and ample storage – all connecting to a dressing room with built-in wardrobes. One-bedroom suite and Penthouse Suite bathrooms feature floor-to-ceiling louvered windows with spectacular ocean vistas.

“A ‘modern traveller’ to us is a person who is travel savvy,” said Ledoux. “They have been to many places, know some great hotels, and expects a lot more than just a hotel. We design with this very demanding person in mind. We concentrate on the project. If the design is carefully brought to fruition, it will be strong enough to become a fascinating social media subject. To try and do the opposite may be instagrammable, but does not always make a good project. So we work on what we know best to do: design.”

Nine residential villas will be discreetly dotted into Silversands Grenada’s lush surrounding landscape. Creating a limited opportunity to claim an everlasting piece of one of the Caribbean’s last secret hideaways, villas include five 6,000ft² Beachfront Villas with lot sizes ranging from 22,290ft² to 26,350ft², and four 5,000ft² Hillside Villas with lot sizes ranging from 13,500ft² to 17,600ft². Beachfront Villas will offer direct access to the sand, while the Hillside Villas feature awe-inspiring views of the resort grounds, Grand Anse Beach and the sea. The villas will provide owners elite access to the resort’s 24-hour service and premium experiences, and the chance to be a part of the island’s exciting revival. Each individual bedroom is a master bedroom, built as its own standalone pavilion with indoor and outdoor showers and deep-soaking bathtubs for the utmost luxury and unparalleled privacy. Adding further incentive to residential investment, villa owners will also have the option to purchase design packages in keeping with the resort’s sleek-chic aesthetic, and the ability to rent their villas through the resort when not in residence.

In Conversation With: lighting expert Ian Cameron from Cameron Design House

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With lighting design having the ability to make or break a hotel concept, editor of Hotel Designs Hamish Kilburn sat down with the founder and creative director of lighting studio Cameron Design House to find out how the company is pioneering its way to becoming a leading lighting manufacturer, one bespoke light fitting at a time…

Recently, design company Cameron Design House has been making some serious ripples in international hotel design. Through its cutting-edge design, the company uniquely prides itself on everything that comes out of its factory being handmade. With this level of detail behind every product, I was curious to find out how the company is coping with the increasing demand, since the spotlight this year is well and firmly on lighting technology in international hotel design – pun intended.

Hamish Kilburn: Ian, what challenges do you face with everything being handmade?

Ian Cameron: As all of our pieces are handcrafted with a focus on perfecting the most intricate of details, each design involves a very specialist and creative manufacturing process. There are a number of different fabrication methods used for various designs, including the rolling, shaping or cutting of the metals. Although machinery is used for essential parts of the design process, every piece is assembled by hand, with the crystal profile diffusers all hand laid and every individual piece polished by hand. Meticulous attention to detail is applied to each design to ensure the electrical wiring is always hidden and the lighting element is concealed, enhancing the sculptural nature of each piece. As an example of our commitment to detail, each of the lantern diffusers on the Haara chandelier consists of 33 individually positioned, hand-drawn glass rods and for some of the designs like the Haara, two years were spent perfecting the design to ensure the highest quality product and finish.

HK: This year we are bringing back The Brit List, as we continue to celebrate the most influential British interior designers, hoteliers and architects. In your opinion, what does London have that others in the world lack in regards to design?

IC: London is a world leader in design, and always has been. In a world that is becoming more and more automated, British design and manufacturing couldn’t be more important.

HK: How big is the team?

We have expanded from a team of four to over 25 employees in just four years! It has been important for us to maintain a sustainable level of growth over these past four years and one of my personal highlights in expanding the team was being able to give my cousin a job in our workshop.

HK: Can you explain a little bit more about the Bespoke Design Service you offer and how that’s unique?

IC: We always take a design-led approach and allow the project to shape our process. At Cameron Design House, it is really important for us to work hand-in-hand with our clients to create a design that is not only visually beautiful but works with the requirements of the space. Custom sizing, configuration and finishes are available across our collection, however providing a bespoke product is not enough and we always provide a bespoke design service to ensure the piece perfectly complements the individual nature of the project. For the example when the Hilton in Minneapolis approached us, they were looking for a specific collection of lighting pieces to perfectly complement the vast space within the hallway. With that in mind, we worked closely with their design team to configure a group of Lohja lighting pieces that have become the centrepiece of the space.

HK: Where do you find your inspiration for the products you design and create?

IC: All designers probably say the same thing, inspiration is everywhere and in everything but it is true. I am constantly fascinated by my surroundings and draw inspiration from literally everywhere, from sci-fi films, to nature and brutalism. We joke around the studio about the ongoing study of the great mathematician and designer Buckminster Fuller but we really do study his work and others like him. The ongoing study always leads to new ideas and innovations – it’s evolution.

I have a strong Finnish heritage and I draw a lot of my inspiration from Finland as well as my travels abroad. London is a huge inspiration to me as well. In the past two years I have visited over 10 countries, and I think this has really helped me develop my vision and approach to new designs.

HK: How can a designer use lighting when designing a modern hotel in a heritage building?

IC: Take the building as inspiration and work backwards. Don’t let the piece overwhelm the space. It’s important to use the space as inspiration when designing the lighting and work closely with the interior design team to find the perfect design solution.

HK: It’s said that tech development in recent years has opened up the door wide on lighting design. How have your products developed with this technology?

IC: Technology has given us more flexibility with our designs and allows us to work closely with our clients to create a piece that will perfectly complement their project.

There are also environmental issues which need to be considered when designing in today’s design climate, it’s critical that this is deliberated through all stages of the creative process. Aside from the obvious responsible use of materials etc. our approach is to design products that are lasting not only in terms of function but also lasting in terms of design.

HK: Do you ever feel the pressure in having to push creativity’s limits?

It’s important to believe in yourself and not to listen to the critics. It’s the dreamers in the world who design and build it and so instead of feeling the pressure of pushing your creative limits it’s important to be confident in your own unique vision and let your surroundings inspire the direction of design. Taking time out to explore new places is essential to my creative process and a great example of this is our Helmi chandelier, it’s the latest design within our collection and was inspired by a fishing trip near my hometown of Turku.

Kobe to exhibit at London Interior Show

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The luxury fabrics specialist will exhibit at this year’s London Interior Show on the 16 – 17 September…

Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe UK will exhibit at this years’ prestigious London Interiors Show.

The exhibition which will take place at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel between the 16 and 17 of September, will feature a host of the country’s top interiors businesses, from fabric to furniture.

Kobe, which is based in Crowthorne in Berkshire, will exhibit a variety of its contemporary, yet timeless collections along with a brand new nine-piece capsule range from its price sensitive Essente brand.

Collections on show will include the latest room high range with fabrics suitable for extra wide windows at 310cm, 315cm and 320cm high with patterns printed or woven horizontally to ensure a seamless window décor.

One featured collection is Boutique, a lavish mix of innovative textiles including sumptuous velvet, woven jacquard, cool cotton and soft satin. The palette of rich deep and softly nostalgic tones complements the geometric, floral, paisley and botanical patterns available within the collection.

In addition, Kobe will show its Art-Deco inspired Elegance and naturally focused Senses collection of curtain and upholstery fabrics. Elegance features a mix of metallic and neutral tones in geometric, floral, medallion and trellis patterns, while Senses has been designed to create an element of calm in the home with its combination of organic yarns and soft colour palette.

Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted undergoes final stage of £6M refurbishment

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This Summer 2018, Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted, the venue of Hotel Summit, enters the final phase of an overall £6 million refurbishment project…

Blending sleek design with modern facilities and exceptional services, all public spaces in the Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted will receive a sophisticated upgrade and expansion. The exciting new refurbishments will include the Atrium Space, Wine Tower Bar and a new Meeting & Events Reception Desk and Breakout Area.

The iconic Wine Tower in the Atrium will also be renovated to create a memorable guest experience

In collaboration with the Trevillion design team, Radisson Blu Stansted will be transforming their public spaces into stylish and welcoming areas in order to enhance the guest experience from the moment of arrival.

From an inviting reception area to a private events space, the expansive atrium will be a versatile space whose function will be adjustable depending on the hotel requirements. Incorporating highly adaptable furniture, a new lighting design and control system, as well as a fully integrated sound system, the guest experience will be maximised and the space will be easily modified for any event, day or night. A new stylish seating area will be developed in the atrium lobby featuring iconic and comfortable furniture, while the atrium walls and lighting will be enhanced. Furthermore, a new meeting and events reception desk and breakout area will be added to support the newly increased ballroom capacity.

The iconic Wine Tower in the Atrium will also be renovated to create a memorable guest experience, encouraging guest interaction and a striking entrance for the hotel. A new sophisticated and lively bar will be built around this unique structure, serving as an area for guests to host meetings and receptions or simply to enjoy a cup of coffee.

Previous refurbishments the £6M project included the hotel guestrooms, restaurants and meetings & events spaces. In order to keep up with modern trends, and the neighboring airport’s constant growth, the hotel recently underwent a selection of significant refurbishments in 2017 to ensure the utmost in comfort and style.


A new floating hotel to launch in Scotland

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A new floating hotel, which will be permanently berthed in Scotland, is about to launch with interiors envisioned by well-known hotel designer…

With Hotel Designs this month investigating the ever-changing world of hotel concepts, the idea of ‘floating hotels’ is a hot topic at the moment with many hotel designers extending their services to include cruise ship design. Launching in Autumn 2018, a new £5 million development is set to transform Scotland’s hotel scene. Fingal, a former Northern Lighthouse Board ship, begins an exciting new chapter offering beautiful cabins, dining and entertaining space, set in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith.

The development is being carried out by the Pedley Group. Co-founder Alan Pedley has been responsible for manufacturing and installing more than 180,000 hotel rooms in 61 countries for the world’s leading hotel groups including IHG, Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott.

Developed by The Royal Yacht Britannia’s trading company, Royal Yacht Enterprises, Fingal’s 23 luxury cabins are each named after Stevenson lighthouses, inspired by her rich maritime heritage. Guests can choose from staying in a private deck, a duplex cabin with comfortable living space or the stunning Skerryvore Suite with extensive outdoor space to relax and entertain.

Carefully considered design offers high specifications of craftmanship and finish, with nautical touches and polished woods. Sumptuous Scottish leathers and the finest linens are in colour palates inspired by Fingal’s journey from land and sea.

“Fingal is like no other in Scotland,” said head of hospitality & events, Andrew Thomson. “It is a privilege to take this historic ship and create a new, exciting and world-class addition to the Scottish tourism landscape. The craftsmanship and design, inspired by Fingal’s provenance and heritage, coupled with the best of Scotland’s larder will ensure our guests’ experience on Fingal is truly memorable.”

A stylish yet relaxed restaurant with banquette seating offers a light menu celebrating the best of Scotland’s larder, from coast to field. Raise a glass at the welcoming Moët Hennessy Champagne bar or enjoy a cocktail from the creative menu.  Spacious outdoor decks provide a blend of private and public spaces to bask in the quayside setting or sit out under the stars.

Hosting up to 80 guests, Fingal is ideal for exclusive hire, private parties, weddings and corporate events. A spectacular ballroom reached by a sweeping staircase is nestled uniquely in the bow of the ship and flooded in light by a movable skylight above.

Permanently berthed in Edinburgh’s waterfront hotspot of Leith, guests will be ideally situated to access the best the city has to offer. Award-winning restaurants, bars, artisan boutiques and galleries are just a few minutes’ walk away. The Royal Yacht Britannia is also nearby.

 

Sekers Fabrics unveils Piazza collection

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Sekers Fabrics has launched Piazza, a versatile upholstery with a small textured weave combining multi-colour twist yarns with luxurious chenille yarns…

Available in a range of 20 colours, from rich, stylish neutrals and browns to vibrant blues, reds and oranges, Sekers new fabrics collection Piazza offers a diverse choice of colour.

Incorporating Aquaclean, an advanced nano technology finish that helps protect the fabric against spills and stains without having to resort to specialist cleaning, Piazza resists the toughest of stains, including red wine and permanent marker.

Supplied with crib 5 backing and with an outstanding abrasion performance of 45,000 rubs, Piazza is an ideal upholstery choice for the contract market, from pubs and hotels to cruise ships, meeting all relevant UK and IMO standards for upholstery.

Sekers are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

The Brit List 2018 launches early bird tickets

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Following the opening of nominations for this year’s Brit List, Hotel Designs has launched early bird tickets for both delegates and suppliers…

Hotel Designs has announced that early bird tickets for this year’s Brit List 2018 are now available for a limited time before the awards ceremony on November 22.

Taking place at BEAT, London, the leading interior designers, hoteliers, architects and key suppliers to the industry will gather to witness the announcement of not only this year’s The Brit List 2018 (the top 25 British designers, hoteliers and architects) but also the winners of the six new awards up for grabs.

Early-bird tickets

Delegates and suppliers who purchase their tickets to the event before the nominations cut-off date of September 16 will take full advantage of the sizable discount on offer:

Delegates: £10 + VAT (£20 + VAT after September 16)
Suppliers: £150 + VAT (£175 + VAT after September 16)

If you are a supplier to the hospitality industry looking to meet the top hoteliers, interior designers and hoteliers at The Brit List, click here to book your place.

If you are a delegate to the hospitality industry (architect, designer or hotelier) and would like to attend The Brit List 2018, click here to book your place.

To discuss the various sponsorship packages available, please contact Phoebe Kasapi on +44(0)1992 374059

For more information on how to nominate, click here.

 

Luxurious eco-minded boutique hotel re-opens

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Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort sets new boutique standards following renovation…

The ocean-facing boutique hotel Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort champions locality and eco-minded initiatives. The barefoot Thai luxury hotel has recently completed a significant renovation to its 40 suites, public spaces and famous beachside restaurant. Eco-chic and dedicated to supporting the community whilst preserving the natural beauty of its surroundings – the hotel’s staff are entirely local, and its eco-architectural design minimises the overall environmental impact.

With sense of responsibility to sustain and be a leader in romantic relaxation for conscious travellers, the resort briefly closed over the first two weeks of June 2018 to give each of the public areas the full renovation.

Taking it one step further and looking beyond aesthetics, the ambition behind the renovation is to set inspiring new standards of quality in luxury hospitality. With sense of responsibility to sustain and be a leader in romantic relaxation for conscious travellers, the resort briefly closed over the first two weeks of June 2018 to give each of the public areas the full renovation.

Reopening with its fresh new look as a destination that draws a new blueprint of cutting edge cool in Hua Hin, the intimate suites orbit a spectacular 120-metre lagoon pool whilst the carefully considered architecture takes full advantage of natural light and cooling breezes. Certifying the resort’s carbon footprint is kept to a minimum, all food is locally sourced with sensitive waste management systems.

Leaving lasting impressions, newly installed eco-friendly air conditioning and smart showers blend into natural hues to create an organic ambience that retains a strong sense of place with Thai influence. New to discover is a wellbeing pavilion located above the high-tech fitness studio, high-speed internet connections, Bose Sound Wave 10 Bluetooth speakers and oversized spa tubs situated on the rooftops of the suites whilst recognising the importance of sleep is the hotel’s new collection of next generation LaZzzzz Beds.

“Great design sits at the heart of all we do and we’re lucky to have amazing talent working with us to bring our guests a whole new level of luxury, relaxation and romance,” said Srayut Ekahitanonda, CEO of Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort. “Our Barefoot Luxury concept introduces a softer, richer character to the resort, creating a space that suggests genuine refinement but with a casual, laid back ambiance that puts guests immediately at ease.’

Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort originally began as a restaurant which has become renowned with both local and international diners. Female Head Chef Supanee J. Ketbumrung leads the way serving a fragrant blend of local and international favourites that are seasonally sensitive, along with its own unique creations that make Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort a gourmet destination in and of itself.

9 eye-catching hotel concepts from around the world

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As Hotel Designs begins to shine the spotlight on ‘hotel concepts’ this month, the editorial team have pulled together a handful of the most striking hotels from around the world…

The hotel design industry is overflowing with innovative drawings and exceptional design concepts that year after year complete to unveil buildings that further challenge conventional overnight accommodation. Whether it be in the lobby, the guestroom, the F&B areas or whole exterior shell of the property, leading designers get a thrill out of unveiling something that no guest – or architect – has ever seen, nor experienced, before. To kick-start this month’s Spotlight On feature on ‘hotel concepts’, Hotel Designs has scoured the globe to find the most eye-catching hotel designs.

1) IceHotel, Sweden

Every year, when Sweden’s Torne River turns to ice, a new ICEHOTEL is created in the small village of Jukkasjärvi. The ice of the river transforms to design and sculpt the ICEHOTEL, an art project and the world’s first, and largest hotel built of snow and ice.

ICEHOTEL 365 is the latest concept to evolve. It’s a specially designed 2,100 square-metre ice art hall that is open 365 days of the year and run on solar power from the midnight sun. Working with Swedish architect and sustainability designer Hans Eek, ICEHOTEL 365 combines state-of-the-art architecture and sustainable energy with the ice art that draws winter visitors from more than 80 countries every year. This part of the hotel is a permanent construction and accommodates nice Deluxe Suites with private sauna (yes, a sauna in an ice hut), bathroom and relax, 11 Art Suites, an ice gallery and ICEBAR Jukkasjärvi; all hand carved by select artists from around the globe.

2) Keemala, Phuket

Image credit: Keemala, Phuket

Taking an eco-friendly approach to design, Pisud Design Company utilised the natural surroundings when creating Keemala, Phuket. The result is a totally different hotel accommodation type for Phuket, Thailand and in fact the world. “The project has been designed to keep the original contour of the land as much as possible,” said designer Pisit Aongskultong, Design Director at Pisud Design Company. “We took inspiration from rocks, straw, clay and wood and didn’t feel it would be appropriate to build large buildings.”

3) Matetsi Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Image credit: Matetsi Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is known in local Zimbabwean Tonga as “The Smoke that Thunders”. It is a magnificent UNESCO world heritage site that is classified as the largest waterfall in the world.

44 km east, set on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river, is Matetsi Victoria Falls – a new luxury retreat that bravely pushes design boundaries in all aspects of its creation. At the heart of the property, the hotel’s villa and suites are canopied in the shade of large riverside trees. Matetsi River Lodge and Matetsi River House together aim to redefine luxury accommodation. Here, raw textures marry to chic interior design. Throughout the property, the theme of bringing the outdoors inside is a constant reference to the uniquely beautiful landscape that surrounds.

4) Le Pavillon des Lettres, Paris

Image credit: Le Pavillon des Lettres

Designed with bookworms in mind, this hotel has a room (and writer) for every letter of the alphabet. Located in Paris’s chic 8th arrondissement, just a short walk from the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and the River Seine, the  four-star luxury boutique hotel’s room reflect the personalities of famous writers. Le Pavillon des Lettres is privately owned and operated by the Chevalier family, who own two other Parisian hotels: Le Pavillon de la Reine in the Place des Vosges, and Hôtel du Petit Moulin on the Rue du Poitou.
5) Shipwreck Lodge, Namibia

Image credit: Natural Selection

Crafted around the enigmatic shipwrecks that line Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, there’s nowhere on the continent – or the world – quite like Shipwreck Lodge. The raw and rugged shells of each shack is matched in the interiors with shabby blinds and rough wooden walls. Adding comfort, the soft furnishings and fur throws make the inside feel cosy – almost a home-from-home. The impossibly remote slice of African wilderness, where towering dunes and wind-swept plains roll as far as the eye can see, is buffeted by the icy Atlantic seas.
6) THE MURAKA at Conrad Maldives

Image credit: Conrad Maldives

THE MURAKA is the first of its kind. More than just a luxury retreat with stunning rooms, it features the only hotel guestroom where guests can look out through a single window into an unobstructed, 180-degree panoramic view of coral and marine life, in natural surroundings. Mike Murphy was the engineer behind the largely ambitious project of creating the ultra-luxurious two-level residence that comprises of an above-sea residence and an undersea level, which is completely immersed in the ocean.

7) Four Seasons Bora Bora

image credit: Four Seasons Bora Bora

Overwater bungalows and underwater adventures welcome guests at the sand-fringed idyll in the shadow of Bora Bora’s Mount Otemanu. Guests can toast sunsets from their private plunge pool, marvel at the Tahitian night sky, or simply lose themselves in the resort’s lagoon, where the waters teem with exotic reef fish and colourful corals.

8) Hotel Costa Verde, Costa Rica

Image credit: Hotel Costa Verde

The 727 Fuselage Home is said to be the most exclusive hotel suite in Costa Rica. Hotel Costa Verde has refurbished a vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airframe, which, in its prior life, shuttled globetrotters on South Africa Air and Avianca Airlines (Colombia). This fully outfitted, meticulously detailed, two bedroom, Boeing 727 fuselage suite jets out from the jungle canopy, taking suite life to new heights. Why not?

9)  Hotel Seven, Paris

Image credit: Hotel Seven, Paris

Inspired by everyone’s favoutite British secret agent with a licence to kill, the James Bond Suite in Hotel Seven Paris in France offers all the class of 007, complete with a dome-like seating area lit with dramatic spotlights and wallpaper that reflects the iconic silhouette seen in each of the film’s opening sequence.

Main image credit: Natural Selection 

 

Grade II listed townhouse buildings converted into boutique hotel

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Dexter Moren Associates and 3D Reid reveal 19th Boutique hotel in Hotel Du Vin portfolio, the Hotel du Vin in Stratford-upon-Avon…

The latest interiors by expert hospitality designers, Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) have been revealed at the opening of the 46-key boutique Hotel du Vin, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Positioned in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon, the boutique hotel, which was structually designed by 3D Reid, is situated in two converted Grade II listed Georgian townhouses. DMA has worked with Hotel du Vin to refine and blend the boutique brand’s classic-design style with the building’s sophisticated heritage, emphasising the existing features and creating subtle references to the Bard of Avon throughout the hotel.

The design of the hotel features the traditional Hotel du Vin touches that the brand is known for, but with a contemporary update. Many elements are bespoke to the Stratford site, but providing a “golden thread” that will be taken forward to future projects, developed yet always in keeping with the place and context.

“The client was keen to return to Hotel du Vin’s heritage, and to develop an intriguing scheme that would invigorate the property and attract potential local and tourist clientele alike,” said Neil Andrew, Associate Director of DMA Interiors. “Our design plays with irreverent modern elements within the historic fabric, and subtly references Shakespeare in artwork and styling without being too obvious.”

In the public areas, much of the original brick walls of the Georgian townhouses is left exposed to create an expressive backdrop for the scheme

The mix of Georgian and contemporary structures provide the perfect setting for the traditional style of furniture, art and lighting in the old to transition compellingly to the modern theme and design in the new.

In the guestrooms, the period colours of the Georgian era, usually pale greens, blues and pinks are deliberately amplified to deeper tones of olive green, teal blue and aubergine with punches of ochre yellow to deliver a more vibrant feel. Generous low-set velvet headboards sit against feature wallcovering referencing Shakespeare’s pathetic fallacy; whilst the artwork captures the playful nuances.

The guestroom joinery is finished in rich veneer offset with brass ironmongery and contemporary lighting. In contrast, bathrooms are kept minimal with classic white subway tiles and chrome and stainless steel fixtures.

In the public areas, much of the original brick walls of the Georgian townhouses is left exposed to create an expressive backdrop for the scheme. A rich colour palette influenced by the bespoke carpet, which takes its inspiration from the nearby mythological Forest of Arden, is used throughout. Herringbone cross sawn oak timber flooring links the old and new buildings and injects a feel of traditional charm to contrast the contemporary furniture and detailing.

Hard finishes have been selected to provide a durable and practical environment which will age timelessly with the building. Soft furnishings in accent colours and patterns lift the scheme.

The glazed wine room becomes the central focus in the Bistro; wine bottles are stored in a wire frame structure set against an accent ochre wall for additional impact, further drawing guests’ attention to the rhythm of the display and wine selection.

The luxurious washrooms celebrate the Georgian era with grandiose freestanding vanities made from black granite and inspired by the forms of a cut crystal decanter. Matt blue walls are offset with glossy sapphire blue tiles and contemporary brass fixtures set against a terrazzo and black granite floor. The darker palette links back to privacy and night-time – a key theme in Shakespearean literature.

From the outset, lighting was an integral component of the design, highlighting specific areas to draw guests’ attention where required. The original junctions between the old and new building’s brickwork have been expressed by concealed lighting whilst carefully located coffer lighting accentuates the texture of the existing brickwork and enhances feature metal ceiling tiles. Focused lighting has been designed into the joinery to showcase key styling items such as locally-sourced vintage glassware that references the Hotel du Vin brand. Modern glass orb light fixtures are used to dramatic effect in the bistro, with more traditional pendants with an industrial slant in the older building.

The public areas have been carefully planned to create an intuitive flow around the central service core, seamlessly linking reception, lounge, bar and bistro. This layout also proclaims the stylish landscaped courtyard, visible from the bistro, function space and a large number of the guestrooms. At its centre, the design locates a tree – further referencing the Forest of Arden – that can be lit to become a focal point from all public areas. The reception room itself faced size constraints and so more compact, low level desks have been designed to not only make the space feel more airy but offer a more intimate check-in experience for guests.

Opened on 1st May 2018, the Hotel du Vin, 7-8, Rother St, Stratford-upon-Avon, is located opposite the popular Rother Street Famers’ Market. In total the hotel consists of 46 guestrooms, bar, lounge, bistro and function facilities.

Image credits: Amy Murrell 

 

In Conversation with: Fabrics experts at Mitre Linen

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Concluding our month of putting Fabrics in the spotlight, editor of Hotel Designs Hamish Kilburn sat down with the general manager of Mitre Linen, Kate Gough, to explore more around trends and how the company is moving with modern times…

Personally, I’m a soft pillow kind of man – take from that what you will. My colleague to the left of me on the other hand disagrees entirely and insists that without a hard pillow in a hotel he will not sleep a wink. A hotel that claims to be luxury that does not offer a good night’s sleep is not somewhere guests will rush back to check in to after they’ve checked out. Therefore, keeping the pillow options open to all and investing in good linen will go far to ensuring your guests have a comfortable stay.

As technology continues to evolve, and while interior trends flow into the duvet, I sat down with linen experts Mitre Linen to put the topic into perspective.

Hamish Kilburn: How has the company evolved with technology moving forwards?

Kate Gough: Over the years, we have built a reputation for quality and reliability that has earned us the honour of HM The Queen’s Royal Warrant, which we have proudly held since 1955. Over the past 70 years, we have seen many changes within the industry, including major technological advances which have had a significant impact on many areas of our business, however, our key focus remains the same – offering exceptional customer service.

We work as hard as ever to ensure that anyone who contacts the Mitre team is left feeling delighted. Our friendly team, based in Merthyr Tydfil, in the heart of the Welsh valleys, has always been at the end of the phone to take orders, or offer advice and support to our customers. For those who prefer to, online orders can be placed quickly and easily via our new website, with a convenient Fast Order option available for those in a hurry, while those seeking advice or with product queries can take advantage of our new online LiveChat feature, which is available Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm.

We have created a selection of handy online Mitre Guides which is easily accessed via our website, helping our customers to make the right product choices for their needs. We also give online insight into the latest industry trends with our regularly updated Mitre Articles, which offer valuable advice from our experts, on topics such as the effective use of colour in hotel rooms, and tips on how to create a hygienic sleep environment.

The average person produces one to two pints of sweat every night

HK: What are your thoughts on the pillow menu?

KG: The right pillow is essential to a comfortable night’s sleep – pillow menus are easy to create and can be as simple as offering the option of either a hard and soft pillow, depending on a guest’s personal preference. Mitre Linen offers a wide variety of pillow styles and constructions available to suit the desires of any sleeper, and we are happy to guide you in your choices, making it easy for your business to provide the perfect pillow menu.

Our best-selling Comfort Palace Pillow features Quallofil extra life fibre which keeps it thick and plump, whilst ensuring a longer lifespan. The flame-retardant pillow is highly resistant to flattening, maintaining its shape after every use whilst retaining its soft profile, ensuring it’s quick and easy to achieve a welcoming bed. The Comfort Palace Pillow makes a great soft option for a pillow menu.

The Comfort Ultraloft Pillow would be ideal as a firm option for a pillow menu. With a Hollowfibre fill, its thick, plump design has a weight of 850g. Covered in durable polycotton, it’s designed to last through regular heavy-duty use, and is flame retardant.

We would also recommend that a pillow menu include at least one microfibre option, in order to offer the comfortable feel of feather and down without the risk of allergy. Mitre Linen’s Luxury Microfibre pillows are available in soft and firm variants, have 100% cotton covers with a 233 thread count, and conform perfectly to the head and neck to offer soft and comfortable support.

For further information, see our detailed pillow guide.


HK: How often should hotels replace bed linen?

KG: Bed linen such as duvet covers and sheets should be replaced at the first sign of wear and tear. Within two years, one third of a pillow’s weight is made up of dead skin, dust mites, oil and dirt and considering that the average person produces one to two pints of sweat every night, then pillows and duvets should be regularly replaced.  Protectors are invaluable to prolong the life of mattresses, duvets and pillows. Not only do they provide a more hygienic sleeping environment for your guests as they can be regularly washed, but they also extend the life of bedding which is a significant investment for a business.

HK: What are your thoughts on colourful bed sheets in the hotel guestroom?

KG: Our white satin polycotton range is our biggest seller, and whilst recent Mitre Connects* hotelier feedback confirmed that white bedlinen is perennially popular, we did note quite a few comments requesting a larger range of good quality colourful bed linen. In response to this valuable feedback we have added colour options into our Egyptian Cotton Range – our gorgeous 100% cotton percale bedlinen is now also available in ruby red, raisin, blush pink, lead grey and saffron yellow, as well as our ever popular white.

HK: What advice would you give to hotels when it comes to caring for bed linen?

KG: Freshly laundered, pristine, smooth and crease free bedlinen always rates highly for guests when they stay at a hotel so for those who launder on site, here are some care tips:

Always wash cotton bedlinen before use, at 50°C or 60°C. Expect 4-8 per cent shrinkage (Mitre Linen sizing allows for this). Hot iron when slightly damp to give a crisp finish. Don’t bleach, as this will reduce the life of the product. Soak stained bedding in water if immediate laundering is not possible.

Wash polycotton bedlinen at 50°C. Use a detergent intended for colours (to avoid colour fade due to OBA build up). A light iron is suggested.

For further advice on laundry care, please refer to our Linen Care Guide at www.mitrelinen.co.uk/care-guide.

*MITRE CONNECTS SURVEY 2018 – The Mitre Connects Survey presents survey data from nearly 300 hospitality industry professionals. The answers provided offer a vital insight into the industry’s concerns on topics that affect day-to-day business and future planning for the hospitality industry.

Mitre Linen are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

Designers to experience a new dimension in wallpaper at 100% Design

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Printing specialists Colourgen will exhibit at 100% Design the capabilities of the Dimense Wallpaper…

A unique technology for the production of bespoke, structured wallpaper is being launched in the UK at 100% Design. Colourgen will be showcasing a broad range of 3D custom-made wallpaper samples that demonstrate the capabilities of the Dimense Wallpaper printer in the Emerging Brands area. The company will also talk about the opportunities the printer offers for interior designers and architects looking to deliver innovative and creative new styles of 3D and embossed bespoke wall coverings for clients.

We chose to launch Dimense at this show because of its outstanding reputation for supporting emerging innovation in interior design

Until now, designers needed to source specialist, pre-textured media to create 3D style effects on wallpaper or go through a complex printing process to create the effect using standard printers. These methods add cost and time to a project and  limit the designer in terms of what they can do creatively. The Dimense printer simultaneously prints and creates the structure of the wallpaper in one pass and is ready to hang immediately, technology that simply hasn’t existed until now. With Dimense, the designer has 100% flexibility to create the bespoke wall covering effects they desire.

“These are really exciting times for Colourgen. Dimense is a unique and innovative product that is set to be a game changer in the digitally printed wallpaper market,” said Mark Lambert, Director at Colourgen. “We are looking forward to promoting this product to a broad audience across print, design, retail and interior decoration. Dimense really is a revolution in the creation of custom graphics with structure. We call it the ‘Art of Dimensing!’”

He adds, “This will be the first time we’ve attended 100% Design and we’re really looking forward to it.  We chose to launch Dimense at this show because of its outstanding reputation for supporting emerging innovation in interior design and because it’s so well attended by designers and architects from across the country and the world, which gives us a great opportunity to showcase what the printer can do to the people who could most benefit from its capabilities.”

Dimense offers output that won’t fade in direct light, can be cleaned without scratching or damage and is C1 fire rated, making it perfect for high traffic areas such as hotels, retail and corporate environments.  It can print at speeds of up to 20sqm/hour with a print width of 1.6m.  Dimense is an environmentally friendly technology based on latex eco-friendly inks and PVC-free structure-forming Ecodeco media.

The Dimense printer will be shipping in the UK exclusively from Colourgen in September 2018 and Colourgen will be exhibiting at the 100% Design exhibition at Olympia from 19-22 September (stand no EB44). 

Roca goes above and beyond with new collection

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Roca’s Beyond collection adds glamorous and sophistication to the hotel bathroom…

Roca is bringing a touch of glamour and sophistication to the bathroom with its new, cutting-edge Beyond collection. Its elegant curves and soft lines ensure this range embodies contemporary design and creates a visually stunning and forward-looking bathroom.

“Beyond is a beautifully designed collection and has a unique appeal, which I think is important,” commented Alan Dodds, Managing Director for Roca UK. “The bathroom is a very personal space and people want it to reflect their own design style, their lifestyle and for it to be a place they can relax in comfort. Beyond’s design is perfect for those looking for something a bit different.”

The Beyond collection includes WC’s, basins, furniture and baths all manufactured from Roca’s latest and most sophisticated materials.

When it comes to basins, customers can choose from ceramic or solid surface materials. All ceramic basins are manufactured in FINECERAMIC®, a high-quality ceramic material exclusive to Roca which facilitates precision and sophisticated design details previously not possible, with the added benefits of being 40% lighter and 30% more resistant to abrasives than conventional basins. A choice of floor standing, wall-hung or countertop basins are available.

Solid surface basins are manufactured in SURFEX®, a malleable solid surface material formulated from a combination of minerals and resins, allowing for the creation of shapes that were unthinkable until now. SURFEX has also been used to manufacture the baths within the Beyond range to ensure the elegant shaping is continued throughout the collection.

The Beyond WC’s all feature rimless technology and are fitted with a water distributor that maximises flushing performance. The fully shrouded close coupled Beyond WC is fixed to the wall ensuring the smooth line design is carried on throughout. All the WC’s within the range flush at 4.5/3 litres and the soft close seats are manufactured from SUPRALIT®.

Roca are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

The Brit List 2018 nominations are now open

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Hotel Designs has opened the The Brit List 2018 nominations to interior designers, hoteliers and architects…

Date of nominations closing: September 16
Awards ceremony: November 22 at BEAT, London

Hotel Designs is delighted to announce that nominations for this year’s Brit List are now open, welcoming you, our loyal readers and supporters, the opportunity to put forward entries from all exceptional British interior designers, hoteliers and architects.

If you, or an individual you know of, deserves to be recognised in this year’s Brit List, please click here and click the ‘nominations’ tab.

  • Category (Interior Design, Architecture, Hotelier)
  • Name
  • Profile image
  • Any relevant supporting images (max 3)
  • Company name
  • Job title
  • Reason for entering (max 300 words)

Once all nominations have been received by the closing date of September 16, the judging panel – made up of figures from across the hospitality and design sectors – will select the final 75 most inspirational and influential people in British design, hotels and architecture.

On November 22, designers, hoteliers, architects and key suppliers to the industry will gather at BEAT London where The Brit List 2018 will be unveiled. “With the UK being seen by the rest of the world as one of the largest design hubs, it’s important for us to support exceptionally talented individuals and firms by giving them platform to help amplify their work,” says publisher of Hotel Designs, Katy Phillips. “The winners of these awards will be further examples of how the UK continues to have a strong presence in international hotel design.”

In addition to The Brit List, Hotel Designs has also launched six new awards that will be presented to the winners on the night The Brit List 2018 is unveiled. These awards are:

  • Inspiration in Design – Innovative use of technology
  • Inspiration in Design – Boutique Hotelier
  • Inspiration in Design – Interior Designer of the Year
  • Inspiration in Design – Architect of the Year
  • The Eco Award
  • Outstanding Contribution to the Hotel Industry

Industry suppliers and delegates will be able purchase tickets to attend the awards ceremony, and there are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities available for this prestigious and influential event. For more details contact Phoebe Kasapi by emailing p.kasapi@forumevents.co.uk, or calling 01992 374059.

 

Animation of Instagram

Designing Instagrammable: understanding the psychology of Instagram

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All this month, Hotel Designs are working with Australian-based architecture firm Valé Architects to investigate how to design the Instagrammable hotel. In PART ONE of FIVE, Scott Valentine, the firm’s Managing Director, explains the psychology of Instagram…

Instagram remains firm in being go-to tool for any business that’s serious about growing its brand identity. This year, the platform is fast overtaking most other forms of social media. If you don’t want to fall behind on your competitors, then learning how to use Instagram to promote your hospitality business may your best move all year.

With 1 Billion monthly active users, it’s simply becoming essential for your business to have an Instagram account and an active presence. But what’s more important, yet often overlooked, is making sure that your space is designed in a way that makes it remarkable, so remarkable that everyone has to take a picture and share it with the world on social media.

Social media, and Instagram in particular, have found a way of tapping into two core human needs of wanting to belong and wanting to feel significant.

The vast majority of hospitality businesses Valé Architects consult tell us that they want to appear in the top nine Instagram tiles in a specific location. This appears to be the ‘Holy Grail’ of brand awareness and we understand why. After all, it sends out a clear message to future customers and guests of just how popular and desirable your hotel is with the cool Instagram crowd.

But what does it take to be in these top nine tiles in your location? To understand that, we need to dig deep into the psycology of human behaviour.

Why do people share?

A New York Times customer insight group report showed there are six reasons why an individual shares:

Six reasons why people share on social media

This study was performed in 2011, only two months after Instagram was launched, but those innate human desires to both belong and be someone that matters haven’t changed of course. The only thing that has shifted since then is the sheer volume of people who use social media and the different platforms they use to fulfill those desires.

What do they share?

“Our goal is to not just be a photo-sharing app, but to be the way you share your life when you’re on the go,” said Instagram’s creator Kevin Systrom in an interview with Inc.com in 2012. And he’s bang on the money because the vast majority of Instagram users share:

  • their lives
  • things that excite them
  • things they’ve achieved
  • things they place value on

The introduction of Instagram stories in August 2016 provided us with even greater opportunities to share more of our day with our followers.

Who do they share with?

People like to share with their tribe. This tribe is a hodgepodge of people of family, friends and acquaintances who they know personally, and others who they don’t know personally but share a similar interest with.

Many users focus their Instagram feed clearly towards a very defined tribe. Those type of users, we’ll call them influencers, are often able to create a strong and persuasive connection with large numbers of people they don’t even know. But how is it they are able to create these persuasive connections?

The psychology of what makes social media so valuable

As explained in Robert B Cialdini’s book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, there are six universal truths of influence.

Diagram describing the Six Universal Truths of Influence

All six principles play a role in the success of social media, but what makes Instagram such a powerful marketing tool is the way in which it uses the principles of Liking and Social Proof.

A primary behaviour to understand is that people like those like them. Put in another way, We like other people who we think are like us.  As Roger Highfield reports in The Telegraph: “We prefer people we think are similar to ourselves. It is all down to a brain region which categorises people as being like us, even if all we know about them is that they have one thing in common.”

A key behaviour that amplifies this value of liking is the follow on effect of social proof.

“One means we use to determine what is correct is to find out what other people think is correct…We view a behaviour as more correct in a given situation to the degree that we see others performing it” (1)

This means that if you can get people to advocate for your business on your behalf, then the impact is exponentially greater than trying to convince those customers yourself.

Marketing guru Seth Godin sums up the effect of these two attributes perfectly.

“People like us do things like this….we want to be respected by those we aspire to connect with, we want to know what we ought to do to be part of that circle.” (2)

Instagram gives us the opportunity to feel part of the lives of people that inspire us and do similar things to what we do. It allows us to feel connected with those whose lifestyles we are attracted to. The greater the engagement level of the account holder with their followers, the deeper they are connected with their followers.  This grants them greater sway to influence the behaviours of a focused tribe of people, potentially helping grow your brand and selling your products or services.

How can you use this as a business advantage?

If you want your business to be a hit on Instagram, then you really need to find ways to tap into those deeper desires of belonging to something and wanting to be someone who matters.

To help you figure this out, we’ve developed an easy to read visual design guide on how to make the design of your space as Instagrammable as possible. To get your free copy delivered to your inbox straight away, download the free Instagram Design Guide from Valé Architects here.

References from this article can be found here.

Bisque balances sexy and sophisticated in black

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Bisque – the UK’s first ever designer heating brand and pioneer of innovative radiator design – has unveiled a suave and sophisticated matt black finish to join its existing range of colour options.

Once considered gloomy or gothic, matt black styles are enjoying something of a renaissance

The new matt black option has a soft, sateen finish for that extra-luxurious finishing touch. It is now available on a selection of Bisque’s most popular models, including its iconic school-style Classic and timeless Deline towel rail.

Once considered gloomy or gothic, matt black styles are enjoying something of a renaissance thanks to leading interior designers such as Abigail Ahern incorporating moody colour palettes into interior schemes. Matt black, along with shades of dark grey and anthracite, can be stylish and stimulating as opposed to oppressing. Create a focal point in a hallway, living room, bedroom or dining room with one of Bisque’s general purpose radiators, or co-ordinate your chosen model with your paint or accessories for a more mature look.

Black radiator in bathroom

Moreover, Bisque’s matt black Deline has been introduced following the increasing popularity of coloured baths and brassware in bathrooms. Offering customers an eye-catching alternative to traditional white sanitaryware and polished chrome, matt black finishes create a striking contrast in this otherwise neutral space.

Bisque’s latest colourway joins an already extensive array of colours and finishes in the brand’s repertoire – from pretty pastels and bold brights to metallics, bare metal lacquers and even textured quartz finishes. It offers its customers an unrivalled choice, thanks to its bespoke colour-match service when only a precise shade will do.

Bisque is continuously working behind the scenes to bring its customers the most exciting styles available.

Bisque are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

Top 5 stories of the week: Mountain-mad retreats, chart-topping hotel groups and cliff-hanging hotel design

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As our month of threading together the latest in fabrics and soft furnishings comes to a close, we wrap up another fast-paced week in the creative world of international hotel design with the top five stories of the last five days…

Following on from the successful Meet Up North networking event we hosted in Manchester’s King Street Townhouse, this week we’ve covered hotel design news from around the world. We’ve seen ambitious plans launching, hotel groups becoming leaders and Hotel Designs has announced its Spotlight On features for August. Here are the top five stories of the week, as selected by editor Hamish Kilburn.

1) Spotlight On: Hotel Concepts and Flooring & Carpets

Throughout August, Hotel Designs will be putting the spotlight on two massively talked-about areas of international hotel design, namely: Hotel Concept and Flooring & Carpets…

2) IHG becomes the UK’s leading luxury hotel operator

The story with the most views this weeks comes from a brand that is taking luxury travel to a new level – and fast! IHG has just been named the UK’s leading luxury hotel operator after a series of shifts and openings. The hotel group has confirmed the UK debut locations for its boutique brand Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants and its recently launched upscale brand, voco™ Hotels. This move follows the announcement made in May of an agreement with Covivio (formerly Foncière des Régions), to rebrand and operate 12 high-quality open hotels in the UK and one pipeline hotel. Nine of the hotels join IHG’s brand portfolio today, making IHG the UK’s leading luxury hotel operator. The remaining three open hotels are anticipated to be added in the coming weeks…

3) Design hotel in the Dolomites will define a new model of mountain luxury hotels

The plan for the new Faloria Mountain Spa Resort, historical glamorous hotel based in Cortina, has finally been unveiled. A new design hotel in the Dolomites, the Faloria Mountain Spa Resort, is said to set a new standard in mountain luxury hotels. The project, signed by the architect Flaviano Capriotti, upgrades the resort to the highest hospitality standards, achieving the fifth star and presenting a new hospitality model: at crossroads between local tradition, innovation and comfort.

4) Opposites attract at Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay

Guestroom image with stunning ocean views

Nestled behind vibrant streets, where thousands of Gap-Year backpackers find shelter in cheap hostels, rises a luxury hotel with personality, style and unmatched ocean views. Editor Hamish Kilburn checks in to ‘a new kind of luxury’ at the Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay to see for himself how opposites in South East Asia can attract after all…

5) Waldolf Astoria Bangkok prepares for ‘Asia’s most anticipated hotel openings this year’

Image credit: AFSO

The anticipated opening of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, designed by the award-winning André Fu is said to evolve the hotel landscape in Southeast Asia. The end of August will see the opening of what is said to be Asia’s most anticipated hotel openings of 2018. The grand Waldorf Astoria in Bangkok, meticulously designed by, André Fu, from AFSO who was named Designer of the Year for Maison & Objet Asia in 2016, captures the brand’s iconic image in the vibrant Thai capital.

Edinburgh hotel Launches ‘Living Art’ concept allowing guests to purchase soft furnishings

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Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh announces that guests staying in Designer Suites can purchase artworks and soft furnishings from top-Scottish designers…

This month, Hotel Designs has been putting the spotlight on hotel soft furnishings. With the aim to help make the ‘hotel look’ achievable in the home, Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh has recently launched a ‘Living Art’ concept where guests staying in four of the hotel’s nine design suites will be able to purchase select items that catch their eye. The hotel is renowned for sheltering striking rooms designed by leading Scottish fashion stars, interior designers and artists and, following many requests, it has launched the initiative to help amplify exceptional design further.

The four chosen suites were curated by Scottish fashion designer Judy R Clark and leading Scottish textile designer Hatti Pattisson in each designer’s personal style, with items created in their studios. Guests booking to stay will have the chance to order any items by the two designers that they desire. Guests not staying in the chosen suites need not miss out, the two designers will have rolling window displays in the hotel or can be visited at their local studios.

Guestroom with soft hues of greys and purple chair

Image caption: Superior Room

Pieces of history overlooking the Royal Mile, Judy R Clark’s rooms are outfitted with antique bespoke furnishings, luxurious tactile fabrics and modern amenities. Guests can relax on opulent velvet chairs, look out towards the writer’s museum and scribe their own correspondence at an antique desk.

Sumptuous soft furnishings in suite

Image caption: G&V Hatti Pattison Bedrrom

Boasting some of the best views in the city, the Garden Paradise Suite and Castle Suite by Hatti Pattisson channel the city’s dynamic architecture, featuring bursts of floral colour and oceanic shades in the bedroom. Her lampshades, cushions, paintings and fabrics adorn each room.

Part of the Radisson Collection, the 136-room hotel is a design-led, five-star lifestyle hotel located in the heart of the Edinburgh’s Old Town just steps from Edinburgh Castle, Grass Market, The Royal Mile, The Museum of Scotland and The Scottish National Gallery as well as the famous Princes Street and upmarket George Street.

Main image credit: G&V Hatti Pattison Living Room

Spotlight On: Hotel Concepts and Flooring & Carpets

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Throughout August, Hotel Designs will be putting the spotlight on two massively talked-about areas of international hotel design, namely: Hotel Concept and Flooring & Carpets…

Next month, Hotel Designs will be digging beneath the surface to uncover the most extraordinary hotels from around the globe as we celebrate the weird, the wonderful and the very brave world of Hotel Concepts. In addition, we will be laying down all the latest from flooring and carpets as many flooring suppliers gear up to present their latest collections at London Design Week in September.

Hotel concepts

Image credit: Conrad Maldives

The editorial team at Hotel Designs is always on the hunt for bold hotels that unapologetically stand out from the crowd. Next month, we want to celebrate these fine examples of truly exceptional spaces by revealing the craziest hotel concepts from around the world. We’re looking for overnight accommodation that completely challenges conventional hotel design.

Flooring & carpets

Technological advances in flooring manufacturing continue to dictate the trends. Vinyl can now mimic hardwood, stone, concrete and much more, while random-coloured woods – or replications of wood in vinyl or laminate – marry together to create an interesting and playful look and feel.

Waterproof carpets are making a splash with their durable qualities making it ideal for heavily used areas in hotels. Many companies are choosing to go ‘carbon-neutral’ in an effort to be more green, and abstract patterns are making their way to the front with a number of companies using aerial shots as inspiration to create some truly unique products.

If you’re a supplier in either of these categories and want your products to reach more than 41,000 hoteliers, interior designers and architects per month, there are plenty of ways you can get involved with these features next month, from supplying an opinion piece to working with us on a targeted mini-series.

If you wish to find out more, please contact Phoebe Kasapi on 01992 374059 or p.kasapi@forumevents.co.uk

Main image credit: Vora Santorini

Render of Wyndham Palau

Luxury over-water villa resort to debut in Palau

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The luxury resort of Wyndham Palau is being developed by the Sea Sky International Development Group, a subsidiary of Global International Development Group…

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a new luxury resort with over-water villas in Palau, the pristine western Pacific island paradise.

The resort is located in the unspoiled region of Aimeliik, which is home to spectacular natural landscapes, ancient villages and crystal clear seas teeming with colourful marine life.

Upon completion, the 593-key resort will offer a choice of beautifully-appointed accommodations, including 132 hotel guestrooms and more than 400 villas, with some perched on stilts over the warm, shallow seas. These exotic rooms will be accompanied by other luxury villas nestled in the hillside and on the edge of the mangroves.

Guests will be able to access two free-form pools surrounded by a large sun deck and shady cabanas, a children’s pool, a kid’s club and a serene wellness centre. The resort also includes a purpose-built conference centre with a wide variety of options for event planners, including a ballroom seating up to 140 guests and four meeting rooms for up to 60 people. Meanwhile, a collection of distinct F&B outlets will include a chic lobby lounge, beach bar and terrace, and pool bar.

Render of over-water luxury featuring guests in ocean

“With its tropical climate, rich history and pristine landscapes, Palau is a compelling proposition for international travellers,” said Joon Aun OOI, President and Managing Director, South East Asia and Pacific Rim, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Wyndham Palau will break new ground in this beautiful country, becoming the first upscale international resort in the Aimeliik region.”

“International visitor arrivals to Palau have jumped 50 percent since 2010, and the country remains an intriguing and appealing destination for many Asian travellers. With direct air links from key source markets such as Seoul and Taipei, the prospects for Palau’s tourism industry – including the MICE sector – remain incredibly bright,” Mr Ooi added.

Render of front of hotel

Palau comprises more than 200 lush, jungle-clad islands in the western Pacific Ocean, about 1,500 kilometres east of the Philippines. While the country is small, its surrounding marine sanctuary is anything but; Palau’s government has committed to protecting about 500,000 square kilometres of ocean – an area about the size of Thailand.

“We identified Aimeliik as the perfect place to open up a new frontier in Palau’s tourism industry. Easily accessible from the Koror City and the airport, this is a stunning region with pure shores and lush natural landscapes. With the global support of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, one of the hotel industry’s most famous and respected names, I am confident that our stunning new resort will mark the start of an exciting new era for Palau,” commented Ms Selina Zhong, President, Global International Development Group.

Understanding lighting technology with Hamilton Litestat

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Following on from Hotel Designs’ Spotlight On’ feature of Technology last month, editor Hamish Kilburn sat down with the marketing manager of Hamilton Litestat to explore lighting trends, clever ways to illuminate the guestroom and how products are changing…

Last month, Hotel Designs lit up the conversation around in-hotel technology and where trends are heading in the near future of hotel design. One conversation that came up time and time again was the idea of designers using lighting in more savvy ways to create a certain ambiance. With this in mind, I decided to ask the experts at Hamilton Litestat who are ahead of the curve and in-the-know when it comes to the future of lighting technology in the guestroom and beyond.

Hamish Kilburn: How has lighting recently become more of a focus in guestroom design?

Gavin Williams: Lighting has always played a significant role in the guest experience of a hotel. First impressions count and from the moment a guest sees the hotel building and walks into reception, lighting is being used to create a statement about the hotel.

Lighting control certainly doesn’t need to be complicated

Within a hotel’s guestrooms, lighting control provides important functionality. In the week, many guests are business people who need to use their rooms as a place of work during the day. Then, in the evenings – as well as weekend guests – they want to use the space to relax. Lighting control transforms these spaces between the different functional requirements, easing from bright work-appropriate lighting into softer mood lighting at the touch of a button or swipe of a finger.

This also applies to the function rooms, restaurants and bars within a hotel. The atmosphere – and therefore the lighting requirements – for breakfast is very different to an evening meal setting, so lighting control can support this space transformation too.

We take the brief and turn it into the desired solution with no headaches

HK: I think a lot of designers shudder at the thought of lighting control in the guestroom. Can you put their minds at ease by telling us what makes Hamilton’s products user friendly?

GW: Lighting control certainly doesn’t need to be complicated. From a designer’s perspective, all they need to do is tell Hamilton what effects they want to achieve, and our team will deliver a pre-programmed system to suit. Designers don’t need to know the ins and outs of how the system works, that’s Hamilton’s job! We take the brief and turn it into the desired solution with no headaches.

Our solutions offer a range of effects, so designers should consider the result they’re after and whether they’d like dimming control, the ability to mix light and colour with DMX options, or the ability to set scenes. If they’re unsure, they can visit Hamilton’s showrooms in Bristol or at the Mere facilities to talk through the options and see demonstrations so they have the confidence that the system will deliver their lighting ideas.

And, even more importantly, our smart lighting control solutions make things simple for guests too. They can be controlled by simple yet elegant button switches that are available in a range of designs, easy-to-use glass control panels or via an accessible app on a smart device.

We’ve found exhibitions such as Decorex, The Independent Hotel Show and the recently rebranded SLEEP+EAT particularly helpful for keeping abreast of the latest trends

HK: Do you keep track of trends, and what lighting products are most popular for hotels?

GW: Yes, we make sure we take notice of the lighting trends within the hotel sector, and the general design trends. Both are very important to our business. Our smart lighting control solutions can help achieve these looks, but as we also design and manufacture decorative wiring accessories, we offer switched plates and sockets with the latest on-trend finishes.

We’ve found exhibitions such as Decorex, The Independent Hotel Show and the recently rebranded SLEEP+EAT particularly helpful for keeping abreast of the latest trends. We exhibit at these shows and have both hoteliers and designers visit our stand, so we often find ourselves discussing current trends and themes that require lighting control. We also participate in the Hotel Designs networking events, which we find very useful. Hamilton’s solution is very flexible and can be programmed to deliver more complex solutions as and when new trends and requirements come in, but we’re also always happy to build a bespoke system to meet a specific design brief.

HK: Can you explain the creative elements with regards to what goes into designing a new product?

GW: Products are bought, not sold, so new product development must be driven by talking to customers and uncovering what is missing from the current market offering, or what is not working with existing products on the shelves. In terms of the crucial elements when designing a new product, function and form has always been important to Hamilton and balancing these two elements is something we pride ourselves on. We ensure our products deliver smooth, seamless and effective functionality in a product that’s attractive and well-designed.

In a hotel, the bulk of any lighting control system will be installed out of view in the hotel’s hub room. It’s only the control plates that are visible in guestrooms so, typically, a designer wants to create a special control plate, one that has a unique shape or finish to coordinate with other wiring accessories in the design scheme.

The majority of Hamilton’s products are manufactured in our factory in Bristol

As pioneers in the manufacture of decorative plates for switches, sockets and lighting controls, Hamilton has accrued 50 years’ experience in meeting the specifications of designers and hoteliers. We simply need some guidance on the function, style and finish that’s being sought, and we will interpret these wishes to provide a suitable solution. The Hamilton design team can offer 3D CAD drawings so that customers can view product designs from different angles and perspectives to ensure it meets the most exacting requirements. This also shortens the lead time from design to product sampling. We’re also happy to create highly finished sample prototypes for a designer to present to their client to help them buy into their design ideas.

HK: How are Hamilton Litestat products made?

Image caption: Gavin Williams

GW: The majority of Hamilton’s products are manufactured in our factory in Bristol: we’re a family-run business producing British-quality solutions. Our production facility includes complete CNC, Laser and Water Jet Cutting capability. In addition to our standard selection of finishes, we can provide bespoke premium finishes, including PVD, in a choice of finishes such as Nickel or Antique Gold. If required, we can print text or graphics on plates by Laser Etch, Pad Printing or Engraving. In short, it’s a mixture and both machine and hand finishing to ensure our customers get a quality product both in terms of design and manufacture.

Hamilton Litestat are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

Modern, dimly lit lobby

Claridge House Chicago cuts ribbon open

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The recent renovation of Claridge House Chicago, led by hospitality design and development firm The Gettys Group, is the latest in a series of boutique properties the firm has reimagined as residentially inspired “homes away from home”…

Claridge House Chicago has cut its ribbon open to celebrate the reimagined interiors and newly launched brand.

The Gettys Group has led the transformation of the 1920s hotel to unveil the 165-key Claridge House Chicago. The newly opened property features a design plan that is intimate, welcoming and in keeping with the neighborhood’s tony environs, ultimately evoking a contemporary Gold Coast Chicago residence.

Oxford Capital Group enlisted The Gettys Group’s interior design team to lead the redesign of the property, which opened its doors in May 2018. The hotel’s prime Gold Coast location at 1244 N. Dearborn Parkway serves upscale leisure travellers, those visiting the city for business and locals seeking an elegant in-town escape.

“Claridge House truly reflects the inviting atmosphere of the Gold Coast neighborhood,” says John W. Rutledge, founder, president, and chief executive officer of Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC and its parent company, Oxford Capital Group, LLC. “We wanted to create a place where both locals and those new to Chicago would be welcome, in one of the city’s most historic areas.”

The 165 guestrooms, each uniquely inspired by a pied-à-terre theme, were curated to offer a sophisticated city apartment feel

The property first opened in 1923 as the Claridge Hotel. It was renamed in 2005 as Hotel Indigo until this past May when it reopened as the Claridge House Chicago, paying homage to its historic past. Originally designed by Chicago architect Walter Ahlschlager, the initials “CH” and the Claridge name remain inscribed on the exterior of the 12-story building.

The Gettys Group created a concept that was based on the property coming full circle and returning to its original name.

“Our interior design team was charged with transforming the hotel’s look and feel into an intimate and curated residential aesthetic in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Ideally situated within walking distance from some of the city’s best shopping and dining, Claridge House delivers a sophistication that is as inviting as it is refined,” said Ben Nicholas, principal, The Gettys Group.

The lobby features a custom chandelier comprised of silk-wrapped rings, which are a nod to the “coming full circle” inspiration. Custom millwork anchors the lobby with an elevated linear fireplace wrapped in marble and flanked in blonde oak with exquisite definition.

Juniper Spirits & Oysters, the property’s new restaurant and lobby bar, offers guests delectably prepared seafood fare in a chic atmosphere designed to invite locals and travelers alike to sip, nibble and unwind.

The 165 guestrooms, each uniquely inspired by a pied-à-terre theme, were curated to offer a sophisticated city apartment feel. Images of London were hung proudly in each room, reminding guests of the origins of the name Claridge.

“We crafted Claridge House as a relaxed, yet refined space based on the property’s tagline, ‘Our House, You’re Home.’ It was important to our team that the design felt like an extension of the Gold Coast neighborhood,” said Ali Bacon, senior project designer, The Gettys Group. “The public areas exude a residential quality that encourages guests to congregate and relax, while the guest rooms provide the experience of a bedroom in a neighboring brownstone.”

Reinforcing the hotel’s residential atmosphere, The Gettys Group’s interior design team installed accents and personal touches to the public areas with collected art and artifacts to emulate a living room at home. An art installation features travel photos from trips taken around the world that were gathered from hotel team members and the project team for the opening.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Thursday, July 26 to celebrate the reimagined space and newly launched brand.

 

Modern hotel in a timeless shell, Heythorp Park Hotel completes refurbishment

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The grade II listed country estate, Heythrop Park Hotel, completes refurbishment to 48 guestrooms balancing a timeless look with clever injection of bespoke furniture…

Curtis Furniture has recently completed a refurbishment of 49 guestrooms at the four-star Heythrop Park hotel in Oxfordshire. Operating in a 17th century grade II listed country estate, the newly renovated hotel now adorns a modern look and feel while remaining sensitive to its heritage.

Light and airy guestroom

The age of the building provided a challenge for the furniture specialists as the bedrooms were small and ergonomically difficult. The tired guestrooms required refurbishment whilst complying to an exact specification and budget.

The Brief

The clients specified that the rooms had to meet the high standard of the estate whilst complementing the ambiance of the location. The refurbishment was approached firstly by listening to the client’s needs, then establishing a strategy and finally a solution which would deliver the required results on time, whilst remaining within the given budget.

The Solution

Curtis provided various pieces of bespoke furniture which were used to solve the problem of the smaller sized rooms. Pale colours were used to make the rooms appear larger, floating bedsides provided more floor space, curved desks saved space whilst providing a functioning workspace and mirrored wardrobes which had sliding doors were used to prevent pinch points. The project took 8 weeks from the first site visit to delivery.

The client’s problem was solved, and the Heythrop Park team were proud to open their doors and a new chapter for the property as well as the hotel it shelters.

Curtis Furniture are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

 

 

Jestico + Whiles unveils grand designs for centrepiece P&O Cruises latest ship Iona

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The well-known architectural firm has revealed its design for the Grand Atrium on British brand P&O Cruises next generation ship, Iona…

Following a growing demand in hotel interior designers and architects working to revitalise cruise ships, Jestico + Whiles has unveiled the plans to create a soaring triple-height Grand Atrium with unprecedented panoramic views across the ever-changing sea as far as the horizon for P&Os new Cruise ship, Iona.

The Grand Atrium is the heart of Iona, a lively focal point that encapsulates the spirit of the ship, with spectacular views and natural light. This special space is designed to ‘draw the outside in’ and, accordingly, Jestico + Whiles has made the sea the hero of the space, allowing guests to connect with the seascape around them.

Despite the challenge of such a large space, we have worked closely with P&O Cruises to make the Grand Atrium harmonious with the separate venues

The Grand Atrium is a key entertainment space on board Iona and the sea will provide an ever changing backdrop to a wide variety of experiences. From morning coffee as the sun rises, to evening drinks as it sets, the Grand Atrium will be buzzing with light and life. And as day moves into night there will be a seamless transition as Jestico + Whiles employ the most modern lighting techniques to create a warm and intimate atmosphere.

Image caption: P&O Cruises – Iona – Atrium at night

“Despite the challenge of such a large space, we have worked closely with P&O Cruises to make the Grand Atrium harmonious with the separate venues, making the space both open and intimate,” explained Jestico + Whiles’ Director, James Dilley. “The refocusing of the guest experiences on the sea is the heart of an entirely new brief. The sea becomes the focus of the triple-height space; the sinuous curves are shaped around it, framing and complementing the views to the outside.”

We’ve set out to make sure the sea is the star on Iona

An elegant, arcing staircase of Italian marble with a polished, filigree silver balustrade serves as the centrepiece to the space, evoking the glamour of the iconic cruise ships of the 20th century. Designed as a piece of sculptural architecture, its curving form guides guests on a journey through the decks offering changing views and perspectives of the sea and activity within, encouraging everyone to explore the variety of destinations on board.

“We’ve set out to make sure the sea is the star on Iona, and the design of the Grand Atrium tells you so much about how special she is going to be,” said P&O Cruises senior vice president, Paul Ludlow. “Balancing intimate spaces with larger social areas, guests will be wowed by the three storey high glass walls and the ever changing view they reveal. From the moment they step onto the staircase, I know guests will be swept away by the beautiful design.”

Image caption: P&O Cruises – Iona’s Gastro Pub

Jestico + Whiles has designed P&O Cruises first ever ‘gastro pub’ – The Keel and Cow – on Deck 8, with views over the Grand Atrium and the ocean. The Glass House on Deck 7 will include an impressive wine list and menu curated by award-winning wine expert Olly Smith, wines from around the world are served by the glass. Wine connoisseurs will be well taken care of with a new experience, Cellar Door at the Glass House will offer wine talks, tastings and wine-pairing dinners. Guests can relax with unbeatable views as they watch impromptu aerial and circus performances in the three storey high space.

On Deck 6 at the Vistas Cafe Bar there is a selection of treats from P&O Cruises Food Hero and master pâtissier Eric Lanlard. The nearby Emerald Bar will offer a stylish living-room feel, with premium cocktails and the buzz of a Covent Garden venue.

Iona, which will include interior design by Richmond International, is currently being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and will be launched in May 2020. When she enters service, she will hold 5,200 passengers and be the largest cruise ship for the British market.

 

Hamilton mourns the passing of founder, Rod Hamilton

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Hamilton Litestat, which this year is celebrating 50 years since the company’s incorporation, sadly announces the death of its founder, Rod Hamilton at the age of 90, following a stroke.

Rod started as a commission agent selling electric shavers, smoothing irons and electric fires. A request to try selling a new piece of technology called a dimmer, when the first question was “what’s a dimmer”, led him into the field of switches, sockets and lighting controls with an ever-expanding choice of plate designs and finishes. For many years these came from the Italian firm, Frascio; a close relationship that built the fortunes of both companies.

From an initial base in the west of London he took the big step of moving the company to Mere in Wiltshire in 1984. This allowed expansion to serve not only the national market but also international demand and to build a brand known and respected for quality and choice. Gradually the need for a wider skill base led to a factory being established in Bristol where the bulk of the operation is now based.

Rod was still going into the firm at the age of 86, although much of the day to day running had moved into the hands of his son, Ian. Right to the end he would ask Ian, how’s business going?

Known as a tough businessman with native acumen, he, nevertheless, was also gregarious and generous, hospitable and humorous. One hell of a character, whose passing leaves a big gap in hotel design.

 

IHG becomes the UK’s leading luxury hotel operator

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IHG UNVEILS DEBUT LOCATIONS FOR KIMPTON® AND VOCO™ BRANDS IN THE UK…

IHG has become the UK’s leading luxury hotel operator after a series of shifts and openings. The hotel group has confirmed the UK debut locations for its boutique brand Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants and its recently launched upscale brand, voco™ Hotels. This move follows the announcement made in May of an agreement with Covivio (formerly Foncière des Régions), to rebrand and operate 12 high-quality open hotels in the UK and one pipeline hotel. Nine of the hotels join IHG’s brand portfolio today, making IHG the UK’s leading luxury hotel operator. The remaining three open hotels are anticipated to be added in the coming weeks.

“I am delighted to be able to confirm the UK debut locations for Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants and our new upscale brand, voco™ Hotels,” said Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive Officer, EMEAA, IHG. “By launching these brands in prime city centre and destination locations around the country we will give our guests even greater choice. The expansion of our global footprint in high-growth luxury and upscale segments is gaining momentum, with IHG now the leading luxury operator in the UK.”

Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants

IHG will launch its leading luxury boutique brand Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in the UK in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Renowned for their innovative and playful design and personal approach to guest service, the Kimpton hotels will each be in prime UK city-centre locations:

  • London’s most literary neighbourhood, Bloomsbury, will become home to the capital’s first Kimpton Hotel later this year. Located in Russell Square, the iconic building and currently The Principal London, originally opened in 1898.
  • Manchester is set to open its first Kimpton Hotel in 2019. Currently The Principal Manchester, the hotel occupies the corners of Oxford Street and Whitworth Street, across three buildings dating back to the turn of the last century.
  • The Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square, originally built in 1791, overlooks one of the city’s prettiest garden squares, and is set to become a Kimpton Hotel next year.
  • In Glasgow, The Principal Blythswood Square Hotel, home of the former Royal Scottish Automobile Association, will operate under the Kimpton brand in 2019.

This marks an important milestone in IHG’s plans to take the Kimpton brand global. It follows the signing of the first Kimpton in Japan, in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, last week as well as the signing of three properties in prime markets in South East Asia and Greater China last year. It also adds to Kimpton’s expansion in Europe, with the opening of Kimpton® De Witt Amsterdam in 2017, the signing of Kimpton Paris, due to open in 2020 and Kimpton Frankfurt, due to open in 2023.

voco™ Hotels

The recently launched upscale brand voco™ Hotels will be making its UK debut in Cardiff. Overlooking Cardiff Bay, The Principal St. David’s Hotel, will take on the voco brand later this year. It is expected that further voco Hotels will be coming to the UK soon, each will keep their individuality but with the reassurance of a global brand.

InterContinental® returns to Edinburgh

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the largest luxury hotel brand in the world, will be returning to the historical Principal Edinburgh George Street. The property will be re-branded as an InterContinental by late next year.

Hotel Indigo®

Leeds will debut the vibrant and stylish Hotel Indigo brand in 2020. Every aspect of the property, currently the Principal Met Leeds Hotels, will be inspired by stories of the local area – from intriguing design to distinctive local ingredients in its menus.

The Principal York, will be rebranded at a later stage; and the well-known De Vere Wotton House hotel, near Dorking Surrey, will capitalise on its strong name, operating unbranded as Wotton House.

The Principal Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow; De Vere Oxford Thames and The Principal Oxford Spires Hotel are expected to join IHG’s portfolio in Q3, 2018.

Design hotel in the Dolomites will define a new model of mountain luxury hotels

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The plan for the new Faloria Mountain Spa Resort, historical glamorous hotel based in Cortina, has finally been unveiled…

A new design hotel in the Dolomites, the Faloria Mountain Spa Resort, is said to set a new standard in mountain luxury hotels. The project, signed by the architect Flaviano Capriotti, upgrades the resort to the highest hospitality standards, achieving the fifth star and presenting a new hospitality model: at crossroads between local tradition, innovation and comfort.

Capriotti has developed an aesthetical language harmonised with the surrounding landscape

The opening is scheduled for December 2018. The project comprises not only the aesthetic and functional refurbishment of the existing building, but also a generous expansion, through the construction of a brand new central body, which recall the typical style of the Dolomites.

Capriotti has developed an aesthetical language harmonised with the surrounding landscape, revisiting it with a contemporary touch. The renovation of the existing hotel aims to the highest international luxury standards to establish itself as the standard of excellence in hospitality for the Alps overall.

The guests checking in to the new Faloria Mountain Spa Resort will be embraced in a perceptive path of the natural identity of the area, relishing a unique environment that offers the most advanced technologies for a functional comfort and unique atmosphere.

The project includes a new lounge area with Bar and a maiolica tiled stove, inspired to those of the traditional houses in the Dolomites, where the upholstered furniture – which is all custom designed – is covered with warm wool, typical of the mountains. A large “opus incertum” Dolomia stone wall separates the Lounge area from the Bistrot, which is a cozy and quiet space that accommodates up to 40 people, welcoming guests from breakfast to dinner.

Woven wicker panels screen the light and create an elegant and refined atmosphere

The chosen materials are Dolomia stone and larch, the padded furniture is made of wool and the chairs are typical, redesigned however with a contemporary accent. The Restaurant, which accommodates 70 people, is the heart of the renewed relationship between building and background, being bounded by a glazed pavilion with scenic views of the mountain Croda da Lago on one side and the iconic 1956 Olympic ski jump on the other.

The original vintage larch coffered ceiling is restored. Woven wicker panels screen the light and create an elegant and refined atmosphere. The restaurant is completed by the “Stube”, the center of the traditional house in Ampezzo, built with antique woodwork and a large table that can accommodate 10 guests.

Guestrooms

The new rooms – split in Classic Room, Suite, Comfort Suite, King Deluxe, Suite King – have all been designed by Capriotti, that selected a chromatic palette and materials where brushed larch, wool and Dolomia stone are the common threads to achieve the highest comfort and practicality.

The spaces are rich of details specifically designed to greet and receive without standing out, maintaining a delicate domestic flavor thanks to details such as the flooring and the wall cladding made of brushed larch and the padded wool bed headboards that are designed with botanical drawings of the local alpine flora. The wardrobes are designed in two parts for a comfortable use in couple, dedicating the central area to the make-up.

The SPA

The cornerstone for the new hotel concept is the redefinition of the SPA and Wellness area, around which a new sensorial and emotional experience was created, devoted to touching every level of perception: visual, tactile, olfactory and emotional. The SPA is designed with a selection of natural materials from the Ampezzo valley: the larch wood from the forest, the Dolomia stone from the mountains and the green from the water of lakes.

Covering over 1000 sqm in size, where the guest can experience the sensorial path of the sauna, ice fountain, pool, calidarium and vitality pool. The internal swimming pool is unique for its size and features across the whole Alpine area: beautifully designed and coloured, 25 meter long with three lanes, suitable for every need, even for professional swimmers. There is a large skylight on the ceiling and a large glazing wall with bronze profiles, from which one can enjoy the view of the Mount Faloria and access the outdoor garden and the outside area of the vitality pool, which being heated can also be used in winter and under the snow. The vitality pool stretches also in the inside of the building, comprising of an area appositely designed for silence and relax.

1950s-style boutique hotel slated to open in former Coventry Telegraph offices

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The new Telegraph Hotel, which will be operated by Bespoke Hotels, will retain much of its original features…

Bespoke Hotels, which manages 9,500 hotel rooms in 21 countries from Australia to America, has reached an agreement with Developers Complex Development Projects (CDP) to operate a 1950s-style boutique hotel at the former Coventry Telegraph offices.

Construction is planned to commence at the end of the year on creating 100 guestrooms, a ground floor restaurant and bar, meeting rooms, penthouse suites and a rooftop bar after planning approval was granted by Coventry City Council on July 16. Final approval from the Council is awaited for long lease extensions necessary to deliver the project.

The original features of the building, which include the panelled Board Room and Lord Iliffe’s apartment, will be retained as unique features of the building’s former life. Around 130 jobs will be created when the hotel opens which is scheduled to be ahead of Coventry being UK City of Culture in 2021.

The project is unique and we needed an operator that embraced our vision for something that will be truly Coventry

“This is an iconic building charged with much recent history of the City of Coventry with a really strong tone of voice from which we hope to deliver a rich narrative with nods to the 1950s heyday of the building and a cool contemporary twist,” said Chairman of Bespoke Hotels, Robin Sheppard, who founded the business with Haydn Fentum. “This will be a destination hotel with tons of character and a cheeky smile.”

A perfect example of this is Hotel Gotham which is a five-star hotel that was named World’s Best New Hotel and Coolest Boutique Hotel following its opening in 2015 because of its attention to detail ranging from its art deco design to providing a luxury chauffeur service.

Image caption: Interiors of Hotel Gotham

“The project is unique and we needed an operator that embraced our vision for something that will be truly Coventry,” said Ian Harrabin, Managing Director of CDP. “We took advice from national hotel experts and Bespoke was our first choice of partner. We have been working with them for the past six months on the detail of the project and are happy that they share our enthusiasm for Coventry and recognise the opportunity of this unique building. We want to create a style of hotel that is not offered anywhere else in the area – a style that is truly bespoke. Their experienced team bring out the heart and soul of hotels with their professionalism, experience, flair and individuality.”

Partnered with CDP’s track record of delivering creative developments that break the conventional mould such as FarGo Village and Electric Wharf, the new Telegraph Hotel is siad to be be unlike any other.

Harrabin continues: “We want to give the city an hotel that Coventry can be proud of and provide a focus for the City of Culture status that has been bestowed for 2021. We have been delighted to have received such strong support from all local stakeholders, not least within the council and are determined to create something special with our chosen award-winning hotel operators.”

The project is supported by West Midlands Combined Authority through the Collective Investment Fund managed by Finance Birmingham. Designers and Architects that will be working on the project are yet to be confirmed.

IHG to introduce Kimpton Hotels & Restaurant brand to Germany

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Global boutique luxury brand Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants from IHG to continue European expansion with first hotel in Germany, Kimpton Frankfurt slated to open in 2023…

InterContinental Hotels Group® (IHG®), has announced its rapidly expansion of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand by unveiling plans to launch the brand in Germany in 2023 with the opening of Kimpton Frankfurt.

Set in a listed building of Junghofstrasse in Frankfurt’s city centre, the luxury boutique hotel will feature 155 guestrooms, two large meeting rooms and an onsite gym. In addition to the hotel’s signature restaurant, there are also plans for a sky-bar and restaurant on the roof terrace, where guests will be able to enjoy an unrivalled skyline view of the city. The classic ’50s lobby will serve as the main entrance to the hotel.

Kimpton Frankfurt is part of Frankfurt’s most pioneering development project; FOUR Frankfurt

“Being one of Europe’s largest financial hubs, Frankfurt is a key location for us and this signing is a great milestone in Kimpton’s European expansion,” said Kenneth Macpherson, CEO of Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA) at IHG. “We’re proud to partner with Groß & Partner to bring the brand to Germany, where IHG is growing at pace. Guests staying at Kimpton Frankfurt can expect Kimpton’s signature bold and playful design, luxury, personalised service and truly local feel.”

Kimpton Frankfurt is part of Frankfurt’s most pioneering development project; FOUR Frankfurt, which is led by highly-regarded developer Groß & Partner. FOUR Frankfurt is a unique high-rise in the middle of the central banking district which features office, residential and retail space in a prime city centre location. The mixed-use project, which highlights innovative and sustainable design by UNStudio architects, will be home to 5,000 people for both business and residential purposes.

“Frankfurt can look forward to a new, international hotel brand in a class of its own,” said Nikolaus Bieber, Managing Director of Groß & Partner. “With the signing of Kimpton Frankfurt, the FOUR Frankfurt receives another point of attraction that will enrich and upgrade the downtown area. Kimpton Frankfurt in Junghofstraße will be a special experience, not only for hotel guests enjoying the city skyline but also for local restaurant and bar visitors.”

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants was acquired by IHG in 2015. The luxury boutique brand currently operates 66 hotels and 80 restaurants, bars and lounges in the U.S., Caribbean, and Europe[1]. Kimpton De Witt in Amsterdam was the first Kimpton property to open outside of the Americas in May 2017. Continuing the brand’s expansion in key cities across Europe, IHG has announced plans to debut the brand in the UK and open Kimpton Paris in 2020, with more European signings in the pipeline. This announcement continues Kimpton’s international expansion to new global markets in every IHG operating region, with additional hotels underway in Tokyo, Taipei, Bali, Shanghai and Sanya,

Waldolf Astoria Bangkok prepares for ‘Asia’s most anticipated hotel openings this year’

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The anticipated opening of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, designed by the award-winning André Fu is said to evolve the hotel landscape in Southeast Asia…

The end of August will see the opening of what is said to be Asia’s most anticipated hotel openings of 2018. The grand Waldorf Astoria in Bangkok, meticulously designed by, André Fu, from AFSO who was named Designer of the Year for Maison & Objet Asia in 2016, captures the brand’s iconic image in the vibrant Thai capital.

All areas of thew hotel will open to reflect the artistry and craftsmanship of Fu and his design studio

In tribute to the owners of the property, Magnolia Finest Corporation Limited, the building, which is perched near the city’s Royal Bangkok Sports Club and Ratchaprasong Intersection, has been designed to give the effect of springing from the ground like a Magnolia flower. Towering above the city, the dazzling sculptural appearance of the property cuts a dramatic profile in the skyline of Bangkok, in the heart of the bustling Ratchaprasong intersection.

Large, spacious and modern guestroom

Image credit: Waldrof Astoria Bangkok

The hotel will boast 171 spacious guestrooms and suites, which start at 50 square metres, offer more space than the average hotel room size and are designed to as ‘home-from homes’. All areas of thew hotel will open to reflect the artistry and craftsmanship of Fu and his design studio. Globally recognised for high-profile luxury fashion and retail projects, such as his recent work with luxury brand Louis Vuitton, the studio has been involved in curating an holistic hotel experience that brings together the building’s contemporary architecture with Thai artisanal tradition.

The hotel, which stands as a milestone for the Hilton brand as it will be Southeast Asia’s first Waldorf Astoria, is expected to become the new skyline gem of Bangkok, and promises to live up to high expectations of locals and diserning travellers.

 

 

Associate Design to showcase the best of portugal at Decorex International 2018

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On the September 16 – 19, Decorex International will shelter the best of Portuguese furniture, lighting and objets d’art..

Associate Design will present a fine selection of luxury and contemporary Portuguese design at Decorex International 2018 . With its motto ‘a space for beauty to flourish’, Decorex provides the ideal platform on which to showcase some of Portugal’s best design and innovation. Portugal is a country with a proud history of craft and manufacturing: today, its skilled artisans draw on that history, with a wealth of highly original designs that capture Portugal’s creative verve.

Recognising the importance of promoting Portuguese design on a world stage, Associate Design was established by the Portuguese Association of Wood and Furniture Industries (AIMMP). Associate Design works to exhibit the best of Portugal at some of the most discerning and distinguished international design shows. At Decorex International 2018, expect to find an eye-catching collection of Portuguese furniture, lighting and objets d’art, featuring a cleverly curated mix of playful, novel, deluxe and aesthetic pieces. Focusing on hotels, offices and retail, the Associate Design showcase will demonstrate Portugal’s burgeoning design relationship with the luxury contract market.

Portugal is a country with a proud history of craft and manufacturing

Brands and products at Associative Design’s Decorex International 2018 Showcase Portuguese brand Bateye was founded in 2011 by architect Marco Sousa. Creating furniture that represents a ‘convergence between art and the city’, Bat eye’s goal is to make passionate pieces that provoke, stimulate and seduce. The brand will present decorative furnishings from its London collection, inspired by the grandeur of the city’s palaces and parks. Pieces include the new Divinity mirror, a design inspired by the gates at the Palace of Westminster, and the Golden Lake tables, a reference to the nature found in London’s Hyde Park.

Corque Design combines sustainability and originality to produce well-designed objects using cork, one of Portugal’s greatest natural resources. Corque Design’s Cellula bookcase, a playful interpretation of cork’s microscopic cellular structure, is a clever modular storage system comprising six construction pieces.

Image caption: A series of Corque Design products

Starting out as a family-owned wood workshop in the early 1970s, Defontes was established in 1989 and today works across the interior design, automotive, nautical and aviation sectors. Skilfully making products from a selection of exquisite materials, De Fontes created its Royal Club range. The brand will present Fugu, a sharp dining table (named after the Japanese pufferfish) with an explosive atomic-nucleus-style base, and Tulip, a simple, elegant lamp inspired by the flower of the same name.

With the motto ‘design to die for’, Duquesa & Malvada is a luxury Portuguese brand creating designs that reflect a refined urban sensibility. The brand will present a number of deluxe pieces, including the elegant Kate bar stool (inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge), the bold Marble side table, the decorative Minerva sideboard, the sumptuous Desire sofa and the petite Anne stool (inspired by Anne Boleyn).

Image credit: Duquesa & Malvada

Creative studio Emotional Brands champions a select group of six young, high-end Portuguese design brands, each combining personality, design vision, innovation and artisanship. The brands—Creative Mary, Emotional Projects, Malabar, Ottiu, Porus Studio and Wood Tailors Club—will present contemporary pieces from their respective collections.

The NUUK sideboard is a well-made piece that showcases MBN Tailor’s use of beautiful materials

Portugal-based Green Apple is a luxury brand exporting made in Portugal design throughout the world. Creating and manufacturing furnishings and lighting for the residential and hotel sectors, Green Apple’s extensive collection mixes ornate, graphic and contemporary styles.

Founded in 1980, furniture manufacturer MBN Tailor applies traditional knowledge, a creative mindset and a fastidious sprinkling of extravagance and exquisite detailing, to its eclectic range of products. The NUUK sideboard, designed by Hugo Pereira, is a well-made piece that showcases MBN Tailor’s use of beautiful materials and its meticulous level of craftsmanship.

Muranti is a Portuguese furniture brand whose work seeks to create a balance between the mind and the heart. Its luxury pieces seek to add colour, style and elegance to both modern and exclusive home interiors. Muranti will present its Onyx sideboard, Csarite cabinet and Pyrite wall lamp. The striking and opulent Onyx and Csarite designs are wonderfully visual characterisations of their respective gemstone-inspired names. In contrast, the more restrained Pyrite lamp has a classically retro shape.

Image caption: Onyx by Muranti

Nauu Design was created in the Portuguese port town of Setúbal. Producing luxury and bespoke furniture, Nauu Design’s distinctive collection is imbued with personality, elegance and passion. The Empire wall mirror is a reflection of the golden days of ancient civilisations and is made using wood covered with shiny copper leaf. The A Duquesa sofa recalls the classic Chesterfield sofa, but adds a certain Portuguese flair with Portuguese tiles applied to the base.

Hailing from Oiã in Portugal, OIA was born in 2017. A modern-day brand, its products combine traditional stone craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. OIA creates designs that are functional and that emphasise the need for emotion and identity. The brand will present: Cosmos, a range of stone laminated side and coffee tables inspired by a sense of weightlessness; Kandinsky, a series of geometric side tables inspired by Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian pioneer of abstract modern art; and Orbiter, a marble-topped dining table whose base is made up of a repeated series of metal strips.

Created in Lisbon, Se7e symbolises the city on seven hills. Its handmade Berço chair is a cradle-like rocking chair designed for children and adults alike. Personalised for each individual customer, Berço is numbered with a serial number and the production year.

Portuguese brand That Place was established in 2004. Since then, it has explored the concepts of fluidity, simplicity and functionality in both interior and exterior design. Its Pendant Globes by Liga Narciso draw inspiration from jewellery design—they express a certain sensuality and add both harmony and beauty to a space.

Hotel Designs is a recognised media partner for Decorex International 2018. To register for the show, click here.

 

Roca’s new collection takes inspiration from the past

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The new Carmen collection from Roca speaks to the past as well as the future. Its beautiful nostalgic design is based on a classic Roca collection from the 1940s and has been launched to celebrate the company’s centenary.

“Over the last few years, the trend for vintage and classical design has continued to grow,” comments Alan Dodds, Managing Director of Roca UK. “From the research we have conducted, vintage means more than just antiques, it is about classic and timeless design that is still relevant today. That is why we have introduced Carmen, it is a collection that is routed in the past but has all the attributes to complement a modern bathroom.”

Carmen may be vintage looking in design, but it features the latest in technology and material innovations. For example, the WC is rimless for greater hygiene and easier cleaning as well as being fitted with a water distributor that provides an improved flushing performance. The seat cover has been manufactured with SUPRALIT®, a new exclusive resin registered by Roca. This is more durable (offering greater resistance to chemical agents and to discolouration), more hygienic (four times less porous material) and easier to clean (surface with soft and rounded angles).

The collection includes a close coupled WC, basin and pedestal, with a complementary furniture range and mirror also available.

Roca has also developed a range of Carmen brassware to complete the product family. Just like the bathroom suite, the brassware has an authentic period design whilst incorporating innovative technology.  The Carmen brassware collection features the latest generation of flow limiters that guarantee a 5l/m flow, regardless of the system pressure. As well as its ceramic disc operation, the Carmen taps has the Roca Evershine electroplating process applied for anticorrosion, lifetime brightness and anti-scratching.

Along with its authentic Roca design and the latest innovations built into the ceramics and furniture, Carmen gives real value for money.

Iconic hotel in Lagos reopens in contemporary style

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The extensive refurbishment in Tivoli Lagos, lead by interior designer Sofia Sardo, represents an investment of £4.1 million and is the latest step in Tivoli Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to invest in its portfolio…

Tivoli Lagos Algarve Hotel has reopened its doors as an upscale property blending contemporary flair with the best of southern Portuguese culture after a five-month renovation.

The iconic property, which was one of the first hotels to be built in Lagos, sits in an excellent position in the village. Tivoli Lagos has benefitted from an ambitious refurbishment, where acclaimed Portuguese interior designer Sofia Sardo has combined modern Algarvian characteristics with traditional Moorish influences, providing a timeless aesthetic inspired by the hotel’s coastal scenery that is sure to provide greater comfort and relaxation to guests.

Modern guestroom featuring clean lines and sophisticated decor

Now offering four restaurants and a bar, the hotel will become a gastronomy highlight for the town

The hotel’s 205 guestrooms and suites, which are spread across seven buildings, have been redecorated in refreshing seaside motifs and soft colours. Diverse room categories include Premier, Premier Family and Suites, as well as spacious Family Rooms with queen or twin beds, an optional sofa bed, and separate living area, guaranteeing comfort for larger groups. Private balconies and patios offer views of the swimming pool, manicured Mediterranean gardens, the sea and the town. The property still enjoys the same convenient location, with Lagos’ historic centre, the marina and the white-sand beach Meia Praia all close by.

Now offering four restaurants and a bar, the hotel will become a gastronomy highlight for the town. In addition, Duna Beach Club, which is operated by Tivoli Lagos on Meia Praia just four kilometres away, offers excellent international and Portuguese light dining on the beach. The perfect atmosphere for socialising includes a sunny terrace and beautiful waterfront views.

“We are proud to reopen the hotel after these comprehensive renovations, adapted to excelling and meeting the demands of today’s discerning guests. This project reinforces the dedication of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts to continue setting the highest standard of service on an international level, particularly in the competitive Algarve market,” says João Jesus, Area Director of Sales & Marketing for the Algarve region.

Friendly welcoming staff and the new modern touches, in addition to the same spectacular Algarve setting as before, ensures that the Tivoli Lagos is an oasis of serenity for holiday and business travellers alike.

Opposites attract at Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay

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Nestled behind vibrant streets, where thousands of Gap-Year backpackers find shelter in cheap hostels, rises a luxury hotel with personality, style and unmatched ocean views. Editor Hamish Kilburn checks in to the Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay to see for himself how opposites in South East Asia can attract after all…

Perched on a hilltop facing south, with Phuket’s Patong Beach to the left, Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay’s location was certainly not compromised when local architect Rachapuk Sungkhaphunt from Greenity Co. Ltd designed the foundations of what was said to be ‘a new kind of luxury’ away from the wild, bustling and polluted streets behind Patong Beach.

Exterior of the hotel

Image caption: Exterior of the hotel

Opened in December 2016, the hotel offers 214 elegantly appointed guestrooms and private villas as well as large public areas throughout. The hotel’s structure was thoughtfully designed using the natural landscape as a tool to stagger the individual blocks so that from all corners of the hotel, guests can marvel over the sweeping ocean vistas that extend over the Andaman Sea.

Guestroom image with stunning ocean views

Image caption: The hotel has been designed to capture striking views of the A Sea

Approachable by design, simplicity, minimalism and copious amount of space, interior designer Voravee Puranasamriddhi from Bangkok-based firm 1328 Pt Ltd led the interiors throughout the hotel. Vast emptiness and unused space captured my first impressions of the public areas. That’s because at first there is little to see, as the finest areas are rightfully to be enjoyed by guests only, and clearly detached from the loud streets across the bay.

Tall floor-to-ceiling glass doors open into a refined, elegant space

Designed to reflect more of a terminal than a lobby, the first building guests walk into when checking in on the ground floor is bare and offers just enough facilities for a member of staff to tick you off the list and direct you on. It shelters a constant flow of traffic and once guests have been filtered through this system they are picked up by a car and driven to the main lobby, which is situated three floors above the first terminal.

Unlike the main entrance, the lobby is striking with a strong, solid check-in desk sat in the middle of a modern, light and airy room. Tall floor-to-ceiling glass doors open into a refined and elegant space, while intricate wallcoverings, designed to replicate corral, burst with personality. The furniture is simple yet comfortable with under-seat lighting reflecting off the ceramic flooring.

Image caption: Lobby area

All guestrooms and suites are Asian-inspired with a modern touch. Wooden floors, warm colours and floor-to-ceiling windows create a blissful sanctuary allowing guests to unwind and take in the jaw-dropping views.

A control panel next to the large bed allows guests to personalise the ambiance to suit every mood

Offering by far, though, the most luxurious experience is the Luxury Private Pool Villa Panoramic Ocean View, which sit in the middle of the complex. Designed to blend Asian decor with Western, modern, spacious living – complete with a private infinity pool and decking – the abode allows you to enjoy the panoramic vistas of the bay from a premium perspective – whether that be on the balcony or on the edge of your own infinity pool, accessible from the decking, the living room and the large bathroom.

Image caption:  Luxury Private Pool Villa Panoramic Ocean View

Each of the resort’s 152 pool villas, the most in the Kalim-Patong area, feature a private outdoor sundeck and a six- or nine-metre infinity pools overlooking the ocean, providing guests checking in with privacy and seclusion as well as ultimate comfort and relaxation.

The lighting in the room is tasteful and well-designed. A control panel next to the large bed allows guests to personalise the ambiance to suit every mood. In addition to spotlight lighting, two pendants hang from the ceiling either side of the large bed. This, I believe, adds another dimension to the minimalist setup.

The bathrooms are large and again offer unmatched views through floor-to-ceiling windows that open completely so that the panoramic view is never sacrificed. A large twin tub sits above the infinity pool. Next to it is the walk-in rainfall shower. Above the large twin sink is an oversized mirror that reflects a spacious home-away-from-home feel.

Outside seating area at L'atitude 98 restaurant

Image caption: Outside seating area at L’atitude 98 restaurant

Dining at Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay has been designed to capture a multisensorial experience with two restaurants serving authentic Thai cuisine and international favourites amidst breathtaking sea views.

What I respect most about this hotel is that it may be a stones throw away from provocative streets of Patong Beach, but it is worlds away from the ‘in your face’ attitude that’s evident across the bay.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts now has more than 9,000 properties worldwide. Recently, Hotel Designs sat down with the new Managing Director (EMEA) to discover what the next chapter for the hotel group looks like.

 

Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang opens in the Chinese city’s tallest skyscraper

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Taking Chinese hotel design to new heights, the Hyatt Regency Zhenijang opens 318 well-appointed rooms…

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has recently opened Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang in East China’s Jiangsu province. Set atop the East Tower of Suning Plaza, the tallest skyscraper in Zhenjiang, the 318-room Hyatt Regency hotel is set to provide travelers and locals alike with a fresh perspective of the city by providing an energizing place to connect with the very best of Zhenjiang.

“We are very excited to unveil Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang and further expand our Hyatt Regency brand presence in the fast-growing Yangtze River Delta region. We are very grateful for the continuous support and trust of the hotel’s owner, the Suning Group, endowing Hyatt with another amazing hotel in Jiangsu province,” said Stephen Ho, President, Greater China, Global Operations for Hyatt. “China continues to see strong development momentum due to the increase in business and leisure travel. With the upscale offerings and energizing spaces that the Hyatt Regency brand is known for, we hope Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang will provide our guests with a seamless experience that connects them to who and what matters most when visiting Zhenjiang.”

Located at the heart of the Da Shi Kou central business district, Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang is conveniently accessible to shopping, entertainment venues and famous tourism sites, including Xijindu Ancient Street, Beigushan Park, Zhenjiang China Vinegar Culture Museum and Nanshan Scenic Area. The hotel is just 12 minutes from Zhenjiang Railway Station, 90 minutes from Nanjing Lukou International Airport and a 30-minute drive to the neighboring city of Yangzhou via Runyang Bridge.

The chic interiors of Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang tell a story of the charm of Wu culture

Zhenjiang, sitting at the intersection of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal, is a wellspring of history, culture and cuisine. While the monumental Yangtze River and statuesque Beigu Mountain represent the traditional side of Zhenjiang, the city is set for a vibrant future with its contemporary offerings and fast-growing developments.

“We are very excited to welcome guests and the local community to our new hotel,” said General Manager Irwin Bao.  “With a prime location, fantastic views, premier meeting facilities and intuitive service, we are confident that Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang will provide one-stop convenience to guests during their travels.”

The chic interiors of Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang tell a story of the charm of Wu culture, imbued with soothing natural elements reflecting the river, water, tower, and forests. Starting at the artistic lobby on the 57th floor, the hotel features two sky-high restaurants and lounges, dynamic event spaces, comprehensive wellbeing facilities, and a rooftop helipad.

Slick, modern Bathroom design

Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang features 318 guestrooms, including 20 spacious suites, providing welcoming accommodation high above the city from the 59th to 76th floors. Stepping into each guestroom, guests are greeted with panoramic vistas of the Yangtze River or Nanshan Scenic Area through floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests can relax in style while enjoying the amazing sunsets over the Yangtze River and savvy in-room comforts, such as free Wi-Fi, a 65” SMART TV, spacious working area, and a Nespresso coffee machine in suites.

The hotel features more than 16,400 square feet (1,532 square meters) of versatile and multi-functional event spaces

World-class dining experiences await at two top-of-the-city restaurants. On the 58th floor, Xiang Yue, the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant, serves authentic Hangzhou and Jiangsu cuisines in its ruby-hued parlor and seven private dining rooms. At Market Café on the 57th floor, seasonal dishes from East and West are freshly prepared at live chef kitchens during the breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets.  On the same level, The Lounge serves as a great spot for a relaxed afternoon tea or cocktails with spectacular views of Zhenjiang from the highest viewing deck in the city. The Pastry Shop on the ground floor prepares gourmet cakes and breads for grab-and-go ease.

The hotel features more than 16,400 square feet (1,532 square meters) of versatile and multi-functional event spaces, which provide a jaw-dropping backdrop for different meeting and social occasions. The pillar-free 9,472-square-foot (880-square-meter) Regency Ballroom on the fifth floor can accommodate up to 900 guests for a cocktail event or 450 guests for a banquet. Seven multi-functional meeting rooms on the fifth and sixth floors, with stylish breakout spaces and advanced technology, are supported by a team of creative and professional planners to ensure seamless and personalized events.

Guests can relax and unwind with a refreshing dip in the 25 meter temperature-controlled indoor swimming pool or work out at their convenience at the 24-hour gym on the seventh floor, equipped with the latest fitness equipment and a yoga studio, both accompanied by scenic river views. The pool oasis, with natural light filtering through glass skylights and a garden courtyard, also features a whirlpool and lounge area, as well as male and female changing areas with a sauna and steam rooms.

Bisque Rose gold radiator

From 1979 to now, the company that started the radiator revolution

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The radiator brand Bisque saw the opportunity in 1979 to make the radiator a contemporary design product that can help to transform a space…

Founded in 1979 by Geoffrey Ward and John Gordon, Bisque kick-started the radiator revolution. The brand transformed the radiator from being thought of as a humble plumbing object to a piece of desirable design in its own right.

Its mission remains the same – to pioneer beautiful but practical radiators in the most enticing styles, colours and finishes.

Bisque prides itself on offering a wide range of finishes

It is for this reason that Bisque offers its Bespoke service. Many customers may ask for a model that is taller, shorter, wider or narrower than those offered in its standard range. Bisque’s Bespoke service offers an additional 5,000 made-to-measure sizes on a selection of its most popular options, including the Classic, Arteplano, Convector and Finn. It can even produce curved or angled options to fit perfectly into bay windows or tight corners which may otherwise lay unused.

Furthermore, Bisque prides itself on offering a wide range of finishes – many models are available to order in over 2000 RAL and NCS colours – but customers can also take advantage of its unique colour match service. This offers the potential to find an exact partner to a range of paint shades, including popular brands such as Farrow & Ball and Little Greene, as well as printed wallpapers and kitchen cabinets. Bisque is continually testing and exploring new finishes, ensuring it remains one step ahead at all times and offers its customers an unrivalled choice. three consecutive years, alongside iconic names such as Aston Martin, Alexander McQueen, Liberty and Apple, having been independently selected based on the criteria of style, desirability, authenticity, uniqueness, originality and innovation.

Prices available on application. Please contact the Bisque team to make an enquiry.

Bisque are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

This mock croc leather effect bath will upscale your bathroom

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Hotels looking to create a distinctive look in their guest bathrooms can now create a standout statement feature with the new Alderley mock croc leather effect bath…

With a growing demand from hotel customers for Instagram-worthy guestrooms and facilities, bathroom designs have never been more important. Featuring a mock croc exterior, Alderley by Heritage Bathrooms comes in a sumptuous brown hue inspired by the latest trends. Perfect for adding ‘feel appeal’, Alderley fuses dramatic styling with a textured finish to create a stunning product that allows hoteliers to give edgy unique design pieces to their customers.

Like all freestanding baths in Heritage’s collection, the Alderley works beautifully with other products in the portfolio, including Heritage’s range of chrome accessories which Heritage has styled it with. Showcasing its versatility alongside the current product range, Heritage has paired the bath with the Cabot Heated Towel Rail, Claverton basin and boutique Abingdon Washstand in glossy metallic chrome to showcase the versatile and extensive design possibilities.

Heritage Bathrooms’ Specification Manager Sophie Taylor comments: “As we know statement baths are seen as the epitome of luxury bathroom design and the Alderley is perfectly suited to specifiers looking to design an unforgettable commercial space for guests.

“The Alderley is another product borne out of the in-house design team and annual trends panels we hold here at Heritage, so we’re excited to see the product brought to life, not only boasting a visually stunning finish, but a high quality one too that has undergone rigorous testing to ensure that it will stand the test of time.”

The distinctive mock croc leather effect finish is applied using a white fibre base with leather-effect texture, applied to the standard acrylic bath shape. Ensuring a high quality finish, the surface is then painted and sealed with a lacquer to protect the design from water and daily wear and tear. With a lifetime guarantee the Alderley is protected from high usage making it the ideal addition for a touch of boutique luxury.

“Our distinctively individual brand positioning, our stand-out range of freestanding baths and iconic products like our console basins and high level WCs, plus our commitment to quality makes us the perfect brand partner for anyone looking to specify bathrooms in unique and boutique properties,” said Marketing Manager for Heritage, Claire Jennings.

Heritage Bathrooms are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

Forum Events Ltd launches two new hospitality events

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The leading events company, Forum Events Ltd, has added Catering Equipment & Services and Hospitality Tech & Innovation to its rowing portfolio…

Following the growing demand in innovation around catering and technology in the international hospitality market, the parent company of Hotel Designs, Forum Events Ltd, has launched two new industry events to its annual calendar.

Catering Equipment & Services and Hospitality Tech & Innovation will take place on March 25 – 26, 2019 at Whittlebury Hall, Northampton, England, with the aim to bring together professionals and suppliers in both the catering and technology market.

98 per cent of those who have attended our events say that they are a better way to find new suppliers than a traditional trade show

Both events will comprise of separate one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities. The dedicated team at Forum Events Ltd will organise personalised appointments for the professionals and suppliers attending. Each supplier will have a series of 25-minute pre-arranged meetings with key decision makers throughout the two days, over lunch and during our networking gala dinner on day one.

“98 per cent of those who have attended our events say that they are a better way to find new suppliers than a traditional trade show and we are very proud to be ahead of the curve in launching these two highly focused networking opportunities,” said Sarah Beall, Managing Director of Forum Events Ltd. “By launching Catering Equipment & Services and Hospitality Tech & Innovation, we will help to bridge the gap between delegates and suppliers, while encouraging quality business relationships to be formed.”

Forum Events Ltd, which has recently been recognised in the top 25 SME companies for cultural leadership, hosts 27 events in total throughout the year that span across a number of industries. To find out more information, please visit the events page of the Forum Events Ltd website.

How to secure your place

There are limited spaces available for these highly targeted events.

If you are a supplier to the hospitality tech industry and would like to attend Hospitality Tech & Innovation, click here. Alternatively, please contact Craig Ross at c.ross@forumevents.co.uk, or call 01992 376726

If you are a supplier to the catering and equipment industry would like to attend Catering Equipment & Services Forum, click here. Alternatively, please contact Craig Ross at c.ross@forumevents.co.uk, or call 01992 376726

To register your interest as a delegate for Hospitality Tech & Innovation, click here. Alternatively, please contact Liam Cloona at l.cloona@forumevents.co.uk, or call 01992 374089

To register your interest as a delegate for Catering Equipment & Services Forum, click here. Alternatively, please contact Liam Cloona at l.cloona@forumevents.co.uk, or call 01992 374089

 

Point Two Design puts wallpaper on the map

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The Vancouver-based company is able to replicate any map, town or city in crisp, detailed wallpaper…

Point Two Design is a company using city planning and municipal data to create detailed wallpaper maps of any of your favourite cities. Founded in 2013 by Owen de Lancie and Emily Warkentin who studied architecture and urban planning, the company aims to put detailed wallpapers on the map of international hotel design.

Point Two Design and the team of architects, urban planners, scientists, and experts in mapping distills the data down to streets, land mass and water bodies to create highly detailed museum quality prints. This is the only company using raw GIS data and architectural tools of the trade to gather the same data that municipalities use for their urban planning – to create custom designed maps of any city or town.

No town or area is too small – Point Two Design can find it and map it down to streets an allies with technical precision. Show the person how much the memory means to you and let them be reminded of it each day with these high quality prints.

The new line of wallpaper was launched in April 2018 and each custom order receives personalised attention from PTD designers. The map wallpaper as well as satellite imagery wallpaper is available in vinyl peel and stick or classic suede wallpaper.

In addition to wallpapers, the company also prints soft furnishings, art prints and even wall clocks.

Monochrome interiors in the guestroom with accents of mustard yellow

DoubleTree by Hilton debuts in French medieval city of Carcassonne

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DoubleTree by Hilton Carcassonne opens a Fairy-Tale Escape in the Heart of France’s Medieval City…

France’s medieval city of Carcassonne has welcomed the country’s first DoubleTree by Hilton, one of Hilton’s 14 market-leading brands. The property is the first DoubleTree by Hilton in France and joins nine other Hilton properties in the country.

The 88-key hotel includes 33 deluxe town-facing rooms, as well as 14 junior suites and three one-bedroom suites with private terraces overlooking the fortifed city. Conveniently located along the banks of the Aude River, DoubleTree by Hilton Carcassonne enjoys panoramic views of the fairy-tale-like town, which is accessible via the “Pont View” pedestrian bridge over the river. Guests will receive a warm welcome the moment they arrive at the hotel with a signature DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie, a symbol of the upscale hotel brand’s dedicated service and thoughtful approach to hospitality.

Resembling a scene taken out of a children’s storybook, the fortified city of Carcassonne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous worldwide for its stout walls, Gothic cathedrals, medieval castles, and beautiful vineyards.  Every year, the Cité Médiévale, as the old walled town is now known, attracts more than 4 million visitors who come to experience its historic charm.

Exterior shot of the hotel

Naturally fitting into the city’s picturesque landscape with its medieval inspired design, stained glass windows, and greenery adorned exterior, the hotel boasts a prime location, just a 100-metre walk to the city and a five-kilometre drive to Carcassonne Airport.

“We are delighted to bring the DoubleTree by Hilton experience to the beautiful city of Carcassonne. Guests’ will feel right at home in the heart of one of France’s most fascinating medieval towns,” said Sandrine Kaiser, the hotel’s general manager. “From enjoying a cruise along the Canal du Midi to visiting the Languedoc vineyards, a host of experiences await guests just minutes away from the hotel. After exploring the city, guests can take comfort in our spacious rooms, enjoy town-facing views from our garden or terrace, or indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.”

Public areas of the hotel

Image credit: Hilton Hotels

DoubleTree by Hilton Carcassonne also offers 60m2 of stylish and naturally lit meeting space. The hotel’s beautiful garden area can also be privatised to host a memorable event with breathtaking views of the city.

DoubleTree by Hilton is a fast-growing, global portfolio of more than 525 upscale hotels with nearly 125,000 rooms across six continents. The brand offers contemporary accommodations and full-service facilities, including restaurants and lounges, room service, health clubs, business centers, and meeting and banquet spaces.

Top 5 stories of the week: Meet Up success, interview with Wyndham and designing with purpose

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Editor of Hotel Designs Hamish Kilburn reflects on a busy week in the world of international hotel design with the top five stories…

“Manchester is a shrinking violet,” said no designer, ever! This week, we invited you up to Manchester to take part in our tried and tested networking event! The inaugural Meet Up North was a complete success in further bridging the gap between hoteliers, architects, interior designers and key-industry suppliers. If you haven’t already done so, check out our facebook page where you can see all the images from the evening.

As well as socialising in one of Manchester’s hottest hotels, I also found the time to sit down with Dimitris Manikis who is the new Managing Director of Wyndham Hotels (EMEA). Aside from having what I believe to be the coolest glasses in the industry, Manikis also has some big plans for the brand and his energetic personality, I feel, will steer him in the right direction as the brand enters a new exciting chapter.

As well as all this, contributor Michelle Tonta explained why designers should be designing with purpose…

1) HD Meet Up North took hotel design networking in the north to new heights

Image caption: Tangerine Photobooths

On Wednesday, more than 200 of the industry’s leaders and visionaries from within the hotel design gathered on the terrace of King Street Townhouse in Manchester for the first ever Meet Up North. Sponsored by Marca Corona, the event, which boasted an unparalleled perspective of the Manchester sunset, welcomed hoteliers, architects, interior designers and key-industry suppliers.

2) In conversation with: Dimitris Manikis, President and Managing Director (EMEA) for Wyndham Hotel Group

Left: Dimitris Manikis Right: Hamish Kilburn

Left: Dimitris Manikis Right: Hamish Kilburn

I met Manikis in a quaint, tucked-away boutique hotel in Soho, London. Wearing what I believe to be the most fabulous glasses in the industry, Manikis’ beaming ear-to-ear smile led me to believe that I would click with him instantly. My first impressions of Manikis was that of surprise. Surprised that someone can remain so calm while carrying the weight of 460 hotels in more than 40 markets in the EMEA (and counting) on his shoulders. We both laughed as we compared glasses and sat down to discuss how he plans to maximise the performance of the group.

3) Designing fabrics and soft furnishings with purpose

Threading together design and sustainability, textiles expert Michelle Tonta explains why sustainable development should be on the minds of all designers when innovating new fabrics, soft furnishings and even flooring.

4) Art, heritage and culture sheltered in one of Europe’s first Hyatt Centric hotel

The interior design of the newly opened Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid seamlessly blends art, heritage and culture. The new lifestyle brand from Hyatt has entered the European market with a five-star hotel developed from a historical city landmark built in 1920’s located on the famous Gran Via.

5) Serious five-star soft furnishings goals

All month, Hotel Designs is shining the spotlight on Soft Furnishings, Fabrics and Textiles. Here are some five-star examples of hotels that nailed their soft furnishings first time around…

If you would like to be kept up to date with the latest happenings and news in international hotel design, subscribe to receiving our newsletter here.

 

 

Art, heritage and culture sheltered in one of Europe’s first Hyatt Centric hotel

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Blue Sky Hospitality complete compelling story in the newly opened Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid…

The interior design of the newly opened Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid seamlessly blends art, heritage and culture. The new lifestyle brand from Hyatt has entered the European market with a five-star hotel developed from a historical city landmark built in 1920’s located on the famous Gran Via.

The creative director of London studio Blue Sky Hospitality (BSH), Henry Chebaane, has developed a compelling, immersive environment that amplifies the brand ethos of providing a launch pad for guests to explore and experience the best of what the destination has to offer.

“Ondas” (vibes) is the quirky ground floor space inspired by radio station, music halls and theatres of the Gran Via juxtaposing reception, lobby lounge and bar in the style of an open plan performance stage complete with stepped seating, media studio and a selfie booth. The overall red, black, white and bronze palette of the space is whimsically detailed to suggest standing inside the universe of an oversized deconstructed vintage radio.

The first floor is the hotel other social destination bringing together a meeting and event space evoking a virtual walk in the park, a central garden patio and a dramatic Iberian-Peruvian dining concept called “Hielo y Carbon” (Ice & Charcoal). Guests are greeted by a theatrical show kitchen clad in various black and anthracite materials leading to a crudo bar made of glass and silver tiles and an island cocktail bar specialised in gins overlooking the Gran Via.

The stylish bar and dining areas have an unusual ceiling covered with fluid silver graphics that reflect back the city lights of Gran Via below, lending a glamorous mood to the overall space that can be seen from across the road.

In addition to the interior design schemes, Chebaane has created a number of site-specific art pieces evoking Madrid that can be followed throughout the building from the musical score on the custom corridor carpets to the intriguing wall prints in guestrooms and the sculptural light and sound tree in the lobby: a stylized representation of a madroño, the emblematic tree of Madrid, with its specially composed soundtrack of chirping birds.

Rich, sumptuous tones and geometric patterns from Chelsom

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Laguna is one of the signature ranges from Chelsom’s latest collection, Edition 26…

Rediscovered original 1960’s artisan glass moulds which had lain unused since the late 1970’s create a stunning family of geometric patterned mouthblown glass table lamps and pendants. The designs of Chelsom’s new Laguna range are re-imagined with rich sumptuous tones to create a beautiful range that transcends time.

Synonymous with design, Italy has lead the world of fashion and interiors for well over 50 years. Accordingly, Italy welcomed the brand new and refreshing design concepts of the 1950’s and 1960’s and in doing so embraced one of the biggest design features of that era, the geometric pattern.

The original Laguna moulds were created by renowned Italian master glass makers from the Venice region and Chelsom’s partner Artisan Glass factory kept them in storage where they lay unused until 2015 when they were unearthed and restored.  The first pieces blown from the original moulds produced beautiful samples and inspired Chelsom to begin the design process to create stunning collections of table lamps and ceiling pendants straight out of Italian history.

A trio of opulent colours- Olive, Mocca and Aqua- were selected to best show off the detailed intricacies of the geometric pattern relief in the glass and the heavy weight of each of the individually mouth blown pieces makes the range perfectly suited to the contract market. Metalwork options of Black Bronze, Golden Bronze or Brushed Nickel have been carefully selected to best complement the glass finishes and all products have been wired with gold or silver silk covered cable. A range of fabric shades with various material and colour options are available for table lamps.

The result is a totally unique collection evocative of the original period and heritage, with heavily detailed and rebated glass creating statement pieces that would look at home in both traditional and contemporary interior schemes.

Chelsom are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

Meet Up North took hotel design networking in the north to new heights

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Last night, more than 200 of the industry’s leaders and visionaries from within the hotel design gathered on the terrace of King Street Townhouse in Manchester for the first ever Meet Up North.

Sponsored by Marca Corona, the event, which boasted an unparalleled perspective of the Manchester sunset, welcomed hoteliers, architects, interior designers and key-industry suppliers.

Commencing with a short speech from the editor of Hotel Designs, Hamish Kilburn, Meet Up North’s tone of the evening celebrated hotel design in the north, highlighting how design, innovation and creativity in the UK is not limited to London. “This venue is just one shining example of the stunning hotels in the North,” said Editor of Hotel Designs Hamish Kilburn at the event. “Without events like these, the UK as a whole would seriously struggle to be recognised as the international hotel design hot spot that it is today, and will continue to be in the future.”

Putting collaboration in the spotlight, Fiona Thompson, Prinicipal of Richmond International, took the mic as the headline speaker of the evening.  Thompson, known in the hotel design industry for working on projects such as The Langham London, Sandy Lane in Barbados and Four Seasons Ten Trinity Square, spoke about past projects and the value of collaboration.

Image credit: Tangerine Photobooths

Speaking ahead of the networking event, Thompson said: “Only through a thoughtful collaborative process, which acknowledges individual skills, talents and perspectives, can a project be successfully completed. Richmond International is extremely excited to take part in Meet Up North, an event which honours the significance of professional collaboration, and in turn reflect on the successful partnerships Richmond International has had the pleasure of being part of over the past 51 years.”

Complete with canapés and complimentary drinks served on the terrace of one of Manchester’s most talked about hotels, the evening naturally lent itself to networking and further bridged the gap between hoteliers, architects, interior designers and key-industry suppliers.

Head over to the Hotel Designs Facebook page to view the photos from the night. 

In conversation with: Dimitris Manikis, President and Managing Director (EMEA) for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

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Hotel Designs Editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with Dimitris Manikis, the new Managing Director (EMEA) of  Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to find out more about how he plans to expand the brand as it enters a new chapter…

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality giant with more than 9,000 hotels worldwide, recently announced the appointment of Dimitris Manikis as the company’s new President and Managing Director for Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA).

I met Manikis in a quaint, tucked-away boutique hotel in Soho, London. Wearing what I believe to be the most fabulous glasses in the industry, Manikis’ beaming ear-to-ear smile led me to believe that I would click with him instantly. My first impressions of Manikis was that of surprise. Surprised that someone can remain so calm while carrying the weight of 460 hotels in more than 40 markets in the EMEA (and counting) on his shoulders. We both laughed as we compared glasses and sat down to discuss how he plans to maximise the performance of the group.

Left: Dimitris Manikis Right: Hamish Kilburn

Left: Dimitris Manikis, President and Managing Director (EMEA) for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Right: Hamish Kilburn, Editor Hotel Designs

Hamish Kilburn: What are the Wyndham Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ unique selling points?

Dimitris Manikis: Our brand cannot be replicated. For us, we want to keep the authenticity. We want that to reflect in a way that can marry various cultures and locations. Wyndham Grand in Athens, for example, has a beautiful rooftop bar that overlooks the acropolis. You cannot have an acropolis anywhere in the world. Design is absolutely crucial for our brand. We actually have an Architecture, Innovation and Design team who work in-house, which allows us to continue to create twists in our hotel narratives.

I think, through our USPs, we have helped to make travel more affordable in a very consistent manner.

Wyndham Grand Athens

Image credit: Wyndham Grand Athens

We introduced a soft brand – in terms of allowing properties to have their own attitude and personality. The design-centric Trademark is a brand that is very close to our hearts here in Europe. It’s a brand where you do not box the property into a standard category. We allow each hotel to have its own personality and authenticity, but we allow the team at the hotel the opportunity to piggyback on the group’s distribution and reputation.

HK: What are the basic requirements that guests want when checking in to a hotel?

DM: For them to smile and for them to be happy to be there. We feel, as a franchise model, that we give the owners the flexibility to use the destination as the backdrop and the inspiration.

We want our guests to feel as if they are checking in to a home-from-home, and also that the Wyndham brand is giving them all of their needs to meet the basic requirements of the company DNA (safety, service, etc). Only then can we focus on the add-ons to make our guests feel special. It’s not easy, but our individuality is our key!

DM: I’m not supposed to ask questions, but I will ask anyway. So in your job, what makes you say, ‘that hotel works’?

HK: Do you know what’s really interesting? So many hotels open every day, all over the world. My job is to try to find gems; the hotels that are really worth writing about. Soon after finding a gem, I want to know all about the design story. For example, I reviewed a hotel once that was reopening in Sierra Nirvana in Spain. It wasn’t the location that captured my attention so much than the story behind the renovation. The hotel had in fact burnt down. The same design company that was involved in the original build was commissioned back, and that was the angle for me. It was like watching the hotel rise from the ashes! It was also fascinating to find out which elements the design company changed in the redesign, almost as if they were given a second chance to improve it to create the perfect hotel. The result was amazing!

Wyndham Grand Phuket, Kalim Bay

Image caption: Wyndham Grand Phuket, Kalim Bay

HK: Who is your biggest inspiration?

DM: My dad. He’s the only person I know who does not have a passport. In fact, he has never left Greece.

HK: Where, from a location point of view, is of most interest at the moment?

DM: Honestly, I think everywhere that planes fly to. Our brand is very diverse and that includes opening hotels in tier 2 cities, which we believe is a huge opportunity.

HK: With all the stories in the wider press about Turkey, does the region create any concern for the hotel brand when it comes to opening new properties?

DM: I can tell you that our hotels in Turkey are doing extremely well. We are growing at a fast rate, with 65 properties in Turkey alone, and growing, we are one of the major hotel brands in the region. People will not stop travelling. Where ever travelers go, we plan to be there with a Wyndham hotel to welcome them.

Guestroom at Wyndham Istanbul Kalamis Marina

Image caption: Wyndham Istanbul Kalamis Marina

HK: What advice do you have for people starting out in this industry? 

DM: My personal motto is to have ‘Ethos, pathos and logos’, which translates to ethos, passion and logic. If you have passion, add logic and have a strong, positive ethos then you cannot go wrong, in my opinion.

HK: How did you get into hospitality? 

DM: I originally wanted to study history and psychology in Greece, but someone persuaded me to go into business. I did four years at university studying business before I met the general manager at the Intercontinental in Athens. I applied to be a trainee. I was there for one year and six months. I cleaned more glasses and peeled more potatoes than most people would clean and peel in a lifetime. However, I learnt so much. I remember the GM, he was amazing! He used to carry his notebook around like a John major and had such a grand aura around him. For me, a 22-year-old aspiring to one day be a GM, he was gold. After that, I decided to ditch business to work in hospitality. I came to the UK to study tourism. The rest, as they say, is history – although I’m still not a GM!

As we wrap up our meeting, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to work with Dimitris. The man in retro-orange glasses also had an aura around him – one that was fun, fair and full of energy for the brand.

 

Serious five-star soft furnishings goals

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All month, Hotel Designs is shining the spotlight on Soft Furnishings, Fabrics and Textiles. Here are some five-star examples of hotels that nailed their soft furnishings first time around…

Getting the finer details in the soft furnishings right when it comes to creating an iconic design hotel is vital if you want your guests checking in to your hotel to linger for longer. From small, charming hotels in the country to extravagant palatial buildings, here are top examples of hotels that our editorial team believe got it right first time around.

1) Palazzo Versace Dubai

Image credit: Versace

The hotel that originally planned to open the world’s first refrigerated beach (that’s right, that record is yet to be claimed) blended together the best of hotel design and the catwalk. Here, Donatella Versace and her team injected bling into the guest rooms without even having to use gold. The interiors of this hotel opened to be as timeless as the fashion brand itself!

2) The Swan Southwold, England

Image caption: Project Orange

The Swan Hotel has occupied its current site in the renowned Suffolk coastal town since the 17th Century. Ale has also been brewed on site for more than 650 years and is now the heart of Adnams coastal campus brewery and distillery. The brief for Project Orange was to recreate The Swan as the jewel in the Adnams crown, as the gateway to the brewery complex and as a premium coastal hotel with a vibrant food and drink offer. The Adnams brand and core values are to be at the heart of the new proposals. Project Orange took risks from start the finish in the interior design of the hotel. The result, a highly modern, yet comfortable, hotel that projects the building’s buzzing personality, with the occasional welcome surprise – just look at those bed posts!

3) Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Image caption: Hilton Hotels

In 2015, HBA London completed the interiors of a hotel that went on to completely challenge and change hotel airports forever. No longer was the hotel airport and resting place at a landing strip on the fringes of a city. Lead designer at the time Constantina Tsoutsikou used its iconic location when imagining the interiors. In the oversized atrium, for example, the furniture if viewed from above is designed to replicate an areal point of view of the city, the same perspective that guests would have coming into land at the airport. Genius!

4) Kameha Grand Zurich

Image credit: Kameha Grand

When designing a ‘chocolate suite’, it’s difficult not to become cliche. However, the Kameha Grand Zurich, with its clever interiors, boldly fuses together a playful luxury pad that’s always in the heart of the action.

5) The New York Edition

Image credit: Edition Hotels

Everyone’s favourite home-from-home in the city that doesn’t sleep, the New York Edition’s signature style was created by Ian Schrager. With a further eight openings this year alone, the edition brand, under the creative direction of Schrager, is arguably taking over and redefining the luxury market, one hotel at a time! “All of the Edition hotels are unique, original and one of a kind, embedded with a sense of time and place,” said Schrager.

Main image credit: Edition Hotels

Designing fabrics and soft furnishings with purpose

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Threading together design and sustainability, textiles expert Michelle Tonta explains why sustainable development should be on the minds of all designers when innovating new fabrics, soft furnishings and even flooring…

I, like many designers, adore rich textural surfaces and luscious fabrics, but whilst colour, print and pattern are key principles of fabric selection for interior designers, sustainable development and practice is without a doubt the rising focus in today’s modern design.

Once perceived by many as just a passing trend, sustainable design has never been more important than it is today, but also, never before been so widely discussed. Shocking scenes in BBC’s Planet Earth II portrayed the devastating effects of plastic waste and global warming, prompting a national awakening to the consequences of our actions.

In a global effort to preserve the environment, new research indicates a rise in eco-friendly holidays, with increasing numbers making hotel choices based on its eco-friendly credentials. It is now prevalent that creatives and designers must design with purpose, marrying together stylish aesthetics with design processes that work in harmony with the environment, and not against it.

Woven textile designer and member of Cockpit Arts, Carmen Machado, is just one creative maker taking an active stand on the environmental issue of ocean waste. Machado’s practise consists of repurposing abandoned marine debris, namely ghost netting, and transforming this into unique, hand-woven textiles, suitable for upholstery as well as stand-alone art.

Image caption: Carmen Machado

Machado’s grid-like textiles truly capture the essence of the beach with the bright colours of the sun-bleached netting coming through within the weave. Again, whilst Machado has applied her innovative design process to create furniture and wall hangings, one could argue this interesting response to ocean waste would make for stunning interiors in a beachside boutique hotel. This would simultaneously raise awareness of the issue at hand.

grid-like textiles from Carmen Machado

Image caption: Grid-like textiles from Carmen Machado

Of her work, Machado says: “As an artist and concerned marine lover, my biggest interest is to find a way to both spread awareness about the truth of what we are doing to our oceans and give these materials a new life.”

“Together we set a new standard in large scale bio-based 3D printing, towards a more personal, beautiful and sustainable future” says Dutch company, Aectual. Using huge robotic 3D printers, Aectual prides itself on creating large-scale customisable sustainable floors. The smart robotic technology uses recyclable bioplastic (made from plants) to print the framework, which means there is zero waste in the process.

Manufacturing process of 3d Printing at Aectual

Image caption: Manufacturing process of 3d Printing at Aectual

The fact that this 3D-printed mould material can be fully recycled back into the print cycle presents unparalleled design opportunities for the hotel interior design industry. Originally launched during Dutch Design Week 2017, Aectual has created floors for the likes of Amsterdam Schiphol airport and the Loft Ginza Flagship store in Tokyo. This begs the question of why this sustainable approach has not yet been applied beyond public spaces, and into the world of hotel interiors.

Another fascinating method that could be applied to textile interiors is printing fabrics with ink made from soot particles! It may sound unbelievable, but, in response to the burdening issue of air pollution in India, Graviky Labs, a startup consisting of savvy MIT Media Lab graduates, last year developed a revolutionary technology, KAALINK, that converts carbon emissions from chimneys and vehicles into ink. The outcome has been named AIR INK – a range of markers and inks for designers and artists.

This ingenious transformation from pollutants to tools for art prompted product designer, Kelly Maj Gijsen, to approach the Graviky Labs team and ask if they had yet created ink for textile purposes; they hadn’t. This is where the collaboration began, and Gijsen worked with the team to create a version of Air Ink for use on fabrics. With these inks, Gijsen then produced a range of patterned scarves using 100 per cent organic cotton and dying  the fabrics with natural ingredients such as turmeric, indigo and pomegranate.

These are just three examples of innovative approaches with a nod to the environment in design today, and while the processes have not yet been practiced within the space of hotel interior design, the breadth of opportunity and scope for designing with a purpose is endless. We may not have a Stella McCartney of the interior fabrics world, raising awareness of ethical design, but that certainly doesn’t mean that it should be forgotten about.

These examples also show that sustainable design and process need not mean basic, as some assume, but has the potential to produce textile and surface design that is suitable for, and viable within the luxury interiors market.

Main image credit: Carmen Machado

100% Design announces heavyweight brands and exhibitors

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New roster includes Benchmark, Established & Sons and Dare Studio among others…

100% Design has revealed updates to its exhibitor list for the 2018 show, confirming collaborations with world class brands and the biggest names in design. The show will cover four key areas: Interiors; Kitchens, Bathrooms & Bedrooms; Emerging Brands and, new for 2018, 100% Build London. The return of leading brands and debuts from emerging talent cement the show’s position as a cornerstone event of the London Design Festival.

A powerhouse of British design, Benchmark makes timeless furniture that has soul and integrity. Using traditional craft techniques and innovative technology, each handmade piece effortlessly brings a sense of home to both commercial and residential spaces. On display will be new pieces by Space Copenhagen and Foster + Partners, alongside live workshops demonstrating the brand’s signature craftsmanship. On the stand, Benchmarks craftsmen will be working at their benches producing furniture for live projects. One will be the Gleda Chair designed by Space Copenhagen, destined for the new hotel within Manhattan Loft Gardens, opening in early 2019; the other will be Foster + Partners OVO design for the Cleveland Clinic HQ in Ohio. Visitors will have the opportunity to follow the Benchmark hand-assembly process from start to finish, live each day.

Image caption: L-R Benchmark, Established & Sons

Iconic British design brand Established & Sons returns to 100% Design with an exciting new collection of characterful furniture and lighting designs. New pieces include the Cassette sofa by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, the Barbican chaise by Konstantin Grcic, the Light Light by Dimitri Bähler, the Mauro Chair by Mauro Pasquinelli and the Filigrana Light by Sebastian Wrong. The new collection continues the brand’s practice of supporting a dynamic selection of world-class creators and presenting imaginative products with style and personality.

Known for their contemporary handcrafted furniture, award-winning British design brand Dare Studio returns to 100% Design. On show will be a selection of furniture and lighting products, suitable for both luxury domestic interiors and high specification contract environments. Notable products include: the Riley Coffee Table, a modern classic, which incorporates two tables of varying heights to add flexibility in positioning and function; and the Frida Chair, a modern interpretation of the wingback chair.

International design and lifestyle company YOO will be participating in this year’s show; co-founded by Philippe Starck and John Hitchcox, the company names Marcel Wanders, Kelly Hoppen, Jade Jagger, Mark Davison and Steve Leung as Creative Directors. YOO is responsible for the regeneration of Olympia London and will be exhibiting the masterplan at 100% Design, with Heatherwick Studio, in collaboration with SPPARC Architects, leading the architectural enhancement.

100% Design is dedicated to showcasing a variety of brands from the UK and internationally, across each of the show areas. Brands to watch include Greek furniture brand mono.rocks which sources unique and exquisite stones from around the world and crafts them into artful interior pieces. The brand has relationships with the world’s major quarries, enabling them to reserve pieces of stone that stand out. Designed with the core principles of simplicity and finesse, Bulo’s pieces are understated with a timeless aesthetic. The Belgian brand creates quality furniture with collections that are recognisable for sleek lines and structured shapes. The fundamental idea behind the furniture from Thors Design is that of upcycling, using rustic Azobé wood, sourced from decommissioned Danish wharves. The result is bespoke, hand-made, sustainable furniture with an original raw look and a natural Nordic feel that retains the integrity, history and natural character of the wood.

Image caption: L-R mono.rocks, Bulo, Thors Design

CHOLO.design produce handmade homeware accessories and lighting in natural materials such as bamboo and hemp. The Bristol-based team is dedicated to creating products with a positive impact on consumers and the environment. Cubo by CHOLO, a humble concrete lamp turned upside down, is hand made to order & incorporates an LED bulb and bamboo fitting. Founded in 2016, Proper Copper Design has grown to become the leading online retailer for handmade-to-order copper taps, showers, handles and accessories, shipping products from their Brighton-based workshop to customers across the globe. Trained as a carpenter, director Khan Erkeksoy recognised the potential for the material’s industrial yet warm aesthetic while working alongside other trades. Vincent Sheppard has been designing and manufacturing exceptionally comfortable indoor and outdoor furniture since 1992. New items on show include the Loop Collection (pictured below) and the Roy cocoon; demonstrating simplicity with a modern edge.

Hotel Designs is proud to be a confirmed media partner of 100% Design. 

Wyndham Athens Residence marks Wyndham Hotels & Resorts seventh hotel in Greece

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Wyndham Athens Residence in Greece shelters 89 fully equipped apartment-style suites…

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Zeus International have announced the opening of Wyndham Athens Residence, located in the heart of the Greek capital, on Karaiskaki Square in the Metaxourghio neighbourhood of Athens. Wyndham Athens Residence is Wyndham Hotels & Resorts seventh property in Greece, and the company’s first mixed-use hospitality development in the country.

Wyndham Athens Residence opens featuring a total of 89 fully equipped apartment-style suites, following an extensive renovation and redesign project by hotel management company, Zeus International. Each new guestroom offers a modern and functional design that combines traditional hotel suite design with amenities such as a mini kitchenette, a convertible sofa sleeper, espresso machine and luxurious bathroom products. Flexible connecting rooms, which are easily converted into two-bedroom apartments, make Wyndham Athens Residence a family-friendly option.

Modern facilities at Wyndham Athens Residence also include a business corner, concierge services, smart access with mobile app, VIP check in, a fully equipped fitness centre and a roof top bar and restaurant located on the 6th floor with a stunning view of Athens, Lycabettus and Karaiskaki Square where guests can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast buffet in the morning and snacks, light meals, healthy smoothies and juices at noon and night. Guests can also make the most of the exceptional facilities of the neighbouring Wyndham Grand Athens, including the outdoor pool, spa, parking and restaurants.

“All over the world Greece is known for its historic tradition, vibrant culture and enviable coastlines. With a wealth of fabulous destinations, rich attractions and dramatic coastlines, Greece has something to offer to every type of traveller,” said Dimitris Manikis, President & Managing Director for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in EMEA. “We are incredibly optimistic about the long-term outlook for Greece’s hospitality sector, and today we are so proud to announce the opening of our seventh, and first mixed-use property in the country, just 18 months after Wyndham Hotels & Resorts first debuted in Greece with the opening of Wyndham Grand Athens.”

Hotel Designs’ editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with Dimitris Manikis, President & Managing Director for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in EMEA. Full article is coming soon…  

 

Grade II listed luxury hotel commissions Brintons carpets for extensive refurbishment

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The Principal Manchester commissions Brintons carpets for extensive refurbishment…

Principal Hotel Company Ltd and Starwood Capital Group has commissioned premium carpet manufacturer Brintons to design the carpets for luxury four-star hotel, The Principal Manchester. Brintons created bespoke carpets to suit the hotel’s colour palettes and listed period details.

Recognised by several awards, The £25 million renovation now hosts 270 guestrooms with details that reflect the building’s period, including wood paneling and tiled brickwork. The numerous designs Brintons created for the rooms all reflect the building’s original purpose.

“Our Brintons bespoke carpets are a significant element to the hotel’s renovation,” said Sarah Thorpe, Commercial Business Manager at Brintons. “The design details and colour scheme of the carpets highlight the classic Victorian features, from wood panelling and fireplaces to tiled brickwork, evident in the majority of the venue’s guestrooms and common areas.”

Brintons’ team of leading designers works closely with client project teams to create designs that meet the needs of individual projects of every size, specification and level of design complexity – be they classic, traditional or contemporary in style.

Brintons are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

 

GHM prepares for grand opening of heritage resort Al Bait Sharjah, UAE

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The Middle Eastern hotel market continues to grow as General Hotel Management Ltd announces opening of Al Bait Sharjah…

General Hotel Management Ltd (GHM) has announced September 1, 2018 as the opening date of Al Bait Sharjah, a 53-room property that celebrates the heritage of Arabia and that will stand as GHM’s second property on the peninsula after the award-winning Chedi Muscat.

The news of the opening comes after Lodging Econometrics (LE) reported that the total Middle East pipeline has 594 projects/170,490 rooms and is up this year 23 per cent by rooms Year-Over-Year (YOY).

Developed in partnership with Shurooq (the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority), Al Bait Sharjah makes its debut with a refined level of luxury, sophistication and personalised service never experienced before in the Emirate.

As a critical building block in the region’s largest restoration project, known as ‘Heart of Sharjah’, the opening of Al Bait is a keystone in the re-establishment of Sharjah as the cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates. Paying homage to traditional Sharjah architecture, the heritage resort is rooted to the restored foundations of vintage homes that once belonged to noted Emirati families.

Image caption: Heart of Sharjah

Al Bait, meaning ‘The Home’, is carefully remodelled and designed to provide world-class hospitality services and luxurious experiences to its guests, through elements that are in harmony with culture, society, history and civilisation as well as quintessential Emirati hospitality and etiquette.

“GHM has taken the lead in pioneering luxury hospitality in the Emirate, while connecting the modern traveller to Sharjah’s rich storied past,” said Patrick Moukarzel, the resort’s general manager. “We eagerly look forward to welcoming guests to Al Bait for an experience comparable to no other.”

As GHM’s portfolio continues to expained, it remains committed to its signature Asian-inspired cutting edge design, realised in each new location according to the region’s history and traditions, with great respect for the local environment. Al Bait Sharjah, it seems, will be no exception.

 

The Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa opens as region’s first five-star contemporary hotel

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The Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa is the region’s first five-star contemporary hotel set in the hills above the area’s most famous villages – Champillon and Hautvillers, of Dom Perignon fame…

The storied history of Champagne – the world’s most iconic wine regions – has taken on a new dimension with the launch of the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa. The new hotel has made its debut as the destination’s first contemporary luxury hotel, embracing the lush bounty of the wineries and the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Reimagining a wine-country retreat for all seasons, local Reims-based architect Giovanni Pace has designed the property in the style of a contemporary amphitheatre, incorporating the original 19th Century Post House where it is said that King Charles X of France stopped over before heading to Reims for his coronation. Each of the 49 rooms and suites affords spectacular views of the Champagne valley, appointed with Hermès amenities and state-of-the-art comforts.

Unparalleled views of Champagne

The original property has been closed since 2014 after it was acquired by Boston-based Champagne Hospitality collection, a group of boutique luxury hotels and spas that includes the award-winning Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa in St. Barths. The hotel is led by Nicolas Béliard, formerly General Manager of the Peninsula Paris. “It is my great pleasure and privilege to introduce Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa,” said Béliard. “We have embarked upon something absolutely unique in this very special place, enveloping our guests in a sensory experience that is wholly restorative and as uplifting as the bubbles in a glass of champagne. The beauty of our surroundings will be matched only by the inner sanctuary we have created at Royal Champagne.”

Pool

Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa is home to the region’s first world-class destination spa spanning 16,000ft2.  In partnership with acclaimed French brand Biologique Recherche, the wellness centre comprises nine treatment rooms; state of the art fitness facilities; a wood-lined yoga studio; eucalyptus-infused sauna; manicure and pedicure stations, and a mosaic-tiled Hammam. Completing the experience are two temperature-controlled, chaise longue-lined swimming pools – one indoor, one outdoor – along with dedicated staff who deliver invigorating juice blends and guide guests to multiple relaxation lounges.

The contemporary hotel, nestled into its surroundings, opens as a modern retreat that caters effortlessly to the modern traveller while also embracing both its location and the vast history of the land that it sits on within both its exterior and interior features.

Event setup made simple with Burgess Furniture

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Burgess Furniture launches new space-saving afold table, which has been chosen for the meeting spaces at Belfast’s new Grand Central Hotel…

Priding itself on offering the hospitality industry furniture which couples great designs and exceptional functionality to fit our customer’s needs, Burgess Furniture has launched a new folding table that makes light work of setting up functions and events.

Portable and lightweight, the new A-Fold table is quick to install and fold down thanks to its unique folding mechanism, that secures the legs flat against the table top for minimal storage space.

Available in different styles, such as classic white, contemporary white and timber, the AFold table is designed with user flexibility in mind. Individual tables can be linked together for business group working and modesty panels can be added or removed quickly for user comfort and discreet cable fixing.

The A-Fold table is available in rectangle or round shape and a comprehensive choice of sizes from 150 to 180cm diameter and 120 to 180cm in length.

“Setting up an open area into a dining room, meeting room or conference space can be time-consuming and difficult,” says Craig Kent, Production Director at Burgess Furniture. “The new A-Fold table is designed to make it easy and quick to adapt a room when hosting different types of events.

“The folding mechanism was very carefully designed by our team, to be smooth, safe and simple so that anyone can set the A-Fold table up. “It’s a very practical solution that’s also very stylish, each design was carefully created to ensure it complements existing décor for the professional, quality experience that guests expect.”

Image caption: Burgess Furniture’s A-fold was chosen for the meeting rooms of Belfast’s largest hotel, Grand Central Belfast

With its sleek look and practical design, the A-Fold table is featured in the newly opened five-star Grand Central Hotel Belfast. “The A-Fold was in the very early stages of production when we revealed its design to Hastings  Hotels,” said Ashley Taylor, General Manager at Burgess. “They were immediately impressed, not just by its practicality and how it can be quickly adjusted to suit different types of events, but with its level of quality  – perfect for Northern Ireland’s largest-ever and most luxurious hotel.”

The A-Fold table is the latest new product from innovative furniture maker Burgess, following on from the launch of its Smart Qube flexible hospitality furniture range and Junea chair collection earlier this year.

For more information visit www.burgessfurniture.com

Burgess Furniture are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

The Montcalm Group unveils first boutique townhouse hotel

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The Chilworth is the Montcalm Hotel Group’s newest generation of a boutique townhouse hotel…

Located in a little London hideaway near Paddington, The Chilworth has been designed to merge together both wellbeing and comfort into a traditional townhouse.

With an elegant yet informal atmosphere, the décor of the 124-room hotel blends classical period features with sharp, contemporary design. Designed in-house, every detail of the guest experience has been designed to provide the ultimate in personal service in order to look and feel like a private members club.

“Our approach to enlightened luxury means looking after guests’ wellbeing too,” said a spokesperson from the in-house design team. “As well as a chic restaurant and stylish bar, there’s also a urban spa with jacuzzi, steam room and gym, treatment rooms and even a yoga suite.”

The Chilworth’s compact urban spa features a jacuzzi, gym, steam room and an extensive range of treatments as well as a yoga suite and outdoor yoga classes.

Spa at The Chilworth

“We’re proud to play a part in the Paddington area’s renaissance by restoring a classic English townhouse as London’s newest boutique hotel,” said Montcalm management in a press release. “We wanted to create somewhere our guests can feel a real sense of belonging whenever they’re in town, equally at home relaxing in the cosy bar or sociable lobby lounge as in their room.”

In a peaceful setting, The Chilworth is said to become a popular choice for those who prefer smaller hotels with the personal touch on the fringes of London’s zone one.

Terrace of King's Street Townhouse

Meet Up North: Three days to go!

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On July 18, Hotel Designs will bring the successful networking concept of ‘Meet Up’ up North to Manchester…

There are just three days left in order to secure your place at Meet Up North, the UK’s leading networking event for hoteliers, architects, interior designers and key-industry suppliers.

In the heart of Manchester, King Street Townhouse, which The Telegraph concluded it was “like staying with a rich friend who has extremely good taste”, has been chosen to shelter the Northern soiree. “Manchester, for many reasons, is a hive for hotel design,” said Hamish Kilburn, editor of Hotel Designs. “In particular, with its outstanding terrace on the sixth floor, King Street Townhouse aligns perfectly to our networking event Meet Up North.”

Located within the upper King Street Conservation Area of Manchester city centre, the hotel is an impressive 1870s Italian renaissance building, designed by local architect Edward Salomons for the Manchester Salford Trustees Bank. In 2016, AEW Architects, who will be at the networking event this week, converted the building from an office into the high-end 40-bedroom boutique hotel that stands proud over the city today.

Speaking at Meet Up North will be Fiona Thompson, Principal of Richmond International. Thompson will be sharing her thoughts on past projects, future predictions and the value of collaboration.

Completing the line-up of speakers will be the headline sponsors of the event, Marca Corona, which will provide the audience with an in-depth industry insight and will be available to answer questions after.

Agenda for the evening:

6.00 p.m. – Event starts on the 6th floor terrace and lounge  at the King Street Townhouse
6.30 p.m. – Welcome speech courtesy of Hotel Designs editor, Hamish Kilburn
6.45 p.m. – Headline speech courtesy of Fiona Thompson, Principal of Richmond International
7.00 p.m. – Insights from event Headline Partner, Marca Corona
7.15 p.m. – Canapés are served
9.30 p.m. – Event finishes

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, interior designers and architects; click here to confirm your attendance.

Luxury Bay Suite

London-based interior designer unveils ‘suite dreams’ in Malta

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Malta continues to be a hotel design hot spot as London-based designer unveils 29 luxury suites in Malta’s The Westin Dragonara Resort…

With the arrival of a Hard Rock Hotel slated to open in 2020 and Zaha Hadid Architects winning planning permission to build the 31-storey Murcury House, Malta in the Mediterranean is fast becoming a hotel design hub. Ahead of these grand plans becoming a reality, the most recent hotel renovation is that of the suites of a hotel that first opened its doors in the late ’90s.

Conceptualised by London-based interior designer, Lynne Hunt, the 29 Luxury Bay Suites offer a light and airy design that promotes relaxation, renewal and spectacular views. Taking inspiration from the extraordinary location and the hotel’s passion for wellbeing, all design details champion the natural surroundings, featuring soft hues of Maltese limestone and the turquoise tones of the Mediterranean Sea.

Working with Westin and Marriott, Huny embraced the design ethos of a Westin resort with a biophilia approach to its interiors and design reference. “Our inspiration is the limestone rock of Malta along with the beautiful surrounding Mediterranean Sea,” Hunt explained.

The centrepiece of the Master Bedroom is the award-winning Westin Heavenly® Bed, tilted at an angle to face the window. Guests are invited to relax under the soft mood lighting and recharge with the soundtrack of the soothing ocean that drifts from the connecting terrace.

Image credit: The Westin Dragonara Resort

Overlooking the bedroom and sea beyond is the spacious and elegant ensuite, built with a free-standing bath and walk-in rainfall shower. As well as featuring an open-plan ensuite bathroom, an additional guest bathroom features in the suite, complete with a range of premium White Tea Heavenly Bath toiletries.

“The refurbished Luxury Bay Suites are an extraordinary addition to The Westin Dragonara Resort. The hotel overlooks the tranquil Mediterranean and these new suites really make the most of this unique vista,” said Michael Camilleri Kamsky, General Manager of The Westin Dragonara Resort. “Every element of the suites has been considered to help guests relax and re-energise, from the spacious design, to the unique food and beverage offering. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience the Luxury Bay Suites first hand.”

Other images of the Luxury Bay suites: 

[easingslider id=”31849″]

The open plan living and dining space comes complete with a functional double sofa bed, seating area and kitchenette. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors lead out onto a private and secluded terrace, perfect for al fresco socialising and relaxing. Three of the suites offer two bedrooms, accommodating larger families or accompanying guests.

First opened in 1997, The Westin Dragonara Resort has been at the forefront of Maltese hospitality. Its latest renovation to the 29 suites reference Maltese culture in a soft, sublte and approprate way, mainly through clever colour schemes and Mediterranean-inspired art.

 

Interior of Stand Art Hotel

Top 5 stories of the week: Russian-doll hotels, culture clashes and openings in the City of Design

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Hotel Designs editor Hamish Kilburn breaks down the week with the top five stories…

With our focus this month being on fabrics, textiles and soft furnishings, weaving together this week’s top five stories has been one that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Mitre Linen has put the topic of soft furnishings firmly in the spotlight to unveil new ways in which hotels can stand out from the crowd. In other news, hotel group IHG seems to be going from strength to strength, unveiling yet another Hotel Indigo property, this time in the City of Design in Dundee, Scotland. In rather apt form, with the World Cup final fast approaching, our editorial team have been busy to uncover the best design hotels in Russia. On top of all this, SLEEP + EAT, which takes shelter under a new roof this year at London’s Olympia, has unveiled the themes and designers for this year’s Sleep Sets, while SB Architects unveils two rather unusual hotels in China.

And breathe… Here are the top five stories of the week!

1) IHG Hotel Indigo unveiled in Dundee, the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design 

Modern restaurant

Topping our charts this week is the new arrival of a funky hotel in the City of Design… InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened Hotel Indigo® Dundee, in one of Europe’s rising design destinations – Dundee, Scotland. Once famous for its textiles, the city’s industrial spaces are now filled with artists and collectives, including a thriving gaming community who have helped turn Dundee into the creative heart of the world’s computer games industry.

2) Sleep Sets for SLEEP + EAT 2018 introduces unusual partnerships 

Sleep + Eat has announced the theme for this year’s Sleep Sets, as well as the four design companies inspired to create the concept rooms. The challenge for each designer is to partner with a brand but, in the tradition of Sleep + Eat, these brands are not the usual suspects. HBA London will be working with the Natural History Museum; Denton Corker Marshall will tackle West Ham Football Club; Yasmine Mahmoudieh is to pair with Penguin Modern Classics; and AB Concept will collaborate with Maison Pierre Hermé Paris. Each Sleep Set designer has been tasked with creating a guestroom concept based on their partner brand’s aesthetic and values. Innovative and engaging, the sets will facilitate new and imaginative ways for visitors to interact with the selected brands.

3) East meets west at two new Chateau-style winery boutique hotels in China 

SB Architects has announced several new planned communities and destinations in China, including two new winery boutique hotels. From winery resorts in Dalian and Beijing to mixed-use developments in emerging areas, SB Architects has announced master planned projects for its Chinese clients looking to capitalise on the China’s growing luxury lifestyle industry.

4) SOFT FURNISHINGS: Colour, clean identity and a sprinkle of inspiration from musical icons

Heritage Serenity range from Mitre

Image caption: Heritage Serenity range from Mitre

Simon O’Mahony, Managing Director of Mitre Linen, explains how soft furnishings, linen and colour can help a hotel stand out from the crowd. Hospitality is a congested market, and customers are increasingly discerning with a huge range of options to choose from. In short, it’s crucial to stand out by having a clear identity which extends into every room of your hotel. Having a well-defined offering clearly positions your business and makes it more appealing to particular customers. What’s more, using colour can help bring the values of your business into every room.

5) Top 7 design hotels in Russia

Image Credit: Flickr, Deensel

Riddled in history, Russia holds many hotel gems within its borders. In recent years, hospitality has also been on the rise with a boom in hotel development. TOPHOTELCONSTRUCTION database recently confirmed this by announcing that Russia has 96 projects upcoming hotels that are slated to shelter 18,437 rooms. Of these projects, 49 percent of the hotels are being planned to open in 2021 or beyond, while a whopping 17 per cent are expected to open this year.

With this in mind, and as the eyes of the world focus on the host nation in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup final, our editorial team did some digging to unveil the best design hotels in Russia – and here they are in no particular order.

 

Combining textures and colours at London design aparthotel slated to open this September

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Rockwell East is a new 57-key aparthotel owned by London-based property developers Marldon and designed by Waldo Works with deliberate clashes of textures and bold colours..

Located on the fringes of London’s city centre, Rockwell East is a 57-key aparthotel the ideal destination for travellers who are staying in town for one night or several months. Apartments at Rockwell East are spacious and have all the features of a design-led modern home, with strong colours and textures injected into their interiors.

Accommodation ranges from Studio Apartments to One Bedroom and Family Apartments. The base palette for the rooms is inspired by the patterns and colours of the sky. A theme that is offset by deep inky blues and highlighted by accents and colours that are tailored to each space.

Each apartment has a fully fitted kitchen, free Wi-fi, a dishwasher, washing machine/dryer, safe, Air-conditioning, an HDTV, Merino wool blankets, Egyptian cotton sheets, towelling dressing gowns, soaps and lotions by the White Company, a Nespresso Coffee machine and a welcome breakfast pack by Abel and Cole.

Burgundy, yellows, sepia and brandy tones give a warm aesthetic to the café. Divided into separate areas by soft velvet banquettes, the space also features black steel chairs and lighting, soft cork upholstery and lightly brushed brass for the bar and other dining areas. Offering modern European dining, with classic favourites, the café will focus on good, fresh food and feature a wine menu curated by renowned merchants Goedhuis & Co.

Renowned designers Waldo Works have taken inspiration from the passage of time, night and day, sun and moon throughout the interiors, establishing a restful rhythm for guests. The aparthotel has a strong sense of design and space, while remaining calm and comfortable.

Artist Fergus Hare has been commissioned to present the art throughout the aparthotel, focusing on landscape and skies at peculiar times of the day or from curious perspectives, to create intriguing and beguiling imagery.

“With a strong emphasis on design, mixed with comfort at an affordable price, we hope to create a stand-out experience in the growing London aparthotel market’,” concludes Fred Bartlett, Associate Partner at Marldon.

Supplier list: 

Bedside lights: Waldo Works custom design in Jesmonite
Bed headboard fabric:  Opuzen, RGL R-Market in Granite
Bed throw:  Beatrice Larkin, Monochrome range – designs: point, stamp, rope, line & block
Tables: Waldo Works custom table top finishes by Mass Concrete developed for the project
Work chair: Cizeta ‘Ginger’ chair in black stained Ash Wood and anthracite rope
Art: Fergus Hare throughout – developed with Waldo Works, custom to the project

Guestroom concept at Four Seasons Kuala Lumper

Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur opens as urban hideaway

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It was a collaborative effort to finish the highly anticipated Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur…

Located within a glittering new skyscraper, designed by NRY Architects, adjacent to the iconic Petronas Towers is the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Rising 65 storeys above the bustling streets of the capital below, the new 209-key hotel boasts unparalleled hotel views, which was a major theme in the interior design concept that was taken on by a number of designers.

Exterior shot of the hotel

The 209 rooms (198 guestrooms and 11 suites), designed by Susan Issac (Wilson Associates), are complete with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase dramatic 180-degree views of the city. The interiors are light, airy and have an open feel with soft hues marrying up with luxurious, warm-metal finishes.

Guestroom concept at Four Seasons Kuala Lumper

Image Caption: Guestroom concept at Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur

Ed Ng and Terence Ngan, the international design duo and co-founders of AB Concept curated three unique spaces within the hotel: Yun House, The Lounge and Bar Trigona.

The main dining area, Yun House, is a space where guests are greeted by a decadent courtyard-style reception and elaborate panelled screening. Symbolic of it’s colonial heritage, the mouldings of plumb blossoms, orchids, bamboo and chrysanthemum are the flowers known as the Four Gentlemen in Chinese art and resemble the yearly Four Seasons.

“We always aim to create storytelling designs which bring together the project’s location, history, and the brand itself,” explains Ng. “The very creation of the design concept is what makes this project unique. The biggest challenge, as with all AB Concept projects, is putting ourselves in the mindset of a fictional character at the location, in order to dream up details which truly connect with the values of the place and the local people.”

The Lounge at the Four Seasons, which directly overlooks Kuala Lumpur’s central park, is located on the sixth floor of the hotel and exudes an opulent yet welcoming feel of an antique collector’s home and naturally integrates with the urban scene beneath. The calming ambiance created through the use of rattan is further enhanced by an abundance of light surrounding the communal-style seating area and the greenery outside of the windows. “We researched traditional Malaysian homes and how they would be lived in, and experienced, in order to create a comforting yet refined space,” said Ng when describing the inspiration of The Lounge. “Our stem concept was a colonial residence inhabited by a collector of antiques, generating a sense of nostalgia and bygone romanticism in the design. It was important to veer away from the traditional dark woods and heavy fabrics usually found in antique-filled rooms, and instead create a space that reflected the panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur’s Central Park, so we used pastel fabrics, blond woods and ivory marble as well as soft greens and yellows, combined with lacquered baluster tables and wicker-back chairs.”

The Lounge at Four Seasons Kuala Lumper

Image caption: The Lounge at Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur

Elsewhere, hidden in plain sight, the urban yet sophisticated socialising space at Bar Trgona is adorned by calming shades of imperial blue and teal, and poses as a reserved escape from the surrounding vibrant restaurant. Incorporating leather, glass and bronze, materials traditionally used in Malaysian crafts, the bar space embraces the connection to the cityscape backdrop, whilst the use of shutters on surrounding columns draw on the connection between East and West

For the General Manager of the hotel Tom Roelens and his team of dedicated service specialists, it’s the end of one long journey of preparation, and the start of a new one as they welcome their first guests.  “As the hotel has come to life, we have looked forward to the day when it would be filled with people – international travellers in the city for business or leisure, local guests in our restaurants and spa, and the many residents who are becoming part of the extended Four Seasons family here in Kuala Lumpur.”

In addition to sophisticated and stylish guestrooms and F&B areas, the hotel shelters 1,821 square metres (19,016 square feet) of flexible, state-of-the-art event spaces comprising two exquisitely designed ballrooms and four meeting rooms.

SOFT FURNISHINGS: Colour, clean identity and a sprinkle of inspiration from musical icons

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Simon O’Mahony, Managing Director of Mitre Linen, explains how soft furnishings, linen and colour can help a hotel stand out from the crowd…

Hospitality is a congested market, and customers are increasingly discerning with a huge range of options to choose from. In short, it’s crucial to stand out by having a clear identity which extends into every room of your hotel. Having a well-defined offering clearly positions your business and makes it more appealing to particular customers. What’s more, using colour can help bring the values of your business into every room.

Colour experts Pantone have outlined eight key palettes which will lead colour trends in 2018. Understanding and integrating these into hotel rooms will help to emphasise the luxurious decadence of a countryside spa or add a splash of vibrancy to a city centre base. What’s more, using soft furnishings and linen to celebrate these trends is an attractive and luxurious alternative to a complete overhaul, without the associated expense. These eight trends are:

Playful

Playful colours are for those who don’t take life too seriously. With a palette dominated by yellows and lime greens, these shades can work brilliantly in informal communal spaces such as coffee bars and dining spaces. Bringing this trend into individual rooms can add a zest of bright playfulness, whilst throw cushions are the ideal way of adding a spark which can still be moved to reveal the blissful tranquillity of classic white bed linen.

Discretion

Pantone suggest that Discretion is Playful’s more responsible elder sibling, offering refinement and subtlety to quality hotel spaces. Led by rustic elderberry and fern tones, Discretion is a vital part of the luxurious accoutrements of bespoke accommodation. Use it to draw the eye to finishing touches such as Mitre Linen’s Chatsworth or Reflections bed runners.

Heritage Serenity range from Mitre

Image caption: Heritage Serenity range from Mitre Linen

Verdure

Taking its name from lush greenery, the Verdure palette is all about emphasising health and vitality. Perfect for spas, country retreats and eco-conscious premises, typical Verdure colours include paler celery greens and organic berry purple. The Comfort Enigma massage couch cover from Mitre Linen is ideal for offering Verdure’s serene and relaxing qualities, whilst Nova towels are available in mint green tones for a delicious alternative to classic white spa towels.

Far-fetched

Far-fetched but not inconceivable, this palette is all about recreating the fragrances of a Moroccan bazaar or the sights and sounds of a bustling Beijing backstreet. Warm, earthy and terracotta tones dominate here, highlighted with carefully chosen rose and peach items. Why not try using Mitre Linen’s Mocha sheets and valances as a basis for your exotic oasis and draw customers’ eyes with contrasting finishing touches.

Hint: Before committing to the far-fetched palette – make sure it suits your location – will guests expect an exciting and exotic experience?

Resourceful

Are you feeling brave? The Resourceful palette explodes with bold contrasts of rich velvet blues and classic burned oranges. Redefining classic 1960’s London chic, Resourceful requires flair and creativity to integrate into your hotel rooms and can be built around signature pieces of period furniture. Dazzle patterns are also great for creating pulsating clashes that make for memorable spaces.

Of course, this palette isn’t necessarily associated with rest and relaxation, so party-oriented boutiques and socially-driven aparthotels are Resourceful’s key markets. Build a bold backdrop with the geometric pattern of Mitre Linen’s Essentials Sweden curtains or introduce the rich blues of the Essentials Spectrum navy collection.

TECH-nique

As the name may suggest, TECH-nique celebrates the rise of technology and the way this influences our lives. Frosted colours dominate here, as do hot flamingo pinks and turquoise tones. TECH-nique embraces utilitarian and simple design and is the efficient way to add quirk to entry level rooms. Use sparingly and rely on the enduring appeal of clean and crisp whites in order to carry this palette.

Intricacy

Intricacy is an abundance of neutral metallics with flourishes of dramatic berry red and yellow. Ideal for glorifying a penthouse suite or creating dramatic dining and entertaining spaces, Intricacy needs to be led by bold furniture choices and celebrated with the luxurious feel and striking looks of Mitre Linen’s Sovereign bedspreads.

Intensity

Pantone’s final palette is easily their most bold. Intensity is… intense. Blacks and golds make for intensely strong looks for that strictly presidential vibe. Whilst obviously not suitable for an entire room, carefully using Intensity can create dramatic dressing spaces and premium, luxurious suites.

Nostalgia Sky runners from Mitre Linen

Image caption: Nostalgia Sky runners from Mitre Linen

What’s fashionable for hotel rooms in 2018?

Pantone’s Colour of The Year rings throughout the fashion world and 2018’s colour is Ultra-Violet. As Pantone state: “Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality.”

In such a competitive and unpredictable hospitality environment, maybe adding some Bowie to your bedrooms isn’t a bad idea.

Modern restaurant

IHG Hotel Indigo unveiled in Dundee, the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design

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Interior design firm Graven completes IHG Hotel Indigo Dundee…

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened Hotel Indigo® Dundee, in one of Europe’s rising design destinations – Dundee, Scotland. Once famous for its textiles, the city’s industrial spaces are now filled with artists and collectives, including a thriving gaming community who have helped turn Dundee into the creative heart of the world’s computer games industry.

Dundee is the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design and will be home to the soon to open V&A Dundee – Scotland’s first design museum, making it an even more desirable city break destination for the arts and culture-inclined. It also boasts a generous offering of theatres, museums, galleries and shopping destinations, with world famous golf courses on its doorstep, including St Andrews. The city’s cultural quarter features the award-winning Dundee Contemporary Arts centre, the Dundee Rep Theatre and the Sensation Science Centre as well as an array of restaurants and cafes.

Transformed from a 200-year-old jute mill, the 102-key Hotel Indigo Dundee, designed by Graven, sits between the waterfront and the heart of the shopping district. Rich in history, the first spinning mill was built on the site in 1822 by the Baxter family who became one of the world’s largest linen manufacturers. Respectfully renovated, the hotel’s three room designs are inspired by Dundee’s past and present and feature the original vaulted brickwork ceilings.

Standard room at Hotel Indigo Dundee

Image caption: Standard room at Hotel Indigo Dundee

The Dundee Cake room brings in discreet marmalade motifs throughout the room with jute curtains. The Comic room is inspired by DC Thompson, the famous publishing house that had a famous comic called ‘Black Bob’ about a sheepdog that saved the day, with sheepdog commands hidden in the dado rails. The Gaming room is reflective of Dundee’s thriving computer game industry, the birth place of Grand Theft Auto. Secret gaming codes can be spotted within the dado rail, and literature found within the room celebrates Dundee’s unique links to the video game industry. Beds are finished with blankets by a local textile designer, Hilary Grant, whose work is inspired by waves breaking on the River Tay.

Hotel Indigo Dundee’s restaurant and bar, Daisy Tasker, offers guests a contemporary spin on traditional Scottish dishes with an abundance of fresh seafood, prime cuts of meat and locally-grown fresh vegetables. It is named in honour of a much-loved weaver who organised activities for the jute mill workers and, true to the original Daisy’s sociable spirit, the restaurant is set to be the ideal spot for family and friends to eat and drink together.

Daisy Tasker Bar

Image caption: Daisy Tasker Bar

“We are extremely excited to be opening our doors to guests. This is a unique and beautiful hotel and through clever design, we’ve really brought its heritage to the forefront,” said William Inglis, General Manager at Hotel Indigo Dundee. “This city has recently been voted as one of the best cities to visit in 2018 and its rich culture is showcased throughout the city. With the opening of the V&A later this year, we look forward to welcoming guests from the globe and have no doubt that they will fall in love with Hotel Indigo and everything this incredible city has to offer.”

Inspired by the neighbourhood around each property so just as no places are alike, no two Hotel Indigo® properties are the same. Each Hotel Indigo property features thoughtful design touches and vibrant restaurants and bars connected to the spirit of the local neighbourhood. There are currently 27 Hotel Indigo properties in Europe with another 17 due to open in the next three – five years.

 

Wilton Carpet Urban Range

A new urban landscape from Wilton Carpets

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Urban is the latest ready-to-go carpet range by Wilton Carpets…

The latest ‘Ready to Go’ carpet range from Wilton Carpets captures echoes of urban decay and regeneration for hospitality environments seeking fresh takes on modern carpet design.

Urban Contour, available in five colourways from the brand-new Creations palette, reveals an abstract multi-tonal base through a diffracted interconnecting and spiralling hexagon motif. Urban Terrain takes a similar background, dominant beneath a heavily broken grid in a design reflecting the decaying, rusted and Verdigris surfaces so familiar in the city landscape; also available in five colourways from the Creations palette.

In colourways such as Burnt Copper, Gun Metal, Fjord, Granite, Karma and Demerara, Urban owes much of its modern feel to the latest Ready to Go colour palette. “We’ve developed the Creations palette to provide complementing and contrasting colours perfect for use in hotels, entertainment and leisure venues, civic spaces and heritage buildings,” explained Damian Roscoe, head of creative at Wilton Carpets. “Urban is among the first Ready to Go range to embrace its use and shows just how this dynamic palette can bring a broad scope in colourways perfect for today’s design-demanding venues.”

Woven on axminster looms in Wiltshire, Urban is crafted from 80 per cent pure new wool and 20 per cent nylon to provide an affordable, long-lasting blend in an enduring eight-row quality perfect throughout demanding public areas. It joins Havana and Nova Scotia as Ready to Go ranges featuring the brand-new Creations palette.

As with all ‘Ready to Go’ collections, Urban is available on a 14-day fast-turnaround with no minimum order quantity.

Wilton Carpets are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

 

100% Design announces 2018 lead speakers

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With just over two months to go, 100% Designs has confirmed two more leading designers who will speak at this year’s event…

100% Design has confirmed two leading designers to speak at this year’s event. Both Thomas Heatherwick from Heatherwick Studio and Marcel Wanders who has designed interiors for the likes of Hyatt Hotels, KLM and Louis Vuitton will open Talks on Wednesday 19 September and Thursday 20 September respectively.

Leading brands like Benchmark and Established & Sons will be showcasing their latest products at the show in Olympia, whilst new features like 100% Futures spearheaded by Max Fraser and 100% Forward curated by Barbara Chandler, Design Editor, Homes & Property, London Evening Standard will ensure this year’s event is an unmissable destination during London Design Festival.

The show is said to be the destination for architects and designers to discover interior design trends and emerging talent during London Design Festival.

Click here to register and keep up-to-date with the latest show announcements.

East meets west at two new Chateau-style winery boutique hotels in China

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SB Architects has announced several new planned communities and destinations in China, including two new winery boutique hotels…

From winery resorts in Dalian and Beijing to mixed-use developments in emerging areas, SB Architects has announced master planned projects for its Chinese clients looking to capitalise on the China’s growing luxury lifestyle industry.

“Master planned projects continue to emerge in China, providing more opportunities for a luxury lifestyle that provides a sense of place through amenities, services and experiences,” said Scott Lee, president of SB Architects. “Our planned communities are distinct in that the design incorporates natural surroundings and local culture in order to create a solid sense of place. We look to tie in new brands, new experiences and new destinations through comprehensive design and planning. We’re delighted to be part of this growing trend and to be able to provide our clients with this expertise.”

Slated to open in end of 2018, Golden Pebble Winery in Dalian China is the first winery resort to open in China’s Liaoning Province. Set in the mountain valley with designs inspired by farmhouses, Golden Pebble Winery will encompass a true master plan concept, with a welcome center, full-production winery, a boutique hotel, and commercial and residential villages. The Liaodong Peninsula is known for beaches, golfing and temperate climate, and the design reflects this with building forms and materials that reinforce the authenticity of a warm environment. Located on 200 hectares, the resort is surrounded by hillside villages, with the residences tucked into upper reaches of the hills, providing expansive views of surrounding vineyards.

Exterior of Golden Pebble Winery

Image caption: Exterior of Golden Pebble Winery

Luneng Wen’an Winery & Hotel opened in 2018, and includes two hotels and a full production winery on a picturesque lakeside site south of Beijing. SB Architects’ first winery resort to open in China, the resort provides a luxury experience surrounded by water, botanical gardens and nearby vineyards. The 400-room hotel designed with a rustic sophistication sits upon an island in the middle of the lake, and the European Chateau-style winey sits at the opposite end of the body of water. The nearby mixed-use village town center features retail-space and residences in the upper levels.

Exterior of Luneng Wen’an Winery & Hotel

Image caption: Exterior of Luneng Wen’an Winery & Hotel

SB Architects’ other projects in China include Dragon Elephant Valley International Resort in Nanning, Guangxi, Mission Hills Volcanic Mineral Springs & Spa, LiHu Golf Resort in Hainan, Jade Shores in Qingdao, and Hilton Fuxian Lake in Kunming.

Image credits: SB Architects

Anantara Mai Khao Jim ThompsonSuite Living

Anantara Mai Khao Phuket villas features Phuket’s first Jim Thompson silk-inspired villa

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Jim Thompson shared his love of Thailand by bringing hand-woven Thai silks to the world, complementing perfectly the Anantara passion for authentic luxury…

The finest textiles from the famed Jim Thompson collection enhances the splendid two-bedroom villas already available at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas.

A sweeping sanctuary nestled in 389 sqm of tropical Bill Bensley gardens, the Two Bedroom Royal Villa by Jim Thompson is just steps from Mai Khao’s white-sand beaches and Anantara Mai Khao’s many delights. Two bedrooms and a living room overlook a private 67-sqm pool with a spacious sun deck, while a traditional Thai sala extends over the serene lagoon.

Drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings of Mai Khao, the villa impeccably blends Jim Thompson fabrics into its designs. The living room is filled with fabrics shaded blue and white for a nautical feel, offset by woods with sandy hues. Both bathrooms tempt with terrazzo bathtubs and open-air, but secluded, showers. The villa’s flooring is natural Thai Makha, a rare hardwood highly prized for its gorgeous patina and unique grains. Classic Thai Pikul flower designs adorn the internal doors and mini bar. Elegant Thai artwork and carvings leave no question of the Jim Thompson Villa’s Thai heritage.

Anantara Mai Khao Jim Thompson Suite

Image caption: Anantara Mai Khao Jim Thompson Suite

The master bedroom’s centrepiece is Jim Thompson’s Heliconia Dreamin’, inspired by the exotic Heliconia flower that still flourishes at Jim Thompson’s former home, creating a vibrant lightness that extends to the swimming pool and sala. The twin bedroom features Floriental, a whimsical print of birds and butterflies frolicking among peonies, for a playful atmosphere overlooking the pool and gardens.

“We have a passion for enhancing our pool villas so that guests can enjoy the full beauty of Anantara Mai Khao, inside and out,” explains Nikolaus Priesnitz General Manager of Anantara Mai Khao. “The Two-Bedroom Royal Villa by Jim Thompson offers a secluded retreat with luxury amenities and is ideal for families, while highlighting the gorgeous designs of a truly beloved Thai treasure.”

The sumptuousness extends beyond the exquisite design. Welcomed with flowers and fresh fruit juices on arrival, guests can proceed directly to the Two Bedroom Royal Villa by Jim Thompson so that they can unpack and settle in while checking in. Along with the Anantara Spa products provided in every villa, a complimentary set of the Bvlgari Guest Collection awaits, as well as the renowned Anantara personalised Villa Host service.

In all of July we are exploring Soft Furnishings and Textiles & Fabrics as our ‘Spotlight On’ features. If you have a project, or product, in this area of the market that you would like Hotel Designs to review, please get in touch with editor Hamish Kilburn (h.kilburn@forumevents.co.uk). 

 

Modern bathroom

Sleek storage meets integrated technology in Roca’s new furniture unit

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The new bathroom furniture unit from Roca combines sleek storage with subtle technology…

Bathroom specialist Roca has announced the launch of the Stratum-N Bluetooth® connected furniture unit. With high demand for innovative technology in the bathroom space, Roca is among the bathroom specialists leading the way with this newly re-designed furniture unit that perfectly combines technology and a stylish design.

“With Stratum-N we have added the technological component people are starting to request but in a subtle way, so the design and aesthetics are not compromised,” said Claire Gay, Sector Marketing Manager at Roca. “Stratum-N takes bathroom design to the next level, where design and technology intertwine.”

Image caption: Roca’s Stratum bathroom furniture

Hidden discreetly under the drawers are integrated Bluetooth® speakers, which can project sound comfortably yet effectively around the bathroom. The unit also benefits from internal LED lighting which can be activated at the touch of a button.

The Stratum-N base unit comes with one or two deep-set, soft close drawers and optional organising boxes to provide sectioned storage for family toiletries and products. Choose from 900mm, 1100mm or 1300mm, wall-hung or vanity, single or double basin options to create a unit that fits perfectly in any desired bathroom space. A complementary reversible column unit is also available to add more storage space. The full range of furniture comes in either Yosemite or Gloss White finishes.

The new Naia brassware collection from Roca complements the range perfectly while the Prisma LED comfort mirror adds a finishing touch to the whole bathroom.

Sleep Sets for SLEEP + EAT 2018 introduces unusual partnerships

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Sleep + Eat has announced the theme for this year’s Sleep Sets, as well as the four design companies inspired to create the concept rooms…

image caption: Yasmine Mahmoudieh

Sleep + Eat has announced the theme for this year’s Sleep Sets, as well as the four design companies inspired to create the concept rooms. The challenge for each designer is to partner with a brand but, in the tradition of Sleep + Eat, these brands are not the usual suspects. HBA London will be working with the Natural History Museum; Denton Corker Marshall will tackle West Ham Football Club; Yasmine Mahmoudieh is to pair with Penguin Modern Classics; and AB Concept will collaborate with Maison Pierre Hermé Paris. Each Sleep Set designer has been tasked with creating a guestroom concept based on their partner brand’s aesthetic and values. Innovative and engaging, the sets will facilitate new and imaginative ways for visitors to interact with the selected brands.

Image caption: Angela Dapper

Angela Dapper of Denton Corker Marshall states: “We are looking forward to unleashing our creativity on this year’s Sleep Set. It is energising to start from ground zero and execute our own creative ideas without constraint. We will be working on a West Ham themed room but in an unexpected way. We have extracted the theme to symbolise the layers of history and culture that surround the club. Our concept room is called ‘The 12th Player’ as it represents the idea of looking at the club from the outside in.”

Having designed a Sleep Set back in 2013, Yasmine Mahmoudieh says that she is “thrilled to have been invited to design one once more. I feel that having Penguin as a brand partner is the perfect fit for me, as I have always had a huge passion for reading and working with the publishing company leaves a great deal of room for creativity.”

Image caption: Constantina Tsoutsikou

“Throughout our work, whether we are designing a boutique property, a private family home or for an international hotel group, we pride ourselves in expressing the essence and values of our client through design”, says HBA London’s Creative Director, Constantina Tsoutsikou. “Working with a world-renowned brand with its own visual vocabulary and identity such as the Natural History Museum is the perfect challenge for us and our Sleep Set will delve into ideas such as nature, exploration, discovery and environmental impact.”

Ed Ng and Terence Ngan of AB Concept state that they are always excited to tackle interesting and unique design issues that evolve around a specific theme. “We are keen to be working with the renowned and well-recognised luxury brand, Pierre Hermé Paris, and look forward to finding an angle that captures the interest and enthusiasm of our peers and Sleep + Eat’s many visitors.”

Image caption:Ed Ng and Terence Ngan

Sleep + Eat will take place on Tuesday 20 – Wednesday 21 November 2018 in the National Hall, Olympia, London. For more information and to register for a complementary pass, visit www.sleepandeatevent.com

Main image credit: SLEEP + EAT

Decorex International announces latest Future Heritage makers

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Stellar additions to this year’s Decorex line-up will offer new perspectives on materiality…

Renowned applied arts critic and curator of Future Heritage, Corinne Julius, returns to Decorex International (16 – 19 September, Syon Park) with a carefully selected group of designers who represent the pinnacle of contemporary craft making…

Plastic Boroque side table, 2013, by James Shaw

Image caption: Plastic Boroque side table, 2013, by James Shaw

Joining multi-disciplinary studio Glithero, glassblower Jochen Holz, and the ceramicist Kaori Tatebayashi for this year’s edition of Future Heritage is South London-based James Shaw, the experimental product and furniture designer. Shaw will create new pieces, including a fountain, console table, stools and vessels that build upon ‘Plastic Baroque’, his acclaimed series in which he uses a hand-operated gun that extrudes recycled plastic to create furniture. ‘Plastic Baroque’ challenges the contemporary perception of plastic and asks, ‘how can plastic be used better?’

Metal-smith Rebecca de Quin also joins this year’s line-up. She will be making three new, large-scale patinated wall panels that include detachable vessels, which can be used as bowls or platters. Combining copper and brass with steel and sterling silver, de Quin will use patination – the process whereby changes in the surface of a metal are induced by the application of chemicals and heat – to alter the colour and texture of her material. Hand-applied textures and finishes will create further contrasts, offering an innovative and unexpected aesthetic. De Quin is a maker whose work is driven by beauty and function. She employs abstract geometry to create simple, streamline forms that are often the result of vigorous technical experimentation.

Vase with Blue collar by Rebecca de Quin

image caption: Vase with Blue collar by Rebecca de Quin

Founded by Turkish twins, Begum and Bike Ayaskan, Studio Ayaskan is a London-based, experimental design studio. For Future Heritage the duo will develop ‘Trace’, a clock that uses a UV-activated, light sensitive liquid solution to create a fluctuating cycle of colour as time passes. Accompanying it will be a new design with the same concept: a self-standing clock that projects the passage of time on to the wall behind it.

They will also show a cluster of table lamps featuring liquid optics that project patterns and rippling rainbows onto the table below and ceiling above – an evolution of initial experiments undertaken during the Designers’ in Residence programme at London’s Design Museum. All their work explores themes of nature, time, light and interconnectivity. Katrin Spranger will evolve her ‘Aquatopia’ collection for 2018’s Future Heritage. Made by electroforming copper and combining it with glass containers, the primary materials for the transit and storage of water, her intricately crafted glasses, jug and containers will straddle the line between function, imagined function and aesthetic quality. Her vessels look beautiful but also investigate the human impact on water supplies, in which pure water is on the verge of extinction.

Karlyn Sutherland has been working with glass since 2009. For Future Heritage she will present a series of fused, wall-mounted installations, the surfaces of which are uniform and flat. The effect will be an illusion of depth created by overlapping planes of subtle colour, reminiscent of the ephemeral qualities and memories of light within spaces Karlyn has visited. The material and her studies in architecture are both central to her work, which explores the relationship between people and places. A play between light and shadow allows her to convey atmosphere, emotion and narrative.

Jewellery designer Marlene McKibbin and textile designer Alison White will work as a duo for the first time. The designers, who have been firm friends since they began their careers in the 1970s, were encouraged to collaborate by Future Heritage curator Corinne Julius, who saw potential in the combination of KcKibbin’s high impact dyed resins and White’s use of print. Both makers are masters of colour. The result of this partnership is a series of LED table lamps, which mark a new direction for both makers.

Also investigating colour is Royal College of Art recent graduate, Jie Wu, who will showcase miniature boxes made in wood and resin; materials which clash and merge in different conditions to create a variety of marble-like patterns. Wu’s investigation of the contrast between the natural and the artificial, explores a world where the impact of manmade materials is leaving an indelible mark on the face of the planet.

Curator Corinne Julius comments: “Future Heritage offers a fantastic platform for these makers to expand their ideas and develop new work to present to Decorex’s design-minded audience. I spend a lot of time in their studios, taking with them to ensure that they take the opportunity to develop and present their most exciting new work.”

Terrace of King's Street Townhouse

Meet Up North: one week to go

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Calling all designers, architects, hoteliers and key-industry suppliers: There is now just one week left until Hotel Designs takes the successful networking experience, Meet Up, up north to King Street Townhouse in Manchester…

On July 18, designers, architects, hoteliers and key-industry suppliers will gather in Manchester’s King Street Townhouse for the first ever Meet Up North.

The event, which aims to bridge the gap between hoteliers, architects, interior designers and key-industry suppliers, is your chance to meet up and networking with many of the leaders and visionaries in the industry.

The latest confirmed attendees include architects from DV8 Designs, JSA Design and Project M as well as representatives from Marriott V&A and CitySuites.

The evening will include a welcome speech from the Hotel Designs editor Hamish Kilburn as well as talks from Richmond International’s principal Fiona Thompson and Marca Corona, which is the headline sponsor of the event.

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Last chance to register

Time and allocations are running out quickly. In order to secure your place at the first ever Meet Up North, follow the instructions below.

If you are a hotelier, architect, designer or supplier and would like to also benefit from the event, there are very limited spaces available.

If you are a supplier, click here to book your place.

If you are hotelier, interior designer or architect, click here to secure your place.

 

Image of Phoebe

Hotel Designs expands sales team with new media sales executive

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Hotel Designs is pleased announce the arrival of Phoebe Kasapi as the brand’s new media sales executive…

Phoebe Kasapi has been appointed as media sales executive at Hotel Designs, marking the continued growth of the leading hotel design website for interior designers, architects, hoteliers and industry suppliers. Having previously worked for Sky Media as a sales assistant, Kasapi brings with her to the role a wealth of experience in order to help grow the business, service clients and monitor campaigns.

The new media sales executive joins Hotel Designs at a vital time ahead of two major events, Meet Up North and Brit List.“We are thrilled to be welcoming Phoebe to the team,” said Katy Philips, publisher of Hotel Designs. “Phoebe’s timing couldn’t be better – Hotel Designs has had a fantastic start to the year. Not only are we experiencing record traffic to the website, but we have also witnessed a sell-out Hotel Summit and huge interest in our Meet Up networking events.”

Kasapi will work across all of the publication’s key products as well as working closely with our recommended suppliers while establishing relationships with interior designers, architects and hoteliers.

In addition, she will play a key role in the Hotel Designs Brit List 2018, which now includes a host of awards to recognise industry greats.

If you are attending our Manchester Meet Up next week on July 18th, then please look out for Phoebe and the rest of Hotel Designs team.

To contact Phoebe directly, please email p.kasapi@forumevents.co.uk, or call +44(0)1992 374059

 

Spaces, objects and colours at the heart of new design hotel in Milan

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“Savona 18 Suites” is a new hotel designed by Aldo Cibic in the heart of Milan…

Design firm Cibic Workshop has transformed a typical Milanese casa di ringhiera (a traditional tenement with communal balcony) into a design hotel. In the heart of Milan sits Savona 18 Suites, which has been created for the Blu Hotels group.

An operation that began with the refurbishment of an abandoned 20th century building that Aldo Cibic has brought back from the brink. In so doing he has preserved its architectural image and managed to retain the authentic flavour of the Milanese courtyard: representative of the “style” typical of that period. The result is a hotel that evokes a mansion, an intimately friendly place that offers its visitors the unique experience of living the atmosphere of age-old Milan. And all just a stone’s throw from one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan districts of the city.

Courtyard of hotel

The retro structure forms a great balance with the contemporary furnishings and interior design project, which effectively reflects thinking and aesthetics dear to Cibic’s heart.

The lobby has been designed to reflect a real art gallery. The desk at the entrance is reminiscent of an off-scale Tibetan cabinet, while the yellow mosaic bench, together with the wall graphics, contrast with the neutral tones of the room to create an effect of warm minimalism. Sofas, carpets, chandeliers, mirrors and accessories, signed Cibic and Paola C. by Cibic adorn the living room and the “Petit Cafè”, giving a touch of colour and refined, contemporary inspiration to the rooms. “A cosy living room, with many things lumped together like different fruits”, explains Cibic.

The inner courtyard of 310 square metres has been transformed with sofas and armchairs into a large open-air living room, in which a mural signed by Cibic himself stands out. The large courtyard – that the most exclusive suites look out on to – is designed to be a space open to all, in which the experience of the Milanese casa di ringhiera can be felt strongly

Savona 18 Suites consists of 43 rooms, all furnished in different ways to offer a wealth of choice even to frequent clients who are always on the lookout for original experiences. The furnishings vary from vintage objects to contemporary design, with paintings, colours, woods and fabrics that give each room a unique character and personality.

Contemporary interiors with strong accents of colour

The furnishings of the rooms, as well as those of the common areas, can be purchased by guests, to allow everyone to take home little finds: a sign of the growing relationship between interior design and customer experience. A more and more widespread trend in the fashioning of accommodation on the borderline between art galleries and meeting places. Cibic’s playful design and visions accompany guests from their arrival to their return home, in an enveloping mix of art gallery and living room.

“I lived Savona 18 as a mansion house, in the sense of turning it into an intimately friendly place in the centre of Milan’s fashion and design district. When you go out into the courtyard you enter the profoundly Milanese experience of living in a casa di ringhera, while the mural cites an incomplete skyline, poetic in its muted colours”, said Aldo Cibic.

 

Boutique special: five fabulous floors that won’t blow the budget

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From stunning multi-tone herringbone to classic black and white ‘tiles’, we’ve rounded up five fabulous (and affordable) floors that are suitable for boutique hotels on a budget…

Today’s manufacturing techniques mean the latest laminate and vinyl floors are almost impossible to tell apart from real stone, wood and ceramic – which puts luxe-look flooring within reach even of those of us on the tightest of boutique hotel design budgets. Here are five fabulous and affordable floors.

1) UK Flooring Direct Series Woods 12mm Liguria Oak Laminate is a gorgeous chocolate-toned wood-effect floor that will add instant warmth to any space. Meticulous attention to detail in the design, including a textured surface that follows the ‘grain’ of the surface layer and classic-length planks with bevelled edges, give this handsome and hardwearing floor an incredibly authentic look and feel, but as a laminate, Series Woods Liguria Oak offers a wealth of practical benefits, too. Its AC4 Heavy Domestic rating makes it suitable for areas of traffic such as living spaces, kitchens and hallways, and it requires minimal maintenance – just vacuum regularly and wipe off any marks with a damp mop or cloth.

Image credit: Series Woods 12mm Laminate Flooring Liguria Oak, £12.99 per square metre, UK Flooring Direct. 02476 012 840. www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk

2) An eye-catching mix of dark coffee and latte oak tones, Avenue Ultimate Timber PU Pamera vinyl flooring puts a fresh spin on herringbone, 2018’s hottest flooring trend. Capturing the beauty of wood through its subtle grain markings and authentic textured surface, it offers the additional durability and ease of maintenance you’d expect from a quality cushion vinyl, and includes a Superguard top layer that gives protection against spills and stains. While a genuine herringbone wood floor is one of the most expensive floors to fit, Pamera vinyl comes in two-, three- and four-metre lengths that are a breeze to install, giving you a wow factor floor that’s refreshingly easy on your wallet.

Image credit: Ultimate Timber Pamera, £18.99 per square metre, Avenue Floors. www.avenuefloors.co.uk

3) For a high-end, sophisticated look that screams ‘luxury’, few materials can beat polished stone – but it comes at a hefty price. With a textured surface that mimics the feel of real stone, Factory vinyl flooring from Leoline’s Luxury Trends Collection is both good looking and hard working, offering enhanced noise-reducing and thermal benefits (namely a 20db Super acoustic rating and a TOG rating of 0.36). With added R10 slip resistance, it’s ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, or anywhere in the home that spills are common place.

Image credit: Luxury Trends Factory, £19.99 per square metre, Leoline. www.leoline.co.uk

4) Cheat your way to a classic chequerboard tile look with Siena vinyl flooring, from Belgian manufacturer Avenue’s popular Bubblegum & Liquorice range. With plenty of ‘give’ it offers a more comfortable (and warmer) feel underfoot than ceramic tiles, and unlike real tiles, it won’t chip or crack if you drop something heavy on it. The ultimate fit-and-forget floor (there’s no need to worry about re-staining or replacing any grout, for instance), it comes in sheets of varying widths to suit any space, and is delightfully speedy – and simple – to fit.

Image credit: Bubblegum & Liquorice Siena, £17.99 per square metre, Avenue Floors. www.avenuefloors.co.uk

5) When it comes to looks, there’s really no difference between a solid wood floor and an engineered one – but engineered wood certainly trumps solid wood when it comes to price. UK Flooring Direct Home Choice Engineered European Rustic Oak Flooring 130mm Brushed & Oiledfeatures a 2.5mm real wood wear layer in a gorgeous honey tone, complete with delicate grain markings, that will bring a laidback, welcoming vibe to any room. Its sturdy three-layer construction makes it more stable than a solid wood floor and less liable to shrink or expand when the temperature fluctuates, while its 5G click system allows for fast, easy DIY installation; there’s no gluing or nailing required – just put down underlay and get fitting.

Image credit: Home Choice Engineered Rustic Oak, £29.99 per square metre, UK Flooring Direct. 02476 012 840. www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk

Featured image credit: Saint B Boutique Hotel STB

XSquare console vanity unit in White Satin Matt, with console in Dark Walnut, DuraSquare above counter basin with C.1 tap fitting (Design by Kurt Merki Jr.)

XSquare from Duravit: contemporary elegance and comfort in the bathroom

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The XSquare bathroom range from Duravit impresses with its contemporary – yet elegant design, high-quality surfaces and materials and striking chrome profiles…

In conjunction with designer Kurt Merki Jr., Duravit has created a furniture range that is specially attuned to the design of the contemporary DuraSquare washbasins. The striking feature is the quadrant-shaped chrome profile edging the furniture. On the floor-standing model, the transition to the leg frame is absolutely seamless. The chrome profile accentuates the edges of both variants. It continues along the corner radius of the washbasin, creating harmony and a striking independence.

Combined with cupboards, mirrors and mirror-cabinet solutions from the range, also designed with the clearly visible chrome profile, luxurious washing areas can be created featuring an elegantly contemporary furnishing style.

Image caption: XSquare is suitable for small bathrooms

XSquare offers various options and combinations and perfectly matches the current DuraSquare, Vero Air, ME by Starck and P3 Comforts ceramic series. High- quality and uniform interior design ideas can be realised, including free-standing or built-in bathtubs, toilets, tap fittings, shower trays and accessories.

The sky’s the limit both in terms of the potential variants and also the choice of colours. The console washbasin vanity units are available in up to five different sizes (800-1600 mm) depending on the ceramics – also offering space for generous dual washbasin solutions. Compact versions round off the range for all manner of rooms and design requirements.

The selection of vanity units is extremely varied: up to seven different widths can be chosen for the DuraSquare, Vero Air, ME by Starck or P3 Comforts vanity units, depending on the series. The option of one or two drawers applies for all vanity units. These are fitted with high-quality drawer dividers in Maple or Walnut. The tall cabinet and semi-tall cabinet offer additional storage space in widths of 420 or 500 mm.

In total, 28 furniture finishes in décor matt or lacquer, satin-matt or high-gloss are available including three new special finishes: matt light blue, matt concrete grey and satin-matt aubergine – as well as the linen decor finish, which rounds off the wide colour range.

DuraSquare furniture basin, XSquare console vanity unit in Concrete Grey Matt, and XSquare mirror cabinet with C.1 basin mixer

Image caption: DuraSquare furniture basin, XSquare console vanity unit in Concrete Grey Matt, and XSquare mirror cabinet with C.1 basin mixer

Choosing a console panel in one of the cabinet colours or additionally in solid Natural Walnut, permits completely new and individual colour combinations for XSquare. Two or even three colours in combination with the lacquer finish, chrome profile, and console panel give rise to new contrasts and high-class design options. Handle-free fronts with push-to-open technology subtly highlight the elegant and inspiring overall picture. The new furniture programme has a striking effect, setting clearly structured accents in the room.

Duravit offers mirrors in eight widths (450 to 1,600 mm) and mirror cabinets in four widths (600 to 1,200 mm), each designed to coordinate perfectly with the furniture. The lateral chrome profile forms the edging, continuing the design language of the furniture. The mirror surface features the new control panel: it permits contact-free control of the main light (from 35 mm-wide lighting strips on the right and left), ambilight, and mirror heating via a sensor.

Additionally mirrors have a new, convenient switching function for coloured light: at a luminosity of more than 300 lux, the light colour can be continuously adjusted from 2,700 (warm light) to 6,500 kelvin (cold light). Warm light creates a pleasant atmosphere, while cold light is best for applying makeup. The memory function ensures that the required light colour and intensity do not need to be reset when used frequently. Similarly, the functional organisation of the inside of the mirror cabinets – with storage boxes, a board for accessories and a magnetic strip for small accessories, such as scissors or tweezers – is also new.

Sleek interiors at London Marriott West India Quay

M Studio London completes fresh interiors at London Marriott Hotel West India Quay

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Working with designers M Studio London, all 301 guestrooms and suites at the London Marriott Hotel West India Quay have undergone a full refurbishmnet to offer fresh, stylish accommodation in the heart of Canary Wharf, London…

Sleek lines with splashes of turquoise to reflect the waterways surrounding the property were the inspiration behind M Studio London’s latest project at London Marriott Hotel West India Quay. The hotel guestrooms and suites have been designed to incorporate intelligent technology to creating a luxurious blend of interiors tailored for both business and leisure travellers.

The spacious guestrooms boast stylish, understated carpets and wallpaper in a neutral beige and taupe palette, contrasted by dark wood furniture detailing and a flash of colour from the hand blown glass turquoise lamps. “When designing an interior we integrate vernacular of the architecture and local surroundings,” explained Alan McVitty, Director of M Studio London. All flooded with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, certain guestrooms also boast scenic views over West India Quay whilst the Curve Suites showcase incredible sights across Canary Wharf’s skyline.

Guestrooms have been decked out with luxurious flat screen TVs and plush mattresses, whilst suites come equipped with Nespresso coffee machines. Up-to-the-minute technology including high-speed Wi-Fi and 8 USB ports can be found in each room, ensuring ease for business travel.

“Here at London Marriott Hotel West India Quay the makeover has been inspired by our guests from start to finish,” said Bertrand Dijoux, General Manager at the hotel. “For our unique mix of business and leisure travellers, we’ve integrated high-quality, easy to use technological features and amenities, whilst maintaining a sleek and understated design.”

The property’s renowned steakhouse Manhattan Grill and relaxed bar G&Tea attract hotel guests and locals alike. Overlooking Canary Wharf quay side with a modern, light and airy ambiance, the Manhattan Grill claims to serve up some of the finest steaks in the area.

G&Tea, the sophisticated cocktail bar housing over 180 gins from both micro-breweries across London as well as classic brands, provides a relaxed spot to unwind with a drink and bar nibbles or a superb afternoon tea.

The hotel boasts a quiet fitness centre and sauna, perfect for switching off after a long working day, along with 19 stylish and modern event and meeting rooms able to accommodate 290, equipped with high-speed internet and modern audiovisual facilities.

Image credit: Marriott International

Top 7 design hotels in Russia

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As the 2018 FIFA World Cup final approaches, Hotel Designs investigates the top design hotels in Russia…

Riddled in history, Russia holds many hotel gems within its borders. In recent years, hospitality has also been on the rise with a boom in hotel development. TOPHOTELCONSTRUCTION database recently confirmed this by announcing that Russia has 96 projects upcoming hotels that are slated to shelter 18,437 rooms. Of these projects, 49 percent of the hotels are being planned to open in 2021 or beyond, while a whopping 17 per cent are expected to open this year.

With this in mind, and as the eyes of the world focus on the host nation in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup final, our editorial team did some digging to unveil the best design hotels in Russia – and here they are in no particular order.

1) StandArt Hotel

Interior of Stand Art Hotel

Image credit: Stand Art Hotel

The StandArt Hotel in Moscow has helped to put the Russian capital firmly on the hotel design map. Situated behind a monumental Art Nouveau façade,  hotel shelters modernism and sleek lines throughout, with 105 meticulously Russian-doll designed rooms and suites. The spa includes a full thermal zone complete with a traditional Russian steam room.

2) The St Regis Moscow Nikolskaya

Lobby of St Regis Moscow

Image credit: St Regis

St. Regis was proud to announce the debut of The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya, redefining elegance in a landmark restoration.

The name Nikolskaya comes from the monastery of St Nicholas Old, built in 1390 on Vladimir Road, on the site where Nikolskaya Street runs today. The name was first recorded in 1547. This place is where heritage meets design and boasts stunning views of the Red Square.

In the 17th century, Nikolskaya Street contained houses for nobles and was one of the few in Moscow paved with wood. The names Bolshoi Cherkassky and Maly Cherkassky, which today border the hotel building, recalls a court of Cherkassky dukes – the largest residence in the times of Peter the Great.

3) Hotel Astoria

Guestroom of Hotel Astoria

Image credit: Hotel Astoria

The hotel is where Hitler once planned to hold a victory ball after taking Leningrad. The effortless style is what you would expect from a luxury hotel, but the character comes from something a little different. The Astoria was where Hitler planned to hold a victory ball after taking Leningrad, as the city was called during World War Two. He never did, and the invitations he sent on were presumably binned.

4) Corinthia St Petersburg

Image credit: Corinthia Hotels

The majority of the hotel rooms at this hotel are newly-refurbished. Any hotel within the Corinthia brand shelters opulence, and this hotel is no different, which is immediately apparent when stepping into the lobby.

The guestrooms are modern and stylish, with neutral beige and cream colour schemes and a handful of comfortable mod cons.

5) Chao, Mama

Guestroom at Chao Mama

Image Credit: Chao, Mama

Chao Mama Hostel is located in the heart of Saint Petersburg. The private and dormitory rooms are decorated in modern style. The shared bathrooms are in the hallway. At Chao Mama Hostel will find a shared kitchen. Other facilities offered at the property include a shared lounge and a vending machine.

6) Soul Kitchen Junior hostel

Within a neo-baroque building that dates back to 1863, this property today is the best of both worlds; a hostel and a hotel. It has spacious lounge and kitchen areas with quirky and loud interiors: exposed walls painted in blues and yellows and dotted with old and new pictures, good quality sofas and beanbags, and designer lamps.

7) Radisson Blu Hotel, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport

Guestroom with orange accents

Image Credit: Radisson Blu

Airport hotels are more than just a bed and breakfast at a landing strip. The beautiful Radisson Blu Hotel, Moscow Sheremetyevo airport takes this further still.  The hotel combines a towering design by famous Swedish architect Christian Lundwall with 391 stylish and suites. Take advantage of 24-hour dining at Restaurant Stratosphere, or visit Altitude Bar & Restaurant to enjoy a panoramic view from the 11th floor as you linger over dinner on the terrace. After a day of travel or meetings, you can unwind in the fitness center and sauna. Some of our many helpful services include Free high-speed, wireless Internet access and secure parking adjacent to the hotel.

 

 

 

Lobby area

Top 5 stories of the week: New trends, emerging designers and a comic-book themed hotel

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Hotel Designs’ editor Hamish Kilburn breaks down the week with the top five stories…

This week at Hotel Designs we have identified fabric and soft furnishing trends, recognised two emerging design stars and reported on how a design firm worked to create a design hotel in Antwerp’s most iconic building.

1) 5 soft furnishing and fabric trends of 2018

Trends

To kick-start our spotlight this month on fabrics and soft furnishings, here are some of the hottest trends we are seeing at the moment…

2) Two dynamic designers chosen to bring creative vision and ‘story of sustainability’ to life at Cadogan Hotel

Left: Mac Collin Right: Antonia Packham

Young designers Mac Collins and Antonia Packham were chosen from more than 3,000 designers to bring their creative vision to life at the Cadogan Hotel…

3) In conversation with Martin Pease, Managing Director WATG London

Hotel Designs’ editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with new Managing Director of WATG London Martin Pease to discuss what’s next for the integrated design firm’…

4) Tom Dixon launches AW18 accessories collection

Tom Dixon studio

Image credit: Tom Dixon

Taking inspiration from nature and natural objects, Tom Dixon has unveiled its AW18 accessories collection…

5) Converting Antwerp’s most iconic building into a design hotel

Exterior shot

Hotel Designs explores how Alex Kravetz Design used comic inspiration to create the interiors of Antwerp’s new design hotel on the block…

PRODUCT REVIEW: Sir-Pent by Adrenalina at Contract Furniture Store

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Hotel Designs reviews the latest piece of furniture, Sir-Pent, from Contract Furniture Store…

Functional, quirky, and certainly different, the sinuous and stealthy Sir-Pent, designed by Andrea Stramigioli from Adrenalina, stretches, shrinks, winds and branches out to fit into any interior design space.

It seems as if nothing is an obstacle for Sir-Pent, a large modular seating system that starts from a basic set of five modules plus an all-rounder element that facilitates the flow of any combination, be it linear or articulated into soft islands.

Sir-Pent

Complete with USB and wireless charger as well as plug sockets (UK, USA and EU), the Sir-Pent is ideal for lobby areas. The durable piece of furniture is available in a number of fabrics and is built with a plywood frame. Designed for the modern hotel in mind, the product can be easily adapted to fit into a variety of spaces with magnetic connections and quick releases.

J Module of SerPent

Create inspirational spaces with furniture fit for the digital age with Sir-Pent. For more information on the product, click here.

Tom Dixon studio

Tom Dixon launches AW18 accessories collection

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Taking inspiration from nature and natural objects, Tom Dixon has unveiled its AW18 accessories collection…

Design studio Tom Dixon has unveiled its AW18 accessories collection at an exclusive press event at the studios home, The Coal office.  The collection, which comprises of eight new products, has been designed so that it all items are suitable for the home as well as the modern hotel.

Rock 

Our long-term love affair with marble bears more fruit with a new series of Green Forest marble artefacts. Among the Rock range is a playful set of stackable and reconfigurable candle holders that create domestic sculptural interventions. Rock displays the natural and uniquely solid materiality that the studio has long been associated with.

Rock by Tom Dixon

Image caption: Rock by Tom Dixon 

Brew

Brew recognises coffee making as a form of art and coffee drinking as one of our few remaining contemporary rituals. Precision-engineered from polished stainless steel, Brew is hyper-reflective, functionally rigorous and designed to take pride of place on any hotel table.

Brew by Tom Dixon

Image caption: Brew by Tom Dixon

Form 

Form is a well-proportioned rigorously detailed tea set. Described as Bauhaus, Space Age or Art Deco we believe this crisp, clean reflective stainless steel finish sits comfortably in any setting and sets a modernist scene for one of the most enjoyable and enduring rites and allows you to create your own contemporary tea ceremony.

Image Caption: Form by Tom Dixon

Image Caption: Form by Tom Dixon

Tank 

Characterised by luxurious hand applied platinum decal, Tank takes its sculptural cue from the functional shapes and volumes of scientific glassware. Minimal yet decorative for a multiplicity of purposes of pouring, storing and displaying drink, the range forms bold building blocks of table-top architecture.

Tank by Tom Dixon

Image caption: Tank by Tom Dixon

Cage

Cage is a candle-powered table top turbine, engineered to diffuse, accelerate and quickly propel the Tom Dixon fragrances to all parts of the interior space. Manufactured from finely etched stainless steel this ingenious and original kinetic product is both magical and functional. Using a single tea light that both warms the scented oil and spins the inbuilt fan, the studio has created an innovative slow-tech response to the plastic electronic diffusers that increasingly saturate the market.

Image caption: Cage from Tom Dixon

Eclectic – London

Evocative scents and unctuous lotions combine to create indulgent Christmas presents. Three generous giftsets designed to engage the senses, with our Eclectic scents of London, Orientalist and Royalty. The Eclectic London giftset captures the woody smell of red brick and London parks.

Eclectic – Royalty 

The Eclectic Royalty giftset evokes a citrus smell, reminiscent of tea time with a pot of Earl Grey, scones, strawberry jam and the drive home in a ‘52 Bentley with tatty leather seats.

Eclectic – Orientalist

The Eclectic Orientalist giftset captures the faint memory of an Indian wedding with rose petal garlands, giant cinnamon sticks on beach stalls and the musky smells of the Chinese herbal market.

 

Interior of the restuarant

Indoor-outdoor restaurant experience to open in luxury hotel in Chester, England

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Palm Court Restaurant, Bar & Piano Lounge will open in to Chester’s Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa this month…

A dining experience with a difference will be unveiled in Chester’s Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa this month with the opening of Palm Court Restaurant, Bar & Piano Lounge.

Nelson Hotels have opened the multi-purpose dining venue with the aim to meet all needs of hotel guests, local residents, and visitors to the area. “We identified the need for a restaurant which would be suitable for all occasions and all guests,” said Harold Nelson, Chairman of Nelson Hotels. “Our vision was to create more than just a restaurant and so Palm Court will cater throughout the day and appeal to all dining requirements from casual to special occasion.”

The £1.5 million dining venue has been designed by award-winning interior design consultancy Lister Carter. With an impressive glass ceiling, the space has taken inspiration from a Victorian Palm House, bursting with the greenery of the Kentia Palm tree. The intimate restaurant and bar blends exposed industrial style metalwork and brickwork with luxurious crystal chandeliers, antique mirrors and bronze fretwork. The exposed steel, aged glass and bronze artwork lends itself to a warm but stripped back feel. A mix of marble and wood tables, comfortable leather and velvet chairs and plush sofas offers the customer a sumptuous experience whether it be morning coffee or evening cocktails.

One of the main focal points of Palm Court is a black Yamaha baby grand piano set amidst bubbling fountains and lush palm trees. As well as being the highest quality acoustic piano, it is a famed entertainment piano which boasts thousands of self-playing songs, so even without the pianist it will be music for the ears.

Dining experience

Palm Court is also home to an exclusive wine cave with floor to ceiling wine racks showcasing Laurent Perrier Champagnes and housing almost 100 different varieties of old and new world wines and Champagnes along with specially selected, fine cellar wines. Mirrored walls and a crystal seed chandelier give a luxurious, chic feel. With a poser table seating up to six people, the wine cave will be used for wine tastings and exclusive private dining.

Iklwa

Two dynamic designers chosen to bring creative vision and ‘story of sustainability’ to life at Cadogan Hotel

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Young designers Mac Collins and Antonia Packham were chosen from more than 3,000 designers to bring their creative vision to life at the Cadogan Hotel…

Luxury travel brand Belmond has chosen two talented young designers to bring their creative vision to life at its historic Cadogan Hotel in Chelsea when the property reopens later this year.

Mac Collins, a product and furniture designer and soon-to-be graduate of acclaimed design institution Northumbria University, and Antonia (Toni) Packham, a champion of sustainable design fresh out of Brighton University, were both chosen from more than 3000 designers who displayed their work at the New Designers exhibition in Islington in July.

Left: Mac Collin Right: Antonia Packham

Collins’ statement chair design ‘Iklwa’ – a visually intense ultramarine throne, informed by the aesthetic of Afrofuturism and created to inspire empowerment – was praised by judges as “a thought-provoking, culturally enriched and beautiful piece of craftmanship that demonstrates in its exciting use of colour and considered appreciation of shape an understanding of the power of design to evoke emotion, capture the imagination and pay homage to heritage.”

In selecting the winner of Belmond’s inaugural award, the judges were seeking to find a talented designer whose product embodies the authentic and timeless, luxurious and soulful nature of the brand. Such was the calibre of talent on display at the New Designers event that the judges also selected Toni Packham as their winner.

Packham’s forward-thinking and environmentally conscious approach to design has resulted in the highly innovative use of plastic found polluting our oceans to create unique, hand-finished and ultra-high-quality products, including kitchenware, using a highly skilled and zero-waste production process. Collecting discarded rubbish from the shores of beaches across the UK, Packham’s beautiful designs and intricate details captured the judge’s eye while the story of sustainability and craftmanship spoke to the spirit of the Belmond brand.

Collins and Packham will now have the opportunity to learn from Belmond’s in-house bench of design experts, as well as its wider network of leading creative professionals, craftsmen and women. They will then be commissioned to design a bespoke design to be manufactured for and featured in the Belmond Hotel Cadogan – making it a central part of Belmond’s art and design-led portfolio.

“We were blown away by Mac and Toni’s raw talent and fresh-thinking approach to design,” said Arnaud Champenois, Senior Vice President Brand & Marketing of Belmond. “We are extremely excited to champion two young British designers who we believe are set to shape the future of creative design industry.  Their work will now feature in one of the most beautiful hotels in London.

“At Belmond all of our properties, wherever they are in the world – from the Hotel Cipriani in Italy to the Copacabana Palace in Brazil – celebrate design and local craftsmanship with a quirky and contemporary twist.

“Which is why it has been brilliant to engage with the emerging new trends in creative design – something we are passionate about at Belmond – from 3D printing, to socially responsible design and multi-sensory experiences. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with New Designers to find more future stars of the industry and to ensure that Belmond’s designs continue to capture the imagination of tomorrow’s discerning travellers.”

Belmond assembled a panel of expert judges from their extended family of leaders within the design and creative industries to help select the award winners. Savina Torrisi, Architect, Senior Tutor and Graduating-Year Programme Leader for the Innovation Design Engineering Programme at The Royal College of Art, and Inge Moore, founder of renowned interior design studio Muza Lab, joined Belmond’s very own Art and Design Director, Joe Ferry – himself a former winner at New Designers – to discover and kick-start the career of one of the freshest new creative minds.

“I feel excited and overwhelmed to have been chosen by Belmond,” Packham said. “I think it’s amazing that a luxury brand is supporting new designers like myself and championing creative innovation. My designs are all about taking a waste material of apparently no value and turning it into something functional, individual and aesthetically beautiful. It has been said that waste is the result of poor design – by working with Belmond, I am excited by the opportunity to address this and raise awareness of the value of waste material.”

Collins added: “To have the opportunity, straight out of university, to create a product in my workshop in Newcastle and have it featured in a Belmond property in London is incredible. I want my work to connect with people in the real world and cannot wait to design something for a brand that shares my passion for heritage and love of true materials.”

Craftsmanship and design is central to the identity of Belmond’s family of 47 properties, trains and cruises across the globe. The company is a champion of the best designers around the globe, and has worked with a host of renowned designers and craftspeople – including famed British designer Matthew Williamson who recently designed the stunning Suite ‘No. 67’ at Belmond La Residencia Hotel in Deià, Mallorca.

“It’s fantastic to see Belmond’s commitment to developing the next generation of young British designers. An opportunity like this has the potential to jump-start a very successful career,”  said British designer Matthew Williamson. “The British design scene is thriving with a diverse range of really exciting talent pushing new frontiers with innovative ideas. We need to see more businesses like Belmond backing home-grown design and craftsmanship through partnerships like this.“

Elsewhere, Belmond has collaborated with other remarkable creative talents, including British Designer Tara Bernerd and French mosaicist Jérôme Clochard on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express.

The Cadogan has been closed since 2014 and is currently undergoing a £28 million pound refurbishment, designed to preserve the unique heritage of the Queen Anne Style property dating back to 1887, whilst updating the property to ensure its design retains a modern-day relevance. The iconic London hotel is steeped in history: it was famously the scene of Oscar Wilde’s arrest in 1895, as well as home to actress Lillie Langtry where she courted the future King of England.

The property is due to reopen in December, with London-based British talent and Head Chef of The Frog Adam Handling as Executive Chef, bringing his traditional yet modern British cuisine and zero waste philosophy to the Cadogan Hotel.

With the aim of also recognising Britian’s best interior designers, architects and hoteliers, Hotel Designs is introducing six new awards at this year’s Brit List. Details on how to enter will follow soon. 

One designer’s harmony between music and interior design

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Under blue, cloudless skies in London’s Clerkenwell district, Hamish Kilburn meets Mutina’s Ronan Bouroullec to understand more about his interior design partnership with Domus and how, with a new collection, he has opened up links between music and interior design…

It was while I was watching a panel discussion on interior design tile trends at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week when the question of what musical instrument our industry is most similar to crossed my mind.

Celebrating the launch of a new partnership between Mutina and Domus, the irregular shapes and uneven tones of the new tile collection, Piano, gave me the answer. Just like an 88-key grand piano, which alone is a striking interior design feature in any room or suite, international hotel design can also strike many chords. While some notes collaborating together are powerful enough to send a shiver down your spine, others effortlessly blend perfectly into the atmosphere. Another similar feature between our industry and monochrome object is the skill and practice that is required to become an ‘expert’ – let alone the many setbacks that are often experienced along the way.

Piano collection

Image credit: Domus

Replicating the percussion instrument in all manners of ways, the Piano range is made with coloured clays to which layers of glaze are added in different widths. There are five base colours: white, grey, blue, green and pink and two rectangular sizes (7.5 x 30cm and 10 x 30cm). The tiles are arranged by colour and are grouped together by the lead colourway in the same box, this allows for the greatest variation and ability to create a vibrant fitted tile layout. Piano is suitable for floors and walls, both indoors and outdoors.

In order to learn more about the new range and the designer behind it, I sat down with Ronan Bouroullec, who is one half of the genius behind Piano.

Image credit: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Image credit: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Hamish Kilburn: Where do you tend to find inspiration for ideas?

Ronan Bouroullec: I look at materials and how they form. I never find inspiration from movies or an experiences in life. It’s always a look and the tactile aspect that inspires me.

HK: Are the challenges always the same when designing products?

RB: No! The challenges are always different. It’s difficult to list them all – there are many, and they are everywhere. I don’t think many people understand how long the process really takes. There are many point of views and opinions that you have to take in along the way, making it a long journey full of many twists and turns.

HK: Can you explain what you meant when you said at Clerkenwell Design Week that you prefer to be less known in the industry?

RB: I like to be in front of people that do not respect me too much. That sounds odd, I know, but I like to be able to prove myself to others. There is always a good reason why I have designed something in such a way, and I enjoy to be in front of someone who would question that, allowing me to explain.

Piano collection

Image credit: Domus

HK: Your latest piece with Domus Tiles is called Piano. Was there a designer growing up that really struck a chord with you?

RB: I was 15 years old when I decided I wanted to be a designer. As far as I can remember, I have always been impressed with objects and things. I had a lot of inspiration along the way but there was not one mentor that I consider to be more superior than the other. They all helped.

HK: What advice would you give to young designers?

RB: My advice would be to work. It can be difficult to survive, at times, but the skill is not to give up.  Try to find other ways to get through it and some years can feel longer than others.

HK: How important is collaboration?

RB: As a designer, you are nothing without collaboration. You can have a good idea, but if there was no one to manufacture it then your idea would only ever be a dream. It would not exist. We work and operate in a collective environment.

HK: How do you react to trends?

RB: Honestly, I don’t want to know about them. I try to do something that I feel is different, new and interesting. Trends have already passed. I try to do something in advance. This can sometimes become a trend, which is very flattering. I like to be copied because people will only ever copy good things.

To read more about the editor’s highlights of Clerkenwell Design Week, click here. 

Main image credit: Mutina

Designer André Fu explores ‘modern reflections’ concept in four new projects

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AFSO explores designer concept ‘modern reflections’ in four new projects around the globe…

Following the recent completion of the Pavilion Suites at the Berkeley London, designer André Fu continues the notion of ‘’Modern Reflections’ with four key openings which will be unveiled later this year.

AFSO is an internationally acclaimed design studio in Hong Kong, founded by the architect André Fu.

With an extensive portfolio of projects throughout Asia and Europe, the studio has been pivotal in revolutionsing the concept of modern luxury with a series of projects that reflect Fu’s signature artistic perspective and timeless sensibility.

“We are living in an increasingly digitalised world with constant social media distractions, unlike the generations before us,” explains Fu. It is important to be able to step back and have timeto reflect on our personal upbringing and heritage. This echoes my strong belief that we need to learn from the past in order to foster creativity. To me, true luxury is in the experience and not just the aesthetics.”

His latest projects reflect just that.

The spa at Chateau La Coste, Provence

Image Credit: AFSO

Situated halfway between the historic town of Aix en Provence, home of Cezanne, and the famous Luberon Nature Park, Villa La Coste is set in the midst of the Provencal landscape, in the heart of the biodynamic vineyard Château La Coste, an international destination for art, architecture and natural beauty.

Inspired by the spirit of the vineyard and breath-taking artistic vision of the chateau, Fu designed key destinations within the hotel, including the restaurant Salon, the Bar and the Library. This summer sees the opening of the much anticipated spa.

To create the spa, Andre used rustic Cipria marble, brushed silver oak and plastering finished in the local Provencal manner, layered with Fu’s signature style of contemporary, elegant luxury. Conceived as an emotional journey, guests are transported into a distinctly rustic yet contemporary world.

Ribbon Dance Chair for Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades

Image credit: AFSO

For Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades exhibition during Salone del Mobile, Andre Fu presented Ribbon Dance, a two-person “conversation” chair which is a graceful echo of the movements of traditional Asian ribbon dances. The pair of seats are balanced between the elegant curves of the wooden arms which are covered in Louis Vuitton leather while the fluid shape of the chair evokes ideas of infinity. Ribbon Dance was first shown in Hong Kong in March this year, in a stunning exhibition space designed by Fu, which featured other Objets Nomades. Created in 2012, the Objets Nomades collection keeps alive Louis Vuitton’s long tradition of beautifully crafted travel objects.

Hotel Vic, Hong Kong

Image credit: Hotel Vic

Hong Kong’s waterfront and stunning harbour have always served a key inspiration for many of Fu’s creations.

Following his timeless design for Upperhouse hotel that ushered in a new era of hospitality, and the Kerry Hotel that follows an urban resort concept, Fu has created two signature restaurants at the Hotel VIC, offering a duo of dining experiences on the city’s distinctive harbour front.

Inspired to capture the spirit of an authentic farmhouse, the Farmhouse is an all-day international dining venue, located atop the podium to offer delicious buffets and international cuisine. The dining room features a dramatic open kitchen, while a lush outdoor garden creates a very special backdrop for al fresco dining.

Adjoining the restaurant is The Farmhouse Deli, a 4m high delicatessen decked in interlocking walnut and highlighted with a grid of brass fins to evoke an urban vibe. A bespoke island communal glass table and a range of lounge seating have also been introduced to embrace a co-working environment.

The Waldorf Astoria, Bangkok

Image credit: AFSO

Set within the modern Magnolias Ratchadamri Development in the upscale Phatum Wan district, the Waldorf Astoria’s contemporary interior has been designed by Fu, evoking the Waldorf’s rich Art Nouveau heritage, but overlaid with his own contemporary design ethos, presenting extravagant ceiling heights, traditional Thai elements, bronze accents and other inspired touches.

For Fu, The Waldorf Astoria Bangkok exemplifies his concept of ‘modern reflections’, stating “it is very much a reflection of my personal memories of visiting the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York as a child and my vision to translate the essence of the experience into the context of modern Bangkok today”.

Fu has also created three unique dining venues, including The Front Room, providing a menu of Nordic/Thai cuisine, the hotel’s signature Peacock Alley lounge and the Brasserie. A four-tiered tower dedicated to banquet facilities has also been introduced.

Meanwhile, the guestrooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows, hand tufted rugs covering hardwood floors, and Thai-inspired details.

Perrotin Shanghai 

Image credit: AFSO

Fu has a long-standing collaboration with renowned gallerist Emmaneul Perrotin for his artspaces.

Following the success of Fu’s collaboration with Perrotin for two key spaces in Hong Kong and Tokyo, AFSO has been commissioned to create the new gallery for Perrotin in Shanghai due to unveil late 2018.

Located in the heart of Shanghai’s Bund quarter, this will be the 18th gallery space that its owner Emmanuel Perrotin has opened worldwide in 28 years, Perrotin Shanghai will occupy the top floor of a historic three-storey brick building (27 Huqiu Road) known as “Amber Building”. Built in 1937, it is a former warehouse used by the Central Bank of China during the Republican period. From 1886 to 1943 Huqiu Road was named “Museum Road”. It continues till this day to have a prominent place in Shanghai’s art landscape with its close proximity to the city’s major museums and auction houses including Rockbund Art Museum, Fosun Foundation and Christie’s.

The 1,200 square meter gallery space will include a mezzanine and several exhibition rooms. In keeping with the building’s modernist elegance.

Main image credit: Pavilion Suites at the Berkeley London

Exterior shot

Converting Antwerp’s most iconic building into a design hotel

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Hotel Designs explores how Alex Kravetz Design used comic inspiration to create the interiors of Antwerp’s new design hotel on the block…

There were three major concepts which drove Alex Kravetz Design’s (AKD) vison of the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel in Antwerp. The architect of the hotel – Michael Graves, the diamond district of Antwerp and lastly the emerging comic movement. These three elements created a strong concept for the hotel’s design language, creating a link with both the hotel’s foundations, the city’s history and the vibrant future of Antwerp.

Graves, who was one of the pioneers of neo-modernism architecture in the US, created the building which later become arguably one of Antwerp’s most iconic buildings. “It is an example of post-modern architecture and therefore the overall concept for the refurbishment was to create spaces which have a strong relationship with the exterior feel of the building,” said Alex Kravetz, Prinicpal at AKD.

Lobby area

The comic concept was explored due to the famous history of Belgian comics, the new Comics Station which has opened in Antwerp and the comic-inspired graffiti seen on buildings in the city featuring Belgian comic characters.

The Lobby Bistro Bar is a dynamic and stylised space which reflects the postmodern architectural influences of Grave’s building. This has been reflected in a number of interesting ways, one example of this can be found in the rugs. “The bright colours used convey the vast number of colours which were available to postmodern architects, referencing back to the bright yellow and blue hues of the Hotel building,” explains Kravetz. “The pattern developed on the other hand also shows a link with Antwerp’s Diamond district, composed with abstract geometric forms like cut diamonds.” The diamond concept continues throughout the hotel in numerous forms, for example in the drapery fabric of the suites, in the carpet designs of the public spaces and the wall sconces at the Rotonde Bar. Guests checking into the hotel will feel a sense of place and belonging.

 

The Rotonde Bar provides an upscale event space due to the stained maple veneers, brushed bronze and textured metal cladding finishes seen against the parquet floor. The banquettes at the windows allow for both flexible seating and great views overlooking Antwerp’s famous train station.

The lobby lounge area offers a multifunctional space where guests can relax in a warm and inviting environment. The feature fireplace wall has an oversized horizontal opening with an Opty mist flame effect fire and a rich industrial finish in Hammered Bronze metal with displayed rough cut timber logs. The Lobby Bar area hosts an industrial feel, with metal finishes in antique and hammered bronze and exposed rivets and hinges. “These juxtapose with the rich upholstery and the postmodern feature wall panels,” explains Kravetz. “Connections are clear between the spaces, although each space has its unique touch as you move between the public spaces on the ground floor.” The lobby restaurants takes a modern yet timeless feel, achieved by the contemporary furniture selection and banquette detailing, combined with the textured wall panels and feature mirrors.

The reception bar has individual reception pods with an abstract bespoke design. The contrasting materials used here set an eclectic tone leading into the lobby lounge. The striking feature banquette provides a key focal point opposite the main entrance, with a triptych of art above by Jeffery Edwards, adding humour, warmth and character. “The art pieces here have been specifically selected to connect with the Comic Room creating a sense of place and originality,” says Kravetz. “The Comic Room is a fun and inviting area where guests can relax and read a comic in a pop art inspired setting. The throw cushions and the accessories contribute to the overall concept and impression in this space.”

The design of 253 guestrooms offer a stylish and contemporary feel with warm tones that further reference the location. “This project was one of the first to tap into the new Radisson BLU Guestroom concept,” says Kravetz. The rooms may have been developed in line with Radisson Blue’s latest design standards but offers originality in regard to connections with the key concepts outlined and the location of the hotel. Above the headboard there is a feature wallpaper which has been custom developed specifically for the project. “The wallpaper has essentially become a statement artwork itself, showcasing Antwerp’s notable buildings, with the iconic train station in the centre,” says Kravetz. “The defined seating group includes a chair which is custom made for the property, drawing on postmodern architectural elements.” The stitched leather frame and brushed brass detail in the armrests gives a residential feel and the distinctive rug underneath the seating group features the strong, bright colours of postmodern architecture but also offers a luxurious feel to the room.

Meeting spaces

Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel Antwerp is superbly located on the historic Astrid Square near Antwerp Central Station and has unveiled a completely new look and feel following an extensive programme of refurbishment across the entire hotel, with total investment reaching over €9 million.

Establishing shot of the hotel

Meliá Hotels to open property in the Dominican Republic

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Meliá Hotels International is set to debut new $110 million exclusive vacation experience at Dominican Republic property…

Meliá Hotels International has announced its newest luxury experience which will open in December 2018 in the Dominican Republic – The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real.

The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, designed by Alvaro Sans, is situated in the popular beach resort of Playa de Bavaro. The all-inclusive resort reflects the natural beauty of the destination and will give guests the most luxurious experience in Punta Cana where families of all ages can create everlasting memories.

As well as the opening of The Grand Reserve, Meliá Hotels International is transforming Meliá Caribe Tropical into two distinct properties, which is slated to be completed by November 2018. With this transformation, Meliá Hotels International continues its investment in the Dominican Republic region.

Designed in the shape of a circle, the universal symbol of being connected, The Grand Reserve offers brand new accommodation ranging from 800 to over 3,000 square feet. It will feature 288 expansive suite-style bedrooms, including Swim-Up Suites. They will feature either one or two bedrooms and a variety of amenities including living and dining spaces, ideal for entertaining, free-standing bathtubs and walk-in showers, as well as private secluded balconies with hydro-massage whirlpool tubs and outdoor living spaces. Offering one or two-bedrooms, Swim-Up Suites are a particular highlight of the accommodation at The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real. The uniquely luxurious suites also have direct access to an exclusive pool, complete with lush garden areas and a solarium.

The hotel is set to debut with seven new restaurant concepts and bars, all of which are influenced by local gastronomy and culture for an authentic experience.

“We’re eager and excited to welcome The Grand Reserve to the Meliá Hotels International family later this year,” Commented Alvaro Tejada, Senior Vice President for the Americas for Meliá Hotels International. “With its unique design superior amenities and new technological advancements, The Grand Reserve is set to radically transform the way travellers experience our hotels in the Dominican Republic.”

The property will also boast a full-service spa by Spanish beauty brand Natura Bissé. Offering 14 treatment rooms and a relaxation room, the hotel’s spa will feature products by Natura Bissé and offer signature services using award-winning and avant-garde line utilising techniques, with the latest technology for utmost luxury and relaxation.

As well as the accommodation for hotel guests, there will be an additional 144 suites for members of Circle by Meliá, creating a total of 432 suites in the property.

TREND ALERT: Jewel colours shine this season

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As part of our spotlight this month on soft furnishings and fabrics, Jewel colours are said to be an in-season trend at the moment…

Here is a sneak peek at a selection of new designs that will be on display at this year’s Decorex International. The pieces have been selected because of their sultry, jewel-like colour, a said-to-be trend of the season. These popular hues – especially in soft furnishings and fabrics – not only add intrigue and interest to a room’s design, but they also offer a dramatic way to make any interior pop.

Image credit: Clockwise from top left: Dub pendant large from Innermost, Willersley bedside from Di Design, Capriccio wallpaper from Blackpop, Rita does Jazz cushion from The Monkey Puzzle Tree ,The Siren wall light from Curiousa & Curiousa, Asymmetrical maroon flatweave from Ptolemy.

Image credit: Clockwise from top left: Calypso dining chairs in Capri – Aquamarine with Wallis embroidery from Beaumont & Fletcher, Aime and Idylle a Rio fabrics from Misia, Casamance, Joyce Cabinet from Pinch, Federico armchair from Gillmore Space, Red sofa from Decca.

For more than forty years Decorex has been the show of choice for the UK and international high-end interior design trade. It is the annual showcase for over 400 exhibitors, from up-and-coming brands to established exhibitors, who present new collections to the 1,400 interior designers, manufacturers and buyers who attend.

For more insight into soft furnishings and fabric trends, click here.

 

Modern living area

Through the keyhole of the newly designed apartment hotel in the heart of Florence

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M7 Contemporary Apartments in Florence, designed by the Italian studio Pierattelli Architetture, presents a new hospitality concept that combines the comfort of a home with the services and convenience of a hotel…

Located inside a neoclassical building in the heart of Florence sits M7 Contemporary Apartments. Carefully designed by Pierattelli Architetture, the architecture firm has converted the building into an apartment hotel that consists of 11 original, new accommodation options. The concept of the hotel focuses on the guest and his/her desire to travel while feeling at home. The result is a hotel that shelters a well-balanced mix of luxury and design.

CS:GO is a popular video game that has millions of fans all around the world. Some of these fans travel to different cities to watch their favorite teams compete in tournaments and learn some cs go grenade practice . While others just want to relax and take in the sights and sounds of beautiful cities. One such city is Florence, Italy. CS:GO players have been known to relax in luxury hotels in Florence while they wait for their next tournament match.

Gamers around the world are enjoying their summer break by taking a break from the gaming console and relaxing in beautiful luxury hotels. Many CS:GO players are visiting Florence, Italy to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and relax in some of the best hotels in the world. Players from all over Europe and North America have flocked to this city to enjoy some much needed R&R.

Some of the most luxurious hotels in Florence include The Belvedere, The Langham, The Ritz Carlton, and The Westin Granduca d’Este. These five establishments offer a wide range of amenities such as spas, pools, restaurants, and bars. Some players have even rented apartments or villas nearby so they can fully immerse themselves in the Italian culture while still having access to all of the luxury amenities available at these hotels.

The M7 Contemporary Apartments projects began with the refurbishment of a historic neoclassical building, of which its interior was completely reinterpreted, creating a spatial subdivision aimed at maximum functionality and the exploitation of all usable space.

Casinos design their hotels with the goal of providing a luxurious and entertaining experience for their guests. Each casino such as TerraCasino has its own unique design style, which is often based on the theme of the casino. Some common elements that are included in every casino’s hotel design are a grand entrance, luxurious amenities, and beautiful landscapes.

One of the most popular casino hotel designs is the Vegas style. This style features brightly lit casinos with dramatic neon signs and large marquees. The casinos in this style are usually located in busy areas of towns or cities, so they offer a lively atmosphere that can be enjoyed by both tourists and locals.

Other popular casino hotel designs include Italian villas and French chateaux. These hotels feature ornate architecture and stunning gardens that give guests a sense of relaxation and luxury.

Many casinos have beautiful, sprawling gardens that make for stunning views from the rooms. The hotel staff is trained to be attentive and polite so that guests can enjoy their stay. Casinos also often have state-of-the-art amenities, such as top-of-the-line restaurants and spas.

Some key factors that are considered when designing a casino hotel are the size and layout of the rooms, the number of floors, and the type of architecture used. Each casino also has its own preferences for furnishings, colors, and textures. Some features that are often included in a casino hotel are grandiose entryways, art collections, private dining areas, and extensive spa facilities.

Layout is typically based on the casino’s primary gaming floor. Rooms are generally clustered together near the gaming tables, with smaller rooms positioned nearby to provide quick access to the larger ones. Decorations are typically bold and colorful, with themes ranging from medieval castles to Hollywood movie sets. Amenities can include everything from luxurious bathrobes and champagne to free Wi-Fi and breakfast in bed.

Some casinos also focus on providing unique experiences for their guests. For example, Caesars Palace features a rainforest interior that you can explore while playing blackjack or roulette. Other casinos offer themed weekends or special events like costume contests or celebrity appearances.

Some common features that casinos include in their hotels are luxurious beds, bathrooms with high-end finishes, and ample space. In order to cater to different types of guests, casinos also offer a variety of amenities, from pool tables and gaming rooms to spas and health clubs.

One reason why casinos invest so much time and money into designing their hotels is because they know that guests appreciate quality accommodations. By providing top-notch service and facilities, casinos can keep their guests coming back for more.

One of the most important aspects of designing a casino hotel is ensuring that it provides an immersive experience for visitors. This means incorporating features such as high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows to create a sense of space and openness. In addition, casinos often provide amenities such as private elevators and multipurpose rooms to make guests feel comfortable and VIP.

Another important consideration when designing a casino hotel is accessibility. Guests must be able to easily find their way around the property, from the lobby to the gaming areas. This is why casinos often opt for sleek designs with minimal clutter, as well as easy-to-read signage.

Minimalist interiors

In the hotel, 11 large apartments are equipped with a kitchen and living area. The rooms stand out with linear design, consisting of furnishings with an intimate and refined touch. Each unit is different from another. For example, while one room adorns a minimalist, crisp-white look, another is decorated in wooden surfaces with a dynamic asymmetrical fireplace separating the bedroom from the living room.

Each apartment is cared for in every detail with custom-made furnishings: from wardrobes to sofas, from takes to soft lights, every detail has been designed with the aim of the spaces looking and feeling unique and special. The jewel of these areas is the selection of iconic objects of Italian design that embellish the rooms and exteriors.

M7, strategically located next to the 19th century Piazza della Libertà, prides itself on being the ideal home for those who appreciate design, location and functionality.

Supplier list

Fireplaces: Dim’Ora
Bathroom fixtures: Pozzi Ginori
Taps and fittings: Ib Rubinetterie
Lighting: Flos, Marset, Foscarini, Artemis, Guzzini and Ares (outdoor)
Kitchens: Arcline
Objects: Kartell
Parquet, Stones and Marble: Zanaga
Windows: Cipriani Serramenti
Bathroom Furniture: Chaos

Image credit: Matteo Zita

DUKES London redesigns room category for the solo female traveller

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The Duchess Rooms have been redesigned with the female solo traveller in mind…

Mayfair’s quintessentially British five-star DUKES London looks to be ahead of the solo traveller trend with the introduction of the Duchess Rooms, a discreet service tailored to the solo, female business and leisure guest. With more women travelling alone than ever before, DUKES has announced refurbished rooms, promising a comfortable and restful getaway.

The refurbishment, carried out by LSM Designs, further enhances the already popular Duchess Room service and offers guests sumptuous surroundings to relax and unwind in. Rooms have been decorated in fresh greys and whites, with the bedspreads and cushions providing accents of colour to the interiors.

Other recent developments for the Duchess Rooms include the introduction of The Fresh Pantry, which offers guests a selection of healthy and nutritious in-room dining options.

In addition to the refurbished rooms and The Fresh Pantry, the Duchess Rooms offer the following feminine touches as standard:

  • A personal welcome card from the female General Manager, Debrah Dhugga
  • A female room attendant escort guests to their rooms and handle all room service and housekeeping requirements
  • Makeup mirror, hair dryer and styling accessories are positioned at easy reach from the dressing table
  • Fresh flowers brighten every room and a complementary fruit bowl is on offer
  • Female amenities are in every bathroom
  • A choice of glossy lifestyle magazines laid out on the dresser or coffee table

With its location in the heart of Gentlemen’s club land, DUKES London strives to ensure that women feel just as at home as male guests whilst staying at the Mayfair bolthole. Check in to a Duchess Room for a personalised and truly indulgent stay this year.

Modern Kaldewei bathroom

More than 60 years of Kaldewei

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Kaldewei is one of the leading bathroom manufacturers, producing more than 50,000 ways of designing the modern shower…

The year was 1956 when bathroom specialist Kaldewei produced its first enamel shower – the same year, in fact, when Elvis Presley first entered the US music charts with ‘Heartbreak Hotel’.

More than 60 years later, Kaldewei today offers a choice of more than 50,000 product versions for floor-level shower design alone. With consumers becoming more discerning with regard to modern bathroom design, shower design has also changed. In this time, Kaldewei has not only helped to shape this development but has also been a driving force: with innovative and integrated shower systems that constantly set new standards in terms of design, functionality and ease of assembly.

The focus of Kaldewei product developments, both in the past and present, has been for the benefit of the end user and the ease of assembly for plumbers. Today, the enamelled shower surface segment alone takes in 10 model lines, five different surfaces, 34 colours and 57 different sizes across 50,000 exciting product versions made of superior Kaldewei steel enamel. From classic shower tray to absolutely flat floor-level enamelled shower surfaces, rectangular, square or specially shaped – Kaldewei delivers the right model of shower for bathrooms of every size and style, and, of course, the right assembly solution for every position in a room be it for a new-build or a refurbishment.

Award-winning design and unique material quality

Kaldewei has won more than 150 prestigious international awards to date. 48 of these awards were solely given to the company for the excellent design of its shower surfaces. The incomparable quality of superior Kaldewei steel enamel has been accentuating the design of Kaldewei showers for 60 years. New colours such as the company’s Coordinated Colours Collection, ensures that colours are perfectly coordinated with the bathroom floor.

Simple, flat, flexible: integrated system for every requirement

These days shower solutions must not only be persuasive in terms of design but, should also be able to respond flexibly to different installation situations. The trend for floor-level shower areas calls for systems that work well with minimal built heights. Kaldewei, not only meets the latest standards here, but actually sets them: with innovative combinations of shower surface, waste fitting and assembly systems that are easy and safe to install, allow extremely low built heights of just 61 millimetres and which, thanks to flexible variation options, can be integrated into every part of the room. The ESR II installation system and the KA 90 waste fitting, for instance, have demonstrated their practical benefits. Meticulously thought out down to the last detail and perfected over sixty years, complete solutions from Kaldewei offer flawless shower design.

Kaldewei are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

Martin Hulbert unveils Townhouse Residences at The Athenaeum Hotel

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Designer Martin Hulbert has thrown back the curtain of a 14-guestroom pied-a-terre townhouse residences in London…

In the heart of London’s Mayfair overlooking Green Park, the iconic Athenaeum Hotel & Residences unveils the new five-star home from home Townhouse Residences. The 14-bedroom pied-a-terre invites residents to move in and enjoy London, as only Londoners do.

Located on a light-dappled residential side-street, a turn from the Athenaeum’s main entrance and royal Green Park, the elegant mansion, once owned by MP and arts patron Henry Hope now boasts 14 guestrooms.

Designed by the award-winning Martin Hulbert; the creative visionary behind The Grove Hotel, Coworth Park, Barnsley House, Chewton Glen Treehouses and Cliveden; the Townhouse Residences offer space, light and copious amounts of English charm. Hulbert’s elegant, natural palette is punctuated by contrasting tones of warm amber and cool teal which complement the natural light flooding the 37ft bay windows, along with flashes of eccentric British brilliance including Hulbert’s own Sussex landscapes and photography of Mayfair icons.

Drawing upon the Athenaeum’s Art-Deco influence; Herringbone, deep silks, plush velvets, copper and leather are abundant and used to create a stylish yet supremely comfortable setting. Large traditional fireplaces decorated with eclectic objets-de-art, are framed by stylish Gubi chairs to form the centerpiece to the Residence’s living spaces.

Guestroom

“The history of the property and location have been a major source of inspiration,” Hulbert explains. “The design aesthetic is classically English with eccentric touches and creates a feeling of space, light and views, with plenty of nods to Mayfair and Green Park. Whilst at the hotel we are dealing with predominantly functional spaces, with the Residences we want to create a home from home and imbue the space with personality adding plenty of bespoke touches and ensuring the lighting is just right.”

Stylish, bathrooms fitted with intelligent Toto sanitaryware and rain showers provide a luxurious and efficient environment whilst Espa provides the in-room spa experience.

“With our new Residences, guests have the perfect opportunity to truly curate and privatise their stay; from adapting their room configuration and enjoying a discreet, private entrance to choosing whether to prepare their own meals or letting the Michelin-starred Galvin brothers do it for them,” says Athenaeum Hotel & Residences’ general manager, Bernard Murphy. We’re really excited to launch this development and see it being particularly successful in meeting the needs of our long-stay guests”.

Technology is intuitive and discreet with 55-inch televisions, Bose bespoke charging docks for the room controls and conveniently located internationally compatible sockets.

Rugs to take centre stage at Decorex 2018

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For more than 40 years, Decorex International has been the show of choice for the luxury interior design market, and the go-to destination for the design-minded looking to discover new styles and trends. This year, the event returns to Syon Park from the 16th to the 19th September, and will see rugs designed from across the world bringing an international flavour.

Premium quality rug brands offer the chance to brighten any interior space with original, exquisite designs, and pieces which are made to last.

Sourcing the highest quality materials everywhere from China to India, to Kathmandu, each of the pictured exhibitors offer a bespoke service, producing totally original designs for every taste and client, from private residences to commercial projects.

Rug brands that will be exhibiting at Decorex include: Crucial Trading, Amy Kent, Moquetas Rols, Ptolemy Mann, Sahrai, Knot Rugs, Classic Rug Collections, and Mahout.

Hotel Designs is a recognised media partner for Decorex.

 

Rendering of guestroom

First Luxury Collection property to debut in Corfu

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The Luxury Collection has announced the brand’s first hotel in Corfu with the signing of Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu…

Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu will mark the debut of Luxury Collection Resorts brand in Corfu. The idyllic beachfront retreat has emerged from a renovation restoring the legacy property − originally built for the Onassis family in the late 60’s − alongside new contemporary suites and luxury villas. One of a trio of Domes Resorts luxury properties in Greece, Domes Miramare sits at the heart of Greece’s resurgent luxury hospitality landscape, further cementing the Ionian island’s long-standing appeal to sophisticated global travellers. The hotel will operate under the Domes Resorts brand from July 14 2018 and will be converted to operate under The Luxury Collection brand from August 1 2018.

“The Miramare Hotel has a long history of welcoming the glitterati, and it’s heartening to see this icon reclaiming its rightful place as one of the Mediterranean’s newest and most luxurious resorts,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection.  “The stunning, multi-million Euro transformation will ensure that this very special resort remains the definitive luxury destination for decades to come.”

Exterior shot of hotel

Image credit: Luxury Collection Resorts

Originally designed by renowned architect Charalambos Sfaellos, Domes Miramare remains faithful to Sfaellos’ characteristic modernist style. The Adult Only resort (minimum age 16 years), will offer 113 guestrooms, suites and villas that have been elegantly reimagined by Kristina Zanic Design Consultants to reflect the richness and colour of the surrounding landscape. Shades of cream and taupe are blended with accents of soft blue and green, alongside modern furnishings and natural materials in patterns inspired by the surrounding landscape. The spacious marble bathrooms with bespoke pastel-tiled washbasins offer a nod to ancient Greek mosaics.

The resort’s collection of luxurious Pavilion Suites, enjoy beachfront locations with private pools and gardens.  Ideal for larger groups or even families, the hotel is also home to an exclusive area available for private hire, which includes two expansive villas with pools, along with other amenities. Cherished artwork influenced by the island’s Venetian, French, British and Greek heritage adorns walls and public spaces, while Corfiot influences permeate throughout.

“It is all about Legacy! Legacy is the force that inspires and drives us,” said George P. Spanos, Vice President and CEO, Domes Resorts.  “First, the Miramare legacy, which we wish to continue from when the Onassis family first developed the resort; Second, the legacy of Domes Resorts, to continue to open hotels in the most iconic destinations throughout Greece, which combine history and beauty; and finally, the legacy of Corfu being the most aristocratic destination in Greece. Our co-operation with The Luxury Collection brand supports and enhances our vision of developing a resort that will redefine the destination.”

Image credit: Luxury Collection Resorts

Set in shore-hugging grounds, and surrounded by acres of centuries-old olive groves, the resort is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. Guests can revitalise with beachfront yoga, motivate with personal training sessions among the lush grounds, or simply unwind with a relaxing wellness treatment. Several common and private sleek pools, set between the resort’s private stretch of coast and the main building, provide the perfect spot for lounging.

Like all Luxury Collection properties, Domes Miramare offers enriching and inspiring experiences, custom-curated by the Concierge team to aid curious travellers in discovering the destination. Whether guests wish to immerse themselves in the UNESCO protected old town of Corfu, explore the island’s lush interior, or get up close to artisans at work, the possibilities are endless.

Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu showcases the brand’s commitment to delivering authentic experiences in the most coveted destinations around the world. With more than 100 hotels in more than 30 countries and territories, The Luxury Collection, with 46 hotels currently in Europe alone, has solidified itself as the brand of choice for Global Explorers.

 

In conversation with Martin Pease, Managing Director WATG London

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Hotel Designs’ editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with new Managing Director of WATG London Martin Pease to discuss what’s next for the integrated design firm’ …

As industry leaders go, Martin Pease is somewhat unconventional in many of his methods, which is possibly what attracted WATG to him in the first place. Just days into his new role as the Managing Director of WATG London, Pease looked comfortably in control as he welcomed me into the firm’s London hub in Fitzroy Square.

Pease joins WATG from Atkins North America where he was Head of Architecture and Building Engineering from 2014-2018. During that time, he grew the firm’s business by 40 per cent across six offices. Prior to that, he was Head of Architecture for Dubai-based Damac, the largest privately-owned property developer in the Middle East.

What does 25 years of experience look like?, I asked with interest as we kick-started the interview. “Under these rolled up shirt sleeves are a lot of bruises and scars,” said Pease as we sat down in one of the meeting rooms. “Clients are very demanding, and rightly so! When you’re spending a lot of money, you want to feel as if  you’ve got a trusted partner that gets what you’re about. In 25 years, I have been able to understand our clients’ businesses– maybe not as well as they do, but enough to grasp the touchpoints and the sensitivities in their market. 25 years of listening before talking and responding to clients in a way where that they know that you are putting them first has brought me to this moment.”

There’s something infectious about speaking to Pease. His hands-on leadership style is clear to see and also refreshing while his ability to always look ahead is inspirational. “I want to be involved in every aspect of the business because if you understand something then you can help and fine-tune what is a really strong business but can always be stronger,” he admitted. “The minute you think that you have achieved something and you’ve got it perfect, that’s the moment you should ask yourself ‘well what are we doing here? Is there something else we can do?’ because otherwise you stand still.”

Quick-fire round:

HK: Favourite colour:
MP:Somewhere between black and white.
HK: What’s your favourite hotel of all time:
MP:Chateau De Mercues
HK: Biggest bugbear in hotel design:
MP: Key cards that don’t work
HK: Favourite hobby:
MP: I paint and draw constantly
HK: Travel essential:
MP: My Ipod classic with all my audiobooks.
HK: Who inspires you daily:
MP: At the moment, Gareth Southgate.
HK: Favourite meal:
MP:A genuine Paella.
HK: Number one tool for success:
MP:You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Architects don’t listen enough.

Pease arrives to the firm weeks after the WATG’s Great Architectural Bake-Off, which he promises me was not planned as he admits he is not the best baker in the world. Following the firm bringing together the best architects in London for the competition, I wanted to know how Pease saw collaboration in our industry. “The strongest organisations have a very solid collaborative spirit,” he explained. “You need to learn from mistakes that you make, as well as the mistakes that other people have made. Plus, clients are exactly the same. You need to be collaborative and cooperative. I compare what we do similar to that of an arranged marriage. It’s not a casual relationship that you strike up for a few weeks. Our relationships last years, and beyond if you are lucky enough to get repeat work. We are a bit like swans in the sense that we want to ‘mate for life’.

Pease’s unique style is a perfect match for one of the leading architectural firms in the world. With more than 19 major openings planned this year, Pease joins the firm at an exciting time and I look forward to following his and the company’s journey with interest.