Meliá Hotels International announced during the International Tourism Fair in Cuba that it will extend its presence in the centre of the island with the addition of 8 hotels, while also assisting in promoting multi-destination vacations.
The agreement between Meliá Hotels International and the Cuban hotel groups, Gran Caribe, Cubanacan and Islazul, aims to promote organized multi-destination vacations that already include several towns and cities on the island, while at the same time adding new destinations, one of the objectives of a Cuban tourism strategy which seeks to enhance the visibility of a number of cities and regions with huge potential for quality tourism.
In the city of Cienfuegos, Meliá will manage the 56-room San Carlos Hotel and the 49-room Union Hotel, both located in the historic centre of Cienfuegos, declared a World Heritage Site in 2005. The company will also manage the Jagua Hotel in the same city, operating 173 rooms under the INNSIDE by Meliá brand, Meliá’s most avant-garde urban brand, and one of its most highly-rated brands worldwide.
In Trinidad, the company will renovate and manage the 279-room Ancon Hotel under the innovative and youthful Sol House brand, as well as a new 102-room hotel to be built at the end of the Ancon Peninsula and operated under the Meliá brand.
Lastly, in Camagüey, the firm will begin to work with the Islazul hotel group to manage three hotels, two of them in the historic centre of the city: the 72-room Gran Hotel and the 58-room Hotel Colón. INNSIDE by Meliá will also be the brand applied to the 142-room Hotel Camagüey after an investment in renovation.
In 2015, the firm celebrated the 25th anniversary of its operations in Cuba, and continues to announce that it maintains the same enthusiasm as ever for continuing to increase its quality and service in a destination it has always described as “privileged”. The company will assume responsibility for the hotels on November 1 of this year, starting a transitional process in their management which will be completed by January 1, 2018.
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a stunning new upscale hotel in Malaysia’s popular and scenic Genting Highlands.
The brand new Best Western Premier Ion Delemen opened on April 26 and is nestled in the lush jungle-clad hills of Pahang state, the centre of the Malay Peninsula. In addition to providing the perfect natural retreat for both Malaysian and international visitors, the new hotel is on the doorstep of Genting’s Resorts World, which features a large theme park, casino and Malaysia’s longest cable car ride. The world’s first 20th Century Fox World theme park is also a nearby attraction and is scheduled to welcome visitors later this year.
Best Western Premier Ion Delemen is operated by Ion Delemen Hospitality Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the NCT Group of Companies. It forms part of the Ion Delemen development, which is expected to fully open in 2018 and will include an international wellness centre.
Best Western Premier Ion Delemen offers a collection of 246 rooms, ranging from studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, featuring separate living areas, bedrooms and kitchenettes. All rooms will offer modern amenities including flat-screen TVs, international power outlets and complimentary Wi-Fi, spacious bathrooms and large windows that overlook the lush mountains.
This brand new hotel also incorporates a vast array of amenities, including multiple restaurants and bars, many of which offer floor-to-ceiling windows and al fresco seating areas that merge seamlessly with the natural surroundings. There is also a sky garden, a heated infinity-edged swimming pool, luxurious spa, fully-equipped fitness centre, children’s play area, and extensive space for conferences and events.
Following the launch of the new hotel, Best Western Hotels & Resorts now operates three properties in Malaysia, located in Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and the Genting Highlands. This exciting new hotel also marks the return of the upscale Best Western Premier hotel brand to Malaysia.
This year London was crowned the world’s leading financial centre, holding on to its top spot for another year. By doing this, the English capital beat business-centred cities like New York, Tokyo and Singapore. As the worlds professional hotspot there were 3.3 million overseas business visitors to London between 2014 and 2015, spending a collective of £2.9 billion.
Whilst one of the key trends in the UK is the rapid expansion of the budget hotel sector offering competitive rates for business and leisure travellers in a recessionary climate. Overall, the UK hotels sector has seen room supply increase at record levels in many cities, especially London. Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel brand reports that it has generated more sales from business customers than those on holiday and that today they have more customers staying for travel than ever before.
In a bid to grow this customer base, Travelodge has just launched its new ‘SuperRooms’, bringing the ‘premium economy’ concept familiar to airline users to the UK budget hotel market.
This new class of room, the first of its kind in the UK budget hotel market, dials up the comfort factor with a concept designed especially for business and leisure customers who want the extra choice of a more premium room.
The stylish SuperRoom has everything that you would expect from Travelodge but with lots of new additional creature comforts. It has been styled in a modern residential décor scheme, creating a home from home feel. It features a new dream-light colour scheme which includes tones of calming blue, warm beige and tranquil taupe, as well as blackout curtains, creating a relaxing atmosphere for a restful night’s sleep.
The signature creature comforts in the SuperRoom include: • Lavazza ‘A Modo Mio’ fresh capsule coffee machine • Hansgrohe Raindance 3-jet adjustable shower • Multiple power and USB charging points at arm’s length throughout • Ambient LED mood lighting • Larger desk area with a swivel chair • King-size Travelodge Dreamer™ bed • Choice of firm and soft hypo-allergenic pillows • Dressing stand with a powerful hairdryer • In-room iron and ironing board • Samsung Slimline wall-mounted flat screen TV
Peter Gowers, Travelodge Chief Executive said: “For British business, the days of extravagance on expenses are long behind us. More and more business travellers are opting for a budget hotel and last year we generated more sales from business customers than those on holiday.”
“We are all used to airlines offering a premium economy cabin that bridges the gap between traditional economy class and an expensive business class offer. We wanted to bring that same choice to budget hotel guests. With premium products like Lavazza coffee machines and Hansgrohe showers, the functional things you’d expect from Travelodge like our Dreamer™ Bed and USB ports throughout, as well as little touches like hot chocolate and a free KitKat, we are pleased to be offering even greater choice for our customers in some of the best locations in the UK.”
New SuperRooms are currently available at Travelodge London Waterloo, London Farringdon, London Euston and London City Road.
During 2017 the company expects to invest approximately £5m in the initial launch of 1,000 SuperRooms, including further central London locations, London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports and Bath.
Rooms will be available to book via Travelodge.co.uk. They are expected to attract a typical premium of approximately £10-20 per night above the company’s classic rooms, which were recently upgraded nationwide as part of a £100m modernisation programme.
The new SuperRooms were designed based on extensive customer research and in partnership with the designers at Honour, a renowned luxury travel design agency that has previously worked with British Airways and Etihad Airlines on their first class lounges and first class cabins.
Travelodge has also worked with colour consultant, Suzy Chiazzari to help create the dream-light colour scheme.
Suzy Chiazzari, Colour Consultant said: “From the first moment you step into the SuperRoom you sense a feeling of lightness and calm. This is created by the mood-enhancing qualities of the colours used in the room, which includes: calming blue, warm beige and tranquil taupe. The blue shade is reminiscent of the night sky night and transports you into a quiet space where you can relax and unwind. Whilst the beige and tranquil colours are earthy grounding tones which create an inviting space that cocoons you while you recharge your batteries, leaving your refreshed and invigorated the next day.”
It’s been a successful week for the staff and owners of Highbullen Hotel Golf & Country Club after their plans for 58 holiday lodges and a 16 bedroom extension to the hotel were approved by North Devon Council planning committee.
David Tearle, General Manager of the Hotel said: “Highbullen has benefitted from significant investment under the new ownership since 2012 which has resulted in a string of regional and international awards. This decision will help Highbullen take its place as a destination hotel and somewhere North Devon can be proud of.”
To date over £8.8million has been invested in the estate by the owner Mr Frank Chapman. As well as the complete refurbishment of all the existing facilities, a new state of the art wedding venue and conference centre has been created. This is already attracting prestigious events to the hotel from far and wide.
The planning approval will allow additional investment to be made to further improve the quality of accommodation and range of facilities on offer. This will include a luxurious spa, comparable to anything available in the south west of the UK. That will help attract visitors to North Devon who might otherwise look elsewhere.
Peregrine Mears Architects based in Barnstaple and Exeter are agents for the application. Practice Director Peregrine Mears, added: “Farming and tourism have long been the mainstays of the North Devon economy. Highbullen is a special place and we are really excited to be able to help the hotel take its place as the jewel in North Devon’s tourism crown.”
Crucially the decision will safeguard the jobs of the hotel’s existing employees, many of who live locally and some of whom are second generation. The planned development is anticipated to generate a further 25 jobs on site in future.
StepStone Hospitality, a premier hotel management company specialising in hotel, restaurant and renovation management, has announced the addition of the 561-guestroom, including 73 suites, Hilton Cincinnati Netherlands Plaza, bringing its third-party management portfolio to 17 hotels.
Located one block from the Duke Energy Convention Center at 35 West Fifth Street, the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza is a charter member of Historic Hotels of America, as well as a registered National Landmark and a member of the National Register of Historic Places.
One of the world’s finest examples of French Art Deco architecture, the hotel features rare Brazilian rosewood, Italian marble and free-flowing designs on the etched Benedict metal elevator doors showcasing herons and a lotus floral arrangement capped by a small light symbolising the sun. The hotel provides more than 40,000 square feet of meeting space, from boardrooms to ballrooms, including the Hall of Mirrors, one of the Midwest’s most breathtaking event spaces.
Additional amenities include a full-service business centre, fitness room, indoor heated pool, barbershop and beauty salon. A seven-time winner of Hilton’s #1 Food and Beverage Hotels in North America, the hotel also is home to Ohio’s only AAA Five-Diamond fine dining restaurant, Orchids at Palm Court.
The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) has released their first Whitepaper – “Sustainable Destination Management Trends and Insights: A Path to a Brighter Future” at IMEX Frankfurt.
The Whitepaper identifies how Destination Management Organisations and Convention Bureaus are using sustainability to drive the development and implementation of robust destination sustainability strategies. These strategies are supporting their city’s overall social, environmental and economic development agenda and enhancing competitive positioning.
The report draws from analysis of 35 cities who participated in the 2016 GDS-Index benchmarking study. Through case studies and comparative data, the research – conducted by MCI Sustainability Services – highlights ten key insights on how destinations can reinforce their strategy through: leadership, financial incentives and capacity training, strong local community and supplier engagement, and effective communication about sustainability.
According to MCI’s CEO Sébastien Tondeur: “Cities are the growth engines of the future, representing beacons of opportunity that carry the promise of education, employment and prosperity. The MICE industry has a critical role to play in supporting cities with the adoption of key sustainability practices. I am delighted to see how the GDS-Index is promoting a “Path to a Brighter Future” for destinations around the world”.
Martin Sirk, CEO of ICCA, comments: “The GDS-Index is accelerating sustainable development via knowledge sharing of its best practices and innovations. Building on the inspiration of the programme’s Scandinavian founders, the Whitepaper collects and shares these pieces of wisdom with the ultimate goal of supporting other destinations to focus on sustainable growth”.
Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, mentions that “2017 is the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism and for this I am particularly delighted and inspired to see how this project has grown and how the participating cities are using the research for further improving their strategies and sustainability performance”.
Hilton Garden Inn and RAK National Hotels have announced the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah, marking the brand’s entry into the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates. The hotel joins five other Hilton properties operating in the Emirate and 22 across the UAE.
Located in the heart of the Al Nakheel area, just steps from two major shopping malls and minutes from the souks and historical sites of the old city, Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah features 240 modern and comfortable guest rooms, including 10 family rooms and eight suites, with sweeping city, creek and garden views.
Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah guests will be treated to numerous amenities and services, including complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property, a 24-hour business centre, two tennis courts and a state-of-the-art fitness centre open all day. The property also offers an outdoor pool, a separate shaded pool for children, and access to the beach facilities at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa via complimentary shuttle.
For conferences and other events, Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah can accommodate up to 400 guests in more than 500 square meters of flexible meeting space, including a 380 square meter pillar-less ballroom that can be separated into three meeting rooms, along with two large pre-function areas and three outdoor garden venues. The hotel’s meeting space also features four small and medium sized meeting rooms.
Each guest room and suite boasts the brand’s signature bedding featuring fresh, white duvets and crisp linens; a spacious and clutter-free work desk with an ergonomic desk chair; and an in-room “hospitality center” with a mini fridge.
Chelsom are very pleased to announce the launch of the stunning new Furniture Collection 2017.
Chelsom’s in-house design team has worked hard to create trend setting styles, whilst maintaining high quality standards and commercial appeal. New finishes and materials create a big impact ensuring the collection is Chelsom’s most innovative and striking to date.
INTRODUCING THE NEW WEBSITE Not only does the website enhance the catalogue aesthetically, it has also been designed with navigability and functionality at the forefront. Every product is shown online and the whole catalogue can be downloaded in pdf format.
For further information or to request a catalogue please contact the dedicated furniture team at furniture@chelsom.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1253 831450.
Who are the most inspirational and influential names in the UK hotel business?
The finalists in the Hotel Designs Brit List have been named, 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 final list will be unveiled on the evening of Wednesday July 12th at the vibrant Urban Coterie sky bar and restaurant. It’s free to attend if you work in the sector – to find out more click here.
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. To find out more contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or email j.lane@forumevents.co.uk
The shortlist is now being studied by our panel of judges, who will decide the 25 top hoteliers and 25 top interior designers. The panel includes Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, President of the Society of British & International Design; Glyn Adams, Academic at the Edge Hotel School; Patrick Goff, Founder of Goff Associates; Daniel Fountain, Editor of Hotel Designs.
The finalists are:
Hoteliers Andrew Wildsmith – Owner, Wildsmith Hotles Louise & Andrew Macbeth – Owners, Beck Hall Mailo Power – Director, Athenaeum House Bharat Rai – General Manager, Grange Tower Bridge Hotel Marwan Hemchaoui – Manager, The Vineyard Patrick Burke – Owner/Manager, The Atlantic Hotel Paul Brackley – Manager, Shangri-La, The Shard Peter McCarthy – Chairman, Clevedon Hall Robin Sheppard – Chairman, Bespoke Hotels Aidan Flanagan – Manager, Muckrach Country House Hotel Tony Troy – CEO, Principal Hotels Michael Obray – General Manager, Lords of the Manor Hotel Lynn Brutman – General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire Charles Lowther – Owner, Askham Hall Chris Hurst – General Manager, Hambleton Hall Andrew Thomason – Managing Director, Gravetye Manor Jennifer McCabe – General Manager, Charlotte Street Hotel Tom Ross – General Manager, The Pig Near Bath Mario Ovsenjak – General Manager, Hotel Gotham Adolf Schauer – General Manager, The Landmark London Mark Bevan – General Manager, Chewton Glen Olivia Immesi – Manager, Ace Hotel Shoreditch Jan-Paul Kroese – General Manager, Belmond Le Manoir aux Qaut’Saisons Sue Williams – General Manager, Whatley Manor
Designers Ariane Steinbeck – Interior Designer, RPW Design Emma King – Head of Interior Design Europe, IHG Geraldine Milsom – Milsom Hotels & Restaurants Group Sarah Ramsbottom – Managing Director, Elle R Leisure Deema Sahyoun – IND Creations Andrew Linwood – Areen Hospitality Dennis Irvine – Dennis Irvine Studio Dexter Moren – Director, Dexter Moren Associates Malgosia Hendzel – Architect, Alex Kravetz Design Henry Chebaane – Designer, Blue Sky Hospitality Space Graeme Banks – Design Director, Barr + Wray Michelle Holland – Associate, Goddard Littlefair Alesia Sirokina – Senior Designer, Project Orange John Lewis – Associate Director, Richmond International Bee Osborn – Director, Osborn Interiors David Richard Mellor – Principal/Head of Design, David Richard Mellor Yasmine Mahmoudieh – Yasmine Mahmoudieh Architecture & Design Patrick Tyberghein – Director, Carter Tyberghein Helen Fewster – Director, Suna Interior Design Robert Angell – Principal/Director, Robert Angell Design Michael Simmons – Founder/Designer, Space ID Nicholas Hollinshead – Senior Designer, NH Interiors Lucy Goddard – Creative Director, NoChintz Michael Squire – Senior Partner, Squire & Partners Susie Atkinson – Founder, Susie Atkinson Design Andy Cooper – Head of Design, Oulsnam Design Esra Kumbasar – Senior Designer, Wrothams Elizabeth Warden – Principal, Elizabeth Designs David Carter – Designer, A La CarteR
Say ‘hello’ to The Current Iowa; the stylish new Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel that places an emphasis on taking an artful approach to every aspect of the guest experience.
The Current is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, and like its sibling, Hotel Blackhawk, (the #1 rated hotel in Iowa) the Current is also owned and managed by Innkeeper Hospitality Services (IHS), from St. Louis, Missouri.
Everything needed for a fun and luxurious stay awaits you at The Current. Housed in the last building completed by iconic American architect Daniel Burnham – famous for his Flat Iron building in New York City, The Current honours its local roots while reinterpreting what comfort means for the modern traveller.
The Current sources pieces from many of the Midwest’s premier and emerging artists including Ted Collier, Rob Westrich, Nancy Purington, Emily Christenson, Rowen Schussheim-Anderson and Jennifer Hayes to name a few. Further showcasing The Current’s commitment to beauty and community, the hotel also features vibrant creations from Hot Glass, an Iowa nonprofit, teaching art and life skills to underprivileged youth.
The Current is far more than just a hotel name. It embodies the buzzy energy that imbues every square foot of the building, captures the hotel’s focus on providing a contemporary and exciting guest experience, and reflects the literal movement of the nearby majestic Mississippi River. Every detail has been carefully crafted, such is evidenced by IHS hiring fashion expert designer Lori Coulter (founder of Summersalt and Lori Coulter, LLC) to help design the PA’s (personal assistants) guest service uniforms.
In the rooftop restaurant, called UP, space is reserved for lunch or meeting groups during the day and open for dinner and cocktails in a lounge-like setting with stunning views of the Mighty Mississippi. It will be the place to be and to be seen.
Guests of The Current may choose to stay in a premier room, a junior suite, a one-bedroom suite, or a two-bedroom executive suite; all are elegantly appointed with plenty of surprise amenities, and each executive suite features a kitchen as well as a washer and dryer. Always attentive to guests’ comfort, The Current offers three meeting rooms, a fitness room, a swimming pool, oversized hot tub, access to a full spa, a club room, two restaurants, and a private dining room.
The Current is slated to open July 5th, 2017. Click here for more information on IHS. . .
A collection of three islands within the heart of the Indian Ocean, the reimagined iconic Kanuhura resort in the Maldives has undergone a $42 million design overhaul. Kanuhura relaunches with a nautical bohemian design concept that has revitalised the resort’s identity alongside a well thought out fitness offering.
With the guests’ island experience of paramount importance, the new nautical bohemian design caters to a generation who are defined by a desire for experiencing true escapism, driven by success and appreciation for the finer things in life. The concept welcomes reimagined, lime washed villas and suites, displaying refreshing simplicity and elegant touches throughout. Each of the 80 rooms are capacious, furnished with natural materials with a touch of refinement and modernised design for larger families with teenagers and young adults in mind.
3Focusing on an active lifestyle offering, the Kokaa Spa at Kanuhura has recently been recognised as one of the world’s best spas in National Geographic’s Spa & Wellness Collection, featuring a signature Marma therapy; a therapy that concentrates on releasing the energy from 103 pressure points on the body. Kanuhura is also home to the Kanuhura Martial Arts Academy, Project South, a project led by former two-time world Muay Thai Champion Irashaad Sayed.
The unique cluster of the three islands are in a special part of the Atoll, recognised as a Maldivian sanctuary with favourable sea currents surrounded by the island’s expanse of lush vegetation. The main island of Kanuhura Maldives is home to the resort’s villas and activities while Jehunuhura Island is just a short two-minute boat ride away across translucent Indian Ocean. Located amongst the indigenous pandanus trees for a true barefoot experience Jehununhura plays host to Drift restaurant. Finally, Kanuhura’s third neighbouring island is Masleggihura, which allows guests to escape from reality with just the lapping waves, sea herons and hermit crabs for company.
Mr Hauck on the three islands says “We offer everything from total escapism and tranquillity on Masleggihura island to a 300-metre sea swim to Jehunuhura island, a 2.25km round island run on Kanuhura and soon to be launched Project South which will be the first martial arts academy in the Maldives led by two-time world Muay Thai champion, Irshaad Sayed.”
In the heart of Kanuhura Maldives guests can discover local culinary master classes at A Mano. Translating to “touched by the hand”, an ethos celebrated throughout every aspect of the island’s kitchen, all produce used on the island is free range, seasonal and sourced from small local farmers and producers honouring traditional home cooking. The design of the kitchen fully embraces all that is handmade and natural, with lime washed timbers, local stones, woven fabrics and handmade ceramics.
Thailand-based global hospitality company Dusit International will make its Vietnam debut this December with the opening of the DusitPrincess Moonrise Beach Resort on the country’s largest island, Phu Quoc.
The result of a long-term franchising arrangement with Linh Chi Limited Company, the new hotel will comprise 108 rooms in a lush location overlooking popular Bai Truong beach on the island’s west coast, only eight minutes’ drive from Phu Quoc International Airport.
Elegantly and stylishly designed, the rooms will range from 32-sq-m Deluxe rooms to 56-sq-m Grand Suites, all providing sea views, while facilities will include an all-day-dining restaurant, a spa, an outdoor pool, a lounge and pool bar, a fully-equipped conference room, and a kids’ zone.
Phu Quoc, also known as Pearl Island, is located in the south of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand. An up-and-coming tourist destination, the island is known for its long, sweeping beaches, rich coral reefs, and dense, tropical jungle. Popular attractions include Phu Quoc National Park, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve; and Dinh Cau Temple, built in 1937 to honour Thien Hau, the Goddess of the Sea.
Autograph Collection Hotels has announced the grand opening of The Laylow following an extensive $60 million (£46.5 million) renovation. Bringing the brand’s values of vision, design and craft to the island of Oahu, The Laylow joins a distinguished portfolio of more than 100 independent hotels around the world.
Heartfelt Hawaiian Design with Nostalgic Sense of Place Perched above the revitalised Kuhio Avenue in the heart of Waikiki, the 251-room hotel blends mid-century modernism with its Hawaiian roots, melding the island’s melting pot of cultures and the post-war architecture movement that shaped modern Honolulu.
The hotel’s creative design was led by Fritz Mesenbrink and Jeremy Pelley, co-founders of Official Mfg of Portland, Oregon who drew upon works by mid-century visionaries to inspire the aesthetic of guestrooms, suites and public spaces while Hawaiian furnishings from the period have been reinterpreted to give the hotel a hint of whimsy and its distinct sense of place.
“Hawaiian mid-century modernism is the heart that beats at the core of The Laylow,” explains Mesenbrink. “Architect Vladimir Ossipoff’s signature work, the Liljestrand House overlooking Honolulu, exemplified that design movement in Hawaii and was the jumping off point that inspired the interior design and furnishings as well as the exceptional character of The Laylow Hotel.”
Upon arrival to The Laylow, guests rise above Kuhio Avenue to the open lobby level replete with simple, elegant mid-century furnishings and a stunning terracotta breezeblock wall, sculpted in graphic patterns reminiscent of Hawaiian tapa and open to the trade winds, preserving the flow of air and energy throughout the space. Furniture includes refurbished antiques and custom pieces inspired by mid-century modern classics, created with reclaimed woods and vintage style accents throughout the hotel. A hotel greeter with a tray of chilled local pineapple bites and oshibori, chilled towels, offers instant refreshment to weary travelers.
Each well-appointed guestroom and suite boasts bold, custom-created monstera leaf wallpaper, inspired by vintage bark cloth patterns, perfectly capturing and refreshing the motif of the time period. Surf nostalgia photography books, art tomes and an authentic ukulele line the shelves. The colour palette blends warm earth tones and textural neutrals for a calming ambiance, while pops of burnt orange, cobalt hues of the ocean and tropical pinks add bursts of eccentric flair.
Autograph Collection Hotels, part of Marriott International, has announced The Blackstone will join the brand’s diverse and distinguished portfolio of more than 100 independent hotels around the world on June 7, 2017. A hallmark of hospitality and history in the Windy City, the hotel shares the brand’s values of vision, design and craft and it’s ‘exactly like nothing else’ mantra.
“The Blackstone has found its home as part of Autograph Collection Hotels given its rich history, exceptional design and iconic reputation,” said Julius Robinson, Vice President and Global Brand Lead, Autograph Collection Hotels. “Our one-of-a-kind hotels are known for providing differentiated, standout guest experiences, and we are thrilled to welcome global travelers and Chicago locals alike to this latest addition to our dynamic portfolio.”
Following the hotel’s large scale architectural restoration of $139 million (£107 million) in 2008, this multi-million dollar renovation led by Chicago-based firm The Gettys Group refreshes the original work of renowned Chicago architectural firm Marshall and Fox, highlighting the early twenty-first century grandeur and craftsmanship while incorporating state-of-the-art technology and modern amenities. A Chicago landmark on the city’s Cultural Mile along Michigan Avenue, the hotel’s refreshed interior design carries through to the hotel’s 335 guestrooms and suites, which feature marble accents, plush bedding and dynamic textiles. Upgraded accommodations up the ante with unobstructed views of Grant Park and Lake Michigan spanning from Navy Pier to Soldier Field.
“The Blackstone has long been the cornerstone of hospitality in Chicago,” says Kim Corrigan, General Manager of The Blackstone. “The opportunity to join Autograph Collection Hotels amplifies this same distinctly hospitable and cultural spirit coupled with the unique design elements of our architecturally-stunning property.”
The creative spirit of The Blackstone is brought to life through uniquely-curated art pieces by more than 1,600 local artists placed throughout the hotel, including in the Art Hall, guest rooms and public spaces, as well as woven throughout various guest touchpoints including the bespoke room keys, in-room amenities, and more.
A NOTABLE AND NOTORIOUS HISTORY IN THE HEART OF CHICAGO Living up to its distinction as the “Hotel of Presidents” for over 100 years, The Blackstone has hosted US presidents and foreign dignitaries, scandalous political and mob exchanges, a star-studded array of actors, and more than a dozen movie productions. In 1920, The hotel became known for the Smoked Filled Suite following the Republican Party leaders’ secret meeting to nominate Warren G. Harding as their candidate for president.
Additionally, the hotel’s Suite of Presidents saw the likes of President Dwight Eisenhower watching his nomination for president from the room in 1952, and President John F. Kennedy preparing for DC negotiations on the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. In turn, The Blackstone also became known as the location of Chicago gangster Al Capone’s barbershop, nestled below street level in a “barbershop” lounge that still remains today.
The hotel honours these illustrious and notorious tales through “Back in the Day” Turn Down & Other Stories available in each room, encouraging guests to create their own history while staying at The Blackstone Hotel.
Bespoke woven axminster carpets from Wilton Carpets have been used to extraordinary effect throughout the public areas and suites of the Georgian period Grade II listed Statham Lodge, an award-winning Cheshire wedding venue.
With the various patterns of existing carpets showing signs of wear on thresholds after 20 years of intense use, the time had come to replace and so Statham Lodge turned to the quality of wool-rich woven carpets from Wilton.
Emma Walker, project manager at Statham Lodge, explains: “In the past, we had to adopt a rather piecemeal approach to our carpet to get something down as quick as possible, often just rolling out a stock pattern as opposed to one designed for the space. However, we noticed that a bespoke carpet copied from an original Georgian creation had stood the test of time. Having made the decision to start from scratch and create our very own look, this seemed a natural starting point.”
For the entrance hall, reception and Shelley Suite, Emma tasked Wilton with creating an effect that referenced hand-made Savonnerie style area rugs, inspired by traditional Georgian designs found in 18th Century country houses such as the Robert Adam’s designed Syon Park. Working closely to this brief; Wilton’s head of creative, Damian Roscoe, created a design that achieves an air of understated elegance and with the ability to last for another 20 years without looking dated.
“We wanted the carpets to feel like an heirloom piece and so opted for traditional Georgian designs and a muted colour palette also referencing the period, allowing us to make the most of the light and airy feel afforded by the archetypal Georgian features found within the building,” continues Emma.
With the Shelley Suite, the design was reworked to deliver a more formal feel suiting the room’s use for civil ceremonies and in a palette made to work with any wedding colour scheme. The rug effect design works here too, as it creates a defined shape with symmetry that sits well with a centre aisle for ceremonies.
In the substantial Gainsborough Suite, the approach to carpet design took into consideration a need for a neutral feel, again to work with wedding colour schemes; while reflecting the grandeur of the setting. As the principle room for wedding breakfasts and receptions, it was important that the carpet didn’t overwhelm the space, yet that it also wasn’t lacking in character and so Wilton designed a statement Georgian inspired carpet that retains the understated elegance of carpets elsewhere. By giving the intricate pattern room to breathe through use of borders, centre motifs and large areas of plain background colour; the design fits the brief perfectly.
“Emma was clear from the beginning that the carpets needed to work not only in respecting the history of the building, but also in the practicality of Statham Lodge’s status as one of the best wedding venues in the north west,” explains Damian Roscoe. “The key was to evoke Georgian style with low contrast between colours, so that they didn’t feel too sharp and new.
“Creating a Savonnerie rug look with such an intricate design, different in individual rooms, was a huge challenge, so we introduced a subtle floral diamond backdrop to work as an effective border that still had an elegant period feel to bring everything together. The results are extraordinary and show what can be achieved when building owner and carpet manufacturer work closely together with a clear objective.”
As part of a wider refurbishment to the interior, including wall panelling and a new colour scheme, the carpet also proves the importance of designing areas in harmony; bringing the overall feel desired while retaining an individual sense that responds to the unique requirements of rooms. Woven in a high-performance blend of 80% pure new wool and nylon, the bespoke 10-row axminster carpet is made to last and retains ease of maintenance; vital for Statham Lodge.
Emma Walker continues: “A lot of people were nervous about the colour palette, faded blues and reds atop light stones, as it breaks so much from convention, but this was important to make sure the carpets offered a ‘blank canvas’ for weddings. Also, we didn’t want a ‘pub carpet’ feel just because it might be better at hiding stains.
“A subtle scree in the backdrop of the design helps to minimise the appearance of stains, while also contributing to that all-important sense of faded elegance that purveys a subtly relaxed feel. So far, chocolate cake and red wine have posed no threat and the carpet has responded 100 per cent to spot cleaning. A reflection of the quality of fibre and construction employed by Wilton Carpets.”
Crafted on Wilton Carpets’ computer-controlled high speed axminster looms in Wiltshire, the stunning carpets were woven within tight timescales to meet Statham Lodge’s need for an installation process that meant the venue could stay completely operational. Careful planning of the design and expert installation have led to a first-rate carpet that has been exceptionally well-received:
“The response to the carpet was immediate and we’ve received lots of fantastic comments on social media from our guests. When you say it’s a Wilton carpet, it seems to make everyone happy,” concludes Emma Walker.
For further information contact Wilton Carpets Commercial on 01722 746000 or sales@wiltoncarpets.com
Hilton’s Hampton by Hilton brand has announced its newest property, Hampton Hilton Berlin City Centre Alexanderplatz in Germany’s vibrant capital. The hotel brand unveils the 344-room Hampton by Hilton Berlin City Centre Alexanderplatz as its largest hotel in the world.
Boasting a prime location, Hampton by Hilton Berlin City Centre Alexanderplatz is surrounded by famous attractions such as the Berlin TV Tower, the beautiful Museum Island and the Brandenburg Gate, and it joins the existing portfolio of three Hampton by Hilton properties in Germany.
“International visitors to Berlin exceeded five million for the first time this year, demonstrating the city’s increasing popularity as a top European destination,” said Simon Vincent, executive vice president and president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hilton.
“This milestone opening is a testament to the strength of Hilton in Germany and marks the first of five new mid-market hotel openings for 2017 in cities including Frankfurt and Hamburg.”
Hansgrohe UK, the award-winning kitchen and bathroom specialist, is showcasing a selection of their latest products straight from ISH, in Frankfurt, for the first time in the UK.
The new products will be installed at The Water Studio as part of Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW), the UK’s leading independent design festival from 23rd-25th May.
The Water Studio is Hansgrohe UK’s hub of inspiration in the heart of Clerkenwell and is the number one destination for anyone serious about creating show-stopping bathrooms. From 23rd – 25th May, The Water Studio will be an open house for visitors to come and explore, ask questions, try out different working products and meet the Hansgrohe Project Team.
Following the success of ISH where the Hansgrohe Group exhibited over 500 new products and had a record number 61,000 visitors, on display at The Water Studio, Hansgrohe UK will display a new line of showerheads and taps with expressive and consistent geometric design. Also showcasing is an innovative solution for the comfortable and convenient control of multi-jet showers. From the AXOR brand, a new unprecedented spray type, which has been perfected during years of research and is a unique homage to the precious element of water, elevates showering to a luxurious experience in new dimensions.
Product highlights in 2017 will include AXOR Uno and Metropol.
Hotel Designs is producing the Brit List 2017, a celebration of the country’s most inspirational and influential hoteliers and designers.
The full Hotel Designs Brit List will be revealed via a publication this summer, with a party to celebrate the List taking place at Urban Coterie, London on Wednesday July 12th. We’ve been asking our readers to select who they think should be included in the UK’s top 25 hoteliers and 25 leading design professionals – to nominate those they think are deserving of recognition in both fields.
And they’ve come up with some huge names in both fields, here is just a selection so far:
Hoteliers – Andrew Wildsmith (Owner of Wildsmith Hotels) – Robin Sheppard (Chairman of Bespoke Hotels) – Michael Obray (General Manager at Lords of the Manor Hotel) – Robin Hutson (CEO at The Pig Hotels Group) – Mark Bevan (General Manager at Chewton Glen)
Designers – Ariane Steinbeck (Interior Designer at RPW Design) – Andrew Linwood (Areen Hospitality) – Dexter Moren (Director at Dexter Moren Associates) – John Lewis (Associate at Richmond International) – Bee Osborn (Director at Osborn Interiors)
There are a limited number of advertising and sponsorship opportunities available for this prestigious and influential publication – for more details contact Jennie Lane on j.lane@forumevents.co.uk, or call 01992 374098.
It’s time for another edition of Viero’s ‘meet the clients’ feature where we enter into the inspiring world of our good friends at Faux Creation.
Led by Jason Ebers, a well-respected artisan in the specialist decoration community for his application, professionalism and fresh perspective on old world techniques, his team offers great creative input into Viero UK’s business.
While based in New York City, Jason spent a number of years working and training with his friend and mentor, the world-renowned artisan Pierre Finkelstein.
We spent time with Jason and his team at their studio in Cambridgeshire to find out more about Faux Creation and their partnership with us.
Q. Tell us a bit more about your business… A. Specialist decoration is our core business. We are able to offer our clients fully-serviced solutions, delivering both interior and exterior surface finishes using plaster and paint. The business was formed in the late 1990s and operated for many years out of New York and often involved projects globally. It was around 2008 that I focused on moving back to the UK with my family and trying to tap into the design market here. Now, we have a creative studio in Cambridgeshire with lots of painting projects, historic renovation work and a route into London’s design market.
Q. What projects are you working on at the moment? A. Our business spans across a wide range of high-end commercial and residential buildings. We work hard to create incredibly unique surface designs for creative agencies. I truly believe that the UK is a fantastic hub for creative talent and that’s very much the circles we like to move in and work within. To pick out a specific project, we recently completed a job at a 17th century manor house. When we arrived, we were faced with all kinds of decorative issues. As a result, we set about a journey to peel back all the masonry and concrete elements and use more breathable lime-based products to restore the finishes. For us, this job was a real noble calling. The work we have done will last through our lifetime and this is truly inspiring.
What do you like about working with Viero UK? A.We first met Chris and Peter at a Decorex exhibition around three years ago and right from the off they were both very personable. Viero as a global business has a big corporate structure, but these guys bring a family feel to how it works on a day-to-day basis. The support service really is second to none. As for the Viero UK products, they give us a creative toolkit to create unique surface designs. The possibilities are fantastic and we keep finding new, unique characteristics in the products every day. They offer us the scope to imagine and create. In our creative studio, we love to get our hands dirty, work with the products and discover new possibilities. You learn as you use the products and taking time away to work with the products is when the magic really happens.
Q. What do you think the future holds for your business and the surface design industry? A. From a business point of view, we will be concentrating on developing the full-service element of our offering and creating more cutting edge design for the market. These are the kinds of projects that really excite us in a professional sense. I believe the industry is going in a fascinating direction with some sophisticated, softer surface designs. It’s important we always keep in touch with the changing trends.
Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide have inducted 17 ‘historic hotels’ into membership during April 2017. Some of the hotels joining date back to the 13th century. The 17 iconic hotels represent different independent hotels, brands, and collections from around the world and from 10 countries.
Historic Hotels of America has inducted these hotels through April 2017:
Inn at Willow Grove (1778) Orange, Virginia Hotel fun fact: During the Revolutionary War Generals Wayne (Georgia) and Muhlenberg (Pennsylvania) camped at Willow Grove during the southern campaign to assist Marquis de Lafayette in forcing the British to surrender. Inn at Willow Grove was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1978.
Penn Wells Hotel (1869) Wellsboro, Pennsylvania Hotel fun fact: The Philadelphia Inquirer called it “the gem of the Roosevelt Highway.” During World War II, Corning Glass Works, the predecessor to today’s Corning Inc. celebrated its Christmas party at the hotel, and in appreciation, presented the iconic American flag made of 1,438 Christmas ornaments which can be seen today in the lobby.
Hotel Saranac, Curio Collection by Hilton (1927) Saranac Lake, New York Hotel fun fact: An iconic landmark in the Saranac Lake village, the hotel has been thoughtfully restored and renovated while maintaining its historic charm and fascinating architecture, including the Great Hall, inspired by a 14th century Italian palace.
Alpenhof Lodge (1965) Teton Village, Wyoming Hotel fun fact: The Alpenhof Lodge, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. Alpenhof, the first lodge built in Teton Village, preserves its Bavarian-heritage style similar to those in many Alpine ski resort destinations.
Historic Hotels Worldwide has inducted these hotels through April 2017:
NH Collection Florence Porta Rossa (13th Century) Florence, Italy Hotel fun fact: The windows of the hotel bear an inscription in Italian, Per non dormire “[A reward] For not sleeping,” the motto of the Salimbeni family, the first owners of the ancient palace. This hotel is thought to be among the oldest in Italy.
Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa (1400) St. Andrews, Scotland Hotel fun fact: The Old Course at St. Andrews is one of the oldest golf courses in the world. Golf became popular in the Middle Ages, so much so that the game was banned in 1457 by King James II of Scotland, who felt it was distracting young men from archery practice. Succeeding monarchs repeated this ban until James IV became a golfer himself.
NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace (15th Century) Amsterdam, Netherlands Hotel fun fact: Located across from Amsterdam Central Station, the heart of the hotel is built from several 17th century Dutch townhouses that have been seamlessly combined. The hotel’s predominant meeting space is the 15th century St. Olaf Chapel. The chapel, named for the Norwegian monarch from 1015 to 1028, is believed to be one of the oldest standing structures in Amsterdam and is accessible through an underground passageway.
Domus Renier Boutique Hotel (1608) Chania, Crete, Greece Hotel fun fact: For centuries, Chania Harbor served as the first defense against invading armies from the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Peninsula, and the Ottoman Empire. The entire Chania area, including its classic architecture, spectacular towers, awe inspiring gates, tranquil monasteries, opulent palaces, clandestine underground exits and entrances, and historic fortifications, is pending approval and designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel complex that houses the palazzo, constructed in the beginning of the 15th century, is also home to a small family chapel, the Panagia of Renier, which is located on the back side of the mansion itself. This chapel, as well as the gate to the palace, have remained untouched. They have been preserved and are in magnificent condition.
Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden (18th Century) Dresden, Germany Hotel fun fact: Taschenbergpalais had a prominent role in the history of the Saxony region and the city of Dresden. Originally built by a celebrated patron of architecture, and King of Poland, Augustus II the Strong, the palace became the home for generations of Crown Princes and their families. Following an incredible restoration that began in 1992, the palace was transformed back into a luxurious celebration of its royal past and opened as a luxury hotel.
NH Collection Madrid Palacio de Tepa (1808) Madrid, Spain Hotel fun fact: Located in Barrio de las Letras, Madrid’s literary district, and first built for the last Viceroy of Spain in Mexico, the hotel is a former, neoclassical palace. Genuine 16th century artifacts are displayed behind glass panels at the reception desk. The hotel sits in front of the Church of San Sebastian, built in 1554.
NH Collection Amsterdam Doelen (1815) Amsterdam, Netherlands Hotel fun fact: Overlooking the beautiful Amstel River and dating from the 15th century, the original building, The Swych Utrecht tower, was built in 1481 as part of the complete defense wall that protected the city. The tower was used as a military training space, or a “doelen,” for the Kloveniers, who were civic militia guards. In 1642, the civic guards assigned Rembrandt van Rijn to produce a group portrait of their militia company. This painting was later called The Night Watch and became one of the most famous paintings in the world. By the 17th century, the tower had been expanded into the City Hall, and in 1815, it was transformed into a hotel. The hotel’s Rembrandt Suite is along the wall where The Night Watch was first displayed.
NH Collection Venice Palazzo Barocci (1890) Venice, Italy Hotel fun fact: The hotel is located in a former Venetian palace, overlooking the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, and built on the site of the former Teatro San angelo (1676). Renowned composer Vivaldi premiered many of his famous operas in this theater. Today, the images that line the walls of the hotel are all historic Venice from the Alinari collection; Fratelli Alinari being the world’s oldest photography studio dating back to 1852.
Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras (1894) Strba Strbske Pleso, Slovakia Hotel fun fact: Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras consists of three parts, all of which were established in different periods. The oldest is the Jánošík, which was completed in 1894, followed by the Kriváň, which was completed in 1906, and finally the Hviezdoslav, completed in 1923. All of these buildings were eventually linked together to form one hotel complex.
NH Collection Roma Palazzo Cinquecento (1900s) Rome, Italy Hotel fun fact: Originally built as a post office in the early 1900s this historic hotel overlooks an idyllic garden. In front of this garden is a section of the Servian Wall, which was constructed to protect “The Eternal City” in the 4th century BC.
Hotel Adlon Kempinski (1907) Berlin, Germany Hotel fun fact: Hotel Adlon Kempinski is one of the most legendary hotels in Germany. The list of famous guests that stayed at the original Hotel Adlon is a virtual “who’s who” of celebrities and entertainers. Albert Einstein could often be seen in the window of his corner suite, which overlooked the Brandenburg Gate, waving to pedestrians on the Pariser Platz below. Suite 101-114 was the preferred room of Charlie Chaplin. Other famous guests include industrialists Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, Presidents Herbert Hoover, Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt; and Hollywood luminaries Mary Pickford and Josephine Baker. The second Hotel Adlon re-opened on August 23, 1997 and celebrates over 100 years of history.
NH Collection Brussels Centre (1926) Brussels, Belgium Hotel fun fact: This Art Deco hotel near the Rue Neuve, was built for visitors to the 1930 World Exposition. In honor of its centennial, Belgium welcomed guests from around the world to two massive fairs in Liege and Antwerp. The hotel was designed by Michel Polak (1885-1948), a famous Belgian architect recognized for his art deco, classicism, and modernism architectural styles. He is credited with numerous projects within Europe including the renovation of the personal Villa for Henri Nestlé, founder of the Nestlé Company, in Montreux, Switzerland.
Tivoli Lisboa (1933) Lisbon, Portugal Hotel fun fact: The Tivoli Lisboa is just a short walk from traditional Portuguese neighborhoods such as the Bairro Alto and Chiado. The hotel’s name is from the landmark music hall/cinema (Teatro Tivoli) that still occupies the western corner of the Avenida da Liberdade. Beatriz Costa was the biggest star of musical theatre in Portugal and Brazil. She lived the last 30 years of her life in room number 600 and is the “soul” of the hotel.
“We are delighted to have inducted these four legendary historic hotels into Historic Hotels of America and these 13 iconic historic hotels into Historic Hotels Worldwide through April 2017,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “We are very pleased to announce new partnerships with NH Collection Hotels and with Kempinski Hotels and look forward to inducting additional historic hotels in 2017 from each of these companies. We commend these companies for their tremendous stewardship of their historic hotels. Based on nominations currently in review, we expect to announce later this year the induction of many more independent historic hotels as well as historic hotels representing many brands and collections into both historic programs.”
Michael Toedt, Managing Partner and CEO at TS&C GmbH talks about a fascinating and at the same time scary topic entering our working world: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Many industries are already looking for ways to apply AI. So far, not much activity can be seen in the hospitality industry…
More Individuality through Big Data Artificial Intelligence is a key element of Big Data – also called the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The rational behind is simple and complex at the same time: to find out as much as possible about a customer by using comprehensive data management to then use the insights in order to meet the customer’s individual needs. Big Bata stands for individuality. The essential resource is data – huge amounts of data. The maxim is the more data, the better.
Machine Learning is an aspect of Artificial Intelligence, which generates valuable information from more or less useless data. Systems like the Profile Engine by dailypoint™ help to draw conclusions from each booking, each click and each movement. This helps hoteliers to create a constantly growing and learning centralized guest profile.
Central Data Management is the Key The prerequisite for Machine Learning is a centralized system, where all relevant data streams are linked and the data is stored. Many hotels still use isolated solutions without sufficient linkage, which prevents valuable use of the available data. The constantly growing flood of data can only be leveraged when using a CDM (Central Data Management), which is the consequent evolution of a modern CRM.
Machine Learning helps to create a comprehensive guest profile, which can be used to create a unique customer journey and guest experience. Modern consumers expect tailor-made solutions at all touch points – from the first contact to the proposal, during the actual stay and in CRM. To live ones individuality and to make personalized experiences is the new luxury. This is also valid for hotel stays. The better you know your customer, the better you can adapt your offering and personalize the guest experience.
Mass Commodity Products are passé Such a comprehensive knowledge base can only be created with the support of Machine Learning. The goal is to create unique experiences for all your customers and not just a few! This will give you a clear competitive advantage and will show in positive economic results. Also mass commodity hotel products are passé. It makes no longer sense to gain information about the guest by observation and manual processing of the gained information. Questionnaires or observations are outdated; new approaches using the new technology can bring much more information. Hoteliers will know more about their guests than ever before, more than most people can imagine today. The information just needs to be used in a creative and targeted manner.
The intelligent hotel Intelligent hotels, where all data streams are linked, are the future. In an intelligent hotel all systems are interlinked, similar to an organism where everything is connected and supplied through veins and arteries. The Internet of Things (IoT) will help to further develop the personalized guest experience. The connection of room control, motion sensors, the integrated TV and voice control systems, such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri or Microsoft’s Cortana are developments which will also impact the hospitality industry.
We are facing quite some changes and it’s wise to face them, as this is only the beginning of a huge change process.
The Biltmore Hotel, a national historic landmark and luxury hotel in the heart of Coral Gables, has announced that it has engaged with D’Shakil Designs and Studio 5 Design + Architecture to design new enhancements to the hotel’s legendary main lobby. Set to be completed by July 2017, the enhancements will include new materials, drapery and furniture throughout the space.
Drawing inspiration from the property’s iconic architecture and ceiling frescos, D’Shakil Designs and Studio 5 will follow the original vision set by George Merrick, the influential developer behind Coral Gables and an instrumental figure in establishing The Biltmore Hotel. Merrick combined his deep affection for lush South Florida landscape with his high regard for classic Italian, Moorish and Spanish influences, resulting in the spectacular Mediterranean architecture that currently graces the hotel’s signature main lobby. The firms utilised this blueprint when curating the lobby’s new design by incorporating luxurious fabrics and materials that offer a new approach while still maintaining the integrity of the hotel’s historic past.
“These new enhancements will bring an added element of style to the hotel, creating an improved sense of luxury that also reflects The Biltmore’s historic legacy,” said Matthias Kammerer, Managing Director at The Biltmore Hotel. “This new design will bring a fresh take to the details and décor of the lobby, all while continuing to offer guests a glimpse into the hotel’s storied past.”
Utilising wood inlays, gold leaf, and luxurious materials, a synergy of style and substance will transpire to bring a modern touch that maintains the hotel’s traditional feel. Luxurious and detailed wool carpeting with deep blue hues will be introduced as a stand-out piece, along with rich green and blue velvet tufted furniture that pay homage to The Biltmore’s distinguished reputation as a landmark destination for opulence and grandeur.
Engaged to bring the best of the design world to The Biltmore Hotel, locally based D’Shakil Designs and Studio 5 Design + Architecture come together with years of hospitality design experience and decades of high end residential design expertise.
“We’re thrilled to have partnered with D’Shakil Designs to enhance the iconic main lobby of The Biltmore Hotel,” said Noel J. Torres, Principal of Studio 5 Design + Architecture. “Our vision was to bring a more current feel to the space while still honoring its rich history. Together with the hotel’s incredible team, we feel that we have achieved this goal, and we look forward to unveiling the updated main lobby to guests very soon.”
Endorsing their brand positioning, the Scandinavian hotel group First Hotels have been working with Modulex on more than 10 hotels – designing, delivering and installing both internal and external signage.
With a focus on creating positive and memorable guest experiences across their 90 hotels located in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Spain, Modulex are Preferred Partners with First Hotels.
The arrival experience for weary travelers is an opportunity for hotel operators to deliver excellent customer service. By carefully planning the arrival journey, signage can be positioned in the optimum location using all the tools at the disposal of the Modulex design team to ensure clear visibility. This experience can set the tone for the entire guest stay and is an opportunity to endorse core brand values.
With Account Managers based across Scandinavia Modulex is perfectly placed to accommodate the requirements of First Hotels whose teams are located in Sweden and Norway. The design team based in Oslo ensured not only consistent, quality brand delivery but also worked with Modulex on local analysis of the arrival experience and will be continuing to work with Modulex during 2017.
To discover how Modulex can help your hotel brand deliver wayfinding and signage excellence whilst optimising the guest experience contact Modulex on info@modulex.com
Redefine|BDL Hotels has announced that it will manage the upcoming Courtyard by Marriott London Luton Airport hotel undertaken by Polcom Developments. The hotel is expected to open early in 2018.
The new 250-bedroom modular build hotel will be situated just 10 minutes’ walk from Luton Airport’s departure lounge, and will boast thoughtfully designed guestrooms that promote comfort and productivity, plus a bar, bistro and gym.
Polcom Developments has already begun building the hotel rooms at its factory in Gdansk, Poland and, when ready, they’ll be transported to the hotel site ready for construction.
RBH – the UK’s leading independent hotel management company – which already counts Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh and the modular-build Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh West among its portfolio of properties, will manage the hotel once complete.
Ross Morrow, RBH’s Chief Development Officer, said: “Courtyard by Marriott London Luton Airport will be the second hotel in the RBH portfolio to be built using Polcom’s innovative modular construction. With the main components of the hotel being built in a factory setting, it minimises the time spent on-site and really speeds up completion of what is set to be a fantastic hotel.
“We’re delighted to be working again with Polcom Developments on the project, following a successful start to our partnership on Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh West.”
RBH’s portfolio includes private label and branded properties, including IHG, Hilton, Accor, Marriott, Best Western and Wyndham hotels.
Here at Hotel Designs, we’ve been asking our readers to select who they think should be included in the UK’s top 25 hoteliers and 25 leading design professionals – to nominate those they think are deserving of recognition in both fields.
The selections then go to our advisory board of judges, representatives from across the hotel and design industry.
Here we’re profiling our first judge, Dr. Vanessa Brady OBE…
Vanessa is an international multi-award winning interior designer, Business Consultant and Founder of the Society of British and International Design with over thirty years’ experience in B2B procurement and post analysis of the design profession.
She has been acknowledged for a number of high level business and design achievement awards; such as the 2013 Woman in the City, Woman of Achievement Award for the Built Environment and in 2014 was awarded an OBE for her services to the design industry and UK economy.
In 2015, she also received an honorary degree titled Doctor of Design from Southampton Solent University, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the interior design industry.
A hotel which can claim to be London’s ‘smallest’ has opened in Shoreditch – it contains just one room available to book.
The Napoleon Hotel’s single offering is a luxury 430sqft suite complete with three bars, and will cost guests £180 per night. The two new bars, the Sack and The Devil’s Darling, were designed by bottled cocktail makers Thomas Aske and Tristan Stephenson. At basement level is a whisky den, the ground floor is a sherry bar and on the first floor is a cocktail bar.
The room is equipped with a service elevator, which provides room-service food and drink from any of one of these bars. For breakfast, food is delivered to the room by the same elevator.
The suite sits on the second floor of the hotel and is equipped with a drinks trolley with bottled cocktails from the Aske Stephenson range. Speaking to the media, Aske said: “The space we had available for the hotel room could have housed two smaller rooms, but the decision was made to offer a more luxurious experience through one spacious suite.
“We feel that by having only one suite, the focus is on the guest experience and hospitality allowing us to tailor their stay and ensure that they have the staff’s dedicated attention.
“As Fluid Movement are bar operators we wanted to ensure we stayed true to this by offering three unique bar concepts within the hotel, creating an uncommon ratio of bars to rooms. Our guests can experience an entire evening of world class drinks without leaving the hotel.”
Just over half (52 per cent) of hotels, conference venues and booking agencies say that Brexit has had a noticeable impact on their businesses, with 7 per cent saying that it has had a major effect.
These are among the key findings of a survey of Hospitality Booking Agents Association (HBAA) members in the run up to the first anniversary of the referendum on European Union membership. The survey also found that 20 per cent of members felt that Brexit had had an impact on their ability to recruit staff while 80 per cent said that it had not had any effect.
Observations from members as they completed the survey give interesting insights into where the impact has been seen. They reveal a range of different issues and both positive and negative results.
Diane Waldron of the QEII Centre in London said; “We have seen an increase in enquiries from international clients as London has become a more affordable destination for their events.” LaiHa Diamond from the Kingsway Hall Hotel echoed this, reporting an increase in business from the USA, as did Jonathan Byrne of the Royal Foundation of St Katherine, also in London, attributing extra business from Europe to the weakness of the pound.
Hotel and venue members outside London did not report such benefits from the exchange rate. Instead several said that it had increased the costs of imported food and beverages. Giving an agency perspective, Penny Banyard of First Choice Conferences & Events reflected the views of many members by saying “Clients are much more cautious.”
Recruitment Looking at the recruitment aspect, Sally Raith-Riches of Foxhills Country Club & Resort said; “If we can’t recruit from Europe across our Food and Beverage departments this will have a severe impact. But until this is confirmed we will continue with business as usual.” However Rajesh Vohra of Sarova Hotels commented: “Recruitment was a problem area before Brexit, but now it is a major issue, and it is getting materially worse by the day.” Philip Allsopp of Lea Marston Hotels also noted; “Recruitment has been difficult for many years, I think the Brexit debate is masking the problem. We need to look at more creative ways to engage people to want to work in our industry.”
The survey then asked whether members expected to change their recruitment policy in the near future. 12 per cent said they would while 88 per cent replied “No.”
Brexit is impacting the hospitality industry, so says HBAA
However, looking further ahead, Mark Jones of Wyboston Lakes commented; “Whilst we have not experienced any notable changes to date, we expect recruitment to become tougher as we end 2018 and enter 2019. At that time we do expect that recruitment policies will have to change and anticipate that if we are to continue attracting sufficient talent from the UK and worldwide, we will have to provide accommodation to facilitate this.”
Summing up the overall viewpoint, several members including Sean Philby of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and Marc Webster of Jury’s Inn said that it is too early to know the impact of Brexit as most of the trends so far may be short term and not exclusively attributable to Brexit. Only once the post Article 50 negotiations have progressed will the effect be clearer. Louise Goalen, HBAA Chair and MD of Bela Events commented; “We all have our own different experiences and opinions about the impact of Brexit so it is valuable to have an industry wide ‘snapshot’ with which to benchmark them and to provide an overall view. As our members say, it is early days and the variety of impact even seems to vary regionally. It will be very interesting to ask again them a year and two years from now.”
In anticipation of its opening later this year, the all-new Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya is now confirming arrivals as of 1 September, 2017.
Located in one of the city’s most architecturally striking buildings in the heart of its government and business areas, the Hotel will welcome international business travellers, weekend getaways and local clientele with its chic dining options and extensive event space.
“It’s an exciting time as we prepare to introduce Four Seasons signature luxury and personalised service to Kuwait for the first time,” says General Manager Didier Jardin, who leads a team of 415 handpicked staff of 40 different nationalities. “Whether in town to do business or enjoy an urban getaway, Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait is set to become the focal point for both the city’s elite and our international guests.”
The glamorous new centrepiece of Kuwait City, all-new Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait is part of an impressive, modern two-tower mixed-use complex on Al Soor Street, offering a new experience in luxury just 20 minutes from the international airport. The location is convenient for business travellers, with easy access to leisure pursuits including shopping at Souk Al Mubarakiya and Kuwait’s largest luxury shopping mall, as well as important sites such as Kuwait Towers, the Sheikh Jaber Cultural Centre and the Kuwait National Museum.
The hotel features include 284 guest rooms and suites, five restaurant and lounge concepts, the city’s most elegant and well-equipped event spaces, and numerous leisure facilities, including a two-storey spa and fitness centre, and indoor and outdoor pools.
Dominvs Group has been granted planning consent from the City of London Corporation for an 82,500-sq-ft hotel on Ludgate Hill located in close proximity to St Paul’s Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Dominvs will develop and operate the hotel under a yet to be announced brand. The luxury hotel will offer guest bedrooms across six floors, with some offering uninterrupted views of St. Paul’s Cathedral. There will be a restaurant and spa, both of which will welcome hotel guests as well as local visitors and residents to enjoy a meal or treatment. Consent also includes the retention of an existing retail unit on the ground floor.
The scheme lies in the St Paul’s Cathedral conservation area and has been designed to a BREEAM Excellent level, representing the highest possible environmental and sustainability standards. The façade of Creed Court will be retained and existing buildings on the site will be demolished, followed by the construction of a new part-five and part-seven storey building with three basement levels.
In recommending the scheme for approval, Planning Officers stated that the proposed building would “preserve the character and appearance of the St Paul’s conservation area” and that the design would “minimise the potential impact on nearby residential occupiers in relation to privacy, overlooking, noise, daylight and sunlight”.
Preet Ahluwalia, on behalf of Dominvs Group and the Ahluwalia family, commented: “We are immensely grateful for the hard work that has gone into this proposal by the design team, planning consultants and the local council. That the final scheme has been deemed a valuable addition to the historic St Paul’s area is a testament to this hard work. Dominvs Group is committed to developing high-quality hotel accommodation, while remaining sensitive to the treasured London locations in which we build.”
This will be Dominvs’ second development in the capital, with work already underway on the conversion of the former Tower Bridge Magistrates Court into a luxury 200-bedroom hotel. The hotel will be in partnership with Marriott and part of the Autograph Collection. A further hotel development is planned for London on a site Dominvs acquired last year on Old Marylebone Road, Westminster.
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a management agreement with Callaloo Cay Antigua for the brand’s first new-build resort in the Caribbean, Waldorf Astoria Antigua.
Scheduled to open in 2020, the elegant resort in the middle of the Leeward Islands will provide unparalleled service and one-of-a-kind experiences where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic.
The resort’s 95 guest rooms and 25 branded villas, including beachfront suites and hilltop accommodations, will boast breathtaking views of the bay and calming lush surroundings, providing the ideal space for a comfortable and exclusive stay.
“We are pleased to embark on this exciting development with Hilton and build a landmark luxury resort in the heart of this island sanctuary,” said Dawood Shah, senior vice president, business development, Callaloo Cay Antigua. “Hilton’s nearly 100 years of renowned hospitality, combined with the timeless sophistication of Waldorf Astoria, will help position this resort as the finest choice for luxury travel in Antigua and marquis development in global citizenship.”
Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is a Caribbean paradise that welcomes visitors with calming ocean breezes and pristine natural wonders while boasting fine sand beaches, sapphire waters, untouched coral reefs, lush tropical surroundings and more. Visitors can take in the island’s rich history and culture, or experience one of the island’s most famous activities such as sailing and yachting.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it has signed a management contract to manage, and ultimately brand, a 310-room hotel currently operating in Santiago, Chile.
The Group will take over management of the property from August 2017, and rename it Hotel Santiago. Following an extensive guestroom and public area renovation, the first stage of which is scheduled to complete in August 2018, the hotel will be rebranded Mandarin Oriental, Santiago. This will be the Group’s first property in South America.
Hotel Santiago is located in the heart of the city’s most important commerce and leisure district, known as Las Condes, home to two luxury shopping malls, restaurants, museums and theatres. It is also close to the exclusive residential neighbourhood of Vitacura. The property is owned by Hotel Corporation of Chile (HCC).
The property comprises 310 guestrooms including 23 suites with commanding views of the city and the Andes. Its 25,000-square meter grounds contain a large free-form outdoor pool and landscaped gardens which provide a resort environment for guests. The hotel currently features five restaurants and bars as well as extensive banqueting and meeting space. Additional facilities include a spa and fitness centre.
Hotel Santiago will continue to operate throughout the first phase of the renovation which will reposition the property as a Mandarin Oriental hotel from August 2018. The new luxury accommodation, public areas and landscaped gardens will be redesigned to reflect local culture, with features inspired by Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage.
The Group’s expertise in design, award-winning restaurants and spas will contribute to the overall renovation, which includes a future second phase covering the spa, food and beverage facilities and banqueting space. This will commence in late 2018.
Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, marking a significant milestone as the company’s 100th hotel in Latin America.
The 545-room beachfront Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana is one of the largest hotels in the famous Copacabana neighbourhood, one of Brazil’s most visited destinations, and represents Hilton’s second property in the city.
“The opening of our 100th hotel in Latin America solidifies our commitment to strategically expanding our footprint and introducing our industry-leading brands throughout this promising region,” said Ian Carter, president, global development, architecture, design and construction, Hilton. “This milestone is a testament to the strength of our brands and the steadfastness of our teams to deliver success stories.”
Key hotel deals, productive partnerships and many momentous openings paved the way for Hilton to reach the 100 hotel mark in Latin America, where it now supplies approximately 17,000 rooms across nine brands and boasts a pipeline of more than 70 projects across the region.
The iconic beachfront hotel in Rio, which was built in 1975 and completed an extensive renovation in 2011, includes 545 rooms featuring the brand’s sophisticated amenities for guests traveling on leisure or business to the South zone of Rio de Janeiro. Two exclusive pools, one with a 360º view of the city’s three main tourist attractions – Copacabana Beach, Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf, a full-service spa and impeccable beach provide the backdrop for relaxation and memorable experiences.
Two restaurants and three bars feature options for breakfast, lunch and dinner and for meetings and events, Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana’s expert team helps guide planning and the hotel’s upscale infrastructure featuring 36 flexible spaces for up to 500 attendees is ideal for banquets, corporate meetings and special events.
Hilton plans to open approximately 20 properties across Latin America in 2017, including hotels and resorts in Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. In addition to the opening of Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, highlights include two Conrad Hotels & Resorts properties in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and Cartagena, Colombia; two Curio – A Collection by Hilton hotels in Mahogany Bay Village, Belize and San Jose, Costa Rica; a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Iquitos, Peru; a Hampton by Hilton hotel in Montevideo, Uruguay; and more than 10 openings in Mexico.
The Lowry Hotel in Manchester has been acquired by Singapore-based CDL Hospitality Trusts, in a move completed on 4th May.
As one of two 5-star hotels in Manchester, The Lowry is one of only 11 hotels in England to be part of The Leading Hotels of the World, one of the largest collection of luxury hotels in the world with over 375 hotels in 75 countries.
While there is some upcoming increase in hotel rooms supply in the market, the hotel leads Manchester with the highest Average Daily Rate and strong demand drivers are expected to support its performance in the medium term.
The property is also well known throughout UK and since its opening in 2001; the hotel has hosted many notable celebrities including Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, prominent foreign dignitaries, sports stars such as the late Muhammad Ali as well as prestigious football teams.
The hotel will continue to operate as a standalone hotel. The Lowry Hotel General Manager Adrian Ellis said: “This acquisition reinforces that Manchester is a fantastic business, entertainment and sporting destination both within the United Kingdom and internationally.
“We welcome the new owners and look forward to The Lowry Hotel continuing as the preferred choice for high profile guests from the sporting, entertainment and corporate fields.
“The team at the hotel remains the same, and our guests and visitors will receive the same five-star service they are familiar with. This exciting news will only enhance our appeal as Manchester’s top hotel.”
Versital is delighted to have been nominated for the BKU Awards as ‘Best Shower Brand’.
Launched in 2015, the BKU Awards have quickly gained a reputation as an authority on exceptional design and quality in the bathroom and kitchen industry.
In the bathroom brand awards there are 5 categories, including ‘Best Ceramic Brand’, ‘Best Tap Brand’, ‘Best Furniture Brand’, ‘Best Accessory Brand’ and ‘Best Shower Brand’ for which we are nominated.
“We are over the moon to be recognised and nominated by our peers in the highly competitive bathroom industry as a brand of quality. We have been manufacturing bathroom and shower products for over 30 years, offering a range of made to order bathroom products, including bespoke shower trays, shower panels and vanity tops.
“Our products are often chosen to solve an issue where others have failed, especially our bespoke shower trays, which are one of the best selling bespoke shower tray brands in the UK.”
It’s easy to see that traditional Italian plaster is emerging as a worldwide trend. As well as our growing portfolio here in the UK, the Viero brand is very much increasing its global presence.
Just this year, six new showrooms have opened for business. Established in 1967, the company has a great history and tradition for manufacturing high-quality specialist paint and plaster coatings, but the future looks bright too with venetian plaster finishes becoming a very popular choice with interior designers and architects everywhere.
Today, the firm has a presence in more than 50 countries with showrooms across many of these locations. We talk about Viero being an inspiring brand in the world of design and just a quick glance at some of the newly opened showrooms sets the perfect tone for this statement.
Viero UK is proud to be the official Viero Distributor in UK. Director Chris Walters said: “Operating as Viero UK, we are just one part of the business’ larger global presence.
“Our designers are always looking at projects completed elsewhere to gain an insight into other possibilities of what can be achieved with our products.
“It’s important to never stand still and constantly look at gaining inspiration from the work going on around us so we can deliver new and exciting finishes to our clients.”
Provocateur is Berlin’s first shamelessly sensual hotel designed by Amsterdam-based interior designer Saar Zafrir, who is behind a number of Europe’s most buzzed about new hotel properties.
The Provocateur hotel, restaurant and club will push buttons and makes guests push their boundaries. The hotel’s ethos is provocative and explorational catering to the up all night, sleep all day adventurer for both hotel guests and nightlife enthusiasts.
The Design Hotels™ member holds 58 rooms that whisper passion in every way with their mysterious romantic cosy corners bathed in red light with black and white photography adorning the walls along with a mix of soft and heavy textured interiors and furniture.
Each room has a “provocateur mode,” a setting allowing guests to set the mood and drift to a different world as the room’s lights dim, seductive tunes commence and video art plays, making you not want to leave your bed…or lover.
Zafrir’s playful burlesque inspiration for the property began in another city. A weekend getaway in Paris laid the groundwork for a revolution in the Berlin hospitality scene and design of Provocateur Berlin.
Zafrir was drawn to discovering the secret and hidden spots of Paris by midnight, some beautiful, some dark, but all sharing the common pull of passion and desire. The aesthetics paired with the music of Paris began his design and development of Provocateur and led him to the realization that the property should be shocking and unexpected.
Driven by the colors red and blue and using soft and sexy textures is what makes the hotel so warm, mysterious and provokes and pushes people’s buttons without crossing the line.
Avenida da Liberdade is the best address in Lisbon and it is now possible to stay at the upscale AVANI Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel.
The newly launched Hotel has a perfect location just off fashion-forward Avenida da Liberdade, which attracts an eclectic crowd to its tree-lined esplanades with big-name designer labels and continental sidewalk cafes.
The hotel, formerly Tivoli Jardim Hotel, has undergone an extensive 1.5 million euro (£1.27 million) refurbishment. The upgrade includes the redesign of the façade, the guest rooms, lobby, reception, the installation of an AVANIFIT gym and the relaunch of well-known Olivier Restaurant. The open plan and retro spirit of the lobby merges chill, social and work areas, offering a stylish communal space in which to relax.
The 119 AVANI Standard, Premier, Deluxe and Family Rooms are comfortable and contemporary and the style is inspired by the brand`s nod to a restful sleep. Each room is decorated in a fresh and simplistic style. Subtle shades of plum, black and white lend the rooms a serene air and modern amenities include a Nespresso coffee-maker, satellite TV, well-stocked mini-bar and high-speed WiFi. All AVANI Premier, Deluxe and Family Rooms have balconies and AVANI Standard rooms have garden views.
The Olivier Restaurant celebrates contemporary, ingredient-focused food with a strong Portuguese accent. The new concept décor brings warmth and character to the space with wooden flooring and a warm palette of burnt sienna, azure and burnished gold which is brought to life in the furnishings, suede upholstery, wallpaper and mosaic tiles. Subtle imagery of the iconic Andorinha black swallow is revealed in the wallpaper and an outdoor terrace surrounded by olive and ficus trees provides alfresco seating.
Guests are able to enjoy a buffet breakfast outdoors on the hotel’s sunny terrace, the perfect place to enjoy an espresso and butter croissant with lashings of peach jam, before hitting the streets. AVANIFIT supports guests’ aim to continue with their normal exercise routines and the compact gym features the latest cardio equipment.
The Palacete Conference and Events Centre next door to the hotel, offers three floors of event space with a capacity for up to 260 people. The ground floor has a large reception area, the first floor offers three function rooms with varied configuration capabilities and the top floor houses an exclusive Boardroom with its own foyer and elevator access.
Situated in one of London’s most vibrant areas, and location of Hotel Designs’ ‘Brit List 2017’ party on July 12th, ‘Urban’ represents our Shoreditch edge as well as the infectious buzz surrounding Silicon Roundabout, both of which have greatly influenced our vibe.
A place to connect with likeminded people, ‘Coterie’ represents the new place to enjoy wonderfully British tipples and seasonal dishes, which let beautiful ingredients shine. All of this is complemented by engaged service and stunning views over London.
Modern-day, informal dining serving up home-grown British ingredients and moreish snacks alongside a thoughtfully curated wine list. Letting ingredient-led seasonal cooking do the talking, our dishes are as aesthetically pleasing as the views.
The cutting edge restaurant redefines dining in the sky. Our team of talented chefs have designed a menu that is all about letting ingredient-led seasonal cooking do the talking. The stylish bar showcases a thoughtfully curated range of British spirits, an established and affordable wine list, including a proud range of sparkling wines in the sky lounge.
Hotel Designs is producing the Brit List 2017, a celebration of the country’s most inspirational and influential hoteliers and designers.
The Lake District’s premier self-catering cottage company, Heart of the Lakes, has learned that one of its most beautiful five-star properties is inspiring guests to ‘get creative’ in their own homes.
The luxurious Ghyll Crest Lodge, which sleeps six in complete indulgence is tucked away in 22 acres of forest, lake and gardens on the eastern slopes above Lake Windermere. Lovingly renovated by owners, Colin Sullivan and John Bray, their creativity and attention to detail has captured the special attention of those who have been lucky enough to stay there: “When we told people the shower rooms cost in excess of £20,000 each, they would smile in disbelief. But, we were delighted when our very first guests sent us a text declaring that the black and white marble shower room had inspired then to refurbish their own bathroom when they got home.” laughs Colin.
Arty duo, Colin and John, who also own the hugely successful ‘Arthouse’ in Ambleside, which is filled with John’s contemporary paintings, acquired Ghyll Crest Lodge several years ago but had immediate vision for the establishment, with the potential of the property attracting their interest.
“The forest and gardens had been neglected for many years,” explains Colin. “Anything can be done to a house except to pick it up and relocate it, so, with our full intention to gut it and start again, we purchased the building. We went to town refurbishing and undertaking an extensive landscaping project, including the construction of a whole new house in the grounds by the lake, Ghyll Crest Lodge.”
The Lodge itself forms an ‘upside down’ configuration, with three double bedrooms and a large open plan double height living space upstairs, with the gable ends fully glazed to flood the area with light and bring in the surrounding view of the lake and forest. The living room features two central kitchen consoles for cooking and dining, with bespoke light oak furniture topped in Corian. Double doors open from the living room to a generous outdoor balcony with dining furniture for al fresco living, which is bathed in sunshine – when the Cumbrian weather allows. And on colder days, the split-faced stone log burner is a central feature, although the contemporary heating system more than ensures comfortable living.
The master bedroom has an unusual bath and ‘rain shower’ area; natural stone features throughout, from the light cream marble Italian floors to the riven slate hewn from the Himalayas on the walls, and red Turkish limestone brightens the walls of the master cloakrooms. Colin and John have always placed enormous importance on providing top-of-the-range beds for their guests, with new sprung mattresses and the very best quality cotton bed linen.
“In our experience, when staying away from home, it’s essential to be able to sleep in a good bed,” states Colin. The beautiful location justified a project with little regard for budget, but Colin and John have always believed that quality will pay back: “You only have one chance to get it right, so, you have to bite the bullet and just do it,” says Colin.
It’s hard to believe that Ghyll Crest lodge is located just minutes away from the bright lights of Bowness-on-Windermere with the fells forming a magnificent backdrop.
“All we can hear is birdsong and the wind through the tall trees,” says Colin. “Seeing the dappled sunlight shining on the tarn and being able to enjoy this level of tranquillity is bliss. For our guests, it really is their own private ‘Rivendell’.”
Hilton’s Hampton by Hilton brand has announced the opening of its second property in Aberdeen – the 173-room Hampton by Hilton Aberdeen Westhill.
Hampton by Hilton Aberdeen Westhill offers guests amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, work zone and 24/7 workout facility – sure to set any guest on the right track.
Hampton by Hilton Aberdeen Westhill is located in Scotland’s third most populous city, 14 minutes away by car from Aberdeen International Airport. With close proximity to Aberdeen city-centre, leisure and business guests alike can take advantage of His Majesties Theatre, Aberdeen Exhibition Centre and the Maritime Museum, all located eight miles away from the hotel. Guests can also delve into the culture and history of Aberdeen at the royal grounds of Balmoral Castle – the Scottish holiday home to the Royal Family.
Recent research from Beacon Design Services (BDS) has revealed that when it comes to hotel rooms, the most popular design among guests is neutral contemporary, with 44% of Brits preferring a sleek and stylish look to more traditional designs. Compact contemporary design came in second, with 29% of hotel guests preferring a no frills and straightforward design that saves on space.
The least popular styles among hotel guests were country designs with tweed and wooden fixtures (10%), modern colourful rooms with bright décor (5%), boutique style with personal touches (5%) and classical design with high quality finishes (5%). Chris Johnson of BDS shares his advice and top tips for achieving the nation’s favourite hotel room design:
The way that guests use hotel rooms is evolving. The requirement for a standard double bed with a pair of side tables is changing to one of multi-purpose furniture, areas for work and relaxation, and increased technology. However this does not mean that the modern hotel room has to be minimalist. The modern traveller is looking for a home away from home and through following these tips, you can create a contemporary hotel room design whilst maintaining a homely ambiance.
Be up to date with your technology offering Décor is very important in giving a room its style, however the level or age of the technology in the room can have a tremendous effect on how modern the room feels. Out-dated technology, such as CRT televisions, can instantly age an area by 10-15 years. There is an expectation on hoteliers to provide a certain level of modern convenience with smart TVs, digital control over lighting, temperature and entertainment desired as well as ways to charge mobile devices efficiently. Importantly, all of these amenities and features need to seamlessly integrate into the design of the room.
Neutral tones with a pop of colour We are seeing the trend of natural, neutral colours and mixed metal finishes passing from the domestic market into the hospitality sector as customers seek that homely atmosphere. Rather than creating a bright interior, warmer colours and tones should be considered to provide a relaxing colour palette. Pastels are being used more regularly in hotel rooms, providing a feeling of sophistication and luxury. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a requirement for colour; an item in navy blue combines so well with sage, grey, cream, and coral. Small pops of colour in soft furnishings or statement pieces of bright furniture turn up the interest level in a hotel room, without being overwhelming.
Consider contemporary fabrics with your furniture A contemporary design can be created through furniture with clean, simple lines. However, just as the shape of the furniture affects its style, so does the fabric. Furniture can easily be used to make a statement by utilising unexpected textures and colours. Upholstering a traditional armchair in a contemporary fabric can completely change its style. For instance, a button backed wingback armchair would look completely different in a non-traditional, bright, textured fabric.
Move away from patterns Historically, a lot of hotels would have a number of different patterns and finishes across the property, creating an untidy, confused aesthetic. These patterns are now being overlooked in favour of the wide range of textures available in the fabric market to cater for a more contemporary style. Try mixing the neutral interior with interesting fabrics such as slub effect silks, brushed velvets and rough linens so the focus is stimulating the guests’ sense of touch as well as sight.
Layer textiles for a balance between modern and homely Although a contemporary design is favoured, it is still important to provide a hotel room that is a home away from home. As our survey suggests, guests are moving away from heavily patterned, cluttered hotel rooms and are looking for calmer, more simple interior design. Simply put, layering textiles is the key to creating a warm, well-designed space, and neutral colours allow you to create this space more easily. Scandinavians have had this design style for decades with their use of Hygge style, which is a huge trend at the moment.[1]”
Barnett Hill Country House Hotel, a stunning wedding venue set in the Surrey Hills, has been awarded with two rosettes and four stars from the AA.
Owned by Alexander Hotels and Utopia Spas in 2016, the property has since undergone a number of renovations. Its 18 bedrooms, restaurant and public guest areas were all recently refurbished.
The hotel’s newly appointed executive head chef Lee Young received two rosettes for his work at The Oak Room restaurant.
Tim Hall, general manager, commented: “On behalf of all the team at Barnett Hill I am delighted and extremely proud of all the hard work and dedication that everyone has shown in striving to achieve our AA four star rating and two AA rosettes awarded for the quality of our food at the first attempt.
“My congratulations go out to all those involved but in particular to Lee Young, our executive head chef, who has done an amazing job having only joined Barnett Hill just under three months ago.
“We are all very excited to have become part of the Alexander Hotels family and we are looking forward to welcoming guests to the new look Barnett Hill Hotel.”
Spa Creators has secured a new spa contract for the prestigious Lygon Arms, High St, Broadway. Spa Creators were selected for this project based on their great design credentials and ability to mix the older style property with a contemporary and fresh feeling spa environment. The brief is to breathe new life into this heritage building.
The new Lygon spa will include: – 7 Luxurious Treatment rooms, a juice bar, a deep relax lounge, heat experiences with sauna and steam rooms, refurbishment of the pool hall and the additional of a new Jacuzzi and vitality pool – The gym is also having a refurbishment and there will be new male and female changing rooms and a new fitness suite. – The project is due for completion in the early summer of 2017 and is part of a total hotel refurbishment.
The four–star Lygon Arms is a country house hotel with 78 bedrooms and suites, and parking for 120 cars, that has been welcoming travellers since the 16th century.
Built of mellow Cotswold stone, the hotel has been lovingly restored while retaining many of the hotel’s original features. When not exploring the Cotswold villages and countryside, get pampered in the hotel’s beauty rooms or relax in the Health & Leisure Club.
As well as the 2 AA Rosette Great Hall restaurant, there’s now also Barrington’s Brasserie, an intimate all day dining eatery, serving quintessential English classics and modern European cuisine.
At a meeting in Dubai attended by Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta and Mohammed Alshaya, Chairman of KFCD and Mabanee Company, the two parties confirmed an agreement to open Bahrain’s first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property. The 210 room Hilton Bahrain Bay Hotel & Residences will be located at The Avenues in Manama – a major retail and leisure destination scheduled to open later this year.
Hilton Bahrain Bay Hotel & Residences will be directly attached to The Avenues, Bahrain. Phase 1 of the development will offer a wide choice of leading retail and restaurant brands covering 40,000 sqm of GLA which is due to open in the last quarter of 2017. A second Phase will add a further 30,000sqm of GLA. The site is located on the waterfront of Bahrain Bay.
Hotel guests at Hilton Bahrain Bay Hotel & Residences will have direct access to the world class retail and entertainment offered at The Avenues, as well as the new 1.5km stretch of the Corniche, created to provide recreational and family-friendly facilities on the waterfront. The property will also benefit from direct links to both King Faisal Highway and Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Causeway, enabling ease of access to international visitors arriving at Bahrain International Airport or on the Causeway system linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.
Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, Middle East, North Africa & Turkey, Hilton said: “We are continuing to sustain rapid growth across the GCC under a range of brands and all these hotels represent quality locations and valuable additions to our portfolio. Working in strong partnership with owners such as KFCD and Mabanee, on a continued basis allows us to expand more quickly and more strategically. We look forward to working together on identifying further opportunities, as well as progressing the projects we are already developing together.”
Construction of the 210 guest room property is already underway and once completed it will consist of 150 apartments and 60 studio suites. Guests will be able to enjoy four distinct stand-alone dining outlets, a swimming pool, spa and fitness facilities. It is expected that the hotel will be completed and to welcome its first guests in early 2020.
Hilton Bahrain Bay Hotel & Residences joins a pipeline of 120 properties for Hilton in the Middle East, North Africa & Turkey. The company boasts the largest active pipeline in the GCC of any hotel company, with over 16,000 rooms under construction.
The Leading Hotels of the World is pleased to announce the addition of eight new members to its curated collection of over 375 luxury hotels. From the blue water and pristine white sand of Bali’s south-western coast, to the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps, each new member is as authentic and vibrant as the location in which it is found.
“For over 80 years The Leading Hotels of the World has been committed to providing unforgettable and authentic travel experiences,” said Deniz Omurgonulsen, Vice President, Membership, The Leading Hotels of the World. “We are pleased to welcome these eight distinguished new members that will offer our guests an array of unique travel experiences and enhance our portfolio’s global offerings.”
Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Croatia With its enviable seafront location and extraordinary Mediterranean gardens, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, a modern beachfront luxury resort on the Dalmatian Coast, offers understated elegance and supreme comfort. Located in Orašac, seven miles from the UNESCO World Heritage City of Dubrovnik Old Town, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik features 177 hotel guestrooms, all of which boast amazing views from a private terrace or balcony, and 231 one, two or three-bedroom fully appointed suites and residences. Resort facilities include a private beach, three freshwater pools, a world-class spa, sports center, retail shopping area, conference facilities and a broad range of gastronomic offerings in 16 restaurants and bars.
An uncommon experience not to miss: Guests can make the most of the “al fresco” way of life by renting bicycles from the resort’s sports center and discovering Dubrovnik’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or cruising the stunning Elaphite Archipelago. If guests prefer a guided bike tour, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik can arrange specialty sightseeing excursions with a private guide.
Le K2 Altitude, Courchevel, France Situated in an intimate village at the base of the French Alps, the exclusive Le K2 Altitude is made up of a series of eight luxurious, interconnected chalets. Each of the 14 rooms and 18 suites is unique in its own right, appointed with handcrafted furnishings from Italy, Portugal and Spain. With direct access to the Pralong slope, guests can conquer Les Trois Vallées, the kingdom of skiing with 370 miles of marked runs. In addition, the hotels plays host to incredible gourmet and Mediterranean dining options, including a two-Michelin star restaurant, a renowned spa and a kid’s club for both children and teens.
An uncommon experience not to miss: With the hotel’s incredible location directly on Les Trois Vallées, the largest ski area in the world, guests can enjoy the best of the slopes with guidance from Le K2 Altitude’s experienced concierge team. Ready to make winter wonderland dreams a reality, they will help guests suit up in their on-site ski shop and arrange private ski lessons, heli-skiing, snowmobiling excursions and much more.
Hotel Camiral at PGA Catalunya Resort, Catalunya, Spain Set in the beautiful Catalonian countryside, Hotel Camiral is less than an hour from Barcelona, and within easy reach of the beaches of the Costa Brava, and the historic town of Girona. The hotel is the ideal location for sports enthusiasts, culture lovers, foodies and their families. Panoramic views over two award-winning championship golf courses, make Hotel Camiral a golf lover’s dream vacation. For adventure seekers, Hotel Camiral can arrange everything from sky diving over Empordá to snorkeling in Costa Brava. Designed by the internationally renowned talents Lázaro Rosa-Violán, Hotel Camiral provides the perfect combination of contemporary architecture, striking urban-chic interiors, generous space, comfort and luxury. A range of dining options includes a mix of Mediterranean and international cuisine with a focus on Catalán specialties, created from locally sourced produce, and accompanied by regional wines.
An uncommon experience not to miss: Play golf like a Tour Pro on one of Europe’s most famous courses, PGA Catalunya Resort’s Stadium Course. Guests can learn how to best approach each hole with resident expert Enric, who will guide them through the course, providing the knowledge and tools to make it the perfect round.
Soori Bali, Kerambitan, Indonesia Located on Bali’s south-western coast, Soori Bali sits within the picturesque Tabanan Regency, where volcanic mountains perch above lush rice fields and remarkable black sand beaches. Designed, owned and operated by renowned architect Soo K. Chan, the resort features 37 mountain, beach and ocean villas, each with its own private infinity pool and sweeping vistas. Also, included within the resort’s offerings are three dining options, all of which use fresh produce from nearby farms and spices from the resort’s own garden, as well as a full-service Soori Spa, infinity pool, bar, 24-hour gym and library.
An uncommon experience not to miss: Guests can take advantage of ‘Journeys by Soori,’ a series of customized experiences exclusively offered at the resort. Travelers can choose between half or full day bespoke experiences which focuses on spa and wellness, Balinese culture, arts and crafts or environmentally conscious excursions.
Thanda Island, Shungimbili Island, District of Mafia Island, Tanzania Thanda Island, considered one of the most exclusive tropical getaways in the world, is located between the mainland of Tanzania and Mafia Island. Surrounded by its own coral reefs, which protect it from heavy storms, the Island features only one private villa with five suites and two rustic Tanzanian Bandas. With ample sunshine, the Island is powered by sustainable energy with no negative environmental footprint, and is a sanctuary to enjoy in complete seclusion with family and friends. On the Island, guests can rejuvenate and enjoy a variety of water sports or island activities as they explore this remarkable destination, where shades of turquoise infuse the days, and tropical spices the nights.
An uncommon experience not to miss: Located in Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, marine conservation is at the core of the Island’s offering. Through ongoing partnerships with the Tanzanian Marine Parks and the leading NGO, Sea Sense, guests are encouraged to get involved in a range of educational projects, such as marine wildlife monitoring or awareness workshops with villagers on neighboring Mafia Island.
Alvear Icon Hotel & Residences, Buenos Aires, Argentina Located on the banks of the Río de la Plata River, the Alvear Icon Hotel & Residences is a striking, futuristic building that is a focal point of the dynamic Puerto Madero neighborhood. The hotel features 159 luxurious rooms and suites decorated in a sleek, modern style, and state-of-the-art technology. With an eye towards design, a line of contemporary furniture was developed exclusively for the hotel and the rooms are appointed with arabescato marble walls and warm-toned French and Italian fabrics. The property’s eight dining venues are a culinary enthusiast’s playground, from Sunny Yard, perfect for a relaxing breakfast set in the hotel’s garden Courtyard, to Mike & Co., a kosher dairy bar where guests can enjoy childhood- inspired treats. The property also boasts two pools, a spectacular spa & fitness center, 8 meeting rooms and two ballrooms that can accommodate up to 1,200 attendees.
An uncommon experience not to miss: It’s all about dining with a view at the Alvear Icon Hotel & Residences. Start the evening with bold drinks and good music at the Crystal Bar, located on the 32nd floor of the hotel. Follow drinks with dinner at The Grand View restaurant on the 31st floor, an open-kitchen concept design with magnificent city skyline and river views from its sprawling windows.
UNICO 20°87°, Riviera Maya, Mexico For an unmatched adults-only Mexico vacation, look no further than UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya. Set on the stunning white beaches of the Riviera Maya, it offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of the region through dining, décor and activities. Five unique dining options range from elevated fine cuisine, to a casual café setting, each offering a menu inspired by ingredients sourced from nearby producers. An extensive, expertly curated selection of spirits can be found at each bar and restaurant, accented by a mixologist-driven cocktail program. Travelers can relax in modern Mexico luxury, in UNICO 20°87°’s 408 rooms and 39 suites, all designed with indigenous inspiration and handcrafted details. In addition, there are three pools; Esencia Wellness, a holistic spa offering signature treatments; a full-service beauty salon and barber shop, and a state-of-the-art fitness facility. Select spa treatments, golf and tours are included in the guest’s stay. Exciting pop-up events, such as mezcal tastings, art competitions and acoustic sunset jams, insert a touch of spontaneity into travelers’ experiences.
An uncommon experience not to miss: UNICO 20°87°’s rotating chef restaurant, Cueva Siete, is sure to surprise guests with exciting tastes throughout the year. Cueva Siete’s current partnership with celebrity chef Christian Bravo, a competitor on Top Chef Mexico, showcases a gourmet Mexican menu drawing inspiration from the region and local ingredients.
Soon to open: Palácio Tangará, São Paulo, Brazil Situated in the heart of São Paulo, adjacent to a lush tropical park, Palácio Tangará offers an unparalleled and exceptional location in the desirable Panamby Morumbi neighborhood, just minutes from some of the city’s most notable attractions. Palácio Tangará’s 141 spacious guestrooms, including 59 suites, offer beautiful views overlooking the rich flora and fauna of Burle Marx Park. Outstanding dining experiences, led by legendary chef-restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten, include signature Restaurant Tangará Jean-Georges, a chef’s table, and a bar. In addition, the hotel boasts state-of-the-art recreational facilities including the Spa by Sisley Paris, heated indoor and outdoor pools and a kids’ club. Palácio Tangará will begin welcoming guests in June.
An uncommon experience not to miss: Guests at Palácio Tangará can enjoy stunning views of the famous Burle Marx Park right from the comfort of the hotel. The Park is home to a wide variety of rare tropical birds, butterflies and flora, which can be admired from Palácio Tangará’s private terraces while enjoying fine dining or simply lounging by the pool. Following some R&R, guests can take a shady stroll through The Park, to experience the flavor of Brazil’s tropical forests – look out for opossums and white tufted marmosets.
Reopening after renovations: Villa Del Parco & Spa, Forte Village Resort, Sardinia, Italy Sardinia’s Villa Del Parco & Spa, Forte Village Resort will re-open for the 2017 season in late May, following a complete restructuring and renovation. The EUR 5 million investment includes the 25 Luxury Rooms of the main building, the external facades, public areas, reception and bar patio, plus a new all-weather covering for the Thalasso pools of the spa.
Marble remains one of the key trends for 2017, and the desire for marble inspired interiors is stronger than ever. The pitfalls of real marble are a thing of the past thanks to the emerging market of ‘faux’ marble surfaces, meaning erosion and staining can be easily avoided.
Versital are specialists in the manufacturing of cultured marble, using stone resin to create a like-for-like finish in luxurious designs. Gemma Stockberger, Sales, Marketing & Development for Versital UK tells us why there is a growing demand for marble alternatives in the hospitality sector:
Faux, or cultured marble, is 100% waterproof, unlike the real thing As beautiful as marble may look, its properties mean it is a problematic material to use when it comes to interior design. The finish and look of such surfaces can be easily tarnished when they come into contact with water. Versital’s unique formula is created from a composition of natural minerals and pigments combined with resin to give a hard wearing durable finish. It is also 100% waterproof and non-porous, making it an excellent alternative for bathroom, restaurant and bar surfaces. Versital surfaces are not compromised by contact with water, and will not suffer from watermarks or lime scale, ensuring surfaces that look as good as new for years to come.
Versital bar top specified in Marchmont Arms, Hemel Hempstead – Mitchells & Butlers
Faux marble surfaces can be bespoke and hand-made to order Versital surfaces are ideal for a number of applications including shower panels, shower trays, vanity tops, bar panels and table tops. The range of applications is endless, and this is because stone resin is very easy to cut and can be moulded to completely bespoke sizes, ready for installation. Created to individual specification, Versital can provide surfacing solutions for any project, regardless of shape and size.
Customise your ‘faux’ marble for a truly unique look Whether it’s a traditional white finish you are looking for, or a more contemporary twist on a classic design, when opting for ‘faux’ marble, the exact look can be tailored to individual taste and requirements. Versital offers an extensive colour palette, with over 90 finishes to choose from. From classic white marbles such as ‘Arabesque’ to dusky pastels, moody greys, and on trend black marble, Versital creates the look of marble as never seen before.
Versital – Bar and Catering
Fuss-free cutting and scribing When specifying these surfaces, it is worth considering that specialist masonry equipment is required, and cutting the material on site is often difficult and a messy job. In comparison, Versital’s cultured marble surfaces can be cut, scribed and installed quickly with minimal fuss and mess. What’s more, ordinary wood working tools can be used on site for ease of use and to ensure an accurate cut and a perfect fit.
Avoid complex drainage upheaval in bathroom renovations Bathroom renovations can be costly and take time, especially when re-plumbing and relocating drainage is concerned. By opting for a bespoke shower tray from Versital, the need for this is eliminated, reducing costs, and ensuring the overall vision for a bathroom’s design can be achieved. Versital’s shower trays are manufactured to individual project specifications, and can be designed to fit the smallest and most awkwardly-shaped bathrooms, to those looking to create an oversized, statement shower enclosure or wetroom. Versital can even create shower trays that fit around corners and existing pipework, to ensure minimal interference to plumbing and help to keep costs down.
Hotel Designs is producing the Brit List 2017, a celebration of the country’s most inspirational and influential hoteliers and 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.
We’ve been asking our readers to select who they think should be included in the UK’s top 25 hoteliers and 25 leading design professionals – to nominate those they think are deserving of recognition in both fields. You can also do the same by simply emailing Hotel Designs editor Daniel Fountain via d.fountain@forumevents.co.uk briefly explaining why an individual should be considered for the Brit List. We will follow up with a request for more information at a later date. You can nominate yourself, a peer, a client or even a competitor.
The Hotel Designs Brit List glossy publication will feature profiles of all 50 winners. There are a limited number of advertising and sponsorship opportunities available for this prestigious and influential publication – for more details contact Jennie Lane on j.lane@forumevents.co.uk, or call 01992 374098.
Dusit International has signed a hotel management agreement with Dhanasansombut Development to operate the first ever hotel in the heart of Bangkok’s world-famous Chatuchak Market.
Forming part of Dhanasansombut’s new mixed-use development, Mixt Chatuchak, the new hotel will comprise approximately 250 rooms. Chatuchak Market, also known locally as Jatujak or JJ, is located in the north of the city next to Chatuchak Park, one of Bangkok’s largest green spaces, and near Or Tor Kor, recently named one of the world’s best fresh markets by CNN.
Ms Nontaya Apitanotai, the majority owner and authorized Director of Dhanasansombut said: “Mixt Chatuchak is the only building located directly within JJ Market, making the mixed-use project and Dusit’s new hotel a unique proposition for guests who will benefit from the large array of shops and services within our building as well as on their doorstep. Our companies share a complementary vision to impress the world with Thai hospitality, and by drawing on the energy, culture and vibrancy of the iconic JJ Market, we are confident this synergy will be a huge success.”
With 29 properties currently in operation across four brands in eight countries, Dusit International is in a significant growth phase which will see the number of Dusit properties reach 70 within the next three to four years across Southeast Asia, China, sub-Saharan Africa, the GCC region, Europe, and more key markets.
Continuing the company’s series of firsts, Dusit International recently became the first hotel operator in Thailand to to accept WeChat Pay, which allows Chinese guests to pay their hotel bills via the mobile e-payment platform initially at Dusit’s owned properties in Thailand, and soon its other properties around the world.
A new Star Wars-themed hotel could be set to land at Disneyland in Orlando, with a possible opening date of 2019 slated.
It has been reported that the Disney company has sent a survey to select customers via a third party company to gauge feedback for the idea.
According to reports, it includes concept art renderings showing interiors and the type of hospitality experience it would offer.
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.
Disney has refused to confirm or deny anything but has responded to the Orlando Business Journal with a statement.
“We know our guests love all things in the world of Star Wars, and we’re continually exploring new ideas and gathering guest feedback as we develop plans to bring Star Wars to life at Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Some of these ideas come to fruition, while many do not.”
Now open for the spring and summer season with a fresh, new look following a winter facelift, Amàre Marbella Beach Hotel looks and feels better than ever, and you will too after a visit to its new-look Spa.
The Amàre Marbella Spa by Germaine de Capuccini has also had a refresh this winter, emerging with calming interiors, a relaxing colour palate and subtle new lighting.
Enhancements to Amàre Marbella’s Spa include a restful new colour palate and lighting throughout public areas and treatment rooms, revamped changing rooms and reception area and new flooring in the water zone.
AXOR Uno is the new bathroom collection from AXOR. Pipes, the oldest way of channelling water, define the collection’s two style variations – for the washbasin, the shower, and the bathtub. AXOR Uno was created in collaboration with the Stuttgart-based Phoenix Design studio.
Formal, simple design language and the aesthetics of construction AXOR Uno follows the uncompromising design principles of the original Purist movement with consistent construction: two precisely shaped cylinders joined together at a right angle. The spouts and handles are available in radical or gently rounded versions. The precise contours and the raised proportions in the golden ratio of the taps are their defining stylistic features, lending them a special aura and giving them a sleek and elegant look in any setting. Special surface finishes impart added radiance to the collection, which comprises over 70 products for washbasins, showers and bathtubs.
Purist functional design Radical and modern Purism – both stylistic directions emphasise simplicity of function. Operation of the AXOR Uno taps has been reduced to the essential: the flow of water is started or stopped by pressing the Select button, by turning the so-called “Zero” handle, or by lifting the ergonomically shaped loop handle.
“Implemented at the highest technological levels, AXOR Uno is the quintessence of Purism: clean, minimalistic, subtle. This collection embodies the most fascinating shapes of Purism, both in form and in function. Each individual product reflects the material’s worth, and precise and consistent construction. The underlying factor is our commitment to delivering perfection in design, craftsmanship and functionality,” Silke Giessler, Head of AXOR Brand Marketing, explains.
Leeu Collection has acquired its first London property, due to open in 2019.
The company now owns 55 Newman Street, Fitzrovia which is a former office building. Leeu will be transforming the offices into a 100-room luxury hotel.
Carrie Wicks, CEO of Leeu Collection, said: “The purchase of a London property is a very exciting development for [us], as it marks the first acquisition for the group in a major city, but it will certainly not be the last.
“Leeu Collection continues to seek hotel opportunities in key locations around the world that reflect the Leeu ethos of creating unrivalled escapes for discerning guests.”
Leeu Collection owns three five-star boutique accommodations in South Africa and the firm’s first addition outside of South Africa was the 30-room Linthwaite House in the Lake District. The second was Leeu Villa Querce in Florence, Italy, a 70-plus room luxury hotel and gardens due to open in 2021.
A&O Hotels and Hostels are now in Denmark. The new, four-storey property with 6,144m² of floor space at Tagensvej 135–137 is budget, design accommodation for the next generation of A&O. A&O stands for affordable accommodation, even in cities with a high cost of living.
Construction of the A&O Copenhagen Nørrebro was completed within eight months and there is a long-term lease in place with AP Pension that will last 30 years.
The construction investments including furnishings and fittings has so far amounted to 5.5 million euros. The hotel offers 684 beds across 168 rooms, predominantly in the 4-bed and 6-bed family room category and double rooms.
“In Copenhagen, we have concentrated more on building family rooms with a double bed and one or two bunk beds, in order to respond more flexibly to our target groups. In this way, we can cover the increased demand for shared rooms for groups during the week, and at weekends, the rooms are used by individual travellers, such as couples and families,” explains Phillip Winter, Chief Marketing Officer of the A&O Hotel Group.
The building will be used both by the chain and for student accommodation. Therefore, the hotel will offer a ‘Students-Only’ area for the young academics with a quiet zone and high-speed Wi-Fi. The location and infrastructure The A&O is located in the north-west of the city in the student district of Nørrebro, close to the Bispebjerg station, only 20 minutes away from Copenhagen’s Central Station by tram.
The neighbourhood of Nørrebro has a rich café and club culture, perfect for young travellers from all over the world who want to get to know an authentic side of Copenhagen, shaped by multiculturalism.
As a new innovation, the rooms were constructed in a modular way, i.e with wooden function boards that integrate all of the electronics and cables for easy installation. We used only quality materials in the new furniture colour scheme in ‘Fineline Créme’ (formerly birch), as well as vintage-look flooring in ‘Welsh Pale Oak’ (instead of cherry), and installed sound-proof doors. The room locks use code cards and are already geared to the future of the hotel industry: ‘opening doors by smartphone’.
There will be more detailed information about the launch provided in the coming weeks. Every shared family room is equipped with so-called ‘privacy boards’ on the bunk beds to give the guests more privacy. The board comes with an LED reading light, a tablet holder and two USB ports, as standard. The headboards on the double beds are set up just like the privacy boards, in a typical urban style, and have integrated LED reading lights. In the rooms, conventional seating will be replaced by stools in orange and mandarin.
The hotel is set up according to the ‘A&O: next generation’ concept, and therefore reflects the chain’s new design scheme. The flooring is coated with epoxy resin and is therefore particularly resilient, and cast using the industrial ‘New York Floor’ design, an innovative 3D floor coating technology. The waiting area offers seating islands as couch elements; the reading corners have orange sofas, and the lounge area with self-service coffee also has comfy armchairs. For the first time, the furnishings and lighting are all in the colours orange, raspberry, pistachio, and carbon; this scheme is applied throughout both the lobby and the well-lit breakfast area. Furthermore, there are facings throughout the hotel at the reception desk, the bar, and the breakfast buffet, with a striped design and city scenes. The breakfast room is equipped with both island bar tables and raised bar tables for a more open look, and the area is lit with oversized designer ‘Donut’ hanging lamps in the four colour schemes.
Hotel Designs would like your help in selecting the UK’s top 25 hoteliers and 25 leading design professionals by asking you – our readers – to nominate those you think deserving of recognition in both fields.
Nominations have been coming in for several weeks from around the industry with big names such as Dexter Moren and Andrew Linwood to Andrew Wildsmith and Tony Troy having already been put forward. There is still time to nominate more inspirational and influential figures…
To lobby, simply email Hotel Designs editor Daniel Fountain via d.fountain@forumevents.co.uk briefly explaining why an individual should be considered for the Brit List. We will follow up with a request for more information at a later date.
You can nominate yourself, a peer, a client or even a competitor. The closing date for nominations is April 30th.
Global hotel management company, Swiss-Belhotel International (SBI), has announced its further expansion in Egypt with the signing of Swiss-Belresort Marseilia Beach 4 on the country’s north coast.
The agreement was formalised at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in the presence Mohamed Yehia Rashed, Minister of Tourism for Egypt.
Swiss-Belresort Marseilia Beach 4 is the second property owned by Marseilia Egyptian Gulf Real Estate Investment that will be managed by Swiss-Belhotel International.
With a robust pipeline of more than 2,296 rooms in development across four hotels, Egypt has emerged as a key growth market for Swiss-Belhotel International.
Boasting 150 well-appointed rooms, Swiss-Belresort Marseilia Beach 4 enjoys an idyllic location in Sidi Abd El Rahman Bay which is considered to be one of the most beautiful areas in Egypt. The hotel is being developed as an upscale 4-star resort to offer guests exceptional recreational facilities and varied dining options.
Catalysts of change including the shift in global economic powers, demographics and ageing populations, and the impact of digitisation were some of the hot topics discussed live on stage during the opening sessions of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2017 (AHIC), being held at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from 25-27 April, 2017 and organised by Bench Events and MEED.
Now in its 13th year, the annual knowledge and networking platform for the global hospitality investment community, AHIC, attracted more than 700 delegates eager to learn more about the Catalysts of Change influencing the evolving persona of the hotel guest and driving innovation among hotel owners and operators alike.
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman, Bench Events, Board Director, STR and Co-Founder of AHIC, introduced AHIC with the assistance of a robot co-host created by Isukashi, setting the scene for discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and other technological breakthroughs.
Commenting on the trends, Worsley said: “In the lead-up to AHIC during many conversations with our speakers, sponsors and the AHIC Advisory Board, it became clear that technology in its many and varied forms would be one of the major Catalysts of Change for the hospitality industry in the coming years. We wanted to give our delegates a demonstration of this with our AHIC robot and set the scene for three days of dynamic conversations.”
Worsley addressed these issues in the opening keynote session with Chris Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton, which this week announced it has the largest active pipeline in the GCC in terms of both rooms and properties, with more than 16,000 keys under construction and scheduled to open before 2020, according to STR.
Chris Nassetta said that while AI and robotics would be a part of Hilton’s future, at its core Hilton is a “business of people serving people”.
“Our Team Members differentiate Hilton by delivering an exceptional experience, something that is different from what people can get in another place, something that’s special, something that’s memorable, something that makes them want to come back,” commented Nassetta. “The way I think of innovation, is how do we take the core of what we do and make it even better?”
The topic of technological breakthroughs, such as AI, was identified as one of the top five megatrends by PwC Middle East’s Partner and Deals Real Estate Leader Dr. Martin Berlin, who unveiled the new PwC Report Global Megatrends and their impact on Hospitality in the Middle East at AHIC.
The trends presented by PwC were: Demographic and Social Change, with a polarising demand shift from the Silver Tourist to the Millennials and Generation Z; Shift in Global Economic Powers, as emerging economies are expected to surpass advanced economies in terms of international tourism arrivals by 2020; Accelerating Urbanisation, with 40 global megacities forecast by 2025; Climate Change and Resource Scarcity, predicted to impact the attractiveness of the Middle East as a destination; and Technological Breakthroughs, with connectivity as a key component of this.
As Dr. Berlin explained: “The travel and tourism industry has witnessed rapid and fundamental infiltration of digitisation across the entire value chain. Combined with the demographic and social change the digitisation will lead to a change of the ‘delivery’ of hospitality products and services.”
These game-changing trends, or Catalysts of Change, shaped much of the conversation in the opening CEOs’ panel session, featuring Stefan Leser, Group Chief Executive Officer, Jumeirah Group; Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group; Steven Daines, CEO New Businesses and CEO HotelServices Africa and Middle East, AccorHotels; Alex Kyriakidis, President and MD, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International; and Robert Welanetz, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Properties & Acting CEO Majid Al Futtaim Hotels, moderated by Dr Berlin.
Photos credit: Arabian Hotel Investment Conference
Referring to the five PwC trends, Alex Kyriakidis said: “To take a couple and put them on the top, unquestionably there would be technology and not just its impact on the guest and the consumer but also on the way we operate. The second trend [to highlight] would be demographics – the changing demographics and what does that mean for technology and everything else that we do”.
The panelists were in agreement and emphasised the fact that technology impacted both the front- and back-of-house functions of their business. At Emaar Hospitality Group, Olivier Harnisch, who took up his role on March 1, 2017, said he was interested in the potential of IoT and near-field communications to “really change the nature of our guests’ stay”.
Harnisch commented: “If you think about it, a guest’s stay is still full of friction, right? All of us travel a lot and just think about how many tasks are repetitive…you have to programme your safe, reset the shower, set up the gym equipment…all this uses data that is available and could be automated with the two functions [IoT and near-field communication] that I mentioned.”
Stefan Leser said he was focused on using IoT and digitisation, which he referred to as Industry 4.0, to enable Jumeirah Group “to run hotels in a very different manner”, using predictive maintenance in favour of preventative maintenance as an example.
Accor’s Steven Daines said he believed there is a “disruption going on that is much wider and much deeper” regarding the way that consumers look at travel and hospitality as a whole.
“Technology and intelligence and data are going to be the major disrupters in the coming years and that’s in two ways,” said Daines.
Firstly, he said they would impact the way hoteliers both extract data and feed databases in a worthwhile way to personalise services and secondly, Daines predicted that the consumer would have access to better data as they researched travel and accommodation.
“It’s so time consuming and tiring today to look for a holiday and I’m sure the intelligence will improve for the customer as well, and that’s something I’m not sure we are quite prepared for,” observed Daines.
On the subject of planning and preparation, speaking from the investor’s perspective, Robert Welanetz, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said he believed owners and operators faced a big challenge considering the vast investment technology required versus the risk of its “shelf-life until the next best idea”. Here, Stefan Leser urged the industry to focus predominately on the impact of the technology, not the timing of it.
“In my role as CEO I need to make the calls about where the true impact lies. I need to be right on the impact, I don’t need to be right on the timing. If there is one conclusion out of the last 10 years of technology, a lot of times you have underestimated the impact and you have overestimated the time of arrival and I think that is one of the conclusions that we need to be right on”.
The conversation at AHIC will continue over the next two days, with future discussions centred around topics including the mid-market, asset management, overseas investment, F&B, brands, third-party management and alternative investment models.
Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with hotels across the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, will showcase its key upcoming properties at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2017, the region’s premier travel and tourism event which takes place in Dubai from 24 – 27 April.
Rotana is preparing to open 17 new properties before the end of 2018, adding more than 4,500 keys to the company’s existing room count.
Key Rotana properties that will be on display at the high-profile exhibition includes Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas – a luxurious five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi set to open in the fourth quarter of 2017 on Saadiyat Beach. Featuring 354 upscale rooms and suites in addition to 13 private beach villas, the luxury resort will be the 15th Rotana property to open in the capital of the UAE.
Visitors to the Rotana stand at ATM 2017 will also receive a glimpse into the traditional charm of The Cove Rotana Resort, a spectacular property located on an idyllic water inlet on the Ras Al Khaimah beachfront. Currently undergoing large-scale refurbishment, the Extension is due to open its doors in Q2 2017.
Rotana recently made its long-awaited debut in Africa with the opening of the five-star Kin Plaza Arjaan by Rotana in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Africa is a key focus market for Rotana and the company currently has a number of projects under various stages of development across the continent including Marrakesh, Luanda, Nouakchott, Dar es Salaam and Lagos.
Rotana is also looking to strengthen its presence in Turkey by adding two more hotels in Istanbul. With the scheduled opening of the inter-connected properties under “Centro by Rotana” and “Arjaan hotel apartments by Rotana” brands in Q4 2017, the company will add a combined 305 rooms to its inventory while taking its total number of operating properties in Turkey to four hotels.
Even as it pushes into new markets and keeps extending its geographical reach, Rotana continues with its aggressive expansion plans in the GCC, with a total of four new hotels set to open in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this year alone – adding 888 keys to the company’s existing supply of 969 rooms in the Kingdom – and two hotels to open in Qatar by 2019.
In the coming two years, Rotana will open six properties in its home market of UAE, where the hospitality industry is projected to sustain its steady upward trajectory despite global challenges, with both Dubai and Abu Dhabi set to witness an increase in visitor numbers. Leisure travellers are expected to account for a 60% share of total visitor arrivals in Dubai in 2017, with business travellers making up the remaining 40%, while the comparative ratio for Abu Dhabi is projected at 60% business travellers vs. 40% leisure travellers. Rotana has been aggressively reaching out to new markets such as Poland and the Czech Republic to support the leisure segment in the UAE.
In total, Rotana will open 12 new hotels in 2017, and five more in 2018. Property opening in Q2 2017 includes Erbil Arjaan by Rotana, Kurdistan, Iraq (168 keys). Those launching in Q3 2017 include: Centro Waha, Riyadh, KSA (290 keys); Sundus Rotana, Muscat, Oman (215 keys); Pearl Rotana, Abu Dhabi, UAE (315 keys); Centro Salama, Jeddah, KSA (189 keys), and Al Bandar Rotana and Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana, Dubai, UAE (280 keys). In Q4 2017, Rotana will be launching: Centro Istanbul and Arjaan Istanbul by Rotana, Istanbul, Turkey (305 keys); Centro Olaya, Riyadh, KSA (156 keys); Centro Corniche, Al Khobar, KSA (253 keys); Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Abu Dhabi, UAE (340 keys). This will be followed by five openings in 2018: Sulaymaniyah Rotana, Kurdistan, Iraq (240 keys); Rayhaan Imam Reza by Rotana, Mashhad, Iran (272 keys); Al Jaddaf Rotana in Dubai, UAE (338 keys), Sundus Arjaan by Rotana, Muscat, Oman (102 keys), and Beach Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi, UAE (326 keys).
Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Quanzhou Riverside, Hilton’s 100th hotel in Greater China. Hilton Quanzhou Riverside is also the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Fujian and the brand’s 40th in Greater China.
The 25-storey, 296-room riverfront hotel is located in the heart of Quanzhou, Fujian Province’s largest metropolitan area and an important economic center in southeastern China that continues to support the corporate, MICE and leisure travel segments.
“Hilton is strengthening its footprint across China in locations that attract business and leisure travellers,” said Bruce McKenzie, senior vice president, operations, Greater China & Mongolia, Hilton. “We celebrate a great milestone today with the opening of our 100th hotel in China. And we are continuing to grow. With more than 230 hotels in the pipeline, we will provide guests with more choice and more opportunities to experience our best-in-class service, wherever they travel to.”
Hilton Quanzhou Riverside’s 296 guest rooms each span at least 40 square meters, making them the largest in the district. Guests can expect views of the river and the city skyline, modern décor, and in-room amenities such as Wi-Fi and 49-60 inch LCD televisions. The hotel’s heated indoor pool on level six affords river views, while an underwater sound system enables guests to enjoy music while they do their laps. Hilton Quanzhou Riverside’s guests can also relax in the hotel’s steam rooms, or they can work out on the Italian-made Technogym equipment at the 24-hour fitness centre.
Louvre Hotels Group, one of the largest hospitality groups in the world, continues to shape its wider growth strategy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Louvre Hotels is looking ahead to the opening of 10 new hotels in MENA by the end of 2017, which will add 1,600 keys to its current room inventory, exceeding the 11,000 milestone. In 2016 alone, Louvre launched 12 properties in key markets including UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Tunisia and Lebanon and expects to open no less than 10 hotels per year leading up to 2020 and beyond.
Louvre Hotels has a collection of six brands including Première Classe, Campanile, Kyriad, Tulip Inn, Golden Tulip and Royal Tulip. In 2017, the group is confirmed to open 10 new hotels ranging from upscale five star to midscale three stars such as :
– Royal Tulip The Act, Sharjah, UAE (180 rooms): Opened in January 2017 – Golden Tulip Ruwi Muscat, Oman (118 rooms): Opening Q2, 2017 – Tulip Inn Downtown Muscat, Oman (180 rooms): Opening Q2 2017 – Golden Tulip Sousse Palace Hotel & Spa Tunisia (250 rooms): Opening Q2, 2017 – Golden Tulip Regency Monastir Hotel & Spa Tunisia (200 rooms): Opening Q2, 20170 – Golden Tulip Palmeraie Tozeur Tunisia (100 rooms): Opening Q2, 2017 – Golden Tulip Doha, Qatar (198 rooms): Opening Q3, 2017 – Tulip Inn Algier Airport, Algeria (91 rooms): Opening Q3, 2017 – Tulip Inn Modon Jeddah, KSA (123 rooms): Opening Q4,2017 – Royal Tulip Korbous Resort Tunisia (167 rooms): Opening Q4, 2017
In keeping with the evolving needs of guests seeking affordable yet modern and fresh hospitality options, the group’s long-term expansion plans in the region will additionally see the opening of budget and midscale properties under its Campanile and Première Classe brands. Such focus on the budget friendly segment will add 40 hotels and 5,000 additional rooms to its existing portfolio by 2020 – reinforcing the group’s position as one of the largest hospitality players in the MENA region with a total room inventory of 20,000.
“Our commitment to actively expanding our footprint in the Middle East and North Africa region underscores the importance we believe the region holds in our future growth as one of the leading hospitality brands. Owing to its strategic geographic location as a trade corridor that connects the East and West, the region holds tremendous potential for increased business and leisure-related travel and tourism prospects from around the globe. Therefore, we see the region as one of our strongest growth markets that will continue to play a significant role in our expansion plans in the years to come,” said Amine E. Moukarzel, President, Louvre Hotels Group MENA.
“With the evolution of customer needs and their emphasis on value driven experiential travel, our mid market brands are a natural fit for todays traveler. We have placed experiences at the core of our global strategy and plans are already in place to introduce Campanile, our economy lifestyle brand in the region; with the first property under this modern fresh mid-market brand set to open in Kuwait by late 2019. In addition, we are looking ahead to bringing our mid-scale three to four-star brand, Kyriad, to the UAE and Oman with four properties planned across Dubai and Salalah,” Moukarzel added.
Earlier this year, Louvre Hotels Group also cemented its position in the Asian hospitality sector by becoming the leading hotel group in India with over 90 hotels under its stewardship following the group’s acquisition of a majority stake in Sarovar Hotels, the largest independent Indian hotel chain in terms of hotels and presence.
“Our continued expansion in MENA along with our strengths in Asia as the largest players in India and China enables us to build one of the strongest networks of hotels and brands across key business and leisure destinations around the world. Through our fast-expanding international footprint, we look forward to giving more choice to our growing community of loyal global consumers while further strengthening our focus on the Middle East as the central hub connecting our guests from the East and West.” he concluded.
Marriott International continues to strengthen its position across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, with projected growth across 38 countries and 150,000 rooms, operational and pipeline, by 2022. The new additions will bolster Marriott International’s existing collection of 247 hotels and 54,000 rooms in 30 countries across the region.
The completion of the acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016 now positions Marriott International as the world’s leading hotel company. The company now offers the broadest portfolio of brands in the MEA region, combining Starwood’s leading lifestyle brands and international footprint with Marriott International’s strong presence in the luxury and select-service tiers, as well as the convention and resort segment. Each brand has been classified into luxury, premium or select categories, with the luxury brands forming a standalone group.
The recently created luxury brands group currently features six brands across the region, including JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, St. Regis, W Hotels, and The Luxury Collection. A remarkable 15 new luxury brand properties with 3,500 rooms are set to open across the region between now and the end of 2018.
Further adding and strengthening to this luxury lifestyle offering, Marriott’s scheduled 2017 openings include the 200-room Bulgari Resort and Residences Dubai, 257-room Edition Abu Dhabi, 280-room W Amman Hotel in Jordan, and The St. Regis Cairo, all set to open by the fourth quarter of this year. Globally, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and JW Marriott brands are classified as ‘classic luxury’, while the other five brands fall under ‘distinctive luxury’.
Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director of Marriott International, Middle East & Africa, said: “The guests we see visiting our hotels today are looking for authenticity and personalization within their experiences. The unmatched breadth and depth of Marriott International’s brand portfolio uniquely positions us to cater to the increased demand of the rapidly-expanding cadre of affluent travellers.”
“With luxury travel continuing to grow across the region, we see a steep growth curve at the high-end and have a world-class, dedicated luxury structure in place to nurture and strengthen this coveted portfolio of eight diverse luxury brands. Our aim is to ensure that our award-winning brands continue to flourish while safe-guarding the uniqueness and prestige of our luxury brands as we carefully grow them across the Middle East and Africa.”
Traveling well beyond tried and true locations, to destinations from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi, and all points in between, travellers look to Marriott International for authentic experiences whether it’s business or luxury travel. The unmatched variety and regional nature of these hotels means Marriott International can offer truly differentiated offerings – from The Nile Ritz Carlton in Cairo to Marriott Hotel Al Forsan Abu Dhabi which openedin March, 2017.
Marriott has carefully defined each of its brands and their distinct offerings under luxury, premium and select to offer different experiences to guests. Premium brands including Marriott Hotels and Sheraton anchor the portfolio and provide a broad array of choices across the Middle East and Africa for business and leisure travel while evolving lifestyle brands such as Westin, Autograph Collection and Renaissance occupy the distinctive premium brand category.
New, fun, accessible experiences at Courtyard Hotels, Four Points, Protea, AC Hotels, and Aloft Hotels add to the select portfolio, ensuring Marriott International guests have whatever they want, wherever they are in the world.
“When we think about any of our brands, we start with the consumer and look at what they value,” added Kyriakidis. “With Marriott Hotels, this consumer is really looking for experiences that keep the mind balanced, sharp and inspired. And for Aloft Hotels, it’s really about urban-inspired spaces and vibrant social scenes for the next-generation traveller.”
Marriott International continues to strengthen its position across the Middle East and Africa region, with a remarkable 29 new properties set to open in 2017 with a total of 6815 rooms. The openings will see the hotel operator expand its Middle East footprint by 15 properties across the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, including the Bulgari, Renaissance, The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott Hotels, Aloft and Four Points by Sheraton brands.
The company has also announced further growth to its African pipeline with the opening of 14 new properties under the Courtyard by Marriott, JW by Marriott, Protea Hotels by Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Four Points by Sheraton, and Element brands.
At present, Marriott International is building bridges among its three loyalty programmes; Marriott Rewards, SPG and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards combined now counts for 100 Million members. On the day the acquisition closed, members were immediately able to link their accounts to have their status matched and transfer an unlimited amount of points among the programs, resulting in all members now having more access to more diversity in more destinations.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of the new-build 153-room Holiday Inn® Hotel & Suites Bellingham hotel in Bellingham, Washington.
The hotel, which is located steps away from Bellingham International Airport, is the first Holiday Inn property to open featuring the brand’s new H4 design, which was developed in collaboration with Holiday Inn hotel owners and frequent guests to meet the changing needs of modern leisure and business travelers.
Eric Lent, Vice President, Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza Brands, The Americas, IHG said: “Since its inception more than 60 years ago, the Holiday Inn brand has been a part of countless memorable experiences for travelers the world over. It’s important for a brand with as much history as Holiday Inn to continually reinvent itself in order to maintain its place in the hearts and minds of guests. With H4, we’ve once again raised the expectation of what a great hotel stay can be, and we are thrilled to welcome the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Bellingham to the IHG family as the first of many properties to come featuring this innovative new design.”
The Holiday Inn brand’s H4 guest room design is a flexible solution that adapts to each guests’ individual needs as they change throughout their stay, allowing them to work or relax wherever and however they want and truly make the space their own. As part of the design, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Bellingham hotel features:
– A Welcome Nook serves as a drop zone for guests to hang their coat, drop their keys and personal belongings and plug in their devices – much like they would an entryway or mudroom in their own home. – An entirely new room type, the King Bed with Comfort Hideaway, features a trundle-type bed which doubles as a sofa during the day and can pull out into two twin beds at night. The room design is ideal for both business travelers, serving as a separate place to work or relax and unwind, and families with kids and teens, giving each member of the family a comfortable place to sleep and play. – A new Moveable Desk and more than five dedicated points of power throughout the room were designed with today’s travelers in mind, giving them the ability to work and play anywhere in the room.
Ragan Humphrey, General Manager, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Bellingham said: “We can’t wait to welcome guests traveling to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to the new Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Bellingham. With wonderfully designed rooms, spacious public areas and state of the art conference facilities, we have everything covered whatever the reason travellers stay. We are confident that our hotel will quickly become a favorite choice of leisure and business travelers visiting the area.”
The much-anticipated Park Hotel Farrer Park, developed by RB Capital Group, will be opening in May 2017, further enriching the neighbourhood of Farrer Park.
Centrally situated atop Farrer Park MRT station, the iconic new landmark is set to bring modern comfort to one of Singapore’s most vibrant enclaves. A precinct that encompasses Singapore’s rich history since the 1840s, Farrer Park is well known as the home of Singapore’s first racecourse and for decades was the scene for many different activities including sports and social gatherings.
The 20-storey hotel, designed by award-winning RSP Architects and interior design agency FBEYE International, will feature 300 rooms across five categories – to suit both business and family travellers. These rooms will include unique duplex loft layouts, which will be the first of their kind in the district.
“We are thrilled to be opening our doors in May. Park Hotel Farrer Park will combine the hotel’s vibrant central location with unsurpassed modern comforts, ensuring that the hotel is the area’s most exciting new destination,” said Sharmini Moganasundram, General Manager.
Managed by the award-winning Park Hotel Group, Park Hotel Farrer Park has also been rated BCA Green Mark Gold Plus by the Building & Construction Authority, in recognition of the hotel’s efforts to introduce sustainable strategies.
Standing tall amongst heritage shophouses, Park Hotel Farrer Park will blend tastefully into the bustling neighbourhood and pay homage to Singapore’s melting pot of cultures through its food offerings, arts, cultural programming and socially-conscious initiatives.
The forthcoming launch marks Park Hotel Farrer Park’s support of homegrown labels, including Singapore’s MATTER Prints. The ‘socially-conscious’ brand, whose textiles are woven in Pochampally, South India, will be creating custom-print fabrics for the hotel uniforms.
“Our mission is to bring the beauty of heritage textiles to a greater audience, and Park Hotel Farrer Park’s approach to hospitality reflects our ethos that ‘where’ and ‘why’ something is made, matters,” said Renyung Ho, Co-Founder of MATTER Prints.
Park Hotel Farrer Park will also bring three distinct dining concepts to Farrer Park – an authentic Thai restaurant, a specialty coffee house and an American gastro bar. Other facilities include a fitness centre and function space at a scenic pool deck that is ideal for business and social occasions.
Situated at Farrer Park MRT station, Park Hotel Farrer Park is a short train ride away from Singapore’s business, shopping and entertainment districts. Key destinations via the MRT include Clarke Quay, Orchard Road, Raffles Place, and Singapore Sports Hub. The hotel is walking distance from City Square mall and the 24-hour Mustafa Centre.
Stephen Walter’s drawings are a tangle of signs, words and images that draw the viewer into the artist’s intricate worlds. A graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal College of art, he is best-known for his series of hand-drawn maps, done in enormous detail and layered with both visual and textual information.
Each work is an intricate world in itself; a tangle of words and symbols that make up a complex of hidden meanings and wider contradictions. Through drawing, photography and printmaking, his artworks explore the meaning of objects, the glory of maps, our place in the world, and the potential legacy that we bequeath to future generations.
Our new collaborative collection brings Stephen’s iconic drawings to commercial interiors. We have nine designs which we can resize to wall dimensions and print onto any of our base materials, including colours, textures, metallics and window films. The prints retain all the charm and intricacy of the original artwork. Below are a couple of examples of the new designs, the full collection can be seen here.
Commissioned in 2010 for the London Transport Museum, London Subterranea geographically tracks the routes of London’s Lost Rivers, its main sewers, the tube network and it’s ‘ghost’ stations including the Crossrail project. It also pinpoints archaeological finds, ruins, known plague pits, secret governmental tunnels, the Mail Rail and the Water Ring Main tunnels. Epithets to the ‘underworld’ of crime, and the scenes of notable killings such as the acid-bath murders get a look in. So too does the site of the infamous Tyburn Tree and its many buried corpses that still lie in its wake undiscovered.
Hub shows the district names, art galleries and places of interest in London’s central areas. It takes on the style of early ‘picture-maps’ of London printed before the Great Fire of 1666. Here, the topographical features such as churches and houses are drawn pictorially upon a street plan. Whilst Hub, doesn’t claim to be a comprehensive map of all the spaces and organisations that exhibit and contribute to London’s art world, it provides an insight into where many of the recognised art spaces operated within the city, with its three main cluster areas of activity – the West End, Hoxton and Hackney.
Read more about Stephen’s work in The Guardian here, watch a short film below by Dominic Holland on the making of London Subterranea here and watch a clip from the BBC’s A Picture of London here.
Chelsom has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in recognition of its outstanding export achievements over the past three years. As Britain’s most coveted commercial prize, the awards celebrate and encourage business excellence in the UK. Chelsom has demonstrated outstanding results, achieving 131% growth in international sales over that period.
Chelsom designs and manufactures decorative lighting for the global hotel and marine industries. Innovative in-house designs, high quality manufacturing and excellent service levels have contributed towards winning prestigious projects in 70 countries across the world. 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 extremely proud that Chelsom is one of only 102 companies across all industries to be honoured with the award for International Trade this year because it acknowledges the hard work, dedication and passion that every employee has shown in helping to drive the business forward internationally. The award comes in Chelsom’s 70th anniversary year making it fitting recognition that a third generation family business is continuing to expand and develop.”
Will Chelsom, Managing Director, has been instrumental in driving the Export division and diversifying into the marine sector. He says, “We have achieved remarkable export growth particularly in North America, the Middle East and Europe. Major investments in our international sales team, our branding and overseas exhibitions have raised our international profile and have all been critical to our success. I am pleased to say, however, that we have maintained equal focus on the UK market which has also grown by almost 45% over the same period. Winning this export award is a great honour but it is also confirmation that our product design, overseas sales strategies and all the accompanying hard work are taking us to the forefront of our global industry.”
While Oslo hogs the international attention, Bergen sits pretty on Norway’s southwestern coast, quietly getting on with being the country’s picturesque hub of design, music and creative culture.
A hodgepodge of rainbow-toned wooden houses climbing up the mountainside from the sea, the city has historically been the gateway to the fjords and fairytales of the Nordic north – visited by a combination of in-the-know city-breakers and the summertime cruise-ship contingent. But Bergen is a changing city – and Villa Terminus is both a symbol of and a force behind its evolution.
With only 18 bedrooms, Villa Terminus is the smallest hotel in the hyper-local hotel group De Bergenske, a family-run collection of five remarkable – and remarkably different – historic properties all in the heart of the city, each one appealing to the tastes of a different type of traveller. Grand Hotel Terminus provides the classic grand Continental hotel experience and Augustin offers a relaxed, familial atmosphere. The soon-to-open Zander K and Bergen Børs promise ultra-modern Nordic and fashion-forward elegance respectively; but boutique-style Villa Terminus is unique in pairing a home-from-home atmosphere with a lesson in Nordic design flair.
Built in the 18th century as a residential home for the destitute, the villa has been freshly refurbished and sensitively rejuvenated by renowned Swedish architecture and design firm Claesson Koivisto Rune. Today, Villa Terminus offers guests a finely balanced fusion of Bergen’s history, Norwegian culture and iconic mid-century and modern-day design.
Tasked with creating interiors that balanced a warm welcoming atmosphere with a note of intrigue, Claesson Koivisto Rune looked to the domestic paintings of 19th-century Danish artist Vilhelm Hammershøi, the great interiors artist known for creating works with an ‘air of tranquillity and clear soft light that was quintessentially Scandinavian’, as architect Mårten Claesson puts it. The way sunlight plays upon the chalk-toned bedroom walls, the natural material palette, and the clear appreciation for the crafted and handmade exhibited in the furniture and fittings are all designed to imbue Villa Terminus with the soothingly muted mystery of a Hammershøi oil painting.
With a restrained late-Baroque exterior dating back to the 1760s, and interior features ranging from the 1950s to the present day, the new Villa Terminus seems to exist in several time periods at once. As guests meander through the hotel – passing through an array of restful living areas, a sedate library (filled with works by Norwegian novelists and tomes of Bergenser history), and a genial modern kitchen – they encounter a host of vintage mid-century pieces. Alongside these, the hotel features furniture and objects by some of the most celebrated names in international design today – including Erwan and Ronan Bouroullec, David Chipperfield, Antonio Citterio, Ilse Crawford, Andreas Engesvik, Josef Frank, Sir Kenneth Grange, Konstantin Grcic, Jasper Morrison, Patrick Norguet, Russell Pinch, Samuel Wilkinson, Terence Woodgate and many more.
‘Like all Scandinavian cities, Bergen is throughly modern, but unlike most of them, it has still managed to maintain a small-scale charm. Bergen is – like the rest of the world – becoming more ‘glocal’. More personal, less corporate. Villa Terminus fits this new environment perfectly.’ – Villa Terminus architect Eero Koivisto
The emphasis on design reflects the importance of the discipline to modern-day Bergen. Thanks to the presence of the Bergen Academy of Art & Design, and a huge number of its students settling here to set up their studios after graduation, Norway’s second city has acquired a reputation for being one of its most influential creative hubs in the design arena – with an equally forward-thinking music scene and a rapidly up-and-coming gastronomic reputation. Today’s travellers visit Bergen not just as the entry point into fjordland adventure, but as one of Scandinavia’s most culturally rich, cosmopolitan destinations – that still retains a distinctive small-town cosiness.
A compact all-round solution for any home is making its way on to the market in the form of the Geberit AquaClean Tuma shower toilet. The AquaClean Tuma is available as a complete solution, or as an enhancement toilet seat for retro-fitting and will be available from April.
Designed by renowned industrial designer Christoph Behling, the Geberit AquaClean Tuma fits harmoniously into any bathroom. Thanks to its elegant, streamlined design and compact shape (with a projection of just 553mm), the new shower toilet can add extra comfort to any sized bathroom, transforming them into an oasis of wellbeing.
The new shower toilet can be tailored to suit any bathroom due to its design cover, which is available in several colours and materials. This helps to perfectly coordinate with Geberit’s extensive range of flush plates.
Equipped with sophisticated technology Hidden beneath the surface of its stylish design is a wealth of innovative technology. The patented WhirlSpray shower technology gently and thoroughly cleans the user with warm water.
The Geberit AquaClean Tuma complete solution also features an odour extraction unit and a Rimfree® toilet pan for optimised hygiene. The product also features an ergonomically designed toilet seat with heating element, a warm air dryer and a user-friendly remote control. An app will also be available from summer 2017 enabling the device to be controlled via a smart phone.
An ideal and flexible solution The Geberit AquaClean Tuma can also be chosen as a toilet enhancement solution, which can be retrofitted to a variety of ceramic pans. With the same functions as the complete solution, the toilet enhancement solution is simple and straightforward to fit by an experienced installer, with no major structural alterations required.
Straightforward installation As you would expect from a Geberit appliance, the Geberit AquaClean Tuma can easily be installed by a single experienced installer. This is thanks to an innovative packaging concept, with a built in mounting aid. All technical components are integrated into the functional unit in the seat and are readily accessible to plumbers and service technicians.
Geberit’s standard connection dimensions ensure that the shower toilet is compatible with all installation systems, as well as with the Geberit Monolith sanitary modules.
Viero UK is proud to partner with some of the most creative studios in the world of surface design. DKT Artworks, based in south west London, has a reputation for producing some of the finest sculptures, murals, trompe l’oeil, decorative designs and polished plasters.
Our relationship spans back more than twenty years, in which time we have supported them to deliver on some of their most prestigious projects. We recently spoke to members of the creative team to find out more about their work and our long-standing partnership.
Tell us a bit more about your business… Our business is all about large-scale decorative art. We are a London-based design house launched in the late 1970s. We work across a wide range of design disciplines in various materials including plaster, mosaic, metals, semi-precious stones and glass. Our ethos is that there are no boundaries to the creativity of our work.
What projects are you working on at the moment? One of our largest areas of work is within the marine industry. We have years of experience in producing work for superyachts. We take on some very large-scale design challenges and come up with practical solutions to implementing these very challenging briefs.
How long have you been using Viero UK’s range of products? DKT has been working with Viero for more than 25 years. During this time, we have used a variety of their products including Lithos, Ikos, Visocalce, Granisplast, Hydro and Marmorin Sand.
What do you like about working with Viero UK? Viero UK have a wide range of lime based and decorative plasters. They all have different qualities and their own individual characteristics but are all consistent in application. We are always looking to come up with fresh ideas and creavitive textures and the Viero range opens up the possibilities for this. We have a dedicated team of six artisans in our London studio who take care of our plastering projects. Their work often involves meeting challenging design briefs and tight deadlines, so Viero UK’s efficient support and delivery surface is another reason why our partnership works so well.
What do you feel the future holds for your business? For a company that has worked in Europe for years, a break from the European Union in the next two years means these are uncertain times. However, our ethos has never been to become complacent and to always look for new solutions. We intend to continue to build on our reputation and look to those long-term relationships that we’ve built over the years to consolidate this.
As part of its ongoing expansion, The Shilla Hotels & Resorts’ premium business brand, Shilla Stay, announces the opening of two new properties in Seocho, Seoul, and Haeundae, Busan. Shilla Stay Haeundae is the brand’s first property in Busan, situated on the southeast tip of the Korean Peninsula.
Characteristic of the Shilla Stay brand, the hotels are designed by renowned Italian architect Piero Lissoni and offer ample space with minimalist aesthetics. Functional furnishings coupled with modern conveniences create a relaxed ambience and reflect the brand’s “Smarter Stay” values of delivering home away from home experiences.
Shilla Stay Seocho Opened on April 1 in the heart of Gangnam’s commercial district, Shilla Stay Seocho is accessible via two subway stations – Yangjae Station and Gangnam Station – and nearby Seoul’s cultural and shopping hubs such as COEX Mall, Apgujeong Rodeo Street, and Seoul Arts Centre.
Shilla Stay Seocho spans 28 floors and comprises 305 rooms available in three categories. Ranging from Standard and Deluxe to an expansive Grand Room, each guestroom exemplifies the brand’s winning blend of comfort and convenience through bespoke details such as quality Hungarian goose-down bedding and Aveda bathroom amenities.
Designed with the modern traveller in mind, Shilla Stay Seocho features welcoming communal spaces such as a Guest Lounge*, which includes amenities like a self-service laundry room, microwave, induction stove, and water purifier. For those travelling for work, the hotel’s 5/F is dedicated to meetings and banquets, with several venues that can be booked in advance as well as catering services available upon request. Six customizable rooms can accommodate groups from 12 to 70 persons, each fully equipped with LCD projectors, state-of-the-art sound systems, and high-speed wireless internet to match the needs of a diverse audience.
Shilla Stay’s flagship restaurant Cafe on the 3/F offers a buffet of pan-Asian and international cuisines for breakfast and lunch, and transitions into a cozy lounge bar serving drinks and small bites after 6pm.
Centrally located with easy access to major tourist areas and two subway lines, the hotel is ideal for business and leisure travellers alike.
After an extensive refurbishment and partial rebuild, Little Vumbura Camp has reopened in Wilderness Safaris’ private Vumbura Concession in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. With only six intimate tented suites, the camp offers a true Delta-island experience, complete with an array of both land and water-based safari activities.
“We are thrilled about Little Vumbura’s refreshed look and feel, with the tents now boasting spacious rooms that lead onto a lounge area, having increased in size by 30%. They also feature large windows that bring the feel of the outdoors within so that guests can enjoy the beauty of the bush whilst also relaxing in their suite. The family tent has also increased by 30% and the intimate nature of the camp remains the perfect choice for exclusive family safaris”, said Vumbura Concession Manager, Nick Leuenberger.
Other improvements to the camp include the extension of the bar area, which now includes a circular bar with a lot more space for guests to enjoy a range of cocktails or their favourite drink whilst watching the sunset. The new shaded pergola, situated between the dining and lounge area, is ideal for afternoon tea or midday relaxation and also provides another scenic venue choice for communal dining. The main dining area now features new decking and free-standing furniture. The new fire deck will be used for pre-dinner drinks, offering the most incredible 360-degree views of the concession.
“One of the things that makes Little Vumbura special is the unique arrival into camp by boat which can only be experienced in a true year-round water camp in the Okavango Delta”, added Leuenberger. “Little Vumbura really does tick all the boxes in terms of exceptional wildlife viewing in addition to tranquil water experiences. You can begin your day by floating serenely through the waterlilies on a silent mokoro and end it on an expertly-guided game drive, watching a herd of 1000 buffalo against a golden African sunset”.
The rebuild of Little Vumbura follows the extensive refurbishment of the main area of Vumbura South Camp in October last year. North Camp, South Camp and Little Vumbura all provide the perfect base from which to explore the diverse Vumbura Concession, renowned for its variety of activities on offer – on land, on water and by air! “It is a “hybrid” concession with the best of both worlds – permanent swamps, dry woodland and everything in between. It is the only Wilderness concession in Botswana that offers hot-air ballooning safaris – an absolute must-do bucket list experience”, Leuenberger concluded.
The Anam, a 117-villa and 96-room resort that commands a stunning beachfront setting and a sublime 10 treatment-room spa, has celebrated its grand opening (April 26) in Vietnam’s most compelling new destination.
Blazing new ground in a destination emerging as a high-end alternative to nearby Nha Trang, the independently owned and operated five-star resort will cut the ribbon on a host of world-class facilities, including the spa, three restaurants and two bars, a 3D movie theatre, a ballroom, conference facilities, water sports centre, yoga room and deck, tennis court, gym, kids club and three swimming pools.
The Anam’s design pays homage to colonial-era and age-old Vietnamese aesthetics, evoking a nostalgic tone with its imperial Hue-style roofs, glowing lanterns, big-bellied water vases, decorative pools, customised mosaic floor tiles and stone pathways.
Ranging in size from 50sqm to 267sqm, the villas, rooms and suites afford unencumbered views of the ocean, towering headlands, lush gardens and the resort’s swimming and decorative pools. Terraces or balconies jut from every villa. Twenty-seven villas have separate living rooms and their own private swimming pools.
Throughout the resort, old world elegance meets Asian aesthetics and prerogatives in a fusion of East and West. Forests cultivated for sustainable harvests supplied the hardwood. Local artisans designed floor tiles that reference colonial French floors. Vietnamese artwork hung from the walls and perched on plinths open doors on the country’s culture.
Three distinct restaurants, The Indochine, Indochine Grill and Beach Club, and two bars, Saigon Bar and Sports Bar, lure diners from venues casual enough for finger food and refined enough for a baby grand piano.
The Sri Mara Spa comprises 10 treatment rooms, including four VIP rooms designed for couples, each equipped with two massage beds, a steam room, sauna and outdoor granite Jacuzzi.
Virgin Limited Edition is excited to share the first images of its newly-opened villa, Son Balagueret, situated on the Son Bunyola Estate.
The new villa is Son Bunyola’s latest addition following the opening of the first two villas, Sa Terra Rotja and Sa Punta de S’Aguila in summer 2016.
Son Balagueret is spread over three floors and includes a secluded central Courtyard, a private heated swimming pool and panoramic views over the estate and the dramatic coastline.
The villa sleeps up to 6 people in three bedrooms, one of which is located in a unique and historic turret dating back to the 13th century. Rates start from £11,300 at today’s exchange rate for a 7 night stay.
The private estate, with its own gated entrance, is over 700 acres and is located in between Esporles and Banyalbufar on the Northwest coast of Mallorca. At the heart of the estate is an original Finca building dating back to the 1800s surrounded by vines, citrus fruit trees, almond and olive trees.
The expansion of prizeotel continues through the joint venture with The Rezidor Hotel Group. The group is proud to announce a new prizeotel near the Munich Airport in the Hallbergmoos municipality. prizeotel Munich Airport will open in early 2019. Karim Rashid, the renowned New York based designer and the brand curator, will once again showcase his ‘designocrasy’ at the new prizeotel.
With the signing of a new prizeotel in Munich, Founder & CEO Marco Nussbaum introduces 160 brand new rooms for the design-oriented but price conscious guests in Bavaria’s capital and home to the famous Oktoberfest. The new prizeotel is situated less than 10 minutes from the airport by car and will provide 80 parking spaces for guests. Munich Airport is one of the busiest and most important travel hubs in Europe, hosting more than 42 million passengers annually.
“The new prizeotel in the heart of Bavaria is another evidence of our continued success story with The Rezidor Hotel Group, with whom we have already realized three projects in a span of 11 months”, said Marco Nussbaum. prizeotel currently operates 555 rooms in Hamburg, Bremen and Hannover, with an additional 995 rooms in the pipeline. Future prizeotels are under construction in Hamburg St. Pauli, Erfurt ICE city and Bern.
prizeotel is an economy hotel brand, high on design and functionality. The brand concept is based on an urban flair and innovative, customer-friendly technology with free, high-speed Internet; mobile check-in; etc.
Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer of The Rezidor Hotel Group, looks forward to the new Munich location: “With prizeotel, we are offering our guests an innovative, exceptional and credible hospitality experience in the economy segment,” he says. “We are also offering our investment partners a sustainable and compelling real estate investment proposition through a contained investment cost and attractive fixed income.”
The Rezidor Hotel Group is already present in Bavaria’s capital with two Park Inn by Radisson hotels.
Versital is delighted to have been specified by award-winning interior design practice, Collective Design, for its latest restaurant renovation project. The popular Central Oven & Shaker, a stylish pizzeria in Newcastle, recently underwent a thorough renovation throughout the premises.
Central Oven & Shaker is a popular eatery based in Neville Street, in the heart of Newcastle. It offers a selection of artisan pizzas and thirst-quenching cocktails, and seamlessly blends industrial inspired design and natural materials for a modern and vibrant setting. Versital’s faux marble finish surfaces perfectly complement the wooden accents used throughout the restaurant.
Versital’s bespoke surfaces were supplied for Central’s bar tops and front panels in a white faux marble finish. Versital products are designed to beautifully replicate the luxurious appearance and intricate veining of the natural material, while providing added benefits. Whilst natural marble is prone to erosion and staining, making it an impractical material for design, Versital has provided a solution that maintains the beauty of marble without any of the problems it is commonly associated with.
The brand’s 100% non-porous surfaces are completely bespoke, making them suitable for an array of applications in the domestic and commercial sectors. Versital offers an impressive range of over 90 colours with finishes in marble, granite, sparkle and high gloss.
“We specialise in designing commercial environments such as bars, restaurants and nightclubs, and so we were seeking a manufacturer with similar expertise and insight into the hospitality industry. Versital has impressive credentials, and the extensive colour and finish range of bespoke surfaces perfectly fitted our brief”, says Simon Mcilwraith, Director and Owner of Collective Design.
Gemma Stockberger, Head of Marketing and Sales for Versital UK adds “Versital surfaces are ideal for hospitality applications, because their durability and resistance to staining is a necessary pre-requisite for environments where there could be numerous food and drink spillages. The faux marble finish will continue to look as good as new for years to come, eliminating the fear of having to replace them later. We are delighted to collaborate with such a revered design practice, who has been awarded Interior Designer of the Year four times at the Northern Design Awards, and with the final look that has been achieved in Central Oven & Shaker.”
World-renowned and New York-based interior designer Tony Chi returned to Park Hyatt Washington DC to make design enhancements to the hotel’s guestrooms and lobby, in time for the return of spring in the nation’s capital and the city’s famed cherry blossoms.
Tony Chi last completed a full redesign of the entire luxury hotel in 2006. The new update includes 216 guestrooms, which include deluxe king and deluxe double rooms, as well as junior suites. All rooms have been updated with a fresh look by Chi that reflects the hotel’s modern, refined elegance. Throughout his 30-year career, Tony Chi has been highly lauded worldwide with industry awards for creating warm, modern spaces at elite international hotels and restaurants.
“My concept for Park Hyatt Washington DC was to bring together a dynamic and attractive modernism with classic American style,” said Tony Chi, Principal and Founder of tonychi. “Modern for today’s sophisticated traveler, classic American in deference to the fashionable and historic area in which it is located. Park Hyatt Washington intimately connects guests and visitors with Washington DC’s legacy of culture and style, a journey of timelessness that is expressed both from its past and today.”
Inspired by DC’s bright, blooming spring colors, the hotel’s new guestroom design features rich woods, dazzling gold accents, and custom glasswork by photographic glass artist Amanda Weil. Guests will enjoy a soothing, yet vibrant color palate of denim blue, cracked caramel, and blue-grey hues. The new design also now features 100 percent natural vegetable fibre (grass cloth) wall coverings, custom-designed plaid wool rugs, and rich walnut wood platform beds complete with leather headboards and reading lights.
Custom-designed daybeds, complete with walnut wood platform bases, upholstered benches, and leather-wrapped arms and back can be found in deluxe rooms and junior suites. The deluxe rooms feature large social tables, with inlaid cherry blossom glass art by Weil, that are perfect for the needs of every guest. The junior suites also offer new walnut wood flooring and cherry blossom glass-topped desks also by Weil. Room accents in the junior suites include antique gameboards and a selection of hardcover books highlighting American crafts and heritage.
Deluxe rooms feature spa-inspired, basalt-tiled bathrooms. King bathrooms feature a spacious walk-in rainfall shower, and the double bathrooms feature large bathtubs. Junior Suites, some of the largest in the city at 544-square feet, also feature oversized spa-inspired bathrooms with limestone-tiled rain showers and deep soaking tubs. The style of the refreshed guestrooms is a natural extension of the hotel’s approach to understated luxury.
“We are very happy to work with Tony Chi again on a new guestroom and lobby design that has transformed the hotel into a Park Hyatt in bloom,” said Jon Benson, general manager, Park Hyatt Washington DC. “His unmistakable style and creative approach make a unique statement about the city that is perfect for our guests – savvy global connoisseurs. The fresh design expands upon the hotel’s approach to refined all-American luxury and celebrates Park Hyatt hotels’ commitment to thoughtfully curated design.”
This new “in-bloom” feeling is not limited to the hotel’s new design at Park Hyatt Washington; the hotel carries out the spring-inspired concept throughout to its Michelin-starred restaurant Blue Duck Tavern. The restaurant will soon introduce new culinary events including a Seasonal Garden Table, which is an outdoor, communal Chef’s Table experience; rooftop garden; and a garden-inspired cocktail series, which will feature fresh elements from local farms. In late April, the hotel will feature an exclusive collection of spring-like art from The Phillips Collection, the country’s first museum of modern art, on the hotel’s mezzanine level.
Designed by leading spa consultancy, SPA Creators (which has more than 20 years experience in creating exsquisite spa designs for hotels) make their first UK launch with Fishmore Hall, Shropshire, as they launch their innovative, designed pod-builds known as SPAshell.
Launching into the luxury boutique hotel Fishmore Hall, Shropshire, in October 2016 Laura Penman, Owner of Fishmore Hall said: “The beauty of SPAshell is that it provides us all the elements required to create a successful spa: from design and site development stages, through to delivery and commissioning; all building works are completed off-site using the latest technology. There’s no need for traditional foundation-work to be done, the installation of SPAshell takes a matter of a few days, and there’s almost no disturbance to our existing business and our guests. For us, it’s an obvious next step in our development of Fishmore Hall.”
Boutique hotels can now choose their pod builds: from ‘Mini SPAshellTM’ size, which offers four treatment rooms for guests, to the ‘Oyster SPAshellTM’ which offers eight treatment rooms for guests. Both come with thermal suites to boost guests’ relaxation experience with stylish and sophisticated Italian designed sauna and steam rooms and each SPAshellTM’ include a commercially-graded outdoor vitality pool, made from beautiful cedar wood materials with bucket shower and monsoon drench showers -ideal for cooling off.
Inside the spa, British brand Elemis provide luxury spa treatments to guests. Each SPAshellTM installation is turnkey supplied; from fully trained, managed staff members, to a fully integrated training and client management solution, ensuring that spa guests receive the highest standards of spa and wellbeing treatments.
The eco-conscious brand has chosen low maintenance Siberian Larch Wood to clad each spa pod; with a natural resistance to decay, it blends easily and sympathetically over time within the immediate environment whilst combining high standards of manufacturing technology to the core buildings. In Russia, the Siberian Larch tree is known as the ‘Tree of Eternity.’
Founder and Manging Director of SPAshellTM’ Alistair Johnson says: “We’re incredibly proud and excited to be launching the UK’s first SPAshellTM Fishmore Hall this October; this represents five years of design and planning to reach this stage. The SPAshellTM build offers a brilliant solutions for any boutique hotel or corporate business looking to add spa and wellness packages to their business and provide an additional revenue stream.”
Once installed, each SPAshellTM is commissioned and operational in less than ten days. The exterior landscape will be fully integrated with the SPAshellTM using both eco-conscious materials and methods, blending aesthetically in to the existing hotel site with ease.
• SPAshellTM eco spa pods are especially well suited to sites whereby space, budget of planning for a full build may be a barrier. • SPAshellTM enable hotel owners and hotel operators with no prior spa experience or knowledge, to deliver a luxury spa experience for their hotel guests. • SPAshellTM is pre-designed to suit existing sites/locations, it’s delivered manufacture-ready to each business. Once installed, each SPAshellTM is commissioned and fully operational in less than ten days. • The design concept will also appeal to country house and landowners who are looking to diversify and increase their revenue (REV PAR -Revenue Per Room), increase their food and beverage sales and broaden their market appeal. • Each SPAshellTM is approved to the highest building standards required for any UK spa enterprise. It’s unique and sleek design engages positive client flow, SPAshellTM integrates the best possible operational spa business practices to offer an exceptional spa experience for guests. • We combine cutting-edge design with the highest quality fittings, SPAshellTM offers a unique spa experience for boutique hotel guests that is set to revolutionise the hotel and wellness markets.
Nomad is our latest Newmor Custom collection – layers of texture, pattern and metallics create an eclectic global look. Artisanal crafts, ikats, natural surfaces and landscapes, all in an earthy vegetable dye palette.
These designs, and all of the designs from our Newmor Custom range can be resized, recoloured and printed onto any of our base materials including textures, colours, metallics and window films.
Colours – this trend doesn’t rely solely on the use of natural colours and organic materials, dark tones, burnt oranges, ochre and acidic hues add extra dimension.
The Designs
Agate – hand painted by our design studio, this stylised geode design comes in earthy neutrals.
Palm – this huge scale shadowy palm print looks stunning printed on our multi-faceted metallic Sorrento wallcovering
Mountain – hand-painted in our studio, this Japanese influenced mountain landscape makes a real impact.
Tribe – a muted tribal print inspired by African mud cloth patterns and basketry.
GROHE received five of the most sought-after design awards for its Blue Home water system, Sensia Arena shower toilet, Lineare bathroom mixer and Concetto Professional and Essence Professional kitchen tap lines.
The Red Dot Award is known as one of the most coveted awards honoUring exceptional design performance. GROHE’s recognition brings the total number of Red Dot Awards 2017 for LIXIL Corporation, a global sanitary ware market leader which includes premium brands such as GROHE, to six.
The international design competition Red Dot is held by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany and appraises the best products of the year. Designers and manufacturers from all over the globe submit their products and a jury of 40 specialised experts evaluate those products on innovation, functionality, ergonomics, durability and ecological compatibility. In 2017, more than 5,500 products were submitted from 54 countries around the world.
GROHE presented an exceptional variety of products offering intelligent solutions in modern designs for the bathroom and kitchen. As the worldwide leading provider of sanitary fittings, GROHE successfully proved its leading market position by receiving five sought-after Red Dot Awards for its Blue Home water system, the Sensia Arena shower toilet, GROHE’s Lineare bathroom mixer and the brand’s kitchen tap lines, Concetto Professional and Essence Professional.
The GROHE Blue Home is a private water source for ultimate taste and enjoyment, supplying filtered and chilled water with three selectable carbonation levels straight from the kitchen tap. Removing the need for industrialised mineral water, it cuts drinking water costs by at least 50 percent and reduces carbon emissions by 61 percent compared to bottled water.
The doors are officially open at the first-ever Life Hotel in Manhattan’s burgeoning NoMad neighbourhood.
Located at 19 West 31st Street (between Broadway and Fifth Avenue) in the original building that once housed LIFE magazine, the hotel echoes the original dual-use of this iconic property where celebrated writers and artists like Norman Rockwell, Charles Gibson, and John Ames Mitchell worked, resided, and played. By offering a smartly priced and wholly service-centric experience, Life Hotel is introducing a new category of hotel for today’s traveler, blurring the lines between work and play.
Behind the project are two powerhouses and longtime friends: real estate developer David Mitchell (SoHo Beach House, Las Vegas City Hall, The Whitman New York) and hospitality veteran Stephen Hanson, who founded and oversaw BR Guest Hospitality (Dos Caminos, Blue Water Grill, James Hotel, Postcard Inn) for over 25 years.
“The journey we’ve taken from first stepping foot into this building to opening day has been one of passion and discovery; it has been an archeological dig from day one,” says Mitchell. “There is so much history behind these walls that we were keen to keep in tact while creating a hotel that goes far beyond the typical.”
Hanson adds: “The Life brand is all about four-star service at a smart and accessible price. You’ll feel that personal touch and value from the moment you walk into the lobby – the buzz and excitement of people working from our communal tables, enjoying a cocktail at the bar or a bite in the restaurant will be enough to convince you that you’re not in an average hotel. And just wait until you experience a night in one of our guest rooms.”
Commissioned by Carrère and Hastings (New York Public Library) in 1895, the building has been transformed by designer and BR Guest alumna Tara Oxley, who peeled away the layers of 122 years of mixed use to reveal architectural details in everything from wood moldings to original marble flooring.
Inspired by the infrastructure and craftsmanship, Oxley created a warm, inviting environment that complements the original architecture juxtaposing traditional and contemporary design. The rooms themselves, of which there are 98, feature high ceilings, wood floors with exposed concrete, airy white walls and original molding. Mitchell and Hanson are avid art collectors and they have tapped a number of young NYC artists to create nearly 200 pieces of original art for the guest rooms and will feature Australian fine art photographer Steven Laxton throughout the corridors of the hotel. These works will be part of a larger initiative to offer a curated artistic experience that is constantly being reimagined to reflect new and upcoming talent.
Life Hotel features a lobby bar and lounge outfitted with a variety of comfortable seating for approximately 40 people, encouraging guests and locals alike to work, chat and imbibe at their leisure. The 18-seat stone bar will initially be open for hotel guests only serving wine, beer and light bites in the afternoons and evenings and acting as the continental breakfast nook for guests in the morning. Soon after launch, the lobby bar will be open to the public (with a full bar), and Hanson will open Life Restaurant on the ground floor with NYC chef and BR Guest alumnus Chef Michael Vignola (previously of Strip House, Aquavit, and The Modern) at the helm. Additionally, a forthcoming basement bar will highlight the space’s rich history as it is rumored to have once been used as a speakeasy by LIFE staffers during prohibition.
A once medieval village turned sprawling retreat, La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena has joined the upscale Curio Collection by Hilton.
The hotel was hand-picked to be a part of the collection of one-of-a-kind independent hotels and resorts all celebrated for their individuality. As the first Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in Italy, the brand welcomes the resort to the collection of more than 30 hotels and resorts worldwide.
“As our debut hotel in Italy, we are honoured to welcome an incredible and picturesque resort, a showcase of all that Tuscany has to offer, to Curio Collection by Hilton,” said Mark Nogal, global head, Curio Collection by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton. “A destination in itself, La Bagnaia offers everything from expansive terraces with breathtaking views of Tuscany to an exclusive spa where guests can relax in therapeutic mineral waters.”
La Bagnaia offers everything visitors want from a relaxing sojourn to Tuscan: breathtaking views of rolling countryside, delectable Italian fine dining, a captivating wellness spa and world-class 18-hole golf course designed by world-renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. Spread over 1,100 hectares, the resort has a medieval village-like look and feel, divided across a number of buildings and featuring two main ‘hamlets’ – Borgo La Bagnaia and Borgo la Filetta.
“As one of the most distinctive hotels in Tuscany, La Bagnaia has earned a reputation for delivering one-of-a-kind experiences that blend elegant Italian accommodations with modern amenities,” said Marisa Monti Riffeser, owner, La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena, Curio Collection by Hilton. “We are proud to join Curio Collection by Hilton, affording us the ability to offer authentic discoveries complemented by the service and consistency of Hilton.”
Resort Highlights – Spacious Guest Rooms: 99 guest rooms, including 12 suites, each furnished with uniquely sourced art to add that extra touch of elegance. The Canonica residence, for example, combines nine bedrooms, a living room and an exclusive garden. – The Buddha Spa: A modern and exclusive Tuscan wellness center, The Buddha Spa provides a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Its natural thermal waters are channeled into swimming pools decorated with classical columns and antique vases. – Royal Golf Bagnaia: The first 18-hole Tuscan golf course, designed by the renowned architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Royal Golf Bagnaia, covers 120 hectares amongst the rolling hills of Siena and picturesque lakes.
After a busy few weeks, our latest project is finally ready for take off at Manchester Airport. We’ve been busy applying a selection of bespoke surface finishes in the executive areas of Manchester Airport’s revamped Terminal 3.
“We were tasked by the interior design agency to create a runway theme along the corridor leading in to the executive lounge areas. This was further complimented with a pitted bronze finish throughout the executive lounge area,” said Specification Manager David Wragg.
“We worked in collaboration and brought the vision to life through the samples to ensure we achieved the desired results.”
The look was achieved by combining a pitted texture with a smooth, matt finish using Marmorin Hydro. Creative Director Jason Ebers said: “It was a pretty unique project and a bit of a headscratcher to begin with.
“We had to find a way to transpose the design onto the main plaster finish, keep the design perfectly straight and ensure there were no marks or damage left on the plaster.
“We managed to achieve it with a combination of skill and our due diligence, carefully mapping out the design on a CAD program before we arrived on site. The planning was extremely important, but it’s what we do. It’s all in a day’s work.”
The end result is one which the client is delighted with after a team of five of Viero UK’s applicators spent almost two weeks on site bringing it all together.
Jason added: “It was a design challenge which really got our creative juices flowing and we were all fired up to deliver. The whole team enjoyed being a part of the project.”
United Investments Portugal (UIP) is delighted announce its entry into an inaugural European partnership with Bespoke Hotels International, Bespoke Hotels Portugal & Spain. With plans to develop and manage luxury properties across Portugal & Spain, under the management of Bespoke Hotels.
United Investments Portugal (UIP) is part of the IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFA HR) consortium and investment partnership, a worldwide leader in the development of hotel and residential resort projects, with operations extending across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North America, and the Indian Ocean.
The announcement comes on the back of IFA Hotel Investments’ growing relationship with Bespoke Hotels International across Dubai and the Middle East, which has seen the Bespoke brand applied to significant sways of IFA’s portfolio of over 3,000 residential units, mixed use developments, and hotels in the region. This arrangement was the first of its kind to see an internationally-backed brand to enter Dubai’s newly formed Holiday Homes sector, and has resulted in a deepening relationship between IFA HR and Bespoke Hotels, with plans to develop further projects across Dubai and the Gulf Region.
“We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with UIP and to be strengthening our relationship with IFA and UIP”, commented Bespoke Hotels CEO, Haydn Fentum. “We have enjoyed considerable success when allying our brands in the Middle East, and hope to carry this momentum into the Portuguese hotel market, which has experienced notable recent growth.”
“We are pleased to announce this joint venture and partnership with Bespoke Hotels International”, added Carlos Leal, Director of United Investments Portugal. “UIP remain committed to expanding and diversifying our portfolio, in Portugal and Spain. We are confident the benefits of this partnership including Bespoke’s operational, management and distribution platforms will contribute to experiencing this growth together.”
Jalu Ltd has recently launched The Holix, its second collection of striking contemporary floor lamps – bringing a bold and original concept to the outdoor lighting market that combines attractive aesthetics with durability and functionality.
The Holix collection provides both an object of beauty during the day and ambient light in the evening, creating an enticing atmosphere through a combination of light, shape and texture. They make a contemporary statement in any setting: foyers, garden rooms, patios, courtyards, terraces, gardens and pools.
Holix lamp – Jalu
The Holix is stylish and versatile. Its modular design, comprising multiple hexagonal elements, means it can be assembled (and reassembled) in between one and four modules in a variety of configurations: with different heights (36-92cm), colour combinations (complementary or contrasting) and light patterns (regular or random).
The Holix has strong, clean lines and beautiful symmetry, and looks great when placed in clusters of different heights as a ‘family’. Each individual lamp is an original, hand cast to order in the UK by our skilled team of professionals from a novel and versatile material that is lighter than stone, but robust and weatherproof.
The innovative material inherently protects against frost damage and impact making them a year-round feature, without compromising on style and producing inherently beautiful and tactile lamps.
Each lamp is made to the same exacting standards, yet has its own distinct character. Jalu floor lamps are available in a palette of complementary or contrasting colours and finishes, allowing clients to select the best match for a particular setting. They can be positioned to optimise visual impact as standalone features, or as multiple elements integrated within a design scheme. As freestanding units, they may be moved inside or out, to ring the changes.
Supplied with integrated LED luminaires, they are also energy efficient. All lamps are rated to IP65 and CE marked. We can also develop bespoke colours and finishes to suit a specific design to deliver truly unique and individual lamps.
Created to meet the needs of the pub and leisure industry, Artisan is the latest collection to come from the design team at Wilton Carpets; a multi-layer approach that brings new meaning to classic florals and damasks, as well as modern geometrics.
Continuing a stream of new launches from the Wiltshire-based woven carpet specialist, the collection brings contemporary combinations of pattern and colour in styles that bring authenticity, practicality and longevity to demanding hospitality and leisure locations. With a total of 17 designs, Artisan provides an impressive array, as Damian Roscoe, head of creative, explains:
“With Artisan, we’ve explored various themes in pattern, using layers and distressed effects on top of scrolls, florals, damask and modern geometrics to reveal interesting new details and a textured aesthetic that is both relaxed and practical. Capturing classic looks perfect for heritage interiors, as well as modern geometrics that have a laidback feel, Artisan has something for every style.
“The relaxed look to the designs is worth focus; highly structured and rigid design can often be too formal, or even look old-fashioned and overly fussy in the often-complex layouts of these locations. Giving Artisan a hand-worked, distressed and relaxed feel that blurs lines and boundaries counters this; while remaining thoroughly usable.”
Available in a sesame palette that features rich hues of gold, moss and ruby, the Artisan collection’s practical colourways continue the collection’s theme of usability in a wide range of hospitality and leisure environments. Working well to complement feature furniture and lighting without being overpowering or brash, it is a well-considered collection that can be used straight off the loom.
Woven in a seven-row quality from a wool-rich 80/20 blend for appearance retention and lasting underfoot performance, all Artisan carpets come standard in a narrowloom width, preferred for tight and complex layouts. As always, thanks to its flexible Wiltshire-based manufacturing, Wilton Carpets can also make any Artisan pattern in broadloom format for large areas, as well as in bespoke colours if required.
“A stand-alone moment at which culture and industry become an international benchmark and an exemplary model for an Italy that works. It’s been an exciting week, full of positivity and enthusiasm from the companies, which showed themselves off to best advantage, from the creative genius displayed by the architects and designers and from the huge numbers of visitors who flocked to Milan to check out the latest innovations at the Salone and experience the buzz of the city”, said Claudio Luti, President of the Salone del Mobile, as the event closed.
343,602 attendees in 6 days from 165 countries The figures confirm the positive trend evidenced in the Salone del Mobile and the biennial Euroluce and Workplace3.0 pavilions right from the off, marking a 10% increase on the 2015 edition, the last time the lighting and workplace biennials were held.
The results are further confirmation of Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s remarks when opening the 56th edition for the first time in the history of the Salone del Mobile: “This is not merely a display of exhibits, but also of a business culture that symbolises a method of working together with a particular approach to modern manufacturing.”
More than 2,000 exhibitors overall, 34% of them from other countries, were split between the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, Euroluce, Workplace3.0 and SaloneSatellite. This edition has served more than ever to underscore the Salone’s powerful synergy with the city of Milan.
Salone president Claudio Luti went on to say: “Enormous numbers of visitors, not necessarily with links to design, have made their way to Milan to experience the thrill of this Salone and of the city itself. Thanks to the collaboration of all the institutions working in the city, Milan has been even more beautiful and welcoming than ever. Milan alone can lay claim to the Salone del Mobile and its industrial enterprises with their links to the creative and publishing world and close ties to the city.”
This last edition marked the 20th anniversary of SaloneSatellite, in which more than 650 designers and 16 design schools took part, further celebrated by a special exhibition at the Fabbrica del Vapore, which runs until 25th April.
The next edition of the Salone, along with the biennial Bathroom, Kitchen and FTK (Technology For the Kitchen) exhibitions, will be held from 17th to 22nd April 2018, in Milan.
Local dignataries, company directors and employees gathered to mark the official opening of the new Geberit UK head office in Warwick on Friday, 31 March.
The purpose-built facility, less than a mile from the centre of historic Warwick on Tournament Fields, is the new UK base for over 150 Geberit staff.
Having been based in Warwick for over 8 years, the move to this larger premises is part of an exciting period of growth for Geberit and Twyford. With a spacious office covering more than 2,000 square metres, Geberit employees benefit from a modern and inspiring working environment. The new building also features a 400 square metre showroom featuring the new Geberit Bathroom Collection which encompasses bathroom sanitaryware and furniture, Twyford bathrooms, Geberit AquaClean shower toilets, plus the company’s sanitary and piping systems displayed within an inspiring environment.
A new purpose-built Training Academy offers customers free training modules covering the full breadth of Geberit’s product ranges. This facility enables installers to benefit from hands-on training, complete with a two-storey installation Tower, encouraging installers to get to grips with the latest piping systems and sanitary solutions, showcasing good and bad plumbing practice.
Mark Larden, Managing Director Geberit UK & Ireland, commented: “We have grown dramatically since we moved to the area almost ten years ago, with the new building marking the beginning of the next chapter of this growth. It is a very exciting time for Geberit and Twyford, our staff and our customers and we are looking forward to what the future holds. ”
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Mayor of Warwick said: “Events such as this one are important because of what they symbolise for the local community and for a wider audience, in terms of economic stability, growth and opportunities for employment. I wish Geberit every success for the future.”
The complexities of the newly-introduced apprenticeship levy shouldn’t detract from the fact that, with careful planning, it can help drive productivity and close the skills gap across the UK, says Redefine|BDL Hotels’ (RBH) Chief Human Resources Officer, Susan Bland.
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 – while its portfolio of more than 50 properties unites over 3,000 hotel rooms in the UK alone.
With the apprenticeship levy now in force, RBH and its hotels will contribute more than £75,000 per year to the accounts used to fund apprenticeships across the country.
Susan, who chairs the Hotel Employers Group (HEG) – which represents the majority of the UK hotel industry’s biggest businesses – says that RBH will not simply focus on the levy.
She said: “It’s easy to overlook the fact that 6 April represented a complete overhaul of how apprenticeships in the UK are structured and delivered – not just the introduction of the levy. The latter has become something of a focal point because of the financial implications, but at RBH we are focusing on the bigger picture.
“We have re-structured our existing apprenticeship programme to aim specifically at Level 2 Commis Chef, Level 2 Hospitality Team Member and Level 3 Hospitality Team Leader, in order to help tackle the existing skills shortage for chefs, and to strengthen our pipeline of skilled team members and leaders.”
While the introduction of the new apprenticeship standards, and the levy as a means to fund apprenticeship programmes, have the potential to tackle skills shortages – and drive productivity – Susan warns that businesses will need to revise their recruitment practices to attract a more diverse group of prospective apprentices.
She continued: “Feedback on previous apprenticeships from some employers has been less than favourable but, as the new standards are far more straightforward and stipulate a 12-month minimum learning term followed by a rigorous assessment process, I believe they should result in better trained, more confident, work-ready apprentices ready to step into permanent positions.”
RBH currently has 18 apprentices, with a further 74 having completed qualifications since the beginning of 2016 which have been delivered in conjunction with specialist training partner, Lifetime Training.
The company aims to take on 50 new apprentices by the end of 2018. In putting these new apprentices through their paces, RBH’s internal learning and development programmes can now be mapped against the new standards, with Lifetime Training taking the lead on the remaining areas and the final assessment.
Setting new targets and making the most of the opportunities afforded by the new standards may not be as simple for companies without an existing, robust learning and development framework aimed at apprentices – as the levy will not cover the costs associated with setting up a whole programme.
Susan said: “The levy is quite restrictive on what it can and can’t be used for. For example, it can’t be used for salaries, which could mean a company having to add the full cost associated with adding a new employee to their payroll in order to be able to spend the levy on the person’s development.
“This may lead to some businesses changing permanent vacancies to apprenticeship roles instead, which would lead to no additional payroll cost – but wouldn’t result in an additional job role. Some companies may revise their training budgets and decide to offer fewer learning and development opportunities for others as a result.
“I’m aware of some companies which have decided the administrative, cultural and financial challenges of the levy outweigh the return of having an apprenticeship programme in place and are therefore treating the levy as a tax.”
As well as the administrative, cultural and financial challenges, Susan also highlights additional complexities that businesses have had to deal with in preparation for the levy introduction. She continued: “The connected companies part of the legislation is quite complex, and has led to RBH exploring the multiple business interests of some of its hotel owners in order to establish whether it applies. Where it does apply, it means the £15,000 Government allowance which offsets the levy for payrolls of less than £3 million per annum has to be split between multiple businesses.”
Despite these complexities, Susan and her RBH colleagues are looking forward to rolling out the new standards and ensuring a focus on having robust development plans in place which help nurture talent and achieve business goals.
She said: “We are keen to ensure we create opportunities for growth and career development that attract new people to both RBH and the wider hospitality industry moving forward.”
A ‘Downton Abbey’ style former mansion house in Flintshire has been named as one of the UK’s top 10 hotels because of its stylish interior.
Soughton Hall Hotel, a popular wedding venue in Northop, near the border with Chester, was the only North Wales finalist in the Best Hotel Interiors category at the Laterooms.com Simply The Guest Awards 2017.
The annual accolades, now in its fifth year and run by the leading online accommodation website, is the UK’s only hotel awards based entirely on guest reviews. It uses guest reviews and ratings published on Laterooms.com to recognise and reward the highest standards in the industry.
Soughton Hall Hotel is a 14-bedroom mansion house which was built in 1714 by Edward Conway and remodelled by the famous Sir Charles Barry whose iconic work includes the Houses of Parliament and Highclere Castle – home to the aristocratic Crawley family in the smash hit ITV series Downton Abbey. Sir Charles was good friends with William John Bankes whose family took over the Grade II* listed Hall in 1815 and lived in the home until it was sold and turned into a hotel in the 1980s.
Sarah Ramsbottom is joint Managing Director with her husband James of Castlefield-based Elle R Leisure which is well-known for its successful Dukes 92 and Albert’s Restaurants in Manchester. They also own a luxury Leeds boutique historic hotel specialising in weddings called Woodlands.
Sarah Ramsbottom MD for family run business Elle R Leisure at Soughton Hall.
The family-run leisure firm took over Soughton Hall Hotel just over a year ago and has since invested more than £150,000 into transforming the interior of the former stately home. Sarah, who leads the in-house interior design team at Elle R Leisure, said: “The house is so stunning from the outside and as it comes into view from the long driveway, you cannot help but be wowed. There is absolutely nothing you need to do to improve it.
“When we took it over last year, we knew we had to create an interior to match but one that didn’t lose the homely and familiar attraction of the house which is an architectural jewel in the crown for the area.
“It was once a very grand home for a family and we didn’t want to lose sight of that and it is an atmosphere we wanted to create for the people who come here to get married or enjoy a stay in spectacular surroundings.
“Our aim and the theme of our interior design was to create a luxurious home from home feel so that our guests, especially the brides and grooms, could come here and feel like Lord and Lady of the Manor for their special day.
“We have an in-house interior design team which created the look and we used a lot of fabrics from GP & J Baker who are holders of the Royal Warrant since 1982 and supply the Queen’s household. The look is a mix of the new with the old and we have bought and displayed a lot of antique pieces which have come from auctions and flea markets.
“Ironically, we have managed to pick up a few pieces which once belonged to the Hall which we found in a local auction including a big burr walnut chest which now takes pride of place on the first floor landing of the hall.
“It is one of my particular favourites and looks great because it fits in perfectly, like it has always been there and I suspect contained all sorts of treasures at one stage!”
Sarah added: “To have this finalist award, based on the experience of people who have stayed with us is a real feather in our cap. It’s great reassurance that the interior transformation we are continuing to undergo at Soughton Hall is bringing a lot of enjoyment to people’s stay with us and we are very proud to receive this finalist status with Laterooms.com
“Today’s customers, both bridal parties and those who enjoy a leisure break with us, are very discerning. People are much more design savvy and expect when they come and stay at a great house like Soughton Hall that it should have an interior to match.
“That’s always been our goal right from day one and it is terrific news to have this wonderful feedback that we are achieving this.”
Relais & Châteaux is established around the globe, from the Napa Valley vineyards and French Provence to the beaches of the Indian Ocean.
Its ambition is to be much more than an association – to champion the principle of sharing the arts of gracious living and culinary expertise, and preserving local culture and diversity. It is this spirit – the celebration of both L‘Art de Vivre and joie de vivre – that lies at the centre of Relais & Châteaux that separates it from the rest.
From the United States, Colombia, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Spain, China, Japan and New Zealand, these are the latest establishments to carry Relais & Châteaux’s indistinguishable golden fleur de lys serve as the living embodiment of their locale and its history, environment and culture; respect the people who participate in the life and culture of their region; share a passion that endures from the head of the establishment through to the Maîtres de Maison and staff; and are committed to building on the legacy of hospitality and cuisine.
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Zanzibar White Sand Luxury, Zanzibar (Tanzania) Located on Zanzibar’s Eastern coast, Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa is spread over four hectares of tropical gardens and 200 meters of beachfront on Paje beach. The property was designed in a spirit of sustainability. The architecture was designed to be unobtrusive to the flora and fauna; the hotel is powered by wind and solar energy thanks to solar panels and a wind turbine, recycles and grows organic fruits and vegetables onsite. The restaurant serves a cuisine which blends local Zanzibari inspired dishes with international accents and flavours. The spa is set in a tropical garden and offers a variety of treatments and massages. Numerous activities are available onsite, including snorkelling, fishing, cycling, tours and excursions. The property has its own water sports centre.
Located near Bryant Park, Gabriel Kreuther is the newly opened eponymous restaurant of Chef Gabriel Kreuther. The interior design blends tradition and modernity, featuring cream leather seating, timber columns and a glass-walled display kitchen. The menu reflects Kreuther’s culinary journey, from his childhood in Alsace to his experiences in first-class New York restaurants. Signature dishes include foie gras terrine with black truffle praline, cardamom-roasted Alaskan king crab, and a tableside-torched crème brulée frappée. Wine pairings are selected from the 42-page wine list.
The Ring is situated right in the centre of the historic Viennese Ringstraße Boulevard, 200 metres from the Opera. The 19th century façade as well as historic details, such as the listed elevator, stuccoed walls and old tiling are combined with a more contemporary interior design. The rooms likewise mix contemporary and classic furniture. The spa is located on the 7th floor and offers panoramic views over Vienna’s rooftop. The Eight Restaurant, serves aroma cuisine, featuring a variety of spices and sauces, fresh herbs and ingredients.
Making its debut into Europe, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas brings its authentic luxury to southern Portugal’s picturesque Algarve coast with the launch of Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort.
Nestled amongst orange grove trees and undulating wetlands, the resort brings to life Anantara’s ethos of connecting modern travellers with authentic destinations and ensures the brand’s signature Thai hospitality is paired with indigenous style and flavour.
All of the resort’s 280 newly upgraded guest rooms boast soft touches reflecting the natural woods and fibres of the region creating a chic and comforting place to relax and unwind overlooking views of picturesque gardens, swimming pools and the prestigious fairways of the golf course. Anantara Vilamoura has teamed up with local artisans from the TASA Project and some unique pieces can be found in the 17 Anantara Suites, with guests being able to appreciate the hand woven pool bags, locally sourced cork coasters and signature Algarvian ceramic fruit bowls. Further comforts include an in-room wine humidor, pillow menu and on-call butler service to attend to guests’ every need. Suite guests also have exclusive access to the indoor pool and sauna at the Anantara Spa, which looks out onto the rolling greens. The prestigious Presidential Suite offers an impressive terrace with a private dining area, a new Jacuzzi and a sundeck for enjoying balmy evenings with friends.
At a resort where indulgence blends authentic indigenous elements and international flair, the newly renovated Anantara Spa offers a wide selection of therapies including the signature Traditional Thai Massage in dedicated rooms, centuries-old Ayurveda rituals, and treatments using locally-sourced ingredients such as Algarvian citrus fruits, figs and almond powder. Healing continues through the wellness programme with yoga and tai chi sessions on offer. Keeping active on holiday is made easy with access to the 24-hour gym with dedicated Personal Trainers and tennis courts.
Anantara has worked with the local artisans TASA teams to design and develop unique products throughout the resort, showcasing the vibrancy of the region, and contributing to a more sustainable trade and workforce in this industry. Guests will be able to take part in workshops and make their purchases directly at the on-property boutique.
A key UK tourism destination – The Cotswolds – today welcomes one of Hilton’s 14 market-leading brands, DoubleTree by Hilton, into its prospering area. Located just two miles from Cheltenham, a town famed for its Regency buildings and historical importance as a spa town, DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham opens its doors as the 43rd DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in the UK.
The newly-refurbished hotel is three miles away from the world-renowned Cheltenham Racecourse for racing enthusiasts or those looking for a fun day out, while also being on the doorstep of some of the UK’s most picturesque countrysides. DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham also provides centrally-located accommodation for the area’s popular cultural festivals hosted year-round.
“DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham is conveniently located near many notable attractions, providing the perfect base for guests to explore the country’s best nature spots or to head into the bustling city centre of Cheltenham,” said Dianna Vaughan, senior vice president and global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “We are proud to open the latest addition to our ever-expanding DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio and to welcome each guest with our signature, warm DoubleTree Cookie upon arrival.”
The thoughtfully-designed Lakeside restaurant presents Cheltenham with a relaxed and unique setting to dine, offering modern English cuisine. After indulging in the restaurant’s inviting menu, guests can choose from the Manor Bar or Lilley Brook Bar. DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham boasts an impressive ten flexible meeting rooms, all with natural daylight. Ideal for business travellers, the largest group meeting room fits 320 guests, while the main meeting room has floor-to-ceiling windows with scenic views over the gardens.
For those looking for a relaxing stay, the hotel offers a swimming pool and gym, including spa treatments available at the hotel’s health club.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to this beautifully-restored hotel and proving the brand’s well-known caring service,” said Syed Zaidi, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham.
Zanzibar is a cluster of tropical islands nestled in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania and has a diverse history that underwent Portuguese, Arabic and British control before its independence in 1963.
Today Zanzibar stands to undergo a new transformation, one of both social upliftment together with a mega luxury development and global marketing campaign set to position it firmly on the map as a world leading tropical tourism destination.
The development of Zanzibar Amber Resort, by Pennyroyal Gibraltar Limited will sustainably and economically transform Zanzibar and its community at large with maximum positive effects, whilst being culturally responsible, socially desirable, ecologically and environmentally friendly. Zanzibar Amber Resort is set to change the face of Tourism in East Africa. With the commissioning of this Luxury tropical resort by Pennyroyal Gibraltar Ltd. the premium hospitality offerings and world-class facilities will benchmark luxury in Africa.
Appointed across 1520ha of prime Indian Ocean coastline the resort will encompass an unsurpassed variety of hospitality and leisure facilities including, but not limited to: Five world-leading international hotels including the Anantara, Signature Ernie Els Design Golf Course – the first in East Africa (18 hole), Deep water marina, Aqua park for the whole families’ enjoyment, Underwater restaurant, Glamorous Souk, Equestrian centre and International polo club and Super Yacht facility.
These facilities include: o 1914 Luxury Villas of 3,4 & 5 bedrooms; 14 designs with swimming pools o 3440 Luxury & Penthouse Apartments of 1,2,3 & 4 bedrooms o Shopping mall & commercial retail outlets o Cafés o International School – affiliated to premier educational establishment o Sports centres: football, tennis, and horse riding o Faith centres for diverse religions, including Mosques and Churches o The first residential opportunity released to the market will be the luxury apartments, available for pre-sale in the second quarter of 2017. o Private airport and medical facilities to be built.
As part of the Zanzibar Amber Resort, Pennyroyal Gibraltar has founded a CSR division, ‘Best of Zanzibar’, established for the social upliftment of the local communities. This community CSR initiative is geared towards continuously giving back to the locals of Zanzibar by tending to a variety of community needs such as education, nutrition, water sanitation and job creation. ‘Best of Zanzibar’ aims to assist in developing key skills of the locals for empowered and sustainable futures.
Stylish AA Four-Star Rosette hotel Ye Olde Bell, has announced the opening of a new multimillion pound luxury spa for late Spring 2017.
The new 17,000sq-ft spa will offer ten hot and cold experiences including a custom-made ‘snowstorm’ experience, the only one of its kind in the UK, Sabbia Med Sunlight therapy, steambath, salt cascade room, mud Rasul, Swiss pine sauna, mineralising stonebath, herbal laconium, shower walk and indoor-to-outdoor hydropool.
Located in the rural village of Barnby Moor on the corners of the three counties of Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire, but with easy access just off the A1 and a direct train service to London, the modern and elegant spa will feature six treatment rooms, two of which are double, a hair boutique and express salon.
Built over two floors, guests arrive at reception through imposing double oak doors where they are greeted by a sweeping hand-carved oak staircase and glass panelling. Inside the spa, in addition to the experiences, there will be an open fire, numerous relaxation areas, luxurious changing rooms and a stunning bar and restaurant with theatre style kitchen. Outside will feature a garden and relaxation areas.
The spa itself has been designed in conjunction with Spa Vision by Spa Directors, Sadie Ardron-Levack and Lizzie Bath. The interior design has been led by Hilary Levack and designer Tonia Wynne of Homestead Interiors, both of whom did the full design refurbishment of the hotel.
The spa will sit adjacent to the AA Four-Star Rosette Ye Olde Bell and will complement this historic hotel, yet at the same add 21st century contemporary style. Ye Olde Bell has been passionately restored by its private owners offering 59 individually styled plush rooms, stunning suites and luxury lodges.
There was no evident performance decline for London’s hotel industry following the terrorist attack on 22 March, according to preliminary data from STR.
When examining daily data from 22-28 March, STR analysts note that London’s occupancy levels remained in line with typical March performance patterns. Further, during the days following the event, the market recorded significant year-over-year growth in both occupancy and average daily rate (ADR). Three days after the attack (25 March), the U.K. capital’s actual occupancy level was 86.4%, while ADR reached GBP147.32, a 22.6% increase compared with the same day in 2016. The highest occupancy level during the days following the attack was 88.2% (28 March)—roughly the same level as the night of the attack.
“We’re seeing now that the way a hotel market reacts to an attack really does depend on the severity,” said Thomas Emanuel, STR’s director of business development.
The lack of performance disruption in London differed from the situations around other recent attacks (Nice in July 2016 and Berlin in December 2016). Within four days of the 14 July Bastille Day attack, Nice’s daily occupancy dropped from 94.6% to 72.8%. Berlin experienced less severe declines following the 19 December attack on a Christmas market. A drop in actual occupancy levels was seen in the first three days after the attack, but STR analysts note that this is typical for the market during the lead up to Christmas.
“We’re seeing now that the way a hotel market reacts to an attack really does depend on the severity,” said Thomas Emanuel, STR’s director of business development. “Of course, any time innocent lives are lost or people are injured, it’s tragic. But this most recent attack in London and even the December attack in Berlin have not had much of an impact on hotel performance. When there is a larger number of casualties, as was the case in Nice, Brussels and Paris over the past two years, it takes a longer duration without additional incidents for tourism confidence to grow. This is also what we’ve noticed in Istanbul, as it remains to be seen when the market will be deemed a safe destination again.”
As STR reported last year, it has historically taken a market’s hotels a period of three months without a subsequent attack to begin performance recovery.
Conrad Hotels & Resorts has welcomed guests to Conrad Bora Bora Nui, the destination’s first five star resort to debut in 10 years.
Conrad’s first property in French Polynesia is ideally located in a private cove on Motu To’opua, a small islet off the coast of Bora Bora. The beachfront property features 114 guest rooms, including 28 tropical garden and beach villas and 86 overwater bungalows, as well as the Presidential Villas, Bora Bora’s only two-storey overwater accommodations.
The new resort blends Tahitian history and legend with modern design and amenities. Dining concepts include an overwater lounge and swim-up pool bar serving international cuisine, while the full-service Hina Spa offers an indulgent oasis with seven indoor treatment rooms and one open-air space overlooking the lagoon.
The resort also features an expansive infinity pool, Kids Club, mini-golf course, fitness centre, retail spaces and complimentary activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, stand up paddle boarding and sight-seeing boat tours. The exclusive private islet of Motu Tapu, located a short boat ride away, is ideal for intimate events and romantic dinners for two.
The resort tapped renowned international design firm BLINK Design Group and Bangkok-based interior design firm P49 Design to blend the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the destination with Conrad’s stylish and modern aesthetic. Light and airy villas, designed by P49 Design, reflect the resort’s overall approach to contemporary, functional and uncomplicated style with local artwork and accessories incorporated throughout.
The resort’s public spaces, designed by BLINK Design Group, exude the effortless, understated elegance of South Pacific living through bespoke French Polynesian touches paired with unspoiled surroundings.
The Malta Tourism Authority has announced that 2018 will see the launch of the Malta Marriott Hotel and Spa, following a rebrand of the current Le Méridien property.
Originally built on the grounds of a 19th century Maltese villa, the property’s unique location, just around the corner from the vibrant nightlife of St Julian’s bay offers both the tranquillity of Balluta Bay and the proximity of St Julian’s lively atmosphere.
While Le Méridien is already classified as a five-star hotel, the redevelopment will see the hotel upgraded and refurbished with additional executive suites as well as the possibility of two additional floors.
The hotel currently has 276 rooms and suites, 14 board rooms, and 1,800 square feet of meeting space. With a meeting capacity of up to 650 guests, the hotel has always been a popular choice for corporate travel and meetings and incentive groups, as well as leisure travellers.
Peter Vella, MTA’s UK and Ireland Director says “The redevelopment and rebranding of the iconic Le Méridien hotel in St Julian’s to the hugely popular Marriott concept is very exciting, bringing another five-star brand to our shores and adding to the already exceptional range of hotels that we are able to offer travellers and conference organisers in Malta.”
The existing property will close for refurbishment at the end of 2017 before opening its doors as the Malta Marriott Hotel and Spa in 2018.
Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa and Nobu Hospitality are unveiling exciting plans to launch the Nobu Hotel and Restaurant Marbella at the five-star resort’s exceptional location in southern Spain.
Nobu Restaurant Marbella will launch in May 2017, with the opening of the Nobu Hotel Marbella following in spring 2018 at the luxurious Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa on the ‘Golden Mile’. This new partnership between Nobu Hospitality and Puente Romano is set to create a spectacular next-generation lifestyle resort, and a holistic destination experience for all guests.
Nobu Restaurant Marbella, the first Nobu to open in Spain, will sit at the heart of Marbella’s dining scene, joining Puente Romano’s magnetic gastronomic offering of ten individual restaurants including the two-Michelin star ‘Dani Garcia’. Envisioned by Jean-Pierre Martel, one of Spain’s most cutting edge interior designers, in collaboration with StudioPCH Malibu, Nobu Restaurant Marbella will balance comfortable simplicity with natural materials and textures, consistent with the recently refurbished resort’s contemporary aesthetic.
Launching in spring 2018, the new Nobu Hotel Marbella will be distinguished by its bespoke Nobu guestroom design and sensual touches across the elegant hotel rooms. Guests can look forward to priority access to the Nobu restaurant, a private swimming pool, and Natura Bisse amenities. Nobu Matsuhisa’s exclusive in-room dining menu will be available around the clock to serve Nobu dishes to guests of Nobu Hotel Marbella who wish to make the most of the flexibility to dine in the privacy of their rooms or at the edge of the private pool.
The launch of the new hotel at the Marbella property will also see Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa entirely transformed into an all-suites resort. 184 recently refurbished suites set across 27 beautifully designed Andalusian villas, will offer access to the resort’s famous amenities and Six Senses Spa, as well as the new Nobu experience.
Further details, designs and images to be released in spring 2017.
Palace Resorts – the company that sets the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations – is pleased to announce the highly anticipated debut of Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos in autumn 2017. The second property comes after the tremendous success of Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun.
The resort located on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula is the second property under the umbrella of Palace Resorts, a hospitality company with more than 30 years of experience in the luxury all-inclusive market. This opulent beachfront property will feature the traditional facilities and amenities Le Blanc Spa Resort is known for, including well-appointed designer suites, an award-winning 29,000-sq-ft full-service spa with 25 treatment rooms, an incredible hydrotherapy facility, a 3,961-sq-ft fitness and wellness centre, juice bars, four plunge pools, gourmet specialty cuisine, butler service, over 14,000-sq-ft meeting space, four breakout rooms and much more.
The 373-room luxury beachfront adults-only resort, will boast whimsical suites all over 760 sq. ft. with private terraces, featuring panoramic ocean views. In addition, the resort will feature seven gourmet restaurants and six bars with an extensive wine and beverage program.
Exteriors designed by master architect, Roberto Elias and interiors brought to life by Francois Frossard of Francois Frossard Design (FFD), Le Blanc Spa Resort is a designer’s dream. With an impressive grandesque entrance, seven stories high, Le Blanc Spa Resort is an elegant, yet chic designed hotel, rivaling some of the most modern hotels in the world.
The luxurious resort will be comprised of four buildings that curve toward the ocean and permeate the flair of the local area’s rich soils. The suites, restaurants, and bars feature ocean views, larger terraces and greater use of open outdoor spaces. The unique flora and fauna of Los Cabos, the climate, the landscapes, and surrounding mountains, played a big influence in the architect’s design of the resort. He wanted to ensure the property was in line with the original brand born in Cancun with its smooth lines, redefined corners, and elegance without complications.
The interiors of the 373 guest rooms and suites were designed with a tranquil colour palette with cool shades of white and plush furnishings. Suites range from 760 to 1,400-sq-ft. and all feature ocean views. Suites come equipped with, private terraces, comfortable living spaces, a king or two standard double beds, oversized bathrooms with luxurious bathtubs and sophisticated rain showerheads.
Visitors to Cardiff will soon be able to enjoy a new, unique hotel experience as Hotel Indigo gets set to open its doors within the heart of the Welsh capital this summer.
The boutique hotel, managed by Redefine|BDL Hotels (RBH) – the UK’s leading independent hotel management company – expects to welcome its first guests in July, bringing 122 beautifully decorated bedrooms to the already burgeoning tourism industry in Cardiff.
Acclaimed chef Marco Pierre White will also open one of his famous Steakhouse Bar & Grill’s on the roof of the development, further increasing Cardiff’s claim to being one of the best food destinations outside of London.
Those staying at the hotel will be able to enjoy all of those at-home luxuries they’re accustomed to, including free Wi-Fi throughout. Each of the guest rooms will be designed to highlight three recurring themes – made in Wales, industry and music – celebrating the heritage synonymous with the local area and beyond.
Located within close proximity of Cardiff’s business district and with easy access to major attractions such as Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium, both adventurous guests wishing to explore the city or those who prefer to relax in the boutique surroundings of the hotel will be well catered for. A small fitness centre will also be available for those wishing to keep fit during their stay.
Marco Pierre White added: “Cardiff is such a vibrant city and the location is perfect for my Steakhouse Bar & Grill. I’m really looking forward to getting the doors open and welcoming our first guests. It’s going to be a big hit with both diners and drinkers who are out for a good time and wanting to enjoy food and drink in a stunning setting.”
CEO, Nick Taplin added: “This is an exciting time for Black and White Hospitality with our 1st restaurant with Redefine BDL and our 4th rooftop bar and restaurant venue. We have been working on this scheme for 6 years and know the Cardiff market well and are very excited to be bringing our Steakhouse Bar and Grill to this magnificent City.
The new Comtesse suite from Thomas Crapper & Co features sophisticated, curved lines with a nod to vintage glamour.
Inspired by original designs from the 1920s, Comtesse has been re-mastered combining classic design with the best modern materials and techniques whilst maintaining the qualities unique to Thomas Crapper.
Crafted by the experts from the highest quality ceramic, the WC pan is available with a low-level cistern creating the illusion of space when fitted with elegant wall brackets.
The anti-splash roll around basin is made using one piece of ceramic, whilst creating the effect of an under-mounted basin, synonymous with 1920’s design. Combined with the Original washstands, this suite works perfectly in any bathroom or toilet, even where space is at a premium.
Available in a range of two-toned ‘original’ glazes found in the archives, these include Sea Mist (as pictured), Crème Anglaise and All White. Comtesse’s sleek silhouette provides an elegant look whilst introducing a soft touch of colour to the bathroom.
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