Ikos Olivia is thrilled to announce the opening of four brand new, two bedroom beach front bungalow suites in 2016.
Taking the lead among the other bungalow room types, the suites are the epitome of contemporary elegance, appointed in a prime beach-front location set on ground level with private garden, or on the first floor with balcony. Only steps from the beach, the suites offer magnificent views of the Aegean Sea, capitalising on the resort’s exclusive location on beautiful Halkidiki coastline.
Ikos Resorts offers two new innovative properties: Ikos Oceania and Ikos Olivia, both exuding contemporary and innovative style through sharp design, Infinite lifestyle all-inclusive concept and beach life concept which provides guests with beach and poolside waiter service and more.
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. Guests can relax with their own private balconies, beautifully groomed gardens and generous terraces — perfect for accommodating every type of need.
Forbes Group are exhibiting at Hotelympia at Excel, London from the 29th February to the 3rd March 2016, showcasing a range of Furniture, Fabric and Equipment products.
The conference room will involve the practical Alu-Lite lightweight and seminar tables, presenting conference textiles of drop covers and mode covers, used to create a professional finish, yet implementing a contemporary and stylish look.
The popular Birdcage luggage cart will be making another appearance at the show, accompanied by the innovative Buffet-Rite which when used over a stretch cover, transforms a table into a sculpted serving station.
The wedding function will also be displaying Forbes Group’s Alu-Lite tables, a portable stage and cocktail table. The banqueting textiles comprise of our lovely Restaurant skirting, contemporary covers and Simple-Fit skirting with table protectors, which is accompanied by the elegant premier stretch cocktail and chair covers.
Please come and visit us at stand 2502 we look forward to seeing you there! For further information please visit our website www.forbesgroup.eu or you can contact us by emailing info@forbesgroup.eu or on 01568 616638
Click here to contact Forbes Group in the Directory
Cotswold House Hotel & Spa has revealed plans to invest £1 million in its facilities and decor this coming year, as a new general manager comes on board to head up the changes.
The hotel, part of Hotel Designs Summit partners Bespoke Hotels, has welcomed Craig Webb to the role of general manager, who has worked in various roles within the Bespoke portfolio over the past decade, including GM of the Wood Norton and taking the helm of The Lambert Arms.
Alongside this news, came details of Cotswolds House & Spa’s planned upgrade for the coming year, with a significant investment of £1 million set to benefit the facilities and decor throughout the hotel.
Speaking on his appointment, Webb said: “I am delighted to be joining such a famed institution as Cotswold House. I have long held the Cotswolds region close to my heart and look forward to building on all the good work of the previous management and embracing the challenge of taking the property to the next level.”
“The investment will be substantial and will focus primarily on the public areas of the hotel”, confirmed Graham Marskell, managing director for Bespoke Hotels. “We are excited at the prospect of unlocking the hotel’s vast potential, both through the new managerial appointment and the substantial investment set to take place during the coming year.”
Warwick Castle has unveiled plans for 28 new woodland lodges set in woods around its 64 acre estate. The lodges — set in a newly created area known as the Knights’ Village — are designed with families and friends in mind for year-round sleep overs.
The new ‘Knights’ Village’, set in the attraction’s 64 acre estate, will consist of 14 semi-detached timber style lodges set close to the River Avon and the Castle itself.
Woodland Lodges sleep up to five guests in two bedrooms (one double bed, one set of bunk beds, plus pull out bed) and are set on one floor. Knight’s Lodges sleep up to seven guests and are set across two storeys, including a mezzanine level with grand galleried master bedroom.
All lodges offer en-suite facilities, including wet rooms, and come equipped with TV, fridge, coffee maker and central heating. Medieval-style features are peppered around the Lodges and banqueting hall, such as lofty ceilings — echoing the Castle’s Great Hall; wooden beams; stonework; and green oak wood-styled exteriors.
Furnished with bespoke items evoking medieval styles, the Lodges boast private accommodation including a wooden deck, a living and casual dining area and storage.
Geoff Spooner, general manager at Warwick Castle, said: “This is a new chapter for Warwick Castle as from 1 July we’ll offer guests year-round lodge-style accommodation to complement the Castle’s two sumptuous Tower Suites, set within the fourteenth century Caesar’s Tower, and our superb seasonal Mediaeval Glamping Village.”
Figures from Best Western Great Britain show how badly impacted some tourist hotspots have been by the recent flooding, with York hotel business down £1 million in January alone.
Occupancy in the city — parts of which were flooded over the Christmas and New Year period — was down 12.6% for the month and revenue was down 11.5% – equating to £947,115 in lost business.
READ HOTEL DESIGN’S REVIEW OF THE HOTEL INDIGO YORK HERE…
This combined with cancellation of forward bookings as a result of the floods means the financial impact of the flood has cost York hotels over £1 million alone, without taking into account lost revenue from impacted businesses such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and visitor attractions.
The Government launched a PR campaign last week to get more people to stay in the flood hit areas, but Rob Payne, Chief Executive of Best Western Great Britain which has its Head Office in York, doesn’t believe it is enough.
Best Westrn GB contact cntre staff
He said: “The hospitality industry needs more support from the Government. Mr Cameron frequently takes advantage of lower Tourism VAT rates in Portugal and Spain every time he holidays there, but he won’t cut Tourism VAT in Britain to allow us to compete with those destinations.
“£1 million loss in a month is a lot to recover, so I’d like to invite Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne to lead by example and to commit to holidaying in the north of England this year too, helping those people, places and businesses that badly need support. Best Western hotels would be happy to host them, we have over 60 in the north of England and an award-winning call centre in York waiting to take their call [pictured].”
The Best Western Great Britain call centre was awarded the best European Customer Service Experience Team of the Year 2015 at the ICMR European Call Centre awards. The team are encouraged to have conversations with callers not follow scripts and to build relationships. They have been so successful that they own fan club of guests as a result.
Best Western GB is the largest collection of independently owned hotels in Great Britain with over 270 properties. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the birth of Best Western globally.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has unveiled the Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York as its 5,000th hotel globally.
The opening of this landmark New York property takes IHG’s global system size to 5,000 hotels, in nearly 100 countries and illustrates the strength of IHG’s leading portfolio of brands.
The hotel is a joint venture between IHG and Brack Capital Real Estate (BCRE) and is IHG’s third for the Hotel Indigo brand in New York City. It is located in one of Manhattan’s most attractive neighbourhoods and reinforces IHG’s leadership position in the boutique segment, the fastest growing in the hotel industry.
Richard Solomons, Chief Executive Officer, IHG, commented: “Reaching 5,000 open hotels with the addition of the Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York is an incredible milestone for IHG. It is testament to our well-established, long-term strategy for high-quality growth, and the strength of our brands, which focus on distinct segments to cater to a broad range of guest needs and occasions.
“Over time we have built a leading portfolio of hotel brands and scale where it matters most. Alongside our network of owner relationships and powerful digital platforms, these remain the key drivers behind our consistently strong performance. The recent landmark openings that make up our ‘5,000 Club’ also demonstrate the momentum behind our brand portfolio and our ability to increase our presence in the world’s most important growth markets.”
More than a 1,000 more hotel rooms are expected to be built in Belfast before 2018, as demand to visit the city outstrips current supply.
The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation is predicting an additional 1,074 hotel rooms are due to be built over the next three years. Visitors to Belfast can also expect to see a boom in premium accommodation, as the four and five-star room offering increases by approximately 25%.
The Federation which represents over 85% of hotel accommodation in Northern Ireland, predicts a 15% growth in hotels across the region overall.
Belfast�s tourism economy has continued to grow in the last two years, with new and existing hoteliers actively seeking to enter and expand within the Belfast market.
The total number of hotel rooms in the city will increase to 4,885 by 2018, representing an increase of 29%. Belfast City Council is keen to support hotel development and has also expressed a need for an additional 1,800 hotel rooms to fulfil tourism demand.
Belfast has become one of the most visited cities in the UK, and the second most visited on the island of Ireland. There is plenty for tourists to explore, including the fascinating Titanic Quarter, Ulster Museum, Belfast City Hall and shopping at the fabulous Victoria Square shopping centre. Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 also showcases the wide range of restaurants in the city now offering some of the region�s freshest food.
Vanessa Markey, Head of Great Britain for Tourism Ireland, welcomed the figures, saying, �We are lucky to have some amazing hotels and visitor attractions on our doorstep in Belfast, making it an incredibly vibrant place for tourists to visit.��We want Belfast to become a world class, must-visit, city destination and the increase in hotel capacity goes a long way to helping us reach this goal.�
According to the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, a number of hotel brands already in the city are looking to diversify and create new opportunities through alternative brands. These include Hilton with Hampton Suites and Doubletree, Premier Inn with the Hub and IHG with Indigo.
Janice Gault, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Hotels Federation said: �Belfast�s rising occupancy rate has resulted in the city being added to a number of international hoteliers� shopping lists. Higher end product and hotels with authentic elements are crucial for Belfast, especially so the city can attract and service conferences at the newly extended Waterfront.
�International brands such as Marriott have Northern Ireland in their sights; the opening of international businesses and the reduction of corporation tax in 2017 will make the region an even more attractive option for investment.�
New hotels already in the pipeline include Titanic Hotel at the former Harland and Wolff drawing offices, City Quays, Grand Central, Bedford Street and Blackstaff Square Hotel.
Sekers announces the launch of Veneto, a sumptuous polyester velvet suitable for all contract upholstery applications. Veneto is available in a full palette of 30 colours ranging from vibrant jewel tones to sophisticated neutrals.
Veneto is supplied inherently stain repellent to assist with cleaning and has a high abrasion performance of a Martindale of 100,000 making it a perfect selection for the most demanding upholstery application and the ideal choice for the designer specifying for the commercial hospitality, leisure and marine markets.
Sekers Fabrics Limited 7a Nobel Road, Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate Dundee, DD2 4UH London Showroom: Unit 1/20 Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, London, SW10 0XE Sales Tel: +44 (0) 1946 517501 Sales Fax: +44 (0) 1946 517502 UK & Ireland Email: sales@sekers.co.uk Export export@sekers.co.uk www.sekersfabrics.co.uk
Hilton Worldwide has unveiled its Tru by Hilton brand that is ‘simplified, spirited and grounded in value’ according to a statement released by the company.
Hilton says it is filling a massive void in the midscale category in the US and Canada. Built from a belief that being cost conscious and having a great stay don’t have to be mutually exclusive, Tru by Hilton offers an experience unlike anything in its space, consistently delivered in a surprisingly affordable way.
Demonstrating owners’ desire for a forward-thinking and innovative midscale brand with a strong value proposition, Hilton Worldwide already has 102 hotels signed and an additional 30 hotels in various stages of approval in cities including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Denver, Portland and Nashville.
“We are incredibly excited to be launching Tru by Hilton, which will serve the largest segment of the hotel market, but a segment where no brand is meeting guests’ current needs,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide. “Tru will provide guests with a high-quality, contemporary, consistent and fresh experience at a great value for customers, while at the same time delivering strong returns to our owners.”
Tru by Hilton’s innovative features include: * The Hive, a first floor experience that’s more than a lobby – 2,770 square-feet of open space with unique ways for guests to engage with others or spend time alone – in one of four distinct zones for lounging, working, eating or playing. * The Play Zone, filled with table games, a large-screen TV (featuring DIRECTV), and tiered, stadium-inspired seating. * A centrally located Command Centre – a re-envisioned front desk – featuring a social media wall with real-time content to foster engagement among guests, and a 24/7 market offering fun snacks and refreshments, single-serve wine and beer, healthy light meal options and sundries for purchase. * A complimentary “Build Your Own” breakfast consisting of a toppings bar with 30 sweet and savory items allowing guests to customize bagels, donuts, Greek yogurt and oatmeal to satisfy their taste buds and cravings. * Smart and efficiently designed guest rooms full of the things that matter most – all-white comfortable platform beds, 55″ TVs, eight-foot wide windows, access to power everywhere, and surprisingly spacious bathrooms. * A fitness centre that defines wellness trends, rather than follows them, with a concept focused on cardio, strength and flexibility. * A technology-forward mentality featuring segment-leading complimentary Wi-Fi bandwidth allowing guests to download and stream content on their devices, plentiful power sources, and mobile check-in, room selection and Digital Key available through the Hilton HHonors mobile app.
Comprising an exquisite collection of private chalets in Verbier, Gstaad, Crans-Montana, St. Anton, Lech and Tignes, Bramble Ski is pleased to reveal its three newest offerings: The Backstage Loft and Chalet Shalimar in Zermatt, Switzerland and Ma Datcha in Megeve, France.
Between them, these properties boast a wealth of exceptional facilities for an ultra-indulgent alpine break, including hot tubs, gyms, hammams, saunas, an outdoor heated pool and private cinema.
With the two new resorts on its books, Bramble Ski’s renowned service is now even further reaching across the Alps. As with all Bramble Ski properties, flawless service is paramount and each chalet is staffed by a team of professionals who are the very best in their field. Daily housekeeping, a concierge service before and during the stay and two days of private ski instruction with Bramble’s innovative ski-instructor-concierge come as standard with all catered bookings.
The Backstage Loft, Zermatt This spectacular chalet takes the concept of a typical alpine property and turns it on its head. The brainchild of acclaimed architect and designer Heinz Julien, The Backstage Loft is a blend of clean, contemporary lines, floor-to-ceiling glass and modern furnishings — a striking contrast to other historic wooden chalets found in the area.
Sleeping 10 in five stylishly adorned bedrooms, the chalet boasts an indoor hot tub with views of the Matterhorn, a cinema room, gym, sauna, hammam and a dining table that can be winched up onto the ceiling after dinner. The impressive hot tub is located to the side of the main living room and encased in four glass walls, one of which will swing open at the touch of a button, magically transforming the indoor hot tub into an outdoor one.
The chalet has spectacular views of the iconic Matterhorn and is just a two minute stroll from Klein Matterhorn lift station and three from Central Church Square. Nestled on the edge of the river this alpine abode could not be better placed.
Chalet Shalimar, Zermatt With arguably some of the best views of the Matterhorn in Zermatt visible from Chalet Shalimar’s expansive balconies, this property matches the prestige and natural beauty of its surroundings with comfort, space and style.
This traditional chalet provides alpine charm and a homely atmosphere in an enviable location, with ski-to-the-door access and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise gondola only a 10 minute stroll away. When not enjoying the slopes, guests can indulge in the wellness and spa area in Chalet Shalimar at the heart of the property, with a sauna, hammam, massage suite and an indoor pool affording spectacular views of the snowy surroundings.
The property can even be divided into two separate apartments made up of four bedrooms and six bedrooms, each with separate living spaces and facilities for those who wanting to strike the right balance between privacy and the convenience of close-proximity.
Ma Datcha, Megeve One of the most sought after addresses in this French resort and Bramble Ski’s first Megeve property, this ultra-lux chalet sleeps 14 in seven bedrooms and is located a short stroll from the town centre and the Rochbrune gondola.
The lush, private gardens that surround the exclusive property boast a large, outdoor heated pool and heat hot tub. If guests fancy entertaining indoors they can enjoy the cosy and contemporary sitting room, where the collection of American vintage art that adorns the walls will provide a sophisticated atmosphere as well an excellent conversation starter.
Gran Melia will open its first luxury hotel in Rio de Janeiro in June 2016, which is set to become an official venue for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Originally built in 1972, the renowned ”Hotel Nacional” had been closed for decades. Following extensive renovation work, the property will be restored to its former glory with the launch of Gran Melia Nacional Rio.
Designed by the late Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, in its heyday Hotel Nacional was renowned as a celebrity hot-spot, with A-list guests staying at the hotel, including Liza Minnelli, BB King, and James Brown. It even hosted the spectacular Rio Film Festival.
Gran Melia Nacional Rio will be located in the South Zone of the city, tipped to be the next big destination for 2016, and within close proximity of the Olympic venues. The Olympic Games will take place across 33 locations in four regions of the city, including Barra, Copacabana, Deodora and Maracana, making it the ideal hotel for guests attending the sporting event.
Situated in one of Rio’s most exclusive and sought-after areas Sao Conrado, the property will boast 417 rooms, from 33 to 300 m2, including two presidential suites and 50 executive suites. It will feature an avant-garde restaurant and modern bars in the lobby and on the penthouse terrace, with spectacular 360 degree views of Rio de Janeiro and the San Conrado Bay, Ipanema and Copacabana.Gran Melia hotels combine timeless luxury with avant-garde and stunning architecture. Gran Melia Nacional Rio will become the Spanish hotel group’s most luxurious hotel in Brazil. Melia Hotels International already has 17 hotels in the country’s top tourist destinations, including Angra dos Reis and Sao Paulo, with three new hotels set to open in 2018.
Boutique hotel chain Z Hotels has opened its fifth London property Z City, in the heart of the City of London. The 109-room hotel, which currently has 50 rooms open with more to be added in the coming weeks, adheres to the character of Z Hotels, offering guests urban luxury at an affordable price, with room rates from just �60 per night.
A designer conversion of a former office building, Z City is situated on Fleet Street, neatly nestled between Aldwych and Ludgate Circus, and will offer a range of Z Double, Queen, Accessible and Inside rooms.
Z Hotels’ property in Soho, London
Directly opposite the Royal Courts of Justice, the hotel boasts a number of cafes, restaurants and bars on its doorstop and is a short walk from the famous Somerset House, Covent Garden Plaza and the West End’s abundance of theatres. The property is ideally placed for those guests looking to explore some of London’s most lively nightlife as well as those travelling to the capital for business.
Bev King, director of Z Hotels comments: “We are hugely excited to have moved into the City and extended our London portfolio to five properties. The City is fantastic for both leisure and business and we’re thrilled to be continuing to grow the already successful Z Hotels concept.”
Z City is group’s seventh property. The brand has expanded rapidly since launching the new hotel concept in 2011 with its flagship hotel in Soho, London. Since then, the portfolio has grown to include Z Victoria, Z Liverpool, Z Piccadilly, Z Glasgow and Z Shoreditch.
Marriott Hotels welcomed Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center to its portfolio in November 2015. Conveniently located for Madrid-Barajas Airport, the hotel is the third Marriott Hotel in Spain and is the flagship brand’s largest hotel in Europe.
Formerly known as Hotel Auditorium Madrid, the 869-room property has undergone an extensive renovation to present a contemporary and welcoming design to excite both business and leisure travelers.
The renovation includes a new fa�ade which transforms the hotel’s exterior from day to night. Guests can enjoy flexible, innovative and spacious public areas to meet, connect, socialise and relax, while guest rooms are luxuriously appointed with amenities such as spacious work desks and Nespresso Coffee machines to ensure a comfortable and productive stay.
For business travellers and event planners, the conference centre features 15,500-square-metres of event space including an impressive auditorium that can accommodate up to 2,000 guests. Those looking to make the most of the hotel’s fitness facilities will find indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, solarium, tennis courts and a fitness centre.
The Hamilton Mirrored Sideboard from Gallery Direct’s Hudson Living range is a truly exquisite statement piece, designed to provide practical storage combined with elegant style.
This high quality sideboard is hand crafted using beautiful mindy ash with ornate, pierced fretwork and decorative glass mirror doors.
In keeping with Gallery’s ethos of attention to detail, the vintage style spanolette locks add the perfect finishing touch.
The Becket Side Chair from Gallery Direct’s Hudson Living collection is a contemporary Lloyd Loom chair which would look at home in a host of interiors.
This beautifully understated piece is finished in a classic vanilla white with a driftwood finish mindy ash frame.
The Becket looks equally at home with one of Gallery’s dining tables or as an occasional chair.
More hotel rooms will be added to Hall Farm Hotel following a successful expansion bid, which has been approved by the council, in order to meet guest demand.
Local councillors approved plans to turn barn buildings into nine new double, twin and family rooms at Hall Farm in Ashby-cum-Fenby, Lincolnshire – which has been called a ‘credit to the borough’ by local Conservative Iain Colquhoun.
Speaking to the Grimsby Telegraph, Matthew Durrant, owner of the conference and wedding venue, said concerns raised by local residents around noise and traffic had been addressed.
“We have been trading for 22 years and we are responding to customer demand,” he said. “We are very busy; we have guests who want to stay and cannot because we don’t have enough bedrooms. I cannot see anything negative,” he added.
As their gauge when constructing thermostats, GROHE use the most sensitive thermometer around — your skin.
The revolutionary thermostats in their Grohtherm range ensure that hot and cold water touch your skin in exactly the proportions you desire.
GROHE TurboStat� is a revolutionary technical feature — it provides the correct shower temperature in seconds and keeps it constant.
The many elegant design features in these miniature technological marvels are wonderfully innovative. Find out more about GROHE’s range of thermostats, click here…
The Weissenhaus Grand Village Resort & Spa, one of Europe’s most beautiful beach hotels, is located only about 100 kilometres northeast of Hamburg. The bathrooms of this exclusive retreat are equipped with fittings from the Axor Montreux collection made by the Hansgrohe SE design brand Axor.
The playful elegance of the mixers and showers and their classic design fit seamlessly into the historical ambiance of Schloss Weissenhaus.
The interior design is characterised by a mix of Mediterranean ease and elegant cosiness. The bathrooms also feature this signature look. If the Axor Montreux bathroom collection had not already been available, it would have been newly created for Jan Henric Buettner’s hotel.
This collection, developed by Phoenix Design, pays homage to the Belle Époque, the golden age at the turn of the century when Schloss Weissenhaus was rebuilt. Many industrial and technological, as well as modern living and bathroom innovations date back to that epoch.
The European upper classes discovered their love of travel, and prominent spas such as Montreux — the eponymous spa of the Axor collection ‒ sprang up across the continent; this was the birth of wellness retreats.
Delicate star handles with porcelain inlays and floor-standing bath mixers are characteristic design features of the collection. In line with traditional manufacturing methods, the mixers are not made in one piece, but combine many quality components to create a gesamtkunstwerk. The interior architects of the Weissenhaus Grand Village Resort & Spa decided to use Axor Montreux three-hole mixers for wall mounting which harmonise with the marble-clad washstands.
Free-standing bathtubs are equipped with floor-standing Axor Montreux two-handle bath mixers. Spacious bathrooms in the suites feature private saunas and marble bathtubs with three-hole mixers for wall mounting and hand showers.
World-renowned carpet manufacturer Brintons has worked in partnership with Resorts World Birmingham to create a range of stunning bespoke carpets for its luxury four star Genting Hotel.
Brintons worked with the leisure and entertainment resort to create 6,424 sm2 of unique Axminster carpet to be installed throughout 4* guestrooms on the third and fourth floors of the Boutique hotel as well as some of the 5* guestrooms, 4* and 5* executive lounges, the luxury Presidential Suite and corridors.
Opened in October 2015, the £150 million Resorts World complex contains 18 bars and restaurants, 50 shops, a cinema, casino, spa and the Genting Hotel, and has already become a popular destination for tourists visiting the area.
Seven stunning carpets were chosen in rich earthy tones to reflect the luxury and decadence of the hotel, and feature creams, browns and beiges that depict nature and geometric inspired designs.
Hannah Morris, Commerical Business Manager at Brintons, said: “Resorts World Birmingham reflects the modernity and luxury of the city and the carpets we designed for the hotel perfectly represent this. When designing the carpets, durability was a key factor due to the nature of the project, with a high volume of guests visiting the hotel regularly.
The carpets chosen for the guestrooms and selected suites feature vibrant floral patterns in yellows and whites, working in harmony with a deep brown and cream spherical design. Throughout the lounges and corridors of the hotel light and earthy orange tones have been used in linear and circular designs to create intricate and inviting walkways for guests.
Hannah continued: “As a British company based in the West Midlands, it was truly fantastic for us to work on such an esteemed and important project within the local area.
“All Brintons carpets are made up of premium quality materials, including a high content of British wool and 20% nylon, which prolongs the life expectancy of the finished product, making it ideal for projects such as these.”
As part of our 2016 monthly feature focus pieces, January concentrates on lighting — and here Simon Taylor, Managing Director of Aura Light UK, discusses new schemes using projected energy savings to finance new lighting installations…
Lighting consumes approximately 20% of all electricity in the world, 30% of electricity in commercial spaces and 40% of electricity in office buildings worldwide. So it stands to reason that energy efficiency has become the hot topic when talking about lighting, with organisations asking themselves ‘How can we save more energy? How can we save on carbon emissions? How can we become more sustainable? How can we make financial savings?’
There are still many companies using old lighting installations which have very high energy and maintenance costs. Because of the advances that have been made in lighting technology, there are now products with up to four times the life of a standard lamp and the energy saving lighting solutions help customers save up to 80% of electricity they use for lighting. This means that it is possible to reduce the maintenance and energy costs at the same time as contributing to sustainability with raw materials, packaging and transport all minimised. With many different light sources, luminaires and lighting controls available, there is a lighting solution for any application.
BETTER LIGHTING PACKAGES LED is a technology that is growing fast and has many advantages particularly long life and low energy. However, often with this technology, when the lifetime of the light source has ended, the whole luminaire is discarded. We believe that this is the wrong way of thinking and we advocate modularity for sustainability where only the light source needs to be replaced rather than the whole luminaire. Another concern about LED is that the quality on the market is still in the early stages of development, so variable and often poor. With quality manufacturers like Aura, there is real sustainability with no need for constant replacement.
By introducing the latest in light management systems, controlling the lighting enhances the energy saving possibilities still further. Lighting control opens up many possibilities when it comes to maximising the energy savings and it makes it possible to control when and how much light is needed. In fact, lighting control can reduce energy consumption by up to 80%. For instance, Aura Light has its IQ sensors which save both energy and money as they have a typical payback of one to two years. Sensing with this type of lighting control means that no-one needs to remember to switch lights on and off again.
RENTING YOUR LIGHTING With such advanced energy saving lighting packages available and combining LED efficient light sources and lighting controls, it has become logical to use the high energy savings to finance new lighting systems and installation. The ‘Rent Your Lighting Scheme’, which Aura Light has recently launched, eliminates investment in equipment and reduces an organisation’s energy costs from day one.Importantly, the scheme provides a full performance guarantee over the contract period. The lighting installations will continue to provide large energy savings well into the future and the scheme is ideal for all types of applications including hotels.
The king of all beds, Safari from Gallery Direct’s Frank Hudson range is a bold yet elegant feature to any room.
Each of the two finishes available create an entirely different look; the Ebony bedstead has a masculine feel which makes a statement, while the Charcoal bed is cool and calming for a more tranquil living space.
Using excellent quality full grain leather with a faux crocodile effect, the Ebony design has been made from the finest quality mahogany and features hand-nailed studs to finish.
The Charcoal bedstead combines natural woven linen with single piping and has been created using solid mindy ash. Both beds have a sprung slatted base to take a bedstead mattress.
DoubleTree by Hilton opened its doors to its newest property – DoubleTree by Hilton London – Kensington earlier this month, which joins a further 27 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels in the UK.
Located just a short walk from the city’s top attractions including the Victoria & Albert Museum, iconic Royal Albert Hall and Natural History Museum, DoubleTree by Hilton London – Kensington is perfectly located for exploring the city’s greatest hotspots.
Retaining much of its original 1870s architecture, the hotel features 203 rooms – including four suites – all offering a welcoming and comfortable environment for business and leisure guests alike.
The Regency Restaurant, with its international menu using local ingredients, is the perfect venue for socialising with friends and colleagues. Alternatively, 100 Queen’s Gate Bar and Lounge offers a space to unwind in a relaxed atmosphere. After a busy day, enjoy delicious cocktails, lunch or pre-theatre snacks.
The ideal base for shopping, DoubleTree by Hilton London – Kensington is located within walking distance from world-renowned department store Harrods, as well as upmarket shops and stalls at the nearby Portobello Market and Notting Hill area, popular with both locals and visitors. For those guests who prefer a relaxing day indoors, the hotel offers a well-equipped gym and private steam rooms.
The hotel features eight meeting rooms, the largest being the Cromwell Harrington Suite catering up to 100 people in theatre style, with high ceilings and natural daylight making it a great choice for business meetings or small gatherings.
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas, the privately owned, five-star beach resort located on an unspoiled hillside in North East Crete, is delighted to announce plans for ten new 84m2 Premium Sea View Suites sleeping up to four adults, or two adults, two children and one infant. The suites will be available from 21st April 2016 when the resort opens for the season.
In addition to these suites, Daios Cove has plans for a number of other works in 2016 including an ultra-luxurious, spacious, three bedroom, three level ‘Mansion’ with its very own spa, gym, indoor pool and outdoor pool.
The Premium Sea View Suites will comprise of a master bedroom with a sitting area and an interconnected, large open plan living and dining room with stylish Maxalto Italian furnishings, Nespresso coffee machines and double transformable wall bed from sought-after Italian designer Clei. Two bathrooms, each with showers and bath tubs, will be kitted out with spoiling APIVITA amenities.
Perched on ancient hilltops with sweeping views of the cove, the suites will also house spacious verandas, ideal for outdoor dining.
In addition to offering varied accommodation options for couples and groups of friends, the Premium Sea Views Suites will be well suited to families. Not wanting to be in separate units due to having young children, nor be cramped in one room, the new Premium Sea View Suites offer families the right balance between privacy and proximity. The living room will serve as a communal area during the day where families can spend time together and will double up as a bedroom at night.
The suites will be especially well suited for families travelling with young children as they are situated close to the main building and facilities.
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas boasts a heated infinity pool with unparalleled views out to sea, three cocktail bars, a 2500m2 state-of-the-arts Spa by Anne Semonin with two indoor fresh seawater pools, three exquisite restaurants, two tennis courts and a variety of water sport activities.
In a city renowned for its legacy of forward-thinking design and architecture, The Peninsula Chicago continues this tradition with a guest room redesign setting a new standard for luxury accommodation and introducing the brand’s most advanced guest room technology.
The five-star, five-diamond hotel located on the “Magnificent Mile”, within the city’s premier shopping district first opened to the public in 2001.
With a total of 339 guest rooms in the hotel, 331 are undergoing a transformation, showcasing The Peninsula’s evolution in luxury design enhancing every guest’s stay with ease, elegance and personalisation, under the direction of Bill Rooney Studio Inc.
Inspired by the city’s cosmopolitan attitude, the refurbishment syncs perfectly with The Peninsula’s vibrant setting. Drawing influence from the French Deco style of the hotel’s public spaces, the new rooms are intentionally suited for both the business and leisure traveller.
The comprehensive room redesign launches in conjunction with the hotel’s newest initiative, Keys to the City – an experiential program that provides guests with complimentary access to incredible “only-in-Chicago” experiences.
The renovation, currently underway, is set for completion in April 2016.
Marriott Hotels has announced the opening of its Minsk Marriott Hotel will be in early 2016, and will be the first 5-star internationally-rated hotel in Belarus.
A signature Marriott ‘greatroom’ lobby will welcome guests to the new hotel, which will encompass a fresh and contemporary style. Many of its 217 well-appointed suites and guest rooms will boast panoramic riverside views and balconies.
The property will feature a total of 940 m2 of meeting space for both corporate and social events. Facilities will include eight flexible conference rooms and ballroom space that can accommodate up to 400 people, along with a multifunctional space for collaboration, workshops and private meetings for those looking for a bespoke meeting experience.
This impressive project, a cooperation between Qatar and Belarus, started in June 2012 and has now entered its final stage of construction. The unique falcon-shaped design was inspired by the logo of the owning company; the falcon is the national bird of Qatar and a symbol of force and courage throughout the Middle East, where falconry is a traditional sport and part of the cultural heritage.
As part of our 2016 monthly feature focus pieces, January concentrates on lighting – and in this piece, we look at the work of HD Directory members Dernier & Hamlyn at The Arts Club in London…
Travelodge has announced that it will open 19 new hotels in 2016, with an investment value of £140 million. This expansion is expected to create 450 new jobs and increase the company’s network to 542 hotels.
The new hotels continue the company’s drive to build a greater network for corporate customers. New locations include further hotels in London and in key business locations across the UK regions; as well as further expansion in the fastest growing locations for leisure travel.
London Euston Travelodge (Photo: travelodge.co.uk)
Key new business locations include: London, Glasgow and Bristol; with new leisure focused hotels opening in Poole, Weston-Super-Mare, Bicester and Thetford.
In addition to the 2016 openings, the company has identified 250 further locations for Travelodge development in the UK. It has announced its first three new hotel signings of the year; with new agreements signed to build and open hotels at London Acton, London Wood Green and Oxford.
Peter Gowers, Travelodge Chief Executive said: “Our recently completed £100 million hotel modernisation programme has raised quality levels and led to strong growth from business customers to complement our traditional strength in leisure travel. We now see opportunity for hotels in 250 further locations across the UK and with early positive development momentum at the start of 2016, we are well positioned to deliver further strong growth in the years ahead.”
Peter Gowers, CEO of Travelodge (Photo: travelodge.co.uk)
The 19 Travelodge hotels to open in 2016 are listed below:
• London Belvedere • London Finchley • London Finsbury Park • London Raynes Park • Andover • Bristol Filton • Bicester • Chatham • Derby • East Grinstead • Glasgow Queen Street • Kings Lynn • Peterhead • Poole • Sale • Stirling • Stockport • Thetford • Weston-super-Mare
The Travelodge £100 million hotel modernisation programme was designed using feedback from the company’s leisure and business customers and offers a marked upgrade on the previous standard. UK Travelodge hotels now feature:
• A luxurious king-size Travelodge Dreamer beds, manufactured by Royal Warrant holders Sleepezee • Family rooms include separate individual pull-out beds for children • Improved contemporary room design
The programme was completed in just 34 months – driven by a 200 person refurbishment team, clocking in over one million man hours to complete the project. The team have travelled over five million miles modernising all of Travelodge’s hotels.
Hotelympia is offering show visitors an exclusive ‘virtual’ glimpse at the subtle design elements and decor of some of London’s top hospitality spaces, through its ground-breaking Walk-in Immersive Experience — something never-before-seen on the show floors of any hospitality event.
The Walk-in Immersive Experience, brought to the show in association with digital pioneers, Soluis, will transport visitors ‘virtually’ to three sumptuously designed spaces including the all-new German Gymnasium in King’s Cross, the new M Restaurant site in Victoria and the striking Hilton Bankside Hotel (The Hotel Designs review of which can be read here).
Elements of each will be laid bare for visitors to experience in three fascinating digital dimensions, offering inspiration and a unique up-close-and-personal view that a standalone meal or room for the night simply can’t deliver.
Toby Wand, Managing Director at Fresh Montgomery comments: “Hotelympia has been given exclusive access to three of the most exciting design projects in the capital and throughout the four-day show will be granting visitors the opportunity to explore them unrestricted. It doesn’t matter if you’re an operator in search of new ideas or a designer or architect searching for the next big thing in design, a visit to our Walk-in Immersive Experience will offer something truly unique — a Hotelympia world first.”
Yet again interiors will take pride of place at Hotelympia 2016 with the Walk-in Immersive Dome as centrepiece. Hundreds of pioneering exhibitors will be joined by stellar speakers including: celebrity designer, author, writer and TV presenter, Oliver Heath, who will discuss biophilic design — the practice of using elements of nature to create healthier and happier interior environments — and how for some its usage has yielded marked spikes in staff productivity.
He will join one of Britain’s most celebrated restaurant designers, Afriditi Krassa, talking about her award-winning work and the inspiration behind projects for Heston Blumenthal, Hilton hotels, Itsu and Dishoom and Ella Jade Bitton of Ella Jade Interiors who will be offering design tips and advice and looking at trends for the future — a chance for operators to do different and impress new and existing customers with fresh and striking interiors.
Registration is now live for the biennial four-day show, click here for more information.
Kidderminster based carpet manufacturer, Brintons, is continuing to invest significantly in its marketing strategy by launching a series of videos to explore the journey of its carpets from fleece to floor.
The new videos unveiled earlier this week (19th January), depict the unique history and heritage of the brand and the intricate details that go into creating each carpet. The short films include a tour of the commercial and residential mills where the carpets are manufactured and the journey of the wool from sheep to home.
Andrew Wilcock, Group Marketing Manager for Brintons, commented: “The range of videos portrays the life cycle of our carpets from fleece to floor, from the sheering of the sheep, the dying process, to final quality control inspection and hand finishing.
“We take great pride in manufacturing our carpets and we were keen to show this process off through a range of videos. They offer a unique behind the scenes insight into the many complex stages and hard work that goes into crafting the every single Brintons carpet that leaves the factory.”
The videos follow a year of significant marketing investment from Brintons to help launch its range of new collections and events. Andrew continues: “Last year was a important year for the brand, which saw the launch of our second carpet collection with award winning designer Cristian Zuzunaga and our presence at significant interior and design shows such as Clerkenwell Design Week and Mason and Objet.
“This year is set to be even more exciting for the business and what better way to start off 2016 than with a series of videos that shows exactly what Brintons has to offer our customers and our unique style of manufacturing high quality and long lasting carpets.”
Carpets manufactured by Brintons contain its unique blend of 80% wool and 20% nylon, which was pioneered in the 1950s and is now the global standard for carpets. The videos explain how the manufacturer is the single largest user of British wool worldwide with the fleece from one in eight sheep going into a Brintons carpet.
Throughout the first half of the year Brintons will be continuing its video series with a further five short films delving deeper into how the process begins, the design procedure, how the wool is dyed, the crafting of the yarn, and the role of the Warrant Officer.
To view the video series click here, or search Brintons Carpets on YouTube. For more information on Brintons and its range of products and services for the commercial sector, click the link below.
Oxford City Council has received plans from a four-star hotel to expand its offering by 48 bedrooms.
The Oxford Spires Four Pillars is currently a 174-bedroom property but a proposal has been launched by the hotel’s owners to build an additional 18-room block at the rear and a 30-room block at the front.
Also included in the plans is a project to expand the hotel restaurant and bar into the current car park, which isn’t being used by guests at the moment. The council is aiming to make a decision in late March.
The plans, the biggest since the hotel was built in 1999, come as a £5.5 million, 83-bedroom Travelodge opened at the bottom of Abingdon Road last month.
According to the Oxford Mail, the hotel said that the plans were not in response to the new budget chain’s arrival.
Renaissance Hotels expects to open New York City’s first digitally enhanced hotel in the heart of the garment district in the spring of 2016. Designed by award-winning Jeffrey Beers International, the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel will capture the spirit of Wanderlust, the brand’s new global design philosophy.
The hotel will feature a mixture of high-low design elements celebrating the industrial grit and glamour of the city, and sensational, ever-changing digital experiences that will undeniably change the hotel scene in New York. This new-build, 348-room hotel, part of the Garment District community, will celebrate the energy of the neighbourhood and the spirited creative industries that continue to thrive there, offering hyper-local insider information through the renowned Renaissance Navigator program.
Highlights of the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel include:
Digital Experience: Utilising technology not seen in any other New York hotel, guests and visitors entering the property from either 34th or 35th Streets will interact with stunning digital displays projected along the corridor, a passage which spans the length of the block, creating a visual tapestry by responding to human motion through subtle, organic movements and graphic patterns.
This “living” wall will interact with guests as they journey through the entrance hall, featuring specially curated digital imagery showcasing local artists and neighbourhood experiences, providing ever changing entertainment waiting to be discovered.
The highlight of the digital experience will be an alcove located near the 34th street entrance that will act as a virtual concierge. Tied to the hotel’s Navigator program and tapping into the pulse of the city, this futuristic technology will allow guests and visitors to explore points of interests throughout the neighbourhood with just the point of a finger and tap of the foot.
The Lobby: Guests checking in will travel to the sixth floor hotel lobby, a destination in its own right. The Navigator on one side, visitors will also find a Library Lounge, Lobby Bar, a hidden DJ booth, and an intimate balcony that overlooks the expansive fifth-floor terrace below. From Renaissance Hotel’s famed Bar Rituals, to guest performances by local musicians or round-table conversations, guests will find communal, personal and authentic experiences at their fingertips.
Club Lounge: Also on the sixth floor will be the Club Lounge, a special haven reserved for Elite Marriot Rewards members and preferred guests. The design will combine contemporary furniture, modern high-tech amenities and feature wall art that transforms functional components of the fashion trade such as push pins and high heels into complex masterpieces.
Outdoor Space: The Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel will offer the largest outdoor space in all of Manhattan. At 8,000 square-feet, the fifth floor terrace will boast a retractable roof, private cabanas, comfortable seating and two fully-stocked bars. The hotel will also offer a number of terrace suites with abundant outdoor space. Guests and New Yorkers alike will have a new place to see and be seen.
Guest Rooms: The 348 individual guest rooms (including seven Executive Suites and one Celebrity Suite) will feature signature Wanderlust design accents, including floor-to-ceiling windows and the juxtaposition of concrete to wood in the décor, as well as a mixture of sophisticated neutral colors with pops of purple or grey throughout the bedding and upholstery. The spacious rooms use pale finishes, maximize natural light, and adhere to an uncluttered aesthetic. A gradient frosted-glass shower wall will separate the all-white Italian marble en-suite bathroom from the sleeping area.
tarwood Hotels & Resorts closed 2015 with 220 new signed hotel management and franchise agreements, a 26% increase on the previous year, marking the sixth consecutive year of increased signings and the most incremental signings in its history. (INFOGRAPHIC HERE) The company also opened a record of 105 hotels in 2015, representing more than 22,500 rooms in 30 countries, also the highest number of openings in its history.
“Our continued commitment to brands, design and innovation this past year allowed us to accomplish much on behalf of our shareholders, which is a true testament to the great work of our associates and something our team should be proud of,” said Thomas Mangas, CEO of Starwood.
“As we begin 2016 and work towards our merger close with Marriott to become the world’s largest hotel company, we will continue to vigourously compete in the marketplace, deliver value to our owners, delight our guests and grow our brands into new markets around the world.
“This was a remarkable year of record-breaking growth for Starwood Hotels & Resorts with the highest number of both signings and organic openings in any single year in the company’s history,” said Simon Turner, President of Global Development.
“We continued to enjoy balanced growth across both mature and emerging markets and across all of our brands, with a notable increase in the number of conversions. Approximately one-third of our openings in 2015 were conversions.
The select serve or mid-market segment drove last year’s signings, accounting for slightly more than 50%. While Four Points by Sheraton continues to maintain the company’s largest pipeline, Aloft experienced incredible growth momentum last year with a 65% increase in signings over the prior year. At the same time, Starwood lengthened its lead in the luxury and lifestyle segment, with 29 deals across its St. Regis, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels brands, an increase of almost 40% over the prior year. The company continues to see luxury demand in all corners of the world with new hotels coming to sought-after destinations like Dubai, Maldives, Punta de Mita and Shanghai, following flagship openings last year in Amsterdam, Mumbai, and Prague. In the upper-upscale segment, Sheraton, Starwood’s largest and most global brand, had signings that were up over 40% compared to the prior year. The company’s newest brand, Tribute Portfolio, which launched in Q2 2015, finished the year with 16 hotels either operating or with signed agreements.
Starwood’s strongest year of organic openings in history allowed the company to reach the following milestones in 2015:
– 700th hotel in The Americas – 250th hotel in Europe, Africa and the Middle East – 300th hotel in Asia Pacific – 150th hotel in Greater China – 300th Mid-Market hotel – 200th Four Points by Sheraton hotel – 100th Aloft hotel – 100th The Luxury Collection hotel
Forbes Group have recently launched their brand new responsive website, which allows customers to access a trilingual website in English, French and Spanish.
The new website offers quick and easy access to all areas and is part of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and availability of information to hospitality professionals worldwide. The site includes extensive product information to help customers understand Forbes’ range of Furniture, Fabrics and Equipment products.
The website boasts a contemporary, colourful design and is divided into 7 sections: Home, About Forbes Group, Products, Clients, Newsroom, Gallery and How to contact us. Each page provides detailed information on the important aspects that Forbes Group has to offer. Our Testimonials, Press releases, Case studies and FAQ pages work together to provide a detailed overview of Forbes Group’s capabilities across a wide range of sectors, including hospitality, corporate, academic and civic, which is demonstrated in our Gallery page.
Created with the user experience firmly in mind, the website has been designed using the latest technology so the site is compatible with today’s browsers, mobile devices and tablets.
Additionally, helping to make Forbes Group’s vast portfolio of products easy to browse, each Furniture product is accompanied with a downloadable document, outlining all necessary information. An E-brochure is also available to download via the website which also displays all of our products.
The new website and E-brochure means that customers can now benefit from richer online content that is easier to navigate and share with others. It also allows users to share products and pages that interest them with others across Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Formerly known as The Queen’s Hotel, the Lake District Hotels Group’s Inn on the Square in Keswick has benefitted from a complete multi-million pound renovation.
The work has created a boutique hotel in the heart of the Lakes with a central location in the town, which combines strong elements of Scandinavian design with dashes of Cumbrian personality. Indeed the hotel’s restaurant — Brossen Steakhouse — takes its name from the Cumbrian dialect for ‘full up’.
The hotel has 34 bedrooms, and guests can choose from two different room types, Herdwick and Town View. The Herdwick rooms feature one wall dedicated to the Lake District’s famous breed of sheep. The Town View rooms face onto the square outside with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Owned and operated by the Graves family, Lake District Hotels has seven other properties in the region, including the Lodore Falls in Derewentwater.
Take a look at the property below (All photos from innonthesquare.co.uk):
Rotana has announced the soft opening of City Centre Rotana Doha – Qatar, the city’s newest five-star hotel. Developed by Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC), the City Centre Rotana Doha is located in the West Bay area.
This 52-storey tower features 287 luxurious modern rooms and suites and 94 serviced apartments.
City Centre Rotana offers exquisite dining venues to suit all tastes, from stylish to informal, fusion to international and state-of-the art facilities for conference and seminar requirements with the latest high-tech facilities including the grand ballroom, fully equipped meeting rooms as well as a business centre. The hotel also includes a Bodylines Leisure and Fitness Club, massage rooms, as well as sauna and Jacuzzi rooms which are all linked to an outdoor swimming pool and a landscaped patio space.
City Centre Rotana is characterised by its connection to the City Center Doha shopping complex — the leading family shopping mall in Doha. Further, the hotel is only 30 minutes away from the airport, 15 minutes away from the traditional Souq Waqif, the banks’ street and the Museum of Islamic Art.
City Centre Rotana also provides a ballroom and meeting rooms, which matches the diverse demands and varies in size between 40 square metres and 842 square metres, depending on the space needed by organisers for events, conferences or exhibitions. In addition to the business centre, there are 11 meeting rooms that are available 24/7 and are equipped with advanced audio and video systems.
GuocoLand has signed a landmark deal with AccorHotels for the management of the Group’s two new-built hotels at Tanjong Pagar Centre in Singapore and Damansara City in Kuala Lumpur.
The Sofitel Singapore City Centre and the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara, will add a total of 534 rooms to the AccorHotel’s luxury brand portfolio.
The 222-room Sofitel Singapore City Centre will be part of the upcoming multi-billion dollar Tanjong Pagar Centre, which will redefine mixed use developments in Singapore. Located between historic Chinatown and the vibrant CBD, Tanjong Pagar Centre will feature Singapore’s tallest building at 290 metres, a prestigious residential and office tower, premier retail and event spaces and luxury Sofitel hotel, all set around beautifully landscaped parklands and with direct MRT station access.
The Sofitel Singapore City Centre will offer guests the finest luxury accommodations complete with outdoor pool, a plush executive lounge with stunning city views, a 620 sqm ballroom and eight meeting rooms plus world-class restaurant and bars.
In neighbouring Malaysia, the 312-room Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara is also an integral part of a new 8.5 acre integrated development in the upmarket Damansara Heights enclave called Damansara City which will feature two Grade A office towers, two luxury high-rise residences, and an F&B-centric lifestyle mall in addition to the luxury hotel.
The Sofitel will be the first internationally branded luxury hotel in the area and is part of the prime and exclusive Damansara Heights precinct, which boasts close proximity to KL Sentral transportation hub, as well as established townships like Bangsar and Petaling Jaya. The hotel — and indeed the whole precinct — will target corporate clients in the surrounding area, leisure travellers and the MICE market, with Damansara Heights having a reputation as a choice destination for some of Malaysia’s most elite and influential people thanks to its unparalleled value, heritage and distinction. A new MRT station next to the Damansara City development will provide high connectivity to the rest of Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley.
The Sofitel will feature a lobby lounge, deli, three restaurants and bars, a Club Millesime executive lounge on the 22nd floor, a So Spa, So Fit gym and outdoor swimming pool complete with pool bar. There will also be outstanding meeting facilities including an 840sqm ballroom and five meeting rooms.
Hotelympia’s 2016 Stage line-up has been revealed with the ExCeL London halls set to ring yet again with the sounds of lively discussion, heady debate and inspirational ideas, as the home of hospitality innovation returns this February (29th — 3rd March).
Improving profits; future trends; crowdfunding; banishing bad service; biophilic design; foraging; the chef crisis; Britain’s best new restaurant; the role of the multimedia chef and affordable interiors, are just some of the key issues and topics set to spark visitor interest at the show.
Hotelympia 2016 is offering visitors the unique opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with some of the most respected names in hospitality, in an itinerary of daily Stage sessions. Each will offer their own take on the issues of the day — covering multiple topics in depth –giving show visitors the practical advice and know-how to take back to their own operations, a key part of Hotelympia’s ‘Your Show’ remit.
Toby Wand, Managing Director at Fresh Montgomery comments: “Hotelympia has a long and illustrious history in providing the tools for visitors from across hospitality to grow their businesses and 2016 will be no different. Yet again the Stage will have it all; trends, insight, debate, surprise, inspiration, celebration. The beating heart of the UK’s greatest hospitality show. Your show.”
To see a full programme of events on The Stage, click here.
GROHE’s Specifiers’ Catalogue is now available to download.
The New Specifiers’ Catalogue comprises of new product ranges including GROHE SmartControl, the newly designed Eurostyle, Eurocube Joy and New Pull-Out Sprays and of course 2016 prices.
New for this year is the helpful planning matrix. Distribution of hard copies will commence beginning of February.
The 2016 Specifiers’ Catalogue is available to download by clicking here.
Its walls bedecked with numerous awards including the World Luxury Spa Awards’ ‘Best Luxury Destination Spa 2015’ and popular with spa goers across the country, the UK’s first eco-spa, the Titanic Spa in West Yorkshire has unveiled its new extended spa space.
Complete with a glamorous cocktail bar, social spaces including a cosy snug and a unique vertical green garden to keep the air quality clean and healthy, plus an improved outdoor area with sunken hot tub, means Titanic Spa now has an even better offering than ever before.
The glamorous Bar 1911, named after the year the Titanic Mill was built, is upcycled in an old part of the Titanic Mill building and offers a garden-themed lounge with social spaces ranging from a cosy snug area for quiet time to comfortable seated areas for catching up with friends.
The décor is contemporary and uplifting in the main bar area; featuring polished concrete and copper with huge floor to ceiling Mill windows flooding light into the lounge and bar with a view of the new courtyard garden and tree tops lining the neighbouring canal. Central to the lounge is an impressive vertical garden green wall reflecting Titanic Spa’s ethos for using natural resources, protecting the environment and incorporating sustainable design into its build, the first of its kind in the UK.
For evening glamour, there is a decadent mirrored lounge, ideal for enjoying one of the Bar 1911 signature cocktails. Bar staff have been trained by Kevin Raybone, Master Mixologist for Midweek Cocktail Club.
Outdoors, the existing spa garden has been landscaped to include a 3-metre sunken hot tub and lounge area with heaters. The new outdoor space has been created to extend the current offering of socialising outside – whatever the weather.
The extensive range of facilities include Club Titanic which hosts a 15m salt regulated swimming pool with underwater music played, hydrozone, steam and sauna rooms plus a fully equipped gym. This is in addition to the celebrity loved, Titanic Heat & Ice Experience boasting hot experiences such as the Crystal Steam Room and aromatic Herbal Infusion Room and cold experiences including the plunge pool and ice bucket, only for the very brave…
The new spa expansion, which began at the end of 2014 and was completed in July 2015, was designed to improve the customer experience and increase social space. The new facilities ensure Titanic Spa maintains its position as a leading spa destination in northern UK.
2016 will see the opening of the Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort in Halkidiki, set to be this year’s most exciting new addition to the world of wellness and luxury.
Promising to be one of the world’s top thermal spa resorts and Greece’s first thermal retreat, Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort is perched majestically at the southernmost up of the Kassandra peninsula, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Aegean, and rests on a long stretch of sandy white beach.
Offering 300 elegant, spacious rooms, 240 of which face Toroneos Gulf, and 48 with private pools, they are all furnished in lavish contemporary style and with up the minute technology. The thermal spa runs across two floors and offers a large thalassotherapy pool fed in directly from the sea which warms up to thirty degrees. There are four separate thermal pools with unique thermal waters of the region and a thermal well-life suite with steam baths, a Finnish sauna, tepidarium, herbal sauna, cold plunge walking path & two experience showers.
Additionally there is a floating sauna in the marina offering guests the chance to jump directly into the sea for a cool down. There are also Rasul mud treatments, Herbal Sauna, Flotation & Hydrotherapy Beds, KNEIPP Baths, Water Jet treatments, and three swimming pools with sea and thermal water.
For those looking to make a grand entrance, Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort offers a helipad with helicopter transfers taking twenty minutes from Thessaloniki airport, or chauffeur limousines 1 1/2hrs, with a marina deep enough for super yachts to moor right up to the hotel ensuring easy and flexible access, whatever guests method of transport may be.
AC Hotels by Marriott has announced global plans for 22 new design-led hotels slated to open at various points in 2016, solidifying its position as a leader in the boutique-lifestyle hotel sector.
January 2016 is expected to bring five properties in Guadalajara, Cincinnati, Boston, Marseille and Queretaro in Mexico.
Additional properties expected to open in 2016 include: AC Panama City, Panama AC San Jose AC Atlanta North, AC Asheville, North Carolina AC Rio Barra de Tijuca, Brazil AC Rio Porto Maravilha, Brazil AC Herzliya, Israel AC Birmingham England, UK AC Boston Cambridge, Massachusetts AC Phoenix Tempe, Arizona AC Santiago, Chile AC Manchester, UK AC Des Moines, Iowa AC Santa Fe, Mexico AC Minneapolis, Minnesota AC Mainz, Germany AC Wroclaw, Poland
AC Hotels celebrates the beauty of classic modern designs with its European soul and Spanish roots, born from the signature vision of renowned hotelier Antonio Catalan, who founded the brand in 1998 and grew it into one of the most well-respected hotel brands in Spain. Following its success in Europe, a joint venture was formed with Marriott International in 2011, which launched AC Hotels by Marriott globally into France, Italy, Portugal, Denmark and the US.
Based on a belief that purposeful design improves lives, AC Hotels carves away what is unnecessary, in order to provide guests with thoughtful design. The result is sophisticated yet unpretentious style, innovative beverage and food programming and locally inspired experiences for both guests and locals.
“AC Hotels by Marriott is a new breed of lifestyle hotels created to inspire the next-generation traveller through innovative design,” explains Tina Edmundson, Global Officer, Luxury and Lifestyle Brands at Marriott International.
“Our rapidly growing portfolio of design-led hotels illustrates Marriott International’s commitment to making distinctive architecture and design affordable and accessible for creatives and entrepreneurs around the world– appealing to a large and growing demographic, with a robust development pipeline to match,” she added.
The seasonal period has finished and it’s back to business – so make sure you add our 12th-13th September 2016 date and venue to your diary.
2015 was a busy year for the team at Hotel Designs, with the re-brand of the Hotel Summit becoming the Hotel Designs Summit – the full article can be found here.
With a new approach to the Summit, which will include an exclusive gala dinner with evening entertainment, you are invited to join us for an unrivalled two days of face-to-face business meetings, educational seminars and networking at the Radisson Blu, London Stansted.
To celebrate the re-launch of the Summit, we are offering an exclusive Q&A Session with the Editor of Hotel Designs to the next 5 people that confirm their place before the 29th January. Book online here.
Your exclusive VIP invitation includes: – A personalised itinerary of 25 minute meetings with those you have asked to meet with – Endless networking opportunities – Educational seminars covering the latest innovations and trends – All meals and refreshments – Exclusive gala dinner with evening entertainment – Overnight accommodation with breakfast included at the Radisson Blu Hotel
Places are limited and on a first come, first serve basis, so if you’d like to join us for the exciting re-launch of the Summit, please click here to confirm your place.
When I first moved to the UAE back in mid-2011, I had come to the conclusion after several previous holidays that Dubai was the centre of it all as far as the country was concerned. I knew Abu Dhabi was the nation’s capital, but I viewed it much like I do American state capitals — smaller and less important than some of the bigger metropoles like Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.
So, it was little wonder it took me more than 6 months to venture the hour-and-a-half on the Sheikh Zayed Road highway through the desert to visit the ‘little cousin’ of the emirate I then called home. Of course, in wealth terms, Abu Dhabi is very much the ‘Granddaddy’ of the UAE; its investment fund surpasses the other emirates’ combined.
But in tourism terms, Dubai has been forging a very successful path for several decades now, which had left Abu Dhabi considerably further behind. And on my first visit to the capital, I didn’t see anything that would change my perception. But by 2013, when I went to stay at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa for the first time, the landscape had changed considerably.
One of the lounge areas
Looking down on the lobby and reception area
Arriving at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves
By then, Abu Dhabi’s rulers were pumping money into all sorts of projects — most famously Ferrari World and the city’s Grand Prix – in a bid to catch up with Dubai. On the whole, they’re doing well. And this Anantara property — the third in the emirate — is a shining example of the ‘no-holds-barred luxury’ Abu Dhabi is now regularly attaining.
The enormous and expansive arrival lobby and reception area of this new-build property, complete with impressive, ornate bowls of the ubiquitous dates and over-attentive staff with welcome drinks, certainly set the tone for this property. Much like the rest of this hotel, there is a clever Asia-meets-Arabia balance in the interior design, mixing the Thailand-based Anantara name and Abu Dhabi’s penchant for being the more authentically Arab city compared to Dubai.
You are hit with views of the 1.2 kilometre nature reserve set among the mangroves as soon as you step into the lobby and it’s hard to avoid them wherever you go throughout the hotel. But with meandering creeks, birds and wildlife abounding and the Abu Dhabi city skyline shimmering in the distance — it’s more a question of why you would want to avoid them. One does get the feeling that the functionality of the hotel has been slightly tipped in the favour of business guests, something that comes through in the design of the 222 rooms. The two I stayed in had a somewhat business-like feel, but certainly didn’t lack for luxury or size (rooms start at 57m2). They still retain an ornate finish, with dark timbers, beautiful swirl-patterned carpets, lush upholstery in bronzes, greens and golds and intricate woodwork above and around the beds in the suites.
A Deluxe Room, identical to my room on my visit
The marble-finished bathroom
The living room of one of the larger suites
If possible, an upgrade to one of the Kasara Mangroves suites on the ground floor is a recommended one as they are three times larger than the standard rooms and offer their own private pool area. If not, another tip would be to choose a mangrove-facing room as the alternative gives a less than savoury view of the busy Salam Street — and while triple-glazing puts paid to any noise pollution — it’s worth requesting the former for the views alone. The bathrooms, while minimalist in shape are a definition of luxury with a stunning marble finish throughout.
*On a side note, I was also informed that the Royal Mangroves Residence is the largest suite of its kind in the UAE — and so it should be at a staggering 1,320m2 with a capacity for 10 people*
The ostentatious Arabian elegance (is there any other kind?) of the hotel continues in the public areas. Walls are lined with 18-carat gold leaf and glittering mosaics, timber trellises all set against domed ceiling insets and arched windows. Outside, a centralised infinity pool offers perfect views of the surrounding natural beauty and watching the sun set behind the city skyline is a quite spectacular way to spend an evening. One flaw I will point out in the design of the pool area, however, is the expanse of the stone flooring means walking from a further lounger to the pool in the searing summer heat without suitable footwear isn’t an option.
View of the mangroves from the infinity pool
Looking down on the pool area and mangroves with city skyline in the background
A balcony view of Abu Dhabi
As a destination hotel — there was very little else around the hotel when I visited — the food and beverage outlets are of a higher standard than perhaps expected in Abu Dhabi. The highlights include the very impressive Impressions rooftop terrace bar and we dined in the excellent Pachalyen signature Thai restaurant, with the almost-stereotypical bamboo cage screens, Buddha-inspired decorative items and ‘economical’ lighting.
Impressions Bar
An al fresco lounge area of the Impressions Bar
A lounge area of the one of the suites
But this being a spa hotel, this is where the property shines. In terms of design and interior, this is one of the better I’ve had the pleasure of visiting — dripping in opulence, the sheer attention to detail in everything from the Turkish hammam to the individual treatment rooms is difficult to find fault with.
The beautiful Turkish hammam of the spa
The fantastic use of light in the spa’s salon
The occupancy numbers were low when I stayed in the off-season, so the hotel appeared empty at times, but it’s probably more due to the sheer scale of this property that I imagine it wouldn’t feel overcrowded even at full capacity. And with Abu Dhabi’s tourism trade improving and increasing year-on-year, you can expect this property to be closer to full than empty on a regular basis.
It was announced this week that Muraspec and Skopos Fabrics Limited have entered into a partnership with Muraspec acquiring a share in the Skopos business.
Both exceptionally well established high quality UK manufacturers with a strong focus on design and technical expertise; they are well aligned to build on their innovative capabilities and further strengthen these two phenomenal brands.
Tariq Rashid, Muraspec Managing Director, stated “There is a strong relationship between wallcoverings and fabrics, their development and selection are closely interlinked and it is exciting to be able to bring these great and very experienced teams together. It makes perfect sense to collaborate closely to develop new products and collections, optimising each brand’s distinct strengths.”
Skopos has over 40 year’s experience of providing expert contract furnishings for the Hospitality, Care and Education sectors. Muraspec has over 125 years of heritage, and prides itself on being a British manufacturing success story. With its own factory near Tonbridge in Kent, Muraspec can work closely with customers both in the UK and internationally to provide a quick and responsive service to their needs.
Sekers proudly introduces Kiboko, a versatile upholstery with a subtle grained leather design. Available in a range of 23 colours, from rich, stylish neutrals and browns to vibrant blues, reds and oranges, Kiboko offers a diverse choice of colour.
Incorporating Aquaclean, an advanced nano-technology finish that helps protect the fabric against spills and stains without having to resort to specialist cleaning, Kiboko resists the toughest of stains, including red wine and permanent marker.
Supplied with crib 5 backing and with an outstanding abrasion performance of 200,000 rubs, Kiboko is an ideal upholstery choice for the contract market, from pubs and hotels to cruise ships, meeting all relevant UK and IMO standards for upholstery.
ALL SALES AND SAMPLING ENQUIRIES TO: Sekers Fabrics Limited 7a Nobel Road, Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate Dundee, DD2 4UH Sales Tel: +44 (0) 1946 517501 Sales Fax: +44 (0) 1946 517502 UK & Ireland Email: sales@sekers.co.uk
Hansgrohe was among 400 professionals from the kitchen and bathroom industry invited to attend the annual Designer Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2015 in November. Held at the SuperNova in central London, the awards luncheon celebrated excellence in professional design and innovation in new product design.
Hansgrohe was the only manufacturer to receive three Gold Awards recognising the company’s commitment to design excellence, innovation and functionality in the bathroom and kitchen.
For ‘Innovation in Design’ in the bathroom products category, the Gold Award went to the most recent Axor Citterio collection, Axor Citterio E. Twelve judges drawn from all corners of the industry recognised the design merits of Axor Citterio E which triumphed ahead of hundreds of entrants.
For the ‘Innovation in Functionality’ category, which considered both bathroom and kitchen products, Hansgrohe scooped two Gold Awards for the Axor Select Kitchen mixers and Axor Universal Accessories.
All three Gold awards were collected by Jay Phillips, Sales Director – Projects, Hansgrohe UK who comments: “We are delighted to be recognised as one of the design pioneers in the sanitary industry. Thanks to our close collaboration with experienced top architects, we are able to create intuitive designs which combine functionality with sophisticated aesthetics in order to provide our customers with the highest standard in terms of product design and innovation.” aesthetics in order to provide our customers with the highest standard in terms of product design and innovation.”
A new hotel in Kent will be built on the Salomons Estate, despite considerable concern from neighbours’ about noise pollution, including gunfire and explosions.
The 56-bedroom property, which will include a bar and a restaurant, will be surrounded by a walled garden and replace two existing accommodation blocks built in the 1970s – adding an additional nine bedrooms.
At the planning meeting earlier this month, the proposal was given the green light despite complaints from local residents who said the development would increase noise pollution in the valley, which is both Green Belt and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, from weddings and ‘hostile environment training that goes on at the estate, according to reports in the Kent Courier.
But Southborough Town Council submitted a response supporting the application in the hope it would boost tourism in the area, and it’s expected that two full-time jobs would be created.
There was a new addition to the Steigenberger family in November when Jaz Amsterdam, the first hotel operated under the group’s new ‘Jaz in the City’ brand, opened its doors for business.
Jaz Amsterdam offers 247 rooms and eleven suites which combine lifestyle and state-of-the-art technology. The Jaz Amsterdam also enjoys direct access to the Ziggo Dome, a location which attracts well-known stars and stages major events.
The Amsterdam ArenA, home to Ajax Amsterdam, and the Heineken Music Hall are within the immediate vicinity. Amsterdam city centre is only eight kilometres away and can be reached by suburban railway in only ten minutes.
Puneet Chhatwal, CEO of Steigenberger Hotels AG, commented: “The opening of the first hotel under our new Jaz in the City brand is an important phase in our expansion and another milestone in the history of Steigenberger Hotel Group. Alongside the Jaz Amsterdam, we are also planning further hotels in European metropolises.”
“Jaz in the City is hip, casual and trendy and offers a local touch,” added Hasan Yigit Vice President of Jaz Hotels and Managing Director of Jaz GmbH.
Hilton Worldwide and its Hilton Garden Inn brand announced recently the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Fuzhou Cangshan in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province in China. The hotel, the fourth Hilton Garden Inn hotel in China, is owned by Yango Group Co. Ltd. and managed by Hilton Worldwide.
Hilton Garden Inn Fuzhou Cangshan adds to Hilton Worldwide’s 60-plus operating hotels in China. Under the Hilton Garden Inn brand, Hilton Worldwide has more than 30 hotels currently in operation and under development across the country. Operational Hilton Garden Inn hotels include Hilton Garden Inn Shenzhen Bao’an, Hilton Garden Inn Lijiang and Hilton Garden Inn Dandong.
The hotel is part of a mixed use development that also includes a high-end commercial centre, as well as retail and entertainment spaces. The hotel is within easy reach of major industrial parks and close to popular attractions including historical sites and a theme park.
The 206-room hotel offers breathtaking city views and delivers on the brand’s welcoming service and high-end amenities designed to help travellers sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while on the road. Amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a 24-hour business centre and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. The hotel has more than 500 square meters of flexible meeting space, ideal for conferences, board meetings or social events.
And all guest rooms have a mini-fridge, a spacious and clutter-free work desk with an ergonomic desk chair and the brand’s signature bedding featuring fresh, white duvets and crisp linens.
The newly restored Pulitzer Amsterdam has today announced its launch for February 2016, bringing a new interior design to the hotel that showcases the building’s heritage and architectural splendour. This follows a phased restoration of the former 45 year-old Hotel Pulitzer to reposition its 25 interlinked Golden Age canal houses as one of Amsterdam’s leading luxury hotels.
Exceptional craftsmanship has been demonstrated to enhance the 400 year-old canal houses set in the heart of the Amsterdam UNESCO World Heritage canal district. The buildings’ modern influences have been stripped back to reveal their hidden beauty and provide the canvas for the new design concept, which combines historical elements with contemporary style. From trade merchants to flamboyant Dutch aristocrats, past inhabitants of the canal houses have inspired the rich character of the hotel to bring through the traditional essence of the Dutch capital.
Leading the intensive project is Creative Director, Jacu Strauss. Formerly a senior designer at Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio, Strauss has led projects including Barbecoa for Jamie Oliver, McCann Erickson’s head office in New York and Mondrian London at Sea Containers. Strauss commented; “There is a real understated sophistication about Amsterdam and I have loved immersing myself in the city to influence my visions for the hotel. Pulitzer Amsterdam is the ideal place to start exploring the Dutch capital, each canal house has its own story to tell and I am proud to be instrumental in bringing these to life.”
In a phased restoration, February will see the unveiling of the authentic new look across areas including Pulitzer’s Bar, new restaurant Jansz., meeting and event spaces, and 80 guestrooms on the Keizersgracht canal side of the hotel. The rooms and suites will present original elements such as beams and fireplaces, accompanied by an eclectic mix of rare pieces of vintage furniture and modern items from renowned Dutch designers, brass detailing, and headboards reflecting the gables of each canal house. After a day’s exploring in the capital, each guest can enjoy the use of Le Labo amenities, a bike repair set, individual climate control, free wifi and LCD flat panel television.
Also to be revealed are four exceptional themed suites with private entrances, influenced by the narrative of elaborate characters who may have lived in the buildings throughout the years. The Antique Collector’s suite will showcase antique furniture and objects collected locally and globally, with a large crystal bead chandelier and a wall of vintage and modern mirrors including a centrepiece from Anouk Beerents. The Book Collector’s suite embodies the most fantastic adventures that are just a page away; the only thing better than a good book is a room full of them. A vintage oak writers’ desk overlooking the canal is offset by a patchwork Persian rug by Piet Hein Eek.
Other themed suites include the Music Collector’s suite featuring a wall of trumpets, a vintage record player and a vast collection of framed records; along with the Art Collector’s suite adorned with art collected by Pulitzer Amsterdam over the years including a spectacular nine-metre 21st-century version of ‘The Last Supper’ painting.
The second phase of the restoration will begin in February and culminate in Autumn 2016 when the second wing will open to guests on the Prinsengracht canal side, marking the Grand Opening. Once complete, the hotel will feature 225 guestrooms and suites with a lead-in rate of £235.
Alexander van Gastel, General Manager of Pulitzer Amsterdam, commented: “Our future lies in our past, we want to stay true to our roots and celebrate the history and heritage of the canal houses – the hotel’s maze of secrets and surprises are what makes Pulitzer Amsterdam unique. We are excited to reveal the new look to loyal guests and to welcome new visitors to join us on our journey.”
One of the perks of my job is being able to see the progression of hotels from mere ideas and drawings right through to the bricks and mortar of a completed project. And one thing that always fascinates me is how much (and sometimes how little) the finished product can differ from the concept first visualised by designers and architects.
So, it’s a welcome treat to be given a guided tour of a hotel and its eventual form by one of the people commissioned to design it — as I recently got to do with Dexter Moren of the eponymous firm of associates at the Hilton London Bankside.
Located in what is now one of the most fashionable and ‘trendy’ areas of the capital, this five-star property built on the site of a former banknote recycling shed might never have come to fruition. Bankside’s industrial past and ‘rustic’ character meant that Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) and design firm Twenty2Degrees were originally briefed to create a mixed development combining a budget hotel, conference and leisure facilities — something more befitting of the surroundings at the time; as ‘south of the river wasn’t the place for five-star properties at the time’, Dexter reminds me.
Fast forward a decade and then some — the ever-growing reputation of The Globe, the Tate Modern and more recently The Shard — and throw in the considerable money spent on regenerating the area; the brief was clearly changed to combine those separate ‘sectors’ into one urban-inspired and luxurious property. Thankfully, for those of us now lucky enough to see the end product first-hand, the Hilton group agreed to back developers Splendid Hotels. And the rest, as they say, is history…
Off the bat, it’s clear to see the exterior of the hotel is heavily inspired by the cutting edge, artistic modernity of its locale. Dexter explains to me the rationale behind the separate but thematically-connected facades of the two adjoining elements of the building and their differing heights (restrictions on building any higher than current and proposed neighbours meant one element had to be lower than the other), both use a striking combination of traditional brickwork and metallic cladding, all of which go to fit in with the surrounding buildings.
Detail of the Bankside exterior (Photo: dextermoren.com)
Arriving at the hotel via the porte-cochere is the perfect segue between the exterior and interior, with its stunning pressed tinwork on the ceiling and dazzling display of bespoke industrial lights designed by DMA and Twenty2Degrees — hinting at the fact that the inside will continue the ‘design voice’ proudly expressed on the outside. Likewise, the lobby area echoes the clearly defined theme running throughout and, as with so many of the hotel’s public spaces, particularly impressive here is the lighting fixture specifically designed for the high-ceilinged reception area.
Again, I’m struck by the delicate balance of industrial chic and clean-lined elegance that has been achieved. Also, unlike many hotels I’ve visited in the past, the executive lounge is situated on the ground floor and while still retaining a sumptuous feel and serene atmosphere — as well as a stunning light well letting in natural light — it has been built to back onto the kitchen facilities for the ease of access for staff, who have a centralised point of entry for each food and beverage outlet thanks to clever design.
The industrial aesthetic of the lobby
Some of the artwork scattered around the hotel
The stunning interiors of the executive lounge (Photos: London Hilton Bankside)
Little nods to the Bankside history run throughout the design of the hotel’s F&B offerings too; namely the Distillery Bar and the restaurant OXBO. The former is a destination cocktail venue with old world charm, the name of which is a reference to the Stephenson & Howell Standard Works distillery that occupied part of the site during the 1800s. The latter has been designed with both exclusivity and functionality in mind – perforated steel screens provide privacy in the open space as well as being strategically positioned to allow for smaller groups of guests to ensure the restaurant retains a ‘lively’ vibe — being both the dining space for hotel guests and a walk-in option for non-guests.
Many of the decorative items, such as the crystal decanters have been sourced from local markets and antiques dealers in Bermondsey and Spitalfields and are combined to give the space a light-hearted, authentic feel. The lighting is a bespoke design for the restaurant and was manufactured by British lighting company Northern Lights and Danish company Fransden Project. The restaurant’s wide range of cuisine is hinted at by the ‘Mounted Not Stuffed’ artwork by David Farrer, a cornucopia of papier-mâché animal heads scattered throughout the restaurant.
It’s here I can make a quick aside to the fantastic Penny Wall in the bar, designed to reflect the aforementioned use of the site as a banknote warehouse, which contains nearly 17,000 hand-applied pennies and sits impressively on a wall that had to be reinforced to take the extra weight. With coins dating from 1864 and an opportunity for civic leaders, dignitaries and the local community to add a penny to the wall themselves, it’s the hotel fitting into its surroundings in a very real and actionable way.
The clean-line elegance of The Distillery
Detail of David Farrer’s artwork in OXBO
OXBO Restaurant’s excellent use of materials to create space (Photos: London Hilton Bankside)
Moving upstairs and the guestrooms have not been exempted from the industrial, London aesthetic. The corridor carpets, with their brown and green hues and again designed by Twenty2Degrees and DMA, were commissioned to reflect the ‘ebb and flow’ of the River Thames just a stone’s throw away. With the guestroom materials including concrete-effect wall coverings and limed timber, these sharp materials are contrasted by sleek Italian-style furniture and upholstery as well as winged headboards that create the warmth required in luxurious rooms. Bold greys dominate in the bathrooms – floor and half-wall tiles combine with the pale travertine tiling on the rest of the walls to create a clean, clinical feel.
The bold greys of the bathrooms in the London Hilton Bankside (Photo: London Hilton Bankside)
And one of the elements of room design that I found most interesting and useful was the separate entrance area for ‘adjoining’ rooms — rather than an adjoining entrance built into the wall of each room, both rooms have an individual front door behind a centralised front door to create a ‘hallway’ of sorts. As Dexter pointed out, this helps with noise control between the rooms and offers an added layer of privacy — especially for those travelling with families.
Pendant lighting and reading light built into the bedroom wall
Steps to the subterranean Ballroom
But the jewel in the crown of this slick, stylish hotel is the grand ballroom on the sub-ground level. The breath-taking space is something the hotel (and Dexter himself) are very proud of — and rightly so. With a separate entrance built at the rear of the hotel building to allow event or function attendees to arrive separately from the hullabaloo of the main entrance, the ballroom is accessed in grand style by a sweeping staircase with marble treads, brass handrail and smoked glass balustrade.
Aside from the sheer scale of the space, the luxury and attention to detail marks this as a wonderfully unique location in the heart of the capital. It is designed to be flexible, with as little or as much space an event may require on offer as well as being able to open out to include balcony areas and the lobby for arrivals or break-outs. The dark walls are complemented by a pale carpet and subtly patterned wall-covering. For me, however, the centrepiece is the inclusion of ultra-modern chandeliers whose individual, interlinked cubed LED lights are a work of ingenuity and beauty.
Mirror detail in the bathrooms
The quirky ‘Urban Fox’ artwork in the bedrooms
LED, ultra-modern chandeliers above the Ballroom (Photos: dextermoren.com)
And that’s the best way to summarise the Hilton London Bankside — a combination of brilliant and beautiful design. From the use of space – like the well-equipped gym and 17-metre swimming pool hidden away underground – to the bold and memorable interiors, Dexter Moren’s team and Twenty2Degrees have created a property with a clear and cemented identity. The brief to create a luxurious hotel in this part of London has been met and exceeded. But it’s in the little touches that this project truly shines. From the playful ‘Urban Fox’ motif referenced subtly more than 100 times throughout the hotel including in the bedrooms — in reference to a fox that would visit the site during construction — to the work of young British artists scattered throughout the property in a tribute to the Tate Modern around the corner.
A Hilton-branded hotel, which has more in common with a boutique offering than a cookie-cutter repeat, which from pavement to bedroom makes it very clear that it ‘belongs’ in its up-and-coming locale south of the Thames, that keeps luxury prevalent throughout and is designed with detail at the forefront? A project I never thought I’d see — but thanks to Dexter and the work of his team, the reality is better than the imaginings of this humble journalist. Bravo…
Radisson Blu has announced its latest opening in Nairobi – a sophisticated retreat in Upper Hill, the upcoming business district within the commercial capital of East Africa.“The hotel is a modern salute to Radisson Blu’s design heritage and innovative spirit, and Kenya’s vibrant culture. Our global travellers can continue to expect the very best of Radisson Blu stylish, sophisticated and iconic experience in Kenya’s capital city,” said Marc Descrozaille, Area Vice President Sub-Saharan Africa for The Rezidor Hotel Group.
Guests staying at the hotel have a choice of three contemporary room designs from the sleek Urban Room style to the New York Mansion or the Naturally Cool themes with views out over the Nairobi city skyline or the Nairobi National Park. Its 271 guest rooms include 13 suites and a Presidential Suite with access to the Business Class Lounge.
As a premier business hotel, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill offers one of the best-equipped and largest conference facilities in Kenya. Easy access to the airport and an Upper Hill address make the location especially ideal for corporate gatherings of all sizes.
One of the perks of my job is being able to see the progression of hotels from mere ideas and drawings right through to the bricks and mortar of a completed project. And one thing that always fascinates me is how much (and sometimes how little) the finished product can differ from the concept first visualised by designers and architects.So, it’s a welcome treat to be given a guided tour of a hotel and its eventual form by one of the people commissioned to design it — as I recently got to do with Dexter Moren of the eponymous firm of associates at the Hilton London Bankside.
The London Hilton Bankside exterior
Located in what is now one of the most fashionable and ‘trendy’ areas of the capital, this five-star property built on the site of a former banknote recycling shed might never have come to fruition. Bankside’s industrial past and ‘rustic’ character meant that Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) and design firm Twenty2Degrees were originally briefed to create a mixed development combining a budget hotel, conference and leisure facilities — something more befitting of the surroundings at the time; as ‘south of the river wasn’t the place for five-star properties at the time’, Dexter reminds me.
Fast forward a decade and then some — the ever-growing reputation of The Globe, the Tate Modern and more recently The Shard — and throw in the considerable money spent on regenerating the area; the brief was clearly changed to combine those separate ‘sectors’ into one urban-inspired and luxurious property. Thankfully, for those of us now lucky enough to see the end product first-hand, the Hilton group agreed to back developers Splendid Hotels. And the rest, as they say, is history…
Off the bat, it’s clear to see the exterior of the hotel is heavily inspired by the cutting edge, artistic modernity of its locale. Dexter explains to me the rationale behind the separate but thematically-connected facades of the two adjoining elements of the building and their differing heights (restrictions on building any higher than current and proposed neighbours meant one element had to be lower than the other), both use a striking combination of traditional brickwork and metallic cladding, all of which go to fit in with the surrounding buildings.
Detail of the Bankside exterior (Photo: dextermoren.com)
Arriving at the hotel via the porte-cochere is the perfect segue between the exterior and interior, with its stunning pressed tinwork on the ceiling and dazzling display of bespoke industrial lights designed by DMA and Twenty2Degrees — hinting at the fact that the inside will continue the ‘design voice’ proudly expressed on the outside. Likewise, the lobby area echoes the clearly defined theme running throughout and, as with so many of the hotel’s public spaces, particularly impressive here is the lighting fixture specifically designed for the high-ceilinged reception area.
Again, I’m struck by the delicate balance of industrial chic and clean-lined elegance that has been achieved. Also, unlike many hotels I’ve visited in the past, the executive lounge is situated on the ground floor and while still retaining a sumptuous feel and serene atmosphere — as well as a stunning light well letting in natural light — it has been built to back onto the kitchen facilities for the ease of access for staff, who have a centralised point of entry for each food and beverage outlet thanks to clever design.
L-R: The industrial aesthetic of the lobby // Some of the artwork scattered around the hotel // The stunning interiors of the executive lounge (Photos: London Hilton Bankside)
Little nods to the Bankside history run throughout the design of the hotel’s F&B offerings too; namely the Distillery Bar and the restaurant OXBO. The former is a destination cocktail venue with old world charm, the name of which is a reference to the Stephenson & Howell Standard Works distillery that occupied part of the site during the 1800s. The latter has been designed with both exclusivity and functionality in mind – perforated steel screens provide privacy in the open space as well as being strategically positioned to allow for smaller groups of guests to ensure the restaurant retains a ‘lively’ vibe — being both the dining space for hotel guests and a walk-in option for non-guests.
Many of the decorative items, such as the crystal decanters have been sourced from local markets and antiques dealers in Bermondsey and Spitalfields and are combined to give the space a light-hearted, authentic feel. The lighting is a bespoke design for the restaurant and was manufactured by British lighting company Northern Lights and Danish company Fransden Project. The restaurant’s wide range of cuisine is hinted at by the ’Mounted Not Stuffed’ artwork by David Farrer, a cornucopia of papier-mâché animal heads scattered throughout the restaurant.
It’s here I can make a quick aside to the fantastic Penny Wall in the bar, designed to reflect the aforementioned use of the site as a banknote warehouse, which contains nearly 17,000 hand-applied pennies and sits impressively on a wall that had to be reinforced to take the extra weight. With coins dating from 1864 and an opportunity for civic leaders, dignitaries and the local community to add a penny to the wall themselves, it’s the hotel fitting into its surroundings in a very real and actionable way.
L-R: The clean-line elegance of The Distillery // Detail of David Farrer’s artwork in OXBO // OXBO Restaurant’s excellent use of materials to create space (Photos: London Hilton Bankside)
Moving upstairs and the guestrooms have not been exempted from the industrial, London aesthetic. The corridor carpets, with their brown and green hues and again designed by Twenty2Degrees and DMA, were commissioned to reflect the ‘ebb and flow’ of the River Thames just a stone’s throw away.
With the guestroom materials including concrete-effect wall coverings and limed timber, these sharp materials are contrasted by sleek Italian-style furniture and upholstery as well as winged headboards that create the warmth required in luxurious rooms. Bold greys dominate in the bathrooms – floor and half-wall tiles combine with the pale travertine tiling on the rest of the walls to create a clean, clinical feel.
The bold greys of the bathrooms in the London Hilton Bankside (Photo: London Hilton Bankside)
And one of the elements of room design that I found most interesting and useful was the separate entrance area for ‘adjoining’ rooms — rather than an adjoining entrance built into the wall of each room, both rooms have an individual front door behind a centralised front door to create a ‘hallway’ of sorts. As Dexter pointed out, this helps with noise control between the rooms and offers an added layer of privacy — especially for those travelling with families.
L-R: Pendant lighting and reading light built into the bedroom wall // Steps to the subterranean Ballroom // The River Thames-inspired carpets in the guestoom corridors (Photos: dextermoren.com)
But the jewel in the crown of this slick, stylish hotel is the grand ballroom on the sub-ground level. The breath-taking space is something the hotel (and Dexter himself) are very proud of — and rightly so. With a separate entrance built at the rear of the hotel building to allow event or function attendees to arrive separately from the hullabaloo of the main entrance, the ballroom is accessed in grand style by a sweeping staircase with marble treads, brass handrail and smoked glass balustrade.
Aside from the sheer scale of the space, the luxury and attention to detail marks this as a wonderfully unique location in the heart of the capital. It is designed to be flexible, with as little or as much space an event may require on offer as well as being able to open out to include balcony areas and the lobby for arrivals or break-outs. The dark walls are complemented by a pale carpet and subtly patterned wall-covering. For me, however, the centrepiece is the inclusion of ultra-modern chandeliers whose individual, interlinked cubed LED lights are a work of ingenuity and beauty.
L-R: Mirror detail in the bathrooms // The quirky ‘Urban Fox’ artwork in the bedrooms // LED, ultra-modern chandeliers above the Ballroom (Photos: dextermoren.com)
And that’s the best way to summarise the Hilton London Bankside — a combination of brilliant and beautiful design. From the use of space – like the well-equipped gym and 17-metre swimming pool hidden away underground – to the bold and memorable interiors, Dexter Moren’s team and Twenty2Degrees have created a property with a clear and cemented identity. The brief to create a luxurious hotel in this part of London has been met and exceeded. But it’s in the little touches that this project truly shines. From the playful ‘Urban Fox’ motif referenced subtly more than 100 times throughout the hotel including in the bedrooms — in reference to a fox that would visit the site during construction — to the work of young British artists scattered throughout the property in a tribute to the Tate Modern around the corner.
A Hilton-branded hotel, which has more in common with a boutique offering than a cookie-cutter repeat, which from pavement to bedroom makes it very clear that it ‘belongs’ in its up-and-coming locale south of the Thames, that keeps luxury prevalent throughout and is designed with detail at the forefront? A project I never thought I’d see — but thanks to Dexter and the work of his team, the reality is better than the imaginings of this humble journalist. Bravo…
AccorHotels has opened a combined Pullman & Novotel New Delhi Aerocity project which will add 670 international-standard rooms at the gateway to India.The 270-room Pullman and 400-room Novotel are located in close proximity to Indira Gandhi InternationalAirport and offer easy access to the prominent business hubs of Gurgaon and New Delhi. Set around a central garden and outdoor heated pool, the project brings together two of AccorHotels most renowned brands in the burgeoning Aerocity precinct.
The midscale Novotel is a classic blend of modernity, design, simplicity and efficiency. Novotel New Delhi Aerocity focuses on bringing the family together by offering complimentary accommodation for up to two children up to 16 years of age when staying with their parents.
The hotel offers a complete Novotel experience; all guests can stay connected at the hotel’s Web Corner, a comfortable space furnished with user-friendly Apple iMacs and a full service business lounge. A virtual concierge in the lobby, Moncierge, will give an insight to the capital’s best attractions and entertainment, access to check flight timings, hotel information and more.
Together the hotels are well positioned to attract a large segment of the increasingly important Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitons (MICE) market, being home to Delhi NCR’s largest convention space, spread over more than 40,000 square feet, with a fully flexible pillarless ballroom and 13 meeting rooms for every kind of event.
International hotel brand Park Regis will soon call Europe home with the opening of its Birmingham property in March 2016.The hotel will be located in the former Auchinleck House building on Broad Street, which received a £50 million renovation to transform it into a modern silver-clad hotel offering 253 deluxe rooms, two junior suites and the largest presidential suite in Birmingham.
The upscale property is the seventeenth Park Regis globally and places Park Regis Birmingham alongside locations including Sydney, Singapore and Dubai.
StayWell Hospitality Group CEO Mr. Simon Wan said that adding a European hotel is a strategic move for the Park Regis brand which has an international portfolio spanning Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, India and the United Arab Emirates.
“The Park Regis brand is rapidly expanding internationally, the opening of our first European-based hotel in Birmingham aligns with our strategy of opening high-quality properties in cities which present optimum growth opportunities.
“While the number of hotel beds in Birmingham has increased rapidly in recent years, the number of upscale hotels hasn’t kept the same pace. Once opened, Park Regis will fill this gap in Birmingham’s high-end hotel offering,” said Mr Wan.
Birmingham is a flourishing city following recent investment in transport links and infrastructure and visitor numbers are at an all time high which creates a prime opportunity for a new upscale hotel.
Luxury fabric specialist Kobe UK, is bringing its exciting new upholstery collections to the January Furniture Show in Birmingham.For the first time, timeless designs with an array of textiles are being brought together into a library of 36 sample books with more than 700 fabrics in a wide range of colours, textures and patterns, creating interiors reflecting the latest trends for today’s high-end domestic and contract markets.
Also unveiled at the show will be Essente’s fresh and contemporary collection of upholstery fabrics, featuring the fabulous Savanna and Steppe ranges. Essente is designed to reach a broader clientele, looking for a cost effective option, with the quality and reassurance of the Kobe name.
All Kobe’s upholstery fabrics offer exceptional durability, scoring highly on the Martindale Rub Test.
Kobe and Essente can be found in Hall 1. Kobe is on C7 and Essente on C8.
Irish property developer Johnny Ronan has announced plans to build four new hotels in Dublin and the surrounding area, including an ambitious 70-room boutique hotel at the site of the iconic Bewley’s Building on the capital’s Grafton Street in a reported £163 million investment.Ronan has also submitted plans to build a 167-bedroom, four-star hotel named Aquavetro in the upcoming 22-storey waterfront tower project.
Shane Whelan, development director for Ronan Group, told the Sunday Irish Independent that “the focus on delivering hotels is to satisfy the strong demand generated by record tourism numbers, a recovering economy and restricted hotel capacity”.
As part of other projects, Ronan will develop The Enniskerry Park Hotel, a 200-bed hotel in Enniskerry, neighbouring the former Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the development of a site in the village of Delgany, Co Wicklow.
The impressive Blu Box from Lano Carpet Solutions brings together all the manufacturer’s carpets for hospitality environments, providing designers and end users with a vital resource.Included in the box are catalogued samples of ranges that have a proven track record in hospitality, from excellent value tufted collections for bedrooms to high-quality woven axminster for use in corridors, lounges, bar and restaurant areas. Featuring classic wool-rich and contemporary polyamide styles, Blu Box makes the specification of hospitality carpet easy.
“Here at Lano Carpet Solutions we’ve built a fearsome reputation for our hospitality carpet, but Blu Box is the first time we’ve brought everything together in an easy-to-use and compelling resource,” says Robin Gray, International Hospitality Business Manager. “Designers can now come to realise the true scope of our hospitality carpets which cover every possibility, from small boutique to large hotel groups.”
Along with the catalogued samples, Blu Box includes the spectacular 172-page Hospitality by Lano brochure that gives full colour, design and technical information for all the concepts featured. From seven through to 11-row axminster, the textured Carve Concept and bespoke Suite Concept, Hospitality by Lano shows the true capability of hospitality carpet from one of Europe’s premier manufacturers.
The Blu Box is now available from Lano Carpet Solutions.
The brand new Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa’s design reflects a bold and elegant style that cleverly integrates the surrounding environment within the hotel’s various buildings, with exacting attention to detail that brings Sofitel’s art de vivre to life.With 211 rooms and suites, plus four villas, the hotel also features the world’s largest So SPA, four F&B options, over 1,300sqm of MICE facilities, a 33-metre swimming pool and more than 27 acres of tropical woodlands, offering guests a sense of relaxed sophistication and urban resort living.
As the only hotel at Sentosa that overlooks the South China Sea, the resort also offers easy access to Tanjong Beach. Take a look at some images of the resort from Sofitel.com below…
Northern Ireland’s premier 5-star hotel, the Culloden Estate and Spa, has unveiled its recent refurbishment which was in excess of £1,000,000. Various parts of the hotel have been included in the investment programme which boasts a new-look Mitre restaurant and refurbished bedrooms including the four original tower suites. This month, as part of the investment a refurbishment programme of the spa will begin.
Adrian McNally, General Manager of the Culloden Estate & Spa said: “We are delighted to unveil the results of our latest refurbishment which was an investment by Hastings Hotels in excess of £1,000,000. The refurbishment is part of the ongoing investment programme that we at Hastings Hotels pride ourselves on to ensure we make the most of our properties and our people as we continue to offer our guests a first class service every time.”
Hipping Hall, an idyllic country retreat perched on the fringes of the Forest of Bowland, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District has recently been the subject of a significant programme of investment. Work got under way at Hipping Hall this summer, to transform a former stable block in the grounds of the award winning restaurant with rooms into five luxurious suites, a standalone chef’s kitchen and a private dining room, an investment of some £250,000, by the property’s owner Andrew Wildsmith.
The work, which has now been completed will enable the Grade II listed property to cater for larger functions and weddings, as well as allowing groups of guests to indulge in a range of exclusive dining experiences, produced by Hipping’s innovative Head Chef, Oli Martin.
The designs for the five new luxurious suites were conceived by Harrison Pitt Architects working closely with hotel owner Andrew Wildsmith, contractor Pinington’s then interpreted those plans and renowned interior designer James Mackie finished the project with a flourish, producing a series of beautiful interior schemes, utilising luxurious fixtures, furnishings and finishes to produce five rooms that simply wow!
Interior designer James, has previously worked on interior schemes at Hipping Hall, for Andrew including the stunning Tatham Suite. Throughout the design process Andrew worked closely with James to create a unique look and feel for each of the new suites. The bathrooms feature natural stone, chrome fixtures and fittings and several contain decadently unique resin baths. Each bedroom features a muted colour pallet, offset with sumptuous furnishings and fabrics combing to add both colour and bold touches, designed to ensure guests will be wowed by the result and want to return time and time again.
The gardens surrounding the Old Stables have also been the subject of a full makeover. Acclaimed Landscape Architect Frances Truscott, has devised a soft landscaping scheme maximising the natural glades, meandering stream and ponds found in the grounds to lead the eye and add depth and texture. In addition the former walled garden will also be brought back into use to create a chef’s garden, from which head chef Oli will be able to select fresh seasonal produce for inclusion in his dishes.
James Mackie, Interior Designer, said: “Hipping Hall is a special place for me. The Old Stables continue our theme of restrained luxury and is complimentary to the main house whilst having its own identity. It’s crucial to have nice rooms when you visit a hotel of this quality but the Hipping Hall experience is more than that – stunning position, amazing food, great cellar and faultless service comes as standard. I hope we’ve echoed that in our designs.”
Andrew Wildsmith, owner of the Hipping Hall, said: “Hipping is the embodiment of what a wonderfully luxurious country house hotel should be. The significant investment we are making in the new suites located in the Old Stables is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the product we offer our guests.
“The addition of a chef’s kitchen and private dining room will also enable us to cater for a range of different functions and offer exclusive dining experiences in the coming months, further enhancing the foodie reputation we are building for the hotel.”
JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa, the newest five-star luxury beachfront resort in Mexico, designed by Jim Olson from Olson Kundig in collaboration with IDEA Asociados, opened its doors to the public earlier this month.It boasts 299-guestrooms and suites, all with unobstructed ocean views, and features modern architecture inspired by local Mexican traditions and the spirit of the desert.
“Jim Olson and his team have created an idyllic environment featuring awe-inspiring modern design that highlights the tranquility of Los Cabos,” said Mitzi Gaskins, Vice President, Luxury Brand Management & Guest Experience at Marriott International. “Upon arrival, guests will immediately be taken by the destination’s natural beauty. JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa perfectly complements its surroundings while providing guests with an unparalleled enriching resort experience.”
Situated in the upscale Puerto Los Cabos community, JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa is located within the dunes of the pristine coast of the Baja peninsula, where the desert meets the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. Inspired by the local traditions and spirit of the desert, Olson’s design seamlessly blends architecture, art and nature.
“As you move through the space, there are always moments where your eye can focus on the outdoors,” Olson notes. “The architecture is designed to frame nature.”
Upon entering the open-air lobby, guests are greeted by the sea and the resort’s expansive infinity pools, creatingthe effect of the ocean merging with the property itself. The resort also offers the ultra-exclusive Griffin Club, a 45-room boutique hotel within the resort that includes a private beach and pool, butler and chef services, private spa areas, a movie theater, food and beverage offerings, access to the chef’s private table at Café des Artistes and more.
JW Marriott Los Cabos’ multi-million dollar art collection is featured throughout the resort and includes works from internationally acclaimed artists such as Jaume Plensa, Ursula von Rydingsvard, Angel Otero, Sam Falls Tobias Pils, Jorge Yazpik, Carlos García de la Nuez, Jan Hendrix, Héctor Zamora and more. Guests also have access to Puerto Los Cabos’ private marina and golf courses designed by Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus.
JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa offers over 37,000 square feet of event space for weddings and corporate meetings including the 7,950 square foot Mila Ballroom, the 5,425-square-foot beachfront Amet Patio, and several private and semi-private terraces and gardens. Additionally, the Kepe gazebo, which has a view of the Sea of Cortez, is perfect for wedding ceremonies.
The resort also offers performing art events and special celebrations under the stars in the 7,104 square foot Sum-San amphitheater, which is inspired by ancient Greek forums.
Another year, another Sleep event comes to a close. The whole two days were a brilliant celebration of design, ingenuity and the good and the great of the hotel design industry as a whole. One of the highlights of the entire show, however, was the Sleep Set competition.Tasked with creating a room representing a ‘fairy tale wonderland’, a host of manufacturers worked in tandem with designers to create six incredible spaces. What stood out most was how, despite being given exactly the same brief, each team came up with such contrasting and differing interpretations; that being the beauty of design, of course.
Among the manufacturers taking part were HotelDesigns Directory members Laufen, Hansgrohe (bathroom fittings) and Hypnos (bed design) – the latter of which contributed to the winning room by Shaun Clarkson ID. Some images of our favourite elements of the different designs can be seen below…
Photos (top): Daniel Fountain // Photos (bottom): Courtesy of Sleep Event Facebook page
DoubleTree by Hilton Doha – Old Town has opened in the rapidly expanding business district of Qatar’s capital.The hotel features 187 guestrooms and suites – each of which boast floor to ceiling windows with panoramic city views. Additionally, the hotel offers business and fitness centers, a sauna, steam room, and rooftop pool.
As the cultural and commercial capital of Qatar, Doha attracts both leisure and business travelers. This contemporary hotel is in close proximity to key business and government administration offices, including the financial district and port, as well as Doha’s famous waterfront promenade, the Corniche, and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Doha has recently seen a huge expansion of its transportation network, including the recently opened Hamad International Airport, the home of Qatar Airways, and a new metro rail system.
The DoubleTree by Hilton Doha – Old Town is the seventh DoubleTree branded hotel in the Middle East, and the second Hilton Worldwide property in Qatar, joining Hilton Doha.
Earlier this month, the Mayor of Ryde, Councillor Roi Milburn and the Chief Executive of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, David Thornton joined Travelodge’s Regional Director South, Muhammad Manan to officially open Ryde’s first branded budget hotel – Ryde Travelodge.The purpose built, 41-room property, located in the heart of the town centre represents an investment of £2.2 million and has created ten new jobs. The hotel has been designed in the company’s new contemporary brand design. This includes a new room concept which has been created by Travelodge customers.
This new opening has boosted Travelodge’s UK portfolio to 504 hotels and has also doubled the company’s presence on the Isle of Wight to two hotels.
Muhammed Manan, Travelodge Regional Director South said: “We are thrilled to be opening Ryde’s first branded budget hotel. We have been looking for another site on the Isle of Wight for some time and are delighted to have built a hotel in such a prominent position, minutes away from the beach. Our new hotel will help to attract new visitors, which is great news for the local economy, as our research shows annually Travelodge customers will spend nearly £1 million with local businesses during their stay.”
James Gadsby, Ryde Travelodge Hotel Manager said: “I am delighted to be managing Ryde’s first branded budget hotel. We have got off to a flying start and business is booming. We are already booked out for Christmas.”
Rotana Hotels and Resorts, one of the leading hospitality management groups in the MEA, south Asian and eastern European markets, is set to continue its ambitious expansion with the opening of 15 properties across the remainder of this year and 2016.With flourishing development being made in its growth strategy, Rotana is further strengthening its presence in Turkey and Bahrain, whilst 2016 will also see the opening of the group’s first property in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo marking Rotana’s increasing footprint in Africa.
The hotels add 3,769 rooms to Rotana’s existing 13,875–strong room count across its global property portfolio.
Omer Kaddouri, President & CEO of Rotana comments: “Rotana has a very robust development pipeline for 2016. By extending the Rotana brand into new cities while also reinforcing our market leadership in the Middle East, we have come closer to realising our ambitious vision of operating 100 hotels by 2020. With a carefully considered international development strategy in place, we are constantly looking for growth opportunities and all of these markets presented opportunities for Rotana to extend our award-winning hospitality offering. “In particular, a breakthrough into Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a significant landmark for Rotana as this is a new territory for us in which we will be addressing the needs of a rapidly developing market. We are confident that the hotel will offer world class standards in hospitality and we look forward to expanding our offering for travellers across Africa,” he added.
The Julietta Velvet Chair from Gallery Direct’s Hudson Living range is a versatile occasional piece that can be used in almost any room. This luxurious boutique chair is upholstered in sumptuous velvet with button detailing and is available in three colours – elegant royale which is a beautiful soft purple, sophisticated light grey and bold teal.
The Julietta coordinates perfectly with other products from the Hudson Living range as well as with Gallery’s Frank Hudson collection.
Mercure Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, a country retreat set in 30 acres of peaceful Aberdeenshire countryside, has been beautifully transformed into a Mercure flagship property following an extensive refurbishment of its bedrooms to accompany the grand public areas and spa facilities.Built in 1887 in the Scottish Baronial style and fashioned on Balmoral Castle, just 50 miles away, Ardoe House Hotel’s bedrooms have been lovingly redesigned, bringing Aberdeenshire’s past and present to life. A locally inspired brand, Mercure worked with interior designer Frances Blackham at Trevellion Interiors. The refurbishment has seen new furnishings, textures and patterns incorporated into the property, capturing the cosmopolitan feel of Aberdeen, just five miles away.
All of the refurbished classic doubles and privilege rooms offer modern luxuries and a home-from-home experience, along with a dash of Scottish charm. Emblematic of the Highlands but with a modern twist, a plaid fabric in a shade of terracotta now adorns the bedroom chairs, while a montage of black and white architectural photography features on the headboards, showcasing 100 years of Ardoe House history.
The bedroom walls include a new array of monochromatic images, featuring the property itself. Graceful, neutral, stone coloured tones flow throughout the rooms and coordinate with beautiful walnut furniture. Each bedroom is equipped with a TV with international satellite channels, 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi access, which is available throughout the hotel.
During their stay guests will experience the juxtaposition of both new and old styles. The property’s original features were completed by local craftsmanship and include striking stonework and beautifully crafted wood paneling, elaborate plinths, stained glass windows and paneled doors with intricate metalwork. In reception sits an exquisite mosaic floor and extraordinary latticed ceiling. All compliment the modern design additions that have been made to the bedrooms
Baulmann Leuchten once again displayed their latest product developments at this year’s Sleep Event, which took place this week.Of particular focus this year was the official launch of revisited classics from their ‘64-65’ collection, first displayed during those years almost 50 years ago.
The company is able to bring these designs back to life because they still hold the key tooling and design elements for all their historic collections.
Due to tremendous demand from interior designers worldwide, Baulmann can offer these as they were originally offered in their original state. These will be brought back with all the exacting safety And energy efficiency demands of the 21st century.
Chelsom were at the annual Sleep Event, which took place at the Business Design Centre in London earlier this week.Sleep is Europe’s leading trade event for interior hospitality products providing an annual meeting for those at the forefront of hotel design, development and architecture.
This was Chelsom’s 9th consecutive year exhibiting at the event and this year they showed off pieces from their new off-shoot collection, Autumn Update, which launched this September and harnesses and refines the latest trends in finishes and materials to give a whole new look to some of their most popular existing designs. Satin Copper, White & Gold and a palette of bold retro Colours give strong design directions whilst natural Stone offers a timeless organic look. In addition Chelsom also provided an exclusive preview of brand new pieces from the upcoming collection, Edition 25, as designed entirely in-house by Robert and Will Chelsom and which will be available from May 2016 onwards.
Company Director, Will Chelsom said: “Sleep is the number one UK show in terms of interior design for the hospitality market and we are very pleased to be back again. Being able to see what the wider market is up to is really inspirational and it’s a great environment for companies to showcase their latest product designs and innovations. Sleep has become a key date in the diaries of many leading hospitality professionals so it’s exciting for us to be promoting our new off-shoot collection and promoting a selection of new pieces from what is undoubtedly our most eclectic collection to date.”
A historic Northumberland hotel is being transformed into a French-inspired chateau, complete with a stunning Mediterranean garden, as part of a plan to transform it into one of the country’s most original and exciting wedding venues.The 27 bedroom Percy Arms Hotel at Otterburn closed in 2012 but was bought earlier this year by leisure entrepreneur, Duncan Fisher and his award-winning Northumberland leisure company, Newton Hall Northumberland Ltd.
And work will soon be underway to transform the hotel into Le Petit Chateau, a stylish and quirky venue which the owners promise will combine the look and feel of a French country manor house with a range of unusual features.
The plans include the creation of a spectacular Mediterranean garden with its own wedding terrace which will emulate those typically found in the grandest chateaux in the south of France, complete with palm trees, an antique fountain and lavender field.
It will include a wild meadow leading to a riverside setting where ceremonies can take place, along with a ballroom which will have floor to ceiling glass doors opening on to the garden. When completed, the venue will be able to accommodate up to 160 guests for dinner and up to 200 for an evening reception, with 30 bedrooms also being created, some of which will have secret roof gardens and hot tubs.
Mr Fisher said the plans for the hotel would create “a venue that has never been seen anywhere else in the country.”
“This is a massively ambitious development which is totally unique,” he said. “It is an incredible challenge to create a French chateau with breathtaking gardens in the middle of Northumberland but that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
Mr Fisher is investing a “substantial amount” in developing Le Petit Chateau and promises that it will have the same high standards that have led to multi-award winning Newton Hall, its sister hotel, being voted one of the top five wedding venues in the country.
When completed, around 60 new jobs should be created, with the aim of recruiting entirely from the surrounding area to help boost the local economy. The hope is that work on the site will begin towards the end of the year, with the first weddings taking place from April 2016.
Clarke & Clarke has several new collections which were on show for the first time at this year’s Sleep event earlier this week. You can see them below… Anatolia A collection of three striking patterns, combined with a soft, distressed semi-plain chenille in a wide variety of modern shades. Intricately woven and reminiscent of ancient kilim rugs from Turkey.
Artbook by Kim Parker (Wallcoverings) Award winning lifestyle designer, Kim Parker is famous for her bold, exuberant floral style in contemporary colour.
From an early age, Kim has dreamt of creating fabrics and wallpapers that transform rooms into lush, exuberant interiors gardens. Influenced by beautiful wallpapers of the Arts & Crafts and Bloomsbury movements and rich hues often inspired by the textiles of India and Mexico.
Thirteen pieces of original art have been carefully translated into beautiful printed linen and velvet fabrics and also digital wallpapers.
Latour Rich and luxurious, Latour is a collection of three small scale chenille weaves and a stunning digital print on the same dual purpose quality.
The style pays homage to the glamorous French Golden Age, where gem and dark colours such as magenta, deep blue and peacock mix with opulent metallics.
Navajo Originally Navajo Indian hand woven blankets, reproduced as hefty upholstery weaves made from linen and cotton. Wonderful, rich shades that include earth, carmine and mineral.
Palladio Detailed, ornate weave structures combine with ombre grounds in a classical Italian style. Four coordinating patterns in a variely of scales are complimented by a soft, slub weave chenille and are available in colours ranging from classic neutrals through to fashionable shades of shades of aqua, orchid and olive green.
2015 was an eventful year for Hotel Designs with a takeover in July and a new set-up in place. Since then, the team has unveiled some exciting changes for 2016. One of those changes is the announcement that Hotel Designs’ owner Forum Events Ltd has rebranded its event previously known as the Hotel Summit, which has now been renamed the Hotel Designs Summit.
The move brings together Forum Events’ award-winning formula for summits and conferences and its newest media acquisition Hotel Designs. Taking place over two days next year (12-13 September at Radisson Blu, London Stansted), the summit will be a must-attend event for large-scale hotels and resorts, independent and unique boutique establishments, with the emphasis placed upon meetings between buyers and solution providers, who will be able to discuss design trends and challenges; creating innovative and long-lasting business relationships.
HotelDesigns publisher Katy Phillips said: “We are extremely excited about this newly created event. We are responding to the needs and demands of this industry thus providing a 2 day event dedicated to hotel design, facilities and development. Not only will attendees be able to broaden their knowledge base, they’ll also be treated to inspirational ideas and the latest design trends that will in turn help to grow their businesses.”
For more information about the summit, contact event manager Jade Oliver at j.oliver@forumevents.co.uk, or call 01992 374054.
Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station has joined the growing portfolio of more 1,000 Courtyard by Marriott hotels in more than 40 countries worldwide.Located adjacent to the Shin-Osaka Bullet Train Station, the hub of west-Japan for both business and leisure, Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station is the third property for the brand in Japan.
For travellers who seek a distinctive experience, Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station offers thoughtfully designed room types ranging in sizes from 30 to 90 square-metres. A fitness room with state-of-the-art facilities is also available around the clock. Three conference rooms sized between 56 sqm and 131 sqm cater to events of various sizes. Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel along with the latest mobile check-in enable all guests to make the most of their time in the dynamic city, whether working or relaxing.
More than 13 million overseas tourists visited Japan in 2014 and the number of visitors is already well over 14 million for the first three quarters in 2015, putting 2015 on pace to set a new record. As a central hub for Asian travellers to Japan, Osaka is benefitting from this increase. The Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station provides accommodations that will help meet this demand while at the same time meet the expectations of guests.
Hyatt Hotels has revealed that Park Hyatt Mallorca, the newest Park Hyatt branded resort property, is expected to debut in Spring 2016 along the quiet and undeveloped east coast of the island. This hotel will mark the company’s entry into the Spanish island of Mallorca.Overlooking the picturesque Canyamel valley, Park Hyatt Mallorca will feature the style of a traditional Mallorquin hilltop village, complete with a convivial village square, world-class dining and superb wellness, leisure and spa facilities. Part of Grupo Cap Vermell, hotel guests will benefit from access to a nearby Beach Club and Country Club with additional recreational and sporting facilities.
Park Hyatt Mallorca will feature 142 luxurious guest rooms and 16 exquisitely designed suites, seamlessly blending sophistication and elegance with timeless regional accents. The spacious rooms and suites will range in size from 50sqm to 150sqm and will feature private terraces with gorgeous views of the verdant valley or Balearic Sea, along with generously sized bathrooms with a separate bath tub and rain shower.
Park Hyatt Mallorca sits within the exclusive 49-acre Cap Vermell Estate in the bucolic Canyamel valley. Hotel guests will have access to the superb facilities at Cap Vermell, including a Beach Club that is just a 10 minute stroll from the hotel, as well as a Country Club boasting an all-purpose sports field, two tennis courts, an indoor heated swimming pool and outdoor pool. Cap Vermell also houses 12 ultra-luxurious, privately owned villas, eight of which are currently available for purchase.
DoubleTree by Hilton recently opened its London Ontario hotel, the city’s largest convention centre, conveniently located in the heart of downtown London, Ontario and connected to the London Convention Centre. This 323-room property opens following a $10 million (£4.9 million) property-wide renovation of the Hilton London Ontario, including renovated guest rooms and new, vibrant décor throughout.
“DoubleTree by Hilton London Ontario has been beautifully updated, complete with a heated skywalk to the London Convention Center, and is the perfect addition to our growing portfolio in Canada and around the world,” said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton.
DoubleTree by Hilton London Ontario, a 22-story high rise, features spacious rooms with a contemporary design. Three special key access floors offer rooms with spectacular views of the city from any direction. Additionally, the hotel offers a private parking garage, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel’s public areas and guest rooms, a 24-hour business centre, 24-hour fitness centre featuring Precor equipment and heated indoor pool and hot tub.
Featuring 18 meeting rooms, including the largest ballroom in the city which boasts a capacity of up to 1,200 people, DoubleTree by Hilton London Ontario offers guests more than 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
Panaz is delighted to be holding its 6th Premier View at the Hilton Hotel, Islington on the 24th and 25th November.This has been a successful format for Panaz, allowing the team to greet valued clients to launch new products, review classic favourites, partake in refreshments and generally discuss business in a relaxed, reviving environment.
This year, among others, Panaz will feature Atmosphere. If you are curious to know what Atmosphere is, do come and see it at and us at The Hilton Hotel, 53 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0QH on:
Tuesday 24 November 10am – 7pm Wednesday 25 November 10am – 4pm
Areen Hospitality is one of five esteemed interior design practices which have been selected as finalists for this year’s Sleep Set competition at this year’s Sleep Event.Using a common theme in fairy tales of transportation to another realm, the hotel room design from Areen communicates two overlapping worlds offering the guest different sensory experiences.
Axor Citterio E from Hansgrohe SE is the collection chosen for the bathroom along with Axor Universal Accessories, all in polished black chrome finish to create dark contrasts. Central to the design scheme is two worlds and two spaces offering different sensory experiences. This is communicated through contrast in materials and also colour; the two worlds also determine furniture finishes, lighting and textures.
The bathroom has an architectural feel and has elements of fantasy and the two worlds, but could also function in a real build situation. This is also true of the bathroom where all the items specified from Axor and other suppliers are practical and functional.
“It is a 4-piece design, but with a twist. A couple of the items are bespoke and combined. Axor Citterio E is stylish and functional which fits with the strong lines of the room. It has no decorative embellishment or flourishes, but the product still has a striking look,” head of Areen Hospitality Design Andrew Linwood said.
Areen’s proposal for the Sleep Set is different but also achievable. “It would be easy to produce something that could never be produced! Our challenge was to create a functional room that could be picked up by the market,” Linwood said.
“Products within the room that are designed to be used by guests on a frequent and continual basis clearly play an important role in this. “We specify Axor because they are very good quality and the functionality is excellent,” he added.
The winning design will be announced in the Sleep Bar on 24th November at 7pm.
World-renowned carpet manufacturer Brintons has created a range of African inspired bespoke carpets for the stunning Ramada Encore Dar es Salaam hotel in Tanzania.The hotel opened in September 2015 and its interiors have been inspired by local culture to reflect the modern vibrancy of the country and its history through bright tones and traditional African shapes.
Three styles of Brintons’ Axminster carpet were installed throughout the hotel in a range of vibrant tones including the corridors between bedrooms, the entrance lobby, bars and restaurants, as well as the conference hall and pre function areas.
Situated within the financial hub of Ghana Avenue, Dar es Salaam’s central business district, the hotel has 116 rooms, five event rooms, a fitness centre, a roof top 360 degree sky bar and three restaurants and cafes.
Pramod Sukumaran, General manager of the hotel, said: “The colour palette of the iconic Ramada red inspired the interiors of the hotel, which is further reflected within the custom made carpets. Shades of grey and orange were also used throughout to reflect the contemporary setting.
“The energy and vibrancy of contemporary Africa is represented through the bold African shapes, which were adapted into a modern design that tied into the Ramada style.”
The 1,300 m2 of carpets were installed throughout the hotel with a double stick method to ensure a long lasting protection and wear. Andrew Howell, Field designer for Brintons, said: “The three different carpets, although contrasting in their shapes and shades, all came together to represent Ramada and Africa as a whole. The bold reds and oranges are complimented by the subtle white and greys to represent different areas and styles of the hotel.”
Brintons Africa is serviced by their Dubai office, for more information and its range of products and services for the commercial sector, visit www.brintons.net or call +971 4 421 0011.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has revealed the conversion of the 196-room Crowne Plaza Annapolis hotel in Maryland, located a short distance from the United States Naval Academy and the Maryland State House.With more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space across 10 meeting rooms, the hotel is ideal for hosting a wide range of events including casual meetings, large-scale conferences and gala-style social events.
Guests at this Annapolis hotel will experience the Crowne Plaza brand’s new “Always On” enhancements that are focused on connectivity, wellness and productivity.
Gina LaBarre, Vice President, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, IHG said: “The Crowne Plaza brand is all about making business travel work and we know our guests are looking for a hotel brand that caters to their business needs. We are confident the Crowne Plaza Annapolis hotel will provide our guests with the balance they are looking for to not only stay productive but also feel inspired and restored while travelling for business.”
The hotel features the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage program, which encompasses the entire sleep experience, from training staff on how to create and maintain a restful environment to providing innovative products and services such as signature bedding, designated quiet zone floor and aromatherapy.
Gallery Direct have added to their already extensive collection with the launch of around 160 new products at the Autumn Fair. The range extension features products across all five of their brands.
Gallery’s new collections offer a huge variety to suit all tastes and styles of room, from beautifully elegant to exquisitely modern.
Mat Penney, Product Director, commented “The team has worked really hard to create something fresh and new for our autumn launch and we are extremely proud of the results and look forward to seeing how the new styles are received. We’ve widened our eclectic range of eye-catching mirrors still further, along with introducing an inspirational new collection of lighting featuring stunning materials and striking designs. We’ve also extended the range of accessories and soft furnishings we offer. On the furniture side, our sofa and chair collection has been expanded to include a selection of sumptuous velvet designs, whilst our range of tables has grown to include even more stylish yet affordable designs, both classic and contemporary.”
“Whether you’re seeking a glimmer of gold or a hint of rustic charm, our brand new stunning range of exclusively designed furniture and accessories will provide you with all you need to achieve those key on-trend looks for this autumn.”
GROHE has opened its brand new exclusive showroom on the island of Majorca. Opened in October, the showroom in Palma displays conceptual bathrooms from GROHE on the premises of the well-established local distributor, Socías y Rosselló.Created by interior designer Carmen Baselga, the new GROHE showroom invites consumers, installers and trade partners to discover three luxurious bathroom displays on a total space of 100-square metres.
The three displays are inspired by different lifestyles with a wide range of options for relaxation, regeneration, and revitalisation, and showcase matching GROHE SPA® collections.
Three bathrooms for a genuine home spa experience The first display presents GROHE’s beautiful Grandera collection which is designed to deliver a touch of classic, timeless elegance to the bathroom. In contrast, GROHE’s Allure Brilliant bathroom celebrates modern sharp lines while also benefiting from high-tech features such as the F-digital Deluxe modules for a personalised lighting, sound and steam experience in the shower.
The third design centres around the minimalist Allure collection with its stylish cylindrical and square shapes.
Speaking at the opening, GROHE Spain General Manager Jorge Arteaga said: “This is the biggest investment GROHE has made in Spain for several years, demonstrating our company’s commitment to the Balearic market as one of the most important pillars of growth in the overall Spanish market.”
The opening celebration was attended by around 100 renowned architects, designers and interior decorators.
InterContinental Hotels Group has announced the signing of Holiday Inn Warsaw – City Centre. The hotel will operate under a management agreement with UBM, who own a number of IHG hotels including InterContinental Warsaw.
Due to open in early 2018, the 254-room hotel is just 500 metres from the Palace of Culture and Science and Zlote Tarasy – a commercial, office and entertainment complex. It is less than a ten minute walk away from the city’s main train station and a 20 minute drive from Warsaw Chopin International Airport, making it very accessible to the city centre.
Holiday Inn Warsaw — City Centre will be the first Holiday Inn hotel in Poland to feature the brand’s signature Open Lobby with a 24hr restaurant and bar. The Holiday Inn Open Lobby has transformed the traditional hotel lobby format by combining the front desk, restaurant, bar, lounge area and business centre into one open, cohesive space, while refreshing the design to give it a more contemporary feel.
There are currently six IHG hotels in Poland including InterContinental Warsaw, Holiday Inn Bydgoszcz, Holiday Inn Krakow City Centre, Holiday Inn Warsaw — Jozefow, Holiday Inn Lodz and Holiday Inn Express Warsaw Airport.
Following an agreement between Meliá Hotels International and the Thai conglomerate TCC Land Asset World, three new hotels have been signed in the region.In the first three years of the new contract, the two companies will develop, in total, three hotels under the ME by Meliá, Paradisus Resorts and Sol Beach House brands.
The agreement with TCC Land Asset World marks a new phase in MHI’s Asia Pacific expansion strategy, a major focus for the Company, launching the first ME by Meliá and Paradisus Resorts hotels in Asia and first Sol Beach House in Thailand.
ME by Meliá The opening of ME Bangkok will introduce the Asian and Thai market to ME by Meliá, a personality-led, lifestyle brand that seeks to fuse innovative style with local art, design, music and fashion. The brand’s flagship property, ME London, encapsulates the philosophy of ME by Meliá by offering a personal guest experience, combined with striking architecture and interiors.
Paradisus Resorts A luxury, all-inclusive Paradisus Resorts will open in one of the top holiday destinations in Thailand, with location to be announced. The resort will be the first Paradisus property to open in Asia, offering families and couples unrivalled indulgence through the brand’s Royal Service and Family Concierge amenities.
Sol Beach House Sol Beach House Koh Samui will open within the next two years, following a renovation of the existing Imperial Boat House Koh Samui Hotel. The relaxed adult only resort will have 209 rooms, as well as 33 boat suites or rice barges converted into 91m₂ of chic accommodation.
Carlson Rezidor has revealed the Radisson Blu Olympiysky Hotel, Moscow, an upscale property featuring 379 rooms, will welcome the first guests in Q1 of 2017.
The hotel is owned by B&N Group. It will be Carlson Rezidor’s eighth hotel in Moscow — the company now operates and develops more than 2,000 rooms in the Russian capital.
In Russia, CIS and the Baltics, Carlson Rezidor currently operates 59 hotels with 15,200 rooms and has 18 hotels with 3,250 rooms under development. The group’s operating room count is twice as high as its nearest competitor.
The Radisson Blu Olympiyski Hotel, Moscow is located just north of the city centre — adjacent to the Olympic sports arenas built for the 1980 games. The hotel is part of a 75,000sqm multifunctional development which will rise 125m into the Muscovite skyline.
Besides 379 guest rooms with Radisson Blu signature services, the property will comprise of a restaurant, a bar on the ground floor and a panorama floor. Business travellers benefit from 1,750sqm of meeting & event facilities including a ballroom. The hotel also has a unique spa & leisure facility with a total surface of 1,050sqm.
Hotel specialist Richmond has designed The Strand Suite, The Regent Suite and The Park Lane Suite for Los Angeles’ iconic London West Hollywood Hotel, as well as the 10th floor Penthouse inspired by Vivienne Westwood.Drawing inspiration from London’s finest, architecturally striking streets, and paying homage to the British capital’s rich history and influence on style, fashion and design worldwide, the three suites in The London West Hollywood Hotel are spacious and bright, with a relaxed, residential feel.
This has been achieved by Richmond through the use of lighting coffers, timbers floors, bespoke furniture pieces and built-in cabinets. An elegant palette with muted colours sets the scene in the suites’ two complementary Salons — the smaller one with large, comfortable corner sofas and TV walls – and is carried through to the bedrooms, where large walk-in wardrobes, and marble lined bathrooms with free standing bath-tubs add to the sense of luxury.
In the bedroom, the lighting coffer enhances the sense of space, and built-in headboards introduce an extra layer of detail to the rich mix of fabrics and textures used throughout. Each suite also features curated artworks, referencing London’s thoroughfares and carriageways after which the rooms are named, creating a welcoming and unique sense of comfort.
The Penthouse inspired by Vivienne Westwood, which at 11,000 sq ft is billed as the largest suite in Los Angeles, has been designed to feel grand and spacious, without losing its intimate and personal touch. Richmond has worked with the iconic British fashion designer, introducing Vivienne Westwood fabrics, wallcoverings, cushions and artworks throughout.
Stepping out of the elevator, the corridor leading to the entry sets the tone, with its tailored wallcovering panels, and framed Vivienne Westwood scarves as artwork; its timber floor immediately differentiates the space from the rest of the hotel — a feeling further enhanced by the double entry doors, set back from the corridor, which open into a large foyer and main Salon. Here, polished stone floors, bespoke cabinetry, and large corner sofas are complemented by feature furniture pieces, upholstered in rich Vivienne Westwood fabrics.
The large central rug uses the iconic Westwood ‘squiggle’ pattern to great effect and anchors the furniture and lighting. In the dining space, a stone top table, seating up to 12 people, takes centre stage under a feature chandelier, which creates a stunning contrast with the dark timber slatted ceiling. Two large atriums on both sides of the Salon frame the space, and draw light in. Built-in bookcases backed with verre eglomisé mirror panels enliven the long back wall, with a sparkle that adds depth to the atmospheric space.
Fiona Thompson, Principal at Richmond, comments: ‘Vivienne Westwood is such an iconic figure; her sense of individuality, and her uncompromised approach to design have made history. It was a very exciting journey to work with the brand’s classic design signature pieces, and weave her idiosyncratic style in this project — which has resulted in the creation of what we think is a truly unique, unforgettable space’.
Meliá Hotels International is continuing with its expansion in Indonesia after announcing the addition of its thirteenth hotel, under the INNSIDE by Meliá brand, in the city of Bandung. The hotel will form part of The MAJ Collections Hotel & Residences developed by The MAJ, a property arm of Ancora Group. Construction is expected to be completed by 2017.INNSIDE Bandung combines leisure and business facilities, and will occupy one of two spectacular twin towers connected by a roof terrace in the thriving area of Dago in the north of Bandung. It will provide 233 guestrooms, children’s play areas, a gym, swimming pool, restaurant and gardens. The second tower will house residential apartments, alongside an annex building with a car park, ballroom, meeting rooms, heliport and a stunning infinity pool on the roof terrace.
Indonesia is home to the majority of the company’s hotels in the region, with four hotels already open and nine hotels scheduled to open in 2016 and 2017. The company, led by Gabriel Escarrer, started its international expansion in Indonesia with the opening of Meliá Bali in 1986. After 30 years in the region, Meliá is well positioned to help lead the growth of Indonesia as a key player in world tourism.
The addition of the new INNSIDE Bandung further reinforces the company’s presence and recognition in major cities in Indonesia. Meliá already has properties in cities such as Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Surabaya, in addition to its resort hotel portfolio in Bali and Bintan.
Asia will continue to be a strategic focus for growth in the coming years. The company now has almost 30 hotels open or scheduled to launch, under management agreements.
Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe UK, will be showcasing a number of contemporary, premium fabric collections at the Sleep Show in November. Kobe’s Elements collection, which has recently been 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.
The Aurora and Motion ranges are both 100% Trevira CS approved and feature a selection of prints, fabrics and textures within an opulent colour palette — ideal for luxurious hotel interiors.
Inspired by urban Nordic lifestyles, the Aurora collection mixes high satins, sumptuous velvets and intricately cut fabrics, while Motion features earthy fresh tones, geometric prints and organically patterned jacquards and herringbone.
The Kobe UK sales office and studio are based in Crowthorne, Berkshire. For further information, visit the website.
Trump Turnberry, part of The Luxury Collection, has officially closed the doors of its hotel building and Ailsa course as The Trump Organisation commences its £200m renovation of the resort.The highly anticipated upgrade of the historic 1906 hotel includes a complete renovation, restoration and remodelling of all guestrooms, suites, corridors, restaurants and public spaces. Additionally, Trump Turnberry will soon boast a 500 person grand ballroom.
“My father and I have assembled a world-class team consisting of the best architects, contractors and restoration specialists. When completed, Trump Turnberry will be the most luxurious hotel anywhere in the UK and beyond,” stated Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisitions for The Trump Organisation.
“Having already completed vast renovations to the magnificent golf clubhouse and select public areas, we are thrilled to move into the second phase of our major renovation.”
Trump Turnberry is working with Fife-based project management company, Hardies and has appointed ISG PLC, one of the most prestigious contractors in the UK, to carry out the renovation. ISG has an impressive track record and was carefully selected by the organisation from a record number of bidders.
The Turnberry Lighthouse will also undergo dramatic and exciting changes with the creation of the highly anticipated Presidential Suite, which will provide unprecedented views of Ailsa Craig and the Firth of Clyde. Throughout the nine month renovation, the brand new world-class club house, unveiled in June 2015, is open for business along with The Trump Villas and The Spa at Turnberry.
One of the fastest growing extended-stay hotel companies in the United States, WoodSpring Suites, has announced an agreement to build the next WoodSpring Suites hotel in West Monroe, Louisiana.The 124-unit hotel will be first WoodSpring Suites located in the state and is expected to start construction in the first quarter of 2016.
Once completed, the hotel will feature guest amenities most associated with the long-stay setup – free high-speed internet, guest laundry facilities, in-room kitchens in each guestroom. These are all part of the brand’s “It’s Simple. Done Better” brand promise.
WoodSpring Hotels, which experienced record growth in 2014, is focused on strategic expansion across the US through corporate and franchise-owned development. The company expects to break ground on more than 30 additional properties over the next six months. Expansion plans scheduled for 2017 include the addition of corporate and franchised properties in major metropolitan markets such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, Miami, Portland and Minneapolis.
The landmark five-star Lowry Hotel has completed a £4 million refurbishment which General Manager Adrian Ellis has hailed as the culmination of a remarkable ‘transformational year’.A comprehensive makeover of the 165-room hotel has been taking place since September 2014, when it changed hands in a multimillion-pound deal. And guests now enjoy an enhanced resident experience through the introduction of new SMART TVs and Wi-Fi, alongside new curtains, carpets, fabrics and colour schemes throughout the bedrooms and public areas.
Healthy financial results in 2015 have provided the foundations for the refurbishment, says Mr Ellis, which will be followed by a programme in 2016 to refurbish the spa and the banqueting suites. The experienced GM, who has managed prestige hotels worldwide in a 25-year career, says that the hotel’s new look includes the purchase and commission of some original art.
Manchester’s rock history is a key part of the changes, as seen in the purchase of iconic rock images by legendary Salfordian photographer Kevin Cummins, including four large format images which greet guests in the lobby.
The refurbishment is also marked with ten new large-scale photographs on each floor by published and exhibited photographer Allan Grainger, from the Isle of Man, of familiar Manchester locations. This new commission of, in Grainger’s words, “tableaux that capture the rhythms and atmosphere of the city, and its historical past,” are displayed in the corridor and lift areas of the guest floors.
A changing art gallery in the bar every six weeks by Comme Ca Art complements existing work in the hotel including a striking hanging installation by David Begbie and works by contemporary Northern landscape painter Liam Spencer.
Mike Godfrey, head designer, JRP interior designers, says: “We thought it fitting that The Lowry Hotel, based in what was once the heartland of manufacturing and industry, should be able to contribute to the local manufacturing economy. We managed to do this without compromising on quality and have been able to select beautiful products that look as though they have been sourced from the far corners of the globe.”
Cliq Designs, of Manchester, supplied the guest room soft furnishings, with RHA Furniture producing most of the upholstery and re-upholstery work in their Nottingham factory. Contra Curtains of west Yorkshire provided all window treatments, while Northern Lights of Chesterfield also supplied beautiful lighting features for some guestrooms.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened the new-build Staybridge Suites® Puebla in Mexico.The eight–story extended stay hotel includes 129 suites and opens following an investment of more than $12 million (£7.8 million) by Hotel Royal Plaza, SA de CV.
The Staybridge Suites brand has seen strong growth in Mexico with recent openings in Monterrey, Chihuahua, Guadalajara and Queretaro. This hotel marks IHG’s sixth property in Puebla and the first Staybridge Suites hotel in the city.
The new property offers spacious suites, which will include a mix of studio and one-and two-bedroom/two-bathroom suites, along with more than 700 square feet of meeting space. The city of Puebla is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Boutique hotel operator Eden Hotel Collection has announced that work has begun on a luxury spa in the grounds of the award-winning Mallory Court Hotel in Royal Leamington Spa.This is the first full-scale spa development that the group has undertaken, working in partnership with Spa Creators and NH Interiors on the build, which is projected to be £6 million worth of investment.
Eden Hotel Collection, which currently runs Elan Spas at three of its eight properties, is setting its sights high and aiming to create the leading destination spa for Warwickshire, bringing visitors from across the UK to the area as well as offering facilities and membership to the local community.
Elan Spa at Mallory Court, due to open at the end of 2016, will use the latest energy-efficient techniques and state-of-the-art design to create a spa in keeping with this listed building, and with the designs and extension that have been undertaken by Eden Hotel Collection over the years.
The spa itself will include all the high-end facilities guests can expect from an aspirational spa of this calibre, including some exciting features and luxury facilities that the group will disclose in the coming months.
Swinton Park in Yorkshire will be opening a new spa, which is set to welcomes guests in the autumn of 2016.The £5.5m Swinton Park Country Club and Spa on the 20,000-acre country estate will include a swimming pool, gym and studio, alongside a full spa with pre-treatment consultation zone, six therapy rooms, a private therapy suite and several treatment rooms as well as heat experiences.
The complex will also house a 40-cover restaurant, coffee shop and Swinton Estate shop, while the wider Country Club will offer access to activities such as cycling, fishing and clay pigeon shooting.
Emma Franklin will take charge of the spa, having gained 20 years experience in the industry after working in Japan at the Park Hyatt Tokyo as well as the Grand Hyatt Dubai.
DoubleTree by Hilton recently announced the opening its hotel at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, home of Coventry City and Aviva Premiership side Wasps. The hotel is situated in the heart of the UK.The hotel offers 121 guestrooms, including 50 queen rooms with stadium views, 18 deluxe rooms and two king suites. Business guests seeking a practical working environment will be delighted with the sleek workspaces and Wi-Fi connectivity included in every guestroom.
The hotel holds a prominent position within the wider Ricoh Arena complex, which boasts 80 versatile meeting rooms that can accommodate seven to 7,000 delegates, including a 6,000 sqm conference and exhibition hall. The arena benefits from exceptional transport links, with three train stations within eight miles and Birmingham Airport just 20 km away by car, making it is a destination venue for business and leisure events.
Richard Marsh, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton at the Ricoh Arena – Coventry said: “The Ricoh Arena attracts a huge number of people to its wide range of events – sport, business and entertainment – and the DoubleTree by Hilton here will be perfectly suited to serve the needs of that growing audience.”
The British Contract Furnishing Association (BCFA) presented its inaugural ‘Design Insider Best Product In Show’ award to luxury fabric specialist Kobe for its FR Elements range at this year’s Independent Hotel Show. The association also took a stand at the event which saw 26 of its members exhibit.A brand new initiative, the Best Product In Show award will recognise and reward product innovation and creativity in the commercial interiors industry and will be presented by the BCFA on behalf of its sister organisation Design Insider at each major trade show in the industry calendar.
Kobe’s FR Elements fabric collection was presented with the award at the Independent Hotel Show for simultaneously offering glamour and luxury, whilst meeting the needs of affordability. GP & J Baker’s Festival Embroidery Print, Crosswater’s Push and Dial Controller and Seekers Melford Collection were also on the award shortlist.
David Harris MD for Kobe said of the win; ‘We were delighted to receive the ‘Top Product’ award by Design Insider at the Independent Hotel Show. The Elements collection is 100% polyester FR and gives the contracts sales team access to a wider customer base through its realistic price points, giving value for money while enjoying the signature Kobe style.’
The BCFA will present the next ‘Design Insider Best Product In Show’ award at Sleep 2015, where it will also exhibit at stand M44.
Sheffield’s leading 4* hotel, the Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel and Spa, has undergone an extensive refurbishment to reflect the city’s unique cultural landscape with locally inspired artwork and design. Mercure, a “locally inspired” brand has re-designed the bedrooms and public spaces to reflect the predominantly green city, taking inspiration from the Winter Garden, Peace Gardens and nearby Peak District National Park. The meticulous refurbishment also pays tribute to the city’s iconic ‘steel’ heritage with innovative design-led metal features and accents throughout the hotel’s new interior.
On arrival, guests will be greeted by Mercure’s feature wall, a signature statement in Mercure’s flagship hotels, as well as stunning glass panels featuring a back-lit leaf vein motif at reception and throughout the public areas. The warm and inviting lighting makes guests feel instantly at home with the addition of Chelsom’s Steel Teardrop light whilst they relax amongst the contemporary and stylish furniture.
Keeping in line with the local nature theme, the new signature table will take center stage in reception displaying a wooden leaf skeleton frame, glass top and a rich walnut finish. The newly designed lounge and bar area will continue to bring the outside indoors with floral metalwork details, petrified moss and a stunning corteen steel sculpture. The new upholstery features earthy tones and textures inspired by local plants found in the Winter Gardens.
The Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel and Spa offers a range of accommodation including 122 Classic rooms, 32 Privilege rooms, 7 Junior suites and 2 Executive suites, all of which have been fitted with top of the range beds to provide the ultimate sleep and relaxation experience. Every bedroom has been re-designed to incorporate a bright and zesty colour scheme, in line with the natural garden theme, including a stylish headboard displaying local artwork.
Ultratravel Collection, a joint venture between Global Hotel Alliance (’GHA’), Travel Leaders Group and multi-media brand Ultratravel, has announced its latest addition to its collection of properties — the NUO Hotel Beijing.
NUO Hotel Beijing is being positioned as a contemporary lifestyle destination in ‘modern Ming’ design. It features 438 luxurious rooms and suites, a traditional tea house, six restaurants and bars, NUO Spa, the impressive 1,600 square metre Yongle Grand Ballroom; and a dedicated art gallery displaying a stunning series of carefully-curated pieces by the country’s most critically acclaimed artists, from newly emerging to world-renowned, and a showcase of original works from iconic Chinese artist Zeng Fanzhi.
As well as China, Ultratravel Collection is expanding in other key markets around the world, with recent additions to its portfolio including Viceroy New York, Corinthia Hotel London and Palais Namskar in Marrakech.
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