Hotel Designs

Canopy by Hilton, Hilton Worldwide’s new hotel brand that redefines the lifestyle hotel category, and Icelandair Hotels have unveiled plans for Canopy’s first hotel in Iceland’s vibrant capital – Reykjavik. “Canopy Reykjavik | City Centre” is expected to be the first hotel globally to open in the brand’s portfolio, which launched in October 2014.Canopy Reykjavik | City Centre is now under construction on Hverfisgata St, a thriving neighbourhood in the centre of the city. The hotel is slated to open in early 2016 with the brand’s thoughtfully local aesthetic, which includes an open, light lobby and relaxing public spaces. A rooftop bar and restaurant will serve drinks and food throughout the day, while guests can also visit a bistro, sampling fresh, local produce while taking in the city sights.

“In creating Canopy by Hilton, we focused heavily on customer research at every stage, and the result is a brand which redefines the lifestyle segment, and brings guests closer to the destinations and communities in which they travel,” said Gary Steffen, global head, Canopy by Hilton. “Reykjavik is unlike any other city on Earth, and its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty align with the ethos of Canopy by Hilton. It is with considerable excitement that we anticipate the opening of Canopy Reykjavik | City Centre in 2016.”

Canopy Reykjavik | City Centre will welcome guests with 115 guest rooms and suites, will feature an entirely new interior, while sensitively retaining the buildings’ elegant facades, and preserving the important architectural integrity of the neighbourhood.

Wi-Fi and a local artisanal breakfast will be included in the room rate, along with a property-specific gift to welcome guests on arrival, helping ensure they get off to a positive stay in Reykjavik. As with all Canopy by Hilton hotels, Canopy Reykjavik | City Centre will be inspired and influenced by its local surroundings. Occupying an entire block of the prestigious Hverfisgata St, the hotel will provide guests with an opportunity to explore the city on foot.

The hotel will be operated by Icelandair Hotels, a subsidiary of Icelandair Group and a long term partner of Hilton Worldwide, having operated Hilton Reykjavik Nordica since it opened in 2007.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® has announced the launch of its game-changing Aloft brand in Buffalo, New York. The opening of Aloft Buffalo Airport also marks Starwood’s début in Buffalo and increases the company’s portfolio to six hotels in the greater Niagara region. Owned by Manga Hotels, the Aloft features 153 spacious, loft-like rooms, cutting-edge design and an energetic, social atmosphere – all at an affordable price point. Ideally located just ten minutes from the entrance of Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), the hotel is less than 15 minutes from restaurants, night clubs, art galleries and theatres in downtown Buffalo, and 30 minutes from Niagara Falls – one of world’s leading tourist attractions. Also nearby are the shops and restaurants at the Western Galleria Mall, Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo Museum of Science and First Niagara Centre.

The bright and airy guestrooms at Aloft Buffalo Airport feature the ultra-comfortable signature Aloft bed, Bliss® Bath amenities, a 42-inch LCD television and a plug & play station for electronics. In addition to the brand’s signature W XYZ bar, hotel amenities include Re:fuel by Aloft – a one-stop, grab-and-go food and beverage area, an indoor Splash pool, 24-hour fitness centre, 600 square feet of flexible meeting space, complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle and fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of the Holiday Inn Resort®Jekyll Island hotel. The resort recently underwent a $22 million transformation funded by the ownership. The Holiday Inn Resort® brand portfolio, currently at 42 properties worldwide, experienced growth in the U.S. with both the opening of the Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach hotel and the signing of the Holiday Inn Resort-Pagosa Springs hotel in 2014.The three story property will have 157 guest rooms, including 21 suites. Guests can take advantage of complimentary Internet access, a quarter mile of private beach, a poolside lounge and access to numerous outdoor land- and sea-based activities including bike rentals, beach chair and umbrella rentals, paddle boarding and skim boarding. For families travelling with kids, the hotel offers a Kid’s Club with daily activities, and in the winter months, guests can enjoy the Snowbird Activities Program.

Located on scenic Jekyll Island, guests can enjoy local attractions including the Summer Waves Water Park, Jekyll Island Golf Course and the Georgia Sea Turtle Centre. Additionally, travellers can dine at various on-site restaurants including the poolside Rusty Anchor Bar and Grille, NorthShore Coffee & Cocktails and, opening late summer 2015, Beach House, the hotel’s signature restaurant that serves locally sourced seafood and coastal fare.

The Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island hotel is owned by Georgia Coast Holdings, LLC, and managed by NorthPointe Hospitality Management, LLC.

Scandic Hotels, the largest hotel operator in the Nordic countries, will open yet another large international hotel in the spring of 2018. The hotel, which will be located in the center of Copenhagen’s “meatpacking district” – Kødbyen – will be designed with the history and urban character of the area in mind and will provide a vibrant meeting place for both guests and Copenhageners alike.With 370 rooms planned, the new large hotel in Kødbyen will be a welcome addition to Copenhagen’s hotel market. The hotel will encompass a total of close to 15,500 m2 with 1,900 m2 designated for meeting and restaurant facilities.

The design of the hotel will be characterized by the area’s past industrial history blended with today’s lively atmosphere and pulse. The meeting spaces will also showcase creative solutions and avant-garde design.

– The new hotel in Kødbyen will be a unique international hotel for Copenhageners and guests alike. We intend to highlight the unique history of the area and create a hotel that will be a powerful addition to what is now the city’s most expansive area, says Frank Fiskers, President & CEO of Scandic Hotels.

The property owner of the new hotel in Kødbyen is KLP Ejendomme.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced the opening of its eco-wise Element brand in Doral, Florida, just minutes from downtown Miami. Element Miami Doral joins Aloft Miami Doral as part of a dual-branded Starwood hotel development owned by Eurocon, LLC. The new Element hotel features 139 stylish, light-filled rooms designed to fuel a life in balance and on the move. Element Miami Doral is the brand’s second hotel in the greater Miami area and one of eight new Element hotels slated to open worldwide by the end of 2015. “Element Miami Doral is a compelling new addition to our fast-growing Element portfolio, which is on track to triple within the next 24 months,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “The new Element Miami Doral offers guests a bright, energizing environment that’s conducive to both work and play in close proximity to the city’s world-famous beaches, shopping and nightlife.”

“We are thrilled to open Element Miami Doral in close proximity to the city’s many offerings as well as Miami’s leading attractions and shopping destinations,” said Juan Quiroz, General Manager of the Element Miami Doral on behalf of Eurocon, LLC. “Element Miami Doral offers an entirely fresh perspective on the extended stay experience and caters to travelers who have a passion for clean, sustainable living.”

Element Hotels provide guests with space to live their lives, offering bright, modern design, green-minded sensibilities, and a reimagined extended stay experience – perfect for the traveler who is visiting for a few days or a few weeks. The eco-conscious and pet-friendly hotel offers spacious studios as well as one bedroom suites featuring a fluid design of modular furniture, swiveling flat-screen televisions, large desks with open shelving and custom-designed closets. Rooms will also offer fully equipped kitchens, the signature Heavenly® Bed, and spa-inspired bathrooms with an invigorating rain shower and dual-flush toilet. Guests can fuel their day with the healthy Rise breakfast and wind down with the Relax evening wine reception – both complimentary. Staying on the move is easy with amenities such as complimentary bikes to borrow, a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center and the outdoor pool at the adjacent Aloft hotel. Fast & free WiFi is available throughout the hotel.

Following up as an “encore” to the first Bentley Suite at the St. Regis New York, visionary design firm Wimberly Interiors has unveiled its second Bentley Suite to coincide with the opening of the St. Regis Istanbul. Designed to reflect the balance of high performance and sport within a luxurious envelope, the Bentley Suite Istanbul is inspired by the legendary Bentley Continental GT. The suite incorporates Bentley details and finishes to create the ultimate experience for the luxury audience, and in particular, for connoisseurs of the Bentley brand. According to Liana Hawes Young, Lead Designer and Creative Director at Wimberly Interiors, the design team drew inspiration for the Bentley Suite from the St. Regis Glass House genre, positioning it with the Continental GT model. Both brands are hallmarks of performance and luxury, which translate seamlessly into a super suite. “Within the Bentley family, the Continental customer is an affluent and younger audience who responds to the ‘the luxury of spontaneity’. The vehicle itself has strong curves – sporty and sculpted elements throughout, that play beautifully with the modern architecture of the St. Regis Istanbul property”. In addition to Young, the Wimberly Interiors design team included Noel Cuvin, Creative Director; Marina Pulliam, Senior Designer; and Devon Dickerson, Designer.

Specific design elements begin the moment guests enter the Suite. The highly reflective entry, accented by mirrored ceilings and rich, lacquered walls of dark figured Eucalyptus, create a “jewel box” arrival moment. Many design details evoke the Bentley brand including a special light installation based on the Adenauer Forest section of the Nuremberg Track in Germany, where the Formula One Grand Prix is held, and where Bentley’s are test-driven. The fixture is made of a curved ribbed glass, inspired by the headlamps on the Continental GT. Each individual glass element creates a curve that mimics the curves in the track layout. There are numerous design elements inspired by Bentley details – however, care was taken throughout the design process to avoid overt use of the Bentley logo or specific branding elements. The goal for the design team was to create a beautiful space that some guests may associate with an enduring luxury marque of Bentley, while others will simply enjoy the timeless style and design of a living space that exemplifies the luxuriously modern St. Regis Hotel brand.

GROHE is delighted to announce its partnership with FOSTER, a leading premium Italian sink designer, pairing together two manufacturers dedicated to craftsmanship, quality and innovation, to create a complete solution for your kitchen tap and sink. The partnership fuses German engineering with Italian design, for high quality and stylish tap and sink solutions. GROHE understands that the tap and sink are two of the hardest-worked features of your kitchen and are selected for both functionality and style.

GROHE’s sophisticated 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. FOSTER’s sinks utilise high quality stainless steel and are more durable and deeper than industry standard for long lasting life. Now, GROHE and FOSTER’s partnership will deliver complete tap and sink solutions that offer functionality, luxury design and good looks without compromising on quality.

The partnership will offer a complete solution for your tap and sink with a perfectly matched design to ensure a coordinated look in your kitchen. Choose between flat-edge, under-mount and flush-mount sink designs with beautiful taps to complement. From the Red Dot Design awarded K7 mixer combined with the stunning New Wave sink with its unique waterfall rim, to the Ambi Cosmopolitan paired with the simple and functional Moon, German Technology and Italian Design combine to deliver all of your kitchen tap and sink needs.

RHA Furniture recently completed a project for the new Hilton at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton. RHA Furniture worked closely with Hilton Head Office, and Falconer Chester Hall, from the early stages of the project. Working with key project managers and designers to source furniture, finalise bespoke designs and confirm finish options.

Across all areas of this project, RHA Furniture custom made and supplied over 450 chairs and sofas, 200 tables, and produced some impressive items of bespoke furniture.

The main reception features bespoke high back sofas and chairs, alongside bespoke coffee tables and connectivity consoles all custom made by RHA Furniture.

RHA Furniture custom made an impressive oval work table, featuring an elegantly shaped top with high quality wood laminate top, built-in power & data points, cable management and adjustable glides.

Contact RHA Furniture for more information or to discuss custom made furniture for a project you are currently working on.

BMT Asia Pacific (BMT) has unveiled a coastal living concept that offers more than style and luxury: it promises hotel developers a flexible, readily deployable offering that provides an enthralling experience; able to be presented to discerning holidaymakers around the world.Entitled SeaScape, this concept of floating villas features clean lines and open air spaces, housed on a stylised triangular pontoon base. Each villa – or module – can exist standalone or as part of a larger integrated complex – modules simply connect together edge-to-edge, producing a number of possible arrangements.

“In the Hotel & Tourism space we know we need to offer not only a unique experience, but also competitive costs and feasible deployment and operation,” notes Richard Colwill, Managing Director of BMT Asia Pacific.

SeaScape is the new modular sister of Sea-Suite, a series of egg-shaped floating villas and beach cabins developed in 2013 by BMT. After noting interest in Sea-Suite from homeowners and developers across oceans, BMT evolved the SeaScape design, in part, to provide the solution to logistical challenges of long-distance shipping and installation at remote sites.

“Our new series of floating villas demonstrates that it is possible to offer exceptional luxury through a simple, yet elegant modular design,” says Mr Colwill.

And luxury it is. A key feature of SeaScape is a superb underwater bedroom. The 4m-diameter cylindrical room formed from high-grade acrylic can be installed within SeaScape, adding a unique resort experience in a market where the truly different is becoming harder and harder to realise.

SeaScape is also functional. Pre-fabricated parts can readily fit into standard shipping containers and allow for simpler and more cost-effective construction.

Leveraging BMT’s experience in naval architecture and offshore engineering, materials have been carefully chosen to ensure high quality fabrication and finish.

Mr Colwill comments: “We are very pleased to be introducing SeaScape to the luxury resort market. This addition to BMT’s Floating Villas portfolio offers even more options and flexibility to our customers to develop an unforgettable holiday experience for their guests.”

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, in collaboration with Ken Corporation and Ken Real Estate Lease, Ltd., have announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Naha, Okinawa—the first hotel under a Hyatt brand on the Japanese island of Okinawa. The hotel is the tenth hotel under a Hyatt brand in Japan, and it is the sixth Hyatt Regency hotel in the country, following Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka.Okinawa-inspired Interiors
The captivating décor at Hyatt Regency Naha, Okinawa celebrates its local culture. Adorning the interiors are soothing colorways highlighted with vibrant hues of red and blue. The hotel features carefully selected pottery and glassware inspired by rich Ryukyu culture, complemented by the convenience and comfort for which the Hyatt Regency brand is known.

Guestrooms with Views of the Naha Skyline
Hyatt Regency Naha, Okinawa is home to 294 guest rooms of eight different types, including 154 Deluxe Twin Rooms (344 square feet / 32 square meters) and nine luxurious Regency Executive Suites （688 square feet / 64 square meters). All guest rooms have been designed for both leisure and business, featuring a 40-inch flat-screen television with satellite programming, complimentary Wi-Fi, a coffee maker and complimentary mineral water. Standard guest rooms offer Pharmacopia natural and organic bath products from the U.S.,; Club Rooms and Suites provide body care products by exclusive, historic Italian brand Acca Kappa.

The generously appointed suites are designed to reflect the calming wind and water of Okinawa. The large, contemporary rooms feature subtle details inspired by traditional Ryukyu culture and come equipped with a spacious shower room, plush beds dressed in 300-threadcount linens and two 55-inch flat-screen TVs.

All Club Rooms and Suites offer access to the exclusive Regency Club lounge. Located on the uppermost 18th floor and featuring an outdoor terrace, guests can gather, work or relax over complimentary breakfast, drinks throughout the day and evening cocktails. Personalized check-in, check-out and evening service is also available.

Restaurants and Bars
Hyatt Regency Naha, Okinawa offers four inspiring restaurants and bars showcasing international cuisine with a focus on locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality.

Sakurazaka is the hotel’s relaxed dining space, serving buffet-style breakfast and lunch with an array of tempting local and international dishes. Guests can enjoy a relaxing meal in the stylish, light-filled setting or dine al fresco on the beautiful outdoor terrace.

Located on the uppermost 18th floor, MILANO | GRILL specializes in creative Italian and grilled cuisine. During dinner, a selection of meat and seafood is prepared in the show kitchen, while traditional trolleys present appetizers and mouthwatering grilled fare, served tableside.

Adjacent to MILANO | GRILL, guests can enjoy a pre-dinner drink at The Bar, complemented by panoramic night views of the Naha skyline. Featuring live piano performances, The Bar is an ideal spot to enjoy fine wines, carefully crafted cocktails and a wide variety of quality spirits. During the day, guests can look out to the Kerama Islands, and at dusk, enjoy a beautiful sunset over the East China Sea.

The glass encased open space on the first floor is The Lounge, offering quality coffees, teas, pastries and light snacks.

Meetings and Events
The Regency (882 square feet / 82 square meters with an 8.8 foot- / 2.7 meter-high ceiling) is a well-designed event space on the second floor, perfect for high-level board meetings, parties and cocktails for up to 50 guests. Equipped with the latest audiovisual capabilities, The Regency can be partitioned into two separate spaces (592 sq ft / 55 sqm and 290 sq ft / 55 sqm), making it ideal for intimate gatherings and parties.

Facilities
On the third floor of Hyatt Regency Naha, Okinawa is the first exclusive hotel fitness centre in Naha. The Fitness Gym is equipped with the latest TechnoGym machines and a personal yoga lesson is available upon request. After a good workout, guests can unwind in the whirlpool or take a dip in the 55-foot / 17-meter outdoor swimming pool. An adjacent shallow pool is perfect for younger guests. As a hotel that puts everything at guests’ fingertips, guests who’ve worked up an appetite will enjoy HY Deli for an assortment of goods, from daily necessities to sweets, cakes and cookies, and alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine.

The splendid Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel has undergone an extensive refurbishment transforming the listed Georgian hotel. The hotel, which is set in 12 acres of sweeping parkland, unveil its new look, following the second phase of its refurbishment, on 1st July, with a special event to launch the new look Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel.

The renovation includes the transformation of the historic hotel’s reception area as well as the redesign of the Lakeside Suite, designed specifically to cater for people looking for a unique wedding or event venue.

The second phase of the refurbishment comes after new beds with a Kayfoam King Koil mattress were implemented across all 72 bedrooms at the stately country hotel at the end of May.

The Lakeside Suite reflects the natural beauty of its surroundings decorated with soft shades of contemporary greys. The elegant lighting and luxurious textures make this stunning new suite the perfect space for dreamy weddings or extra special events, accommodating up to 180 guests. Newlyweds can delight in the wonderful country views and take advantage of the suite’s own private entrance and bar, as the hotel provides an idyllic romantic setting for their special day. There is also a state of the art sound system, fully air-conditioned space and private dining available.

Commenting on the refurbishment and relaunch, hotel General Manager Gavin Jones said: “We are delighted with this investment and were honoured that the Mayor of Gloucester cut the ribbon to officially relaunch the next chapter of the hotel’s story. We are very proud of the hotel’s heritage and the new design concept attributes to this, combining tradition with a contemporary edge.”

Shane Harris, CEO Jupiter Hotels, added: “The investment demonstrates our commitment to the growth and transformation of our portfolio in the UK. Our commitment to these hotels continues as we invest and support the development of key hotels across the UK. ”

Interior designer Helen Hooper of HH Interiors, who has previously worked with Jupiter Hotels on renovation projects across the UK, takes the lead. Helen explained, “We wanted to give the Lakeside Suite a complete refresh and open up the space so we’ve used soft dove greys and muted blues to help elevate this. The artwork is quirky and fresh with butterfly designs and floral used. The ceiling now has interchanging led lights to tailor the mood for any occasion.”

Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel is located just three miles from Gloucester and the elegant house showcases exquisite views of its landscaped gardens.

Originally built as the private hideaway home of an Italian duchess on what is considered the most beautiful beach on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the 29 room, suite and villa Hotel Esencia is located on a private 50 acre estate surrounded by the Mayan jungle. One of the only truly boutique luxury properties in the area, it was converted into a hotel in 2005 and in 2014 began a new journey when award-winning entrepreneur and art collector Kevin Wendle became owner. Since taking over, Wendle has undertaken a major refurbishment programme to enhance the hotel’s facilities, accentuate its natural beauty as well as add a truly one-off collection of art and antiques.

Located just 50 minutes from Cancun and 30 from Tulum, Esencia is full of character, charm and heritage. The Main House is the centerpiece of the hotel around which footpaths lead to the 29 suites and villas. There are also a two restaurants, a new beach bar, two large pools, juice bar and organic spa. Each room and suite boasts a private terrace and seating area with views of either the luxuriant gardens or the Caribbean Sea.

The handpicked collection of art and antiques within the hotel is one of the things that makes Esencia’s décor so unique. With Wendle’s desire to reimagine the property, came an entire collection of furniture designed specially for the hotel which, in addition to hand-woven rugs, bed throws and table tops, pay homage to mid-century Mexican and European art and design. Artwork by celebrated Spanish and Latin American artists decorates the walls including works by Pablo Picasso, Fernando Botero and Eduardo Santiere. There are Pierre Jeanneret chairs in the main sitting room along with lamps by Serge Mouille and Pierre Guariche. Public spaces are subtly filled with a music playlist conceived by Paris-based DJ Michel Gaubert while a new website has launched consisting of Pierre La Tan animations.

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May Highlights
• Happy days for Madrid and Prague hotels
• Challenging month for Berlin and Munich
• RevPAR flatters to deceive in Budapest

Dawnvale are proud to collaborate again with one of Living Ventures’ flagship restaurants and bars.Dawnvale have designed, manufactured and installed the new bar as well as providing all the necessary equipment to meet the ever growing demand of this successful city centre venture.

To discover how Dawnvale can assist with your next venture, please visit our website, here.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., has announced the opening of the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West in Mesa, Arizona. Independently owned by Arizona hotelier Bob Yost, Sheraton Mesa offers 180 rooms, ample meeting facilities and all of the brand’s signature services and amenities. Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West is located just 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix and eight miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Guests will enjoy convenient access to Scottsdale, Tempe and Downtown Phoenix, as well as complimentary airport shuttle transportation. The hotel is located adjacent to Sloan Park, the Chicago Cubs Spring Training facility, and within minutes of shopping, dining and entertainment at the popular Mesa Riverview, anchored by Bass Pro shop and Tempe Marketplace.

The hotel’s stylish and comfortable guest rooms are equipped with an oversized work desk, custom-designed ergonomic chair, high-speed Internet, LCD flat panel television, and the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, designed to meet AAA’s Five Diamond Award® criteria. Sheraton Club guests will enjoy upgraded amenities, as well as complimentary daily breakfast, evening selection of premium beverages and hors d’oeuvres, and space for hosting a gathering with friends or colleagues in the Sheraton Club Lounge.

Sheraton Mesa features 34,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a resort-style experience with two pools, two hot tubs and a cool dip pool, plus a pool bar and grill boasting 20 domestic and local craft beers on tap, and Sheraton’s signature wine program – Sheraton Selects. The hotel’s other dining experiences include an upscale steakhouse, casual sports bar-themed dining, and a full service Starbucks. The fully equipped fitness facility within Sheraton Mesa offers the brand’s health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness, Programmed by EXOS, and the adjacent full service spa offers five treatment rooms for massage, facial and body treatments.

To add a coastal theme to interiors, take a look at Gallery Direct’s new soft furnishings collection.The Land Ahoy cushion is exclusive woven tapestry with a luxury velvet reverse and piping detail. Team this with the Regatta Striped Throw, a soft and stylish throw featuring a coastal striped design and contrast Sherpa reverse for a cosy texture, and the Boardwalk Cushion, a classic yarn dyed textured stripe cushion offered in 4 sophisticated colours.

Other coordinating items are also available. Why not visit their website to see what else they have to offer?

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

Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has announced plans to open and operate a new hotel in the Design District of Dallas, Texas. Expected to open in 2018, the Dallas property will be managed by Virgin Hotels and developed by Dunhill Partners, Vinculum Partners and The Crosland GroupVirgin Hotels CEO, Raul Leal, commented, “We’re ecstatic to be a part of the new fabric of the Dallas Design District, and play a role in continuation of the neighbourhood’s growth. With chic stores, eclectic galleries and upscale restaurants, we expect Virgin Hotels Dallas to move into the neighbourhood seamlessly, as its aesthetic and offerings will attract the growing local creative class and business travellers that will call the Design District home.”

Virgin Hotels Dallas will be located on High Line Dr. and Turtle Creek Blvd., the heart of the Design District, and will feature over 200 Chambers including Grand Chamber Suites. The lifestyle hotel will offer multiple dining and drinking outlets, including the brand’s flagship space, The Commons Club, a rooftop terrace with a pool, gym and spa, plus numerous meeting spaces.

Virgin Hotels Dallas will be a new build located within the 33 acres that Developer Dunhill Partners and its founder, Bill Hutchinson, acquired in 2014. The hotel will be in good company as the district boasts world class furniture showrooms, avant-garde art galleries, museums, antique shops and an influx of buzz-worthy new restaurants and shopping.

“I could not have found a more perfect hotel for the Design District and everything it offers to the City of Dallas than Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels. It will be the heartbeat of the hottest entertainment district and the biggest jewel in our crown,” said Bill Hutchinson, President, Dunhill Partners. 



Tighter planning regulations in central Amsterdam will mean future hotel development will continue to be concentrated outside the city centre where properties in non-­tourist locations face particular challenges attracting guests. Despite this the city’s mix of leisure and business travellers means demand for hotels remains strong, with the sector seeing record growth in overnight stays in 2014 and double-­‐figure growth expected in 2015.

According to a new report on the Amsterdam hotel market by global hotel consultancy HVS, central hotels are performing well and the recent addition of a limited number of hotels is expected to put pressure on existing owners to renovate their properties, thereby raising the quality of the overall offer.

This performance growth has attracted significant interest from investors, demonstrated by an impressive hotel project pipeline. However, tight controls on city centre planning in the city means there have been only five new hotels in the past eight years and only two planned over the next three years.

Other than exceptional scheme perceived to add value to the hotel offer, no further city centre developments are likely to gain permission in the medium term.

“We expect the value of centrally located hotels to continue to increase, although there will also be new interest from investors in emerging locations outside the city centre,” commented report co-­author Nicole Perreten, consulting & valuation analyst with HVS. “However, some observers warn of an over-­supply in out-­of-­town locations, which are not intrinsically attractive to leisure guests.”

One sector showing particular growth in Amsterdam is that of limited service properties, with supply growing by 2%, demand by 7% and RevPAR rising 9% in 2014, compared with the previous year*.

However, this sector faces increasingly tough competition from the expanding number of hostels in the city, with some hostel brands offering better accommodation than traditional budget hotels. International hostel chains are expected to add an estimated 2,600 beds to the market this year, with over 1,000 coming on stream in 2017/8.

“With a robust reputation for attracting corporate, MICE and leisure travellers, Amsterdam has experienced healthy demand growth in recent years, and we see no reason for that to cease, although there are challenges when it comes to new development sites. This will be of benefit to hotels in more central locations in terms of value and demand,” added report co-­‐author Constance Biria.

Average hotel values in Amsterdam rose 8.6% in 2014, reaching €320,000 per room.

Sol Hotels & Resorts has launched its new lifestyle brand, Sol Beach House, with the opening of its Ibiza location in June 2015 for its first summer season.Situated on the beachfront near the beautiful bay of Santa Eulalia on the East Coast of the island, Sol Beach House Ibiza offers a chilled out haven for adults. Renovated this summer, the hotel has 239 rooms and suites each with a spacious terrace and magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Sol Beach House hotels are designed for effortlessly stylish young adults who are looking for a relaxing, intimate and cultural experience. Guest rooms are modern and elegantly decorated with Ibiza-inspired interiors and beach-style rocking chairs, which perfectly complement the laid-back island atmosphere. Each room has been transformed with ensuite bathrooms and all the modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

The hotel has two impressive pools with large terraces, sunbeds and Bali beds, set against the oceanfront. With two restaurants, Sol Shack Chiringuito pool bar and a buffet restaurant, guests can enjoy a delectable mixture of fresh Mediterranean and international cuisines with a local twist.

With its hippie-chic feel, Sol Beach House Ibiza offers guests the chance to ‘brunch in your bikini’ on the oceanfront overlooking the beautiful gardens. The buffet restaurant provides breakfast and dinner, with organic local specialities. The Sol Shack Chiringuito pool bar has a laid-back vibe, making it the perfect hideaway from the midday sun for a poolside lunch or snack. Open daily from 11am – midnight, guests can enjoy a range of tapas and Mediterranean dishes, including Carpaccio of Salt Codfish, Monkfish with Clams and Seasonal Fire Roasted Vegetable and Mushroom Platter. Open 6pm – midnight daily, guests can enjoy cocktails at The Lobby Bar and relax to live music, including acoustic sets, bossa nova beats and Ibiza chill out DJ sessions playing into the night.

To rejuvenate the body and soul, the hotel provides a Zen area. Designed to balance the positive and negative energies within your space, as well as within yourself, it will bring harmony to the senses, as well as tranquillity and wellbeing. The Zen area offers a range of classes and treatments, including Yoga, Pilates and Aquagym, as well as massages. A 24-hour fully equipped gym is also available for visitors looking for a more active holiday.

Relaunched in summer 2015 following a full rebrand, Sol Hotels & Resorts has created four signature concepts for leisure travellers: Sol House, Sol Beach House, Sol Hotels & Sol Katmandu Park & Resort. Earlier this year Meliá Hotels International sold seven of its largest resort hotels in Spain to a controlled affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group for €176 million, whilst retaining the management of the hotels. The partnership has invested approximately €30 million on renovations, to support the transformation of the Sol Hotels brand this summer, including Sol Beach House Ibiza.

Andre Gerondeau, Executive Vice President at Meliá Hotels International, said: “Sol Beach House is one of our new hotel concepts for adults following the complete relaunch of the Sol Hotels & Resorts brand this summer. The hotels are all in prime beachside locations, and Sol Beach House Ibiza is no exception with its spectacular oceanfront views overlooking Santa Eulalia Bay. The hotels are ideal for adults looking for a more relaxed and laid back holiday, which is modern with vintage touches. Sol Beach House allows guests to go with the flow, with no plans or schedules, and gives them the freedom to tailor their holiday, whether they are looking for a more chilled or active break.”

May Highlights
• West Midlands hotel market continues to shine
• RevPAR up but profits down in Brighton hotels…
• …Whereas profits stagnate in Nottingham

Forbes Group has added Monarque (here in Peridot colour) to the selection of fabrics in which its dining table covers, skirting and table runners can be supplied.The fabric, like all the materials in their range, is made from machine-washable polyester. Monarque’s textured weave works particularly well as a contrast to the minimalism of modern architectural interiors.

Table coverings, whether skirtings for buffets and coffee stations, restaurant skirtings for dining tables, or conference cloths for meeting rooms, can be one of the most painless ways of freshening up a venue. With no down-time for decorators, or the dreaded dust, it’s a breeze.

And whatever the atmosphere, Forbes will, from its 180 colour range, have something to suit. All of its table covers are made to measure and offer quick and effective way to dress restaurant tables.

For further information please contact us on 01568 616 638 or email your enquiry to info@forbesgroup.eu

The Mayor of London celebrated the success of British Hospitality in his speech at The Hospitality & Tourism Summit as London reclaimed the no.1 spot as the most visited city in the world. For the second year running, The BHA had partnered with ITN Productions to produce the annual news-style programme capturing the latest trends, issues, best practices and insights in the hospitality sector, which was premiered at The Summit.

Boris Johnson was interviewed by ITN Productions at The BHA Summit during which he claimed that despite uncertain times, it ‘wouldn’t make a bean of difference’ to the hospitality and tourism sector if the UK left the EU. He recognised the hospitality and tourism sector ‘as a massive income generator for this country’ that creates ‘great jobs’.

Meanwhile Nick Varney, CEO of Merlin Entertainment and Chair of the BHA at The BHA Summit on 30th June, claimed that the hospitality and tourism sector is not valued by the government. ‘We’ve got to bring to government at the highest level, by which I mean the Prime Minister and Chancellor, the obvious fact that this industry employs 3 million people.’

He called on the government for help to make UK tourism more competitive as the Euro weakens. Dermot King, newly announced Chairman of the Cut Tourism VAT campaign along with Ufi Ibrahim, Chief Executive of the BHA supported this by calling for more to be done in terms of cuts to VAT, in her opening remarks at the Summit, to level the playing field with other European countries. In the UK 20% is added in VAT compared to 10% in France. As hospitality is the 4th largest industry in the UK and 6th largest export industry, Varney said we need to ‘to build a strong domestic product’ which ‘provides opportunity, great training and great career development.’

The Department for Work and Pensions is collaborating with the British Hospitality Association to launch a new employment engagement scheme called ‘Hospitality Works’. Martin Brown, director of Work Services for Wales & Employers from the Department for Work and Pensions spoke to ITN Productions about the campaign which will be led by the BHA January 2016. He explained how ‘Hospitality Works’ will seek engagement of all jobcentres across UK in promoting hospitality as a career choice, and dispelling the myth that hospitality is just a summer job. Tracey Crouch, Minister for Tourism, was keen express the importance of hospitality and tourism and said that the government and industry need ‘to act in a collaborative way to ensure we can support each other for a strong future.’

ITN Productions filmed all of these interviews at the BHA Summit and produced the ‘Heart of Hospitality and Tourism’ programme. You can watch the interviews from the summit HERE.

Presented by Natasha Kaplinsky, the programme ‘The Heart of Hospitality and Tourism’, looks at the value of the hospitality industry in the UK. Highlights include the ministerial interviews filmed at the BHA Summit along with key leading figures within the industry. The programme also features sponsored editorial profiles on Brend Hotels, Onecall Hospitality, Johnson’s Apparel Master, Ecolab, Wedding dates, Gather & Gather, Las Iguanas, Thai Leisure Group, GLH Hotels, Zapper and Orderella to see what businesses are doing to innovate for the future. You can watch the full programme HERE

If you would like more information on ‘The Heart of Hospitality and Tourism’ or how you can be involved in next years’ programme please contact Simon Shelley, Head of Industry News at Simon.Shelley@ITN.co.uk

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced plans to début in South Australia with the signing of Aloft Adelaide in the state capital. Owned by local developer, Sturt Land Pty Ltd, a joint venture between local construction group Tagara and Melbourne-based developer Colvid, the signing of Aloft Adelaide marks the Aloft brand’s, a vision of W Hotels, third property to enter the Australian market. Slated to open in early 2018, the new-build hotel will form the centrepiece of New Mayfield, a mixed-use development set to reinvigorate inner-city Adelaide. Located just 20 minutes away from Adelaide Airport at 43-69 Sturt Street, on the corner of Norman Street, Aloft Adelaide will feature 200 loft-like guestrooms. The hotel will also feature an indoor glass bottom rooftop pool, 24-hour fitness centre with a rooftop running track, and 500 square metres of flexible meeting space. Ideal for both large, business and intimate gatherings, the meeting space is complimented by a striking rooftop bar and lounge overlooking the city, underneath the cantilevered glass bottom pool. The Aloft brand’s signature W XYZSM bar will provide a buzzing, social spot for guests to sip on a cocktail while enjoying the hottest, up-and-coming music acts as part of the brand’s signature, ongoing music program, Live at Aloft Hotels. Alternative dining options include Re:fuel— a grab & go option— and a signature restaurant space.

Designed by architecture firm Woods Bagot and local landscape architects Oxigen, Aloft Adelaide will introduce a new age of design to Adelaide’s emerging hotel scene. The hotel will open as part of phase two of the New Mayfield development, that features an exciting mix of sustainably designed residential, retail and dining spaces, cycle-ways and an integrated village square with public art installations and water features.

“The New Mayfield project will form a vibrant, social space in the heart of Adelaide creating an ideal platform to showcase Starwood’s design-led Aloft brand. With an overall injection of AUD$300 million, this development is going to take urban design and living to new levels and Aloft Adelaide will be the jewel in the crown,” said David Bertram, Director of Sturt Land Pty Ltd.

He continues, “Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Sturt Land Pty Ltd share the same vision, to create a modern urban-influenced design which entices locals and visitors seeking a buzzing social scene in an unbeatable city location. We look forward to working with Starwood to make this a reality.”

The signing of Aloft Adelaide follows the recent announcement of the Aloft Sydney Pitt Street, slated to open in October 2016, and last year’s announcement of the Aloft Perth Rivervale, set to open early 2017. The Australian Aloft properties will add to the global growth and buzz for the leading-edge brand, with over 100 hotels worldwide since launching in 2008.

“Demand for Aloft is rapidly accelerating and the brand continues to aggressively expand as we near 100 hotels worldwide,” said Andrew Taylor, Director Acquisitions and Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Pacific. “We are experiencing growing interest from investors and developers in the Australian market, who are attracted to the brand’s DNA, which fills a void in the hospitality sector. No other brand caters to the evolving global traveller like the Aloft brand, with its distinct design, buzzing social scene and innovative, tech-forward offerings. We’re excited by its potential here in Australia.”

Meliá Hotels International has continued to grow its presence in China with the announcement of a new hotel in Shanghai; bringing the total number of properties in China to eight. The new Meliá Shanghai Hongqiao is part of the Lidoway project, developed by Golden United Group, which will become a major urban complex in Hongqiao featuring a wide range of commercial and entertainment facilities, dining outlets, alfresco areas and high-end residential villas.

Meliá Shanghai Hongqiao, scheduled to open in July 2016, will have 190 rooms, meeting rooms, two F&B outlets, as well as an executive lounge.

Hongqiao is expected to become the new centre of west Shanghai and the business hub for the Yangze River Delta region, with the area’s integration with the Hongqiao Transportation Hub (Airport & Railway). The hotel will be very close to the new National Convention and Exhibition Center (formerly the China Expo Exhibition Center), one of the world’s largest exhibition complexes, with a total floor space of 1.47 million square metres and capacity to accommodate up to 300,000 people per day.

As a key destination, the Hongqiao Airport handled 37,960,200 passengers in 2014 and grew by 21.3% in 2010, making it the fourth busiest airport in mainland China and the 21st busiest in the world. Hongqiao Railway station is also the largest railway station in Asia, with a total area of 1.3 million square metres.

The Asia – Pacific region has become one of the main strategic growth areas for Meliá Hotels International. The company highlighted its commitment to this region by opening a corporate hub in Shanghai in 2011, boosting awareness and improving the scope of partnerships with Chinese companies. Meliá Hotels International will continue to increase its presence in the China and Asia-pacific region following the launch of its first hotel in Shanghai.

The Viva Zafiro Alcudia & SPA opened its doors in June and sits in an unrivalled location, just 300m from the crystal-clear waters of Alcudia Bay and a few minutes from Alcanada’s world-class golf course. The Viva Zafiro Alcudia & SPA has 369 junior suites and suites, five restaurants, three bars, 10 swimming pools – including one indoors – aqua gym, gymnasium, spa and wellness centre, solarium, extensive gardens, and myriad sports facilities, both inside and out, with other sports available locally. And, close by, are the pleasant pedestrianised streets of Puerto de Alcudia, one of the oldest towns in Mallorca, where there is a wide selection of restaurants, bars and shops.

Alcanada’s 7,108-yard, Trent Jones Jr-designed golf course has won a steady stream of awards since opening 12 years ago. It was recently voted runner-up in the ‘favourite course in Europe’ category of leading German magazine Golf Journal’s annual Golf Travel Awards, for the second successive year, having previously attained the number-one spot for an unprecedented five years in a row.

Alcanada sits in a breathtaking location overlooking the Bay of Alcudia. Adjacent to the Mediterranean – the only course next the sea on the island – Alcanada, which opened in October 2003, blends naturally into the typical Mallorcan terrain and takes its name from an island with a lighthouse, situated just offshore, which can be seen from most of the holes.

Motel One, the budget design hotel chain, is showing no signs of slowing down with the announcement of their 2015 Q1 figures highlighting its impressive growth in the European Hospitality market. With new openings, an 11% increase in operating profit and accolades for employee happiness, the start of 2015 has been very positive for Motel One.Key highlights for Q1 2015;
• Winner of FOCUS Magazine “Best Employer” award
• New Motel One openings in London, Prague and Magdeburg, adding 582 to the hotel portfolio
• Sale of 9 first generation hotels
• 16% increase in overall capacity, reaching 12,664 rooms
• Revenue rises by 26% to 64 million Euros
• EBITDA rises to 16 million Euros
• Equity rises above 300 million Euros

2015 is gearing up to be yet another great year for Motel One with further expansions into the important UK hospitality market with the opening of Motel One Manchester-Piccadilly. The sale of 9 first generation hotels in peripheral locations represents the continuing investment in the Motel One brand, which has developed to focus on stylish city centre locations.

Aside from the financial figures, Motel One has added a new title to its growing list of awards by winning the “Best Employer” award within the SME category “Catering, Accommodation, Entertainment, Fitness and Tourism”. A poll taken by 70,000 German employees voting on development opportunities, salaries, the working environment and working hours recognised Motel One for its development and investment in all employees.

The Future for Motel One;
Aiming to increase their international presence means a further 20 hotels (6,531 rooms) are in the pipeline across Europe with the UK remaining a key market for investment. Eagerly awaited openings in Manchester, Amsterdam and Vienna before the end of 2015 are followed by exciting planned market launches in Spain and Switzerland.

ReardonSmith acted as Lead Design Consultant and Architect with responsibility for coordinating the refurbishment and remodelling of The Lanesborough. Working in close collaboration with the interior designers, Alberto Pinto agency, as well as with the specialist craftsmen and engineering consultants, ReardonSmith implemented the new design of the public areas and guestrooms so as to seamlessly integrate the operational and servicing requirements with the design and thus to facilitate the realisation of Alberto Pinto’s vision. ReardonSmith led the design in the refurbishment of back-of-house areas and the external envelope, including the specification of new thermally efficient roofs to enhance the environmental credentials of the building.The Lanesborough is recognised as a building of special architectural and historic interest and has a Grade ll* listed status. ReardonSmith was responsible for negotiating all planning and listed building consents and for maintaining close dialogue with English heritage and Westminster Conservation officers to ensure that the national asset was protected and enhanced.

Brief to the Architects
The objective was to re-affirm the position of The Lanesborough as London’s finest luxury hotel with a refurbishment of all public and guest areas as well as back-of-house.

Brief Development
The design team reviewed the hotel room-by-room and developed the brief in conjunction with the hotel operating team in order to prepare a detailed plan of what should be retained, rebuilt, restored, refurbished or replaced so as to meet the client’s aspiration. In an exercise involving complex coordination, issues of interior design, operational planning and service infrastructure were developed all in conjunction with one another so as to ensure the optimum guest experience.

Public Areas
The existing layout has remained largely untouched. However, minor changes were made to support the operational requirements of the hotel. These included the introduction of a pantry adjacent to the Withdrawing Room principally to serve afternoon tea, the reconfiguration of the business centre and store rooms to create a boardroom, the relocation of the concierge desk and a new cloakroom within the entrance lobby. Adjustments were also made to the back-of-house areas to more efficiently utilise the space and achieve an attractive and comfortable staff dining room.

The brief for the interiors was to align them with the Georgian origins of the building, adding modern and historical twists to provide an appropriately unique layering of styles, reflecting the graceful maturing nature of a functioning historic building. Elaborate decorative finishes, both new and restored, are skilfully integrated with modern energy-efficient LED lighting, A/C and technology systems.

The ceilings has been replaced throughout the public areas with highly decorative fibrous plaster, each room receiving its own unique design, crafted and refined to the satisfaction of Alberto Pinto. Central to ReardonSmith’s plan was the absolute concealment of all A/C grills and access panels, either hidden within the all-new wall and ceiling mouldings or behind resin panels designed to perfectly replicate the mouldings.

The Portuguese marble to the entrance lobby has been refurbished and, with rigorous attention to matching, extended throughout the public circulation areas. The stone panels on the walls have been revived and mirrors are now inset into the arched niches; elsewhere, new faux stone perfectly replicates the genuine stone walls. Throughout, what was previously dark mahogany panelling has been stripped back to reveal a warm, mid-toned timber, further refined in the Library Bar with the introduction of exquisite decorative panels which were hand-painted in Italy. The Royal Entrance has been transformed with trompe l’oeil painted walls and ceilings to create the appearance of fabric gathered to form an elaborate tented structure. Delicate marquetry panelling has been introduced to line the walls of the St. Georges Room. The Belgravia Room has been remodelled, opening it up into a single grand function room with antiqued Venetian fluted mirrored pilasters and hand-engraved mirrored crystal window pelmets displaying at their centre a crest which pays homage to the name of the room. Everywhere, the extraordinary vision of Alberto Pinto realised through the work of ReardonSmith and other members of the project team, is placing the Lanesborough interiors in a class of their own.

Apsleys restaurant has also been fully refitted to reflect the Georgian-inspired design brief with new hand-modelled frieze panels to match the new fibrous plaster ceilings. At the entrance to the restaurant, bespoke wine stores have been created to store the hotel’s large collection of fine wines.

The two original staircases have been retained and restored.

Guest Floors
A meticulous survey of the 94 guestrooms identified 12 broad groups of bedrooms in terms of size and distinguishing features, although the reality of the various configurations within each group meant that no room was exactly the same as another. There are now four guestroom design types and an increased number of inter-connecting rooms enabling large family groups to stay together. Each marble block for the new all-marble bathrooms was individually chosen and it was ReardonSmith’s task to ensure that each slab was set out for perfect book-matching. The Lanesborough Suite on the first floor has been retained and the Royal Suite on the second floor has been extended and refurbished to elevate it to be once again the pre-eminent suite within the hotel, complete with separate purlieus for husband and wife, each with a magnificent bedroom and bathroom. The suite can be opened up into adjoining rooms achieving a 250 sq metre residence that extends along the total length of the façade and comprises four living rooms and seven bedrooms and bathrooms. Both suites overlook Hyde Park Corner.

The absolute insistence on concealing the ‘behind-the-scenes’ from guests continues across the bedroom floors. The access panel in the bathrooms, for example, has been skilfully hidden behind the book-matched marble clad door on which the heated towel rail is mounted.

Guest floor corridor ceilings were all replaced to permit an entirely new services infrastructure for the rooms.

“We were very conscious of The Lanesborough’s exceptional pedigree and worldwide reputation in every decision we took and each line that we drew. The implementation on-site of Alberto Pinto’s exquisite new interior design has truly been of the highest quality and the synergy of traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering has ensured that the hotel’s unique place amongst London’s luxury hotels is assured for years to come.” Conrad Smith, Managing Director, ReardonSmith Architects.

Vaughan lights have been used throughout the hotel in both bedrooms and common parts. The ranges include: Totnes Bathroom Tube Swing Arm, Globular Sang de Boeuf Vase, French Glass Lamp and our Red & Blue Imari Vase.

Following a £20m complete top to toe refurbishment The Bellhouse Hotel will officially open its doors as the Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross Hotel this Autumn 2015.Having been inaugurated into the Crowne Plaza portfolio the hotel promises to deliver the quality and trusted service synonymous with the Crowne Plaza brand but with a very distinct identity.

Described as “a celebration of both town & country” the 138-bedroomed four-star hotel, spa and events centre is set at the base of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty and is just 17mins from the centre of London providing the ideal weekend retreat for city dwellers seeking an escape, or business trip base.

The Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross will boast an impressive list of individual parts adding up to one unforgettable experience.

In-keeping with the hotel’s rich automotive history, BMW Group company Designworks have been commissioned to create the concept behind the meeting and events space; a first for a branded hotel. Providing the perfect venue for weddings, conferences or events, this 6500sqm ‘styled with substance’ space will feature two large conference and banqueting spaces seating up to 350 and 260 persons respectively, 6 meeting rooms, Creative Attic, breakout bar and landscaped garden.

1269; the year the neighbouring town of Beaconsfield was first given a charter allowing an annual market for trading livestock, will also provide the name and inspiration for the hotel’s destination bar and restaurant. 1269 Restaurant & Bar will specialise in livestock, game and butcher-style preparation. Designed by SuperFutures, the team behind Chotto Matte and Barrafina, the statement pieces of the restaurant will be a freshly hung meat display, a Whisky vault and a bourbon focused drinks menu to rival any London bar.

Wave Spa and Wellness Centre offers a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat with 15m pool, sauna, steam room and 5 treatment rooms including a Rasul™ Mud Therapy room. Re-energise and cleanse from the inside out at Wave Juice Bar where the menu is based on the philosophy of healthy, nutritious and balanced tastes offering the “best of what nature has”. Choose from the finest hand-crafted organic juices, freshly made immune boosting shots and energy rich food.

The 138 bedrooms are spacious with contemporary furnishings and luxury touches such as complimentary mini bars, Espa toiletries and LED Smart TVs. The décor contrasts bright blocks of uplifting orange, with warm walnut wood, crisp, white inviting bed linen and classic, stylish textured herringbone throws.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Makkah in the holy city of Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) under a management agreement with Jabal Omar Development Company. The opening of Hyatt Regency Makkah marks the first hotel under a Hyatt brand to open in Makkah and the first Hyatt Regency-branded hotel to open in the KSA. A second Hyatt Regency hotel, Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, is expected to open in 2016.Connecting travellers to who and what matters most, Hyatt Regency Makkah is located in the heart of the city. It is a one-minute walk to the holiest shrine of Islam – Al Masjid Al Haram or the Sacred Mosque – and close to several religious sites such as Mount Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina. Pilgrims visit these sites each year for Hajj, the largest pilgrimage in the world, and during the month of Ramadan.

Hyatt Regency Makkah is part of a mixed-use development built up of more than 2 million square meters (21,527,820 square feet). The hotel offers 656 guestrooms – including 26 suites spanning 19 floors that range in size from 38 to 190 square meters (409 to 2045 square feet) with a Royal Suite on the 18th floor that overlooks Al Masjid Al Haram. All rooms offer rich textures, designer décor and fine contemporary furnishings, as well as the latest services and facilities. Each guestroom has been thoughtfully designed for the fulfilment of religious duties. Panoramic views of the city are enhanced by natural lighting, which permeates the hotel.

Regency Club
Guests looking for exclusivity and an array of additional amenities will enjoy the Hyatt Regency brand’s ‘hotel within a hotel’ concept – the Regency Club™ All club rooms are secluded on the 15th to 19th floors of the hotel. The Regency Club lounge offers exclusive services for guests, including complimentary meeting rooms, continental breakfast, afternoon tea and evening beverages with hors d’oeuvres.

Restaurants & Lounges
Hyatt Regency Makkah features a wide range of culinary experiences worth sharing that meet guests’ diverse needs and preferences. The hotel offers The Oasis, an all-day dining restaurant; Al Forno, an Italian restaurant; Tea Lounge, the lobby lounge; and Al Tekkeya; a grab-and-go market offering guests quick and high quality meals. For added flexibility and convenience, the hotel also provides 24-hour in-room dining service.

The Luxury Collection® has recently announced, in coordination with its owner partners, a $300 million effort to expand and improve its hotel portfolio in North America. Marquee Conversions Drive Expansion in North America
With an uptick in U.S. luxury travel, The Luxury Collection is using conversion opportunities to expand its portfolio in North America. Most recently, the brand welcomed Sunset Key, a private island with 40 luxury cottages nestled off the coast of Key West, in addition to signing Conrad Chicago, which is slated to join The Luxury Collection with a new name following its renovation this fall.

Later this year, The St. Anthony, Texas’s crown jewel in San Antonio, will officially reemerge after a multi-million dollar restoration that reflects the hotel’s enduring legacy while infusing a modern allure. In December, the legendary Cal Neva resort, situated on Lake Tahoe, will debut as part of The Luxury Collection after a complete renovation that will bring the glamour of the Rat Pack era back to the hotel. The brand will also make its long-awaited arrival in Napa Valley’s idyllic St. Helena in January 2016 with the opening of Las Alcobas, following a multi-million dollar transformation that will restore the historic Acacia House and add several contemporary multi-room cottages overlooking the vineyards.

Landmark Renovations Reimagine Legendary Hotels
As The Luxury Collection expands, the brand is also focused on restoring its existing hotels in North America. The Royal Hawaiian, known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific, recently unveiled its enhanced Mailani Beach Tower, offering a private haven in the epicentre of Waikiki Beach. Later this summer, Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis will conclude a comprehensive renovation of the hotel, including a new restaurant concept; and in September, San Francisco’s iconic Palace Hotel will reveal a striking, all-encompassing restoration, featuring redesigned guestrooms, suites, and public spaces as well as a renewed Garden Court. Early 2016, The Liberty, one of Boston’s most celebrated landmarks, will début all new designs for its 298 guestrooms. Rounding out the renovations, The Phoenician, The Luxury Collection’s renowned resort located at the base of Camelback Mountain, will unveil a complete redesign next year of all its guestrooms and public spaces.

The investment in The Luxury Collection’s portfolio in North America follows a successful $500 million restoration program to breathe new life into some of brand’s most iconic European hotels. Over the past three years, hotels including the Gritti Palace in Venice, Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville, Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastian, Prince de Galles in Paris and Hotel Imperial in Vienna, were brought back to their original splendour.

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Meliá Hotels International has added an additional property to its Asia Pacific parties, which sees the leading Spanish hotel group expand to 24 hotels and more than 6,000 rooms in the region. The Company’s entry into Myanmar, with the signing of Meliá Yangon, will further increase the Group’s presence in South East Asia. The new-build hotel will be situated in a prime location in downtown Yangon next to Inya Lake, with quick and easy access to Yangon International Airport and high speed connections to the capital’s city centre. Meliá Yangon will feature 400 bed rooms, including its signature The Level rooms, an YHI spa, a variety of restaurants and a wide range of meeting facilities. The project will be developed by Hoang Anh Gia Lai Myanmar (HAGL), the leading real estate company in Vietnam. The hotel will be part of a mixed-use complex including office buildings, apartments and a commercial centre.

Bernardo Cabot, Vice President Asia Pacific at Melia Hotels International, stated; “Meliá Yangon represents a new milestone for our committed growth in Asia Pacific and we are eager to bring our most internationally recognised brand, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, to Myanmar thanks to the confidence and support of our partner Hoang Anh Gia Lai Myanmar. This hotel will boost our brand awareness within the region, whilst providing the platform in which to expand to other locations within the country.”

Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, still remains the country’s largest city and main economic hub. Since 2011, the country has been through a period of political, economic and social reform, including a tourism development plan aimed at improving competitiveness. In 2014, Myanmar recorded its highest ever number of tourists, with more than 3 million people visiting from mostly Asian countries including Thailand, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Airlines have also expanded routes to both domestic and international destinations, leading to an increased flow of tourists and, in turn, the growth of the hotel market. The developing hotel industry has seen double-digit growth in RevPAR since the start of economic liberalisation measures in 2011, which has brought with it higher foreign investment.

Only YOU Hotel & Lounge Madrid, part of Palladium Hotel Group’s urban brand Ayre Hoteles, has begun work to expand into the adjoining building at N° 19 Calle Barquillo, adding more rooms and a wider F&B offering to the hotel that launched in September 2013. The work is set to be complete by the end of September 2015.Barcelona-based interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán will return to the hotel to continue the distinctive colonial Mediterranean character and style into the extension, which will add a further 55 new rooms and suites to the existing 70 rooms. When completed, Only YOU Hotel & Lounge Madrid will have a total of 125 rooms, including ten suites, and all guests will continue to enjoy a 24-hour stay with no pre-established check-in and check-out times. A multi-purpose outdoor terrace will also be added to the top floor of the new building, allowing for a more diversified programme of events, which has helped to establish Only YOU Hotel & Lounge as a destination in itself for locals and tourists alike.

The lounge at the heart of the property will remain one of the hotel’s highlights, having earned a reputation through its unusual concepts such as breakfast at any time of day, its outstanding contemporary brunch and ‘after-work’ parties made famous by the lounge’s dynamic cocktail menu and relaxed atmosphere. The YOUnique restaurant, offering a laid-back culinary concept based on Madrid’s most traditional recipes, will see two new dining areas, one that can be turned into a meeting room, and a cocktail bar. A new outdoor patio will provide additional access to the adjacent street, Calle Augusto Figueroa.

The hotel will also add a new gluten-free bakery from the signature brand Celicioso, so that the culinary experience is not compromised for those with special food requirements.

Since Only YOU Hotel & Lounge opened in 2013, it has become one of the trendiest places to stay in the Spanish capital, while the buzzing lounge is a popular meeting place for celebrities, Madrileños and city visitors. The contemporary décor of internationally-recognised interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, which will continue into the extension, earned the hotel several accolades in its first year of operation, including a Fodor’s 100 Hotel Award under the Boutique Chic category, and inclusion on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2014 Hot List of the best trendy hotels in the world.

Although the renovations will be carried out in the public areas of the hotel, there will be minimal disruption to guests and the true essence of Only YOU will be retained throughout the transformation period as the hotel expands into N° 19 Calle Barquillo. The extended hotel is set to be fully open by the end of September 2015. The developments at Only YOU will undoubtedly affirm its status as a trendsetter hotel, while the laid-back lounge will remain a key player on Madrid’s gastronomic and social scene.

In May 2015, Butlins launched 117 brand new ‘retro chalets’ at its seaside resort in Minehead – and bespoke furniture from Curtis Furniture & Doors features throughout.Inspired by Sir Billy Butlin’s original 1930s chalets, the new high-end chalets were designed to bring the family together in a sociable, well-planned space. They were developed in consultation with Mumsnet, after a survey of more than 1,000 mums.

Curtis worked with Fusion by Design, a leading interior design company to the leisure industry, to create bespoke furniture for the bedrooms and open-plan living areas – and vanity units for the bathrooms. We supported them in value engineering the furniture – to ensure their design intent was delivered in full, within a tightly-controlled budget.

The bedrooms
The bedrooms feature open wardrobes with vibrant coloured shelving in a durable MFC finish. The wood-panelled headboards in a vibrant green, contract paint finish are equally durable – and provide a striking focal point.

Living area
The open plan living area is designed with family time in mind. Curtis supplied bespoke corner sofas, sofas, chairs and stools – along with TV units, dining tables and chairs and coffee tables. The colourful seaside theme runs successfully through every item of furniture.

All pieces were developed in tough, durable materials to suit the heavy contract environment – and stain resistant contract fabrics were a prerequisite for the upholstery.

Quote from Gareth Brett, Curtis’ Sales Director
“As a UK manufacturer we were delighted to have opportunity to work with an iconic UK brand such as Butlins. It makes me very proud that everyone involved was thrilled with the quality of furniture we supplied.”

Visit the case study on Curtis’ website for more images from the project.

www.curtisfurniture.co.uk
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linkedin.com/company/curtis-furniture

All images (c) Fusion by Design

DoubleTree by Hilton has recently announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton London Docklands Riverside on the banks of the River Thames, following an extensive refurbishment and reflagging.The immaculate hotel offers 378 guest rooms with views across London’s iconic River Thames to Canary Wharf, a key business, shopping and entertainment precinct. It is the only hotel in London with its own pier – taking full advantage of its waterfront location – and offers stylish, modern accommodation, restaurants, bars and event venues. The hotel’s contemporary architecture and design draws inspiration from the site’s heritage as the distinguished Rotherhithe shipping dock – beautifully mixing modern comforts with the site’s historical maritime charm.

The hotel provides a crossriver shuttle ferry to the Canary Wharf Pier, where guests can easily access the Canary Wharf business and shopping district as well as London’s famous attractions downstream via Thames Clippers including the Tower of London, London Eye and Palaces of Westminster. Much of the site’s history has been preserved, including the former shipping docks, and the DoubleTree by Hilton London Docklands Riverside offers the only dry dock in London, perfect for a celebration under the stars.

Guests can enjoy contemporary dining experiences at the hotel’s restaurant Columbia, overlooking the Thames and Canary Wharf, private dining, intimate special events in the Snug as well as drinks and the outdoor kitchen along the Terrace. The hotel also caters for river cruises, offering bespoke menus for private boat hire events for between 12 to 48 people guests direct from the hotel pier.

Hilton Worldwide has reached an agreement to introduce its upscale Hilton Garden Inn brand to Spreitenbach, a growing commercial zone located within the greater Zurich area. The new build hotel is expected to welcome its first guests in 2016 and joins Hilton Zurich Airport, which has been trading for more than 40 years.Hilton Worldwide has signed a franchise agreement with HRMP AG, which will manage the hotel on behalf of real estate owners Immo Invest Partners AG, the company responsible for the Kreuzäcker Master Plan. The project was agreed on 29th May, at a singing event attended by HRMP AG, Hilton Worldwide, and ImmoInvest. Hilton Garden Inn Zurich Limmattal will include 120 guest rooms, underground parking, a round-the-clock fitness centre, restaurant and bar. Business guests can take advantage of flexible meetings and board room space. Hilton Garden Inn is well loved by guests around the globe for its upscale amenities, which enable guests to work in comfort, stay fit and relax during their stay.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, “With more than one Hilton Garden Inn hotel due to open every month in Europe, Middle East and Africa this year, our mid-market brand is growing rapidly across the region. Mixed-use developments such as this, which combine commercial, retail, residential and hotel accommodation support growing business hubs and we’re looking forward to contributing to Spreitenbach’s growth as an important commercial destination.”

Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn, said: “Hilton Garden Inn has an existing presence in Switzerland with our Davos hotel – and this latest agreement paves the way for further growth. Hilton Garden Inn is a perfect match for the compelling corporate demand from the many businesses located in Spreitenbach. The hotel’s upscale business and leisure amenities, with productive meeting spaces and relaxing public areas, are designed with our guest experience at the forefront and we look forward to opening our doors in 2016.”

Hilton Garden Inn Zurich Limmattal will be located less than 20 kilometers from Zurich’s exhibition centre, and within 25 kilometers of Zurich Airport, Switzerland’s largest transport centre. The hotel will benefit from the planned introduction of the Limmattalbahn – the public train which will include a stop in front of the hotel.

Style and quirkiness abound at the hidden gem that is YHA Boggle Hole, an iconic and much-loved Youth Hostel in Whitby, North Yorkshire, following an enormous £1.2m refurbishment which has created 12 new jobs.YHA Boggle Hole is just one of a growing number of Youth Hostels that have been refurbished since 2010, at a cost of £22million. The investment in YHA’s 160-strong network has created comfortable, contemporary-styled accommodation as well as camping and glamping facilities. Today’s Youth Hostels boast licensed bars and restaurants, and more private en suite rooms which are appealing to a new generation of traveller and holiday maker.

The renovation took eight months to complete and has resulted in YHA Boggle Hole becoming both environmentally and financially sustainable, securing its long-term future for the hundreds of school groups, young people and families who stay there and visit each year.

The investment has enabled YHA Boggle Hole to replace a dilapidated annexe and create a new classroom as well as refresh the dining room, cafe and reception area. The increase in education and dining facilities has led to the creation of the new jobs. The newly created and refurbished spaces include:
• Onsite accommodation for staff –five new bedrooms have been created
• The Crow’s Nest annexe – an environmentally friendly timber framed building, nestled in Robin Hood’s Bay
• The Boat Shed – a new space for meetings or activities, perfect for locals or group trips
• The Brigg – an overflow dining room with stunning sea views- perfect for sipping sundowners on
• The Quarterdeck café – now open to guests and the public

YHA Boggle Hole’s hostel managers, Peta and Andy Nugent, have been instrumental in the facelift of the much-loved Youth Hostel, which is set in a smugglers cove in Robin Hood’s Bay. Together, they and their team, have upcycled items on the beach, including driftwood, bottle tops and buoys into lighting and artwork for the Youth Hostel.

Managers Peta and Andy have managed the Youth Hostel for 23 years and are known and loved for their quirky designs and warm welcome, which has made YHA Boggle Hole popular with thousands of schools, young people and families throughout the region as well as nationally.

The extensive refurbishment of the 85 bed Youth Hostel was made possible following from grants from the Coastal Communities Fund, Hostelling International Sustainability Fund as well as loyal YHA members, all keen to see Boggle Hole survive and thrive.

Alongside the refurbishment programme YHA has also invested £10 million in six brand new Youth Hostels at the Eden Project, Brighton, Castleton in Derbyshire, Cardiff, South Downs and Berwick.

Fameed Khalique adds two stunning new collections to his materials library on display at their new King’s Road showroom.WELTER | Show-stopping wall adornments
This new brand to join the collection is pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship and technology to create extraordinary and expressive statement wall designs. Wall coverings have become a valued decorative adornment on an equal footing with other design elements such as lighting, furniture and fabrics, as such there has been a resurgence of innovation in this area. Welter uses a unique coating procedure with authentic materials including brilliant metal foils and glass beads in a vast colour palette.

A celebration of colour is at the heart of the collection, pigments for every batch are mixed individually and applied by hand using painting and patination techniques or in the screen-printing process. Materials used in the coating vary from noble metals gold, silver and steel, to glass, quartz and pulverized marble.

A diverse and extensive range of patterns – from modern graphic styles to intricate ornate designs offer many options for sumptuous interiors from private jets, superyachts and luxury hotels with some designs also lending themselves to traditional environments.

These wall coverings have already starred as dramatic backdrops on the stages of the Oscar Academy Awards, Golden Globe and Emmy Awards.

WELTER is renowned for its gold leaf and precious metal wallpapers – one collection is made from paper with a metallic finish whilst the other is created from real noble metal leaves.

Another statement finish revives an ancient process of producing three-dimensional design surfaces using a basis of JHexagram, metal leaf in resin.

7 Star with Chinoiserie Hand Painting bound chalk and kaolin, originally used to decorate small surfaces such as picture frames or sculptures. This has been modified to enable the material to be applied on larger surfaces. The specialist technique takes 20-30 hours to produce one square metre to achieve the spectacular results using this combination.

Functionality is a key consideration throughout all Fameed Khalique collections, hand-made wallpapers embedded in solid glass combines the beauty of wallpaper with the functionality of glass-panels giving decorators great new options. These tiles have a mysterious depth with subtle glimmers of silver crystals or metal leaf in various colours.

As this product is water-resistant it can be used for tabletops, worktops, kitchen-mirrors, in bathrooms, spas and outdoors.

JAMIE BECKWITH | Rethinking wood surfaces
Jamie Beckwith is the founder and design visionary behind an innovative offering of wood surfaces inspiring a transformation in how wood is used in interiors.

Historically, wood flooring has been prized for its durability, warmth and character yet until now, the scope of design has been limited by the range of options available in the marketplace.

Manufactured within the company’s own production facility in Nashville, Tennessee, each product eschews the concept of conventional uniformity, instead celebrating the inherent imperfections found in wood. Enigma has 14 patterns ranging from classic to decorative and is offered in a number of wood options including oak and walnut as well as contrasting finishes which create an entirely custom installation.

Projection adds depth and dimension to wall design showcasing the interplay of texture, pattern, light and shadow. The design is offered in six thicknesses that can be arranged in an endless combination of patterns to create an eyecatching design feature.

The collection is installed ‘unsanded’ to a substrate with a wood adhesive.

Both collections are available at Fameed Khalique exclusively in the UK and can be viewed at the new showroom.

This new collection is dedicated to expressing the balance between design, art and functionality to infuse interiors with inventive creativity. The direct application of organic materials reflects the designer’s appreciation of beauty within nature and high-quality artisanal craftsmanship.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced the commencement of construction for its first-ever W and Element dual-branded hotel development, scheduled to open in the heart of downtown Philadelphia in early 2018. The 295-room W Philadelphia and 460-room Element Philadelphia will occupy a 51 story skyscraper located in the geographic centre of the city’s business, arts and retail districts, and directly across from Philadelphia City Hall. Owned by Chestlen Development and developed by Vine Street Matthews Development, the highly-anticipated project will also boast panoramic city views and facilities include an outdoor pool bar and terrace, market-leading meeting and banquet facilities, exciting food and beverage outlets, and prime retail space along Chestnut Street. Combined the W Philadelphia and Element Philadelphia can operate jointly as a 755 room headquarters hotel ideal for conventions and group business due to its direct views as well as short walking distance from both Suburban Station and the Broad Street entrance to the Pennsylvania Convention Centre. Additionally, the property’s downtown location is proximate to leading city attractions such as the Avenue of the Arts, Independence Hall, Barnes Foundation, Liberty Bell, Mutter Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the galleries, restaurants and boutiques along Walnut Street, Chestnut Street and Rittenhouse Row. Less than 10 miles from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and one block from the re-designed Dilworth Plaza.

Guests will enter W Philadelphia via the hotel’s distinct entrance on Chestnut Street. The ground-floor will feature a signature W Living Room (the W brand’s take on the traditional hotel lobby) with a full bar and VIP room and a 150-seat destination restaurant. In addition, the hotel will feature a 2,900 square foot spa, 1,400 square foot FIT gym, and 7,000 square foot WET outdoor terrace with a year-round heated outdoor pool and destination bar, and 45,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space for conventions, business meetings and social functions of all sizes. More than just a hotel brand, W Hotels is an innovative luxury lifestyle brand that connects global jetsetters and local tastemakers to the pulse of the next big thing. First introduced in 1998, W Hotels is a global design powerhouse with more than 46 hotels and retreats in the world’s most vibrant cities and exotic destinations.

The Element Philadelphia will feature a separate arrival lobby on Chestnut Street with elevator access to the main second floor lobby, which will feature a 1,400 square foot breakfast and lounge area, a 1,600 square foot fitness centre and 560 square feet of branded meeting space. The hotel’s light-filled studios will offer a fluid design of modular furniture, fully equipped kitchens, and spa-inspired bathrooms will feature an invigorating rain shower and dual-flush toilet. Guests will be able to stay on the move with Element’s complimentary bikes to borrow program and enjoy the brand’s signature complimentary RISE breakfast and RELAX evening reception. On track to double its portfolio in the next two years, Element is the first major hotel brand to mandate that all properties pursue the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for high-performance buildings. It’s recognized as an industry leader in the eco-space and offers travellers a fresh, reimagined interpretation of the extended stay hotel experience.

Work is about to start on the UK’s first ever Passivhaus Bunk House, designed and managed by Potter & Holmes Architects. As well as being first, the Passivhaus Certified project will also be the largest building in Gloucestershire with this certification. When completed in Spring 2016, the new bedrooms will play host to parties of school children as well as providing accommodation for those attending courses and workshops run by the building owner, New Brewery Arts.The building, on which construction will start imminently, has been designed and developed by Gloucester and London Architects Potter and Holmes, experts in Passivhaus and Community Projects. Speaking of the project, Peter Holmes, Architect says “This Youth Hostel Project design has presented a few challenges compared to other Passivhaus structures, simply because of the scale of the project and the number of rooms requiring water supply and ventilation. What’s more the original design had to be pared back to meet lower than expected levels of funding, but the finished product should be an impressive, Passivhaus-certified building which uses innovative approaches and may well form the blueprint of other, similar projects in the future.”

Toby Cambray, Director, Greengauge Building Energy Consultants, who are responsible for the Pasivhaus Assessment of The accommodation, says “The building will be certified under the Enerphit scheme. The particularly challenging aspects of this project have been the design of the wall and roof insulation. Budgetary constraints meant a wholesale replacement of the roof would not be possible, and the new, thicker insulation had to be fitted internally, complicated by the need to upgrade some of the structural timbers. The wall insulation system will achieve a U-value of around 0.2 W/m2.K The roof and floors achieve around 0.1 W/m2.K, and windows at 1.0 W/m2.K (centre pane 0.52 W/m2.K). The ventilation system will recover 80% of the heat from the stale exhaust air into the fresh supply air.”

Speaking of the project Ali Russell, Centre Director for New Brewery Arts says “I originally pitched the idea of the Youth Hostel to the Trustees as a way of creating a sustainable future. It has been funded mainly through grants from The Arts Council and The Mrs K D Winstone Trust, as well as through private donations. We’re really excited to see the project come to fruition and know that it will be a great addition to Cirencester and the County. The Passivhaus status will be a bonus and hopefully the success of our project will be a pilot for more projects like this in the future.”

Europe’s leading hotel architecture, design and development event (Sleep) returns to the Business Design Centre in London on 24-25 November. Building on the brilliant success of Sleep 2014, this year’s event promises new immersive experiences, ingenious installations by celebrated industry names, thought-provoking conference sessions and exhibitors carefully selected for diversity, innovation and quality. As details for Sleep 2015 are firmed up, here’s a taste of what to expect.Sleep Set and the Sleep Bar
Created afresh each year, these two hugely inspirational and popular features challenge design companies to create spaces that push boundaries and explore new ideas. This year’s theme is ‘Wonder Tale’, with the competing Sleep Set teams tasked to design and build a guestroom that draws on the essence of fairytales and folklore from around the world. Designers are invited to weave their own story which, like a fairytale, touches on the human condition while playing with perceptions and disrupting the norm so as to engage and nurture guests in new ways. Confirmed as participants to date are: Areen Design, Oliver Heath Studio, Shaun Clarkson ID and THE STUDIO at Harrods. The sets will be judged by three leading figures from the world of hotel architecture and design – Javier Hortal of Mandarin Oriental, Katy Ghahremani of MAKE Architects and Stylt Trampoli’s Erik Nissen Johansen – with the winning team announced at a networking reception on the first evening of Sleep’s Sleep Bar, the go-to destination for networking and socialising at the event, will also harness the power of storytelling through fairytales with Conran+Partners performing the magic as this year’s designers.

“We are very excited to be part of Sleep this year and the ‘Fairytale’ theme is already inspiring us. The level of creativity has been set high over the years, so we have to do something really special to give it justice,” says Conran+Partners Project Director, Tina Norden.

More Experiential + Immersive Features
Several additional features this year will showcase original ideas, technologies, products and materials.

In the Design Gallery, designers will explore the increasing ‘blurring of lines’ between different physical spaces and between the physical and the experiential. Several specially designed spaces created by, amongst others, Pringle Brandon Perkins + Will, will suggest ways in which the hotel space and the workplace as well as hotel and residential spaces could converge in the future as the way people wish to lead their lives changes. This subject will also be picked up in a session at the Sleep Conference which will consider the emotional and practical issues and challenge assumptions about how hotels should be designed.

Following its successful Sleep debut last year, Snoozebox, the unique and adaptable portable hotel, will be returning, this time with a competition entitled Flexibility in which designers will be invited to create a concept for a pop-up guestroom focusing on flexibility in function, materials and technology. The winning entry will be installed in a Snoozebox, with materials supplied by Egger, and will be displayed outside the venue.

The Digital Hub is also to make a return appearance to captivate visitors with some of the latest hi-tech applications for the hotel design sector.

Exhibition
Every year the exhibition is carefully curated to ensure the most compelling combination of newcomers and regular names, larger manufacturers and bespoke artisans. This year, there will be a new emphasis on surfaces with leading European and UK manufacturers, such as Johnson Tiles and Consentino, revealing their latest ranges of floor, wall and furniture surfaces to welcome visitors as they arrive in the main exhibition hall. Elsewhere, Sleep newcomers will range from Loloey, who will be showcasing designs from its Daniel Libeskind rugs collection, Danish lighting company Light Years and luxury brassware manufacturer Perrin & Rowe to The Vintage Fridge Company and Newhey Carpets.

Conference
A big draw for many visitors, the free-to-attend Sleep Conference is shaping up with fresh, forward-thinking content to inform and inspire industry professionals. With a burgeoning reputation for quality and substance, the Conference continues to attract celebrated industry figures from the UK, Europe and beyond, and confirmed names will be announced shortly. The 2015 programme combines topical panel discussions with celebrity keynotes, and the Sleep Set design teams will present their ideas for immediate feedback from the judges. 2015 also sees the return of the popular Development Round Tables giving delegates the chance to talk with the ‘movers and shakers’ of the international hotel industry.

A late night opening until 8pm on Tuesday 24 November, including a cocktail hour from 6-7pm, will give visitors the chance to take in the show and toast The Sleep Set winner announced at 7pm.

Grohe is the Founder Partner and host of the VIP lounge. Sleep’s official Event Partner is the European Hotel Design Awards which will culminate in a dinner on the evening of Monday 23 November when the winners will be announced in a glittering ceremony at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London.

World-renowned carpet manufacturer Britons has worked in partnership with architects and interior designers Dexter Moren Associates to supply a unique carpet for the prestigious Ampersand Hotel in London.

Working together, Brintons and Dexter Moren Associates created a dramatic collection of intricately ornate designed carpets to complement the hotel’s quintessential British theme, furnishing the guest rooms, corridors and function rooms, as well as helping to create a striking lobby area to welcome guests to the stunning hotel.

The Ampersand is set in a stunning Victorian building, which dates back to 1888 in South Kensington, London. It opened in its modern incarnation in 2012 and design inspiration was taken from surrounding attractions such as the V&A, Royal Albert Hall and the museums of Natural History and Science.

Five themes were explored to create the British inspired décor including botany, music, ornithology, astronomy and geometry. The design team at Brintons were tasked with creating carpets that were in keeping with the British theme, and by taking these initial concept ideas they were able to create the final stunning designs.

Sarah Draper, Commercial Marketing Manager for Brintons, said: “The interiors throughout the hotel work together to complement each other and provides guests to the Ampersand an inviting place that they want to stay.”

Brintons’ custom Axminster carpets were installed throughout, and its hand-tufted rugs were laid in the lobby area to create a welcoming first impression to the exquisite hotel.

Sarah added: “A lobby is the first steps that a guest takes when entering a hotel, so we felt it was important that our hand tufted rugs reflected and introduced visitors to the hotel’s unique style.”

For more information on Brintons and its range of products and services for the commercial sector, visit www.brintons.net or call 01562 635665.

The Baltimore bedroom furniture collection from
Gallery Direct’s Frank Hudson range has a colonial style and will add a majestic touch to homes whilst also being functional and well-designed. The collection is made using the finest European burr pippy oak veneers to give character to this updated classic style and the solid timbers are made of mindy ash that has been finished in an antique distressed polish to complement all interior spaces.The 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 and with either high or low foot ends. All are made to the highest standards, using traditional construction techniques such as dovetail joints.

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

A new Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites designed by Gene Kaufman Architect (GKA) will top out next month at 538 West 58th Street. The 86,000-square-foot, 18-story, 226-room hotel lies between 10th and 11th Avenues, within easy walking distance of the beautifully landscaped Hudson River greenway. Barone Management is the developer.Said GKA principal Gene Kaufman, “This hotel combines the convenience of a midtown location with the quiet street character of a residential neighbourhood. Best of all, the zoning-district boundaries bisecting the site gave us the opportunity to create both north-facing views that overlook John Jay College’s beautifully landscaped roof, and high-rise, west-facing views of the Hudson River.”

The hotel features two seemingly separate structures, an 18-story tower and an adjoining 10-story building, recessed from the street wall at different depths. The tower, which projects slightly forward of its shorter sibling, has a compelling verticality, the result of its height and narrow frame. Further enhancing the upward thrust is the curtain wall of the top three floors and the use of aluminium wall panels to separate the tower’s windows. The stylistic fillips come together to create a single architectural through-line from the 18th floor all the way down to the street.

The hotel’s ground floor and lobby are below-grade on a floor usually reserved for operations. They are reached through the hotel’s sunken entryway, which also allows for a 2,300-square-foot landscaped plaza in front of the hotel.

The hotel will offer king-sized and double-double guest rooms as well as adjoining rooms which can be combined to form suites (the interiors are by Hotel Depot with VLDG Interiors). In addition to the streetside plaza, amenities include an office centre, a fitness centre, and a breakfast bar.

Sol Hotels & Resorts has launched its new lifestyle brand Sol House, with the opening of its flagship property, Sol House Trinidad Mallorca, in June 2015. Located on the beautiful Calvià Beach seafront, Sol House Trinidad Mallorca is ideal for young, energetic millennials, with a love of music and dance, who are looking to meet new people and share their experiences via social media.

To launch the new Sol House concept in style, the brand has collaborated with seven-time Latin Grammy Award winning DJ Carlos Jean to curate playlists on Spotify to get guests in the party mood. The Sol House Trinidad Mallorca summer season officially kicks-off in mid-June with a series of signature pool parties “Sol Sets”: the Gravity Party, Deep Blue House Party and Soundays Party will take over the main pool area every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Guests can dance by the pool to Balearic beats or relax with a cocktail on a VIP Bali bed using the hotel’s exclusive drinks service. Set to be become a regular destination for young trendsetters, Sol House Trinidad Mallorca will host a number of world class DJs throughout the 2015 summer season, including artists such as Abel Ramos, José de Mara and Marian Baker.

Music and social media are key concepts for Sol House properties and Sol House Trinidad Mallorca is no exception. The hotel offers guests access to bespoke playlists created by Carlos Jean; named Bacon and Eggs, Siesta and Pre-Party, as well as the ability to book VIP Bali beds or beauty treatments via Twitter. Guests are encouraged to share their experiences via the Tweet Wall, located in the main lobby, where tweets are projected creating an interactive piece of art.

Following a full rebrand, Sol House Trinidad Mallorca has 373 rooms with spacious terraces overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Each room has been newly renovated with fresh, modern décor.

The hotel also features Tweet Party rooms and suites, a unique offering a bottle of cava and sweets on arrival, Tweet concierge, a welcome mini bar, a 42 inch plasma smart TV, a welcome drink and access to exclusive VIP sun loungers.

It boasts two impressive new pool areas, a VIP infinity pool with Bali beds on the upper level, which overlooks the large and contemporary main pool area, where in-house DJs spin contemporary tunes and club classics from 11am – 8pm.

Guests can dine in the hotel’s delicious buffet restaurant, offering a variety of world cuisines. Opening in July 2015, the hotel will welcome the Italian Corner, a separate Italian eatery where traditional pizza and pasta dishes will be served.

Located next to the VIP pool and Solarium, PlayBar combines music, sun and food & drinks, which is ideal for relaxing in the sunshine. Guests can enjoy Fruit Ice Lollies served in cava or a range of spirits, as well as an array of tasty treats including a Sweet Corner, delicious snack baskets, hot dogs, salads burgers and bocatas.

Sol House Trinidad Mallorca also offers free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a fully equipped 24-hour gym and Backstage, a beauty salon offering hairstyling, make-up application, manicures, pedicures and waxing to amplify your style. For those that choose to venture further afield, the hotel is perfectly located within close proximity to watersports facilities, golf courses, shops, restaurants, bars and some of the hottest party venues in Europe.

Sol House hotels are focused on young millennials, including friends and couples, with a strong emphasis on music, design, energy and affordable lifestyle experiences. Other Sol House locations in Spain include Sol Wave House in Mallorca and Sol House Aloha on the Costa Del Sol.

Relaunched in summer 2015 following a full rebrand, Sol Hotels & Resorts has created four signature concepts for leisure travellers including Sol House, Sol Beach House, Sol Hotels & Sol Katmandu Park & Resort.

Built in 1907, and referred to in its day as the “most beautiful hotel in the world”, the Royal continues its journey and keeps its legacy alive. After three years of works, the hotel, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, re-opens its doors on the 2nd July 2015.The refurbishment of the Hôtel Royal, entrusted to interior designer, François Champsaur, and head architect of historic monuments, François Chatillon, has given this centennial building its radiant aura back. The perfect combination of historic heritage and contemporary design, the Royal has lost none of its soul, in fact, quite the contrary.

The “crème de la crème” of this transformation is to be found on the 6th floor with the creation of 7 luxurious suites – 150 rooms and suites in all – from where the views of Lake Geneva and the Alps reach new heights of elegance. Seven new suites paying a renewed tribute to King Edward VII in honour of whom the hotel was built at the start of the last century.

The other 143 of the Hôtel Royal’s rooms and suites offer a blend of period furniture and designer creations. Precious period wood – mahogany, oak, rosewood, satinwood – skilfully vies for attention with the more modern light wood. As for the Carrara marble used in the bathrooms, it has been carefully chosen with white and grey veinage before being completely polished for a contemporary, mat finish.

While the Neo-Baroque frescoes by Gustave Jaulmes have been restored, the blank walls have been covered with lithographs, etchings and various black and white photographs by Lartigues depicting famous personalities who visited the hotel in times past.

Charm, luxury and restraint are the keywords for this elegant renovation, in praise of good taste in perfect measure.

Continued on page two…

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced the signing of an agreement with Residency Resorts Malé Private Limited, part of the Chennai-based leading property developer, Appaswamy Group, to debut the renowned St. Regis brand in the Maldives. Set to open in 2016, The St. Regis Vommuli Resort, Maldives will bring the brand’s hallmark luxury services to one of the world’s most magnificent destinations, ideally situated on the private Vommuli Island in the Dhaalu Atoll.“We are pleased to partner with Starwood to bring this hotel to life: marrying the bespoke service of the St. Regis brand with the ‘barefoot luxury’ mentality of the Maldives,” said Ravi Appasamy Managing Director of Residency Resorts Male Private Limited. “The brand’s allure, coupled with Starwood’s powerful loyalty programme, is sure to entice affluent travellers to visit this enchanting destination.”

“Celebrated as one of the world’s best addresses, the Maldives is a befitting destination to introduce the St. Regis brand to a discerning set of global guests,” said Jim Petrus, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “This incredible addition to the St. Regis portfolio has been conceived in perfect harmony with the island’s lush vegetation and pristine lagoon.”

A 40-minute seaplane ride southwest from the Republic’s capital city Malé, The St. Regis Vommuli Resort will be located on a private atoll spanning more than 20 acres, surrounded by unspoiled beaches and a secluded lagoon with sparkling turquoise waters. The resort will feature 77 luxuriously appointed private villas, all with a distinct contemporary design scheme inspired by the island’s natural materials and colour palette. Guests will have access to a tranquil spa with six private treatment rooms; an infinity swimming pool; state of the art fitness centre and yoga space; as well as a dive and activity centre. With an all-day dining restaurant, three specialty restaurants and a signature bar, The St. Regis Vommuli Resort will also offer guests rich culinary experiences including the legendary Bloody Mary cocktail, which was first created at the flagship St. Regis New York hotel in the 1930s and is served at each of the brand’s 34 hotels and resorts around the world.

“This signing further fuels Starwood’s strong growth momentum in South Asia, where we continue to see strong demand for high-end hotel accommodations,” added Sudeep Jain, Vice President Acquisitions and Development, South Asia, Starwood Hotels and Resorts. “The upcoming arrival of the St. Regis brand in the Maldives underpins our commitment to Starwood’s luxury portfolio in this dynamic market.”

This announcement follows on the heels of the recent signing of The St. Regis Mumbai, which is scheduled to open before the end of the year.

The treasured architectural gem, Capitol Building, and its stately Victorian neighbour, Stamford House, will be unveiled in the third quarter of this year as the new ultra-luxury hotel, The Patina, Capitol Singapore. Distinguishing itself through its focus on bespoke services, the new hotel is also an integral component of Capitol Singapore, the city’s first integrated luxury lifestyle development, which encompasses an exclusive 32-unit residential tower, a premium retail mall offering exciting new-to-market brands, and world class cinematic and theatrical entertainment at the newly reinvigorated Capitol Theatre.Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Richard Meier is credited with rejuvenating the two iconic buildings to function as a bridge between past and present. His sensitivity to their venerable status, rooted in his respect for heritage, is combined with his flair for introducing contemporary perspectives. The result is an innovative masterpiece of beautifully conserved architecture integrated with refreshing modern touches. Thoughtful, intricate details that deliver a refreshed present while celebrating the past are reflected through luxurious interiors conceptualised by Jaya International Design.

Location
The Patina, Capitol Singapore is located in the heart of the city’s downtown Civic and Cultural district, with close proximity to dynamic landmarks and arts venues such as the National Gallery, the Singapore Art Museum, the Esplanade and the Marina Bay area. It is conveniently accessible, being a mere 17-minute (18.2km) drive from the Singapore Changi Airport and a 2-minute walk to City Hall MRT station.

Guest Room Features
Impeccably designed, all rooms and suites are luxurious oases where guests enjoy complimentary features such as WiFi, two iPads per room, unlimited outgoing international calls, mini bar refreshments including still and sparkling water, soft drinks and juices, Aesop bath amenities, Nespresso coffee and a TWG tea collection, as well as being transported to the location of choice with the hotel’s courtesy car service.

The 157 rooms and suites of the hotel are shared across the Capitol and Stamford Wings, in Capitol Building and Stamford House respectively. The neoclassical-style Capitol Wing comprises 101 rooms and 5 suites, while the elegantly Victorian Stamford Wing comprises 49 rooms and 18 suites including the Bidwell Suite and Patina Suite.

A 24-hour stay promise is extended to guests who book a stay in the Stamford Rooms, and any of our Stamford, Bidwell and Patina Suites, where they can enjoy an exclusive 24-hour stay regardless the time they check in to ensure that they receive the full rest desired.

The usual procedure of check-in is elevated to the realm of personal comfort and privacy at The Patina, Capitol Singapore where guests are accompanied to their rooms for direct check-in.
In addition, books from luxury book craftsmen Assouline, emphasising on art, design, architecture, fashion, photography and travel, will be placed in all guest rooms, and can be purchased through the assistance of the hotel’s ambassadors.

The luxury Patina lifestyle extends further to offer a holistic retreat. Guests will be able to rejuvenate with restorative treatments using BABOR products at one of the three treatment suites at the Patina Spa, maintain a workout regime at the Fitness Suite, and lounge back for a refreshing afternoon break at the outdoor saltwater relaxation pool.

Gourmet Experiences
A novel gourmet experience awaits food aficionados through the three concepts of restaurant, bar and chocolate boutique introduced at The Patina, Capitol Singapore.

The city will experience innovative cuisine that melds tastes of the Peruvian Amazon with the delicacy of Japanese flavours at the signature restaurant, ERU. Conceptualised by New York design firm AvroKO, ERU provides diners with the opportunity to see chefs work their magic with its open concept kitchen. For enhanced intimacy, diners can host gatherings and business meetings at the restaurant’s three private dining rooms.

ERUBAR extends the Peruvian theme where guests will sample the speciality Peruvian brandy, Pisco, and a range of signature cocktails by the resident mixologist, as well as taste Peruvian style tapas while DJs spin into the night.

Chocolate connoisseurs will be in paradise at chocolate atelier PURE & Co. where they can pick up beautifully packaged artisanal chocolates as decadent gifts or indulgent treats.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces a new Holiday Inn® hotel in downtown Montreal, Québec, scheduled to open in the spring of 2017. This hotel will be the 12th IHG hotel in the greater Montreal region and the fifth Holiday Inn hotel in the city. As of Q1 2015, IHG has 172 hotels open in Canada and another 31 in the pipeline.The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Montreal Centre-Ville West hotel will feature 40 floors, 225 guest rooms, including 30 suites. The hotel, located in the heart of Montreal’s business district, will be near business destinations such as CIBC and IBM Towers, GCI and Concordia University. The hotel will also be in close proximity to cultural attractions including the Bell Centre, home to the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Central Station.

Stuart Laurie, Regional Director Midscale Franchise-Canada, IHG, said: “The Holiday Inn brand has been highly successful in Canada since it was first introduced to the region 54 years ago. Growth in Canada is a priority for IHG, and we are very pleased to add a hotel to our portfolio in a high profile location like downtown Montreal.”

Located on Boulevard Rene Lévesque ouest and near Lucien L’Allier Metro Station, the hotel will offer a variety of on-site amenities including free Wi-Fi, ample meeting space, a fitness centre and a swimming pool. The hotel’s restaurant, The Blue Line Bistro-Bar, will serve casual dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kids 12 and younger eat free at Holiday Inn hotels when ordering from the kids’ menu in the hotel restaurant and accompanied by a dining adult. Room Service Right … On Time™, also a standard at all Holiday Inn hotels, ensures that guests’ room service orders are accurate and delivered on time, every time. The hotel will be designed to include elements from IHG’s Green Engage® program for overall energy recovery and reuse including low energy windows and light bulbs.

The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Montreal Centre-Ville West hotel is franchised by an affiliate of IHG and will be managed by RIMAP Hospitality Services.

InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) Hotel Indigo® brand opens its first hotel in Maryland, the 162-room Hotel Indigo Baltimore – Mt. Vernon. Located at 24 West Franklin Street, this unique hotel is also a historic building that once housed Baltimore’s first YMCA. The boutique hotel sits in the heart of Downtown Baltimore’s Historic and Cultural Districts making it easy to discover the local neighbourhood scene. The hotel is located near the Washington Monument of Baltimore, The Walters Art Museum and The George Peabody Library. The Mt. Vernon neighbourhood story is brought to life through art, photography and architecture incorporated into the hotel’s design, bringing local character to guests at every touch point. The library located in the lobby houses many books, including some by local Baltimore authors; the bar’s design was inspired by a lady’s perfume cabinet; and guestrooms include murals of literary-themed etchings.

The Hotel Indigo Baltimore – Mt. Vernon features restaurant and bar Poets Modern Cocktails & Eats as well as a grab & go option. Both areas offer guests and locals the opportunity to enjoy seasonal and locally sourced food and drinks from purveyors such as Tanner’s Pickles, Ottenberg’s Bakery, Clement’s Pastry Shop, Lancaster Farms, Richardson Farms and Baltimore Coffee & Tea.

Guestrooms feature plush bedding, hard-surface flooring with area rugs and spa-inspired bathrooms. In addition, the hotel features 112 different guestroom floor plans and five bi-level suites, providing a different room experience upon each stay. Guests also have access to a 24-hour fitness centre and 4,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The Baltimore hotel features the brand’s Neighbourhood Guide, an innovative touchscreen display that connects guests to each other, the local neighbourhood and to Hotel Indigo locations around the world. Hotel team members, many of whom are locals themselves, will share their favourite hidden gems with guests looking to explore and discover the neighbourhood.

The Hotel Indigo Baltimore – Mt. Vernon hotel is owned by MVH Baltimore, LLC, and managed by Chesapeake Hospitality.

CASINO DE IBIZA has unveiled a new multi-sensory nightlife experience in which interior design and gastronomy share top billing with premium gaming. In the process it recaptures the luxury and exclusivity of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive casinos, with a distinct Ibizan accent.The aesthetic of the new venue is far from conventional, drawing upon the island itself as a source of inspiration. Designer Patricia Urquiola said: “The idea was to create a casino for Ibiza, blending the tradition of the place with the energy of the island. The result is an atmosphere in which the recurring architectural motifs, materials, fabrics and patterns evoke the Ibizan emprendadas, the gold necklaces that the countrywomen wear on their wedding days as a token of their wealth. The project also evokes the Mediterranean landscape by using wooden trellises that intercept sightlines and allow light to pass through”.

This refined setting plays host to both gastronomy and art, for which CASINO DE IBIZA has partnered with HEART Ibiza, the new creative experience from the Adrià brothers and Cirque du Soleil, which opens its doors this summer.

The menu devised by HEART Ibiza for CASINO DE IBIZA comprises fresh and original dishes, inspired by all the flavours and colours in the world and transformed into mouth-watering delicacies including cured Galician beef tenderloin, grilled gyozas with ponzu sauce and roasted apple ice cream.

An exquisite list of 20 cocktails, also created by HEART Ibiza, is distinguished by a hint of spices such as vanilla and curry, featuring ice cubes fashioned with playing-card symbols. Specialities include the ‘Red Lips’, cocoa infused vodka, raspberries, ground black pepper and lime and the ‘Woman’s Wagon’, a non-alcoholic cocktail featuring black tea, thyme infusion and curry syrup.

The CASINO DE IBIZA shares a location with the Ibiza Gran Hotel complex on Ibiza’s golden mile. Both are the settings for spectacular artworks by artists such as Takashi Murakami, whose installations will continue to evolve over the course of the season, supplying the finishing touch to the experience.

At the beginning of June 2015 the G7 summit was held on the castle “Schloss Elmau” in Bavaria. The complete castle as well as the new build “Retreat” has been equipped with luminaires produced by Baulmann Leuchten Sundern. In close cooperation with the owner of “Schloss Elmau”, Mr. Dietmar Müller-Elmau, Baulmann Leuchten designed and produced various custom-made luminaires to create the desired atmospheres in the different areas of the castle.All floorlamps have been upgraded with additional LED reading lights for maximum comfort; in the bathrooms the focus have been directed on warm white, dimmable lighting and throughout the complete project ceiling-mounted spotlights from Baulmann are creating different lighting scenarios.

To contact Baulmann Leuchten, visit www.baulmann.com

All pictures are copyright by “Schloss Elmau”.

Brooklyn’s largest hotel, the iconic New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge in Downtown Brooklyn, unveils the first chapter of its $43 million renovation and reposition. A dynamic physical redesign combined with authentic Brooklyn experiences will entice guests…starting with their appetites. This month, the hotel celebrates the opening of new chic spaces: The Bar (Greatroom) and exclusive M Club Lounge. At The Bar, a thoughtfully curated menu provides a taste of the borough by showcasing top, local food purveyors and businesses – From Brooklyn Roasting Company to Brooklyn Winery, Ovenly and McClure’s pickles, to name a few.The Bar, located off of the grand entrance, is the hotel’s new social hub featuring a style that embodies local industrial chic reflective of its Downtown Brooklyn neighbourhood. Design details convey an urban edge with glass, metal, subway tiles and white marble tops. A focal point of the room is an eye-catching piece of original metal artwork over the fireplace, in which Brooklyn neighbourhood names appear. Adjacent to the space, a guarded wooden “gate” unlocks exclusive access to the new M Club Lounge, a signature feature of select Marriott Hotels created specifically for frequent Marriott Rewards members. Tableside food service at The Bar offers a laid-back vibe, and a menu that celebrates the borough. Highlights include:

BK Bites: The Bar menu includes House Chips served with a grilled onion Brooklyn Lager dip. For hearty appetites, a Sfoglini Trumpet Pasta dish features oyster mushrooms, roasted fennel and blistered tomato sauce. Sfoglini is a Brooklyn-based producer of small batch, freshly extruded pastas. For guests on the go, The Pantry offers a selection from Ovenly bakery such as Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies, Bacon Roasted Peanuts, Maple Thyme Pecans and Cherry Scones. McClure’s Kettle Cooked Chips in Garlic Dill Pickle and Bloody Mary are also available for a flavourful crunch.

Roasts with richness: The hotel’s coffee selection is by DUMBO-based Roastery and Espresso Lab, Brooklyn Roasting Company. Their fair-trade coffees include Iris Espresso – sweet and spicy, bold and balanced; Peru – embodying a warm baked cookie, and sweet / salty caramel pecan pie crust; and Mexican Chiapas – capturing smokiness, peach, sandal wood, pecan and honey.

Imbibe: The beverage menu at The Pantry features Sixpoint Craft Ales based in Red Hook, Brooklyn Brewery’s Brooklyn Lager, and options from Brooklyn Winery such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Stainless Steel Chardonnay. Additional sips include Olde Brooklyn sodas in Coney Island Cream, Greenpoint Grape and Park Slope Ginger Ale.

“When we first built this hotel 16 years ago, it was the first hotel built in all of Brooklyn in 64 years. Since then, Brooklyn’s further evolution has been extraordinary and amazing. Our goal is to continue to grow: to immerse our guests into that unique and transformative ‘Brooklyn experience.’ The emphasis on local purveyors and unique offerings has elevated the dining scene in Brooklyn, and is another enticing draw for travelers and groups,” says Joshua Muss, Owner of Muss Development and owner of the hotel. “With the completion of phase one of Brooklyn Marriott’s renovation, we have succeeded well beyond what we had hoped! And our hotel remains the hospitality leader – The biggest and best option in Downtown Brooklyn, one of the most exciting destinations in the country.”

In addition to The Bar and M Club Lounge, the hotel’s Front Desk has been reimagined as part of the renovation. From inviting concierge pods that welcome guests, to a large abstract mural based on a photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge, the contemporary look is modern and vibrant. The redesign of the hotel’s ballroom and meeting rooms, one of the city’s largest and most versatile venues, will be completed in September 2015. Renovations of the hotel’s 667 guest rooms will be completed in 2016.

When New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1998, it was the first newly built, branded hotel in Brooklyn in more than 60 years. Timeless yet modern, inviting and locally-inspired, the hotel’s new décor will bridge the gap between the past and present. The New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge is located at 333 Adams Street in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, steps away from MetroTech Center, Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill. New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge is managed by Marriott International and is owned by Muss Development LLC, HomeFed Corporation and Marriott International.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. in agreement with Grand Hotel di Como Srl, has recently announced the opening of Sheraton ® Lake Como Hotel, a strategic conversion located in Italy’s world famous lake region. Renovated by the renowned Italian architect, Ruggero Venelli, the property incorporates top-quality, natural materials and a neutral palette to produce warm interior spaces, and as a nod to local talent, the hotel features custom handcrafted furniture from acclaimed Italian designers. Sheraton Lake Como offers 116 guestrooms, including four newly renovated suites, and a range of leisure facilities, from a Sheraton ® Fitness Centre to two outdoor swimming pools with a Jacuzzi. The property also features a private park for sunbathing, jogging, and picnicking. An ideal choice for meetings and functions, Sheraton Lake Como features a large conference centre with 10 modular rooms. Each room can hold between 40-150 people, and together, the 10 rooms can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. Spazio Como, a futuristically designed multi-functional space by famed Italian architect Attilio Terragni , can host up to 350 people. The property is also conveniently adjacent to the area’s prestigious Villa Erba Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Two distinctive dining venues provide an array of culinary options—from a modern twist to Italy’s renowned cuisine at Gusto Restaurant to the flavours of South America at Kincho Restaurant—in addition to the Bar Fresco and Sheraton Club lounge.

The property is less than an hour’s drive from two key international airports, the Milan Malpensa and the Milan Linate. Alternatively, visitors can travel by train to the Como San Giovanni station, only two kilometres from the hotel. Private taxi service is available outside the stop.

Clean lines and luxurious sweeping curves converge to form Svelte, the new bathroom furniture collection from Bauhaus. Featuring innovative new high performance materials and finishes, Svelte adds a designer look to any bathroom scheme. Manufactured using the highest quality materials throughout, the stunning furniture is available in three elegant finishes and four size options. Choose from the warm wood detail of the new exotic Eucalyptus finish or the ever-popular American Walnut option or opt for a crisp and timeless White Gloss shine.

Boasting expansive worktop space and deep double drawers Svelte offers practical and extensive storage space with generously sized proportions to house all bathroom essentials. Beautifully constructed, the top drawer of the vanity unit has a cleverly designed cut out space for the basin waste, ensuring you don’t lose out on any crucial storage space. The graceful curves and silky smooth basin surface evoke a feeling of elegance, bringing a touch of chic style to contemporary or even more traditional bathroom designs. Up to the minute technology and soft close drawer runners provide gentle, smooth and quiet closure.

Visit www.bauhaus-bathrooms.co.uk
Tel: 0845 873 8840

Vinpearl Resorts has recently seen the opening of a new five-star hotel on Hon Tre Island near Nha Trang in the latest expansion of its integrated resort complex on the island. The Vinpearl Premium Nha Trang Bay is located on a secluded, lush-green promontory in the north western corner of the island. The gently curved beachfront property will feature 481 hotel rooms, 173 luxurious villas and world class facilities including signature Vincharm Spa, private beach, kids club, two meeting rooms backed by a well-equipped business centre and a choice of four restaurants and three bars.

Standout features include its sleek modern interiors and stylish design palette which makes ample use of whites, creams and light woods backed by high-end fixtures and fittings.

Hon Tre Island is already home to the Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang and Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang, each of which has a luxurious Vincharm Spa. Guests at the new Vinpearl Premium Nha Trang Bay will also be able to enjoy a Tuk Tuk shuttle service to Vinpearl’s other properties and its existing leisure facilities on the island such as the 18-hole Championship-standard Vinpearl Golf Club Nha Trang and its Vinpearl Land theme park, waterpark and aquarium. Later in the year the company plans to add a further resort on the island with a Convention Centre planned for 2016.

Vinpearl opened its first ever hotel, the Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang, on Hon Tre Island, backed by the largest outdoor swimming pool in South East Asia measuring 5,000 sqm and a mile long stretch of white sand beach. The island can be accessed by ferry or powerboat from the mainland, with guests at the Vinpearl Luxury arriving by speed boat. Alternatively guests can travel from the mainland direct to Vinpearl Land Park on Hon Tre Island using the longest overwater cable car in the world.

Nha Trang City is easily connected via domestic flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Aside from the famous pristine beaches and idyllic waters, local tourism attractions include the Nui Hon Chong rock formation, picture-perfect Cam Ranh Bay and the historic Po Nagar Towers dating from the Cham period. Other attractions include the famous local mud baths and local cuisine.

Harlequin Contract is pleased to announce the launch of a further nine contemporary collections of damasks, geometrics, stripes and trail designs, which have been specifically developed to meet the stringent demands of the contract market. Hardwearing and fire retardant to Crib 5, the latest FR-One books offer a stunning solution for contract interiors, whilst their highly durable and practical fabrics are also suitable for domestic upholstery.The nine books, which include wide-width voiles, faux-leathers, statement designs, textured plains and velvets, can be used to create a sophisticated scheme radiating polished elegance and panache. The contemporary colours, including copper and chartreuse, seamlessly fuse understated 1930s glamour with modern urban style. The look is softened with sumptuous velvets in shades such as plum, emerald and mimosa. The launch includes the following collections:

Ataton: four plain textured dim-out designs, one of which is reversible, in a range of 34 sophisticated colours.

Mars: subtle tonal ogee and trail designs in classic shades, suitable for drapes and cushion covers.

Marvell: a compilation of statement painterly designs and complementary plains and textures in a contemporary palette.

May: highly useable wide-width voiles in a mineral palette, available in two qualities.

Merci: a versatile plain and tonal stripe design in an array of soft shades.

Miles: a durable upholstery weight collection including smart stripes and contemporary chenilles.

Millennium: a compendium of striking geometrics and damasks, including a number of decorative sheers in a natural palette with hints of teal and chartreuse.

Moon: a plush velvet, suitable for upholstery, in 25 rich colours including plum, navy, emerald, mimosa and pewter.

Mythic: a functional faux-leather available in five designs including a croc effect, basket-weave emboss and various textures.

Colours include pearl, zinc, copper, mineral, bronze and raffia.

The collections are now available.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) has recently announced the signing of InterContinental® Lyon Hotel Dieu in Lyon, France. The hotel will operate under a management agreement with Crédit Agricole Assurances and will be developed by Eiffage.Located right on the bank of the river Rhône, the property is being converted from Lyon’s former Hôtel Dieu, one of the oldest hospitals in France, famed for its architectural beauty. It forms part of a listed group of buildings that dates back to the 17th Century, close to Place Bellecour in the very heart of the city.

InterContinental® Lyon Hotel Dieu and the adjoining conference centre are part of a multi-purpose development project named Grand Hôtel Dieu, an area of exceptional size in Lyon’s city centre featuring shops, restaurants, offices, private apartments and the neighbouring “Cité de la Gastronomie”.

The hotel’s 143 rooms will include 24 junior suites, one Presidential Suite and 118 deluxe and superior rooms. InterContinental® Lyon Hotel Dieu will feature a Club InterContinental lounge, multiple restaurants with access to a terrace from the main restaurant, a lounge bar, two meeting rooms and a sizeable 100m2 fitness centre. The connected, modern 2,500m2 conference centre will include nine meeting rooms with ample pre-meeting space, as well as a lounge and a 500m2 ballroom.

In order to facilitate the expansion of their worldwide business, Panaz, who design and manufacture fabrics for the Hospitality, Healthcare and Corporate markets, have moved their European headquarters to a new facility of 90,000 sq. ft. in Hapton, Burnley, England. Tony Attard, CEO of Panaz Limited, stated that 20,000 sq. ft. is made up of office space, a new design studio and a fully furnished Showroom and 70,000 sq. ft. is allocated to manufacturing and distribution space.Previously Panaz occupied three sites in Burnley: the main manufacturing hub at Spring Mill in Fence, a satellite warehouse for large shipments and a separate showroom. The new facility is designed to consolidate all of these three sites onto one, adding significantly to the efficiency of the operation and in preparation for future growth. In addition to this expansion, a new digital print manufacturing is being added to the operation to provide more design flexibility to clients and faster delivery times for bulk projects.

Panaz have been operating since 1985 and site location move ties in with their 30th anniversary. To celebrate this achievement, Panaz held an Opening Day on Thursday, 11th June where guests were invited to view the new site and were given tours of the various operations, product presentations and machinery demonstrations. To mark the occasion, Tony Attard spoke to all the guests and staff, thanking them for the role they had all had to play over the past 30 years and indicated his plans he and the company have for the future. Panaz were fortunate to have Lord Shuttleworth, in attendance at the Opening Day and after a few words, he officially opened the new building revealing a plaque in the main reception area. It was fitting for The Lord Lieutenant to be part of the celebrations as he had visited Panaz in the very early days and was well aware of how the company developed both in the UK and overseas and how the business itself had grown over the past 30 years.

Autograph Collection Hotels is set to welcome a luxurious new boutique property to its collection on 8 July 2015. Located in a beautiful corner building established in 1907, The Hotel, which opened in 2000, is an urban design hotel with exceptional park views set in the heart of Lucerne.Owner Urs Karli – a leading hotelier renowned for his innovative gastronomy concepts – is behind the vision of The Hotel, and worked with award-winning French architect Jean Nouvel to transform the building into a unique space for a modern hotel. Intimate and unpretentiously hip, The Hotel sits in a buzzing area, just a stone’s throw from the shores of Lake Lucerne.

Spread across seven floors, the hotel incorporates 30 studios and suites, each providing guests with an unforgettable experience, as a play of light and color produces individual effects in each room – all of which are different. The four penthouse suites all feature roof terraces, whilst the 10 garden and park loft suites come complete with patios. All rooms are fully air conditioned and equipped with modern amenities including Wi-Fi, minibar and Nespresso machine.

Completely conceived and designed by Nouvel, the interiors are an architectural marvel and bear Nouvel’s classic hallmark – the interplay of wood and steel. All of The Hotel’s vertical panels are made from wood, whilst the horizontal panels are made from stainless steel. The purposefully understated corridor leads guests into the rooms, each with large windows that open up breath-taking views of the city and the park adjacent to the hotel. Each room is unique, with different ceiling or wall projections depicting 30 film scenes from Nouvel’s own personal background, creating a cinematic experience for guests.

With the lobby as the focal meeting point, Urs Karli has created a cosmopolitan area for lounging and dining. Bam Bou is Lucerne’s most stylish restaurant and displays unique design details, offering simplicity, comfort and innovation. The menu fuses Asian with French cuisine, drawing upon French tradition and techniques, and combining them with Asian spices. The Lounge Bar provides a further space within which guests can relax, offering a diverse range of cocktails and live DJ at weekends. The Lounge Bar is known for being one of Lucerne’s coolest nightlife spots.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the signing of two new properties in Mazatlán, one of México’s top leisure destinations. The Holiday Inn Express® Mazatlán Marina hotel and Holiday Inn Resort® Mazatlán hotel are both expected to open in late 2016 and will join IHG’s Crowne Plaza® Mazatlán resort already open in the popular resort town. More domestic and international travellers are discovering Mazatlán, making it an ideal choice for these new hotels. Jorge Apaez, Chief Operating Officer Mexico, Latin America & The Caribbean, IHG said: “With these signings, IHG continues its strong growth in Mexico and we are delighted to bring these new properties to Mazatlán, an amazing destination known for its beautiful beaches. Whether travelers want to enjoy all the amenities of a resort or simply have a place to recharge, we look forward to helping our guests create lasting memories and unforgettable family vacations.”

The oceanfront Holiday Inn Resort Mazatlán hotel will be located on Playa Gaviotas 220 in the trendy Golden Zone district, an upscale area of the city with hotels, fine dining and nightlife. The resort will feature 150 guest rooms and amenities including an outdoor swimming pool with water games, a fitness center, two meeting rooms, a restaurant, a lobby bar and ample parking. The property will also be in close proximity to several golf courses.

The 124-room Holiday Inn Express Mazatlán Marina hotel will be located on 2207 Marina Avenue, less than a mile from the Golden Zone district, only five miles from the marina and 12 miles from the General Buelna International Airport. The property will be part of a mixed-use development featuring a shopping center, apartments and restaurants.

Both hotels are independently owned and operated. The Holiday Inn Resort Mazatlán hotel is owned and managed by Desarrollos Turísticos Clami, S.A. de CV. The Holiday Inn Express Mazatlán Marina hotel is owned by Desarrolladora de Hoteles Mazatlán SAPI de C.V. and managed by Ximetria.

Hamilton Litestat has launched a new white plastic range of wiring accessories aptly named ‘Vogue’- featuring a contemporary new design of white moulded bevelled edged products. Gavin Williams, Hamilton Litestat Marketing Manager says: “We have designed and launched Vogue in direct response to interior trends and consumer demand. The move towards simple and subtle is clear. In terms of finishes: lots of neutral whites, subtle blends of bronze tones and the understated are the look of the moment. We have applied the exact same care and attention to detail to this new range as we pay to our designer collections and bespoke pieces. Featuring a sleek white plastic finish our aim is to bring our expertise to a tired and predictable product and reinvent it, giving a modern twist and bringing it into the 21st century.”

Covering the bases
The styling is contemporary with slim ergonomic front plates and screw covers. Hamilton has literally covered all the bases from installation by the contractor to ease of use by the end user.

From a practical aesthetic point of view the plates have a slim profile so minimal back box space is required – (16mm switches, 25mm sockets) and the screwcap covers give a sleek finish across all plates. Simple red flashes on the socket “switches” also enhance the aesthetic appeal.

Attention to detail
When it comes to installation options, again Hamilton has been thorough. Colour coded terminals offer ultimate simplicity and there are plenty more benefits and advantages included as standard. With the Vogue range, as with their other ranges, Hamilton offers comprehensive dimming solutions with Mains, LV and LED dimming, complete product and Grid options including the company’s award winning LEDstat intelligent LED dimmer.

Mix and match
These plates also feature multimedia options including Euro modules, which fit into euro plates compatible for audio and visual/TV. Bespoke Grid solutions are another option with 1 to 8 gang plates and full range of modules (switches, neons, key switches) suitable for residential and commercial use coming as standard. USB charging in switched 1 gang and 2 gang sockets will also be available.

Nothing left to chance
Hamilton has really thought of everything: from individually bagging products which protects them right up until installation, to its ‘signature’ orange modules on the back, which make them easier to see when installing in dark areas. Double pole sockets for peace of mind also come as standard so installers can fit and simply forget as do dual earth terminals for high integrity earthing. The attention to detail goes right down to ensuring fixing screws are secured to the back of each plate so they don’t get lost in transit.

Quality is a given!
Vogue, like all Hamilton product, is rigorously quality tested. Hamilton’s plate finishes undergo both destructive and non-destructive testing. They are put through many processes to test corrosion proof, scratch proof and the like. All of Hamilton’s switched sockets are ASTA approved.

For further information on Hamilton’s full range of products and services, please visit: hamilton-litestat.com

Construction work has begun on Swinton Park’s £5.5 million Country Club and Spa, near Masham in North Yorkshire. Keighley-based contractors, RN Wooler & Co Ltd, aim to complete the first phase of building by November 2015, comprising the restoration of workshops and garden buildings that will accommodate a new 40-seat conservatory restaurant. The second phase of the 2,700m2 development will realise a new, contemporary wing that will include a generous indoor swimming pool, six treatment rooms, three heat experiences, rasul, wellness pool and full fitness facilities.

The Spa will be open to Swinton Park and Swinton Bivouac guests, day visitors and club members whilst the Country Club will afford access to activities on the wider 20,000 acre Swinton Estate including cycling, walking, fishing, clay pigeon shooting, golf, falconry and riding.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Proprietor of Swinton Park says, “This development is an important milestone in our long-term vision for Swinton Park and we welcome the challenge of a project of this scale, which is the culmination of a long, meticulous design and planning process.”

Marriott International is pleased to announce the expansion of its global portfolio with the anticipated July opening of the Taipei Marriott Hotel, the first Marriott Hotel in Taiwan. The largest integrated destinational complex in Taipei, the Taipei Marriott Hotel offers a wide range of travel and leisure experiences for locals and visitors alike, including a five-star 320-room luxury hotel, modern convention centre, high-end shopping mall and luxury apartments. Moreover, with a lush, green landscape that envelopes much of the hotel’s property, the Taipei Marriott Hotel is a serene and tranquil oasis of luxury within the bustling city.The contemporary Taipei Marriott Hotel offers 320 well-appointed guest rooms and suites as well as four distinct restaurants and a lounge with a stylish, sophisticated design that reflects the local culture and tradition while also showcasing technology and creativity. With a prime location on the north bank of the Keelung River, the Taipei Marriott Hotel offers un-obscured panoramic views of Taipei City from each guest room.

Perfect for business and leisure travellers, the Taipei Marriott Hotel is conveniently located in the booming Dazhi District, the capital’s new commercial hub, just 10 minutes from Songshan International Airport and five minutes from the Neihu Technology Park. In addition, the MRT Jiannan Rd. station, the beautiful Mt. Jiannan Trail and the Miramar Shopping Centre are short walks from the hotel. Finally, the Taipei Marriott also enjoys the distinction of being the closest five-star hotel to the National Palace Museum, a favourite cultural attraction.

A Modern, Green Oasis in the Heart of Taipei City
Taipei Marriott Hotel features a striking, contemporary design that is softened by a lush, green landscape. Modern glass structural walls are offset with earth tone palates and natural materials, creating expansive areas that capture the sunlight. At the heart of the hotel is the ground floor lobby, where tall, arched doorways with brass linings create a dynamic, yet inviting atmosphere and modern and traditional elements are skilfully fused.

One of the most striking elements of the Taipei Marriott Hotel is the pervasive use of lush greenery, part of Marriott’s “Green Hotel Development” initiative. Indigenous shrubbery and flowering plants are found throughout the hotel grounds and, like a botanical garden, are interspersed with pieces of art and sitting areas. In the centre of the landscape is “Butterflies,” a monumental aluminium sculpture by Spainaird Manolo Valdes, which is inspired by the nearby butterfly biosphere reserve on Mt. Jiannan. The sculpture is the artist’s tribute to Taiwan, known as “The Butterfly Kingdom,” and serves as a tribute to nature and the arts.

Inspirational Meetings & Special Events
The Taipei Marriott Hotel offers the largest state-of-the-art convention center in Taipei, with 3,000 square meters of pillarless, flexible space that can be transformed into up to 12 meeting spaces, as well as an elegant 1,260 square-meter Grand Ballroom – the largest at a Taiwan hotel. From large conferences to intimate board meetings, Taipei Marriott is the ideal locale, offering the latest audio-visual innovations and access to gourmet catering and expert event planning. For the most memorable weddings in Taipei, the Garden Villa located on the top floor of the conference center offers direct access to a beautiful rooftop garden and a charming chapel.

Destination Dining
Taipei Marriott Hotel offers five distinct restaurants and lounges with an international selection of cuisine to please the most sophisticated palates from around the world. The Lobby Lounge offers all-day bites and drinks along with free WiFi – the perfect place to hang out and work or socialize with friends and colleagues. Also on the Lobby level, and surrounded by a beautiful garden, the Garden Kitchen offers all-day dining with Asian-inspired Western fare served semi-buffet style, offering guests the choice of a variety of light dishes or made-to-order entrées. On Level 2, Mac’s Teppan skilfully showcases Japanese Teppanyaki, Chinese and Western cuisine at live cooking stations.

The spirit of Taiwanese hospitality is highlighted in the Marriott’s signature Chinese restaurant, The Dining Place, on Level 3. In an elegant setting, guests are treated to a delicious variety of Cantonese and Sichuan dishes. Private dining rooms are available for special occasions.

On the 20th floor, Oxy Bar & Grill serves up gourmet grilled cuisine accompanied by the stunning view of Taipei City. Oxy’s open air terrace lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful sunset while sipping cocktails. Inge, on the 21st floor, is Taipei’s top whiskey bar, offering more than 200 varieties of private collection whiskeys and spectacular city views. Inge is the perfect place to bring business associates and friends for a relaxing drink.

Relax & Rejuvenate
Stay sharp and fit at the Taipei Marriott Hotel’s SPA, located on the 19th floor. Relax with a menu of luxurious personalized spa treatments, or re-energize after a long day of work at the state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center, including a rooftop swimming pool.

With plans for a grand opening at the end of summer, Apricot Hotel has opened its doors for business amid the heart of Vietnam’s cultural and political capital, paying homage to art created by the nation’s master painters and contemporary up and comers.With sweeping views of the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake and the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s quaint Old Quarter at its doorstep, the small luxury five-star hotel’s features include 123 neo-classical rooms, two restaurants, a lobby lounge and cafe, rooftop bar, heated rooftop swimming pool, meeting facilities, spa and fitness centre.

Akin to a large-scale gallery, Apricot Hotel showcases more than 600 original artworks, with the lobby, corridors and rooms adorned with an array of original and valuable artworks by the nation’s most popular painters ranging from large masterpieces and sculptures to watercolours and sketches.

Among the hotel’s broad spectrum of artworks, highlights by master painters include Nguyễn Dung’s Hát Ả Đào (Traditional Folk Song Singers) with its earthy colours, Mai Thứ’s poignant Thiếu Nữ (Young Girl), and Phan Kế An’s Nhớ Một Chiều Tây Băc (Recalling One Late Afternoon in Tay Bac) that subtly hints at the heroism of Vietnamese troops to a dramatic mountainous backdrop during the French-Vietnamese war.

Artists Bùi Hữu Hùng and Hồng Việt Dũng lead the charge on the contemporary front with bold, golden-hued Nhã Nhạc (Royal Elegant Music) and Rừng Cọ (Palm Forest) respectively, with the latter work’s muted tones bringing depth to a scene seemingly devoid of human influence except for a miniature boat in the foreground.

“Art is a gateway to the deepest, most profound depths of any culture,” said Steve Tan, the hotel’s general manager. “At the same time we’re providing a stationary experience of accommodation, we’re going to take guests on an incredible journey through the history of Vietnamese art and culture.”

Steeped in French colonial history, the 10-story Apricot Hotel building has experienced a new lease on life since undergoing a major revamp resulting in a classic meets modern design. It was formerly the Phú Gia Hotel, where the city’s movers and shakers began gathering since the 1920s.

In addition to five categories of rooms and suites aptly named “Sketch”, “Canvas”, “Gallery”, “Masterpiece” and “Studio”, the hotel’s mezzanine “L’Artiste” restaurant boasts an open-style kitchen and menus in the design of an artist’s sketchbook while “A’telier”, located in the hotel lobby, serves a selection of teas from across the globe.

The roof-top fitness centre’s floor-to-ceiling glass walls make way for a panoramic view of the lake and its legendary Turtle Tower, while the “Spa L’Art” spa centre lets guests indulge in a host of services including facials and spa and wellness packages.

“If we liken Hoan Kiem Lake to a stunning ring, our hotel aspires to be the gemstone atop that ring; Apricot Hotel is luxurious yet homely, intimate and cosy with personal butlers and bespoke services including dining in a private garden for certain room categories,” said Tan.

Hilton Worldwide and Syncept Investment Group Co., Ltd. recently announced the development of the first Embassy by Hilton in the Asia Pacific. The hotel will be located on the resort island of Hainan in the city of Bo’ao, China.WATG Singapore has been selected as the lead architect for this flagship property. With a long collaborative working relationship with Hilton and a strong understanding of the Hainan hospitality market, WATG is positioned with the experience to execute a successful new destination for Syncept Investment Group and Hilton Worldwide.

The signing event was hosted by Mr. Zhang Weike Chairman of Syncept Investment Group Co., Ltd., and special guests included Hilton’s Mr. Bruce McKenzie, senior vice president, operations – Greater China and Mongolia. Also in attendance was Dave Moore, senior vice president and chairman of the board of directors at WATG. Moore has been an integral part of WATG’s growth in the Asia Pacific and currently manages the Singapore office.

“We are thrilled to be working with Syncept Investment Group and Hilton Worldwide on the development of the first Embassy by Hilton in Asia Pacific,” says Moore. “As a firm we have worked with Hilton for more than 30 years and we look forward to being a part of the visioning and growth of the Embassy brand.”The Embassy by Hilton will be catering to the domestic and international traveler and be situated to take advantage the special environment in Bo’ao. “The introduction of this new brand opens unique opportunities to bring a new and fresh experience to the Hainan hospitality market. It’s about doing great design that will focus on guests and their experiences throughout the resort. We look forward to working with Syncept Investment Group and Hilton to redefine hospitality in Hainan,” added Moore.

Powering ahead in dynamic markets worldwide, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® has announced the opening of Aloft South Beach. Located in Miami Beach, Florida, the adaptive re-use Aloft hotel features 235 spacious, loft-like rooms, a buzzing social atmosphere and innovative brand programming in a scenic lakefront setting. Developed by JMH Development and Madden Real Estate Ventures and managed by Sage Hospitality, Aloft South Beach has transformed the 1960’s-era Motel Ankara and includes a new eight-story tower. Aloft South Beach offers stunning waterfront views and access to Lake Pancoast and the Collins Canal, which wrap around the property. Just one block from Miami Beach, the new Aloft hotel is just minutes from the world-renowned South Beach, the Miami Beach Convention Centre, several art galleries, the Bass Museum of Art and numerous night clubs, restaurants and boutiques. Hotel facilities include an outdoor pool, roof deck lounge, 24-hour fitness centre and 2,349 square feet of flexible meeting space ideal for both business meetings and social gatherings. Fast and free wi-fi is available throughout the hotel.

The Aloft brand’s innovative and exclusive initiatives set it apart from the competition. Aloft Hotels recently announced the launch of SPG Keyless—an evolution of Aloft’s Smart Check-in— the hospitality industry’s first mobile, keyless entry system allowing guests to use their smart phone as a key. The technology is rolling out to all Aloft, Element and W Hotels Worldwide by year’s end. This forward-thinking initiative is part of the brand’s innovative DNA. Additionally, every Aloft Hotel around the world offers live, free access to local emerging artists and some of the hottest bands with Live at Aloft Hotels programming at the W XYZ® bars.

“We’re delighted to open this unique, stylish Aloft hotel in South Beach,” said Jason Halpern, principal in JMH Development, who has a track record of restoring historic structures. “Through this project, we were able to breathe new life into a historic South Beach building while simultaneously creating an aesthetically appealing new hotel in an unbeatable location.”

“Aloft South Beach will become a favourite of both travellers and locals,” said Mitchell Hochberg principal of Madden Real Estate Ventures. “The W XYZ bar, the pool overlooking Lake Pancoast, and the outdoor roof deck lounge create a unique fun environment that captures what South Beach is all about.”

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces the opening of the new-build 120-room Staybridge Suites® Seattle-Fremont hotel in the Seattle (Washington) neighbourhood of Fremont. This unique community, known as the “Centre of the Universe,” is home to art, boutiques and restaurants located alongside newcomers in the tech industry. Business travellers will be conveniently located to the University of Washington, Facebook’s new offices on Dexter Avenue and major technology companies including Adobe and Google.Robert Radomski, Vice President, Brand Management, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® Brands said: “We are thrilled to now offer the home-like and community living experience that the Staybridge Suites brand is known for to those who are visiting the Fremont area. The hotel’s location will attract a mix of leisure weekend travellers and long term guests in the tech industry, making it ideal for the Staybridge Suites brand.”

The new property offers well-designed spacious guestrooms which include a mix of studio and one-and two-bedroom/two-bathroom suites, along with more than 1,550 square feet of meeting space and a spacious 2,000 square foot rooftop deck overlooking the city. Amenities such as a complimentary daily hot breakfast buffet and evening reception, daily housekeeping, guest laundry room, fitness centre, indoor pool, 24-hour business centre and outdoor living room with barbecue and fire pit are available for all guests.

Vicky Miron, General Manager said: “We believe the unique offerings of the Staybridge Suites brand are a strong fit for this market. Summer is one of the best times of year to visit Seattle because of the mild weather and cooler temperatures. We look forward to accommodating these guests while they see everything the city has to offer.”

The hotel, located at 3926 Aurora Avenue North, is owned and managed by Olympic Hospitality, LLC.

Gallery Direct’s Frank Hudson catalogue includes 10 individually styled bedroom collections. Designed and created to suit different lifestyles and interiors, the range offers beds to suit all tastes and styles of room.James Hudson, Business Development Director – Furniture, commented “The catalogue really does offer a fantastic choice of products, so there’s sure to be something to appeal to everyone – from the Hartwick, a modern take on a classic-four post bed, to the contemporary Annecy to the classic Louis XV. Couple this with Frank Hudson’s usual high quality standards and we have a range we are incredibly proud of.”

To complement the stunning beds, Gallery offer a beautiful collection of soft furnishings, including quilt cover sets, cushions and throws. Business Development Director – Textiles, Jayne Zalega told us “We designed our range of soft furnishings using only the finest quality fabrics and impeccable attention to detail, ensuring the collection is produced to the highest standards. Our 3 inspiring brands each have a different look, to add the perfect finishing touch to any bedroom.”

“For a natural, rustic feel, try the Kilburn & Scott range which features a range of luxurious tactile fabrics. The Parisian House brand features a range of ‘timeless classics’ in a soft and elegant colour palette. Or for more modern designs and vibrant colours, the Gallery Home brand offers ‘on-trend’ statement pieces.”

All in all, with their wonderful beds and beautiful linens, Gallery really have got beds covered!

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

Inspired by the London skyline, the Crane Desk Lamp from Chelsom is a sleek and contemporary piece fusing clean and stylish design with the latest technology. Also available as a Floor Lamp, the Crane range features a warm white LED light source that allows diffused light to emit from a slim arm which rotates 180 degrees. The LED is recessed along the full length of the arm providing a great spread of light with no glare ensuring the optimum light output for reading and working. The driver is housed in the geometric base which also sports a colour co-ordinated metal push switch to complement the finish of the lamp.

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

To contact Chelsom, please visit their website: www.chelsom.co.uk

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced the opening of Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town in Suzhou, China. Owned by Suzhou Science and Technology Town Kexin Cultural Tourism Development Co., LTD., the new Element hotel is set to offer healthy, active travellers a smart and sustainable stay, designed to fuel a balanced life while on the road. Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town features 188 rooms and suites. Guests can work, play, or relax in the spacious, smart and modern guestrooms, all of which offer oversized windows for natural light. Each room comes with a well-equipped energy-efficient kitchen; and amenities such as the plush signature Heavenly® Beds, spa-inspired baths and separate invigorating rain showers and all natural bath amenities. With light-filled public areas and a calming atmosphere, Element hotels employ a natural colour palette, giving each hotel an organic openness that matches the architecture and weightless feeling of the space.

As Starwood’s eco-innovation lab, each room also features a work space and high-tech office and entertainment equipment, with complimentary internet access and a one-stop connectivity solution that allows guests to hook up portable electronics to their in-room TV. SPG Keyless Check-In – the hospitality industry’s first mobile, keyless entry system that allows guests to use their smartphone as a key is also available at Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town. The hotel also offers 1,200 square meters of flexible meeting space with modular fast & free WiFi throughout.

Recognizing that whole living is more of a lifestyle than a trend, Element Hotels have re-imagined extended stay by setting a new standard for life on the road. Guest can refuel for the day ahead at Salon, an all-day dining restaurant, or enjoy a variety of traditional local, Huaiyang and authentic Cantonese cuisine at the well-designed private rooms. At the Relax evening reception, guests can wind down over a selection of savoury wine, food and beverage pairings. The 24/7 self-serve pantry Restore offers healthy options and unique delights for every taste. Enjoy a bite with friends or colleagues in the whole living area or tap into your culinary skills by whipping up a meal in the fully-equipped kitchen in your guest room.

Staying on the move is easy with the hotel’s state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness centre, an indoor saline swimming pool as well as complimentary bikes for rent, which encourages guest to explore the nearby sights, while staying healthy and active.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation in conjunction with Miami-based development group Robert Finvarb Companies and its partner David Martins has recently announced the opening of Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami, a 105-room lifestyle hotel bringing the first Hyatt Centric-branded hotel to Miami Beach, and the second Hyatt Centric property worldwide.Renowned architect Kobi Karp uses the local culture of South Beach as inspiration for the design of Hyatt Centric South Beach – a striking, 10-story glass tower that sits above a historic building façade, blending the city’s Art Deco roots with modern aesthetics. Protruding horizontal windows, which Karp describes as “bulging eyes,” are just one of the unique architectural elements that make Hyatt Centric South Beach distinctive. Contemporary furnishings and carefully selected artwork by local gallerist Dina Mitrani define the hotel’s calm and inviting interiors, while floor-to-ceiling windows offer a luminous view of the hustle and bustle outside the hotel. Public spaces showcase an eclectic art series entitled “El Peso de las Cosas” (The Weight of Things) conveying what featured artist Marina Font describes as “the bridge that connects experiences to memories.”

Upon arrival, guests are led to a central lobby lounge on the third floor where they can enjoy handcrafted signature cocktails at the bar and browse through the hotel’s curated book collection in The Corner. Outside is a stunning, open-air deck featuring a swimming pool where guests can leisurely soak up the Miami sun on lush lounge chairs or unwind in shaded cabanas. The hotel also offers a distinctive indoor-outdoor lobby on the third floor with public spaces available for guests to recharge and socialize.

Located in close proximity to South Beach’s iconic attractions, such as the Convention Center, Bass Museum, New World Center, and world-class shopping on Lincoln Road, Hyatt Centric South Beach places guests at the epicentre of the dynamic “Magic City.”

Hyatt Centric South Beach features a Spanish-Mediterranean restaurant, DECK sixteen, offering a locally sourced menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the talented Executive Chef William Milian at the helm of the kitchen. Additional food and beverage amenities include pool and beach service and Hyatt Centric’s signature restaurant-to-room dispatch service, which delivers selected menu items and cocktail kits in 20 minutes or less.

The hotel also offers a unique roster of conveniences including a fitness centre and a number of off-site amenities, such as custom-designed bicycles and specially priced services at the famed exhale spa, where luxury spa services and award-winning fitness programs are at the tip of guests’ fingers.

In addition to catering to leisure travellers, Hyatt Centric South Beach also offers business guests a stylish boardroom on the second floor for meetings. The hotel allows for convenient connectivity with complimentary wireless Internet throughout the property and a state-of-the-art Bluetooth enabled TV systems with full audio and visual services.

Harlequin’s successful collaboration with Bedeck, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of luxury bedlinen, continues with the launch of more stunning designs for A/W15.Adapted from three eye-catching designs in Harlequin’s recent fabric and wallcovering collections, the bedlinen comes over a range of four sizes of duvet cover (single, double, king and super king) with coordinating pillowcases and accessorised with
throws and cushions.

Paradise: Depicting a mouthwatering design from this spring’s Amazilia collection, Paradise is a loosely-painted, artistic interpretation of tropical flora and fauna, digitally printed for maximum impact. The duvet cover features a flamboyant allover tropical motif in a choice of two vibrant colourways: ‘lagoon’ and ‘flamingo’. It has a plain reverse and flat piping. There are two complementary oxford pillowcases: one featuring the tropical floral motif with a plain reverse and flat piping, whilst the other has a coloured, embroidered edge on a white ground.

Paradise is digitally-printed onto a gloriously soft, 200 thread count, 100% cotton sateen, whilst the embroidered pillowcase is on 180 thread count 100% cotton percale. The selection is completed by two striking cushions. One is a 50 x 30cm linen boudoir pillow, featuring the Amazilia hummingbird digitally printed in multi-colours and offset with a green flange. The other is in the same size and fabric, but with a stripe & zig zag pattern and a plain reverse, accented with a coloured flange at each end.

Bahia: Specially designed for the A/W15 bedlinen collection, Bahia depicts an allover horizontal stripe on the front of the duvet cover in fresh tones of lime, aqua and indigo. The reverse features a widely-spaced horizontal stripe, as does the housewife pillowcase, whilst the oxford pillowcase has vertical stripes on both sides. They are all printed onto 200 thread count 100% cotton sateen. Bahia is accompanied by a 140 x 200cm 100% cotton knitted throw and 45cm square knitted cushion, both of which have an allover geometric pattern and a plain border on all four sides. There is an additional 45cm square 100% linen cushion embroidered with multi-coloured motifs on the front, a plain reverse and navy piping.

Katsura: Based on a design in the Momentum Wallcoverings 3 collection, Katsura depicts a shadowy and ethereal tree in ‘topaz’ on the front of the duvet cover, with an allover texture printed reverse, piped in indigo. There is a choice of two oxford pillowcases, one featuring trees and a plain reverse with indigo piping, the other in the allover texture on both sides with topaz stitching. They are all printed on 200 thread count, 100% cotton sateen. The Katsura cushion is 50 x 30cm, with broken navy horizontal lines embroidered onto a pure linen base with a plain linen reverse and piped in navy. These are complemented by a navy 170 x 220cm throw featuring a dash pattern, quilted in a diamond motif.

Paradise, Bahia and Katsura will be launched nationwide in July 2015 and will be available via a network of selected stockists.

For details of stockists throughout the UK, please call Bedeck on 0845 603 0861.

During Clerkenwell Design Week, Morgan launched a new collection, Kyoto, and unveiled additions to the popular Metro and Manhattan original seating ranges.KYOTO Collection

The Kyoto linear bench system, inspired by Japanese gardens and bridges, is a new collection designed by Morgan studio. The Kyoto benches overlap at either 90 degrees or 20 degree offset to create asymmetric, reception area seating compositions.

The benches encourage you to take a less direct route from A to B, pause, sit and take in your surroundings from a new perspective as you would in a Japanese garden. The intersections are defined by floating table tops.

The 10 Kyoto compositions available can be specified in contrasting fabrics, with tables available in finishes from timber and Formica to glass and Carrara marble; giving the designer the scope to compose a bold graphic statement or opt for a more tranquil tonal palette.

METRO 135, 130RB & 130SKB

The Metro collection, designed by Katerina Zachariades, is growing with the addition of three playful new designs. Hide and seek in the new 135 high back lounge chair; this acts as an upholstered booth echoing the bold organic lines characteristic of the Metro collection.

Fully upholstered sides with wings provide acoustic screening and offer refuge from the surroundings. They also provide the opportunity to contrast fabrics.

Already offered with a timber and metal swivel base, the Metro 130 lounge chair is now available with a wire sled (130SKB) and timber & wire frame rocking base (130RB); available in a powder coated finish with beech, oak or walnut species timber.

MANHATTAN Work Booth

Responding to the changing nature of the workplace, the new Manhattan M1High Back designed by Katerina Zachariades expands on the popular modular seating collection to facilitate flexible working.

Combining a comfortable sit with acoustic screens and pivoting laptop table, the Manhattan Work booth can be specified with either a power socket or wireless Aircharge®port, making it the perfect spot to make a quick phone call, write a report or grab a working lunch.

The modular nature of the Manhattan collection lends itself to bold fabric combinations, and is available with a steel leg or show wood leg detail.

For more information about Morgan, visit www.morganfurniture.co.uk.

Sage Hospitality, one of the nation’s leading hotel development and management companies is proud to unveil the plans for the Logan, Philadelphia’s Hotel. The highly anticipated project has officially begun its transformation and is slated to début this fall, 2015 and will be part of Curio – A collection by Hilton. Dawson Design Associates is responsible for the full scope renovation of the property, working with Host Hotels & Resorts, and Sage Hospitality, who will manage the hotel. The Logan will reopen its doors and introduce an art inspired interpretation on Modern Luxury, a contrast to the traditional décor associated with its predecessor, the former Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia.The Logan hotel will be named to honour James Logan and further celebrates the Logan Square location. Logan was one of the most respected men of his generation in colonial Pennsylvania. A dedicated and influential statesman, philosopher, diplomat and scholar, James Logan represents a commitment to this new hotel’s way of living: serving the public, taking action to better society and pursuing life with unrelenting intellectual and cultural curiosity. James Logan will represent the soul of Philadelphia’s hotel and he’s inspired an innovative, brave and creative approach to hospitality provided in this soon to be transformed location.

“When the doors re-open, Philadelphia can expect something truly unique, a hotel they will be extremely proud of,” said Walter Isenberg, President and CEO of Sage Hospitality. “Everything about this transformation is inspired by the city, its people, its magic and grit. The Logan will be something that visitors and locals don’t just think of as a hotel, but as Philadelphia’s favourite place to be. Guests will not want to leave and Philadelphians will want to be there.”

Renovations to the building will leave it almost unrecognisable, transformed in an artful, curated manner. Throughout the lobby and first floor, lighter pastels will give way to dramatic deep ocean blues, metal and stone more often associated with sculpture than Monet. Guest rooms and suites will feature entirely new moods, made possible by newly designed floor to ceiling interiors. Meeting and banquet space, along with an all new ballroom, perfect for weddings and special events, will offer fresh designs, suited for modern meetings, innovative weddings and Philadelphia’s most celebrated galas. New catering menus will offer a vibrant culinary experience combining historical service levels with modern menu offerings.

On the lower level, dramatic, energizing and soothing colour palates will create an equally inspiring landscape for a new spa and fitness centre. And, in maybe the most dramatic change in space, a rooftop lounge will open in the spring of 2016 offering Philadelphians and guests the chance to enjoy the great outdoors overlooking the cultural epicentre of the City of Brotherly Love.

Adjacent to the hotel will be a modern farm-to-table steakhouse. Denver-based Sage Restaurant Group will introduce Urban Farmer – Philadelphia’s Steakhouse to the local community. This will be the third outpost of their award-winning and nationally recognized Urban Farmer in Portland, OR, which focuses on serving local, organically sourced food from the region’s farmers, ranchers and foragers. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

“Every aspect of Urban Farmer in Philadelphia will be custom tailored and pay homage to the people who live, work and play in Philadelphia. From the look and feel of the restaurant to the locally sourced offerings that are served there”, explains Sage Restaurant Group Co-Founder, Peter Karpinski.

The Logan is located at One Logan Square, nearby to America’s first botanical garden, zoo and permanent theatre as well as world class art collections, museums and other attractions. The Liberty Bell Centre and Independence Hall are nearby, as well as many local Philadelphia cultural favourites.

LUX* Resorts & Hotels has announced the opening of its second LUX* Tea Horse Road property in Benzilan, China, set to open its doors in October 2015.Inspired by one of the greatest journeys of all time and the majestic surroundings of the Greater Shangri-La region, LUX* Resorts & Hotels has announced the opening of its second boutique hotel along the LUX* Tea Horse Road circuit, at the core of the sundrenched valley of Benzilan in the Yunnan province.

Located at the centre of what was once a strategic post along the ancient trade route, LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan welcomes luxury travellers making their way to the sacred glaciers of the Meili Snow Mountains to its spacious Tibetan-inspired 30 rooms and suites, the signature Café LUX* and the river view all-day dining restaurant. The mountain retreat offers unparalleled views of the snow-capped peaks of Baima Snow Mountains, surrounded by tranquil Tibetan villages at the shores of the Yangtze River.

Due to its mild altitude ensuring year-round warm temperatures, LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan confidently sets itself as the perfect place to explore the surrounding glaciers on tailor-made hikes, mushroom-picking missions or discovering hidden mountain trails and authentic local experiences with genuine Tibetan hosts. For those in need of more than physical rejuvenation, the LUX* team are on hand to arrange ad-hoc visits to the local monasteries, where private audiences with the resident monks aim to nurture the mind, spirit and body.

Bringing its award-winning “Lighter, Brighter” formula to China, LUX* Resorts & Hotels epitomises the essence of “travel light and experience in depth” by introducing a set of Reasons To Go LUX* exclusively dedicated to LUX* Tea Horse Road. The renowned Mamma Aroma embraces the locale by presenting a Tibetan roseroot-flavored set of amenities; movies are screened under the starry skies of the Snow Mountains or framed by the rolling roofs of ancient towns, and Café LUX* presents a unique selection of Yunnan coffee blends, both in Lijiang and Benzilan. At each property, guests will find a LUX* vintage telephone to call home, free of charge, in the library.

LUX* Tea Horse Road links Benzilan to its sister property in Lijiang with an expertly-designed route that follows the original path of the ancient tea trading route. At the core of the UNESCO-listed ancient town of Lijiang, a journey that starts with a cup of traditional Pu’er tea and continues towards the mountains of Shangri-La promises to unveil some of the most untouched natural wonders of the area. “We are excited to launch LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan” comments Henry Niu, General Manager of LUX* Tea Horse Road; “and we are confident that this property will become the destination retreat of the region.”

Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe, mixes timeless designs with an array of textiles to bring together its finest upholstery creations into one collection – Wellington.Wellington’s upholstery collection for domestic and contract use is the perfect complement to City Chic, which brings together a rich array of interior fabrics, reflecting the lavish glitz and glamour reminiscent of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

The 27-design collection includes opulent woven jacquards in velvet and chenille, cool linen, wool and faux leather. Its extensive colour palette ranges from evergreen tones of grey and taupe to vibrant statement shades of Indigo, fuchsia and purple.

For those who want the very latest in style and trends, highlights from the collection include Erasmus, a woven dobby comprising 58% cotton, 22% viscose, 10% PA and 10% linen and is available in a range of six colours. It has a natural linen appearance and feel and incorporates a broad herringbone strip in matt and metallic yarns.

Cobra is a woven jacquard comprising 55% acryl, 25% polyester and 20% viscose and features an intricate allover pattern on a subtle metallic look background. It is available in a range of five colours.

Focus is a woven jacquard comprising 35% polyester, 30% viscose-chenille, 20% cotton and 15% viscose available in a range of 15 colours. The luxurious chenille setting is complemented by sophisticated stripes giving it a timeless elegance.

Norberto is a sumptuous jacquard woven velvet comprising of 54% acryl, 30% polyester, 15% viscose and 1% cotton and comes in a range of eight colours. The soft velvet background is covered in contemporary multi-coloured polka-dots.

David Harris, managing director of Kobe UK, said: “This exciting collection has been specially put together with today’s upholstery in mind, many of which are suitable for severe contract usage, offering a versatile and timeless elegance to any interior setting.”

Cobra, Erasmus, Focus and Norberto can all be supplied with a domestic and contract upholstery back coating. All Kobe’s upholstery fabrics offer exceptional durability, scoring highly on the Martindale Rub Test.

Click here to contact KOBE UK via their website: www.en.kobe.eu

Marriott International’s Courtyard by Marriott brand has opened two new properties in Europe; Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Gdynia, Poland. Both properties will operate under a franchise agreement with Scandinavian Hospitality Management and will showcase the brand’s new European design, which focuses on blending technology and style.To meet the needs of business travellers, the European Courtyard Hotel design combines business functionality with a spacious, uncluttered style. Travellers can enjoy appealing and convenient food and drink options 24 hours a day and the dynamic lobby spaces feature free Wifi, flexible seating and smart, inspiring interior design that welcomes and invigorates guests. An interactive GoBoard® screen provides up to the minute news, weather and local information so guests are always in touch.

Courtyard Amsterdam Arena Atlas is in the business district Amsterdam Zuidoost, just 13 minutes train journey from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and 10 minutes on the metro from the city centre.

The 175-room property comprises 21 Premium and 154 Standard rooms, all of which have 42-inch Smart LED TV and complimentary Wifi. Six meeting rooms have latest AV, high speed Wifi access and natural light. The largest meeting room has capacity for 140 guests.

Courtyard Gdynia Waterfront offers 200 rooms – 134 Premium, 54 Standard, 11 Business, and one suite with views over the sea. A large, moveable desk, ergonomic chair, 40-inch LCD HD TV and a laptop sized safe along with complimentary Wifi throughout the hotel allows guests to tailor their working environment to their requirements.

The hotel has nine meeting rooms including a 491 sq. meter ballroom which can be divided into four areas with a foyer and adjacent terrace boasting a BBQ and picnic area.

GåRD Nordic Kitchen will serve freshly prepared food in both hotels, inspired by traditional Scandinavian recipes. The hotel’s restaurants are designed to attract local business as well as hotel guests and ensure a lively and energising atmosphere.

The Fish Hotel is the newest boutique hotel to land on the Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds. You might call it a boutique hotel; you might call it a village-style retreat in the heart of a parkland estate; you might even call it the gateway to a world of outdoor adventure. Throughout the hotel’s restaurant you can see our beautifully crafted A041 dining chairs, from our Rewind Collection. These chairs can be sprayed in a variety of colour finishes, which can suit any interior space.Bespoke Designs – An eclectic mix

Style Matters have produced a wide variety of seating, ranging from large, comfy armchairs to stylish dining chairs.

Working alongside Hannah Lohan our furniture was designed to fit perfectly in the light, bright and supremely welcoming space, which includes subtle hints of local history.

Click here to contact Style Matters via their website: stylematters.co.uk

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has announced the début of its iconic brand in India with the highly anticipated St. Regis Mumbai in the third quarter of 2015. Owned by Pallazzio Hotels & Leisure Ltd., the Palladium Hotel is currently undergoing an extensive rebranding and will soon fly the St. Regis flag, bringing bespoke luxury and refined elegance to the city of Mumbai. Located in Lower Parel, one of the most prestigious addresses in the city, the hotel combines timeless sophistication with modern luxury and is a befitting début for the St. Regis brand in this fast growing market. Located in the sophisticated Lower Parel area, less than half an hour drive from Chhatrapati Shivaji International & Domestic Airport terminals in Mumbai and a quick and easy drive across the iconic Worli Sea Link, the hotel will offer easy access to upscale restaurants and pubs, premium office space, chic boutiques and luxury real estate. Adjoining the hotel is the famous Palladium, the only luxury retail shopping center in the city which houses some of the world’s most celebrated luxury brands.

The 38-story St. Regis Mumbai will feature 386 well-appointed guest rooms, including 60 suites. The hotel’s sophisticated culinary offerings will include an all-day dining restaurant featuring a wide range of gourmet selections from around the world, four specialty restaurants, a club lounge, and three bars. Guests will be able to indulge in the legendary world renowned Bloody Mary cocktail, born at the flagship St. Regis New York hotel in the early 1900s.

Other leisure facilities include a swimming pool and a fitness center. For meetings and events, the hotel will offer over 5,200 square meters of unrivalled event space including a 4200-square-meter grand ballroom.

The St. Regis Mumbai will join a growing portfolio of Starwood hotels in India where the company currently operates 43 hotels, with an additional 37 hotels in the pipeline. Starwood is India’s largest luxury and upper upscale hospitality company. In addition to The St. Regis Mumbai, the company is set to debut more new hotels in the next two years including W Retreat & Spa Goa, The Westin Kolkata, Sheraton Hyderabad, Le Meridien Nagpur and Aloft New Delhi Aerocity.

Style Matters’ latest collection is simplistic in design, yet highly practical. Durable build, contemporary design and flawless quality make the Scandinavian Collection one not to be missed. The Ponta lounge and Ponta dining chair are a perfect combination of beauty and utility, perfect for a whole variety of spaces.

Click here to contact Style Matters via their website: www.stylematters.co.uk

Following Autograph Collection’s announcement of the brand’s entry into Azerbaijan, Boulevard Hotel Baku and Intourist Hotel Baku have this month joined the collection of strikingly independent hotels. The properties, which are located in the enigmatic capital of Baku, account for two of Autograph Collection’s four hotels now present in Azerbaijan – with two luxurious hotels from the Shahdag Mountain Resort having joined the collection in December 2014. Named after the eponymous seafront walking promenade and set right at the Baku Bay, Boulevard Hotel Baku offers 818 charming rooms. Located in the heart of Baku White City district, along one of the main routes connecting the city centre with Heydar Aliyev International Airport, this hotel provides fantastic conference facilities, with the largest space on offer in Azerbaijan.

Boulevard Hotel features three restaurants, an executive lounge, and a magnificent 1,300 square metre ballroom – which provides natural daylight and state of the art audio-visual equipment. The Green House Kitchen is the hotel’s main restaurant, and serves a menu of Mediterranean cuisine that changes seasonally. Herbs and vegetables are sourced from the kitchen’s back garden, which also features a charcoal grill and wood-burning oven. The White City Lounge is an elegant social venue adjacent to the lobby of the hotel, offering a 24-hour service. Boulevard Hotel Baku’s a la carte restaurant, Black City Café, specializes in grilled and smoked comfort food from New York City.

The hotel’s conference centre features six multi-functional meeting rooms all equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. Boulevard Hotel’s wellness centre and gymnasium offers one of the most comprehensive facilities in Azerbaijan, with treatments provided by leading spa brand Elemis.

Located in the heart of Baku city and overlooking the waterfront boulevard, known as the National Park, Intourist Hotel Baku offers 150 alluring guest rooms and suites – most of which offer panoramic views directly over the Caspian Sea and Baku Boulevard. With close proximity to major attractions, the hotel offers superb connections throughout the city.

Intourist Hotel Baku revives an 80-year-old legacy, while bringing in the best of modern hospitality experiences with its elegant rooms and unique dining facilities. The hotel’s B&B Club restaurant, bar and lounge is located on the mezzanine floor and features an interactive open kitchen with wood-burning oven, semi-private dining areas and a beautiful green terrace overlooking the sea. The B&B Club hosts Baku’s first Bubbles Bar, offering over 30 different kinds of champagne and the largest selection of vodkas along with vintage spirits and wines.

Guests can take advantage of the Day Spa and Wellness area, which consists of a high-tech gym with panoramic sea views, saunas, steam baths, and two spa suites, each offering en-suite walk-in showers, vanity and changing areas, and closets. Intourist Hotel Baku offers a fully equipped multi-functional meeting space called Room 1934 with the adjacent Library area that can be converted into a private venue, serving tea, coffee and other refreshments. A designated business corner has two working desks and is conveniently located within the Library area just opposite the meeting room.

The vision behind the Autograph Collection is to offer an evolving group of passionately independent hotel experiences ranging from a 15-room boutique hunting lodge in the mountains of Colorado to a 19th century neoclassical palace in the majestic city of Prague. Exactly like nothing else, each hotel is thoughtfully chosen for its quality, originality, bold character and capacity to offer today’s modern traveller a range of unique experiences suited to their individual sense of style and adventure. While still relatively new, the distinct portfolio has proven to be a highly successful venture due to its discerning selection process and unique ability to create memories through enriching travel experiences.

Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels has recently attended a signing ceremony in Shanghai, announcing that a Rocco Forte hotel will open in Shanghai in 2018, constituting the group’s first move into the Asia Pacific market. Rocco Forte Hotels will partner with Longhua International to be part of the Longhua International Aviation Service Centre, a new urban complex in Shanghai’s Xuhui Riverside area known as West Bund. Rocco Forte Hotels will be the exclusive luxury international hotel provider to the project. The new modern area will span 7.2 hectares, with an overall floor space of 510,000 square metres, dedicated to business and government office spaces, retail and fashion outlets, cultural amenities such as theatres, and other beautifully landscaped recreational spaces.

Rocco Forte Hotels have been selected by the founders, Longhua International, who have praised the unique family run managerial approach and the group’s distinctive approach to service.

The hotel, which is yet to be named, will take over the top 15 floors of the tallest building of the development and will include around 280 rooms and suites, all with beautiful views of the city. There will be three different restaurants, each with its own identity and speciality, led by Lydia Forte, Sir Rocco’s daughter and Director of Food and Beverage for the hotel group. The hotel will also feature a Rocco Forte spa and health offering complete with a swimming pool. A grand ballroom will host extensive events, launches and conferences. These will all be framed by large public spaces, with design overseen by Olga Polizzi, Director of Design of Rocco Forte Hotels.

The news follows the recent announcement of Rocco Forte Hotels’ expansion, with Sir Rocco revealing his intention to double the number of hotels in the group over the next five years. The existing ten hotels in the collection are largely European based, an area where the group will continue to concentrate, as well as branching further afield to the Middle East.

The Assila Hotel and Residence will open in the heart of the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, later in 2015. The hotel will offer 146 rooms, 62 suites and 94 serviced apartments, as well as four restaurant concepts, spa and 25 metre roof top pool.

Lano Flooring Solutions is well regarded for providing hospitality locations across the globe with beautiful carpets that perform faultlessly and which are backed by impeccable service and its new website is now showcasing the best the Belgian carpet powerhouse has to offer.Featuring classic and new collections such as Zen Design, Retro, Carve & Suite Concept and Satine, the website captures the diversity of Lano Flooring Solutions standard hospitality collections, as well as detailing semi-bespoke and custom programmes available from the manufacturer, known for innovative styles produced in state-of-the-art facilities.

With the new Precision Concept that delivers 12 on-trend designs each in four colourways available in just 15 working days from 50 square metres, along with the well-established Walk of Fame axminster, Suite and Carve tufted, Jaudon wilton, Cameleon chromojet and Colour Concept programmes, designers and specifiers are inundated with choice.

“Our new look website showcases the very best of hospitality carpet from Lano Flooring Solutions,” comments Heidi Debakker, Marketing Manager. “Featuring details on all our standard ranges that are ready to go for time sensitive projects, as well as wide-ranging bespoke and semi-bespoke possibilities, it goes to show that we hold a carpet solution for every size and shape of hospitality environment, from small guesthouse right up to hundred plus room hotels and cruise ships.”

With details on the design studio used for custom creations, the website at www.lano.com also features an extensive gallery and references section, cataloguing some of the manufacturer’s most prestigious works from projects throughout Europe in an incredibly diverse range of locations.

For further information, freephone 00800 5266 5266 or visit www.lano.com

HotelDesigns recently published an article on The New York EDITION in April this year, but upon receipt of more images, it’s worth another mention to highlight what has been done with the interiors of the iconic “clocktower” building in Madison Square Park, New York.“Luxury has a new address,” says Arne Sorenson CEO of Marriott International. “With the opening of our first EDITION hotel in New York City and the loving restoration of the century old Clocktower building, we have ushered in a new era of timeless hospitality.”

The interiors have been embraced, retained and restored where possible; of note, the dark wood on the walls and the floors on the second floor. However, to give the hotel that downtown New York feel, there are modern interpretations of elements that can be found in the grand mansions of Millionaire’s Row – such as the sculptural spiral staircase leading up to the second floor, and the 30ft-long hand forged blackened steel fireplace.

Continuing this subtle play of modern and period drama, the restaurant on the second floor combines three intimate dining rooms, a parlour and a library – separate spaces but seamlessly designed to form a whole.

An oasis from the outside world, the 273 guest rooms at The New York EDITION look out over Manhattan through the original windows fitted in the 1920s. Each room has a classic, extra-long and deep floating white oak desk, inspired by Jean-Michel Frank, and a bed with a dark walnut headboard and a custom-built walnut platform with bespoke walnut nightstands.

Images are credited to Nikolas Koenig

Boutique hotels are still as trendy as they used to be when they started appearing all over the country a couple of decades ago. Although the bulk of our hotel business comes from bigger chains, we tend to regularly work with individual Boutique hotels as well, supplying furniture as full of character as the establishments themselves. What really differentiates the boutique hotel from an ordinary small hotel is its design-led individuality and style. The design schemes are often unique and aimed at delivering once in a lifetime experience for the guests. Interior design and furniture specifically is an invaluable medium for communicating the original character of a particular hotel and this is exactly the kind of challenge we are happy to take on.

Our hotel division has recently supplied a number of distinct boutique hotels around the country with original furniture and we would like to share some of the treasures with you.

The Old Stocks Inn nestled in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire has recently undergone a top-to-toe refurbishment bringing together the 17th-century charm, modern-day luxury and a passion for great hospitality. We have supplied a full range of furniture for both indoor and outdoor areas.

The Manor at Sway is a modern country house hotel set in a beautiful Edwardian mansion. Located in the New Forest National Park, the recent refurbishment has seen all the communal areas, restaurant and reception renovated with our furniture, setting the character throughout.

The Lugger Hotel – recently named “Best Seaside Hotel” by the Sunday Times – sits right on the waterfront in the centre of the delightful village Portloe in Cornwall. The eclectic mix of furniture supplied by The Contract Chair Company for the latest refurbishment is represented by the below photographs.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced its market début in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar with the signing of Sheraton® Yangon Hotel, a new build property in the dynamic capital city. Owned by Family Business Group Hotel Limited, the milestone signing builds upon the Sheraton first mover advantage in the region, meets accelerating demand, and brings the brand’s Asia-Pacific portfolio to 73 hotels and 37 resorts. Located in the Tamwe Township, near Kandawgyi Lake, the Sheraton Yangon Hotel will feature 375 sophisticated guest rooms outfitted with signature brand amenities. Other property offerings will include Shine Spa for Sheraton™, three dining venues, and recreation facilities ranging from a swimming pool to a state-of-the-art Sheraton Fitness® centre. With function space totalling 1,880 square metres, Sheraton Yangon Hotel will be an ideal choice for meetings, weddings and functions.

Sheraton Yangon Hotel will open during an exciting period in the country, spurred by a major investment from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism that has encouraged 4 million international arrivals in 2015 alone. Yangon boasts a number of top tourist attractions, including the iconic Shewedagon Pagoda—the single most important religious site in all of Myanmar—conveniently located 2.8 kilometres from the hotel. As the country’s largest city, Yangon operates as the country’s principal political, cultural, and commercial centre. An easy 20 minutes from the Yangon International Airport, Sheraton Yangon Hotel will help meet the strong demand for quality accommodation for business and leisure travellers alike.

The signing of Sheraton Yangon Hotel follows the announcements of key pipeline hotels for Starwood in the region, including Sheraton Danang Resort, Four Points® by Sheraton Danang in Vietnam, The Westin® Manila Sonata Place in the Philippines, and Four Points® by Sheraton Bali, Kuta in Indonesia. Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Kuta marks our sixth resort in Indonesia with three more properties announced to open in the next two years.

Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry has invested over £70,000 in transforming its Lavender Spa into a relaxing Highland haven.

The makeover includes a new state-of-the-art sauna and steam room, while the treatment rooms, changing facilities, spa entrance and reception areas have been given a fresh new feel.The hotel, originally named Athole Hydropathic, opened in 1884 as a Victorian health hydro and used the healing powers of natural spring water which comes from the mountain of Ben-y-Vrackie which stands over Pitlochry as a natural tonic.

The Perthshire hotel, which was named as one of the 28 most ‘jaw-dropping’ hotels in the world by global travel website TravelGround, has spent over £1 million in total renovating Atholl Palace Hotel. This has included the creation of extensive woodland walk paths around the grounds and a full refurbishment of the Atholl Suite, conference centre and the hotel’s very own museum.

Graeme Strachan, General Manager at Atholl Palace Hotel, said: “We are very pleased with the fantastic new look of the hotel’s spa. During the refurbishment process, it’s been very important to us to retain the unique character of the hotel.

“We’ve incorporated modern facilities such as our sauna and steam room with fresh white floors and luxurious purple furnishings while maintaining the hotel’s history and charm by keeping the original brickwork exposed. It’s a fantastic fusion of the old and new.

“We are excited to welcome guests to try out our new spa – we offer a competitive menu of excellent spa treatments alongside a variety of spa packages.”

Current spa packages available at Atholl Palace Hotel are ‘Pamper at the Palace’ which includes a delicious champagne afternoon tea and relaxing half-hour spa treatment; the ‘Sunday Spa Break’, including a Sunday night dinner, bed and breakfast stay and spa treatment; and one or two night spa breaks, including a one or two night dinner, bed and breakfast stay with afternoon tea and one or two spa treatments.

Atholl Palace Hotel, located in the heart of Scotland just 90 minutes from Edinburgh and Glasgow, sits amongst the most picturesque Perthshire landscape and offers a flavour of Scotland whilst remaining close to main motorway links from the South.

In advance of the 37th Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced it has achieved its strongest first five months of the year for deal signings since 2008. Starwood continues to see balanced growth across its brands and around the world, with North America leading the charge, accounting for nearly 40% of new signings so far in 2015. Development highlights include a 30% increase in deal signings for Starwood’s Speciality Select brands, Aloft, Element and Four Points by Sheraton, which together account for more than three-quarters of North America signings year-to-date; a new developer-friendly vision for the Sheraton brand to be unveiled on June 1; and the launch of its 10th brand, Tribute Portfolio. Adam Aron, CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts on an interim basis, said: “We are putting an even brighter spotlight on our world-class hotel brands as we work to accelerate the pace of our growth, better serve our guests, and offer more hotel options to more guests in more places than ever before.”

North America Growth Momentum Building in 2015
This year, Starwood will reach its 600th hotel milestone in North America, which remains the company’s largest market with its most hotels in the development pipeline. Starwood is on track to have its strongest openings year in North America since 2009 with 40% of its planned 2015 openings in the region. The company will open more hotels in Europe this year than it has in any year since 2006, and, in Asia Pacific, Starwood will surpass its 300th hotel milestone by year-end, more than tripling its portfolio in the region over the last decade.

Simon Turner, President of Global Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, said: “2015 is off to a strong start with Starwood outpacing the number of new hotel deal signings as compared to the last six years. We strive to be the partner of choice by delivering a differentiated guest experience and ensuring we have the most developer-friendly and flexible approach to maximize value for our owners’ assets.”

Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, added: “We are continuing to see an uptick of new-build activity in North America. Meanwhile conversions remain a compelling part of our growth strategy, allowing us to bring existing hotel properties into the Starwood system, often at an accelerated pace. Conversions also allow owners to reposition assets and immediately benefit from our powerful sales and distribution network and global loyalty program to drive greater returns.”

Speciality Select Brands Lead Starwood’s Growth
Starwood is intensifying its efforts to grow its mid-market brands to meet the rising demand for strong global brands, with an innovative mindset, at an affordable price point in markets around the world. Together, Aloft, Four Points by Sheraton and Element topped 300 hotels worldwide earlier this year and continue to lead the company’s pipeline growth, accounting for nearly half of Starwood’s hotel openings last year. Across the three brands, Starwood has added 13 hotels so far in 2015, with more than 30 additional openings expected by year end.

Four Points by Sheraton is leading Starwood’s global pipeline growth and is on track to open its 200th hotel this year. Aloft, Starwood’s tech-forward incubator brand, is on the cusp of opening its 100th hotel worldwide with its strongest signing momentum in North America since 2008 and twice as many deals signed in North America as compared to this time last year. Element, Starwood’s eco-innovation lab, will open more hotels this year than ever in its history and is on track to nearly triple its global portfolio in the next three years due to increasing guest and owner demand.

Starwood Strengthens its Leading High-End Portfolio
With nearly 75% of its portfolio at the high-end, Starwood continues to build on its strong foothold and incredible global brand recognition in the luxury and upper upscale space.

On the luxury end, across The Luxury Collection and St. Regis brands, Starwood will open more hotels in 2015 than it has in any one year since 2001. The Luxury Collection, which boasts a portfolio of 95 hotels and resorts throughout the world, continues to convert hotels, including the recent addition of Sunset Key, 40 luxury cottages nestled off the coast of Key West, Florida, as well as invest in renovations such as the iconic Palace Hotel in San Francisco and the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The brand will add a number of new destinations to its portfolio this year including Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Chicago, Illinois; Nanjing, China; Kyoto, Japan; and Broumana, Lebanon.

Starwood’s legendary St. Regis brand, which delivers exceptional experiences at 34 luxury hotels and resorts in the best addresses around the world, recently opened its doors in Istanbul and is set to make debuts in Mumbai and Dubai by the end of this year.

Starwood’s category killer, W Hotels, the industry innovator with 46 hotels and retreats, including 17 hotels with W-branded residences in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world, will soon make its long-awaited debut in Amsterdam. With more than 15 years of proven success, W Hotels’ growth remains strong, with new hotels slated to open over the next three years in Dubai Al Habtoor City, Shanghai, Goa, Tel Aviv, Panama, Kuala Lumpur, Muscat, Bellevue, Suzhou, Chengdu, Abu Dhabi, Brisbane and Philadelphia.

Sheraton is on track to open more than 20 hotels this year with debuts in Chihuahua, Mexico and Hyderabad, India, and continues to be a leader in Starwood’s global pipeline. The brand’s growth in Asia Pacific remains strong, with approximately half of its new hotel openings in 2015, driven by continued demand across China. Sheraton is also extending its reach in Europe in sought-after destinations, such as Sheraton Lake Como Hotel, the brand’s eighth hotel in Italy. The brand will also enter Romania with the opening of Sheraton Bucharest, a strategic conversion in an ideal downtown location.

Westin, which crossed the 200th hotel milestone in 2014, will add another ten hotels to its portfolio in 2015. While more than half of its operating hotels are in the United States, Westin is experiencing phenomenal global demand, with more than 70% of the brand’s development pipeline outside of the U.S.

Following the recent openings of Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Resort and Spa, Le Méridien Indianapolis, Le Méridien Thimphu (Bhutan), Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph, Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa (India), Le Méridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR (India), and Le Méridien Saigon, Le Méridien will open nine additional hotels this year, nearly all in Asia Pacific, in destinations including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Malaysia. The brand will also debut in Denver in 2016.

New Tribute Portfolio Lets Owners “Stay Independent”
Starwood recently launched its tenth brand –Tribute Portfolio, giving owners the opportunity to join Starwood and leverage its powerful systems, while staying independent. Firmly anchored in the upper upscale category, Tribute Portfolio is off to a strong start with many new hotel deals underway around the world. Following the opening of Royal Palm South Beach Miami, a Tribute Portfolio Resort, Starwood has announced plans to introduce the brand to Asheville, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; Savannah, Georgia; and Charleston, South Carolina.

A LEADING North East venue is set to celebrate the opening of the region’s most luxurious hotel suite with a range of special packages.The Premier Suite, part of the new wing of rooms which were launched recently at Ramside Hall Hotel near Durham, has just been unveiled and the owners believe it is the most lavish hotel room in the region.

It boasts a free standing round copper bath, a 90 inch television screen and a huge seven feet wide Hypnos bed, along with a separate walk-in shower room, dressing area and a personal dining area.

The suite also has a number of Juliet balconies with undisturbed views over one of the the hotel’s two championship golf course.

The creation of the room is part of a £16m development at the hotel, which includes a state-of-the-art spa which will be open in early August.

And now a range of packages have been launched for stays in the Premier Suite, including a special celebration offering for those who really want to enjoy a memorable night away.

The Celebration Package includes an overnight stay in the Premier Suite, dinner in the award-winning Rib Room Steakhouse and Grill, a full English breakfast and Taittinger Champagne on ice with chocolate dipped strawberries, luxury fruit and chocolate truffles.

“The launch of the Premier Suite is the latest part of the huge development which is taking place at Ramside Hall Hotel,” said John Adamson, owner of the hotel.

“We honestly believe there’s no other hotel room in the region that can offer this level of luxury and we’re sure whoever stays in will never forget the experience.”

From August 1 guests will also be able to enjoy packages which include a night in the Premier Suite and use of the new state-of-the-art spa facilities, a 60 minute treatment and brunch in the spa’s Fusion Restaurant.

The hotel also offers tailored celebration packages in the Premier Suite for weddings and bridal parties.

Marriott International announced plans to open the first Courtyard by Marriott brand hotel in Kingston, the capital city of Jamaica. The project is being developed by Caribe Hospitality Jamaica.The property has a practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions, allowing it to seek a LEED Silver Certification. This building will be 30% more energy-efficient than a standard building with a 16% reduction in water consumption, a 30% use of regional materials and will produce 5% of its energy on-site through solar panels.

The 129-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel, scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2015, will be located 19km from the Norman Manley International Airport and close to the city’s best dining and shopping.

The hotel will feature the brand’s refreshing business lobby, lobby bar, a casual dining restaurant, flexible meeting space and recreational facilities including a swimming pool and fitness centre. Additionally, it will include the brand’s new modern guestroom design which is intuitive and thoughtful, offering flexible yet comfortable spaces that enable technology. Signature furniture and architectural elements will replace traditional art in the new guestroom design.

The Courtyard by Marriott brand features hotels with a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced while travelling. Intuitive services and design accommodate guests’ desire for choice and control and allow them to use the public space and guest rooms to meet all of their needs while on the road. With more than 1000 locations in 39 countries, Courtyard has more locations than any other Marriott International brand.

The Notts. Golf Club, known to most simply as Hollinwell, is one of the most impressively manicured golf courses in the country, and has been attracting keen golfers for the best part of 130 years. A premium golf course deserves premium facilities, and Wilton Carpets Commercial recently stepped up to the tee with the club’s latest underfoot investment in its bar and lounge areas.Boasting a traditional clubhouse that continues to accommodate members and guests alike, any carpet selected was to be in keeping with the general Hollinwell ambience. The bar and lounge would require 300 square metres of bespoke carpet in a design that would blend into its surroundings, reflecting the heritage of this prestigious venue.

Specified by Louise Musto of Red Squirrel Project Management, a bespoke 10-row woven axminster was selected as the perfect match for the golf club. The bespoke service offered by Wilton was exactly what the club had been searching for, and there was no time wasted in handing Wilton a detailed brief of what the carpet had to offer. Based on subsequent conceptual work by the design team at Wilton, a tartan look in prominent hues of grey and purple was settled upon, the vision of Louise already beginning to take shape.

As Louise comments, “We couldn’t be more delighted with the level of service that we received from Wilton Carpets Commercial and the technology that they applied to our brief, ensuring that the colours were dyed to mirror the colours of the course. This has meant that we have a finished product that not only fulfilled the brief but exceeded all our expectations, both practically and aesthetically.”

The carpet at Hollinwell epitomises everything that is good about the bespoke service at Wilton; these carpets bring superb underfoot comfort, colour clarity and appearance retention, created in the most precise of designs that can be tailored to the client. Installed by Kendal Quality Carpets, this bespoke carpet has been the recipient of many a complement since its introduction, taking nothing away from the traditional allure of this imposing clubhouse.

Once golfers step off the pristine fairways of this historic course, they expect to enter surroundings of a similarly pristine nature. With the superb carpeting of the clubhouse’s bar and lounge areas, this is exactly what Wilton Carpets Commercial has delivered, again proving its worth to premier locations such as Hollinwell. As Louise Musto continues, “I would happily use Wilton Carpets Commercial again, and would have no hesitation in recommending the company’s products and services”.

For further information contact Wilton Carpets Commercial via their website or on 01722 746000.

One of the UK’s top fine dining establishments, Michelin starred Bohemia in Jersey, has revealed a sophisticated and elegant new design, following a major refurbishment.

Head Chef Steve Smith @ Bohemia has enjoyed a spectacular year being named Catey Chef of the Year 2014, retaining Bohemia’s Michelin Star, being awarded 4AA Rosettes, as well as being listed in The Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants, with special praise being given to Bohemia’s desserts which were listed ‘6th Best in the UK’. Following Steve’s unprecedented success in raising the culinary bar even higher for the restaurant, the owners of Bohemia felt compelled to revitalise the interior design to match. Jane Goff is renowned for creating glamorous interiors, and transforming hotels and restaurants in both the UK and all over the world with her eye for detail and chic designs. Within Bohemia, Jane has created an alluring interior with exclusive and bespoke design and lighting.

Guests enter the world-renowned Bohemia restaurant through grand double doors, set into a pristine dark granite frontage. Upon entering the softly-lit room, the decadent design immediately emanates a sense of occasion, befitting of the world class-Michelin star cuisine created by Head Chef Steve Smith.
A bold carpet in a rich, dark palate adds a luxurious softness under foot, and a specially commissioned panel of illuminated kiln-fired art-glass provides a contemporary focal point to the main restaurant. Dove-grey banquet seating forms a graceful profile along the back wall, while dark walnut panelled walls continue the beautifully refined design.

Bohemia’s tables are set with crisp white linen cloths and napkins, and delicate French J.L. Coquet service plates. New bespoke gold-lined, low-hanging pendant lights are suspended over the dining tables, perfectly illuminating the exquisite plates of food.

Bohemia’s private dining area has been completely transformed and now oozes lavish style. One wall has been clad in statement black matt wallpaper, featuring an intricate gold design. A wall of panelled frosted glass to the front of the restaurant allows natural light to flood into the restaurant, whilst maintaining its discreet ambience.

The crowning feature of the private dining room is a statement chandelier made from 200 Champagne glasses. Each glass is individually illuminated with glowing effervescent ‘Champagne’ to give the illusion that it has just been poured.

The adjacent light and airy bar immediately envelopes each guest in comfort and style. Contemporary patterned banquette sofas in burnt orange and rich blue hues run along the entire length of the room in front of the large feature windows. In addition, buttoned oxblood-red leather chairs are neatly positioned to the opposite side of the inviting occasion tables.

The space is also adorned with interesting artwork, while a large brown granite-topped bar gives a focal point to the room. Glass panels subtly divide seating areas, creating interesting spaces and discreet nooks and corners for guests.

Head Chef Steve Smith was one of the youngest chefs in the country to achieve a Michelin star over 10 years ago, at the age of just 24.

Award-winning British bed manufacturer Hypnos is taking its specialist contract bed and sofa bed offering on the road to Manchester’s key hospitality hotspot – the newly launched Hotel Football – for an exclusive event for those working in the hospitality sector.The company, which makes supremely comfortable and durable, beds for the hospitality sector, is embarking on a UK roadshow with the first stop being an event at Hotel Football on Sir Matt Busby Way. The event, which takes place on 25 June from 10am – 6pm, will demonstrate to hoteliers, B & B and guesthouse owners and interior designers, the wide range of options available to them when it comes to choosing the right sleeping solution for their space, property and guests.

Hypnos will be showcasing its range of flexible sleep solutions, including hand crafted hospitality beds, mattresses, headboards and sofa beds, and visitors will be able to lie down and comfort test all of the ranges themselves. Hypnos’ sleep experts will also be on hand to give advice and unveil the details of the new and exclusive full service project management solution, designed to help meet the individual and unique needs of each hospitality business. This service includes bed design, bed production, delivery and in-room installation of beds. And ethical hotel owners can also trust Hypnos to provide a green and responsible alternative to landfill through its environmentally-friendly disposal and recycling service of old beds.

Chris Ward, marketing director at Hypnos, comments: “We’re really looking forward to meeting everyone in the hotelier and hospitality industry and showing them our range of high-quality products, whether that’s a handcrafted mattress or a designer headboard. Our plan is to bring our products directly to hotel owners so that we can make it as easy as possible for them to see the products up close and test them out first hand.

“As well as showing our extensive range of products, the Hypnos team will be on hand to offer expert advice on the best possible sleep solutions for different types of rooms, especially given that each guest room has its own considerations and needs varying solutions to match.”

There will be a variety of activities on the day including a session with Hypnos’ new pressure mapping technology so hoteliers can discover what their perfect mattress is, as well as a tour of Hotel Football for those who attend and free sleep kits.

Mitre Linen, which creates quality bed linen, bedding, table linen and furnishings, as well as Manor Art, the UK’s leading supplier of designer wall art and pictures, will be exhibiting alongside Hypnos to provide hoteliers with a one stop shop of hospitality products.

Hypnos will also take to the road for more hotel roadshows which will take place during the Autumn.

For further details, or to book a place at the event, please contact Heidi.rowlands@hypnosbeds.com.

For more information about Hypnos, or to view the full product range, please visit www.hypnoscontractbeds.com

Protecting water and promoting sustainability is now a major global concern and it is essential that the hospitality industry works together on water stewardship. In light of this, GROHE is delighted to have teamed up with the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group to organise a series of water workshops with influential leaders and suppliers of the hospitality sector.

Launched in 2014, the second water workshop took place in Düsseldorf on 7 May 2015 with 15 partners from the sanitary and hospitality sectors, as well as experts in architecture, design, property management and behavioural psychology. The water workshops were created to identify untapped opportunities to reduce the water footprint of hotels. The workshop featured lectures and discussions on topics such as “future-proof buildings” and “guest behaviour”, and also raised fundamental questions on “hotels of the future”, including whether they would be water neutral and important providers of water to local communities.

“One of the vital questions we addressed this year was how to motivate hotel operators, project developers and property investors to integrate state-of-the-art water-saving technologies in their new hotel constructions and/or refurbishments,” said Michael Rauterkus, CEO of GROHE AG. “As we continue to develop new solutions for the responsible use of natural resources, we are not only protecting our environment but also helping hotel operators reduce their operational costs. By using new technological innovations by GROHE, hotels can meet the stringent standards for sustainable buildings and treat their customers to a unique water experience. At the water workshop, we showcased several options for the sustainable use of water, and exchanged information and experience on the specific challenges faced by the hospitality sector, both in water-rich and water-poor regions.”

The second part of the workshop put guest behaviour centre stage. In particular, participants explored ways in which to heighten awareness of responsible water use and how to positively influence guest behaviour.

Olivier Harnisch, Chief Operating Officer of The Rezidor Hotel Group, said: “Our hotels have successfully reduced water use in operations by 27% but we are not going to stop here. Our strategic partnership with GROHE, complements our Blu Planet towel re-use programme, which was recently launched across all Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts. We are actively asking our hotel guests to consider re-using their towels during their stay in exchange for a donation to the international water aid charity Just a Drop, and challenge their existing thinking and behaviours on responsible use of water at home too.”

GROHE and Carlson Rezidor are committed to continuing these dialogues between industry experts and suppliers from various sectors to raise awareness of global water sustainability. The water workshops aim to inspire innovative discussions as well as the formation of strong relationships between participating companies to address a crucial global issue.

For more information, please visit the GROHE website: www.grohe.com/uk

Hotel Services Group, LLC (HSG) is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of a new 153-room Holiday Inn hotel in Bellingham, WA. HSG answered the Port of Bellingham’s call for a hotel development proposal in late 2012, who has since executed a land lease agreement with the development group (Bellingham HI, LLC).The development group anticipates an opening date for the $24MM hotel in the summer of 2016. Mount Vernon, WA based M&H Contracting, LLC is the General Contractor for the project, and Hotel Services Group, LLC (HSG) will be managing the operations of the hotel.

The full-service Holiday Inn hotel will be constructed approximately 600 feet from the airport’s main terminal, with clear visibility from WA Interstate-5. The hotel will feature over 9,000 sq./ft. of meeting/convention and pre-function space, and all the amenities to which travellers are accustomed; including a restaurant and bar tailored specifically for travellers and local patrons. The building design will be consistent with the most recent airport renovation, creating a natural connection between the airport and hotel.

Dan Mitzel, Principal, M&H Contracting notes that “to the benefit of both leisure and business travellers, we’re excited to continue to work with the Port of Bellingham and its operations team to ensure that we become a strong and seamless extension of the very important and successful airport”. Port of Bellingham Commissioner Dan Robbins is also excited about the new development, adding that “frequent travellers are looking for ways to conduct business without having to get into a car, and with this hotel they’ll be able to do that in Bellingham.”

HSG anticipates the hotel to open the City of Bellingham to new markets, generating new demand for room-nights, domestic flights, and larger conventions. The project is expected to generate an additional 60-70 full-time jobs at the location alone. HSG currently manages eight (8) other hotels throughout the State of Washington, and is based in Mount Vernon, WA.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) has announced the signing of a management agreement with Al Majd Al Arabiah Company for what will be the world’s largest Holiday Inn hotel. Holiday Inn Makkah Abraaj Al Tayseer is due to open in The Holy City of Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Comprising 5,154 rooms across five towers, Holiday Inn Makkah Abraaj Al Tayseer will take the site of the current Abraaj Al Tayseer pilgrim accommodation and open in phases. Nearly 1,650 rooms across two towers are due to open its doors to guests by the end of this year. The remaining 3,500 rooms are slated to open over the following three years.

The opening of Holiday Inn Makkah Abraaj Al Tayseer will cater to the growth in pilgrim visits to Makkah. Hajj visit numbers are expected to more than double, growing from 2 million in 2013 to exceed 5 million by 2025. Infrastructure under development, such as the expansion of Jeddah’s airport, which is expected to increase its capacity to 80 million passengers by 2035, will further boost pilgrim numbers in the coming years.

Located just 900 metres from the Grand Mosque, Holiday Inn Makkah Abraaj Al Tayseer will offer guests privileged views of the Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (The Grand Mosque). Each tower will house one large all day dining restaurant, where menus will be tailored for guests travelling in groups. The two towers opening this year will also feature meeting spaces, fitness centres and a medical clinic.

Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said: “As we celebrate our 40th year in Saudi Arabia, we are all the more focused on continuing our expansion in this key market. With religious travel growing, and the Government set to improve infrastructure in line with this, there is a need for more branded accommodation in the Holy Cities of Makkah and Medina. IHG is looking to play its part by opening more quality hotels to cater to the ever-growing number of pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah each year.”

“Holiday Inn is one of the world’s most recognised hotels brands, and it’s fitting we are opening our largest Holiday Inn in Makkah. We look forward to receiving guests at Holiday Inn Makkah Abraaj Al Tayseer and are confident they will find their stay comfortable and welcoming – a key feature of Holiday Inn hotels across the globe,” he added.

Mr. Selman Al Fares, representing Al Majd Al Arabiah Company, added: “Saudi Arabia has a distinctive tourism landscape and Makkah is at the core of this for both local and international travellers. IHG as an operator understands the market, and during our years of partnership they have demonstrated their credentials as a strong partner with whom we are happy and comfortable to embark on this ambitious project. This is a milestone development for us and we’re confident Holiday Inn Makkah Abraaj Al Tayseer will bring The Holy City’s hospitality to another level. We look forward to the opening of the first two towers later this year.”

Clarke and Clarke’s contract brand, C & C Contract, is pleased to launch the Vegas collection. The range consists of four sleek and sophisticated Flame Retardant blackout fabrics in a wide range of colours.

The qualities offer a mixture of metallic, wool, rich satin and textured surface effects.

To contact C & C Contract, please visit their website: www.clarke-clarke.com

Sedona Hotel Yangon announces that it is adding an expansive and iconic addition to the existing five-star luxury hotel. Set to open in late-2015, the new wing to Sedona Hotel Yangon, complete with a high-end retail experience and a luxury spa, will position the hotel as one of the city’s top destinations for visitors and locals alike.As one of Yangon’s five-star hotels, Sedona Hotel Yangon is an icon of gracious elegance, sitting on eight acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and water features with breath-taking views of the Shwedagon Pagoda and Inya Lake. Currently, the hotel offers 366 newly upgraded guest rooms and suites along with several dining options, executive club rooms and a fitness centre with a swimming pool, sauna and steam bath.

Sedona Hotel Yangon’s new Inya Wing derived its name from the tranquil lake just in front of the hotel. The elegant tower will offer an additional 431 well-appointed guest rooms and suites along with a grand lobby and high-end retail gallery which will connect the new tower to the existing building. The Inya Wing will also feature a new state-of-the-art fitness centre, an all-day restaurant, a new luxury spa and an executive lounge with services and amenities specially suited for the hotel’s business and leisure guests.

When it opens, the new Inya Wing will offer visitors to Yangon a retreat from the rigours of travel, with its signature Sedona services, products and amenities that which will allow them to relax and rejuvenate during their stay.

With architecture by Singapore-based Forum Architects and interiors designed by Studio HBA, one of the world’s most-renowned hospitality design firms, the Inya Wing draws its inspiration from traditional Burmese culture and art interpreted into elegant, contemporary design.

The traditional Burmese umbrella is one cultural theme carried throughout the new wing from the magnificent lighting centrepiece in the lobby to the fritted glass ceiling. The lacquered rice bowl is used as a sculptural element that is incorporated into the lobby art and the guestroom lamps. The central colour palette of red and gold are woven throughout the new wing, a nod to Myanmar’s traditional Buddhist influences and the region’s indigenous lacquerware.

Championing green practices, Sedona Hotel Yangon has ensured that its new wing has been designed and built utilising sustainable materials and incorporated energy- and water-efficiency into the building’s features.