Hotel Designs

Morgans Hotel Group celebrates 15 years in London by unveiling newly designed guestrooms for the iconic Sanderson hotel as created by Tim Andreas of Banjo Ad Inc. Chelsom were commissioned to provide state of the art custom lighting for the project.Firmly establishing itself as central London’s first luxury 5-star boutique hotel and a social hot spot, Sanderson needs little by way of introduction. The landmarked 1950s building was initially transformed by icon Philippe Starck into a surreal dream world, epitomising smart, pared-down luxury tempered with a splash of wit and irony.

Sanderson’s redesigned guestrooms pay homage to the original ethos by marrying concepts of baroque and minimalist, extravagance and luxury while enhancing guest experience by exuding residential comfort and functionality. Chelsom were challenged with creating an entirely bespoke lighting scheme for the 150 guestrooms that elevated the decidedly English decorative approach to modern luxury, comfort and functionality.

Working in collaboration with the interior design team at Banjo Ad Inc, Chelsom’s lighting scheme emanates elegance. The brief stipulated that the lighting products must work seamlessly with all elements of the guestroom design and as such Chelsom collaborated closely with the case goods manufacturer to incorporate the multifunctional bedside reading lights into the glass topped nightstands to create a beautifully designed stand- alone piece. Plated in a bespoke Gold Chrome finish, the bedside fittings feature circular multi-directional LED heads with integral switches and adjustable arms to give directional and ambient light to the bedside. Bespoke pendants were also created to supplement the guestroom and bathroom lighting featuring heavy clear crystal globes with deep spiral hand cutting, lit with eco-friendly halogen lamps whose bright sparkle accentuates the deep cutting whilst adding a touch of old school glamour to the chic and contemporary interior concept.

The first phase of the Bahrain Marina Development in Manama, Bahrain has been announced.The just completed the Concept Masterplan for this luxury scheme which will reinvent the current marina with a 150,000m2 mixed-use design including the prestigious Bahrain Marina Yacht Club.

State-of-the-art facilities across several sectors, comprising Residential, Entertainment, Leisure and Hospitality will further develop this bustling capital city. With a 5-Star hotel, serviced apartments, retail, a cinema and a wide variety of food and beverage options; the Masterplan creates a landmark community anchored by the Bahrain Marina Yacht Club situated at the heart of the project.

Subtle aspects of the design, such as the wide promenade which will encourage meandering through the retail area as visitors enjoy the beautiful water features accenting the vibrant atmosphere, along with more prominent amenities combine to create this new lifestyle icon which will completely transform the current waterside area of Manama into a premier destination reaching far beyond the Gulf Coast region.

Working with the real estate investment arm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bahrain’s Social Insurance Organisation (SIO), Amlak, Benoy, the international, Architecture, Masterplanning, Interior and Graphic Design firm is proud to visualise their first project for them.

Further commenting on the development, a spokesperson from Amlak stated that, “this Masterplan not only meets our brief of driving further investment into the Kingdom, but the firm’s design brings a world-class development all residents and visitors can thoroughly enjoy. We are very keen to position the Bahrain Marina Development as a National Landmark.”

Paul Priest,Head of MENA Studios, commented that “the Bahrain Marina Masterplan has been inspired by the beautiful natural environment blended with the energy of the Capital.With the support of Amlak on this stunning and diverse project, we are sure it will quickly become an iconic development in the Benoy portfolio,” Paul added.

Bowie, Madonna, Iggy Pop – some of the greatest music icons are masters of reinvention…. so K West Hotel & Spa has decided to follow suit. The hotel has recently undergone a dramatic interior refurbishment designed to reflect its rich music heritage and history of musicians playing and staying at the hotel.Formerly the BBC Building Kensington House in the 60s, an endless list of Rock ‘N’ Roll royalty has stayed, played and misbehaved at K West – Bob Marley and the Wailers, Bowie, The Kinks and Roxy Music to name a few. Since becoming a hotel, the venue has continued to strike a chord with musicians, who often stay whilst playing at nearby music venues O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and the Apollo. The hotel’s redecoration encompasses the new two floor Studio Bar & Kitchen, and multi-functional Library Room, which will pay tribute to the music heritage and golden age of Rock ‘N’ Roll through bold artwork and bookshelves filled with books on iconic musicians and rock bands.

On the ground floor by the entrance, The Studio Bar has been given a moody, music-infused atmosphere come the evenings. Industrial style pendant lamps hang low over raised tables, and textured silver wallpaper by Dixon & Turner gives the bar a modern edge. The polished dark walnut-wood flooring brings warmth to the area, which is opened up with the use of floor-to-ceiling mirrored pillars and relaxed seating arrangements. Up-cycled furniture has been used to create high backed booth seating along the back wall, separated by silver and black voile curtains to create intimate VIP style corners. Chic black and white artwork depicting musicians hangs above each booth, with punchy contrasting accents of colour adding vibrancy. Even the drinks menu has been injected with some Rock ‘N’ Roll swagger, with six signature Bourbon Whiskey Cocktails available, plus the quirky K West special ‘Pickleback’ shot of Jack Daniels whiskey accompanied with a shot of pickle juice.

By day, Studio Bar is a light and airy space for creative media meetings over coffees and laptops. Plugs are fitted conveniently by seats; ensuring meetings never run out of charge, and a ‘Geek Hub’ laptop bar with complimentary iMacs for guests to use can be found tucked into a snug area around the corner from the bar.

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2015 is set to be a pivotal year for Fameed Khalique with the announcement of a new West London showroom, and confirmation of the company’s relocation from its current Clerkenwell base. This decision follows a year of consolidation that saw the completion of many high-profile global design projects, the launch of several new cutting-edge material surface collections for the interior design industry, and nominations in several prominent international design awards.Awards, Awards, Awards
Fameed Khalique was appointed to join the international panel of expert judges for the Perspective magazine A&D Trophy Awards in Hong Kong, December 2014. Sitting alongside illustrious members of the design industry such as Ilse Crawford, Founder of Studioilse and Sacha Walckhoff, Creative Director of Christian Lacroix, the Awards provided a dynamic meeting of design minds to celebrate excellence in architecture, interior design and product design across Asia-Pacific and beyond.

Fameed Khalique’s acclaimed library of surface collections and exceptional sourcing service were recognised at several prestigious design industry awards including nominations for Support Services at the SBID Awards, Studio of the Year at the ALTO Awards and 100% recycled Aluminium Floor Tiles for the Surfaces category at the FX Awards, 2014.

In addition, a beautiful example of bespoke inlaid wood flooring, created for a Fabled Studio retail design project at the Penhaligon’s flagship store in Hong Kong has just recently been shortlisted for the Surface Design Awards 2015, winners to be announced at the Surface Design Show 12th February.

Global Project News
Working with the world’s leading interior designers and architects, Fameed Khalique has provided some of the most inspiring and cost-effective material solutions in projects at the cutting edge of retail, hotel, bar and restaurant design across the globe. Recent commissions include the The Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Penhaligon’s flagship store in Hong Kong, and two of London’s hippest hotels, The Hoxton Hotel and the Ace Hotel.

Showroom News
Fameed Khalique is delighted to announce the company’s imminent relocation to a brand new showroom in the heart of Chelsea’s design district. This will be the first non-appointment space occupied by the company and is a strategic launch into the creative hub serviced by the world’s top suppliers and key destination for experts in the interior design field. Watch this space for news of the official launch…

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of the Holiday Inn® Hotel & Suites Scottsdale North-Airpark hotel. Located just 15 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale, this 75,000 square-foot hotel, formerly a Wingate by Wyndham, is the newest addition to IHG’s hotels in Arizona. In an effort to create a more contemporary space desirable to today’s travellers, the hotel ownership financed a full renovation of all guestrooms and public areas.The hotel, located at 14255 N 87th Street, has 117 rooms, including 37 suites. Situated in an area that appeals to both business and leisure travelers, guests can enjoy attractions such as Desert Botanical Garden, WestWorld of Scottsdale and Butterfly Wonderland. Businesses located nearby include GoDaddy and JDA Software.

The hotel’s restaurant – Raintree Cafe – serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and also offers the Holiday Inn Best-4-Breakfast menu, with signature items such as Rainforest Alliance™ Certified coffee, Cinnamon Supreme French Toast™ and Skillet Inspirations™. 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. In addition to the restaurant, the hotel includes flexible event space that can accommodate up to 64 people.

The hotel design creates a familiar atmosphere that is warm and comfortable. Guest beds are made using crisp, white bedding with pillows that come in two comfort levels: “soft” and “firm.” The bathrooms include a multifunctional showerhead as well as a signature shower curtain with curved rod and Bath & Body Works® amenities. Guest rooms feature Keurig® Single-Cup Brewing Systems, and executive suites offer luxury tubs, balconies, fireplaces and kitchenettes. The hotel grounds include a two story water feature as well as a putting green.

The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Scottsdale North-Airpark, owned by Northsight Hospitality, LC, and managed by Henderson Hospitality Management, Inc., is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

Openasia, a Hanoi-based investment firm with a growing group of hospitality interests in Vietnam has acquired the 37-cabin Emeraude cruise ship and set about a series of upgrades to enhance the passenger experience on famed Halong Bay.With the acquisition, Openasia initiated the final phase of work on a three-year refurbishment that stripped the baths in every cabin and suite to its infrastructural base and reinvented the space with rain shower heads, new sinks, repositioned toilets and an aesthetic makeover that trades in the old school nautical feel for softer mosaics.

By the time the renovation is complete in April, all of the cabins will feature new beds, new wall coverings and new linens. Onshore, Openasia has moved the vessel’s dock to a new pier in Hon Gai and opened the Emeraude Cafe as a point of embarkation.

Although the boat’s ownership has changed, the management remains the same, with Kurt Walter in place as the ship’s general manager. Walter took charge of the Emeraude in 2004, just one year after the original owner, Eric Merlin, launched the vessel as the first luxury cruise ship on Halong Bay.

“I’ve been cruising the Emeraude every week for 10 years,” said Walter. “If you’d asked me 10 years ago whether I’d still be here in 2015, I’d have told you flat out no. But there is magic on this boat, and on this bay, and the experience is as vibrant and compelling today as it was all those years ago.”

Also with Openasia, the Emeraude has added passage through Luon Grotto by bamboo boat to its cruise itinerary. The 60-meter long, four-meter wide passage slips the ship’s rowboat into an enclosed salt water lake surrounded by precipitous limestone cliffs. The Emeraude will continue to call on Surprise Grotto on the first day of its itinerary.

Along with its acquisition of the Emeraude, Openasia has also taken charge of The Press Club Hanoi. First opened in 1997, the Press Clubs recently hired its first new executive chef in a decade, took on new food and beverage management and is planning the most significant renovation in its history from May to August of this year.

Part of an impressive renovation to Derby County’s iPro Stadium, Wilton Carpets Commercial has taken the club’s facilities to the next level with stunning bespoke carpet laid throughout its corporate areas.The club is now involved in wide-ranging commercial activity, and with facility requirements more important than ever, the call was made to interior specialists White Design of Sheffield. Its designers were tasked with this extensive revamp, spanning both the bar area and Igor’s restaurant.

White Design’s brief to Wilton stated that fresh and contemporary was order of the day, creating a space where guests could gather for matches and functions. The 400 square metres of carpet would have to embrace this modern feel throughout the rooms specified.

The team at White Design were excited by their vision, “We knew contemporary styling would work well in a newer build stadium such as this, but one thing we didn’t want to lose was the softer, relaxing feel. We met with Wilton to pick a design that would work with our overall scheme, adjusting the colour to match, and the whole process was easy to manage.”

The colour chosen featured neutral shades of grey and black complemented by accents of vibrant green, the end result modern, unique and hitting White Design’s brief: “We always get great service from Wilton from design to completion, the design bank is vast and they will change and adapt wherever necessary.”

Reception to the carpet has been wholly positive, from managers and bar staff to guests and supporters. The team at White Design were equally impressed with the way in which this bespoke option fitted their scheme.

“We had a very tight deadline but we knew we could trust Wilton to pull through without any problems. Everyone was happy with the scheme and the carpet looked fantastic; we’re sure it will be down for years to come, with an on-trend look that is set to stand the test of time.”

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

Autograph Collection has added a new Netherlands-based hotel to its portfolio: Hotel van Oranje in Noordwijk. The hotel complements Autograph Collection’s continually growing portfolio of upscale and independent hotels as the collection expands across Europe and beyond. As the first hotel in the Benelux to form a partnership with Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, Hotel van Oranje enjoys a prime location on the Dutch coast. Situated just steps from Amsterdam’s beaches and the lively Noordwijk shopping boulevard, Hotel van Oranje has been recently refurbished with newly modernised rooms. The five restaurants, three bars and an onsite beach club have al fresco terraces looking out to sea across the promenade.

Spanning over five storeys, 174 guestrooms including six suites are dressed with Dutch furniture, colourful textiles and quirky design features. In-room amenities include complimentary wireless Internet and mini-bars, with a number of guestrooms offering views out to sea through panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows.

With a strong focus on wellbeing, the hotel offers 1500m2 of dedicated wellness facilities, including an expansive tropical wave pool, sauna facilities and a state-of-the-art beauty centre. For those looking to combine activities with wellness, there are a variety of outdoor options within easy access of the hotel, such as kite surfing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, golf and Vespa rentals.

Five hotel restaurants give guests the opportunity to vary their dining, from traditional fare at Restaurant DUTCH! to seafood specials at the Grand Café ‘t Elfde Gebod and the Steakhouse De Harmonie, which boasts the best spareribs in town. In-house bars include Imperial Bar and The Bentley Bar, with a cosy fireplace and a sunlit terrace fronting the boulevard. Conveniently situated by the indoor pool, the Sports bar gives parents the chance to enjoy live football and tennis while watching over their children. For the ultimate Dutch seaside experience, Beachclub O invites guests to recline with a cocktail and watch kite surfers take to the waves.

Hotel van Oranje is also well suited to business travellers, taking the title for the biggest conference centre on the Dutch coast with just under 3000m2 of dedicated meeting spaces and 39 multifunctional conference rooms.

BAGNODESIGN has made a key new appointment at its European headquarters in Leeds, with Paul Sackley joining the company as General Manager.Based in Birstall, Paul will be responsible for optimising the supply chain out of the 175,000 square feet facility, ensuring customer satisfaction and increasing awareness of the BAGNODESIGN brand across the UK and Europe.

Previously living in Dubai, Paul joined the Sanipex Group, BAGNODESIGN’s parent company, five and a half years ago, initially in a consulting role to highlight areas for improvement within the supply chain. Following his appointment as Warehouse and Distribution Manager in the global distribution centre, Paul has spent the last 18 months working with all departments to implement best practice and business processes across the company.

Commenting on his new role in Leeds, Paul said: “During my time with Sanipex in Dubai I learnt a great deal in terms of distribution into different markets, and am really excited about putting these skills into practice here in the UK.

“There is a real difference between the UK and UAE markets and shifting the dynamics of the supply chain to cope with these changes is an exciting prospect. I’m also very much looking forward to meeting with customers, suppliers and franchises in order to better understand their challenges so that together we can overcome them.”

For more details visit www.bagnodesign.co.uk or call 01924 233977.

A landmark of luxury on Hawaii Island, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, joins the exclusive portfolio of Autograph Collection hotels as the group’s first Hawaiian property and the 75th in its global portfolio. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was founded by venture capitalist and passionate conservationist Laurance S. Rockefeller as the first resort built on the raw and stunning Kohala Coast, and the hotel still boasts an extensive collection of Asian and Pacific Rim art today.The striking mid-century modern style that earned the resort a place in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) top 150 “America’s Favorite Architecture” list is newly refreshed throughout, returning all 252 guest rooms and suites in two buildings to original condition. Designed to blend into the natural environment, the resort boasts corridor-less floors that appear to float over an ocean-facing atrium, complete with suspended airways rising throughout, with each guest room overlooking the natural white sand of Kauna‘oa Beach – rated the best beach in the Hawaiian Islands by top travel authorities.

With a timeless tradition of aloha, the beachfront Mauna Kea Beach Hotel welcomes guests to be inspired by the past, embraced by the moment, enchanted by warm tropical days and exciting possibilities ahead.

Accommodations
Believing that less is indeed more, everywhere possible three rooms have been re-mastered to become two, allowing each of the 252 newly refreshed guest rooms to feature a spacious floor plan. Today nearly one-third of the guestrooms feature a full-length bath inclusive of spacious ante-room with separate vanity areas fronting the personal spa. Inside, the soaking tub and rain-shower are bathed in natural light.

The new, contemporary furnishings boast crisp, clean lines, cloud white and bold sunset colours, along with the unchanged wow of wonderful views from the wide lānai, all supported by hi-tech bells and whistles such as large flat screen TVs, media hubs, bedside iPod dock with clock radios, updated bedding, and L’Occitane amenities, to produce a luxury guestroom experience that is both ultra-high quality and ultimately comfortable.

Dining
With a delicious mix of steadfast tradition and new attitude, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel restaurants are designed with a creative combination of cultured international cuisine and fresh, local Kohala Coast ingredients prepared with “lokomaika‘i” (sharing with kindness from within). Restaurants include: Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar, Hau Tree, Number 3, Kauna`oa Bar & Grill, Mauna Kea Lu`au and Clambake at the beach.

Events
With 252 updated guestrooms and unique meeting spaces for executive retreats to the Big Island or an energetic incentive group vacation, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel offers even the busiest of meeting planners a little beach time. From traditional to exotic, Mauna Kea Resort offers twelve different spaces for meetings from intimate indoor conference rooms to idyllic outdoor locations such as mature tropical gardens and a canopy of trees create natural outdoor theatres, which are enriched by soft trade winds and golden sunsets. In addition, three of the dining options feature amazing ocean views alongside Hawaii-inspired cuisine with international flair.

Golf
Since 1964, the award-winning Mauna Kea Golf Course has led the way in standards of course beauty and design, solidifying its place in Hawaii’s history as one of the most scenic and favoured golf courses for its signature par-2-over-the-ocean third hole. Avid golfers and guests of Mauna Kea Resort continue to enjoy this Robert Trent Jones, Sr.’s golf course and its recent restoration and beautification by Rees Jones. Guests can take advantage of the golf course’s superior amenities including world-class practice facilities that feature a driving range and putting green with epic views of the Kohala Coast’s rolling waves.

RHA Furniture has recently custom made banquette seating for a number of high profile hotel restaurant and bar projects.

A recent project, working with designers at Sedley Place, involved the production of an impressive banquette unit specially made for the new bar on the ground floor of Diageo’s London HQ.The impressive UK made banquette features an elegantly curved structure with 360-degree seating, a built-in subwoofer and wooden shelf fitted with stainless steel power sockets. Beautifully upholstered in a chic woven fabric by Sekers.

RHA Furniture custom made over 30 beautifully crafted items and supplied over 100 items from well-known contract furniture collections, including designs from Carlo Colombo for Nube and Margie Walraven for Porada.

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

Invigorated by their recent wins in the 2014 MATATO and TripAdvisor Awards, Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives is set to a launch a new category of guest room, which will be called “Sunset Ocean Pool Villas”. They have also committed to an ongoing program of extensive refurbishments across the entire resort. During the first phase of the renovation program, all of the Luxury Sunset Water Villas will be completely refurbished and redesigned and will reopen to the public in July 2015. Twenty of the existing inventory will be re-imagined as ‘Sunset Ocean Pool Villas’ while the balance of 14 villas will be renamed ‘Ocean Water Villas’.

During phase 2, the current ‘Beach Suites’ on the south side of the island, together with the Deluxe Family Water Villas and the resort’s one-and-two Bedroom Pool Villas, will be closed for renovations from the 20th of June until the end of August 2015. Renovations on the resort’s Deluxe Water Villas and north-facing Beach Suites will be carried out later in 2016. All villas will receive a brand-new design, structural enhancements, all-new furniture and a new light and inviting color palette.

Available to the public on July 1st, 2015, the new Sunset Ocean Pool Villas will have received a completely new, contemporary interior make-over, with brand-new furniture, doors and decking. The upper sun deck will be removed completely and the outdoor area will be extended to incorporate a 12-metre square plunge pool, looking directly out over the Indian Ocean.

These 20 new villas will command spectacular sunset views and guests here will be eligible for full ‘Club’ access. Club guests enjoy the resort’s “Ultimate All Inclusive” cash-free plan, under which guests will find everything they desire already paid for – including champagne breakfasts, a choice of three lunch and dinner venues with themed international buffets and an open bar service which provides a scintillating array of cocktails, beers, wines and spirits.

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives is located in the South Ari Atoll, about 25 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport, or 15 minutes by speedboat from the domestic Maamigili Airport. Surrounded by a glorious white sandy beach, it is the only resort in the Maldives designed in a colonial style, with whitewashed timber buildings and meandering boardwalks.

Continuing its trajectory of rapid global growth and creating opportunity, Marriott International, Inc. said that it expects its portfolio of hotels either open or under development to surpass 1 million rooms by the end of 2015. When open, the hotels under development will have generated more than $50 billion in real estate investment globally by Marriott’s owner partners and created over 150,000 anticipated new hotel jobs.Arne Sorenson, Marriott’s president and chief executive officer, said, “An important focus of the World Economic Forum in Davos is creating new jobs and economic growth. In partnership with our owners in more than 100 countries and territories where we operate or have new hotels in development, Marriott is making a meaningful contribution to economic opportunity. The growth in Marriott’s portfolio is truly a global trend, with strong expansion in the US and in many markets around the world.

“In 2014 alone, Marriott signed agreements for more than 650 hotels and 100,000 rooms to be added to its worldwide system over the next few years, a signing pace of nearly two new hotel deals a day. This anticipated investment by our owner partners in Marriott-affiliated hotels will show their confidence in our brands, which reflects the preference our brands have with customers. Together, our growth fuels economic development in communities around the globe, boosting construction and direct employment at the hotels, as well as incremental commerce that emerges around this growth,” said Sorenson.

A study by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) researched the economic and community benefit of hotels and found in its initial study of the JW Marriott Lima Hotel in Peru, which employs 350 associates and features 300 guestrooms and 10 meeting rooms, that the hotel contributes more than $10 million annually to the Peruvian economy through expenditures on salaries, supplies and services.

In developing regions such as Haiti and Africa, Marriott is working closely with hotel owners and non-governmental organizations to prepare and then hire local residents to manage and operate new hotels. The new Marriott Port-au-Prince in Haiti will open in February having added more than 200 new local jobs.

“With nearly 1 billion people moving upward into the middle class across the globe, the incentives to travel, both for business and to see the world, are powerful and are building in momentum. The doors to travel are increasingly open, as seen in the recent landmark agreement between China and the United States for mutual 10-year visas. Since that policy change was announced there has been a nearly 39 percent increase in applications for U.S. visas for Chinese visitors, who spend on average, seven thousand dollars per trip. The potential for new travel and economic growth is huge,” said Sorenson

“Clearly efforts to grow, generate economic opportunity and encourage travel can pay big dividends, not just for companies involved, but for communities around the world,” he said.

Tony Capuano, Marriott’s executive vice president and chief development officer, said that the company’s dramatic growth profile has been building steadily.

“We achieved record growth across the board in 2014, as we opened more than 46,000 rooms worldwide. Having signed agreements in 2014 for over 650 new hotels and 100,000 rooms, we boosted our record pipeline of new hotel development to nearly 240,000 rooms. When opened over the next few years, these new hotels will expand Marriott’s presence from 80 countries and territories today to more than 100. This continues an historic four-year surge in demand for new Marriott hotels that drives a bullish growth outlook.

“Our success has been boosted by a number of factors, including our continental leadership structure that connects our local development teams with development partners and lenders, the continuity of our senior development team, and the introduction of new brands which accounted for nearly 40% of our new room openings this past year. We and our hotel owners are excited about our new brands, including Moxy, AC by Marriott, Autograph and EDITION, and our newly acquired Protea brand in Africa.

Marriott’s growth is significant on a regional basis. In North America, the company is entering new secondary and tertiary markets as well as adding to its strength in the largest cities. In Asia, the company expects to more than double its distribution as hotel projects in the current pipeline open, more than doubling Marriott’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The company also expects its robust growth will continue in the Middle East and Africa, where Marriott’s portfolio could expand by more than 75 percent, and the Caribbean and Latin America, where its system size could increase by nearly 50 percent. In Europe, the company’s aggressive growth plans will leverage a broad portfolio of brands, including Moxy, a new stylish budget alternative for travelers with a millennial mindset.

With the deadline for entries to the sixth edition of design contest jumpthegap now just a few weeks away, Roca is urging young designers and architects in the UK to show off their talent and apply before the 25th February cut-off point. Providing a platform for new generations of designers to demonstrate their talent and visions for the bathroom of the future, jumpthegap is an international competition promoted by Roca and aimed at students, young designers and architects who are under 35.

With the competition aiming to seek out new, innovative and sustainable concepts for the bathroom, this latest edition of jumpthegap will offer three prizes: two winning projects and one Special Sustainability Prize, presented by the Roca We Are Water Foundation. With sustainability being one of the most important principles of bathroom design and integral to the Roca philosophy, the We Are Water Foundation would like to recognise works that support their objective to create a new culture for water. The two winning projects will each receive €4,000 in prize money, with the Sustainability prize winner receiving €1000.

Once the application deadline passes on the 25th February it will be down to the prestigious panel of judges, made up of established architects and designers from around the world, to decide on a winner. The 2015 jury includes Tom Dyckhoff, journalist, architecture critic and presenter of The Great Interior Design Challenge on BBC2.

Previous jumpthegap winners include an ‘elder-friendly’ toilet, a shower unit that can be used in the garden and a ‘breathing bathtub’ which is energy and water efficient.

For more information on jumpthegap and how to enter visit www.jumpthegap.net or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jumpthegap

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ new Pittsburgh property, Hotel Monaco, opened its doors on 20 January 2015.Pittsburgh is a city on the rise, and the creative class that’s redefining it has some serious style chops. Among Pittsburgh hotels, Hotel Monaco with its 248 guest rooms, including 13 suites, is the choice for travellers with an eye for design. Guests will encounter bold dashes of colour, curious touches and a wink to the city’s hockey team.

Located near the centre of all that Seattle has to offer, the new 97-room Palladian Hotel is within walking distance of landmarks like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and Seattle’s best new restaurants, live music, cafés and boutiques.

Established in 1910, the Palladian Hotel has been reinvented with luxurious amenities, vintage design elements and contemporary furnishings that reflect Belltown’s hip heritage.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ new boutique hotel was specially designed to give today’s artists, entrepreneurs, and tech pioneers innovative collaboration spaces in which to work, create, and entertain clients before and after conventions.

The Palladian features 1150 square feet of private event space as well as catering and access to Shaker + Spear, Seattle’s most alluring new restaurant. If you require more space, 1927 Events, our official Meetings & Events partner, offers large-scale events for up to 300 people.

December Highlights
• And the winner is … (almost) everyone!
• Edinburgh soars
• Leeds leaps

The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, is to invest £1.1 million in refurbishing its bedrooms, as part of an ongoing programme of upgrades.In the coming months, 36 of the five star hotel’s 232 bedrooms will be given a new look by designers Greyline, who were responsible for the redesign of an additional 36 rooms, completed in 2014.

The current improvements will include bespoke carpets from Wilton Carpets; a collection of the finest soft furnishings and wall coverings from companies including Osborne & Little and Harlequin, and designer light fittings from Heathfield. In addition, all 36 bedrooms will be upgraded with the installation of new air conditioning systems.

Gavin Liddle of Greyline Designs, commented:
“The main palette for the new bedroom schemes draws once again from the beautiful countryside that surrounds Gleneagles. The beautiful indigenous colours of heather and silvery lichen-greens establish the hotel’s connection to its surroundings, enriched by colours essential to modern interior design such as silver, zinc, ivory and taupe. The bedrooms have a relaxing classic, contemporary feel, with luxurious velvets and textures, rich dark burr woods and opulent lighting. These combine carefully to recall the elegance and glamour of the hotel’s 1920s heritage.

The announcement follows the news that Gleneagles is to launch a new 2,500 square metre conference venue and tennis centre, The Gleneagles Arena, this Spring. It marks the second major project that the resort has undertaken since it hosted The Ryder Cup in September 2014.

The refurbishment project is due for completion by the end of April, in time for the start of the golfing season.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced the opening of Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph. The highly anticipated new hotel opens in Downtown Columbus at 620 North High Street, in the vibrant Short North Arts District. Owned and developed by The Pizzuti Companies and managed by Wischermann Partners, the new 10 story hotel has been designed by renowned Miami-based firm Arquitectonica to complement the unique historical aesthetic of Columbus’ Short North neighbourhood. Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph features 135 modern guestrooms – including 10 Executive Suites, two contemporary Spa Suites, and a modern Presidential Suite. The hotel also offers nearly 7,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space (including the Michael B. Coleman Grand Ballroom, hosting up to 250 guests), Columbus’ chic new lounge, Soul and a 24-hour fully equipped fitness centre with floor to ceiling windows and stunning views of the Short North and Downtown Columbus. Guests will be provided with all of the signature amenities, well known to the Paris-born Le Méridien brand, including a 24-hour curated soundtrack by French Bossa Nova band Nouvelle Vague, exclusive illy coffee prepared by master baristas, and Sparkling cocktails, inspired by Europe’s aperitif hour.

The hotel’s dramatic two-story lobby follows the design principles of the brand’s signature Le Méridien Hub, a place to socialise, share ideas and be inspired – harmoniously blending art, design and architecture while featuring dramatic pieces by international artists KAWS, Rob Wynne, Nari Ward and Fred Wilson throughout the bar and reception areas. Towering columns reach from the ground floor lobby to the second floor gallery and event reception space, offering a revolving selection of artwork curated especially for the hotel and on loan from the private art collection of Ron and Ann Pizzuti. Hallways come alive with vibrant wallpaper designed exclusively by Brooklyn artist Almond Zigmund, while the three event spaces feature the art of their namesakes, internationally recognized Ohio artists – Aminah Robinson, Denny Griffith and Ann Hamilton.

As part of an ongoing commitment to the Ohio artistic community, the Pizzuti family has commissioned more than 31 new pieces of art from 15 Ohio artists for use in the hotel’s guest rooms, hallways and lounges. As part of Le Méridien brand’s mission to provide guests with access to contemporary cultural centres around the world through the UNLOCK Art Programme, Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph has collaborated exclusively with the globally recognized Pizzuti Collection to offer guests – through the use of their room keycard – access to the Pizzuti Collection’s exhibitions and events just steps away from the hotel.

Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph is also home to restaurateur Cameron Mitchell’s The Guild House, allowing guests the opportunity to discover the sustainable flavours of the Midwest during breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu features locally-sourced, artisan cuisine combined with wines from around the world. The restaurant seats more than 140 guests, including unique dining spaces, a full-service bar and private dining room. Cameron Mitchell Restaurants has also developed a signature catering menu for Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph’s catering events and in-room dining.

As part of a sextet representing the ‘Best of British’, Morgan will once again exhibit at the globally influential ’Cruise Shipping Miami’ event from 16-19th March 2015.

Alongside Skopos, Brintons, Muraspec, Trimline and SMC Design on Stand 2201, Morgan will show a hand-picked selection of chairs, tables and bar stools from its original furniture portfolio that is ideally suited to the international cruise market.The latest launches on display will be from the Paris, Oslo and Pimlico collections. Combining classically inspired shapes with beautiful timber detailing, Paris chairs are available with three different back treatments: a traditional wave shaped top edge, a handle shaped showwood top detail and a large curved back. Each distinctive design has a classic contemporary feel that is timeless; perfect for dining, meeting or as an elegant side chair.

In late 2014, the Morgan Studio unveiled a new Tables Collection to complement existing original seating collections. Characterised by freeform shapes and a delicate organic structure, the designs in walnut and oak subtly reference the style of the 1950’s. Oslo combines handcrafted skill with computer aided manufacture to create elegant, softly curved designs. The collection offers a pebble shaped coffee table with three legs and a side table. A new storm edge top detail is also offered.

The Pimlico compact lounge chair was awarded a Design Guild Mark in 2014. Designed by the Morgan Studio, it features smooth curved lines with a unique inset oval seat pad which is wrapped by the frame. A new high back version has just been launched keeping the oval seat but adding a left and right high back to create a pair.

The collection is versatile for bedroom, lounge or bar within a diverse range of interior schemes whether contemporary or classic.

The cruise sector is a highly successful market for Morgan thanks to their ability to apply the Marine Quality Mark to produce attractive and practical furniture pieces of unsurpassed quality which fully conform to Marine Contract standards and IMO for upholstery materials.

Morgan is recognised for its exemplary eco-credentials, a fact independently endorsed by the ISO14001 environmental standard. All products are manufactured in a low energy consuming factory, using sustainable FSC timber, top quality CMHR foams and non rusting fittings.

Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe, has extended its portfolio of deluxe fabrics with the introduction of two new collections.

City Chic brings together a rich array of interior fabrics, providing endless creative opportunities. Inspired by the Hollywood’s Golden Age, it reflects the lavish glitz and glamour reminiscent of this style period. The 11-design collection includes opulent velvets, fluid satins, woven jacquards and dobbies plus faux silk and leather, suitable for upholstery and soft furnishings.

From plains in trendy colours, patterns ranging from traditional pied de poulé to fantasy animal skin and natural fabrics incorporating metallic yarns, its vivacious style lends itself to those who dare to set trends.

Brissac pays homage to the French Napoleonic Empire style period, featuring sumptuous plain and fine powder printed metallic velvets in a range of intricate patterns including toile de jouy florals, medallions and Greek and Roman inspired ornaments.

Available in seven distinct but complementary designs, the colour palette reflects the Empire period, ranging from ecru and beige to pastel tints and shades of gold and brown.

David Harris, managing director of Kobe UK, said: “The collections, many of which are suitable for severe contract usage, offer a versatile and timeless elegance to any interior setting.”

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts announces the highly anticipated opening of The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace in April 2015 following an extensive restoration. Idyllically situated atop a private island in the heart of the Venice lagoon, the enchanting Venetian retreat will join Starwood’s impressive portfolio of nine luxury hotels in Italy. Owned by the Turkish Permak Group, The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace will also join The St Regis Rome and The St Regis Florence as the luxury brand’s third hotel in Italy. Led by international designers Hirsch Bedner Associates and GA Design, the hotel’s renovation will feature 191 luxurious guest rooms and suites overlooking the lagoon and heavenly gardens. Guest rooms and suites will feature a harmonious blend of contemporary décor with distinct Venetian craftsmanship, including heritage terrazzo floors and brocades. Among the hotel’s exquisite 48 suites, a majestic Royal Suite and an impressive Presidential Suite will set a new standard in Venice.

This storied building which once served as a monastery, military outpost and guest home for Venetian nobility at different times from the 12th through to the 17th century, has retained its charming historic character through the meticulous year-long renovation, now debuting as The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace.

A Private Venetian Retreat
The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace is a private oasis just minutes by the hotel’s private boat service from Venice’s city centre with easy access to museums, galleries, performing arts and shopping. The grounds that surround the hotel include spectacular gardens, a signature spa, an outdoor swimming pool with cabanas, a tennis court and a children’s club. The hotel will also offer its discerning global guests the unparalleled bespoke experience for which the St. Regis brand is known, including the brand’s signature St. Regis Butler Service.

Adjacent to the hotel and overlooking the historic centre of Venice is the consecrated San Clemente Church, which was built in the 12th century and remains a landmark in the city. The church and its historic artwork have been meticulously restored as part of the overall renovation, providing an enchanting and unique venue ideal for marital blessings and vow renewals.

Unexpected Enchantment and Exquisite Dining
True to the idyllic nature of this private island retreat, The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace will offer memorable epicurean experiences ranging from relaxed poolside-dining to fine-dining in a sophisticated resort setting. Under the guidance of Executive Chef, Roberto Dal Seno, the hotel’s signature Acquerello Restaurant will feature a Mediterranean-inspired menu focused on locally sourced ingredients coupled with seafood and indigenous ingredients from the Adriatic coast. These will be best savoured from the restaurant’s atmospheric terrace, overlooking the lagoon and the historic city centre.

The hotel will feature an exquisitely curated wine cellar as well as The St. Regis Bar, which will follow the tradition of the St. Regis brand’s iconic King Cole Bar in New York where the first Bloody Mary cocktail was concocted over 80 years ago. The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace will have its own signature Bloody Mary cocktail inspired by the destination, created with local ingredients.

Effective project management with BIM

Driven by a government mandate requiring that all government projects should use BIM by 2016, this design tool has become increasingly popular over the last few years.The collaborative way of digitally creating and maintaining projects makes for effective management of the project throughout its life-cycle.

GROHE leads the way

GROHE is committed to being at the forefront of change in the construction sector and now provides BIM data on some 125 of its high quality sanitary products for planners, architects and interior designers.

Immediate complete project overview

BIM data can be used to illustrate the entire building lifecycle, from inception to demolition. Architects, planners, engineers and contractors are able to make wide-ranging use of BIM data. Just by entering the product’s data in their project, they can immediately see the effects of space, style, décor and technical requirements, as well as costs.

Get ahead of the competition

BIM can also be critical in winning a supply contract for a project. Getting involved from an early stage gives companies a competitive advantage.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LIBRARY

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces the opening of the 199-room Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh West-Green Tree hotel, following a $4 million renovation by the ownership. At the closest IHG full service hotel to Pittsburgh, guests will enjoy modern décor and a host of preferred amenities designed to cater to the modern day business traveller. Guests at the Pittsburgh hotel will experience the Crowne Plaza brand’s new “Always On” enhancements that are focused on connectivity, wellness and productivity. The 24-hour business centre features U-Connect, the hospitality industry’s leading business centre solution while new technology offers single Internet sign-on, free and reliable Wi-Fi, one-click secure wireless printing and easy access to power outlets and charging cords. The hotel also features an Energy Essentials Wellness Station with healthy snacks and drinks to help guests stay energized and balanced to perform at their best.

Conveniently located off Interstate 376, the Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh West-Green Tree hotel offers a variety of dining options at the onsite restaurant, Bistro 401, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its guestrooms provide choice amenities including 42-inch flat screen HDTV’s, Keurig Coffee Makers, iHome clock radios, Miwa contactless guestroom keys, evoking the most modern features of room locks and complimentary high speed internet access. Downtown Pittsburgh is only three miles away, and the hotel provides easy access to public transportation.

Opening in March, Sanctum Inle Resort is a 95-room resort on Myanmar’s famed Inle Lake, gateway to some of Asia’s most fascinating markets, distinctive pagodas and remarkable stupas. Owned and operated by the same group behind perennial ‘T+L 500’ selection La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue, Vietnam, the resort inspires contemplation through its off-the-beaten-path location and architectural flourishes that invoke monastic traditions.Also in MARCH, the Grand Hyatt Taipei concludes a landmark renovation that took all 853 rooms and suites down to their concrete bones. All nine of the hotel’s restaurants and bars, its meetings spaces and club facilities are likewise beneficiaries of an extreme makeover. “This renovation is really a rebuild,” said Kai Speth, the hotel’s general manager. “Once the work is done, the hotel will have the unique distinction of becoming the oldest and the newest luxury hotel in Taipei.” First opened in 1990, the Grand Hyatt Taipei commands a prominent location at the base of Taipei 101, the world’s tallest skyscraper from 2004 to 2010.

Opening in MAY, The Chedi Club Jimbaran is a private estate nestled amidst 22,000 square meters of tranquil grounds in the southern region of Bali. Comprised of 34 butler-serviced pool villas, each is equipped with its own private pool, in-room dining service, a full kitchen, a Balinese pavilion for al fresco meals and barbecues. Villas range from 1-3 bedrooms, along with The Estate, 4,000 square meters of secluded indoor and outdoor living space with multiple pavilions, four bedrooms, and a 15-meter personal pool. The resort’s spaces are the creation of Robert Nation, principal of Nation Architects, and Jaya Ibrahim, one of Indonesia’s foremost interior designers. There will be all-day dining at The Restaurant, as well as an in-villa dining option, and yet another outlet by the 25-meter long U-shaped pool. The luxury resort will also feature a spa and health club to cater to guests’ wellness needs as they find rejuvenation in this secluded oasis.

Newmor are delighted to announce the introduction of its latest wallcovering design, Crescendo into its collection.Crescendo’s textured emboss brings a fresh vibe to a classic chevron pattern.

The tiled design elements create unique geometry and rhythm while the vertical bands add structure.

A slightly-stippled texture combined with a pearlescent finish delivers a matte/sheen contrast.

Choose from 16 colourways including strong neutrals, rich metal tones and earthy darks.

Crescendo is a statement design that brings a tangible energy to hospitality, retail, and corporate settings.

Gallery’s recent focus on quality and traditional manufacturing capabilities has paid dividends. Their updated Hudson Living fusion furniture, based on classic styles, has been seen as a real winner. At the prestigious Furniture Awards, judged during the January Furniture Show in Birmingham, the Hudson Living Dexter Side Tables and accompanying range won the Mid-Level Category, standing out from their peers.James Hudson, Business Development Director at Gallery Direct, was responsible with his team, along with Mat Penney’s design concept directive, for creating this simple but on design side table that offers either a parquet or faux concrete resin top. Manufactured to the highest standards, echoing the workmanship of his grandfather and father, the Dexter table epitomises the spirit and direction that Gallery is taking in the furniture market.

James commented “The concept behind the Dexter side tables was to create a statement piece that could enhance the feel of different room settings, using high quality materials and traditional carpentry techniques. The simplicity of the design, we feel, speaks for itself, and this was backed up by the judges’ comments that it is on trend, well-proportioned and likely to stand the test of time”.

As well as winning the Furniture Award, Gallery also took the January Furniture Show by storm with their stunning double decker stand plus additional space – the two stands with their array of over 1000 products were the talk of the show. The extensive range of high quality new items was extremely well received by both customers and industry commentators alike.

Overall the show was an outstanding success for Gallery. Peter Delaney, Managing Director, commented “The whole team put in a tremendous amount of time and effort preparing for the show, but it was all worth it. We wrote record orders and we are delighted to have won the Furniture Award 2015 Mid-Level Category for our Dexter Side Tables and accompanying range from our Hudson Living collection.”

A new face has joined the team at BAGNODESIGN’s European head office in Leeds, with the appointment of Andrew Marsh to the role of Technical Manager. Offering technical assistance to the BAGNODESIGN team and to the company’s extensive network of customers, Andrew will help with showroom displays and service calls as required. He will also help to ensure that the BAGNODESIGN aftersales service remains of the highest quality and that its product offering continually improves in response to customer feedback.

Andrew brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having worked in the bathroom industry for the past 12 years. During that time Andrew ran his own bathroom installation business, offering a concept to completion business. He later joined TC Bathrooms, progressing from Service Engineer to Aftersales Manager during his seven years with the company.

“Having worked on the retail side of things myself I understand how important it is to have technical assistance you can rely on when working on projects,” comments Andrew. “I’m looking forward to meeting with customers and to finding out how we can help them get the very most out of choosing BAGNODESIGN for their showrooms and for their bathroom projects.”

For more details visit www.bagnodesign.co.uk or call 01924 233977.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) has announced the signing of two hotels at Aberdeen International Airport: Crowne Plaza® Aberdeen Airport and Holiday Inn Express® Aberdeen Airport. Both hotels will operate under franchise agreements with long-time owner partner Dominvs Group. The 165-room Crowne Plaza hotel will be newly constructed within a 2 minute walk of the terminal building. The hotel, which will open in 2016, features a number meeting rooms and an outdoor terrace, a gym, restaurant and bar, and ample car parking spaces for guests.

The new build Holiday Inn Express hotel will be located next door to the Crowne Plaza hotel and is expected to open towards the end of 2015. This property will feature 193 standard rooms and a breakfast/dining area.

Preet Ahluwalia, Owner of Dominvs Group said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better location at the airport. These two hotels complement each other perfectly and we look forward to opening their doors and welcoming guests travelling to Aberdeen.”

Crowne Plaza Aberdeen Airport and Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen Airport join four other IHG properties in Aberdeen: Holiday Inn Express® Aberdeen City Centre, Holiday Inn Express® Aberdeen Exhibition Centre, Holiday Inn® Aberdeen Exhibition Centre and Holiday Inn® Aberdeen West.

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is the second largest upscale hotel brand globally, at nearly 400* hotels in more than 60 countries worldwide, with amenities and services designed to help guests be productive when travelling for work. It has been a recognised and reputable meetings hotel brand for the last 30 years offering guests relevant and effective solutions through its signature meetings programme.

Hotel interior experts Richmond were commissioned to design the interiors of Hilton Paris Opera, formerly Grand Hotel Terminus, one of Paris’ original majestic hotels.Designed by architect Juste Lisch, the hotel first welcomed visitors to the Exposition Universelle of 1889. The hotel, recently rebranded as part of a major renovation, now opens its doors on 21 January 2015 as Hilton Paris Opera, to invite guests to enjoy the opulent spaces within this historic building in Paris’ vibrant Opéra quarter.

The Raised Ground Floor Entrance Lobby lies behind a large revolving glass door with stone floors, elegant Corinthian-style columns and an intricately hand-painted ceiling from the original building. Crystal chandeliers, inspired by jewellery pieces, suspend from the ceiling whilst graceful curved chairs and glass cocktail tables offer guests intimate seating areas. Two reception desks are positioned either side of a raised rear area and feature floral panel designs crafted from brass; these reflect the original brass detailing that adorns the central balustrade.

The colour palette of the hotel’s Le Petit Bar, left of the Entrance Lobby, was inspired by a bold striped fabric by fashion designer Christian Lacroix, which has been used as an upholstery to a number of the chairs. Opaque reeded glass and backlit columns with gold leaf wall mouldings highlight the space and create a sense of form and structure. Suspended from a tinted mirrored and coffered ceiling, delicate interlocking rings form globes of light and cast elaborate shadows over the room. The striking black and white floor design accentuates the luxurious chairs and cocktail tables that occupy the space and bestow a traditional Parisian feel, whilst lounge chairs complete the tone of this relaxed social space.

The central archways of the Entrance Lobby open up to the heart of the hotel, the highly decorative Le Grand Salon. This space acts as the hotel’s social hub, open from breakfast through to late evening. The formality of the original architecture, with a 14m high ceiling and hand-painted murals, has been updated with the addition of a large brass and backlit glass feature bar, high tables and mix of contemporary and vintage furniture. The space’s architectural detailing is echoed in the bespoke handcrafted wool rugs, sofas and coloured glass tabletops, all of which have been designed to create a fresh and sophisticated interior. A new backlit ceiling adds light and volume to the space. Below the ceiling, crystal rings of light wrap around two monumental chandeliers and offer a contemporary addition to the existing features by creating a jewel box quality that glistens throughout the room.

The Salon Baccarat is the hotel’s largest meeting room, a glamorous function space lit by five Baccarat crystal chandeliers. Six additional newly refurbished meeting rooms are located on the Entresol level of the hotel and offer audio-visual technology. The Breakfast Lounge occupies the Mezzanine level, which it shares with the hotel’s executive lounge, with spaces that wrap and flow around the corner of the building.

An ornate grand staircase leads to the luxurious Guestrooms where commissioned artworks decorate the corridor walls outside. A muted colour scheme with dashes of delicate brass detailing gives each room a sense of tranquillity whilst enriching the guest experience. Parisian references, including bespoke wallpaper to the headboard wall, create a suggestive backdrop to the décor and shagreen detailing and high-gloss surfaces feature heavily throughout. Each bathroom has been re-designed to accommodate sizeable polished stone vanities and spacious walk-in showers.

Marriott International, Inc. has recently announced the expected April 2015 opening of AC Hotel Miami Beach on the 2900 block of Collins Avenue, the area that has been grabbing headlines as the trendiest destination in the city. The property, developed in partnership with Miami’s Finvarb Group, will be AC Hotels’ first property in South Florida following the lifestyle brand’s début in New Orleans and its growing portfolio of over 50 hotels expected to open in the next few years.The 150-room AC Hotel Miami Beach will bring elegant yet unpretentious style, innovative Beverage & Food programming and locally inspired experiences to guests and locals.

The design-led hotel, inspired by the fashion houses of Milan, blends European style and simple lines to create a comfortable atmosphere for guests. Miami-based Kobi Karp Architecture will bring the vision to life, providing an energetic vibe in the hotel while still encouraging exploration of the city beyond four walls. Guests can expect public spaces outfitted with furnishings and décor in a neutral tone colour palette featuring warm greys and charcoals with thoughtfully selected modern artefacts and treasures.

Additionally, AC Hotel Miami Beach’s distinctive B&F program will offer an approachable twist on the traditional hotel bar. The AC Lounge experience will be influenced by the idea of “draft and craft” where guests can work during the day and unwind in the evening with craft beers, wines and cocktails complemented with a selection of small ‘tapas-style’ plates inspired by the brand’s Spanish roots. The AC Culturalist will share insider tips and recommendations to help guests “Feel the City” like a local. A destination for hobnobbing, the vibrant rooftop pool scene with ocean views will complete the experience.

The seven story-hotel will include the AC Kitchen, inspired by the European home, which will be open daily for breakfast offering sweet and savoury tarts, freshly baked croissants and a selection of artisan cured meats and cheeses. The AC Library will provide a quiet area for guests to use while still being connected. Additional amenities include a fitness centre and 1,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. On-site parking, complimentary Wi-Fi, a rooftop pool and beach access round out the hotels offerings.

The Birdcage has long set the standard in aesthetics and functionality. It recently starred with Celine Dion in an advertisement for Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, transporting everything from a piano to a tiger. Recent Forbes Group customers in the UK including Harrods, the Millennium Mayfair, ME London (Aldwych), 45 Park Lane (Dorchester Collection) and the Mandarin Oriental confirm the Birdcage’s upfront, uptown standing.

But Forbes isn’t so burdened by its image that it’s averse to an update. The Ham Yard boutique hotel (Piccadilly) with a strong urban village vibe, sought a luggage cart consistent with its Soho style. Forbes Group was delighted to supply an alternative cart (Model 2505) in angular square tubular stainless steel and chrome, with cushion grey wheels and a black bumper and carpet. Less Downton, more Downtown.

So whether you want uptown, or update for your up front, we’re here to help. Please get in touch via email: info@forbesgroup.eu our website: www.forbesgroup.eu or by telephone on: 01568616638.

Forbes Group is the European distributor of the iconic Birdcage Luggage Cart made by Forbes Industries (USA).

View Forbes’ Birdcage in Caesars Palace advertisement here:

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) has announced the opening of Crowne Plaza® London – Battersea. The rebranded 78 room hotel is owned by Fabiano Hotels LTD and managed by IHG. It is located close to Clapham Junction, one of the UK’s busiest railway stations with easy connections to both the centre of London and Gatwick Airport. Given this high volume of passengers the hotel is a great location for guests on the go.

For those travelling on business the hotel features 200m2 of meeting space, free wifi and ample car parking. What’s more, being adjacent to London Heliport, it’s also ideal for those travelling from afar for high-level meetings. For leisure guests the area has many busy nightlife locations and is in easy reach of many of London’s top attractions.

Guests can take advantage of the Verta Spa and gym facilities followed by a relaxing drink in the Terrace bar which overlooks the River Thames. For dining, the Riverside Grill Restaurant serves a British grill with a twist and diners can watch the chefs in action.

A LEADING North East hotel has teamed up with an award-winning spa brand to provide treatments for their guests.Ramside Hall Hotel, County Durham will be opening its state-of-the-art spa in spring 2015 and has announced its plans to use the luxury ESPA range of products for all of its facial and body treatments.

The spa is part of a £16m investment at the hotel which has included the upgrading of its golf course and the creation of an additional 47 deluxe rooms.

It includes 12 therapy rooms, a 25m long pool, a hydrotherapy pool and a range of saunas and steam rooms and a Rasul mud chamber.

Paula Perkins, Director of Spa Development at ESPA International said the company was delighted to “working closely with the Ramside Hall team on the exciting development of their luxury health club and spa.”

The new spa will include a host of other new leisure facilities including a gym, group fitness studio and a hair salon along with an Asian restaurant.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and New Orleans-based KFK Group (KFK) has announced an agreement to open a new Starwood managed Westin hotel in the heart of downtown Dallas, Texas. The Westin Dallas Downtown will open by December 2015 as part of an adaptive re-use project that will transform the landmark “One Main Place” complex into the city’s newest lifestyle development. Construction has already begun, following KFK’s acquisition of the one million square foot building in March of last year. The Westin Dallas Downtown will feature 323 luxurious guest rooms and extensive meeting facilities in a prime location. The Westin Dallas Downtown will anchor the redevelopment of the landmark office building known as “One Main Place.” Ideally situated in the heart of Dallas on both Main Street and Elm Street, the vertical mixed-use property will feature a dedicated hotel entrance parallel to Elm Street and a second floor hotel lobby in the former banking hall. Hotel facilities will include a three meal restaurant, a contemporary bar and more than 27,000 square feet of meeting space including a primary ballroom overlooking the eastern courtyard. A one-of-a-kind glass-enclosed event space in the large western courtyard will provide an ideal venue for weddings, social galas and business functions.

The third floor of The Westin Dallas Downtown will be primarily dedicated to conference space and equipped with the latest in meeting technology. The 323 oversized guestrooms will include 21 expansive suites. The 32nd floor will feature additional meeting space with sweeping views of the Trinity River, Victory Park, Reunion Tower, and the historic West End, as well as a Starwood Preferred Guest® executive lounge, two boardrooms, a Westin WORKOUT® studio, and an indoor pool overlooking Main Street.

KFK Group began exploring ways to reposition the asset while renovating the historic office building commonly known as “One Main Place” for nearly 50 years. As an experienced owner and operator of all property types including hotel, multi-family, office, and retail holdings, KFK selected a full-service hotel as the right fit for the project. In addition to the Westin hotel, the building will also feature 50,000 square feet of retail space, 600,000 square feet of Class A office space and underground parking. It will be one of the first of its kind in Dallas but part of a growing redevelopment movement in urban areas around the United States.

The sensory-rich environment at Westin offers a respite from the rigours of travel and sets a welcoming tone. The Westin brand’s innovative programs and instinctive service transform every aspect of a guest’s stay into a revitalizing experience. All guestrooms and suites at The Westin Dallas Downtown will feature the world-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed – featuring lush sheets, down cushioning and a patented pillow-top mattress, which cradles and contours to the body for complete comfort. Guests will revive in the Heavenly® Bath enhanced with the brand’s Heavenly® Shower, Heavenly® Robe and White Tea Aloe bath amenities, in-room and high-speed Internet access.

Launching in May, the 286-room Reverie Saigon commands the upper and lower floors of a contemporary, 39-storey tower in Ho Chi Minh City and an emerging reputation as the boldest expression of opulence to début in Vietnam, ever.
With grandeur that epitomizes the best of Italian design, the hotel transcends expectations of place to a contemporary exploration of unapologetic splendour.

From its rooms and suites to its restaurants and bars, as well as its lavish public spaces, all feature indelible expressions of original craftsmanship and artistry.

As visually arresting as the hotel is within, so too are the expansive views from each and every room and suite. You’ve never seen Saigon quite like this.

Already, CNN and Yahoo have named this place to their top ten lists of hotels to look out for in 2015.

For the third time, Axor has won one of the most coveted international design and lifestyle media awards – the Wallpaper* Design Award 2015. The designer brand of the mixer and shower manufacturer Hansgrohe SE received the award for its washbasin mixer Axor Starck V. Growing out of Axor’s relentless drive for products that reflect the vitality and emotionality of water, the brand’s first transparent mixer was brought to life in collaboration with Philippe Starck. A high-calibre panel of judges, including the Serbian performance artist Marina Abramović and the Chinese architectural duo Neri & Hu, distinguished Axor Starck V for ‘Best Domestic Design’ on 15th January in London.“Receiving the Wallpaper* Design Award is a great honour for us, and it confirms our innovative strength, as well as the quality of our design process,” explains Philippe Grohe, Head of Axor. “My father’s intuition that water could visibly be brought to the foreground through the vortex, was the starting point in the development of Axor Starck V. In our long-time friend Philippe Starck, we found the perfect design partner to create a shape around the vortex. Axor Starck V is the result of technical know-how and over 100 years of experience in handling water. We are delighted with this expression of appreciation for our work,” Philippe Grohe continues.

The Human Connection with Water
For more than 20 years the human interaction with water and space has been at the core of Axor’s innovations. Axor Starck V is one of the most prominent translations of this idea yet: with the beauty and dynamism of its vortex, the mixer bridges the gap between the functional and emotional aspects of water at the washbasin, transforming it from a basic commodity to a valuable resource. Axor Starck V can also generate a calming effect – optionally, the vortex can be deactivated.

Experiencing Water through Technology and Innovation
True to the Hansgrohe principle of producing highly aesthetic, functional and sustainable bathroom products, Axor Starck V shines with a multitude of innovations that together define a whole new category of washbasin mixers. For example, the mixer is produced out of the organic material crystal glass, which is sustainable and durable. With a flow rate of 4 l/min, Axor Starck saves water without compromising the user experience. The open, rotatable, and detachable spout offers additional comfort: flexible installation of the mixer body in combination with the washbasin and easy cleaning in the dishwasher.

Virgin Hotels and owner/developer Lam Group, have revealed building designs for their first project together in New York City. Located on the southeast corner of 30th Street and Broadway in the NoMad neighbourhood, Virgin Hotels New York is expected to open in 2017. VOA Architecture has been enlisted as the architect and interior designer, to oversee the development of the new structure with the Virgin Hotels design team, which includes a block long high-end retail space, 475 guest rooms, multiple concept suites, food and beverage outlets, rooftop bar plus an outdoor pool and spa. The property is expected to break ground in early 2015.

Virgin Hotels CEO, Raul Leal, said, “We are ecstatic to partner with Lam Group and VOA to bring New Yorkers a dynamic new hotel that’s aesthetic will be completely unique to the hotel scene, yet functional and intuitive for everyone. The property will be a ground-up development designed to support business and leisure travellers needs and wants, while providing an active spot for locals. It will be the perfect venue to encourage creativity, connectivity and celebrating.”

VOA Architecture NY Managing Principal, Len Cerame states, “The 38-story hotel is a unique site and design opportunity for VOA, with a massing that expresses the hotel’s internal functions including active rooftops as well as a staggered cantilevered façade that enhances room views on all four sides. Virgin Hotels New York’s distinctive look is sure to play a key role in the neighbourhoods transformation process.”

Virgin Hotels has a pipeline of properties in the works including Virgin Hotels Chicago, which is slated to open January of 2015 and Nashville in the summer of 2016. Virgin Hotels continues to explore properties in cities such as Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington DC, and London; locations where it is pursuing hotel and office conversions and ground-up development. 


HVS Hodges Ward Elliott is pleased to announce that, acting in cooperation with the owner and Hatfield Philips International, it has successfully arranged the sale of the 253-bedroom Kurhaus Hotel in The Hague to the Amrath Hotels Group for €32.6m.One of the most iconic hotels in the Netherlands, the historic Kurhaus served as collateral for the ‘Kurhaus Loan’, which was securitized in Titan Europe 2006-3 plc. The selling price represents a premium of over 35% to the last reported market value to noteholders.

The hotel was previously operated under a management agreement by Steigenberger Hotels, which was terminated as part of the sale. The property has now been rebranded as the Grand Hotel Amrath Kurhaus and is set to undergo a substantial investment program to restore it to its former glory.

The Amrath Hotels Group is a private hotel owner and operator with 16 hotels in the Netherlands including the Grand Hotel Amrath in Amsterdam and the Amrath Grand Hotel de l’Empereur in Maastricht.

Boutique hotelier Urban Villa announces the opening of its first property, in the Great West Quarter development in London.

In a first for the hotel sector, Urban Villa combines the cultural experiences of boutique hospitality with the unrivalled convenience, comfort and discretion of luxurious residential living. The pioneering hotel contains 100 all-suite bedrooms within a soon-to-be iconic, glass-clad, cylindrical building off the Great West Road commuter lifeline. All bedrooms feature enclosed winter gardens with floor to ceiling panoramic views, plus kitchens and expertly-curated contemporary features. Guests are encouraged to treat their suite as an apartment. Nonetheless, Urban Villa offers the same services any contemporary traveller would expect from a lifestyle hotel, from regular servicing to a vibrant lobby culture featuring events set within a dramatic, but inviting, backdrop.

Urban Villa’s interiors are designed by New York architects Grzywinski + Pons, noted for their progressive work on Manhattan’s Nolitan and The Hotel on Rivington. Artwork comes from Lazarides Editions, part of the world’s leading urban art gallery; the bedrooms also feature both complimentary Malin + Goetz toiletries and Nespresso machines, plus 50” Samsung Smart TVs. Rooms range from 350 to 486 square feet, an astounding size for a London hotel space. The hotel also offers completely complimentary 1GB super-fast wireless Internet, and the most inexpensive telephone call rates in London.

Public areas include BOKI Coffee Co., serving the acclaimed Allpress Coffee and T2 Tea, a rotating selection of seasonal craft beers, a broad range of freshly prepared healthy and organic meals, plus cold-pressed juices. Sour Diesel, Urban Villa’s lobby bar, features cocktails by Soulshakers, the mixologists noted for their work with Meat Liquor, Glastonbury Festival and Quo Vadis. The lovingly-curated selection of wines, spirits, and artisan aperitifs are served in a multi-purpose indoor-outdoor space. Sour Diesel’s wine cellar is equipped with a Coravin preservation system, meaning the entire wine list can be purchased by the glass. The private gym features Technogym equipment, free weights and other fitness essentials. Spa treatments have been designed by Viva Therapies.

Urban Villa is dedicated to creating no ordinary hotel experience, including removing any sense of awkwardness from a hotel stay – for instance, both spa treatments and personal training sessions can be ordered to the suites at no additional charge (fees for the services themselves remain). Guests also have a choice between soft or hard mattresses. Further features include same day laundry, and an in-house launderette. The staff serve as ambassadors, trained in every facet of hotel hospitality from check-in to the art of creating a fine Old Fashioned cocktail.

The surrounding neighbourhood contains London’s rightly famous Kew Gardens, the bohemian Chiswick, Gunnersbury Park, and Twickenham international rugby ground. A short Tube journey from South Ealing will take you directly into the heart of the West End, and Brentford rail station, for Clapham Junction and Waterloo, is five minutes’ walk away.

In the wake of their double award success at the 2014 Be Inspired Business Awards where they won the prestigious Exporter of the Year accolade, Chelsom have been selected as one of the 2015-16 Export Champions for UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) North West. The UKTI Export Champions programme, now in its third successful year, is unique to the North West and involves recruiting successful international firms to help new companies on their export journey, offering peer to peer support in addition to the wide range of individually tailored professional services available from the UKTI team.

The announcement follows what has been a momentous 12 months for Chelsom with the continued expansion of the export division of the business seeing exclusive sales representatives being appointed in Russia and the UAE, a succession of prestigious project wins across the international hospitality and marine sectors including Mondrian London at Sea Containers, Rosewood London, Beekman St NYC, Crystal Symphony, Ritz Carlton Dubai, Sanderson, Movenpick Paris, Sheraton Creek Dubai, Hilton New York, P&O Cruises’ Britannia and Arora along with the incredibly successful launch of their new collection, Edition 24, brand overhaul and completely redesigned website.

Export Manager, Jon Shaw says, “Being appointed as 2015 Export Champion for UKTI is undoubtedly a huge honour and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the New Year and continue what has been a fantastic 12 months for Chelsom as a whole and more specifically where the export side of the business is concerned.”

“As a company we have put a lot of effort in to bolstering our export division in recent years and have worked closely with UKTI to help maximise our international trading capabilities. Their advice, coupled with the tools they have provided, has been invaluable so this is a great opportunity to give something back and to hopefully inspire non-exporters to get started and encourage new exporters to do more by promoting the benefits of export via our own successes along with sharing our knowledge and experience.”

Powering ahead in dynamic markets worldwide, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced it has entered Tajikistan with the opening of Sheraton Dushanbe Hotel. Owned by CJSC CHL International, a subsidiary of CHL Limited, Sheraton Dushanbe Hotel boasts a central location within Tajikistan’s capital city and features 148 rooms, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, three restaurants and all of the Sheraton brand’s signature amenities and services. Strategically located just five minutes from Dushanbe International Airport, the new Sheraton offers easy access to the city’s central business district, government offices and embassies. Nearby attractions include the National Museum of Ancient Art, National Palace, Victory Park, Botanical Garden and several traditional tea houses. All guestrooms, including the top-floor Presidential Suite, boast the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, Shine Spa for Sheraton™ bath amenities, a 42″ screen LCD television, in-room safe, well-designed work station and high-speed Internet.

Sheraton Dushanbe Hotel features a variety of dining options including inAzia, where guests can choose among a variety of dishes from Vietnam, Thailand, China, Indonesia and Japan. Grill@48 offers regional barbeque favorites including kebabs, mixed grills and a comprehensive choice of fresh seafood and meats. Zaitoun Restaurant offers all-day dining and a diverse choice of cuisines including Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, Turkish and Lebanese. Guests can play billiards and darts or watch televised sports at Soho Bar, while enjoying delightful food and drinks in the company of fellow travelers. At the Link@Sheraton® Café experienced with Microsoft® located in the lobby, guests can stay connected with free Wi-Fi and sample a selection of highly-rated wines as part of Sheraton Social Hour, the brand’s signature, premium wine program.

An ideal venue for high-profile conferences, corporate events and galas, Sheraton Dushanbe Hotel provides more than 18,000 square feet of function space, including a grand ballroom with panoramic city views, a multi-purpose hall, six meeting rooms and an expansive outdoor terrace. A complimentary breakfast, all-day snacks and a variety of beverage options are available at the Sheraton Club Lounge – a rooftop space complete with a private meeting room.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the official opening of Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy, the third Hyatt-branded hotel in Istanbul joining Grand Hyatt Istanbul and Park Hyatt Istanbul Maçka Palas. The opening of this five-star hotel marks the return of the Hyatt Regency brand to this important commercial hub and popular tourist destination.“East Meets West” Design

The hotel’s contemporary design was crafted with guests in mind and concepted around the “East meets West” theme. Inspired by the country’s long and rich marine history dating back to the Ottoman Empire and beyond, traditional and regional features are juxtaposed all across the hotel. Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy’s design reflects the natural flow of the water outside and inside the building to offer a renergizing experience for all guests.

Hyatt Regency Istanbul Atakӧy features 284 spacious guest rooms, including 30 suites with panoramic views of the vibrant city and the Marmara Sea. All guest rooms, ranging from 31 square meters to 230 square meters, are light and spacious and offer a contemporary and elegant feel. The modern elements together with the curved Turkish designs and views over the neighbouring historical Ottoman weapon depot allow guests to feel connected to this beautiful historical city during their stay. Each guest room offers complimentary internet access, 42-inch flat-panel wide screen HDTV, walk-in shower and a separate bathtub. All suites also feature a separate kitchen, living room and dining area.

Exclusive Services for Exclusive Guests.
Guests seeking a high level of personalized service and an array of additional amenities will enjoy the Hyatt Regency brand’s ‘hotel within a hotel’ concept offered by the Regency Club. Regency Club rooms and suites have access to a host of exclusive facilities and services, including personalized check-in and check-out, one-hour free use of the meeting facilities, as well as complimentary breakfast, drinks throughout the day and evening cocktails in the Regency Club Lounge secluded on the hotel’s 16th floor.

Restaurants and Bars
Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy introduces guests to a variety of international cuisines prepared exclusively by Hyatt’s renowned expert culinary team.
Brizo, the Eastern Mediterranean restaurant located on the lobby level, treats guests to spectacular views of the Marmara Sea from its indoor and outdoor seating areas and features several show kitchens where chefs create dynamic dishes using authentic cooking methods and fresh, seasonal ingredients.

VUE, the vibrant lounge and bar located on the 17th floor of the hotel, boasts panoramic views of the Marmara Sea from the inside and the open-air terraces where guests can enjoy unique, barrel-aged cocktails and an exquisite selection of ceviche and Latin American tapas from its authentic ceviche bar.

Flexible Meeting and Event Facilities
The hotel features more than 37,500 square feet of flexible meeting and event facilities, including a more than 10,500-square-foot ballroom that holds up to 1,200 people for a standing reception and 864 people for a seated dinner. The Residence, a separate residential style event area with a veranda looking out onto the Marmara Sea, is the ideal venue to host business meetings and memorable social events in an elegant and relaxed environment. The Garden, an outdoor function lawn, offers the perfect location for a picturesque wedding by the Marmara Sea.

Re-energize at Levana Spa & Fitness
Levana Spa & Fitness is the ideal place to rejuvenate in style with its personalized therapies and Traditional Turkish Baths “Hammam.” The indoor pool, adjacent to the spa, opens out to the outdoor pool area where the colour of the sea, the sky and the pool blend with the green of the palm trees. A state-of-the art, fully equipped Fitness Centre allows to maintain momentum during guests’ visit to this vibrant city.

Following their purchase by Gallery Direct Ltd last year, Frank Hudson is making a renewed push into the hotel market under Contracts Sales Manager Keith Clarke. The Frank Hudson offering of luxury bedroom, dining and occasional furniture, coupled with Gallery’s extensive collections of high quality Hudson Living statement and functional furniture and Gallery Home mirrors, soft furnishings and home accessories, means Keith can offer clients a complete look for hotel rooms. Combine this with their bespoke manufacturing service for clients who prefer an individual solution, and any single room through to multi room refurbishments can be designed and installed to meet the clients’ requirements.Frank Hudson established the company in High Wycombe in 1947 as the UK came out of war to face rebuilding a shattered economy. Whilst Europe rebuilt with Marshall Aid, Britain, burdened with wartime debt to the US (a debt not paid off until 2006), was reliant on the ingenuity and determination of its people for reconstruction. Frank Hudson played a part in the rebuilding of Britain, using his engineering and master carver skills in the rebuilding and restoration of London.

The company was founded in High Wycombe by master wood carver Frank Hudson and his son Rex in 1947 and has been making fine furniture ever since. Frank’s grandsons Tim, James and Tom are still strongly involved in keeping the proud heritage alive today. The old factory site is now home to Frank Hudson’s furniture showrooms, and design prototypes are constantly being created in the workshops.

The Frank Hudson furniture collections are created by Gallery’s in-house design team, recreating timeless classic furniture and updating it to suit modern-day interiors, whilst maintaining manufacturing methods in order to produce pieces with long lasting appeal. All the products are produced to the highest standards, using traditional skills. Beautifully constructed and meticulously hand finished, Frank Hudson furniture offers clients the very best in British design.

Global hotel brand, Courtyard by Marriott, has very recently opened the Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi, marking the first Marriott-endorsed hotel in the capital. Crowds gathered to celebrate the opening which saw the first guest, Saeed Al Romaithi, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at ADGAS, who is also a Marriott Rewards Platinum member, checking in and becoming the hotel’s first-ever customer. Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi brings in a fresh concept that allows business travellers to be productive while still making room for some fun. Its first class facilities are packed with all the modern essentials 21st century guests need – including complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel – and stylish and energetic places to hang out. Whether it’s meeting friends and colleagues in the inviting neighbourhood Fifth Street Café or enjoying exquisite views of the city over a drink and light bites from the lively Up and Below rooftop bar, which will be opening soon and promises to be an exciting venue to watch out for.

Adjoining the World Trade Center Mall and Souk, Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi is perfectly positioned for business travellers and tourist alike who are looking for a central base in the city, with a bright and inviting atmosphere and an impressive Executive Team, headed up Richard Bleakley, who has taken on the role of General Manager.

Newmor are pleased to announce the launch of a new wallcovering design: Colton.Colton features a painterly de-constructed plaid print, styled with rich metallic brush strokes against a matte background.

A silk moiré fabric emboss adds an extra layer of depth and movement to the intermingling of gold, silver or bronze linear elements.

Colton has a contemporary flair that provides a unique abstract visual.

Offered in 13 matte/metallic colour combinations suitable for hospitality, retail, and contemporary office settings.

Consolidation amongst major hotel companies will be one of the key themes of 2015 as large groups seek to grow their business or risk being taken over themselves.Looking to the year ahead, chairman of global consultancy HVS London Russell Kett said that now is a good time to develop, acquire or invest in hotels as economic prospects are encouraging with demand for hotel rooms increasing and many parts of Europe having capacity for further rooms.

As conditions in Europe’s hotel markets continue to improve, values are mostly on the rise and are expected to continue to do so for the next few years.

“Organic growth is a relatively slow way to expand, so hotel companies will be looking for opportunities to make quantum leaps, typically by buying other hotel companies and driving more value through economies of scale,” he said. “Global hotel companies either have to acquire to maintain their growth strategy, or be prepared to be someone else’s target for acquisition. If you’re not dining, your dinner.”

While the major cities of London, Paris, Rome and Amsterdam remain prime investment locations, hotel investors are also looking at cities such as Barcelona, Hamburg, and Munich, which HVS has highlighted as development ‘hot-spots’. Cities to be avoided for new hotel development currently include Athens, Budapest, Kiev, Vienna and Warsaw.

“The hot cities are those which we expect to see an increase in both business and leisure demand and where real estate investors are likely to see a bigger return. It’s encouraging that investors are now looking beyond Europe’s four most popular destinations,” said Kett.

However, a lack of available hotels on the market means that hotel transaction volumes are currently well below the levels experienced in 2005-07.

“We are seeing a number of new investors in the sector including insurance companies and hedge funds, which together with sovereign wealth funds, high net worth individuals and private equity firms ensure there is keen interest. Indeed, it is likely that the major hotel transactions this year will be dominated by private equity buyers.

“Lack of availability as well as improved demand and profitability should mean that hotel values continue to rise for the foreseeable future.”

Daish’s Holidays, the chain of hotels on the south coast of England and Isle of Wight and Group Travel Awards Most Group-Friendly Hotel Chain 2014, has completed a £1 million refurbishment of its flagship Daish’s Hotel.Situated in Shanklin, the Daish’s Hotel is currently the only hotel on the Isle of Wight to have been refurbished this scale.
The company has improved all 72 of the hotel’s bedrooms as well as its Tally Ho bar. It has added a coffee shop, where guests can enjoy light snacks and overlook the hotel’s garden and terrace.

Originally an 18th century coaching inn, the Daish’s Hotel has been welcoming guests for hundreds of years. It gained a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2013. Today, the hotel retains its period features, yet gains the facilities people expect in a modern destination.

Attracting 2.6 million visitors a year, the Isle of Wight is one of England’s most popular holiday destinations. Guests return year after year to Daish’s Hotel to enjoy the picturesque town of Shanklin and Daish’s popular excursions.

These include trips to:
• Owl and Monkey Haven
• West Wight – including the Isle of Wight Pearl Factory, The Needles Park at Alum Bay and Yarmouth
• East Wight – including Waltzing Waters, Ryde Town and Rosemary Vineyard
• Steam Railway
• Osborne House & Godshill
• Amazon World Zoo
• Blackgang Chine

Daish’s Holidays has enjoyed consistent month-on-month growth since October 2013. In October 2014, traditionally its quietest month, the business achieved 99% occupancy across its hotels.

Daish’s Holidays, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2014, runs over 80,000 holidays annually. The standard five-day holiday package comprises four nights’ accommodation with a full English breakfast, three course evening meal and nightly entertainment. The optional excursions give guests the choice of sightseeing or relaxing around the hotel grounds. Self-drive holiday options, at a slightly lower cost, are also available.

Asian buyers looking to invest in the growing appeal of Melbourne, Australia will have an exclusive opportunity to purchase units of The York in West Brunswick, Melbourne with its recent launch.The York is a collection of four boutique buildings, each aptly named after popular parks in West Brunswick and adjoining suburbs. Set amongst lush green gardens, The York’s four buildings will offer contemporary designed 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.

Each apartment will showcase R. Corp’s renowned approach to design; highlighting fresh, timeless designs which appeal to both owner-occupiers and astute investors. Luxury inclusions for each apartment comprise; private terrace/balcony, individual car park, bike rack, separate storage and Bosch appliances.

R.Corp has continued its collaboration with world-renowned landscape designer Paul Bangay. Applying his award winning expertise to The York’s private terraces and communal centre gardens, Bangay has created elegant and contemplative meeting spaces within his designs. The gardens will be exclusively used by The York’s residents, offering a truly private and evergreen retreat amidst the vibrancy of West Brunswick.

Paul Bangay’s design will flow through the heart of The York and out onto the adjacent 1.4 acre parkland, which will undergo a $300,000 update by Moreland City Council.

Christopher Moreira, Sales Manager stated, “We have a proud heritage of iconic residential sites in Melbourne from which we can draw on our experience. It gives our buyers confidence that we are delivering another quality, well-designed address in a unique and tightly held locale.”

“The Asia launch will offer interested buyers an exciting opportunity to live in one of Australia’s most vibrant and emerging neighborhoods. We’ve designed spacious, luxurious homes in a neighborhood that will appeal to modern homebuyers of all backgrounds – from young families to older adults looking to downsize. With The York’s combination of spectacular interior and landscape design, exquisite detail, excellent location, and world-class services and amenities, we expect to see strong interest coming from this region,” added Moreira.

R.Corp continues to select land in Melbourne’s popular and emerging inner-suburbs where lifestyle is part of the package.

R. Corporation was established in 2000 and has a proven track record of successful developments across Melbourne worth over $1b such as Botanicca in Richmond, Tribeca in East Melbourne, Metropol in St Kilda and Clara in South Yarra.

Hamilton Litestat has announced that Technical Datasheets for most of its products are now available to download via www.hamilton-litestat.com Ian Hamilton, Hamilton Litestat Managing Director says: “Technical Datasheets are produced for every single item we design, produce and sell to ensure absolute quality control and safety. Although this information has always been made readily available, now the entire listing of technical sheets has been uploaded to our website our customers will benefit from instant 24/7 access to the information.”

A new page has been created on the website under ‘Resources’. The required Technical Datasheet(s) can be easily found via a search tool on the left hand side of the page. Each sheet contains all the necessary and often vital product information needed by the electrical contractor, installer, specifier, architect or interior designer including; a product image, wiring information and full product description plus the vital statistics – from terminal capacity to ambient operating temperature! This section also includes LED lamp compatibility tables, detailing LED lamps already tested and fully compatible with Hamilton dimmers.

So from January 2015 Hamilton’s customers’ will have 24/7 access to product technical information across the range. But rest assured that Hamilton’s Technical Sales Team will still be on hand to answer specific questions.

Contact Hamilton Litestat via their website for more details.

The team at concrete, led by Rob Wagemans, its founder – has designed a home away from home with a touch of luxury for ‘mobile citizens of the world’ in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Located in the Gelderseplein area, near Blaak train station and opposite Binnenrotte Market (the largest in the Netherlands) the new 151-room citizenM hotel offers quality accommodation for both business and leisure travellers. The concept behind citizenM hotels is a straightforward one: to remove all hidden costs whilst providing a luxury environment for guests. The interior is characterised by citizenM’s iconic black and red colour scheme and enhanced with bold architectural features, including a timber helical staircase. The bedrooms offer guests a practical and comfortable place to recharge, whilst public spaces provide areas for working, dining, and relaxing at the end of the day.

Visitors are welcomed to the hotel through the iconic citizenM red glazed entrance vestibule, before arriving in the double height foyer where the helical staircase is situated. The staircase has been carefully coordinated with the cabinetry, featuring a matching timber finish on the treads and outside of the balustrades, in addition to a black finish on the interior balustrade.

An understated brushed stainless steel handrail, set against the black balustrade, traces the graceful rise of the staircase. Set against black floor to ceiling cabinets, the staircase creates a visual and physical connection between the entrance on the ground floor and the public lounge and dining area on the first.

“concrete has created an exciting interior at citizenM, Rotterdam. The contrast between the block colours of the black cabinets and red furnishings, with the natural appearance of the wooden staircase adds depth and texture to the entrance,” said Cornelis van Vlastuin, EeStairs’ Creative Director.

“After noticing the furniture, guests are drawn to the staircase and as they climb are able to explore the objects on display in the wall covering cabinet.”

Rob Wagemans, Concrete’s founder adds “EeStairs executed this complex and playful design perfectly”. Intelligent use of furniture in the public area provides spaces for meetings or working, or allows guests to retreat with friends or curl up with a book, or watch television. These spaces are positioned around a central niche, complete with a fireplace, for the ultimate space to interact or unwind.

The island bar is positioned next to a semi open kitchen and can provide guests with everything from breakfast to an evening nightcap. On one side the bar extends into a dining area, overlooking the square below. The other side of the bar is occupied by a large wooden communal reading table, which creates a sense of continuity with the staircase in the entrance hall.

The bedrooms offer guests an escape to recuperate or work in comfort. There is a wall-to-wall, super-king size bed, to lounge in, a table which doubles as a desk and a flat screen television.

For that added touch of luxury each room is equipped with a touch screen mood pad that allows guests to control the whole room, including the curtains, climate and television. It also comes with six pre-programmed light settings creating a number of atmospheric settings, including work, shower and even ‘surprise me’.

Equipped with rainfall and a hand shower the wet room is constructed from semi-circular frosted glass for a sense of transparency and privacy. The translucent ceiling lights can be set to any colour, which makes the bathroom a stand out feature within the room.

Located just a short walk from Excel exhibition centre in London, is the three star Hotel ibis London ExCeL, Docklands; a 278 room budget hotel adjoining a four star Novotel London ExCeL. The partnering of the two brand divisions is a recurring move by Accor and has been seen with other properties in London such as the ibis Blackfriars/ Novotel Blackfriars.Perfectly positioned for access to one of London’s busiest exhibition centres, the hotel also benefits from being just a short walk away from the Emirates Air Line in Victoria Dock and a direct line to The O2 arena in North Greenwich. Whilst the hotel has its own restaurant, FOGG’S, visitors may wish to browse the wide variety of bars, cafes and restaurants contained within The O2 as the variety of cuisines available is just a five minute journey over the water.

Continued on page two…

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Operadora MEXAA, announce the groundbreaking of the Staybridge Suites® Puebla hotel. Currently undergoing construction, the hotel is expected to open by Fall 2015. There are currently three Staybridge Suites hotels open in Mexico, including properties in Monterrey, Guadalajara and Queretaro, and once open, this property will be the upscale extended stay brand’s first hotel in Puebla. The 129 suite, eight–story hotel, located in the area of Plaza Mesón del Angel Mall, is being developed with an investment of more than US $12 million by Operadora MEXAA. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by prominent local government dignitaries including Rafael Moreno Valle, Governor of Puebla State; José Antonio Gali Lopez, Ministry of Competitiveness, Labour and Economic Development; and Roberto Trauwitz Echeguren, Ministry of Tourism.

Boasting well-designed and spacious guestrooms, the new property will offer a mix of studio and one-and two-bedroom/two-bathroom suites, along with more than 700 square feet of meeting space. Amenities such as a complimentary daily hot breakfast buffet and evening reception, daily housekeeping, guest laundry room, fitness center, indoor pool, 24-hour business center, 24-hour guest lounge and outdoor living room with barbecue and fire pit will be available for all guests.

The hotel will be strategically located at the entrance of the main corridor of Puebla at Blvd. Hermanos Serdan 810. Nearby attractions and businesses include San Jose Cuatro Caminos neighborhood and the Volkswagen industrial park. The Staybridge Suites Puebla hotel is owned and managed by Operadoa MEXAA and franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

November Highlights
• Dubai hotels start to feel the pressure
• Performance levels continue to grow in Sharm El Sheikh
• Doha hotels relish a growth in demand dynamics
• Jeddah hotels witness mixed results
• Beirut hotels continue on the path of recovery

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of the first Holiday Inn Express® hotel for Managua, Nicaragua. The new-build, 114-room Holiday Inn Express Managua hotel is located minutes from the city center and within walking distance of the city’s most exclusive mall, Galerias Santo Domingo. The Holiday Inn Express Managua hotel is also 20 minutes away from the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport and near the Inter-American Development Bank and various multinational companies. Owned and managed by Latin American Hospitality Management S.A., a subsidiary of Grupo Agrisal, the hotel is franchised by an affiliate of IHG. This hotel is the sixth project in Central America with Grupo Agrisal and is IHG’s fourth property for Nicaragua – current properties include the Real InterContinental® Hotel Metrocentro Managua, Crowne Plaza® Hotel Managua and the Holiday Inn® Hotel Managua.

The complimentary Express Start™ breakfast bar features a full range of breakfast items, including regional and local dishes, a rotation of egg and meat selections, breads, yogurt, juices, fruit, pastries, cereals, and coffee. Guestrooms will feature contemporary styling, a 32-inch HD LED TV, comfortable twin, queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair and an in-room coffee machine. Bathrooms feature a signature shower curtain with curved rod, upgraded 100 percent cotton terry towels, bathroom amenities and hairdryer. Guests will enjoy crisp, fresh bedding that features an attractive decorative throw, a medium-weight duvet blanket, soft, 200 thread-count sheets and pillows that come in two comfort levels: “soft” and “firm.”

November Highlights
• Budapest and Munich hotels take the lead
• RevPAR flatters to deceive in Madrid and Vienna
• Challenging November for Istanbul

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® has recently announced the opening of Aloft Liverpool, the second Aloft hotel in the UK. Set in the 110-year old Royal Insurance Building, Aloft Liverpool is an adaptive reuse project that is breathing new life into this historic building. Delivering urban-influenced design and an energetic guest experience at an affordable price point, Aloft Liverpool will feature 116 loft-like guest rooms and Aloft Hotel’s signature W XYZ® bar, a buzzing social space where guests can mix and mingle, work or grab a drink with friends. Located in central Liverpool on the corner of Dean Street and North John Street, the sleek new hotel is perfectly situated within easy reach of the fabulous shops, buzzing nightlife and world-class galleries and museums. Getting around the city couldn’t be easier, the central business district and key visitor attractions are all within walking distance.

The opening of Aloft Liverpool is the culmination of an £18 million investment project to regenerate and preserve Liverpool’s historic Grade II listed Royal Insurance Building. The development has been led by Ashall Property who worked alongside Liverpool City Council and English Heritage to transform this, once neglected, building into a sleek new, hotel.

Mark Ashall, Director of Ashall Property said: “The opening of the Aloft is the culmination of four years’ work on the project by Ashall Property and our development team. We are proud to have completed a stunning renovation of one of Liverpool’s most iconic buildings which has seen it being taken off the ‘at risk’ register and brought back into productive use. This has been a very challenging project and we would like to record our appreciation to Liverpool Council and all the other parties who contributed to its successful conclusion.”

Aloft Liverpool boasts urban-inspired spacious rooms, featuring the brand’s signature loft-like ceilings of nearly three metres high, oversized windows and ultra-comfortable plush platform beds. Guests can enjoy large walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads and complimentary Bliss Spa® bath amenities. Designed for the savvy next generation of global travellers, Aloft Liverpool offers fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and in the lobby.

Recreational facilities at the hotel include Re:chargeSM fitness centre, which is open 24/7 for guests’ gym fixes day or night. Visitors can also grab a quick foodie fix at Re:fuel by AloftSM, a one-stop, 24-hour grab-and-go food and beverage area. Arf SM is an exclusive pet-friendly programme, where pets can enjoy a stay with complimentary treats and toys. The hotel also offers a suite of five Tactic meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art audio, visual, plasma TV and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Aloft Liverpool’s W XYZ® bar is the perfect place for hotel guests and locals alike to enjoy a refreshing seasonal cocktail and catch up-and-coming music acts that are part of Aloft’s signature Live at Aloft Hotels music events. Opening their doors to fresh music perspectives, Aloft Hotels regularly team up with cutting-edge musicians to bring live performances to properties around the world.

ARCHITECTS: Falconer Chester Hall Architects

Figures released on the 11 December reveal that the value of hotel, leisure and sport construction contracts awarded in November reached its highest level in two years.Barbour ABI, which is a chosen provider of construction data to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Government, has published its latest Economic & Construction Market Review revealing that the value of hotel, leisure and sport construction contracts totalled more than £574 million in November, an 8.8 per cent increase on October and 34.3 per cent higher than November 2013.

The report also shows that the sector accounted for 10 per cent of the total value of all construction contracts UK-wide, with 40 per cent of these awarded in London.

Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, commented: “The value of construction contracts awarded in the hotel, leisure and sport sector in November rose to its highest level since 2012, which is hugely encouraging for the wider industry.

“It’s not surprising that London was the main location of activity in the sector this month, with 40 per cent of the total value of all contracts awarded. This is largely due to the award of a £100 million contract to develop a five-star hotel at the site of the Great Scotland Yard building in Whitehall, as well as a contract to develop the Artotel Hotel in Hoxton worth £40 million.

“2013 was a strong year for planning activity in the hotel sector with a number of high value schemes reaching detail planning stage. This is now filtering through to contracts awarded, and so far in 2014 there have been a total of 210 projects containing hotels across the UK, worth a total of £1.4 billion.”

The Economic & Construction Market Review is a monthly report designed to give valuable insight into UK construction industry performance. It is compiled from Barbour ABI’s records of construction data for every UK planning application, and key indicators, such as the Office for National Statistics’ Construction New Orders data.

AC Hotels by Marriott, a lifestyle brand belonging to Marriott International, has announced its debut in Denmark, welcoming the impressive 812-room Bella Sky Hotel to the portfolio as the AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen on 15 December 2014. The news follows major global expansion of the brand, aimed at the lifestyle oriented business traveller, with the opening of the first AC by Marriott property in the U.S. – the AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon – and recent openings in Istanbul and Valencia. Located just ten minutes by metro from Copenhagen city centre, the AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen impresses with its dramatic modern architecture and interiors; a fusion of sharp angled glass design with modern Scandinavian furnishings and style. This distinctly urban style is synonymous with the AC Hotels by Marriott brand and is aimed at both business and leisure travellers seeking a contemporary urban experience with a strong sense of place. Original furniture by brands such as Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen, Moroso, Hay, Erik Jørgensen and GUBI is featured throughout the hotel, alongside modern patterns and textures with a layered colour palette of blues representing the changing colours of the sky throughout the day.

Spacious guestrooms, ranging from standard rooms to suites, are flooded with natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows offering awe inspiring views of the skyline beyond. All technology needs are covered with free Wi-Fi provided throughout the hotel, including the guest rooms, and videos on demand can be viewed on large flat screen TVs whilst lounging on sumptuous king size beds or the stylish, modern sofas and chairs.

For those seeking further relaxation, the impressive aqua spa offers a rejuvenating water-inspired journey from hot and cold pools, rain showers, steam baths and ice fountains followed by heat beds that encourage blood circulation and wellness. It is the ultimate escape after a long business trip or a day of sightseeing.

A number of dining experiences with unique settings are offered throughout the hotel including the Balcony Restaurant serving Nordic Classics and Grills or for those keen to soak up the panoramic views and awe-inspiring sky line, the Sky Bar serves cocktails and Nordic tapas. The lobby bar is the perfect place to meet friends, catch up on business or just relax; serving small plates and snacks.

Meetings and events are expertly catered for throughout the extensive conference area, comprising 48 meeting rooms featuring the latest IT and AV equipment. The hotel also has direct access to Bella Center, Scandinavia’s largest conference centre, which can accommodate up to 30,000 delegates. There is a free shuttle service to and from the airport and the hotel also benefits from its own metro stop.

November Highlights
• UK Provinces outpace London hotels’ profit growth
• Profits up in Belfast despite falling RevPAR…
• Whereas revenues rise but profits plummet in Derby

Installers visiting the Geberit Training Academy in Warwick this year will be among the first to make use of its redesigned facilities, with the refurbishment of the venue now in full swing. Since the purpose-built academy opened in 2009, hundreds of installers have benefited from being able to get hands on with Geberit products and systems, with training modules offered free of charge by the manufacturer to its customers. Anticipating another busy year ahead, the Academy has been updated for 2015, ensuring the facilities continue to reflect the workplace environment and enable installers to learn more about the very latest innovations in sanitary solutions and piping solutions from the market-leading brand.

The new look Training Academy features four different working walls to cover all aspects of fitting Geberit products, while a HDPE stack featuring various connection types will help installers get to grips with fitting Geberit pipework. Candidates will also benefit from a greater integration of the piping and sanitary elements of the manufacturer’s offering too, reflecting the crossover that many installers encounter within their day-to-day work.

The dates for the training modules at Warwick in 2015 will be as follows:

Sanitary
March 11
March 18
September 9
September 23
October 7
October 21

Piping
March 12
March 19
September 10
September 24
October 8

Covering the very latest techniques for fitting wall-hung sanitaryware using the Geberit Duofix WC frame, the sanitary systems training gives installers the know-how and confidence to fit such systems themselves, while the piping systems training module offers an introduction to the Geberit Mapress and Geberit Mepla press fitting systems, covering everything from cutting and deburring, through to bending and pressing.

To book your place on any of the training modules in 2015 email training.gb@geberit.com or call 0800 0778 365.

Hospitality interiors experts Richmond have been commissioned to create the interiors for P&O Cruises’ largest ship so far, the Britannia. For the first time, P&O Cruises has approached the entire interior design scheme differently, handing over every aspect of its cabins, suites and public areas to one design agency.With a portfolio including some of the world’s finest five-star hotels, Richmond have a wealth of experience in creating superlative interior schemes internationally. Their portfolio includes hotels such as the luxurious Langham hotels in London and Chicago, the award-winning Four Seasons Gresham Palace in Budapest, the recently opened Four Seasons Moscow, and Corbin & King’s first acclaimed hotel, The Beaumont, in London’s Mayfair.

Richmond’s latest challenge combines the excitement of cruising with the sophistication and comforts of a five-star hotel. Richmond have approached this project in the same way they would a luxury hotel, with their understanding of the requirements of the modern day traveller playing a key role, in what promises to be a ‘modern classic’ from P&O Cruises.

The interior design scheme originates from P&O Cruises heritage, with a quintessentially British sense of style and glamorous, classical touches; yet, it incorporates new innovations and concepts in dining, technology and entertainment to appeal to new audiences, as well as resonating with P&O Cruises loyal customer base.

The three-tier Atrium is the social heart of the ship and offers a refined, flexible and sophisticated social setting, with an elegant sweeping staircase connecting the decks.

Richmond applied their experience in hotel design by creating a space similar in function to that of a hotel lobby: a central zone where the social life of the ship comes together. The Atrium space is much larger than in any previous P&O Cruises ships and Richmond have maximised its use by offering a Market Café, with patisserie from master patissier Eric Lanlard, delicatessen and gelateria to be enjoyed during the day, and the Blue Bar, on the opposite side of the lower deck, which comes to life predominantly at night, as well as a number of sophisticated shops located in the middle retail deck, relaxing coffee bar and wine expert Olly Smith’s The Glass House wine bar.

Continued on page two…

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced the signing of Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto. Owned by Mori Trust Co., Ltd., the hotel marks the first Luxury Collection property in Japan. “We are thrilled to welcome Suiran to The Luxury Collection portfolio – an ensemble of more than 90 of the world’s most extraordinary hotels and resorts,” said Lothar Pehl, Senior Vice President, Operations and Global Initiatives, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “With its intimate scale and idyllic setting, the hotel will further strengthen Starwood’s luxury portfolio in Japan. As part of The Luxury Collection, Suiran will effortlessly blend renowned Japanese hospitality with the brand’s captivating proposition, offering guests an authentic way to experience Kyoto.”

Scheduled to open in March 2015, Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto is being developed as a ryokan-style accommodation, or small Japanese inn. Located in the Arashiyama district in the western part of Kyoto, the hotel occupies part of the grounds of Tenryuji Temple, a World Heritage site that since the 1960s housed ‘Rantei,’ a well-known traditional Japanese ryokan long used by the Japanese government to entertain VIPs. In addition to the newly built guestrooms and facilities, Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto, will retain elements of its esteemed past, including the preservation of two original structures: ‘Enmei-kaku’, built in 1899, and ‘Hasshoken’, constructed in 1910 – both of which are currently undergoing extensive renovations and will ultimately house a signature restaurant and cafe.

With only 39 rooms, the hotel will offer an intimate experience in Kyoto – a city steeped in tradition with numerous historic palaces, temples and shrines. Each guestroom will be designed in culturally significant hues and traditional motifs. Amenities will include a lobby lounge, signature restaurant, meeting room, fitness center and spa. In addition, the brand’s signature concierge service will serve as a portal for travellers to discover the intriguing and less explored sights of Kyoto.

Suiran is located adjacent to the Hozugawa River, Kameyama Park and the Hogonin and Tenryuji Temples. Arashiyama houses and the famed Bamboo Grove on the southern side of the river – declared a National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty – are also both in close proximity to the hotel.

Autograph Collection – Marriott International’s exclusive portfolio of hotels recognised for celebrating individuality – is set to welcome a new historical, boutique property to its Collection. Hotel Cotton House Barcelona, located in a prime position on Barcelona’s Gran Vía, is housed in an iconic 19th century building – formerly the headquarters of the Association of Cotton Manufacturers.Since its construction in the late 1800s, the ‘House of Cotton’ has been a significant Barcelona landmark; after an extensive restoration and refurbishment, the building has become a sophisticated hotel embodying the essence of this historic building. Guests will love the experience of staying in an authentic residence in the heart of the Ensanche district, an icon of 19th-century Catalan bourgeoisie and the perfect starting point for exploring the fascinating city of Barcelona.

Staying true to the hotel’s historical essence, world-renowned designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán was commissioned to design the hotel in a contemporary and sophisticated manner. With 83 luxurious bedrooms including seven spacious suites, the boutique hotel welcomes guests through a beautiful covered hall of mirrors, leading them into the magnificent octagonal hall with two sweeping staircases.

The former public areas of the building, open to all guests, now house an elegant library, a restaurant and cocktail bar, a light-filled conservatory and a 300 m2 terrace with lush vegetation. A striking rooftop pool occupies the sixth floor.

Guests to Hotel Cotton House Barcelona will benefit from an experienced concierge team who will offer the most exquisite service in the city, combining the personal touch and authenticity of an independent hotel with the confidence of an Autograph Collection experience. The concierge will be based in one of the hotel’s many unique areas, the Gossypium (‘cotton’ in Latin).

Continued on page two…

Sekers are pleased to announce the appointment of Kim DaGue as the new Creative Design manager based at its Dundee head office.Managing Director Ian Tatnell said, “Kim joins us with a wealth of experience having originally trained in Scotland and worked in the U.K. for over 10 years designing fabrics for the contract market. One of Kim’s first jobs will be to employ a design and marketing assistant, so we are all really excited at Sekers as this has been a key appointment and one which will help to reinforce the development of the brand for the years to come.”

Kim stated, “I am very excited to be joining the Sekers team and of course very pleased to be based in Scotland again. This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of such an established and dynamic company within the U.K. contract market and I look forward to continuing to work with our current suppliers and to building many new relationships in the future. I look forward to seeing everyone here in Dundee!”

www.sekersfabrics.co.uk

October Highlights
• Bahrain’s performance rises on the back of renewed government spending
• Beirut rebounds in October
• Amman suffers from regional uncertainty
• Cairo hotel profits rise on the back of renewed international tourism
• The return of corporate travel boosts Kuwait’s hotel market

Developers have submitted their masterplan for Edinburgh Marina – the 400 berth marina, residential, retail and spa hotel development that will be the focal point of Granton Harbour’s regeneration, just 2.5 miles from Edinburgh City Centre.The masterplan lodged with The City of Edinburgh Council for the new Edinburgh Marina development is believed to be the first new Marina next to a capital city in Europe for several decades, providing a major boost to inward investment in Edinburgh of over £300m.

The Edinburgh Marina development will deliver new homes for over 4,000 residents as well as local employment opportunities for up to 700 people, whilst the new masterplan provides for improved marine services, including a larger community boatyard and improved facilities for the Royal Forth and Forth Corinthian yacht clubs.

The residential content of the development remains virtually unchanged from the previously approved plans, but now provides for a significantly greater offering of family sized housing for rent. The total area of the proposed new retail and leisure space remains unchanged from that approved in January 2014 – 9220 sq.m and 4220 sq.m respectively. However, the layout has now been redesigned to provide a centre to the retail, commercial and leisure space, easily accessible to both residents and visitors.

The revised scheme also makes provision for the proposed new transport facilities in the area, including the extension of the tram service and a potential fast link ferry service to and from Kirkcaldy, as well as facilities to accommodate cruise ship tenders.
A spokesman for the developers, Granton Central Developments Limited, said today, “We are very pleased with the way in which our development plans have been supported by the local community and we look forward to starting work on this exciting project in 2015. We hope that Edinburgh Marina will soon be not just a gateway to Edinburgh, but a focal point of an exciting and energetic new community.”

Edinburgh Marina: Fact Box
Spa Hotel: 123 beds
Residential: 1,881 units
Retail: 9220 square metres
Leisure: 4220 square metres
Commercial: 5000 square metres
Marina: 400 berths
Distance from Edinburgh City Centre: 2.5 miles
Developer: Granton Central Developments Limited
Architect: Wilson Gunn Architects, Glasgow
Planning Consultant: Paton Planning & Development
Marine Consultant: MDL Marinas

Hamilton Litestat has appointed Sally Jones to its sales team in Scotland to help maintain the company’s high level of customer service and close liaison with current and new clients.Sally Jones is based in Edinburgh were she studied and achieved a Master of Arts in International Business and German at Heriot-Watt University. Originally from Teesside in the North-East of England she has lived in Scotland for 6 years.

Sally says: “I’m very keen to make a difference in Scotland and to develop some great trusting relationships with our clients. My key objective is to help customers across the board, working together to increase success and ensure every aspect of our service provision runs smoothly. I will be on hand to assist with every request and enquiry.”

Ian Hamilton, Managing Director of Hamilton Litestat says. “Demand and distribution for our high quality switch plates and range of lighting control and multi-room audio solutions is seeing a steady increase in Scotland. Our consultative approach is valued highly by hotel and commercial project clients in the region. As such its essential that service levels are maintained and we are in a position to respond swiftly to customer enquiries. Another priority for our business is ensuring our customers are aware of all our new products and innovations. We are delighted Sally has joined the team and confident she will do an excellent job working with our established and new customers.”

Contact Hamilton Litestat via their website for more details.

Global Property Advisors Colliers International is seeking best and final offers in the region of £2 million, for the freehold interest, of the Farnham House Hotel in Surrey, with a deadline of 30th January 2015.Set in 4 acres of secluded grounds, the hotel comprises 24 en suite letting bedrooms (including two suites), two conference and banqueting rooms, a restaurant and bar. The sale also includes a five bedroom staff house located within the grounds.

Paul Barrasford, Director of Hotels Agency, Colliers International, said “The business continues to trade well and the hotel is to be sold on a fully open and trading basis. This stunning property is a long established and popular wedding venue with an excellent team of staff. The trading performance remains very strong as it has done for many years. There is also clear scope for a new owner to further capitalise on the hotel’s significant trading potential.”

Farnham House is one the last remaining units to be sold from the Hollybourne Hotels portfolio. The call for final bids on Farnham House Hotel follows the recent sale of three other hotels in the portfolio with a fourth currently under offer.

Worldhotels, one of the leading groups for independent upscale hotels, has introduced five new hotels to its exclusive portfolio in France. The new additions include the Paris properties Hotel Claridge, Victoria Palace Hotel, Kube Hotel Paris, 1K Paris, as well as the group’s first hotel in Saint Tropez, Kube Hotel Saint Tropez. The new affiliates trust in Worldhotels’ distinctive business model, which offers independent hotels and local hotel groups the exposure and commercial strength of an international chain, whilst leaving them full operational freedom. In addition to that, the hotels rely on Worldhotels’ global sales office footprint to help them expand their international reach.

“We are confident in joining Worldhotels to increase our market share in high-potential markets like Brazil, Russia, India, and China, yet still keep our unique and independent identity”, says Michael Erwin, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Victoria Palace Hotel. “We look forward to benefitting from Worldhotels’ global sales strength as well as its sophisticated distribution technology.”

In support of Worldhotels’ growing presence in France, the group has strengthened its’ team of local experts. Heading the Worldhotels sales force in France is Maud Rabache Leon, who has recently been promoted to Director of Sales. The regions’ business development operations are led by Olivier Marouby, Director Business Development. Marouby assumes responsibility for further growing the Worldhotels’ portfolio in France as well as optimising the performance of the group’s existing hotels in the region. Maud Rabache Leon and Olivier Marouby report directly to Sarah Belkacemi, Regional Vice President Europe, Middle East and Africa, who oversees sales operations as well as hotel development and performance in the Worldhotels regions UK & Ireland, France, Iberian Region, Italy and Mediterranean as well as in Middle East and Africa.

Commenting on Worldhotels’ expansion plans in France, Sarah Belkacemi says:

“We are excited to expand our portfolio in France, and are particularly proud to welcome our first hotel in Saint Tropez. We aim to add more hotels in the region and focus on high-demand destinations such as Toulouse, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Lille and Nantes.”

Worldhotels’ portfolio in France currently includes 18 hotels in Paris, Cannes, Nice, Saint-Tropez, Strasbourg, Levallois-Perret, and Mulhouse.

Forbes Group has recently supplied the multi-award-winning Novotel London West with 70 of its Buffet-Rite tops and 100 black Silcra stretch table covers. The Buffet-Rite is a wipe-clean laminate table top that fits over an existing table providing a heat-proof surface for buffet or break-out service, indoors or outside. Silcra polyester covers stretch over a table and fix under the legs to create a dramatic taut silhouette providing an instant contemporary update.

Novotel London West, a prime international location for conferences, events, exhibitions and meetings opted for black Silcra covers and coordinating matt black Buffet-Rite tops. The F&B manager at Accor’s flagship venue explained that his order was based on three criteria:

The practicality: the Buffet-Rite lid wipes clean both during and after food & drink presentation

The aesthetics: the Buffet-Rite used over the sculpted Silcra cover “looks slicker” making an eye-catching statement in any room.

The economics: wiping clean the temporary table top will save the laundry costs of the existing cloths

The Buffet-Rite table tops are available in matt grey, black or Italian marble finishes. The Silcra stretch covers can be used with tables, cocktail tables or chairs, are machine washable and come in a range of colours and designs.

If this head, heart and wallet-winning combination interests you, please either telephone us on 01568 616638, email us on info@forbesgroup.eu or take a look at our website www.forbesgroup.eu.

Found at the heart of the lively market town of Cirencester, the Kings Head hotel has reopened in all its past glory, bringing a touch of the modern to an otherwise historic setting. Part of an extensive restoration programme, Wilton Carpets Commercial has ensured the 1900 square metres of carpet specified adds to the boutique ambiance found throughout.Calico Interiors, the Gloucestershire-based company chosen to take on the interior design, felt it was imperative that any carpets chosen fulfilled the brief in offering light and natural design.

The first task was selecting a carpet for use in the 45 guest rooms, one that would exude class but also a homeliness, the like of which is popular among modern hotel owners. The guests would require a space in which they could unwind and unravel; in essence, a place they could call home, even if just for a night.

The tufted Zen Natural from the Ready to Go collection ticked all the right boxes, offering chic simplicity through its 100% pure wool pile. Sarah Mitchell, a designer at Calico Interiors, tells us, “Bold patterning was strictly off limits, this was an opportunity to break away from the traditional look with more subtle shading, as we see in Zen”.

As part of Wilton Carpets’ Ready to Go concept, the linear loop pile of Zen is available from stock for fast and easy access to a durable medium contract tufted carpet ideal for bedroom use. With a range of designs to cater for the varying style needs of hospitality environments and in colours well-proven and versatile, the Ready to Go collection features both tufted and axminster woven carpets, providing solutions ideal for the majority of locations.

Corridor and stair carpet was also to be specified, this time bespoke custom graphics opted for by the Calico Interiors team.

“With the corridors, as was the case with the bedrooms, we were looking for a natural option,” Sarah continues. “We gave Wilton a brief with a selection of potential colours, and they responded with a range of hand trials from which we could choose. As ever, the product selected fitted in with our vision, ensuring another crucial element of the project was carried out to the standards required. Wilton are always flexible when it comes to custom design, and this is a large factor in our continued engagement with the company.”

Since the hotel’s reopening, the response to both the bespoke and Ready to Go carpets has been distinctly positive. From the start, the Kings Head has been about creating a place where guests could escape, an opportunity to relax and clear their minds. Wilton Carpets Commercial most certainly played its part in the marvellous end result.

”The designs are understated in the all the right ways, Wilton’s tufted carpets bringing the bespoke capability we were looking for and within our budget,” Sarah Mitchell explains. “The brief was to create a homely feeling boutique hotel, with an emphasis on the interior being ‘non-contract’ in style. I think the results speak for themselves, the carpets really working in tandem with their surroundings.”

An agreement has been signed between the Government of Dominica and Range Developments, a development company, for the construction of a luxury hotel resort as an approved project under its Citizenship By Investment programme. Further to an agreement signed by Range Developments with Kempinski Hotels for the operation of the hotel, the resort will be Kempinski’s first luxury hotel project in the Caribbean. The Cabrits Resort Kempinski Dominica will be a 101 room hotel on Douglas Bay in Cabrits on the north shore of the island, close to the town of Portsmouth.The resort will be surrounded by the Cabrits National Park, an area known for its natural beauty. Dominica is renowned for its eco-tourism initiative, 365 rivers, waterfalls and hot springs. Cabrits Resort Kempinski Dominica has been designed to ensure a natural balance between the land and the sea, while ensuring a modern contemporary guest experience.

The luxury hotel will offer a unique opportunity, the first Government approved real estate project under the Citizenship By Investment Program of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Investors can obtain citizenship of the country by purchasing a share in the development for US$220,000 in a limited partnership structure.

‘The Government of Dominica has been fortunate to launch the investment option of the citizenship programme for the development of a luxury resort, with a partner that has experience in the Citizenship By Investment business and an operator that is well known for the high quality of its hotels,” says Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

“This is an exciting luxury hotel development in the Caribbean,” says Markus Semer, Deputy CEO at Kempinski Hotels. “Kempinski Hotels is very pleased to have been selected by Range Developments to operate what will be a beautiful resort.”

Such citizenship programs exist in other Caribbean countries and are aimed at encouraging investment in the region. Investors not only have a chance to invest, but assuming they meet the stringent requirements, receive citizenship of the country, with all the benefits of full citizenship.

“We are delighted to have signed such a prestigious hotel group to manage our development in Dominica,” says Mohammed Asaria, vice chairman of Range Developments. “Kempinski Hotels is renowned the world over for its expertise and high-class service.”

This is Range Development’s second project in the Caribbean, following the launch of the Park Hyatt St Kitts, due to open at the end of December 2015.

Motel One, the European budget hotel chain, has released its business report for the third quarter of 2014 – and the news is uniformly positive. Financial performance and customer satisfaction levels are on the rise, leading investment houses have improved or maintained high rankings for the group and new hotels have opened in key locations.Highlights from the report include:

• Guest satisfaction levels continue to increase in every category, with percentage gains for friendliness, service attendance, cleanliness and breakfast. Motel One asks every guest to evaluate his or her stay, and the latest results are based on a representative sample of almost 80,000 respondents.

• Revenue grew by 25% to EUR 70 million, EBITDA grew by 16% to EUR 25 million and occupancy was at 79%.

• The group’s offer showed year-on-year growth from 44 to 52 hotels, with the newest of them opening this quarter in Leipzig and Bremen.

• The new 254 room Motel One in Bremen is located close to the old city and has a stylish nautical design, while Motel One’s second newest hotel in the heart of Leipzig has 180 rooms and a lounge with dramatic and panoramic views of the Nikolaikirche nearby.

• The German Bundesbank has raised its investment grade for the group to a level comparable with Investment Grade A of the external ratings agencies S&P and Fitch or an A2 with Moody’s.

• In its Annual Hotel Investment Ranking in October, the Treugast Solutions Group maintained Motel One’s top position in the German and Austrian markets. The ranking rates the suitability of hotel operators in the German market as business partners for investors.

• Motel One has launched a new Android app, enabling guests to browse hotel facilities and book rooms directly from their phones.
The group is delighted to report these results, and in particular are pleased with reported customer satisfaction levels, which it regards as its most important indicators for measuring success.

The group also notes that the balance sheet remains strong and investments are at a record high. Significant among these investments will be the launch in Q4 of another five Motel One hotels in outstanding micro-locations in Berlin (Leipziger Platz), Vienna (Staatsoper), Magdeburg, Prague and London (Tower Hill).

Marriott International, Inc. is proud to announce the opening of the Kochi Marriott Hotel, its fifth hotel under the company’s flagship Marriott Hotels brand in India. This will be the second Marriott International property in the Kochi city and is located amidst the Lulu Mall campus, one of the largest malls in the country. Strategically located at just 22 km from the Kochi International Airport and 9 km from the main City Centre, the hotel design embraces a wonderful blend of contemporary style, warmth and sophistication, all inspired from the natural landscapes of the city.Kochi Marriott hotel offers its guests 274 spacious and elegantly designed rooms which include 25 club suites, one vice presidential suite and one plush presidential suite. Coupled with state-of-the-art facilities and services, these rooms provide an elevated standard of design and décor that reflects real comfort and style.

The Kochi Marriott Hotel has been conceptualized to meet the varied tastes of travellers; business and leisure alike. With 720 sq. mts. of stylish banquet and meeting space, equipped with the latest technology and amenities, the hotel would make an ideal venue for large conference’s and intimate gatherings alike.

The hotel offers an exciting range of dining options, each one special in its own authenticity and flavours. “Cassava”, the exclusive Kerala Cuisine speciality restaurant, will have on its menu delicacies from across 3 influential cultures, i.e. Moplah, Syrian- Christian and Sadya that give Southern cuisine its perfect blend of taste and flavours. The menu has been crafted by masters of these respective cuisines, from recipes that have been passed down over many generations.

“Kochi Kitchen” the all-day-dining, will be the place to spend quality time with friends and family, as the restaurant offers indulgent menu options, of world cuisines across Asian, Continental and Italian specialities. Lit with beautiful, natural sun-light the restaurant pulsates with warmth and energy. From dawn to dusk, we have it all at the Kochi Marriott Hotel, unwind after a long day’s work at “10 Degree’s North”, a classic wine and whiskey bar, with just the right mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and delectable finger food accompaniments. Catching up with friends, or just some “me time” on your mind, this is the place to be

To complete this holistic experience, the wellness floor at the Kochi Marriott Hotel has the renowned “Quan Spa” offering both Western and traditional Ayurveda treatments, a well-equipped fitness centre and a lap size pool. Indulgence has never looked or felt this good.

October Highlights
• Positive end-of-autumn results for Milan and Prague…
• …While Cologne and Dusseldorf challenged
• RevPAR up but profits down in Warsaw

Travelodge, the UK’s largest independent hotel brand, is pleased to announce it has completed its £57 million nationwide hotel modernisation programme, deemed to be the largest hotel refurbishment project to have been completed in such a short space of time. This phase of the modernisation programme began in March 2013 and following its completion, Travelodge will now continue to modernise its remaining hotels in 2015.

Over 80% of Travelodge hotels across Britain now feature the company’s new brand contemporary look, which includes a new modern room which has been designed by customers and offers a warm and relaxing environment.

All public areas within these hotels now showcase a fresh look and feel.

As part of the investment to build a new Travelodge brand, all 36,813 rooms across the company’s 500 UK based Travelodge hotels now feature a luxurious bespoke king-size bed (normally found in high end luxury hotels worldwide) called the ‘Travelodge Dreamer Bed’. The traditional sofa bed in family rooms has been replaced with two comfortable truckle beds.

The Travelodge Dreamer bed is produced by royal warrant holders Sleepeezee Ltd who are renowned internationally for their experience and craftsmanship in producing the most luxurious beds that money can buy. The company uses cutting edge technology to create state-of-the-art pocket spring mattresses that help attain a good quality night’s sleep

Jon Hendry Pickup, Travelodge Chief Operating Officer said: “Our £57 million modernisation programme is having a really positive impact on our customers as we build a new Travelodge. We’ve always had great prices and now that’s reinforced with an excellent experience.

“We’ve experienced a significant boost in sales, and we are outperforming the market. Our corporate business has trebled and continues to grow at pace. We are seeing more Government departments, FTSE 100 and Blue Chip companies as well as SMEs switching to Travelodge every week. Customers tell us that they much prefer our new rooms, and that sentiment is reflected in our TripAdvisor scores and in the number of them who say they would recommend us to their friends and family.”

To help customers obtain a good quality night’s sleep, Travelodge has also worked with a chromotherapy expert and has introduced a sleep inducing colour palette to the room’s décor. The new Travelodge room feature wall has been painted a tranquil blue, as research shows our body clock is programmed to relate the colour blue to the hours of darkness. As when we look at the colour blue, our metabolism slows down, making us feel relaxed and sleepy.

Travelodge has also introduced complementary in-room toiletries across all of its hotels and now offers free WIFI for 30 minutes and for customers who require a longer service the price has been slashed to £3 for 24 hours.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation and FSA Group S.A. announced today that joint venture entities formed by Hyatt affiliates and FSA Group have entered into agreements to purchase two sites in Brazil to develop Hyatt Place Sorocaba and Hyatt Place Macaé. Upon the closing of the site acquisitions, the joint venture entities will enter into agreements with FSA Group to manage the design, planning and construction of the hotels and with Hyatt affiliates to provide management services in connection with the operation of the hotels upon opening, which is expected in the first quarter of 2017. These two hotels are part of a larger master development agreement between Hyatt affiliates and FSA Group to develop a total of nine Hyatt Place hotels across Brazil. The first hotel as part of this agreement, Hyatt Place São José do Rio Preto, was announced in April 2014 and is expected to open in mid-2016.

Hyatt Place Sorocaba
Located approximately 100 kilometers from the city of Sao Paulo, Sorocaba is one of the region’s most important industrial cities, serving as headquarters for numerous multinational companies across diverse industry sectors. Hyatt Place Sorocaba will be a component of a mixed-use project known as Iguatemi Esplanada owned by Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers S.A. (Iguatemi), one of Brazil’s largest retail developers and the owner of many high-end retail malls throughout Brazil. The Iguatemi Esplanada completed a large expansion of its retail component in November 2013, and plans to add two office towers and a luxury residential component in phases over the next several years. The 176-room Hyatt Place hotel will feature a lobby lounge and restaurant, a fitness center, and approximately 200 square meters of flexible meeting space.

Hyatt Place Macaé
Macaé, located approximately 180 kilometers northeast from the city of Rio de Janeiro, has a large multinational presence and is an economic center for tourism, fishing and most notably, petroleum as it is the main center for offshore oil exploration in Brazil. Hyatt Place Macaé will be located on a beachfront site in the neighborhood of Cavaleiros. The area boasts a large selection of seafront restaurants and nightlife entertainment. The 142-room hotel will feature a roof-top pool, a lobby lounge and restaurant, a fitness center, and approximately 160 square meters of flexible meeting space. The seller of the site is Praia Campista Macaé Empreendimentos Imobiliários Ltda, an affiliate of Primus Realty.

“We are thrilled to be announcing two additional Hyatt Place hotels in Brazil that will be developed under our master development agreement with FSA. 2014 has been a milestone year for Hyatt in Brazil, with the announcement of our plans to introduce the Hyatt Place brand in Brazil” said Pat McCudden, senior vice president of real estate and development, Latin America & Caribbean, Hyatt. “Hyatt’s Brazilian and Latin American growth strategy for Hyatt Place is very active, supported by the brand’s upscale and modern style which is appealing to today’s traveler. Sorocaba and Macaé are attractive destinations with vibrant economies, and we believe the Hyatt Place hotels will be well-positioned to meet the needs of business and leisure travelers to these cities.”

“Our relationship with Hyatt is progressing at a dynamic and meaningful pace and we couldn’t be happier to be announcing these two additional hotels within six months of our first Hyatt Place hotel announcement,” said Ary Krivopisk, Brazil CEO of FSA Group. “Hyatt Place is a unique concept in the market and we are convinced that these new high quality hotels in Sorocaba, Macaé and São José do Rio Preto will be highly regarded and popular. We continue to seek new opportunities for growth and investment throughout the region.”

Hyatt’s Brand Representation and Growth in Brazil
Hyatt is currently represented in Brazil by Grand Hyatt São Paulo, a 466-room full-service, luxury hotel. Currently under construction is the 436-room Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro, which is scheduled to open in late 2015 in Rio de Janeiro’s Barra da Tijuca borough.

In September 2014, Hyatt announced Brazil’s first Park Hyatt hotel, Park Hyatt Foz do Iguaçu, which is expected to open in 2017. In April 2014, Hyatt Place São José do Rio Preto was the first Hyatt Place hotel to be announced under the landmark master development agreement between a Hyatt affiliate and FSA Group for nine Hyatt Place hotels throughout Brazil. Currently under design and scheduled to begin construction in December 2014, the 150-room hotel will be the third Hyatt-branded hotel in the country when it opens in 2016. Hyatt Place São José do Rio Preto and Hyatt Place Sorocaba are both being developed as part of a strategic relationship with Iguatemi.

Marriott International’s world-class luxury hotel brand, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, plans to open three properties in Greater China and one hotel in India by summer 2015 bringing the brand’s Asia-Pacific portfolio to 28 hotels and resorts with 11 in China and seven in India. By 2020, the global brand portfolio is expected to encompass 105 properties worldwide, 45 of which will be located in the Asia-Pacific region.The four latest additions will include:

JW Marriott Hotel Chongqing, China
JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an, China
JW Marriott Hotel Macau, China
JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai Sahar, India

“The addition of these four amazing hotels only continues to strengthen JW Marriott’s already strong presence in Asia” said Simon Cooper, president and managing director of Marriott International Asia Pacific. “We are embarking on an exciting time for the brand and region, and have plans to further expand the brand into new markets including Chengdu, Xian, Guangzhou and Dalian in China, Kolkata in India, Jakarta in Indonesia, and Phuket in Thailand.”

“Asia is one of the fastest growing and most important regions for JW Marriott. Since opening the JW Marriott Hong Kong in 1989, we have been committed to building striking hotels that promise beautiful design and a memorable guest experience, delivering our signature intuitive service that speaks to this key area of the world,” says Mitzi Gaskins, vice president & global brand manager for JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. “We are a very global brand. Currently 60 percent of our portfolio is located outside the U.S. and we are proud to say that by 2020, 45 of our anticipated 105 properties will be in Asia.”

JW Marriott Hotel Chongqing, China (December 2014)

Situated in Chongqing’s central downtown district, the JW Marriott Hotel Chongqing offers an exciting and convenient location in the vibrant heart of this important hub in Western China. The hotel boasts 454 luxurious guest rooms and suites, a choice of three different restaurants including a Chinese restaurant Man Ho known for its Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine, all-day-dining restaurant Qing Kitchen open from breakfast until dinner, and Flame, which features a bar, open-kitchen and performance stage. There is over 2,200 sqm of versatile event space equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology. Guests can enjoy relaxing in the indoor swimming pool and 24-hour gym, and indulge in pampering sessions at the spa, which encompasses natural elements in the comfort and privacy of an individual spa suite.

JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an, China (Q1 2015)

The 356-room hotel is ideally located in the centre of Shenzhen Bao’an District, a 15-minute drive from Shenzhen International Airport and Shenzhen Bay Port. Situated in a spectacular modern landmark building, the hotel boasts panoramic views of Qianhai Bay and the Pearl River Delta. An all-day dining restaurant with an outdoor terrace and a fine dining restaurant located on the top floor with stunning bay views, offer a myriad of culinary creations in a breath-taking setting. Guests can take advantage of the luxurious spa and fitness centre, along with indoor heated and outdoor swimming pools. An impressive eight multi-function venues offer 2,600sqm of meeting and banquet space, with a unique 1,758sqm Grand Ballroom featuring a light changing LED ceiling.

JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai Sahar, India (Q1 2015)

Located 1 km away from the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Mumbai, the new hotel boasts 585 intimate rooms. Guests can choose to dine at JW Café or at Italian specialty restaurant, Romano’s. With more than 56,000 sq.ft. of indoor and outdoor convention space, the property offers 11 well-appointed meeting rooms with state-of-the-art conferencing facilities. The 24 hour fitness centre includes a spa, sauna and pool while holistic Spa by JW offers a host of therapies based on four benefit states – Calm, Renew, Indulge and Invigorate.

JW Marriott Hotel Macau, China (Q2 2015)

Situated within Macau’s new integrated resort Galaxy Macau™, the JW Marriott Hotel Macau is located in the heart of Cotai Macau, offering 1,015 rooms and suites styled with elegant and sophisticated decor. The hotel offers innovative culinary experiences including Man Ho, a contemporary and authentic Cantonese restaurant, all-day dining venue with international and regional cuisine Urban Kitchen, a laid-back pool bar and an exclusive lobby lounge. The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool and latest technology fitness centre. Younger guests can join in the fun at the world’s largest JW Kids Club. In addition, guests can take advantage of Galaxy Macau’s Grand Resort Deck with tropical gardens and Adventure River. The hotel’s pillar-less Grand Ballroom and venue spaces are ideal settings for weddings and social events.

The Royal Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London is an historically important place of worship that is also visited by many tourists. Recently a refurbishment programme was completed. A key element of this project was improving the chapel’s lighting – important not only for its practical and its aesthetic qualities, but to reduce energy usage too. Heritage lighting specialist Dernier & Hamlyn, working with lighting designer Bruce Kirk of Light Perceptions, produced nine chandeliers that were carefully designed, engineered and manufactured to meet all of the requirements. They were commissioned by Tracy Simmons Conservation Building Surveyor at Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity which cares for the Tower of London. The design concept for the chandeliers made reference to the shape of the chapel’s arched windows and they were produced in Dernier & Hamlyn’s London factory in brass and hand finished in bronze and gilt.

This project brought with it unique challenges that had to be overcome in order to provide adequate light levels and design integrity while optimising historically important features. For example, the Chapel’s beams were part of the original fabric of this Tudor building. The four large chandeliers positioned in the main nave of the chapel required support cradles to be fixed to these beams. This needed to be done in a way that allowed the energy efficient LED lamps to highlight important architectural features without damaging the ancient timbers. Dernier & Hamlyn designed the support cradles to fix around these beams, working with existing fixing holes to ensure this was achieved and positioned the LED lamps so that their effect was maximised throughout the chapel.

Dernier & Hamlyn’s joint managing director Brian Spiking who leads on the technical and manufacturing aspects of the business says: “We are an extremely well established team with highly skilled people who have expertise rarely found in the UK these days. However, this project presented issues that even we had never had to work through before. Overcoming the problems we encountered on the way was time consuming but ultimately extremely satisfying that we have contributed to the ongoing survival and historical significance of this building that is famous around the world.”

The chandeliers have been installed around the chapel adding appropriate light levels as well as additional design features to this unique environment.

Tracy Simmons says: “The continued conservation of such historically important buildings is a huge responsibility so we always ensure that the suppliers we use are not only highly skilled experts in their respective fields, but also share our passion and respect for the job they are undertaking. We are delighted with these beautiful chandeliers and expect them to be an important feature in the chapel for many, many years.”

A four poster bed, exquisite carving, clever marquetry and bespoke options are all part of the offer from Gallery Direct, Frank Hudson. January 2015 sees the launch of several new collections of classically crafted bedroom and dining room furniture that will complement any commercial or boutique interior.These will be displayed at the January Furniture Show, NEC, Birmingham, 13-15 January Hall 3, stands J30-40 and K30. The spectacular two-tier stand will showcase combinations of furniture, linens, lighting and mirrors, as well as other accessories to complete the look.

A full set of catalogues will be available at the show and afterwards in a PDF file, please contact keith.clarke@gallerydirect.co.uk or call 07738 540287 for your copy and to discuss your requirements.

Legendary rock n’ roll photographers, Knight Bilham Photography, is pleased to announce their launch of fine art photography to the hospitality and design industries.Recent projects include SINEMA Nashville featured as one of the 15 most beautiful restaurants in 2014 by Eater Magazine. Their rock ‘n’ roll photographs are the central theme of the upstairs bar and lounge area in a sleek opulent interior of this transformed vintage movie theater. Curated to enhance the interior design concept.

Their catalogues include 40 years of stunning travel images, spanning 5 continents and 102 countries. From the mid seventies to the current day.

They also feature a unique archive of limited edition rock ‘n’ roll images. Robert Knight a famed rock ‘n’ roll photographer who captured legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones and Elton John from the beginning of their careers forward. Knight is the subject of Rock Prophecies a feature length documentary available on itunes and Amazon. www.rockprophecies.com His coffee table books published by Insight Editions are ‘Rock Gods’ and ‘Slash an intimate portrait’.

Bilham is best known for her work with world famous rock ‘n’ roll musicians, celebrities, high-end advertising campaigns as well as personal fine art gallery shows. Her work has won her artistic acclaim and commercial success for more than 3 decades.

Their images hang larger-than-life size on the world’s largest outside photographic exhibition of more than 200 Guitar Center music retailer centers across the United States.

For more information please visit www.knightbilhamphoto.com

Opening in December 2015, YOO2 Botafogo promises to ignite the senses in Rio de Janeiro. Designed by YOO Studio and forming part of YOO Hotels & Resorts (two components of YOO, owned by John Hitchcox and Philippe Starck), the hotel has been designed to be ‘in tune’ with the exotic destination and local culture. The boutique property will feature 144 guestrooms and suites, a dramatic entrance and lobby lounge, and a stunning rooftop terrace with views of the bay and Sugarloaf Mountain. Situated in the most enviable address in town, in a laid-back beachfront neighbourhood south of Rio, Botafogo will be the first of the YOO2 portfolio.

Created for the design-conscious traveller in search of local authenticity, YOO2 is the diffusion lifestyle brand of YOO Hotels & Resorts, a luxury hotel brand from the house of YOO. It will comprise a range of upscale, yet affordable urban hotels of exceptional designs and matching high standards of service and attention to detail.

The exciting YOO2 Lounge – a boldly created space to eat, lounge or just be – will become a staple feature of every YOO2 hotel. Key elements include a striking bar, dining area, and a variety of seating areas carefully lit and made up of moveable modular furniture pieces by YOO Studio. Contemporary in style, the interior design concept combines colourful accents, patterns and textures to reflect Rio’s vibrant culture.

Ranging up to 41sqm, the 108 guestrooms and 36 suites will feature original details and innovative design touches synonymous with YOO’s design approach.

Botafogo is the first of many hotels to be launched in partnership with Intercity Hotel Group, with whom YOO Hotels & Resorts formed an alliance earlier this year. One of the fastest-growing hotel companies in Brazil, InterCity currently operates in 15 of the country’s cities and Montevideo, Uruguay. It will manage all YOO2 properties in South America, under the strict guidance of the brand to ensure the right design, vibe and personal service details are aligned with YOO’s Human Luxury™ philosophy.

Other destinations around the world set to welcome this unique design brand include Porto Alegre, opening in 2016, with a further five Brazilian properties in the pipeline.

Fujita Kanko Inc., a leading Japanese hospitality company headquartered in Tokyo, announced it has signed a hotel management agreement with Haesung Industrial Co., Ltd, a Korean real estate company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, to open a hotel in Seoul. Fujita Kanko has not had any overseas properties since 2002 but is executing a new expansion strategy. The hotel is expected to open in the summer of 2018. Haesung Industrial Co., Ltd will start construction of the building, which it will own, in the summer of 2015. The hotel will be located in the popular Myeongdong area in the heart of Seoul, the city’s hottest shopping district and main tourism hub, with numerous restaurants and entertainment spots. The hotel’s 330 guest rooms will all have Japanese-style bathrooms.

“We are truly excited about opening our hotel in Seoul, which demonstrates our firm commitment to expansion in Asia,” said Akira Segawa, Fujita Kanko’s President & CEO. “We are a Japanese tourism industry pioneer, with a proud 59-year history and the most innovative and upscale properties in Japan. Our campaign to aggressively globalize our clientele and properties is the beginning of a new chapter for us. South Korea has been a top destination for Japanese travelers, but we intend to cater to an international clientele and will feature the cultures of both Japan and Korea.”

In the past few years, Fujita Kanko has opened four overseas offices in Asia: Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei, with the goal of increasing sales, marketing and business development efforts in the region. It intends to leverage its expertise in hospitality, leisure travel, meetings, weddings and banquets to build local business.

Nile & York, designers and printers of fabrics in the UK, are encouraging readers of HotelDesigns to engage with @NileandYork’s growing followers to discuss new fabric trends and look for inspiration. Having surpassed 100 followers on the popular social media platform, @Nile&York have predominantly targeted the high-end domestic market, but are looking for input and discussion from designers within hotel contract market. If you’re on Twitter then please do get in touch!

Shown in this image are the first selection of cushion trials for colour/design combinations that arrived just before Christmas. If you are interested in discussing any of Nile & York’s ranges then please contact them via their page in the Directory, listed below.

The newest Roomzzz Aparthotel is opening in Chester circa March/April 2015. It boasts 64 luxury apartments with a Penthouse Suite and rooftop balcony overlooking the UK’s oldest racecourse. Each of the six Liberty Suites also has balconies.All apartments are furnished with brand names such as Smeg appliances in the kitchen, but no sign from their website whether the Chester property will have an Apple Mac Mini Computer in suites as seen in other Roomzzz Aparthotels such as the one in Manchester.

Room amenities:
Smart TV; Free wi-fi, local and national UK landline calls; Fully fitted kitchen with dishwasher, fridge-freezer, microwave and hob; En suite power shower; Deluxe memory foam bed; Washer-dryer (communal); Kitchen utensils provided; Soft seating; Direct dial phone; Complimentary tea and coffee; Complimentary toiletries; Iron and ironing board; hairdryer; Fully air conditioned.

Roomzzz offers a complimentary “grab and go” breakfast, standard in all Roomzzz Aparthotels, which includes hot drinks, pastries and fruit. All rooms are kitted out with a fully-fitted kitchen to rustle up your own English breakfast if you prefer. You can purchase food from the Pantry (Roomzzz’s in-house shop) to stock your fridge, or take a short walk into the city centre to see what Chester has to offer.

Images copyright Roomzzz Aparthotel

– IHG has agreed to acquire Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants (“Kimpton”) for $430 million in cash.
– Kimpton is the world’s largest independent boutique hotel operator and a sophisticated food and beverage operator.
– Kimpton is a fully asset-light business that manages 62 hotels in the most attractive cities and resorts in the US with a further 16 hotels in the pipeline. It operates 71 hotel-based destination restaurants and bars.
– Acquisition makes IHG the clear market leader in the boutique segment, the fastest growing segment in the industry.
– Highly complementary with IHG’s Hotel Indigo and EVEN Hotels brands; creates a leading boutique and lifestyle hotel business, with over 200 open and pipeline hotels across 19 countries.
– Significant opportunities identified for IHG to accelerate the growth of the Kimpton brand within the US and to launch it globally.
– Compelling financial rationale with Kimpton EBITDA expected to double by the end of 2017.
– The transaction will be earnings enhancing in its first full year and achieve returns above IHG’s cost of capital by year three.Richard Solomons, Chief Executive Officer of IHG, commented:
“Kimpton is a well-established and highly successful business that has built an industry leading position in the US. It has created a portfolio of world-class hotels and destination restaurants, and the distinctive and innovative Kimpton brand will fit perfectly into the IHG brand family. Adding Kimpton to our portfolio of preferred brands creates the world’s largest boutique hotel business.

The acquisition is another step in IHG’s well-established asset-light strategy of investing in high-quality growth, building on a strong track record of developing iconic global brands. We will use our scale, network of owner relationships, and powerful digital platforms to accelerate Kimpton’s growth both within the US and internationally.

The hugely talented Kimpton team will continue to be led by Mike DeFrino, currently Kimpton’s COO, and I am delighted to welcome all of Kimpton’s associates and owners to the IHG family. The culture and values of both companies are well aligned and Kimpton will bring a wealth of expertise and specialist skills to IHG.”

Mike Depatie, Chief Executive Officer of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, commented:
“Kimpton is a unique business with a strong track record of excellence in everything from design and innovative hotel concepts to financial and operational performance. It also has enormous potential for growth, both in its home market of the US and globally. IHG is the ideal partner for Kimpton and has absolutely the right experience and specialist capabilities to help the business move to the next phase of rapid growth. Kimpton and IHG have many things in common, not least our shared values and approach to building brands. As an owner of a significant number of Kimpton hotels through our real estate investment funds, I am committed to developing additional Kimpton hotels and I look forward to seeing Kimpton go from strength to strength as part of IHG.”

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (“IHG”) has recently announced that it has agreed to acquire Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Group LLC for cash consideration of $430 million (the “Transaction”).

Kimpton Overview
Kimpton was established in 1981, and is the largest independent boutique hotel and restaurant business in the US. It manages 62 hotels (11.3k rooms) across 28 cities in the US in attractive urban and resort locations such as Boston, Chicago, Florida, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. There are a further 16 hotels in the development pipeline (3.0k rooms), of which 10 are under construction. Kimpton also operates 71 hotel-based destination restaurants, bars and lounges across the US.

Kimpton caters for a broad and varied range of guest needs, including ‘Mixing Business with Pleasure’, ‘Short Break Experience’, ‘Romantic Getaway’ and ‘Wellbeing’ at an upper upscale price point. It also has a well-established and sophisticated member loyalty programme, Kimpton Karma Rewards, which has approximately 1.6 million members.
Kimpton and its hotels and restaurants have secured a wealth of industry awards and accolades including:

– Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Company to Work For” in five of the last six years.
– Named the number one company for Guest Satisfaction for North American Upper Upscale Hotel Brands in 2013 and 2014 by J.D. Power.
– Recognised by the Market Metrix Hospitality Index as the best performing company in “Overall Customer Satisfaction in Upper Upscale Category” for the World for 2013.
– “Best Hotel Bars” by Food & Wine in 2014 and 2013, TripAdvisor’s “Certificate of Excellence” in 2013, and “Best Hotel Bar” USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Award in 2013.

Significant Opportunity to Accelerate Growth
Adding Kimpton to IHG’s portfolio of preferred brands, alongside its highly successful Hotel Indigo and EVEN Hotels brands, will create a leading boutique and lifestyle hotel business, with over 200 open and pipeline hotels across 19 countries.

The boutique hotel segment has been the fastest growing in the hospitality industry over the last four years, with demand, supply, and RevPAR growth for boutique hotels in the US each significantly outperforming the overall industry.

IHG will capitalise on its scale, powerful global owner networks, digital platforms, and specialist capabilities of building preferred brands to enhance Kimpton’s growth globally. In particular, there is a significant opportunity to expand the brand in Europe and Asia where there is strong demand for boutique brands. IHG will also benefit from Kimpton’s strong track record in operational excellence, food & beverage and design, to add value across its current brand portfolio.

The Kimpton Real Estate Investment Funds, which are run by four existing Kimpton executives, expect to make future investments in Kimpton branded hotels. The Funds own approximately 30% of Kimpton’s existing and pipeline properties and intend to raise additional funds to acquire, develop and redevelop boutique hotels. As part of this investment platform, the Funds expect to have a meaningful and on-going relationship with the Kimpton brand.

Financial Performance
Kimpton has a strong track record of operational and financial performance, achieving 4.0% per annum growth in system size and 7.7% average growth in comparable same store RevPAR in the last five years. Kimpton’s EBITDA is expected to be approximately $20 million for the year ended 31 December 2014, and IHG expects to be able to deliver future growth in Kimpton EBITDA to approximately $39 million by 2017 from the opening of hotels in the pipeline and the achievement of certain back office and technology savings.

Transaction Overview
The Transaction will be financed through existing cash resources and new debt facilities, and is expected to close during the first quarter of 2015 upon satisfaction of certain customary conditions, including Hart-Scott-Rodino anti-trust clearance and Kimpton shareholder consent.
For US tax purposes, the transaction constitutes an asset sale for both the vendor and purchaser, and IHG is entitled to amortise the assets acquired. It is anticipated that the relief associated with this amortisation will reduce future taxes by approximately $160m.

BofA Merrill Lynch acted as financial adviser to IHG.

Marriott International, Inc has just signed up Dubai’s luxurious Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa to its Autograph Collection. This represents the debut of the exclusive portfolio of the one-of-a-kind-hotels in the Middle East and Africa.“We are delighted to announce the exciting entry of the Autograph Collection portfolio into our continent, through the beautiful city of Dubai,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Marriott International Middle East and Africa. “Autograph Collection is known for creating authentic experiences that are centered in rich personality and the spirit of independence. We feel that essence is fully represented in Dubai, which with its courageous inventiveness, makes it a perfect fit for the collection.”

When it joins the Autograph collection in early 2015, the 446-room Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa will represent the first Autograph Collection hotel to open in the UAE. Situated on Dubai’s World-famous Jumeirah Beach and adjacent to the stunning Dubai Marina, the hotel occupies one of Dubai’s most enchanting beachside locations. All rooms either face the sea, which stretches as far as the eye can see, or they face the beautifully manicured lawns and gardens of the property.

Designed to champion independence, the Autograph Collection has provided Marriott International with an exciting opportunity to grow, enabling the company to offer management and franchise expertise, as well as the power of its global sales and marketing channels to new owners and franchisees that offer passionately independent hotel experiences. Autograph Collection has also introduced Marriott International to a new customer, the individualist traveler who prefers an independent hotel experience.

“We are delighted to team up with a well-known global brand like Marriott International. The Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, our flagship hotel, is located on one of the best beaches in Dubai, situated in a prime location near the Dubai Marina. We look forward to a strong partnership with Marriott International for this stunning property,” said Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice Chairman and CEO, Al Habtoor Group.

Captivated by the vintage vibe in the air, the Sanderson studio have delved into the archive to create a collection of favourite patterns from the early to mid-20th century, bringing them back to life so that they can be used in fresh and original ways in contemporary interiors. The design team have referred back to the original documents to exquisitely reinterpret the print marks, capturing all of the character of block printing, misfits, overprinting and all. The collection is not only a revival of much loved designs such as Chelsea, Salad Days and Cecile Rose, to name but a few, it is also a celebration of craftsmanship and artistry of designers and printers of bygone days.

There is no right or wrong way to use these patterns – rooms can be quirky or bohemian, or simply choose one pattern as an accent piece in an otherwise pared back elegant room. One thing is for sure, there are endless possibilities for the creation of interiors full of warmth and character!

Offering a more relaxed elegance are two delightful jacquard collections whose European linen feel qualities create an air of easy sophistication. Sorilla Damask Weaves presents a jacquard reinterpretation of the enduringly popular Sorilla, combined with a flax stripe and small scale linen damask. Kerry completes this story in a fabulous range of contemporary colours.

October Highlights
• Profit growth for all regions, except London
• Birmingham posted revenue and profit surges…
• …As well as Maidstone

London Marriott Hotel Park Lane is set to complete an extensive renovation in June 2015 as part of the repositioning of the hotel to represent the best of Marriott in London and to be the hotel of choice in Mayfair. Housed within a Grade II listed property, London Marriott Hotel Park Lane will epitomise Mayfair elegance, with views over Hyde Park, opulent guestroom accommodation and luxurious public areas befitting of the prestigious address.

The interiors of London Marriott Hotel Park Lane are currently undergoing a complete transformation. RPW Design is responsible for the plans that extend to all 152 bedrooms, the introduction of five new suites and a redesign of the lobby, Executive Lounge and meeting rooms.

Nicolas Kipper, the newly appointed General Manager, comments: “We aim to compete with the best hotels in London with an exclusive and unique Marriott offering. The new design, an increased suite count, an elevated service and an enhanced in-room offering, will make us even more appealing to the luxury market.”

The new layout of rooms will include entrance lobbies and will be decorated in soft shades of white, dove grey and lavender. Materials such as leather, silk, solid wood and bookmatched marble are to be used throughout.

RPW Design’s Managing Director Jan Wilson said: “Our designs aim to bring out the English Heritage of the Francis Verity designed historic building extending its intimate feel and residential character into the hotel’s interior. Elegantly designed rooms and public spaces will have all the facilities expected in a leading luxury hotel.”

Impeccable attention to detail of the hotel’s interior will be matched with quintessentially British touches. A collection of British artwork features throughout the hotel and Royal Warrant holder suppliers include Edward Goodyear handpicked wild flowers and Floris bathroom amenities.

The guest experience will be elevated with the introduction of a signature arrival and bespoke personal service. Cutting edge technology will be offered with Apple products throughout, bluetooth LCD screen TVs and mobile check-in.

The transformation of the interiors follows the opening of Lanes of London restaurant at the hotel in January 2014. The Club offers a serene retreat complete with steam room, state-of-the-art gym equipment and the only pool on Park Lane. Plans for renovations of The Club are set to be announced.

A masterpiece of classic contemporary creation! For spring 2015, the Zoffany studio ingeniously contemporise damask documents in exciting and innovative ways.Luxurious fabrics are created with ultra-modern yarns and new weaving techniques, playing with scale and texture in a way that reflects light on the surface of the cloth.

Sophisticated contemporary wallpapers are brought to life through experimentation with innovative inks and finishes and the introduction of new textural ground papers.

The launch comprises of five collections: Constantina Damask Wallpapers, Constantina Damask Weaves, Cassia Weaves, Cascade Vinyl Wallpapers and Haddon Weaves.

The combination of traditional forms paired with modern day execution allows for all designs to be used in both classic and contemporary spaces.

Unmistakably Zoffany!

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of the Holiday Inn Express® Snowmass Village hotel. As the newest addition to IHG hotels in Colorado, this four story hotel features 145 guest rooms and six suites. Situated at the base of Snowmass Mountain, it is only a two minute walk from the hotel to ski lift access. Due to its desirable Colorado location, this hotel appeals to avid skiers and snowboarders in the winter as well as hikers and mountain bikers in the warmer months of the year. Heather Balsley, senior vice president, Americas Core Brands & Brand Operations, IHG, commented: “Given its prime location in a popular ski market, the Holiday Inn Express Snowmass Village hotel will be a great destination for outdoor sport enthusiasts who want to spend more time on the mountain than in their room. We are proud to welcome this extremely well-located property into the Holiday Inn Express brand portfolio.”

Jim Morrissey, general manager of the Holiday Inn Express Snowmass Village hotel, commented: “We are looking forward to welcoming our new guests to this unique Holiday Inn Express hotel. By incorporating elements from traditional ski-lodge style hotels with the modern conveniences and travel amenities smart travelers have come to expect, our hotel provides a unique option for travelers wanting to enjoy the beauty of Snowmass Village throughout the year.”

All guest rooms have been updated and have a wide variety of amenities including iPod docking stations, large under-bed trundle drawers, cubbies for ski gear and a place to hang skis. The hotel also features a heated outdoor pool, two hot tubs, a 24-hour fitness center and more than 1,100 square feet of meeting space. Guest rooms feature contemporary styling, comfortable queen, king-sized or two double beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair and an in-room coffee machine featuring complimentary Smart Roast™ 100% Arabica coffee.

The Holiday Inn Express Snowmass Village hotel, located at 40 Elbert Lane in Snowmass Village, is managed by HEI Hotels & Resorts and is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. announced it will open Hotel Okura Manila (tentative name) in 2018, a new luxury resort in the Philippines. Okura has an agreement to manage the hotel with Resort World Bayshore City, Inc., a subsidiary of Philippines-based Travellers International Hotel Group Inc.The hotel will be part of Bayshore City Resorts World, a large-scale integrated resort, which will be the last of four multibillion-dollar private-sector casinos licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to create a gaming zone. Called Entertainment City, the zone will be located on Manila Bay in the City of Parañaque, Metro Manila. Bayshore City Resorts World will also have an opera house, an upscale commercial complex, condominiums, cinemas and convention facilities. It is only three kilometers (1.86 miles) from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and five kilometers (3.1 miles) from the City of Makati, the country’s main business district. The prime location positions the new Okura property as an ideal base for both leisure and business travelers.

The hotel’s plans include 380 rooms in a 13-story building that will occupy 38,000 square meters (409,000 square feet). It will offer state-of-the-art amenities and authentic Japanese hospitality. Facilities will include Japanese and other dining facilities, four meeting/banquet rooms, a spa and rooftop pool.

Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. plans growing its portfolio to 100 properties worldwide as the first stage of its expansion, with a focus on Asia. It opened Hotel Okura Macau in 2011, and The Okura Prestige Bangkok and The Okura Prestige Taipei in 2012. Hotel Okura’s subsidiary, JAL Hotels Co., Ltd., will open two new hotels in China, the Hotel Nikko Guangzhou next month and Hotel Nikko Suzhou in 2015; and Hotel Nikko Bangkok in Thailand in 2017.

Forbes Group is pleased to announce that it has become a member of the British Contract Furniture Association. The Association has over two hundred members who are leading manufacturers, suppliers and designers of furnishing services for commercial buildings in the UK and world markets.The members of the BCFA are working to create effective spaces and settings for their clients, providing design integrity, function, quality and value.

Forbes Group has for over thirty years been working closely with conference and banqueting staff in hotels worldwide to find solutions for their venues. Over that time, Forbes has come to understand its clients’ priorities including budgets, storage, laundering, health and safety, and environmental compliance.

Forbes has, from its factory in Leominster, Herefordshire, developed textile products including restaurant table skirting, cloths for conference tables and chair covers; furniture including a lightweight but robust aluminium banqueting table, and a wipe-clean Buffet-Rite table top which enables any table to become a temporary hot or cold serving station. Forbes is also the European distributor for Forbes Industries US and so supplies Birdcage Luggage Carts, housekeeping trollies, lecterns, easels and other equipment.

When purchasing from a member of the BCFA, clients can be confident that the supplier has met the Association’s standards of professionalism and service. All members sign a code of practice committing themselves to adhere to best practice and to ethical and legal guidelines. Membership is revised and renewed annually and means that new customers can approach us with confidence.

the Serras is situated on Passeig de Colom, a three minute walk from Las Ramblas, making it the first five star property on the waterfront in central Barcelona. It overlooks both the Gothic Old Town and Port Vell Marina, which has recently undergone a €125 million renovation and is now one of the most glamorous in Spain. Soho House Barcelona is also soon to launch just along from the hotel, a further sign that this is now a major hotspot in the city.Architecture:
The building dates from 1846 and the original Neo-Classical façade designed by Francesc Daniel Molina remains in tact, with a more modern aesthetic towards the back of the hotel.

Interiors:
Eva Martinez, celebrated Spanish designer, has created an elegant and fresh feel, with a look combining current New York and Modern Catalan styles. Martinez has incorporated significant local influences into the design, for instance exquisite hydraulic tiles, traditionally used as flooring in the homes of Barcelona play a central role as headboards of the beds, with varying motifs depicting different areas of the city. Martinez has also integrated iron and wood to reflect the district’s industrial past. Everything used is of the highest standard, from Hypnos mattresses, used by the British Royal Family, to Hansgrohe Showers and Malin and Goetz amenities and candles in the suites.

A new service culture for Barcelona:
The management team were hired specifically with the goal of raising the standard of service for the Barcelona hospitality scene to match that found in London and New York, with an understated but highly personalised guest offering. Antonio Bignone, General Manager and his deputy Ona Matas have a wealth of experience having worked in some of London’s best hotels, including The Dorchester, The Ritz and Mandarin Oriental.

Each guest will be assigned a Guest Relations Manager who will orchestrate their entire stay, from booking to welcoming, hosting and following up, creating an unrivalled personal touch. The hotel will be low on rules too with relaxed meal times and check-in an informal, seated affair over a glass of Champagne.

Rooms & Suites:
There are 30 rooms and suites with a very high number of configurations for a small hotel. The aim is for flexibility, meaning that suites can be re-arranged depending on the guest’s requirements. There is also a Picasso Suite, where the artist painted the view of Basilica de La Mercè, just around the corner from the hotel.

Stunning outdoor space:
Despite its seaside location, few hotels have notable outdoor space in Barcelona. the Serras, by contrast, has a beautiful rooftop overlooking the marina with a small pool and an informal bar, serving drinks and a selection of sharing plates, including ceviche. In addition, all of the rooms have balconies, with a range of inspiring views.

Dining:
Marc Gascons, who has been awarded a Mihcelin-Star, is following in the footsteps of Ferran Adria and Juan Pretel of El Bulli and Roca fame, by opening a Barcelona restaurant after the huge success of their Girona establishments. Gascons, who is the third generation of the renowned gastronomic family from Girona, has been described as fresh, young and informal, but very much Catalan and Mediterranean in style.

Designed for sharing, the menu at his informal restaurant will consist of locally sourced produce from the land and sea. Specialities include sea bass sushi and Galician beef tataki from the grill. Everything is designed to make guests feel relaxed, from the open kitchen and grill to the comfortable and personal atmosphere.

Ownership:
the Serras is owned by Jordi Serra, who ran a highly successful global IT company for the majority of his working life. Inspired by his travels where he experienced exceptional service, including from Ona Matas, now his Deputy General Manger, his vision for a hotel in his hometown was born.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® has recently announced the début of its innovative Aloft brand in the heart of downtown Denver. Located at the corner of 15th Street and Stout Street, Aloft Denver Downtown features 140 spacious, loft-like rooms, cutting-edge technology and a lively social atmosphere. Owned by JBK Hotels and managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Aloft Denver Downtown offers a vibrant social scene in the centre of one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Aloft Denver Downtown is ideally situated at the heart of the city’s central business district, walking distance to Colorado Convention Centre, the 16th Street Mall and Union Station, which will offer direct rail service to Denver International Airport (DIA) starting in 2016. Also nearby are the city’s top sporting venues including Coors Field, Pepsi Centre and Sports Authority Field – home of the Denver Broncos. The restaurants, galleries, shops and night clubs in Denver’s trendy LoDo district are just minutes away.

The new Aloft features a Splash indoor pool, the brand’s signature W XYZ bar featuring live music performances, a 24-hour fitness centre and approximately 400 square feet of flexible meeting space. The bright and airy guestrooms are equipped with the ultra-comfortable signature Aloft bed, Bliss® Bath amenities, 42-inch LCD television and a plug & play station for electronics.

Following the launch of Courtyard by Marriott’s new European design concept at Courtyard Aberdeen Airport Hotel last year, Marriott International, Inc. has announced plans to open a second Courtyard branded hotel in Scotland in early 2016. Located in the centre of Edinburgh, Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh Hotel will offer business and leisure travellers a refreshing hotel experience with contemporary and efficient design to ensure convenience and productivity throughout the entire guest stay. The hotel will occupy a listed building comprised of three adjoining Georgian townhouses, one of which was home to Robert Stevenson, a famous Scottish civil engineer and the grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of the 1881 novel “Treasure Island”. This historic building and its impressive façade will finally be restored after many years of standing empty. Behind this will sit a new building to accommodate the rest of the hotel.

The hotel’s 240 comfortable and stylish guest rooms will feature an energising Mediterranean colour palette, locally inspired furnishings and multiple, accessible power outlets making plugging in easy. Guests will be able to enjoy facilities including an all-day Bistro Restaurant, fitness centre and a 49 square foot multi-functional meeting room with the latest technology. Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel will ensure that guests can stay connected whilst working and relaxing in any of the hotel’s flexible open-plan public spaces.

Commenting on the announcement, Amy McPherson, President and Managing Director for Marriott International in Europe, said: “We are excited to announce the launch of Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh and continue to expand the presence of the brand in Scotland. We’re proud to have developed an innovative hotel design that meets the needs of today’s traveller and to bring this offering to this vibrant and thriving city.”

Developed in association with property developer and investment company The Chris Stewart Group (CSG), Courtyard Edinburgh Hotel will be an ideal base from where to explore Edinburgh’s landmarks and attractions. From its position on Baxter’s Place in an Edinburgh New Town Conservation Area and World Heritage Site, the Edinburgh Playhouse theatre, Calton Hill, Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street, the Royal Mile and numerous museums, theatres and art galleries are just a short walk away.

Chris Stewart, CEO of CSG, which specializes in complex transformational city centre projects said: “Baxter’s Place is a magnificent terrace and the perfect location for a high calibre hotel. We have worked hard to ensure that this development not only safeguards the future of these historic buildings, but also provides a contemporary and innovative hotel that adds to the current provision.

“As a business, our focus is very much on giving heritage buildings a viable and dynamic future and I am delighted that Marriott International shares that vision and we are now ready to start this project.”

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces the signing of a new-build, 199-room Crowne Plaza® hotel in Medellin, Colombia. The hotel will be located in Medellin’s upscale “El Poblado” neighbourhood, occupying one of two towers in the Palmanova luxury, mixed-use development and connected to the Palma Real Multiplaza. This will be IHG’s third property in Medellin, joining the InterContinental® Medellin and the Holiday Inn Express® Medellin.Slated to open in 2018, the Crowne Plaza Medellin hotel is owned by Grupo Contempo S.A.S., which also owns the Holiday Inn Express Bogota. Grupo Contempo plans to develop several other IHG-branded hotels, including three Holiday Inn Express hotels expected to open by 2015 in Bogotá’s Zona Financiera, Cartagena and Barranquilla.

The Crowne Plaza Medellin is situated at the foothills of the mountain range and offers sweeping views of the city, including a 360° view from the pool bar located on the top floor. The hotel will feature a ground floor restaurant and lobby bar, a flexible 4,500 sq. ft. ballroom and about 1,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, as well as signature amenities such as the fitness centre, business centre and the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage® program that encompasses the entire sleep experience – from services provided by a well-trained staff to innovative products that create a restful environment.