Sleeper January/Febuary 2016 - Issue 64

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2016 JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2016 W W W. SLEEPERMAGAZI N E.COM

64

The Hoxton

Tristan Auer

AHDA

Global expansion beckons for The Hoxton as it makes its Amsterdam debut

The award-winning designer on his new partnership with Wilson Associates

Shortlist and judging panel announced for the second Asia Hotel Design Awards

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Inside Sleeper JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2016

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Hotel Reviews

Features

Cover Story

045 1 Hotel Central Park New York

136 Events Asia Hotel Design Awards Returning for a second year, the Asia Hotel Design Awards has announced its much anticipated shortlist ahead of the 2016 ceremony, to be held at the recently opened South Beach, Singapore.

037 The Hoxton Amsterdam The pioneering Hoxton brand has opened its first property outside of London, with its Amsterdam edition occupying five canal houses between the Herengracht and Singel canals.

052 The Reverie Saigon Ho Chi Minh City 060 The New York Edition New York 066 The Lanesborough London 073

W Amsterdam

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InterContinental Dubai Marina Dubai

085 Hilton Bankside London 090 The Arts Club Mayfair, London

030 Meeting... Tristan Auer Following remarkable success at the European Hotel Design Awards 2015, Tristan Auer speaks of his new venture with Wilson Associates to create an ‘atelier haute couture of design’.

Departments 016

Check In

018 Drawing Board 097

Business Centre Hotel Analyst

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Business Centre Top Hotel Projects

108 Events Deloitte EHIC 112

Events HI Design Asia

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Events Hostel & Budget Traveller

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Events EHDA

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Events Sleep

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Events In Bed With Designers

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Developmen Report Urban Escape

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Company Profile Italian Design

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Product Profile Floorcoverings

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Specifier

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Check Out

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INVENTIVE EVENTS FOR HOTEL INNOVATORS

‘THE BEACH AND BEYOND’ 8-10 MAY 2016 Sleepover is an invitation-only event for the innovators creating new hotel projects worldwide.

This year’s event takes place in Miami, long renowned for its hotel scene and Art Deco architecture, but also increasingly a world-renowned destination for design, art and gastronomy.

Guests will be accommodated at The Hall, Commune Hotels’ new bohemian South Beach boutique property.

Our two-day programme will include hosted tours of new hotels along Miami Beach, as well as insiders’ insight into the new neighbourhoods shaping modern Miami: the Design District, Wynwood Walls and Brickell.

You can find more information and apply for reservations via our website www.sleepovermiami.com

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Welcome

T

he provision of food and drink in hotels is evolving like never before.

Instrumental in the early days of the hospitality industry – when weary travellers would bed and board at a nearby coaching inn before continuing on their journey – the precursor to the modern hotel provided little more than a hearty meal and a bed for the night. But somewhere along the way, hotel F&B lost its appeal. For many, it became an empty revenue stream, a dead space used only for breakfast, or late arriving guests that were too tired to venture out.

Now, hotel food and beverage is seeing a major resurgence. A growing demand for fresh, exciting places to eat has given rise to a number of new concepts that have revolutionised a hotel’s offer. From casual eating to fine dining, molecular gastronomy to modern mixology, farm-to-table and restaurants-with-rooms, new forces are re-defining the industry.

They are also turning the traditional hotel model on its head. No longer an afterthought, these bars, restaurants and public spaces are often at the heart of the hotel; a neighbourhood destination and a hugely profitable asset.

Furthermore, hotels are now driving the global F&B sector forward; it is within these venues that the latest F&B trends, concepts and ideas are forged.

With this in mind, Sleeper is delighted to announce the launch of Supper, a new magazine aimed at serving this niche sector. With the tagline of ‘Global Hotel F&B’, Supper’s readership comprises F&B directors at major hotel groups, internationally renowned chefs and restaurateurs, leading bar operators and mixologists, design practices, brand agencies, procurement companies and F&B consultants – all those involved in the creation of hotel bars and restaurants.

While Sleeper will remain at the fore of hotel design, development and architecture, Supper will explore how F&B concepts and brands are developed, and how products, produce and personalities interact to deliver a coherent guest experience. The two magazines are clearly of the same family, but Supper has its own identity, and a new team who have been working tirelessly to launch the first issue. In a taster from Editor Harry McKinley’s opener, he states: “Hotels have become increasingly attuned to the power of considered, creative and collaborative F&B concepts. Operators, designers, consultants, chefs and bartenders are working together to create compelling propositions that appeal to guests, locals and a growing breed of lifestyle-savvy nomad.

Supper is born out of this new dynamic.”

To register your interest in Supper log on to www.suppermagazine.co.uk.

The first issue is out now… Supper is served.

Catherine Martin | Editor

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Guest Book

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TRISTAN AUER

SHARAN PASRICHA

ANDRE FU

PETTER STORDALEN

“Our goal is to create a custom experience for our clients, from the moment they walk into our atelier… The end result will be unlike anything they’ve ever seen,” explains Tristan Auer on his new venture with Wilson Associates. While continuing with his own projects, Auer will run Wilson’s Paris offi ce, described as an ‘atelier haute couture of design’. Auer’s recent projects include Les Bains and The Cotton House.

Sharan Pasricha is founder and CEO of Ennismore, a Londonbased owner and operator.

He oversees the various components that make up the group and is responsible for the overall strategy of The Hoxton, a series of neighbourhood hotels currently embarking on a global expansion. The brand’s most recent opening is in Amsterdam, within fi ve canal houses perched on the city’s waterways.

Born in Hong Kong and educated in the UK, André Fu is one of Asia’s leading desig ners havi ng created interiors for The Upper House in Hong Kong, The Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore, and Kioku restaurant at Four Seasons Seoul. He has recently been named as Designer of the Year by Maison & Objet Asia, and will once again sit on the judging panel for the Asia Hotel Design Awards.

A Norwegian developer and investor, Petter Stordalen is the owner of Nordic Choice Hotels, one of the fastest growing hotel groups in Scandanavia.

Stordalen is cu rrently developing two properties in Stockholm as part of a mixeduse urban regeneration scheme that will transform a corner of the city. The story of their development starts here, and will be serialised in Sleeper until opening in 2017.

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Front Desk

EDITORIAL

ADVERTISING

DESIGN

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Jason Holley UNIVERSAL DESIGN STUDIO

Magic and mystery surrounds Jason Holley’s fantasy hotel, set in the crystalising jungle of J.G. Ballard’s sci-fi novel.

Where are you?

The West African jungle of J.G. Ballard’s 1966 novel, The Crystal World.

How did you get there?

Small passenger steamer up the river.

Who is there to greet you on arrival?

English architect Cedric Price. Although not a hotelier, I think he would have found the project fascinating, furthering his pursuit of an all encompassing architecture as an enabling and liberating activity.

Who are you sharing your room with?

This is a solitary journey.

Describe the hotel, your room and the view...

The jungle in The Crystal World is undergoing a transformation due to a mysterious phenomenon of crystalisation, which affects both the jungle and its creatures. My hotel is located in the heart of the jungle where the process of crystalisation is at its most extreme. Here, the division between nature and man is dissolving. People are unconsciously drawn to the hotel and the forest, overwhelmed by its beauty, harmony and unity and its rejuvenating power. Eventually they succumb to the environment entirely and never return home, truly a journey that changes you forever. The hotel is characterised by a series of dualities: day and night; light and dark; division and unity; equilibrium and disequilibrium.

The hotel, like the jungle, is transforming. The process commences with the original white French colonial style architecture adopting a blackness that

contrasts with the crystals that are encrusting the jungle. Its details divide and multiply as if viewed through a kaleidoscope. Its intricate architecture is rayless and opaque but has an exquisite beauty. This transformation is complete as the crystalisation finally absorbs the architecture and its inhabitants into its self-luminous gem-like structure.

Who designed it?

It is a collaboration between architect Geoffrey Bawa and Dutch artist Constant Nieuwenhuys.

Bawa was obsessed with the relationship between architecture and the environment; his Kandalama Hotel in Sri Lanka is engaged in a process of invisibility, with the boundaries between landscape and architecture dissolving. Nature almost obliterates the architecture. Nieuwenhuys’ work on New Babylon, a labyrinthine future city constructed and populated by homo-ludens would finally find its home in the crystal jungle.

What’s the restaurant and bar like?

The restaurant and bar are the spaces most advanced in their transformation. Part of the façade has given way to the jungle. There is a calmness and sense of completeness throughout. People sit alone but are content in their unspoken unity.

Who are you dining with this evening?

Novelist J.G. Ballard; American actress and socialite Edie Sedgwick; French Marxist theorist Guy Debord; Austrian film director Michael Haneke; and stand-up comedian Stewart Lee. Who’s manning the stoves?

Name: Jason Holley | Position: Director, Universal Design Studio | www.universaldesignstudio.com Notable hotel projects: Ace Hotel London Shoreditch; At Six, Stockholm (in progress)

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For art, Julien Royer, head chef at Odette in Singapore. The artistic beauty and simplicity of his creations provide the perfect dialogue with the environment, his interest in seasonal rhythms colliding with the frozen time of the jungle. For comfort, Samantha and Samuel Clark of London restaurants Moro and Morito. Their approach to food has sprung out of their travels, absorbing different cultural influences. I think they could absorb and transform the jungle into something delicious and comforting.

And what’s on the menu?

A collision of the exotic and the everyday: edamame veloute, heirloom beetroot variation and a forest of forgotten vegetables by Royer, accompanied by dishes from Morito including puntillitas, sumac and alioli, and fried chickpeas, pumpkin and tahini yoghurt.

Would you like something to drink with that?

A Negroni.

What’s in the mini-bar for a night cap?

Another Negroni.

What’s on your nightstand at bedtime?

A Journey Around My Room by Xavier De Maistre.

This is a fantastical take on travel writing. With the author confined to his room, he embarks on a journey around his bedroom, observing its landscape with the same eyes of enquiry and fascination of a traveller. A reminder that the pleasure of travel derives as much from the mind we take with us as the destination we seek.

Il Sereno LAKE COMO

Sereno Hotels has announced plans to open an all-suite luxury hotel on Lake Como’s waterfront, featuring interiors designed by Patricia Urquiola.

Located along 450 feet of Lake Como’s Eastern shore, Il Sereno will offer 30 spacious guestrooms ranging in size from 65-200m2, as well as a restaurant by London restaurateur Giuliano Lotto, a full-service spa, a private beach, infinity pool suspended over the lake, and a dock, allowing guests to arrive by one of the hotel’s boats custom-built by Ernesto Riva.

Urquiola will create a relaxed, peaceful sanctuary drawing inspiration from Lake Como’s culture, lifestyle and the history of the region. Every space will offer panoramic views of the lake and mountains with the hotel being sensitively designed to complement and showcase its surroundings. Materials – including wood, stone and wools – will be largely natural to create an aesthetic full of personality whilst remaining timeless. Joining Urquiola on the project is noted botanist Patrick Blanc, who will create two vertical gardens.

Il Sereno is set to open in summer 2016 and will build on the success of sister property Le Sereno St. Barths, designed by Christian Liaigre.

Rosewood LUANG PRABANG

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has been appointed by Waterfall Management Sole Co., Ltd. to manage Rosewood Luang Prabang in Laos, scheduled to open 2017.

Laos, which will give back to the local community by providing its students with professional hospitality training.

Guests will have a choice between eight deluxe villas, three garden villas, six private pool villas and five luxury tents. Each of the 22 spacious accommodations is designed to encourage guests to be at one with nature through features such as open-air showers, bath tubs and living rooms. While each accommodation will be unique, elements inspired by Lao tradition and French colonial style will be woven throughout, from design and architecture to use of indigenous materials and accents of locally inspired artwork.

An arrival manor, the first indication of the forest retreat to visitors entering the area, will offer a bar and a bistro serving French and Laotian cuisine. The manor will also house the brand’s signature Sense, A Rosewood Spa, with three individual treatment rooms.

Within 10 minutes’ drive from the historic city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rosewood Luang Prabang is immersed in a virtually untouched natural environment and will be the only resort in the vicinity with no sightlines to civilisation. As with other properties in the portfolio, the luxury escape is said to epitomise the collection’s ‘A Sense of Place’ philosophy.

Located in a thickly forested setting alongside a meandering river and waterfall, the resort is designed by Bill Bensley according to UNESCO guidelines. It is the first luxury tent and villa encampment for the group and will be the first philanthropic hospitality school in

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Casablanca Marina CASABLANCA

WATG and its affiliated design studio Wimberly Interiors have unveiled the innovative design and building techniques behind their new mixed-use project in Casablanca, Morocco, set to include a number of hotels.

façade will house a five-star hotel. The tower’s circular core is able to support the twisting columns, and when matched with the one-of-akind glazed windows, the reflective effect is truly unique from every vantage point in the city. Upon completion, the tower is thought to be the first high-rise in the world utilising this particular white-silver glass design.

Beneath the tower will be an easily accessible urban cultural destination with multimedia screen and indoor theatre for operas and events. This multifunctional space is intended to be shared by the community and will provide the people of Casablanca with a vibrant space to gather. The development also includes a public square, boutique retail shops, a convention centre, a destination nightclub, cafés and restaurants as well as a five-star marina hotel and a four-star business hotel.

Currently under construction, the development is designed to reconnect Casablanca to its waterfront. WATG was appointed to pioneer the project – providing architectural design, planning and interior design services – based on four main principles: revitalise the skyline; honour the city’s rich history while showcasing its forward-thinking mentality; deploy innovative building techniques and components; and, finally, build a multi-functional community gathering space.

At the heart of the project, a 167m tower with 155-degree twisting

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Tribute Portfolio and Element FORT LAUDERDALE

Starwood Hotels & Resorts, The Wurzak Hotel Group, and DoveHill have announced the development of a 323-room dual-branded hotel under Starwood’s recently launched Tribute Portfolio and eco-wise Element brands.

will also include a three-meal restaurant accessible through the lobby, a variety of ground-floor retail offerings with a separate street-level entrance, and a 206-space parking deck. Furthermore, it will boast the city’s only rooftop bar.

The yet-to-be-named Tribute property will be the newest addition to the collection of independent hotels following its debut in April 2015. Firmly anchored in the four-star, upper-upscale category, Tribute Portfolio allows owners of distinct properties to maintain their independent spirit, while benefiting from Starwood’s distribution, loyalty and sales platforms.

The Element property meanwhile, will be built to the brand’s ecofriendly standards. Element is recognised as an industry leader in the eco-space and offers travellers a fresh, reimagined interpretation of the extended stay hotel experience.

Slated to open in spring 2017, the development is located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, South Florida, and is designed by SolArch with interiors by Toronto-based DesignAgency.

The concept sees guests enter through a shared street-level entrance and take elevators to each hotel’s distinct branded lobby and guestrooms. The 209-room Tribute Portfolio hotel and 114-room Element hotel will share facilities including a sky lobby, a fitness centre, and an indoor/outdoor pool deck complete with cabanas, tropical landscaping and sweeping ocean views. The development

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Four Seasons DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE

Following the successful opening of its first hotel in Dubai, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced the development of a second location in the city’s International Financial Centre.

New York-based studio Tihany Design, which also created several of the restaurants at Four Seasons at Jumeirah Beach, is designing the new hotel’s interiors. Its 106 guestrooms – defined by impeccable craftsmanship and bespoke finishes – feature wood clad walls, handtufted custom carpeting, and faceted metal pendants. The ground level reception is framed by gold metal mesh and accented by cream and black marble and bronze mirrors, while a second lobby – located at the podium level allowing for pedestrian access from the retail concourse – features a bespoke mural depicting an architectural composition of Dubai’s skyline.

Other facilities include a contemporary 24-hour diner, a sky bar, rooftop pool, spa with five treatment rooms, and an elegant lobby level tea lounge characterised by a striking geometric chandelier and gold mirror faceted bookshelves and bar front.

Expected to open in 2016, Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre is conceived as a sophisticated oasis, catering in particular to the needs of the business traveller.

“Our entry into Dubai has been extremely well received by locals and global travellers alike, and we are very pleased to be able to offer them a second Four Seasons experience in the city,” says Allen Smith, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Together with our partner Bright Start, we introduced Four Seasons to the Dubai market last year and raised the standard for luxury hospitality in this incredibly competitive market.”

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Haymarket by Scandic STOCKHOLM

Scandic, a leading hotel operator in the Nordics, has announced it will continue its expansion in Sweden with the opening of Haymarket in spring 2016.

Each of the 405 guestrooms and 16 suites will be infused with a chic 1920s ambience with features such as marble countertops and velvet couches alongside modern details and custom-designed patterned textiles. One exclusive suite with a rooftop terrace will be available as an event space catering to both private and business events. Other facilities include a spacious restaurant, a café named Greta’s, a cosmopolitan bar, event space for up to 800 guests, and an intimate cinema.

“Haymarket is our most exciting project to date,” says Lars Sandberg, General Manager of Haymarket. “The hotel, which is already breaking barriers in terms of how a Scandic hotel is expected to look, will have an international feel and cater to a range of different demographics. The people, the food, the interiors and the atmosphere will inspire.”

Located at Hötorget (Haymarket Square) in Stockholm’s Norrmalm neighbourhood, the 405-key hotel will be housed in the iconic PUB building, a former department store where Hollywood’s Greta Garbo once worked as a sales clerk.

At the helm of the hotel’s design strategy is Stockholm-based architecture and interior design company Koncept. Their scheme will see the restoration of original art deco details including patterned floors, curved stairway rails and the entrance’s gallery-like character.

These historical elements will contrast with modern Scandinavian furniture and custom-designed pieces from Koncept.

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MEETING

Tristan Auer A winner at the recent European Hotel Design Awards, Tristan Auer talks of the success of his own studio, and details a new venture with Wilson Associates to create an ‘atelier haute couture of design’.

Words: Guy Dittrich | Photography: Courtesy of Tristan Auer and Wilson Associates

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rooms in the spa, and a cigar lounge. “The Crillon entrance layout will be made more open,” describes Auer of the project. “Sequence is important. Step-by-step. You have the staircase, entrance, the valet parking…” Surely the valet parking is not to do with design, I interrupt. “Yes it is. Where do they stand? How do they dress? Is there a shelter or not? How are they grouped together? It provides the first and the last impression.”

Auer continues on this theme, explaining how he likes a guest’s experience to both start and end well. “In my job the idea of service is very important,” he explains, relating stories of helping clients select interior details way after his job is done. Something that is possible when you are a small agency rather than a global corporation. However it is this personalised, bespoke approach that Auer is set to bring to Wilson Associates, having recently linked up with the practice in a new venture.

“Our goal is to create a custom experience for our clients from the moment they walk into our atelier,” explains Auer. “From the way we receive clients to the deliverables we present, the end result will be unlike anything they’ve ever seen.”

The relationship will see Auer split his time 50:50 between his own agency and the Wilson atelier and will offer a full range of design services in hospitality, retail and residential. It is a big step, he admits, but one that will surely bring success. “My relationship with Wilson Associates is a win-win for all parties. I prefer that someone else take care of the business so I can do what I am good at,” he smiles.

e first meet the morning after the launch party of Les Bains, the Paris hotel created out of the rubble that was Les Bains Douche nightclub. Tristan Auer is on time and impeccably dressed. His cropped hair showing no effects of the helmet he has just taken off after scooting over to the hotel on a fine spring morning.

He is considered, stopping at times to search for the right word, as he describes the work he has done on the guestrooms at this 39-room boutique hotel.

Born in Metz, Auer lived in Aix-en-Provence before studying in Paris. A qualified interior designer, he spent his early days with Christian Liaigre before working with with Philippe Starck for four years. He references both with refreshing insight. It was whilst interviewing with Andrée Putman that she gave him the ‘gift’ of setting up on his own. And so he did, establishing his studio in 2002. Since then the projects have come rolling in.

There are several residential projects for major players in the music world (the only one who can be named is Bryan Adams); Cartier and Chanel are amongst his retail clients; and Auer has produced furniture and lighting with Holly Hunt and Christophe Delcourt.

His hospitality work includes The Cotton House in Mustique, La Sivolière in Courchevel, and in Paris, Hotel Jules, Hotel du Louvre and Les Bains, winner of the grand prize at the 2015 European Hotel Design Awards. He is currently working on Hôtel de Crillon, one of Paris’ most celebrated palace hotels that is in the midst of a total refurbishment. Here, his remit includes the public areas, treatment

“Our goal is to create a custom experience for our clients from the moment they walk into our atelier.”

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© Guillaume Grasset

Above & Opposite: Tristan Auer’s recent hotel projects include Les Bains – triumphant at the 2015 European Hotel Design Awards – and The Cotton House

“I do like constraints, when two people are working together,” continues Auer referencing Starck and Schrager, Liaigre and Balazs, himself and Jean-Pierre Marois at Les Bains. It is a similar view of duality that also set Wilson on this haute couture direction. Olivier Chavy, CEO and President of Wilson Associates, was reading an article about the co-branding of Karl Lagerfeld with the likes of Chanel and Fendi whilst still designing under his own label and saw a similar opportunity in hospitality design.

Chavy and his entrepreneurial spirit joined Wilson Associates in 2013. The same year, Trisha Wilson – who founded the practice in 1971 – stepped back from the business with an interest being taken

by Lineage Capital, a Boston-based private investment firm. As they explored new opportunities for growth, a presence in Europe became the clear next step. Life after Trisha saw the senior management ‘design’ the new leader’s job description, requesting a hotelier with brand, opening and management experience take on the role. Step in Olivier Chavy, for whom “hospitality is my passion”. Starting out with a summer job as a pool attendant at a Novotel in the south of France, Chavy ultimately gained a Cornell MBA and was to spend 13 years with Hilton Worldwide. Born in Cannes, he nevertheless walks streets of Paris with the confidence of a local, pointing out a hotel with the throwaway line: “I opened that one some years ago.”

Lineage recruited Chavy to take over from Trisha with a role to

rebrand and sell the business. “Deployment was a home run as all our leaders took ownership,” explains Chavy, totally conscious of the juxtaposition of this Americanism and his relatively thick French accent. And in February 2014 the business was sold to East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Co. Ltd. (ECADI).

Wilson’s new vision for the future saw the need for a presence in Europe and to send a message to the market. The message is that Wilson is evolving and can tackle all facets of hospitality design. The hook-up with ECADI provides the architectural skill-set, plus access to the Chinese market.

With regard to their expansion, Chavy explains: “Wilson were in London some years ago and we opened an office in Dubai in 2014 which has been very successful. But this is a volume market and we wanted to something different in Europe.”

The hotelier returns to his fashion analogy to explain how the “atelier haute couture of design” will work. Just as Chanel’s products can be found the world over and the haute couture collection is only available from Paris, so too the Paris atelier does not dilute Wilson’s core offer of quality from its global offices, but rather gives clients the opportunity for an ultra-bespoke service.

Paris is arguably the home of luxury, certainly in Chavy’s eyes. “It is the home of culture and the style of haute couture, plus it helps us recruit new talents,” he states practically. These include two great

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© Paul Raeside

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Above: Wilson Associates is currently working on Fairmont Qasar Istanbul, due to open later in 2016 Opposite: Completed projects for the firm include InterContinental Changsha and Hyatt Regency Chongming

in Paris. Memorable is another to add. Especially if the treatment I received is anything to go by. Stepping out of a Mercedes SL that brought me from Gare du Nord, Chavy greeted me at Le Royal Monceau. Auer collected me in an unbelievably well restored, 1933 4.5-litre, Alvis Coupe for a roaring ride to lunch. It transpires that Auer is a car freak and has a collection of several other cars. He also likes a bit of speed as I discover when we head for the Crillon the next morning. His scooter is in fact a BMW 1200cc GS, a seriously quick motorbike that has me holding tight on the pillion. I leave the office with a gold-edged notebook full of scribbles. It is the same as those given to the new Chinese owners on their first visit earlier this year. Each has a sketch inside. Mine is the detail of one of the office’s ornate doors by junior designer Charlotte Poinsteau.

Will the relationship succeed? It’s early days but the atelier is already involved in several pitches including hotels in the south of France and Dubai; plans and elevations of the latter hang from the walls of the design office. After we meet, Auer and Chavy are headed to Moscow to talk about another project on Red Square. “We won’t even look at the numbers for six months. We are building a legacy and this will need five years,” states Chavy, before adding a word of caution: “It takes years to build a reputation, and only one bad project to kill it.”

catches: Marc Foschia, formerly with Pierre-Yves Rochon, and Neil Rawson, who has previously worked with both Putman and Starck.

The offices are a similar statement of intent. Located in the socalled golden triangle of the city, the atelier occupies the 19th century private apartment of architect Paul Sédille. A grand staircase leads to the main studio floor with corridor walls in over-painted gold leaf that gives a deep, burnished effect. Auer’s office is a large space with original detailed marble pillars and ceiling murals. He has furnished it with mid-20th century-style pieces from the Paul Bert market and others where he is well known to the stallholders. Auer sits on an Aeron chair by Herman Miller as a reminder of Putman, who was doing the same when she advised him to set up alone.

And why Auer? “We are very cautious about the type of new business we want to have,” explains Chavy. Indeed, Wilson identified 99 different agencies across Europe. A dozen were shortlisted and interviewed and whittled down to a final three, who were subject to full due-diligence. That Auer took pole is testimony to the quality of his work, his understanding of the opportunity of such an association, and the fact there is clearly respect in the relationship. Being French in Paris might also have helped.

Luxury. High-end. Tailor-made. Unique. These are all words that repeatedly crop up during discussions around what Wilson is creating

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The Hoxton AMSTERDAM

Now owned by Ennismore, The Hoxton brand is on its way to global stardom, beginning with its Amsterdam launch designed by local interior outfit, Nicemakers.

Words: Lauren Ho | Photography: Courtesy of The Hoxton

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n a way, there was an element of ‘build and they will come’,” says Sharan Pasricha, founder and CEO of hospitality group, Ennismore. He is of course, talking about the bold move of introducing his hip Hoxton hotel brand to Amsterdam, a city still relatively new to the concept of lobby socialising. He could though, just as easily be describing the group’s inaugural launch in London’s Shoreditch a decade ago. Then under the ownership of entrepreneur Sinclair Beecham, the hotel was an early adopter of the movement that was already a hit in New York. After acquiring the property from Beecham in 2012, the ever-enterprising Pasricha built on the

brand’s DNA with a second London opening in the flourishing Holborn area. And judging by the constant buzz in each of the three properties, it seems all of the risks have paid off.

With a picture-perfect location between Herengracht and Singel, two of the city’s most historic canals, The Hoxton Amsterdam eschews the brand’s propensity for up-and-coming locations.

“The essence of our business is fi nding difficult buildings in sleepy neighbourhoods,” says Pasricha. “Amsterdam was very different for us.” Indeed, the series of five handsome canal houses – once home to the mayor in the 17th century – in which the hotel resides, can’t

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Above & Opposite: Public spaces, designed and operated by Soho House & Co, look like the private members’ clubs the group is best known for; rough hewn wood-panelled walls cocoon a homely, shabby chic space filled with an assortment of mid-century vintage furnishings and lived-in sofas

appear more traditional, but the conservative exterior belies the coolness within. Here, the customary reception desk is intentionally tucked around the corner, foregoing a conventional hotel lobby and instead making way for a thrumming restaurant and mezzanine bar area, where guests and locals sit ensconced in deep leather armchairs, tapping away on their prerequisite laptops. “The space is designed to be the city’s living room,” explains Pasricha.

Run in partnership with ubiquitous hospitality outfit Soho House & Co, these public spaces – deigned by the Soho House team – look like the private members’ clubs the group is best known for; rough hewn wood-panelled walls cocoon a homely, shabby chic space fi lled with an assortment of mid-century vintage furnishings, livedin sofas in worn leathers and smooth velvets, and rich Persian rugs – the perfect set-up for nursing a glass of red wine on a chilly winter’s evening. “It’s modern and timeless, mixed with classic British,” explains Emma Montier, architectural and interior designer at Ennismore. “Everything is local, bought at vintage shops and reupholstered. It’s pretty eclectic.”

The guestrooms are defi ned by the natural ebb and flow of the five houses, which have been skilfully stitched together to form 111 rooms including a handful with grand monumental ceilings. “When you work with an old building, it’s a lot more work and dedication from your design team,” says Charlie North, Design Director at

Ennismore. “All the rooms are different shapes and sizes.” Montier adds: “Because some ceilings have monumental status, we had to stick to certain colour schemes and work with the authorities and specialists to get everything right.”

Determined to maintain authenticity, the group sought the input of Joyce Urbanus and Dax Rolls of local interior design outfit, Nicemakers. As newcomers to the hotel industry, Pasricha’s logic was that the duo would impart a fresh outlook to the room designs.

“We took a big leap engaging a very small team on what would be their largest project,” says Pasricha. “The leaf we’ve taken is of the Google philosophy: if they are smart and creative enough, they will figure it out.”

Brief in-hand, the pair set off for London to immerse themselves in the Hoxton brand. “We were invited to stay at Shoreditch to get the Hoxton experience,” explains Rolls. “The brief was to create the Amsterdam version of the London properties. It was very open without limitations.” Keeping with the hotel group’s trait for providing a home away from home, the resulting mood is personal and tactile; inspired by the colours of the original decorated ceilings, hues of moss green, burnt orange, blues and brass, unify plush materials from butter-soft leather headboards to handsome black oak parquet flooring – a nod to the building’s canal house past. Quirky knick-knacks such as vintage alarm clocks

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Left & Previous Page: To maintain authenticity, Ennismore sought the input of interior design outfit Nicemakers, who selected pieces from local vintage stores. In the bathrooms, fixtures and fittings are supplied by Kohler and Dornbrach

adorn the shelves of bespoke clothing rack and desk units, while standout hand-painted hexagon mirrors add a dash of pizzazz. “We only create interiors we would like to work or live in ourselves,” explains Rolls. “It’s the full experience that has to feel right. This starts with colours, materials, fabrics and furniture, but ends with accessories and art.”

A self-confessed ‘anti-hotel’, the Hoxton group has always done things a little differently. Their straightforward approach to usual hotel foibles means no mini-bar charges, free telephone calls, and snacks available to purchase at supermarket prices.

But the real draw is their commitment to instigating a sense of community within each neighbourhood, in particular with their ongoing series of Hoxtown events. “Success for us is in our public spaces,” confi rms Pasricha. “Doing all of our events in our public spaces and showcasing the good and the great of the neighbourhood is an integral part of our brand.”

With the Amsterdam property now settling in nicely, it seems there’s no stopping Pasricha. “We’re having fun in some great cities,” he says. “We’ve got three in various stages of construction – Williamsburg, Paris and London – and then we’re hanging out in locations like Copenhagen, Barcelona, LA and Chicago. The reality is we selfi shly choose cities we really like hanging out in.

What’s not to love?”

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 111 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | 175m2 events space | www.thehoxton.com Owner / Operator: Ennismore | Architecture: Kentie en Partners Architekten | Interior Design: Ennismore; Nicemakers; Soho House Group

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1 Hotel Central Park NEW YORK

Born from the belief that those who travel the world care about it, 1 Hotel brings its socially and environmentally conscious design brand to New York.

Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: © Eric Laignel

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temming from an aversion to society’s current relationship – and approach to – the built environment, the latest offering from the 1 Hotel ‘cause’ has launched in Midtown Manhattan.

Conceived by the visionary behind the W brand, Barry Sternlicht, the eco-friendly, green and sustainable concept debuted in Miami at the start of 2015, though it is the Manhattan property that was first on the drawing board. “This is actually the first hotel that we designed for the brand,” states Kemper Hyers, Senior Vice President of Design at Starwood Capital Group. “In many ways, this location is the heart of the brand, while South Beach is the beachfront cousin.”

And the differences between the two properties are pronounced.

Whilst retaining the luxurious, naturalistic vibe that the cause so staunchly represents, the latest opening offers dark woods, plenty of steel, and a host of planted features. In the guestrooms, terrariums by Brooklyn-based firm Sprout Home are housed in Brooklyn Glass; on the building’s exterior, a living wall of English Ivy by Harrison Green – who also worked on Starwood’s recently opened Baccarat Hotel – climbs three storeys; and in place of beachside artwork, hanging kokedamas fall from the lobby ceiling, fully immersing guests in the green experience that lies ahead.

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Above: AvroKO custom designed most of the hotel’s furniture, while New York-based Andrianna Shamaris provided organic design in the form of furniture and sculptural art, while fabrics are supplied by Maya Romanoff

“You see no art in this hotel, it is all nature,” states Hyers. “The only art is the ‘No Thing Is Ever Really Lost’ full-wall piece, which was made in my basement after foraging for natural materials. The message is: even in the process of losing things such as extinct species, you are galvanised to save the next thing.”

Hyers’ interpretation of the Walt Whitman quote encapsulates the hotel’s intention entirely; to alter a guest’s perception of eco-living, thus causing a positive-impact domino effect in the future. It is a long-game, but worth it. “We have created a community in the hotel, it’s a mission-driven brand.”

Based on “absolute simplicity”, the design relies heavily on materials, placing them at the heart of the concept. “We have wood that is simply oiled and not treated in any other way,” explains Hyers.

Speaking of the furniture and wall features – including pieces by Adrianna Shamaris – that make repeat appearances, he adds: “From the moment you pull it out of the earth, you should not touch it.

That is our mantra. It was tough to get the contractors to leave it alone – they want to create perfection and we want to see creation.”

The use of organic materials continues through to Jams, the hotel’s ground floor food and beverage offering run by chef Jonathan

Waxman, where dishes featuring local, organic ingredients are served in a 100-seat space clad in reclaimed oak, exposed brick, quarry stone floor and soapstone bar top with accents courtesy of the warm, plum colour palette. Meanwhile, natural light floods the space, with Napastyle paned windows lining one side.

Most of the furniture has been designed by New York-based design and concept firm AvroKO, again using primarily US-made materials dressed in organic threads. “Anything that we could get in recycled fabric, or 100% cotton, we have. It could be seen as a risk to put that in a hotel as it is not built for such high-traffic use, but it is meant to fade,” says Hyers, describing the inevitable weathering that is to come, that will surely enhance the beauty of the tactile interiors.

Greg Bradshaw, Partner at AvroKO, adds: “We both had a desire to source as many local materials as possible, building a real relationship with the suppliers. The beauty of the materials is the details, where it has little change. There is an appreciation of honesty.”

Every potentially environmentally-harmful detail has been considered: Do Not Disturb signs are replaced by stones, offering a ‘Now/Not Now’ solution; miniature chalkboards replace notepads; keycards are wooden; and hangers are manufactured from recycled

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ANDRIANNA SHAMARIS

www.andriannashamarisinc.com Andrianna Shamaris, Soho, NYC | Harrods, Knightsbridge, London

Coffee Tree Sculpture 130” tall

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Above: Guestrooms boast furniture made by local craftsmen accompanying the palette of warm, neutral colours and accents of blues and creams

cardboard. Every guestroom features a custom hemp-blend Keetsa mattress, topped with hypoallergenic organic linens and accompanied by cotton bed socks to replace the generic slippers. Striking design by local craftsmen is offset by a colour palette of warm, neutral tones with accents of creams and blues and reclaimed timbers.

Notably, guestroom showers feature a small egg timer filled with five minutes worth of – presumably organically-sourced – sand, alerting guests to their water consumption. “We could have easily used an electronic dropper that sits in the drain monitoring water use, but the brand is not about technology,” says Hyers, outlining the balance of not using technology for technology’s sake.

That being said, each guestroom comes equipped with an LCD Samsung TV, 2VersQ Bluetooth speaker and importantly, a Nexus tablet mitigating paper or plastic consumption and reducing landfill waste. The preloaded Field Guide app offers every control feature down to TV volume and ordering an in-room picnic. These innovations significantly reduce the back-of-house carbon footprint, as well as upholding the sense of luxury expected of the brand.

The 229 guestroom and 23 suite layouts are diverse, with 10 room types per floor – including the 1,200ft2 Greenhouse Suite, complete with living spaces and unparalleled views of Manhattan. Bradshaw explains: “Some of the guestrooms face an inner courtyard without much natural light, so we had to add warmth. We struck on the window seat idea early on, and it’s so important. It felt natural.

“Certain design aspects are intrinsic, such as seeing the whole room as soon as you walk in,” he continues, “which gave birth to the glass bathroom, allowing you to see out of the window immediately upon entering.”

Hyers concludes: “You walk into this hotel and you know that we’ve been considerate. It has been built to have an effect, its not just wood and reclaimed materials. It makes you feel something.”

Set to open in the summer of 2016, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge will be the brand’s next opening and first newbuild. Local firms Marvel Architects and Incorporated will take care of architecture and design, while Brooklyn-based Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates will complete landscape design.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 229 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | Fitness centre | Meeting and events space | www.1hotels.com Owner: Starwood Capital Group | Operator: SH Group | Architecture: Gwathmey Seigel Kaufman Architects | Interior Design: AvroKO; Starwood Capital Group Lighting Design: Focus Lighting | Kitchen Design: Clevenger | MEP Engineer: MG Engineering | Structural Engineer: WSP Canto Seinuk

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The Reverie Saigon HO CHI MINH CITY

Flights of fancy abound in a hotel that draws on the impeccable craftsmanship of a long tradition of Italian design while embracing the Vietnamese love of colour.

Words: Neena Dhillon | Photography: © Frederik Wissink

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hen Kent Lui was approached to create a groundbreaking landmark, one that would revitalise Ho Chi Minh City with a seamless integration of multiple uses while redefining luxury, the Hong Kong-born architect knew he had to think outside the box. Seven years in the making, soaring over 163 metres as the city’s third-tallest building, Times Square is a testament to that ambition. Unifying a sky-high hotel, full-service apartments, office space, premium retail, plus food and beverage outlets, the contemporary, L-shaped tower rises from a prime location in District 1, flanked by two of its most popular thoroughfares. Featuring the biggest piece of double-glazed unit so far produced in China and a sophisticated LED lighting system that illuminates the façade in a show of colour at night, the 39-storey multi-purpose development has raised the bar in Vietnamese hospitality.

This desire to create a one-of-a-kind has equally informed the interiors, with the tower’s urban hotel occupying the upper-most floors, oriented towards the southern sun, affording unhindered views of Saigon River. With its name derived from the French verb meaning ‘to dream,’ The Reverie Saigon is intended as an unreserved study in opulence, breaking away from preconceived notions of luxury hotels, both in terms of product and sense of place. “Catering for travellers and local visitors seeking unexpected experiences, The Reverie Saigon has been conceived to surprise at every turn, with a sense

of fanciful splendour,” confirms Lui. “Sense of place is conveyed by the liveliness and vibrancy of the palette, furnishings and decorative pieces – expressing the Vietnamese fondness for all colourful things.”

Upon arrival to the ground-floor entrance, it quickly becomes apparent that interiors take their cue from classical architecture and craftsmanship, in particular Italian design. Lui explains that it is the country’s formidable reputation for artisanship and lifestyle brands that has resulted in the sourcing of an unparalleled array of objets d’art, furniture, fittings and textiles direct from Italy. Indeed design houses such as Baldi, Cassina, Colombostile, Giorgetti, Poltrona Frau, Rubelli and Visionnaire have showrooms within Times Square, forming a unique partnership with the hotel through which selected pieces of their collections are showcased. Other inherent materials though, come from around the world – take the Bolivian Sodalite Blue marble usually reserved for grand palaces – and on closer inspection, Asian symbolism is evident too. The peacock is a recurring emblem, the bird’s plumage reiterated in decorative materials, etchings, artwork and finishes – chosen as a Vietnamese symbol of abundance and good luck.

To achieve intricate layering throughout The Reverie Saigon, walls, ceilings and floors awash in patterned marble are augmented by custom-crafted compositions, from handblown glass sconces to panelling edged with mother of pearl. At the entrance lobby,

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Above: The two-storey spa brings together elegant chairs from Provasi, Rozzoni side tables and Meroni sofas. A curvaceous feature staircase, underlaid with white and gold mosaics, leads to the treatment floor where corridors are shaped by undulating waves of slatted walnut panelling

positioned outside La Scala ballroom, the largest in Saigon replete with Swarovski chandeliers, Rubelli wallcovering and an onyx stone considered more precious than marble. Backlit golden agate, which lines the hotel’s elevator panels (and comprised part of a 200-strong container shipment of stone), also captures the imagination. All these conversation pieces are meant to overwhelm, as Lui says: “This should be the most unique interior décor that guests have come across, giving them access to masterpieces and eccentricities they would not otherwise be able to experience.”

Taking inspiration from the cathedral-like height of its imposing red and silver mosaic columns, all-day dining outlet Café Cardinal matches grey-veined marble with modern leather furniture from Visionnaire – the dog-themed couches and chairs a witty addition.

Two floors below, in The Royal Pavilion, the gold and vermilion colour scheme sets the scene for Cantonese cuisine, enlivened by jade sculptures, calligraphy-adorned friezes and three evocative mounted glass orbs showing painted Chinese landscapes, one a copy of a rare masterpiece by Song dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan. In subterranean Italian eatery, Romeo & Juliet meanwhile, a sensuous confluence of bronzed screens, mosaic art and mirrored surfaces is complemented

by VGnewtrend’s handblown candelabras and elegant dining chairs from Meroni.

a silhouette of Vietnam emerges from the ceiling, the installation combining Murano glass and VGnewtrend’s egg-shaped crystal pendants. This reference to the country’s geography alludes to the heavy use of floral and natural motifs around the hotel. Another notable feature is the ornate blue and gold reception desk, custommade by Italy’s Colombostile to mirror a sister piece found up in the hotel lobby.

It is upon emerging into the main lobby, situated on the 27th floor, that visitors gain a sense of how space has been maximised despite the plot’s compact 5,000m2 footprint. All hotel facilities flow from this tri-level mezzanine podium, which opens to aerial city views and an aspect of the pool terrace. Colombostile is one of the Italian names to take the spotlight here, a grandiose five-metre-long purple ostrich sofa and armchair from its Esmeralda line crafted especially for the lobby and displayed to prominent effect. Against a backdrop of signature floral wall panels – realised through the hand-laid mosaic art of Ravenna-based factory, Sicis – silver-plated reception desks float above glass pedestals. It is impossible to miss the larger-thanlife time-related centrepiece – Baldi’s Pendulum Monumental Clock embellished in gilded bronze and malachite. The Florentine company has also restored and veneered the surface of an 1895 Bechstein piano with a layer of mineral-green malachite. This rare artefact is

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Dance

Love at First Light

Developed exclusively for Aliseo by sieger design, the Moon Dance features clean defined lines, new materials and lighting methodologies creating an understated sculptural form of individualized taste and technological innovation.

“A stylistic seduction of design and technology kissed by light.“

www.aliseo.de

Above: The Visionnaire Suite is completely outfitted by the design house, with its club-inspired furniture also adorning the Reverie Lounge

As another striking public space, the two-storey spa brings together elegant chairs from Provasi, Rozzoni side tables and Meroni sofas. A curvaceous feature staircase, underlaid with white and gold mosaics, leads to the contemporary ambience of a generously proportioned treatment floor where corridors are shaped by undulating waves of slatted walnut panelling. There is a lovely simplicity to the spa’s entrance; a Patricia Urquiola chair from the Crinoline Collection

by B&B Italia reclines sedately next to an art collaboration between Visionnaire and Swarovski, depicting the branches and fiery-red leaves of an autumnal tree.

The extravagance of the design is toned down somewhat in the 12 categories of accommodation, although individual personality shored up by meticulous attention to detail remains a clear intent. Not afraid to defy uniformity, the design team has favoured catalogue pieces in some rooms and bespoke items in others, resulting in more than 20 different marriages of interiors. Rubelli wallcoverings, for instance, characterise Romance Suites while in Panorama rooms, delicate

bird wallpaper in spring-like hues has been generated from pictorial images and made especially in China. Across the abodes, voluptuous bathroom vanities, freestanding chandeliers and quilted chaise longues take their place alongside mosaic walls, striated marbles, antiqued glass, plasterwork ceilings and Asian wood species including padauk and myrobalan. For enthusiasts of Giorgetti, Provasi and Visionnaire, there are four suites completely outfitted by these design houses. The Saigon Suite switches focus to Cassina products and the talents of Poltrona Frau while the Reverie Suite, the largest at 312m2, exudes tactility with a sumptuous velvet wallcovering.

Undoubtedly one of the best spaces from which to observe the city below is the Reverie Lounge, nestled at the top of the lofty tower.

Arranged with a sleek club-inspired collection of Visionnaire furniture contrasted with Venini’s richly coloured vases and an arresting series of whimsical paintings by a Vietnamese artist, the duplex space is another illustration of The Reverie Saigon’s eccentric, painstakingly particular, distinctive design approach.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 286 guestrooms | 4 restaurants | 2 bars | Spa, fitness centre | Ballroom and meeting facilities | www.thereveriesaigon.com Operator: Windsor Property Management Group Corporation | Lead Architecture & Interior Design: Kent Lui Tactics | Architecture: Ove Arup & Partners Interior Design / Lighting Design / Contractor: Norah Interior Design & Decoration Corporation Vietnam

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The New York Edition NEW YORK

Ian Schrager has looked to the past and the future in his latest collaboration with Marriott International, a reinvention of Manhattan’s iconic Clocktower building, designed by Ian Schrager Design Studio with Rockwell Group.

Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Nikolas Koenig

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t seems appropriate that Ian Schrager has taken on New York’s iconic Clocktower for conversion to his latest Edition hotel, since he has looked both to the past and the future in an attempt to create what he describes as “a timeless classic”.

Formerly home to the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, this was the tallest building in New York on its completion in 1909.

The strong-shouldered limestone architecture, by Napoleon LeBrun & Sons, was inspired by the Campanile in Venice. Its location in Manhattan’s NoMad district is one Schrager hopes will hit a sweet spot between uptown and downtown.

Those eight metre clockfaces on each side of the tower point northwards towards Times Square and Central Park; West to the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, South to Soho and Tribeca, and East, to Brooklyn across the water.

Edition sits somewhere in between these districts – both geographically, in its physical location, and metaphorically, in terms of its positioning in the hotel market. “With forces pushing from every direction, this area is fast becoming the new centre of town,” says Schrager.

As with previous Edition Hotels in London and Miami, the project is a collaboration between Ian Schrager Company and Marriott International, with initial finance from Marriott funding its development before being sold to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

But where Schrager worked with Yabu Pushelberg on the London and Miami Editions, for New York he turned to Rockwell Group to collaborate with his team on the interiors. With their head office located just a few blocks south in Union Square, it was a logical choice of design firm for a project that required careful handling of a New York landmark.

“The lower floors, which were originally the Met Life executive’s offices, were largely in disarray after a century of renovations and minor upgrades,” explains David Rockwell.

The design team have looked to late 19th century New York – specifically the private members clubs of the era, the mansions of Fifth Avenue’s Gilded Age, and the works of Beaux-Arts architect Stanford White – to evoke what is described as “a new age of American Glamour with an understated aesthetic of the turn of the 20th century.

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Above: The Clocktower restaurant on the second floor features wainscote walls with photography from the Trunk archive and chandeliers by Eric Schmidt Opposite Page: The Metropolitan Life Tower which houses the New York Edition is a Manhattan landmark, designed in 1909 by Napoleon Le Brun & Sons

“The idea of a modern luxury hotel is an oxymoron,” says the ever-quotable Schrager. “Luxury hotels were traditional in design.

By definition the more luxurious a hotel was, the more traditional looking it was expected to be. The new luxury is also the luxury of simplicity. The challenge is that it is difficult to do ‘simple’, and to do it well. Yet, a quiet, edited, refined approach speaks volumes louder than the ‘look at me’ design that is so prevalent today in a time of a one-upmanship mentality.”

Much of the building’s existing design has been embraced, retaining the original dark wood walls and floors on the second floor. The ivory Venetian plaster walls contrast with custom-cast concrete windows that look out over Madison Square Park. The mélange of old and new is best expressed in the sculptural form of the spiral staircase leading up to the second floor – a distinctly contemporary interpretation, in lacquered steel and white oak, of those found in the grand mansions of Millionaire’s Row. A 30ft-long, hand-forged blackened steel fireplace takes pride of place in the lobby lounge, alongside Jean-Michel Frank inspired furniture and Christian Liagre-designed floor lamps. The lounge chairs owe their form to modernists Erik Koling Andersen and Alvaro Alto. Fabrics and leathers in soft tones of oatmeal, silver and white, create a light and airy feel.

“It is impossible to label this look,” says Schrager. “And, rightly so.

We are never out for a look. We are out for a feel and an experience.”

Although each project is approached individually, the similarities with the London Edition are hard to avoid, with the interiors “giving a modern twist to the likes of a traditional, aristocratic English country estate and the quintessential London private gentleman’s club.”

Schrager and Marriott have also extended their collaboration with chef Jason Atherton, which proved so successful at the London Edition’s Berners Tavern, here. Situated on the second floor, the Clocktower restaurant is the most traditionally styled part of the building, comprising three intimate dining rooms, a parlour with a billiard table and a library serving cocktails.

A series of black and white images of New York artists, street scenes, and musicians, curated by Trunk Archive, are displayed in French baroque gold leaf frames.

The rooms feature original herringbone oak floors stained in dark ebony, mahogany wainscoted walls, and a restored venetian plaster ceiling. French polished custom dining chairs, upholstered in rose, green and blue velvets, are inspired by the paintings of the Dutch masters, notably Vermeer, complementing the table tops in mahogany wood with dark bronze tulip bases. The horseshoe-shaped bar is made entirely of 24-carat gold leaf.

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This Page: Guestrooms aim to provide a sanctuary from the surrounding city, with a restrained colour palette and dark walnut accents

The centrepiece of each dining area is a large chandelier by modernist designer Eric Schmitt, made from three black iron arms that support a 7ft diameter ivory plaster ring.

In the 273 guestrooms, the emphasis is on the panoramic Manhattan vistas. The palette is subtle and muted with long, deep floating white oak desks, silver silk drapery, bronze floor lamps and tables, and beds framed by dark walnut headboards, platforms and bespoke nightstands.

White oak is also the material of choice for the 2,073ft2 event space, with its Eames chairs and silk carpet, and the two private treatment rooms of the spa.

“I’m always interested in upsetting the status quo and going off in new directions,” says Schrager. “Combining opposites and unexpected surprises has always been fascinating to me. When two opposing aesthetics come together, they either fail miserably or create an alchemy.”

With the keystone openings in London, Miami and New York now complete, Edition is finally starting to roll out on the scale that was always the intention behind Schrager’s tie-up with Marriott. Future openings are slated for locations as diverse as Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Reykjavik, Shanghai and Bali.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 273 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | 2,073ft2 event space | Spa and fitness Centre | www.editionhotels.com Developer: Ian Schrager Company; Marriott International | Interior Design: Rockwell Group; Ian Schrager Company Design Studio

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The Lanesborough LONDON

ReardonSmith Architects complete the refurbishment of a London icon, creating a lasting legacy in memory of its late designer Alberto Pinto.

Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: Courtesy of The Lanesborough

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It is a complex project, which has seen the design team remodel the back-of house areas, install new thermally efficient roofing to enhance environmental credentials, and liaise with English Heritage and Westminster Conservation to ensure that the national asset was protected. Furthermore, there were over 300 craftspeople – all specialists in their fields – involved in the day-to-day refurbishment, from embroiderers, crystal specialists, cabinetmakers, bronzers, lacquerers, gilders, mirror specialists, and makers of decorative trimmings. Beck completed the fit-out; Benjamin West provided FF&E services; MBLD were in charge of lighting design; Locker & Riley produced the ornately carved fibrous plaster ceilings throughout the public areas; Angel Interiors worked on a number of specialist finishes including the trompe l’oeil in the Royal Entrance; Dolby & Taylor added stenciling to timber panelling in the guestrooms; and Daedalian Glass Studios provided expertise for the glass antique mirror pilasters and hand-cut glass window pelmets. Everything is handcrafted to perfection, with over 2,000 hours of stenciling in the public areas as well as 5,500 original stencils showcased throughout guestrooms and within The Library Bar. According to ReardonSmith, the design team reviewed the hotel room-by-room in order to prepare a detailed plan of what should be retained, rebuilt, restored, or refurbished. In the public spaces, the existing layout has remained largely untouched. The brief was to align the interiors with the Georgian origins of the building, adding modern and historical twists to provide an appropriately unique layering of styles, reflecting the graceful maturing nature of a functioning historic building. Elaborate decorative finishes, both new

t is London’s finest residence and one of the city’s most revered Regency landmarks. The Lanesborough, the latest masterpiece hotel of the Oetker Collection, reopened its doors last August to re-affirm its position as one of the world’s finest luxury hotels.

Located just moments from Knightsbridge, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, the new hotel emulates the style and impeccable service of its French sister, Le Bristol, while staying true to its British roots. It is a project that has captured the attention of the industry, thanks to the detailed and comprehensive craftsmanship that has had the most experienced of designers claim to have never seen a hotel refurbishment like it.

It has also captured the attention of the antiques and collectors community. A high-profile auction back in 2013 saw some 3,000 of the hotel’s luxury assets go under the hammer. It was an unprecedented opportunity to acquire period furnishings, artefacts and decorations, and had collectors the world over clambering to own a piece of history.

The auction paved the way for a new chapter for The Lanesborough, and 18 months of restoration and refurbishment followed. Having closed its doors on 20th December 2013, the Grade II* listed building was taken back to its shell and has been totally transformed. Leading the transformation was ReardonSmith Architects. Working in close collaboration with Amr Mandour of Alberto Pinto’s agency, as well as with specialist craftsmen and engineering consultants, ReardonSmith implemented the new design of the public areas and guestrooms, realising the vision of Alberto Pinto, who produced a series of handdrawn sketches before his untimely death.

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Above: The main restaurant, Céleste, is a richly decorated dining room naturally illuminated during daylight hours by a domed glass roof

and restored, are skilfully integrated with modern energy-efficient LED lighting, air conditioning, and technology systems. Central to ReardonSmith’s plan was the concealment of all A/C grills and access panels, either hidden within the all-new wall and ceiling mouldings or behind resin panels designed to perfectly replicate them. It is an impressive feat that not a single fixture, wire or socket is visible.

In the entrance lobby, Portuguese marble has been refurbished and extended, while stone panels on the walls have been revived with mirrors now inset into the arched niches. Particular focus has been paid to the ceilings, replaced with a highly decorative fibrous plaster and ornately decorated with roses, coffering, cornicing and fresco painting. 2,100 books of 23¼ carat gold leaf were used to elaborately dress the ceilings, reimagining the Regency period and reflecting the heritage of the building.

The Lanesborough boasts several distinct settings for dining and imbibing. The main restaurant, Céleste, is a richly decorated dining room naturally illuminated during daylight hours by a domed glass roof. Bas-relief friezes, fluted columns and elaborate chandeliers underline the classical grandeur. The menu of French-inspired dishes – prepared using British ingredients – is the work Executive Chef Florian Favario, the protégé of Le Bristol’s Chef Patron Eric Frechon.

The Library Bar meanwhile, offers an intimate atmosphere, lined with bookcases and handsome leather-bound volumes. What was

previously dark mahogany panelling has been stripped back to reveal a warm, mid-toned timber, further refined with the introduction of decorative panels hand-painted in Italy.

There’s also the Withdrawing Room – decorated with trompe l’oeil marbling and a quartet of Wilkinson chandeliers – and The Garden Room, offering a fine collection of Cuban and pre-Castro cigars as well as rare cognacs dating back to 1770.

Each one of The Lanesborough’s seven new private dining rooms is once again bespoke, from the cavernous Wine Cellar to the palatial setting of The Belgravia. Delicate marquetry panelling has been introduced to the walls of St. George’s Room, while The Belgravia Room has been remodelled, opening it up into a single grand function space with antiqued Venetian fluted mirrored pilasters.

The majority of suppliers used throughout the renovation are British, with over 95% of pieces made bespoke for The Lanesborough.

Charles Edwards supplied many of the decorative hanging lanterns and wall sconces; Vaughan supplied the bathroom wall lights and table lamps; Tindle Lighting produced over 1,000 lampshades in various designs, colourways and styles; George Smith provided a number of pieces of upholstered furniture; MC Art commissioned a series of mirrors with hand-finished gold leaf frames; and Visto Images sourced the artwork, some of which dates back to the 1800s.

All were delivered to Alberto Pinto’s exacting standards.

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Above: Elaborate decorative finishes, both new and restored, are skilfully integrated with modern energy-efficient LED lighting, air conditioning, and technology

was the owners, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), who put forward the capital to complete the project, while Pinto’s exacting standards have ensured that every minute detail is perfect. “We were very conscious of The Lanesborough’s exceptional pedigree and worldwide reputation in every decision we took and each line that we drew,” comments Conrad Smith, Managing Director, ReardonSmith Architects. “The implementation on-site of Alberto Pinto’s exquisite new interior design has truly been of the highest quality and the synergy of traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering has ensured that the hotel’s unique place amongst London’s luxury hotels is assured for years to come.”

Speaking at the official opening ceremony last November, Frank Marrenbach, CEO Oetker Collection, was equally complimentary of the designer: “Today we unveiled a plaque in memory of the late Alberto Pinto, who was responsible for the beautiful renovation of this hotel. One of the words on this plaque is ‘legacy’ – there are not many artists who can claim to leave a legacy and Alberto Pinto is one of them.”

On the upper floors, the hotel offers 93 guestrooms grouped into four design types, each with a variety of colourways. There are 14 different types of bed canopies, with over 3 million hand stitches and bespoke tailoring using the highest quality fabrics from the likes of Pierre Frey and Turnell & Gigon. In the bathrooms, each marble block was individually chosen and acute attention was given to ensure that each slab was perfectly book-matched. Technology has also been seamlessly integrated through the introduction of in-room tablets supplied by Crave Interactive.

Completing the offer, The Royal Suite has been reinstated as The Lanesborough’s largest suite, extending across 4485ft2 with seven bedrooms and bathrooms, two living rooms and a dining room exuding impeccable British craftsmanship and attention to period detail. To add to the extensive services, 23 private butlers are on call day and night, while a fleet of luxury cars including a Rolls Royce Phantom chauffeur residents around the city.

While the interiors – or the room rates – won’t be to everyone’s taste, the level of detail the design teams have implemented is unmatched. It

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 93 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | Meetings and events facilities | Spa | www.lanesborough.com Owner: Abu Dhabi Investment Authority | Operator: Oetker Collection | Architecture: Reardon Smith Architects | Interior Design: Albert Pinto Agency Fit-out: Beck | FF&E: Benjamin West | Contractors: Locker & Riley; Angel Interiors; Dolby & Taylor; Daedalian Glass Studios | Lighting Design: MBLD

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W AMSTERDAM

W Hotels strengthens its toehold in Europe with a bold Amsterdam launch designed by Tel Aviv architects Baranowitz + Kronenberg.

Words: Lauren Ho | Photography: © Lutz Vorderwuelbecke

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ince reopening its doors in 2013 after a decade-long €375 million revamp, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum has undoubtedly played a role in heightening the cultural allure of the already popular city. As a result, a significant rise in discerning travellers has prompted a subtle shift in the local tourism sector, with a new wave of luxury hotel brands currently transforming the hospitality landscape. It started with the launch of the Marcel Wanders-designed Andaz in the city’s former public library, followed by the arrival of the 94-room Waldorf Astoria on the affluent Herengracht canal. Since then, a chain of big hitters from Soho House to Marriott, are working

on doing their bit to pave the way for the next generation of upscale accommodation in the city.

Staying true to its habit of popping up in promising locations, Starwood’s W Hotels has dropped anchor in the city, continuing to strengthen its toehold in the European market. With a near faultless location next to The Royal Palace and only a short stride away from Dam Square, the 238-room hotel – initially only housed in a 20th century pile that was once the city’s Telephone Exchange – now spans two buildings after owner Liran Wizman acquired the grand Kas Bank across the street. Here, the already opened Duchess restaurant

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Above & Opposite: Kilometres of brass pipes referencing telephone wires and electricity lines run through the public spaces Previous Page: 3D hexagonal tiles – developed and installed by concrete manufacturer Ivanka – clad the interior walls

and 66 of the guestrooms will soon be joined by the hotel’s gym and spa facilities alongside X Bank, an immersive concept space that will champion local design, fashion and music talents.

With a masterplan by local architecture firm Office Winhov, and interiors by Tel Aviv duo Baranowitz + Kronenberg (BK), the design pays homage to the building’s previous role of connecting the people of Amsterdam with the rest of the world. “We intended to provide Amsterdam with a mental and physical platform for today’s traders, dignitaries and visitors to connect with each other and the city,” explains Baranowitz. “We had a vision of a social platform that does not have an ‘off’ button.”

In working with the W Hotels’ approach for narrative-driven design, the duo’s passion for the project and the brand is clear: “We are known as story-tellers. Hence the affinity and synergy between our vision and the W’s was natural right from the start.”

Suitably inspired, the designers – working to the W Hotels’ DNA as a hip, inspirational, lifestyle brand – set off to soak up as much from the local community as possible. “Amsterdam and its people are a key inspiration to all our work,” says Kronenberg. “The first thing we did was to look for our ‘insider’– a person who could expose us to the great talents of the city, and with whom we could build a truly

indigenous platform for brainstorming, to ensure the heartbeat of Amsterdam was a part of the design strategy we developed.”

The result is unrestrained, bold and spirited. The pair have applied their venturesome formula and created an exciting and provocative space, infusing it with references from the building’s history and local culture. “Verbs we use a lot include invent, explore, challenge and dare,” the pair justify.

At street level, 3D hexagonal concrete tiles by Ivanka clad the interior walls to dramatic effect, while lavish brass elevators whisk guests up to the W Lounge on the top floor – the hotel’s version of a traditional lobby and reception – flipping check-in on its head. Here, the open-plan space is a continuous 360-degree flow of the hotel’s public areas with gold printed floor-to-ceiling windows – courtesy of glass manufacturer Saint Gobain – that frame picture perfect city views. Raised platforms, resembling the steps in Dam Square, encourage guests to while away long afternoons with a cocktail while watching the action from the Wet Deck, Amsterdam’s first rooftop pool.

Above the public spaces, five kilometres of brass pipes – referencing telephone wires and electricity lines – run the length of the ceiling and cascade to form cage-like booths for more intimate gatherings.

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Above: Guestrooms feature vanity units by Ivanka, hand-woven bedspreads by Bertjan Pot, and bespoke light fittings constructed to reflect brass piping

These lead straight into the restaurant, a modern steakhouse, where moss-green leather banquettes elegantly boost the glitz factor while providing the perfect nooks to graze on Japanese Wagyu beef.

Adding to the offer and building on W Hotels’ passion for music, the Lounge sets the stage for an amplified experience curated by Kristina Dolgova. A newly introduced role, the W Music Curator will bring what’s new and next in the dynamic music scene at each individual property. Dolgova is currently focusing on identifying local music talent and scheduling an extensive line-up of the most-talked about acts and DJs to appear at W Amsterdam.

Downstairs, the 172 guestrooms – including 21 suites, two WOW suites and two lavish Extreme WOW suites – are smartly assembled, especially in the lower category rooms, diverting attention away from the lack of space and open-plan characteristics; the toilet is hidden behind a wall of mirrors, while the headboard doubles up as the bathroom’s vanity unit. The suites though, are dutifully splendid with some split over two floors. Taking cues from the public areas, distinct local references abound in each room: hand-woven bedspreads by

artist Bertjan Pot are printed with short Dutch stories, shower cabins are inspired by traditional Dutch phone booths, and bespoke light fittings were meticulously constructed to reflect the brass piping seen throughout the hotel.

Across the road in the impressive confines of the former Kas Bank, designed by architect F.W.M. Poggenbeek in 1908, the hotel’s second dining room, The Duchess – also run by local restaurateurs The Entourage Group – takes form around the bank’s original structure.

As such, central wooden benches, previously used to accommodate waiting clients, have been transformed into banquettes and what used to be the cashier’s desks, now exhibit a rotating collection of digital art. Food is a modern European affair with a menu that serves up dishes such as salted baked whole sea bass and cured beef bresaola.

Traditional afternoon tea is also on offer.

The W Hotel’s assertive attitude might not be to everyone’s taste, but its forward-thinking philosophy and ambitious, enterprising spirit has stayed trued to its trailblazing principals and more importantly, produced a significant hotel for Amsterdam’s growing portfolio.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 238 guestrooms | 2 restaurants | 1 bar | 414m2 events space | Spa, gym, swimming pool | www.wamsterdam.com Owner: Grand City Hotels | Operator: Starwood Hotels & Resorts | Architecture: Office Winhov | Interior Design: Baranowitz + Kronenberg Lighting Design: RTLD | Construction Management: PBM Construction | Structural Engineer: Van Rossum Engineering | Procurement: Piatek Hospitality

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THE CHOICE OF W HOTELS, THE MOST ENERGETIC DESIGN-LED LUXURY LIFESTYLE BRAND OF STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE: IVANKA. ‘’The atmosphere of the W Amsterdam speaks volumes of a new era in the usage of concrete. Sculptural tactility of hexagonal three dimensional tiles on entire walls, timeless robustness of the vanity-shower ‘island’ units for all guests and suites, and even the detail of soap dishes are the result of manufacturing with the highest customisation.‘’

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InterContinental Dubai Marina DUBAI

Draw Link Group have created the interiors for the hotel tower at Select Group’s Bay Central development, an InterContinental hotel with nine restaurants and bars including Jason Atherton’s Marina Social.

Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Terry Donnelly

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iven Dubai’s international status as an airline hub, layover stopgap and tourist destination in its own right, it can be easy to forget this is also a metropolis with a fast growing population of its own. Although its hotels are of course primarily targeted at travellers, they also provide an important function for residents of the city – not least as pretty much the only places where ex-pats can buy alcohol.

The nine restaurants and bars at the InterContinental Dubai Marina might seem like overkill in a hotel of this size in many other locations, but they make sense in this context. Opened in May 2015, this is a project which is about the residents of the many apartment blocks around the Marina, one of Dubai’s most exclusive residential locations, as much as the guests in its 132 rooms. The hotel occupies the East tower of Select Group’s Bay Central – a mixed-use, threetower development set on its own peninsula at Dubai Marina – and is the hub for the entire scheme, whilst the Central and West Towers combined house an additional 747 residential units.

The interiors for the project are the work of Dubai-based Draw Link Group, who say: “The hotel concept is punctuated by amazing

artworks that arouse the curiosity and the surprise of the visitor.

Their use aims to surprise and delight guests by proposing objects of unexpected scale in an unusual or even destabilising environment.”

Art reigns everywhere, from the metallic pink hexagonal forms of the lobby, through to the sculptured figures guarding the entrance to the Accents restaurant. Look more closely and there are subtle engravings woven into the surface of the hotel to offer not just visual impact, but signage and wayfinding. Careful use of lighting accentuates the various artworks, with many of the light fittings constituting art installations in their own right.

The designers have deliberately chosen contemporary, minimalistic furniture to avoid crowding the space and allow the materials to interact with the lighting and art.

Amongst the multitude of food and beverage outlets are YNot, a wine and tapas bar; Accents, an all-day restaurant and deli serving up dishes from around the globe; Ginter, a gin bar with one of Dubai’s largest gin collections; and the Urban Shisha Lounge.

But the element of the hotel that has attracted the most attention is the launch of Marina Social, the first restaurant in the Middle East

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Above: The guestroom headboards are in a backlit material inscribed with Arabic calligraphy

from Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, and the latest location for his growing portfolio of ‘Social’ restaurants.

“Simply put, I love Dubai,” says Atherton. “I first worked in Dubai more than 10 years ago and the city holds a lot of special memories for me, especially because it’s where I met my wife Irha, so it was always an ambition to return and open up my own restaurant.”

Marina Social offers a sharing menu of British-Mediterranean style dishes under the guiding hands of chef patron Tristin Farmer and General Manager David Vindis, both previously part of the ‘Social’ family having worked at Atherton’s restaurants in London.

In addition to the main restaurant, The Social Room bar offers a menu of snacks and cocktails, with mixologists using an eclectic range of spirits from around the world, and one of the largest whisky collections in the city, to create their bespoke libations.

For those wishing to burn off some of the calories acquired in the many bars and restaurants, the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool has panoramic marina views. Gym facilities include separate weight and cardio rooms accessible 24-hours-a-day for hotel guests.

Event spaces comprise nine meeting rooms, all of which enjoy natural daylight. In the guestrooms, materials include matte surfaces, natural woods, lightly textured acrylic paint, and vinyl woven floorcoverings. The headboard is designed in a backlit solid surface material, with engraved calligraphy used to bring an arabesque touch to the space.

Says Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East & Africa, for IHG: “InterContinental Dubai Marina is bringing the InterContinental brand to the next level; contemporary glamour with great modern art touch and travel stories – the first of a new generation of InterContinental Hotels to open in the coming years.

The cosmopolitan marina setting gives us the opportunity to attract visitors residing locally as well as international guests.”

The InterContinental Dubai Marina is the third InterContinentalbranded property in Dubai and fouth in the UAE. The group is set to open InterContinental Abu Dhabi – Grand Marina later this year, featuring 184 guestrooms, a Michelin-star signature restaurant, and a rooftop bar.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 132 guestrooms | 4 restaurants | 5 bars and lounges | 9 meeting rooms | Spa | www.icdubaimarina.com Owner / Developer: Select Group | Operator: InterContinental Hotels Group | Interior Design: Draw Link Group

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Hilton Bankside LONDON

Dexter Moren Associates and Twenty2Degrees Design Partnership collaborate to bring the next generation of Hilton Hotels to a changing London neighbourhood.

Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: © Jack Hardy

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ondon’s Bankside is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The stretch of land on the south bank of the River Thames, close to London Bridge, has seen a surge in urban redevelopment over the past two decades, breathing new life into a once-declining district.

Along with the residential, retail and office developments already completed, top attractions such as Shakespeare’s Globe and the Tate Modern – with its soon-to-open Herzog & de Meuron-designed extension – have enticed more and more visitors to the area. The renovation of Borough Market has also created something of a buzz thanks to an influx of new bars and restaurants around its perimeter.

The continuing regeneration forms part of Better Bankside, a scheme aimed at improving the area for commercial activity. It has also been a catalyst for new hotel development; CitizenM made waves in 2012 with its first London property, while 2014 brought the Tom Dixon-designed Mondrian to Sea Containers House.

Having seen potential in the area some time ago, Synergy Hotels – part of Splendid Hospitality Group – earmarked a site on Great Suffolk Street for development and subsequently struck a franchise agreement with Hilton Worldwide. For Hilton, the developing Bankside could be considered an unusual choice; many of its London

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Above & Opposite: The design team worked closely with EE Smith, Lema, Ahsap and Burgess Furniture to furnish guestrooms and public spaces.

Flooring suppliers include Alarwool and Solus Ceramics

properties are in established locations such as Park Lane, Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park. But the new addition is not your typical Hilton. According to the group, Hilton London Bankside represents the next generation of design-led Hilton Hotels. And, given that it’s the first Hilton-branded hotel to open in the capital since 2006, it’s understandable why they wanted to make an impact.

Dexter Moren Associates, which has been involved with the project for over a decade, was appointed as lead architects and collaborated with Twenty2Degrees Design Partnership on interiors. Their concept for the newbuild was to create a stepped series of structures designed to ensure that the flow of natural daylight to the adjacent residential buildings wasn’t compromised. The architects were also mindful of the cityscape, opting for layers of glass, bronzed metal, limestone and brick to break down volumes and blend in with the surroundings.

A double-height glass atrium at the hotel’s entrance completes the façade while a porte-cochère with pressed tin ceiling tiles and industrial-style lighting sets the tone for within.

Inside, what is immediately apparent is that this is a significant move away from the traditional Hilton, and deliberately so. Designed to reflect the history and ambiance of the surrounding area, Hilton London Bankside combines urban grittiness with an air of polished refinement. Its interiors are authentic and edgy; pubic spaces are

social; and there’s a distinct neighbourhood feel. This next generation Hilton is sure to attract the next generation of guest, yet the group has been careful not to alienate its loyal following of regulars. Amenities and services are in line with Hilton’s brand standards meaning that check-in is still via human interaction; there’s a manned concierge desk; a generous executive lounge; and computers for guest use.

The key differences are in the design. A rich palette of exposed surfaces and layered materials draw inspiration from the local Brutalist architecture and reference the site’s industrial heritage. In the lobby, large-format concrete-inspired tiles line the floor, while walls are clad in European oak veneer that has purposely been stressed. The juxtaposition of rough and refined is perfectly illustrated at check-in, where a Mondrian-esque wall sculpture fashioned from what appears to be rusting metal sits behind sleek black and gold marble desks.

Art was an important source of inspiration for the interiors team thanks to the hotel’s proximity to the Tate Modern. Bespoke William Morris-inspired patterns carpet the public spaces, while David Farrer’s papier mache trophy heads hang majestically in the restaurant. Murals by British artists Diarmuid Byron-O’Connor and Dominic Lewis also feature. Elsewhere, a fox that was spotted on site during construction has become part of the design narrative and makes subtle appearances in artwork, graphics and light fittings.

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Above: In the bathrooms, a circular mirror hangs by a leather strap, and fittings are supplied by Hansgrohe, Waterbury, Duravit, Geberit and Apaiser

The hotel’s F&B offer comprises all-day dining restaurant OXBO, and destination bar The Distillery. Both are located along one side of the building and will eventually have access to a pedestrianised street currently under construction, further adding to the neighbourhood feel. Key finishes carry through from the lobby yet each space has its own unique identity. OXBO is defined by exposed brickwork, rusting metal, and industrial-style partitions produced from blackened steel frames with fluted glass inserts. There’s also a wall-sized mural replicated from a former tea house hoarding nearby. And there are operational considerations too. Following breakfast, the buffet counter is neatly concealed behind perforated steel screens allowing a seamless transition from morning service to evening. Another of the self-serve stations becomes the chef’s table.

The Distillery meanwhile, is more refined. Located on the site of Stevenson & Howell’s Standard Works, a renowned essence factory in the 1800s, it pays homage to its heritage, serving a range of signature cocktails mixed using homemade aromatics, infusions and bitters.

Parquet flooring, reprocessed tube station tiles and bespoke joinery

can be seen throughout the hotel while lighting is by Tom Dixon, Lee Broom and Frandsen, forming part of a scheme curated by Maurice Brill Lighting Design. The majority of the FF&E is bespoke, say the design team, having worked closely with EE Smith on the fit-out of the public spaces and Italian manufacturer Lema on the guestrooms.

With concrete effect wallcoverings, limed timber and leather upholstery, the 292 guestrooms are contemporary in style with simple detailing and elegant touches that are more boutique than big brand.

The headboard features distinctive hinged wings, filament lighting pendants hang low by the bedside, and the circular bathroom mirror is hung by a leather strap.

The hotel’s facilities also include a swimming pool, gym, 11 meeting rooms – furnished with a number of collections by Burgess Furniture – and a 700-capacity pillarless ballroom.

It’s unclear what the ‘next generation of design-led Hilton Hotels’ means for future properties in the portfolio, but the group and design team must be credited for creating a hotel that is so deeply rooted in its locale, without forgetting the quality standards of the brand.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 292 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | 11 meeting rooms, ballroom | Gym, swimming pool | www.hilton.com Owner: Splendid Hospitality Group | Operator: Synergy Hotels; Hilton Worldwide | Architecture: Dexter Moren Associates | Interior Design: Dexter Moren Associates; Twenty2Degrees Design Partnership | Lighting Design: MBLD | Fit-Out: EE Smith (public areas); Lema (guestrooms)

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The Arts Club M AYFA IR

David D’Almada of design firm Sagrada has overseen the addition of 16 guestrooms to one of London’s most venerable members clubs.

Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Martin Morrell

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he likes of Soho House and Neue House may have reinvented the concept in recent years but private members clubs are nothing new in London, as a walk down Pall Mall or St. James Street will confirm. Behind the stuccoed façades of the townhouses of Mayfair lie numerous exclusive establishments that have catered to the capital’s political and cultural elites since the 19th century.

One of the oldest and most venerable examples is The Arts Club, originally opened in Hanover Square by Charles Dickens in 1863. The gentlemen of Victorian high society weren’t averse to a petty squabble. Dickens opened The Arts Club after a spat between journalist Edmund Yates and Vanity Fair author William Makepeace Thackeray led to his departure from the Garrick. A few years later, the American artist Whistler, another early Arts Club member, would leave to set up the rival Chelsea Arts Club.

Authors and artists such as Dickens and Whistler were the celebrities of their day, with the cachet to make a new club the destination of choice for their circle of friends and hangers-on.

Perhaps the new owners of The Arts Club – restaurateur Arjun Waney (also co-founder of Roka and Zuma) and property developer Gary Landesberg – were hoping the appointment of Gwyneth Paltrow as chair of its membership committee, and Mark Ronson as Music Director in 2011 would exert a similarly magnetic effect in attracting other stars from the entertainment world.

Above and Previous Page: The refurbishment of the public areas of The Arts Club has seen a significant expansion of its permanent art collection

Ranging in size up to 110m², the suites are furnished with classic pieces influenced by European designers such as Jacques Adnet, Gio Ponti, Finn Juhl, Piero Fornasetti and Hans Wegner. The penthouse suite, with its interconnecting bedrooms, entrance hall, dining room and kitchen, large living room, and decked terrace, has views across the London skyline.

“Much of the furniture was custom-made in Portugal and scaled appropriately to the layout of the rooms,” says d’Almada.

“Bespoke lighting for the project was handcrafted by Collier Webb in Eastbourne.”

The emphasis is on craftsmanship and quality finishes such as specially embossed leather headboards, eglomise mirror panels and hand tufted rugs. Bathrooms capture the spirit of the Art Deco period with antique bronze decorative doors, Calcatta Oro marble, cornice lighting by Dernier & Hamlyn, and freestanding cast-iron baths in the larger suites.

Says General Manager Simone Moretti: “Now is the right time for The Arts Club to offer these unique rooms and suites – our members have been asking us to create discreet and high-quality rooms for them to stay in while in central London. We have designed these for guests used to the finest international standards of luxury.”

The opening of the rooms and suites has coincided with a significant expansion of the club’s permanent art collection. Over

It certainly changed the profile of The Arts Club. A multi-million pound refurbishment of the club’s not-so-public areas, with Paltrow as Creative Director, was completed in 2012. Soon the club was attracting not just the pillars of the art establishment who had traditionally been members, but also A-listers such as Nicole Sherzinger, Jay-Z and Rihanna.

Until now, these celebs have had to run the gauntlet of paparazzi camped outside, but they now have the option of staying overnight at the club, something that hasn’t been possible since it relocated from Hanover Square to its current 40 Dover Street address in the 1890s.

Six bedrooms were amongst the benefits on offer to early members of the club such as Anthony Trollope and Auguste Rodin, but were never transferred to the new venue. Some 120 years later, the club is offering accommodation once again, with the recent introduction of 16 bedrooms, including a penthouse, five suites and ten guestrooms across the top three floors of the building.

David d’Almada of Sagrada, who worked with Paltrow on the earlier refurbishment of the lower floors, has created the interiors for the newly added rooms. “We wanted to capture elements of the style of European glamour and elegance which were so prevalent in the first half of the 20th Century,” he says. “The Art Deco period was one of the most striking design eras of our time and fits in perfectly with the atmosphere inside the Arts Club.”

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Above: Guestrooms feature embossed leather headboards, eglomise mirror panels, Collier Webb lighting and hand tufted rugs

40 photographic works, carefully selected by the club’s curators Amelie von Wedel and Pernilla Holmes of Wedel Art Advisory, have been acquired. In the rooms and suites, gallery style texts offering the background to individual pieces are displayed. Elsewhere, other pieces playfully interact with the fabric of the building. A sculptural piece by Tomas Saraceno hangs in the main stairwell. Stephen Prina created an artwork on site, against a yellow canvas backdrop, allowing the paint to drip from the canvas onto the floor.

New acquisitions include works by world-renowned artists such as Nobuyoshi Araki, Sam Taylor-Johnson and fashion photographer Guy Bourdin as well as newcomers such as Sarah Choo Jing, Eva Stenram and Jeremy Kost. Also included are works by seminal artist John Baldassari, who is already represented in the permanent collection, as well as Linder Sterling, Matt Lipps and Laurie Simmons, each of whom have recently exhibited at the Club as part of an exhibition programme which changes throughout the year.

Says Amelie von Wedel: “Selecting works from emerging and more established artists, we have curated a vibrant and dynamic group of

works which reflects the high calibre of our permanent collection and our changing exhibition programme which are at the heart of The Arts Club.”

“The challenge was to create a hotel in what was formerly an office space, whilst the Arts Club was still running, with minimum disruption to guests,” adds d’Almada. “It’s a testament to all the people involved. Everything has been considered – the furniture, the lighting, the art, the smaller amenities, and everyone’s worked very hard to pull that together.”

The freehold of the property at 40 Dover Street, which is occupied

by The Arts Club under a 35 year lease arrangement, is now back on the market following its redevelopment. Property agent Colliers International has been engaged to find a buyer willing to meet the £90m asking price. But daily operations at the club will remain unaffected, according to Executive Director Alice ChadwyckHealey: “We will continue to offer our existing members world-class hospitality and look forward to introducing new members to the club and its new suites.”

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 16 guestrooms | 3 restaurants | Nightclub / Music Venue | www.theartsclub.co.uk Developers: Arjun Waney; Gary Landesberg | Interior Design: Sagrada

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11/12/2015 16:05:57

PARIS / JANUARY 22-26, 2016 PARIS NORD VILLEPINTE

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THE INTELLIGENCE SOURCE FOR THE HOTEL INVESTMENT COMMUNITY

Marriott ‘behemoth’ to accelerate growth Marriott International’s USD12.2bn acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, creating the world’s largest hotel company, is expected to drive a wave of consolidation.

Marriott International confirmed that it would accelerate the growth of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ brands, particularly in the upscale segment, with no plans to dispose of any of the flags.

The deal came out of the left-field for many observers and, it seemed, for Marriott International itself, with Arne Sorenson, president & CEO, commenting that the group had “jumped in” when Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced its strategic review seven months ago, but that, initially, was “not very interested”.

The turning point, he said, came with the rise of consolidation in the OTA sphere and the growth of companies such as Airbnb, which saw the group become “more convinced that strategically we could drive better value and compete better by being bigger”.

Now, he said, the combined company would look to grow, not only in terms of portfolio size, but in terms of technology spending.

Sorenson said: “The driving force behind this transaction is growth. This is an opportunity to create value by combining the distribution and strengths of Marriott and Starwood, enhancing our competitiveness in a quickly evolving marketplace.”

There are no immediate plans to dispose of any of the brands, with Sorenson commenting: “Philosophically we think there’s a place for these brands all to be within the portfolio.”

The deal will combine Marriott International’s 4,300 properties with Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ 1,270 sites to give the merged group 1.1 million rooms under 30 brands, with 35% of them outside the US. At the end of the last quarter Marriott had a development pipeline of more than 260,000 rooms (including 20,000 rooms approved, but not signed) while Starwood Hotels & Resorts had 113,000 rooms.

In contrast, Hilton Worldwide, the next-largest operator, had 745,000 rooms at the end of the third quarter, with a pipeline of 260,000 rooms.

Sorenson said that the response so far from owners and franchisees had been “uniformly positive” and added that the group would go through the portfolio “hotel by hotel” to assess whether the most suitable flags were in place.

Under the terms of the deal, USD11.9bn was in stock and USD340m in cash, with Starwood’s shareholders owning 37% of the combined company, which will have Sorenson at the head. With only 2.8% of the deal in cash, Sorenson told analysts: “We have not levered up our balance sheet. Whether you think about economic cycles or you think about geopolitical events… we’re not taking on incremental risk for the company.

“We are adding an upside potential which will be available

to us whether we’re in a weak environment or a strong environment… driven by both potential relative revenue lift and by the cost synergies that can be achieved.”

The group has forecast annual run rate synergies of at least USD200m to be achieved in the second full year.

Marriott International said that it expected “to accelerate the growth of Starwood’s brands, leveraging Marriott’s worldwide development organisation and owner and franchisee relationships”. Sorenson told analysts: “When we look at Starwood, we see many aspects of its business that complement what we have built at Marriott, including its focus on lifestyle brands, ability to attract Next Gen travellers and its broad international presence.”

The group will have a combined loyalty programme membership of 75 million, although it was not clear at this stage how much duplication there was amongst the membership.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has been selling off its owned hotels in recent years, with a target of USD3bn in assets by 2016.

The group used its third-quarter earnings to announce that it had met this year’s target of USD800m.

The slow rate of disposal, which saw the group selling sites piecemeal rather than in portfolios, was one of the reasons behind the exit of former president & CEO, Frits van Paasschen.

At the end of September, the group had a total of 32 owned, leased or consolidated joint venture hotels, totalling 12,339 rooms. The majority are under the Sheraton

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brand, a flag which Starwood Hotels & Resorts has been working to overhaul and which Sorenson said “has tremendous potential” but where there was a “need to cull the bottom end”.

Sorenson said that the group would need to assess its approach to Le Meridien and Renaissance, which operate in similar spaces.

Marriott expects the sell-off to continue, in line with its own asset-light programme, estimating USD1.5bn to USD2.0bn of after-tax proceeds from the sale of owned hotels over the next two years. The hotels are expected to be sold subject to long-term operating agreements, with Sorenson commenting: “After this transaction, we will remain a hotel management and franchise company.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ CFO Tom Mangas, echoed Marriott International’s ownership strategy at the Q3 earnings call, telling analysts: “Our intent is to be asset light, not asset-zero. We may still find an opportunity here and there that we think is important to plant a flag in a key market, and we’ll deploy capital to do that.”

Tom Page, global head of hotels & leisure, CMS, said: “For owners there are advantages and disadvantages to this merger. The principal advantage is going to be the ability to hook into the most powerful distribution system in the industry, with the combined strength and size of the Marriott Rewards and SPG loyalty schemes.

The downside is the increasing imbalance in negotiating power between owners and operator.

It may be that some owners – particularly those that have signed up to Starwood’s more hip lifestyle brands, such as W – will query whether the brand can continue to generate the same hype and buzz when that brand is owned and managed by the corporate behemoth that the Marriott/ Starwood combination will become.

“It is unlikely that many, if any, existing management or franchise agreements will be affected by this deal, as change of control clauses are very rare and even area of protection clauses are often limited to one brand or exclude portfolio acquisitions such as this.

But owners, particularly those with older agreements, may want to check their contracts, just in case this deal gives them a free termination right.”

The transaction is reported to be subject to anti-trust approvals and likely to complete in mid2016. But as Page pointed out, “the US authorities recently approved Expedia’s acquisition of Orbitz, against a negative reaction from hotel companies and in a much less fragmented market, it seems unlikely that this would not get approval”.

Now is the season of large deals. Hyatt Hotels Corporation had, as recently as the week prior to signing, been expected to buy Starwood Hotels & Resorts and, at the time of writing, was rumoured to be thinking of taking itself private, having been buying back its A-shares at an enthusiastic rate.

InterContinental Hotels Group is in a state of constant denial about

potential deals, while Accor Hotels is rumoured to be leading in the race to acquire FRHI, which owns the Fairmont and Raffles brands.

Morgans Hotel Group, meanwhile, awaits a buyer after another potential deal is thought to have fallen through.

Mark Wynne Smith, Global CEO of JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, said: “We will now start to see further merger activity as other hotel groups seek to match the titanic organisation that Marriott and Starwood have created.

Consolidation among the major brand companies has been talked about for a number of years and boards are biting the bullet on the need to merge to achieve further growth in a cost efficient manner.

At the moment there are several corporate hotel transactions at various stages.

“The merger can also be seen in the context of the growth of companies such as Airbnb. The global presence of this merged company will allow it to develop guest centric technologies that other companies may struggle to fund.”

The pressure is now on for CEOs to look for rivals to buddy-up with.

by Morgan Stanley gave a multiple of 10.6 times.

Even leaving out the cost savings, the multiple is still below 13 times.

Given that Marriott is trading above 13 times, the price looks cheap.

Factor in that the cost savings could be even more – Morgan Stanley reckons USD330m is achievable by taking out two-thirds of Starwood’s overhead – and that there will be revenue gains through cross-selling, Marriott has truly got a bargain.

Marriott ruled itself out of the chase early-on after Starwood put itself in play back in April. The main problem, according to Marriott, was making a deal accretive to earnings. By getting such a good price this does not look to be such an issue and will be achieved in year two at the latest.

Complaints that Starwood sold itself short were rebuffed by interim CEO Adam Aron on the conference call for the deal. Aron said that the deal was mostly in Marriott stock (only USD2 in cash) and that Starwood shareholders would own 37% of the enlarged company thereby fully sharing in the upside. Whether this satisfies Starwood’s shareholders, some of whom would have been expecting a return immediately rather than having to wait at least a couple of years, remains to be seen.

That said, it is hard to see who else might swoop in given that there is a USD400m break fee and that Starwood’s senior management are clearly love-struck on Marriott.

However, there remains a lot that can happen between now and the expected close mid-2016.

HA Perspective (by Andrew Sangster): This is a huge deal – arguably the most important seen in the hotel industry to date – and there are numerous thing to note. The first point is the price: Marriott looks to have struck a bargain. According to Canaccord Genuity, the multiple on 2016 EBITDA is 9.7 times, taking into account estimated synergies of USD200m. The similar calculation

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Point two is that while Starwood’s corporate management will be put to the sword (the official line is that the combined company will choose the best people from both companies but it is Washington DC not Connecticut where the key decisions will be made), all the brands are going to survive. There is likely to be some shuffling and the conference call indicated that it was Le Meridien and Renaissance plus Autograph and Tribute that have the most overlap. Sheraton is also likely to see a shake-out, particularly in the US with the weaker properties switching into alternative flags.

Point three is that Marriott is going to remain focused on fee income and will sell-down the Starwood hotel property. But the process is already well underway and the extra real estate coming to market as a result of the deal is going to be less than USD1bn.

Point four is that Marriott is going to be a dominant force. The combined companies will generate fee income of USD2.7bn and have 1.1 million rooms (that’s open rooms, not pipeline). Marriott compared the future combination to Prologis in industrial and Simon in shopping centres.

And one of the key reasons for the change of heart, said Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson, was: “being more impressed by what we can accomplish by being bigger”. He pointed to what was happening in the online travel agent space through mergers and other internet companies like Alibaba and Google, and home-sharing sites.

By being bigger the new

hotel combination will have more resources to compete cost effectively. In particular, loyalty programmes and technology spending were mentioned. And note the competition is no longer just rival hoteliers but “travel companies”.

Will having something like 45% more rooms than either InterContinental or Hilton be transformative? Unless they do a similar deal, Marriott will have the whip hand in its key domestic (US) market. The question is whether it will use this domestic dominance to drive international growth.

And here the outlook is more nuanced. Marriott is not going to be using its balance sheet to drive international expansion. It is pledging to return “at least” USD2.25bn in the year following the completion of the deal (which is the amount it has handed back to shareholders in 2015).

This means that outside of the US, the rival global majors to Marriott will remain competitive.

Some, like Accor, will retain a distinct edge, particularly in the midmarket and below segments.

Accor buying Fairmont would create a more potent rival, as would IHG teaming-up with Hyatt. There are several other combinations to create winners in hotel monopoly as well.

What is clear though, is that the new benchmark for competing at a global level has been set. Until this deal it was a half million rooms. It is now one million – and counting.

Bespoke makes India move

value priced, design-led and most importantly service-driven, which are enjoyable for our guests and profitable for our partners.

“Think about a cool hotel that is run by a passionate owner. How does he become a hotelier without paying the expenses of larger brands, how does he reach guests, how does he become more efficient in his operations? That’s why we have create a unique pay-as-yougo hotel operating system. We will help owners become hoteliers, and aggregate the unbranded to form the largest virtual chain of hotels.”

Baljee added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Bespoke at a time when both our businesses are growing in stature and ambition.

I look forward to working closely with Nick and the Bespoke team, as well as infusing our portfolio with a dash of British charm. This will help us create the world’s first global aggregator of boutique hotels across geographies under one brand.”

2014 saw Peppermint add close to 2,200 operational hotel rooms across India with the acquisition of Bangalore-based Boutique Hotel Management & Marketing Services, which has 60 hotels in its portfolio. At the time of that deal, Baljee, son of the founder of Royal Orchid Hotels, said the company would work with “all hotel owners on a performance-led, need-based management contract model.”

Turner has held roles including VP development Europe for Wyndham Worldwide, joining the group from COO at Amazing Venues. He said: “I am delighted to be joining Bespoke at such a critical juncture.

Bespoke Hotels has launched an international arm, signing a joint venture partnership with India’s Peppermint Hotels.

The 70-strong Peppermint marks the largest global move yet for Bespoke, which has revealed a further deal in the UAE. Nick Turner, the newly-appointed managing director, Bespoke Hotels International, told Hotel Analyst that the deal came about after Peppermint founder Arjun Baljee, described by Turner as an Anglophile, became interested in “one hotel in our London portfolio.

We got talking about it and became friends – the deal came about as a result of the ensuing alchemy”.

The company has a franchise agreement with Peppermint, which will manage the properties.

Turner said: “We keenly anticipate a strong volume of in-bound tourism from India to visit our UK hotels. Our plans are not confined to India, indeed, we have just signed a joint venture agreement in the UAE. “However, we felt we had an eminently suitable partner in Arjun, who has already put in place considerable infrastructure.

We believe our technology and the growth of technological skill in India will overcome any historical difficulties.”

Peppermint Hotels said that the vision was to create “the world’s largest virtual chain of hotels that are friendly, convenient,

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I have watched with admiration the company’s growth over the last decade to become the UK’s largest independent hotel group, and I am relishing the challenge of continuing this upward trend.”

Robin Sheppard, chairman, Bespoke Hotels, added: “We welcome Nick at a time when we are seeking to explore possibilities beyond the British Isles. His expertise in key foreign markets has already borne fruit in India, and we expect this to continue as both Bespoke Hotels and the Gotham brand look to expand.”

Bespoke Hotels International has been tasked with expanding the Bespoke portfolio of management contracts, franchise locations and marketing agreements overseas, with the group seeking to build on its position as the UK’s largest independent hotel operator.

Earlier this year saw Bespoke make its first overseas foray, opening an office in Ireland and appointing John Conlon as managing director of Bespoke Hotels Ireland. The company also supports three independent hotels in the US. For now, observers are curious to see if it can succeed in India where so many others have failed.

HA Perspective (by Chris Bown): In the UK, Bespoke has grown by avoiding the branded players, instead building a management business that has supported distressed properties over the last few years, as well as signing small regional clusters of hotels.

Mixing in the space where Best Western might be an alternative,

it has done well while keeping the Bespoke branding largely in the background.

Bespoke is already playing internationally, having signed up a sprinkling of properties including three in Florida. The Peppermint deal gives it some immediate, albeit modest, scale in India, from which it may have the opportunity to build.

Budget for budgets Budget hotels now account for more than half of the development pipeline in the UK, with no sign of slowdown, according to HVS. A separate study from London & Partners and AM:PM found that low-cost hotels were predicted to increase by 29% over the next three years in the capital, as investors and consumers chase value.

The third quarter saw over 1,500 budget rooms added to the sector’s pipeline, according to the Hotel Bulletin Q3 2015, published by HVS, Alix Partners and AM:PM. HVS chairman Russell Kett commented that the low-cost budget sector continued to be popular with both leisure and corporate guests who appreciated their emphasis on the basic necessities of a decent bed, quality shower, free Wi-Fi and a TV. With the development of subbrands such as hub by Premier Inn, the budget offer is becoming even more pared down and cost-efficient.

The study said: “While the economy is now much stronger, cheaper hotel stays have become the new norm and guests are reluctant to go back to spending more. Budget hotels are popular with operators as they are cheaper to build and run.

With the check-in and check-out function becoming increasingly automated, the cost of running a budget property is relatively low.”

During the quarter, Whitbread added over 500 rooms to its Premier Inn brand, giving it over 60,000.

Travelodge opened 260 rooms, while Tune Hotels opened its eighth UK property.

The number of hotel rooms in London is expected to grow by 12% over the next three years according to new data compiled by London & Partners and AM:PM, with the increase being driven by an uplift in budget and five-star hotel accommodation across the capital.

43 budget properties are expected to open by the end of 2018. Over the coming three years, 19 five star properties will also open in the capital, increasing the hotel stock in this category by 22%.

Tracy Halliwell MBE, director of business tourism and major events at London & Partners, said: “With the rising number of business and leisure visitors to London and strong occupancy levels across the city, it is great to see that a range of hotel companies are investing in new properties, catering for the demand for both low-cost and high-

end hotels. With properties right next to many tourist attractions, these investments will help to attract more visitors to London as well as provide new facilities for both local and international businesses to host meetings and conferences across the city.”

New budget accommodation for the city includes eight new Travelodge hotels and three new Premier Inns. While the public continues to demand value, no mention was made of that challenger to the budget sector, Airbnb, which has also been expanding with great enthusiasm.

HA Perspective (by Chris Bown): UK consumers have been spoilt for choice in the last few years, as their need to pare back costs has been met by strong budget brand hotels. And while Travelodge had its problems, it is now back in the game, once more chasing Premier Inn – and picking up good business off the back of that chase.

Having pushed to expand fast, the UK now has blanket coverage of budget branded hotels, leaving the independents hard pressed to compete at the lower end of the market.

Whitbread’s deliberate policy of growing a national brand, with broad coverage around the country first, appears to be paying off. Only after creating a strong market awareness, and a perception of value, has Premier Inn headed

into London where, unexpectedly, a night in a Premier Inn is far less cheap than in the shires.

Demand changes have helped the budget hotels, too. Guests are now less inclined to want to sit in their rooms and watch TV, or to sample the mini bar. In an urban setting, they increasingly want to get out and experience the locality.

The established hotel groups are realising this, and now designing their new brands, and replanning some of their existing brands, with smaller bedrooms.

But the budget hotels don’t have it all their own way. Some analysts have painted a less rosy future for Whitbread, with returns compromised by the growing challenge of accommodation from the sharing economy, predominantly via Airbnb.

There’s another set of rivals lining up for the budget-oriented guest, too. At the recent Hostel & Budget Traveller conference, it was clear most hostel brands are now making the majority of their bedrooms en-suite, offering quasihotel accommodation under the hostel banner. Once the brands get this message out, expect an increasing number of travellers to try out the social alternative that is a stay in one of the smarter hostel brands.

Hotel Analyst is the news analysis service for those involved with financing hotel property or hotel operating companies.

For more information and to subscribe visit: www.hotelanalyst.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8870 6388

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Luxury Brands Report With no let up in the appetite for trophy assets, hotel groups continue to expand their luxury brands in all regions of the world.

NORTH AMERICA BRAND

PROJECTS

ROOMS

14

3,083

4

2,060

14

4,736

5

1,998

7

3,278

8

4,212

3

736

32

13,834

1

LATIN AMERICA BRAND

PROJECTS

ROOMS

160

4

621

12

4,678

2

431

6

1,530

3

699

8

2,603

1

220

5

1,215

4

572

5

1,028

3

499

4

682

102

EUROPE BRAND

PROJECTS

ROOMS

5

BRAND

PROJECTS

ROOMS

660

10

2,425

3

4,390

18

3,874

21

4,340

8

1,981

7

1,770

2

273

8

2,190

2

361

3

764

ASIA PACIFIC BRAND

PROJECTS

ROOMS

11

2,785

11

4,390

67

20,712

17

5,541

19

6,262

19

6,108

25

7,128

19

6,268

23

5,495

58

17,125

19

4,182

16

4,740

MIDDLE EAST BRAND

PROJECTS

ROOMS

7

BRAND

PROJECTS

ROOMS

1,555

3

692

7

2,358

7

1,317

25

10,081

17

3,122

5

1,167

5

1,645

8

1,806

2

444

6

1,994

5

1,936

PROJECTS

ROOMS

PROJECTS

ROOMS

2

285

2

597

5

1,587

11

2,442

18

5,701

21

4,524

2

361

10

2,912

4

1,351

5

778

1

300

3

528

AFRICA BRAND

BRAND

Top Hotel Projects is an online database of all major hotel projects, refurbishments and extensions worldwide.

For more information and to subscribe visit: www.tophotelprojects.com or call +49 4261 4140 0

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The International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) is the most influential and globally diverse conference for the hotel industry.

It has firmly established its reputation as the leading and most important meeting place in the world and is attended by over 2,000 hospitality and tourism professionals from over 70 countries. It is a very senior gathering and among them nearly every major hotel chain CEO, global tourism ministers and the largest group of investors and hotel owners.

Every year the most influential people in our industry use our conference as their meeting place, and leading companies sponsor the event because they know it is the best way to reach out to the industry.

Whatever area of the industry you currently do business in or wish to expand in to, IHIF can open up business opportunities and partnerships for you.

IHIF is focused on delivering opportunities to anyone who currently operates within the hotel and tourism industry or who wants to do business in this sector, including: • • • •

Investors Hotel Owners Lenders Hotel Chain CEOs and Executives • Financial Advisers

• Real Estate Agents • Lawyers • Designers • Architects • Consultants

• Timeshare Developers • Tourism and Government Officials

Now, more than ever, it is important to meet the right people, liaise with key players; hear the latest economists’ projections; and know about new business opportunities. If you think this applies to you and you are serious about the development of your business, we look forward to seeing you at the IHIF in March 2016.

“It’s where the world of hotel investment meets, and it truly does meet here in Berlin. You meet people from across the globe and from all areas of the hotel investment industry, including hotel investors, professionals and services. IHIF is a great conference with a great buzz and good deals being done.”

MICHAEL HIRST OBE, CONSULTANT, CBRE HOTELS

TO REGISTER VISIT: www.ihif.com NOW TO BENEFIT FROM THE EARLY-BIRD RATE

Hosted by

In Association with

HELPING YOU EXPAND ACROSS THE GLOBE… JOIN US AT OUR OTHER EVENTS Africa Hotel Investment Forum Togo 6 -7 April 2016 Lomé, Togo africa-conference.com

151217 IHIF16 236x275 sleeper.indd 1

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 26-28 April 2016 Dubai, UAE arabianconference.com

Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference 25-27 May 2016 Bangkok, Thailand ihif.questexevents.net

Africa Hotel Investment Forum Rwanda 5 -6 October 2016 Kigali, Rwanda africa-conference.com

Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference October 2016 Moscow, Russia russia-cisconference.com

North America Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference November 2016 Florida, USA nathic.com

Mediterranean Resort & Hotel Real Estate Forum November 2016 Madrid, Spain mrandh.com

17/12/2015 10:16

Event Diary & News 12-15 JAN

Heimtextil Frankfurt www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

22-26 JAN

Maison & Objet Paris www.maison-objet.com

8-11 MAR

Maison & Objet Asia Singapore www.maison-objet.com

13-15 JAN

Northmodern Copenhagen www.northmodern.com

9-13 FEB

Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair Stockholm www.stockholmfurniturefair.se

8-20 MAR

Singapore Design Week Singapore www.designsingapore.org

16-19 JAN

Domotex Hannover www.domotex.de

29-3 MAR

Hotelympia London www.hotelympia.com

10 MAR

Asia Hotel Design Awards Singapore www.asiahoteldesignawards.com

18-24 JAN

IMM Cologne www.imm-cologne.com

7-9 MAR

IHIF Berlin www.berlinconference.com

10-13 MAR

IFFS Singapore www.iffs.com.sg

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10-13 MAR

New brand identity for IFFS INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR SINGAPORE

Organisers have unveiled a new brand identity for the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2016 / 33rd ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS), set to return to the Singapore Expo from 10-13 March 2016.

The rebranding reflects the show’s commitment to promoting design within the furniture industry, and the new tagline – ‘Design, Inspiration, and Trade’ – represents its mission to be the premier launch platform in Asia, connecting people with trends and innovation, inspiring new ideas and opportunities.

In line with the show’s new direction, IFFS will introduce several brand elements and features to the upcoming edition, creating innovative avenues for exhibitors to engage audiences and showcase designs, as well as providing a visually stimulating, eclectic experience.

10 MAR

Speaking of the rebrand, Ernie Koh, Chairman of IFFS Pte Ltd comments: “Good designs stem from inspirational experiences, and a company with a winning product understandably receives positive attention. This, in turn, leads to higher chances of success from a business standpoint. The three elements in the tagline share a synergistic relationship that ultimately promotes a thriving furniture industry. Here, IFFS plays the role as the connector that links design, inspiration and trade.

“IFFS 2016 will present the industry with an allnew experience, one that is not just design-centric and inspirational, but that still builds upon its traditional role as the choice platform that connects exhibitors with buyers from across the world.” www.iffs.com.sg

The South Beach to host AHDA 2016 ASIA HOTEL DESIGN AWARDS

The South Beach Singapore has been announced as the host venue for this year’s Asia Hotel Design Awards. The newly opened ‘Luxury & Lifestyle H.I.P. Hotel’ – curated by renowned designer Philippe Starck alongside a number of creative artists – will attract over 300 industry figures when it plays host to the region’s leading celebration of hotel architecture and design. The awards ceremony will take place on 10 March during Singapore Design Week and honours creativity, innovation and excellence across 10 architecture and interior design categories. The 2016 judging panel has also been announced and includes Andre Fu, Bill Bensley, Brian Williams of Swire, and Loh Lik Peng of Unlisted Collection. www.asiahoteldesignawards.com

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Fu named Designer of the Year MAISON & OBJET ASIA

8-11 MAR

Maison & Objet Asia has announced André Fu as its Designer of the Year 2016.

The prestigious accolade, along with the Rising Asian Talents award, honours established and emerging talent from across the region.

An internationally sought-af ter architect and designer, Fu is behind many of Asia’s high-end hospitality projects including The Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore, Kioko restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, and The Upper House in Hong Kong.

“M&O embraces the spirit of contemporary lifestyle and is a genuine celebration of modern artisanship,” comments Fu, who will present a new bathroom collection for Cooper & Graham at the show.

The designer has also announced the establishment of André Fu Living, a new lifestyle brand offering a collection of key pieces conceived from collaborations with unique international artisans. www.maison-objet.com

10 March 2016 - The South Beach, Singapore

The South Beach Singapore to host AHDA 2016

Book Your Tickets Online Now www.asiahoteldesignawards.com Organised By

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Deloitte: European Hotel Investment Conference 4 NOVEMBER 2015

Continued activity and continued optimism were on the agenda at Deloitte’s European Hotel Investment Conference, where analysts reported a rise in global transaction volumes and hotel groups revealed record pipelines.

Words: Catherine Martin

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o the theme of ‘Changing gears: a new era?’, Deloitte’s 27th European Hotel Investment Conference took place in London last November, attracting some 400 delegates to review the opportunities and challenges currently impacting the hospitality industry.

Investors, owners, developers and operators gathered at The Dorchester to hear from an impressive line-up of speakers – including CEOs of both global and European hotel groups – to help make sense of the economy, the latest performance and investment trends, and the outlook.

The long-running forum kicked off with an audio-visual reminder of year’s biggest transactions, from Lone Star’s purchase of 31 Jury’s Inns, to Wyndham’s US$57 million acquisition of Dolce Hotels & Resorts. The changing hand of individual assets such as Ace Hotel London Shoreditch, Gleneagles, and Four Seasons Hotel Moscow were also highlighted along with a host of new openings across the continent.

Opening the conference, Nick van Marken, Global Head – Hospitality, Deloitte, took to the stage to present an overview of the economy, performance and investment – with mixed sentiment. Despite the fact that the US appears to be in a period of sustained growth and the UK has seen 10 successive quarters of economic growth, the future still feels a little uncertain, stated van Marken, before quoting the words of the International Monetary Fund’s Maurice Obstfeld: “The holy grail of robust and synchronised global expansion remains elusive.”

“None of the big problems have really been solved,” van Marken continued, reporting that oil prices have dropped dramatically, global debt ratios are at extreme levels, and larger economies such as France and Germany showed little or no growth throughout 2015. There were positives however. Consumer confidence is improving, Italy has seen an uptick in bank lending, and, most importantly, the hotel industry has witnessed a tremendously robust period of trading, with Europe reporting 62 consecutive months of RevPAR growth to September 2015.

Turning attention to hotel investment, van Marken revealed that global transaction volumes are on the rise while global M&A is at record levels. “There’s no doubt that everyone is out there buying and selling,” he quipped, pointing to data released by JLL that revealed transaction volumes are up 28% to c.$20bn in EMEA in Q3 YTD. Results for the Americas (up 47% to c.$31bn) and APAC (up 29% to c.$8bn) were equally positive. Furthermore, investment in Europe’s luxury hotels has been remarkable. “We calculate that over €11bn has been invested in luxury hotel stock,” explained van Marken, and it was clear that London hasn’t lost its charm.

For the second successive year, the UK’s capital was voted the most attractive hotel investment destination in Europe, according to Deloitte’s survey of senior hospitality industry figures.

Almost a third (31%) of respondents ranked the city as the number one hotel investment destination in 2016, ahead of joint-second

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Barcelona and Madrid (both 27%), which were narrowly followed by Amsterdam (26%).

“Some 2,500 luxury hotel rooms alone have been announced with opening dates before 2021, with an investment value we calculate as in excess of £3bn,” continued van Marken. “When you consider all the other hotel projects, the total investment pouring into the city is phenomenal.”

The regions have also seen a strong recovery with Edinburgh (47%), Manchester (40%) and Glasgow (23%) named as the most attractive investment destinations in the UK. Optimism is expected to remain strong, however a rise in labour costs, new hotel supply, and a possible interest rate rise were cited as potential threats.

The pre-conference survey highlighted further risks facing the industry with 54% of respondents concerned about geopolitical instability in parts of Europe, and the same proportion anxious about a weakening Euro. A number of new concerns were also identified, including a slowing Chinese economy, and the ubiquitous sharing economy – a recurring topic throughout the day. The market has finally taken notice of the dozens of alternative accommodation start-ups launched in the past year, explained van Marken, pointing out that Airbnb has over 25,000 units of inventory in London alone.

Continuing the largely positive outlook, Elizabeth Winkle, Managing Director, STR Global took to the stage to present benchmarking data for the year-to-date. “In August, for the first time since the downturn, European RevPAR growth

outpaced US RevPAR growth,” she began, revealing that the region posted 7.6% RevPAR growth for the year-to-September. Other key performance indicators – supply (0.9%), demand (3.7%), occupancy (2.8%) and ADR (4.7%) – were equally encouraging. Demand is well above long-term averages and ADR is eventually on the rise. “We’ve seen occupancy grow throughout the recovery, but what was missing was the ADR lift,” Winkle explained. “Now we’re seeing it surge.

When we look at total composition of RevPAR, 60% is being driven by ADR growth, which is a really positive change for Europe.”

In an examination of Europe’s major economies, Germany topped the chart for its solid year-onyear RevPAR growth, while Italy’s prolonged recovery meant a return to pre-recession levels was only just in sight. The UK meanwhile posted RevPAR growth of 1.8% in London and 4.9% in the regions to September YTD, where top performers were named as Belfast (13.6%), Birmingham (12.6%) and Cardiff (12%). “In the UK, it’s a very positive story,” continued Winkle.

“You know the industry is doing well when Leeds’ RevPAR is up 9% for the year-to-date.”

Looking ahead to 2016, Winkle forecast positive RevPAR growth across the majority of European markets – bar Milan, Manchester and Prague – with the German city of Dusseldorf expected to emerge as a top performer.

Deloitte favourite Roger Bootle, Executive Chairman of Capital Economics, made a return to the conference to present on the wider economy and its possible affects on the hospitality industry.

The analyst tackled a variety of topics in an uncharacteristically optimistic address, predicting that lower commodity prices and a rise in real earnings would boost spending, and that a Brexit would likely have very little impact on business. He also offered a fresh perspective on the inevitable slowdown of China’s growth, stating that, while the unbalanced economy does pose a threat, it doesn’t necessarily mean a crash.

Bootle’s review of GDP across Europe was a

mixed affair with strong recovery reported in Ireland compared to further declines in Greece.

GDP is currently 25% below 2008 levels in the Mediterranean country, indicating that the crisis there is far from over. Bootle was positive for the UK, predicting GDP growth of around 3%, though he did warn that the government’s introduction of a National Living Wage will likely cost the hospitality industry.

Deloitte’s much-anticipated ‘View from the top’ followed with Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, partaking in a one-to-one interview to discuss major trends in the sector.

Nassetta joined Hilton in 2007, corresponding with Blackstone’s acquisition, and was at the

“In August, for the first time since the downturn, European RevPAR growth outpaced US RevPAR growth.”

Elizabeth Winkle, STR Global

helm through the global economic downturn and subsequent IPO. The public offering, which took place in 2013, raised US$2.35 billion – a record for a lodging company. Speaking about the early days of his tenure, Nassetta explained: “Hilton had tremendous assets, they just weren’t really being optimised… We had gaps in our brand family where we could better serve customers and as a result our performance was average at best.”

In the years since, Nassetta has built a strong performance driven culture amongst employees – “it’s all about the people,” he stated – and the group has become “number one in pipeline and number one in rooms under construction in every single major region of the world.”

Nassetta said that he expects Hilton’s growth

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to continue in the coming 2-3 years and was particularly bullish on the group’s new brands, Curio and Canopy. He also revealed plans to launch a new mid-market offer that is expected to be “the most disruptive brand we’ve done.”

According to Nassetta, the as-yet-unnamed brand has been created to meet consumer demand with a room rate of US$75-95. “The product is being designed and engineered to be very different to anything that is out there at that price point,” he stated, adding that the all-newbuild brand will launch in the US before expanding globally.

Asked about the day’s hot topic, Nassetta stood firm on his view that the hotel industry can coexist with the sharing economy, stating that the likes of Airbnb are merely fulfilling a different customer need. The CEO was confident that so long as Hilton delivers on its brand promise of “great products and great service consistently delivered”, they would be very difficult to disrupt.

The afternoon’s sessions saw a series of panels in which senior executives shared the accomplishments and challenges of their respective businesses. The luxury sector proved a pertinent topic given the number of high-end developments in the pipeline across Europe. Alongside leaders from Aman, Reignwood Investments and Oetker Collection, Dan Wakeling, Senior Vice President, Global Development & Acquisitions, Trump Hotel Collection, described the appeal of the sector. “If you look at the luxury market during the downturn, it was one of the sectors that upheld quite well,” he explained, adding that investors are willing to pay for a truly iconic asset. Grace Leo, Vice President, Reignwood Investments, concurred, and revealed that the group plans to continue to grow in this sector. Reignwood is currently overseeing the conversion of Ten Trinity Square, a heritage building in London, to a Four Seasons, and has recently invested in Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey.

As the discussion turned to mixed-use, panelists described their preference for combining residential with hotel developments. Residences

help support the financing of a hotel, while the hotel and its associated facilities add value to the residences, they said. They also identified what they believe to be the key differentiators at the luxury end of the market. Olivier Jolivet, CEO, Aman – which recently opened its first urban hotel in Tokyo – stated that the group never compromises on quality or location, while Frank Marrenbach, CEO, Oetker Collection said it is all about the people. Offering another perspective, Wakeling commented: “You have to have a great product, but it’s more than that. You have to create an experience; it has to be pesonalised; it has to be bespoke.”

The following session on innovation proved enlightening, with representation from three of the industry’s relative newcomers – citizenM, The Hoxton, and Virgin Hotels. Michael Levie, CEO, citizenM, kicked things off by stating that innovation, in his mind, means a change in the business proposition, as demonstrated by the group’s inverted organisational pyramid which sees front of house staff as the primary brand ambassadors, responsible for guest satisfaction.

For Virgin Hotels, which has recently entered the hospitality arena with the opening of the Virgin Hotel in Chicago, innovation has been in the provision of guest technology. Head of Development Allie Hope said: “We’ve created a product based on leveraging technology, giving the consumer the opportunity to take their own device and plug-and-play into their guestroom… We’re also building a platform for customers to interact with one another to create a sense of community.”

Sharan Pasricha, CEO, The Hoxton, explained that innovation in his business has also been through community. “We’ve spent a lot of time on our public areas, really making sure that they remain relevant and vibrant through events programming,” he said. “Success is defined by the ability to bring the outside neighbourhood in.”

Pasricha added that the group has invested heavily in the digital side of the business in a bid to understand how customers interact. “Historically

we’ve just focused on building a beautiful website, now it’s really about understanding how the customers engage and how to increase our conversion rate,” he said.

OTAs, distribution channels and the sharing economy were also on the agenda, as was innovation in hiring talent. Pasricha told how The Hoxton doesn’t necessarily hire people with a hospitality background, but rather those who can align with the brand. It was an opinion shared

by Hope, who commented: “At Virgin Hotels, people are hired for their attitude or personality.

Part of it is finding the right mentality so they can deliver service with the right attitude and the right energy.”

It was the turn of the operators in the following session, where discussion topics included scale, operating models, and the all-important relationship between the brand, the investor and the operator. Panelists believed that the growth of third-party operators (TPOs) would continue, with Interstate’s Jim Abrahamson expressing: “We enable and unlock the real estate value for our owners so I think we’re going to see a very strong growth trajectory for our company and for third-party operators in Europe.” The CEO revealed that the group has built a considerable portfolio – in excess of 100 properties open and in the pipeline – since it entered the European market in 2011, and that the new brands being launched by the major hotel groups are primarily looking at franchise platforms.

Helder Pereira, Chairman, Redefine BDL, also believed there was room for growth and said that hotel groups should focus on distribution and branding and leave the day-to-day running to the third-party operators. Their role, he said, was to “make sure we protect the brand and their interests, and maximise yields through the owner by delivering operating efficiencies.”

Another key takeaway from the session was the ability of the TPOs to provide a customised solution for every owner and every property, which in turn was said to drive better returns.

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The final session of the day continued on the theme of third-party operators versus brand management and also addressed the value of brands. Rob Shepherd, Chief Development Officer, Europe, IHG – whose European portfolio is 93% franchised – commented: “Driving our brands’ growth with franchise agreements has been a key part of our business success to-date.”

Patrick Fitzgibbon, Senior Vice President, Europe & Africa, Hilton, added: “There’s no doubt about the fact that the business franchise model has grown inordinately in the European market over the last, specifically for us, eight years off the back of a very strong franchise model in the US.” Fitzgibbon was also keen to stress the importance of guest expectation. “The reality is, we don’t want the customer to know whether it’s managed, owned, leased, third-party operated or franchised,” he said. “Ultimately, what we care about is that we’re delivering consistency through the brand.”

Meanwhile, Carlton Ervin, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Marriott, spoke of a change in focus for the group. “While historically we’ve been a management company in Europe, we’re shifting that model drastically,” he said. “The majority of the deals we signed in 2015 are franchise.”

When questioned on the relevance of brands in the rise of third-party operators, Matt Fry, Senior Vice President, Global Development, Starwood, stood firm on his view that hotel groups have a crucial role to play. “In some parts of the world, we’ve had TPOs that have really struggled to attract the right GMs for example. We have the ability as a large organisation to attract the right talent. TPOs don’t always have the scale to do that.” He concluded: “The demise of brands in the hotel industry is greatly exaggerated. Everyone on this panel has had record signings in 2015.”

In what was surely the most optimistic European Hotel Investment conference for years, it’s fair to say growth is still firmly on the agenda. www.deloitte.co.uk/hotelinvestmentconference

Helping you upgrade Our hotel specialists will help you stay one step ahead www.deloitte.co.uk/travelhospitalityleisure

© 2015 Deloitte LLP. All rights reserved.

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07/09/2015 09:34

HI Design Asia 4-6 NOVEMBER 2015

The hotel design community enjoyed a packed programme of thought provoking seminars, meetings and networking at this year’s HI Design Asia.

Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Richard Pereira

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aving hosted the last three editions in resort locations, for the latest HI Design Asia event, organsiers Atticus Events returned to an urban location, at the Shangri-La in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. The event once again attracted a record number of attendees to its unique combination of face-to-face meetings, conference content and social events, with 288 delegates in total, comprising 125 buyers representing 81 companies from 16 countries; and 146 suppliers from 85 companies and 24 nations.

Explaining the decision to host the event in Kuala Lumpur, Atticus Events co-founder Jonathan Needs, says: “We decided to do it partly to demonstrate that the event could work in a city location as well as a resort location, but also because there is a lot of development going on in Kuala Lumpur right now. It was an opportunity for people to see some of that, or to tie in other business meetings before or after the event.”

The event opened with networking opportunities aplenty at the traditional pre-event tour, taking in the Batu Caves and ATV adventure park. The following morning, Jesper Palmqvist, Area Director Asia Pacific for STR Global, gave a data-driven insight into hotel development and trading performance across the region.

Countries showing an increase in RevPAR for the year to August 2015 included Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam, India and the Philippines.

Those slowing down with negative RevPAR growth included Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and South Korea. Particularly noteworthy were the bounceback of Thailand’s hotel market, as it recovered from the impact of the 2013-2014 political crisis, and the slide in RevPAR in Myanmar due to the uncertainty surrounding a country in transition.

Upheavals of a different kind were examined in Dr. Graeme

Codrington’s post-lunch session. The futurist and founder of Tomorrow Today delivered a fascinating presentation on how the world of work is set to change in the coming decade, and the impact of those changes on the design sector. According to Codrington, hotel design is set to be transformed by disruptive forces such as workplace automation, an ageing population and smart technology.

Codrington highlighted the availability of cheap and clean energy, and innovations such as the ITER project in Southern France, Tesla Cars and new ‘wonder material’ graphene. The ‘internet of things’, 3D printing and affordable smartphones were given as further examples of technologies that will have a direct impact on the design world.

Carl Almeida of P49 Deesign opened the final day of the event with a keynote address exploring the broader creative influences and current trends in hospitality design and how they are interpreted in different market segments. Looking at issues of convergence, demographics, psychographics, branding and sustainability, new light was thrown on the creative design process, through recent and ongoing P49 projects including Alila Jabal Akdhar in Oman; The Sanchaya luxury resort in Indonesia, and an Autograph Collection property in Sanya, China.

A final panel discussion saw industry leaders including Marc Dardenne of Patina Hotels & Resorts, Isabel Pintado of LW Design and Alex Cho, Senior Director of Global Design for Asia Pacific at Ritz Carlton Hotels take to the stage to tackle the wide-ranging question of what constitutes ‘Good Design’?

The next HI Design Asia takes place at the JW Marriott in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 2-4 November 2016. www.hidesign-asia.com

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Hostel & Budget Traveller 16-17 NOVEMBER 2015

Leading hospitality experts gather in London to analyse, discuss and explore the hostel, hybrid and budget hotel sector, said to be expanding at unprecedented levels.

Words: Molly Dolan

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ollowing its successful inauguration in 2014, the annual Hostel & Budget Traveller conference returned to London’s Montcalm Marble Arch in November 2015 for a second year.

With more than 180 attendees from as far afield as the US, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Hungary, the likes of Generator, Meininger Hotels, Clink Hostels, Yotel and Hilton were all represented at the two-day event.

Following an evening tour of local hybrid hotel Meininger London Hyde Park on day one, day two saw the conference commence with a keynote from Simon Eder, founder of youth insights consultancy specialist Voxburner. Emphasising the correlation between Gen Y and hostel occupancy, Eder offered insight into how to connect with the new generation, stating: “Today’s young people are stoically engaged in the present. They want to be the best that they can be, gone is the rebellion.”

He continued, discussing how hotels can interpret this: “Young people are also time sensitive, it’s a generation of now. Busy lifestyles demand quality over quantity, therefore brands need to give them the gift of time.” Further, Eder discussed the demand for brands to connect its guests with new cultures, capitalising on their need to engage.

Continuing with the topic of time, it was suggested that technology should, ultimately, be about practicality, with a blend of digital and physical being optimum. Eder concluded: “Brands that hack the norm need to rethink how they create content. If you don’t inspire, you’re not worth their time.”

Further exploration of guest experience came courtesy of the ‘Design and Guest Experience’ breakout session, with John Paul Pederson of Wimberly Interiors and Remi Versteeg of ILA Architects fielding audience questions.

Deliberating over how to engage guests via design, Pederson observed: “Designers must step away from Pinterest and look at the world around them,” reinforcing the demand to integrate culture into hotel and hostel experiences.

Tapping into the intrigue surrounding the stilldeveloping industry, the conference programme also included an in-depth discussion featuring key investors and lenders, with a panel of Sarah Green, Business Development Director – Hotels, RBS; Jacob Rasin, Business Intelligence, Pandox; Andrew Harrington, Partner, AHV Associates; and Diane Scott, Business Development Director – Hotels and Healthcare, Lloyds Banking Group.

Divulging exactly what they’re looking for in the hostel, hybrid hotel and budget market, the panel discussed the debt finance options available, with the session transpiring into an impromptu open Q&A, telling of the industry’s relative infancy and attendees’ thirst for knowledge and development.

Speaking of investment criteria, Scott stated: “Lending in the hostel space is the same as hotels, track record and management confidence is key.”

Elaborating on the need for strong management in-house, Liam Doyle, Managing Director of Clink Hostels said: “It’s not about age, a good hostel GM is all about energy and attitude.”

In addition to investigative keynotes and diverse

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panel sessions – covering topics such as market performance and insight, and Vision 2025 – the Hostel & Budget Traveller programme also saw two quick fire case studies from Clink Hostels and Ruby Hotels and Resorts. Following the success of Clink’s London properties – Clink78 resides at 78 Kings Cross Road and Clink261 on Gray’s Inn Road – the brand recently launched its first international property, ClinkNOORD in Amsterdam’s up-and-coming Noord district, with architecture and design by local firm ILA Architects. According to Doyle, the brand professes to attract 18-40 year old, open-minded, chilled out and respectful travellers, who “want to be involved in the city that they stay in,” reiterating Eder’s earlier observation.

Meanwhile, CEO and founder of Ruby Hotels and Resorts, Michael Patrick Struck, presented the brand’s interior design concept, which places importance on “lean luxury and space optimisation” in the budget sector.

It is clear that the hostel and budget travel industry is expanding at an unprecedented level, and with Harry Douglas of HVS stating that over 65s – the largest growing age bracket – are increasingly interested in making economical choices and seeking new cultural experiences, it seems that Gen Y are no longer the industry’s sole customer, rather the intelligent, explorative traveller. If the two days of sessions are anything to go by, exciting times are ahead for this thriving, progressive market. www.hostelandbudgettraveller.com

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PARK PLAZA WESTMINSTER BRIDGE MO N DAY 2 3 N OVEMB ER 2 01 5

Winners Announced In a fun and fanciful ceremony attracting the industry elite, the European Hotel Design Awards 2015 reveals its winners.

Words: Molly Dolan

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aking place in November 2015, the European Hotel Design Awards, celebrated exceptional hotel design and architecture.

Over 800 guests from across the continent, including renowned interior designers, architects, owners and operators, gathered to commend the hotel openings of the past year.

Held at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London, the evening was hosted by Chair of the European Hotel Design Awards judging panel, Celia Geyer, and Sleeper Editor-at-Large Guy Dittrich. Continuing the successful precedent of black-tie-with-a-twist, 2015 saw the event transported to a world where ‘Grand European Hotels’ are finished with a hint of adventure and a dash of mystery. Guests and judges alike donned grand-and-glam-inspired attire, while a soundtrack curated by Music Concierge set the tone for the postdinner networking drinks.

Commenting on this year’s awards ceremony, Matt Turner, Editorin-Chief of Sleeper, said: “This was a vintage year for the European Hotel Design Awards. The shortlist reflected the diversity and dynamism of the sector, with a great balance between independent and branded properties, and a wide variety of projects from restored grandes dames to contemporary boutique hotels.”

A mix of old and new Europe was also revealed in the winners, with the likes of The Peninsula Paris and The Beaumont London winning awards, along with Mandarin Oriental’s newly built Bodrum

resort. The overall winner, Les Bains in Paris, was described by judges as a perfect melange of historical significance and design vision, encapsulating the new wave of hospitality based on old world roots.

The prestigious Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Nick Jones, acknowledging his unwavering innovation and success. “We were delighted to honour Nick Jones, founder of Soho House, with the Outstanding Contribution award,” commented Turner. “Nick has reinvented the hospitality experience and been an inspiration to the hotel industry.”

Presenting Jones with the award, longtime friend and former colleague Robin Hutson said: “Underpinning all of this activity and quite apart from having an innate understanding of what his customers want – often before they even realised it for themselves – he has had a truly original and exceptional eye for design... He shows no sign of putting his feet up any time soon.”

Sleeper would like to thank the following for their support of the European Hotel Design Awards: Alger-Triton, Beck, Design Hotels, Grohe, HI Design, Interface Hospitality, Keramag Design, Latitude, Laufen, Louis Poulsen, Maison & Objet, McAleer & Rushe, Music Concierge, Preciosa, Radical Innovation Award, Roca, S&T Interiors and Contracting, Sleep, The Neighbourhood and Top Hotel Projects. www.europeanhoteldesignawards.com

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Opposite Page (L-R): Robin Hutson, Limewood Group and Nick Jones, Soho House; Werner Aissling, Studio Aisslinger; Peter and Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk, JOI-Design; Wimberly Interiors; Francois Delahaye, Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris; RPW Design; Javier Hortal, Mandarin Oriental; Tristan Auer for the design of Les Bains; Conran + Partners and Stylt Trampoli This Page (L-R): INK Hotel Amsterdam; Philip Camble, Whitebridge Hospitality; Andrew Katz, The Blackstone Group; Robin Hutson, Limewood Group; Daniel Englender, Benjamin West and Josh Wyatt, Generator Hostels; Radial Innovation Award; Javier Hortal, Mandarin Oriental

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THE ARCHITECTURE AWARDS

ADAPTIVE RE-USE THE BEAUMONT, LONDON

By ReardonSmith Architects

Described by the judges as having a “great positive impact on its immediate neighbourhood,” The Beaumont, London, marks restaurateurs Corbin & King’s first venture into hotels. The art deco building offers “an excellent integration of an extension into an existing historic building, with clean layout of spaces, designed with operating efficiency in mind.”

With architecture by ReardonSmith Architects, the Grade II-listed, former car storage property was converted into a luxury hotel. One requirement was to provide a distinctive element of public art as part of the concept, with ReardonSmith deciding that this aspect should be integral and collaborated with Anthony Gormley to create an inhabitable structure. Judges found the building a “well conceived update that truly breathes new life into the facility and neighbourhood. The habitable element fuses into the architecture well and makes for unique building component.”

RENOVATION & RESTORATION THE PENINSULA, PARIS

By Affine Design Combining the past with contemporary design, The Peninsula Paris offers a special element of Parisian heritage and French savoir-faire. The century-old classic building has been meticulously restored and modernised, with the judges viewing the hotel as “an immaculate restoration of an historic piece of architecture”. Working with a collection of France’s top craftspeople, Affine Design successfully married Haussmanian soul and body to a modern building – preserving the spirit of its unique location while respecting each material; the façade alone employed the talents of 20 skilled stonemasons from Degaine.

Though architects were forbidden to alter the heritage building’s exterior, the interior has been reconfigured and discreetly modernised to create a contemporary hotel. The result is the architectural and design integrity of the original building being restored while offering the contemporary facilities of a 21st century hotel.

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THE ARCHITECTURE AWARDS

NEWBUILD MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BODRUM

By Antonio Citterio, GAD and WATG

The architecture of Mandarin Oriental Bodrum has been developed to create a sequence of flexible spaces that convert from indoor to outdoor, allowing the elements of daylight, water and landscape to play a fundamental role in the guest experience. Judges stated that the hotel “offers a connection to the landscape, creates a sense of place and presents well executed, holistic design”.

The vision behind the design was to develop a new luxury resort design language, sophisticated and contemporary, yet intimately connected to its natural Mediterranean setting. Described by judges as “the most impressive mixed use development for a resort in 2015”, the architectural vision was deliberately simple and

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inspired by the many archaeological excavation sites that line the Aegean coast. This simplicity highlights the acute juxtaposition between the massive volumes in local stone against delicacy, lightness and transparency of the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors. The resort was planned to provide plenty of opportunities for great atmosphere and social interaction between guests, reflecting the Turkish affinity for socialising as a way of relaxing and discussing business. Judges concluded: “The hotel is a well-conceived series of buildings that create an impeccable relationship between indoor and outdoor life. Incredible quality of execution is well-expressed in local materials, both true to location and brand.”

THE INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS

BAR LE BAR AT PLAZA ATHÉNÉE, PARIS

By Jouin Manku

Described as “an art installation that you are part of”, Jouin Manku’s design concept creates a tension between the ceiling and the bar to create a singular sensation. The space unfolds beneath a deep, infinite blue as the ceiling disappears behind an installation of fabric clouds.

The ethereal bar has been constructed from a single block of transparent resin, capturing swirls of alcoholic vapour and appearing to levitate in the space. The cast resin was made by D3, a company specialising in car manufacture, while the space dreamt up by Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku features many references to luxury automobiles, including high-quality upholstery and chrome. The dreamlike décor plunges visitors into a particular atmosphere, prompting judges to state: “If science and nature melded into a perfect alchemy, Le Bar would be the harbinger of things to come. It is a special mix of historical significance mixed with 21st century technical innovation.”

BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS LES BAINS, PARIS

By Tristan Auer “I would love a crazy, fabulous night in Les Bains,” exclaimed the judges, speaking of the iconic design of Tristan Auer. The design does not impose, but pays homage to the people that have inhabited Les Bains in the past decades, aiming to transport the soul of the historic building to the 21st century.

Each detail has been carefully considered, ensuring that the decoration is durable and will receive a nice patina over the years.

Auer has rediscovered simple finishes and designs that may have been forgotten, and enhanced them, with a re-used red carpet lining the wall of the hotel’s Master Suite.

Approximately 90% of the project’s materials and finishes were custom designed, resulting in a truly unique experience. Les Bains demonstrates a sense of mystery throughout, while maintaining a strong sense of flow and luxury.

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THE INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS

EVENT SPACES

RESTAURANT

NH COLLECTION EUROBUILDING, MADRID

LA SALLE À MANGER & LE RESERVOIR AT LES BAINS, PARIS

By NH Hotel Group

By RDAI

The NH Collection Eurobuilding merges the capital city’s attributes with an avant-garde design approach, utilising holographic technology and generating a big social impact.

The hotel’s 7,800m2 of events space is divided between 32 rooms that are flooded with natural light. The sizable Gran Madrid room offers 1,074m2 with capacity to cater for up to 1,000 people. The judges stated: “The hotel demonstrates an outstanding use of technology, with excellent spaces and cosy corners.” Technology plays an integral role, with a 300m2 semi-transparent LED vault screen equipped with spatial sounds and the capacity to project spectacular images available for visitor use. NH Collection Eurobuilding also embodies a solid sustainability pledge, with the event spaces utilising 75% LED lighting, electronic devices with A+ energy efficiency ratings and recyclable furniture materials. Although fundamental, the technology blends with design elements such as the sliding crystal doors that cover the Smart TV system, or a V-form meeting table.

The whole hotel has a soft and light open-space design, aligned with the brand’s philosophy and brief. Materials such as marble, wooden finishes and metal details have been used in consonance with the spirit of the original building, as well as NH Collection Eurobuilding’ new image.

Now characterised by neo-brasserie chic, La Salle à Manger retains the charm of the former Les Bains Douche, notably in the form of Philippe Starck’s original 1978 black and white chequered dancefloor. Fully restored using nearly two million tiles, the objet d’art has been intricately laid, complementing the stalactite pillars that borrow inspiration from the natural, bulbous form of water droplets. Hanging below undulating red ceiling domes, the red lacquered vertical columns are accompanied by bold, mahogany tables.

“Les Bains is a mélange of Paris glam chic with a flowing, surreal format that creates a sense of mystery every step of the journey,” stated judges, speaking of the Parisian hotspot and the accompanying Le Resevoir, the hotel’s bijou private dining area. Part of a refurbished building with original entrance, the restaurant is globally vibrant and dynamic, yet places emphasis on warmth and comfortability, also owing to the acoustic treatment of the space. The design manages to create multiple pockets of atmosphere within one single, compact area thus allowing guests to enjoy different experiences at the same time and place whether it be formal, fun or subdued, whilst standing the test of time. Judges concluded: “La Salle à Manger is a memorable, sexy and enchanting space with originality, intricate detailing and a great vibe – it has it all.”

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THE INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS

LOBBY, LOUNGE & PUBLIC AREAS INK HOTEL, AMSTERDAM By concrete

An overarching story was created for INK, stemming from the property’s former function as newspaper head office and printers; De Tijd.

With the concept of storytelling, design accents reference traditional letterpresses, typewriters and ink. The main walkway runs from the entrance through the first patio, alongside the groundfloor restaurant, open kitchen and through to the second open patio, creating a good sense of flow and openness. Wall and floor finishes are typical exterior materials, with natural stone, concrete, stucco and floor cement tiles featuring historicinspired patterns. Judges described the lobby as “very crisp, charming, warm and different from a concept point of view”.

The hotel combines local flair with the needs of the modern urban traveller, while creating a place where guests can define their own time and identify themselves within the urban context of the hotel, history of the building and the city.

SUITE GARDEN SUITE AT ROSEWOOD, LONDON

By Tony Chi & Associates The layout of the Garden House Suite is inspired by a modern, luxurious private residence, complementing the building’s heritage. The space has been meticulously planned by Tony Chi & Associates to comprise multiple areas such as a foyer, living room, library, guest powder room, master suite bedroom and dressing chambers, complete with private terrace. The terrace, in travertine stone, features a special landscape design of topiaries and an outdoor chimenea.

The feeling of a private residence is upheld throughout, with details such as trinket boxes, books, artwork and other details typically collected in a home. Each space within the Garden House Suite can be separated to ensure that guests have their own space and privacy, allowing versatility of using the suite for entertaining. The Garden House Suite can be combined with four adjacent rooms and suites to become the 3,735ft2 Garden House Wing, offering a five-bedroom penthouse.

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THE INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS

SPA & WELLNESS MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BODRUM

By Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel and Partners

Inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding small valley, Mandarin Oriental’s spa incorporates the intimacy of the secluded bay that it overlooks.

Taking into account the neighbouring terrain, the spa suits the natural topography, with entrance level and VIP treatment rooms offering sea views, middle wellness levels opening up to private spa gardens, and the fitness and indoor pool benefitting from natural light and extended privacy. Judges stated that the spa featured a “wonderful combination of indoor-outdoor design”.

A second award for the hotel, the spa has been designed to be perceived as a completely separate building from the hotel, with an indoor ‘winter’ route available via the hotel’s public spaces. The aspiration was to create a luxury destination resort spa with a contemporary reflection of the Turkish Mediterranean culture and Oriental mystique working in harmony with a natural environment.

THE EUROPEAN HOTEL DESIGN OF THE YEAR LES BAINS, PARIS Triumphant in the Bedrooms & Bathrooms and Restaurant categories, Les Bains also won the ultimate accolade of the night, The European Hotel of the Year Award.

Designed by Tristan Auer and RDAI, judges described Les Bains as “the perfect mélange of passion, historical significance and design vision, delivered into a rapidly changing Paris market.”

The reimagining of a classic property that combines contemporary design with a respectful nod to the past, the hotel is a symbol of new wave hospitality based on old world roots. A hotel with soul, judges stated: “Les Bains is not just a hotel, it is a cultural institution. Three architects and designers revitalising the heritage in a very authentic way presents the perfect opportunity for continuing the story of Bains Douche.

One judge commented: “Design should be about how it makes you feel, and Les Bains makes me feel like the happiest person on earth!”

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Sleep 24-25 NOVEMBER 2015

Innovative, versatile and pioeneering exhibitors, a conference programme packed with leading names and record breaking numbers of visitors define Sleep 2015.

Words: Molly Dolan | Photography © Paul Stuart

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elebrating its 10th year, Sleep, Europe’s leading hotel design and development event, raised the bar yet again at London’s Business Design Centre on 24-25 November 2015.

A record-breaking count of over 4,000 global visitors experienced constructed displays from top international exhibitors and immersive installations that ventured into the frontiers of imagination.

Meanwhile, an informative conference programme saw authoritative design voices pose questions about the hotel sector today and share their vision for tomorrow’s hotels.

Curated for diversity in style and products, over 150 exhibitors from around the world displayed their newest launches. International brands included Bette, Jung, and Vitra, who presented its Water Jewels metallic basins – designed by Matteo Thun and inspired by Turkish craftsmanship – while Czech company Preciosa welcomed visitors to the show with ethereal lighting installation ‘Souls’. New Australian brand Coco Wolf was also present, showcasing innovative and original outdoor furniture, while Roca’s new Inspira collection was a focal point in the Gallery Hall.

British brands included Walker Greenbank Contracts, who launched its new digital portal Style Library Contract, Astro presented contemporary lighting that is honest, accessible and engaging, while Morgan Furniture returned with its latest collections, including Rio. Heading over to the thought-provoking conference sessions, Nick Jones, CEO and Founder of Soho House, was on stage after winning the previous night’s European Hotel Design Award for Outstanding Contribution. In an exclusive conversation with former collaborator Robin Hutson, Jones opened day one with a discussion charting the exceptional success of Soho House, and the eventful career that preceded it.

No doubt a factor in the brand’s success, Jones described his meticulous attention to detail, recounting a tale of being unhappy with the way scrambled eggs were served at a Soho House property, and working tirelessly to correct it. This level of consideration ultimately led to the decision to bring all interior design in-house.

Having previously worked with the likes of Martin Brudnizki and Ilse Crawford, Jones stated: “I’d never have had the confidence to do this if I hadn’t have worked with these guys first.”

Describing Soho House members as “like-minded people with a creative soul,” Jones places an equal amount of importance on members as he does staff, explaining: “We’re not a corporation, we’re a dysfunctional family that’s growing bigger.”

Of the group’s expansion, the visionary claims to have been spending a lot of time at the most recent opening, Soho Farmhouse, in rural Oxfordshire. When asked if he thinks that the new development will work, Jones concluded: “Ask me in a year’s time.”

Later that afternoon, Gray Davis and Will Meyer of Meyer Davis Studio sat in conversation with conference moderator Guy Dittrich, discussing their wide variety of projects, including the recently completed 1 Hotel South Beach, as well as current project The Assemblage, a new crowd-funded brand with three hotels in the pipeline.

Leading British designer Lee Broom opened day two, with a keynote on the ‘Drama of Design’. Sharing his unconventional route into product design, Broom told of his lack of formal training and work with Vivienne Westwood, who saw his potential and aided the young designer’s future career. In 2015, Broom received The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, an acknowledgement of his vast achievements.

Heading over to Sleep Talking, Martin Brudnizki was in

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conversation with Sleeper Editor Catherine Martin. Discussing the moderated Supper Time, a session exploring how products, produce future of hotels, Brudnizki stated that F&B offerings are essential and personalities interact with design to deliver a coherent guest in enhancing visitor experience, placing importance on spatial experience in terms of hotel F&B. Speaking of the significance of configuration, stating that “hotels are increasingly about the consistency in experiential design through to the food on offer, Ido restaurant and bar offering, with rooms”. Further, Brudnizki stressed Garini, Chief Creative Director of Studio Appéttit stated: “It can’t the importance of locale, explaining: “I try to avoid being scene-y in just be sexy interiors, all of the elements have to work together.” design, it’s more about fitting in with Following the success of Sleep the local elements.”

2016, Joel Butler, Event Manager Between keynote talks and commented: “Sleep enjoyed interviews, panel discussions with record breaking visitor, VIP and leading industry names such as Maria delegate numbers. There were Katsarou-Vafiadis of MKV Design, more installations than ever and Daniel Englender of Benjamin West, stand renewal for 2016 exceeded Nick Jones, Soho House Ariane Steinbeck of RPW Design and all expectations. But perhaps Tristan Auer of Wilson Associates, most exciting of all, was the covered topics ranging from conversions, renovations, need-to-knows re-occurring comment that Sleep ‘raised the bar’. Through their of hotel design and how to make design pay. stand designs exhibitors expressed themselves more conceptually The topic of convergence was also discussed, with Gilberto Vizzini and creatively than ever, the conference sparked what felt like a of Il Prisma, Jane Lawrence of The Manser Practice and Tom Hupe of conversation to be continued and the Sleep Set theme extended to Perkins+Will each debating the concept of ‘new ground’ within hotel the show entrance, the bar and into the conference. This gives us spaces. Hupe commented: “Hotel lobbies are becoming a default much to celebrate and even more to build on for next year.” place of work for mobile workers,” demonstrating the increasing Sleep is set to return on 22-23 November 2016 in London’s need for versatility in hotel layout and design.

Business Design Centre.

Closing the conference, Supper Editor Harry McKinley www.thesleepevent.com

“We’re a dysfunctional family that’s growing bigger. We’re not a corporation”

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The Sleep Set

Above: Shaun Clarkson ID’s Sleep Set was crowned winner of the Wonder Tale themed competition Opposite (clockwise from top left): Sleep Sets by The Studio by Harrods, Areen Hospitality, Anita Rosato, Oliver Heath

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or 2015, the Sleep Sets were judged by three influential figures from the world of hotel architecture and interior design: Erik Nissen Johansen, Founder and Creative Director of Stylt Trampoli; Javier Hortal, Director of Technical Services at Mandarin Oriental; and Katy Ghahremani, Partner at Make Architects.

Of the five sets, Shaun Clarkson ID was awarded as the winner. Clarkson commented: “We are in the business of creating fantasy worlds, so the theme of ‘Wonder Tale’ was a gift allowing our imagination to run wild. We believe hotel rooms should be somewhere to get lost in a magical environment and are delighted to have won The Sleep Set 2015. We had such fun creating our very own fairytale room that tells our own story and are thrilled we captivated the judging panel.”

Speaking of this year’s theme, judge Katy

Ghahremani commented on the tangibility of a Wonder Tale theme in reality: “Absolutely it could work, especially in the hotel sector. It very much depends on an array of factors though, such as the

“Hotel rooms should be somewhere to get lost in a magical environment.”

Shaun Clarkson purpose of the scheme, the client, operator, target market and the location. For example, a Wonder Tale themed guestroom in a hotel might not be as suitable for a business traveller as it would say a tourist, particularly one with an interest in design.”

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Runners-up in the 2015 installation competition included Anita Rosato, Areen Hospitality, Oliver Heath and The Studio at Harrods. Speaking at the event, Andrew Linwood, Head of Design at Areen Hospitality, discussed the design firm’s installation: “Within Tales of Wonder we have a concept of duality. It’s about two worlds, we didn’t want to do a literal fairytale; we wanted it to be as close to a working room as we could get. We’ve taken the principles of fairytales, such as distorted reality, and used a more architectural approach.”

Suppliers such as Ahsap, Hansgrohe, Laufen and Hypnos, offered their services for this year’s Sleep Sets, enabling designers to use their imagination and creativity without limit.

With each year presenting a new themetic challenge, what magic will 2016 hold? According to organisers, details will be announced soon.

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Drink Me Bar

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lurring the boundaries, and putting a twist on reality” – these were the definitive aims of Conran + Partners’ initial proposal for the bar at Sleep 2015. Harnessing the power of storytelling, The Sleep Bar in association with Sleeper was intended to create a unique space for both networking and relaxing, and is reimagined annually by a different design company.

For 2015, Conran + Partners was responsible for creating the bar in accordance with the ‘Wonder Tale’ concept, which thematically unites The Sleep Set that surrounds it.

The design firm’s interpretation of the theme was inspired by the endless possibilities and limitless borders of a fantasy world. Explaining the desired impression of the whimsical design, Tina Norden, Project Director at Conran + Partners, says: “The design team was immediately excited by the limitless possibilities of the theme, which invited an abstract approach, immediately thinking of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland. We also drew on the slightly darker tales of the Brothers Grimm, with their surreal undercurrents, resulting in a hyper-charged reality with unexpected perspectives, reflections and upside-down-ness!”

Embracing the temporary nature of the bar’s existence, Norden felt her creative capacity could be truly unleashed by the design brief, stating: “Our designs are often playful and a bit tongue in cheek and, with The Sleep Bar, we

could afford to take this a step or two further.” She compares the end result to a theatrical prop, which needs to give the impression of permanence but actually has limited use, adding: “Bars and restaurants are essentially stages on which people interact, and where small dramas and stories are played out.

Guests want an element of glamour and theatre, in a place which is ‘other’ but in which they can also feel comfortable and at ease. With The Sleep Bar, we aimed to create layers of theatricality, but with unmistakeable glamour.”

As a focal point of the show, the construction is intended to exude a dramatic presence and challenge the very idea of what a bar should be. The design therefore, combined both fantastical and functional elements to create a show-stopping feature, complete with sound concept from Music Concierge.

Norden’s approach to The Sleep Bar reflects her understanding of F&B’s role in the hotel industry, which she sees as ever more important for creating a distinctive scene in a hotel’s locality. South Place Hotel in Shoreditch – which Norden directed the interior design for – has become an integrated part of its area, as a result of the events programme it hosts. Norden has implemented the same approach in Conran + Partners’ latest project, the German Gymnasium at King’s Cross, a 19th century, purpose-built gym that is being transformed into an all-day ‘Grand Café’-style restaurant for D&D.

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Event Highlights Snoozebox offers Stagezzz

Guestrooms as workspaces in Convergence A series of installations in the Gallery Hall addressed the theme of Converegence – the movement that sees guestrooms double as work spaces and lobbies as lounges. Multi-disciplinary practice Il Prisma Group created the ‘Social Harbour’ a refuge for new nomads and smart workers, while The Manser Practice built a thought-provoking sculpture designed to show how the functional and fanciful merge. Perkins+Will presented a work-rest space that showcased potential opportunities for the hotel market. Tom Hupe, Director of Hospitality at Perkins+Will, explained that the concept is tailored to meet the needs of today’s professionals. “With this new demand, we could essentially create a new hotel typology,” he explained. “A niche hotel aimed at mobile workers.”

Grohe returns with new innovations Luxury sanitaryware manufacturer Grohe made a return to Sleep to host the VIP Lounge and present its latest product innovations.

Unveiled at the event was the redesigned Eurostyle mixer, now available in a brilliant white finish and featuring Grohe Zero technology and a reduced water consumption of only 5.7 litres per minute. Also on show was a new range of colours – Warm Sunset, Cool Sunrise, Hard Graphite and Soft Graphite – for the Allure Brilliant, Grandera and Eurodisc Cosmopolitan ranges.

Grohe’s expert team was on hand throughout the two-day event.

Speaking to Sleeper, Glenn Wilson, Head of UK Hospitality, explained that the group works closely with the hotel industry, incorporating user feedback in the design and development of new products. According to Wilson, sustainability, reliability and ease of use were amongst the most important attributes, resulting in the development of an energy-saving (ES) cartridge for its taps.

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Following a competition hosted by portable hotel designers Snoozebox, a winning new format of hotel design was unveiled in the forecourt of the Business Design Centre at Sleep. A flexible concept called Stagezzz, created by competition winner OHØYstudio, used products and technology from sponsors Egger and ABB. The team of three international architects based in Norway created an elegant yet uncomplicated solution, a piece of superfurniture that functions as a stage while storing folding furniture, linen, mattresses and luggage.

“I was impressed with all of the entries,” said Lorcán Ó Murchú, CEO of Snoozebox and co-judge of the competition. “Well done OHØYstudio – simple, thoughtful and flexible, I look forward to bringing the concept to life.”

Following the high level of quality from submissions, three entries were selected as runners-up: James Bishop, Ben Rumer and Lucia Bergamo of MR Partnership; Jakub Jan Surówka, Michał Matejczyk, Beata Mazur and Iza Tolko of the Kracow-based SUMA Architektów, and Onginev T. Jiminez from the Philippines.

In Bed With Designers 4-6 DECEMBER 2015

International designers flock to Hong Kong for Asia’s ‘boutique designer sleepover’, presenting a curated hub of innovation and guest interactivity.

Words: Molly Dolan

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he fifth edition of In Bed With Designers took place from 4-6th December at Design Hotels’ Ovolo Southside in Hong Kong, hosting leading names from the design industry for a boutique designer sleepover.

The event hosted nearly 50 rising talents from 15 countries around the globe, tasked with transforming 30 of Ovolo’s guestrooms into carefully curated caves of innovative products and unique creations. The hub of creativity allowed visitors the opportunity to meet the designers and experiment with their cutting-edge pieces.

Designers from all corners of the world showcased products including Asobi from Slovenia, whose Carbon Light was inspired by the design of the host hotel; Ji Hyun Chung who showcased colourful, ceramic designs from South Korea; and Taiwanese designer Weiting Chan, who exhibited timber creations made using Hinoki wood. The event also provided a platform for local designers, enabling them to both present and sell their products. Among the Hong Kong-based exhibitors were tech-accessory brand Audiopark, as well as lifestyle accessory brand rCube.

During the weekend of exhibitions, talks and awards, Style by Asia’s

Managing Director Sandra Smedhall tackled the Future of Design in Asia with a panel of industry experts and audience interaction. Meanwhile, the inaugural Design Swarm Workshop sought creative approaches to tackle the Hong Kong 2035 demographic time bomb; by 2035 the number of adults over 65 will increase significantly and the size of the working population is set to decrease. 30 design-enthusiasts were divided into three swarm teams, working to devise an innovative, design-based solution.

In Bed With Designers, curated by buyMeDesign, also offered recognition to a number of handpicked products on display during the event with the Spot Design Award. A panel of eight distinguished industry experts worked together to select one winner, based on philosophy, innovation, functionality, quality, eco-friendliness, aesthetics and durability. This year’s winner, Loudbasstard’s Hybrid, presented ingenious design in the form of a wireless speaker and amplifier in a naturalistic wooden design.

Following the success of the initial In Bed With Designers Singapore in 2015, the event will return from 11-13 March 2016 at the New Majestic Hotel. www.inbedwithdesigners.com | www.buymedesign.com

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THE SOUTH BEACH, SINGAPORE 10 MARCH 2016

Shortlist Announced After much anticipation, the finalists of the Asia Hotel Design Awards have been announced, revealing a diversity of talent across all sectors.

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rom Bali to Hong Kong, Beijing to Macau, over 180 projects were submitted to the second annual Asia Hotel Design Awards, reiterating the strength of hospitality design in the region.

Following a preliminary round of scoring, the shortlisted projects for AHDA 2016 has now been announced along with a number of new judges. This year’s 20-strong judging panel will now spend the coming weeks visiting the shortlisted hotels, before casting their final votes. The judging process for the awards has been developed to ensure a rigorous, robust and balanced procedure is followed to select the final winners in each category. The criteria for success are based not only on creative merit, but also on commercial viability.

As well as projects that are aesthetically impressive, the judges will be looking for evidence that winning designs have met the needs of client and customers alike, demonstrating a sensible use of budget to contribute to the guest experience as well as the ‘theatre’ of hotel life.

Set to take place on 10 March 2016, this year’s ceremony will be hosted at Singapore’s newly opened Luxury & Lifestyle H.I.P Hotel, The South Beach. An ideal location in the heart of Singapore, The South Beach’s design has been brilliantly curated and meticulously

crafted by renowned designer Philippe Starck, along with a host of creative artists from around the world.

In addition to announcing the winners in the architecture and interior design categories, the ceremony will honour an industry figure with the Outstanding Contribution Award. Trophies for 2016 are currently being designed by glass installation specialist, Lasvit.

Speaking of the shortlist announcement, Matt Turner, Editorin-Chief of Sleeper, commented: “The shortlist for this year’s Asia Hotel Design Awards is a reflection of the continuing dynamism and creativity of the region’s hospitality design sector, and the growing stature of this awards scheme. Asia Pacific continues to be the world’s fastest growing region for hotel development, and we are particularly excited at the prospect of welcoming the architects, designers and developers of the shortlisted projects to the South Beach in Singapore for the awards ceremony on Thursday 10 March, during Singapore Design Week.”

Tickets for the AHDA ceremony can be booked online at: www.asiahoteldesignawards.com

JUDGING PANEL Bill Bensley, Founder & Principal, Bensley Design Studios; Marc Dardene, CEO, Patina Hotels & Resorts; Jean-Luc Fourrier, Founder & Director, JLF Associates; Andre Fu, Founder, AFSO; Michael Goodman, Senior Director, EDG Design; Anne Geiermann, General Manager – Design, Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels; Guy Heywood, COO, Alila Hotels & Resorts; Zdenek Kastanek, Managing Director, Proof; Jennyfer Lacroix, Corporate Director – Design, Raffles Hotels & Resorts; Carsten Lima, Area Director Asia Pacific, Design Hotels; Brian Lum, Regional Vice President-Design and Planning, Hyatt; Christine McGinnis, Managing Director, Alila Hotels & Resorts; Julia Monk, Senior Vice President/Director of Hospitality Design, HOK; Khirstie Gunn Myles, Chair of Judges and Vice President Design & Engineering, Asia, Middle East and Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group; Loh Lik Peng, Founder, Unlisted Collection; Rajiv Puri, Senior Vice President Projects & Development, Minor Hotel Group; John Shamon, Senior Vice President of Design and Project Services, Rosewood; Matt Turner, Editor-in-Chief, Sleeper; Brian Williams, Managing Director, Swire Hotels; Paul Matthew Wiste, Vice President of Development, Design, Jumeirah Group

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The Shortlist ARCHITECTURE OF THE YEAR

RESORT

URBAN

Alila Seminyak – Bali, Indonesia

By URBNarc

Hotel Vagabond – Singapore

By WE Craft Group

Phum Baitang – Siem Reap, Cambodia

By AW2

The Old Clare Hotel – Sydney, Australia

By Tonkin Zulaikha Greer

The Pavilions Himalayas – Pokhara, Nepal

By Wonaw & Associates

The South Beach – Singapore

By Foster + Partners

The Ritz-Carlton Sawangan – Bali, Indonesia

By WATG

The Temple House – Chengdu, China

By Make Architects

INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR

BAR

BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS

EVENT SPACE

LOUNGE, LOBBY & PUBLIC AREAS

Alibi, Cordis – Hong Kong

By Stickman Tribe

Hotel Indigo – Bangkok, Thailand

By Hirsch Bedner Associates

JW Marriott – Macau, China

By Hirsch Bedner Associates

Alila Seminyak – Bali, Indonesia

By URBNarc

Elephant Bar, Raffles Hotel Le Royal – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

By FRHI

NUO Hotel – Beijing, China

By Hirsch Bedner Associates

The Press Club @ New World Makati Manila Hotel – The Philippines

By White Jacket

NUO Hotel – Beijing, China

By Hirsch Bedner Associates

Long Bar, The Ritz-Carlton – Macau, China By Hirsch Bedner Associates MEI Whiskey Bar, Rosewood Beijing – China By BAR Studio

Rosewood Beijing – China

By BAR Studio

Park Hyatt Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam By EDC

The South Beach – Singapore

By Philippe Starck

The Cigar & Cocktail Bar, Phum Baitang – Siem Reap, Cambodia

By Zannier Hotels

Per Aquum, Subsix Restyled – The Maldives

By Poole Associates

TUVE – Hong Kong

By Design Systems

The Ritz-Carlton Macau, VIP function room – China

By Hirsch Bedner Associates

Park Hyatt Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam By EDC Rosewood Beijing – China

By BAR Studio The Old Clare Hotel – Sydney, Australia

By Tonkin Zulaikha Greer

RESTAURANT

SPA & WELLNESS

SUITE

Bread Street Kitchen, Marina Bay Sands – Singapore

By Wilson Associates

ESPA Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Macau – China

By Hirsch Bedner Associates

Alila Seminyak – Bali, Indonesia

By URBNarc

Country Kitchen, Rosewood Beijing – China

By BAR Studio

NUO Spa, NUO Hotel Beijing – China

By Hirsch Bedner Associates

Beijing House, Rosewood Beijing – China

By BAR Studio

Mezz Restaurant, Sofitel Plaza Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam By noor

Phum Baitang Spa – Siem Reap, Cambodia

By Zannier Hotels

Loke Thye Kee Residences – Penang, Malaysia

By Ministry of DEsign

Rosewood Beijing – China

By BAR Studio

Park Hyatt Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

By EDC

Tian Spa @ Park Hyatt Beijing – China

By EDGE Design Institute

Specialty Suite, New World Makati Manila Hotel – Philippines By White Jacket

Red Bowl, Rosewood Beijing – China

By BAR Studio SILVER ROOM, TUVE – Hong Kong

By Design Systems

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M

Y

CM

MY

Luxury starts with linen

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CMY

K

Tradelinens now offer a specific servicetailored to small hotels and private homes.

Urban Escape #01 A NEW DESTINATION FOR STOCKHOLM

This is a tale of risk-taking and adventure. Of the fastest growing hotel group in Scandinavia and its role in an urban regeneration project that will transform a corner of Stockholm. It’s the story of how a hotel project is realised. The serialisation begins here and will continue each issue until the development opens in 2017.

Words: Guy Dittrich

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e begin in Brunkebergstorg, a beautiful but largely forgotten square in the Norrmalm neighbourhood of Stockholm. Once the heart of the city, it was a wellto-do area of finely appointed residential homes that gradually transformed into a commercial and then financial centre. Come the 1960s, much of the heritage architecture was destroyed and the neighbourhood lost its way. By day, commercial life went on and the Gallerian indoor shopping mall made for a pleasant enough respite from the biting cold of a Stockholm winter. But at night it became associated with an underclass of urban life and the city decided that something needed to be done.

And so, in conjunction with various landowners, Urban Escape Stockholm was born.

Anticipating the zeitgeist of modern metropolitan living, the mixed-use development blends retail, leisure and office space to create a hub of social, cultural and economic interaction. Already open in one of the buildings is Epicentre, the city’s first ‘House of Innovation’ comprising shared desk

space, comfortable lounges and state of the art conference facilities.

In all, the neighbourhood regeneration project will see the existing 95,000m2 site expanded to 130,000m2, of which 62,000m2 will be devoted to offices, 38,000m 2 to commercial use, and 29,000m2 to hotels. There is also a small, 28-unit residential component.

its lease and moved out leaving 50,000m2 vacant.

“With this we started the process of development and rethinking the block as whole,” explains Karolin Forsling, Chief Development Officer at AMF Fastigheter. “Here we are transforming a previously closed block to an open part of the city centre,” she adds.

Within the former Swedbank offices that run

“Hotels contribute to creating what we call ‘the third space’ – the space between work and home.”

Karolin Forsling, AMF Fastigheter

Prime amongst the stakeholders is AMF Fastigheter, the property arm of the pension company AMF, whose portfolio currently has a market value of around SEK60bn (€6.5bn). AMF Fastigheter acquired the properties that make up Urban Escape between 1999 and 2000. In 2014 a major tenant, Swedbank, chose not to prolong

along the west side of the site, overlooking the triangular plot of Brunkebergstorg, AMF wanted two hotels with different characters. “Hotels contribute to creating what we call ‘the third space’ – the space between work and home,” Forsling continues. “They play a significant role in helping us revitalise the city.”

JANUARY 2015

AUGUST 2015

NOVEMBER 2016

MARCH 2017

Epicenter, Stockholm’s first House of Innovation opens

The first virtual groundbreaking ceremony takes place

Businesses move into office space at Malmtorgsgatan 8

Two hotels open at Brunkebergstorg

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MALMTORGSGATAN 8

BRUNKEBERGSTORG

REGERINGSGATAN 13-19

MALMSKILLNADSGATAN 32

REGERINGSGATAN 25-29

With the development in planning stages, the competition was on to find an operator; literally hundreds bid for a piece of the action. And the winner is… Nordic Hotels & Resorts (NH&R), a Scandinavia-based collection of independent hotels, each with its own brand and identity. It forms part of Nordic Choice Hospitality Group, which operates under the Quality Hotels, Clarion and Comfort brands.

The deal struck between the parties has seen the signing of a 20-year revenue based lease in which AMF receive an undisclosed percentage of the top-line revenues of the hotels. There is also a guaranteed minimum payment due to AMF should the hotels underperform. This type of lease is relatively common in Scandinavia and has the advantage of encouraging both landlord and tenant to make future investments, as they will both benefit from increased revenues.

NH&R is a privately owned business within the empire of Norway’s property magnate, the energetic Petter Stordalen. Stordalen’s business mantra is based on “guts, energy and enthusiasm”

Project Details – all of which he has in spades. “The bigger you are, the bigger the opportunities,” he enthuses.

“We have a strong desire to be the number one operator in Sweden, and therefore need to be the number one in Stockholm.”

A host of stats follow. The empire has grown from eight hotels in 1996 to 185 today. And there are another 14 hotels under construction.

Nordic Choice first entered Stockholm in 2004 with the Clarion Hotel, and the portfolio currently numbers 17 properties within the confines of the city. The addition of these two new hotels totaling 544 guestrooms, the largest ever hospitality project in Stockholm, goes a long way to fulfilling Stordalen’s ambition.

DEVELOPER AMF Fastigheter SITE 5 buildings | 4 streets | 2 squares

130,000m2 TOTAL AREA

62,000m2 OFFICES

38,000m2 COMMERCIAL

29,000m2 HOTELS

In our next issue find out about the appointment process for the selection of key players in the realisation of the project, the design briefs and how the construction is coming along.

1,000m2 RESIDENTIAL

AUTUMN 2017

WINTER 2018

WINTER 2019

SPRING 2019

The first phase of The Rooftop opens

The shopping mall reopens

Residential building Regeringsgatan 21 opens

The Rooftop fully opens

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N e w E a u Z o n e P l u s U l t r a B e s p o k e . T h e e p i t o m e o f l u x u r y, t a i l o r - m a d e , e x p e r t l y m e a s u r e d a n d i n s t a l l e d b y M a t k i ’ s s p e c i a l i s t I n s t a l l a t i o n T e a m Beautifully engineered in the UK

F O R I N F O R M A T I O N O N M A T K I ’ S M E A S U R E A N D I N S T A L L S E R V I C E A N D T O R E C E I V E A B R O C H U R E C A L L 01 4 5 4 3 2 2 8 8 8 | W W W. M A T K I . C O. U K | M A T K I P L C , B R I S T O L B S 3 7 5 P L

Italian Design STYLE THROUGH THE TIMES

The evolution of world-renowned Italian design spans all aspects of the industry; from contemporary to traditional, all hold a place in hospitality design.

Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: Luca Dal Gesso

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he history of Italian design is long and multifaceted, with interior design being listed as a hobby of Italian nobility as far back as 25BC. On a trip to the country’s leading design regions, it became clear that, although evolution has seen a demise in the popularity of traditional, extravagant and lavish design in favour of contemporary counterparts, numerous Italian design houses have opted to continue the tradition, utilising local craftspeople, and catering to a growing market overseas.

“We had to make a decision to be inside or out,” states Elizabeth Masato, co-owner of Giorgio Collection, speaking of the brand’s 99% export rate. Upholding Italian quality, yet without the modern design aspects, the luxury veneer manufacturer is able to capitalise on the ‘Made in Italy’ label, with markets such as Russia and the

Middle East holding an unwavering affinity for classical Italian styles.

Also exporting to the Middle Eastern markets, namely Saudi Arabia and UAE, is Angelo Cappellini, a classic furniture company based in the Brianza area of Italy, just north of Milan. The area, famous for its success in the furniture sector, is also home to numerous other brands such as Elledue and Asnaghi Interiors.

Working on hotel projects such as Raffles Singapore, Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan and The Savoy in London, Angelo Cappellini places emphasis on beech and cherry wood, guaranteeing strength and quality in its furniture whilst ensuring ease-of-use during production – 70% of which is completed by hand. With no two pieces the same, the brand must pay the utmost attention to detail, as Stefano Zecca – grandson of founder Enrico Cappellini – states: “Due to the hand carving, we sometimes have a mismatch at assembly. This results in

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Above Left: Designed by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, Zucchetti.Kos’ Him presents minimalist, architectural lines Above Right: Elledue boasts an in-house technical studio, supporting an infinite number of bespoke pieces and customisations, as well as collaborative collections with designers such as Giovanni Pagani and Walid Fleihan Previous Page: Limited edition tables designed by Zaha Hadid for Citco are available in Black Marquina or Bianco di Covelano with gold vein

“Our production has always been chracterised by a strong attention to detail, allowing full customisation.”

another hand-carving to ensure that it such as Caesar recreate historic is perfect.” classics, updating them with Noting that its market for traditional new materials such as metal, and Italian design is somewhat limited – modernised upholstery.

90% of Angelo Cappellini’s produce is Meanwhile, contemporary for export – the brand launched Opera b a t h r o o m m a n u f a c t u r e r, Contemporary five years ago, merging Zucchetti.Kos states that a return Alessandro Lanzani, Elledue its artisanal skills with the demands to classical styles has resulted of modern design. The company’s in the increasing popularity attention to detail, combined with its technological advances, of transitional design, a midway point between a traditional and ensures a level of intricacy and customisation that is expected of modern approach.

Italian design.

Connected by a feeling for water, Zucchetti and Kos joined forces in Catering to the demand for customisable products, Brianza-based 2007 to merge the brands’ respective knowledge in design orientated Elledue Arredamenti boasts an in-house technical studio able to taps and mixers with high-quality bathtubs and shower enclosures. support an infinite number of bespoke pieces and customisations.

The partnership places emphasis on innovation, sustainability and Co-owner and designer, Alessandro Lanzani, comments: “Our bathroom design as an experience, with the launch of Him being a production has always been charaterised by strong attention to detail, personification of this. A practical yet aesthetically dynamic single allowing us to work in the luxury market, where the main focus is lever tap, Him presents minimalist, architectural lines concealing customisation and full project interiors.” a patented cartridge. Speaking of the design, Ludovica+Roberto Founded in 1972, Elledue collaborates with renowned designers Palomba explain: “Him is a piece of architecture inhabited by an such as Alex Charles for its contemporary lines and Giovanni Pagani almost organic ergonomic handle. We designed a radical new form, for the brand’s classical boiserie collections. Meanwhile, ranges a shape from which water springs in all of its vitality.

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Above: Murano glass expert Barovier & Toso produces meticulously hand-blown glass chandeliers, regularly working with renowned designers such as Paola Navone, Matteo Thun and Marcel Wanders

“It is a piece of architecture inhabited by an almost organic ergonomic handle. We designed a radical new form, a shape from which water springs in all of its vitality.”

“The initial idea followed the Just as Citco’s pieces are tailor-made concept of less is more, searching to specifications by highly-skilled for a simple use of the material craftspeople, the fascination with and a formal expression of the artisanal production continues with object’s function. The result of this Barovier & Toso. Steeped in history, architectural genesis was a light, the Venice-based Murano glass expert complete product in harmony has completed exquisite hotel projects with the evolution towards more ranging from Four Seasons Firenze subtle geometric solutions.” to The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul and St. Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, Zucchetti.Kos Also presenting a transitional Regis New York. approach to design is Citco, based Regularly working with designers in the heart of Verona’s marble district. The constantly evolving such as Matteo Thun and Paola Navone, the connection between marble specialist made a decision in 2006 to bring all design and Italian heritage and influential design is reiterated, whether it be production in-house, ensuring complete Made in Italy status. With a with traditional wood furnishings or meticulously hand-blown glass team of high quality craftsmen, Citco then progressed to create the chandeliers. Most recently, Barovier & Toso has transitioned firmly Design Collection, a range more sensitive to contemporary design into contemporary design, partnering with Marcel Wanders to create formed under the visionary guidance of Ferruccio Laviani, producing the Lust collection, a range that combines concrete and gold within a surfaces where marble, stone and onyx are combined with metal tapered crystal dome. Available as a table lamp, Lust features tapered and light. crystal enclosing myriads of gold flakes, reflecting light in a soft, Again in this direction, a collaboration with architect Zaha Hadid atmospheric manner. was formed in 2012. Producing three collections, the approach Regardless of product type or end-market, the evolution of Italy’s towards marble presented another dimension, allowing fashion and renowned product design sector has strengthened its loyalty to architecture to come together in a mix of design and art. quality, local artisanship and honouring the Made in Italy name.

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just when you think you know someone #moredesign #moredetail #morepassion t : +44 (0)121 559 91111 e : sales@hbgroup.co.uk

www.hbgroup.co.uk

Floorcoverings M I X A N D M AT C H

Combining hard and soft surfaces, maximising public spaces and allowing nature to filter into design authentically all feature high on the flooring design agenda for 2016.

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he idea that nature and humans share an instinctive bond, fast losing any credibility and design built to merely appear original is influencing our physical and mental wellbeing, has spilled decreasingly favoured. Scott explains: “To be cost effective, authentic, into all aspects of design including floorcovering, resulting in slow-made materials are often mass produced. I’ve been drawn to the nature-inspired design and technological advances. more abstract ideas, such as when building or renovating a hotel, do “The natural look remains a key trend,” observes Alexandra not wipe the slate clean, architecturally speaking.

Gordon, Forbo Flooring Systems. “Manufacturers are taking a “Through literally repurposing materials, you can preserve the progressive step forward and devising luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) with identity and the story of the locale. The combined use of hard surface fresh designs, such as sophisticated natural wood and stone effects.” and soft surface flooring creates a practical solution for owners, as The return to nature follows an increasing desire for originality, a well as a wealth of style and design options for designers.” demonstration to guests that the space is unique, tradition has been According to Forbo, the attention given to entrance areas is set to respected and design is genuine. Maria Scott, Director of Design increase, with the hotel lobby no longer used for mono-tasks such at Shaw Hospitality Group says: “As as checking in. Guests utilise these modern nomads, we belong to these spaces for multiple activities, ranging loosely tied global tribes. One tribe’s from socialising, business meetings or idea of home may look very earthy passing the time. “First impressions and simplistic, while another’s may be are everything in this sector,” says sleek and posh. One hotel cannot be Gordon. “Going forward, entrance all things to all tribes, so an alwaysflooring systems that have a designpresent driver is nature. orientated approach will be of interest, “We are nature, we are animals and such as black anodised options that Alexandra Gordon, Forbo Flooring Systems our primitive ancestry still resonates can provide a contemporary finish or with natural surroundings, whether natural, sustainable designs like the literal or subtle subconscious cues. For example, carpet designs that Forbo Nuway Bamboo collection, offering a unique flooring route.” mimic sitting under the shade of a tree on a sunny afternoon offer Stein also notes the increasing importance of multi-purpose lobbies, a simple texture reminiscent of the bark on a birch tree.” Not only crediting modular furnishing trends with transforming traditional does this calling for nature depend on colours, patterns or forms, but spaces into a one-stop shop. “Whether it’s a break-out area to read on texture, as tactility connects with human’s analogue disposition. the newspaper or for a more formal business meeting. The design of According to the British Contract Furnishing Association, the these spaces needs to reflect the lives of the guests using them. The demand for green design does not stop with the aesthetics. Jeremy flooring needs to maintain the idea that one space flows to the next, Stein, Managing Director at BCFA states: “Hoteliers understand that for example if there is a grand art deco feel in the foyer, this scheme their guests are becoming increasingly aware of the environment needs to be seen in the guestrooms,” states Stein. and the importance of sustainability and many are actively seeking Following increasing innovations across the sector, Shaw is set suppliers that comply with eco-friendly production and manufacture. to offer hard surface flooring with new and unexpected visuals and “Green is almost an expectation now, and suppliers are responding shapes in the coming year, working in correlation with the brand’s well to this demand and deploying the use of innovative new existing carpeting. The latest offerings demonstrate not only the vast sustainable techniques and renewable materials.” possibilities from the sector, but the increasing importance of design When it comes to natural design, it seems that the word authentic is underfoot.

“Entrance flooring systems with a design-orientated approach will be of interest, such as black anodised flooring.”

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SOLUS Conquerer Solus Ceramics has launched four new ranges of concrete-inspired tiles, including Conquerer. Bringing to life the quality of concrete with distinct designs, large speckles feature in a range of complementary shades, with fluttering cloudy tones. Flecks and impurities provide character, sure to add depth to any interiors project. The four natural hues comprising the colour palette range from ghostly beige to earthy grey, while the varying sizes offer increased flexibility. www.solusceramics.com

DINESEN GrandPattern A modern solution with respect for history, GrandPattern presents large oak planks laid in a familiar, historical pattern. Available in Oak, GrandOak and HeartOak with varying options for the amount of knots, the patterns include Herringbone, a familiar design with a modern expression; Bond, defi ned by boards of the same dimensions in staggered lanes; Chevron, a graphic floor with V-pattern; and Mosaic, a classic solution featuring horizontal and vertical clusters to form a pattern reminiscent of a chessboard. www.dinesen.com

TED TODD Artisan

BOLON Bolon by You Set to launch during Stockholm Design Week (9-13 February), Bolon by You is the latest jacquard flooring collection born from a collaboration between Bolon and London-based design duo Doshi Levien. Following art direction from Doshi Levien, the collection features six new patterns with influences drawn from art, fashion, culture and textiles. The collection also focuses on the interplay between materials, colour and texture, enabling architects and designers to participate in the design process through customisation. www.bolon.com

Searching for a floor that would deliver both functionally and aesthetically, Ted Todd has developed a unique fi nish that provides both a matte appearance and raw, natural feel; naked skin lacquer. The latest Artisan floor designs not only achieve a raw look, but also feature normal bevels created by gently hand-rolling the edges around each plank for an unmanufactured feel. The combination of hand-rolled edges and new naked skin lacquer result in a look inspired by wood that has been exposed to the elements, from the very pale Clifton and Dovecote, to the weather beaten dark wood of Tolland and Heath, all FSC certified. www.tedtodd.co.uk

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EGE Canvas Collage Danish carpet manufacturer Ege has teamed up with Dutch interior designer Nicolette Brunklaus, to create a new collection reflecting the designer’s love of rich textile structures. Canvas Collage is inspired by reflections on industry, just before the industrial revolution, and features five individual designs that can standalone or be combined.

Combining geometrical pattern with the rough expression of linen, the Octo edition creates a new look with an ambiguous feeling. www.egecarpets.com

FORBO HemingwayDesign X Forbo A collaboration with HemingwayDesign, the latest launch from Forbo is a forward thinking reinvention of the brand’s products into various distinctive, graphic compendiums of fun designs. By placing emphasis on the floor as a surface for graphic art and geometric design, the collection plays with pattern and shape, thus resulting in eight carefully considered designs. Surfaces such as Tessera carpet tiles, bespoke vinyl, Marmoleum and Forbo’s flocked Flotex feature, as well as a bespoke design service by HemingwayDesign, Marmolaid. www.forbo-flooring.co.uk

SHAW HOSPITALITY GROUP Cell Theory David Rockwell has partnered with Shaw Hospitality Group to create the pair’s third collection, Cell Theory. The microscopic structure of plant life unveils intricate patterns and organic shapes in the new range of broadloom custom carpet designs, completed by rich layers of colour and texture. The multiple field, corridor and rug patterns work in harmony to visually interpret the intricacies in the natural world, while the dye-injected, tufted and CYP (computerised yarn placement) offer high-quality, plush aesthetics. www.shawhospitalitygroup.com | www.rockwellgroup.com

INTERFACE HOSPITALITY Equal Measure As part of its campaign to lay ‘A Foundation for Beautiful Thinking’, Interface has unveiled three global collections based on nature’s ability to inspire and energise. The designs embrace biophilic design to stunning effect. Designed by David Oakey, the new offerings explore the transition between the outdoors and interior environments. Equal Measure is comprised of three Skinny Plank styles, including a design reminiscent of cobblestones and is offered in eight natural colourways. www.beautifulthinkers.com

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Product Shown: Stacy Garcia for Brintons; Urban Nomad - 4/IC31zSG

678.594.9300 • www.brintons.net

BEAULIEU Needtile Comprising 14 designs with a pile weight varying from 250g/m 2 to 1,500g/m 2 , the latest Needtile from Beaulieu International Group presents a felt solution under the Real brand. Striving to be more than a functional flooring solution, the range is available in a sophisticated colour palette, offering designers the opportunity to push the limits and transform floors into an art-based patchwork of colour and design. www.beaulieuflooringsolutions.com

NEWHEY Natural Wool Collection Manufactured using pure, undyed wool, the latest range from Newhey Carpets is environmentally inspired using nature’s charm as a guide.

The yarns showcase completely natural mountain sheep fleeces, blended to create four natural shades that consist of no colour dyes or chemical treatments. Two-ply yarn ensures strength, resilience and durability, as well as providing a fascinating texture from the sustainable brand. www.newheycarpets.co.uk

SKAI Click Vinyl

Riven is a new range of glazed porcelain wall and floor tiles from Johnson Tiles, featuring a realistic stonetextured fi nish. The range has been inspired by the natural cut, textures and colours of slate and stone.

As a result, Riven has a strong, earthy quality to it, and features beautiful natural lines alongside sharp detail. Available in a 600 x 300mm format, the design is available in four organic and neutral shades, from the pale tones of Portland White, to the deep charcoal notes of Welsh Slate.

Skai’s Click Vinyl range has introduced an expanded assortment of broader planks and varying thickness. The collection features 14 designs ranging from granite to realistic wood looks, all suitable for adhesive-free, floating installation. The click design can be installed over existing flooring, is waterproof, quiet and warm underfoot, offering the ultimate comfort. With its innovative design, the floorcovering is especially suited to rooms that are exposed to increased levels of moisture. Click Vinyl distribution is exclusively handled

by Malone Fabrics in the UK and Ireland.

www.johnson-tiles.com

www.hornschuch.com

JOHNSON TILES Riven

www.malonefabrics.com

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MODULEO Next Generation An extension of Moduleo’s Next Generation portfolio has resulted in new designs of the innovative Transform and Select collections, as well as a new herringbone option for the ultimate solution and customisation.

The selection of designs available is almost limitless when combining the latest additions with the recently launched Impress range; a collection of embossed texture and realistic design. www.moduleo.co.uk

KARNDEAN DESIGNFLOORING Van Gogh Wood The Van Gogh collection from Karndean Designflooring has received an update. Inspired by reclaimed natural wood materials, the 12 new plank designs replicate the unique look that comes from the transformation of wood over time, in addition to processes such as burning, liming and smoking. The four groups, French Oaks, American Redwood, Scottish Beech and Mexican Cypress ensure a grain and colour palette to suit a variety of hotel spaces. The complete Karndean Designflooring Van Gogh collection will now feature 32 wood designs. www.karndean.com

TOP FLOOR Luminoso

DEIRDRE DYSON Walking on Art

Luminoso, the newest collection from Topfloor by Esti, features the latest generation LED light technology.

Combining the luxurious softness of hand-tufted rugs and carpets with the feature of fi xed, or changing, single or multi-coloured lights woven into the pile. The collection, debuting with Stardust, features a lightgenerating unit that feeds the fibres from a mains power source. Finer gauge fibres give the rug a softer feel underfoot, without losing any of the light’s intensity.

Launching at Maison & Objet Paris, Deirdre Dyson’s latest carpet and rug collection is an evolution of the 2015 Illusion range. Comprising nine designs, the designs feature blocks of colour grading and chunks of silk, integrated in a way that plays with the light for a magical effect. Strong and subtle tonal contrasts create optical illusions, while drama is added through splashes of unexpected colour.

www.topfloorrugs.com

www.deirdredyson.com

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LOLOEY Libeskind Collection Created by Daniel Libeskind for Loloey, the latest collection explores form, pattern and colour in a series of limited edition rugs and carpets.

Inspired by the fractal geometry that can be recognised throughout Libeskind’s body of work, the range presents a truly unique and functional selection. The wall-to-wall carpets are handmade by means of a tufting technique from 100% bamboo silk that has been hand-carved to enhance the geometric, clean-cut lines of the design. www.loloey.com

BRINTONS Santhiya The result of a collaboration with Virginia Langley, Brintons has launched its fourth collection with the designer, Santhiya. An artistic blend of abstracted botanical arrangements and variegated textures, the design has been influenced by sand, sea and natural elements. The collection includes splashes of stone greys and creamy highlights in combination with a palette of indigo and orange. Meaning ‘natural beauty’ in Thai, Santhiya also features shapes suggestive of rugged wildflowers, such as Australian Saffron Thistle and African Protea. www.brintonts.net

PORCELANOSA Par-ker London POLYFLOR Affinity 255 The innovative Affi nity 255 range from Polyflor consists of high design, heavy commercial luxury vinyl tiles, created to work in harmony with vinyl sheet flooring ranges. Featuring an eclectic mix of 16 authentically reproduced wood plank designs, the 2mm gauge offers straightforward installation resulting in flowing pathways, zones and dual-purpose areas. Affi nity 255 planks feature surface textures, grain detail and tonal hues in a wide plank format, replicating the natural variation found in real wood.

Par-ker London takes inspiration from the force of nature, evident through its noble oak, stately appearance. The ceramic floor and wall tiles perfectly recreate natural wood’s graining and surface through five colour options. The elegant presence of the ceramic parquet collection represents the subtlety of dusty tones acquired with the technique of white wash stripping, which dyes the wood grain and cracks, softening the nuance of the surface, thus creating an aura of reverie and nostalgia.

www.polyflor.com

www.porcelanosa.com

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Bespoke Hotels – Hotel Gotham, Manchester City Centre Interior Designer - Oliver Redfern - Squid.inc

Designers & Manufacturers of Beautiful Carpet for the Hospitality & Leisure Sectors

MANUFACTURED IN THE U.K

For more information about our products: Call +44 (0) 1706 846 375 enquiries@newheycarpets.co.uk www.newheycarpets.co.uk www.colortecexpress.co.uk

By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Bespoke Lighting Manufacturers and Restoration Specialists

A PASSION FOR DESIGN HOTELS Specialists in bespoke and contemporary lighting for hotels From statement crystal chandeliers to the most discreet of table lamps and wall lights, our bespoke lighting can be seen in hotels around the globe. Using an unrivalled combination of skills and experience, we manufacture unique lighting for the world’s leading interior designers who choose us again and again when quality, cost and creativity are the priorities.

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Specifier P R O D U C T S & S E R V I C E S F O R H O S P I TA L I T Y D E S I G N

VIBIA Suite Object and light source merge in Vibia’s Suite, where the lamp fitting also functions as a piece of furniture. Designed by Jordi Vilardell and Meritxell Vidal, Suite features LED lights hidden within the supporting structure, emitting a warm and comforting light.

Available in varying forms, it can be created in an organic-shaped illuminated stone, creating a cosy ambient lighting effect. Both the rectangular or spherical shelf version present an ideal solution for relaxed moments, available in either a chocolate brown, white or mink fi nish. www.vibia.com

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GRAFF Dressage Free-Standing Vanity The Dressage Free-Standing Vanity, part of Graff’s modern Dressage Collection, has been designed by Nespoli and Novara Design Studio.

The compact and functional unit combines subtle elegance with aesthetic balance, presenting a minimalist, sawhorse-shaped base that conceals all plumbing. Inspired by craftsmanship, the vanity is made using DuPont Corian and Canaletto walnut solid wood, capturing the artisanal elements of furniture design. The piece is available in three fi nishes of Canaletto walnut, oak and wenge, and is fully customisable. www.graff-faucets.com

FEELGOOD DESIGNS C317

VITRA Water Jewels

STACY GARCIA Ensemble

To celebrate turning fifty, the round C317 lounge has been reimagined in a young and fresh manner. Created by designer Yuzuru Yamakawa, the chair has a beautiful detailed fi nish and is made from natural materials for indoor use.

Timeless elegance that looks good in any setting, C317 breathes traditional craftsmanship, manufactured within sustainable processes. www.feelgooddesigns.eu

Designed by Matteo Thun to bring opulence, elegance and style to any bathroom, VitrA’s Water Jewels basins combine technical developments with beauty. Featuring 28 designs in four shapes and sizes, the designs include metallic, monochrome, black and pearl colour choices. All of the basins can be mounted on the counter top, inset or undercounter, for the ultimate versatility.

A harmonious assortment of textured and decorative sheers, draperies, prints, jacquards and linen-like blackouts, the Ensemble collection has been inspired by global rhythms and the beauty of individualised cultures. Comprising 12 patterns and 56 colourways, the collection features and assortment of 118 inch-wide decorative sheers including a geometric clipped motif, crushed texture and delicate stripe.

www.martaonline.eu

www.vitra.co.uk

www.stacygarcia.com

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CLAYBROOK Evolve Reinventing a British classic, Claybrook has created the Evolve bathtub. With its minimalist roll top design, the bath is a pared-down interpretation of a classic form, inspired by the Victorian era and created by studying the proportions of antique baths. www.claybrookinteriors.co.uk

LASVIT Polygon Designed by Jan Plechac and Henry Wielgus for Lasvit, Polygon expresses light, glass and the glass-cutter’s art in perfect harmony. Combining the traditional shape of a hand-blown glass lampshade with the polygonal network often used in 3D modelling programs, the unusual design creates a new and intriguing décor with two distinct looks. In the daytime, light gently refracts from its matte surface, while at night the interior light source reveals the elegance of the design in full detail. www.lasvit.com

BETTE BetteLux Shape A new concept in baths, washbasins and accessories, BetteLux Shape takes its inspiration from inside/outside constructions in modern architecture, placing the soft and flowing forms in an open steel frame. The baths and washbasins are enamelled on both the inside and the outside in either white or black, allowing the eye to focus on the shape, which is visible from all sides and accentuated with a choice of frame colours. The range also includes complementary furniture and accessories. www.bette.co.uk

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COCO WOLF Folie Taking inspiration from the sophisticated après ski of the slopes, Folie aims to bring the best of the alpine lifestyle with modern lines and luxurious fabrics. Hand-crafted in Britain, the beautifully upholstered collection features reticulated quick-dry foam cushions and padding, with fabrics that are treated to withstand water saturation and stains, providing a sustainable sense of luxury. Coco Wolf has launched the Folie design alongside four other product ranges, spanning both contemporary and classic styles, as well as bespoke creations that can be tailored to any specification. www.cocowolf.co.uk

GEOMETRIC FURNITURE Tarot

IVANKA HeXXXa

ALISEO Space Oasis

Geometric Furniture has launched further incarnations of the Tarot design. Retaining the original features, the latest models have a compact form, with options for a circular, chrome pedestal swivel base or timber legs.

The chair also features a panelled back and headrest, available in multiple fabrics including the Geometric Amba soft touch.

Designed using high-performance concrete, the three-dimensional hexagonal tiles from Ivanka feature timeless robustness. The multifunctional tiles feature in the recently opened W Amsterdam, alongside custom manufactured vanity-shower desk units in all guestrooms and suites.

Combining style and refi nement, Space Oasis is a 500ml mini-kettle, complete with cordless 360-degree rotation and defi ned by eco-luxe efficiency. The design utilises water saving functions and an energy saving 1,000-watt compact heating platform, while the mahoganystained bamboo platform incorporates a hideaway tray for condiment storage, complementing the brushed stainless steel construction.

www.ivankaconcrete.com

www.geometric-furniture.co.uk

www.aliseo.de

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CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY

Vitra

KriskaDecor

Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill

Renaissance Wien Hotel

Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill’s Saatchi Suite has opened, in collaboration with Vitra.

Located in the heart of London’s West End, the newly designed suite offers guests the opportunity to sleep amongst a collection of works by British artist Dominic Beattie, alongside a carefully curated range of furniture and accessories from Vitra.

Each room within the suite features a selection of iconic Vitra furniture including: the Heart Cone Chair by Verner Panton; Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table; Organic Chair by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen; and Guéridon table by Jean Prouvé. Home accessories also feature throughout the suite, including the Spindle Clock by George Nelson, Hand Graphic Print Pillow

by Alexander Girard and Rotary Tray by Jasper Morrison.

Specially created for the suite, Dominic Beattie’s new series of modular, tile-like images grows exponentially in any direction, while Paris-born artist Celine Fitoussi adds her personal touch to the suite, with a bespoke wall-to-wall installation made up of nearly 2,000 carved soap bars in the bathroom.

All artwork and furniture on display in The Saatchi Suite are also available for purchase.

KriskaDecor has debuted in Vienna, decorating the different spaces of the Wunderkammer restaurant and lobby of the Renaissance Hotel Wien.

The interiors, designed by Christian Olufemi Architekten and Brumann lnnenraumkonzepte, suggest the design concept of Rocking Baroque, a non-conventional mixture of history, culture and innovation. A notable example appears in the creative mixture of the baroque history and modernity of its spaces, with Renaissance images complementing the marble and high quality materials, creating a comfortable atmosphere. The result is a refreshing lifestyle hotel in a diverse and vibrant place.

Wunderkammer – Drinking & Dining – the restaurant and the centrepiece of the hotel – invites the guests to travel across the stations of the Orient Express, with the term Wunderkammer referring to the collection of objects brought by passengers on their trips. The unique pieces, including ancient photographs, provide the place with a harmonious mixture of classic and modern. KriskaDecor, through its decorative aluminium chain curtains, was able to capture these images in its walls, offering a unique and special atmosphere.

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167

Advertising Index Agua Fabrics

145

Kettal Group

021

AHDA

107

Kohler

101

Ahsap

089

Lefroy Brooks

083

Albrecht Jung GmbH

115

Ligne Roset

010

Alger International

023

Loloey Srl

151

Aliseo GmbH

057

Maison & Objet Paris

096

Altfield Ltd

036

Matki

142

Andrianna Shamaris Inc

047

Minotti SpA

059

Astro Lighting Ltd

002

Newhey Carpets

159

Beck Interiors Ltd

071

Porcelanosa

043

BFS Europe NV

095

Roca

025

Burgess Furniture Ltd

084

Services & Trade

072

Carnegie Fabrics

029

Skopos Design Ltd

161

Chelsom Lighting Ltd

015

Sleepover

Claybrook Interiors Ltd

027

Stacy Garcia

Deloitte EHIC

111

Supper

Dernier & Hamlyn

160

Symo Parasols

172

EE Smith Contracts Ltd

162

Top Floor UK Ltd

065

EPR Architects Ltd

044

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138

Hansgrohe

171

Tribu Furniture

013

HB Design

147

Tuuci Europe BV

126

HI Design

155 & 157

Vescom BV

161

006 & 007 153 008 & 009

Hotelympia

116

Vincent Sheppard

135

IHIF

104

Warisan

051

Ivanka

077

Waterbury

159

JANUS et Cie

004 & 005

168

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Have a book day BOOK AND BED, TOKYO

The night-time ritual of bedding down with a good book is said to clear daily stresses and prepare the body for sleep. With this in mind, R-Store – the managing company of Japan’s largest real estate website – has dreamt up a new accommodation concept that combines hostel and bookstore to provide overnight lodgings for book lovers. Located in Tokyo’s Toshima municipality opposite the bustling Ikebukuro Station, Book and Bed features a library of Japanese and international books curated by Shibuya Publishing & Booksellers. Its interiors are the work of Suppose Design Office, who have retained the industrial backdrop and styled it with paperbacks hanging artistically from

the ceiling. “We usually consider the sleeping environment, such as comfortable beds and pillows when we think about sleep,” say designers Makoto Tanijiri and Ai Yoshida. “But here, we considered how to fall asleep and how to spend time before going to bed.”

The ‘accommodation bookshop’ offers a total of 30 beds with the option of a ‘bookshelf’ or ‘bunk’, the smallest of which measures a compact 80 x 200cm. Guests opting for the ‘bookshelf’ can sleep in nooks within the furniture, as if they are living inside the shelf.

Each ‘room’ features its own reading light, power point, hanger, and privacy curtain and rates start from JP¥3,500 (USD $30).

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