Thailand-based, global hospitality company Dusit International has signed a hotel management agreement with Robinsons Land Corporation, one of the Philippines’ leading real estate companies, to operate the Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, a five-star resort situated on the northern peninsula of Mactan island. This resort is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Positioned to meet the needs of leisure and business travellers alike, the new beachfront resort will comprise 271 well-appointed guest rooms divided between three buildings adjacent to RLC’s AmiSa private residences. Facilities will include a luxury spa, a fully-equipped fitness centre, a lobby lounge, three restaurants with al fresco and private dining, a large infinity pool, and over 1,200 sq m of meeting space. Dusit’s signature gracious hospitality inspired by authentic Thai values will drive the service experience.
Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu will be the third property in the Philippines to carry the Dusit Thani brand besides the Dusit Thani Manila and the upcoming Dusit Thani Residence Davao. Next year, the pioneering Dusit Hospitality Management College, a unique fully-integrated hospitality school and hotel, will also open in the capital. Other properties in the pipeline include DusitPrincess Cebu City, dusitD2 Davao and dusitD2 Resort, San Juan.
Dusit International currently operates 29 properties in key destinations around the globe with a further 51 projects already confirmed to open within the next three years. Alongside Dusit Thani, other brands in the company”s international portfolio include Dusit Devarana, dusitD2 and DusitPrincess.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of the 44-storey, 596-room Holiday Inn Express Waikiki hotel — the largest Holiday Inn Express property in the Americas region.
Located just three blocks from Waikiki Beach, two blocks from Luxury Row shopping and four blocks from the Hawaii Convention Centre, this hotel is well-suited for both business and leisure travelers visiting Waikiki.
The hotel features the brand’s newest design solution which includes a new modern design scheme, ample access to outlets and charging ports and more community workspaces for travelers looking to get work done outside of their guest room.
Additionally, the Holiday Inn Express Waikiki hotel features 4,700 square feet of flexible space with nearly 1,500-square-feet of outdoor seating, and a spacious fifth floorSky Deck with games like giant chess, 9-hole mini golf, a video game room, shuffleboard, foosball and ping pong. The property has an outdoor pool, sun deck and cabanas as well as a 24-hour fitness centre.
The hotel also participates in IHG Green Engage® and offers unique programs to ensure sustainability.
During a special preview of D23 Expo 2017, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled a first look at the epic, richly detailed model of the Star Wars-themed lands under development at Disneyland park in Anaheim, California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. The exhibition is on display in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ “A Galaxy of Stories” pavilion at D23 Expo.
“To say we are excited for the Star Wars-themed lands to open in 2019 is an understatement,” Chapek said. “All along, we have said this will be game-changing, and through the model we can begin to see how truly epic these immersive new worlds will be.”
A Star Wars-themed hotel is likely to be part of the plans; for about $1,000-per-person, a two-night stay would include all meals, entertainment and admission to the upcoming Star Wars-themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Rooms will reportedly accommodate up to four guests.
Chapek plans to share exciting new details about the project during the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Hall D23 Presentation on Saturday. The model will remain on display at the pavilion throughout the weekend to give visitors an up-close look at what”s to come on this never-before seen planet. In addition, the pavilion will display models, artwork and media that provide a first-ever look at some of the locations, starships, creatures, and droids that guests will encounter when they visit this new planet.
Decorex has an international reputation for showcasing luxury products, so it should come as no surprise that top designer, Shalina Misra, was handpicked to design the show-stopping centerpiece of the exhibition: The Champagne Bar.
Inspired by the Great Exhibition of 1851 Misra’s Champagne Bar will take pride of place at the center of this year’s 40th Anniversary Decorex. Misra has based her design on the Great Exhibition of 1851, which has proven to be an inspirational choice.
The 1851 Great Exhibition held in Crystal Palace was undeniably magnificent. Paintings of the time show how the designers of the day created an awe-inspiring glass conservatory, which soon became known as the Crystal Palace. The enormous glass structure was large enough to accommodate full-size trees, as well as hundreds of Victorian inventions and other marvels of the time.
Crystal Palace Inspired Champagne Bar The original Crystal Palace was disassembled following the exhibition and moved to Sydenham Hill, where it eventually burned down in 1936. Luckily, we have numerous paintings that illustrate how impressive the structure was and Shalina Misra has used these, along with drawings and prints, as her creative inspiration.
Since Decorex International is synonymous with luxury, this year’s design for the Champagne Bar needed to reflect this. Misra understands this perfectly. She has created a hexagonal central bar with four sweeping roof structures, which are highly reminiscent of the 1851 Crystal Palace that welcomed millions of people back in its heyday.
Victoriana Design Influences A dramatic central canopy hangs over the central bar, which features plenty of ironwork detailing and backlighting. The Victorian Age is linked to the Industrial Revolution, so metal is an apt choice of material. In 1851, the rail network was in an expansion stage and many visitors to the Great Exhibition arrived via train. Misra has incorporated Victorian motifs and detailing into her overall design, along with a decadent color palette that harks back to the 19th century.
Opulent Fabrics and Relaxing Décor Inside the Champagne Bar, you will find plenty of opulent fabrics, including rich velvets, decorative screens, and potted palms. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a glass of champagne while exploring the Decorex exhibition.
Misra describes her design as “…a contemporary interpretation of a glasshouse infused with graphic pattern, luxe detailing and curiosities.”
An Award-Winning Design Portfolio Of course, design enthusiasts will know that Shalina Misra is no stranger to masterful, contemporary designs. Her award-winning design practice was first established in 1996 and has since been responsible for a diverse range of projects in London, Delhi, New York, and Dubai. She is well known for her timeless interiors and functional spaces that are full of character and creativity. In fact, Shalina Misra regularly collaborates with many of the world’s leading craftsmen and women, artists, and antique experts to pull together her amazing designs.
The Decorex Champagne Bar is a prestigious design commission and previous creators include the Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, Martin Hulbert Design, and Russell Sage.
Hastings Hotels, Northern Ireland’s leading collection of hotels, has announced the continued investment of over £60 million into its growing portfolio. In addition to investing £53 million on its seventh hotel which is due to open in 2018, it has also completed a £10 million renovation programme on its six other hotels.
Howard Hastings, Managing Director of Hastings Hotels said: “Despite the current economic uncertainty across Ireland, we have continued to invest heavily in our properties. We are currently making our biggest single investment to date in the Grand Central Hotel of £53 million and upon completion it will be Northern Ireland’s largest hotel with 304 bedrooms.
“At Hastings Hotels we have a long term philosophy to reinvest year on year in our people and our properties which is why we have the leading hotels in Northern Ireland. We do not rest on our laurels and have invested over £10 million in recent years in the continuous investment programmes of our six hotels as we strive to ensure we offer our guests the very best facilities and experience on every visit.
“We have recently completed a £4.8 million renovation of the Culloden Estate & Spa, a new £1.5 million Grand Ballroom at the Everglades Hotel which is now the largest facility of its kind in the North West, invested £2 million in the Europa which has included a new entrance and lobby bar as well as £1 million in the Stormont Hotel with a new look high-tech conference and event facility, lobby and bar area,” Howard continued.
Earlier this month Hastings Hotels celebrated 50 years of the ownership of the jewel in its crown, the Culloden Estate & Spa. The luxurious property was purchased in June 1967, and over the course of the last 50 years, under the direction of Sir William Hastings, it has transformed in size and luxury.
The continued investment has been recognised recently with Hastings Hotels picking up five prestigious gongs at the 2017 Irish Hotel Awards. The Slieve Donard Resort & Spa was named Irish Hotel of the year, Conference & Business Hotel of the Year and employee Raymond Edgar picked up Groundsman of the Year while the Culloden Estate & Spa was named Luxury Hotel of the Year and Natalie Gourley from the Stormont Hotel won Conference Manager of the Year.
In addition to this, the Culloden was highly commended at the first ever Georgina Campbell Breakfast Awards 2017 in Dublin in the Best 5-Star Hotel category. The judges stated “It is a lovely place to stay, The Culloden has always taken particular pride in the food served and its provenance. Fine dining in the Mitre Restaurant, overlooking the lough, can be memorable, and the excellent Irish Breakfast that is also served here is keenly anticipated by guests.”
Luxury fabric specialist Kobe will join other prestigious brands to introduce its new window décor, upholstery and soft furnishings collections at Decorex International in September.
The four-day event takes place at Syon House in London where Kobe will unveil its latest ranges including the new Boutique collection.
David Harris, managing director of Kobe UK, said: “We are excited to be part of Decorex again this year. This is the perfect backdrop for luxury design and the ideal platform for us to reinforce our brand and showcase our new contemporary and classic collections.”
Boutique’s curtain and upholstery fabrics are suitable for both domestic and contract use. This lavish mix of innovative textiles features sumptuous velvet, woven jacquard, cool cotton and a soft satin appearance. A palette of rich deep and softly nostalgic tones complements the geometric, floral, paisley and botanical patterns. The collection includes Clemence and Adore, the former featuring a beautiful floral pattern on a subtle satin base and is available in three colours. Adore is woven with a range of vibrant coloured matt and shiny yarns, in a stunning paisley design to create a multi-dimensional effect on the damask pattern. It is available in eight colours.
Another range within the Boutique collection is Henry, a sumptuous velvet, made from 30% cotton, 20% polyester and 50% viscose. The palette of rich deep and neutral tones comes in a range of nine colours.
As Kobe’s Boutique upholstery collections are above 80% natural fibres, they are FR exempt when used in conjunction with a suitable flame retardant interliner. Alternatively they can be supplied with an ACE FR treatment which passes domestic upholstery (cigarette and match) BS5852 part 1, source 0 and 1, and contract upholstery (Crib 5) BS 5852 part 1, source 5 (Crib 5).
Complementing the Boutique upholstery collection is Volterra, a co-ordinating plain velvet, with a matt and natural cotton look and feel. Volterra is woven in the latest timeless and on-trend shades with 65% cotton and 35% polyester yarns in warp and 100% polyester yarns in weft with 100% polyester yarns as pile. The Boutique range includes a wide choice of room highs, the stylish, extra wide fabrics for window décor. The room-high fabrics are more than 300cm high with the pattern printed or woven horizontally across, making matching patterns and sewing seams a thing of the past.
Kobe – Volterra
Also unveiled at the show will be the latest collection from the fresh and contemporary Essente, designed to reach a broader clientele, looking for a cost effective option, with the quality and reassurance of the Kobe name.
All Kobe’s upholstery fabrics offer exceptional durability, scoring highly on the Martindale Rub Test.
Hypnos chairman, Peter Keen, and group managing director, Stephen Ward, swapped the sights of Hypnos for the grand scenes of Buckingham Palace, when they attended a ceremony to celebrate receiving the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade with Her Majesty the Queen.
The award is only presented to those who demonstrate the highest levels of excellence within their field and Hypnos, which was bestowed the accolade in recognition of its substantial growth internationally, was invited to a private ceremony in London where Queen Elizabeth II met with select companies who received an award.
Peter Keen, Chairman of Hypnos, comments: “Attending an event at Buckingham Palace with Her Majesty the Queen in celebration of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade was a truly special day and a remarkable moment in the history of our business, which has been operating for over 100 years.
“This award is widely regarded as one of the most significant honours a business can receive, so we’re incredibly excited and proud to have achieved this and it’s all down to the hard work and effort of the entire company. We’ve come a long way in the past five years and have invested a significant amount of time in to growing and developing our global footprint. Our efforts have allowed us to secure a strong international position, whereby 120 retail stores around the world have our product and we can serve our global hotel customers through our 20 international manufacturing licensees.
“As a UK operated family-run business, it’s incredibly exciting to see that our family values and the quality of our offering and products is valued around the world.” Hypnos, which has held a Royal Warrant since 1929, supplies ethically made and sustainable beds and mattresses to some of the UK’s and world’s finest homes, palaces and hotels. The business also has a strong CSR focus and is the only UK bed manufacturer to be awarded carbon neutral status and both its Princes Risborough and Castle Donington factories have achieved FSC and PEFC certification, ensuring timber is sourced from managed forests.
Larry Mogelonsky, Principal at Hotel Mogel Consulting and Chairman at LMA Communications shares his thoughts on a general guideline of twelve tips for a smooth renovation…
With the kids gone, it was time to follow the footsteps of many other boomers and downsize to a condominium. What started as a mere paint job, however, morphed into a $150-per-square-foot renovation of the entire apartment comprising appliances, lighting, flooring, soft goods, mirrors, kitchen and plumbing fixtures. What we ended up having on our hands was a genuine case of ‘scope creep’ – something not uncommon in any property refurbishment.
Hotel renovations are a necessary dread of our industry in order to keep apace with the constantly giving décor trends, star rating requirements and technological advancements. They are also stressful and frustrating. Having gone through dozens of this large-scale projects over the past four decades, I was able to navigate the treacherous waters of my own apartment’s scope creep by following a general guideline of these twelve tips.
1. Define your objectives. Be as specific as possible, and make sure that these are written and approved by your ownership group. My mistake this time around was that my vision was very different than that of my spouse which resulted in serious cost overruns and time delays.
2. Timetables are split in thirds. Whatever you are proposing, figure one third of your time will be spent planning, another third in the actual work and the final third in quality control. Do not underestimate any one of these segments.
3. Budgets never last for more than the time they were created. There are more ways for costs to overrun than you can count. I thought our planning was generous but we ended up about 25% over budget, and that includes several areas of great cost savings. It’s natural to use a renovation to augment deep cleaning, upholstery renewal, upgraded security systems, LED conversions and any other new technologies. It all adds up!
4. What’s behind the walls? Our condo is only 15 years old, so there were no crazy surprises like what you would find in a century building. Nevertheless, we discovered significant shortfalls in wiring, plumbing and HVAC that all needed to be corrected before we could begin. Of course, these resulted in more cost increases and time delays, but the lesson here is to thoroughly inspect the state of affairs ‘under the hood’ before finalizing the scope and budget.
5. Hire a great general contractor. Simply put, you have a hotel to run, not a construction site. Don’t even think of doing both simultaneously. You need someone who will manage the project on your behalf. The GC became my single point of contact for the project, helping streamline communication and saving me time. He collected all my notes and disseminated them to the multitude of tradesmen onsite. He also fed back issues and prevented potential solutions.
6. Let everyone know your deadline. In a residential move, this is straightforward; the closing date of your home’s sale dictates the project’s drop-dead completion date. While this gave us six months of overlap, the GC understood the final month was set aside for moving. With no secrets, the work was accomplished in the set timeframe. As a senior manager, you put decide what the maximum tolerable length of agony is that your property can endure before irreparable damage is done to its occupancy and reputation.
7. You cannot walk away. In order to keep everything on track, I visited the jobsite at least twice a week, in addition to a weekly GC meeting. Apart from the obvious status reports, there were always new items and unexpected issues. The devil is in the details, and you won’t discover those details unless you are periodically on the ground with the troops. To note one example, we did not specify the location of the thermostat. Without any direction, the HVAC folks placed it in what they thought was the optimal position, which did not take into consideration the high headboard which would have covered it. Good thing I was there to catch this before it was too late.
8. Document all change orders. We kept a running tally sheet of over-change that we requested. While this did not lead to any real cost savings, at least we understood the detailed reasons for the overages. This approach will come in very handy when ownership needs to understand your budget predicament or to reconcile excesses.
9. Create a positive work environment. I’m fussy about coffee. So too is my Italian, Portuguese, Lebanese and Turkish workforce. I knew that if I did not provide great coffee, one junior team member would be tasked on a continual Starbucks run. A hundred-dollar Nespresso machine plus lots of capsules turned out to be a wise investment. (As additional learning, the decaf capsules were never touched.)
10. What ifs are expensive. Want to move a door, reposition a switch or add a dimmer? Most GCs will never say no. Just about anything can be built or modified; it is merely a matter of time and materials. So, be careful as to what you ask for, as your whimsical idea may be converted into reality but at a price too hefty to properly bear.
11. Take lots of before photos. Try to image the best angles and where you stood so that you can replicate them exactly with the new look. The before-and-after comparisons may help you explain your cost overruns to your owners.
12. Say thank you to your team. I didn’t hire painters, carpenters, electricians, plumbers or HVAC specialists. I hired craftsmen who take great pride in their work. It’s probably a small job to them, but clearly very important to me. Such professionals will feel similar pride in their work done to refurbish your hotel. No matter what the project is or the size of your property, it costs nothing to say thank you in person or by email, and it will always be appreciated.
(Article by Larry Mogelonsky, originally published in eHotelier on Wednesday, March 22, 2017)
After completing his MBA, Larry began his marketing career with Procter & Gamble, moving to a top-10 ad agency and serving as the managing director to the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts account. Founding LMA in 1991, he has increased its hospitality presence with a global roster of hotel and tourism clients, winning 88 Adrian Awards and TravelClick’s Worldwide e-Marketer of the Year
Swiss-Belhotel International has announced the opening of Grand Swiss-Belresort Tala Bay Aqaba, the group’s first 5-star in Jordan following the completion of the hotel’s rebranding. Part of the massive Tala Bay development, the beautiful 336-room beachfront property is located on the Red Sea with 80 per cent of the rooms facing the marina.
Mr Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, said: “Grand Swiss-Belresort Tala Bay Aqaba is now fully integrated into our global system following the brand conversion.
In addition to outstanding accommodation, Grand Swiss-Belresort Tala Bay Aqaba boasts exceptional dining and leisure facilities including three specialty restaurants and a beach bar, five swimming pools, kids club, and exciting water sports and recreation activities.”
JPTD is a publicly listed company that owns, develops and operates the unique Red Sea destination of Tala Bay Aqaba.
Mr. Ziad Abu Jaber Chairman of JPTD, stated: “We are eager to capitalise on Swiss-Belhotel International”s expertise and excellence in managing world-class hotels catering to varied market segments, and delighted to see the progress at Grand Swiss-Belresort Tala Bay Aqaba.”
Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of Le Meridien Seoul, set to be the first Le Meridien property in Korea. Owned by Cheonwon, the hotel with its distinctive European architecture intertwined with mid-century modern design is slated to open in September 2017.
Le Meridien Seoul will feature 336 chic rooms, including 109 club rooms and 29 suites with access to the Club Lounge, offering refreshments throughout the day and exclusive spaces for socialising and working. The prestigious Presidential Suite is bound to become the most stunning in the city with a distinct mix of antique and modern furniture. The hotel is also anchored by the signature Le Méridien Hub, which reinterprets the traditional hotel lobby into a social gathering place built on the brand’s award-winning arrival experience and coffee culture. The fitness facilities and pool area will offer a tranquil respite from the hectic pace of the city, providing a space where guests can relax.
Creative meeting and event spaces at the hotel are all set to cater to exclusive social gatherings and business events featuring the latest technology and an abundance of natural light. The Da Vinci Ballroom, housed in the lower levels of the atrium has the capacity to accommodate up to 500 guests. For further discovery of art, guests may visit M Contemporary Art Center located on the second floor of the hotel.
Located on Bongeunsa-ro, one of Gangnam’s major thoroughfares, Le Meridien Seoul is approximately 60 minutes by a car from Incheon International Airport. The hotel allows for easy access to the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center, as well as the office district in Samsung-dong. It is also a great base for discovering Seoul’s rich culture and history, including UNESCO Heritage treasures and pursuing nightlife.
Wilderness Safaris is proud to announce the opening of Bisate Lodge, situated next to the renowned Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Comprising just six spacious forest villas, Bisate offers a luxurious base from which to enjoy an extraordinary gorilla conservation experience and life-changing journey to this beautiful region.
Situated within the amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone, the 42-hectare Bisate site is incomparable in terms of its natural splendour, with sweeping views towards the Karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno volcanoes. It is close enough to Kinigi (the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters) to be convenient for guests’ morning gorilla treks, but far enough away so as to feel remote and even – as a result of the pioneering onsite indigenous reforestation project – part of the spectacular Park.
“With only six luxurious forest villas, the real generosity of Bisate in the Rwandan context is the amount of private and exclusive space that surrounds the Lodge, sheltering it in a rare natural landscape brimming with Albertine Rift biodiversity and beauty”, said Wilderness Safaris COO, Grant Woodrow. Each spacious forest villa comprises a generous yet intimate combination of bedroom, reception area and bathroom, all warmed by a central fireplace and with breathtaking views out across a private deck towards Mount Bisoke.
Bisate’s sophisticated architectural and interior design is rooted in Rwandan building tradition as exemplified in the design of the Royal Palace of the traditional monarch. This spherical, thatched structure echoes the thousands of hills that dot the Rwandan landscape, while the richly-detailed interiors exhibit surfaces and screens made from a variety of woven materials with strong resonance in Rwandan culture. Various interior design elements are drawn from aspects of the Rwandan lifestyle, particularly the colourful textiles and use of texture, such as the emerald-green colour in the textiles and chandeliers that is reminiscent of the verdant greens of the rainforests, as well as the vibrant markets that dot the villages throughout the country. Many of the furnishings are decorated using “imigongo”, an art form unique to Rwanda.
As a Wilderness Safaris Premier camp, the overall design concept for Bisate is based on the principle that ‘purpose is the new luxury’, with the vision being to create a world-class venture that will make a dramatic and far-reaching positive impact on more than ‘just’ the mountain gorilla. The whole Bisate experience is based around Wilderness Safaris 4Cs sustainability ethos of Commerce, Community, Culture and Conservation. Its pioneering reforestation project, which has already seen nearly 15 000 indigenous trees planted to date, community engagement, cultural appropriateness and exposure, eco-friendly operational systems and more will take guests beyond the ‘gorilla express’ and enrich their experience in this inspiring country.
“Since 2009 we have contemplated how our ecotourism model could contribute to the conservation of the Virunga Massif ecosystem and an iconic endangered species like the mountain gorilla. When we made the decision to invest in Rwanda, the last thing we intended to do was just to build a boutique lodge and sell gorilla treks”, Woodrow added. “We wanted to ensure that our brand of responsible ecotourism made a real difference to both rural Rwandan people and biodiversity conservation. As such, we hope that Bisate will exceed our guests’ expectations, and that together we will be able to make a dramatic and far-reaching impact on not just a Critically Endangered species like the mountain gorilla, but also the entire ecosystem of the Virunga Massif and the rural people living adjacent to it”.
New research from Colliers International and Hotelschool The Hague reveals that nights booked in London with Airbnb rose by 130 per cent to 4.62 million in 2016, from just over 2 million in 2015. Furthermore, in the first four months of 2017, there was an additional 55 per cent uplift in the number of nights booked through Airbnb compared to the same period in 2016.
The success and growing popularity of this online marketplace has helped to see its market share of London’s overnight visitors more than double to nearly nine per cent in 2016, up from less than four per cent of overnight visitors making use of Airbnb for their accommodation in 2015.
Bookings in the boroughs of Westminster; Tower Hamlets; Camden; Kensington and Chelsea; and Hackney accounted for nearly 50 per cent of all Airbnb overnight stays, a trend also seen in 2015.
Marc Finney, Head of Hotels & Resorts Consulting commented: “Our research shows that Airbnb now represents a notable and growing type of accommodation offer in the capital. As the scale grows, the lack of regulation becomes a greater concern to many, and rightly so. It is interesting though that despite the growth, we’re seeing relatively little negative impact on the hotel sector. In a lot of ways, Airbnb is a different product offer, just one that now benefits from better visibility.”
“Indeed STR data shows that London hotels held an Average Daily Rate (ADR) of £143 in 2016. Whereas, the London Airbnb ADR fell by eight per cent in 2016 to £100; and rates for private rooms fell by 15 per cent to an ADR of £57. This room type also became more popular than in the previous year. Overall though, despite the growing influence of Airbnb, we’re still finding strong business cases for proposed hotels in our development advisory work,” adds Finney.
By the end of 2016, the number of properties listed on Airbnb had grown by 57 per cent – from 88,162 in 2015 to more than 138,000 properties. Further, in the first four months of 2017, the number of active properties listed increased by 80 per cent year on year. Of the 2016 listings, almost 54 per cent were offered by hosts with more than one listing, up from 48 per cent. This reinforces concerns amongst communities and authorities about the scale of professional letting via the site. Jeroen Oskam, Director of Research at Hotelschool The Hague added: “The lack of regulation is a concern, not just for traditional accommodation providers, but especially for cities and residents. In addition, consumers’ rights and safety should be protected by regulation but if Airbnb guests encounter a problem, they have to rely on improvised measures by the platform.”
Dirk Bakker, Head of EMEA Hotels at Colliers International concurs, “Airbnb is no longer just an accommodation site for individuals letting out their own homes. People are now buying residential properties specifically for Airbnb, which has the potential to dilute neighbourhoods and become a social issue for residential areas, creating transient zones. This is already evident in Amsterdam and Barcelona for example and local councils are taking great steps to navigate these issues.”
Meliá Hotels & Resorts has announced that its Puerto Rico retreat will be rebranded as Meliá Coco Beach. Previously part of the Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts family, the resort will undergo renovations throughout 2017 to transition to a different brand within the Meliá Hotels International portfolio.
Over the upcoming months, Meliá Coco Beach will adopt Meliá-branded services and amenities including its premium service concept, THE LEVEL. The renovations will take place in various phases to refresh the different areas of the hotel. The current food and beverage offerings will also be updated and will include a buffet restaurant, a steakhouse and a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant along with old favorites such as Pasion by Myrta offering Puerto Rican cuisine. Meliá Coco Beach will also feature a refurbished convention center with state of the art technology suitable for a wide variety of meetings and events slated to open December 2017.
“We are excited to watch our beautiful Puerto Rico property evolve and transform into Meliá Coco Beach,” said Raul Alvarez, Director of Operations, The Americas. “With its passion for service, exceptional culinary experiences and activities for a wide mix of travelers, the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand will be the perfect fit for guests looking to experience a combination of beachside relaxation and local culture.”
Meliá Coco Beach will upgrade 120 rooms to become part of THE LEVEL, along with six pool garden villas and a lounge that is exclusive to THE LEVEL guests. This premium service is available to everyone and is recommended for those seeking superior amenities and facilities such as private restaurant for breakfast, check-in and check-out lounge, preferential bookings at restaurants, Concierge Service, complimentary snacks and beverage throughout the day, upscale amenities in-room including THE LEVEL bathrobe with slippers.
Additionally, the sophisticated resort welcomes the Romance by Meliá program, inviting couples to enjoy the curated special services and packages designed specifically for wedding receptions, honeymoons and overall, romance at Meliá Coco Beach.
2017 marks the 50th year of Newmor Wallcoverings. In celebration, the company have launched their 50th anniversary collection, Mid-Century Modern. The collection is a homage to the era Newmor began manufacturing.
The eight designs each come in a selection of colourways, and have been influenced by the bold patterns and colour palettes of the 1960s. Each design has been updated with a contemporary twist, launching them into the next 50 years.
As with all of the Newmor Custom and Newmor Designer collections, the designs can be recoloured, resized and printed onto any of their wallcoverings including textures, metallics and window films.
The Designs Floral Geo – Geometrics and botanicals are the perfect combination in this in intricate design. Layers of flowers and leaves interwoven with linear patterns. Available in five colourways, and can also be recoloured.
Terrazzo – Terrazzo prints and surfaces are everywhere at the moment, from art and fashion to interiors. Here’s Newmor’s take on this playful trend.
Retro Landscape Stripe – Wide horizontal stripe channeling poolside vibes. Scale up or down and print onto any of Newmor’s textured wallcoverings or window films.
Marble Herringbone – A new take on the marble trend, this large scale chevron design makes a real statement. Printing on Newmor’s Brushed Steel design adds a luxurious lustre.
Landscape Geo – Landscape Geo is a vibrant photographic and block colour collage. This design is available in five contemporary colourways which can also be custom coloured and rescaled.
Mod Damask – Inspired by a length of vintage fabric, this design can be scaled up or down, each section can be recoloured, and it looks great printed on any of Newmor’s textile effect materials, from delicate silks to chunky hessians.
Marbled Paper Geo – This geometric block design is constructed from layers of marbled paper. Available in five colourways and easily recoloured, this design also looks great printed onto a range of textures.
Mid-Century Tiles – This tiled geometric design is interspersed with hand drawn elements. This versatile design looks great printed on all kinds of bases, from Rough Concrete to linen effects and can be recoloured to suit.
As 2017 sees bold colours and motifs continue in soft furnishings, David Harris, managing director of luxury fabric specialist, Kobe UK, takes a look at some of the vibrant new colours and designs in upholstery fabrics.
The latest trends include collections where each fabric has an individual identity. Rich, dark greens are back in fashion, especially botanical patterns and jungle printed jacquards, woven with metallic yarns, paired with the young, modern look of natural materials, wood, cork or marble.
Bright floral designs, such as Kobe’s Clemence from its Boutique collection, are also very popular right now. Upholstery fabrics that can be supplied with FR treatments and those created from 100% natural fabrics in art and craft styled patterns, are an ideal addition to any hotel interior and can be perfectly matched with soft furnishings in shimmering gold or sunny yellows.
Clemence from Kobe’s Boutique collection
For a stunning look which creates a room to remember, geometric shapes in furniture are also in style with upholstery fabric woven in both timeless and on-trend colours, such as vivid green or intense fuchsia.
Kobe – Volterra
With matt velvets making a great come back in interiors everywhere, we’ve featured the colour green in Kobe’s lush velvets, such as Volterra, which can be combined with other soft furnishing fabrics to be truly on trend. Don’t be afraid to experiment with dark colours to create a mood of mystery as the latest room trends head for drama and elegance. Choose sumptuous Henry in moody blue, opulent gold, or the fiery glow of dark red, or luxurious aubergine.
Kobe Henry
For the more traditional interior there are fabrics woven in matt and shiny yarns, with beautiful paisley patterns making an entrance this year such as Adore which creates a multi-dimensional effect on the damask pattern, in eight colours.
Soft supple chenille upholstery fabric in easy-to-care-for material is also fashionable in both rich and neutral shades. Cocoon is a highlight of the Essente collection and can be used for both curtains and upholstery. Its chenille in 100% polyester is finished with an FR domestic back-coat, so ‘ready to go’ and features a palette of 36 shades ranging from neutral cream, beige and pale grey, warm blue, brown and rose to vibrant lime, orange and red.
Whatever design and style, it’s always exciting to create something new. For those searching for interior inspiration, today’s new collections include an extensive range of upholstery shapes and fabrics, from tradition to contemporary, soft and bright to dark and dramatic.
Anchoring the extensive revitalisation of Los Angeles’ famed Hollywood neighbourhood, Dream Hollywood has opened this week.
Bringing together unrivaled partners in dining, nightlife, wellness and more, Dream Hotels’ marquee location creates a magnetic social hub for visitors and Angelenos alike.
Dream Hollywood’s interiors are designed by the award-winning architecture firm Rockwell Group and pays homage to Los Angeles’ iconic mid-century modern architecture, balanced by garden inspired elements, plush upholstery and more, creating the perfect blend of hyper-chic and comfortable.
The building’s unique façade is designed by LA-based Killefer Flammang Architects. The hotel features 178 guest rooms and suites, including an 1,800-square-foot Guest House suite with private screening room and 360-degree views, a stunning indoor-outdoor double-height lobby with retractable Nana Walls, a sweeping 11,000-sq-ft rooftop pool, restaurant and lounge with unforgettable views of the Hollywood Hills and Los Angeles Skyline, a 1,000-sq-ft gym and wellness program designed by celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson; and an activated pedestrian alleyway that serves as a public gathering space linking the hotel to its adjacent dining and nightlife offerings.
The news that a Jaz in the City is set to open at the very heart of historic Vienna in 2020 means that the Austrian capital will soon boast a further hotel.
This will make Vienna the first foreign location at which all three Deutsche Hospitality brands are represented. The Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof and the IntercityHotel Vienna are already firmly established in A1 central positions.
The newly planned hotel is being developed at Windmühlengasse 28 in Vienna’s Sixth District, only 100 metres from the large pedestrianised shopping area at Mariahilfer Straße and 200 metres away from the “Naschmarkt”, the city’s most famous food market.
This is a quarter of Vienna that enjoys considerable popularity thanks to its host of tourist attractions, museums, restaurants and shops.
The Jaz Vienna will offer 167 rooms including two suites. There will also be a restaurant complete with a bar, a small conference area and a health and beauty spa facility. Deutsche Hospitality will operate the hotel under a management agreement. The developer is Immovate Holding GmbH.
Founded by former royal ballet dancer, Alexander Kølpin, the 5-star Hotel Sanders is based within a classical Jugendstil building and overlooks the iconic Royal Theatre in the historic quarter of Copenhagen.
The design of the hotel has been led by London-based Lind + Almond (formerly Soho House Group) which will be the design duo’s first inaugural project.
Unlike other local hotels, the interior décor of Hotel Sanders will draw upon local cultural and colonial influence, with an east-meets-west theme throughout. A selection of emerging British artists have also been commissioned by Dais Contemporary to make exclusive artwork throughout the hotel.
Hotel Sanders really prides itself in providing a warm, bespoke experience for each of its visitors. For example, when hotel guests arrive they will each receive a carefully curated welcome hamper based on their personal interests and tastes, rather than a traditional room service offering.
Sanders will feature a total of 52 bedrooms, and will be located just around the corner from The Royal Danish Theatre.
2. FACEBOOK TO BUILD ITS OWN HOTEL According to reports in the Silicon Valley Business Journal, Facebook has unveiled plans to build its own California ‘village’ complete with social housing, retail stores and a hotel.
4. IHG SIGNS ANOTHER HOTEL INDIGO® IN LONDON The hotel marks IHG’s debut presence in Leicester Square and continues the growth of the Hotel Indigo brand as its fourth property in London and eleventh in the UK.
5. STANISLAV TRATSEVSKIY JOINS FORCES WITH STANDART HOTEL MOSCOW With one of Russia’s most exciting contemporary artists as its patron and an enviable collection of modern art, StandArt Hotel Moscow has quickly established itself as a stylish hub for the Russian capital’s creative scene.
6. $35M ‘RE-IMAGINATION’ FOR FOUR SEASONS RESORT COSTA RICA Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, the only Forbes Five-Star luxury resort in Central and South America, has announced a $35 million (£27 million) extensive re-imagination beginning in August 2017.
8. NOBU HOTEL SHOREDITCH NOW OPEN Nobu Hotel Shoreditch opened on 1 July, located in the heart of London’s artistic quarter. Set back from the lively hub of Great Eastern Street, Nobu Hotel Shoreditch offers a dynamic blend of Nobu’s signature east-meets-west philosophy and Shoreditch’s creative and industrial energy.
9. DERNIER & HAMLYN’S LUXURY LIGHTING AT THE LANGHAM LONDON The Wigmore, its new modern British tavern with interiors by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, features bespoke lighting from Dernier & Hamlyn’s London factory including a spectacular 27 arm chandelier some 2m high and 2m across.
AB Concept recently unveiled its first project in London – Mei Ume, one of the two flagship restaurants at Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square. Hotel Designs caught up with designers Ed Ng and Terence Ngan about the project and their thoughts on hospitality design…
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Q. How much freedom were you given in creating your own take on the restaurant’s design? Mei Ume is located within Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, a heritage building built in 1922 that was previously home to London’s Port of Authority, acting as an access point for Eastern traders to trade commodities such as teas and silks. The story behind of the history of the building was our inspiration behind the design of the restaurant and also allowed us to tackle one of the most challenging factors in this project -designing an Asian restaurant within a classical Western architectural building. The trading history between the British and the Orient allowed us the freedom to merge Eastern heritage and Oriental design themes into the traditional Western space, seamlessly bridging the gap between the two distinct cultures.
Q. You’ve worked on several projects in China and the far-east – how does working in London compare/differ? As a Hong Kong based design studio, we can see similarities between both China and London in terms of how a project is managed, however the biggest difference is that the majority of projects in China are state owned and so with that comes varying limitations that differ from privately owned projects that are common in London. Whilst working on Mei Ume, it is apparent that there was a solid system to ensure that every detail was refined and perfected to suit the space.
Q. This isn’t the first time you’ve worked with Four Seasons (Shang-Xi – Shanghai Pudong), what is it you like best about working with the brand? We always emphasise that a project designer plays an important role in the success of a project, but at the same time we can only take partial credit. We enjoy working with luxury brands at the level of Four Seasons because we know we are working alongside other passionate creative individuals to create a top quality destination. In doing so, we can assure that food quality, service, table setting, music and the marketing of the project will be nothing short of perfection.
Q. What do you like most about working on hospitality projects? Hospitality projects are really the only windows for us to showcase our work to the public because 9 out of 10 residential projects we work on remain private. Hospitality projects tend to give us more creative freedom; we are always trying to balance our creativity with the commercial viability of a space, and that’s what makes design intriguing.
Q. Do you have a particular ‘design philosophy’ at AB Concept? We believe we play the roles of “storytellers of space”. We try to ensure that with each project, we are telling a different story from the previous. This is a much more challenging way of working as an interior designer because we do not want to cast ourselves into a mould of a particular look, feel or design aesthetic which means we are constantly developing new design vocabularies for each new project.
Q. If possible to sum up in a few sentences – what do you personally think makes ‘good design’? A good design has to be able to function beautifully with a unique identity and have the ability to withstand the test of time.
Q. What design trends do you predict in the coming years? We see a growing appreciation of classical designs. We feel it is a natural tendency that when we are living through the fast-paced, impersonal technological breakthroughs on a daily basis, our consciousness simultaneously reminds us to cherish the past and its artisanal beauty. Mei Ume is a perfect example of letting the original structure of the former Port of Authority building take centre stage whilst enhancing it with modern elements. With the task of transforming the purely British architectural structure and seamlessly infusing it with Asian elements to suit the restaurant’s cuisine, we wanted to captivate guests by taking them back in time, on a journey to when the Port of Authority was a thriving trading hub between the East and West.
Q. Any exciting projects in the pipeline for yourselves and the team coming up? We are currently working on our first resort project for Rosewood, named Rosewood Sanya Resort at Haitang Bay of Hainan Island, where we are designing the entire outfit of the resort. Meanwhile, we are also working on the first W Resort in Europe at the waterfront location in the Algrave, Portugal. Like the Rosewood, this is another consolidated resort project.
We have also been given the great honour to redesign the signature Lord Jim’s Restaurant at the grand dame Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, one of the oldest hotels in the world, which is still in operation having just celebrated its 140th birthday.
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, the only Forbes Five-Star luxury resort in Central and South America, has announced a $35 million (£27 million) extensive re-imagination beginning in August 2017 that will bring a striking new interpretation of modern eco-luxury to Costa Rica’s north Pacific coast in December 2017.
Design Details The renovation of the hotel will be guided by a locally-inspired yet globally-considered modern design narrative from Meyer Davis Studio. The renowned New York City-based design boutique will bring a handcrafted approach to effortlessly integrating the Resort’s signature indoor-outdoor spaces with the peninsula’s vibrant tropical landscape so that nature takes centre stage. Meyer Davis’ design concept of effortless, sun-dappled luxury and modern elegance will play with space, form, texture and light to develop a visual experience that celebrates the rare beauty and alluring mystique of Peninsula Papagayo and the rustic coastal Central American lifestyle. The new design vision will weave together a soothing, natural colour palette, rich elements from nature, indigenous art and local wood to create an immediate and lasting impression while revealing an ongoing visual dialogue of discovery.
Enhanced Rooms and Suites The Resort’s 181 guest rooms, suites and villas will also feature a modern yet locally-celebrated design aesthetic that recalls the intimate luxury, warmth and comforts of a beautiful home space. Each room’s foundation of new furnishings, natural colours, rich textures and woods, and local elements including artisan pieces and artwork will create a seamless visual connection to the wondrous flora and fauna and expansive ocean views on display beyond each room’s private balcony or patio. The Resort’s 15 one-bedroom Canopy Suites built into the hillside will additionally feature new plunge pools.
Future Heritage returns to Decorex this year, showcasing the names to commission and collect in British contemporary craft. Curated by renowned applied arts and design critic and curator, Corinne Julius, the acclaimed feature will showcase new pieces made exclusively for the show by 15 makers, working in a variety of different materials.
Curator Corinne Julius comments: “I am really excited about this year’s Future Heritage. As curator I encourage the very talented makers to produce new and unexpected work for the show. I have taken the Decorex 2017 theme of collaboration as a starting point; several of the exhibitors are already working in partnership with other designers, but all of them have collaborated with me for the show, to investigate new processes, push their materials and liaise with other specialists. All have upped their game, in terms of ambition, quality and scale.
All but one of the makers will be creating their largest work yet, with one-off pieces that will demonstrate the possibilities of their craft. They are working with a range of natural materials including wood, metal, textiles, leather, glass and ceramics, but are extending traditional techniques and combining them with new processes.”
Meet the Makers Ceramicist David Marques will present three intricate installations including ‘Cherry Blossom’ and ‘Bazaar’. Inspired by spring, ‘Cherry Blossom’ combines brass branches with clusters of porcelain cup flowers, while ‘Bazaar’ is a delicate, Moroccan inspired work made up of brass and stained porcelain. All three of his installations can be adapted to any space, whether private or commercial. Ceramicist Lauren Nauman, explores the boundaries within clay through experimental processes. Her striking lantern-like sculptures are made of ceramic, some incorporating silver wire. She has acquired a new kiln to make especially large scale pieces for Future Heritage.
Ceramicist Matt Davis and interdisciplinary designer Naomi McIntosh both use a combination of digital and traditional methods. Davis, who is known for his hyperreal vessels, challenges visual perception and the nature of traditional craft with a series of new vessels and a range of ceramic tiles. Using modern tools and traditional hand-making techniques; he employs multiple software stages to generate models that are 3D printed, moulded and slip cast in bone china. McIntosh, who trained both as an architect and a jeweller, manipulates surfaces to create sculptural objects, transforming 2D surfaces into 3D objects, that results in work that appears to be organic. She presents a striking and original walkthrough of gently curving wooden screens.
Zac Eastwood Bloom also exploits the potential of computer technology to create arresting marble tables that look as if they are being consumed. The consoles sit alongside his brand new marble wall tiles and are the result of his collaboration with Italian marble workshop Torart.
Makers Helen Carnac & David Gates collaborate to produce wood and metal cabinets and a console enhanced with enamel panels and vessels. Carnac creates a series of original interlocking enamel wall panels, to complement Gates’ asymmetrical furniture, which draws upon the visual and structural elements of industrial and agricultural buildings. The theme of collaboration is embraced by Adam Blencowe, who shows not only his own vases, made by casting melting ice forms in powdered plaster, but also a flexible and elegant shelving and seating system made of brass and wood, designed in collaboration with Thor ter Kulve. He also shows his brilliantly coloured double sided Motley Rug Collection, designed with Marine Duroselle.
Collaborations continue with Merel Karhof and Marc Trotereau’s ‘Forest of Light;’ a light installation that includes ‘The Totem’, a slowly rotating light some 4 metres high. Based on the form and construction of the classic lampshade, this series explores a new language of lighting by combining and deforming this familiar object. Recent graduate ceramicist Ilona Broeseliske also plays with scale, in her case the tiny. She presents a series of precious porcelain boxes and contemporary netsuke – hand holdable treasures. Pia Wüstenberg’s pieces also confound expectations of scale. She celebrates the glories of blown glass, in new collections of brightly coloured tables and vessels in which she combines glass with traditional Sicilian basketry.
Traditional materials and processes are also celebrated and tweaked n a contemporary way by Simon Hasan, renowned experimenter in leather. He presents an installation of leather furniture, wall panels, vases and lighting. This celebration of natural materials is in contrast to furniture maker Richard Lowry’s approach; he celebrates the man-made. His ‘Liquid Plastic’ table collection examines man’s relationship with plastics, demonstrating that plastic can look and be a precious material. His new ‘Bricolage’ series exploits the structural potential of paper and card combined with plastic coating.
Experimentation is the key to pushing design development and no one takes this further than experimental designer Marlène Huissoud. Known for her use of unusual natural materials, she presents a new collection of cabinets created from cocoons and bio resin. In a second series she explores the cocoon form still further, casting it in metal to create sculptural furniture.
Julius continues: “Through Future Heritage, Decorex is giving these makers the opportunity to work in new ways; to explore the process of making, to experiment with materials and to investigate existing and new technologies to transform natural materials to create works relevant to both public and private interiors.” Each maker will be at Future Heritage during the course of the four-day show and will be available to discuss their work and the commissioning process.”
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has announced a four-star hotel in the high-end neighbourhood of Bloor-Yorkville in Toronto, slated to open in mid-2018.
Owned and developed by InnVest Hotels LP, one of the largest hotel owners in Canada, Kimpton’s new boutique hotel in Toronto will be a full conversion of the current Holiday Inn Toronto Bloor Yorkville. The revitalised and reconcepted 13-storey property will comprise 189 well-appointed guest rooms, including 18 suites and one Presidential Suite, 2,000-square-feet of ground level meeting space and a Bloor Street-facing leased restaurant and bar. Additional amenities will include a fitness centre, complimentary PUBLIC bikes, yoga mats in every room, morning coffee and tea, and nightly social hour.
One of Toronto”s most dynamic neighborhoods, Bloor-Yorkville’s mastered the unique cross-section of exclusivity and historic charm. The heart of the country’s bohemian culture in the 1960s has evolved to become an artistic enclave with many art galleries alongside posh boutiques and critically acclaimed restaurants in historic Victorian houses.
The Brit List – a celebration of the most influential and inspirational individuals in the hotelier and design industries – was revealed last night (12th July) at the Urban Coterie sky bar and restaurant.
The event was organised by Hotel Designs, the leading online news and analysis site for hoteliers and interior designers. The UK’s Top 25 hoteliers and Top 25 interior designers were all honoured at a party attended by more than 200 of the industry’s biggest names at the M by Montcalm in Shoreditch.
The Hotel Designs Brit List features some of the names behind the UK’s most notable hotels and chains, plus the creative minds behind their celebrated interiors.
Hotel Designs editor Daniel Fountain said of the evening: “It was fantastic to host such a varied mix of influential and interesting people. We wanted to celebrate the fantastic hard work of some of the best hoteliers working in the UK and Ireland right now, and the vision of some of the finest architects and interior designers working in the industry today.
“This being the inaugural Brit List, we cannot wait to make this a regular event and we look forward to doing it all again next year. A big thank you to our sponsors Stylo, Hansgrohe and Bathroom Brands, everyone who attended and hosted the event, we hope everyone had a good time,” he added.
Hotel Designs will be profiling the final fifty in the coming weeks; if you missed the Brit List event – you can find out about all the winners.
The UK’s Top 25 Most Influential & Inspirational Hoteliers
* Adolf Schauer: General Manager, The Landmark London * Andrew Thomason: Managing Director, Gravetye Manor * Andrew Wildsmith: Owner, Wildsmith Hotels * Arun Kumar: General Manager, The LaLiT London * Bharat Rai: General Manager, Grange Tower Bridge Hotel * Charles Lowther: Owner, Askham Hall * Chris Hurst: General Manager, Hambleton Hall * Geraldine Milsom: Milsom Hotels & Restaurants Group * Jan-Paul Kroese: General Manager, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons * Jennifer McCabe: General Manager, Charlotte Street Hotel * Louise/Andrew Macbeth: Owners, Beck Hall * Lynn Brutman: General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire * Mailo Power: Director, Athenaeum House * Mario Ovsenjak: General Manager, Hotel Gotham * Mark Bevan: General Manager, Chewton Glen * Marwan Hemchaoui: Manager, The Vineyard Hotel * Oliver Heywood: Founder, Flat Cap Hotels * Olivia Immesi: Manager, Ace Hotel Shoreditch * Patrick Burke: Owner/Manager, The Atlantic Hotel * Paul Brackley: Manager, Shangri-la, The Shard * Peter McCarthy: Chairman, Clevedon Hall * PJ Kenny: General Manager, The Hoxton Holborn * Robin Sheppard: Chairman, Bespoke Hotels * Sue Williams: General Manager, Whatley Manor * Tony Troy: CEO, Principal Hotels
The UK’s Top 25 Most Influential & Inspirational Interior Designers * Andrew Linwood: Head of Design, Areen Hospitality * Andy Cooper: Head of Design, Oulsnam Design * Ariane Steinbeck: Interior Designer, RPW Design * Bee Osborn: Director, Osborn Interiors * Conrad Smith: Co-Founder, Reardonsmith Architects (Posthumous award) * David Carter: Designer, A La CarteR * David Richard Mellor: Principal/Head of Design, David Richard Mellor * Deema Sahyoun: Founder, IND Creations * Dennis Irvine: Founder, Dennis Irvine Studio * Dexter Moren: Director, Dexter Moren Associates * Emma King: Head of Interior Design Europe, IHG * Graeme Banks: Design Director, Barr + Wray * Helen Fewster: Director, Suna Interior Design * Henry Chebaane: Designer, Blue Sky Hospitality Space * Janine Powell: Designer, Hampton Design Studios * John Lewis: Associate, Richmond International * Lucy Goddard: Creative Director, NoChintz * Michael Simmons: Founder/Designer, Space I.D. * Michael Squire: Senior Partner, Squire & Partners * Michelle Holland: Associate, Goddard Littlefair * Nicholas Hollinshead: Senior Designer, NH Interiors * Patrick Tyberghein: Director, Carter Tyberghein * Robert Angell: Principal/Director, Robert Angell Design * Sarah Ramsbottom: Managing Director/Head of Interior Design, Elle R Leisure * Susie Atkinson: Founder, Susie Atkinson Design
Investment into the UK hotel market reached £2 billion in the first half of 2017 according to international real estate advisor Savills. The firm predicts that levels will reach £5.1 billion for the full year, up 28% on total 2016 volumes of £4 billion.
Savills notes the hotel investment market in H1 was driven by London and individual sales as overseas investors continue to demonstrate considerable appetite for the sector. The capital remains the largest market, accounting for 55% of transactions by value (£1.1 billion). Individual sales accounted for 92% of transactions by value (£1.834 billion) however a number of high profile portfolios are expected to come to the market in the second half of the year. Overseas investors have been particularly active with an appetite for big ticket lots, accounting for £1.2 billion in the first half of the year in comparison to the £822 million transacted by domestic investors.
Martin Rogers, head of UK hotel transactions at Savills, comments: “The UK hotel market has had a strong start to the year as the sector remains resilient to the headwinds of the last six months. The favourable exchange rate has attracted overseas buyers that are looking for stable, long term income. The anticipation of a softer Brexit will provide further comfort, encouraging development and relieving pressure on staffing.”
The firm highlights key deals for the first half of the year include the sale of the South Place Hotel in London, the sale of the Holiday Inn in Manchester city centre and the on going sales by Lone Star from its Project Solstice portfolio. Larger single asset deals have driven the market in the first half of the year, and as such average price per key in the UK has risen from £119,317 to £147,077 over the last 12 months.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of Hotel Indigo® London – One Leicester Square. The hotel marks IHG’s debut presence in Leicester Square and continues the growth of the Hotel Indigo brand as its fourth property in London and eleventh in the UK.
Due to open in late 2017, the hotel, based in one of London’s busiest hubs, will feature 95 guest rooms, each with a design reflecting the local area. Leicester Square, a melting pot for the all things cinematic and theatrical at the heart of London’s West End there is an artistic flair prominently in the neighbourhood; which is reflected in the hotel’s design.
The hotel will have a destination rooftop bar and restaurant designed to take full advantage of the amazing views of central London. The design of the hotel will be influenced by the existing property’s art deco stylings combined with the theatrics of the surrounding Leicester Square areas and its varied heritage cinemas. Guests will also have access to a gym and working spaces that can be used for meetings.
The hotel will operate under a franchise agreement with Criterion Capital and will be the operator’s first venture with the franchise partner.
IHG has signed eight Hotel Indigo properties across Europe. There are currently 21 Hotel Indigo hotels open and 18 in the pipeline across Europe. Additional signings include: • Hotel Indigo® Milan – Corso Monforte, due to open in early 2018, this 55-guest room converted historic palace is situated in the city centre. • Hotel Indigo® Dundee, due to open in mid-2018, this 96-room property will be the owner’s first IHG branded hotel. • Hotel Indigo® Frankfurt: One of the largest Hotel Indigo properties in Europe, this 236-guest room property is due to open in early 2019. • Hotel Indigo® Manchester – Victoria Station is due to open in early 2019, and will 187-guest room property • Hotel Indigo® The Hague – Royal Palace will be the owners eighth IHG brand in their portfolio. • Hotel Indigo® Dresden – Wettiner Platz is due to open in late 2018 and will operate under a franchise agreement. The 132 roomed property is perfectly located in centre of Dresden and the design will mimic the music neighbourhood where it sits. • Due to open in later 2018, Hotel Indigo® Manchester – Piccadilly Gardens will operate under a franchise agreement with Cairn Hotel Group and will house 139 rooms • The 45-guest room Hotel Indigo® Belgrade is set to open in late 2019.
Hotel Indigo® Warsaw – Nowy Swiat opened in May this year and Hotel Indigo® The Hague – Royal Palace and Hotel Indigo® London – Aldgate are due to open later this year.
Business trips are a possible indicator of economic growth. If the volume of business travel increases or falls in certain regions, it is possible to draw conclusions about the economy there…
London and Vienna are the most popular business destinations in Europe. Outside Europe, European business travelers travel most frequently to New York and Shanghai.
BC Travel analysed data connected to business travel and published the results in the latest issue of “Cities & Trends Report”. The report is based on flight booking data from eight major business travel markets in Europe: Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Compared to 2015, there were only minor changes in the ranking of the most popular business destinations in Europe. Top performers in terms of cities are London, Vienna and Amsterdam.
Thanks to an increase of 7.1% in air travel to Barcelona, the city climbed from 9th to 6th place. Madrid is the second Spanish city in the ranking with an increase – 14.9%. It is the number one jumper and has moved to 8th place. The increase in flights to the two Spanish cities is linked to the recovery of the Spanish economy, which grew by 3.2% in 2016.
In terms of countries, the UK is on top, with Germany and Spain in second and third, respectively. Intercontinental trips from Europe are on the rise. New York and Shanghai remain the first and second in terms of intercontinental business destinations for European business travelers. In 2016, Dubai has overtaken Beijing and Singapore with an increase of 7.5% compared to the previous year.
One of the reason for this is the fact that Dubai is preparing for the World Expo 2020. Many affordable hotels are opening, making it a less expensive place to hold meetings and events.
Country-wise, the United States remain on top of business travel preferences. Developing countries China and India come second and third, respectively. Most business trips take place after the summer holidays in September (9.5%). Due to the holidays, December is the least frequented month (5.6%).
With one of Russia’s most exciting contemporary artists as its patron and an enviable collection of modern art, StandArt Hotel Moscow has quickly established itself as a stylish hub for the Russian capital’s creative scene.
The Design Hotels™ member hotel’s crown is showing no sign of slipping with its latest cultural initiative, offering exclusive masterclasses with ‘Original Stanislav Tratsevskiy’ at his personal studio.
Stanislav Tratsevskiy’s venture into the hospitality industry could be seen as an extension of his already-impressive body of work as an artist and interior designer. With StandArt Hotel Moscow, Tratsevskiy took his erudition in art and cultural history to create a property that is as traditionally Russian as it is progressive. The Art Noveau façade of the 105-room hotel is juxtaposed against an interior design defined by Tratsevskiy’s retro-futuristic works, which reference Socialist-Realist art and “sgraffito”, a decorative technique popular in renaissance Italy involving multilayered wall carvings.
Of the hotel’s concept, he explains: “I wanted to create universal spaces that appeal to everyone. Art is my way of communicating with people from all over the world.”
Taking this commitment to communicating through the medium of art one step further, Tratsevskiy is hosting exclusive one-to-one masterclasses for hotel guests at his private studio. Over a period of 4 to 5 hours, guests will have the opportunity to create their own piece of art.
As the first Design Hotels™ member in the country, StandArt Hotel Moscow bears the torch for luxury hospitality in Russia. Original Stanislav Tratsevskiy collaborated with interior designer Piotr Bragovskiy and the architectural brains behind the Bolshoi Theatre revamp in 2011, Pavel Andreev, to transform a classical Art Nouveau structure into a lavish retreat peppered with Tratsevskiy’s own artworks, among others. As well as a Michelin-starred chef, the hotel boasts 105 carefully designed suites of surprisingly sleek design, as well as a spa with a traditional Russian steam room. Located right on Pushkin Square, the StandArt boasts tradition and modernism right in the midst of Moscow´s cosmopolitan vibe.
Following an extensive restoration, Aleph Rome Hotel – an elegant property in the heart of Rome – has reopened as part of the exclusive Curio Collection by Hilton, a global portfolio of upper upscale, independent hotels and resorts.
Acquired by Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company “ARTIC” in 2016, Aleph Rome Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, is now an 88-room hotel based just a short stroll from the legendary Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Villa Borghese and many other key attractions. The 1930s-built property is the first in Rome and the second in Italy for the rapidly growing Curio Collection by Hilton.
The property-wide renovation of Aleph Rome Hotel focused on blending its Roman charm with contemporary features, while preserving its spirit, grandeur and historical treasures, including authentic Cipollino marble. Guests will enjoy a distinctly remarkable experience, taking advantage of a wide range of uniquely re-designed guest rooms and suites, restaurants and bars, along with a rooftop pool overlooking the city of Rome. The hotel is conveniently located near the Barberini metro station, between Via Veneto and Piazza Barberini.
The hotel offers 88 guest rooms, including 14 suites and a junior suite, each featuring modern Italian furniture, high ceilings and marble floors. Guests may also enjoy contemporary comforts, such as an interactive TV, Nespresso® machine and walk-in shower.
According to reports in the Silicon Valley Business Journal, Facebook has unveiled plans to build its own California ‘village’ complete with social housing, retail stores and a hotel.
Located on a corporate campus at Menlo Park, which Facebook bought in 2015 for roughly £300 million. There are also plans to build 1,500 new homes at the development which is opposite the social media giant’s headquarters.
It will primarily be for the use and dwelling of Facebook’s employees, who mostly live near the campus.
In a blog post announcing the plans, the social media giants described the future development as a “mixed-use village” that will provide residents, many of which will be Facebook employees, with housing, transportation services and other amenities.
“We plan to build 125,000 square feet of new retail space, including a grocery store, pharmacy and additional community-facing retail,” Facebook said. The review process of the development is expected to last two years with “grocery, retail, housing and office completed in early 2021”. The post went on the say that “subsequent phases will take two years each to complete”.
The plans have not yet been approved and is expected to take roughly a decade to complete.
Adare Manor, one of Ireland’s most renowned resort hotels with a list of prestigious accolades nearly as long as its history, has announced a multi-phase transformation to restore the property.
To maintain its commitment to providing guests with unrivalled facilities and services, Adare Manor closed its doors in January 2016 for an 18-month intermission and will debut its new look in Autumn 2017.
The transformation, spearheaded by acclaimed architects RSA will honour the building’s architectural heritage as a Neo-Gothic masterpiece and embody the hotel’s signature style, while incorporating the contemporary luxuries and technological conveniences necessary to meet the needs of today’s luxury traveler.
Paul Heery
The restoration involves internal finishes, furniture and woodwork, and repairing external stonework and windows. Most notably, the expansion will include a new 42-bedroom wing, bringing the total room count to 104 guestrooms including the existing Manor House accommodations. An expansive ballroom will also be added, with capacity for 350 guests for weddings and special events. Both structures will be clad in limestone, a tribute to the detail of the original Manor House.
Plans are also in place for a complete redesign of the golf clubhouse by David Collins Studio London. In order to complement the significant improvements to the manor house and overall resort experience, world-renowned golf course designer Tom Fazio has been engaged to oversee a comprehensive redesign of the golf course, which when complete will take its place among the finest golf courses in Europe.
In addition, the existing Manor House will enjoy a new state-of-the-art spa, pool and relaxation area, boardroom and cinema, while Adare Manor’s 800 acres of beautiful parkland, walled gardens and walking trails, will be enhanced for guest enjoyment.
Meanwhile, the hotel also announced the appointment of Paul Heery as general manager; Paul comes from being GM at Gleneagles in Scotland (from 2014-2017)
Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe, has introduced Cocoon – a highlight of the Essente collection of stunningly chic, easy-to-care for, affordable interiors fabrics.
Furniture is the focal point of any interior so it’s important that the design, colour and texture complement the theme. Cocoon is a soft, supple chenille in 100% polyester and finished with an FR domestic back-coat, so ‘ready to go’.
Featuring a palette of 36 soft and sumptuous shades ranging from neutral cream, beige and pale grey, warm blue, brown and rose to vibrant lime, orange and red, Cocoon can be used for both curtains and upholstery.
David Harris, MD of Kobe UK said: “Cocoon is the perfect partner for any domestic or commercial setting and as part of the Essente collection benefits from the logistical expertise and quality of Kobe, while giving access to a wider customer base through its realistic price points.”
Cocoon complies with the BS5852 part 1, source 0 and 1, passing the cigarette and match test and offers exceptional durability, scoring 100,000 on the Martindale Rub Test.
The Essente collection of stunningly chic, easy-to-care for, affordable interiors fabrics retail price levels from £16 to £22 for curtain weights and £27 for upholstery fabrics.
Essente upholstery customers can also benefit from further rebates, for further information please contact sales@essente.co.uk or www.essente.co.uk
A young, up-and-coming architecture firm – Studio Saxe – has completed a boutique hotel and yoga studio set into the tropical landscape of Nosara, Costa Rica.
The project is another in a long line of sustainable buildings from a practice that blends contemporary design with local craftsmanship, embracing the natural environment that surrounds and frames the architecture.
Nosara has become a destination for visitors from around the world for health, wellness and surfing and so the owners of Hotel Nalu-Nosara, Nomel and Mariya Libid, wanted a design that reflected the attitude of their guests. The yoga studio, which has also become incredibly popular as a multipurpose gym space, is enveloped by lush vegetation on all sides and therefore becomes a jungle retreat for exercise and relaxation.
Guests at the hotel are provided with individual pavilion ‘homes’ rather than rooms, located just a few minutes’ walk from the ocean. By breaking up the mass of the traditionally monolithic hotel, the architects were able scatter living spaces amongst the trees and create a sense of privacy while surrounded by the natural world. Each pavilion has been carefully positioned following meticulous research into wind and sun patterns, while ensuring they are all provided with an individual view out to the landscape.
Overlapping timber roofs project out over each pavilion providing shade from the intense equatorial sun. These roofs are made of recycled teak planks, creating uneven patterns that further emphasise this fusion of local craftsmanship and modern design. Rooms are connected via corridors that filter dappled sunlight down from the pergola roofs above and frame more views out the lush surroundings.
Architect Benjamin Garcia Saxe said: “Our project at Nalu represents the power of simple, low-key, modern tropical architecture. It has quickly become a town favourite, which shows that there is a real desire to occupy spaces that bring people closer to nature, while addressing the needs of contemporary life.”
With just one day to go (12th July) until the Hotel Designs Brit List 2017 event, this is your last chance to get your tickets and get your name on the guest list for this event, from 7-11pm at the Urban Coterie Sky Bar and Restaurant at M by Montcalm.
HD Brit List will be taking in some of the biggest names in the UK hotelier and design industries. For the past few months, Hotel Designs has been taking soundings and nominations to create the Brit List – a celebration of the most influential and inspirational hoteliers and interior designers.
With such a fantastic array of industry figures all in one room, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to get your company name on show – a limited number of sponsorship opportunities are still available for the Hotel Designs Brit List. To find out more contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or email j.lane@forumevents.co.uk. Alternatively, contact Victoria Petch on 01992 374082 or email v.petch@forumevents.co.uk
Sadie Morgan, founding director of dRMM and member of the National Infrastructure Commission, has been named New Londoner of the Year 2017 at the New London Awards, a celebration of the very best new architecture and development in the capital.
Organised by New London Architecture (NLA) and supported by the Mayor of London, additional top prizes went to Wickside masterplan in Tower Hamlets by BUJ Architects and Ash Sakula, named Overall Winner; the Central Parade Creative Hub in Waltham Forest by Gort Scott Architects, awarded the Mayor’s Prize; and the Belarusian Memorial Chapel in Woodside Park by Spheron Architects, which won the public vote to take the People’s Choice.
From a shortlist of over 150 projects, a total of 31 winning schemes were celebrated across all sectors of London’s built environment, ranging from Housing to Offices, Education to Transport & Infrastructure, and Public Spaces to Masterplans & Area Strategies. Each scheme was selected by a prestigious international jury, advised by London-based experts, for having both the highest design quality and most positive social and economic impacts for London.
Sadie Morgan was honoured as New Londoner for her work in championing the importance of design at the very highest political level. Alongside reporting directly to the Secretary of State as Chair of the Independent Design Panel for High Speed Two, she is also a commissioner for both the National Infrastructure Commission led by former Cabinet Minister Lord Adonis, and the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission.
New Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and Stantec
Peter Murray, Chairman of New London Architecture said: “Architects, and built environment professionals generally, have not been very good in recent years in helping to set the political agenda. Sadie Morgan is an exception. She has key advisory roles addressing important environmental issues of the day. dRMM were the very first winners of the Pipers Next Generation Award in 2003, and under Sadie’s leadership, have gone on to deliver with the steadfast belief in the importance of design that connects back to people and place.”
Speaking at the ceremony Sadie Morgan said: “When you’re surrounded as I am in the roles that I do – I sit on the National Infrastructure Commission, the Thames Estuary Growth Commission, I chair the independent design panel for High Speed 2, and I’m a professor at Westminster – all of those things need an independent voice and a voice that asks government in particular why so often, people and place aren’t thought about.
As a creative industry one thing that we’re incredibly good at is thinking about the future because we’re innovative and we come at things laterally. Design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about problem solving, and those are the kinds of people that you need really early on in the process, be it policy-making, be it building.
If you integrate design early on it doesn’t cost money, it saves money because it helps you anticipate not only the problems but the opportunities. If we can learn to take risks, we can learn to put our head above the parapet, then we will start to reimagine our built environment which is I think one of the most extraordinary opportunities that we have.”
The UK’s Counter Terrorism Police force has released a video, which advises holidaymakers on what to do in the event of a terror attack at a resort.
The four-minute video was made in association with the Foreign Office and Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and depicts an incident at a hotel, describing how to stay safe in such an event.
In the video, holidaymakers are reassured that while the chances of becoming a victim in a terror attack remain ‘extremely rare’, the new approach encourages everyone to be prepared ‘should the worst happen’.
The Run, Hide, Tell message was first introduced in 2015 following the terror attacks in Paris in December. It has now been re-issued by the police in answer to the incident at London Borough Market.
Some 30 British tourists were among 38 people killed when a gunman attacked a Tunisian beach resort in June 2015.
Counter terrorism officials said there is currently no intelligence suggesting Britons will be targeted this summer, but that the film is part of a general awareness campaign.
The video advises: – Run If there is a safe route, run. Insist others go with you, but do not let their indecision slow you down. Leave belongings behind – Hide If you cannot run, hide. Be aware of your exits. Find cover from gunfire and try not to get trapped. Barricade yourself in and stay away from doors. – Tell Call the police as soon as it is safe. Tell them where the attack is happening, where you are and how many attackers you saw.
Cadogan is delighted to announce that the Cadogan Café has won the Hotels & Hospitality category at the New London Architecture Awards. The award celebrates the best new and proposed projects that enhance London’s leisure offer for tourists, business people and Londoners in the capital.
The state-of-the-art Cadogan Café will be located in the largely Grade II-listed Duke of York Square, adjacent to the main thoroughfare to the Saatchi Gallery and set slightly back from the King’s Road. It has just commenced construction, and will complete in late 2018.
Championing the best of modern design in harmony with its heritage and surroundings, the café will include the UK’s first innovative glass facade which will lower into a single-storey basement during fine weather.
It also includes a circular roof terrace open to the public as an additional green space to relax, overlooking the ‘running track’ famed as Roger Banister’s training ground for the four-minute mile. The innovative design was created by Nex, following an international architectural competition.
Supported by the Mayor of London, the New London Architecture Awards seek projects of the highest design.
Nobu Hotel Shoreditch opened on 1 July, located in the heart of London’s artistic quarter. Set back from the lively hub of Great Eastern Street, Nobu Hotel Shoreditch offers a dynamic blend of Nobu’s signature east-meets-west philosophy and Shoreditch’s creative and industrial energy.
The property boasts 143 guest rooms and seven suites, meeting space, a lobby bar and 240-seat restaurant, which lies at the heart of the building, spanning almost the entire footprint of the hotel.
The expressive and distinctive design for the new Nobu Hotel Shoreditch is the result of the collective efforts of Ron Arad Architects and Ben Adams Architects featuring overhanging floor slabs and cantilevered steel beams forming a frayed edge to the east, where a landscaped garden is terraced to provide natural light to the restaurant space.
The interior of the hotel was designed by local designers, Studio Mica. All parties worked in collaboration to create a seamless transition between the hotel and the restaurant.
The 240-seat, Nobu Shoreditch restaurant was designed by Studio PCH. Inspired by the iconic Nobu aesthetics, the 340m² restaurant space’s sleek wooden finish creates a cool and contemporary environment. Overseen by Executive Chef Greg Seregithe, Nobu Shoreditch menu will feature many of Nobu’s timeless dishes, as well as plates inspired by the creativity and vibrancy of the local area. Reached via a grand staircase, Nobu Shoreditch is bathed in natural light from the five-metre tall glass doors leading out to the charming Nobu Terrace.
The adaptable Kaijo meeting and event spaces at Nobu Hotel Shoreditch cater to a range of occasions, from family celebrations to business conferences. Boasting an abundance of natural light and a versatility, Kaijo can be used as one large space of 180m², accommodating 200 people for a cocktail reception or 120 for a seated event, or divided into six separate spaces.
Anayara Resorts, owned by Pacific Media Management Group Limited and Anayara Resorts Holding Limited , a Hong Kong-based adult-only ultimate luxury retreats and luxury boutique resorts brand revealed its first property Anayara Luxury Retreat Panwa Resort, a beachfront retreat estate scheduled for soft opening by December 2017 and followed by its second property Anayara Luxx Panwa, a luxury boutique resort by Q1 2019.
The property is an ultimate luxury beachfront retreat estate project undertaken by the East West Architect and Phuket’s own Padcha Sakulspitch. Positioned in the most sought-after location on the island, Anayara Retreat Panwa offers complete privacy and attention-to-detail design.
The hotel has been designed with the Boran Thai mixed with modern contemporary architecture in mind, and features 6 spacious suites with more than 100m², the intimate character, boutique style and award-winning architect design, eco-friendly innovations combine the ultimate tranquillity of a holistic retreat with a uniquely luxury retreat vibe. With its infinity beachfront pool and unique plunge pool for it main pavilion suites.
All suites have their own abundant individual living space with finest wood flooring and antique local decor and walk-thru cabinet, vast en-suite bedrooms, spacious en-suite bathroom with separate grand chromotheraphy rain showers, standing bath tub, free standard daily refill mini bar and daily exotic tropical seasonal fruit trays, branded linens, duvet from the finest Egyptian cotton 500 treads by Brooklinen, a complete Bang & Olufsen and Lutron Integration System – stylish, amenities – including Netflix and Apple iPad’s Air Control for each suite.
Leading luxury vinyl flooring manufacturer, Moduleo, has expanded its Impress range with a number of new designs, almost doubling the collection’s existing product portfolio.
Five wood, one stone and three abstract designs have been introduced, providing a total of 12 designs, 44 colours and 72 SKUs.
The launch is in response to strong demand from customers who require flexibility to create a unique floor, particularly in commercial settings. Among the new wood lines are Santa Cruz Oak, Bohemian and Laurel Oak, providing light washed, chevron and smooth ‘no knot’ effects, as well as rustic-look Sierra Oak and elm-style Marsh Wood in a total of 11 colourways.
The new Impress stone design, Mustang Slate is available in three colourways and has been developed to mimic natural slate, providing a structure and finish that mirrors the real thing.
Finally, new abstract products are Jumble Stone, a geometric 2D design which gives a 3D illusion, Fern Wood, a flexible finish that enables installers to mix and match planks to create their own style and Mystical, an abstract look popular with architects.
Impress, Moduleo’s most premium range, comprises products manufactured with state-of-the-art technology, utilising embossed- and cut-in-register processes to give depth and tactility to planks making them extremely realistic. Featuring grain, knots and grooves, the design perfectly matches the surface texture, allowing you to feel the structure and depth of the product.
Available in thicknesses of 2.5mm (Dryback) and 4.5mm (Click), Impress lines have a wear layer of 0.55mm and offer dimensions of 19.6 x 132cm and 19.1 x 131.6cm. David Bigland, managing director for Moduleo UK and Eire, explains: “The next generation of Impress adds a new dimension to our product portfolio and drastically increases the number of lines available within the range.
“There is strong demand for alternative patterns and styles and the latest finishes provide that in spades, offering a wide range of designs and colourways that enable you to transform any floor.”
Next generation Impress will be available from Q3/Q4 2017 from Moduleo stockists across the UK. For further information on Moduleo, visit www.moduleo.co.uk.
Henry Chebaane is 2017 winner for best Hotel Lobby/Public Areas in the Global category of the International Hotel & Property Awards.
Acclaimed international hospitality designer and conceptual artist Henry Chebaane, founder and creative director of Blue Sky Hospitality, won the awards for his 2 projects “Artscape Lobby” and “The Tea Lounge”, both in the JW Marriott Absheron Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Chebaane has created what might be a world’s first: a public space, formed by reception area and lobby cafe, that looks and feels like a giant immersive art gallery but performs and functions like a hotel lobby.
To define an experience for the guest which is deeply rooted in a sense of place, the public space is a representation of the region, its culture and nature.
For the ARTSCAPE LOBBY, the main source of inspiration was the old Persian name of the city Baku (the “wind-pounded city”) and the surrounding Absheron peninsula (“place of salty waters”) as well as the rich nature of the nearby Caucasus mountains, where the Walnut tree is one of the dominant species.
The adjacent TEA LOUNGE has been designed to express the duality between heritage and innovation, permanence and transition. Conceived like a luxurious “chaikhana” (the traditional Central Asian tea house) for modern nomads, the space is anchored by a central tea studio, where the various rituals of tea-making are enacted live.
The public space of the JW Marriott Absheron aim to redefine the experience of a classic hotel lobby and lounge by immersing guests into an ancient narrative with a strong regional identity within a contemporary lifestyle.
The Langham London in the heart of the city’s West end is an architectural icon that was Europe’s first Grand Hotel when it opened in 1865.
The Wigmore, its new modern British tavern with interiors by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, features bespoke lighting from Dernier & Hamlyn’s London factory including a spectacular 27 arm chandelier some 2m high and 2m across. The chandelier has been designed to be a luxurious, contemporary interpretation of traditional London pub lighting and was hand cast in brass and hand finished in antique bronze by Dernier & Hamlyn’s team of artisans.
They also produced beautiful wall lights that feature handblown ribbed glass globes fitted to individually cast and finished back plates.
Martin Brudnizki Design Studio says: “We invariably choose Dernier & Hamlyn for bespoke lighting when quality, design integrity and attention to detail are vital. With a commission as important as this, their specialist skills and extensive experience were essential and we and The Langham are delighted with the results.”
With the new products presented at ISH 2017, Duravit has re-interpreted the basic idea of the holistic interior. New designs provide the scope for individual bathroom furnishings offering a high standard of living.
All products have a consistent design language and can be combined with products from all series to optimum effect. Precise geometric forms, selected materials and soft, matt colours and textures take their place in the bathroom. Design, function and high operating comfort are perfectly coordinated.
Nordic elegance with gentle colour shades The Nordic furnishing style is characterised by clear forms and soft, natural colours. For Duravit, the Danish designer, Cecilie Manz has combined Nordic design with new technologies, new colours and new materials, which are impressive in terms of both feel and function.
The Luv bathroom series offers completely new design possibilities for either larger rooms or guest bathrooms, the unusual design combines Nordic purism with timeless, emotional elegance. The above-counter basins made from DuraCeram® impress with their subtle lines, generous inner basin and clear edges. The selection of materials and colours is testament to Cecilie Manz’s refined sense for touch and nuances.
For the first time, Duravit uses matt glazes in soft tones on the outside of the DuraCeram wash bowls, which contrast with the high-glaze white ceramic inside the bowl. New pale Nordic colours in satin-matt lacquer can also be found on the furniture. The distinctively shaped baths are based on the form of the wash bowl and are made from the mineral material DuraSolid A, which offers a pleasantly warm feel and a high-quality matt look.
Timeless geometry re-imagined Clear, timeless forms create lasting value and are popular for bathroom furnishings. Vero Air, is in keeping with this ongoing trend: the entire bathroom series impresses both purists and individuals with a feel for durable design. With its clear, classically rectangular form, Vero has been one of the architectural classics of bathroom design since 2001. Thanks to modern manufacturing techniques, the precise design of Vero Air reinterprets Vero’s timeless geometry. The range’s washbasins and bathtubs impress with reduced edges and a striking linear charm.
With its new DuraSquare collection, Duravit presents an upgrade of Vero Air that sets new standards with its clarity, precision and reduction. Exact edges blend with the organically flowing inner contours. From the washbasin to the bathtub, the programme is designed to be sustainable and is made with the innovative materials DuraCeram and DuraSolid. Combined with the new furniture frame, the washbasins become a real eye-catcher in the bathroom. This flexible base is height-adjustable and can be supplied in silver (chrome) or matt black.
Creative solutions for compact areas Increasingly limited living space demands greater practicality, and this requires smart solutions. With the innovative Shower + Bath combination, Duravit has succeeded in uniting the strict requirements regarding contemporary bathroom design and optimum use of space: the design by EOOS features a walk-in shower and bathtub in one. The functional versatility of Shower + Bath is a result of the high level of precision in the finishing and the use of the innovative material DuraSolid A.
Individual and cut-to-size washing areas with surrounds and storage space are both functional and convenient. The new console system comprises uniform furniture consoles in two different thicknesses (30 and 45 mm) and with a variable width and depth. They can be combined with vanity units and furniture from a total of seven Duravit ranges: L-Cube, Vero, Happy D.2, Delos, DuraStyle, Ketho and X-Large. The Duravit consoles are available with 32 different finishes from high-gloss lacquer, for example in Apricot Pearl or Stone Blue, to real-wood fronts such as oak or walnut. With individual combinations such as a walnut console and discreet, white vanity units, interesting accents can be created.
A leading north east hotel is taking care of business for its corporate clients with a range of classic – and newly refurbished – rooms available as part of its conference and events offering.
Hardwick Hall Hotel near Sedgefield – part of Ramside Estates – is one of the region’s most popular business and event venues, hosting a wide variety of events, conferences, awards and charity balls, with rooms catering for 10 to 1500 people.
And now, the hotel is hoping to entice more conference and meeting organisers, following a £150,000 refurbishment to one of its leading function rooms – part of an ongoing £350,000 refurbishment which will see the hotel’s bedrooms, bars and boardrooms redecorated.
The Coleman Suite, which can take up to 380 seated guests, underwent the £150,000 revamp earlier this year and the process involved redecorating, laying new carpets and replacing the existing furniture. The newly-refurbished suite can also be divided into smaller rooms, making it a flexible space suitable for meetings, balls and awards.
The four-star hotel, which is set in County Durham’s Hardwick Country Park, has a range of conference suites available for both little and large corporate events, and additional incentives include free Wi-fi, free parking on site and catering support.
Those travelling from further afield can also opt to stay in one of Hardwick Hall Hotel’s 50 rooms and dine in the hotel’s acclaimed Rib Room Steakhouse and Grill.
“We’re delighted to offer conference-goers a versatile experience here at Hardwick Hall, with plenty of options available, from large banqueting suites to smaller meeting rooms,” said Lee Kirtland, General Manager at Hardwick Hall Hotel. “We like to think we have something for everyone and hope that those visiting for conferences will see exactly why we’re one of Durham’s and the Tees Valley’s foremost business and event venues.”
We’re halfway through the summer months, and judging by the weather we’ve had so far we’re in for a good one this year. With this in mind, Hotel Designs profiles five of our favourite spa hotels across the UK…
G&V Royal Mile Hotel Edinburgh, Scotland Situated at the intersection of some of Edinburgh’s most historic streets, The G&V Royal Mile Hotel invokes the city’s vibrant, creative and charismatic appeal – injecting new colour into a dramatic and storied backdrop.
Cotswold House Hotel & Spa, Gloucestershire This award-winning luxury hotel and spa in the heart of Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, which has recently benefitted from a substantial refurbishment, will appeal to discerning travellers visiting the Cotswolds, looking for tranquility, sublime comfort, exceptional food and a stunning spa.
Rudding Park, Harrogate – Yorkshire The new Rudding Park Spa is one of the finest in the country and recaptures Harrogate’s spa heritage using natural waters from the grounds at Rudding Park. A privately owned luxury hotel, Rudding Park also has 90 bedrooms, two restaurants and a kitchen garden, private cinema, two golf courses and conference and events space. Set in 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland, Rudding Park is one of the most beautiful Harrogate hotels.
Culloden Estate & Spa – Northern Ireland Today the Culloden Estate and Spa is one of the finest and most distinguished 5 star hotels in the Province. The Culloden was built in 1876 by a Mr. William Auchinleck Robinson, JP and former MP. It took two and a half years to complete, and most of the stone came from Scotland by boat, arriving in the County Down fishing village of Portaferry and being brought to the site by horse and cart.
La Suite West – Hyde Park, London Perfectly positioned on a quiet tree lined street on the edge of London’s magnificent Hyde Park and close to the West End and Paddington, this boutique hotel is the minimalist and state of focus creation by famed British designer Anouska Hempel.
From hotel openings to product spotlights to everything in between, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…
1. GUEST BLOG: YOURI SAWERSCHEL – IS ZOKU THE NEXT CITIZEN M? The success of Citizen M, Mama Shelter or Ace Hotel has been watched by the entire industry. As hoteliers around the world are raising their game, we ask ourselves – who will set the new benchmark?
2. ROSEWOOD LONDON WINS ‘HOTEL OF YEAR’ AT CATEY AWARDS Rosewood London is delighted to announce that the hotel has been named ‘Hotel of the Year’ in the Group category at the industry’s most prestigious awards, The Catey Awards 2017.
3. OPINION: CABIN RAISES $3M TO LAUNCH ‘MOVING HOTEL’ Cabin, the first hospitality transportation company on a mission to make the most of every waking and sleeping moment, today announced it has secured $3.3 million in seed financing and launched a moving hotel.
7. SNEAK PEEK: SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, YIWU NOW OPEN The 362-room Shangri-La Hotel, Yiwu opened on June 24 in the 52-storey, mixed-use Yiwu World Trade Centre, the tallest building in Zhejiang Province.
8. INTRODUCING HÔTEL DE CRILLON, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL – PARIS Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel re-opens after undergoing an extensive four-year restoration. Dating back to the 18th century, this historic treasure is decidedly reborn as a luxury hotel for 21st century travellers.
10. GUEST BLOG: ‘HOTEL DOOR ACCESS CARDS CAN BE ECO-FRIENDLY’ Nu: eCard is a ‘green’ alternative to PVC, combining chalk with low levels of high-density polyethylene to create a card with performance and costs to rival traditional plastics, without the environmental impact…
This month Chelsom, leading designer and manufacturer of decorative lighting for the global hospitality and marine sectors, celebrates 70 successful years in business.
Chelsom was founded by Reg and Kay Chelsom in 1947 and began trading as an antique shop in Blackpool under the name ‘The Golden Age’. Soon progressing to three shops, they began to manufacture reproduction period lighting which they distributed to retailers and interior designers throughout the UK. Robert Chelsom took over as CEO in the 1970’s and led the company to the forefront of the hospitality lighting industry. Current Managing Director, Will Chelsom, joined the company in 2006 and has been instrumental in driving the Export division and diversifying into the marine sector.
Innovative in-house designs, high quality manufacturing and excellent service levels have contributed towards winning prestigious projects in more than 70 countries across the world which in turn led to the firm being awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in its seventieth year. Exports now account for around 40% of all sales and Chelsom has built an exceptionally strong client base including major hotel operators such as Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Starwood, Hilton, Accor, Marriott and on the marine side, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Robert Chelsom, Chairman, commented, “I am thrilled that Chelsom is celebrating 70 years as a family business and as we enter our seventieth year I am delighted to be working alongside my son. Will represents the third generation of the family involved in the business and with his ideas for growth, understanding of the industry and a genuine passion for what he does, I am certain we will be celebrating many more anniversaries like this.”
Will Chelsom says, “It’s a real achievement to be celebrating our seventieth anniversary this year and still be able to call ourselves a genuine family business. We are also incredibly proud to be able to commemorate this anniversary with the news that we have been awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade. Not only does the award acknowledge the dedication and passion that every employee has shown in helping to drive the business forward internationally, but it is fitting recognition that this third-generation family business is now at the forefront of the industry thanks to a combination of our product designs, sales strategies and ultimately all the accompanying hard work by every member of the team.”
Beloved Cotswolds hotel to debut new guest rooms, two new restaurants and luxury amenities unveiled Autumn 2017
The Lygon Arms, located in Broadway in the heart of the Cotswolds, UK, is undergoing the final chapter of its multi-million-pound refurbishment and expansion, to be unveiled Autumn 2017. The no-expense-spared transformation of this 16th century coaching inn, will honor the building’s charm and heritage, and debut an enriched guest experience complete with 86 newly designed rooms and suites, a refreshed spa, and the launch of two new culinary experiences; Lygon Bar & Grill and Lygon Wine Bar.
The redesign of the guest rooms and suites, spearheaded by Anita Rosato Interior Design, will beautifully embody the hotel’s 600-year character and style, while incorporating the contemporary luxuries and technological conveniences that meet the needs of today’s modern luxury traveler. Steeped in traditional British opulence and comfort, each room will unveil a unique design, all individually decorated to create eclectic accommodations for families, couples and the solo traveler. The final renovation will bring the total room count of The Lygon Arms to 86, including three one-of-a-kind signature Luxury Suites and six Courtyard Suites, inspired by famed past guests such as King Charles I.
Most notably, the final chapter will come to life with the debut of the Lygon Bar & Grill and the Lygon Wine Bar; a new restaurant and wine-bar that will open as two of the most sought after dining destinations in the Cotswolds. The Lygon Bar & Grill, debuting end of June, will concentrate on seasonality and product provenance, while representing the traditional brilliance of British food in a relaxed setting. The Mediterranean-inspired Lygon Wine Bar, debuting mid-July, will boast a fine selection of European and international wines, complimented by light Italian dishes.
“It is with great pleasure that we enter the final phase of this monumental refurbishment of The Lygon Arms, to unveil an exciting new chapter in the property’s grand history,” says General Manager Graeme Nesbitt. “Our team has worked alongside the best talent to create a vision that celebrates and brings to life the property’s charm and long-standing heritage, and above all, ensures our guest experience is truly memorable.”
As part of the new vision for the hotel, the property will debut the luxurious Lygon Spa offering a full range of unique beauty treatments. The hotel’s public areas will also have a new look that will encompass the relaxation and luxury of the chic Cotswold countryside. The multiple stories at The Lygon Arms will be woven into the fabric of the new additions, in order to stay true to the hotel’s heritage, whilst ushering in an exciting next chapter built on personal service, passionate management and luxuriously laid-back atmosphere.
With TUI Blue Jadran, the seventh hotel of TUI Group’s new experience hotel brand was opened last weekend. The building is considered to be the oldest hotel on the Croatian Adriatic coast.
Through its lifestyle concept with stylish rooms and junior suites, the hotel is breathing new life into the well-known hotel with its historic façade.
TUI Blue Jadran is located at the end of the promenade at Tučepi in the Makarska Riviera. The hotel has 161 rooms, including 12 junior suites and 11 swim-up suites offering direct access to a private pool. The hotel’s location between the sea and Biokovo mountains as well as the hotel’s own Bluef!t Park offer many opportunities for outdoor activities. The guests can also enjoy the Croatian-inspired cuisine, cutting-edge technology and a large infinity pool offering a view of the Mediterranean.
TUI Blue’s next growth initiative has already been announced: From the 2018 Spring season, the portfolio will be complemented by Rocador in Mallorca, TUI Blue Falesia in Portugal, Palm Beach Palace in Djerba and Marmaris in Turkey. These new openings will be based on appropriate hotels from TUI Hotels & Resorts’ existing portfolio, repositioned as TUI Blue hotels. Further repositionings are scheduled for the 2018/19 Winter season and the 2019 Summer season.
Solicited for his creative thinking skills, Youri Sawerschel has been involved with projects focused on creating, launching and managing brands in Europe, China and the Middle-East. He has worked with brands as diverse as Kempinski Hotels, UBS, EPFL and Mondelez. He discusses below what we can expect from the brand Zoku…
The success of Citizen M, Mama Shelter or Ace Hotel has been watched by the entire industry. As hoteliers around the world are raising their game, we ask ourselves – who will set the new benchmark? We picked the hotel brands that, we believe, have the potential to become the next hits. Discover Zoku.
Located in the Eastern Canal District of Amsterdam, Zoku is a new brand that blurs the lines between hotel, apartment and office. We spoke to Zoku co-founders Hans Meyer and Marc Jongerius to understand their vision. To stand out in the dynamic Amsterdam market, the two co-founders knew they needed a good story.
“Hotels don’t sell a bed anymore but an emotion,” says Hans Meyer. That’s why the brand launched in 2016 with the mission to “connect people and ideas.” To make this position clear from its opening, Zoku partnered with Startup Fest Europe to host the conference attendees and to organise learning and networking events.
The hotel’s name meaning “family, tribe or clan” in Japanese, Zoku places great emphasis on the common spaces. Everything within the hotel is designed to foster social interactions – From a giant kitchen to communal working spaces and a rooftop garden. The room design is inspired by a functional Asian micro-apartment.
It combines a living and a working area in just 25m2 – perfect for long-stay customers. To open 50 new properties in the next 10 years, Zoku relies on a copy-paste approach.
Yet, “finding the right balance between standardisation and personalisation is a key concern,” explain Meyer and Jongerius. They are now working on a prototype for the next generation of Zoku rooms. “Beta is our most important value,” says Meyer.
Indeed, that sounds more like a tech startup than a hotel company.
Originally published on Hospitalitynet.org. Youri Sawerschel is a Branding Expert and Founder of Creative Supply, a strategic branding agency based in Zurich.
Hotel Century Old Town Prague – MGallery By Sofitel has relaunched following an extensive renovation of the property. The 5-star property has undergone a complete transformation, giving the historic interiors a unique ambiance where classic heritage and contemporary design are combined together.
Hotel Century Old Town Prague – MGallery Collection – Photos: www.sofitel.com
The hotel is situated in the heart of Prague, next to the Old Town Square, where the famous medieval astronomical clock is mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall. The Neo-Baroque building was built in the 19th century by Alfonse Wertmuller, a famous architect in Prague. It was formerly the office of the Workers’ Accident Insurance of Kingdom of Bohemia, where Franz Kafka worked as an insurance clerk from 1908 to 1922. His spirit can still be felt in the hotel, as his bronze bust welcomes guests in the lobby in front of the majestic stairs.
Hotel Century Old Town Prague – MGallery Collection – Photos: www.sofitel.com
The 19th century listed building was transformed into a hotel in 2002, and became part of the MGallery By Sofitel portfolio in 2009. The sculpted Neo-Baroque façade and spectacular stairway, with its columns, marble steps and wrought-iron banister are characteristic features of the building.
Hotel Century Old Town Prague – MGallery Collection – Photos: www.sofitel.com
Renowned French interior designer Ana Moussinet has transformed the hotel, whilst retaining its grandeur and original classical features. The Neo-Baroque interiors have been modernised to complement the rich history of the building. The hotel’s heritage has been integrated into the design with Franz Kafka’s random patterns, reminiscent of ink lines and splashes. His inspirational quotes are displayed on the hotel’s walls and his presence can be seen in the Kafka Suite, which used to be the writer’s office for many years. It is now an exclusive suite with a contemporary design, inspired by Art Deco and mid-20th century Cubism.
Hotel Century Old Town Prague – MGallery Collection – Photos: www.sofitel.com
The renovation saw 169 rooms transformed into 5* room categories from Classic to Suite; along with new design of the Living Room, Restaurant and Bar. The hotel’s interiors are light and spacious, with marble parquet, glossy black and gold decorative features, deep green velvets and sober lines. Long corridors featuring artistically geometric carpet patterns are a refreshing and stylish blend of classic and contemporary design. Guests can relax in the luxurious Le Dome Suite, which is a round and cosy cocoon under the dome, surrounded by the thousand spires of Prague.
Hotel Century Old Town Prague – MGallery Collection – Photos: www.sofitel.com
The Bar concept has changed and the space has been rebuilt. The main inspiration for the new Hedgehog bar ambiance and bar services was derived from the legendary Czech conundrum “The Hedgehog in the Cage”, which is often portrayed in comics, movies and TV series. It is a mysterious story of a plan of constructing a flying bicycle hidden inside a steel cone in shape of a hedgehog in a cage. Guests can enjoy The Flying Bicycle – a cocktail served in its cage as a metaphor of the famous Czech puzzle. The seasonal terrace has turned into a Glass Veranda available throughout the year and on level -1, a new fitness room was created.
Hotel Century Old Town Prague – MGallery Collection – Photos: www.sofitel.com
Hotel Century Old Town Prague is now a breathtaking sight in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. MGallery has 90 existing fascinating addresses in addition to 30 others under development. Each hotel is inspiring, enhance local discovery and shapes memorable moments. With a compelling mix of Heritage, Serenity and Signature hotels, each MGallery is original with its own story to tell. MGallery will expand its collection with new openings including MGallery Leicester Square in London in August 2017; MGallery Dubai in the UAE; MGallery Livorno, Italy and MGallery Istanbul, Turkey.
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel re-opens after undergoing an extensive four-year restoration. Dating back to the 18th century, this historic treasure is decidedly reborn as a luxury hotel for 21st century travellers.
Located in the heart of Paris at 10 Place de la Concorde, Hôtel de Crillon’s past provides a rich backdrop for its modern-day story. During the hotel’s closure, master craftsmen, artisans and designers worked tirelessly to strike a deliberate and delicate balance between conservation and transformation, and today the hotel emerges as an elegant expression of the spirit of Paris and a celebration of the French art de vivre.
In keeping with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ concept in which each property reflects its location’s history, culture and sensibilities, Hôtel de Crillon’s design has been reinterpreted through the collective work of leading architects, designers, artisans, and artists. History has been brought to life with a fresh and modern twist, while beloved and unique objects emblematic to the hotel’s history can still be found throughout the property, from the amethyst chandeliers to gold and crystal Baccarat decanters.
This ambitious project required an unprecedented level of care and dedication. Owner representatives Ramzi Wakim and Laurent Dusonchet (Avangard Advisory), together with a handpicked project management team, orchestrated the renovation.
Architect Richard Martinet led the whole restoration and renovation, including the landmark façade and grand reception rooms on the second floor, which are classified heritage landmarks.
Under the Artistic Director Aline Asmar d’Amman who insured the coherence of the whole design project, and drove and inspired the interior designers, the hotel’s interiors were created by four Paris-based designers: Tristan Auer, Chahan Minassian, Cyril Vergniol and Aline Asmar d’Amman (Culture in Architecture). The approach was to respect history, while simultaneously injecting a modern attitude and a touch of Parisian irreverence.
Karl Lagerfeld, renowned designer and a great 18th century admirer, has decorated two exceptional suites on Place de la Concorde and together called ‘Les Grands Appartements’, which convey his personal vision of French chic and modernity. Landscape architect Louis Benech, with his subtle hand, conceived Hôtel de Crillon’s whimsical courtyards.
Hôtel de Crillon’s 78 rooms, 36 suites and 10 signature suites embody an expressly Parisian residential style that is equally warm and refined. The rooms and suites are elegantly decorated with bespoke furnishings, beautiful antiques and carefully chosen objets d’art.
One of Greater Melbourne’s fastest growing areas will benefit from a $70 million hotel development that will service the rapid increase of activity in Melbourne’s booming northern suburbs.
Epping will be the site of the 214-room hotel that is being designed to capitalise on both the history of the northern suburbs and the unique attributes of Epping.
Located right near Melbourne’s new wholesale fruit, vegetable and cut flower market and The Northern Hospital, construction is due to start in the latter part of 2017 with opening scheduled for mid-2019. The hotel is being developed by Too Build and will be operated by Mantra Group.
Operating as Mantra Epping Hotel, it will feature both hotel rooms and apartments, a café/restaurant, brewhouse, conference and meeting facilities, gymnasium, and an open car park containing 143 marked bays and secure bicycle storage.
Occupying a prime corner position at 250 Cooper Street within the prestigious Northpoint Enterprise Park at Epping, Melbourne’s fastest growing expansion corridor just 18km north of the CBD, the four-star, two-wing hotel has been designed by leading architect Peddle Thorp and Bruce Henderson Interiors.
One of Australia’s largest construction companies, Hacer Group, has been engaged to complete the project build, creating an expected 300 construction jobs.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Arnava Hotel & Residence, Batu was held back in May, launching the development of this mixed-use property.
Ideally situated for easy access to all of Batu City’s attractions and less than 20 kilometres north-west of Malang, Arnava Hotel & Residence, Batu, will be developed over 7,000m2 at an investment cost of approximately £8.6 million.
Investment in the tourism sector has grown in recent years, with a projected IDR 1.8 trillion (£103 million) in investment in the region in 2016 thanks in part to regional economic stability, with the majority of investment being seen in the trading, hotel, restaurant and associated retail industries.
All investment is carefully monitored in Batu, to protect the city for both current and future growth. With growing demand being seen in the property sector, the Arnava Hotel and Residence mixed-use development, in partnership with the Adonara Group, is however well placed to meet the needs of both individual and corporate investors. The development will boast a capacity of 320 rooms—the largest in Batu City—split between private residences and hotel rooms, and offer myriad opportunities.
ADONARA HOTELS GROUP is a national hotel management company which builds iconic brands such as U Stay, Coral, Arnava, Boston and Amanuba, in partnership and collaboration with investors and regional business partners.
Rosewood London is delighted to announce that the hotel has been named ‘Hotel of the Year’ in the Group category at the industry’s most prestigious awards, The Catey Awards 2017.
Running for the 34th year, The Catey Awards recognise the strongest performers, latest emerging brands and highest flyers in the sector, as determined by the industry itself.
The winners were announced at a glittering ceremony this week at London’s Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, following a rigorous selection process by a committee of more than 140 judges chosen for their expertise and industry knowledge.
Rosewood London saw off strong competition from an esteemed selection of luxury hotels across the country to secure the accolade.
“We are thrilled to be named ‘Hotel of the Year’ at this year’s Catey Awards,” said Rosewood London Managing Director, Michael Bonsor. “This is a highly prestigious accolade and we are very proud to be recognised by our top industry peers.”
Style Library officially launched at the opening of their state of the art new 280m2 showroom in Design Centre Chelsea Harbour this week.
The home of six iconic, authentic British brands: Zoffany, Harlequin, Sanderson, Morris & Co., Scion and Anthology, Style Library has made it their mission to Inspire Creative Living in all.
Style Library is the global one-stop-destination for home inspiration. It is the place to find the widest and most diverse range of authentic British home and interior design products that will help you bring every home to life, with something for every style. Now altogether under one roof and easily accessible on one website – stylelibrary.com
THE STYLE LIBRARY STORY Style Library is a global one-stop-destination for home inspiration. It is the place to find the widest and most diverse range of authentic British home and interior design products that will help bring the home to life with something to suit every style.
STYLE LIBRARY PHILOSOPHY The home is a special place, a sanctuary. It’s the place where you are most relaxed. A space where you can truly be yourself and express your personality and your dreams. The Style Library team are here to help release that creativity. Their aim is to give you the power to bring your home to life and together celebrate individual expression.
STYLE LIBRARY BRANDS Style Library is now the official home for six of the best British brands: Zoffany, Harlequin, Sanderson, Morris & Co., Scion and Anthology. These brands have been part of the same group for many years. Now for the first time they have been brought together to make the quest for the perfect home a little easier.
ZOFFANY – Luxurious design, artfully crafted to the highest standards HARLEQUIN – Creating a fashion statement for the home SANDERSON – Timelessly elegant products that celebrate the English Countryside MORRIS & CO. – Beautifully crafted products that uphold the legacy of William Morris SCION – Fun and playful British design that brings a smile to the everyday ANTHOLOGY – Cutting-edge design for dynamic metropolitan spaces
STYLE LIBRARY INNOVATION AND CRAFTSMANSHIP Design is at the heart of everything Style Library does and they are proud to be original. Their in-house designers, arguably one of the most talented teams in Britain, constantly delight and inspire. From concept to creation, all collections reflect their unique talents, personalities and handwritings – with astonishingly beautiful results. They also passionately believe in nurturing new design talent. That’s why they have proudly sponsored the UK New Designers show for over 10 years. Their innovation today is built on the design teams’ voracious appetites for experimentation, their constant search for new ideas and a heritage of solid craftsmanship and historical importance. They also consider themselves very lucky to be the custodians of three extraordinary archives, including Sanderson and Morris & Co. This remarkable design library is a constant source of inspiration and brings a unique authenticity to their products.
MADE IN BRITAIN Style Library are proud of the fact that most of their wallpapers, printed fabrics, upholstered furniture, trimmings and paints are Great British products. The majority of their wallpapers and printed fabrics are manufactured by sister companies in Leicestershire and Lancashire. They are therefore confident that these factories operate with clear commitments and initiatives towards the care of the environment and sustainability. They are incredibly proud to support British industry and to wave the ‘Made in Britain’ flag.
STYLE LIBRARY SHOWROOMS The state of the art Style Library flagship showroom is in London’s renowned Design Centre Chelsea Harbour on the First Floor, South Dome. Dedicated showrooms can also be found in Paris, New York and Dubai.
WHERE TO BUY Products can be purchased from a wide network of specialist shops and interior design companies all over the world. As experts, they can help with the next stage; whether it’s room design, measuring, curtain making, hanging wallpaper or simply placing an order.
We’re just a week away from the Hotel Designs Brit List event, which will be taking in some of the biggest names in the UK industry.
For the past few months, Hotel Designs has been taking soundings and nominations to create the Brit List – a celebration of the most influential and inspirational hoteliers and interior designers.
The full Hotel Designs Brit List will be revealed via a glossy print publication this summer, with a party to celebrate the List taking place at Urban Coterie, London on Wednesday July 12th.
And we’re delighted to announce that representatives from Crosswater are booked on as VIP guests at the event – if you are interested in taking advantage of a VIP guest package, contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or email j.lane@forumevents.co.uk.
A recent study from Waterwise* has found that toilet leakages account for up to 5% of overall per capita water consumption in properties. GROHE’s flush systems are designed to combat such leaks, reducing overall water wastage and contributing to a sustainable property.
Limescale resistant The study states that many problems are caused by dual flush valves, some of which encounter is-sues when grit or limescale interferes with the flushing mechanism. All of GROHE flush valves fea-ture a bottom seal made of neoprene, which is more resistant to water with high levels of limescale content. This means that the seal does not harden or warp as quickly as a standard seal which can lead to leaks. In cases where the seal or part does need replacing, GROHE products are covered by a 5 year warranty for peace of mind.
Choice of water consumption GROHE also offers a choice of flush strength to help reduce overall water consumption in the home. Users can choose between 6 litres for the large flush and 4 litres for the small flush. This can be fur-ther reduced to 4 and 2 litres if requested. GROHE flush plates come in a variety of stylish designs, from white to Supersteel finishes, to match any desired bathroom décor.
Enjoy peace of mind For ultimate reassurance, GROHE’s brand new and unique Sense and Sense Guard are designed to detect leaks to protect your home from water damage. The Sense sends an alert through to your smart phone, while the Sense Guard allows you to shut off the water supply remotely, helping to make the bathroom and home eco efficient.
Michael Gray, GROHE UK Product Manager, comments, “All GROHE products are made with the highest German quality and this is reflected in our long life flush systems, designed to perform sus-tainability and efficiently throughout their lifespans. We are committed to helping our customers protect their home from the often costly and upsetting problem of water damage and therefore all of our products go through rigorous testing before coming to market. Our new Sense and Sense Guard are designed for ultimate peace of mind, allowing homeowners to stop water flow before any real damage is done.”
For the full Waterwise study, please see here. . .
Every establishment is unique and it is often the little touches that can make all the difference to a guest’s experience.
The increasing credibility of travel review sites has made the hospitality market even more competitive, so it is important to stand out for all the right reasons.
Here Chris Tame, Mitre Linen’s National Sales Manager, provides us with his six expert tips how to accessorise your rooms in order to create a warm welcome, a wonderful stay and a lasting impression…
1) Soft furnishings: Beautiful soft furnishings can transform a room and instantly make a guest feel welcome. Whether you want to ignite a certain sense of style or reinforce your brand identity, refreshing your curtains, cushions and bed runners will help create that all-important great first impression.
2) Include a blanket or throw: A deliciously soft cashmere or woollen throw or blanket can add a touch of glamour to a room as well as making guests feel at home. Guests love snuggling into a little comfort and will appreciate this little gesture.
3) Pillow menu: The right pillow can make all the difference to a good night’s sleep and, in a competitive market place, personalisation is the key to standing out. Why not offer your guests a pillow menu to allow them to pick their ideal pillow? This is a unique and personal gesture and will help provide your guests with a fantastic night’s sleep, tailored to their requirements.
4) Offer practical bedroom accessories: Complement each bedroom with practical amenities that will provide your guests with all the essentials to make their stay as easy and comfortable as possible. From quality hair dryers to irons and ironing boards, sometimes these little extras can be a necessity.
5) Offer guests a bathrobe and slippers: Allow your guests to feel completely pampered and indulged by leaving a sumptuous bathrobe hanging up in the room. Nothing says luxury like a velour bathrobe and a pair of matching slippers. For that extra-personal touch, embroider your bathrobes with your brand name to help reinforce your identity throughout their stay.
6) Include complimentary toiletries: Guests love a quality selection of quality complimentary shampoos, conditioners, shower gels and body creams in their bathrooms. Adding them to a room shows attention to detail and will add a touch of luxury to that special hotel experience.
For more helpful tips and advice, call our friendly team on 01685 353 4456 or go to www.mitrelinen.com
Bespoke Hotels is delighted to welcome Edinburgh’s Bonham Hotel to its midst, which joins the rapidly-growing independent hotel group from its enviable position in the city’s stately West End.
A notable addition to Bespoke’s burgeoning Scottish portfolio, The Bonham boasts 49 bedrooms, alongside a stylish bar and restaurant, events space, and a superb location beside the renowned Princes Street in Edinburgh’s New Town district.
Surrounded by bustling cafes and upmarket shopping destinations, The Bonham is also within easy reach of the city’s Old Town and St Giles’ Cathedral, the Royal Mile, as well as the world famous Edinburgh Castle. With its individually-decorated bedrooms and Victorian townhouse façade, the property offers elegance and privacy, alongside a wider range of dining options and superb views of the neighbouring Drumsheugh Gardens.
“We are thrilled to be working alongside the new ownership of the Bonham Hotel”, commented Haydn Fentum, CEO of Bespoke Hotels. “We are fortunate to have come on board at a very exciting time in the property’s development, as we seek to consolidate its well-earned reputation and invite travellers to explore this beautiful city.”
“Scotland has always held a special appeal to me, which began with my interest in the beautiful Art Nouveau works produced by artists including Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald,” added US-based businessman and philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus, who has recently acquired the Bonham Hotel. “I am proud to join the Edinburgh community.”
Cabin, the first hospitality transportation company on a mission to make the most of every waking and sleeping moment, today announced it has secured $3.3 million in seed financing and launched a moving hotel.
Cabin’s one-of-a-kind overnight travel experience enables people to reclaim their time while saving money by consolidating both transportation and accommodation into one simple and delightful experience.
Initially run as a pilot called SleepBus in early 2016, Cabin sold out of tickets in three days and amassed a waiting list of over 20,000 people seeking to be “teleported” to regional destinations up to 500 miles from home. Led by Founders Fund’s FF Angel with participation from SV Angel, Floodgate, Box Group, Brainchild Holdings, Justin Rosenstein, StartX, FJ Labs, and 1517 Fund, the new round of funding will allow Cabin to scale operations both on a regional and national level.
Editor’s Opinion: At the moment, there is only one route between Los Angeles and San Francisco – and at $115 a journey (£88), flights between the two cities are often cheaper. However what Cabin are offering is travel in comfort and accommodation all rolled into one. And clearly it’s a popular concept given the response to the crowd-funding and the waiting-list uptake. I think ‘hotel’ might be stretching the meaning of the word considering the sleeping spaces are very similar to fully-reclining pods on long-haul flights.
But with amenities like a small communal lounge area, Wi-Fi and earplugs and nighttime tea for all passengers, attendants on hand and a bathroom on board, and each rider being able to bring two pieces of luggage for free – it’s not far off. Should this trial run work later this month and more routes likely to open on the eastern seaboard later on; I expect this could be a concept that really takes off in other places around the globe.
“By eliminating the travel time from traveling, Cabin is giving people the freedom to get where they need to be – without having to spend their precious time in transit,” said Tom Currier, CEO and Co-Founder.
How Cabin Works Guests check into their private cabin at 23:00 while Cabin is stationary at the designated point of departure. Once the guest is comfortable, the moving hotel travels to the arrival destination. Guests check out rested and refreshed in their arrival city at 7:00.
Niccolo Hotels, the new luxury hotel brand, is set to catapult into the limelight with the announcement of its exciting new flagship property in Hong Kong. The Murray, a Niccolo Hotel, Hong Kong will open in late 2017, on Cotton Tree Drive in Central.
As well as being the first significant new luxury hotel to open in Hong Kong for several years, The Murray will breathe new life into one of Hong Kong’s most iconic and historic buildings. The tall white landmark structure, with its distinctive arches and unique recessed windows, was built in 1969 and has since won many awards for its ground-breaking and energy-efficient design.
World-renowned architects Foster + Partners, whose works in Hong Kong include The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank headquarters and the Hong Kong International Airport, have been engaged as designers for the project.
With its unique location in a stand-alone building positioned between the Central business district and the green oasis of Hong Kong Park, the 336-room hotel will offer a sophisticated, urban chic sanctuary in the heart of the city. Among its unique features will be a stunning rooftop bar with some of the most breathtaking views of the city. A series of signature restaurants are also being planned.
Seasoned British-born hotelier Duncan Palmer has been appointed as the hotel’s Managing Director, and will bring his many years of experience with The Savoy, The Connaught, Mandarin Oriental and Langham Hotels amongst others to create a truly world-class new hotel for Hong Kong.
“I am quietly confident this will become the preferred hotel in Hong Kong for visiting dignitaries, captains of industry and leaders in style. They will appreciate the sophisticated and international standard of hospitality that the Niccolo brand delivers.” said Mr Palmer.
The first hotel under the brand, the stylish Niccolo Chengdu opened in April 2015 and has quickly been recognised as the city’s leading centre for luxury accommodation, fine dining and events. It is superbly located as part of the International Finance Square (IFS) a mixed-use retail and commercial centre which has become the epicentre of Chengdu’s events.
With more than 4,900 properties in over 100 countries worldwide, Hilton is at the forefront of hospitality design innovation.
Gone are days of beige interior and a corporate feel, modern day Hilton hotels are influencing the way the hospitality industry designs places to stay. From striking interiors and a level of detail previously unseen in chain hotels, to technological firsts, Hilton’s 14 brands feature design stories across the globe.
Hilton London Bankside – a modern representation of Hilton in the capital (pictured above) With more guests looking for authentic, stand out places to stay that truly reflect the surroundings, this property is a shining example, as it takes inspiration from the heart of London. The Distillery, Bankside’s destination bar, is located on the site of a renowned Victorian essence factory and pays homage to its heritage by serving signature cocktails with homemade aromatics, infusions and bitters. Meanwhile the ‘penny wall’, made up of 16,800 pennies, reflects the site’s former use as a warehouse to store five pound notes for the Bank of England. Listen to this podcast to hear the full design story for Hilton London Bankside.
OXBO Restaurant’s excellent use of materials to create space (Photos: London Hilton Bankside)
Curio Collection by Hilton – remarkable hotels for authentic experiences Curio Collection by Hilton is a portfolio of remarkable hotels, handpicked for their unique character and personality, providing authentic experiences reflective of the destinations they are in. Reichshof Hamburg, Curio Collection by Hilton is a prime example of the uniqueness of this newly-launched Hilton brand. A £30m renovation in 2015 ensured the preservation of the hotel’s art deco features to highlight the ‘Golden 20s’ era. Mixing old with new, the cosmopolitan concept for the hotel was inspired by the ocean-liners of the German-owned HAPAG, specifically the SS Cap Polonio, built in Hamburg in 1914. Most noticeable in the hotel’s Restaurant Stadt, the space features heavy chandeliers and wood panelling. For more information visit www.curiocollection.com and to listen to a podcast about the design story at Reichshof, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Hilton Tallinn Park – light fixtures to delight and surprise The first Hilton to open in the up and coming capital of Estonia features an eye-catching light installation by leading designer Tom Dixon. 150 copper mirror ball pendants, inspired by the famous space helmet, descend 11 metres from the high ceilings of the spacious lobby, making for a stunning first impression upon arriving.
Hilton Bournemouth – the ‘Ted Baker hotel’ Ray Kelvin, founder of clothing brand Ted Baker, was heavily involved in the design of Hilton Bournemouth. Ted Baker’s retro British identity is clear throughout the interiors with colours and original prints synonymous with the renowned fashion designer, while guest rooms feature unique Bournemouth vista wallpaper. The hotel’s LEVEL8IGHT The Sky Bar heads further into the past, capturing the essence of the roaring twenties with an art nouveau, creating a Great Gatsby style venue.
The 362-room Shangri-La Hotel, Yiwu opened on June 24 in the 52-storey, mixed-use Yiwu World Trade Centre, the tallest building in Zhejiang Province. The tower offers commercial space, apartments and shopping, and is located in the city”s business district and is adjacent the Yiwu International Commodity City.
The hotel’s design features a sienna and walnut color palette to complement the Dongyang wood-carved screens in the public areas that evoke a sense of place and connection to the culture and history of Zhejiang province. Each guestroom features natural colors and the Chinese rose—the flower of Yiwu—that can be found engraved on wood, in paintings and embossed on panels. Other features include complimentary WiFi, a marble bathroom, an executive desk and large windows.
There are three restaurants and eight private dining rooms; an outdoor terrace is available for alfresco dining. More than 41,700-sq-ft of event space is available, including a grand ballroom than can accommodate 1,000 guests for banquets. The hotel is the first in the city to feature an elevator that is large enough to transport cars directly to the ballroom for car-centric events, according to the company.
There also is a spa, gym, indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently operates some 95 hotels in 22 countries and 73 destinations under the Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders brands.
Thames Card Technology is bringing an environmentally-friendly card material to the UK in an exclusive deal with Nu: Agencies, part of the Nuco International group. Nu: eCard is a ‘green’ alternative to PVC, combining chalk with low levels of high-density polyethylene to create a card with performance and costs to rival traditional plastics, without the environmental impact.
Cards produced using Nu: eCard look and feel virtually identical to other 100% plastic cards and can be manufactured using exactly the same equipment. The cards can supplement the green credentials of the businesses using them, which can give an advantage when the choices in the hospitality industry increasingly include environmental considerations.
Thames Card Technology is the only card producer in the UK licenced to use the Nu: eCard material, and the company will also offer the product to customers in Europe. Tens of millions of cards are already in use in the USA.
The first credible alternative to PVC “We have been looking for a credible PVC alternative for a number of years, but there has always been a catch,” comments Paul Underwood, Managing Director of Thames Card Technology. “Either costs were much higher or the performance of the card was not up to scratch. Nu: eCard has changed the game with a material that is green without compromise. We’ve done extensive testing on the material to ISO7810 standard and are extremely excited about the possibilities it opens up for ecologically minded companies, without increasing costs.”
Nu: eCard is made from sustainable, reclaimed and renewable materials, and polyethylene has a low ecological impact. The low-energy, low CO2 production process does not require water, acid, alkaline or bleach, which has resulted in a Cradle to Cradle Environmental Certification award.
Answering existing demand for greener cards “PVC has been at the centre of card manufacture for years and change is not brought about easily,” adds Ian Brown, Director of Nu: Agencies. “We took our time to develop and test Nu: eCard before setting about finding the right partner to bring it to the UK. The decision to work with Thames was an easy one. They’re committed to innovation and have great awareness of the companies that are already crying out for more card manufacture options. We have experienced huge success in the USA and have no doubt that we will receive the same demand in the UK and Europe with Thames as our partner.”
“This partnership with Thames Card Technology is further confirmation that our decision to invest in developing Nu: eCard was the right one,” adds Keith Matthews, Managing Director of Nuco International Ltd. “This product is gaining global momentum through our partners both sides of the Atlantic and it won’t be long now until consumers across Europe also have greener cards in their pockets.”
The cards are already in use for gift, loyalty, membership, marketing and hotel key cards, amongst a range of other uses.
Read more about Thames Card Technology’s work in its latest blogs.
Last week marked the official opening of the much-anticipated Sani Dunes at Greece’s award-winning Sani Resort in Halkidiki.
The brand-new beachfront hotel on the shores of the stunning Kassandra Peninsula boasts the largest outdoor pool in Greece, an exclusive spa, private beach, three restaurants, bar and indoor heated pool. The official opening of Sani Dunes, after a soft opening period, brings the Sani Resort portfolio of hotels to a total of five, all of which continue to offer the very highest levels of service, style and facilities in a beautiful ecological reserve.
Beachfront location & stunning suites Enjoying an undeniably privileged beachfront location, close to the buzzing boutiques and restaurants of Sani Marina, and with dreamy views of the crystal-clear Aegean Sea, the 136-room Sani Dunes offers the utmost in comfort and luxury. Low-rise contemporary accommodation comprises 80 exceptionally spacious Junior Suites and Panorama Junior Suites, as well as 56 Double and Family Rooms, all furnished with stylish, handcrafted Mediterranean touches. All rooms boast tranquil views overlooking Sani Dunes’ lush green gardens and lagoon pools, with some benefiting from the stunning beachfront location providing panoramic sea views. Several suites offer beautifully appointed terraces, balconies or private gardens, where couples and families alike can relax, unwind and spend quality time together.
All rooms are just metres away from Sani Dunes’ private beach, where king-size umbrellas and luxurious sunbeds await guests looking to make the most of the peaceful beachfront location, while relaxing in the sun, soaking up the gentle sounds of the sea or enjoying a refreshing drink or delicious meal from the Beach Bar.
AC Hotels by Marriott, a lifestyle hotel brand from Marriott International, has opened AC Hotel Mainz, the brand’s first property in Germany, offering entrepreneurial spirits a new way to hotel in the destination of Mainz. As the first boutique-style hotel in Mainz, the property adds to the brand’s growing global portfolio of more than 100 design-led hotels located in Brazil, Denmark, France, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Following a recent renovation, this historic building in the heart of the city has been transformed into a stylish 58-room hotel boasting sleek, contemporary design combined with the elegance of a classic grand hotel. Design details by Dutch interior designer Helge Docters van Leeuwen accentuate the original architecture and introduce a sleek, modern finish where clean lines interplay with neutral colours.
AC Hotels believes that purposeful design improves lives, carefully curating the things that guests need and editing out what they don”t. AC Hotels strip away the unnecessary to remove friction, providing guests with thoughtfully designed moments of elegance. Allowing guests to focus on what”s important to them and elevating their stay.
Guest rooms blend simple lines and modern European style to create a sophisticated and contemporary ambience for guests with open-plan closets, sleek design furnishings and rain showers in the bathrooms with signature AC Hotels amenities. In addition, all rooms offer complimentary Wi-Fi and spacious work desks, catering perfectly to business travellers” needs.
Collaborations with local artists and businesses further strengthen the brand’s commitment to its European heritage, offering guests a menu packed with local breads, pastries, and beer and wine, with hotel associate”s uniforms designed by celebrated fashion designer Anja Gockel, who lives in Mainz.
The Custom Crown pendant is one of eleven unique and creative designs that form the Chelsom custom lighting range which launched in 2016 as part of the Edition 25 collection.
A true statement centrepiece, Custom Crown features two flat horizontal rings with recessed contrasting colour centre sections suspended from three fine strainer wires.
Black fabric cylinder shades with steep angled cuts have Champagne Gold interiors to give a warm ambient glow of gold uplight. This highly decorative fitting can be made in any finish, diameter or shape with any number of lights or tiers. The pendant can be created with a long drop suitable for stairwells and atriums.
The suite in the Balmoral, Edinburgh where JK Rowling finished her book ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ has been renovated along with 36 other suites after a three-month refurbishment programme led by Olga Polizzi.
Fans of the wizarding series enter the room through a purple door adorned with an owl door knocker. Inside, whimsical woodland designs can be found, from owl and bird figurines to tree-themed wallpaper. Plush chairs, couches, and colourful orange and red pillows adorn the cozy suite, and the entire Harry Potter series lines a stately bookshelf, just in case you hadn’t read it yet.
The suite also contains a glass-encased bust of the Greek god Hermes, which Rowling triumphantly signed after finishing the fantasy fiction series: “JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (552) on 11 Jan 2007.”
This summer, Rocco Forte Hotels is marking its 20th year with the refurbishment of The Balmoral in Edinburgh, the hotel that signifies the beginning of Sir Rocco’s portfolio in 1997.
In September 2017, the building that originally served as the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music will be home to the grand 77-room Nobis Hotel Copenhagen, artfully designed by star architect and Design Hotels™ influencer Gert Wingårdh.
Nobis Hotel Copenhagen will be lusciously augmented by such embracing amenities as a gym, a sauna with cooling pool and hamam, a bar, a lounge area, and a restaurant that will help turn this stunning property into an attractive new locus for Copenhagen’s downtown social scene.
The hotel is located next to Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen Central Station, the internationally renowned Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum, and City Hall Square.
From hotel openings to product spotlights to everything in between, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…
1. IN CONVERSATION: REDEFINE|BDL’S SUSAN BLAND ON BREXIT PLANS As Brexit negotiations kick off and uncertainty lingers following the general election, there are growing concerns over the UK’s pipeline of skilled employees, particularly within the hospitality industry.
5. KENGO KUMA TO DEVELOP ‘ECO-LUXURY’ 1HOTEL IN PARIS Kengo Kuma is planning a Parisian project which hopes to incorporate sustainability and hospitality design into an ‘innovative eco-luxury hotel’ which will ultimately serve as a landmark, as well as a popular destination.
8. ROXBURGHE HOTEL ACQUIRED BY BESPOKE HOTELS Roxburghe Estates and Bespoke Hotels have announced they have agreed terms for the transfer of ownership of the Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course near Kelso.
9. ANDRÉ FU, AFSO CONTINUE ASCENT IN SINGAPORE, HONG KONG After the successful launch of the Kerry Hotel on Hong Kong’s waterfront, acclaimed Hong Kong-based designer and architect André Fu sees a contemporary art gallery in Tokyo completed for Galerie Perrotin, the spa at the now iconic Villa La Coste open and the VIP lounge at Pacific Place finished.
Bespoke Hotels is pleased to announce it has committed to a substantial refurbishment and expansion program of Dorking’s historic White Horse Hotel, due to take place between July and November, 2017.
Totalling over £3,000,000, works will encompass the property’s accommodation, including a comprehensive remodelling and the addition of 16 new bedrooms. In addition to this, there will be a total re-design of the ground floor restaurant, bar, events and public spaces at the property, with the aim of introducing a stylish and affordable destination hotel, café and restaurant offering to Dorking for the first time.
Following the property’s closure on July 17th, the dining and events spaces are set to be entirely re-designed, with the current total of guestrooms expanded from 41 to 57. Interior design will be overseen by Squid Inc, who recently worked alongside Bespoke on the opening of Manchester’s award-winning Hotel Gotham in 2015, with the aim of significantly transforming the culinary offering by expanding the property’s dining space and placing a renewed emphasis on local and freshly-prepared produce, available both to takeaway and dine-in.
“We are delighted to be able to commit so substantially to the reimagining of The White Horse”, commented Graham Marskell, Managing Director – Operations of Bespoke Hotels. “Bespoke Hotels and our creative partners will be overseeing a complete overhaul of both the accommodation and culinary sides of the business, with a view to re-establishing it as one of the region’s foremost foodie destinations.”
Nobu Hospitality, the group founded by renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Academy Award winner Robert De Niro, and Hollywood producer Meir Teper, is pleased to announce the opening of the first two European Nobu Hotels in London & Ibiza.
Nobu Hotel Shoreditch London, located in London’s artistic quarter, offers 148-guest rooms and suites, special event and meeting space and London’s newest Nobu Restaurant and Bar. Crafted to suit the energy in Shoreditch, our new Nobu Hotel and Restaurant draws from the area’s creative and industrial vibe.
Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay is like nowhere else in Ibiza. On the shores of Talamanca Bay, the resort offers 152-rooms and suites, two private seafront pools, the new Nobu Restaurant Ibiza, in addition to other restaurants, spa, and boutique shopping. The design reflects an idyllic barefoot luxury style, crafted for couples and families alike.
“We are very proud to open the Nobu Hotel Shoreditch and Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, each with partners who have great vision and passion to create something different and special,” said Trevor Horwell, Chief Executive Officer of Nobu Hospitality. “With London and Ibiza opening, we are continuing our European growth where we plan to announce further special Nobu Hotels in distinct locations.”
Designed by Charles Fitzroy-Doll and first opened to guests in 1898, the former Hotel Russell in Bloomsbury is an icon of the British hotel trade.
Following a multi-million pound refurbishment and re-brand by Principal Hotel Company, its now set to welcome a new generation of discerning guests when it re-opens as Principal London this summer.
World Class Comfort The tasteful refurbishment reinvents the hotel as a five-star destination, with striking interiors by Tara Bernerd & Partners and Russell Sage Studio providing sumptuous luxury. The focus on guest comfort goes far beyond the visible and tactile specification, however. Hidden within the service cavities is a plumbing installation that will be just as instrumental in delivering comfort to guests.
Explains Dave Lancaster from building services specialist, Uponor: “It’s not uncommon for hotels to struggle with water pressure at peak consumption times. “If the pipework is not designed to cope, a drop in water pressure not only affects the guest experience; it can also impact on the efficiency of the heating system.
“In a refurbishment of a historic hotel like Principal London, upgrading the traditional copper piping with PE (polyethylene) and MLC (multi-layer composite) pipe has numerous advantages. Not only does it help to maintain water pressure, but it also provides greater flexibility for a faster install and easier future modifications. Moreover, fewer joints and press, push or modular fittings reduce the potential for leaks and extend the service life of the installation.”
Leak Free Benefits Delivered by mechanical and electrical contractor, LJJ, the project involved Uponor’s MLC pipe for the hot, cold and heating water risers and main distribution. The WRAS-approved five layer composite pipe system has an aluminium core with adhesive either side and a PE inner core and outer layer. This combines the benefits of metallic pipe systems with the flexibility and ease of connection of contemporary PE technology.
Dave continues: “Our modular MLC pipe system allows installation teams to create 300 fitting combinations with just 40 parts and features a distinctive ‘click and lock’ mechanism that removes the need for overhead pressing.”
The LJJ team assembled sections of pipe outside of the service voids and connected sections together in-situ, reducing time on site and enabling them to check the integrity of each joint prior to installation. The flame-free jointing method will also allow connections to be disassembled and reconfigured to allow easier maintenance.
Flexible Solution Uponor’s Q&E PEX PE pipe was specified for the remainder of the project, offering the same rapid installation benefits, reduced joint requirements and flow rate improvement. Dave adds: “Our Q&E PEX system has a more robust joint that eliminates the potential for leaks. A specialist tool rapidly expands the pipe diameter to create a full bore connection and our Q&E ring secures the fitting. The result is a pipe that maximise the flow and takes up minimal space in the service void.”
Contemporary Glamour The building services installation at Principal London is now complete, allowing the final finishes for the hotel’s new era of contemporary glamour.
Decorex, the UK’s leading destination for interior design, will take place this September as the opening destination of the London Design Festival celebrating 40 years of design. Many of this year’s talented exhibitors, both established and emerging, have reason to celebrate alongside Decorex with anniversaries ranging from a successful first year of trading to over two centuries of design practice.
Manufactured in Britain since 1877, Lincrusta continues to make its deeply embossed wallcoverings in the UK and this year will be celebrating its 140th anniversary. With heritage skills and crafts that have stood the test of time, the brand is highly desired and admired across the world to this day. From the White House to the Titanic, Lincrusta has graced the walls of some of the world’s most iconic interiors and continues to enhance the walls of the most desirable addresses the world over.
Formed in the late 1980s, Lutyens Furniture & Lighting will celebrate 30 years of quality design at this year’s Decorex. Leading the way in bespoke reproductions of the furniture and lighting designs of Sir Edwin Lutyens, they specialize in fully bespoke and made to order pieces and are increasingly adapting their range by standardising some of Edwin’s own designs, developing a broader portfolio of new designs and moving into both accessories and new materials.
Emerging brand and Manchester based bespoke design studio, BOBO1325 specialises in creating contemporary patterns for home and interior decoration and will be celebrating their first year of trading with their latest collection of bright, playful prints for wallcoverings and textiles. Expect tropical tones, floral motifs and intricate illustrations.
To mark a decade of exhibiting at Decorex, Hyde House bespoke furniture will launch a brand new and exclusive collection at this year’s edition. To celebrate this landmark occasion, three leading interior designers, Staffan Tollgard, Laura Hammett and Chris Dezille, have been invited to create a piece of furniture in their patented and trademarked specialist resin finishing system, Resinate, which will be showcased for the first time at Decorex.
Sofa & Chair Company will present their newest collections at Decorex to celebrate their 15th anniversary. Known for offering a tailored service, the brand creates handmade upholstered furniture for trade and retail, alongside bespoke interior pieces. See their latest pieces including the Sophia sofa from the New Feminine line, their Ottoman with peacock feather motifs and the curvy Mouna sofa attracts attention with its rich, luscious green tones.
For artist turned designer Susi Bellamy, it’s been just two years since she first launched her cushion collection to great success. With artwork based on the landscape and inspired by nature, still-life photos and abstract landscapes provide the backdrop for Susi’s luxurious velvet cushions. This year will mark another milestone for Susi as debuts her first wallpaper and fabrics at the show.
Leading the way in creative floor solutions since it was founded in 1986, Crucial Trading will celebrate 30 years of designing and manufacturing in-house innovative flooring and textiles at this year’s show. Remaining true to its heritage, Crucial Trading relies on artisanal craftsmanship to continuously explore new weaves, textures and patterns using 100% natural materials.
To celebrate their 5th birthday, Jennifer Manners Design will debut their first collaboration with luxury silk bedding company, Gingerlily. Bringing the outside in, Jennifer is inspired by nature in her latest ‘Stone Collection’ with a nod to quartz, marble, morganite, travertine, granite and other previous materials. Each collection pairs tactile materials with elegant twists – think metallics and velvets coupled with rich textured wool and lustrous bamboo silks.
One of the world’s most respected fused glass designers, Jo Downs will showcase her instantly recognisable collections in a celebration of 21 years of business. Expect a vibrant and stimulating body of work featuring a new lighting range with Jo’s signature patterns and colours, in addition to bright and bold glass finish installations, which will be flanked by illuminated samples for bespoke pieces.
Family-run business, Knots Rugs, who specialise in exquisite, hand-knotted floor coverings, will be marking its 10th anniversary by collaborating with three preeminent artists in the UK – Michal Cole, Arthur Lanyon and George Marton-Clark – on a series of abstract carpets that marry age-old production techniques with contemporary art. The new range will be unveiled at this year’s Decorex.
Social enterprise Fine Cell Work, is celebrating 20 years. Known for its needlework projects, it has created heritage pieces for the likes of the V&A, English Heritage, HRH Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. This year its Founding Director, Katy Emck, was awarded an OBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list. The charity has become a national brand for top quality products handmade in British prisons and will be presenting its latest designs at Decorex.
Roxburghe Estates and Bespoke Hotels have announced they have agreed terms for the transfer of ownership of the Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course near Kelso in the Scottish Borders. Completion of sale is expected to take place at the end of July, 2017.
Bespoke Hotels is the largest independent hotel group in the UK, and the Roxburghe’s 22-bedroom luxury hotel and championship golf course is an attractive fit within a collection that includes the Chester Grosvenor, Storrs Hall in Cumbria, as well as a robust Scottish portfolio, featuring the Carnoustie Golf Hotel, Tulloch Castle, Dingwall, and Stonefield Castle, Tarbert.
The opportunity for expansion of the facilities at the Roxburghe, alongside the development of self-catering lodges, is actively being considered. In 2010, planning consent was granted for 60 holiday lodges, a new clubhouse and conversion of the existing clubhouse to a 10 bedroom dormy house, all of which stood as a key factor in Bespoke’s strong interest and decision to acquire the business. The creation of a luxury destination resort is the principal vision of the new owners, building on the outstanding facilities and reputation which the Roxburghe enjoys.
The Duke of Roxburghe commented: “I am delighted that we have reached agreement with Bespoke, knowing that they have exciting plans for the future and will invest significantly in the business. We look forward seeing the Roxburghe grow in the years ahead under new ownership and achieving our long-term vision of a high-quality resort destination. We strongly believe the Roxburghe has a secure and successful future under Bespoke Hotels’ management.”
“The business has been a particular interest and focus of mine since it first opened as a country house hotel in 1982, which subsequently expanded with the development of the first championship golf course in 1995. It has given me enormous pride and satisfaction to see it develop successfully over the years, but it became clear that a new investor needed to come aboard for the Roxburghe to move to the next level and become a world class destination. We are therefore extremely pleased to hand over the business to such an experienced and committed operator as Bespoke.”
“I know how much the quality of service is valued by our customers, together with the high standards maintained in the hotel and on the golf course. I am therefore pleased to be able to confirm that all the existing staff will be retained, and I would like to pay particular thanks to the team for ensuring the Roxburghe has achieved such high standards in all areas. Although ICMI will not be continuing as managers, I am confident the professionalism, high standards and attention to detail for which the estate has become known will long be maintained into the future.”
Haydn Fentum, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bespoke Hotels, added: “We are hugely excited by the potential of The Roxburghe and look forward to taking the business into a new era. We are keen to build on the excellent work done to date by both Roxburghe Estates and ICMI, which has given us an extremely sound platform on which to build.”
“We would like to extend our thanks to the outgoing management team, as well as to both the hotel and golf course staff, with whom we hope to build a fruitful relationship moving forward. We are particularly grateful to the support of the Duke of Roxburghe and Roddy Jackson, chief executive of Roxburghe Estates, alongside whom we are delighted to be working, and whose enthusiasm for the business is an ongoing source of inspiration.”
As Brexit negotiations kick off and uncertainty lingers following the general election, there are growing concerns over the UK’s pipeline of skilled employees, particularly within the hospitality industry. Redefine|BDL Hotels’ (RBH) Chief Human Resources Officer, Susan Bland, explains why the hotel industry should keep calm and carry on attracting and developing the best talent.
The UK’s leading independent hotel management group has an expert team of over 110 hotel specialists based in offices in London, Glasgow and Frankfurt. Its portfolio of more than 45 properties unites over 8,000 rooms and 2,500 employees throughout its managed and leased properties.
In an industry that will undoubtedly be impacted by any final deal extended to the UK by the EU due to its employee demographic, RBH is already starting to make plans to strengthen its employee pipeline.
Susan, who chairs the Hotel Employers Group (HEG) – which represents the majority of the UK hotel industry’s biggest businesses – says that while Brexit negotiations will take time, attracting more home-grown talent is a much-needed step towards injecting new blood into the hotel industry, and should be the priority.
She said: “HEG is working closely with the British Hospitality Association (BHA) as it develops its Brexit strategy. It’s an impressive piece of work, which focuses on a 10-year plan including ‘rebranding’ the industry to make it more attractive to the UK workforce looking for long-term careers, by tackling the long-standing stigma of unsociable hours, low pay and the belief that hotel work is ‘just a holiday job’.
“It’s a strategy that is required regardless of the current political and economic climate – it just becomes more time-bound if we see the European employee pipeline dry up as a result of uncertainty or fear caused by ongoing Brexit negotiations.”
And while HEG is pulling together a comprehensive plan of action, RBH is working on attracting more home-grown talent and upskilling its existing employees.
Susan continued: “The HEG strategy is targeted at numerous groups across the UK, from ex-service personnel and their families, to the next generation of potential employees and their parents as influencers on career choice.
“At RBH we’re already working to herald the ‘return of the Saturday job’, as we call it. We want to work with young people to attract them to the hotel industry and instil in them a strong work ethic. We’re also developing our apprenticeship programme in line with the new standards and focusing on building on our great base of existing talent, such as developing our kitchen porters into chefs.”
While the focus is on developing and nurturing the UK employee pipeline, Susan does recognise potential issues that Brexit could cause for RBH and other businesses within the industry.
Of RBH’s total UK workforce, 27% are EU Nationals, but the figure rises to around 40 per cent in London – which is consistent with the UK average within the hotel industry.
She said: “So far, a number of our European team members have been sitting tight and waiting to see what happens as negotiations take place, but staff retention has been impacted to a certain extent following the EU referendum.
“The devaluation of the pound – which means some European employees haven’t been able to provide for their families as much as they had hoped – coupled with uncertainty has pushed a number of these employees to return home over the last year.
“However, we haven’t come across any issues in terms of recruitment. Our pool of applicants is exceptionally diverse, and there hasn’t been a substantial shift in our applicant profile, which is great to see.”
Although the most recent developments have seen the publication of plans for EU citizens to achieve ‘settled status’ – with the same residency, employment, health, welfare and pension rights – after five years in the country, uncertainty remains until these plans are confirmed.
And while there is an element of uncertainty, Susan is pleased to see the Government prioritising the rights of EU Nationals and the potential impact on free movement and the labour market as part of its negotiations in Brussels.
She said: “As a business, we had accepted that there would likely be some form of restriction around free movement, and removing uncertainty for European employees has always been key. I’m glad the Prime Minister is prioritising this.
“While the current plans would see those resident in the UK for five years granted ‘settled status’, there are still uncertainties around other EU Nationals who have lived in the UK for shorter time periods. On that front, if any restrictions were to be imposed, we would like to see these introduced via a phased approach.
“I’d be frustrated to see any EU Nationals tied into the existing sponsorship programme for non-EU workers, which is very onerous. Simplicity will be key.”
Susan – and the wider RBH team – will be focusing on factors within their control when it comes to Brexit, and urges employees and prospective industry employees to do the same.
She said: “The government is just weeks into negotiations. In the meantime, I’d urge anyone from Europe living in the UK and keen on working in the industry to take any and all available opportunities, and to get the required paperwork started if applying for citizenship is a consideration. The negotiations will take time, and it’s business as usual for us.”
George Wiscombe, founder and managing director of award-winning digital design agency Maido, talking about how the hotel sector can embrace digital technology…
Advancing digital technology presents the hotel sector with a huge opportunity but also a challenge. With guests increasingly reliant on mobile tech to carry out day to day tasks, they expect hotels to facilitate this, whether through mobile check-in or room service. But it is tricky for luxury hotels to replicate their bespoke white glove service online.
Developing an effective digital concierge is one solution that can enhance a hotel’s customer service with exciting and innovative technology. Here are the key characteristics to consider when creating a digital concierge.
Be customer-centric Take a customer-first approach when developing a digital concierge. Simply put, this means prioritising your guests and their needs and wishes above all else. To do this effectively, you require a detailed understanding of customer behaviour, expectations, and lifestyle so use your hotel staff’s broad experience and harness customer data to determine what services will add most value or which queries are most common. Your website, app and other online sales channels should collect and use data throughout the customer journey. Store customer information and use it to personalise online services, offers and communications, based on individual preferences. This way your hotel will not lose its personal service as it moves more services online.
Automate for speed – but do it carefully! There are many enquiries that can be resolved without the need for hotel staff input, saving staff time and allowing swift responses to simple queries related to hotel hours, policies, directions and more. However when setting this up, hotels must be careful to limit the responses to questions that lend themselves to automated answers. They must also be written in clear personal tones so it does not sound like a robot. When a guest asks for assistance that requires further action, the request can be transferred over to a member of staff.
Ease of use Not all your guests will be digital-savvy tech lovers so make sure your digital concierge services are accessible and user friendly for all. Virtual assistants, for example, should not require an app to download. They should work with basic SMS, social media, or any messaging app. Everything that a guest could want to do with your online service should be made apparent and simple, with concise messaging and clear ‘calls-to-action’. Don’t overwhelm people with information – make it easy for them to access what they want in as few clicks as possible. Hotels should consider voice-enabled technology like Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa for guests to give instructions or ask questions.
Prototype and test The digital world allows us to be fast and responsive in how we use new insights about our guests or market. As a result, hotels should not focus on creating a complex digital infrastructure and handing it over completed. Getting a product to market quickly is far more effective — allowing hotels to test and refine it over time. This can be done through tried and tested fast-paced prototyping. This does not mean rushing out an imperfect product. It means releasing an initial version faster, so that we can make future decisions based on real data about how people are using it. For a digital concierge this will provide direction on which services are most popular and need further development, the most frequently ask questions and what is redundant or missing.
Make it fun! A digital concierge is primarily about the practical assistance it can offer but if a hotel really wants to capture guests’ imaginations it should look for fun and quirky ways to add value and special features using digital technology. Consider where you can add interactive elements that will entertain and engage people such as offering virtual reality tours of the hotel or local attractions or allowing people to adapt their hotel room to suit their mood by changing the artwork, music or lighting tones through a touch pad device or send virtual postcards to their loved ones. Some hotels are now using robot butlers to deliver items to rooms – the opportunities offered by digital technology are endless so let your imagination roam.
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Hilton has announced the opening of Grand Hotel Des Sablettes Plage, Curio Collection by Hilton. The hotel was hand-picked to be a part of the collection.
As the first Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in the region of Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur, the hotel joins a collection of more than 35 distinctive, upper upscale hotels and resorts around the world.
Situated in a historic 19th century building, Grand Hotel Des Sablettes Plage is perched above the breathtaking beach of Les Sablettes in the coastal city of La Seyne sur Mer. With 75 fully refurbished guest rooms and suites, including a 200 square-meter Presidential Suite with sweeping sea-views, the hotel’s décor is a clever mix of modern and classic elements to pay homage to the building’s legacy.
In addition to soaking up the pristine private, sandy beach and the charming shops and restaurants of Promenade Jean Charcot, guests can also delve into the culture and history of the city of Toulon just 10km away, immersing themselves in the lush greenery of Port-Cros National Park and facing all heights with cable car shuttles to Mont Faron.
“Grand Hotel Des Sablettes Plage is the latest hotspot on the stunning and historic French Riviera, offering guests a truly unforgettable and unique experience to unwind and explore everything this remarkable location has to offer,” said Mark Nogal, global head, Curio Collection by Hilton. “As we continue to expand our distinctive Curio Collection we are delighted to debut our first property in France, and soon to open property in Paris.”
The spacious rooms and suites offer optimal comfort, including a leather travel chest containing complimentary soft mini-bar items, an espresso machine, and an open bathroom complete with complementary products. As an added unique benefit, each room features a spyglass to discover boats out on the open sea. The hotel offers one of the largest ballroom’s in the city with picturesque views, holding more than 350 guests.
Following sustained growth and success in supplying custom lighting to the global marine industry, Chelsom are strengthening their board with the appointment of John Hadley as Marine Director.
Previously Head of Marine Sales, John has led much of the company’s ongoing development in this demanding market sector and has overseen prestigious projects for many of the world’s leading cruise lines. Working closely with marine interior designers, outfitters, shipyards and cruise operators, John has helped to build the company’s reputation for a thorough understanding of the specific needs and requirements of this specialised marketplace.
John Hadley says: “We have an amazing in-depth design, manufacturing, technical and project management infrastructure at Chelsom which has allowed us to compete for and win some of the cruise industry’s most prestigious contracts. We have created lighting schemes for some of the biggest names within the industry with recent notable projects including the stunning custom centrepiece fittings for Regent Seven Seas’, ultra-luxurious ‘Explorer’, the world’s largest cruise ship RCCL’s ‘Harmony of the Seas’, P&O Cruises ‘Britannia’, ‘Crystal Esprit’, multiple TUi Cruises projects along with the extensive refurbishments of Carnival UK’s ‘QM2’, ‘Crystal Mozart’, TUi’s ‘Discovery’ and ‘Discovery 2’.”
Managing Director Will Chelsom comments: “John is a true professional with more than 20 years’ knowledge of the contract market and has been focussed on the marine division of our business for the last 6 years. He will help to shape the strategy and continued growth of this side of our business as we tackle bigger and more complex projects. His vast marine knowledge and an extensive understanding of the Chelsom technical and engineering capabilities is a combination that will contribute to furthering our success within this extremely challenging and exciting marketplace.”
In July, Hotel Designs will be focussing on soft furnishings – curtains, cushions, furniture coverings and anything else made of cloth to decorate rooms and spaces.
2016 saw the re-emergence of bold colours and motifs in soft furnishings; moving away from the monochrome and minimalistic trends of 2015. This trend looks like continuing in 2017 and with our numerous Directory clients in this field, we will be looking at products, projects and some of the best examples within hotels.
Our clients in this sector include Gallery Direct, Style Library, Kobe, Altfield and Sekers – you can 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
Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, the latest all-villa luxury resort has opened. A one-island-one-resort concept with luxury villas, the new destination resort is rightly being described as ‘paradise on earth’.
Each of the 120 villas and communal areas at Grand Park Kodhipparu have been carefully designed by renowned hospitality experts Hirsch Bedner Associates and draw inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives its marine life and unique local craft and culture. Guestrooms are light and contemporary with a rustic feel featuring timber flooring, handmade carpets and textured walls.
Bespoke lighting and custom-made tiling and cushions provide a sense of relaxed luxury that blends perfectly with the surroundings. The public areas, including the main lobby, bar and restaurants feature high ceilings, wooden pillars and open walls, allowing the beauty of the island to form the perfect backdrop without the need for ostentation.
With 120 luxurious villas, of which 65 feature private pools, Grand Park Kodhipparu offers guests a variety of choices. Beach Pool, Ocean Water, Lagoon Water, Ocean Pool and Lagoon Pool Water villas offer direct access to beach or water. All villas come with sunrise or sunset views, a sun terrace, indoor and outdoor shower facilities and more. Those looking for ultimate privacy can select one of the five Grand Residences featuring two bedrooms and bathrooms, an exclusive living space and large private pool.
Additionally, the resort features a beach club, fitness centre, yoga deck, games room, TV lounge as well as a kid’s club.
The Viero UK team like to make all of their clients feel special. That’s why our range of surface designs span way beyond the traditional Italian finishes that you may be accustomed to.
Some of our strongest client relationships have been born from creating something unique for their projects. Our design studio is filled with talented Artisans who have a real passion for creating new surface finishes – and they do it every day.
Specification Manager David Wragg said: “We are speaking to new designers and architects every day who are always looking to differentiate themselves from their competition.
“The creative team work closely with our clients to produce new samples that are tailored to their design brief. It’s exciting because it means every project is different allowing us to keep pushing the boundaries of our products.”
Jalu Ltd recently launched its first two collections of striking outdoor floor lamps.
Inspired by outdoor living products whilst working and travelling overseas, Alison Cavey and Juliet Kauffmann have spent the last 12 months “exploring a wide range of novel materials, production methods and designs in order to bring something fresh and exciting to the UK market”, says Juliet.
Jalu’s original designs provide both an object of beauty during the day and ambient light in the evening. Each lamp is hand cast to order in the UK from a novel and versatile material that is lighter than stone and lends itself to a wide range of colours and finishes, producing inherently beautiful and tactile lamps that are fully weatherproof and can be left out all year round.
The company has now unveiled its latest addition to the novel modular Holix Collection – a range of attractive interchangeable table tops that transform the outdoor floor lamps into a ‘table lamp’. Building on the inherent flexibility of this design concept, the existing lid is simply removed and replaced with the hexagonal table top. These new elements echo the aesthetics of the core lamp modules and are available in any of the company’s current palette, including finishes that ensure that each is individually unique. Available in range of heights from coffee table to bistro, the Holix Table Lamp provides both a striking focal point and a stylish piece of furniture for your outdoor entertaining space. Colour matching and bespoke commissions are also available.
Jalu designs are relevant to any setting: garden rooms, patios, terraces, pool sides and gardens. Available to order now, see www.jalu.co.uk.
GROHE is delighted to reveal its brand new Smartbox, an extension to the award-winning SmartControl shower line.
The “Push, Turn, Shower” experience has now become even more diverse thanks to new models and combination options. In addition to the stylish on-the-wall model, the new Smartbox offers a concealed behind-the-wall installation. For even greater design variety, both the spray faces and the Smartbox concealed units are now also available in an on-trend white.
Exposed or concealed The perfect design for every bathroom – the new Smartbox offers an elegant and sleek solution. While using the same self-explanatory push-and-turn buttons as the on-the-wall SmartControl, it features a stylish minimalist design and comes in a wide variety of options. Available in square and round designs as well as in chrome or white finishes, the new shower control system provides a solution for both any bathroom décor and for any installation point. Moreover, the XXL-sized Mono head shower is now also sold separately.
Coordinated or contrasting The latest additions to this popular line are designed to provide even greater design freedom. In particular, the shower faces on the head showers and the concealed fittings are now available in white, as well as the popular chrome. This allows for coordination with the hand shower, which also features a white shower face. Alternatively, the chrome versions can be used to create exciting design contrasts.
Smart and intuitive The new GROHE Smartbox uses the latest German technology and is manufactured to the very highest standards of German workmanship, as encapsulated in the label “Made in Germany”. At its heart is the combined push-and-turn technology which gives users finger-tip control of the head and hand shower’s different spray patterns, while allowing control of the water flow rate by rotating the buttons. The intuitive operation is helped by easy to understand pictographs. When the water is switched off, the system automatically memorises the chosen flow rate until the water is switched on again.
For a truly personalised shower experience that pampers the whole body, the generously dimensioned GROHE Rainshower 360 Duo head shower combines the gentle GROHE PureRain or GROHE Rain O2 spray with the energising TrioMassage setting. The invigorating shower experience is completed by the GROHE Power&Soul hand shower delivering flexibility. GROHE CoolTouch technology protects against scalding by preventing the chrome surfaces from heating up.
The GROHE SmartControl shower system has recently won the Green Good Design Award for its combination of stylish design and intuitive flow rate control. Entries to this award are rated not only on their design but also on aspects such as energy consumption, environmental friendliness and resource conservation.
Kengo Kuma is planning a Parisian project which hopes to incorporate sustainability and hospitality design into an ‘innovative eco-luxury hotel’ which will ultimately serve as a landmark, as well as a popular destination.
The building, which will be called ‘1hotel Paris’ will be bedecked with greenery, becoming what the firm is calling a ‘green lung’ for the neighbourhood. Wooden façade panels will overlap and be arranged in a certain way to blur the shape of the structure.
In a comment, the firm said: “Within a series of repetitive volumes along the Avenue de France, our design strategy was to develop a sculptural form, as if shaped by natural erosion, allowing light to reach the avenue below.”
The centre of the hotel will be open, with inner rooms with private balconies overlooking a series of gardens below. On the roof, the hotel will have a rooftop terrace overlooking the bustling neighbourhood. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2022.
Autograph Collection Hotels, part of Marriott International, has welcomed its third distinctly independent property in Madrid with the opening of Hotel Círculo Gran Vía.
The magnificent neo-classical building is the former home of the Merchants and Industrialist’s Circle and has been transformed into a boutique, adults-only hotel and casino following a multi-million euro renovation. Offering 71 stylish rooms and suites, Hotel Círculo Gran Vía joins an ever-evolving ensemble of more than 110 Autograph Collection Hotels around the world that are independent, one-of-a-kind and share the brand’s values of vision, design and craft.
“We are delighted to bring new life to this iconic building in the heart of Madrid,” said John Licence, VP Premium & Select Brands Europe, Marriott International. “With its grand architecture and carefully curated design that nods to the building’s rich history, Hotel Círculo Gran Vía, Autograph Collection evokes the spirit and heritage of this captivating city and embodies our Exactly Like Nothing Else brand philosophy perfectly.”
Hotel Círculo Gran Vía is located on the world-famous Gran Vía, a lively street lined with magnificent buildings and delightfully quirky Art Nouveau and Art Deco facades. Built in the 1920s, the building was a meeting place for intellectuals of the famous Bilis Club, a literary society “without rules, directive board or address.” The property’s history prevails throughout with classical features showcasing the grandeur of the time.
The hotel’s design aesthetic is inspired by the building’s historic role as a gentleman’s club. Muted colours, textured fabrics and aged wood are artfully combined to balance the majestic with the contemporary. A photographic art exhibition entitled “Memories of Gran Via” composed of 175 historic pictures is displayed throughout the guestrooms and public areas offering a fascinating perspective on Madrid in decades past.
One of the hotel’s many highlights is Casino Gran Vía, the most famous casino in Madrid featuring traditional Baccarat, Poker and Black Jack tables as well as American Roulette. Another highlight is the stunning Royal Hall, a grand and atmospheric space dotted with sumptuous furnishings, which serves as the hotel’s living area where guests can relax, read and enjoy a drink.
Hotel Círculo Gran Vía, Autograph Collection is the brand’s third charmingly independent hotel in Madrid, joining Hotel Palacio Del Retiro and Hotel Santo Mauro.
Who do you think stands out as a deeply passionate, creative and innovative independent hotelier? Which new hotel do you believe has made a significant impact on the industry in a short space of time?
Setting the stage for the industry to recognise its champions, the Independent Hotel Show (17-18 October) invites you to nominate and vote in the Independent Hotel Show Awards in association with Sky.
The Independent Hotel Show defines five differentiating factors for today’s independent hotel: individuality, locality, freedom, personality and innovation. The awards celebrate the manifestation of these factors in two categories:
Independent Hotelier The Independent Hotelier award recognises the spirit of an individual who drives the luxury boutique hotel sector forwards with creativity and wisdom. The individual will have made a significant contribution to the independent hotel sector and has a reputation for pushing boundaries and creating exceptional guest experiences. Above all, the winner is someone committed to the development of their team, the success of the establishment and the industry at large.
Outstanding New Hotel The Outstanding New Hotel award celebrates an independent hotel (operating for no more than three years) that brings dynamism and coveted ideas to the sector. A game-changer with a unique style, the hotel has influenced attitudes within the sector, whilst providing exemplary service and amazing guest experiences, as well as demonstrating remarkable business efficiency.
Hoteliers and hotels are now able to submit their applications via the Independent Hotel Show website. Nominations close on Friday 14 July. A shortlist of six nominees for each category will be created by a panel of industry experts. The winners will be chosen by you, the industry, by voting via the show registration form, and will be announced on Tuesday 17 October at the Independent Hotel Show.
We’re just over two weeks away from the Hotel Designs Brit List event, which will see some of the biggest names in the UK hotel and design industries all in one room for an evening of drinks, celebration and networking.
For the past few months, Hotel Designs has been taking soundings and nominations to create the Brit List – a celebration of the most influential and inspirational hoteliers and interior designers.
The attendee list has now hit more than 200 people, with some fantastic representatives from across the hotel industry; including InterContinental Hotel Group, Hotel Gotham, Fairview Hotels, Mondrian London and Montcalm Hotels. And attendees from firms from the design industry confirmed to attend include Reardonsmith Architects, NH Interiors, Rethink Interiors, Goddard Littlefair and RPW Design. Suppliers looking forward to meeting top names from both industries include Hypnos, Crosswater, HEWI, Hansgrohe, Sleepeezee and Kohler to name but a few.
Also covering the event on behalf of the media will be members of the press from the Times, the Daily Telegraph and the New York Times. With such a fantastic array of industry figures all in one room, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to get your company name on show – a limited number sponsorship opportunities are still available for the Hotel Designs Brit List.
100% Design, the UK’s largest design trade show, returns to Olympia London from 20-23 September. Taking place in the burgeoning design district of West Kensington over four days, 100% Design showcases leading national and international exhibitors, many of whom will be launching new products at the show.
Split into five sections, the show presents products across Interiors, Workplace, Kitchens & Bathrooms, Design & Build and Emerging Brands. With a combined spending power in excess of £3.9 billion, the show provides an unrivalled business experience for architects, interior designers and other design and construction specialists. Attracting more than 27,000 professional visitors, 2017 marks 23 years of London’s iconic design show.
For this year’s edition 100% Design hosts Dealer Day, a professional programme of networking, seminars and talks for this influential design community.
Ceramics feature heavily across both the Design & Build and Kitchen & Bathroom show sections, whether it’s in the form of new flooring ranges from Grestec Tiles, a Portuguese ceramics showcase from Apicer, or Concrete LCDA’s concrete for interior architecture.
Many exhibitors are utilising natural materials in response to growing demand for homes and buildings that demonstrate harmony with the natural world. Design & Build exhibitor Mobilane UK will show their ranges of living walls, while in Kitchens & Bathrooms, Esthec Terrace will launch a 100% recyclable and sustainable terrace system at the show.
Duravit has launched Vero Air, the next development in the successful Vero series at ISH 2017. The new collection retains the iconic, rectangular character of the Vero washbasins while introducing new technical distinctions.
Through the recent additions of rimless toilets, a new range of bathtubs and various pieces of furniture using c-bonded technology, Vero Air has become a complete bathroom range while retaining its strong, design-focused identity.
In 2001, Duravit’s Vero range laid the foundation for architectural bathroom design. With its understated rectangular form, the successful series concentrates on the essentials and can be combined in a versatile manner. Throughout the creation of the Vero Air bathroom range, Duravit has consistently adhered to the distinctive design language of its predecessor.
The washbasins and bathtubs range impress with reduced edges and a striking linear charm. State-of-the-art technologies used in Duravit’s manufacturing processes allowed for this extremely precise design.
Specifically, the straight interior surface and precise edges of the Vero Air washbasins reflect the collection’s distinct look. The washbasins are available in five sizes (500 mm – 1200 mm), and the above-counter basins come in two sizes (500 and 600 mm). They can be combined with other furniture from the Vero series (designed by Kurt Merki Jr.) or from the L-Cube range (designed by Christian Werner).
The striking design of the Vero Air bathtub is a logical continuation of the Vero design language. By optimising the radii and wall thicknesses (55 mm), the iconic washbasin design is reflected in the acrylic bathtub’s monolithic form, available in four sizes, as a freestanding or built-in version (from 1700 x 700 to 1900 x 900 mm). A special extra feature is the new, discreetly-integrated air whirl system with Piezo buttons. This special push button contains no moveable mechanical parts and is as a result extremely low-maintenance.
The series’ toilets and bidets adhere to the classic rectangular Vero form. The toilet seat and cover can be easily removed for cleaning with the press of a side button. Duravit has optimised the flushing system specifically for the square geometry of the toilet: innovative Rimless® technology demonstrates outstanding performance by flushing the entire inner surface of the bowl. Clever features have been added for greater comfort and hygiene, including the use of HygieneGlaze 2.0 and the optional SensoWash Slim shower-toilet seat meet the highest standards.
Following revised planning permission being granted for the Grand Central Hotel, Hastings Hotels has announced that its investment will be £53 million on what will be Northern Ireland’s largest hotel.
Building work is now well under way following the approval of the revised plans by Belfast City Council which will see an additional 104 bedrooms bringing the total number to 304 with the creation of over 150 jobs.
Sir William Hastings, Chairman of Hastings Hotels said: “We are pleased that the revised planning permission for the Grand Central Hotel has been approved. This represents our company’s biggest single investment to date of £53 million and is the sum required to create a top quality hotel befitting the name, Grand Central, and of which Belfast City can be proud.
“The Grand Central Hotel will be more than a hotel when it opens in mid 2018. The original Grand Central was built in 1893 and was the thriving hub of Victorian Belfast as well as the finest hotel in Ireland. Winston Churchill, the King of Belgium, Al Jolson, Mario Lanza and the Beatles were all guests who enjoyed its luxurious hospitality. I am extremely proud to be able to pay tribute to this much loved property of the past by naming Belfast’s newest hotel after it.
“The new branding for the hotel will incorporate the Seahorse which is part of Belfast’s Coat of Arms and celebrates the City’s Maritime history. Old photos from the Glory Days of the Grand Central show the Seahorse motif featuring on menus and plates and our new interpretation of this classic Belfast emblem is a permanent reminder of the new Grand Central’s connection with its elegant past,” Sir William continued.
“The Grand Central is a legend reborn and to celebrate this we have created a building wrap which will be changed at regular intervals before the hotel opens. It will help tell the story of the hotel as it is being built and pay tribute to some of the local companies we are working with who are each playing key roles in helping Hastings Hotels create this major development.
“We look forward to working with a wide range of local companies during this major project. Our lead construction partner is Graham Construction and their building expertise and quality of workmanship is second to none. The structural steel has been fabricated in Lisburn and the cladding is being designed and procured through a company based in Moira. The mechanical and electrical contractors are also local as are the bricklayers, joiners, plasterers and even the tower crane driver,” Sir William concluded.
After the successful launch of the Kerry Hotel on Hong Kong’s waterfront, acclaimed Hong Kong-based designer and architect André Fu sees a contemporary art gallery in Tokyo completed for Galerie Perrotin, the spa at the now iconic Villa La Coste open and the VIP lounge at Pacific Place finished.
With Andaz Singapore set to open in autumn this year and the prominent Cantonese restaurant Guo Fu Lou, at the Murray Hotel, Hong Kong, launching towards years end, André Fu and AFSO continue their illustrious ascent.
Conceived as a contemporary lifestyle destination that embraces Singapore’s local urban spirit, André Fu has sought to captivate the eclectic shop-house experience at the Andaz Singapore, which will open this autumn. Working within the framework of the modernist Duo development by Ole Scheeren, Fu has conjured a layered journey of relaxed luxury.
As guests explores the hotel, a strong sense of discovery prevails, much akin to the distinct neighbourhood experience at the nearby Bugis and Kampong Glam area – an experience that is quintessential to Singapore itself.
Scheduled to open late 2017, Guo Fu Lou, at the Murray Hotel, Hong Kong, is a prominent Cantonese restaurant featuring sensuous interiors reinforced by Fu’s rigorous pursuit of new Asian sensitivities. Designed to inspire and indulge, the restaurant will be elegant and chic with authentically inspired design.
Made up of a 90-seat restaurant, with numerous private dining rooms, Guo Fu Lou is crowned with a sprawling outdoor terrace, a unique feature among Chinese restaurants in the region.
Viero’s clients often ask why they are so passionate about recommending and specifying our range of lime-based plasters and paints, the answer is so simple it’s difficult…
The qualities of lime are so far-reaching that pinpointing just one to talk about can often be a challenge. In another instalment of our blog exploring our admiration for lime, we round up our top six reasons why lime-based products offer so many benefits to the end user:
BREATHABILITY Lime is vapour permeable, which means it reduces the risk of trapped moisture and therefore makes the chances of damage far less. This limits the requirement for future maintenance work.
COMFORT Its ability to absorb and release moisture in a cyclical fashion helps to boost a room’s comfort as it will not encourage humid conditions.
BEAUTY Provides soft textures with graceful and organic movements which results in a beautiful finish. It’s contemporary feel is worthy of any interior or exterior surface.
LONGLASTING It will outlive us all as it has an indefinite lifecycle. Not only does it survive, in fact, it gets better over time
SURFACE PRESERVING Acting as an anti-bacterial surface, it is able to neutralise the development of substances such as mould and fungus. It hardly ceases to amaze us with its unrivalled qualities.
Want to find out more? Check out the first part of lime blog series, exploring the great history of lime. Click here to read.
Areen Design’s award-winning hospitality division has been working on two new hotels in Nairobi, both under Marriott’s Four Points by Sheraton brand.
At Nairobi’s international airport, the new 172 room hotel is scheduled to open later in the year and is expected to set a benchmark of contemporary design, with all the quality and functionality expected by international travellers and residents alike.
Areen Design is responsible for the concept design of all the public areas, including a reception with a double height feature wall, the Lobby Café with a display that changes from day to night and the rooftop pool with views out towards Nairobi National Park.
The second project, located within the bustling hub of Hurlingham in Nairobi has just opened, and represented a different challenge. Formerly a Best Western Premier, this hotel was converted to a Four Points by Sheraton property requiring an interior design approach which preserved successful elements, but brought the design in-line with Marriott’s expectations, ensuring it now operates as a leading business hotel. Guests are already enjoying the same high level of finishes as planned for the airport hotel including a full redesign of the reception, with a new Lobby Café.
Vivek Mathur, General Manager, Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham comments:. “Areen Design’s concepts have dramatically improved the hotel space with a dynamic new addition to our Food and Beverage offering. The new lobby feels so much more spacious with sit down check-in facility for our SPG guests. An upgrade of the all-day dining restaurant Pablo’s is also currently underway.” He continues: “Whilst the delivery programme was undoubtedly demanding, by working closely with the Areen Design team, our deadlines were all met. This close working relationship is essential and has also led to the team now working with us on our airport project. That says it all.”
Andrew Linwood, Head of Hospitality Design, Areen Design, comments: “With innovation being a key part of the Four Points by Sheraton offer, we want guests in both hotel projects in Nairobi to appreciate the quality and creativity of our interiors, whilst also respecting the culture and heritage of the locality. This has become a familiar challenge for us and we look forward to many more.”
A new £35 million venture for Apex Hotels Limited is set to boost the company’s portfolio this summer as the doors open on its newest hotel, in the city of Bath.
The completion of The Apex City of Bath Hotel project is a significant milestone for the Group marking the first opening in England outside of London and expanding the portfolio to ten hotels across the UK.
The 177 bed property, opening to the public on 1 August 2017, will bring 130 new jobs to the area and will also see the creation of Bath’s only purpose-built city centre conference facility for up to 400 guests.
Apex Hotels Limited, which has properties spanning Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and London, continues to go from strength to strength under the leadership of CEO Angela Vickers.
The Bath opening follows a highly successful financial year for the company which saw an 11.8 per cent rise in underlying profits before tax, up from £9.2m to £10.3m in 2016. Angela Vickers, Chief Executive Officer, Apex Hotels Limited said: “This is a significant milestone for the business and one that we have been working towards for some time.
The Apex City of Bath Hotel will be our first opening in England outside of London and is set to be the historic city’s largest hotel in terms of conference and events spaces and number of bedrooms. This is an attractive proposition for businesses looking for new locations to host conference and events and the hotel is already taking bookings from international brands keen to get in early.
“We have in place a very strong senior management team who are committed to putting this venue on the map and offering a guest experience that is second to none.” In the last 12 months, Apex Hotels Limited, have made significant investments in the portfolio including a 30-bedroom extension to Apex City of London with further refurbishment plans scheduled for Edinburgh Grassmarket and Dundee hotels.
“Our portfolio is stronger than ever as our presence in key cities grows year on year. Now the finishing touches are being put to Apex City of Bath Hotel, we can move our attention to new opportunities that will continue to strengthen the Apex brand,” Angela added.
The four-star Apex City of Bath Hotel will open on 1 August 2017 and will feature 177 bedrooms, restaurant, bar, gymnasium and pool alongside a city centre conference facility for up to 400 guests. The hotel is ideally located within easy reach of tourist destinations with the world famous Roman Baths situated just 200 metres away.
From hotel openings to product spotlights to everything in between, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…
1. GUEST BLOG: XOTELS’ PATRICK LANDMAN – STARTING YOUR OWN HOTEL For many people starting their own hotel or bed and breakfast is like a dream. Most are drawn by the charm of hospitality and see it as a chance to start fresh. However opening a hotel, just like any new business, is more difficult than it might seem at first sight.
The 135-bedroom Crowne Plaza Leeds hotel has completed a £4.5m refurbishment, 18 months after it was forced to close for eight weeks following the Boxing Day flood of 2015.
6. SIX SENSES IBIZA OPENING 2020 Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has announced the latest addition to their portfolio, Six Senses Ibiza.
7. HISTORIC MANCHESTER FIRE STATION TO BE REIMAGINED AS BOUTIQUE HOTEL Manchester’s historic London Road Fire Station has sat largely vacant in recent years, but after a collaboration between an award-winning property development firm and an architectural firm, that might be changing soon.
10. LUXURY COLLECTION TO ADD ITALIAN CRISTALLO RESORT & SPA The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts has announced that Cristallo, a historic hotel located in the renowned Italian town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, will join The Luxury Collection this June.
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