Retailers looking to leverage the growing demand for luxury bathroom accessories need look no further than HiB’s new Zircon mirror range.
Guaranteed to ensure broad appeal, the Zircon features a stunning LED illuminated frame giving brilliant quality light ideal for putting on make-up or using the tweezers. Its sleek form and slim depth makes it ideal even in small bathrooms, while the reflection of light creates an illusion of extra space.
More so, there’s no need to get all steamed up about shaving with the Zircon mirror with the integration of a heated pad helping to keep everything crystal clear. It is also operated by a sensor whereby users just need to wave their hand to turn the light on or off.
Zircon can be hung either portrait or landscape and is available in sizes 50cm, 60cm and 80cm.
Ash Chilver, sales director at HiB comments: “Zircon is a guaranteed crowd pleaser for consumers looking to make a real style statement in their bathroom; injecting a contemporary appeal while also creating the illusion of more space and light. With sharp styling and sleek operation, we predict this as the next best-seller amongst our popular mirror portfolio.”
The Harlequin Studio has produced Amazilia, a stunning collection of fabrics and wallcoverings based on extravagant tropical motifs in magnificent colourways.
The prints characterise the collection, encompassing delicate hummingbirds, botanically-drawn butterflies, fashionable feathers, glossy oversized leaves and etched elephants in stately procession. They are completed by ikat embroideries, trellis-style weaves and a stunning, mosaic-like tapestry weave depicting tessellated tulips.
Fauvisimo is a stunning collection of fabrics, comprising dramatic and painterly designs, inspired by the vibrant colours and bold brushstrokes of the early 20th Century’s Fauvist art movement.
Its prints, which feature British birds, flowers and landscapes, are stunning in their spontaneous, liberated interpretation of the beauty and intensity of colour found in nature. The layering of rich, contrasting tones develops warmth and energy against the cooler backdrop of natural cloth.
The powerful colour palette ranges from cobalt blues and deep magentas to moody greys, sultry black and on-trend mustards, and includes softer highlights of muted greens, blush pinks and honey shades. Including embroideries, jacquards, weaves and prints, Fauvisimo’s refreshing fabrics, with their strong emphasis on colour, will add ebullience and character to any interior scheme.
Wolverhampton’s premier independent hotel, The Mount is celebrating after completing an extensive £1.5 million refurbishment of its bedrooms and creation of nine ultra stylish new suites.
Acquired by Aspen Leisure in 2012, The Mount has been slowly transformed over the last four years, with the Victorian Manor House sympathetically restored and brought back to its former grandeur. Listening to the local community, Aspen undertook the mammoth task of creating somewhere to really put Wolverhampton on the map. The restoration focused on protecting the existing character and charm of the Grade II listed building, bringing new life to the space that has been attracting guests since first opening its doors in 1952.
With luxe, modern facilities to rival any five-star establishment, work is finally complete on five new suites and four new junior suites. The modernisation joins other high-end features including a revamped courtyard, champagne bar and upgraded wedding and conference facilities.
Photo: The Mount Hotel Tettenhall Facebook page
The team behind the chic revamp hopes to build on its achievements with additional regional and national awards later this year. The beautiful boutique hotel already holds an award-winning AA Rosette for its restaurant, a Laterooms Award for Excellence 2015 and stellar reviews on TripAdvisor. As a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Winner in 2014 and 2015, the hotel continues to go from strength to strength.
Owner Scott Bernard said, “The Mount is one of Wolverhampton’s most historic and best-loved hotels. It has a special place in history and in the hearts of local people. We took on the project in the hope of returning it to its former glory, and judging by the feedback and awards we have received, we have managed to do just that. We’re delighted to have completed the new suites, which mark the final stage in a four-year project. We look forward to building on the successes over the last couple of years and adding to our portfolio of awards and recommendations.”
With 66 bedrooms and a choice of standard, executive and deluxe options, alongside a fully-serviced apartment, the Mount provides the ideal base for both formal and informal occasions. The unrivaled range of 12 purpose-built conference and syndicate rooms, three executive period style board rooms and a modern purpose-built training centre complete with state-of-the-art audio-visual and presentation equipment, set the hotel apart from others in the area.The mount now also benefits from a fully equipped fitness studio.
The Mount also has a long history of providing a fantastic backdrop for weddings and special celebrations thanks to its grand and ornate character. As one of the only venues in the Midlands to be able to offer a civil ceremony in manicured gardens, as well as options for up to 150 guests inside its Great Hall and Mander’s Suite, The Mount Hotel looks set to continue its tradition of providing a perfect setting for that special day.
As a final stage of the revamp, the hotel is launching its new website this week. Showcasing all of the hotel’s fantastic facilities, the website will allow visitors to view guest rooms, meeting facilities and purchase custom gift vouchers online .
This month, after nearly three years of planning and development, highly-anticipated lifestyle hotel EAST, Miami, is accepting reservations and opening its doors on May 31st in the heart of Miami’s Brickell district.
The anchor hotel for Swire Properties’ $1.05 billion (£728 million), 5.4 million square-foot mixed-used development, and the first of its kind for the Hong Kong-based brand in the United States, will feature destination dining, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, cutting edge technology, and quality amenities available to both local residents and visitors to Miami.
The hotel will offer a distinctive and unconventional experience for individuals who seek innovation, style and personalised service, building upon the success of the EAST brand, which includes EAST, Hong Kong and EAST, Beijing.
EAST, Miami offers 352 guest rooms to include eight suites and 89 residence suites all owned and operated by Swire Hotels. Ranging in size from 300 to 1,800 square feet, the contemporary rooms, suites, and residence suites feature balconies with views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay, floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in rain shower, and complimentary WiFi. The one-, two- and three-bedroom residence suite options also offer fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities along with access to all amenities and services of the hotel.
The overall design of EAST, Miami was developed by award-winning, Miami-based architectural firm Arquitectonica, with specific restaurant and lounge interiors designed by Studio Collective, embracing both ancient and modern day building methods. Within each room, public space, and lobby, guests will delight at the collaboration between New York’s Clodagh Design, an agency who embraces both ancient and cutting edge methods in an effort to comfort not only the body but also the mind.
Bathroom specialist Bauhaus is proud to introduce the new Driftwood finish, bringing enduring yet sophisticated design to the brand’s Glide ll collection.
Perfect for those looking to embrace the trend for natural materials in the home, the wood veneer finish offers customers a refined take on the ever-popular ‘rough luxe’ interior design style, whilst still retaining all of the range’s signature functionality.
Pair the Driftwood finish with timeless white bathroom fittings to achieve a minimalist Scandinavian space, or for a more dramatic style, look to a darker colour palette. Expertly crafted from superior quality and durable materials, the Driftwood finish offers a deep grained hard-wearing surface, ideal for withstanding the hustle and bustle of day-to-day living.
Reflecting time-honoured cabinet making skills, the entire Glide ll range epitomises fantastic value, no matter the finish you choose. Designed to cover a variety of individual preferences, select from the collection’s three alternative finishes in Wenge, American Walnut or White Gloss for a crisp and contemporary bathroom design.
Offering ample storage space, a concealed pull down laundry drawer and user-friendly soft closing drawers, the furniture solutions are perfect for creating a practical and stylish space designed to suit the whole family. For a clutter free environment from all of the family’s essentials, choose from multiple layout concepts that sit neatly inside the pull out, soft closing drawers for effortless organisation.
Since the new five star Intercontinental London – The O2, opened at the beginning of the year it has garnered impressive reviews and already has a reputation for its superior finish throughout and stunning public areas.
London-based family firm Distinction Hotel was brought in by Grove Developments and the Arora Group who required luxury upholstery and case goods for five lounge, bar and restaurant areas. Distinction was also invited to provide desk chairs and sofa beds for the 427-bedroom hotel, with a look and feel inspired by iconic designs.
“We were involved in a lot of the decision making and together we created a distinguished and effective product that is continuously receiving outstanding views from visitors.” says Thomas Elliott, Sales and Marketing Director at Distinction.
The hotel’s Eighteen Sky Bar is a destination space for hotel residents, a rooftop bar on the 18th floor where far reaching views of the London skyline vie for attention with the stylish and sophisticated interior design and furnishings. Distinction’s bar stools, lounge chairs, sofas and coffee tables welcome visitors and provide the perfect setting to enjoy the impressive view.
In the Clipper Bar, huge floor to ceiling windows flood the space with light during the day and provide a panoramic backdrop of the city by night. Carefully considered pieces, including round side tables and coffee tables, ensure the large, airy space is a fresh and inviting place to spend time.
The hotel’s Concierge and Meridian lounges feature Distinction armchairs, lounge chairs and sofas as well as tables in a range of finishes in black, glass and metal. Distinction dining chairs and bar stools were selected for the busy all day dining restaurant. The project had a very tight turnaround time and Distinction had just 12 weeks from production drawings to completion of installation. Within this timeframe samples were made and approved, items manufactured, shipped and installed. Specific British fabrics were key to the upholstery designs and sent out to Distinction’s trusted manufacturers in China.
“The excellent communication we had with Arora Group ensured the project was a smooth success” says Thomas Elliott, Sales and Marketing Director at Distinction.
This month sees the launch of London’s most anticipated design suite at Hilton London Bankside. Created in partnership with London-based architect and interior designer Dexter Moren Associates and interior design practice twenty2degrees, the cutting-edge Penthouse Suite is a stylish finishing touch to the hotel which opened in October last year.
Reflecting the fascinating history of Bankside and echoing the urban character of the area, the Penthouse, which has the look and feel of an elegant and spacious city apartment, is filled with contemporary art and has views overlooking the Tate Modern and The Shard.
Spacious, light and elegant, the one-bedroom Penthouse suite is filled with bespoke furnishings, one-of-a-kind art work and dark oak Parquet floors. The suite includes a large living area complete with a comfortable sofa and chairs, upholstered in blue and grey velvet respectively, giving the room a truly elegant finish. Filled with natural light, due to the floor-to-ceiling windows that cover over half the room, the suite is the perfect place to relax, or for those wanting to work, a dark wooden desk faces the middle of the room.
The central focus of the living area is the large statement black and white photograph by Alexander Khokhlov which covers the interior wall of the suite. Acting as a screen to cover the television, the image not only connects the hotel with the nearby Tate Modern, but also references Hilton London Bankside as a living art gallery. The individual art collection in the Penthouse, and the rest of the hotel, was curated by Peter Millard and Partners Ltd who sought to complement the industrial and urban theme of the property as well as the polished contemporary design of the suite.
The kitchen and dining area is perfect for those staying for longer durations who want to dine in the comfort of their suite. Kitted out with SMEG small kitchen appliances, coffee machine and a generously stocked fridge, it also acts as a great space for entertaining, whether it be an intimate dinner for four or low-key drinks. Another key design focus within this area is the striking bespoke light fixture sitting above the dining table created by Northern Lights who provided all of decorative lighting in the living area.
The bedroom, with stunning views overlooking The Shard, has its own distinct style with copper coloured soft furnishings and Designers Guild fabric used on the cushions dotted around the room. With a gentle nod to Hilton London Bankside’s passion for art and design, the television in the bedroom stands on an easel. The bed, flanked by hanging decorative lights by Curiousa & Couriosa, faces another floor-to-ceiling window which maximises on the natural light.
Through a series of sliding panels above the deeply comfortable bed the light filters through to the en-suite bathroom which is made entirely from Statuario marble. The spacious bathroom includes a standalone bath tub, his and hers sinks, separate lavatory and large shower area. The walk in wardrobe allows guests to completely un-pack and relax with full length cupboards, and beautifully lined shelves giving the Penthouse the feeling of a sophisticated apartment where guests can feel truly comfortable.
The pièce de résistance of the Penthouse is the expansive 30m2 private roof terrace which looks over the Tate Modern and the hotel’s very own roof top Meadow. When Hilton London Bankside was originally being built the hotel focused on integrating green areas in and around the hotel as another way of helping regenerate Bankside. The Meadow is the perfect example of this, full to burst with wild flowers and plants and even its very own bee hives, helping attract wildlife to the neighbourhood. With this unique view The Terrace provides another place to entertain, and with plenty of outdoor furniture, it’s the perfect space for an al fresco cocktail party. For those looking for some quiet relaxation, the terrace is their very own private suntrap from which to read a book and watch the world go by.
The opening of Hilton London Bankside in October last year marked Bankside as a true destination for business, tourism and culture. The profile of this spirited district continues to grow, fuelled by a unique juxtaposition of the historic and the new; from the world-famous Tower of London to The Shard, Southwark Cathedral to City Hall, HMS Belfast to Tate Modern, and Crossbones Gardens to the Borough Market, to name just a few.
A unique property, beautifully designed to represent the city’s historical past and urban environment, Hilton London Bankside is a flagship hotel for Hilton and the benchmark for future hotels from the brand. The hotel serves both international guests and the local community who frequent the Distillery Bar and OXBO restaurant for social occasions as well as the property’s meetings and events spaces for work.
InterContinental Hotels Group has announced the launch of a new franchise model specifically aimed at the Chinese market.
The new model, called Franchise Plus, provides owners with all of the benefits of operating a franchise model, but with additional benefits and features from IHG’s managed model
This announcement comes as IHG signs its first Franchise Plus agreement with Shanghai Yaqi Business Hotel, for a 260-room Holiday Inn Express hotel in the Hongqiao area of Shanghai. It also reflects the local dynamics of the China market, which has seen a rapid rise of the middle class in recent years, leading to significant demand for mid-scale hotels in Tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 cities.
Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive Officer of IHG in Greater China commented: “IHG has over 30 years’ experience of operating in China and working closely with our hotel owners to deliver on our promise to create Great Hotels, Guest Love. We are also an innovative business with a deep understanding of our guests and their needs. The launch of Franchise Plus for our Holiday Inn Express brand is an important milestone for our business and for the accommodation landscape in China. With IHG’s world-leading expertise in franchising and our more than three decades of operational excellence and knowledge of the Chinese market, we are confident that the new model will be an engine of growth for IHG and our business partners in the coming years.”
Edwardian Hotels London launches a new ‘virtual host’ service to its hotel guests, designed by Aspect Software.
The artificially intelligent service, called ‘Edward’, is designed to deliver exceptional experiences for guests who prefer digital brand interaction. Available at 12 Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotels, including Heathrow and the Vanderbilt in South Kensington in London, the new Interactive Text Response (ITR) mobile SMS service will allow guests to check and request hotel amenities – such as towels or room service, get information about local bars and restaurants and even express complaints – simply by sending a text message. ‘Edward’ will respond within a few seconds.
The hotel’s chatbot is a new service and part of a wider project to digitally transform the way that Edwardian Hotels London engages with guests across every touch point, by using Aspect’s cloud-based technology.
Edward works by using automated and intelligent text-based interaction, via a self-service interface that is accessible 24/7 and powered by Aspect’s Customer Experience Platform (Aspect CXP™). Guests can use the service to message their requests and get immediate responses. The natural language understanding (NLU) interface enables guests to use natural, conversational language rather than remembering cryptic commands, though the application is backed up with live assistance when needed. Complaints or requests that need a follow-up by hotel staff can therefore be immediately addressed. Guests can even ask explicitly for an immediate callback should a human touch be desired.
The programme has been designed to cohesively join existing in-house developed software systems, to ensure a seamless response to queries. This will permit a swift response time for users.
Part of the Quorvus Collection, the 136-room G&V Royal Mile Hotel Edinburgh is a design-led, five-star lifestyle hotel located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
The unique name of the G&V Royal Mile Hotel is derived from its prime location on the corner of George IV Bridge and Victoria Street. The hotel is just steps from Edinburgh Castle, Grass Market, The Royal Mile, The Museum of Scotland and The Scottish National Gallery as well as the famous Princes Street and upmarket George Street which both offer hours of shopping heaven. Edinburgh Waverly train station is only an eight minute walk and Edinburgh International Airport is located eight miles away, approximately a 25 minute drive.
Beautiful and bold rooms and suites that balance style with comfort have been designed by leading Scottish artists and designers, part of G&V’s commitment to using and nurturing local talent.
The hotel’s nine suites evoke modern Scotland and have been individually designed by Scottish fashion designer Judy R Clark, artist Christine Clark, design duo Timorous Beasties, artist and textile designer Hatti Pattisson and furniture designer Holster.
Local interior design studio Graven has also designed their own unique suite, as they work on their plans for a complete refurbishment of the lobby and bar areas. The interiors throughout the hotel are stylish and playful with a kaleidoscope of colourful rooms.
Exceptional dining is located in award-winning Italian restaurant Cucina which serves a sophisticated, metropolitan take on authentic Italian cuisine and is popular with guests and locals alike. A chic and vibrant bar provides a true taste of Scotland with a fantastic selection of whiskys and malts in addition to having some of the best mixologists in town shaking and stirring up the finest cocktails.
G&V is also home to one of the city’s best spas with pampering Eve Lom and Aromatherapy Associates facials, massages, body scrubs and wraps, manicures and pedicures for both men and women on offer. The hotel also has an on-site fitness centre.
With thanks to GRIFCO, which has recently taken over PR for the hotel. . .
With ambitions for an intimate and luxurious hotel and wedding venue, the interior of Glasgow’s Boclair House Hotel has been transformed with a masterclass in restorative interior design including bespoke carpets from Wilton Carpets Commercial.
Built in 1890 in the Gothic Tudor style, Boclair House had been stripped of its original interior features and converted to partitioned offices yet, under new ownership, is now resplendent as one of Scotland’s most luxurious destinations. Commissioned by owner, Manorview Hotels, interior and architecture practice Space I.D has without a doubt created a wonderfully bold sense of opulence and decadence, celebrating the building’s Art Nouveau heritage and stylish glamour of the latter Art Deco period.
Carpets from Wilton have been instrumental in creating the atmospheric interior, fitted right throughout the hotel in an array of truly stunning designs bringing individuality, glamour and wondrous comfort perfectly in keeping with the unapologetic luxury of Boclair House.
“The geometric carpet was a bold move but it works brilliantly with what has been created around it,” comments the team at Space I.D. “As we had a blank canvas, we decided that public areas should have an Art Deco feel as the grand scale and form of the style fitted the space. In more intimate settings such as the bar and restaurant we’ve looked towards the stylised naturalistic design typical of Art Nouveau for the carpet. An elegant and ultimately, incredibly luxurious look.”
Working closely with Wilton designer, Sam Dean, carpets have been created for the public areas, function rooms, bar, restaurant and bedrooms of the hotel. A hexagonal motif in hues of gold and black used in corridors and on stairways is joined by a radiant geometric in tones of charcoal and ruby in the bar and restaurant. In the function room a controlled and simplified damask is given a huge sense of scale, working as a feature on large area rugs throughout.
“In the function room, we didn’t want a fully carpeted room with a dance floor in the middle, so designed the carpet in sections divided by timber panels. This allows the middle section to be rolled back to reveal the dance floor for the evening party.”
Area rugs can be found elsewhere in Boclair House as Space I.D has used herringbone parquet as borders to runner-style carpets in corridors and as frames within bedrooms. Not only looking incredibly elegant and as if an original feature, these borders and frames provide a visual break between the strong carpet designs. In bedrooms, a multitude of more relaxed style references have been used, a stone hued stria panel bordered with a simple triangular motif in contrasting tones creating a sense of individuality.
“The design experience was highly rewarding as we had total freedom and with Manorview Hotels long history with Wilton Carpets Commercial, we knew we were in good hands when it came to creating carpets that reflected the luxury, intimacy and individuality of this delightful building,” conclude the team at Space I.D.
Some 750 square metres of bespoke woven Axminster in a highly durable nine-row quality have been used throughout in a blend of 80% wool and 20% nylon. Made in Wiltshire with exquisite attention-to-detail, the carpets will provide Boclair House Hotel with a long serviceable life and lasting appearance.
HiB revealed its brand new Libra magnifying mirror at Independent Hotel Show for the very first time, effectively setting the bar high for the next generation of magnifying mirrors.
Unlike anything else currently on the market, this incredibly innovative mirror comprises LED illumination with a unique push/pull lighting activation whereby the lighting will automatically switch on when the mirror is pulled towards the user and is accordingly deactivated when pushed back. This means the ultimate in sleek operation for hotel guests when getting ready.
Coupled with this is a sleek, contemporary design and ErP high energy efficiency rating; the result is the height of fashionable appeal and functionality suitable for all types of guest bathroom designs.
Specifically designed for the hotelier, Libra has proven a huge best seller since launching just last September.
Robert Ginsberg, managing director at HiB comments: “As a business, we have recently won numerous contracts to supply a range of innovative design-led bathroom mirrors and cabinets to the hotel sector — with many of our products now on show in some of the most prestigious hotels in the UK, Hong Kong and the Middle East.
Innovation is where we excel and the Libra magnifying mirror is just one of our industry first mirrors designed to help hoteliers create real stand out in the bathroom.”
For more information on HiB’s magnifying mirrors, please visit www.hib.co.uk
In our guest blog last week, Hotel Designs Directory members Pergo shared their ethos and approach to environmentally responsible and sustainability-conscious design and manufacture of their products. This week, their chief sustainability officer Tim Mulle expands on this and explains in more detail…
Q. How does Pergo view sustainability? A. Unusually for our industry we have a whole department dedicated to covering all aspects of sustainability. This means that we can make significant commitments such as an almost energy-neutral production cycle for our lamination process. Nearly all the heat needed comes from the burning of the waste products of the process itself.
Q. Other industries such as technology have built-in obsolescence that drives future sales. Why does Pergo manufacture products that last so long? A. Obsolescence is not our strategy. We offer excellence in durability because we believe that the long life of our products is the best solution for all of our futures. We would rather grow our business by having our customers as our best advertisers.
Q. How important are the various certifications regarding sustainability? A. These are important but becoming confusing in the market place as there are so many — LEED, FSC, Nordic Swan, PEFC, to name a few. We are going to have to start manufacturing longer floorboards just to put all the different logos on! Currently we are working on an initiative to actively develop a single, new label that will allow consumers to better understand sustainability.
Officially relaunching in May 2016, 11 Cadogan Gardens reveals its glamorous new look, designed by hospitality interiors specialists JSJ Design.
The boutique 5-star hotel in Chelsea has undergone extensive renovation over the last year, including updates to the reception, drawing room and bar areas as well as each of its 56 guest rooms and suites.
The new look is the work of hospitality interiors specialists JSJ Design, and includes updates to the reception, drawing room and bar areas as well as each of the 56 guestrooms and suites. Designers Jeremy Scarlett and Jason Tan of JSJ Design were required to modernise the hotel interior while retaining “the unique character and English eccentricity the hotel is known for”.
Tan said: “Each room has its own distinctive charm and character, which made designing the interiors at 11 Cadogan Gardens a truly unique and rewarding experience. In order to realise the final concept, it was necessary to have a dialogue with each space and explore every architectural detail. Our main objective was to ensure our design scheme complimented the hotel’s classic Victorian façade, as well as preserving the hotel’s distinctly eclectic décor.”
Soliman Khaddour, general manager of 11 Cadogan Gardens, said: “We are thrilled to relaunch 11 Cadogan Gardens firmly within the luxury sector following a year of renovations. We have always had a fantastic location and now we have 25 bespoke suites and stunning interiors too. 11 Cadogan Gardens is a unique hotel in the heart of Chelsea where guests will experience comfort and elegance in one of London’s finest urban retreats.”
With all due respect to any of our readers who hail from the cities of Bath and Durham, I will tell anyone who will listen that I believe Edinburgh is the UK’s prettiest city. The breathtaking countryside to its south, its cobbled roads, its wonderfully archaic side-streets and UNESCO World Heritage-protected buildings – the Scottish capital is one of our country’s gems; always worth a visit and definitely worth celebrating.
As someone who takes notice of such things for a living, design and architecture play a big part in the city’s allure. From Holyrood Palace to the famous castle and back up again around the Royal Mile, there are so many fantastic examples of both. With such striking and beautiful architecture at every turn, it figures that more modern projects – namely a Radisson Blu hotel – have to incorporate these stunning surroundings into their external appearance.
This branch of the slick, business-minded brand ticks that box perfectly. Its neo-gothic, castle-esque exterior blends in with uniform ease to the rest of the street’s aesthetic. However, having paid homage to the city’s history on the outside, a reflection of a much more modern, corporate Edinburgh is revealed once inside. After a series of touch-ups and refurbishments since the turn of the century, the hotel’s interior looks very much ahead rather than to the past.
When I arrive after a picturesque, but very long drive, I do have to manoeuvre my way around a rather complex route from carpark to lobby via a service lift. It’s here I am reminded how important – but sometimes overlooked – well-appointed signage is for guests. It’s not an ideal first impression to begin with, but I needn’t have worried as the rest of the hotel more than made up for it.
My roundabout tour of the lower levels takes me via the hotel’s main conference space – which is currently in turn-around mode between events when I sneak a peek. The room is a wonderful burst of monochrome tones in both carpets and wallcoverings, a clash of prints and the first sight I get of the ubiquitous locally-inspired artwork; it forms part of the eight meeting rooms the hotel offers, hosting up to 240 people for a range of event styles.
The newly refurbished and much-improved corridors
I am greeted at a busy but well-staffed reception area which also serves as an anchoring point between the hotel lounge-cum-breakout area and the food and beverage option Itchycoo Bar and Kitchen. One quick, seamless check-in later and I’m in my Business Class room – a room of the same standard as I stayed in when reviewing the Radisson Blu in Leeds, but one with a very different decor. It’s always fascinating to see how amenities remain the same, but how varied and different interpretations of the same brief can be. While Leeds relied on a metallic-inspired, blue-grey palette, Edinburgh goes for a more muted colour scheme of greys and browns in the bedroom and bathroom; with a splash of colour added by brightly-upholstered cushions.
The living area is slightly smaller than I would normally expect for the price-range, but can be forgiven due to the fact the designers have managed to include everything required – and more – through good use of space. The room is dominated by the sweeping corner sofa unit, the double bed with its striking metallic headboard as well as the beautiful black-and-white artwork wallcovering of Edinburgh’s cityscape – it’s one of the better examples of a technique very much in vogue at the moment. If this is a taster of where Radisson Blu is headed with its BluPrint interior design concept, I can’t wait to see it rolled out across its global portfolio.
Other pleasing touches are the wall-mounted TV set into the wall, a decent-sized dressing mirror and a modest desk unit with ample lighting and thoughtfully-placed sockets – this is a business-oriented hotel after all. The bathroom is tastefully fitted out, predominated by dark wooden finishes and simple but elegant bathroom fittings. So far, very good.
I decide to take a look at the hotel’s brand new pool and health club – it had opened mere days before my stay – which on the way to the lower levels also gives me a chance to assess the marked difference between the newly refurbished corridors and the pictures I’d seen prior to them being redone. Of particular note were the carpets as I’d been warned by colleagues in the industry of the less-than-acceptable state of them beforehand, but was pleased to see a sterling job has been done in making sure of the quality during the refurb (see above).
EDIT: The carpets throughout the hotel were provided by Newhey Carpets, who have built up a strong working relationship with the Radisson brand. They worked with Herefordshire-based Trevillion Interiors on the rooms and suites as well as the meeting rooms and event spaces. The designs were all created using Newhey’s state-of-the-art Colortec+ technology. Find out more here.
And the good news continued when I took a look at the Melrose Spa and the Health Club. This is a fantastic example of leisure design – clean lines, soft finishes and brilliant use of lighting create the soothing and relaxed environment so required of such a space. While this is open to the public, considering a good number of the guests will be corporate only in town for a day or two – having this facility will give the Radisson Blu real pulling power in a competitive city market.
After a long day travelling up from Hertfordshire, I enjoy a cocktail or two and dinner in the Itchycoo Bar and Kitchen (FULL REVIEW HERE) – the décor of which further reflects the business orientation of the hotel. But much like the mixture of the clientele in the restaurant that evening, to say this Radisson Blu can, does or will solely cater for the corporate guest is to underestimate its appeal. Indeed, tourists contribute some £1.6 billion to the Edinburgh economy each year and this Radisson’s location will make it a popular choice for several of the 4 million+ annual visitors to the Scottish capital.
Believe me, this hotel won’t stir any great reactions for its design or décor – but its fantastic functionality, comfortable and practical finish and more-than-ample amenities will ensure it remains a reliable choice for guests – either corporate or leisure…
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and Bentley Motors are delighted to introduce a new level of luxury to the Middle East with the debut of region’s first Bentley Suite at The St. Regis Dubai in Al Habtoor City. The Bentley Suite is inspired by the bespoke craftsmanship of the pinnacle Bentley Mulsanne. This is the third Bentley Suite in the world, following the launch of suites at The St. Regis New York in 2012 and The St. Regis Istanbul last year.
“We are proud to extend our global partnership with Bentley to the Middle East where we recently unveiled the first of three St. Regis hotels to open in Dubai,” says Jim Petrus, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “The Bentley Suite at The St. Regis Dubai in Al Habtoor City is designed for the modern aficionado of luxury and performance, exemplifying the heritage and commitment to excellence of both brands.”
The Bentley Suite, designed by Wimberly Interiors, features hand-crafted finishes and one-of-a-kind furnishings throughout, combining the refined style associated with the experience of a Bentley with the impeccable elegance of the St. Regis brand. Located on the fourth floor of The St. Regis Dubai, the custom-designed one-bedroom Bentley Suite features a spacious entry foyer, generous living room and dining area with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the hotel’s manicured gardens, as well as a lavish marble bathroom, walk-in wardrobe and dedicated dressing area. “We are honoured to continue our design partnership with St. Regis with the debut of the Bentley Suite in Dubai, and look forward to collaborating with St. Regis and Bentley Motors on innovations in the future,” comments Liana Hawes, Creative Director, Wimberly Interiors.
Upon entering the 195 square metre (2,098 square feet) suite through bespoke Bentley-painted double doors, guests are greeted by the defining characteristics of the luxury automobile brand: a blend of cream and neutral tones, set against the rich wood finishes, elegant marble floors and leather accents on handcrafted furnishings. The entrance to the suite features polished steel detailing and a sleek walnut veneer ceiling.
In the living room, an exquisite LED chandelier inspired by the headlights of the Mulsanne takes center stage above the 12-seat, smoked fiddleback veneer dining table. Adding to the room’s mix of rich textures is a carved rug reminiscent of the matrix grille on the Mulsanne. Consistent with Bentley’s ‘hidden delights’ concept, the main wall slides back to expose a TV screen and five Breitling clocks keeping time across major gateway cities.
The adjacent study echoes Bentley’s signature Mulliner room with veneer walls, a silk carpet and a luxurious porpoise sofa adorned with cushions featuring Bentley seat belt detailing. Offering residential serenity, this study interprets the signature concept of concealing to reveal a custom made multi-compartment coffee table and Bentley ice lacquer and porpoise hide tray detail.
The master bedroom features stitched leather walls and bedside tables inspired by the Mulsanne Speed wing emblem in Burr walnut. In the dressing room, Bentley’s signature diamond detailing is etched into the frame of the mirror.
The St. Regis Dubai marked the debut of the St. Regis brand in Dubai when it opened in November last year. The hotel is part of the Al Habtoor City development on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai’s first fully integrated urban resort which features two other Starwood hotels under the distinct W Hotels and Westin brands as well as The Hotel Collection, The Leisure Collection and The Residence Collection. Featuring beaux-arts architecture and neo-classical interiors, the 234-room hotel features 52 suites with impeccable detailing and luxurious touches. This is complemented by eight distinctive culinary venues, an Iridium Spa, a fitness center and two rooftop outdoor swimming pools.
Decorex 2016, the UK’s leading destination for interior design, will explore the roots of design as its theme for this year’s edition.
Examining the origins of design, which continue to define and shape the future of the industry, Decorex partnered established names with emerging designers to mark the start of this year’s campaign.
One of the first destinations to open the 2016 London Design Festival, Decorex will explore the theme through a series of interactive installations and its popular seminar programme. Visitors to the show will experience how true design is built on a rich heritage, constantly evolving to incorporate new techniques and materials.
Commenting on what the roots of design means to him, Sebastian Cox, says: “I strongly believe that by looking at the roots of design we can continue to make things that don’t adhere to short lived trends; by looking at our roots we can make things that remain beautiful for centuries.”
Registration is now open and tickets are available to purchase from the Decorex website
Geberit has expanded its best-selling Sigma range of flush plates with the addition of the Geberit Sigma30. With a choice of either a single or dual flush version the Sigma30 is perfect for a modern finish in any bathroom.
Manufactured from high quality materials, the flushplate has an easy flushing action for user comfort and is simple to install, with tool-free fast adjustment.
A stylish addition to the bathroom and the perfect accompaniment to wall-hung sanitaryware, the Geberit Sigma30 has a large rectangular profile with chrome design detail.
The Sigma30 dual flush plate is available in six colours including white, black, gloss chrome, and matt chrome variants, while the single flush plate is available in three colours: white, gloss chrome and brushed chrome.
The range also includes a choice of urinal flush plates, and comes in six colours which match the Geberit Type10 WC flush buttons and zinc die cast plates.
HiB is continuing to push boundaries in bathroom mirror innovation with the launch of its beautiful and incredibly innovative new Ambience range.
In an industry first, the Ambience mirror offers a cool to warm white selector via a small touch switch. This enables users to fluctuate between the extremes of warm and cool illumination, and anything in between, in order to pick the perfect lighting to match their bathroom style or the time of day.
Equally, style is accounted for. Simple yet striking in design, the Ambience features a contemporary, curved rectangular form and elegant backlit glow, creating the perfect bathroom focal point and adding a real ‘wow factor’.
As with all HiB mirrors, the Ambiance range is fitted with a heated pad to keep it steam free and crystal clear at all times. Also, each mirror employs the latest in LED technology resulting in not only a brilliant illumination but optimal energy saving – with LED’s typically offering energy savings of up to 80%.
The Ambience range is available in sizes 50, 60 and 120 and be hung either landscape or portrait to suit the space and style of the bathroom concept.
Steve Kaye, marketing director at HiB comments: “As a business committed to product excellence, we’re always trying to enhance our product range to provide the ultimate solution for customers.
“Inherently, we’ve found that the majority of consumers are simply not aware of the dramatic difference which the choice of light colouring can bring to their bathroom. As such, we have specifically developed the Ambience to enable users to change their lighting temperature to match their bathroom setting – whether opting for cool white for a crisp, fresh look or warm white for a softer setting – and anywhere in between.
“Added to this, Ambience boasts sleek good looks and a contemporary appeal – guaranteed to make it the ‘go-to’ mirror of choice for consumers wanting to add the perfect ambience to their bathroom design.”
The Coaching Inn Group is undergoing rapid expansion and marked this with the acquisition of the 25-room Golden Lion Hotel in St. Ives.
The Lincolnshire-based group bought the property for a price of £2.5 million, and will add it to the 11 properties already in their portfolio.
Tim Gooding, director from Christie & Co’s Ipswich office brokered the deal and commented, “We are delighted to have sold this business to a growing and successful company who will take great care in developing the operation even further and adding to the exceptional job undertaken by the vendors.
“The sale indicates growing buyer confidence in the pub & hotel sectors and reinforces the improving level of activity we’ve been experiencing over the course of this year. We believe that this trend is set to continue, and expect to see an increase in interest in the pub & hotel markets as 2016 progresses,” he added.
Brintons will be at the centre of the creative hub during Clerkenwell Design Week, as the leading manufacturer unveils its new QuickWeave collection and hosts a range of talks from leading interiors experts.
Throughout its exciting schedule Brintons is inviting design savvy visitors to join them at its London Design Centre for Clerkenwell Design Week between the 24th to the 26th May as they host a range of drop-in sessions, including talks from interiors experts from Birmingham City University, Houzz and design duo the 2 Lovely Gays.
QuickWeave The QuickWeave range is perfect for installations where timing is of the essence as it is a range of pre-designed carpets designs, which can be sent directly to the loom, reducing the time associated with custom weaves. The first QuickWeave collection is Inception, which is a range of 60 ready to go patterns, each of contemporary styles and available in five colourways. There are 16 colours in its palette, which are reflective of today’s current trends.
24th May – Trend Project Talk The Trends project presents the pinnacle of design with final year BA Textile Design students at Birmingham City University creating a range of new designs inspired by two trends forecast by Colour Hive for Autumn/Winter 2016/17: ‘Strata’ and ‘Play’. John Hall, Exhibitions Manager at Parkside Gallery, and Jean Ensell, Textiles Lecturer at BCU, will be holding a talk on the Trends project, and how and why they use them. They will also go on to explore how the project works and the importance of industry engagement for its students, who are the new talent pipeline into the wider design industry.
25th May – 1pm – 4pm – Expert advice from the 2 Lovely Gays Interior designers the 2 Lovely Gays will hold a range of one-to-one sessions to help members of the public with any interior design queries they may have. Ranging from how to customise a room to what colours work well together, those taking part can get one-to-one advice from the interior designers who found their fame on BBC’s The Great Interior Design Challenge.
Anyone wishing to take part can book timeslot online to get the chance to join Jordan and Russell at the London Design Centre. For those unable to attend, they will hold a question and answer session on the social channels and their top tips will be posted throughout the day.
26th May 10am – 3pm Design profile advice from Houzz Leading online home renovation and design platform, Houzz, will be hosting one-to-one drop in profile consultations with their representatives on the 26th May. Aimed at design business owners, it will be offering top tips to businesses to help ensure they are maximising their exposure to homeowners who plan projects through the online platform.
Trends and Tips Talk 12.30pm Houzz will also be hosting a ‘Trends and Tips’ talk at 12.30pm, teaching visitors what colours, materials and finishing choices are trending on Houzz and the steps they can take to maximise their exposure.
24th – 26th May – Exhibitions Through the archives Brintons’ Archivist Yvonne Smith will be holding an archive exhibition throughout the week, which will explore designs through the ages. The archive holds over 100,000 unique designs dating back to the late 1700s, and Yvonne will be displaying a sample of designs for people to view and discuss the gems of the archive.
Birmingham City University Trends Project Installation Birmingham City University (BCU) will be displaying installations based on student’s work to celebrate the future of interior design. BA Textile Design students from BCU used Brintons’ latest technologies to create two carpet designs for their final year Trend project.
To book to attend any of the sessions at the Clerkenwell Design Week at Brintons’ London Design Centre visit www.brintons.net/clerkenwell/.
An investor is about to spend £12 million on building a luxury boutique hotel in Erbington Square, County Derry – according to reports in the Derry Jorunal last week.
The hotel – believed to be called The Erbington – will form part of a wider development which will also see a distillery launched and construction could start later this year.
It is believed that the new hotel will have 151-bedrooms, two conference suites, a banqueting suite for 300 diners plus modern bar facilities and a restaurant.
Speaking to the Journal, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “There have also been quite a few serious expressions of interest in other parts of the Ebrington site from other businesses, proposals which I am really positive about.
“They have the potential to bring serious investment to the site which will help transport Ebrington Square to the next level and thus become a real economic driver for the city and the north-west area.”
The first Sanderson fabric range of printed cottons was produced in 1919. The Sanderson range of designer fabrics today includes printed designs on cotton, linen and silk, together with jacquard and dobby weaves, embroideries, sheers and a wide range of plains suitable for curtains, upholstery and soft furnishings. Below, Sanderson describes its Woodland Walk range…
Walking through nature has been a favourite British pastime since the Victorians first extolled its virtue.
Wisteria and Butterfly
Butterfly Embroidery
Chestnut Tree
Fern Embroidery
Meadow Grasses
We take joy in strolling through the countryside – be it a ramble with family and good friends at the weekend, or a walk each evening accompanied by man’s best friend. The quiet influence of nature is restful; we take pleasure in a tranquil spot away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The outdoors revives our senses, makes us feel alive.
Chestnut Tree
Fern Embroidery
Meadow Grasses
Sanderson’s ‘Woodland Walk’ collection for spring 2016 evokes all of these treasured sentiments. Inspired by British woodlands and wildlife, the cloths are natural, the imagery beautifully hand-drawn and painted. All the elements of the collection work together harmoniously to create a sophisticated, modern country style.
Wisteria and Butterfly
Squirrel and Hedgehog
Wisteria and Butterfly
Woodland Chorus
The collection comprises eight prints, and four embroideries. The Woodland Walk Wallpapers, Woodland Plains and Ashridge Weaves collections are also available to complement the offer.
Following the news Germany’s first Premier Inn officially opened its doors to the public last month, interior designer and Partner at JSJ Design Jeremy Scarlett gives us the inside track on the project…
The project originally came about after I was approached by Patrick Dempsey; at the time he was MD of Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants (WHR) and the company had just acquired a property in Germany.
It was a big step forward in expanding Premier Inn throughout Europe and represented a brand new market. Premier Inn always had a view to bring a local designer on board; having a source of local knowledge and supplier contacts was a no-brainer. The challenge was striking the balance between what was right for the local market while communicating the existing brand.
At this point I was asked to come on board as a consultant, tasked with overseeing the German designers. I’ve worked on several Premier Inn projects over the years and have a pretty in-depth understanding of the brand. The thought was if JSJ Design were involved alongside the local designers, Premier Inn would get the best of both worlds.
That’s how it started and soon evolved into collaboration with the German designers JOI Design. We worked together to form a concept that was right for Frankfurt and the wider German market, while also representing the best elements of Premier Inn.
We also developed some elements of the brand that didn’t really exist before; in the UK Premier Inn isn’t concerned about appearing British as it’s on home turf, but in Germany it became the point of difference. For us as the designers, it was a question of how to bring across the ‘Britishness’ of the brand without being too obvious or cheesy.
The overall look and feel has been loosely described as a ‘contemporary British library’ theme, which came from an exploration of what it means to be British. Literature plays a big part in our history, from Shakespeare to Lewis Carroll, and we played with the illustratable and quotable elements of several classic texts in the design. We also incorporated traditional furniture styles such as the Chesterfield sofas, alongside accessories such as colourful porcelain versions of the iconic British Bulldog.
The reaction so far has been really good. I’ve heard some comments from German members of the Premier Inn team who say while the British elements are very subtle they are also very distinct. While its not overwhelming, people realize it’s a British hotel and the fact that is understated is what makes it work.
Moving on from last year’s trend for angular, minimalist bathrooms, HiB has predicted that the next 12 months will see a distinguishable shift towards soft, organic curves.
Steve Kaye, marketing director at HiB said: “Bathrooms are continuing to move away from a conventional angular feel, with consumers abandoning flat doors and sharp square corners in favour of natural curves.”
Saville Washbasin by HiB
Africo Washbasin by HiB
Solo Corner Unit White by HiB
Montana cabinet by HiB
“With the right design and planning, curves can create a feeling of space by softening the edges of the bathroom. Plus, by mixing and matching the rounded corners of their bathroom furniture, consumers can create a look that is truly unique.”
Most recently HiB introduced a variation on its best-selling flagship Globe mirror – the Orb. Simple yet striking in design, the Orb mirror features a contemporary, curved form and elegant backlit glow, adding a soft yet dramatic impact making the bathroom beautiful.
HiB’s best-selling flagship Globe mirror – the Orb
Steve adds: “As with all HiB mirrors, the Orb range is fitted with a heated pad to keep it steam free and crystal clear at all times. Also, each mirror includes the latest in LED technology resulting in not only a brilliant illumination but optimal energy saving and is sensor activated – for ultimate ease of use.”
The Orb mirror is available in two sizes (H70 x W50cm) and (H80 x W60cm) and can be hung landscape or portrait.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts has signed Aloft Seoul Myeongdong – the second Aloft hotel to open in the South Korean capital. The new-build hotel is scheduled to open in February 2017.
Aloft Seoul Myeongdong will feature 223 loft-inspired guestrooms with the brand’s signature offerings, such as an ultra-comfortable plush signature bed, custom amenities, as well as fast and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will also offer an all-day dining restaurant;Re:fuel, a 24-hour grab & go for light meals and the brand’s signature w xyz bar.
Aloft Seoul Myeongdong will join a dynamic Starwood portfolio of eight operating hotels and two properties in the pipeline in Korea – under the Aloft, Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin and Four Points by Sheraton brands.
Thai hotel group Dusit International is continuing its strong Middle Eastern expansion with its first dusitD2 hotel in the United Arab Emirates.
The new dusitD2 Kenz Dubai by Dusit will be located in the TECOM district of Dubai, facing the main thoroughfare Sheikh Zayed Road, and is scheduled to open in July 2016.
The property is described as an “upscale hotel that caters to business and leisure travellers”, and will feature 237 rooms and suites, all with free Wi-Fi access, digital media hubs with universal power outlets, and LED TV screens. Hotel facilities will include Thai and Mediterranean restaurants, a rooftop pool, spa, fitness centre, three meeting rooms and a boardroom.
The DusitD2 Kenz Dubai, as it will be known, becomes the company’s fifth property in UAE, following the Dusit Thani Dubai, Dusit Residence Dubai Marina, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi and Pearl Coast Apartments in Dubai.
The company also plans to bring its dusitD2 brand to Abu Dhabi in the near future.
Wyndham Dubai Marina, the first dedicated hotel development from leading Dubai-based property developer, The First Group, celebrated its grand opening late last month.
The four-star deluxe Wyndham Dubai Marina, which is managed by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts – the world’s largest hotel management firm – marks a major milestone for The First Group as well as it marking a significant addition to the thriving Marina district.
The 32-storey, 486-room property is situated near Bluewater Island, which will soon be home to the world’s largest Ferris wheel, the Dubai Eye.
“The grand opening of Wyndham Dubai Marina marks a major milestone for The First Group and is a significant development for the Marina district,” said Danny Lubert, the company’s co-founder and joint chairman.
“In partnership with Wyndham Hotel Group, we will set new standards for affordable luxury, catering to business and leisure guests alike. Given Wyndham Hotel Group’s vast global experience in hotel management, we are supremely confident Wyndham Dubai Marina will set a new benchmark for hospitality service in Dubai.”
The grand opening of the property marks the debut of the Wyndham brand in the United Arab Emirates. Its parent, Wyndham Hotel Group, which manages more than 7,800 properties in 72 countries worldwide, is one of the hospitality industry’s most respected operators.
Hansgrohe USA is pleased to announce a call for entries for the 3rd annual Hansgrohe+Axor Das Design Competition. A manufacturer of innovative and exceptionally designed kitchen and bath products since 1901, Hansgrohe has attracted the eye of discerning building trade professionals for over a century.
The competition aims to celebrate this tradition and recognise outstanding recently built projects that feature the Hansgrohe and Axor brands. In the 2016 program, US architects and designers are invited to enter projects from the last five years. These must incorporate Hansgrohe or Axor products that contribute to innovative or inspiring environments in residential and hospitality/commercial properties. From large hotels to multi-family spaces and single-family homes, Hansgrohe is looking for outstanding projects of all types and scales.
Hansgrohe USA President, Erik Christensen, states: “It is exciting for us to see how the products we work so hard to design, manufacture and sell, become a fixture in properties across the globe. Now in its third consecutive year, the Hansgrohe + Axor Das Design Competition allows us to discover new projects, as well as recognise excellence. Ultimately, it is thanks to talented architects and designers that our products perform so successfully in the built environment.”
Domestic and international new construction and renovation projects completed between January 1, 2011 and August 12, 2016 are eligible for entry. There are two categories of entry: Residential and Hospitality/Commercial. Entry is free and can be done completely online at www.dasdesigncomp.com. Entrants will be required to include brief descriptions about their project including their selection and integration of Hansgrohe or Axor products.
A jury of leading A&D industry professionals including architects, designers leading media, and representatives from Hansgrohe or Axor will select the winners. Entries will be evaluated against five criteria: the quality of the overall design of the project and the integration of Hansgrohe or Axor products into the scheme; the degree that Hansgrohe/Axor products enhance the design and functionality of the space; the consideration of the environment and sustainability in the design; the quality of installation; and the extent of use of Hansgrohe/Axor products.
The first place winner in each category will receive a cash prize of $2,000 and will be eligible to attend a VIP trip to the Black Forest of Germany and the ISH Show. The first place winners and three honorable mentions in each category will be awarded a plaque recognising their achievements.
Four Seasons is returning to the Indonesian capital in a month’s time with the new Four Seasons Jakarta at Capital Place.
The new Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta forms part of a mixed-use development in Capital Place that also includes an office block. With interiors by renowned designers Champalimaud Studio and tropical landscaping by Bensley Design Studios, the hotel promises to be the city’s preferred address to stay, conduct business or meet with friends and colleagues, as well as host Jakarta’s most prestigious and glamorous events.
The hotel features include 125 guest suites with panoramic skyline views, as well as a sleek and sophisticated sanctuary spa and fitness centre, elegant event spaces, and four food and beverage options, including a soaring rotunda on the ground floor, a posh bar and a signature Italian restaurant on the rooftop. Located on Jalan Gatot Subroto, Four Seasons Jakarta is 40 minutes by car from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, with easy access to all major business destinations in the city.
“Building on our legacy of service excellence, Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta will establish a new standard for luxury hospitality in the city with a beautiful new hotel,” comments general manager, Christian Poda. “We look forward to welcoming our local clientele back to Four Seasons, and to introducing this exciting city to a new generation of international travellers,” he added.
The recently unveiled Desert Palm PER AQUUM‘s Villa LAYALI is ready to welcome guests.
The three-bedroom 845-sqm villa hides amongst tall palm trees in a location of the hotel’s original royal villa. The property’s original award-winning designer Isabelle Miaja brings her artistry to the new Villa LAYALI, evoking the Arabian avant-garde aesthetic that has set Desert Palm PER AQUUM apart since its opening in 2008.
Just 15 minutes from the spires of Downtown Dubai, Desert Palm PER AQUUM is one of the UAE’s better-kept secrets. The verdant resort hotel feels a world away from the urban energy and bustle. Set in a 160-acre polo estate, nature prevails and sophisticated design attracts the discerning.
Villa LAYALI takes the hotel’s intimate experience to an even more refined level. Guests arrive via a private entrance, strolling a Jordanian stone pathway adorned by water features and manicured hedges. Entering through high gates to the villa gardens and beyond to the inner luxuries, you are greeted by fountains, waterfalls and a 60-sqm swimming pool adorned in cool blue mosaic tiles.
Across the courtyard, the glass-enclosed Great Room entreats with its solid oak floor, private palm enclave, elevated terrace and impressive views of the championship polo field. The long oval marble table of the dining area sets a chic tableau, perfect for dinners created by a private chef. The adjacent kitchen comes extravagantly equipped, from its own wine fridge to a breakfast bar complete with leather bucket seats.
Other fittings include a timber and brass writing desk, the globe candle lanterns of the courtyard and high-tech enhancements throughout. Ceiling-mounted BOSE speakers can be found in every corner of the villa, and personal remotes control mood lighting and sound to tailor the experience.
Natural light illuminates all three bedrooms, which overlook gardens of bougainvillea. Plush beds, fine linens and a menu of pillows beckon the deepest sleeps. Bedrooms connect to spa-like bathrooms with freestanding Bagnotec stone bathtubs, separate indoor and outdoor rain showers, twin stone basins and fog-free mirrors. REN and Eminence organic amenities add seductive aromas and soothing elixirs, while the bath salt menu offers an array of choices for sumptuous evening soaks. Tile patterns and bathroom textures add artistic touches, from minimalist Arabian patterns to bold, modern radial geometrics to classic marble.
During Dubai’s October to April polo season, the equestrian action takes place just metres from the villa. Its guests enjoy a VIP viewing platform from the Great Room’s balcony.
Meliá Hotels International has announced the signing of three new hotels during the Arab Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) last week in Dubai…
• Gran Meliá Maldives, Indian Ocean – it will offer a mixture of luxurious private villa and guestroom living within one of the best fishing and diving destinations in the Maldives • Meliá Serengeti Lodge, Tanzania, Africa – The first state-of-the-art sustainable hotel by MHI, the hotel will offer ‘off the grid’ living and the perfect viewpoint for the annual migration of one million blue wildebeest, lions, leopards and zebras • Meliá Almaty, Kazakhstan, Central Asia – the first hotel to be signed by Meliá Hotels International in Kazakhstan – a wealthy country located in the heart of Eurasia (countries situated within the borders of Europe and Asia) – it will bring to life a new city hotel concept for corporate travellers and congresses
Gran Meliá Maldives Scheduled to launch October 2017 and set amongst virgin coral reef, the Gran Meliá hotel will offer 95 private villas, including 100 rooms, as well as three restaurants, a bar and café, spa, leisure centre and several retail shops. The hotel will also be able to arrange and host exclusive private events and romantic dinners on a smaller nearby island. 66 per cent of Maldivian visitors are honeymooners or guests who wish to enjoy an idyllic beach holiday with exceptional diving.
Meliá Serengeti Lodge (Tanzania) Meliá Serengeti Lodge, scheduled to open in June 2017, will be Meliá Hotels International first state-of-the-art sustainable hotel, located on the natural terraces on the southern slopes of Nyamuma, with spectacular views over the peaceful valley of the Mbalageti River. To be located 700 meters below the peak of Nyamuma, the hotel will offer a perfect viewpoint for the annual migration of one million blue wildebeest, lions, leopards and 250,000 zebras which pass through the valley every year in search of rains and cooler pastures.
Meliá Serengeti Lodge will sit on three natural terraces that descend from an elevated plateau, with the lodge located on the middle terrace and the hotel’s architectural design will adopt the gentle curves of the land, creating an intimate link with the vegetation and rocky outcrops. The location’s natural surroundings have inspired the design of this unique hotel, as the suites will offer a unique and privileged African experience in a secure and luxurious environment.
Meliá Serengeti Lodge will boasts 50 rooms consisting of 25 ‘Meliá Forest’ rooms, 23 ‘Meliá Hills’ rooms and two ‘Serengeti Suites’. The lounges and restaurants will overlook sunny terraces around an infinity pool with pool bar, barbecue patios, with stone and foliage strategically planted and designed to ensure a cool and attractive environment.
Meliá Almaty (Kazakhstan) Meliá Almaty is the first hotel to be signed by Meliá Hotels International in Kazakhstan. The hotel will be situated amongst the mountains of Tien Shan, Altay, and Ulytau, a winter sports paradise. Kazakhstan is blessed with vast natural resources of oil, gas and mines; as well as traditional cultural attractions that illuminate the relationship between the Kazakh people and nomadic tribes, influenced by the Russian occupation in the 18th century. In 2013, the country received five million visitors and this is expected to grow to eight million by 2024.
Meliá Hotels International will launch a hotel specialising in corporate travel and congresses in Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan until 1997, as it is the largest city in the country, which aims to become one of the top 30 economies in the world by 2050.
Meliá Almaty will open in 2018, providing 250 rooms, including 50 Suites and Junior Suites. The hotel will boast cutting-edge architectural design through a steel and glass structure that will also home a restaurant, bar, lounge, spa and fitness centre, as well as meeting rooms.
A new four-star hotel has opened on Broadway in Douglas, Isle of Man, following a £6m investment and marking the first new hotel launch in the region for more than 15 years.
The Mannin Hotel has opened in the Manx capital as part of a £7 million investment and marks the first hotel launch in the region for more than a decade and a half.
The four-star Mannin Hotel is a 54-bedroom property and was built on the site of the original Mannin and Broadway hotels which date back to the 1880s and were demolished in October 2012. Construction for the new build began in March 2013 by Keith Lord from Mannin Investments.
He said: “I think we’ve created something special here and I think people will appreciate that. The most rewarding and satisfying part of the completion of this lovely hotel is that we have spent many hours creating its own identity with arts and craft using Archibald Knox and Rennie Mackintosh in order to achieve what you see today.
“Looking ahead, I hope the Mannin will gain a reputation for being one of the best hotels on the island and will make a real contribution to the island’s economy.”
Steeped in rich history and surrounded by the stunning Welsh valleys on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, the reimagined Grade II listed Palé Hall by new owners Alan and Angela Harper is set to be unveiled later this summer.
Palé Hall will launch as one of the UK’s finest destination country house hotels with renowned Chef Michael Caines working in collaboration with the Harpers to add an exclusive fine dining restaurant. Alan and Angela have personally overseen the refurbishment, choosing every last detail themselves and creating a peaceful and luxurious retreat surrounded by natural beauty and accompanied by the finest wines and foods.
Palé Hall is one of Wales’ most important surviving homes with a fascinating history dating back to the late 19th century when Henry Robertson, a railway engineer, industrialist and contemporary of Brunel, bought the estate as a grand personal project at the end of his transformative career in building public works. Since construction, the manor house has played host to some of Britain’s most famous figures including Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill.
In its new chapter as a hotel, 18 guest bedrooms and suites have been transformed and individually designed with their own style and personal identity. The guestrooms use soft yet playful furnishings by Hotel Designs Directory members Zoffany and quintessentially British William Morris prints. Each room holds its own history, such as the aptly named Victoria Suite, home to the bed that Queen Victoria once slept in and her original bath. Another highlight is the wood panelled Robertson Suite where Churchill is alleged to have played snooker on his many visits to Palé Hall. Furthermore, every guestroom enjoys a stunning view across the rural Welsh landscape, with window seats or deeply comfortable sofas and armchairs from which to watch the world go by.
Two drawing rooms both with large comfortable sofas and armchairs are delicately decorated as befits a luxurious country home. Floor to ceiling windows make the ground floor living rooms the perfect place to relax with a book, board game or pre-dinner drink. The piano situated in Palé Hall’s main entrance hall will play a central part, with Palé Hall hosting musical evenings for both guests and locals alike.
In the heart of the North Welsh countryside, Palé Hall is set to become one of the UK’s leading country house hotels with an emphasis on luxurious weekends away, delicious fine-dining from the acclaimed Michael Caines, and the stunning natural surroundings.
Space-saving design without compromising on style, the new Svelte corner unit is the latest addition to Bauhaus’ best-selling Svelte furniture collection.
Making the most of every inch of space, the wall-mounted unit is the smart choice for smaller bathrooms and cloakrooms. A hugely practical offering, Svelte’s signature curves and seamless finish have been incorporated into this stylishly compact unit that fits perfectly into most corners.
Deep double drawers provide ample storage for toiletries and cleaning material, with up to 40kg capacity for heavier items, and are complete with soft close runners to provide a smooth and quiet closing motion.
Offering a look to suit all bathing spaces, Svelte Corner is available in four contemporary finishes: Matt Coffee, Eucalyptus, American Walnut and White Gloss.
Complemented against the crisp white surface of the inset marble basin, opt for a minimalist look with a combination of white-on-white, or combine with the warm tones of the wood-effect finish for a luxurious, hotel-inspired appeal.
As with all designs in the Svelte collection, the lacquered and veneered finishes feature a ground-breaking and permanent anti-bacterial treatment called ACTIVE, as standard. ACTIVE guarantees unlimited protection and reduces the proliferation of common bacteria by more than 99%, making this the ideal choice for busy family bathrooms.
Svelte Corner Unit with Cast Mineral Marble Basin: Eucalyptus: £1,159 White Gloss: £1,029 American Walnut: £1,159 Matt Coffee: £1,064
This June the luxury resort of Daios Cove, Crete, is opening ‘The Mansion’ – a new exclusive villa which comes complete with exquisite design, outdoor heated pool, indoor heated pool, tranquil in-house spa and staff quarters.
The three-bedroom hideaway, which is set on the north-east shores of the island, will be available for guests to rent from 2nd June, setting a new benchmark for villa accommodation on this stunning Greek island.
The Design The new villa’s state-of-the-art design takes inspiration from the spectacular setting of Daios Cove. Located on the tranquil turquoise shores of Crete in its own private cove, The Mansion’s design and layout make the most of the setting’s abundant natural light – huge floor to ceiling windows line the airy building, meaning guests can enjoy the incredible views from almost any point in the room.
An example of Daios Cove’s current villa offering
The interiors are fresh and modern – light, natural woods line the floors, white marble creates an incredible sense of space, while glass also dominates. The overall space is an impressive 600sqm set over three levels, with outdoor space making up 300sqm. Designer furniture has been meticulously chosen and includes unique pieces from world-famous contemporary brands B&B Italia and Maxalto. Natural light floods the property, while designer lighting from Catellani & Smith and Occhio provides warm and intimate lighting for cocktails and private evening meals.
Bang & Olufsen speakers are discreetly placed through the property to provide a soundtrack to cooking, sunbathing or working out. The Mansion comes compete with staff quarters, should guests wish to make the most of Crete’s glorious natural produce and cuisine by leaving a chef to combine delicious fresh ingredients in the fully equipped kitchen. If holiday makers prefer getting the opportunity to cook themselves, the modern, clean-cut kitchen boasts a clutter-free design.
An example of Daios Cove’s current villa offering
The Master Bedroom While the property boasts three beautiful bedrooms, two with walk-in wardrobes, the master bedroom is a particularly impressive thanks to its ceiling-high windows with some of the best views on the island, looking out over the azure water of the Aegean sea and sun-drenched cliffs surrounding the property.
Fresh white furniture and cotton linen creates an immediate sense of calm, while the bathroom is a sanctuary, with twin sinks, a deep bathtub perfect for a relaxing bubble bath and huge shower cabin – all of which come with the mesmerising views the Mansion is sure to be famous for.
The Spa Guests looking to really relax will adore the Mansion’s own fully equipped spa. Beautiful tiles line the wall of the Starpool steam bath and 20sqm-metre heated indoor pool, while the sauna is spacious enough for several guests to enjoy at the same time.
Ashford Council is backing a £75m project to regenerate the city, which will include the construction of a new 58-bedroom hotel.
After Stanhope PLC was given the green light for the scheme in 2015, councillors have now agreed to fund the construction of the Elwick Place development.
As well as the 58-room hotel, the new project will include a cinema, plus space for seven restaurants or bars. The council acquired the site at Elwick Place last year and will own the development once completed.
The project has been outlined as one of Ashford Council’s ‘Big 8‘ priority projects and will help create a more vibrant town centre as stated in the council’s Five Year Corporate Plan to 2020.
Leader of Ashford Council, councillor Gerry Clarkson, says: “This investment, and our continued commercial approach, has the potential to significantly contribute to our ability to be self-reliant despite reduced government funding. We firmly believe that enabling this regeneration project to be brought forward quickly is in the best interests of the borough. This investment will enable services to be maintained, and will also continue the revitalisation of Ashford town centre.
“Our number one priority is to deliver investment and jobs through an enterprising approach and this epitomises what Ashford and modern-day local government is about. Having a solid economic base enables us to continue to support our very important wider rural economy set in and around our delightful villages, and in our rural town of Tenterden.”
Renaissance Hotels has opened its sixth hotel in the emerging neighbourhood of La Republique, Paris.
Conveniently located near Le Marais and Canal Saint Martin, Renaissance Republique – a former home for travelling artists – is ideal for experiencing the City of Lights’ newest ‘it’ district in style.
Inspired by the bohemian soul of the La Republique district, the hotel has been modelled by renowned interior designer Didier Gomez. Best known for his creations for Yves Saint Laurent, LVMH, De Beers, among others – his interiors give an overall contemporary feel with exotic woods and tawny leather contrasted with contemporary artwork in the guestrooms and public spaces.
Gomez’s design includes cross-cultural features including a sculpture from Africa in the lobby, furnishings from Asia in the guestrooms and local Parisian street art throughout. In his design, Gomez has brought the outside in with tree motifs in the guestrooms, cloud shaped ceiling lights and a specular vegetation wall in the hotel’s expansive outdoor terrace.
Renaissance Hotels recently announced its new global “Fearlessly Chic” design philosophy where indigenous touch points infused into the design of each unique hotel capture a spirit of wanderlust to inspire guests to explore the neighbourhood and discover the unexpected.
The 121 rooms, inspired by local artist workshops, feature natural wood and earth tones, which complement Tom Dixon’s “Art et Floritude” modern lighting, while vintage furniture by Jean Prouvet and Charlotte Perriand reflect the hotel’s unusual heritage.
“We designed Renaissance Republique with the local community in mind, first and foremost. We wanted to create a neighbourhood destination as we believe this is what today’s Next Generation traveller seeks from a hotel stay,” explains Gomez.
“The hotel features a high-low design approach that harmoniously incorporates luxurious high-end finishes with raw, gritty, concrete surfaces. Bold, contemporary and locally-inspired elements are infused into the various spaces of the hotel to captivate locals and guests and create moments of discovery.”
With six categories of rooms available, the Renaissance Republique offers some of the city’s largest hotel living space. The crowning glory of the hotel is the Penthouse Suite with a private terrace complete with Jacuzzi and outdoor cinema, with stunning views over northern Paris and the Sacré-Cœur basilica of Montmartre.
In addition to its Parisian charm, guests can expect the signature touches found across Renaissance Hotels that a feed the curiosity, fuel the imagination and excite the senses of guests, including complimentary vintage bicycles for guests to discover Paris and mixology kits in the guestrooms.
Louvre Hotels Group has strengthened its position in the Middle East and North Africa by announcing the opening of 40 economy hotels over the next five years.
A seasoned player in the Middle East region with 60 hotels and over 8,000 rooms, Louvre Hotels Group brings its experience into play to meet the market dynamic. With the support of its shareholder Jin Jiang International, the hotel group continues its development strategy on the low-end and mid-range segments by privileging its Première Classe and Campanile brands, operating a network of over 650 hotels worldwide. The Group’s next step is to open 40 new hotels in the region within the next 5 years.
Since it was launched in 1989, Première Classe has renewed the super-budget hotel sector by adopting a veritable strategy combining low-cost and comfort. The brand delivers the promise of a unique experience: essential comfort, all-you-can-eat breakfast and modern and functional rooms with WiFi access. Today, Première Classe counts 264 hotels in 6 countries.
Campanile, the historic French brand founded in 1976, counts 375 hotels in 8 European countries and is the fourth largest restaurant network in France. To create the right design match for its brand image, authentic and welcoming, the brand called on French designer Patrick Jouin, while Michelin-starred chef Philippe Renard worked on its restaurant menu. 2016 will be an important year in Campanile’s globalisation strategy; in addition to moving into the Middle East, it will open its first hotel in Shanghai, China in the summer this year.
“By developing Première Classe and Campanile on the Middle East and North African markets where our 4- and 5-star brands are already established, we are meeting a real local need for economy hotels by offering clients uncompromising service quality,” explains Pierre-Frédéric Roulot, President and CEO of Louvre Hotels Group.
The first Première Classe hotel will open its doors in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2018, while the first Campanile hotel locations will be announced in the coming months. These new opportunities dovetail into the Group’s international development strategy, while meeting needs identified by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
According to the UNWTO, the number of international tourists in the Middle East grew by 3% in 2015 to reach a total of 54 million, consolidating a recovery begun in 2014.
Four Seasons has announced the details of its second hotel in London at the Grade II-listed Ten Trinity Square.
Intimate at only 100 accommodations including ten signature suites, no expense is being spared in creating a truly luxurious experience including two destination restaurants plus a vibrant bar and lounge in a beautiful rotunda. For relaxation, there’s the most lavish spa sanctuary in the City of London. The gracious meeting rooms are highlighted by the historic UN Ballroom.
The hotel will join sister property Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, as well as the brand’s country estate at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire.
Ten Trinity Square is within a 20-minute drive of London City Airport, and is also just 20 minutes from both the West End and London’s second financial district of Canary Wharf.
Eco-consciousness and sustainability is having more and more of an impact on how hotels are designed and built – not to mention how they are decorated inside. Guests are becoming savvy and expect hotel groups to offer a product that meets their standards of environmental responsibility; much the same way as they do with their food products or their cars.
Guest bloggers and Hotel Designs Directory members Pergo talk below about how their products are being used by ecologically-minded hoteliers and designers…
Environmental issues press more and more heavily on us all as the realisation of the fragility of our planet begins to dawn on us. Who can honestly say these days that they don’t look at the provenance and number of artificial additives in their products or the overall ecological promises of a brand?
Hotel guests are equally insistent. What are the corporate and socially responsibility ambitions of the hotel operator? The travel managers of large corporates do not allow bookings at hotels that do not meet their own minimum standards for recycling and waste management, re-use, local sourcing, the environmental-suitability of cleaning products and similar criteria.
These factors are used to judge whether or not your hotel makes it on the preferred supplier list of companies who need thousands of room nights every year. At a more personal level, checks on the availability of hypoallergenic pillows and whether or not the hotel has got carpets or wood floors are becoming more commonplace from health-conscious guests.
And surely the most environmentally-sound products are those that last forever. Stone is a good example. Take a marble bath surround that never has to be replaced then. Putting aside the environmental costs of procurement and installation, it is truly sustainable.
Similarly Pergo’s commitment to quality means that they can offer lifetime warranties on most of their products. Not only does this express supreme confidence it also shows a commitment to a sustainable future. Another commitment by Pergo is to only use wood sourced from sustainable forests having either the FSC or PEFC certification. Every tree used is replaced and therefore CO2 emissions are naturally stored in the wood flooring. How neat is that!?
The hotel combines both, modern-day glamour with old-world elegance, encompassing thoughtful design elements for convenience, privacy and security; offering an unrivalled dimension of luxury, sophistication and bespoke service. The hotel is located in the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Sentral Precinct (KL Sentral). Following this highly anticipated opening, St. Regis will add three additional locations to its coveted portfolio in 2016, including the Maldives, Changsha, and Cairo.
“The St. Regis brand is growing in the most vibrant and sought-after destinations around the globe and the debut in Kuala Lumpur, in partnership with ONE IFC Sdn Bhd, truly marks an incredible milestone for our company,” said Jim Petrus, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur’s strategic location, tech-forward facilities, and sophisticated services will offer the finest guest experiences imaginable, crafted for today’s luminaries who make our hotels their home away from home.”
Inspired by a luxurious Manhattan apartment, with interiors and architecture by G.A. Design, the hotel features a timeless design scheme created with historical context and a sense of opulence. The exquisite art collection includes masterpieces such as a monumental 3.5-metres horse sculpture by Fernando Botero; Grace Thunders, a specially commissioned diptych of two 4.9-metres hand-etched leather murals by Mark Evans depicting a powerful polo charge; and a three-dimensional Birds and Butterflies artwork by Barnaby Hosking.
The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur houses 208 gracefully appointed accommodations, each with a walk-in wardrobe. Starting at 63-square metres, the guestrooms are the largest in the city, and suites, starting from 138-square metres, are also unmatched in size. The Royal Suite, spanning 353-square metres, offers private elevator access, an outdoor terrace with panoramic skyline views, a show kitchen, separate his-and-hers walk-in wardrobes as well as an en-suite massage room and gym.
Other facilities include a supersized lift that can transport cars and other sizable exhibits into the ballroom, and The Salon, which is specially designed for weddings and VIP events. The room has a lounge and dressing room for the bride or personalities to change or refresh; and offers a live video feed from the Grand Ballroom so they can stay connected to the main event. In addition, The Exchange Rooms, equipped with teleconferencing facilities, make ideal boardroom meeting venues whilst the Screening Room is perfect for media and product launches.
Ikos Olivia, a contemporary and stylishly designed hotel on Greece’s Halkidiki coast, is set to open four new, two-bedroom beach-front bungalow suites this year.
Each suite has a private garden and offers views of the Aegean Sea, while also offering the perfect accompaniment to the nearby Aristotle Walking Trail.
The brand new ultra-spacious suites are ideal for the larger family, featuring two stylishly elegant bedrooms and separate lounge for extra privacy in contemporary and luxurious style, combined with a bathroom with tropical shower complete with Anne Semonin bathroom amenities. These beachfront suites come with a furnished balcony or a private garden complete with sun-loungers and just in front of the hotel’s beach.
These suites are set to complement the existing 142 bedrooms and junior suites, as well as the 145 private bungalow suites.
Malmaison, the iconic boutique hotel and lifestyle brand, announces that the recently acquired Montpellier Chapter Cheltenham is set to become part of the stylish Malmaison brand.
Guests will be able to enjoy the Malmaison experience from arrival, from the service culture to incorporating the iconic Mal touches to the stunning bedrooms. As well as an introduction to the brasserie and bar of the Malmaison signature drinks, cocktails including the Thank Mal It’s Friday concept, and outstanding food with the full a la carte, Prix Fixe and Sunday lunch unlimited menus.
Scott Harper, COO Malmaison said, “The Montpellier Chapter is full of character, and we are extremely excited to be bringing the Malmaison brand to this iconic hotel. Cheltenham is a beautiful and atmospheric city in the West Country. The perfect location to introduce the Malmaison brand.”
Deciding on the interior of your hotel rooms can be a tricky decision. You need something on trend, but something that also has lasting power for cost efficiency.
Finding trends that work through the seasons and reflect your brand identity doesn’t have to take months of forecasting. As part of this week’s guest blog, the Little Roman Blind Shop has released their trend guide for 2016, which features a selection of gorgeous trends for you to work with and a preview of which can be viewed below…
Marble majesty When you think of marble, it’s hard not to imagine a grandiose five star hotel reception area. Traditionally, marble flooring and furnishings have been a symbol of luxury. However in small doses, marble can be used in more modern interiors to combine minimalist looks with a slight twist of opulence. Light and airy, marble adds a well needed touch of texture to chic monochrome rooms. A great way to break up the interior in your hotel, marble pattern instantly catches the eye. It’s not just the natural material that can liven up your interior, try finding bedding, blinds and furnishings that simply use the same colours or are printed with the distinct marble effect pattern.
Living terrarium Forget the outdoor/indoor trend. Instead of taking inspiration from the exotic tropics, take a small snap shot of the outdoors with tiny terrariums. To use this trend you’ll have to swerve the typical floral patterns that perk up throughout the summer season. Use green elements and blend a variety of shades to add depth and focus on the structure of plants, rather than their blooms.
Go for a combination of ditsy patterns and large scale motifs, just like the changing scales you’d see in an actual terrarium. A little landscape of prickly cactus and succulents, your rooms can take inspiration from the small world captured in a terrarium. For an extra nod to the trend, experiment with clashing textures that reflect the little life you find in your terrarium. With silky soft sheets, try chunky knitted cushions or embellished throw cushions that spark textural conflict.
Copper calling In comparison to the first trend, copper may not seem as majestic. However, copper has become the go-to metallic for trend-setters this season. Understated and less opulent than its gold and silver siblings, copper offers a more downplayed sense of glamour. It doesn’t shout, it shimmers and dances in the light to offer a warm hue to your hotel bedrooms.
These three trends are perfect for all year round wonder. They liven up hotel interior and bring it into the new season, with a few traditional touches thrown in for good measure! Use these trends sparingly to add a subtle twist to your current interior, or go all out for a new look that guests are sure to love.
Interior designer, Shaun Clarkson has announced he will be adding a new property to his collection of ‘home-tels’ with the opening of The House in Hastings this August.
Located on Croft Road, the house is within reach of various attractions and is a five-minute walk from Hastings Beach.
With a square footage of 4500, sleeping up to 10 guests, the Grade-II listed Regency property has undergone an extensive refurbishment. Shaun’s instantly recognisable style is evident with a selection of greens and blues and an eclectic mix of commissioned furniture, hand-picked fixtures, furnishings, modern artwork and vintage pieces.
The House in Hastings has five bedrooms and four bathrooms. The large master suite takes up the entire second floor, complete with en-suite bathroom featuring a roll top bath, chaise longue and walk-in shower. The 453-square-foot suite features a handmade super king size, deep buttoned sleigh bed with a premium Savoir mattress, French 1940’s chandeliers, bespoke rugs and a feature fireplace.
Shaun Clarkson says: “Following on from the success of Carrington House, Cliff Barns and Powers Cottage, I am incredibly excited to add The House at Hastings to our collection of home-tels. Hastings is experiencing a revival and gaining an enviable reputation as a centre for cultural creativity with so many visual and performing artists making their homes here. Add to this a new theatre, a host of bars and restaurants and historical venues and you have a fantastic holiday destination.”
Frankfurt Messe Premier Inn officially opened to the public last week, marking Whitbread’s first hotel of the brand in Germany. Adopting European-style open-plan lounge, dining and reception areas, the new hotel remains true to its heritage and carries a distinct British charm.
Ensuring consistency of the look and feel of the hotel brand overseas, Whitbread employed trusted design partner, JSJ Design. Sarah Simpson, Head of Product for Premier Inn said: “JSJ led the entire design process from partner brief to detailed decision-making to final design sign-off. As one of our lead design partners, they played a critical role in ensuring successful delivery of the Frankfurt hotel with a distinctive design tailored to the German market.”
Designing many of Premier Inn’s latest UK hotel interiors, including the chain’s flagship hotel in Kings Cross and the new strand of tech-driven hub hotels, JSJ has formed a deep understanding of the brand. Tasked with adapting that knowledge to a new market was Jeremy Scarlett, Interior Designer and JSJ Design co-founder. He said: “I’ve worked on various Premier Inn projects over the last ten years and while they’re all unique, Frankfurt Messe is like no other. Setting it apart from the UK hotels, the focus for the entire ground floor was to create a versatile public space, functional through day and night. In achieving this, the brand is moving away from pure function and into a realm where customer experience is key. It will seriously raise traveller expectations of budget hotels.”
JSJ Design collaborated with Hamburg-based designers JOI Design to ensure the quintessentially English brand catered for local tastes. In addition to the open-plan communal areas, points of differentiation can be found in the bedrooms and bathrooms, where showers replace baths and an imaginative new room layout was developed to meet the expectations of the German guest.
Elsewhere, understated nods to English heritage can be found throughout the hotel, from Chesterfield sofas to the iconic British Bulldog. Scarlett commented: “Building on the subtle but distinct English sense of humour, Frankfurt Messe features an array of strategically placed accessories, typically associated with London and all things British. Embracing our quirks adds bags of character and brings a little cheekiness to the interior.”
Natural wood and dark warm tones are offset by bright shades of turquoise, sunny yellow accents and pink and purple highlights. Statement pendant lighting creates distinct areas and sets the tone for the use of space, from focused and bright in the Work Zone, to warm and cosy in the lounge and dining areas. The result is a contemporary multipurpose space that adapts to meet the changing needs of guests throughout their stay.
Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. will open in September 2016 – dramatically ahead of schedule. With its opening, the Nation’s Capital will now be home to an iconic and historic super-luxury hotel rivaling the best of other international capital cities.
“For decades people have looked in wonderment at the magnificence of the Old Post Office building and structure. There is nothing like it and we are so proud to have not only brought this incredible building back to life, but also to a position far greater than it ever was at its previous zenith. It was an honour to have dealt with the professionals at the General Services Administration. It was their total passion and hard work that helped bring this unrivaled project to fruition,” says US presidential hopeful Donald J. Trump.
With its prestigious location right on Pennsylvania Avenue, the US Government has entrusted the Trump Organisation with the complex challenge of transforming this 19th century one-of-a-kind building into one of the greatest luxury hotels in the world.
Painstakingly restoring the intricate stonework, original wood milling and panelling while installing the latest in technology and luxurious comforts expected by today’s sophisticated and discerning travelers, the hotel will introduce to the market 263 exquisitely detailed and spacious guest rooms and suites. The thirty-five suites include the Trump Townhouse with its private entrance on Pennsylvania Avenue. At 6,300-square-feet of interior space, it will be the largest and most luxurious suite in Washington, D.C. and among the largest in the country.
Recognising the need for a luxury ballroom spacious enough to host larger International meetings and opulent enough for prominent city galas, the Trump Organisation designed a complementing addition to the main building. With a private entrance, the 13,200 square foot, column-free Presidential Ballroom will be the largest luxury ballroom in Washington, D.C. and has already been enthusiastically received by wedding and event planners, major associations, and corporations.
“This is my fifth hotel opening and I can say with conviction that I have never seen so much interest and so many early bookings as I have at Trump D.C.; we already have a significant number of events confirmed for 2016 and beyond with many more inquiries being considered,” said Mickael Damelincourt, Managing Director of Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. “We are preparing for what is a highly anticipated opening, and one that is unique to Washington, D.C. and the country as a whole.”
A good night’s sleep is, without doubt, one of the key selling points and minimum requirements of a hotel. Attention is rightly paid to a whole host of factors to ensure it’s delivered – the bed, the mattress, the pillows, the corridor acoustics. But what about flooring? Limiting noise from above and below a room is just as important to ensuring guests’ ‘beauty sleep’, something Hotel Directory members Pergo know all about and discuss below…
A ‘home-from-home’ might be what you think you want from a hotel experience but the reality is not necessarily the case.
Cosy and comfortable, yes. But if you live in a period home, do you really want its creaks and squeaks repeated on the road? The expansion and contraction of heating pipes, the creaking floorboards and stair treads that almost become endearing little storytellers of your home.
Prime amongst the components of a good night’s sleep is quiet. The life of the traveller is filled with clutter. Especially for those enduring a new or unfamiliar city. There maybe issues of language, food, directions, time zones, internet access, etc. The fewer distractions when trying to recharge and recuperate the better.
Therefore, sound-proofing guestrooms is a no-brainer. Fail to pay attention to this and watch those TripAdvisor ratings crash, noisily, to the floor. All noise is a nuisance. For the sleeper, silence is golden. Problematically this peace can be “attacked’ from all sides. From this side or that.
Rooms need to be sound-proofed from one to the other, from the corridor and externally. There are specific technical ratings for wall and door components plus the room’s glazing that help towards minimising these sources of disruption. From above or below. Whilst the in-room acoustics are largely taken care of by the many absorbing materials such as curtains, blinds, artwork, loose furnishings, rugs and bed linens, the noise transmission between rooms is a major issue.
Hard flooring surfaces may look great, wear well and be extremely hygienic but the writing is on the wall or floor, or even ceiling above you. They can be noisy. The clatter, clump and click of your neighbour’s shoes. The screech and scratch of furniture being moved around. All disturbing your sleep.
For a reduction in noise transmission from both corridors and adjacent rooms Pergo’s underlays have proven qualities. Extensive trials and testing using scenarios with and without underlay in specifically constructed laboratory conditions show performance gains in the reduction of the spread of noise.
Take, for example, vinyl. Pergo’s underlay sees the index for the absorption of impact sounds rise from 4dB to 18dB. A significant improvement in the amount of sound absorbed by the underlay. Sleep tight!
At the forefront of design, Gallery Direct is always looking to the future to provide and develop products that continue to stay ahead of trend. For 2016 they launched over 160 exciting new pieces at the January Furniture Show.
The new products are featured in Gallery’s Spring/Summer 2016 Lookbook. Alongside this, they have now produced a Design Directory which contains their entire catalogue. Included in this, for the first time, Gallery are offering a made-to-order service on a range of upholstered products. This new service offers clients the opportunity to add a touch of individual style and personality to their furniture; from simple elegance to a bold statement piece, the selection available allows customers to create their own look, offering choices to suit all tastes and styles of interior.
In keeping with all Gallery’s products, their stunning new range of made-to-order furniture focuses on high quality and close attention to detail. The selection of timeless designs is beautifully handcrafted in the UK. As part of this collection of stunning upholstered furniture, Gallery Direct have an extensive range of over 50 luxury fabrics, offering a wide variety of colours, patterns and textures.
With a choice of 11 different products available as part of their made-to-order service, including sofa beds, sofas, chairs and a bed, Gallery Direct has recreated classic furniture and updated it to suit modern day interiors, whilst retaining timeless manufacturing methods in order to produce pieces with long lasting appeal and durability. Featuring an armchair, sofa and sofa bed, the Corsham collection (pictured above), can be combined to give a coordinated overall look to an interior or each piece can stand on its own in simple and understated luxury. These plush furnishings offer comfort and flexibility and, with the wide selection of fabrics to choose from, all the products are highly adaptable to any interior.
The glamourous Piccadilly takes influence from the iconically designed Chesterfield style sofa; featuring elegant scroll arms and fine upholstered button detailing, this truly is a statement piece. The Piccadilly is available as a fixed sofa and as a sofa bed.
PICCADILLY Sofa Bed
Designed with both style and comfort in mind, the two sofa beds offer classy yet practical solutions to guest visits. For superior seating comfort they feature bands, whilst high quality slats give a firm sleeping comfort. Couple this with a sumptuous 12cm thick mattress, and the Corsham and Piccadilly truly offer the ultimate in luxury sofa beds. Also part of the made-to-order collection is the Paddington Large Wing Chair, the Bloomsbury Rectangle Footstool and the Southwark Square Footstool. All incorporate fine upholstered button detailing, to offer a sophisticated finish; they complement the Piccadilly beautifully or make stunning stand-alone feature pieces.
PICCADILLY Sofa
SOUTHWARK Square Footstall
For a more understated, yet elegant look, the Pimlico Small Wing Chair offers a classic design that can suit a range of interiors, both contemporary and traditional. This timeless piece can accompany a selection of furniture and with the made-to-order service, individuality can be added by the selection of fabric, making it an extremely adaptable design. Modern and practical, the Hoxton Tub Chair gives a contemporary take on the classic armchair; with a low profile back and subtle wooden legs, this piece can bring a room to life or add to an existing interior theme. Create a statement piece by selecting a bold fabric or for a subtle approach, select one of the understated yet elegant choices.
The chairs, sofas and sofa beds are all constructed with a high quality timber frame, and the sofa beds feature a heavy duty, two fold easy open and close mechanism, ensuring these pieces are extremely sturdy, long-lasting products. Bold and glamorous, the Strand Bedstead demonstrates the finest craftsmanship and attention to detail; this classic boudoir style bed with luxurious fully upholstered button detail brings together the finest materials to give a striking finish. The eye-catching made-to-order bed is available in three different sizes with high and low foot end versions. The Strand is a truly versatile design to create your own style from boutique hotel to contemporary loft living.
HOXTON Tub Chair
PIMLICO Small Wing Chair
To complement the Strand, Gallery Direct has also introduced a range of high quality mattresses which are handmade in the UK by their team of craftsmen. Adding a touch of individual boldness to today’s contemporary style, Gallery Direct’s stunning new range of made-to-order furniture offers a selection of beautifully designed products that can be personalised to suit different taste and interiors.
Year after year Gallery Direct continually delivers new ideas and on-trend, design led products which combine the best of traditional craftsmanship with new technology and exciting materials. With constant development and introduction of new product lines, it is clear to see why Gallery continue to go from strength to strength. With their huge product offering now including their made-to-order pieces, they truly are the complete home furnishing solution.
A brand new five-star luxury hotel, Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra, has arrived at the heart of Ghana’s capital. The property features 269 rooms including 22 suites and 2 presidential suites with entry level rooms from an expansive 50sqm: the largest room size in Accra.
Home to the brand new Resense Spa due to open in late 2016, the hotel offers world-class conference facilities and a variety of dining options. Just six hours from London with daily British Airways flights, guests will be immersed in a vibrant Ghanaian revival. European luxury at the heart of an African renaissance, Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City is the centrepiece of a ground breaking ongoing development for the capital; encompassing offices, residential and retail space.
Rooms & Suites Inspired by the heritage and colours of Ghana, each room features hardwood floors, luxuriant textiles, and carefully selected artwork. The rooms and suites are spacious; 142 of which have their own balconies. Deluxe, Executive and Superior rooms draw inspiration from African artistry, featuring comfortable living areas and ergonomic work stations. Executive rooms and suites have the added benefit of overlooking the pool or city of Accra with access to the executive lounge. The Presidential Suites offer panoramic views of Accra and complimentary use of a luxury car chauffeur and 24 hour butler service.
Meetings & Conferences Perfectly located for the corporate traveller, Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City is in close proximity to the State House, Accra International Conference Centre and the National Theatre. The hotel also provides the ideal venue for meetings and events with more than 1750sqm of meeting and banquet space. From elegant affairs in the grand ballroom to productive meetings and special open-air events, the expertly designed conference facilities are world-class. The hotel’s Ballroom is the largest and most luxurious in Ghana. Eight further meeting rooms and break out spaces feature innovative technology, such as touch panels built into the tables.
Gallery 1957 Gallery 1957 is a new gallery in Accra dedicated to contemporary art situated in the hotel. With an initial curatorial focus on contemporary Ghanaian art, the gallery presents a programme of exhibitions, installations and performances by the country’s most significant artists under the Creative Directorship of Nana Oforiatta Ayim. Gallery 1957 works with artists currently bridging the gap between local and international practices, including Serge Attukwei Clottey, Zohra Opoku, Jeremiah Quarshie, Ibrahim Mahama and Yaw Owusu.
Spa & Fitness Opening in late 2016, the Resense Spa at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City will transport guests to an oasis of sophisticated relaxation with gold mosaic interiors, 10 treatment rooms, and a hammam. Set to be one of the largest spas in West Africa, the spa invites guests across a dramatic threshold into a lounge with the atmosphere of a chic private members’ club. Guests will also be delighted by the spa menu, based on traditional European treatments, including the Resense bathing ‘Kur,’ combining ancient Roman bathing traditions with a holistic approach of natural therapies. For guests who want to enhance their wellbeing, the Health Club also offers a 25-metre outdoor swimming pool, fully fitted state-of-the-art gymnasium, yoga studio, health and beauty salon, tennis court and organic bar.
Restaurants & Bars At Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, guests will enjoy the flavours of Africa blended with international cuisine, appealing to all tastes and occasions from a family meal to a business lunch. The Papillon Restaurant is a vibrant all day restaurant showcasing Mediterranean flavours and the best in local Ghanaian cuisine. The infinity Papillion Pool Lounge offers views over the greens of the Cedar Terrace and a waterfall running all the way down to the Cedar Garden. Cabana style seating offer daytime relaxation, while moonlights and lanterns set the mood in the evening. Meanwhile, in the Cedar Garden, opening in late 2016, you can dine on Lebanese and Oriental cuisine and partake in a shisha experience. Alternatively, the Gallery Bar is the perfect place for guests to socialise. A short distance away, the Gallery Lounge is a comfortable lounge venue to see and to be seen. A place where the guests come for afternoon tea or a glass of wine, while listening to custom designed lounge music or live piano.
The Galleria Mall The Galleria mall, set to open in late 2016 will offer 6,000 sq. m of high-end retail and commercial office space. Substantial underground parking and 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.
A North East hotel is being restored to its former glory following a £200,000 investment. The Three Horseshoes Hotel at Washington Road, Sunderland, was bought by Tavistock Hospitality Ltd in 2015 and quickly transformed into a brewery tap for the company’s Sonnet 43 Brew House based in Coxhoe, County Durham.
Now, the new owners are embarking on the second stage of their plans to fully restore the once popular hotel, with work already underway to refurbish all seven of its upstairs bedrooms.
The boutique bed and breakfast, being created as part of Tavistock’s overall investment in the site, is expected to be completed by mid-May, with fixtures and fittings paying a subtle tribute to Sunderland’s industrial past.
“The Three Horseshoes is in an enviable position, with fantastic road links making it an ideal base for both leisure and business guests,” said Jonathan Graham, Operations Director of Tavistock Hospitality.
“While we focussed our initial efforts on transforming the downstairs area into a bar and restaurant, we are keen to get the entire site operational as soon as possible.
“We are confident that a combination of tailored design, reasonable rates and the availability of high quality food and drink downstairs, will appeal particularly to the corporate market, including those visiting the Nissan site just over the road.”
The Three Horseshoes Hotel, which is now among more than a dozen hotels, bars and restaurants owned by Tavistock Hospitality across the North East.
The first Renaissance Hotel in the United Arab Emirates is set to open at the end of the year, according to a statement released by Marriott International. The Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai will be a 298-room luxury property. The firm has also announced it plans to open four additional hotels in the country throughout 2016.
Amongst the 2016 openings is Abu Dhabi’s first Marriott Hotel, the 315-room five-star Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi as well as the 64-suite Marriott Executive Apartments Downtown Abu Dhabi.
Further strengthening Marriott International’s luxury lifestyle offering, scheduled 2016 openings also include the 86-room La Ville Hotel City Walk Dubai, Autograph Collection, the 68-suite La Ville Apartments City Walk, Dubai and the 500-room Lapita Hotel, Autograph Collection, all set to open by the fourth quarter of this year.
Speaking ahead of this week’s Arabian Travel Market 2016 (ATM), Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa of Marriott International, said: “The Renaissance Hotel Downtown Dubai will be a truly unique offer within the UAE hospitality sector as it is a highly appealing lifestyle option for both business and leisure travellers. The debut, alongside the opening of our flagship Marriott Hotels brand and two other Autograph Collection properties make for a very attractive luxury lifestyle proposition in the UAE.”
The 5 property openings planned for this year will be amongst nine Marriott International properties, representing over 2000 rooms, scheduled to open in the UAE by 2018. Among the much-anticipated Marriott International openings will be the region’s first EDITION and Bulgari Hotels – both set to open in 2017.
At present, Marriott International operates nearly 150 properties across the Middle East and Africa region, representing 9 brands in 19 countries. By 2020 the hotel company will add a further 93 properties and approximately 19,000 rooms within the region for a total of 240 properties and 40,000 rooms.
Birmingham’s newest four star hotel – Park Regis – has joined forces with retail giant John Lewis to supply soft furnishings and kitchenware for its presidential suite, the largest of its kind in the city.
Park Regis Birmingham, which opened its doors to guests in March, has purchased designer kitchen products and home furnishings for residents of its presidential suite to enjoy. The exclusive suite has the largest floor-space of any presidential suite in Birmingham, boasting a private kitchen, spacious lounge with scenic views towards Edgbaston, a walk-in wardrobe and dressing room, as well as two junior suites which can be joined to form one large three-bedroom space.
Robin Ford, general manager at Park Regis Birmingham, said: “As the city’s newest luxury hotel, it only seemed right to team up with the city’s newest high-end retailer to find products to supply our presidential suite with. We’ve selected quality cookware including Dualit appliances and Nespresso coffee machines, as well as cosy home furnishings to make our suite as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.”
Lisa Williams, head of branch at John Lewis Birmingham said: “It’s an honour to have been the hotel’s first port of call when looking to kit out its presidential suite. We are two new businesses in the city that have joined together to provide homeware that is luxurious and homely, perfectly suited to the extended stay nature of the hotel’s suites.”
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants recently announced the reopening of its Kimpton Morrison House hotel in Alexandria, Virginia after extensive renovations and the debut of adjacent Ashlar Restaurant and Bar.
With whimsical, literary-inspired design for all its public spaces, hallway corridors and guest rooms and suites, as well as the addition of a new restaurant and ballroom, the 45-room hotel creates an elevated experience for in-the-know travellers. Its unique style and warm, personalised services make Kimpton Morrison House one of northern Virginia’s top hotels.
Words on Water Design The hotel’s new design, brought to life by David Hill of Los Angeles-based DH Designs, was inspired by beloved American literary masterpieces set on and around water. It’s a modern take on Kimpton Morrison House’s original bookish concept and it incorporates the hotel’s close proximity to the banks of the Potomac River. Guests will be welcomed with progressive designs featuring botanical and water elements and original artwork inspired by beloved literary classics such as “The Great Gatsby” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Nods to local tradition include incorporations of signature tartan plaids — a tribute to Alexandria’s rich Scottish heritage.
Upon entering the hotel, guests are greeted by a bright grassy green hue reminiscent of walls found at Carlyle House, a historic former mansion house in Old Town. The entryway has been opened up to allow guests to easily flow from check-in to the cozy parlour room to the bar in one connected, engaging space. The parlour beckons with soft dove gray walls, modern wingback chairs and long banquettes with tabletop checkerboards that encourage conversation, making it especially inviting for Kimpton’s hosted evening wine hour.
A custom central rug is patterned to resemble reflections of trees on a river, and a contemporary art piece featuring a profile of author Mark Twain hangs above the original decorative marble fireplace. Behind the bureau-like reception desk with mismatched antique style drawers in the main hall hangs a stunning signature art piece commissioned for Kimpton Morrison House.
The work, crafted by Ricky Alvarez of Tinto Creative, showcases the hotel’s literary and water theme with a bespoke collage of open books, layered on top of each other, with swirling textured gold leaf painted atop to resemble water flowing down a river. Books used for the piece were meticulously sourced titles from antique book dealers that focus on regional stories and originated from libraries and archives in the Potomac and capital regions.
Guest Rooms & Services The hotel’s 45 sophisticated guest rooms, including three signature suites, incorporate refined finishes that could be seen in a classic row home, accentuated with friendly pops of colour that inspire. Modern takes on traditional touches include modified four-poster beds, geometric flora and fauna artwork and an orange tartan plaid carpet.
Rounded armchairs and playful artwork in bright cerulean blues add to the playfulness of an otherwise sophisticated space. Natural light abounds from floor-to-ceiling windows dressed with Roman shades, streaming across large writing desks ideal for delving into a new novel or catching up on the day’s work. All guest rooms have luxe Italian marble bathrooms, some with large glass standing showers, and upgraded room types feature separate sitting rooms, decorative fireplaces and hardwood floors.
RPW Design has announced the extensive refurbishment of the five-star resort, Fairmont St Andrews, which has been designed over the last year. The highly anticipated refurbishment will feature a complete redesign of the Atrium, incorporating a bespoke 60m long ceiling sculpture by award winning artist George Singer, a new restaurant and a refurb of the Kittock’s Bar.
RPW Design will also extend their signature touch to the hotel’s suites and bedrooms, showcasing the deep rooted connection between the history of St Andrews and the exterior landscape, seamlessly relating the interiors to the surroundings. This sophisticated transformation will see all public areas completed by July 2016, while bedrooms and suites will be completed by May 2017.
Reception Lobby A pair of contemporary velvet wall hangings, inspired by the varying landscape of St Andrews in a painterly manner have been developed and printed by Timorous Beasties, the avant-garde Scottish artistic fabric and textile designers. These have been installed in the double heighted reception space to give a sense of locality and authenticity as soon as guests enter the hotel.
Upholstery fabrics and leathers have been selected from revered Scottish companies such as Andrew Muirhead and Bute Fabrics. Bute, based on the Isle of Bute off west coast of Scotland are providing a number of richly textured fabrics in the scheme influenced by the islands scenery. The company and the island share a unique family history as the 5th Marquess of Bute set up the company in 1947 to provide employment for returning servicemen and servicewomen. The Bute family has been inextricably linked with the island and its development ever since.
The Atrium George Singer’s outstanding artwork ‘Zephyr’ is an organic, swirling ceiling sculpture sweeping through the atrium, imitating the movement of the water in the North Sea. The sculpture will create a focal point to the room and encourage an intimate atmosphere in this dramatic space.
According to George Singer: “Zephyr is designed to reflect the crashing waves, the flocks of starlings, the long wind-blown grasses, the spring blossom, the shoals of fish, the rolling hills, the clouds and the sheer energy, beauty, and dynamism of the east coast of Scotland.”
A natural colour palette, layered earthy textures and an eclectic furniture collection will create a relaxed, inviting atmosphere in the lounge as well as linking the interior with the views of the coastal landscape beyond the full height window at the north end of the Atrium.
Following through into the restaurant, dramatic lighting and refined materials with a colour scheme of pine and sage greens and hints of golds create a sense of quality throughout the space. Soft velvet wall drapes and bespoke screens reflecting the ripples in the sand dunes soften the architecture of the space and give a sense of intimacy.
The Bar “RPW Design has drawn on a rich colour scheme with nautical elements that create a warm atmosphere for drinking and dining. A revised layout opens up the space to the lobby and a new copper coffee counter links the reception to the bar area”, explains Heather McLellan, Senior Designer for the project.
A carpet design based on the markings found in the nearby River Tay estuaries, along with the use of materials such as timber, copper and rope strengthen the connection between the interior design and history of St Andrews and its surrounding old fishing villages.
The theme of Scottish suppliers follows through to the bar area where bespoke pendants from Edinburgh lighting manufacturers, RS Robertson create a feature to the space. Elizabeth Lane, Director of Projects RPW Design, said: “It is a wonderful opportunity to be part of the revival of this hotel property which simply has a breath-taking location which we have made a focal point in the renovation. We are extremely happy to be working with Kennedy Wilson and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts on this project.”
From the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) in Dubai, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced that it is on track to grow its portfolio in the Middle East to 100 hotels by 2020.
This follows five new deal signings that will add over 1,200 rooms in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Starwood will also open five hotels in 2016 across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
“The Middle East continues to be one of Starwood’s fastest growing markets and we are immensely committed to the trust that owners have in our world-class brands,” said Michael Wale, President of Starwood, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Our long-established presence in the region, and the value we deliver, has set us ahead to further expand our footprint and strengthen our guest loyalty.”
“We continue to strengthen Starwood’s leadership position in the Middle East through an aggressive growth strategy that will increase our footprint by 75% in the next five years,” says Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Our flexible development approach, differentiated brands, loyal customer base and proven ability to drive asset value has made Starwood the ideal partner for developers in the region.”
Starwood’s newest hotel signings in the region include a Luxury Collection Hotel and Le Méridien in Lusail, Qatar; Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah Tahlia, Saudi Arabia; Four Points by Sheraton Unaizah, Saudi Arabia and Four Points by Sheraton Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
Steigenberger is continuing its programme of expansion in the Middle East – the first InterCityHotel outside Europe is scheduled to open in July 2016 in Salalah, the second largest metropolitan area in Oman located 1,000 kilometres to the South-West of the capital Muscat.
This will be the first international mid-market hotel in the city.
The new hotel will extend over eight storeys and will offer 70 rooms as well as a restaurant and gym, and a roof-top swimming pool with fabulous views. As usual, the InterCityHotel Salalah is being developed in a central location at the heart of the business district and within the immediate vicinity of various ministries. The airport is also only four kilometres away. Salalah is particularly popular because of its all-year round mild climate and its impressive natural environment.
Puneet Chhatwal, CEO of Steigenberger Hotels AG, commented: “Following our Steigenberger début in Dubai in November last year, we are now bringing our InterCityHotel brand to the Middle East for the first time. This represents a further important milestone for us.”
The Steigenberger Hotel Dubai Business Bay has been receiving guests since November 2015 and has recently won the accolade of being named a “leading new hotel” in the 2016 Hospitality Awards.
The InterCityHotel Dubai Culture Village and the Steigenberger Hotel Doha Airport Road in Qatar are scheduled for completion in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Marriott International has announced the opening of its newest property in China – the Zhejiang Taizhou Marriott Hotel.
The hotel has 351 elegant and spacious rooms featuring gorgeous views of the city skyline. Each room is equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities and amenities ranging from high-speed internet, luxurious bedding with down comforters and cotton-rich linens to spacious marble bathrooms and 48” flat-panel TV.
Zhejiang Taizhou Marriott Hotel offers a total of 2,400 square meters of meeting space with an elegant pillar-less 1,000 square meters Grand Ballroom, the largest ballroom in town, as well as 14 meeting rooms that can be scaled for various functions and sizes.
“Local demand for Marriott Hotel’s brand is surging, driven by the region’s robust economic growth and rapid infrastructure development, and our hotel is well poised to serve increasingly refined hospitality needs in Taizhou,” said Mr. Mark Chan, General Manager of Zhejiang Taizhou Marriott Hotel.
Leeu Collection has acquired its first UK property, the acclaimed Lake District hotel, Linthwaite House.
It is Leeu Collection’s first property outside of South Africa, where the group currently operates two hotels (Leeu House and Le Quartier Francais), with a third – Leeu Estates – due to open in June 2016.
Linthwaite House is a celebrated, four-AA Red Star Hotel located in the South Lake District (South Lakes). Originally built as a country house in 1901, this boutique hotel has been independently owned for 25 years. Situated in 14 acres of landscaped gardens, the property offers complete privacy and spectacular panoramic views across Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells. Accommodation is offered in 30 en-suite bedrooms and the hotel also has a 3 AA Rosette restaurant.
Renowned for its homely comforts and for being a haven of tranquillity, Linthwaite House personifies the best of traditional British hospitality. Garnering a Best Service honour from Conde Nast Johansens 2016 UK & Ireland Awards for Excellence, as well as the Good Hotel Guide’s, Editor’s Choice 2016 award in the Romantic Hotel category, this acquisition echoes Leeu Collection’s founder, Indian industrialist Analjit Singh’s vision of creating unrivalled escapes and offering visitors extraordinary experiences.
Leeu Collection comprises four properties, three in South Africa and now one in Britain. Leeu is the Afrikaans word for lion, as is Singh in Sanskrit.
All three of the Leeu Collection’s South Africa properties are located in the Western Cape’s wineland town of Franschhoek just under an hour’s drive from Cape Town and its International Airport.
Work has begun on a new boutique, four-star hotel in Edinburgh’s Old Town at a cost of £20 million, which is set to open in 2018.
The eight-storey hotel on Market Street will have 98 bedrooms, as well as two roof terraces that will give guests, “spectacular panoramic views” over the heart of the city.
Once complete, the hotel will fill the last gap remaining on the northern boundary of the Old Town between Edinburgh Castle and North Bridge. The hotel has been designed by JM Architects and interior design company FG Stijl.
Alfred Bree, Managing Director of Carlton Hotel Collection, said: “We are proud to open the luxurious lifestyle hotel at this magnificent location in Edinburgh. The group’s long term strategy is to grow our portfolio of unique hotels in key cities, and Edinburgh has been on our wish list for a long time. Together with our international awarded interior designers we will create a new hotspot for the modern conscious traveller, inspired by the city’s cultural and historical elements”.
He added: “The interior design of this hotel will reflect the heritage of the location and will meet all demands of the international modern traveller. All at Carlton Hotel Collection are looking forward to the successful development of this historic site and to welcoming all in spring 2018.”
An enormous amount of strain is put on a hotel’s flooring, especially in the public areas. It stands to reason that it needs to be able to withstand a high level of wear-and-tear. Functionality is key. The difficult part, however, for manufacturers is creating a product that fits the bill from a designer’s perspective as well.
With more than 35 years experience in the flooring industry, Hotel Designs Directory members Pergo has been at the forefront of successfully doing just that. Recently, the firm’s Design Director Oke Nollet shared her thoughts on getting design just right…
Q. How do you see the market today in terms of consumer desires? A. We see two broad consumer trends. The nostalgic group who appreciate artisanship, authenticity, real woods and stone. Then there is the Past Forward to the Future set. They accept imitation. In fact they think imitation is fantastic. There is a desire for traditional materials but they want the superior performance of technically advanced products. I call it ‘faux bois’. An extension of the idea of ‘faux fur’ in fashion.
Q. What are the main interior trends you are seeing currently? A. The main trend is ‘perfection vs imperfection’. You see it everywhere, from fashion to architecture to interior design. These days, perfection conveys a certain sobriety that nevertheless exudes style and elegance. This is why Scandinavian design is back. Next to that we embrace imperfections; wooden floors are therefore allowed to exhibit cracks and deviations. These natural deviations add a touch of warmth and nonchalance to an interior In terms of colours, fashion is the pioneer.
We will see warmer oranges and browns coming through, to offset all the black furniture that is around. Nevertheless, grey floors will be everywhere and combine perfectly with trendy styles such as the new Memphis. In term of materials, as our lives are accelerating, we want to stay in touch with nature so there is a development towards more floral and plant-influenced design using botanical prints and lots of plants in our interiors.
Q. And how are these trends interpreted at Pergo? A. We have a dedicated in-house design team looking at general design trends and how they can be implemented across different sectors such as hospitality, retail and healthcare. We are able to react pretty quickly to what is happening so we look about 12 months ahead.
For example, we wanted to use pinewood to give us that Scandinavian-look but the softness of pine makes it unsuitable for the demands of flooring. Imagine the impact of each and every high heel on a pine floor! So we have used patterns directly from Norwegian pine boards to create a super tough laminate alternative. This is the perfect, natural-looking brushed white pine in our new Sensations range.
Enabling architects to create sustainable, environmentally-friendly bathroom and washroom spaces, the market-leading Geberit Duofix Sigma 8cm framing system has been re-launched with a number of modifications.
With regulations regarding energy and water usage in building design becoming ever-more stringent, the new Geberit Duofix Sigma 8cm achieves an A*** on the WELL label, enabling it to meet environmental standards on many projects.
Helping to save water on commercial and domestic projects alike, the integrated cistern in the re-designed framing system has an adjustable flushing volume. Factory set at a flush of 6 and 3 litres, the cistern can be adjusted to lower flush volumes of 4 and 3 litres, without compromising on its performance.
A more versatile design option than ever before, the Geberit Duofix Sigma8cm is now narrower at 50cm wide and is suitable for a diverse range of applications as it can be used with all styles of ceramic, from shallow pans, to long projection WCs. Also, compatible with the Geberit AquaClean shower toilet range, the new frame can be used to introduce the very latest toilet technology into bathroom designs.
The Sigma8cm 2016 is now compatible with all Sigma flush plates and pneumatic flush buttons (except Sigma40) for creativity of design in the modern bathroom.
Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe UK, will showcase a number of contemporary and premium fabric collections at the Irish Interiors Showcase in May.
Kobe’s Elements, which was awarded ‘Top Product’ by Design Insider at the Independent Hotel Show in London, is a range of 100% flame retardant fabrics for both domestic and contract window décor and soft furnishings.
A palette of rich and neutral tones complements the sophisticated collection of luxurious easy-to-care-for, washable fabrics. Their cool linen, soft satin and subtle metallic look is a perfect match for the geometric, herringbone and medallion designs.
Kobe’s new, Art Deco inspired Elegance collection, features statement pieces combined with timeless plains and semi plains in sumptuous velvet, woven jacquard, cool linen and soft silk feel fabrics. Metallic tones to gentle graceful hues, complement the intricate geometric, floral, medallion and trellis patterns,
The Kobe UK sales office and studio are based in Crowthorne, Berkshire.
A fifth DoubleTree by Hilton hotel has opened in Russia with the opening of a property in Tyumen.
Since 2014, DoubleTree by Hilton‘s presence has doubled in the country, showing the brand’s rise in popularity and demand for its hotels.
DoubleTree by Hilton Tyumen offers 195 comfortable and thoughtfully designed guest rooms, including 23 suites and an executive floor with a private lounge for those wanting to work with little interruption.
The hotel’s corporate facilities make it a great option for hosting meetings. The Diamond Hall Ballroom, along with a further six meeting rooms cater for up to 220 people, making it one of the largest meeting spaces in the city.
The pillar-free ballroom of 250 square metres, also has access to a dedicated pre-function area, ideal for business events and conferences.
The Detroit furniture range from Gallery Direct’s Hudson Living furniture collection offers a cool and contemporary finish to any interior.
This striking range of occasional pieces features solid European Oak with a brushed, dry oiled finished, combined with tops that are manufactured using a faux concrete resin floated on by hand as a screen to achieve the natural undulating characteristics of freshly laid concrete.
The Detroit furniture range consists of a selection of different table styles, so whether you want a stand alone console table or a nest of two tables, this collection will add an understated modern industrial touch to a room.
Cary Arms, the five-star hotel in Devon, is mere months away from revealing its new beach huts — part of a £1.5 million investment. As well as the huts, the hotel — owned by the de Savary family — will be unveiling two beach suites and a luxury spa.
According to the owners, the huts are being partnered with bold-print fabrics and contemporary furnishings, reflecting the fluid lines and colours of the coast. Top international designs and art-work have been hand-picked from Italy and France.
Speaking about the project to local media last year, Peter de Savary said: “The beach huts and suites will be very spectacular. We are confident in the Cary Arms, in Babbacombe, in Torquay and Devon and we feel there is a demand for it.”
The new Cary Spa will include a pool and sunbathing deck, treatment rooms, sauna and steam and a mini gym.
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino has completed the final phase of its resort-wide remodel of more than 3,000 guest rooms and suites.
Created by the MGM Resorts International Design Group, the redesigned rooms and suites feature refreshing colour palettes and modern designs in three distinct collections. The Resort Collection welcomes guests with three colour combinations.
The Resort King features a cobalt and white colour scheme, while the Resort Queen offers a ruby and latte room or rich lavender and mocha. Bold furnishings throughout the collection include a mural onyx-inspired wall that surrounds the bed in each room. Other details include a spacious glass desk, modern seating, task lighting and easy bedside and tableside recharging.
The Suite Collection offers one and two-bedroom suites accented by rich jewel tone fabrics, natural wood and stone. Featuring multiple seating and dining areas, as well as a large table in the media and living area, these suites are ideal spaces whether hosting for business or pleasure.
For guests seeking an elevated experience, the Luxury Collection offers spectacular one- to four- bedroom suites. New, vibrant décor accompanies floor-to-ceiling windows and elegant dining and bar areas to provide the ultimate accommodations.
This marks the conclusion of a near $100 million remodel that began in 2015.
The first foundations have been laid for One&Only Portonovi – an integral part of the new luxury lifestyle development being built in Montenegro.
In a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister of Montenegro, other senior government ministers, and senior executives from One&Only Resorts and Portonovi parent company Azmont Investments, construction commenced on Europe’s first One&Only resort.
The luxury resort will be an integral part of Portonovi – a new 60 acre luxury lifestyle development being built on the picturesque shores of the Bay of Boka Kotorska in Montenegro. The first phase of the development is due to be completed in 2017 with One&Only Portonovi planned for opening in 2018. Jean-Michel Gathy and the team from Denniston International Architects are responsible for the architecture and interiors, as well as the design of the exterior spaces surrounding the resort.
One&Only has worked with Jean-Michel Gathy on many projects, most recently One&Only Reethi Rah where he was tasked with keeping three words in mind – luxury, space and privacy to ensure ultimate luxury is provided to guests, and the same will apply for One&Only in Montenegro.
One&Only Portonovi will boast nearly 120 luxurious guest rooms, suites and villas, dining and retail options, and a wellness and vitality centre in partnership with world-renowned wellness brand, Espace Chenot Health Wellness Spa, which will provide guests with an unrivalled destination wellness experience. Redefining luxury in the region, One&Only Portonovi will set a new level of guest experience through the impeccable service and offering, and will showcase the beauty of Montenegro’s natural elements.
With a restrained and elegant range of environmental graphics Modulex complement the scheme created by New York based Champalimaud Design in collaboration with EPR Architects for the luxurious Gainsborough Bath Spa in Bath which opened last year and has since gone on to be awarded the prestigious Tatler Spa Awards 2016.
The period details of the elegant Georgian architecture in Bath have been subtly incorporated into the designs whilst adhering to the international brand concept created by Malaysian YTL Hotels for their first venture in the UK.
Although in classic Georgian and Victorian buildings the inspiration behind the overall scheme also come from its site on a former Roman Bath House and continues its original purpose with eleven treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, ice chamber, natural thermal water pools and a new double-height glass atrium roof enclosing the pool.
Working in collaboration with Champalimaud Design, Modulex have utilised their print technology to create subtle effects by printing to the rear of their standard Infinity Glass product and then applying a protective laminate in order that they maintain their appearance for many years complementing the harmonious architecture of this 5 star luxury hotel.
Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Worldwide’s upscale global brand of hotels, has announced its entry into Indonesia with the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Bali – Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali.
All 291 guest rooms boast the brand’s signature bedding featuring fresh, white duvets and crisp linens; a spacious and clutter-free work desk with an ergonomic desk chair; and an in-room “hospitality centre” with a mini fridge and coffee/tea maker.
“Marking our fourth brand in Indonesia, the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Bali – Ngurah Rai Airport perfectly complements our existing portfolio in the country,” said William Costley, vice president, Southeast Asia and India, Hilton Worldwide. “I am excited that the brand has made its debut in this world renowned destination and am confident that the hotel will offer visitors to this vibrant island a peaceful and energizing stay experience.”
The first, award-winning major revamp since the the Hilton Budapest originally opened in 1977 has been revealed; maintaining its strong appeal to conference and tour party guests, but also targeting the area’s growing leisure tourist demographic.
New public spaces by Goddard Littlefair are light and elegant with a contemporary classic positioning and a luxury, layered treatment, with stunning art installations from local artists ensuring a uniquely Budapest feel.
The project’s first phase won the Gold Award for Hospitality at the London Design Awards 2015. Photography by Gareth Gardner…
Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA) welcomed the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union Report calling for an urgent review of online travel agents.
She said: “The BHA welcomes the House of Lords Report which recommends greater accountability and transparency of online travel agents. These OTAs wield vast power and hold our industry hostage by commanding punitive rates of commission. We are pleased that this influential committee is proposing Europe wide steps to enable our industry to challenge anti-competitive online practices when they arise. The BHA calls upon on the government and policy makers in the European Commission to support our lobbing in this area and get engaged – this is a significant step forward for our industry and we want to see the momentum continue.”
Background
The Report by the House of Lords Select Committee is called Online Platforms and the Digital Single Market. It is a response to the EU Commission consultation on how the largest online platforms use their market power and whether current regulation and competition law is effective in the digital economy.
The British Hospitality Association has called for:
an outright ban on rate parity clauses – which prevent hotels from offering lower rates than those on the online booking sites where they are listed. This practice impacts directly on consumers since it means less competitive pricing with similar room rates offered by online travel agencies and hospitality venues across the board. Rate parity clauses are already illegal in France and were found to be anti- competitive in cases brought against Booking.com and HRS in Germany;
more effective and speedier methods for resolving competition and consumer protection issues and codes of practice for online platforms;
transparency for consumers in rankings, ratings, reviews.
The Report recommends:
critical scrutiny by competition authorities of parity clauses and recommends that the Competition and Markets Authority urgently order a market investigation into the online travel sector;
a speedier process for resolving competition law questions, proposing interim measures be used to stop anti – competitive practices, time limits be applied to negotiations and the development of sector based codes of practice;
recommends the European Commission amend the Unfair Consumer Practices Directive so that platforms are required to provide the criteria on which they provide ratings and search results and their policies for handling negative reviews, as well as clearly distinguishing between user reviews and paid promotions.
The British Hospitality Association has worked on behalf of the industry to persuade government to take a long, hard look at anti-competitive behaviour in the digital travel sector.
The next step is for the Competition and Markets Authority to adopt the Report’s recommendations to make sure that the travel and hospitality sector is a truly competitive marketplace, which is, after all, in the best interests of the consumer.
Andrew’s Lane Theatre is set to become a ‘micro hotel’ after investors revealed plans to build a seven-storey development containing 115 pod rooms of between 10sqm and 12sqm – in a style similar to Japanese pod-hotels.
According to the Irish Times, Ireland has generally been slow to embrace the concept of so-called ‘micro hotels’ that offer tiny rooms at tiny prices, but the concept is well-developed elsewhere.
Japan has led the way with its capsule hotels; the first capsule hotel opened in Osaka in 1979 and has spawned a large number of imitators, both in its home market and elsewhere, with the first European version opening in Antwerp, Belgium in 2014. While they might be small, with prices as low as £15 a night, they are popular with those travelling on a budget.
Ireland isn’t immune to micro hotels altogether. The Dean Hotel in Dublin for instance, offers so-called ‘mod pods’ and ‘punk bunks’ that measure 12.6 sq m (135 st ft).
Gallery Direct are renowned for their constant development and success within the home furnishing industry. With their continual introductions of new product lines, it is clear that there is never a quiet moment for the Gallery team.
As part of their 2016 product launch, Gallery Direct have developed a range of new beds that are design led, personality pieces that combine the best of traditional craftsmanship with up-to-date technology and exciting materials. Three of these beds are part of on-trend furniture collections that take influence from Nordic and Scandinavian style.
The Wycombe, Marlow and Kielder ranges demonstrate the attention to detail and innovation of these aspiring products. Each range shows individuality yet comes together to bring a touch of Scandinavian style to a home, whilst offering practicality and iconic design. James Hudson, Business Development Director – Furniture, commented, “Our Kielder, Wycombe and Marlow ranges offer coordinated looks for both upstairs and downstairs living. With their quality materials and craftsmanship, competitive pricing and universal appeal across different generations, they provide really commercial designs.”
Gallery Direct – Marlow Collection
Kielder Bed and Bedside Table – Gallery Direct
The beautifully crafted and simply elegant Heligan Bedstead is made using the traditional Lloyd Loom method. With a reputation for strength and longevity, this modern and sophisticated design offers the perfect finish to the most stylish of bedrooms. Available to fit standard double and king mattress sizes, Heligan comes in a delicate light grey with a soft, satin finish and solid mindy ash legs, bringing a touch of cool and unprecedented calm. This charming and timeless bed can be complimented by Gallery Direct’s extensive range of Lloyd Loom occasional furniture from their Hudson Living range.
Heligan Bedstead – Gallery Direct
Bold and glamorous, the Strand Bedstead from Gallery demonstrates the finest craftsmanship and attention to detail; this classic boudoir style bed with luxurious fully upholstered button detail brings together the finest materials to give a striking finish. The stunning made-to-order bed is available in three different sizes with high and low foot end versions. The Strand is available in over 50 new fabrics, making it a truly versatile design to create your own style from boutique hotel to contemporary loft living.
Strand Low Foot End Upholstered Bed – Gallery Direct
Alongside their exciting new bed collection, Gallery now offer a range of mattresses that are handmade in the UK. The new mattress collection consists of two high quality mattress types. The Comfort Range of no-turn mattresses has a contemporary style with a quilted top and pocket springs. Made using memory foam with silk, cashmere and latex fillings, the mattress focuses on comfort and high quality that is expected from all Frank Hudson products. The Luxury Mattress Collection is a turnable mattress range using hand stitched sides, pocket springs and luxury fillings such as pashmina, cashmere and alpaca. Both mattresses compliment the wide collection of beds, and are the perfect finish to any bedroom. Gallery Direct is truly a one-stop shop.
Marlow bed + Kielder – Gallery Direct
At the forefront of design, Gallery are always looking to the future to provide and develop products that continue to stay ahead of trend. Along with the Strand Bedstead, they have introduced a range of made-to-order upholstered furniture pieces. All are beautifully handmade in the UK and are available in the choice of 50 fabrics, to offer clients the opportunity to add a touch of individual style and personality to their furniture. It is clear to see why year after year they continue to go from strength to strength.
The property sector is short-changing itself in the development and construction of hotels. Owners, developers and investors should look beyond traditional procedures.
If you want to build good hotels which will achieve high profitability, you have to provide comfort and quiet hotel rooms. That is the opinion of the Quietroom Foundation.
President Lucas Keizer of the Foundation: “In the coming years, more and more vacant office buildings will be converted into hotels. In Amsterdam alone there is room for more than 100 hotels. But please make sure they are good hotels and take insulation and sound proofing standards into account when you convert a building into a hotel. At present, this is often overlooked.
The Quietroom Foundation stimulates the world wide development of quieter hotel rooms and has created the Quietroom label. Experience tells us that hotel guests who book a room which is really quiet will give the hotel a higher rating. Which obviously is important for the hotel’s reputation and performance in the long run. The recently opened Ramada Hotel in Amsterdam is a good example of this. It used to be an old office building which has been re-developed into a hotel and 434 of its rooms have qualified for the Quietroom label. The owners have consciously chosen to invest in quality and expect to fully recover their investment.”
Amsterdam has 10 hotels which have really quiet rooms. The number for the whole of Europe is 140.
Hilton has begun proceedings to enter the Serbian market after signing an agreement with local developers to open a Hilton-branded hotel in the capital city Belgrade’s ‘Old Town’ district.
The new-build, seven-storey Hilton Belgrade will be located in close proximity to major sights such as Square Slavija, St. Mark’s Church, the National Museum, Republic Square (Trg Republike) and the National Theatre. Also within easy reach will be government offices, financial institutions and major corporate offices.
“Growing our presence in city destinations in Southeastern Europe has formed a significant part of our regional growth strategy, as Hilton Belgrade joins Hilton Worldwide hotels trading or in development in approximately 30 European capitals,” said Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president of development, EMEA.
For those looking for upscale accommodation, Hilton Belgrade will offer travellers comfortable and stylish surroundings, with a restaurant and bar on the ground floor and a rooftop drinking and dining space which will be one of the only rooftop spaces of its kind in the city. Guests will also be able to use and enjoy the hotel’s fitness club, thermal facilities and executive lounge, along with retail space within the building.
Conferences and events facilities will include almost 1,000 square metres of meeting space, including pre-function facilities, a ballroom and several large function rooms – flexible space for both business and social events.
Specialist property adviser Christie & Co has announced the final sale of a collection of six regional, managed Hilton hotels.
The six properties across the UK had a total asking price of £40 million, and have all been purchased by individual buyers. With the exception of Swindon, they have all been acquired free and clear of the current Hilton branding and management after the conclusion of their agreed notice periods. The hotels are:
Jeremy Jones, Head of Hotels Brokerage at Christie & Co, said: “The properties were offered on a whole, sub-group or individual sale basis and we were able to leverage our knowledge of the sector and the players within it to run a competitive sales process, culminating in all sites selling on an individual basis.
“All of the buyers have recognised the individual opportunities on offer which illustrates the shift in focus to single asset sales,” he added.
Caesarstone has extended its premium Ultra-Natural range of quality quartz worktops with the launch of Statuario Maximus, which has the appearance of natural stone.
A marble-inspired design, Statuario Maximus is a bold new surface, featuring intricate warm grey veins which sweep across a soft white base, enriched by delicate background veins. Caesarstone is a beautiful engineered quartz stone, ideal for virtually any interior surface including kitchens and bathrooms.
The company’s countertops are durable and hard-wearing, making them suitable for practically any setting. With four times the flexural strength of granite, Statuario Maximus by Caesarstone is non porous, scratch and stain resistant.
A versatile option for the contemporary or traditional setting, Statuario Maximus’s natural appearance combines beautifully with other materials in the kitchen and bathroom, including stainless steel, timber and ceramic. Statuario Maximus is available in thicknesses of 20mm and 30mm and is guaranteed for 15 years.
The St. Regis Dubai at Al Habtoor City in Dubai has announced the official launch of the hotel’s Sir Winston Churchill Suite. The spacious two-storey suite was formally debuted in the presence of Mr. Randolph Churchill, the great grandson of the inspirational statesman, writer, orator and Prime Minister who led Britain to victory in the Second World War and Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman of Al Habtoor Group.
Fittingly designed to meet the discerning eye of Sir Winston Churchill, the three-bedroom suite holds a meticulous attention to quality and detail, housing a collection of 15 paintings and art pieces from the Churchill archives that include portraits and photographs of the legendary statesman, paintings he mastered himself, and a well-maintained Cuban cigar that once belonged to him from the private collection of Chairman Khalaf Al Habtoor.
Spread across 913-square-metres, the sprawling suite is the largest of the hotel’s 52 luxurious suites and even bigger than the 800-square-metre Astor Ballroom. The suite features a vast living room, a formal 12-seater dining room, elegant study, relaxing lounge area and a spacious majlis that is ideal for meetings.
The Sir Winston Churchill Suite includes a master bedroom connected to a generously sized bathroom with an exquisite free-standing bathtub in the centre and adjoining separate male and female walk-in dressing rooms. Two additional bedrooms – one king bed and one twin bed – feature their own double vanity bathrooms. The suite’s pièce de résistance is a majestic in-room spiral staircase that leads into the central dome of the hotel, where a rooftop plunge pool reveal panoramic views of the landscaped gardens and surrounds.
The suite also exhibits a La Corona Cubano cigar, dated April 1949, personally donated from the private collection of Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman of UAE conglomerate Al Habtoor Group and creator of Al Habtoor City. Once owned by Churchill, Al Habtoor acquired the priceless piece late last year. The cigar, housed in a La Espana box, has a Colorado claro wrapper with a special label bearing Churchill’s name.
The Al Habtoor Group Chairman said: “I have always been a great admirer of Sir Winston Churchill. He was known as the greatest statesman of the 20th century. He was a great and effective leader with a strong personality.” He added: “I purchased one of Sir Winston Churchill’s cigars for my private collection last year. He was very rarely seen without a cigar in his hand. It was his signature piece. Once the decision was taken to name this spectacular suite after the wartime prime minister then it seemed fitting to share this piece of history with the future guests of the Sir Winston Churchill Suite.”
Churchill was an accomplished artist who produced more than 500 canvases across 50 years despite being 40 years old when he discovered the pleasure of painting. His art quickly became his greatest hobby, and he even, exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Holding a strong connection with the Middle East, Sir Winston Churchill was responsible for the creation of a Middle East Department at the Foreign Office. It was also while he was in Cairo, that he rode a camel to the pyramids to paint them in the sunset. Ignace Bauwens, General Manager of The St. Regis Dubai, said: “The St. Regis Dubai is honoured to display this collection of Sir Winston Churchill’s work and name our signature suite after him. We are proud to present our guests with this rare and refined opportunity to enjoy his art.”
Rezidor announced this week the opening of the world’s very first Radisson RED hotel in Brussels, Belgium.
Radisson RED is a new hotel philosophy and lifestyle brand that aims to reflect the millennial mindset. Inspired by art, music and fashion, the brand incorporates bold design and breaks the traditional model of hotels. Radisson RED recognises that today’s guests seek a DIY, customisable experience driven by technology. The hotel is operated by The Rezidor Hotel Group which is also headquartered in Brussels. The brand currently has 14 additional hotels under development worldwide.
“Radisson RED is Carlson Rezidor‘s new lifestyle select brand inspired by the ageless millennial mindset. It boasts a forward-thinking design and offers a new guest experience fueled by personal interaction and personal choice. It is a true recognition of the increasingly important role that technology plays in facilitating the best of everyday life – home or away,” said Wolfgang M. Neumann, President & CEO of the Rezidor Hotel Group.
“Today is a great day for us. We are tremendously proud to open the very first Radisson RED hotel in Brussels, Belgium. It is a clear statement of our trust and commitment to the European capital, whose love for fashion, music and art has inspired us to create a stunning addition to this great city. The entire Radisson RED cast is thrilled and all set to showcase a whole new hotel experience to the world,” said Eric De Neef, Chief Commercial Officer of The Rezidor Group.
The new hotel brand appeals to tech-savvy guests by offering a non-traditional experience. Radisson RED is created for millennial travelers, who are thrill-seekers and have an outspoken desire for immediate gratification. They simply don’t understand why some hotels charge extra for high-speed internet, they love small surprises that leave big impressions, they are all about creating connections and sharing experiences, they live and breathe internet and mobile, they love flexibility and expect a cheerful personal touch. Radisson RED aims to deliver on all these expectations.
The owners of luxurious, heritage hotel 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai have launched a boutique hotel operation, which will take its name from this first hotel in the group.
The Wongphanlert family is now planning a series of new properties in Bangkok, Phuket and further afield for the 137 Pillars Hotels and Resorts.
The group will be headed up by Christopher Stafford, who now becomes 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts’ chief operating officer. Stafford will be tasked with overseeing the launch of the company’s second property, 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok, which is scheduled to open in late 2016.
Set on the 23rd to 30th floors of a new tower, the hotel will offer 34 suites, all featuring large balconies with rocking chairs and two-person daybeds. The Bangkok hotel will also offer almost 180 one and two-bedroom private residences.
Facilities will include a 32nd floor sky bar and rooftop infinity pool, plus a spa. The 26th floor will also feature “pods” for late-leaving and early-arriving guests whose rooms aren’t available, with separate shower facilities. A third hotel, 137 Pillars Estate Phuket, is then scheduled to open in early 2019 on the north peninsula of Kata Beach. It will feature 16 villas and 46 suites, all with private pools.
The original 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai dates back to the late 1800s and was the former headquarters of the East Borneo Company.
In July, Harding Excalibur LLC, an entity controlled by Spider principal Andres Goldenberg, paid $5 million for the 22,000-square-foot plot at 8011, 8017, 8021 and 8035 Harding Avenue. Now, the company plans to develop “a modern, five-storey boutique hotel aimed at millennials” to the North Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach.
Behar Font & Partners designed the 27,500-square-foot project, which will include an open lobby with multifunctional spaces, a breakfast area, and a rooftop sun deck with a pool.
“We only see very high-end or low budget hotels with very standard proposals in the area,” said Goldenberg.
Bristol’s Grade I-listed Portland Square is set for a remarkable turnaround in fortunes in 2016 and beyond – and part of that will be the development of a 36-room boutique hotel to be operated by Artist Residence, according to reports.
Artist Residence London
The bohemian brand has lodged planning application with the city’s council to transform one of the buildings on the square into its latest hotel venture. The building was originally built as a single-use home when Portland Square was first constructed around at the turn of the nineteenth century, but has been since occupied by ‘militant squatters’, who, according to the hotel’s planning application, have vandalised the building’s original features.
Artist Residence Cornwall
The application said: “The opportunity to bring these vacant buildings back into use, given their significant heritage importance will facilitate a substantial improvement to the area’s built urban form.”
Artist Residence already runs three hotels – in Pimlico, London, Brighton and Penzance, Cornwall – and is known for its quirky take on design and guest experience.
Steve Wynn and Wynn Resorts have discussed plans at a recent investor conference for a new entertainment destination built around a first-ever recreational lake concept. The development is subject to approval by the company’s Board of Directors and will include a 38 acre lagoon, surrounded by a meetings and convention space, a 1,000-room hotel tower, a small casino and extensive dining and nightlife. The elaborate water attraction will include both daytime and night-time entertainment elements.
Tentatively called Wynn Paradise Park, the expansion will be constructed on approximately 130 acres of real estate which currently houses the Wynn Golf Club. The proposed lagoon will be lined by a pristine white sand beach and boardwalk and feature an array of daytime activities including water skiing, paddle boarding and parasailing. At night, the space will transform with an elaborate fireworks display that is launched from the 120-ft centre island and surrounding areas.
“We have a chance to reinvent Las Vegas and make the whole venue an entertainment attraction…an idyllic beach paradise surrounded by white sand beaches,” said Steve Wynn chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts. “People come to Las Vegas from all over the world to live large and have a good time and we can dish up an irresistible entertainment attraction.”
Wynn Paradise Park will add 260,000 square feet of premium meetings space with unobstructed views of the waterfront, spacious guest rooms with a separate bedroom, living room and balcony, and a variety of restaurants, including an expansion of the current Country Club restaurant.
Five-star, 232-bedroom hotel Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland has announced it will begin carrying out a multi-million pound upgrade programme (artist’s impressions above).
New owners Ennismore took over Gleneagles last year and will be working with renowned designers including the David Collins Studio and Timorous Beasties on the project, which includes enhancements to bedrooms, the Dormy Clubhouse and the main bar.
Ennismore founder and CEO Sharan Pasricha said: “The Gleneagles Hotel is an incredible property and beloved brand. It is known the world over for its golf, but with 850 acres of beautiful Scottish countryside, there is the potential to do so much more with the hotel.
“It’s an organic progression – evolution, not revolution – and will ensure the iconic Gleneagles brand remains synonymous with luxury, and the hotel maintains its position among the leading hotels of the world,” he added.
The famous property opened its doors as a hotel in 1924 and now boasts three championship golf courses, a spa and four restaurants – one being the two Michelin-starred, eponymous eatery headed up by Andrew Fairlie.
Ennismore, which owns the London-based, design boutique brand Hoxton, bought Gleneagles in July last year from Diageo for a reported sum of £200 million.
UK-based hospitality developers Luxury Hotels Group plan to open 200 hotels in India during 2016.
The group currently has 150 properties ranging from 3-star to 5-star under its umbrella across the country.
Cities that will include a property are Chandigarh, Amritsar and Delhi/NCR in the north; Pune, Bhopal, Aurangabad, Indore and Bhopal in the west; Cochin and locations in Kerala in the south and in the east it will be Kolkata and north-eastern states.
Managing director Rahul Arora said: “”We plan to add 200 more hotels as our members across India during the current fiscal year. These will be mainly smaller chains based out of India and independent hotels. Our focus is on the marketing, branding, strategy and revenue management for member hotels.”
When asked about the company’s business model, Arora added: “We either work as a fixed retainer or take a percentage of the revenues we generate.”
India accounts for around 30 per cent of the group’s revenues and membership, Arora said.
In an agreement with Assets Real Estate Development Company, Hilton has announced the development of the Conrad Doha as part of its luxury branch’s ongoing expansion. Hilton is one of many chains to begin expansion in the Middle Eastern country; already operating two properties in Qatar and seven others in the pipeline.
Located in the heart of Doha’s financial district, the hotel provides easy access to the city’s downtown and the new Hamad International Airport.
The 325-guestroom property will include 30 suites and approximately 10,700 square feet of event space, including the Grand Ballroom. A spa, fitness center, and outdoor pool will also make their debut along with seven onsite restaurants and bars.
“Momentum for growth in Qatar’s hospitality offering continues at a strong rate, owing to the significant focus being put on the country’s future as a truly international destination, in line with Qatar’s 2030 Vision,” says Carlos Khneisser, Hilton’s vice president of development for the Middle East and North Africa. We are delighted to have confirmed our latest Conrad hotel for the region, which joins a selection of prestigious properties in outstanding destinations worldwide.”
The Conrad Doha is slated to open in early 2019. Conrad Hotels & Resorts’ has a presence in numerous major cities around the world, including Dubai, Hong Kong, London, and New York. Eight new Conrad hotels will open in 2016 (including Conrad Makkah, slated to open this summer) and a further 23 hotels under development.
The second phase of a two-year renovation at Tewkesbury Park has been completed at a cost of £4 million, with the addition of nine luxury suites, two meeting rooms, an Orangery and a cocktail lounge.
Cleverly utilising the property’s historic features, by employing the original structures and grand fireplaces, the décor is regal, yet contemporary, without pretentiousness. Besides the generous bedrooms where king-size and twin beds await, bathrooms are palatial, with the addition of opulent slipper bathtubs taking pride of place in the bathrooms of King Richard III and King Edward IV Suites.
Luxuriously appointed by reputed interior designer, ADS-Design, who have skilfully drawn upon the historical legacy of Tewkesbury Park by working to subtly weave in the area’s story. All suites, along with the new meeting rooms take their namesakes from key characters who fought in the 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury. Besides the famous historical link, HD Directory members Zoffany – alongside Osbourne & Little – fabrics and soft furnishings reflect the Tewkesbury surroundings; warm soft country tones complement carefully sourced contemporary fixtures and fittings, conveying a rich and distinguished countryside ambience.
Further new additions include the sumptuous Orangery and Cocktail Lounge, along with the Duke of Gloucester and Earl of Warwick meeting rooms, which have dramatically been transformed by celebrated interior designer, Jane Clayton & Company.
Photography at Tewkesbury Park Hotel, Spring 2016
Besides the multi-million pound new additions, the first phase saw all 85 guestrooms receive a complete refurbishment with plush new interiors, new beds from HD Directory members Hypnos and 40″ inch flat screen TVs. Executive doubles and twins are ideal for corporate guests, while family and interconnecting rooms are perfect for leisure guests. Conference and banqueting suites accommodate up to 200 guests. Work to the main foyer and reception is still being carried out and is scheduled for completion in late spring. Two brand new spa rooms will be completed early summer.
Commenting; Patrick Jones, the new general manager, said: “We are thrilled with the results so far, the hotel is undergoing a complete renaissance and deserves to be brought back to the magnificent property it once was. The McIntosh Family who bought the hotel in 2014, are to be congratulated for having the vision and belief in its potential and staff. Not only are we a great leisure hotel, with our 18-hole golf course and leisure club, but with the investment that has been poured into our meeting facilities, coupled with our superb location, logistically we are perfect for the corporate user.”
As predicted earlier in the year, the Hotel Collection has brought ten properties to market for a combined value of £130 million to be handled by Savills.
The hotels include some of the most well-known properties in their respective regions, and account for more than 1,400 bedrooms, 100 meeting rooms as well as several restaurants, gyms and spas, which produced a combined total revenue of £48 million in 2015.
Properties in England The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate The Old Ship Hotel, Brighton The Redworth Hall Hotel, County Durham The Imperial Hotel, Torquay The Billesley Manor Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon The Imperial Hotel, Blackpool The Shrigley Hall Hotel, Golf and Country Club, Macclesfield.
In Scotland and Wales The Stirling Highland Hotel, Stirling The Aberdeen Altens Hotel, Aberdeen The Angel Hotel, Cardiff.
Martin Rogers, head of UK hotel transactions at Savills said: “We are pleased to be bringing this significant collection of hotels to market. The distinctive heritage and character of each property has been maintained while generating a robust collective income. The Hotel Collection portfolio also offers numerous value-add and asset management opportunities to further enhance the long term revenue.”
Having been known as Puma Hotels, the portfolio was made up of more than 20 hotels at the time the group was acquired by Lone Star Funds in June 2014. Just 12 months later, Lone Star announced the creation of Amaris Hospitality – a company focused on properties operating under various international brands such as Hilton, Mercure and MGallery from AccorHotels – which meant it was likely to dispose of the individual properties that made up the Hotel Collection.
Cheltenham Park, Basingstoke Country, Palace hotel, Buxton and the Marine hotel in Troon have already been sold. Earlier this year, Lygon Arms in Broadway was sold to billionaires Ian and Richard Livingstone, who have added the hotel to sister hotels, Chewton Glen in Hampshire and Cliveden in Berkshire.
Property developer Maven has completed a £15 million transaction for the purchase and refurbishment of the Grade II listed Shire Hall in Durham, to convert it into an 81-room 4-star boutique Hotel Indigo Durham.
Some 60 jobs are set to be created when the hotel opens in autumn 2017 and will also feature a 150-cover Marco Pierre White steakhouse grill restaurant.
A classic example of late Victorian architecture, the building boasts a number of period features such as the grand tiled marble staircases, wood panelling and stained glass windows- all of which will be retained for the hotel. The circular debating chamber and lobby room will also be retained, providing an iconic setting for a cocktail bar and the restaurant.
Kevin Brown, who purchased the property in 2014 while securing planning permission for its redevelopment into Hotel Indigo Durham, will work alongside Shaun Crawley through their joint venture Elvet Developments Ltd (EDL) on behalf of Maven Capital Partners. Brown said: It’s taken just over a year to find the right buyer and broker the deal. From the outset it has been vital to find the right partners to produce an outstanding hotel for the city and equally as important, to secure Shire Hall’s future and prevent any further deterioration and damage to the building.”
Nick Taplin, Chief Executive at Black & White Hospitality, who own the franchise rights to MPW Steakhouse Bar & Grill, said: “This is our third development with Maven Capital after Glasgow and Cardiff and we’re delighted to be continuing a very strong business relationship together.”
The Master Builder’s at Buckler’s Hard Hotel in the New Forest has revealed the results of its major renovation works completed earlier this month.
Part of the Hillbrooke Hotels luxury group, Master Builder’s at Buckler’s Hard Hotel has seen nine of the bedrooms in its ‘Henry Adams’ wing — the ‘Master Builder’ namesake of the hotel – undergo a coastal-inspired refurbishment since January.
The hotel’s restaurant – the Yachtsman’s Bar & Garden – also received a significant makeover, with the new space offering dedicated table service. In addition to this, the garden, which overlooks the Beaulieu River, has been re-landscaped.
Group director Paul Brown comments: “Planned works started in January 2016, we’ve invested considerably concentrating on a much needed redesign of the rooms in our Henry Adams wing, taking them beyond the standard you’d expect when staying in AA three-star accommodation.
“We’ve totally redesigned each room giving them an entire new look and feel, clean, crisp and well-designed for everyday needs. The newly refurbished Yachtsman’s Bar and Garden is something we’ve wanted to invest in for some time, linked to our customer’s needs. All areas have been redecorated and we now offer a dedicated table service. This new system, along with an entirely new food offering, will ensure visitors won’t have to queue to order, they can instead take a seat, eat, drink, relax and enjoy the views from their tables. With lots of boats mooring on the river we’ve also introduced a takeaway service to cater for those who may want this as an option too.”
The final phase of the £1million bedroom refurbishment project at Wyboston Lakes hotel is now complete and guests will be occupying the brand new Deluxe Oceania bedrooms from April 2016.
“The final phase of bedroom refurbishment has been especially exciting as the Deluxe Oceania rooms will offer an added level of luxury with the new amenities and mini bars. It was important to us that these rooms continued to compliment the overall leisure and spa experiences available to guests whilst delivering an indulgent and unique feel. We have continued to work with the best designers and contractors on this project and feel the results we’ve achieved will continue to improve the guest experience” – Mark Haynes, Director of Property. Continuing the already successful partnership with Butterscotch Designs, the new Oceania rooms offer a luxurious and stylish space for guests to relax. These include super king size beds with Hungarian down-topped mattresses, a new pillow menu, 50inch smart flat screen televisions, Espresso coffee machine and Canton tea stations and in-room mini bars with fresh milk and various alcoholic and soft drinks. The en-suite shower rooms feature LED rainfall showers, luxury toiletries and illuminated make-up stations.
Guests staying in the new Deluxe Oceania rooms will also benefit from evening turn down service and complimentary hire of GHD hair straighteners, Xbox game stations and DVD players on request.
The new bedroom designs stem from 138 guest reviews on a number of sample bedrooms created in 2015. From this essential feedback, Wyboston Lakes has once again worked to ensure guests will continue to receive the best experience when staying at the hotel. Wyboston Lakes takes pride in being an independent eco-friendly company, donating much of the existing soft furnishings and loose furniture to the Emmaus Cambridge Charity as part of the refurbishment programme.
The exceptionally popular in-room technology and guest services platform, Crave, will continue to be available in all hotel rooms via tablets with software created exclusively for Wyboston Lakes. Guests can view menus, order room service, book spa treatments and access local information from the comfort of their own rooms.
Exterior signage will often be the first contact that a visitor has with a property. Signbox knows this. Signage schemes should welcome, inform, direct and protect, but that vital first impression also speaks volumes about what a hotel stands for and what it represents.
External signage solutions demand a holistic, harmonised approach that addresses issues from aesthetics, navigation to corporate branding, so Signbox takes time to analyse what the organisation and its environment calls for before creating an architectural signage scheme that will look and feel right.
Can your signs weather the perfect storm? With the aftermath of Storm Katy still in the headlines, now is the perfect time to audit your external signage. Out of sight and out of mind is no reason not to check your brand is illuminating 24|7 and a quick visual inspection could avoid any structural weakness becoming a problem. High quality architectural signage is a wise investment and Signbox provides a range of solutions to ensure your sign is not ‘Gone with the Wind’!
A single point resource Signbox invests without compromise; every signage and way-finding solution created has been designed and manufactured in-house using the smartest, most sustainable materials possible and some of the industry’s most cutting-edge technologies including revolutionary, large format print using the latest Greenguard certified inks – confirming its commitment to the environment.
The land of emeralds has a new gem in the luxuriously intimate Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá, where every design detail is handcrafted, and every guest experience is completely personalised. The second Four Seasons in the city spills onto the vibrant street scene, while providing a warm haven of customised service and sophisticated style for its guests.
Inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, Rottet Studio created a design aesthetic for Four Seasons Hotel Bogota combining pattern, texture, colour and craftsmanship that is epitomised in the bright new lobby. Here, wooden screens form airy “walls” that climb up across the ceiling, enveloping guests in warmth accentuated with touches of rich green evoking Colombia’s famous emeralds.
An oasis of quiet glamour awaits guests who stay in one of 64 rooms and suites, with custom-made beds framed by dark leather headboards and panelling, and pale floors of locally-sourced hardwood. Throughout the Hotel, nearly all materials are Colombian, with furnishings, finishes and artwork all handcrafted by the country’s artisans and artists. Featured artworks include pieces by Pablo Tomayo, Alicia Garavito and José Antonio Suárez Londoño, and a custom-designed, hand-beaded installation made in traditional style and spanning 40-plus-feet (almost 15 metres) is the backdrop for dining at Biblioteca restaurant.
Luis Argote, who grew up in the city and is now General Manager of both Four Seasons Hotel Bogota and Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogotá, said: “If you thought you knew Bogota, you’re in for a surprise, and if you’ve never been here before, I promise you’ll be back.”
Offering powerful precision in a beautiful minimalist design, combined with high-quality features and precise water distribution, the new Tempesta-F 30 trigger spray by GROHE is the new synonym for hygiene in the bathroom.
It is designed by the firm’s award-winning in-house design team and manufactured in its plant in Lahr-Black Forest, Germany. As the latest addition to the GROHE New Tempesta shower family, it continues the tradition of combining modern timeless aesthetics with highest functionality.
From injection moulding and galvanising of plastic components to assembly, quality inspection and packing — proven expertise and diligent work at every stage of the process are key to the high quality of GROHE showers — for the benefit of consumers around the world. For an even sturdier solution, the new range of GROHE Sena 35 trigger sprays, which feature a strong metal body and a new valve for extra safety are on point.
The all-in-one valve automatically closes the water supply when you replace the spray, therefore averting the risk of accidental flooding. The Sena valve is also available in combination with our new Tempesta-F 30 trigger sprays.
The Residences by Anantara Phuket Layan, a new luxury residential villa development overlooking breathtaking Layan Beach, were designed by the late Jaya Ibrahim of Jaya International.
In one of the final projects designed by Jaya himself, the designer curated a modern interpretation of the classic Asian space, bridging the culturally rich and flavorful world of Thailand with today’s modern luxury standards. The design reflects the tranquility and beauty of the region.
The Residences by Anantara Phuket Layan are the first branded residences for the award-wining luxury hospitality brand. Located on the Layan Beach, on the northwest coast of Phuket, renowned for its lush tranquil and stunning environs, the 15 impressive villas range in size from three to seven bedrooms, each with a 21-metre infinity pool and providing an unobstructed 180-degree view overlooking the Andaman Sea. The spectacular expansive residences range in size from 1,695 to 3,220 square metres, providing the space to get away from it all, or to share the luxurious destination with friends and family.
Inspired by the locality of Phuket Layan, Jaya’s design draws on the cultural and ecological context of the natural terrain. The resort is situated in the canopy of the surrounding rainforest, perched on hilly terrain above a quiet beach. To blend the buildings with its surroundings, indigenous and natural materials were used, such as Thai travertine, locally-sourced wood and Terrazzo flooring. The residences feature two-tiered flat roofs with indented corners, a modern twist on the traditional Thai design element that also serves to enhance views. Ranging from three to nine bedrooms, each villa offers a mixture of covered and outdoor spaces.
While the architecture is reflective of the landscape and its contours, the interiors are a seamless response to the architecture. The interiors are calm and comfortable, allowing the transition from a busy, urban life to peace and quiet. Features and doors are aligned to emanate a sense of balance and security, and the furniture layouts in each room are focused on the view outside. The sense of place is subtly enhanced with the choice of materials, like wood and stone with natural instead of highly glossed finishes. The Thai culture is reflected through distinct design elements, such as the intricately carved ceiling lattice, the carpet pattern and the curves of the furniture.
All of the décor elements were specifically designed or handpicked by Jaya himself as a complement to the cultural richness of the location. The interior is warm, welcoming and luxurious, and emanates a distinctly authentic aura. A rustic bronze lamp stand with three tiers and indented corners is an inverse reflection of the building itself. Colourful hand woven rugs were created using a combination of silk and wool. Additional artifacts and antiques found throughout the residences were curated personally by Jaya to embellish the surroundings.
The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) has launched its new Client’s Guide to Working with An Interior Designer. The practical guide is designed to highlight the advantages of working with an interior designer and to outline the process of appointing one.
The guide explains the process of collaborating with an interior designer and offers a step-by-step guide for clients which covers: • How to appoint an interior designer • What do interior designers do? • How does the relationship work between designer and client? • Getting started — where to find an interior designer • Fees • The project process – from start to finish
Susie Rumbold (pictured), BIID President Elect, who co-authored the guide comments: “As the professional institute for interior designers in the UK, the BIID has created this user-friendly guide to help both clients and the designers they work with.
“As a practising interior designer, I often find that prospective clients are unsure where to start researching a potential designer and are uncertain of the process of hiring a designer to help transform their initial ideas into reality. This new guide aims to demystify this process and help clients consider what they want to achieve when setting out on a design project.
“The key to a successful project lies in finding an interior designer or design practice that you feel has the appropriate experience, competence, sympathy with your vision and rigorous working practices to suit you and your aspirations. We hope this guide will help to set clients on the right path to achieving this.”
The BIID Client’s Guide offers practical advice on what qualifications and experience clients should look for when hiring a designer, such as ensuring that they are a BIID Registered Interior Designer. This new title is a way to help identify interior designers who have met the BIID’s rigorous professional standard and offers the reassurance that the designer is properly qualified and meets the BIID’s high standards of professional practice.
To download a free copy of the new BIID Client’s Guide, click here. . .
To find out more about the new BIID Registered Interior Designer title go to here. . .
Ten Hotel Jen hotels across Asia Pacific have exciting developments and renovations taking place throughout 2016. From Hello Kitty-themed rooms in Johor to a 19th-floor lounge with incredible views in Manila, the new developments are transforming the brand’s hotels into the most stylish business and leisure spaces in their destinations.
Looking ahead over the next three years Hotel Jen has a second phase of expansion planned with two new hotels set to open in Borneo and Kuala Lumpur…
HOTEL NEWS
Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore New to the Hotel Jen brand. The former Traders Hotel re-opened in December 2015 following a £22-million makeover that sets the style standard for the Hotel Jen group. The hotel re-opened with 565 refurbished rooms, a lobby, public areas and all-day-dining restaurant. The hotel has a modern functional design concept and allows travellers to blend boundaries between business and leisure.
Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour, Johor, Malaysia New Hello Kitty-themed rooms by the end of 2016. Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour is widening its appeal to the family market with 12 Hello Kitty-themed rooms to be completed before the end of 2016. The hotel is located near Hello Kitty Town as well as LEGOLAND.
Hotel Jen Brisbane, Australia Six new meeting rooms for May 2016. The hotel will renovate its six meeting rooms in May 2016, offering stylish and multipurpose NEXTJen Meeting spaces. The rooms will have flexible layouts that will meet the needs of both corporate and social events in the city.
Hotel Jen Manila, Philippines New 19th floor lounge with incredible views. Windows by the Bay has recently opened; a lounge on the 19th floor offering breath-taking night views of Manila Bay. Guests at the hotel can enjoy private access to the lounge, live music, complimentary welcome food platters and a choice of selected wines and beverages from around the world.
Hotel Jen Shenyang, northeast China Five guestroom floors to be renovated. Five guestroom floors will be renovated, converting them into new serviced apartments with Jen’s signature design. They will be equipped for long-stay guests to experience the residential feel of being in a home. The extraordinary storage space, state-of-the-art kitchen equipment and the latest technology in room fittings, demonstrates the brand’s concept of creating a place where guests feel like they are staying at a home from home.
Hotel Jen Hong Kong Refurbished Sky Lounge. Hotel Jen Hong Kong will refurbish its Sky Lounge towards the end of 2016. The new version of the lounge will have sweeping views of Victoria Harbour and homely residential-style décor. The bar will offer small bites and Jen’s signature cocktails and spirits. The aim is for the Sky Lounge to become the venue for pre- or post- dinner gatherings.
Hotel Jen Upper East Beijing New glass façade, Jen’s Space. Hotel Jen’s first rebranded hotel in China, recently completed a £100k renovation, unveiling a glass façade, a 430-square-metre event space with an eight-metre-high ceiling and a new ballroom. Jen’s Space, as it’s been named, looks onto tropical landscaped gardens with water features and is designed to host local weddings, social events or corporate incentive programmes.
Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore New Baywatch@Jen rooftop pool bar with city views. The hotel, which launched the brand in September 2014, has just opened a rooftop pool bar called Baywatch@Jen. It now offers full views of Singapore and provides a venue for product launches, fashion shows and other social events.
Hotel Jen Penang, Malaysia Renovation of all public rooms in July 2016. Hotel Jen Penang will start its renovation of all public rooms and the lobby in July 2016, with the first renovated guest rooms scheduled to open in October 2016 and refurbishment to be completed by June 2017.
Hotel Jen Malé, Maldives New state-of-the-art gym. The hotel has a newly equipped gym with state-of-the-art fitness equipment including treadmills, cross trainers and bicycles with their own TVs.
NEW HOTELS Hotel Jen’s second phase of expansion is underway with two new hotels in the pipeline. Hotel Jen Kota Kinabalu, Borneo is scheduled to open in 2018 and will form part of PacifiCity, a new shopping and entertainment complex located along the coastal highway.
The third hotel in the expansion is Hotel Jen Kuala Lumpur which is set to open in 2019. The 200 room property will be 36 stories tall, feature a rooftop sky bar with ‘infinity’ pool as well as club lounge with privileges including express check-in and complimentary breakfast. The hotel will be located in the centre of the city, 800 metres from Kuala Lumpur’s landmark Petronas Twin Towers and 300 metres from the KL Tower. For business guests, the hotel will be ideally located close to the central business district and Kuala Lumpur City Centre.
For more information visit the Hotel Jen website at www.hoteljen.com
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