Marriott International, Inc. and affiliates of The Witkoff Group and New Valley have signed agreements for the development of an EDITION Hotel and residences in West Hollywood, Calif. Marriott will manage the hotel under a long-term contract.Expected to open in 2018, the West Hollywood EDITION will be a world-class, luxury lifestyle hotel and EDITION’s flagship location on the West Coast.
EDITION Hotels, launched by Marriott in partnership with Ian Schrager, combines the intimate, individualized and unique lodging experience for which Ian Schrager is known, with the global reach, operational expertise and scale of Marriott. Currently in Istanbul and London, and soon to open in Miami Beach, other EDITION hotels are planned for New York (the New York EDITION and Times Square EDITION); Abu Dhabi, UAE; Sanya and Wuhan, China; Gurgaon, India; and Bangkok, Thailand, with advanced ongoing discussions for other exciting locations.
Arne Sorenson, Marriott International’s president and chief executive officer, said, “An EDITION hotel in West Hollywood is a key element in our brand strategy. Our EDITION brand is growing momentum on a global scale, and we are delighted to work with The Witkoff Group as partners in bringing this fabulous new hotel to a fantastic destination.”
Steve Witkoff, CEO of The Witkoff Group, said, “This is an exciting milestone in our partnership with Marriott. As we finalize construction of the new EDITION Times Square hotel in New York, which we expect to open in 2017, it’s incredibly gratifying to embark on a new project that will bring an exceptional EDITION hotel and truly spectacular EDITION residences to the West Hollywood area of Los Angeles.”
Ian Schrager, CEO of Ian Schrager Company, said, “West Hollywood is a great city and I’m thrilled to be doing a spectacular new EDITION there with my good friends and partners Marriott and The Witkoff group.”
The Beaumont hotel, designed by ReardonSmith Architects, with interiors by Richmond International, has now opened. For this first hotel from esteemed restaurateurs Jeremy King and Chris Corbin, the design team have transformed an Art Deco era garage in London’s Mayfair into an intimate destination redolent with the style of a fine and very comfortable 1920s establishment. The architect’s collaboration with Jeremy King and Chris Corbin extends back over a number of years, initially, assisting the partners in their search for a suitable London property. Then in 2008, Grosvenor approached Corbin & King to participate in a limited competition for the development into a hotel of the then Avis Rent-A-Car garage, originally built in 1926, and the project was born. At this early stage, it was fundamental in the thinking of all parties concerned that public art should be an integral part of the building and this became a key principle of the scheme which won the competition. Following further discussions, Antony Gormley was commissioned to create an inhabitable sculpture which will be open to the public on certain designated days each year.
From the beginning, the architects worked closely with City of Westminster planners, English Heritage and local residents groups. The existing building needed to be extended to create a commercially viable hotel and the architects developed several options for review. The final scheme involved a sensitive extension to the existing north wing of the building, as well as two additional floors on the roof and two new basement levels. These interventions have achieved space for a total of 73 guestrooms and suites, the Colony Grill Room and American bar, a separate residents’ lounge, a small private dining room and a spa with hammam, hot stone platform, cold plunge pool and a gym. Key to the chosen scheme is that the roof extension is clearly a modern intervention which does not attempt to copy the existing façade yet is sympathetic to it. Internally, works have included the entire removal of the structure behind the retained façade, which was suspended and restrained by temporary steelwork towers during demolition and reconstruction.
All the fenestration is new with crittall-style windows custom-designed to match to look of the original windows while significantly improving their security, thermal and acoustic qualities. Four magnificent Art Deco style lamps on the front elevation are faithful replicas of the original lamps and the defining black iron balustrading to level four of the building – previously the top floor – has been restored. The façade was repaired and re-painted.
The ground floor plan is on a simple axis. On arrival, guests are able to see immediately the flow of spaces before them, from entrance hall to bar and through to the restaurant and, to one side, the concierge and reception, with the staircase behind sweeping down to the spa and private dining room below. The private residents’ lounge is at the other end of the lobby.
Guestrooms are discreetly glamorous and enriched by Art Deco features. Attention to detail was an absolute rule – from the design of the ceiling cornice in the bedrooms to the tone of the glass bathroom tiles and the traditional bronze light switches. In most of the rooms, a sliding timber-veneered door can be drawn across the bedroom area to provide complete privacy from the bathroom and the entrance lobby, where the wardrobes are located, thus converting this zone into a dressing room.
The one-bedroom Presidential Suite on the new fifth floor has been designed to open up to adjoining rooms and even extend across the entire floor to become a magnificent five-bedroom suite. From its large terrace looking towards the historic patchwork of Mayfair’s roofs and gardens, guests experience a very special connection with the city past and present.
The architects worked closely with Antony Gormley, his design team and his specialist engineer to realise the sculpture. Named ROOM, the monumental form “crouches” against the façade of the building and rises 10 metres from its second floor rooftop podium. Both work of art and an architectural extension to the hotel, inside ROOM is an extraordinary bedroom forming part of a suite. The welded metal sculpture weighs 34 tonnes and consideration had to be given to determining the best load-bearing structure which would allow for marginal movement over time. The architectural team also travelled to Germany’s Black Forest with Antony Gormley to select each oak plank for the internal cladding and was closely involved in the interior design detailing to help realise the artist’s ambition. In the course of the project, two mock-ups, one full-scale, were built to test the spatial arrangement and check for any possible light or noise encroachment into the sculpture.
“It has been an absolute joy to work with Corbin & King, our client Grosvenor who was the developer and Antony Gormley in what has been a very creative process for both the designers and the architects,” says Patrick Reardon, Executive Chairman of ReardonSmith Architects. “We all shared a single vision and brought our individual skills and experience to the task of realising this vision. I think the result is a unique and timeless hotel as well as a truly exciting new landmark in Mayfair.”
Before we start to look at the nitty gritty of what happens inside the building, lets for a moment consider how you are going to manage the process. After all you are neither building a retail shed, nor a domestic block of flats, but a destination to which you hope people will come back again and again. To achieve your goals in planning your hotel you need to be able to communicate and manage your development team – you do have a development team don’t you? Oh my god! Well then we’d better look at some objectives for it, and who that suggests should be in the team. The starting point is of course that you have done you market research as suggested in my first article. If you haven’t, stop reading this and do it now.
Let’s assume that you have progressed as outlined in part one. No doubt you have been impressed by some of the hotels you have seen, but equally you will be sure you can do better, so you are moving forward with confidence. You have the support of your bank*, your accountant is enthusiastic and you know what star rating and price range you want to operate in. Now you need to find a designer who knows what they are doing, and who should, if they are good, be able to save you their fee by knowing their way around the contract market (and no,definately not a purchasing agency).
I am not talking about the architect (good at the outside and at running a team, great on contracts and knowing everything (they say) but not an interiors specialist), nor the builder, nor contractor. Nor yet the structural engineer or the quantity surveyor, services engineer or kitchen specialist. I mean the person who understands the relationship of the internal parts of the hotel and how to make sure that they all contribute to the operational effectiveness and thereby the return to your bottom line, someone who is going to give your hotel a sense of style that will set it apart from the competition.
The obvious way to find a good hotel designer is to go back to the hotel you admired most and ask ‘who did this?’ You could use the Interior designers in our Directory– they are all checked out by us for their relevant experience, and list their previous clients and jobs.
Once you have a name, check their track record – not what they say on their CV but actually look at hotels they have done and talk to the operators – at the very least see if we have featured their work in our Review section or in a Miniview. Get a short list of two or three, and maybe get them to pitch ideas for your hotel – a paid pitch or they won’t give it real attention. Designers, like chefs, do not like giving the results of their efforts way for nowt, and you shouldn’t expect them to. Nor should you choose them because they have nice legs or a big lunch box – this is about finding a serious contributor to the success of your business, not a lucky charm.
What about qualifications?
If you are in the USA then your designer will almost certainly have to be licensed by the State you are in – this is a requirement in around 30 states that I am aware of. If in Europe the picture is different. In the UK there are formal qualifications but no requirement for them to be taken. The courses are mainly BA/MA courses, although there used to be some good HND programmes until the politicians – don’t get me started! These programmes often share part of their courses with architecture courses ensuring that the students are introduced to the main planks of building design.
Most professional designers are registered but again there is no requirement to be a member of a professional body – the one with the Royal Charter and obligation in representing designers is the Chartered Society of Designers, who are in our Directory, and who will also help you find a designer if you want. However the most successful designer in Britain since the 1950’s was Bob Lush (now alas dead). Not only did Bob run the largest interiors practice in Europe in Richmond International but he also had as his assistants good designers, many of whom now run their own successful interiors practices( for example Francesca Basu, or Jane Goff). Bob trained in the theatre, and was not a professionally trained interior designer, although one could argue that theatre is what hotels are all about (see Radisson Berlin if you don’t believe me!)
All this brings me back to the first point I made – look at the jobs that you like, ask who did them and talk to them. Make a short list and see who you then want to work with. A good designer will then give you a fee proposal that should list: • Their professional working methodology including allowance for design development • The basis on which they will charge their fees and expenses • The number and type of drawings they will produce • Details of the production of Tender documents and processes for their area of responsibility • The approach to running the job on site • Their level of attendance on site, attendance at site meetings, site supervision etc. • Fee stages i.e. what they charge and when so that you can see where your cash flow is going to be • Ordering systems, control books and record of installation for you and your housekeeping staff to refer to. This should include a comprehensive list of all suppliers and their contact details for your maintenance crew. • Clarification of copyright
Designers will normally charge a fee based on the cost of the interior fit-out, including lighting, joinery, soft furnishings FF&E and so on, although if they are involved in the planning of the layout of the hotel, as they should be, then they should be getting a fee for that too – deductable from the architects share of course. Obviously the elements in the interior package should not form a part of the total the architect is basing his fees on. Equally neither should the interior designer be paid a fee for the work of the kitchen designer. Included in the fees of all the professionals should be an amount for coordination work with the other professionals, but this is not the same as charging a fee on their share of the work.
Alternatives exist in the form of companies that will provide design services as part of a turn-key solution in which they also fit out your hotel. There is also the design and build route, where the designer is employed by the contractor, but I would personally advise against this route as the designers first responsibility is to the employer – in this case the builder who may not have the same overall goal as the client (his profit may come first for example)
You should also have on your developmenmt team the other key players in your team – chef perhaps, maybe your head housekeeper, or marketing manager, all those in fact who will know what operational criteria should feed through into the brief. They may not need to meet the designer but there may be advantages in some dialogue being constructed.
You need to manage a process that, on a typical new build, can run into tens of millions, and millions for a simple refurb. In managing remember the Golden Rule, – he who has the Gold Rules.
• Support of a bank – an archaic term from an earlier age when you had a relationship with your bank and did not just get ripped off by them
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) announces the signing of two Holiday Inn® hotels under its eighth multiple development agreement (MDA) in Germany.The two hotels – Holiday Inn® Dresden – City South and Holiday Inn® Villingen-Schwenningen are the first to be signed with new owner partner FFF Group. The MDA will see five IHG branded hotels developed in total.
Holiday Inn Dresden – City South (formerly FFF City Hotel Leonardo), is due to open next year. The 93-room hotel will feature the brand’s signature Open Lobby, as well as an all-day dining restaurant and four conference rooms.
Dresden is regaining its cultural importance as a centre for art, architecture and music and is growing in popularity as a destination for business and leisure guests. This historical city is home to the Saxon State Opera, several museums and over 13,000 listed cultural monuments. The hotel occupies a great location nearby Dresden University of Technology on Bamberger Street.
Holiday Inn Dresden – City South will strengthen IHG’s presence in the area as it joins Holiday Inn Dresden and Holiday Inn Express® Dresden – City Centre. Holiday Inn Dresden – Am Zwinger is also due to open in the city in 2015.
Meanwhile Holiday Inn Villingen-Schwenningen will be a new-build property opening in 2016. The hotel will feature 178 rooms, a gym, an Open Lobby and extensive conference facilities with more than 500 square metres of conference space.
Located between the Villingen and Schwenningen municipalities, Holiday Inn Villingen-Schwenningen is the first IHG hotel to be developed in the area. It is conveniently located right next to one of the new and leading hospitals and research institutions on Schwenninger Street and is only four kilometres away from Villingen-Schwenningen train station. The district’s stunning surroundings – the Black Forest, the mouth of the River Danube and Lake Konstanz (Bodensee) – attract a steady flow of domestic and international travellers.
Our good friends at Z Hotels have certainly been busy this year. Z Piccadilly opened in London and now Z Glasgow is taking bookings.The Glasgow property is the first hotel from the Z group outside England and is centrally located near George Square, in a building that was formerly home to well known pub. It has 104 bedrooms and just like Z Victoria, Z Soho and Z Liverpool, these two new hotels feature incredibly comfortable Naturalmat mattresses.
Z Hotels aim for all hotel projects to be as sustainable and with a strong green emphasis, so it was inevitable that Z would turn to organic mattress specialists Naturalmat as their official mattress supplier and organic bedding, including our organic wool duvets.
Naturalmat are pioneers in natural fibre technology and have developed innovative raw materials such as organic lambswool and all mattress covers are guaranteed anti-bed bug, though a treatment of natural geraniol. Another exciting ingredient is organic coir fibre, a derivative of the coconut husk. This sustainable material greatly enhances the ventilation and spring of the mattress and is another example of intelligent use of renewable natural resources. Other sumptuous materials found within a Naturalmat mattress are environmentally conscious, green and biodegradable.
Naturalmat mattresses are available to buy from our London or Devon showroom or look online at www.naturalmathotel.co.uk to see Naturalmat’s range of hotel mattresses.
Alternatively, visit Naturalmat at The Sleep Event 2014 on Stand G4.
As Giorgio Armani so eloquently put it, “The difference between style and fashion is quality”. The Wandsworth Group couldn’t agree more. That’s why their range of superlatively designed, hand crafted electrical accessories, including luxury light switches and electrical sockets, are used by world-class interior designers and architects in prestigious building projects from Hong Kong to New York – even in the private residence of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace.Their reputation for providing stylishly designed, beautifully realised lighting and electrical wares means that Wandsworth products and expertise are sought out by a host of discerning design professionals – particularly in projects where the importance of elegance is on a par with peerless quality. This is evidenced by their involvement in a number of prominent hotel developments across the world but most recently with the newest addition to the famous Firmdale Hotel’s stable: The Ham Yard Hotel in central London.
Luxury hotel light switches and electrical sockets coordinate with modern British interiors
As a new build project with such a relentless focus on individual style, modern design and matchless quality Wandsworth Group worked closely with the client’s project manager, the contractors and the architect to understand the requirements for all the electrical accessories needed from the outset. With over a century of expertise in providing high quality, luxury light and socket fittings, Wandsworth worked in close concert with all of the interior design parties to offer ideas and suggestions on the best solutions to complement the individual modern British style so prevalent throughout the hotel.
The Wandsworth Group’s diligent project team assisted the clients and the contractor’s site manager in producing a complete, full size mock up of the rooms required – enabling a much more holistic overview of the impact of all the interior design proposals. Following on from this Firmdale Hotels felt assured that the Wandsworth Group’s Classic Collection of electrical accessories was the perfect fit for the high levels of design quality, reliability and elegance inherent in the personalised room designs of Kit Kemp.
The Classic Collection was chosen due to its ergonomically attractive flush finish featuring a unique flat plate profile to complement the contemporary modern British design. Those selected for the Ham Yard Hotel were supplied in ultra-clean, Super Mirrored Stainless Steel.
Bespoke electrical sockets and data outlets installed throughout the Ham Yard Hotel
As you would expect for the Ham Yard hotel the Wandsworth Group project managers were only too happy to provide standard and bespoke accessories (both Multi-service and AV plates) specifically tailored to Firmdale’s requirements. In the case of the Ham Yard boutique hotel project these included a data outlet and American style two pin socket as well as a standard 13 amp plug, which were installed throughout the building.
Wandsworth’s involvement was not simply limited to lighting and electrical sockets for this particular project. At the client’s invitation, Wandsworth were all also delighted to provide individually designed and constructed disabled toilet alarm systems (again, in the same style as the Classic Collection Super Mirrored Stainless Steel).
For the people who make up the Wandsworth Group – from the skilled designers and craftsmen to the individual project managers – it is a source of great pride that Firmdale Hotels, leading interior stylists and renowned architects around the world continue to choose them for electrical accessories that live up to their high standards of class, elegance, reliability and quality.
If Giorgio Armani had been an interior designer it’s nice to think he would approve.
Luxury Hampshire country house retreat, Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens, is pleased to announce the refurbishment of their popular Chestnut Suite. The renovation, which took approximately three weeks, is part of the hotel’s ongoing refurbishment plan in which bedrooms and public rooms throughout the hotel will undergo lavish makeovers.
Delegates using the Chestnut Suite will now benefit from new furnishings, lighting, and state of the art sound system as well as complete redecoration and new cloakroom facilities.
The Chestnut Suite, which features stunning ceiling beams fashioned from the trees that fell during the great storm of 1987, is perfect for meetings and conferences to private celebrations with a capacity of up to 120 people. Situated a short distance from the Main House, the Chestnut Suite becomes its own venue at Tylney Hall, with separate reception, bar, cloakrooms, and catering facilities, along with a private terrace and access to gardens.
Since the suite was first built in 1989, it has played host to a number of fascinating events including a private dining function for the England Rugby World Cup squad in 1991 and the British Lions team in 1997.
Mark Robinson, General Manager at Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens, commented:
“Our ongoing refurbishment plan will ensure our guests are receiving the highest standard of luxury. I am extremely pleased with the level of work that the Chestnut Suite has undergone and I am certain delegates will be delighted with it.”
Nat Coalson, celebrated American photographic artist, announced as the inaugural exhibit.
Nottingham’s leading independent hotel, The St James, has announced the official opening of its in-house art gallery. The Left Gallery is a dedicated space which will showcase breakthrough and established talent in a series of solo exhibitions. The gallery is yet further commitment from The St James to support and encourage artists, artisans, crafts and trades from the surrounding area.The first show which launches with an invite-only preview on November 13th will feature works from the established American Photographic Artist, Nat Coalson (Nat currently lives in Leicester). In the retrospective show, entitled ‘Anima Astratto: Journey Into Perception’ the series of abstracts displayed will portray the artist’s influences: from travel, international culture through to the Italian language. ‘Anima Astratto’ translates from the Italian, ‘Abstract Soul’.
When asked about his motivation behind the collection, Nat stated that ‘My wife, Ruth, and I share a passion for exploring the world. I’ve been photographing all kinds of places over many years, from wilderness to ancient and modern cities. I’ve always worked to make pictures that go far beyond the typical, scenic travel photos. I assembled this collection to represent some of my favourite examples of pure abstraction, all drawn from my experiences in some of the world’s most interesting, colourful locations.’ Coalson added that, ‘I’m thrilled and honoured to have been selected for the first art exhibition in the Left Gallery. I love working with hotels and the St James is among the best. It’s a beautiful property that oozes style and charm—a perfect setting for presenting my boldest abstract works.’
The boutique hotel which launched earlier this year has quickly gained a reputation as a benchmark in contemporary boutique hotels, and has gained much attention for its focus on service, style and value. Harjeet Johal, Director at The St James, states that, ‘art is an integral part of The St James identity. We are passionate about the promotion, discovery and nurturing of artists. The Left Gallery is our way to create a space in which artists can gain exposure and reach a wider audience. It demonstrates our commitment to the creative essence of Nottingham and the Midlands. We are immensely proud to have Nat Coalson as our inaugural artist. He is a phenomenal talent and this retrospective show is a perfect launch for our gallery.’
The St James Hotel is an 87 bedroom property located in the heart of the historic Castle Quarter. The unique style of the hotel, together with its well-appointed and comfortable guest rooms, function rooms and lounge bar – ‘Number Six’, have ensured a loyal – and growing – following.
The show opened to the public on November 14th and will run until January 4th. All pieces are available to purchase.
Continue to page two to read a statement from the artist
The Belsfield, which overlooks the waters of England’s largest lake – Windermere – in the Lake District, has recently opened its doors after a multi-million pound refurbishment. The grand Victorian hotel also celebrates its partnership with Laura Ashley, which saw the English design company completely renovate the building, making it only the second Laura Ashley branded hotel.
The company’s fabrics, furniture and fittings are brimming throughout the building and an architect-designed glass reception has created a magnificent arrival to the Grade II listed hotel.
Head designer Kay Cullen said: “The project has taken a year to complete and I have lived and breathed the hotel in that time, but it’s worth it when you see it celebrated by all these people [at the opening party].
“I was completely inspired by the building and fell in love with it from the beginning – the potential was just amazing.
“The décor has a modernity to it now but I always kept in mind the building’s origins. It’s an eclectic mix of classics and vintage while bringing it up-to-date.”
Luxury Sussex retreat, Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, is delighted to announce the recent refurbishment of their stunning Mary Towneley Lounge. Situated within Ashdown Park’s former chapel, the recently renovated lounge is the ideal place in which delegates can relax and unwind between meetings, brainstorm ideas as a breakout area or hosts a drinks reception prior to an event held in the beautiful Harry Clarke Suite.
The refurbishment has taken inspiration from its use in 1920, when Ashdown Park was a convent and the Mary Towneley Lounge was used by nuns as a place of deep contemplation.
The lounge, which overlooks the magnificent east wing courtyard, offers delegates a tranquil and private area with direct access out to a secluded and picturesque outdoor setting. Facilities include and LED Television screen, two tea and coffee service stations, with a variety of teas, speciality coffees and a chilled drinks cabinets.
What’s more, at the end of November a lift will be installed in the Mary Towneley Lounge, which will enable motorised wheelchair access to the first floor, where many meetings and weddings take place.
Ben Booker, General Manager at Ashdown Park Hotel & County Club, commented: “Our former chapel is one of the most magnificent event rooms in Sussex. The fascinating history it holds is incredibly important to the hotel, which is why we took such care when refurbishing the Mary Towneley Lounge.”
Lyndon Design’s recent collaboration with leading British designer, Peter Emrys-Roberts of ERA, has resulted in an upholstered seating collection named Romba. Featuring a modern rectilinear design, this collection is accentuated by colourful upholstered blocks and provides a contemporary and striking seating solution.Exploiting a vocabulary of simple forms and materials, Romba provides the specifier with tremendous scope and choice. Featuring armchair and sofa options, the collection may be arranged into a variety of asymmetrical and symmetrical compositions to suit each particular scheme. To overcome the restrictions that designers face when looking to inject colour into a scheme, as loose cushions are not always an appropriate option, Romba facilitates the controlled addition of colour or accent fabrics to the ends of its bolsters, conveniently the same shape as cushions.
Whilst boasting Lyndon Design’s handcrafted and superior timber frame structure, the emphasis is on the interplay of upholstered blocks and as such, the legs are discretely positioned underneath so as not to detract from the overall design.
Equal attention is paid to the aesthetic of front, rear and sides of Romba’s design – an important feature for lobbies – and courtesy of the generous armrests that are as tall as the seat back, this striking design creates a constant site line within a space. For added versatility, Romba is available in a wide range and combination of fabrics and colours.
Commenting on his latest collaboration with Lyndon Design, designer Peter Emrys-Roberts says: “Romba is designed to offer specifiers a compact, versatile seating solution that brings visual impact and comfort to a variety of commercial interiors. The ability to include feature fabric squares in the ends of the bolsters brings a playful and relaxed feel to an otherwise formal and structured design.”
Lyndon Design’s Managing Director, Tim Armitt comments: “We are delighted to work with such an eminent British designer and to merge the unparalleled handcrafted manufacturing expertise for which Lyndon Design is renowned, with such an arresting and challenging design. Romba will sit well amongst Lyndon Design’s burgeoning collection of seating.”
Part of The Boss Design Group – the UK’s leading seating manufacturer – Lyndon Design specialises in the design and manufacture of handcrafted upholstery and furniture for commercial interiors.
Working in collaboration with Tom Dixon Design Research Studio, Chelsom created a dramatic custom lighting scheme for the guestrooms and lobby area of the first ever Mondrian branded boutique hotel outside the United States.Seductive and striking, Mondrian London at Sea Containers perfectly blends the style and sophistication of the famed boutique brand with Southbank’s eclectic vibe. Under the direction of renowned British designer Tom Dixon, DRS have succeeded in creating an interior scheme that captures the essence of the original building, exuding 1920s cruise ship glamour integrated with the contemporary twists and urbane design for which the Mondrian brand is known.
This unique interior concept is echoed throughout the 335 guestrooms and suites. Chelsom were challenged with creating a distinctive custom-designed lighting scheme with post-modernism references, fusing cutting-edge design, functionality and energy efficiency. Matt black fittings with brass features accentuate the bold colour palette. Fixed to the headboard, wall lights feature oversized brass rotary dimmer switches and multi-directional teardrop heads with retrofit LED light sources housed behind a frosted glass lens to offer both reading and mood lighting in a soft white ambient tone. The desk lamps feature an oversized tubular head and statement brass rotary dimmer switch while the conical spun metal shades of the floor lamps are finished in brass and lined in white to provide a bold contrast whilst optimising light reflection.
To the specification of DRS, Chelsom created a trio of triple tiered pendants in matt black and copper for the entrance lobby. At 3.5m each in diameter, these circular fittings are suspended from the ceiling by metal support rods to create the illusion that the sculptural pieces are floating in mid-air. As part of a wider sound reducing concept for the lobby area, these fittings are clad in acoustic foam and incorporate state of the art LED downlighters and uplighters for optimum light output and efficiency. Chelsom also refurbished a series of more than 30 original Cliff Tribe wall lights dating back to the 1950s including double lights and triple pendants. The original Sea Containers fittings were taken off site and refurbished by a team of restoration experts at Chelsom’s factory where they were cleaned, refinished and rewired to incorporate retrofit LED light sources making them compatible with the exacting energy requirements outlined in the brief.
Managing Director Robert Chelsom said, “To have been commissioned by Maison Objet’s Designer of the Year 2014, Tom Dixon, to be part of such a fantastic high profile project as the iconic Mondrian- possibly London’s ultimate destination hotel, is a real honour and testimony to Chelsom’s reputation within the industry. This was not just another order, it was a step into boutique design of the highest calibre and the way forward for modern hotel lighting and for Chelsom. Obviously a project of this scale and stature was not without its challenges but the opportunity to work with such a fantastic team on one of the best lighting schemes we have ever produced meant this was a real labour of love from start to finish and one we are all very proud to be part of.”
Autograph Collection, Marriott International’s exclusive portfolio of upscale, independent hotels, has added Fontecruz Sevilla to its growing European portfolio of hotels. Transformed from a XVI century palace into an upscale boutique hotel in the heart of Seville, Fontecruz Sevilla is a stunning property complete with outdoor pool, Hammam Spa and eye-catching, traditional Arabian design influences.The hotel boasts a classical Sevillian interior yard that leads to 40 quiet and beautifully designed suites and rooms set over three floors. Sumptuous guestrooms are tastefully designed in deep, jewel colours and boast an array of textures, with velvet sofas, leather, padded headboards and beautiful Middle Eastern inspired rugs in each guestroom.
Featuring a black slate outdoor swimming pool and solarium area that offers all-day refreshment to enjoy the long sunny days, Fontecruz Sevilla also features a trendy penthouse rooftop terrace overlooking the city skyline, with outstanding views of the Cathedral and La Gialda Tower. Perfect for corporate events, launch parties or celebrations, the terrace has fast become the hottest ticket in town to hire.
Fresh, local and delicious specialities can be enjoyed in the relaxed atmosphere of Morrison’s-Terraza Fontecruz, which offers delicious, contemporary andalusian cuisine. Pulling on its Arabian design concept, the hotel also showcases a luxurious Hammam spa, offering relaxing massages and treatments to guests to enjoy during their stay.
Kempinski announced that its much-anticipated flagship resort, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha, is set to welcome its first guests on December 1, 2014. Marsa Malaz Kempinski will be the European luxury hotel company’s second hotel opening in Qatar and seventh in the Gulf, with two more hotels in the Middle East scheduled to open in the coming year. The city-resort is located on its own secluded island at the iconic The Pearl-Qatar and is the first ultra-luxury hotel in one of Doha’s most sought-after locations. It offers 281 luxurious rooms and suites, and meeting-conference facilities, including a Grand Ballroom, measuring 1,100 sq m (11,538 sq ft), ideal for VIP delegations or weddings. Marsa Malaz Kempinski also features an exclusive beach located in a private bay, along with outdoor swimming pools, water sports facilities, the 3,000 sq m (32291.7 sq ft) Spa by Clarins, a tennis court and yacht jetties.
As one of the most inspiring hotels in the region, Marsa Malaz Kempinski will offer multiple dining and entertainment options for all guests upon completion early next year. Visitors can select from six different types of restaurants, two cafés, al fresco beach-side dining, a sophisticated lounge and a unique rooftop lounge with large open-air terraces.
Located in the heart of Qatar’s capital Doha, Marsa Malaz Kempinski is only a ten-minute drive from West Bay, the central business district, and a 30-minute drive from the new Hamad International Airport. The new resort is also near to numerous entertainment and shopping options at the Porto Arabia and Medina Centrale districts of The Pearl-Qatar, as well as in close proximity to Katara Cultural Village, Doha Golf Club and Lagoona Mall.
Examples of urban living don’t come much greater than Markthal Rotterdam, an iconic new marketplace with apartments above, each of which are fitted with Laufen. The first of its kind in Europe, Markthal Rotterdam integrates living and shopping in a unique way; this hybrid between market hall and housing is designed in a distinctive horse shoe shaped arch, consisting of housing from the third to the eleventh floor.
Modern, elegant – a great boutique hotel – sympathetically brought right up to date; perfect for business or leisure. A perfect location, featuring Style Matters bespoke dining chairs, tailor made fixed seating, a range of made to measure lounge chairs and sofas.The Restaurant – an informal yet attentive space featuring bespoke banquette seating, solid oak dining chairs upholstered in antique leather with studding detail. Matched with weathered oak dining tables.
The Cellar – unique, atmospheric – featuring its own glass walled wine display, bespoke dining table with Prince and Anya dining chairs.
The Lounge – stylish and comfortable with a relaxed mix of deeply upholstered armchairs and sofas.
Detail – bespoke fixed seating in antique effect leather; added authenticity from the irregular fluted back design.
Intimate dining area in the vaulted cellar.
The entire hotel has undergone an extensive restoration program and is rapidly becoming one of the hottest properties in Gloucestershire for both accommodation and dining. The King’s Head offers you everything a great boutique hotel should.
Style Matters have worked alongside Calico Interiors to ensure that every space has been given its own personality.
Editors Note: The Kings Head is quite the best new hotel I have seen in a while. It forms our next Design Review. Calico Interiors can be found in our Directory along with Stylematters
The Equip’Hotel Trade Fair for restaurant, hotel and catering equipment, combines leading companies and an extensive range of products and services all under one roof. It takes place At L’Expo Paris Place de la Porte de Versailles 75015 Paris, Paris, France between 16-20 November 2014. Come and meet Cubbins on stand M52.Cubbins will be exhibiting a wide range of luxury interior accessories, including quality handcrafted products such as, amenity trays, cotton wool pots, tissue box covers and hand towel boxes. These are available in six different wood finishes – Iroko, Sapelle, Wenge, Walnut, Pine and Oak.
Their unique Fabric Covered Accessories will be on display. All designs can be upholstered in your own fabrics or sourced on your behalf.
Cubbins also offer a Bespoke Design Service, working with clients to design and develop unique interior accessories. Our team will be available on stand M52 throughout the exhibition and would be delighted to discuss your individual requirements on a no-obligation basis.
For further details on our entire range, please visit the Cubbins website, via the link below, where you can download the latest brochure and price list.
If you are unable to attend the show and would like to discuss your requirements, please do not hesitate to contact 01434 604 181 or emma@cubbins.co.uk.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Immobiliare Real Estate Development Group has announced the opening of Hyatt Place Panama City/Downtown in Panama City, Panama. The hotel’s opening marks the first Hyatt-branded hotel to enter the Panamanian market and the continued expansion of the Hyatt Place brand throughout Latin America. The 165-room Hyatt Place Panama City/Panama is located in the city’s financial zone, in the heart of the banking district. The hotel is conveniently located 25 minutes from Tocumen International Airport, and is near popular destinations in the banking district and the Atlapa Convention Center. Guests of this hotel will also enjoy easy access to local attractions such as Calle Uruguay, which offers a wide variety of cuisine and clubs. Additionally, a Panama Metro stop, a few steps from the hotel, can take guests directly to Albrook Mall.
Hyatt Place Panama City/Downtown offers guests:
• 165 roomy rooms, each featuring a swiveling 42-inch HDTV, the plush Hyatt Grand Bed®, a Cozy Corner with sectional sofa-sleeper • Free Wi-Fi everywhere • Complimentary a.m. Kitchen Skillet TM breakfast for guests, featuring freshly prepared breakfast sandwiches, a variety of fresh fruits, hot and cold cereal, yogurt, breads, premium coffee and an assortment of juices • Five meeting rooms totaling 4,500 square feet (418 square meters) of flexible, hi-tech meeting and function space • A Coffee to Cocktails Bar featuring specialty coffees and premium beers, as well as wines and cocktails • 24/7 Gallery Menu serving made-to-order entrees and appetizers around the clock • 24-hour Gym • A self-service laundry facility • An outdoor, rooftop swimming pool with panoramic views of Panama City • Valet parking
Construction of the much-anticipated New Waverley development, at the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, has begun.Artisan Real Estate Investors, the developer behind the £150 million development, has confirmed that work on two Whitbread Premier Inn hotels, with a combined total of 257 rooms, is now underway with a completion date set for early 2016. Work on a further 146-apartment Adagio Aparthotel is also set to begin in the New Year, with the project currently out to tender.
Artisan has reconfirmed that the first-phase hotels will be retained as a long-term investment for the area. As part of this long-term commitment to investment in Scotland, Artisan has also announced the appointment of Charlotte Swanson in the newly created local post of Area Asset Manager, starting in November.
Welcoming the start of construction and the new appointment, Lukas Nakos, Artisan’s Managing Director, said: “This is a significant moment for one of the most exciting investment opportunities anywhere in Europe right now. We are now starting to create, in the very heart of Edinburgh, an exciting and vibrant mixed-use community which will set an international benchmark for sensitive and innovative development.
“Artisan is now bringing international capital investment of £150 million to the table, coupled with the vision and commitment needed to complete what has already been started. We have seen commitment from three major hotel brands, bringing in more than 400 rooms for central Edinburgh. And we are also receiving significant interest from the food, beverage and restaurant sectors – particularly around existing areas of the development such as The Arches – ahead of the office launch in the New Year.
“New Waverley will remain a long-term commitment for Artisan, and will be a platform from which to lever future investment opportunities across the UK and Europe.”
Commenting on Artisan’s new local appointment, Lukas Nakos added: “I am delighted to welcome Charlotte Swanson to our team in Scotland in the newly created post of Area Asset Manager. She brings with her a wealth of experience in retail and mixed-use development, and this appointment is further evidence of our commitment to long-term investment in Scotland.”
The start of construction on the New Waverley site was celebrated by the launch of Scotland’s largest street art project. Artisan has worked with a national network of street and graffiti artists to create a huge collage spanning half a kilometre covering the majority of the development’s external facings. This includes the row of arches and hoardings along East Market Street, a 200 metre hoardings strip along New Street, and scaffolding on the Royal Mile.
Artisan’s vision for the seven-acre New Waverley site is to create a revitalised city centre district for Edinburgh, linking the capital’s New Street/East Market Street area and Waverley Station with the Royal Mile. The area will be transformed into a vibrant pedestrian-friendly urban centre mixing open public spaces with retailers, restaurants, hotels and leisure offerings, as well as new homes and offices.
Centred around a new £6.5 million civic square, the development will create around 16,500 sq. metres of high quality grade A office space, together with provision for 400 hotel bedrooms and 28 new retail businesses, using smaller commercial properties at street level. There are also plans for a new community facility, together with 145 residential units and 40 affordable homes.
Latest research shows that the completed development will generate an approximate annual turnover for the area of £84 million, contributing some £43 million of Gross Value Added (GVA) to the local economy each year.*
The contractor for the first two Whitbread hotels will be McAleer & Rushe, who specialise in mixed-use construction.
Roman, International market leading shower designer and manufacturer has invested in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and their key collections of Shower Enclosures, Wetrooms, Walk-In Enclosures, Bath Screens and Shower Trays are now available in the BIM format. Roman’s key collections of products can now be downloaded in the BIM format straight from their website in their Downloads and Guides section. Roman understands that information is key in the BIM process and its main objective is to bring further efficiency and significant improvements to the industry. Roman knew they had to be involved with BIM immediately and consequently their products are now easily and readily available in the BIM format to all who require these files.
What is most important and significant in BIM is that not only does it give a visual representation of the specific product but it also provides their provenance and Standards. The provenance being the manufacturer’s details, such as, the range name, door style and product code and very importantly all relevant Standards, such as EN Standards and CE marking. The inclusion of all these critical details subsequently mean that if the product is substituted for an inferior or non-conformant product in any stage of the design plan this will be highlighted to a client as being non-conformant.
The introduction of BIM will see many advantages, such as, saving crucial time for all parties, much more accuracy in estimation and very importantly the avoidance of error, alterations and rework due to information loss.
David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman, commented: “BIM is taking off at a speed and we knew without delay that we had to have our products available in the BIM format, to ensure that we stay ahead in the industry.”
A luxury hotel in Scotland’s capital aims to ensure guests have the ultimate ‘Do Not Disturb’ experience when they are trying to enjoy a good night’s sleep.The Crowne Plaza Edinburgh – Royal Terrace has designated one of their seven Georgian townhouses as a dedicated ‘Quiet Zone’ to prevent disruptions or excessive noise that may keep guests awake.
Following an impressive £7.25 million refurbishment, eight double rooms have been specially adapted to offer corporate visitors the chance to benefit from a perfect night’s sleep.
Soundproof windows, restricting housekeeping to specific times and the fitting of doorbells, are just some of the unique features that have been introduced.
With the addition of luxurious bedding and aromatherapy kits, the hotel has created the perfect setting for business travellers from around the world to unwind in peace.
General Manager, Lucja Leonard said: “The Crowne Plaza – Edinburgh Royal Terrace specialises on meeting the needs of the modern business traveller.
“We know how important sleep is – it’s the fuel that powers you for a productive day ahead.
“The Quiet Zone reinforce the Crowne Plaza ethos of giving corporate guests the opportunity to keep connected and working, to refuel and to enjoy a rejuvenating night’s sleep to be ready to tackle the day ahead.
“This initiative is new to Edinburgh and we are proud to be offering this unique service to our guests.”
As part of the Quiet Zone, housekeeping visits are banned between 9pm and 10am, ensuring no noise from trolleys. The introduction of doorbells in every room means guests are no longer interrupted by loud knocking while soundproof windows also keep the hustle and bustle of the busy Capital city at bay.
Located just five minutes from Princes Street, the hotel’s new look now encompasses all of the grandeur to be expected from an 19th century property combined with a contemporary fresh feel.
Each of the 97 rooms includes complimentary high speed internet and flat screen TV’s.
The hotel also features 10 club rooms, which are the largest suites available and give guests exclusive access to the hotel’s own ‘Club Lounge’, an airport style lounge which guarantees peace and tranquillity with access to leafy gardens, along with unlimited snacks, canapés and beverages.
With a choice of three business conference/meeting rooms accommodating up to 100 delegates in addition to a dedicated boardroom for up to 14 guests the hotel is an ideal venue for conferences and events and is also fully licensed for weddings.
The full-scale restoration of The Peninsula Paris has provided many specialised artisans the opportunity to showcase their intricate skills at the grandest of levels.
Although specialised and unique trades in the design and renovation industry are in decline, the craftmen have been in instrumental in transforming The Peninsula Paris into a modern day Palace.
Following the recent opening of its first European property in Paris, The Peninsula Hotels releases a mini documentary focusing on the extensive renovation and restoration process.
The mini documentary reveals extra insights and behind-the-scenes interviews with expert craftsmen and artisans involved in bringing this extraordinary and unique hotel to life.
The century-old classic building, first opened as the Hotel Majestic in 1908, has been meticulously restored and modernised to create the latest example of Peninsula excellence.
With interiors designed by Henry Leung of Hong Kong-based Chhada Siembieda & Associates Ltd and the architectural restoration spearheaded by Richard Martinet of Affine architecture & interior design, the building has been meticulously restored by teams of French master craftsmen, utilising traditional techniques in use for hundreds of years with the aim of preserving the heritage, authenticity and spirit of the building.
The former home of Agatha Christie’s close friends has been placed on the market by Colliers International, with an asking price of £1.65m.The Beechwood Hotel and Restaurant, a 17 bedroom Georgian property in Norfolk, was owned by close friends of Christie’s from 1936 and she visited frequently.
The property previously won VisitBritain’s Small Hotel of the Year for England, with the judges calling the hotel “A treasure which is setting a standard everyone in the industry should aspire to.” This year the hotel has won national awards from The Good Hotel Guide (Historic Hotel) and Trip Advisor (Travellers’ Choice Award)
The restaurant has been awarded two rosettes by AA and Head Chef Steve Norgate – one of East Anglia’s leading chefs – prides himself on sourcing as many ingredients as possible from within a ten-mile radius.
Ashley Clark, Director in Colliers International’s Hotels Agency team, said “The hotel has been trading extremely well with strong year on year profits. Winning a string of awards, shows how highly regarded this business is.”
Owners Don Birch and business partner Lindsay Spalding are selling the business to explore new projects before retirement.
“Everybody” said Jonathan Sheard, Accor’s VP for Luxury, Upscale and Midscale Hotels “seems to have a personal story about Burford Bridge”. I certainly do. As a schoolboy in the 1960’s, my old school used to stage its cross country run up the hill behind the hotel. A small hill is some people’s terms, Box Hill didn’t seem small to me, nor, I suspect, to the cyclists in the Tour de France races that the hill formed a part of. As a designer I first came across the hotel when it was part of the Forte empire, and more recently my niece had her wedding there in the transplanted Saxon tithe barn that forms part of the attraction for the 150 weddings a year that are held in the hotel.The picturesque location in Dorking, at the foot of Box Hill is attractive but also held the key for this major refurbishment of the public areas, for behind the hotel runs the River Mole, and in the winter of 2013/4 the ferocious storms of Christmas Eve led to guests being ferried out of the hotel by boat as the river decided that it too could celebrate Christmas in the public areas of the hotel. Last man to abandon ship was, of course, the GM Tony Tijhuis.
Jonathan Sheard and I talked extensively about the design decisions that lay behind the excellent refurbishment of the ground floor by Trevillion. I met practice boss Mike Trevillion and discussed their work on the hotel – having got over the embarrassment of having asked after his dad with whom my old practice used to compete. Oh dear, time passes, “retired and living in Spain” was the jovial response.
The hotel has a large free car park across the road from the entrance, and a separate entrance for the function suite. The outside is definitely period English and is welcoming with hanging baskets and good lighting at night. Inside the main door the first of Mercure’s new design decisions is apparent. Seen also at our previous look at the Mercure London Bridge, the absence of a reception desk is not problem if there is a member of staff front of house to greet a guest, and a large table acts as a focal point work station, but perhaps a signal bell worked from an entrance door sensor could bring a greeter from back office duties like a rabbit from a hat. Otherwise guests tend to stand, puzzled, not knowing where to go to sign in.
Hover beds, micro-kitchens and tablet controlled temperature and lighting are just a few of the things travellers have told Marriott Hotels UK they want to see in the hotel room of the future. These innovative elements and more have been incorporated into a life-size show room which was on display at Westfield White City earlier this month.Other guest room must-haves as voted for by the public include a LED light box headboard, a feature wardrobe wall, a selfie stick to help take the perfect holiday snaps and a fitness station to keep in shape while travelling. Relaxing, tech-free ‘tranquil zones’, in-room atomisers and large TVs with Netflix and built-in surround sound were also called for. While the show room will not be replicated at Marriott Hotels properties, it represents a creative example of co-created innovation that aims to inspire the future of the brand.
During the previous month the public voted at travelbrilliantly.co.uk/guestroom for their favourite guestroom elements inspired by designs created by five millennial influencers including TV presenter Katie Piper, England Rugby ace Danny Care, gadget man Jason Bradbury, The London Foodie Luiz Hara and super-blogger Victoria McGrath from InTheFrow. Each influencer was selected to head up one of five Gen Y “tribes” grouped together by similar lifestyles, aspirations and travel preferences, and share their vision for the perfect hotel room.
In 2013, Marriott Hotels began a transformational journey, introducing innovations across every part of the guest experience in response to the changing needs of the next generation of traveller. The Gen Y research carried out by Marriott Hotels in the UK will help inform future guestroom innovation and spark debate and conversation around the future of travel.
It might seem a banal starting point but so many people think they know about hotel design but create operations that fail at the most basic level that it seems to me a restatement of basics is the place to start this series. This primer is for anyone who hasn’t been involved in hotel design before and for those who manage hotel groups who need to know how design should form a part of their development strategy.If you are about to get involved with hotel development, or about to create or refurbish an hotel, then the first part of the exercise is get to know what the local market demands. It seems so basic to me that if you haven’t been involved in hotels you should actually undertake some research into market and standards.
I remain totally astonished how few people actually do any research into what makes standards, what is good design or good operating criteria. Just because you think you have a stylish home doesn’t mean you know anything about star ratings or good contract interiors. In fact your misplaced confidence probably means you will screw up.Just because you have worked for Snot Hotels (no- I made it up) for twenty years doesn’t mean you know anything about hotel operations outside your own group – which may be the country’s worst!
Hopefully you will have done your research, even just through regular reading of our Review archive and Miniviews which now have over 300 examples of hotels at all levels in many countries over four continents, but hopefully also by staying in the best of hotels in the category you want to develop in so you have produced a critique of the competition and the pace setters alike. You can also research more yourself through the DesignClub Gallery where there are (as I write) 26,350 images of hotel interiors divided by star rating and area of the hotel, such as Bedroom or Bar, as well as by brand.
Through all this you will have become aware of just how innovative creative and commercial hotel designers can be, and hopefully you will be aware of the added value to be gained from using a professional hotel interior designer.
You wouldn’t send your company accounts into the Inland Revenue using your child’s au pair as a suitable person to do the necessary returns, would you? So why embark on designing an hotel without using a professional?
Right, with that out of the way, what is the first purpose of any hotel? The first criterion is to make a profit, so you have to decide on a number of things market related, including: • The nature of the competition • Market segment to be served i.e. who is your target guest and are they likely to come to your location? • What standard should you set? Bear in mind that the hotel market moves up market all the time. What was five star in 1975 may be only three star now, and 1985 is only half the expected lifetime of a building away, so building down to a price rather than up to a quality may result in a steady decline of your position in the market place with associated fall in returns • How much can you charge as a room rate? As is said of stocks and shares, room rates can go down as well as up… • What will sell well in your market place? A Spa? Food led? One hotel majors on placing condoms and love dust in the bedrooms perhaps enabling rooms to be sold at lunch as well as in the evening (funch) giving occupancy levels exceeding 100%. Morality or profit? What is going to be your USP?
Having gone through the analysis with your bank and your accountant you will then have an idea of the budget you need to set and whether the returns are there to be made. In order to decide this though you may already have had to take on board a specialist hotel design consultant, who will already know whether new five star needs 60,000 doubloons per bedroom spend, or whether a similar result can be achieved for 30,000 doubloons.
So Rule 1 is employ a professional hotel interior designer early, and in a future article I will give advice on how to find one, and draw the differentiation between architect and interior designer for you.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, and Crescent Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of the new 492-room Holiday Inn® Manhattan-Financial District hotel located in the heart of New York City’s downtown business center. Standing more than 453 feet tall, the hotel’s guestrooms boast spectacular views of the Hudson River and One World Trade Center. The new-build hotel is owned by Golden Seahorse, LLC and managed by Crescent Hotels & Resorts.The strength of the hospitality industry in New York City is well-known, and this will be the Holiday Inn brand’s 22nd hotel to open in the market. There is significant opportunity for the brand, and the lodging industry as a whole, to grow its presence in the Financial District. Since 2003, the local residential population increased nearly 85 percent*. This increased population and related business, along with the nearly 6 million annual visitors to Lower Manhattan**, has resulted in a strong demand for lodging, apparent in both occupancy rates and hotel development in the area***. Manhattan’s Financial District, a neighbourhood previously known only for “big business,” has become a key part of the cultural landscape of the city. Located just a short distance from the hotel are popular business and leisure destinations, including the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, South Street Seaport, Chinatown, Wall Street, New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank.
The hotel, located at 99 Washington Street, provides a reprieve from the city that never sleeps. The Holiday Inn Manhattan-Financial District offers a familiar atmosphere in a world class destination that is warm, trend-forward and comfortable in guest rooms, public spaces and the onsite restaurant, St. George Tavern, which offers casual dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
* The New York Times, The Financial District Gains Momentum, 8 August 2014 ** New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) *** Commercial Observer, Lower Manhattan Hotel Industry Expands, 30 September 2014
W® Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc, has announced the highly anticipated opening of W Beijing – Chang’an. With a sensory-rich contemporary design inspired by Beijing’s storied traditions, the hotel brings the W brand’s distinct interpretation of modern luxury, including its 24/7 vibrant energy, cutting edge design, and Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy to China’s capital. Owned by COFCO Property Investment Co., Ltd., W Beijing – Chang’an marks the 45th W Hotel worldwide and the second W Hotel in mainland China after W Guangzhou. A New Scene Unfolds in China’s Capital W Beijing is situated on Chang’an Avenue, a major thoroughfare that houses many of Beijing’s most important monuments and buildings, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the headquarters of the Central Bank of China. It also affords easy access to central government buildings, as well as the National Museum of China, National Centre for the Performing Arts, Silk Market, Beijing Concert Hall, and prestigious Diplomat District.
In the midst of this bustling commercial and administrative district, adjacent to some of China’s most celebrated cultural treasures, W Beijing – Chang’an lights up the area with a distinctive metropolitan vibe. True to its roots, the hotel provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of high design and programming around fashion, music, and entertainment – against the backdrop of Beijing’s exhilarating history. Award-winning global architecture practice RTKL and Hong Kong-based interior design firm AB Concepts have brought W Beijing – Chang’an’s distinct design to life.
Fit for an Emperor W Beijing – Chang’an consists of 349 stylish and spacious guestrooms and suites, featuring state-of-the art fittings such as a digital tablet that manipulates the room’s lighting and mood, 48” LED TV, and Bluetooth sound system. Suites sport a JBL home theater system and Bose portable speakers. Additionally, all guestrooms include the signature W bed; sumptuous Bliss® bath amenities; well-equipped Mix Bar (the W brand’s reinterpretation of the staid mini bar); and a round bathtub in king bed rooms and suites.
In addition, an Extreme WOW Suite, W Hotels’ take on the traditional Presidential Suite, exemplifies unparalleled living, with a total size of 345 square meters, including a living room and 90 square meters of space for parties; 76” UED Samsung TV in the living room; 2-meter wide circular bed; and Jacuzzi by a ceiling-to-floor window. In addition, the E-WOW Suite, when combined with three Wonderful rooms, can be cordoned off to become one exclusive and private space.
Mix, Mingle and Recharge For mixing and mingling, the Living Room at W Beijing – Chang’an features a LED-lit catwalk in the middle of the room that leads to a circular bar counter, and a whimsical golden globe DJ booth hanging from the ceiling. A secret space is tucked away behind the bar, while the other side of the room houses a light-filled venue inspired by Beijing’s iconic Water Cube aquatics center. X25, an exclusive lounge at the top of the hotel, offers a chilled out atmosphere, where renowned DJs mix original beats and W Mixologists create handcrafted cocktails. Additionally, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant YEN treats guests to the legendary food culture of northern China’s Canton province, while the Kitchen Table serves casual, home-style fare in a communal table setting.
As for high-energy meetings and spectacular events, the hotel offers nearly 1,500 square meters of versatile, well-equipped space, including The Great Room of 518 square meters with a ceiling height of 7 meters. For relaxing moments, the Away Spa, embodying a beehive design, presents a fun-filled escape where guests can enjoy exceptional spa experiences featuring honey-based treatments, among other restorative regimens. Guests can also work out in the FIT state-of-the-art fitness center or have a dip in the WET® heated indoor pool.
When The Scarlet and The Bedruthan Hotels started looking for ethically produced and eco friendly mattresses for their luxurious spa hotels, there was only one logical option – Naturalmat!So why do The Scarlett and Bedruthan love Naturalmat mattresses so much?
Naturalmat use environmentally conscious materials which include organic coir, natural latex, organic wool from Soil Association certified farms, natural cotton and mohair.
Naturalmat mattress covers are anti-dust mite, anti-bed bug and anti-moth and the wool is used naturally fire retardant meaning that Naturalmat mattresses are chemical free.
Naturalmat are proud to set an example to fellow hoteliers to use sustainable resources that have minimal environmental impact. The Scarlett and Bedruthan like that Naturalmat mattresses provide better ventilation and increased insulation, as well as excellent support and sumptuous comfort.
Naturalmat Hotel manufactures and distributes mattresses from its base in Topsham, Devon. Mattress ranges can be viewed online at www.naturalmathotel.co.uk or by paying a visit to the London or Devon showrooms.
If you’re working on a new hotel project and are interested in Naturalmat Hotel prices or require further details about about our products please visit our website, or contact us through our page in the Directory.
Alternatively, visit Naturalmat at The Sleep Event 2014 on Stand G4.
Leading bathroom manufacturer Roca has teamed up with Raw Edges to create an innovative exhibition stand at this year’s Sleep Event in London on 26-27 November.Described by Roca as an ‘installation’, the Raw Edges concept looks at the layering of materials used within hotel environments. Specifically focusing on the bathroom space, Raw Edges use a variety of building materials to create a unique space that explores the essential building blocks of design.
The Raw Edges Design Studio is a collaboration between Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay who since their graduation from the Royal College of Art in 2006, have received several highly acclaimed awards including The British Council Talented Award, iF Gold Award, Dutch Design Award, Wallpaper* Design Award 2009 and the Elle Decoration International Design Award for best furniture of 2008-09.
“At the heart of the Roca philosophy is a commitment to innovation and design and at the Sleep Event this will not only be apparent in the products on display, but also in the design of our exhibition space itself. As cutting edge designers themselves, Raw Edges are the ideal design team for us to collaborate with for this project and we are looking forward to visitor feedback during the exhibition,” comments Cristiane Kopp, Training & Exhibitions Manager at Roca.
“The installation is the perfect platform for Roca to showcase its latest bathroom solutions which have been designed to address many of the issues faced by hotel designers and architects, including space, sustainability and comfort.”
Those visiting the Roca installation can also discover many of the other innovations for hotel bathroom design. Among these will be the In-Tank Meridian WC, including a transparent window in the pan as a special display feature to highlight the integrated cistern, plus the new wall-hung version of the CleanRim The Gap WC.
Also on show will be Roca’s new Raindream and Rainsense shower heads and Singles Open brassware. Providing the ideal finishing touch to the installation will be Roca’s range of accessories specifically designed for hotel bathrooms.
See Roca on Stand 1 at the Sleep Event, from 26-27 November at the Business Design Centre, London.
On the occasion of the London World Travel Market, Accor, the world’s leading hotel operator and the largest international hotel group in Asia-Pacific, is pleased to announce that it has recently passed the 100 resort hotels in Asia-Pacific, accounting for around 17% of its network in the region. The group has a strong presence all across the region and continues to grow on a well-developed market. The resort network continues to grow quickly in key leisure destinations across Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, India and now Myanmar.
In Indonesia, Accor is strengthening its leadership with two recent openings: the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua and The Kuta Beach Heritage Hotel.
Located on the beachfront, the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua has 415 rooms and 17 luxurious villas nestled in 8 hectares of tropical gardens amidst a pool in the shape of a lagoon.
Located near the original site where the first hotel complex in Kuta Beach was opened in the 1930s, this resort hotel keeps the spirit of its predecessor with 159 spacious and luxurious rooms in nautically themed design.
This year with the Pullman Khao Lak Katiliya Resort and Villas and the Pullman Phuket Arcadia joining the network of hotels, Accor has now 13 hotels along the Andaman coast in Thailand.
The 1st of November this resort hotel just joined the hotel network in Khao Lak in Thailand. The resort consists of 223 breathtaking rooms and suites and 97 lavish villas with their own private swimming pool.
The Pullman Phuket Arcadia offers 277 rooms located on an exceptional promontory overlooking the Andaman Sea. Its sophisticated design blends the highest international standards with nature and local beauty.
Accor is looking for new opportunities to grow in regions where international leisure tourism is in full development. In this spirit, the group recently opened its first resort hotel in India, the Novotel Goa Shrem, in the beach area of Goa
The group is also opening two beautiful properties in Myanmar: The Lake Garden Nay Pyi Taw – MGallery Collection in the new capital of Myanmar and the Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min, located on the banks of the Inle Lake.
Located in the new capital city of Myanmar, The Lake Garden Nay Pyi Taw features 165 guestrooms and private suites, all set in beautiful landscaped gardens.
Accor’s first resort hotel in India comprises 85 rooms and is ideally located in a bustling neighborhood near Candolim & Calangute beaches
Keith Clarke from Gallery Direct was proud to present the two awards in Best Value category of the Conde Nast Johansens Awards Dinner, held at London’s Mayfair Hotel. The worthy winners of the UK award were 130 Queen’s Gate Apartments, London and, for Europe, Casa Montani, Luxury Town House, Rome.
‘We are delighted to be a partner with Conde Nast Johansens Hotels and supply fine furniture to their exquisite and award winning hotels,’ said Peter Delaney, Managing Director of Gallery Direct, “and it was an honour to be asked to present these awards.”
For luxury hotels, standing out from the crowd makes the difference between a place to stay and a destination. This is why attention to detail in the specification is not just about the facilities on offer but also about the aesthetics of the environment, the ambience and the sense of quality in every detail.That is why when London’s ME for Melia Hotel required hotel light switches and plug sockets that perfectly co-ordinated with the beautifully designed interiors, they specified inconspicuous screwless flat plates from Wandsworth’s Infinity collection.
Hotel light switches to match a stunning interior
The ME for Melia Hotel, located in Covent Garden, was designed by world renowned architects, Norman Foster + Partners. The luxury five-star hotel boasts 157 individually designed rooms with floor to ceiling windows, including 16 suites, a fitness centre, meeting and conferencing facilities, two restaurants, a lounge and a rooftop bar.
The design vision of creating a hotel that exemplifies the ‘capital of cool’ is evident throughout, and the lighting installation, designed by M&E consultants BDSP and Spanish lighting specialist, Estel Engineering and Works Ltd, is no exception.
Designed to reflect the architectural style of the building and deliver the monochromatic interior design concept by playing with light and shade in different areas of the hotel, the lighting design is central to ME for Melia’s look and feel both inside and out. This attention to detail has been carried though to every aspect of the installation, including the wiring accessories.
The emphasis for the light switches at ME for Melia was on colour and shape. Wandsworth worked closely with both the design team and BDSP to deliver the requirement for plug sockets and switches that would be as inconspicuous as possible.
Co-ordinating light switches and sockets deliver the ultimate in style
All the plates used were from Wandsworth’s grid-mounted Infinity range; screwless fittings that fit flush to the wall and blend effortlessly into the background without any unsightly screws. As the walls are completely plain with such an unforgiving black and white colour scheme, the use of screwless fittings was essential to achieving the required understated look.
Superior switches combine with the efficiency of LED
In a five star hotel design by Norman Foster + Partners you would expect all elements of the specification to uphold the very highest standards of quality and aesthetics, but combining Wandsworth’s light switches with LED luminaires from Italian lighting specialist, iGuzinni in a single installation at the ME for Melia Hotel does much more than that. Here, aesthetics and design statements are balanced with energy efficiency thanks to the level of LED lighting used and the flexibility of a lighting control system that incorporates centralised BMS controls.
The ME for Melia Hotel’s splendour is evidence of an uncompromising desire for style throughout an interior, and Wandsworth were proud to deliver for such an inspiring hotel design. Furthermore, this project indicates the exceptional effort Wandsworth commit to ensuring light switches, plug sockets, or other wiring devices are perfect for the interior required.
Four teams have been announced for this year’s Sleep Set – the competition within Sleep where different design teams present their take on the hotels of tomorrow in a series of visionary room sets. Some of the industry’s most celebrated designers are participating along with newer names that are making their mark on the sector: Nigel Coates Studio, Dreimeta, NoChintz and SKM Design are all taking up the creative challenge.The brief for 2014 is to create a guestroom blueprint for a new hotel brand which takes as its core value “simplexity” – the emerging theory of a relationship between simplicity and complexity that asks: why have simple things become so complex? The Sleep Set will explore how hotel interior designers can reverse this trend and create more harmonious and intuitive experiences for guests. The teams have each come up with a very distinct and imaginative response to the brief.
Nigel Coates is one of Britain’s consistently original thinkers in architecture, interiors and product design. He has continued to explore the communicative and experiential potential of architecture as a language drawn from the commonplace. With the premise that a successful hotel room should be both a home from home and “a step up from the banal reality of travel”, Nigel Coates Studio has taken one of its Cubist designs, the ‘Feral’ chair, as the generator of its Sleep Set design concept. The chair’s angular form is transferred into the room itself creating a dynamic space that will encourage guests to discover their own way of inhabiting it. The studio has partnered with contractor Ligna Group and sponsor Alchemy Design Award to realise the room set.
Founded in 2003 by Armin Fischer, German design studio Dreimeta is best known for its award-winning work for the pioneering ‘25hrs’ and ‘Superbude’ brands which have revolutionised urban hostel and hotel stays. The studio’s Sleep Set proposition, ‘Micasa’, is a holistic hotel concept aimed at experienced travellers in search of inspiring, pure spaces; it expresses a ‘new simplicity’ meaning the balance between a sustainable lifestyle, modern and traditional values and economic efficiency. The room’s minimalistic design will emphasise a peaceful and stress-free environment, allowing plenty of freedom for the guest.
Manchester-based creative studio NoChintz specialises in interior design and branding, bringing head-turning design to spaces, places and brands. Recent work includes the characterful ‘Inn at John O’Groats’ in Scotland. Working closely with collaborative partner Johnson Tiles (currently making 900,000 ceramic poppies which form the First World War tribute at the Tower of London), NoChintz’s concept for Sleep Set will showcase a trendfocused and creative mythology to deliver a room that is distinctive and original in its approach to hospitality yet simple and luxurious for the user.
September Highlights • Abu Dhabi hotels turn a corner as average room rates start to rise • Stronger demand fuels the revival of hotel performance in Sharm El Sheikh • Riyadh hotels record higher profits, however average room rates remain depressed • Average room rates fall in Dubai, but profits continue to rise • A 38.6% growth in Jeddah hotel profits on the back of rising average room rates
JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its luxury portfolio with the opening of its first resort in India, the JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa.The hotel is located in the hill station of Mussoorie, at the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, also known as the Queen of the Hills. The hotel boasts a sophisticated elegant and chic style, amidst a surreal ambience of lush mountains and historic walnut plantations.The hotel’s interior and exterior design was inspired by its natural surroundings – the stunning Himalayan Mountains. All guest rooms feature private balconies, inviting guests to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding hills and gardens and breathe the fresh mountain air from the privacy of their own room. The new 115-room luxury resort is located just 290 kilometers (approx. 280 miles) from New Delhi and 60 kilometres (approx.40 miles) from the nearest airport in Dehradun.
Guests will be invited to explore five speciality restaurants on property. All-day dining JW Cafe serves fresh local and international favourites from its lively open kitchen such as popular North Indian black lentil dish Kali Dal, lamb dish Nalli ki Nihari and the signature JW Burger and JW Club sandwich; Teppan is the contemporary, upscale restaurant serving Asian cuisine; Wisteria Deck is a cosy outdoor Italian trattoria serving wood fired pizzas, wines and sangria; Perch is a tea lounge offering some of the best single estate teas and coffees and Trout House Grill & Bar opens each evening to grill up the local catch of the day and offer a selection of exclusive cocktails including fresh fruit Martinis and frozen cocktails.
The resort also houses the Cedar Spa by L’Occitane, which features five lavish treatment rooms and an array of invigorating treatments inspired by the indigenous cedar trees of the region. Treatments include the Signature Cedarwood Body Massage, the repairing Shea Ultra Rich Softening Body Wrap and the Almond Silhouette Reshape to restore firmness. Salon by Warren Tricomi, a state-of-the-art fitness centre will boast an indoor heated swimming pool to complete the well-being experience at the hotel.
The resort was specially designed with families in mind and features The Den – an entertainment centre and kid’s club that spans over 12,000 square feet and includes a two-lane bowling alley, billiard and pool tables, gaming consoles, library, nap areas and a Market with fresh food and beverages.
The hotel also holds one of the largest meeting spaces in the city with 3,300 total square feet across the Grand Orchard Ballroom, three break-out rooms and a spacious pre-function area. An on-site events team will ensure flawless coordination and execution, be it a lavish wedding or social event.
After the successful introduction of their new “Vintage” ranges on the world’s largest exhibition for lighting and building-services, the “Light & Building” in Frankfurt (30th of March to 4th of April 2014), with more than 180.000 visitors and the extremely positive feedback on the SDA Lightshow in New York City (15th-17th of September 2014), Baulmann Leuchten will participate in two more exhibitions until the end of the year.Together with their local partner Baulmann Leuchten is going to present the latest product developments at the international hospitality exhibition “Equip’Hotel Paris” in hall 3 stand C28. The exhibition is held in Paris from November 16th to 20th.
Only one week later the team of Baulmann Leuchten will also attend the “Sleep Event” London (November 26th to 27th). The exhibition-booth will be located as usual on M6.
With huge proportions and millimetre precision required in design, manufacturing and installation, the bespoke carpets of city landmark, Leeds Civic Hall, required a total team effort to ensure a stunning end result. Wilton Carpets Commercial worked extremely closely with contractor Kendal Quality Carpets to ensure that the design created by property design specialist, NPS Leeds, was realised with exceptional accuracy. While apparently a relatively simple carpet design, replicating the original stone floor discovered in photographs of the original state of the building, the reality required exact calculations and meticulous manufacturing to accommodate the building’s large proportions and architectural features.
“Following further studies of the floor, I envisaged the design for Wilton Carpets Commercial to weave into carpet,” explains Gemma Evers, interior designer, NPS Leeds. “Together we also developed colours and the speckled pattern inspired by the original floor to give the carpet a stone-like quality.”
Working with the interior architecture of the building, including the large columns of the ground floor, along with the grand staircase and its landing with mayoral chambers at opposing ends, required several site visits before the design could be realised in carpet. With single uninterrupted runs of up to 30metres and with widths of seven-metres or more, any planning or production error would have huge consequences.
David Greenall, Kendal Quality Carpets, contractor responsible for planning and installation, explains:
“As one of the city’s key features within its architectural landscape, the sheer scale and layout of Leeds Civic Hall meant we had to be exceptionally precise with every aspect of planning, as well as the eventual installation, and so we made several site visits to ensure we had every single measurement. With numerous measurements down to millimetres, the eventual plan seemed more like engineering drawings than those generally produced for a carpet installation.”
We realised the design in a highly durable 11-row bespoke axminster using our expertise to produce the carpets within the very tight tolerances required by the layout of the building. Each carpet had to precisely fit with the next, creating a seamless look that keeps long linear runs straight and true while meeting key architectural features with repeated rigour. Pushing the limits of current manufacturing technology, we delivered the very best in production in order to provide Leeds Civic Hall with the perfect realisation of the initial concept.
“The scale of this installation has really pushed every party to excel and test new levels of precision in carpet planning, production and installation,” continues David. “The grand staircase alone required three highly experienced installers all working in harmonious unison just to fit one step. The carpet had to work perfectly with repeating architectural elements, such as the huge green marble and gold columns, meaning that our installation had to be just as precise as planning and manufacturing. Wilton Carpets Commercial really did perform faultlessly and the carpet went down without problem. The results are simply stunning.”
The 750 square metres of bespoke carpet have been installed throughout the ground floor, stairway and main landing of Leeds Civic Hall. The carpet features a stunning combination of slate grey tones to create sense through the space, with striking Basalt grey borders delineating spaces and helping to break up large areas. The main landing, bookended by the mayoral chambers, uses a tile pattern in contrasting greys. All carpets were manufactured from 80% wool 20% nylon at Wilton’s Wiltshire facility.
For further information contact Wilton Carpets Commercial on 01722 746000 or sales@wiltoncarpets.com
The MAMA SHELTER family is getting bigger as ACCOR acquires around 35% stake in its capital and about twenty new MAMAs are due to open over the next five years.
Editors Note: At a meeting on the 30th October CEO Sébastien Bazin casually informed us that there would be more new brands within Accor following on the revamp we have shown recently in Ibis and MercureThis partnership gives MAMA SHELTER access to ACCOR’s development and distribution network, which will allow it to accelerate its openings and offer its customers new destinations.
MAMA SHELTER will open in Los Angeles in February 2015 and is already working on opening an address in Lille, a second location in Paris, as well as others in Zurich, Mexico City, Seoul, Amsterdam, Barcelona, New York and London.
MAMA SHELTER will allow ACCOR to expand and enrich its offer with a different type of hotel. The MAMA establishments are not just hotels. They are more like urban retreats where guests feel at home thanks to the kindness, generosity and family attitude of the teams that run them. They are the result of a blend of passions, influences, encounters, liberties, sparkles, sensations and emotions.
In less than six years, MAMA SHELTER has successfully created lively, atypical, collaborative, popular and modern places (Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Istanbul and Bordeaux) and its expansion continues under the management of Jeremie, Benjamin and Serge Trigano.
VERBATIMS
“This agreement is the outcome of a beautiful encounter and a shared desire to learn from our respective talents. I am very happy to be embarking on this new adventure. Thanks to this partnership, Accor is enriched by the original know-how that has made Mama Shelter such a splendid success.” Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor.
“We are pleased and proud to welcome Accor alongside us. Their presence will allow Mama to benefit from a major international platform and to share our philosophy with an even greater tribe.” Jérémie Trigano, General Manager of Mama Shelter.
Editors Note: Sébastien Bazin, the CEO,casually dressed a la Steve Jobs, announced a €223 million investment in the web, but indicated that this would be revised from years to year. Acknowledging that the on line booking agencies such a Trivago had revolutionised hotel bookings, now over 60% online, his intention was to build on the brand loyalty programme ‘Le Club’ to bring returning guest to the brand to rebook rather than through the OTA’s.
This of course assumes that the Le Club web works well, which unfortunately is not the experience of HotelDesigns
The Park Hotels, pioneers of luxury boutique hotels in India, is delighted to announce the launch of its four-star hotel brand ‘Zone by The Park’ across the subcontinent as part of the group’s expansion plans.The line is overseen by London-based designers Project Orange working in conjunction with Priya Paul, Chairperson of The Park Hotels. Zone by The Park properties will be priced at the £50- £70 mark, and will bring a new level of design-forward hotels to the mid-market Indian hotel sector following on from the rising stock of quality mid-market offerings in the west.
The hotels will be situated both in India’s largest cities, as well as lesser-known destinations. The first is set to launch in less explored, culturally rich, Coimbatore, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu, and the second in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, a state renowned for its natural beauty.
Drawing from The Park Hotels’ strong emphasis on design, the concept will see interactive and buzzing open plan spaces, allowing different ‘zones’ to sit next to each other in an informal way. The hotel design seeks to establish a connection between the traveller and the local culture by creating a contemporary collage of the country and its’ traditions. Notably, the public areas are inspired by the traditional market bazaar – a place where people meet and engage in a friendly and informal atmosphere. The interior decoration and artwork will be sourced from local markets, bringing individual and genuine local culture into the hotels’ public spaces.
The creative and playful interiors will include different elements such as customised rickshaws serving coffee and snacks, great restaurants, tall coffee-shop style counters, a library, living room, and vibrant bar. Unusually for India the meeting zones will be like creative studios for inspiring and quirky ideas instead of formal office space.
“Though different from The Park, we wanted to create a brand that would channel its inimitable spirit. A new brand with a new vision for the global citizen.” said, Priya Paul, Chairperson, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Ltd.
“Zone will cater to the gap in the Indian hotel market for the burgeoning Indian middle class and discerning international traveller looking for more affordable travel” said Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited.
Quaglino’s, London’s iconic restaurant and late night venue has now reopened following a multi – million pound renovation and features a new contemporary European menu by executive chef Mickael Weiss alongside a bespoke programme of late-night live music performances and events.Equally bespoke is the range of furniture produced by Style Matters working with Russell Sage Studio.
The signature sweeping staircase has been restored,as have the balcony bar, main restaurant and mezzanine private dining rooms with the addition of a glamorous central cocktail bar and stage for intimate live music performances.
The ambience is both glamorous and welcoming,and the choice of furnishings to help create exactly the right environment was critical, and Style Matters bespoke pieces including lounge seating, bar stools, tables and even day beds fit the bill perfectly.
Designed by russellsagestudio. Carpets produced by Brintons.
Fresh, contemporary styling are the keynotes of BAGNODESIGN’s newest bathroom collection, which blends harmoniously into any modern setting. With a wide range of basin and sanitaryware options, a beautiful freestanding bath, plus co-ordinating brassware and accessories, Metreaux is a flexible option, whether chosen for the busy family bathroom or to create a sense of calm and sanctuary in the master en-suite.
The centre-piece of Metreaux is the freestanding bath, generously deep for a relaxing soak and made from BAGNOQUARTZ, a composite stone that is robust and ultra-durable. With all the benefits of natural stone, BAGNOQUARTZ has a velvety matt finish that is smooth to the touch to maximise on comfort.
This composite stone material is incredibly resilient and lends any bathroom interior an air of opulence and gravitas. That’s why it has also been used to craft the Metreaux washbasins, which are available in a range of widths and feature a cutting edge design to turn them into instant statement pieces.
Available in a satin white finish, the Metreaux basin can be chosen with an inward slope, or with a right to left slope, giving a contemporary twist on the traditional washbasin ‘bowl’. Available with three, one or no tapholes, the basin can be combined with the collection’s stunning range of brassware, which alongside several basin mixer options, also includes brassware for the shower and bath, including a rectangular shower head, with four functions and LED lighting for the ultimate wellness experience.
Metreaux’s signature bold and edgy design is echoed in its stylish accessory range, featuring wall mounted soap dishes, glass shelves, towel rails and an elegant backlit mirror. A WC and matching bidet complete this new collection’s line-up.
For more details contact BAGNODESIGN on 020 7553 6999, or visit the website at www.bagnodesign.co.uk
The new Generator will be located in the University of Amsterdam’s former health sciences and zoological department, and will accommodate up to 566 guests in 168 twin and quadruple rooms with park or garden views and en-suite bathrooms. An exclusive luxury apartment overlooking Oosterpark will be fitted for six people and include self catering facilities. The building is an imposing brick structure completed in 1917 and features elegant, grand spaces and very high ceilings throughout. Two new floors with all glass facades will be added, marrying modern architecture with the unique heritage of the property.Local architects IDEA, developer COD and Generator’s Creative Director and DesignAgency partner, Anwar Mekhayech, are respectfully restoring the heritage building and transforming the interiors to create an original and inspiring hospitality experience. The social areas are flexible and spacious and cater to the needs of both individual travellers and groups, with the largest proportion of public areas of any existing Generator. The ground floor will include a lobby with glass fronted elevators and a raised café, with a terrace and outdoor seating overlooking the park. An impressive chill out lounge and bar will be set in the former formal lecture hall, while the old library will become an intimate relaxation area doubling as a private meeting room. The basement will be fitted with a spacious dining space and a secret bar in the original boiler room. Like the café and ground floor bar, the intimate speakeasy will be open to both Generator guests and locals.
Anwar Mekhayech, Creative Director, said: “The Netherlands is such a deeply experiential place – steeped in history and cultural traditions as well as a strong contemporary design culture. The Dutch emphasis on practical whimsy, the beauty in natural flaws, connections to landscape, cycling and folk art provided fantastic inspiration for Generator style’s mix of high and low, old and new, and local notes. Each area will be a fun and welcoming with characteristic Generator style, woven with inspirations from tulip fields, monochromatic Delft patterns, abstracted Dutch landscapes and canal houses.”
The location of Generator Amsterdam couldn’t be better as guests will have access to the beautiful Oosterpark – one of the largest parks in the city and also currently going through a major rejuvenation – while being just a 15 minute bike, tram or metro rail ride away from the touristic Dam Square, Museum district or Amsterdam Centraal train station. An increasingly lively scene, full of bars, restaurants and shops for a young, diverse demographic, awaits just across the park, along with the Dappermarkt, one of the oldest and busiest daily markets in the city.
Carl Michel, Executive Chairman at Generator which is backed by Patron Capital, said: “Amsterdam is one of the top 4 youth destinations in Northern Europe – with London, Paris and Berlin, Generator will now have a clean sweep of the major cities. The city is known for its tolerance and diversity, with a vibrant nightlife, but it also boasts huge cultural draws like the new Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank house. Schiphol airport is one of the leading international gateway hubs, connecting the city to all continents and providing young travellers with an excellent base for a European trip. Generator is delighted to add this key destination to our growing network.”
Josh Wyatt, Investment Director at Patron Capital responsible for the Generator brand, said: “The new Generator Amsterdam continues the strategy of buying and repositioning beautiful buildings in world class locations to create the world’s first truly global design led hostel business. The essence, character and soul of the building will complement the existing Generator properties and add a new chapter in our expanding travel story. Generator’s growth ambitions continue unabated with much more to come in 2015 and beyond.”
Leading UK shower designer and manufacturer, Roman, has launched a brand new product in to their 10mm Decem range, the stunning Neo-Angle Shower Enclosure.The ingenious space efficient angled design of Roman’s brand new Decem Neo-Angle Shower Enclosure will work around existing fixtures and fittings, to fit flawlessly into your bathroom space. It presents an exceptionally smooth opening and closing door action, featuring stylish chromed brass self-closing hinges. The self-closing hinges provide the superior door operating action and also create a positive seal for the door. They are made from chromed brass components to give a quality finish and long lasting performance. The outward opening hinged door provides wide and comfortable access and incorporates a design statement square handle and hardware. The Neo-Angle Enclosure stands majestically at a height of 2000mm with luxury 10mm thick toughened glass and features 15mm of adjustment in each profile for flexible installation in different wall situations.
This enclosure is in keeping with the minimalism of the whole Decem collection, featuring minimalist framing from a design perspective and low profile PVC seals, whilst also providing optimum water integrity. As with all Decem Shower Enclosures, the Neo-Angle incorporates Roman’s Water Safe System, which has been engineered to offer the maximum water integrity available for a minimalist designed enclosure. The system guides the water back into the showering area and it creates a water barrier to eliminate the traditional weak spots. The Enclosure can be installed on to its own dedicated Neo-Angle Shower Tray or straight to floor using Roman’s Shield Wetroom System, which includes everything you need to tank a room, including complete wetroom kits to make the process easy.
As with all Roman Shower Enclosures the Neo-Angle is pre-coated with Roman’s Ultra-Care glass protection system, which increases the long-lasting sparkle and clarity of the glass. Components of the highest quality have all been brought together to create this stunning Neo-Angle Shower Enclosure which is guaranteed for life.
Roman’s Decem range has been meticulously designed and engineered by Roman design experts, who have combined everything they have learnt about showering over the last 29 years to create this unparalleled collection.
Products in the Decem collection include; Hinged Door Enclosures, which can be installed alone or combined with Side Panels and In-Line Panels, Wetroom Panels for sweeping door less and level entry access and Hinged Bath Screens which are power shower approved for uncompromised showering.
David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman, commented: “We are proud to introduce our brand new Decem Neo-Angle, which is the perfect solution for smaller or awkward bathroom spaces. Its sleek angled shaped is extremely practical and adds to its stylish and cutting edge look, whilst presenting a truly minimalistic design.”
Escape the hustle and bustle and take some time out to relax, partake of refreshments and view Voyager, a beautiful contemporary woven collection, blending timeless classics with modern geometrics in a seductive palette of subtle greens, contrasting charcoal and silver and many ambient neutrals. Voyager is complimented by a stunning new upholstery range, Alchemy with its reflective and metallic hues.
For more details, please contact Panaz on +44 (0) 1282 611 519.
Putting new in old, contemporary into antique, can be a difficult trick. Mix in English vernacular style and wave a designers’ wand. Magic in the Kings’ Head in Cirencester lifted my spirits almost as soon as I walked in the door.
Open space with views that interest and also excite. Informality combined with tradition. There is space to pause and stare before engaging with the staff. History in view, from the exposed wall construction to the Roman mosaic under the floor lit and seen through a glass floor panel.
Doorways and openings that say there’s more beyond. Eclectic and stylish both operator and designer, architect and builders have worked hard to preserve and project the sense of Englishness and history embodied by both the town and the property. This is not just a revitalising of one run down old hotel this is the redevelopment of a significant and important collection of buildings making up a large part of Cirencester’s heart. If there is a downside it is that it is too close to Jeremy Clarkson…
This is Range Rover land. The Cotswolds surrounding Cirencester are one of the most affluent areas of England outside the hideously expensive capital city. ‘Chelsea tractors’ abound, but local is also strong and is reflected in the abundance of local foods and the street market that sets up outside the hotel.
Given the affluence of the area the only surprise about the Kings Head is that it has taken so long for it to happen. That the owner has vision is a given, but the adaptation owes a great deal to the local influences and suppliers so cleverly employed and developed by designers Calico alongside an hotel management team that are also tapped into the same vernacular.
I have talked before in articles about the resurgence of an English vernacular. It can be seen in hotels as diverse as the revamped Mercure Box Hill, less convincingly in the Mondrian on London’s Southbank of the Thames, more successfully in seaside hotels like St. Michaels Hotel in Falmouth.
Whilst the Scots shriek about their identity, in our own quiet way many English designers are bringing back the pride in being English through their stylish reinterpretation of traditional forms, forms that emphasise visual and psychological comfort; forms that don’t seek to shout style in an egotistical ‘look at me I’m a designer’ manner, but quietly provide a guest with a place in which they can comfortably be themselves; forms which say ‘this is where you are’ too, acknowledging both location and history.
The Kings Head does all this, and more.
Here the design of much of the furniture, fabrics and more has been originated by the designers. Yet the origination has been faithful to what has gone before — this is design at its best, evolutionary not revolutionary, founded in an understanding of locality and identity alike.
The designers told me: “We were involved from the very beginning and can remember walking around before many rooms had walls. We advised on layouts sourced & procured all FF & E items, we advised on the concept mood and feel of the hotel, choosing colour schemes through to set up. We were fortunate that the hotel is a truly beautiful building with so many original and interesting details that just needed to be exposed.”
Design of hotels, perhaps more than most buildings, need to be a team effort, involving owners, operator and designers. Design has to work from the inside out, and the designers here stress that they we part of a team, saying: “It was a team effort! A collaboration between the owners Mark & Alison Booth, the building contractors, and the interior designers.”
More than this, of course , there would have been architect and structural engineers, QS etc. but in my experience the role of other professionals in hotels is less important in realising the full potential of the earning power of an hotel. In my experience the sensitivity of the contractor involved to the history and sense of place is also vital to making a success of such a project. Here the designers praise the building contractors saying: “They under took the task with great compassion as at most stages new parts of the building became exposed and then had to be incorporated into the design.”
Typical of many projects on historic sites, at one stage in the project there was a 2 year delay to explore the archaeology, and given the cost of creating an hotel like this (reported to me as £7.5 million so far) then this must have added grey hair to the developers head, as time is definitely money. However here the respect given to the existing structures (because this was more than one building, but a series of interlinked buildings of different ages) has resulted in some magical interior space, including in some of the currently 45 bedrooms.
There are plans (and spaces) to expand the number of bedrooms, and given the ability of the hotel to host quite large functions and meetings, increased bedroom numbers will be needed. On my visit two functions for 400 people had already been booked and the expansion of the public areas with additional bar and dining space as well as the completion of the spa and gym were all in hand.
The labyrinthine layout springs surprises at every turn. There is a staircase where the details of the bracket holding the hand rails feature heads that change in age with each floor.There are stone walls, sensitively lit , with pieces of Roman mosaic leaning against them. Antiquity maximised in impact, married to the best of modern lighting.
The spaces being re-purposed (as the current phrase would have it) are interesting in themselves. A previous generation made its wealth from wool, for which Britain in earlier centuries was a major producer. Whole towns based their wealth on the wool trade and here the cellar previously used, it is believed, as a wool ‘warehouse’ will serve a new generation as a bar/bistro and function area. There is a secret little roof garden onto which open meeting rooms and a function space. There is a glorious Georgian or high Victorian ballroom with stylish chandeliers. All these spaces creating a sense that as one explores the hotel further more secrets will be revealed.
The current bedrooms are all individual in style, and original roof timbers, fireplaces and construction have been kept and featured in the sensitive interior design. Panelled rooms have been kept panelled, although the panelling may well have been completely renewed. The interest in the antique has not extended to guest services and a comprehensive TV entertainment system compliments a free and efficient Wi-Fi service throughout the hotel.
The hotel is not only adding a spa and gym, that will be open to non-residents but other buildings in the complex structure ware planned to be utilised as office space with the tenants having access to hotel facilities. This holistic approach to the property is cleverly building in additional income streams to the business.
Bedrooms are spacious and most offer a soaking tub and separate shower, Clever use is made of ceramic tiling that mimics timber flooring, giving bathrooms and antique look , whilst there is nothing antique about the performance of the power showers in their wet room enclosures.
Whilst many London hotels have shrunken bedrooms, often forcing designers to innovate to provide space for luggage as well as the guest, here space is not an issue, the building layout having been developed to ensure all bedroom are a good size.
Corridors frequently shown, in their meandering path around the building, the different construction elements with exposed beams, exposed brickwork and rough plaster finishes highlighted by well placed LED lighting. The hotel is comfortable not only for the guest as an hotel, but it is also comfortable with its history and location. The property enhances Cirencester and encapsulates it from its Roman status through Saxon, Georgian and Victorian to enthusiastically embracing English style in the 21st Century.
The design approach here is a delight, the vernacular blended skilfully with the contemporary. Perhaps because the hotel is not a major brand it shares an approach seen more commonly in South Africa where brands are noticeable by their absence leaving hotels like Chappies or the Royal at Riebeck to carry the same local identity.
The Kings’ Head delighted me. It deserves design awards. It deserves to succeed. If early indicators are right it is already doing so…
JLL’s latest quarterly figures on London and regional UK hotel investment trends, shows that there has been a 278 per cent increase in investment into the sector compared to Q3 2013 last year and that North American money is leading the investment charge. Year to date figures are also up on last year with a 29 per cent increase in total investment volumes across the UK market compared to the same period in 2013. In Q3, just over £1 bn, equating to 58 per cent of overall UK investment volume, came from North America investors, a 51 percentage point uplift from Q3 last year when investment from this source stood at just seven per cent.
Investment in London’s hotel market is up by 22 per cent compared to Q3 last year, with some £387 million invested in the capital. The largest investment share into London came from Asian sources, which accounted for 31 per cent of total investment, with Middle Eastern investors accounting for a further 23 per cent. Total hotel investment in London was flat in the first three quarters of this year compared to 2013, which was in part due to the InterContinental London Park Lane deal in Q2 of last year which was the largest sale and manageback ever of a single asset in the London hotel market.
In one of the prime single asset deals of the year, JLL’s Hotels and Hospitality group advised on the sale of the Marriott Grosvenor Square by Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc to Hong Kong-based Joint Treasure International Limited for £125m. Other significant deals include the sale of Edinburgh’s Roxburghe Hotel to US based investment management firm, Starwood Capital which is currently the largest post-recession single asset deal in Edinburgh.
Jon Hubbard, Managing Director in JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality group commented: “Whilst London remains a highly attractive market for global investors, the UK’s regions have become a key focus for international investors, reflecting a confidence in the continued recovery and growth of the sector over the coming years. Investors from North America, China and other parts of the Far East are currently the principal sources of international investment, with investors eyeing cities such as Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Manchester. The significant increase in investment from North America in part reflects a reallocation of funds as a result of US real estate becoming more expensive and we predict that this trend will continue.”
EEF Venues has completed a £120K refurbishment project at its Woodland Grange conference centre in Leamington Spa. The company commissioned Coventry-based McCarthy Interiors, leading specialists in corporate refurbishment and space planning, to upgrade the venue’s lounge and bar areas. This included new flooring, lighting, décor and furniture. This latest project follows just one year after EEF Venues made a £1 million capital investment in the refurbishment of bedrooms and bathrooms at the AIM gold accredited venue.
David Vaughton, director of venues for EEF Venues, said: ”We have seen a 27 per cent growth increase across our three venues over the last four years. Because of this significant growth, our parent group, EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, made a commitment to invest further.
“Our newly refurbished lounge and bar areas now reflect the diversification of our client-base and their expectations. Softer lighting, more comfortable seating and colourful décor have changed the mood of these areas, providing a calmer and more relaxing environment for people to unwind after a busy conference or training session.”
The coffee lounge features a new Autobar bean-to-cup coffee station, where delegates can enjoy Woodland Grange’s range of hand-made biscuits, speciality teas, fresh juices and fruit.
“Delegates expectations are higher than ever so we now bench-mark ourselves against top quality hotels and conference venues,” said David Vaughton.
“We have dropped the lighting levels, created lower ceilings and added luxury fabrics and contemporary, retro-style seating to create a more chilled environment because we feel that when people are happy and relaxed, they are more productive and energised. Our meeting spaces are still comfortable yet functional but it’s important that break-out areas and lounges have a very different feel. This latest investment is about strengthening the total solution for our clients so that their every need is met, from state of the art technology to great food and a warm and inviting after-work ambience.
“It is also an indication of the confidence we feel in the market. August trading results alone for Woodland Grange show a 61 per cent year-on-year increase. Now that we have completed the refurbishment, we expect further enhanced performance going forward.”
Steve McCarthy, managing director of McCarthys, said:” We are delighted to be maintaining our strong relationship with EEF Venues through another challenging and unique project. This refurbishment took place in a live environment so programming the strip-out and fit-out to ensure minimal impact on the venue was our main challenge and focus. We teamed up with key EEF Venues’ staff throughout the design phase to agree the look and feel of the space.”
McCarthy’s design team mixed natural wall and floor finishes with bright and vivid soft furnishings to bring the classy and comforting space to life. The coffee bar’s fixed furniture and feature wood suspended ceilings were designed by McCarthys.
The 114-bedroom venue also features a health suite which includes a Jacuzzi, gym and sauna.
Nikki Beach Worldwide, the family owned & operated global luxury lifestyle & hospitality brand with beach clubs & restaurants and hotels & resorts across the globe, is pleased to announce that Nikki Beach Bali is now open. Located within the property of the 5-star Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, Nikki Beach Bali is a multifaceted, picture-perfect beachfront venue with stunning panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.“The uniqueness of Bali – the culture, the relaxed energy and the natural beauty – make it the perfect place to expand our Nikki Beach brand,” said Jack Penrod, Founder & Owner of Nikki Beach Worldwide. “We feel very blessed to open our 12th location in one of the most magical places in the world and we’re very excited to share our brand’s concept of celebrating life every day to locals and visitors of Bali, Indonesia.”
Modelled after the same stylish and contemporary look and feel of all of the brand’s locations around the world, renowned architectural design firm WATG implemented Jack Penrod’s design visions with the architectural design of Nikki Beach Bali. Adorned in plush, all-white sun beds guests are able to spend their days and evenings indulging in refreshing cocktails, endless champagne and an extensive menu of delectable dishes representative of all the countries Nikki Beach is located and popular Balinese cuisine including delicious salads, creative sushi rolls, original seafood entrees and slow-roasted free-range rotisserie chicken. The oceanfront beach club & restaurant includes a pool with underwater speakers and 2,500 fibre optic lights that sparkle as the sun sets, indoor & outdoor dining options, opium beds and multiple bars including a swim-up cocktail bar.
To mark World Toilet Day 2014 on Wednesday 19 November, Roca and We Are Water Foundation are hosting a special event at Roca London Gallery. Aiming to break the taboo around toilets and draw attention to the global sanitation issue, this free-to-attend event offers an opportunity to meet the architects, designers and engineers working to change the fact that 2.5 billion people don’t have access to clean and safe toilets.
This is a subject that Roca strongly supports, particularly through its We Are Water Foundation (www.wearewater.org), which aims to mitigate the negative effects associated with the lack of adequate water resources. The charitable foundation raises awareness and essential funds for relevant projects in developing countries.
The event at Roca London Gallery will include three key presentations focused on the need for improved sanitation. Loughborough University will be discussing the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Launched in 2011, the Gates Foundation has awarded grants to 16 researchers around the world, including Loughborough University in the UK, who are using innovative approaches for the safe and sustainable management of human waste.
Attendees of the Re-thinking Sanitation event will also hear from LooWatt, an off-grid, energy generating luxury WC system, and from Milan-based Fare Architects, founders of BUILDaCHANGE, a non-profit organisation that created the Zero Project, aiming to improve sanitation in developing countries.
Re-thinking Sanitation takes place from 6.30pm – 8.30pm on Wednesday 19 November at Roca London Gallery. To RSVP visit www.rocalondongallery.com
The Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City’s common areas recently underwent a major makeover, providing a good opportunity to (re)discover this unique hotel.On October 2nd occurred the official opening event of the Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City: a new design and a fresh ambiance for a warm stay in the heart of a beautiful city!
A typical Dutch stay
The Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City, considered a flagship address among the Benelux region’s 22 hotels, has managed to recreate the Netherlands’ traditional “cosy“ atmosphere.
Guests can see how much the hotel has changed as soon as they step through the door: the mood that varies with the four seasons, the warm wooden furniture, the soft textures of Scandinavian furniture, teardrop-shaped lamps, etc.
Each room is different, its unique atmosphere echoing the capital’s various neighbourhoods. Dutch charm is in the smallest details.
“Flavours from the cellar”
The Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City, aware that travellers often expect to be surprised during their stay, offers them a chance to discover and taste local flavours in an international setting welcoming to all. This perfectly illustrates the brand’s positioning, “in harmony with places and people”.
For example, the new wine cellar concept introduces guests to regional specialities such as genever, wines or local beers. With the “Wine Wall”, famous wines are available by the glass, giving as many people as possible the opportunity to taste them.
The Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City is a full-scale immersion in the heart of the city nicknamed the Venice of the North!
2014 has so far been a very busy year for Burgess and we celebrated our 55th anniversary.
Burgess Furniture have always been innovators in the design and manufacture of conference and banqueting furniture. We were the very first European manufacturers of the aluminium stacking banquet chair, and we are the market leaders for conference and banqueting furniture around the world.This year at Equip’Hotel we will be showcasing our new Evosa chair range. The slender chrome plated steel frame together with the option of knitted mesh or upholstered back creates a modern chair of outstanding design and quality.
To this day, our banquet and conference chairs and tables are still designed and manufactured on-site in our factory in South-West London, and sold both in the UK and exported all over the world.
Come along to Hall 3 stand number J134 and see for yourself how extensive our range is. Our local representative based just outside of Paris, Bruce Anderson will be on the stand to help with your enquiries.
Jameson were appointed by long standing client Hilton to manufacture and install new curtains as part of the Islington hotel refurbishment project.Supplying both for bedrooms and public areas, Jameson completed the project in time and within budget.
All 187 rooms were fitted with curtains, sheers and cushions and the public areas were fitted with blinds and sheers.
Specified fabrics were from GP & J Baker & JAB International Furnishings.
Chelsom are delighted to announce that they will once again be exhibiting at the annual Sleep Event, which takes place at the Business Design Centre in London on 26th-27th November 2014. Sleep is Europe’s leading trade event for interior hospitality products providing an annual meeting for those at the forefront of hotel design, development and architecture.This will be Chelsom’s 8th consecutive year exhibiting at the event and this year they will be showcasing a number of their brand new designs from the latest collection, Edition 24, with every product on display being finished in the industrially inspired English Brass and Black Bronze combination which is a striking new addition to Chelsom’s range of finishes. Designed in-house by Robert and Will Chelsom, the collection has been created with the international hospitality marketplace at the core and is the company’s most distinctive to date both in terms of design and technology with nearly all pieces available with an LED option.
Company Director, Will Chelsom said: “Sleep is the number one UK show in terms of interior design for the hospitality market and we are very pleased to be exhibiting again. Being able to see what the wider market is up to is really inspirational and it’s a great environment for companies to showcase their latest product designs and innovations. Sleep has become a key date in the diaries of many leading hospitality professionals so it’s exciting for us to be introducing a selection of new pieces from what is undoubtedly our most eclectic and design-led collection yet.”
Chelsom will be on Stand M4. For more information on Sleep 2014 and to register to attend, please click here.
Hilton Worldwide has announced the opening of Hilton Changzhou. The opening sets yet another milestone for Hilton Worldwide as it celebrates the 50th property opening in Greater China. The hotel features 299 contemporary guest rooms and suites, offering panoramic views of the entire city from its floor-to-ceiling windows. Hilton Changzhou is operated by Hilton Worldwide and owned by Jiangsu Future Land Real Estate Co., Ltd. Situated at the heart of the historic Wujin District, Hilton Changzhou is conveniently located within walking distance from shopping malls and entertainment venues. Just 11 kilometers from the city center and Changzhou Railway Station, Hilton Changzhou is also just minutes away from attractions such as China Dinosaur Park, Yancheng Safari Park and the Mystical Yancheng Chun Qiu Dream Show.
Hilton Changzhou offers five food and beverage venues. Its all-day restaurant, OPEN, features live cooking stations that offer fresh local produce that is both a feast for the eyes and the tongue. At YUXI, guests are treated to authentic Cantonese cuisine prepared by master chefs. With twelve Chinese-style dining rooms accommodating up to 190 guests, YUXI is the premiere restaurant for both business and leisure. RED delivers an extraordinary Japanese culinary experience. Whether guests choose to dine at the table or at the bar, they can enjoy a night filled with music and company.
Hilton Changzhou features two impressive pillar-free Grand Ballrooms, measuring 1,500 square meters and 800 square meters. Whether the occasion is a large international conference, exhibition or wedding, the highly trained and dedicated team will work to ensure a successful and memorable event. The hotel’s business center provides full corporate facilities and 24-hour services to meet guests’ business needs, including computers, copy machines, printers, printing services, telephones and postal services.
Hilton Changzhou features a broad range of modern amenities, including a heated 25m indoor pool, a well-equipped fitness center featuring an aerobic room as well as a state-of-the-art golf simulator. Guests can work out to rejuvenate after a long day or swing away the stress with a game of golf.
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG® (InterContinental® Hotels Group), today unveils its next generation guest room – an innovative design developed with industry-leading influencers and experts to meet the changing needs of today’s modern business traveller.Guest room designs, particularly the placement of the bed, have remained virtually unchanged for the last 60 years, since standardised guest room dimensions were introduced by Kemmons Wilson, founder of the Holiday Inn® Brand. The new Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts guest room introduces a uniquely angled bed design, reducing noise levels and supporting a great night’s sleep.
Given the 24/7, ‘always on’, hectic pace of today’s business travel, modern business travellers are looking for a peaceful environment where they can be productive, without necessarily feeling like they are working. As more Millennials enter the workforce, they also expect their ‘office’ to be wherever they want to be – as long as there is connectivity. And, all modern business travellers want to be able to recharge and revitalise – setting themselves up for success.
Working for the past two years with leading designers from outside the sector, Future Agenda and Pearson Lloyd, specialising in areas such as the future of workspace, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has developed an intuitive, cutting-edge design that radically challenges the traditional norms of business space in hotels, creating a modern environment to meets the needs of business travellers in the 21st century.
Keith Barr, Chief Commercial Officer, IHG said “At IHG we have a deep understanding of our guests and meet their differing needs through our family of brands. At the heart of Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand is a commitment to helping the modern business traveller meet the challenges and hectic pace of today’s 24/7, ‘always on’, environment.
“Our innovative, intuitive guest room design creates a fantastic new space that will encourage them to be productive but also to rest and, crucially, to get a great night’s sleep. The response from guests has been outstanding. They tell us they can rest more easily and can focus more on what they need to do to be successful. We want to help all our guests to have a successful life – not just a successful stay.”
Like the ‘working triangle’ of a chef’s kitchen, the new Crowne Plaza room allows guests to move freely between three key areas – a cocooned bed, a flexible ‘nook’ and a streamlined workspace. The room’s new layout also ensures that there is space to pace – and think. The key benefits are:
• Rest – the uniquely angled bed has a padded, curved headboard which, along with insulated wall panels on each side of the room, dramatically reduces noise levels and helps with better sleep. In comparison to a typical hotel room, consumer testing revealed a 30% improvement in noise reduction. • Connectivity – the innovative ‘nook’ area offers a multi-purpose and comfortable space to hold informal meetings, doubling as an area to socialise and relax away from the traditional workspace. • Space – the dedicated, multi-purpose workspace offers a clutter free surface with accessible outlets and adjustable lighting – creating a productive environment for work as well as catering for vanity needs with a hair dryer in the drawer and mirror above the desk.
Testing of the new room’s benefits has revealed that, compared to a standard hotel room design, more modern business travellers feel that that new guest room design helps them to get a better night’s sleep, work productively and efficiently and makes them feel successful.
The new guest room will launch in the Americas region in 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Midtown and with early adopters. As one of the world’s fastest growing upscale brands, there is also a clear opportunity for a global rollout in the near future.
Jumeirah Group has announced three new management agreements to operate luxury hotels and resorts across China.The Jumeirah Haikou Resort is set in an exclusive golf community on a private island in Hainan; the Jumeirah Wuhan has a prime city centre location near to Hankou; and Jumeirah Nanjing is set in the Hexi new business district.
The Jumeirah Haikou Resort is set within an exclusive golf community on a 136 hectare private island and is expected to open in 2018. Haikou is the capital city of Hainan and the main business centre. Known as the ‘Hawaii of China’ Hainan is the only non-industrialised province and only tropical island resort destination in the country.
The mixed-use development will comprise a golf course designed by Tom Doak, 60 luxury residential villas and a luxury hotel comprising 140 guest rooms including 26 suites. Food and beverage outlets will feature an all-day dining and Chinese specialty restaurant, lobby lounge, bar, function space, recreational facilities such as a premier leisure club lounge, kids’ club, fitness centre and Talise Spa. Denniston International has been appointed as the project architect.
Jumeirah Wuhan is set in a prime city centre location near to the existing Hankou business district. The project is a mixed-use development which comprises high-end office space, retail, residences, parks and a luxury hotel. Site preparation work is ongoing and the anticipated opening date is 2020.
The property, designed by Foster and Partners, will feature 200 guest rooms including 23 suites, an all-day dining and Chinese specialty restaurant, lobby lounge, bar, function space, executive club lounge and business centre. Recreational facilities will comprise a fitness centre, Talise Spa and indoor swimming pool.
Both properties in Wuhan and Haikou are owned by subsidiaries of Yuexiu Group, a Guangzhou-based property development company.
The third property Jumeirah Nanjing is currently under development and expected to open in 2016. Located approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the airport and a one-hour train ride from Shanghai, Jumeirah Nanjing is set in the Hexi new business district and in close proximity to office buildings and a conference centre. The mixed-use development will comprise office and retail space, a conference centre, a 4-star hotel and a luxury Jumeirah hotel.
Designed by architect Zaha Hadid, the 250-room hotel will include 32 suites, an all-day dining and Chinese specialty restaurant, café, lobby lounge, tea lounge, bar, junior ballroom, executive club lounge, business centre, fitness centre, Talise Spa and an indoor swimming pool.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), has recently announced the opening of a new Holiday Inn Express® Hotel & Suites in Spruce Grove following an $18 million investment by the ownership group. This 79,500-square-foot property has been added to IHG’s hotels in Alberta, is located close to some of the city’s major attractions such as TransAtla Tri Leisure Centre, Fuhr Sports Park and 20 minutes away from West Edmonton Mall. Other neighboring attractions include the Tri-Village which features many shops and popular eateries and the Acheson Industrial Park, a major employment area, home to more than 200 businesses. The four-story, 130-room hotel includes 42 suites, an indoor swimming pool, and 3,000 square feet of meeting space for up to 200 people.
Through IHG’s Green Engage initiative, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Spruce Grove upholds IHG’s commitment to sustainability through its installation of an energy management system, the implementation of LED and energy efficient lights bulbs throughout the hotel, an extensive recycling program, the utilization of green cleaning chemicals and the use of the innovative MOLOK garbage disposal system.
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Spruce Grove, owned by 1779994 Alberta Ltd, and managed by Perfect Hospitality Inc. and PHI Hotel Group, is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.
The Wandsworth Group will be exhibiting their range of luxury light switches, lighting controls and electrical accessories at this year’s Sleep hotel design exhibitionHeld at London’s Business Design Centre on the 26th and 27th of November, Sleep presents visitors with an ideal opportunity to view the quality and craftsmanship that goes into Wandsworth’s collections of lighting controls, electrical accessories and wiring devices.
Luxury wiring devices with a difference
Hoteliers, professional designers and architects involved in specification for hotel projects will be able to experience first hand the superior quality of Wandsworth switches, sockets and lighting controls, evidenced on stand with the display of the company’s Penthouse, Heritage, Classic and Hotel collections.
Visitors to Sleep will see the precision engineering and sophistication evident in the Penthouse collection of slimline, screwless light switches. As with all Wandsworth collections, Penthouse offers a wide range of switches, sockets, data and media outlets, allowing designers to create a fully coordinated look and feel for any project.
Period Hotels will benefit from the Heritage collection, offering the grace and character of three unique design periods: Victorian, Georgian and Adam. Our lavish electrical accessories co-ordinate harmoniously with historical hotel interiors as well as integrating perfectly within classically designed hotels.
The Classic collection of low-profile wiring devices offers hoteliers and hotel designers a sleek, understated design without compromising on the superior durability expected from electrical accessories in the hotel environment. As with all Wandsworth collections, Classic collection accessories can be customised to meet individual customer requirements, for example electrical sockets supporting British, European and US plugs in the same plate, perfect for hotel guests worldwide.
Made-to-order hotel light switches and electrical sockets
Electrical sockets and switches for Hotels will be at the Sleep eventThe Wandsworth Hotel collection demonstrates a variety of tailored variants for the hospitality sector, shown in special sized plates from across the Penthouse, Infinity and Classic collections. Wandsworth are able to offer lighting controls integrated with bespoke modular interiors, from audio and visual inputs, to USB chargers and network ports.
The design of these plates allows superb styling of light switches while providing a solution for hoteliers looking to minimise the complexity of multiple scene plates or sockets.
Wandsworth plates can also be engraved with clear indicators; ensuring lighting controls installations remain usable for hotel guests without the need to compromise on style.
Lighting controls without aesthetic compromise
For hotels where dimming or scene-setting is an essential aspect of the lighting design there is no need to compromise on style or aesthetics as Wandsworth’s intelligent lighting controls system integrates seamlessly with the wider Wandsworth collections allowing the matching of accessory plates throughout the entire design scheme.
The flexibility and cross compatibility of Wandsworth products ensures that designers will be able to offer the functionality of a lighting control system with tactile, responsive controls, including retractive rocker and toggle combinations, all perfectly complimented by Wandsworth’s luxury plates.
The Wandsworth lighting controls system incorporates dimmers and LED drivers, perfect for dimming LED luminaires with a flicker-free result. In addition, relay modules can be managed to control other building services, such as blind controls or heating controls, as well controlling magnetic ballasts for conventional fluorescent lighting.
Wandsworth’s lighting controls experts will be on hand to discuss any upcoming projects, and will be pleased to assist you with our in-house design service to help plan and configure your lighting controls projects.
For more information on our lighting control system, or our options of light switches, visit Wandsworth at Sleep on stand M28 to experience the ultimate in light switches, lighting controls and accessories.
Dernier & Hamlyn has been shortlisted in the prestigious Lighting Design Awards for its work at Rosewood London for Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. Bespoke fittings manufactured by Dernier & Hamlyn are in the hotel’s main bar and also its restaurant.Garrow Seal of Martin Brudnizki says: “We have worked with Dernier & Hamlyn on many projects and continue to select them whenever we want the best quality bespoke lighting for high end hospitality clients. Their range of manufacturing skills and focus on producing the best possible solutions to our design briefs was evidenced yet again for Rosewood London’s lighting and both we and the client are delighted with the results.”
In Scarfes Bar Martin Brudnizki Design Studio (MBDS) was inspired by the atmosphere of a drawing room and the sophistication of a gentleman’s club and wanted lighting that would provide a soft glow to achieve an intimate and inviting vibrant space. Working closely with MBDS, Dernier & Hamlyn produced stunning 2m high distinctive globe chandeliers that were hand finished with a patina paint effect to produce a rustic effect and mimic weathered copper. They were actually produced in a variety of materials with aluminium dominating to ensure that they were within the specified weight limits required to install them safely while accommodating the need to retain many original features to optimise the building’s heritage.
The main chandelier is an eye catching feature as you walk into the bar and this is complemented by smaller versions in other areas of this stunning room. The process to achieve a verdigris effect was carried out by hand in Dernier & Hamlyn’s South London factory – the only way that such a finish could be achieved to such perfection. Along the bar are lamps formed from solid brass and finished by hand bronze by the D&H team. The shades were hand blown in opal glass with a thin metal framework again made in brass and finished to match.
The hotel’s Holborn Dining Room, a former bank hall, is an update on the traditional British brasserie concept, using subtle modern design detailing while drawing on the building’s high baroque architecture and rich history. Glamorous neo-Gothic chandeliers were designed to provide statement lighting to reflect the busy and vibrant atmosphere of the room. They were again manufactured by Dernier & Hamlyn in their London factory and are built from blackened steel oval frames some 7m long that are given the required support by sub frames. They required mixed construction methods that incorporated both laser cutting and making sections by hand. These eye catching chandeliers also accommodate LED emergency lighting which had to be discreet in order not to detract from the intended visual impact and has been fitted to the cross section bars.
The requirement for the main lighting was large 120mm LED globe lamps. However, despite a global search, none could be sourced that met the quality, light colour and visual appearance required. So they had to be custom made though a lengthy process that needed detailed and protracted discussions between Dernier & Hamlyn and specialist lamp manufacturers to develop lamps that met all technical and aesthetic requirements.
Dernier & Hamlyn’s joint managing director Jeremy Quantrill says: “While having the LED lamps custom made produced the optimum solution for Holborn Dining’s lighting, it was quite a lengthy process. But it was well worth the effort and the overall effect is not only visually brilliant but it achieves the longevity and energy saving specifications too.”
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, PRISA Group and McConnell Valdés Consulting has announced the groundbreaking for Puerto Rico’s fourth Hyatt-branded select service hotel, the $29.7 million Hyatt Place San Juan. The announcement comes on the heels of the recent opening of the 126-room Hyatt House San Juan, which opened October 1, 2014, and confirms Hyatt’s commitment to Puerto Rico and the region. Hyatt Place San Juan will be developed by a joint venture between affiliates of Hyatt, PRISA Group and McConnell Valdés Consulting, Inc. As part of the transaction, a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management and related agreements with the joint venture for the operation of the hotel. Hyatt Place San Juan is expected to open in the first quarter of 2016.The 149-room Hyatt Place San Juan will be located in the Puerto Rico Convention District in San Juan, adjacent to the recently opened Hyatt House San Juan. The Puerto Rico Convention District is a master planned project comprising of 113-acres, which currently includes the 600,000-sq.ft. Puerto Rico Convention Center, the largest and most technologically advanced facility of its kind in the region. Building on strong gains in Puerto Rico’s tourism activity, the Puerto Rico Convention District is currently seeing a surge of development activity and is in the process of unveiling several major projects. Hyatt Place San Juan will be centrally located and minutes from all major attractions and beaches in the Old San Juan, Condado, Miramar and Hato Rey districts. It will also offer easy access to all major cruise ship terminals and Puerto Rico’s International Airport.
In the past 11 months, hotel owners and developers PRISA Group and McConnell Valdés Consulting, Inc. have seen three Hyatt-branded select service hotels open in Puerto Rico, representing over $115 million in development costs for them. The 156-room Hyatt Place San Juan/Bayamon opened in December 2013, the 106-room Hyatt Place Manatí opened in March 2014 and the 126-room Hyatt House San Juan opened in October 2014.
“It is wonderful to see Hyatt’s resurgence in Puerto Rico. We have always believed in the leisure and business potential of the island, and we see Puerto Rico as a key component of our growth strategy in the Americas,” said Pat McCudden, senior vice president, real estate and development, Latin America and Caribbean for Hyatt. “Our relationship with the PRISA Group in Puerto Rico runs decades long, and it is wonderful to celebrate the fantastic 11-month period, having three Hyatt-branded hotels open on the island as well as this fourth hotel announcement.”
“Puerto Rico has and continues to be an important destination for travelers, posting consistent gains in visitor arrivals, rates and occupancy over the past several years,” said Federico Stubbe, Jr., president of PRISA Group, the developer and joint venture partner. “The Hyatt Place brand’s well-received innovative service concept and modern design, combined with Hyatt’s impressive worldwide growth over the last several years and strong brand loyalty in Puerto Rico, offers a compelling business case for expanding the brand’s presence with a third Hyatt Place hotel on the island.”
The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.
Specialist fabric manufacturer, Kobe UK, has introduced Essente III – a collection of fabrics designed to reach a broader clientele, looking for a cost effective option, with the quality and reassurance of the Kobe name.The fresh and contemporary range features sophisticated jacquards, woven, geometrical, embroidered and floral designs in a natural palette of pastel and neutral tones.
The collection is easy-to-care-for and washable, retailing at no more than £25 per m2 and suitable for upholstery and soft furnishings.
Said David Harris, md of Kobe UK: “The Essente collection benefits from the logistical expertise and quality of Kobe, while giving access to a wider customer base through its realistic price points.
“The range showcases a clean palette of linen-look and sheer fabric options which are suitable for both domestic and commercial installations.”
The Essente III collection of fabrics follows on from the success of two previous Essente ranges.
Offering a wide selection of chic, commercial and easy-care interior fabrics, Essente reaches a broader clientele who enjoy the signature Kobe style – but at affordable prices and value for money.
Within Kobe’s sophisticated new automated warehouse and ERP system, the Essente collection – and its customers – benefit from the logistical excellence of Kobe.
Kobe will be introducing its Aurora Collection at Sleep 2014, 26-27th November, Business Design Centre, London. Stand M32
Hansgrohe is pleased to announce the appointment of Thorsten Klapproth as Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hansgrohe SE taking over from Siegfried Gaensslen. Prior to joining Hansgrohe, Thorsten Klapproth successfully led Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF) for 10 years. After studying business administration in Braunschweig, Munich and Augsburg, Thorsten Klapproth held management positions in Sales & Marketing at Siemens AG, as well as at Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH. Then, as an internal management consultant, he led projects for strategy, restructuring, process optimization and corporate culture at Siemens AG in Munich and in Santa Clara, USA. In 1996, he joined Gaggenau Hausgeräte GmbH, where in 1998 he was elected Chairman of the Executive Board. In this position he was responsible for global Sales, Marketing and Business Development. He eventually integrated the company into Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH. Thorsten Klapproth’s most recent position was as CEO of WMF in Geislingen an der Steige.
Siegfried Gaensslen has been with Hansgrohe SE for twenty years, with more than six as the company’s CEO. Until May 2015 he will advise Keith Allman, CEO of the Masco Corporation on the conglomerate’s strategic orientation as International Executive Advisor.
AVANI Hotels & Resorts, a vibrant upscale brand offering relaxed comfort in stylish contemporary surroundings, has added its first property in Africa – AVANI Pemba Beach Hotel & Spa in Mozambique. Situated in the country’s far northern province of Cabo Delgado, in the ancient port town of Pemba, this impressive hotel is the perfect choice for business travellers or for an easy beach escape.With its striking architecture blending African and Arabian design, AVANI Pemba Beach Hotel & Spa is perched on a headland between the rugged coastline of Pemba Bay and Wimbe Beach, overlooking the turquoise Indian Ocean. The 185 guest rooms, suites, villas and apartments are all designed with a dazzling view of the ocean or the gardens from their balcony or terrace. Guest rooms offer comfortable sleeping and working facilities, accompanied by an assortment of entertainment and refreshment options. Suites have the extra comfort of a lounge area. The Two Bedroom Duplex Villas feature a kitchen, dining and living area with an ocean facing terrace downstairs and an en suite queen and twin bedrooms upstairs. In addition, the One- Two- and Three-Bedroom Apartments have an open living, dining and kitchen area with exclusive use of two swimming pools.
When it comes to wining and dining, the restaurants and bars offer an extensive array of cuisines to satisfy both business and leisure guests. The Niassa Bar invites guests to chat over drinks with friends and colleagues and boasts a menu with an Asian touch. The flagship restaurant, Clube Naval, is located on the beach adjacent to the yacht marina and offers a selection of international cuisine, and at Quirimbas Restaurant creative buffet and a la carte theme nights are abundant with local produce and delicious fresh seafood.
With the rebranding come some added AVANI touches, such as the newly opened Grab & Go deli, selling high quality chocolates, pasta, olive oils, wines from South Africa, Italy and Portugal, as well as a Segafredo coffee corner. In addition the hotel has just launched an in-room dining service.
On a site that seems to hover above the Indian Ocean, the idyllic AVANI Spa has been refurbished to new splendour and reflects the Pemba African and Arabian influence in its therapies. An array of treatments is on offer, from massages, body wraps and blissful facials, with each experience customised to individual needs.
The hotel has become a sought after wedding, conference and incentive destination with its main meeting room catering for up to 200 guests or delegates, and an additional 12-seater executive boardroom. The exotic background of tropical gardens and shimmering sea promises a truly memorable meeting or private event.
We look forward to meeting friends old and new at this year’s Sleep Event.Among our Directory members present together with their stand numbers will be:
The Editor, Patrick Goff, and Finance Director, Christine Brett, will be attending the show on both days. If you would like an appointment with them to discuss how Hotel Designs can further increase your presence and business in our vibrant market please ring 01323 890604 or contact patrick.goff@hoteldesigns.net
Deputy Editor, Lorraine Hakes, will also be there on the 27th and appointments may be made via lorraine.hakes@hoteldesigns.net
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world’s leading hotel companies has recently announced the launch of its Holiday Inn Express® brand in Russia, the CIS and Georgia. In cooperation with Regional Hotel Chain (RHC), Russia’s rapidly growing hotel property developer, IHG is pleased to introduce Holiday Inn Express® Voronezh – Kirova which marks the debut of the brand in the region and will open its doors in just a few weeks’ time.The opening comes only months after IHG brought its Hotel Indigo® brand to Russia for the first time, with the opening of Hotel Indigo St Petersburg – Tchaikovskogo.
Regional Hotel Chain (RHC), a portfolio company of VIY Management (VIYM) and IHG signed a franchise multiple development agreement (MDA) in 2013 to develop a number of Holiday Inn Express hotels by 2019. The MDA agreement is a significant step towards IHG’s ambition to be market leaders in Russia, the CIS and Georgia with 100 hotels open or in the development pipeline by 2020.
The 145 – room Holiday Inn Express Voronezh – Kirova is located in the heart of Voronezh city centre at Kirova Street 9/1, Voronezh, and is within walking distance of the main sights: Voronezh State Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Local Museum, Annunciation Cathedral and Koltsov Square with its musical fountain. With a population of around one million, Voronezh is a thriving regional centre strategically located on the main rail network and on the M4 highway between Moscow and Rostov-on-Don. The hotel is just 20 km from Voronezh International Airport and 4 km from Voronezh-1 Central Train Station.
The hotel offers guests a comfortable, yet affordable stay. All rooms are the same size however guests can choose between a family room with a sofa, a king size double or a twin room. Guests have the option of two pillow choices – soft or firm. Each room has a workspace with a desk and chair, flat-screen TV, safe, bathroom with shower, large mirror, hairdryer and toiletries. The complimentary Express Start™ breakfast bar features a full range of breakfast items, including regional and local dishes.
RHA Furniture’s UK factory make waiter stations to meet any design specification.
A selection of their most popular designs are available to browse on RHA Furniture’s website. This is a good starting point, the factory will always discuss custom requirements and recommend suitable finish options to meet your budget. They are currently making waiter stations for a wide range of hospitality projects and have recently custom made an elegant waiter station, credenza and an impressive fitted niche unit for The Farmers Club.
The Farmers Club niche unit is large enough to house three wine coolers and three large wine racks. Designed with high-end features including chamfered glass edges and decorative wooden frames, built-in LED spot lights, hidden ventilation slots and door locks.
All units were made with high quality wood veneers, dark granite worktops and polished brass handles.
For Fulham Football Club’s George Cohen Lounge two contemporary styled three door waiter stations were custom made, one with space for a refrigeration unit and the other with drawers. Each with polished CorianTM worktops which provide a stylish and hardwearing work area for the professional catering environment.
In 2012 RHA Furniture made an impressive looking oval hostess station, meet-and-greet stations and waiter stations for the Conrad Algarve. The project called for a very high quality finish featuring walnut veneers, curved units and a laser cut pattern over leather.
Bespoke restaurant and coffee tables for the same project, featured beautiful designs using inlaid metal detail and carefully cut veneers to form interesting patterns.
Contact RHA Furniture for more information or to discuss custom made furniture for a project you are currently working on.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts have recently launched Canopy by Hilton, a hotel management and marketing arm of their business which will take on existing hotels and offer the “Hilton” experience. Guests will benefit from the Hilton HHonors™ rewards and the reassurance of a trusted global brand, and the property owners receive the benefits of the marketing Hilton can provide to attract guests. Their promotional video explains a little behind the idea which may be viewed below.
The key elements
Beyond simply creating a positive stay, five essential elements define what it means to be a Canopy hotel.
Great neighbourhoods. Canopy is all about being local, through design, food and beverage, art and knowledge. No two Canopy hotels will be the same, and we know that’s what our guests want.
Market-driven approach. Who knows our markets and guests’ needs better than our owners? Together with our owners, we will explore each hotel’s unique potential for destination dining, rooftop bars, social and meeting spaces and swimming pools.
Comfort and design. We take a people-first approach to design. The energy of our great neighbourhoods flows through our open, welcoming lobby space. This energy gives way to warm, inviting and comfortable “just-right rooms.”
More included value. We know our guests are willing to pay for a more inclusive approach. So basic Wi-Fi and an artisanal breakfast are included, along with a local welcome gift and an evening tasting of local beers, wines or spirits to bring the neighbourhood to life.
Our “positively yours” culture. With our “positively yours” service culture, our brand promise is to deliver a “positive stay.” Our team members are “enthusiasts” and in the front of the house it’s a whole new approach: one-stop service.
Hilton are currently looking for partners to join Canopy by Hilton as well as local businesses who would like to promote their restaurants, attractions and activities to enhance the services on offer.
In the first instance, Hilton are looking for “vibrant neighbourhoods” in urban areas that have proven to support a premium ADR. Once the brand has settled in then they’ll look for other areas to branch out into.
Hilton are looking for unique buildings in interesting places, ideally with a boutique feel to the place to fit the brand image. However, the clear message with the Canopy brand is the location (we’re all familiar with the “location, location, location” mantra) and guests immersing themselves within the area. Watch this space for more details.
Pool and spa specialist Barr + Wray has designed and is set to deliver a bespoke spa experience for Ritz Carlton’s new hotel, Ritz Carlton Sawangan in Bali. Following the company’s successful work on the initial spa design, the Hong Kong division of the company was appointed to supply and install the filtration and style features of the complex new Hydro-Vitale pool for the spa, which is set to open in 1st Quarter of autumn 2015.
The state of the art pool features were manufactured bespoke and the pool and spa specialists also employed innovative techniques such as treating the water with ultraviolet sterilisation to vastly improve water quality.
As well as the hydro-pool, the spa will consist of 14 treatment rooms, four of which are spa villas for couples, a thermal area and other spa amenities and services.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) responds to the demands of the luxury hotel sector with the launch of Private Residences by SLH; a collection that gives guests the ‘best of both worlds’ – the personal service of a small luxury hotel with the private space of an exclusive-use villa, ski chalets, estates and yachts, all handpicked with ten rooms or less and offering five star services and facilities.In an annual SLH survey completed by over 13,000 SLH Club members worldwide, privacy & intimacy was identified by over a quarter (25.7%) of respondents as the most important factor when booking a luxury holiday. Over the past few years, SLH has seen clear indication that luxury is trending towards exclusivity and privacy. Time has become one of the most valued commodities as identified by SLH customers and so in order to take full advantage, customers are increasingly looking for accommodation that offers full luxury hotel services but with added privacy; giving guests the opportunity to enjoy time with their family and friends in their own exclusive residences.
There are a number of SLH hotels that have private residences listed on the site including:
MUSE Pangkor Laut Estates is part of Pangkor Laut Resort in Malaysia featuring eight private sanctuaries. Each estate is designed to be completely self-contained, from the facilities of each property to the team of two butlers and a dedicated chef. In addition to the bedrooms, each estate has living and dining pavilions as well as a garden, terrace and pool. Each dining pavilion overlooks the Straits of Malacca, with moving glass walls to allow diners to enjoy the sweet ocean breeze blowing through the rainforest and spectacular views. With at least one Jacuzzi, a private pool and garden, it is easy to see why guests seek out the opulent seclusion offered at MUSE Pangkor Laut Estates.
Foxhill Manor is a stunning Cotswold Manor set within the 400 acre Farncombe Estate and the little sister to SLH’s Dormy House Hotel. The property is perfect for weddings, meetings, private parties or any special occasion, because as well as having eight luxurious bedrooms and suites, it also has its own ballroom suitable for up to 80 guests. It’s the perfect private retreat with exclusive landscaped gardens and terraces, as well as a bar, lounge, dining room, state-of-the-art cinema and the highest quality catering, using the finest local produce.
Hilton Worldwide today made its debut in Myanmar with the opening of Hilton Nay Pyi Taw, in the country’s capital city. Set amid lush tropical landscaped gardens, the 202-key Hilton Nay Pyi Taw spans more than 100 acres of land and is situated within the developing Dekhina Thiri Township. Owned by Eden Group Company Limited and managed by Hilton Worldwide, Hilton Nay Pyi Taw is in a prime location within easy reach of the main government administrative offices and is 24 kilometers (a 30-minute drive) from the Nay Pyi Taw International Airport. The hotel is also located near Ruby Hall, the meetings and conventions venue at which the upcoming Ninth East Asia Summit will be held in November 2014.
To cater to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE), Hilton Nay Pyi Taw offers five function spaces including a standing reception area that can accommodate up to 410 people in the 458 square-meter ballroom. A business center is also available for guests to stay connected and productive throughout their stay.
Hilton Nay Pyi Taw offers three restaurant and bar options, as well as in-room dining round the clock. The Elements, an all-day dining restaurant, offers a blend of flavors and cultures featuring local, Asian and international fare. The Axis Lounge, the hotel’s lobby lounge provides a cozy setting for people to connect over teas, coffees and food throughout the day. Guests relaxing by the pool under the cabanas can enjoy refreshments from Boardwalk, the hotel’s poolside bar.
All 202 rooms and suites are spacious and well-appointed with Wi-Fi capabilities as well as flat-screen televisions offering satellite TV channels. The hotel offers a wide selection of rooms and suites including one-bedroom suites, two-bedroom suites and two Presidential Suites. Guests staying in the suites will enjoy exclusive access to the Executive Lounge which offers complimentary continental breakfast, all-day light refreshments as well as evening cocktails. Hilton Nay Pyi Taw also offers recreational and wellness facilities onsite which include the spa, the outdoor swimming pool, the fitness centre and the tennis court.
Kempinski Hotels expands its presence in Germany while enhancing its alpine resort portfolio; Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group will take over the Berchtesgaden International Resort, currently managed by InterContinental Hotels Group. A management agreement has been signed by Kempinski and the Bayerische Landesbank, which owns the luxurious resort hotel. The five-star hotel in the Berchtesgadener Land boasts 138 rooms and suites and is scheduled for take-over in the first half of 2015. Further details are currently under negotiation.“This luxurious resort in the Bavarian Alps is a perfect match with the Kempinski brand, and is an excellent addition to our existing alpine portfolio in the region, which includes the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains in St. Moritz in Switzerland, and Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol in the Kitzbühel Alps in Austria,” says Markus Semer, Chief Group Development and Corporate Affairs Officer at Kempinski Hotels. “The signing of this property is in line with our development strategy to focus on Europe, particularly on Germany, and underlines Kempinski’s management expertise in alpine destinations in the luxury segment. There is also an ideal link between this hotel and the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich, given the short distance between the two properties.”
“We are delighted to have secured Kempinski Hotels as the new operator for our first-class hotel in Berchtesgaden. We are confident that Kempinski will continue to successfully develop the hotel to position it as one of the best mountain resorts in the Bavarian Alps. The close association with the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski means we expect a further strengthening of our hotel’s position as a preferred destination in the Munich market, and the same is true in the Alpine region with the Kempinski hotels in Kitzbühel and St. Moritz,” states Andreas Peter, Managing Director of Berchtesgaden International Resort.
Located at 1,000 metres above sea level, close to the Bavarian-Austrian border, 150 km from Munich and 33 km from Salzburg, the resort offers breath taking views of the Salzburger Land and the Watzmann massif. The luxury hotel opened in 2005 and features 138 rooms and suites, with panorama windows displaying outstanding views of the mountains. Guests will be spoilt for choice with three restaurants and two bars. The resort’s comprehensive conference facilities include six conference rooms with natural daylight and scenic views of the surrounding mountains, as well as an outside event space for up to 4,000 guests, making the alpine resort the ideal venue for private and corporate events. A heliport, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and a 1,400 square metre spa area complement the hotel’s facilities.
The Bavarian Alps’ spectacular natural beauty is the setting for plenty of leisure opportunities during both winter and summer: hiking trails, cross-country ski tracks and downhill skiing are all just a short drive from the hotel. Right next to the hotel there is a skiing area for families, and in summer, golfers can tee off on one of Germany’s highest altitude golf courses.
With its exclusive position in the historical Bertolt Brecht Platz, not far from the famous Friedrichstraße and the banks of the river Spree, the newest addition to the Leonardo Hotels chain is set right in the heart of Berlin.The design concept of the hotel, by interior designer Andreas Neudahm, takes the exciting history of the area into consideration. The interior designer has combined elements of the modern, colourful metropolis of Berlin with cleverly designed supplementary elements that are related to the location, for example, motifs of the Varieté Dancers. Neudahm explains: “The moment they enter the lobby, the guests should feel the pulse of this exciting location.” In 1868, Berlin’s first market hall was built here. Later, a circus which seated 5000 guests was housed in the building. Then followed the Groβes Schauspielhaus and the old Friedrichstadt-Palast also has its roots here.
The 4-Star Hotel Garni offers 308 comfortable rooms, a luxurious and spacious 85m2 loft suite and two conference rooms with modern design for up to 60 delegates. The small, elegant “Feel Good Area” welcomes guests with a sauna, a steam bath, several exercise machines and a comfortable relaxation area. All the rooms have coffee and tea stations, air-conditioning, flat screen TV, a mini bar, free WiFi and a safe. The rooms on the sixth to the ninth floors all have terraces from which guests can enjoy the impressive view of Berlin. The »Brecht« Lounge is on the eighth floor – this is a luxurious business lounge for special events, and also boasts a view of the city. The focal point, and therefore the centrepiece of the hotel are the lobby, the adjoining »Circus Bar« and the »Bertolt breakfast restaurant«.
The Leonardo Hotel Berlin Mitte is the fast-expanding Leonardo Hotels chain’s sixth hotel in the capital city. Besides the premium hotel in Alexanderplatz – the Leonardo Royal Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz – the hotel group, with a total of 1,221 rooms in Berlin, also runs the Leonardo Hotel Berlin, the Leonardo Hotel Berlin City West, the Leonardo Airport Hotel Berlin Brandenburg and the Leonardo Hotel Berlin City South.
Award winning bed manufacturer and Royal Warrant holder Hypnos, is proud to announce it has been the bed supplier to the last five winners of LateRooms.com Best Kept Secret Awards, Comfiest Bed Category. Considering these prestigious awards are in their fifth year, this means Hypnos has been quietly behind the scenes of every winning hotel to date. Hypnos is renowned for its beautifully crafted mattresses, beds and sofa beds which clearly play a key role in creating the perfect night’s sleep for guests and giving hoteliers an upper hand in the hospitality industry. Chris Ward, Marketing Director for Hypnos comments;
“We pride ourselves on being able to offer hoteliers bespoke, safe, durable and supremely comfortable sleeping solutions, so to see this reflected by a Hypnos bed consistently being present in the winning hotels year after year is a really exciting achievement.”
The LateRooms.com Best Kept Secret Awards see over 2,000 nominations each year, which are voted for by the general public and judged by travel experts. This year’s winner of the Comfiest Bed was the Hotel Indigo Edinburgh, crowned for its perfect night’s sleep. Previous winners of the award include Heywood House Hotel in Liverpool, Casa Hotel in Chesterfield and Malmaison Hotel, Liverpool. Each of these hotels are completely different in their style and taste but the Hypnos bed remains a reliable fixture in each and appears to be the best kept secret to being a winner.
Dawnvale, a leading company in hospitality solutions, has recently announced the redevelopment of its website (www.dawnvale.com) to make it even more user-friendly for desktop, tablet or smartphone users.Now you can create your own personalised moodboard basket with the “add to moodboard” button; simply click and download later when you have finished browsing.
If you’re in a rush, simply click the “download specifications” for everything you need in the click of a button.
Just a short walk from one of the capital’s busiest transport hubs, Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo is the brand’s 15th hotel in the UK and the largest outside the United States and since opening its mid-priced offering and prime location has proved incredibly popular with British and International audiences alike. London-based Dexter Moren Associates were appointed to provide architectural and interior design services for the hotel and Chelsom were commissioned to supply both guestroom and public area lighting. The interior design concept is derived from the hotel’s location, taking inspiration from the word Waterloo, meaning ‘clearing in the water’ and features a palette of muted, natural tones interspersed with strong accents of blue and green to feature throughout providing a more contemporary twist in keeping with the architecture of the building itself.
Chelsom worked closely with the client and interior design team to ensure that the lighting scheme was in line with Hampton’s global prototype and the wider interior design concept. The 297 guestrooms are inspired by the urban location with clean, crisp and contemporary design at the forefront in a neutral palette enriched with splashes of lime or raspberry. The lighting specified for the guestrooms includes state of the art LED reading lights in Polished Chrome featuring an integral LED driver in the backplate with contrasting black rocker switch and robust flexi arm to prevent sagging whilst enabling the guest to direct light as required. Desk lamps in Polished Chrome teamed with neutral shades were selected from the Angle range, featuring adjustable arms to position light effectively for a variety of uses whilst allowing the shade to remain upright. Bespoke mirrors were specified for the bathrooms featuring illuminated frosted side panels and dual shaver socket. Rectangular wall lights in Brushed Nickel were also chosen from Chelsom’s standard collection for the corridors and lift lobby areas providing contemporary up and down lighting.
Editors Note: The first Hampton by Hilton in London was of course the one in Croydon by the station – see Croydon , opening in 2012
Tulse Hill Hotel, London, is housed in a beautiful early Victorian period building that dates back to 1840 when it was originally the Tulse Hill Tavern. The boutique hotel will boast nine unique and beautifully appointed bedrooms as well as a restaurant, private dining room seating up to 14 people, chef’s table which will host up to five guests, a bar and lounge area and a landscaped garden seating area.
The exterior will retain much of the original architectural detail, maintaining the original signage and copper lanterns, whilst the interior will feature design aspects such as wooden parquet flooring, wooden panelling and a reclaimed 1920’s bar.
Rooms will be available to book from early November. It will be open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Marriott International has announced the opening of the 156-room Courtyard by Marriott Queretaro, the 10th hotel for the brand in Mexico. The new hotel features the brand’s signature Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and flexible space with media pods, Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones. The redefined lobby space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings.The Courtyard by Marriott Queretaro also offers a refreshing and stylish room design that helps guests stay connected, productive and comfortable. Thoughtfully planned, each room features plush bedding, a functional work space, spacious bathrooms, a separate seating area and complimentary in-room high-speed Internet.
Located on the Avenida 5 de Febrero in the beautiful city of Queretaro, Mexico, the hotel serves as a perfectly central location with convenient access to restaurants, shopping and cultural attractions.
The open, bright and contemporary Courtyard hotel lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting colours, including blue, green, orange and red. The traditional front desk is replaced with separate welcome pedestals to create more personal and private interactions when guests check in and allow staff to show guests the lobby features and provide assistance. Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.
Dining has also been completely redesigned with the Centro, offering casual, flexible seating; easier access to food and higher quality, healthier menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, cocktails, wine and beer so guests can unwind. The MarketTM, a 24/7 shop for snacks, beverages and sundries, is always open for late-night cravings or the toothpaste guests may have forgotten to pack.
A key component of the Courtyard lobby is the newly enhanced GoBoard®, which presents local information, maps, weather, and headline news on a 55-inch LCD touch screen. Designed with today’s busy traveller in mind, the award-winning GoBoard® features mobile integration, enabling guests to send directions from the GoBoard® directly to their smart phones. Guests can also touch the screen for immediate access to detailed flight information for local airports, popular entertainment and local event information, as well as walking directions.
Throughout the hotel, guests can connect to complimentary Wi-Fi, and there are ample electrical outlets in the lobby to power digital devices. The business library features several computer terminals, along with a printer and separate computer stations dedicated solely to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.
Courtyard is Marriott International’s largest brand in terms of hotels and also has the greatest portfolio presence in Mexico within the company. In total, Courtyard by Marriott operates 22 hotels with 3,507 rooms in 11 countries just in the Caribbean and Latin America with more than 20 hotels in the pipeline and scheduled to open in the next three years.
Leading UK Shower Manufacturer, Roman, has redesigned the look and usability of the mobile version of their website (www.roman-showers.com), to respond to the rapidly growing number of people visiting the site through a mobile device. The redesign of the mobile view enhances the users experience to make it extremely straightforward to navigate and improve user friendliness. Due to the significant increase in people using a mobile phone to browse the website Roman decided to advance their mobile view and improve its usability by enhancing the features and giving it a brand new look.
On entering the mobile site, the user is presented with changing images at the top for a constant fresh look, beneath there is a very visible search box for people to type in their search terms to find what they are looking for with ease and speed. Roman’s showroom locator is a popular feature on their website so it is positioned on the homepage alongside their much used request a brochure button. Followed are the Roman Ranges presented in a modern box design and when clicked they link you straight through to the specific range. The bottom of the page finishes with Roman proudly displaying the Made in Britain Campaign logo followed by all their social media links. All Roman’s social media links are clearly visible at the bottom of every page to ensure that they are clear and easily clickable.
The navigation menu now slides in from the side of the screen to help you find what you’re looking for giving the mobile website a more mobile application feel when browsing through the website. This has dramatically improved accessibility & usability as the menu can be accessed at any time. The menu button is always at the top left of your screen even if you are scrolled right to the bottom of the page and it is displayed on every single page. The menu includes all links from the full website view so that you have access to all areas of the website as you would if you were browsing the full website on a computer screen.
The overall look of the mobile website has been given a modern facelift; it presents a minimalistic look with a sharp white background and bold black icons and text, which improves the customer experience. All buttons and thumbnails are optimised for true accessibility and ease of use on all touch screen mobile devices.
David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman, commented: “As the number of people using a mobile phone to visit our website is constantly increasing, we know it is extremely important that we make their experience as effortless and enjoyable as we can. The aim of our new mobile website is to present a straightforward, simple and modern platform, where people can find what they are looking for quickly and efficiently.”
This article is being re-published to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Burj, the hotel that raised Dubai to the position of a global competitor destination. It was originally published on HotelDesigns in May 2004
It takes a strange mix of qualities to lead a successful interior design practice. Designers are different to architects. Architects have the political skills and are trained team leaders, designers are the artists. Few architects major on creative flair as the other demands of their profession weigh them down – those few that do become recognised rightly as ‘greats’ in their professions – whilst designers have creativity as their ‘raison d’être’. Thinking laterally is not an attribute that sits well with running a practice. Being an artist is also a more solitary activity whilst driving a business needs the more linear thought patterns of accountancy and banking – even more so in this age of complex regulation. It takes a strong personality to create and lead a design office – tougher still to do this whilst creating interiors that stand as a measure for other similar endeavours.
In creating the interiors of the Burg al Arab, and working as an integral part of the construction team, London based designer Khuan Chew created a benchmark hotel – a luxury tower that proclaims itself as the world’s first six star hotel and challenges others to come near it. The project catapulted her into the international limelight as a design leader.
Leading a team in what she terms her ‘factory’ in London’s Vauxhall district, just behind the hallowed grass of the Oval cricket ground, Khuan Chew chose the photograph here, one she took herself using a self-timer on the camera, showing herself relaxing in her hideaway in the hills of Rajasthan.
Daughter of immigrants into the UK from China, Khuan Chew was sheltered from the hurly burly of life by parents who valued her musical prowess, protecting her hands from damage with a career as a concert violinist in mind. To keep her entertained indoors her father gave her crayons and from this stage she was aware of her affinity for the visual arts.
Graduate of Royal Academy Music Schools, Khuan rebelled against the parental path and elected to train further as a designer. The process for creative people are often paralleled across disciplines, but musicians have their own language and are frequently peculiarly blind to, often contemptuous of, the language of the visual arts. Not in her case, and the first love came through as she pursued the design course at the London College of Furniture. At the time the college was a great centre of musical instrument technology, and whilst Khuan spent a great deal of time with the musical instrument makers. She described her design studies as like finding water in the desert.
After postgraduate training and a stint working for major UK architects Richard Sieferts amongst others, Khuan worked for seven years for well known interior designer Dale Keller. “Dale and Pat – I owe a lot to them for where I am today”. Regarding Dale Keller and David Hicks, for whom she subsequently became Creative Director, as mentors, she is still in contact and regards herself as blessed to have worked with people who have taught her a lot and been behind her, helping her to where she is today.
Starting her practise in 1988 she did well until the early 1990’s,when, as she put it, “the shit hit the fan”. Always cautious she survived. “Designers are very vulnerable” but learned from it, and now invests her money in people, training and equipment. Whilst mourning the increasing speed of the design process, she also defends the value of the designer, believing the profession undervalued by those who do not understand the design process. Proud of her ‘factory’, she is conscious of having had to learn to be a businessperson. Her accountants “drive me nuts”, but necessity drives her to be very tough.
In her work for Hilton (see the Review of Hiltons Budapest and Cardiff in the Review archive) Khuan Chew used colour positively. In the Burj al Arab she had a client who pushed her more along this route, and the results use colour very strongly including working with 11 shades of white. She believes in being true to the longevity of the building designing more for posterity than following fashion – she believes fashion is too ephemeral to feature in the design of hotel interiors. Of course this results in her setting fashions for others with less integrity.
Current workload includes new airport terminals in the Gulf, hotels there too, and hotels for Four Seasons in Hong Kong, amongst others. This artist has grown to lead a major practice, a team leader. “I like to be incognito – I’m told I must do something about it – I think I am taken for someone’s maid”
Geberit has introduced a new addition to its best-selling Monolith sanitary module, with the Geberit Monolith Plus, to raise the comfort levels even further in the hotel bathroom. Featuring the same sleek, elegant glass frontage as the original model, this latest addition not only conceals all plumbing worn neatly out of sight, but also integrates a wealth of technology. Available in a choice of white or black glass, the elegant sanitary module features soft touch flush actuation and a discreet and indirect ComfortLight which is automatically activated as the user approaches, casting a warm glow behind the module.
While the light can be set to one of seven different colours, the module also features an integrated silent odour extraction unit. With Geberit Monolith Plus installed, hotel guests can visit the bathroom after dark without disturbing those who may be sleeping soundly with bright lights and noisy extractor fans.
The perfect fit for the Geberit AquaClean 8000 and AquaClean Sela, the Geberit Monolith Plus can be combined with the latest in shower toilet technology to provide hotel guests with the ultimate in comfort and spa-like luxury throughout their stay.
Installation is easy too, as the module can be connected to existing water and drainage connections without any major structural changes or even retiling being necessary. With all pipework, fixtures and fittings neatly concealed behind the glass module, a streamlined finish is achieved and maintenance is kept simple, with only five additional spare parts required.
An historic mansion on the outskirts of Bristol has been restored as a luxury event venue. Clevedon Hall will be officially opened on Thursday 27th November after a 3-year refurbishment. As it looks set to become one of the top event venues within the UK, the 150-year-old Victorian building has an extensive local history and has been used for numerous purposes throughout the years.
Original features still remain including the windows and wood, as well as the 19th century Dutch tower, the Victorian fireplaces and the carved panelled oak grand staircase.
John McCarthy, General Manager of Clevedon Hall, said: “We have restored as much of Clevedon Hall’s history as possible and have worked closely with English Heritage and the local conservation officer to ensure the designs are just right”.
Renovations began 3 years ago and have cost £3 million, with the owners not only restoring the mansion but also adding a modern 21st century twist. One of the main aspects to the refurbishment is the brand new 25 bedrooms and suites.
John added: “A large number of guests were asking about the possibility of staying at Clevedon Hall following an event and this was the only aspect that we couldn’t provide. Now though we are able to offer guests the full hospitality experience.”
Jane Clayton and Company are the interior designers behind the rooms. Each bedroom has its own unique colour scheme and individual theme. Within each room, the owners have also added state of the art en-suites with one of the world’s leading suppliers of bathroom products – TOTO and toiletries from Neal’s Yard Remedies.
“We wanted the rooms to feel like a home away from home with a traditional finish. We have incorporated the same English country house feel to each. We also added in antiques from our local salesrooms. The mansion has kept its historic character but we have just added in a contemporary twist, which runs throughout the whole property,”
“Here at Clevedon Hall, we don’t just offer a bespoke service but also a completely unique venue. We have focused on every single detail so that we can provide the best possible experience to our customers. We cannot wait to show everyone the newly improved venue and celebrate!” said John.
Many VIPs, professionals and local residents will be in attendance of the opening launch, as well as Dr. Liam Fox MP who will be cutting the ribbon. There will be tours of Clevedon showing guests the facilities and new suites, as well as a champagne reception and canapés.
Besselink & Jones have launched two new multi-adjustable wall lights, both are LED offering a low energy and direct light.Designed originally to be placed at the side of a bed, they would be just as at home in a library or drawing room.
Available in brass, nickel, chrome, bronze, silver or gold.
Luxury fabric specialist, Kobe UK, will be showcasing two of its contemporary, premium fabric collections at the Sleep Show in November: 26-27 November 2014 at the Business Design Centre, London; Stand M32.Suitable for window décor and upholstery within contract markets, the Aurora and Motion ranges are both 100% Trevira CS approved and features a selection of prints, fabrics and textures within a luxurious colour palette – ideal for luxurious hotel interiors.
Inspired by urban Nordic lifestyles, the Aurora collection mixes high satins, sumptuous velvets and intricately cut fabrics, while Motion features earthy fresh tones, geometric prints and organically patterned jacquards and herringbone.
The Kobe UK sales office and studio are based in Crowthorne, Berkshire.
The first Adagio Premium has just opened in Doha! This new address is designed to meet the expectations of customers in this region.Mission accomplished: after expanding into Latin America in 2013, the brand kept up its robust growth drive in 2014 and opened its first establishments in the Middle East.
High quality aparthotels
The first Adagio Premium has just opened in Doha, Qatar, on October 10th. This new, exclusive and unprecedented Premium aparthotel concept is developed by Adagio and Accor specifically for the Middle East.
The former Dunes Hotel West Bay was renovated and transformed in collaboration with Accor HotelServices Middle East to create the Adagio Premium Aparthotel West Bay Doha. This 21-floor establishment boasts 83 one to two-bedroom apartments with a surface area of 75 to 90 sq. meters each, as well as a spa, fitness centre and swimming pool. There is also a stunning view of the city from the 21st floor.
A flourishing concept
Adagio Aparthotels, which is already n°1 in Europe, offers modern, spacious apartments in city centres with tiered prices for stays of four nights or more. Boosted by its robust growth drive, the extended-stay concept has adapted to the market with an upscale address.
Adagio Premium has great potential because it is a concept specially designed to meet the expectations of customers in this region, who are always on the lookout for stylish, high quality products.
Olivier Hick, Vice President Operations, Middle East comments, “as a high-growth destination for conferences and global events, Doha is an important, booming market for Accor. The Adagio Premium Aparthotel West Bay Doha, is elegant, modern, ideally located and designed for an upscale market. All these features will meet the expectations of this city’s travellers.”
The Adagio Aparthotels brand won’t stop there. After opening establishments in Fujairah (April) and Abu Dhabi (June), it has several projects in the pipeline in this region following the recent signing of agreements for three clusters in Jeddah with scheduled openings due in 2017.
As Manchester plays host to the Annual Hotel Conference, Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London has revealed plans for a paradigm-breaking event hotel for Manchester City Centre.Development of the event hotel project (The Manchester Grande), to be located in the former Granada headquarters building, is expected to begin in 2016 following a formal planning process. It will be a key part of the first phase of development of St Johns.
Michael Ingall said: “With the development of St Johns, we’re creating a new neighbourhood in the heart of Manchester. A place that distinguishes itself by its unique cultural history, diverse mix of inhabitants, rich context and its position at the crossroads of Manchester’s network.
“The Manchester Grande event hotel fits perfectly with this vision. The first of its kind in the UK, the hotel is being modelled on the likes of the hotels in New York, Miami and the Far East, where the focus is on food and beverage as well as nightly events including major performance , music, film, theatre and arts and club events.
“The hotel will bring to life the four purpose built integral former sound-proofed studios, where the Beatles played their first ever live TV performance. The purpose built production green rooms, dressing rooms and rehearsal rooms will be incorporated into the hotel and entertainment complex.”
The Manchester Grande will incorporate four restaurants and a number of bars, including a top-floor members club. Guests staying in one of the 200 hotel suites, which will each boast winter gardens, will have an access pass to that night’s entertainment depending on the package they buy.
As part of the planned hotel development, a new link will be created by removing the existing solid building that joins the Granada office buildings on Atherton Street. In its place a glazed link will be built creating a new vista that will visually link St Johns through to Great John Street and beyond.
A planning application will be submitted by the end of the year. Allied London intends to retain ownership of the complex and work with best in class partners to deliver each component of the project.
Levitt Bernstein Associates has been appointed as architect.
Hamilton’s LEDstat continues its journey of success with another award nomination. This innovative new product, recently launched by Hamilton and already nominated for an Electrical Industry Award, has now caught the eye of the Lux Award judges and been shortlisted as a finalist in the ‘Controls Innovation of the Year’ category. After dozens of site visits and product demos, the panel of judges has finally whittled down this year’s Lux Awards entries to the very best projects and the most exciting technology innovations in the lighting sector.
Ian Hamilton, Managing Director of Hamilton Litestat comments: “This is tremendous news. Industry reaction to LEDstat has been highly positive both in the UK and Overseas so we had high hopes when we entered LEDstat for the awards but we know they are always hotly contested. We are constantly reviewing and improving our product range and innovation is important to us. Also, research and development is a big part of what we do so we couldn’t be more delighted.”
Hamilton’s LEDstat dimmer joins a line-up of just 3 finalists named in this year’s ‘Controls Innovation of the Year’ category. Recently launched by Hamilton, LEDstat has been developed to address the common industry problem faced by installers of compatibility issues between LEDs and conventional dimmers. The intelligent dimmer’s sophisticated microprocessor analyses connected LEDs and determines the best dimming curve necessary to achieve maximum performance, i.e. smooth and flicker-free control when using either same or mixed branded LEDs. LEDstat also emits no mains noise or acoustic noise when in operation…the definitive case for being seen but not heard!
The Lux Awards encompass 16 categories and many of the innovations featured in the shortlist will be on show at LuxLive on 19-20 November, ExCeL, London.
The winners in each category will be announced at the Lux Awards ceremony at the stunning Troxy in East London on 20 November 2014.
Why not check LEDstat out for yourself by visiting the Hamilton stand: B42.
Contact Hamilton Litestat via their website for more details.
Influenced by the renowned culture, science, art and music scene of its top location, ibis Styles London Kensington opened its doors in September, taking guests on a fun and quirky educational tour even whilst they are inside the hotel. Each ibis Styles hotel boasts its own distinctive design, great location and ‘all-inclusive’ offer at a great price with loads of little extras and this beautiful hotel is no different!Featuring bright designs showcasing some of the world’s most famous sights including the Royal Albert Hall, Science Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum, the ibis Styles London Kensington boasts 115 bedrooms, public lobby, breakfast area, Kids’ corner and web corner all only two minutes from Earl’s Court Station.
From the second guests enter the fully renovated Victorian hotel building they will be struck by the colourful illustrated map of the area highlighting the attractions which are only a stone’s throw away from the hotel. When checking in, guests can admire the butterflies on display, alluding to the nearby Science Museum. Need a drink whilst you wait? Guests can order from the Periodic table-themed bar decked out with its laboratory apparatus and two guest tablets.
Detailed finishes, lighting and artwork cleverly link the lobby and public areas to the 115 themed bedrooms which include the Japanese-inspired “Sushi rooms” (from the Great Exhibition of London), “Music rooms” (a reference to the nearby Royal Albert Hall) and “Parrot room” (a homage to the Science Museum).
Every hotel bedroom guarantees character and comfort with features such as the Sweet Bed by ibis Styles™, en-suite bathrooms with state-of-the-art showers, full-length mirrors and a flat screen television as well as more practical amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities.
Quotes and graphics fill the rooms and corridors, adding entertainment to guest stays and making the kids interested in visiting the many educational attractions on the doorstep.
The breakfast room is inspired by the nearby Natural History Museum. It is in this vault-themed space that guests can enjoy an unlimited continental breakfast buffet ensuring they start the day energised and ready to enjoy all that the city has to offer.
ibis Styles prides itself on offering well located properties and the ibis Styles London Kensington is no exception. Kensington Palace, the Royal Albert Hall, Victoria & Albert Museum and Earls Court Station are all just moments away ensuring visitors are within easy reach of the Capital’s cultural offerings. Business travellers on the other hand can appreciate the hotel’s proximity to trade venues like the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, and direct links to Heathrow Airport. That said, the free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel means working guests might not need leave the hotel to ensure deadlines are met.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of a five-story, 110-room Holiday Inn Express® Xalapa hotel in Veracruz, Mexico. Owned and managed by Selfi Grupo Operador de Estacionamientos, S.A. de C.V., the Holiday Inn Express Xalapa hotel is franchised by an affiliate of IHG. The property is conveniently located in the heart of the city on Avenida Zaragoza 8, Col. Centro and near many restaurants, entertainment, business and shopping districts. The hotel is located inside the Plaza Variedades shopping center, offering access to multiple levels of underground parking and a multi-purpose hall and event space capable of seating up to 400 people.
“The State of Veracruz is a wonderfully diverse destination attracting both business and leisure travelers, and we remain committed to finding the most strategic locations where our brands can serve the robust demand in this region,” said Gerardo Murray, vice president, Distribution and Commercial Marketing, Mexico, Latin America & Caribbean, IHG. “The Holiday Inn Express brand will thrive in Xalapa with amenities that enhance the guests’ experiences, which they have come to expect from our hotels.”
The hotel offers guests a comfortable, affordable stay with innovative, preferred-guest upgrades to ensure a pleasurable experience with amenities that include a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary high-speed Internet access and a business center. Guest rooms feature contemporary styling, comfortable queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair and an in-room coffee machine featuring complimentary coffee. The SimplySmart™ shower incorporates a proprietary Stay Smart™ Kohler showerhead, signature shower curtain with curved rod. Upgraded 100 percent cotton terry towels and bath products are also included. Guests will enjoy the SimplySmart™ bedding collection, where they will find crisp, fresh bedding that features an attractive decorative throw, a medium-weight duvet blanket and soft, 200 thread-count sheets. The complimentary Desayuno Express™ bar features a full range of breakfast items, including a rotation of egg and meat selections, pastries, yogurt, fruit, juices, regional dishes, and coffee.
W Hotels to debut in Egypt with Sharm El Sheikh property planned for 2020
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced that it will launch the iconic W Hotels brand in Egypt in 2020 with the opening of W Sharm El Sheikh and The Residences at W Sharm El Sheikh.
Owned by Tower Prestige for Hotels SAE, the hotel will be ideally located at pristine Nabq Bay in the resort town of Sharm El Sheikh. Known to be one of the finest diving spots in the world, Sharm El Sheikh is amongst the most famous leisure spots in the Middle East.
Just a 20 minute drive from the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, the hotel overlooks the Straits of Tiran at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, providing guests with spectacular views. W Sharm El Sheikh will also feature 300 metres of sandy beachfront with direct access to the Red Sea.
“We are delighted to be working with Starwood Hotels & Resorts on this exciting and ground-breaking project,” said Mohamed Gamal Abdelwahab Omar, CEO, Tower Prestige for Hotels SAE. “We believe that W Hotels, with its outstanding international reputation as an innovative lifestyle brand, will reinforce the importance of Sharm El Sheikh as a world-class destination.”
W Sharm El Sheikh will ignite the local resort scene with its electrifying style and full calendar of exclusive W Happenings, showcasing the latest in fashion, music and design. The hotel will offer 350 stylish guest rooms and suites, including two Extreme WOW Suites (the W brand’s interpretation of the Presidential Suite). The Residences at W Sharm El Sheikh will feature50 branded residences with an exclusive lounge. Residents will enjoy access to the facilities and services that are available at the hotel.
Facilities at the hotel will include an all-day dining venue, two specialty restaurants, a destination bar and W Lounge (the W brand’s take on the traditional hotel lobby). Other amenities will include a spa, FITTM state-of-the-art fitness facility, a tennis court, WIRED 24-hour business centre, and a glamourous outdoor pool deck and bar.
Guests can also expect the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service, providing guests whatever they want, whenever they want it. An ideal venue, W Sharm El Sheikh will offer more than 1,880 square metres of ultra-modern meeting and event space, including a great room for larger celebrations and six Studios for smaller meetings.
Minor Hotel Group announces development of Anantara Desaru Resort in Malaysia
Minor Hotel Group, a hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a portfolio of 135 hotels and resorts in 22 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, has announced additional details of its joint venture with a Malyasian partner to develop an Anantara resort in Desaru Coast in south-east Malaysia.
Scheduled to open in 2018, the new-build Anantara Desaru Resort & Villas will be located in the heart of the new beachfront development in Desaru Coast and will have 123 keys comprising a 103-room resort with deluxe guest rooms and villas and 20 three- and four-bedroom Villas.
Facilities in the resort will include restaurants and bars, two swimming pools, a lounge and observation bar, kids and teens clubs, meeting rooms, a gym and an Anantara Spa. Watersports will also be available.
Desaru Coast is a resort area located at Malaysia’s south-eastern tip in Johor Bahru and spans over 3,900 acres along a pristine 17 kilometre beachfront facing the South China Sea. It is in close proximity to Iskandar Malaysia and is easily accessible, 45-minutes from Senai International Airport and a two-hour drive from Singapore. Additionally visitors from Singapore can travel to Desaru Coast by ferry followed by a short drive.
Attractions in the area will include two championship golf courses (27-hole Ernie Els and 18-hole Vijay Singh designed) managed by Troon Golf, a water adventure park, a waterfront retail village, a conference centre and additional world class hotels and resorts. The area is well-supported by existing and upcoming transportation and infrastructure.
APARTHOTELS ADAGIO®, the European market leader in aparthotels, has today announced the opening of its first new-look Adagio access property. Opening in Munich on 21 November 2014, Adagio access München City Olympiapark, is the first Adagio access to be entirely redesigned, offering modular apartments that customers can adapt as they please. The new property will be the flagship Adagio access aparthotel and feature 160 apartments.Adagio already has a presence in Munich with one Aparthotel Adagio (a midscale aparthotel) in the heart of the Bavarian capital, and is now developing its economic offer with Adagio access to match its customers’ specific needs. This additional offer, in one of Europe’s most dynamic centres of economic growth, demonstrates Adagio’s determination to optimise the services it provides.
Commenting on the opening, Vangelis Porikis, Director of Central and Northern Europe, said: “The European aparthotel market is an exciting one and Germany continues to be central to our growth across Europe. Munich is a city of business, culture and leisure and the opening of an economically accessible aparthotel Adagio access in the city provides further options to travellers looking for extended stays in this wonderful European city. This is our second Aparthotel in the city and our fourth property in Germany, with aparthotels in both Berlin and Cologne.
“With over 100 properties around the globe, Aparthotels Adagio aims to grow the network to 150 properties by 2016 and become the European reference and a global leader in aparthotels. Germany will play continue to play a key part in the Adagio story.”
Innovation to deliver modularity
The central theme of this new Adagio access is innovation. The first aparthotel of its kind heralds a new concept and defines a new approach to aesthetics, based on quality, comfort and modularity. The guiding principle behind its design is that of creating an apartment that clearly differentiates the lobby, kitchen and lounge areas, via interplays of colours, materials and connecting rooms. A first in the economy sector.
With a classical elegance – light and dark oak, parquet flooring – combined with modern “fashion and design” accessories – mirror, table, multi-function console, houndstooth curtains – the materials selected offer a timeless appeal, with classic tones of natural stone, light oak and “slate-look” black laminate.
The décor is graphic and visual, with colour and design touches throughout the apartment from the image adorning the wardrobe bed to the touch of colour on the sofa.
The furniture is modular, stylish and multi-functional: the bedside table can also be used as a coffee table, and for the first time, a wardrobe bed provides the occupants with two distinct living spaces: a sofa during the day, and a real bed at night.
The communal areas are urban in design, with shared spaces for guests to enjoy. The lobby area is spacious and of modular design: it can be used for dining, e.g. eating breakfast, or for staying connected, thanks to the public Wifi connection and power sockets. What’s more, a mini-market allows customers to purchase foods that they can then cook in their fully equipped kitchen.
The hotel Steigenberger Mannheimer Hof, which has been under the management of Leonardo Hotels since 1 September 2014, is now officially renamed as Leonardo Royal Hotel Mannheim. Leonardo Hotels thereby increases the number of hotels of their upscale »Royal« brand in Germany to seven. Shortly after the rebranding extensive investments in interior decorating and design will follow, which will give the hotel the unmistakeable “Look and Feel” of the Leonardo Royal Hotels, whilst at the same time raising the quality standard of the hotel considerably.The comprehensive refurbishing and “freshening up” will begin in the next few weeks and will include the hotel rooms, the conference facilities and the public areas of the hotel. They will give the hotel the unmistakeable royal character with special local accents, fresh, innovative design, tasteful interiors and harmonious colour concept. The guests’ feeling of comfort is complemented by a music and aroma concept, which enables them to experience the hotel with all of their senses.
As with all other hotels of the upscale »Royal« brand, this hotel will also offer businesswomen special service in the “women friendly rooms”. High-quality textiles, charming interior decoration and extras such as a power hairdryer, a cosmetic mirror, a gel eye mask and a hot water bottle ensure a particularly homey atmosphere. The »Royal« brand’s »Brain Breaks« conference package concept will also be implemented. The excellent position of the hotel directly opposite the m:con Congress Center Rosengarten in Mannheim lures guests.
The Leonardo Royal Hotel Mannheim has been under the management of Leonardo Hotels since 1 September, 2014. In taking over this exclusive 4-star superior hotel, Leonardo Hotels strengthens its presence in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region and now offers more than 460 rooms in Mannheim. The expanding hotel chain already has two other houses in the region, namely the Leonardo Hotel Mannheim City Center and the Leonardo Hotel Mannheim-Ladenburg.
The colourful universe of ibis Styles Wrocław Centrum in Poland is sure to establish itself as a must-see venue.The hotel draws considerable inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, the Lewis Carroll novel, written in 1865. So how can one define the ibis Styles Wrocław Centrum? A mysterious hotel hidden behind an entirely glazed façade, small secret doors, long corridors and many locks… a truly original gem at the heart of Poland.
What’s more, even the Queen of Hearts might fall for this modern design, like something taken straight out of Wonderland. From the outside, passers-by can admire a large building that is reflective of the colourful architecture of the city of Wrocław. For those who are curious, one step inside the hotel is all it takes to pass “through the looking glass”.
Inside, rather fittingly, there are 133 rooms, each one more magical than the one before, and an appealing restaurant where everything is turned on its head… you need only look at the chandeliers!
A real treasure hunt!
The ibis Styles Wrocław Centrum hotel has been designed to give travellers a unique and memorable experience. The clientèle can discover a host of hidden details throughout the duration of their stay… it’s up to them to find them!
The brand is thereby offering a venue that is the stuff of dreams, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the world of their childhood for a night (or several!).
Glamping is a term coined by someone to express glamour camping at something like the Glastonbury festival, and has been adopted as a general name for any luxury camping. So invited to have a look at the Swinton Bivouac collection of yurts and shacks I paused… It is over 30 years since I toured the French vineyards with a tent. Sleeping on a blow up bed is one of the joys of youth I have no intention of ‘enjoying’ in my later years.Reassured that I would have a proper bed, and promised a night in the gorgeous Swinton Park Hotel as well (Review coming soon), I decided to drive up to Yorkshire. The promise of landscape, Wensleydale cheese and black puddings almost as good as those from Bury also, I freely admit, weighed the scales in favour.
The county has red spotted houses and yellow bikes scattered everywhere from some minor sporting event that had been going on, but the generally quiet roads and luscious countryside, pretty towns and villages all made the journey worthwhile. I was also told I’d being staying in a ‘shack’ not a yurt, which sounded like a good plan too. Of course Yorkshire folk say they live in Gods’ Own County, but I’m from Lancashire, so I take that with a huge pinch of salt. They are not far wrong though, Yorkshire is beautiful.
Yurts and shack are positioned to maximise the views, clustered loosely around an old farmhouse and outbuildings which have been well converted into the restaurant, shop and toilet/wash-room block for what is in part a camp-site, the tents being the glamorous yurts. Yurts are a much more impressive structure than most tents, although tented camps these days are very luxurious and hybrids abound in the ‘green’ hotel community, such as those in Namibia or South Africa.
Dart Marina Hotel & Spa is about to undergo a further £2.5 million investment in new larger guest rooms and suites in the Hotel, which is owned by Richard Seton, a New Zealander who “came down the hill” and fell in love with Dartmouth. Over the last 10 years, Dart Marina Hotel & Spa has been transformed into a luxurious, waterside 4-star Hotel & Spa, whilst retaining the essence of its beautiful South Devon location. Alongside the sparkling, smart bathrooms, superb food and organic spa treatments, there are views which offer a ‘front row seat’ overlooking the magical River Dart – drawing guests back time and time again.
During the winter months of 2014/15, a transformation of one wing of the Hotel will result in 16 luxurious rooms and suites with large balconies overlooking the wide expanse of the River Dart. In addition to new larger rooms, a new entrance to the Hotel’s grounds has been designed with beautiful landscaping to soften the area between the Hotel and River.
“The continued investment into Dart Marina, not just the Hotel, but the Marina, Spa, Restaurant, and surrounding landscape and of course the Higher Ferry, shows a huge and continued commitment to the value of Dartmouth’s tourism sector by Dart Marina’s owner Richard Seton. This new programme of development comes at a time when there is a buoyancy and optimism in the town against the backdrop of the Dartmouth BID. This next stage of work will result in the most stunning rooms Dartmouth has to offer and it will take the Hotel onto a new level of style and luxury,” explained Paul Downing, General Manager, Dart Marina.
Each of the new large guest rooms will have wide views of the River Dart from large balconies giving a front row seat on River life. Interiors include magnificent bathrooms with free standing baths, wet rooms with ‘drench’ showers, twin vanity areas, and an interior design described as timeless elegance. Rooms will have pale wood, soft fabrics and colours, finer furnishings and each will make the most of the light streaming through large windows to take in the amazing views. British wool, Egyptian linens, soft white towels and robes, coffee machines and fridges, will add comfort and luxury to the elegant rooms, dressing areas and capacious bathrooms.
Paul Downing explains, “The initial stages of the main construction will involve new floors, walls and a new roof to the whole of the south wing. We have appointed EASE Build of South Devon as our main contractors and work will be completed before Easter 2015. Many of the new rooms are already being booked which is a massive show of confidence from our existing guests. The loyalty we have built up over the years is heartening and we have listened to every single guest suggestion from adding magnifying mirrors to bathrooms to continuing to supply fresh milk in fridges every day. These little touches are very important to our existing guests, but we’ve also added a significant layer of luxury in the new rooms as we also appreciate the expectations of a new type of visitor to Dartmouth”.
External landscaping will include new beds and borders wrapping around the entrance to Dart Marina and the new landscaping will also join up the recently established garden which forms a link between the Hotel’s terrace and the Riverside. Planting has been carefully chosen to reflect the magnificent colour palette provided by the tree-lined River Dart valley.
A rich combination of rustic Spanish charm and luxurious living, La Escondida Hotel & Restaurant is delighted to announce the opening of their elegant new boutique hotel set in an exceptional location.Set on 500 acres of olive and almond groves in the midst of a national park, La Escondida offers dramatic views, smart interiors and superb cuisine prepared by a Michelin-‐star trained chef.
Constructed as a hunting lodge in 1881, the charming property includes 10 well-‐appointed bedrooms with two lodge suites situated just steps from the main hotel on the wonderfully secluded edge of the pine forest.
Owners Terry and Yvette Venables are delighted to throw open the doors of La Escondida and welcome guests. It’s been a long journey for the couple who first fell in love with Spain during Terry’s days as Manager at Barcelona FC. But it was their visit to La Escondida that would ultimately permanently alter their lives. Says Terry, “The beauty of the area was breath-‐taking. We are always in search of places that are off the beaten track and La Escondida was certainly that, yet such a short distance from the coast.”
Indeed, La Escondida is exceptionally peaceful. Located just 35 minutes from the beach in the community of Penaguila, it is perched on the doorstep of the Font Roja National Park. The stunning land surrounding La Escondida’s estate is completely protected “The only sounds you are likely to hear after a peaceful night’s sleep are distant bells tinkling from the local shepherd’s goat herd.” says Yvette.
Over the past two years, Terry and Yvette have painstakingly and lovingly restored the 500 acre estate, retaining original features of both buildings, from hand-‐painted tiles to oak wooden beams. Staying faithful to its 17th century architecture, interiors are rustic in style and all the furniture is hand-‐made especially for the property, combining stunning fabrics with original wooden beams and stonework. Each room is distinctive with fresh classic/contemporary design an bringing nature indoors with fabric prints of wild flowers, birds and playful stag heads. Authenticity is maintained but the luxury is in the detail: think sumptuous, large beds with crisp, high quality linens, fluffy towels and cashmere blankets.
La Escondida Hotel & Restaurant is incredibly proud of its cuisine, prepared by their Michelin-‐star trained chef. “We’ve eaten some exceptional food in our lives but the best is always simple cooking beautifully presented using the freshest ingredients,” says owner Terry Venables. He adds, “Most of the herbs and vegetables are grown on our land by our gardener and the breads and pastries freshly baked in our kitchen. We plan to have bee hives so guests have fresh honeycomb for breakfast.”
A fantastic array of activities are available. An indoor swimming heated pool with a lovely spa and a full range of treatments, two stunning terraces and an outdoor pool set in manicured gardens are just the basics. There is also a jogging track around property’s 500 acres; beautiful horses waiting to whisk guests off to a chef-‐ prepared picnic lunch; hiking and mountain biking in the National Park, extraordinary bird life, hot air ballooning, shooting, golf and some of the best fly fishing in Spain.
2014 has been one of the most successful so far for Focus SB. At the start of the year, Managing Director Roger Kemp realised that the company’s cumulative turnover would exceed the £50 million mark in 2014 and decided that this should be celebrated. A competition was launched and the customers lucky enough to place orders that took Focus SB through the £50 million barrier would be invited to join Focus SB for the day and receive a valuable prize. “I Simply trust the brand” As part of the prize, the winners enjoyed the hospitality of Focus SB and a tour of the company’s extensive manufacturing facilities in East Sussex. Afterwards, Steve Rogers, Electric Centre, Cheltenham described how Focus SB’s support helps make his life easier, Steve says, “I simply trust the brand. I always recommend them for any middle to high end installations. The standard and non-standard range of finishes is superb all backed up by great service. The no minimum order is fantastic for my customers who may need the odd additional item to complete a job.”
“They do things that others can’t do” Des Harle of Kew Electrical, Guildford adds, “We have used Focus SB for over 25 years. They do things that others can’t do and we love the personal service. They have a really extensive range and can do custom plates when required for designer jobs. Focus SB support us as much as possible and have created a display area for our trade counter, they also have a great range of brochures for our contractors to show their customers. We are turning to them more and more as customers demand more complex electrical accessories.”
The tour covered all aspects of the production process including the machine room, finishing plant, quality control and dispatch. All the winners were interested to see how many stages are involved in the manufacture of quality electrical accessories and were surprised to see how much hand finishing was required. Des explains, “You can see that Focus SB plates are not just churned out, everyone takes pride in their job. Now I understand why they always look a cut above the rest, and seem to last longer.”
If you would like to find out more about Focus SB, why not book your own factory tour or visit www.focus-sb.co.uk.
Rosewood London is the first European opening for the group, ideally located a stone’s throw away from London’s cosmopolitan entertainment hub, Covent Garden. As part of a magnificent restoration project of the timeless Edwardian Belle Époque building, Chelsom were commissioned to provide an entirely bespoke lighting scheme for the guestrooms in addition to refurbishing a number of original public area fittings. The impeccable interior scheme as devised by New York-based Tony Chi and Associates, effortlessly blends English heritage with contemporary sophistication, a concept which is echoed throughout the 262 guestrooms and 44 suites. The accommodations convey the feel of a stylish London residence featuring a rich composition of materials that lend understated glamour to the interior.
The lighting concept designed for the guestroom and suites is the ultimate in simple elegance, seamlessly marrying stylish design and functionality. Specially designed fittings were specified for the bedside, comprising of suspended vertical pendants with polished chrome square tubular frames encasing seeded glass chimneys positioned around the light source. These custom designed pendants were teamed with off- white textured silk shades offering excellent light output through seeded glass bubbles. Elegant polished chrome wall lights were selected for the bathroom lighting, rotating through 130 degrees on a neat swivel joint and also featuring seeded glass chimneys within textured fabric shades.
In addition to the pieces created for the guestroom, Chelsom also refurbished a series of public area fittings including crystal chandeliers and wall lights. The fittings were taken off site and refurbished by a team of restoration experts at Chelsom’s factory where they were cleaned, refinished and rewired making them compatible with the exacting energy requirements outlined in the brief.
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