Hotel Designs

Jumeirah Group has signed an agreement with His Highness Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan to operate a luxury Jumeirah resort on Sa’adiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Set in a prime location on the north eastern coast of Sa’adiyat Island, the property will be the most luxurious five-star resort in Abu Dhabi. Expected to open in 2017, the hotel will comprise 294 guest rooms, including spa suites, presidential suites and private high-end villas. Food and beverage outlets will include an all-day dining venue, two signature restaurants, a lobby lounge and bar, a pool and beach bars, retail shops and outdoor beach and pool areas. The architecture, interior design, landscape and master planning will be completed by DBI Design Corporation, who also designed Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi.

Once complete, the Sa’adiyat Island master-plan development will be made up of seven districts which will house and service a population of 150,000 people. The districts will include The Louvre and The Guggenheim museums, a Performing Arts Centre, nine kilometres of beaches, six luxury hotels and resorts, a championship golf course with luxury apartments, the Monte Carlo Beach Club, a promenade, a marina and the Sa’adiyat Retreat where the Jumeirah Sa’adiyat Island Resort will be located.

His Highness Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan said: “At a great seaside setting we have invited Jumeirah to offer their warm, consistently superior service in style. Original architecture and interior design with special touches and attention to detail makes us all feel good. We welcome guests to relax on one of the best beaches in Abu Dhabi.”

Gerald Lawless, President and CEO of Jumeirah Group, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by His Highness Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan to operate his second Jumeirah hotel in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and build on the success of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. Abu Dhabi’s ongoing and impressive development as a tourism destination will be further enhanced by the Sa’adiyat Island project. It’s an exciting and ambitious venture and we look forward to bringing our Jumeirah resort experience to the Island.”

Jumeirah currently operates 22 hotels, resorts and residences, including 11 in the Middle East, six in Europe and five in Asia. A further 26 hotels are in the pipeline.

Shower toilets offer guests the chance to experience spa-like cleanliness and give hoteliers the opportunity to raise the comfort levels above their five-star status. That is why Geberit AquaClean 8000plus was the natural choice for the bathrooms in the luxurious Chedi Andermatt Hotel located in the beautiful Swiss Alps.With luxury and comfort being at the heart of the hotel’s design, the bathrooms feature high quality fittings throughout, with large bathtubs, natural stone floors with underfloor heating and separate rain showers. Completing the spa-like luxury for guests are Geberit’s top-of-the range shower toilets, fitted in each of the hotel’s 106 rooms and suites.

Offering the ultimate in wellness for guests, the Geberit AquaClean 8000plus combines the functions of a toilet and a bidet in one compact unit. At the touch of a button the shower toilet washes the user clean with a gentle, airy water spray at body temperature. The WC also features an integrated warm-air dryer and an automatic odour extraction function, which fills the room with fresh, clean air addressing the important issue of ventilation in the hotel bathroom.

“For us, luxury primarily means ensuring personal comfort for our guests,” explains Senior Vice President of General Hotel Management Lt, Hansjörg Meier. “It goes without saying that the shower toilet is a standard feature in our bathrooms. Our guests are made up of international clientele that are used to a certain lifestyle. Most also have shower toilets at home and certainly won’t want to have to live without them when on vacation.

“The shower toilet from Geberit perfectly fulfils all our requirements with respect to quality, hygiene and comfort. We can therefore rest assured that we are offering our discerning guests the very best.”

Travelodge is capitalising on its strong performance with the 2015 opening of 15 new hotels across the UK, with an investment value of almost £100 million.The new hotels include four London locations, cementing Travelodge’s position as the capital’s biggest hotel brand; a new central Glasgow property and key regional locations including the Thames Valley tech corridor, Southampton and Bristol.

With this expansion Travelodge is expected to create 400 new jobs, including 350 positions in the new hotels and 50 support roles. Following the opening of these new properties, the Company’s portfolio will include 510 hotels and 37,906 rooms in the UK.

Travelodge’s £100m modernisation programme is now almost complete, with 87% of its guest rooms now featuring the brand’s new look and king-size Travelodge Dreamer® bed. Like for like revenue per available room (RevPAR) grew by 17% in 2014, fuelled by demand from families and business customers seeking unbeatable value in travel. This strong growth made Travelodge the fastest growing major UK hotel brand for like for like sales in 2014.

Travelodge has also identified potential for more than 150 further hotels across the UK, with the new hotels expected to support the creation of a further 3000 new jobs. The company announces today the signing of the first three hotels towards its long-term expansion plans, with new properties at London Dagenham, Dover and Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, at a total investment value of £13m.

On the 13th February, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne visited Birmingham Airport Travelodge had welcomed news that Travelodge is set to create more than 3,000 jobs across the UK as it looks to boost its estate by opening more than 150 new hotels over the next eight years.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said: “Our long-term economic plan for the Midlands is to make the area an Engine for Growth by backing business and supporting growth. The expansion of a great British brand like Travelodge within a growing hotel and leisure industry in the UK, is fantastic news.”

“Travelodge’s expansion is not just reliant however on tourists as increased demand from business customers and families have also boosted growth.”

Peter Gowers, Travelodge Chief Executive said: “We are well underway with our plans to build new Travelodge. We’re investing more than £100m in modernising our hotels for our customers and we now have 87% of guest rooms upgraded to our new look. In 2015 we are opening 15 new hotels, creating 400 new jobs and extending our network still further.

With our modernised hotels and unbeatable value, we are well placed to serve the rapidly growing demand for low-cost travel. We see the potential for more than 150 further hotels across the UK and look forward to creating more great places to stay and thousands more jobs over the years ahead.”

The Chancellor visited Birmingham Airport Travelodge hotel following a speech he made earlier with the Prime Minister where they set out their 6-point long-term economic plan for the Midlands in two major speeches.

There, the pair announced that a key cornerstone of that plan is to make the Midlands an ‘Engine for Growth’ by backing the area’s core strengths, including supporting tourism and visitors to the region, an industry which generated £1.3 billion for the local economy in 2012 and 2013.

GG Hospitality directors and former teammates, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, will open the world’s first Hotel Football on 2 March 2015.Located opposite Manchester United’s OId Trafford stadium, the four star hotel and conference facility will boast a number of unique features making it the go-to destination for fans, families, business users and tourists.

To add to the footballing credentials other members of the Class of ’92 – Philip Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, are also on board.

The hotel will offer the ultimate match day experience, with bespoke corporate hospitality packages, as well as being home to The Old Trafford Supporters Club, making it the place to be for any football fan.

Talking about the new development, Gary Neville said: “Ryan and I have spent so much of our lives playing at Old Trafford and appreciate everyone who supported us there over the years.

“To make sure that the hotel appeals to everyone, not just football fans, we are working with some of the most talented people in the industry to create something unique and inviting – with a focus on excellent customer service.”

SLEEP
Feeding a love of football, the four star hotel will capture that authentic football culture, with hints to the game running throughout the décor.

After a busy day exploring the city, finishing a business meeting or enjoying a long weekend, guests can check in to one of the 133 bedrooms. The interior of the hotel will be stylishly designed to create a relaxed, but totally unique atmosphere.

Rooms will be complete with a 40” smart TV where guests can enjoy a full Sky package, as well as complimentary wi-fi and a fully stocked retro mini bar.

EAT.DRINK
Hotel Football will boast Café Football Manchester, which will serve dishes that have proved popular at its London counterpart.

The menu, designed by two Michelin star chef, Michael Wignall, in collaboration with Café Football’s executive chef, Brendan Fyldes, sees traditional, wholesome produce transformed into something extraordinary.

With signature dishes, like The Boss Burger and Café Football Sausage Roll, a sausage roll that restaurant critic, Jay Rayner described as “shockingly good”, the menu aims to capture the essence of the beautiful game.

To complement the menu, there will be more than 20 wines from 10 different countries to choose from, together with a range of hand-selected international craft beers, including the specially brewed CF Beer.

Visitors to Café Football will also be able to sip signature cocktails designed by expert mixologists. Inspired by football, they are sure to be score points, with delights such as the Red Devil.

OLD TRAFFORD SUPPORTERS CLUB
The Old Trafford Supporters Club will be located inside Hotel Football and it will be the ultimate fan’s hangout. Guests and fans can get involved in the excitement and build up to the game, with live music, pie and peas, betting facilities and a fully stocked bar.

FOOTBALL
Taking the football theme one step further, the hotel will feature its own impressive rooftop football pitch. The ideal event space for parties or a casual kick-about, known simply as ‘Heaven’, the pitch on the 11th floor boasts panoramic views of Manchester. With a fully retractable roof, it can be hired for unique parties and events for up to 200 people.

EVENTS AND CONFERENCING
There will be extensive corporate facilities available for local and national businesses visiting Manchester, with six meeting and event rooms that hold up to 500 people.

Focusing on teamwork and taking inspiration from some of the greatest ever football teams, the conferencing facilities are designed to help users achieve their goal. This includes use to the Players’ Lounge, where food designed by two Michelin Star chef, Michael Wignall, will help refuel and half time treats reward hard work.

Stuart Procter, managing director of GG Hospitality, the hospitality company behind Hotel Football, commented: “The announcement of the official opening date and the sneak peak inside what is one of the UK’s most unique hotel developments, is the next major milestone in this project. I’m looking forward to taking our very first bookings.”

Commenting on bringing employment opportunities to the area, Stuart added: “We have built the foundations of a strong and experienced team to drive forward the opening of the Hotel Football later this year, but the ‘transfer window’ is still open and there is still room for many more recruits.”

Generator, the brand that is transforming the European hostel category with its hip urban design hostels, arrives in Paris in 2015. The property, located in the fashionable 10th Arrondissement, will be the largest Generator to date with 916 beds.Rooms range from en-suite shared rooms from €25 per bed, to private rooms starting at €98 per room. There are also premium twins on the 8th floor with private balconies overlooking the treetops of Place du Colonel Fabien.

“Paris ranks with London and Berlin as one of the top three youth travel city destinations in the world,” said Carl Michel, Generator’s Executive Chairman. “However affordable, centrally located accommodation has always been in short supply. With its 916 beds, Generator Paris will allow visitors to see and experience the best of the city. Our continued emphasis on expanding to iconic locations and cultivating local relationships has been a key focal point for us as we enter Paris. Our customer philosophy is firmly anchored in providing guests with an authentic experience in each of our cities and we proudly welcome Paris as our 10th location.”

Paris, like all other Generators, evolves the hostel concept into a lifestyle experience for discerning travellers who want to explore the real city with style, comfort and the right price tag. Using local produce whenever possible, the food offering includes traditional French dishes alongside Generator classics such as burgers, salads and artisan sandwiches. French wines and local beer Galia feature in the drinks menu with a list of Paris inspired cocktails and mocktails such as The French Cancan and Le Macaron.

“With a shift in values among modern travellers, the micro-chic hotel category is becoming increasingly popular. We’ve seized the opportunity to reinvent the hostel experience by making design, style and personal service more accessible to a wide population,” said Generator’s Chief Strategic Officer, Josh Wyatt. “We strive to create vibrant, memorable environments that foster social serendipity while delivering a superb sleep experience, and we’re excited to bring this concept to Paris where affordable lodgings are often out of reach. This is a major step in the further global expansion of our brand.”

A design, hip urban and contemporary hostel
Generator Paris has a unique design that emphasizes the importance of public areas as the social catalyst, which is so important to the brand’s philosophy. Designed once more by DesignAgency under the supervision under the supervision of Generator’s Creative Director Anwar Mekhayech, the property includes a welcoming lobby, a vibrant bar, a restaurant with garden-facing veranda, a spacious chill out area, and a spectacular rooftop terrace with sunset views of Montmartre and Sacré Coeur. The interiors capture the romance of the locale, with settings that offer a subtle cinematic Parisian experience.

“Each property features a signature décor that reflects the city they are in, with a nod to global youth culture throughout public areas. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in a project of this magnitude in Paris, especially with the expertise of JJ Ory.” said Anwar Mekhayech. “We have also developed our staff to be well connected into the local cultural scenes – whether fashion, art or music – and the local area around the Canal St. Martin in the 10th arrondissement, is increasingly seen as a bohemian and vibrant part of the city with a long tradition of welcoming visitors. We are excited to be a part of the neighbourhood.”

GROHE is committed to both recognising staff achievement and upholding its five core values of respect, commitment, quality, passion and growth that underpin the company, and overall helps GROHE continually strive for innovation. At GROHE’s annual January conference, seven staff were awarded for best embodying these five principles through dedication to their work throughout 2014.The meaning of the core values include demonstrating integrity to all in order to achieve “respect”, while “commitment” is partly reached by dedication to meeting ambitious targets. “Quality” entails ensuring a positive customer experience, as well as delivering high quality products, and “passion” is about pursuing excellence and pushing yourself to exceed expectations. Growth links to GROHE embracing change in a quick but informed way.

During the conference, GROHE also handed out an award for “Rookie of the Year”: an award to commend a new starter. Some of the many qualities the winner demonstrated included a can-do attitude and an ability to get the job done. The “GM Award”- an award for going the extra mile- was also presented to GROHE’s Projects Team, for gaining outstanding customer feedback and continuing to grow the projects side of the business significantly.

GROHE’s winners were:
Respect: Sophie Bishop – National Key Account Manager
Commitment: Sarah Saint –Financial Accountant
Quality: Mike Gray – UK Training Manager
Passion: Kelly Everest – Marketing Communications
Growth: Paul Lewis- Head of National Accounts
Rookie of the Year 2014: Tashfeen Khan – IT Manager
GM Award 2014: Projects Team

Maha El Kharbotly-Opas, GROHE UK Managing Director, comments, “GROHE has an excellent staff who are dedicated to achieving the company’s goals. The awards demonstrate how GROHE both recognises and rewards staff achievement, and the value we place on all our employees”.

http://www.grohe.com/uk/

Crowne Plaza announces the opening of the new Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Conference and Events Centre, providing the largest and most comprehensive regional conference and exhibition facility north of Sydney.The new Conference and Events Centre will diversify the region’s current business events mix by drawing in larger event markets and industries into the region. After much research into the growing demand for large scale gourmet experiences within Australia, clients now have the opportunity to turn their next event into a gourmet food and wine affair. Bringing the best of the Hunter Valley into the fully integrated Resort, Harvest Hunter is the Resort’s new signature events package. Harvest Hunter brings interactive live cooking stations, live entertainment, locally recognised chef’s sharing their favourite recipes, the region’s greatest wineries showcasing award winning wines and local producers sharing fresh breads, cheeses, chocolates and much more in an outdoor festival affair setting.

Robert Coates, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley says: “The new Conference and Events Centre will position the Hunter Valley as a leading Australian conference and events destination. Offering guests the latest technology and a light-filled design in a state-of-the-art venue with a combined 2,000 square metres of pre-function, meeting and exhibition space coupled with a unique wine country destination. We have already received large scale group bookings for 2015 resulting in 20 percent growth in business events and many in the pipeline for 2016 – it looks set to be a very busy year for us.”

To complement the new development, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley has welcomed one of Australia’s largest providers of audio visual equipment, Scene Change, to manage the growing demand of sophisticated and advanced audio visual needs, putting the Resort in the forefront of business events.

“The technical installation is at the same level as the best of Australia’s convention centres, with high-end Barco projectors and sophisticated digital controls. Clients will get the welcoming, relaxed Hunter conference experience without having to compromise their production values,” said Scene Change co-founder, Ian Whitworth.

Create a luxurious spa ambiance in the bathroom with the glistening new Sparkle and Glitz tap collections at Crosswater. From small cloakrooms to grand master suites, the eye-catching shimmer of the diamante inlays add a sophisticated touch of glitz to any bathroom scheme for a refined five-star hotel finish.Inject instant glamour with the super slim line tap design, Glitter, which displays the finest in modern styling adorned with the highest quality diamante stones. Shining with brilliance, Sparkle is impeccably crafted and beautifully complements luxe décor schemes offering an abundance of pizzazz. For the perfect pampering space, these collections ooze enchanting charisma to transform a bathroom interior into a visual delight.

Opening 2015 is the brand new Roomzzz Aparthotel Liverpool City. Set in the iconic Littlewoods building only five minutes from the vibrant city centre with its fantastic shops and restaurants. Also boasting superb transport links with the arterial road joining the city to the M62.The 108 apartments are the perfect mix of studio, one, and two bedrooms, all providing the space you need for a home from home stay with a luxury feel. Complete with the usual mod cons of stylish fitted kitchens and widescreen TV’s.

Opening within the multi-use complex the development will blend the quality and style expected from a Roomzzz Aparthotel, with a sympathetic restoration of this iconic art deco building.

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts opened its first property in Austin, approximately two and a half years after the hotel first broke ground. The 34-story JW Marriott Austin is not only the largest hotel in Austin, but also the largest JW Marriott in North America and the second-largest JW Marriott in the world. The JW Marriott Austin employs approximately 800 associates, has achieved a LEED Silver certification and a two-star Austin Energy Green Building rating.The hotel will boast a spectacular fifth-floor pool deck and bar, some of the largest guest rooms in the city with stellar views, a full-service Starbucks and more. A highly anticipated player in Austin’s burgeoning culinary scene, the hotel will also feature three restaurants— Osteria Pronto, Corner and Burger Bar.

Osteria Pronto is a regional Italian restaurant that is driven by a thoughtful approach to cooking from scratch and a sincere commitment to fresh, local ingredients. Osteria Pronto’s menu is designed to offer a twist on classic Italian dishes with simple, distinctive flavors such as burrata campagna, paglia e fieno and bistecca fiorentina. Corner is a lively dining destination that will feature Texas-inspired cuisine using fresh local ingredients and uniquely crafted Tequila cocktails. The menu features a selection of grilled meats and fish, a variety of local craft beers on tap, as well as several Texas wines and spirits.

For those seeking a quick indulgent bite, JW Marriott Austin’s Burger Bar on Congress, has a walk-up food truck-style window on Congress Ave. Burger Bar serves freshly ground flat-top burgers, french fries and shakes at lunchtime and the early evening.

The JW Marriott Austin has a distinct local feel. Key interior design elements were incorporated to celebrate the spirit of Austin and the state of Texas. Unique design features include large columns throughout the hotel and lobby built from Texas limestone; a topographical map of Austin illustrated in the lobby ceiling and floor; illuminated artwork behind the check-in area that resembles a magnified cactus graphic; and a large outline of the state of Texas etched into the bottom of the fifth-floor pool.

The JW Marriott Austin is designed to host large conventions and meetings, with more than 112,000 square feet of event space, 42 meeting rooms and 1,012 guest rooms. More than 520,000 room nights have already been contracted through 2021, with the first guests arriving the day the hotel opens. Several large meetings and conventions have already chosen to host their events at the JW Marriott Austin. Some of the first groups include South by Southwest Festival, 4C Environmental Conference and Abila, among others.

The hotel is located on the square block bounded by Second and Third Streets and Brazos Street and Congress Avenue in downtown Austin and is within walking distance to major attractions, including the Austin Convention Center, the Texas State Capitol, the Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail on Lady Bird Lake, and more. The hotel includes 1,012 guest rooms, three presidential suites, three hospitality suites and 24 executive suites. All guest rooms and suites will feature 48” HD LED Smart TVs, high-speed Internet access and Texas-inspired décor. Guests will also be able to access 24-hour room service, a state-of-the-art fitness center and the 24-hour full-service business center, among other amenities.

NBP Capital, a privately held Portland-based investment real estate fund with a market value of $200 million, and Provenance Hotels, a hotel owner and management company based in Portland, have partnered to purchase two adjacent historic buildings in downtown Portland with plans for a $30 million renovation that will create a 150 room lifestyle hotel. NBP Capital is the majority partner in project and, Arthur Mutal, a development company based in Portland, has invested alongside NBP and Provenance Hotels. Provenance Hotels will manage the hotel when it opens in 2016.”We are thrilled to partner with Provenance Hotels on a new type of hotel experience in Portland that celebrates the historic attributes of both the Cornelius and the Woodlark and incorporates contemporary elements to create a destination not just for visitors, but for the local community alike,” said Lauren Noecker Robert, Managing Member of NBP Capital. “With Provenance’s long track record of success and innovation in the hospitality sector, and our collective expertise in the market, we are confident this project will be a tremendous success.”

“Coming right on the heels of our successful launch of Sentinel in spring 2014, this continued expansion here in our company’s hometown underscores our commitment to and belief in the downtown Portland market,” added Gordon Sondland, Founder and CEO of Provenance Hotels. “Choosing projects like the Woodlark and Cornelius buildings is a direct result of our passion for renovating historic buildings and bringing them back to life.”

“This is the first if several exciting projects we are working on with NBP. It’s always refreshing to partner with like-minded people in hand-crafting the kind of unique destinations we have become known for,” added Bashar Wali President and Principal of Provenance Hotels. “We are already working on assembling a lineup of Portland’s finest artisans to create another truly authentic Portland experience.”

The adaptive reuse will connect the Woodlark Building, built in 1912 and located on the corner of SW Alder and SW Park in downtown Portland, with the adjacent former Cornelius Hotel, built in 1908, and have space for two leased food and beverage outlets. The partners are exploring options for restaurant and bar partners by tapping into Provenance Hotels’ extensive network in Portland and beyond. The purchase of the properties, which are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the first joint acquisition by NBP Capital and Provenance Hotels. It marks a significant expansion into the hospitality sector for NBP Capital, which owns more than 1,500 apartments and 350,000 sq. ft. of commercial assets across forty properties.

R&A Architecture & Design, Inc., Freier Architekt and MCA Architects will oversee architecture on the project. Interior design will be done by Staicoff Design Company of Portland. When completed, the project will be Provenance Hotels’ fifth hotel in Portland. The company owns the Westin Portland and owns and manages Portland’s Hotel Lucia, Hotel deLuxe and Sentinel as well as Hotel Max and Hotel 1000 in Seattle, Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Wash., and Hotel Preston in Nashville, Tenn. Provenance Hotels will also open the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery in New Orleans in spring 2015.

It may be grey and raining outside, but the Morgan showroom in Clerkenwell is fighting back. Kicking off 2015 with an array of beautiful, bold and bright textiles, Morgan has collaborated with Kvadrat to create the latest showroom Installation.Featuring their Divina, Clara, and Steelcut trio collections, the double height gallery space has been transformed by an array of bold fabric banners, which cascade down the 5 metre wall providing a dramatic backdrop for Morgan latest furniture collections.

The installation will also feature a selection of chairs also upholstered in Kvadrat, proving once and for all you really can’t have too much of good thing. Visitors to the showroom can see window displays with the lovely little Lima chairs and Seville high back armchairs in eye-catching Coda and Divina.

Continuing with the ‘beat the winter blues’ theme, large ceramic lights appropriately named ‘Bright things’ by Hand & Eye Studio, are floating in the windows. These are lovingly designed by Tom Housden, and hand crafted with the help of his studio and a select few small British manufacturers.

In addition to these Morgan is delighted to display Rothschild & Bickers’ glass ‘Empire’ pendants, featuring elegant braided metal flex and large filament bulbs. These are hand blown in their studio in Hertford, fully supporting local techniques.

The display only lasts 6 weeks so do not delay.

Swiss bathroom specialist Laufen will be making a return to the halls of ISH in Frankfurt for 2015, showcasing its latest collections in collaboration with two cutting edge designers. Laufen has teamed up with designers Konstantin Grcic and Toan Nguyen to create new solutions that break the boundaries of bathroom design, on display for the first time at ISH from 10 to 14 March.

Munich designer Konstantin Grcic has explored the potential of Laufen’s SaphirKeramik to create a spectacular collection of washbasins, trays and a bathtub. Simple and functional, the new collection rethinks how ceramic as a material is used in the bathroom.

Also new at ISH will be a new bathroom collection designed especially for Laufen by French designer Toan Nguyen. Again exploring the design potential of SaphirKeramik, Nguyen uses the revolutionary material to present washbasins, a bathtub and furniture. The collection also includes the innovative shelf-washbasin, which has already picked up the Design Plus Award 2015 in association with ISH.

Combining all the practical benefits that ceramic has to offer in terms of hygiene and durability with the ability to create very delicate, thin-walled shapes and tight radii, SaphirKeramik blurs the aesthetic lines between ceramic and solid surfaces. Drawing its strength from a compound found in sapphire, SaphirKeramik has been introduced by Laufen after years of research and development.

Other highlights of the Laufen stand at ISH will be the latest addition to the Kartell by Laufen collection – a 1200mm wide washbasin, plus new bathroom furniture and taps.

Visit Laufen in Hall 3.1, stand B51 at ISH Frankfurt from 10-14 March.

UK hotels can save millions of pounds by taking simple measures to save water and energy that pay for themselves within two years, an industry finance leader has said.(See Hotels Going ‘Green’ – Premier Inn takes Gold)

Paul Nisbett, chief financial officer of The Hotel Collection, said the group expects to save £360,000 a year after investing £300,000 in energy and water efficiency projects across its 21 UK hotels.The Hotel Collection worked with SaveMoneyCutCarbon to identify projects which would cover their costs within two years, and has made savings by installing LED lighting, eco-smart showers and tap aerators across its estate, as well as an intelligent heating and cooling management system at The Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire.

Mr Nisbett, who is also finance community chair of HOSPA, The Hospitality Professionals Association for Finance, Revenue Management and IT, said: “Water and energy efficiency should be on every hotel’s agenda as it can generate substantial savings. We are already saving £360,000 a year across the portfolio by implementing simple efficiency measures which do not impact on our guests’ satisfaction.

“These projects pay for themselves swiftly, deliver lasting savings and add value to the business so we are continuing to identify further ways to cut energy and water bills across our portfolio.”

The savings of £360,000 a year work out to £128 for each of its 2,800 rooms. If the UK hotel industry achieved only half that across its 600,000 rooms, it could cut bills by more than £38 million every year, while saving significant amounts of carbon to help meet UK carbon reduction targets.

SaveMoneyCutCarbon works with hotels and other businesses to identify and implement simple measures to cut bills by becoming more energy efficient. It offers a one-stop solution that includes everything from energy auditing, project management and financial modelling, to technology procurement and product installation.

Water
The Hotel Collection began its efficiency programme with the activity that would generate the fastest return on investment – water saving measures across its 21 hotels. It invested £60,000 to reduce the costs associated with the heating and usage of water, which accounts for around 10 per cent of utility bills in many hotels, installing tap aerators and eco-smart shower devices to reduce the flow of water in taps and showers. The group recouped its costs and saved a further £125,000 in just seven months, and the programme is expected to save it £200,000 each full year.

Intelligent heating and cooling management system
Heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) generally accounts for more than half of a hotel’s energy costs. The £122,000 investment in a new HVAC system at the 362-bedroom The Hinckley Island Hotel is set to save the hotel more than £100,000 a year and pay for itself in just 15 months. The Hotel Collection now plans to roll it out to other hotels in the group.

LED lighting in kitchens
The Hotel Collection has begun a programme in hotel kitchens to replace traditional light fittings with LED panels and tubes. The programme will cost £110,000 and is expected to pay for itself within two years, saving £60,000 a year on energy costs.

LED lighting in conference and function rooms
An overhaul of the lighting system at The Hotel Collection’s Daventry Court Hotel has not only saved money but also led to it winning significant new business. SaveMoneyCutCarbon identified and installed a flexible LED solution that delivers bright light for conferences but warmer tones for weddings. The system includes sensors that turn the lights off when the room is unoccupied. The new lighting has a payback period of less than three years.

It has also initiated a major LED installation programme across 32 Radisson Blu and Park Inn hotels – a project that will see 145,000 LED products fitted in restaurants, function rooms and bedrooms, saving more than £250,000 a year and paying for itself within two and half years.

As HotelDesigns has been pointing out with the example of Premier inn to the fore, these savings involve a small capital outlay for major payback over years – surely a ‘no brainer’ for our profligate industry? Premier Inn reputedly saved nearly a million a year on water charges just by using smart meter numbers to work out maximum water usage time leading to modifying housekeeping methodologies. Sometimes it just needs intelligent analysis of what you have already.

IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Carr City Centers announce a new InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts property in Washington, D.C. The 278-room new build hotel will be part of The Wharf, a world-class, mixed-use waterfront development located on the historic Washington Channel. IHG, Carr and Clark Enterprises partnered together to form a joint venture with Wharf Master Developer Hoffman-Madison Waterfront to develop and own the InterContinental. The new InterContinental hotel will complement the iconic Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. hotel – also part of the Carr portfolio – in catering to business and leisure travelers seeking a luxury guest experience. Expected to open in Q2 of 2017, the hotel will feature a signature restaurant, spa, rooftop pool and bar, 17,000 square feet of meeting space with water views, and a sky view lounge with breathtaking views of D.C. and the waterfront.

Joel Eisemann, Chief Development Officer, The Americas at IHG commented: “This new InterContinental hotel will add to and enhance the momentum of the brand’s growth in high profile international cities and resort destinations. Carr Hospitality and IHG have had an extremely successful long-term relationship, and we look forward to continuing to grow and expand our partnership.”

The new IHG-managed hotel will reflect the contemporary style and commitment to sustainable design at the brand’s flagship city destinations – InterContinental New York Times Square and InterContinental San Francisco. The Washington D.C. property will apply for LEED Silver certification, contributing to the overall LEED-ND Gold status of The Wharf.

Austin Flajser, president of Carr Hospitality: “The new InterContinental hotel on the southwest waterfront is an exciting opportunity to develop a marquee property as part of a first-class redevelopment in such a highly visible gateway to the city. We are creating a unique property with waterfront views and amenities unlike anything else offered in Washington, D.C. We currently have several hotel projects with IHG across its portfolio of brands, including the Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo® and Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts brands, and this new hotel further strengthens our relationship.”

Monty Hoffman, PN Hoffman CEO and managing member of Hoffman-Madison Waterfront: “We are pleased to be working with Carr, Clark and IHG—best-in-class partners that will create an exhilarating waterfront hotel at The Wharf.”

Coastal hospitality venues can pose particular issues for furniture and equipment. Corrosion by salty sea-air and potential damage to wood by water, for example.The InterContinental Hotel, Tahiti, which knows these issues well, has repeatedly returned to Forbes Group’s equipment over the past decade.

Forbes’ Alu-Lite tables in particular, with an aluminium frame and water –proof laminate top are ideally suited to cope with such conditions. Delivered to Tahiti in both rectangular and round, they are also supremely flexible in use. Initially they were ordered with pleated skirting, then with Taupe conference cloth for meetings, and more recently they’ve been updated with Forbes’ stretch Silcra covers which offer a more contemporary buffet presentation.

Last year, Buffet-Rite table tops, which slot over the Silcra covers, were also ordered, enhancing the Alu-Lite’s flexibility by making it a hot or cold buffet serving station – all spills being immediately wiped away, and reducing laundry costs (on the purse and the environment).

After the Alu-Lite had proved itself to InterContinental in this challenging (if heavenly) location, the group went on to order Forbes’ cocktail tables (also aluminium construction) and covers – once again enabling one item to have multiple uses.

And in the potential damp, a lectern, in acrylic, was another welcome solution from Forbes Group.

If you think that we could help with a particular issue that your venue faces, please get in touch with us on 01568 616638 or by e-mail info@forbesgroup.eu

“Our competition is” said one of the party, “the 800 bedrooms that Premier Inn have in the vicinity”. I made the point in my article on the Upward March of the Budget Hotel that “the position of the disparate mid-market hotels becomes more uncomfortable” under pressure from the burgeoning and increasingly design led budget sector, and this was another confirmation of how competition is felt further up market. Pullman is positioned by Accor above the Premier Inn competitor in the market place. An unabashed four star like many, especially in a recession it is feeling the effect of guests becoming more price conscious and is competing with services and stylish facilities.Here the hotel company is competing with design. Its ground floor public spaces being attractively and functionally designed and as a result, busy. It benefits from being next to, and highly visible from, the British Library and from sharing premises with the Shaw Theatre, whose bars and breakout zone the hotel becomes. On my visit, in the relative quiet time of a late mid-morning, the lobby was busy with a mix of tourists, families and business people.

The emphasis on design is not confined by Accor to the Pullman brand, and you will see evidence of it in the rolling refurbishment programme in their Mercure Hotels (see London Bridge, Milton Keynes and Burford Bridge for instance) but also in their M Gallery. Accor certainly seems to have grasped what I previously identified as the need “For the four and five star market, it is the definition of the experience that counts and how they differentiate themselves through this experience, relating to their local environment, reinforcing the sense of space, sense of place, quality of service, and defining their own differentiating concept of luxury that will determine their survival.” (the Upward march of the Budget Hotels)

Newmor Wallcoverings have always been ahead of the game when it comes developing new products. Their presence at Heimtex 2015 displayed this better than ever before!A number of new products were exhibited this year, Eden, Ashlar Block and Fenn, as well as a number of concept designs and textures.

This year we decided to create a twist to one of our standard ex-stock items. Eden Water colour was designed to enhance and expand on the hand drawn peonies of Eden whilst placing them on a watercolor background. In the highly fashionable colours and tones of indigo, warm purples and soft lavender, the effect proved very popular and created somewhat of a ‘buzz’ on the stand.
On the front of our stand this year, and taking the spotlight, was Ashlar Block. This large scale printed and textured design replicates the precision of dressed stone blocks. The colour palette also encompasses the natural stone colours whilst also offering some strong metallic effects creating a feature design.

In Fenn, our design team captured the subtle colour tones and textures being synonymous with the classic grass-cloth weave. In keeping with the products design a palette was produced containing a number of highly usable innocent shades of, greys off whites and blues.

The most popular, and without question talked about concept product, was our new Sequins texture. As the light reflects off the intricate angled design in every direction it replicates hand sewn sequins. Look out for this in the coming months!

As part of London Marriott Hotel Park Lane’s renovation works, due to be completed for June 2015, newly appointed General Manager Nicolas Kipper took part in the demolition of the last room earlier this month.The hands on GM joined in this landmark stage in the hotel’s renovation as the the final room was demolished, ready to be transformed into the new layout of rooms, featuring entrance lobbies and decorated in soft shades of white, dove grey and lavender.

RPW Design (who designed The Royal Suite at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel) is responsible for the plans for opulent guestroom accommodation befitting of the Park Lane address.

The complete transformation of the London Marriott Hotel Park Lane interiors is part of the repositioning of the hotel to be the hotel of choice in Mayfair.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the locations of its first two HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts properties in Greater China. HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts is the world’s first international luxury hotel brand specifically designed for Chinese consumers. HUALUXE Nanchang High Tech Zone is located in Nanchang, the capital of the Jiangxi Province and a key catalyst to the economic growth in Southeast China. The hotel is situated in one of the city’s tallest buildings with a sky lobby overlooking the city. Operating on the 39th to 56th floor, the hotel has 281 guest rooms with 21 club rooms and deluxe suites, 3 distinctive restaurants and best-in-class banquet facilities, including an 800m2 pillar-less ballroom. Owned by Shanghai-based Greenland Group, a leading real estate developer in China and one of IHG’s long-standing strategic partners, HUALUXE Nanchang High Tech Zone will open as a new landmark for Nanchang.

HUALUXE Yangjiang City Centre is located in the heart of Yangjiang, a fast developing leisure and business destination in China’s Guangdong Province. With enviable views of Yuanyang Lake, the hotel features 282 deluxe rooms, including 76 club rooms and deluxe suites, the largest pillar-less ballroom in the city and a range of restaurants offering local and international cuisine. The property will also be the coastal city’s first hotel to be operated as part of an international brand family.

Richard Solomons, Chief Executive Officer of IHG commented: “This is a very important milestone for IHG as we announce the locations of the first two HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts properties in China. The brand was built on over three decades of market insight, experience and leadership in China and epitomises the finest elements of China’s world-renowned hospitality. The brand has been well-received in the market since its launch in 2012 and we are on track with our vision of taking it to 100 cities in Greater China over the next 15 to 20 years. The first two hotels, in Nanchang and Yangjiang, are located in China’s heartland and working with our trusted owners, we are confident they will be welcomed by both Chinese and international consumers.”

IHG has ambitious plans for HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts in Greater China and internationally. Since IHG first announced the launch of the brand in 2012, it has signed 24 hotels into the pipeline in 20 cities across China including Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. All 24 hotels are due to open over the next 3 to 5 years. As Chinese outbound travel continues to grow and gain momentum, IHG also plans to introduce the brand into key international destinations, such as London and New York, to meet the specific requirements of the Chinese travellers wherever they may be.

Woven into every detail of the luxury brand’s service and design is an acknowledgement of Chinese culture and heritage, with particular emphasis on the Chinese values of etiquette, rejuvenation in nature, recognition of status and enabling space. Adhering to these values means that HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts is able to satisfy the demands of Chinese business and social interaction and is the first international hotel brand to do so.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. plans to open its second luxury hotel in Malaysia in one of the fastest growing catchment areas known as the Petaling Jaya Golden Triangle, within a development named Empire City.In a signing ceremony, the agreement was officially sealed by Dato’ Ng Yee Teck (Group Managing Director of Mammoth Empire Holding Sdn Bhd) representing MEH; Mr Kevin Chen for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company; and Ms Natallie Leong for Knight Frank Sdn Bhd.

The development is scheduled to be completed in 2016.

Herve Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company said; “We are delighted to have been chosen to manage such a unique property in Malaysia. This hotel will be a welcome addition to our growing Asian portfolio.”

Dato’ Ng said “Empire City is a sustainable project that will give a great boost to the Malaysian economy, igniting business and service trade opportunities while offering numerous job opportunities and lifestyle enhancements for Malaysians, particularly those residing in the Klang Valley.” Empire City spans 30 acres and will be built in phases with completion targeted for 2016. The components of the development include over 2.5 million square feet of retail space; 1.2 million square feet of office space; and a world-class Ritz-Carlton hotel.

“Empire City is proud to accommodate one of the most prestigious hotel brands in the world,” said Dato’ Ng. The new Ritz-Carlton will be a 53-storey building located on a 4-acre site. It will be one of the tallest buildings in the area.

The Ritz-Carlton, Petaling Jaya will be designed according to The Ritz-Carlton design standards for which the company is known and will have 288 luxurious guestrooms and suites.

AC Hotels by Marriott welcomed the new AC Hotel Paris Le Bourget to its France portfolio on 2 February 2015. The new hotel follows major global expansion of the brand, aimed at the lifestyle oriented business traveller, with the opening of the first AC by Marriott property in the U.S. – the AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon – and recent openings in Istanbul and Valencia.AC Hotel Paris Le Bourget opened in the grounds of Paris-Le Bourget airport and is particularly convenient for business travellers in need of easy airport access; Charles de Gaulle Airport is just 15 minutes away. The hotel makes an ideal base for those attending conferences and events at the adjacent Le Bourget Exhibition Park or the nearby Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre. For leisure travellers, AC Hotel Paris Le Bourget is well-situated for those looking to spend a weekend in Paris.

The 4-star hotel will comprise of 122 rooms and suites with sleek contemporary design, modern interiors and clean lines. Combining urban style and comfort, the AC Hotel Paris Le Bourget will retain the authentic French charm, timeless European elegance and excellent service synonymous with the AC Hotels brand. All guestrooms will feature premium bedding, fully equipped bathrooms with AC amenities, high-speed internet access, a spacious desk, a refrigerator and air-conditioning, in addition to personalised service to ensure a pleasant and restful stay.

Whether looking for a quick snack or a romantic dinner, L’envol restaurant serves contemporary French food and wine with a mix of casual and formal dining areas, whilst those on-the-go can make use of the Market, open 24 hours a day. Room service is also available from 6.30am to 10pm for those keen to retire to the comfort of their room. Atmosph’air, the hotel’s stylish rooftop bar and terrace, offers sweeping panoramic views from the Bourget Airport runways over the Paris skyline and out towards the Eiffel Tower and the Sacré-Cœur Cathedral.

For those seeking respite from a long business meeting, a spacious fitness centre is open to guests 24 hours a day, while an indoor pool and steam room is available for use from 7am to 10pm.

SIXTY Hotels – the innovative hotel brand of five luxury lodgings in New York City and Los Angeles, with Miami debuting in 2015, announces the next step in their evolution with a new project in Montreal, Canada. Slated to open late 2016, the collective formed by experienced hospitality leaders Jason Pomeranc, Lawrence Pomeranc, Michael Pomeranc and Stephen Brandman, will open its sixth property – SIXTY Montreal, luxury lifestyle hotel including the city’s first rooftop bar and pool, in the heart of Montreal’s financial and cultural districts as their first international venture.“The cultural and creative sensibility of the city along with its jet-set style makes Montreal an ideal location to open the next SIXTY Hotel” said Jason Pomeranc, co-owner of SIXTY Hotels. “Montreal is filled with eclectic and inspiring neighborhoods and offers fantastic global appeal. Our plan is to build a hotel that takes its inspiration from the local architecture and character of the city, while injecting SIXTY’s flair for hospitality to create a very chic and sophisticated destination hotel.”

To realize SIXTY’s creative vison, the collective engaged ICRAVE, the internally-renowned and New York based design firm, known for their work on both Fortune 500 companies and innovative projects which helped reposition the Meatpacking District, to spearhead the interior design, in collaboration with NEUF architect(e)s, one of the prestigious architecture firms in Canada who designed recognized landmarks such as Mont Tremblant and the CBC Headquarters in Ottawa, who will lead the re-imagination of the property’s footprint.

SIXTY Montreal will be located between Place Des Art and Palais des Congres on René Lévesque Boulevard in the heart of Central Business District, a few blocks from Old Montreal. The project will entail the complete redevelopment of an existing building and will debut 120 stylish guestrooms and suites, expansive event spaces, a signature restaurant and lounge, and 70 branded luxury residences which will reflect the hotel’s aesthetic and service culture. The hotel will also be the home to the city’s first indoor and outdoor rooftop bar and pool with skyline views in the city recently referred to as ‘Canada’s hipster’ capital.

SIXTY Hotels will collaborate on the development of SIXTY Montreal with the Benisti family, owners Point Zero; Canada’s number one leading brand name and the largest manufacturer of women’s, men’s and children’s coordinated sports and street wear, and a unique lifestyle brand unequalled in design, quality and affordability. Today, the company holds offices in Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, Dubai, and Australia, supporting product distribution across the globe in small boutiques and large department stores.

“SIXTY is going international” said Stephen Brandman, co-owner of SIXTY Hotels. “This is an exciting, and busy, time for us. In NYC, we’ve completed our head-to-toe renovation of SIXTY SoHo and will debut our new restaurant, Sessanta, in Spring, and we’re reimagining our rooftop bar lounge at SIXTY LES in the Lower East Side. Soon we’ll be debuting Nautilus, a SIXTY hotel in Miami, then embarking on a project at SIXTY Beverly Hills in LA to restyle and revitalize all the rooms and suites while introducing 12 additional guestrooms, and a new, multifunctional event space. Opening SIXTY Montreal in 2016 will be a fantastic next step for our new company, and we’re delighted to be working with a great set of partners to open the first SIXTY Hotel abroad.”

Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson has revealed its Nashville building designs with local ownership and developer Dean Chase of Construction Management firm D.F. Chase Inc., and architecture firm, BLUR Workshop from Atlanta, Georgia. Expected to open in the autumn of 2016, Virgin Hotels Nashville will be located at the start of the city’s historic and nationally recognised Music Row, with the address One Music Row.Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels said, “With Virgin Hotels Chicago now open and bustling, we’re thrilled to reveal our plans for our next property, Virgin Hotels Nashville. Partnering with BLUR Workshop and interior design firm, MarkZeff, has enabled us to incorporate our musical heritage and playful tone of voice into this new building, bringing something entirely different to the Nashville hotel scene.”

Virgin Hotels Nashville will feature 240 Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites, along with 15 penthouse residential units. The ground floor will include Virgin Hotels’ signature space, The Commons Club, a hybrid, bar/lounge, laidback study and restaurant with the vibe of a membership club but without the fees. A centerpiece bar, live entertainment venue, plus an outside veranda with sweeping views of the city will be among the spaces also featured.

The property will also bring another world class recording space to historic Music Row with a studio designed by Michael Cronin fully integrated into the facility. This facility will truly give the property the “work, play, live” flavour that Nashville is primed for.

Other dining and bar options will be available for hotel guests and locals, including a rooftop pool that will offer an evolving food concept. Guests will also have access to a gym and wellness centre, and 14,000-square-feet of meeting space will be available for events.

SPA, directly translated means Sanitus Per Aqua – ‘healing through water’. As water is a fundamental part of a spa it is important to consider the environmental impacts of water use. Spa Creators have worked on projects where this has been a consideration and Bala Lake Hotel in Snowdonia National Park is a great example of this. Spa Creators worked with the architect to create a water storage area to hold waste water produced in the filtration and backwash process of their pool. This water is then held to de-chlorify prior to using as grey water for uses around the property. Bala Lake also used a Biomas solid fuel wood pellet system to heat the spa pool and other areas of the hotel.

Alistair Johnson, founder of Spa Creators commented: ‘this hotel truly has ECO credentials and shows how spa design can embrace this important area in the design and development process’.

Spa Creators have some very exciting plans for 2015; they are now developing the first low-impact spa project that can be installed into boutique hotels that will use ECO Pods for delivering the spa experience.

SPAshell was launched by Spa Creators at the independent Hotel Show London and the company are hoping to have their first site installed in the spring 2015.

For more details on SPAshell contact Spa Creators or visit www.spacreators.co.uk

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management contract with Claridge Homes for an Andaz hotel in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. When Andaz Ottawa Byward Market opens in mid-2016, it will become the first Andaz-branded hotel in Canada as well as the city’s first hotel under Hyatt’s brand portfolio. Andaz Ottawa Byward Market will join Andaz hotels currently located in world-class cities including London, New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and Tokyo. The 200-room Andaz Ottawa Byward Market will be located at 325 Dalhousie Street in Ottawa’s famed Byward Market neighbourhood. The neighbourhood is surrounded by more than two dozen embassies and consulates and is located immediately east of Ottawa’s commercial office core, a short walk from Parliament Hill, and just north of the University of Ottawa campus. The area has become the centre of Ottawa’s nightlife and is surrounded by residential towers, restaurants and bars.

Guests at Andaz Ottawa Byward Market will experience the personal style, comfort and sophistication for which the brand is known in the hotel’s 200 guestrooms, including four two-bay Hyatt suites, two three-bay Junior suites, and a four-bay Executive Suite with a fireplace and large 560 square foot terrace. The hotel will also feature a destination restaurant and a rooftop bar and lounge including an outdoor terrace offering panoramic views of the city. Meeting facilities will feature six Andaz Studios as well as the prefunction and lounge area with an open kitchen totaling approximately 4,500 square feet.

Andaz Ottawa Byward Market will collaborate with local artists, musicians, designers, and other cultural influencers to deliver events and programs on themes unique to its location in Ottawa. The Andaz Salon, the brand’s signature cultural program, features interactive, on-property and virtual events conceived to support and nurture each hotel’s community of emerging talent. The distinctive spaces at Andaz Ottawa Byward Market will stage creative Andaz Salon events, ranging from talks to exhibitions to live performances.

Fameed Khalique are pleased to announce the launch of a brand new addition to the portfolio, a ceramic tile collection. The handmade tiles take inspiration from the 400-year-old Japanese tradition of Mino-yaki earthenware ceramics, popular in the master of tea ceremonies.

The soil of the Mino region is particularly rich in properties required to make beautiful ceramics in which a fine clay is made from adding water to sand.

Each tile is available in both glazed and unglazed options and can be individually arranged in an array of bespoke patterns, suitable for both interior and exterior use.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the opening of the Holiday Inn Express® Marília hotel in São Paulo State, Brazil. The new-build, 102-room hotel is among the first internationally-branded properties in the city of Marilia. The hotel is centrally situated near Marilia’s industrial district, airport, and less than a mile away from the city’s main shopping centre.

Spanning seven stories, the Holiday Inn Express Marilia hotel boasts a modern design, with a strong focus on sustainability, including energy-efficient systems, wastewater treatment plans, solar panels and LED lighting.

The hotel offers guests a comfortable, yet affordable stay with innovative, preferred guest upgrades to ensure a pleasurable experience with amenities that include a 24-hour fitness centre, complimentary high-speed Internet access, a business centre, meeting spaces and complimentary parking.

Business travellers will find large desks with ergonomic chairs. The complimentary Express Start™ breakfast bar features a full range of breakfast items, including regional and local dishes, a rotation of egg and meat selections, breads, yogurt, juices, fruit, pastries, cereals and coffee.

The hotel is owned by Hotelaria Agisol Ltda., a subsidiary of Grupo Bertim, a prominent construction company in the state of São Paulo, and is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

December Highlights
• Dubai hotels close 2014 with a 4.2% increase in profit margins
• 2014 ‘the year of rebound’ for Abu Dhabi hotels
• Doha hotels witness double-digit growth in TRevPAR
• Beirut hotels report a 4.5% growth in profit margins in 2014
• Manama hotels are buoyed by higher leisure demand in 2014

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali opens today, marking the brand’s grand return to the idyllic island as a unique, luxurious and locally-inspired resort, set amidst the dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches of southern Bali.Located in Sawangan, Nusa Dua, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali is set on 12.7 hectares of expansive and beautifully manicured beach-front and cliff-top land. With 313 hotel rooms, including 34 cliff top and ocean view villas, the luxury resort offers a dramatic location along the sweeping coastline of Nusa Dua’s southern tip. Of its many memorable features, the 180-degree unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean are undeniably a highlight, with a 70 meter high glass elevator providing guests with access to the beach, ensuring views of the lush landscape and exquisite scenery are strikingly omnipresent.

The luxury resort reinforces The Ritz-Carlton’s commitment to inspiring life’s most meaningful journeys, with authentic and harmonious experiences and indigenous design elements. Embracing local symbolism, a central theme to the property is the Tree of Life, known to locals as ‘Kalpataru’, which represents strength, wisdom, and beauty, and is prevalent throughout the resort and grounds, providing the fullest appreciation for the beauty of life. Décor is “Anyaman” style, coupled with design influences from local craftsmen and the surrounding landscape, creating an exceptional environment that is as elegant as it is rustic.

Led by a highly skilled culinary team, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali features six restaurants and lounges, offering an authentic gastronomic journey, combining the finest local ingredients with international influences. Bejana, the property’s soon-to-open Indonesian restaurant, will offer the Culinary Cave – a unique epicurean learning experience with programs personally tailored to suit groups and individuals. The Beach Grill, set along the shore, offers seafood and grill specialties alongside stunning views of the Indian Ocean. The innovative food and beverage portfolio is completed by Raku, a Japanese Lounge & Bar, The Ritz-Carlton Lounge & Bar, which serves the finest selections of premium tea, Senses, an all day dining restaurant, and Breezes Tapas Lounge which serves light snacks and Tapas by the pool.

For an unforgettable family vacation in Bali, Ritz Kids is housed in a dedicated building, delightfully created with young explorers in mind, with play and study spaces as well as a private pool. The Ritz-Carlton Club Level includes a private pool and sun deck exclusively for club guests, whilst The Ritz-Carlton Spa, opening soon, will offer a distinctive wellness experience that is truly Balinese in nature. Surrounded by lush foliage, the spa will consist of 14 serene treatment rooms seamlessly incorporating indoor and outdoor spaces.

A stunning oceanfront wedding chapel makes the property the venue of choice for island weddings, while meeting facilities for up to 200 guests provide for an endless variety of corporate and private events.

Chelsom are pleased to confirm that they will once again be exhibiting at Cruise Shipping Miami, taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Centre in Florida on 16th-19th March 2015. Cruise Shipping Miami is deemed by many as the epicentre of the global marine industry, bringing together every facet of the business including cruise lines, suppliers, designers and partners.

This will be Chelsom’s 5th consecutive year exhibiting at the event where they will be showcasing some of the latest designs from their extensive Edition 24 catalogue which launched to much industry acclaim in summer 2014.

Will Chelsom, Company Director said “Cruise Shipping Miami is the number one global event for the marine industry and we are really pleased to be exhibiting again. Being able to see what the international market is up to is really inspirational and it’s a great environment for companies to showcase their latest product designs and innovations. The event has become a key date in the diaries of many leading professionals from the wider marine industry so it’s a fantastic opportunity to present a selection of our latest designs from what is undoubtedly our most different and design-led collection yet.”

Chelsom has become one of the leading designers, manufacturers and suppliers of decorative lighting to the international marine sector working on a number of significant projects recently, most notable of which include the stunning custom centrepiece fittings created for the public areas of Hapag- Lloyd Cruises 5-star plus ‘MS Europa2’, custom designed fittings onboard P&O Cruises ‘Aurora’ and ‘Britannia’, a trio of Tui Cruises projects supplying products for the cabins of ‘Mein Schiff 3, 4 & 5’ along with the extensive refurbishment programmes of Windstar Cruises ‘Star Pride’ and two of Pullmantur’s most prestigious liners ‘Monarch’ and ‘Zenith’.

For more information on Cruise Shipping Miami and to register to attend, please visit: www.cruiseshippingevents.com/miami

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort in Sanya on Hainan Island, China’s southernmost province widely known as “the Hawaii of China.” The hotel marks the fifth Park Hyatt hotel in China, as well as the 35th Park Hyatt hotel in the world.Situated on a stunning inlet and featuring a private lake and white-sand beach, Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort combines the luxury of privacy and exclusivity with accessibility, being a mere three mile drive from Yalong Bay, the island’s most popular tourist destination.

Design and Guestrooms
Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort was created by Jean-Michel Gathy of the design-consultancy firm, Denniston. The strikingly modernist development comprises six standalone, arch-shaped buildings designed to allow chi, the traditional Chinese notion of energy, to flow unhindered between ocean and mountains. Set amid the lush landscape next to the beautiful Nan Hu Lake, the placement of every building and internal space has been carefully considered to maximize guests’ enjoyment of the breathtaking view. The six buildings are linked by wide walkways and are decorated with paintings and sculptures to create a tranquil and rarefied art-walk experience.

Designed to replicate the feeling of living in a private mansion by the sea, the sophisticated, elegant interiors are residential in style with a subtle Chinese sensibility. As in private homes, the spaces are wholly flexible. Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort features 207 luxurious guestrooms, including 26 suites and 17 villas. At almost 700 square feet, the standard rooms are among the largest on the island, and almost all of the guestrooms enjoy unadulterated views of the South China Sea.

Drinking and Dining
The ethos of the international culinary team at Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort is to offer a range of authentic Chinese and Western dishes that incorporate ingredients of the highest quality, sourced locally wherever possible. In keeping with the residential concept and ambience of a resort setting, guests are welcome to order from the menu or request bespoke dishes as relaxed and freely as they might do at home. The culinary team is primed to create unique and memorable dining experiences for guests, whether it is a champagne breakfast on the beach, a family barbecue in the villa, or a sunset supper on a yacht.

There are eight main drinking and dining venues: Dining Room, Cellar, Pool House, Pool Bar, Bath House, Library, Terrace and Tea House, following the notion of rooms within a large residence. At each establishment, guests can order from the menus of any of the other dining venues.

Meetings and Events
Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort aims to be the most desirable, upscale event venue in Hainan. The hotel features eight unique, residential-style event venues, ranging from 450 square feet to over 3,600 square feet. All venues feature an abundance of natural light, outdoor terraces and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and lighting.

Chamber is the largest indoor event space, measuring just over 3,600 square feet and comprising three separate spaces: a reception area, an open kitchen and a main dining area. Equally unique is Gallery, a long, 3,100 square foot space with paintings and sculptures decorating both sides to resemble an art gallery. The Salons are perfect for smaller, more intimate events. The almost 1,700 square foot Grand Salon with its 36-foot ceiling height and walls lined with wooden lattice, is an ideal venue for a wedding or gala dinner. The 6,500 square foot lawn in front of Pool House is ideal for atmospheric outdoor events.

Recreation and Activities
The recreation team has spent years researching and testing activities to offer guests the most unique and memorable activities during their time at Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort. Five separate pools – a 375 square foot pool, a children’s pool, a family pool, a spa pool and an indoor pool – are available to suit all types of swimmers. While at Camp Hyatt, kids and young adults will be both entertained and educated with activities like cooking classes and eco-activities by availing themselves of the latest toys and video games or simply by reading or resting in the “silent room.”

With a focus on local culture, as well as marine and environmental education, the resort offers myriad outdoor activity options for all ages, include hiking, golfing and stargazing, along with tours to nearby attractions such as Butterfly Valley, Nanshan Temple, Yazhou Ancient City and the Ganzaling Nature Reserve. Water sports enthusiasts will be thrilled with Baifu (Fortune) Bay – a private bay right next to Sunny Bay – renowned for offering some of the best diving conditions in China, as well as being an ideal spot for boating and kayaking.

The Spa at Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort is due to open in late 2015. Located by the lake and accessed by buggy, the spacious, light-filled spa will be built in a traditional Chinese style and will feature a main, two-story building and eight freestanding villas around an open-air courtyard. The semi open-air villas will each include a couple’s treatment room, a private foot treatment room, a freestanding tub, a shower, a walk-in wardrobe and an oversized daybed. Meanwhile, the main spa building will feature four additional treatment rooms; three foot-treatment rooms, a TCM consultancy chamber and a lounge on the first floor. The floor below features a gym, a yoga studio and an outdoor infinity pool. Benefit-driven treatments will be carefully conceived to incorporate proven traditional Chinese practices, as well as the very latest in international spa techniques.

December Highlights
• Year end excellence for Amsterdam and Brussels
• Dry December in Barcelona and Zurich
• St Petersburg profits pale

In 2014, the suites and rooms of the very chic “Lausanne Palace and Spa” underwent an elegant and stylish renovation, much to the delight of the hotel’s loyal customers well acquainted with the beautiful scenery around Lake Geneva.Keen to preserve a traditional and warm ambience, the hotel required perfect harmony between both furnishings and decor, this is why the Lausanne Palace & Spa selected the famous French furniture manufacturer, Collinet Sièges, to produce their sofas and chairs.

The expertise of Collinet Sièges, combined with the sumptuous velvets from the Panaz “Legend” collection suits the décor perfectly.

Featured designs Hepburn (stripe) and co-ordinating Monroe (squares) creating a bright, contemporary look for the chairs and sofa and this is further enhanced by the subtle contrast of Garland (leaf) for the cushions.

AVANI Hotels & Resorts announces the opening of AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa. Following an extensive USD 14 million refurbishment, AVANI Seychelles Barbarons blends all the right ingredients for relaxation with a dash of colourful culture and exotic island life.Just a 25 minute drive from Seychelles International Airport, the resort opens onto tranquil Barbarons Beach along Mahé’s west coast. Much more than a beach lover’s paradise, a contemporary vibe uplifts the resort’s European heritage style, with accommodation, leisure activities and dining options all designed with every age and travel style in mind.

124 guest rooms and suites each feature a balcony or terrace with garden, pool or ocean views, and essential comforts inside. Five room types include options with easy access to the spa and sandy beach. Adjacent and connecting rooms make holidays with family and friends very convenient. Guests who appreciate space and deluxe amenities can opt for the AVANI Ocean View Suite, which boasts double the room size and the extra pleasures of a lounge, and stunning coastal vistas from the large balcony.

Developed with AVANI’s Honest Food ethos at heart, AVANI Seychelles Barbarons understands that the perfect recipe for a satisfying holiday is great dining, and the resort’s two restaurants are accompanied by pool and shisha bars, as well as private dining.

Offering all day home-style dining, Elements dishes up an impressive breakfast buffet, then western classics, seafood delights and Creole specialties for lunch, followed by lively evenings of themed BBQs and market Creole nights with cultural entertainment. Tamarind tantalises the taste buds for lunch and dinner with creative twists on Pan Asian recipes, tamarind and seafood specialties and unique island cocktails that pack a punch with local golden rum, served on a beachfront deck or on the beach. In addition, 24 hour in-room dining lets guests sip, snack, wine and dine in total privacy, whilst for romance and special occasions, a Private Dining concept comes with a personal chef to design the ideal menu, enjoyed when and where guests like.

Relaxing into the rhythm of island life is what it’s all about By the Pool from late morning until early evening, with thirst quenching drinks and classic light bites. Changing to suit the mood from day to night, Gravity Shisha Lounge & Lobby Bar is ideal for quiet time out or socialising; a coffee boost or revitalising juice while reading a book, snacks to keep up energy levels, and in the evening, the chill out lounge on the upper level is the perfect spot to watch the sunset whilst sharing shisha or enjoy classic or infused cocktails after dinner.

Signature to AVANI is a Design for Life living space, and at AVANI Seychelles Barbarons the resort’s lobby area creates this central hub. The Connect zone in the lobby makes it easy to email, chat online, print boarding passes or charge up a device, whilst the Corner is a quiet space to enjoy some time out. Complimentary wifi is offered throughout the resort.

For some “me time” and “we time” pampering, AVANISPA offers three single treatment rooms and a double treatment room, along with a sundeck and plunge pool. Options include beautifying facials, nourishing body treatments and heavenly massages, or exotic pampering such as an Ayurvedic therapy or Turkish hammam ritual.

Making family holidays more enjoyable, youngsters can have their own fun in the children’s pool and make new friends as they engage in arts, crafts and games at the Children’s Club, AVANI Kids.

Pilgrimage to Dartford….

For nearly 20 years Crosswater has been building its position in the supply chain. To the surprise of other professionals in the industry it has grown rapidly over that time to its £51 million plus turnover in 2014, growing strongly in the contract market, becoming a first choice for architects and designers on hotels in the UK and rapidly expanding into export markets.I went to visit their distribution centre and showroom in Dartford, an easy ride from central London, at the invitation of David Balmer, their Hospitality Contracts manager. David had previously invited me to their clutch of units on the south side of Dartford Bridge which the new base replaces.

Their new humungous building is on the north side of the motorway, amidst reeds and pools with ducks a-dabbling just moments away from the M25, visible but almost inaudible. Lake View House is a totally new building custom designed to meet the Groups precise specifications.All 200 employees will be able to work together in a facility that combines efficiency with delightful working conditions that include a café, areas for relaxation, a games room, a playfully themed chill out room called the Man Cave and much more. Designed by Threefold Architects, Lake View House is situated within The Bridge Business Park in Dartford and is conveniently located at the centre of air, road and rail links, opening up products from Crosswater and Bathroom Brands to a growing international customer base.

David showed HotelDesigns around the new showroom with windows into the new highly automated warehouse, which is our focus here, but the building houses conference spaces, the technical services and contract support areas as well as funky staff spaces..

Now well established the company is beginning to compete aggressively for the contract market, with products in hotels as diverse as Hilton, Ampersand and Mondrian. It is beginning to build a higher design profile for itself too, having signed an agreement with designer Kelly Hoppen for an innovative new design range of products that have been well received since their successful launch.

Technical innovation is a driver too as the videos show, with the now familiar colour change electronic controls for taps, shower and baths adding ease of use and visual temperature indicators to products. Some of this is the result of clever electronics driven by the flow of water through the systems. Other units build on using controllers situated outside showers or even outside bathrooms with temperature readouts for users.

Virgin Hotels has recently opened the doors to its first property, Virgin Hotels Chicago. The new hotel brand joins a stellar portfolio of hospitality companies led by Virgin Group and its founder Sir Richard Branson, and offers the same excitement, heartfelt service and smart innovation that Virgin is known for. “It’s been a long held dream to start beautiful, comfortable, fun hotels for guests and give them what they want and need while being gentle on their wallets,” said Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder. “I’m tremendously proud of the brilliant Virgin Hotels team, and I look forward to hosting our fans and spending more time in Chicago.”

Since the brand’s inception, eliminating fees and surcharges have been top priority, along with creating an experience that allows guests to feel that Virgin Hotels is their place in the city. A champion of the customer, the hotel brand offers free Wi-Fi (at unlimited bandwidth) and has eliminated early check-in fees, late check-out fees, room service delivery charges, business centre transactions, and other services that have caused frustration for travellers.

“Chicago is an exhilarating and historic city, and a place we’re happy to call home for the first-ever Virgin Hotel,” said Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels. “It’s an exciting time for our team as we get to unveil our new approach to room design, service, and entertainment within the hotel industry. We hope our fans recognise the subtle yet authentic Chicago touches throughout the hotel, and come to think of us as their place away from home whether they’re travelling or a local.”

Virgin Hotels Chicago is located in the heart of Chicago’s Loop district in the historic Old Dearborn Bank Building at 203 N. Wabash Ave. The 26-storey Art Deco building, a Chicago landmark, offers 250 guest rooms, including 40 one-bedroom suites and two Penthouse Suites.

Several of the building’s original features remain intact and are showcased throughout, like a beautiful 1920s oak Cigar Bar that serves as the hotel’s front desk, ornate brass elevator doors, and the original mail slot and chute serving all floors.

At the heart of Virgin Hotels Chicago is The Commons Club, a dynamic space where guests can dine, drink, work and mingle, as well as attend the nightly hosted Social Hour. The vibe is one of a private members club, without the fees, where guests and locals alike are welcome. The two-storey space it occupies was the original bank floor with its beautiful coffered plaster ceiling.

The Commons Club menu, created by Chef Rick Gresh, features a variety of internationally influenced small plates, from Stuffed Potato Tots to a Cauliflower Caesar to Cider Mussels to a Lobster Flatbread. The dinner menus Large Plate options also embody unique and flavourful compositions, like the Fatty Noodles, a delectable combination of lobster, udon noodles, Sriracha, furi spice and rapini or the Eye of the Ribeye, Chef Gresh’s one-of-a-kind black truffle tattoo technique adorned on a Ribeye served with bone marrow mac n cheese. The Commons Club is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The hotel will have four additional dining options, including Miss Ricky’s, a 23-hour, All-American diner and a rooftop bar and lounge, all opening between February and April of this year. Seating from 12 to 108, Virgin Hotels Chicago has three modular spaces on the third floor to accompany any type of social event, dinner or meeting.

Virgin Hotels Chicago will feature a two-chamber room layout, with small touches that make travelling for business or leisure an easier experience. All guest rooms are divided into two spaces by sliding doors, complete with a peephole. The dressing room includes a full vanity, make-up desk and mirror, an extra-large shower with a bench, and his and hers closets designed by Poliform. Slide open the privacy door and guests will enter the lounge with a red SMEG mini-fridge, LG Smart TV, custom designed table that swivels and a Poltrona Frau task chair. Tired of searching for an outlet, guests can look no further than their bedside to find ample outlets for their smartphone, computer or other electronic devices.

Virgin Hotels has also taken working from bed to another level. The brand’s patent pending, ergonomically designed bed is the ideal space for setting up shop whilst on a long business trip, or to pop open the computer and stream a movie. Plush bedding rounds out the experience creating ultimate comfort whether guests are working, recharging or playing.

What’s next?
Virgin Hotels has plans to open a second location in Nashville in the summer of 2016 and a third property in New York City in the fall of 2017. The team will announce two additional locations by the end of 2016, as well, with the brand hoping to have 20 locations by 2025.

Continuing its rapid global expansion, Marriott International, Inc. has announced it has signed definitive agreements to acquire the Delta Hotels and Resorts® brand and management and franchise business from Delta Hotels Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (bcIMC) for C$168 million (approximately $135 million). The Delta brand comprises a diverse range of hotels and resorts with 38 hotels and 10,000 rooms in more than 30 cities across Canada. Delta offers a fresh approach to the guest experience, including its new ModeRoom™ guest room designs, innovative use of new technologies, and new properties, such as its flagship Delta Toronto located at the hub of Canada’s hottest high-rise neighbourhood, South Core. When completed, the transaction will increase Marriott’s distribution in Canada to more than 120 hotels and 27,000 rooms, making Marriott the largest full service hotel company in Canada.

Arne Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International, said, “Delta has an impressive portfolio of hotels that are among the most preferred in Canada. With this acquisition, we are continuing our focus on building our brand portfolio and growing in attractive regions outside the U.S. Combining the strong Delta brand with Marriott’s hotel development expertise will accelerate growth of the brand in Canada and in other markets around the world.”

Under terms of the agreement, Marriott is acquiring the Delta management and franchise business, as well as the Delta brand and related intellectual property. At stabilization, after realizing certain operating synergies, Marriott expects the purchase price to be approximately 10 times annualized earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).

bcIMC-affiliated entities own 13 Delta hotels (and one under development) and will sign new 30-year management agreements with Marriott for these properties. Third parties own the other 25 Delta hotels; 15 are managed by Delta and 10 are franchised. In total, five managed hotels (approximately 1,100 rooms) are under development.

The transaction is subject to receipt of certain third party and governmental consents, including by the Canadian Competition Bureau. Assuming receipt of the necessary approvals, the parties expect to close the transaction in the second quarter of 2015. Marriott does not expect the transaction will have a material impact on its 2015 results, excluding one-time transaction and integration costs.

Avington acted as exclusive financial advisor to bcIMC.

The Hotel Kompetenz-Zentrum in Oberschleissheim, Germany, uses Muraspec wallcoverings to decorate some of their suites, their restaurant and the meeting room.We know this might sound fairly normal, but this is a hotel with a difference.

The HKZ hotel is the winner of the 2014 Gold Key awards, but that’s not all, the concept of this hotel is so good that we can only keep on wondering, as Ron Kollar from Tishman Gotel & Realty said, “Why didn’t someone think of this before?”

The HKZ hotel is a fully operational hotel where owners and developers can see and touch the latest design ideas. A place for hospitality clients to see how a wide range of design solutions look, function and feel in a real hotel setting. The different installations and rooms of the hotel provide a 360-degree tour of forward-looking concepts and products for three to five star properties.

Best-selling hotel designs Khotan and Belmont have been used, alongside standout finishes Prairie, Reflective and Tessai.
All are available worldwide from Muraspec and their distributors.
For samples, please visit www.muraspec.com

First & Foremost Hotels and Resorts, a bespoke hotel asset, development and operations company has joined forces with four-time Major Champion, Ernie Els to launch First & Foremost Family Hotels in partnership with Leading Family Hotels & Resorts.A trend within the travel world currently is community sharing whereby residential accommodation is rented through the likes of AirBnB. This has shaken up the industry and it will be those that can offer a ‘point of difference’ and returns on Investment acceptable to investors that will survive, as Mike Scully, Managing Director of First & Foremost Hotels & Resorts points out:

“To achieve double digit returns, hotels need to have their point of difference. This can be location, hospitality, entertainment and/or leisure. This is key for a strong return on investment for owners.

“First and Foremost Family Hotels will incorporate all of the above. Combined with the Leading Family Hotels ‘Edutainment’ offer – specialising in kids from 0-5 age group – this makes us unique. We’re not reliant on school holidays and we can focus on achieving the highest room rates and occupancy levels all year round.”

The family hospitality sector represents a huge opportunity for investors and developers alike, as it continues to grow into a key economic driver outperforming many other brand concepts.

First & Foremost Family Hotels has partnered with South African golfing legend Ernie Els to launch the concept due to his wealth of expertise within the hospitality industry. Ernie has successful business pursuits off the course in Golf Course Design, academies, hospitality with The Els Clubs and Big Easy Restaurants, and apparel amongst many others.

The hotels will be autism friendly thanks to input from Ernie Els and his foundation Els for Autism. Expertise and the latest systems from The Els Center of Excellence will be utilised to produce highly trained staff.

The new family hotel concept will also offer a unique opportunity of employment for adults on the spectrum across departments such as Accounts, Maintenance, Sport & Play, and Administration amongst others.

“I am delighted to partner First & Foremost to launch Family Hotels”, commented Ernie Els. “Family holiday time has always been a priority for me and I have experienced a lot of 5-star hotels worldwide that do not really offer a complete family holiday experience. You want a fun and relaxing environment for everyone! We are going to provide that with First & Foremost Family Hotels. In addition, we are going to ensure a safe environment for families on the spectrum and also create substantial employment opportunities for adults with autism. Hopefully our lead will encourage other organisations to follow suit.”

Due to their unique partnerships, bespoke approach and the opportunities that exist in the family sector, Mike Scully, who has been instrumental in the development of over 70 hotel openings and food and beverage concepts is confident of ensuring success to owners and developers that work with First & Foremost Family Hotels.

“Through our partnership with Leading Family Hotels and Ernie Els we shall assist owners and developers of resort hotels to achieve higher than average returns on investment while maintaining risk awareness and being unique in product and service quality.”

First and Foremost Family hotels with their partners have a database of over 350,000 active users all offering direct bookings to the hotels thus reducing commission fees of up to 25% making the group one of the highest profit generating brands in the industry.

First & Foremost Family Hotels in partnership with Leading Family Hotels & Resorts was officially launched at an exclusive press event at The Els Club Dubai on Wednesday 28th January 2015.

A brand new Youth Hostel in Northumberland National Park has been given the green light following the award of a grant of £7.8m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).The grant puts the Sill, the country’s first national landscape discovery centre, within £2.2 million of funds to ensure the project reaches its full potential.

The HLF grant has helped secure the future of the ambitious Sill project, and construction is expected to begin on site later this year. The activity programme will start in autumn 2015 and the Sill national landscape discovery building and new YHA will open their doors to the public in June 2017.

The new YHA will replace the current property, YHA Once Brewed, and will be part of the Sill which is located in the heart of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site in Northumberland National Park.

Caroline White, Chief Executive of YHA (England and Wales) said: “The announcement of funding from HLF is a huge step forward for the Sill. The HLF funding, together with that from other providers, has closed the funding gap significantly. It is immensely exciting that we are now within touching distance of transforming the current YHA site at Once Brewed and creating a nationally significant landscape discovery centre which will ensure that young people can continue to enjoy exciting outdoor experiences in Northumberland National Park.”

Since 2011 YHA (England and Wales) has invested more than £25million in its network of properties, creating comfortable, contemporary-styled accommodation, helping put further distance between the outdated public perception of Youth Hostels and the modern reality, which is proving particularly popular with young families looking for great value, child-friendly breaks.

The flagship project is being spearheaded by Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) and YHA (England and Wales). Once complete, the Sill will deliver a comprehensive programme of interpretation, education, research and events that will inspire people to celebrate, value and conserve the unique natural and cultural heritage of the Northumberland landscape. It will attract more than 100,000 visitors each year, and will offer an all-weather and year-round facility that provides YHA accommodation, retail facilities and a café.

Northumberland National Park is home to some of England’s darkest skies, cleanest rivers, ancient landscapes, rich culture and heritage and breath-taking scenery. Recent national opinion polls show that 89% of people strongly support National Parks but these polls also show a large decline in visits from young people and less wealthy people who didn’t know as much about national parks and their importance to the nation.

John Riddle, Chairman of Northumberland National Park Authority, said: “We are absolutely delighted by the announcement. To receive such substantial HLF backing is a wonderful boost for the project and marks a very significant day for the North East.”

Tony Gates, Chief Executive of the National Park Authority, claims the project will transform how people will learn about and explore our landscapes. He said: “The great outdoors is important to people, it enriches our lives, it makes us feel alive. The Sill will help people from all walks of life explore and learn about Britain’s finest landscapes. Through this project, we will inspire the next generation of custodians, protecting the legacy of our stunning landscapes for the future. We are particularly keen to ensure young people benefit, with The Sill as our answer to the ipad in helping grab young peoples’ attention.

“We’re very grateful to the organisations and individuals who have supported the project in helping us get this far, it’s been a real team effort and we will need their ongoing support to ensure The Sill delivers to its full potential and the maximum number of people benefit from a connection with our heritage.”

Ivor Crowther, Head of HLF North East, said: “With the famous Hadrian’s Wall and much more besides on the doorstep, this new state-of-the-art discovery centre will become the perfect base from which to explore the national park’s unquestionable beauty. The Heritage Lottery Fund’s investment is also supporting a year-round programme of exhibitions and activities that will ensure that visitors are tempted back to Northumberland again and again, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.”

Paul Hamblin, Executive Director of National Parks England, said: “This is great news for Northumberland, and the north of England. I’m delighted the fantastic Sill project has moved another step closer. This will be another shining example of cross-sector partnerships and how a great environment is good for business.”

Kathryn Cook, UK Director at National Parks UK, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the Sill project and the region as a whole. The Sill will help open up the beautiful landscape of the national park to people from all walks of life and will hopefully inspire people to make the most of the countryside. It will be a welcome addition to UK National Parks.”

To take a virtual tour of a modern YHA Youth Hostel visit www.yha.org.uk/hostel-virtual-tours

Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Worldwide’s award-winning brand of upscale yet affordable hotels, announced today the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Airport, representing an addition to the brand’s growing portfolio of more than 600 hotels worldwide.Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Airport is managed by Hilton Worldwide on behalf of the owner Saray Dokum ve Madeni Aksam Sanayi Turizm A.Ş. It is the brand’s seventh property in Turkey and offers 217 beautiful guest rooms.

The new hotel provides travellers with welcoming social spaces, and high-end amenities ensuring a comfortable stay at a great value. The hotel also features six meeting rooms offering more than 250 square metres of flexible meeting space, as well as a ballroom of 373 square metres which can host receptions with up to 500 people to suit any occasion.

All Hilton Garden Inn guests enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, 24-hour business centre, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and an indoor pool. The Garden Grille and Bar® offers a full cooked-to-order breakfast and dinner, cocktails, and evening room service. The Pavilion Pantry® is open 24 hours and features a complete selection of salty snacks, sweet treats, cold beverages and frozen items.

Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Airport is ideally situated for busy modern travellers, close to Istanbul International Ataturk Airport, Gunesli and Ikitelli business district and industrial zones, as well as an easy access to two exhibition centres and the largest mall in Istanbul. We are excited to welcome guests at the Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Airport.” said Ilter Turkmenoglu, general manager, Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Airport.

Each guest room boasts the brand’s signature bedding featuring fresh, white duvets and crisp linens; a spacious and clutter-free work desk with an ergonomic desk chair; and an in-room “hospitality centre” with a mini fridge with complimentary water, as well as tea and coffee maker. Guests can also enjoy the hot cooked-to-order breakfast, a meal in the Garden Grille restaurant, in room meal, or sip cocktails and relax in the Garden Bar & Lounge.

The PUB building is one of Stockholm’s oldest department stores and a much-appreciated element of the city skyline. It was here that Greta Garbo started as a shop girl before her Hollywood days. When Scandic transforms the well-known landmark into an international grand hotel, it will draw inspiration from the stylistic ideals of the 1920s complemented by today’s cosmopolitan big city life. The interior will be renovated to recreate the original look and feel of the building. The total area of the hotel will be close to 16,500 m2, divided into approximately 400 hotel rooms and 3,000 m2 of restaurant and meeting facilities. The design of the new hotel is a collaboration between the Nordic region’s leading hotel operator, Scandic, and the property owner, AxFast.With Scandic Haymarket, we want to create a unique grand hotel for both Stockholmers and travelling guests. We will let the grand meet the playful and create an exciting encounter between the past and the present, old and new. We will refine and highlight the building and the area’s unique character and history. The hotel will be a powerful element of a new character in Hötorget square with its concert house, movie theaters, hotel, restaurants and marketplace, says Frank Fiskers, President & CEO of Scandic.

The area between Norrmalm and the west of the city is merging, creating the feeling of a larger, more vibrant downtown. Together with Scandic, we can refine this area further and contribute to a more exciting neighborhood, says Erik Lindvall, CEO of AxFast.

Continued positive growth for the hotel sector in central Stockholm

Today, Scandic is the largest hotel operator in the Stockholm region with nearly 6,100 hotel rooms, of which almost 4,500 rooms in the city. The city continues to be a strong market for Scandic with an expected annual growth rate for number of nights of over 4 percent (HUI: Stockholm Hotel Report), making Scandic Haymarket a welcome addition to Scandic’s hotel operations in Stockholm. During 2014 Scandic has expanded its hotel capacity in the city by approximately 1,200 rooms with the opening of HTL Kungsgatan and the transformation of three Rica hotels into Scandic Gamla Stan, Scandic Klara and Scandic Kungsgatan. Additionally, the launch of Jamie’s Italian at the popular Scandic Anglais at Stureplan has strengthened and consolidated Scandic’s market-leading hotel position in the city.

Marriott International, Inc. has announced the introduction of Moxy Hotels to the U.S. The new and contemporary brand, first launched in Europe, is entering the market in a bold way, with eight identified projects slated for major metropolitan locations, including New York City (Chelsea, Mid-town and Lower Manhattan), San Francisco, Seattle, New Orleans and Chicago. Moxy Hotels was launched in fashion forward Milan last September and more hotels are set to open across Europe in Germany (Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin); Denmark (Copenhagen); and the United Kingdom (London) over the next two years.

Moxy’s first New York property will be created by the world-renowned design firm Yabu Pushelberg. George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg are well known for delivering the unexpected and are dedicated to designs that reflect an imaginative, thoughtful and honest approach. For future Moxy hotels, the design aesthetics will embody the ethos of the brand and the personality of the local market.

Moxy’s inviting lobbies are crafted to be highly social spaces with a high-energy lounge, 24/7 self- service grab and go, ample plug-ins for personal devices, free and furiously-fast Wi-Fi, and the Moxy Digital Guestbook for streaming videos and pictures via Instagram. Each hotel is also equipped with a library and plug-in zones that invite a quiet read or a brief web browse. Guest rooms will offer keyless entry, screen-casting and motion-sensor lighting.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) has announced the opening of Staybridge Suites® London Vauxhall in Spring Mews, just off the Albert Embankment and minutes from Vauxhall tube, bus and rail links.IHG’s 5th Staybridge Suites in the UK is a 93 suite new build hotel, offering a warm, sociable, home-like experience for guests looking for a place for an extended stay on business or leisure. The hotel is superbly located with stunning views of iconic landmarks such as the Palace of Westminster and the London Eye with London’s eclectic Southbank just a short stroll away.

Vauxhall London is a hotbed of development activity and as the most central London Staybridge Suites, the hotel is well positioned to capture demand from long stay customers frequenting the capital. The recently opened 132-room Holiday Inn Express® London – Vauxhall Nine Elms hotel is less than a five minute drive away from Staybridge Suites London Vauxhall and further strengthens IHG’s presence in the area.

The spacious studio and one-bedroom suites are well thought out for apartment living. The suites include fully equipped kitchens, LED TV’s, large work areas, air conditioning and free wireless internet throughout. Guests have use of the fitness room, business centre, laundry room and the brand’s own convenience store, The Pantry, which is open around the clock.

Staybridge Suites London Vauxhall operates under a franchise agreement with IHG and is owned by Spring Mews (Hotel) Ltd, a subsidiary of CLS Holdings plc, a property investment company listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. CLS has been investing in property in Vauxhall for over 20 years. Its vision for revitalising Vauxhall includes a striking, mixed use commercial and community hub; bringing much needed leisure and retail facilities to the area.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continued on page two…

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

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

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

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

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

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

The hotel’s restaurant – Raintree Cafe – serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and also offers the Holiday Inn Best-4-Breakfast menu, with signature items such as Rainforest Alliance™ Certified coffee, Cinnamon Supreme French Toast™ and Skillet Inspirations™. Kids 12 and younger eat free at Holiday Inn hotels when ordering from the kids’ menu in the hotel restaurant and accompanied by a dining adult. Room Service Right … On Time™, also a standard at all Holiday Inn hotels, ensures that guests’ room service orders are accurate and delivered on time, every time. In addition to the restaurant, the hotel includes flexible event space that can accommodate up to 64 people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Effective project management with BIM

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

GROHE leads the way

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

Immediate complete project overview

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

Get ahead of the competition

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

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LIBRARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View Forbes’ Birdcage in Caesars Palace advertisement here:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact Hamilton Litestat via their website for more details.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continued on page two…

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

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

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

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

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

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