Hotel Designs

Anthem by Skopos evokes an up-beat, light-hearted mood, with 5 rhythmic designs, offered on a large range of base cloths for contract interiors.With musical design names the collection has a nod to dancehall days and movement within the design mark that gives a handcrafted, artisan feel to the print. Launching in early November, the collection is a perfect solution for soft furnishings in bedrooms and public spaces, with fabric options including blackout, dim-out, regular drape and bedding qualities and an upholstery base cloth in the mix.

Including a simple organic design, a textured stripe and some soft geometrics, the collection offers a contemporary solution. This collection is offered in a choice of 5 colour families and works well with the Skopos range of drapery and upholstery Accents, providing a fresh, vibrant solution for contract interiors.

Shown in the pattern book with the Chamonix, Anthem is available this Autumn with short lead-times and small minimums. Customer feedback prior to the official launch has been extremely positive.

Skopos is an ISO9001 accredited company and has over 35 year’s specialist experience in the design and manufacture of high performance FR contract fabrics for the healthcare and hospitality sectors.

The beautifully hand carved Alexandria collection, from Gallery Direct’s Frank Hudson range, takes its style and influence from the banks of the River Nile during the French colonial days. Made from the finest quality mahogany, this intricate range features hand-woven cane and hand-gilded silver leaf detailing, a traditional and skilled method of waterleaf book gilding that has been used for hundreds of years. This classic collection includes a range of bedroom furniture, including a two-door wardrobe, chests of drawers and a dressing table, along with bedsteads available in two sizes. All are made to the highest standards, using traditional techniques to produce beautiful pieces with a stunning finish to enhance bedrooms.

Aligning iconic definition with versatility for today’s environments, this striking Mike Pro range from Crosswater is anchored with architectural appeal for the discerning interior designer and architect.The Mike Pro taps and showers are available from stock in polished chrome plate and brushed stainless steel finish and available in five other finishes on request.

The full range can be viewed in the Crosswater Spec Book, which can be accessed by clicking here.

From the hypnotic and the geometric to the feathery and organic, the brand new Matrix collection by Wilton Carpets Commercial redefines stock narrowloom carpet for pubs and bars.Layered, refracted and distressed effects join reinventions of traditional damask and a shimmering tile to make Matrix a wonderfully diverse and completely in-tune collection. A palette of contemporary black, setting off metallic, lime and jade, provides the perfect synergy with the rich, saturated hues of fabrics and furnishings sweeping through the pub and bar sector.

With all designs held in stock for immediate delivery, Matrix is the answer for leisure environments looking for sophistication and style off-the-shelf. In a rugged quality woven axminster that brings luxury and durability, Matrix puts beautiful on-trend carpet in the reach of all pubs, bars and restaurants. Click here to download the Matrix brochure.

“We are really excited about Matrix as we believe it is a collection that raises the bar in stock carpet for pubs, bars and leisure facilities all over the UK,” comments Alan Whittle, sales director, Wilton Carpets Commercial. “Drawing upon the latest leisure interior trends, a library of traditional and contemporary pattern work and their exquisite creativity and attention to detail, our design team have excelled themselves.”

In a blend of 80% pure new wool and 20% nylon and a seven-row construction that will deliver sterling performance, Matrix is designed and made in Britain at Wilton’s factory in Wiltshire. In a 0.91m (3’) width that’s ideal for the often-complex layouts of leisure buildings. This collection features 10 designs, all in colourways designed to work within classic and contemporary environments alike.

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

The brand new Eden Lloyd Loom bedstead from Gallery Direct’s Frank Hudson collection is defined by contemporary classic elegance.

This traditional method produces beautiful, timeless furniture that complements any interior style.

With a choice of two sized bedsteads, and coordinated items, the Lloyd Loom style furniture offers a graceful and timeless finish to any bedroom.

Whether your bathrooms are calling out for a much-needed update or a complete head-to-toe makeover, leading bathroom specialist Crosswater has everything on hand to help create your dream bathroom for less in this year’s Splendid Sale.With up to 60% off over 400 products across the Bauhaus, Simpsons and Crosswater brands, the cost of a new bathroom can be greatly reduced without having to compromise on style and quality.

Offering innovative designs for the contemporary bathing space, choose from tech-savvy shower valves and statement vanity units to illuminated mirrors to spacious shower enclosures, all available at unbeatable prices.

A brand that mirrors GROHE’s pursuit of excellence, Foster is an Italian company specialising in manufacturing stainless-steel sink solutions for the premium kitchen.Foster delivers elegance, performance, reliability and respect for the environment.

Partnering up with Foster sinks creates an opportunity to provide a “one box” solution which makes specification and purchasing much easier for the customer and final delivery.

GROHE’s award-winning kitchen mixer taps are made from the finest materials and feature the latest technologies – created to stand up to the daily demands of a busy kitchen.

Now, GROHE and FOSTER’s partnership will fuse together German Engineering with Italian Design to deliver a complete washing solution, with tap and sink solutions that deliver functionality, luxury design and performance without compromising on quality.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide used the recent Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to announce its expansion in Africa and the Indian Ocean region.Today, the company has a strong footprint with 34 operating hotels and a robust pipeline of 20 hotels under development. With the expansion of its luxury, upscale and mid-market brands, Starwood will grow its portfolio by over 50% in the next five years, with more than 50 hotels operating and nine out of its 10 compelling lifestyle brands flying their flag in the region.

“The momentum of growth we are seeing in Africa today is unprecedented. It is a reiteration of the trust our owners have in us, the power of our distinct lifestyle brands and the strength of our global distribution and award-winning loyalty program,” said Michael Wale, President for Starwood, Europe, Africa and Middle East.

“Africa is a market with huge potential. With economic growth, a rising middle class and rapid urbanisation, the demand for travel and quality lodging will continue to grow and provide us with a significant opportunity to grow our brands and play our part in supporting many emerging markets across the continent.”

2015/2016 Opening Highlights

Starwood will open 7 hotels in the next year, including:

* Opening of Four Points by Sheraton Oran in November marking the entry of the brand into Algeria followed by Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene (Nigeria) in 2016.
* Opening of The Westin Soma Bay Golf Resort & Spa, after conversion which marks the entry of the brand into Egypt, followed by opening of a new Westin in Cairo, The Westin Katameya Dunes, in early 2016, further strengthening the Westin brand presence and consolidating Starwood’s position as a leading hospitality player in Egypt.
* The debut of Starwood’s ultra-luxury brand St. Regis in Egypt with opening of The St. Regis Cairo in 2016.
* Re-opening of the iconic Sheraton Cairo after extensive renovation in 2016.
* Opening of Sheraton Conakry, marking the entry of the brand and Starwood’s first hotel in Guinea

Starwood currently operates nearly 9,500 rooms in 13 countries including Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda. It is now set to debut into new countries like Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan and Tanzania and will soon have more than 13,000 rooms with presence in 21 countries in Africa generating thousands of employment opportunities across the continent.

Will Chelsom has been promoted to Joint Managing Director of Chelsom as the company further consolidates its position as a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of decorative lighting to the international hospitality and marine markets. During the eight years he has been at Chelsom, Will has made an increasingly important and significant contribution to the continued growth and success of the company. He has had a major impact on developing new and existing client relationships along with increasing sales and marketing efforts and was responsible for leading the company’s recent rebrand in 2014. Chelsom prides itself on designing the lighting collections entirely in-house and Will has been fundamental to the recent successes in range direction and has been heavily involved in product design for the upcoming collection as previewed recently at Decorex and set to launch in full in May 2016.

Robert Chelsom says, “Obviously on a personal note I am very proud that we are celebrating what has now become a fourth generation family business and William will be the fourth Managing Director in Chelsom’s history. I am thrilled that we are going to be sharing the role of Joint Managing Director as we work extremely well together and I know I speak on behalf of everyone at Chelsom when I say that Will’s promotion is a major asset to the company, one which will hopefully see us maintain our position at the forefront of this extremely challenging industry.”

Will Chelsom said, “I have always felt there is huge potential for Chelsom as a business and I have relished my part in securing the significant successes we have enjoyed over recent years. The continued success wouldn’t have been achievable without the great team we have working with us, all of whom care massively about what they do putting customer satisfaction and excellent service levels above everything they do. I am really excited about what the future holds for Chelsom and I look forward to driving things on with my Father for many years to come.”

DoubleTree by Hilton is celebrating the opening of its first hotel in the medieval city of Krakow, Poland. The opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Krakow Hotel & Convention Centre also marks the completion of Hilton Worldwide’s only dual-branded property in Poland, joining Hampton by Hilton Krakow which opened in May this year.The contemporary hotel boasts 232 beautiful guest rooms, including 30 executive rooms and an Executive Lounge, 14 suites and the largest presidential suite in the city, measuring 184 square-metres. Guests can choose to dine in one of two onsite restaurants offering sumptuous Mediterranean and European cuisine or simply unwind after a long day in one of the hotels’ four bars.

DoubleTree by Hilton Krakow Hotel & Convention Centre is conveniently located near the Krakow Arena Hall and the Expo Krakow Fair Trade Centre. The hotel also offers a range of shuttle services to the city centre, airport, railway station and key tourism destinations such as the UNESCO World Heritage site Wieliczka Salt Mine, providing a fantastic base for business and leisure travellers alike.

The hotel has 16 flexible meeting spaces available that can accommodate up to 2,000 delegates, including a grand pillarless ballroom, making it an ideal location for a range of events, from business meetings and intimate cocktail receptions to weddings and corporate galas.

The hotel also has a car lift which opens out to the conference area and can hold up to 4.5 tons. After a long day, guests can relax and unwind in the hotel’s complimentary fitness centre, kick back in the sauna, or enjoy a refreshing dip in the indoor swimming pool.

Vaughan will be exhibiting at the Independent Hotel Show – from 20th-21st October 2015 – Stand 140.On display will be their new collection of alabaster wall lights, pendant ceiling lights, uplighters, task and desk lamps.

The Vaughan specialist hotel and contract team are on hand to show you around the stand.

Gallery Direct launched their Autumn/Winter Look Book at the Autumn Fair in Birmingham (September). From the beautifully elegant to the exquisitely modern, these new collections are set to inspire. Featuring around 160 new products across Gallery’s five brands, this stunning range of exclusively designed furniture and accessories will provide their clients all they need to achieve key on-trend looks for this autumn.The product launch included a range of new soft furnishings to expand their ever-stylish collection still further. Complete with luxurious sequins and lavish velvets, there are 3 new bedding ranges along with a variety of cushions and throws.

The new bedding collections include Lausanne, a luxurious quilt cover set with top cuff faux leather sequin panel and pleated detail. Coordinating cushions and bed runner complete this stylish range.

The Jacquard quilt cover set in grey features a geometric glimmer design with a plain top border detail and 200 thread count reverse. The third new bedding range is the Deco Sequin; this decadent quilt cover set has fan style sequin detail and a pleated top cuff. Coordinating cushions and bed runner complete the look.

As part of the new cushion range, the elegant Loire Round Velvet Cushion features a beautiful brooch detail in the centre and is available in three glamorous colours, red, teal and gold.

Further velvet and crushed velvet cushions, along with super soft double-sided throws and printed cushions, add a wide variety of new soft furnishings to Gallery’s catalogue, ensuring there are styles to suit all tastes and interiors.

AccorHotels, the world’s leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is pleased to announce it has entered into a commercial agreement with Amaris Hospitality Limited to manage 11 hotels (1,617 rooms) under Mercure, the leading midscale brand in the UK.The hotels are located in Aberdeen, Bristol, Exeter, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Daventry, Haydock, St Albans, Brands Hatch and Walton and will complete integration by the end of this year.

Thomas Dubaere, Managing Director AccorHotels UK & Ireland said: “The signing of this significant number of hotels further demonstrates the ability of AccorHotels to grow its presence in the UK and build on our leadership position, whilst proving our commitment to the midscale sector, as we continue to push towards our target of 300 hotels – 40,000 rooms – in the UK and Ireland.

These hotels will benefit enormously from joining AccorHotels’ powerful distribution network and be part of its market changing digital and technical offering which was set out in July and will offer a wide range of digital solutions to all its partners.

These additional properties significantly increase AccorHotel’s UK network to 217 hotels of which 84 are under the Mercure name, one for the leading UK midscale brands.

The Four Points by Sheraton brand has crossed the 200th hotel milestone worldwide, fueled by unprecedented demand in dynamic destinations across the globe. Boasting the largest pipeline in the Starwood Hotels & Resorts portfolio, Four Points continues to exceed expectations with plans to open 12 additional hotels around the world by the end of this year — roughly one a week.

With the recent openings of Four Points Istanbul Dudullu (Turkey); Four Points Seoul, Namsan (South Korea); Four Points Bali, Kuta (Indonesia); and Four Points Moncton (Canada), the brand, currently represented in 40 countries worldwide, continues its bullish global growth.

Four Points is on track to expand its portfolio of rooms by nearly 60% in the next five years with new hotels strategically located in nearly every corner of the globe. Today, the brand has 119 hotels in North America, 44 in Asia Pacific, 21 throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and 19 in Latin America.

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has revealed plans to open its first property in Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa.The company has signed a landmark deal with Queen Amina Garden Ventures Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Urban Shelter Ltd. a prominent Nigerian property development company, to manage the 250-key Movenpick Hotel and Conference Centre Abuja, marking another milestone in its ambitious African expansion strategy.

With a projected launch date of early 2019, the upscale hotel will be Movenpick Hotels & Resorts’ third property to open in West Africa. Located in the Nigerian capital’s desirable Jabi Lake district, an upmarket residential area undergoing rapid development, Movenpick Hotel and Conference Centre Abuja will offer guests a peaceful lakeside setting while also offering excellent road links to the nearby international airport and city centre. The Abuja property will be Movenpick’s first property in Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy

The property will be a focal point of The Queen Amina Garden, a stunning contemporary leisure and entertainment destination currently under construction, designed to cater to Nigeria’s growing affluent society and international guests, with key features including a retail promenade and residences.

Movenpick Hotel and Conference Centre Abuja will also cater to the capital’s swelling population with some areas of the city witnessing growth of between 20% and 30% annually. One million people live in Abuja, rising to four million if you take into account its suburban areas.

The hotel will comprise 250 rooms and suites; five food and beverage outlets including two specialty restaurants, one all-day-dining restaurant, a poolside bar/eatery and a lobby lounge; an Executive Club Lounge; one large fitness and spa facility for outside members; and a large natural resort setting including several pools, restaurants and tennis courts for hotel guests and where 200 cabanas will be available to rent.

With Abuja’s burgeoning MICE market in mind, an expansive dedicated conference centre will be complemented by a ballroom and three flexible meeting spaces.

Marriott International has announced the opening of the new 154-room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Lima, South America’s third largest city.The hotel situated at the intersection of Calle Alcanfores and Calle Schell in Lima’s upscale Miraflores neighbourhood known for its shopping, restaurants, antique dealers and breath taking ocean views.

“This new Courtyard by Marriott in Lima is a significant milestone in our rapid expansion across Latin America,” remarked Tim Sheldon, President of the Caribbean & Latin America at Marriott International, Inc.

“The hotel features a modern, functional design while embracing Peru’s vibrant culture and the amenities travelers trust from our globally renowned Marriott International brands.”

“From the refreshing, open business lobbies to our modern and spacious guest rooms, the Courtyard by Marriott Lima Miraflores offer business and leisure guests excellent space and flexibility to optimize their stay,” said Ursula Gutierrez, General Manager of the hotel.

In addition to 154 guest rooms, the hotel will feature the brand’s refreshing business lobby, the Bistro 400 restaurant, ample meeting space and recreational facilities include a fitness centre.

The Courtyard by Marriott Lima Miraflores also offers a refreshing and stylish room design that helps guests stay connected, productive and comfortable. Thoughtfully planned, each room features plush bedding, a functional work space, spacious bathrooms, a separate seating area and complimentary in-room high-speed Internet.

Marriott International is currently represented in Peru by the 300-room JW Marriott Lima and the 150-room JW Marriott Cuzco.

In the tradition of classic Scandinavian designs Baulmann Leuchten has developed a new range of pendant luminaires. In the standard range the metal reflectors are painted black on the outside and gold inside to create a warm, homelike lighting effect.

The E27 lampholder provides the flexibility to use any type of light bulb from classic dimmable incandescent lamps up to the latest LED bulbs.

As usual for the Baulmann range of products, these pendants can be customised in terms of finishes, type of suspension, and many more.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a dual branded hotel development in Munich, Germany.The two hotels – Holiday Inn® Munich City – East and Holiday Inn Express® Munich City – East will operate under a franchise agreement with Primestar Hotel Group.

Due to open in early 2018, the hotels are located within walking distance from Berg am Laim S bahn Train Station. The hotels are also just a fifteen minute journey away from the city centre and Munich International Airport, allowing for a short commute for fair goers and business travellers.

The 189-room Holiday Inn Express Munich City – East hotel will be a ‘next generation’ Holiday Inn Express hotel featuring the latest technology, an Express Café and Bar and larger cosier beds in the rooms. The new guest experience has been developed with industry-leading experts to meet the changing needs of today’s ‘smart traveller’ who seeks a short stay hotel experience that is efficient and uncomplicated.

Meanwhile the 118-room Holiday Inn Munich City – East hotel will feature the brand’s signature Open Lobby, as well as state-of-the-art conference facilities with multi-functional meeting rooms, an all-day dining restaurant and bar, as well as a gym and sauna.

With both hotels in the same building, the dual branded model allows for operational efficiencies through shared team members and facilities such as meeting space, leisure and fitness facilities and back of house areas.

The Palace Hotel, known for over a century as the arbiter of San Francisco style and society, was once at the centre of America’s first Golden Age of Travel, which inspired the exquisite interior re-design of the hotel led by Beatrice Girelli of indidesign.The hotel’s 556 luxuriously-appointed guestrooms, including 55 suites, reflect a modern sophistication, complemented by original design elements, including elegant crown moldings that frame wrought-iron windows and solid oak doors adorned with brass monogrammed knobs.

Dark wood furnishings, mixed metals, and artistic lighting juxtapose a fresh color palette of midnight blue, charcoal, dove grey and plum textiles to create an exquisitely layered look.
Former icons of industry, politics, innovation, aviation and cinema — who called The Palace their San Francisco home — inspired the guestroom design.

For instance, trim lines, stitching and tailored bed frames recall the details of men’s suiting and speak to the custom-made clothing worn by former guests such as Andrew Carnegie. Complementing the design of the space, feminine details are introduced in the drapery and upholstery, inspired by the sultry elegance of Sophia Loren. Nightstands are inspired by vintage travel trunks, like those carried by Amelia Earhart, with stitched leather details and chrome accents.

Several grand suites have been introduced to the hotel following the renovation, including the Royal Suite and the State Suite. The Royal Suite spans almost 1,000 square feet with breathtaking city views from curved windows that hug the corner of the suite’s living room. Meticulous architectural details, including an intricately carved marble fireplace, give the suite tremendous character and balance the palette of pale blue, plum and ivory textiles and furnishings throughout.

Similarly, the State Suite is designed to feel like an elegant San Francisco apartment with natural light that streams through large windows, classically-inspired contemporary furnishings, hardwood floors, lush custom-made area rugs throughout every room and a serene spa-like bath that completes this city retreat.

In addition to the introduction of several new specialty suites, the hotel’s renowned Presidential Suite has also been refreshed. Lined with expansive windows, the six-room suite wraps around the northwest corner of the hotel’s eighth floor, overlooking Market Street. The Presidential Suite’s luxurious bedroom is adorned in neutral tones and ocean blues alongside a large marble bath featuring a glass enclosed rain shower, spa tub, and exquisite amenities.

A spacious living room and formal dining room — each with original carved fireplaces, authentic architectural detail, and vintage chandeliers — are beautifully appointed with classically inspired, contemporary furnishings and a baby grand piano. The suite also features a media room, kitchen, and guest bath, completing the feeling of a private residence in a cosmopolitan city setting.

Eight brand new rooms are now available to guests of London’s Georgian House Hotel, famously home to four mysterious Wizard Chambers and Enchanted Chambers, as the 60-bedroom boutique hotel unveils £100,000 worth of new bedrooms in the final stage of a three year, hotel-wide interior design refresh. Refurbishment works, completed by hotel owner Serena von der Heyde, include both structural and decorative improvements, with the chosen colour palette showcasing some of Farrow & Ball’s timeless hues. This latest interior update brings all rooms within the family-owned hotel, built in 1851, to the same elegant and stylish finish as all other bedrooms, suites and apartments.

Speaking of the renovations, which she self-funded and planned in collaboration with interior designer Diana Holmes, Serena von der Heyde said: “Our long term plan is to reach 5 star guest accommodation status, and so this move to improve quality and space is an important part of the journey. The bespoke nature of the rooms reflects our commitment to highly personalised experiences and service. 

We are making a beautiful and unique place which is in tune with the 1850s heritage, but our design is highly creative. In every room guests will find details that catch the eye, design that inspires, something beautiful. My vision is for a hotel where the experience of staying is an important part of the experience of London.”

To appeal to the family market and those wanting more space, two top floor bedrooms have been combined into one large room, featuring two double beds. Seven further bedrooms have had their original chimney breasts uncovered and restored to reveal their former splendour, often in the form of marble fire surrounds and mantels, and original Victorian tiles. The en-suite bathrooms adjoining these rooms have been enlarged and completely redecorated with three of the bathrooms now boasting full size baths, including a free-standing polished aluminium bathtub from SW1 Bathrooms.

It was of the upmost importance to owner, Serena von der Heyde to integrate contemporary design into the historic idiosyncrasies of the building and the rooms have been designed and decorated individually depending on the light, size and original features. Each of the rooms reflect Georgian House’s attitude to their guests; everyone is different and the rooms should be too.

The Georgian House Hotel continues to go from strength to strength, offering guests an individualised, boutique experience in a cosmopolitan, central location just minutes from Victoria Station, London.

A planning application is to be submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council seeking permission to convert the town’s landmark former Co-op store for a mixed leisure and restaurant use.The Co-op closed the doors of its department store in 2013 and it has been a key target for redevelopment since. A joint venture has now been agreed between Central England Cooperative and Jomast Developments Ltd to re-use the existing four storey building and create a new leisure development for Chesterfield.

Planning permission is expected to be submitted for consideration on 12 October and it is anticipated that this application will include:
* An 89 bedroom hotel on the upper floor
* Six family restaurants, of between 2,929 sq. ft and 3,796 sq. ft in size, on the ground floor
* A 16,000 sq. ft. health and fitness area in the basement

The news of the proposed redevelopment plans for the Co-op building follows on the back of the announcement earlier in the year that £1 billion of investment is taking place in the Borough over the next 10 years, including the £400 million Peak Resorts, £320 million Chesterfield Waterside, £88 million Markham Vale and Northern Gateway developments.

The world of glossy airbrushed photos of idealised hotel rooms has long gone. Today’s travellers expect transparency. They want to know exactly what to expect when they check-in. They read reviews and comments, they browse user-generated photos and Google Images. Increasingly they are expecting a virtual tour and – when hotels with this option generate 48% more bookings than those without – it pays to give it to them.

In case you hadn’t noticed, Google has changed the way its virtual tours work for hotels. Each area in the property is treated as a separate area with its own standalone tour. Lobbies, restaurants, bars, gyms, spas, bedrooms, suites and gardens can all be accessed and explored separately via a row of thumbnails at the bottom of the screen.

This has two effects: The first is that users can now jump more easily between different parts of the hotel with far fewer clicks, and the second is that the tour becomes the major part of the hotel’s profile on Google Hotel Finder. This disruptive booking platform has put virtual tours front-and-centre. Hotels with a tour are flagged immediately in search results, and the tour itself gets prominent position on the hotel’s profile summary, where the 360 imagery of bedrooms, bars, restaurants and facilities all appear ahead of traditional still photographs.

That might be because fully 92% of internet users indicated that the ability to see a spherical panorama or a 360-degree photo of a viewed product is one of the most essential features when they are browsing online.

Jay Scott-Nicholls of aardvark360, which specialises in Google virtual tours says: “We’ve seen exploding industry demand for hotel virtual tours. A year ago we were doing one a month, now it’s every other day. In the last month alone we’ve worked with everyone from family-owned boutique places, to trendy newcomers like The Hoxton and established global brands like Hilton”.

Beyond specific platforms like Google, interactive content can make the difference between first and second page positioning in the competitive arena of Search Engine Optimisation where hotels are forced to take advantage of any boost in rankings. Virtual tours increase page views by 40% and keeps visitors on-site for three times longer – all of which does not go unnoticed by the search engine crawlers.

A hotel is not a single product. It’s not just about the room – it’s about the facilities, the service and the style too. Businesses with the confidence to throw open their doors to online explorers are the ones who will earn the trust of the internet-savvy traveller.

Images provided by aardvark360.co.uk

Set in the heart of South Yorkshire’s historic market town, the new Mercure Doncaster Centre Danum Hotel recently opened its doors.The opening follows an extensive renovation and refurbishment of The Danum Hotel, which has occupied Doncaster’s High Street since 1809. The much loved local hotel is now aligned with Mercure, an international brand managed by Accorhotels.

Situated in the town centre and a short walk from the rail station, the Mercure Doncaster Centre Danum Hotel is a plush base from which guests can explore Doncaster, with its Norman castles, Regency buildings and rich horse racing heritage, as well as great shopping and nightlife.

The hotel’s 62 bedrooms offer a mix of the modern and the traditional, with each boasting exquisite décor, Hypnos beds and LCD TVs. The hotel will also offer 15 privilege rooms and two luxurious suites.

The reception space has been luxuriously refurbished to create a contemporary open lobby. Two reception pods will accommodate quick and hassle-free check in and check-out, demonstrating the Mercure brand’s continued commitment to putting the customer’s welcome experience at its heart.

Jonathan Sheard, SVP Operations Luxury, Upscale and Midscale Hotels, Accorhotels UK and Ireland commented, “This hotel is a really iconic hotel in Doncaster and we are very excited for it to be opening as a Mercure branded property. It celebrates everything which is exceptional about Mercure with a building that is in itself in harmony with the people and place. The refurbishment is stunning — we can’t wait for people to see it.”

Since the iconic Virgin Megastore left Times Square in 2009, New York City has been vacant of a Virgin hub for family and fans.However, late September marked a new milestone in the history of the Virgin brand and New York, as Virgin Hotels broke ground with the Lam Group on Virgin Hotels New York City.

Located in the NOMAD neighbourhood at 1227 Broadway between 29th and 30th, the property will serve as the brand’s flagship hotel and deliver a one-of-a-kind hotel experience in one of Virgin’s most favourite destinations.

“New York City isn’t just a destination for the Virgin airlines, but a place where some of the most successful Virgin brands have been incubated, where we’ve stunned crowds with stunts and where some of our most devoted fans live. It’s a very special city to the Virgin brand and I’m elated that Virgin Hotels will soon call it home,” said Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group.

To commemorate the groundbreaking and the history Virgin has in the Big Apple, Sir Richard joined Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels to bury a Virgin time capsule; a chest of mementos from Virgin company moments in New York. Some of the capsules contents included: Virgin Cola can, Wham Glam Thank You Ma’am CD from the Times Square Virgin Megastore, Virgin Atlantic onboard salt + pepper shakers, Virgin Hotels key cards, Virgin America headphones and JFK boarding pass, photos and more.

The hotel is slated to open in 2018 with 463 ‘chambers’ plus multiple concept suites, a rooftop pool and multiple dining outlets including The Commons Club and a rooftop bar. The first and second floors will be occupied with high end shopping, while Virgin Hotels will populate the floors above.

Aloft Hotels has announced its 100th worldwide hotel milestone, with the opening of Aloft College Station in Texas.Currently operating in 16 countries across the globe, Aloft has experienced incredible growth since it emerged onto the scene in 2008. With the recent openings of Aloft Manhattan Downtown – Financial District in New York City, Aloft Santa Clara (CA), Aloft Stuttgart and Aloft Munich in Germany, Aloft continues to expand in key global markets, with eight more hotels set to open by year’s end.

Aloft hotels now operate in nearly every corner of the world, with properties in North America, Mexico, Belgium, Germany, UK, Turkey, UAE, India, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, and more. Development is booming.

Aloft signed as many hotel deals in the first half of 2015 as in all of 2014, and is in its fifth consecutive year of market share gain. The brand will expand its portfolio in Greater China to 10 hotels by year’s end and will continue to penetrate new markets globally.

Launched in 2008 as Starwood’s tech-forward incubator brand, Aloft is designed with a futuristic lens. Built on an agile platform, the Aloft brand’s innovation team works to develop and pilot new technologies to enhance the guest experience and cater to the lifestyle and needs of today’s emerging traveller.

In addition to milestone technological breakthroughs including the world’s first robotic butler, Botlr, as well as the introduction of Smart Check-In, which has now evolved into SPG Keyless— the hospitality industry’s first mobile, keyless entry system allowing guests to use their smart phone as a key— Aloft will soon pilot other innovations such as Virtual Reality, 3-D Food Printing and Smart Wake-Up, dreamt up from the brand’s Concept Rooms at its global Headquarters in Stamford, CT.

Dynamic lifestyle programming is also in the brand’s DNA, as Aloft offers a buzzing social scene for the early adopter including its renowned global music series, Live At Aloft Hotels, offering guests and locals free access to the hottest emerging artists at every Aloft Hotel around the world.

Tribute Portfolio™, the newest collection of independent hotels from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, has announced that it will be debuting on the United States’ west coast with the addition of the Riviera Palm Springs in California.Located on 21-acres in downtown Palm Springs, the resort is looking to establish itself as the go-to destination for locals and vacationers alike seeking the perfect desert getaway.

Ahead of its debut as the Riviera Palm Springs in November 2015, the property will undergo a multi-million dollar upgrade, including the addition of a new pool bar, wedding pavilion and enhanced lobby.

“The Riviera Palm Springs, with its memorable design elements and distinctive list of services and amenities, is a perfect addition to the Tribute Portfolio brand,” said Dave Marr, Global Brand Leader, Tribute Portfolio. “We look forward to working with the new owners and are excited to give our SPG members access to this magnificent resort in the classically chic destination of Palm Springs.”

The Riviera Palm Springs features 398 rooms and more than 52,000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. The resort also offers a fitness center, business centre, three outdoor pools, and an 11,000-square-foot spa with 18 treatment rooms.

Tribute Portfolio is comprised of high-quality independent hotels around the globe. From boutique resorts to urban destination properties, guests can enjoy access to outstanding four star, upscale hotels with an ‘indie spirit’ while benefitting from the award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program. Launched in April 2015 as Starwood’s 10th brand and second collection of independent hotels, Starwood plans to grow the Tribute Portfolio brand to 100 hotels by 2020.

World-renowned carpet manufacturer Brintons has collaborated with the luxurious Royal Chace Hotel, North London, to design and supply a unique custom made carpet for their spectacular ballroom.Working in partnership with Brian Nicholas, owner of The Royal Chace Hotel, the individually designed Brintons Axminster carpet was the leading feature in the refurbishment of the hotel’s Queen’s Suite ballroom.

The large banqueting suite, that hosts 250 guests, was transformed by the 700 metre carpet designed by Stacy Garcia. The modern Persian inspired carpet, detailed in gold motifs against a jewel blue palette, is part of Garcias’ ‘Nouveau Boho Collection’. The regal tones of the design compliment the oak panelled room, whilst adding a touch of modern elegance.

Brian Nicholas, Owner of The Royal Chace Hotel, said: “The carpet was the central focus of the refurbishment of the ballroom, it is the main feature of the Queen’s Suite, and it wouldn’t have looked complete without it.”

The stylish four-star hotel is set within five acres of land that overlooks stunning views of Hertfordshire, and the refurbishment of the ballroom was in keeping with the traditional history for which the landscape of the hotel is set within.

Brian added: “The design retains the old elegant style of the Queen’s Suite whilst bringing a new, modern twist through the elaborate motifs. It is fantastic to still retain the old ambiance of the ballroom whilst adding a new found beauty.”

In early September, Taylor’s Classics delivered the final pieces of furniture to the refurbished Simpsons restaurant in Birmingham. They worked closely with Andreas Antona and Luke Tipping as well as Leisure Concepts of Kenilworth to create a fresh and spacious feel to this long standing, Edgbaston based, Michelin star restaurant. The restaurant has been extended to allow additional dining beneath a beautiful glass roof.

Taylor’s Classics supplied a wide range of contemporary chairs, tables, sofas and outdoor furniture. The private dining room includes a 4.2 metre oak table to seat 14 whilst the lounge areas include our new Benchairs 936 tub chairs.

Andreas Antona said, “I am delighted that we have achieved the simple, elegant and open interiors that we were looking for as part of the redevelopment of Simpsons Restaurant. It is always a pleasure to work with Taylor’s Classics because the furniture is beautifully made, practical and the service and advice from the team makes everything simple and straightforward.”

Luxury Weave is the latest fabric to be introduced by Forbes Group to the range in which it makes table cloths, chair covers, restaurant skirting and table skirting.As the name suggests, Luxury Weave’s pattern is woven into it, appearing as an opulent sheen in the light. It’s a contemporary twist on a classic damask. Better still, it is woven in a 3.2m width making it especially suitable for large dining table cloths and table covers.

Luxury Weave comes in four designs: London (plain), Paris, Rome and Madrid. Its colour palette incorporates rich berry tones and scarlet through to white, subtle creams and putty.

Despite its elegance, Luxury Weave has the same easy care, machine washable and hard-wearing qualities as Forbes’ other fabrics, making it ideal for table cloths, skirting for dining and restaurant tables, chair covers, cocktail table covers and buffet skirting.

Created by Mehran Gharleghi from Studio INTEGRATE and Morgan Studio, RIO is ground-breaking in using 3D printing to create beautiful, comfortable and robust chairs for the commercial furniture market.RIO explores the relationship of the craft of yesterday with the craft of tomorrow. The resulting designs combine renowned timber craftsmanship from Morgan with Mehran’s talent for re-thinking materials and applying techniques that have only previously been used experimentally — in this case 3D printing. He uses a polyamide to give a white textured finish and also a smooth metallised resin.

Morgan Design Director, Katerina McMahon comments, “This is an exciting new departure for us at Morgan and indeed new for the market. 3D printing is recognised commercially for small items like jewellery and accessories and then many experimental projects but not much in between. Not yet featured in furniture for a wider audience.”

Three versions of RIO all present a clearly expressed structure: with tactile timber back, minimal but comfortable upholstered back or 3D printed intricate lattice framework.

The design for RIO was already underway by Morgan when the two companies joined forces, so Mehran’s objectives were to retain the existing design form, push the boundaries of design using 3D printing and create subtle variations in each chair. This was achieved using a mathematical algorithm and making small adjustments to it for a set of 6 3D printed chairs, so each of the 6 is slightly different as if carved by hand.

Mehran explains, “We had achieved the right shape but wanted to add something new. I removed as much material as possible to make the backrest lighter and flexible for extra comfort, while maintaining its strength. The final design resulted in a form which looks like inner structures of bone. It is nice to touch and there are no joints, even the connections to the chair base are from the same single piece of polyamide, making it incredibly strong. Each chair takes 24 hours to print.”

The new RIO collection was launched during the London Design Festival and can be viewed at Morgan’s showroom in Clerkenwell.

At HotelDesigns.net, we were delighted to be a media partner for the recent Hotel Summit 2015 at the Hilton London Wembley, where we met the fantastic team from BoConcept.After the event, we had the pleasure of speaking with one of their designers — Morten Georgsen – about all things design, inspirational figures and definite design faux-pas to avoid…

Morten Georgsen: I grew up in the countryside in Denmark — my parents took me to art galleries over weekends and our home was full of art and magazines about design, buildings and artists — so I was kind of ‘raised’ with it. If I hadn’t been a reasonably good footballer, I’m sure my friends would have bullied me even more for my awkward interests! However the deep interest for design opened up the chance of getting a job at Bang & Olufsen — where I worked for eight years. My design destiny was carved in granite.

MG: Many things are said about having good or bad style — and it’s the same about design. I just feel that when things can be beautiful and intriguing to our senses — then why not design them to be that way? I really love to get to the root of a function and to materialise this function in a way that serves it — meaning that we’re not adding a lot of unnecessary rubbish, but being truthful to the functional idea in the aesthetics. Always fight to find the shortest way between function and design.

MG: I’ve always tried to keep away from the “if you rub my back, I’ll rub yours” element of competitions and gatherings. I know it’s a part of the culture within creative industries like art, movies, music and design — but who are we to judge each other? Why not let the audience talk? See how much they buy, see how they talk about our designs and show them off to their friends. I’m proud and feel good when I see my designs on TV, or seeing families living with my furniture designs and enjoying them.

MG: When I was younger I got very inspired, or perhaps just learned things, from the designers and product managers at Bang & Olufsen, but today I think I get more inspired by my direct customers and their clients. When I see their needs or what can be done better, my right part of the brain goes into overdrive. Seeing what’s not there or what people cannot express in solid terms is often the best source of inspiration!

MG: The BoConcept philosophy is to offer modern design furniture based on Scandinavian ideas about function and simplicity to an urban-minded customer. Honestly, it’s actually very tough to design for BoConcept as you always have to get the very best out of yourself — you have to get to the core in order to design furniture with great value and that’s what BoConcept demands.

MG: I’m so fortunate, as I am still involved with a huge part of the BoConcept collection — I am very proud of the ‘Milano’ table collection and the ‘Lugano’ wall system. The Milano, because it has become a classic within centre-based tables and an ‘icon’ of sorts within the collection. Lugano, because it is such a well-thought-through wall system. It’s versatile in style, function, size and price level — a true BoConcept product. And I can tell you, to make a wall system like that takes a lot of thought and re-thinking.

MG: As I mentioned before, good design is when function supports aesthetics/materials and vice versa… many designers make the mistake of not achieving this by not taking the time to get to the core of the challenge and thereby adding instead of taking away.

MG: A big sport in Spain where I live is called Padel, something between squash and tennis. I play that very often. Apart from that I love Spanish cuisine and the small, beautiful restaurants that offer excellent food. Once a month, I meet with friends for a poker night. I like the game as it requires all parts of the brain. But like all passionate designers, there is hardly ever real ‘time off’ as ideas are always appearing when they want to… uncontrollable nuisances!

Its speed and ease of installation, low maintenance benefits, fresh and modern aesthetic and varied colour options, have seen Marley Eternit’s Cedral Lap weatherboard specified to play a central role in the contemporary re-creation of the iconic Butlins’ chalets at a new £16 million development in Minehead. West Lakes Village at Butlins’ Minehead resort has been created ahead of the company’s 80th birthday, with the construction of 117 colourful brand new holiday homes inspired by the original chalets created by Billy Butlin in the 1930s. Architects Allison Pike were actively involved in the project since inception, helping Butlins to evolve the chalet concept to meet the needs of 21st century families. Multi award winning Principal Contractors McGoff & Byrne were appointed for the construction phase of the development.

McGoff & Byrne specified Marley Eternit’s Cedral Lap weatherboard to create the colourful timber aesthetic synonymous with the facades of the original Butlins chalets, but with the longevity and simple installation offered by the fibre cement cladding. Harry Galloway, Construction Director from McGoff & Byrne, explains: “The original West Lakes Village design utilised timber for the chalets’ cladding. We amended the specification to Cedral as it provided us with a wide colour palette to choose from and would ensure the striking looks of the chalets’ exteriors lasted with minimal maintenance.

“The seaside location of the development means the chalets have to withstand exposure to salt, so we needed a cladding material that could stand-up to this challenge without requiring significant maintenance to keep the look fresh.

“The different pastel colours of the chalets are a key feature and help recreate the original Butlins 1930s’ feel. By using Cedral, we were able to obtain all of the colours we needed from the factory without having to paint on site, including a special made to order colour manufactured specifically for the project. Marley Eternit’s Cedral Lap weatherboard has been used as external cladding on all of the one and two storey lakeside, lake view and park view chalets clustered in landscaped parkland around two newly created lakes.

Fibre cement Cedral weatherboard is a low maintenance, rot free alternative to traditional timber weatherboarding with a life expectancy of 50 years and can be supplied in a standard range of 21 factory applied solid colours and two woodstain finishes. Cedral Lap is specially designed so the planks are overlapped when installed creating a traditional, clapper-board aesthetic. Or to create a more unusual aesthetic, Cedral Click planks are fitted together flush, creating a striking modern and contemporary facade.

Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe, has introduced Elements, a collection of 100% flame retardant chic and contemporary 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.

Exciting creations include Trapezium. Embracing the signature Kobe style, this woven jacquard has a soft, supple satin touch and features a modern medallion pattern which can be reversed and is available in eight delicate colours. Screen is a woven jacquard with shimmering metallic yarns in silver and gold on an elegant satin base. This glamorous fabric is available in seven stunning colours.

The Elements room high collection includes Avoir, a 100% blackout woven dobby with a soft natural linen touch and comes in sophisticated cream, sand, light grey and charcoal. Complementing Avoir is Regulus, a 100% blackout lining in stylish off-white/cream. Convex room high is woven in a loose double panama with a soft metallic texture and is available in six cool neutral colours.

Elements contract window décor offers affordable prices and value for money while enjoying the signature Kobe style.

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts have announced their first Le Méridien resort in India, Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa.While being the first resort, it is the brand’s ninth property in the country, further strengthening the Paris-born brand’s presence throughout India. Nestled in the scenic Western Ghats, the resort is a few hours’ drive from the cosmopolitan centres of Mumbai and Pune.

The hotel features 122 stylishly appointed guestrooms and suites, all complemented with private balconies that offer expansive views of the surrounding natural scenery. Each room features the brand’s signature, destination-inspired amenities and the brand’s reinterpretation of the traditional lobby, the signature Le Méridien Hub, transforms the public space into a social gathering place.

“We are pleased to unveil the spectacular Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa, a highly anticipated addition to our India portfolio”, said Dilip Puri, Managing Director India and Regional Vice President South Asia, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “With its culturally-refined design and atmosphere combined with stunning views, the resort is sure to impress and attract travelers for a refreshing break, and emerge as a leading resort in the country.”

Other resort facilities include the Explore Spa by Le Méridien with eight treatment rooms including a hammam bath treatment room and a vichy shower treatment room. The well-equipped fitness centre along with both a lagoon style swimming pool and a rooftop infinity pool make for the ideal rejuvenating experience. The resort also offers 250 square metres of banqueting space including a ballroom, four versatile meeting rooms and a well-appointed business centre. The serene outdoor venues provide for inspiring spaces for meetings and events.

The resort provides seamless access to the quaint hill town’s rich tapestry of offerings, including a curated visit, courtesy of the brand’s UNLOCK ART programme, to the Devrai Art Village and the 5,000 year old Krishna Devi temple, using only the room’s key card for access.

Beacon Hill is known as a purveyor of the world’s finest silks. We collaborate with master weavers in Italy, India, Thailand and China to offer our customers original and worldwide exclusive silk textiles of the highest quality.And Beacon Hill’s showroom exclusive Maravilha collection celebrates the wanderlust of the Bohemian artist — the devotee of a life lived alongside beauty, authenticity, creativity and adventure. Maravilha is Portuguese for wonder and the collection is rife with opulent silk jacquards, intricate embroideries and bold patterns.

The fabrics are artisanal, intricate and embellished. Their designs are inspired by the streets of Rio, the Brazilian modernist architecture of Oscar Niemeyer and the country’s coastal shores. Maravilha, marked by intense colour and hidden, unexpected pleasures, is a design destination all of its own.

Click on the images below to see in more detail:

Plans for a new £5 million Premier Inn have been released after the hotel giant revealed its vision to transform the Shepherds Hotel site at Cockermouth in Cumbria.If approved, the proposals for an 80-bedroom hotel and Brewers Fayre restaurant would create up to 50 jobs. Premier Inn executives have said they believe the development will boost the area’s economy not just through jobs but by drawing more visitors to the area.

The Brewers Fayre, the firm says, will have space for 200 covers. There will be a 120-space car park. Premier Inn, which is also pursuing plans for a hotel in Penrith town centre, says the design of the Cockermouth scheme would be “in keeping with the local environment”.

It would see the current building, on Egremont Road, demolished and replaced with a “bespoke hotel and restaurant”. Designs went on show at the Kirkgate Centre and project team members will also field questions. After analysing comments, a planning application is expected to be lodged with Allerdale council later this year.

Premier Inn already has hotels in Carlisle and Whitehaven. To see the plans in full, click here.

Here at HotelDesigns.net, we like to provide content that is both engaging and useful for our audience. As we move forward, we’d like to get some feedback from our readers in order to continue bringing you what you want to see.Our 2015 reader survey gives you the chance to let us know what content you currently like and content you want to see more of, as well as suggesting other topics you would find the most useful. Having changed ownership earlier in the year, we have some big plans for the future of the HotelDesigns.net brand, so it’s important to us that we listen to what our readers want and need from the website.

To take part in the survey, simply click HERE or on the link below. It’s very short and your answers will be fully considered as we continue to grow and develop as a brand. Thank you for your continued support.

The Stowe mirror from Gallery Direct is a timeless, baroque style mirror. The elegant decorative frame is hand finished in silver leaf with a satin gloss sheen. A matching leaner mirror is available, and both sizes also offered in a chic, lightly distressed white finish.

For more information, please contact Gallery Direct via their website: www.gallerydirect.co.uk

The new Hilton London Bankside and its restaurant offerings OXBO Bankside and The Distillery are due to open in the coming weeks in the centre of London’s vibrant Bankside, just minutes from the Tate Modern.The launch marks an exciting new generation of Hilton hotels, featuring high-end, locally inspired food and drink offerings and contemporary interior design.

Located on the ground floor with direct access to Price’s Street and led by Executive Chef Paul Bates, formerly of The Beaumont and Intercontinental Park Lane, OXBO Bankside is a relaxed space for guests and locals alike to meet in the heart of the Bankside area, any time of day. The open kitchen with chefs cooking in front of the guests will enhance the personalised guest experience and add to the theatre of the restaurant.

James Clarke, General Manager of the Hilton London Bankside Hotel added “I am thrilled to be playing a pivotal role in opening the Hilton London Bankside and I can’t wait to be checking in our first guests at the end of the summer. I will be working closely with Paul and my team to ensure the hotel, our restaurant and our bar become destinations for Bankside in their own right.”

The design of the restaurant and bar mirrors that of the wider hotel, reflecting the history and ambiance of the surrounding urban area. Exposed metal screens, bare brick work, reprocessed tube station tiles and bespoke joinery all feature, with furnishings of rich fabrics, inspired by William Morris, to create a style-led space for a relaxing yet stimulating dining experience.

The colour scheme features greens, mustard yellows and browns which matches the seltzer bottles decorating the bar and the large, modern copper sheet sculpture located on the stairs to the Ballroom. Sculptures by British artist, David Farrer, accentuate the interior design while reclaimed ceilings and murals have been designed especially for the hotel’s public spaces.

A spectacular Penny Wall will be installed in the entrance of The Distillery, featuring penny coins dating back to the 1860s. Spaces will be kept free for special guests and dignitaries to mark their visit to the hotel by placing their own pennies onto the structure.

Switch on the industrial look, or the classic look, or the natural look with a wide range of lamps and shades in different materials, such as glass, concrete, wood, colour-lacquered metal and rubber-coated aluminium. From understated to outrageous, BoConcept’s range of lamps fit any sort of feel or trend – find curvy models you can use instead of a pendant, or choose a more upright design that you can place by an armchair or sofa.

Click on the images below to see in more detail:

Click here to see more in the BoConcept lamp range

Announcing its début into Taiwan, Marriott International is pleased to announce the opening of the Taipei Marriott Hotel – the first five star international hotel in the Dazhi area of Taipei.Offering 320 luxury guest rooms, a convention centre, high-end shopping facilities and luxury apartments, the Taipei Marriott is the largest integrated destination complex in Taiwan and is perfect to attract both business and leisure travellers.

Guestrooms at the Taipei Marriott Hotel have been designed with soothing, neutral tones of ivory, cream and grey, accentuated by unobstructed views of Taipei through floor-to-ceiling windows. The bath experience offers double vanities and rain showers as well as other deluxe amenities. Each guestroom also features high-speed Internet access and a spacious work area.

Dining options at the hotel include five restaurants with an international selection of cuisines including:
The Lobby Lounge: all-day bites and drinks along with free WiFi
Garden Kitchen: all-day dining with Asian-inspired Western fare served semi-buffet style
Mark’s Teppanyaki: Japanese Teppanyaki, Chinese and Western cuisine at live cooking stations
The Dining Place Chinese restaurant: an elegant setting where guests are treated to a delicious variety of Cantonese and Sichuan dishes.
INGE’s bar and grill: for more intimate or special occasions, it offers gourmet cuisine accompanied by stunning views from the open-air terrace lounge on the 20th floor

With 32,300 square feet of pillar-less, flexible space that can be transformed into up to 13 meeting spaces, as well as an elegant 13,600 square-foot Grand Ballroom, the Taipei Marriott Hotel offers the largest state-of-the-art convention centre in Taipei and can accommodate a variety of functions.

Additional amenities include a health-club on the 19th floor with 24-hour fitness centre, a rooftop swimming pool with views of the Miramar Park Ferris Wheel and a luxury spa.

Marriott hotels incorporates a “Green Hotel Development” initiative and the Taipei Marriott Hotel features lush green surroundings with indigenous shrubbery and flowering plants, interspersed with pieces of art and sitting areas. Inspired by the nearby butterfly biosphere reserve on Mt. Jiannan, an aluminium sculpture named “Butterflies” and created by Spanish artist Manolo Valdes, sits in the centre of the landscape to serve as a tribute to nature and the arts.

What if individual control elements could be eliminated to make room for an uncluttered shower experience? Axor by Hansgrohe has worked on an answer to this question with the London-based design duo Barber & Osgerby.
Axor One — the brand’s first all-in-one interactive shower control element — made its debut at the London Design Festival on September 22 and is a confident, yet unobtrusive statement in the shower. Generously proportioned, but fascinatingly clean, it is a focal point for the senses.

“With Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby we transformed the idea of a central shower control element into an engaging, purely mechanical interface that refines showering into a tactile, precise and responsive practice”, Philippe Grohe, Head of Axor, explains.

“Axor One allows a completely fresh interpretation of water control: by consolidating many individual controls into one simple element, it streamlines both the look and functionality of the bathroom”, according to Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. The possibility to simultaneously turn multiple water outlets on or off with the back of the hand or the elbow makes Axor One a convenient and engaging shower experience.

Temperature is set by turning the central dial; a small lever directly below regulates water volume, and the Eco Mode reduces water consumption up to 50%. The flow of water is activated and deactivated by tapping of the paddles: clear symbols indicate the specific water outlets the user can choose from (e.g. overhead, hand, or side shower). This unification of water outlet activation, water volume regulation, and temperature control, gives a sleek form to a structured function.
With its monolithic but soft form, Axor One creates a new spaciousness in the shower — a pleasant feeling of clarity and tranquility.

Plane surfaces, rounded edges, and an integrated mechanical interface, constitute a clearly structured concealed thermostat that eliminates distraction from a soothing shower experience. The refined proportions, sculpted form and accurate detailing make a timeless statement that merges seamlessly with any bathroom environment. With a variety of special finishes, ranging from subdued chrome to a bold red-gold, Axor One becomes as visible as the user would like it to be.

Axor One will be available in the UK from January 2016

The popular Four Points by Sheraton brand has made its debut in Newburgh, New York. That’s according to a statement released by Starwood Hotels and Resorts last week.The opening follows a multi-million dollar conversion project of the former Comfort Inn property on the site, which was spearheaded by Jonathan S. Lifschutz.

“My goal was to bring an internationally recognised brand to Newburgh, offering a new level of service to the area,” said Jonathan Lifschutz. “I’ve seen a growing need and demand for strong brands like Four Points to offer a new level of design and sophistication to secondary markets. Four Points by Sheraton Newburgh will offer business and leisure travelers a differentiated hotel experience for their lodging needs.”

The new Four Points by Sheraton Newburgh features 124 stylish guestrooms, an “open style” public space environment with a brand new two-story open lobby, complete with a lobby bar and restaurant serving American cuisine. The hotel also features a gift shop, business centre, lobby library, and the brand’s signature front desk experience.

The exterior of the new Four Points includes a brand new stucco façade, LED site lighting and site landscaping throughout the facility and a brand new parking lot with pavers accents by outdoor sitting areas for guests to enjoy the taste of the Hudson valley surroundings. The hotel features a courtyard area, complete with a heated outdoor pool surrounding by seating and event space for large parties of 200+ guests. The pool area will offer an exclusive menu catered toward families and business travellers.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts have announced the opening of two Aloft hotels in Germany. Aloft Munich and Aloft Stuttgart are the latest properties added to the German market, designed for today’s hyper-connected, tech-forward global traveller.“We’re thrilled to introduce the energy of the Aloft brand to the German market,” said Brian McGuinness, Global Brand Leader, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “We’re in the innovative mind-set of designing our hotels for the future traveller, and we’re thrilled to bring Aloft’s passion for design, music and technology to the spirited cities of Munich and Stuttgart.”

Signature amenities at every Aloft hotel include Re:fuel, a one-stop gourmet grab & go food and beverage area, a 24-hour fitness centre and fast & free WiFi.

The newly opened Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh East Liberty is both an adaptive and new build property which enjoys a prominent location in the heart of Pittsburgh’s rejuvenated and thriving cultural district. Featuring 135 rooms, the boutique hotel has been designed with strong references to art, photography and architecture which uniquely brings East Liberty’s theatrical history to life at every turn.Inspired by East Liberty’s historic nightlife, theatre scene and innovators such as Carnegie and Mellon, guests entering the lobby at Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh East Liberty are greeted by staff outfitted in uniforms custom created by local designer, Kiya Tomlin.

Wallace’s TapRoom, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, offers an American Tavern style menu as well as seasonal and locally sourced food and drinks from purveyors such as Zeke’s Coffee, Natrona Bottling, Mediterra Bake House, Thoma Meat Market, Turner Dairy and Emerald Valley Artisans.

Guest rooms feature plush bedding, wooden flooring (perhaps in reference to “treading the boards”?) with area rugs and a nod to the theatre era with a velvet curtain entrance and lamps designed to mirror stage lights. The hotel also features a two-room Governor’s Suite which offers a private sitting parlour, bar area and master suite with a separate powder room.

Guests also have access to a 24-hour fitness centre and 2,400 sq. ft. of meeting space.

The Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh East Liberty hotel is owned by Governor’s Hotel Company, and managed by IHG.

The Hotel Indigo brand recently announced new properties signed in Los Angeles, California; Kansas City, Missouri; Denver, Colorado and a second hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as two new international signings including Berlin, Germany and Bali, Indonesia.

Hilton Garden Inn has announced the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas Downtown, a 171-Room hotel located in a mixed-use project within Dallas’ well-known LTV building, historically significant for its contribution to national banking and business as well as many architectural milestones.HRI Properties, LLC – the hotel’s owner – has invested $80 million renovating the property and features a 24-hour business centre, state-of-the-art fitness centre, outdoor pool with relaxing sundeck and 32-story unique high-rise tower offering stunning views of the Dallas skyline. The hotel also features more than 5,000 square feet of flexible meeting space overlooking the cityscape, lush greenery and iconic Thanks-giving Square.

Dining options include the Shelby Hall Restaurant & Bar which offers seasonal Southern cuisine with a modern twist, signature cocktails, and evening room service. The Pavilion Pantry® is open 24 hours and features a complete selection of salty snacks, sweet treats, cold beverages, and frozen, microwaveable packaged items.

All 171 guest rooms feature a spacious work desk with an ergonomic desk chair, mini fridge, microwave oven and Keurig coffee maker.

“The energy and atmosphere of our hotel aligns perfectly with the vibrant city that is Dallas,” said Stephanie Mehail, general manager. “We offer an exceptional full-service experience, perfect location and the impressive amenities expected from a downtown property.”

In an agreement with Belgrade Waterfront LLC, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. have announced that two W properties are scheduled to open in Belgrade, Serbia in 2019.W Belgrade and The Residences at W Belgrade will be located in the heart of the Belgrade Waterfront, a new one million square meter community including retail outlets, restaurant and bars, offices, public parks and leisure attractions.

“We are thrilled to establish our relationship with Belgrade Waterfront LLC and introduce the W Hotels’ brand energetic DNA to Serbia, especially into Belgrade,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The Serbian capital is an exciting emerging city and a burgeoning tourist destination in Europe. We look forward to attracting both local and international guests to W Belgrade and this spectacular new city hub.”

W Belgrade
Featuring 120 stylish guest rooms and suites, the W Belgrade is centrally located on the waterfront with spectacular views overlooking the Sava River. The hotel will also offer an all-day dining venue, a destination bar and W Living Room. Other facilities will include a Spa, state-of-the-art fitness facility and a pool deck and bar. W Belgrade will feature more than 450 square meters of ultra-modern meeting and event space.

The Residences at W Belgrade
With 165 luxurious branded residential apartments spanning across two towers, apartment sizes range between 55 to 100 square meters and residents may enjoy access to the facilities and services at W Belgrade.

“Welcoming a leading hotel brand shows tourist potential for both Belgrade and Serbia,” Nikola Nedeljkovic, General Manager, Belgrade Waterfront. “Starwood Hotels & Resorts shares the same values as Belgrade Waterfront in providing an unmatched lifestyle choice for its residents and guests. As the first hospitality project in Belgrade Waterfront, W Belgrade is ideally situated in a prime waterfront setting near the River Sava, next to the first two BW Residences residential towers. We are delighted that W Hotels will help us contribute to an influx of tourism to the capital.”

As the team at Robert Allen Design so eloquently put it: “Trim is the high note in the enchanting symphony of interior design.” With its impeccable array of beautifully crafted and luxurious articles in various scales and in any colour imaginable, Robert Allen offers more intriguing options than ever before for designers seeking the perfect finishing touch.

Good design lies in the details and using Robert Allen trims adds polish to a proj¬ect. Explore existing favourites in fresh colours, like Greek Key Braid and Library Brush, as well as new patterns, such as Modern Bead and Jeweled Cord.

Click on the images below to see in more detail:

Crosswater is delighted to announce two recent promotions in their Contracts department. The moves represent the success and growth of this current area of the business.
After seven years at Crosswater working as a Warehouse Operative in the Spares Department, Jamie Dunmall has been promoted to Contracts Office Commercial Estimator & Technical Coordinator for both residential and hotel projects.

Holly Thomas has also been promoted to Contracts Office House Builder Estimator after previously working in the Sales and Returns Department for 6 years. She will be quoting, tracking and forecasting the House Builder projects.

Taylor’s Classics are delighted to be back at The Restaurant Show which, for the first time, is going to be at Olympia. The show runs from 5th – 7th October and they will be delighted to meet you on stand UP10 on the Balcony area. Taylor’s Classics have some new furniture and some old favourites which include traditional, post-war and contemporary furniture. They will be introducing a number of new models too, including the Bristol armchair.

Contact them to discuss your project today on +44(0)1785 240444 or email sales@taylorsclassics.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide are pleased to announce the opening of an Aloft hotel in January 2017 within the state of Indiana. Aloft South Bend will be a strategic conversion from the former Magnuson Grand Hotel located at 213 Washington Street, walking distance from numerous restaurants, bars and clubs.

The hotel will undergo a $15 million dollar renovation and redesign led by Kramer Design Group, the architect and designer of Aloft Detroit at the David Whitney. Aloft South Bend will feature a ground-floor lobby and occupy eleven floors of the mixed-use building, which will also include residential units and a parking garage. Hotel amenities will include an indoor Splash pool, an expanded 24-hour fitness facility, re:fuel at Aloft – a one-stop gourmet grab & go food and beverage area.

Aloft South Bend will also feature 183 rooms, 3,750 square feet of flexible meeting space and live music performances at the W XYZ bar.

“Aloft South Bend will inject new energy into the city’s downtown and attract early adopters with its tech-forward mind-set, leading-edge design and buzzing social scene,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “Due to its resounding success with next generation travelers across the globe, Aloft is gaining significant growth momentum as we near 100 hotels worldwide.”

Royal warranted carpet manufacturer Brintons has designed and supplied a bespoke, custom-made carpet to the opulent Beach Rotana hotel in Abu Dhabi to create a royal feel in its luxurious ballroom.Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies within the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe, appointed the Kidderminster-based manufacturer to supply its high quality carpet for the 1,100 square-metre Al Thuraya Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 1,200 guests at Rotana’s flagship hotel, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi.

Brintons were asked to turn a simple geometric pattern into a contemporary design, with colours such as gold and purple specified to move away from usual Arabic schemes and instead reflect more traditionally regal and classic interiors.

Tadek Kurasinski, Brintons Business Manager for the UAE, commented: “We worked closely with the hotel to ensure we were in keeping with the current hotel style, but to also give the ballroom interiors a big impact to be a standalone showcase of the hotel.

“In the carpet we introduced a small wave in the geometric pattern to show a beach and sand effect to reflect its location, and these subtle adjustments lent themselves well to the hotel’s ambiance and theme.”

Brintons has worked with the Beach Rotana, which is ideally located in the centre of Abu Dhabi, for over two years and has supplied carpet to the existing hotel corridors. These designs were chosen from Brintons Art Fusion collection and help accentuate the hotel’s luxurious theme.