Hotel Designs

NEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR HOTELIERS, DESIGNERS AND INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS
Sani Dunes

Introducing Sani Dunes

 1000 656 Daniel Fountain
By:
1

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

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

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

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

www.sani-resort.com

Presidential Suite Bedroom

ONE UN New York completes $70 million refurbishment

 998 595 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

One UN New York redesign

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

One UN New York redesign

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

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

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

For more information, click here. . .

Jean-Michel Gathy

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

 750 457 Daniel Fountain
By:
2

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

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

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

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

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

 

Jean-Michel Gathy design and architecture trends for 2017

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

Jean-Michel Gathy on design, architecture trends for 2017

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

Jean-Michel Gathy on design, architecture trends in 2017

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

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

Jean-Michel Gathy on design, architecture trends in 2017

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

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

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

denniston.com.my

Boutique collection - Potenza - botanicals

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

 1000 631 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

Kobe's Enchanted - botanicals

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

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

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

www.en.kobe.eu

Versital at Royal Quays Marina, Newcastle

A daring look for Royal Quays Marina Newcastle thanks to Versital

 950 633 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.versital.co.uk

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

Photography: Daniel Parker

Marmorin Sand - Viero

Product Spotlight: Marmorin Sand from Viero

 1000 578 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

Marmorin Sand - Viero

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

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

Marmorin Sand - Viero

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

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

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

GROHE at ISH 2017

Water, Intelligence, Enjoyment: GROHE at ISH 2017

 1000 666 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

GROHE at ISH 2017

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

GROHE at ISH 2017

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

GROHE at ISH 2017

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

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

www.grohe.co.uk

Principal York

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

 999 559 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

Principal York

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

——
RELATED: The Principal York becomes triple award winner
——

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

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

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

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

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

Principal Hotels launches

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

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

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

phcompany.com/principal/york-hotel

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

£9.5m spa development at Rudding Park nears completion

 1000 603 Daniel Fountain
By:
2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pfullendorf DE logistics - Copy

Geberit invests 40 million euros in German logistics centre

 999 584 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chester

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

 640 476 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

Chester

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

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

Lympstone Manor

Lympstone Manor reveals design inspiration

 1000 599 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai opening end of March

 1000 562 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai opening March 31st 2017

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

Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai opening March 31st 2017

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

Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai opening March 31st 2017

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

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

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

viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

The Whitby Hotel

The Whitby opens in New York

 1000 753 Daniel Fountain
By:
1

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

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

The Whitby Hotel

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

The Whitby Hotel

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

The Whitby Hotel

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

The Whitby Hotel

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

Student Hotel

The Student Hotel group expanding across Europe

 937 521 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

Student Hotel

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

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

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

Student Hotel

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

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

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

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

Student Hotel

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.thestudenthotel.com

Hilton Dead Sea Resort

Hilton expands resort portfolio Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa

 1000 586 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

Click here for more information. . .

Travelodge Lincoln

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

 998 620 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

Hampton by Hilton - Dundee City Centre

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

 1000 631 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Versital specified for Mitchells & Butlers’ new hospitality concept

 1000 619 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Versital bar top specified in Marchmont Arms, Hemel Hempstead

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

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

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

www.versital.co.uk

sales@versital.co.uk

01204 380 780

Palé Hall

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

 900 553 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

palehall.co.uk

Mori Sushi Dubai - Viero

Project Spotlight: Viero at Mori Sushi, Dubai

 730 438 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

Mori Sushi Dubai - Viero

Mori Sushi Dubai - Viero

Mori Sushi Dubai - Viero

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

Il Sereno Lago di Como

Sereno Hotels announces official opening of Il Sereno Lago di Como

 1000 650 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

serenohotels.com/property/il-sereno/

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

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

 650 320 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brintons Zuzunaga collection by Christian Zuzunaga

Brintons Zuzunaga collection by Christian Zuzunaga

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

brintons.net

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

Superior Rose - looking out to sea - Roker Hotel

£1 million refurbishment for Sunderland’s Roker Hotel

 850 511 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

Cassia - a room with a view

Cassia – a room with a view

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

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

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

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

Masserie Maresca

Masserie Maresca to undergo restoration, extension

 1024 683 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.masseriemaresca.com

£360m development for Coventry city centre

Hotel plans as part of £360m Coventry development

 640 330 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hardwick Hall

North east hotel Hardwick Hall to undergo major refurbishment

 1000 592 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.hardwickhallhotel.co.uk

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

 600 400 Guest Author
By:
0

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

—–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Art Hide Carpets and Flooring

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.arthide.co/

Roca springs into action at BCFA Open

 999 647 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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


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

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

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

www.uk.roca.com

Hansgrohe UK on display in Ideal Home Show Homes

 998 538 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

Axor Starck - Hansgrohe

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

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

Hector Finch Table Lamps

Product Spotlight: Table lamps from Hector Finch

 693 268 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

Hector Finch table lamps

Hector Finch table lamps

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

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

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

www.hectorfinch.com

 

Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower

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

 874 436 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

Hotel Viu Milan opens in Porta Volta

Hotel Viu Milan opens in Porta Volta

 600 352 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

 

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

Hotel Viu Milan opens in Porta Volta

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

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

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

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

All photography: Tiziano Sartorio 

Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam

Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam slated for Spring 2017

 1000 564 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam

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

Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam

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

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

www.kimptondewitthotel.com

Z Hotel City - Lutron - Case Study

Case Study: Z Hotel City – Lutron

 1000 440 Daniel Fountain
By:
1

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

Z Hotel City - Lutron - Case Study

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

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

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

Z Hotel City - Lutron - Case Study

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

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

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

Z Hotel City - Lutron - Case Study

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

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

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

thezhotels.com/city

lutron.com/europe

Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru

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

 750 450 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

Style Library - Trends in design 2017

Guest Blog: Style Library – Trends in design 2017

 713 450 Guest Author
By:
0

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

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

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

StyleLibrary1

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

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

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

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

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

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

Style Library - Trends in design 2017

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

www.stylelibrarycontract.com

Dave Hart Redefine|BDL Hotels - opinion on business rates

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

 909 597 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.redefinebdl.com

Roca commissions Zaha Hadid design for interactive water display

 1000 666 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

Zaha Hadid - Roca bathroom showcase

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

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

Zaha Hadid - Roca bathroom showcase

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

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

www.uk.roca.com

Kobe's Enchanted autumn collection

Kobe UK at BCFA’s London Open

 999 539 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

01344 771653
01344 771663
salesuk@kobe.eu

Hacienda, 1 Hotels Cabo announces next phase of residences

 853 480 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

haciendacaboresort.com

1homescabo.com

Four Seasons Napa Valley

Financing secured for Four Seasons Napa Valley

 750 423 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Photo: KELSEY HARRINGTON | C&R COMMUNICATIONS

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

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

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

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

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

Viero's work with Henry Van Der Vijver

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

 999 647 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Debbie Smyth's work at the Great Northern Hotel

Debbie Smyth art installation live at Great Northern Hotel

 1000 667 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

Debbie Smyth's work at the Great Northern Hotel

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

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

Debbie Smyth's artwork at Great Northern Hotel

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

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

Palladium Hotels investing $21m in Caribbean/Mexican market

 950 569 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

Palladium Hotels

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

Palladium Hotels

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

Palladium Hotels

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

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

www.palladiumhotelgroup.com

Bathrooms - Bathroom Trends for 2017

Guest Blog: Bathroom trends for 2017

 960 507 Guest Author
By:
0

In association with…

Luxury Commericial Bath - Bathroom Trends 2017

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

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

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

Luxury Commercial Bath - Bathroom Trends 2017

 

Ananda Hua Hin

Ananda Hua Hin to launch with elite beachfront pool villa collection

 998 601 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

Ananda Hua Hin

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

Ananda Hua Hin

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

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

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

www.anandahuahin.com

Royal Yacht Britannia plans for Edinburgh luxury floating hotel

 850 478 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

Royal Yacht Britannia - Plans unveiled for new luxury floating hotel

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

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

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

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

Paris 'hot spot' for hotel investment

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

 960 477 Daniel Fountain
By:
1

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

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

Dirk Bakker, Head of EMEA Hotels, Colliers International

Dirk Bakker, Head of EMEA Hotels, Colliers International

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

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

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

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

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

Meetings and events - hoteliers looking to meet buyers?

Hoteliers – seeking buyers for meetings and events spaces?

 516 385 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

Nobu Ibiza Bay

Nobu Ibiza Bay opening this summer

 1024 453 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

Nobu Ibiza Bay

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

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

nobuhotelibizabay.com

Versital at Chaophraya

Versital specified in Chaophraya transformation

 900 600 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

Versital at Chaophraya

Photography: Daniel Parker

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

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

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

Design Hotels - Sir Adam, Amsterdam

Design Hotels presents six new members across four continents

 998 597 Daniel Fountain
By:
1

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

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

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

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

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

Design Hotels - Provocateur, Berlin

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

Design Hotels - Sir Adam, Amsterdam

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

Design Hotels - Altis Belem Spa and Resort

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

The Robey, Chicago

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

Design Hotels - The Warehouse Hotel, Singapore

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

Design Hotels - GLAD Live
designhotels.com

EMEA - Hilton's solid numbers in the region

Hilton surpasses 100,000 open hotel rooms in EMEA

 959 583 Daniel Fountain
By:
1

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

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

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

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

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

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

hiltonworldwide.com

Dusit Nanjing

Dusit bringing Thai-inspired hospitality to Nanjing

 1000 592 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

citizenM - Kuala Lumpur

citizenM Hotel to open in Kuala Lumpur in 2018

 871 512 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

——
REVIEW: citizenM Tower Bridge, London
——

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

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

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

www.citizenm.com

Moxy Excel

Moxy Hotels opens second property in UK

 767 428 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

moxy-hotels.marriott.com

Tamburlaine - Cambridge

Opening: Tamburlaine, Cambridge

 1000 544 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

thetamburlaine.co.uk

GROHE - AquaSymphony

Product Spotlight: GROHE AquaSymphony

 989 627 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

AquaSymphony by GROHE

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

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

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

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

GROHEAquasymphony2

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

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

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

www.grohe.co.uk

Hotel Designs Logo brit listV3-01

Announcing the Hotel Designs Brit List – nominate now…

 500 192 Daniel Fountain
By:
1

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

The Hotel Designs Brit List will be revealed via a glossy print publication this summer, with a party to celebrate the List taking place at Urban Coterie, London on Wednesday July 12th.

Venue Partner…
UCLogo_all_stacked_colour

Hotel Designs wants your help in selecting the UK’s top 25 hoteliers and 25 leading design professionals – by asking you, our readers, to nominate those you think deserving of recognition in both fields.

To lobby, simply email Hotel Designs editor Daniel Fountain via d.fountain@forumevents.co.uk briefly explaining why an individual should be considered for the Brit List. We will follow up with a request for more information at a later date. You can nominate yourself, a peer, a client or even a competitor. The closing date for nominations is April 3rd.

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

The Hotel Designs Brit List glossy publication will feature profiles of all 50 winners. There are a limited number of advertising and sponsorship opportunities available for this prestigious and influential publication – for more details contact Jennie Lane on j.lane@forumevents.co.uk, or call 01992 374098.

Duravit - Laura Negulescu

Laura Negulescu is promoted to Projects Director, Duravit UK

 550 353 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

With immediate effect, Laura Negulescu is promoted to Projects Director for Duravit UK.

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

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

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

Address Boulevard

Emaar unveils Address Boulevard in Downtown Dubai

 719 480 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

Address Boulevard

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

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

The new Bargello Suite - Hotel Brunelleschi

New Bargello Suite at Brunelleschi Hotel, Florence

 1024 425 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

The new Bargello Suite - Hotel Brunelleschi

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

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

The new Bargello Suite - Hotel Brunelleschi

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

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

The new Bargello Suite - Hotel Brunelleschi

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

brunelleschihotelflorence.com

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

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Bahamas set to open in April

 737 415 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

bahamar.grand.hyatt.com/en/

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

The Pilgrm – a new hotel opens this summer in Paddington

 999 572 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

Pilgrm Hotel

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

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

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

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

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

http://thepilgrm.com/

Grotta Giusti

Grotta Giusti, Tuscany, reveals plans for a stylish refurbishment

 1000 562 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

Grotta Giusti

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

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

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

grottagiustispa.com/en/

Geberit Acanto Badezimmer - Bathroom Collection

Product Spotlight: Introducing the Geberit Bathroom Collection

 1000 570 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

Geberit Acanto WT weiss lowres

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

2017 Bathroom Collection - Geberit

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

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

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

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

sales.gb@geberit.com

Gallery 1957 at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast

Kempinski Gold Coast Accra at the heart of Ghana independence celebrations

 1000 679 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra

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

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

gallery1957.com

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

Mila - Skopos

Product Spotlight: Mila – new decorative chenille collection by Skopos

 744 526 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

Mila - Skopos

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

Mila - Skopos

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

Mila - Skopos

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

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

www.skoposfabrics.com

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

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

 1000 667 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

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

 583 425 Guest Author
By:
0

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

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

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

GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

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

GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

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

GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

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

GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

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

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

GROHE - future-proofing bathrooms

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

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

Adriatic Luxury Hotels

Adriatic Luxury Hotels – collection of stunning Dubrovnik properties

 1000 563 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

Adriatic Luxury Hotels

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

Adriatic Luxury Hotels

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

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

Adriatic Luxury Hotels
adriaticluxuryhotels.com

 

137 Pillars Suites Bangkok Nimitr Restaurant

137 Pillars Suites Bangkok to open in April

 1000 500 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

137pillarshotels.com

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

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

Style Library Contract launches new SS17 Zoffany collection

 700 385 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.zoffany.com

Chris Stewart & Tim Walton - SVP Marriott - Courtyard Edinburgh

Marriott SVP officially opens Courtyard Edinburgh

 1000 666 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Four Seasons Hotel London

Four Seasons Hotel London scoops double 5-star rating from Forbes

 850 478 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Forbes Travel Guide has bestowed Five Stars, its highest designation on both Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane and the Spa at Four Seasons for the fifth consecutive year, making the hotel the only establishment in the city to ever achieve ten stars.

Commenting on the news, General Manager John Stauss said: “This is once again an outstanding honour for us all here at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. We could not be more delighted to be the only Hotel in London to have ever been awarded 5 stars for both the Hotel and Spa from the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide. We look forward to continuing to create incredible experiences for our guests”

Four Seasons Hotel London

Established London since 1970, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane reopened in 2011 after an extensive two-year transformation. Its crowning glory is the Spa at Four Seasons, located on the 10th floor atop the Hotel with sweeping views of the city.

Four Seasons Hotel London

Star ratings are awarded by a team of anonymous professional inspectors. In the words of Forbes Travel Guide, its inspectors “travel the world to assess hotels, restaurants and spas against up to 800 objective standards.” Star ratings ultimately emphasise quality of service. Five-Star properties are defined as “outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities.”

Worldwide, 30 Four Seasons hotels and resorts earned the coveted Five-Star designation in 2017, setting the record for the highest number of Five-Star awards given to a single brand in the history of the Forbes Travel Guide Ratings.

fourseasons.com/london

Belmond Mount Nelson

The Belmond Mount Nelson reveals its guestroom redesign

 900 600 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Inge Moore and her London-based design team have completed the refurbishment of 48 guestrooms and suites in one of the world’s most iconic hotels – Cape Town’s Belmond Mount Nelson. The design intent was to recreate the original spirt of the grand old hotel, which opened in 1899 and was said at the time to be as elegant as any fine London hotel, while updating it in such a way to engage today’s connoisseur travellers and lovers of exceptional hotels.

Inspired by Heritage
Capetonian heritage and influences were therefore the foundation to the designers’ thinking and this was a narrative that proved to open up layers of design opportunity. Once, seafarers from around the globe discovered the Cape and made it home, embracing what she had to offer and combining this with what they had brought from their previous lives. Local materials, rustic timbers, beads and clay brought together with sparkling crystal, silver cutlery and fine bone china created a new vernacular that uniquely belonged in the Cape. It was this mixing of the old and the new, the refined and the artisanal that Inge has translated into the refurbished guestrooms. Importantly, just as the “Nellie” has always been, the redesigned rooms are comfortably residential in feel. For the many loyal guests who return year-after-year, the ambience of their room will be reassuringly familiar while there will be much to discover that is new and enchanting.

The Belmond Mount Nelson reveals its guestroom redesign

“The Mount Nelson is one of a small handful of hotels that epitomise the inheritance and soul of their location, so they must be subtly moved on within the continuum of their beloved personality,” says Inge.

Connected with Nature
The gardens, lovingly tended and matured over the decades since the hotel first opened, as well as the breath-taking view of Table Mountain mean that Mount Nelson Hotel is the place to contemplate both the majesty of untamed nature and the beauty of man’s work with nature. The redesign celebrates both. Windows and casings have been restored and painted white, while the new drapery pelmets are smaller than before, effectively opening up the windows and framing the views. Guests can now better connect with what is outside and take the emotion with them as they relax inside. The bed is the centrepiece of each room, focused on the view and, at the foot of each bed, there is a local ‘riempies bank’ – the bench introduced to the Cape by the early settlers and locally made. Each room has a “chair to dream in”, a deeply comfortable armchair placed at a vantage point to soak up the panorama and allow the guest a place to slow down and feel what is important to them, be it to think, read or just to be.

Other heirloom furniture includes dark timber tables and cabinets with brass and leather detailing, while some furniture has been specially designed as a modern take on traditional pieces. There are idiosyncratic pieces, such as a beaded mirror, introduced to balance the collection and ensure the rooms retain an air of light hearted residential randomness. In re-planning the rooms, wardrobe space has become as generous as each room allows to meet the needs of the many guests who stay for a week or more.

The Belmond Mount Nelson reveals its guestroom redesign

All materials are classic, timeless and locally sourced. Originally, the hotel had timber flooring. Now, new oak flooring has been introduced into some suites, scattered with rugs crafted by local carpet weavers. Natural leather and linen abounds and antiqued and bevelled mirror reflects the sparkle of crystal and the sunshine dancing through the room. Drapery is soft and calming in tone, locally embroidered with a flower motif to bring a biophilic context – a love of life and things natural and hand-made – to the design. The guestrooms are light and airy on sunny days but they will also be cosy and cocooning when the sea mists and rain roll in. “They are rooms for slow living, a place to nest and connect with one’s emotions,” says Stan Chan, a senior member of the design team.

Telling the Story through Art
Artwork is a major part of the experience and the rooms have been lovingly accessorised with collections of objects and over-scaled paintings curated by Janine Bath in collaboration with Inge. All of the art is by local artists, some is contemporary and some depicts the beautiful landscapes of this part of the world in a new way.

“I think that art in hotels is either just decorative or it has real meaning – there is nothing in-between,” says Inge. “When we have the opportunity to develop art with local artists, it creates the meaning of the project and sets the tone. For Mount Nelson, I wanted to celebrate the amazing Cape and bring this into the hotel.”

The Belmond Mount Nelson reveals its guestroom redesign

The new artworks have joined many fine existing pieces which have been re-framed in a contemporary manner, complimenting the traditionally classic images of landscapes and flowers. Guestroom corridors have been transformed with new art offering a journey through the work of some of Cape Town’s most interesting established and budding artists, combined with the existing collection. The introduction of additional chandeliers and crystal wall lights provides new sparkle as well as more light, the tones of paint replicate heritage colours favoured in domestic settings in the late 19th century and a new sisal-inspired carpet hints at the hard-wearing floor coverings of the turn of the century.

“I want guests to feel like they are walking through the corridors of a beloved aunt’s amazing home,” concludes Inge.

All photography: Micky Hoyle

belmond.com/mount-nelson-hotel-cape-town/

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

A new generation – 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opens

 1000 666 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

1 Hotels has opened the doors of its third property and first ground-up development, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. Remaining true to 1 Hotels founder Barry Sternlicht’s core philosophy; ‘the world around us is beautiful, and we want to keep it that way.’ The property cultivates the best of eco-conscious design, sustainable architecture, cause-oriented partnerships, and unrivaled service.

Situated at Pier 1, just south of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, in Brooklyn Bridge Park with sweeping waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was developed by a joint venture partnership between Starwood Capital Group and Toll Brothers City Living, and it was designed by New York-based architecture studio, INC Architecture & Design.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

The property features 194 guest rooms, including 29 two-to-six-bedroom suites and The Riverhouse, its Presidential Suite, with most rooms offering panoramic views of the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York City skyline. The project also includes the adjoining new condominium, Pierhouse, which consists of 106 townhome-style residences spread across two waterfront buildings and is sustainably and beautifully designed by Marvel Architects.

The lobby of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opens to a dramatic 25-foot green wall, featuring steel grating covered in hand-placed plants and creeping vines that will evolve over time, created by landscape architecture firm, Harrison Green. A two-story industrial spiral staircase is punctuated by a sculpture of obsidian rock boulders wrapped in hand-dyed rope by Rachel Weiss. The dwellings are complemented by a 4,000 square-foot rooftop, nine-treatment room Bamford Haybarn Spa (opening in June 2017), a state- of-the-art fitness centre, a yoga and barre studio operated by POE Yoga, two restaurants, an intimate 10th floor lounge, a 50-seat screening room, and lobby cocktail service.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

“Confronted with how far Americans were lagging behind in changing our consumption habits, I created 1 Hotels to show sophisticated travelers that they can do good, live well, and connect with both the world and the community around them,” said Barry Sternlicht, 1 Hotels Founder and the Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group. “Today, with the opening of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, my vision is now realised. We were able to select every material and develop mindfully, yet the space’s main purpose remains to serve, entertain and inspire with some of the best amenities found in the New York hospitality market.”

Narrated by Nature
The 10-storey hotel occupies Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85-acre beautification project that stretches 1.3 miles along the East River waterfront. The hotel project originally began in late-2011, however when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast in 2012, 1 Hotel’s architectural drawings for the Brooklyn Bridge property had just been completed. Due to the damage and destruction, the team was informed the waterfront zoning had changed, requiring 1 Hotels to raise the building by three feet along with other code changes such as relocating mechanical equipment to the roof. Meanwhile, they could not raise the overall height of the building, which triggered a massive redesign effort.

Rather than whitewashing the delay and changes caused by Sandy, the 1 Hotels team opted to honor the force of nature by tapping Olivié Ponce, an artist and creator in Bushwick, Brooklyn, to paint a watermark in remembrance of Hurricane Sandy along the walls of the corner suites.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Committed to sustainability and preserving the environment, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was built under LEED® guidelines and underscores the following efforts:
– The design of the hotel features a 54 percent ratio of regional and reclaimed materials, including original heart pine beams from the former Domino Sugar Factory, walnut from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and pine flooring from the Old Crow Distillery in Kentucky.
– The hotel will eventually boast a LEED Dynamic Plaque™ which will measure and display the building’s eco-conscious practices in real time.
– 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge operates a rain-water reclamation system that will reduce storm water runoff into neighboring water streams by more than 50 percent prior to the site development. The water collected will irrigate the park during summer months. (Roughly 5,000 cubic feet of water is projected to come from the hotel.)
– The property uses 100 percent wind power energy.
– The hotel features low-energy light bulbs, a Triple Clear water purification system, in-room recycling bins, and fresh dining offerings.
– 1 Hotels has committed to donating a percentage of sales from in-room dining and goodthings (the hotel’s mini bar) to Action Against Hunger, a global humanitarian organisation that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger.
– The hotel features a nature-driven art collection, including a textured rubber sculpture, “All OVEREACHOTHER,” created by Jarrod Beck from massive rubber pieces of roofing that were stripped from a big box retailer’s roof during a tornado that touched down unexpectedly in Utica (Upstate New York) in the summer of 2014.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Rooms & Suites with a Lady Liberty View
The interiors of the 194 guest rooms and suites were designed to honor the historical significance of one of world’s busiest waterways—the East River. The most stunning feature is a sleek floor-to-ceiling sliding window that transforms the guestroom into an open-air den with skyline views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Furnishings include a porous stone-looking table of composite wood, leather chairs and pendant leather lampshades. Many of the design details in the rooms are by local artisans, from the “crate” inspired, open-slatted wood closets, corrugated leather headboards, to the Fresnel glass light fixtures.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

1hotels.com/brooklyn-bridge

Sun Gardens Dubrovnik Joins The Leading Hotels of the World

Sun Gardens Dubrovnik joins The Leading Hotels of the World

 1000 667 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Sun Gardens Dubrovnik has recently announced it has become a member of The Leading Hotels of the World (Leading Hotels), a prestigious collection of independent luxury hotels.

Julian Houchin, Commercial Director for the Management company, said of the announcement: “We are delighted to officially become a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and sit alongside the many other luxury hotels and resorts recognised around the world for being leaders in the hospitality industry. It is a testament to our commitment to exceeding our guests expectations and we look forward to continuing to elevate our guests’ experience together with Leading Hotels and are committed to surpassing the standards by which the company holds its partners accountable to.”

“We are very pleased to welcome Sun Gardens Dubrovnik to our collection of uncommon, independent luxury hotels,” said Deniz Omurgonulsen, Vice President, Membership, The Leading Hotels of the World. “Bringing a new level of sophisticated resort living to the warm and welcoming Adriatic coast, the hotel immerses its guests in this much sought-after destination, providing discerning, curious travellers with an enriching and distinctly local experience.”

The 408-room resort, comprising of a five star 201-key hotel and 207 one, two and three bedroom residences, is an established luxury beacon, situated just 11 kilometres from the UNESCO World Heritage city of Dubrovnik, within the community of Orašac. Since it’s opening, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik has successfully positioned itself as one of Europe’s leading luxury resorts attracting families, couples and individuals from over 100 countries. Furthermore, it has firmly secured its place as one of Europe’s leading destination resorts appealing to conference organisers looking for a new and exciting venue for incentives and product launches.

Maraska Bar - Sun Gardens Dubrovnik

Set directly on the coast with expansive views of the sea, the resort facilities include a world-class Spa by OCCO, a sports centre, a variety of restaurants and bars, featuring local and international cuisine, a supermarket and shops and extensive conference facilities.

Sun Gardens Dubrovnik - The Residences - sea view

The Spa by OCCO has continually been voted as one of the best spas in the world and has been widely recognised as one of the most comprehensive along the Dalmatian coast. From a Thalassotherapy Spa Bath with an invigorating 252 power jets to an indoor pool and extensive range of treatments including a traditional coal sauna, salt sauna, hammam and aromatherapy steam room, the spa caters for new and discerning spa goers.

dubrovniksungardens.com

Sir Adam, Amsterdam

Sir Adam opens in Amsterdam

 1000 557 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Amsterdam has welcomed a new headliner as Sir Adam took to the decks at the city’s landmark A’DAM Toren for its official opening. Drawing inspiration from its creative neighborhood, the hotel perfectly combines first-class musical credentials with its own inimitable brand of artful luxury.

For Sir Adam’s visual identity, renowned New York-based design studio ICRAVE was responsible for creating an environment that reflects the raw power and musicality of the space it inhabits. Embracing the original structure of the tower, exposed concrete pillars and ceilings frame the interiors, while floor-to-ceiling windows allow the city’s iconic skyline to take center stage.

Sir Adam, Amsterdam

“Sir Adam is like Amsterdam: cool, edgy, creative, culturally-rich, a little off-beat— but always interesting,” says Liran Wizman, CEO of Europe Hotels Private Collection. “Sir Adam’s cutting-edge design combined with the innovative lifestyle programming of the A’DAM Toren is committed to fun and will bring a new dimension to the Amsterdam hotel scene.”

Sir Adam, Amsterdam

Award winning designers ICRAVE were entrusted with the design of Sir Adam’s 108 luxurious guestrooms, which are dotted with curated works from local artists, and custom-made furniture and lighting. Elements such as a Crosley Cruiser record player and mirrors etched with song lyrics nod to the hotel’s achingly cool musical neighbors such as Sony and Gibson. Bathrooms are outfitted in calacatta tile and feature rainfall showers and signature DEAD CLEAN amenities. Corner rooms also boast full-length windows overlooking the capital’s historic center and pulsating port.

Sir Adam, Amsterdam

Rejecting the concept of the traditional and staid hotel lobby, Sir Adam introduces The Butcher Social Club, a “living lounge” that comprises an oh-so-cool gourmet burger joint, an island bar with live DJ sets, and a river terrace with mobile bar. Featuring a two-storey living green wall and dotted with original artworks, game tables, and swing seats, the open, flowing space is a versatile and eclectic spot for guests and locals alike.

Sir Adam, Amsterdam

On the mezzanine overlooking The Butcher Social Club, music junkies will truly find their tribe at The Hub, a co-working space-meets-concept store. Sir Adam’s Music Library is also on hand to ensure the party never stops, featuring a curated collection of new and exclusive tracks all accessible by Bluetooth.

Sir Adam, Amsterdam

From here, a spiral staircase ascends to the Beergarden, a rooftop drinking den that serves Amsterdam’s best craft beers amid lush, landscaped greenery and sculptures. Boasting a panoramic vista over the city, the sky-high space is sure to play host to the capital’s hottest events, accommodating up to 200 guests.

siradamhotel.com

Viero Loyalty Competition

Competition: Viero UK – rewarding loyalty

 750 528 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

When it comes to loyal customers, Viero UK always likes to say thank you.

That’s why this year we’re offering a generous reward for the clients that keep coming back to us time and time again.We acknowledge and appreciate the great faith our customers put in us to continue specifying and applying our products.

Up for grabs is the chance to enjoy a luxury trip to the company’s headquarters in Italy. Applicators, architects and designers can qualify for the trip by reaching an agreed spend on Viero UK products between 1 January and 1 September 2017.

The trip includes:
• Return flights to Pisa
• A tour of the Viero factory
• Dinner and drinks in the city of Pisa
• Sightseeing trip to Lucca (The Walled City)
• Wine tasting and lunch in one of Tuscany’s finest vineyards
• Accommodation in a luxury hotel

To find out more about this prize and how much spend is required to qualify, email sales@viero.co.uk for more details.

Mantra Club Croc

Iconic Queensland hotel reborn as Mantra Club Croc

 999 583 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Mantra Group has officially opened the new-look, rebranded Mantra Club Croc hotel, following a major $5 million refurbishment to bring a fresh design and upgraded facilities to the iconic Airlie Beach hotel.

Situated close to the beachfront and Abell Point Marina, Mantra Club Croc is housed in a traditional Queenslander-style building, offering a glimpse into the region’s past, contrasted by its modern accommodation and facilities.

Guests can now experience stylish accommodation with coastal inspired décor, a range of new and improved guest amenities such as a large lagoon pool with adjoining spa and lush tropical gardens, and locally-inspired cuisine at the hotel’s new contemporary poolside restaurant and bar.

Mantra Club Croc

In addition to the refurbishment of all 160 guest rooms, the restaurant and bar, common areas and leisure facilities, the upgrade also includes an executive makeover of the hotel’s conference centre, which accommodates events from 20 to 200 delegates with a comprehensive range of facilities.

Mantra Club Croc

Mantra Club Croc General Manager Luke Harley said the hotel’s rebranding marks the conclusion of the hotel’s multi-million dollar refurbishment program.

“The refurbishment has breathed new life into the much-loved hotel and has brought it up to the premier Mantra brand standards,” said Mr Harley.

Originally opened 30 years ago in 1987 and now meticulously restored and refurbished, Mantra Club Croc is an important property, not just for Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays, but also for the international Mantra brand.

Mantra Club Croc is Mantra Group’s third Whitsundays property, joining Mantra Boathouse Apartments and Peppers Airlie Beach.

Mansion House across lilypad covered canal - The Grove

The Grove, Hertfordshire

 1000 666 Daniel Fountain
By:
1

‘20 miles from central London…’.

Think of that radius and you likely imagine yourself still amongst the concrete jungle of Greater London. But with The Grove in mind, it’s time for a re-think. This 18th century country estate replete with championship golf course and world-class spa is as far removed from the hustle and bustle of the capital as is possible to imagine.

The historic mansion, formerly the family seat of the Clarendon earldom and which forms only part of The Grove’s offering, has a storied past – having at various points in time been a girls’ boarding school, a health centre and a riding school. These days, it’s better-known as a haunt for the famously wealthy and wealthily famous. But all of that’s to ignore its sublime mix of the traditional and contemporary – or as interior design director Martin Hulbert calls it; ‘grand and groovy’. For the most part, he’s done a good job of capturing both.

The luxury hotel is split into two very distinct (perhaps too distinct) parts – the original mansion and the new wing – and Hulbert’s latest work at The Grove has been concentrated on revisiting the event spaces, which within the modern West Wing definitely lean towards his ‘contemporary and groovy’ ethos. More than a decade on from his original vision for the 5-star luxury resort, Hulbert’s design group Martin Hulbert Design (MHD) has incorporated a two-fold brief of revamping and reinvigorating existing spaces with reconfiguring and reimagining to give each a unique identity.

Cedar Suite - The Grove

Of the venue, Hulbert himself says: “The Grove is an incredibly inspiring place for special events, full of wit and flair, wonderfully unexpected and naturally inspired – the original interiors had lasted really well, they just needed a shot in the arm, something to push them forward into the future.

“Coming back to The Grove, we knew that it still had to be quirky and interactive, but things have changed in the last 15 years, people now want a beautiful space to work with,” he adds.

The Grove

With the new suites – Cedar, Amber and Ivory – he has given the people exactly what they want. The two separate units of Amber and Ivory both now have a dedicated entrance with their own reception desks. Artwork plays an extensive role in the décor of the newly imagined suites; with much of it commissioned especially. What impresses me most is the way the feel of the spaces is maintained however they are used, with the flexibility of the spaces based on guests’ requests having also been well thought through in the design process.

The jewel in the crown of The Grove’s spaces, however, is the oval-shaped pavilion that houses the Cedar Suite – the first time MHD has led the architectural process. With the structure jutting out into the hotel’s gardens, Hulbert has incorporated the natural light from them perfectly with the walls of the pavilion being formed of floor-to-ceiling glass and its eco-green-roof. Inside, the wooden floor is outshone by a ceiling of what I’m told are ‘acoustic leaves’ – inspired by those in the Royal Albert Hall. For an event space, it makes for a refreshingly welcome visual treat.

The Cedar Suite - The Grove

From the pavilion, the Cedar Suite extends into the main building – with a new private entrance. The entrance canopy has also been specially designed, using Verdigris copper, uniting the spaces. And every element is bespoke, either commissioned by, or designed by, MHD. In the centre of the entrance room is a working sculpture – creating a focal point – namely a vast steel table, suspended between two steel columns, which moves up and down using a series of weights and pulleys. The result is a multitude of options: a table for dinner, a cocktail bar, a centrepiece to cover in flowers or a canopy to dance underneath, setting the elegant yet industrial feel that is evident throughout. And this is what Hulbert has done well with these spaces; there is a definite minimalist blend between industrial chic and natural inspiration, which gives The Grove a uniqueness in selling the spaces over other venues.

The Cedar Suite - The Grove

After my tour, I get a chance to check out the hotel’s renowned Sequoia spa, which itself has also recently been renovated. It is a spectacular example of a hotel wellbeing complex; being both state-of-the-art and thoroughly well-designed. During a short show-round, I’m told it has recently been recognised by the Good Spa Awards and it’s easy to see why.

Swimming Pool

I check into my Deluxe room in the more modern west wing – housing 191 of the hotel’s rooms – and am struck immediately by the excellent size of the room, which means having everything required of a room without it feeling cluttered; followed closely by the stunning views over the grounds from my balcony window. The nature-inspired design seen throughout the public spaces downstairs is prevalent in the rooms, with autumnal browns, golds and yellows strongly featured throughout.

The choice of furniture and textural finishes to the room are of an extremely high quality. The bathroom is just as luxurious, with a free-standing roll-top bathtub and a separate shower unit; the artwork and colour scheme continuing the theme from the living area. The workspace is suitably supplied with power sockets; the 50-inch smart, plasma TV is well placed; and if there was one negative to mark it was the modest wardrobe space – only an issue if more than one person was staying in the room.

Deluxe Room - The Grove

Deluxe Room - The Grove

Editor’s note: The aesthetics of these rooms – while clean, modern, defined and unfussy – might not be to everyone’s taste for a ‘country retreat’. For a more period, rustic and ornate feel, one of the 26 rooms in the original mansion might better suit this remit. The overtly contemporary elements of the west wing aren’t dominant here, instead rooms retain a traditional finish with antiques, deeper hues and opulent fabrics.

The Grove - artwork

On my way down to dinner, I notice how much artwork plays a role in giving The Grove an edge. Even dotted around amongst the corridors, stairways and outdoor grounds are eccentric, conversation-starting fixtures and pieces – from modern representations of Margaret Thatcher to ornate chandeliers to black-and-white photography of giraffes – which gives off just the right amount of edginess. Indeed, in a nod to Hulbert’s philosophy of blending contemporary with traditional, the lounges and the fine-dining offering Colette’s – the ‘heart’ of the Mansion – retain the character and tradition with a period-style feel, grand ceilings and elegant furniture, while The Glasshouse and its connecting bar definitely represent the sleek modernity, with up-to-the-minute décor of blacks, reds and whites; while the gastro-pub-style Stables sits somewhere comfortably between the two.

The Grove - the lounges

View through the Lounges

Colette's - The Grove

I had heard of The Grove before my stay. Afterwards, I can now express first-hand why this is a unique venue. The levels of service are as expected from a 5-star hotel. The standard of the interiors, the amenities and produce cannot be faulted. But the dichotomous design approach in respecting the old and embracing the new makes this a ‘country estate’ with a difference, and a very good one at that.

Perhaps these dual personalities – you could stay in either section and rarely interact with the other – could bleed into each other slightly more without such stark division to truly show off the ‘grand and groovy’ ethos more seamlessly. Or perhaps that’s just me being too pedantic. In any case, kudos Mr. Hulbert, this is fine work…

Based on a stay in December 2016
Photos: Daniel Fountain // The Grove
www.thegrove.co.uk

Pontlands Park - Bespoke Hotels

Bespoke Hotels welcomes Pontlands Park to boutique collection

 1000 471 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Bespoke Hotels is delighted to welcome Chelmsford’s historic Pontlands Park Hotel to its growing network of fine independent hotels. Originally built in 1879, this family-owned property features Victorian era architectural flourishes across its 35 rooms, as well as extensive landscaped grounds and modern events and conferencing facilities.

Pontlands Park - Bespoke Hotels

An ideal venue for weddings and celebrations, with internal and external spaces able to accommodate up to 200 guests, the family-run Pontlands Park is located just 35 minutes from Central London by train, a stone’s throw from Chelmsford and the Essex countryside, and just 15 minutes from the M25. Boasting an expansive restaurant, offering a seasonal menu and relaxed, lounge-style dining, it is equally well suited to candlelit dinners or family days out.

Pontlands Park - Bespoke Hotels

“We are extremely pleased to be working to support Pontlands Park”, said Nick Turner, Managing Director of Bespoke Hotels International. “The property is a real gem in the East of England and has huge potential, both in terms of its rooms, as well as the first-class events and wedding facilities on site. We are excited to be working alongside the Bartella family to maximise this as we look to the future.”

Pontlands Park Hotel
West Hanningfield Road, Great Baddow
Chelmsford, Essex
CM2 8HR | 01245 476 444

bespokehotels.com/pontlandsparkhotel

Versital named Best of Houzz 2017 winner

 1000 612 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Versital are delighted to have been announced as a winner of the Best of Houzz 2017 Awards, winning a prize in the Customer Service category. Houzz, the leading platform for home renovation and design has a community of more than 40 million monthly unique users, a million of which are home building, home improvement and design industry professionals.

Versital is a family-run British manufacturer producing bespoke stone resin bathroom surfaces such as shower panels, vanity tops and shower trays in luxurious finishes such as granite, gloss and faux marble. Their products are used on major commercial and residential projects including the Andaz Liverpool Street hotel and Greenwich Peninsular.

“We are delighted with the win”, says Gemma Stockberger, Head of Marketing and Sales at Versital. “We really try to inspire and this award is testament to the high standard we always strive to deliver from specification through to delivery, and it is fantastic that our efforts have been recognised and rewarded. Versital products are the perfect solution for any home – the final look is incredibly bespoke.”

Best of Houzz Service badge

The Best of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. The Customer Service honours are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2016. Winners are awarded a “Best of Houzz 2017” badge that will appear on their Houzz profiles, as recognition of their commitment to excellence. This in turn will help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals on Houzz.

Andrew Small, MD of Houzz UK and Ireland says, “We’re so pleased to award Best of Houzz 2017 to this incredible group of talented and customer-focused professionals. Each of these businesses was singled out for recognition by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts for helping to turn their home improvement dreams into reality.”

Click here to visit Versital’s Houzz profile and view their ideabooks, projects and customer reviews.

SEVERIN*S - The Alpine Retreat

Experience awe-inspiring art in the Arlberg at Severin*s

 1024 683 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Severin*s – The Alpine Retreat, Lech’s hot new luxury chalet hotel, is delighted to reveal an extraordinary living art collection in partnership with Vienna based Contemporary Art Advisors.

In addition to its nine sumptuous suites, four-bedroom private residence, cuisine by Michelin starred chef Stephan Kriegelstein, phenomenal mountain views and beautiful interiors, guests to Severin*s – The Alpine Retreat are also able to experience a world-class art collection, which adorns the hotel’s walls.

SEVERIN*S - The Alpine Retreat

Contemporary Art Advisors, led by experts Valentin Kenndler and Thomas Lugmair, has curated a collection of 80 cutting-edge works of art that give the rustic Alpine interiors a modern edge. Walls made of wood reclaimed from the Tyrolian region play host to original pieces by internationally acclaimed artists including Julian Opie, Jim Dine and Roy Lichtenstein, which have been mixed with emerging artists from Austria, Germany and Italy. Prices range from 2,500 to 150,000 euros with all art available for guests to buy and refreshed on an annual basis by Contemporary Art Advisors.

SEVERIN*S - The Alpine Retreat

Highlights of the collection include Roy Lichtenstein’s ‘Sweet Dreams Baby’, a limited edition signed print from 1965, valued at 150,000 euros and best admired over an après ski cocktail in the hotel’s Alpine inspired bar. Severin*s – The Alpine Retreat also boasts an original 1973 Lichtenstein from the ‘Bulls Head Series’ valued at 58,000 euros and a signed and numbered 1969 ‘Haystack’ for 16,000 euros. A modern Markus Huemer master-piece commands attention in the lounge, whilst suites and public space have also benefited from contemporary art touches throughout.

SEVERIN*S – The Alpine Retreat celebrates launch
As well as bringing internationally acclaimed art to the Alps, Severin*s – The Alpine Retreat has introduced a new level of style and luxury to Lech with its nine super-suites, fine dining restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Stephan Kriegelstein, an Alpine inspired bar, wine cellar, indoor swimming pool with sauna, steam and infra-red cabins, a spa suite, as well as a four-bedroom private residence within the chalet, which comes complete with a home cinema, kitchen, lounge with a grand piano, office and outdoor hot-tub.

severins-lech.at/en/

Duravit Desginer BIM

Digital construction with Duravit Designer bathroom projects now available on BIMobject®

 1000 548 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Programme and modularise an entire building? In the future, this will be common practice as digital construction is one of the most important developments in the industry.

“Building information modelling” (BIM) is a method with tremendous potential: comprehensive databases of information enable the planning, construction and operation of a building, both in the digital and real world. BIM can also be used by companies working in the sanitary, heating and air-conditioning sector.

Duravit is now expanding its BIM data portfolio (so-called Revit files) and has joined the BIMobject® global network. On the BIMobject® website and on its own professional portal pro.duravit.co.uk, Duravit offers all the necessary BIM files to download for architects, planners and the sanitary, heating and air-conditioning trade. Joining BIMobject® has enabled the designer bathroom manufacturer to hugely expand its offering. And this is set to continue: “In the next few years, the BIM file portfolio is to be expanded continuously”, says Albrecht von der Groeben, Chief of International Sales, Duravit AG.

Duravit Desginer BIM

Quality assurance and transparency
Digital planning that also includes the construction and operation of the building project enables exact and more comprehensive quality assurance. This should lead to greater transparency in the construction phase and, later, to lower operating and maintenance costs. So-called integral planning based on the BIM method is already required for public projects in the USA, UK and Spain.

As providing the best possible support for all kinds of bathroom planning is part of the Duravit commitment to its customers, the designer bathroom manufacturer is now making more than 150 BIM files available on its own professional portal pro.duravit.co.uk and on the BIMobject® network. For years, Duravit, one of the first manufacturers in the sanitary sector to do so, has been offering a huge portfolio of planning data (dxf, dwg) and now also BIM files to download from pro.duravit.co.uk.

Duravit Desginer BIM

Three-dimensional product visualisation
The BIM method enables the presentation of Duravit products in various degrees of detail. In addition to the graphic and planning possibilities, the file also contains product information, such as the name, article number and dimensions. Thanks to 2D and 3D visualisations of the products, the files permit precise design and modelling of the bathroom in building projects.

The provision of this large volume of BIM files on pro.duravit.co.uk and BIMobject® expands the Duravit service offering and enables optimum bathroom design and realization – even in complex bathroom projects. With this step, the designer bathroom manufacturer is promoting the development of integral planning in the modern construction industry. At the same time, the company is consolidating its position as a reliable partner for architects and property developers and this is reflected in numerous international projects. These include hotels, such as the Alpina Gstaad, large-scale projects, such as the Burj Khalifa, The Opus by Zaha Hadid or public buildings, such as the new Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. Duravit’s international project management covers more than 130 countries and offers professional support in project planning and implementation.

Es Saadi Resort, Marrakech

Es Saadi Marrakech Resort recognised in Condé Nast Gold List

 1024 678 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Es Saadi Marrakech Resort is pleased to announce its inclusion in the latest edition of the US Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List.

The Palace features as one of only five mentioned hotels in Morocco. A leading voice in luxury travel the Gold List recognises Condé Nast Traveler’s best and most favourite hotels in the world, where uniqueness and authenticity are paramount and the hotels offer you an unforgettable experience.

Es Saadi Marrakech Resort boasts the most exceptional offerings in hospitality, accommodation and over all experience and is why the team at Condé Nast Traveler have chosen to include it as one of the best places to stay in this vibrant city. The Palace knows it is important for guests to feel welcome visit after visit, whilst offering an extraordinary stay. With these outstanding attributes, it’s an honour to see the resort on the Gold List, celebrating iconic hotels and old favourites.

Es Saadi Resort, Marrakech

The Bauchet-Bouhlal family are honoured to see the Resort featured in the Gold List. Acknowledging the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List, the Resort Development Director Caroline Bauchet-Bouhlal commented: “We are delighted to be recognised by such a renowned and world-class publication. We take huge pride in offering our guests the ultimate and most unforgettable experience possible.”

Es Saadi, which means “The Happy One”, was created by Jean Bauchet and his wife in 1966, artists and owners of the Moulin Rouge and Casino de Paris. It has been in the Bauchet-Bouhlal family for three generations, run with passion and dedication.

Es Saadi Resort, Marrakech

Located in the heart of the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Marrakech, in the quiet residential district of Hivernage and facing the snowy summits of the Atlas. Es Saadi is an oasis of splendour, mixing luxury, refinement and Moroccan tradition. Surrounded by eight hectares of majestic gardens, planted with orange trees, bougainvillea, roses, palm trees, banana trees and has a “lagoon” swimming pool of 2400 m2 with a circular bar immersed in water.

The Palace is a majestic building and offers 92 suites, 10 private villas around the gardens and 8 Ksars. All suites overlook the garden and have views of the Atlas Mountains. The furniture is built in accordance with this tradition. The 3,000 m2 Palace Spa, built around a 100-year-old eucalyptus, offers a unique wellness experience, offering traditional and technical care, signature massages, chronotherapy and also daily yoga for maximum relaxation and serenity.

Es Saadi Resort, Marrakech

On the third floor, the restaurant ‘La Cour des Lions’ is a perfect fusion of modernity and traditional, in an oriental palace, offering its guests a panoramic view of the park and menu, elaborated by the chef Fatéma Hal, honouring the forgotten traditional dishes.

Culture plays a large part of Es Saadi’s charm which the hotel hosting frequent events, such as exhibitions, auctions, theatre, etc. The hotel also exhibits Madame Elisabeth Bauchet-Bouhlal’s stunning collection of Moroccan paintings and contemporary art for all to enjoy.

In 2017, the hotel will be celebrating its 50th anniversary and the Palace’s 10th. For this monumental occasion, to be recognised in the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2017 is an honour and a great reward.

Edwardian Hotels - Leicester Square project

London’s deepest hotel basement ‘bottoming-out’ ceremony

 491 278 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

On 17th February, Edwardian Hotels London will celebrate the ‘bottoming-out’ of its bold new development in Leicester Square.

The project, a four-sided island site, is to be transformed into a 350-room property, complete with leisure facilities, an Odeon cinema complex and a restaurant below ground. There will be an additional eight levels above ground.

The luxury lifestyle hotel, due to open in 2019, will be an impressive property complementing London, in particular the West End, and continue the ongoing improvement of and investment in Leicester Square.

Guests will be hosted by Commercial Development Director Iype Abraham and Creative Director Rob Steul from Edwardian Hotels London.

Viero - Contest

50 fine years – Viero celebrates half-a-century

 650 486 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Tradition and innovation is something that Viero prides itself on when it comes to developing new products for the surface finishes industry.

This ethos of work is particularly relevant this year as Viero celebrates its 50-year anniversary. As a business, we are looking to appreciate and celebrate this milestone while looking ahead to another half century as market leaders.

Director Chris Walters said: “As well as our fine range of products, a great appeal of Viero to our customers is our illustrious history.

“As a company, we have developed a strong reputation for the work we do within the industry. “It is important to mark and celebrate these milestone moments.”

Rich history
A lot has changed since Viero’s launch in 1967. This was the year Pacifico Viero and Duilio Isabella set up the business in the Italian province of Novara. It was here that Viero started the production of its textured wall coatings and paints.

Growth has been a core success of the business over the past 50 years. So much so, that today the company has expanded its business operations into 50 countries with almost 200 partners worldwide. This network allows us to assist architects, interior designers and developers on their projects throughout the world.

To mark our special birthday, we have launched its very own competition to celebrate. Click here to find out more about this anniversary competition.

Iberostar App

Tech Focus: Iberostar launches new App for guests

 750 434 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

In line with the digital transformation of the hospitality industry and the brand’s commitment to providing guests with the most innovative products, IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts launched its newIBEROSTAR APP application, a phone app for guests that will enable them to enjoy their experience at the hotel to the fullest.

The Majorca-based chain is constantly evolving and continues to invest in the improvements of its products and services to offer the best experience to all its guests. This effort is seen in projects such as the development of the new app, opening new channels of communication between the hotel and its guests.

The new tool is an app designed and developed entirely by the company and will therefore not depend on other products on the market. The platform will be open to future innovations, and has the capacity to incorporate new functions such as opening room doors or as a payment platform, positioning it at the forefront of the industry and as a unique benefit for Iberostar guests.

Designed to make the browsing, search and booking process simpler and more efficient, as well as enabling guests to select the experiences they wish to enjoy during their stay at the hotels, the IBEROSTAR APP includes:

  • Three intuitive sections including bookings and access to the web check-in service that will make the arrival procedure even faster and more convenient
  • The IBEROSTAR Experience, includes an interactive map that provides guests with access to all the hotel’s services and facilities, as well as full details of the gastronomy options, from booking a table at any of the restaurants or consulting the room service menu and ordering dinner to their room
  • The e-concierge function, whereby users can contact the hotel staff at any time, and employees can chat with guests in real time and resolve their needs and requests. The app also offers users the chance to make the most of their stay by taking advantage of services such as the late check-out, luggage storage or even checking courtesy room availability
  • The app also includes a timeline indicating the various events and activities available on-site each day. Users will have the option to save these activities on their mobile calendar and can share on social media, providing a global view of everything that is happening at the hotel in real time

With the launch of this new app, the three stages of Iberostar guests’ travel experience are covered: ‘before’ with the online booking and check-in options; ‘during’, thanks to the wide range of services available and important guest information; and ‘after’, as the app is also a new lasting communication channel between the company and its customers.

The app has already been tested at ten Iberostar hotels in Spain and the Caribbean and will gradually be incorporated into the company’s other hotels during 2017. Iberostar APP is available in Spanish and English and can be download for free through App Store and Google Play.

Hard Rock International announces launch of Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen

HRI announces launch of Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen

 1024 591 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Hard Rock Hotels announces the launch of its first hotel in China, Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen. Slated to open in summer 2017, the new Hard Rock property will offer a luxury stay for modern travelers who are seeking a reprieve from traditional accommodations.

Blending pop culture and premium hospitality, Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen promises a host of world-class leisure, dining and entertainment options and the thread that unites them all – music.

Destined to become a new landmark in the Guangdong region, Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen will continue the brand’s tradition of presenting memorable moments through music. Whether a guest prefers rap, pop, reggae or R&B, travelers can experience an unparalleled music amenity program –The Sound of Your Stay – offering complimentary in-room Fender guitars and DJ-equipment.

Hard Rock International announces launch of Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen

Throughout the property, guests will enjoy rare and valuable memorabilia on display. Carefully chosen from Hard Rock’s world-famous, 80,000+ piece collection, each prized piece celebrates legendary music icons from around the world.

The 258 rooms and suites feature a creative mix of music-inspired décor and modern Chinese elements. A range of high-end accommodations, including Studio Suites, Rock Royalty Studio Suites and Rock Star Suite®, provide the ultimate all-access pass to a luxury VIP experience, as well as stunning views of the surrounding area.

Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen

“We are proud to bring the Hard Rock Hotel experience to Mainland China where consumers are equally passionate about music and travel,” said Peter Wynne, Area Vice President of Operations – Asia Pacific Hotels, Hard Rock Hotels. “While Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen will offer a one-of-a-kind luxury experience, guests can expect the same music-centered fun as other Hard Rock Hotels around the world. As our brand has proven over the years, nothing is more universal than a love of music and having a great time.”

Located in the famed Mission Hills Centreville, Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen offers convenient access to the world’s number one golf course and close proximity to an extensive range of leisure, wellness and entertainment offerings. Hard Rock Hotel is located 45 minutes from Shenzhen Bao’An International Airport and 35 minutes from the city centre.

Ethereal - Wilton Carpets

Product Spotlight: Make waves with Wilton’s Ethereal collection

 998 592 Daniel Fountain
By:
2

“We set out to make this new collection our first focused solely on inspirational design and the result doesn’t disappoint,” says Damian Roscoe, head of creative, on the latest collection from Wilton Carpets. “Inspired by a natural aesthetic with an emphasis on textures and layers, Ethereal delights in the beauty of decay on a backdrop of classically beautiful pattern,” he adds.

With worn Persian effects, deconstructed and broken patterns and tattered, layered florals; Ethereal is certainly a collection of the moment. Capturing an aesthetic that is both intimate and beautiful, it is the first in the new Designer Collection series from Wilton Carpets. A personal expression of Damian’s craft, Ethereal represents an exciting step for Wilton Carpets.

James Sprint, CEO of Wilton Carpets, comments: “Clearly inspirational, this new collection is the first to truly show the creativity of our designers without the usual practical limitations, such as designing for a particular location, and the results are astounding. With Ethereal, we are truly embracing our status as a design-focused carpet manufacturer. It is a range that marks our intention to become famed for carpet design at the top of its game.”

Designed and made in Britain, each Ethereal carpet is crafted in a high-quality 80/20 wool blend and can be specified in any quality. With the ability to adapt any of the seven woven axminster designs in a colourway suited to your interior, this is a collection that offers huge potential for designers looking to strike out with statement carpet.

For further information contact Wilton Carpets on 01722 746000 or sales@wiltoncarpets.com

Massive DoubleTree by Hilton New York designed by Gene Kaufman opens

 750 494 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

The massive DoubleTree by Hilton New York – Times Square West, designed by Gene Kaufman Architect, has opened at 350 West 40th Street, between 8th and 9th avenues.

At more than 200,000 square feet and offering 612 rooms, the towering 35-storey DoubleTree is the largest hotel Gene Kaufman Architect has ever designed and the largest to open in New York City in many years. Its arrival follows the groundbreaking, in November, of another enormous Times Square-area hotel designed by the firm, a 518-rooom, 35-story Hyatt Place at 350 West 39th Street.

The new DoubleTree sports a dramatic façade. A red brick masonry street wall wraps around a courtyard that transitions to a setback tower. The tower’s slate blue windows and metal work take advantage of the uninterrupted western exposure to capture the illumination of the sunsets.

Massive Doubletree New York designed by Gene Kaufman opens

Said Gene Kaufman, founder and principal of Gene Kaufman Architect: “We are tremendously proud of the DoubleTree. It is not only our biggest hotel project ever, but the final touch for a block that we have helped to transform from a backwater into a fully integrated part of the bustling Times Square area.”

As the westernmost hotel on 40th Street the DoubleTree has upper-story guest rooms that offer unparalleled views of the Manhattan skyline, as does the hotel’s 4,000-square-foot Lovage Rooftop & Indoor Lounge. This dramatic glass-enclosed space boasts 17-foot floor-to-ceiling windows 36 stories above Times Square.

Gene Kaufman Architect’s interiors group, led by Natalia Tordorova, designed Lovage, which has a custom laser-cut mercury mirror brick wall, chainmail columns, walnut herringbone-and-polished cement floors, and chairs in stroke-painted velvet upholstery and Christian Lacroix fabrics.

The interiors group also designed Magnolia Restaurant, a ground floor American bistro and bar with an expansive bar and 6,000 square feet of interior and exterior dining space. White brick, natural textiles, rich wood and polished brass are illuminated by sphere pendant lighting and complemented by camel-brown leather upholstery, basket-weave fabrics, and linens of plum and soft cream.

The two venues are the latest properties of Addison Hospitality Group, for which Gene Kaufman Architect’s interiors group previously designed the 5,000-square-foot Monarch Rooftop & Indoor Lounge at the Marriott Courtyard Herald Square that opened in 2013.

“I am thrilled to once again team up with New York City’s leading design house, Gene Kaufman Architect,” stated Ric Addison, president of Addison Hospitality Group. “There is an abounding synergy between both of our brands, which was evident in our collaboration on Monarch Rooftop & Indoor Lounge in 2013. Their ideas are fresh, cutting edge, and visionary, and I am confident that Magnolia Restaurant and Lovage Rooftop & Indoor Lounge will reflect their talent and creative sense of style that is uniquely their own.”

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Guest Blog: New hotels join Small Luxury Hotels Of The World™

 950 550 Guest Author
By:
1

Following our recent 2017 travel trend predictions, we’re bringing you the latest on our newest hotels to look out for in 2017…

The Caribbean takes centre stage

The Manoah Boutique Hotel: Shoal Bay, Anguilla – Opened December 2016
Every aspect of the brand new Manoah Boutique Hotel has been designed to celebrate its stunning location on the shores of Shoal Bay. Opened in December 2016, the 25 bedrooms and suites are decorated in cool neutral shades and each room has a private glass-fronted veranda overlooking the beach. The resort boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens plus two tropical beach bars. Guests can opt to spend their days at the tranquil Manoah Spa, or relax on the powdery white sands of Shoal Bay taking in the view. Water sports such as paddle boarding, kayaking or scuba diving can also be arranged. Inspired by a delicious mix of global cuisines, chefs at the Ocean Beach Club Restaurant have created a unique menu using fresh seasonal produce, best enjoyed accompanied by the sound and sights of the sea.

SLH Insider Tip: With local stables nearby, spend an evening on horse-back with a sunset beach ride on Cove Bay.

SLH1

The Reef by CuisinArt: Anguilla – Opened November 2016
Desirably situated on Merrywing Bay on the tranquil island of Anguilla, The Reef by CuisinArt debuted in November 2016, revealing a beachfront contemporary oasis featuring 80 suites, directly on the Caribbean Sea. The hotel offers an array of accommodation, some with sea views and others that are right on the white sand beach with dramatic outdoor Jacuzzis. Fresh locally sourced ingredients from the on-property hydroponic farm and fresh seafood fill the menu at the nautical inspired fine dining restaurant, The Yacht Club, and the casual cool beach front bar and restaurant, Breezes. The architecture and design of the hotel is fresh and modern, with touches of colour and the sea brought inside and ocean views from almost every window.

SLH Insider Tip: Head to the other end of the island and take a boat out to tiny coral island, Scilly Cay, for live music, delicious lobster and for what many hail as the best rum punch on the island.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Le Barthélemy Hotel and Spa: St Barthélemy – Opened November 2016
This exclusive oceanfront resort is SLH’s first property in St Barth’s. The hotel opened its doors in November 2016, welcoming guests to its 46 rooms and suites with interiors by celebrated designer Sybille de Margerie and cuisine by Michelin-starred French chef, Guy Martin. The elegant boutique hotel perfectly captures the laid-back luxury of St Barth’s, with light airy interiors and genuine island hospitality. The bright and airy rooms and suites are decorated to reflect the white sands and turquoise blue of the ocean and each one opens out onto a private terrace with ocean or garden views and private swimming pool. Aux Amis, the resort’s restaurant serves a light menu during the day and in the evening the space opens onto a beachfront terrace where guests can enjoy French and international cuisine overlooking the bay. The hotel’s spa has partnered with luxury French skin care brand La Mer and offers a wide array of treatments in its open-air atrium.

SLH Insider Tip: On the south-east tip of the island sits Anse de Columbiere – this undeveloped bay is only accessible by foot or by boat and is a peaceful haven for those seeking somewhere secluded to swim and sunbathe.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Paradise Beach: St Kitts and Nevis
Exclusivity, intimacy and personal service are key at this beachfront resort on the utopian island of St Kitts and Nevis. Boasting an idyllic location – nestled into a glorious white-sand beach and overlooking St Kitts and Mount Nevis – Paradise Beach Nevis has the distinction of being the only villa resort on the Caribbean island of Nevis. The resort is child friendly and the villas for up to eight people make it a great option for a family getaway. Each of the seven villas is its own personal palace with a marble or limestone bath, king beds, a sound system which allows guest to stream their own music, fitness studio, dining rooms for private meals, a private pool, a sea view and kitted out with Hermés bath products. The hand woven, palm roofs were designed to mirror the Nevis Peak, which, combined with lush gardens and an amazing beach, provide a paradise of luxury and tranquillity.

SLH Insider Tip: Probably one of the more well-known attractions but still well worth the hype is the Sugar train –the last scenic railway in the West Indies. The double decker carriages have open sided top decks for guests to enjoy the breeze along with their rum punch and the sounds of the trains own choir.

SLH4

Point Grace Resort and Spa: Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
An all-suite hideaway surrounded by perfect sandy beaches as far as the eye can see, Point Grace Resort and Spa overlooks the stunning Grace Bay and is SLH’s first hotel in Turks and Caicos. The tropical resort is turn-of the-century style with a contemporary twist and consists of 25 suites all spanning over 1,000 square feet, two restaurants and the Thalasso Spa, where treatments are inspired by the ocean. Grace’s Cottage, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant is an architectural gem featuring picturesque outdoor seating where old world elegance meets modern gourmet cuisine. Guests can also enjoy lunch and breakfast at Hutchings, which is nestled in a tropical garden and serves casual food with a Caribbean influence. A unique collection of African tribal crafts and artwork can be found dotted around the hotel, most of which are locally sourced from the island and lend an insight into the culture and travel experience of the turn of the century West Indian traveller.

SLH Insider Tip: If you’re a wildlife lover visit the Leeward settlement, an uninhabited islet known as ‘Iguana Island’ – a sanctuary for the endangered Turks & Caicos Rock Iguana.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Unique Island Escapes

Kokomo Island: Kadavu Islands , Fiji – Opening March 2017
Combining luxury, sustainability and unspoilt beauty, Kokomo Island is Fiji’s newest and most exclusive private island resort, situated on the edge of the celestial Kadavu Island group. Kokomo Island opens in March 2017 and is the first SLH hotel in Fiji. The boutique property is encircled by the untouched Great Astrolabe Reef so ideal for diving enthusiasts (the hotel has its own Dive Centre for guests). The 21 villas, owner’s beachfront residence and five hilltop residences are designed for privacy and comfort, featuring sustainable design and traditional Fijian touches, all alive with character. Guests can enjoy fresh, sustainably-sourced produce at the resort’s three restaurants, as well as a number of dining experiences including a chef BBQ and private island picnic. The Kokomo Island spa blends world-class Sodashi products with rejuvenating indigenous Fijian beauty rituals to create signature treatments. The hotel is a personal passion project for Australian billionaire property developer, Lang Walker, who, together with his family, has brought his vision for an island paradise like no other to life.

SLH Insider Tip: Visit the nearby manta ray cleaning station, where manta rays come to get freshened up by wrasse fish, and take the opportunity to swim with the rays.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Naxian Collection Luxury Villas and Suites: Naxos, Greece
Situated on the lesser known Greek island of Naxos, Naxian Collection is a chic hill-top retreat with ten sugar cube white villas and suites providing a serene sanctuary. The cave-like rooms are decked out with minimalist interiors, cream walls, bamboo screens and giant bathtubs. Each room offers stunning views over landscaped gardens, lagoons and nearby Naxos town, which is just two miles away. Pretty Agios Prokopios beach is just a ten minute walk from the property and there are plenty of walking or horse-riding trails to keep outdoorsy guests busy. The hotel’s kitchen boasts plenty of local organic ingredients and traditional Naxian recipes from the property’s own organic field, free-range chicken coop, nearby olive groves and the family vineyards. It also has its own wine cellar which is home to a formidable selection of local wine.

SLH Insider Tip: Try and time your stay with a classical music concert or violin recital at the Venetian Museum of Naxos in the Kastro which offers live entertainment year round.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Sikelia: Pantelleria, Italy
Known as the ‘Black pearl of the Mediterranean’, Pantelleria is a perfect escape for adventurous travellers willing to voyage a little further to be rewarded by natural volcanic hot springs, a rugged coastline, spectacular caves surrounded by the bluest of seas and warm volcanic waters to swim in. The enigmatic owner, Giulia Pazienz, ensures all the service is personal, friendly and sincere. Built out of an ancient dammuso, designed by the island’s most famous resident architect – Gabriella Guintoli, the wild beauty of the island is reflected in the hotel itself. Ancient pottery, glazed painted tiles and predominantly dark shades throughout lend an air of drama to the property. The 20 rooms are unique yet share a stylish design with meticulous attention to the finer details, with Frette linens and Hermés products in every bathroom. At the hotel’s restaurant, Themá, the chef combines fresh fish and shellfish with vegetables grown in Sikelia’s own garden, serving bold flavours from Arabia, Africa and Southern Italy. This is all served with intense, aromatic wine from the owner’s estate, made from the Zibibbo grape, indigenous of the island.

SLH Insider Tip: For a more informal dining experience, guests can head to the owner’s Coste Ghirlanda Wine Laboratory which is flooded with candles and offers a rustic cosy vibe where guests eat under the stars on communal kitchen tables.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

www.slh.com/

Park Inn by Radisson, the colourful and dynamic mid-market brand, has announced the opening of its first property in Polokwane

Park Inn by Radisson opens its fourth hotel in South Africa – in Polokwane

 555 322 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Park Inn by Radisson, the colourful and dynamic mid-market brand, has announced the opening of its first property in Polokwane. The Park Inn by Radisson Polokwane is the ninth hotel in South Africa by The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world.

Located in Limpopo, the country’s northernmost province, the hotel’s proximity to the neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, as well as a convenient distance from Kruger National Park, make it the ideal regional gateway to South Africa.

The hotel has 160 rooms with full-length windows to let in plenty of natural light and views to serene gardens. Park Inn by Radisson is only 9km from Polokwane International Airport and 3km from city centre of the Limpopo capital. Other facilities include a bespoke Smart Meetings & Events concept in three versatile event rooms that can seat up to 100 delegates. Park Inn by Radisson offers free high-speed WiFi access throughout the hotel.

The new hotel’s all-day dining Live-Inn Room Restaurant provides a lively, welcoming experience to relish multicultural cuisine, incorporating the brand’s international flair with a unique African twist. In addition, the hotel also features an open plan bar that leads to the terrace and outdoor pool.

Nisha MacDougall, General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson Polokwane, said, “My team and I are proud to bring Park Inn by Radisson – a brand that adds color to life – to Polokwane. We are looking forward to delivering a fresh, energetic and vibrant hospitality experience to our guests. We welcome the world to Polokwane to enjoy colorful moments and enjoy the best of South Africa.”

Radisson RED Krakow

Radisson RED to open in Krakow, Poland

 588 400 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world and a member of international Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, is proud to announce the signing of the first Radisson RED in the Central Europe, notably in Krakow.

Casinos have always been beautiful, mysterious places. They are the epitome of luxury and extravagance, and their hotel designs are no exception, which you can find more about at AustraliaCasinoReviews. Whether they are built inside of casinos or in proximity to them, these hotels offer an experience that is unmatched anywhere else. One of examples is the Radisson RED hotel in Krakow.

Casino players tend to stay in the Radisson RED hotel in Krakow, according to a study. The hotel offers a variety of amenities and services that appeal to those who love to gamble. Some of the features that make the Radisson RED stand out include its location near the historic center of Krakow, as well as its excellent customer service.

This kind of hotels all have a variety of amenities that make them ideal for casino players. They offer beautiful views, luxurious rooms, and top-of-the-line restaurants. In addition, they are close to major casinos so that players can easily get to their games. These hotels offer a great atmosphere and have all the amenities that casino players need. They also have great restaurants and bars that make it easy for players to get their fill of entertainment.

Radisson RED is Carlson Rezidor’s new lifestyle select brand that is inspired by the growing customer need for new experiences, fashion, music and art. RED boasts a forward-thinking focus on design and detail, the guest, personal interaction, individual choice and recognition of the increasingly important role that technology plays in facilitating the best of everyday life. The world’s very first Radisson RED hotel opened its doors in Brussels in April 2016, in Minneapolis in November 2016 and the brand plans to have 60 hotels operating globally by 2020.

Casino players love to stay at the Radisson RED in Krakow. The hotel has plenty of amenities for its guests, such as a casino like for example: https://topcasinosuisse.com/en/ , a spa, and a fitness center. Guests can also take advantage of the numerous dining options available in the area.

Casino players in Krakow like to stay at the Radisson RED. The hotel offers a great location, top-notch amenities, and fantastic customer service. Plus, the casino offers an impressive selection of games and a fun atmosphere. In addition, the hotel’s restaurant is highly popular with locals and tourists alike.

Casino players in Krakow love to stay at the Radisson RED hotel. Located near the city center, this property offers great amenities and comfortable rooms. The casino is also a popular spot for visitors, with an impressive range of gaming options available. Guests can enjoy slots, blackjack, poker and more.

The newly built hotel is expected to be completed by fall of 2019 and will feature 230 rooms, signature restaurant and bar concept, meeting space and 24/7 fitness centre. The property will be an integral part of the development of the largest high-rise building in Krakow’s, Unity Centre, within walking distance to the central train station and Cracow University of Economics. The project is developed by Treimorfa Project, a joint venture entity of Eurozone Equity Company and GD&K Group.

The Radisson RED Krakow will be managed and operated by The Rezidor Hotel Group. This property celebrates the 8th Radisson RED under construction in EMEA.

‘Change in the air’ at Nottingham’s oldest hotel

 1000 633 Daniel Fountain
By:
0

Nottingham’s oldest 76-bedroom hotel is delighted to announce that change is in the air. From the opening of The George suite, to the launch of a brand new lobby concept and the recent Curious Tavern on the ground floor with more to be revealed.

The Mercure Nottingham City Centre George hotel is set to introduce a number of further developments that will elevate guests’ stay to an extra level of excitement.

After six months of careful planning and creative design work by The Curious Design Company, Mercure Nottingham is proud to showcase the brand new concepts for the discerning traveller. In keeping with the hotels historical elements of traditional English heritage, the new areas take their cue from the design concept of The Old George period elements with a modern twist, allowing practically and a fresh feeling room.

Daniel Brown, Managing Director of The Curious Design Company said: “The hotel is full of inspiration being Nottingham’s oldest hotel so wanted to draw on traditional period fabrics such as tartan and elements of lace to add to Nottingham’s rich heritage. The bathroom suite was influenced by Victorian bathrooms which matches the era in which the rooms were created.”

Mercure Nottingham - Curious George Design

The George suite pays homage to traditional English style incorporating a separate living area, secret sleeping quarter and bathroom. To complete the space a few surprise design features feature in the lobby and fascinating trinkets along the library walls. A disguised door in the giant bookcase leads you into the main bedroom.

Modern elements of the equation feature in the overall design of the suite; flexible application of mood lighting, large windows with excellent views of Nottingham city centre, giving the suites abundant natural light.

Set the mood and play your tunes with an integrated Zonal Bluetooth speaker system. The built in system streams music wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device.

A further update, which takes the design into 2017, is the array of luxuries the suites offer. A roll-top bathtub, complete with a stock of luxury toiletries allows guests to enjoy an optimum wellness experience. Meanwhile, modern hospitality services and amenities, such as complimentary 24-hour Wi-Fi connection and a Nespresso coffee machine are sure to make every guests’ stay at Mercure Nottingham City Centre George Hotel truly extraordinary.

It does not stop here; there is more to be revealed at the hotel in the coming months.

TowerEight - Hotel Construction facts

Guest Blog – TowerEight: 13 things about hotel construction

 767 407 Guest Author
By:
0

Thousands of new hotel rooms have to be built every year to cater for demand in the UK. More than 7,000 will be built in London in one year alone.

According to PWC, the hotel occupancy rate in the UK’s capital is as much as 84%. With nearly 150,000 hotel rooms in London that is a lot of bookings, and the average room rate is £145. With the hotel market continuing to grow, specialist teams are put in place by developers to ensure that rooms are up to the standards that guests demand in modern, world-class facilities.

The following list from TowerEight highlights the specialist considerations that developers need to think about when building a new hotel, and how both art and science are involved in creating the perfect hotel room…

1. What To Do With Corridors
Corridors are a tricky issue in hotel developments given that they are non-revenue generating, yet still need to feature on almost all levels. A sign of a good hotel architect is the minimal use of corridors wherever possible, without compromising the design, to maximise revenue-generating space. Alternatively, corridors can be used to generate revenue, whether by showcasing artwork that can be purchased by guests or as an advertising space for food and beverage offers.

2. If Everyone Has a Bath at the Same Time…
Most boilers in hotels are oversized and only run at 60% efficiency. Even ‘green’ hotels are only able to handle 75% of the peak demand. So, with average occupancy at 84%, hotels have to hope that guests don’t all choose to have a bath at the same time. Though, with the most popular times for ablution being pre-breakfast, and pre-dinner, it must be close sometimes.

TowerEight - Hotel Construction facts

3. Wear and Tear
Hotel furnishing and fittings are gauged by “rub rate” i.e. the amount of wear they can take. Hotel designers choose a fabric for curtains and carpets by its ability to be hard-wearing. In a top London hotel, cashmere may be used for the curtains, cushions and throws, with a typical rub rate in the low thousands. In cost-conscious hotels, a wool mix carpet would be expected to be trodden on more than 2,000 times!

4. Cost Per Key
Working with hotel developers, you will frequently hear the term ‘cost per key’ as opposed to cost per sqm/sq. ft. as used in commercial/residential sectors.

TowerEight - Hotel Construction facts
5. The Environment
Increasingly, environmentally conscious hotels are utilising ‘greywater’. This is recycled (and filtered onsite) water taken from showers and reused to flush toilets. In these hotels, you have a one in two chance of having come across the same water during a long stay! However, this solution is obviously much better for the environment.

6. How Often to Paint
Hotels are typically refurbished every three to four years, dependent on the level of maintenance they receive and the planned level of fatigue for the room décor at the time of construction. Refurbished does not mean redesigned, a refurb might mean a lick of paint and a deep clean. On average, a budget hotel room may receive more than 20 tins of paint in a 10-year period, compared to more than 40 tins in one of London’s luxury hotels.

TowerEight - Hotel Construction facts

7. Clever Design Tricks
Many guests assume a little undercut to their bathroom door means it is poor fitting, but it’s actually a regular design facet of many hotels, there to help air circulation and extract moisture from the bathroom.

8. Keeping Up With Trends
Tea and coffee making facilities (TCMF) are a bit of a throwback and there is a developing trend of incorporating social hubs into hotel lobbies, receptions and surrounding pop-ups instead. We predict that TCMF will continue to reduce, or evolve into something more personalised.

9. Practical Colour Schemes
It is rare to find a hotel room with solid colours – patterns, flecks and multiple colours are nearly always used to hide wear and tear or stains!

10. Fresh Air
Fresh air to a room either comes through the window, if it can be opened, or is ducted in through the system – typically installed in the lobby. Hotels of more than three stories will rarely ever have windows that can open fully because of the threat of legal action around any unfortunate guest that tries to climb out.

TowerEight - Hotel Construction facts

11. Solving Problems
Hotels are traditionally graded by the views (i.e. sea view) so internal hotel rooms are generally perceived as a lower class and let at lower rates. The aim is to achieve 100% occupancy at maximum rate. To get around this, designers make clever use of light-boxes and light rails in corridors to imitate light, allowing hoteliers to successfully let internal rooms with no natural light. The irony of the situation is that most people check in post 5:30pm when it’s already dark outside.

12. Height Challenges
Hotel signage at high level is often installed by abseilers. A team of between two to three guys can erect a 10-metre hotel sign, more than 10 stories high, in just 48 hours.

13. Tradition
Most hotels don’t have room or floor no.13…superstition still rules!

towereight.co.uk