Hotel Designs

NEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR HOTELIERS, DESIGNERS AND INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS
Brit List 2017

Brit List 2017 Hoteliers Profiles

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In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we continue with five more of the top 25 hoteliers…

ROBIN SHEPPARD – BESPOKE HOTELS
Together with his business partner Haydn Fentum, Robin launched the now supremely successful Bespoke Hotels back in 2001 as a management company, which nowadays comprises more than 170 hotels and 8,000 employees in the UK and abroad.

Given his wealth of experience in the sector, earlier this year, Robin was recognised by the government’s Office for Disability Issues as its ‘Hotel Sector Champion’ – a cause close to his heart; and his tireless commitment to ensuring the hospitality industry continues to improve its approach to access and experiences for disabled guests means he is a worthy winner at this year’s Brit List.

ANDREW THOMASON – GRAVETYE MANOR
Andrew’s culinary beginning in hospitality manifested itself in the running of a number of restaurants in Surrey before entering the hotel business. Andrew credits his four Robin Sheppardyears at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons under Raymond Blanc as Resident Manager with instilling him with a passion for luxury hotels and hospitality. He claims managing Gravetye Manor fulfils his true passion for country house hotels.

This passion for the sector has been vital for Gravetye Manor following its multi-million pound refurbishment programme, and his stewardship has seen the country manor become one of England’s top properties in the sector.

TONY TROY – PRINCIPAL HOTELS
Tony acts as CEO of the Principal Hotel Company, operator of more than 45 hotels throughout the UK under the lifestyle brands of Principal and De Vere. A career hotelier with over 25 years in the industry, Tony has helped shape the UK hospitality landscape from his first management buy-out in 1994 to managing a multi-billion pound capital investment and restructuring programme over the course of the last decade, acquiring some of the industry’s most prominent assets along the way.

Tony’s most recent undertaking, the £200m investment in landmark city and country estate hotels supported by Starwood Capital, a private alternative investment company which manages over $53 billion in assets, ensures the restoration of some of the UK’s finest hotels to their former glory.

ANDREW WILDSMITH – WILDSMITH HOTELS
Andrew made a monumental career change when he swapped the laboratory of a Cambridge-graduate chemist for being a hotelier in the stunning, remote landscapes of the Lake District. Since, he has opened three fantastic properties; Hipping Hall in Kirby Lonsdale, Ryebeck in Bowness-on-Windermere and his latest – Forest Side in Grasmere, which has recently been awarded a Michelin star for its superb dining offering.

Following extensive flooding in the winter of 15/16, Cumbrian tourism took a considerable hit. Its testament to Andrew and his team’s hard work that Wildsmith Hotels is now flourishing and quickly becoming talk of the industry.

SUE WILLIAMS – WHATLEY MANOR
Sue WilliamsSue’s storied career in hospitality has taken in the likes of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and Bath Priory – with arguably her finest achievement coming at Cliveden House, turning the fortunes of that Berkshire property around. Now hoping to do the same at the Relais & Chateaux property Whatley Manor, Sue’s passion and energy can already be seen in her short time there.

Here tonight at the Brit List, we honour her continued commitment to nurturing young talent in the hospitality industry with the Ten out of Ten programme, now in its seventh year of giving youths a chance to work at some of the UK’s top hotels.

Colombo - Shangri-La

Shangri-La announces opening date for Colombo hotel

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Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has announced that Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo is set to open on 16 November 2017.

The hotel will begin taking bookings from 1 September 2017 for stays from 1 December 2017.

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RELATED LINKS
SHANGRI-LA’S HAMBANTOTA RESORT, SRI LANKA NOW OPEN
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Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo will be the second property in Sri Lanka for the luxury Asian hospitality group – joining Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, which opened in June 2016 – and is anticipated to be one of the most prominent hotel launches in Sri Lanka in nearly 30 years.

Kimpton Hotel Born opens in Denver, Colorado

Kimpton Hotel Born opens in Denver, Colorado

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Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has opened Kimpton Hotel Born Denver.

Located at the end of the Union Station platform and in the heart of one of the most dynamic urban districts in the United States, every detail of Hotel Born — from Bavarian-inspired materials to exposed concrete ceilings, from floor-to-ceiling windows to 700 original works by local Denver artists — has been crafted to impart an elevated, urban vibe that is uniquely Colorado, according to the company.

Developed by Continuum Partners, the co-master developers of the Union Station Transit Station, and designed by Denver-based Semple Brown in collaboration with Ellen Bruss of Ellen Bruss Design, Hotel Born has an Alpine modern design. Design elements include a balance of wood, concrete and metal.

The exterior of the building reflects the brick masonry of the area’s original historic warehouses. The lobby has knotty pine paneling, custom millwork, and walnut herringbone floors combined with board-formed concrete. Hand-woven rugs, textured materials, warm lighting and unique one-off custom furniture pieces are also included.

Hotel Born’s 200 guestrooms—40 of which are suites, including two premier suites with separate living rooms, six-top dining tables, wet bars and free-standing soaking tubs—feature dark brown and gold herringbone patterned carpet and a mix of traditional and modern furniture offset by fresh white walls. The most dramatic feature of the guest rooms are the knotty pine headboards which fold into a ceiling canopy. Each room features large floor-to-ceiling windows.

Condesa Cancun

Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun completes multi-million dollar renovation

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La Colección, a selection of 12 resorts that encompasses the brands Live Aqua Resorts, Grand Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts, Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts and The Explorean, has announced the completion of a multi-million dollar renovation at Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All Inclusive.

The resort and area icon now showcases fully enhanced guestrooms in its three towers and an upgraded Grand Ballroom Condesa that complement its favoured all-inclusive Mexican vacation experience that showcases authentic traditions and culture, family-friendly amenities and first-class meetings and events offering.

Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun’s remodel included extensive upgrades to over 500 premium rooms and suites. Among the improvements include new décor using local materials such as conchuela, a compacted marine shell that maintains a room’s temperature at cool; wooden furniture; new electronic lock doors with proximity key; redesigned bathrooms and new modern guestroom furniture encompassing all natural materials; hurricane-shock proofed windows; updated rain showers; upgraded USB plugs; new 56″ Smart TVs in all guestrooms and a faster Wi-fi connection. Also brand new are the escalators that facilitate access from the motor lobby to the central lobby.

Already a much-lauded, award-winning resort, Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun is also a proud member of Fiesta Americana Grand Meetings Mexico, an exclusive collection of hotels that offer state-of-the-art facilities and services international meeting planners count on to deliver a grand meeting experience.

DoubleTree by Hilton - El Segundo

Twenty Four Seven Hotels takes over DoubleTree in El Segundo

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Twenty Four Seven Hotels has announced the addition of DoubleTree by Hilton LAX – El Segundo to its management portfolio. The LAX hotel is the first of four new management contracts in the LA area in 2017.

Twenty Four Seven Hotels played a pivotal role in the highly complex transaction providing guidance to the buyer on the transactional side with sourcing, underwriting and acquiring the hotel, and on the capitalisation side by assisting in the structuring of new mezzanine financing in conjunction with assumption of a senior CMBS loan.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel LAX is a 216-room property and the only full-service hotel within El Segundo, just minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Recognised as the aerospace capital of the world, the community of El Segundo is home to many of the world’s most influential Fortune 500 companies. Twenty Four Seven Hotels is based in Newport Beach and has also assumed management of the hotel.

Catering to both business and leisure travelers, the seven-story DoubleTree by Hilton LAX is ideally situated in El Segundo, a hotbed for industry and innovation with the famed Silicon Beach next door. The hotel underwent renovations in 2016 that consisted of a complete reconfiguration and enhancement of first-floor public areas and guestroom upgrades.

The design refresh of the remaining six floors of guestrooms and a brand-new pool deck will complete the transformation in early 2018, along with tech upgrades including Whistle, a guest-oriented text messaging system.

New Hotel: Bergen’s historic stock exchange reopens

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‘True luxury is always modest,’ muses Eero Koivisto, one of the Swedish architect and design trio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The firm have recently completed work on Bergen Børs, their third hotel project for hyperlocal Norwegian hospitality group De Bergenske inside a year.

The 127-bedroom hotel – with its timeless, neutral interiors, immaculate custom furnishings, and subtle nods to a grand and prestigious history – certainly lives up to this philosophy.

The firm have recently completed work on Bergen Børs, their third hotel project for hyperlocal Norwegian hospitality group De Bergenske inside a year
But there’s nothing modest about its location. Occupying the upper floors of what was once the city’s stock exchange, Bergen Børs occupies a prime position in the Bergen streetscape. A few moments’ stroll from the station, beside Bergen’s main square Torgallmenningen, and overlooking Bryggen – the picturesque and oft-Instagrammed row of harbourside Hanseatic buildings recognised as a Unesco World Heritage site – there’s no better address in town.

Today, the sight of those elegant warehouses on the wharf is a reminder of Bergen’s historical status as Northern Europe’s international trading capital. Opposite, Bergen Børs stands as another memento of the city’s glory days of trade. Built in 1862 and redeveloped in the 1890s, the stock exchange (børshuset) building is, from the outside, an imposing neo-Renaissance affair in red clay tile and soapstone – befitting the solemnity and significance of the transactions once conducted within.
The firm have recently completed work on Bergen Børs, their third hotel project for hyperlocal Norwegian hospitality group De Bergenske inside a year

Tailoring History
The challenge facing the architect was twofold: preserving the vestiges of the past without turning the hotel into a museum piece; and finding a way to unite the old stock exchange building with the two others that Bergen Børs stretches across. Each of these buildings – both former financial offices – originates from a different period, meaning that although parts of Bergen Børs date back the mid-19th century, other parts were built as recently as 1967.

The firm have recently completed work on Bergen Børs, their third hotel project for hyperlocal Norwegian hospitality group De Bergenske inside a year‘Bergen Børs is a luxury hotel situated in three different buildings, from three different eras. We wanted the new hotel to have a unified look and feel. For the guest, it had to feel seamless, therefore our design has a certain neutral modernity attached to it.’

– Eero Koivisto, architect, Claesson Koivisto Rune

To achieve an air of beyond-trend elegance, Eero and his colleagues landed on the theme of tailoring – they were, after all, effectively stitching three buildings together. But this is more than a metaphor, the patterns of the classic gent’s suit are subtly woven into the interiors. In the bedrooms, pinstripes running down the wallpaper and drapes; herringbone parquet and grid-pattern carpets adorn the floors; chequered and argyle tiles appear in the bathrooms; and houndstooth upholstery covers the lounge furniture. You might never notice it if you weren’t looking closely, but Bergen Børs is a tailor’s swatch book brought to life.

The firm have recently completed work on Bergen Børs, their third hotel project for hyperlocal Norwegian hospitality group De Bergenske inside a yearBergen Børs’ calming palette and subtle patterning is occasionally interrupted by a pop of colour or a graphic accent – a similar effect to an eccentrically bold pocket square in an otherwise sober suit. Other flourishes of character are found in the original features – decorative remnants of the hotel’s former life have been salvaged and interwoven throughout the space. The soundproofed doors that once guarded confidential conversations from eavesdroppers now open into one bedroom’s ensuite; and the former stock exchange manager’s office, complete with a heavily protected safe, now offers respite and privacy to whichever hotel guest is lucky enough to be handed the key.

The firm have recently completed work on Bergen Børs, their third hotel project for hyperlocal Norwegian hospitality group De Bergenske inside a yearThe effect serves to unify the three buildings into one integrated whole. Apart from the occasional change in ceiling height as you stroll its corridors, you’d never realise you were stepping between buildings and across decades. Bergen Børs is the tailor-made hotel where you can’t see the seams.

Food and drink
What used to be the Chamber of Commerce is now the hotel bar – a clubbily relaxed wood-panelled room where guests can sip cocktails or sample fine wines and craft beers at the marble bar, as the light from the vintage chandelier plays on the mirrored walls. Next door, the light and airy signature restaurant BARE transforms fine seasonal ingredients sourced in Bergen’s neighbouring fjord regions into authentic but adventurous Nordic dishes – all served up with an impressive harbour view.

Around the hotel
Whether guests are here for business or leisure, Bergen Børs puts the best of Bergen on their doorstep. De Bergenske’s claim that their newest opening is the city’s ‘most central hotel’ is impossible to refute. The railway is in walking distance, the airport bus stops just outside, and the harbour terminal opposite is the gateway to fjord-land adventures. Turn right, and the Fløibanen funicular, whisking guests up to the panorama-endowed peak of Mt Fløyen, is just up the street. Turn left, and you’re on boutique-lined Torgallmenningen, with the KODE art museums and a wealth of cafés, restaurants and green space a five-minute walk beyond.

www.bergenbors.no

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12-18 August: Top 10 stories of the week…

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From hotel openings to product spotlights to everything in between, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…

1. THE CURTAIN, SHOREDITCH SHORTLISTED FOR TWO AHEAD AWARDS
The Curtain is a nine storey, 120-key new-build restaurant, hotel and members club located at the heart of Shoreditch. The building is located on the site of a former 1970s office block on the corner of Curtain Road, and its design reinterprets the area’s 19th century warehouse heritage.

2. WINDERMERE HOTEL ELLERTHWAITE LODGE SELLS OFF-MARKET FOR £1M
Ellerthwaite Lodge, a four-star bed and breakfast located within walking distance of Lake Windermere in the Lake District, has been successfully sold, achieving a price in excess of £1 million.

3. 50% BRITS STRUGGLE TO SLEEP IN HOTELS: HOW OPERATORS CAN ENSURE PERFECT NIGHT’S SLEEP
Research from Beacon, the UK’s leading purchasing company, has revealed that over 50% of UK hotel guests struggle to get a good night’s sleep when staying in a hotel.

4. HOTEL CONCEPT FOCUS: TEMPTATION CANCUN RESORT NOW OPEN
Temptation Cancun Resort, part of Original Group, has reopened after a spectacular multi-million-dollar, complete rebuild taken up by award-winning Canadian designer Karim Rashid.

5. MITRE LINEN: HOW TO TRANSFORM A HOTEL BATHROOM IN 7 STEPS
Hotel and B&B guests wants to be able to relax and rejuvenate in a beautiful bathroom setting. So how can you make sure your bathrooms make a big statement and add to a guest’s experience of their stay?

6. HOTEL GROUP FOCUS: LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD WELCOMES EIGHT NEW MEMBERS
The Leading Hotels of the World is pleased to announce the addition of eight new members to its collection of over 375 independent, luxury hotels.

7. MORE THAN HALF OF HILTON PORTFOLIO TO BE ‘DIGITAL KEY’ ENABLED BY END OF 2017
Hilton has announced Digital Key will now be available at 362,000 hotel rooms across 2,000 hotels worldwide with the introduction of the exclusive technology at the Hampton Inn & Suites Washington DC-Navy Yard.

8. HOTEL DESIGNS IN MEDIA PARTNERSHIP WITH SLEEP 2017
Hotel Designs is delighted to announce, once again, its media partnership for the 2017 edition of Sleep, being held at London’s Business Design Centre on 21-22 November.

9. LUXURY HOTEL INVESTS IN PILKINGTON GLASS FOR NEW SPA COMPLEX
Rudding Park near Harrogate is one of the most highly regarded hotels in the UK, offering luxurious accommodation in a Grade-I listed regency house, set in 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland.

10. HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL TO ROCK THE ALPS WITH DAVOS HOTEL
With presence in more than 70 countries across the globe, Hard Rock International is expanding its hotel portfolio to the Swiss Alps, announcing plans to open Hard Rock Hotel Davos.

Lancashire’s Barton Grange Hotel has certainly not rested on its success in the last few years. Having invested £670 000 in the last three years into upgrading its bedrooms, corridors and main events space - the Barton Suite, the Hotel has announced this week that owners have added a further £250 000 into upgrades at the Hotel

Lancashire’s Barton Grange ‘blooming’ after investment

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Lancashire’s Barton Grange Hotel has certainly not rested on its success in the last few years. Having invested £670 000 in the last three years into upgrading its bedrooms, corridors and main events space – the Barton Suite, the Hotel has announced this week that owners have added a further £250 000 into upgrades at the Hotel.

The Hotel has just completed refurbishment to its eight guest rooms in the adjacent Garden House, which is now offered to guests wishing to book larger groups into the Hotel such as for a private party, wedding or conference, or those just looking for extra privacy and a unique garden view during their stay.

Brides and grooms with weddings at the Hotel or companies staging a business event can also now take advantage of a newly landscaped ‘wedding’ garden. Designed by the Hotel’s sister company, the Barton Grange Landscapes, the gardens have been manicured with new shrubs, flowers, paving and lighting, to offer couples the option of hosting an al-fresco wedding drinks reception. Of course, not exclusively the realm of wedding guests, the space has the capacity to hold up to 200 people for a private drinks party or corporate cocktail evening, and can be a venue for a marquee seating 240 people.

Lancashire’s Barton Grange Hotel has certainly not rested on its success in the last few years. Having invested £670 000 in the last three years into upgrading its bedrooms, corridors and main events space - the Barton Suite, the Hotel has announced this week that owners have added a further £250 000 into upgrades at the Hotel.Lounge area renovations are also complete. With a warm, contemporary style mind, the lounge can now accommodate up to 30 guests for morning coffees, pre-dinner cocktails or night-caps, and adds a welcoming space to relax or meet friends at the Hotel’s entrance.

With general manager Daniel Rich at the helm for the past three years, the Hotel has already seen steady growth resulting from the upgrading of accommodation and meeting spaces, and improved marketing and management – but plans go further.

Lancashire’s Barton Grange Hotel has certainly not rested on its success in the last few years. Having invested £670 000 in the last three years into upgrading its bedrooms, corridors and main events space - the Barton Suite, the Hotel has announced this week that owners have added a further £250 000 into upgrades at the Hotel
The Hotel is now expanding its leisure offering, with the addition of a spa treatment services to its current indoor pool and gym. Two new treatment rooms will provide a range of therapeutic, beauty and salon treatments. This will be available to Hotel guests, people living locally and an exclusive club membership from early 2018.

Commenting on the development programme Daniel Rich, general manager said: “The final stages of the changes are about ensuring that the Hotel is very much the ‘go to’ destination for event organisers, wedding couples and leisure visitors to the local area.’

Lancashire’s Barton Grange Hotel has certainly not rested on its success in the last few years. Having invested £670 000 in the last three years into upgrading its bedrooms, corridors and main events space - the Barton Suite, the Hotel has announced this week that owners have added a further £250 000 into upgrades at the Hotel‘The opening of our leisure club’s spa services will give us scope to expand our customer base even further. At the moment it is a strong, growth sector and will enable the Hotel to attract a wider range of leisure travellers, as well as offering a greater service to our wedding couples and corporate clients looking for incentive breaks and bespoke ‘away-days’.’

Daniel added: ‘We are particularly delighted that we were able to use local tradespeople to help with the work carried out. Our philosophy has always been to source locally wherever we can, and this refurbishment has been no exception – from architects to builders, painters and decorators to flooring, and spa therapists to garden landscapers….all from Lancashire.’

“We are continuing to build on our success as the year progresses, with a growth in our events business of 20%, and our accommodation continues to show a strong performance with average room rates up by 10% on last year. These are firm foundations on which to continue to develop the business and I am confident that the investment in further upgrades at the Hotel will play a huge part in seeing the Hotel achieve greater success moving forwards.’

www.bartongrangehotel.com

Wolfscastle Country Hotel

Wolfscastle Country Hotel unveils new ‘Beauty and Wellness’ Spa

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Wolfscastle Country Hotel, member of The Great Inns of Britain, is proud to announce the opening of a new on site Beauty and Wellness Spa. The hotel’s newest addition is part of the 40th anniversary celebrations which are taking place throughout 2017.

The spa offers a high quality experience for guests to indulge in, with three new treatment rooms, a relaxation room and nail bar.

Wolfscastle Country Hotel has undergone various reincarnations over the ages to become one of Wales’ leading hotels and restaurants. Located in rural Pembrokeshire, the hotel has the advantage of being closely situated to countryside and the coast and boasts the 2 AA Rosette Allt yr Afon restaurant which offers culinary excellence in a Victorian style dining room.

The hotel is famed for their enviable wine list and with over 200 years of experience in wine trading, Wolfscastle Country Hotel is the perfect place to escape, relax and unwind.

greatinns.co.uk

Hyatt Regency

VIDEO: Hyatt Regency brand celebrates 50th anniversary with a new film

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The Hyatt Regency brand is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the launch of a new film titled, ‘Come Together’.

The film celebrates bringing groups together to build community and share unique ideas, which is exactly what the Hyatt Regency brand has done over the past 50 years. The ‘Come Together’ film is an extension of the recently launched World of Hyatt platform, which is built on a simple belief that a little understanding goes a long way and further underscores the incredible things that happen when groups come together.

Featuring spoken word artist Tarriona “Tank” Ball and directed by award-winning director Simon Benjamin, the “Come Together” film is inspired by the brand’s rich history – in 1967, Hyatt Regency Atlanta was among the first hotels in the city to open its doors to civil rights leaders.

Through her poetic spoken word style, Ball tells the Hyatt Regency brand’s story of understanding with grace and care, while encouraging people to come together to share their ideas and perspectives.

www.hyattregency.com

The Curtain - Shoreditch

The Curtain, Shoreditch shortlisted for two AHEAD awards

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The Curtain is a nine storey, 120-key new-build restaurant, hotel and members club located at the heart of Shoreditch. The building is located on the site of a former 1970s office block on the corner of Curtain Road, and its design reinterprets the area’s 19th century warehouse heritage.

The project has been shortlisted for two AHEAD awards, with Dexter Moren Associates having been shortlisted for The Curtain in the ‘Urban Hotel – Newbuild’ category and interior designers Duncan Miller Ullmann having been shortlisted for The Curtain in the ‘Event Spaces category’.

In June 2017 lead architect, Zoe Tallon of Dexter Moren Associates, was announced as the winner of the prestigious Creative Spark Award, for her work on the project. The award recognises the best-designed new hotel, and is voted by delegates of the TOPHOTELPROJECTS World Tour London, comprising a wide selection of influential industry peers including fellow architects, hoteliers, investors, interior designers, suppliers and media.

An industrial vision
Contemporary Shoreditch is in constant flux, developing from an unfashionable backwater to London’s capital of creativity in the 1990s, before evolving to become home to the UK’s technology start-up scene. As a result, the area has undergone significant gentrification accompanied and driven by a host new art galleries, creative hubs, pop-up shops and restaurants, quirky pubs, clubs and eateries.

Hotelier Michael Achenbaum had a vision for a new high-profile restaurant, hotel and members club sitting right in the heart of Shoreditch, which would reflect the area’s architectural heritage, industrial history, and current creativity. Michael hired architects Dexter Moren Associates to transform this vision into reality.

The Curtain - ShoreditchExciting and eclectic
The facade consists of red brick with large-framed Crittall Windows which complement the urban / industrial aesthetic and gives the building a character and identity of its own. The Curtain features a live music venue in a fully soundproofed basement, a state-of-the-art gym, wellness area with treatment and steam rooms, screening room, ballroom, and a 1,600ft2 rooftop restaurant bar. There is also a Moroccan-style heated pool offering stunning views across the City skyline; three restaurants, the LIDO, Red Rooster and Tienda Roosteria; and a members only bar, Billy’s Bar Meanwhile, British rock photographer Mick Rock supplied some of his iconic photography for the building, adding further to The Curtain’s stylish eclecticism.

Sensitive to history…
Dexter Moren Associate’s design reflects the industrial warehouse aesthetic of this part of Shoreditch. An important consideration was to create a modern hotel building which is highly sensitive to the site’s historical context. This has been achieved through the use of urban red brickwork, profiled metal panels, large Crittall-style windows with deep reveals and bullnose brick sills.

Inspiration for the exterior came from the many cabinet factories and colour warehouses that previously stood on the site. In these buildings the block is broken up vertically by the delivery doors to the warehouse; this also has the visual effect of breaking down a large facade into a smaller, more residential scale. The Curtain design uses this device to break up the visual mass of the building while retaining its overall cohesion by the use of brickwork throughout.

The Curtain - Shoreditch…but embracing Shoreditch’s present
The interior features art supplied by Mick Rock, famous for photographing music legends such as David Bowie, Lou Reed and Blondie, and for creating some of the key images of the Seventies. The artwork will therefore reflect the heady atmosphere of one of London’s hottest cultural centres. Rooms and suites feature exposed brick walls, hardwood flooring, black-framed factory windows.

The Curtain - Shoreditch
The Curtain is also designed to be a positive contribution to Shoreditch: not just as a landmark building, but one that helps to repair the streetscape by the use of proportions respectful of the surrounding buildings and reflecting the heritage of the site. Public realm engagement is further enhanced by a number of street level entrances. There will be a total of five bars throughout the hotel, including in the garden courtyard. Entry-level Courtyard rooms will look into a light well and come with separate toilet and a large shower room, while loft suites will have their own large terraces with views across the cityscape.

INNSIDE Hamburg

INNSIDE Hamburg brings chic urban lifestyle to Germany

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INNSIDE by Meliá, the urban lifestyle hotel brand by Meliá Hotels international group, has announced the latest addition to its growing portfolio of global properties with the opening of INNSIDE Hamburg Hafen.

INNSIDE by Meliá hotels are known for their strategic city locations and INNSIDE Hamburg Haffen is testimony to this with a prime position in the Hammerbrook district.

Near the Hafencity quarter and with a dedicated pier on the Mittelkanal channel, the hotel is a short walk from the city center and the world renowned Speicherstadt district, making it the perfect choice for pleasure seekers as well as modern work trippers, who want to achieve more than just business when they travel, intent getting to know the cities they visit like a local.

INNSIDE Hamburg
INNSIDE Hamburg Hafen’s staff are all sharp city insiders, able to provide any visitor with local tips as to how to get the most out of their city stay, with advice on everything from where to go for a traditional Hamburgian dinner, to the best park for an evening run.

In keeping with the young, fresh and innovative design that characterises the INNSIDE by Meliá brand, the hotel offers 207 stylish rooms and suites across six levels.

Their sleek design is dominated by monochrome white, black and silver colouring, creating interesting accents due to subtle, indirect lighting that also complements the luxurious wooden texture of the floors. All rooms and lifestyle suites boast king or queen-size beds, individually adjustable air conditioning, a 40-inch LED television set, a free soft drink minibar, free Wi-Fi, desks including a media hub and high-speed Internet access, as well as open-plan bathrooms with a rain shower.

INNSIDE Hamburg
“At INNSIDE Hamburg Hafen, the spacious and impressive lobby with an integrated bar and restaurant is divided by various pieces of furniture into stylishly multifunctional, shared spaces where guests can work in a relaxed atmosphere, eat in company, or simply relax on the comfortable furniture. We call this the Open Living Lounge, specifically designed to facilitate networking and socialising alike.” says Kai Lamlé, Managing Director Germany of Meliá Hotels International, explaining the trend behind these co-working and communal areas.

The chic and modern lobby, which no longer includes a classic reception desk, but a digital check-in/check-out machine, a merchandising corner and a communal table, leads guests to the “Werft” bar and restaurant area with its large waterfront deck overlooking the Mittelkanal channel.

INNSIDE Hamburg Hafen provides more than 230 square meters of conference space to accommodate modern business needs. This includes two bright, fully air-conditioned event rooms which are flexibly combinable and equipped with state-of-the-art media technology.

INNSIDE Hamburg
INNSIDE Hamburg Hafen, once again underlines INNSIDE by Meliá’s commitment to Germany, which, after Spain, is the second-largest European market of the Meliá Hotels International (MHI) group. Meliá Hotels International (MHI) owns the INNSIDE by Meliá brand, 14 of their 27 German hotels are INNSIDE hotels. INNSIDE by Meliá is one of Meliá Hotels International’s fastest growing brands, with key new openings in Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East allowing guests to maximise their leisure time during business trips wherever they are in the world.

Kai Lamlé, Managing Director Germany of Meliá Hotels International comments: “We’ve been looking for a suitable location for a long time in Hamburg, and still see a lot of market potential here – also for other brands run by our company.” The INNSIDE by Meliá brand was originally developed in Germany and has been part of Meliá Hotels International since 2007. It is one of Meliá’s most successful and strongest expanding city hotel brands on a global level.

Stanley House completes considerable five-figure investment

Stanley House completes considerable five-figure investment

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The award-winning Stanley House Hotel and Spa, Mellor, has unveiled the second part of its five-figure renovation project.

The investment includes an extensive refurbishment of the multi-purpose function rooms, The Stables and The Lodge, while the hotel’s bridal suites and a further two Manor House bedrooms have undergone complete transformation, offering guests four elegant Manor House suites.

The two function rooms, used for weddings, private events and for business conferences, have been furnished to the highest standards, with a new light, soft, feminine colour scheme breathing new life into the suites to strike a chord with brides-to-be, while the bar’s seating area even boasts horse print upholstery velvet from Mulberry Home.


Meanwhile, the Manor House’s Grade II listed status has led to a tasteful restoration of the rooms, meaning many of the building’s original features – enchanting wooden beams and exposed stonework – remain.

The renovation means the Manor House rooms have been brought up to a standard in line with the international class of the hotel’s Woodlands and Spa building. Some of the rooms feature an opulent bold and rich colour palette, roll top baths add even more luxury, while the original windows hold snug seats, offering unrivalled views out to the rolling Ribble Valley countryside.

The project has been led by Lake District-based interior designer, Sarah Jane Nielsen, renowned for work at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London’s Mayfair. Her hotel portfolio, includes the creation of the Spa lodges and Gilpin Spice at the Lake District’s Gilpin Lodge. This work gained national recognition, winning the prize for ‘Hotel Interiors’ at the United Kingdom Property Awards 2016-17.

Sarah Jane Nielsen, of Sarah Jane Nielsen Ltd, added: “When I first viewed the Manor House I was spellbound with its potential. There could be no more romantic a venue for the bride and her entourage to preen, gloss and enjoy the preparation process for the big day.

“I wanted to inject a contemporary design edge to the property to excite the guest, but still hold on to its sophisticated intrigue with elegance in this age of building. The rooms had to be personal, comfortable and hugely inspiring in line with the enchantment of the building.

“In the Stables, a neutral, soft colour scheme has been selected to enable brides to feel that the space is their own and can be transformed to suit any style or theme of wedding. The elegantly muted colour scheme is tasteful and sophisticated and will melt into the background but can also hold its own for brides who do not wish to dress the room. Our entire scheme was chosen with this flexibility in mind.

“A contrast of soft grey and fresh white keeps the Lodge space bright and light. An accent of deep green is earthy and grounding, bringing the outside in by reflecting the view of the gardens out of the expansive windows and French doors.”

Bride and grooms to be will get to take in the newly renovated function suites at the upcoming wedding open day on Sunday, September 17, seeing how the room could look on their big day, while the completed bedrooms will also be available for guests to view.

Ellerthwaite Lodge

Windermere hotel Ellerthwaite Lodge sells off-market for £1m

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Ellerthwaite Lodge, a four-star bed and breakfast located within walking distance of Lake Windermere in the Lake District, has been successfully sold, achieving a price in excess of £1 million.

The 19th century property which comprises 17 en-suite bedrooms, a dining room, and ground floor coffee shop was sold off-market by Alastair Rushton, of Lonsdale Hotels Limited to Jonathan Denby at South Lakes Hotels.

Jonathan Denby, managing director of South Lakes Hotels said: “I’m delighted to add this exceptional property to our existing portfolio bringing the group total to six Lake District hotels, all of which benefit from the Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.

“We aim to continue the excellent standards set by the previous owner Alastair Rushton. Our plans are to operate the business on an all-year-round basis, catering for both national and international guests.”

Alistair Greenhalgh, a director at LSH Hotels, which represented the seller during the sale, said: “Ellerthwaite Lodge is an attractive 19th century property which benefits from a superb corner plot and a honey pot trading location, which makes it a very appealing investment opportunity.

“This sale highlights an increasing trend for well-qualified purchasers returning to the leisure market to acquire correctly priced assets that offer a good reliable income, and strong growth opportunities. We are currently in contact with a number of buyers looking for similar opportunities.”

Temptation Cancun Resort - Frontal Rendering

Hotel Concept Focus: Temptation Cancun Resort now open

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Temptation Cancun Resort, part of Original Group, has reopened after a spectacular multi-million-dollar, complete rebuild taken up by award-winning Canadian designer Karim Rashid.

Inspired by the human body, the new resort’s 430 guestrooms and public spaces epitomise Karim’s signature ‘sensual minimalism’ style, including an iconic multi-coloured seven-storey façade. An evolutionary concept in Cancun, the ‘Playground for Grown-Ups’ welcomes adults-only (21+) to experience a sensual vibe throughout the entire property, with its bright colours and rounded, human-like shapes designed to optimise feelings of connectivity and attraction.

Temptation Cancun Resort - Bash Bedroom IIThe design makeover for Temptation Cancun Resort began on September 25, 2016. After a successful trajectory as the number one adult-centric, all-inclusive resort in the Mexican Caribbean, Temptation’s transformation has refined and elevated its original concept by enhancing the guest experience with the highest international hotel standards and a ground-breaking design. Complemented by superior entertainment, gastronomic and accommodation offerings, an electrifying vibe continues to be the hallmark of this beachfront, topless-optional resort.

Temptation Cancun Resort - Bash BathroomNewly reimagined guestrooms evoke a vivid sense through design capturing the innovative spirit of Cancun. The colour palette includes bright colours and smooth textures, fused with long lines and soft curves that simulate the natural beauty and sensuality of the human body through abstract art. Each of the 430 rooms and suites offer a private terrace or balcony, where guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea or the property’s lush tropical gardens.

Temptation Cancun Resort - Master Suite RenderingAll rooms feature an LED TV, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and an in-room minibar. A selection of rooms and suites include pool and beach butler service, pillow menu, outdoor Jacuzzis, aromatherapy and Blissful Beds among other state-of-the-art amenities.

Temptation Cancun Resort - Pool Side Rendering
Spa Rosé facilities include: a sauna, steam room, Swiss shower, cold water pool and a large Jacuzzi. In addition, it offers a peaceful waiting area where a refreshing variety of teas and other relaxing beverages are served.

www.temptation-experience.com

TownePlace Suites Orlando at SeaWorld opens

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Orlando opens at SeaWorld

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TownePlace Suites by Marriott Orlando at SeaWorld, managed by LBA Hospitality and owned by Mandala Holdings, is now open in the heart of the city’s magical attractions.

Located across the street from SeaWorld Orlando and right around the corner from Discovery Cove, Aquatica Orlando, Orange County Convention Centre, Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, the hotel will serve travelers the utmost in hospitality in the city known as the number one meeting destination in the US and the location for a record of 68 million visitors last year.

As an all-suites hotel, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Orlando at SeaWorld consists of 6 floors with 188 rooms featuring full kitchens, kids’ suites, an outdoor pool, an on-site fitness centre, a business centre, free continental breakfast and concierge. In addition, as an Official Hotel of SeaWorld, guests at the property will also have exclusive park benefits at SeaWorld and Aquatica including complimentary transportation, and discounts on merchandise and culinary purchases in the parks.

Led by general manager Alex Figueroa, named LBA’s General Manager of the Year in 2016, and Biljana Djokovic, director of sales, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Orlando at SeaWorld is one of two properties LBA plans to launch this summer in Orlando. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Orlando at SeaWorld, a six storey hotel with 181 guest rooms, an outdoor pool, fitness centre, business center and meeting space, will open in a few short months.

Mitre Linen - Bathroom accesories

Mitre Linen: How to transform a hotel bathroom in 7 steps

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Hotel and B&B guests wants to be able to relax and rejuvenate in a beautiful bathroom setting. So how can you make sure your bathrooms make a big statement and add to a guest’s experience of their stay?

Chris Tame, Mitre Linen’s National Sales Manager, says: “Even when they are regularly renovated, hotel bathrooms tend to be heavily used by guests which makes them easy to look tired.”

Here he gives his tips to refresh a bathroom in a cost effective way to ensure the rooms are not out of action for any length of time…

1. Update your bathroom blinds
Windows are a focal point in any room which makes it important to regularly update and refresh your bathroom blinds. With heavy use, they can easily become splashed with shower gel, toothpaste and even make-up over time. Updating your bathroom blinds gives you the chance to tie the look of the room in with your chosen colour scheme. Or, if you want to make a statement, bright blinds can bring a pop of colour to a bathroom. Using lighter coloured fabric shades in your bathroom blinds will allow more sunlight to filter into the room while still maintaining privacy.

2. Refresh your bathroom towels
Super soft white towels that smell clean and fresh are high on the list of what B&B guests want. We also know that half of guests think an establishment is better if it provides branded towels and 60% prefer a large bath sheet to a large towel. Providing wonderfully heavyweight towels is an attention to detail that can help to create a truly tranquil experience for guests. Indulge your guests with luxuriously soft 600gsm pure cotton for a crisp clean look for your bathroom or try microcotton Turkish towels which have the ability to absorb water almost instantaneously.

Mitre Linen - Bathroom accesoriesIf you want to co-ordinate your towels with your colour scheme, consider 100% coloured towels which come in shades ranging from navy and chocolate to blue and mint. Alternatively, the towel border can be colour matched with the hotel’s desired Pantone. For a more bespoke experience, why not embroider your logo on towels.

3. Upgrade essential extras
Consider the little touches which can make a difference to a bathroom. As well as providing useful storage solutions such as simple glass jars and bottles, update your bathroom bins, tissue holders and hair dryers. Creating a neat and uncluttered room will help to make the space aesthetically pleasing for your guests.

4. Renew your shower curtains
Shower curtains are heavily used and it is important to update and renew them before they start to look tired. Go for 100% polyester and consider whether to choose from an innovative hookless shower curtain with a detachable backing which you can easily remove to wash and simply re-attach with poppers, or a plain hook shower curtain.

Mitre Linen - Bathroom accesories5. Re-grout your tiles
Refresh your bathroom tiles by re-grouting them. This is a cost effective way to revitalise your bathroom and make it look like new again. It also helps to prevent any water leaks from occurring.

6. Add an element of luxury with bathrobes and slippers
Exceed your guest’s expectations and bring a touch of luxury to your bathrooms with a sumptuous, fluffy bathrobe and an indulgent pair of slippers for your guests to sink their feet into. A wonderfully soft bathrobe and slippers – embroidered with your company logo – can make guests feel special. Bathrobes come in a variety of fabric options from waffle weave and polyester to 100% cotton and heavyweight velour. You can even offer your guests bathrobes for the whole family with a range of smaller sizes now available for children.

7. Ensure bathroom safety
Ensure safety while bathing with a non-slip rubber bath mat. Practical and good value, these mats are slip-resistant and are anti-fungal treated.

For more helpful tips and advice, call our friendly team on 01685 353 454.
www.mitrelinen.com
Sales@mitrelinen.com

Sleeping

50% Brits struggle to sleep in hotels: how operators can ensure perfect night’s sleep

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Research from Beacon, the UK’s leading purchasing company, has revealed that over 50% of UK hotel guests struggle to get a good night’s sleep when staying in a hotel. With summer holiday in full swing, Beacon, working alongside its leading bedding supplier Fogarty, has pulled together its top tips on how operators can make sure guests get a restful sleep during their all-important summer breaks away.

With a good night’s sleep high on the nation’s agenda, sleep expert, Dr. Sleep from Fogarty, discusses the importance of sleep: “We spend a third of our lives asleep, and evidence proves that the quality of this sleep is essential to allow us to reach our full potential during our waking hours. Small changes can make a big difference in improving your guest’s sleep experience, which in turn will undoubtedly lead to greater customer loyalty.”

SleepingLauren Parker, Buyer at Beacon, continued: “So many of us are struggling to sleep in hotels, but this can easily be improved, and operators should capitalise on this opportunity. Our recent research found that guests would be willing to pay an extra £10 for a larger room, £8 for a choice of pillows, £9 for a larger bed and £10 for an extra bed to help with their sleep in hotels, suggesting there is money to be made in offering sleep related upgrades. This indicates how important sleep is to guests, so considering some small changes could really benefit your business.”

Top Tips with the help of Dr. Sleep and Fogarty

Fresh plants
Consider investing in fresh plants in your hotel bedrooms to help to maintain good air quality. We would suggest choosing flowers such as jasmine or lavender; these scents are known to have a positive effect on the quality of sleep. The display of flowers in a bedroom also creates a more soothing and relaxing atmosphere, putting your guests at ease.

Bedroom thermometers
As you get ready to go to sleep, your body begins to cool down to its optimal sleep temperature. To help this process, use bedroom thermometers to set the temperature in bedrooms to between 15-18 degrees, or by giving guests the option to turn off their heating about an hour before bedtime; which is plenty of time for the room to reach this temperature.

Soundproofing
Hotels can be noisy, with this creating disturbances for some sleepers. You can provide your guests with a more peaceful sleep through soundproofing bedrooms, which needn’t cost the earth – thicker curtains, or the provision of ear plugs can help improve guest experiences.

SleepingLavender
Studies have shown that the scent of lavender has excellent sedative effects and helps to promote better sleep. To reap the benefits of this in hotel bedrooms, you can invest in the plant, a diffuser or pillow sprays. Lavender pillow sprays have become increasingly popular, with one of Beacon’s leading suppliers, Gilchrist & Soames, stating that sales for 2016/17 have increased by 40% over the 2015/16 period.

Anti-allergy bedding
During spring and summer many of us will experience an increase in allergic symptoms. Allergies are one of the most common causes of sleep disturbances and anti allergy bedding helps protect your guests. Fogarty provides an anti allergy range, fully endorsed by Anti-Allergy UK, that has been treated with anti-microbial material, providing you with peace of mind that your bedding is fresh, clean and safe.

For more information about Beacon please visit www.beaconpurchasing.co.uk

Embassy Suites by Hilton - Chicago

Embassy Suites by Hilton completes renovation of Chicago O’Hare Rosemont hotel

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Officials of The Dow Hotel Company (DHC), a leading national hotel owner/investor and operator, has announced the completion of the $10 million (£7.7 million) renovation of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport – Rosemont.

The renovation focused on all aspects of the hotel, including guest rooms, public spaces and back-of-house areas.

The renovation enhanced virtually all aspects of the hotel. Guest rooms received fresh soft goods, upholstered furniture and artwork. All guest baths gained new tiling, while some were converted to stand-up showers.

Public spaces were completely redone, including alterations to the atrium, pool, fitness centre, lobby, elevators and employee locker rooms. The business centre was upgraded to Embassy Suites by Hilton’s Connectivity Zone with modern furniture. The two executive boardrooms received new tables, wood work, refrigerators and televisions.

Exterior hotel improvements range from building enhancements to completely redone landscaping.

Hotel Designs in media partnership with Sleep 2017

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Hotel Designs is delighted to announce, once again, its media partnership for the 2017 edition of Sleep, being held at London’s Business Design Centre on 21-22 November.

As Hotel Designs continues to maintain its position within the interior design and hotel industry, partnering with shows of the pedigree of Sleep is the perfect way to reach key influencers and figures from across the industry.

At Sleep 2017, attendees can:
– Meet over 4,600 of the global hotel design, development and architecture community
– Discover how hotel brands can deliver beyond the functional for lasting memories that inspire
– Source the best products for hotel design from the finest hand-picked suppliers
– Explore unique installations and exclusive design collaborations from renowned industry names
– Hear from the visionaries pushing boundaries from the heart of the sector at the annual industry Conference
– Network with those inspiring hotel interiors globally at show hub and renowned social destination The Sleeper Bar

Joel Butler, the brand director said: “We are delighted to be working with Hotel Designs and looking forward to a very exciting show that brings the global hotel design, development and architecture community together at Sleep on 21-22 November.”

Daniel Fountain, editor of Hotel Designs, added: “Having attended Sleep for several years now, I am delighted we will continue to have a presence at one of most well-known shows in the sector. Its reputation for being the place to meet and discover new people and trends, it’s at the top of most design professionals’ lists of must-attend-shows. I am excited Hotel Designs can be part of Sleep’s ever-increasing popularity,” he added.

www.thesleepevent.com

Tru by Hilton - Orlando, Florida

Tru by Hilton Hotel to be developed in Orlando, Florida

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Hilton and Epelboim Development Group have announced a new development deal to build an all-new Tru by Hilton in Orlando, Florida, bringing the innovative, midscale hotel brand to a new market.

The eight-storey, 259-room hotel will be the largest Tru property to date and will be located just south of the Orange County Convention Centre.

Tru by Hilton Orlando Convention Centre Area, which is expected to open in October 2019, is one of the brand’s 425 hotels in various stages of development.

With approximately 10 new properties slated to open this year, the brand has achieved the fastest-growing pipeline in the history of the hospitality industry.

Rudding Park Spa - Pilkington glass

Luxury hotel invests in Pilkington glass for new spa complex

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Rudding Park near Harrogate is one of the most highly regarded hotels in the UK, offering luxurious accommodation in a Grade-I listed regency house, set in 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland.

So, when the hotel management decided to add a new luxury spa complex, the emphasis was on creating a world-class experience for visitors.

Architectural practice Enjoy Design was appointed to design the spa, and the result is a three-storey complex that includes 11 treatment rooms, a 17m swimming pool, a juniper log sauna, indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pool, a restaurant and shop.

Project: New spa complex at Rudding Park, Harrogate
Client: Rudding Park
Architect: Enjoy Design
Main contractor: Henry Boot Construction
Specialist glazing contractor: HW Architectural

A major feature of the design is its light-filled relaxation spaces, which can be used all-year-round, despite the colder winters and unreliable summers in the north of England. These include a ground-floor area surrounded on three sides by floor-to-ceiling glass, as well as a fully-glazed rooftop spa and garden.

The rooftop spa features an indoor-outdoor infinity pool, where guests can swim between the open and enclosed areas via a waterproof automatic door. A herbal steam bath, luxury steam room, panoramic experience showers and relaxing foot spa enhance the spa journey, whilst outside a spa bath and cabin sauna complete the experience.

Rudding Park Spa - Pilkington glassThe double-glazed sauna units incorporate Pilkington Suncool™ 66/33, a high performance solar control glass that helps to reduce transmission of energy from the sun to just 33 per cent, while allowing 66 per cent light transmission. This means that occupants can enjoy uninterrupted views of the grounds in a comfortable environment, whatever the season.

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RELATED: £9.5M SPA DEVELOPMENT AT RUDDING PARK NEARS COMPLETION
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The glass was installed using minimalistic aluminium frames from manufacturer Metal Technology, which sit flush together and give the appearance of frameless glazing externally.

Gregg Mitchell, director at Enjoy Design, said: “We set out to create a spa facility that is cutting edge, and which would impress the most seasoned spa visitors from around the world.


“Being able to relax on a lounger, looking out over an infinity pool at the stunning grounds beyond, in the depths of an English winter is something pretty special, and part of what makes this new spa genuinely world-class.

“The high performance solar control glass from Pilkington has allowed us to create this amazing space without compromising on the energy performance of the building.”

Michael Metcalfe, commercial sales manager at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, said: “For buildings where much of the envelope is glazed, excessive heat build-up will always be a potential concern. Solar control glass can make a significant difference by cutting the amount of solar energy entering the space, allowing the climate to be controlled much more efficiently.

“As a result, occupants can enjoy the feeling of being bathed in daylight, whether it’s July or December.”

Davos - Hard Rock Hotel

Hard Rock International to rock the Alps with Davos hotel

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With presence in more than 70 countries across the globe, Hard Rock International is expanding its hotel portfolio to the Swiss Alps, announcing plans to open Hard Rock Hotel Davos.

Working in collaboration with International Hospitality Service, the owner of Spenglers Hotel and Holsboer Residences in Davos, Hard Rock will electrify the region in December 2017. VIYM, a private equity firm with extensive expertise in the hospitality industry, consulted IHS on the deal.

Transforming the 130-year-old building, which houses the recently renovated Spenglers Hotel Davos with a new spa and soft design touches, Hard Rock Hotel Davos will give tribute to the building’s rich history of honoring Dr. Alexander Spengler and Willem Jan Holsboer – both pioneers in their respective fields.

As Davos became famous for the medical benefits its high altitude climate provided, Dr. Spengler was the first person to open a people’s sanatorium, while Holsboer developed the plans for the railway line to Davos. Recently renovated last year, the historic luxury boutique hotel will further continue its modern conversion by evolving into a music-inspired city escape with priceless memorabilia adorning the walls of the property, curated by a team of design experts to fit the local music scene while reflecting the region’s art, style and culture.

Through music appreciation and an imaginative environment, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos delivers products for the varied aspects of life – work, play and personal sanctuary.

For more information or to book a stay at any of the Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, please visit www.hardrockhotels.com.

Leading Hotels of the World

Hotel Group Focus: Leading Hotels of the World welcomes eight new members

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The Leading Hotels of the World is pleased to announce the addition of eight new members to its collection of over 375 independent, luxury hotels. Of these, six are also new to the hospitality scene in 2017. Spanning the globe from Canada to Spain to Korea, these distinguished properties offer varied styles of architecture and design, and immersive cultural experiences delivered by passionate hoteliers.

“We are delighted to welcome these celebrated new members to The Leading Hotels of the World,” said Deniz Omurgonulsen, Vice President, Membership, The Leading Hotels of the World. “Our guests are in search of quality and distinctiveness when staying with us and these global properties deliver both seamlessly. With the exciting new additions, our travelers can stay in a Venetian palace on the Grand Canal, a shikumen lanes home in Shanghai, a historic mansion in Montreal or St. Petersburg, or the fifth tallest high rise in the world in Seoul.”

Le Mount Stephen opened its doors in May 2017, proudly embracing the dynamism of today’s Montréal, while paying homage to the city’s rich heritage. The property isin the Golden Square Mile and the entrance and dining venues are withinthe George Stephen House, a historical monument and mansion built by Lord G. Stephen, the first president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Beyond the entry the present is celebrated in a sleek contemporary tower that houses 90 prestigious rooms and sky-loft suites which all feature floor-to-ceiling windows. The interiors exude timeless elegance, showcasing a unique style and character while offering state-of the-art amenities.

Leading Hotels of the WorldBürgenstock Hotel (Obbuergen, Switzerland)
The newly built Bürgenstock Hotel will officially open August 28, 2017, boasting modern architecture, contemporary design and incomparable views over Lake Lucerne and the Alps. The property is part of the legendary Bürgenstock Resort, located in Central Switzerland, 500 meters above Lake Lucerne. Hospitality is a tradition here and famous guests like Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin have visited since the first Grand Hotel opened in 1873. Explore the expansive grounds, that include a 10,000-square-meter spa, a healthy living center, 12 restaurants, numerous boutiques, and a 9-hole golf course. Opportunities for active recreation also await, with tennis, golf, curling, water sports, hiking and bike trails all nearby.

Leading Hotels of the WorldLesante Blu Exclusive Beach Resort (Zakynthos, Greece)
True to its name, Lesante Blu Exclusive Beach Resort is surrounded by spectacular views of the Ionian Sea, offering privacy and peace of mind to the experienced traveler. The property opened in May 2017, with 65 guestrooms all facing the sea. Lesante Blu’s “it’s all about you” mentality is exhibited through its adults-only concept, private pools, state-of-the-art suites and discreet staff. Fine dining restaurants with Mediterranean flavors prepared by the Executive Chef George Plotas enhance the culinary offerings, while complete tranquility and rejuvenating moments can be enjoyed in the Essence Spa with a Germain de Cappucini treatment. For a picturesque arrival and departure, guests can arrange a helicopter transfer directly with Lesante Blu and take in all the sights of the Greek islands.

Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel (Venice, Italy)
The stunning Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel began welcoming guests through its 16th-century doors in August 2016, following a nearly 50-year closure of the historical edifice. The property is centrally located right on the Grand Canal and each of its 18 fastidiously decorated rooms and suites is based on an aspect of Venetian history and culture. Original features, including Renaissance frescoes and marble fireplaces, have been expertly restored by local specialists and are complemented with antiques and custom furnishings to display the Palazzo’s noble past. Helmed by an award-winning chef, Enrico Bartolini, GLAM Restaurant serves exclusive menus designed by the exceptionally talented culinary artist.

Gran Meliá de Mar (Mallorca, Spain)
Set in its own exclusive cove, Gran Meliá de Mar is surrounded by a magnificent garden of pine trees under the beautiful blue palette of the Mediterranean sky. Unique to Mallorca, Gran Meliá de Mar is an adults-only resort. It is inspired by an indulgent culture of relaxation where exquisite service and contemporary elegance meet. Guests will find spacious rooms and exceptional suites, all with balconies andspectacular views overlooking the sea.Fine dining with surprising Majorcan cuisine is available at four dining venues, and a Luxury Spa by Clarins offers the latest beauty and well-being treatments.

Leading Hotels of the WorldLotte St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Lotte Hotel St. Petersburg is located onSt. Isaac’s Square with an enviable view of the city’s famous cathedral, the Moika River, the Blue Bridge, and in walking distance to the Hermitage Museum, Nevsky Prospect and Mariinsky Theatre. The hotel opened in July 2017 and is a piece of history unto itself, occupying a mansion built for the honorary citizen Mrs. Yakunchikova. The first traces of the building appeared in the beginning of 19th century. John Quincy Adams, the first ambassador of the U.S. to Russia and the sixth President of the U.S., lived in the house from 1810 to 1811. The hotel features 150 classic and modern rooms, including seven suites. It features smart technology, state-of-the-art facilities and haute cuisine. Enjoy a meal at the Lounge restaurant or the premium Japanese MEGUmi restaurant. Two banquet halls and a Balinese Mandara Spa are also on site.

Leading Hotels of the WorldCapella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li (Shanghai, China)
Located in the cultural preservation zone of Xuhui District, Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li will open in September 2017, following a highly anticipated restoration and conversion project. The compound houses 22 rows of shikumen lanes, connecting more than 200 two-story houses dating back to the 1930s. Set against the glistening skyscrapers of Shanghai, original shikumen houses, which first appeared in the 1860s are a cultural rarity. Sensitively restored for discerning modern travelers, the striking buildings blend traditional Shanghainese and French architectural styles. The hotel portion of the luxury, urban resort consists of 55 three-level villas. The property will also be home to three-Michelin star chef Pierre Gagnaire’s only restaurant in Mainland China, Le Comptoir.

Leading Hotels of the WorldSigniel Seoul (Seoul, Korea)
Set in the greater Gangnam area, the Signiel Seoul opened in April 2017 and is located in the landmark Lotte World Tower, the fifth tallest high rise in the world. Soaring above the city, all rooms offer mesmerizing skyline views and combine classic and contemporary design, harmoniously blending influences of East and West. Guests can indulge in cuisine created by Michelin-starred chefs or sip on some bubbly at BAR 81 with the largest champagne collection in Korea, both located 342-meters up in the air. An impressive Evian spa, fitness center and a swimming pool are also available for some rest and relaxation after a bustling day in Seoul.

Leading Hotels of the WorldReopening after renovations:
Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris
reopened in July following a six-month renovation. The 81 spacious rooms and suites boast refined materials and delicate fabrics and lighting, reflecting the distinctive signature of interior designer Jacques Garcia. Fouquet’s famed brasserie is also back on center stage on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, with Chef Pierre Gagnaire reinvigorating bistro cuisine.

Leading Hotels of the World

www.lhw.com

Hilton Digital Key

More than half of Hilton portfolio to be ‘Digital Key’ enabled by end of 2017

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Hilton has announced Digital Key will now be available at 362,000 hotel rooms across 2,000 hotels worldwide with the introduction of the exclusive technology at the Hampton Inn & Suites Washington DC-Navy Yard.

The milestone demonstrates Hilton’s continual ability to launch technology that improves the guest experience and do it on a global scale. Every new hotel that is opened worldwide, roughly one a day, is equipped with Digital Key technology.

The award-winning Hilton Honors app is designed to make travel easier and put control back in members’ hands so they get more out of their travel experience. From their smartphones, guests can book a room, check-in, choose their desired room from a digital floor plan set against Google Maps and request additional items to be in their room upon arrival. Hilton Honors members have widely adopted the app’s technology features and continue to set new records for usage and engagement, including 30 million digital check-ins, 3 million room key downloads and more than 13.6 million doors opened. In the month of July, a door was unlocked with Digital Key every two seconds.

“We know our customers operate in a digital world and we are obsessive about embracing technology that helps remove the friction points from our guests’ travel experiences. We’ve built a world of experiences at your fingertips with our app – you can check in, choose a room, set personal preferences and unlock your door using Digital Key,” said Geraldine Calpin, chief marketing officer at Hilton. “We’ve more than tripled our rate of Digital Key hotel installs since 2016 and are on pace to exceed our goal of 2,500 hotels by the end of 2017, enabling us to scale across our 14 brands worldwide to deliver exceptional and consistent experience for guests everywhere.”

Digital Key is live worldwide in 185 markets today, and Hilton will continue to expand to new regions throughout the remainder of the year. By the beginning of 2018, Hilton has committed to have well over half of its portfolio of hotels across all 14 brands, equipped with Digital Key, creating a consistent technology experience for guests regardless of where they stay across the globe.

Vienna House announces Warsaw hotel

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Vienna House have announced a new 164-room hotel in Warsaw’s Mokotów district to open in the summer of 2018. The new hotel, Vienna House Mokotów Warsaw, will be positioned as a 4-star business hotel located in the centre city’s thriving business area.

Warsaw has experienced significant growth in the last ten years and has become a leading destination with a focus on culture, politics and business. The district of Mokotów, located near Warsaw’s Chopin International Airport, has developed from an industrial area into a booming business district. The owner of the new hotel is private equity fund Garvest based in Polish Poznań and Vienna House Mokotów Warsaw will be managed under a lease agreement. The investment is set to total approximately €22 million (£20 million).

The hotel, designed by innovative Polish architectural firm Jems Architekci, will feature a nod to the area’s industrial past alongside contemporary and functional design concepts. The hotel will target business travellers along with local companies and residents with flexible meeting areas in the hotel’s lobby and high standard business facilities.

Brit List 2017 Hoteliers Profiles

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In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we continue with five more of the top 25 hoteliers…

GERALDINE MILSOM – MILSOM HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS GROUP
The history of the Milsom group can be traced back almost seven decades, which has seen the group grow into one of the premium providers of accommodation and restaurant experiences in the Essex and Suffolk area. Geraldine and Paul Milsom opened Milsoms in 2001, and having undergone a refurbishment in 2015, the property has gone from strength to strength.

As someone who could appear in either side of the Brit List, the design of the refurbishment was led by Geraldine herself, which ensured the history and aesthetics of the building were retained, all while injecting a vibrant look for the future of the property.

MARIO OVSENJAK – HOTEL GOTHAM
Mario Ovsenjak arrived at Hotel Gotham in 2016 and has led the property from strength-to-strength ever since. The property has quickly established itself as one of the most buzzed-about hotels in the UK under his stewardship. Having worked extensively across the Bespoke Hotels portfolio, he boasts experience leading teams at a range of fine country house properties, including The Lambert Arms in Oxfordshire, Shaftesbury’s Grosvenor Arms, as well as the Prince Regent Hotel.

Prior to this, he held positions at several London establishments, including the Corus Hyde Park Hotel, The Royal Trafalgar and Piccadilly Hotels, as well as the Colonnade and Hotel Xenia.

MAILO POWER – THE ATHENAEUM HOUSE HOTEL
Mailo PowerThe owner of Athenaeum House Hotel in Waterford, Mailo has the Irish hospitality industry very close to her heart. The Athenaeum came about as a marriage of both hotel management and interior design, with Mailo’s background being in the latter across many hospitality and leisure projects.

Together with her husband Stan, himself an accomplished hotelier, Mailo has turned this Georgian gem into one of the best hospitality offerings in Waterford and the south-east of Ireland all whilst capturing the essence, heritage and history of Ireland. Mailo’s infectious passion for the hotel industry is clear to all those who meet her.

BHARAT RAI – GRANGE TOWER BRIDGE HOTEL
Bharat has more than 10 years’ professional experience within the hospitality industry with skills across a whole host of aspects of the industry, including strategic planning, Bharat Raimarketing, and sales initiatives, financial planning and analysis.

At the Grange Tower Bridge, he heads up a team of up to 250 employees and has consistently achieved against all expectations, surpassing KPI projections for revenue and guest services, and under his stewardship the hotel has become synonymous with affordable five-star luxury in the heart of the capital.

ADOLF SCHAUER – THE LANDMARK HOTEL
Adolf SchauerAdolf’s career in hospitality has taken in various aspects of the industry, from an early career in the kitchen, to financial controller to hotel manager – in both Germany and the UK. In January 2015, Adolf was appointed hotel manager at The Landmark London (having previously served as financial controller) and since, he has been responsible for the day-to-day management of the hotel and its staff, focusing on continually improving the guest experience.

His long and celebrated history in both the front-of-house operations and the financial aspect of hospitality means he has been the perfect appointment for this iconic London property and its continued place at the top table of the capital’s properties.

5-11 August: Top 10 stories of the week…

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From hotel openings to product spotlights to everything in between, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…

1. HOTEL GROUP SPOTLIGHT: RADISSON BLU
Unique architecture and interiors, combined with a rich history and heritage, form the foundations of these eight hotels within the upscale Radisson Blu collection, which are located in some of Europe’s most popular, dynamic and stylish cities.

2. INTERCONTINENTAL HONG KONG TO UNDERGO A MAJOR RENOVATION
InterContinental Hong Kong is expected to close for a major renovation in the first quarter of 2019, with the entire renovation taking 12-16 months.

3. HISTORIC AMES BOSTON HOTEL REVEALS NEW LUXURY DESIGN
Glen Coben, of NYC-based architecture & design firm, Glen and Co. Architecture has just finished the renovation and redesign of the 1893, Ames Boston Hotel, and the restaurant inside, Cultivar, taking the building’s original architecture and redesigning it to merge the past, present and future.

4. HOTEL SUMMIT TO RETURN IN 2018
Forum Events is delighted to announce the return of the Hotel Summit in 2018. Hotel Designs is a proud partner of the event, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.

5. HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS ARRIVES IN TUXPAN, MEXICO
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of the Holiday Inn Express Tuxpan hotel in Veracruz, Mexico.

6. MATEUS BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN GOA CONVERTED
A heritage-listed Portuguese mansion built in 1879 has recently been renovated into a high-end boutique hotel in Panjim, located in the centre of Goa.

7. NIU SETTLES IN MANNHEIM WITH A NEW OPENING
Mannheim proudly presents its new project of the coming year. The NOVUM Hotel Group, together with the project developer GBl AG, is planning a Millennial brand niu hotel on Seckenheimer street near the historic city centre.

8. MANDARIN ORIENTAL ENTERS SOUTH AMERICA WITH HOTEL SANTIAGO
Hotel Santiago has opened under Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group management, following the Group’s announcement in May.

9. MILLENNIUM HILTON NEW YORK ONE UN PLAZA ANNOUNCED
Hilton has announced that ONE UN New York will join the Hilton network as Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza on August 30 as Hilton Hotels & Resorts’ seventh local property.

10. 5-STAR HOTEL ARRIVES IN PARRAMATTA WITH SKYE HOTEL SUITES
SKYE Hotel Suites Parramatta opens its doors this week, bringing unrivalled urban luxury to Sydney’s West. The highly-anticipated opening sees Crown Group lead the charge into Parramatta’s 5-star hotel market, elevating the suburb into Sydney’s second CBD.

IBEROSTAR Florida

IBEROSTAR opens new hotel in South Beach, Florida

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IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, known for its luxurious four and five-star properties located in the most spectacular destinations around the world, has opened the doors of its second US hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.

The historic building, now renamed IBEROSTAR Berkeley, was fully renovated under a $43 million (£33 million) investment and is situated at 1610 Collins Avenue, right at the heart of South Beach.

The glamourous IBEROSTAR Berkeley features 96 brand-new, luxuriously designed guestrooms, including 20 premier rooms with balconies, a lush Sun Deck with spectacular views of Collins Avenue, and signature restaurant BLT Steak for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This pet-friendly hotel also offers a fully-equipped fitness room; a beautiful heated pool and deck with lounge area on the fourth floor; 24-hour room service; full housekeeping with turndown service; and beach club with towels, chairs and umbrellas; among other amenities and services. The standard and deluxe rooms feature one king and two queen size beds, respectively, as well as a minibar with snacks and soft drinks, onyx designer rain showers, comfortable workspaces with outlets and USB ports, and much more.

IBEROSTAR Berkeley is one of the new properties the brand has been developing within the urban segment, with a plan to reach a total of 15 in the next three years in key cities like Budapest, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, New York, Havana, Santo Domingo and Lima, among others.

Arrow and Lines by Kobe

Kobe UK to showcase ranges at Sleep 2017

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Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe, will join other prestigious brands to introduce its new window décor, upholstery and soft furnishings collections at Sleep in November.

The two-day event takes place at the Business Design Centre in London where Kobe will unveil its latest ranges including its new room high and Boutique collections.

Kobe’s new range of room highs – the stylish, extra wide fabrics for window décor – are more than 300cm high with the pattern printed or woven horizontally across, making matching patterns and sewing seams a thing of the past.

The three new flame retardant collections include Arrow, a woven jacquard with a geometric pattern in 14 colours. Lines has a mix of matt and metallic look yarns in complementing and contrasting colours to create an all-over abstract design, available in 11 metallic tinted colourways.

Enchanted by Kobe
Buccari is a marquisette fabric woven with 100% Trevira CS yarns. The metallic look yarns create an elegant, supple fabric and come in 27 shades.

David Harris, managing director of Kobe UK, said: “We are excited to be part of Sleep again this year and to be showcasing our newest collections including Arrow and Lines.

“This season room highs will make a big impact. These fabrics make matching patterns and sewing seams a thing of the past and create striking, seamless drapes from ceiling to floor.”

Boutique Collection from Kobe UK

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

The collection includes Clemence and Adore, the former featuring a beautiful floral pattern on a subtle satin base and is available in three colours. Adore is woven with a range of vibrant coloured matt and shiny yarns, in a stunning paisley design to create a multi-dimensional effect on the damask pattern. It is available in eight colours.

Another range within the Boutique collection is Henry, a sumptuous velvet, made from 30% cotton, 20% polyester and 50% viscose. The palette of rich deep and neutral tones comes in a range of nine colours .

As Kobe’s Boutique upholstery collections are above 80% natural fibres, they are FR exempt when used in conjunction with a suitable flame retardant interliner. Alternatively they can be supplied with an ACE FR treatment which passes domestic upholstery (cigarette and match) BS5852 part 1, source 0 and 1, and contract upholstery (Crib 5) BS 5852 part 1, source 5 (Crib 5).

www.en.kobe.eu

T: 01344 771653
F: 01344 771663
E: salesuk@kobe.eu

Holiday Inn Express Tuxpan hotel

Holiday Inn Express arrives in Tuxpan, Mexico

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InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of the Holiday Inn Express Tuxpan hotel in Veracruz, Mexico. This new-build 132-room hotel is IHG’s third property in the city, with the Holiday Inn  and Crowne Plaza hotels already located nearby.

After the construction of the new Mexico-Tuxpan highway, Tuxpan is now the closest beach destination from Mexico City making it ideal for travelers seeking relaxation and ecotourism adventures alike. The property also offers convenient access to the commercial and industrial areas, and it is a one-hour drive from El Tajin Archeological area.

The Holiday Inn Express Tuxpan hotel has a 24-hour fitness centre, indoor and outdoor children’s swimming pools, outdoor swimming pool for adults, meeting space and a spacious parking lot. Guest rooms have modern design, comfortable queen, king-size, or two double beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair, 40” TV Flat Screen, iron and ironing board, minibar and an in-room coffee machine with complimentary coffee.

www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress

Ames Boston

Historic Ames Boston Hotel reveals new luxury design

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Glen Coben, of NYC-based architecture & design firm, Glen and Co. Architecture has just finished the renovation and redesign of the 1893, Ames Boston Hotel, and the restaurant inside, Cultivar, taking the building’s original architecture and redesigning it to merge the past, present and future by blending modern elegance with its many preserved, original features, to create a combo of modern style and old-world sophistication.

The revitalised 15-story, 114-suite Ames Boston Hotel merges the past, present and future, offering a blend of modern style and old-world sophistication. Glen blended his designs with the many preserved, original features of the hotel, including the lobby’s tiled mosaic arched ceiling and a marble staircase that runs from the first floor to the roof.

The renovated lobby features sleek new check-in stations and a casual seating area accented by warmly-toned wood shelving and trim pieces. Adjacent to the revamped entryway is The Library, which boasts the same eye-catching, mid-century design scheme that begins in the lobby and serves as communal workspace.

The 114 guestrooms incorporate modern and timeless elements with a refreshed chic color palette that evokes a sense of calm and peace. The design of the 1,7000 SF event space, including the Oliver & Oakes room, serve as the ultimate customisable setting for personalised, intimate get-togethers, banquets and conferences, along with lounge, classroom and theater-style meetings and presentations.

www.ameshotel.com

Palm Springs to welcome Kimpton Hotel, as ‘Downtown’ redevelopment prepares to launch

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This November, the city of Palm Springs will see the official launch of its revamped ‘Downtown’, following a revitalisation project that has taken more than a decade in planning.

The multi-million pound development has already seen a number of restaurants, retailers and hotels open, with the eagerly anticipated opening of the new boutique hotel Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel still to come in October.

The project, overseen by Grit Development, will enhance the allure of the city, which is often referred to as ‘Hollywood’s playground’, attracting even more visitors to experience its renowned mid-century design, edgy Hollywood vibes, 350-plus days of sunshine and desert adventures.

Perhaps the crowning glory of the development, The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, whose design seamlessly mixes the brand’s luxury urban design with the mid-century modern characteristics of the city. Featuring 153 light-filled rooms, jaw-dropping views of the region’s desert oasis and the highest rooftop in the city, the seven-story building will be the first new build hotel in the city for a number of years.

Aside from indulging in the hotel’s design, rooftop pool, 4 Saints Restaurant, and dramatic vistas, guests will find plenty to entertain them within walking distance, including the Palm Springs Art Museum. For those looking for a little more adventure, the surrounding desert has the perfect day out, with the world’s largest rotating aerial tramway, the must-see Indian Canyons, off-road tours and range of hiking routes, to name but a few.

The downtown redevelopment has already celebrated the opening of women’s specialty clothing brand Free People, eclectic boutique Francesca’s, island-inspired Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar, along with a number of other brands.

www.visitpalmsprings.com

InterContinental Hong Kong

InterContinental Hong Kong to undergo a major renovation

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InterContinental Hong Kong is expected to close for a major renovation in the first quarter of 2019, with the entire renovation taking 12-16 months.

The hotel will undergo a spectacular transformation that will position it as one of the top hotels not only in Asia, but also as one of the world’s most iconic hotels.

InterContinental Hong KongThe total transformation will span all guest rooms and suites including bathrooms, all public areas, restaurants and event venues, as well as a redesign of the building façade with a contemporary new look.

InterContinental Hong KongThe hotel’s celebrated restaurants and event venues are anticipated to reopen in the evenings from late summer 2019. Yan Toh Heen, InterContinental Hong Kong’s 2-Michelin star Cantonese restaurant, will remain open for dinner throughout the renovation.

IntercityHotel Frankfurt

A new IntercityHotel for Frankfurt city centre

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The new IntercityHotel Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof Süd will open for business by the beginning of 2019.

Offering 400 guest rooms, six conference rooms, a bar and a restaurant, it will become the largest hotel to operate under the IntercityHotel brand and will also feature the new interior design concept created by the Italian architect Matteo Thun.

The building which will house the hotel is currently under construction as part of a major regeneration scheme for a larger site lying to the South of Frankfurt Main Station, progress on which can be viewed via a special webcam.

The IntercityHotel Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof Süd will be located within the direct proximity of a new bus station offering inter-city services and near a newly constructed multi-storey public car park.

Radisson BLU Hotel Belgrade

Hotel Group Spotlight: Radisson Blu

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Unique architecture and interiors, combined with a rich history and heritage, form the foundations of these eight hotels within the upscale Radisson Blu collection, which are located in some of Europe’s most popular, dynamic and stylish cities.

These include Radisson Blu Strand Hotel, Stockholm; Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Copenhagen; Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel, Belgrade; Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam; Radisson Blu Hotel, Frankfurt; Radisson Blu Hotel, Berlin, Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado and Radisson Blu Hotel, Zurich Airport.

With interiors by acclaimed designers, creative culinary concepts by world-renowned chefs and housed within architecturally striking or deeply historic buildings; these hotels effortlessly blend a sense of place with an innovative and inspirational approach towards hospitality. With an eye firmly on the future, 2017 and 2018 will see fresh enhancements to hotels within the collection, the launch of creative collaborations and exciting brand developments; making the brand the one to watch in the hotel world.

Radisson Blu Strand Hotel, Stockholm
Stylish Nordic design meets a rich history dating back to 1912, when the 170-bedroom hotel first opened its doors; since which it has played host to the great and the good, from Ingrid Bergman to Greta Garbo and Zara Larsson. Sky high luxury can be enjoyed in the Tower Suite with panoramic views over Stockholm, whilst Autumn will see the hotel welcome a new culinary hot-spot, The Strand. Within walking distance of the hotel, guests will find the best of the city’s shopping, nightlife and cultural experiences.

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Copenhagen
Renowned Danish architect Arne Jacobsen designed the sleek, modern Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Copenhagen, which is just a short walk from some of this Danish capital’s top attractions such as the Tivoli Gardens. Iconic design features include the hotel’s spiral staircase and unique “Swan” and “Egg” chairs. Guests can expect an iconic design-led experience throughout the 260 room and suite hotel, with memorable moments created by a world-class service delivery from the dedicated team.

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen
Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel, Belgrade
Industrial-chic awaits at this award-winning design hotel in emerging tourism destination Belgrade. Behind the design is Graft Architects who’s use of natural materials such as oak, copper and brick, combined with contemporary touches, have breathed life into this historic 19th century building. Guests can enjoy Serbian inspired dishes at the hotel’s OMB LARDER + LOUNGE and explore this lively city, beautiful lakes and beaches.

Radisson BLU Hotel Belgrade

Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam
This 18th century former merchants house encapsulates the maritime heritage of Amsterdam and is embraced on either side by two canals. History meets modernity in the one-of-a-kind suites and Pastorie Bar, which was once connected to a clandestine church and is now known for its insta-factor. Locally, guests can shop along the Nine Streets, full of one-off boutiques and galleries and quirky independent stores.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Frankfurt
The only round, all-glass hotel in Europe cost over $100 million to build and is a true architectural wonder, both outside and in, with interiors designed by dynamic trio John Seifert, Adam Tihany and Matteo Thun. Two new WOHNIDEE Suites launched in March, a creative collaboration between Wohnidee Magazine and Joi-Design with items in the suites available to purchase. 16 state-of-the-art conference rooms including one Brain Box room and show rooms for car launches.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Berlin
Guests can expect a truly unique arrival at Radisson Blu Hotel Berlin, where sophistication and sea life await. The hotel lobby is home to the world’s largest freestanding cylindrical aquarium, the AquaDom. After a day spent exploring Berlin and its eclectic art and fashion scene, guests can relax and unwind at the hotel’s Heaven Spa & Fitness, complete with a bio and Finnish sauna, swimming pool and spa treatments. The hotel boasts 15 state-of-the-art meeting rooms, including the DomLounge for sky-high views.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado
This boutique 54 bedroom and suite hotel in the El Barrio de las Lestras district provides guests with a stylish base in the heart of cosmopolitan Madrid. After a day spent experiencing the sights and sounds of the city, including the nearby Prado Museum and Retiro Park, guests can relax and unwind with a drink in hand at the hotel’s Cask Restaurant, Bar and Terrace. Down below the hotel, a swimming pool and spa can be found.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Zurich Airport
The only hotel with direct access to the terminal at Zurich Airport is also just a 10-minute train ride into down-town Zurich and offers Switzerland’s largest meeting and conference facilities with 52 different spaces. Come February 2018, guests will be treated to an exciting new culinary concept by Chef Haim Cohen, who is known for fine dining with contemporary Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences. The exterior was designed by Atelier WW Architekten and is a Swiss landmark.

Radisson Blu ZurichWith thanks to Grifco PR, which has been appointed by The Rezidor Hotel Group to handle the consumer public relations for selected Radisson Blu hotels.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa introduces new villas

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This year, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is excited to offer families more space and couples more privacy with the launch of two new luxury villa categories, including the resort’s first two-bedroom family villas and more villas with private pools.

Since the five-star resort welcomed its first guests in 2009 it has undergone several refurbishments to offer guests the ultimate luxury Maldivian experience and this latest project, expected to finish in October 2017, is no different.

Hadahaa’s renovation work is currently underway and will take place in two phases while the stunning Maldivian resort stays open to guests. Once complete, guests will have the choice of six room categories, including the new Deluxe Park Pool Villas and 2 Bedroom Park Pool Villas. In addition to the resort’s babysitting, yoga, snorkelling and junior PADI diving already offered for children, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa will launch a brand-new family offering, including daily kids activities, new kids’ welcome packs and a complimentary babysitting service to allow parents to enjoy some quality time as a couple. These additional family offerings will compliment these new villas, which are ideal for families looking for a holiday in the Maldives.

Park Hyatt Maldives HadahaaDeluxe Park Pool Villas
With an additional 100 square metres of space, the eight new Deluxe Park Pool Villas will offer guests a more spacious and luxurious experience than Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa’s existing Park Pool Villas. Nestled within natural lush vegetation, the new 265 square-metre timber and stone villas will boast floor-to-ceiling windows and a private outdoor bathroom, with a terrazzo bathtub and rain shower. The villa’s very own plunge pool and semi submerged sunbeds will offer guests the ideal place to cool off in ultimate comfort, surrounded by peaceful and idyllic surrounds. Guests can relax and enjoy an intimate evening drink in the villa’s tranquil outdoor seating area or take advantage of the soft sandy beach with two loungers just a few steps away via a private pathway.

2 Bedroom Park Pool Villas
For the first time, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is delighted to offer families the chance to stay at the resort under the same roof, with the introduction of three new 2 Bedroom Park Pool Villas. Set within Maldivian greenery, these villas will include a second bedroom with twin beds and an additional bathroom, so families can enjoy precious time away together, without compromising on space, style, luxury or comfort. Both bedrooms are designed with floor-to-ceiling windows and the master bedroom features a king bed with an outdoor terrazzo bathtub and rain shower. The private plunge pool is perfect for children to play in, while parents can relax on the two semi submerged sunbeds or cosy up with a book in the outdoor seating area. With private beach access, fun and games in the sand and sea are only a stone’s throw away.

Park Hyatt Maldives HadahaaWith these exciting new villa options and much more planned to accommodate families, there has never been a better time to take time out for a family holiday and visit Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.

Mateus Boutique Goa

Mateus Boutique Hotel in Goa converted

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A heritage-listed Portuguese mansion built in 1879 has recently been renovated into a high-end boutique hotel in Panjim, located in the centre of Goa.

Jonathan Fernandes, a New York based architect and internationally renowned interior designer Isla Van Damme (aka Loulou), wove their magic into the building’s interiors to transform the property from its dilapidated state to its former glory, and what is now Mateus Boutique Hotel.

The Mateus Boutique hotel has nine elegantly appointed rooms. Each room is uniquely designed in keeping with an old Portuguese feel with Loulou exploiting the intrinsic beauty of the little nooks, niches and lofts that are scattered throughout the mansion. Jonathan and Loulou have kept the old-world elegance and mixed it with a splash of new and modern amenities to create a luxurious home away from home.

The mansion looks majestic from the outside with framed arched windows, ornate balconies and stucco mouldings. The inside is breathtaking with high ceilings, little niches that add character and the flooring is a combination of the old Portuguese tiles and the original timber flooring.

www.mateusgoa.com

Niu Mannheim

niu settles in Mannheim with a new opening

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Mannheim proudly presents its new project of the coming year. The NOVUM Hotel Group, together with the project developer GBl AG, is planning a Millennial brand niu hotel on Seckenheimer street near the historic city centre.

The opening of this 170-room hotel is scheduled for November 2018. Together with GBI AG, the Hamburg group is already planning several hotel projects.

The facade is being designed by the Prasch Buken Partner architect”s office and JOI-Design is responsible for the interior design.

“The strategic selection of our location is the most important part of our dynamic expansion. Mannheim is the economic and cultural center of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region and is located directly in the “Dreiländereck”, the tri-border area,” says David Etmenan, Chief Executive Officer & owner of the NOVUM Hotel Group.

Project Spotlight: nAscent artwork on display at Hotel 50 Bowery

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Artwork by nAscent Art New York helped new Chinatown hotel, Hotel 50 Bowery, show off its roots at its June opening.

nAscent curated public area artwork for the hotel reflecting the Chinatown neighborhood and deeply rooted Asian culture. nAscent Art included artwork by Nick Golebiewski, Jonathan Clark, and Beijing-based street artist, Dake Wong, whose artwork added a fresh twist on traditional Chinese culture.

50 Bowery Corridor
“We’re thrilled to see the fruition of our work with Hotel 50 Bowery, adding to Chinatown’s rich history in lower Manhattan,” said James Wallace, CEO of nAscent Art.

“We chose artwork complementing the hotel’s bold design by Wimberly Interiors, while also paying homage to the heritage of the developers and of the area,” says Jen Wallace, co-founder and director of art at nAscent Art. “In addition to the artwork we installed on the walls, we really enjoyed working with Joie De Vivre Hotels, who had one of the artists ‘hijack’ the hotel’s social media accounts and give guests an insider’s look at the artist in action. Innovative and exciting.”

50 Bowery diptych
The 229-room boutique hotel was developed by Chu Enterprises and is owned by two families with deep roots in the Asian community—the Harilela family in Hong Kong and the Chu family in New York.

For its New York City debut, Joie De Vivre Hotels collaborated with Alex Chu Enterprises, LLC to bring Hotel 50 Bowery—the tallest building the historic heart of Lower Manhattan has seen since the Confucius Plaza completed in 1975—to rise.

Denise Ellis

In Conversation: Denise Ellis discusses ever-changing hotel design

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Head of interior design and conservation at Nottingham-based Franklin Ellis Architects, Denise Ellis, who has worked with the firm for over 24 years, is a heavyweight in the hotel interior design industry.

Having worked with international brands though to independents including Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Best Western, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites, Denise discusses the ever-changing sector and the changes that influence hotel interior design.


“The hotel sector has changed hugely since I began working for Franklin Ellis Architects. Whilst the firm and I have work on projects across a range of sectors, hotels are 90% of what I do and are my passion. Guests reactions to the interior of a hotel is driven by emotion and having worked on over 25 hotel projects, I have a clear vision of the type of emotions and responses I want to gain from people as they step over the threshold of a hotel for the first time.

“Each project is very different and the hotel industry is an extremely competitive and ever-changing market which means the owners are having to up their game and constantly renew their offering. Over the last 10 years, hotel design has changed considerably and this is down to the wider trends that affect our day to day lives; like how we communicate, how we spend our free time, technology and fashion. For example, you won’t find many (good) hotels that don’t have plenty of power points, phone charge ports and fast Wi-Fi in communal areas.

“Unlike 10 years ago, most hotels, large or small, now strive to offer an intimate setting for its guests. Hotels are looking to create an experience that the customers will enjoy but also remember, so they return. Previously hotels were more of a necessity and while they did of course create spaces guests wanted to be, hotels were more focussed on formality and minimalism.

“Today, most hotels try to create a home-from-home with a level of informality and relaxation to cater to a range of customers and their demands. Brands now have a wider food and drink offer to suit more informed palettes, state of the art gyms and spas are much more common place, more communal areas and break-out spaces have been created for people to work as well as quiet spaces for those who want to read or work in a more private setting.


“Hotels are investing much more than they used to in the restaurants and bars, doing all they can to attract not just guests to eat and drink in the hotel but to also non-guests.

“People expect more from their hotel visits now too, discerning customers like to have something to aspire to for their own homes such as high-end soft furnishing, quirky decoration and cool lighting for example. Hotel interior design must take on the many demands of today’s customers and create spaces that are not only functional but awe-inspiring and memorable.


“My inspiration comes from all around me. I believe the element that makes a hotel unique and interesting is its location and sense of place. I try to make sure that the interior design in some way reflects the community around to create an instant connection. Hotels, including large multi-nationals, are adding elements to the interiors that are relevant to that local are; be it paintings of local landmarks or items that are made locally, hotels want to integrate into its surrounding area and be a part of the local community.

Hotel Summit

Hotel Summit to return in 2018

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Forum Events is delighted to announce the return of the Hotel Summit in 2018. Hotel Designs is a proud partner of the event, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.

Taking place on 4-5 June 2018 at Radisson Blu London Stansted, the Hotel Summit is specifically organised for senior professionals who are directly responsible for procuring and purchasing within their organisation, and those who provide the latest products within the sector.

Aiming to build long-lasting business relationships between product and service suppliers and hotel owners and designers, the Summit matches hoteliers with hotel suppliers for a series of pre-arranged one-on-one meetings. In addition, a series of informative and inspirational seminars are hosted, while a gala dinner with evening entertainment, plus other networking opportunities, provide further business opportunities and peer-to-peer engagement.

One of the highlights of the 2016 incarnation 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.

For more information or to enquire about booking a place, please contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk

www.hotel-summit.co.uk

Roxy-Pacific acquires second hotel asset in Japan

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Established property and hospitality group with an AsiaPacific focus, Roxy-Pacific Holdings, has announced the acquisition of its second hotel asset in Japan, Tenmabashi Grand Hotel Osaka.

Launched in May 2017, the 154-room Tenmabashi Grand Hotel Osaka is an 8-minute walk away from Tenjibashi shopping street – the longest shopping street in Japan. Nearby tourist hotspots include the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, Osaka Castle Park, as well as the famous Cherry Blossoms at the Osaka Mint Bureau.

The 9-storey hotel comprising 3,672-square-metres of total floor area will, upon completion of the acquisition in October 2017, be self-managed by the Group’s Noku Roxy hospitality management arm, which currently operates a boutique hotel in Kyoto, Japan – Noku Kyoto.

Through its furnishings and curated list of attractions and F&B offerings in the vicinity, the Noku Roxy brand aims to showcase the best version of the city, as well as hidden gems only visited by the locals. Attention to detail and personalised experiences also create a differentiated stay for guests.

Osaka received a record number of foreign visitors in 2016 exceeding 9.4 million, representing a 31% hike from 20152. The city also boasts one of the highest hotel occupancy rates of any major city in Japan.

Amongst the Noku Roxy hospitality brand asset pipeline includes a 50-villa resort in Maldives, and a separate resort in the Chalong sub-district of Phuket, Thailand, planned for launch in the last quarter of 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Hotel Santiago

Mandarin Oriental enters South America with Hotel Santiago

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Hotel Santiago has opened under Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group management, following the Group’s announcement in May. Formerly the Grand Hyatt Santiago, the property will undergo an extensive guestroom and public area renovation, the first stage of which is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2018.

The hotel will remain open throughout the period, and is now accepting reservations. This is the Group’s first property in South America.

The property comprises 310 guestrooms including 23 suites with commanding views of the city and the Andes. Its 25,000-square-metre grounds contain a large free-form outdoor pool and landscaped gardens which provide a resort environment for guests. The hotel currently features five restaurants and bars as well as extensive banqueting and meeting space. Additional facilities include a spa and fitness centre.

Hotel Santiago will continue to operate throughout the first phase of the renovation which will reposition the property as a Mandarin Oriental hotel in the third quarter of 2018. The new luxury accommodation, public areas and landscaped gardens will be redesigned to reflect local culture, with features inspired by Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage.

Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza announced

Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza announced

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Hilton has announced that ONE UN New York will join the Hilton network as Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza on August 30 as Hilton Hotels & Resorts’ seventh local property.

The landmark hotel, situated alongside the United Nations headquarters, has long welcomed both leisure and business travellers, and the world’s most esteemed leaders, diplomats and heads of state.

The iconic property is now poised to deliver Hilton’s flagship hospitality to visitors from across the globe.

It has completed a $68 million phased renovation since 2012, which preserved the distinctive architecture and layout of the original Kevin Roche-designed building, while upgrading the hotel’s 439 guest rooms and suites, meetings and event spaces, public areas and restaurant.

Brit List

Brit List 2017 Hoteliers Profiles

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In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we continue with five more of the top 25 hoteliers…

ARUN KUMAR – THE LALIT LONDON
Arun has accumulated more than two decades of experience in the industry, and has plied his trade with some of the biggest names in the sector. But having been at the helm of the £50 million transformation of The LaLiT London, he is now making his mark in the capital.

With the LaLiT’s reputation cementing itself more and more with each passing week, Arun now has his eyes on expansion for the Suri family’s LaLiT Suri Hospitality group, which given the beautiful finish at the LaLiT we at Hotel Designs would be very excited to see.

CHARLES LOWTHER – ASKHAM HALL
Following buying and refurbishing the George and Dragon Clifton with his mother and the death of his father the 7th Earl of Lonsdale, Charles Lowther turned the private family home Askham Hall into a unique and contemporary luxury retreat with rooms, restaurant and wedding venue in 2013.
Together with his family including his wife Juno, an artist, his sister Marie-Louisa and mother Carolineand his mother bought and refurbished the George and Dragon Clifton – a country inn with bar, restaurant and bedrooms in Clifton in 2008, and transformed it into the popular foodie destination that it has now become.

ANDREW AND LOUISE MACBETH – BECK HALL HOTEL
Having left successful non-hospitality careers in the UAE behind, husband-and-wife duo Andrew and Louise also left London to transform a quaint-but-unloved former B&B into one of the most buzzed-about properties in northern England. Financial success has been coupled with a family-driven and (importantly for the Macbeths) a dog-friendly approach.

With four children under the age of two (two sets of twins), the Macbeths’ nomination for this evening’s Brit List is a nod to the hard-working families in hospitality; balancing family life with a love and passion for this most rewarding of industries.

JENNIFER McCABE – CHARLOTTE STREET HOTEL
Charlotte Street Hotel is part of the Firmdale Group of hotels – the brainchild of husband and wife team Tim and Kit Kemp and Charlotte Street is one of Kit Kemp’s earliest designs, renowned for its flamboyant elegance.

Jennifer has been with the Firmdale Group since 2009, starting off as Deputy General Manager at the Covent Garden Hotel before making the switch to Charlotte Street in 2014, and it has been a successful switch, with the hotel regularly featuring in ‘Best of London’ lists since.

PETER McCARTHY – CLEVEDON HALL
Peter bought Clevedon Hall in 1991, a Grade 2 * listed Victorian building, to house the three companies in the Group. 12 years later he sold the business but kept the Hall as managed service offices. Following the financial crisis in 2009 he and his son John, decided to create an exclusive wedding venue on the ground floor of the Hall as there had been many requests over the years for weddings to be held at the Hall. The first wedding was held in 2010.

In 2013 following feedback from clients, it was decided to completely refurbish the Hall and convert the old offices on the 2nd/3rd floor to luxury bedrooms. This took over 2 years but resulted in arguably the best venue with accommodation in the South West.

5-star hotel arrives in Parramatta with SKYE Hotel Suites

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SKYE Hotel Suites Parramatta opens its doors this week, bringing unrivalled urban luxury to Sydney’s West. The highly-anticipated opening sees Crown Group lead the charge into Parramatta’s 5-star hotel market, elevating the suburb into Sydney’s second CBD.

Committed to the ultimate in guest luxury, SKYE Hotel Suites comprises 72 apartment-style suites with the finest bespoke furnishings and fittings. Each features L’Occitane toiletries, in- room dining from a modern on-site restaurant, pre-stockable maxi-bar, the unique ability to choose your own mattress firmness on each side of the bed, keyless entry and ‘virtual concierge’ tablets to enable access to all hotel services from each suite.

Amenities to delight even the most seasoned business traveller or the most demanding holidaymaker include a state-of-the-art gymnasium, pool, sundeck, spa, sauna and new restaurant, Husk & Vine Kitchen and Bar, which opened at lobby level on July 1. Later this year cocktail legend Sven Almenning will also open a breathtaking 26th floor rooftop bar, overlooking Sydney’s iconic skyline.

5-star hotel arrives in Parramatta with the opening of SKYE Hotel Suites
When breaking ground for the development, Crown Group discovered archaeological remains integral to Parramatta’s historical and cultural past, including an 1840s house, an underlying convict hut, wheelwright’s workshop and the cellar of the Wheat Sheaf Hotel, which were preserved for public display and have inspired Husk & Vine’s unique wheat and wine concept.

5-star hotel arrives in Parramatta with the opening of SKYE Hotel Suites
Adding to Crown Group’s already extensive portfolio of luxury residential property, SKYE Hotel Suites sits within V by Crown Group’s twin residential towers, creating a world-class ‘vertical village’ to rival those in emerging Asian and European design capitals.

The building itself is an architectural centrepiece for Parramatta, achieved by twin visionaries Allen Jack + Cottier and Koichi Takada Architects. Located less than 300 metres from Parramatta Square and a short walk from Parramatta’s train station and ferry wharf, SKYE Hotel Suites is surrounded by high-end retail and cultural experiences.
Commenting on Crown Group’s move into the luxury hotels arena, Chairman & Group Chief Executive Officer Iwan Sunito noted, “Parramatta is a powerhouse for innovation and business and SKYE Hotel Suites will be a stand-out, luxury addition to Sydney’s up-and-coming West.”

“Appealing to a new generation of domestic and international visitors to the city, SKYE Hotel Suites is designed to create a fresh lifestyle standard delivering superior apartment-sized suites for discerning travellers. It will also set the benchmark for future SKYE Hotels Suites openings in Sydney’s CBD in 2018 and Green Square in 2019.”

Hamilton at Decorex

Product Spotlight: Hamilton’s ‘primed-to-paint’ range to be debuted at Decorex

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Following a successful show last year, Hamilton is again returning to interior design exhibition Decorex on 17-20 September 2017, held at Syon Park, London. At the event, Hamilton will launch their popular Hartland CFX® and Sheer CFX® ranges in a new primed finish that can be painted to match any interior colour or theme, making customisation even more accessible.

The new primed finish plates will be displayed on Stand H37a at the show, which is a key event for interior designers. As well as the sleek and modern Hartland CFX® and Sheer CFX® ranges, the primed finish option is also available on any bespoke plates so they can be painted to match a wall colour, wallpaper or soft furnishings. The primed plates come with a choice of insert finishes, from Bright Chrome to Antique Brass, and with either black or white inset surrounds.

Decorex takes place ahead of Hamilton’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018. During the past five decades, the family-run British business has become renowned for supplying high quality decorative electrical wiring accessories, lighting control and multi-room audio systems that are manufactured and finished to an exceptional standard. They will have a plethora of product on show that have been designed to create the right look and ambience in any space, while meeting the exacting project demands of architects, interior designers and tech-savvy homeowners.


Hamilton plate montage 427/7 connectivity
Amongst the solutions on show will be their increasingly popular range of USB switched sockets. Available in Hartland, Hartland CFX®, Sheer and Sheer CFX® designs, these USB sockets ensure the latest smart devices can be easily charged through a USB port, fulfilling the need to be connected 24/7. Unlike some of Hamilton’s competitors, its dual USB switched sockets have a 1A rated USB port for charging mobile phones and a second 2.1A USB port for tablets and other devices, meaning double the charging capacity simultaneously.


Create a colour wash with light
Hamilton will also showcase its Smart Lighting Control, including its RGB DMX control option. This allows a colour wash to be applied to an area using LED lighting, helping to add drama, create a certain ambience or to ‘zone’ specific areas of a larger space. Typically popular in the bars, hotels and restaurants, this on-trend lighting solution is becoming more desirable domestically and is adding flair to homes and hotels.

Free designers’ swatch
Don’t forget to pick up your free designers’ swatches on Stand H37a, a great reference tool illustrating available plate finishes. Divided into two tone boxes, the ‘Warm’ collection includes Polished Brass, Richmond Bronze and Connaught finishes, amongst others, while the ‘Cool’ collection includes Bright Stainless, Black Nickel and Satin Chrome. The finishes can be applied to Hamilton’s enormous collection of switch and socket plate designs.

Design your own
However, if you can’t find exactly the right solution for you, the Hamilton team will be on-hand to discuss their bespoke design and finishing service. The team can create an electrical wiring accessory that’s as unique as your design theme or has the exact functionality that you need. This is particularly helpful for those working on hotel projects where bespoke multi-function plates are needed.

To find out more and speak to one of the Hamilton team, head to Stand H37a at Decorex.

T: +44 (0)1747 860088
info@hamilton-litestat.com
www.hamilton-litestat.com

Chelsom Scroll

Product Spotlight: Scroll from Chelsom

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The Scroll Desk Lamp is a sleek and contemporary piece fusing clean and stylish design with the latest technology.

Also available as a Floor Lamp, the Scroll range features tubular metalwork which forms an elliptical base that flows in to an upright angled column. Both Table and Floor Lamps are designed to throw light forward on to guestroom reading areas and tall fabric cone shades create diffused ambient lighting.

Pictured here in Black Bronze, the fitting is also available in Polished Chrome in addition to a number of alternative finish options available to special order for minimum quantities.

marketing@chelsom.co.uk
01253 831404
chelsom.co.uk

Hotel Designs Logo stacked & NEW strapline-012

29 July-4 August: Top 10 stories of the week…

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From hotel openings to product spotlights to everything in between, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…

1. OPINION: NYC’S MISTAKE IN ATTACKING AIRBNB
Hotel Designs editor Daniel Fountain asks why are hotels becoming increasingly paranoiac of Airbnb? And why these scare tactics won’t work…

2. STEIGENBERGER FRANKFURTER HOF SPA RECEIVES AWARD
THE SPA at the Grand Hotel Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof has gained a “Luxury Hotel” commendation at the 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards in Hanoi (Vietnam) and has thus won the immediate right to designate itself as a “2017 World Luxury Hotel Spa Winner”.

3. CONCEPT HOTEL FOCUS: EVEN HOTEL AUCKLAND SCHEDULED FOR 2020 OPENING
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Pro-invest Group today herald the ‘age of the healthy traveller’ in Australasia with the first signing of an EVEN Hotels property in New Zealand.

4. DECOREX ANNOUNCES SEMINAR PROGRAMME
Among the most highly acclaimed features at Decorex International, the UK’s leading destination for interior design, is that of the Seminar Programme.

5. GUEST BLOG: LOTSS – ‘PRIORITISING TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR HOTEL STAFF’
Prachi Chhabria, co-founder of Lotss, shares her views on the best way to integrate technology into your processes to keep your hotel staff connected…

6. GREY STREET HOTEL UNVEILS RESULTS OF £1.2M DEVELOPMENT
An historic hotel at the heart of Newcastle’s most prestigious street has unveiled the results of a £1.2m development.

7. GUEST BLOG: MITRE – SIX WAYS TO ACCESSORISE HOTEL ROOMS
Chris Tame, Mitre Linen’s National Sales Manager, provides us with his six expert tips how to accessorise your rooms in order to create a warm welcome, a wonderful stay and a lasting impression.

8. DISNEYLAND PARIS PLANS TO OPEN MARVEL-THEMED HOTEL
According to reports in the Daily Telegraph last week, Disney is planning a Marvel-themed hotel at its Paris park.

9. REBRAND OF THE EPIPHANY HOTEL IN PALO ALTO TO NOBU PROPERTY
Nobu Hospitality, the group founded by renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Academy Award winner Robert De Niro, and Hollywood producer Meir Teper, has announced the rebranding of The Epiphany Hotel to the Nobu Hotel Epiphany due to transition on October 2, 2017.

10. CROSSWATER CONFIRMED AS HOTEL SUMMIT 2018 ATTENDEES
With the Hotel Summit coming back in 2018 for it’s 20th anniversary edition, Forum Events Ltd is delighted to announce the attendance of Crosswater at the event.

Independent Hotel Show

Independent Hotel Show now open for registration

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The Independent Hotel Show, presented by James Hallam Hospitality & Leisure, returning to Olympia London on 17 and 18 October, is now open for registration.

Now in its sixth year, the Show is the only UK business event dedicated to the independent, luxury and boutique hotel sector and returns with new feature areas, a stimulating list of industry experts, business seminars and key note sessions, as well as a feast of ideas, inspiration and insight.

A carefully-curated list of over 300 exhibitors – from guest room amenities to interior design agencies and technology suppliers – will be present, informing visitors about the latest products and services for the independent hotelier while over 100 industry professionals will speak in more than 30 seminars covering design, marketing, branding, social media, recruitment, wellness and more across three stages – Business Theatre, Innovation Stage and The Gymnasium for the Mind.

IHS 17 Logo GoldFor the first time, attendees will be able to find out what makes The Perfect Hotel Bedroom after the results of a survey, carried out in partnership with Chic Retreats, determined consumer preferences in lighting, soft furnishings, storage and more.

The Perfect Hotel Bedroom, created and built to scale by Harriet Forde Design, will be a key feature, with products from the Show’s exhibitors used to furnish the room and visiting hoteliers, journalists and industry thought-leaders invited to get “in bed” to share opinions about it.

The show will also feature the celebrated Independent Hotelier and Outstanding New Hotel Awards which will recognise those which have made a significant contribution to the industry over the past year.

Miranda Martin, Event Director at Independent Hotel Show said: “The 2017 Independent Hotel Show offers everything the independent, luxury and boutique hotelier needs to help inspire and develop their business. As with previous years we have secured an exceptionally strong line-up of industry experts and exhibitors, proving how invaluable the show is to all areas of the sector. We are particularly excited to be revealing such an insightful and potentially controversial feature in The Perfect Hotel Bedroom and look forward to feedback from visitors”

For more information on the Independent Hotel Show 2017 and to register to attend for free, visit www.independenthotelshow.co.uk.

Duravit Vero Air Bathtub

Product Spotlight: Vero Air bathtub – the perfect rectangle

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Vero Air has become a complete bathroom range while retaining its strong, design-focused identity.

The new Vero Air bathtubs impress with reduced edges and striking linear charm. State-of-the-art technology in Duravit’s manufacturing processes allow for this extremely precise design.

The freestanding Vero Air bath tub is presented as a perfect rectangle, stylishly reflecting the design of the range. The striking design of the Vero Air bathtub is a logical continuation of the Vero design language.

All Vero Air bathtubs are optionally available with the new Air-System, fitted with air jets that are almost invisibly integrated. On request, they are also available with LED colour light and sound.

A special extra feature is the new, discreetly-integrated air whirl system with Piezo button. This special push button contains no moveable mechanical parts and is as a result extremely low-maintenance.

Concept Hotel Focus: Lifesize LEGO hotel completed at Windsor

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The new 61 bedroom LEGOLAND Castle Hotel opens straight on to the LEGOLAND theme park, offering guests a completely immersive LEGO® experience.

Award winning architecture and interiors practice, The Manser Practice, was commissioned by Merlin Entertainments Ltd to design and deliver the ultimate LEGO family hotel, as well as extension works to the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel facilities at the resort.

With the aim of achieving an enchanted life-size LEGO themed castle for guests to stay in, the ‘LEGO Castle’ range was used as inspiration for the colour scheme and material choices for the project as well as the bespoke facade. Vital to the scheme was the need for guests to feel that they have been transported to a LEGO world.

Concept Hotel Focus: Lifesize LEGO hotel completed at Windsor
The design and layout were critical in achieving this, enabling the hotel to smoothly operate without guests being aware of what is going on ‘behind the scenes.’ From the moment guests approach the drawbridge they become part of the LEGOLAND Castle Story. Chris Jeffcoate, Associate Director at The Manser Practice, said: “The LEGO theming has been considered at every stage and is truly woven into the fabric of the building. We worked closely alongside Merlin Magic Making to coordinate the project from
inception to completion, harmonising layouts and design and build elements with the artistic theming and interior design to ensure that every construction detail would work with custom graphic wallpaper and complex 3D theming. It was essential to understand how children and adults would use and react to the space.”

The complexity of the internal theming presented a challenge for co-ordination of services and structure. Whether in the grand entrance, the restaurant or the bedrooms, each and every element, from light fittings and grilles to FF&E and finishes, has been carefully chosen to tie in with the LEGO brand and colour palette to ensure that the fantasy is fully maintained. Durable furniture selection was also necessary given the intense everyday use by children.

A fully bespoke Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) cladding system was developed by The Manser Practice for the façade of the building. The cladding gives the impression that the hotel has been constructed of 25x scale LEGO bricks – meaning a scale replica could in fact be built from LEGO. This GRC system was created from tessellating panels formed off site in a predesigned mould which are worked to strict LEGO brick proportions and replicates a unique stonework texture.

The hotel also features a Grand Entrance Hall and a full serviced ‘Tournament Tavern restaurant.

THE SPA Frankfurter Hof

Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof spa receives award

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THE SPA at the Grand Hotel Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof has gained a “Luxury Hotel” commendation at the 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards in Hanoi (Vietnam) and has thus won the immediate right to designate itself as a “2017 World Luxury Hotel Spa Winner”.

The World Luxury Spa Awards are a world-recognised public event that has been in existence since 2007. They acknowledge hotels with outstanding health and beauty spa areas and restaurants on an annual basis. More than 1,000 luxury hotels and resorts from 150 countries compete in 50 categories to acquire a nomination. The crucial criteria are an innovative overall concept, the very highest level of quality and comfort and excellent service performance on the part of the hotel.

The exclusive Day Spa extends over an area of 1,000 m2 and features a combination of health and beauty and body care treatments. THE SPA at the Frankfurter Hof is not merely a premium venue for relaxation and regeneration. Professional beauty experts are also on hand to offer first class body care from head to toe. Exclusive cosmetic products are used to provide individual hair, nail and make-up treatments.

Further highlights include an unusually designed hamam, an extensive sauna area and a Private Spa Suite which is the first of its kind in Frankfurt.

The décor at THE SPA reflects a timeless elegance in its combination of warm shades of cream and brown and dark-coloured high-quality woods. Whereas clear and calm lines predominate in the relaxation rooms, the Private Spa Suite and the sauna area, the ornamental mosaics in the hamam conjure up an oriental atmosphere.

Decorex

Decorex announces seminar programme

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Among the most highly acclaimed features at Decorex International, the UK’s leading destination for interior design, is that of the Seminar Programme.

The much anticipated programme of talks will return to Syon House to offer visitors an extensive series of insightful debates that will explore industry relevant topics through detailed discussions hosted by experts from the world of design. A diverse and dynamic array of design experts join this anniversary year to discuss current trends, projects and predictions as well as share their expertise in the Seminar Theatre.

DecorexHighlights include a discussion on the future of design by acclaimed stylist Emilio Pimentel-Reid, Francis Sultana and Kirstie Carey from Cole & Son and on designing for the millennial with multi-award winning Afroditi Krassa. A session on taking your brand global heads Monday’s line up featuring panelists Nina Campbell, Katharine Pooley, Sophie Ashby, Natalia Miyar. Acclaimed interior designer Shalini Misra will be discussing using art within interior design. Discussing modelling a business for design will be panelists Charles Leon, Anna Burles and Lambert and Browne’s Freddy Van Zevenbergen. Design faux pas will be settled once and for all in the much anticipated Design Room 101 with an expert panel including interior designers Simon Hamilton, Sue Timney and Joanna Wood.

For those passionate about interior design or those launching their own successful business Polly Williams, the Designers’ Advisor at the award-winning Camberyard, will host a panel talk along with designers Ana Azevedo, Kay Westmaas, Emma Hooton and Robin Sprong offering expert industry mentoring and advice to interior design professionals. With 12 years of expertly honed knowledge advising an interior design studio Polly will lead the discussion offering key business and marketing strategies for establishing and running your own interiors business.

For colour trends, don’t miss the discussion with ColourHive. Sophie Conran, Beata Heuman, Kim Kuhteubl and Farrow and Ball’s Joe Studholme will partake in a candid charrette about vision, communication and business strategy with women in design Other design sessions include a conversation between designers Martin Hulbert and Jay Grierson with Carole Annett as well as a discussion with leading interior designer Guy Oliver.

To see the full Seminar Programme, visit the Decorex website.

Hampton by Hilton lands at Urban&Civic Stansted Airport scheme

Hampton by Hilton lands at Urban&Civic Stansted Airport scheme

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Urban&Civic is pleased to announce the opening of its new hotel at Stansted which is being operated under the Hampton by Hilton brand. The opening represents the culmination of an 18 month design and build programme by developer and owner Urban&Civic.

The 357-room eight-storey hotel is Hampton by Hilton’s largest property in Europe and joins 22 other Hampton by Hilton properties in the UK. The hotel offers guests services and amenities such as a free hot breakfast, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi, Work Zone with internet and printing facilities and a 24/7 fitness centre. Additionally the hotel offers two meeting rooms.

Directly connected to the terminal building, the development is part of Urban&Civic’s commitment to deliver high quality commercial and residential places and significant investment in the London – Stansted – Cambridge corridor. The investment sits alongside Urban&Civic’s substantial local footprint as Master Developer of three strategic housing led regeneration projects at Waterbeach Barracks, Alconbury Weald and St Neots delivering almost 15,000 homes, 14 schools and significant investment in transport and community infrastructure and place-making.

Robin Butler, Managing Director, said: “The hotel is a strong addition to the Stansted skyline and further endorses the significant investment going in to Stansted Airport and supporting those growing ambitions. The quality of both design and materials should ensure that the building rapidly becomes recognised as a further statement of confidence for not just the airport but the wider region as a whole”

Signbox delivers stunning brass-effect directory for prestigious London office building

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Signbox has supplied a bespoke tenant directory sign for the reception area at 12 Arthur Street, near London Bridge. Having won the opportunity with contractors Kingly Developments through a competitive tender process in January 2017, the work was completed in mid-June.

The project formed a key part of the extensive reception and lift lobby refurbishment in this prestigious office building which currently lists Prudential and A.M. Best among its tenants.

Signbox manufactured the directory sign in-house on a Tekcel EXR router using 20mm thick acrylic and 6mm thick aluminium. The sign components were finished with a tarnished brass metal effect, a revolutionary process that applies a veneer of a metal coating to the surface and gives the look and feel of solid metal.

Signbox delivers stunning brass-effect directory for prestigious London office building 12 Arthur Street
This Metall-FX manufacturing process involves artisan hand-finishing, polishing and painting multiple layers to achieve the appearance of aged brass, matching other architectural details in the build. The surface edges of the sign were bevelled with a pencil round router bit and sanded to a specific grit finish to achieve the optimum surface. Though it was time-consuming, the weight and cost savings over traditional brass fabrication were considerable.

Signbox delivers stunning brass-effect directory for prestigious London office building 12 Arthur Street

“The architects on the project, Morrow + Lorraine, had originally requested a solid metal fabrication that would have been very expensive to produce,” explains Signbox managing director Mark Bartlett. “With our extensive experience of manufacturing techniques, we were able to value engineer the design, presenting an alternative proposal which offered significant cost savings to the client. We also worked closely with the specialist concrete cladding contractor – Graphic Relief – in order to facilitate a first fix of the support channels to secure the directory to the wall behind reception.”

“We have worked with Kingly Developments on a number of high-profile projects over the years,” Bartlett adds. “We were delighted to team up with them again on this project and, together with the architects and other specialist contractors, deliver a finished product that met all of the client’s expectations, while also coming in under budget.”

“Working with Signbox on the brass effect tenant directory for 12 Arthur Street has been a real success,” says Daniel Hall, Associate at Morrow + Lorraine Architects. “We have developed a good rapport through the period of design development, and have been impressed with their ability to advise on finishes and manufacturing processes that respond to the brief, ensuring the product was delivered on programme and within budget. We would be happy to work with Signbox again on future collaborations.”

www.signbox.co.uk

T: +44 (0) 1784 438688

Member Spotlight: Kobe sponsors apprentice

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Student Darren Blackwell, an apprentice upholsterer, showcased his first-class skills with a little help from luxury fabric supplier, Kobe UK.

The AMUSF apprentice formed part of a team of association members who represented the Worshipful Company of Upholders at Lincoln cathedral’s Heritage Skills Festival in June.

Student Darren Blackwell, an apprentice upholsterer, showcased his first-class skills with a little help from luxury fabric supplier, Kobe UK.

Student Darren Blackwell, an apprentice upholsterer, showcased his first-class skills with a little help from luxury fabric supplier, Kobe UK.

As part of the festival, Darren saw his final apprenticeship diploma piece – a chair – on show, along with other examples of upholstery and soft furnishings. He is the first trainee to complete the Livery Company Apprenticeship Scheme, launched in the summer of 2014.

The Upholders sponsored the frame of Darren’s chair and Kobe the Conure fabric, from the company’s Toucan collection. David Harris, Kobe MD said: “We are delighted to see our fabric used to create such a beautiful piece of furniture. It’s a credit to Darren’s upholstery skills and I would like to congratulate him on his qualification, which recognises the hard work and commitment he has shown to his craft.”

Darren was presented with his AMUSF qualification at Wendy Shorter’s Students’ Show on 29th July. Wendy Shorter Interiors is a multi-awards winning training centre that has received several craft training awards for encouraging craft skills in upholstery and soft furnishings.

All Kobe’s upholstery fabrics offer exceptional durability, scoring highly on the Martindale Rub Test.

www.en.kobe.eu

T: 01344 771653
F: 01344 771663
E: salesuk@kobe.eu

Waldorf Astoria Chengdu

Waldorf Astoria Chengdu opens as Hilton’s 200th Asia Pacific hotel

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Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts have announced the opening of Waldorf Astoria Chengdu, the company’s 200th hotel in Asia Pacific.

Located in Western China’s gateway city of Chengdu, the 289-room Waldorf Astoria Chengdu is housed within the high-end in99 Plaza, a 190,000-square-metre mixed-use development comprising a retail mall, office towers, and apartment towers.

A 52-storey, art deco inspired landmark that weaves classic elegance with modern luxury, Waldorf Astoria Chengdu offers guests an inspirational environment in the new financial district of Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone.

Guest rooms at the hotel start from a spacious 50 square metres, each elegantly-furnished and featuring the signature Waldorf Astoria bed, a walk-in closet, marble bathrooms with double vanities, and modern entertainment amenities. A personal concierge cabinet at the entryway of each room ensures convenience and allows for discreet service at all times.

Airbnb

Opinion: NYC’s mistake in attacking Airbnb

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According to reports in the United States, New York’s hotel industry is about to start playing dirty – very dirty – in their battle against the highly successful lodging company Airbnb.

In an advertisement scheduled to run starting on Monday (7th August), funded by the Hotel Association of New York City and a hotel workers union, concerns are raised over links between ‘security’ and the wildly popular home-sharing site. There’s even a reference to the Manchester bombing perpetrator Salman Abedi, and his use of a short-term rental apartment – even though it had not been booked through Airbnb.

Scaremongering text and images are used, including the phrase ‘Are you at risk?’, and lists a phone number to register complaints against the company with a message to ‘stand up for NY’s safety and security.’

Speaking to the New York Daily News, Airbnb spokesman Peter Schottenfels called the ad “an outrageous scare tactic by big hotels who themselves have a long history of lodging people who engage in acts of terror.” He then cited 9/11 and the 2015 Paris attacks, both carried out by attackers who stayed in hotels.

“The fact is Airbnb had nothing to do with the tragic events in Manchester and we are one of the only hospitality companies that runs background checks on all US residents, both hosts and guests,” Schottenfels adds.

Shots fired.

So why are hotels becoming increasingly paranoiac of Airbnb? It’s no secret that the rate of leisure travellers using private accommodation was up a third last year from 2011 and that Airbnb is encroaching on hotels’ bread-and-butter market of business travellers with each passing year.

But these sort of low-blow, questionable advertising campaigns are not the answer for hotel groups. They need to take the game to Airbnb – an ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ sort of mentality. Whilst Marriott has had a grip on the shared, long-stay market for a while, more and more groups are breaking into this sector and will need to continue growing this portfolio in a bid to compete.

Moreover, the success of Airbnb has come in part through its readiness to engage and instant connection with the so-called ‘millennial’ market. Less uniformity in design, an emphasis on communal spaces, reflection of the locale, embracing ever-changing technology – all of these things inherent in the Airbnb ethos, hotels are now having to play catch-up and are getting better at doing so, albeit slowly. Now that social media is here to stay, it’s one of the most powerful tools at hoteliers’ disposal but it must be about ‘positive engagement’ with consumers – something this advertising campaign will certainly not engender.

Furthermore, the rates of Airbnb has made the hotel industry take an inward look at itself about how it has priced a considerable number of people away from its products, which is why we are seeing a host of ‘budget’ or ‘economy’ brands popping up within hotel groups’ offering. If you don’t want people to use Airbnb, you have to offer a similarly-priced alternative that ticks all the boxes in terms of the things mentioned above.

The steps the hotel industry has taken in the last decade since the dawn of Airbnb has been fascinating to witness and many of the innovations, perhaps spurred on by the demands of consumers loyal to the home-sharing concept, probably have Airbnb to thank for introducing them. This is a much better approach for the industry to take. Smear campaigns based in half-truths and playing on fears is not the right approach and makes the industry look desperate. Airbnb and its ilk are here to stay, the hotel industry needs to learn to live with and compete to win the hearts and minds of the next generation of traveller.

Mustard bedroom - Grey Street Hotel

Grey Street Hotel unveils results of £1.2m development

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An historic hotel at the heart of Newcastle’s most prestigious street has unveiled the results of a £1.2m development.

Grade II-listed Grey Street hotel, on one of the most famous Regency streets in Britain, has come to the end of an 18-month phased refurbishment by its owner, North East hospitality heavyweight, Malhotra Group plc.

And, it is now set to become one of the city’s most prominent hospitality venues for corporate, leisure and spa visitors alike. The hotel – which retains a number of historically significant features such as art nouveau tiling and mosaic flooring – remained open throughout the development which began with the transformation of its 49 en-suite bedrooms.

Grey Street Hotel in Newcastle. Picture: DAVID WOOD

Grey Street Hotel in Newcastle. Picture: DAVID WOOD

Each has been individually styled to combine contemporary luxury with unique tributes to the city’s heritage. Decorated in a monochromatic scheme with accents of teal, green, pink or purple, each room has a feature wall bearing a large-scale image of a Tyneside landmark – including the neighbouring Theatre Royal – or figure, such as Earl Grey, from whom the street and hotel take their name.

Grey Street Hotel in Newcastle. Picture: DAVID WOOD

There have also been changes to the hotel’s layout, including the relocation of the entrance and the creation of All About You, an urban beauty retreat in the upper basement.

Grey Street Hotel in Newcastle. Picture: DAVID WOOD

For corporate customers, the hotel’s main conference room, the Monument Suite, has been extended to hold up to 100 people and can be divided into smaller spaces, while a smaller meeting room, The Snug, holding up to six people, has been created for private events.

Grey Street Hotel in Newcastle. Picture: DAVID WOOD

Grey Street Hotel in Newcastle. Picture: DAVID WOOD

“This development goes way beyond cosmetic,” said Atul Malhotra, operations director at The Malhotra Group. “We’ve taken an entirely fresh look at the space to widen its appeal to residents and non-residents alike and to ensure it is as attractive to the city’s business community and spa-goers as it is to those visiting from outside the region.

“Our challenge has been in providing the standard of luxury and comfort today’s hotel visitors expect, while respecting the building’s historical and architectural significance and I am confident we have achieved this,” he added.

www.greystreethotel.co.uk

Leonardo Hotels purchases Scottish Portland Hotels

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Leonardo Hotels has reported it has acquired a strategically placed portfolio in Scotland increasing the company’s presence in Edinburgh and gaining a presence in Glasgow, Perth and Aberdeen.

Portland Hotels will add 536 additional bedrooms across Scotland and will take Leonardo’s presence in Edinburgh to 445 bedrooms joining the Leonardo Royal which was acquired in October last year.

The newly acquired portfolio will join the Leonardo Hotels family and will be integrated into the wider Leonardo portfolio, which will comprise over 80 hotels after the recent acquisition. Together with Leonardo Hotel London Heathrow Airport, Leonardo’s portfolio in the UK will grow to seven hotels with 1,048 bedrooms.

The Edinburgh City Hotel is a charming 52 bedroom boutique hotel located at the heart of the capital city of Scotland below Edinburgh Castle and minutes from Grassmarket night life, West End Shopping, Haymarket Station, the central business district and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. The Edinburgh Capital is located strategically between Edinburgh city centre and Edinburgh Airport.

In addition to its 111 rooms, the Edinburgh Capital hotel has seven meeting rooms available with a capacity of up to 320 persons and an excellent leisure club with a swimming pool. The Glasgow Pond Hotel with its 137 rooms and three meeting rooms for up to 130 persons is located in the prosperous West End of Glasgow in close proximity to the key cultural attractions including Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow University and the area’s cafés, restaurants and boutiques. In Perth, the Huntingtower Hotel provides 34 bedrooms.

An extensive capacity for holding premium events as well as expansive gardens make it an ideal facility for meetings and private celebrations. The Speedbird Inn with 202 rooms is located immediately adjacent Aberdeen Airport and features a large parking facility with park, sleep and fly options as well as being a favourite with business travellers.

Daniel Roger, Managing Director of Leonardo Hotels Europe said: “When we entered the market in the UK two years ago, we made it our goal to further expand our portfolio and strengthen the name recognition of the Leonardo Hotels brand. The purchase of Portland Hotels underscores this. I am convinced that our guests will love and appreciate this expansion of our offerings in key destinations across Scotland”.

EVEN Hotel Auckland

Concept Hotel Focus: EVEN Hotel Auckland scheduled for 2020 opening

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Travel can play havoc with our mental and physical wellbeing. So many of us spend hours at the gym, watching our diets or taking early morning yoga classes, only to see all the great results fly out the window when we board the plane.

Increasingly travellers are realigning their priorities to put wellbeing first in today’s over-scheduled and ‘always on’ culture. As they increasingly endeavour to stick to good routines on the road, ‘wellness travel’ has flourished, outpacing regular travel by 50% and reflecting the need for travellers to recharge, refresh and rejuvenate themselves to maintain a healthy life balance.

IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Pro-invest Group today herald the ‘age of the healthy traveller’ in Australasia with the first signing of an EVEN Hotels property in New Zealand, the first and only global hotel brand with wellness at its core.

EVEN Hotel Auckland is scheduled to open in 2020 and is the first of the brand to be signed outside of North America. It is also the first in Pro-Invest Group’s portfolio of 10-15 EVEN Hotels across the capital cities and economic hubs in Australia and New Zealand, in partnership with IHG.

Located in the very heart of Auckland’s centre, at the corner of Albert and Wyndham Street, the 200-room EVEN Hotel Auckland will not only look different, but will also have a distinctive vibe. It will feature fresh, natural and modern design; bringing the outdoors inside and offering playful and energising workspaces, dining and social areas, natural outdoor spaces. It will also feature design and technology elements to enable guests to maintain the balance they desire on a daily basis.

Technology

Guest Blog: Lotss – ‘Prioritising technology for your hotel staff’

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Prachi Chhabria - 'Prioritising technology for your hotel staff'Prachi Chhabria, co-founder of Lotss, shares her views on the best way to integrate technology into your processes to keep your hotel staff connected…

In the last few years, there has been a steady uptick in integrating the use of technology within the hospitality industry. Hotels are now heavily investing in guest-facing technologies such as booking engines, mobile apps, digital concierge services, keyless entry systems, beacons, automated check in and check out processes amongst many other, especially for their guests. In a recent New York Times article, Scott Dobroski, of corporate communications for Glassdoor, says that ‘All companies are becoming technology companies to some degree, and this is especially true in the hospitality industry’.

This phenomenon is definite progress for the hospitality industry, and it is time to shift the focus on adapting mobile technologies for your employees too. Stefan Tweraser of Snapshot writes about how employees are using multi faceted systems that can affect productivity and even shrink job satisfaction. These systems are so complex that guests are left waiting while employees navigate the user interface for information – information that should be mobile, on their fingertips and readily available at any given point of the day. Mobile technologies that allow for internal connectivity, communication, access to all information can be extremely valuable for operations and in-house staff.

Guest Blog: Lotss - 'Prioritising technology for your hotel staff'
A mobile platform can provide more benefits due to its flexible nature. For instance, staff members have instant access to the company intranet allowing them to provide enhanced service to guests. Gaining that access to daily news and real time updates increases their ability to work efficiently and with complete information. On the other hand, management can use employee behaviour data to optimise their operational processes. The key is to find technology that will save your employee’s time in doing routine tasks with all the required information to perform their job, available for their use at any time along with giving managers access to gather and analyse staff data. It will fit your operational purpose with simplicity in function and adaptability and most importantly, help improve your strategic goals and bottom-line.

By finding platforms that are multifaceted and provide different features to tie your operational processes together, it could provide valuable data into how staff carries out their work, and how it affects factors such as employee retention, satisfaction and productivity. These metrics have a direct impact on guests as well as the bottom line.

Features such as communication could include sending out daily updates regarding VIP guests or check in’s or having a portable database with documents on security, personnel HR, training, employee marketing and departmental reports. These enable staff to remain informed at all times, stay updated with recent knowledge and skills allowing them to do their tasks optimally and provide impeccable guest service. Just by using such a feature, guest satisfaction and retention can increase; along with productivity, again, positively affecting the bottom-line.

Added features such as surveys and feedback provide management with the opportunity to engage with their teams and have open dialogue frequently. Managers can respond faster to employee feedback, take action, and create a sense of community. As a result, employee retention boosts, satisfaction surges and the costs of hiring are reduced!

Bonus functions such as chatting, conducting assessments, filling checklists and inventory lists allow for optimising operational processes, reduced paper trails and collecting analytical in-house process data that can help management strategise better.

Guest Blog: Lotss - 'Prioritising technology for your hotel staff'To simplify this, it is advisable to contain the adoption of technology within one department initially. This can help gauge responsiveness from both employees and management. From there on, the technology can then be adopted by others (property wide or company wide). Management, too, can better adapt the use of this app and observe staff responses. Once the platforms are in use, and then integrating them into existing systems to heighten usage and optimise processes amplifies seamless operations.

When fully functional, management can create reports to recognise their team skills and compare and correlate usage within the app to metrics such as employee satisfaction and retention, guest satisfaction and retention, printing costs, training costs and productivity levels, all of which will be demonstrated financially as well.

By working with developers to customise technology to best suit your property, it allows you to exploit every function for maximum efficiency. With all the technology available at our disposal, do not invest in technology without purpose; rather invest in technology that serves your staff to serve your guests better eventually.

lotss.org

The Westin Sarasota

Luxury hotel debuts as The Westin Sarasota Hotel opens

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Kolter Hospitality, a division of The Kolter Group, has announced that it has opened the doors of The Westin Sarasota Hotel in downtown Sarasota to guests.

The highly anticipated hotel is located at 1175 N. Gulfstream Avenue in the heart of Sarasota’s lively Arts District.

The Westin Sarasota Hotel features include 255 Guestrooms and Suites, 26,000-square-feet of stunning event and meeting space, the signature EVOQ restaurant, a world class spa and salon; as well as a rooftop pool and bar overlooking Sarasota Bay. The signature hotel restaurant, EVOQ, was designed to evoke a sense of casual elegance.

With 26,000 square feet of banquet and conference space, the hotel can serve functions of all sizes. It’s largest room, the 5,515 square-foot Triton Ballroom, has 22-foot vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Sarasota Bay.

www.westinsarasota.com

Wix.com

Sponsored: Wix.com adds HotelRunner’s Channel Manager

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Wix.com, a leading cloud-based web development platform, has added HotelRunner’s Channel Manager, a leading channel management platform, to work within the Wix Hotels booking platform. Wix Hotels users will now be able to sync all their reservations from over 80 booking channels directly to one place.

Wix Hotels offers a complete booking engine that is fully integrated into a Wix website for hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals. It makes it simple to build and maintain room inventory complete with pricing, booking, reservation and payment management. HotelRunner allows hotel owners to easily distribute rooms and pricing online.

Wix.com“HotelRunner gives our hospitality clients the ability to better manage their room inventory, enabling a more streamlined experience in organising and managing their business online,” said Gal Fisher, Wix Hotels operations manager.

“We are happy to enable our clients to have a beautiful website with a direct booking engine easily integrating their inventory to global online travel agencies in real-time. Whether they are a hotel, apartment or a villa, our clients are now able to promote their inventory globally,” added Riza Kaynak, HotelRunner Customer Success Manager.

This is a sponsored post from Wix.com – click here to find out more…

Mitre Linen

Guest Blog: Mitre – Six ways to accessorise hotel rooms

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Every establishment is unique and it is often the little touches that can make all the difference to a guest’s experience. The increasing credibility of travel review sites has made the hospitality market even more competitive, so it is important to stand out for all the right reasons.

Here Chris Tame, Mitre Linen’s National Sales Manager, provides us with his six expert tips how to accessorise your rooms in order to create a warm welcome, a wonderful stay and a lasting impression.

1) Soft furnishings: Beautiful soft furnishings can transform a room and instantly make a guest feel welcome. Whether you want to ignite a certain sense of style or reinforce your brand identity, refreshing your curtains, cushions and bed runners will help create that all-important great first impression.

2) Include a blanket or throw: A deliciously soft cashmere or woollen throw or blanket can add a touch of glamour to a room as well as making guests feel at home. Guests love snuggling into a little comfort and will appreciate this little gesture.


3) Pillow menu: The right pillow can make all the difference to a good night’s sleep and, in a competitive market place, personalisation is the key to standing out. Why not offer your guests a pillow menu to allow them to pick their ideal pillow? This is a unique and personal gesture and will help provide your guests with a fantastic night’s sleep, tailored to their requirements.


4) Offer practical bedroom accessories: Complement each bedroom with practical amenities that will provide your guests with all the essentials to make their stay as easy and comfortable as possible. From quality hair dryers to irons and ironing boards, sometimes these little extras can be a necessity.

5) Offer guests a bathrobe and slippers: Allow your guests to feel completely pampered and indulged by leaving a sumptuous bathrobe hanging up in the room. Nothing says luxury like a velour bathrobe and a pair of matching slippers. For that extra-personal touch, embroider your bathrobes with your brand name to help reinforce your identity throughout their stay.


6) Include complimentary toiletries: Guests love a quality selection of quality complimentary shampoos, conditioners, shower gels and body creams in their bathrooms. Adding them to a room shows attention to detail and will add a touch of luxury to that special hotel experience.

www.mitrelinen.com

01685 353 4456

Sales@mitrelinen.com

Rebrand of The Epiphany Hotel in Palo Alto to Nobu property

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Nobu Hospitality, the group founded by renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Academy Award winner Robert De Niro, and Hollywood producer Meir Teper, has announced the rebranding of The Epiphany Hotel to the Nobu Hotel Epiphany due to transition on October 2, 2017.

The Epiphany Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Palo Alto, offers 83 guest rooms and suites, special event and meeting space and the recently opened, Nobu Palo Alto restaurant and bar.

Rebrand of The Epiphany Hotel in Palo Alto
The property will offer guests an exciting luxury experience with exclusive Nobu amenities. The hotel’s spacious guest rooms and suites, with balcony views of Palo Alto and the Santa Cruz mountains, will offer an enticing 24-hour, in-room dining menu from Nobu restaurant, Barcelona’s Natura Bissé bath amenities as well as other signature Nobu touchpoints.

Disneyland Paris to open Marvel-themed hotel

Disneyland Paris plans to open Marvel-themed hotel

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According to reports in the Daily Telegraph last week, Disney is planning a Marvel-themed hotel at its Paris park.

The Disneyland Paris opening will be a reworking of its current hotel, Hotel New York and will be renamed Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, with displays of props and costumes from numerous Marvel films and television shows, as well as artwork inspired by the original comic books.

The exterior will resemble Stark Tower, Tony Stark/Iron Man’s Manhattan skyscraper, if early rumours are to be believed.

Inside, the four-star hotel will offer 565 guest rooms, as well as a distinctive New York-inspired décor that, from the renderings, also appear to resemble Iron Man’s fictional high-rise hideout. An opening date has not, as of yet, been revealed.

The hotel was announced at the recent D23 Expo in Anaheim. Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts, said: “We’re going to create a hotel at Disneyland Paris that would make Tony Stark proud.”

“I’m thrilled to announce that Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel will transport our guests to the action-packed, inspiring world of Super Heroes including Iron Man, The Avengers, and Spider Man among others!”, he added.

Park Hyatt Los Angeles

Park Hyatt Los Angeles opening in Oceanwide Plaza

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Oceanwide Plaza, the first North American development by prominent international developer Oceanwide Holdings, is set to become one of the most significant mixed-use developments in downtown Los Angeles.

Oceanwide Plaza will encompass a variety of lifestyle offerings including a new five-star Park Hyatt Los Angeles hotel, a collection of curated retailers and restaurants and a refined residential offering bringing a new level of sophistication to LA’s sports and entertainment district.

Park Hyatt Los AngelesLocated directly adjacent to the Staples Center and LA Live, Oceanwide Plaza will comprise three residential and hotel towers along with a seven-storey lifestyle podium anchored by an approximately 166,000-square-foot open-air galleria creating a vibrant new shopping, dining and entertainment destination.

Park Hyatt Los Angeles

Park Hyatt Los AngelesNearly 700 feet of ribbon-shaped LED signage along Figueroa Street will wrap the generous lifestyle center as the character-defining hallmark of Oceanwide Plaza, greeting local guests and travelers from all over the world.

Crosswater - Brit List VIP guests

Crosswater confirmed as Hotel Summit 2018 attendees

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With the Hotel Summit coming back in 2018 for it’s 20th anniversary edition, Forum Events Ltd is delighted to announce the attendance of Crosswater at the event.

The Hotel Summit is specifically organised for senior professionals who are directly responsible for purchasing and procurement within their organisation, and those who provide the latest and greatest products and services within the sector; an event media partners Hotel Designs are proud to be associated with.

A highly focused event that brings together hotel professionals and key industry solution providers, the Summit consists of one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities; across two days – 4th-5th June 2018 at the Radisson Blu London Stansted.

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CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
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Leaders in bathroom design, Crosswater has been welcomed by the specialist bathroom market since it was established in 1998. Crosswater offers a comprehensive range of unique brassware solutions designed by a pool of carefully selected leading European designers to bring you unparalleled design, superior materials and function.

David Balmer of Crosswater Projects said: “We’re very excited about attending the Hotel Summit. With exciting new products being launched across our ranges, we’re looking forward to meeting key influencers and industry experts at the event and continuing to grow our projects portfolio.”

If you are interested in taking advantage of this fantastic opportunity, contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or email j.lane@forumevents.co.uk.

The Okura Prestige Yangon to Open in 2020

The Okura Prestige Yangon to open in 2020

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Hotel Okura Company has announced that it will open The Okura Prestige Yangon, the first Okura Hotels & Resorts member hotel to operate in Myanmar, in 2020.

For the operation and management of The Okura Prestige Yangon, Hotel Okura expects to sign a contract in August with a local alliance comprising Fujita Corporation, Tokyo Tatemono, Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development and Yangon Technical & Trading, a subsidiary of Ayeyar Hinthar Holdings.

The Okura Prestige Yangon will be a luxury hotel offering approximately 390 rooms in downtown Yangon, a short walk from Yangon Central Railway Station and a short drive from the historic Shwedagon Pagoda. It will be situated within a large commercial complex, including office buildings and retail facilities, to be constructed on the site of the former Defense Services Museum.

The new hotel will offer banquet halls, conference rooms and diverse dining options, including an all-day dining area, a Japanese restaurant and a lounge bar. The hotel will also feature an executive lounge with views of the golden-domed Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar”s most celebrated Buddhist pagoda.

Starwood Capital Group acquires West Hollywood property

Starwood Capital Group acquires West Hollywood property

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Starwood Capital Group has announced that it has acquired, through a controlled affiliate, the newly constructed 286-key The Jeremy West Hollywood hotel property in West Hollywood.

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the property will open in August as The Jeremy Hotel. Located on the corner of La Cienega and Sunset Boulevard, the hotel presents a very distinctive metal cladding in its exterior with its prominent hilltop location allowing for unobstructed breathtaking views from most rooms, ranging from Santa Monica to Downtown LA. The 286 room hotel features 50 suites, including two Penthouse Suites, a pool, fitness centre, two large conference rooms and meetings and event space (totaling approximately 10,000 sq. ft.), a spectacular rooftop bar and lounge with 360 views, a café, restaurant and lobby bar.

Over the course of the next year, The Jeremy will be transformed into the 1 West Hollywood and will become the fourth property in the award-winning eco conscious luxury sustainable brand created by Starwood Capital. When 1 West Hollywood opens it will join sister hotels in Manhattan,Brooklyn and Miami Beach. Other 1 Hotels under development include Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (fall 2019), Sunnyvale, California (late 2019) and Sanya, China (late 2018).

Brit List 2017

Brit List 2017 Hoteliers Profiles

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In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we continue with five more of the top 25 hoteliers…

OLIVER HEYWOOD – FLAT CAP HOTELS
With a family history steeped in hospitality, Oliver (alongside his brother Dominic) was in prime position to make his mark in the industry. And since 2015’s launch of The Vicarage Freehouse & Rooms, the north western-based and brilliantly-named Flat Cap Hotels hasn’t looked back.

The brand’s concept built around unique hotel accommodation, food-led experiences in stunning locales has proven to be a winner, thanks to the vision of Oliver and his team. With plans to expand quickly by 2019, we have a feeling Oliver and Flat Cap Hotels will be a force to be reckoned with for a while yet.

CHRIS HURST – HAMBLETON HALL
Chris Hurst has been general manager at Hambleton Hall since 2003, and under his guidance, this Rutland gem has continued to be named amongst the finest hotels in the UK. Bought originally by Tim and Stefa Hart in 1979, the couple are still involved with the hotel and its interior design and are still at the heart of everything the hotel stands for.

Chris’ longevity at the property is shared with several other members of the senior staff, something that has contributed to the success of the hotel for nearly 40 years.

OLIVIA IMMESI – ACE HOTEL SHOREDITCH
The Ace concept was born in a hip neighbourhood of Seattle, soon spread to New York and Los Angeles, and the grittiness of east London has been the perfect location for it here in London.

Olivia, having served in the commercial side for another of the city’s coolest properties (The Hoxton), has been general manager at the capital’s next up-and-coming, trendy hangout for only a few months, managing to maintain the brand’s concept, ensure excellent service standards but without overplaying the ‘boutique clichés’.

PJ KENNY – THE HOXTON HOLBORN
Few names in the hospitality industry strike up the ‘visual imagery’ of The Hoxton – it has been one of the big success stories in the boutique sector of the last decade. The roaring success of the Shoreditch property led to the opening of a Holborn property, of which PJ Kenny has been manager since 2016.

He has more than a decade of experience as hotel manager across brands such as Jurys Inn and Hilton Worldwide and brings his skills of people management and guiding new-builds through the early years to this most exciting of boutique hotel projects.

JAN-PAUL KROESE – BELMOND LE MANOIR AUX QUAT’SAISONS
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is synonymous with luxury hospitality and some might have argued that following Philip Newman-Hall’s departure, Jan-Paul had big shoes to fill. That Le Manoir continues to be held in such sway internationally for its culinary and hospitality excellence, shows just how well Jan-Paul has settled in.

Jan-Paul’s international experience over 25 years across four continents coupled with his approach to staff management, sustainable practice and technology in hospitality has seen this already-world-class establishment maintain its lofty position as one of the world’s best.

Hotel Designs Logo stacked & NEW strapline-012

22-28 July: Top 10 stories of the week…

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From hotel openings to product spotlights to everything in between, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…

1. IN CONVERSATION: LUCY MORTIMER, GALAPAGOS DESIGNS
Lucy Mortimer, director at Galapagos Designs – a design partner with this year’s Independent Hotel Show – talks about how an individualistic approach and the use of heritage-inspired furniture continues to be a big trend in the world of hotel design…

2. STR CASE STUDY: IMPACT OF TERRORISM ON UK HOTEL PERFORMANCE
A number of people have asked themselves how the recent tragedies in the UK might have affected the market’s hotels. While there is still not a long enough range of data to draw any definitive conclusions, STR thought it important to take this opportunity to look into it in some detail.

3. BRITISH HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION RESPONDS TO UK’S EU MIGRANTS POLICY
The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has released a response to Theresa May and the government’s plans to ‘assess the economic contribution of EU migrants’ in the UK.

4. LANDMARKED HOTEL AKA TIMES SQUARE REVEALS PENTHOUSE COLLECTION
AKA, the leading hospitality brand that celebrities choose for their extended stays, with properties throughout the United States and London, has created an exclusive Penthouse Collection at its landmarked AKA Times Square.

5. FAIRMONT QUASAR ISTANBUL NOW OPEN
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Fairmont Quasar Istanbul, the luxury hotel company’s first property in Turkey.

6. GUEST BLOG: MK ELECTRIC – NEW DIMENSIONS FOR HOSPITALITY DESIGN
MK Electric share the benefits of their new range of design-led wiring accessories called Dimensions, perfect for hoteliers looking for modernity with design flexibility…

7. VICTORY HOUSE, LONDON LEICESTER SQUARE – MGALLERY BY SOFITEL
Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery By Sofitel is set to soft launch in August 2017 with the official opening in September 2017.

8. FIRST ‘SWIM-UP’ ROOMS TO LAUNCH AT MAURITIUS’ VICTORIA BEACHCOMBER RESORT & SPA
From January 2018, Beachcomber Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel group with eight properties in Mauritius, is set to open a new accommodation concept, Victoria for Two, at the award-winning Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa.

9.PENTAHOTELS LAUNCHES GLOBAL BRAND REFRESH
Pentahotels, the neighbourhood lifestyle hotel group, has revealed its new brand message – “We don’t do normal” – introducing a fresh vision within the traditional hospitality industry.

10. SMALL LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD WELCOMES THE LALIT LONDON
Small Luxury Hotels of the World is delighted to announce The LaLiT London as the latest addition to its collection of small, independently owned hotels in the UK capital.

Boclair House - Wilton Carpets Commercial

Forward Features: August – Hotel concepts / Carpets

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In August, Hotel Designs will be focussing on two spheres of interest; hotel concepts – as well as carpets.

Underwater hotels, gin-inspired boutiques, ‘bookshelf beds’ – innovation in hotel concepts and design will continue in 2017 with some wonderfully creative and downright bizarre ideas coming into the industry. We will be focussing on some of our favourite examples this month.

Meanwhile, 2016 was the year of ‘fashion-influenced’ carpet design – but it looks like we’ll be going back to the preference for soft and comfortable carpets with more muted colour schemes in the hotel industry. 2017 will also see the continued upturn in the usage of carpet tiles, which the commercial sector has been readily embracing. There are also some exciting technological advances in manufacturing techniques set to be announced throughout the year.

Our clients within the carpet sector include Brintons and Wilton – see a full list of our clients here.

If you want to get your company and products in front of an audience of interior designers, procurement specialists and hoteliers for a month of focussed editorial, this is a fantastic opportunity.

If you wish to find out more, please contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk

Benchmark adds Graduate Berkeley to Gemstone Collection

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Benchmark, a global hospitality company, has announced the addition of Graduate Berkeley to its Gemstone Collection.

Formerly the historic Hotel Durant, the property has been revitalised and renamed Graduate Berkeley following an extensive renovation. Graduate Berkeley pays homage to the historic building’s roots and UC Berkeley founder, Henry Durant, through its distinct design and revitalisation of Henry’s, the hotel’s restaurant and bar.

A dynamic and expanding new boutique hotel brand, Graduate Hotels was founded in 2014 by AJ Capital Partners to create distinctive, approachable hotels in America’s most vibrant university-anchored towns. Each hotel reflects the local college and community in its eclectic décor, food and beverage programming options and homage to the school and town it is designed to serve.

Graduate Berkeley
Drawing inspiration from Berkeley’s bohemian roots, Graduate Berkeley captures the spirit of adventure, global exploration, and constant quest for knowledge cherished by the city’s residents, students, and countless visitors. In the lobby, guests are immersed in printed velvet walls with Persian motifs, a feature wall of thousands of National Geographic magazines, and colorful murals by local artist Chris Lux.

Graduate Berkeley

In both the public spaces and guest rooms, the furniture and art are curated to feel residential, eccentrically preppy, and curated from different eras, as well as all corners of the globe. The same retro vibe is found in the hotel’s 144 guest rooms with original art work, ceiling fans, touch tone replicas of 1930s telephones and in some rooms, posters from the iconic film, The Graduate, parts of which were filmed on Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue. The hotel draws Bay Area residents, visiting scholars and Cal alumni where they can meet, socialise and rest their laptops and tablets on a communal table, and will find free, high-speed WiFi.

With 1050 square feet of conference space, including the California Room and the Boardroom, Graduate Berkeley is perfect for meetings, receptions and gatherings. Like other Graduate Hotel properties, the hotel is geared for destination weddings as Berkeley alumni return to the town and university where they first met.

www.graduatehotels.com/berkeley/

nhow Frankfurt

nhow Frankfurt hotel to open in 2021

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Located in a 190-metre-high skyscraper of Frankfurt’s European district, the future nhow Frankfurt property is to open its doors by 2021.

The Spanish hotelier NH Hoteles just signed a new address under the nhow brand, and following Berlin, Frankfurt will be the second German city to welcome a nhow property, to open in the European district (Europaviertel) by 2021.

It will feature 375 rooms over 14 floors, located in a 190-metre high skyscraper. The hotel will also include a conference area of more than 1,000 square metres, a restaurant, a bar and a fitness zone.

Situated in the business district of the German metropolis, it is also to rely on business travellers who regularly attend Frankfurt’s international-scale events and conferences.

British Hospitality Association responds to UK's EU migrants policy

British Hospitality Association responds to UK’s EU migrants policy

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The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has released a response to Theresa May and the government’s plans to ‘assess the economic contribution of EU migrants’ in the UK.

The Home Office launched an independent review into the impact of EU migrants on the UK economy after suggestions that new rules could be made for different industries.

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, said: “Over 700,000 Europeans work in hospitality and tourism and although we are determined to rely less on EU service workers over the coming years it will take time. In March KPMG published a report, commissioned by the BHA, which showed that in the event of free movement ending and no successor regime being put in its place the industry would need to recruit an additional 65,000 UK workers each year in addition to the ongoing recruitment of 200,000 workers to replace churn and to power growth.

“Our industry recognises that immigration policy needs to change however at a time when unemployment is at its lowest since 1975 we will still need access to the European workforce.

“The BHA has been campaigning for several months for an enlarged role of the Migration Advisory Committee and welcome the government commissioning the MAC to undertake a detailed study on EU workers with businesses throughout the country. We believe this should go further and the MAC should advise government on the number of visas for all strategically important sectors including hospitality and tourism, the fourth largest industry in the UK. Britain needs services workers as well as scientists and engineers and we look forward to having a serious dialogue with the Home Secretary as we get into the detail of a new immigration law,” she added.

The LaLiT London

Small Luxury Hotels Of The World welcomes The Lalit London

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Small Luxury Hotels of the World is delighted to announce The LaLiT London as the latest addition to its collection of small, independently owned hotels in the UK capital.

The hotel, which is now available to book via the SLH website, opened in February 2017 and is the first overseas venture for New Delhi-based hotel company The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group.

The LaLiT London
The LaLiT London sees the transformation of a derelict Grade II listed building into a 70-room luxury boutique hotel following a five-year restoration, and combines original Victorian features with custom-made Indian interiors and modern technology. Once home to St Olave’s Grammar School, there are nods to the building’s history throughout, most notably in the striking paneled Great Hall, two bars located in the former Teachers’ Room and the Headmaster’s Room and some guestrooms which boast 30 ft ceilings. The dramatic great hall is home to pan-Indian restaurant Baluchi.


Daniel Luddington, Vice President of Development at SLH says: “SLH now has nine hotels in London, so any new hotel we add to the collection here has to be something really special. The LaLiT London offers extraordinary attention to detail and craftsmanship as well as a modern take on Indian fine dining. A stone’s throw away from Tower Bridge and the Southbank, we are excited to offer the SLH community our first luxury experience south of the River Thames.”

The LaLiT London
Arun Kumar, General Manager of The LaLiT says, “We are delighted to be part of SLH, for us they incorporate the same core values to drive unique one of a kind experiences for guests, with a personal touch that leaves a lasting impression. Our London hotel is an incredibly special hotel to the family and its staff, and joining the SLH family feels like the perfect partnership in a portfolio of so many incredible hotels.”

Mitre - Feefo Award

Mitre Linen awarded Feefo Gold Service Award 2017

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Experienced hospitality provider Mitre Linen has won a Feefo Gold Service award, an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences, rated by real customers.

Created by Feefo, Trusted Service is awarded to businesses that use Feefo to collect genuine ratings and reviews. A badge of honour, this accreditation remains unique as all the awards are based purely on the interactions with verified customers. This feedback has been collated by the Feefo review platform, with the accolades being awarded based upon performance.

Mitre Linen met the criteria of collecting at least 50 reviews between January 1st 2016 and December 31st 2016, and achieved a Feefo service rating of between 4.5 and 5.0. The company has won the award for four consecutive years.

Jim Mangan, Mitre Linen’s Managing Director, said: “It’s a real honour to receive this award from Feefo. To be recognised for delivering exceptional experiences to our customers is a great achievement.

“We’ve been working hard to ensure our customers receive the best service possible, and being able to listen, understand and respond to their needs has enabled us to improve our offering. We’re looking forward to another successful year ahead.”

Andrew Mabbutt, CEO at Feefo said: “We would like to offer our congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Feefo Trusted Service award. We are so proud that so many businesses are putting customer service first.

“We have been working closely with all our customers to build trust and transparency online, and ultimately helping shoppers buy with confidence and make better decisions.”

Feefo is a ratings and reviews, and customer analytics platform. It collects genuine, purchase-verified reviews on behalf of over 3,000 businesses. Feefo ensures that all feedback is authentic by matching it to a legitimate transaction and believes this is the best way to combat the rising issue of fake reviews.

Beachcomber

First ‘swim-up’ rooms to launch at Mauritius’ Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa

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From January 2018, Beachcomber Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel group with eight properties in Mauritius, is set to open a new accommodation concept, Victoria for Two, at the award-winning Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa.

Designed exclusively for couples, this new adults-only wing will consist of 40 two-person terraced rooms, each opening onto a private beach and the marine park. Couples can choose between one of two luxurious room categories: 17 Swim-Up Rooms, each with direct access to an 800m2 swimming pool, the first room category of this kind available in Mauritius; or 23 Ocean-View Rooms, each with a magnificent vista over the lagoon.

The new Victoria for Two concept has been designed to meet the needs of a different clientele: guests travelling child-free, wanting accommodation that affords space, peace and quiet, and above all comfort, whilst still offering access to all facilities of the hotel itself.

All 40 rooms in the new adults-only wing will be 50m2 in size, sea-facing and with access onto a superb section of beach. Each air-conditioned room will include a Queen-size bed, private bathroom with bathtub, shower and separate toilets, hair-dryer, security box, telephone, satellite TV, complimentary Wi-Fi access, mini-bar and complimentary tea and coffee.

Pentahotels launches global brand refresh

Pentahotels launches global brand refresh

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Pentahotels, the neighbourhood lifestyle hotel group, has revealed its new brand message – “We don’t do normal” – introducing a fresh vision within the traditional hospitality industry, as the brand gears up for ambitious expansion plans in new premium destinations worldwide.

Expansion will begin with its second pentahotel in Hong Kong opening this week and the brand’s first hotel in Russia, in Moscow, opening next year. Pentahotels’ global brand refresh underlines the brand’s competitive advantages designed to meet the changing demands from a new generation of urban nomads. This refresh reinforces the existing brand philsophy that “Penta is not a hotel. Penta is a state of mind.”

Pentahotels launches global brand refresh
From the roll-out of new “penta PlayerPads” which feature private gamer gadgets in selected suites, to its pioneering “check in at the bar” concept, pentahotels reinforces the “We Don’t Do Normal” persona by staying innovative, approachable and constantly pushing the boundaries. As part of this brand refresh, the group will roll out a holistic brand communications campaign, focusing on digital channels including an updated web presence, a vibrant brand video, social media activations, guerrilla marketing campaigns, fresh collateral for guests, clients and investors, and a new CRM system to strengthen pentahotels’ customer engagement capabilities.


Expansion Kicks-Off in Hong Kong
The brand is also set for substantial growth with several openings scheduled for 2017, and many other developments in the pipeline. Pentahotel Hong Kong, Tuen Mun, which opened its doors this week, joins sister pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon and is the first international brand hotel to set anchor in the up-and-coming Tuen Mun area of the New Territories in Hong Kong. The former industrial highrise building has been completely renovated into a trendy 298-room hotel sporting the signature “penta” style throughout, with a contemporary rustic decor that seamlessly blends with whimsical local cultural references. Pentahotel Hong Kong, Tuen Mun promises modern technology features and uncomplicated service for stylish, independent-minded business and leisure travelers. The result is a mix of fun with functionality, comfort with creativity, and style with simplicity.

Pentahotel Moscow – Arbat Opens in 2018
Pentahotels has also finalised definitive agreements with Capital Group, one of Russia’s most respected property developers, to open pentahotels’ first Russia hotel in Moscow in time for 2018 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the city. Pentahotel Moscow – Arbat, will be situated within one of the four famous “Book Houses” located on Novy Arbat, around one mile from the Red Square. Featuring 228 guestrooms, the hotel will feature pentahotels’ trademark offerings, including pentalounge, European-led design elements, as well as meeting space and a gym. With lifestyle features including billiards tables, digital entertainments and other non-standard services, pentahotels will bring an entirely new energy to the area, welcoming tourists and Muscovites to a stylish, comfortable and modern reflection of Moscow’s dynamic environment.

Moscow view of the Novy Arbat and houses Books

Moscow view of the Novy Arbat and houses Books

“Penta’s global journey has just begun,” says Sonia Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group, pentahotels’ parent company. “Pentahotels has developed a strong operational structure and highly successful, cost-efficient financial system. Today, we are excited to share our revolutionary vision and renewed brand values. We are and want to be seen as bold, different, everything but normal. With its first entry in Bangkok and Moscow, and a second hotel opening in Hong Kong, pentahotels is ready to advance its plan to extend its footprint in gateway markets worldwide.”

Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery by Sofitel

Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery by Sofitel

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Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery By Sofitel is set to soft launch in August 2017 with the official opening in September 2017.

Overlooking London’s famous Leicester Square, Victory House offers 86 stylish and contemporary bedrooms which are sound-proofed for a cosy, boutique hotel experience. The property’s unparalleled location provides guests with privileged access to the capital’s world-renowned cinema scene and a front row seat to Leicester Square’s film premieres in the heart of the West End.

Located on the ground floor, the hotel will feature restaurant Petit Bistro which offers French-inspired cuisine using local produce and cocktails. Led by acclaimed restaurateurs, Ed Baines and Jamie Poulton (founders of Randall and Aubin), Petit Bistro offers chic, modern dining in an informal setting. Petit Bistro provides alfresco dining in the summer months, making it the perfect spot to relax and watch the world go by.

Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery by Sofitel
The hotel is within walking distance of Soho, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and St. James, as well as London’s key historic landmarks such as the National Gallery and Somerset House. Designed by renowned architects Michealis Boyd, who have previously worked with Soho House Group to create lavish interiors for Soho Farmhouse and Babington House, the hotel’s rich cinematic history has been meticulously integrated into the design. Each room features 1950s film icons with black and white art deco interiors and soft teal, grey and beige furnishings, to create a quiet haven in the buzz of London’s cinema district. Black and white 1950s movie stars feature in the hotel’s corridors, as well as silent 1950s movies that are projected in the lift and lobby.

The building’s 19th century terracotta façade showcases the hotel’s rich heritage as a historic icon within the ever-evolving Leicester Square. Originally designed and built in the early French Renaissance style in 1898 by leading theatre designer Walter Emden, Victory House was previously known as Hôtel de l’Europe with a Parisian brasserie renowned as a popular dining spot in the West End.

Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery by SofitelVictory House, London Leicester Square is managed by Bespoke Hotels, owned by Criterion Capital and represents a new flagship for MGallery and its fifth property in the UK.

Michael North, Head of Hotels at Criterion Capital, commented on the opening: “We are proud to be working with Accor on our first hotel opening of the year. For this prime location, it was essential for us to partner with a brand that offered a strong global presence without sacrificing our objectives to create an original and innovative hotel experience. MGallery By Sofitel offers us the flexibility we needed to create memorable stays for our guests in a boutique environment. This opening is a significant strategic investment for Criterion Capital. We have a series of hotels scheduled to open in rapid succession across Prime Central London.”


Aiden McAuley, SVP Operations LUXE Europe at Accorhotels, said: “Victory House, London Leicester Square is the latest addition to the MGallery portfolio and a new flagship hotel for the brand. With its rich heritage and unparalleled views overlooking London’s cinematic hub, the property provides a unique offering in the heart of the West End and a cosy retreat in the buzz of the city. This year will also see the wider expansion of the brand with new openings in Europe and the Middle East.”

www.sofitel.com

trivago

trivago providing hoteliers with travel demand data, over 5 billion room rates

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trivago has now made over 5 billion room rates visible to hoteliers around the world. With its new Rate Insights feature, trivago grants hoteliers access to an unbiased and comprehensive set of data on traveller demand and competitor prices, enabling them to compare room rates from over 250 booking sites as well as official hotel websites on a single dashboard.

Through Rate Insights, which is part of the complete metasearch marketing solution trivago Hotel Manager PRO, trivago is empowering hoteliers to establish competitive pricing strategies.

trivago Business Intelligence data reveals that independent hotels visible on trivago have on average 8,000 rates online a year. Johannes Thomas, Chief Revenue Officer and Managing Director at trivago, said: “We understood how difficult it is for hoteliers to find, monitor, and analyse competitor room rates across hundreds of booking sites.”

He added: “We were quick to realise that the price comparison data we provide to travellers is equally valuable for hoteliers. Therefore, we created a rate shopper that gives hoteliers easy and actionable access to this data, as well as data on traveller search volume that reveals fluctuations in demand. No other rate shopper has this combination of data in this amount and with this granularity.”

Instead of gathering data from just a few booking sites, Rate Insights aggregates rates from over 250 websites and makes it easy for hoteliers to compare them by room type and other variables. It also enables hoteliers to respond quickly to changes in the market and anticipate what upcoming local events can be leveraged to boost RevPAR. Hoteliers overcome the time-consuming challenge of monitoring the market, their competitors’ prices, and their own. They know when and by how much to adjust their direct rates and all those listed with OTA partners to stay competitive online.

“With the Rate Insights feature we’re able to see our competitors’ prices and position ourselves in the market. And the statistics are beneficial when there are sudden changes in the market and we need to adapt accordingly,” said Maximilian Kaufmann, Managing Director, Hotel Alte Krone, Kleinwalsertal, Austria

Utilising data is becoming more and more crucial in making decisions that will lay the foundation for future success. By displaying its rate and traveller demand data on a single dashboard with simple analytics, trivago has made it easier for hoteliers to access, understand, and act on data to increase their competitiveness online.

For more information, click here… 

Maison Valentina

Product Spotlight: KOI Collection from Maison Valentina

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Nowadays, people have started to consider them modern-day bathroom a ‘retreat’ and a place in which you can relax after a long day. Homeowners are taking notes on products and features that strike their fancy, making every detail a potential item for the bathroom wish list.

The biggest transformation has been in what the modern bathroom is made of, such is the demand for luxury bathrooms. Spacious bathrooms master suites with features materials and finishes that enhance the overall look of the space are almost standard in today’s upscale homes.

Designers are seeking even more new ways to add comfort and value to the bathroom and that’s why the KOI Collection will add a lot of personality to any bathroom. The KOI Collection was inspired in the KOI carp, which is a recurring symbol of Japanese culture, highly appreciated by its decorative purposes, not only in water gardens but also in Irezumi practice or, most commonly, in tattoos.

Our designer Joaquim Paulo says: “The aim of the KOI Collection is to deliver high-end products for very exclusive and luxury bathrooms and to extremely unique clients.”

The Bathtub
The KOI scales that compose the panels of the bathtub shine and reflect – on its brass surface – the sun caught throughout the clear water. KOI and the Japanese word for love or affection are homophones, making the carp also a symbol of love and friendship.

Koi washbasin and Koi bathtub - Maison Valentina

The Basins

The KOI scales that compose the panels of the washbasins shine and reflect – on its brass surface – the sun caught throughout the clear water. KOI and the Japanese word for love or affection are homophones, making the carp also a symbol of love and friend – ship.

KOI Washbasin - Maison Valentina


Maison Valentina is a new luxury bathroom brand that provides a collection capable of making your projects came true, with high-end solutions as bathtubs, washbasins and free standing washbasins, mirrors, lighting, case goods and other products made with the finest selection of materials as brass, marble, wood, glass, combined with rare handwork techniques and contemporary design. Our main goal is to offer the same comfort and luxury that you are able feel in other division of the house, keeping at the same time the best exclusive design and bold pieces.

www.maisonvalentina.net

MK Electric's new Dimensions range has been launched

Guest Blog: MK Electric – new dimensions for hospitality design

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MK Electric share the benefits of their new range of design-led wiring accessories called Dimensions, perfect for hoteliers looking for modernity with design flexibility…

A growing number of hotels are shedding traditional designs in favour of something a little more modern, as rapidly changing interior trends require agile products which can evolve along with the building as a whole.

A key part of this is design flexibility, and ranges which can offer scalability and ease of replacement are becoming increasingly popular amongst hoteliers. These not only allow regular refreshes to a space without a significant financial or time investment, but allow common design throughout a building with scalable options from back of house office areas to suite rooms.

In order to meet this demand, MK Electric has launched a new range of screwless wiring devices, Dimensions, a design-led solution which is easily upgradeable and available in eight different finishes for a contemporary finish to any room.

Designed as a two-piece product solution, Dimensions is available as two individual parts, a functional module and clip-on frontplate, which can be ordered separately. This two-part installation offers a high level of adaptability, allowing frontplates to be changed as the design inside the building evolves over time.

And, as end users are expecting more from their hotels, the range incorporates products such as integrated USB socket outlets for easy smart device charging, LED dimmers, keycard switches and ‘do not disturb’ switches, all with a unified look.

Emma Segelov, head of marketing at MK Electric, said: “We understand that in today’s design-led environment, hoteliers need wiring devices which not only blend with their current décor but can be quickly and easily changed to match a revamp.

“The new MK Electric Dimensions range offers a design which not only has the scalability to fit into every area of a hotel, but which can also be interchanged and upgraded with ease to match any future changes in colour scheme, without blowing the budget or time-intensive work.”

Dimensions provides peace of mind for contractor, customer and end user, and comes complete with a 20-year guarantee (exclusions apply).

MKOrderEnquiries@Honeywell.com

+44 (0)1268 563 404

www.mkelectric.com/en-gb/

WILLOOW - GRANDMASTER - Essente - Kobe

Product Spotlight: Essente Summer collection from Kobe

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Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe, has put together its essential Essente Summer collection of stunningly chic, easy-to-care for, affordable interiors fabrics.

The stylish collection, which includes curtains, voiles and sheers, dim-outs and upholstery fabrics, for both domestic and commercial interiors, features fabrics in a cool linen, soft chenille and silk satin appearance.

Curated from the extensive selection at Kobe’s accessible Essente ranges, the summer ‘edits’ offer a bright and breezy palette of naturals, neutrals and pastels. Essente retail price levels from £16 to £22 for curtain weights and £27 for upholstery fabrics.

Beautiful woven jacquard curtains from the Willow and Walnut ranges, can transform a room. Willow has a matt taffeta look and feel with a damask pattern on a satin weave background and comes in six colours, including soft pastels and a contemporary black. Walnut has a linen appearance with an ikat geometric pattern and is available in seven tones.

Furniture is the focal point of any interior so it’s important that the design, colour and texture complement the theme. Catalpa can be used for both curtains and upholstery. This woven jacquard has a fine herringbone stripe and is brushed to give a semi-plain look. With a soft natural touch it is available in 14 shades.

Said David Harris, md of Kobe UK: “We have put together a collection that is essential for this summer’s interiors. Essente offers a wide selection of chic, commercial and easy-care interior fabrics and benefits from the logistical expertise and quality of Kobe, while giving access to a wider customer base through its realistic price points.”

When used for upholstery, Kobe’s Essente fabrics can be supplied with a domestic backcoat which complies with the BS 5852 ignition source 0 and 1, passing the cigarette and match test.

All Kobe’s upholstery fabrics offer exceptional durability, scoring highly on the Martindale Rub Test.

www.en.kobe.eu

T: 01344 771653
F: 01344 771663
E: salesuk@kobe.eu

La Siesta Central

New La Siesta Central Hotel to light up Hanoi

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Panoramic views of Hoan Kiem Lake, a prime Old Quarter setting and an exclusive spa are just three of the many selling points at the new La Siesta Central, a 27-room boutique hotel that marks its grand opening in Hanoi on August 15th.

With its tapestry of colourful neighborhoods, colonial architecture and emerald lakes, Vietnam’s capital lacks nothing in charismatic locations. Few are quite as evocative as its central lake – for many the defining feature in the ancient city.

Although bijou, the new property – owned and operated by leading Vietnamese boutique hotel brand Elegance Hospitality Group (EHG) – makes full use of its proximity to the legendary body of water.

La Siesta Central
A total of 19 rooms have views of the lake, highly uncommon in Hanoi where high real estate prices and stiff competition in the hotel sector put a hefty premium on such a prime spot. Indeed, the property’s incredible situation makes it an ideal base from which to strike out within the Old Quarter – Hanoi’s centuries-old hub of commerce – and to nearby highlights such as the French Quarter, a charming enclave of broad avenues and majestic buildings, which is laid out just south of the central lake.

Things are equally inspiring within the hotel, whose conversion from a historic private dwelling was directed by EHG chairman Do Van Dan, a trained architect who takes a leading role in the design of all the properties under the group’s umbrella.

Thoughtful touches abound throughout the hotel. Dark wood paneling and use of intricate patterned tiling characterize stately interiors, while numerous black and white artworks in public areas and rooms enhances the classic feel of the property. Guests have access to an array of room types, all of which come with thoughtful amenities and trimmings including walk in rainforest shower and luxury toiletries from the in-house La Siesta Spa brand as standard.

Fairmont Quasar

Fairmont Quasar Istanbul now open

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Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Fairmont Quasar Istanbul, the luxury hotel company’s first property in Turkey.

Situated on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait and overlooking the waterway’s sapphire blue waters, the Fairmont Quasar Istanbul sits at a crossroads in Istanbul, where East meets West and modernity meets centuries of eclectic history. This idiosyncratic experience is reflected in the hotel’s design, with blue leather-tufted headboards calling to mind the Bosphorus; leather-bound and studded minibars inspired by vintage travel trunks; and ensuite showers designed to resemble traditional Turkish hammams.

Fairmont Quasar Istanbul provides 209 guestrooms including 25 suites. Each has a wide panoramic view overlooking either the serene Bosphorus or the city skyline. Rooms are designed to maximize comfort and technology, with stylish flair and extra touches, plenty of space and natural light. The Royal Suite offers guests unrivalled luxury, while forty exclusive Fairmont Gold rooms create a boutique feel with unparalleled service and access to exclusive services.

The hotel’s unique concept provides a new icon for the vibrant Mecidiyeköy district, where eclectic neighbourhood bazaars and colourful side streets meet modern shopping centres with contemporary architecture and design. Set on the site of the 1930’s Robert Mallet Stevens-designed Art Deco liquor factory, Fairmont Quasar blends a sense of urban culture and industrial flair with the city’s heritage of long-held customs and traditions.

Fairmont Quasar is the fifth property of parent company AccorHotels luxury brand portfolio within Istanbul, joining sister properties Raffles Istanbul, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Pullman Istanbul Airport and Convention Centre and The Elysium Istanbul MGallery by Sofitel. AccorHotels presently has 32 hotel and resort properties across Turkey, with an additional three hotels slated for opening in Istanbul in 2017, including Galata Hotel Istanbul MGallery by Sofitel.

An illustration of how the Longleat hotel resort could look hugging the contours

Wiltshire Council resolve to grant permission for new Longleat Hotel

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Longleat’s plans to build a new 240 room hotel, with water park and business conference facilities on the edge of its Estate near Warminster have been approved by Wiltshire Council, subject to views of Highways England on the impact of the proposal to the strategic road network.

The approval provides a green light for the development which, it is anticipated, will further boost the local economy and create 300 new jobs, while providing much-needed additional family orientated hotel accommodation in the area.

Bob Montgomery, the CEO of Longleat Enterprises Limited which manages the commercial development of the Estate assets, said: “The decision to approve our application is a huge boost to Longleat’s long term future, for Wiltshire and our local town and village communities.

“We’ve still a little way to go and are working to secure Highway England’s final view on the impact of our proposals to the strategic road network in the area, but are confident this will be concluded soon.

“We believe the hotel will enable Longleat to develop and grow over the coming years and will provide a new tourism hub for the area which will create many more jobs and attract new investment,” he added.

With over 40% of its one million annual visitors driving for more than two hours to see its attractions, including the world-famous Safari Park, the management at Longleat, headed by Viscount Weymouth, believe the new hotel will secure the sustainability of the Estate with its Grade 1 listed Elizabethan house, Capability Brown and Humphry Repton Heritage Parkland.

Located on a 135-acre site to the south and south east of Tascroft Court, and close to Warminster and the A36, the proposed hotel will also incorporate a unique and intimate animal experience for its guests and much needed business conference facilities for up to 200 delegates.

AKA

Landmarked hotel AKA Times Square reveals penthouse collection

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AKA, the leading hospitality brand that celebrities choose for their extended stays, with properties throughout the United States and London, has created an exclusive Penthouse Collection at its landmarked AKA Times Square, redesigning 12 penthouse suites to cater to today’s travelers who desire unique and elevated accommodations.

“Penthouse living is no longer about aspirational luxury,” said Larry Korman, president of AKA. “It’s about having the authentic experience of being at home in a cool space that is representative of its location.”

Designer Nicholas Cardone drew inspiration for the collection from the landmarked building’s rich 1900 history and its meticulous restoration by award-winning historic preservationist and architect, Stephan Potts of Stanev Potts Architects. The penthouses pay homage to the building’s historic charm, while delivering modern elegance and a sense of sophistication. Original, turn-of-the-century architectural details in the form of exposed, cast-iron structural elements along the walls and ceilings, unusually shaped windows and unique layouts provide a textured and layered en-suite glimpse into history of the city, while delivering a one-of-a-kind experience.

AKA“The pursuit of innovative design is integral to the travel experience,” continued Korman.

Known as the building’s crown jewel, the two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom duplex Penthouse Residence has wide-plank oak floors throughout the grand foyer, dining room and kitchen. An elegant 1900s bay window fills the living room with space and light, while exotic woods, buttery leather and finely lacquered pieces bring an urbane sophistication to each room. The interior, iron staircase leads to historic, original and uniquely sized windows that bring the story of the colorful past into the guest experience.


Nearly the size of a standard New York City hotel room, the master bathroom provides a 200-square-foot, ultimate, spa-like experience, featuring a sculptural, modern freestanding bathtub, oversized dual rain head shower behind a free-floating glass wall and double basin vanity. The bedrooms feature king-sized beds, Sferra Italian linens, bespoke window treatments and original photography.

Penthouse Residence guests enjoy the added treat of having an ultra-convenient entranceway to the penthouse-level a.lounge, located on the same floor, that was created by renowned international designer and architect Piero Lissoni and his U.S. design firm, BY Lissoni. a.lounge, available only to guests of AKA Times Square, has lustrous Venetian plaster walls and rich interiors that adorn an intimate bar and ample lounge areas. There is also a world-class Technogym fitness center. A floating steel-and-glass staircase ascends to a.13, a floor-to-ceiling windowed retreat that opens up to a 1,000-square-foot rooftop lounge with sweeping views of Manhattan.

Recognized around the world for visionary design and innovative offerings, AKA currently operates 12 properties throughout some of the most well-traveled to cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and London. The brand continues to set new standards in luxury travel accommodations, elevating its offerings to meet the needs of today’s affluent business traveller.

www.stayaka.com

Six Senses plans to develop resort and spa in Kitzbuhel, Austrian Alps

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Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is set to add yet another extraordinary destination to its portfolio of properties in some of the world’s most beautiful and inspiring locations.

Set in the breathtakingly picturesque Austrian Alps, Six Senses Kitzbuhel Alps showcases its stunning environment through all seasons: from winter’s snow covered terrain with high-end ski activities, to spectacular summers when the landscape is vibrant with nature’s verdant palette of colours.

Six Senses Kitzbuhel Alps will feature 80 guest accommodations, include 50 residences, plus a small village of chalets available for private sale. It is being developed by Kitzbuheler Alps Projekt, with architects for the hotel/residences and chalets IAW – International Architecture Workshop, Turin, Dusseldorf, Moscow and hotel interior design consultants Martin Brudnizki Design Studio and Six Senses Spa Kitzbuhel Alps by Six Senses Creative. Project management and landscape design is being carried out by AECOM who also overseas sustainability aiming at LEED certification, with emphasis on the latest energy technology such as solar or heat exchange.

Six Senses plans to develop resort and spa in Kitzbuhel, Austrian AlpsThe overall design concept of Six Senses Kitzbuhel Alps could best be described as a modern interpretation of traditional Austrian design. Warm natural finishes incorporate wood and stone with the introduction of rough-hewn exposed timber beams in public areas. Glorious swaths of natural light wed the seasons to the interiors and the restrained use of art and craft features subtly define the setting.

Dining at Six Senses Kitzbuhel Alps will focus on seasonality with a restaurant focusing on local dishes with ingredients supplied from nearby organic farms. An all-day venue features a delicatessen and international fare. This venue is also located near the resort’s meeting and special events facilities that offer a direct link to vehicular parking. The lobby bar will feature innovative beverage services and offer alfresco seating in the warmer seasons. The spa cafe will also offer outside dining plus an indoor dining room with fireplace.

www.sixsenses.com

Duravit Vero Air with SensoWash

Product Spotlight: Vero Air Rimless WC and SensoWash Slim Seat

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Vero Air is a progression in design from the successful Vero series. It includes the very latest technological advances from Duravit – particularly for toilets.

The new Vero Air WC incorporates the ultimate in comfort and hygiene with advanced Rimless® technology, and is available with HygieneGlaze 2.0 and the SensoWash Slim shower-toilet seat. The wall-mounted model is also the first square rimless design from Duravit.

The Vero Air toilet is impressive, not just in terms of its appearance but also its functions. The rectangular basic form finishes with a gentle curve downwards, thereby appearing geometrically precise and harmoniously round at the same time.

The toilet seat and cover can be easily removed for cleaning with the press of a side button. With the appearance of a traditional, yet elegant toilet, SensoWash Slim is a far cry from the very first shower-toilets. It offers the ultimate in 21st century toilet hygiene and comfort, with all the technology neatly incorporated into the seat.

The seat and shower-toilet technology are completely separate: The entire SensoWash Slim seat unit can be easily removed, allowing it to be cleaned quickly and thoroughly. A touch button control operates all the functions. After using the toilet, simply select the desired cleaning function, water intensity and temperature. This minimalist shower toilet includes a number of essential functions: it is easy to install, saves energy thanks to an integrated flow heater and is offered at an attractive price.

Inside the Vero Air WC, the Rimless® technology has been further advanced and, for the first time, enables perfect flushing results with a rectangular wall-mounted toilet. This shows how geometry, fluid mechanics and design can be successfully combined for maximum efficiency. In Duravit Rimless®, the open design of the WC rim enables an innovative and powerful flush: water flows in the form of a horizontal arc, and then vertically, before flushing the entire inner surface of the bowl without splashing, even with just 4.5 litres of water.

By adding the innovative ceramic glaze HygieneGlaze 2.0 the Vero Air WC is a toilet that is industry leading and a new archetype for modern living. The innovative ceramic glaze is antibacterial and this innovative ceramic glaze kills an unprecedented 99.999% of germs and bacteria. HygieneGlaze 2.0 provides long-lasting, anti-bacterial protection for a small additional cost. It also durable, safe and defines a new standard in bathroom hygiene.

The Coach House Front Dining Area

Opening success at The Coach House, Ayrshire

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One of Scotland’s largest hospitality groups Buzzworks Holdings has officially opened the doors of its tenth venue and first outside of Ayrshire – The Coach House.

Offering simple dishes with big flavours, the eagerly anticipated Coach House in Bridge of Weir enjoyed a very successful opening weekend.

The former Archies lounge bar and kitchen on Main Street has seen significant investment and been transformed to a stylish bar and restaurant with an intimate private dining room. Providing an all-day dining experience with a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, The Coach House offers the perfect backdrop for a range of celebrations and occasions.

The Coach House Private Dining room
Colin Blair, Buzzworks Holdings Chairman, said: “We’re delighted to launch our tenth venue and fifth restaurant under our House brand. It’s a fantastic addition to our portfolio and an exciting investment to branch out of Ayrshire and bring our modern take on a traditional bar and restaurant to the Renfrewshire community.

The Coach House Exterior“We’ve been overwhelmed with the positive response from local residents and guests during our opening weekend and we look forward to welcoming more new diners as well as Buzzworks regulars to our latest venture.”

The Renfrewshire venue will join Buzzworks’ collection of nine prestigious sites across Ayrshire including Scotts in Troon and Largs, Elliots, Lido venues in Prestwick and Troon, The Treehouse in Ayr, The Longhouse in Kilmarnock, The Mill House in Stewarton and The Corner House in Kilwinning.

London hotels

STR Case Study: Impact of terrorism on UK hotel performance

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A number of people have asked themselves how the recent tragedies in the UK might have affected the market’s hotels. While there is still not a long enough range of data to draw any definitive conclusions, STR thought it important to take this opportunity to look into it in some detail.

According to STR figures, the UK hotel market has experienced a strong start to 2017, with year-over-year RevPAR growth of 6.5% as of April year-to-date data. As evidenced by March data from VisitBritain, the country has seen an influx of arrivals, thanks in large part to the devaluation of the pound following the Brexit vote last June.

Terror Attacks Chart = terrorism impact on UK hotel industryNow, questions have emerged around the sustainability of this performance, following the recent terrorist attacks in the country. Earlier reports have suggested an impact on visitor numbers to attractions in the UK. It is reasonable to expect a negative impact on hotel performance given the unthinkable tragedies the country has experienced over the past several months. The UK maintained performance growth without much disruption following the March Westminster and May Manchester attacks, but it is still too early to fully gauge the effects of the 3 June attack at London Bridge or the 18 June attack at Finsbury Park, though some insights are available for the former.

ManchesterAn initial analysis from the Manchester attack shows that the city’s hotels experienced a minor year-over-year dip in occupancy (-1.9%) the day after the attack, before returning to growth the following day, 25 May (+2.7% to 79.8%). Following that date, performance has fluctuated due to other factors, including the hosting of the U20 Rugby Championship.

Terror Attacks Chart = terrorism impact on UK hotel industryDaily figures suggest that the London Bridge attack may be impacting the UK capital’s performance more significantly than previous attacks this year have. Preliminary data shows that performance started to decline on Wednesday 7 June, with both occupancy and ADR declining in a year-over-year comparison. The sharpest declines were seen on Thursday 8 June, with an 11% drop in occupancy and a 4% drop in ADR. However, these decreases may be in part a reflection of the comparison with the time of the EULAR medical congress last year.

In closing, STR again stresses that it is essential to analyse a longer time period and more complete data set before drawing definitive conclusions. Specifically in London, hotels have shown resilience during difficult times in the past.

Original source

STR provides clients from multiple market sectors with premium, global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 16 countries with a corporate North American headquarters 

Guest Blog: MK Electric – Getting into detail to impress guests

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When it comes to impressing guests, it’s vital to stay ahead of the game and offer an experience like no other, and a key part of this is design. Here, Emma Segelov, head of marketing at MK Electric, looks at the latest innovations available to keep hoteliers ahead of the game.

Competition in the hospitality industry is intense, with customers increasingly seeking more than just a budget room. For example, with international travel now more accessible than ever, a hotel needs to take into consideration the needs of those travelling light for a business trip, as much as a couple on a city break. Both will have different requirements, but ultimately seek a similarly memorable experience.

Whilst a bold and eye-catching exterior is imperative to initially capture the interest of a guest, it is just as important to ensure that the attention continues to the finer, often overlooked, details. This includes the likes of light switches, sockets and other wiring devices, all of which have the power to change the aesthetics and practicality of a room.

For example, investing in integrated USB socket outlets can be a lifesaver for guests. Given the integral role smart devices play in modern life, the need for charging power on the go cannot be underestimated. Whether it’s an international guest, who may have forgotten their travel adaptor, or equally for customers from closer to home who just happen to need additional charging ports for their smart devices, USB outlets mean hoteliers needn’t stock charging devices, and can be assured guests have the charging capacity they need. What’s more, certain ranges are available which add an extra layer of differentiation. For example, MK Electric allows hoteliers to take intuitive functionality and compound it with beautiful, bespoke design with its expert Design Service.

MK Electric's new Dimensions range has been launched
This service, which is part of MK Electric’s Elements collection, allows users to create their own individual sockets and switches to ensure a seamless continuation of the overall interior concept. Whether that’s a leather look or metallic, there’s a look available to match any interior – so every last design detail can be taken care of.

An equal consideration is flexibility. The fast-paced world of interior design is constantly developing new trends, and in order to provide an up-to-date décor for guests, it is important that fixtures and fittings are able to be easily adapted to fit any style upgrades. Again, this is an area where wiring devices are an important consideration. Sometimes the smallest touches can be the most impactful, and when a hotelier wants to update the look of their premises, elegant new sockets and switches can make all the difference.

In line with this, MK Electric has launched Dimensions, a new range of screwless wiring devices which is easily upgradeable and available in eight different finishes for a contemporary finish to any room.

Designed as a two-piece product solution, Dimensions is available as two individual parts, a functional module and clip-on frontplate. This means that the visible part of the wiring device can easily be changed to match a new interior, without the need for any additional renovation, and, as the frontplate is clip on, without bringing in a qualified installer.

As customers become more discerning about design, it makes sense to bring a touch of individuality to every inch of an interior. With bespoke switches, dimmers and sockets available to suit every décor, and new products entering the market which allow quick and affordable style updates, wiring devices should be a core consideration for hoteliers.

MKOrderEnquiries@Honeywell.com

+44 (0)1268 563 404

www.mkelectric.com/en-gb/

Lucy Mortimer Galapagos

In Conversation: Lucy Mortimer, Galapagos Designs

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Lucy Mortimer, director at Galapagos Designs – a design partner with this year’s Independent Hotel Show – talks about how an individualistic approach and the use of heritage-inspired furniture continues to be a big trend in the world of hotel design…

Hotels are eschewing a uniform look and are taking a more individualistic approach to design to help mark them out and convey a sense of warmth, that’s certainly what we’re seeing our clients come to us for.

A good example of that is The Ned in London which is looking back to an Art Deco styling to create a very eclectic and individualistic look across the rooms. Hotels are no longer applying that ubiquitous, formal look to rooms, but are making them more warm and inviting with a heritage angle. Mixing a bit of old and new in together helps add more depth of character to a room.


We are certainly seeing design being used to reflect the personality of the business more. Even when hoteliers have a new-build property, they are seeking out a more individual edge. There’s less use of ubiquitous artwork and more of a focus on sourced products rather than something that is bought. Of course, it all depends on the hotel and the target audience. This look might be less appropriate for a business hotel but certainly there’s a cluster of hotels catering for high-end business customers who want to provide something other than just great Wi-Fi and room service.

We’ve been working on a big hotel project recently which combines the vintage mid-century stuff we produce with newly-made classic-style furniture. We are finding more and more customers are approaching us for a similar style.

Overall, hotels want to create an inviting space, so the type of material used is gaining importance. A lot of velvet is being used now by our customers – the term we use is ‘layering’ which is bringing more than one dimension to a room. You can do that with touches, maybe through old furniture, more accessories or using more classic style lighting over the beds, which can look really lovely rather than just a standard lamp.

Heading into the future, I think we’ll see more of this. Every hotel project we’re working on is using a mix of velvets with more British heritage fabrics like Bute Fabrics. Good, strong, old brands which have a sense of history.

This thoughtful approach to putting together a room is something that will continue. Now, we’ll almost always supply products to hotels that, even if they aren’t vintage, look vintage. That heritage look is quite a strong trend and that’s what we’ve got with the range of furniture we’ll be showcasing at this year’s Independent Hotel Show at our stand and in the VIP Lounge.

We’ve launched our Heritage Collection in partnership with a brand called Howard Keith, or HK. It was a huge brand in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s and supplied all the furniture to the QEII Officers’ lounge and royal residences. They closed in the noughties, but we have partnered with them under licence to bring back some of their furniture under a heritage collection which is made exactly the same as the 1950s models but mixed today with fabric featuring cutting-edge designs from Japanese designers. That mixture of old and new is what you’ll find in our chairs and what you’ll find us showcasing more at the show.


Galapagos Designs is one of the design partners at this year’s Independent Hotel Show, taking place at Olympia, 17 & 18 October. Galapagos is designing the Suite for VIPs and select partners to use. Lucy says: “We’ve chosen to marry luxury fabrics and furnishings with a slightly wild, colonial feel for the Suite – the theme is Hot House Jungle, so expect a lot of tropical planting and sumptuous chairs you’ll sink into lush green velvets and singing hot colour accents from our fabric partners ROMO, Linwood and Designers Guild, and some beautiful metallic accents in the lighting and accessories from Pooky Lighting and Rockett St George. We’re making the space into a real retreat, where hoteliers can take 10 minutes away from the crowds to recuperate or send a few emails, or have a private meeting in comfort.”

www.galapagosdesigns.com

www.independenthotelshow.co.uk

Cachet Boutique NYC2

Cachet to debut flagship boutique hotel in NYC

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Cachet Hospitality Group will open its inaugural US hotel, Cachet Boutique NYC, in Midtown Manhattan in September 2017.

The Cachet brand combines its design-centric aesthetic and East-meets-West hospitality, and infuses it with New York City flair to bring a unique food and entertainment experience to Manhattan. Cachet Boutique NYC will feature 105 rooms and villas, a Playboy Club NYC and two restaurants, EDEN and the Bellbrook.

Developed in partnership with Merchants Hospitality Group and designed by Cachet’s Bangkok-based design team led by Domenic Sicoli and Pauline Choo, in collaboration with NYC’s fashion designer Jay Godfrey, the property will feature robust programming that sets it apart from the crowded New York hotel offerings.

Cachet Boutique NYC has three discreet outdoor gardens, providing a unique urban oasis for guests to flow from the intimacy of their rooms to a spacious communal area. From

At Cachet Boutique NYC, unexpected cultural and artistic collaborations will reinforce the sleek, contemporary ambiance. Longtime fashion-world darling Jay Kos will curate a dynamic retail experience to complement the hotel’s high-end design and décor. In addition, the comprehensive hotel arts program will play a central role in highlighting the brands design-centric aesthetic, showcasing the best emerging modern artists from Asia and the US.

cachetboutiquenyc.com

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.