Kempinski is delighted to announce that the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana has been honoured by the 2017 World Travel Awards. The new deluxe hotel is the winner of the award for Cuba’s Leading Hotel Suite 2017 – for the Suite Presidential Lorca.
The most luxurious and spacious space in the hotel, Suite Presidential Lorca, overlooks the Central Square and Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. The Suite Presidential Lorca consists of a large living room with four large French doors/windows, a separate dining room, a guest toilet and a small kitchenette. The bedroom features one king size bed, a large walk-in closet and a large bathroom with a Jacuzzi bathtub, separate rain shower cabin, two sinks and a bidet. The suite connects to a Gran Deluxe Twin Room. Room amenities include high ceilings, flat-screen TV, work desk, coffee and tea facilities, and safe. The Suite Presidential Lorca measures 150 square metres or 1,615 square feet.
The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.
“We are most excited about this win and what it means for our property. Kempinski is one of the most famous luxury brands in the world that represents the best in quality and the highest standards in European hospitality. We are confident in saying that the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana has already began to set new standards for hospitality in the Caribbean. When making every decision, we strive for excellence and individuality, and we deliver. Cuba hasn’t seen a luxury hotel like the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana,” says Xavier Destribats, Chief Operating Officer The Americas,
Guests can choose from 246 luxury rooms and suites, ranging in size from 40 to the stunning presidential suite’s 150 square metres – all with ceilings of four to five metres. The rooftop terrace and swimming pool, with views over the old town, are just one of the property’s many dazzling features.
Dernier & Hamlyn recently completed its third project for luxury hotel brand Four Seasons following successful commissions in London and Baku.
In partnership with Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the London-based bespoke lighting specialists manufactured unique antique brass chandeliers for public areas throughout the Four Seasons Hampshire hotel that utilised a range of a range of its artisans’ skills.
Nine 12-arm pendants 1m high and some 1.2m across were produced for the hotel’s drawing room and five chandeliers hand wrapped in rope were produced for the hotel’s lounge and reception areas requiring painstaking attention to detail to achieve the desired effect.
Dernier & Hamlyn also updated and rewired many of the hotel’s existing light fittings to bring them in line with modern standards and wired vintage lighting that had been sourced by the MBDS team too.
Martin Brudnizki Design Studio said: “We’ve used Dernier & Hamlyn for a number of MBDS’ projects from small restaurants to extremely large hotels. We are always impressed by their knowledge and their expertise and their ability to problem solve rather than just deliver lighting. This was demonstrated again for Four Seasons Hampshire where they balanced the requirements of our design concepts with practicality, aesthetic beauty and affordability.”
Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe, has introduced a contemporary, new-look to its Essente collection of stylish curtain and upholstery fabrics – and displayed it at this year’s Decorex.
The collection includes curtains, voiles and sheers, dim outs and upholstery fabrics, suitable for both domestic and commercial installations.
It takes the range in a fresh new direction with more colour and pattern, offering a host of exciting, of-the-moment looks for interior dressing including the much in-vogue ikat geometrics.
David Harris, MD of Kobe UK said: “The new-look Essente range has a much more contemporary feel with the focus on a vibrant colour palette and more pattern. We still offer the same selection of neutral tones but have added more choice to reflect all interior tastes.”
The collection follows on from the success of previous Essente ranges which offer a wide selection of chic, and easy-care interior fabrics. As a sister brand, Essente also benefits from the logistical excellence of Kobe and its sophisticated automated warehouse and ERP system, while giving access to a wider customer base through realistic price points. Retail prices start at £16 for curtain weights and £27 for upholstery fabrics.
Essente also features a range of durable upholstery fabrics that are easy to wash and score highly on the Martindale rub test. The collections are available direct from stock or FR treated to order with a domestic back coat which complies with the BS 5852 ignition source 0 and 1, passing the cigarette match test.
With its reputation for combining five star service and luxury within a relaxed and intimate environment, Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel, is extremely honoured to announce that they have been invited to join the prestigious hotel group, Relais & Châteaux.
Relais & Châteaux is a collection of elite, mainly family run hotels in lovely locations with wonderful facilities, great food, warm personal hospitality and five-star services. All of these qualities Calabash has as their core values, and this will continue as they always strive to exceed their guests’ expectations.
“It is a huge honour to be part of such a highly regarded hotel group and we feel that there is much synergy between ourselves and Relais & Châteaux. So we are looking forward to a great partnership and bright future together!” Comments Director of Sales & Marketing, Adele Garbutt.
Earlier this year, Calabash was also honoured with the top Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Award, after being named the No.1 Hotel in the Caribbean, showing the consistently excellent standards held by the Grenadian hotel.
The Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa is due to complete an extensive upgrade project in early October, which includes the renovation of reception, the bar area and spa, raising the benchmark for the standard of accommodation on the island.
A guest blog from Professor Stuart Barnes on the importance of marketing for hoteliers…
Hotels are losing customers because they aren’t using the most effective marketing messages for their ratings, reveals new research from King’s Business School. The researchers have created a model that exposes the truth about hotel performance using text from online customer reviews on websites such as TripAdvisor.
Using a big data set of more than a quarter of a million online reviews for more than 25,000 hotels in 16 countries, a total of 19 controllable factors were found to be vital for hotels to manage in their interactions with visitors. These included checking in and out, communication, homeliness, room experience and accommodating pets.
The research further identified the most important dimensions according to the star rating of hotels, with homeliness and events management being important for five-star hotels, while room experience and communication were basic requirements at one-star level.
“However, not all factors are considered by hotels and hotel comparison websites, like homeliness and natural beauty which the research revealed to be important for top-rated hotels and older consumers,” says Professor Stuart Barnes, “and so key marketing messages are being missed that would target the ideal customers. Hotels need to position themselves carefully.”
Clear differences were also found according to demographic segments. For example, men are more sensitive to price than women, while female hotel customers place greater significance on the standard of the bathroom.
The results, recently published in the journal Tourism Management, have clear implications for how hotels effectively market their offerings to different customers.
The application of advanced, mathematical machine learning techniques has provided an important development in marketing as Barnes, in collaboration with Hohai University, used them to develop a new model, which was compared with traditional numerical ratings. The approach provides a potential solution for many businesses seeking to understand the voice of their customers.
Hypnos is exhibiting at this year’s Decorex show in London.
Attendees to the show will be able to find the Hypnos stand at C20A from 17th to 20th September where they will be showcasing their luxury, handcrafted products including the Regal Signature no-turn mattress and new Paris sofa bed. Also available on stand will be the Continental split divan, Alpaca topper and Eleanor headboard, along with our latest fabric collections.
Clare Taylor, marketing manager at Hypnos Contract Beds commented: “We are delighted to be exhibiting at this year’s Decorex show. Interior designers will be able to experience first-hand our extensive range of products, which we will be showcasing.
“The Hypnos brand is synonymous with quality and supreme comfort, providing designers and accommodation providers with the confidence that our products will ensure their customers get a great night’s sleep.”
Hypnos specialises in the production and installation of supremely comfortable, hygienic and safe mattresses, beds and sofa beds for the hotel, hospitality and retail markets. At Decorex, Hypnos will be launching a new range of sofa beds specifically designed for the hospitality sector.
Their brand is reinforced by a rich heritage and royal warrant, which has been appointed by HRH the Queen. It is this reputation for superior quality and expertise that has allowed us to cement this prestigious reputation both in the UK and around the world.
Decorex has been in full swing all week and comes to a close on Wednesday, Hotel Designs was there to take a look at this year’s edition…
Succeeding Tim Gosling’s 2016 spectacular entrance, 2017’s entrance celebrate the design industry through interiors, floristry, theatre and product.
Meanwhile, a programme of seminars take place across all four days, Hotel Designs caught insight on modelling business for design, luxury lighting, global design trends and working with wool.
As part of the Sight area of Design Sense, Tim Gosling and guests were teaching a series of masterclasses on all aspects of visual design. From drawing and watercolours to gilding and works with leather and glass.
Key members of the BIID hosted a series of mentoring sessions during this year’s Decorex, designed to support new and emerging designers making their way in the interior design profession. These informal round-table Q&A sessions will focus on both the residential, commercial and hospitality markets as well as offering business skills advice.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has revealed the name of its new high-quality midscale brand, avid hotels, alongside a brand logo and renderings of the hotel exterior, public space and guest rooms. First introduced to owners at the IHG Americas Conference in June, avid hotels is franchise ready beginning today, officially marking the start of licensing in the US for this much-anticipated new brand.
More than 150 owners have already expressed interest in the brand demonstrating the strong demand and great potential for avid hotels in this market segment. IHG expects the first avid hotels locations to begin construction in early 2018, and the first hotel is anticipated to open in early 2019.
Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer, IHG, said: “We built our Holiday Inn Express® brand into a hugely successful, leading midscale brand. Now, with the introduction of avid hotels, we’re set to add another one and extend IHG’s leadership position in this segment. With 14 million potential customers looking for the type of hospitality avid hotels will offer, this new hotel brand represents a significant growth opportunity for IHG and our family of owners.”
This brand is designed for travelers who want a hotel stay that finally meets their expectations for the type of hospitality they value most – the basics done exceptionally well – at a price point expected to be about $10-15 less than IHG’s industry-leading Holiday Inn Express brand.
Elie Maalouf, Chief Executive Officer, IHG, The Americas, added: “Our extensive consumer research and conversations with owners identified a clear opportunity to reach an important set of business and leisure travelers in a vastly underserved $20 billion segment of the U.S. midscale market. We applied our insights, expertise and scale to deliver an experience that features modern and stylish designs, superior guest rooms and public spaces and great service – all at an excellent value. I have no doubt avid hotels will continue IHG’s success in delivering what our guests want, while driving superior returns for our owners.”
New brand features shared for the first time: – avid hotels logo illustrates the brand’s confident and modern design. In its confident and refreshing colors of red and aqua, the logo features a signature checkmark, which acts as a stamp of confidence that avid hotels will deliver an unrivaled experience. This brand is the first to launch using IHG’s master brand mark – An IHG® Hotel – in communications and building signage, underlining its strength as part of one of the world’s leading hotel companies.
– Exterior and public space renderings for avid hotels bring the brand experience to life. Setting the brand apart, the modern exterior hotel design includes an open and airy retail-like entry, a canopy and uses the stairwell as an eye catching red architectural feature. On the inside, guests will find vibrant, open public and work areas and inviting communal spaces that allow guests to relax, work, connect or eat. Hotels will offer a focused, high-quality, complimentary breakfast and marketplace options made for guests on the go. The entire hotel will be equipped with IHG Connect® Wi-Fi with the fastest speed in the industry and the ability for loyalty members to be automatically connected for all future visits. Hotels will also leverage IHG’s state-of-the-art, cloud-based next generation reservation system, and guests will benefit from the power of IHG® Rewards Club at avid hotels.
– Guest room renderings highlight unique hotel features. Rooms are constructed with sound reducing features for a superior night’s sleep, and the bathroom experience re-energizes guests with a fresh and bright design. Each guest room will also offer a dedicated workspace and ample open, easy-to-use storage, as well as innovative in-room entertainment options that allow guests to cast content from their smart devices to in-room televisions.
In addition to creating the brand to delight guests, its design and operating model was developed in collaboration with an owner advisory board, ensuring that avid hotels are efficient to build, operate and maintain. Hotels will be designed for new build construction on an average lot size of approximately 1.5 acres, and all avid hotels will be built to lead the industry in environmentally friendly and efficient design. The prototype design features 95-100 keys with a minimum of three stories.
The recent highly successful launch of The Ned onto London’s hotel scene has been the culmination of three years hard work for Tricon, the client and the whole design team.
The Ned has quickly become a popular destination amongst the glitterati in the capital and the stunning renovation work has received extensive praise. But it’s been a long journey for those involved and the former Midland Bank Headquarters, a Grade 1 listed building originally designed by Sir Edwin “Ned” Lutyens and built in the 1930s, has presented many challenges. Converting the bank into a luxury hotel started when Nick Jones founder of Soho House first saw the building in 2012. They then joined forces with the New York based Sydell Group who commissioned Tricon to work with architects EPR.
Comprising 252 luxury rooms and 12 restaurants and bars, the Ned boasts Venetian, Californian, New York and Asian cuisine to name just a few. The restaurants and bars are predominantly located in the Ned’s former grand historic banking hall with three more, open to members only, on the rooftop bar and terrace, the wine bar and a private members’ club. The building’s role in cinematic history must also be acknowledged with the huge vault in the basement, famously used in the James Bond film Goldfinger, forming the main entrance to the basement bar.
The vast 3,000 square meter banking hall on the ground floor has been remodelled and takes in the hotel’s reception as well as the numerous restaurants and bars. Each of the restaurants has its own distinct space, separated by 92 beautiful verdite columns and rows of walnut panelling.
Tricon’s involvement was from the very inception of the project. Key to making the hotel work was a clear strategy of how the hotel’s planned food and beverage could be distributed around the building discreetly within the challenges of a listed building structure. Tricon worked closely with both architect and engineers to achieve a workable solution, in conjunction with the Soho House operational team to ensure that the central kitchens linked with the satellite outlets. Once logistics were resolved attention was then paid to detailing the kitchen, show kitchen and back bar areas to optimise the use of space for the various dining concepts; detailing every aspect of the operational kitchen designs and planning the equipment specification and installation; finally inspecting installation work as it progressed and signing off the final works.
Tricon Managing Director, Mike Coldicott commented, “This huge project has taken one of London’s iconic buildings, that had been empty for eight years and has turned it into something wonderful. You can see people’s jaws drop when they walk into the Great Hall and we’re delighted to have been able to play our part in its renewal.”
They are fun, informative and interactive. They are helpful and engaging. Meet Dorsett’s very first robots – V Jr. at Dorsett Shanghai.
The first hotel within Dorsett Hospitality International has welcomed two high-tech additions into the hotel’s guest service team, V Jr. offers guests the options to integrate business with pleasure.
V Jr. is equipped with voice and touch screen inquiry on hotel facilities and is able to provide local information from dining, shopping to exercise information; assist with catering events including sending invitations, guest registration, and even entertains during event break time with song and dance performances.
V Jr. is a delightful addition to Dorsett Shanghai and radiates Dorsett’s brand elements of being fun, playful, thoughtful, passionate, dynamic and flexible.
Robot V Jr. is manufactured by Tami Intelligence Technology (Beijing) and will be part of Dorsett Shanghai’s guest service team for the next two years.
Despite the fact analysts have predicted a decline in travel across Europe from the UK following the Brexit referendum, hoteliers in major European destinations have signalled that the hospitality industry is remaining confident as several cities have seen an increase in hotel room rates in the last year.
Data collected during the summer period and released today by OTA Insight, the leading hotel revenue management solutions provider, reveals that seven out of eight leading holiday cities have seen significant increases in hotel rates since the UK voted to leave the European Union.
In a concerted effort to recover from its financial downturn, Athens has seen the most significant increase in room rates of 20 per cent, followed by Lisbon at 16 per cent. Copenhagen, which frequently tops the recent must-see lists has seen continued growth in tourism and bed nights coupled with an increase in rates on 14 per cent. Madrid came fourth at eight per cent, closely followed by Dubrovnik at seven per cent and the ever popular Madrid and Paris at three per cent. Nice was the only city which saw a decline in rates of one per cent.
Adriaan Coppens, CEO and founder, OTA Insight, said: “There has been a significant increase in hotel rates across Europe at a time when many would expect hoteliers to reduce prices in an effort to Brexit-proof their revenues. It is encouraging to see that there are still high and increasing visitor numbers of destinations across the continent and in turn hoteliers have the confidence to respond to this continued level of demand with an increase in rates. Hotel rates will inevitably decline in some destinations but overall the outlook for revenues is positive.”
Information is based on median best available rate data pulled for 30 June 2016 vs 30 June 2017, from a sample range of 3, 4 and 5 star hotels in Athens, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Madrid, Dubrovnik, Berlin, Paris and Nice for rates from 13 – 21 August 2016 and 12 – 20 August 2017.
The citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon Hotel, which is now open, is the 3rd citizenM hotel in France and is located a short walk away from the Gare de Lyon station.
It features 338 rooms and as with its sister properties the hotel is home to innovative tech amenities including; self check-in; completely customisable guest rooms via touchscreen MoodPads; communal workspaces; meeting areas fitted with Smart TVs; furniture by the renowned Swiss brand Vitra; canteenM – the 24 hour grab & go style canteen that has a full service cocktail bar, and outdoor space such as an open air patio and cloudM – a rooftop bar offering stunning views of the river Seine and the city.
The property also features a selection of specially commissioned art works by popular Dutch artists Jetske Visser & Michiel Martens who have created a install called “Reflecting Holons” which combines bubbles and light that continually shine, move, and dance in the entrance area creating a visually interactive arresting spectacle.
In addition to this the hotel also houses a bespoke mural by French street artist Mast Cora, and a fresco by Romain Froquet to name a few.
Boston Marriott Burlington has announced the completion of its multi-phase transformation, adding newly imagined guestrooms to the property’s suite of contemporary upgrades.
The extensive transformation, which includes the introduction of CHOPPS American Bar and Grill (the property’s upscale modern chophouse), a new open concept Great Room and lobby area, over 14,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space, and several updated guest amenities.
Boston Marriott Burlington worked with the Atlanta-based firm Design Continuum to introduce a fresh and modern esthetic to their 418 guestrooms at suites. Inspired by the tranquility of Burlington’s natural forests, the rooms offer a soothing and natural feel complete with modern finishes and fresh accents.
Great Room at Boston Marriott Burlington (PRNewsfoto/Boston Marriott Burlington)
The overall design embraces Marriott’s high standard of excellence, while building an identity for the property that marries the natural inspirations of Burlington and the geometric and architecture of nearby Boston.
Guest rooms now feature expanded entry ways complete with generous storage, fully updated bathrooms with a custom sliding barn door, as well as lounge seating and traditional desk amenities for both leisure and business travelers respectively. Additionally, all double rooms now feature two queen beds, while king bedrooms are enhanced with a twin bed-sized chaise lounge.
Enseo technology is offered complimentary in all guest rooms, which includes on-demand access to top entertainment partners including Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, Pandora, and Crackle.
Hotel Republic San Diego is preparing to debut mid-October as the city’s newest boutique luxury hotel property within Marriott International’s repertoire of Autograph Collection Hotels.
Located at 421 West B Street in downtown’s civic district, Hotel Republic will provide guests with an insider experience of San Diego through artisans, amenities and local culinary talent.
Hotel Republic stands on the historic site of the original San Diego Steam Laundry company building, which was built by Swedish immigrants in the late 19th century.
Now in 2017, following a top-to-bottom renovation—and a deliberate transformation from the former W Hotel to the Renaissance San Diego Hotel by owner Rockpoint Group and management company HEI Hotels & Resorts—Hotel Republic will act as a new social and business hub within San Diego.
De Vere, a collection of country estate hotels and modern event spaces which is part of The Principal Hotel Company, officially launched last week following an investment of more than £100 million from Starwood Capital Group. This forms part of The Principal Hotel Company’s wider £300 million investment programme across the group’s 35 landmark UK properties.
Bringing together 22 properties, 662 event spaces, 1,200 acres of grounds and over 4,000 bedrooms, the re-launch celebrates an exciting new chapter for De Vere which sees historic, mansion house hotels extensively renovated to celebrate their British heritage and the estates’ natural landscapes. The portfolio includes five properties in central London, including De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden and De Vere Holborn Bars.
More than 1,000 people joined Laurie Nicol, Chief Operating Officer, at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in Holborn, London, to celebrate the launch of the brand.
Laurie Nicol, COO, De Vere, commented: “We’ve got a fantastic team working on the transformation of De Vere, and our new-look brand is already receiving great feedback from both business and leisure guests. The £100m invested includes comprehensive hotel renovations, as well as staff training and development, and thoughtful expressions of the new brand such as Hunter wellies, unique sculptures and outdoor breakout spaces.”
De Vere Launch Party – Laurie Nicol, Chief Operating Officer at De Vere
She continued: “By restoring these stunning historical buildings and breathing new life into our event spaces, we’re creating inspirational locations where traditional values meet the latest luxuries.”
The investment in the estate’s grounds has formed a crucial element of the wider new-look De Vere brand. The external landscapes have been enhanced to ensure they offer guests beautiful and inspiring outdoor spaces that are a natural extension of the hotel. The Great Outdoors project has placed super-fast outdoor Wi-Fi up to 100m from the property, commissioned sculptures, created kitchen gardens and introduced bee hives and bug hotels to encourage native wildlife. In April 2017, Justin Turner, who previously held roles at the Royal Horticultural Society and Royal Botanical Gardens, was appointed to the newly created role of Head of Estate Management to oversee the implementation at De Vere’s country estates and modern event spaces.
A new coffee shop concept, Burr & Co. has been placed in a number of updated properties and will continue to be introduced to the portfolio over the coming months. The authentic design of Burr & Co. offers guests a relaxed space in which to break out from a meeting, collaborate with others or simply take a moment to relax whilst enjoying a selection of high quality coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks, plus artisan cakes, healthy snacks and pastries.
De Vere is also transforming its restaurants and bars through inspiring design, modern menus based on traditional British cooking and ingredients and extensive outdoor dining experiences. By partnering with Wendy Martinson OBE, the team has developed new and innovative conference menus as part of a ground-breaking initiative for the industry which will see De Vere properties now offer nutritional values for each dish along with menu items and ingredients that help promote energy level and concentration.
The company’s new meeting and events product, Smart Space, has also launched this month, which will execute meticulously crafted and unforgettable meetings and events through nine service features. These promise ease of booking; inspirational meeting rooms – be that a bright and contemporary training space or an executive boardroom with nods to the property’s heritage; a personal conference host; tech-savvy support; new Burr & Co. breakout areas; nutritionally balanced delegate menus; the group’s three existing rewards programmes – Applause Rewards, ShowTime Rewards and Trainers’ Club; inspiring outdoor spaces and access to a team of specialists to help ensure delegates get moving and remain motivated throughout the day. Smart Space will be available at many De Vere properties across the UK.
De Vere is celebrating its re-launch following a series of major renovations across the portfolio, including the completion of De Vere Wotton House, De Vere Latimer Estate and De Vere Tortworth Court, with further transformations to be unveiled in the coming months across De Vere Beaumont Estate, De Vere Wokefield Estate, De Vere Horsley Estate and more.
De Vere Wotton House (re-launched February 2017) The spectacular 17th century De Vere Wotton House, located outside Dorking, Surrey, has been restored back to its country house mansion charms following a £6 million refurbishment. Nestled in 13 acres of stunning Grade II listed grounds, it boasts the first Italian garden designed by famous botanist John Evelyn (the inspiration for Crabtree & Evelynn) who lived at Wotton House in the 17th century.
The renovation created an additional 16 suites to the Mansion House, bringing the total number of rooms to 127, all featuring stylish en-suites and fantastic views of either the beautiful gardens or dramatic manor house entrance. The hotel’s restaurant and bar have also undergone a full refurbishment and have been relaunched as 1877 Restaurant & Bar.
De Vere Latimer Estate (re-launched June 2017) Nicknamed The Spy House because of its connections with WWII, Grade I listed De Vere Latimer Estate completed a £7 million renovation which uncovered and restored many original features, as well as subtly celebrating the hotel’s connection to a secret history. Situated among Buckinghamshire’s rolling Chiltern Hills, De Vere Latimer Estate’s biggest transformation occurred in the mansion house with the conversion of meeting rooms and offices to 31 new deluxe rooms and suites to bring the total number of guestrooms to 205.
The investment has also included the new 1838 Restaurant & Bar, located in the Mansion House and featuring an open kitchen, as well as the historic Library, which features stunning views over the Chiltern Hills and serves a traditional afternoon tea.
De Vere Tortworth Court (re-launched July 2017) One of Gloucestershire’s hidden countryside retreats, De Vere Tortworth Court completed a £5 million restoration that transformed meeting rooms into 11 new spacious suites, to bring the total number of guestrooms and suites in the main house to 55. The largest suite, The Kipling, includes a dining table for six guests and a lounge within 78 square metres that can be connected to The Paxton, to form a family suite that spans 129 square metres, overlooking the formal gardens. The Grade II listed Victorian mansion also boasts one of Britain’s finest arboretums with hundreds of rare and domestic trees located across the estate’s 30 acres.
Due to showcase their completed new looks in spring 2018, De Vere Wokefield Estate and De Vere Beaumont Estate will individually receive an investment of over £9m to renew both their mansion house and modern event spaces. New restaurants have already been introduced to both hotels, together with refreshed event spaces, including Wokefield’s executive centre, Wokefield Place, which completed this month following a major renovation project and features 30 flexible meeting and event spaces, a Burr & Co. Deli and 222 bedrooms.
In addition to De Vere, The Principal Hotel Company includes the PRINCIPAL brand of city-centre hotels based in landmark buildings. The brand recently launched its fourth hotel, The Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square, formerly The Roxburghe and will be launching The Principal London later this year following a £70m refurbishment.
New metal consoles available in modern matt black or chrome, lighten the appearance with a cool finish and add an individual finishing touch to the DuraSquare range.
The metal console is height-adjustable with an optional towel holder on the right or left offering maximum flexibility. Whether floor-standing or wall-mounted, the practical glass shelf creates even more storage space and is available in six different colours including; Jade, Stone Blue and Flannel Grey. This brings a unique splash of colour to the bathroom which can be easily combined with all Duravit furniture ranges.
The architectural design of the DuraSquare washbasins, handrinse and above-counter basins are seamlessly linear and finished with a high level of precision. The extremely thin basin rims measure just 5mm. The smooth inner basin forms a soft aesthetic contrast to the precise geometry of the series.
The minimalist basins are made of the innovative DuraCeram® ceramic compound. This material makes it possible to create easy-to-maintain above-counter basins with an extremely thin, yet robust rim. The basins are available in the standard dimensions popular with architects, including 1000 and 600 mm (washbasins), 450 mm (handrinse basins) and 600 mm (above-counter basins).
Black and White Hospitality has secured a new hotel management contract, and will now operate London’s newest concept venue, the independently owned New Road Hotel.
Known as the brand behind the Marco Pierre White Restaurant Group, this latest partnership joins an already impressive portfolio, which boasts the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel and Spa Bristol South, Hotel Indigo Birmingham and the Hampton by Hilton Sheffield.
The New Road Hotel, due to open in October 2017, is located on the site of a former textile factory in Whitechapel, with an interior which reflects the venue’s past purpose and the heritage of the East End.
The boutique hotel is designed to target business commuters and young travellers alike, with exclusive suites including hot tubs aimed at the higher spenders, and more affordable rooms with large communal areas for those wanting a more sociable hotel experience.
The hotel’s concept will focus around stripped-back luxury, with exposed brick work, open lobby spaces flooded with light and five-star service. It’ll pride itself on high functionality and necessity instead of frills and opulence.
Securing the management contract of the New Road Hotel further shows Black and White Hospitality’s versatility, highlighting its desire to work with independent, unique sites such as this, as well as full service hotels with health clubs and spas. With the hospitality brand being synonymous with excellent dining experiences, the New Road Hotel will house London’s first Mr White’s English Chophouse, the Marco Pierre White franchise which specialises in quality cuts of British meat. The menu will focus around steaks, grills and chops.
Along with five Marco Pierre White restaurant franchises and its ever-growing hotel business, Black and White Hospitality also operates theclubandspa in both Birmingham and Bristol. Nick Taplin, CEO of Black and White Hospitality, said: “The New Road Hotel is definitely one of the most exciting and unique openings in the capital this autumn, and the hotel is a perfect fit for our brand. It’s so different to other spaces in London, and we can’t wait to open this October.
“The business is growing nationally at a fast pace, and winning the management contract for such a sought after location in one of the biggest cities in the world is a credit to the hard work we put in at every level of Black and White Hospitality.
“The other big news that comes with this opening is the launching of our Chophouse brand at the hotel. It’ll be the first time we’ve brought a Mr White’s English Chophouse to the capital, and with a sizeable menu of prime cuts of meat, we know the guests at the New Road Hotel won’t be leaving hungry,” he added.
Transform bathrooms into a luxurious retreat with the complete collection of brassware, furniture units and accessories from British bathroom specialist, Crosswater.
Combining modern functionality with on-trend aesthetics, each product from the brand’s extensive offering is manufactured to the highest specifications, offering customers assured quality and superior performance.
A. Pier Sliding Shower Door with Panel: From £1288.00; Zion Shower Head: £179.00; Rectangular 25mm Stone Resin Shower Tray with Linear Waste: From £285.00
B. Mike Pro Mirror 600: £315.00; Pier 800 Unit & Cast Mineral Marble Basin in Steel: £929.00; Svelte White Wall Hung WC & Soft Close Seat: £535.00
Perfect for introducing a high-tech element to bathing spaces, Bauhaus by Crosswater’s NEW range of LED mirrors offers the latest in sensor-operated illumination. Combining user-friendly technology alongside design excellence, the Mike Pro mirror comes in two sizes and provides a bright, radiant light that is triggered with a simple hand motion.
C. Pier 1000 Unit & Cast Mineral Marble Basin in Steel: £1155.00
To create a sense of modern elegance, team Crosswater’s polished chrome brassware fittings with the natural wood surface of the Pier furniture range.
D. Mike Pro Mirror 600: £315.00; Avillas 54 Basin: £395.00; Mike Pro Base 2-Hole Tap Set: £269.00
Compete with an inset basin, these striking, wall-hung vanity units provide ample space to store toiletries and general bathroom clutter, whilst the angular silhouette makes for a real design statement.
E. Mike Pro Mirror 450: £295.00 F. Mike Pro Mirror 600: £315.00 G. Mike Pro Base 2-Hole Tap Set: £269.00 H. Avillas 54 Basin: £395.00
I. Water Circle Basin Monobloc Tap: £409.00 J. Zion Shower Head: £179.00 K. Water Circle Basin Monobloc Tap: £409.00 L. Zion Shower Head: £179.00
Offering a design choice for every aspect of the bathroom, the brand’s three focused collections of Crosswater, Bauhaus and Simpsons provide everything you need to create a fully functional and appealing space. From the latest designer brassware collections and statement ceramic styles, to shower enclosures with an impressive lifetime guarantee, Crosswater is the go-to name in superior bathroom design.
Sheffield-based contractor JF Finnegan has completed a 36-bedroom extension to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sheffield Park on Chesterfield Road in the city.
JF Finnegan built the original hotel 25 years ago and work has now completed on the new £3.2 million extension.
The extension to the existing hotel, located in a Sheffield suburb close to the Peak District, provides an additional 36 bedrooms split equally across three floors. Constructed at the far end of the car park near the hotel entrance, it is connected to the existing building at each floor level with access provided via a glazed link.
The works have increased the bedroom offer to 131 to accommodate guests and complement hotel facilities which include The Piano Bar and Restaurant, lounges, a health club, meeting & conference facilities, a beauty spa and swimming pool.
The former Sheffield Park Hotel reopened under the popular DoubleTree by Hilton brand in 2011 and is owned and operated by Vine Hotels. Gary Smith, Managing Director at JF Finnegan, said: “After constructing the original hotel more than 25 years ago, we were delighted to return to deliver the new extension. The new facilities have further enhanced this popular hotel and we are pleased to have continued our working relationship with Hilton.”
Andrew Rouse, Commercial Development Director at Vine Hotels, said: “Having originally acquired this hotel in 2012 and invested in upgrading the facilities to the DoubleTree by Hilton brand standards we are delighted to be investing in the expansion and growth of this popular local hotel. We have been happy to build on our successful working relationship with JF Finnegan who have now completed another excellent job.”
Alongside its varied and diverse contractual work portfolio, JF Finnegan has a long history of hotel construction, including the Hampton by Hilton 103 bedroom hotel in Oxford, the seven-storey Mercure Hotel in Edinburgh and the Holiday Inn Express hotels in central Sheffield and Bedford.
Franklin Ellis are Architect for the project, with Ridge Property & Construction Consultants as Engineer. Ben Dudley, associate partner at Franklin Ellis Architects, said: “We are delighted to successfully complete this project at DoubleTree Sheffield with Vine Hotels and we’re really pleased to reveal the completed extension. Vine Hotels are well-established in the hotel sector and they own and operate a portfolio of high quality hotels. The DoubleTree at Sheffield was identified for investment focusing on the Hilton ethos of enhancing the guest experience.
“This extension consolidates the hotel as a premium conferencing and leisure offer serving South Yorkshire and the Midlands. We are proud to have been able to deliver the extension to a high-standard on behalf of Vine Hotels and Hilton.”
This September, in the dense mangrove vegetation of Tulum, a secret retreat is ready to welcome discerning adventurers and respite-seekers worldwide.
Nestled amongst a swaying sea of lush emerald palms, the Tulum Treehouse is a private home located a stone’s throw from the heart of Tulum — yet it is a flourishing jungle setting near the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve that sets this experience apart.
Here, a five-bedroom house has been created by local craftspeople in collaboration with an international design team, collectively putting sustainability above everything else.
Large common areas, several spacious wrap-around terraces, multiple spaces for indoor-outdoor living, and five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms make up this exclusive, full-service jungle escape.
Isrotel, Israel’s leading hotel chain, debuts The Orient Jerusalem, their only property located within the country’s capital city.
The property marks the latest addition to the brand’s Exclusive Collection, which is solely comprised of five star hotels (Cramim, Beresheet, Carmel Forest Spa Resort, Royal Beach Tel Aviv, and Royal Beach Eilat).
Positioned in Western-Jerusalem’s storied German Colony, one of the city’s most vibrant, upscale, and sought-after neighbourhoods, The Orient Jerusalem sits at a crossroads of culture, entertainment, and leisure. The property is a mere 20 minutes from the heart of Jerusalem’s prized Old City and is just steps away from HaTachana, the city’s first-ever train station (built in 1892) which has since transformed into a lively district of designer boutiques, trendy cafes, chef-driven restaurants, and unique galleries.
An amalgamation of old and new and a junction of East and West, the hotel itself comprises of 243 beautifully-appointed guestrooms and suites in its newly constructed central building, as well as a selection of accommodations inside two expertly preserved Templar Buildings from 1882 and 1883.
Sekers is pleased to launch LAREDO, an antique look mock leather upholstery with a subtle two tone effect.
Available in a palette of fifteen rich colours, including warm naturals, greys and red, Laredo is a versatile fabric with a wonderfully soft handle.
Supplied with a Crib 5 flame retardant backing and with a Martindale abrasion performance of 100,000, Laredo is perfect for the most demanding upholstery application and the ideal choice for the commercial hospitality, leisure and marine markets.
Jean-Michel Gathy, the legend behind some of the world’s most iconic luxury hotel and resort design celebrates more than 30 years of achievement in 2017 as Principal Designer at Denniston Architects.
For more than three decades, Jean-Michel Gathy has been the architect responsible for consistently pioneering and redefining the design of leading luxury hotels and resorts world-wide such as The Chedi Muscat, Aman Resorts, The Setai, One&Only, Park Hyatt and LVMH Hotels to name a few.
Pioneering Design Denniston Architects believes that it is important to address all the components of architecture, interiors and landscape at once in a synergistic seamless flow when building a hotel. Working alongside many of the pioneers of luxury hotels, Jean-Michel Gathy has conceptualised and created some of the most internationally recognized ground breaking designs for the industry’s top hoteliers and owners.
Water Features Abound Dramatic water features are evident in all of Jean-Michel’s designs and play to a strong visual narrative. “The best way to create scenery is by using water. It produces reflective surfaces, which have a space-doubling effect and create drama” shares Gathy. Examples of signature design which pay homage to water include the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore’s largest rooftop infinity pool overlooking the city’s skyline the world’s most extravagant Gold Energy Pool at the St. Regis Lhasa and The Setai Miami.
A Creative Approach to Spa Design With the rise of well-being and healthy living, we never speak of a luxury hotel now without also speaking of its spa. At LVMH’s Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives, Jean-Michel Gathy conceived an intimate “house”, the perfect holiday residence beside the sea. He incorporates matching elements with the island landscape, luxuriant vegetation and its views over the blue lagoon. Positioned in its own island, the journey begins upon sailing to the idyllic spa on board a traditional dhoni. Alongside treatments, guests can enjoy a traditional hammam bath or a yoga session in the dedicated pavilions as a prelude or interlude to their treatments.
Positioned on the shores of a pink-sand private beach, Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro is known to be one of the most beautiful resorts in the Adriatic. Constructed out of a 15th-century fortress, Jean-Michel Gathy drew inspiration from historical features and contemporary reinterpretations while preserving cultural and heritage elements. The property features a 1,600sqm spa offering treatments following a holistic personalised approach with natural Aman products and outdoor terraces for relaxation.
Restaurants & Bars, the new heartbeat of a hotel Whether it is celebrating special occasions or relaxing and socialising, restaurants and bars are the most popular venues and gathering point in a hotel. Tapasake at One&Only Maldives is one of those restaurants that you will always remember. Suspended over water, Gathy has designed a gloriously stylish showcase of glass, stone and stainless steel, with its black terrazzo floor, oyster-grey mother of pearl tables with whalebone-effect legs – and captivating views of the ocean for every diner. Gathy comments “The feeling I’d like people to take away with them as they leave Reethi Rah is fulfilment in every sense: aesthetically, because they have just spent time in one of the world’s beautiful places, and spiritually, because they have had the most marvellous, refreshing, fun time.”
A forerunner of luxury tourism to Oman The Chedi Muscat, an architectural and design masterpiece is a particularly significant and impactful creation of Jean-Michel Gathy as its launch in 2003 served to open the doors to luxury travel to Oman. With the concept of luxury evolving over time, Jean-Michel’s idea remains timeless. “If I have to qualify a good hotel, I would only use one word: comfort,” shares Gathy.
Denniston International is currently working on more than 40 projects globally, including those for One&Only in China and Montenegro, Jumeirah in Bali and Rio de Janeiro, Mandarin Oriental in Bali, Four Seasons Bangkok and, a hotly anticipated green project with Leonardo DiCaprio in Belize.
Nestled in exquisite Cotswold countryside lies The Lygon Arms Spa, a haven of peace away from the hustle and bustle of Broadway. SPA Creators were selected to create a new concept and internal layout to re position the spa into the luxury spa sector inline with a full refurbishment of the hotel.
SPA Creators have been working with the team from concept design through to delivery of the scheme with the main contractor Dimension, Chandler KBS Project Director and Tyak architects.
Facilities include: – 7 treatment rooms equipped with luxury couches and bespoke fitted furniture – Manicure and Pedicure studio – 13-metre indoor pool swimming pool with a retractable roof and a relaxing vitality spa – Technogym fitted fitness suite – New changing areas for male and female including Sauna experiences – A new Spa Kitchen & Juice Bar and SPA Lounge with roof top terrace
Alistair Johnson commented: “This project has been challenging working with an old building and a delivery target of less than 3 months. The project team have delivered a fantastic facility and one, which will become an award winning spa facility and the spa of choice for visitors to the Cotswolds.”
To learn more about the project and to request a tour of the facility please contact 0118 9471857 and one our team would be delighted to help.
See SPA Creators at Independent Hotel Show 2017 on stand 39
The Ritz-Carlton together with the Manz family have announced the completion of the renovation of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva, the legendary luxury hotel brand’s debut in Switzerland.
Formerly known as Hotel de la Paix, Geneva, the 152-year-old hotel underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, extensive re-design and refurbishment, marking a new era in the evolving story of one of Geneva’s most elegant and historic hotels.
“With its storied past and legacy of outstanding service, rich culture, and culinary discoveries, Hotel de la Paix is an ideal fit for The Ritz-Carlton brand, which continues to grow and provide exceptional service and genuine care to our guests across the globe,” said Hervé Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Ritz-Carlton, Bulgari and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “I am delighted to bring the brand and our renowned service to Switzerland – the country where the legendary hotelier Cesar Ritz was born.”
Positioned on the shore of Lake Geneva, with exceptional views of the city’s famous Jet d’Eau and Mont Blanc as a timeless backdrop, Hotel de la Paix has defined luxury in Geneva since its inception in 1865. It has also stood at the crossroads of history, inspiring many memorable gatherings including the International Congress of Peace, and has welcomed high-profile guests from across the globe, such as the Monaco Royal Family and notable American actor Orson Welles.
“We are very excited about the reopening of the Hotel de la Paix under The Ritz-Carlton brand,” said the Manz family. “We chose The Ritz-Carlton as operator because we are convinced that the expertise of The Ritz-Carlton in luxury hospitality is going to help this unique property to maintain its position as one of the leading luxury hotels in Geneva in years to come.”
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva has been thoughtfully renovated to seamlessly blend modern design, functionality and the hotel’s heritage. The newly restored public areas reflect a design concept created around art, time and nature, representing the hotel’s lakeside setting and the city of Geneva. In the hallways of the hotel’s atrium, guests will find an exhibition of tapestries that feature historical figures who played a role in attaining peace, from Giuseppe Garibaldi to Victor Hugo. Its 74 guestrooms, including 14 elegant suites, have been re-styled with a sleek and modern design. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill each room with natural light and are further enhanced by stunning views across Mont Blanc Square, Lake Geneva and the Jet d’Eau. The Grace Kelly Suite, named after the Princess of Monaco who was a regular guest at the hotel, is the hotel’s Presidential Suite, offering sophisticated art deco design and gold leaf gilding, creating an elegant sanctuary.
Paying homage to Geneva’s gastronomic scene, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva captures the cosmopolitan nature of the destination with two new culinary experiences. Inspired by Executive Chef Alessio Corda’s respect for organic, regional dishes, Fiskebar introduces a new Nordic-fusion concept, a first-of-its-kind in Geneva. Spread across four interconnecting spaces, including a fresh fish counter with communal seating, the restaurant’s styling is reminiscent of a traditional Scandinavian fish market, where minimalist interiors are set off by natural materials such as wood and leather to create a Nordic ambience. Living Room Bar & Kitchen offers all-day dining, serving regional dishes and global flavors with a thoughtfully crafted menu that showcases fresh, local and seasonal produce.
The inviting, lounge-style setting is embellished with elements of the building’s historic details and original features, such as the 150-year old parquet and walnut floor. Additionally, the Philippe Pascoët chocolate shop offers authentic sweet confections, handmade by legendary Swiss Master Chocolatier, Philippe Pascoët. Guests can savor a complimentary chocolate upon arrival, indulge in the menu of uniquely-blended hot drinks or pick up a box of artisanal chocolate as a memento.
Building on its reputation for hosting historical gatherings and events, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva will be able to host meetings and conferences in an elegant, flexible space that can accommodate up to 100 guests in an inspiring lakefront setting. The space can be divided into two separate rooms, each offering a garden view and natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows.
“It is an honour to bring The Ritz-Carlton experience to Switzerland, here with an iconic luxury hotel that has borne witness to a multitude of historic world events,” said Jenni Benzaquen, Vice President, Luxury Brands, Europe for Marriott International. “The Ritz-Carlton is proud to embark on a new chapter in Geneva, infusing the brand’s legendary service standards into this beautifully renovated hotel.”
Bespoke Hotels is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement to manage Harrogate’s historic Crown Hotel, furthering the company’s partnership with Singapore’s Fragrance Group.
Set to become one of the leading lights within Bespoke Hotels’ expanding portfolio across Northern England, the Crown Hotel follows in the footsteps of Manchester’s Townhouse Hotel, which has also joined the Bespoke Hotels collection and been acquired by the Singaporean investors in what marks a significant expansion into the UK market.
With a history dating back over 300 years, the Crown Hotel sits amidst stunning surroundings and features 114 individually-styled guestrooms, as well as extensive events and meeting facilities. Standing as one of the foremost destinations in North Yorkshire, it is superbly located beside Valley Gardens, just a stone’s throw from the world-renowned Betty’s Team Rooms, Harrogate Convention Centre, and the town’s famed Turkish Baths. As such, the property offers an ideal base for those wishing to explore the countless boutiques and Victorian arcades that decorate this idyllic spa town.
“We are delighted to Welcome the Crown Hotel to the Bespoke family”, commented Haydn Fentum, CEO of Bespoke Hotels. “Harrogate is one of the foremost destinations in the region, attracting visitors from around the world, and we are tremendously excited by the potential of The Crown as part of this thriving market.”
“The acquisition of the Crown Hotel stands as a symbol of our investment and commitment to the UK market”, added James Koh, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Fragrance Group Ltd. “We are pleased to be able to strengthen our relationship with Bespoke Hotels, particularly in such a popular and historic setting.”
Globally established luxury lifestyle brand Nobu Hospitality, founded byNobu Matsuhisa,Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, and Selenta Group, a Spanish real estate and hotel group owned by Jordi Mestre, is delighted to announce their continued European expansion into Barcelona, Spain.
Set to open by the end of 2018, as part of a multi-million Euro refurbishment of Gran Hotel Torre Catalunya, this property will be an integrated mix of a Nobu Hotel and Restaurant reflecting the innovation and imagination that has become synonymous with the name Nobu.
The property will continue to be part of the Selenta Group collection. The partnership agreement with Nobu Hospitality gives rise to the shared management of the new establishment.
Capturing the unique essence of the famous European city whilst reflecting the brand’s core aspirational lifestyle offering. The fourth European hotel and third Spanish property from the highly recognised brand, the 250 rooms and suites along with its meeting rooms, event spaces and Nobu restaurant will be under a long-term management contract with Nobu Hospitality.
Big, tall, powerful and gleaming – the 40-floor, 1,205-room Marquis will be Chicago’s sixth-largest hotel when it opens on Sunday.
After nearly two years of construction, Marquis embraces, perhaps even flaunts, its scope: Spaces are broad, the lobby ceiling reaches 30 feet, the restaurant serving three meals a day seats 400, and natural light floods in through floor-to-ceiling windows.
In the era of boutique and lifestyle hotels, Marriott Marquis is sprawling and powerfully urban — albeit with the occasional boutique amenity, such as the ability to order room service on your phone and the art commissioned by 40 Chicago artists. Many of the pieces have QR codes for more information about the art and the artist.
The Chicago property marks Marriott’s seventh Marquis hotel in its portfolio. Each is located in a major city and has 1,000 or more guest rooms and at least 90,000 square feet of event space. It is the largest new hotel in the Marriott chain to open this year anywhere on the planet.
Kleindienst Group has launched The Floating Venice, the world’s first underwater luxury vessel resort at Cityscape Global. Valued at £512 million, The Floating Venice will be located in The World islands, 4km offshore from Dubai and will bring an authentic Venetian experience to the Middle East.
This unique floating resort has a capacity of up to 3,000 guests daily, with accommodation, restaurants and recreation split over 4 decks, one of which is underwater. Guests will arrive by boat, seaplane or helicopter to the main Piazza San Marco where they can check-in at the underwater lobby. Gondola’s imported from Venice will transport guests to their cabins through the winding canals, or alternatively a short stroll through canal side walkways and bridges will take them to their awaiting cabins.
There will be a range of 414 bespoke cabins arranged over 4 decks, one of which is underwater giving spectacular views of the coral reefs below and passing gondola above. A plethora of elegant boutique hospitality spots and traditional artisanal shops will bring the Venetian experience to life.
Throughout the year The Floating Venice will be a celebration of culture and the arts, where traditional festivals such as Carnivale di Venezia, Binnale di Venezia and Festa del Rendentore will bring the resort alive with the flair and heritage of Venice.
The Floating Venice offers an unrivalled experience for guests where they can relax in one of 24 pools, some of which will have acrylic bases giving amazing views of the coral reefs below. Over 400,000 sq ft of corals will be planted around The Floating Venice from our own on-site coral nursery which will encourage an abundance of sea life. 12 unique floating beaches set against the stunning backdrop of the Dubai skyline are scattered throughout The Floating Venice.
A collection of 12 restaurants and bars offer a variety of entertainment, 3 of which are underwater giving spectacular vistas of the dazzling marine life. Alternatively, the world’s first floating underwater spa awaits to pamper.
Sleeperz Hotels, the innovative UK budget hotel operator, has completed a 43-room expansion of its Cityroomz Edinburgh hotel with a new wing accessible via Princes Street.
Sleeperz has converted Princes House, a former three storey office block, into a deluxe wing made up of superior double, family and cabin rooms; as well as ten suites with kitchenettes and lounges. David Myers, chief executive of Sleeperz Hotels, said: “Sleeperz is excited to unveil an additional 43 high quality hotel rooms, including our first-ever suites, right in the heart of Edinburgh.
Our guests can stay next door to one of the UK’s best shopping streets, in a world-famous Capital city, for a great-value price – a formula we’re confident will be successful – and deliver important growth in Edinburgh’s visitor economy.”
The Cityroomz suites are the first to be introduced across Sleeperz’ portfolio of affordable design-led hotels in Cardiff, Newcastle and Edinburgh and are aimed at attracting business travellers, families and couples seeking longer city breaks.
The suite bathrooms feature flooring printed with a city street map of Edinburgh, showing landmarks and locations including Shandwick Place. The expansion increases bed-stock to 115 rooms at Cityroomz Edinburgh, which is located on Shandwick Place between Waverley and Haymarket stations and close to Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
The development comes before Sleeperz Hotel open a new 120 room hotel above Dundee Railway Station, opposite the new V&A Museum, in 2018. The new hotel is part of a £1bn programme to regenerate Dundee waterfront.
Cityroomz Expansion – STATS 43 new rooms 10 Suites (including kitchenettes, dining area, sofas and living space) 22 Superior Double rooms 6 Family rooms 3 Accessible rooms (including 1 Family room) 2 Cabin Twin rooms
Suites you Edinburgh Cityroomz suites are fitted with kitchenettes, Smeg appliances, en-suite bathrooms, dining space, living area, sofas, wall-mounted flat screen TV’s, super-king and king-size beds, bespoke custom made Sleepeezee mattresses, laptop safes and tea and coffee facilities. Glasgow architects Maith Design was appointed to transform the disused office block into stylish and affordable living spaces. The expansion was delivered in partnership with Town Centre Securities PLC, a leading UK property and investment company.
Colin Steele, acting on behalf of Town Centre Securities, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Sleeperz on this exciting project, the development of Princes House completes the regeneration of this part of Shandwick Place and will bring further footfall into the West End of Edinburgh.” Cityroomz Edinburgh opened in May 2013 with 72 rooms and a rooms-based limited service philosophy. Guests enjoy stylish interior design, custom made pocket sprung beds, free and fast Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast available daily.
Sleeperz Hotels was advised by Jonathan Sutton of Lewis Sutton property consultants.
With Decorex International 2017 fast approaching, here’s a pick of Cultural-Agenda client product launches, events and installations to look out for at the UK’s leading destination for interior design…
DEDAR Dedar will present its new collections at Decorex International 2017. The firm will launch a tactile collection of wallcoverings inspired by traditional Chinese lacquerware techniques. Developed using a unique beeswax coating, the vinyl wallcoverings have a singular luminous look with superior resistance and fire retardancy, perfect for the contract and hospitality sectors. Natural wood tones, pops of geometric colour, ancient lacquer shades, metallic finishes and precious metal hues combine to create lavish contemporary wallcoverings.
Stand D30 / For further information or if you wish to make an appointment please contact dedar@cultural-agenda.com
SHALINI MISRA Shalini Misra unveils a spectacular concept at Decorex International’s prestigious Champagne Bar, inspired by The Great Exhibition of 1851. Celebrating the show’s 40th anniversary, the design will feature a dramatic central canopy in red velvet, a ruby-shaped bar with metallic fretwork and a bespoke chandelier featuring handcrafted parrots and a waterfall design.
VANDERHURD Vanderhurd launches new A/W rug collection and fabric collection at Decorex 2017. Internatioanlly acclaimed bespoke luxury textile maker will present two of its new collections at Decorex international for the first time. The new Autumn/Winter 2017 rug collection, “From the Point” will be presented alongside new fabric design ‘Aerial’ as well as fresh new colourways to some of its most popular embroidered collections: Verde, Saffron, Aqua, Lapiz, Cloud and Blush.
VISPRING Vispring will showcase its exclusive collection with Missoni Home at Decorex 2017. At this year’s Decorex International, British luxury bed maker Vispring will present a limited-edition bed collection designed using iconic fabrics from renowned Italian brand Missoni Home. The designs demonstrate Vispring’s exceptional craftsmanship and combines its bespoke expertise with Missoni Home’s creativity and fashion influence.
Stand E49 / For further information or if you wish to make an appointment please contact vispring@cultural-agenda.com
A Chester boutique hotel is set to undergo a £250,000 transformation with an artistic nod to the city’s Roman past, with their new branding.
Bridge Street Townhouse, will soon be rebranded ‘The Townhouse’ and will have the iconic Roman soldier’s helmet, a bronze galea, as its new logo. The Townhouse, which is located in a Grade II listed Georgian building is situated within the historic Roman city walls, will see 30 of its bedrooms given a make-over with features of a real Georgian House coming to fruition.
Sumptuous fabrics will be paired with chic modern furniture and wall murals, as well as new flooring, bespoke lighting and a colour palette of teal, gold and grey. The boutique hotel will also see its gym and former offices transformed into a multi-roomed ‘Group Pad’, ideal for burgeoning hen and stag party market in the city.
An annex to the rear of the property, which can be hired exclusively and sleeps 24 people, will also see interior designer Patricia Hewlett’s influence.
She said: “Chester’s historical setting is so significant and something we wanted to treasure and embrace with the Townhouse refurbishment. We are in a beautifully designed Georgian townhouse so we also never wanted to be cliche or obvious when it came to the designs – it was important to keep it classic but modern at the same time and we can’t wait to unveil the results.”
The Townhouse will officially relaunch in November after the first phase of works is complete; which includes a redesign of the courtyard to the rear of the property and a new Roman-inspired lounge and breakfast area.
Steven Hesketh of Know Collection, who acquired the site in July said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the response to The Townhouse since we bought it – we’ve been inundated with new bookings and there’s rarely been a quiet day. What we want now is to bring it up to Know Collection standards – making it an individual business with its own unique identity with the help of our expert team who have a great eye for detail and a passion for bringing a brand to life.”
The next edition of the Hotel Designs Meet Up is just a few months away, and we are offering an opportunity for a design partner to ‘takeover’ the Winter Marquee at Home House.
Hotel Designs has been working closely with interior designers and product suppliers for nearly two decades; cutting edge, impressive design is at the heart of everything we cover.
Daniel Fountain, Hotel Designs editor said: “We work with some supremely talented designers and suppliers of excellent quality products, this ‘design takeover’ is a great chance to create something really spectacular and showcase a unique concept in front of some of the leading names in the industry.”
With a blank canvas to create a bespoke design concept in line with the Christmas Party theme, this is a fantastic opportunity for a firm or studio to showcase their work in a room of senior figures from across the hotel industry and some of the most influential names in interior designers. As the lead design partner, there is also an opportunity to work with various suppliers to source products to build the concept.
To find out more about this opportunity and how to get involved, please contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk.
Belfast has welcomed a new link to its famous ship with the opening of the new Titanic Hotel in the Northern Irish capital.
The city’s newest luxury hotel opened its doors this weekend following a £28 million restoration of the former Harland & Wolff drawing offices and headquarters. The 119-room hotel has been transformed with the help of a £5 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant secured by the Titanic Foundation.
During the restoration the telephone exchange, which received the first communication of Titanic hitting the iceberg, has been retained. Designers have tried to make the hotel as authentic as possible, with porters wearing period costumes on hand to welcome guests to the hotel.
Director of hotel operator Harcourt Developments, John Doherty, told Northern Irish press: “To be finally ready to open this historical and authentic hotel is another mark in the history of Queen’s Island. Titanic Hotel Belfast is a hub of heritage and legacy, and we’re delighted to open the doors to the public and our first guests on Sunday.
“To celebrate, the Queen’s Island Male Voice Choir will be performing in the drawing offices after we create a bit of theatre and fanfare when officially declaring the hotel open at noon.”
MADE Hotel comes to life as the inaugural hotel project from developer, Sam Gelin. Spread across 18 storeys with 108 guest rooms at the intersection of 29th and Broadway in the NoMad neighborhood, MADE takes a reinvented approach towards guest experience.
Joining Gelin is Head Chef and longtime friend, Greg Proechel, who will be overseeing all food offerings at MADE. Formerly of Le Turtle in New York City, Proechel has cultivated a respected following. Major Food Group vet Charles Seich will join him as Food & Beverage Partner, while husband-wife team Jeremy Oertel and Natasha David, formerly at Death + Company, Maison Premiere, and Dram, will run the bar program.
Treating experience as the new luxury, MADE’s thoughtful approach is seen in the rich, yet conscious, materials used throughout the hotel’s crafted environment. The food and beverage offerings and striking public and private areas include: communal coffee shop, Paper; Proechel and Seich’s restaurant, Ferris; a lobby level bar; and Good Behavior, the hotel’s stunning rooftop space with panoramic views of New York City.
Open to the public and guests alike, Paper is a neighborhood coffee shop whose mission is to curate the highest quality coffee, tea and baked good offerings for visitors to enjoy as part of their daily routine. Dusk brings a subtly energetic and social vibe, with cappuccinos disappearing in favor of craft cocktails and selected wines.
Good Behavior, the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge is located on the 18th floor with unobstructed views of the Empire State Building. The space has a secluded, greenhouse feel while the menu is focused on Tiki-inspired drinks, unique craft beers, and large format cocktail service, with space for both indoor and outdoor entertaining and featuring live music and DJ’s.
Ferris will serve a menu of New American, seasonal and vegetable focused dishes in an environment built around community, curiosity, and fun. The restaurant is located on the subterranean level of the hotel and features a courtyard. Proechel and Seich’s team is committed to providing guests with quality food and beverage offerings with a high level of service without any pretense.
Studio MAI have developed an urban international design aesthetic imbued with elements of iconic global simplicity – a guest room design that is humble, elegant and playfully personalizes each room to the guest’s style and mood. Exposed custom raw-bronze shelving and rich handwoven fabrics create a backdrop for a multi directional day bed platform. Precisely manufactured details like a polished stainless-steel mirror contrast with a primitive, hand-carved bench resulting in a well-thought-through layout like no other. Brooklyn based artist, Bill Rebholz, created a vibrant and bold graphic stairwell mural, playfully welcoming guests from the lobby down to Ferris.
With an emotionally intelligent approach to service and a focus within the ethos of community, MADE is a seductive retreat where social and structural barriers have been removed to make room for authentic, inspiring interactions whilst blending exceptional service with a bold design.
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a management agreement with Ithaafushi Investments for the brand’s first new-build resort in the Maldives. Located on the exclusive South Male Atoll, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives will be the second hotel in the Maldives for Hilton, adding to a total of 11 Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts properties open or under development in Asia Pacific.
“Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts continues to deliver on its mission to be the world’s fastest growing, most innovative luxury hotel brand, expanding its global footprint with landmark signings in iconic destinations,” said John Vanderslice, global head, luxury and lifestyle brands, Hilton.
“Waldorf Astoria Maldives will set a new standard for Maldivian luxury, offering global travellers first class accommodations in a unique and inspirational environment where they can experience our bespoke True Waldorf Service, while enjoying an unforgettable getaway in the Indian Ocean.”
Spanning three islands in the South Male Atoll, approximately 23 kilometres from Velana International Airport, about 20 minutes away from the Maldivian capital of Male, Waldorf Astoria Maldives will offer the best of both worlds – an exclusive, charming escape with easy access to the mainland. The resort will boast 10 dining outlets, including nine specialty restaurants, providing guests with a selection of unique experiences.
“We are thrilled to continue our luxury expansion in Asia by introducing Waldorf Astoria in one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. With magnificent natural beauty and an amazing underwater world, the Maldives remains an inspirational choice for world travellers today,” said Guy Phillips, senior vice president of development – Asia & Australasia, Hilton.
The Maldives is famous for its natural beauty and world-renowned dive sites. Consisting of approximately 1,190 islands and sandbanks, encircled by a lagoon of crystal clear water, it is home to exclusive and spectacular underwater life. In addition to the extensive range of water-based adventure sport available, other activities, include exploring island villages, sourcing local handicrafts, visiting the National Museum and watching cultural performances. With its unspoiled beauty and rich and vibrant culture, the Maldives is a perfect getaway.
With its new DuraSquare collection, Duravit presents an upgrade of Vero Air that sets new standards with its clarity, precision and reduction.
The design of the new series blends the meticulous edges of the rectangular outer form with organically flowing inner contours. The washbasins and bathtubs are made of the innovative, sustainable Duravit-developed materials DuraCeram® and DuraSolid®.
The minimalist basins are made of the innovative DuraCeram® ceramic compound. This material makes it possible to create easy-to-maintain above-counter basins with an extremely thin, yet robust rim. The washbasins can be combined with the new matching DuraSquare furniture frame which is height-adjustable and is available in either chrome or matt black, with a practical glass shelf for additional storage.
The design of the DuraSquare bathtubs perfectly complements the washbasins. Made of the cast mineral material DuraSolid®, the range has a warm, pleasant feel and is now available, for the first time, as a built-in version.
Bespoke Hotels is delighted to announce that it has been appointed to oversee management of Manchester’s Townhouse Hotel. Set beside the city’s renowned Portland Street, the 85-bedroom property, itself a former cotton warehouse with a history dating back to the Industrial Revolution, has been acquired this month by Fragrance Group.
Set to feature within Bespoke Hotels’ portfolio alongside the award-winning Hotel Gotham, itself just a stone’s throw away in Central Manchester, The Townhouse Hotel forms part of a significantly expansion into the UK market by the Singaporean Fragrance Group. Purchased alongside a number of properties across the country, including The Palace Hotel in Torquay and Blackpool’s Imperial Hotel, the Townhouse is seen as a central pillar of their strategy, particularly given Manchester’s robust trading performance in recent years.
“We are extremely pleased to have reached an agreement to take The Townhouse under our wing”, commented Haydn Fentum, CEO of Bespoke Hotels. “Following on the heels of Hotel Gotham’s notable success, we have long been investigating means to further our commitment to Manchester and increase our presence within the city, with a historic property such as this providing the ideal vehicle through which to do so.”
“Bespoke Hotels have a proven track record across both Manchester and the wider UK market”, added James Koh, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Fragrance Group Ltd. “The city forms a cornerstone of our UK investment strategy, and the Townhouse is a property that we view as having tremendous potential within this. We are excited to be investing in Manchester at a time when it is rapidly establishing itself as one of the foremost destinations in Europe, both commercially and in the eyes of tourists.”
Sized to suit smaller bathrooms, VitrA’s new Solid S brassware is competitively priced and includes a full selection of fittings.
The compact yet solid body shape, sharply angled spout and flat, easy to turn control handle make Solid S a perfect companion for contemporary sanitaryware with its neat design maximising space on the basin.
There are two standard monobloc basin mixers, one with a pop-up waste and a tall deck-mounted mixer with a swan neck swivel spout. The showering range includes mixers for bath/shower and shower only and two built-in options; one for bath/shower and a shower only version. The range is completed by a wall-mounted bath filler spout and a bidet mixer.
“We know that many consumers are looking for simple, reliable contemporary brassware and Solid S meets the demand,” commented Margaret Talbot, marketing manager of VitrA. “Like all our brassware it features a 100% brass body and a top-quality mixer cartridge that ensures smooth, trouble free performance.”
From hotel openings to product spotlights to everything in between, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…
1. Room Mate Hotels adds Istanbul property Room Mate Hotels, the Spanish global company founded and chaired by Kike Sarasola, has increased its portfolio with a new opening in the heart of the exotic city of Istanbul.
2. Women in IHG senior staff reaches record high InterContinental Hotels Group has announced that female senior talent across Holiday Inn Express hotels in Southeast Asia (SEA) is at an all-time high. This follows the appointment of two GMs who completed the company’s General Manager Express Lane programme.
4. Hotel Designs Reader Survey 2017-2018 Here at Hotel Designs, we like to provide content that is both engaging and useful for our audience. As we continue to move forward, we’d like to get some feedback from our readers in order to continue bringing you what you want to see.
5. Lighting trends at Decorex 2017 For forty years, Decorex has been the UK’s leading luxury interiors showcase and where the design-minded come to discover trends and gain new inspiration from over 400 exhibitors and this year will be no exception.
6. Project Spotlight: Areen Design – Sheraton Madagascar Located in Madagascar’s capital city Antananarivo, the 25-storey Sheraton hotel is being transformed with all guest rooms and public spaces undergoing major refurbishment, with interiors by Areen Design’s award-winning hospitality team.
8. Renaissance debuts two design-led airport hotels As part of Renaissance Hotels global ‘renaissance’, the brand is reimagining the traditional airport hotel experience, with two new debuts: The newly-opened Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel and the newly-renovated Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel.
10. FIVE TO WATCH: BEST UK COUNTRY HOUSE HOTELS As summer comes to a close, the cosy winter months close in. With this in mind, Hotel Designs profiles five of our favourite country house hotels across the UK…
Leading manufacturer of stylish electrical accessories, MK Electric, has announced that its latest range of wiring devices, Dimensions, has been shortlisted for Commercial Product of the Year at the Electrical Industry Awards.
Designed to recognise the very best of product innovation in the electrical sector, the Electrical Industry Awards offer a valuable barometer of the latest and greatest products entering the market, providing hoteliers and hotel specifiers with a guide to the best new ranges available.
The Commercial Product of the Year category recognises the electrical accessories which offer outstanding functionality to commercial sectors such as hospitality. Dimensions, which launched this summer, was designed to respond to the needs of audiences such as hotel developers, and includes a two-piece installation process which means that the clip-on frontplates can be easily interchanged to match the evolving décor of a building.
Offering screwless design and a choice of eight different finishes, the range provides scalability which can add the finishing touch to any room – whether that’s a deluxe suite or back-of-house office areas. In line with customer demand, Dimensions also incorporates products such as integrated USB socket outlets for easy smart device charging, LED dimmers, keycard switches and ‘do not disturb’ switches, all with a unified look.
Emma Segelov, head of marketing at MK Electric, said: “We are delighted that Dimensions has been shortlisted for Commercial Product of the Year. We developed the range to meet the needs of a fast-paced commercial hospitality environment, and this award is testament to the success of that – we look forward to the results!”
The winning products will be announced at an awards ceremony on the 26 October at The Royal Garden Hotel, London.
In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we continue profiling our winning designers…
DENNIS IRVINE – DENNIS IRVINE STUDIO Dennis’ background in interior design is a rich one having grown up drawing and making, his passion for all things creative led him to studying interior architecture, to working with Mary Fox Linton to eventually setting up his eponymous design studio. It’s from this standpoint that Dennis was tasked with breathing new life into the Estate House, Jumby Bay in Antigua.
Combining the colonial impressions of the main resort with a contemporaneous perspective on the locale, the Estate House’s redesign represented a challenge of capturing the spirit of the island, something wholly embraced by Dennis.
EMMA KING – INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL GROUP Emma leads InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Interior Design team in Europe and is responsible for the design, development and product quality of all new openings and refurbishments. Since joining IHG in January 2013, Emma has become an integral part of the Design & Engineering team. She is leading the design of IHG’s big capital investments including InterContinental London Park Lane, InterContinental Paris Le Grand and InterContinental Berlin.
Emma and her team have been instrumental in positioning the Hotel Indigo brand with a “neighbourhood story” led design for each site. No brand has been left untouched, with IHG’s long stay offering, Staybridge Suites, also being redesigned with investment potential in mind.
JOHN LEWIS – RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL Richmond have designed some of the world’s most prestigious hotels, in locations from London to Barbados, since its establishment in 1966. John Lewis, as an associate, forms part of the team of directors and designers who have worked on Richmond’s projects in recent years which include London West Hollywood, The Beaumont Hotel and Hilton Opera Paris.
Perhaps the most striking project in the last two years has been Richmond’s work at The Langham London on its Regent Wing, as part of the hotel’s 150-year anniversary celebrations, with suites designed to incorporate Regency-style design with ‘modernised, discrete technology’.
ANDREW LINWOOD – AREEN DESIGN As head of Areen Hospitality, Andrew is involved in a host of aspects surrounding a project from inception to installation. He has designed interiors for many of the world’s leading hotel groups from Hilton to Marriott, Radisson to Starwood.
An Interior Design degree-holder, having worked in the UK, across Europe, and in both Hong Kong and Singapore; Andrew has been monumental in making Areen Hospitality the force in the interior design world it currently is. Areen Hospitality has projects under way in Europe, the MENA region, India, Central Asia and China.
DAVID MELLOR – DAVID RICHARD MELLOR DESIGN David’s key aim with his commercial interior design service is to create ‘inspiring environments’ that welcome and relax. His bespoke approach to each project and contemporary design solutions are used to transform and optimise the hotel spaces around the country; whether it is a hotel requiring a complete refurbishment or a specific rooms in need of a refresh.
His work can be found in The Royal Oak Hotel in Welshpool, The Churchill in York, The Crown Hotel, Harrogate; Corus Hotels as well as several Best Western properties.
Established interior designer Harriet Forde has been commissioned to put together ‘The Perfect Hotel Bedroom’ for the Independent Hotel Show.
Harriet, a director of the British Institute of Interior Design, will use her vision to build a real-life version of a hotel bedroom on the show floor. Guided by consumer preferences in areas such as lighting, soft furnishings, technology preferences and storage requirements, she will also use furnishings and equipment from the show’s exhibitors to help create it.
The Perfect Hotel Bedroom, in partnership with Chic Retreats, is a brand-new feature for the Independent Hotel Show and has been determined by the results of a survey completed by over 1,800 consumers. Additional research and industry comment will also be included in a final report to be available for hoteliers to take away from the show.
Harriet, who works on both hotel and residential projects in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, says the line between residential and hotel interior design has become ‘increasingly blurred’ in recent years as hotel guests seek a more ‘at home’ environment with aspirational elements. “Hotel bedrooms have become less formal and as people become more design literate, guests enjoy bedrooms that are furnished with design classics that they might recognize,” she says. “Mid-20th century design is making a comeback in the residential sector which can also be seen in the more unique hotels in East London.”
Harriet says lighting has become an integral part of hotel bedroom design as it influences the ambience of the room. Natural materials such as wood, marble and coloured glass are also increasingly being used in hotel design she has found.
However, some of the traditional service aspects we associate with a hotel stay, such as room service and the mini-bar are waning in popularity she feels.
“Today’s hotel guest is becoming more health conscious and requires healthy meals not normally available on room service menus, and are less likely to pay for a chocolate bar from the mini bar,” adds Forde.
Having begun her study of interior design at the London School of Furniture, Harriet went on to graduate from the prestigious Central St Martin’s university with a degree in textiles. Following more than 10 years’ experience in the hospitality sector — working for the likes of Richard Daniels, Richmond International and Areen Design — she eventually set up her own practice in 1999 where she continues to personally head every project.
Harriet is applying the standard design stages to The Perfect Hotel Bedroom – concepting, design development, design detailing and documentation, execution and installation. The survey results are the ‘client’ with whom there would normally be lots of discussion and interaction, so to aid the process of getting into the space mentally she has created a profile of the guests to bring it alive.
Room Mate Hotels, the Spanish global company founded and chaired by Kike Sarasola, has increased its portfolio with a new opening in the heart of the exotic city of Istanbul.
Room Mate Emir contributes to the international expansion of the company, which plans to inaugurate in the following year new hotels in cities like Rotterdam, Madrid and Paris.
Room Mate Hotels is an innovative company which is based on the idea that the best way to travel is by visiting friends all around the world. Every Room Mate Hotel has a person’s name and a completely different personality. In this case, Emir is elegant, classic and adventurous, the perfect travelling companion to know in depth the marvelous Istanbul.
Room Mate Emir has also a spectacular interior design. In this case, the project bears the signature of the acclaimed designer Lázaro Rosa Violán. Emir is the perfect blend of avante-garde furnishings set in a classical building, making it all the more striking. Lázaro Rosa Violán chose to keep the building’s history alive through a distinctive combination of modern day elements, designer furniture, and different materials, all enhanced with an abundance of natural light. Room Mate Emir offers large and spacious suites with everything that everyone would need for a perfect stay.
Its founder and president, Kike Sarasola, is one of the best known and recognised entrepreneurs in the hotelier sector. After succeeding as an Olympic equestrian and working in different business sectors, Sarasola is currently a reference of innovation and creativity in the hotel industry.
In Sarasola’s own words: “Room Mate Hotels are located in the centre of the most emblematic and cosmopolitan cities in the world and Istanbul is one of them. A place where exoticism and culture merge to offer a unique travel experience. We are completely in love with Istanbul. For this reason, we are very proud to increase our portfolio with Emir, our new elegant, modern and stylish new friend. A really special hotel that will bring our guests closer to the wonders of Turkey”.
Room Mate Hotels was born in 2005 with Room Mate Mario as its first establishment in Madrid and currently has 21 more with presence in Milan, Florence, Amsterdam, New York, Miami, Mexico City, Madrid, Barcelona, Salamanca, Malaga, Granada and now Istanbul. Last year, Room Mate Hotels increased revenues by 32% and hopes to continue with this positive tendency in 2017.
Key International – a prominent real estate investment and development company specialising in hospitality – has recently opened the new Marriott dual-branded Residence Inn (140 suites) and SpringHill Suites Clearwater Beach (115 suites).
The firm has appointed LBA Hospitality – a full-scale hotel management, development and consulting firm – to oversee the properties.
Co-located at 309 Coronado Drive, both hotels feature oversized guestrooms with a coastal vibe, flexible living, working and sleeping space, stunning views of Clearwater Bay and a wide array of shared amenities.
“Thanks in part to the city’s successful Beach by Design redevelopment plan to revitalise Clearwater Beach, the destination is thriving with both leisure and business travelers, and we are thrilled to be part of this record growth,” said Shawn Gracey, Executive Vice President of Hospitality with Key International. “Having two properties at one address allows guests to choose the hotel that best suits their unique travel needs, while enjoying access to another for even more experiences.”
The fusion of these two unique Marriott brands presents a variety of added amenities. Guests will enjoy mobile check-in/check-out, a mix of suite types with in-room Smart TVs, complimentary signature daily healthy-choice breakfast, shared outdoor swimming pool with expanded deck, state-of-the-art fitness center, meeting space, 24/7 business center, guest laundry, 24-hour market and valet/covered parking. The properties are also pet-friendly and will offer the Marriott Rewards loyalty program.
Grohe is ushering in the next generation of bathrooms with its newly launched rainshower, which looks to combine soothing, delicate showers with invigorating and refreshing massage functionalities. Available in round or square options, the design intends to provide users with a luxurious shower experience set to look the part in any modern bathroom or wet room.
Manufactured at the Grohe plant in Lahr, Germany, the extra-large shower head is supported by a slender shower arm designed to fit neatly into any shower without looking out of place. The Rainshower 310 2-Jet showers features oval water outlets arranged in a star-shaped pattern at the centre of the spray face generate a vigorous massage jet.
They are surrounded by an arrangement of nozzles producing a much gentler PureRain spray, meaning users can choose between a concentrated jet to loosen up tense muscles or rinse shampoo out of their hair and a rain shower softly enveloping their body. Cleaning the shower face is just as easy; the SpeedClean design of the silicone nozzles means that limescale can simply be wiped off.
Despite their 310mm diameter, or edge length in the square option, the showers never feel obtrusive. This is thanks to their low-profile body and uniquely streamlined silhouette. The beautifully slim shower arm comes with a matching round or square wall rosette. The new showers are optimally paired with the new SmartControl Concealed units, whose depth of only 43mm ensures minimum intrusion into the shower, leaving maximum room to move around.
Design-coordinated hand showers and other water fittings are available in the extensive range of bathroom products from Grohe, the brand that is synonymous with flexibility in bathroom design and fully personalised shower experiences.
Hyatt has signed a management agreement with Lotte Tour Development for a Grand Hyatt hotel in Jeju City, South Korea. The new hotel, expected to be the second largest Grand Hyatt hotel in the world, will be Hyatt’s sixth property in the country.
The Grand Hyatt Jeju will have 1,600 rooms, 11 food and beverage outlets, approximately 1,200-square-metres of meeting space, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centre, two spas (Western and Korean) with a total of eight treatment rooms and two kids clubs.
Lotte Tour will be the lead developer of the Dream Tower Integrated Resort project in Jeju, along with Greenland Group, one of China”s largest state-run real estate developers. The project will feature two towers as well as a retail podium.
“We are extremely pleased to be collaborating with Lotte Tour for the first time. As one of South Korea”s leading multinational corporations, Lotte Tour has a deep legacy of travel and hospitality in the country,” said David Udell, Group President, Asia-Pacific at Hyatt. “We look forward to working with Lotte Tour to create a new vision of the Grand Hyatt brand in Jeju, reflective of the island”s unique environment, and providing travelers with our first-class service and hospitality.”
Sekers is pleased to announce the launch of Ticino, a collection of two subtle, shimmering fabrics suitable for contract curtains, bedding and accessories.
Lugano is a versatile semi plain combining a lustrous chenille yarn with a matt yarn in a striking strie construction and Riviera is an elegant plain with a slub weft, creating a raw silk effect.
Available in a palette of forty refined shades ranging from cool metallic tones and sophisticated neutrals to rich rust and opulent greens and reds, Ticino is a handsome addition to any interior and is an ideal choice for the designer specifying for the hospitality and leisure markets.
Woven in 100% polyester, the Ticino collection is washable and is suitable for all aspects of the contract market. Both fabrics meet all relevant UK & US standards for curtains, accessories and bedding; in addition Lugano meets IMO standards for curtains, with both designs meeting IMO standards for bedding making this washable collection the perfect selection for any contract application.
TV personality Laurence Llewellyn Bowen appeared at Blackpool’s Best Western Carlton to pull the lever to switch on the hotel’s curated Illuminations display. The star, who has taken part in the iconic Blackpool switch on for several years, collaborated with the Illuminations team to produce a set of dazzling light sculptures as part of the hotel’s first ever display.
The display marks the first ever time that a Blackpool hotel has taken part in the light show, and the team collaborated with Llewellyn Bowen in the hopes of adding an appropriate personality to the event. Meticulously planned, the project features lamps outside the hotel as well as on the roof, with LED lights shooting pastel colours through the hotel’s fountains.
The event is expected to bring both new and returning customers to the hotel, and the famed interior designer was excited to have been part of creating the spectacle, which is expected to run for the next three years.
“They really want to reflect the heritage and sophistication of Blackpool in the 1930s,” explained Laurence Llewellyn Bowen, according to Hotel Owner. “By delving into the illuminations archive we have been able to take inspiration from wonderful art deco designs.”
InterContinental Hotels Group has announced that female senior talent across Holiday Inn Express hotels in Southeast Asia (SEA) is at an all-time high. This follows the appointment of two GMs who completed the company’s General Manager Express Lane programme.
IHG graduates Nattareutai Thanapoomikul (Aimmy) and Ashleigh Garside are now at the helm of the operational teams at Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 and Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong respectively.
Launched in 2014, the General Manager Express Lane programme identifies potential candidates based on flexibility, business acumen and resilience, and supports them with learning and development and in-house mentorship.
To date, IHG has placed three General Managers from the programme into hotels across SEA.
Leanne Harwood, vice president, operations, South East Asia and Korea, IHG, said: “Having strong leaders in our hotels makes absolutely all the difference in not just driving performance for our business and owners, but also how we develop and grow the talent in our hotels teams.
“The programme has also addressed the gender balance, with more than half our Holiday Inn Express General Managers being female across the region and all Holiday Inn Express hotels in Thailand have female leaders at the helm.”
A hot and stuffy hotel room is not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Research suggests that if the temperature of a room is too high, then it will take longer for an individual to fall asleep and, when they finally do, this sleep can be disturbed leading to guests feeling irritable in the morning.
So how can you make sure your rooms – and your guests – remain cool and comfortable throughout the summer months?
Here Chris Tame, Mitre Linen’s National Sales Manager, provides us with his expert tips and advice to ensure that your guests experience a refreshing night’s sleep – even on the warmest of evenings.
1. Choose crisp cotton bed linen Pure 100% cotton is a breathable fabric, which means it has the ability to transfer moisture away from the skin. This will keep your beds and your guests feeling cool and fresh all night long. Cotton is also soft to the touch and is a naturally hypoallergenic fabric which can also promote a comfortable sleeping environment. The higher the thread count, then the tighter the weave of the fabric, which adds to both its luxuriousness and its durability. Look for bed linen made with 100% cotton and with a thread count over 200 for a soft, luxurious and cooling feel.
2. Try a summer duvet This is a good time of the year to replace a winter duvet with a lighter summer weight duvet – or to opt for an all year round 10.5 tog duvet so you don’t have to change them seasonally. Microfibre duvets are particularly good throughout the warmer summer months as, although they are light, they still feel luxurious and snuggly to sleep under. Choose one with a 100% cotton cover to promote an even cooler and crisp environment.
3. Shop around for innovative products Small details can make a big difference to a guest’s stay, which is why we love the Coolguard pillow protector. Thanks to its innovative temperature controlled property, this ‘cool to touch’ pillow protector is designed to offer a peaceful cooling sensation. Offering these sort of innovative products provides your guests with the ultimate sleep solutions and also adds to their overall experience of their stay.
4. Replace heavy velour bathrobes for waffle weave Nothing makes your guests feel special like a super snug bathrobe, but throughout the warmer months some guests may not welcome this gesture as much. I always advise my customers to provide their guests with a lighter bathrobe during the summer so they can still enjoy a little indulgence after bathing. Opt for a waffle weave design which will be lightweight yet soft to the touch.
5. Remember the little touches Help to keep your guests cool by providing them with complimentary bottles of still and sparkling water in their rooms, kept refreshingly cool in the mini-bar. Why not also provide them with a friendly letter to make them feel welcomed whilst informing them of the gesture.
For more helpful tips and advice, call our friendly team on 01685 353 4456. www.mitrelinen.com
The Bauhaus range by Crosswater has revealed two new designs for its illuminated bathroom mirrors range. The new designs, Mike Pro and Dune, are launching among the range of contemporary LED mirrors looking to naturally, stylishly and unobtrusively assist with daily routines.
The designs offer a range of smart design features, including sensor on/off switches and colour changing illumination, these multifunctional mirrors look to not only provide a practical feature in the bathroom but also act as a stylish focal point too.
Designed to offer the latest in functional bathroom technology, the new Dune mirror boasts smart features throughout combined with sleek, up-to-the-minute styling. Beautifully illuminated from all angles, this smart mirror features the next generation of LED lighting, offering superior performance using the lowest possible energy consumption.
Operated via the mirror’s touch-sensitive controls, which are marked in three subtle sandblasted symbols, users can control the light’s on/off function, its brightness and a choice of three ambient illuminations: cool, warm and daylight. Going for simplicity the Mike Pro mirror is available in two sizes for landscape and portrait hanging, the simple form and classic framed illumination means that this design will coordinate effortlessly in any bathroom scheme.
Controlled by a clever PIR sensor discreetly placed on the mirror’s underside, users can turn the light on and off with a simple hand motion, making it both hygienic and easy to use.
PRISA Group, the developers of The District San Juan, Puerto Rico’s premier entertainment destination, has unveiled the flag for its lifestyle-focused hotel at the Convention Centre District in Miramar.
The hotel, which has already broken ground and is expected to open the second half of 2019, will feature 175 loft-like guestrooms over seven stories with a variety of open spaces that are alive with activity and integrating the latest, innovative technology, including:
– the Re:mix lounge, an area for innovative programming and can’t-miss events; – the Re:fuel café, the next-generation foodie fix from Aloft Hotels, offering made-to-order fresh, nutritious and grab-and-go food options from morning to midnight; – the anchor of the hotel’s vibrant social scene, the W XYZ® bar is always lively. Mix, meet and mingle over music and cocktails. Guests can watch live acoustic concerts, part of the Live at Aloft Hotels events, while snacking on sharable plates and sipping on seasonal cocktails; – Infinity pool and bar area with a 1,152 square foot fitness centre on the second level offering fantastic views of the Convention Centre and its fountains, and – 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space
The Aloft brand offers a tech-forward, vibrant experience and a modern style that is different by design. A hotbed of innovation, Aloft has piloted programmes such as the world’s first emoji-only room service menu, the world’s first robotic butler, the industry’s first keyless entry system and a groundbreaking streaming solution for guests to stream their favorite content direct to their rooms. Aloft San Juan will bring this tech-forward experience to The District.
For forty years, Decorex has been the UK’s leading luxury interiors showcase and where the design-minded come to discover trends and gain new inspiration from over 400 exhibitors and this year will be no exception.
Showing the bright side of design will be London-based designers Margit Wittig, Naomi Paul and Sotis Studio, exhibiting pieces made from a range of materials; ceramics, textiles, bronze and resin.
With designs inspired by those of the historical architect, Lutyens will be adding a nod to the past with their furniture and lighting collections. Among those illuminating this year’s sculptural trends are hand-blown glass specialist Curiousa and Curiousa and glassware installation brand Lasvit.
Lighting at Decorex 2017: 1. 24 carat gold, black and textured pendant lights by Sotis Studio, (www.sotis.co.uk) 2. ‘Crystal Rock’ light by Arik Levy for Lasvit, (www.lasvit.com) 3. Table Lamp by Lutyens Contemporary, (www.lutyens-contemporary.com4. ‘Simple Shade 5’ by Naomi Paul, (www.naomipaul.co.uk) 5. bespoke floor lamp by Margit Wittig, (www.margitwittig.com) 6. ‘Tigerlily’ light by Curiousa & Curiousa (www.curiousa.co.uk)
An Edinburgh hotel that puts profits back into advancing surgical standards worldwide to improve patient outcomes is to undergo a major £8.5m 52 room expansion.
Following record occupancy numbers, Ten Hill Place is increasing to 129 rooms – close to a 70 per cent increase on its current provision of 77 rooms.
The expansion will sensitively renovate neighbouring Hill Place buildings, also currently owned by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and used primarily as offices and by academics. Operated by the college’s commercial arm, the hotel posted record turnover of £2.69m (2015-2016) in its last full recorded financial year – thanks to an impressive 88 per cent occupancy rate fuelled in part by highly positive TripAdvisor reviews.
Scott Mitchell, Commercial Director of RCSEd, said: “The tireless and inspiring work of the team involved with Ten Hill Place has given us this great opportunity to grow.
“In turn, our expansion will give us a greater platform to generate the profits that go directly towards improving lives for surgical patients all around the world – including those in areas of conflict and extreme poverty.
“As the number of visitors to Edinburgh has soared, we have been able to tap into the market and develop our reputation – meaning that the hotel is now busy all year round. Having initially targeted visiting academics, medical professionals and delegates to conferences; our customer base is now especially varied – especially during festival season and Hogmanay.”
RCSEd Commercial Enterprises – which started out as just three people and is now more than 140 strong – will also rebrand to ‘Surgeons Quarter’ to mark the expansion of the organisation – with the full destination branding expected to be complete by Summer of 2018 to coincide with the conclusion of work at the hotel.
Capacity of the successful restaurant and wine bar will also be increased, and the expansion will provide space for a gym. Scott added: “We are hopeful that the expansion will enable the hotel to deliver its full potential, furthering what we already currently provide, our food and drinks offerings, assisting our charitable aims and boosting tourism and hospitality jobs in Edinburgh.”
The Royal College is one of the most august institutions in Scotland. It provides education and assessment for medical students, surgical trainees and consultants and supports research to advance standards of care for the future. Surgeons trained and assessed through the College take their life-saving and life-changing skills all over the world.
Located in Madagascar’s capital city Antananarivo, the 25-storey Sheraton hotel is being transformed with all guest rooms and public spaces undergoing major refurbishment, with interiors by Areen Design’s award-winning hospitality team.
The 224-bed hotel is the latest project where Areen Design has been commissioned to offer a full design and procurement package, providing interior design services alongside a multi-million pound contract supplying the furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) and operating supplies & equipment (OS&E).
As Andrew Linwood, Head of Hospitality Design, explains: “Clients benefit from a deeply engrained design ‘know-how’ combined with procurement services based on quality and product durability. Design specifications are written with localisation, budget and suitability in mind, thanks to close collaboration between our departments. All this translates into better quality specifications, early and accurate budgeting, transparency, greater efficiencies, and ultimately cost savings while delivering a high quality service.”
Andrew continues: “Alongside these benefits, our design team were also inspired by the project’s location. I believe our interior spaces now incorporate a strong flavour of the locality and the Malagasy heritage; from striking patterns and colours, to structures and metalwork. The standards international travellers expect from Sheraton have still been provided but with more than a firm nod towards local influence.”
With completion and handover expected to be in Q1 of 2018, the new interiors will welcome guests to spaces which reflect Marriott’s quality and international standards, alongside the values held by the Sheraton brand in the hospitality sector.
Following the renovation of The George suite, the launch of the brand new lobby concept, the addition of the Curious Tavern and Lost Property the secret bar. Mercure Nottingham City Centre Hotel now reveals its brand new bedrooms.
After months of exploration and innovative design work by The Curious Design Company, Mercure Nottingham is proud to showcase the brand new concepts, fitted by Flagship shop fitters of Mansfield, enabling the ultimate experience for the discerning traveller. In keeping with the hotels historical elements of traditional English heritage, the new areas take their cue from the design concept of The Old George period elements with a modern twist, allowing the setting of luxury yet comfort.
The hotel’s design aesthetics are inspired by the building’s historic role as the first hotel in Nottingham. Strong colours, textured fabrics and up cycled furniture are artfully combined to balance the grand with the contemporary.
Daniel Brown, Managing Director of The Curious Design Company said, “Without rules, directive board or address, we wanted to ensure the property’s history prevails throughout with classical features showcasing the grandeur of its time.”
The brand new design plays homage to traditional English style incorporating bespoke surprises in each room; Whilst modern hospitality services and amenities, such as complimentary 24-hour Wi-Fi connection, Nespresso coffee machines and a 24 hour gym are sure to make every guests’ stay at Mercure Nottingham City Centre George Hotel truly extraordinary.
In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we continue profiling our winning designers…
ANDY COOPER – OULSNAM DESIGN Andy is a RIBA-accredited architect with Oulsnam Design, the brainchild of David and Georgina Oulsnam, and architecture and interior design firm based in Bakewell, with 35 years’ experience working in the Peak District National Park. Some of the recent projects Oulsnam Design has worked on include: – The Belfry Hotel, Birmingham – Bagshaw Hall & Lodge, Derbyshire – Fischers Baslow Hall Hotel, Derbyshire – The Maynard Hotel, Grindleford, Sheffield – Worplesdon Place Hotel, Guildford
HELEN FEWSTER – SUNA INTERIOR DESIGN Suna Interior Design is an award-winning boutique interior design consultancy who provide interior services for property developers and the hospitality industry. This year’s Brit List finalist Helen heads up the London-based studio alongside Rebecca Tucker, and takes great pride in the work Suna carries out all with a consistently personal service.
Carried out earlier this decade, a recent commercial highlight in the Suna portfolio was the work Helen and her team completed at Flemings Mayfair; after an initial design for five rooms, Suna were commissioned with six further designs across 50 rooms at the iconic Mayfair property.
LUCY GODDARD – NOCHINTZ Lucy has owned and been creative director of NoChintz for a decade now; according to the company ethos NoChintz believes in good old-fashioned hard work and creativity. It balances cool with commercial to inspire and delight.
The company started life delivering contemporary furniture packs to property developers. A few private residential briefs and several commercial projects later, NoChintz quickly became one of the UK’s leading creative interior design studios with a portfolio of over 1000 projects and more than 250 clients – including The Inn at John O’Groats.
MICHELLE HOLLAND – GODDARD LITTLEFAIR Goddard Littlefair Associate Michelle Holland joined the firm in early 2013 and has since worked on luxury show-flat schemes for the Canaletto in City Road; international hotel schemes for Corinthia and Hilton Hotels in Budapest and Cologne and on a number of major rebranded refurbishments for Starwood’s Principal Hotel Group in Glasgow, Edinburgh and York.
Although Michelle enjoys the full design process, her particular passion is the creative concept stages and project specification. She has no fear of numbers or figures, but is always happiest at the outset, putting together fabulous colour schemes, mood boards and sketches.
NICHOLAS HOLLINSHEAD – NH INTERIORS Nicholas is renowned for his motto: “…minimalism is not a word in my vocabulary.” And that should give you some idea of how he approaches his work and the projects his NH Interiors firm are commissioned with. For more than ten years, Nicholas has been involved with leisure, private residence and hospitality projects providing interior design and consultancy services.
His work at Bovey Castle Hotel in Dartmoor, a luxury hotel in Devon, saw a £2 million restoration and refurbishment of the property. Nicholas’ work spanned the entire ground floor, transforming the restaurant, the bistro and the public rooms, plus a new boutique shop and the spa which has been refurbished in an Art Deco style.
2. SNEAK PEEK: INTERCONTINENTAL LJUBLJANA InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading luxury hotel brands, continues its trailblazing heritage by opening the doors to InterContinental Ljubljana in Slovenia’s beguiling capital.
3. CHRISTMAS COMING EARLY THIS YEAR WITH THE HD MEET UP Embrace the spirit of the holidays a little early this year and join us all at Hotel Designs as we usher in the end of the year with a bang at our next Hotel Designs Meet Up, this year with a Christmas Party theme.
4. FIVE TO WATCH: BEST UK COUNTRY HOUSE HOTELS As summer comes to a close, the cosy winter months close in. With this in mind, Hotel Designs profiles five of our favourite country house hotels across the UK…
5. HILTON GARDEN INN OPENS AT MANCHESTER EMIRATES OLD TRAFFORD Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton’s award-winning mid-scale brand, has announced the opening of the 150-guestroom Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Emirates Old Trafford, the brand’s first property in the city of Manchester.
6. ICONIC TORONTO WINDSOR ARMS HOTEL UNDERGOES STUNNING DESIGN TRANSFORMATION The Windsor Arms Hotel has hired Toronto-based luxury design firm Dinel Design to conduct the renovation and re-styling of some of the internationally renowned Toronto Hotel’s key common area rooms which include, lobby, ballroom, conference rooms and tea rooms.
9. RHU HOTEL DECLARED HOTEL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR The Garden Rooms Restaurant at the Rhu’s Rosslea Hall Hotel has been awarded the title of ‘Hotel restaurant of the Year’ at The Food Awards Scotland.
10. BRIT LIST 2017: DESIGNER PROFILES In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we start with the first five designers…
In September, Hotel Designs will be focussing on signage.
“Good wayfinding is intuitive, seamless, integrated with the architecture and interiors. To deliver it means understanding the users of the space” – that’s according to Modulex CEO Eric Kirwan. It’s often overlooked how important good signage is in the hotel industry, something we will be focussing on this month.
Our clients within the carpet sector include Modulex and Signbox – see a full list of our clients here.
If you want to get your company and products in front of an audience of interior designers, procurement specialists and hoteliers for a month of focussed editorial, this is a fantastic opportunity.
If you wish to find out more, please contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk
As summer comes to a close, the cosy winter months close in. With this in mind, Hotel Designs profiles five of our favourite country house hotels across the UK…
Gravetye Manor, Sussex “The 17 bedrooms and suites at Gravetye Manor in East Grinstead are named after tree species found on the estate. Rich fabrics, fine antiques and hand crafted beds emphasise the classical beauty of the interiors, whilst floral themes bring the garden into the manor. All our rooms are individually furnished, providing the highest standards of comfort and are all equipped with flat screen televisions and iPod docking stations.” (Image: www.gravetyemanor.co.uk)
Chewton Glen, Hampshire “Chewton Glen is a quintessentially English, privately owned luxury Country House Hotel & Spa on the fringe of the New Forest. With some of England’s most stunning countryside rolling up around us and the calmness of the sea just moments away, Chewton Glen is an idyllic escape. You wouldn’t know we’re a mere two hours from London, easily reached by rail, air and road when you’re here, in such a tranquil setting. Christchurch, Bournemouth and Southampton are also nearby.” (Image: www.chewtonglen.com)
Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire “Beyond the magnificent facade of the Mansion House which greets guests on arrival, lies a 5-star hotel on the border of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, which is like no other in the Home Counties. However, guests quickly discover that behind the imposing grandeur of Luton Hoo, the atmosphere is very relaxed and welcoming…” (Main Image Top: www.lutonhoo.co.uk)
Judges, Yarm, Yorkshire “Judges Country House Hotel is an AA 4 Star Country House Hotel. Consistently rated by “The Good Hotel Guide”, particularly recommended by the Michelin Guide and praised by both “The Times”, “The Sunday Times” and “The Telegraph” newspapers Judges is one of the finest hotels and restaurants not only in North Yorkshire but also in the United Kingdom as a whole.” (Image: judgeshotel.co.uk)
Askham Hall, Cumbria “Award-winning Askham Hall is a place to stay and relax in a secluded part of the Lake District – the newest World Heritage Site. 17 bedrooms and a restaurant in the house. A converted ancient oak beamed party barn. A spa, hot tub and outdoor pool. Acres of grounds with beautiful surroundings in the heart of Cumbria’s Lowther Estate. A luxurious, intimate, unpretentious home from home awaits.” (Image: www.askhamhall.co.uk)
Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton’s award-winning mid-scale brand, has announced the opening of the 150-guestroom Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Emirates Old Trafford, the brand’s first property in the city of Manchester.
The state-of-the-art hotel is on-site at the renowned Emirates Old Trafford venue – home to Lancashire County Cricket Club, which hosts domestic and international cricket, conferences and events and concerts for up to 50,000 people.
Of the 150 guestrooms, 85 overlook the world-famous cricket pitch, 80 of which have balconies. On match days, some of these rooms will be converted to hospitality boxes, offering unbeatable views for spectators.
Within the hotel, each guest room boasts the brand’s signature bedding featuring fresh, white duvets and crisp linens; a spacious and clutter-free work desk with an ergonomic desk chair; and an in-room “hospitality centre” with a mini fridge.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading luxury hotel brands, continues its trailblazing heritage by opening the doors to InterContinental Ljubljana in Slovenia’s beguiling capital. The city is one of the latest rising stars in a hot list of emerging destinations in Eastern Europe.
Located in a modern 20-floor building in the centre of Ljubljana, the luxury InterContinental Ljubljana is just a short walk from the iconic Ljubljanica River, Park Tivoli and Ljubljana Castle. The hotel has 165 guest rooms including 15 suites, most with panoramic views, and features contemporary interior design with sophisticated details reflecting Slovenian authenticity.
Ljubljana, Europe’s hidden gem With its blend of culinary, design and cultural influences from neighbouring Austria, Italy and Croatia, Ljubljana sits in the heart of one of Europe’s most diverse countries. The charming city centre is steeped in history, architecture and a hive of traditional and fusion cuisine, making it the ideal 48-hour city break for romantics and culture lovers alike.
InterContinental Ljubljana is perfectly placed to explore the city, from enjoying the local brda wine or trying the newest food markets, or to discover the neighbouring regions, from wine-tasting in the Vipava Valley, boating on Lake Bled, or skiing in the Triglav national park.
Tom Rowntree, Vice President Brand Management, Luxury & Boutique Brands Europe at InterContinental Hotels Group commented: “InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has been pioneering luxury travel in emerging destinations around the world for more than 70 years, and InterContinental Ljubljana is a prime example of this. Slovenia is a country of rich diversity, fusing multiple European influences in its food, culture, design and landscape – InterContinental Ljubljana brings this together in one very sophisticated and stylish offering.”
B restaurant, a cocktail of flavours and local influence Named after the prized Carniolan honey bee native to Slovenia, InterContinental Ljubljana’s B culinary concept, is overseen by Michelin-star Chef Alfredo Russo. Located on the 20th floor, B boasts an open kitchen and a large outdoor terrace with panoramic views of Ljubljana’s old town with the castle on one side and the Alps on the other.
Alfredo’s Mediterranean menu reflects the harmony between Italian and Slovenian cuisines. Incorporating fresh local ingredients, B’s dishes celebrate the vegetarian offerings from the nearby mountains along with the fish delicacies straight from the Adriatic Sea that wets both the Italian and Slovenian shore. The restaurant also boasts an extensive list of local wines and creative cocktails.
InterContinental Ljubljana also features a bar, a patisserie, a spa with an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, a spacious Club InterContinental lounge with a fireplace, and extensive meeting and banqueting space with capacities for up to 300 guests. In addition, using its international know how and local insights, Club InterContinental offers an enhanced service with bespoke package experiences and rewards.
The Windsor Arms Hotel has hired Toronto-based luxury design firm Dinel Design to conduct the renovation and re-styling of some of the internationally renowned Toronto Hotel’s key common area rooms which include, lobby, ballroom, conference rooms and tea rooms.
This historic boutique hotel is located in one of Toronto’s chicest neighbourhoods, within easy reach of the Royal Ontario Museum, the fashionable Yorkville streets and quaint luxury shops of Bloor Street, and the main shopping and restaurant artery of downtown Toronto. The luxury hotel has become a staple ‘must stay’ over the last decade for celebrities and notable international travellers that include dignitaries and Royal families who have been visiting the booming City.
“Design and service is a central part of the philosophy of our hotel, setting the tone and further creating a sense of style and classic comfort is the objectives of these design changes. The Dinel Design firm with their sophisticated and impeccable exquisite taste was chosen as it will bring that individuality we look to further achieve for the Windsor Arms not seen anywhere else in Canada,” says George Friedmann, Founder and Owner of the Windsor Arms.
Jacques Dinel, Founder of Dinel Design states: “The client is essential in inspiring the design process, focusing on the zeitgeist of the city throughout the property, working the traditional elements of the city or region in a contemporary way. The chosen approach for the Windsor Arms project was to capture the unique old-world guilded style of the building while providing the warmest features and comforts, home away from home. Although it sits at the centre of an ever-growing, contemporary metropolis, the eclectic, European design of the family-owned hotel is a fundamental component of the city’s architectural landscape.”
Residents and visitors will be able to begin exploring the incredible improvements to all common areas, the ballroom, conference rooms and the lobby in late August. Dinel Designs also finished work to the mid-twentieth century of the tea room, dining room, and bar.
Dinel Design is an exclusive, Toronto-based firm founded by Jacques Dinel. The unique style of work is a combination of elements from his time in London, Paris, Rome, and New York.
AVANI Hotels & Resorts has announced the development of its first resort in the Maldives. AVANI Fares Maldives Resort will be located on Fares Island in the Baa Atoll and is scheduled to open in Q4 2019.
This $70 million (£54 million) resort development is a joint venture partnership between Minor Hotels and Cyprea Group. Cyprea Group’s diversified Sri Lanka and Maldives business portfolio includes ownership and operation of Club Med Kani Maldives Resort located in North Male’ Atoll.
Alejandro Bernabe, Group Director AVANI Hotels & Resorts said: “The AVANI design philosophy is interestingly relaxed and contemporary and in tune with the environment of this development, using natural textures, colours and materials that reflect the location whilst incorporating advanced technology and modern conveniences.” The new upscale AVANI Fares Maldives Resort will comprise 200 guest rooms, including standard rooms and a selection of villas.
On arrival guests will immediately be welcomed by an arresting view of the Indian Ocean from the open plan lobby. This communal living space will blend reception, lounge, meeting space, all day restaurant and The Pantry, an AVANI hallmark, will serve a mix of comfort food and artisanal deli snacks around the clock.
The resort will also feature a speciality restaurant, AVANISPA, AVANI Kids Club and a large communal swimming pool and pool bar. The nearby Ahivahfushi Beyru dive site offers amazing reef diving with a plethora of sea life including Hawksbill Turtles, Reef Sharks and Manta Rays. It’s an underwater Eden for snorkellers and scuba enthusiasts.
AVANI Hotels & Resorts was launched in 2011 as a sister brand to Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, which currently has three resorts in the Maldives, including Anantara Kihavah which is also located in the Baa Atoll . Offering all the details that matter, AVANI blends genuine hospitality and modern lifestyle features with a passion for design. The brand already has a presence in the Indian Ocean with two resorts in Sri Lanka and one in the Seychelles.
Ahead of the Independent Hotel Show in October, Hotel Designs caught up with the event director Miranda Martin to get her thoughts on this year’s edition…
Hotel Designs: First off, how is everything going with the show planning? Miranda Martin: We have a simply brilliant team of people here at Independent Hotel HQ. We’re super committed to delivering great experiences for everyone who attends the show. Every detail matters and a huge amount of effort has gone into making this edition remarkable. I’m confident that this year will truly be the best yet. We’re lucky because we’re confined by a finite space in the halls so when the stands sell out we get to focus on making the rest of the show even better.
One of the key tasks for this year was to focus on turning the heat up on design. Our exhibitor list is reflective of the hard work the team have put into researching and discovering brilliant brands to bring value and inspiration to our audience of luxury and boutique hoteliers. And the designed features at the show are the ‘pièce de résistance’. I can’t wait for people to see them.
HD: Could you tell us what familiar features of the Independent Hotel Show guests can expect this year, but also anything new with this year’s edition we can look forward to? MM: As always, guests can expect a strong line up of speakers revealing trends and practical solutions, together with a fully relevant collection of exhibiting companies showing the latest products and services available for hoteliers today.
New for this year’s event we have introduced ‘The Perfect Hotel Bedroom’ thread in partnership with Chic Retreats. We conducted a consumer survey to help generate answers around what makes the perfect hotel bedroom. And Harriet Forde Design studio is bringing that to life at the show. We propose to bring you ‘The Perfect Hotel Bedroom’ at the Independent Hotel Show. Come tell us what you think!
The Gymnasium for The Mind is a new concept too. Taking on board mindfulness and wellbeing trends as well as the need to mix up the format of the ‘stuff to do’ at the show, we’ve introduced a workshop area where guests will be encouraged to remove shoes and coats, sit on gym balls, and get stuck in; exercising their minds in an unusual format. Workshop topics will include design, artificial intelligence, cyber-crime prevention and spas for men….
HD: What are the key things you hope guests come away with from the show? MM: The discovery of something they’ve never seen before; connections and relationships that will change their businesses forever; inspiration and motivation to make change and having had a terrific experience.
HD: Just how important are shows like IHS to the industry? MM: We strive to serve and support independent hoteliers from across the land to help them stay current and deliver unforgettable experiences for their guests whilst optimising profitability and efficiency.
Consumer demand changes at a rapid pace and so must the hotel industry if it wishes to keep up. We offer an annual touch point where hoteliers can network with likeminded people, see the latest products and hear future forecasts and trends. It’s the industry’s show. It’s a great show. It’s a great opportunity. You never know what connections you could make in a face to face environment. Done right, business events of this kind are invaluable.
HD: Thinking about the wider industry, how do you see Brexit affecting the independent/boutique market? MM: Occupancy reports from this quarter have been hugely positive with an increase in inbound tourism and staycations. I don’t think hoteliers need to fear for a lack of demand Of course staffing issues will arise but I see this as an opportunity for hoteliers to reimagine their recruitment and training processes, perhaps creating better opportunities in hospitality careers. I think people are going to have to up their game to make their businesses attractive places to work.
Attend our talk ‘Oh! What a Lovely Brexit!’ at the show to find out how Tourism can benefit from a new 21st century ‘Brand Britain’.
HD: And what trends are you seeing coming to the fore in this market? MM: Mindfulness is everywhere, infiltrating many industries and led ultimately by a widespread consumer interest, hence our introduction of the Gymnasium for the Mind. People are the priority. In a Brexit landscape, there are natural concerns about our workforce thus there’s a push on recruiting, training and creating an attractive career proposition for domestic staff. The show this year will focus heavily on this in our role of supporting independent hoteliers.
A focus on sustainable and seasonal menus, a continuation of a trend we’ve seen growing every year of the show, with a strong focus on grow-your-own, locally sourced, authentic propositions that are becoming increasingly supplier-led. Brand extensions – clever and strategic partnerships to engage the right type of consumer with your brand and widen your marketing message.
HD: Lastly, what does the future have in store for IHS – is expansion on the horizon? MM: We have big plans. Not for this small but perfectly formed London edition… watch this space!
As part of Renaissance Hotels global ‘renaissance’, the brand is reimagining the traditional airport hotel experience, with two new debuts: The newly-opened Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel and the newly-renovated Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel.
RENAISSANCE ATLANTA AIRPORT GATEWAY HOTEL – The new Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel recently opened this Spring and is designed by the acclaimed Rottet Studio. – The property has 204 imaginatively styled guest rooms and 6,500 square feet of innovative meeting and event space. – With seven storeys of dramatic design, integrated technology, and world-class amenities, the hotel is bringing Atlanta culture to airport guests and providing a stunning scene to experience locally inspired cuisine, emerging artists, and unexpected delights.
RENAISSANCE LOS ANGELES AIRPORT HOTEL – Following its recent renovations led by CRA Design in Woodland Hills, the hotel offers completely new, renovated meeting spaces, a redesigned lobby and a brand new bar and restaurant. – Mixing the personality of a boutique hotel with the urban style of LA, guests are greeted by a curated album wall and a neighborhood-inspired aesthetic that’s reflected in all aspects of the property’s refreshed design.
– The hotel’s new restaurant, Studio 12, offers up delectable California cuisine and 12 beer taps featuring local craft brews. – For savvy travelers seeking an escape from the chaos of LAX and its large neighboring hotels, Renaissance Los Angeles Airport offers a more intimate alternative, blended with the feel of a trend-setting cosmopolitan studio.
Here at Hotel Designs, we like to provide content that is both engaging and useful for our audience.
As we continue to move forward, we’d like to get some feedback from our readers in order to continue bringing you what you want to see.
Our 2017-2018 reader survey gives you the chance to let us know what content you currently like and content you want to see more of, as well as suggesting other topics you would find the most useful. We are continuing to evolve the HD brand, so it’s important to us that we listen to what our readers want and need from the website.
Five-star Loch Lomond resort Cameron House has completed an extensive renovation programme.
The 12-month, £4 million project finished with a makeover of the hotel’s 136 bedrooms, including 26 suites. Inspiration has been taken from the property’s surroundings, with accents of tartan and layered paisleys throughout.
The hotel’s food and beverage offering has also been updated, along with public areas and the addition of the new Great Scots Bar Terrace.
Greyline Design headed up the renovation, with fabrics used from Osborne & Little, specially designed carpets from Gravity Flooring and upholstery from Zoffany. The main focal point in every room is a handmade leather sleigh bed designed by Paton Developments.
Resort Director Andy Roger says: “It’s fantastic to see the culmination of this multimillion-pound investment into the hotel. We hope guests will agree the new-look bedrooms complement the investment made throughout the resort, ensuring we continue to deliver a truly luxurious experience that offers guests only the best standards and showcases our hotel and its stunning location.”
Embrace the spirit of the holidays a little early this year and join us all at Hotel Designs as we usher in the end of the year with a bang at our next Hotel Designs Meet Up, this year with a Christmas Party theme.
A chance to wine, dine and network with some of the most influential figures in hotels and interior design, the Meet Up will take place at Home House, Portman Square in London on November 8th from 6pm until 10pm. As always, we will be offering the opportunity to make new connections and catch up with old friends among the canapés.
Meet up with professionals in a relaxed environment and sip down some Christmas spirit and look back on a year of uncertainty and change within an ever-moving industry. This marks the third Meet Up from Hotel Designs; an event popular with hoteliers, designers and architects, and offers a unique insight into the heart of the industry.
“Our Meet Ups are all about giving the Hotel Designs audience the opportunity to network and networking as we all know, is such a valuable way to expand your knowledge,” said Hotel Designs Publisher Katy Phillips. “Learn what your peers have been up to in 2017, share and reflect on your own business success from across the year and possibly most important, make new business connections and potentially new lifelong friends!”
“We hope to see you at the event for a festive tipple or two.”
The Garden Rooms Restaurant at the Rhu’s Rosslea Hall Hotel has been awarded the title of ‘Hotel restaurant of the Year’ at The Food Awards Scotland.
The hotel is managed by the leading independent hotel management in Britain, which holds national recognition in the hospitality industry through its partnership with some of the most prestigious international hotel brands, including IHG, Hilton, Accor, Marriott and Wyndham.
The win comes following head chef Tony Quinn’s regional success in the South West category for the last two consecutive years, and the team believe the locally sourced fresh produce and first-class service are the winning properties they will continue to champion into 2018 and beyond.
“We are over the moon that our Garden Rooms Restaurant has been recognised on the national stage by The Food Awards Scotland,” said Don McGregor, general manager of Rosslea Hall Hotel. “Tony and his team were up against some fantastic Scottish hotel restaurants and to pick up the overall award for Scotland shows they really are doing something right.”
In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we start with the first five designers…
ROBERT ANGELL – ROBERT ANGELL DESIGN INTERNATIONAL Born and raised in Dorset, Robert’s passion for design started at a young age when he became fascinated with making and creating things. Robert began his career being mentored by the late great David Collins, working together for 15 years, before launching his own design studio: Robert Angell Design International in 2010.
Since then, Robert has developed his own timeless and bespoke style, with design steeped in masterful glamour and luxury; he has designed some of the most talked-about hospitality spaces including the Award-winning Piccolino Cicchetti, London and Marcus at The Berkeley.
SUSIE ATKINSON – STUDIO ATKINSON Recognising the importance of how a space will be used and that the architecture is only ever enhanced by a considered interior finish, Susie’s designs eschew the ‘fashionable’ to bring a room to life with exquisite colours, contrasting textures, surprising and delightful pieces of furniture.
She builds on these elements in a design process that is about the balance of texture and mixing these with different textured surfaces such as wood, zinc or granite. Her timeless interiors can be found in private country houses, London town houses, boutique hotels – including Babington House – clubs, restaurants and spas.
GRAEME BANKS – BARR + WRAY With 50 years’ experience Barr + Wray are the UK’s leading provider of spa engineering solutions and ideas for water and thermal experiences. Most of the spas commissioned are located within hotels and resorts of exceptional style and presence and their aim is to design and build spas to compliment a guest’s surroundings in every respect.
Graeme is design director at B+W’s Dubai office, and has played a crucial role in the operational design, interior design and technical design that goes towards creating B+W’S ‘unique spa experiences’ in what has become an over-saturated spa market.
DAVID CARTER – ALACARTER DESIGN David is a celebrated London based interior designer, who works principally on high-end residential and commercial projects in the UK and abroad. He has been running his interior design practice for almost 25 years, providing his expertise to an international clientele. He works for clients who don’t want an ‘off-the-peg’ design solution, but who are looking for something genuinely bespoke and different.
His unique vision and the haunting beauty of his interiors have always attracted a huge amount of coverage in the world’s most influential design magazines. He has twice been shortlisted for the highly prestigious Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year Award.
HENRY CHEBAANE – BLUE SKY HOSPITALITY Blue Sky Hospitality is a multi-disciplinary design studio specialised in the creation and development of hotel, retail, restaurants, bars, clubs and leisure branded concepts. The studio was created in 2002 by Henry Chebaane following 18 years of experience working for several international designers and luxury hospitality brands. The experience of the studio is built on over 250 projects in 39 countries.
Henry Chebaane, speaking about Blue Sky’s work at the Fireworks Steakhouse at the JW Marriott Absheron in the Azerbaijan capital Baku, said it was ‘inspired by the cultural and culinary lineage of fire within Caucasus’ – having been given the brief of creating a ‘land of fire’.
4. 100% DESIGN ANNOUNCES FEATURES AND INSTALLATIONS FOR 2017 SHOW 100% Design, the largest design trade show in the UK and the commercial cornerstone of London Design Festival, has announced a programme of specially commissioned installations at Olympia London as part of the show which runs 20-23 September.
7. TWENTY FOUR SEVEN HOTELS TAKES OVER DOUBLETREE IN EL SEGUNDO Twenty Four Seven Hotels has announced the addition of DoubleTree by Hilton LAX – El Segundo to its management portfolio. The LAX hotel is the first of four new management contracts in the LA area in 2017.
8. NEW HOTEL: BERGEN’S HISTORIC STOCK EXCHANGE REOPENS The 127-bedroom hotel – with its timeless, neutral interiors, immaculate custom furnishings, and subtle nods to a grand and prestigious history – certainly lives up to this philosophy.
10. INNSIDE HAMBURG BRINGS CHIC URBAN LIFESTYLE TO GERMANY INNSIDE by Meliá, the urban lifestyle hotel brand by Meliá Hotels international group, has announced the latest addition to its growing portfolio of global properties with the opening of INNSIDE Hamburg Hafen.
A boutique B&B in Torquay has been given an AA 5 stars B&B award plus a breakfast award thanks to the help of a Mitre Linen makeover. Daniel Kilik and Andrew Burton run Tyndale, a contemporary boutique B&B in the coastal resort.
They invited Mitre Linen to work closely with them to help them achieve a unique look for each of their guest rooms. Laura Webber, Mitre’s Regional Sales Manager, visited their B&B to advise on the best products for both the property and their guests.
As Daniel and Andrew were looking for something unique, Laura recommended that they use Mitre’s bespoke soft furnishings service, where they could choose from countless prints and fabrics and be guided throughout the project.
One room was given a striking geometric look and feel using black and gold while another was transformed with on trend denim colours and a crushed velvet headboard in silver for the beautiful new bed.
Taking inspiration from a room’s green wallpaper, another bedroom was given a crisp new look using curtains, runners and a mixture of cushions in Rhapsody aqua fabric. They also bought the Duke toppers from the Heritage range plus Tencel pillows and Microfibre duvets from the Luxury range as well as luxurious white bathrobes.
Daniel said: “When we took over the property in 2011, it was a run-down 3 star rated guest house in desperate need of some love and attention.
“With their industry knowledge, Mitre Linen have helped us create unique, elegant and contemporary boutique rooms for our guests.
“Their work has allowed us to re-launch as a boutique Bed and Breakfast and we are already seeing the benefits. Not only has our refurbishment and attractive new look helped us to achieve an increase in our room rates, but we now hold AA 5 stars plus a breakfast award.
“Our guests have given us a 5 star rating on TripAdvisor and we have been praised for our ‘beautiful decoration’, ‘immaculate rooms’ and ‘high standard finish’.”
Mitre Linen’s Laura Webber said: “Daniel had a very clear vision of how he wanted the rooms to look – all contemporary and individual and each totally different. We spent time working together choosing colours and fabrics to complement each room’s colour scheme and he was very welcoming to my ideas. He was thrilled with the results and has had some wonderful feedback from guests on how stunning his rooms are.
“We love helping hoteliers in their refurbishment and, as an experienced hospitality provider for over 70 years, we understand that every establishment is unique.”
Overlooking the world-famous Trafalgar Square, The Trafalgar St. James London, Curio Collection by Hilton, officially joins the exclusive collection of more than 35 hotels and resorts.
As the first Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in the UK, the hotel was hand-picked to be a part of the global, upper upscale collection of one-of-a-kind independent properties all celebrated for their individuality.
The hotel boasts 131 bedrooms and 15 exquisite suites; each space is artfully accentuated with Art Deco design notes, tactile furnishings and bold colour choices creating a sanctuary of style.
A destination in itself, the hotel offers everything from contemporary bedrooms to a stunning rooftop bar with unrivalled panoramic views over the city, all in the bustle of central London. Opening this October, The Rooftop, formerly known as Vista, has been transformed into a year-round destination featuring a luxurious lounge and dining area.
Complete with alfresco and canopy-covered seating, the 378-square-metre sky-high space features an open fireplace, heaters and blanket selection to provide warmth throughout the cooler months. For special occasions and intimate gatherings, Room – a glass-enclosed private dining Room with the capacity to seat 14 people – will be available for hire.
Hotel Highlights – Musical Bedrooms: The bedrooms feature iconic wall art, celebrating the best of London’s music idols. For a classic British experience, guests can choose from an in-room book and tea selection. – All the Details: Plush beds, LED illuminated makeup mirrors, Nespresso machines and conveniently located charging points have been placed in rooms for a pleasant and convenient guest experience. – The Rooftop: Set atop London’s iconic skyline on the south west corner of London’s most central point, Nelson’s Column, The Rooftop Bar is counted amongst the world’s finest when it comes to alfresco drinking and dining. – Comforts Reminiscent of Home: Biblio, the house living room, located in the hotel’s underground chamber, evokes the intimacy of a private members lounge in a setting that’s open to all. – 24-hour Fitness: 24-hour gym access will help guests keep fit at a time that’s convenient for them.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has unveiled a refresh to its guest rooms across both the Boulevard and The Chelsea Towers.
The project, which kicks off this summer, will be fully complete in 2018 with 2,895 of the resort’s 3,027 rooms remodeled with influence from innovative and inspired designers, including New York-based Virserius Studio.
The newly designed rooms emphasise modern design and luxurious comfort and come as the result of a meticulous selection process that lasted over 18 months.
An initial list of 20 designers was engaged to bid on the project, from which eight were selected to present in Las Vegas. From there, four design firms, in addition to The Cosmopolitan”s internal design team, were chosen to construct model rooms on property.
The Cosmopolitan solicited feedback from more than 400 employees who toured the accommodations as well as frequent-staying guests, ranging from business to leisure travelers. The collected response played an integral role in determining which designs were selected, leading to interiors inspired by both The Cosmopolitan’s in-house design team alongside Virserius Studios.
In Quinta do Lago, nestled within the privacy and security of the Ria Formosa nature reserve, lies Four Seasons Fairways.
This discreet and elegant private resort and clubhouse – with 132 colonial style villas and apartments set in beautifully landscaped gardens is currently undertaking a major €2 million (£1.84 million) investment programme, designed to ensure the resort maintains its prestigious status.
Last Winter, 32 of the villas underwent a complete refurbishment marking the beginning of a total overhaul of the entire resort. These extensive villa renovations cleverly blend authentic Portuguese style with a modern and vibrant interior décor and furnishings, new state-of-the-art kitchens and lighting design that is both functional and atmosphere-enhancing. Fresh blues and greens bring the beauty of the outdoors into the living space.
Designer furniture, granite bathrooms, bespoke artwork and custom interior fittings personalise each villa in individual, comfortable and stylish fashion. The focus is on easy living, relaxation and a home from home villa lifestyle.
By the start of the 2018 summer season a further renovation of another 20 villas along with the entire club-house facilities including the restaurant, bar, indoor and outdoor pools, kids club and fitness suite will be completed.
What sets Four Season Fairways apart is the privacy guests are given whilst enjoying all the facilities of an established and well-connected resort. Unlike anyone else in the area, Fairways offers private pools or Jacuzzis within each of its accommodation options, that range from two and three double bedrooms villas or apartments, catering for individuals, couples or family groups. With the Algarve enjoying 300 days of sunshine a year, each villa is also equipped with its own BBQ for al fresco dining all year round and the modern kitchens are fully-equipped for every culinary task.
Four Seasons Fairways is much more than a villa complex. Its clubhouse has a reputation for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. There are large indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, steam room, a well-equipped gym, tennis, golf booking office and a beauty & wellness centre as well as a restaurant serving local and international fare.
Grand Hyatt Changsha, the first Grand Hyatt hotel in China’s Hunan Province, has celebrated its grand opening. The 354-room hotel crowns a 61-storey tower on prestigious Xiangjiang Road, offering breathtaking views of Xiang River and the city skyline.
A riverfront landmark just steps from Changsha’s historic sites, Grand Hyatt Changsha is expected to be the destination for impressive views and unforgettable dining experiences in the heart of this cosmopolitan city.
When guests arrive in the lobby, they will feel the crimson magnificence of the autumn maple trees on Yuelu Mountain and Xiang River. The red spice of Hunan’s legendary cuisine and the city’s energetic nightlife inspire the vibrant ambience. Bold crimson tints, rich textures and a sophisticated art collection provide a poignant cultural backdrop for Changsha’s showpiece of contemporary living.
Conceived by the renowned Singapore hotel design firm LTW Designworks, the hotel’s interiors create a strong sense of locale. The design concept is inspired by two classic Chinese red-ink wash paintings: Changsha by Fu Baoshi and Ten Thousand Hills in Red by Li Keran. The hotel design makes dramatic use of the unique Chinese red shades from these traditional ink wash paintings.
The constant flow and energy of Xiang River and Chinese historical motifs are also referenced in the natural textures and an impressively curated collection of contemporary artworks and sculptures richly displayed throughout the hotel.
Grand Hyatt Changsha features 354 contemporary guestrooms, including 31 suites, located on levels 46 to 61. The spacious rooms welcome guests into a modern Asian sanctuary styled with red textured walls, ochre-leather paneling, intricate Oriental patterned carpets and streamlined bespoke furnishings. Floor-to-ceiling windows command breathtaking high-rise views of the city or Xiang River from both the bedroom and bathroom.
As the ultimate launchpad for new talent and the show of choice for the discerning interior design market, it was fitting for House & Garden to select Decorex International as the platform to debut their exciting new venture in collaboration with Arlo & Jacob.
To celebrate their 70th anniversary, House & Garden are launching their first ever furniture collection at the UK’s leading interior design fair this September.
Conceived by House & Garden decoration director, Gabby Deeming, and designed to keep the price accessible, each piece has considered proportions that are at once elegant and comfortable, with stylish details such as single seat cushions and painted legs.
Inspired by English country house style, with an emphasis on deep comfort and a sense of prettiness, this design collection offers statement pieces that would also make chic additions to sophisticated townhouse interiors. A contemporary take on classic shapes, each piece is instantly recognisable for its smart, refined design.
Arlo & Jacob were an obvious partner for the House & Garden Collection; a fresh, young brand with ambition, underpinned by craftsmanship and a heritage of almost a century of manufacturing in Long Eaton. With a broad collection of popular designs, the brand has the heritage and skills needed to bring the House & Garden Collection into reality.
The collection includes six elegant designs: three sofas, two chairs and a footstool. Each piece can be upholstered in up to 20 fabrics chosen by House & Garden, over 120 of Arlo & Jacob’s fabrics, as well as customers’ own fabrics.
Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort has been awarded ‘World’s Best Luxury Golf Resort Spa’ and ‘Western Europe’s Luxury Hideaway Spa’ in the 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards.
Focusing on rewarding and praising spas that have outshone beyond the normal means necessary, these recent accolades pay homage to Terre’s Blanche’s five star service and extensive spa facilities.
Terre Blanche’s two-story spa is home to 12 treatment rooms, 2 private suites, an Infusion Tea room, a spacious 20m swimming pool, sauna, steam room, laconium, hammam, fitness centre and relaxation room with a tropical shower and ice fountain, suiting to every spa goers needs.
New for 2017, Terre Blanche recently announced a new spa partnership with luxury organic cosmetics brand KOS PARIS, reinforcing the hotel’s dedication to eco-solutions and protection of the surrounding Provencal countryside.
Go to bed with a Fabergé egg, check into a space room, sleep within a hanging installation or under a giant cloud, or even settle down in snail world, all made entirely of ice and snow at this winter’s Icehotel.
These are just a few of the designs which have been announced for the unique hotel built each winter on the banks of the Torne river in Jukkasjärvi.
This year, 26 artists from 11 countries will join the Icehotel’s own design and building team in late November to create the 28th rendition of the hotel. It will open to coincide with the first #IceFlight of the season on 16th December 2017. This flight is now in its 11th year of operation taking Discover the World clients directly to the Icehotel in just 3.5 hours followed by a short 15-minute transfer from the airport.
Last year’s vision for ICEHOTEL
The suite Hang in There features a unique hanging installation. Frozen sheets of ice drape around the central bed, whilst the Last Faberge Egg suite has a giant egg beside its bed and, the Space Room’s design takes its inspiration from a trip into outer space some 100km from planet earth. Many other surprises await with other suite designs hinted at in their names which include King Kong, White Desert, Monstera and Follow the White Rabbit.
A total of 15 unique Art Suites will be constructed, as well as an Ice Church and a dramatic main hall with a chandelier featuring 1,000 hand polished ice crystals.
British designers and the selection process Out of the 100s of applications, the artist teams are selected by the Icehotel’s design jury. Excitingly, two artists have been chosen from the UK this year, both experienced having been involved in last year’s hotel.
The two British artists’ designs to be chosen include the Liverpool based brother design duo, Hugh and Howard Miller. Hugh is a furniture designer and Howard an architect, landscape designer and RHS Chelsea gold medal winner in 2015. Their concept is called A Rich Seam – an accidental space created by an ice seam left over from frantic digging.
The second comes from Dorset based sculptor and taxidermist Lisa Lindqvist called a Wandering Cloud, an art installation featuring a gigantic cloud hanging over the bed. Lindqvist’s mother was Swedish, born in Kiruna and she already has several gold medals for England won at international snow sculpting competitions.
Sketch of art suite Wondering Cloud designed by Lisa Lindqvist
The selection process brings together creative minds from all over the world and from vastly different careers. Each team will see their ideas become reality in snow and ice as they personally construct the designs which makes Icehotel so unique.
The amount of snow used to create all the hotel’s rooms would be enough to make 700 million snowballs alone, with 5000 tons of ice harvested each Spring from the Torne River and stored until November when the building process starts in earnest.
International luxury travel network Virtuoso announced the winners of the eagerly awaited 2017 Best of the Best awards at the 29th annual Virtuoso Travel Week.
The 11th annual ceremony celebrated this year’s top 11 hotels and hoteliers before 1,600 of luxury travel’s crème de la crème attending the Hotels & Resorts Dinner. Of particular note, Palazzo Seneca in Italy received the sought-after “Hotel of the Year” honour.
Virtuoso received input from its 800-plus travel agency partners and more than 16,000 professional travel advisors to name the winners in each category, from best dining experience to best wellness program.
Editors of VIRTUOSO LIFE, the network’s multi-award-winning magazine, offered their expert insight and hotel savvy to select the nominees on which the advisors voted. This year’s Best of the Best award recipients will be highlighted in the publication’s September/October.
With a broad-ranging portfolio of more than 1,200 hotels, resorts, villas and private island retreats in over 100 countries, Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts is revered as the industry’s most prestigious hotel program,e. Founded in 1992 with just 20 hotels, Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts is marking its 25th anniversary in 2017, celebrating the remarkable growth, quality and diversity that have become trademarks of the program over the past quarter-century.
2017 Virtuoso Best of the Best categories and winners:
Hotel of the Year: Palazzo Seneca, Norcia, Italy “The Bianconi family doesn’t just own a lovely hotel. They are beautiful people indeed, who care for others less fortunate, love the land where they were born, and take good care of this land.” – Julia Kostina, Renshaw Travel, a Virtuoso Agency
Best Achievement in Design: Six Senses Douro Valley, Lamego, Portugal “What sets this resort apart is that it retains the charm and beauty of a large country manor set among rolling hills and vineyards. There’s a prevailing sense of quiet, calm and relaxation as soon as you enter.” – Linda Zelisko, Travel Experts, a Virtuoso Agency
Best Dining Experience: La Terrazza – Hotel Eden Rome, Rome, Italy “Have you ever eaten pasta surrounded by vapored dry ice? It is simply the most innovative dish I have ever seen.” – Jonathan Phillips, Camelback Odyssey Travel, a Virtuoso Agency
Chef Fabio Ciervo in his kitchen
Best Bar: Bar Hemingway – Ritz Paris, Paris, France “Walking into Bar Hemingway is like stepping back in time. Head bartender Colin Field is a book of stories. You can sit back, listen and just imagine.” – Liora Manilof, Forest Travel Agency, a Virtuoso Agency
Best Family Programme: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Naples, Florida, USA “They have great options for families to visit local museums, bird sanctuaries, and a special program with a local artisan who leads their glass blowing classes. They really go out of their way to make the experiences as engaging as possible for the kids.” – Nick Cutrone, Vista Travel Consultants, a Virtuoso Agency
Best Wellness Programme: Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona, USA “The combination of four areas – physical, emotional, spiritual, and medical – is very unique in the wellness community. Most spas will cover a couple of the areas. Canyon Ranch can do it all. It has a wider range of options for the consumer than any other spa and the quality is outstanding!” – Peggy Purtell, Travel Experts, a Virtuoso Agency
Best Virtuoso Experience: Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Mexico “From the moment you arrive in the Sanctuary Lounge and make a wish by throwing a little stone in the cenote, you know you are in a special place. Everything in the hotel is an experience so that makes it unique.” – Areli Guzman, Viajes Terranova, a Virtuoso Agency
Best Virtuoso Newcomer: Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, New York, New York, USA “The large wrought iron front doors give a luxurious first impression. But the standout feature is the beautiful spiral staircase and long hanging cascading sculpture on the ground level.” – Sylvia Betesh Lebovitch, Ovation Vacations, a Virtuoso Agency
Sustainable Tourism Leadership: Cavallo Point – the Lodge at Golden Gate, Sausalito, California, USA “Sustainable tourism can sometimes lead to unexpected opportunities. It’s a tale of tourism helping transform swords into plowshares.”- Costas Christ, Global Strategist, Sustainability, Virtuoso, of the former military base now transformed into an urban eco-resort
Best Virtuoso Hotel Ambassador: Kees Hogetoorn – Grand Hotel Amsterdam, an Accor Hotel “I knew nothing about his hotel prior to meeting Kees and he truly allowed the property to come to life. His passion and enthusiasm is unmatched.” – Jessica Renshaw, Renshaw Travel, a Virtuoso Agency
Hotelier of the Year: Susanne Hatje – Mandarin Oriental, New York, New York, New York, USA “There is a peace of mind when I send clients her way because I know they will be taken care of by her amazing team that lead by her example. She makes every client stay memorable. She has an incredible vibrant and energetic personality, always engaging with guests.” – Miriam Omphroy, Forest Travel Agency, a Virtuoso Agency
Oetker Collection has announced Jumby Bay Island as the next masterpiece property in the hospitality brand’s portfolio.
The 300-acre private island resort, located two miles from Antigua, is slated to open on October 9 for the 2017/18 season. As the new operator of Jumby Bay, Oetker Collection will manage the island’s resort, as well as villa and estate home rentals.
With this addition, Oetker Collection expands its portfolio to ten properties; Jumby Bay joins Eden Rock – St Barths as the brand’s second in the Caribbean.
The island combines an established 40-room/suite resort with 50 individually designed, fully-staffed villa and estate home rentals. Villas and estates offer up to nine bedrooms, most with direct private beach access.
Additional resort features include three white sand beaches, three restaurants, an exceptional spa and fitness facilities, watersports, two pools and five tennis courts.
On August 21, 2017, Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Barbados will embark on an exciting renovation project designed to significantly enhance the facilities of the hotel and provide a comfortable and luxurious experience for future guests.
The hotel lobby and all 72 guest rooms and suites will be completely transformed with a scheduled completion date of November 15, 2017, followed by a restaurant renovation in summer 2018.
In an effort to minimise impact to the high levels of service and top-quality guest experience for which Fairmont is known, the hotel will be closed for the invasive part of the renovation, from late September to mid-November 2017.
The newly renovated Fairmont Royal Pavilion is scheduled to re-open on November 12, 2017.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it will rebrand and manage a luxury hotel, currently operating on Canouan island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, from 1 November 2017.
Mandarin Oriental, Canouan will be the Group’s first property in the Caribbean.
The exclusive resort is expansive while being intimate and secluded, nestled on the powder white sands of Canouan Island which is only five square miles in total.
The whole island is dedicated to leisure pursuits including sailing, kayaking, diving, fishing, tennis and hiking, as well as golf at an 18-hole Jim Fazio-designed golf course. The hotel comprises 26 suites and 12 three to four bedroom villas.
All suites and villas have full ocean views, and each villa comes with a large private pool, just a few steps away from the ocean. A variety of restaurants and bars provide a range of cuisines and al fresco dining and the property also features an outdoor infinity pool, a spa and health club, with two overwater treatment cabanas accessible by boat.
The Group will also brand and manage a portfolio of new Residences at Mandarin Oriental, to be located near the hotel and scheduled to be available in 2020.
Room 2 has announced the development of a new apart-hotel in Southampton, with a focus on design, comfort and value.
The venue billed as the design hotel for the modern traveller, offers 71 studio rooms, and is located on 1-8 Queens Terrace in Southampton. The hotel is due to be completed by March 2018, with a further site planned to open in London next year.
Following the inaugural 2016 launch of Room 2 in West London, once again the approach strips the attitude out of the design hotel market, while offering flexible apartment style rooms and a focus on friendly, community living ideal for long and short-term business and leisure stays.
Designed by Project Orange – the Shoreditch based architectural firm and design studio – the design takes advantage of large floor to ceiling heights. Raised sleeping decks and interior features echo the nostalgia of the golden age of cruise liners, a nod towards the importance of Southampton in cross-Atlantic travel.
Room 2 combines a design hotel aesthetic with ‘home comforts’ including kitchen, work table, rainfall showers, free wifi, screen mirroring TV, king sized beds and air conditioning. In addition to this, a selection of rooms feature ‘mezzanine top decks’ for flexible stays accommodating families, children and sharers.
The public area offers a flexible ground floor, designed as a space to work, meet and relax. A grab and go coffee bar operates during the day and turns into a bar in the evening.
Robert Godwin (28), founder of Room 2 and MD of property business Lamington Group, said: “We’re really excited to bring to Southampton what we feel is the first truly stylish hotel space, taking the best of the emerging design hotel sector, and designing memorable guest experiences tailored to both both long and short stays. We see a big need for high quality accommodation in the city, and we aim to deliver it.”
The brand has been designed to meet the changing needs of the modern business and leisure traveller, whilst offering home comforts with great service and great comfort.
100% Design, the largest design trade show in the UK and the commercial cornerstone of London Design Festival, has announced a programme of specially commissioned installations at Olympia London as part of the show which runs 20-23 September.
From an immersive entrance feature curated by design writer Max Fraser to the pivotal central bar and surprising features across the five distinct show sections, each installation explores the this year’s unifying theme of Elements. This considers everything from the fundamentals of design to the component parts that make up a product, the materials used to the stories and processes of development.
The bespoke features complement the presentations of hundreds of exhibitors, showcasing the very latest products across the 22,000 sqm grand hall at Olympia, which is flooded with natural day light. Whether in Design & Build, Interiors, Workplace, Kitchens and Bathrooms or Emerging Brands, many of this year’s displays have also been inspired by the show’s theme.
The entrance feature ‘Elements’ by Max Fraser Max Fraser’s entrance feature brings together an edited selection of iconic products from the past and present, celebrating an element of each which boasts intelligent design solutions, sophisticated tooling or innovative production techniques. The aim is to spotlight just one aspect or detail, informing the visitor about the hidden research and development that goes into a product.
The feature focuses on the slender engineered leg of a sofa, the material join on a chair or the concealed tech within a light fitting. Each item will be accompanied by a succinct text explaining the specific element. The chosen products emphasise the importance of R&D and bring to our attention the exceptionally detailed elements that we might not normally notice, understand or appreciate.
The installation is supported by large geometric shapes, incorporating the show’s creative aesthetic for 2017. They dramatically cascade down from the distinctive Olympia ceiling and take visitors on a journey through timeless design classics.
The Central Bar A symbolic juncture at the heart of both the show itself and the wider design industry, the Central Bar at 100% Design has always been a hub for networking and professional engagement. Focusing on this year’s theme Elements, Sally Hogarth has designed a seating area which features upright blocks in geometric shapes to create an abstract city skyline. Also defining the area and providing a moment of shelter are some greenery and foliage, which adds a metropolitan feel and seamlessly adapts with the environment.
Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms Taking inspiration from mosaics and the show’s theme, the feature in the Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms section showcases tiles by Kaza Concrete in an interactive setting. Forming the word ‘Elements’, each letter focuses on an element in design; line, shape, texture, form, colour, space, detail and craft.
Using an angled reflective surface which allows visitors to view the feature from a different perspective, the mosaic showcases tiles from various exhibitors in a unique setting.
Design & Build Bar Inspired by London bar design, this installation by Ross Bennett features a variety of elements found in the urban environment, such as London stock bricks made from the clay that the city sits on, pitted concrete similar to that of the Barbican Centre and oak referencing the river Thames. The bar also features playful materials such as brass, tin, rubber mac and bands which actually stand for objects that were of huge importance in historic London. For example, the capital had a royal monopoly on brass goods imported from the continent in the 17th century and the first patent for the idea of preserving food in tin cans, made by the merchant Peter Durand.
Auditorium Café New talent Benjamin Craven, who exhibited earlier this year at the One Year On showcase at New Designers, is designing a bold display of fabrics for the Auditorium Café. From screen-printing to digital, Craven uses heavy geometric lines that give order to what appears to be a haphazard array of clashing colours and patterns, resulting in designs that are anything but accidental.
The Arper Bloggers Lounge returns to 100% Design Furniture brand Arper hosts, for the second year, the digital hub of 100% Design: #ArperBloggersLounge. Centrally located, the Lounge is a dedicated area for bloggers and online media. It is the ideal place to work and network, hold interviews and meetings, all in an inspiring environment.
Furnished with Arper’s colourful and distinctive pieces, the Lounge will echo the design of the central bar area whilst conveying its own distinctive feel. Vibrant and welcoming, it is fully equipped with free wi-fi and charging points, as well as refreshments. Official interviews and informal talks will be hosted in the Lounge with a programme of events to be announced shortly.
Abstracta at the Restaurant Abstracta is creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere at the restaurant of the fair. The acoustic panels of the Swedish brand come in geometric and elegant shapes in nuanced and subtle colours. The sound-absorbing panels and modules can be assembled in a virtually infinite number of ways.
New Road Hotel will be opening its doors in Whitechapel, London, in Q4 2017. Inspired by the increased popularity for social living and accessible luxury, the new concept hotel will be offering guests everything they need, and nothing they don’t. Independently owned, this 80-room boutique hotel with an edgy flair will fit perfectly into the East London scene.
On New Road Hotel’s doorstep is Shoreditch, famed for its buzzing bars and restaurants, and Aldgate is just moments away, the centre of London business. New Road Hotel’s concept will focus around stripped-back luxury and necessity, bringing guests together in their welcoming lobby spaces and perfecting the finer details of service, comfort, and food, down to a tee.
New Road Hotel is a true passion project for owners Monsur, Masrur, and Moksud Malik. The brothers decided to build New Road Hotel on the site of an old textile factory, formerly known as Service House, where their father once worked. Since its closure in 2000, the building has remained empty, until 2011 when the family decided to convert it into a hotel. Following a multi-million-pound investment, New Road Hotel is now almost ready to open its doors to the public. The hotel’s interior design and open plan architecture reflects both its heritage and location within London’s famous East End, where the garment trade boomed in the 1960s. With exposed brickwork, open lobby spaces flooded with light, and incredible views of London’s skyline, New Road Hotel will be a London hotel with a difference. The focus will be on sleek and efficient design, five-star service, and high functionality over frills and opulence.
It’s no secret that space is at a premium in today’s London. New Road Hotel will tackle this with a clever combination of compact yet practical rooms and communal open spaces where guests are encouraged to work and socialise. Whether popping out of their room for a hot drink or snack; squeezing in a few productive hours on the laptop; or getting into some healthy competition with fellow guests on the pool table, the three lobbies (one on each floor) will have everything guests need to feel entertained in their home away from home. Hotel guests are no longer confined to their bedrooms with New Road Hotel’s exciting new concept!
The hotel’s simple yet elegant bedrooms will promise the utmost in comfort and cosiness, focused around getting the best night’s sleep possible. Features will include black out blinds, soft Fine Bedding Company sheets, and no whirring fridges or flashing lights to keep guests awake. For those wanting to add a little more to their in-room experience, exclusive loft rooms will boast indulgent hot tubs for evenings overlooking all the sights of London from this prime location.
No hotel is complete without a famous chef taking the reins at the signature restaurant, and New Road Hotel is excited to be working with Marco Pierre White to open Mr White’s English Chophouse. Combining his Italian heritage with his passion for the New York food scene, Marco will be serving up only the best cuts of meat cooked to perfection to hungry Londoners. The Chophouse will also be open for breakfast, or if guests are in a hurry they can still indulge in a delicious yet speedy start to the day with a bowl of cereal in the lobby’s Cereal Grind.
Making its mark as part of the ongoing regeneration of the Tower Hamlets and Whitechapel area, New Road Hotel is set to be East London’s hottest opening this year. Offering an alternative to the traditional five-star offering with its laid-back, inclusive concept, New Road Hotel will attract everyone from business commuters to young travellers wanting a more sociable hotel experience.
The new Vero Air retains the iconic, rectangular character of the Vero washbasins whilst introducing Duravit’s ground-breaking c-bonded technology – combining the unmistakable character of the original with a new level or precision and perfect proportions.
The straight interior surface and precise edges of the Vero Air washbasins reflect the collection’s linear charm. The use of patented c-bonded technology sees the washbasin and vanity unit being combined to form a minimalist masterpiece.
With the new Vero Air” c-bonded” version, the furniture washbasin is connected almost seamlessly to the vanity unit in a complex process. Thanks to the accurate and precise-fitting connecting technology, ceramic and furniture merge to form a single unit. The material thickness of the washbasin is hidden from view and reduced to the precise rim that, at the transition between the cool, smooth ceramic and the natural structure of the wood, feels uniquely pleasant to the touch.
Manufactured with millimetre precision, the furniture begins exactly where the ceramic ends. The materials blend together seamlessly to form a single, harmonious unit. Three generous widths are available: 800mm, 1000mm and 1200mm in a choice of wall-hung with single or double drawers.
However, the “c-bonded” solution does not just look and feel impressive: DuraCeram®, the patented special ceramic that actually makes this precision and moulding possible, is particularly wear-resistant. The large shelves at the sides are very practical and the smooth, seamless surfaces are also quick and easy to clean.
The vanity units of the L-Cube furniture feature Tip-On technology with its gentle push to open and close action. Choose from 31 colour finishes including matt and lacquered options, and a wide range of wood including the new subtly textured Oak Cashmere real wood veneer.
In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we continue with five more of the top 25 hoteliers…
ROBIN SHEPPARD – BESPOKE HOTELS Together with his business partner Haydn Fentum, Robin launched the now supremely successful Bespoke Hotels back in 2001 as a management company, which nowadays comprises more than 170 hotels and 8,000 employees in the UK and abroad.
Given his wealth of experience in the sector, earlier this year, Robin was recognised by the government’s Office for Disability Issues as its ‘Hotel Sector Champion’ – a cause close to his heart; and his tireless commitment to ensuring the hospitality industry continues to improve its approach to access and experiences for disabled guests means he is a worthy winner at this year’s Brit List.
ANDREW THOMASON – GRAVETYE MANOR Andrew’s culinary beginning in hospitality manifested itself in the running of a number of restaurants in Surrey before entering the hotel business. Andrew credits his four years at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons under Raymond Blanc as Resident Manager with instilling him with a passion for luxury hotels and hospitality. He claims managing Gravetye Manor fulfils his true passion for country house hotels.
This passion for the sector has been vital for Gravetye Manor following its multi-million pound refurbishment programme, and his stewardship has seen the country manor become one of England’s top properties in the sector.
TONY TROY – PRINCIPAL HOTELS Tony acts as CEO of the Principal Hotel Company, operator of more than 45 hotels throughout the UK under the lifestyle brands of Principal and De Vere. A career hotelier with over 25 years in the industry, Tony has helped shape the UK hospitality landscape from his first management buy-out in 1994 to managing a multi-billion pound capital investment and restructuring programme over the course of the last decade, acquiring some of the industry’s most prominent assets along the way.
Tony’s most recent undertaking, the £200m investment in landmark city and country estate hotels supported by Starwood Capital, a private alternative investment company which manages over $53 billion in assets, ensures the restoration of some of the UK’s finest hotels to their former glory.
ANDREW WILDSMITH – WILDSMITH HOTELS Andrew made a monumental career change when he swapped the laboratory of a Cambridge-graduate chemist for being a hotelier in the stunning, remote landscapes of the Lake District. Since, he has opened three fantastic properties; Hipping Hall in Kirby Lonsdale, Ryebeck in Bowness-on-Windermere and his latest – Forest Side in Grasmere, which has recently been awarded a Michelin star for its superb dining offering.
Following extensive flooding in the winter of 15/16, Cumbrian tourism took a considerable hit. Its testament to Andrew and his team’s hard work that Wildsmith Hotels is now flourishing and quickly becoming talk of the industry.
SUE WILLIAMS – WHATLEY MANOR Sue’s storied career in hospitality has taken in the likes of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and Bath Priory – with arguably her finest achievement coming at Cliveden House, turning the fortunes of that Berkshire property around. Now hoping to do the same at the Relais & Chateaux property Whatley Manor, Sue’s passion and energy can already be seen in her short time there.
Here tonight at the Brit List, we honour her continued commitment to nurturing young talent in the hospitality industry with the Ten out of Ten programme, now in its seventh year of giving youths a chance to work at some of the UK’s top hotels.
Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo will be the second property in Sri Lanka for the luxury Asian hospitality group – joining Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, which opened in June 2016 – and is anticipated to be one of the most prominent hotel launches in Sri Lanka in nearly 30 years.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has opened Kimpton Hotel Born Denver.
Located at the end of the Union Station platform and in the heart of one of the most dynamic urban districts in the United States, every detail of Hotel Born — from Bavarian-inspired materials to exposed concrete ceilings, from floor-to-ceiling windows to 700 original works by local Denver artists — has been crafted to impart an elevated, urban vibe that is uniquely Colorado, according to the company.
Developed by Continuum Partners, the co-master developers of the Union Station Transit Station, and designed by Denver-based Semple Brown in collaboration with Ellen Bruss of Ellen Bruss Design, Hotel Born has an Alpine modern design. Design elements include a balance of wood, concrete and metal.
The exterior of the building reflects the brick masonry of the area’s original historic warehouses. The lobby has knotty pine paneling, custom millwork, and walnut herringbone floors combined with board-formed concrete. Hand-woven rugs, textured materials, warm lighting and unique one-off custom furniture pieces are also included.
Hotel Born’s 200 guestrooms—40 of which are suites, including two premier suites with separate living rooms, six-top dining tables, wet bars and free-standing soaking tubs—feature dark brown and gold herringbone patterned carpet and a mix of traditional and modern furniture offset by fresh white walls. The most dramatic feature of the guest rooms are the knotty pine headboards which fold into a ceiling canopy. Each room features large floor-to-ceiling windows.
La Colección, a selection of 12 resorts that encompasses the brands Live Aqua Resorts, Grand Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts, Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts and The Explorean, has announced the completion of a multi-million dollar renovation at Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All Inclusive.
The resort and area icon now showcases fully enhanced guestrooms in its three towers and an upgraded Grand Ballroom Condesa that complement its favoured all-inclusive Mexican vacation experience that showcases authentic traditions and culture, family-friendly amenities and first-class meetings and events offering.
Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun’s remodel included extensive upgrades to over 500 premium rooms and suites. Among the improvements include new décor using local materials such as conchuela, a compacted marine shell that maintains a room’s temperature at cool; wooden furniture; new electronic lock doors with proximity key; redesigned bathrooms and new modern guestroom furniture encompassing all natural materials; hurricane-shock proofed windows; updated rain showers; upgraded USB plugs; new 56″ Smart TVs in all guestrooms and a faster Wi-fi connection. Also brand new are the escalators that facilitate access from the motor lobby to the central lobby.
Already a much-lauded, award-winning resort, Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun is also a proud member of Fiesta Americana Grand Meetings Mexico, an exclusive collection of hotels that offer state-of-the-art facilities and services international meeting planners count on to deliver a grand meeting experience.
Twenty Four Seven Hotels has announced the addition of DoubleTree by Hilton LAX – El Segundo to its management portfolio. The LAX hotel is the first of four new management contracts in the LA area in 2017.
Twenty Four Seven Hotels played a pivotal role in the highly complex transaction providing guidance to the buyer on the transactional side with sourcing, underwriting and acquiring the hotel, and on the capitalisation side by assisting in the structuring of new mezzanine financing in conjunction with assumption of a senior CMBS loan.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel LAX is a 216-room property and the only full-service hotel within El Segundo, just minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Recognised as the aerospace capital of the world, the community of El Segundo is home to many of the world’s most influential Fortune 500 companies. Twenty Four Seven Hotels is based in Newport Beach and has also assumed management of the hotel.
Catering to both business and leisure travelers, the seven-story DoubleTree by Hilton LAX is ideally situated in El Segundo, a hotbed for industry and innovation with the famed Silicon Beach next door. The hotel underwent renovations in 2016 that consisted of a complete reconfiguration and enhancement of first-floor public areas and guestroom upgrades.
The design refresh of the remaining six floors of guestrooms and a brand-new pool deck will complete the transformation in early 2018, along with tech upgrades including Whistle, a guest-oriented text messaging system.
‘True luxury is always modest,’ muses Eero Koivisto, one of the Swedish architect and design trio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The firm have recently completed work on Bergen Børs, their third hotel project for hyperlocal Norwegian hospitality group De Bergenske inside a year.
The 127-bedroom hotel – with its timeless, neutral interiors, immaculate custom furnishings, and subtle nods to a grand and prestigious history – certainly lives up to this philosophy.
But there’s nothing modest about its location. Occupying the upper floors of what was once the city’s stock exchange, Bergen Børs occupies a prime position in the Bergen streetscape. A few moments’ stroll from the station, beside Bergen’s main square Torgallmenningen, and overlooking Bryggen – the picturesque and oft-Instagrammed row of harbourside Hanseatic buildings recognised as a Unesco World Heritage site – there’s no better address in town.
Today, the sight of those elegant warehouses on the wharf is a reminder of Bergen’s historical status as Northern Europe’s international trading capital. Opposite, Bergen Børs stands as another memento of the city’s glory days of trade. Built in 1862 and redeveloped in the 1890s, the stock exchange (børshuset) building is, from the outside, an imposing neo-Renaissance affair in red clay tile and soapstone – befitting the solemnity and significance of the transactions once conducted within.
Tailoring History The challenge facing the architect was twofold: preserving the vestiges of the past without turning the hotel into a museum piece; and finding a way to unite the old stock exchange building with the two others that Bergen Børs stretches across. Each of these buildings – both former financial offices – originates from a different period, meaning that although parts of Bergen Børs date back the mid-19th century, other parts were built as recently as 1967.
‘Bergen Børs is a luxury hotel situated in three different buildings, from three different eras. We wanted the new hotel to have a unified look and feel. For the guest, it had to feel seamless, therefore our design has a certain neutral modernity attached to it.’
– Eero Koivisto, architect, Claesson Koivisto Rune
To achieve an air of beyond-trend elegance, Eero and his colleagues landed on the theme of tailoring – they were, after all, effectively stitching three buildings together. But this is more than a metaphor, the patterns of the classic gent’s suit are subtly woven into the interiors. In the bedrooms, pinstripes running down the wallpaper and drapes; herringbone parquet and grid-pattern carpets adorn the floors; chequered and argyle tiles appear in the bathrooms; and houndstooth upholstery covers the lounge furniture. You might never notice it if you weren’t looking closely, but Bergen Børs is a tailor’s swatch book brought to life.
Bergen Børs’ calming palette and subtle patterning is occasionally interrupted by a pop of colour or a graphic accent – a similar effect to an eccentrically bold pocket square in an otherwise sober suit. Other flourishes of character are found in the original features – decorative remnants of the hotel’s former life have been salvaged and interwoven throughout the space. The soundproofed doors that once guarded confidential conversations from eavesdroppers now open into one bedroom’s ensuite; and the former stock exchange manager’s office, complete with a heavily protected safe, now offers respite and privacy to whichever hotel guest is lucky enough to be handed the key.
The effect serves to unify the three buildings into one integrated whole. Apart from the occasional change in ceiling height as you stroll its corridors, you’d never realise you were stepping between buildings and across decades. Bergen Børs is the tailor-made hotel where you can’t see the seams.
Food and drink What used to be the Chamber of Commerce is now the hotel bar – a clubbily relaxed wood-panelled room where guests can sip cocktails or sample fine wines and craft beers at the marble bar, as the light from the vintage chandelier plays on the mirrored walls. Next door, the light and airy signature restaurant BARE transforms fine seasonal ingredients sourced in Bergen’s neighbouring fjord regions into authentic but adventurous Nordic dishes – all served up with an impressive harbour view.
Around the hotel Whether guests are here for business or leisure, Bergen Børs puts the best of Bergen on their doorstep. De Bergenske’s claim that their newest opening is the city’s ‘most central hotel’ is impossible to refute. The railway is in walking distance, the airport bus stops just outside, and the harbour terminal opposite is the gateway to fjord-land adventures. Turn right, and the Fløibanen funicular, whisking guests up to the panorama-endowed peak of Mt Fløyen, is just up the street. Turn left, and you’re on boutique-lined Torgallmenningen, with the KODE art museums and a wealth of cafés, restaurants and green space a five-minute walk beyond.
From hotel openings to product spotlights to everything in between, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…
1. THE CURTAIN, SHOREDITCH SHORTLISTED FOR TWO AHEAD AWARDS The Curtain is a nine storey, 120-key new-build restaurant, hotel and members club located at the heart of Shoreditch. The building is located on the site of a former 1970s office block on the corner of Curtain Road, and its design reinterprets the area’s 19th century warehouse heritage.
2. WINDERMERE HOTEL ELLERTHWAITE LODGE SELLS OFF-MARKET FOR £1M Ellerthwaite Lodge, a four-star bed and breakfast located within walking distance of Lake Windermere in the Lake District, has been successfully sold, achieving a price in excess of £1 million.
4. HOTEL CONCEPT FOCUS: TEMPTATION CANCUN RESORT NOW OPEN Temptation Cancun Resort, part of Original Group, has reopened after a spectacular multi-million-dollar, complete rebuild taken up by award-winning Canadian designer Karim Rashid.
5. MITRE LINEN: HOW TO TRANSFORM A HOTEL BATHROOM IN 7 STEPS Hotel and B&B guests wants to be able to relax and rejuvenate in a beautiful bathroom setting. So how can you make sure your bathrooms make a big statement and add to a guest’s experience of their stay?
8. HOTEL DESIGNS IN MEDIA PARTNERSHIP WITH SLEEP 2017 Hotel Designs is delighted to announce, once again, its media partnership for the 2017 edition of Sleep, being held at London’s Business Design Centre on 21-22 November.
9. LUXURY HOTEL INVESTS IN PILKINGTON GLASS FOR NEW SPA COMPLEX Rudding Park near Harrogate is one of the most highly regarded hotels in the UK, offering luxurious accommodation in a Grade-I listed regency house, set in 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland.
Lancashire’s Barton Grange Hotel has certainly not rested on its success in the last few years. Having invested £670 000 in the last three years into upgrading its bedrooms, corridors and main events space – the Barton Suite, the Hotel has announced this week that owners have added a further £250 000 into upgrades at the Hotel.
The Hotel has just completed refurbishment to its eight guest rooms in the adjacent Garden House, which is now offered to guests wishing to book larger groups into the Hotel such as for a private party, wedding or conference, or those just looking for extra privacy and a unique garden view during their stay.
Brides and grooms with weddings at the Hotel or companies staging a business event can also now take advantage of a newly landscaped ‘wedding’ garden. Designed by the Hotel’s sister company, the Barton Grange Landscapes, the gardens have been manicured with new shrubs, flowers, paving and lighting, to offer couples the option of hosting an al-fresco wedding drinks reception. Of course, not exclusively the realm of wedding guests, the space has the capacity to hold up to 200 people for a private drinks party or corporate cocktail evening, and can be a venue for a marquee seating 240 people.
Lounge area renovations are also complete. With a warm, contemporary style mind, the lounge can now accommodate up to 30 guests for morning coffees, pre-dinner cocktails or night-caps, and adds a welcoming space to relax or meet friends at the Hotel’s entrance.
With general manager Daniel Rich at the helm for the past three years, the Hotel has already seen steady growth resulting from the upgrading of accommodation and meeting spaces, and improved marketing and management – but plans go further.
The Hotel is now expanding its leisure offering, with the addition of a spa treatment services to its current indoor pool and gym. Two new treatment rooms will provide a range of therapeutic, beauty and salon treatments. This will be available to Hotel guests, people living locally and an exclusive club membership from early 2018.
Commenting on the development programme Daniel Rich, general manager said: “The final stages of the changes are about ensuring that the Hotel is very much the ‘go to’ destination for event organisers, wedding couples and leisure visitors to the local area.’
‘The opening of our leisure club’s spa services will give us scope to expand our customer base even further. At the moment it is a strong, growth sector and will enable the Hotel to attract a wider range of leisure travellers, as well as offering a greater service to our wedding couples and corporate clients looking for incentive breaks and bespoke ‘away-days’.’
Daniel added: ‘We are particularly delighted that we were able to use local tradespeople to help with the work carried out. Our philosophy has always been to source locally wherever we can, and this refurbishment has been no exception – from architects to builders, painters and decorators to flooring, and spa therapists to garden landscapers….all from Lancashire.’
“We are continuing to build on our success as the year progresses, with a growth in our events business of 20%, and our accommodation continues to show a strong performance with average room rates up by 10% on last year. These are firm foundations on which to continue to develop the business and I am confident that the investment in further upgrades at the Hotel will play a huge part in seeing the Hotel achieve greater success moving forwards.’
Wolfscastle Country Hotel, member of The Great Inns of Britain, is proud to announce the opening of a new on site Beauty and Wellness Spa. The hotel’s newest addition is part of the 40th anniversary celebrations which are taking place throughout 2017.
The spa offers a high quality experience for guests to indulge in, with three new treatment rooms, a relaxation room and nail bar.
Wolfscastle Country Hotel has undergone various reincarnations over the ages to become one of Wales’ leading hotels and restaurants. Located in rural Pembrokeshire, the hotel has the advantage of being closely situated to countryside and the coast and boasts the 2 AA Rosette Allt yr Afon restaurant which offers culinary excellence in a Victorian style dining room.
The hotel is famed for their enviable wine list and with over 200 years of experience in wine trading, Wolfscastle Country Hotel is the perfect place to escape, relax and unwind.
The Hyatt Regency brand is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the launch of a new film titled, ‘Come Together’.
The film celebrates bringing groups together to build community and share unique ideas, which is exactly what the Hyatt Regency brand has done over the past 50 years. The ‘Come Together’ film is an extension of the recently launched World of Hyatt platform, which is built on a simple belief that a little understanding goes a long way and further underscores the incredible things that happen when groups come together.
Featuring spoken word artist Tarriona “Tank” Ball and directed by award-winning director Simon Benjamin, the “Come Together” film is inspired by the brand’s rich history – in 1967, Hyatt Regency Atlanta was among the first hotels in the city to open its doors to civil rights leaders.
Through her poetic spoken word style, Ball tells the Hyatt Regency brand’s story of understanding with grace and care, while encouraging people to come together to share their ideas and perspectives.
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