World-renowned carpet manufacturer Brintons launched the Mazij collection at the Dubai Hotel Show last month (17 -19 September 2016).
Meaning a mix or melange of things, the arabic word Mazij conjures up the beauty and romance of the Middle East’s impressive and rich heritage of art and architecture and the many intricate patterns, motifs and colours that are associated with it.
The design team at Brintons has sought inspiration in this impressively rich culture, and in the natural beauty of the region’s landscape, to create a wide-ranging and exciting collection of carpet designs that complement the flourishing contemporary architecture of modern hotel and leisure projects in the region’s cities and luxury coastal destinations.
The Mazij collection is composed of five ranges and a collection of Axminster or hand tufted rugs.
EDIFICE The Middle East is capturing the design world’s attention today because of its ever-booming infrastructure. It has become a travel destination for design enthusiasts all around the world. This section of the collection focuses on the design trends influenced by modern architecture and includes the works of well-known design houses all-round the globe.
MARRAKECH When one thinks of Marrakech, images of patterned ceramic tiles, colourful pots, rugs and lamps and busy spice souks come to mind. This was the inspiration for this segment of the collection; Brintons has blended the authenticity of the patterns from this region with a modern approach by designing with sophisticated shapes.
TERRAIN The Middle East is not just rich in its history and culture but it also has wonderful geographic beauty. Its mountains, deserts and rivers make it geographically distinct and has influenced the development and maintenance of cultural traditions through much of the history of the region. Inspired by the beauty of this land, the range very subtly interprets nature into carpet patterns.
PETRA Petra, also called the Rose City due to the colour of the stone out of which it is carved. Brintons has developed designs that reflect these natural effects in carpets. The idea was to capture the natural effect of the sandstone, its colours and multi layered textural details.
PRAYER ROOMS Mosque or prayer room carpets are special and unique as they have very distinctive features. They are used not only to enhance the aesthetics of the mosque’s interior but also to provide the marking on the floor to guide worshipers. The interiors of the mosques today are inspiration for this segment. This ranges from traditional to contemporary, from simple to intricate patterns.
For more information on Brintons and its range of products and services for the commercial sector, visit www.brintons.net or call 01562 635665. To speak to someone regarding Brintons Carpets in the Middle East & Africa, please contact Brintons MEA office (in Dubai): Tel: +971 (0) 44210011
Plenum shower handsets, Roca’s latest multi-function hand shower collection, are available in two shapes – round and square – to complement existing brassware in the bathroom, as well as two colour options; Classic Chrome and White/Chrome finish.
Plenum includes an integrated push button, allowing users to easily switch between its three functions providing a different showering experience, so choose from Rain, Pulse or Rainstorm, priced at £48.
As well as generating new leads and a full programme of seminars, the Independent Hotel Show offers fantastic opportunities for networking. There are several spaces designed for networking at this year’s event…
The Hospitality Interiors Hub designed by Paper + White The Hospitality Interiors Hub is the central networking point of the event, providing a unique opportunity to meet with industry peers, establish new relationships and share ideas. Relax and take in the surroundings in Paper + White’s specially designed seating area while enjoying a glass of fizz from the Nyetimber Bar.
The Guest Lounge The Guest Lounge is a haven of calm, right at the heart of the show. A spot to relax and network with key industry players. New for 2016, the Guest Lounge will also play host to James Hallam’s Hospitality & Leisure roundtable talks plus Nyetimber will be holding tasting masterclasses to educate you on English sparking wine.
The Power Breakfast powered by Quinyx A panel of hotel visionaries reflected on the rapidly evolving UK hotel industry – taking in the increasing spend on stays by millennials, the popularity of independents over brands, the growing influx of seasoned international travellers and the rising sophistication of food and beverage expectations. Plus: ‘guest experience’ – what does it really mean, and how do we conjure it? Also, the event looked forward into 2017, profiling trends and examining how we can all future-proof our businesses in an ever more complex business landscape.
The Independent Hotel Show kicked off on Tuesday 18 October with a successful first day for suppliers and hotel professionals alike.
A host of Hotel Designs clients were showcasing their latest product ranges and equipment. From Crosswater to Vaughan, we caught up with them on day one of the show…
Featuring talks from hoteliers, journalists and industry leaders, the 30 seminars at Independent Hotel Show aim to guide independent hoteliers to improving their business, find out about new trends and initiatives, and learn first-hand from some of the biggest names in the business.
Tailored to the needs of the independent and boutique hotelier, all the sessions cover a range of topics and advice to help build and grow a successful hotel business, from marketing and sales support, business, investment and growth insight, design and technology trends, to staff and service best practice.
Day Two’s programme includes: • The New Service Culture – a masterclass in service, presented by Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels; Oliver Williams, general manager of Ellenborough Park; Stewart Davies, group operations director of GG Hospitality; Kate Levin, general manager of the Capital Hotel; and Paul Milsom, managing director of Milsom Hotels • OTAs – The best of frenemies is discussed by Steve Lowy, MD and co-founder of Umi Digital; Simon Bennett, owner of Augill Castle; Dori Stein, CEO of Fornova; Jonathan Raggett, managing director of Red Carnation Hotels; and Serena von der Heyde, owner of the Georgian House Hotel • Hotels for locals – how to tap into your local customers. Speakers include: Tom Bell, editor of Alastair Sawday’s British Hotels & Inns; David Timmis, managing director of Aubrey Park hotel; Will Ashworth, managing director of Watergate Bay; and Justin Salisbury, co-founder of Artist Residence • Learn how to win at content marketing, from Richard Fraiman, CEO of the Good Hotel Guide; David Petitt, group marketing manager of Elite Hotels; and Petra Clayton, managing director of Custard Communications • Finding sanctuary: How to set up a spa with Brian Hunter, director of BHSL Concepts; Jill Russell, spa director of Ramside Hotel & Spa; Mark Chambers, managing director of Eden Hotel Collection; and Mark Boler, CEO of the Mere • Clean Bill of Health: Spas and business, led by Helen Merchant, director of Helen Merchant International Spa Consultants, aims to provide expert insight into how to make your spa profitable. Further speakers include Lina Lotto, spa director of SenSpa at Careys Manor, and Simon Kerr, chief marketing officer of Yoo Hotels
The winners of the Independent Hotel Show Awards, in association with Sky, were announced on Tuesday 18 October at Kensington Olympia.
Coming out on top in a strong field of nominees were The Laslett, Notting Hill – the outstanding new hotel of the year – and Kate Levin, general manager at the Capital Hotel, who won the hotelier of the year award.
The awards are an opportunity for the industry to recognise and toast the sector’s trailblazers at a relaxed reception, and take place annually within the confines of the show on the first evening.
As part of a programme of ‘Special Events’ at the Independent Hotel Show, English sparkling wine pioneers Nyetimber will be hosting a masterclass on Wednesday 19 October giving you the opportunity to taste their Classic Cuvee MV, Rosé NV, Blanc de Blancs 2009, Blanc de Blancs 2007 Magnum, and Demi-Sec NV.
Date: Day Two, Wednesday 19 October Time: 13:00 – 13:45 Location: Guest Lounge
If you would like to register your interest for the tasting, click here. . .
An opportunity for the industry to recognise and toast the sector’s trailblazers at a relaxed reception, the Independent Hotel Show Awards in association with Sky takes place annually within the confines of the show on the first evening and celebrates the Independent Hotelier and Outstanding New Hotel.
The two main categories are Independent Hotelier of the Year and Outstanding New Hotel, see the list of nominees below…
Independent Hotelier of the Year – Ian and Christa Taylor – Abbey Hotel – Paul Milsom – Milsom Hotels and Restaurants – Richard Ball – Calcot Hotels – Edmund and Charles Inkin – The Griffin, The Gurnard’s Head, The Old Coastguard – Kate Levin – The Capital Hotel – Andrew Wildsmith – Wildsmith Hotels
Oustanding New Hotel – The Laslett, Notting Hill – Penally Abbey, Tenby – Soho Farmhouse, Oxfordshire – The Pig at Combe, Devon – Padstow Townhouse, Cornwall – The Royal Oak, Swallowcliffe
To find out more about the Awards and the nominees, click here. . .
A firm fixture in the events calendar of independent hoteliers and industry professionals, the show presents a curated collection of over 300 innovative product and service providers from across the hotel supply chain. As well as an extensive programme of seminars, visitors can enjoy the following…
Wellness and Lifestyle Building on the success of Destination Spa at previous editions of the Independent Hotel Show, 2016 is set to host our expanded Wellness & Lifestyle area, incorporating tips and tricks from trendsetters along with a host of premium suppliers from the sector.
Hospitality Interiors Hub The Hospitality Interiors Hub is the central networking point of the event, providing a unique opportunity to meet with industry peers, establish new relationships and share ideas. Relax and take in the surroundings in Paper + White’s specially designed seating area while enjoying a glass of fizz from the Nyetimber Bar. Open daily, 10:00-17:00
Guest Lounge The Guest Lounge is a haven of calm, right at the heart of the show. A spot to relax and network with key industry players. New for 2016, the Guest Lounge will also play host to James Hallam’s Hospitality & Leisure roundtable talks plus Nyetimber will be holding tasting masterclasses to educate you on English sparking wine. Open daily, 10:00-17:00
New Kids on the Block Adding another premium design element to the show will be a feature area curated by Designersblock, international design exhibition specialists. The exhibit, appearing for the second time at the Independent Hotel Show, will showcase the very latest in style and design innovation for hotel owners and operators looking for something truly out of the ordinary.
This December, The Park Inn by Radisson Trysil Mountain Resort will be rebranded to Radisson Blu Mountain Resort & Residences.
With a bigger outdoor arena and new concepts like Super Breakfast and Experience Meetings, Europe’s leading upper-upscale hotel brand is set to enhance the guest experience.
“Our aim is to give our guests the best possible hotel experiences and with Radisson Blu’s well-known service concepts we will do our utmost to give our guests exactly that”, says Pontus Åkesson, General Manager at Radisson Blu Trysil Mountain Resort & Residences.
As of December 2016, the guests can continue to enjoy all the former features of Park Inn by Radisson plus the comforts and signatures of the iconic, stylish and sophisticated, Radisson Blu brand. The resort has 369 rooms and suites, 166 apartments and is located in the middle of the ski-resort Trysil.
“We are excited that we are now able to offer our guests two upper-upscale resorts in Trysil and continue to give our international guests the best possible guest experiences in the area”, commented Tom Flanagan, Area Vice President of Rezidor Hotel Group in the Nordics.
The newly rebranded Radisson Blu Mountain Resort & Residences in Trysil was concerted from a Park Inn by Radisson Hotel during the summer and will be ready to welcome its firsts guests when it opens for the season in December 2016.
In the shadow of Higashiyama Mountain in the temple district of Japan’s ancient capital, Four Seasons Kyoto has opened.
“Kyoto is one of the world’s most alluring cities, but she can be shy in revealing her secrets – our mission at Four Seasons is to help our guests discover her wonders and experience all the city has to offer,” says General Manager Alex Porteous, who leads the 270-person team at the intimate hotel with 123 rooms and 57 residences.
Guest rooms – including 13 suites – are designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates to showcase views of the pond garden, Myoho-in Temple and surrounding neighbourhood. Traditional elements such as shoji panels, polished woods, locally crafted Kyoto-style fusuma screens and urushilacquerware are paired with modern at-one’s-fingertips technologies.
Selected accommodations, including the lavishly appointed Presidential Suite, also have balconies. At 245 square metres indoors plus additional furnished outdoors space, the Presidential Suite is one of Kyoto’s largest. All guest rooms and suites feature the signature Four Seasons Bed.
The new Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is the sister property of Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, suggesting an opportunity for travellers to experience the ancient and modern capitals of Japan in Four Seasons style. The company recently announced plans for a third hotel in Japan, in Tokyo’s Otemachi business district.
Leading bathroom design brand, Roca, is delighted to present its very latest collection – Inspira – a ground-breaking versatile vitreous china and furniture collection that provides everything you need to create your individual bathroom space, whatever your style requirements.
Described as ‘a new way of defining a bathroom collection’, Inspira is one single collection based on the 3 most essential geometrical shape and design lines – Round, Soft (with soft angles) and Square. Providing solutions not only for the conventional consumer but also for those who want to see their own style and personality reflected in their perfect bathroom space.
The collection features basins with every installation solution in mind; on- countertop, semi-insert and wall-hung as well as close-coupled and back-to-wall WCs and bidets, plus wall-hung options with concealed fixing, including the RIMLESS WC. To optimise even the smallest of spaces, Inspira also offers a close-coupled round WC in a compact back-to-wall version.
Inspira furniture units, available in 600, 800 and 1000mm dimensions and a choice of finishes – Glossy White, City Oak and City Oak/Dark Glass Mirror – complemented by column units offering great storage and practical uses (internal lighting, adjustable glass) that can all be perfectly combined too. Additional storage is also provided by two fully extracting drawers with no cut-out (required for the basin trap) featuring a compartmentalised interior and a tactile textured finish in dark wood. The furniture units also feature a durable soft-close system that allows a soft and silent closing.
FINECERAMIC® This collection has been created by Roca using the most innovative materials. The basins have been manufactured in FINECERAMIC®, a new high-quality ceramic material exclusive to Roca which facilitates precision and sophisticated design details previously not possible with the added benefits of being 40% lighter and 30% more resistant to abrasives than conventional basins
SUPRALIT® Like the rest of the collection, the seats and covers of Inspira WCs and bidets also display the latest innovations. Manufactured with SUPRALIT®, the new exclusive resin registered by Roca, is more durable (offering greater resistance to chemical agents and to discolouration), more hygienic (four times less porous material) and easier to clean (surface with soft and rounded angles). They also feature hinges with a soft-close system and are fully removable for better cleaning.
RIMLESS The wall-hung version of the Inspira WCs features a rimless design that results in smooth walls, without angles or nooks where dirt builds up, making cleaning easier and improving the level of hygiene. The new water distributor also enables a stronger flush, spreading water consistently around the bowl, cleaning the entire surface with minimum splashing.
Featuring talks from hoteliers, journalists and industry leaders, the 30 seminars at Independent Hotel Show aim to guide independent hoteliers to improving their business, find out about new trends and initiatives, and learn first-hand from some of the biggest names in the business.
Tailored to the needs of the independent and boutique hotelier, all the sessions cover a range of topics and advice to help build and grow a successful hotel business, from marketing and sales support, business, investment and growth insight, design and technology trends, to staff and service best practice.
Day One’s programme includes: • Melvin Gold will talk about 2017 trends, developments and industry headlines at the Zeitgeist Talk • ‘Show me the Money’: Alex Clarke from the George in Rye; Nicholas Dickinson from Congham Hall; and principal and founder of Hetherley Capital Partners Charles Scudamore will share experience on securing finance and next-generation financing models • ‘Thoroughly Modern Marketing’ will examine the latest marketing buzzwords ‘ethics’, ‘purpose’ and ‘personality’, with Penny Brewer, director of marketing for South Place Hotel; Olivia Johnson, group public relations manager at Claridges, the Connaught and the Berkeley; and Hannah Béraud, director of Hannah Béraud Digital Communications • ‘Staring at the Stars’ confronts the ongoing topic of whether the current star rating system should be consigned to the past. Alistair Sandall of the AA; Robert Nadler of Nadler Hotels; PJ Kenny, general manager of the Hoxton Holborn; and hotels editor of The Caterer Janet Harmer discuss • ‘The Future Guest’ takes a look at the evolving needs and priorities of tomorrow’s consumer, hosted by Dr Antonia Ward, global head of advisory at Stylus
This Tuesday and Wednesday (18-19 October), the Independent Hotel Show will open its doors to celebrate five years as Britain’s best loved, biggest and most comprehensive business event for the luxury, boutique and independent hotel sector.
More than 300 companies will be showcasing their latest products and services to help you find your next inspiration.
There are also 30 free-to-attend seminars, presented by more than 100 industry thought leaders, all available to offer advice on how to achieve business success.
Inspiring and informative, the Independent Hotel Show presented by RateGain, is the only forum in the UK bringing together the luxury, boutique and independent hotel sector.
A must-attend event for independent hoteliers and industry professionals, the show presents a diverse collection of the most innovative suppliers in the UK together with expert insight from our Business Sessions.
Exhibiting companies come from the following categories:
Cosmo Hotel Kuala Lumpur is set to open its doors on 1st December 2016. The 347-room hotel is well-designed with unique personality and distinctive style.
The hotel’s 347 guestrooms and suites boast an affordable stay with its Standard and Deluxe Room. Family-style suites – Studio Suites and Junior Suites are also available for those seeking a home-away-from-home comfort experience.
Featuring contemporary design and subtle touches of elegance, each room is functionally designed to meet the various needs of business and leisure travellers.
The hotel offers unparalleled meeting and event space with a modern atmosphere paired with seamless facilities and personalised service. For meetings and seminars or even workshop that draw results to entertaining smaller parties or something more fanciful, the hotel offers a multitude of space with varying capacity from a theatre set-up for 110 people to banqueting set up for 80 people.
The Swiss hotel management company, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, has signed an agreement with leading real estate developer Nusasiri to manage three properties in Thailand.
The three properties will be Mövenpick Residences Ekkamai, Bangkok and Mövenpick Resort Khao Yai, both scheduled to open in Q4 2016, and Mövenpick Resort Mai Khao Phuket which will open in Q4 2017.
The announcement raises Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ total number of hotels and residences in Thailand to seven as the country’s thriving tourism sector continues to drive the global management firm’s portfolio in Asia.
Mövenpick Residences Ekkamai is the first property under the exclusive Mövenpick serviced apartment brand. It will consist of 160 residences – serviced apartments of one, two and three bedrooms – featuring an all-day dining restaurant, lobby lounge and rooftop lounge and bar. Other facilities include a meeting space, swimming pool and fitness centre.
Extensive modern resort facilities will be available to guests within a beautiful beachfront setting at Mövenpick Resort Mai Khao Phuket. The property will comprise some 220 rooms and feature a unique F&B proposition including an interactive all-day dining restaurant and an eclectic beach club. Meeting facilities, a kids club, three swimming pools, a fitness centre and signature spa complete the offering.
Stunning European heritage-inspired exterior design will add a rich sense of grandeur at Mövenpick Resort Khao Yai, featuring 114 rooms comprising hotel suites and two, three and four bedroom villas, with a core selection of facilities set within a landmark European-inspired clubhouse encompassing an all-day dining restaurant, lobby bar, café, meeting space, swimming pool, fitness centre and spa.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts currently has eight hotels in operation in Asia, four of which are in Thailand, its largest market in the region. The Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok and the 260-room Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya are the latest additions to the group’s burgeoning portfolio in the region.
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay will open this year, followed by Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali in early 2017. The Swiss-hotel management company is focused on accelerated regional growth, with the company vision to manage over 30 hotels in Asia by 2020.
The Memmo Príncipe Real — a modern ode to the particular charms of the infectious city that is Lisbon – is opening in mid-October.
The hotel is a dramatic and dignified study in period contrasts, the 41-room hotel of limestone, expansive glass, and natural Oakwood practically levitates above the bustle below.
Architect Samuel Torres de Carvalho was tasked for the new build. The Madrid-born Portuguese architect, also responsible for the group’s previous two projects (Memmo Baleeira, 2007, and Memmo Alfama, 2013,) was ever-mindful of the changing face of Lisbon. Known for his spectacular modernism, Torres de Carvalho created a sleek four-storey geometric building of stark white, and a long, rectangular silhouette.
Unifying the design aesthetics of the three properties, the Memmo design team, coordinated by João Corrêa Nunes and architect Samuel Torres de Carvalho, set out with a challenge to create a new build that would house a mix of modern elements using classic materials and details. Together, they have created a contemporary capsule with an old world soul.
A seductive ground floor of rounded lines is entirely walled on one side by floor-to-ceiling windows and uninterrupted views of the sultry city. Limestone floors throughout this floor’s reception, restaurant, bar, and terrace, pay tribute to traditional Portuguese masonry and lay way for the overall air of vintage LA ease.
The Memmo design team’s ethos of contemporary elegance and custom-crafted simplicity carries through all 41 rooms of the hotel. A serenely neutral palette of taupes, Sage green, and wood hues are sharpened by the same black steelwork seen in the hotel’s exterior structure. Natural oak wood, used extensively in the rooms, features strongly in the form of custom-built cabinetry, walk-in closets, headboards, and sliding separation doors, while darker finishes on the floors root the entire design.
Subtle neutrality continues with the textiles: flax-toned floor-to-ceiling curtains frame the dramatic views of the city. Bathrooms are entirely outfitted in limestone, the sandy-tinted stone deftly straddling the raw earthiness and modern sleekness that defines the hotel. Located in the central, social heart of the hotel with panoramic views of the city, Café Colonial is a celebration of the many global influences represented by Lusophone roots.
Drawing its main influences from Portugal, Brazil, Africa, and Asia, Café Colonial is a neighbourhood fixture drawing in locals with fair-priced favourites, lively conversation, and a convivial spirit of community. Here, fluid, open spaces abound with limestone, oak, and worn velvet materials defining the aesthetic. Black marble tables and green accents contrast a largely neutral landscape where vintage area rugs add both warmth and a division of areas; from sofa lounge seating to classic tabletop dining and high-top bar perches.
Hyatt Place Celaya has opened, which marks the fifth Hyatt Place hotel to open in Mexico. Hyatt Place Celaya is owned by a joint venture between affiliates of Hyatt and Grupo Hermosillo.
Other joint ventures formed by affiliates of Hyatt and Grupo Hermosillo also own Hyatt Place Los Cabos and Hyatt Place Tijuana.
The Hyatt Place brand is rooted in extensive consumer insights indicating that guests seek stylish, comfortable, seamless experiences that accommodate their lifestyles and familiar routines. To embody this, the brand offers casual hospitality and purposeful service in a smartly designed, high-tech and contemporary environment.
Hyatt Place Celaya offers: – 145 spacious guestrooms, including a plush Hyatt Grand Bed, media and work center with a 42″ flat-panel HDTV and comfortable Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper – Gallery Hosts unique to the Hyatt Place brand who are available 24/7 – Gallery Café serving an à la carte menu – 24/7 Gallery Market offering perfectly packed grab ‘n go items, such as snacks and sandwiches – Gallery Kitchen Breakfast, a free breakfast for guests, including baked goods, fresh fruit, yogurt, juices, tea, and coffee – Coffee to Cocktails Bar featuring specialty coffees and premium beers, as well as wines and cocktails – Meetings Spaces offering more than 1,453 square feet (135 square meters) of flexible, high-tech meeting/function space ideal for coffee breaks, cocktail parties, banquets, or business meetings – 24-hour StayFit Gym, featuring fully stocked exercise equipment – Odds & Ends program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free – Free Wi-Fi and public computers with remote printing throughout the hotel
The Robertson Small Hotel is excited to announce that it has recently undergone a complete redesign.
The hotel’s relationship with their collaborators and contributors has been a unique feature of the renovation. Curated by Studio Ashby of London, the redesign saw local designers and collaborators tasked with creating bespoke items to form part of a brand new look while enhancing the award-winning facilities.
The Victorian Manor House rooms as well as the Stable and Poolside Suites, the ample gardens and Wellness Room were all set upon by designers and artists including Alexis Barrel, Michael Chandler, Renee Rossouw, House of Gozdawa, Lisa Firer, Rene Botes, Bonfred Furniture among others.
Fashion designer and textile artist Alexis Barrell drew inspiration from local flora and fauna to design a range of textile works using techniques such as hand block printing and intricate and laborious process of carving sketches into wood and printing on cotton with natural dyes by hand.
The Small Restaurant received a new menu courtesy of Rose Ashby of Spring Restaurant at Somerset House in London, with the focus on seasonal produce sourced in the Robertson area Ashby worked alongside head chef Tiaan van Greunen.
The EM BAR, a custom designed bar in blue and white porcelain by artist Michael Chandler, offers a selection of the area’s finest wines and a small range of cocktails.
Clayton Hotel Chiswick has officially unveiled its £21m extension and refurbishment at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebratory lunch held in its Chiswick Ballroom.
General manager of the hotel Thomas Doyle and his team were joined by senior executives from owner Dalata Hotel Group, Ireland’s largest hotel company, as well as local dignitaries, representatives from Chiswick’s leading businesses, and members of the press.
The work, which was completed in just two years, gives the four-star standard, 227-room hotel the modern yet warm and friendly values of the Clayton brand. Approximately 25 new jobs have been created as a result of extension and refurbishment. Central to the new look is the redesigned and extended 200m2 ground floor and reception area offering an attractive, welcoming bar, premium coffee outlet, revamped restaurant, and comfortable lounge area.
“Guests want something different now and we have designed the hotel with their needs very much in mind,” says general manager Thomas Doyle.
“People no longer spend time in their room, preferring to be in communal spaces, even if they’re on their own. We’ve provided a variety of places to sit throughout the ground floor offering different degrees of privacy as well as space to work, relax, eat, hold business meetings or chat with friends – with super-fast broadband throughout,” he added.
A further 104 bedrooms have been added to the hotel, while all existing rooms have been upgraded and refurbished with modern bathrooms, upgraded linen and beds, and stylish furniture echoing the hotel’s bronze and burnt orange colour scheme. Guests can choose from Deluxe, Executive, Family rooms, or King Executive suites, which come with a separate restroom, luxury power shower and a stand-alone roll top bath.
One of the most notable changes of the refurbishment is the positioning of the hotel’s reception desk, which rather than forming a visual barrier at the entrance, is now set to one side. This makes for a more enticing entrance and helps give the entire ground floor a definite buzz.
Alan McClure, co-director of Glasgow-based interior design practice Cunningham McLean, has given the hotel a strong sense of openness and space, with warm, contemporary colours creating a modern vibe that’s inviting and friendly and blends with the bronze tones of the Clayton nest-inspired logo. A cool atrium with Italian marble flooring and a huge glass chandelier leads into the revamped public space, restaurant and bar area. Beyond the relocated reception desk are further seating areas separated by open-shelf room dividers as well as a comfortable private library offering a greater degree of privacy.
“Our design team have created a soft look but with character through their choice of classic colours, quality wool carpets and high-end soft furnishings. Various lighting techniques help separate different areas as do the subtle room dividers,” says Doyle. “Creating a welcoming atmosphere was at the top of our agenda and already we’re seeing the lounge used for what it was intended. Guests can tuck themselves away or sit at the bar for a drink and a snack or enjoy the lounge areas on their own or with friends,” he adds.
The hotel has a carefully designed meetings and events facility that offers guests maximum flexibility in terms of layout and style as well as a choice of rooms suitable for weddings, meetings, training days, conferences, parties or dinners. With its own entrance and foyer the events area can accommodate up to 400 guests within 10 stylishly decorated, purpose-built meeting and function rooms.
Each room has adjustable settings and seating styles, light, sound and climate control, as well as the latest technology and AV equipment.
Hansgrohe SE announces that its premium hansgrohe brand will exhibit for the first time at the LivingKitchen trade fair in Cologne from 16 to 22 January 2017.
“We will of course be celebrating our debut at this international gathering place of the kitchen world with an attractive booth, where other premieres will also take centre stage: our new hansgrohe brand image as well as another absolutely novel product in the hansgrohe kitchen range,” discloses Thorsten Klapproth, Chairman of the Executive Board of Hansgrohe SE.
Test and try: hands-on experience at the hansgrohe booth Daily, exciting demonstrations will be staged at the hansgrohe stand where trade show visitors can discover first-hand how the brand’s kitchen innovations combine technology, design and function, and try out products for themselves.
“Using all your senses to explore the hansgrohe kitchen range is an emotive experience. This is how we will make customers at LivingKitchen even more aware of our innovative power in terms of functionality and water experience in the kitchen. Anyone planning or remodelling a top quality kitchen should have hansgrohe in mind,” explains Thorsten Klapproth.
What? hansgrohe at LivingKitchen 2017 When? 16 to 22 January 2017, Cologne Fair and Exhibition Centre Where? Hall 5.2, Stand B030
In Spring 2016, Harlequin joined forces with fine china manufacturer Churchill China, applying its fabulous fabric and wallpaper prints onto a range of china tableware.
Following the success of the Amazilia collection, two more sumptuous and sophisticated motifs have been added to the range: Eglomisé, derived from the Leonida collection, evokes the spirit of faded grandeur and distressed opulence; the epitome of nostalgic elegance, but with a sleek, contemporary appeal.
Perfect for entertaining in style, this elegant dinner service comes in an oyster colourway; it comprises plates and bowls in a variety of sizes, tea cups and saucers, a milk jug and a gift-boxed mug. There is also another gift-boxed mug in the popular Cranes in Flight motif, from the Palmetto collection. The mug is perfect for personal usage or as a very well-considered gift.
Translucent and durable, the fine bone china body is lightweight, pure white in colour. It is dishwasher and microwave safe and will be available from selected stockists from the beginning of September.
Leading British design studio Kinnersley Kent Design has completed the multi-million-pound refurbishment of one of London’s most iconic hotels – The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences – remodelling the interiors and adding new layers of warm and subtle glamour to this family-run, five-star, thoroughly-independent jewel in the heart of Mayfair.
The scope of works undertaken by Kinnersley Kent Design, one of the UK’s most established and celebrated practices, includes brand strategy, positioning and identity work – undertaken in partnership with the hotel’s owners and close-knit internal team – as well as external architectural works and a full interior architectural and design renovation, transforming the hotel’s public spaces, from the lobby, lounge and first floor meeting areas to a spectacular new bar – ‘THE BAR at The Athenaeum’ – and the elegant, day-to-night restaurant offer – ‘Galvin at The Athenaeum’.
Speaking of the design approach to the project, Kinnersley Kent Design Partner Jill Higgins explained: “Above all, we were looking to open the hotel up in terms of light, space, circulation and visibility. The building’s original art deco nature has also been brought back to life by replacing the ground floor elevation with an elegant bronze façade with brass details referencing the 1930s modernist style.’
Kinnersley Kent Design’s Brand Director Lindie Kramers said of the agency’s approach: ‘Our thinking was based on the brand’s core strengths – its heritage, attitude and location. Located in the heart of Mayfair, the brand is delightfully English (in all the right ways), independently-owned, with an art deco spirit. And they’ve always done things differently.”
The hotel’s external appearance has been transformed, with an entirely new ground-floor-level façade offering guests spectacular leafy views out across the Royal Green Park via new floor-to-ceiling windows. An impressive new, fully DDA-compliant main entrance has been relocated to the left of the façade, directly alongside the ‘Living Wall’ and created according to a design aesthetic of ‘authentic deco’. It therefore features classic architectural details of the era, such as stepped bronzework and geometric shapes, with a pattern overlaid on the doors, along with bespoke gilded metal inlays, featuring abstracted art deco shaping.
Outside the front of the hotel, a new terrace area has been created, forming one of the very few outdoor dining areas on Piccadilly in what was a relatively low-key, but very successful, transformation of available space in the project’s earliest phase. The design team also converted an existing secondary entrance on Downs Street into a new glass box with solid doors to serve as a direct entrance for non-resident guests to the hotel’s stunning new destination bar – ‘THE BAR at The Athenaeum’.
For the newly-remodeled, double-height lobby area – where the whole mezzanine galleried section has been squared off and pulled back to double the available space – the design team applied a playful interior architectural signature in the form of an eclectic mix of classic British furniture items, to reflect the hotel’s strong British heritage, mixed with contemporary and mid-century-modern European pieces.
The scheme features lots of contrast and texture, with high-gloss and reeded finishes and thin and elegant metal forms set against a muted and subtle colour palette, punctuated by bright and contemporary accents. Materials include mesh-within-glass and a curated rose bronze that the Kinnersley Kent Design team created in order to get the exact look and feel required for the galleried balustrade to the mezzanine.
Stunning, open, metal screens create semi-private zoning between the open-plan lobby and restaurant space, whilst the columns, which are a strong feature of the space, are clad in a striking, narrow-reeded dark timber. The overall result is both playful and geometric, but not overly symmetrical, with the hotel’s art deco roots acknowledged but approached with a thoroughly contemporary sensibility.
Furniture and fittings include two statement ‘Meshmatic Chandeliers’ by Atelier Rick Tegelaar, used here for the first time in the UK and chosen for their lightness, elegance and sense of playfulness, as well as to tie in with the metal in the overall materials palette. The space features a carefully-chosen selection of elegant chairs in smokey grey and teal velvets, with mustard and tangerine upholstery in leather and other fabrics, with all chairs chosen for their interesting tones, contrasts and juxtapositions.
The main flooring in the lobby is a dark-fumed oak with a herringbone pattern, with marble used to delineate the circulation area and stairs. The stairs have been re-clad with a polished plaster finish on the inside and marble treads, whilst the outside is clad the same way as the columns with narrow-reeded panelling. Touches of greenery throughout to refer to the Living Wall and to Green Park and underscore the hotel’s English heritage. A new high-level hanging plant feature in the entrance space gives the meeting room a sense of being fully enclosed within the Living Wall.
Art is also a vital piece of the overall integrated scene dressing and was selected for the scheme by art consultant Robin Greene, in partnership with the hotel’s owners, to express the ‘Stay Individual’ brand ethos and to link to a number of key themes, including the hotel’s historical links to the film industry and a contemporary commitment to young British artists.
The entire ground floor has been designated as potential hospitality space, with a brand new espresso bar serving the lobby, as well as afternoon tea later in the day. Kinnersley Kent Design worked both with The Athenaeum and with The Galvin Brothers on the design of the F&B spaces, as well as creating the identities and designing all brand collateral, from uniforms to tableware.
An existing, centerpiece chandelier in the restaurant was retained because it was in great condition and, with its spare, mid-century aesthetic, fitted perfectly with the style of the new furnishings on the ground floor. The flooring in the restaurant space is white oiled oak, whilst seating is a mix of bespoke, buttoned velvet banquettes and timber, metal and leather chairs. All tables were bespoke-designed by Kinnersley Kent Design to create the optimum arrangement of tables within the space.
THE BAR at The Athenaeum is a sensual delight and a space that really comes alive at night, with a deliciously dark and tactile contemporary palette of blue-green, lemon yellow and stylish dark green suede, velvet and leather, with full-height glass walls backed by the tropical feel of the full-height ‘Living Wall’ greenery outside. Once you step inside, London’s busy Piccadilly thoroughfare feels a million miles away and there’s a sense of being in a secret, subterranean destination.
The bar itself creates a focal point within the space, flanked by bespoke cabinets, which hold the hotel’s extensive whiskey collection as well as a curated selection of interesting artefacts, chosen by Kinnersley Kent Design. The bar’s design takes the signature use of reeded finishes to another level, via a high-gloss reeded black miles away and there’s a sense of being in a secret, subterranean destination.
The furniture here really ups the elegance factor, with long, slim forms and plenty of sinuous metal. Stand-out pieces include a console designed by Kinnersley Kent Design to the rear of the space and rugs, bespoke-designed by Kinnersley Kent Design and manufactured by Stepevi. Seating is a carefully-chosen mix of black velvet and brass barstools, lounge chairs in butternut velvet and armchairs with a black leather exterior and saffron nubuck interior.
There are sofas for more serious lounging, including velvet Chesterfields, whilst the small drinks tables feature a brass base and Nero Marquina marble tops and the larger ones a black base and Verde Guatemala marble tops. Flooring is white-oiled oak, as in the restaurant. Also at the rear of the space, a screen plays a bespoke film sequence of passionate embraces from the movies, in a reference to the hotel’s long history of links with Hollywood greats, including former guests Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Shirley Maclaine, Cary Grant, John Wayne and Russell Crowe.
On the first floor – glimpsed as a mezzanine from the double-height atrium, The Gallery offers an exclusive feel and two new stunning private dining rooms with amazing views onto Piccadilly and across to Green Park, as well as meeting rooms aimed at a gap in the market for those looking something more relaxed and personal. The design feel here is informal and more domestic in scale.
Jeremy Hopkins, General Manager at The Athenaeum, concluded: “We have thoroughly enjoyed revealing the new Athenaeum to guests. We’ve worked very hard with Kinnersley Kent Design to get every detail absolutely right and we knew almost immediately that they were able to share our vision for the hotel. London may well have the most diverse hotel offering in the world, but luxury hotels now have to meet the demands of today’s guests. Our guests are confident, stylish and independent and our reception mirrors their character, enabling us to meet their expectations and provide a truly individual experience.”
Previewing at the Independent Hotel Show, Signature is the latest addition to Wilton Carpets’ growing portfolio of striking tufted carpets.
Available in eight on-trend colour combinations, the contemporary design is headlining at the Olympia event, and once again underlined Wilton’s ability to match looks and performance in its carpet creations.
The new Signature Collection uses a modern colour palette to produce a prominent linear design that is ideal for hotel and hospitality spaces looking to add a contemporary twist. From bright pinks on a neutral backdrop and mustard yellow in combination with blue, to variations on the monotone theme, Signature is set to be a major hit among designers and hotel owners alike.
Falling within Wilton’s tufted stock portfolio so available for immediate delivery, Signature is made from durable 80% wool and 20% nylon to ensure lasting good looks, is rated suitable for heavy contract use and arrives in a four-metre width.
“Our prime reason for exhibiting at events such as the Independent Hotel Show is to demonstrate to visiting interior designers and hotel owners how Wilton Carpets can deliver a carpet solution for any environment,” comments Andrea Evans, Marketing Manager, Wilton Carpets.
“We already enjoy an enviable reputation for our woven axminster capabilities, but shows such as IHS allow us to display our growing portfolio of tufted lines. The success of other recent additions, including Harris Tweed, has opened up new doors for the company and following initial reactions we fully expect Signature to be equally as popular.”
For a brochure or samples, contact Wilton Carpets on 01722 746000 or sales@wiltoncarpets.com
AccorHotels will be launching a new hospitality brand called JO&JOE. Its aim is to blend the best of private-rental, hostel and hotel formats to reinvent and provide a disruptive experience in terms of design approach, catering, service and the customer journey.
AccorHotels plans to expand rapidly by opening 50 venues by 2020, with locations including Paris and Bordeaux (2018) as well as Warsaw, Budapest, Rio and São Paulo.
Accorhotels has released visuals of the new design of the hotels, along with descriptions of what guests may expect. In general, Jo and Joe properties are described as “a vibrant living space, a home that is open to the external world and designed to meet the expectations of Millennials and all those who value sharing, spontaneity and experience”.
The design for the new hotels has been in collaboration with UK design company Penson (also known for flagship designs including campuses for Google, YouTube, Jaguar Land Rover and interiors of the world’s 5th tallest building, Lotte World Tower).
“Break with tradition, forget old habits, be surprising, authentic, unexpected, bring a breath of fresh air to AccorHotels. Do it quickly and do it well. It wasn’t an easy brief to put into practice, particularly when you’re primarily targeting Millennials, who can be very difficult to win over,” said Sebastien Bazin, CEO of AccorHotels.
“But with the launch of our new brand, JO&JOE, we have now more than met that challenge. I’m extremely proud of the work accomplished by the AccorHotels teams in mobilizing the energy necessary – both inside and outside the Group – to bring this enormous project to life. JO&JOE represents the very essence of hospitality: welcoming, exciting and beyond our guests’ expectations,” he added.
Ritz-Carlton Group has signed a management agreement with Zhongda Zhongfanxin Proprietary Company, for The Ritz-Carlton Xian, expected to open in 2018.
Located in north west China, the city is one of China’s four ‘Ancient Capitals’, home to 13 imperial Chinese dynasties, which today still serves as the capital of its province, Shaanxi.
With 288 guestrooms and suites, The Ritz-Carlton, Xian will also have expansive event spaces including two ballrooms, two exceptional restaurants including Japanese and Cantonese dining, and an exciting new outpost of the sophisticated bar, Flair, the property will be the new social hub in the city.
“To explore Xian is to unearth the history of China, making it one of the world’s great cities on a global itinerary for our guests,” said Hervé Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. “We’re delighted to be partnering with Zhongda Zhongfanxin Proprietary Company to open the first Ritz-Carlton in such an important and culturally significant destination.”
Award-winning British bed manufacturer and Royal Warrant holder, Hypnos, has launched a brand new fabric collection designed specifically for the hospitality sector, including designs developed with industry leading decorative fabric supplier and fellow Hotel Designs Directory members Panaz.
Featuring a total of 60 fabrics, the new collection has been created to combine Hypnos’ signature luxury style with ultimate functionality. The collection also incorporates colour trends for the upcoming seasons including soft pastels such as Highland Sky, fresh earthy tones such as Highland Willow, and rich jewel tones, including Highland Purple and Red, as indicated by research carried out amongst Hypnos’ comprehensive database of interior designers.
Suitable for use on divans, headboards, sofa beds or a combination of all three, the fabrics are all compliant with BS7177 Source 5, BS7176 and all European fire safety regulations. All of the fabrics are durable for use in a hospitality setting and the Panaz selection of fabrics is also waterproof, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and stain resistant.
Clare Taylor, Hypnos Contract Beds Marketing Manager, said: “As a trusted supplier to some of the largest hotel groups, spas and resorts in the world, Hypnos holds a reputation for manufacturing products that meet the highest standards and requirements for products for this sector. Our new fabric range combines all Hypnos’ traditional features, with an increased focus on design, gained through insight from interiors experts. The collection really is testament to our pursuit of the perfect hospitality sleep solution.
“Each fabric has been rigorously tested to meet the most stringent of UK and European fire and safety standards, and include numerous other benefits that are key to helping hoteliers offer their guests the most comfortable, hygienic, safe and stylish night’s sleep possible.”
The new range also boasts 60 colour swatches ranging from deep luxurious Reds to contemporary cool greys and sky blues, offering shades to suit all styles of interior décor and making the collection the most on-trend, durable, sustainable and safe fabric range for the hospitality sector.
For more information on the new fabric collection or the full Hypnos range, please visit www.hypnoscontractbeds.com
Cowley Manor in the heart of the Cotswolds is the UK’s first hotel to specify Roca’s In-Tank Meridian WC for its chic and contemporary Stable Block rooms.
Roca’s revolutionary In-Tank system marks the beginning of a new era in bathrooms. For the very first time, the cistern and flush are integrated into the WC itself, reducing installation costs and saving on space.
The optimised flush is electronically controlled so that the exact amount of water required to flush the WC at various stages of the flush process is used. This makes the flush efficiency and performance much better than a conventional WC. To support this further, the cut out in the rim of the pan has been designed for optimum flushing performance and efficiency at reduced flush volumes.
“Roca’s In-Tank Meridian fits perfectly with Cowley’s contemporary design aesthetic”, says Mark Poulain, Roca’s International Specification Manager. The hotel’s ‘Better Rooms’ (rooms are classified from ‘Good’ to ‘Best’) are located in the Stable Block and each offer something unique, laid out over two floors and a few over three, each with its own personality and plenty of space to spread out and relax.
In-Tank Meridian WC product features: • Back to wall and Wall-hung options available • No need to install a concealed cistern • FluidMaster Technology: SOFTAIR • Dual function flush (4.5/3 litre) • Soft close seat and cover
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, one of Malaysia’s luxury international hotels has completed the multi-million dollar refurbishment in conjunction with InterContinental’s 70th anniversary this year. The refurbishment introduces a ‘new look’ modern sleek design hotel, with the transformation of 132 Premier rooms and 130 Deluxe rooms.
“The fresh and contemporary hotel is designed for discerning business and leisure travellers, and now reflects a modern functional design concept that fulfills today’s travellers’ needs, whether individuals, families or groups”, said Mr. Clive Murray, General Manager of InterContinental Kuala Lumpur; Area General Manager, Malaysia of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). “The refurbishment complements the hotel’s mission to deliver great hotels guests love and to achieve that, we should be going beyond what they expect so they stay with us and recommend us to others,” he added.
Featuring hues of soft and simple colour palettes including whites, blues and greys, the Premier rooms now present a total fresh look which makes for a wonderfully calming and sleep-inducing atmosphere. The white sheer curtain on the window adds a contemporary and sophisticated impression to the room, providing day-time privacy and still letting in natural light. Additional features include plush bedding linens with a specially crafted headboard, a contemporary ensuite bathroom with a transparent glass wall, a 46” flat screen LCD TV and a modern white fabric couch.
Step into the tastefully refreshed and fully furnished Deluxe rooms and be welcomed by warm, relaxing tones, plush fabrics and furnishings. The new carpets come with soothing brown tones, offering an earthy look to the room, which strike a perfect balance of elegance, comfort and tranquility to each guest.
Following extensive refurbishment The Victoria Inn, based in vibrant Peckham, has reopened. The historic 19th century pub with rooms, which first opened in 1878, has been given a contemporary refresh while still keeping its heritage feel.
The stylish mix of old and new is seen throughout with original period details remaining, such as the horse shoe bar, while the guestrooms take a more modern approach with new Scandinavian-inspired interiors. The newly re-opened Victoria Inn will remain a spot for locals to enjoy good traditional pub fare as well as a new hidden gem for those visiting London and the dynamic area of Peckham.
Speaking about the re-opening, General Manager Joe Sheasgreen commented: “We are delighted to bring The Victoria Inn back to its former glory as a relaxed and friendly pub in which to enjoy a beer or a comforting meal in our beautifully refurbished restaurant. With fifteen stylish guestrooms we want to celebrate the vibrancy of Peckham and show case the area to our resident guests as well as remaining a firm favourite with locals. We are extremely excited to open our doors to the Peckham community and beyond.”
The restaurant seating comes in the form antique wooden chairs and newly-upholstered banquettes covered in deeply comfortable dark leather, which look onto the stunning Victorian back bar – an original feature. The Victoria Inn will also be home to a private dining space, used for parties and supper clubs, and seating up to 15. Furnished with a long table made from light-coloured wood, the space will be used in the day by locals businesses and residents who can take full advantage of the TV/AV system for presentations.
Following the refurbishment, the number of guestrooms at The Victoria Inn has been downsized from 19 to 15, making each room significantly larger. Each of the beautifully appointed rooms has a spacious en-suite, including the family room that comfortably sleeps four. As with the rest of the property, the rooms have been created by ADS Design who have used clean lines and muted tones of off-white and slate, with pops of yellow, to give a contemporary Scandinavian feel to the spaces.
Filled with unique art pieces and fixtures, every room has a Nespresso coffee machine, air conditioning and sound system. Check-in will be informal with no fixed reception, instead guests will be invited to check in and out at the bar.
The Hotel Designs Summit was held at Radisson Blu London Stansted on 12-13 September, with a host of hoteliers, designers and manufacturers all joining together for meetings, networking sessions and seminars. Hotel Designs had the pleasure of catching up with Mailo Power, owner of the Athenaeum Hotel…
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Hotel Designs: Good afternoon Mailo! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? Mailo Power: I’m the owner of Athenaeum House Hotel in Waterford in the south east of Ireland and a member of Manor House Hotels, which is a collection of 34 family-run properties – a mixture of luxury and boutique hotels as well as castles throughout Ireland.
HD: And the Athenaeum in particular, can you describe its story for me… MP: The property came about, I suppose, through shared vision. Interestingly enough, being here at the Hotel Designs Summit, it came about through a marriage of both design and the hospitality industry. My husband Stan grew up in the hotel industry, his parents owned the Ocean Hotel in Dunmore East, which they sold when he was a teenager. So, he went into the hotel business very young and after running several hotels in the UK and managing Mount Juliet hotel which won Hotel of the Year in Ireland when he was at the helm.
My background was actually in interior design, I worked on a lot of leisure projects and hotel projects, my clients included Great Southern Hotels in Ireland, I was their group designer. I also worked in France and the Isle of Man. Together we decided to build our own property, it made sense with my background specialising in the design of hotels and my husband’s background in hotel management.
So, in 1999 we bought a Georgian house on an estate in Waterford, it’s setting is unique in that it overlooks the city but is actually set in 5 acres; it has the best of both worlds with a country feel but close to the City centre across the River Suir. We built and opened the present hotel in 2003, after four years of battling planning permission – because the border of Waterford and Kilkenny runs through us – our boutique hotel has 29 bedrooms, a 130-cover restaurant Zaks, as well as boardrooms and meeting rooms. Our daughter Kelly joined us in 2010 following a number of years working in the hospitality industry in Australia.
HD: What about the personality of the hotel? MP: As it’s a listed building we maintained the Georgian features, such as the fan light, high ceilings, fireplaces, original mouldings and architraves. We offer exclusive use for weddings, celebrations or corporate events. Our award-winning restaurant helps, especially as our Chef James Crawford is passionate about using local produce – we’re proud of our ‘field-to-fork’ approach and supporting local suppliers.
And, although we are a family business, we definitely have an international mind-set. We joined the Manor House collection, which is a collection of properties throughout Ireland and this allows us to have a central reservations office in Dublin and a ‘face’ at international events, which we wouldn’t have if we were just an independent standing alone.
HD: And what about the future – any expansion plans? MP: We are heavily involved with the tourism industry in Ireland – both presently and looking to its future. And what we’re finding is that people are looking for an experience and a story behind the properties they stay in, we are working on developing the story of our unique heritage as part of Ireland Ancient East proposition. Our expansion plans also include developing an ‘innovation hub’ for start-up businesses. It will be a place where people can go to get mentoring from various specialists, or just have an innovative space to hold think tanks.
HD: Being from Ireland, how do you think Brexit will affect the industry in your homeland? MP: I was actually one of the few people in my close circle that thought it would happen – and I’ll tell you why! There was a sort of ‘perfect storm’ prior to the referendum – there were definite elements generating fear, it came very quickly after the tragedies in Paris and in Brussels and we’re now facing an unprecedented migration issue beyond anything we’ve ever experienced. When people feel fearful and threatened, history shows us that they will lift the drawbridge – and I feel people acted out of genuine fear, but without properly understanding the ramifications. There was a total lack of understanding of what Brexit actually meant.
With regards to ‘what now’ – we’re in uncharted territory. We’re ten years away from truly knowing what the ramifications are. Obviously, there is a massive connection between Ireland and the UK, more so than any other country, and there has been for generations – I personally have a very strong family connection with England and the UK!
The big issue will be the border, I’m hoping open borders continue, but I’m not sure how that will work in the European context at all. The other thing that concerns me, listening to Theresa May in her speeches, is that she wants to build links with other countries and is looking towards a ‘global economy’ separate to Europe, I am not sure that will be straight forward as we have Barack Obama saying that the US will have to deal with Europe first and then the UK.
But despite that, I still think there will be close ties between Ireland and the UK – and as a tourism product, the UK people will still visit Ireland and vice versa. I’m sure that given our shared heritage strong links between the two countries will continue.
HD: Let’s hope so! And as an independent hotel rather than a chain, what operational challenges do you face? MP: There are two strands to that question, the first being the fact that we’re a family-run hotel with a long history in the industry, we have the mentality of ‘individual tailor made service’ rather than ‘standardisation’. Secondly, we bring a wider industry best practice, innovative approach to building standards of performance and team development – because if our team is happy and well trained it enhances service delivered to our guests.
As hoteliers, the guest is the centre of our universe, and at Athenaeum House Hotel we pride ourselves on being able to offer a personalised experience, when our guests are happy our business flourishes!
Adding to its twelve-strong portfolio of properties, The Student Hotel will open its first German location in the heart of Berlin in partnership with the European Student Housing Fund.
The 17,000-square metre space is located on Alexanderstraße, in the immediate vicinity of the iconic Alexanderplatz, an area known as the Alexanderquartier.
The project will be developed and operated in a joint venture with Triton Development GmbH, the investment adviser to the European Student Housing Fund. The Student Hotel Berlin will bring 456 new rooms to serve the thriving international student and tourist community.
Opening in 2019 The Student Hotel Berlin will add to the mixed-use character of the area. Contemporary architecture will frame the hotel and create a mix of student rooms, hotel rooms and co-living studios. The ground floor will be accessible to the public with study areas, meeting rooms, a co-working space for start-ups, games room, a gym and a garage for a 400+ bicycle fleet.
Charlie MacGregor, the company’s CEO and founder says: “The Student Hotel Berlin will connect students and start-ups, freelancers and the local neighbourhood. We are happy to start our German adventure in Berlin, a city which, like The Student Hotel, has been a shelter for a young and international community.”
The Student Hotel Group, which currently operates over 3000 rooms in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Groningen, Barcelona and Paris, will open shortly in Eindhoven, Maastricht, Florence and Bologna aiming to reach 15,000 rooms by 2020 through acquisitions and development sin Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Berlin is one of the largest university cities in Europe with 165,000 students attending up to 31 universities and post-graduate academies, including Humboldt Universität, Freie Universität and Technische Universität. The number of international students is growing fast, generating demand for this new student accommodation concept.
Luxury fabric specialist Kobe UK, will be introducing its new window décor, upholstery and soft furnishings collections at the British Contract Furnishing Association’s (BCFA) first ever event.
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 Elements and Enchanted ranges are stunning collections of luxurious 100% flame retardant fabrics. The collections enjoy the signature Kobe style while offering affordable prices and value for money.
Enchanted, Kobe’s autumn 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.
David Harris, managing director of Kobe UK, said: “The BCFA Open will be a great opportunity for us to showcase our latest collections, including Elements and Enchanted, offering affordable prices and value for money while enjoying the signature Kobe style.”
Kobe will also be exhibiting at Sleep 2016, the global hotel design event held at the Business Design Centre, London, 22-23 November.
North Hill City Resort, a new five-star luxury resort near Chiang Mai, has officially opened and has welcomed its first guests.
The boutique, 42-room resort offers a sophisticated and contemporary setting with outstanding views of Doi Suthep, ideal proximity to the new North Hill Golf Course and a number of unique amenities. The opening of the new resort in Chiang Mai coincides with the recent award by Travel + Leisure, whose readers voted Chiang Mai as best city in Asia in Travel + Leisure’s “The World’s Best Cities” survey.
Inspired by the beautiful environs of the region, the resort features a fresh, contemporary design surrounding green space, nature and serene views of Doi-Sothep in the distance. Maximising outdoor spaces, the property features an expansive outdoor amphitheater with a swimming pool and pool bar, serving as a venue for functions, meetings and weddings.
42 modern guest rooms are thoughtfully appointed incorporating contemporary design and neutral tones to highlight the views. Additional amenities include a large flat screen TV and Blu-ray/DVD player, 500 thread-count white bed linens, luxurious bathrooms with a large soaking tub and a workspace area with a wooden desk. Additionally, guests at the resort will enjoy complimentary high speed Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast and a fitness centre with state-of-the-art cardio equipment.
Culinary enthusiasts will love the property’s new Italian restaurant the Zest, with a modern and intimate design. Additionally, the resort houses a private home grown farm that is more than 6,000 sqm featuring a number of local vegetables.
Marriott International has announced the addition of Courtyard Glasgow Airport to its portfolio in Scotland.
Courtyard Glasgow Airport underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment before joining Courtyard by Marriott, marking the brand’s debut in the city. Formerly Ramada Glasgow Airport Hotel, the hotel is conveniently situated on Glasgow Airport’s doorstep, and a 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre.
All 114 guestrooms have undergone an extensive renovation, in addition to the public areas, leisure facilities and restaurant and bar venue, The Bistro. Carrying the latest Courtyard by Marriott design, the new spaces offer business and leisure travellers a refreshing hotel experience with contemporary and efficient design to ensure convenience and productivity throughout the entire stay.
The lobby has been redesigned into a flexible space to promote engagement with guests. The GoBoard, a unique Courtyard by Marriott concept, offers touchscreen technology to allow users to view the latest airport information and research popular tourist attractions. Guests can also enjoy the use of complimentary WIFI.
New features of the property include a fully-equipped fitness centre, as well as a business centre with three meeting rooms. In addition, the hotel’s 24-hour market provides refreshments and travel accessories. The hotel also plans to add a further 56 rooms by mid-2017 taking the total to 170.
The transformation follows a significant investment by owner Cairn Group.
Courtyard Glasgow Airport is one of two additions for Courtyard by Marriott in Scotland this year, with Courtyard Edinburgh anticipated to open in December 2016. Courtyard by Marriott has one existing outpost in Scotland; Courtyard Aberdeen Airport, which opened in 2013.
To meet the growing demand among installers for design-led quality carpet that can be made-to-order and installed in below average lead-times, Brintons has extended its recently developed innovative QuickWeave series to include two new collections.
With the addition of Aurora and Sequence to the series, the QuickWeave offering of three collections (including the Inception range) now provides installers and project designers on a tight deadline with the widest choice yet of woven axminster designs in a broad spectrum of colours that can be supplied in only 6 weeks.
Brintons’ award-winning design team developed the series to reflect today’s trends with contemporary patterns complementing transitional styles such as plaids, stripes, geometric, abstract and layered design themes. Clever texturing techniques including mottles, striés and fades have been used within the patterns to give depth to the designs whilst optimising practical application for hospitality and other contract projects.
QuickWeave broadloom woven axminster carpet is made using the ‘Brintons blend’ of 80% wool / 20% nylon and is available in five quality specifications from 7 to 11 rows, making it suitable for all types of area from light to heavy use. Regardless of specification, the wool element in Brintons’ famous blend results in a luxurious soft feel while the nylon component ensures the carpet will be hardwearing for longevity.
Andrew Wilcock, Group Marketing Manager, comments: “These new collections are an exciting addition to our QuickWeave offering which is a big hit with retailers and installers who have contract clients. QuickWeave was a natural step for Brintons as it allows for the creation of the high quality carpets that we are renowned but within a fraction of the time associated with custom projects.”
Since its opening on 1st June 2016, Park Hyatt Mallorca is now home to the Serenitas Spa, an exclusive day spa and wellness centre, at the heart of the resort.
Taking inspiration from the island’s azure seas, abundant nature, fragrant aromas and Mediterranean breeze, Serenitas Spa draws on Mallorca’s rich history and cultural heritage to offer guests an unforgettable wellbeing experience. Serenitas Spa is a peaceful oasis, surrounded by landscaped gardens and gorgeous views of the Serra de Llevant Mountains.
Embraced on arrival with aromas of lavender and rosemary, guests can choose from a wide variety of authentic treatments that draw on the hotel’s rural Balearic locale. Treatments incorporate the island’s minerals, herbs, fruits, salt and water, with ingredients such as pine, lavender, almonds, olive oil, citrus and aloe vera. Signature treatments are based on healing ingredients dating back thousands of years and all treatments are individually tailored to meet the needs of every guest. Each treatment is devoted to the complete wellbeing of the body, mind, spirit and soul.
Bespoke wellness programmes can also be created incorporating activities such as trekking, yoga, Pilates, fitness, water-based activities and nutritive food care.
Serenitas Spa features seven treatment rooms, including two couples treatment rooms, each with their own terrace and bath. Additional features include a room with an alpha quartz sand bed (the only one of its kind on the island), sauna, steam rooms, sensory showers and vitality pool. Guests can also enjoy the Serenitas Spa lounge, a calming relaxation room that opens onto a beautiful outdoor terrace with breath-taking sea and mountain views.
Dedicated to providing a truly memorable and holistic spa experience, Serenitas offers uncompromised attention to detail in an atmosphere of peace, calm and serenity. Every element of the spa has been created to evoke traditional Mallorcan authenticity and hospitality. Local traditions and philosophies are seamlessly integrated with acclaimed international brands such as ESPA, time honoured rituals and contemporary techniques.
Michael Schmid, General Manager at Park Hyatt Mallorca, says, “We are delighted to unveil our Serenitas Spa. Guests from all around the world can look forward to an enriching wellbeing experience. Serenitas will offer guests a genuine sense of place, the finest, locally inspired spa treatments, world renowned spa brands and exemplary personal service.”
For the more active, a state-of-the-art 24-hour Fitness Centre offers the latest training equipment.
Secret Bay, an exclusive eco-luxury boutique resort located on the pristine, unadulterated island of Dominica, is pleased to debut two new villas.
The new guest accommodations, described as a “bower of bliss” or “magical tree house escape,” are an architectural accomplishment — standing up on a single “stem,” or one, primary support.
The nearly 1,600 square foot villas feature one bed and bath, two decks, an elevated pool directly accessible from the bedroom, an outdoor shower, a barbecue and a hammock sofa—the ideal setting for an unforgettable retreat.
The villas are thoughtfully named “Ylang Ylang” because their exterior shape is inspired by the eponymously named legendary flower, one that first originated in Indonesia, yet these days can be found growing around Dominica. Best known for its aroma – the plant’s essential oils are extracted to make some of the world’s most sensuous perfumes including Chanel No. 5 – it’s said to have a calming effect, reducing blood pressure and aiding in relaxation. Shrouded in mystery, either meaning ‘wilderness’ or ‘rare,’ few plants better capture the essence of Secret Bay than the Ylang Ylang.
With the addition of these two new villas, Secret Bay now features a total of eight secluded and sustainable villas and bungalows that are nestled in nature and positioned on a breathtaking clifftop overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Offering a wealth of unique experiences, completely personalised fine dining, architecturally stunning treehouse-style accommodations and night and day access to remote beaches, Secret Bay provides guests the ultimate five-star hideaway experience.
Secret Bay is has received numerous accolades, including Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2016, Condé Nast Johansens’ Best Green Hotel 2016 in the Caribbean & Pacific, TripAdvisor’s 3rd Best Small Hotel in the Caribbean, as well as being featured as part of Caribbean Journal’s Coolest Hotels for 2016.
Scott Brownrigg Interior Designs’ latest hotel-fit out for PPHE Hotel Group – Park Plaza Nuremberg has opened.
The stunning, contemporary designed 177 bed hotel brings a fresh energy to the vibrant Bavarian city. Located opposite the 19th Century central railway station in the former home of the Bavarian-American Hotel, the design has been influenced by the city’s rich cultural and medieval history.
Taking inspiration from the Renaissance Nuremberg artist and theorist Albrecht Dürer and Martin Behaim, a German mariner and astronomer, modern and metallic tones of pink gold and copper, with purple and grey hues, shimmering textures, combined with geometric shapes, light features, ceilings, furniture, artwork and sculptures create a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere, which respects the history of the 1930’s building.
For over 50 years the Bavarian-American Hotel was one of Germany’s most famous landmarks with Park Plaza Nuremberg becoming the first official hotel to open in the building’s history. It was the residence of the prosecutors and judges during the Nuremberg trials and the US Army chose to station its officers there up until 1995. During this time the US Army launched the world renowned Radio AFN from the top floor.
Artwork and sculptures, including interpretations of Dürer’s Rhino and Behaim’s ‘Erdapfel’ globe, pay tribute to the city’s cultural legends, bringing a contemporary sophistication to Bavaria’s latest city hotspot.
Carsten Baumann, General Manager at Park Plaza Nuremberg, said of the design of the hotel, “Scott Brownrigg’s design is both vibrant and contemporary. It cleverly respects the cultural heritage of the building and the city with the use of stunning interpretations and cultural references. We believe that the design and positioning make Park Plaza Nuremberg the city’s best-connected hotel and we hope that our guests will thoroughly enjoy their experience with us.”
Of the design, Scott Brownrigg Director Una Barac said: “This is the latest hotel that we have designed for PPHE Hotel Group and we are delighted with the outcome. The setting and the unique history of the building provided us with a wonderful design opportunity. We are confident that guests will thoroughly enjoy the hotel experience that has been created”.
All bedrooms feature ultra-comfortable Park Plaza beds, a modern, contemporary design feel with integrated screen TV’s, large work desks, in-room entertainment systems and mood lighting. The hotel also features a 24-hour fitness centre and seven versatile meeting rooms, many of which benefit from natural daylight and have been designed to accommodate up to 70 delegates, providing them with state-of-the art video conferencing and on-site dining facilities.
The hotel’s destination-led restaurant, BA Beef Club has a club-like ambience, whilst its Bavarian American Bar provides a stunning environment to be enjoyed by guests and locals alike.
Eurostars Hotel Company, the hotel division of Grupo Hotusa, has arrived in Panama with the launch of Eurostars Panamá City 5*.
The iconic building, which up until now had been run as the Hotel & Casino Royal Sonesta, will become the fourteenth premises operated by the company in Latin America. Of the other projects run by the group in the region, the most notable is the Eurostars Torre Bacatá 5* in the Colombian capital Bogota.
Eurostars Panamá City 5* occupies a modern, 27-storey building with 300 rooms, over 900m2 of space for holding all kinds of professional meetings and events, in addition to a restaurant on the 26th floor with spectacular panoramic views over the old town of the Panama capital. The top floor of the hotel has a swimming pool and sun terrace.
With this new addition, the hotel department of Grupo Hotusa now has 14 establishments running in Latin America through the two chains Eurostars Hotels and exe Hotels: in addition to the Panamanian hotel there are also 6 establishments in Argentina, 2 in Colombia and 5 in Mexico. The Eurostars Hotel Company is also concluding deals in Ecuador and Mexico, which are expected to be finalised soon.
The company’s expansion in Latin America will have reached a new goal at the start of 2017, with the opening of the Eurostars Torre Bacatá 5* in Bogotá, the tallest hotel on the continent, and soon to become a reference point. With the opening scheduled for the beginning of 2016, the Eurostars Torre Bacatá 5* will offer a total of 323 rooms, including 19 suites, with over 3,000m2 of space for events and conferences distributed over a total of 16 meeting rooms. The hotel will also have a spa & wellness area covering 550 m2 , and 2 restaurants and two lounge bars distributed over 800 m2 of space.
The future Eurostars Torre Bacatá 5* will be the third establishment in Bogotá managed by the company, alongside exe Bacatá 95 4* and exe Santafé Boutique Hotel 5*. The Torre BD Bacatá, which will house the Eurostars Torre Bacatá 5*, is a building complex owned by BD Bacatá and that was designed by the prestigious Catalan architecture studio Alonso-Balaguer y Arguitectos Asociados. The complex consists of two towers, and the one that will house the hotel will be the tallest in Colombia, covering over 114,384 m2 of floor space. Aside from the hotel, the tower will also have 396 apartments, 117 offices, over 700 parking spaces and a shopping centre with 30 premises.
Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe UK, will be showcasing its contemporary, premium fabric collections at the Independent Hotel Show later this month.
Suitable for window décor and soft furnishings within contract markets, the Elements and Enchanted ranges are stunning collections of luxurious 100% flame retardant fabrics. The collections enjoy the signature Kobe style while offering affordable prices and value for money – ideal for boutique hotel interiors.
Enchanted, Kobe’s autumn 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.
David Harris, MD of Kobe UK, said: “We are looking forward to this year’s Independent Hotel Show and having the opportunity to showcase our latest collections.
“The Elements and Enchanted collections benefit from the logistical expertise and quality of Kobe, while giving access to a wider customer base through their realistic price points.”
Bringing the first luxury gaming resort experience to Washington, the $1.4 billion MGM National Harbor will make its highly anticipated debut on December 8, just minutes from Washington DC on the banks of the Potomac River.
The resort is accepting room reservations for stays beginning December 10.
“After years of planning, designing and developing, we are thrilled that the moment is almost upon us to share this very special resort with the community and visitors from around the world,” said Lorenzo Creighton, president of MGM National Harbor.
“We are grateful to Prince George’s County, the state of Maryland and all of the local designers, artisans and businesses that have collaborated with us to deliver this international resort with very local roots.”
Clean lines, modern functionality, signature wood millwork accents and floor-to-ceiling windows boasting stunning views define the 308 rooms and suites, ranging in size from 400 to 3,210 square feet. Complementing the resort’s modern elegance, room and suite designs draw inspiration from forest and water elements native to Maryland while incorporating vistas of the surrounding landscape.
Furthering the rich local flavor of MGM National Harbor through art, the thoughtfully curated Heritage Collection will be woven throughout the resort’s public spaces, featuring commissioned and procured artwork by renowned local and international sculptors, photographers and mixed-media artists including Bob Dylan, Margaret Boozer, Alice Aycock, Ron Beverly, Martha Jackson Jarvis, Sam Gilliam, John Dreyfuss, John Safer, Liao Yibai and Chul Hyun Ahn, among others.
Embassy Suites by Hilton has announced the opening of a newly-built hotel in the heart of downtown Greenville’s bustling business and entertainment district.
Embassy Suites Greenville Downtown Riverplace — the brand’s second property in South Carolina’s Upstate – rises eight stories above the cascading Reedy River, just steps across from iconic Liberty Bridge, shops, restaurants, galleries and businesses along historic tree-lined Main Street. The 156-suite hotel offers all the amenities associated with the Embassy Suites name, as well as stunning views of downtown, Falls Park and the distant Blue Ridge Mountains.
The hotel is owned by RiverStreet Lodging, LLC and developed by Windsor Aughtry Hotel Group.
“This dazzling property in downtown Greenville is a spectacular addition to our award-winning brand of upscale all-suite hotels,” said Alan Roberts, global head, Embassy Suites by Hilton. “Its convenient location near numerous attractions makes it an ideal option for leisure and business travelers.”
Managed by Hospitality America, Embassy Suites Greenville Downtown Riverplace offers guests the brand’s signature amenities, including a free made-to-order breakfast and two-hour complimentary Evening Reception* with snacks and beverages, free WiFi and comfortable two-room suites and guest rooms with a living area and bedroom.
Other features are distinctive to the property, including an innovative, contemporary design and spacious lobby – resplendent in regional artwork – that is perfect for meeting and gathering. The charming river is the focal point for scenic, panoramic views throughout the hotel, including those from Up on the Roof.
Cachet Hotel Group has announced the signing of a management agreement with real estate developer Wuhan King Land Co. Ltd. for the dual-branded Cachet Hotel Apartments and URBN Boutique Hotel in Wuhan, China.
Set in the economic, cultural and transportation hub of Central China, the dual-branded property will include 196 rooms, multiple restaurants, and social gathering spaces. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2018 and marks CHG’s first dual-branded project in Wuhan.
Designed by world-renowned American architectural firm RTKL, Cachet Hotel Apartments Wuhan and URBN Boutique Hotel Wuhan are situated in a visionary mixed used development known as Ace-Mega.
Occupying the top 18 floors of the property, Cachet Hotel Apartments Wuhan will boast 160 thoughtfully-designed, fully-furnished serviced apartments ranging from studios to two-bedroom suites, each featuring generous square-footage, a well-equipped kitchen, modern work space, stylish living area and complete home entertainment system.
An extensive suite of facilities and services are available to help busy executives, leisure travelers and families make the most of their stay. These include meeting spaces, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi Internet throughout the property, a 24-hour fully-equipped gym, C-Lounge with cocktail hours, wine bar, board games and more. It also provides 24-hour reception, concierge, security, laundry and dry cleaning services.
Leading bathroom brand, HiB is continuing to showcase its expert design credentials with the introduction the beautiful new Vega mirror.
Inspired by HiB’s flagship Globe mirror, the new Vega features a sharp, rectangular form completed with a thick, softly curved LED illumination border, adding a real dose of glamour to the bathroom.
As with all HiB products, the Vega mirror is intuitively designed for the ultimate in ease of use. A clever soft-start touch enables users to turn the lighting on and off, or hold to select the desired colour temperature from the full spectrum of warm to cool white light, which will then remain in default mode until changed.
More so, it even boasts a charging socket, discreetly hidden behind the mirror front, suitable for toothbrushes, shavers and trimmers. Also, Vega is fitted with a heated pad to help clear condensation from the central area.
Steve Kaye, marketing director at HiB comments: “Having experienced huge success with our best-selling Globe mirror, it seemed the natural progression to consolidate our portfolio with what is very much an extension of the design.
“Allowing for a stylishly minimalistic look with a sophisticated twist, the soft curved form in the stunningly reflective illuminated border enables homeowners to create a truly bespoke, high-impact look in their bathroom design. It really is the ultimate choice for the fashion-forward consumer seeking to make their bathroom beautiful.”
Vega is available in three different sizes; 70cm wide x 50cm high, 80cm wide by 60cm high and 60cm wide x 80cm high
HiB Ltd, Building 3, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South, New Southgate, London, N11 1GN
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has announced plans to expand its presence in Florida with the opening of two new hotels in 2018: Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach in Miami and a new, luxury lifestyle boutique hotel in Tampa.
These two additions will be joining Kimpton Angler’s Hotel, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, Kimpton EPIC Hotel, Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa, and Kimpton Hotel Zamora in the Florida region.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach The new boutique hotel will be a 96-room new-build, located in the Sunset Harbour area of South Beach, a popular international and local leisure destination on Miami Beach. Owned and developed by The Finvarb Group, Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach will feature a striking design by legendary Miami architect and designer Kobi Karp, as well as a rooftop pool and bar and a new signature restaurant overlooking Collins Canal.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is a company known for regionally inspired and innovative design, and Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach, which will embrace Karp’s signature sleek, modern, glass-and-light-filled approach, is anticipated to become an iconic South Beach landmark with its cutting edge architecture and design.
Kimpton Hotels – New Luxury Lifestyle Boutique Hotel In Tampa
Kimpton’s New Luxury Lifestyle Boutique Hotel In Tampa Kimpton has also announced that it will manage a new boutique hotel in Tampa, Florida. The new-construction property, built as a modern Italian piazza, will form the heart of a thriving community area, essentially creating an intimate town square in an otherwise commercial area. Designed by award-winning architect Albert Alfonso, it will feature 150 rooms and suites spanning five stories, a rooftop bar and separate rooftop event space, and more than 4,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space, including dedicated venues for musical performances.
The Tampa hotel will also house the first U.S. outpost for Chef Silvia Baracchi, who gained international acclaim at Il Falconiere, a Michelin-starred restaurant and retreat in Cortona, Tuscany. The intimate fine dining restaurant will be supplied by a new off-site, state-of-the-art hydroponic farm named Red Barn Farm, which will devote nearly eight acres of climate-controlled growing capacity exclusively to the property (but guests can still catch a glimpse of the growing techniques thanks to a showpiece vertical garden).
Sekers announces the launch of Seabrook, an adaptable chenille texture with a soft hand. Seabrook is available in a palette of 20 colours, ranging from vibrant shades to calm neutrals.
With a high abrasion performance of 100,000 Martindale and supplied with a Crib 5 flame retardant backing Seabrook is an ideal upholstery choice for the designer specifying for commercial sectors including hospitality, leisure and marine markets.
ALL SALES AND SAMPLING ENQUIRIES TO: Sekers Fabrics Limited 7a Nobel Road, Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate Dundee, DD2 4UH Sales Tel: +44 (0) 1946 517501 Sales Fax: +44 (0) 1946 517502 UK & Ireland Email: sales@sekers.co.uk Export Email: export@sekers.co.uk www.sekersfabrics.co.uk
Luxury fabric specialist Kobe UK is celebrating its most successful Decorex yet. The company, which first exhibited at the event in 2008, showcased visitors its stunning new collections.
David Harris, MD of Kobe UK said: “This was a fantastic show for us. It was a great opportunity to meet new customers and the ideal platform for us to promote our new collections.”
Debuting at Decorex was Kobe’s Elegance, inspired by Art Deco, reflecting the lavish glamour reminiscent of this period. Also for the first time the company showed a new compact range of ‘room highs’, the extra wide fabrics for window décor.
The fabric is more than 300cm high with the pattern printed or woven horizontally across, making matching patterns and sewing seams a thing of the past. The sophisticated, luxurious easy-to-care-for, washable fabrics come in a pale tte of neutral pastels and rich deep tones.
Kobe has a range of collections featuring room high fabrics as well as the standard widths. Both City Chic and Aurora offer the very latest trends in room-highs.
Said David: “Listening to our customers is our number one priority and the feedback we got about the collections was fantastic. We will certainly be back again next year!”
Kobe’s UK operation is based in Crowthorne, Berkshire.
18 Wellington Business Park Dukes Ride Crowthorne Berkshire RG45 6LS UK
With the ink just dry on the BON Hotel Addis Ababa contract, BON Hotels, a hospitality company that owns, manages and markets hotels throughout South Africa and Africa, has taken on a second property in East Africa, namely Lake Heights Hotel, Uganda, which is to be re-branded Lake Heights Entebbe by BON Hotels, on 1 October 2016.
This is the latest addition to the BON stable and forms an integral part of the group’s expansion plans into Africa.
Entebbe International airport, currently undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion has high volumes of East African transit business from member states that Lake Heights Entebbe by BON Hotels, given its nearby location, is poised to take advantage of, providing a convenient option for the leisure market, international visitors on their way to Uganda’s national parks, and the corporate traveller en route to Kampala.
The hotel is Entebbe’s first boutique-style hotel and offers 33 individually designed rooms overlooking Lake Victoria, all with signature comfortable beds, generous work spaces and high-speed complimentary Wi-Fi. Facilities include a wellness centre, spa and gymnasium, full in-house restaurant and bar overlooking the lake, a purpose-built conference venue and swimming pool.
YES! Hospitality, East Africa Limited, who oversee operations for BON Hotels in East Africa, are excited about the expansion into Uganda – a country that is politically stable and poised for rapid economic growth. Guy Stehlik, CEO of BON Hotels adds, “This acquisition further cements our presence in key African countries that we identified some time ago.”
Hospitality giant Wyndham Hotel Group has announced the opening of The Antlers, A Wyndham Hotel, in Colorado Springs. It’s the latest addition to the company’s namesake Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® brand.
The Antlers is owned by hoteliers John Goede and Perry R. Sanders, Jr., is in the final phase of a comprehensive renovation transforming the hotel’s 273 guest rooms and suites, lobby, restaurants, and more than 27,000 square feet of extensive meeting and event space accommodating over 2,000 people.
Its opening increases Wyndham Hotel Group’s presence in the Colorado Springs area to 15 hotels, including The Mining Exchange, A Wyndham Grand Hotel, also owned by Goede and Sanders.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts make travel extraordinary with personal, thoughtful touches, connecting with guests by delivering comfort that exceeds expectations with the tailored services and amenities expected at a first-class hotel.
Celebrating the area’s distinct landscape and local culture, the second phase of the hotel’s transformative renovation includes a new rooftop pool and bar with direct views of Pike’s Peak; a lobby bar with 100 beers showcasing local Colorado micro brews and 100 Colorado craft spirits; and dinner service at the new Antlers Grill, home to local Colorado fare. Additional offerings will include a rooftop garden and apiary, a new Italian restaurant, a 24-hour fitness centre and an indoor pool and hot tub.
The Antlers first opened in 1883 by the founder of Colorado Springs, General William Jackson Palmer, and housed the General’s large and envied collection of hunting trophies. Then known as “Little London” because of the multitude of English tourists to the hotel, it featured modern conveniences of the time including a hydraulic elevator, central steam heat and gas lights. The hotel was rebuilt in 1901 following a fire and again in 1967, still standing today in its original location.
In a city revered for bold architectural wonders and soaring skylines, come November, a landmark 1929 Art Deco masterpiece will see a soulful revival befitting the Windy City.
Perched high above the six corners of Damen, Milwaukee, and North Avenue, The Robey stands stoically as the only skyscraper for kilometres, stretching 61-metres high and home to 69 guest rooms, Café Robey, a second-floor lounge, a guest-only rooftop lounge, and, come 2017, an exclusive rooftop pool. With the pedigree of Grupo Habita behind the project, so too comes a confident stroke of modern yet timeless hospitality.
Taking its name from Robey Street—the north-south artery now known as Damen Avenue, where Wicker Park and Bucktown meet—The Robey captures the storied spirit of Chicago: a bustling, ever-changing, big-shouldered town. A unique triangular prism shape ensures that The Robey stands out as one of the neighbourhood’s most recognisable landmarks. Although formally called the Northwest Tower, the building is nicknamed the Coyote Building due to its “howling” appearance, some say. Glass, natural wood, concrete, and chrome—the textures vary, but the minimalistic approach remains consistent throughout guestrooms and public spaces.
Originally designed as an office building by the firm of Perkins, Chatten & Hammond, each of the hotel’s light-filled rooms, lobby, and roof spaces were transformed by Belgian design duo Nicolas Schuybroek Architects and Marc Merckx Interiors. The 12-storey building dons an Art Deco façade of original limestone and features a rooftop cupola and lantern, as originally designed by the Chicago-based firm.
Thanks to the unusual triangular footprint of the building, front-row views of the lively city feature prominently, as does an abundance of natural light. Herringbone hardwood floors contrast with Art Deco references in many of the rooms and suites, while bathrooms and bedrooms are separated by walls of vintage chicken-wire glass. Furniture ranges from sleek and streamlined to inviting and contemporary, with minimalism reigning throughout.
The 69 rooms are generously split across twelve floors, with only six or seven per floor. Rooms and suites range from 20 to 63 sqm, and all feature a shower and a king-size bed, apart from the 20-to 24 sqm Landmark Queen room that features a queen-size bed. The Corner and Panorama Suites and the Landmark Queen room also boast a sitting area, with the former two also playing host to a working desk. All rooms and suites also offer views of the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods, while The Panorama Suite affords 180-degree views of Chicago’s skyline.
Sitting at the epicentre of Chicago’s Wicker Park and Bucktown neighbourhoods—a pair of arts and culture-obsessed communities—the hotel’s ethos follows suit with social sensibilities front and centre. Communal spaces abound, showcasing terrazzo, natural woods, and hues of deep red, green, white, and gray.
Eurostars Hotels, the hotel division of Grupo Hotusa, has recently incorporated the Exe City Park 3*, a modern hotel located in a classical building that has joined the exe Hotels chain. This is the company’s third hotel in the Czech capital, joining Eurostars Thalia 5* and Eurostars David 4*.
President of Grupo Hotusa, Amancio López Seijas, says “Exe City Park is a great complement to the two hotels we already have in Prague, a destination to which we are firmly committed. We haven’t discarded the possibility of new operations to allow us to continue growing our presence here.” Eurostars Hotel Company also hopes to continue growing in central Europe, where in addition to the Czech Republic, it currently has a notable presence in Germany, Austria and Hungary.
Exe City Park 3*, which was previously known as Hotel Vienna House Easy Chopin, is located in a classical building typical of Prague, contrasting with its modern, fresh, elegant, chic interior design. It is located just off the famous Wenceslas Square, opposite the main Prague train station. This location allows guests to reach the city’s top tourist sites quickly on foot.
Beyond its 80 fully equipped rooms, the hotel also features a snack bar and meeting room with space for 25 people, for small professional events. With this latest incorporation, exe Hotels now has 42 establishments in 11 countries in Europe and the Americas, and continues to expand abroad, where it currently has 15 hotels.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and NOVUM Hotel Group, one of the largest hotel groups in Germany, have both announced the signing of a Multiple Development Agreement spanning 20 hotels across Europe in markets such as Germany, Austria and Netherlands. The MDA is the first venture together between both companies.
IHG currently has over 650 hotels in Europe, including 64 hotels in Germany, and is going from strength to strength in a market that is seeing continued expansion.
Hamburg based NOVUM Hotel Group currently has 99 hotels across Germany including their own brand hotels, and those developed in partnership with IHG will be franchised.
Ron Shepherd, Chief Development Officer, IHG, Europe, said: “Europe is growing at pace and we are well positioned to take advantage of the appetite for branded growth. We cannot wait to kick off the beginning of this long-term partnership with NOVUM Group.”
Adds David Etmenan, Chief Executive Officer & Owner, NOVUM Group, “Franchise partnerships are of particular importance to our international expansion and we see IHG and its winning portfolio of brands as the optimal way to gain ground and advance our European expansion strategy.”
YTL Hotels is delighted to announce the expansion of its luxury portfolio with the recent acquisition of three properties in Edinburgh, Berkshire and London, strengthening the company’s presence within the United Kingdom.
The company’s current portfolio in the United Kingdom encompasses The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the sole hotel to be part of the Leading Hotels of the World’s collection in Bath and offering the only natural thermal spa within a hotel in the United Kingdom, and Muse Bray Cottages, an exclusive collection of three bespoke private residences in Berkshire.
Dato’ Mark Yeoh, Executive Director of YTL Hotels commented: “I am delighted to welcome these new properties into the YTL Hotels fold. We will be undertaking exciting enhancements to each property and its offerings to elevate their value in line with our best of class standards. Last year, we opened The Gainsborough Bath Spa, our first classic hotel in the United Kingdom, and it has done us proud by exemplifying the same tradition of excellence known for in Pangkor Laut Resort – Malaysia and all the properties within our portfolio.
“Our core philosophy of not just building properties but crafting inspired experiences for guests will guide us in our enhancement and development plans for these newly acquired properties.”
YTL Hotels – Monkey Island, Berkshire
The property acquisition in Edinburgh attests to YTL Hotels’ long standing relationship with Marriott International since 1995 through the ownership management of five luxurious properties around the world: Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, Brisbane Marriott Hotel, Melbourne Marriott Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur and JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, as well as the future development of The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui – Thailand and the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Niseko Village – Japan.
Three new additions to the YTL Hotels’ portfolio will include the following: The Glasshouse Hotel, a part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, is already an award-winning 77-room luxury boutique hotel with a secret rooftop garden and was once the Lady Glenorchy Church built in the mid-19th century.
YTL Hotels – The Academy, West End London
The second acquisition, Monkey Island, is a centuries old retreat in Bray-on-Thames, Berkshire that nestles on an island in the River Thames surrounded by stunning gardens and accessible only by a footbridge or boat. The stately retreat will be redesigned by the award-winning New York-based Champalimaud Design who orchestrated distinctive interior design projects for The Gainsborough Bath Spa, The Green Leaf Niseko Village, The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, The Carlyle in New York and the Dorchester in London, to name a few.
The Academy Hotel comprising of a collection of five restored Georgian townhouses combined into one charming hotel, is centrally located in London’s West End within a stone’s throw from The British Museum, surrounded by fine restaurants and world famous shopping streets. The boutique hotel will undergo a full refurbishment.
These latest acquisitions mark YTL Hotels’ global portfolio expansion to a total of 29 assets with a footprint across Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, France, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The importance of BREEAM, the internationally recognised measure of sustainability for buildings and communities, has been recognised with 7 out of the 10 projects shortlisted for the Sustainability Project of the Year category having achieved BREEAM certification.
The projects span a range of sectors from hotels to offices, education to laboratories and research facilities. They are The Enterprise Centre, designed by architects Architype for client Adapt and University of East Anglia; 5 Broadgate, designed by Make architects for British Land; Centre for Medicine designed by Associated Architects for University of Leicester; Land Rover BAR HQ designed by HGP Architects; 7 Air Street, London, designed by Barr Gazetas for The Crown Estates; Penarth Learning Community by HLM architects for Vale of Glamorgan Council; and Hub by Premier Inn designed by architects Axiom.
In the creation of these buildings, the projects teams have all strived to embed sustainability through innovative design and procurement. There has been a clear focus on delivering exceptional schemes that look to the future and place emphasis on the building performance and the users well-being. In many instances the way in which these projects have been delivered and their environmental impact and performance will influence the design of many other schemes.
For example, the Enterprise Centre is the first building in the UK to be wrapped in thatched timber cassettes, combining traditional construction with modern techniques whilst 5 Broadgate features a super-insulated primary solid envelope that helps to reduce solar heat gain and helps the building to be almost 50% more energy efficient than the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations. Elsewhere, 7 Air Street has demonstrated how a 1920’s office building can be refurbished to create a modern office that will save 350 tonnes of carbon per year whilst introducing green lease tenancies designed to encourage occupants to adopt energy saving practices. With an aim to be the most sustainable sports team in the UK, Land Rover BAR have shown that through the creation of a small garden on their site, ecology can be integrated into a project. The garden is now home to 69 new species, compared to eight prior to the development of the building.
“Each of the shortlisted projects has embraced sustainability in a different way and they should all be commended on their efforts to create low energy buildings that respect their surroundings and provide adaptable space for occupants and future generations,” commented Martin Townsend, Director of Sustainability at BRE Global. “The fact that the vast majority are BREEAM certified is testimony to the global position the standard holds and further illustrates BREEAM’s importance in driving innovation and best practice through the application of sustainability.”
The Building Awards are being held on the 8th November at the Grosvenor House, London.
The Harlequin rug collection is a comprehensive compendium of on-trend, versatile and eye-catching rugs, which have been adapted from best-selling designs in the company’s extensive portfolio.
The range is produced in conjunction with innovative Dutch rug manufacturer, Brink & Campman. Exquisitely crafted, these eye-catching wool rugs are hand-tufted to emphasise their sumptuous textures and mouth-watering tones. Each individual piece makes a statement in its own right, as well as acting as the perfect complement to Harlequin’s stunning fabrics and wallcoverings.
For 2016, Harlequin will be launching four exquisite designs inspired by the Fauvisimo fabric collection. With a fashion-forward feel, the artistic designs will be sure to complete any interior space.
Floreale: a painterly floral design of oversized peonies, foxgloves and foliage, available in three striking colourways of Fuchsia, Maize and Marine. Paletto: cheerful and bold, featuring irregular, painterly daubs reminiscent of an artist’s palette, available in Berry and Shore colourways. Trattino: an abstract brushstroke motif in confident colourways of Berry and Sea-Glass. Verdaccio: a vibrant flora and fauna design in Coral and Pewter colourways.
The contemporary rugs are hand-tufted in 100% wool and come in three sizes (140 x 200cm £375, 170 x 240cm £499 and 200 x 280cm £749). In addition, a bespoke service for all the new rug designs is available, should a specific size be required, with prices starting at £209.
Full of joy and verve, this effortlessly elegant collection of sumptuous rugs will add a stylish statement to your interior scheme. The rugs will be launched at the end of September, and will be available nationally and internationally via a network of stockists.
Pendry Hotels, the new luxury brand from Montage Hotels & Resorts, will be debuting later this year. Pendry will be opening its first inaugural property in San Diego (December 2016) followed by Baltimore (February 2017).
Pendry will have the same five-star service and hospitality for which the Montage is known for, aimed at travelers with a younger mindset who want to mix a luxury experience while experiencing the real authenticity of a city.
Pendry, as a brand, is focused on developing classically beautiful hotels that are also culturally connected and brimming with experiences that surprise and delight, with a strong focus on community and creative collaborations and programming. Located in the vibrant Gaslamp neighbourhood, Pendry San Diego will be personal and comfortable, with an emphasis on local creativity and innovation, impeccable service and amenities and fresh design by Rottet Interiors.
Pendry San Diego will feature six dining and entertainment venues for guests and locals to enjoy. Three of these venues will be designed and developed in conjunction with the team at Clique Hospitality and include Lionfish by chef Jose Ruiz – the hotel’s main restaurant which will focus on seasonal and local ingredients. Inspired by the social clubs of a bygone era, Oxford Social Club will be the hotel’s nightlife centerpiece, welcoming guests and locals to enjoy a late-night experience focused on design, music, service and an extensive, curated cocktail program.
In additional to the outlets above The Pool House will boast some of the best views in the Gaslamp Quarter, while embodying the true essence of the southern California lifestyle with its light, contemporary open-air design and indoor/outdoor aesthetic. Finally, Provisional is a cafe and marketplace that the brand is developing with Raan and Lindsay Parton of Apolis and LA’s Alchemy Works (which also just opened in NYC in Soho). This is the Partons’ first foray into an F&B/retail concept.
Following San Diego and Baltimore, Pendry plans for aggressive national growth in key major hospitality markets around the country. Locations such as San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and Fell’s Point in Baltimore are of significant interest to Pendry, as they’re both under-the-radar markets quickly gaining new notoriety as travel destinations and are also stepping stones from major cities such as LA and NY for those seeking something new. The brand sees a lot of potential in these markets and plans to continue expansion within taste-making destinations domestically and abroad.
Scottish five-star resort, Cameron House, has revealed the results of a £3 million refurbishment in what the resort has announced is the first stage of a year-long multi-million pound renovation. This initial phase has focussed on revamping the food and beverage offering along with the hotel’s other public spaces.
Situated on the southern banks of Loch Lomond, Cameron House boasts five dining options. At the heart of the hotel, Cameron Grill – Cameron House’s fine dining establishment – has been refreshed with new interiors. Light, fresh neutral tones now help create a welcoming space that envelops but at the same time makes the most of its iconic views.
Whilst the creation of a new cocktail bar and menu adds another level of glamour to the restaurant, the Great Scots Bar also now makes the most of the hotel’s location with additional tables and new seating overlooking the loch.
Elsewhere, the public spaces – including the swimming pool and meeting rooms – have been upgraded most notably with four statement chandeliers giving the reception a brighter, lighter feel.
Overlooking the enhanced marina at the water’s edge meanwhile, the Boathouse restaurant has been updated with refreshes made to its signature New England style. With the light reflecting off the water lifting this bright, breezy space, it’s the perfect foil for a menu that celebrates the best of classic dishes and local seafood that can be enjoyed inside or outside on the deck.
“This work represents the start of an exciting multi-million pound investment,” says Resort Director, Andy Roger. “We feel the changes celebrate the resort’s setting and bring a new level of luxury to our offering. Our new-look interiors match the warmth of our hospitality, and with more spaces for visitors to sit, press pause and enjoy a taste of Scotland, the feedback from our guests has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Hilton Worldwide has announced the opening of its newest hotel, the dual-branded Hilton Garden Inn Miami Dolphin Mall and Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami Dolphin Mall, bringing a total of 232 new rooms to the city. The opening further establishes Hilton’s strong presence in Miami and continues the company’s growth in dual-build properties.
“Our dual branded Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites hotels serve as a great addition to the thriving area of Miami and continue our expansion in major urban markets,” said John Greenleaf, global head, Hilton Garden Inn. “Each brand retains its signature amenities which provides guests a unique opportunity to customize their stay.”
Developed by Procacci Development and managed by Real Hospitality Group, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami Dolphin Mall complement the city’s vibrant and growing tourism attractions. Situated adjacent to Miami Dolphin Mall, the properties offer guests a centralised location with convenient access to Miami International Mall, the Doral Golf Course and Everglades National Park. Additionally, downtown Miami, South Beach and Miami International Airport are a short drive away.
The dual-brand concept creates enhanced and larger communal areas benefiting both business and leisure travelers. The hotel has two distinct lobbies and dining areas that cater to the needs of their respective guests, while sharing a 1,100 square foot fitness centre, outdoor pool and putting green. All guest rooms offer 43-inch HDTV with 55 channels including complimentary music and movie viewing options. Evening room service is also provided to all guests.
The hotel also offers 5,500 square feet of conference space and versatile meeting rooms with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment including the divisible Flamingo Ballroom which can seat up to 180 guests. The Sandpiper meeting room can accommodate cocktail receptions up to 225 guests and offers a 1,200 square feet private terrace which is ideal for evening receptions and breaks. For the business traveler, the Heron is a perfect setting for business presentations, meetings, small dinners and intimate social functions.
Devon’s Cary Arms has widened its scope for corporate stays with the opening of six chic Beach Huts and two luxury Beach Suites.
Following the developments, the boutique five-star inn can host larger corporate groups with 18 rooms and suites available. The new accommodation, sitting on the water’s edge and set amid exquisite tropical coastal gardens, is ideal for companies looking to host intimate corporate days in luxury surroundings.
Owned by Lana de Savary, the wife of the well-known international entrepreneur and yachtsman, Peter de Savary, the six new Beach Huts and two new Beach Suites are unique.
The simplistic design of the Beach Hut exterior is reminiscent of traditional seaside charm and combined with the contemporary duplex interior and luxurious hand-crafted furnishings, cultivates a union between form, function and views. Huge wall-to-wall glass doors fold back onto the sunbathing deck, drawing light even on the dullest of days.
The two spacious Beach Suites (980-sq-ft) provide a pared down elegance with their modern take on coastal colours. Lateral in design, the wide sun-decks (cantilevered over the beach) and interiors all make the most of the panoramic views. Each comprises a terrace, sitting room, wet bar, feature fire, bedroom and elegant bathroom.
The Cary Arms offers privacy and flexibility for meetings. The conservatory can be arranged boardroom-style for up to 18 delegates and there is plenty of space to break-out including the outdoor glass sphere, The Pod and the indoor Saloon. Team building activities can be arranged including coasteering and golf on Augusta’s famous MacKenzie designed Teignmouth. Dining is hearty with Head Chef Ben Kingdon’s creative dishes based on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Cary Arms is easily accessible at just a 25 minute drive from Exeter International Airport and a ten minute transfer from Newton Abbott train station. The inn is under two hours’ drive from Cheltenham and just three hours from Birmingham and four hours London.
Sekers is pleased to announce the launch of Rye, a subtle shimmering upholstery fabric with textural simplicity.
Available in a palette of 20 shades including warm earthy tones and bright pops of colour, Rye is a versatile upholstery collection.
Supplied with a Crib 5 flame retardant backing and with a high abrasion performance of 70,000, Rye is an ideal upholstery choice for the contract market, from pubs and hotels to cruise ships, meeting all relevant UK and IMO standards for upholstery.
ALL SALES AND SAMPLING ENQUIRIES TO: Sekers Fabrics Limited 7a Nobel Road, Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate Dundee, DD2 4UH Sales Tel: +44 (0) 1946 517501 Sales Fax: +44 (0) 1946 517502 UK & Ireland Email: sales@sekers.co.uk Export Email: export@sekers.co.uk www.sekersfabrics.co.uk
Sani Resort, the five-star resort and ecological reserve in Halkidiki, is expanding its choice of suites and rooms with a brand new adult-friendly hotel, Sani Dunes, set to open at the end of June 2017.
This chic new destination will offer a private beach, indoor and outdoor heated pools, an exclusive spa with six private treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite with private steam bath, a special Thai massage cabin, fitness studio and gourmet restaurants.
Low-rise contemporary accommodation will 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. Several suites will offer beautifully appointed terraces, balconies or private gardens.
DoubleTree by Hilton has announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central, located in the centre of the city. The property is owned and managed by Amaris Hospitality and is joining Hilton’s Scottish portfolio of 16 properties.
Having undergone a £11 million refurbishment, this new hotel in the centre of Glasgow is home to 300 modern guest rooms, including three fully equipped suites. DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central also offers world-class conference facilities with Scotland’s largest hotel meeting space, The Grand Ballroom.
The ballroom can accommodate up to 1,500 meeting or event attendees, making it the perfect space in Scotland for large events, conferences and weddings. A further 12 meeting spaces are also available on site, all with natural daylight and state-of-the-art equipment.
Dianna Vaughan, senior vice president and global head, DoubleTree by Hilton said, “The sophisticated property offers close proximity to a number of top attractions, including the SSE Hydro arena, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and major nearby businesses. Beyond this, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central offers guests the welcoming comforts and hospitality that travellers can expect from DoubleTree by Hilton, starting with the presentation of a warm, Chocolate Chip Cookie at check-in, a symbol of the kindness that makes a stay with us so memorable.”
Guests can unwind and refresh at the hotel’s heated pool, sauna and steam rooms. Additionally, the property’s restaurant, Brisket, offers another space for guests to relax.
John Brennan, CEO of Amaris Hospitality said, “We are extremely excited to be opening the new DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central Hotel after an extensive £11 million investment and refurbishment. This wonderful, city-centre hotel is Amaris Hospitality’s second Hilton brand hotel in Scotland. We look for great hotels in world class locations and the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central Hotel is the perfect addition to the Amaris portfolio.”
Red Planet Hotels, the fast-growing pan-Asian budget hotel chain has announced it has received $70 million (£53.7 million) from Goldman Sachs, the leading global investment bank.
Founded in 2010, Red Planet Hotels owns and operates a portfolio of 26 hotels in Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The funds from Goldman Sachs will facilitate the activation of a confirmed pipeline for 10 hotels to open over the next 24 months.
Red Planet Hotels Chief Executive Officer, Tim Hansing, said the investment would solidify the company’s current expansion roadmap and help to establish a basis to close a final round of private investor equity to support further expansion of the brand.
“We have a well-diversified portfolio over four countries, and have developed a highly systemised brand. We have also created a unique customer-facing IT platform that is without parallel in our market. We now have substantial growth opportunities not only in our existing markets but also in additional countries where we are confident our brand and product will excel,” Mr Hansing added.
“To have our company, our people, our product, and our brand be funded by Goldman Sachs indeed gives us the confidence that we are on the right track to our stated goal of a 2018 IPO.”
Since 2011 Red Planet Hotels has raised $240 million (£184 million) of capital and the funds from Goldman Sachs position the company well to complete its next and final pre-IPO round of capital raising amounting to $250 million (£192 million).
Z Hotels has injected its signature style into a collection of Georgian townhouses in the capital’s lively West End, offering urban luxury at an affordable price: a city stay at out of town prices.
Z Hotels at Gloucester Place With rooms from just £85 per night, the venture is a first for the brand, consisting of a designer conversion of five individual townhouses in Gloucester Place, ideally located between Portman Square and Marylebone Road.
Known for expertly designed and compact accommodation across the portfolio, the hotel invites guests to unwind in beautiful listed buildings with a contemporary and stylish upgrade. New room types are available, including King bedrooms and Junior Suites with additional lounge areas and large wardrobes. Guests in all of the 94 bedrooms will be able to take advantage of the spacious and relaxed Z Café located at 51- 53 Gloucester Place, the biggest yet for Z Hotels.
Z Hotels CLUB at Gloucester Place At the same time, the hotel has introduced another exciting new concept within this venture. Z Hotels CLUB is a 20 bedroom designer townhouse conversion located at 87 Gloucester Place. With bedrooms designed to the same high standard associated with all Z Hotels, all CLUB bookings include complimentary breakfast, drinks and snacks throughout the day, afternoon tea and cocktails. The communal area offers a sociable meeting place where guests can truly make themselves at home. Prices start from £110 a night.
As with all Z Hotels, each bedroom features a large Samsung HD TV with a full selection of Sky Sports, BT Sports and Sky Movies available at no extra cost, power shower, bespoke hand-crafted bed, luxury bed linen and free Wi-Fi.
Bev King, director of Z Hotels commented: “We are really excited to be developing the brand and experimenting with the beautiful Gloucester Place properties. The structure and layout of the townhouses allowed us trying something new, and although the majority of the rooms are bigger, the ethos of Z continues to remain throughout the new hotel.”
Leonardo Hotels is opening its second UK hotel in Edinburgh on October 7.
Following the launch of Leonardo Hotel London Heathrow Airport in March 2015, the brand is continuing with its European expansion, with the new 282-bed Edinburgh hotel up and running next month.
The centrally-located hotel is a former Premier Inn, of which there are currently six in Edinburgh alone. The Leonardo Hotel will now undergo a renovation process, overseen by interior designer Andreas Neudahm.
As well as the 282 bedrooms, the building is home to four function rooms and a conference centre.
Daniel Roger, Managing Director Europe, said: “We are delighted to add Edinburgh to our portfolio. The capital of Scotland is a fascinating and multifaceted city. It is second only to London as the largest economic and trade center in Great Britain. I am certain that we can expect a positive response from our guests at the new destination, as we are offering them another attractive addition to our existing hotels.”
Leonardo Hotels is the European division of Fattal Hotels Group, founded by David Fattal in Israel. Leonardo Hotels has been present with over 65 hotels in more than 35 destinations on the European market since 2007, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary as well as Italy.
Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has announced plans to open and operate a new hotel in Milpitas, California, within a new neighborhood development of top tier residential and retail stores called “The Fields.”
The mixed used development broke ground in November 2015 and the hotel is expected to break ground in the autumn of 2017. The Silicon Valley hotel will be managed by Virgin Hotels and developed by Lyon Living.
“As we grow the Virgin Hotels brand, the way we continue to expand our footprint in key destinations that align with our brand values is incredibly exciting. Our move into Silicon Valley is the perfect example of this, given our dedication to thoughtful technology within our guest experience,” says Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels. “The city of Milpitas is also experiencing a revitalization driven by the tech industry and developments like The Fields, so we’re thrilled to be a significant part of that growth and look forward to welcoming those travelers visiting Silicon Valley for both business and pleasure.”
Virgin Hotels Silicon Valley, anticipated to open Fall 2019, will feature 200 Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites; multiple dining and drinking outlets, including the brand’s flagship space, The Commons Club; a coffee shop; numerous meeting spaces; and a rooftop bar and live music venue. Strategically located between the I-680 and I-880 freeways, the development is also adjacent to Milpitas’ Great Mall, which is currently undergoing a $20 million renovation.
The brand’s first hotel, Virgin Hotels Chicago, is now open and accepting reservations with Nashville, Dallas, Palm Springs and New York slated to open next. Virgin Hotels continues to explore properties in cities such as Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington DC, and London; locations where it is pursuing hotel and office conversions and ground-up development.
Chelsom is pleased to reveal its work with Martin Brudnizki Design Studio and the Cardy Group in creating a stunning custom designed lighting scheme for the guestrooms and suites of one of New York’s coolest new hotel openings – Thompson Hotels The Beekman.
The scheme was completely individual in its entirety as to be expected from MBDS and the lighting pieces designed for the project were no exception. Key pieces included Art Deco-themed bespoke ceiling pendants in antique brass and frosted glass with laser cut detailing for the entrance lobbies to the suites, in addition to stunning mouth-blown smoke glass chandeliers adorning all the guestrooms and suites.
Bespoke orb ceramic table lamps in an olive green crackled finish complete with decorative collar were specified for the bedside along with a kitsch foo dog table lamp in imperial blue.
The lighting scheme was further supplemented by the addition of a striking desk lamp in the form of mouth-blown Venetian glass hand-painted egg in a plethora of vivid colours. The guestroom lighting scheme was completed by two floor lamps; the first being a metal fitting finished in matt black with a decorative wooden handle, teamed with a peacock blue French drum shade lined in gold to give a warm ambient light and create a subtle shimmer effect. The second piece was a retro feel angle poised metal floor standard with a solid marble base and brass detailing finished with a coloured can shaped head.
A duo of vintage inspired chrome wall sconces positioned either side of a centrepiece mirror adorn all bathrooms. Dimmable LED light sources are encased in moulded optical frosted glass to create a classic yet eclectic feel, one perfectly in-keeping with both the flawless interior scheme created by the team at MBDS and the historic building itself.
Hilton’s Hampton by Hilton brand has announced the opening of its newest property, Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Zeytinburnu.
The 162-room hotel joins the Hampton by Hilton family of Hampton Inn by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton hotels, and joins a further 44 Hilton properties in Turkey.
Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Zeytinburnu is conveniently located 13 kilometres from Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
The LEED (Leadership in Energy Environment Design) Platinum certified property has been recognised for its green building features, including its significant water and energy savings. Preserving the environment is one of the key pillars of Travel with Purpose, Hilton’s corporate responsibility strategy.
Free Wi-Fi, a business centre and five meeting rooms are also available. Each guestroom features high-quality amenities, including the brand’s signature Clean and fresh Hampton bed®, 40-inch LCD TV and complimentary coffee and tea.
A boathouse in Windermere has been transformed into one of the Lake District’s most exclusive holiday destinations, set in secluded woodland at Storrs Hall hotel, which recently became part of the Bespoke Hotels collection.
The Grade II* listed building has undergone renovation work costing more than £500,000. Available to book from September 2016, its guests will be able to enjoy the totally private luxury accommodation with stunning views across the lake.
The Boathouse; Storrs Hall; Windermere JENNY WOOLGAR PHOTOGRAPHY
Guests will access the 200-year-old boathouse via a keypad at the handmade gates. The building’s refurbishment includes bespoke fixtures and fittings, from the unique American black walnut bed, Arte three-dimensional textile wall coverings and a Keuco bathroom, to an iPad-controlled mood-lighting and sound system which controls everything from the window blinds to the Sonos music equipment. This historic building has been reinvented with solid oak woodwork, a huge spa shower which becomes a steam room, and underfloor heating.
The Boathouse; Storrs Hall; Windermere
JENNY WOOLGAR PHOTOGRAPHY
The Boathouse; Storrs Hall; Windermere
JENNY WOOLGAR PHOTOGRAPHY
Both the bed and the bath face the picture window, making the most of the location. Mark Hindle, the owner of Storrs Hall, said: “We are creating the perfect holiday destination with total privacy for those who want all the service and luxury this lovely hotel has to offer.
The Boathouse; Storrs Hall; Windermere JENNY WOOLGAR PHOTOGRAPHY
The transformation of the boathouse is part of a massive renovation project at Storrs Hall by the Hindle family. Since 2013, the public areas and nearly all of the 30 bedrooms and suites have been refurbished, with the rest of the rooms due to be completed by early 2017. More renovation work is then planned for the rest of the Storrs Hall estate, including its self-catering lakeside lodges.
The Boathouse; Storrs Hall; Windermere JENNY WOOLGAR PHOTOGRAPHY
More than £50,000 is being spent on each room and suite in the hotel. They have been individually designed to feature Italian marble, contemporary bathrooms and décor to frame the lake views many of the rooms enjoy.
A new 163-room Four Seasons hotel and private residential complex is going to be built on Montreal’s de la Montagne St, Quebec property developer Carbonleo has announced.
The $250 million (£145 million) project, already under construction on the long-vacant site, will include 18 “exclusive private residences,” three restaurants and a 6,000-square-foot ballroom and be directly connected to the Ogilvy department store on Ste-Catherine St., itself getting a $60-million expansion and rebranding by owner Holt Renfrew & Co.
Part of the hotel project will be atop the 220,000-square-foot Holt/Ogilvy retail complex.
“Montrealers have been waiting to see how De la Montagne St. would evolve and we’re very proud to be part of this unique project while contributing to the revitalization of this downtown area,” said Andrew Lutfy, chairman of the board of Carbonleo. “This will become an exciting lifestyle and dining epicentre for both Montrealers and visitors.”
Scheduled completion date for the hotel is the end of 2018.
DesignLSM has recently completed the interior design for Burger & Lobster – Leicester Square, helping to bring the popular concept to the exclusive location of the 5-star W hotel.
The restaurant forms part of the brand’s current expansion plans along with the recent openings of the London sites of West India Quay and Holborn.
Located a short stroll away from the bustling Soho site, Burger & Lobster Leicester Square is housed beneath the W’s striking exterior, in an arresting double height space with a vast mezzanine upper floor featuring an open kitchen and dining area.
DesignLSM designers retained some of the sites original features including the grand brass bar front, central spiral staircase and timber flooring carefully curating these elements into the brand’s unique design scheme.
Inside the restaurant a dazzling hanging light chandelier takes centre stage, designed to be evocative of the luxury hotel’s external lighting facade. The signature features of lobster tanks and bold banquette seating create an instantly recognisable connection to the Burger & Lobster brand accompanied by the new addition of a refined and relaxed downstairs bar and lounge area.
DesignLSM have worked with Burger & Lobster on all of their restaurants in the UK and internationally, helping to establish the unique brand through signature interior design elements in each of their hugely popular restaurants.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Burger & Lobster and assist them with their ambitious growth – we have relished the opportunity of developing the brand and interiors as they have expanded, creating a truly recognisable personality and engaging environment. We look forward to continuing this exciting and enjoyable journey with our client,” said Andrew Harwood, Projects Director.
GROHE’s innovative technology uses the tap’s own water flow to drive a turbine, concealed in a small box installed below the basin.
This converts the energy from the flowing water into storable electrical energy which then powers the tap’s infrared function. Just 60 seconds of running water delivers and stores enough energy to power the mixer for 24 hours- saving water, energy and money for your project.
The Powerbox’s simple design means its positive benefits can be applied to a wide number of applications. It’s especially suited to busy public facilities, from airports and hotels to offices and public institutions. Its self-sustaining power model and low maintenance design also makes it perfect for projects where mains electricity is absent or unreliable, and is a great choice for projects emphasising sustainability and eco-efficiency.
The PowerBox maintains GROHE’s standards of design excellence, and can be used with three different tap designs – GROHE’s Europlus E, Eurosmart Cosmopolitan E for mixed water and the Euroeco Cosmopolitan E for a cold or pre-blended water.
Raj Mistry, GROHE UK Marketing Director, comments: “The self-sufficient PowerBox from GROHE is a smart and sustainable choice for projects. The mixer is able to deliver an energy efficient and money saving solution for a wide variety of commercial uses”.
American furniture retailer West Elm has announced this week that it will launch a boutique hotel brand – West Elm Hotels – in partnership with hospitality firm DDK.
The first properties are expected to be located in Detroit, Minneapolis, Savannah, Charlotte, and Indianapolis and are planned to open in late 2018. Additional locations will be announced at a future date.
“After twenty-six consecutive quarters of double-digit comparative growth, including our successful entry into the commercial furnishings market with West Elm Workspace, we’ve created an active bond with our customers that can extend beyond home and work,” said Jim Brett, president of West Elm. “By adapting the framework design of each hotel to reflect the mood and identity of its host city, we will continue to engage the adventurous spirit of our customers as they follow us to our next level of hospitality.”
As part of West Elm’s ongoing commitment and relationship with makers around the world, each West Elm hotel will feature local design elements that celebrate community and reflect traditional décor, handicraft, cuisine and culture from the region. Artwork will be commissioned and curated locally for each guest room as well as for the communal, common areas in each hotel.
To test its ideas for West Elm Hotels, the company built mock rooms in a warehouse in Brooklyn. The room furnishings are custom designed for the hotels, including marine blue tile in the bathroom, marble coffee tables and 280-thread count cotton sheets.
“There is a growing desire among modern travellers to immerse themselves in the place they are visiting. They want a boutique experience, and expect great, reliable service that caters to their needs,” said David Bowd, co-founder of DDK. “Our general managers will serve as innkeepers, and West Elm HOTELS will focus on making real community connections for visitors and residents alike.”
A network of locally managed properties, West Elm HOTELS revolves around three key tenets: – Wholehearted hospitality: Great service, personalised attention, regional knowledge and community connections will help guests feel like a local and at home. – Distinctive, thoughtful design: Each property will have its own design point of view, from the exterior architecture to custom installations, such as locally crafted art and bespoke furnishings. – Community connection: Communal spaces and one-of-a-kind experiences will bring guests and neighbors together in a relaxed, collective setting.
True to the West Elm brand, these tenets will be reflected in the design, programming and overall guest visit to offer an inviting and accessible hospitality experience. Guests will also be able to purchase the furnishings and artwork found in any room on-line at www.westelm.com.
Hilton has announced that one of the most treasured landmarks in St. Louis is the latest addition to Curio – A Collection by Hilton.
Following a $40 million transformation, St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton offers 539 luxurious rooms and suites in what was once the largest and most ornate railway terminal in the United States with some guest room floors designed and furnished with a railroad theme. Built in 1894 and converted to a hotel in 1985, the National Historic Landmark in downtown St. Louis is well-known for its iconic jewel – the massive Grand Hall, a lobby lounge area with 65-foot ornate vaulted ceilings on which a dazzling 3D light show is projected nightly.
“Across the Curio collection, we take pride in offering guests unique hotel experiences that exude local flavor so, we welcome the landmark St. Louis Union Station Hotel to Curio,” said Mark Nogal, global head, Curio – A Collection by Hilton. “With its luminescent Grand Hall and eclectic amenities, this iconic property allows guests to discover all St. Louis has to offer and enriches our growing global brand.”
Built of Indiana limestone and reminiscent of a French Castle, St. Louis Union Station retains many charming architectural features from its past, such as original mosaic tile work, the mysterious Romanesque “whispering arch” and the signature 280-foot clock tower. Its centerpiece is the historic Grand Hall, where guests can enjoy local craft beers and seasonally inspired small plate offerings beneath gold-leaf ceilings surrounded by Romanesque arches and stained glass windows.
Projected on the Grand Hall’s 65-foot tall ceilings and across the entire space, the nightly 3D light show is comprised of 30 vignettes, all stretching the barrier of creative design, innovation and story-telling. The first of its kind high-definition projection mapping experience in the United States, the award-winning extravaganza captivates guests of all ages via vignettes told though sound, music and cutting edge 3D animation.
The Hotel Designs Summit was held at Radisson Blu London Stansted on 12-13 September, with a host of hoteliers, designers and manufacturers all joining together for meetings, networking sessions and seminars. Hotel Designs had the pleasure of catching up with Deema Sahyoun, founder and director at inD Creations…
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Hotel Designs: Hello Deema, tell us a bit about yourself and your background in the industry… Deema Sahyoun: I actually started off a product designer, and then I got quite lucky and fell into a job in hotel design by coincidence. I absolutely fell in love with the hospitality industry – especially the creativity it allows, the challenges you face and the joy you can bring people through a space.
So, I freelanced for about four or five years but always wanted to start my own company and I have slowly built up my company over the last four years. In the last year I’ve just found my niche within the boutique and independently-owned hotels where, although it’s a smaller budget, it’s rewarding to achieve beauty with a tighter budget and that’s what I specialise in now.
HD: And what’s your inspiration, what inspires you when working on a project? DS: It’s a number of different things – first and foremost, it’s the building and the impression you get when you first walk in. And then meeting the people that work there. Many of these hotels are older and have been owned by the same family for a long time, and the managers have worked there for years – so for me, it’s about getting a sense of the culture of the hotel.
Next it’s case of the general area and location of the property. And then the challenges of the space usually lead the creative process. For example, with tiny rooms, it’s how you work to make them appear bigger.
Some of the work carried out by inD Creations
HD: What’s your favourite design that you’ve seen? DS: That’s always a difficult question to answer! I like a whole range of different design elements… [HD: I suppose they reflect the personalities of the designers?]…Exactly, and their distinctive styles! But I mean, I like Firmdale Hotels a lot and how Kit Kemp is led by the environment around the properties in her design.
I think it’s important a that hotel design moves with the way we live, that includes the environment and how we eat, how we move, how we relax and so on. I think Kit Kemp does that well within the boutique industry allowing it to flood into the way the hotels look feel
HD: And what about your own – a project you really enjoyed working on? DS: Oh gosh, I have many that I’ve enjoyed for different reasons! But I did a project in Egypt and, being from the Middle East, I quite enjoyed bringing a sense of modernity to the Arab culture and making it trendy.
I have been working closely with Capricorn Hotels over the last few years and it has been a joy working with them; we have a long term plan towards bringing their hotels to life and it has been a great experience being part of such a great team.
I also did the bar at the K West Hotel in Shepherd’s Bush – and I really enjoyed that project because there was a lot of juicy creativity that I could bring into that because of its story.
HD: And what future trends can you see coming in the next three years? DS: Well, I think the way people are looking at hotels is completely changing – people are shying away from branded hotels, and the idea that if I go to this hotel anywhere around the world it will look exactly the same. It’s all about being individual, being independent and about giving people a sense of place. It’s about the language between its location and getting the people who are staying there to go out and get a feel of the locale.
And then we’re definitely seeing an influence from the way we live – so, not filling the room with desks for example, as nobody likes sitting facing the wall; people would rather you had a nice communal area with coffees and somewhere to work. So the standard things you need in a hotel are completely changing – having smaller wardrobes, but bigger lounge space for example.
HD: Are there trends your clients are specifically asking for? DS: I tend to play it by ear – I don’t know if it’s just me, but the clients I work with really rely on me to keep on top of trends! But a couple of their main stipulations are always that it lasts a long while and space is used well.
Sekers proudly launches Nova Scotia, a new upholstery collection of six textured designs, available in a palette of 38 colours, ranging from earthy neutrals to radiant jewel tones.
Nova Scotia is a versatile mix of designs ranging from large and small scale basket weaves to multi-tonal plains.
Supplied with a Crib 5 flame retardant backing and with a minimum Martindale abrasion performance of 40,000, Nova Scotia is perfect for the most demanding upholstery application and the ideal choice for the commercial hospitality, leisure and marine markets.
ALL SALES AND SAMPLING ENQUIRIES TO: Sekers Fabrics Limited 7a Nobel Road, Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate Dundee, DD2 4UH Sales Tel: +44 (0) 1946 517501 Sales Fax: +44 (0) 1946 517502 UK & Ireland Email: sales@sekers.co.uk Export Email: export@sekers.co.uk www.sekersfabrics.co.uk
IHG is looking for suitable sites in Sydney and Melbourne for its Hotel Indigo brand.
Bruce Ryde, IHG’s Asia, Middle East and Africa head of luxury and lifestyle brand marketing, said: “We feel the brand will resonate in Australia as it is a mature market and travellers are always looking for a new experience. The Indigo brand would, we feel, work well in places like Surry Hills and the eastern suburbs and we are keen to be there sooner rather than later.”
IHG launched its first Indigo in the Asia Pacific region in January last year with the Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road and the second in July this year with the opening of Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong. Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach will open in late 2016.
“Guest reaction is now immediate, so as hoteliers we must offer a point of difference, which is the aim of the Indigo brand,” said Ryde. “Each Hotel Indigo property is distinct, with no two alike, as each is designed to reflect the local culture, character and history of its surrounding area. From the service to the architecture to the cuisine, all Indigo properties evoke the unique tastes and cultures that make up the communities of the neighbourhood in which they are located.”
W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, today announced the debut of W Dubai – Al Habtoor City, the brand’s first hotel in the emirate.
Owned by the Al Habtoor Group, the design-led lifestyle brand is set to shake up the destination with its rooftop W Lounge, pulsating WET pool deck and innovative fashion and music happenings. The opening marks the W brand’s second outpost in the Middle East, following the debut of W Doha in 2009.
Set within the ambitious Al Habtoor City project, the Emirate’s first fully-integrated urban resort, W Dubai – Al Habtoor City rises 33 stories above the vibrant Sheikh Zayed Road, overlooking the newly built Dubai Water Canal. Upon arrival, guests are whisked up 30 floors to the W Lounge (the W brand’s reinterpretation of the staid hotel lobby) where a jaw-dropping, panoramic view of the shimmering city awaits.
Destination restaurant Namu, located above the W Lounge, bathes diners in golden light from the setting sun, offering an original fusion of Japanese and Korean flavors served in a futuristic setting with asymmetrical furnishings. Level Seven, a causal and sociable hotspot, serves fresh Mediterranean cuisine from a theatrical open kitchen and features a chef’s table, and crudo bar.
The menu is inspired by the chef’s daily market finds and seasonal produce, including small, shareable plates. Adorned with wood, steel and vintage art, the natural Mediterranean-inspired décor sets the tone for a relaxing and delectable meal.
Igniting the pulsing heart of Dubai’s social scene is the hotel’s WET Deck. Boldly landscaped, the WET pool deck transforms from a glamorous place to lounge by day, with outdoor pools, private cabanas, light bites and refreshing drinks, to an evening hotspot to see and be seen. DJs play hypnotic sets while guests sip on W signature cocktails and soak in the sultry, vibrant atmosphere.
The Steigenberger Hotel Group has opened its second hotel in Turkey – the Steigenberger Airport Hotel Istanbul.
“We are proud to open our second hotel in Turkey and to expand our international portfolio further. Our guests will enjoy Turkish hospitality meeting German standards in one of the most pulsating cities of the world,” said Puneet Chhatwal, CEO of the Steigenberger Hotel Group.
All 209 guest rooms feature both innovative design elements as well as flexible workspaces. All guests have free Wi-Fi access, and rooms are equipped with LCD flat screens. The hotel also houses a modern health and beauty spa centre along with a spacious gym with the latest exercise equipment, a Turkish bath, a steam room, a sauna, a jacuzzi and an indoor swimming pool. For conferences or meetings, the hotel offers an 860 square metre pillar-free Grand Ballroom and three additional meeting rooms.
Hotel General Manager Ali Türk said: “I am very excited about our cooperation with Steigenberger. Combining our knowledge of the hospitality industry in Turkey and Steigenberger’s quality and expertise in the marketplace, I am confident that Steigenberger Airport Hotel Istanbul is poised to develop at an exceptional pace. I believe that the long lasting reputation of our company with its association with Steigenberger will enable this unique business hotel to achieve its full potential and pave the way for a successful and mutually beneficial collaboration for many years to come.”
Brexit – and its impact on the hospitality industry – is managing to keep itself in the headlines. Plus Brad Pitt is in the news for something other than his divorce…
6. REVIEW: Chilston Park, Kent Tucked away in 22 acres of Kent countryside is the beautiful Chilston Park – a Grade I-listed manor house from the 15th century – home to a 53-room hotel
Following the successful launch of its newly updated HiB Novum furniture collection, HiB is delighted to open its doors to its very first Novum showroom – enabling customers to experience the innovation behind each design first hand.
The new showroom, located within HiB’s National Distribution Centre in Tamworth, provides a seamless journey through its Novum collection which now boasts ten stunning ranges. Each design is shown in an aspirational room setting, complete with styling, to illustrate the full design possibilities available.
As another big pull, customers visiting the showroom will be able to get a glimpse of the brand new Prima, Duet, and Arc ranges; all of which combine sleek styling and neutral colourways, ensuring broad appeal for the modern customer.
Key features on show include a free, clever 8-way internal storage divider, enabling consumers to more easily compartmentalise their bathroom items, as well as optional LED illumination for the ultimate ‘wow factor’. Visitors will also be able to see the breadth of units and basins sizes, providing real flexibility for their customers.
Ash Chilver, sales director at HiB comments: “As a business committed to developing innovative designs which are not only beautiful in style but come with many distinguishable details, we wanted to invest in a showroom to allow us to showcase our HiB Novum offer and what it is all about.
“After all, it’s often difficult to appreciate how a design looks and feels simply by consulting a brochure, so by visiting our showroom retailers can see our portfolio and how it may work in their showroom setting.”
For more information on HiB, please visit www.hib.co.uk
Sekers proudly launches Nahla, a new fabric backed vinyl contract wallcovering collection of six designs – Abuko, Balule, Kalimba, Mara, Raffia & Tembe.
Nahla is a versatile mix of textural designs including bark and plaster effects, animal skins and natural silk and is available in an extensive palette of 68 colours ranging from sophisticated neutrals to radiant jewel tones in matt, pearlescent and metallic finishes.
Meeting all relevant UK and American standards for contract wallcoverings and IMO certified, Nahla is scrubbable and available in 130cm wide rolls, making it the ideal choice for the commercial hospitality, leisure and marine markets.
ALL SALES AND SAMPLING ENQUIRIES TO: Sekers Fabrics Limited 7a Nobel Road, Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate Dundee, DD2 4UH Sales Tel: +44 (0) 1946 517501 Sales Fax: +44 (0) 1946 517502 UK & Ireland Email: sales@sekers.co.uk Export Email: export@sekers.co.uk www.sekersfabrics.co.uk
Marriott International has completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, creating the world’s largest hotel company.
Marriott now offers the most comprehensive portfolio of brands including leading lifestyle brands, a significant global footprint, and leadership in the luxury and select-service tiers as well as the convention and resort segment.
Beginning today (Friday 23 September), Marriott will match member status across Marriott Rewards – which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards – and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), enabling members to transfer points between the programs for travel and exclusive experiences when they link their accounts later today.
New Marriott logo
The new company will operate or franchise more than 5,700 properties and 1.1 million rooms, representing 30 leading brands from the moderate-tier to luxury in over 110 countries. With the completion of this acquisition, Marriott’s distribution has more than doubled in Asia and the Middle East & Africa combined.
What does this mean for the UK? – Marriott’s UK & Ireland portfolio now amounts to 80 hotels across 17 different brands, and makes up 15% of the total European footprint with over 16,000 open rooms – Guests are offered unparalleled choice across a variety of brands in the UK & Ireland, from EDITION to Aloft, and Le Meridien to Residence Inn – Moxy Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott and W Hotels are in the pipeline for the UK & Ireland – Marriott now employs 8,716 staff in the UK & Ireland (managed hotels and above property only)
What does this mean in Europe? – Marriott’s European portfolio now has 504 hotels open, with nearly 104,000 rooms open and nearly 19,000 rooms in the signed pipeline – This takes Marriott International from the 10th largest hotel group in Europe to the third largest – Marriott will be the largest luxury hotel company in Europe – Marriott doubles in size in Italy, Turkey, Austria, Poland and Portugal – New markets include Malta, Croatia, Slovakia, Monaco, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Albania, Tajikistan and Slovenia
The Park Lane Hong Kong, a Pullman Hotel announces the opening of its 8,000-sq-ft hotly-anticipated destination rooftop bar – SKYE bar and restaurant.
A communal space for today’s global nomads, SKYE’s modern design adds to the wow factor of the Hotel, whose HK$300 million makeover saw the complete revamp of the roof space, dazzling the crowd with a modern look helmed by Design Worldwide Partnership (DWP). The resulting sleek look boasts an element of comfort, enhanced by the creative works of German street artist, KEF.
Seating 165 people, SKYE includes the main dining room, three private rooms and the temperature-controlled outdoor terrace dominated with an illuminating oblong bar with views of Victoria Harbour and Victoria Park.
The Park Lane Hong Kong, has unveiled a HK$300 million (£29 million) makeover, rebranding itself as ‘The Park Lane Hong Kong, a Pullman Hotel’ since January 2015. Located in the heart of Causeway Bay, The Park Lane Hong Kong, a Pullman Hotel offers well-appointed rooms with views of the city landscape, Victoria Park and Harbour.
Wilderness Safaris Bisate Lodge, situated next to Rwanda’s renowned Volcanoes National Park, is on track to open for guests in June 2017. Comprising just six forest villas, Bisate Lodge will offer a luxurious base from which to visit the nearby gorilla conservation experience.
“We are extremely proud of the progress we have made with Bisate, especially with regards to our pioneering reforestation programme which has already seen over 5 000 indigenous trees planted to date in partnership with the newly-created Tuzamurane Cooperative. This incredible opportunity to use our model of responsible ecotourism to contribute to positive conservation and community empowerment in such a unique and exciting Rwanda environment is exactly why we do what we do”, said Wilderness Safaris CEO, Keith Vincent.
Featuring six luxurious forest villas, the real generosity of Bisate in the Rwandan context will be the amount of private and exclusive space that surrounds the Lodge, cosseting it in a rare natural landscape brimming with Albertine Rift biodiversity and beauty. Each spacious forest villa will comprise a generous yet intimate combination of bedroom, reception space and bathroom, all warmed by a central fireplace and with views out across a private deck towards Mount Bisoke.
Bisate’s sophisticated architectural and interior design will be rooted in Rwandan building tradition as exemplified in the design of the Royal Palace of the traditional monarch. This spherical, thatched structure echoes the thousands of hills that dot the Rwandan landscape, while the richly-detailed interiors will exhibit surfaces and screens made from a variety of woven materials with strong resonance in Rwandan culture.
From the birthplace of the brand, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has marked a milestone as its first-ever hotel and celebrated flagship in Paris revealed the completion of its multi-million dollar renovation.
Following the hotel’s transformation, the property now boasts reimagined guestrooms, suites and the transformation of the hotel’s public spaces, including the legendary Jazz Club Etoile and brand’s signature lobby concept: Le Méridien Hub. Design was by interior architect Jean-Philippe Nuel.
“With a stronger and more globally diverse portfolio than ever before, Le Méridien has hit its stride with guests and locals as well as owners and developers around the world,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts. “We are delighted to have the crown jewel of our brand shining brightly once more in the City of Light, as Le Méridien returns to its roots with distinctive design and bold Destination Unlocked positioning.”
Located in the 17th arrondissement, anchored by Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées, the hotel is the largest hotel in central Paris. The redesign of the hotel’s rooms was led by French interior architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, while London-based firm Michaelis Boyd restyled all the public areas; both draw inspiration from the brand’s mid-century modern design aesthetic.
The Majestic Hotel Group has announced the opening of Midmost Hotel Barcelona.
Meaning, “in the exact centre,” Midmost is centrally positioned in the city’s “Golden Triangle,” between Plaza Catalunya and Plaza Universitat. Under five-minutes from Las Ramblas, the hotel’s location speaks to Barcelona’s modern culture with nearby health-conscious restaurants, art galleries, and contemporary museums. Embracing the values of the eclectic neighbourhood, modern simplicity and vintage style go hand in hand to create a hotel with a distinctive personality, in tune with the guests who stay there. In addition to a terrace bar and rooftop pool, the boutique property comprises 56 rooms and suites.
Housed within a nearly 100-year old building, the Midmost Hotel stands squarely at the intersection of old and new. Historical elements such as the 1919 façade and an original iron staircase were preserved in the design process, while new touches like an industrial-style front door and custom light fixtures provide modern sophistication. A nod to the property’s Mediterranean locale, the interior colour scheme is predominantly white and blue, accented by golden tones and bathroom floors lined with Catalan tiles.
The Midmost rooftop offers a backyard-feel with lush tropical plants, terrace beds, wood benches, and comfortable seating areas.
Owned by the Majestic Hotel Group, Midmost Hotel Barcelona enjoys the benefits of nearly 100 years of experience shared by its sister property Majestic Hotel and Spa Barcelona.
The inaugural edition of the newly rebranded Hotel Designs Summit launched on September 12-13 at the Radisson Blu London Stansted to roaring success.
This unique event matched hoteliers with suppliers and manufacturers for a series of pre-arranged one-on-one meetings. In addition, a programme of informative and inspirational seminars were hosted by Aly Thompson from Trivago, Yasmin Chopin, HD Editor Daniel Fountain, MHNA Studio’s Nicolas Adnet and Peter Ducker of the Institute of Hospitality, with a gala dinner and evening entertainment providing perfect networking opportunities, further business opportunities and peer-to-peer engagement.
One of the headlines of the summit was the news that Global Design Concepts quoted a £1 million project as a result of meetings at the summit. And the success of the event was echoed by delegates and suppliers who attended…
‘The most personally focused and well organised event I’ve attended. An excellent balance between meeting our needs with networking opportunities, thank you’ Edgar House
‘Unique event, great combination of peer to peer engagement, innovative suppliers and information future focused trend setting seminars’ Atheneaum House Hotel
‘A well organised event with a great mix of suppliers and clients. I certain this will aid companies to work together on a long term basis & form continued business relationships’ Dalesauna
‘Fantastic team, very well organised. Great support. Event well managed, friendly and helpful, great contacts, 1-2-1 meetings very effective way of doing business. Great opportunity for your company. Well done and we will be back’ The Light Yard
Hotel Designs is hosting its second ‘Meet Up’ networking event of the year, perfect for hotel and interior design industries. If you are a hotelier, interior designer or architect, you can attend on the 16th November, 6:00-9:00 at the Grange St Pauls, London.
Contact us by emailing j.lane@forumevents.co.uk, or by calling 01992 374098 and asking to speak to a member of the team.
Marriott Hotels has unveiled its #MGravityRoom, an interactive replica of the brand’s evolving modern guest room designs. Located in the Greatroom of the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, this inverted replica of a guest room will be open from September 21 to October 1, 2016, allowing visitors to experience, snap and share photos.
Visitors have the opportunity to walk into the installation where a closet, desk and TV appear to float on the walls and ceiling. A how-to on the desk will prompt guests to position themselves and capture a photo to appear as if they are walking on the ceiling of the modern guest room. When one takes photos and rotate them 90-degrees, they will appear as if one is floating upside-down within the space.
“Travelers today crave inspiration and unique experiences,” said Matthew Carroll, vice president and global brand manager, Marriott Hotels. “We see the #MGravityRoom as a creative way of showcasing the transformation of our brand and how we’re meeting the evolving needs of our guest. We have pushed the limits in our design and this allows us to have some fun with it while sharing our newest ideas.”
To bring its #MGravityRoom vision to life, Marriott Hotels worked with design teams and partners, including Marriott I + A Design Studio, Fairmont Designs, Brookline Furniture, Belstone, Wolf Gordon, Mosaic Tile Company, Historic Timber and Plank, Sandler Seating, and Designtex creating an imaginative expression of Marriott Hotels modernised rooms.
As a leader in its lodging tier, Marriott Hotels is no stranger to forging new trails and introducing new innovations to the hospitality industry. Next month, the brand will officially launch M Beta at Charlotte Marriott City Centre, a “live beta” hotel where guests are invited to test the newest and best product and services concepts first-hand and give feedback in real-time. The brand also recently announced its partnership with TED, bringing new ideas and creative conversation to guests. It changed the future of in-room entertainment by forging a first-of-its-kind partnership with Netflix and last year, Marriott Hotels introduced the first-ever in-room virtual reality experience.
This month sees the launch of The Mash Inn, an 18th century inn located in the leafy Buckinghamshire village of Radnage, which has been given a new lease of life by restaurateur Nick Mash.
Built in 1745 and lovingly restored over the last year, the inn houses five stylish and comfortable en-suite bedrooms and a 32-seat dining room, located adjacent to a wood-fired open grill and kitchen.
Nick invites his guests to enjoy his unique brand of ‘home from home’ hospitality from the moment they step through the door, greeting them with a welcome drink in the cosy snug or on the terrace, overlooking the inn’s kitchen garden and picturesque surroundings.
The overall interior of The Mash Inn tells the story of Britain’s heritage of furniture making, featuring rustic wooden floors, original beams and furniture and ironmongery hand-worked by local craftsmen. Stylish Bates & Lambourne oak chairs and tables, including a 14 seater communal table crafted from a single felled oak tree are entirely bespoke to the inn, and were designed by Nick himself.
The five upstairs bedrooms have a cosy feel, with stunning views, beautifully crafted king-size Hypnos beds, free standing baths, Wi-Fi and L:A Bruket toiletries. Breakfast is delivered to the room, comprised of an array of homemade baked bread, viennoiserie and foraged fruit jams, as well as buttermilk yoghurts, granola with freshly made Rare Company tea and Climpson & Sons coffee.
Restauranteur and founder of The Mash Inn, Nick Mash says: “I want folks to be able to come out here, get back to nature, eat nature and get back to a childhood of hiking through fields, living without frills and get a taste of being in working farmland. Pickling, curing, foraging, tending to our kitchen garden and playing with the hand-built wood-fired cooking range is a normal day at the Mash Inn. I am bored of the traditional set up that we are all so used to, seated at little tables and presented with fuss and nonsense – here you can leave your table and stand in the kitchen and watch the flames dance under the food. There are no more doors between customers and kitchens, it’s a fully interactive and honest experience.”
UK hotels increased capital expenditure by 57% to £1.62 billion in 2015/16, up from £1.03 billion in the previous year to compete with newer tech rivals, according to research by Funding Options, the online business finance supermarket.
Funding Options explains that established hotels are investing in their facilities and improving their offerings to stay competitive. Consumers now have a much greater selection of options available to them with the rise of online competitors such as Airbnb. As a result, alternatives are increasingly threatening the market share of traditional hotels.
The 57% rise in expenditure is the third consecutive year that UK hotels have increased capital spending.
Source: Finance Options
Funding Options says that hotels are now looking to build on the potential increase in ‘staycations’. With the fall in sterling in the wake of the Brexit vote, people are likely to get better value for money by staying in the UK.
Conrad Ford, CEO of Funding Options, comments: “Established hotel chains are investing more into their offerings to keep their market share in the face of increased competition.
“Hotels will be competing with each other and online-only alternatives to capitalise on the increase in domestic tourism and staycations as the pound and concerns remain over the safety of some continental destinations.”
Russia’s largest new hotel complex, Novotel Adagio ibis Moscow Kievskaya by AccorHotels management, is located right in the heart of Moscow, alongside the Moscow River and in between major business and historic districts.
Hotels surrounded by modern architectural ensembles and legendary historical buildings such as The House of the Government of the Russian Federation, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Moscow Kievskaya railway station.
The complex consists of three well-known international hotel brands of various categories under one roof. Multifunctional shopping and hotel complex combines three hotels: Novotel Moscow Kievskaya with 202 rooms, Adagio Moscow Kievskaya with 149 rooms and ibis Moscow Kievskaya with 350 rooms.
Modern and stylish hotels offer the highest standards of international brands and a wide range of services: 24 hour room service, a cozy bar, two restaurants, a conference centre equipped with the latest technology and a wellness centre with a swimming pool.
Cementing its position as a market leader within the bathroom industry, sanitary solutions and piping systems manufacturer Geberit has been named as one of the world’s most innovative companies by Forbes.
The Swiss brand, which has a UK headquarters in Warwick and stockists throughout the country, joins such household names as Amazon, Starbucks and Visa in the top 100 most innovative companies worldwide. Ranked at number 85 on the list, Geberit is officially more innovative than major names from Coca-Cola to ITV.
The rankings are based on what the US business magazine calls an innovation premium (IP), the difference between a firm’s enterprise value and a net present value of cash flows from its existing businesses. According to Forbes, only those industries that are known to invest in innovation are included.
With innovation as one of its core values, Geberit invests significantly in research and development, securing its long-held position as a market-leader in the bathroom sector. Critical to its on-going success, this Commitment to Innovation is founded on basic research in areas including hygiene and acoustics.
Such innovations include the Geberit Duofix framing system, which simplifies the installation process of wall-hung sanitaryware and Geberit AquaClean, the leading shower toilet range that introduces the very latest in WC technology into the bathroom. Geberit Mapress press fitting system is also revolutionising the way pipework is fitted in buildings as much today as when it was first launched more than 50 years ago.
“It is a real honour to be ranked among the 100 most innovative companies in the world by Forbes,” comments Mark Larden, Geberit Managing Director. “This position reflects the value that the company has within its DNA and what we deliver each day to our customers.”
For further information contact Geberit on 01926 516800, visit www.geberit.co.uk
Sekers introduces Malmo Collection, a luxurious wool melton with heather tones, providing a beautiful drape and plush hand Malmo is suitable for contract upholstery, curtains, cushions and bedding and is available in a versatile palette of 26 saturated colours, including hot pink to bold green.
With a high abrasion performance of 60,000 Martindale and inherently fire retardant, Malmo is ideal for the commercial market, meeting all relevant UK and American standards for upholstery, curtains and bedding, and IMO standards for upholstery and bedding.
ALL SALES AND SAMPLING ENQUIRIES TO: Sekers Fabrics Limited 7a Nobel Road, Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate Dundee, DD2 4UH Sales Tel: +44 (0) 1946 517501 Sales Fax: +44 (0) 1946 517502 UK & Ireland Email: sales@sekers.co.uk Export Email: export@sekers.co.uk www.sekersfabrics.co.uk
“Downtown New York has been reborn as the most vibrant neighbourhood in city,” says Peter Humig, General Manager of the all-new Hotel. “It’s no longer simply a business district. You can feel the energy the minute you arrive, and we are proud to be in the heart of it.”
Dramatic architecture is changing the city’s famous skyline as new buildings rise, cultural institutions open their doors and existing ones reinvent themselves, while luxury shopping and destination dining debuts weekly. Advertising innovators, media influencers and the growing information industry have joined the already well-established financial and tech start ups Downtown.
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown is the ideal home base for exploring the new Lower Manhattan. Located in Tribeca just steps from Wall Street, the World Trade Center and the stunning new Oculus, it’s also close to designer shopping in Soho, nightlife in the Meatpacking District and the relaxed tranquillity of the city’s waterfront.
Upon entry into the two-story lobby at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, layers of architectural elements respond to the ever-evolving urban landscape just outside. Feet rest on cream-coloured travertine and soft wool carpeting as the eye takes in original artworks displayed against rich wood walls and woven metal screens. Brushed bronze accents and fabrics in muted jewel tones invite casual socialising, while a dramatic suspended staircase hints at the gracious gathering spaces above.
Manhattan’s chic style is evident in 189 Hotel rooms and suites designed by Soho and Toronto-based design studio Yabu Pushelberg. The rooms are tastefully appointed as one might find in a private home with light blues, greys and taupes, providing a backdrop to a technologically advanced guest room that is filled with natural light. Marble bathrooms and deep soaking tubs help complete the design elements that one would expect at Four Seasons. Hotel guests can take refuge from the city in luxurious rooms ranging from 400 to 2,400 square feet (37 to 223 square metres) with every need anticipated.
Starwood Capital Group, a leading global private investment firm, announced last week that it will launch PRINCIPAL, a new urban lifestyle hotel group, on 1st November 2016, following a capital investment in the portfolio of approximately £150 million.
Principal is a collection of city-centre hotels based in landmark buildings in exceptional locations across the United Kingdom. The distinctive heritage and resulting relationship between the properties and their surroundings are the cornerstones of the Principal brand. Each of the hotels has a story to tell — of its history, its design and architecture, its quirks and characters, and its role in shaping the city and forging relationships with local partners, whether corporate or creative. From the elegant Georgian townhouses that form the core of The Principal Edinburgh George Street (formerly The George Hotel) to the clock tower that’s synonymous with The Principal Manchester (formerly The Palace Hotel) and its history as the headquarters for the Refuge Assurance Company— Principal Hotels define their cities and neighbourhoods.
“At the heart of a great business is a unique and authentic story. Our people and our buildings have great stories to tell, and these stories differentiate you from the competition, giving your guests and your staff something to cheer about,” said Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group. “Reviving these historic, grande-dame hotels is a truly great story— they are spectacular buildings in which we can create dynamic scenes. The story of each hotel, its amazing history and architecture is the opposite of the mass-produced chain hotel, and provides us with a canvas on which to curate a unique sense of place.”
The Principal Manchester The Principal Manchester, on the corner of Oxford Street and Whitworth Street, occupies three adjoining buildings dating to between 1895 and 1932. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, his son Paul, and Stanley Birkett, all three buildings were commissioned by The Refuge Assurance Company as its company headquarters, and they include the iconic, 66m (217ft) clock tower, which has become a symbol of the city and its status as a centre of industry and commerce.
Following an investment of more than £25 million, The Principal Manchester has been remodelled from top to toe to create 270 loft-style bedrooms and suites designed by Michaelis Boyd Architects; 17 meeting and event spaces, including the largest hotel ballroom in the northwest of England; The Refuge Dining Room and Public Bar, curated by DJs-turned-restaurateurs Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford; and a double-height lobby in which stands a specially commissioned, 600kg (1300lb), 3m (10ft) high bronze horse sculpted by Sophie Dickens, a reference to the turning circle for horse-and-carriage that once occupied the centre of the space.
The Principal York The Principal York (formerly The Royal York Hotel) dates from 1878, and was built to complement and serve the significant expansion of York Railway Station, with landscaped, private gardens running to three acres. Local Tadcaster stone gives the exterior a honeyed glow, and the imposing façade suggests a grand country home more than a Victorian railway hotel. The sensitive architectural restoration, by 3D Reid and Goddard Littlefair, places an elegant Garden Room at the hub of the hotel, next to the main lobby and the sweeping grand staircase, where guests can enjoy afternoon tea whilst looking out across manicured lawns to York Minster in the distance. In addition to 155 guest rooms and suites, The Principal York offers an Events Centre and 10 additional meeting and event spaces; a gym and indoor pool; the Chapter House bar, serving local craft ales alongside wines, spirits and cocktails; and The Refectory Kitchen & Terrace, whose cooking champions fresh, seasonal, local produce and the abundant larder of “God’s own country.”
The Principal Edinburgh Completing the trio of hotels at launch, The Principal Edinburgh on George Street has been welcoming hotel guests since 1881. At its heart are five listed Georgian townhouses, built in 1775 as homes for Edinburgh’s most prosperous citizens—among them James Ferrier, a lawyer, who bought No. 25 and whose daughter, Susan, was considered by Sir Walter Scott to be the equal of Jane Austen. Their former home is now The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen, where local Head Chef Colin Fleming champions modern Scottish cooking, and the bar team oversees an impressive collection of local spirits, from single malts to Edinburgh gin and Scottish vodka.
The Principal portfolio also includes Principal Partners—iconic hotels that will join the brand over the course of 2017, among them The Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow; The Hotel Russell in London, which is currently closed and is due to reopen next summer as The Principal London; and the former Martins Bank, which will open as The Principal Liverpool in early 2018.
Looking to add to its collection of hotels unified by discerning design, SIR hotels announces three brand new properties opening in Berlin, Hamburg, and Amsterdam.
This autumn will see the opening of Sir Savigny in Berlin, followed by Sir Adam, their second outpost in Amsterdam, and finally Sir Nikolai in Hamburg. Although each property boasts a unique design concept defined by their namesake, they all reject the traditional hotel model and instead imbue a sense of staying at the home of a close friend — albeit one with impeccable taste in city pied-à-terres.
“With three new openings, 2016 is an exciting year for us. Ever since we envisioned our first SIR hotel, we wanted to see the SIR family grow in other urban hotspots and we’re thrilled to announce it’s happening,” says Liran Wizman, Owner and Founder of Europe Hotels Private Collection.
Sir Savigny, Berlin, Germany Sir Savigny’s eponymous host is the consummate epicurean traveler finally putting down roots in the emerging district of Charlottenburg, west Berlin. Opening in October, Sir Savigny’s traveling sense is demonstrated in the 44 luxurious guest rooms, elegantly outfitted by Amsterdam-based designer Saar Zafrir to ensure the utmost comfort and convenience.
SIR Hotels – Berlin
The fluid design of the ground-floor reception rooms has been created by award-winning interior designers Baranowitz + Kronenberg, allowing guests to slip seamlessly between perusing Sir Savigny’s book collection in The Library to sipping aperitifs fireside in the Winter Garden. The flowing space leads to The Butcher, a hip neighborhood burger bar offering haute fast food, defined by culinary craftsmanship and the finest Aberdeen Angus beef. Bookending the property is the Savigny Garden, a leafy urban retreat perfectly placed for whiling away halcyon city days amid stylized graffiti and Sir Savigny’s eclectic art collection.
Sir Adam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Innovative, award-winning New York-based agency Icrave has been entrusted with the design of SIR hotel’s second outpost in the Netherlands, the achingly chic pad of music aficionado Sir Adam. Taking to the decks at the iconic A’DAM tower in winter 2016, Sir Adam is set to become the pulse-quickening cultural hub at Amsterdam City IJ-River. The host’s love of music permeates every aspect of the hotel, from the Crosley record players and illuminated song lyrics in the 108 guestrooms to the fully comprehensive Music Library.
SIR Hotels – Amsterdam
However, music junkies will truly find their tribe at The Hub, a co-working space-meets-concept store overlooking The Butcher Social Club. Defying definition, The Butcher Social Club comprises an oh-so-cool gourmet burger joint, island bar with live DJ sets, and a living lobby complete with river terrace. From here, a spiral staircase ascends to rooftop drinking den The Beer Garden and creative studio space The Deck, boasting an unrivalled vista over the city, which is best viewed from one of its four hot tubs. When combined, the two sky-high spaces are set to play host to the capital’s hottest events.
Sir Nikolai, Hamburg, Germany Urbane, charming, and effortlessly elegant, Sir Nikolai’s hosting skills are a lesson in philoxenia, as guests at the waterside mercantile mansion will soon discover. Opening winter 2016 on the Nikolaifleet canal in Hamburg’s old town, design agency FG Stijl have directed their award-winning nous to artfully combining the stately merchant townhouse and adjoining goods store to create Sir Nikolai’s 94-room debonair digs.
SIR Hotels – Hamburg
Extending into the glasscovered Courtyard, the patio is the beating heart of the hotel with its fluid inside/out setup playing host to both cozy fireside soirées and the eternal cocktail hours of summer. The subterranean SPA takes on an elegant yet casual vibe, taking care of body and mind in Sir Nikolai’s inimitable style. While more immediate nourishment comes courtesy of IZAKAYA, an innovative Japanese-Peruvian dining experience which pushes the boundaries of Nikkei cuisine in urban-chic surroundings.
Hilton has announced the official opening of Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora, marking Hilton’s debut in Montenegro. Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora offers 180 spacious and modern guest rooms, including 23 suites. The hotel’s Presidential Suite boasts a panoramic lounge overlooking the city.
Guest and locals can enjoy a variety of food and beverage options on-property, including:
– Sky Bar: located on the 8th floor, an indoor and outdoor bar offering spectacular views over the entire city. – Restaurant Crna Gora: the hotel’s signature restaurant offering a la carte and buffet-style international and local specialties, located on the lobby level. – Terrace Fontana: a destination for the local community, the relaxed space offers original local specialties along with homemade ice creams and cakes, all with sweeping views of the fountain. – The Bar and Cigar Club: offering a rich choice of international cigars within the hotel’s lobby level bar, along with comfortable furniture and a wide beverage list.
To cater to meetings and events, including weddings, the hotel also offers one of Podgorica’s largest meeting space, with five meeting and conference rooms, all with natural daylight, along with the pillar-free, 425-square-metre Crystal Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 435 guests in theatre style.
Located on the Ground, Mezzanine and first floors, Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora also offers one of the largest spas in the city featuring a Finnish sauna, Bio sauna and steam bath. Designed in accordance with the latest fitness trends, Doclea Spa includes an indoor pool, experience showers offering visual, sound, temperature and aromatic effects and VIP massage rooms spread over 1,300 square metres.
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