Hotel Designs

    NEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR HOTELIERS, DESIGNERS AND INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS
    Furama City Centre unveils a fresh new concept to its Lobby

    Furama City Centre unveils a fresh new concept to its Lobby

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    Furama City Centre in Singapore is celebrating the launch of its newly refurbished main and lower lobby. Furama City Centre opens its doors to all guests alike and invites them to soak in its new and fresh concept.

    Together with the revamped concept, Furama City Centre is anchored in the heart of Chinatown and at the fringe of the Central Business District. Here, an approximate one million guests pass through the lobby each year, forming their first impressions of the hotel, and some key changes include new flooring, bright carpet inlays, a new reception and lounge area, and a new façade for Tiffany Café & Restaurant – the hotel’s main restaurant. Furthermore, the new lobby is fitted with completely new lighting, enhancing the already welcoming ambiance for guests.

    To enhance its guest experience, the hotel implemented the new design to the lobby alongside the brand’s initiative of introducing a series of value-added services and recreational activities for its guests. Furama City Centre hopes to deliver the message of striking a balance between work and play for both the leisure and business travellers. The hotel aims for guests to be able to fully immerse themselves in experiencing and taking away a unique experience. For all guests, Furama City Centre will be more than just a hotel.

    Designed by Classroom, the first of two phases of the renovation unveiled a brand-new look in the hotel lobby, the second phase will include unveiling a new look for guestrooms. The modern interiors creatively incorporate design elements inspired by culturally rich and colourful Chinatown. The newly-designed lounge area for guests has also been decorated with brightly coloured swan chairs, juxtaposing structured lines with colourful curves to create a modern classic look.

    Crafted by designers Lisa Yun and Lee Yong Hoe when asked for the idea behind the new design concept, Lisa said, “We were trying to find a solution to the infrastructure of the lobby and to create a space with a lot of potential. We were faced with a unique situation whereby the main entrance is not on the same level as the main lobby, and we needed to extend the anticipation from the lower lobby/concierge. The colours at the concierge includes contemporary colours to create a more welcoming lobby, while timbers as wall panels create a warm atmosphere. The hotel aims at attracting a younger audience with trendier design and bright colours.

    “Extending the colours and vibrancy from the concierge to the upper lobby, we adapted a brighter palate and changed the lightings at the main lobby to keep them more current and updated. We decided to construct a island reception counter in the centre of the lobby to activate the space around and install prominent new lightings that would create focal points yet make an elegant yet bold statement with the vibrant colours. At the lobby lounge, we see a more casual and less structured set-up, to inject a sense of cosiness,” she added.

    Guests are encouraged to pamper themselves with a wide array of dining options, entertainment, shopping within vicinity. Inspired by the dynamic neighbourhood, the hotel infuses the use of vibrant and bold striking colours to bring out a fun and refreshing design, while up keeping the historical and heritage context.

    Coupled with the excellent and personalised service in the heart of the city, Furama City Centre is sure to entice travellers to make a stop at this destination. Located in a strategic and accessible location with public transportation within the neighbourhood, experience the culturally rich heritage at Chinatown, a mere 5-minutes’ walk from Furama City Centre.

    Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands

    Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands to open March 2017

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    Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands, part of Marriott International, will open to guests on 28 March, 2017, bringing stylish design and modern comfort at an affordable price to Australia’s most cultural and creative city.

    Located at 22 Pearl River Road amongst Melbourne’s rejuvenated and popular Docklands area, Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands will form part of the much anticipated Marina Tower complex – an urban development project converting 3,795 square metres of prime riverside land into a mixed use residential and commercial precinct. Located just two kilometres west of Melbourne’s Central Business District, the hotel is within easy reach of Melbourne’s iconic attractions and laneways, markets, boutiques, and exhibitions and galleries, as well as the city’s famous dining and nightlight culture, all of which are easily accessible via a free tram.

    Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands will boast 273 modern and comfortable guest rooms including 16 studios, with each room offering either city or river views. The hotel will feature all the brand’s defining touches including: complimentary bottled water in all rooms, fast and free internet access throughout the property, Four Comfort Beds™ and an energising breakfast, helping guests to start and end the day right.

    The hotel’s welcoming pub will serve as the perfect spot for colleagues, friends or family to enjoy the brand’s iconic Best Brews and BBQ™, where guests can enjoy a crisp local craft beer and seasonal BBQ-style appetizers. The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant will offer a healthy breakfast in the morning and an a la carte dining menu in the evening. Alternatively, guests can treat themselves to in-room dining.

    Additional hotel amenities include a 25-metre outdoor heated swimming pool with a large deck area where guests can relax and enjoy a tasty snack or chilled drink poolside. A 24-hour fitness centre with a spa and steam room ensure guests can maintain their health and wellbeing whilst on the road.

    With five state-of-the-art meeting and function rooms that can welcome up to 450 guests, as well as the hotel’s close proximity to Tullamarine Airport, Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands is ideal for business meetings, conferences, weddings and memorable social functions. Gatherings can also be hosted outside on the outdoor decking area, which is ideal for cocktail events.

     

    Steigenberger

    Steigenberger Hotel Riverside Bangkok scheduled to open in 2019

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    Deutsche Hospitality has signed an agreement for its first hotel in Thailand. The five-star Steigenberger Hotel Riverside will open in the capital city of Bangkok in 2019.

    It will offer 259 rooms, including deluxe rooms, suites, superior suites, honeymoon suites and a Presidential Suite. Its conference and banqueting facilities will extend over an area of 900-square-metres. The hotel’s gastronomic concept will boast features such as a pool restaurant, a roof terrace bar and restaurant and a VIP lounge. A generously proportioned 1,200-square-metre spa and gym area will contain both an indoor and an outdoor pool. The hotel will also have a landing stage to enable guests to undertake tours by shuttle boat.

    “The Steigenberger Hotel Riverside Bangkok is our gateway to the market in Thailand and allows us to establish a brand presence in a city of superlatives,” explained CEO Puneet Chhatwal. “Achieving such a step is a source of great pride to us, and this also strengthens the presence of Deutsche Hospitality in our target growth market of Asia.”

    Bangkok has over eight million inhabitants and is both the capital and largest city in Thailand. It represents the political, economic and cultural centre of the country and is also Thailand’s most important transport hub. According to the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, which ranks cities by overnight visitor arrivals, Bangkok was the most popular city destination in the world in 2016 with over 21 million international visitors. The Steigenberger Hotel Riverside occupies a position which is both quiet and central, directly on the banks of the River Chao Phraya within the immediate vicinity of the city’s main sights.

    The hotel will be operated via a management agreement. The property owner and contractual partner is the Thai company River Garden.

    Sheraton to expand with nearly 100 hotels

    Sheraton to expand their reach with nearly 100 new hotels

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    Sheraton Hotels and Resorts are set to expand in the coming years with nearly 100 new hotels.

    One of Marriott’s most important and recognised brands, Sheraton already operates more than 400 hotels worldwide with a key count approaching 153,000, meaning that this upcoming spate of openings will substantially increase its portfolio. The brand plans to open 93 new hotels which will add an impressive 25,240 new guest suites and rooms to the brands collection.

    Sheraton prides itself on offering a service of excellence to upscale business travellers and tourists, and can be found in everywhere from the world’s most cosmopolitan cities to idyllic beachfronts. This proposed expansion will see their global influence swell, with projects intended to be situated across all of the industry’s key markets. Investment by the company seems to be concentrated in the ever-growing Asia Pacific region, with Sheraton choosing to locate 64 hotels and resorts there, giving a total of 17,989 new guest rooms. Africa, Europe and North America average 8 projects each, all seemingly solid markets. The Middle East and Latin America will get 3 and 2 new openings respectively, creating more brand presence in these areas.

    28 of these projected openings are set to happen this year alone, and TOPHOTELPROJECTS reports that the more than half of these 93 developments are currently under construction, which bodes well for the future openings of 23 hotels next year, 25 in 2019 and 15 from 2020 onwards. Sheraton’s vision for the future of their brand will no doubt continue along the path that has been so successful for them, and nearly a quarter of the proposed hotels and resorts to open over the next few years are already in the planning and pre-planning stages.

    hotel-development.marriott.com/brands/sheraton

    Hilton Garden Inn Stoke-on-Trent

    Hilton Garden Inn signs at Genr8’s Smithfield, Stoke-on-Trent

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    The ongoing regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent city centre has been given a major boost following news that Hilton is to open Hilton Garden Inn Stoke-on-Trent. The 140-guestroom hotel will be located in the Smithfield development in Hanley, following a franchise agreement between Hilton and Smithfield developer and hotel owner Genr8.

    The plans were revealed last week and are being hailed as a major coup for the city. The new hotel will deliver an economic boost to the area, creating more than 50 jobs, and introducing high-quality meeting and conference facilities. Hilton Garden Inn Stoke-on-Trent will bring quality hotel accommodation to the rising number of visitors and further support the City of Culture 2021 bid.

    Dave Conway, City Council leader, said: “This truly is a fantastic piece of news for Stoke-on-Trent and a major milestone in the continued transformation of the city centre.

    “Hilton is a name famous around the world and a lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to make this development a reality. It will not only improve the hotel offer in the city which is vital if we are to be successful with our UK City of Culture bid, but help grow our tourism industry and further revamp the area with increased footfall.

    “Having a brand like Hilton Garden Inn committing to coming here shows the confidence there is in the city centre from the private sector and will undoubtedly lead to further interest and investment from other businesses and organisations. Stoke-on-Trent is a city on the up right now and this is further evidence that our drive to attract new business and jobs is gaining fantastic results.”

    The new hotel will be delivered and owned by Smithfield Stoke-on-Trent developer, Genr8, working alongside the city council. Genr8 is expected to submit a planning application in the near future facilitating a start on site later in 2017, subject to approval. The hotel is expected to welcome its first guests in 2019. Genr8 has appointed the UK’s leading hotel management company Redefine BDL Hotels to operate the hotel on its behalf.

    genr8developments.com

    Camlux Hotel to open in Hong Kong this April

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    Camlux Hotel will be the first hotel in Kowloon Bay, the high potential district on the east side of Kowloon that is currently being redeveloped into an up-and-coming commercial and residential area.

    Set for a soft opening in April 2017, Camlux Hotel will be housed in a converted factory heritage space that features 185 contemporary guest rooms on six levels reminiscent of its owning company’s industrial history.

    Camlux Hotel, Hong Kong

    “We are proud to be a homegrown hotel brand and are delighted to take part in conserving and revitalising Hong Kong’s heritage with Camlux Hotel,” said Mr Calvin Wong, General Manager of Camlux Hotel. “Kowloon Bay today is emerging with new commercial buildings and rapid eclectic developments which have led to the demand of introducing a quality hotel in the area.”

    While the exterior façade of the Hotel remains the same, the building has been given a refreshing coat of coral blue to signal a new change of era in the area. The architectural team overseeing this unique heritage project embraced constraints of the existing factory space, and opened it up to allow more natural light penetration. Two unique courtyards are also refashioned to preserve the traditional industrial sky-well whilst creating more space.

    Camlux

    The retro-modern six-storey Hotel features 103 Cosy Rooms, 70 Comfy Rooms, 10 Family Rooms and 2 Studio Rooms, ranging from 22 to 32 square metres, rivalling other quality hotels in the city. The non-smoking property also provide extensive services and amenities including free Wi-Fi and Smart TVs that can be conveniently connected to personal entertainment.

    Camlux

    All guest rooms feature unique designs inspired by iconic house-ware products that have been used in the past decades, such as wall lamp shades reminiscent of practical and colourful vacuum flasks. The lobby floor also features a playful compilation of various materials that were used to manufacture the vacuum flasks, like brass, copper, stainless steel, glass, and coloured plastics.

    The Hotel also showcases a meeting room and conference room, a 24-hour gym, on-call medical services; and other services such as currency exchange, laundry and dry cleaning, luggage storage, and limousine service.

    Mondrian Doha

    sbe opening first Middle East hotel with Mondrian Doha

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    A leading privately-held lifestyle hospitality company, sbe, will open its first hotel in the Middle East with the launch of Mondrian Doha, Qatar this spring. This soft opening will set the stage for Mondrian Doha’s grand opening celebration, which follows in late September 2017 and promises to be an outstanding showcase of the property.

    The lavish 270-room hotel has been designed in collaboration with world-renowned Dutch designer, Marcel Wanders, along with South West Architecture – the architectural company of record for Mondrian Doha, responsible for the design of the building. The hotel will be Marcel Wanders’ first hotel for the region. Guests can choose from five distinctive room categories including penthouse suites, studio suites, one and two bedroom suites and a range of standard guestrooms – all of which share the universal design details of Swarovski crystal chandeliers and sumptuous bespoke furniture in hues to mirror the desert.

    Mondrian Doha

    Sam Nazarian, founder & CEO, sbe commented: “We are delighted to open our first hotel in the middle east in Doha, Qatar which is one of the most dynamic cities in the region. We’re additionally set to open two more hotel properties in Dubai in 2017 and 2018 and a number of restaurants. I know that Mondrian Doha will be an incredible destination for international and local travelers alike. It will be also a fantastic destination for the locals to experience all our culinary venues.”

    Mondrian Doha

    The hotel will incorporate bespoke Marcel Wanders design features with influences from the beauty of local patterns, ornate Arabic writing and historic souks. Standout, memorable elements include giant columns with golden eggs, a ‘tree of life’ comprised of flowers, falcon video art, giant shisha, patterned carpets, ornate stained glass and intricate mosaic tiling.

    Mondrian Doha Atrium

    Marcel Wanders commented: “Stories connect us to our history, our culture and to each other. Stepping into Mondrian Doha begins the first chapter of a wonderful story that unfolds around every turn. Conceptually, we have married local culture with a modern design aesthetic. While many themes are collectively layered throughout the hotel, each individual space tells its own tale. Guests may therefore have many different experiences and weave for themselves a collection of stories to share.”

    Mondrian Doha

    The essence of One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales and stories, has also influenced the design of the space, which is detailed-orientated and complex, with a number of facets, levels and layers. Structurally, the building of Mondrian Doha is shaped like a falcon, with many references to the national bird of Qatar also found inside; from paintings and portraits to falcon headpieces and ornaments. The location of the hotel next to Lagoona Mall in the West Bay area also acts as a gateway to the new Lusail City development, one of the world’s most visionary single developments and a true representation of Modern Qatar.

    Mondrian Doha

    Mondrian Doha is a culinary emporium; with eight restaurants and bars – some of which are entirely new to Qatar – offering un-paralleled experiences in Doha. Middle Eastern cuisine is at the heart of Mondrian Doha’s food and beverage offering along with internationally renowned chefs. This includes Wolfgang Puck, master chef and restaurateur, bringing his concept CUT by Wolfgang Puck to Qatar for the first time.

    Additional hotel facilities will include an entertainment floor complete with nightclub, rooftop pool and skybar, an exclusive spa and a grand ballroom.

    www.mondriandoha.com

    Principal London

    The Principal London announces key leadership team appointment

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    Paul Walters, General Manager, joins PRINCIPAL from InterContinental Hotels, where he was GM at the five-star InterContinental Sydney from 2015.

    Prior to that, Paul spent eight years with the Langham Hospitality Group, including three and a half years as General Manager of The Langham in London, and his CV also includes time with W Hotels and a number of General Manager roles for GHM.

    Paula McColgan, Director of Sales & Marketing, was previously at The Lanesborough and was a member of the senior team involved in the refurbishment of the hotel and its repositioning within the new Oetker Collection. Her previous experience includes St Regis and Mandarin Oriental. Jutta Asta, Executive Housekeeper, brings her experience from The Dorchester Collection, The Bulgari Hotel, Claridge’s and Hotel Adlon in Berlin.

    The senior team also includes Roger Olsson (Executive Chef, ex-Dorchester Hotel); Richard Stockton (Finance Director, ex-Lanesborough); Melanie Price (People Development Director, ex-Dorchester Collection); Claire O’Reilly (Hotel Manager, ex-Doyle Collection and Soho House New York); and Jeff Hyatt (Director of Engineering, ex-Bulgari).

    David Taylor, COO at PRINCIPAL, said: ‘I am thrilled that Paul and the executive team have joined us to open The Principal London. They bring bags of talent and experience with them, and their appointments bear testament to the scale and ambition we have for The Principal London.’

    Paul Walters added, ‘The Principal London is one of the last classic grande dame hotels to be brought magnificently back to life, just as Bloomsbury is one of the forgotten neighbourhoods of London. I am sure the multi-million pound refurbishment will put the hotel and the neighbourhod firmly back on the map.’

    In addition to the 334 bedrooms and suites, The Principal London will boast a ballroom and eight additional meeting spaces, a Palm Court, destination cocktail bar, neighbourhood restaurant, and Burr & Co. – a coffeehouse by day and wine bar by night. Tara Bernerd Partners are looking after the design of the hotel guest rooms, suites and public areas, whilst Russell Sage Studios are designing the restaurants and bars, with both teams under the creative direction of Kemper Hyers and the PRINCIPAL design studio.

    Deutsche Hospitality signs agreement for an IntercityHotel in Nizwa, Oman

    Deutsche Hospitality signs agreement for an IntercityHotel in Nizwa, Oman

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    Frankfurt am Main — Deutsche Hospitality is robustly pursuing its course of expansion and has signed a further agreement for a hotel in Oman. A 120-room three-star InterCityHotel is scheduled to open in Nizwa by 2019.

    The hotel, which will offer event spaces, a spa complete with gym area, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar, will be operated via a management agreement. The contractual partner will be the Nizwa Integrated Real Estate Company (“NIREC”), Sultanate of Oman.

    Nizwa is located about 180 kilometres from the Omani capital of Muscat. Set in an oasis, the city is considered to be a cultural hub and is the historic trading centre of the Sultanate. Featuring lush vegetation and an old fortress, Nizwa attracts tourists from all over the world throughout the year as well as being a popular weekend destination for the indigenous population. The hotel construction will form part of a major development project undertaken by the government to bring about further enhancement to the city’s infrastructure.

    This is the second contract to be concluded by Deutsche Hospitality in the Sultanate of Oman within a short period of time. An InterCityHotel is currently under development in the capital city of Muscat, and the plan is that this will open for business in 2020.

    Together with the InterCityHotel Salalah, which launched in July 2016, this brings Deutsche Hospitality’s total representation in Oman to three hotels. The group has been represented in Dubai in the form of the Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay since 2015, and a second InterCityHotel will open in the Emirate in 2018. A Steigenberger Airport Hotel is also under construction in Doha (Qatar). All of this will increase Deutsche Hospitality’s overall presence in the Middle East to six hotels over the coming years.

    Rock by Chelsom

    Product Spotlight: Rock by Chelsom

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    The Rock desk lamp light fuses clean and stylish design with the latest trends to create a sleek and contemporary piece that works in any setting.

    Available as part of a wider collection including table, floor and wall lighting, the Rock desk lamp features a heavy cubed natural stone base supporting a detailed plate and upright column in Black Bronze metalwork.

    The adjustable arm features a locking key swivel joint which gives an industrial twist to the piece.

    www.chelsom.co.uk

    T: +44 (0) 12 53 83 14 00
    F: +44 (0) 12 53 69 80 98

    marketing@chelsom.co.uk

    Wandsworth Controls

    New lighting control app from Wandsworth Controls

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    Wandsworth Controls, a division of Wandsworth Electrical and who bring intelligence to Wandsworths beautiful light switches, has released a lighting control app for Android devices which enables you to control your lights from your phone or other smart Android devices.  This is the latest, most stylish and advanced smart phone app for Wandsworth Lighting Control.

    Designed to provide remote access, the Wandsworth Lighting Controller (WLC) has been enhanced with new stylish icons to enable more scene settings and control.  Within the app you can change levels of circuits within scenes, set timed events, set the lights to turn on at dusk and off at dawn.

    Lighting Control is no longer a nice to have or a design element for the future but a requirement and requisite for now.  Wandsworth Control was developed following research and analysis of the market with the conclusion that lighting control offerings did not meet the high level of design and quality at the front end interface.

    Wandsworth Controls

    With our 100 years of experience in handcrafting designer light switches, Wandsworth intelligent lighting control system ensures those needs are met.  The ever-growing use of smartphones and other smart devices has moved lighting control to a new level and Wandsworth’s latest app version brings the latest lighting control technology into the palm of the hand.  With its stylish design and multiple control features, the Android app continues Wandsworth Controls ability to combine beautiful designer light switches and scene plates with intelligent, cutting edge lighting control technology.

    The latest design version is only available on Android devices and will soon be available on iOS but the app and its multiple features are available across both platforms.  They can be downloaded via the appropriate devices app stores.

    AndroidApple

    Discover more about Wandsworth Controls  lighting control app and how it enables light control with your phone by clicking here…

    Contact Wandsworth to discuss their lighting control capabilities, they are happy to help and will walk you through every step and ensure your lighting control system is exactly what you want.

    Laufen by Kartell

    Kartell by Laufen takes part at the Milan Design Week

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    At the Milan Design Week, from 4 to 9 April 2017, Kartell by Laufen presents new ceramic pieces, furniture complements and special finishes that evolve the products into iconic and stimulating objects, capable of triggering emotions and embellishing the bath, which becomes a true retreat in the domestic setting.

    Kartell by Laufen, designed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba and launched in 2013, is a project based on the fusion of the best characteristics of two companies: Kartell for its originality and design of plastic objects, and Laufen Bathrooms for its quality and rigor in the field of ceramics.

    From the outset the collection has focused on maximum flexibility and versatility, meeting the requirements of many different tastes. Today the range of offerings has expanded with new proposals and moods, with the introduction of a completely new series of slim washbasins and a range extension of the countertop washbasins together with new colours for the finishing of the furniture in order to address an even wider audience.

    One constant of the Kartell by Laufen project is the very high quality of the plastics and ceramics, and in particular of SaphirKeramik, the innovative ceramic material developed by Laufen, which has revolutionised the world of the bath due to its capacity to combine lightness, strength and slimness, thanks to an innovative formula enriched with corundum.

    Kartell by Laufen continues to grow in the market, consolidating its position on an international level in the retail and contract sectors: on one side with the constant growth of the number of points of sale around the world, at this point at a total of 1000, on the other side enhancing some important architectural projects.

    In the light of these experiences, Kartell by Laufen now looks to the future with a growth strategy, but above all with a plan of development to position the brand in a new dimension, with a stronger focus on interior design.

    www.laufen.co.uk

    info@uk.laufen.com

    HVMG - US hotel projects totalling $110 million

    HVMG announces 8 projects totalling $110 million

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    Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, has announced that the company has eight new and on-going renovation and construction projects, three of which were completed recently, totaling approximately $110 million.

    “HVMG offers a full suite of services for hotel owners that covers the entire spectrum of project management, from design and construction through third-party operations including revenue management and digital marketing,” said Robert Cole, HVMG president and CEO. “We have assembled and expanded an in-house team of seasoned design and construction professionals, led by industry veteran John Edwards, to provide guidance and services for third-party clients, as well as our own portfolio.”

    “Our design and construction team brings more than 110 combined years of professional project management and construction experience handling more than $5 billion in development/renovation projects, ranking us among the top in our space,” said John Edwards, vice president of design & construction. “As owners and third-party operators, we understand firsthand the necessity to deliver projects on time and in budget while minimizing guest and associate disruptions.”

    The eight projects include:
    – 287-room Atlanta Marriott Century Center/Emory Area—HVMG will oversee a full renovation of public spaces, meeting areas, amenities and guestrooms. Beginning this summer, the renovation is scheduled to be completed by mid-January 2018.
    – 226, two-room suites Hilton Phoenix Suites—HVMG is converting the hotel from a Hilton to the Embassy Suites brand, creating an additional 16 rooms in the process. Additionally, the hotel will undergo a complete refurbishment of all public spaces, meeting areas, amenities and guestrooms. The hotel’s planned completion date is late November 2017.
    – 308-room Marriott Winston-Salem—HVMG will begin a complete renovation of all guestrooms, as well as updates to the exterior, laundry and HVAC components, and a limited refresh of public spaces this summer. The process is expected to be finalized by February 2018.
    – 163-room Hotel in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea—HVMG is overseeing a full renovation of all guestrooms and public spaces, as well as exterior enhancements. The project is scheduled to commence shortly with a targeted completion of early 2019.
    – 139-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Mahwah–HVMG is completing a partial renovation of all guest and public areas that is expected to run through summer 2017.
    – 261-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Galleria—HVMG has completed an $11.65 million renovation that includes a total reconfiguration of the lobby, including a new art work installation and a new dining outlet called E’terie, improved and expanded meeting and gathering space, complete guest room and bathroom renovations, upgraded amenities and exterior improvements.
    – 132-room SpringHill Suites Orange Beach at the Wharf— HVMG has finalized the development and project management of the new build hotel which includes a destination restaurant, full-service bar, outdoor patio overlooking the intra-coastal waterway, 3,000 square feet of meeting space, oversized lobby, complimentary breakfast, fitness center and resort-style pool.
    – 138-room DoubleTree Nashville Airport – HVMG performed a complete renovation of the exterior façade, parking lot, public spaces, meeting areas, circulation areas, and guestrooms. The renovation began in May of 2016 and substantially completed in November of 2017.

    In addition to the ongoing and upcoming refurbishment construction projects, HVMG has completed 23 design and construction projects varying in scope from ground-up construction to complete renovations totaling approximately $85 million over the past two years. Highlights include the 292-room Hilton Houston Southwest, the 118-room Fairfield Inn by Marriott Portland Maine Mall and the 299-room Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport hotel.

    Visit www.hvmg.com for more information. . .

    Living bathrooms from Duravit at the Spring Ideal Home Show 2017

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    Inspirational bathroom brand, Duravit, is delighted that their basins, bathroom furniture, toilets, baths and mirrors were selected for the bathrooms, cloakrooms and ensuites of the 21st Century Cottage and Property Ladder apartments at this year’s Ideal Home Show which takes place at London’s Olympia from Friday 24th March until Sunday 9th April 2017.

    Collections like the purist, rectangular Vero, Happy D.2 and ME by Starck by celebrated designer Philippe Starck are all showcased throughout the Ideal Home Show Village.

    ME by Starck - Duravit

    Duravit products offer the very best in design, intelligent use of technology and the highest quality manufacture to provide a lasting investment for your home.

    All life stages are catered for, as demonstrated by the P3 Comforts toilet and basin on the top floor of the apartments. All products have flowing lines with soft corners and comfortable touches such as wider toilets and rimless flushing for easier cleaning and maximum hygiene.

    www.duravit.co.uk // www.pro.duravit.co.uk

    Duravit UK Limited
    Unit 7, Stratus Park
    Brudenell Drive
    Brinklow, Milton Keynes
    MK10 0DE
    +44 845 500 7787
    info@uk.duravit.com

    Hilton Saint Petersburg ExpoForum - Guest Room

    Hilton debuts new hotel in Saint Petersburg

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    Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Saint Petersburg ExpoForum, marking the debut of Hilton Hotels & Resorts in the northwest region of the Russian Federation.

    The new-build hotel is part of the ExpoForum Complex, which attracts more than 400 events per year including conferences, corporate functions, shows and sporting events. The opening of Hilton Saint Petersburg ExpoForum strengthens Hilton’s offering in the city, as it joins sister hotel, Hampton by Hilton Saint Petersburg ExpoForum.

    The hotel offers 169 contemporary guest rooms, including 65 stylish executive rooms and suites, where guests can enjoy access to the Executive Lounge and a range of complimentary snacks and meals. Hilton Saint Petersburg ExpoForum also caters to meetings and events of all sizes, with eight multifunctional modern meeting rooms and one pillar-less ballroom capable of accommodating up to 550 guests. The large foyer also provides a unique touch, as it is available for pre-function events and benefits from natural daylight.

    Furthermore, with access to the ExpoForum, Hilton Saint Petersburg and sister hotel Hampton by Hilton ExpoForum are great destinations for large-scale events, allowing guests to attend a conference or corporate function with convenience and the reassurance of a comfortable night’s sleep.

    Guests can replenish at the two-level spa, which includes over 10 treatment rooms on the second level and a large indoor swimming pool on the lower level, as well as a massage room, saunas and Turkish bath. The fitness centre, featuring the latest Technogym equipment, is also available to guests’ 24-hours a day.

    W Marbella set to open next year

    W Marbella to debut on Spain’s sizzling south coast

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    W Hotels Worldwide, now part of Marriott International, has announced the signing of W Marbella and The Residences at W Marbella. Scheduled to open in 2021 and developed in partnership with Sunrise Inversiones 2015, W Marbella will be located on the pristine golden sands of Playa Real de Zaragoza, just a short drive from the energetic nightlife scene of downtown Marbella.

    W Marbella will offer 200 spacious guestrooms, including 26 suites and an Extreme Wow Suite – the brand’s extravagant take on the traditional Presidential Suite. The hotel will feature a vibrant bar and a signature restaurant; an AWAY spa complete with a beauty salon and juice bar; FIT state-of-the-art workout facility; and two WET pool decks. For those looking for an extraordinary venue for their next meeting, W Marbella will provide five ultra-modern meeting rooms along with a covered terrace, measuring more than 10,000 square feet, ideal for outdoor parties and events.

    The Residences at W Marbella will boast 100 low-rise, condominium apartments and villas available for purchase. The W-branded beachfront Residences will offer owners access to all of the hotel’s amenities and services, including preferred reservations at the hotel’s restaurants, bars and lounges; in-residence dining and STYLE housekeeping services, as well as a private pool and the brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service promise.

    With the opening of W Marbella in 2021, Spain will be the only country in Europe to boast three W Hotels, joining the acclaimed W Barcelona, which redefined Spain’s hospitality scene since it opened in 2009, as well as the forthcoming W Madrid, slated to open in 2019. W Marbella will be the fourth W Escape in Europe, a newly created portfolio of W Hotels located in ski, sand and entertainment destinations around the world, that make the traditional ‘resort’ a last resort.

    W Marbella will join the brand’s robust portfolio of 50 hotels around the globe, including the recently opened W Las Vegas, W Goa and W Punta de Mita, as well as the soon-to-open W Shanghai, W Tel Aviv, W Madrid, W Panama and W Dubai – The Palm. W Hotels is on track to reach 75 hotels by 2020.

    ALICE at the Hollywood Roosevelt

    Hotel staff technology ALICE introduced at a Hollywood icon

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    Hollywood’s iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is using ALICE to optimise staff communication and increase guest satisfaction. The Hollywood Roosevelt, rated number 14 out of 300+ hotels in Los Angeles county, continues to prioritise guest experience, implementing ALICE Staff, the software module for guest request management in November 2016.

    As part of an ongoing commitment to staying on the cutting-edge of hotel communications and operations technology, ALICE was brought on board to ensure The Hollywood Roosevelt would continue its legacy of providing the best in guest service.

    Implementing ALICE Staff has changed the hotel’s operations efficiency and approach to guest service management, with all communication and task management being centralized. Once a guest request is entered into ALICE (complete with the guest’s location), the staff member in closest proximity to the guest can address the issue and easily let others know he’s done so, right in the system. Keeping track of all employee activity in the system is also providing the hotel’s management with actionable data. Managers can see what times are the busiest for staff, and optimize employee schedules appropriately.

    “We are incredibly pleased with the easy-to-use interface and implementing the new system has directly contributed to our team being able to handle guest requests in a timely and efficient manner, always prioritizing the guest experience and expectations,” says Akshay Bahl, general manager of The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. “ALICE has helped us increase accountability and guest satisfaction.”

    Alex Shashou, co-founder and President of ALICE is pleased the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is seeing tangible improvements in guest satisfaction so soon after launch: “The Hollywood Roosevelt is a Los Angeles institution. We’re delighted we can help update the hotel’s back of house and contribute to its legendary guest experience.”

    Best Western Tokyo

    Best Western unveils exciting new hotel in Tokyo

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    Best Western Hotels & Resorts will soon offer travellers to Tokyo another exciting place to stay, with the opening of Best Western Tokyo Nishikasai Grande on April 1, 2017.

    The hotel’s 105 rooms – all of which are non-smoking – come in a range of configurations for all types of guest. These include triple rooms, allowing families visiting Tokyo Disneyland to stay together before they catch the complimentary shuttle bus to the theme park’s main entrance.

    All rooms also feature international power sockets, USB ports, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, allowing business travelers to stay connected and leisure visitors to keep in touch with home, including those all-important social media updates.

    Corporate guests can use the 24-hour business centre, and all guests will enjoy the exquisite Japanese and international cuisines served at the hotel’s restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    And visitors wishing to explore the local area will discover a shopping mall and many local restaurants, some of them open 24 hours. Traveling to and from airport is easy too, with buses and trains connecting swiftly toNarita International Airport.

    “Japan is one of Best Western’s most important markets, and we are delighted to offer guests yet another excellent hotel in the vibrant capital city, Tokyo,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western’s Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.

    Best Western Tokyo Nishikasai Grande becomes the company’s third hotel in the Japanese capital city, joining Best Western Rembrandt Hotel Tokyo Machida and Best Western Tokyo Nishikasai, which is located just five minutes away from the new hotel.

     

    Giardini di Villa della Pergola

    Villa della Pergola – A British atmosphere on the Italian Riviera

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    Set in lovely 22,000 square-metres of gardens, Villa della Pergola, Villino della Pergola and Casa del Sole are all elegant masterpieces of architecture that date from the end of the nineteenth century overlooking the Gulf of Alassio.

    After its winter closing, Villa della Pergola is reopening on the 7th April, where guests staying can feel completely at home in any of its twelve suites, each different from the other, and each dedicated to characters who have stayed at Villa della Pergola or who have been part of the aristocratic British colony that took up residence at Alassio. Villa della Pergola is open until the end of October.

    Set in lovely 22,000 square-metres of gardens, Villa della Pergola, Villino della Pergola and Casa del Sole are all elegant masterpieces of architecture
    The buildings have a quite unique history that is in fact intimately bound up with this English community that chose to stay on this coast in the years between 1800 and 1900 as one of their favourite wintering holiday spots.

    Set in lovely 22,000 square-metres of gardens, Villa della Pergola, Villino della Pergola and Casa del Sole are all elegant masterpieces of architecture

    The Villa and the garden were originally the idea of the Scottish General William Montagu Scott Mc Murdo in 1875. In the early years of the twentieth century the grounds and the Villa della Pergola passed into the hands of Virginia Woolf’s cousin Sir Walter Hamilton Dalrymple.

    Set in lovely 22,000 square-metres of gardens, Villa della Pergola, Villino della Pergola and Casa del Sole are all elegant masterpieces of architecture
    In 1922 the new owner Daniel Hanbury, second-born of Thomas, designer and owner the celebrated Hanbury gardens of La Mortola, Ventimiglia, began the work of developing the collections of plants in the grounds, drawing on the resources of the family’s own botanical gardens.

    Set in lovely 22,000 square-metres of gardens, Villa della Pergola, Villino della Pergola and Casa del Sole are all elegant masterpieces of architecture

    Villa della Pergola has just been selected to be part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the exclusive club including small independent hotels. Hotels have been carefully selected to celebrate their unique characteristics and high standard.

    giardinidivilladellapergola.com

    Viceroy Hotel Group introduces three brand tiers

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    Viceroy Hotel Group (VHG) has announced the segmentation of its portfolio into three tiers: The Viceroy Icon Collection, The Viceroy Lifestyle Series and Urban Retreat Collection. This new structure is a natural evolution for the modern luxury hotel brand. As it continues to create unique and diverse experiences, the tier structure will help guests find what they are looking for more easily.

    “We celebrate the differences in our portfolio and know that our guests love diversity, authenticity and personality,” said Kelly Kang, AVP of Brand Management at VHG. “The introduction of our new brand architecture offers an intuitive way to choose a Viceroy destination that fits the unique personality of our guests and their vibe.”

    The Viceroy Icon Collection: Epic in Every Sense
    The Icon Collection has endless dramatic flair, and luxury knows no bounds. With properties set in breathtaking destinations, guests can expect a sense of adventure and anticipation at every turn. There is equal opportunity to engage in active pursuits beyond one’s wildest dreams or simply relax in the most scenic of settings. The Icon Collection properties encompass exclusive experiences and resort-style offerings including, but not limited to: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort – The star of the Caribbean located on an acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage site. The epitome of glamour, Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, which is a Forbes 5-star hotel and celebrity haven. Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai (opening March 2017), the most sought-after Palm Jumeirah address with theatre at the heart of every guest interaction.

    Viceroy

    The Viceroy Lifestyle Series: Provocative & Progressive
    The Lifestyle Series hotels revolve around the needs and desires of the modern traveler. Stylish and provocative, these attitude-led destinations bring a playful edge to the luxury category. The Lifestyle Series hotels include: Viceroy Santa Monica, a scene maker with buzzing nightlife and Santa Monica’s beach and culture at your fingertips.
    Among the bustle of midtown with a rooftop bar overlooking Central Park, Viceroy Central Park New York harnesses the city’s remarkable energy and provides limitless opportunities for exploration.

    Urban Retreat Collection: Bold & Eclectic
    The Urban Retreat Collection is made up of boutique hotels, each with their own identity. They encapsulate local spirit and energy, and wink at rebellion. And while they carry Viceroy’s signature style and service, they also delight by disrupting the norm. The series includes: Hotel Zelos San Francisco, a downtown residential retreat with the buzzed-about Dirty Habit restaurant and bar social scene. Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco, a mischievous fusion of San Francisco’s counterculture tradition and contemporary hospitality. Illuminated by the lights of Times Square, Cassa Hotel New York is a stylish, modern haven for travelers that like to stay at the city’s pulse.

    Viceroy

    http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/

    Hotel Nia

    Hotel Nia to open in Menlo Park, Silicon Valley

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    Ensemble Real Estate Investments and AECOM Capital have announced that the 250-room hotel located at 200 Independence Street, in Menlo Park, California will officially be named Hotel Nia.

    Hotel Nia, a name which means “bright light”, is 11-storeys of gleaming glass that offers space to shine, room to think and environments to promote the freedom to relax. The new build hotel and restaurant is a key component of Silicon Valley’s landmark Menlo Gateway project, which will include three office buildings and accompanying parking structures. Hotel Nia, which will celebrate its topping out on March 28, 2017, is on schedule to open in January of 2018.

    “Hotel Nia will have its own voice; we’re excited to bring a new hotel with its own individual character and inspiring design to the Menlo Park area,” said Michael Moskowitz, a founding partner with Ensemble Real Estate Investments. “This will be the perfect place for people traveling to the area for business, pleasure or both and for locals to gather for a drink, meal or event. We are striving for relaxed elegance in our design and service approach that will provide our guests with a place they can draw inspiration from.”

    “We’re thrilled to bring Hotel Nia to Silicon Valley in partnership with Ensemble Real Estate Investments,” said AECOM Capital Chief Executive John Livingston. “As the tech capital continues to grow, this hotel will offer both visitors and the local community a dynamic new destination.”

    Minneapolis-based Cuningham Group is the hotel architect and McCartan Interior Design, based in New York, is providing interior design services. The team is creating environments of sleek, modernism accented with organic elements and natural materials, blending the best of high-tech and high-touch to intrigue and comfort guests with invention and life. 43 suites will provide respite and views for luxurious and extended stays. 11,000-square-feet of indoor meeting space, including a large ballroom, opens to 9,000 square feet of outdoor venues, complete with a garden Courtyard and expansive deck space. A thoughtful art collection will provide a sense of discovery throughout it all, inspiring conversation and intrigue reflective of the creativity of Silicon Valley.

    Consistently paying homage to its tech-centric neighbours, this Silicon Valley hotel will seamlessly blend service and technology, bringing new experiences and thoughtful service into focus as a vibrant new destination in Menlo Park. The property will also provide the surrounding neighbourhood with a new social centerpiece for inspired gatherings with its coastal Mediterranean restaurant, indoor/outdoor cocktail bar, and a coffee cafe featuring blends from a renowned local roasting company. Hotel Nia will be a favorite for locals and guests alike.

    Hotel Nia will be part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, a handpicked collection of unique luxury hotels tied with Marriott’s reward program. The hotel is owned and developed by a joint venture of AECOM Capital and Ensemble Real Estate Investments with construction financing provided by ACORE Capital. Webcor Builders is the general contractor. Hotel Nia will be managed by Denver based Sage Hospitality.

    Roca at ISH 2017

    Roca brings together the future and the past to its stand at ISH

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    In the year of its centenary, Roca attended the ISH fair in Frankfurt with a new concept of stand, the Roca Mall, a modern shopping centre with over 1000m2 that puts together the history, the present and the future of the brand through its different collections and products.

    Beyond and Carmen. Looking towards the coming years while praising 100 years of history
    With the future in mind, Roca presents an exclusive vitreous china collection for those in the search for the extra mile. Beyond is an urban proposal with sophisticated solutions for basins shaped by Roca’s new material, Fineceramic®, and the latest technologies in the design of bathroom products. On the other side, Carmen pays tribute to the past with the redesign of an iconic model from Roca’s centenary history.

    The classical Carmen washbasin is coming back with a vintage style to become a new complete bathroom collection with the most advanced features such as rimless toilets.

    In-Wash® and Inspira. A smart present dedicated to individualisation and user experience
    The Roca Mall also displays the most successful latest launches of the company. In-Wash®, the Smart Toilet, featuring the most advanced technology with a universal design and a user friendly interface. And Inspira, the ceramic and furniture collection that provides inspiration for bathroom projects with its three design lines that allow individual configurations of the bathroom according to each user’s style.

    Armani/Roca. A room for exclusivity
    Exclusivity also has its room at the Roca Mall with Baia, the new Armani/Roca collection presented in premiere at ISH 2017. With these new designs, Giorgio Armani once again shows his commitment to promoting comfort and wellbeing, expressing his vision of the bathroom environment through a combination of
    elements that allow maximum flexibility and adaptability. The aesthetic intentionally references the past but the retro styling is brought up to date by being interpreted in a modern manner and the incorporation of avantgarde technology. The result is a new versatile bathroom collection, which manages to be both contemporary and timeless, in accordance with Giorgio Armani’s well-known design philosophy.

    About Roca
    Roca is a company engaged in the design, production and commercialization of products for the bathroom space, as well as ceramic floor and wall tiles for architecture, building and interior design. Its origins date from 1917, when the Roca family started building their first production plant in Gavà (Barcelona). In the centenary of its establishment, the company employs over 22,600 workers and has 78 production plants, with presence in more than 170 markets in the five continents.

    Jalu

    Company Profile: Jalu – An innovative concept for outdoor lighting

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    About Jalu Ltd
    New business Jalu Ltd has recently launched its first two collections of striking contemporary floor lamps – bringing a bold and original concept to the outdoor lighting market.

    Inspired by outdoor living design from overseas, Alison Cavey and Juliet Kauffmann formed the company in 2016 to create a range of innovative and high quality products for the UK. The last 12 months have been spent “exploring a wide range of novel materials, production methods and designs in order to bring something fresh to the hospitality marketplace”, says Juliet.

    Current options for outdoor lighting are generally quite limited and are either: functional and minimalistic (e.g. lighting for pathways, drives, and key features); or decorative (e.g. floor lamps or hanging lampshades/chandeliers).

    Options to deliver ambient lighting at the same time as providing a sophisticated design feature in its own right, taking pride of place within your design scheme, whilst being truly robust and weatherproof, are limited.

    Holix lamp - Jalu

    The Jalu team took a long hard look at what overseas designers were doing, but came to the conclusion that there remains scope for a range of contemporary outdoor lighting to reflect the needs and aspirations of the UK market. Hence the company has developed its first two collections to provide a combination of attractive aesthetics with durability and functionality to address the vagaries of UK weather. These first collections demonstrate the versatility of product design that can be achieved, with more concepts in the pipeline.

    Jalu’s original floor lamp designs provide 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 pool sides.

    Jalu Products
    Jalu has worked closely with its suppliers to optimise the design and finish quality of its products. Each lamp is hand cast to order in the UK from a novel and versatile material that is lighter than stone, but highly durable. Each lamp is made to the same exacting standards, yet has its own distinct character.

    The material lends itself to a wide range of colours and finishes, producing inherently beautiful and tactile lamps and provides the opportunity to create pieces that are truly unique. As a result, Jalu is looking forward to working closely with designers and clients to develop bespoke lamps that fit precisely within an individual scheme or layout.

    Holix lamp - Jalu

    Holix lamp – Jalu

    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.

    The Furtho Collection
    The Furtho combines simplicity of design with elegant functionality – delivering artistry to living spaces. This eye-catching floor lamp provides a striking sculptural focal point, with the inherent ability – thanks to its distinctive ‘twist’ – to present different profiles. It looks equally dramatic in both natural light and when illuminated at night.

    Each Furtho lamp stands 90cm tall, and is currently available in four stand colours (pictured in Serene Blue).

    The Holix Collection
    The Holix is flexible and fun, putting the client in control. Its modular design, comprising multiple hexagonal elements, means it can be arranged or ‘stacked’ 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’.

     

    Available to order now, see www.jalu.co.uk.

    Four Seasons Surf Club, Florida

    Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club Surfside, Florida now open

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    From the moment it first opened its doors on New Year’s Eve 1930, The Surf Club in Miami has hosted history. It is an institution whose reputation looms large in the imagination of so many more people than can ever have visited it, let alone been members. When tire tycoon Harvey Firestone first had the idea of a new type of social club, on board his yacht the Marybelle, he could never have imagined how enduring the appeal would be of what he would soon create.

    On this same 9-acre stretch of oceanfront in Surfside, Florida, located in the northern beaches of Miami, Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club today comprises 77 guestrooms, a selection of hotel residences, Le Sirenuse Restaurant and Champagne Bar, three pools, a pristine beach, and Spa and Wellness Center.

    “The Surf Club’s success has always been determined by quality, passion and relaxed precision and that remains our priority today; being intuitive, exceeding our guests’ every expectation and creating memories that will last a lifetime,” says General Manager Reed Kandalaft.

    Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club Surfside, Florida is Now Open

    The Surf Club Yesterday
    The Mediterranean Revival building and beachside cabanas that made up The Surf Club were designed by Russell T. Pancoast. They formed elegant backdrops that would frame the beach and sea, and cradle the crowd from the outside world at the same time. It quickly became a magnet for members that crossed industry, culture and class. It was a home away from home for people who shared provenance, privilege and a preference for pleasure.

    Archive photos show poolside fashion shows directed by Elizabeth Arden, Shah Mohamed Reza of Iran on the tennis court, his wife on water skis and Winston Churchill painting in his cabana. There was booze on the beach during prohibition, kayaks in the swimming pool, black tie boxing dinners and lavish themed galas, one time with elephants, another with 300 tables made of ice. It was a place of myth, legend and endless laughter. The names that rolled up were pioneers of the good life: Noel Coward, Douglas Fairbanks Jnr. and Elizabeth Taylor, The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Frank Sinatra, Tennessee Williams, Joan Crawford, Liberace.

    They came to The Surf Club for its reputation as a place where proper impropriety was allowed. It was for people with good taste seeking good times. It combined power and pleasure, ceremony and swagger – its members felt off duty but on show, together. It provided its crowd with somewhere they felt they belonged, somewhere safe: a ballroom and beach, behind closed doors.

    Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club Surfside, Florida is Now Open

    Firestone’s mission was to embrace the possibilities of a new era and provide a new crowd that was emerging, with a new type of offer that supported who they were, how they lived and how they behaved. It was a social club with sophistication in its bones, matched by a singular understanding of who its members were and what brought them together. It respected privacy but allowed freedom.

    The Surf Club Today
    The new Surf Club is an extended embodiment of its original values at a greater scale. Nadim Ashi, the founder of Fort Partners who today owns The Surf Club, explains his mission to preserve, respect and enhance the original spirit:

    “We have selected the best of what everyone can do and we have pushed them to give us their best,” Ashi explains. “We haven’t let go of anything less than excellence. We believe that if you create something unique it will last. We have not created The Surf Club, but we have a commitment to ensure that what we are doing has integrity, culture and quality at its heart. It needs to be alive and loved.”

    Some of today’s greatest creative minds were commissioned to write the next chapter of The Surf Club’s story. Pritzker-prize winning architect Richard Meier has designed three buildings that frame and flank the original clubhouse. They are an exercise in discrete classical modernism, simultaneously reflecting and disappearing into the changing sky, the beach and the sea.

    Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club Surfside, Florida is Now Open

    Parisian interior architect Joseph Dirand has been tasked with designing the interiors of the public areas and bedrooms of the hotel, together with the cabanas. Renowned for his ability to bring atmosphere, rich narrative and quiet drama to life through space, materials, furniture and details, Dirand has created a series of rooms that evoke a sense of the past with a feeling of the present and a hint of the future. Five Cabana Studios are Dirand’s homage to The Surf Club’s unique cabana culture, situated on the original Cabana Row. Miami-based architect Kobi Karp collaborated with Richard Meier on the project as the architect on record.

    Le Sirenuse will open its first restaurant and champagne bar away from its famed Positano home on Italy’s Southern coast. Playing on shades of faded magnolia, beachcomber green and mahogany, Joseph Dirand’s design combined with the oceanfront view evokes the same spirit that has been enjoyed for generations at Le Sirenuse Positano.

    At The Spa, a light dappled sanctuary designed by Joseph Dirand with crisp hues of white and blue, wellness services blend time-honoured traditions from around the globe with cutting edge technology and internationally acclaimed skin care lines to provide a completely tailor-made experience. The steam, sauna and showers, as well as the mixed traditional hammam, offer a perfect pre-and-post-spa experience, while a tea lounge and relaxations room with private alcoves overlook the ocean and gardens. Eight treatment rooms are bright and airy, with two Spa Cabana Suites offering absolute privacy.

    Also within The Surf Club’s historic building, artist Michele Oka Doner has created a large, site-specific installation that tells the story of The Surf Club’s legacy inspired by a wealth of source material from its past.

    Outside, pool experiences include quiet and family options; and a future cabana pool to accompany 40 day-use cabanas featuring fully-air conditioned indoor furnished spaces with full bathrooms. On the pristine beach, guests can take part in an array of non-motorised water sports. Younger guests are also welcomed at the fully-supervised Kids for All Seasons studio.

    www.fourseasons.com/surfside/

    Sani Dunes

    Introducing Sani Dunes

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    Greece’s award-winning Sani Resort in Halkidiki has unveiled its newest, luxury retreat – Sani Dunes. Opening late June 2017, Sani Dunes is a brand new concept: a sophisticated, private beachfront hotel exclusively for adults and children over the age of 12.

    Benefitting from an exclusive spa, private beach, three restaurants, bar and indoor and outdoor heated pools, Sani Dunes is another step in Sani’s dedication to welcoming “grown up” families and encouraging teenagers to make the most of their family holidays in an active, fun way.

    A resort very much ahead of the curve, Sani prides itself on listening and reacting to the needs of hotel guests, and over the years has seen an increasing demand for a relaxing destination, catered exclusively to adults and families with older children. Sani Dunes was specifically created with this feedback in mind and, in line with the Sani Resort portfolio of hotels, will continue to offer the very highest levels of service, style and facilities.

    Enjoying an undeniably privileged beachfront location, close to the buzzing boutiques and restaurants of Sani Marina, and with dreamy views of the crystal-clear Aegean Sea, the 136-room Sani Dunes offers the utmost in comfort and luxury. Low-rise contemporary accommodation comprise 80 exceptionally spacious Junior Suites and Panorama Junior Suites, as well as 56 Double and Family Rooms, all furnished with stylish, handcrafted Mediterranean touches. Offering the utmost in comfort and luxury, all rooms boast tranquil views overlooking Sani Dunes’ lush green gardens and lagoon pools, with some benefiting from the stunning beachfront location providing panoramic sea views. Several suites offer beautifully appointed terraces, balconies or private gardens.

    www.sani-resort.com

    Presidential Suite Bedroom

    ONE UN New York completes $70 million refurbishment

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    Millennium Hotels and Resorts has announced the completion of a $70 million (£58 million) renovation to its North American flagship hotel, ONE UN New York, an iconic hotel situated at the heart of the International United Nations Headquarter enclave.

    In keeping with the distinctive architecture and design of the original Kevin Roche-designed building, the multi-million-dollar renovation has been thoughtfully carried out, bringing back to life the original elegance and stature of the hotel that has welcomed world leaders, diplomats and heads of state since its opening in 1976. The renovation encompassed all 439 guestrooms and suites, meetings and event spaces, public areas and the Ambassador Grill Restaurant and Bar.

    Throughout the project, Millennium Hotels and Resorts collaborated with architect and interior design consultants, Didier Gomez Interiors and DYAMI Architecture PC in order to realise the vision of the hotel. The transformation has resulted in significant front-of-house improvements along with upgraded facilities and equipment, enhancing the overall guest experience.

    One UN redesign
    The spacious interiors of the redesigned guest rooms and suites at ONE UN New York are characterised by warm bronze and taupe hues, creating a stylish sanctuary where guests can relax away from the buzz of the city below. Ranging from 240 square-feet to a generous 510 square-feet (22 square-metres to 47 square-metres), each of the rooms and suites combine understated luxury with modern amenities.

    One UN New York redesign

    Paul Rene Lee, General Manager of ONE UN New York, commented: “We are delighted with the outcome of the recent renovation to ONE UN New York. The complete transformation is a testament to our concerted effort to ensure that our guest experience remains unparalleled, without having compromised the rich history and heritage of the hotel.”

    One UN New York redesign

    Colin Wang, Vice President of Operations, North America continued: “The renovation of ONE UN New York demonstrates our commitment to continued investment in our portfolio of hotels in North America. The renovations completed to date support our goal to maintain our high reputation among discerning travellers, and to become the hotel of choice in the markets we have a presence in.”

    Complementing the new guest experience, all 281 associates at ONE UN New York underwent an extensive training programme throughout the renovation, focused on maintaining and exceeding the high standard of service that goes hand in hand with outstanding hospitality. Newly-designed staff uniforms together with new guest room linens and amenities complete the experience.

    Situated opposite one of the world’s greatest landmarks, the International United Nations Headquarter, ONE UN New York boasts panoramic views across the Manhattan skyline to one side, with sweeping views of the East River to the other. Ideally located in the dynamic Mid-Town Manhattan borough of New York City, the Broadway Theatre district, Times Square, Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal and Fifth Avenue are all just a stone’s throw from the hotel.

    For more information, click here. . .

    Jean-Michel Gathy

    Jean-Michel Gathy on hotel design and architecture trends in 2017

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    Master architect Jean-Michel Gathy is the visionary behind some of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels, resorts and landmarks from the Marina Bay Sands swimming pool in Singapore, Cheval Blanc Randheli by LVMH in the Maldives, The Chedi Muscat in Oman, The Setai Miami to many of the most recognized Aman Resorts around the world.

    Specialising in luxury hospitality design, interiors and landscape for over 40 years, Jean-Michel Gathy is always one step ahead of the design curve, forging new design trends and inspiring the world with his passion in creating innovative designs which surpass expectations and the imagination.

    Jean-Michel Gathy’s “must have” architecture predictions for 2017 and beyond are centred on the themes of romantic resorts, an abundance of pools and water features, sustainability, and always incorporating local cultural elements and traditions.

    His signature designs have inspired many leading architectural works which are showcased in a list of some of the most recognised hotels and resorts including the One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives, St. Regis Lhasa, Tibet, Viceroy Snowmass, Aspen Colorado, Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay, Sanya, The Chedi Andermatt, Switzerland, Aman Canal Grande, Venice, Amanwana, Moyo Island Indonesia and Aman Summer Palace in Beijing.

    Romantic Resort Designs
    Jean-Michel Gathy pioneers the design of romantic wraparound outdoor decks with netted hammocks suspended over water at the One&Only Reethi Rah and oversized bathrooms at The Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives, featuring free standing bathtubs and outdoor showers, also referred to as “Naughty Bathrooms.” He is an expert for inventing romantic designs for couples to be intimate yet comfortable. Gathy shared, “I believe that the perfect hotel in the Maldives is a hotel where you are extremely comfortable with your spouse or partner. A Maldivian hotel needs to encourage an environment of love and life, a place for emotion and togetherness.”

     

    Jean-Michel Gathy design and architecture trends for 2017

    Pools & Water Features
    Inspired by water, Jean-Michel Gathy redefines hotel swimming pools creating water features as incredible centerpieces. From the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool at the Marina Bay Sands overlooking Singapore’s skyscrapers to the Golden Energy pool at The St. Regis Lhasa in Tibet intricately lined with thousands of tiles plated in 24 carat gold comfortably heated between 28 to 32 degrees Celsius. Jean-Michel Gathy further shared, “I’m obsessed with water. The reason I like water in hotel designs is that it’s so peaceful and relaxing. Think about how you feel when you’re by a lake or a river – you feel calmer,” explained Gathy. “Well that’s why I try to incorporate water into all my designs. It soothes the mind. For me, a hotel without water is boring.”

    Jean-Michel Gathy on design, architecture trends for 2017

    Sustainability
    Incorporating the natural environment and indigenous Aspen culture, Jean-Michel Gathy integrates fire, earth, wood and stone elements to the design of the Viceroy Snowmass. All materials used are LEED classified ensuring that local materials were maximized in the construction phase to minimize ongoing energy usage to support sustainability. The design inspiration behind The Chedi Andermatt by GHM is balanced between Swiss heritage and a backdrop of awe-inspiring nature. The resort is sustainably designed and executed, using locally sourced materials. “Sustainability is one of the major considerations. Each country has different regulations and codes on environmental impact and it is my job to make sure that the project meets the sustainable requirements,” Gathy shared.

    Jean-Michel Gathy on design, architecture trends in 2017

    Local Culture Elements
    Having a passion for travel and geography as a child, Jean-Michel Gathy harmonizes the local and cultural elements of the destination to his designs. At the recently opened Park Hyatt Sunny Bay, Jean-Michel Gathy designed the Resort to balance the energies of feng shui between the sea “yin” and the surrounding mountains “yang.”

    Reflecting the Summer Palace’s imperial style, the Aman Summer Palace pays tribute to the Ming Dynasty, traditional touches are evident in both design and décor including period-style furniture, lanterns, traditional fabrics and bamboo blinds.

    Jean-Michel Gathy on design, architecture trends in 2017

    Whereas the artfully restored, Aman Canal Grande is set in the regal world of the 16th century Palazzo Papadopoli, the textures of the original historical features – ornate cornicing, carved marble, intricate murals and wood panelling blend alongside the modern conveniences, cutting-edge design and contemporary décor. “I’m always inspired by the location of my projects; I like to honor both the landscape and local tradition. As palaces and hotels, Venice and China couldn’t be more different, yet I set out to achieve a similar aesthetic – to inject a contemporary haven within a culturally rich environment, one that offers guests an authentic yet dramatic experience,” comments Jean-Michel Gathy.

    Although many designs pioneered by Jean-Michel Gathy are being adopted and mimicked by other hotels, Gathy shared that he is not concerned, he comments that “Making a beautiful hotel is about orchestrating a dance between the landscape, the architecture and the interiors. There’s this wonderful chemistry when it finally works.”

    Jean-Michel Gathy and his team at Denniston Architects are currently working on over forty projects around the world, including the upcoming Mandarin Oriental and Jumeirah in Bali and The Andaz Sanya.

    denniston.com.my

    Boutique collection - Potenza - botanicals

    Guest Blog: Kobe UK – Bring on the botanicals in 2017

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    Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe UK, predicts a ‘botanical Britannia’ for Spring/Summer 2017.

    David Harris, managing director, said: “Rich, dark greens are back in fashion, with bags of opportunity to experiment with botanical patterns. Look out too, for jungle printed jacquards, woven with metallic yarns, paired with the young, modern look of natural materials, wood, cork or marble. This year it’s all about collections where each fabric has an individual identity.

    “Whether it’s a modern or more traditional domestic or commercial interior, curtain and upholstery fabrics, in vibrant colours and designs are ready to take-off.”

    For a stunning look which adds up to a room to remember, geometric shapes in furniture are also in style with upholstery fabric in sumptuous velvet woven in both timeless and on-trend colours. Said David: “There will be more modern shapes and colour together with textures of rich velvet, woven jacquard and cool cotton in geometric, floral, paisley and botanical designs.”

    This year go for a balance between contemporary and traditional. Perfect for window décor in any hospitality venue are 100% flame retardant fabrics, in tones of metallic, gold and copper for a more luxurious style.

    Kobe's Enchanted - botanicals

    Making an even bigger impact in the season ahead will be room highs, the stylish, extra wide fabrics for window décor. More than 300cm high with the pattern printed or woven horizontally, these fabrics make matching patterns and sewing seams a thing of the past and create striking, seamless drape from ceiling to floor.

    Whatever design and style, it’s always exciting to create something new. With Kobe’s collections there is a lavish mix of curtain and upholstery fabrics for those searching for inspiration.

    Kobe is a luxury fabric specialist with a UK operation based in Crowthorne, Berkshire. For further information please contact salesuk@kobe.eu or call +44(0)1344 771653.

    www.en.kobe.eu

    Versital at Royal Quays Marina, Newcastle

    A daring look for Royal Quays Marina Newcastle thanks to Versital

     950 633 Daniel Fountain
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    Versital has been specified for new washrooms to be used by boat owners and their crew at Royal Quays Marina on the River Tyne at North Shields.

    Versital supplied bespoke shower panels and splashbacks in bold and exciting colours for this striking waterside development. The new building is a stunning contemporary design which incorporates a café bar restaurant as well as the new washrooms.

    Situated right on the dock edge the glazed frontage gives superb views for diners over the boats moored in the marina, whilst the interior accommodates modern new washrooms for use by marina users. Versital supplied wall panels and splashbacks in distinctive colours such as ‘Shiraz’, ‘Tangoed’, ‘Dorothy’, ‘Ice White’ and ‘Wenge’ to create 8 contemporary, spacious shower enclosures and washrooms that will serve the owners, family and crew of the 350 boats moored in the marina, as well as the many boats that visit this busy marina each year.

    “Our unique surface material is 100% non-porous, making it a great solution for commercial projects such as this,” says Gemma Stockberger, Head of Marketing and Sales for Versital UK. “The Marina’s bathrooms will look as good as new for many, many years to come as no stains or exposure to water can compromise their appearance. What’s more, they will never need to grout a tile again.”

    Versital’s non-porous, stone resin shower panels and splashbacks were made to measure for the Marina, allowing the design team to specify the exact shape, size. The design team picked the final colour selection from a range of 90 colours and finishes such as marble, granite, sparkle and high gloss.

    BrightBlue Studio, the RIBA Registered Architects who designed the Marina Building, specified bespoke Versital shower panels to provide a low maintenance bathroom solution. Henry Amos, Director at BrightBlue Studio says, “the Royal Quays Marina team were interested in more dynamic ideas, colours and products to invigorate the spaces, allowing us to flex our creative muscles. We specified Versital as we knew they could deliver a bespoke, easy to maintain solution as well as exciting colour options and smooth, consistent delivery.”

    www.versital.co.uk

    www.quaymarinas.com/our-marinas/royal-quays

    Photography: Daniel Parker

    Marmorin Sand - Viero

    Product Spotlight: Marmorin Sand from Viero

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    Can you believe it’s March already? Where is 2017 going? If like us you’ve had a busy start to the year and don’t know where the time is going, we’ve got another product of the month case study to inspire your creative flair.

    This month we’re showcasing one of Viero’s more traditional surface finishes. It’s Marmorin Sand, which has recently been used at a place we often rely on to get us going in the morning. Yes, you guessed it. It’s that all important coffee stop at Starbucks.

    Marmorin Sand - Viero

    Characteristics
    This lime-based polished plaster has a spotted marble effect which allows you to achieve a natural and organic wall finish. A great word to describe the atmosphere it sets is historic.

    Looking fantastic in grey, it has a fantastic shady tone but can lighten in the same breath. Marmorin Sand lends itself beautifully to projects which cover large surface areas as it blends and moves to allow the interiors around it to really come to the fore.

    Marmorin Sand - Viero

    Delivery
    The Marmorin Sand finish was applied at the Upper St Martins Lane Starbucks Concept store, just a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus in London. The finish helped to create a very natural look for the client.

    Design manager Alessia Bucci said: “We used the Marmorin Sand finish because it could help us to achieve a natural wall finish which would react to light and become part of the architectural shell of the building. We are delighted with the final result Viero UK has produced because the wall finish created really seems to belong to the space.”

    Feel inspired to use Marmorin Sand in your next project? Email enquries@viero.co.uk to find out more.

    GROHE at ISH 2017

    Water, Intelligence, Enjoyment: GROHE at ISH 2017

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    GROHE once again took over the entirety of the Forum Hall at the world’s leading bathroom fair, ISH 2017.

    The show, held in Frankfurt from 14th-18th March, welcomed over 200,000 visitors, from trade, press and consumer backgrounds. GROHE’s theme for the exhibition was “Water, Intelligence, Enjoyment” and the immersive stand encouraged visitors to think about ways to use water sustainably through product choices, while maximising their water experience.

    GROHE at ISH 2017

    The stand highlighted the variety of GROHE’s product offerings, from bathroom to kitchen, and included eye catching displays such as a tropical area featuring the over one metre long statement showerhead Aquasymphony, complete with light, sound and steam functions.

    GROHE at ISH 2017

    At GROHE’s exclusive press preview, held before the show officially opened, the brand unveiled its revolutionary new water product designed to help prevent water damage. The new app-controlled GROHE Sense and Sense Guard detect leaks and abnormal levels of humidity, immediately alerting the user through their mobile device, and enabling them to shut off the water supply remotely to prevent flooding.

    GROHE at ISH 2017

    Additional products on display included GROHE’s new concealed version of the popular push button, volume-control SmartControl shower system, featuring a brand new Smartbox three-way diverter. The Smartbox has been designed for easy installation and can be combined with various design choices, including glass and chrome trims and new two-jet showerheads for a stylish bathroom. GROHE also revealed its brand new ceramics range, incorporating three core lines- Bau, Euro and Cube, to be launched later this year.

    Photography: © 2017 by Jörg Hempel; www.joerg-hempel.com

    www.grohe.co.uk

    Principal York

    The Principal York awarded ‘best hotel interiors’ in the UK

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    The Principal York, formerly The Royal York Hotel, has been awarded ‘Best Hotel Interiors’ in the UK, according to a national accommodation ranking.

    York’s historic grand lady, which reopened on 1st November 2016 following a sensitive £20 million refurbishment, has been crowned at Lateroom.com’s 2017 Simply The Guest Awards.

    The Principal York joins 24 other hotels across the country to be recognised as one of the UK’s best hotels thanks to the magnificent restoration of the historic railway hotel. The Principal York’s lobby, reception, Garden Room, entrances and corridor spaces, as well as all 159 bedrooms and suites, were revived by interior architects Goddard Littlefair as a paean to Victorian grandeur.

    Principal York

    Now in its fifth year, Lateroom.com’s Simply The Guest Awards are the only hotel industry awards based exclusively on genuine guest reviews and feedback from customers who have stayed at the property.

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    RELATED: The Principal York becomes triple award winner
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    A modern and softer interpretation of a country house, The Principal York combines historic architectural detail with all the comforts of the modern day. Interesting antiques and unique artworks of bye gone York Races or images from royal historic society gatherings in York feature at the hotel giving a strong sense of local character. Once a stopover for Queen Victoria en route to Balmoral, the first-class hotel can be reached from London’s Kings Cross Station in less than two hours.

    The Principal York’s new accolade follows a series of award wins since its regeneration including a Gold Award at Hospitality Interior Design at the London Design Awards 2016. The hotel recently enjoyed double success at the Visit York Tourism Awards, where it won both Conference Venue of the Year and the overall Hotel of the Year crown. The Principal York was also shortlisted twice over for the refurbishment of its public spaces at the EHDAs (European Hotel Design Awards) at the end of 2016.

    The Bonham in Edinburgh, part of The ‘PRINCIPAL’ family – a collection of historic landmark hotels in UK city centres to which The Principal York belongs, was also awarded by Laterooms.com as the UK’s Best Boutique Hotel. Richard Mansell, General Manager at The Principal York said: “We’re beyond delighted to be named as having the UK’s Best Hotel Interiors – not only is it a win for the hotel but also for the city of York and tourism in the region.”

    Goddard Littlefair Director and Co-Founder Jo Littlefair added: “Our overall ambition was to breathe life back into every artery of the hotel’s interior. Giving a nod to tradition and heritage, but also creating a tremendously warm, light and welcoming contemporary environment for guests.

    “We were briefed to reinstate the hotel’s essential character and to pay respect to its original architecture, whilst at the same time ensuring a feeling of comfort, restfulness, so that The Principal York was once again a true destination hotel.”

    Principal Hotels launches

    Originally opened in 1878 as The Station Hotel, The Principal York is a magnificent Grade-II-listed hotel situated just outside the Roman walls of one of Britain’s most notable cities. One of Britain’s greatest examples of Victorian railway hotels, The Principal York features an impressive Italianate façade of Scarborough brick and Tadcaster stone designed by architect William Peachey.

    The Principal York is also home to The Refectory Kitchen & Terrace, the hotel’s restaurant, housed in a conservatory-style dining and adjacent to the restaurant, the lively Chapter House Bar that serves local craft beers, spirits and cocktails. The hotel’s elegant Garden Room, next to the main lobby and its sweeping grand staircase, is where guests can enjoy traditional British afternoon tea whilst looking out across manicured lawns to York Minster in the distance.

    With a purpose-built events centre, The Principal York offers ten meeting and event spaces as well as a gym and indoor pool.

    phcompany.com/principal/york-hotel

    Rudding Park, Harrogate to unveil £9.5 million spa development in May

    £9.5m spa development at Rudding Park nears completion

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    Rudding Park, Harrogate’s leading luxury hotel, has announced that its £9.5 million spa development is nearing completion with a highly-anticipated opening on 2 May 2017.

    Rudding Park Spa will bring a world destination spa to the heart of Yorkshire for the very first time, as well as re-capturing Harrogate’s spa town heritage by drawing natural waters from the grounds of Rudding Park.

    Designed to capture and reflect the beauty of its natural surroundings, the spa will introduce an awe-inspiring Roof Top Spa and Garden, which promises to take guests to new heights of rejuvenation and relaxation.

    Rudding Park Roof Top Spa Garden will be a UK first, a masterpiece of design curated by horticulturalist Matthew Wilson, an expert in his field who regularly appears on Gardener’s Question Time on BBC Radio 4. The Roof Top Spa Garden will provide a haven of peace and tranquillity for guests to enjoy the Garden Sauna Cabin, Sun Deck and Spa Bath, amongst beautiful trees, shrubs and plants. The Roof Top Spa will feature a Hydrotherapy Infinity Pool drawing guests outdoors and a Panoramic Sauna infused with seasonal scents of flora and fauna, which both overlook the beautifully landscaped gardens of Rudding Park.

    Peter Banks, Managing Director, commented: “The philosophy of the owners is to continually invest in the business to ensure that the physical products offered to guests are of the highest quality, in keeping with our exceptional standards. We are immensely proud of what the revolutionary Rudding Park Spa will bring, not only to the hotel and our guests, but to both Harrogate and Yorkshire as leading UK tourism destinations. Rudding Park Spa has been twelve years in the making and I’m delighted to see the team’s hard work come to fruition”.

    For further information, please visit www.ruddingpark.co.uk, call 01423 871350 and follow the developments on Twitter @RuddingPark, Instagram @RuddingParkHotel and Facebook (Rudding Park Hotel).

    Pfullendorf DE logistics - Copy

    Geberit invests 40 million euros in German logistics centre

     999 584 Daniel Fountain
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    Enabling customer orders to be fulfilled with maximum efficiency, the Geberit Group has expanded the capacity of its logistics centre in the southern German town of Pfullendorf, investing around 40 million Euros in its storage, order picking and dispatch operation.

    The honeycomb warehouse is home to 1,800 honeycombs, which are used as shelf spaces for Geberit pipes. The automatic storage and retrieval at the[CRF_Form id=’1′] facility is carried out by two storage and retrieval machines.

    The significant expansion of the company’s existing logistics centre enables Geberit to continue supplying products to its customers efficiently and reliably, allowing Geberit to remain on top of the volumes resulting from the company’s growth. As part of the expansion project, a concept for the storage of pipes of up to six metres long has been implemented, with new automated storage areas now in operation. This means that the Geberit Mapress piping range can now be delivered directly from Pfullendorf.

    Now spanning 60,000 square metres, the logistics centre also now includes an automated small-parts warehouse, a new high-bay warehouse, a processing area with fully automated workstations and the expansion of the shipping area.

    The logistics centre is ideally situated to enable Geberit to supply products to its customers in the most economically and ecologically viable way. Goods are bundled together at the production plants and transported to Pfullendorf in trucks. Automated and co-ordinated processes there ensure that products are delivered to customers in a consolidated fashion, on schedule and with a high level of reliability.

    For more details visit www.geberit.co.uk or call 01926 516800

    Chester

    Chester revealed as number one UK ‘hot spot’ for hotel development

     640 476 Daniel Fountain
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    Chester has reached the top of Colliers International’s latest UK Hotels Market Index, an analysis of 34 locations across the UK, ranked to determine the ‘hot spots’ for hotel development and acquisition across the country. The city’s high position is mainly due to good occupancy levels, an upward revenue per available room (RevPAR) trend and a low active pipeline.

    The report uses nine Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to score each of the 34 locations a figure from one to five (one being the lowest and five being the highest). The determining indices include land site prices; build costs; market appetite; valuation exit yields; room occupancy; average daily rate; room occupancy rates; four year RevPAR Trend; active pipeline as a percentage of current supply and construction costs. The ratings are then consolidated into a single figure and ranked to show which markets are hot and which are not in terms of a desirable location for investors to acquire an existing hotel or develop a new one.

    Marc Finney, Head of Hotels & Resorts Consulting, Colliers International said: “The data in our second report reveals the ever-changing nature of the UK hotels market. Cities such as Oxford and Cambridge have really upped their game in the last year to make it into the top five, despite failing to score in the top 15 last year. Of course, this is a general market index and site specific factors will lead to significant variances but the data demonstrates that London is not the only city that investors should be watching and offers a credible indication to influence their decision making process.”

    Chester

    Hot Spots
    • York ranks second in the list, moving four places up from last year, owing to good hotel performance indicators and a positive RevPAR trend.
    • Oxford positioned third in the index, improving its ranking by 25 spots from last year, due to an increase in buyer demand interest, a low active pipeline in the city and good hotel market performance.
    • Other rising stars in terms of markets to watch out for include Cambridge, which has moved up 15 spots from 2016; Belfast, which has improved by 12 spaces; Nottingham is 10 rankings higher and Swindon is 9 slots ahead of the 2016 index.
    • London continues to be the largest market and in terms of RevPAR, is still the top performing market. It also has the most active pipeline in terms of rooms expected to come to the market over the next two years (13,499). However, given that the index punishes high land costs, high construction costs, sluggish hotel growth in recent years and a strong active pipeline, some markets rank lower than expected and as such, the UK’s capital city has fallen out of the top 10, having experienced a drop in RevPAR (-1.2 per cent), a large development pipeline as well as high land costs.
    • Edinburgh and Southampton have the highest occupancy rates at 82 per cent.
    • The top five markets that have shown the most significant compound average (mean) annual growth in terms of RevPAR over the past four years include Swindon, Hull, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Coventry.

    Marc Finney continues: “London is by far the largest market with almost as much supply as all of the other markets combined and has recently been a star in terms of revenue per available room. However, it is now only ranking in position 12 in our index due to slow growth in 2016, high construction costs and high land values.”

    Lympstone Manor

    Lympstone Manor reveals design inspiration

     1000 599 Daniel Fountain
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    Opening on the 3rd April as a luxury country house hotel for the 21st century, the Grade II listed Georgian mansion Lympstone Manor has been restored and renovated by Michael Caines MBE, one of Britain’s most celebrated chefs and now visionary hotelier.

    Once a private home, the property is set in 28 acres of Devon countryside with unrivalled views of the Exe Estuary. To create Lympstone Manor, Michael worked with Meraki, a dynamic London-based design duo, whose sophisticated interiors bring warmth and sense of place to the hotel. While reflecting the poetic beauty of the surrounding area, Meraki bring a contemporary aesthetic to the 21-bedroom hotel which invokes a sense of escapism. Michael also commissioned local artist Rachel Toll to provide artwork for the individual bedrooms, the public spaces and wallpaper designs.

    Speaking about the brief for Lympstone Manor, Meraki commented: “Michael has always had a clear vision of what he saw for the hotel in terms of look and feel. With his close ties to Devon we worked closely with Michael’s team to create interiors that celebrated this beautiful area of the world as well as bringing them right up to date with contemporary touches throughout. The soft muted colours of Lympstone Manor bring a gentle elegance to the property but there is also an edge to it, created by the use of different materials and textures which is a signature of our style.”

    Opening on the 3rd April as a luxury country house hotel for the 21st century, the Grade II listed Georgian mansion Lympstone Manor has been restored and renovated

    One of the first projects Meraki undertook at Lympstone Manor was to design two bespoke wallpapers which were then commissioned to local artist Rachel Toll to bring to life. Inspired by scenes of the estuary, the wallpapers portray evocative patterns and colours to reflect the changing tide at different times of the day and adorn the wall around the staircase leading up to the guest rooms. Rachel has depicted beautiful local birds of the estuary, an inspiration found also in the bedrooms. Oak wooden floors and bookcases lining the walls lend a warm feel to the arrival, and birdcage seats are positioned inside the hotel’s entrance with a sense of the playful. The curved wooden reception desk is accompanied by brushed linen sofas in soft charcoal grey around the fireplace.

    Opening on the 3rd April as a luxury country house hotel for the 21st century, the Grade II listed Georgian mansion Lympstone Manor has been restored and renovated

    Where possible Michael has used local artisans for the transformation of the building, including in the bar and lounge which has a rose ceiling mould created by Lee Vanstone based in Plymouth. The lounge itself is lined with nautical maps which Meraki sourced from the British Maritime Museum. Deeply comfortable sofas and a roaring fire complete the room in soft beige and cream tones with vintage leather trunks used as coffee tables. The curved copper bar, opposite the fire place, is detailed with antique studs and a hanging glass rail above. Tall leather bar stools complete the polished and sophisticated look of the room.

    Opening on the 3rd April as a luxury country house hotel for the 21st century, the Grade II listed Georgian mansion Lympstone Manor has been restored and renovated

    Lympstone Manor is home to three dining rooms serving Michael Caines’ signature dishes inspired by the sea and the land. Named after the nearby castle, the first dining room Powderham consists of six banquette tables in muted gold tones. The room’s wallpaper shows a more abstract vision of the Lympstone grounds and views of the estuary, and carefully restored Victorian panels surround the room which looks out onto the delightful garden. The hotel’s private dining room Mamhead seats fourteen and is painted in terra ombra with dusty taupe chairs in velvet. The largest of the dining rooms is Berry Head which has eight tables, floor to ceiling bay windows and walls adorned with works by artists including Kurt Jackson. Painted in off-white, the space is complimented by the blue jewel tones of the chairs and light blue curtains framing the view. In the centre of the room hangs a stunning chandelier which is positioned directly above a rounded service table, topped with Estremoz marble. The floor tiles below are made of Nero Marquina and Estremoz marble.

    Opening on the 3rd April as a luxury country house hotel for the 21st century, the Grade II listed Georgian mansion Lympstone Manor has been restored and renovated

    The 21 stylish guestrooms and suites at Lympstone Manor are all individually designed and inspired by the birds that live in and around the estuary, making each room unique with a true sense of place. The largest suite in the hotel is Heron which reflects its namesake colour. The suite is split into three parts, the first is the sitting room with a fireplace, coffee table and a sofa made from a brushed cotton and linen mix in deep stone. The bed faces large floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the estuary. Moving into the bedroom area, three small pendant chandeliers hang at different heights on each side of the bed and the headboard is covered in a plush cream velvet. Meraki plays with textures in the room, with different tones of soft grey from velvets and sheer linens to sturdier cottons used for the curtains. The suite has a spacious bathroom, tiled in Estremoz marble, complete with his and hers bathtubs in aged brass from St James Collection, who have provided all the showers and sinks for the hotel.

    The interiors in the Kingfisher suite are inspired by the vibrancy of the bird’s feathers and have a new England feel. The focal point of the room is the stunning blue bed which sits opposite a fireplace tiled in similar hues. Walls are painted in a light walnut colour and the oak floors are partially covered by a carpet with grey, blue and cream threads. The in-room bath sits next to the window and has views of the exquisite garden with its rolling lawns and flowerbeds. Mirrored cupboards line the walls as well as a painting of a Kingfisher by Rachel Toll, split into six pieces, which was commissioned for the room.

    There are six suites located on the ground floor of the hotel which have estuary facing views and private terraces complete with their own fire table and outdoor soak tub. Lined with hedges for privacy these terraces are the perfect place to while away the hours in the beautiful Devon countryside. The Magpie suite is painted a shade of indigo to reflect the varied colours of the bird’s feathers, with black and white accents. The floor of the suite is in a darker oak than in the previous rooms, complementing the blues of the headboard and dressing table chair. A white sofa, with a loose linen cover sits at the end of the bed, facing the French windows onto the terrace. The bathroom is tiled in Travertine marble with a wall of gilded mirrors to bring even more light into the room.

    Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai opening end of March

     1000 562 Daniel Fountain
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    Opening on 31st March 2017, Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai will bring a touch of the playful Viceroy LA vibe to the region and will mark the brand’s second property in the UAE.

    Designed by the innovative Yabu Pushelberg and NAO Taniyama and Associates, the 477-room beachfront resort is located at the base of the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah, overlooking the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai Marina Skyline.

    Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai’s pioneering design and trailblazing architecture was inspired by ancient Roman amphitheatres with its glass-clad structure, creating a real sense of space and light, allowing views of the pool and sea to filter through. A striking, one-of-a-kind, 15 metre-by-15 metre glass cube will take centre stage in the lobby. A show stopping 60-metre statement swimming pool will run through the heart of the hotel, flanked with palm trees, shaded sunbeds and a sleek bar, complete with sunken bar seating and tables.

    Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai opening March 31st 2017

    The glamourous interiors have been designed to capture the heat, energy and vibe of this fun-loving city with a calming colour palette of teal and bronze mixed with touches of light and dark wood, brushed bronze and marble creating balance and refinement. All 477 of the elegant guestrooms give a subtle nod to the art deco era, boasting their own balconies, spacious Greek and Italian marbled bathrooms and rain showers stocked with Natura Bissé and Roil amenities as well as interactive 42” LCD televisions, refreshment centres with cocktail making facilities and coffee machines. The standout four bedroom villas feature their own private plunge pools and Jacuzzis as well as exclusive access to the hotel’s very own yacht.

    Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai opening March 31st 2017

    A luxurious 1,675sqm spa will provide a cutting-edge wellness experience, blending the latest aesthetic medical-based treatments from LA with a programme of holistic locally-inspired massages and hammam treatments. The spa will comprise 14 standalone treatment rooms, including four open air cabanas, hammam, spa pool, relaxation lounge, spa café and fully-equipped TechnoGym fitness centre with personal training upon request and complimentary daily classes including bootcamp, beach buddy workouts and yoga A carefully curated selection of premium spa brands will be offered including body and face treatments from Natura Bisse, QMS and Guinot and cleansing hammam rituals with local brand Terres D’Afrique.

    Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai opening March 31st 2017

    Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai will provide a spectacular backdrop to any event or special celebration, boasting a 600sqm Vista Ballroom suspended on the 14th floor with panoramic views across the Arabian Gulf, accommodating up to 350 guests. There will also be three fully-equipped meeting rooms, with a combined capacity of 245sqm with views towards the Burj Khalifa.

    Commenting on the forthcoming opening, General Manager, Mikael Svensson said, “I am extremely proud to be involved in such a landmark launch which will inject a new and refreshing LA vibe into the Dubai hotel scene.”

    “We have exceptional stat-of-the-art facilities but it is our dedicated, fun-loving and passionate team that is the core essence of Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai. We actually ripped up the rule book in terms of pre-opening staff training and engaged a theatrical company to run a number of workshops, resulting in the creation this outstanding team and we cannot wait welcome our first guests on March 31st.”

    viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

    The Whitby Hotel

    The Whitby opens in New York

     1000 753 Daniel Fountain
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    Taking centre stage on Manhattan’s pulsing Upper Midtown scene, The Whitby is Firmdale Hotels’ second outing in New York, and a fitting creative bookend to its ever-popular Crosby Street Hotel in the heart of SoHo.

    Situated on West 56th Street at 5th Avenue, The Whitby is surrounded by world-class restaurants, boutiques, and museums, and is set to become a destination to rival any of it illustrious neighbors thanks to the Firmdale Hotels Co-owner and Design Director Kit Kemp’s award-winning design.

    The Whitby Hotel

    Each of The Whitby’s 86 rooms and suites have been individually designed in Kit Kemp’s colorful and carefree style, crafted through her innovative use of pattern, texture, colour, and original artworks. Set over the hotel’s sixteen stories, each guestroom boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, and some have private terraces with views over the city skyline.

    The Whitby Hotel

    The show-stopping Whitby Suite is a spectacular two-bedroom headline suite spread over the entire top floor with spacious furnished terraces facing uptown and downtown. Bathrooms are elegantly finished in marble or granite and feature Firmdale‘s exclusive bath and body collection Rik Rak by Kit Kemp.

    The Whitby Hotel

    Located on the ground floor and open all day, The Whitby Bar is a richly colorful and airy room with high ceilings, a 30-foot pewter bar, beautifully upholstered banquettes, and grey oak floors. Warehouse-style windows and doors lead through to an orangery with vaulted ceilings and a skylight, bathing the space in natural light.

    The Whitby Hotel

    The drawing room, nestled between the orangery and reception area, is a warm, informal spot defined by a feature fireplace and cozy, overstuffed furnishings. Throw in several stylish private-event rooms and a 130-seat state-of-the-art cinema, and the City That Never Sleeps has another good reason to never go to bed.

    Student Hotel

    The Student Hotel group expanding across Europe

     937 521 Daniel Fountain
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    The Student Hotel group, pioneers of hybrid high-quality co-living, co-working hospitality and student accommodation to open in the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

    The Student Hotel will increase its European portfolio to 16 properties following the introduction of three new locations by 2019. Hotels in Eindhoven (already open) and Delft will add to its business in the Netherlands, which includes two properties in Amsterdam and one in Rotterdam, The Hague, Groningen and Maastricht. Delft is due to open in September this year.

    Plans are agreed to open a third property in Italy as Rome joins Florence and Bologna, while Madrid marks The Student Hotel’s entry into the Spanish market.

    Student Hotel

    While the buildings are all different, they share a mix of contemporary student rooms, hotel rooms and co-living studios. The ground floors are accessible to the public and house study areas, meeting rooms, TSH Collab – co-working space for start-ups and local business – restaurant, bar, games room, gym and garage to house guest bicycles.
    Charlie MacGregor, The Student Hotel’s CEO and founder, says: “Wherever we are, The Student Hotel connects students and hotel guests with start-ups, freelancers and the local neighbourhood. This expansion into new markets is just the start, expect many more acquisition announcements as we aim to fulfil our goal of 41 hotels by 2021.”

    Madrid
    The group’s first co-living and co-working Spanish location will be in the heart of Madrid at the “La Imprenta” building, the former printworks at Cuesta de San Vicente 28. The building, which has been empty for 10 years, will be transformed into a 300-room hotel set to open in September 2019.

    The Student Hotel Madrid is near to the city’s Gran Via, close to Principe Pio metro and Suburban railway stations, and within walking distance of the Complutense and Politécnica Universities, plus other learning centres including ICADE, ICAI and IED.

    Student Hotel

    Rome
    The third Italian property will be located in the heart of Rome’s San Lorenzo district, an up and coming area popular with artists, artisans, writers, intellectuals and actors.

    The group has acquired a site in Viale dello Scalo S. Lorenzo, which currently houses two buildings. It will refurbish one and demolish and rebuild the second to create the 649-room Student Hotel Rome, scheduled to open in August 2019. Construction will begin in February 2018.

    The Student Hotel Rome is a short walk from Sapienza, the city’s main university where 113,000 students are enrolled, and 15-minutes walk from the main train station, Termini.

    Delft
    The 342-room Student Hotel Delft is a central location right on the Station Delft and the future Van Leeuwenhoek quarter. The most striking part of the hotel is the open front facing the station and park development. Designed by KCAP Architects & Planners, construction is scheduled for 2018 with the opening slated for summer 2019.

    Student Hotel

    Eindhoven
    Now operational, The Student Hotel Eindhoven is a complex with 400 rooms located next to Central Station and adjacent to the campus of the Technical University Eindhoven, the renowned Design Academy Eindhoven and the city centre. The site is part of a larger redevelopment project, Light Courts, which was dormant from 2008 until The Student Hotel became the first investor to kick start the project in 2015.

    European Expansion
    The Student Hotel will add eight properties to its current eight-strong portfolio by 2019. The four new announcements join Florence, Maastricht, Bologna and Berlin as properties that will open between 2017 and 2019 to bring the total number of Student Hotels in operation or in development to 16.

    In Paris, where The Student Hotel operates under the Melon District brand, the property has been refurbished and will rebrand as The Student Hotel Paris this summer.

    In Barcelona the Melon District properties will be refurbished and brought in line with The Student Hotel, focusing on international students and study abroad groups. It will launch in September this year.

    Future
    By 2021 The Student Hotel plans to have 41 properties across Europe that will offer 17,550 rooms and over 620,000 square meters of co-living and co-working space in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France and Germany.

    The Student Hotel seeks out and develops dormant and unloved buildings that, once renovated, bring positive economic and social benefits to their neighbourhoods. Each property is open to the community at large and encourages people who live and work in the hotel, or in the neighbourhood, to use its connecting space and facilities.

    www.thestudenthotel.com

    Hilton Dead Sea Resort

    Hilton expands resort portfolio Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa

     1000 586 Daniel Fountain
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    Hilton has announced the official opening of Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa. The opening marks the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Jordan.

    Strategically located at the lowest point on Earth on the eastern shores of the Dead Sea, the 285-room contemporary hotel is an exclusive resort of choice for the discerning international and local traveller.

    Andreas Lackner, regional head, full service brand management, Hilton said, “The Dead Sea is one of the most unique places in the world and has evolved into a major hub of both religious and health and wellness tourism in the region. As the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in the country of Jordan, this project marks an exciting addition to the Hilton portfolio as we continue to deliver distinct hospitality experiences to travelers from around the globe.”

    The hotel’s innovative facility provides exclusive direct beach access through two elevators that lead to a floating pool surrounded by a sun deck. The stylish guest rooms offer breathtaking views over the Dead Sea and feature terraces and contemporary amenities including Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and an infinity pool. The executive rooms and suites have access to the only Executive lounge in the area.

    Click here for more information. . .

    Travelodge Lincoln

    Plans to bring new hotel to Lincoln move forward with land sale

     998 620 Daniel Fountain
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    The purchase of an important site on Tentercroft Street in Lincoln, which is currently owned by the City Council, has been agreed by York based developer S Harrison. The company now plans to deliver a new Travelodge that will help to ease the city’s shortage of hotel bedrooms and help to create new jobs in the area.

    The site is in a very prominent position on the recently opened East-West link road, close to the city’s High Street, and just yards from the railway station and new transport hub that is currently under construction.

    Development Director, David Clancy, from York-based S Harrison said: “If our plans are successful, one of the UK’s leading hotel brands will expand into this bustling part of Lincoln city centre creating jobs and boosting the local economy. The hotel will offer 127 bedrooms, as well as breakfast and café facilities and will help to ease the shortage of quality hotel accommodation that Lincoln is currently experiencing.

    “We have already had discussions with the planning authority, and we will submit our full planning application in spring. If the plans are approved, work on the development could start as early as this autumn.”

    Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director for Travelodge Hotels, said: “Travelodge is delighted to have exchanged contracts with S Harrison Developments for a new Travelodge in the heart of Lincoln, adjacent to the railway station. The centre of Lincoln is short of good quality, great value hotel accommodation and the new Travelodge will provide this in a great location for both business and leisure visitors to the City.”

    Hampton by Hilton - Dundee City Centre

    Hampton by Hilton opens third property in Scotland – Dundee City Centre

     1000 631 Daniel Fountain
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    Hampton by Hilton has announced the opening of its newest property, Hampton by Hilton Dundee City Centre.

    Located within two miles of Dundee Airport, and nearby to Dundee Rail station, the 105-room hotel is easily accessible for guests travelling to the Scottish coastal city from across the UK.

    Having been praised as one of Europe’s most creative cities, Dundee is the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design, which is soon to be complemented by the upcoming opening of the V&A Museum of Design Dundee, part of a wider £1bn regeneration project for the city.

    “We are excited to open our third Hampton by Hilton property in Scotland and to introduce the brand to Dundee,” said Phil Cordell, global head, focused service and Hampton by Hilton brand management, Hilton. “We look forward to providing our guests with all of our signature brand services and amenities they will need for a comfortable stay in the city.”

    Guests can host corporate or personal functions onsite at Hampton by Hilton Dundee City Centre in one of the four available meeting rooms. Each room is fully equipped with state of the art technology, and the largest meeting room can hold up to 65 people.

    Hampton by Hilton Dundee City Centre offers guests the best that Hampton by Hilton has to offer, with the brand’s signature hot breakfast included with all rates, a complimentary fitness room open 24 hours a day, a 24-hour convenience hub with a selection of snacks and drinks, all backed by Hampton by Hilton’s Satisfaction Guarantee. Guest rooms also include a 40-inch HDTV and large work station.

    Versital bar top in Arabesque finish, Belvedere Arms, Ascot - Mitchells & Butlers

    Versital specified for Mitchells & Butlers’ new hospitality concept

     1000 619 Daniel Fountain
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    Versital is delighted to have been specified across restaurant, bar and pub operators giant Mitchells and Butlers new Premium Country Pubs. Versital’s luxurious faux marble in a classic ‘Arabesque’ white finish was chosen to complement the exclusive design of the upgraded establishments, found in some of the UK’s most beautiful locations.

    The concept of Premium Country Pubs focuses on style, quality fittings and aspiring artwork, and Versital was the natural choice to complement this design brief with its bespoke, high-end solutions. Versital surfaces include bar tops, vanity tops and table tops, dependent on location, with unique luxurious design twists such as built in champagne holders into some of the table tops.

    Lauren Milner, Associate Interior Designer at JMDA, the interior design company who specified Versital, says, “Versital offers the perfect flexibility of design to help meet our brief-from any size or colour requirement, we know Versital can deliver. The elegance of the Arabesque finish enhanced the transformation of the original buildings into beautiful, welcoming and premium spaces where people can savour their meal or drink.”

    Versital bar top in Chilworth Arms, Southampton - Mitchells & Butlers

    Versital bar top in Chilworth Arms, Southampton – Mitchells & Butlers

    Versital surfaces provide an exceptional solution for a hospitality environment as they offer the same luxurious looks as marble but are non-porous and therefore stain and water resistant. The surfaces are also completely bespoke and handmade to fit any size, colour or design requirement, offering a truly unique design experience to the customer. Gemma Stockberger, Head of Marketing and Sales for Versital UK, says, “The fact that Versital was specified on multiple areas of the project is a great testament to the flexibility of Versital as a true to life stain resistant marble. As well as bar tops, the surface was used across various venues for the washroom vanities and table tops. We even created fully bespoke table tops that had cast out central areas to allow for ice buckets to be placed for champagne.

    “This is precisely the type of work we love to get involved in – working with skilled designers and specifiers to use our product at its best, as well as brilliant installers and joiners to show off the product beautifully. Mitchells and Butlers are an excellent brand with a well-regarded reputation who we were delighted to work with.”

    Versital bar top specified in Marchmont Arms, Hemel Hempstead

    Versital bar top specified in Marchmont Arms, Hemel Hempstead – Mitchells & Butlers

    Versital features in numerous venues of Mitchell and Butlers new collection of individual Premium Country Pubs, designed to deliver the very best in service and food in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Establishments include the idyllic Chilworth Arms in Southampton, which features a dramatic Versital bar top as well as table tops and vanity tops; the exclusive Belvedere Arms in Ascot (main picture, top) with a Versital bar top, and the cosy Swan in the Cotswolds blending English heritage with modern comfort. This features striking Versital washroom vanities.

    Versital is a hand-made, hand finished product that is manufactured in the UK by skilled craftsmen. Product offerings include an extensive range of bespoke, made-to-measure bathroom products for the home including shower panels, bespoke showers trays, vanity tops and integral basins.

    www.versital.co.uk

    sales@versital.co.uk

    01204 380 780

    Palé Hall

    Palé Hall Hotel and Restaurant awarded 5-star rating by AA

     900 553 Daniel Fountain
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    Palé Hall is delighted to have achieved a five star rating from prestigious hospitality association the AA.

    Recommending hotels for over 100 years, AA inspectors awarded the luxury hotel with their highest rating in their most recent announcement. This is the first time time in 10 years a hotel or restaurant in Wales has received this accolade and Palé Hall is the only AA five star property in north Wales. Opened in September last year, Palé Hall is one of three establishments in Wales to enjoy this rating.

    Speaking about the rating General Manager Pim Wolfs said: “We are extremely proud to have received this great accolade. Our team work extremely hard to ensure that we provide the best service, food and comfort possible and we are delighted that the AA have recognised this. As a family run hotel that has been open less than eight months, the five star rating is a huge achievement and I want to thank everyone who has helped us get there.”

    The re-imagined Grade II listed Palé Hall is now officially open as one of the finest country house hotels in Wales and the UK
    Owned by Alan and Angela Harper, who lovingly restored the historic building to its former glory, Palé Hall is a peaceful and luxurious retreat surrounded by the natural beauty of the Welsh valleys on the edge of Snowdonia National Park. One of the UK’s most talented and well-known chefs Michael Caines, lends his invaluable guidance for the food and beverage at the hotel which is overseen by Head Chef Gareth Stevenson. Gareth’s dishes focus on the fantastic local produce surrounding the hotel.

    Commenting on the announcement AA’s Commercial Manger Alistair Sandall said “It was a pleasure to be able to award five stars to Pale Hall Hotel & Restaurant this week. It is a welcome addition to our other high quality hotels in Wales. The refurbishment has been carried out with passion, skill and care by owners Alan and Angela Harper. The service delivery and hospitality is first class and commensurate with all expectations at this high level. We look forward to working with the hotel on the journey towards red stars and wish them luck for the future.”

    palehall.co.uk

    Mori Sushi Dubai - Viero

    Project Spotlight: Viero at Mori Sushi, Dubai

     730 438 Daniel Fountain
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    Viero is proud of its status as a truly global brand. A recently completed Marmorin Hydro project has seen our luxury surface finishes arrive in Dubai.

    The first Mori Sushi restaurant in the UAE’s city is styled superbly with the movement and textures offered by the product.

    Accompanied by some excellent other interior touches based on the ancient philosophical idea of feng shui, this is a project the company is extremely proud of.

    Customers can visit to enjoy the traditional Japanese dishes surrounded by the ambience created with a touch of Viero.

    Mori Sushi Dubai - Viero

    Mori Sushi Dubai - Viero

    Mori Sushi Dubai - Viero

    www.viero.co.uk
    enquiries@viero.co.uk
    0870 609 2827

    Il Sereno Lago di Como

    Sereno Hotels announces official opening of Il Sereno Lago di Como

     1000 650 Daniel Fountain
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    Sereno Hotels is pleased to announce the first official full-season opening of Il Sereno Lago di Como, the first new hotel on Lake Como in decades, designed by famed Milan-based architect and designer Patricia Urquiola.

    The all-suite hotel features 30 suites, all with their own furnished terraces and lake views. Il Sereno is the third property to join the Sereno Hotels portfolio after Le Sereno Hotel & Villas in St. Barthélemy and Villa Pliniana, also located on Lake Como.

    Decorated Milan restaurateur and Michelin star chef, Andrea Berton, is at the helm of the hotel’s signature restaurant, Ristorante Berton Al Lago, featuring an exquisite menu inspired by the region. Rounding out the all-star team, acclaimed botanist Patrick Blanc contributed his signature vertical botanical gardens throughout the property, including a spectacular “green sculpture” work of art.

    “We are thrilled to open the doors of the much-anticipated Il Sereno Lago di Como,” said Luis Contreras, owner of Sereno Hotels. “This project has been a true labour of love between Sereno Hotels and Patricia Urquiola; and we are excited to introduce an entirely new design concept to Lake Como. We know devotees of Sereno Hotels and new guests alike will enjoy the exquisite design coupled with unparalleled attention to detail, amenities and relaxed service our brand is known for.”

    A New Vision for Lake Como
    In keeping with the Sereno Hotels philosophy of opening intimate, design-driven hotels in highly desired destinations, Lake Como was selected for the site of Il Sereno, as the location has long seduced visitors with its natural beauty and dramatic vistas of the southern Italian Alps. Situated on a sunny promontory next to the village of Torno and surrounded by peaceful views of Lake Como’s natural beauty, lush gardens and idyllic small towns, Il Sereno’s location stretches approximately 450 feet along the lake’s eastern shore. Sereno Hotels partnered with Patricia Urquiola and her team at Studio Urquiola to bring to life the vision of creating a contemporary hotel with understated décor; a contrast to the classical designs that can be found around Lake Como. Urquiola and her team envisioned every facet of the hotel from the architecture to the interior design, which includes designing custom furniture, rugs, wall coverings, lamps, bathtubs and bathroom fixtures.

    Spectacular views of Lake Como and scenic mountain ranges greet guests in airy lounge areas that seamlessly integrate the interior and exterior of the accommodations. At the centre of the hotel, Urquiola designed a stunning, original stairwell that serves as one of many focal points around the property. Made with natural materials including walnut wood, the large steps are encased in bronze and effortlessly “float” as the lobby’s centerpiece. The dark and beautiful veins of the walnut wood complement the ceppo di grè stone found throughout the hotel. Guests will also find beautiful marble walls with bas-relief patterns that mimic the patterns found in the Venetian terrazzo floors of the restaurant. The hotel features just 30 spacious luxury suites, each with its own waterfront terrace and unobstructed views of Lake Como.

    Modern and custom furnishings created by Urquiola complete the elegant and sophisticated design, with understated earthy tones of grey and walnut with touches of blue and green hues to incorporate the colors found in the surroundings of the iconic Italian Lake. Suite amenities include robes and towels made by D. Porthault for Il Sereno and bath toiletries by Ex Voto Paris, a private bar, 24-hour room service, cutting-edge technology including complimentary Wi-Fi, cordless telephones, flat screen TV’s and blue-tooth music systems. In-room spa services are also available.

    Urquiola’s collaboration did not end with the physical aspects of the hotel. Lake Como has been producing the world’s finest silks for centuries and Urquiola also designed silk scarves, or foulards, that are produced locally for hotel staff uniforms; in addition to a custom design that will be available for guests.

    serenohotels.com/property/il-sereno/

    Brintons introduces art-inspired ‘Altered Gravity’ collection by Stacey Garcia

    Brintons to exhibit latest High Definition Weave collections at BCFA Open event

     650 320 Daniel Fountain
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    Brintons is delighted to announce it will be exhibiting its latest High Definition Weave collections at the BCFA Open, Spring Design event to take place over two days (28 – 29th March) at the Old Truman Brewery, in Shoreditch, London.

    Brintons will showcase two bold graphic designs woven in its 32-colour High Definition Weave, a unique Brintons’ innovation created for the contract market that allows for infinite design possibilities and highly dynamic visuals.

    An art inspired design from the Altered Gravity collection created by Stacy Garcia will be presented as a wall-hanging extending to the floor alongside a pixel-enthused design from the Zuzunaga collection by artist-designer Christian Zuzunaga. These two designs showcase the creative possibilities and extended colour combinations allowed by Brintons’ HD Weave technology.

    Altered Gravity collection by Stacy Garcia
    Altered Gravity is the eighth collaborative collection between Brintons and Stacy Garcia. The range includes 14 patterns and draws inspiration from diverse periods in the history of modern art; abstract expressionism collides with contemporary graphic design and digitally rendered textures melt between layers of mixed media paintings. The exhibited design from the collection presents graphic hexagonal strokes in varying blue hues.

    Brintons introduces art-inspired ‘Altered Gravity’ collection by Stacey Garcia

    Brintons introduces art-inspired ‘Altered Gravity’ collection by Stacey Garcia

    Stacy Garcia comments on the collections influence: “Altered Gravity is about exploring the boundaries of experimental design techniques and mediums. We’re bringing it back to the basics of fine art and melding it with new technologies.”

    Zuzunaga Collection by Christian Zuzunaga
    Christian Zuzunaga’s design was inspired by his exploration of Brintons unique and extensive design archive in Kidderminster. Visiting the archive, Christian was inspired by the contemporary relevance of the antique fabrics and captivated by their similarities to his own design principals.

    Brintons Zuzunaga collection by Christian Zuzunaga

    Brintons Zuzunaga collection by Christian Zuzunaga

    The bold, colourful squares and pixel-based designs evident in weaving and wool dying, dating back centuries, inspired the mandala styling and repeating symmetrical motifs of this collection. The exhibited design will display an array of bright hues delivered in a repetitive square motif expressing the vast possibilities of combining soft mediums with digital techniques.

    brintons.net

    T: +44 (0) 15 62 63 56 65
    F: +44 (0) 15 62 63 47 05
    E: solutions@brintons.net

    Superior Rose - looking out to sea - Roker Hotel

    £1 million refurbishment for Sunderland’s Roker Hotel

     850 511 Daniel Fountain
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    A top Wearside hotel has completed the latest stage in a £1m refurbishment – bedrooms inspired by the area’s seafaring heritage.

    The 43 en-suite rooms at Sunderland’s Roker Hotel, overlooking the beach, have been entirely redesigned to combine contemporary styling with nautical features following a £250,000 investment.

    And guests staying in the 12 superior rooms can not only enjoy an uninterrupted sea view but also a telescope enabling them to look miles out to sea. The unveiling marks the end of a three-year development programme at the hotel, owned by North East leisure group Tavistock Hospitality, which owns more than a dozen bars, hotels and restaurants across the region.

    Tavistock’s successful distillery bar, Poetic License, is also based at The Roker and the superior rooms are each named after the botanicals used to create its range of bespoke gins, such as juniper, cinnamon, cassia and rose.

    Cassia - a room with a view

    Cassia – a room with a view

    Each room contains a glass jar of the botanical from which it takes its name, while other features, such as stacked luggage chests, rope curtain tiebacks and doorknobs and a navy and neutral colour scheme, reflect the hotel’s beachfront position.

    ‘Sea-blasted,’ free-standing, solid wood furniture is used throughout and feature walls, decorated in the style of 1950s tourism posters for Roker and neighbouring Seaburn, hark back to the heyday of the family seaside holiday.

    The ‘retro’ styling has also been extended to the guest directories in each room, which are designed to resemble 1950s newspapers and contain useful information such as breakfast and check out times and where to go and what to see in the area.

    For further information, or to book, call 0191 5671786 or visit www.rokerhotel.co.uk

    Masserie Maresca

    Masserie Maresca to undergo restoration, extension

     1024 683 Daniel Fountain
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    Masseria Grottone, part of Masserie Maresca Farm-Hotel, built between 1812 and 1860 is an agricultural complex a few miles away from Ostuni. Dipped in 40 acres of centenary olive trees and Mediterranean scrub: a natural context of extraordinary richness.

    Abandoned for several years, the restoration and extension project has been assigned to the firm Schiattarella Associati having a long history dating back to 1970s and a know-how linked to some of the most significant projects of the last years such as the Seoul Metropolitan Museum, the Children Museum in Kyonggi, the Art Center in Addirriyah and many relevant projects in Italy as well such as the Spanish School of Archaeology, the Cube House in the Olympic Village and the Pediatric Ward of the Umberto I Hospital in Rome.

    Recovery of the historical building has taken into consideration the respectful restoration of volumes and vaulted spaces, in order to preserve its original features in addition to the realisation of new expressly contemporary elements that are discreetly placed next to the main structure.

    Expansion has enabled to build services in the rooms at ground level without modifying the existing structure. The new building, placed in a position not visible from the main entrance, thanks to a high dry stone wall, doesn’t change the overall perception of the historical structure.

    Today the estate hosts a luxury farm-resort with 10 rooms, a garden, a swimming-pool, a patio and a solarium. Interiors are intentionally bare and cleansed: nature with its mighty and thousand-year old olive trees in the surrounding area is the real treasure. Minimal design for furniture, local finishing material, as the Trani stone, are the frame.

    Once again, Schiattarella Associati commits to develop a concept of responsible restoration fully respecting history and nature. An intervention that restates Schiattarella Assiociati vision: an act of responsibility towards the community, where each structural, formal and stylistic innovation, is always addressed to improve experience and relationship inside architectural and urban projects, always respecting context and history in which they are embedded.

    Restoration and implementation of Masseria Grottone
    LOCATION: Ostuni (BR), Italy
    CLIENT: MASSERIE MARESCA (www.masseriemaresca.com)
    YEAR: 2012-2016
    PROJECT: Schiattarella Associati, Andrea Schiattarella, Carla Maresca
    PHOTO: Antonio Fatano

    www.masseriemaresca.com

    £360m development for Coventry city centre

    Hotel plans as part of £360m Coventry development

     640 330 Daniel Fountain
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    Plans for a hotel and new restaurants in Coventry have been revealed as part of a £360m development at City Centre South.

    Coventry City Council has approved the appointment of the Shearer Property Group for the 818,000-sq-ft mixed-use development in January. The firm has already worked on schemes such as the Parkway shopping centre in Newbury, the Grand Arcade in Cambridge and the new restaurant quarter at Cathedral Lanes in the city.

    City Centre South will transform some of the oldest areas of the city centre, including Bull Yard, Shelton Square, City Arcade and Hertford Street, into a development that includes a department store, retail units, restaurants and a hotel.

    The hotel and restaurants will be located in the leisure part of the development in Hertford Street, linking to Broadgate Square. The development is hoped to be open for business by 2022.

    Councillor George Duggins, leader of Coventry City Council, said: “When you look at all the changes happening around Coventry and see the ambitious plans for City Centre South, it shows there are great times ahead for our city.”

    Guy Shearer from the Shearer Property Group added: “We are thrilled to have been chosen by the city council to deliver this vitally important regeneration project. This site lies in the very heart of the city centre and is huge by any standards – about the size of 10 football pitches. It finally provides the opportunity to deliver a transformational scheme that will put Coventry back on the map as a retail and leisure destination.”

    Hardwick Hall

    North east hotel Hardwick Hall to undergo major refurbishment

     1000 592 Daniel Fountain
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    A leading North East country house hotel is about to enjoy a £350,000 refurbishment.

    Hardwick Hall Hotel near Sedgefield – part of Ramside Estates – is to undergo a major facelift which will see the bedrooms, bars and boardrooms all being redecorated, along with a new look to one of the hotel’s leading function rooms.

    Plans are to spend £150,000 on the Coleman Suite, which can take up to 400 guests, to decorate and lay new carpets, along with replacing the existing furniture. The four star hotel, which is set in County Durham’s Hardwick Country Park, has 51 bedrooms along with its acclaimed Rib Room Steakhouse and Grill.

    “We are very excited about this renovation which we are sure will be appreciated by our guests,” said Lee Kirtland, General Manager at Hardwick Hall. “It means that there will be even more reason to visit Hardwick, no matter if you’re an overnight guest, popping in for a drink or a meal or are hosting a wedding or a business conference with us,” he added

    The hotel is renowned for holding large scale balls and events, including the popular Lobster Ball which attracts more than 1000 guests.

    Work is set to start immediately on the refurbishment and is due to take around three months.

    www.hardwickhallhotel.co.uk

    Guest Blog: Art Hide – Dress up hotel interiors with luxurious carpets and rugs

     600 400 Guest Author
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    Caroline Modig of Art Hide shares her thoughts on the role flooring and carpets play in the first impressions of guests…

    —–

    The main aim of all hospitality establishments is to form lasting impressions and ensure a trail of happy guests, since there’s no possibility of success without satisfied customers. Making guests happy, as we all know, is a difficult task indeed.

    When they stay at a hotel, people expect everything to be perfect – inside and out. They will notice even the smallest detail, and most of them tend to be extremely picky. Interior design plays a huge role in the impression they take away, so you need to get everything just right. Start with what they notice first, which is the flooring and carpets.

    Art Hide - Carpets and flooringThe Importance of Flooring and Carpeting in Hotels
    Not only does the right flooring and carpeting attract people’s attention, it can also help make them feel more at ease. Beautiful floors and comfortable carpeting can improve guest satisfaction, which in turn affects your class and star ratings, review scores and reputation. This ties in to room rates and ROI, impacting your profitability.

    While there’s a wide range of flooring options available, some of the most popular options for hotels include:
    • Hardwood
    • Granite
    • Marble
    • Carpet
    • Vinyl
    • Laminate
    • Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
    • Decorative Concrete

    Many of these materials are often accentuated with area rugs, which can be used to separate and define a space by adding visual and textural contrast. Patterned rugs are often used in high-traffic areas, while cowhide rugs can add warmth and sophistication to lounges, guests’ rooms and lobbies.

    What to Consider while Picking Materials
    Here are some factors to consider while choosing flooring and carpets for hotels:
    • Aesthetics – Just like the other four walls in any area, the floor or “fifth wall” needs to please the eye as well. Floors should look luxurious, and complement the rest of the décor and design elements within each space.

    • Comfort – People want to be pampered in a hotel, with the most restful beds and cozy furnishings. Soft hide rugs or plush carpets can help them feel even more comfortable, and add a touch of warmth to any space.

    • Safety – Floors and carpets should not be slippery if they are exposed to water, dust, etc. Make sure to take the viscosity and slipperiness of each material into account, especially in bathrooms and near exterior spaces.

    • Acoustics – Carpeting plays a key role in reducing noise within an interior space, and can help to soften sounds within a room as well as from adjoining rooms. This creates a more peaceful and relaxed atmosphere for guests.

    Art Hide Carpets and Flooring

    • Durability – Hotel floors see a lot of traffic, and they need to be created with durable materials that will last. Remember, it’s not just foot traffic from guests and staff you need to think about, but also trolley wheels and other heavy items.

    • Maintenance – Spills, stains and dirt are bound to send guests packing, so easy-to-clean flooring and carpeting is best. Certain designs also hide stains, while materials such as animal hide or leather are very easy to clean.

    • Branding – Flooring and carpeting can also emphasize the concept and brand of your establishment. For instance, animal hides and rugs paired with wooden or marble flooring add a distinctive touch to luxury hotel interiors.

    • Cost – The flooring you choose should fit your design and installation budget, but trying to cut costs with cheaper options could do more harm than good. If you want your flooring and carpeting to last, invest in quality materials.

    Choose materials that add value to your interiors, boosting both visual appeal and comfort. Carpeting and rugs are a great way to enhance rooms and leisure areas, but they’re equally perfect for cheering up hallways, receptions, foyers and entrances. For a sense of luxury, try cowhide rugs or other natural materials.

    Your hotel needs to look beautiful, luxurious and inviting right from the moment a guest steps in, so give the floors some attention too!

    Caroline Modig works at Art Hide and oversees their marketing and promotional efforts. Her passion for interior design and the knowledge she gained over the years allows her to find time from her busy schedule to write informative blogs about interior trends, popular styling tips and everything related. When she isn’t working or writing, you can find her relaxing to some contemporary jazz while solving puzzles.

    www.arthide.co/

    Roca springs into action at BCFA Open

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    Leading bathroom brand Roca, will be exhibiting at the BCFA OPEN SPRING DESIGN event in London on 28 and 29 March. Organised by the British Contract Furnishing Association (BCFA), Roca will be amongst a range of brands showcasing their collections to professionals in commercial interiors.

    Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Roca staff to discuss trends in bathroom interiors and see the latest Roca products. The display includes the new Inspira range, an innovative collection based on three design lines; Round, Soft and Square. Inspira offers products designed for personalised style, the various shapes work together when combined or used individually.


    Inspira washbasins are manufactured using FINECERAMIC®, a new high-quality ceramic material exclusive to Roca, and nominated for the BCFA Innovation Award at the event. FINECERAMIC® facilitates precision and sophisticated design details with the added benefits of being 40% lighter and 30% stronger compared to other conventional basins. The soon to be launched Inspira In-Wash smart WC will also be on display as part of this collection.

    Featured brassware will demonstrate Roca’s sustainability credentials with the new Atlas basin mixer, which incorporates an innovative cold start system to save energy and water consumption with a flow rate of five litres per minute. The L90 basin mixer; L90-E electronic basin mixer and the Thesis basin mixer will also be on view.

    Visit Roca on Stand 24 at the BCFA Open, Old Truman Brewery in London on 28 and 29 March. For more information or to register for a ticket visit: bcfaopen.com/register

    www.uk.roca.com

    Hansgrohe UK on display in Ideal Home Show Homes

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    Hansgrohe UK is delighted to be participating in the Ideal Home Show for Spring 2017.

    The bathrooms, cloakrooms and ensuites within all the apartments and the ‘Thatched House’ in the Ideal Home village have all been furnished with stunning taps and showers from the company’s two brands: AXOR and hansgrohe.

    Axor Starck - Hansgrohe

    The kitchens in each show home also feature a selection of the company’s stylish, single lever mixer taps. The range of products selected demonstrates the very best in quality, innovation and design, from world renowned designers such as Philippe Starck.

    hansgrohe and AXOR ranges on display appeal to a wide range of budgets from entry level to premium. From the easy-to-operate and affordable Logis and Talis mixer lines.

    Hector Finch Table Lamps

    Product Spotlight: Table lamps from Hector Finch

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    This stunning new range of table lamps from Hector Finch are made in India and The Philippines and bring you a taste of the astonishing skills of their artisans combined with the sophistication of Western design and production values.

    The shell and vellum lamps are produced exclusively for Hector Finch by Simon Orrell Designs.

    Hector Finch table lamps

    Hector Finch table lamps

    The glass models are from a factory that the company has been working with for many years and are the first in a series of colours being developed for Hector Finch.

    All these lamps continue to illustrate the less-is-more aesthetic of London’s premier lighting showroom.

    London Showroom
    90-92 Wandsworth Bridge Road
    London
    SW6 2TF

    www.hectorfinch.com

     

    Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower

    Hilton Hotels & Resorts to open hotel in view of the Eiffel Tower

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    Hilton has announced that its flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand will add a second property in central Paris, Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower.

    The plans were unveiled at MIPIM this week in conjunction with owner Compagnie de Phalsbourg with whom Hilton has signed a management agreement to operate the 118-room property. The renowned French visionary designer Philippe Starck will be in charge of the interior design of the property.

    Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower will be located in the 7th arrondissement, renowned as the district of choice for Parisian and the home to France’s National Assembly, a range of museums, the Invalides and the Eiffel Tower itself. The site on Avenue de Saxe, sits next to Place de Breteuil and leads towards the Champ de Mars.

    Construction is due to begin shortly on adaptation of two adjacent buildings from the 1900s and 1970s. Additional features to be found within the property include a fitness centre and executive lounge. Philippe Starck will be in charge of the interior design of the property to bring French elegance and flair into the historical building while Atelier Cos, who specialise in luxury and upscale hotels, develops the architectural concept for the property.

    Andreas Lackner, regional head, full service brand management, Hilton added: “Paris remains one of the most enviable cities in the world for any traveller. Our existing Hilton Paris Opera is one of the brand’s most popular properties amongst our global network of loyal customers and we cannot wait to begin welcoming guests to this new property within such proximity to so many Parisian landmarks.”

    Hotel Viu Milan opens in Porta Volta

    Hotel Viu Milan opens in Porta Volta

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    Taking centre stage in Milan’s hip Porta Volta neighbourhood with its stunning glass façade framed with lush vertical gardens, Hotel Viu Milan is rewriting the rule book on how to make an entrance in Italy’s capital of cool.

    Opening March 2017, the 124-room Design Hotels member is surrounded by an exquisite cross section of Milanese culture: from centuries-old historical monuments to grand shopping boulevards and cool drinking dens. And yet it is set to become the area’s hottest landmark thanks to its impeccable Milanese design, in-house Michelin-starred chef, and spectacular rooftop pool—primed to play host to the city’s chicest cocktail hours.

    Architects Arassociati Studio sought inspiration from the urban regeneration around Porta Volta when designing Hotel Viu Milan. Rendered in sustainably-sourced wood, metal, and bronzed glass, the hotel’s striking façade is composed of undulating patterns of indentions and projections that define each story. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms and guest areas with natural light and blur the lines between inside and out, a sentiment further cemented by the verdant vertical garden that frames the structure. Milanese firm AG&P Greenscape were responsible for the innovative system of planters and cables that form the foundations of the botanical waterfall, brimming with locally-sourced flora including fragrant jasmine, wisteria, and climbing roses.

     

    Arassociati and Nicola Gallizia Studio were entrusted with the interior design of the hotel, which is defined by a tonal colour palette and contemporary textures. Parquet oak wood floors contrast perfectly with light colours and bespoke fabrics, exclusively created for the hotel by the renowned Venetian textile company Rubelli. The furnishings come courtesy of acclaimed furniture design studio Molteni&C, as well as local artisans and carpenters, who have been commissioned to create key pieces inspired by quintessential Italian design.

    Hotel Viu Milan opens in Porta Volta

    Hotel Viu Milan’s studied elegance extends to the hotel’s 124 rooms and suites, which are a lesson in meticulously-crafted luxury. A neutral colour palette is enhanced by wood paneling of walnut, durmast, and Rosewood, which echoes the lines of the classic design pieces in the rooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms with natural daylight, while private terraces scattered across the first and seventh floors provide unrivalled panoramas over the Milanese skyline. Bathrooms are luxuriously outfitted in Port Laurent marble and, thanks to a retractable wooden wall, bath time is accompanied by an enviable city view, as well as a stash of stylish Malin+Goetz amenities.

    Hotel Viu Milan’s fluid ground-floor social spaces open up right off the lobby, a light and airy reception area dotted with original artworks by Sony George and made cozy by an oversized fireplace. The flowing space leads to Bulk, an informal restaurant conceptualized by Michelin-starred chef Giancarlo Morelli. Designed as a multi-faceted social hub centered around regional cuisine, the eatery serves from an open kitchen and low, cozy seating encourages languid lunches. Overlooking Porta Volta’s new public square, Bulk’s Mixology Lounge Bar and Garden is perfectly placed to host the eternal cocktail hours of summer, ably lubricated by the bar team’s expertly-mixed Negronis.

    Hotel Viu Milan also plays host to an eponymous gourmet restaurant helmed by Giancarlo Morelli. Pitched at a slightly darker hue thanks to custom lighting by Pentalight, the Restaurant “Giancarlo Morelli” exudes a studied sophistication befitting the Italian fashion capital. For dedicated gourmands, the restaurant’s 12-seater kitchen table gives an unrivalled insight into the inner workings of a Michelin-starred maestro.

    Bookending the property is The VIU, the only hotel rooftop in Milan with an outdoor swimming pool that features stunning 360-degree views of the city. Teak lounge furniture is set amid Mediterranean olive trees, creating an urban oasis where guests can while away halcyon hours between dips in the pool.

    All photography: Tiziano Sartorio 

    Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam

    Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam slated for Spring 2017

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    Kimpton De Witt, the first European luxury hotel from leading boutique brand Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, will open in the heart of Amsterdam this spring.

    Fresh, modern approach to luxury
    In true Kimpton style, the hotel has a playful, provocative edge with thoughtfully curated design that honours the local heritage — from the striking ‘living wall’ of vibrant florals and botanicals trailing the entrance, to the large Delft-inspired tiles lining the floors. The hotel also offers an interior open-air courtyard and its very own flower shop. Bedrooms embody the spirit of the modern collector, incorporating unexpected yet refined touches, such as the contemporary interpretations of classic Dutch art and the bird bedside lights that reflect their glow onto blush marble tables.

    Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam

    A house within a hotel
    The hotel has 274 guest rooms, including 15 signature rooms and suites — many of which have private terraces. Kimpton De Witt is set within three original Renaissance-era buildings and combines locally inspired touches. Within the property stands a four storey ‘Little House’ which dates back to the 1500s and was once the childhood home of the Dutch playwright, P.C. Hooft. The Little House can be rented privately for groups looking for the privacy and luxury of their own abode; it offers ground floor meeting space, a first floor living area with luxuriant couches, bar stools and a plentiful wet bar.

    Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam

    General Manager of Kimpton De Witt, Mike Robinson joins with over a decade of experience working across a number of Kimpton properties in the US. He says: “After working for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants for ten years, it’s such an honour to be chosen to pave the path across the pond. Amsterdam is the perfect fit for our first hotel in Europe – it embodies the style, flavour, and fun spirit of our brand perfectly. Our personal service and bold design will resonate well with this diverse, open-minded and fashion-forward city.”

    Acquired by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in January 2015, the acclaimed US hotel group was founded by Bill Kimpton following inspiration from his European travels as an investment banker. There are now over 60 hotels and more than 70 restaurants in 30 US cities, with an opening in Paris slated for 2020.

    www.kimptondewitthotel.com

    Z Hotel City - Lutron - Case Study

    Case Study: Z Hotel City – Lutron

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    Background
    Z Hotel City is a newly converted boutique hotel on London’s Fleet Street. It’s the latest addition to the Z Hotels group, which has seven other venues in the UK, all offering “affordable, compact luxury in prime locations”. The hotel’s small but perfectly formed rooms are built to a standardised design, with the aim of making things as simple as possible for guests.

    Z Hotel City - Lutron - Case Study

    When guests enter the room the lights automatically come on to a ‘welcome’ scene. With no need to find a switch or card slot.

    The Challenge
    When designing the rooms for the new hotel, Z Hotels was looking for an alternative to the usual key card system for lighting control, and wanted to come up with a simple solution that it could repeat across all Z Hotel City’s 100+ rooms. With building already underway, they needed a solution fast. Z Hotels’ project manager Eamon Kelly said, “Our main objective was to make the guest experience a bit easier. As a guest you don’t want to have to fumble around to find light switches.”

    The new solution had to be as simple as possible. “Our average length of stay is 1-2 nights,” said Kelly, “so people don’t have time to get to know a complex system. Anything we fit needs to be intuitive.”

    Z Hotel City - Lutron - Case Study

    Guests can then dim lights up and down, and control the bathroom lights separately.

    The Solution
    The hotel chose to use Lutron’s myRoom prime control system with Pico wireless controls. myRoom prime uses a combination of technologies to determine if a guest is in the room. When the room is empty, the lights turn off and the temperature is set to a background level. There’s a sensor on the door, occupancy sensors in the room, and pressing any of the control buttons alerts the system that someone is present.

    Lutron got involved in the project in September 2015, and the hotel was opened before Christmas – as requested by Z Hotels – so the system had to be designed, delivered, installed and commissioned in a very short time, with an average commissioning time of 40 minutes per room. The system was installed and commissioned with the help of Lutron, working closely with Z Hotels to fit in around building works. Because the control system is wireless, installation and commissioning were quick and straightforward.

    Z Hotel City - Lutron - Case Study

    The look of the Pico controls was an important factor for Z Hotels. Kelly says it’s crucial that everything “not just looks sharp, but is nice to touch and feel as well.”

    Results
    Z Hotels are delighted with the performance of the system, and are now looking at rolling out the myRoom prime system to their next hotel in Covent Garden. It is a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution that saves energy and creates a fantastic user experience in guest rooms. The success of this project highlights the versatility of myRoom solutions in a wide range of hotels– solutions such as myRoom prime can be adapted to all budgets. The hotel is also reducing energy costs, because myRoom prime’s occupancy sensing makes sure that air conditioning and lighting are off when the room is empty. Unlike a key card system, it can’t be fooled by leaving a spare card in the slot.

    “I typically associated Lutron with high-end hotels only, so I was delighted that they were able to supply us with a nice simple system, but with the backing of a company that’s been doing it for years”
    Eamon Kelly, project manager, Z Hotels group

    thezhotels.com/city

    lutron.com/europe

    Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru

    Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru opens in India’s ‘Garden City’

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    Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru has opened in the capital of India’s southern Karnataka state, Bengaluru, also known as, “The Garden City”.

    The newly opened hotel is set to introduce the brand’s internationally renowned, Yes, I Can! service philosophy with sophisticated design and premier accommodation.

    Designed with the modern traveller in mind, the hotel features 167 well-appointed guest rooms and suites with modern amenities.

    Standing out as one of Bengaluru’s premier event facilities, the hotel has over 1,250-square-metres of flexible room configurations with its six meeting spaces and two boardrooms, capable of accommodating large wedding receptions or intimate team meetings complemented with state-of-the-art presentation and audiovisual tools. Other facilities available at the hotel include the Business Class Lounge, business center, swimming pool, spa and fully-equipped fitness centre.

    Style Library - Trends in design 2017

    Guest Blog: Style Library – Trends in design 2017

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    To mark another successful London Fashion Week and the beginning of the interiors events season, Style Library Contract share four things they see having the greatest influence in global hospitality trends in design in 2017…

    Individuality
    More than ever before, hotel operators aim to create memorable destinations. Wanting good off-the-shelf designs and more. Interiors need to captivate, inspire and perform. Whether it’s a recolour of an existing design or developing something completely new, with Style Library Contract clients have the creative freedom to curate products that are uniquely theirs, created by the worlds most loved interior brands.

    “Just like our clients, we’re obsessed with great design, attention to detail and quality. So, we work together to celebrate our passion and create beautiful commercial spaces”, says Style Library Contracts Sales Director, Carolyn Mitchell.

    StyleLibrary1

    Boutique Chic
    Harlequin Momentum is an eclectic mix of design styles, which have been inspired both by architecture and by abstract interpretations of natural forms. It combines elements of matt and shine, texture and tone. The weaves and wallcoverings represent a diverse mix of qualities and techniques: conceptual; geometric; painterly; multi-directional, light-reflecting embroideries; even appliquéd laser-cut circles.

    They work together effortlessly to create a cohesive and achingly chic whole. Successfully capturing the essence of the most sophisticated international boutique hotels, Momentum translates this allure into a tangible, accessible collection of products for everyday living.

    Style Library - Trends in design 2017
    Claire Vallis, Design Director, expands: “This launch really encapsulates the cosmopolitan spirit of sleek, boutique hotels and glamorous townhouses, whilst still retaining its approachability. Targeted at both the domestic and the contract markets, the fabrics and wallcoverings exude an architectural, structural feel, but in an accessible, understandable way.”

    The compelling colour palette enhances the designs, mixing organic shades and fashion hues: oyster and pearl; slate and chalk; mineral and zest; jet and crystal; pearl and paprika; rose gold and flint; sepia and teal; peacock; rose quartz; antique rose, blush, dove, moonlight, porcelain; jute; domino and emerald.

    Natural Spirit
    Scion is the essence of the ‘good life’ vibe – forests, fresh air, fjords, food, freedom and fun – are all encapsulated in the latest collection, Noukku. Named after a species of Finnish wildflower, Noukku is totally in tune with the life-affirming ‘Hygge’ trend: it’s a versatile, spontaneous collection that invigorates your senses and encourages you to step away from your busy lifestyle. Scion Designer Hannah Bowen explains how Noukku evolved, “Noukku is brought to life through an invigorating colour palette and use of textured effects inspired by natural elements. I wanted to create versatile and spontaneous designs which invigorate your senses and encourage you to step away from your busy lifestyle, an ideal backdrop to escaping away to a contemporary hotel.”

    Style Library - Trends in design 2017Artistry
    Zoffany’s beautifully curated compendium of show-stopping prints, weaves and embroideries crafted through a mixture of yarns and techniques, for the creation of inspirationally luxurious and unique interiors. The new Boleyn collection captures the faded elegance of time worn fabrics and wallpapers, each with their own captivating story to tell. It is the skilful reinterpretation of these heirlooms and the dramatic harnessing of nature in abstracted form that elevates the collection to poised perfection.

    Style Library - Trends in design 2017

    The rich moody greens of ‘Moss’ and ‘Khaki’ are punctuated with shots of ‘Greenstone’. ‘Faded Amethyst’, ‘Hollyhocks’ and ‘Sunstone’ add warmth. Soft mineral colours are offset against the jewel tone highlights of ‘Amber’, ‘Tigers Eye’, ‘Cinnabar’ and ‘Koi’ adding jewel tone highlights. Peter Gomez, Zoffany Head of Design explains: “Our aim is to create unique interiors with artistry, sophistication and integrity. We love to utilise our extensive archive for inspiration, each yarn, each brush stroke, each process is meticulously considered during the design process”.

    www.stylelibrarycontract.com

    Dave Hart Redefine|BDL Hotels - opinion on business rates

    Opinion: Hotel specialists focus on returns and reform after business rates increases

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    Keeping calm and focusing on the job at hand whilst lobbying for change should be top of the agenda for hospitality businesses in the wake of increasing business rates, says Redefine|BDL Hotels’ (RBH) Chief Financial Officer, David Hart.

    The UK’s leading independent hotel management company oversees a portfolio of more than 50 properties facing business rate hikes averaging 29% – with increases for individual hotels of up to 142% – in the coming financial year.

    But RBH’s Chief Financial Officer says the business will be focusing on what it does best – transforming hotels and striving to increase returns for their owners to lessen the impact of increasing costs – while lobbying for change in the background.

    He said: “The hotel owners we work with will be directly, and significantly, impacted by changing business rates – just one of many rising costs facing the hospitality industry. It’s not a cost that can be easily offset by directly-related price increases for the end customer, so we’re taking a pragmatic approach and continuing to focus on generating healthy returns for our owners by looking at how we can transform every part of their hotel’s business so that any increases won’t hit them as hard.”

    David continued: “All owners – particularly smaller independent properties – are going to feel property rate increases bite, mainly because of what we see as fundamental flaws in the system. The approach to revaluation is very much ‘one size fits all’ in a given region or industry, and doesn’t necessarily account for factors that are important for hospitality businesses, like presence of new hotels and the impact of third party booking agent commissions on net revenue.”

    Lobbying for system reform is high on the RBH agenda but, with operating hotels being its area of expertise, it engages third party business rates experts to negotiate with valuation officers, and to make RBH’s views known to the people who matter – the policymakers.

    David explained: “Our use of experts to negotiate the business rates position leaves us free to focus on what we do best, while letting our hotel owners benefit from the expertise of those firms.

    “This approach has already paid immediate dividends for us with an initial group of hotels having significantly improved on their 40% increases that were originally communicated to a revised average increase of 26%. One hotel in particular had a draft increase of 33% which has been successfully negotiated down to only a 2% increase.”

    And while politicians have sought to address the wide-ranging feelings of frustration, this doesn’t go anywhere near far enough.

    David said: “The measures announced by the Scottish and UK Governments only offer temporary relief to select groups – or leave the final decision on who gets help to local authorities. While every little helps, it doesn’t address the core issue, which is the perception of the existing system for revaluing business rates as a non-transparent, blanket approach used to impose increasing, unexplained costs on all businesses no matter their circumstances.

    “We’re keen to see fundamental reform, with a more bespoke approach taken by evaluators that really takes account of individual circumstances and which gives businesses certainty over their cost base in the longer term.

    “In the meantime, we’ll be rolling up our sleeves and focusing on what we do best – transforming hotels and generating superior returns for our hotel owners.”

    www.redefinebdl.com

    Roca commissions Zaha Hadid design for interactive water display

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    Roca has unveiled a new interactive water environment at its flagship bathroom space, Roca London Gallery, in the Chelsea Design Quarter. The new installation allows visitors to experience working shower and tap products to understand how they will perform in a real setting.

    Roca has once again worked with Zaha Hadid Design to create the curvaceous installation, complementing the Gallery’s contemporary interior, which was completed by Zaha Hadid Architects in 2011. The bespoke display has been manufactured using solid surface and GRP to house six brassware products, each of them is fully operational.

    Zaha Hadid - Roca bathroom showcase

    Woody Yao, Director of Zaha Hadid Design says, “In the spirit of our previously successful collaboration with Roca, Zaha Hadid Design is pleased to add a further installation to showcase the functionality of their products. We have explored manipulating a single surface to create an organic shape to maximise the user experience in an interactive form. The addition to the Gallery seamlessly blends with the existing space, further endorsing this innovative brand.”

    “This is a stunning display and a unique addition to the other products within the Gallery,” explains David Bromell, Showroom and Operations Manager at Roca London Gallery. “As well as being visually beautiful it can also give visitors a functional demonstration of different water pressures.

    Zaha Hadid - Roca bathroom showcase

    This is key to understanding water flow and performance, ensuring design professionals make the right choice in terms of bathroom design and functionality.”

    The brassware on display includes showerheads from Roca’s RainDream and RainSense collections as well as basin mixers from Evol, L90 and Atlas. The Gallery has also installed a new display featuring a customised solid surface basin and shelf, which was recently completed in collaboration with Nous Design for Intercontinental Hotels Group’s newly refurbished King’s Cross hotel.

    www.uk.roca.com

    Kobe's Enchanted autumn collection

    Kobe UK at BCFA’s London Open

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    Luxury fabric specialist Kobe UK, will be bringing its latest window décor, upholstery and soft furnishings collections to the British Contract Furnishing Association’s (BCFA) Open event in London.

    The BCFA Open contract furniture and furnishings exhibition will showcase new designs and creative interiors from BCFA member companies specialising in the hospitality, healthcare, office and education sectors.

    Suitable for window décor and soft furnishings within contract markets, the Enchanted and Elements ranges are collections of luxurious 100% flame retardant fabrics that enjoy the signature Kobe style, while offering affordable prices and value for money.

    Kobe’s Enchanted collection is a balance between contemporary and traditional. The range features three woven jacquards with a smooth, supple feel. The palette of rich, striking tones and neutrals complements the sophisticated collection of medallion, stylish lattice and coordinating geometric designs.

    Elements’ palette of rich and neutral shades balances the stylish collection of luxurious easy-to-care-for, washable fabrics. The cool linen, soft satin and subtle metallic look is a perfect match for the geometric, herringbone and medallion designs.

    Boutique is a range of unique and timeless 100% natural, curtain and upholstery fabrics, suitable for both domestic and contract use. This lavish mix of innovative textiles features sumptuous velvet, woven jacquard, cool cotton and soft satin appearance. A palette of rich, deep and softly nostalgic tones complements the geometric, floral, paisley and botanical patterns.

    David Harris, managing director of Kobe UK, said: “The first BCFA Open in Manchester last year was a real success, so we are looking forward to the London event. It will be a great opportunity for us to meet new customers and showcase our latest collections.”

    All Kobe’s upholstery fabrics offer exceptional durability, scoring highly on the Martindale Rub Test. Kobe will also be exhibiting at the BCFA Open in Dublin in June and in Manchester in October 2017.

    The Kobe UK sales office and studio is based in Crowthorne, Berkshire.
    www.en.kobe.eu

    01344 771653
    01344 771663
    salesuk@kobe.eu

    Hacienda, 1 Hotels Cabo announces next phase of residences

     853 480 Daniel Fountain
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    Hacienda, the 22-acre private residential community in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, has unveiled plans for its next phase of residences, a limited offering of 55 for-sale branded luxury ‘1 Homes’ within the recently announced 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo.

    The first international residences from the mission-driven luxury lifestyle brand, 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo will expand on a legacy of excellence at Hacienda, which completely sold out its original 109 residences at Hacienda Beach Club in 2015.

    Uniquely located on the only year-round swimmable beach in Cabo, with direct views of the iconic Land’s End and steps away from the most famous Marina in North America, the new 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo will sit directly at the site of the famed Hacienda Hotel, host to the likes of Bing Crosby, John Wayne and Desi Arnaz.

    Nature is intertwined into everything at 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo. The property will not only include 55 for-sale, branded luxury residences, nearly a third of which have already been sold in a Founder’s presale, but will also incorporate a 115-room environmentally-responsible hotel.

    The property will also boast more than 6,000-square-feet of conference and events space, a state-of-the-art fitness facility and retail shops. Situated directly on the Sea of Cortez, guests are only a short walk to downtown Cabo’s best restaurants, bars and nightlife.

    A world-class team of designers collaborated on the 1 Homes collection at 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo, creating a classic style of Mexican haciendas grounded in their essence to reveal a modern style that feels at home in Cabo, yet sophisticated and luxurious. The brand’s commitment to sustainable hospitality and eco-conscious architecture can be found throughout the masterful design and materials selected by the renowned team of architects. The vision of Hart Howerton was complemented by the landscape planned by George Girvin of Girvin Associates and interiors by Cherem Arquitectos, both with extensive portfolios in Los Cabos.

    From the local rammed earth, granite and marble to the reclaimed wood, each home is designed to capture the soothing natural light of the Baja, creating seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces with the addition of repurposed materials, living plants and raw textures. Floorplans range from one to seven bedrooms, including a collection of beach-front villas, only two of which still remain, offering a retreat amidst the energy of Cabo, intrinsically connected yet set apart from it all.

    Construction of 1 Homes began in late 2016 with completion slated for mid-2018. The hotel is set to debut in 2019.

    haciendacaboresort.com

    1homescabo.com

    Four Seasons Napa Valley

    Financing secured for Four Seasons Napa Valley

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    Photo: KELSEY HARRINGTON | C&R COMMUNICATIONS

    Bald Mountain Development and Alcion Ventures have announced $165 million (£134 million) in construction financing for the five-star Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Napa Valley; slated to open early 2019.

    Initial site work has begun on the hotel and 20 two, three and four-bedroom residences with vertical construction to begin this summer.

    Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. worked on behalf of the developers to place the construction loan with Heitman on behalf of one of its institutional investors.

    “The financing of this project included competitive bidding and we felt Heitman came to the table with the best solution. This project’s complexity required a creative approach. Heitman was willing to navigate these challenges in order to deliver an optimal outcome for everyone involved,” said Kelly Foster, a Principal at Bald Mountain Development.

    This spring, the foundation and utilities will be in place followed by vertical construction slated to begin in the summer.
    The 20 residences are expected to be complete fall 2018 with the resort to open early 2019. Upon completion and after the resort’s opening, residence owners will have VIP access to the Four Seasons Resort’s collection of amenities and activities, including a world-class restaurant, a spa, an indoor and outdoor fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment.

    Viero's work with Henry Van Der Vijver

    Client Spotlight: Viero’s work with Henry Van Der Vijver

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    The lifeblood of any successful business is good quality clients. Viero UK is fortunate to have many.

    During our time in the industry, we have partnered with some of the most fantastic creatives in the world of surface designs. To celebrate our collaborative approach to business, we have launched a new feature to introduce our loyal clients and to explain how our work intertwines.

    To kick it off, we spoke to Henry Van Der Vijver who is renowned within the industry for his quality work and great experience in the surface finish industry…

    Viero: Tell us a bit more about your business…
    Henry Van Der Vijver    : I’m the managing director of HVART Ltd, a specialist decorator and master craftsman with 30 years’ experience in the trade. I have a classic grounding and training in decorative finishes, so as a surface designer my finishes last. I now run a small friendly team of London-based artisans and we only use the best products that give our designs longevity. We work closely with London’s design and architecture studios to create bespoke finishes for their projects. People know where to find me and know that my name equals quality. I have great clients, a super team and I like to trade with a smile.

    V: What projects are you working on at the moment?
    HVDV:     We have just been working a new project in the clubhouse of one of the world’s most famous golf courses. We completed the main project back in 2002 and were invited back to create more designs as the initial project work still looks like the day we finished them. We have an ongoing commission at the back of Oxford Street where we’re hand painting fireplaces in a penthouse to look like the client’s favourite marble. We like to travel too and will soon be going back to a project in Montenegro to paint another exciting ceiling mural. And back in London, we’re performing lacquer wall finishes for a new trendy hotel project in central London as well as commissions for ride crews for Cunard’s cruise liners.

    V: How did you first start working with Viero UK?
    HVDV:     I first met Viero UK at a Decorex exhibition. I liked the look of the products and thought that the director Chris was incredibly charming. There used to be a word called chivalry which is nowadays lost, but Chris is very chivalrous and is a true gentleman. We hit it off straight away and have been working together ever since. We work on the kind of projects of which Viero products suit beautifully. There is some super new looks that have been created with these products like the bathroom suites we finished in Hydro and the lovely soft grain of the Marmorin, so HVART and Viero make for a great pairing.

    V: What do you like about working with Viero UK?
    HVDV:     The products are very malleable and user-friendly. I like the availability, the fact that the team will deliver it wherever I need it to go and I think it’s branded beautifully. Chris and team are always on hand to answer any questions, so all round it’s a great product from a smashing team.

    V: What does the future hold? How are you working to stay ahead of the game?
    HVDV:     Our industry is greatly driven by fashion, although I’m grounded in the classics. I can walk into most interiors and identify the date by the surface finishes. It’s all about re-inventing. A very famous artist friend of mine once said to me: “It’s all been done before Henry, buts it’s all about how we will do it today.” If you’re constantly talking to all of your peers and keeping an eye on social media, you can stay fresh in the game. I’ve never seen such a fabulous tool as Instagram for our trade and we are so lucky nowadays to have such wonderful reference tools like this and Pinterest.

    www.viero.co.uk
    enquiries@viero.co.uk
    0870 609 2827

    Debbie Smyth's work at the Great Northern Hotel

    Debbie Smyth art installation live at Great Northern Hotel

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    ‘A Tying of Knots’, a stunning new bespoke art installation by artist Debbie Smyth, which wraps around the staircase walls leading up to the restaurant, Plum and Spilt Milk, at The Great Northern Hotel in King’s Cross – the world’s first great railway hotel and now one of the finest luxury boutique hotels in London – is now complete.

    The piece uses hammered nails and embroidery pins connected by threads to portray real places as strings of memory; a cartography of string that is both real and imagined, guiding hotel guests as they ascend the staircase. Debbie describes the piece as ‘a string of thoughts, a flight of stairs, a pencil of lines, a morning of hammers, a river of stories, a cluster of diamonds, a grid of maps, a twinkling of todays, an engagement of eyes, a journey of discoveries…’

    Debbie Smyth's work at the Great Northern Hotel

    The installation is the latest success in the close relationship between art consultants ARTIQ and the hotel’s Owner-Operator Jeremy Robson, involving the orchestration of spectacular and integrated art installations for the ground and first floor public spaces, as well as key stairwells, corridors and lift lobbies. The relationship has ensured that the hotel and its profound commitment to art has become a stand-out example of intelligent and inspired vision and curation.

    ‘A Tying of Knots’ is a site-specific sewn piece that portrays a city in transition; referencing everything from Ordnance Survey maps from bygone years and heat maps charting interaction in the age of the internet to the unspoken conversations and bumping bodies of strangers along the local waterways and winding streets, plus the hustle of intersections and stations.

    Debbie Smyth's artwork at Great Northern Hotel

    As a textile artist, Debbie Smyth is most identifiable by her statement thread drawings: playful yet sophisticated contemporary artworks created by stretching a network of threads between accurately plotted pins. Her work beautifully blurs the boundaries between fine art drawings and textile art, flat and 3D work, illustration and embroidery, literally lifting the drawn line off the page in a series of “pin and thread” drawings.

    As a fittingly poetic end to the project, the artist celebrated her own engagement whilst staying at The Great Northern Hotel – the transition to ‘tying the knot’ in her own life.

    Palladium Hotels investing $21m in Caribbean/Mexican market

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    Palladium Hotel Group has announced plans to invest an additional $21 million to upgrade the guest experiences at its Grand Palladium and The Royal Suites by Palladium properties in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico. The investment is being made to improve quality and consistency as part of the company’s dedication to offering the same high-quality experiences at each hotel at excellent value.

    Five million dollars of the total investment will go towards improving food and beverage offerings. In terms of staffing, Palladium Hotels & Resorts is increasing the number of staff by 13-percent over 2017, which will total 8,243 staff at all 12 properties in the Caribbean and Mexico, including the Grand Palladium Resorts & Spas and The Royal Suites by Palladium.

    Palladium Hotels

    Palladium Hotels & Resorts is also investing in technology at each property in 2017, such as improving the Palladium Hotels & Resorts App so guests can message the concierge directly, increasing the bandwidth of the WiFi, installing better surround sound systems at the pools and updating the entertainment production for live performances at the hotels. Additional shuttles to take guests from one property to another will be added to reduce waiting times when travelling to different lobbies. New pool bikes for exercising in the pool will also be installed. These improvements will be introduced over the course of this year.

    Palladium Hotels

    “We are dedicated to improving our guests’ experiences in every way possible, so we are investing in upgrades in the areas that matter the most – service, food and beverage, and technology. Guest satisfaction at our upgraded properties in Jamaica, Riviera Maya and Punta Cana has soared after the renovations completed so we are extending this investment in upgrades at all of our properties,” said Jacques De Paep, Palladium Hotel Group’s commercial director for North America.

    Palladium Hotels

    Additional investment is being made at Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa and its neighbouring properties to upgrade them by the end of November 2017. Rodizio, the Brazilian steakhouse, will replace the current Hemingway Bar at Grand Palladium Bavaro Suites Resort & Spa. At Sumptuori Restaurant, additional teppanyaki tables will be installed. A new area will also be added that will be dedicated to the popular nikkei concept, which is a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisines. In addition, the interior of El Behique restaurant will be renovated to feature new, modern designs.

    At Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa, the lobby and select guestrooms will be renovated with Caribbean designs. A new beach club will be added to the adults-only area of The Royal Suites Turquesa, which is inspired by the success of the beach club concept from Ibiza.

    www.palladiumhotelgroup.com

    Bathrooms - Bathroom Trends for 2017

    Guest Blog: Bathroom trends for 2017

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    In association with…

    Luxury Commericial Bath - Bathroom Trends 2017

    Bathrooms have come a long way from just plain, white spaces used merely for wash-and-go. Its design, layout and overall look have changed and improved dramatically over the years.

    They are not just merely bathrooms; they became a space for comfort, where we satisfy our senses and spend more time in stylish comfort. As 2016 came to a close, many home and hotel owners saw 2017 as the year to refresh or redesign their bathrooms. With new trends emerging every year, what colours, design or materials can we expect to trend in 2017?

    Whether you want a stylish and easy-to-maintain space or hotel chic for a glamorous space or a whole new look, 2017 will be a year of brilliant bathroom trends you shouldn’t miss. Click here for the original infographic…

    Luxury Commercial Bath - Bathroom Trends 2017

     

    Ananda Hua Hin

    Ananda Hua Hin to launch with elite beachfront pool villa collection

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    Hua Hin’s most exciting new opening, Ananda Hua Hin Resort & Spa is to open on 1 April 2017, featuring a collection of elite private beachfront pool villas expected to set a new high watermark for privacy and exclusivity in the royal destination.

    The new high-end brand by Compass Hospitality adds to its existing of three brands – Compass, Citrus, Citin – and marks its 42nd managed property across its operating markets in Thailand, Malaysia and the UK.

    Ananda Hua Hin

    The eagerly awaited new property, led by veteran hotelier Nigel Tovey, will feature the Ananda Pool Villa Collection, a cluster of luxurious private accommodation options with creative indoor and outdoor spaces ranging from 188 sqm to 268 sqm in size. Decorated in light, soft tones, the villas open onto lush gardens, private pools and each one comes with its own private entrance.

    Ananda Hua Hin

    A strong sense of individualism pervades the star-quality villa collection with unique experiences delivered via Ananda’s “Check-in, Bliss-out” concierge, offering everything from impressionist watercolour painting classes to a videography programme, private beauty menu and a selection of elegant classic cars to choose from to traverse the nearby hills, travel to the golf course or visit local vineyards.

    “Ananda Hua Hin is a property of its time, and perfectly fitting with this fast-evolving destination as we look to redefine an area that was actually one of the first spots wealthy families came to 30 years ago,” said Ananda Hua Hin general manager Mr. Tovey. “It is the most beautiful, natural and peaceful part of the coast and therefore the ideal location for us to offer a whole new level of hospitality to our guests.”

    The entirety of Ananda Hua Hin encompasses 196 rooms, cleverly divided into three distinct areas. The 23 pool villas are closest to the beach and there’s a dedicated family area featuring an expansive pool and the Submarine Kids Club. Housed in the grounds will also be Hua Hin’s largest ballroom, with 900 sqm of flexible function space, including a range of customisable floor plans, state-of-the-art audio-visual and inspired menus catering to domestic and regional corporate events and weddings.

    www.anandahuahin.com

    Royal Yacht Britannia plans for Edinburgh luxury floating hotel

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    Plans for Scotland’s first luxury static floating hotel were lodged this week with the City of Edinburgh Council. The former Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) tender, MV Fingal, will be converted into a 23 bedroom hotel, berthed permanently at the Prince of Wales Dock in Edinburgh’s historic port of Leith.

    The £3.5m investment by the Royal Yacht Britannia’s trading company, Royal Yacht Enterprises, will see this classically designed ship transformed to provide the ultimate in luxury, offering a wide range of bedroom suites, cabins with private balconies, duplex apartments, and a stunning Presidential Suite.

    The ‘boatique’ hotel is expected to open in Easter 2018 and create at least 30 permanent new jobs in the hospitality industry, added to the 170 already employed directly at Britannia.

    The hotel concept has been created by the Pedley Group and all the bedrooms will be named after Stevenson lighthouses nominated by the NLB. The interior design has been inspired by Fingal’s rich maritime history, blending the avant-garde expectations of discerning guests with the functional necessities of luxury retreats.

    Royal Yacht Britannia - Plans unveiled for new luxury floating hotel

    Developing Fingal represents natural organic growth for the award-winning team at Britannia and, as well as business synergies and operational efficiencies, the hotel will generate an income stream that is not reliant on visitors to the Royal Yacht but will nevertheless help secure its long term future.

    The Royal Yacht Britannia, berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith, attracted a record 350,000 visitors last year and is renowned for providing the very highest standards of customer experience: having been officially assessed as Scotland’s Best Attraction for the last 11 years running by national tourism agency, VisitScotland.

    Britannia’s Chief Executive Bob Downie said, ‘Having excelled in the visitor attraction market for nearly 20 years, we are very much looking forward to the challenges of operating in the luxury hotel market and the benefits it will generate for Britannia over the years to come’.

    One of the UK hospitality industry’s most eminent and respected figures, Peter Lederer, past UK Hotelier of the Year, and former Chairman of the Gleneagles Hotel said, “This new ‘boatique’ hotel has the potential to be the best hotel experience in Edinburgh and given the quality of the Britannia experience, I am really looking forward to seeing a new benchmark in Scotland.”

    Paris 'hot spot' for hotel investment

    Paris revealed as number one ‘hot spot’ for hotel investment in Europe

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    Paris has reached the top of Colliers International’s inaugural Hotel Investment Attractiveness Index, an analysis of the investment climate of 20 European cities, despite predictions that investors and tourists would lose faith in the city due to political uncertainty and the perceived threat following various national security breaches.

    Paris’ lead ranking is due to its high demand growth, strong hotel performance, high investment returns and market depth from 2012-2016.

    Dirk Bakker, Head of EMEA Hotels, Colliers International

    Dirk Bakker, Head of EMEA Hotels, Colliers International

    Dirk Bakker, Head of EMEA Hotels, Colliers International said: “Investors are regularly requiring the latest information on cities where they will receive high returns, which in a politically and economically uncertain world, is often difficult to predict. Our index provides us with something more than anecdotal evidence through which to advise our clients.

    “According to our latest data, Paris scored highly in terms of valuation exit yields and hotel investment volume between 2007 and 2016. Paris also saw over 15 million international tourists visit the city in 2015 and witnessed average hotel occupancy levels of over 77 per cent from 2012-2016.”

    The Colliers index uses twelve metric components, weighted to give each of the 20 locations a score of up to 400, including population; GDP per capital; total workforce; commuting workforce; tourist arrivals; room occupancy; Average Daily Rate (ADR); Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR); Land site prices; Building costs; Valuation exit yields and investment volumes. These scores were then consolidated into a single figure and ranked to show which markets are hot in terms of overall demand, their recent operating performance and how this ties into the attractiveness of each market with regards to the acquisition of existing hotels and for the development of new ones.

    Here are some of the highlights:
    • London and Barcelona came out as the second and third most interesting cities to invest in, closely followed by Amsterdam and Berlin.
    • The story for the top two cities, London and Paris, is very similar, but Paris pips London to the top by virtue of having slightly lower development costs. Low development costs is one of the areas in which Barcelona excels, increasing the overall attractiveness of the city ahead of Amsterdam sitting in fourth place. In all other areas, these two cities have very similar performance ratings.
    • At the other end of the scale, although the development cost component scores very highly for Bucharest, this is not enough to compensate for low demand appetite and the lack of a hotel investment market, so it has been ranked the lowest.
    • Istanbul has been ranked relatively low at number 17, despite the size of the market, helping drive a good overall demand score and low development costs. However, the operational performance lags behind due to low occupancy rates, leading to lower returns on investment. The current political and economic climate is not particularly conducive to a robust investment market.
    • Zürich is the most interesting city to watch out for in the future, as its operational performance has been excellent in the last few years, suggesting an under-supply of quality hotel stock. Hotel investment interest is high, and if demand for the city continues to increase, it may become one of the most popular cities for new development and investment, despite the high development costs.
    • Manchester and Dublin also perform highly, where hotel performance exceeds demand. The case for an increase in business demand growth in both cities looks very strong in the coming years, which should increase their attractiveness to developers and investors alike.

    Damian Harrington, Director Head of EMEA Research at Colliers International adds: “With the Hotel Investment Attractiveness Index, we were able to create a unique analysis of a very dynamic market. By combining the twelve variables, we can generate far more of an insight into the current hotel industry and even predict what could lie ahead.”

    Meetings and events - hoteliers looking to meet buyers?

    Hoteliers – seeking buyers for meetings and events spaces?

     516 385 Daniel Fountain
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    Hoteliers – are you seeking buyers for your meetings and events spaces? Do you want to connect with key decision-makers in the MICE industry? Forum Events could have the answer…

    Both the London Venues Summit and the Destinations & Travel Management Summit are unique events which can match you – as a hotelier – with the people you need to be reaching for a series of pre-arranged one-on-one meetings, numerous networking and peer-to-peer engagement opportunities interspersed with a programme of informative and inspirational seminars.

    Don’t have the time to spend at trade shows and exhibitions? The London Venues Summit takes place over one day (3 July 2017) at the Hilton London Canary Wharf and is an excellent platform for collaboration between those working in the meetings and events sector and those providing solutions and services to them. Find out more…

    Meanwhile, the Venues and Destinations Summit is held across two days (20-21 November 2017) at the Radisson Blu Stansted, and is ideal for travel bookers to meet with innovative and competitive hoteliers; and includes a gala dinner with evening entertainment, plus other networking opportunities. Find out more…

    If you would like to know more about these events and how they can help you, please contact Jennie Lane (D&TM Summit) on j.lane@forumevents.co.uk / 01992 374098 or Sam Walker (LVS) on s.walker@forumevents.co.uk / 01992 374054 for more information….

    Nobu Ibiza Bay

    Nobu Ibiza Bay opening this summer

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    The Balearic Island’s most exciting new luxury five-star resort, Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, a member of the globally recognised Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), is set to open on 30th June 2017.

    Located on the shores of Talamanca Bay, the sophisticated yet fun loving beach retreat will be like nowhere else in Ibiza.

    Ibiza Bay is designed to be the ultimate playground for grown-ups. The Ibizan style rooms and suites, two private seafront pools, restaurants, spa, boutique, adult and family experiences have been carefully curated to provide guests with the finest, authentic island escape, without ever having to leave the resort.

    Offering four restaurants and a pool bar, Ibiza Bay is a food lover’s paradise. There are no fixed agendas; breakfast is served at guests’ leisure and spontaneous lunches blend into vivacious nights.

    Nobu Ibiza Bay

    From the sexy, immersive and fun culinary options to the 152 rooms and suites, every detail at Ibiza Bay has been designed with the guests’ comfort in mind. Inspired by the colours of the island, rooms are decorated with soft furnishings, natural wood, and artisan ceramics, using a colour palette of whites, golds and blues. Tasteful details like mother-of-pearl inlay and hand-blown pendant lights lend a lavish yet comfortable feel to the rooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows and open terraces mean guests will wake to the scent of wild jasmine and fall asleep to the sound of the crashing waves, whilst luxurious Natura Bisse amenities offer pre-and post-beach pampering.

    The expansive Presidential and Royal Suites boast grand terraces overlooking the Mediterranean, an outdoor Jacuzzi, sprawling living room and private bar. Accommodation options vary from Cool and Deluxe rooms to Junior and Grand Suites.

    nobuhotelibizabay.com

    Versital at Chaophraya

    Versital specified in Chaophraya transformation

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    Hotel Designs client Versital is delighted to have been specified in Chaophraya, a contemporary Thai restaurant in Newcastle.

    The restaurant has recently undergone a £1.55 million transformation that offers an impressive blend of contemporary Thai cuisine in unique surroundings. Versital supplied a stunning 3m feature worktop and panels for the bar to meet the brief of ‘classic elegance’.

    Chaophraya Business Manager, Simon Wright says: “While it is indeed delicious, Thai food can be messy and therefore prone to staining. We needed a practical solution for our new restaurant that would project an opulent and authentic look, while still being fit for purpose and keep looking as good as new for a long time. Versital’s bespoke faux marble means we now have the best of both worlds for our restaurant – a beautiful, premium marble bar and ‘pass’, without the drawbacks of the naturally porous material.”

    Versital at Chaophraya

    Photography: Daniel Parker

    Versital’s 100% non-porous stone resin panels, bar tops and table tops are made to measure allowing you to specify the exact shape and size required. They are available in over 90 colours and finishes such as marble, granite, sparkle and high gloss. “There are so many benefits of opting for cultured marble within the hospitality environment,” says Gemma Stockberger, Head or Marketing and Sales for Versital UK

    “Not only is it stain proof, non-porous and easy to clean, it can also designed to a completely bespoke dimensions, shapes and sizes. Faux marble has been known to last for more than 30 years in the restaurant environment. We are delighted with the final result for Chaophraya.”

    “Versital provided a brilliant service throughout the project,” says Dan Lewis, Project Manager at Medlock and installation manager for this project. “From inception, design, procurement, right through to the construction phase; they supported the project team in ensuring delivery of a brilliant product from across various bespoke joinery items such as the bar/ kitchen pass & waiters stations.”

    Design Hotels - Sir Adam, Amsterdam

    Design Hotels presents six new members across four continents

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    On a continued quest to discover the unique and inspired, Design Hotels has scoured the globe and selected six new member properties, spanning four continents.

    Complementing a curated portfolio of over 290 member hotels, the new additions epitomise the ethos and values that Design Hotels holds dear — from effortless living paired with mindful design to the regeneration of treasured buildings.

    Starting in Design Hotels’ home city of Berlin, Provocateur — a collaboration between three Design Hotels Originals, Micky Rosen and Alex Urseanu from Roomers and Liran wizman from SIR hotels—draws inspiration from 1920s Paris and its buzzing Charlottenburg neighborhood. The latest addition to the SIR hotels stable, Sir Adam, is a cultural, artistic, and culinary gathering place in the new heart of Amsterdam.

    With a spectacular waterfront setting, the Altis Belém Hotel & Spa acts as a gateway to old and new Lisbon. Across the pond, Chicago’s iconic Coyote Building plays host to The Robey, which has already established itself as a hip neighborhood spot for locals and guests alike. A heritage building also forms the foundations of Singapore’s The Warehouse Hotel, housed in a turn-of-the-century godown on the banks of Robertson Quay. In the South Korean capital, GLAD Live Gangnam’s 210 rooms and suites are design-conscious hubs for the stylish at heart.

    Provocateur
    Set in Berlin’s pulsing Charlottenburg district, Provocateur seduces guests with fusion cuisine, 58 lavish rooms, and an award-winning bar concept. The interiors mix 1920s Paris with the urban Berlin of today—think twinkling chandeliers, low lighting, contemporary artworks, and velvet curtains—while the building is a perfect picture of the neighbourhood’s archetypal modern-style Art Nouveau architecture.

    Design Hotels - Provocateur, Berlin

    Sir Adam
    ICRAVE, the renowned New York-based design studio, is responsible for Sir Adam’s 108 guestrooms and The Butcher Social Club, a full-service “living lobby” open 24/7. Inspired by the its achingly cool neighbors, including Sony and Gibson, music plays a huge role in Sir Adam’s aesthetic and cultural concept, from the curated music library to the Crosley Cruiser record players in each room.

    Design Hotels - Sir Adam, Amsterdam

    Altis Belém Hotel & Spa
    Given its striking architecture and enviable waterfront location, wedged between the dramatic Monument to the Discoveries and the fairytale-esque Torre de Belém, it comes as no surprise that Altis Belém Hotel & Spa has swept up a multitude of awards already. Facing either the Tagus River or the marina, the cool simplicity of the hotel’s 50 rooms and suites is lifted by custom-created wall panels depicting scenes inspired by Portugal’s former colonial outposts.

    Design Hotels - Altis Belem Spa and Resort

    The Robey
    Set in the Coyote Building, which was originally designed by the iconic Chicagoan firm Perkins, Chatten & Hammond, each of the hotel’s 69 light-filled rooms, lobby, and roof spaces have been transformed by Belgian design duo Nicolas Schuybroek Architects and Marc Merckx Interiors. The Art Deco façade of The Robey is bookmarked by the ground-floor Café Robey.

    The Robey, Chicago

    The Warehouse Hotel
    Encompassing a meticulously renovated turn-of-the-century godown, on the banks of Robertson Quay, the inspiration for the hotel’s design language came from the building itself. The unique structure from the late 19th century once stood in the midst of a hotbed of secret societies, underground activities, and liquor distilleries. The restored heritage building is a proud illustration of old and new thanks to the award-winning local agency Asylum. Original details like the triple-pitched roof and raw brick stand alongside a custom-made light in the lobby made of wheels and pulleys, and tailor-made, single-unit copper wall pieces that unify the rooms by integrating everything from desk to wardrobe.

    Design Hotels - The Warehouse Hotel, Singapore

    GLAD Live
    Offering a “curated lifestyle” that is in full harmony with Seoul’s chic nightlife offerings, the 210 rooms and suites are design-conscious hubs for the stylish at heart. Culture and entertainment are at the core of the GLAD Live Gangnam experience, with the hotel’s afterhours club, DStar, and its lush EDM music and 3D projection mapping, intensifying one’s escape into music and the moment.

    Design Hotels - GLAD Live
    designhotels.com

    EMEA - Hilton's solid numbers in the region

    Hilton surpasses 100,000 open hotel rooms in EMEA

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    At this year’s International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin, Hilton has announced that it has passed the milestone of 100,000 rooms trading across its Europe, Middle East & Africa portfolio.

    The news comes in a period of unprecedented global growth for the company. In EMEA specifically, this has seen net unit growth of more than 20,000 rooms in the past three years, a trend which is set to continue with close to 40,000 rooms currently under construction and expected to open by the end of 2020.

    Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Hilton said: “Reaching 100,000 trading rooms is a significant milestone for us as a company, particularly given the quality and breadth of Hilton’s portfolio in the region. Our development journey in EMEA continues to set the pace for the industry – with over 60% of our pipeline rooms already under construction.”

    Brand Highlights:
    – A burgeoning pipeline is set to double the number of Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn hotels over the next three years
    – This year has also seen Hilton’s upscale DoubleTree by Hilton brand open its 100th property in the region, (DoubleTree by Hilton Madrid Prado)
    – The city of Reykjavik, Iceland became home to the world’s first Canopy by Hilton in 2016
    – Curio – a Collection by Hilton has already accumulated 16 trading and pipeline properties in EMEA.

    Fitzgibbon added: “In the last decade we have introduced five new brands to the market which have allowed us to kick-start growth in a variety of segments, with our mid-market and economy brands now trading or under development in more than 200 locations. We have also successfully launched our collection brand, Curio, as well as continuing to build our core Hilton brand and luxury offering. Owners of our hotels were rewarded with the highest occupancy rates recorded in our history across the globe last year, 2017 is set to be another milestone year for Hilton in EMEA.”

    Hilton’s EMEA growth in numbers:
    – 5,477 new rooms opened in 2016 helped reach the 100,000 landmark
    – 23,384 rooms added in the past three years alone
    – 11,000+ rooms expected to open in 2017 and 40,000+ by the end of 2020
    – 64,000+ total rooms in Hilton’s EMEA pipeline
    – Approximately 50% of Hilton’s pipeline located in Middle East & Africa

    hiltonworldwide.com

    Dusit Nanjing

    Dusit bringing Thai-inspired hospitality to Nanjing

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    Dusit International is pleased to announce that Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts has signed a management consultancy agreement with Nanjing Shangqinhuai Construction Development Company Limited to manage The Dusit Thani Wetland Park Resort Nanjing, Jiangsu, a luxury international resort in the capital of Jiangsu Province.

    Anticipated to open late 2017, the resort is located within Nanjing Shangqinhuai Eco Wetland Park, approximately 30 minutes by car from the commercial centre, and 20 minutes by car from the high-speed train station and Nanjing International Airport. Nanjing city is located one hour from Shanghai by high-speed train.

    Alongside 110 villas and rooms, the Dusit Thani Wetland Park Resort Nanjing, Jiangsu, will feature a 300sqm meeting room with the latest audio-visual facilities, suitable for private events and business meetings. A Thai-inspired spa will provide a full range of wellness programs, while dining options will include an all-day dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant and a rooftop garden restaurant. For recreation, there will be a gymnasium, swimming pool and kids’ club.

    “We are delighted to introduce the Dusit Thani brand and our distinctive, Thai-inspired hospitality to this historic and vibrant city,” said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer of Dusit International. “Dusit Thani Wetland Park Resort Nanjing, Jiangsu, signifies an important milestone in Dusit’s long-term expansion plans, positioning us perfectly for further expansion within China and the region. We very much look forward to opening the doors and welcoming guests later this year.”

    citizenM - Kuala Lumpur

    citizenM Hotel to open in Kuala Lumpur in 2018

     871 512 Daniel Fountain
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    Affordable luxury for the traveller of today and tomorrow – Artyzen Hospitality Group (AHG), together with Pinnacle Supreme, a member of Cornerstone Partners Group, are delighted to announce the signing of citizenM hotel in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

    It was confirmed this week that Kuala Lumpur will be the location of Asia’s third citizenM hotel, as part of Artyzen Hospitality Group’s plans to transform the hospitality experience for modern travellers. Scheduled for completion in Q2 2018, the citizenM Kuala Lumpur opening will follow the inaugural citizenM in Asia, opening in Taipei Northgate in Q2 this year, and citizenM Shanghai Hongqiao, set to open in Q1 2018.

    Robbert van der Maas, President of Artyzen Hospitality Group, adds, “We are continuously growing our presence in Southeast Asia with a key focus on cosmopolitan, gateway cities such as Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. We look forward to the opening of citizenM Kuala Lumpur.”

    ——
    REVIEW: citizenM Tower Bridge, London
    ——

    citizenM offers a revolutionary hotel experience for travellers in Asia who value personal choice, contemporary design, friendly technology and close proximity to a city – all for great value. The new 198-key citizenM Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur’s shopping and entertainment epicentre, is in a prime location close to key transportation hubs, local attractions and nightlife.

    citizenM hallmarks include a living room lobby concept with ultra-modern designer furniture, contemporary art collections and innovative technology that allows guests to customise their room experience including the lighting, temperature and movies on the television. There will also be a 24/7 canteenM for hungry guests looking for quality local food at any time of the day.

    Since citizenM was founded in the Netherlands in 2008, it has been a strong disruptive force breaking the rules of traditional hospitality through its offering of affordable luxury. The citizenM hotels in Asia join the existing hotels in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, London, Glasgow, Paris and New York.

    www.citizenm.com

    Moxy Excel

    Moxy Hotels opens second property in UK

     767 428 Daniel Fountain
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    Moxy Hotels, Marriott International’s experiential hotel brand, continues to make its mark on the hospitality scene with the launch of its first hotel in London, a city world-renowned for art, culture and nightlife.

    Characterised by a vibrant, playful design and approachable service, Moxy London Excel offers the style and spirit of a boutique hotel at a surprisingly affordable price. Moxy London Excel joins an exciting portfolio of eight global destinations including Munich, Milan, Berlin and New Orleans.

    “Moxy Hotels is on a mission to reinvent traditional hospitality with lively communal spaces and an energetic crew that helps Fun Hunting guests enjoy themselves whether at work or play,” said Vicki Poulos, global brand director, Moxy Hotels. “We are excited to debut Moxy Hotels in London – a fun, social and modern city that embodies the essence of Moxy.”

    Located near the ExCeL London convention centre and London City Airport, the 164-room hotel will be a gateway to the city’s East End and a 24/7 spot for all things fun and impromptu. The Moxy experience is ‘no place like home,’ it’s better; with playful communal spaces, a buzzing bar and thoughtfully crafted offerings designed for travelers and locals who want to hang-out with their friends and meet new ones, without breaking the bank.

    Welcome #ATTHEMOXY
    Moxy’s fun, inclusive and youthful spirit is reflected in the combination of bold design and affordable style where communal engagement is at the centre of the experience. The interiors fuse refined and raw materials, organic and linear lines, and shared spaces. The Moxy experience kicks-off with a bright, airy and buzzing lobby. The contemporary lobby’s modern furniture invites guests to relax, pick up a book from the Moxy library, connect and catch up with friends or retreat to the gym to re-energise by punching the pink Moxy punching bag. Guests of Moxy London Excel are encouraged to take a selfie in the photo booth inspired hotel elevators, complete with props.

    Living Room #ATTHEMOXY
    Moxy London Excel’s Living Room is the centre of activity, giving guests fun ways to work and play hard. Sealed concrete floors, walls lined with intriguing art and fun references to local culture including artistic beer jugs displayed on the walls are complemented by ambient lighting and comfortable accents of colour. The Living Room also features abundant power and USB outlets, and furiously fast and free Wi-Fi for ultimate connectivity. A high-energy yet cosy space for gatherings, special events or cocktails, the lounge plays host to eclectic upbeat music.

    Stay #ATTHEMOXY
    The hotel’s 164 contemporary guest rooms, ranging from Standard to Family size, are outfitted with sound-reducing walls, 42″ LCD flat screen televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi, abundant USB ports, comfortable bedding and deep-seated armchairs in calming, neutral fabrics. Every bedroom makes a statement with a fun floor to ceiling art piece. The design is functional, flexible and uncluttered with simple, thoughtful touches including glass shelving and an open storage concept featuring a peg wall for ultimate flexibility when unpacking, in lieu of a traditional closet. Stylish bathrooms feature complimentary Muk toiletries, bright pink hair dryers, power showers and large mirrors alongside a spacious vanity area.

    Meetings #ATTHEMOXY
    Moxy London Excel has one flexible meeting room flooded with natural daylight.

    moxy-hotels.marriott.com

    Tamburlaine - Cambridge

    Opening: Tamburlaine, Cambridge

     1000 544 Daniel Fountain
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    The most exciting hotel opening to come to Cambridge in years, Tamburlaine will open on 20 March 2017 in the vibrant, new city quarter close to the railway station as well as the city centre.

    Named after a play by Corpus Christi College fellow, Christopher Marlowe, the 155-room hotel will be the first UK opening from Dublin-based O’Callaghan Hotel Group.

    Tamburlaine’s welcoming entrance has a dramatic double-height lobby with feature staircase and overlooking library above. The ground floor flows between four different food and drink areas each with its own particular offering and all tied together with a sense of quality, provenance of local ingredients, attention to detail, and distinct design…

    – The Brasserie serves an accessible menu of locally sourced, seasonal dishes in an informal environment with pendant lighting, relaxed leather banquettes, open kitchen and floor to ceiling windows, while the horseshoe-shaped Cocktail Bar flanks this space.

    – The Garden Room, filled with lush foliage and decorated in a Colonial style, serves afternoon tea, Champagne and cocktails, a luxurious yet welcoming space to enjoy an afternoon.

    – In contrast, the hotel’s deli, Steam, has a more modern feel with vibrantly tiled floors and neon lighting. Tamburlaine also boasts five conference rooms next to the Library, which itself can be hired for drinks receptions and events.

    All communal areas in the hotel have been beautifully designed to have their own identity by Bryan O’Sullivan Studio; based in Shoreditch, O’Sullivan has worked at a wealth of leading companies including, Selldorf Architects in New York, David Collins Studio and Martin Brudnizski in London and Laplace&Co in Paris, before setting up his own studio in 2013.

    Tamburlaine’s General Manager, Zac Pearse, has previously managed a number of leading London hotels, most recently Malmaison’s flagship property in Charterhouse Square. Zac has worked his way through catering and hotel management carving out for himself an extremely impressive career.

    “We are very excited to be opening this significant and stunning hotel in Cambridge. We’re looking forward to welcoming the residents of Cambridge as well as the city’s many visitors. We want locals to see Tamburlaine as their hotel; a place where they can come for a special dinner with family, cocktails or afternoon tea with friends, or grab a coffee and sandwich from our deli on their way to the station. Tamburlaine is a vibrant place for everyone to enjoy!” Zac Pearse, General Manager.

    Tamburlaine opens in the heart of Cambridge on 20 March 2017.

    thetamburlaine.co.uk

    GROHE - AquaSymphony

    Product Spotlight: GROHE AquaSymphony

     989 627 Daniel Fountain
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    The perfect synergy of its four brand values – Quality, Technology, Design and Sustainability – continues to drive the success of GROHE. These four values are deeply rooted in the company’s German history. Even today, as a global company, GROHE continues to rely on its German operations’ experience, capacity to innovate and workmanship.

    The group’s entire product development resources are based in Germany, where the R&D centre in Hemer remains the driving force.

    AquaSymphony is one of the latest products to proudly bear the “Made in Germany” badge as an embodiment of GROHE’s commitment to quality. This luxury shower delivers a holistic water experience for all the senses while at the same time raising the bar for modern bathroom design. Developed in Germany and incorporating numerous innovative technologies, AquaSymphony uses water, light, sound and steam to create a personalised, luxurious spa. This unique shower system was designed at the GROHE Design Studio in Düsseldorf and all units are hand-assembled at the GROHE factory in Lahr, Germany.

    AquaSymphony by GROHE

    Certified quality, guaranteed reliability
    GROHE’s “Made in Germany” badge is a synonym for longevity and reliability, as well as excellent engineering and bold innovation. It is underpinned by an uncompromising commitment to outstanding workmanship and impeccable functionality. The group’s German operations continue to set the standards of quality for all GROHE manufacturing sites worldwide. All factories are health and safety certified to OHSAS 18001; their quality management and environmental management systems are certified to ISO 9001 and ISA 1400, respectively. In addition, GROHE has successfully established an energy management system to ISO 50001. The group’s quality assurance efforts are underpinned by the highly stringent trials and tests conducted at the GROHE Lifetest Lab in Lahr. This is where experienced employees test the products for compliance with various national and regional requirements as well as attainment of the company’s own internal standards of quality and longevity. Importantly, GROHE products not only meet all international norms, standards and regulations but exceed them in many cases.

    Technologies which add value to our lives and help preserve natural resources
    GROHE is acknowledged as a technology leader around the world and its German sites remain the driving force behind its innovation efforts. To ensure things stay that way, GROHE continues to invest in its German locations. Its R&D labs have produced innovative technologies such as GROHE EcoJoy for reduced water consumption and SilkMove ES, which avoids energy wastage by only releasing cold water when the tap is opened with the lever in its default centre position.

    GROHE design: unique and distinctive
    The multiple award winning designs for all products come courtesy of the in-house GROHE Design Studio based at the GROHE head office in Düsseldorf. Here, products are created which can be used intuitively and last for many years. GROHE products have consistently been among the winners of international design competitions such as the red dot product design award, the iF Design Award and the Good Design Award. GROHE has accumulated some 270 internationally renowned design awards since 2003 and the GROHE Design Team was named red dot: design team of the year 2011/2012.

    Recently, GROHE received the German Design Council’s Best of Iconic Award: Interior Innovation for its multiple award winning GROHE Blue Home drinking water system.

    GROHEAquasymphony2

    Accolade for sustainability commitment
    GROHE is passionate about sustainability and has firmly embedded this commitment in its day-to-day operations. For several decades, management has encouraged employees to develop and make water and energy-efficient products which enable users to exercise responsibility for the environment without compromising on the quality of their own water experience. GROHE has committed itself to becoming the sanitary industry’s most sustainable company by the year 2020, the goal being to raise its energy efficiency by 20 percent while shrinking its carbon footprint by 20 percent at the same time. The measures taken to achieve this include the two new combined heat and power units in Hemer and Lahr as well as the conversion of all lighting installations to LED technology. The company’s holistic 360-degree approach to sustainability embraces its employees, suppliers, factories, processes as well as its corporate citizenship.

    The latter is exemplified by the GROHE Dual Tech programme. Jointly set up by GROHE and Don Bosco Mondo e.V., this programme helps young people from impoverished backgrounds in in emerging countries improve their life chances. Acquiring plumbing skills gives them the prospect of earning a sustainable livelihood or even setting up their own future plumbing businesses. GROHE’s commitment to sustainability is widely acknowledged, as is reflected in several top rankings at the German Sustainability Award since 2014; in 2017 the company achieved the CSR Award of the German Federal Government.

    GROHE’s “Made in Germany” badge embodies the company’s brand values which continue to inspire all activities from development and design to manufacturing and quality assurance. By sending a clear message to all business partners and consumers, it positions the company and its brand even more distinctively in the minds of decision-makers and users.

    www.grohe.co.uk

    Hotel Designs Logo brit listV3-01

    Announcing the Hotel Designs Brit List – nominate now…

     500 192 Daniel Fountain
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    Hotel Designs is delighted to announce the Brit List, a celebration of the country’s most inspirational and influential hoteliers and designers.

    The 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.

    Venue Partner…
    UCLogo_all_stacked_colour

    Hotel Designs wants 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.

    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 3rd.

    Once all nominations have been received, our Advisory Board judging panel – made up of figures from across the hospitality and design sectors – will select the final 50 most inspirational designers and hoteliers.

    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.

    Duravit - Laura Negulescu

    Laura Negulescu is promoted to Projects Director, Duravit UK

     550 353 Daniel Fountain
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    With immediate effect, Laura Negulescu is promoted to Projects Director for Duravit UK.

    Laura has held the position of UK & International Head of Projects Duravit UK Ltd for two years, and has gained extensive knowledge of Duravit, its products and the Project Market. One of her main tasks is the coordination, support and expansion of the project channel during the next five years.

    Martin Carroll, Managing Director of Duravit UK said: “As a valued member of the UK team, Laura has demonstrated drive, tenacity and professionalism in the way she manages our clients and the project channel, and I am delighted she is taking on this role.”

    www.duravit.co.uk // www.pro.duravit.co.uk
    info@uk.duravit.com

    Address Boulevard

    Emaar unveils Address Boulevard in Downtown Dubai

     719 480 Daniel Fountain
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    Address Hotels + Resorts, the premium luxury hotel brand of Emaar Hospitality Group, has unveiled its new city lifestyle resort, Address Boulevard.

    Chris Newman, Chief Operating Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Address Boulevard is another statement of our ambition to set new industry standards. It is uniquely positioned as a city lifestyle resort – which integrates all the romantic charm of a resort with the convenience, amenities and appeal of a city hotel.”

    Address Boulevard has 196 spacious rooms including 116 Deluxe Rooms, 44 Deluxe Club Rooms, 28 One-Bedroom Suites, seven Two-Bedroom Suites and a luxurious Presidential Suite – all offering spectacular views of Burj Khalifa. There are also 532 serviced apartments including duplexes and two penthouses; short-term guests at the residences have guaranteed access to the hotel’s facilities.

    With its inspiring art-deco architecture, design and décor, Address Boulevard is inspired by classic European finesse. Appealing to leisure and business travellers, the hotel is perfect for overseas visitors with easy proximity to retail and leisure attractions including The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination. It is also in close to Dubai Opera, the multi-format performing arts venue. Business guests have the convenience of being located near Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai International Convention Centre.

    Address Boulevard

    A distinguishing feature is the incredible art installations that define the hotel’s interiors by 48 artists. The signature dining space, The Restaurant at Address, simulates the experience of a luxurious European apartment of a well-travelled family in the 1920s, providing classic dishes in sublime surroundings. From a multi-function room that seats 80 to intimate meeting rooms and a state-of-the-art Boardroom, Address Boulevard offers diverse choices that meet the requirements of event planners.

    Through its three hotel brands – Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts and Rove Hotels – Emaar Hospitality Group today operates ten hotels and three serviced residences in Dubai. For more details: addresshotels.com

    The new Bargello Suite - Hotel Brunelleschi

    New Bargello Suite at Brunelleschi Hotel, Florence

     1024 425 Daniel Fountain
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    Florence is a city made to be admired, photographed, portrayed, contemplated in all its aspects. The Hotel Brunelleschi affords panoramic views of incomparable beauty: guest rooms and suites have postcard views onto the main monuments and symbols of the city center, allowing one to live the atmosphere of the Florence of old. Staying there it is possible to enjoy a unique privilege, an experience that alone is worth the trip.

    Since late January the new Bargello Suite was added to the collection of views of the hotel, boasting sophisticated crimson red interior décor and overlooking the old city centre dominated by the iconic Basilica of Santa Croce, related to the origin of the famous “Stendhal syndrome”.

    The new Bargello Suite - Hotel Brunelleschi

    Hotel Brunelleschi is located in the heart of the city. It is truly unique because it includes in its architectural structure two historic buildings and affords different magnificent views from the rooms onto the main monuments: Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Belltower, the thirteenth-century tower by Ghiberti, Palazzo Vecchio. And since a few days also the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Bargello building, hence the name of the latest Suite.

    The new Bargello Suite
    The latest renovated suites at Hotel Brunelleschi is called Bargello from the view out of one of its windows onto the medieval monument that was once the seat of the military chief and later of the mayor. Now the site houses one of the most important museums of Renaissance sculpture in the world. But the most significant is the view onto the façade of the magnificent Basilica of Santa Croce, so iconic as to be the origin of the famous “Stendhal syndrome”.

    The new Bargello Suite - Hotel Brunelleschi

    The renewal of the new Bargello Suite was finished in January 2017: its sumptuous and sophisticated interiors are characterized by crimson red. Each of the suites is different, dominated by a colour palette that differentiates it from the others and sets the tone for the atmosphere.

    The space of 45 square meters has a warm oak flooring. The decoration is in the unique style of this boutique hotel, that combines classic charm with contemporary décor, characterized by exclusive custom-made furnishings. The décor is marked by an extreme lightness with comfortable velvet sofas, beds with upholstered headboards, matching pillows, elegant chairs, while the windows are framed by precious silk curtains. The finishes are made of top quality materials.

    The new Bargello Suite - Hotel Brunelleschi

    The comfort of the room is absolute: the bright, spacious marble bathroom has both a tub and a shower with color therapy; the bed is a king size bed of 76×80 in. At disposal, safe, minibar, LCD TV 42″ with 60 digital and Sky channels, Nespresso machine, tea kettle, audio Ipod docking station, scented bath products by Dr. Vranjes and other optionals.

    brunelleschihotelflorence.com

    Grand Hyatt Baha Mar will offer 1,800 guestrooms, including 227 lavish suites with high-end amenities and breathtaking ocean views

    Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Bahamas set to open in April

     737 415 Daniel Fountain
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    Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with CTF BM Operations for the operation of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, the Baha Mar Convention Centre and a variety of restaurants, bars and lounges, all of which will be part of the mixed-use Baha Mar Resort on New Providence Island in the Bahamas.

    Grand Hyatt Baha Mar will offer 1,800 guestrooms, including 227 lavish suites with high-end amenities and breathtaking ocean views

    The Baha Mar Resort will open in phases, with initial operations at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar expected to begin in late April 2017.

    Grand Hyatt Baha Mar will offer 1,800 guestrooms, including 227 lavish suites with high-end amenities and breathtaking ocean views

    Grand Hyatt Baha Mar will offer 1,800 guestrooms, including 227 lavish suites with high-end amenities and breathtaking ocean views. The hotel will feature three on-site restaurants, including a 200-seat main restaurant, a pool bar and grill and a jazz-themed lounge. Additionally, the Baha Mar Convention Centre will feature more than 85,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space.

    Grand Hyatt Baha Mar will offer 1,800 guestrooms, including 227 lavish suites with high-end amenities and breathtaking ocean views

    “We are delighted to welcome Hyatt to Baha Mar when Grand Hyatt Baha Mar debuts,” said Graeme Davis, president, Baha Mar and CTF’s Bahamas subsidiary. “Known for world class offerings, accommodations and residences, the Grand Hyatt hotel will contribute to the Baha Mar guest experience and will join us in our commitment to offering an elevated standard in luxury beach and casino resort destinations.”

    bahamar.grand.hyatt.com/en/

    The Pilgrm, a new venture from long-time collaborators Jason Catifeoglou, Andreas Thrasyvoulou and Steph Thrasyvoulou, is slated to open in Paddington"s Norfolk Square in November.

    The Pilgrm – a new hotel opens this summer in Paddington

     999 572 Daniel Fountain
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    The Pilgrm is a 73-bedroom hotel that will open in Paddington’s Norfolk Square this summer. A pioneering hotel concept from long time collaborators Jason Catifeoglou (myhotels group, IHG, The Zetter, Grain Store & The Zetter Townhouses), Andreas Thrasyvoulou (myhotels group) and Steph Thrasyvoulou (pictured above).

    The Pilgrm is a considered reinterpretation of the traditional hotel. The brand takes its name from the manifestation of the roads travelled by its founders, future guests and its design aesthetic. Much of The Pilgrm’s purpose seeks to address the shift in needs of the modern-day traveller, removing any perceived barriers between guest and hotel. The hotel will make booking and arriving a seamless experience where guests will check in online prior to arrival, thus removing the need for a reception desk and the need for a traditional hotel lobby.

    Pilgrm Hotel

    The design philosophy behind the new brand is steeped in the celebration of craftsmanship, provenance and community. This is evident throughout the building, with each feature piece, whole or part, having its own story. The bedrooms will feature reclaimed and restored furnishings from 200-year-old mahogany parquet floors to original cast iron radiators, offset by a striking signature Tom Dixon ‘cloud carpet’. In addition the bedrooms include organic mattresses handmade in Devon, 100% Egyptian cotton sheets as well as Marshall speakers. Bathed in natural daylight, each of the bedrooms are pared back, having removed items that over the years have become unnecessary to the traveller, enabling the experience to be more streamlined.

    The Pilgrm will feature a ground floor neighbourhood café that will also serve as the welcome area for guests. Noticeably the entrance will have a distinctly local coffee house feel and no reception desk. Further to this there will be a lounge bar and dining room on the first floor accommodating up to 30 covers. A striking room, guests will notice the uninterrupted reclaimed chevron wooden flooring, balanced against beautiful vintage cornicing and moulds.

    The multi-million pound refurbishment is being carried out by a dedicated architectural and design team who are deeply passionate about preserving and restoring as many of the building’s original inner and outer Victorian features as possible, bringing them back to life through both creative and artisanal measures.
    The hotel will be pitched at an accessible starting price of just £99 per room per night and will tap into the next generation of traveller looking for a richer experience, unrivalled value and modern luxury. Situated very close to Paddington Station, the hotel is located next to Norfolk Square on London Street.

    Residing in the more bohemian and historic side of the area, The Pilgrm will have The Frontline Club, a hub for creatives, and Monocle’s own Kioskafe just around the corner, as neighbours. The hotel will also be ideally positioned to benefit from Crossrail arriving in 2018 and further urban development taking place in and around the Paddington Basin

    Jason Catifeoglou, CEO and founder, said: “The Pilgrm represents the journey of a collective of individuals I’ve enjoyed knowing over the years. Together we present a new luxury to today’s traveller, often from unexpected places. We will combine the finest guest experience of today, with the finest British craftsmanship of yesterday.”

    http://thepilgrm.com/

    Grotta Giusti

    Grotta Giusti, Tuscany, reveals plans for a stylish refurbishment

     1000 562 Daniel Fountain
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    The prestigious spa hotel, Grotta Giusti, Tuscany, part of hotel brand Italian Hospitality Collection, is delighted to announce a number of luxurious new upgrades for spring 2017. All 64 rooms, the bar, and restaurant will receive a lavish makeover and several exciting new additions will be made, including six dog-friendly rooms and a wine-tasting area.

    The refurbishments in the 19th century property, will be unveiled when the hotel reopens on 9th March 2017. Home to the largest thermal caves in Europe, these improvements will serve to cement Grotta Giusti’s position as one of the most unique and exclusive spa hotels in the region.

    In addition to a design makeover, the hotel’s 64 bedrooms will be equipped with high-tech touches, such as LED ceiling lights, improved Wi-Fi and more plug sockets for guest convenience, whilst staying true to the classical style the hotel is renowned for. Ten new, interconnecting rooms will appeal to larger families. Dog lovers will be delighted by the addition of six canine-friendly rooms, with special flooring creating a scratch resistant surface for man’s best friend to play on and the hotel’s sprawling 45-hectare grounds providing plenty of space to explore.

    Grotta Giusti

    Guests will be able to unwind at the end of the day over an indulgent wine-tasting session at the new area by the restaurant, sampling the very best local wines accompanied by mouth-watering canapés.

    The interior design overhaul will breathe new life into Grotta Giusti’s guest rooms, bar and restaurant, creating light and airy spaces which reflect the tranquillity of the surrounding Tuscan countryside.

    With a decadent history as the former home of famed poet Giuseppe Giusti, Grotta Giusti is now a prestigious hotel that has maintained its historical air and natural charm with a backdrop of antique furnishings and paintings. It offers 64 lavish rooms with marble bathrooms, a large outdoor thermal swimming pool, a large summer pool in the garden and a private underground thermal cave and lake, where guests can scuba dive or indulge in a spot of floating therapy.

    grottagiustispa.com/en/

    Geberit Acanto Badezimmer - Bathroom Collection

    Product Spotlight: Introducing the Geberit Bathroom Collection

     1000 570 Daniel Fountain
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    The market-leading sanitary brand which brought you Geberit AquaClean, Geberit Duofix and Geberit Mapress is proud to announce the launch of the Geberit Bathroom Collection. With 150 years of behind and in front of the wall experience, Geberit expands its know-how into an exciting collection of ceramics, furniture and mirrors; ideal for residential projects and hotels.

    Swiss innovation combines with the vision of Europe’s leading product designers to deliver a five-series collection, where elegant design meets outstanding function – placing comfort, usability and new cleanliness technologies at the heart of the modern bathroom as never before.

    The Geberit Bathroom Collection offers exciting design solutions for any space, with a wide range of standard and short projection washbasins and toilets, bidets, mirrored cabinets and cleverly designed furniture with generous storage. Function pervades throughout with innovations including Geberit Rimfree® toilets, Geberit AquaClean shower toilets, the Geberit DuoFresh odour extraction unit and advanced KeraTect® ceramic glazes.

    Geberit Acanto WT weiss lowres

    Design meets function is the ethos behind the whole Geberit Bathroom Collection which includes the sophisticated Geberit Acanto series where the development of bathroom ergonomics is taken to an all new level. The result is the development of furniture and cabinets at the perfect reach height for various family members and compartments of the right size and shape to store daily used products within an optimum reach zone.

    2017 Bathroom Collection - Geberit

    Furniture in the Acanto series can be combined in any number of ways to create a truly individual solution and is offered in a trend-setting mixture of materials and surfaces including glass, metal, painted and wood finishes. The range also comprises a wide range of washbasins, Rimfree® toilets and bathtubs.

    Further ranges include Citterio which offers timeless elegance with geometric lines and gentle organic curves; Xeno2 – a pure and minimalistic design concept with distinctive products; iCon – a timeless, clear design offering graphical clarity and extraordinary options; and Smyle an attractive combination of harmonious design and functionality. A complementary offering of illuminated mirrors and mirrored cabinets is also available with Geberit Option.

    “With the launching of the Geberit Bathroom Collection it is now possible to offer architects, designers and specifiers a comprehensive range of products both in front of and behind the wall that meet the brand‘s exacting quality standards,” comments Geberit UK Managing Director, Mark Larden. “All the sanitary solutions for creating a dream bathroom can now be obtained from a single, inspirational source.“

    For more information call Geberit on 01926 516800 or visit www.geberit.co.uk

    sales.gb@geberit.com

    Gallery 1957 at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast

    Kempinski Gold Coast Accra at the heart of Ghana independence celebrations

     1000 679 Daniel Fountain
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    Ghana will celebrate 60 years of Independence on 6th March 2017, marking the end of colonial rule and the beginning of independence. With this key anniversary, the spotlight is on Ghana and in particular the capital Accra, which has recently been experiencing a new cultural revival with ground breaking development in construction, cultural and tourism perspective.

    Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra is at the heart of Ghana’s thriving cultural scene and is home to the contemporary Gallery 1957. The gallery which will be showcasing Ghanaian-Togolese multidisciplinary performer Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi (also known as crazinisT artisT) and his ‘Rituals of Becoming’ exhibition over this historic anniversary.

    Gallery 1957
    Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi (also known as crazinisT artisT) who will be producing a site-specific installation at Gallery 1957 which runs until March 12th 2017, created in collaboration with the Amsterdam based international curator Maria Rus Bojan. The exhibition will be using the body as a material and thought-provoking-tool to confront political and social issues. The work will be launched with a performance; extending the gallery’s mission to promote contemporary art in Ghana. Consisting of a theatrical installation that displays multichannel video projections, a readymade sculpture and a performance from the artist, the exhibition explores the assumed distinctions between gender identity, class, political injustice, violence and the objectification of humans.

    Destination Accra
    Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra, is surrounded by an emerging cultural scene including Accra’s first wine/champagne bar and private members’ nightclubs in close proximity, and a contemporary art gallery housed within the hotel. Accra has also seen Nick House of London Mahiki fame open the hotly anticipated Carbon nightclub earlier this year, in addition to the construction of Accra’s first green building. Up and coming local Ghanaian designers also are hitting an international audience such as Christie Brown. There are several exciting openings coming later in 2017 including one of the largest spas in West Africa within the Kempinski and Accra’s first luxury mall The Galleria which will be situated next door to the hotel.

    Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra

    The Galleria Mall
    The Galleria Mall, set to open later in 2017 will offer 6,000 sq.m of high-end retail and commercial office space with substantial underground parking. On offer will be a carefully selected tenant mix of both local favourites and premium international brands such as Hugo Boss, Versace and Roche Bobois opening flagship stores for the first time in Ghana.

    The Galleria will also house a unique food hall that will combine a traditional market feel with the latest modern interventions. Retail food outlets, dining areas, coffee bars and an outside terrace all combine to create an exciting offering.

    gallery1957.com

    kempinski.com/en/accra/hotel-gold-coast-city/

    Mila - Skopos

    Product Spotlight: Mila – new decorative chenille collection by Skopos

     744 526 Daniel Fountain
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    Inspired by patterns within Mediterranean tiling, Mila is a striking decorative flame retardant fabric collection offered for use across contract drapery, bedding and upholstery.

    This elegant FR chenille collection has been designed by Skopos to bring drama and excitement into hospitality and leisure interiors for 2017. The 6 designs within Mila offer a contrast of contemporary geometrics, stripes and organic outlines. Design names re-inforce a Spanish link and a flamboyant celebration.

    Mila - Skopos

    Mila will be available as standard for drapery and bedding and will also be suitable for upholstery with a Crib 5 back coat, meeting standards for severe contract.

    Mila - Skopos

    With 30 new skus, the colours within the Mila collection range from carnival Mediterranean brights through to fresh greens and blues and calm neutrals. The collection meets all the requirements for British Standards, including IMO drape and is available with no minimums and short lead-times.

    Mila - Skopos

    The collection launched in February with samples available via the Skopos website, or by calling their sales desk: 01924 436 666.

    Skopos is an ISO9001 accredited company and has over 40 year’s specialist experience in the design and manufacture of high performance FR contract fabrics for the care, hospitality, cruise and leisure sectors.

    www.skoposfabrics.com

    Ritz-Carlton, Abama will re-open its much-loved ‘Verona’ next month, unveiling extensive expansion and a significant renovation of the classic Italian hotspot

    Ritz-Carlton, Abama celebrates re-opening of Verona restaurant

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    The Ritz-Carlton, Abama will re-open its much-loved ‘Verona’ next month, unveiling extensive expansion and a significant renovation of the classic Italian hotspot.

    The re-launch will see Verona welcome its guests to increased dining space and a chic new-look. Marking the leading European destination’s continued commitment to excellence, the new venue forms part of the resort’s gastronomic stable of ten restaurants.

    Ritz-Carlton, Abama celebrates re-opening of Verona restaurant

    Situated in the heart of The Ritz-Carlton, Abama’s Citadel building and behind its renowned Moorish façade, an open and airy new dining space encourages a vibrant experience true to Italian spirit. White-washed brick walls surround, with accents of wood and graphic wood collaging. Verona’s towering wine cabinets will house its generous collection of Italian wines, complemented by an international list and local island favourites. Each table will be dressed sharply with white table linens juxtaposed with bespoke-design crockery. A large terrace area will also enable diners to enjoy the year-round temperate climate against a backdrop of lush tropical plants and terracotta vistas.

    Open every day from 6pm for dinner reservations, Verona will add to guests’ exceptional choice of restaurants, joining The Ritz-Carlton, Abama’s two Michelin-starred, M.B. and Kabuki venues, and its latest openings, Txoko from Martin Berasategui, and the 20/20 steakhouse launched in December 2016.

    GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

    Guest Blog: GROHE provides five solutions for future-proofing the bathroom

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    Many people planning a bathroom today want to take their future needs and requirements into account without compromising on contemporary, stylish design.

    Driven by demographic change, demand for “multi-generational bathrooms” continues to increase. According to a government report “Future of an Ageing Population”, the UK population is ageing and nearly one in seven people is projected to be aged over 75 by 2040*. GROHE experts have long acknowledged these trends and have developed five attractive solutions to meet the growing need. These can be found in the brand’s newly released SMART COMFORT – Plan for Tomorrow Today brochure.

    “Our ‘SMART COMFORT’ concept embraces a number of different approaches to helping older and physically impaired people live independently in their own homes for as long as possible”, says Andrea Bußmann, Regional Vice President Europe at Grohe AG. “An important contribution to this objective is delivered by specifically designed and engineered products combining elevated levels of comfort, ergonomics, user safety and longevity. A sensible room layout and a forward-looking choice of decor are equally instrumental in maximising the user-friendliness of what remains the most private room of any home.”

    GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

    One solution for all members of the household: the SMART COMFORT Plus Bathroom
    The SMART COMFORT Plus Bathroom was devised by GROHE experts specifically for households where there is only a single member with restricted mobility. Additional areas and fittings are provided to cater for these special needs. These include a wheelchair accessible basin as well as grab bars in the toilet area. Users with unrestricted mobility are provided with dual wash basins and a bathtub, complemented by taps from the GROHE Allure F-digital series offering elegant design and intuitive operation from any area within the bathroom. For added user safety, a GROHE Allure thermostat keeps the shower water temperature constant at the chosen level, reliably protecting against scalding. A GROHE Sensia® IGS shower toilet maximises comfort for all users thanks to its gentle cleansing action, using nothing but water and warm air.

    GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

    Accommodating evolving needs: The SMART COMFORT Design Bathroom
    The SMART COMFORT Design Bathroom demonstrates how a remodelling project can be easily and discreetly designed to meet future needs. The room layout should avoid narrow access ways, provide sufficient turning space for wheelchairs and walkers, while placing basins and WCs in easily accessible spots. In this concept, the low-profile basin is mounted on a wheelchair accessible timber panel and complemented by a stylish Essence tap, with an easy to use lever incorporating GROHE SilkMove® technology. The GROHE Rainshower® SmartControl takes the idea of comfortable showering to the next level, with three combined push-and-turn knobs giving users intuitive control of water flow, water temperature and spray pattern. The GROHE Sensia® Arena shower toilet is again used here, with its natural, water-only cleansing function and its wide array of customisable functions. The toilet uses advanced technologies to minimise maintenance and cleaning, offering a perfect combination of thorough body care, ultimate hygiene and personalised comfort.

    GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

    Comfort without barriers: The SMART COMFORT Budget Bathroom
    The SMART COMFORT Budget concept has been designed to demonstrate how a future proof and easy access bathroom can be created even where space is at a premium and/or budgets are limited. The layout places elements such as the wash basin in positions where they are easily accessible and can be used by all members of the household. A single-lever mixer with tall spout from the Eurostyle range leaves maximum space above the basin for hand washing, while its ergonomically shaped lever ensures easier operation for people with impaired motor skills. Style-matched accessories from the GROHE Essentials collection give the bathroom a coordinated and sleek look, and a seat near the shower area provides users with a space to relax. The toilet bowl is mounted at a comfortable height of 45 centimetres using the Rapid SL installation system, and is suitable for the possibility of retrofitting grab rails.

    GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

    Enhanced quality of life for later years: The SMART COMFORT Care Bathroom
    The SMART COMFORT Care Bathroom is designed to meet the specific needs of residents in retirement homes. Apart from safety and ergonomics for bathroom users, crucial factors in this segment include economic factors such as the cost of construction and equipment, as well as ongoing operational costs. In addition, it is important to take into account all statutory norms and standards, as well as insights from practical experience, at the early planning stages.

    GROHE offers a wide variety of special water fittings for the healthcare and care sector. One example is the Grohtherm 2000 Special shower thermostat featuring easy to read dials and self-explanatory symbols. The basin tap chosen for this example is the tall-spout “L” version of the Eurostyle C single-lever mixer, however an alternative would be the Euroeco Special tap with its ergonomically shaped handle to ensure easy operation. Offering a variety of different spout heights and lengths, GROHE enables planners to specify the perfect tap for any basin, resulting in minimised splashing and preventing the spread of bacteria from the drain. For the toilet, a Tectron Skate unit combining infrared and push-button actuation provides flushing options for users of all abilities.

    GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

    Unrestricted mobility away from home: The SMART COMFORT Hotel Bathroom
    The SMART COMFORT Hotel Bathroom concept explores what a barrier-free or low- barrier bathroom for hotel guests can look like. Apart from creating a welcoming ambiance, it is important to specify water fittings which can be operated intuitively. This example shows an open en-suite bathroom with complementing decor to the overall style of the room. The bathroom is accessible from several sides and also for guests with impairments. The modern decor is complemented by a Eurostyle tap with tall spout and ergonomic lever. The shower is fitted with a Grohtherm 1000 thermostat which balances fluctuations in water temperature and pressure. The subtly illuminated Nova Cosmopolitan Light flush plate provides a gentle night light so there is no need to turn on harsh overhead lighting. The plate also offers a choice between two different flushing volumes, helping to promote water efficiency.

    The “SMART COMFORT – Plan for Tomorrow Today” brochure can be downloaded here. . .

    Adriatic Luxury Hotels

    Adriatic Luxury Hotels – collection of stunning Dubrovnik properties

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    This month sees the season beginning for Adriatic Luxury Hotels’ beautiful coastline properties: Hotel Bellevue, Dubrovnik Palace Hotel, Villa Orsula, and the newly refurbished Hotel Excelsior at the heart of the Adriatic pearl, Dubrovnik.

    One of the most magnificent walled cities will soon come to life as these iconic properties gear up to welcome its visitors again in March. With views over the pristine sea and ancient city walls, these properties are perfect bases from which to explore all that Dubrovnik has to offer. From a romantic European getaway to an active seafront family holiday, there’s something to suit all.

    Also on the calendar is the reopening of Adriatic Luxury Hotels’ historic flagship Hotel Excelsior, who after an extensive refurbishment will open its doors again in time for the summer season in June. Through a meticulous renovation project across its 158 rooms, three restaurants, bars and spa, the property has been completely transformed with a fresh, modern and elegant look without having lost its distinguished feel.

    Dubrovnik Palace Hotel – 1 March 2017
    Dubrovnik’s finest five-star resort will re-open all of its 308 rooms and suites, each of which have private balconies and spectacular sea views. The fresh new look has been designed to capture the essence of the dramatic coastline combined with the elegance long since associated with the resort. Of all the five-star hotels in Dubrovnik, the newly renovated Hotel Dubrovnik Palace has it all: a luxurious wellness and spa centre, high-tech conference rooms, superb gastronomy and spectacular sea views from every room.

    Adriatic Luxury Hotels

    Hotel Bellevue – 11 March 2017
    One of ALH’s boutique properties, Hotel Bellevue – a 91-room luxury retreat carved into a secluded cliff-side, offers ALH guests an elegant and private sanctuary, which can be an all-encompassing luxury experience; with private beach, fabulous food and romantic dining settings and an invigorating Energy Clinic Spa. Owing to its location around the bay from the Old Town, guests can choose Hotel Bellevue as a stylish base from which to explore the historic environs.

    Adriatic Luxury Hotels

    Villa Orsula – 12 March 2017
    ALH’s newest and most intimate hotel. The beautiful historic building dating back to 1939 was completely restored and refurbished and opened in Spring 2012. Comprising just 11 rooms and two suites, service in the immaculately designed villa is as attentive and personal as is possible. With its spectacular location and exquisite fine dining at the Victoria Restaurant, Villa Orsula will be looking to further cement its place as the most luxurious accommodation in the city this season.

    Adriatic Luxury Hotels
    Hotel Excelsior – 1 June 2017
    Since opening in 1913 the iconic Hotel Excelsior is now a firm landmark amongst the five-star hotels in Croatia. Open all-year-round to serve guests throughout the seasons, the hotel continues to delight guests with its charming attention to detail. An eclectic mix of old architecture and new design, impeccable service and 158 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites makes Hotel Excelsior a firm favourite of visiting celebrities and dignitaries affording it the legendary status it so rightly deserves. This time-honoured building is uniquely located on a cliffside, with magnificent views from every floor, over to the island of Lokrum in one direction and the Old Town in another.

    Adriatic Luxury Hotels
    adriaticluxuryhotels.com

     

    137 Pillars Suites Bangkok Nimitr Restaurant

    137 Pillars Suites Bangkok to open in April

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    137 Pillars Suites Bangkok, showcasing 34 exquisitely appointed suites is scheduled to open on 2 April 2017. The property is a sister hotel to the award-winning 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai, and is located on Sukhumvit Soi 39, a short distance from the upscale and fashionable shopping district of Emquartier/Emporium.

    137 Pillars Suites Bangkok
    The architects for the property are Palmer and Turner from Bangkok, with Interiors by P49 Design and Landscape by Wabi Sabi Studio. Interiors will showcase a warm palette of rich tones with exquisite white and grey marble bathrooms and expansive use of mirrors and glass.

    137 Pillars Suites Bangkok
    The hotel suites will be located from the 24th to 32nd floor with four categories of one and two bedrooms ranging from 70-127 square metres. Features will include private dining tables, private butler service, maxi bars with wine cellars, user-friendly mood lighting, high ceilings, large walk-in wardrobes and stunning marble en-suite bathrooms with chic circular baths complete with built in TV. The sleep experience will be of the highest standard and the spacious balconies will be the ultimate chill zone, complete with the traditional 137 Pillars House signature rocking chair and an oversized day-bed for two, with superb view of the Bangkok skyline. 137 Pillars Suites will be a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH).

    137 Pillars Suites Bangkok
    A range of creatively designed retail products will be available at the Bangkok Trading Post. Both restaurants – Nimitr and The Bangkok Trading Post – have been designed and created by Bangkok’s chic design couple Sophie Beghin and Faun Israrena na Ayudhya of Santhaya Associates.

    137pillarshotels.com

    slh.com/hotels/137-pillars-suites-residences/

    At the end of February Style Library Contract will be launching Boleyn, Zoffany’s SS17 suite of collections: Boleyn, Kempshott and Elswick

    Style Library Contract launches new SS17 Zoffany collection

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    At the end of February Style Library Contract will be launching Boleyn, Zoffany’s SS17 suite of collections: Boleyn, Kempshott and Elswick, which are the stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Phaedra launch of autumn 2016.

    Featuring ten fabric designs and eight wallcoverings suitable for contract, this collection was inspired by the grand country houses of Britain and their individual eclecticism. The launch captures the faded elegance of time worn fabrics and wallpapers, each with their own captivating story to tell. It is the skillful reinterpretation of these heirlooms and the dramatic harnessing of nature in abstracted form that elevates the collection to poised perfection.

    At the end of February Style Library Contract will be launching Boleyn, Zoffany’s SS17 suite of collections: Boleyn, Kempshott and Elswick

    Boleyn fabrics are a beautifully curated compendium of show-stopping prints, weaves and embroideries crafted through a mixture of yarns and techniques, for the creation of inspirational, luxurious and unique interiors.

    At the end of February Style Library Contract will be launching Boleyn, Zoffany’s SS17 suite of collections: Boleyn, Kempshott and Elswick

    The ultimate in luxury wallcoverings Kempshott comprises a mix of dramatic panels and nature inspired textures and patterns, creating unique pieces of art for the walls they adorn. Showstoppers include; Holkham Bay Pebbles and Holkham Bay – originally commissioned as an oil painting and now transformed into a mesmerising wallcovering, this design invites you to step into a landscape of vast sands, pebbles, sultry sky and moody sea. Each design is supplied as a continuously printed roll of 9.5m which contains three drops.

    Rotherby – a contemporary wallcovering with a hint of romance. The soft twists of colour are bleached out to create a gently aged effect.

    www.zoffany.com

    Chris Stewart & Tim Walton - SVP Marriott - Courtyard Edinburgh

    Marriott SVP officially opens Courtyard Edinburgh

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    A senior Marriott Vice President has travelled to Edinburgh to officially open a £30 million restoration project he initiated more than five years ago, remarking that Edinburgh is a world class destination for the international hotel business.

    Tim Walton, Regional Vice President, Western Europe, International Development, opened city centre hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh, which with 240 rooms is one of the largest in the capital, on February 23.

    The four star Courtyard Edinburgh also represents a flagship property for Marriott International given its prime location and sensitive renovation, merging heritage and contemporary style, which was completed by Edinburgh-based property development and investment company Chris Stewart Group.

    Courtyard Edinburgh extends through three adjoining Georgian townhouses and into a new building connected by glassed walkways to the rear, offering a variety of views of Calton Hill, Edinburgh’s New Town and across the Firth of Forth.

    The renovation cleverly mixes efficient building and design techniques with contemporary interiors and facilities include the all-day bar and restaurant, The Lantern Room, The Stevenson Room which is a boardroom for up to 16 people, designated media pods, a 24/7 market and a fitness centre. There is also free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel as well as Courtyard by Marriott’s signature GoBoard touch-screen technology to helps guests get the most out of their stay.

    It is, however, the property’s links to the past that make Courtyard Edinburgh so distinct. The hotel’s Baxter’s Place address was once home to Robert Stevenson, the famous Scottish lighthouse engineer and the grandfather of ‘Treasure Island’ author Robert Louis Stevenson. References to its heritage, carefully presented with the help of the Stevenson family and the Northern Lighthouse board, appear in the public areas and in every room, through images, technical drawings and maps.

    Tim Walton, commenting on the opening, said: “It’s with immense pleasure that we are officially opening Courtyard Edinburgh after an exciting five years in the making.

    “Edinburgh is a world class destination for the international hotel business and is renowned for attracting tourists from across the globe. To bring the modern aesthetic of Courtyard by Marriott to such a fantastic location in the city is superb and I believe that the hotel will be welcomed by both locals and tourists alike.

    “The Chris Stewart Group has played an instrumental role in the success of the hotel’s transformation, using its extensive experience in working with heritage-rich properties to create a modern development whilst giving a nod to former resident and lighthouse engineer, Robert Stevenson.

    “We are now all looking forward to welcoming business travellers, tourists and locals to enjoy this fantastic hotel.”

    The hotel is owned and was developed by Edinburgh-based real estate company Chris Stewart Group, which specialises in complex urban regeneration and heritage projects, and is managed and operated by RedefineBDL Hotels, the UK’s leading independent hotel management company.

    Chris Stewart of Chris Stewart Group said: “The opening of Courtyard Edinburgh signals a very exciting time in Edinburgh, as the property sector here continues to attract inward investment. Partnering with the likes of Marriott gave us a great opportunity to continue our work with complex urban regeneration and redevelopment, and turn the former Georgian home of Robert Stevenson into a modern hotel in the centre of Edinburgh.

    “Our ambition was to create a modern development which brought the area back to life. We believe we have achieved this and are extremely proud of our work here at Courtyard Edinburgh.”