text:
NEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR HOTELIERS, DESIGNERS AND INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS
Weekly briefing: insane hotel concepts, sustainability answers & Ace arrivals
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mlera-aerial-50722659.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 15.01.2021 15.01.2021
Good afternoon and welcome to this Friday's briefing, with me, editor Hamish Kilburn. In this round-up we take a look at the hottest hotel design stories that have been published over the last five days…
It hasn't been the easiest of starts to the year – today the UK hospitality industry remains closed and new travel sanctions have been enforced to prevent the spread of a new Covid-19 variant – but we are determined as ever to keep the mood lifted as we pick out the headlines that are influencing positive change throughout the international hotel design scene.
Here are the top stories of this week:
The Hot List – hottest hotel openings arriving in 2021 (Q3 & Q4)
Image credit: CAYO Exclusive Resort and Spa
Dubbed 'The Hot List' by our readers, we start every year as mean to go on; with a positive mindset to get ahead of the curve to reveal what we believe will be the hottest hotel openings of 2021. Following on from part one, which was published last week, here are our Q3 & Q4 VIP arrivals.
Virtual roundtable: 'sustainable does not mean natural' in surface design
With 'greenwashing' still an all-too-common term in the global 'sustainable' hotel design and hospitality arena, we gather a cluster of designers and architects to attend a virtual roundtable, sponsored by Architextural, to discuss sustainability solutions in surface design.
Hotel concept: designing a sustainable floating resort
Image credit: AMA Design
With the aim to design a hotel resort that offers guests an unparalleled at-one-with-nature experience, AMA Design has developed a hospitality concept called GAIA, a floating eco hotel that pushes boundaries to re-connect people with nature.
Looking ahead: inside Ace Hotel Brooklyn
Image credit: Ace Hotels
Located on the cusp of Downtown Brooklyn and Boerum Hill, Ace Hotel Brooklyn will be the brand's second property in New York City. The design of the 287-key hotel – one of the largest in the Ace portfolio – has been inspired by the "geographical and cultural history of Brooklyn" and is intended to harmonise with the borough's ideals.
Miniview: Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection strikes a chord
Image caption: The elegant lobby balances grandeur design and decadent decoration sensitively. | Image credit: Coury Hospitality
Timeless, neoclassical interiors and intricate details, designed by HBA, salute America's rich musical legacy inside the recently completed Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection.
Rosewood Hotels to arrive in Rome in 2023
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in luxury travel and lifestyle experiences, has been appointed by real estate firm Antirion SGR to manage Rosewood Rome, which will open in 2023 in the heart of the capital city.
To keep up to date with all the news at Hotel Designs, sign up to receive our weekly newsletter and bi-monthly HD Edit.
Main image credit: Ritz Carlton Maldives Fari Islands
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/3_Standard-King-Guest-Room_Hotel-Carmichael_credit-Coury-Hospitality.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 15.01.2021 15.01.2021
Timeless, neoclassical interiors and intricate details, designed by HBA, salute America's rich musical legacy inside the recently completed Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection. Editor Hamish Kilburn explores…
Hospitality interior design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) has completed the design of Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection. Created to inspire an enduring journey through history and provoke continued revival, the 122-key, six-story hotel is an architectural masterpiece located adjacent to The Palladium—one of the greatest music halls of its time—which houses the Great American Songbook in downtown Carmel, Ind. along the Monon Trail.
Guided by the melody, harmony, rhythm and soul from the Golden Age of American Song, along with the neoclassical style of the great Scottish architect and interior designer Robert Adam, HBA Atlanta designers instilled the interiors of Hotel Carmichael with timeless furnishings, simplicity of form and thoughtful detailing that come together as a symphony of classic elegance with marked personality for a defining experience unlike any other.
"By using a storyline-based approach, we sought to create a cohesive design concept with a level of attention to detail that invokes the spirited feeling of a time in history where grandeur, scaling, and decadent decoration were celebrated." – Catherine Josey, Designer, HBA.
"We started with a neoclassical design and brought it forward in time. We integrated historic elements into each of the spaces to give guests a sense of nostalgia as they were transformed into the present," said HBA Atlanta Senior Designer Catherine Josey. "By using a storyline-based approach, we sought to create a cohesive design concept with a level of attention to detail that invokes the spirited feeling of a time in history where grandeur, scaling, and decadent decoration were celebrated to encourage guests to be fully present and appreciate the moment they enter the lobby."
Through the oversized black metal doors adorned with bronze hardware, guests walk into a stately lobby with black and white checkered flooring and Doric columns inspired by magnificent Great Hall designed by Adam at London's Syon House. An oversized art piece flanked by theatrical drapes on each side sets a dramatic backdrop for a grand reception desk composed of white and black stone with gold gilded medallions. The lobby lounge library exudes the familiarity of an English pub with high wainscoting coated in a dark rich paint, coffered ceiling and comfortable seating. A dual-sided, wood-burning fireplace allows guests to relax with a book in the library or enjoy lively drinks with friends on the lobby side.
"Each space has its purpose in function and form, whether to ignite the imagination, engage or elevate, yet all fit together so perfectly to leave guests with memories they won't soon forget," continued Josey. "With purposeful design, Hotel Carmichael is a place where guests can write their own story and return time and again to fill the pages of their book."
Moving into the meeting and event venues, Baroque-style mirrors line the hallway of the prefunction space outside the elegant Cole Porter Ballroom where patterned carpeting and a ceiling detailed with medallions, crowns and hanging crystal chandeliers create a light, airy space. HBA Atlanta designers created contrasting atmospheres for the two boardrooms, one with dark millwork walls and wood floors for a classic feel and the other, more playful with blue lacquered walls.
Image caption: The elegant Cole Porter Ballroom is where patterned carpeting and a ceiling detailed with medallions, crowns and hanging crystal chandeliers create a light, airy space. | Image credit: Coury Hospitality`
Teal lacquered doors open to Vivante, a culinary experience reminiscent of a French bistro where walls washed in white serve as a canvas for dark wood furniture to make a statement and a built-in dark wood wine cabinet to act as a focal point. Ceilings are simple while the details are thoughtful and impactful. Developed in partnership with legendary musician Michael Feinstein, a frequent performer at The Palladium, Feinstein's is Hotel Carmichael's signature cabaret dressed in dark carpeting and furniture with an elaborate bar formed of a mix of metals and mirrors. The refined ambiance encapsulates the music and magic of Carmel City Center.
Journey through the guest corridors and discover a softer palette of blues and greens for a serene moment, punctuated by art in reference to the Great American Songbook with a distinct experience on each floor.
Image caption: Grand bathrooms filter through from the luxurious and comfortable guestrooms and suites. | Image credit: Coury Hospitality
HBA Atlanta designers outfitted guestrooms with blue leather headboards, oversized sectionals for lounging and chandeliers in every room. Bathrooms feature walk-in showers, freestanding tubs and back-lit mirrored vanities that provide ample lighting. In the suites, hardwood flooring upon entry leads to a small powder room, a dining room with hints of teal accents through the rug and dining chairs, and a bright living room with blue drapes and multicolored side chairs. Gilded touches and chandeliers are carried through the property into the suites.
Main image credit: Coury Hospitality
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Roundtable-speakers.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 14.01.2021 14.01.2021
With 'greenwashing' still an all-too-common term in the global 'sustainable' hotel design and hospitality arena, we gather a cluster of designers and architects to attend a virtual roundtable, sponsored by Architextural, to discuss sustainability solutions in surface design. Editor Hamish Kilburn leads the discussion…
With rapid population growth, urbanisation and the ability to purchase goods at our fingertips, we in the western world have become overall a wasteful on-demand society that on the whole is unfortunately not sustainable in our thinking.
More specifically in hospitality, while initiatives such as putting a curb on single-use plastics have been celebrated, 'greenwashing' has become a commonly used term in order to expose those whose veneer of a sustainable establishment is actually doing more harm than good. In order to grasp sustainability's role in the future of hotel design, and to put forward viable alternatives, we must look beyond the semi-sustainable methods of yesterday and instead research consciously with aim to find new methods that are not just kinder to the environment, but will also enhance local relationships and improve aesthetic qualities.
As ever, it falls upon the design community to put forward innovative methods that make sense for the future projects that will emerge on the international hotel design scene. In this exclusive virtual roundtable, sponsored by Architextural, we handpicked designers and architects in order to question sustainability in surface design, and learned that 'sustainable does not always mean natural'.
On the panel:
Ben Webb, Co-Founder, 3 Stories
Geoff Hull, Director, EPR Architects
Harriet Forde, Past President, BIID and Founder of Harriet Forde Design
Henry Reeve, Head of interior design (IHG – Kimpton and Hotel Indigo)
Maria Gutierrez, Project Architect at Holland Harvey Architects
Una Barac, Founder and Executive Director, Atellior
Jack Halewood, Business Development Manager, 3M
Lindsay Appleton, Marketing Manager, Architextural
Jeremy Grove, Managing Director, Sibley Grove
Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs
Before we delve into materials and far-fetched, eco-driven initiatives in surface design, in order to establish misconceptions, we should look at architectural wrapping has become increasingly popular in recent years. On the surface of the debate, using PVC is contentious and, despite it being the world's third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer, it is not particularly sustainable. However, used in the right way, surface manufacturer Architextural believes the process of wrapping can significantly help designers and their clients achieve a sustainable outcome when it comes to upcycling goods.
Hamish Kilburn: Lindsay, you're the marketing manager for Architextural. Can you tell us a bit more about the brand's sustainability credentials?
Lindsay Appleton: Architextural, is a new brand, part of William Smith Group, which was established back in 1832. The concept of wrapping existing surfaces, instead of sending them to landfill, is contributing to a more sustainable future. In 2021, we have more than 1,000 patterns on the shelf, so as well as offering an environmentally friendly process, we also have a lot of variety in our ranges to suit most design applications in so many sectors – our products are incredibly versatile.
HK: Jack, you work for 3M, which manufactures Architextural's product. Can you tell us more about this process?
Although the product is PVC it's optimised to withstand wear and tear, UV, impact and it's exceptionally conformable. Therefore, it can prolong the lifespan of products and eradicate the need for excess waste. 3M Architectural Finishes range is designed to meet aesthetic demand, while delivering functional benefits which can improve the sustainability of projects.
HK: What makes this process sustainable?
LA: The concept of wrapping using a PVC product, makes it a durable refurbishment solution. Rather than ripping out existing fixtures and fittings to be sent to landfill, upcycling what's already there qualifies for all the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits around reusing existing furniture and reusing existing materials. The process is therefore much more sustainable, and there is less disruptive over having a traditional refurbishment. By upcycling what was already there, it is a sustainable way to reduce cost.
Image credit: Architextural
"Anything that allows you to reinvent without throwing out has got to be a good thing." – Harriet Forde, Founder, Hariet Forde Design
HK: What is driving the rise in upcycling surfaces – is this 'trend' purely linked to sustainability?
Harriet Forde: I think we are trying to address the natural desire of humans to evolve and change. We are always looking forward to the next thing that is happening. We are a visual animal and looking forward to see what is trending. However, we cannot expect revolutionise all the time. We have to be able to manage that in a way that is sustainable. Anything that allows you to reinvent without throwing out has got to be a good thing.
Una Barac: When I started in the industry some two decades ago, Wenge was a popular veneer. We, as designers, allowing for it to become so popular came very close to exterminating that entire species of a tree. This is why we will now use blackened oak as an alternative– so we will find sustainably sourced oak and we will treat to achieve that dark effect without having to travel the world to find exotic species of wood, cutting it down and flying it half way across the globe.
So, for me, there are sustainable ways to being true and authentic – and we are learning more all the time. We should be designing with location in mind.
HK: Before the pandemic, I believe clients were really starting to understand the value of sustainably sourced goods beyond them just being eco-friendly. How this attitude changed since the pandemic with hygiene creeping up on the agenda?
Ben Webb: It's definitely come up in conversations, but it isn't the driving factor behind us putting these spaces together. Clients, and in fact people in general, are so much more aware now than they were five years ago when it was just used to sound good. The awareness now – and the fact that it is written in a lot of these briefs from day one – is very important. You need to talk about it from the beginning of a project rather than at the end.
"The greenest, most sustainable products are the ones that already exist." – Ben Webb, Co-Founder, 3 Stories.
It doesn't have to be some crazy new material, but it could just be the fact that you reuse the furniture. The greenest, most sustainable products are the ones that already exist. Let's not forget that there are a lot of products and materials that already exist. In the past, we have had that shift with warehouse-like interiors, but actually the larger discussion point is the products that have been produced and we could actually reuse them. Wrapping these products, for certain brands, is extremely important.
Hygiene is coming up in conversation but our lead times are around two years – sometime longer. Therefore, there is a bigger picture and we always have to look ahead.
HF: As a designer, you should set the parameter right at the beginning of the project with how much your intention is to be sustainable, because it ultimately impacts the budget, and clients often see you reusing as a way to save money.
Geoff Hull: A lot of reused materials such as plastics can achieve ergonomic and geometric forms in a slender and elegant way. Polymer products can also carry other non-porous and hygiene friendly surfaces particularly relevant in our current Covid conscious World.
Henry Reeve: One of the ways we try to be sustainable is to ensure that our designs stand the test of time, so that we are not ripping stuff out after a couple of year, because then by definition you are not creating waste.
"In the QO Hotel Amsterdam, for example, all the carpets are made from recycled fishing nets." – Henry Reeve, Head of Interior Design, IHG (Kimpton/Hotel Indigo).
Image caption: QO Amsterdam is an excellent example of a hotel that shelters innovative sustainable initiatives.. | Image credit: IHG
Image caption: In QO Hotel Amsterdam all the carpets are made from recycled fishing nets. | Image credit: IHG
We have introduced some interesting initiatives in some of our hotels. In the QO Hotel Amsterdam, for example, all the carpets are made from recycled fishing nets. Plastic is obviously a very durable material so this works perfectly. Also, in our Voco hotels, all the duvets are made from recycled bottles – and we have received really positive feedback from our guests regarding how comfortable they are.
One of the initiatives with furniture, is when they come to end of life with the hotel, but still in good conditions, we have donated our FF&E to housing projects and youth facilities.
When it comes to wrapping, we did implement this with the case goods inside some of the meeting rooms in InterContinental Park Lane. This was a time-saving a cost-effective process that really worked.
HK: And Henry, how do you sensitively communicate these initiatives this to guests?
HR: You have to be careful when shouting about renewables. There's information there should the guests want to read more.
"We have to, if we are creating new products, ensure they don't end up in landfill 10, 20 even 100 years down the line." – Jeremy Grove, founder, Sibley Grove.
Jeremy Grove: The way in which we try to work is that we see the problem being more of a design problem and not a material one. We need to understand what happens afterwards. Wrapping and giving a product a new lease of life. A product is only desirable when we are using it and once we throw it away it is then no desirable at all. So, we have to, if we are creating new products, ensure they don't end up in landfill 10, 20 even 100 years down the line.
The Fox & Goose is a good example, because it was designed to be dissembled, using materials that could be taken back to source and regenerated into a better quality.
For us, it's about doing what's sustainable and what makes good business sense. It's really important for us to work with clients who don't always share our ethos so that we can teach them as the project develops. Working with owners, operators and developers, if we can help to change their mindset on sustainable even by just a little bit then we are contributing to our industry as a whole thinking more consciously.
Image caption: The Fox & Goose, designed by Sibley Grove, was created to be dissembled | Image credit: Fox & Goose
"We found a company that will pick up all the materials that we're stripping on the site." – Maria Gutierrez, Project Architect at Holland Harvey Architects.
Maria Gutierrez: I find that we also develop as designers when we are able to work on two projects under the same brand. We are currently working on designing the second Inhabit in London and we have taken so many learnings from the first, which was a fully sustainable hotel sheltered inside a Grade II listed building. We found a company that will pick up all the materials that we're stripping on the site. All the marbles, all the tiles. When you recycle, and upcycle, them they become beautiful statements of sustainability. We are upcycling all these materials and repurposing them to be the worktops in the new hotel. Learning from the first hotel, we are able to go even further with the next project.
And then we get to the process of Value Engineering (VE), in which sustainable initiatives always suffer.
Image caption: Inhabit London is grade II listed, designed by Holland Harvey Architects, is a fully sustainable hotel that confronts the ideology that heritage buildings cannot shelter sustainable spaces. | Image credit: Inhabit Hotels
BW: A lot of VE comes down to longevity. It may be a sharp cost now, but if something stands the test of time then its value increases.
"I have recently seen recycled terrazzo with chunks of plastic in." – Henry Reeve, Head of Interior Design, IHG (Kimpton/Hotel Indigo).
HK: What has caused the rise in demand for exposed concrete surfaces?
GH: We have had a few projects including Ace Hotel and Village Hotels where concrete was seen as an honest and robust material. Techniques with formwork and ingredients has enabled a menu of different textures, finishes and colours for new build projects (where re used concrete can be crushed and used as aggregate) or existing retained superstructure can also add character and historic reference to any project.
Image caption: Ace London, with architecture from EPR Architects, utilises concrete to create a raw texture. | Image credit: Ace Hotels
Image caption: A guestroom inside Ace London
HK: How can using upcycled materials in surfaces add new layers to a design of a hotel?
HR: There's definitely interesting materials that have caught our eye, especially around recycled plastic. Technology has moved on leaps and bounds and I have recently seen recycled terrazzo with chunks of plastic in. Chunks of marble and/or wood in a terrazzo material looks stunning and create a very luxurious feel. I am expecting to see more of that in the future.
"Even the largest brands can be very excited by ideas around upcycling and recycling." – Una Barac, Founder and Executive Director of Atellior
UB: Everyone seems to have a broader awareness. Even the largest brands can be very excited by ideas around upcycling and recycling. Here are a few examples. Park Plaza purchased an existing property which had almost 400 chairs that were made from cherry wood and upholstered with paisley patterns. We literally stripped them down with a local workshop that sanded the wood, painted each chair and then reupholstered them with a modern fabric.
Another example is a Hilton property in Bournemouth. The owner had procured antique furniture. In the spa, we decided to use one of these items – a desk – and we upcycled it which we then encased in glass because there were concerns with splinters. This piece of furniture became a beautiful focal point within the hotel.
BW: We have found that materials can have a dual purpose, when they have a very practical use but also very aesthetically pleasing.
"Just because it is natural does not mean it is sustainable" – Jeremy Grove, founder, Sibley Grove.
HK: During R&D, what far-fetched materials have your teams discovered in new surfaces?
JG: For me, a lot of what we focus on is not really the far-fetched stuff at all! Our work we did with Selfridges is a great example, which allowed us to look at a material that is upcycled fishing nets and ropes.
However, just because it is natural does not mean it is sustainable. Take oak, for example. It takes between 75 – 150 years to mature. If we were using this in a shop fit-out intended to be used for just six months then it really isn't sustainable at all. When designing, we as an industry sometimes neglect that a lot ecosystems rely on these natural materials. We have lost vast amounts of our oak and its solutions around these problems that I am interested in.
GH: Nothing 'far-fetched' comes to mind but quite often we get to use many recycled materials either through manufacturing and specification choices or through the use of existing on site materials. We have many listed building examples where we have dismantled (rather than demolish) parts of a building for re-use in its altered form (stone , timber flooring , mosaics , cornicework etc).
HF: Sometimes the product that does not have the best sustainably credentials, like PVC for example, can in fact be the most sustainable if it is long-lasting and by not changing it you are actually being more sustainable.
BW: We all have a collective responsibility and awareness when we are designing a new hotel because we are making a massive impact. As designers, we have to meet the brief and make these spaces look stunning, but we there is no harm to think a little deeper to try and design in a clever way to try and source the best, most sustainable products and materials.
MG: The world and customer is starting to become more interested in sustainability and is able to make informed decisions around travel, design and fashion. This widespread knowledge is making it easier for designers to discuss this with clients. It's also a great opportunity for hotels to tell their narrative in a unique way.
UB: It's about designers taking developers on a journey to set the brief and parameters and educating the client as you move forward.
HK: How has this movement change the way in which design and architecture is taught?
JG: In terms of how it's taught academically, it has always been part of academia. The largest challenge is how we translate that into the commercial world and there is a disconnect between them. It takes real resolve to challenge some of these conventions. Design has to lead that journey.
GH: I believe the use of conventional and traditional materials and methods have developed and altered considerably over the last 25 years and there is a greater choice of materials which address form ,and function as well as embrace recycling/upcycling credentials.
HF: At the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), we run an annual student challenge. When I was on the judging panel two years ago, the students were very focused on sustainability. In a student scenario, it is very idealislised and in the line of work there are a lot trip hazards along the way. CPD, though, is a really positive way to continually educate yourself in what is a continually evolving industry anyway.
Architextural is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Drama in the bathroom: Bette introduces matt black baths
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BetteStarlet-Oval-Sihouette-in-matt-black-colour.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 14.01.2021 13.01.2021
The year was 2021. A deadly virus had broken out – now a pandemic – which forced hotel doors to shut while designers and architects sketched a new hotel design landscape. I'm not suggesting we need more drama, but it's exciting nonetheless to see Bette add a new layer in the bathroom with its new matt black baths, writes editor Hamish Kilburn…
The bathroom is becoming more dramatic, with black and inky tones on furniture, tiles and painted surfaces helping to create contemporary and stylish spaces.
Eighteen Bette freestanding baths are now available in Ebony, a matt black colour to complement the use of darker tones in the bathroom. The baths, from the BetteLux, BetteStarlet and BetteArt collections, also include some which are perfect for smaller bathrooms, as they are designed to be positioned against a wall or into a corner.
Like all Bette baths, it is made from glazed titanium-steel, comes with a 30 year warranty and is 100 per cent recyclable. It is durable and easy to clean because the glass-hard surface makes it difficult for dirt and bacteria to adhere. It is also not affected by chemicals or even the naked flame or hot wax of a candle, which means that Bette's baths in matt black are easy to keep looking their best. The surface is also UV-resistant, so the elegance of the matt black colour remains unaltered over the years.
Bette is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Image caption: BetteStarlet Oval Silhouette, which is available in five sizes from 1500 x 800mm to 1950 x 950mm. | Image credit: Bette
Colour & pattern trends for 2021 and beyond
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Unknown-1.jpeg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 14.01.2021 14.01.2021
In order to establish some positivity in what is otherwise a rather bleak hospitality landscape at the moment, we're leaning on Parkside to lift the lid – and the mood – on colour and pattern trends that are shaping interiors over the next two years…
"There's got to be more to colour in 2021 than PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating," we hear you say. There's nothing wrong with these two contrasting hues, but thanks to our relationship with tile specification brand Parkside, we can go beyond the surface to discover some rather exciting trends that are emerging.
With the Covid-19 pandemic causing the biggest disruption to modern life in many generations, our response looks to shield us from the economic uncertainty, social isolation and endangered health. A desire for interiors that can accommodate agility as well as provide retreat to make us feel calm and safe, will shape the colours, surfaces and patterns we see.
Encouraging a positive emotional response that helps to relieve feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, colour is playing a more influential role, with palettes that offer depth and richness. From saturated, digital tones to rich and authentic natural colours such as moss and deep forest green, colours are bolder and help users connect to the space in meaningful ways.
These colours can be grouped into clear themes that bring cohesion to a colour, texture and surface palette. Parkside has identified two key themes for 2021/2022 in Nature's Purity and Retro Pop.
Image credit: Unsplash/Florian Klauer
Image credit: Unsplash/Efe Kurnaz
Nature's Purity explores the positivity of nature's influence on our interiors. As we seek a deeper connection to the natural world, it looks towards colours, surfaces and patterns that respond to this. Warmer, earthy ones are paired with natural materials that evoke a sense of purity and perfection. Lending itself well to creating an immersive hospitality experience through new neutrals and natural textures such as marble and wood, Nature's Purity fosters a link to the outdoor world that helps to instil calmness and serenity in any commercial interior.
Image credit: Parkside
Retro Pop sees a return to nostalgia, with the bold, geometric patterns of the 70s resurging, this time with a sunnier palette rooted in citrus yellow. Sweet pastels add energy and help to build playful spaces that encourage wellness, collaboration, connection and socialisation. Bringing fun and joy to workplaces and retail, Retro Pop sees ceramics, satin finishes and terrazzo clash for fun combinations that retain a feeling of positiveness.
Through more than 1,500 tile designs, Parkside can provide designers with wall and floor tiles to bring these trends to commercial projects. Whether the faithful colours of the Matrix collection or marble, wood and textile effects; Parkside supports its solutions with a range of services including waterjet cutting, colour matching and bespoke digital print.
Parkside is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Parkside
Hygiene, there's a RIBA approved CPD module for that!
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/GROHE-Bau-Cosmo-E-taps-in-commercial-washroom.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 14.01.2021 13.01.2021
GROHE has launched its third RIBA approved CPD module, Hygiene Optimisation for Sanitary Facilities, which will be hosted by editor Hamish Kilburn and presented by GROHE's Karl Lennon, on February 9, 2021…
In response to the increasing demand for hygiene-optimised solutions since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, GROHE has launched a RIBA approved CPD module for the architecture and design community. Its aim is to facilitate greater awareness and provide inspiration to multiple stakeholders and industries working within the built environment, from architects and designers to house builders, retailers, and plumbers.
Click here to register for the CPD module, entitled: Hygiene Optimisation for Sanitary Facilities.
The latest seminar-based training module is the first on RIBA's CPD database to look at hygiene in both the kitchen and bathroom, allowing architects and designers an in-depth look at residential design under a hygiene lens, alongside its increasing importance in commercial settings. As a provider of complete bathroom solutions, GROHE is able to offer its expertise holistically when it comes to bathroom applications. The CPD session encourages architects to consider how all touchpoints in the bathroom can be optimised with hygiene in mind, across brassware and ceramics. Meanwhile in kitchen settings, GROHE looks at the emerging importance tapware can play in maintaining hygiene levels.
Image credit: GROHE
GROHE first identified a seismic shift in the demand for hygiene-optimised products at the beginning of 2020, which reached new heights once the first wave of the pandemic hit the UK.
"Whilst in the UK commercial market the transition to more hygiene-focussed public spaces and business environments has been in motion for some time, there has been increasing demand in the consumer markets, in such a way that has never been seen before", says Karl Lennon, Leader Projects Channel – A&D, LIXIL EMENA. "Ongoing conversations with our partners and clients over the last year has signified to us that there is a real demand for more knowledge around hygiene and what solutions are available. The pandemic is likely to impact both the short- and long-term implications of the way our buildings are designed and how we live and work in them. The design community are eager to expand their horizons in order to be able to adapt."
By designing our surroundings with hygiene front of mind, Hygiene Optimisation for Sanitary Facilities highlights other positive implications to consider too. For example, boosting sustainability credentials with products such as infra-red taps and flush plates which reduce water and energy consumption. Improving the accessibility of our private and public spaces is also a viable outcome, as more autonomous solutions will be favoured over traditional products that rely on manual operation.
To mark the release of its new CPD module, GROHE has partnered with leading hospitality design platform, Hotel Designs, to host a virtual launch event for architects and designers on Tuesday 9th February 2021. Hosted by Hotel Designs' editor, Hamish Kilburn, and presented by Karl Lennon, Leader Projects Channel – A&D, LIXIL EMENA, the launch event will give attendees a first look at the new CPD session. GROHE will also be hosting a prize draw for all those who register, with twenty of its brand-new Rainshower SmartActive 130 handshowers to give away. Winners will be announced and contacted shortly after the event.
For those interested in attending the launch event, registrations can be made here. To express interest in booking a private CPD training session, emails should be directed to cpdtraining-uk@grohe.com.
Since you're here, why not read more about GROHE's recently achieved sustainability accolades?
GROHE is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: GROHE
Cork is turning Japanese with Granorte
Harnessing the natural beauty of cork while bringing new meaning to its aesthetic, Tatami is a wall covering from Granorte, inspired by traditional Japanese tatami rice straw mats…
Designed by Marco Carini for Granorte, Tatami creates its effect through contrasting 3D lines that can be installed in horizontal or vertical arrangements. Bringing subtle depth and texture, the cork tile blends the positive influence of nature with uncomplicated aesthetics to deliver a comfortable and calming wall finish.
Available in three colours that reference traditional colours of the mats in the deep brown of Tatami Midnight, wheat of Tatami Natural and sand-like Tatami Light; the wall tile is made entirely from lightweight agglomerated cork. Made from waste of the wine stopper industry, it retains all the properties of cork bark. Durable and with excellent acoustic and thermal insulative properties, agglomerated cork is a natural and renewable material highly suitable for interior finishes.
As the link between the wellbeing of occupants and the design of interiors is increasingly acknowledged and explored, cork is enjoying new relevance as an adaptable finish for walls and floors. Capturing the positive emotional influence of nature in a finish that offers superb levels of physical comfort and which can be shaped and coloured in many ways, cork could well be the interior finish of the future.
Tatami uses a water-based Corkguard finish that aids maintenance and enhances durability. The lightweight tiles are suitable for commercial use and supplied in a large 600 x 300mm format ready for glue-on installation.
Since you're here, why not read about how sustainable surfaces can be a playful way to connect with nature?
Granorte is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Main image credit: Granorte
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/caleb-miller-0Bs3et8FYyg-unsplash.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 13.01.2021 13.01.2021
Rosewood Hotels has announced that it will open a 157-key luxury hotel in Rome in 2023, which will become the brand's 11th property in Europe. Here's what we know…
The latest news follows previous announcements referencing the brand's expansion in Europe, including properties in Amsterdam, Sardinia and Madrid.
Located in the former headquarters of Italy's Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL) overlooking the iconic Via Venet, the new hotel will Extend an entire block and will encompass three historic buildings, each of which were originally built in the early 1900s. The crown jewel of the project will be the reimagination of the former BNL headquarters, the main unit of the development that was initially designed by renowned Italian architect and urban planner Marcello Piacentini.
"The design will take influence from the hotel's location overlooking Via Veneto."
The property's transformation will be managed by Colliers International, led by global architecture and engineering firm, Jacobs, and Australian interior design firm, BAR Studio, to build upon Piacentini's legacy and pay homage to the property's roots as an exemplar of modernist Italian architecture. The design will take influence from the hotel's location overlooking Via Veneto, one of Rome's most elegant streets and a symbol of the celebrated Federico Fellini film, La Dolce Vita, with elegant interiors that blend timeless style with contemporary comforts. In keeping with Rosewood's guiding A Sense of Place philosophy, Rome's relaxed ambiance and devotion to dolce far niente, or the art of "doing nothing", will influence the hotel's design concept, which will mix traditional architectural elements with modern décor and detailing to create a sophisticated environment for the ultimate life of leisure.
"Over the last several years, we have been searching for the right opportunities to evolve our European footprint and bring the Rosewood brand to new corners of the continent," said Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. "As one of Italy's most vibrant cities with an undoubtedly rich legacy and charming character, Rome has long been at the top of the list of priority destinations in which to set the Rosewood flag, and we're thrilled to be working with our partners at Antirion SGR on this project that will surely set a new standard for luxury lifestyle experiences in Rome."
Upon completion, Rosewood Rome will offer 157 accommodations, including 44 suites. Home to three dining outlets, including a contemporary Italian bistro, a lobby bar and café and a rooftop bar with a terrace with sweeping views of the city, the hotel will serve as a luxurious escape for locals and visitors alike. Additional amenities include a subterrain experience within the bank's original vault featuring a modern Roman Bathhouse and Sense, A Rosewood Spa, located on the rooftop which will feature four dedicated treatment rooms and a wellness terrace with a reflecting pool and dynamic fitness centre. Dedicated event spaces will encompass three meeting rooms and a grand ballroom.
"We are honored to embark on this exciting project with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts," said Ofer Arbib, CEO of Antirion SGR. "We could not think of more suited partner to create a new world-renowned destination that celebrates the heritage and rich offerings of Rome while simultaneously extending a sophisticated interpretation of ultra-luxury hospitality."
Rosewood Rome will be the brand's fourth Italian property, joining Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany and the upcoming Rosewood Porto Cervo and Rosewood Venice, set to open in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Rosewood's existing European properties also include Rosewood London and Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel in Paris.
Main image credit: Unsplash/Caleb Miller
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Copy-of-ACE_BKLYN_SKJ_06_CROP.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 13.01.2021 12.01.2021
Ace Hotel's latest property will arrive in Downtown Brooklyn this Spring, designed from the ground up by renowned design firm Roman and Williams…
"We've been building toward Ace Brooklyn for years; the entire city has reimagined itself several times over since we started," said Brad Wilson, President, Ace Hotel Group. "That's exactly the spirit we've worked to mirror in every corner of our new home — the inexhaustible ingenuity that stands as the borough's only constant. We're lucky enough to have landed at the junction of so many rich and inspiring neighbourhoods, and hope to provide a new and inviting sense of place for our guests and neighbours to call home."
Image caption: An early sketch of Ace Hotel Brooklyn, designed by Roman and Williams.
Open, spacious and welcoming, the hotel's design, led by Roman and Williams, gives more than a nod to Brooklyn's complex fabric of communal and creative spaces, with an animated public lobby and indoor-outdoor portals that ease into the city's edges. The guestrooms pair floor-to-ceiling windows with original artwork by local fibre and textile artists — with some higher floors offering a 360º panorama of Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Ace Hotel Brooklyn is the third design collaboration between Atelier Ace and Roman and Williams, following Ace Hotel New York and Ace Hotel New Orleans. Ace's second-only ground-up build, the hotel's facade and interiors are inspired by the sprawling egalitarian promise of the borough — from the industrial grit of its shipyards to the neo-expressionist complexity of Basquiat. Roman and Williams looked to traditions of studios and workspaces, embracing the purity of handcrafted expressions in every area — from massive timbers in the lobby, to the custom tile murals in the lavatories, the poured in place concrete structure of the building, plus a collection of furnishings created uniquely for this project.
"For our third collaboration with Ace Hotel, Roman and Williams created both the building and the interiors for Ace Brooklyn," added Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, Roman and Williams. We chose to embrace a governing principle of purity and artistic spirit in our architecture and the spaces within. We employed a philosophy of primitive modernism holistically across the project. This highly artistic approach drove us to use construction methods and materials with honesty. This is evident in everything you touch and see. This undecorated and tactile spirit expresses a radical transparency in its approach to the design of Ace Brooklyn."
With current locations in Seattle, Portland, New York, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Chicago and Kyoto, Ace is expanding its portfolio. As well as another arrival in New York City, the brand as has plans to open properties in Toronto and Sydney this year.
Main image credit: Ace Hotels
"It's groundbreaking", UK Bathrooms puts the Crossbox Push to the test
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/PROCBPUSH1500LBPC-Roomset.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 12.01.2021 12.01.2021
We've heard a lot of noise about the Crossbox Push shower unit in recent months, with its sharp design and innovative technology making it an ideal product to specify for the hospitality industry. But just how effective is it? We asked the experts at UK Bathrooms to put Crosswater's new shower unit to the test…
While certain pieces of brassware in the bathroom are ever-evolving, others have remained fundamentally unchanged over the decades. While brassware as a whole has taken on the different colour finishes in vogue at various times – from gleaming gold brass to the matt black and white finishes trending today – some bathroom brassware seems to get more aesthetic attention than others. Notably, taps have undergone the most dramatic of developments, with handle shapes and spouts in a constant state of flux both design-wise – varying considerably from pieces based on historic precedent to those more akin to modern sculpture – to their positioning by the basin or bath, from classic mixer taps to wall mounted or freestanding.
Within the shower, shower heads have undergone bold changes over recent years, with forward thinking designs not only looking the part, offer different styles of water flow, or being integrated with lighting or elements of technology. More practical shower controls have been largely overlooked aesthetically, water and temperature typically regulated with the twisting of a valve and left at that. Until now. Cue the arrival of Crossbox Push by Crosswater, a module which radically modernises the design of shower controls and adds a revolutionary new functionality to the shower experience.
'The Crossbox Push introduces a push control to the shower in a groundbreaking, design-focused way," explains Graeme Borchard, Managing Director at ukBathrooms. 'The instant water flow Crossbox Push offers at the touch of a button merges efficiency and precision control with an utterly sleek contemporary aesthetic, forever altering the look of within the shower."
Image credit: Crosswater/UK Bathrooms
Streamlined functionality
The push button operation of Crossbox Push brings a fresh perspective to shower control design. Why twist and adjust when you can simply press? Rotary heat control means that the desired temperature can be pre-set and conjured in a tap of the Neoperl ABS push button. Water can be summoned from up to three different water outlets – be it a rainfall, wall mounted or hand-held shower head – in one easy touch.
The two key elements of the Crossbox Push are the bold circular button, which is also integrated with a textured dial to alter water flow, and the smaller temperature control knob. Combined, the pair make a modern design statement, boldly protruding from the all metal backplate in a minimal, clean style, while the lines splitting the button into two or three add easy usability with low visual impact.
Available in an array of on-trend and timeless finishes, the Crossbox Push can be specified to suit any colour scheme, style or existing brassware – all bases are covered with the Crosswater MPRO palette. Got a Scandi-style pale space? Blend in with Matt White, or contrast with Matt Black. Feeling glamourous? Brushed Brass is your friend. Need some texture? Try the Brushed Stainless Steel Effect. Something classic? Chrome is here for you.
Style and substance in the touch of a button, the Crossbox Push is ushering in a new era to water control, and a total refresh of design within the shower space.
UK Bathrooms is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package, while Crosswater is a Recommended Supplier. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Main image credit: Crosswater/UK Bathrooms
Dominvs Group secures £68.5m for two flagship UK hotels
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/DominvsGroupHotelsfundingCourtyardbyMarriottOxfordlounge.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 12.01.2021 11.01.2021
Dominvs Group has secured almost £70 million of fresh-bank funding from Coutts and Clydesdale Bank Plc for two new flagship hotels in London and Oxford…
Dominvs Group, a London real estate development and investment group, has successfully secured £68.5 million of fresh funding, facilitated by Coutts and Clydesdale Bank Plc in two separate facilities; with £48 million from Coutts allowing for the development of a new Hampton by Hilton hotel in London's Aldgate, and a £20.5 million investment loan from Clydesdale Bank Plc for the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Oxford.
The group highlights that the successful raising of funding for both projects reflects the firm's good banking relationships and confidence in the group's development and operational capabilities, alongside rising optimism in the UK hotel industry after the start of COVID-19 vaccination programme in the UK.
The hotel at 12-20 Osborn Street in Aldgate, formerly the Arbor City Hotel, was purchased by Dominvs Group in October 2018 and planning was granted for a new larger hotel scheme on the site during Q4 2018. The new £48 million of funding from Coutts covers the refinance of the original acquisition loan for the site and allows for the development of the new 118,000 sqft 278-key Hampton by Hilton London City hotel, with practical build completion scheduled for June 2023.
The new five storey Hampton by Hilton London City hotel will comprise the refurbishment of the existing hotel plus a new-build extension, with the construction undertaken by leading contractor McAleer and Rushe. Alongside 278 guestrooms and suites, the new hotel will provide meeting, dining and events space including a cinema room and large function room. The hotel is located in the heart of East London by Brick Lane, an area undergoing significant investment from Tower Hamlets Council, and just five minutes from the City of London.
Located in the historic centre of Oxford, close to the world famous Oxford University buildings and libraries, the Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre hotel is situated at 15 Paradise Street overlooking the Castle Mill Stream canal on both sides. The hotel was completed in July 2019, with an 11-room extension opened in January 2020.
Image credit: Dominvs Group Hotels
Despite the pandemic, the 151-key hotel achieved more than 50 per cent occupancy rates during the summer of 2020. The new investment of £20.5 million from Clydesdale Bank Plc refinances an incumbent loan that funded the development of the building and ensured that construction was on schedule.
"It is excellent to see confidence in the hotel industry returning." – Preeptal Ahluwalia, Director at Dominvs Group.
The site at Paradise Street was purchased by Dominvs Group in October 2014 and was formerly the HQ of Cooper Callas, a kitchen and bathroom distributor. Dominvs Group obtained planning for a 140-key hotel in 2017 with the construction undertaken by McAleer and Rushe.
The six-storey hotel has a red-brick and glass façade with rooms and suites overlooking the canal and the ruins of Oxford Castle's St George's Tower. Alongside the Kitchen and Bar Restaurant and lounge areas the hotel has a spectacular rooftop cocktail bar and rooftop garden/terrace offering panoramic 360 degree views over Oxford's stunning spires, domes and landmarks.
By May 2021 the UK Government forecast that a third of the UK's 66 million population will have been vaccinated against COVID-19. By summer 2021 around 50% of the population should be immunised, and international flights and tourism should start to recover. The vaccination of the entire UK population is estimated to take up to 12 months, with 'normality' returning by November 2021.
Preeptal Ahluwalia, Director at Dominvs Group, says: "Dominvs Group is delighted to have successfully secured £68.5 million of fresh bank funding which allows for the development of our new Hampton by Hilton branded hotel in London's Aldgate and has refinanced our Courtyard by Marriott branded hotel in Oxford. The successful funding reflects our good banking relationships and confidence in the group's development and operational capabilities, alongside rising optimism in the UK hotel industry following the start of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in the UK. It is excellent to see confidence in the hotel industry returning and these two hotels are well-placed to benefit from the gradual return of both domestic and overseas visitors to London and Oxford, two of the UK's most popular tourist and business trip hotspots and destinations of increasing hotel need."
Main image credit: Dominvs Group
5 reasons to attend Hotel Designs LIVE in February
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Untitled-design-5.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 12.01.2021 12.01.2021
Hotel Designs LIVE returns on February 23 to keep the industry connected and to serve our readers with relevant and engaging conversations that are unlike any other. With just over a month before the virtual event, editor Hamish Kilburn is here to explain to you why you should attend…
Back by popular demand, Hotel Designs LIVE launched in the chaotic realms of the Covid-19 outbreak last year. The one-day virtual conference is designed to keep the industry connected and the conversation flowing during and beyond the disruptive time we are currently in.
Following two successful events, the concept will return on February 23, 2021 with the aim to define the point on international hotel design's most relevant topics with the help of leading figures from the world of design, architecture and hospitality as well as identifying the latest product innovations on the market.
So, here are five reasons why you do not want to miss out on attending our first Hotel Designs LIVE of the season:
1) It's free to attend!
If you qualify as a designer, architect, hotelier or developer, then attending Hotel Designs LIVE is completely free of charge. The reason for this is that we, on the editorial desk, believe it is simply our duty to provide our readers with engaging and relevant content that will help steer us all in the right direction for the post-pandemic world.
Click here to participate in Hotel Designs LIVE (booking form takes less than 2 minutes to complete).
2) The speaker line-up is insane!
We have gone above and beyond to secure yet another stellar line-up of speakers who can appropriately define the point on the topics we have chosen to put under this event's spotlight. Speakers for Hotel Designs LIVE include:
Albin Berglund, Co-Founder, Bergman Interiors
Chris Lee, Director of Architecture, Design & Construction at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Martin Goddard, Co-Founder, Goddard Littlefair
Rob Steul, Creative Director, The Londoner
Geetie Singh-Watson, Owner, The Bull Inn Totnes
Oliver Heath, Founder, Oliver Heath Design
Yasmine Mahmoudieh, Founder, Yasmine Mahmoudieh Studio
Patrick Speck, LIXIL Global Design, EMENA, GROHE
Mark Bruce, Director, EPR Architects
Tina Norden, Partner, Conran + Partners
Tom Middleton, Sound Architect
Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Interiors
Mark Kelly, Partner, PLP Architecture
Ana Ramirez, Architect, SB Architects
Signe Bindslev Henriksen and Peter Bundgaard Rützou, Founders, Space Copenhagen
3) Conversations unlike any other
With our aim to be as relevant as possible and to serve up new ideas that will influence meaningful change in hotel design and hospitality worldwide, we have decided centre the conversations around sustainability, sound in design, wellness and what the future of the industry looks like. Our speakers (see above) will identify and discuss the challenges that are attached to each topic and offer purposeful solutions that will help enhance the arena in which we all operate in.
4) A dynamic look at this season's product launches
In addition to four seminar sessions – and to ensure Hotel Designs continues to bridge the gap between hospitality suppliers and buyers – the virtual conference will include structured 'PRODUCT WATCH' pitches around each session (Technology, Sustainability, Public Areas, Wellness & Wellbeing), allowing the audience the hear and see the latest products that have been launched.
5) We're supporting the industry while live events are on hold
There is nothing quite like a live event – we miss them too! But while we are unable to meet in person, Hotel Designs LIVE is a dynamic way to be part of conversations and debates that are happening now and which will, ultimately, shape the future. Each session will allow the audience to ask questions and engage in our 'chat' to ensure that we are not missing anything during our debates and conversations.
If you are a designer, architect, hotelier or developer and would like to secure your complimentary seats in the audience, click here.
If you are a supplier to the hotel design industry and would like to promote your latest product or services to the Hotel Designs LIVE audience, please contact Katy Phillips via email or call +44 (0)1992 374050.
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AMA_GAIA-Floating-Hotel_Aerial-View.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 11.01.2021 14.01.2021
With the aim to design a hotel resort that offers guests an unparalleled at-one-with-nature experience, AMA Design has developed a hospitality concept called GAIA, a floating eco hotel that pushes boundaries to re-connect people with nature. Editor Hamish Kilburn explores…
Focusing on the positive possibilities of the future, boutique design studio AMA has proposed a new concept for hospitality experiences in the region. Floating on top the water with a lightweight prefabricated structure, the concept of GAIA takes sustainable architecture and design to new depths by using active and passive means to limited the hotel's energy needs.
The concept has been designed to fit into its context. Respecting its natural environment in a light and positive way whilst considering sustainable design and circular economy principles, the hotel fits into an emerging contemporary 'Eco-Gothic' style.
"We wanted to create a new type of hospitality experience, testing the potential of emerging construction technologies to make a sustainable and innovative building," explained Andy Shaw, Managing Partner of AMA. "Our proposal aims to allow people to re-connect with nature whilst making a building with the minimal impact on nature itself. "Most resorts struggle to give true peace and connection to nature due to their location and scale. We designed 'GAIA' to be as natural and isolated as possible, whilst giving a calming, immersive experience for guests between the waters, sky and wildlife amongst them."
Built from pre-fabricated lightweight composites from boat technology, finishes will be all natural such as bamboo and timber so that visitors are immersed in a natural environment framed with the sky and sea.
At the base of the building, in the water, the emerging technology of 3D printed coral will be used and act as a support structure for marine life to feed and flourish underneath. This would encourage diving and snorkelling off the building and encourage an interaction with nature whilst supporting biodiversity.
Sustainability features include:
The prefabricated modular design and construction system reduces wasted material and energy.
Marine grade durable lightweight materials used extends the lifespan.
Carbon is sunk in timber and bamboo materials uses above water, and In the 3D printed coral material (Calcium Carbonate).
Renewable clean energy is generated on site through solar panels on skin and water movement underneath.
Passive design measures in the shape and orientation of the pods allows for airflow cooling.
Marine life is stimulated on 3d printed coral underneath.
The timely hotel concept, which was developed for the 'Shape of Things to Come' exhibition at Dubai Design Week, has helped to shape future possibilities in international hotel design. Shaw explains: "It was developed as a concept for the exhibition, but all the technology needed to build it is available now and in use. They just need to be scaled up and made more accessible. We are hoping an ambitious developer takes it forward, or an established resort adds it to an existing offering as extra rooms and features."
Main image credit: AMA Design
Hottest hotel openings arriving in 2021 (Q3 & Q4)
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/TMR_112_aspect16x9.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 11.01.2021 11.01.2021
Dubbed 'The Hot List' by our readers, we start every year as mean to go on; with a positive mindset to get ahead of the curve to reveal what we believe will be the hottest hotel openings of 2021. Following on from part one, which was published last week, here are our Q3 & Q4 VIP arrivals. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
The hospitality industry continues to be tested to its limits as the UK, a major design and travel hotspot, has once again been plunged into a national lockdown. Despite the cause for concern among already established hotel businesses, the hotel construction industry continues to develop what will be the future hotels. To keep spirits high as the demand for travel will return in 2021, it is time to pick up from where we left off in the first article of this series that referenced the VIP hotel openings of Q1 and Q2. Going beneath the surface to unveil some true gems, here's your guided tour of the hotels that will open in Q3 and Q4 that we expect will cause the most disruption on the international hotel design scene this year.
Rosewood São Paulo – opening Q3, 2021
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels
2020 was a pivotal year for the Rosewood Hotels brand, with announcements of new properties in the Caribbean, Sardinia, Spain and Amsterdam. 2021 will see little change of momentum as the brand prepares to open what is arguably it's most interesting architectural project to date.
Mirroring the energy and heritage of Brazil, Rosewood São Paulo is said to be an "urban oasis" situated in Cidade Matarazzo, a complex of elegantly preserved buildings from the early 20th century. The 180-key luxury hotel – with rooms designed by none other than Philippe Starck – will anchor this stylish, mixed-use cultural destination, occupying one of the area's few remaining historical landmarks and a striking new vertical garden tower designed by Jean Nouvel.
Reykjavik EDITION – opening Q3, 2021
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
Narrowly missing its previously scheduled arrival date in 2020, the EDITION brand – which is the brainchild of designer Ian Schrager – is preparing to touch down in Reykjavik this summer! The hotel, which will become the brand's fourth property in Europe is expected to shelter Schrager's signature home-from-home luxury style with a curated taste of the locale, reflecting the best of the area's cultural and social miliieu.
Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa – opening Q3, 2021
With sustainability on the radar despite the pandemic's best efforts, Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa, which softly opened in 2020, will open fully this year as a modern, ecologically sensitive, luxurious resort born out of passionate love in the art of traveling. Cayo's vibe and feel are the results of thoughtful consideration of the spiritual, cultural, and natural environment.
The accommodation's striking architectural design uses Greece's ample sunlight to heighten the beauty of the surrounding hills and the famous islet of Spinalonga, a candidate for the UNESCO List of World Heritage Site.
Known locally as 'Crete's most stylish hotel', its eco-friendly design and bioclimatic architecture highlight the local climate's beneficial features. The ground slope was put in use to achieve optimal air and light exposure to the resort's indoors and outdoors areas.
Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Island – opening Q3, 2021
Image credit: Ritz-Carlton
Set within an integrated development that cleverly bridges together three islands, Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands takes a minimalist approach to luxury. Modern design highlights sea views and pristine beaches; simple ingredients are transformed by skilled chefs and mixologists; healing is guided by directional energy and nature is explored with respect and wonder.
Bvlgari Hotel Paris – opening Q3, 2021
Image credit: Bvlgari Hotels
The seventh property to join the collection, Bvlgari Hotel Paris will offer 76 rooms, most of them suites, while the hotel will feature a full range of luxury facilities, including a spa with 25m pool, a Bvlgari restaurant and a bar looking out onto a charming courtyard garden. The new luxury hotel, which is positioned on Avenue George V (between the Champs Elysees and the Avenue Montaigne), is a collaboration between the Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, and the renowned Parisian architects Valode & Pistre. The design of the building has been conceived as a transition to modernity – in keeping with Parisian style with traditional limestone and honouring the building's 19th century history, while also creating a contemporary look with a renewed façade.
The Paris property is the next hotel opening for the brand with Rome, Miami, Moscow and Tokyo also on the horizon in the coming years.
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo – opening Q4, 2021
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Following last year's development demand in Mexico's Riviera Nayarit, further south is a hidden gem that is about to become the stage for the arrival of Four Seasons' next luxury property. The hidden eco reserve on Mexico's Costa Alegre – the pristine coastline between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo – is where dense jungle rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean. Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo will feature modern, organic architecture that defines three distinct enclaves: a protected beachfront for families, a panoramic clifftop for adults, and a private hideaway immersed in greenery.
Nobu Hotel Marrakech – opening Q4, 2021
Image credit: Nobu Hotel Marrakech
Becoming the brand's debut property in Africa, Nobu Hotel Marrakech will be situated in the Hivernage district, steps from the historic heart of the city, souks and vibrant Djemaa el-Fna. The 71-key hotel will house contemporary guestrooms and suites, a selection of dynamic dining venues and rooftop spaces, a 2,000 sq. ft luxurious spa and fitness centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and meeting and event space.
LXR Hotels & Resorts, Roku Kyoto – opening Q4, 2021
Image credit: LXR Hotels & Resorts
With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics rescheduled for this year and Kyoto sitting just two hours by bullet train from the capital, the cultural heart of Japan is gearing up to welcome international visitors. Situated in an area home to some of the region's most idyllic Japanese gardens, historic architecture and authentic tea houses, Roku Kyoto will be the first property in Asia under Hilton's luxury LXR brand. Opening in the second half of 2021, the resort is expected to offer "a luxurious and refreshing stay" with fine dining restaurants and spa treatments paired with natural hot springs.
Langham Gold Coast – Opening Q4, 2021
Image credit: The Langham, Gold Coast
Sheltered inside the central and tallest of the three landmark towers of the Jewel development, which first and largest development with direct beach access to be built in the coastal city within the last 30 years, The Langham, Gold Coast will become the brand's third luxury address in Australia.
The grand structure and shimmering exterior of the Jewel are reminiscent of three colossal quartz crystals, visible for miles from the Nerang River to the Gold Coast hinterland. The crystalline forms of the towers are inspired by the gemstone shards discovered in the region which dates back thousands of years.
"Combining the cosmopolitan vibrancy and relaxed lifestyle for which the Gold Coast is renowned will certainly position The Langham as the quintessential luxury urban resort," explained Stefan Leser, Chief Executive Officer of Langham Hospitality Group. "We are very much looking forward to complementing our legendary service standards with the warmth of this beautiful city to make our all guests' experiences celebratory and memorable."
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Weekly briefing: international hotel arrivals – we have 'lift-off'!
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/bnawn-exterior-5377-hor-clsc.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 08.01.2021 08.01.2021
Editor Hamish Kilburn here to deliver your first weekly briefing of the year, featuring all the hottest hotel stories of the week. This round-up includes a look at this year's VIP international arrivals, a rather 'dandy' hotel review and even a pre-flight check into what a hotel in space will look like…
If, by any chance, you needed reassuring about the state of the international hotel scene, then all you have to do is take a glance at the below; stories that we have published this week in order to inject some positivity into the industry we love the serve. From London's latest hotel opening in Mayfair to Q1 and Q2's hottest arrivals, we have started 2021 by looking into the future to capture how the international hotel design arena is preparing to welcome back modern travellers.
With even more juicy stories and exclusive features waiting in the wings (to be published next week), here are your top stories from the last few days…
The Hot list: most anticipated hotel for 2021 (Q1 & Q2)
Image credit: LXR
Concussed from 2020, we are kicking off the year with positivity; shining its editorial spotlight on the hotel openings that will take hospitality worldwide to new heights. In our first of two series we take a look at Q1 & Q2's VIP arrivals.
Sneak peek: inside SLS Cancun, a "barefoot-chic tropical" hotel
Image credit: SLS Hotels
Having designed a myriad of hotels around the world, Piero Lissoni brought his iconic design magic to Cancun to bring to life sbe's vision of a "barefoot-chic tropical" hotel. SLS Cancun, which opens in early February, is a perfectly timed arrival as the SLS brand is one at the centre of the Ennismore and Accor merge to become the largest and fastest growing global player.
Checking in to The Mayfair Townhouse, London's 'dandiest' hotel
Image credit: Iconic Luxury Hotels
Following what must have been the most dramatic build-up to any opening in 2020, The Mayfair Townhouse, which is made up of 15 Georgian townhouses (seven of which are Grade II listed buildings), has officially arrived in London.
Project watch: the 'shimmering' Dorsett Gold Coast takes shape
Credit: Destination Gold Coast Consortium
Currently on the boards, but preparing to take the Gold Coast to new heights of luxury, the golden-glazed windows of what will be Dorsett Gold Coast at The Star Gold Coast are being installed. And as construction of the building that will shelter the 313-key hotel has reached the 24th storey out of a total of 53 storeys, the new development is beginning to make a statement.
"Ground control to Major Tom" – plans for a hotel in space on track for a 2024 launch
250 miles above the earth in the wilderness of space, with cabins designed by the world-renowned Philippe Starck – think 'nest-like comfort' – the Axiom space station is the brainchild of former NASA chiefs.
IHG to launch a landmark duel-branded hotel in Nottingham
Hotel Indigo Nottingham/IHG
IHG has signed terms with development group Conygar to bring two of its world-renowned brands, Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites, to Nottingham. With both architecture and design led by Jestico + Whiles, we're being told to expect something stunning as the building that will shelter the two brands becomes the city's first of its size in nearly two decades.
Main image credit: W Hotels/Marriott International
Inside Marriott's new presidential suite in Malta
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/MLAMC_Presidential_Suite_Living_1.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 08.01.2021 07.01.2021
The suite in Malta 'epitomises splendour and elegance', writes Molly Cleland as she hears from RPW Design to understand how the design firm created Malta's latest statement presidential suite…
RPW Design has just unveiled the new Presidential Suite of Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa, which, following an investment of more than €30M, epitomises the splendour and elegance of the recently renovated five-star St Julian's property.
Not only has RPW Design created a harmonious atmosphere but functionality was also at the forefront of the design process to form a space that is adaptable to modern travellers' transition from daytime business meetings to leisurely evenings.
Situated on the 12th floor of the hotel, guests can enjoy unique panoramic views of Balluta Bay, which are visible from the entire 170 sqm suite. These vistas can be enjoyed on the expansive terrace, balconies and windows which run the whole length of the spacious room.
As well as this statement suite's interiors, RPW Design were responsible for refurbishing the rest of the hotel. Design notes draw inspiration from the Mediterranean island and immediate surroundings. Encompassing the warmth of the Maltese stone and the shades of the sea, the soothing sound of which instils a sense of calm in its guests. With ample space for dining and a comfortable lounge area, the closed terrace works as an extension of the interior, allowing the outdoors to be enjoyed year-round, being shaded in the warmer months and an intimate sofa setting in winter.
Image credit: Marriott International
Built on clean, contemporary lines to meet the demand of modern bleisure travellers, the suite reflects the brand's signature design aesthetic. There is a strong feeling of authenticity throughout the hotel which is echoed in the suite by traditional Maltese crafts and heritage.
Paying attention to detail, the hallmark of the rest of the renovation project can be seen in the leather touches on handles, plush seating, statement light fittings and skilful bespoke joinery. The first-class feel of Malta Marriott's Presidential Suite is also experienced through the use of warm timber, cane and raffia for a contemporary twist on the island's heritage.
The airy entrance hall, immediately sets the lavish tone that characterises the rest of the suite, with its marble mosaic floor and discreet closets. This leads onto an open living area, flanked by dining and office space. This adaptable layout creates a seamless transition between quiet concentration and social entertainment feeling connected and cut off at the same time, it accommodates both business and leisure needs.
Complete with a well-stocked bar and a decorative 65-inch mirror TV, the dining area benefits from the functionality of a concealed, connecting kitchenette and pantry that can be accessed through a secondary entrance to ensure guests are not disturbed when being served.
High-end comforts and amenities, synonymous with the five-star hotel, include a pop-up and swivel TV for both the sitting and the office areas, a Bose sound system, intelligent lighting, electronic curtains and a generous dressing room. The walk-in wardrobe leads onto a deluxe en-suite bathroom, with its book-matched marble finish, multi-jet rain shower, high-tech Japanese washlet toilet and double vanity, promising the pinnacle of pampering and relaxation. Guests can also opt to treat themselves to a separate, spa-style, stress-relieving whirlpool bath, hovering over the bay and leading off from the elegant and inviting master bedroom.
Moving through to the bedroom which, its own views, every element of the rooms design – from the lush bedding to the soft furnishings, smart upholstery, rich textures and restful colours – spells out indulgence and the height of luxury.
Expressing his pride in the new Presidential Suite, the peak of refinement, Malta Marriott General Manager Alexander Incorvaja said it has been "thoughtfully designed around business and leisure travellers alike, as is the rest of the hotel, re-positioning itself as one of the leading five-star hotels on the Islands".
Main image credit: Marriott International
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/FEC4788_Epsilon_TheStar_GoldCoast_Slider_03_1240x760px.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 08.01.2021 08.01.2021
As the project surpasses its two-year mark, construction on Dorsett Gold Coast at The Star Gold Coast, a 313-key hotel, is on the home straight for a 2022 opening. Editor Hamish Kilburn takes a look at what we can expect…
Developed by Destination Gold Coast Consortium (a joint venture between The Star Entertainment Group, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium), and designed by award-winning design firm HBA, the hotel is expected to add a sprinkle of drama onto the city's skyline.
Inspired by the coastline views of Broadbeach Island – the lush vegetation of the hinterland and the calming ocean waves – the designers at HBA sought to achieve harmony between the hotel's interiors and its surrounding environment through a fresh, sophisticated, and relaxing overall design aesthetic.
Image credit: Destination Gold Coast Consortium
Expect soft nods to botanicals to be incorporated through custom carpet designs while subtle references to lapping ocean waves and abstracted underwater scenes will be woven into the design narrative of the lobby, guestroom artwork, and custom wallcoverings to establish a true sense of place.
With wellness taking centre stage in modern traveller demands, the bathrooms will feature simple design – think marble surfaces with accents of gold.
A custom chandelier installation composed of kinetic lighting and reflective materials will serve as a focal point in the main lobby, enhancing the concept of soothing tranquility and light dancing on the ocean's surface. Guestrooms will be well-appointed with fully custom-designed furnishings and decorative lighting elements to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind, memorable stay.
Dorsett Gold Coast is part of a wider, $2 billion+ approved masterplan for Broadbeach Island, which will feature four additional towers and associated resort facilities. The Star Gold Coast will continue to transform into a world-class integrated resort that brings a new level of sophistication, service and style to the Gold Coast.
Main image credit: Destination Gold Coast Consortium
Hyatt Regency makes debut in Cambodia's captital
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/PNHRP_R020_Metropole_Whiskey_Bar.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 07.01.2021 06.01.2021
Sheltering 247 rooms, the opening marks the largest hotel by an international brand in the city and Hyatt's debut in the Cambodian capital…
Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, the first Hyatt hotel in the Cambodian capital and the second Hyatt hotel operating in Cambodia, has opened.
The 247-key property is the largest hotel from a global brand in the city and is located in the heart of the cultural and business district of Doun Penh.
Conceived by award-winning Singapore-based SCDA Architects and leading Thailand-based PIA Interior, the hotel's stylish interiors reflect Cambodia's unique history, seamlessly blending Khmer architectural accents with French colonial influences alongside specially commissioned artworks by contemporary Cambodian artist, FONKi.
As guests pull into the hotel's driveway, they are greeted with a welcoming centerpiece, a beautiful French heritage building flanked by frangipani trees. Originally built as a Colonial villa in the early 20th century, the carefully restored lemon-coloured Colonial House with wooden shutters, arched doorways and terracotta-tiled roof now serves as the hotel's entrance, providing guests with a nostalgic arrival experience.
Behind the Colonial House stands the newly-constructed, 14-storey main building, featuring 247 guestrooms, including 43 residential-style suites, all with hardwood floors and marble bathrooms. Starting at 30.5 square metres, the guestrooms offer modern comforts, including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, 65" TVs, a walk-in rain shower, Staycast systems, and Hyatt Mobile Entry technology for keyless entry.
Main image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Distinct Khmer touches are found throughout the rooms, including an intricately carved headboard depicting Bayon Temple, one of the most celebrated temples at Angkor. The 1,087-square-foot (101-square-meter) Royal Suite features two ensuite bedrooms, a walk-in closet, separate living and dining areas and floor-to-ceiling views of the city.
Guests staying on the 10th floor can access the Regency Club Lounge where they can enjoy dedicated check-in and check-out services, daily breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres, and complimentary drinks alongside panoramic city views with indoor or outdoor seating.\
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
The hotel is home to four dining venues, including Market Café Restaurant & Lounge, an all-day dining venue inside a light-filled atrium serving breakfast, afternoon tea and à-la-carte options, Metropole Underground, an early 20th century metro-themed bar offering live music and local beers and an old-world speakeasy-style bar tucked away in the Colonial House called The Attic, which specialises in handcrafted cocktails and grand cru wines. Spanning the rooftop, FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is set to become the city's social hotspot where guests will be treated to locally sourced meats and sustainable seafood, an array of signature cocktails.
In addition, a wide range of recreational facilities are located on the third floor, including the 22-metre outdoor infinity pool surrounded by lush greenery, a poolside bar, a Himalayan salt room and a steam room. The 24-hour gym is equipped with a cardio zone, strength zone, and free weights. Personal trainers are on hand to offer one-on-one sessions for guests.
Is it really 'in with the new' for the hospitality industry?
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Untitled-design.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 07.01.2021 07.01.2021
"Out with the old and in with the new," but what do you do in hospitality, when what's about to come looks exactly the same as what's just gone? Luckily, we have hear from psychotherapist, expert speaker and author Daniel Fryer to help hospitality through…
It's that time of year where we all wish one another 'Happy New Year' and we keep on wishing it until we can safely say we've wished it to everyone we wanted and needed to wish it to. This usually ends around late February, or early March at the latest.
This year, however, many people are expressing their new year greetings tinged with concern and trepidation as the pandemic tosses up the cards! Some people even wince when they say it. And with good reason. Covid-19 has not gone away. In fact it's mutated. In many places it's spiralling out of control again. Vaccines are here but are being rolled out too slowly. Local restrictions are being updated weekly and, in some cases, even daily. Advice changes regularly. England has just gone into another full lockdown. All this uncertainty is hard to swallow and makes life difficult to deal with. That goes double for the hospitality industry and 2021, just like it its predecessor, is keeping both individuals, businesses and brands on the back foot.
This is not nice and it's not good for anyone's bottom line. It can even adversely affect your mental health. But only if you let it. Life is how it is; and things are how they are.
You can blow those things out of proportion and make them worse than they are or keep a sense of perspective and see them exactly as they are. You can take 2021 on the chin, or you can crumble and fall apart in the face of it.
After all, we've had worse years, right? I mean, historically speaking. And we survived those.
As with most things in life, history teaches us a lot. Ancient wisdom tells us a lot about how to live today. Mindfulness and mindfulness-based therapies, for instance, turned to Buddhism for content. Whilst cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) turned to Stoic philosophy.
REBT says that it's not the events in life that disturb you, but what you tell yourselves about those events that disturbs you and it based that nugget of wisdom on the teachings of a specific Greek Stoic philosopher called Epictetus.
Stoic philosophy was born out of a challenging period in history, where pillaging and plundering were rife. It was perfectly normal to go to sleep easy, only to wake with your house on fire, and your family sold into slavery.
And so the Stoics asked a very important question: "What can we tell ourselves that will keep us reasonably sane as we deal with these daily challenges?"
As a famous saying goes, "pain is inevitable, but suffering is not." Trying to function normally during a pandemic is a pain. Wearing a facemask is a pain. Lockdowns are a pain. Trying to keep your business afloat is a massive pain. But it does not mean you have to suffer these pains. It does not mean you have to fall victim to what Shakespeare called the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
The Stoics believed that all human beings suffered because they were always trying to control the uncontrollable. And yet, very little in our lives is under our control. Realising this is a good thing. No, really, it is.
What if you just gave up your notions of control? I don't mean completely. I don't mean everything. That would be chaos! But, we can contain some of our concerns and let others go completely. We could create two circles within our minds (or on paper), one within the other. We can call the outer circle a circle of concern. And, in it we can place all the things that worry us, but that we have no influence over whatsoever. And then we can resolve to worry about them no more. This will free up some very valuable mind space. Space for us to focus on the inner circle, which we can call the circle of influence. In this we can place all the things that worry us, but which we can exert an influence over. Things we can control to some degree or other. And then we can resolve to focus our attentions there.
I didn't make these circles up by the way. This exercise is a valuable psychotherapy and coaching tool. It features in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R Covey.
Just think of it. Everything inside those circles is important to you but, you free up some very valuable mental real estate but focusing only on those things you have control over. All of your reasonable worries, all your plans, and all your resolutions can be targeted solely on the circle of influence, rather than the wider, unwieldy and unmanageable circle of concern.
How helpful would that be?
This brings to mind (or to my mind at least) The Serenity Prayer, which was written by the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in 1932. It typically goes like this: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."
The prayer spread rapidly and was even adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programmes. You can use words and concepts such as life, the universe, or the inner self if there are no gods that you worship.
It's a great mantra for modern living; it echoes what those Stoics were on about all those years ago and, more importantly, as we move further into 2021, it's an excellent maxim not only for peace of mind but also for strategic planning.
And so, for this new year, on a personal and professional level, instead of wishing you every health and happiness, I wish to mitigate your suffering. I wish you the serenity to accept those life conditions that you cannot currently or ever change, I wish you the strength and courage to focus your energies on only those things you can change and, above all else, I wish you the wisdom to know the difference.
Main image credit: Unsplash/Katarzyna Urbanek/Daniel Fryer
GROHE celebrates trio of international sustainability success
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/GROHE-50-Climate-Leaders-.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 07.01.2021 07.01.2021
Bathroom brand GROHE has been named one of the "50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders" and has also become double winner at the German Sustainability Awards 2021 as sustainability continues to fuel the brand's growth…
As part of its global initiative, bathroom brand GROHE is driving sustainability based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. "We at GROHE have a doer mentality: We don't talk too much, we basically implement," is how Thomas Fuhr, Leader Fittings LIXIL International and Co-CEO Grohe AG, describes how sustainability is implemented and translated into concrete action at GROHE in a documentary.
The short film is part of the global sustainability and climate protection initiative "50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders", for which GROHE was elected along with 49 other international companies. As pioneers in their respective industries, the companies portrayed demonstrate how they are actively committed to a sustainable future grounded in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)1 of the United Nations and, in doing so, inspire others to follow their example.
The GROHE brand also uses milestones from its 20-year commitment to sustainability to illustrate the innovative approaches to making sustainability the core of its business activities and how it views this transformation as an economic opportunity. GROHE's considerable and effective contributions to sustainability along the entire value chain and its product offerings that allow consumers to live sustainably were also recently acknowledged by the jury of the German Sustainability Award, by honouring the brand in the transformation field "Resources" as well as its water system GROHE Blue in the category "Design".
SAVE THE DATE: On February 9, Hotel Designs will join GROHE to host the brand's next CPD session.
"Showing appreciation for our efforts by awarding us one of the most important sustainability prizes in Europe honours us to a high degree," says Fuhr. "At GROHE, everything revolves around the most valuable and, simultaneously, scarcest resource: water. Acting in a way that saves resources and minimises our ecological footprint therefore has to be a matter of course for us."
Behind the scenes of GROHE's sustainability management
GROHE implements sustainability across all aspects of its business; it starts with product development, in which it combines an ecological approach with enjoyment through technologies such as EcoJoy. With GROHE's EcoJoy technology, water consumption is reduced by up to half without any compromise on performance. Meanwhile, the development centre at the Hemer site with its 160 employees continuously researches and develops new innovations and approaches in order to create even more environmentally friendly products and solutions in the future. This will enable consumers to make their everyday lives more sustainable as easily as possible. However, the focus is not only on the use of water and energy-saving products as GROHE's manufacturing processes are also optimised with sustainability in mind too.
Since April 2020, GROHE has been one of the first leading manufacturers in the sanitary industry to produce CO2-neutral products. With recycling rates of more than 90%, the brand is approaching a circular economy. Its latest initiatives such as "Less Plastic" particularly contribute to the conservation of resources and an avoidance of waste. As many as 23.5 million plastic packaging materials have already been saved as part of this initiative – a first milestone on the way to the goal of ultimately banning all plastic materials from product packaging by March 2021. The fight against the global problem of plastic waste is also complemented by GROHE Blue. The water system, which won the German Sustainability Award Design 2021 in the category "Icons", offers chilled, filtered and, if desired, carbonated water straight from the kitchen tap – making plastic bottles redundant.
"Even though we have achieved a great deal in recent years, we are aware that we must continue to strengthen our commitment in order to shape the future of water in a sustainable manner," adds Thomas Fuhr. "For us, sustainability is a continuous journey that we must continue with courage. I am proud that we are doing this as a team and that each individual at GROHE is making their contribution. Only like this can we pave the way to a sustainable economy, meet global challenges and improve people's quality of life."
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/sls_cancun_pool_deck_0.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 07.01.2021 08.01.2021
The new beachfront sanctuary in Cancun, which officially opens on February 1, features 45 suites, ocean views and world class design led by famed architect and designer Piero Lissoni. Hotel Designs takes a look inside…
Complete with bright contemporary spaces intertwined with Italian décor, reminiscent of his hometown in Italy, the hotel shelters just 45 striking suites. From oceanside floor-to-ceiling windows with unobstructed views of the ocean and tones of deep ocean blue and vibrant turquoise to an open-floor concept lobby featuring soft, white-washed wood and light stones, Lissoni's latest property evokes a feeling of calmness as the space connects the interior and exterior as one.
"This hotel is like a cocktail," Lissoni explains. "We've incorporated a few different ingredients: the local culture together with that of America and Europe. And we've bound the style of the latter to that of Mexico. So the light and the presence of art works, antiques and local craftsmanship dialogue with those of other worlds. And I think we've come up with a cocktail that's particularly interesting."
Guestrooms and suites are described by the hotel brand as "sparkling and shining" that promise to "take your breath away". Each area is modern with sleek lines to compliment azure waters of the ocean that are effortlessly framed.
Meanwhile, the public areas feature a contemporary lobby bar, and to further stretch the theme of barefoot luxury, the hotel experience focus is steered towards a luxurious poolside scene, sandy beach and the state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa.
Complimenting the overall design of the hotel, LEYNIA is an Argentinian grill, led by chef Jose Icardi, which is inspired by flavours from Japan, melding the rustic allure of open flame cooking.
The opening of SLS Cancun becomes the brand's fifth property in North America, as the brand enters into an exciting era that will no-doubt promise thoughtful growth to further enhance the "new kind of luxury" that the brand has created.
Main image credit: SLS Hotels
St. Regis arrives in Cairo, Egypt
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/str-caixr-the-royal-suite-bedroom3.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 06.01.2021 06.01.2021
An epitome of modern Egyptian glamour, and heralded as a new beacon of luxury on the Nile, the new St Regis hotel brings exquisite design and signature service to the bustling metropolis and tourist hotspot…
With Marriott International expected to meet its 2020 aims this year to to open 30 new luxury hotels in 2021, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has announced the highly-anticipated opening of The St. Regis Cairo. Rising tall on the banks of the River Nile, The St. Regis Cairo is an illustrious icon weaving a powerful story of luxury in the region. Located at the North end of the Corniche, in the heart of Egypt's bustling metropolis, the 39-story hotel offers easy access to the magnificent monuments of a city steeped in history.
"Egypt has historically been one of our key markets and strategically significant to our growth in the region," said Satya Anand, President for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. "Cairo is a storied destination that has long mesmerised the global traveller with its incredible energy offering a vibrant mix of history, culture, tradition and glamour. The St. Regis Cairo is an exciting addition to our fast-growing brand portfolio and is set to elevate Cairo's luxury hospitality landscape with its remarkable design, uncompromising service, and exceptional culinary venues."
Eng. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, CEO of Qatari Diar commented: "We are delighted to strengthen our global portfolio of hospitality developments with the opening The St. Regis Cairo. This luxury landmark will introduce higher standards of hospitality to this beautiful destination with its unparalleled levels of luxury and exceptional service – both of which the iconic St. Regis brand is renowned for."
With its striking architecture, created by renowned architect Michael Graves, The St. Regis Cairo firmly establishes itself as a pivotal landmark in the city and beyond, carefully balancing opulence with refinement and elegance to evoke a profound sense of grandeur. Uncompromising in its decadence, the hotel is an exquisite reflection of a passionate vision that conscientiously draws on the city's influential and storied past while confidently introducing its vibrant future.
Graceful geometric lines flow throughout the interiors, creating a repeated structural motif that quietly references the heritage of the region. Dark wood and rich textures combine with intricate embroidery, bejewelled paneling, bronze and wood carvings embellished with flashes of shimmering gold, mother of pearl inlays and imposing crystal chandeliers creating a dramatic Egyptian aesthetic with modern execution. A striking mural entitled "The Pink Sun" graces The St. Regis Bar. Staunchly modern in its execution, the mural references ancient Egypt and the birth of a modern civilisation.
The hotel's approach to design pays particular homage to the hundreds of craftspeople who dedicated their time and handiwork to perfecting each and every detail offering a distinctly modern vision that immerses guests in moments that are simply awe-inspiring.
Main image credit: Marriott International/St Regis
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rooms-_-Suites-Garden-Suite.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 06.01.2021 06.01.2021
"If only these walls could talk, my job would have been so much easier," admits art curator Minda Dowling to editor Hamish Kilburn as he checks in to explore the design narrative, drawn up by Goddard Littlefair, that spectacularly and effortlessly unfolds inside The Mayfair Townhouse…
Following what must have been the most dramatic build-up to any hotel opening in 2020, The Mayfair Townhouse, which is made up of 15 Georgian townhouses (seven of which are Grade II listed buildings), has officially arrived in London.
Having myself teased our readers to expect a 172-key luxury lifestyle hotel unlike any other in the W1 postcode – think Oscar Wilde meets Alice in Wonderland – I was intrigued to explore how award-winning design firm Goddard Littlefair and the design team at Iconic Luxury Hotels had masterfully layered the flirtatious motif of being completely 'dandy' throughout the latest luxury lair to appear in Mayfair.
"One of the challenges with getting the tone of the styling right was to not overplay the themes." – Jo Littlefair, co-founder, Goddard Littlefair.
"Determining the direction for the concept took some time as it was clear that the design could have developed into a couple of distinctly different routes," Jo Littlefair, co-founder of Goddard Littlefair tells Hotel Designs. "We eventually reached the conclusion that we would pursue a contemporary rendering of the style of the 'Dandy' to befit the Georgian architecture while feeling bedded in present-day Mayfair. One of the challenges with getting the tone of the styling right was to not overplay the themes so that while the fabric of the design all serve to allude to extravagant dress sense and rich textures and colours we strove to do so in a way that the interior is still comfortable to be in, subtle in it's story-telling and essentially doesn't labour a concept to the extent that its charm is lost."
Soon after walking through the main entrance to what will no-doubt be the warmest of welcomes from the front-of-house team, you have entered a different world; an adventure into the unknown where a 67-inches-tall peacock made out of no less than 25,000 Swarovski is the first indication that this hotel is going to anything but ordinary – and foot trails of a friendly fox will follow your experience from here on in, because why not?
Past the tasteful walkway towards the lift, where a delicate installation depicting gold leaves effortlessly grows on the ceiling, up five floors and along the rabbit-warren corridor, you will come to suite 519 – otherwise known as The Skyline Suite.
"The glass ceiling gives the suite a contemporary, almost James Bond moment."
In true Goddard Littlefair style, the design and layout of the suite perfectly complements the original architecture of the rooms – it automatically feels like a home-from-home in Mayfair. "We wanted to bring an extra level to this suite," explains Littlefair. "Put simply, we wanted to bring as much day or moonlight into the suite as possible."
To achieve this, the design team have installed a partially glass ceiling that sets it aside from others in the hotel. This gives the suite a contemporary, almost James Bond moment that Littlefair describes as "complementing the opulence of the suite." This eye-catching feature encourages guests to do what few people in London are able to master: to look up! By night, to avoid distraction, the large window into the above sky can be covered by a ceiling blind, which is conveniently controlled remotely from the wall switches.
On closer inspection, one can't help but notice the finer details: the leather handles on the drawers, sophisticated paneling throughout and brushed brass light switches, which together create a timeless and balanced feel – not pushing the themes to the point of exploitation, but instead caressing their true meanings.
In the bedroom, which is arguably the most important element within any hotel, the bed is gargantuan! Two chunky, marble-top bedside units sit beside an emperor king size, navy-blue, bed which commands the room and is complete with a plush, oversized headboard. Sleeping on a comfortable Harrison Spinks mattress, there is no compromise on luxury and guests are guaranteed a pleasant night's sleep.
Around the room, a juxtaposition is apparent in the art, which traditionally frames modern and fashionable prints of glamourous women with vibrant birds cleverly interrupting the mise en scené to present something unapologetically different. This seamless reference of nature is complimented also in the soft furnishings and, in my opinion, is further evidence of a meaningful working relationship between art curator and interior design team.
On the other side of the suite – past the corridor which features a relaxing workstation and dressing area – is a large marble-tiled bathroom, which naturally evokes a sense of calm and features a deep freestanding bath and a separate shower enclosure. "The layout we could achieve meant we had a fabulous bathing experience with the roll top bath, double vanity and huge walk in shower," adds Littlefair. With demands elevated around how wellness is offered within hospitality, it is reassuring to see that the design team specified high quality products, such as hansgrohe showers, AXOR fittings, Roca toilets, Geberit flush plates and Kohler his-and-hers vanity sinks.
Although the guestrooms and suites are impressive, in order to capture the full narrative of the hotel, guests need to spend time downstairs in the F&B areas. And nothing is what it first seems.
First of all, the Dandy Bar has all the ingredients to become an iconic destination bar – think Soho House but without the members' fee (and friendlier staff). With a cocktail menu that amplifies the hotel's brand, the area when full with guests and locals alike will very much become an extension of the design itself.
Behind the concierge desk in the lobby is a staircase that leads down to the basement, which weaves itself to more F&B areas, event spaces and the gym. Acting as a fitting backdrop for this staircase is large mural entitled: "Peacock Mural". It displays two peacocks, feathers erect walking towards each other to embrace. The style of this piece, which is acrylic painted with faux gold leaf and varnished on canvas, embraces the Aesthetic Movement. This era, which lasted from 1860 – 1900, aimed to escape the ugliness and materialism of the Industrial Age, by focusing instead on producing art that was beautiful rather than having a deeper meaning – 'Art for Art's sake'.
In the basement, the Club Room is where breakfast is served. Impressively, despite being located on the lower ground, the design team have masterfully made this space light and bright with subtle nods to the hotel's sense of place, such as a mural in the function room entitled 'Green Park', which through wedgewood, three-dimensional style reflects an idealised image of Green Park and includes characters from the hotel. It is here where the hotel's art narrative really comes into its own.
With an endless stream of inspiration from all centuries that the design team could have captured, in a bid to challenge convention in a meaningful way, the decision was made to create their own narrative."Usually the brief for hotel artwork is to appeal to as many people as possible, to be inoffensive as well as relating to relate to the location and the design concept," adds Littlefair. "Luckily the developers and Iconic Luxury Hotels, as a hotel brand, were much more open to interesting suggestions and, through working with art consultant Minda Dowling, had the courage of their conviction to pursue a significant amount of portraiture."
Meet the fictious Renard/Reynolds family, who were cloth and silk merchants in La Rochelle, France, and fled to London in 1688; they were amongst the wealthier Huguenot refugees as Jean Renard had sold all his stock for gold, prior to embarking for England.
In the Club Room, the complex characters of the family are referenced around the walls, such as the 'Butterfly Hunter' and 'Twins', among others.
Littlefair explains: "For me, I think the art demonstrates that the Mayfair Townhouse accepts that, as human beings, we're all capable of being imperfect sometimes and this hotel celebrates those fabulous moments that transpire because of that very spirit of adventure."
Quick-fire Q&A with the designer
Hamish Kilburn: If you could go for dinner with one of the Fictious Renard/Reynolds Family, who would it be with?
Jo Littlefair: I'd have to say the mother, Mum's know everything don't they?
HK: What is your favourite cocktail on the menu?
JL: Earl of Mayfair
HK: What will you remember most about this project?
JL: Guarding the Swarovski peacock from builders as we were deciding it's final positioning in the hotel lobby.
HK: Describe the hotel in a sentence or less?
JL: This is a hotel brimming with personality and stories to tell, it has a glamorous beating heart in the Dandy bar with sumptuous, residential bedrooms that are a real sanctuary in the heart of Mayfair
HK: Favourite piece of art in the hotel?
JL: I love the hand painted mural of the gold peacock, it's just exquisite.
Also in the basement are several break-off meeting and private dining booths, one of which is named the Oscar Wilde, Oscar's Study, in which the design cleverly blends together two prominent themes of the hotel: the true definition of dandy and the fox. On the wall, an interpretation of a fragment of a well-known painting of Oscar Wilde reclined on a sofa, which focuses on his jacket, reflects luxury and the laid-back attitude of the smart dandy. Meanwhile, a chandelier by Moooi is (whether it is intentional or not, I do not know) references fox-proof, mesh fencing.
It's one thing for a hotel to open in Oscar Wilde's pre-Soho territory, but it is another thing entirely to focus a hotel's theme, In Wilde's old scandalous stomping ground, around Mayfair's perhaps forgotten characters.
Checking out feeling, well, quite rather dandy, with a spring in my step, I feel as if I have discovered a completely unique London jewel – one that nods to all eras of this iconic neighbourhood. With its own quirky and bushy-tailed attitude, please join me in welcoming The Mayfair Townhouse to its new bachelor quarters.
Main image credit: Iconic Luxury Hotels
Industry inside: bespoke thermal cabin design
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Forest-Cavern.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 06.01.2021 06.01.2021
When designing a hotel spa, the benefits of a thermal suite go beyond providing guests with a great pre- and post-treatment relaxation, explains Beverley Bayes, director, Sparcstudio…
As well as providing a relaxation touchpoint in the guest experience, a thermal suite also provides great health benefits for the spa user (particularly for the lungs in the case of a salt steam room).
Hotels around the world are renowned for their thermal suites. Gone are the days when they are positioned at the end of a corridor, in a subterranean enclosed space, hidden behind a door.
In the past few years, the team at Sparcstudio have quietly revolutionised thermal cabin design in the UK by offering a bespoke, tailored and individual approach for each project, resulting in some stunning designs.
A part of the studio's design of The Spa at South Lodge, the organic panoramic sauna cabin is a much photographed little 'jewel in the crown' of the spa. The walls and ceiling were crafted from timber with a wave like design, to evoke the rolling hills of the South Downs. The floor to ceiling glass provides views out onto those downs and the surrounding spa garden and Sussex countryside .
The team took this one step further, designing two large panoramic saunas looking across the Hertfordshire countryside at the Spa at Cottonmill at Sopwell House.
Image credit: Spa at Cottonmill at Sopwell House
These offer panoramic views to the rest of the spa and landscape beyond. The intention is to connect the guest with nature and create a true sense of place, for example, the team developed a sauna on stilts high above the forest at Aqua Sana Spa, Sherwood Forest.
Beverley Bayes, Director, Sparcstudio says: "When designing a thermal suite, we think it's vital to create bespoke cabin designs that are unique to the spa, we also place deliberate focus on bringing the outside in with slot windows, or large heatproof floor to ceiling glass walls providing views onto gardens or onto the pool, creating a unique sense of space."
More recently Sparcstudio developed the Forest Cavern Steam Room at Aqua Sana Spa Longleat Forest, replicating a cave hidden deep within a forest, (the region around the site is known for its caves). Neil Fairplay, Director, Sparcstudio says: "From the outset, we imagined a double-height cave environment where part of the ceiling had collapsed, allowing natural light, trailing foliage and rain water to flood in, it's hard not to be wowed by this experience"
From the initial client brief, Sparcstudio is mindful of the importance of the thermal suite and the team works to maximise the area designated for the spa, with clever use of space planning. The team develops the concept and design (including lighting, bespoke materials, ceiling profile and special features). They work closely with suppliers such as Halo, Dale Sauna and Rigo to create the perfect thermal area for the client. This non-standard approach pushes the boundaries in terms of materials used and final result.
Sparcstudio is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Main image caption: Forest Cavern Steam Room at Aqua Sana Spa Longleat Forest
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Hotel-IndigoIHG.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 06.01.2021 07.01.2021
Hotel operator IHG has signed terms with development group Conygar to bring two of its world-renowned brands, Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites, to Nottingham…
In December of 2020, a planning application for phase 1B proposing a 17-storey landmark hotel in Nottingham was submitted.
It is now confirmed that the multi-million-pound scheme will include a new hotel, which will be managed by IHG and developed local development group Conygar, in order to create new home for both the Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites brands.
The duel-branded hotel, with architecture and interior design led by Jestico + Whiles, will comprise 223 guestrooms and suites – 155 located within Hotel Indigo and a further 68 aimed at multi-night business and leisure travellers in the Staybridge Suites, which will include a range of amenities such as a full kitchen and dedicated shared outdoor space exclusively for Staybridge Suites guests.
They form part of the latest stage of the development, which will include a further 247 residential rental apartments and an extensive food and beverage area featuring a stunning bar and busy 100-metre long forum for people to meet. There will also be 3,000 sqm of flexible serviced office space, with some 400 desks.
Image caption: An example lounge area from a Staybridge Suites in Dundee | Image credit: IHG
The hotel is the city's first of its size in nearly two decades, forming part of a landmark tall building.
Karan Khanna, Managing Director, UK & Ireland at IHG said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Conygar to bring the leading global brands of Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites to Nottingham as an important part of the regeneration of the Island Quarter. These new properties will add to IHG's presence in the city, sitting alongside our existing Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels. As we begin 2021 these new hotel signings show the confidence that owners and investors have in IHG and our potential for continued growth for when travel can finally resume."
The brand has said that guests will experience the "same quality of design" as in IHG's recently opened Hotel Indigo in Bath and dual-branded Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites in Dundee, as well as the mixed-use elements of its recent IHG dual-branded Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express in Warsaw, Poland.
Inspired by 'the neighbourhood story' of the city, Hotel Indigo will take design cues from the local area and its bar and restaurant will offer locally sourced ingredients to customers. Meanwhile, the Staybridge Suites will feature a 24-hour fitness room, storage lockers for guests wishing to store items between stays and a communal 'outdoor living room' complete with firepit, grilling areas and covered seating. All the suites allow people to enjoy a flexible space to relax, play and work.
"The Island Quarter is one of the most significant city centre regeneration schemes in the UK at the moment, and it was vital that the hotel brand which we brought to the development was reflective of that," said Richard Watson of Conygar. "We are absolutely delighted to have agreed terms with the team at IHG to bring its Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites brands to Nottingham.
"This is a very important step for us as we move this development forwards and securing a hugely successful global operator in IHG shows real confidence in the flagship element of the scheme as a whole. These two brands are world-renowned as upscale and quality hotels, which really play a part in the communities in which they are based.
"The hotel forms a key element of this latest phase, which is truly cohesive, creating a range and fluidity of uses that will spread across the whole site. The Island Quarter is a development that Nottingham can be proud of and bringing brands of this calibre to the city plays an important part in that."
Main image credit: IHG
Hi-Fi by Gessi wins BoY Award for design excellence
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HI-FI_Shelf708_moodboard.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 05.01.2021 03.01.2021
The innovative Hi-Fi shower system by Gessi wins The Boy Award for pushing the boundaries in wellness product design…
The BoY Award is the ultimate measure of design excellence, honouring the most significant work of the year and recognising designers, architects, and manufacturers from around the globe.
With 761 products entered from 455 manufacturers in 26 countries and 176,517 votes cast, Gessi's Hi-Fi Thermostatic Mixers has won the Bathroom Fixtures Category.
As the company's latest launch, Hi-Fi is the convergence of design and technology and represents the new frontier of The Gessi Private Wellness Program, a wide range of modular shower elements that enable a completely customisable bathroom experience from rain showers to atomisation. Hi-Fi Thermostatic Mixers go beyond retro-inspired aesthetics to offer high-fidelity technology for water delivery with accurate precision and perfect ergonomic design.
Since you're here, why not read more about the '90s-inspired Hi-Fi systems from Gessi?
The Hi-Fi Collection is a unique addition to the bathroom furnishings market, providing an interactive interface to manipulate every aspect of the shower experience. The controls have been designed to mimic the tactile sensations of period stereo sets with clicking buttons and turning knobs, bringing the satisfaction of fine-tuning and the relaxation of music into a soothing wellness environment. Function buttons feature intuitive graphic icons for easy use, while the knobs have radial dials for precise control of water flow and temperature.
Image credit: Gessi
Hi-Fi is the fourth product design from Gessi to receive the prestigious BoY Award. In previous years the Inciso, Goccia and Tremillimetric Collections also garnered top honours.
Gessi is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Gessi
Surface trend: chevron-shaped tiles add new design layer
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Lloyd-Tiffany-Left-y-Right.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 05.01.2021 01.01.2021
As the editorial team at Hotel Designs takes a peek at CTD Architectural Tiles' newly launched Lloyd Collection of tiles, they notice a new trend emerging, which is transforming walls to create a deeper texture in interior design…
Bringing walls and tiles to life through colour and pattern, the new Lloyd collection from CTD Architectural Tiles is guaranteed to add a statement to residential, commercial and hospitality projects. Providing a decorative ornate finish, the chevron shape and pattern of the tiles provides specifiers and designers with the freedom to be creative and invigorate spaces in a sophisticated and elegant manner. A versatile product, the flared reliefs and fluted profiles provide an additional standout feature, setting it apart from other chevron ranges.
While you're here, why not read about the Niza Collection by CTD Architectural Tiles?
Available in a 55 x 195 x 8mm format, Lloyd is a glazed ceramic collection that comes in seven on-trend colourways – from deep navy to refreshing greige. Presented in a glazed gloss finish, the White colourway is also available in a matte finish. Whether acting as the backdrop to merchandise in a retail setting, or creating a feature wall in a hotel lobby, this visually striking collection will inject personality and character to the interiors of a wide range of projects.
Part of the Saint-Gobain family, CTD Architectural Tiles specialises in the supply of high quality ceramic tile finishes and tiling solutions across all sectors in the UK commercial specification market. With clients in a variety of sectors including the leisure, retail, hospitality industries, CTD Architectural Tiles is committed to bringing customers the latest innovations in product and in service. With unparalleled expertise and technical knowledge, the team works with industry leading, innovative manufacturers to offer a complete portfolio of ceramic and porcelain tile ranges to suit the architect, interior designer, developer and specification professional.
CTD Architectural Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
Hypnos issues a message of reassurance for hospitality
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Hypnos-Retreat-Room-Half-Dressed-03-HR.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 05.01.2021 05.01.2021
Bed manufacturer Hypnos puts planning and communication front and centre with its hospitality partners…
Hospitality businesses are currently operating in a new landscape, as they adapt to overcome the unique set of challenges that the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have thrown at them, coupled with more cautious guests.
However, one thing that remains universal is the need for high-quality and environmentally friendly products and trusted brands with hassle-free service experiences, either as part of a refurbishment project or the opening of a brand-new property.
Barry Owen-Smith, Area Sales Manager at Hypnos Contract Beds (HCB) outlines the benefits of the historic British bed manufacturer and its specialist hospitality team working closely with and supporting the industry as many of its partners, big and small, face a difficult landscape.
"2020 was extremely challenging for all our hospitality partners, whether international hotel chains, independent boutique hotels or serviced apartments – not only in the UK but across Europe and the rest of the world. However, we're continuing to work even closer than ever before with these brands and their interior design and procurement teams to understand their challenges and help them move forwards.
"There can be no hiding from the fact that both the practical needs of the hospitality guest and the mindset which they have at the point of purchase has significantly changed from where it was this time last year. Guests are looking for even more reassurance from their hospitality accommodation provider but the core need at the heart of the industry is providing supreme comfort and a memorable night's sleep. Indeed, it's one of the few things that has remained consistent when it comes to guest satisfaction.
"Hospitality accommodation providers, whether operating a boutique hotel with 40 bed rooms or an up-scale international branded hotel with 400 bed rooms, all need to manage refurbishments and new bed installations in a seamless and efficient way – both in terms of cost, safety, timings and logistics.
"We know that there are a range of issues facing every hospitality business when they tackle large scale renovations or refurbishments and need to kit out bed rooms and suites. Lots of these centres around: cost, design specifications, staggered delivery, health & safety during installation & disposal and keeping disruption to guests to an absolute minimum – all of which can be managed with prior planning and detailed preparation.
"Providing a bespoke yet structured project plan and solution is key to ensuring that any of our hospitality partners is able to receive exactly what they're looking for and with complete satisfaction. At the heart of this is two-way communication, regardless of the size or complexity of the product and service solution. Hypnos has a step-by-step process to manage this and seeks to be part of their team – from initial enquiry right through to product aftercare."
Hypnos' eight step sleep plan:
An individual project manager is allocated, who then works with the brand to pull together a detailed set of requirements for the job including products, sizing, design influences. This is used to create a timeline and schedule of delivery with a programme of all costs
HCB then produces a bespoke design specification encompassing the likes of headboards, mattresses, divans with hidden underbeds, zip and link beds, sofa beds and whatever else is required
Importantly, as cashflow can be an issue for hospitality businesses at this time, an alternative finance agreement such as leasing over the life of the bedroom can be made available, enabling HCB to provide relief to its partners
HCB works with the partner brand to agree a sleep system covering a choice of comfort, with all products conforming to Crib 5 Fire Retardancy Standards. All of this is then backed up with a five-year quality guarantee to ensure absolute peace of mind
The project manager works in partnership with the site personnel to create a meticulously planned logistics and delivery plan for the provision, taking into account all safety and efficiency elements to ensure installation and old bed disposal with minimal disruption to guests
Providing an end of life solution for old beds is crucial for the sustainability of the industry and HCB takes old products away to secure waste transfer sites, so 100% can avoid landfill and be recycled back into materials that add value and benefits to other industries
Hypnos does not stop at product delivery, as there are a range of essential extras that can provide an added layer of sustainable sleep comfort, such as pillows, mattress protector's and toppers. HCB works with the partner on any additional provisions needed to enhance the sleep experience of guests
Finally, HCB works in partnership with clients once the provision is completed in order to constantly provide sleep support – whether that's with the addition of sofa beds, new bedding, upgrades for superior suites or from a marketing perspective in terms of sharing their brand and sustainability story with guests
Owen-Smith said: "Whether it's with smaller boutique hotels or large hotel chains, we've seen similar trends emerge across our partner portfolio. There is an increased level of consideration going into the configuration of rooms and how these are set out in terms of social distance, with people often staying in these rooms with family or friends within their 'bubble'. Therefore, hospitality accommodation providers are needing to manage higher occupancy with space saving pull out underbeds and sofa beds."
As restoring confidence in the hygiene and safety of their properties is of the utmost importance, hospitality providers should be actively involving their suppliers and installers in the process, creating proactive and robust new measures to meet and go above and beyond both government and industry guidelines for health and safety.
Owen-Smith continues: "We've received a lot of positive feedback from clients who appreciate the lengths we've gone to, particularly in terms of provision of Personal Protective Equipment for delivery teams. For instance, our team will arrive wearing face and shoe coverings as well as protective outerwear, which has been very well received by our hospitality partners. As well as this, our team has received training in social distancing and contactless interaction and this is something which could be a long-term impact of the pandemic on our practices moving forwards."
"Whilst our processes have of course been adapted slightly due to the pandemic with further risk assessments needed for example, the foundations of our process – communication and co-operation – have become even more pertinent.
"As we look to the future and the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry, we look forward to continuing to adapt to be able to support our partners in the most sustainable and long-lasting way."
Hypnos is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Hypnos
Hottest hotel openings anticipated for 2021 (Q1 & Q2)
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Mango-House-Seychelles-5.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 05.01.2021 05.01.2021
Concussed from 2020, Hotel Designs is kicking off the year with positivity; shining its editorial spotlight on the hotel openings that will take hospitality worldwide to new heights. In our first of two series we take a look at Q1 & Q2's VIP arrivals. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Despite the pandemic, which temporarily brought hospitality to its knees last year, hotel construction remained strong following the prediction that the demand to travel will return in 2021. So, with that sprinkle of positivity, it's time for us to address which hotels our editorial team believe will cause the most disruption on the international hotel design scene this year.
Moxy Austin – opening January, 2021
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
Following an announcement that referenced Moxy's arrival in the Middle East, the Marriott International's contemporary brand is slated to open a 158-key hotel in Austin, Texas, which has been designed by HKS.
The hotel is situated on the western edge of the University of Texas campus. Sited prominently on an abandoned corner lot along Guadalupe Street, referred to as "The Drag" by locals, the project is an important part of the area's revitalisation. The massing takes its cues from the external arrival sequence – both vehicular and pedestrian – and echoes the efficient internal programming. Materials are selected based on the local Hill Country vernacular with a base of masonry and reclaimed wood at the ground floor dress the public zones, while metal panels of weathering steel wrap the guest room levels above. The masonry and wood provide a tactile experience down low, resist the abrasion and abuse expected with heavy traffic, and are representative of the community use at the ground level. The metal panels above provide a natural, ever-evolving quality. The weathering steel changes over time, symbolic of the travellers who come and go at the hotel, evolving in how they experience the building from the start of stay until the end.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton – opening January 2021
Image credit: Virgin Hotels
With casinos slowly reopening in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas is about to become the home of Virgin Hotels' latest hotel under the Hilton by Curio Collection brand. Sheltering a staggering 1,500 rooms with no less than 12 dining venues and a 60,000 square-foot casino, the hotel is is preparing to arrive in style to 'sin city'.
There are whispers that the Virgin Hotels, which currently operates four hotels in the USA with a further 10 properties in the pipeline, is gearing up to enter new destinations with a purpose to expand with an international portfolio – watch this space!
Nobu Residences Toronto – opening January, 2021
Image credit: Madison Group (CNW Group/Nobu Residences Toronto)
Image credit: Nobu Residences Toronto
Conceived by award-winning architect Stephen Teeple, Nobu Residences Toronto will embody the Nobu spirit in both design and attitude.
Designated as a heritage site, the base of Nobu Residences Toronto will retain the classic brick façade of the original Pilkington Glass Factory and Art Deco elements from the early 1900s. Rising above it will be two striking towers: distinctive, modern, unforgettable. Both towers will be home to exclusive residences anchored by Toronto's flagship Nobu Restaurant, with a signature Nobu Hotel at the top of the West Tower.
NoMad London – opening February, 2021
Image credit: NoMad London
Located metres from Covent Garden, NoMad London will take residence inside the historic, grade II-listed building famously known as The Bow Street Magistrates' Court and Police Station. Designed by New York-based interior design studio Roman and Williams, the transformation of the storied 19th century building draws inspiration from its history and location in Covent Garden, as well as exploring the artistic and cultural connection between London and New York.
AC Hotel Maui Wailea (Hawaii) – opening February, 2021
Image credit: AC Hotels/Marriott International
Perfectly placed and featuring two white sand beaches, AC by Marriott Maui Wailea offers scenic views of South Maui. 110-key hotel will shelter a 'stylish comfort' and will be complete with an infinity pool and a restaurant serving European cuisine, among other amenities.
W Nashville – opening in February, 2021
Image credit: W Nashville/Marriott International
In true W style, ready to cause disruption to conventional hotel design and hospitality, W Nashville is set to take the stage in the heart of The Gulch. "Striking the music city chord," the hotel is expected to open with curated local tunes, garden-to-glass cocktails and welcoming communal spaces. "Expect the unexpected" is how the brand is teasing this special 346-key arrival, with a high-energy urban experience paired with our Whatever / Whenever® approach to hospitality and Southern comfort you can expect in downtown Nashville.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley – opening in March, 2021
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Located in the charming community of Calistoga, the next addition to the diverse Four Seasons California Collection will include wine country's first Four Seasons resort with an on-site winery and vineyard, in partnership with Thomas Rivers Brown. Featuring 85 luxurious accommodations designed by Erin Martin, two outdoor pools, and a distinctive wellness-focused spa concept, Spa Talisa, the property will also introduce the highly anticipated TRUSS Restaurant and Bar led by Michelin starred Chef Erik Anderson.
NoCo London – opening Q1, 2021
Image credit: NoCo Hotels
The wait is over! Three years since plans were unveiled for the new budget lifestyle hotel arriving in London, NoCo London is about to makes it debut. NoCo hotels, established by Enismore, is described as "a collection created with clued up travellers and inquisitive locals in mind." Promised to be "never overpriced, never underwhelming," NoCo arrives in the capital to prove that budget doesn't have to be boring. We can't wait to check in!
Mango House, Seychelles, LXR Hotels and Resorts – opening in Q1, 2021
As travellers seek solitude in remote places away from the crowds, Indian Ocean destinations will remain firmly at the top of travel bucket-lists. Originally built as a family dwelling, Mango House Seychelles features 41 immaculately designed guest rooms in a remote and private location. Set to open early 2021, the exclusive resort will give guests breath-taking views of the Indian Ocean and is the perfect spot to explore Mahé's white sandy beaches and kaleidoscope of flora and fauna. With sustainable travel now topping the agenda for large numbers of guests, the Seychelles offers a year-round holiday sanctuary for the world's most discerning travellers.
NoCo hotels is a collection created with clued up travellers and inquisitive locals in mind. Never overpriced, never underwhelming, NoCo sets out to prove that budget doesn't have to be boring.
Since you're here, why not read more about how astronauts and designers are working to create a hotel in space?
Six Senses Ibiza – opening Q2, 2021
Image credit: Six Senses
With the aim to "dance to the beat of a new mantra," Six Senses Ibiza will shelter a transformative wellness experience designed to nourish the body, mind and soul. The tranquil northern tip of Ibiza on crystalline Cala Xarraca Bay, with unobstructed westerly sunset views, is the inspiring setting for the new hotel, which will feature. The 134 guest accommodations include townhouses, pool suites and beach cave units set on a 25-acre (10-hectare).
St. Regis Bermuda Resort & Residences – opening Q2, 2021
Image credit: St. Regis
An exquisite Atlantic debut, the St. Regis brand is about the arrive in Bermuda. Once completed, St Regis Bermuda Resort, with has been developed by Hotelco and designed by OBMI Design, is said to become the most exclusive and luxurious development on the island.
Main image credit: LXR
Case study: designing the bathrooms in the UK's 'most sustainable hotel'
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Bull-Inn-Totnes.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 05.01.2021 05.01.2021
Award-winning sustainable hotel, The Bull Inn, Totnes, which Hotel Designs reviewed recently, specified Bette shower trays and baths…
The Times and The Sunday Times' Eco Hotel of the Year 2020, The Bull Inn, Totnes, selected Bette to provide shower trays and baths that fit with its focus on sustainability.
The hotel is the fourth brainchild of Geetie Singh-Watson, who opened the world's first certified organic pub in 1998. She worked with Devon-based architect, Jackie Gillespie of Gillespie Yunnie Architects, to ensure that every aspect of the hotel is sustainable. This includes the pastel-coloured plaster walls, organic linens, innovative heating system and bathrooms.
"I particularly like the low profile and solid feel of the BetteSupra shower trays, and the fact that they come with adjustable frames." – Jackie Gillespie, founder of Gillespie Yunnie Architects.
The stylish bathrooms feature white brick tiles with accents of muted gold. Each has either a shower, with Bette glazed titanium-steel BetteSupra shower tray or a comfortable double ended BetteStarlet bath, perfect for a relaxing soak. All the shower trays and the baths feature Bette's almost invisible anti-slip surface, Anti-Slip Pro.
"We used Bette shower trays and baths because they combine high quality and lasting looks with sustainability, as they are made from natural materials and are recyclable," commented architect Jackie Gillespie. "I particularly like the low profile and solid feel of the BetteSupra shower trays, and the fact that they come with adjustable frames. I have used the shower trays and baths on many projects and like the double-ended symmetry and comfort of the BetteStarlet bath, with central waste. It's also extremely useful that both the shower trays and baths come in such a wide range of sizes, so we were able to select the right sizes for the rooms, including 1200 x 900mm shower trays in the majority of the bathrooms."
Owner, Geetie Singh-Watson added: "We are committed to a philosophy of Doing Business Better, which drives us to really examine the best way to do things; to scrutinise our habits and our ways of being and buying. It was really important to me that we didn't have plastic baths or shower trays and I believe that, if we always looked at the end of life of a product when we buy it, we would change the impact on the planet. The Bette products are not only 100% recyclable but will last for many years."
Bette baths, shower trays and basins come with a thirty year warranty, are easy to clean and available in over 400 colours, including gloss and matt finishes. Made from natural raw materials, they are completely recyclable and verified to the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) as per ISO 14025 and to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
Since you're here, why not read our review of The Bull Inn, Totnes?
Main image credit: The Bull Inn, Totnes
Plans for a hotel in space on track for a 2024 launch
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Collage-of-space-station.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 04.01.2021 04.01.2021
250 miles above the earth in the wilderness of space, with cabins designed by the world-renowned Philippe Starck, the Axiom space station is the brainchild of former NASA chiefs. Editor Hamish Kilburn investigates as the plans get underway…
There has been a lot of talk in recent years of taking hospitality to new heights, but as close we as we have got to a 'space hotel' so far has been the Space Suite inside the Kameha Grand Zürich, the 'Lunar Loo' designed by Duravit and Orion Span's planned orbiting hotel, which was slated to welcome guests from as early as 2022 – we have no update on its progress.
However, in a recent article in The Times, the race to launch hospitality outside earth's atmosphere has taken a bold leap forward with plans, led by former NASA chiefs and astronauts, now underway to build the first commercial space station. Free from the shackles of gravity, extensive research and manufacturing has to led to this moment; Axiom being one step closer to launching.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Axiom, which literally means "a statement or proposition which is regarded as being established", is a company co-founded by the former programme chief of International Space Station (ISS) "Axiom was founded with the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human ever where," Mike Suffredini, chief executive of Axiom Space and who previously led NASA's second largest engineering contract, said. "We often hear that this is a very bold statement. it is."
"Philippe Starck will have the honour of designing the cabins inside – think "nest-like comfort" – that will frame panoramic views of our home planet below."
Costing a reported $2 million, which is a drop in the ocean when considering the cost of building a new-build hotel in today's climate, the Axiom station is intended to become the first ever free-flying, globally available private space station, which is planning to launch in 2024. Although its manufacturing requires space engineers, the interiors have been handed over to French industrial architect and hotel design legend Philippe Starck who will have the honour of designing the cabins inside – think "nest-like comfort" – that will frame panoramic views of our home planet below.
The company promises to "help open a new chapter in human history" with this launch. On its website, it says: "20 years after astronauts first began to live and work aboard the ISS, Axiom offers the ability to traverse the sublime reach of space and fulfil personal goals of philosophical, philanthropic, scientific or commercial nature."
Although we are somewhat sceptical when reading about a hotel in space, it is encouraging to see that Axiom has a fine pedigree who are ultimately making this dream a reality. As well as Suffredini, the team includes four retired astronauts, including Charlie Bolden, the former head of NASA.
Main image credit: Axiom
Heathfield & Co collaborates with Harris & Harris to create Azzero Collection
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1-Image-credit-Heathfield-Co.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 04.01.2021 17.12.2020
Heathfield & Co's lighting range with conscious design studio Harris & Harris centres on innovative use of materials, crafted with expertise and precision…
The Azzero Collection by Heathfield & Co in collaboration with Harris & Harris range's aesthetic is underpinned by the prominent use of terrazzo stone; a material with a rich design heritage.
Presented in a black and white speckled finish, the terrazzo is paired with Rich Gold metalwork in a minimal form, and Opal white glass capsules, which provide a soft ambient glow.
Image credit Heathfield & Co
Image credit: Heathfield & Co
With a minimal and sophisticated form, the Azzero table lamp (right) features a two-tone cylindrical base. The vertical stem leads to a deeply ribbed centre body which holds two delicately lit outward facing opal glass capsules. An extension of the table lamp design, the Azzero floor lamp (bottom) features a large rounded base in speckled black and white terrazzo stone. The Azzero desk lamp (left) is defined by its angular stem and intersecting ribbed metal cowl, making it an elegant addition to any home office or working space.
Heathfield & Co is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Main image credit: Heathfield & Co
Editor Checks In: don't make me round-up 2020
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_8393.JPG.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 30.12.2020 01.01.2021
"For someone who always tries to see the positive in everything, this year has been a challenging and turbulent journey that has been full twists, turns and dead ends," editor Hamish Kilburn writes when trying to round-up 2020…
It's 21:00 GMT on a stormy evening in December. The eyes of the world are fixed on my home county following a new super strain of Covid-19 that was found, mutated they say, in Kent. There's literally nothing to do apart from curl up on the sofa with a glass of red wine to write this, which is my last article of 2020 (hurrah!).
Just when this year couldn't really get much worse, my phone lights up beside me and my stomach immediately drops. The sender is a freelance journalist who is supposed to be in Dubai taking full advantage of this 'air corridor' we had been granted. For any editor right now, it's a pretty big deal commissioning an international trip, as travelling anywhere at the moment feels like undertaking a covert operation (even when you're not the one actually boarding the plane).
"If the last 12 months have taught us anything on the editorial desk at Hotel Designs, it's perspective and being grateful for what we have." – Hamish Kilburn, editor, Hotel Designs.
The text message read: "Hi Hamish, I'm really sorry but I'm stuck in Zanzibar, now self-isolating for 10 days having tested positive for Covid-19, and will not make it to Dubai to review the hotel." And this, my friends, is the new world we are living in. What a way to end to 2020? Not only am I now living in a place that is being branded by the media as 'the new Wuhan', but I also feel part responsible for a journalist and friend being struck down by 'the virus', with no option but to lock himself down in a hotel, over Christmas, that wasn't budgeted for – talk about disruption! But if the last 12 months have taught us anything on the editorial desk at Hotel Designs, it's perspective and being grateful for what we have. Fortunately, our writer and his wife who he is travelling with are showing no symptoms and are recovering safely and comfortably in the confides of their hotel room.
This situation is a stark reminder of how shaken our market is, even now, more than 10 months after coronavirus first emerged in the headlines. While other industries wake up from a forced hibernation, unfortunately hotels around the world are still taking a battering, and the majority are still performing with less than 50 per cent occupancy due to the pandemic. Major cities that were once dominating tourist hotspots have found themselves in unfamiliar territories; vacant and on the surface without purpose – and there was me in January thinking this was all just a sensational story that will blow over…
The hotels within these metropolis' that were designed to cater for substantial demand are currently uninhabited. And yet, the magic and power of hospitality has kept the industry's spirits alive.
During the peak of lockdown – and even after we entered the dreaded tiered system here in the UK – wonderful and innovative initiatives emerged from hotels up and down the country. With the unanimous aim to support key workers during turbulent times, hoteliers utilised the situation and started to focus their attention locally, and as a result produced new and improved sustainable ways to operate.
Meanwhile, designers and architects were able to exhale from travelling and attending back-to-back client meetings and pitches. Instead, although being away from their creative studios was less than ideal, they were able to focus on drawing up new purposeful spaces suitable for a post-pandemic world.
It is therefore more important now than ever before to recognise and celebrate the individuals in Britain who are leading the way in international hotel design and hospitality, as we did last month when we went live with The Brit List Awards 2020.
Just when Covid-19 slapped us across the face with a wet fish – I was on the floor howling with laughter when a designer used this line earlier this year in a panel discussion – we opened the applications and nominations process for the awards. And with each completed application form that landed in my inbox, the team and I were reminded why Britain is – and will always be – regarded as a leading hotel design and hospitality hub.
There's a lot of anticipation building around what 2021 will bring. If Pantone's Colour of the Year is anything to go by, we're in for a mixed 12 months that will require yet more forward-thinking to harmonise our industry. From our side, we will continue to keep the conversation flowing and the industry connected with our Hotel Designs LIVE series and the anticipated arrival of our podcast. We will also continue publishing strong editorial features (look out for that Dubai hotel review), and we will maintain our position as the leading international hotel design website by listening to the designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers who are all helping to shape our industry.
I would like to sign off 2020 by sticking two fingers up to the past and instead welcoming in new perspectives that we will amplify on the pages of Hotel Designs. I wish you all a safe and refreshing festive period and our team looks forward to reconnecting in the New Year – at least it can't be as bad as the one we have just endured!
Editor, Hotel Designs
Main image credit: DJP Portraiture
Year in Review: Franklite reflects on its hero launches
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Untitled-design-6-1.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 29.12.2020 18.12.2020
To conclude our Year in Review series, lighting brand Franklite throws it back to highlight the brand's major launches of 2020…
Franklite has played an exceptional role in various projects over the course of the year, ranging from luxury hotels to executive homes over the UK and providing a range of exquisite lighting solutions to complement each individual space.
The Taper Pendant has become a popular choice this year as it has appeared in numerous spaces including show homes and hotels. Available in smoked, copper and amber glass finish, these angle-cut pendants are on a matt black plate with black braided suspensions.
The single-drop Cordelia is ideal for above a bar area within a restaurant as displayed at the Hilton Gatwick Hotel. These beautiful satin brushed pendants with heavily textured glass bases to diffuse the light are available in gold and silver with some accents of chrome and matt black. The multi-drop versions will make a statement in a larger space such as a reception area or staircase.
Another favourite is the Dandy fitting, a contemporary spherical pendant in matt gold with matt black discs around the outside. A cluster of these pendants are featured perfectly within the recessed ceiling of the Vista restaurant at the Gleddoch Hotel.
2020 also saw the launch of Franklite's Catalogue 26, showcasing an extensive range of fittings filled with a combination of innovative designs and our classic Franklite products that customers have come to know and love.
As the year draws to a close, we are putting the final touches to our first Catalogue 26 supplement, which will feature exciting new lighting solutions available to order from early 2021.
Franklite is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Franklite
Product watch: Kaldewei launches washbasin made of sustainable steel enamel
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2_Kaldewei_MING_Washbasin_Bowl.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 28.12.2020 11.12.2020
Premium bathroom manufacturer Kaldewei enhances portfolio with a new and luxurious highlight washbasin product. Asian-inspired, the Ming's design is unique in its segment…
Its shape typifies both the traditional and the modern. The lines of this delicate washbasin bowl produce an elegant, sculptural shape ideal for a distinctive interior design. Moreover, it offers exceptional comfort thanks to its generous depth and a lastingly hygienic glass surface.
The Ming's most striking design feature is its elegant shape. Convex curves form a sensual outline, the neutral black and white tones used remain unobtrusive, allowing for plenty of scope within individually designed washrooms.
Like all Kaldewei products, the Ming is made of superior steel enamel. This material features a flawlessly glazed surface and is extremely long-lasting and ultra hygienic. Steel enamel is 100 per cent recyclable and is one of the most sustainable materials available for modern bathroom fit-outs.,
This washbasin bowl is easy to clean and extremely resistant to external impacts just a few of the reasons why Kaldewei offers a 30-year product guarantee for its steel enamel products. The Ming is available in four different colours: lava black matt, polished black, alpine white and alpine white matt.
Guided by the motto "naturally connected", legendary musician and award-winning photographer Bryan Adams has artfully showcased the new Ming washbasin bowl. His aim is to highlight connectedness and an awareness of hygiene in turbulent times. Applying a keen eye for detail, Adams gives us an intimate look at being together: with simple hygiene measures we extend our hands to each other – to our family, our friends and our partners. It's a message that is both highly topical and timeless – and one which is perfectly reflected in the Ming's classic design.
Kaldewei is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Kaldewei
Meet The Brit List Hoteliers of 2020
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 27.12.2020 03.01.2021
Each year, Hotel Designs unveils The Brit List, a publication that lists the top 25 designers, top 25 architects and top 25 hoteliers who are operating in Britain. Following the official unveiling of The List at this year's virtual award ceremony, please meet The Brit List Hoteliers of 2020…
For more than four years now, The Brit List Awards has given a platform to the designers, architects and hoteliers who are proving to be trendsetters on the international hotel design scene. Earlier this year, Hotel Designs' 2020 search began and turned into what was the most meaningful campaign in the publication's history.
This year's panel of judges– and of course our sponsors and partners – went above and beyond to support The Brit List Awards as the difficult yet responsible decision was made to organise the judging process and deliver the awards ceremony in virtual formats.
During the in-depth judging process, we all discovered a new meaning of hospitality as we read how designers, architects and hoteliers are continuing to push conventional boundaries. But no more so was this more evident than in the applications in the hotelier category.
Following on from unveiling this year's designers and architects please meet (in alphabetical order) The Brit List Hoteliers of 2020…
Ayo Akinsete, Area Managing Director – Treehouse Hotel London
Located on Langham Place, steps from the BBC headquarters, Treehouse Hotel London was founded on the ideas that inspire a child to build a treehouse. Adventure, independence, cozy spaces and repurposing crafty things are what make a place warm and special. That's why every Treehouse Hotel – owned by SH Hotels & Resorts – celebrates found objects, nostalgic tunes, handmade details and locally sourced treats.
Ayo Akinsete, the Area Managing Director, joined the team in 2019 following his hospitality experience in Los Angles and New York.
Barry Sternlicht, Founder and CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts said: "The concept for Treehouse Hotel has been living in my soul for many years. A special place that feels more "home" than "hotel"…cozy, welcoming, warm, and somehow familiar…an oasis after a long day that at once refreshes, inspires, and delights."
Carl Davies-Phillips, General Manager – Hotel Indigo Stratford upon Avon
Carl Davies-Phillips has been a great asset to Hotel Indigo Stratford upon Avon, and has worked extremely hard through the first year of trading since opening in April 2019 – especially with all the struggles the hospitality industry has faced this year.
Davies-Phillips is very caring of the team, and always ensures that staff morale is high. He has helped so many people develop their careers with his skills and knowledge in the hospitality industry and working for IHG.
In the heart of this Shakespearean market town is the home of the boutique hotel, surrounded by the wealth of culture this idyllic town has to offer.
Steeped in history and home to William Shakespeare, Hotel Indigo shares the neighbourhood with his 16th-century birthplace, as well as one of the most famous theatres in the world; Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Chris King, Co-Founder – Birch
Birch is an intervention from the judgements, expectations, and constraints of daily life; an escape for the explorers and a catalyst for the curious.
Founded by Chris King and Chris Penn, Birch creates spaces where you can rest, explore, connect, work, taste, move, or dance as you wish – all in one place.
For the Birch hotel project, a 140-key hotel that is set within 55 acres of nature just outside of London, architecture and design firm Red Deer deconstructed the meaning of a hotel and pieced it back together to ensure that no element was intrinsic without careful consideration. The obvious need for a bed and bathroom are present, however, more attention was given to the contemporary 'luxuries' such as a TV, telephone and smart lighting systems to ascertain their place in a luxury hotel for an increasingly younger generation of guests.
The hotel encourages guests to disconnect from the rigours of mainstream daily life, and reconnect to the things that matter most: more walking, talking, touching and tasting.
Conor O'Leary, Joint Managing Director – Gleneagles
Since being crowned Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2018, Conor O'Leary has continued to perfect the luxury address that is often referred to as 'the glorious playground'. Gleneagles remains one of Scotland's – if not Great Britain's – most adventurous luxury hotels.
Set beneath the Ochil Hills, in the heart of Perthshire, it has been the must-go destination for travellers for nearly a century. Beginning its life in the glamorous age of travel when guests arrived in great style at Gleneagles' very own train station, the 850-acre estate epitomises the natural beauty for which Scotland is famed.
Now under new ownership with Ennismore, Gleneagles has enlisted the skills and expertise of some of the UK's most acclaimed designers including David Collins Studio, Timorous Beasties, Macaulay Sinclair, Goddard Littlefair and Ennismore's own in-house design studio – with the aim to create designs and spaces that celebrate the rich, glamorous heritage and beautiful architecture for which the hotel is famed.
Elli Jafari, General Manager – The Standard London
Housed in the former Camden Town Hall Annex in London's thriving King's Cross neighbourhood, the 1974 Brutalist building has been meticulously restored and sets the perfect stage for The Standard's first hotel outside America.
The Standard London shelters 266 guestrooms in 42 unique styles ranging from Cosy Core rooms to terraced suites with outdoor bathtubs overlooking St Pancras station. The lobby lounge, with a carefully curated library pays homage to the building's original use, with a sound studio hosting weekly live music and talks.
Founded in the late 90s, The Standard's irreverent and playful sensibility, combined with a careful consideration of design, detail and service, have formed its DNA as a pioneer of hospitality, travel, dining, nightlife, and beyond.
Gary Neville, Co-Founder – Stock Exchange Hotel
The Stock Exchange Hotel, co-owned by Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, opened in November 2019 as a new luxury address in Manchester.
The former Manchester United footballers were among the first hoteliers to go above and beyond in the Covid-19 crisis, closing the two properties within their portfolio and offering them, free of charge, to NHS workers. The hotel also vowed to not make any staff redundant or place them on unpaid leave for the duration of its closure.
"We have taken this decision as we believe in being proactive and decisive," said Neville, who added that the hotels would reopen once the pandemic has passed. "We feel that we have a responsibility to protect our team members and as shareholders we have put together the resources to put us in the best position to do this.
"Our company's success is all down to our team and we feel it is critical that we look after everyone in these challenging times.
Grant Campbell, General Manager – Nobu Hotel London Portman Square
Earlier this year, Grant Campbell was appointed General Manager at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, which was due to open in July. Campbell moves in as the 249-key hotel's pre-opening General Manager, Matthew Beard, becomes the hotel's Managing Director.
Campbell joined Nobu Hotel London Portman Square from Sanderson London, where he led the strategic development of the hotel for more than six years.
In his new role, Campbell oversees the opening of the L+R-owned hotel, which will feature a Nobu restaurant, bar, ballroom for up to 600 guests, gym, wellness facilities and meeting spaces.
George Westwell, CEO – Cheval Collection
Cheval Collection, the luxury hospitality company with serviced apartment residences across London, announced in February 2020 that The Cheval Gloucester Park, Kensington had reopened following two years of full-scale, multi-million pound refurbishments.
The luxury all-apartment residence, has become the collection's iconic west London property. Cheval Gloucester Park features a combination of one, two and three bedroom apartments, as well as three spectacular five-bedroom penthouses on the upper floors, aptly named Gloucester, Cromwell and Kensington.
The building was stripped back to brick by architecture firm 3D Reid and Cheval's design team has collaborated with London based design studio 1508 on the complete interior re-design of Cheval Gloucester Park, with a focus on 1920s London. The property shelters modernised design and upgraded features, including a beautifully renovated ground floor reception, a new 12-seater 'cinema room' for film screenings and private bookings as well as an enlarged fitness centre.
Guillaume Marly, Managing Director – Hotel Café Royal
Guillaume Marly became the Managing Director of Hotel Café Royal in 2017 following on from stints as hotel manager at The Ritz, The Connaught and senior positions at Claridges.
Consistently referred to as "London's grand hotel", the property is part of The Set: a cluster of luxury hotels in the UK and Europe. The sophisticated hotel straddles the elegance of Mayfair and the raw energy of Soho.
Having worked in some of London's most admired and notable hotels, including Chiltern Firehouse and The Dorchester, Marly brought with him the level of expertise and experience necessary to take on a property of Hotel Café Royal's size and reputation.
Howard Hastings, Managing Director – Hastings Hotels Group
Established by Sir William Hastings in the late 1960s, Hastings Hotels is a family-owned company and the largest independent hotel group in Northern Ireland.
Howard Hastings, now Managing Director, joined in 1989 as Operations Director. For the past 25 years, he has been Managing Director of Northern Ireland's foremost hotel group, representing as they do, 1,100 bedrooms in seven hotels and continuing the clear set of values for which Hastings Hotels has become synonymous. These values encompass not only a strong work ethic, but a focus on heavy yearly investment with the local community, staff and suppliers at the heart of the business.
Hastings has been particularly passionate about not only Hastings Hotels but the promotion of tourism in Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland, as well as representing the sector in the wider business such as the Institute of Directors.
Jannes Soerensen, General Manager – The Beaumont
Jannes Soerensen, the General Manager at The Beaumont, is a familiar figure on the luxury hotel scene in Europe. In under two decades, he has worked in some of the finest hotels including Hotel George V Paris, Hotel Arts Barcelona, The Connaught and Le Bristol Paris.
In 2014 – the same year as the hotel opened – Soerensen stepped into the role as General Manager to lead The Beaumont into a new hospitality era.
Six years later, London's hotel scene has been drastically impacted from the Covid-19 crisis, and Soerensen is currently using this period as an opportunity. Taking advantage of this unpredictable environment, he is coordinating long-planned work on an extension to the hotel. The renovation will include a soft refurbishment of the Cub Room, the Bar, the Colony and the Spa.
Javier Beneyto, General Manager – COMO Metropolitan London
Javier Beneyto has been General Manager of COMO Metropolitan London since 2018, taking over from the previous General Manager who managed the property for almost two decades.
Beneyto, born in Madrid, joined COMO Hotels and Resorts in 2012 and has managed a selection of the brand's international portfolio before taking on his role at COMO Metropolitan London. Beneyto was instrumental in the redevelopment of the hotel's residences in 2019, which are adjacent to the hotel. These 10 luxury residences were designed by architects and interior designers, Forme UK. During this process, Beneyto worked with numerous UK suppliers, builders and contractors – and being relatively new to the London hotel scene and only a year in the job, this was an enormous project to undertake which came with many challenges along the way.
The result is a chic and contemporary cluster of residences in the heart of Mayfair. Beneyto kept his cool throughout the process to bring his European flair to the project and the hotel team who adore him.
John Scanlon, General Manager – 45 Park Lane
Since his arrival at 45 Park Lane as General Manager in 2015, John Scanlon has been committed to ensuring that guests have the best possible stay experience, and has a proven track record of maintaining an enjoyable environment for employees.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Scanlon's leadership saw a number of initiatives quickly come into fruition. Several colleagues became involved in the Golden Friends scheme via Hospitality Action, making regular check-in calls to hospitality retirees in 12-week isolation. Employees have also pledged their support to the NHS and assisted in the donation and distribution of food and necessary supplies to those impacted by Covid-19.
45 Park Lane, along with sister hotels The Dorchester and Coworth Park, also donated £25,000 to Hospitality Action, to help support hospitality workers who are in need and to help feed their families.
Justin Salisbury, Co-Founder – Artist Residence
When Justin Salisbury dropped out of university to help out with the family B&B on Brighton seafront, he unexpectedly caught the hospitality bug, and set out to improve the business with very little budget.
Inspired by the Brighton art scene, he sent out an ad for artists to decorate rooms. Hundreds of artists soon descended on the place revamping the walls, floors and ceilings with unique murals…and so, Artist Residence was born.
Joined by then girlfriend (now wife) Charlie, the pair set about making the concept and hotel a successful business. Three years later, the duo set their sights on their next project, a manor house in the seaside town of Penzance in West Cornwall.
The heartwarming business story is mid-chapter, now with five hotel properties (all of which are sheltered inside interesting buildings that have played significant roles within their location).
The formidable duo are advocates for upcycling, and the team are regularly invited to discuss his authentic design and hospitality approach at major hospitality events.
Marco Novella, Managing Director – The Lanesborough
With its enviable location at the heart of London in prestigious Knightsbridge, and framing panoramic views of Hyde Park, The Lanesborough, managed by Oetker Collection, has long been considered one of the world's most luxurious hotels. The hotel's legacy lies with it having been built on the former home of Viscount Lanesborough and remains one of London's most revered Regency landmarks. The elegant surroundings, exquisite cuisine, unsurpassed attention to detail and world-renowned service are second to none. The Lanesborough captures the sense of a grand residence and offers 93 guest rooms, including 43 suites, and a personal butler service for all guests across all room categories.
Marco Novella joined as Managing Director in 2018. His first position as Hotel Manager at the St. Regis Grand in Rome in 1999 led him to become the General Manager of another Starwood Hotels & Resorts property, The Gritti Palace in Venice. In 2010, Marco became Managing Director of Villa San Michele in Florence, part of Belmond. Prior to joining The Lanesborough, his most recent position was as Managing Director of Brown's Hotel London in 2016.
Marie-Paule Nowlis, General Manager – Sofitel London St James
Marie-Paule Nowlis, who brings with her 30 years' experience with the Sofitel brand, and a career shaped by international roles, joined Sofitel London St James as General Manager in April 2019.
Nowlis led an extensive multi-million pound transformation in 2019, which extended throughout the hotel's 183 guestrooms and suites, restaurant and bar. The property is a flagship hotel for the Sofitel brand and a cornerstone of London's luxury hotel scene, with the transformation and refurbishment overseen by Pierre-Yves Rochon ensuring it remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the city.
Prior to joining the team at Sofitel London St James, Nowlis was most recently Hotel Manager and Acting General Manager of Sofitel New York, responsible for operational and strategic execution of the 400-room flagship property. She held the position as of February 2016, during which time she was also Acting General Manager for 20 months.
Michael Bonsor, Managing Director – Rosewood London
Michael Bonsor is not only at the helm of one of London's most successful luxury hospitality establishments, The Rosewood London, but he in his own right is an authentic influencer on the global luxury hospitality scene.
During the Covid-19 crisis, he led the hotel to launch a competition, giving NHS workers a chance of winning a dream wedding. This initiative formed part of Rosewood Raise, a relief initiative launched by Rosewood Hotel Group developed in support of the group's staff who have been impacted by Covid-19, as well as the communities in which the group operates. The relief initiative included donating hotel rooms, meal preparation and supplies for essential workers.
Other initiatives the hotel was involved with included the Hospitality4Heroes Social Challenge, where Bonsor and his team helped to raise more than £10,000 to support the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal, while head chef of Holborn Dining Room Calum Franklin and his team have been cooking hearty pies and meals for NHS staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital, a charity that the hotel has supported for many years.
Michael Struck, Founder & CEO – Ruby Hotels
Although not UK-based, Ruby Hotels has taken the UK market by storm, following the successful launch of its first London hotel, Ruby Lucy, and the announcement of two further London hotel openings in Clerkenwell and Notting Hill.
Set in London's vibrant Southbank, Ruby Lucy, which enjoys a fun carnival theme running throughout the hotel, offers guests the ideal opportunity to explore the area's entertainment and theatre scene.
Unique to Ruby Hotels is Struck's innovative 'lean luxury' philosophy which focuses on providing guests with the essential – a top location, high-quality fittings, and outstanding design – rather than the superfluous, ensuring that travellers are offered a luxurious and unique hotel experience, all at an affordable price point. The model includes a self-check-in system which makes use of tablets to reduce check-in time to under one minute. Additionally, guests have easy access to all of their needs in total privacy, with Ruby Hotels' galley kitchens and vending machines. The open plan bars, movie lounges, private yoga rooms and spacious rooftop spaces replace traditional spa and gym facilities.
As a result, Struck's fresh and modern take on urban hospitality is challenging the conventional hotel model.
Olivia Byrne, Director – Eccleston Square Hotel
To optimise the wellbeing of hotel guests, Eccleston Square Hotel, winner of the Best in Tech Award at The Brit List Awards 2019, now offers complementary Levoit Air Purifiers; these quiet, portable, in-bedroom air filters protect against a wide variety of contaminants such as air pollution, allergens and bacteria including airborne viruses. Designed in California the True HEPA filter is 100 per cent ozone free, offers a whisper-quiet setting and delivers fresh air that's clean, natural and healthy to breathe. This is in addition to the hotel's 65-point anti-bacterial surface and point of contact sanitising programme.
All bedrooms in the hotel already benefit from HVAC Air Conditioning with air taken from an outside source, it is filtered and cleaned and then directly distributed to each room. Air is simultaneously removed by a centralised mechanical extraction and expelled above the roof. Guests can also be encouraged by the fact that each hotel room benefits from anti infiltration flaps under the door when closed and mattresses are sealed in an Allerguard (TM) anti allergen sack.
Being a small, independent boutique property, Eccleston Square Hotel can adapt swiftly to the fluctuating needs and demands of travellers.
Olivia Richli, General Manager – Heckfield Place
Winner of The Eco Award at The Brit List Awards 2019, Heckfield Place is a Georgian family home, lovingly restored from its classic origins and rewoven into a luxury hotel, which stands in 400 acres of secluded Hampshire landscape.
During a review by Hotel Designs, it was described as a 'home from home', somewhere you can simply fall into bed and enjoy a peaceful retreat.
Olivia Richli, the hotel's General Manager, is a breath of fresh air, who along with owner Gelard Chan who plucked Richli from semi-retirement in Sri Lanka, has brought the property into a new era. The hotel's opening made a lot of noise in the press, receiving a wave of positive reviews and features, highlighting and commending its DNA of sustainable design and conscious hospitality.
Most recently, the hotel has completed its certification as a Bio-Dynamic Farm, which is a a major milestone for the estate, and the completion of a four-year purposeful process.
Ray Goertz, General Manager – The Prince Akatoki London
As General Manager, Ray Goertz was asked to sketch out his ideas of how he would transform a quintessentially British boutique hotel in Marylebone into a luxury Japanese inspired hotel. This ambitious concept was to take into consideration how the flow of the hotel design would complement overall guest experience and optimise the daily operation.
Collaboratively, Goertz created 19 unique selling points that cannot be found in any other luxury hotel in London, varying from service elements to amenities and other unique features.
Every element from the colour palette and furniture, to the materiality and lighting has been chosen to emanate luxury, and feel in accordance with nature.
Goertz's role as General Manager on this project afforded him the opportunity to take part in the design of the hotel that would operationally make sense and stand out as something new in the London luxury hospitality arena.
Robert Richardson, General Manager – The Cave Hotel & Golf Resort
After reaching success as General Manager at The Grand in Folkestone – where he led the hotel to win a plethora of national awards – Robert Richardson is now General Manager of The Cave Hotel & Golf Resort in Canterbury.
Regarded as a young trailblazer, Richardson's fresh approach on hospitality and leadership makes him the ideal person to lead the new tech-savvy, custom-built luxury hotel. The 40-key boutique property takes its inspiration from the best modern luxury hotels operating across the world.
Richardson's plans include repositioning the property for the luxury staycation market whilst developing its reputation for the overseas market, post-Covid.
In addition, Richardson is an elected Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, and a regular speaker at industry events and author of several well-regarded industry articles.
Robin Hutson, Chairman & Chief Executive – Lime Wood Group & Home Grown Hotels (THE PIG)
Starting in 2009 with the opening of Lime Wood, Robin Hutson set about creating something a little bit different. The aim was to make their guests feel at home wherever they are – from the peaceful New Forest, to the breathtaking mountain scenery of Courchevel Moriond and the stunning beaches of Studland Bay in Dorset.
Home Grown Hotels is possibly the most talked-about group of hotels to emerge in recent years. THE PIG is really a restaurant with rooms and the kitchen gardens are at the heart of everything the group does.
The concept of THE PIG was created in 2011 and has since been recognised with many accolades and industry awards. The group now consists of seven hotels with the latest additions joining THE PIG, THE PIG-in the wall, THE PIG-near Bath, THE PIG-on the beach, THE PIG-at Combe, THE PIG-at Bridge Place and THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay, with a new addition coming in 2021.
Robin Sheppard, President – Bespoke Hotels
Robin Sheppard, winner of Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry at The Brit List Awards 2018, co-founded Bespoke Hotels in 2000 and has since grown the business into the UK's largest independent hotel group. The company now has more than 200 properties spanning the length and breadth of the country and overseas. This has provided him with a platform from which to work tirelessly in the promotion of accessibility within tourism and hospitality, culminating most recently in the launch of the Bespoke Access Awards in April 2016 alongside RIBA and the Design Council. In 2019, the Bespoke Access Awards and the Blue Badge Style Awards merged to form Blue Badge Access Awards (BBAA), with the support of charity Leonard Cheshire.
Earlier this year, Sheppard made his vision of cutting-edge accessible hotel design a reality with the launch of Hotel Brooklyn. Opened in February 2020, Hotel Brooklyn is a trailblazer in championing accessible, sexy and modern design for all. Of the hotel's 189 rooms and suites, 18 are adapted for guests with a need for accessibility: a huge leap beyond the industry norm – providing outstanding accessibility in rooms that are almost unrecognisably different from standard rooms.
Sheppard's championing of quality design in accessible hospitality and tourism has inspired an entire industry to think bigger and stretch further, revolutionising the way we think about accessibility and radically altering the experience of disabled people in the UK tourism and hospitality industry.
Thomas Kochs, Managing Director – Corinthia London
Winner of Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2019, Thomas Kochs is a familiar name and face on the London and international luxury hospitality scene. Kochs joined the brand in 2017 and has been flying its flag sensitively ever since.
The hotel, which remains Corinthia Hotels' flagship property, shelters 283 rooms, an award-winning ESPA spa and a public area that works hard to adapt to modern consumer demands.
Kochs is rightfully considered one of the best in his field. With an acute eye for detail, and a calm, collected yet dynamic approach to leadership, the hotelier has seen – perhaps it's more accurate to say led – the evolutions of many hospitality trends driven by consumer behaviour and demands. "Design has evolved," Kochs told Hotel Designs in an exclusive interview. "10 – 15 years ago, hotels had more opportunities to impress through design. However, a good design formula alone is no longer enough in today's market. There are some design-driven brands where the customer only checks in because of the design and aesthetic, but we don't consider ourselves one of them."
The Brit List 2020 is Hotel Designs' nationwide search to find the top 25 designers, top 25 architects and top 25 hoteliers operating in Britain. This year's campaign came to a close on November 13, when the virtual award ceremony unveiled The List as well as the individual winners.
To attend The Brit List Winners' Party, which takes place on April 29, 2021 at Minotti London, please click here. Applications and nominations for The Brit List Awards 2020 will open Summer 2021.
Year in Review – lighting by Christopher Hyde
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/bathroom-lighting.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 27.12.2020 12.01.2021
As we conclude our Year In Review, we take a look at what Christopher Hyde has launched in the last 12 months…
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Christopher Hyde launched a stunning new bathroom collection of opulent light fixtures. This exquisite collection of wall fixtures has captured the luxury quality that Christopher Hyde stands for without compromising on performance.
These fixtures can be manufactured to the IP44 standard allowing them to be specified for bathroom designs and fitted near showers, baths, and basins. Perfect for adding a splash of extravagance to those areas that need protection against moisture or dust, but equally as suitable for adorning a formal sitting room or hallway.
Not only did Christopher Hyde launch a new collection this year but also invested in a high-end renovation for its showroom in The Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. The upgrade has provided our customers with even more space to view each fitting in comfort and style.
Image credit: Christopher Hyde
Neutral colour tones, soft grey panelled walls with light pine wood flooring all add to the aesthetics of the space. The implementation of an open plan concept creates a natural flow throughout the showroom. It is important to showcase each individual fixture to its full potential and now our products can be viewed from multiple angles.
As the year draws to a close and we reflect on the changes it has brought we can guarantee that at Christopher Hyde we will continue to create a tailored experience for each and every one of our valued customers.
Christopher Hyde is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Christopher Hyde
Product watch: Geberit launches two newly-named collections – Select and Aspire
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2018Bathroom01KMonolithwithiConsquare-master-copy.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 24.12.2020 22.12.2020
To continue our Year in Review, which is a December tradition here at Hotel Designs where we look back to the most eye-catching product launches from the past 11 months, we throwback to Geberit's announcement to celebrate a new chapter for the bathroom brand…
Geberit extended its offering in the hotel sector following the launch of two newly named washroom collections in October.
The announcement marked the start of an exciting new chapter for Geberit in the UK. The Aspire Collection is the new name for Geberit's premium offering, formerly known as the Geberit Bathroom Collection. The exclusive collection now incorporates well-known ranges such as iCon, Xeno and the Geberit AquaClean Mera shower toilet. Geberit also introduced its pioneering washroom innovation, Geberit One, which integrates behind-the-wall sanitary technology with stylish ceramics to generate more space and easier cleaning. The Geberit One range boasts a wide choice of new slim furniture options, from a floating washbasin to a mirror cabinet with fully integrated lighting, enhancing guest comfort.
Image credit: Geberit
Alongside the Aspire Collection, Geberit launched its new Select Collection which offers hotels functional, affordable and on-trend design possibilities for the mid-market across its range of space-saving concealed cisterns and wall-hung technology solutions. The Select Collection features the Selnova bathroom series, which incorporates a variety of different designs including Selnova Compact for smaller washroom spaces, as well as the Selnova Comfort accessible range for guests with reduced mobility.
Mark Larden, Managing Director of Geberit, said: "Everything is changing at Geberit. Whether you're new to the Geberit brand or an existing partner, we're continuing to optimise and evolve our products and services. That's because we understand the importance of meeting the ever-changing business requirements across our sectors.
"With the introduction of these new collections, we're opening up a wider range of choice for hotels across the mid-premium and basic-mid bathroom segments," said Larden. "With all of this said, in many ways, nothing is changing. While we continually innovate and adapt, we also remain dedicated to delivering the same great product design, quality and availability that our customers have come to expect."
Larden added: "From on-trend washroom designs to cutting edge technology that champions hygiene and sustainability, we're proud to be setting the standard for a new era in bathroom design – offering hotels more choice and more selection for guest rooms, public spaces as well as hotel employee facilities."
Geberit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Geberit
IVC Commercial opens new London workplace
IVC Commercial has announced a new London workplace at The Gallery Clerkenwell…
A few days ago, Unilin announced that it was opening a new hybrid showroom in Clerkenwell. Well, IVC Commercial is moving in with a unique meeting point and place to explore its Carpet Tiles, Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Heterogeneous Vinyl solutions.
Situated on Great Sutton Street, in the heart of the Clerkenwell district, the workplace sees IVC Commercial share a London locale with decorative surfaces, seating and furniture.
David Bigland, managing director, IVC Group, said: "Our new London workplace gives us a space to welcome architects and designers in the capital within easy reach of their offices. Housing our collections of Carpet Tiles, Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Heterogeneous Vinyl, it provides a shared space where we can come together to create interiors that support wellbeing and productivity."
Naturally, the floors of The Gallery Clerkenwell feature solutions from IVC Commercial, so that architects and designers can see the impact of designs such as Studio Moods, the Rudiments and Art Intervention carpet tile collections and Concept 70 compact vinyl. IVC Commercial at The Gallery Clerkenwell will also allow the same-day collection and despatch of samples to London-based practices.
"We're excited to launch IVC Commercial at The Gallery Clerkenwell," continues David. "It provides us with a presence in the heart of London's A&D district and as we adapt to the changing working practices driven by Covid-19, we look forward to using it as a central base to form collaborative partnerships, as well as introduce the other exciting brands that come together in the workplace."
IVC Commercial is one of our Industry Support Package clients and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: IVC Commercial
At one with nature: the new Spa Lodges inside Gilpin Hotel
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NH_GSS-0412.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 23.12.2020 03.01.2021
Lake District interior design firm Nielsen House has completed work on a series of luxury Spa Suites, commissioned by the five-star Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in Windermere. Let's take a look inside…
Interior design firm Nielsen House, which previously designed Gilpin Hotel & Lake House's pan-Asian restaurant 'Gilpin Spice' and five private Spa Lodges, has unveiled the design of the hotel's five new Spa Suites, which are said to shelter 'the ultimate spa retreat for two'.
Image credit: Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
"Our brief was to extend the beauty and serenity of the lakes to all who visit," said Sarah Jane Nielsen, founder of Nielsen House. "The experience had to be completely Gilpin, completely Lakeland, but with our Scandinavian style. We pride ourselves on sustainable design and the interplay between indoors and outdoors. Biophilic design plays a leading role, creating a healthier and more natural environment with all the warmth and comfort of home."
Each suite, which aptly captures the unique sense of place of the hotel by bringing the outdoors in within the interior design scheme, features 100 square metres of private built-in facilities.
Nature has been carefully injected into all touch points of the hotel, including the bathroom, which features a circular internal bath with double vanity area, double rainmaker shower, steam room, sauna, massage chair and treatment room.
Taking wellness to new heights in The Lakes, the suites also features a large private sundeck, hydrotherapy stone-built hot tub, water feature, plunge pool and a living wall.
The five new suites are a well-timed addition to the hotel, while the hospitality industry adapts to meet new health and hygiene demands in public spaces – a movement that is expected to evolve with creativity in 2021.
Main image credit: Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
GROHE launches Rainshower SmartActive, a new hand shower
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GROHE-Rainshower-SmartActive-130-Shower-rail-set-with-3-shower-sprays-and-GROHE-EcoJoy-technology.-Fitted-with-Grohtherm-SmartControl-shower-mixer.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 22.12.2020 24.12.2020
With the launch of its most advanced hand shower to date, Rainshower SmartActive from GROHE brings to the market a quick and easy solution to creating the enjoyable, relaxing and high-quality shower experience that is expected from hotel bathrooms…
Thanks to smart functions and intuitive operation, users are ensured absolute shower enjoyment that can be tailored to their individual needs or mood which is of high value in hotel bathrooms, adding to the sense of uniqueness and luxury that visitors really appreciate during their stay.
In addition, there is minimal installation work required as the Rainshower SmartActive can be purchased with a matching shower rail that can be easily affixed using existing drill holes, making it an easy retrofit solution to instantly upgrade your hotel's guest rooms or spa facilities without requiring a considerable amount of time, work or investment.
Thanks to two new technologies, the GROHE Rainshower SmartActive hand shower is the most innovative hand shower to date in the GROHE product range. Equipped with GROHE SmartTip control, a simple fingertip on the rear of the ergonomically designed hand shower is enough to intuitively switch between three spray modes. In the centre of the shower head, round and star-shaped jets provide a powerful ActiveMassage spray. Meanwhile, the Jet spray is perfect post-workout or when the user is feeling tired as its invigorating spray can give the body a completely new sense of energy, whilst also being great for rinsing shampoo thoroughly and quickly too. However, if a gentler, softer water pressure is preferred, the circular arranged nozzles mimic a gentle rain shower.
Aside from a choice of luxurious spray patterns designed to personalise the shower experience, GROHE has also integrated its DripStop feature into the new hand shower design. Often, guests visit a hotel as a quiet and luxurious retreat from the stresses of everyday life. This new technology, therefore, works as a preventative measure in hotel bathrooms by eliminating the unnecessary annoyance of a dripping shower which can be quite disruptive when attempting to relax and unwind. This feature also makes the GROHE Rainshower Active hand shower a more eco-aware alternative to standard models.
Perfect for adding a touch of luxury and indulgence to the shower space, the Rainshower SmartActive is compatible with almost any shower system and available in 130mm and 150mm sizes, 12 colour finishes and a round or square design. This means it can be seamlessly integrated into any existing bathroom décor for a cost-effective upgrade that will transform the shower experience. For projects seeking to completely refurbish the shower space, the Rainshower SmartActive perfectly complements head showers such as GROHE Rainshower 310 SmartActive or Rainshower 310 Mono, Rainshower Bodysprays as well as concealed thermostats or the innovative GROHE SmartControl shower control.
Meet The Brit List Architects of 2020
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Brit-List-Architects-of-2020.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 22.12.2020 03.01.2021
Each year, Hotel Designs unveils The Brit List, a publication that lists the top 25 designers, top 25 architects and top 25 hoteliers who are operating in Britain. Following the official unveiling of The List at this year's virtual award ceremony, please meet The Brit List Architects of 2020…
For more than four years now, The Brit List Awards has shone the spotlight on the designers, architects and hoteliers who are proving to be trendsetters on the international hotel design scene. Earlier this year, Hotel Designs' 2020 search began..
During the in-depth judging process, we all discovered a new meaning of hospitality as we read how designers, architects and hoteliers are continuing to push conventional boundaries.
Following on from unveiling this year's designers who made The List, , please meet (in alphabetical order) The Brit List Architects of 2020…
Alex Holloway, Creative Director – Holloway Li
In tandem with his founding partner Na Li, Alex Holloway operates at the forefront of a new wave of designers and architects, blurring the boundaries between historicism, decoration and digital process.
With an eye for detail, Holloway looks to create intricate, engaged and impactful interiors that invoke fresh and contemporary forms of experience – his designs frequently center around a key moment that holds a filmic quality, working to unlock the space.
Placing sustainability at the core, this September Holloway revealed the design for apart-hotel brand Locke's latest opening – an urban, eco oasis in the heart of Bermondsey in South East London. Looking to highlight how a circular material economy can generate an incredibly unique aesthetic and a new kind of living experience, the 143-key hotel design has been brought to life with repurposed construction materials. For example, concrete test cubes destined for landfill find new purpose, serving as plinths for six-metre-long terrazzo tables in the ground floor workspaces.
Ben Adams, Founding Director – Ben Adams Architects
Ben Adams, a regular name featured in The Brit List, used his more than 20 years' experience of working on large-scale and complex urban projects to design the building that shelters Nobu Hotel Shoreditch. The first Nobu hotel in Europe, the property occupies in a tight urban plot. The building follows the street line and accents its strong linear form with horizontal steel and concrete fins at each floor level.
A playful, informal grid of board-marked concrete panels and generous full-height glazing expresses the range of activities contained within the hotel, dematerialising at its sloping southern end to give sculptural presence to a lush sunken pocket park.
Catarina Pina-Bartrum, Project Director – Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands Architects
Catarina Pina-Bartrum has been part of the team developing a mixed-use development on Hanover Square; a retail-led project on Oxford Street in central London.
As well as working on an indoor sports facility for the University of Birmingham, she was part of the design team responsible for Hoxton Southwark, a mixed-use hotel and office development, which has quickly become a new destination hotel in London.
Prior to joining Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands in 2014, Pina-Bartrum worked with Daniel Gusmão in Rio de Janeiro on the design and development of the broadcasting centre for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Christopher Webb, Vice President (Architecture & Design) EMEA – Hilton Hotels
Making his debut on The Brit List, Christopher Webb leads Hilton's architecture and design team across multiple offices, overseeing and guiding design projects across Hilton's Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
Webb has been designing and shaping international luxury, lifestyle, and full-service hotels for a wide range of owners, developers, hospitality companies, celebrities and brands for more than 20 years. Directing the design of all Hilton branded hotels in the region, he led the design of the first Waldorf Astoria, as well as most recently the 'category defining' Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre – Hilton's first lifestyle hotel.
Webb is currently working on defining the design for the landmark Waldorf Astoria at Admiralty Arch in London.
Christos Passas, Project Director – Zaha Hadid Architects
Christos Passas was the Project Director for Zaha Hadid Architect's latest hotel project in Dubai. Spanning 84,300 sqm, the Opus in Dubai was designed as two separate towers that coalesce into a singular whole – taking the form of a cube. The unique cube shape has been 'eroded' in its centre, creating a free-form void that is an important volume of the design in its own right. The two halves of the building on either side of the void are linked by a four-storey atrium at ground level and are also connected by an asymmetric 38-metre-wide, three-storey bridge, which is 71 metres above the ground.
The structure's double-glazed insulating façades incorporate a UV coating and a mirrored frit pattern to reduce solar gain. Applied around the entire building, this dotted frit patterning emphasises the clarity of the building's orthogonal form, while at the same time, dissolving its volume through the continuous play of light varying between ever-changing reflections and transparency.
Simply put, the mesmerising building is an epic example of modern, iconic and timeless architecture.
Ciaran O'Brien, Founding Director – Red Deer
Graduating from the University of Edinburgh with First-Class Honours degree before completing his Masters, Ciarán O'Brien's research in architecture has focused predominantly on how industry, craftsmanship and the handmade mediums can inform, stimulate and invigorate the design process in an ever-evolving digital age.
With a mix of interior designers and architects, O'Brian's 'herd' as the firm refers itself as was responsible for the interior design scheme that is now sheltered inside Birch, a new sustainable hotel that has recently opened on the outskirts of London. Reusing and repairing the existing site's materials, the team stripped back clutter and unnecessary furniture to create more thoughtful spaces.
Dan Hinch, Associate Vice President and Senior Planner – WATG
Capturing a 75-year legacy has driven Dan Hinch to inspire a better world through the power of holistic design. As the Associate Vice President and Senior Planner at the global multidisciplinary design firm WATG, Hinch is not only a design lover, but also a leader on how it is packaged and experienced through the end user.
Based in London, Hinch leads a team of master planners and landscape architects. He challenges his team to drive good design across all disciplines rather than breaking each practice out as its own entity. "People are evolving, and the way we travel has changed and will continue to change," says Hinch. "We need to be flexible enough and approach design from a holistic point of view that incorporates architecture, interiors and landscape as one entity."
Hinch's recent projects include the Aqua Residences at the Regent Hotel in Porto Montenegro, a world-class marina destination; the Porto Elounda Resort in Crete, Greece; Al Bustan Palace Ritz-Carlton in Oman and Ferney Resort, Mauritius.
David O'Shea, Founder & Director – ODOS Architects
The Mayson is an exciting restoration project and a redevelopment of No.81 and No.82 North Wall Quay. Designed by ODOS Architects, which has studios in Dublin, London and New York, both buildings were in a dilapidated condition and had not been used in over two decades. The concept, with architecture led by David O'Shea, was to redevelop these strikingly unique buildings by drawing on their existing, inherent characters.
The ambition for No.81 was to retain a public house on the ground floor, resulting in minimal intervention to the existing structure and restoring the original features. No.82 is one of the few remaining warehouse structures on the north quays and presented a rare opportunity to establish this forgotten building as a new Dublin landmark.
The 4,180 sqm of the Mayson is home to 94 guestrooms and suites, bars, restaurants, event space and outdoor courtyard.
Geoff Hull, Director – EPR Architects
Last year's Highly Commended candidate in the Architect of the Year category at The Brit List Awards 2019, Geoff Hull is a director with more than 30 years' experience. He specialises in hotels and hospitality, including new builds, conversions, refurbishments, restorations and heritage schemes in listed buildings for budget, boutique and luxury brands.
Previously, Hull was responsible for the multi-award-winning Rosewood London, as voted for by the readers of Ultratravel as "The Best New Hotel in the World" at The Telegraph ULTRAS Awards in 2014.
Hull continues to oversee a number of high-profile hotel projects of varying scale and complexity, and his latest project exemplified this.
Located in the Trafalgar Square Conservation Area, the now Great Scotland Yard Hotel has breathed new life into a neglected Edwardian building. The sensitive conversion and extension maintained the principle elements of the original building, replaced the 1980s addition and added new attic storeys over the whole building with basements below.
As a result of EPR Architect's sensitive approach, the design retained and complemented the style of the original building and, using traditional materials, sits comfortably in its surroundings.
Gordon Ferrier, Head of Hotels – 3DReid
As Head of Hotels at 3DReid, Gordon Ferrier brings more than 30 years' hospitality design experience on a wide range of hotel projects, covering both new build and refurbishments and conversions.
Ferrier has worked with a number of prominent hotel brands including Goodwood, Gleneagles, Cameron House, Dakota, Malmaison, Principal and De Vere and has worked internationally on projects across Europe, UAE, the US and Africa.
Currently, 3DReid is working on Goodwood Hotel, Gleneagles Club in Edinburgh, Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Malmaison in Edinburgh and Cameron House Hotel at Loch Lomond.
Graham Barr, Associate – jmarchitects
Set behind a striking façade of Scottish stone at the point where Edinburgh's historic Old Town meets the New Town, Market Street Hotel, designed by jmarchitects, emerges as a cultural gateway to both the city's storied past and its pulse-quickening present.
The visual concept of the 98-key hotel pays homage to the capital's character and historic narrative, while simultaneously exploring Scottish cosmopolitanism. Cracked, earthen walls are juxtaposed against the clean, minimalist lines of contemporary furnishings, and unexpected bursts of traditional tartans and heritage fabrics provide an experiential element to the hotel's aesthetic.
A modern take on Baronial materiality and composition also provides the inspiration behind Market Street's 98 guestrooms and suites. Organic, natural materials such as oak and locally sourced stone provide a tactile canvas for modern design classics from the likes of Fritz Hansen and Saint Luc, alongside custom-made furniture and handcrafted local pieces.
James Dilley, Director – Jestico + Whiles
James Dilley has amassed more than 20 years' experience in this sector working under appointment as either architect or interior designer.
He is currently leading the architecture and design scheme of a retail-led development that will transform retailing and leisure within the Scottish capital and is due to complete in 2020. The soon-to-be W Edinburgh has been designed as a bundle of 'coiled ribbons', creating a free-flowing and bold building which will complement the development's elegantly understated masterplan.
Imagined in conjunction with Allan Murray Architects, the 12-storey hotel will feature a striking exterior façade, evoking the festival spirit of Edinburgh and creating an outstanding landmark building at the heart of the city.
Jonny Sin, Associate Director – ReardonSmith Architects
Since joining the firm in 2011, Jonny Sin has led ReardonSmith Architects' hospitality team into modern times. He was a key member of the award-winning team who transformed a Grade II listed art-deco style building into the luxury boutique hotel that we know of as The Beaumont Hotel.
Other projects include a 173-key hotel in Battersea, London; Adere Manor, Co. Limerick and he is working on a conversion of three buildings in London's Soho into a 69-key urban lifestyle hotel.
Most recently, Sin led an in-house team to create a concept guestroom for a hotel group, which was revealed at Sleep & Eat 2020. The firm collaborated with students from Glion Institute of Higher Education and Hotelschool The Hague led by the directors of hotel creative consultancy, HoCoSo, and the project was branded by Delight Lifestyle Brand Agency.
Luke Fox, Head of Studio – Foster + Partners
Luke Fox leads a team of designers in London, Hong Kong and Beijing on a wide range of international projects at the firm. One of the most significant projects he is working on at the moment is Jabal Omar development, a new luxury hotel and serviced apartments complex in the heart of Makkah.
Inspired by traditional Arab architecture, its design reinterprets the traditional dense building clusters, creating a new contemporary vernacular that respects its sacred location. Following the mountainous terrain, its cascading vertical elements form a new topography. The new mixed-use development will create a gateway along the route to the Grand Mosque for pilgrims from the world over.
Most recently, earlier this year, Foster + Partners were announced as part of the design team responsible for bringing the Six Senses brand to London.
Mark Bruce, Main Board Director – EPR Architects
Mark Bruce is a Main Board Director and heads the hotels and hospitality team with extensive experience across the hotels and hospitality sector, and particular expertise with listed buildings, refurbishments and resort hotels.
Following the completion of the much-talked-about Great Scotland Yard Hotel, Bruce is now, in collaboration with Foster + Partners and AvroKO, working with Six Senses to sensitively inject the luxury brand's distinctive personality and philosophy into its debut hotel in London.
Mark Kelly, Partner – PLP Architecture
PLP Architecture is an architecture firm behind some of the world's smartest and most sustainable buildings, which will soon include Pan Pacific London.
Opening Spring 2021 – and already being described as an 'architectural marvel' – the project's vision is to balance a design that is sensitive to the Asian heritage of the brand whilst creating an ultra-modern, timeless hotel and complex that challenges conventional architecture.
Mark Kelly, Partner at the studio, went on the record recently, telling Hotel Designs how the pandemic will impact the industry. "Architecture is an inherently flexible process – always evolving while constantly questioning and reinventing itself," he said. "As such, it is well placed to respond to the current and seemingly ever-changing Covid crisis and, for that matter, other current and future global concerns such as the climate emergency.
Since you're here, why not read The Brit List Awards 2020 winners' story?
Mark Wood, Partner – Dexter Moren Associates
With more than two decades of professional experience and in-house knowledge, Dexter Moren Associates' partner and architect Mark Wood possesses a broad and varied scope of expertise, particularly in hotel, office, mixed-use, residential and sport and leisure projects.
Fortunate to have had a career doing what he loves, Wood combines his devotion to architecture and urban design with a passion for travel; holding a firm belief that through travel one can gain a perception for what makes a place special, and translate that knowledge into designing buildings that are not only unique but also intrinsic to their location.
Examples of this careful consideration of a schemes wider importance include New Marlborough Yard in the London Borough of Southwark; a radical reinvention of the Premier Inn brand that features a soft landscaped public courtyard and new pedestrian route through the site, while decorative brickwork detailing draws inspiration from the ornate Victorian warehouses and pubs to be found among the surrounding streets.
Some of Wood's other recent projects include the Guardsman in London, the Royal Hotel in Norwich and the Hilton Hotel, Ealing.
Matthew Salter, Associate Director – HGP Architects
Matthew Salter is the Associate Director at HGP Architects, and led the architectural project to design Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa. The yacht-inspired 85-key luxury hotel adjacent to Admirals Quay has become a sought-after destination for city-dwellers and visitors to Southampton.
The form of the building takes reference from its nautical setting, providing terraces around each level of the building. The concrete frame hotel is built off of the existing pier to the marina and provides conference facilities, a spa complex featuring a swimming pool and gymnasium as well as a restaurant and rooftop bar showcasing spectacular views of the harbour.
Metehan Apak, Senior Interior Architect – Dawson Design Associates
As a highly motivated and hard-working interior architect with almost 10 years' professional experience, Metehan Apak has extensive experience working as part of a team, as an independent professional, as a manager and as a managing partner. Possessing specific interest and expertise in hospitality and leisure projects, he has worked on a variety of high-end and international hotel, spa and wellness centre, office, health centre and private residence projects with budgets ranging from £50K to £200M.
Based in Twickenham, the Dawson Design Associates London Studio works fluidly as an extension of its Seattle headquarters and design team in the US. The firm's London team is a constantly growing group of international designers and architects and serves as the driving force behind emulating the US branch's long-term record for success, while building DDA's presence internationally and in the local London market.
Na Li, Managing Director – Holloway Li
Born in Nanjing/China, Na Li graduated from University College London (Bartlett School of Architecture), becoming a qualified architect with the Architects Registration Board and chartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Li is now responsible for all business development and international projects at Interior Architect studio Holloway Li, having honed her varied and specialist experience prior with developer-led Architects Teatum & Teatum, Wilkinson Eyre, and later Michaelis Boyd where she worked across the Groucho member's club, and Soho Farm House in Oxfordshire.
She was the first Chinese graduate awarded with Dean's list of Distinction Award and her architectural illustrations were exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art's prestigious Summer Exhibition.
Placing sustainability at the core of her concepts, this September Li in tandem with Alex Holloway revealed the design for apart-hotel brand Locke's latest opening – an urban, eco oasis in the heart of Bermondsey, South East London.
Nathalie Rozencwajg, Founder – NAME Architecture
Nathalie Rozencwajg is the founder of NAME Architecture, and an internationally-acclaimed award-winning architect.
Rozencwajg began her career working for a number of internationally renowned practices on projects in London, Beijing, Athens and Mecca. She went on to co-found RARE architecture, where she was a Director for 12 years, responsible for a portfolio of award-winning projects. Her clients have included Club Med, Accor and Unlisted Collection, British Airways, Land Securities and the Berkeley Group. She has gained a reputation for her collaborative approach and for creating iconic projects which breathe new life into historic buildings and in conservation areas.
Rozencwajg is a regular contributor to architecture and design journals, speaking and lecturing to a wide range of international audiences. This is Rozencwajg's second appearance in The Brit List. In addition, she was shortlisted for Architect Journal's Emerging Woman Architect of the Year and identified by The Guardian as one of its '10 Women Architects to watch'.
Richard Coutts, Director – BACA Architects
Designer of the UK's first amphibious house, Richard Coutts recently featured on the Channel 5 documentary entitled "Sinking Cities – The Great Flood of London: Environmental Challenges, Food and Floating", which referenced Aquatecture (architecture on water) and the need for consideration to be given to intelligent innovative ways of living by optimising water as a resource.
From concept right through to completion, BACA Architects, founded and led by the talented Richard Coutts, has been a key collaborator and an inspiration for Tyram Lakes.
Tyram is so much more than a hotel, spa and resort. It shelters uncompromised luxury within an eco-friendly and sustainable environment.
BACA's holistic approach is helping to create an environmentally-centred paradise from woodland and quarry pits, fishing and watersport lakes and an abandoned pub named William de Lindholme.
Richard Holland, Director – Holland Harvey Architects
Richard Holland leads the hospitality team at Holland Harvey Architects – working on early concepts through to turnkey delivery of some of London's most high-profile hotels, working primarily with the Inhabit brand, now part of the Design Hotels portfolio.
The first site having opened in late 2019 and a second, larger, property is due in late 2021. In addition, he is currently working on the re-imagining of the five-star Montcalm hotel in Marble Arch, and a complex planning consent for new boutique micro-hotel in St. John's Wood. Beyond this, the firm is currently working on hospitality led projects in Mexico, Singapore, France and the Middle East.
Simon Whittaker, Associate Director – Orms
Simon Whittaker joined Orms in 2003 and became an Associate Director in 2019 – the same year he was crowned Architect of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2019.
With a passion for retro architecture, Whittaker particularly enjoys transforming existing buildings to maximise their full potential, which in London is often on complicated and intricate sites.
He has worked on a wide range of projects in the commercial, education and leisure sectors and clients include Great Portland Estates, Crosstree Real Estate (The Standard Hotel London), British Land and Derwent London.
His most recent architecture challenge is to restore an iconic site in London's Holborn, which will also unlock a new neighbourhood.
Terry McGinnity, Global Executive Design Director – G.A Design
Originally trained as an architect in Australia, Terry McGinnity moved to London to continue his career.
After assuming the role of Managing Director of G.A Design in 1998, he has turned it into one of the most dynamic and interesting design firms working out of the UK. He is now the Global Executive Design Director where he oversees the creative output for all G.A projects.
With his matched ability in both interior design and architecture, McGinnity is able to adopt a holistic approach to each project he works on – take Park Hyatt St Kitts for example. Sustainably designed with local materials and unique water features throughout, the hotel echoes the island's rich heritage and culture, and seamlessly intertwines contemporary architecture and colonial design.
Timber-clad wall finishes and oversized glass hurricane lanterns remain true to the island's history with the lattice-work detailing clearly referencing the Caribbean architecture which inspired the design.
Embracing nature – a 2021 trends forecast we can relate to
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2-Crafted-04.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 21.12.2020 21.12.2020
With the aim to inspire a deeper connection with nature, this 2021 trends forecast by Modieus consists of four key themes, which are grounded, green utopia, textured layers and crafted…
Developed post lockdown, each this trends forecast reflects our freedom from isolation; it embraces nature, craves the simplicity and inspires a meaningful sense of peace.
A new appreciation of the truly important things in life make us feel grounded. To some extent this reflects the collective state of people who have experienced Covid-19 lockdowns. Down to earth colour palettes, warm natural hues, create a sense of stability, balance and a foundation stone for change.
Image credit: Modieus
Warm earthy tones, soft, natural and soothing to create a sense of calm and comfort. Natural and cool beige, neutral with a faint green undertone will calm the senses. Nature will be intensified with mossy, sage greens paired with turmeric and citrus yellow hues.
Reflecting on nature's influence, we see a fresh take on yellow. To feel optimistic, we turn to yellow. Pale citrus yellow, soft creamy butter and stronger turmeric yellow. Spring and yellow floral hues reflective of gardens reinvigorating our interest in colour that inspires feelings of much needed optimism.
Green utopia
Embracing sustainability and wellness. We have grown tired of social media and digital devices so are reconnecting with nature's beauty. We will continue to seek solid interactions with loved ones, family and friends, and give greater focus to what is around us immediately.
Green foliage and dappled light revives us. This palette's green hue also includes shades of brown within green hues, such as discoloured grasses or new foliage on old branches. Inspiration is drawn from plants and the foliage of leaves, vegetables, cacti and flowers.
Issues of sustainability have never been so important and the pandemic has allowed time to accelerate our thinking moving forward. The textile industry is changing rapidly. Using resources more responsibly is the unifying theme of this trend.
Textured layers
The textured layers trend is all about looking to the unseen and the finer details. Stone will be simple, concrete, minimal and almost cool. Terracotta will return, in modern hues, softer and paler. Colour will feel monochromatic, to emphasise small details to shine like matt and gloss.
Engaging with imperfections of authentic natural materials that have been used, worn or look tarnished. Rusted metals, dark woods with irregular grain patterns. Fabrics will feel unblemished or unprocessed like raffia, recycled denim, hemp and hessian.
There is a tactile and visual dryness to these colours, which reflects the wider Australian environment of the bush and desert. In line with embracing a natural aesthetic, colour palettes will begin to reflect more warm earth-fired colours such as metal ores, russet shades, soft terracotta and browns.
Colour palettes will be layered and monochromatic. Sun-kissed colours are paired beautifully, such as soft dusky pink, also a gentle optimistic colour. With a blue undertone, dusky pink is ideal for injecting warmth into palettes of grey and blue.
Recognising the provenance of goods and how they are made has fuelled the Crafted trend. There is a shift in thinking as we look to shop locally to avoid lengthy shipping delays from overseas suppliers. We're looking at craftsmen for special custom pieces that are unique to our needs and taste.
Aesthetically, a bespoke crafted style, embraces artisan-made, ethically produced, imperfect-looking pieces that are robust and enduring. Designs are fluid and loosely drawn.
Fabrics and products have a rawness that shows the hand of the craftsperson in their creation. In Australia we expect to see more indigenous patterns and collaborations with respectful references to Indigenous art, land and country.
Main image credit: Modieus
Stay One Degrees collaborates with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Amalfi-Coast.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 18.12.2020 17.12.2020
The exclusive members community, Stay One Degree, which offers more than 3,500 properties in more than 250 locations, confirms up to US$5 million in a funding series led by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group…
Stay One Degree has announced the closing of a funding round led by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, the award-winning owner and operator that has recently announced new hotels in Vienna and Melbourne.
Stay one Degree is an exclusive members community that allows discerning luxury travellers to rent the finest holiday homes around the world directly from like-minded members.
The funding round was led by a strategic investment from Mandarin Oriental and will enable Stay One Degree to accelerate the expansion of its global portfolio of exceptional luxury homes and move into new under-penetrated markets.
Image credit: The Beach House/Stay One Degree
The investment also provides Stay One Degree's fast-growing global network of members with access to new and exclusive experiences, including the launch of a mobile app, a new cutting-edge website, an online concierge service and a range of exciting collaborations with global luxury brands. These investments will enable Stay One Degree to continue to provide the most personalised and curated holiday experiences available in the luxury home rental market.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have closed this Series A funding round and have a new strategic partner and shareholder in Mandarin Oriental, which in my mind is the most luxurious hotel brand in the world, offering legendary service standards and impeccable attention to detail," said Thomas Bennett, co-founder of Stay One Degree. "We share their core values and obsessive focus on offering our members a unique experience whenever they stay in our homes."
Image credit: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand/Stay One Degree
Co-founder, Jorge Munoz adds: "With the boundaries between luxury holiday homes and hotels becoming increasingly blurred and the needs of the luxury traveller constantly evolving, we are delighted to be partnering with Mandarin Oriental, bringing together our two luxury brands via a strategic partnership. Customers of Mandarin Oriental have for decades enjoyed incredible, personalised service and we look forward to learning from their wealth of expertise in the luxury segment as well as offering a unique and unrivalled range of luxury accommodation and experiences to customers of both brands."
Stay One Degree and Mandarin Oriental will also look for opportunities to collaborate and develop a range of curated luxury experiences, combining Mandarin Oriental's legendary service and Stay One Degree's exceptional luxury homes, that are unrivalled in the luxury home rental market. The two groups will also explore avenues for customers to benefit from exclusive access, privileged benefits and superior recognition across the combined portfolio of destinations offered by both brands.
"We look forward to working closely with Tom and Jorge as they expand their exceptional offering of wonderful homes and services to discerning global travellers. We see definite opportunities for our brands to collaborate together and look forward to exploring ways to introduce new luxury experiences that combine the best of both brands," said James Riley, CEO of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
Main image credit: Stay One Degree
More about PANTONE's Colour of the Year 2021
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/pantone-color-of-the-year-2021-1.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 18.12.2020 18.12.2020
For only the second time in the campaign's more than 20-year history, PANTONE's Colour of the Year 2021 will be two colours: PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating. Here's all you need to know about these two tones. Editor Hamish Kilburn explores…
The unveiling of PANTONE's Colour of the Year means one thing: 2020 is nearly over! And with our editorial lens focusing into the future, we are intrigued about the decision behind the colour experts' colour of choice for 2021.
PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating are two independent colours that highlight how different elements come together to support one another, a lesson surely learned by all in 2020, which we can start to practice in 2021.
Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is "one of strength and positivity," says PANTONE, at least. It is a story of colour that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.
A message of happiness supported by fortitude, the combination of these specific colours is aspirational and gives us hope, which with the way hospitality is at the moment something we are in hot demand of.
As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity, and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty, spirited and emboldening shades satisfy our quest for vitality. PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray is emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation. The colours of pebbles on the beach and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time, Ultimate Gray quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.
Personally, I'm just glad that Covid Blue didn't make it through…
Main image credit: PANTONE
Richmond unveils new bar inside Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/FSBudapest_Múzsa-Lobby-Bar_09.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 18.12.2020 18.12.2020
The new bar, Múzsa, inside Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest, is a masterclass in the evolution of the hotel lobby space, an area within the hotel that interior design firm Richmond International continue to set new design and hospitality standards in…
Award-winning hospitality design specialists, Richmond International, unveil resplendent lobby-bar interiors for Múzsa at Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest. The completion of this project – following recent renovations of guest rooms and meeting spaces – marks Richmond's latest collaboration with the hotel, having overseen its original design more than 16 years ago.
Occupying what was previously an open plan lobby area, Múzsa epitomises the evolution of the hotel lobby. An iconic design undertaking of its time by Richmond, the original lobby space at Gresham Palace was a true masterpiece, showcasing grand design and celebrating local craft. Originally built in 1906 as a residence for British aristocracy before undergoing a hotel restoration in 2004, it was restored during a period where public spaces in hotels aspired to be more reverential than multi-functional; extravagant passing spaces which provided little more than sights to behold.
Today, the hotel lobby is no longer a space that guests merely pass through. It assumes a more purposeful role, providing room to work, hold meetings, socialise or simply unwind. These once communal spaces have become highly sought-after, providing valuable services for guests and creating additional functionality and revenue for hotels, through thoughtfully-executed design.
"We're really proud to be a part of the evolution of Gresham Palace." – Fiona Thompson, Principal, Richmond International.
Imbuing the glamour and elegance of Budapest's golden age, Múzsa introduces a new lobby lounge concept to Four Seasons Gresham Palace, fusing the building's rich past with the needs of today's sophisticated clientele. This new offering reflects a bold departure from the historic trend of single use design, in favour of versatility and flexibility. The result is space that is convivial in nature and welcomes social interaction, offering a main reception, private concierge club, multiple meetings rooms, a tasting room and expansive bar areas.
"This was a project that was hugely important to the team," said Fiona Thompson, Principal at Richmond International and winner of the Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry award at The Brit List Awards 2020. "When we first saw the hotel and then completed the restoration more than 16 years ago, we fell in love with the building. We're really proud to be a part of the evolution of Gresham Palace and to see that it remains such a significant piece of architecture in Budapest today."
The journey through Múzsa was considered in meticulous detail, with each moment offering a distinctly different mise-en-scène which surprises and delights. A deep reverence for the heritage of the building sees Richmond adopt a modern, yet sympathetic take on Secessionist interior motifs and colour combinations, seamlessly blending past, present, and future to create one timeless experience.
Upon entering the building, guests are welcomed into the lobby lounge with banquette seating to create a social hub within the bar area, designed for guests to meet and relax throughout the day, and into the evening. It features peacock fabric with deep seaming and beautifully detailed screening sections. Large golden lampshades by Solinfo Lighting & Home hang over the banquette, showcasing a bass relief pattern which subtly replicates architectural tiling details on the walls.
A main concierge library area captures the splendour of the building, with two discreet meeting rooms and a tasting room creating additional intimate spaces for guests to use and enjoy. Warm-toned mosaic walls, statement lighting and striking artwork come together to create atmosphere and drama, whilst providing comfort for work and play.
In the bar area, which seats 130, a raised platform for live performances takes centre stage. Wrapped in bespoke artistic fabric by Rima and McRae, this hero feature is an ode to the luxury of traditional Budapest hotel bars of the 1910s and evokes a strong sense of theatre and dynamism to the space. Another key feature in this space is the bar fixture, adorned with a mirrored finish and intricate patterning. It's circular shape and transparency allow guests to seamlessly walk around it, see through it and enjoy cocktails at the counter with an energetic ambiance.
A voice of authority in hotel design, with more than 50 years of expertise working with the world's leading luxury hotels, Richmond International was responsible for the original design of Four Seasons Gresham Palace. The award-winning team approached this project with profound insight and personal affection having been integral to its transformations over the years.
Through the years, Gresham Palace has lived many lives. It was originally designed as a residence for British aristocracy before later being badly damaged during the war and Soviet era. Beyond this, the landmark building was also home to a shopping arcade before being converted to a Four Seasons Hotel in 1999. Ongoing renovations by Richmond International began in 2004 and continue today.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
The Gallery Clerkenwell arrives in London
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Unknown.jpeg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 17.12.2020 17.12.2020
Manufacturer of decorative surfaces, UNILIN Panels has opened The Gallery Clerkenwell, a hybrid showroom in Clerkenwell, London, the architecture and design district…
Bringing together like-minded manufacturers from the worlds of surfaces, flooring, seating and storage, The Gallery Clerkenwell provides a chance to share in a passion for creating beautiful interiors and to discover new products in the world of commercial interior design.
From UNILIN Evola and Clicwall to carpet tiles, LVT and vinyl from IVC Commercial, task and conferencing seating from Comfort UK and storage furniture from Silverline; visitors to The Gallery Clerkenwell have access to an impressive display of European made interior products.
"We're really delighted to be the calling point for a strong collective of alternative brands here in Clerkenwell," said Egle Gineviciute, showroom manager. "Our UNILIN Evola decorative surface collection offers incredibly authentic HPL surfaces that really need to be seen to be fully appreciated and The Gallery Clerkenwell now gives London-based designers a place to come and do that, as well as explore other complementary solutions in flooring, furniture and seating."
Designed as a collaborative space where people can come together to create inspiring interiors, The Gallery Clerkenwell brings UNILIN Panels together with partners that each bring something unique to commercial interiors. The mix will help architects and designers to create spaces that embrace modern ways of working, living, relaxing, learning and recovering while meeting the need for affordable and sustainable solutions.
The Gallery Clerkenwell is situated on Great Sutton Street and combines showroom space with meeting and work facilities. It represents a central London hub for all manufacturers, providing an important presence among the capital's architecture and design community.
Unilin is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Unilin
Celebrating a decade of decorative surfaces from Siminetti
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/W-Hotel.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 17.12.2020 17.12.2020
Despite celebrations being somewhat muted in 2020, Hotel Designs would like to wish Siminetti a very special 'Happy Birthday' with a throwback to 10 years of creating stunning surfaces…
From humble beginnings in 2010, Siminetti has prospered over the last decade to become a renowned producer of decorative surfaces utilising the finest Mother of Pearl.
The brand's range of mosaic tiles and decorative surfaces can be found in world leading hotels, luxury homes, spas, and super yachts. Building a reputation for exceptional quality has been at the forefront of the company's journey. With a well-established brand identity, the brand now looks to move to the next tier of Mother of Pearl with the January 2021 release of our Seasons Collection.
"11 years ago I had the inspiration to launch a luxury focused, sustainable, surface finishes brand. 10 years ago Siminetti was born out of this desire," said Simon Powell, CEO of Siminetti. "Combining creativity with one of nature's very own luxurious materials, I cannot be more proud to see Siminetti surfaces are now found in some of the World's most luxurious properties, super-yachts and hotels.
"The last 10 years has been a whirlwind of creativity mixed with both highs and lows but more importantly one that inspires me each morning with new challenges and ideas.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported me and Siminetti on our journey thus far, and I look forward to where the road take us over the next 10 years."
BURJ KHALIFA, Dubai UAE: Siminetti supplied 17m2 of our Bianco Oval mosaic to be applied to a large statement column.
THE LANGLEY, LONDON UK: The Langley were supplied with an impressive collection of Midnight Pearl 25mm and Gentle Earth 25mm. Used in their stunning underground spa in wet areas and to decorate spa loungers.
PRINCESS YACHTS, PLYMOUTH UK: The brand continually supply a range of Mother of Pearl solutions to Princess yachts. Most recently, the company supplied 14M2 of Crackle Decorative Surface to Aquamare marine to fit out a breathtaking yacht.
MSHERIEB, DOWNTOWN DOHA: Siminetti supplied Midnight Pearl 23mm in an unbelievable 7350m2! (yes 7350m2!) A truly one of a kind project with the Mother of Pearl being used for external cladding.
THE BEVERLY CENTER, BEVERLY HILLS: The Beverly center used 32M2 of Innocence 25mm as decorative inlays throughout the building creating a long-lasting awe-inspiring aesthetic.
W HOTEL, DUBAI UAE: Siminetti is proud to have supplied the Palm Dubai our Anthracite mother of pearl mosaics for use in the 'W Hotel & Residences' on The Palm Jumeriah, Dubai, UAE. Featuring through-out the property, some 500m2 of the product was supplied. Located on the west crescent of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, this serene escape facilitates mixing and mingling between the city and the sea.
ZULAL DESTINATION SPA, Qatar: This stunning hotel & spa in Qatar features 450m2 of Bianco Hexagon and 184m2 Dove Grey Hexagon! Used to create a truly memorable space.
THE LALIT, LONDON: Heading into the Teachers Room you are immediately struck by the sheer beauty of the mother of pearl ceiling. Proudly supplied by Siminetti, the mosaic installed is Siminetti's Natural Harmonie 20mm Mother of Pearl which is a unique, grout less form of mosaic tile – making it the perfect fit for an opulent ceiling in a luxury boutique hotel.
JIMMY CHOO, LONDON: A great example of how Mother of Pearl can be used to stun the most discerning of consumers. Harmonie 20mm in Natural featured as an elegant showroom display to accentuate their latest collection of designer shoes, bags, and accessories.
1500 OCEAN DRIVE, MIAMI FLORIDA: A combination of Midnight Pearl 25mm and Bianco 25mm were supplied to one of Ocean Drives most iconic buildings, installation is now underway of 3500ft2 / 350m2 of Siminetti Mother of Pearl mosaics. Designed by the late renowned architect, Michael Graves, the swimming pool and hot tub are fundamental aspects of this iconic building and in keeping with Michael Grave's wishes, the residents of the condominium have followed the initial design brief of finishing the pool in stunning Mother of Pearl mosaic tiles.
Siminetti is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Main image credit: Siminetti/W Dubai
Gessi turns up the drama in the bathroom with Spotlight
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/02_GESSI316_B.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 17.12.2020 17.12.2020
Design-led bathroom brand Gessi has launched Spotwater, the perfect synthesis of advanced technology and high design…
Inspired by the same concept of the lighting technology, Spotwater stands out for its tubular design and the adjustable angle, offering a completely customized experience through four different waterjets: Rain, Multi-spray, Atomizer and Waterfall.
These unique spotlights are enriched by the exclusive Gessi touch, resulting in five different finishings: Cesello, Intreccio, Trame, Ingranaggio and the smooth Flessa. Together with a rich and captivating range of finishes – from the shimmering glow of pure metal, to soft and warm tones. This wellness source opens the way to unprecedented stylistic interpretations and possibilities of personalisation of the shower space. These innovative showerheads gratify those who love essentiality, but also want to give their bathroom a refined, high-tech yet warm and decorative touch.
With sculptural shapes and surfaces that invite to touch, Gessi Spotwater contributes, even scenically, to the environments and architectures of fascinating private habitats, as well as exclusive yachts, hotels and resorts. In fact, by fitting harmoniously into avant-garde architectures as in the most classic, the Gessi lines always add a contribution of personality and style, making these places catching and surprising. This makes Gessi the choice of the designers of the most fascinating environments in the world.
Gessi conceives its creations with the ambition that design, with its ability to infuse an art content in consumer products, and the technology incorporated in it, will enrich the living spaces, making everyday gestures special and unique. In fact, Gessi projects spring from creative freedom and a passion for objects liberated from prescribed and encoded functions and reinvented for new uses: empathetic, friendly and enjoyable bathroom furnishings. Objects that improve people's live.
How to achieve signature realistic photos & virtual tours
https://hoteldesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/C1-1.jpg 730 565 Hamish Kilburn Hamish Kilburn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2edcad40930314dca244a6a9d0589916?s=96&d=mm&r=g 17.12.2020 17.12.2020
Studio Autograph is a creative hub, providing clients worldwide with realistic photos and virtual tours…
A team of experienced 3D artists and architects, Studio Autograph is daily focused on providing interior designers with signature realistic photos and virtual tours.
Studio Autograph offers assistance to give you an insight of your project in a 3d visual for future project. The company offers indoor and outdoor along with product 3d models. From the moment the interior designer or architect starts working on a project's concept from the beginning to the end, they are here to assist you along your journey.
With the pandemic upon us this year, Studio Autograph has adapted and modified the way it works. The brand has learned to work efficiently and cost effective. For example, the team no longer need to travel to present a project when we can send a 3d realis