Sleeper July/August 2019 - Issue 85 by Mondiale Media

JULY | AUGUST 2019 JULY | AUGUST 2019 W W W. SLEEPERMAGAZI N E.COM

Belmond Cap Juluca

AHEAD Americas

Blique by Nobis

The acclaimed operator redefines barefoot luxury with the rebirth of its Caribbean flagship

The awards for hospitality experience and design crown the best new hotels in the Americas

Nobis Hospitality Group remasters an industrial warehouse at the heart of Stockholmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative scene

Featured lights: Carmel Grande

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Inside Sleeper J U LY | A U G U S T 2 0 1 9

Hotel Reviews

Features

Cover Story

036 Belmond Cap Juluca Anguilla

108 Brand Standards… Preferred Hotels & Resorts Emerging as a major industry name without owning, operating or managing any hotels, Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ collection model is challenging the traditional approach.

036 Belmond Cap Juluca... Anguilla Designed for sipping champagne alongside rather than swimming in, the showstopping pool at Belmond Cap Juluca is clad in handmade emerald glaze tiles, selected by Rottet Studio to harmonise with the landscape of Anguilla.

044 Blique by Nobis Stockholm 050 Hard Rock Hotel London 059 The Hoxton Chicago 064 NoMad Las Vegas 072 Rosewood Hong Kong 081 Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Monaco 086 Gorgeous George Cape Town 093 Monkey Island Estate Bray-on-Thames

149 Company Profile… Brintons Committed to the concept of thinking globally and acting locally, carpet maker Brintons continues to design pioneering lines using a balance of technology and craftsmanship.

100 Life House Little Havana Miami 106 The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira Dubai

Departments 020 Check In 022 Drawing Board 113 Business Centre Hotel Analyst 118 Business Centre STR 121 Events AHEAD 132 Events Sleepover 136 Events HI Design Europe 141 Events Radical Innovation 144 Events Sleep & Eat 155 Product Profile Furniture 174 Product Profile Visual Identity & Branding 179 Specifier 194 Check Out

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LEGENDARY HOTEL MERCURE BEDROOM PARIS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FRANCE Philipp Watts.

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Welcome

he impact of disruptors is a topic that’s been high on the agenda at many a hotel investment conference in recent years as the industry attempts to weigh up the good, the bad and the ugly of the sharing economy. Airbnb has of course been the poster child of disruption, bringing some 6 million-plus accommodations to travellers worldwide – room nights that would have otherwise gone to hotels. Not content with shaking up the leisure sector, Airbnb went on to tackle business travel, launching a new tool that allows employees to book work-friendly accommodation for colleagues. More recently, it tapped into the experience economy with its Trips feature, enabling guests to book tours and events in addition to a place to stay. And now it seems the group are at it again, this time taking on the luxury sector. The new tier – Airbnb Luxe – builds on the 2017 acquisition of Luxury Retreats and is driven by a 60% increase in bookings worth at least US$1,000 per night. Notably, the high-end listings – 2,000 of them at the last count – are subject to strict evaluation across 300 criteria to meet elevated standards in both design and function. It’s a move that could well have an effect on the performance of the upperupscale and luxury sector, particularly in urban locations. However it’s not all bad news. New research from STR’s Consumer Travel Insights Panel reveals that hotels are still by far the most used form of accommodation. A majority 55% of respondents selected a hotel for their most recent travels, whether budget, mid-range or luxury, while just 12% opted for an Airbnb property and 2% for another home-sharing platform. Furthermore, Airbnb was more popular with infrequent travellers, indicating that the reliability of a known brand or property is more important for those who travel regularly. So perhaps the sharing economy isn’t as disruptive as first thought. As an advocate for the more traditional hotel model, it only took one bad Airbnb experience to send me running back to the familiarity of a brand. It’s times like these when you come to appreciate the services hotels have to offer, such as being able to order room service at 1am after skipping dinner in favour of cocktails and canapés, or having somewhere to store luggage for the day before a late flight home. However it seems there’s no stopping Airbnb in its quest to create an endto-end travel platform. Having mastered the where-to-stay and what-to-do, the group has now appointed a new head of transportation, setting its sights on the how-to-get-there. The transport sector had better be prepared.

Catherine Martin | Editor

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Guest Book

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LAUREN ROTTET

JON KASTL

RAMI ZEIDAN

ARI HECKMAN

Having been instrumental in the growth of a number of design practices, Lauren Rottet launched her eponymous studio in 2008, taking on corporate, residential and hospitality projects worldwide. She recently completed the refurbishment of Belmond Cap Juluca on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, where natural materials and a carefully curated colour palette champion a connection with the local landscape.

Since joining Champalimaud Design in 2009, Jon Kastl has completed a number of prestigious projects including The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Raffles Singapore and Waldorf Astoria New York. More recently, he devised the scheme at Monkey Island Estate – a former fishing idyll in Bray-onThames dating back to 1197 – paying homage to the site’s 800year history through a distinct blend of past and present.

Having led a varied career with roles at Starwood Capital, Sydell Group and private investment firm TPG, Rami Zeidan has embarked on his own venture with the launch of Life House, a global community of authentic, locally-rooted hotels that help to make travel more meaningful and more accessible. The first property has recently opened in Miami’s Little Havana, while a second will soon follow in South Beach.

Ari Heckman is founding partner and CEO of Ash NY, the design and development firm behind The Siren Hotel in Detroit, which took home the grand prize at this year’s AHEAD Americas. Speaking at the ceremony at Miami’s Faena Forum, he said: “Hotels take large teams and many years to build, so this is a tribute to everyone who works with us and helps bring our hospitality vision to life.”

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P O R T FO LI O

Front Desk EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Assistant Editor Editorial Assistant Editor-at-Large

Matt Turner – m.turner@mondiale.co.uk Catherine Martin – c.martin@mondiale.co.uk Kristofer Thomas – k.thomas@mondiale.co.uk Ben Thomas – b.thomas@mondiale.co.uk Guy Dittrich

A DV E R T I S I N G Commercial Director Advertising Manager Advertising Sales

Rebecca Archacki – r.archacki@mondiale.co.uk Rob Hart – r.hart@mondiale.co.uk Charlotte Gowing – c.gowing@mondiale.co.uk

AHEAD Global Sponsorship

Lorraine Jack – l.jack@mondiale.co.uk

EVENTS & MARKETING Brand Director Events Manager Events & Marketing Co-ordinator Data & Circulation Co-ordinator Digital Content Executive

Amy Wright – a.wright@mondiale.co.uk Melanie Page – m.page@mondiale.co.uk Millie Allegro – m.allegro@mondiale.co.uk Hayley Redston – h.redston@mondiale.co.uk Anastasia Glover – a.glover@mondiale.co.uk

DESIGN Design Manager Production

David Bell – d.bell@mondiale.co.uk Zoe Willcox – z.willcox@mondiale.co.uk Sonny Diki - s.diki@mondiale.co.uk

FINANCE Finance Director Group Financial Controller Group Credit Controller Accounts Assistant

Chairman

Sleeper Media Ltd Strawberry Studios, Watson Square, Stockport, SK1 3AZ, UK Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8390 www.sleepermagazine.com

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Damian Walsh

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Post Oak Hotel, Houston, USA Designed by Gensler Houston

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Â© Shayan Asgharnia

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George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg YA BU PUSH E LB E R G

Fresh from creating a Times Square oasis with Edition Hotels, Yabu Pushelberg take a fantasy break in a hotel that pays homage to New York’s varying personalities.

Where are you? New York, at a vibrant party of young, old and the in-between. The music is loud, and guests are filled with happiness and a dose of mischief. How did you get there? Teleportation. Who is there to greet you on arrival? A charming man in a red quilt introduces us to a woman in a glamorous sequin dress named Liza, who escorts us to the hotel’s lush garden where artist Marcel Dzama, photographer Cindy Sherman, a club kid and a business tycoon are cooking paella over a slow-burning fire. And who’s at the concierge desk? No concierge desk – everything at the hotel is natural and intuitive, set up in a way that you can organically find what you need before the thought even crosses your mind. It’s so in tune with its guests, it understands exactly what you need. Who are you sharing your room with? Lovers, friends and impromptu big personalities. Is there anything you would like waiting for you in your room? Don’t give us an apple or a bottle of champagne, package us up a mood, tell us a story! Teach us what the city is known for, give us an experience, let us taste the best chocolate chip cookie ever made. Our stay is about experiencing compelling moments throughout the day.

Describe the hotel, your room and the view... To get to our room, we take an elevator blooming with flowers, fresh from the garden. The guestroom is our refuge, immersed in natural light and home to the most comfortable bed on earth. There’s a pantry filled with delicious organic, homemade goods. There is no TV in the room, so every time we open the front door, something unexpected, personal and deliberate appears that sparks conversation. The bathroom has a spa bar where we can fall in love with a product and purchase it after our stay. The evening ends with the silk pyjamas the hotel gifts us. Come morning, we envision drawing the curtains to a view of possibilities. There are two different scenarios; the first is immersed in the clouds, creating an ethereal heaven-like energy; the second is in the belly of New York, above it all, feeling on top of the world. Come to think of it, a view similar to a private club we just completed in Manhattan – so high you can see all of the boroughs, beyond to the harbour and sea. Living in the thick of it all, it can be easy to forget why you are here; when you take a step back and see it all for what it is, you are reminded why you do what you do. Who designed it? If Lee Radziwill married Leigh Bowery and had a child, they would design and operate our hotel. Her Supreme Highness Lee Radziwill was the understated style maven and Leigh Bowery the always-provocative and crazed performance artist. Collectively, our hotelier channels a freestyle cultural mash-up, upturning societal norms.

What’s the restaurant and bar like? There is a multitude of environments to eat, drink, and come together with a great group of people. Each venue compels us to participate in the social buzz and conversation. Who are you dining with this evening? We are wining and dining with all walks of life, from far and wide, uptown and downtown. The one rule? Nothing pretentious is allowed. Who’s manning the stoves? An apprentice of our dear friend Jean-Georges Vongerichten. And what’s on the menu? That’s for the chef to decide. Would you like something to drink with that? Sure, we’ll take one of everything. What’s in the mini-bar for a night cap? The contents of the fridge changes over the course of the day, stacked with fresh flavours, goods and liquors suitable to our needs in that very moment. What toiletries would you like to freshen up with? Susanne Kaufmann’s Oil for The Senses. It’s refreshing, calming and invigorating – the best way to hop out of the shower and begin the day. What’s your essential travel companion? Each other!

Name: George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg | Position: Co-founders, Yabu Pushelberg | www.yabupushelberg.com Notable hotel projects: The Times Square Edition; Moxy Chelsea; Park Hyatt Shenzhen; Arbor Hong Kong; Las Alcobas Napa Valley; Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait

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Tyram Lakes Hotel & Spa YORKSHIRE

Baca Architects has secured permission on behalf of developer Rothgen Group for a £25 million eco-resort in South Yorkshire. Set to be operated by Campbell Gray Hotels, Tyram Lakes Hotel & Spa forms part of a wider environmentally-conscious development arranged around a series of former extractive industry lakes within a 165-acre site. Comprising 104 guestrooms as well as 50 eco-lodges floating in reed beds in a lake to the west of the plot, the project further incorporates a fine-dining restaurant and bar, conference and meeting facilities and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The approach to the hotel has been conceived as a sequence of landscape elements that create a welcome experience guiding guests through tree-lined vistas. A three-storey atrium at the hotel’s core will link upper guestroom levels with visitor facilities below, whilst tall pods with wooden slatted louvres screen the business and work lounges overlooked by galleried bridges and lift lobbies. The sinuous building form wraps around the lake and is divided into faceted bedroom and balcony units concealed with a series of horizontal stone-coloured external shading and balustrade louvres for privacy. “We have created a piece of living sculpture that flows around the edge of the lake,” comments Richard Coutts, Director, Baca Architects. “Together with floating lodges, the whole complex will be the first of its kind in the UK and a centrepiece in the growing attraction of South Yorkshire and the North.” Phase one of construction will see the development of the resort’s 50 lakeside and floating lodges, followed by the hotel, spa and leisure centre in phase two. Phase three includes 75 additional floating lodges, whilst the final phase will encompass the construction of 200 woodland lodges.

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Stock Exchange Hotel MANCHESTER

Owners Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Winston Zhara have revealed a November opening date for a boutique hotel in Manchester’s former Stock Exchange building.

building in 1906, whilst the signature Boardroom Suite is located in one of the most historically significant and architecturally preserved portions, an area featuring marble pillars, wood panelling, stained glass and the building’s original vault. Kerridge’s trading floor restaurant, located under the signature dome, will be joined by additional private and catered spaces in The Vault and The Bank, the latter with its own wine cellar. “Most people familiar with the building will know of the domed ceiling above the old trading room floor, but there are many other original features that will not have been seen by many, such as fireplaces, vaults and stained-glass windows,” co-owner Gary Neville explains. “For us it was critical that this heritage was protected, and it now sits at the heart of what we hope will be an exciting new concept for Manchester.”

Set to join the Relais & Châteaux portfolio and be managed by GG Hospitality, Stock Exchange Hotel will occupy the 20th-century Edwardian structure with a collection of 40 guestrooms and an F&B programme overseen by chef Tom Kerridge. Designed by Istanbuland London-based studio Autoban, the Grade II-listed building will be reimagined with a lighter palette of colours whilst incorporating original marble, brass, glass and woodwork features. Arranged in a way that allows select rooms to be combined and interconnected, The Bradshaw, John Gass and Arthur Hope suites honour the architects who originally designed the Portland stone

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SIR New Collection Design: Francesc RifÃ©

point1920.com @point1920

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OUTDOOR CHILLING

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Raffles SINGAPORE

Accor and developer Royal Group have announced plans for the second Raffles hotel in Singapore.

deeper into each space, gradually becoming immersed in the natural landscape of the island and bringing you closer to a sense of home.” Launching over 135 years since the original Raffles opened its doors, the second Raffles in Singapore will span 100,000m2 of tropical gardens with views over the South China Sea, and features a bar, restaurants, a fitness centre, a celebrations room and two meeting facilities, as well as the brand’s signature butler and spa services. “We are proud to announce a second Raffles hotel in the country of its birth,” comments Michael Issenberg, Chairman and CEO of Accor Asia Pacific. “The Raffles brand is the highest expression of luxurious hospitality in Singapore, and we are excited to offer welltravelled connoisseurs a second option to indulge in the famously discreet and attentive Raffles service that has provided an oasis for travellers since 1887.”

Slated for a 2022 opening, the proposed all-villa resort features 61 accommodations ranging from 260m2 one-bedroom options to 450m2 four-bedroom layouts, each with their own private swimming pool and terrace. A masterplan design by Yabu Pushelberg is anchored by the fictional narrative of an elegant Singaporean woman moving through the defining moments of life, bringing concepts of heritage, tradition, travel and international culture into the resort’s architecture, landscaping, lighting and interiors. “The resort tells the story of her past, present and future worlds colliding into one complete harmonious experience,” says George Yabu, co-founder, Yabu Pushelberg. “The story develops as you move

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MontAzure, Phuket â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alexa Singer

creating and nurturing brands

LO N D O N / D U B A I / S I N G A P O R E / N E W YO R K

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Six Senses M U LT I P L E L O C AT I O N S

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has announced the expansion of its portfolio with new projects in Costa Rica and Iceland.

A year later will see the opening of Six Senses Össurá Valley in Iceland, a 70-key property developed by the Álfaland Hotel and located within 4,000 acres of privately-owned land in Svínhólar. Created in collaboration with a diverse team including architect John Brevard, fashion entrepreneur Áslaug Magnúsdóttir and musician Frímann Magnússon, the hotel will be constructed using renewable and locally-sourced materials whilst adhering to high standards of energy and water efficiency. A welcome lodge comprising a library, cinema room, water bar and an Earth Lab showcasing sustainability efforts will take visual cues from the rugged environment, whilst a gym, yoga studio and a farmhouse with a cooking school will also feature. Dining options include an over-water wooden walkway, a waterfall setting and a traditional boathouse venue alongside a signature restaurant.

Opening in 2021, Six Senses Papagayo in Costa Rica is billed as an eco-conscious destination occupying a site stretching from the highest point on the peninsula down to a forested beachfront home to 41 pool villas. With design overseen by London-based architect John Heah, the project will incorporate an extensive spa and wellness programme and an organic farm growing produce for daily use by chefs at the resort’s restaurant. Six Senses has partnered with California-based developer Canyon Group and Costa Rican real estate firm Garnier Group for the project, where 31 private residences will also be available for purchase.

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IBIZA COLLECTION by Eugeni Quitllet

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Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences MINNEAPOLIS

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced plans for a new hotel and private residences within Minneapolis’ Gateway project.

point in Minneapolis, and we look forward to helping them bring that vision to life.” Featuring a restaurant and bar, spa, event spaces and one of the largest pool decks in the city with views over downtown Minneapolis, the property is being designed by Atlanta-based studio Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates. “This new property sits on the best location in the city, with historic roots on the site of the former Nicollet Hotel, and in the centre of the excitement and bustle of downtown Minneapolis,” adds Bill Katter, President and Chief Investment Officer of United Properties Development. “Our partnership with Four Seasons allows us to elevate this exceptional project to new heights, delivering the signature hospitality and luxury lifestyle experience that Four Seasons is known for around the world.”

Expected to open in early 2022, the 222-key Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences Minneapolis will reside within the 34-storey, United Properties-developed complex at the convergence of the city’s business and leisure districts. “Minneapolis is a booming corporate hub in the Midwest, and has a vibrant leisure, cultural, and arts scene, and we look forward to creating a place for locals and visitors alike to come together while raising the standard of luxury and service in the city,” says Bart Carnahan, Executive Vice President, Global Business Development & Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Our partners at United Properties have envisioned a new luxury focal

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W W W.V I N C E N T S H E P PA R D.C O M

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Niccolo SUZHOU

Niccolo Hotels has revealed a new 215-key project occupying the top floors of Suzhou’s International Finance Square.

and their successes, gives us more clout to be recognised as a serious luxury hotel contender, with personalised service and impeccable hospitality at the forefront of the guest experience.” In line with the brand’s luxury-retail inspired ethos, the hotel will also offer two distinct event spaces in the glass encased, jewel boxesque Ceremonial Hall and Ballroom, each equipped for weddings and banquets and offering panoramic views from 116 floors up. International Finance Square is billed as a major economic draw for the province, with local government encouraging new industry and international investment from the US and Europe, with particular emphasis on the technology and artificial intelligence industries. Niccolo Suzhou will join the group’s growing portfolio of Chinabased hotels with sister properties in Chengdu, Chongqing and Changsha, as well as Niccolo’s Hong Kong flagship, The Murray.

Set to open in 2020 to coincide with the city’s self-determined growth year, Niccolo Suzhou will mark the group’s fifth urban hotel. Featuring a sky lobby, the brand’s signature Niccolo Kitchen, Tea Lounge and Bar 115 venues, in addition to wellness facilities including a gym and sky pool, the hotel will crown the top floors of the Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed skyscraper – its glass fishtail profile symbolising longevity and prosperity. When complete, it will stand as the province’s tallest tower. “We are delighted to embark on our fifth Niccolo Hotel, this time in Suzhou,” comments Jennifer Cronin, President of parent company Wharf Hotels. “The growing footprint of our boutique collection

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LONDONER A Classic Tradition

GERMAN HOSPITALITY TRADITION Since 1985

www.aliseo.de

Moxy AUSTIN

Moxy Hotels has broken ground on its first Texas hotel, marking a third collaboration with developer White Lodging.

Lodging. “Moxy is distinctly different than what this area of Austin has to offer and we are excited to showcase this concept to those visiting the campus district.” Playing to the campus audience, interiors will incorporate polished concrete floors, exposed concrete columns and open ceilings for a youthful industrial chic aesthetic, whilst guestrooms feature 49-inch wall-mounted TVs, motion-sensor lighting, platform beds and the brand’s signature peg-wall storage system. Technological features include an interactive digital guestbook streaming Instagram images and videos from Moxy guests around the globe. Set at the intersection of Guadalupe and West 26th Street, Moxy Austin will be in close proximity to another White Lodging development in the dual-branded The Otis Hotel and AC Hotel Austin, due to open in late 2019 with a combined 347 guestrooms.

Following projects together in Chicago and Louisville, Moxy Austin will open in late 2020 in close proximity to The University of Texas at Austin Campus, bringing the millennial-leaning brand’s combination of tech-enabled guestrooms, interactive gathering spaces and playful designs with it. Alongside a bar doubling as a check-in desk and an open-air patio with fire pit, the F&B offer will also feature White Lodging’s food-truck inspired, 24-hour Zombie Taco concept, serving fresh made-to-order items day and night. “It’s not easy to emulate Austin’s unique vibe and free spirit culture, but Moxy Austin is designed to do just that,” says Deno Yiankes, President and CEO, Investments and Development at White

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Former ly Projects by Resource Decor

HOSPITALITY IS OUR SPECIALTY Just as styles develop and interior narratives unfold, the same can be said of ever-evolving design firms looking toward the future. As premium Hospitality supplier ‘Projects by Resource Decor’ we’ve had the opportunity to build lasting partnerships with luxury hotels, restaurants, corporate offices and cruise companies globally. This has helped us to better understand our client’s needs, and our positioning in this exciting space. We are excited to unveil our re-brand and invite you to meet Projects by Rochdale Spears. From casegoods to upholstery, metal to fine timbers, we produce everything in-house to ensure the

highest quality standards are maintained, setting us apart from other hospitality suppliers. Our facility, namely, Rochdale Spears, spans over 1 million square feet and is one of the largest purpose-built furniture manufacturing facilities of its kind in Vietnam. At our world-class facility, we collaborate with leading industry designers on each step of the design process, from visual research, experimentation with materials and sustainability, to operational support, quality assurance and product development expertise. For more information, please email our Chief Sales Officer at andy.clempson@rochdalespearsgroup.com

www.rochdalespears.com

Photo Credit: credit: Rochdale Mondrian,Spears London Projects

Belmond Cap Juluca ANGUILLA

Belmond completes the US$121 million renovation and redesign of its Caribbean flagship, implementing a scheme that encapsulates timeless elegance and laid-back luxury. Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: Courtesy of Belmond

arefoot luxury is one of those expressions that’s liberally applied to so many resort destinations that somewhere along the way, it lost all value. There’s a growing number of properties however that are bringing new meaning to the phrase, elevating it to a level where comfort and elegance triumph over excess and extravagance, there’s a reconnection with the natural world, and every detail, down to the texture of the tiles underfoot, evokes a sense of luxury in its purest form. Belmond Cap Juluca is such a place. Located on the shores of Maundays Bay on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, the property has undergone a US$121 million renovation and redesign, having been acquired by Belmond in 2017. Despite already boasting a loyal following, the owner-operator was keen to put its own stamp on the resort, creating a new flagship in the process. “As the first resort within the global portfolio to be reimagined under the group’s new art direction and brand guidelines, we wanted Belmond Cap Juluca to encapsulate the art of living well and create a world of timeless glamour and laid-back luxury,” explains Celia Geyer, Belmond’s Senior Vice President of Design, Construction & Project Development. “The beautiful new design pays homage to the surrounding landscape and Anguilla’s most scenic beach; blending the old-world charms of Marco Polo’s travels with new world comforts,” she continues. “It’s also about intrigue and allowing guests to feel

relaxed, we wanted to invite them in to a world of exploration and discovery as part of the experience.” Working with HKS and Rottet Studio, the refurbishment touched every corner of the resort and included the addition of an infinity-edge swimming pool, the Arawak Spa and a new events pavilion perched on the hilltop. The resort itself spans the length of the crescent-shaped bay, with the public spaces occupying the main house and guestrooms situated within the 23 villas dotted along the 2.4km stretch of pristine white sand. “An element that was really important to this project was to celebrate the spectacular views of Maundays Bay, so throughout the resort, we designed all areas to frame the incredible view whilst blending in with the existing signature Greco-Moorish architecture,” confirms Geyer. And this is evident from the off. On arrival, guests are invited to check-in at the main house, where an open-air lounge and palm-lined terraces await, and rounded arches give way to a sweeping panorama that takes in the entire bay. Without a doubt, it’s a welcome with the wow-factor, and it’s here that guests are enticed to kick-off their shoes and feel the texture of the handmade, custom in-laid tiles on their toes. The project was not without its setbacks, however. The team was deep in schematic design in the summer of 2017 when two devastating hurricanes ravaged the island and caused serious damage

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Above: Spacious bathrooms feature natural daylight, potted plants and brushed bronze fittings by Kohler

to the resort. “Our challenge was to restore Belmond Cap Juluca to its former glory and seamlessly integrate the new buildings with the renovation of the existing structures,” says Geyer, noting that additional measures were taken to futureproof the property. “My favourite part of the project was to see it all come together in record time, overcoming incredible challenges such as the logistics of an entire region trying to rebuild itself.” Architecture firm HKS was responsible for the expansion of the resort’s footprint as well as the structural definition of the main house, where the space was reconfigured into a series of public areas – a library, games room and boutique – designed for exploring at leisure. A monumental brass chandelier embellished with tassels sits beneath a domed ceiling, while interiors reflect the style of a private residence that, over the decades has acquired curios and keepsakes from around the globe. The design scheme, conceived by Rottet Studio, is one of timeless elegance, with a richly layered, authentic narrative that honours the location. “Selecting natural materials and finding colour inspiration in the landscape allowed us to be genuine in our design approach and reconnect with the surroundings,” explains Lauren Rottet, the studio’s founder. Having spent months analysing the motion of the waves, the gentle breeze and the angles of the sun throughout the day, Rottet devised a scheme that harmonises with the landscape and enhances the views, rather than trying to compete

with them. That said, the new pool is something of a showstopper. Designed for sipping champagne alongside rather than swimming in, the Moroccan-style water feature is clad in handmade, emerald glaze tiles and surrounded by palms along with all-weather teak armchairs from Palecek, providing the ideal spot for a sundowner. Materials too, take their cues from the landscape, with many sourced from across the region or designed bespoke by Rottet Studio. The limestone that tops the bedside tables and credenzas in the guestrooms was harvested locally from the same cliffs that bear carvings of the Arawak God Juluca; the floor and ceiling tiles of Cip’s are in varying shades of green to coordinate with the lush foliage planted throughout the resort; and fringed hammocks were handwoven in South America. Accessories, such as the throws handmade in Marrakech, and the decorative brass bowls cast in India, tell the story of early European settlers, who came here in the 1600s with treasured antiques and curios from their travels. “The resort features a mix of vintage and contemporary pieces that create a tranquil, residential mood throughout the interiors,” Rottet continues. “A European dining table dating from the 1830s is positioned alongside contemporary, custom-designed furniture, imparting a quirky, eclectic vibe, reminiscent of a historical home. We also curated a collection of chairs that showcase traditional weaving styles typically associated with tropical furniture,” she adds.

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Above: Rottet Studio curated a collection of chairs that showcase traditional weaving styles typically associated with tropical furniture

“These historically appropriate techniques include handmade caning, braided abaca rope, handwoven rush and sea grass, and a mixture of palm rattan, teak root and mahogany frames.” Anguillan heritage and local craftsmanship continue to the guestrooms, which can be accessed both from the beach or via meandering pathways through the landscaped gardens. Honest materials and natural tones in both the bedrooms and spacious en suites are complemented by botanical prints and potted plants, while wall-to-wall sliding doors open up to a spacious veranda, with views once again framed by the architecture. Although Belmond Cap Juluca is firmly rooted in the locale, its food and beverage programme tours the globe. Alongside Pimms, which champions healthy Anguillan and Caribbean cuisine, there’s Maundays Club, serving Peruvian tapas on the terrace, and Cip’s by Cipriani, inspired by the famed Cip’s Club in Venice. At the far end of the beach, The Cap Shack – a simply constructed hut that is the epitome of Caribbean life – serves creative rum punches to the sound of calypso and reggae, and perhaps even more surprising for

a luxury brand, is the vintage food truck that was setting up for the season during Sleeper’s visit. A new spa, state-of-the-art fitness centre, tennis courts and water sports contribute to a rounded resort experience, however it’s the authentic design scheme and connection with the locale that really impresses, and which led Belmond Cap Juluca to be crowned best resort at the recent AHEAD Americas awards. The judging panel praised the team for ushering in a new era of luxury while preserving the charm of the original property, stating that Belmond has shown there’s a place for innovation in a sector of the market so often curtailed by clichés. For Geyer, who spent the best part of three months living on site to see through completion, the project is one she’s particularly proud of. “It’s a very special place,” she concludes, adding that the challenges, setbacks and time constraints led to incredible teamwork, which eventually paid off. “Sitting on the terrace next to the pool at Maundays Club, sipping a cocktail, it was truly amazing to see this barefoot luxury destination completed in full Belmond glory.”

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Blique by Nobis STOCKHOLM

Nobis Hospitality Group remasters an industrial warehouse for a social hotel at the heart of Stockholm’s creative scene. Words: Rachel Everett | Photography: Courtesy of Nobis Hospitality Group

ccupying a 1930s industrial warehouse artistically reinvented in Stockholm’s gallery district, Blique by Nobis is homegrown operator Nobis Hospitality Group’s creative interpretation of the Swedish capital. Set at the heart of the city’s art scene, it features 249 luxurious guestrooms and suites, an airy communal courtyard, innovative restaurants and bars and arguably one of the best rooftop terraces in Stockholm. Spanning almost a block, the building was originally designed by famed Malmö Opera House architect Sigurd Lewerentz; now, nearly 50 years after his death, it has been totally reborn. The mastermind behind this divine transformation is Swedish architect Gert Wingårdh, who has skilfully preserved the building’s heritage and legacy while providing a sensationally refreshing, contemporaryindustrial look. Creating a dreamy concrete jungle in sophisticated neutral hues of light grey, brown and black, stone and steel design elements are mixed with wood and leather, providing a beautiful, functional playground for creatives. “The concrete structure and the no-nonsense consistency of Sigurd Lewerentz’s beautiful building – with its squareness, solid

Above & Opposite: Tones of grey, industrial features, earthy wood and thick wool carpets combine for homely yet style-led guestrooms

concrete pillars and repetitive façade – set the tone and concept for the whole project,” says Helena Toresson, Senior Lead Architect at Wingårdhs. “The colour scheme and an honest approach to change made it quite easy to both adapt to the building and dare to challenge it at the same time” As such, the original structure has been reworked with integrity and vision, playing on industrial aspects like steel, concrete and exposed metal pipework and fusing these with warm oak and leather and decadent velvet textures – making for a proudly urban atmosphere, yet snug and inviting. Italian influences have been deployed in the communal areas, such as couches and chairs by De Padova, but there is a solid current of Nordic design pulsing through the hotel, seen in the Fogia Tiki sofas and timeless CH47 dinner chairs created by Danish design royalty Hans Wegner. “Among the most important design elements is the monochrome colour scheme based on the original board-formed concrete,” Toresson explains. “To that we have added black oxidised steel, as well as lavish technical lighting. The terrazzo, which shows up in hotel bathrooms, on restaurant tables and the lobby stage, adds an important elegance and materiality to the concrete, while the soft contrast between dark brown and black is a major recurring theme.” Design and social interaction both form important parts of the concept at Blique. On entrance, there’s a sunny, plant-fringed

courtyard perfect for lingering, a lobby that’s artfully constructed with a mix of industrial and high-end design elements including a transient exhibition wall. Origo Bar, the spacious lobby venue, hosts emerging DJs and is a cosy hang out for work or play, whilst Boketto – the sassy, dark-hued, ground floor restaurant – dishes out a jovial vibe and Scandi-Asian fare. Guests can choose to dine on the ground floor or al fresco in summer months. The top floor meanwhile, is home to Arc: a handsome rooftop restaurant serving a fusion of Scandinavian seafood and Korean cuisine, with an impressive sake bar, a menu of pre-prandial cocktails and a terrace overlooking the city. There’s also a courtyard food truck available to hire for private events and a 20-seat cinema for regular movie nights, which can be booked for launches and screenings. Community spirit is abundant here, and the hotel aims to develop long-lasting partnerships with local museums, galleries and independent shops. Part of this will be a monthly gallery open night, whilst plans to co-host exhibitions among other events are also in the works. “It’s definitely a new hub for meetings, food, art and music,” Toresson confirms. The use of raw materials and textures, and a blend of concrete and contrasting metal and steel, creates an innovative look for a luxe hotel. Interiors are tasteful and modern: neutrals with an industrial feel and splashes of colour, soft leather, earthy wood, beautiful textiles

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Above: Boketto – the sassy, dark-hued, ground floor restaurant – dishes out a jovial vibe and Scandi-Asian fare

the absolute crown jewel; around 66m2 of pure heaven with a sleek dining room overlooking the city. The Nobis Hospitality Group is known for its progressive vision and local insider knowledge, and Blique by Nobis fits into the portfolio well. Led by founder and CEO Alessandro Catenacci – with his Roman roots, and a sharp sense of Scandi luxury – the group’s expansion has been organic and opportunistic. In addition to the flagship Nobis Hotel in the heart of the city, the group owns Miss Clara, a 92-key boutique hotel housed in one of Stockholm’s finest Art Nouveau buildings, and Hotel Skeppsholmen, designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune. In Stockholm’s gallery district, which cusps Vasastaden and upand-coming Hagastaden – a creative part of the city brimming with art galleries, boutiques and stellar restaurants including Galerie Nordenhake and Berg Gallery – the remastered hotel is well-placed to serve as a hub for Stockholm’s creative community, and also for independent travellers looking for design-savvy accommodation in a vibrant neighbourhood.

and vivid artwork. The hotel is warm and inviting yet has managed to keep its cutting-edge design sensibilities, and is a prime example of how visual contrasts can function within hotels. It’s exactly the type of place that creatives gather to spark ideas, which drives the youthful energy coursing throughout. In essence, it’s an ideal city stay for any artist, creator or maker. The 249 guestrooms and suites include two windowless rooms – perfect for bright Swedish nights or the jetlagged, while standard options range from 10-66m2. The luxurious beds from Bed Factory are a treat, as are the custom open storage units rendered from steel tubing. The gentle tones of grey continue in the room scheme, mixed with industrial features, notes of earthy wood and thick wool carpets to create a homely yet style-led space. The decadent bathroom design is a sheer joy; kitted out in white and amber-flecked terrazzo, with Byredo lotions and potions waiting for guests. The beauty of the studio suites is that they come with a petite kitchenette and lounge area with a table – very handy for a coffee-and-cake break, or fika as they say in these parts. The studio executive suite, however, is

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Hard Rock Hotel LONDON

Owner-operator GLH Hotels partners with Hard Rock International to transform a former musical haunt in London’s West End. Words: Ben Thomas | Photography: © Roberto Lara (unless otherwise stated)

hen Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton opened the first Hard Rock Café on London’s Old Park Lane in 1971, the American duo could not have imagined that their rockand-roll themed restaurant would grow into a globally-recognised brand with more than 180 cafés, 28 hotels and 11 casinos. Now, some 50 years on from its inception, Hard Rock International has returned to the British capital, partnering with owner-operator GLH Hotels to transform the former Cumberland Hotel – an Art Deco building beside London landmark Marble Arch. With a prime position on the corner of Oxford Street and Park Lane, the iconic property was once the place to stay for music icons, from Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder to Bob Dylan, Diana Ross and Madonna. It seems fitting then that the music-focused brand should step in, bringing its signature style and unique displays of memorabilia – artfully curated by Giovanni Taliaferro – to the property’s public spaces and 900 guestrooms. Beyond the marquee lights of a new theatre-like entrance are Paul McCartney’s left-handed guitar, The Who frontman Roger Daltrey’s microphone and a feathered jacket worn by The Killers’ Brandon

Above: Beyond a new theatre-like entrance, Hard Rock London fuses music-inspired interiors with memorabilia displays artfully curated by Giovanni Taliaferro

Flowers during a Hard Rock Calling concert at nearby Hyde Park. A passport document belonging to the Sex Pistol’s Sid Vicious and a letter from Buddy Holly – written to his parents on Cumberland Hotel stationery – are also framed alongside the personal items of Jimi Hendrix, while the piano from Freddie Mercury’s childhood home takes centrestage as the pièce de résistance. Such elements – selected from Hard Rock’s vast archive – complement an interior scheme by architecture and design practice Scott Brownrigg, which spent two years devising the concept, using the history of the building and Hard Rock’s musical heritage as key touchstones. The firm’s Senior Interior Designer, Kate Jarrett, notes that a common goal was clear during early discussions with the client: “The design had to be unique and represent the Hard Rock brand in a new way for the London market,” she begins. “We took cues from musical forms such as the record player master disc and the guitar fretboard to inform the interiors, contrasting traditional elements with unique contemporary installations like the memorabilia wall that runs throughout the lobby.” Layered in influences drawn from the worlds of music, fashion, architecture and art, the ground floor is home to two vibrant bars,

retail outlet the Rock Shop and a Hard Rock Café – the first of its kind to be integrated in a hotel. Decked in shades of teal and mustard, with flooring from Altro beneath soft leather banquettes and a statement circular bar, the 340-cover restaurant and cocktail bar serves American dishes with a modern British twist, while a stage for live performances hosts local and international talent every evening. “The F&B offer was key to the project, as this is the first Hard Rock property to have an integrated café – something that has always been separate,” Jarrett continues. “To honour the prestigious location, we also chose materials that offered a luxurious aesthetic and paired them with a traditional British colour palette. Within the café, rich colour schemes of gold and heritage green draw from fashion and music past and present, complementing the panelled interior and large ornate memorabilia framing.” Occupying a central spot on the ground floor, the GMT lobby bar is inspired by the original Art Deco-style ceiling of the Lyons Corner House, which stood on the site in the early 1900s. “The site used to be a social hub where city dwellers would gather for food, shopping and entertainment, so we aimed to re-create that experience too,” adds Jarrett. This translates into a 42-seat bar – brought to

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Above: The Rock Royalty lounge is decorated with mirrored feature walls and plush velvet seating Left: The lobby features a Rickenbacker 360 guitar used by Eric Clapton, Morrissey and U2’s The Edge

life by a series of lighting displays once the sun sets – where hundreds of brass fins span the ceiling, enveloping custom-made pieces by RHA Furniture and bespoke broadloom carpets from Shaw Contract. “The GMT bar embodies everything we tried to achieve with the ground floor space,” says Jarrett, who worked with surfaces brand Armourcoat and fit-out contractors Beck Interiors across the ground floor, the latter on the design and installation of the delicate fins above the bar. She adds: “The space connects the café, lobby and reception while delivering tailored experiences for varying guest needs.” In contrast to the café, the Lounge Bar and Rock Royalty Lounge are defined by contemporary styling, and carefully planned to guarantee optimum acoustics during live music performances – an important element of the overall concept for Jarrett: “We wanted to open up the ground floor space to create a large area for musical performances, giving

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Above: Guestrooms and suites are draped in shades of dark red and blue, while Pop-Art-style cushions are inscribed with a graphic of London

every guest a view of the stage. There also needed to be a coherent flow, so the Rock Shop for example acts as its own outlet while opening onto the lobby and café to draw guests in.” Continuing the rock-and-roll theme, an installation by Nulty Bespoke behind the reception area features 135 hanging fibre optic cables that emanate light from their tips. Designed in the shape of drumsticks, the cables are hung individually at different lengths to create an abstract interpretation of a large sound wave. Guestrooms and suites are divided into two types, Deluxe and Rock Royalty, the latter offering VIP check-in and access to a private lounge decorated with mirrored feature walls and plush velvet seating from Furniture Fusion – who designed walnut side tables and custom-made sofas for the Rock Royalty rooms, as well as the Paris bar stool, Helta Skelta and Ibiza lounge chairs, and coffee tables in the public areas. Lit by pieces from Astro Lighting, as well as desk lamps, bespoke bedside lighting and statement Ring pendants from Chelsom, rooms are draped in shades of dark red and blue, while guitars embossed on the bed linen and Pop-Art-style cushions

inscribed with a graphic of London are further reminders of the hotel’s history and location. There’s also custom-made casegoods from Curtis Furniture in the form of upholstered headboards, laminated bedside units, wardrobes, tables, credenzas and drawers, as well as original art inspired by the work of British photographer Terry O’Neill, while quirky details include mirrors marked out with the height of artists from Ariana Grande to Snoop Dogg. Once the music stops, beds from Hypnos ensure that guests can rest easy, while finishing touches include Hansgrohe fittings and quartz tops by Roca, the latter applied to the desks, bedside tables and mini-bars. Music-themed perks include Sound of Your Stay, an in-room listening experience with personalised playlists and vinyl, as well as the chance to reserve a Fender guitar for an afternoon jam. Despite being best-known as the ‘usual address’ on the death certificate of Jimi Hendrix – who took a suite at the Cumberland Hotel two weeks before he died in 1970 – the building’s new persona will no doubt write its own history, becoming the usual address for music-lovers across the city.

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The Hoxton CHICAGO

The Hoxton draws from Chicago’s storied cultural, musical and architectural history for its third open house-style hotel in the US. Words: Abigail Lowe | Photography: © Anthony Tahlier

hicago is a city with an illustrious cultural history. Home to hot dogs, the earliest strands of house music, the Obamas and perhaps America’s greatest ever architect in Frank Lloyd Wright – a man arguably responsible for changing not only the way we build, but also how we live – the windy city sits on the frontier of many artistic spheres, with each contribution seeking to unearth a better understanding of human nature. Indeed, it was Lloyd Wright who proclaimed that “without an architecture of our own, we have no soul of our own civilisation” and consequently it was he who sought to bring harmony among

buildings, nature and people – a quest that has been continued by The Hoxton, with the opening of its newest 182-key property. Marking the third US outpost for the popular Ennismore brand – following openings in Portland, Oregon and Brooklyn – the in-house design team has riffed on the city’s effervescent cultural foundations to unveil a hotel that is equal parts sleeping place, meeting point, and arresting aesthetic titan. Located amid the much hyped buzz of the up-and-coming Fulton Market District, and built on the site of a former meatpacking factory, it taps into the city’s industrial past while simultaneously capturing

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Above: Ornate House of Hackney Artemis wallpaper, smoky Hines & Co. drapery and Art Deco-style Industry West barstools create a refined scheme at Lazy Bird

the exciting essence of a population wholly determined to propel it into the future. “When setting about designing a new hotel, we take extended trips to explore the city and fully immerse ourselves in the design and history of the neighbourhood,” explains Megan Gibbon, Design Associate at Ennismore. “We seek to find artistic movements, as well as looking at palettes and materials that echo the culture or vibe. This research element – making sure what we do is authentic – is a really important step in our design process.” And in Chicago, of course, the cornerstones of myriad cultural reference points are palpable – from music to art to food to architecture, there’s a rich heritage to draw from and a high-flying crowd of creatives to both examine and inspire. So naturally, a handful of bustling communal spaces sit at the heart of The Hoxton Chicago, ebbing and flowing with a tide of people who come and go throughout the day. The lobby is a grand space with a double-height ceiling and huge, warehouse-style windows that create immediate impact, while the walls are adorned with a curated selection of artwork from local artists that keeps the building feeling current. Designed by The Hoxton’s in-house team, the space is scattered with custom-made leather ottomans and periwinkle armchairs, which sit alongside vintage pieces sourced locally and sofas from The Future Project. Characteristically for The Hoxton, it’s

a lobby that throbs with energy from morning to night, seamlessly keeping pace with the subway trains that whizz past outside every few minutes. This dynamism spreads throughout the hotel, encouraging a natural flow between floors. “The layout was really important to get right in this aspect because energising our guests is a huge part of what we do,” Gibbon affirms. “So there’s all-day dining on ground level, the basement piano bar is for special occasions, and the rooftop is for year-round al fresco dining.” There’s also a mezzanine, otherwise known as The Apartment, which overlooks the lobby and is earmarked for meetings, events and shared working. Despite an open-house policy, this is The Hoxton’s first embrace of co-working culture and it’s an astute one – there’s no end of freelancers and travellers passing through here, after all. And there’s another surprise waiting to be unearthed, this time up on the 12th floor, where The Hoxton’s first ever rooftop pool resides – a brave move indeed in a city famed for its harsh, sub-zero winter temperatures. “We designed the main hotel with the cold winters in mind, hoping to create a cosy place for friends to meet,” Gibbon explains. “But the rooftop is all about summer – the pool makes for a fun and playful environment from which to enjoy city views.” And make no mistake, locals cottoned on to this quickly, packing the rooftop daily, come

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Above: Guestrooms juxtapose the surrounding industrial aesthetic with two-tone walls in warm white and rose, soft furnishings and patterned bedding

rain or shine. In truth, the first-rate restaurant offerings, comprising three AvroKO-designed spaces, can also take some credit for that. Chicago’s esteemed Boka Group is at the helm of the hotel’s culinary magic and it comes with a justifiable fanfare. Up on the roof is Cabra Cevicheria, a Peruvian-inspired restaurant under the guidance of renowned chef Stephanie Izard, where a menu of bold and bright shareable plates is served in a light and airy setting, characterised by a colour palette of teal and burnt orange, lush hanging vines, plush velvet armchairs from Sit Down NY, and painted flat black iron and sapele wood fans by the Woolen Mill Fan Company. As such, Cabra has already established itself as the hottest ticket in town, and not without merit. Back on the ground floor, Cira is an all-day modern Mediterranean restaurant by chef Chris Pandel. A vibrant extension of the lobby that looks out onto the busy adjoining streets, it’s like stepping into a bubble of relaxed refinement, with custom chandeliers designed bespoke by AvroKO, striking, vintage globe pendants sourced by 1stdibs, and woven dining chairs by Stellar Works setting the mood.

Elsewhere, the speakeasy charm of basement cocktail bar Lazy Bird is matched in sentiment by ornate House of Hackney Artemis wallpaper, smoky drapery from Hines & Co, and Art Deco-style barstools from Industry West – were he around to take it in, Al Capone would feel right at home here. In a city like Chicago there’s little time for rest, but with appetite and thirst sated, it’s back to one of the hotel’s 182 guestrooms, which juxtapose the surrounding industrial feel with two-tone walls in warm white and rose. A degree of softness is also conjured by big, comfortable Naturalmat beds adorned in intricate custom bedding designed by artist Cody Hudson, as well as bespoke rugs from Royal Thai and petrol-hued leather headboards. The views from the upper floors are spectacular, and the panoramic scene of the city below is a welcome respite from the relentless and perpetual beat that pulses up from the sidewalks. “The buzz and energy in the neighbourhood is hard to ignore,” Gibbon admits. Thankfully, at The Hoxton, Chicago, you’re thrown right into the midst of it.

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NoMad LAS VEGAS

Translating the NoMad offer into new territory, Stonehill Taylor and Jacques Garcia offer up a new interpretation of Las Vegas luxury. Words: Kristofer Thomas | Photography: © Benoit Linero

hat comes to mind when we think of Las Vegas hotels? There will be a casino, of course, and a wide pool of restaurants and bars to reduce the need to ever leave. There is perhaps a theme, to which the hotel sticks stubbornly to, regardless of whether the Trevi Fountain and Michelangelo’s David ever actually shared a city, and there is likely a four-figure room count to serve an almost constant flow of tourists eager to spend. The visuals will arguably be brash and loud in a reflection of the strip’s bombast, and despite the best efforts of designers and operators, they might still all blur together from a guest perspective, playing second fiddle to the decadence of Sin City. This is not a slight, rather the observing of a formula that has proved wildly successful for decades now, one that has seen the strip’s hotels become a defining cultural and commercial element for city and state alike, perhaps more so than anywhere else in the world. Breaking this mould is a tall order, and whilst new additions may claim to offer a new angle or do things differently, the nagging sense remains that, at their core, Las Vegas hotels will largely stick to the same five-billion-dollar-producing script until the desert sun

Above: Rustic Havwoods flooring is paired with mahogany and velvet for a stately aesthetic in the NoMad Bar

gets too hot or the pockets of 42 million yearly tourists turn out empty. However, whilst this formula might be the set template for the colossal big hitters, for the foreseeable future at least, there has been some tinkering here as to what luxury looks like in recent years. Along with Park MGM – of which NoMad Las Vegas occupies the top four storeys in the first hints of an unconventional approach – Sydell Group’s Sin City outpost perhaps best represents what is possible within the established parameters of the local market without sacrificing the quintessential Vegas experience. “Our goal was to bring the unique culture of NoMad to Las Vegas,” explains Andrew Zobler, CEO, Sydell Group. “The NoMad brand has always been at the intersection of old-world style and service, with a modern sensibility and an element of fun, and this time we turned more toward our playful side.” From the understated, quietly confident welcome set on the strip’s quieter rear side, to an intimately composed take on the Las Vegas casino to a library-style restaurant stacked high with leather-bound books, NoMad Las Vegas eschews the expected aesthetic of the area’s mainstays in favour of something entirely different, yet appropriate for the context and built atop familiar foundational touchstones. “The main design challenge was to transplant the original product from a historic New York building to an entirely different type of structure across the country,” says Paul Taylor, Founding Partner,

Stonehill Taylor. “With the location being in Las Vegas, the scale was much bigger, and as such we looked again at original NoMad concepts like the elegant restaurant and the library bar to recreate them in a grander scale.” Classy without the baggage of pretention, seductive while avoiding overindulgence, the project is an exercise in refining maximalist extravagance into something more subdued, a tailored fit for guests unconvinced by indoor sky projections and plaster imitation monuments. Designing the NoMad retreat above the Martin Brudnizki-envisioned Park MGM, Jacques Garcia has ensured that, whilst functioning as part of a coherent whole with shared touches of art, colour and texture, his work ensures a distinct character for the former. The MGM is fresh, lively and light, whilst NoMad is the atmospheric, brooding counterpart with a different idea of fun. “There is a family resemblance between the two, but they are not twins,” Zobler explains. “The NoMad experience is more French in inspiration and the Park MGM is more English. NoMad has its own established point of view, which has been adapted for Las Vegas and the casino.” Indirect Dernier & Hamlyn lighting casts shadows off the midcentury, paisley-print screens backing the check-in desk, welcoming guests to a lobby punctuated by rich velvet armchairs atop a royal red carpet spread with floral variations. Stately mouldings, columns

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Left: Overseen by Bar Director Leo Robitschek, the opulent casino bar serves high-limit gamers in the first venue of its kind within Sydell Group’s portfolio

and arches by Stonehill Taylor frame the main thoroughfare and spill into the NoMad Restaurant – overseen by Chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara – wherein floor-to-ceiling shelves housing 25,000 books – not least the personal collection of David Rockefeller, margin notes intact – red leather banquets, an 18th-century fireplace and a spiral staircase sourced and imported from France combine for a ground floor centrepiece. A scaling up and spiritual successor to NoMad New York’s Library restaurant, the space draws significant inspiration from the high-rolling aesthetic surrounding it as well as the brand’s own legacy and historic points of reference like The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading in Brazil. Two bars – the adjacent NoMad Bar and its casino-set opposite number – channel Vegas opulence in their own distinct ways; the former’s velvet and mahogany textures are complemented by rustic Havwoods flooring and illuminated by natural light, whilst the latter’s high-rolling roulette, blackjack and baccarat tables are bathed in an amber glow from the iconic Tiffany glass ceiling salvaged

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Above: The Majorelle Gardens-inspired NoMad pool sits elevated above street level as tranquil respite from the bustle of the Las Vegas strip

from the former Monte Carlo. The casino marks the first such venue within the brand’s portfolio, and sees a new string to the Sydell bow. “It’s an intimate casino that in every way feels integrated into the NoMad experience, as opposed to it being its own separate venue,” Zobler adds. 293 guestrooms at the upper reaches of the building eschew a cookie-cutter approach for consistently surprising residential spaces, some with the open-plan layout of metropolis apartments where others – like the Suite Royal Premier – see the spaces divided into bedroom, dining, game, bar, and foyer components, linked by winding hallways within hallways, with no two pieces of the Be-Poles-curated art hung in both NoMad and Park MGM guestrooms the same. Like Garcia’s interiors, the art draws from a familiar set of references. “The overall design draws inspiration from the natural surroundings; from the desert and the glamour of Las Vegas,” Zobler notes. “The art depicts the desert and the strip, as seen through the NoMad lens, whilst the colour palette was drawn from the natural terrain that surrounds the city. We have sought to blend the desert and

the strip as inspirations with a sophisticated, playful urbane character that you experience in the prior NoMad locations.” The offer is rounded out by the NoMad Pool – an elevated terrace dotted with white loungers, arched cabanas, wicker chairs and ethnic rugs – where Garcia translates the botanical landscape of Morocco’s Majorelle Gardens for guests seeking out a moment of peace amidst the flashing lights and whirring slots. An encapsulation of the hotel’s defining style – one foot in the decadence of its surroundings, the other planted far away to step out into the world beyond city limits – the pool and wider hotel speak of changing attitudes towards the design of luxury experiences in Las Vegas; less the overindulgent fear and loathing of the rapidly ageing giants surrounding it, more confident and comfortable in its own style and direction. The brand’s willingness to eschew the established and expected in favour of its own signature stamp has been observed before, but the strategy is at its most prominently effective in Las Vegas – the hotel not so much rejecting its surroundings outright, rather simply demonstrating that there is another way.

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Rosewood HONG KONG

Tony Chi spares no detail in designing a legacy jewel for Rosewood’s long-awaited Hong Kong flagship. Words: Eileen Keribar Isvan | Photography: © Courtesy of Rosewood Hotel Group (unless otherwise stated)

he car veers off the busy Salisbury Road and rumbles onto a cobblestone drive, pulling into a lush porte-cochére defined by an impressive mid-century Henry Moore sculpture. Commanding, 5m-tall hand carved bronze doors – diligently crafted and flown in from Bergamo Italy – grace the entrance. At once stately and intimate, the new Rosewood Hong Kong in the city’s Tsim Sha Tsui district gives the distinct impression of an art collector’s exclusive residence, and evokes a sense that the destination is significant, precious and personal. Indeed, 10 years in the making, the property marks a momentous milestone for Rosewood Hotel Group. In the heart of the company’s home city and on a site deeply steeped in legacy and urban heritage, it is a defining flagship for the brand in a location that holds emotional resonance for the family at the helm of the hotel group, as well as the Hong Kong public. Formerly the site of Holt’s Wharf, the land was acquired and developed into New World Centre in the 1980s. The creation of Dr. Cheng Yu-Tung and Dr. Henry Cheng – the grandfather and father (respectively) of Rosewood CEO, Sonia Cheng – New World

Â© Gresh Production

Above: Offering views over the Victoria Dockside, The Legacy House restaurant is headed up by Li Chi Wai and features seven private dining rooms

Centre was an ambitious mixed-use hotel as much as it was a symbol of Hong Kong as a globally-recognised financial centre. “I wanted to create an iconic property that not only showcases the city’s rich history but also reflects its bright future,” says Cheng. “New World Centre was conceived as my grandfather’s ultimate gift to Hong Kong, a celebration of its progress, vibrancy and spirit. Our ambition is to create a new world standard for ultra-luxury hospitality and a focal point of the vibrant Hong Kong lifestyle, reflecting its incredible dynamism, style and diversity.” Described by Rosewood as a ‘vertical estate’, the property showcases an impressive commitment to the site’s heritage, to the brand’s guiding philosophy of ‘A Sense of Place’, and to craftsmanship. In spite of its sprawling nature, grand scales and immense verticality, Rosewood Hong Kong’s design feels intimately homely, lavish and distinctly personal. Architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox designed the 65-storey Rosewood Tower as a stepped landmark with massing that reflects the internal programmatic elements. Glinting in the skyline, the cohesive exterior features panoramic glass and is punctuated by rich stone and sleek metal finishes. Whilst the hotel was a dream commission for interior designer Tony Chi, creating the hotel’s interiors was also a tall order. “It was a wonderful project in the sense that the family had a very clear

directive to create a truly comprehensive expression of the brand and the city,” reflects Chi. “But it also required the interpretation and fusion of the tastes and styles of three generations into one aesthetic that could stand as a legacy to the family and the site.” In that sense, it is no coincidence that the property feels so intricately nuanced, crafted and detailed. The Cheng family is famous for its ubiquitous jewellery brand, Chow Tai Fook, and Chi ensured that this legacy was reflected throughout. The true gems of the property however are its 322 generous guestrooms, starting at 53m2. Inspired by a concept of residential luxury, rooms are elevated through personal homely touches including eclectic curiosities, rich materiality and texture, and crafted interior details, whilst those with terraces see a smattering of Janus et Cie furnishings overlooking the harbour. Guests step out from the elevator into their own dedicated salon on each floor, a comfortable lounge where they can mingle and relax while admiring the carefully selected haute chinoiserie décor and accessories. In the 91 suites – starting at 92m2 – layered and textured finishes complement sartorial custom furnishings and curated objets d’art that encourage guests to touch, feel and explore the room. Sitting in a bedroom in one of the stunning Grand Harbour Corner suites, one can count no less than 30 distinct materials. Rather than a cacophony of disparate noise, they instead unite to sing a song with depth, and

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Rosewood Hong Kong

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Above: The elegant, all-day Butterfly Room serves afternoon tea and features contemporary Damien Hirst artworks

to tell a story of both a city and a family by way of the discerning eye of a designer interpreting that history. In addition to guestrooms, Rosewood offers 186 stunning luxury accommodations for extended, longer-term stays of up to a year, and guests in the Rosewood Residences Hong Kong can make use of a club on the 53rd floor and amenities such as private entrances. Among the eight dining concepts, The Legacy House Cantonese restaurant, with its unparalleled private dining spaces, is a standout. Designed by Melbourne’s Bar Studio, the main dining room is cosy and impressive at once, with sweeping views over the harbour. The seven private dining rooms are each modelled after different landmark moments in the Cheng family history, and feature marble cooktops, individual lounge areas and sweeping views. On the ground level, guests can indulge in tea seated alongside contemporary Damien Hirst artworks in the Butterfly Room’s eclectic and chicly patterned lounge, or seated under Swarovski peacocks in the reimagined twist on the traditional tea room, past the glittering jewellery shop-inspired cases of the Butterfly Patisserie.

The offer is rounded out by Rosewood’s signature spa concept, Asaya, with its programme spread across two floors and 11 treatment rooms, and the hotel’s event spaces, incorporating a grand ballroom for weddings or banquets, where a Skyfold wall in high-end wood veneer can divide the pillarless space into two whilst also acting as a soundproof barrier. When discussing the immense detail and accessorisation throughout the property, Chi acknowledges that the comprehensive product could only come from having a hand in every aspect, from lighting to art to accessories. “I’m merely setting a stage and telling a story,” he states in his characteristically humble and casual manner, “We want to take every aspect of the narrative through to the last detail – we don’t only write the story, but we also edit and publish it.” Chi’s fervent attention to the elements of detail, texture and materiality knows no bounds, and the result of his translation of the Cheng family’s bold vision shines beautifully as a beacon for the brand, a legacy for the family, and a true global benchmark for luxury hotel properties.

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Hôtel de Paris MONTE-CARLO, MONACO

Monaco’s original grand hotel completes a five-year, multi-million-Euro renovation, bringing a new level of luxury to the principality. Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: Courtesy of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

hen François Blanc dreamt of building ‘a hotel that surpasses everything created up to now’, little did he know that some 150 years later, his vision would be the raison d’être of a major renovation of the exact same property. Located at the heart of Monte-Carlo, Hôtel de Paris stands proud as the flagship of Société des Bains de Mer, a collection of hospitality brands anchored by the legendary casino that has been the making of this compact principality. Eager once to again surpass everything created before it, the hotel has been quietly going about a multi-phase renovation for the past five years, now emerging with a new identity

that honours its history, while catering to the needs of the 21st century guest. And the project has been a significant undertaking. Phase one saw the unveiling of the Princess Grace Suite – a duplex on the hotel’s upper floors featuring two bedrooms, three lounges and a vast terrace – as well as the introduction of new open-plan guestrooms in the Alice Wing. Phase two brought a revitalised lobby with a new marble floor and intricate paintwork adorned on the ceilings, providing an entirely new décor. And in 2018, phase three, the restoration of an open-air inner courtyard revealed Le Patio, a beautiful tree-lined space with lounge seating – a perfect cocktail stop.

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Above & Opposite: Guestrooms and public spaces feature furniture from the finest European manufacturers, including a range of club chairs, armchairs and sofas designed by Triibú

Throughout the course of the five years, every aspect of the hotel has been touched. The 207 guestrooms have been refurbished and, in some cases reconfigured, so that 60% are now suites. Interiors are contemporary and light, with a palette of creamy neutrals and tactile materials. Listone Giordano’s French oak lines the floors; there’s white Calacatta marble, sumptuous leathers and silk in the mattresses, as well as bespoke chandeliers made from Murano glass. Furniture is regal yet comfortable, with the clean lines of the sofas and sideboards accompanied by Louis XVI-style pieces for a touch of classicism. The majority of rooms have a balcony or terrace with views over the casino or port. The hotel’s F&B programme has also been given a new lease of life, with refurbishments, restyling and a brand new concept from chef Alain Ducasse. First in line, the popular Le Grill restaurant up on the eighth floor introduced a lighter, more contemporary scheme that complements the panoramic views of the principality. A refined palette of blue and white joins a new wood-fired rotisserie as the restaurant’s centrepiece, while floor-to-ceiling doors open up to a spacious terrace, recently extended to meet demand for outdoor seating. Even the tables inside have an al fresco feel, thanks to a retractable roof that opens during the day to allow sunlight in, or by night for a magical dining experience beneath the stars.

There’s still a timeless elegance about the space however, not least per the silverware, which has made a comeback from the hotel’s historic collection. The delectable cuisine of Executive Chef Franck Cerutti also remains unchanged; he’s been working the kitchens here for so long, there’d be a public outcry should he even attempt to stray from his Mediterranean-inspired dishes and grilled meat highlights. Back on the ground floor, Le Bar Américain unveiled its new look in the summer of 2018, sensitively revived by David Collins Studio to retain the glamour and charm for which it’s known. Polished wood and burnished leather armchairs accompany deep pile rugs and soft lighting to create a scheme that changes mood depending on the time of day. The bar really comes into its own after darkness, when decadent cocktails and live jazz music bring a 1920s-era vibe. The biggest enhancement to the F&B offer comes in the form of a new restaurant from Alain Ducasse. Having already achieved remarkable success with the three-Michelin-starred Le Louis XV, the chef was asked to head up Ômer, a 50-cover space in the new Rotonde Wing. In contrast to the hotel’s other restaurants, Ômer is a more relaxed affair, where tables spill out onto the terrace and sharing is encouraged; the assortment of mezze has proved particularly popular with groups. The culinary adventure takes diners on a tasting tour of the Mediterranean, exploring the colours, flavours and aromas

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Above: Alain Ducasse’s Ômer restaurant features The Wine Circle, a beautifully-lit tasting room stocked with over 1,000 bottles of the finest varietals

Design to combine the classical luxury materials with a contemporary feel. Showcasing the finest in French and Italian craftsmanship, the scheme pays homage to the ‘Prince builder’ to whom Monaco owes its transformation; straw marquetry, leather headboards and bespoke lighting combine with photos, paintings and personal effects of Prince Rainier himself, bringing a personal and intimate feel to the space. The unveiling of the suite marks the completion of Hôtel de Paris’ monumental transformation, but the story doesn’t end there. MonteCarlo Société des Bains de Mer is committed to the growth and regeneration of the entire principality, and is soon to complete a new retail and residential complex alongside the hotel. And true to the group’s form, the shopping promenade features a stellar line up of luxury brands, while the prime location and striking architecture – by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners – make it the most expensive residential building in Europe. Through the development of its core activities of gaming, hospitality and fine-dining, Société des Bains de Mer makes a valuable contribution to Monaco as a whole, paving the way to reach its goal of becoming the most exclusive resort destination on the continent.

of Greece, Spain and Turkey, as well as the lesser known shores of Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia. Interiors also take inspiration from the region, with designer PierreYves Rochon creating a scheme that would be equally suited to one of the luxury yachts that sails these parts. Generous use of wood, neutral leather upholstery and accents of brushed bronze define the scheme, with splashes of colour coming from the crockery and glassware. Bringing an altogether new element to Hôtel de Paris, Ômer also features The Wine Circle, a beautifully-lit tasting room stocked with over 1,000 bottles of the finest varietals, some available exclusively here. And if you think that’s impressive, it’s worth nothing there’s another 450,000 bottles down below, in what’s thought to be the largest hotel wine cellar in the world. The final stage of the refurbishment, revealed in February this year, is the jewel in the crown – Suite Prince Rainier III. A truly extraordinary space, the rooftop villa spans 600m2 with an additional 135m2 of outdoor living space overlooking the casino. It even boasts its own infinity edge swimming pool. The suite’s two bedrooms, lounge, library, dining room and office have been created by Affine

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Four Seasons Kuwait at Burj Alshaya – Pure Sofa by Andrei Munteanu & Lanterns by Tribù studio

Living the good life outside. Love it, live it, share it. www.tribu.com

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28/05/19 17:32

Gorgeous George CAPE TOWN

Reimagining a pair of disparate historical structures as an intimate boutique, Gorgeous George channels Cape Town’s vibrancy and eclecticism. Words: Heather Richardson | Photography: © Claus Brechenmacher & Reiner Baumann

tongue of floral carpet rolls down the entranceway stairs of Gorgeous George, spilling out onto the busy pedestrianised strip of St. George’s Mall in central Cape Town. Next to the tall, ornate brass doors is a plaque bearing the familiar Design Hotels logo; the 32-key boutique is the city’s first member, and its opening in April 2019 was preceded by a buzz of anticipation. Set right in the Central Business District, Gorgeous George sits above the area’s market stalls and within walking distance of some of Cape Town’s best restaurants, bars, coffee haunts, boutiques and museums. With 20 studios, 12 one- and two-bedroom suites and a leafy rooftop restaurant, bar and pool area that’s open to the public, the hotel is small, playful and vibrant. “The project took four years to complete,” explains owner Tobias Alter of his first hotel. “We worked with three different architects and three different interior architects. It was conceptualised over a very long period of time, and the original idea was more like a hostel, but during the process we developed it more into a –” he pauses, considering his phrasing. “I don’t like the word luxury... we grew into the market, let’s put it that way.” Gorgeous George occupies two buildings; an Art Deco bank and a New Edwardian structure, connected during the 1940s. As such, there are two sides to the hotel, with sleek steel windows framing views

across the Art Deco half whilst high ceilings and oak windowsills characterise the Edwardian portion. Raw concrete supports and exposed pink-painted pipes run throughout the hotel, fusing the existing early 20th-century features with an industrial undertone. Layering on this, Johannesburg-based designer Tristan du Plessis injects a modern slickness by pairing black corridor walls with the same bold floral carpet seen in the entranceway. Dark jewel tones are prevalent across deep-green velvet drapes and mulberry couches, and rooms are richly textured – from the heavy, sumptuous drapes and velvet sofas to denim cushions, suspended tan leather headboards, gleaming tiled bathrooms and stone-topped counters. This eclectic mixture of influences reflects Cape Town and South Africa’s diversity, whilst smartly veering away from anything too stereotypically African. Kara Furter, who was brought on as the hotel’s Creative Director nearly a year ago, and has now moved over to brand development duties, notes: “Cape Town has always had that combination of international and local.” Around 90% of the featured artists are South African, and the bedroom furnishings are all made domestically. The exception to this are the bedside lamps, which are original 1920s relics sourced in Paris. Behind the reception desk, Lucie de Moyencourt’s 1,800 handpainted tiles, inspired by Delft pottery and depicting a map

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Above: Created for unpredictable weather, the hotel’s rooftop features a handful of loungers and brown leather couches under a semi-cover of wooden slats

of Cape Town, are a nod to the city’s history, founded as it was by the Dutch East India Company in 1652. The Dutch theme is carried through to rooms with more handpainted tiles, Delft-style cups and saucers, and circular blue and white rugs of the same design. Another recurring motif comes in the form of David Brits’ handpainted, blackand-white snake murals, found in each guestroom and upstairs in the rooftop entrance. Brits’ grandfather, John Wood, was a famous South African snake-catcher and reptile expert, and the inspiration for this series of snake-themed artworks. “The aim was always to build a place where guests can live for a period of time; I wanted it to have a relaxed, homely feel, not like a hotel atmosphere,” Alter says. “We still wanted to keep what is liked about a hostel, and why guests seek them out: it’s easy to connect with one another.” Attracting locals is key to this, and Alter deliberately kept the room count low at 32 to avoid the place feeling overrun. The draw for Capetonians is Gorgeous George’s ace card: its sixth-floor wining and dining area, Gigi Rooftop. Part inside, part outside, the rooftop has been adapted for Cape Town’s famously unpredictable weather. At the far end, there’s a small swimming pool

and a handful of loungers beneath a large lightbulb-studded sign reading ‘hello gorgeous’. Plants are festooned around the deck, which is semi-covered by glass and wooden slats, whilst brown leather couches are set below bookshelves of tomes and trinkets. Inside, the buzz of conversation and music means the hustle from the streets and marketplace below is relegated to faint background noise, but nonetheless, the hotel is installing double-glazing to help soften the inner-city sounds, particularly over the weekend. Furter remains unperturbed by the noise levels: “Personally, I love waking up to a city and being integrated immediately. That gives me a sense of place.” Post-launch, Furter doesn’t want to flood the market with the brand, but rather she is seeking to create a word-of-mouth appeal for a place she affectionately describes as “a special little gem”. As well as the rooftop, there’s an event space – The White Room – which is also open to Capetonians. “It does benefit Cape Town from a design point of view,” she says of the hotel. “Something like what Babylonstoren did for the Winelands – but with a real, authentic Capetonian aesthetic.”

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D E S I G N S I N S P I R E D B Y N AT U R E A N D E N G I N E E R E D TO M E E T I T S R E S I L I E N C E

C E L E B R AT I N G T W O D E C A D E S O F S U P E R I O R S H A D E

DESIGN ENGINEERING I N N OVAT I O N E X P LO R AT I O N

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4/15/19 10:52 AM

VILA FOZ HOTEL | PORTO, PORTUGAL NINI ANDRADE SILVA DESIGN NICK BAYNTUN PHOTOGRAPHY

Monkey Island Estate B R AY- O N -TH A ME S

YTL Hotels enlists New York-based Champalimaud Design to restore a heritage estate on the banks of the River Thames. Words: Ben Thomas | Photography: Courtesy of Monkey Island Estate

hroughout eight centuries of history, there have emerged several possible origin stories for the intriguing title of Bray’s Monkey Island Estate. The first sees the monks of the Merton Priory settling on a moated site near the Buckingham banks of the River Thames, building their fishponds close to an island later christened Monks Eyot. The second source, some 600 years down the line, submits the name was instead inspired by Palladian architect Robert Morris’ design for a two-storey fishing temple and pavilion, the ceiling of the latter slathered with depictions of monkeys punting, fishing and hunting by French artist Andie de Clermont,

commissioned as part of the Duke of Marlborough’s angling retreat which occupied the site from 1738. Then there are cases to be made for 1840, by which time the plot housed a riverside inn where drinks were served to monarchs and showbiz royalty through a bar window next to the Monkey Room, as there is for the popular rumour that the estate played home to George III towards the end of his life, with the old king losing his mind in the company of a pet monkey – completely unsubstantiated, but adding heaps to the mystique no less. Regardless of the definitive source, the various iterations of Monkey Island have been stage to a storied history, and the site even

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Above: The historic characteristics of the island have influenced the interiors, with spaces designed in harmony with the listed architecture

lays claim to its own golden era: a 1905 photograph shows Edward VII enjoying afternoon tea under the walnut trees, whilst singers Clara Butt and Dame Nellie Melba also took to its grounds. Sir Edward Elgar worked on his First Symphony Violin Concerto in The Hut, a house on the adjacent bank, and Rebecca West – whose novel The Return of the Soldier centres around a past affair on Monkey Island – bunked here with lover H.G. Wells. After years of growth and development, the Duke’s old idyll was finally linked to the shore by a footbridge in 1956 – the precursor to an era when a banqueting room was cantilevered over the river – with accommodation extended and live music, dinner dances and parties attracting a glamorous cosmopolitan crowd. In the eighties however, following its years as a high society, the island was sold, and the Grade I-listed properties spiralled into decline. Thankfully, following an extensive renovation by YTL Hotels, the heritage property has reopened its doors to usher in a new story, this time with a narrative more closely defined by way of a scheme that pays homage to its 800-year history as a haunt of monarchs, aristocrats and artists, along with writers, famous performers and Berkshire locals. New York-based Champalimaud Design was enlisted to devise the hotel’s interiors, having orchestrated the design of YTL’s first British property, The Gainsborough Bath Spa,

and more recently the refurbishment of The Academy in London’s Bloomsbury.“We’ve developed a great working relationship with the owners and a deep understanding for how they like to develop and manage properties,” says Jon Kastl, Partner at Champalimaud Design. “When YTL acquired Monkey Island Estate, the original property was in complete disrepair. We were tasked with establishing a new benchmark for the hotel, turning things around through small but smartly designed guestrooms and socially activated public spaces centred around a brasserie and signature bar.” Walking across the footbridge that connects the new reception – formerly The Hut – to the grounds of the hotel, visitors are greeted by the striking white brick Pavilion and Temple buildings, surrounded by manicured gardens and picturesque views of the River Thames. Set across seven acres, the landscape is a combination of mature trees, shrubs and an abundance of British plants, creating a tranquil oasis that offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The historic and natural characteristics of the island have also influenced interiors, with spaces designed in harmony with the listed buildings and their imperial décor. Guestrooms are carefully crafted to knit together a quiet Britishness, while many of the decorative motifs, from wallcoverings to fabrics, take cues from the lush gardens and flowers in the surrounding vicinity.

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Above: The hotel’s F&B programme includes The Monkey Bar and The Whisky Snug, the latter accessed via a secret staircase

“The idea of designing a hotel on an island on the Thames had a significant influence on the interiors,” Kastl adds. “Partner the location with its storied history and you have a deep well of inspiration. The magic of walking across a charming footbridge sets the tone for something much different from the typical hotel experience, while the small scale of the property, with just 41 guestrooms and suites, allowed us to tell a more residential story in both design and operation. You truly feel as if you’re in a stately manor.” The aesthetic filters through to every detail, including the wallpaper; entry halls to the private quarters are decked in naturalistic patterns, a charming mix of large palms and other whimsical foliage, while The River Room – used for large functions and gatherings – depicts the silhouettes of birds and plants found on the island. “My personal favourite is the wallpaper in the brasserie,” Kastl admits. “It’s a bold blue, with hand-blocked print of vines and flowers.” The restored guestrooms and suites are divided into four types: The Barn Room, The Temple Room, The Temple Terraces and the Grade-I listed Wedgewood Suite, the latter comprising a master bedroom with separate seating area, dressing room and en-suite bathroom. Combining timeless glamour and traditional features with a modern and relaxed countryside style, guestrooms house a unique blend of past and present, with carpets by Ulster and Vitra’s S20 under-counter

basins reinforcing the fusion of classic and contemporary. Mosaic stone floors and bevelled tiled walls adorn the bathrooms, while in the Wedgwood Suite, guests can soak up scenic views in the comfort of a freestanding Elwick bathtub from Victoria + Albert. The village of Bray-on-Thames is something of a culinary haven, laying claim to three Michelin-starred restaurants. As such, the hotel was keen to make its own mark, and created Monkey Island Brasserie, headed up by Executive Chef William Hemming, who serves a modern take on British classics. The relaxed restaurant is decked with herringbone wood floors throughout, while its Renaissance-inspired vaulted ceiling is a celebration of colour. An impressive wine wall and open-kitchen draw the eye, while an outdoor terrace accessed through French doors provides an atmospheric setting for breakfast, afternoon tea or an evening meal should the British weather permit. The brasserie menu makes use of freshly-sourced produce from the surrounding countryside, as well as the hotel’s very own chicken coop and beehive, with signature dishes including Monkey Island Estate Loch Duart smoked salmon, 35-day dry-aged sirloin steak, and old spot pork belly garnished with thyme, garlic and smoked apple sauce. For an evening digestif, The Monkey Bar boasts an extensive selection of bespoke cocktails, fine champagnes and wines from the cellar, while the adjacent Monkey Room lets visitors marvel at

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Above: Moored on the banks of the fishtail shaped island, The Floating Spa takes inspiration from its riverine surrounds and the estate’s past inhabitants

a series of monkey-inspired 17th-century frescos that ornament its ceiling. A restored secret staircase also leads to the intimate Whisky Snug, nestled above The Monkey Room, where an assortment of the finest whiskies are served amidst a cosy hideaway come evening. “The Monkey Island Brasserie and Monkey Bar are the cornerstone social spaces of the hotel,” says Kastl. “They both offer outdoor terraces, while the restaurant features an open kitchen, engaging the chefs with guests in the dining room.” Completing the Monkey Island experience is The Floating Spa, a wellness facility moored on the banks of the fishtail shaped plot. Paying homage to the power of water, the barge is inspired by the estate’s riverine surrounds and past inhabitants. Treatments such as The Monk’s Elixir and The Floating Massage bring the spirit of London’s ancient livery company, The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, to life, while homemade herbal tinctures, oils and aromatherapy chocolates enhance the wellness journey. “We’re all looking for one-of-a-kind experiences, and a massage on a boat on the Thames is truly one of those.” Kastl muses.

Though the finished result is one of splendour, Kastl notes that the refurbishment of the estate wasn’t without its challenges: “The original buildings were in terrible disrepair, so significant work was needed to make them habitable. We had to strip everything back to its shell and rebuild from there,” he recalls. “Another difficulty we faced was the guestrooms; they’re small, making them a bit of a design challenge. However, we decided to celebrate their size by creating clever storage solutions, including hanging rails for the accommodation of long dresses and mini shelves for personal items.” Channelling Monkey Island’s rich history through a contemporary lens, Champalimaud Design has undoubtedly restored the heritage property to its former glory, creating a blissful retreat for city dwellers looking to escape their hectic day-to-day routines. Were he alive today, the third Duke of Marlborough would perhaps approve of his beloved fishing idyll’s new lease of life. “Monkey Island is wonderfully intimate, quirky and charming,” Kastl proudly concludes. “It shares a certain quirkiness with The Academy, both celebrating their intimate scale in eclectic fashion.”

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Brave simplicity

Introducing Equal designed for VitrA by Claudio Bellini.

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Life House LIT TLE HAVANA, MIAMI

With aspirations to create a global community of authentic, locally-rooted hotels, Rami Zeidan opens the first Life House. Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: Courtesy of Design Hotels

troll along Miami’s Calle Ocho and you’d be forgiven for thinking you somehow crossed the Florida Strait and washed up in Cuba. With its sweet-scented cigar stores, olde-worlde coffee houses and the clatter of dominoes as locals challenge one another to a streetside tournament, Little Havana is the heart of the Cuban exile community. Despite its location just a few blocks west of Downtown Miami, the quaint neighbourhood is a world away from the gleaming skyscrapers of Brickell, the gallery-packed warehouses of Wynwood and the Art Deco landmarks of South Beach. Its charm and culture have been drawing day-trippers for decades, and more recently, the district has gained recognition for its cuisine and nightlife. Its accommodation offer lagged behind however, with most tourists returning to the concentration of hotels by the beach having had their fill of Café Cubanos and pastelitos. But with the 2019 arrival of Life House, there’s a new reason to stay overnight. The brainchild of Rami Zeidan, the 33-key hotel is the first in a new collection of boutique properties designed to offer authentic and locally-rooted travel experiences. It was born out of the idea that travel is more than simply a method of exploration, but

a gateway to deeper human connection. “Life House’s core goal is to make travel more meaningful and more affordable,” explains Zeidan, who has led a varied career with roles at Starwood Capital, Sydell Group and private investment firm TPG. “I’m a creative at heart but trained as an economist,” he continues. “I was fortunate to learn the ins and outs of the hotel business at Starwood, and about how to tell authentic stories through real estate at Sydell. I also switched jobs quite regularly, which allowed me to develop a well-rounded understanding of the hospitality space – from finance, development and acquisitions to operations, branding and design.” Inspired by a combination of professional and personal experiences, and with financial backing from Silicon Valley, Zeidan set about launching a hotel group that aimed to solve the discord between experience and price point. “The problems in the hotel industry are multi-faceted and stem from technology and real estate – not solely price, or solely experience,” he notes. “The ability to bring prices down and improve the guest experience requires a holistic solution to the technology, real estate, operations and branding. Life House is focused on all of these components, and our capital and expertise provides us the opportunity to make it happen.”

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Above: The lobby is designed as a living room and features monochrome-checked flooring, dark local woods and a collection of vintage furniture

Zeidan knew he had a challenge on his hands, but wasn’t deterred, and eventually found two existing hotels for sale that would serve as the ideal launch pad. The first, formerly The Jefferson Hotel, has been fully restored to Life House Little Havana, while the second, a charming Tudor cottage in South Beach, will open in August; both are members of Design Hotels. “Launching an asset-light hotel brand and management company is challenging in its own right, but additionally we had to solve for our brand vision – delivering a high quality authentic experience at a lower price,” he explains. “The price of real estate plays a role in the resulting price we can offer to our guests and Miami had all of the right ingredients.” In addressing the human connection conundrum, Zeidan and his co-founder Yury Yakubchyk, a software entrepreneur, built a technology platform that provides a frictionless direct booking journey, mobile app and social network, the latter allowing those guests travelling on the same dates to opt-in to an online community and ultimately meet in person on-property. Additionally, verified local members belong to the group to foster community and conversation between guests and residents. Life House’s authenticity meanwhile shines through in its design concept, with interiors led by in-house Creative Director Jennifer Bukovec. The scheme is designed through the lens of an expeditionist

with a musing for Afrocubanismo – an artistic and social movement with origins in 1920s Cuba – and is furnished with a collection of travel mementos from global adventures. Occupying a historic mansion painted in a rich guava to complement the hues of neighbouring houses, every element of the hotel has been crafted to harmonise with the area’s cultural roots while remaining true to Zeidan’s vision. The check-in desk is little more than an iPad for example – a wise choice for a guest profile largely made-up of tech-savvy travellers who don’t have the time or inclination for paperwork – while the lobby is designed as a living room, complete with a range of seating options that include Pierre Jeanneret wooden armchairs, and a vintage Hans Wegner sofa reupholstered in handsome plum leather. The adjoining triple-height gallery features hyperlocal works by Cuban artist Leandro Feal, as well as salvaged LC7 chairs – first sketched by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand in 1927 and produced by Cassina in 1978 – positioned around an American black walnut coworking table. Monochrome-checked flooring, dark local woods and woven area rugs feed into the tropical mansion aesthetic, as do the Caribbean shutter-inspired millwork and Art Deco details from the original structure. Guestrooms – which include double-doubles sleeping up to four in private nooks – follow the same tropical flavour

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Above: In the courtyard, lush tropical planting forms the backdrop to an eclectic collection of rattan and wrought iron furniture

with Sumatra-themed hand-illustrated wallpapers and a blend of vintage and new world furniture. “Each hotel tells an authentic story that pays homage to the neighbourhood, its people and culture, as well as the history of the building,” Zeidan explains, adding that, although Little Havana is best known for its Cuban culture, its ethnic makeup has evolved to include growing numbers of Nicaraguans, Hondurans and other Latinos. “To manifest this spirit we created a ventanita and courtyard called Parcela, which takes its roots from a Spanish word to describe an unused plot of urban land repurposed for urban farming.” Formerly a back-of-house office – no longer required thanks to the hotel’s tech innovations – Parcela is a walk-up window (ventanita) where diners can order imaginative dishes such as locally-sourced Florida avocados on sourdough, or pan con bistec – a Little Havana favourite – and eat in any of the hotel’s social spaces. The courtyard always proves a popular choice, with lush tropical planting forming the backdrop to an eclectic collection of rattan and wrought iron chairs sourced on a trip through central Florida.

Still to come at Life House Little Havana is a rooftop bar, restaurant and music venue, named Icaro in reference to indigenous South American songs performed to awaken creative healing energies. And there’s plenty more in store for the group as a whole. “As of today, we have 18 hotels in the pipeline and we’re aiming to have 30 properties open in the US by the end of 2020,” confirms Zeidan. The ambitious plans include Life Houses in Brooklyn, Denver, Lake Tahoe and San Diego, each with a different aesthetic and story to tell. But for Zeidan, there’s a greater goal, one of social and cultural importance. “Our long term aim is to create a global community of authentic, locally-rooted experiential hotels that help to make travel more meaningful and more accessible,” he concludes. “This will encourage more frequent travel, which we believe in turn can make people develop a greater appreciation for their own belonging in the universe as well as everyone else’s. To us, this understanding is really the solution to cultural discrimination; exposure to travel and community can be more powerful than any governmental policies to that effect.”

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The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira

ilverfox Studios has revealed its interior scheme for The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai. Occupying 2,000m2 within the group’s Middle Eastern debut, the venue comprises nine treatment rooms including hammam and VIP suites, as well as a series of sculpted gym and studio pods. Created by studio leaders Patrick Waring and Susan Heng, the spaces reflect elements of the distinctive desert landscape, local culture and touchstones of contemporary wellness, with guests welcomed by timber and silk screens alongside cup-shaped partitions representing the petals and swirling cacti forms of the UAE’s desert plains. The design is housed within a spiralling layout that connects subtly with the scheme’s organic forms, with a curving staircase leading from the reception to the main treatment and spa above, where softer circulation corridors lined with sloping timber and fabric invoke references to the gulf’s wave movement. Unique to the VIP suites are panoramic views out over beach and ocean, and balconies equipped with seating lounges and privacy screens. Elsewhere, a dedicated relaxation room sees guests enveloped in the distinctive pods as natural light spills in from adjacent water treatment rooms. With Silverfox Studio’s interior design scheme fusing elements of locally-sourced tradition and luxurious contemporary touches, the treatment menu follows suit to offer therapies native to the region alongside signature Mandarin Oriental packages.

DUBAI

Silverfox Studios creates the flowing interior forms within Mandarin Oriental’s debut Middle Eastern spa. Words: Kristofer Thomas Photography: © Silverfox Studios; Nacasa & Partners

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Collector’s Edition PREFERRED HOTELS & RESORTS

Emerging as a major player without owning a single property, the success of Preferred Hotels & Resorts signals the rise of a model that could alter the hospitality landscape. Words: Kristofer Thomas

Representing over 750 hotels, resorts and residences across 85 countries, Preferred Hotels & Resorts is a collection model offering strategic advantages to the owners, operators and companies behind luxury hotels by way of consultative support brand association and connectivity, as well as distribution, sales and revenue solutions. Member properties are divided into distinct experiences and experiential subcollections as opposed to locations or label, affording guests the freedom to tailor their stays from the off. Preferred Hotels & Resorts Network as of July 2019 750+ Hotels 160,000+ Rooms 85 Countries

Preferred Hotels & Resorts sits as something of an outlier in the context of this section’s previous entries, in that the California-headquartered group does not actually own, operate or manage any hotels. Part of the soft brand revolution, it is instead part of a growing community of collections comprising independent hotels that fly no flag but still adhere to a set manifesto of core brand standards. Scratching the itch for experiences beyond the often sterilised and heavily-branded mega-conglomerates whilst assuaging guests wary of lower standards beyond reliably branded circles, the model has seen Preferred grow to encompass over 750 disparate properties around the world and claim the title of the world’s largest independent hotel group. Whilst the largest chains are just now stepping into this field – see Hyatt’s Unbound, Hilton’s Curio and Marriott’s Autograph, all structured and launched in the last decade – Preferred Hotels & Resorts has evolved steadily alongside the market since its inception in the late 1960s, charting guest tastes and flowing with the tidal shifts of industry disruption whilst adapting in line with transformed hospitality function and form. “The beauty of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts model is that travellers can stay within our portfolio nearly anywhere they want to go, and have 750 one-of-a-kind options to choose from, with each property providing a unique perspective on the destination,” explains Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO, Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “Hotel chains cannot claim the same, and given booming consumer preferences for individualised stays, we feel that Preferred Hotels & Resorts and other soft brand models are far ahead of the curve.” THE HISTORY Founded in 1968 initially as a referral organisation for hotels with similar high standards, by the association’s

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10 th anniversary it had expanded internationally to encompass 14 European members and its first Asia Pacific hotel. The brand subsequently outlined the prerequisite criteria for admittance: a minimum of four stars from the Mobil Travel Guide and four Diamonds from AAA, amongst others. Over time these guidelines have moved away from the rigid star ratings to favour anonymous third party inspections, a move that has generated experiences beyond the realm of the strictly conventional.

“By defining hotels through experiences versus brands or stars, we have helped to simplify part of the travel planning process,” Ueberroth notes. “We feel that our five collections – Legend, L.V.X., Lifestyle, Connect, and Preferred Residences – better resonate with today’s traveller, who does not always equate luxury with stars.” By its 25th anniversary, Preferred was well under way in establishing itself as a major hotel player, embracing emergent technologies and the nineties economic boom to advance its distribution, booking and sales platforms. 2004-2005 saw John Ueberroth take the reins as largest shareholder of holding company IndeCorp – now Preferred Hotel Group – and Chairman of the board. Gail and Lindsey Ueberroth joined as Vice-Chairperson/ Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President respectively, setting the stage for the family-oriented direction to come and accelerating expansion worldwide. In 2010, when Lindsey was named CEO, the collection had grown to 650, and with the creation of guest and membership benefit programmes and a growing slate of ever-specific experience categories including golf and LGBT-friendly hotels – and with announcement that the company had generated over US1 billion in reservation

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revenue for its hotels still to come – the decade since and the current iteration of the brand has proved fruitful. THE HOTELS “Due to their independent nature, no two properties in our portfolio are alike,” Ueberroth explains. “We do not impose a specific design aesthetic on our hoteliers because the ability to allow guests to choose from a variety of options that meet different life, style, and cultural preferences is intrinsic to our brand identity.” From the sleek and modern Hotel Hendricks in the heart of New York to the secluded tranquillity of Lelewatu Resort on Indonesia’s coast, the Preferred collection is best characterised by the wide diversity of its portfolio, arguably the quality most essential to the model’s success. Opening its doors earlier this year in central Palma’s Old Quarter, Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden features an intimate 24 suites and design by Mallorcan studio Ohlab incorporating many of the 16th-century structure’s Gothic relics and baroque touches, whilst Sao Paulo’s Hotel Unique sits at the opposite end of the spectrum, with Ruy Ohtake’s bold modernist structure housing an offer tied closely to its urban garden setting.

Both convey respite and an oasis amidst busy streets, but both also showcase the wide variety available to guests. Likewise, few major chains can offer customers the luxury Manhattan outpost Baccarat Hotel – replete with jewelled chandeliers, vivid streaked marble and mid-century furnishings – alongside the 39-acre grounds of Montage Los Cabos, an expansive resort at the tip of the Baja Californian peninsula, in the same breath. Aligning itself with the culture of worldwide members as opposed to forcefully implementing and foregrounding its own brand, Preferred gives the hotels forming its collection room to breathe and express themselves. Whilst many may boast of the authentic and unique nature of their properties, it is difficult to truly claim these attributes without allowing for a large degree of independence. “We find that this approach helps us to forge equal partnerships between the brand and the hotel – one where we support the owner or operator’s vision of luxury hospitality,” Ueberroth confirms.

and running the risk of falling into a void of internet advertising or relying solely on word of mouth, the model allows members to band together under a common banner, and with the Preferred name by now holding the reliability of a large chain, it could be viewed as closer to the give-and-take, back-scratching makeup of a trading bloc or political union than it is a traditional hotel company. “We want our relationships with member hotels to be mutually beneficial partnerships and our approach to be consultative,” Ueberroth explains. “They retain control of their asset and its management, free of the restrictions imposed by hotel chains and homogenised hospitality groups, which in turn allows them to deliver authentic experiences and to quickly react to new trends.” In a luxury market quickly shifting to value experience and the less tangible aspects of travel and hospitality over traditional interpretations, this model could have the capacity to eventually challenge the reinforced hegemony Ueberroth refers to – that’s if it hasn’t already. However, much like the collection she oversees, Ueberroth values diversity. “Consumers still want choice – with needs and desires changing from trip to trip,” she concludes. “Both the soft brand or independent model and harder approaches must continue to co-exist to ensure we cater to our ultimate end goal – genuine hospitality and guest satisfaction.”

GIVE & TAKE As such, this equal standing is perhaps the second most important dimension to the model’s success. Whilst Preferred gain a bolthole, boutique or resort, the member in turn receives access to a wide network of sales resources, tech and booking support, and listed presence on the experience platform. As opposed to going it alone

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THE INTELLIGENCE SOURCE FOR THE HOTEL INVESTMENT COMMUNITY

Indian agrees growth fund The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has agreed a USD600m fund with GIC to invest in luxury, upper upscale and upscale hotels in India over the next three years. Earlier this year saw GIC acquire a 25% stake in CitizenM, in addition to jointly launching a European hotel investment vehicle with Archer Hotel Capital. At IHCL, the pair will acquire fully operational hotels, including distressed or underperforming properties that can be turned around. The expansion will be in keeping with IHCL’s move to asset-light growth, with the equity contribution from IHCL at 30% and the balance 70% contributed by GIC. The hotels will be put under management contracts with IHCL. Puneet Chhatwal, managing director and CEO, IHCL said: “We are delighted to partner with GIC, one of the most reputable global investors. This collaboration is in line with Aspiration 2022 and our vision to scale up, create greater enterprise value and make IHCL South Asia’s most iconic and profitable hospitality company. Through this platform, we expect to acquire strategic and marquee assets that need new ownership, branding and positioning.” Earlier this month saw IHCL report that it had signed 22 new contracts in the full year with a further four signings in April. Chhatwal said: “Some of these signings are iconic assets,

both within India as well as in international markets like Dubai or London Heathrow.” Of the signings, 18 were management contracts and four were operating leases. Following the signings, the CEO said that the group had increased its management contracts from 32% to 40% of the portfolio, taking it closer to its 2022 target of 50% fee-based business and 50% leased or owned. Last year saw five new openings, with the company forecasting that it would open a hotel per month in this financial year. Last month saw the company launch a new collection brand, SeleQtions, with 12 sites. Chhatwal said: “SeleQtions will allow IHCL to cater to a broader audience of travellers who prefer staying in hotels with a distinctive character. SeleQtions also includes hotels that have a slice of history, defining location or a differentiated theme. We believe the brand has immense potential to grow.” Kok Sun Lee, CIO, GIC Real Estate, said: “GIC is pleased to partner with IHCL, a leading hotel owner and operator, to build a quality hospitality portfolio in key destinations across India. As a longterm investor, we are confident in the outlook of India’s hospitality sector. We look forward to working closely with established partners such as IHCL to pursue attractive opportunities and capture the sector’s growth potential.” GIC began this year by launching a jointly-owned European hotel investment vehicle with APG, Archer Hotel Capital, comprised

of 11 hotels located in major cities across Western Europe with a gross asset value of around EUR2.1bn. All the hotels were formerly part of the Host Hotels & Resorts European joint venture, with APG and GIC Real Estate having bought out Host’s 33% stake last year for around EUR700m. The shareholders intended to spend an additional EUR300m “to capitalise on opportunities to further enhance one of the best quality portfolios of its type in Europe”. The launch followed last year’s purchase of a stake in AccorInvest by GIC, as the sovereign wealth fund looked to strengthen its longterm position in Europe. GIC continued to work with APG, joining it and KRC Capital investing in CitizenM as the hotel company looked to expand around the world. CitizenM has a portfolio of 15 hotels in eight countries and a development pipeline of 25 more sites. The group is targeting 20 new hotels in the US over the next five years, plus further expansion in Europe and Asia Pacific. GIC Real Estate, said: “CitizenM represents an attractive value proposition of affordable luxury in urban markets. It is well-received by consumers who are increasingly placing value in experience and authenticity. As a long-term global investor, we believe this is a good addition to our overall portfolio of quality assets, and look forward to partnering with the CitizenM management team to further add value to CitizenM as they expand globally.”

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HA Perspective (by Katherine Doggrell): Much has been written in these pages of the hope for growth placed at the door of India’s hotel market, hope which has been stymied by red tape, general confusion and a whole stack of debt. Enter Chhatwal, who has been leaning on existing assets to boost profitability, adding new properties, cleaning up the brand architecture and tidying up the balance sheet. The company now has a full suite of brands to offer owners, as well as a homestay flag and a CEO with an ambitious streak a mile wide. He has spoken about the need to work on the domestic estate, but we anticipate global growth in the company’s future. What has changed? For Indian, shedding debt and bringing in Chhatwal. For the planet’s hotel investors, one could look at the promises of Narendra Modi – most still in the promise stage – but some credit must go to Oyo, which unlocked the country and showed that it was possible to unwrap the market. GIC is unlikely to be the last to take a punt. HA Perspective (by Andrew Sangster): The phenomenon of vertical disintegration is well advanced in the West but less so in developing markets. This move by India’s biggest player in asset terms shows that the appeal of asset-light is global. IHCL has set a target of having as much as 60% of its properties sold-off by 2022. This is not an AccorInvest type vehicle in that

each acquisition is going to be held in a separate SPV with its own funding but it will in effect amount to the same thing. It will be interesting to see how many assets are bought that are currently owned by IHCL and how many will be new opportunities for IHCL’s management.

Hyatt consolidates lifestyle Hyatt Hotels Corporation is to bring its lifestyle brands under the name Two Roads Hospitality. The company is also looking to growth in its luxury brands, as it continues to push its loyalty programme. Two Roads will include: Andaz, Alila, Joie de Vivre Hotels, Thompson Hotels, and Tommie. Frederic Flageat-Simon, the former CEO of Two Roads Hospitality Asia, will develop the new lifestyle division, serving as its global operations strategy. “A seasoned leader with hospitality experience that spans the globe, Frederic has fused passion, creativity, and innovation together throughout his career,” adds Pete Sears, Hyatt’s Americas Group President. “Responsible for operating Hyatt’s lifestyle brands, taking them to an even greater level of success, and driving a pipeline that will benefit both guests and owners, Frederic is an exceptional appointment for the organisation. He will continue to cultivate our vision of providing best-in-class

offerings for guests at our lifestyle hotels throughout the world.” Last month also saw Hyatt expand its relationship with Small Luxury Hotels, established last summer. The Hyatt loyalty programme will now include more than 200 SLH properties globally at which members can redeem or earn points. SLH says the partnership had boosted reservations, while Hyatt members have wider choices. Italy, the UK, France, China and Greece have been the most popular destinations since the arrangement began in late 2018. At its secondquarter earnings, Hyatt said that over 96% of the hotels in the programme were already seeing bookings from World of Hyatt members. In the same earnings report, Hyatt said that World of Hyatt members accounted for about 75% of Hyatt’s website bookings and a third of overall bookings. Hyatt acquired Two Roads at the end of last year for EUR480m and followed 2017’s acquisition of Exhale, the US- and Caribbeanbased group, and Miraval Group. Steve Haggerty, Hyatt’s global head of capital strategy, franchising and select service, said at the time: “Everything we do is to improve the value proposition for our World of Hyatt community, and that effort has led us to expand in the wellness space. We know our guests demand that and want that at home and when they travel. So our acquisitions of Miraval and Exhale are components of an overall strategy to deliver wellness to our

guests and our colleagues. “We will continue to offer hotel owners multiple solutions for a wellness offering with their respective properties. Wellness for us is an integrated strategy, and we believe we can strategically differentiate our company on that dimension.” Last year also saw Hyatt make an unsuccessful move on NH Hotels, with Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, telling analysts: “Our interest in NH was born out of our efforts to significantly expand Hyatt’s presence in Europe”. While that growth remained aspirational, Hyatt also announced that it had 21 new luxury hotels and resorts planned to open in Asia Pacific by the end of 2020. This expansion is comprised of seven Park Hyatt branded properties, six hotels each under the Grand Hyatt and Andaz brands and two Alila branded resorts, boosting Hyatt’s luxury portfolio in the region by more than 25%. Luxury currently accounts for 40% of Hyatt’s overall portfolio in the region. “We are excited to expand our luxury portfolio in Asia Pacific, bringing more distinct experiences through the Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Andaz and Alila brands to destinations that matter most to our guests,” said Carina Chorengel, SVP commercial, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “As we expand our resort, lifestyle and wellbeing offerings, we will better cater to today’s increasingly diverse luxury travellers who seek greater personalisation, whether they are travelling for business or leisure.”

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The company also signed its first Hyatt Centric property in Greater China, with the signing of the Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong. The hotel was due to be rebranded, from the Hotel VIC, by the third quarter of this year. The company continues to hunt in the luxury market, with Hoplamazian adding that the company was “actively looking at a number of opportunities in the wellness and wellbeing space”, describing the Miraval and Exhale acquisition as having given the group “tremendous intellectual property and practices that we are designing into how we are differentiating what we’re doing for our corporate customers, especially on the meeting side”. HA Perspective (by Katherine Doggrell): There are those amongst us observers who feel that the key question when looking at Hyatt is: “What are you going to buy instead of NH?” Possibly repeated in capital letters and bold type. But one cannot live on deals alone and Hyatt has been working to feed its loyalty programme and is pleased with the results. The company made it clear that whatever it partnered with or bought would have to fit with what the guests want and, for those small marketing consortia like SLH, this provides an interesting new route to market without being consumed wholesale by one of the larger players – heaven forfend an OTA. So what will Hyatt buy next? The former Rezidor could be a good pick – paragraphs in the back of owner

Jin Jiang’s annual report suggest that its independent directors might not be totally committed to a long hold.

Easter eggs Spanish operators Meliá Hotels International and NH Hotel Group both reported weak first quarters as the late Easter hit performance. Both were confident looking to the remainder of the year, as they continued to reposition their estates and, at NH, work more closely with Minor International. At Meliá Hotels International, the company said that revpar had fallen by 2.5% on the year in the first quarter due to a drop in occupancy, with Ebitda down by 4.5%. During the period the group opened four hotels and signed up another four; one in Costa Rica, one in Portugal and two in the United Arab Emirates, taking its pipeline to 15,000 rooms, 18% of the total portfolio, with 90% of the pipeline managed or franchised. Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, EVP and CEO, Meliá Hotels International, said: “Easter falling in April this year makes comparisons difficult with the first quarter of 2018. This combined with other factors that had a negative effect on some of our markets, such as travel alerts for destinations in Mexico issued by the US, the complex situation in Cuba or instability in Venezuela. “With regard to Spain, we are optimistic about the positive

performance in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville in spite of the Easter effect, and can confirm the impact of strong competition from destinations in North Africa and Turkey on the performance in the Canary Islands. To face this complex business environment, our company relies on our competitive strengths, such as our portfolio of repositioned hotels and our leadership in the resort segment, jointly with our degree of internationalisation – with a special focus on an emerging market like Asia – and the digital leap already achieved.” Looking ahead the group said that it expected the second quarter to reverse the fall in revpar and for full year revpar to see a “slight increase” on 2018. At NH Hotel Group, revpar was up by 3.6%, with Ebitda up by 33% to EUR20.9m and a net loss of EUR17m, narrowed on the year by EUR6m in what was the group’s weakest quarter due to seasonality. During the quarter, the company worked on the refurbishment and repositioning of 16 hotels in Europe (Germany, Austria, Spain, Netherlands and Italy) and Latin America (Argentina and Mexico). At the March close, NH Hotel Group operated 54,430 rooms across 352 hotels, owning 8%. Ramón Aragonés, CEO, NH Hotel Group, said: “In the first three months of the year we combined revenue expansion and efficient cost management, underpinning continued strong growth and pointing to delivery of our guidance for this year. In parallel, we continued to enhance

the positioning and quality of our portfolio thanks to our robust financial situation, which paved the way for funding EUR40m of capital expenditure this quarter without increasing financial net debt from year-end 2018 levels.” Aragonés also stressed the “excellent progress being made on the plans for leveraging competitive advantages alongside Minor Hotels to create shared value”. To date, this has seen the involvement of NH in the operation of Minor Hotels’ establishments in Portugal and Brazil and, the company said: “the leveraging of economies of scale in volume-driven negotiations with trade partners (travel agencies and suppliers); reinforcement of the customer base; and acceleration of the expansion of the two groups’ brands in the various geographies”. In early March the two groups agreed to introduce the luxury brand Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas in Spain with an agreement to operate the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel in Marbella. At Minor International, the group said its results excluding NH saw its strong owned hotel performance and residential development sales offset by softer performance of third-party managed hotels, its Australian management letting rights portfolio and Anantara Vacation Club. Excluding NH, Mint recorded consolidated core net profit down 8% on the year to TBH1.58bn. Mint said it remained confident of its full-year 2019 performance, “underpinned by business and

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geographical diversity and the longterm fundamental strength of its businesses”. HA Perspective (by Katherine Doggrell): Elsewhere this week the tour operators have been suffering in the wake of putting all their eggs in one Spain, an error which NH and Meliá identified and diversified away from in the last downturn. The domestic hotels they had were upgraded, forcing the tour operators to follow suit, classing up Spain in the process. Elsewhere at Mint, the coming together of the company with NH has not yet set the world alight and we continued to await the plans for global takeover. Mint has yet to sell any of its stake in NH, as was mooted at the time of purchase, not too much of a shock given offering around a minority stake won’t necessarily have attracted too many players. Mint has continued to be linked to a number of high-profile deals, which may make the sum of its parts worth buying into. Most recently, this included Leela in India, a deal which remains far from done. In March the company announced plans to refinance the bridging facility arranged as part of the NH purchase and to finance growth. There is more to be had here than just Spain.

F&B can deliver Food and beverage operations offer great opportunities to grow hotel revenues. But a one-size-

fits-all approach is bound to miss that potential, a panel at Hotel Operations Conference in London warned. And measuring success and returns can also be difficult. Time was when the hotel restaurant and bar were only for residents without a better idea, but nowadays the hotel bar can be a cool destination in itself. “I’ve seen a change in five years in Amsterdam, it’s been dramatic,” said Herman Klok, regional director of operations at NH Hotels. The potential for additional business can be substantial, said Jeremy Robson, who owns the Great Northern hotel in central London. “About 50% of our revenue is F&B, and of that around 95% is non-residents.” He said that those non-residents create theatre and vitality in the hotel. “Last night we had 200 through our restaurant, but only six were residents.” But David Orr, CEO of Nadler Hotels, cautioned against simply opting to create an F&B offer for the sake of it, suggesting a more nuanced approach is needed. “F&B can be a distraction,” he warned. Nadler’s new Covent Garden hotel has achieved 9th position in London on Tripadvisor, without a restaurant or bar. In a city location, often guests simply want pointing in the right direction, outside the front door, to enjoy the ambience and choice of local hostelries. And in central locations, a partnership with

local F&B operations can prove worthwhile. Klok said the strategy must depend on location, noting that NH is to outsource the restaurant in its new Amsterdam hotel, the largest development it has in Benelux. “I guess it is sometimes trial and error, we have to constantly be on our toes, and adapting to change.” NH focuses on getting some of its hotel restaurants to a level where they can achieve Michelin star ratings, adding to the draw of the property overall. But he warned this should not be an end in itself: “Around 75% of Michelin starred restaurants don’t make money.” While he has worked to ensure NH’s high-end restaurants do make a positive financial contribution, he said that breakfast and conference F&B often deliver higher returns. His group’s experience had encompassed a variety of experiences, ranging from the restaurant in an Eindhoven hotel that put the property on the map, to an outsourced restaurant in Amsterdam that faltered after a year, despite being run by an experienced operator. NH has also tried a popup format, on a one-year test, that was successful and then allowed NH to invest into creating a more permanent restaurant. Hotel restaurants in urban locations are often in direct competition with high street restaurant chains. As HOC opened, UK restaurant chain Jamie’s

Italian, backed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, had just fallen into administration, leading Orr to note: “It’s not just hotels that have had significant challenges.” Measuring returns can be problematic. While it is possible to measure whether a restaurant or bar is making money week to week, the issue of added value and a symbiotic relationship with the hotel’s accommodation offer is less direct. “I have no doubt that the quality of the F&B adds to our experience and room rate,” said Robson. “There’s a bit of blind faith, and it’s qualitative rather than quantitative.” He has just opened a martini bar at the Great Northern, convinced its novelty will drive footfall. Robson cautioned that hotel operations need to stay distinct from F&B. The Great Northern was one of the first to sign under Starwood’s Tribute soft brand, now owned by Marriott, which he said works well for selling accommodation. “We use Marriott as a sales distribution for the rooms, they have no influence on F&B.” He suggested brand input should always be moderate: “It works if there’s the expertise, but the brand has to be careful not to intrude from a central position.” He also suggested that restaurant operations needed a different skill set: “I wouldn’t want a hotel manager running a restaurant – their culture is different.” Another fan of ancillary

services was Gary Davis, executive chairman of Village Hotels. His properties all feature a health club, which supports the hotel and F&B operations. “Being a community hotel is what we like to be,” he said, adding that many of his hotel’s bars become the place for locals to hang out, and watch major sporting events on big screen TVs. “We’re close to 90% occupancy, and it’s because of the intrinsic value of the different parts.” Funders, too, acknowledge the relevance of a food offering to making a success of hotels. Speaking during the investment panel session, Anthony Say, head of hotels at Natwest Corporate Banking commented: “I don’t look at standalone restaurants, but for some hotels the profitability of the restaurant isn’t a big part of the hotel – but the hotel wouldn’t be the same without the restaurant.” Martin Smyth, head of hotels at Coutts, reinforced: “A number of brands require F&B and if you have it, you want it to make it as profitable as possible.” As ever, there was a warning against being overoptimistic in making forecasts. Barclays’ head of hotels, Tim Helliwell, was wary of “the number of times where we see forecasts which are a hockey stick, in an atmosphere of 2% GDP growth. Realism is critical.”

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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Austria A strong finish in 2018 transitioned into a promising start for 2019 as Austria’s hotels set records across the three key performance metrics. During the first quarter of the year, the country registered 63.9% occupancy (+4.5% yearover-year), ADR of EUR104.64 (+4.5%) and RevPAR of EUR66.91 (+9.2%). This followed a Q4 2018 in which RevPAR was up 17.2% in year-over-year comparisons. Austria’s hotel performance is very much driven by its capital, and unsurprisingly, Vienna also broke records across the same period. The market has experienced an influx of international arrivals in recent years and welcomed 7.5 million global visitors in 2018, a 6% increase according to the Vienna Tourism Board. Vienna benefits from a busy and diverse events calendar, populated with congresses and corporate meetings, which provide a performance boost for its hotels. According to the Vienna Convention Bureau, approximately 12% of all overnight stays in 2018 can be attributed to the MICE market.

Projected Room Growth for Vienna +11.7% Existing 34,671 Pipeline 4,051

During these events, it is standard for Vienna hotels to report significant year-over-year increases in the metrics. For example, European Utility Week (6-8 November 2018) produced average occupancy growth of 17% when compared with the same days in 2017, which coupled with an ADR lift of 16.8%, led to average RevPAR growth of 36.7%. The Inflammatory Skin Disease Summit 2018 (1215 December) drove an average occupancy increase of 9.5%, while the European Congress of Radiology (27 February-3 March) registered 9.3% growth in the metric. This recent run of performance increases has come even as the Austrian capital has experienced supply growth in eight successive years. There are currently 23 hotels and 4,051 rooms in the construction and planning phases of Vienna’s development pipeline.

STR is the source for premium global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights, tracking 8 million rooms worldwide. www.str.com

Vienna Hotel Performance

Q1 2019 Occupancy 63.6% ADR EUR95.13 RevPAR EUR60.51

Vienna Hotel Performance

Q4 2018 Occupancy 84.6% ADR EUR113.28 RevPAR EUR95.86

www.aheadawards.com

The Siren beats off the competition to scoop coveted Hotel of the Year at the region’s celebration of hospitality experience and design. A restored country house estate in the Hudson Valley, an island hideaway in the Caribbean and a recording studio with rooms on Santa Monica Boulevard were amongst the winners of this year’s AHEAD Americas, as the region’s new hotels went head-to-head to be named best-in-category. Taking place at Miami's Faena Forum, the ceremony attracted owners, operators, architects and designers from all corners of the region, with the night hosted by Sleeper’s Editor-at-Large Guy Dittrich and supported by Global Founder Sponsor Grohe. The evening’s tropical theme saw the Rem Koolhaus-designed amphitheatre decked out in verdant palms and foliage along with hammocks and parasols supplied by Tuuci, while guests dressed to impress in bold botanical prints. Winners were announced by AHEAD’s loyal sponsors, having undergone a rigorous judging process that involved an initial round of online voting to determine the shortlist, before the judges met in New York for a full day of deliberations. Speaking on stage, Aliya Khan, Vice President of Design Strategies for Marriott International and chair of the panel, summed up proceedings: “Judging these awards is always a good day; the discussions are animated, and the commentary enlightening. This year was no exception. The one thing that continued to be a talking point is the need for authenticity in design. Good design is everywhere, but authentic, meaningful experiences that tell a thoughtful story of a destination are the genuine separator between the good and the exceptional.” She concluded: “It was also an opportunity to remind us that design isn’t just a collection of cool furniture, but about so many other elements, from the relationship of architecture to the site, the landscaping and the ability to transition from day to night, down to the finest details of collateral and finishes. More importantly none of the criteria is about how much money was spent, but how it was spent.” And the money was indeed well spent across the projects that emerged triumphant. Taking home awards for Guestrooms and Event Spaces, Gold Diggers in LA was praised for its brave approach and alternative design scheme, while Troutbeck, by Champalimaud Design, won over the panel for remaining true to its roots. Solaz Los Cabos in Mexico impressed in the Newbuild and Landscaping categories thanks to its purist architecture and relationship with its surroundings, while Belmond Cap Juluca in Anguilla was lauded for its preservation and redesign achievements following substantial hurricane damage.

In the special award categories, David Rockwell was named recipient of the Outstanding Contribution accolade thanks to his creative vision and gamechanging projects across the region and beyond. Amongst his achievements, the designer has enjoyed a 20-year partnership with Nobu Hospitality, creating the first Nobu Hotel and a number of the group’s restaurants; he was responsible for the first W Hotel back in 1999; collaborated with Ian Schrager on The New York Edition; and recently completed Moxy Chelsea and its rooftop bar, The Fleur Room, which was one of the night’s winners. Rockwell and his team have also played a major role in Related Group’s Hudson Yards development, having designed both the residences and Equinox Hotel. Presenting the award, Jorge Perez, Chairman and CEO of Related Group, commented: “Whenever we need a highly creative designer, David and his group are our first choice. He’s designed 64 Broadway and offBroadway show sets, 275 restaurants, 96 hotels and innumerable residential and office buildings. In addition to countless design awards, David received the most prestigious award from the American Institute of Architects, and is the only architect to win both a Tony and an Emmy. This man is incredible.” The award was collected on stage by Rockwell Group Studio Leader Richard Chandler, while Rockwell himself accepted via video. “We’re thrilled to have received the Outstanding Contribution award from AHEAD,” he noted. “Rockwell Group has been lucky enough over the last 35 years to combine an interest and passion in designing for performance in the theatre and for hospitality. In every project, we develop and invent a story or a narrative that means no design decision is arbitrary. There’s not a good chair or a bad chair, there’s a chair that helps tell the story.” The final award of the night, The AHEAD Americas Hotel of the Year, went to The Siren Hotel in Detroit, which was praised by the judging panel for bringing old-school glamour to a historic building. Accepting the award on stage, Ari Heckman, founding partner and CEO of Ash NY – the design and development firm behind the property – commented: “Hotels take large teams and many years to build, so this is a tribute to everyone who works with us, from construction workers, labourers, designers and guest service agents to the teams around the country that bring our hospitality vision to life. Thank you all.” A full list of winning projects can be seen overleaf, while photography of the event can be viewed online at www.aheadawards.com/americas.

B A R , C LU B O R LO U N G E

HOTEL NEWBUILD

THE FLEUR ROOM AT MOXY CHELSEA – NEW YORK, USA

SOLAZ LOS CABOS – SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO, MEXICO

Marriott International / Lightstone Group / Tao Group /

Marriott International / Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos

Stonehill Taylor / Rockwell Group

H O T E L R E N O VAT I O N & R E S T O R AT I O N E V E N T S PA C E S

TROUTBECK – AMENIA, USA

GOLD DIGGERS – LOS ANGELES, USA

Troutbeck Holdings / D. R. Horne & Company /

Dave Neupert / Wick Architecture & Design /

Patrick Mulberry Architect / Champalimaud Design

Night Palm Design / Land Design Studio

L A N D S C A P I N G & O U T D O O R S PA C E S GUESTROOMS

SOLAZ LOS CABOS – SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO, MEXICO

GOLD DIGGERS – LOS ANGELES, USA

Marriott International / Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos

Dave Neupert / Wick Architecture & Design / Night Palm Design / Land Design Studio

L O B B Y & P U B L I C S PA C E S PERRY LANE HOTEL – SAVANNAH, USA

HOTEL CONVERSION

Marriott International / Flank Architects /

THE SIREN HOTEL – DETROIT, USA

Avroko / Nine dot Arts

Ash NYC / Quinn Evans Architects

RESORT HOTEL

TRANSPORT

BELMOND CAP JULUCA – ANGUILLA, CARRIBEAN

CRYSTAL SYMPHONY

Belmond / HKS / Rottet Studio

Crystal Cruises / AD Associates

R E S TA U R A N T

VISUAL IDENTITY

THE NOMAD RESTAURANT AT NOMAD – LAS VEGAS, USA

HOTEL PETER & PAUL – NEW ORLEANS, USA

MGM International / Sydell Group /

ASH NYC / Alizée Freudenthal

Stonehill Taylor / Studio Jacques Garcia

NEW CONCEPT OF THE YEAR S PA & W E L L N E S S

AUTOCAMP – USA

WELLNESS CENTRE AT EATON DC – WASHINGTON, USA

Anacapa Architecture / Geremia Design

Great Eagle Group / Eaton Workshop / Parts & Labor Design

T H E O U T S TA N D I N G C O N T R I B U T I O N AWA R D SUITE

DAVID ROCKWELL

ST JANE – CHICAGO, USA Becker Ventures / Booth Hansen Architects /

THE AHEAD ASIA HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Simeone Deary Design Group

THE SIREN – DETROIT, USA Ash NYC / Quinn Evans Architects

MARCH 2020

18 JUNE 2019

13 NOVEMBER 2019

18 NOVEMBER 2019

SINGAPORE

FAENA FORUM MIAMI

CAESARS BLUEWATERS DUBAI

BATTERSEA EVOLUTION LONDON

www.aheadawards.com

OUT OF THE ORDINARY

Image Credits: Broste Copenhagen | Guzzini | Stelton

A/W 19

BREAKING BOUNDARIES, DEFINING TRENDS We search the globe for an extraordinary and distinctive hospitality edit so you can create a look that is out of the ordinary.

8â&#x20AC;&#x201D;10 SEPTEMBER 2019 OLYMPIA LONDON

Events T H E M E E T I N G P L AC E F O R T H E H O S P I TA L I T Y I N D U S T R Y

6-10 SEP

8-10 SEP

9-11 SEP

15-20 SEP

Maison & Objet Paris www.maison-objet.com Top Drawer London www.topdrawer.co.uk HI Design Americas Florida www.hidesign-americas.com Focus/19 London www.dcch.co.uk

16-17 SEP

17-19 SEP

17-20 SEP

SAHIC Quito www.sahic.com Index Dubai www.indexexhibition.com The Hotel Show Dubai www.thehotelshow.com Habitat Valencia www.feriahabitatvalencia.com

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18-21 SEP

19-22 SEP

23-24 SEP

100% Design London www.100percentdesign.co.uk Designjunction London www.thedesignjunction.co.uk London Design Fair London www.londondesignfair.co.uk Hot.E London www.europehotelconference.com

19-22 SEP

Re(act)ive Relocation

6-10 SEP

DESIGNJUNCTION

Returning to King’s Cross for its ninth edition, Designjunction has unveiled a theme of ‘(Re)act’ for this year’s show. The four-day event will call on exhibitors to react to new issues, re-imagine opportunities and re-connect with their audiences by producing concepts that encourage visitors to think differently about the world and spaces that they inhabit. In addition to product launches from a curated mix of over 200 furniture, lighting, accessory and technology brands, there will also be a series of pop-up shops, installations and major brand activations across three key exhibition spaces: Cubitt House, Lewis Cubitt Park and West Handyside Canopy, while the Everyman Cinema will host an engaging two-day talks programme curated by designer Grant Gibson. Cubitt House, a dedicated pavilion located adjacent to the new Coal Drops Yard shopping district, will showcase the latest creations of furniture and lighting suppliers across two floors of exhibition space, while the expanded Cubitt Park will provide the design community with an opportunity to discover emerging talent as well as global brands debuting their designs in London. The Canopy, situated under a heritage protected wrought iron structure, is set to house 70 premium boutiques and rising design labels, showcasing items from technology to ceramics and glassware. Having attracted 27,000 visitors during London Design Festival in 2018, Designjunction is one the many activations in the area that has led to King’s Cross being named as a Design District for the first time. www.thedesignjunction.co.uk

Let’s Work Together MAISON & OBJET

Maison & Objet has named Laura Gonzalez as its Designer of the Year, after the French architect stamped her ‘reworked classical’ style on a host of restaurants, bars and hotels over the past two years. Gonzalez will present some of her latest creations during the five-day event, as well as showcasing a brand new project – the renovation of a mansion in north-western France – inspired by the sense of Latin exuberance she believes to have inherited from her Spanish mother. “I feel like spaces need to have their own soul, and I make a point of never doing the same thing twice,” Gonzalez explains, with her most recent Parisian projects paying testament to that notion. At La Gare, an expansive brasserie-style restaurant in the 16th arrondissement of the French capital, she has incorporated numerous references to travel by looking to the shores of the Mediterranean for inspiration. Meanwhile, the show will also turn the spotlight on a new theme: Work! The very best furnishings for today’s workspaces will be presented in a dedicated zone, accompanied by a trail pinpointing exhibitors offering work-related design solutions. This year’s edition will also feature a conference programme dedicated to Work!, giving visitors the opportunity to discover emerging trends in the sector. Maison & Objet is set to attract over 90,000 visitors in September, with more than half of those hailing from outside of France. Along with product showcases from 3,000 exhibitors, the exhibition will promote emerging design talent and deliver insight on current hospitality trends. www.maison-objet.com

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L AUF EN 1 8 9 2 | SWI T Z ERL A ND

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Sleepover Ibiza 5 -7 M AY 2 019

Hotel innovators gather in Ibiza to explore the changing face of the island’s hospitality scene, with a curated programme of tours, talks and transformational experiences. Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: © Strange Company

he spiritual gods of Ibiza made their presence felt at Sleepover in May, with fun-loving Bes influencing the late-night live entertainment and site visits to music-driven hotels, while the virtues of Tanit – representing health, harvest and fertility – permeated the exploration of a new generation of resorts devoted to community, wellbeing and connection to the land. To the theme of ‘club to campo’ – referencing the evolution of Ibiza’s hospitality offer from clubber’s paradise to rural retreat – hotel innovators from Europe, USA and as far afield as Asia flocked to the Balearic island for two days of exploration and inspiration. It was the latest in a series of nomadic events in which entrepreneurs and creative spirits gather for 48-hours of immersion into a particular destination, with a bespoke programme that allows attendees to experience new hospitality concepts, identify future business opportunities and gain insight from pioneers at the forefront of design, travel and hospitality. The journey so far has taken Sleepover attendees to meet the makers and artisans of Brooklyn’s industrial workshops, food foraging in Copenhagen and on a tour of Miami’s emerging Design District, as well as to preview forthcoming hotels in Amsterdam, Berlin and Barcelona. So why Ibiza? The island has long been recognised as the beating heart of Europe’s clubbing scene, but until recently, its hospitality offer lagged behind. A glut of cheap-and-cheerful hotels to accommodate the hordes of clubbers contributed to concerns of overtourism, leading to government-imposed restrictions on nightlife, holiday rentals and new hotel development. Many thought the party was over, but the action has in fact been the making of the new Ibiza. The island is being promoted as a family destination; its northern coast and inland markets are being redeveloped; and the hotel scene is evolving at a rapid pace, through both the reinvention of existing stock and the arrival of big brands, lured in by the promise of strong performance – Ibiza has one of the highest RevPARs in Spain – and rising tourist expenditure. “Ibiza is trying hard to reinvent itself and doing so in many interesting ways,” explained Matt Turner, Sleeper’s Editor-in-Chief,

at the opening reception. “More than ever this place is still a hotbed of innovation and a lightning rod for many worldwide trends in hospitality… that’s what led us to bring you here.” Speaking from the rooftop of OD Talamanca, one of Sleepover’s host hotels, he continued: “Our programme is going to take you from the clubs that made the island famous, to the campo – or countryside – where a new generation of agroturismos are emerging. Along the way we’ll be looking at some of the island’s most exciting new luxury hotels and previewing others.” Following a welcome from OD Group’s founder and CEO Marc Rahola, and a Mediterranean lunch overlooking Talamanca Bay, Sleepover’s guests headed off along the coast to tour the island’s newest and most interesting hotel concepts. At Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, opened in 2017 following the complete overhaul of an ageing property, a look around the public spaces and guestrooms revealed a design scheme inspired by the surroundings, with white to represent the island’s famed white houses, turquoise for the Balearic sea and accents of gold for the sunshine. Naturally, F&B is central to Nobu’s offer, so the tour took guests to the brand’s eponymous restaurant, designed here by California-based Studio PCH, as well as Chambao, a laidback beachside chiringuito serving freshly caught seafood. The lobby impressed with its architecture, which neatly frames the view out to the pool and ocean beyond, while the wow-factor came in the form of the Royal Suite, a villa-like duplex featuring a sprawling terrace complete with outdoor lounge and hot tub. The next stop, Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, showed an entirely different side to the island’s hotel scene, and offered insight into the appetite for club hotels. The 415-key property from Palladium Hotel Group opened in 2011 to support one of the largest clubs in Ibiza and regularly sells out despite standard room rates in the region of €700 during peak season. The design scheme sees an army of oversized ants seemingly crawling across the ceiling, which may seem out of place to the uninformed guest, but those in-the-know get the reference to Ushuaïa’s popular Ants club night. Sleepover’s

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guests were invited to follow the ants around the public spaces to the swimming pool, which boasts a very lively atmosphere on a Sunday afternoon, and up to the guestrooms – many of which overlook the dance floor of the 4,000-capacity open-air club – where circular beds, transparent bathtubs and indiscreet ceiling mirrors certainly aren’t for the bashful. Attendees were also granted access to the ‘I’m on Top of the World Suite’, which fetches €10,000 per night and demonstrates that, while the bold scheme may not be to everyone’s taste, it’s a proven money-spinner. Following a boat trip along the coastline, the evening’s programme took in the spectacular setting of 7 Pines, a new resort on the west of the island. Sunset drinks on the terrace and dinner at The View restaurant were accompanied by a live DJ set, though true to legend, eyes were drawn to the the rocky outcrop of Es Vedra, said to have a mysterious magnetic pull and reputed to be the birthplace of Tanit. The goddess made another appearance of day two of Sleepover, this time as the inspiration behind one of Ibiza’s forthcoming hotels. In a series of talks curated exclusively for Sleepover, designers Alon Baranowitz and Irene Kronenberg shared insight into the island’s next high profile opening, a 162-key W hotel due to open later this year. While many of the design details are under wraps, the duo revealed that the scheme is rich in texture, mood and engagement, and is a place where flower power meets club culture, and myth and legend amplify the brand’s enigmatic spirit. Baranowitz and Kronenberg also spoke of the challenges of designing Sir Joan, one of Sleepover’s host hotels with a difficult roadside location. Government limitations dictated the building be refurbished rather than knocked down and rebuilt, a move that the duo believe made for a better finished product, having forced them to be more inventive and creative with their ideas. On the theme of new openings, a presentation by Jonathan Leitersdorf, CEO of Beach Box Ibiza, revealed plans for a Six Senses hotel, set to debut in Cala Xarraca Bay on the northern tip of the island, in 2020. As the visionary behind the design and development of the project, Leitersdorf spoke of a concept that will capture the authentic Ibiza experience of community, spirituality and celebration, while focusing on wellness, sustainability and healthy living. The final afternoon of Sleepover’s programme took place at La Granja, a farmstead hotel in Ibiza’s pastoral inlands, and looked at the evolution of the farm. Hosted in collaboration with Ibiza Preservation Foundation and Design Hotels as part of the group’s Further initiative – born from the idea that a hotel can be far more than just accommodation – the immersive programme involved talks, tours and meaningful engagement, and was an experience that undoubtedly left its mark on Sleepover attendees.

Following a welcome from Design Hotels founder Claus Sendlinger – who now dedicates his time to SLOW (sensitive, local, organic, wise) with the aim of creating unique guest experiences – the programme continued with a keynote by Chris Sanderson and Martin Raymond, co-founders of The Future Laboratory. Their enlightening talk on health and wellness outlined the shift from the experience economy to the transformation economy, and set the scene for the transformative tours around La Granja and its farmlands. One took guests on a walk through vegetable plantations and herb gardens with farmer Andy Szymanowicz, who educated guests on the sustainable agriculture practices at the resort, while another showcased plans for Amorevore, a festival with food culture at its heart. Additional experiences included entrancing an meditation ritual deep in the pine forest, and an exploration of La Granja’s F&B concept, hosted by head chef José Catrimán and mixologist Greg Seider. Sleepover’s guests also got to sample Catrimán’s farm-to-fork cuisine, with healthy dishes made from seasonal, locally-grown produce accompanying succulent cuts of lamb roasted on an open fire throughout the day. The drinks programme was equally inventive, with tonics and elixirs focusing on herbal ingredients that naturally stimulate body and mind. And minds continued to be stimulated through the evening’s Further Thoughts talks programme, with guests gathering in the open-air amphitheatre to hear from some of the region’s leading placemakers. Chris Connors of BeBox spoke about personal wellbeing and the evolution of the self; Sanjay Nandi, Chief Development Officer of Pacha Group, and Thomas Heyne, co-founder of Mykonos beach club Scorpios, discussed the changing face of the nightclub scene; while José Corraliza spoke of the success of Heart Ibiza, a unique fusion between art and gastronomy, devised in collaboration with the Ádria Brothers and Cirque du Soleil. As dusk fell over La Granja, the psychedelic sounds of Istanbulbased musician Islandman transformed the farm into an open-air dance floor, bringing the club-to-campo theme full circle and marking the end of a hugely memorable Sleepover. Sleeper Media would like to thank all those involved in helping put Sleepover Ibiza together, as well as sponsors Alarwool, Artiq, Dupont, Grohe, Havwoods, Hoad & More, Kaldewei, Kalisher, Kettal, Kor, Laufen, Leds C4, Lutron, RH, Roca and Visto. Photography from the event as well as a mini-documentary shot and edited by Strange Company, can be viewed online. www.sleepoveribiza.com

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HI Design Europe 5-7 JUNE 2019

As hotel development across Europe continues to gather pace, the region’s decisionmakers head to Sardinia for three days of sun, sand and scheduled meetings. Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: © Richard Pereira

aking place at Forte Village on the picturesque shores of Sardinia, the latest in the series of HI Design forums came as a timely reminder that, in spite of the political and commercial challenges facing the world today, the hotel industry is thriving. With a packed programme of meetings, seminars and networking, the event attracted 300 delegates from across the continent and beyond, and once again proved an effective platform from which to do business. In total, 89 buyer companies were in attendance, with the line up featuring design directors from hotel groups such as Accor, Four Seasons, Hilton and GLH, along with leaders from interior design practices including Conran + Partners, Universal Design Studio, Wilson Associates and Richmond International. Meanwhile, the suppliers represented a wide range of product categories and services, with Hilding Anders, Skyfold, Bolon and Tuuci, as well as Warisan, Kvadrat, Kettal and Chelsom amongst the brands present. Opening proceedings, seminar host Guy Dittrich outlined the content of the four sessions set to take place throughout the course of the event, before welcoming Alex Robinson of STR to the stage for a look at recent hotel performance and to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. “Europe is really fortunate to be experiencing a boom, with 2018 marking the ninth consecutive year of RevPAR growth,” he began. “We’ve had a fantastic period of growth year-in year-out, but what does this mean for the future?” In presenting performance data for full-year 2018, Robinson revealed a story of referendums, recovery and Russia. “In terms of referendums, London has been resilient in the wake of Brexit with a RevPAR rise of 3%, thanks in part of the devaluation of the pound making inbound travel cheaper,” he explained. “However Barcelona has suffered following the results of the Catalan independence referendum, with a RevPAR decline of 4%.”

Elsewhere, RevPAR increases in Paris (12%), Brussels (13%) and Istanbul (74%) spoke of a strong recovery following terror attacks the previous year, while Russia has benefitted from hosting the 2018 World Cup, recording RevPAR gains of 45% in Moscow and 18% in St. Petersburg. Moving on to year-to-date figures for 2019, the picture was less positive, with new supply beginning to impact performance. RevPAR declines were recorded in Copenhagen (-3%), Athens (-7%) and Tbilisi (-11%) following a significant number of new openings, while the UK cities of Edinburgh and Manchester also showed signs of a slowdown having experienced double-digit supply growth in 2018. STR data for London over the past 18 months revealed rises and falls in both occupancy and ADR, with the highs thought to be down to large-scale concerts and a run of good weather. However it was the long-term picture that was most impressive, as Robinson pointed out: “If you look at occupancy before the global financial crisis, we’re now actually 10% above that peak. This growth in occupancy has occurred despite new development, the advent of the sharing economy and unfortunate terrorist attacks… so I think we’re in a good place.” As a result, there’s no let-up in the appetite for owning and operating hotels in London, with supply set to grow by 4% in 2019, equating to a total of 5,810 new rooms across 52 hotels. While performance across the UK and Europe is expected to slow in 2019, Robinson remained optimistic, concluding: “Overall, even with some of those headwinds and competitive trends, the opportunity for growth remains.” For the afternoon’s keynote, architect and designer Nigel Coates took to the stage to talk about his pioneering work, spanning the fields of hospitality, residential, retail and office. Having trained at London’s

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Architectural Association, Coates first captured the attention of the design world for his exuberant drawing style and inventive narratives, which have been translated into buildings and interiors across Europe and Asia. He went on to head up the Department of Architecture at Royal College of Art and is a founding member of the London School of Architecture, all the while continuing to create spaces and objects, from retail stores for Katharine Hamnett and Jigsaw, to lighting for Slamp and furniture collections for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna. Addressing the audience, Coates revealed that his mission is to bring equal parts of art and intelligence to architecture and design, as demonstrated in projects such as Hotel Feral, a pop-up suite at The Sleep Event 2014 in which guests were encouraged to discover their own way of living through thoughtful, intuitive and authentic solutions. Coates also discussed the first Hoxton hotel, opened in Shoreditch in 2007, where his concept hinges on fast access and convenience for people on the move, before offering a preview of a forthcoming hotel project in Kyoto. “What makes a hotel successful?” he questioned, looking to moments of ‘everyday magic’ for inspiration. “For me, it’s generosity; as a guest you need to feel that you’re being given more than you actually need,” he continued, pointing to hotels with spacious living quarters, luxurious sofas and deep bathtubs as examples of generous design. “My message today is for you to think about people’s experiences,” he concluded. “As a designer, you are the person who has to channel those experiences.” Following an evening of networking amongst the pine groves, day two kicked off with some meditation and breathing exercises, setting the scene for a look at mindful design. Taking extracts from his forthcoming book, author Aidan Walker looked at various definitions of mindfulness, including the belief that mindfulness is a way of life rather than a brief intervention for relieving symptoms. He went on to speak about the principles and practices behind creating mindful spaces, stating: “There are two sides of mindful design: design for mindfulness – the creation of spaces, experiences and products that encourage, enhance or invoke an atmosphere of calm and inner awareness; and design from mindfulness, in which the practice becomes a tool for designers themselves.” Applying the principles to the hospitality industry, Walker referenced a number of hotels devoted to the practice – including Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, The LifeCo in Bodrum and The Boulders Resort & Spa in Scottsdale – but added that mindfulness is

more than just physical wellbeing. “Mindfulness is a both a method – a way of working with your mind – and a state of being,” he explained. “With mindfulness you’re more creative, more insightful and more compassionate; you have more authentic experiences.” In closing, Walker shared his seven principles of mindful design – curiosity, compassion, creativity and craftsmanship, as well as communication, collaboration and critical intelligence – and showcased the work of those at forefront of the movement, including Clodagh, Oliver Heath and Ilse Crawford. Rounding out the seminar programme, interior designer Charles Leon delved into the human brain and asked ‘what’s the point of design?’ “Design give us reason, purpose, identity and meaning; for better or worse, designing is fundamental to our existence,” he explained. “If you know that if you plant seeds in spring you will have crops in the late summer, then you can plan for that, every year. If you can plan for a better future, then you can improve your situation. Design is simply a plan for a future outcome.” Leon went on to talk about storytelling and its influence on the sector, stating: “Stories are how we learn, pass on information, transform and change, emotionally, culturally and behaviourally. Design satisfies our insatiable need and desire for novelty and change; it takes control of our environment and tells a new story.” He also outlined a belief that innovation and creative thinking is part of everyone’s biological make-up and crucial in all walks of life. “We have an unquenchable desire for purpose and meaning in our lives,” he concluded. “We set ourselves goals and aims because we are naturally restless and optimistically believe that we can improve our situation and our wellbeing, and thereby give it meaning. So, the answer to my question, why design? is very simple. We do it because that’s how we’re made. Design is creating a different future by planning a change with ideas.” The session closed with a lively Q&A, leaving delegates with plenty of food for thought into the final meetings. In total, operators, designers and suppliers participated in an impressive 1,700 meetings across the three days, a strong indicator that growth and innovation across Europe’s hotel sector is set to continue. The next HI Design Europe will take place at Riu Plaza España in Madrid, from 10-12 June 2020, while the inaugural HI Design Americas lands in Florida on 9-11 September 2019. www.hidesigneurope.com

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14/06/2019 08:51

Radical Innovation FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Radical Innovation returns with the most innovative and thought-provoking concepts for travel and hospitality as it announces its 2019 finalists.

adical Innovation, the competition and year-round community challenging designers, hoteliers, and students to pioneer compelling ideas in travel and hospitality, has announced the finalists for its 13th annual edition. The 2019 ceremony – set to take place in October at New York’s New Museum – will see Infinite Explorer by SB Architects’ San Francisco studio, Volumetric High-Rise Modular Hotel by Danny Forster & Architecture and Connectic by Cooper Carry pitched live to the crowd, with an audience vote determining the grand prize winner of US$10,000 and runner up recipient of US$5,000. The Radical Innovation jury has selected the finalists based on creativity and design merits, as well as their feasibility and potential to impact the industry. The three professional finalists were chosen from an impressive selection of nearly 50 entries submitted from more than 20 countries. Previous winners have included the Concrete-designed Zoku – Amsterdam’s flourishing home-office-hotel hybrid. This year’s judging panel includes Claude Amar, Managing Director, The John Hardy Group International; Wing T. Chao, Founder, Wing T. Chao Global Advisors; John Hardy, President and CEO, The John Hardy Group; Michael Medzigian, Chairman and Managing Partner, Watermark Capital Partners; and James Woods, Head of WeLive, WeWork.

In addition to the three professional finalists, the jury also selected one student submission to receive a US$1,500 cash prize and the opportunity to pursue a graduate assistantship in the Master of Architecture programme at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. This year’s student winner is Rooftop Hotel Gardens by Ruslan Mannapov and Airat Zaidullin from Kazan State University of Architecture & Engineering (KSUAE) in Russia, who will both be invited to join the professional finalists on-stage to present the concept live. The jury further selected two honourable mention student entries in Michal Witałis of Poland’s Academy of Fine Arts for his ecological remote destination concept Revo – an on-demand room deployment system delivering cabins manufactured locally to destinations worldwide – and Sharareh Faryadi of Iran’s Ferdowsi University of Mashhad for her ecological desert protection concept, Nebka Protective System, which produces spatial diagrams to improve both the organisation of cities close to dangerous shifting desert sands and their chances for survival. Radical Innovation Award is produced by The John Hardy Group with support from founding sponsor Global Allies and media partners Sleeper and Dezeen. www.radicalinnovationaward.com

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PROFESSIONAL FINALIST

INFINITE EXPLORER By SB Architects San Francisco

Helping travellers connect with remote destinations using the American West’s defunct passenger rail lines, SB Architects’ Infinite Explorer sees guests stopping off at uniquely-designed locations in a reimagined and luxuriously-designed train carriage to take part in an immersive itinerary of activities centred around wellness and adventure. Utilising untapped infrastructure and seeking to revitalise unreachable locations, the concept embraces the call of the wild and its panoramic vistas.

PROFESSIONAL FINALIST

VOLUMETRIC By Danny Forster & Architecture Combining modular efficiency with architectural flair, the AC By Marriott on New York’s 6th Avenue will mark the tallest modular hotel in the world when complete, and utilises Danny Forster & Architecture’s Volumetric High Rise system to streamline the construction process, with 80% of the building’s square footage shipped in already precisely constructed and fitted-out. The accelerated building process incorporates virtual reality software 3D cameras on five module points for remote quality control.

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PROFESSIONAL FINALIST

CONNECTIC By Cooper Carry

Employing modular construction techniques to fill underused space by way of collapsible, flexible and adaptable connected units, Cooper Carryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Connectic could be used by operators to create a pop-up boutique in a remote area, increase the volume of existing structures, connect neglected spaces and fill interstitial elements between buildings. Suitable for urban cores and rural plots, the units are reusable and can be customised to cater to a wide range of emerging scenarios and demanding environments.

STUDENT WINNER

ROOFTOP HOTEL GARDEN By Ruslan Mannapov and Airat Zaidullin Offering guests an isolated and peaceful elevated vantage point from which to enjoy sweeping views of a cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skyline, Rooftop Hotel Garden is a conceptual chain of individual structures atop participating buildings, merged aesthetically with the surrounding urban environment and placeable in any metropolis worldwide. Thanks to a proposed network of gardens throughout the city, guests have the opportunity to change location and switch modules during the entire period of their stay.

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Sleep & Eat NEW FOR 2019

Returning to London Olympia with a new theme, Europe’s eagerly anticipated hotel design event refines its offer for 2019.

Eat is a driving force that bridges today’s solutions with visions for tomorrow and designing a set is a unique opportunity to contribute to the debate and explore the power of design to personalise a social experience through a spatial one.” The theme will also form the inspiration for this year’s Sleeper Bar, a pop-up networking spot created afresh each edition, with London and New York-based Michaelis Boyd overseeing its design for 2019. Elsewhere, new for this year in recognition of the continuing convergence between hotels, restaurants and bars, the event’s previously separate conference streams are being merged into one comprehensive Sleep & Eat Conference, curated by Supper Consulting Editor Heleri Rande. “Bringing the Sleep and Eat theatres together will capitalise on the synergies between them,” Rande explains. “They should be complementary and together assist in generating greater revenue. The entire hospitality scene is on the move and we have an exciting opportunity to bring this to life on stage.” The event has also revealed some of the 160 brands set to showcase new launches and products on the exhibition floor, including fabric specialist Arley House; Italian porcelain and stoneware brand Ceramiche Caesar; ILIV Contract Textiles; and UK-based shower manufacturer Aqualisa. Sleep & Eat veterans including popular brands such as VitrA, Chelsom, Bang & Olufsen, Dornbracht, Style Library Contract, Morgan Furniture, Hansgrohe and Camira Fabrics are also confirmed to exhibit, as are Hong Kong’s Absolute Lifestyle, Italy’s Zonca International and Grespania from Spain. A full list of exhibitors will be available soon.

leep & Eat, Europe’s leading hotel design event, has announced a theme of Social FlexAbility for its 2019 edition, as well as the architecture and design firms set to interpret this concept across a series of special features. Comprising an exhibition of over 160 established and rising suppliers, a conference offering keynotes from prominent hospitality figures alongside panel discussions between those shaping the sector, immersive room sets and a variety of networking platforms, the show will take place from 19-20 November at London Olympia. In reference to the theme informing this year’s curation process, Mark Gordon, Brand Director of Sleep & Eat, explains: “With the rise of electronic and social media, people are starting to disconnect from each other both by accident and choice. In the future, designers will be in the vanguard of combating this social interactional shift by providing hospitality guests the opportunity to reconnect with others in-person and, indeed, to re-connect with themselves. The challenge for hospitality designers will be to provide flexible spaces where users can activate the social experience of their choice. This year, we will be asking our design collaborators to share their vision on how this might become reality in a hospitality setting.” These ideas will feed into all areas of the event, most prominently across the ever-popular Sleep & Eat Sets, which will see six international firms create a series of conceptual playgrounds demonstrating how design might achieve diverse social functionality while maintaining a modern, comfortable and luxury aesthetic. Set to participate this year are Twenty2Degrees, Miaja Design Group, Hat Design and Barreca Tibblin, who will each realise a guestroom, whilst Name Architecture and SpaceInvader will create a concept restaurant and bar respectively. Nathalie Rozencwajg of Name Architecture comments: “We are looking forward to contributing to the leading event in the hospitality sector and sharing our vision for the future of the industry. Sleep &

Sleep + Eat will take place from 19-20 November at London Olympia’s National Hall. www.sleepandeatevent.com

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Different by Design BRINTONS

Committed to the concept of thinking globally and acting locally, Brintons continues to design pioneering carpets using a balance of technology and craftsmanship. Words: Ben Thomas | Photography: Courtesy of Brintons (unless otherwise stated)

ailing from Kidderminster, Brintons has been at the forefront of the global woven carpet industry for more than 230 years. Since 1783, the company has built a reputation for innovation, patenting the Axminster loom in 1890 before going on to pioneer a signature 80/20 yarn blend, which combines the comfort of wool (80%) with the strength and durability of nylon (20%). Such inventions have resulted in the British manufacturer receiving a Royal Warrant, with its Wilton and Axminster woven carpets under foot in a number of royal residences. And though the technology behind its looms has developed two-fold, to this day, the original 13step manufacturing process is still in use in its factories, with skilled craftspeople checking and finishing each carpet by hand. This balance between new technology and traditional craftsmanship has seen Brintons – now the single-biggest user of British wool –

secure contracts for some of the world’s most prestigious projects, from palaces and hotels to restaurants, cruise ships and airports. In 2010, the firm was handed the world’s largest ever woven carpet order at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, a record it has since surpassed by providing 300,000m2 of carpet to Singapore’s Changi Airport, including the new Terminal 4 building. With such demand for its product, Brintons has considerably expanded its manufacturing capabilities, opening factories in India, Poland and Portugal – the latter one of its largest facilities outside of the UK. Since its establishment in the early 1990s, Brintons Indústria de Alcatifas has become the largest employer in Vouzela – a small municipality on the outskirts of Porto. The factory produces an output volume the equivalent to 130 football pitches every year, creating hundreds of jobs for the local community. On a visit to the site, Elísio

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Above: At Westin St. Francis of Union Square in San Francisco, the carpet mixes Neoclassical elements and flowing striations in a palette of gold and navy

Mota, Brintons Portugal Director and General Manager, highlighted the impact of investment on the workforce: “Our brand reputation is built on design innovation, customer focus, product superiority and technical expertise. The reputation has been maintained over the years by our commitment to preserve manufacturing excellence, with quality control a commitment and responsibility for all the employees, from the start to the end of the process.” Part of this manufacturing excellence is creating an equilibrium between technology and traditional craft, with groundbreaking equipment like the 32-colour High Definition Weave – producing photo-realistic, three-dimensional definition – protecting the nobility of materials to ensure that the final product meets customer expectations, not only from a visual perspective but at all levels of its function. However, the production process still requires handcrafted tasks in the final finishing stages, as Mota explains: “Balancing new technology with craftsmanship is about having pride in the heritage of Brintons,” he explains. “They must coexist together in our manufacturing process. The most visible feature of the new technology is the capability to produce carpets with high colouration and unlimited design options and pattern repeats. The technology has consequently reduced the work carried out to prepare and change over the looms between orders, shortening the production time and

allowing us to be more flexible. It has also significantly reduced the amount of waste generated during production, helping our carpets become more sustainable and environmentally friendly.” Such flexibility has been key to Brintons’ work in the hospitality sector, enabling the brand to work with renowned designers like Stacy Garcia, Zuzunaga, Kelly Hoppen and Studio Elke to develop its portfolio of commercial carpets. The collaborations have created opportunities for the manufacturer to explore more adventurous styles, including the Craigend collection by Scottish design duo Timorous Beasties, which calls on the often brutal beauty of nature and translates textures and surfaces found on the ground, such as sand dunes, stone moss and aerial views of landscapes, into carpet. The ranges have provided inspiration for hotel projects like Westin St. Francis of Union Square in San Francisco, where Brintons collaborated with Whitespace Interiors to design 9,500yd2 of custom Axminister carpet, featuring splashes of gold and white. Meanwhile, the hotel’s ballroom fuses restoration with revitalisation; neoclassical elements mix with flowing striations in a palette of gold and navy, while ornate gold-leafed ceiling elements – restored from the existing property – balance the modern carpet designs, with the use of repeating geometrics to create unity throughout the spaces. Though exuberant patterns often grab the attention of guests,

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Above: Brintons worked alongside Tara Bernerd and Russell Sage Studio at Kimpton Fitzroy in London to craft a bespoke carpet for the public areas, defined by a strong linear border and a palette that harmonises with the period of the building

Brintons has also created a number of designs and concepts that are in tune with heritage buildings. At Kimpton Fitzroy in London, a Grade II-listed landmark property that dominates the eastern flank of Russell Square in Bloomsbury, the firm partnered with interior design practices Tara Bernerd & Partners and Russell Sage Studio to craft a bespoke carpet for the public areas, defined by a strong linear border and a palette that harmonises with the period of the building. The steel grey and neutral coloured herringbone design required an imaginative technical solution to adapt around the structure’s many corners, so as a result, a mitre was installed in the carpet at each intersection, ensuring the pattern formed a cohesive and united design. “We worked with Brintons to come up with a timeless herringbone design, which they were able to adapt to the corners within the space,” says Tara Bernerd, Chairman of Tara Bernerd & Partners. “Brintons’ expertise was invaluable when transforming our design into a large-scale carpet suitable for such an impressive hotel.” Aside from landlocked hotels, Brintons has also taken its expertise to the high seas, working with marine designers on more than 500 vessels, for carpeting in public areas, cabins and corridors. In 2013, the company provided 21,000m2 of custom Axminster carpet for the

Royal Princess Cruise Ship – named and launched by the Duchess of Cambridge – while more recently, it worked on the world’s largest cruise liner, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, supplying over 35,000m2 of bespoke carpet. But perhaps its most notable project in the marine sector is Celebrity Edge, the first in Celebrity Cruises’ new class of ship, on which it collaborated with designers Christy Morales, Tom Wright and Kelly Hoppen to create 36,000m2 of custom Axminster for all areas of the 129,500-tonne vessel. Despite being a long-established company with over 100,000 archived designs, Brintons continues to innovate, pushing the boundaries of how designers think about pattern and colour under foot. The manufacturer is looking to strengthen its global presence in the future, particularly in the US and the Middle East, yet for Mota, the key to future success lies in maintaining that trusted balance between technology and craftsmanship: “Since innovation is an ongoing process, Brintons aims to continue the technical development of its weaving equipment, reinforcing the implementation of the new technology. Simultaneously, we will continue the requalification of our workforce, ensuring that we are prepared and motivated for the new competencies and challenges that the future holds.” www.brintons.net

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THE LEADING HOME DECOR FAIR CONNECTING THE INTERNATIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE COMMUNITY

Space-saving Solutions FURNITURE

A rise in urban living has led to a greater demand for flexible furniture that is both functional and stylish.

ith square footage in city hotels at an all-time premium, there has never been greater demand for smart, multipurpose furnishings that are petite in scale yet grand in functionality. Stackable seating, expandable tables and convertible sofas have grown in popularity with the rise in co-working, not only acting as space-saving options in tight living quarters but also complementing minimalist interiors with their sleek designs. The solutions conceived by the likes of Zoku and CitizenM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in which rooms are packaged into bite-sized living spaces â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are finding their way into the mainstream too. At Moxy Times Square in New York, design firm Yabu Pushelberg created a host of adaptable

furnishings to make the most of the limited space, including chairs and tables designed to fold away and hang from wooden wall pegs. Guests can store belongings on these hooks, which feature custommade clothing hangers, while additional storage is built into the bed frames. Responding to the changing habits of travellers, the cleverlydesigned bedrooms were conceived to be as functional as possible. The movement is stretching beyond the realms of furniture, from dressing tables with built-in chargers to lamps that double as alarm clocks. With wide-open spaces becoming a rare commodity, multifunctional furniture is enjoying somewhat of a boom period, merging both form and function without compromising style.

JANUS ET CIE Rock Garden Janus et Cie has introduced Rock Garden, a contemporary collection by Hong Kong-based architect and designer André Fu. The series is characterised by softly flowing curves and sleek angular lines, with dining, café and side tables crafted in a driftwood finish with textured ceramic tops. Likewise, modular and lounge pieces pair durable teak frames with the brand’s woven fibre in smoke, while ample cushions for the seating elements provide additional comfort. www.janusetcie.com

ETHIMO Rafael Designed by Paola Navone for Ethimo, Rafael is a modular system comprising lounge seating, daybeds and coffee tables, each of which can be used in a group or as standalone elements. The backrest of the chair is made up of a series of asymmetrical slats held together by metal staples, which, together with a frame in distressed natural teak, creates a woody organic shell that holds a soft alcove of cushions featuring refined weaves and rich colours. www.ethimo.com

BENCHMARK OVO The OVO collection by Foster & Partners comprises tables, storage units, benches and stools, as well as new upholstered models. The OVO stools and bar chair are available in three heights, while an upholstered bench comes in a standard width or as a hallway bench, or together with a wider version. A new ebonised finish presents a contrast to the existing oak and American walnut options, which can be paired with cognac or dark brown leather. www.benchmarkfurniture.com

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www.morganfurniture.co.uk

MORGAN Rakino Contract furniture designer and manufacturer Morgan has launched Rakino, a collection of lounge chairs and coffee tables designed by Tim Rundle. Presented for the first time during Clerkenwell Design Week, the series juxtaposes soft sculpted upholstery with strong low line frames, while the clean linear structure emphasises crisp timber detailing born from a dialogue between the precision of CNC manufacturing and handcrafted finishing. www.morganfurniture.co.uk

AHK Hilton Tashkent Fit-out specialist AHK has worked on the public areas and 19,058m 2 Congress Hall at Hilton Tashkent in Uzbekistan, supplying both with a series of loose furniture and lighting as well as joinery services. Across the hotel’s banqueting and concert halls, VIP lounges and meeting rooms, the firm used moulded timber alongside fabric clad panels on walls and floors, while metal, glass, stone and marble materials were also applied throughout. www.ahk.com.tr

VERYWOOD Eclipse

Pedrali’s Héra armchair takes inspiration from the refined, fluid form of wood, and is available in finishes of ash or American walnut. Designed by Patrick Jouin, the armchair features a backrest crafted from threedimensional bent plywood, rectangular-section legs with round edges and an upholstered seat in polyurethane foam, which is supported by elastic belts.

Envisioned by French designer Philippe Nigro, Ver yWood’s Eclipse collection features lounge chair and dining chair, each with a wooden frame on two levels: the first underpins the seat, while the second supports the back. The chair is also slightly offset from the main structural ring to create a cambered effect, as if the seat is held in balance.

www.pedrali.it

www.verywood.it

PEDRALI Héra

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BANQUET

MEETING

DINING

Gathering together through collaboration or celebration is the foundation of Gasserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stunning new seating line for Banquet, Meeting, and Dining. The frame on frame stacking maximizes the function of four facility while the sleek profile adds beauty within.

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ALLERMUIR Axyl Bench Designed by Benjamin Hubert, Allermuir’s Axyl bench features a cast aluminium frame with a plywood seat. Inspired by the simple, pared back minimalism of mid-century Scandinavian timber furniture, the flexible system is available with a variety of interchangeable elements, from the colour and finish of the frame and seat to the length of the bench and the option of plywood or cushioned armrests and seat pads. It is also offered as a fully upholstered version. www.allermuir.com

JC HOSPITALITY Geometric Dresser Crafted from a wire-brushed light grey French oak, JC Hospitality’s Geometric Dresser has been designed to display the beauty of wood grain. Thanks to a black mocha oak and brass strips asymmetrically inlaid throughout the wood surface, the contemporary piece works in harmony with minimalist interiors, while finishing touches include mother of pearl and brass handles that add a touch of elegance. www.jc-hospitality.com

POINT Paralel Launched at Salone del Mobile, the Parelel collection by Point takes its name from its own structure, with long parallel arms welcoming the backrest and seat in a balanced and elegant style. Designed by Gabriel Teixidó for indoor and outdoor terraces, the sofas and armchairs were presented alongside five other design proposals: Weave by Vicent Martínez, Dalmatia by Nika Zupanc, Sir and Min by Francesc Rifé, and Colección T by Gabriel Teixidó. www.point1920.com

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INDOOR & OUTDOOR FURNITURE - DECORATION

GOMMAIRE.COM

STELLAR WORKS Crawford The result of a collaboration with Australian designer Tom Fereday and Asia’s luxury department store Lane Crawford, Stellar Works’ Crawford range comprises a lounge chair, bed, table range and dining chair. The refined Crawford Lounge Sofa – crafted from solid timber with a low-slung design and linear steel frame – is available in both an armed and armless version, while the Crawford Table features a chamfered solid timber top set above steel frame legs. www.stellarworks.com

B&B ITALIA Dock Designed by Piero Lissoni, B&B Italia’s Dock sofa system is based around a solid platform, which supports a set of compositions that span horizontally. The dynamic platform extends the sofa’s length, while a narrower armrest is available in two depths and is generously padded like the backrest. The armrest and seat cushions feature tone-on-tone stitching, with the cushions making it possible to create double-sided, corner and chaise-longue compositions with or without backrests. www.bebitalia.com

MUUTO Oslo

Hamilton Conte’s Barnabas sofas and armchair follow the curves that characterise the brand’s wider range, along with a relaxed feel inspired by styles from the late 1940s. The collection can be customised in a selection of finishes and materials, while it also pairs harmoniously with the brushed brass Genova floor and table lamp, as well as three variants of the Kameo wall sconces.

The latest member to Muuto’s Oslo family, the Oslo Side Chair combines a visible frame and slender legs for a refined look. As the brand’s first-ever upholstered model, it takes cues from the Oslo sofa series to introduce the idea of comfortability and sculptural lines into the chair typology. The design comes in various upholsteries by Kvadrat and Rohleder, allowing for greater customisation.

www.hamiltonconte.com

www.andrefuliving.com

HAMILTON CONTE Barnabas

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bespoke handmade rugs & carpets Park Hyatt New York

Yabu Pushelberg New York rugs.nl

MINOTTI Daniels Minotti’s Daniels seating system is based on the concepts of full modularity and maximum comfort. Designed by Christophe Delcourt, the sofa is defined by one large cushion, while a series of larger chaise lounge pieces are complete with curved seating areas. The offset version of the sofa, where the backrest juts out from the side, accommodates the brand’s Amber low unit or an ottoman, creating a number of compositional options. www.minotti.com

LIGNE ROSET Clam French furniture brand Ligne Roset has produced a moulded foam sofa bed with a fold in the middle, allowing it to be opened out like a clam. The bed-settee features two mechanically-soldered frames linked by three sets of articulated ratchets, while firm armrests and small wings on either side of the backrest serve as headrests once the system is folded into a bed. The backrest can also be reclined into four positions when used as a sofa. www.ligne-roset.com

TRIBÙ CTR The CTR collection from Tribu is characterised by a tube frame in powder-coated stainless steel that follows the outline of the chair in one continuous line. Meanwhile, the open weave of the backrest, made from weather-resistant Tricord, appears to float unsuspended around the seat and gives extra support to the back, with the seat itself upholstered in a removable water-repellent cushion. www.tribu.com

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Suppliers of contemporary interior and exterior furniture. Head Office, 11 Cecil Road, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA15 9NY T +44 (0) 161 926 9398 www.ps-interiors.co.uk sales@ps-interiors.co.uk

SOFACOMPANY PROFESSIONAL Ellis Sofacompany’s latest range of furniture – including the Ellis sofa – takes inspiration from the notion of new retro, with soft and colourful pieces helping to create welcoming public spaces that evoke a sense of homeliness. The firm’s Head of Design, Line Nevers Krabbenhøft, has hailed organic shapes and versatility as key elements in the vision for each sofa, while she has also placed a greater focus on sustainability with the use of recycled fabrics throughout new collections. www.sofacompany.com

VONDOM Suave Translating to ‘soft’ in English, Suave is the result of a five-year collaboration with Marcel Wanders. Blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor furniture while achieving high levels of softness and comfort, the series includes a modular sofa, a poufe in five different sizes and planters available in three different sizes. With the launch of Suave, Vondom has introduced a new production method – injected polyurethane – which challenges a decade of furniture manufacturing. www.vondom.com

EXPORMIM Atrivm

Made bespoke for the Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London, the Gathering Table by Rochdale Spears features 15 beechwood turned legs finished in maroon gloss. Crafted using tempered low iron with a glass finish, the table incorporates LED lighting, while antique brass finishes on the drawer handles and keyholes reference back to the building’s police and military past.

Designed by Manel Molina for Expormim, the Atrivm table features A-shaped legs and a top that can be customised with rectangular, square or round styles. Inspired by Roman architecture, the table is supported by legs made of aluminium, while its top is crafted in either HPL Trespa, Dekton or Kerlite porcelain to cater for varying weather conditions.

www.rochdalespears.com

www.expormim.com

PROJECTS BY ROCHDALE SPEARS Scotland Yard Gathering Table

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BOOGIE BOOGIE by Esti Barnes

www.topfloorrugs.com

WARISAN Activity Designed in collaboration with Singapore-based studio Avalon Collective for InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Warisan’s Activity chair is handcrafted in brushed teak with a doff ebony patina and stitched leather finish. Manufactured in Bali, the piece enhances the hotel’s scheme through a combination of timeless lines, sustainable materials and comforting ergonomics. www.warisan.com

KETTAL Band Comprising a dining chair and a club armchair, Kettal’s Band collection was born from the idea of deconstruction. The chair’s structure is made up of repetitive angular shapes that place raw materials centrestage, intentionally challenging the classic sophisticated lines of modern furniture, whilst the wider series is available in aluminium or teak wood, with upholstery options including the brand’s Parallel fabrics or leather. www.kettal.com

UHS Group WigWam Joining UHS Group’s Table Place Chairs range, the WigWam sharing table breaks away from traditional working environments to offer a personalised option of sitting or standing. The table is fitted with two charge points on either end as well as industrial-style lighting, while a number of different finishes for the tabletop and frame are also available. Creating varied levels of workspace, the product is suitable for offices, hotel lounges or cafés. www.uhs-group.com

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Hospitality and residential furniture since 1989

Courtesy of St Regis Langkawi, Malaysia

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BALI

LO S A N G E L E S

LO N D O N

C A P E TO W N

INDIA

I TA LY

WA R I S A N .C O M

CURTIS FURNITURE Hard Rock Hotel London Having supplied to GLH Hotels for over 20 years, British firm Curtis Furniture provided bespoke case goods for a sample Rock Royalty guestroom at the newly-opened Hard Rock Hotel in London. The company then manufactured and installed headboards, laminated bedside units, wardrobes, tables, credenzas and drawers across the hotel’s 1,000 guestrooms, rolling them out phase-by-phase with minimal disruption, allowing the hotel to remain open throughout. www.curtisfurniture.co.uk

NICHOLAS HASLAM Domingo Bench Responding to a growing appreciation for natural materials like bamboo and rattan, London-based interior design studio Nicholas Haslam has launched the Saronno Natural furniture collection. Comprising the Dayak chair and Domingo bench – which can be deployed as standalone pieces or grouped with the studio’s wider range of items range – the series is handcrafted using raw, sustainable materials and can take up to ten weeks to construct. www.nicholashaslam.com

VINCENT SHEPPARD Wicked

The Libera chair from PS Interiors achieves visual character through its classic wooden frame, which connects the legs and arms fluidly. Working with the wooden material as if it were liquid, the brand’s inhouse designers have combined a striking silhouette with careful ergonomics, creating a seating solution at once tactile and comfortable.

Created by Brussels-based designer Alain Gilles, Vincent Sheppard’s Wicked collection plays on the construction of rattan seats with an unexpectedly light and airy shape. The external metal structure features a more masculine and bolder look, meaning the natural rattan seat appears softer and more feminine. By highlighting both materials, Gilles aimed to create a dialogue between craftsmanship and industrial processes.

www.ps-interiors.co.uk

www.vincentsheppard.com

PS INTERIORS Libera

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GASSER CHAIR Vindi Gasser Chair’s Vindi series comprises contemporary, American-made chairs designed to increase the ease of set-up for hospitality venues. The collection includes six models: two fully-upholstered, two exposed lattice-back pieces and two upholstered lattice-back styles – all of which feature slim multi-surface glides, eco-friendly powder-coated frame finishes and an optional retractable ganging bracket. The slim, lightweight frame makes lifting and stacking quick and effortless. www.gasserchair.com

FEELGOOD DESIGNS Kaki Feelgood’s Kaki collection takes its name from New Zealand’s endangered native black stilt. Similar to their feathered namesake, the chairs and stools are defined by a leggy silhouette, while cantilevered frames and rattan seats add contemporary and warm touches respectively. Combining comfort and function, the series features five different models: an armchair, lounge chair, stool with backrest and low stool, all designed by New Zealander Jamie McLellan. www.feelgooddesigns.com

TACCHINI Reversível

The St. Barts Amorphous collection from New York-based designer Andrianna Shamaris features a handsome new line of organic bleached teak modular side tables and coffee tables. The wood is left to bake in the sun and sea salt air for over a year, helping it to achieve a unique rustic finish, while a charred model completes the range.

Tacchini’s Reversível collection is the redesign of a prestigious piece by Viennese architect Martin Eisler. Dynamic and flexible, the piece offers extra comfort thanks to a seat that can be positioned in two ways: as an armchair with a straight back, or a more relaxed style in a semirecumbent position, transverse to the back. The simplicity of the transition makes the product extremely functional for hospitality environments.

www.andriannashamarisinc.com

www.tacchini.it

ANDRIANNA SHAMARIS St. Barts Amorphous

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BE NCHMARK - OVO COLLECTI ON / TABLE - RHP - SLEEPER MAG

FOR TH E LOVE OF M AKING OVO Collection by Foster+Partners benchmarkfurniture.com

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Brand on the Run VISUAL IDENTITY & BRANDING

From graphics on menus to guest greetings, a hotel’s visual identity and branding has the power to convey experience far beyond its walls. Words: Kristofer Thomas

hilst interior design and a hotel’s physical presence can go some way to creating experience, memory and emotional resonance, it is often the all-important first impression away from the property that encourages potential guests to become paying customers. From digital graphics designed to be widely shared on social media to the creative wording of a do not disturb sign, visual identity and branding has the capacity to at once create a defined character for the hotel and reinforce its place in people’s minds, ensuring a consistent and coherent set of values and visuals for them to reference, paying guest or otherwise. “A visual identity is a tool that unifies a hotel experience by encouraging recognition and reassurance across different communications,” explains Mark Jory, founder of Latitude, a creative branding agency with studios in London, Dubai, Singapore and New York. “More important than the visual identity is defining a clear and confident voice and point of view that engages with guests.” Distilling the essence of a chain or individual property into materials that function in tandem with the hotel, the task of branding and visual identity designers is to convey the ideas that a stately façade or sleek, modernist lobby cannot, and to create emotional narratives that will raise awareness, drive engagement and ultimately form the hotel’s presence beyond its walls. The increasing focus on visual identity and branding been identified as an important aspect in the creation of new hotels, leading to the introduction of a new category for AHEAD. The awards scheme has since recognised projects including Australia’s Jackalope and Shanghai’s Amanyangyun for the visual language accompanying and elevating their offers, and the resulting connections generated between guest and hotel. “It is this emotional connection with guests that nurtures brand loyalty and the decision to return – in the same or different capacity – recommend, or visit a different hotel of the same brand,” Jory adds. Driving the decision to return formed the basis of Latitude’s work for the iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore, a commission encompassing the design and production of a graphic campaign indented to continue the story of the property during its 18 months of renovation closure.

Whilst it is unlikely that anyone who has visited the property would forget the experience, icons nonetheless require maintaining, and the series of postcard illustrations the agency created serves to at once keep the Raffles brand fresh in the mind and build anticipation for its new era, depicting key messages and imagery from the traditional Sikh doormen and famous Singapore Sling to the tall, white-pillared lobby and air of golden-era sophistication. The postcards act as a grand tour of the hotel whilst it is unable to host a tour of its own, further appearing on boarding surrounding the construction site to remind passers-by of its imminent return. “Our illustrations took their cues from the visual language of the era in which the hotel was established and built on this iconic heritage brand, but took it into a contemporary place whilst still sitting comfortably with the existing Raffles Hotel Singapore identity,” notes San-San Chan, Managing Director Europe, Latitude. “As the reopening approaches, we have also created an extended campaign that turned the illustrations back to photography, showcasing the rich brand imagery originated by Jenny Zarins.” This ancillary form of hospitality design has become integral to hotels in an age where luxury travel is perhaps defined more by experience than it is by material goods. The necessity of this complementary presence saw Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), one of the more prominent international hospitality design firms, launch its HBA DNA dedicated branding division in 2018, working from the ground up with new concepts looking to make inroads into the crowded market, or as a resource for established names in need of a repositioning or update. “We always start with where we are – the hotel’s location, its surroundings, history and future,” explains Gustavo Neri, Visual Identity Director, HBA DNA. “It could be what the city is known for, a famous personality that hails from there, a sports team nearby, an invention or even a fictitious character. During our initial meetings we seek to find out why the client selected the property, what makes it special to them and then delicately weave the brand standards in with this vision for a narrative that is both strong and subtle.”

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Above: Latitude’s designs for Raffles Singapore depict iconic elements from the Singapore Sling to the traditional Sikh doormen

At The Marshall in Berkeley, California – a member of Hilton’s Tapestry collection – HBA DNA worked within and beyond the hotel, creating a brand programme covering everything from the formal logo adorning the front door to digital collateral, all with a concise thread of narrative, colour and tone woven through. Based on a fusion of historical and contemporary elements, as well as interpretations of Berkeley’s inhabitants and academic associations, the package saw ephemera from guest directories to do not disturb tags develop from a single idea at the heart of the project. “During our first phase we took great care in researching the original owner of the property and discovered it was a cement mason from the area dating back a century ago,” Neri recounts. “While walking the streets of Berkeley in search of inspiration, we came across that cement mason’s stamp on the sidewalk and it was like striking gold – that tiny bit of information ultimately informed the branding package as a whole.” Paying similarly close attention to landscape and surroundings, London-based branding agency The Plant created a pair of identities for two disparate Four Seasons properties in the group’s metropolitan Ten Trinity Square London location and Astir Palace Hotel on the Athens Riviera. The former is interpreted as complex and detailed architectural illustrations by Thibaud Herem printed across collateral – as well as objects including a knotted rope door hanger in a nod

to the building’s nautical past as a naval office – whilst the latter draws more from the tranquil nature of its coastal setting, resulting in a visual character centred around delicate, single-line drawings of florals flowing gently through menus, in-room amenities and digital marketing materials. A strong example of how the medium can so clearly differentiate two hotels within the same established brand, the experiences inherent to each project are conveyed through subtle aesthetic interventions, informing the audience of each hotel’s carefully crafted identity before they even set foot within. “The interiors, the history, the architecture, the environment, the smells, the service – the best identities tie it all together,” notes Matt Utber, founder of The Plant. “It should simply communicate the experience in a way that’s beautiful and memorable. Due to social media, guests are now much savvier when it comes design and branding, so a disjointed visual identity will weaken your story and therefore connection to the guest.” However, whilst the physical and collateral branding of a hotel is undoubtedly key in its success, there are nonetheless elements of the process to consider long after the property opens its doors, perhaps overlooked, or not noticed at all in most cases, yet integral contributions to the seamless experience. The best branding, after all, is the branding you never even realise is there.

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The Plant

We create brands for the most exciting hotels in the world. We put imagination, humanity and sustainability at the centre of everything we do. We steer clear of the mundane to pursue the extraordinary.

theplant.co.uk

hello@theplant.co.uk

+44 (0) 203 675 6799

darc room @ London Design Fair

19-22 September 2019 The Old Truman Brewery • Shoreditch • London www.darcroom.com • www.londondesignfair.co.uk

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

BENCHMARK The Sage Collection Fresh from his AHEAD Americas Oustanding Contribution award, David Rockwell has designed The Sage Collection for Benchmark, comprising sit-stand desks, meeting tables, sofas, chairs and storage with a focus on health and wellbeing, incorporating biophilic and ergonomic design tenets within natural and sustainable materials. www.benchmarkfurniture.com

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AXOR MyEdition Axor has introduced a satin black PVD finish to its MyEdition brassware range, extending the collection with a sleek architectural option alongside the existing brushed bronze and chrome versions. Designed by Phoenix Design, the monolithic piece is the first to feature the PowderRain spray mode. www.axor-design.com

GROHE Bau Cosmos E Grohe has expanded its portfolio of touchless infra-red taps with the launch of the Bau Cosmo E range, a basin mixer containing the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest innovations in sensoractivated technology and water sustainability. During use, a water and energy saving aerator contained within ensures flow is limited to 5.7 litres per minute. www.grohe.com

MLE LIGHTING Conica Part of a wider collection inspired by Italian design styles of the 1950s, MLE Lightingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Conica Lamp features a rounded shape and a profile affording full adjustability. Designed by Lotte Breithaupt of Fucina Architettura, the piece incorporates subtly crafted imperfections across the brass fixture surface. www.mlelighting.com

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TIMOTHY OULTON Atoll Comprising bed, desk, reading light and side table elements within one seamless profile, Timothy Oulton’s Atoll bed is an island-like piece covered in hand-finished leather. Shown in wrecked white with brown stitching, the model is also available in a range of alternative leather and canvas options, whilst the side table can be customised with black or moonstone marble finishes and connects to the bed via slim brass arms. www.timothyoulton.com

THE RUG COMPANY Champalimaud Collection Comprising six designs and joining The Rug Company’s handtufted range, the Champalimaud Collection draws inspiration from the interior design firm founded by Alexandra Champalimaud across patterns of rich neutrals, greys, blues and creams. Examining traditional design through an abstract lens, the range has been developed to provide designers with a textured foundation from which to work. www.therugcompany.com

APAISER Bijoux Handcrafted in the brand’s signature ApaiserMarble material and envisioned by British designer Kelly Hoppen, Apaiser’s Bijoux washbasin combines smooth lines and angular facets to create an interplay of light and shadow across its sculpted profile. Lighter than stone whilst retaining the texture of marble, ApaiserMarble is scratch and stain resistant with excellent heat retention. www.apaiser.com

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GANDIABLASCO DNA Teak Gandiablasco has added a black finish option to its DNA Teak collection of outdoor furnishings. Previously available only in the brand’s Mediterranean white insignia colours, the new colourway adds a sleek presence to arrangements. The design of all DNA Teak components is based on a construction system combining timber slats with the warmth of teak counterparts and linear aluminium profiles. www.gandiablasco.com

MONITOR AUDIO All Weather In-Ceiling Series Speakers

COGOLIN Personnalités

HI-MACS Strato

With a flush-fitting design and high levels of water, dust, corrosion, UV and temperature protection, Monitor Audio’s AWC series has been developed using C-CAM driver systems from the company’s celebrated hi-fi speakers. Affording premium sound quality in bathrooms and other challenging environments, the range features an innovative tri-grip fixing system for easy installation.

Designed by architect Elliott Barnes, Cogolin’s Personnalités collection comprises five rugs in wool, cotton and jute. Handwoven in narrow panels on 19 th-century Jacquard looms, the range features patterns including Conti, which draws inspiration from the façade of La Monnaie de Paris to resemble a large gold coin – a nod to the nearby La Monnaie coin-minter.

Enhancing the Hi-Macs colour range with a slate of new possibilities, the marked linear patterns of the brand’s Strato collection creates visual geometry through its soft structure, whilst vertical or horizontally-oriented colour striations generate variation across projects. Completely non-porous, Strato can be thermoformed into curved or specified shapes for seamless surfaces in difficult positions.

www.monitoraudio.com

www.manufacturecogolin.com

www.himacs.eu

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designjunction

19–22 September 2019 King’s Cross, London N1C

Unique experiences and breakthrough brands at London’s most exciting creative hub thedesignjunction.co.uk #WhereDesignMeets

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EGO PARIS Marumi Designed by Thomas Sauvage with Japanese influences, Marumi by Ego Paris is a collection of gently curved dining tables and stackable chairs available in a choice of ceramic, teak or aluminium tabletops and teak or aluminium seat back panels. The table element comes in three sizes of 160cm, 240cm and 295cm to suit multiple scaling requirements, with a sun lounger component also available. www.egoparis.com

ALISEO The Londoner Featuring a selection of handcrafted faux-leather tea service items in finishes of black or neutral taupe, Aliseoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Londoner range is constructed around sturdy forms and versatile shapes. Rugged ribbed stitching details provide both strength and a richly detailed appearance, whilst the collectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water-resistant surfaces are fixed to each component via non-toxic, odourless adherent. www.aliseo.de

MOHEBBAN MILANO Vintage Designed by Miguel Reguero, the Plano collection for Mohebban is inspired by the architectural profiles of slopes, created with a soft silk rectangular centre that transforms into more complex planimetric versions as it spreads out across the piece, creating a linear space for the informal layout and a mixture of relief and depth. Monochromatic options are available as part of the complementary Mimetico range. www.mohebbanmilano.com

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17 - 19 September 2019 Dubai World Trade Centre

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME.

Where the Middle Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospitality community meets to shape the future of hospitality. Meet the most important brands from the hospitality and design communities. Part of

www.thehotelshow.com/RegisterforFREE

Showroom Openings

BERT FRANK Located in the heart of Clerkenwell, Bert Frank’s new London showroom draws inspiration from Art Deco and Mid-Century aesthetics. Set across two floors, the space embraces original brickwork and floor tiles to highlight new collections alongside signature ranges.

CASE STUDY

Bachhuber Contracts

GANDIABLASCO

Steigenberger Alsik

Bavaria-based Bachhuber Contracts has undertaken interior design and furnishing duties within all guestrooms and public areas of the newly opened Steigenberger Alsik, a 190-key project within the Frank Gehry-designed Sønderborg waterfront masterplan. Based on a central design concept drawn from the location of the 19-storey, Henning Larsen Architects-realised building, Bachhuber’s interior scheme draws visual inspiration from both the organic forms of Denmark’s Als Fjord and the structure’s distinct modernism. Interpreting the building’s profile as a linear design language, the brand worked to instil guestrooms with a scheme combining geometric elements with softer undertones from lighting and bespoke furnishings. Elsewhere, the brand’s design model for the hotel’s Nordic Spa sees the floorplan and treatment rooms oriented to

face panoramic views of nearby ice floe for suitably tranquil treatments. Presented with layout issues stemming from the building’s stepped conical shape, Bachhuber opted for an unconventional approach that sees 39 different types of rooms designed and grouped in three categories, with the resulting lack of rightangled floor plans adding to the hotel’s subtly unique styling. Founded in 1962, the hospitality specialist has completed over 900 projects, including Grindlewald’s Hotel Glacier – a boutique property where Bachhuber oversaw the implementation of general furnishings across 28 guestrooms and suites – and the Yasmine Mahmoudiehdesigned Seetelhotel Strandhotel Atlantic, where the agency provided a service package of fixed and loose furnishings as well as lighting and decoration elements. www.bachhuber-hoteleinrichtungen.de

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Bringing a Mediterranean touch to the hills of Los Angeles, Gandiablasco’s new flagship store – named The Outdoors – gathers the brand’s innovative outdoor furnishings in a space designed by Creative Director Daniel Germani to highlight the firm’s evolving aesthetic.

C.P. HART Having undergone an extensive renovation, C.P. Hart’s 4,000m 2 Manchester showroom features brassware and ceramic bathroom collections from Cielo, Gessi, Fanutini and Artelinea, as well as the company’s own releases. Consultation and bespoke advice services are also available.

IDEAL STANDARD Covering 4,000ft 2 of space over four stories, Ideal Standard’s new £1 million Clerkenwell showroom greets visitors with the UK debut of its Studio Palomba Serafini Associati collaborative bathroom range, first introduced at ISH and comprising a colourful range of basins.

INSTALL ATION

Foscarini MyLight Hotel

As part of Clerkenwell Design Week, lighting brand Foscarini joined forces with Oneroom Gallery – a four-storey converted Victorian warehouse in the heart of Shoreditch – to create an immersive exhibition showcasing its new MyLight system. Designed by Oneroom founders Carlo Ninchi and Vittorio Locatelli, the installation simulated the daily life of a small boutique hotel, with unabashedly cinematic and visually captivating interiors enhanced by colour and light. Visitors entered through the hotel reception on the ground floor, before having the opportunity to explore lounge and bar areas across the first and second floors, a spacious bedroom complete with bathtub on the third level, and a skyline roof terrace affording panoramic views of the surrounding neighbourhood. The interiors aimed to showcase the potential of Foscarini’s MyLight lamps, which combine today’s technology with the distinctive design of the brand’s archive. MyLight is an intelligent system that enables guests to control and personalise light to suit their needs; the smartphone

app detects the presence of a lamp, meaning users can touch an icon to turn lights on and off, as well as adjust brightness and colour temperature. The Scenes screen also allows for the creation of multiple lighting scenarios, which, using a timer, can be automatically activated and deactivated, even when the smartphone or tablet is turned off. As for larger, more complex spaces such as hotels and restaurants, the system enables the control of multiple networks at the same time through the set-up of a site – a tool designed to manage numerous lamps, even on different floors, in an equally simple process. MyLight is available across a range of Foscarini’s LED models, including the Aplomb suspension lights and the Bahia Mini wall lamps. Additionally, two of the brand’s best-known designs – the Caboche chandelier and the Twiggy floor light – can be adjusted in intensity and temperature, with warm and cool light mixed and dimmed to reproduce the varying colour levels of sunlight throughout the day. www.foscarini.com

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18â&#x20AC;&#x201D;21 September 2019 Olympia London

Celebrating 25 years of inspirational interior design

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COLL ABOR ATION

Toto x Sleeper Hotel Design for Global Travellers

Sleeper hosted an exclusive panel in partnership with bathroom supplier Toto during Clerkenwell Design Week focusing on the changing world of hotel design. ‘Hotel Design for Global Travellers’ explored how guests are looking for more flexibility, connectivity and personalisation than ever before, but above all an immersive experience. Joining Sleeper on stage were Ariane Steinbeck, Managing Director of RPW Design; Rob Steul, Creative Director of Edwardian Hotels London, who is working on The Londoner in Leicester Square; and Floyd Case, Project and Specification Manager at Toto. Case kicked things off with a look at how bathroom habits are changing, explaining the value of space in today’s market: “Space is the key word. Bathrooms are fundamentally getting smaller, and the requirement for the best use of that space has significantly increased. There’s also more of a focus on bathroom performance and water usage, which architects and designers must build into their designs.”

Steul agreed, noting that technology is helping to integrate the bathroom and bedroom space: “As an owner-operator, we’re looking at blending the two together. We’re finding ways to cross-utilise, and that is aided by technology and the Toto washlet – which we can put in a self-contained bathroom to free up the front-of-house space.” The panellists went on to discuss the advantages of the washlet, including its hygiene and water-saving qualities, before describing their experiences in designing bathrooms for the Asian and European markets, and exploring what guests can expect to see going forward. Looking ahead, Steinbeck discussed how hotels should enhance the bathroom environment with as little water usage but as greater experience as possible: “Let’s reduce what we need to do in the bathroom to an absolute minimum and get the maximum enjoyment out of it,” she summarised. “I can see Toto being a huge part of that.” www.toto.com

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Bachhuber Contract Exquisite interiors With more than 900 international hotel projects, Bachhuber Contract belongs to the top group of companies in the field of interior construction. As a general contractor we offer the entire processing of representative objects. The combination of experience, functional implementation and sense of style ensure exclusive interiors.

Bachhuber Contract GmbH & Co. KG · Contact: Mrs Sigrid Streif

Professor-Drexel-Str. 21 · D - 84364 Bad Birnbach · Phone: +49 8563 97729 - 0 · info@bachhuber-hh.com · www.bachhuber-hh.com

Architectural Vision Panels

For Doors & Walls

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Advertising Index 100% Design

189

Gasser

AHK International

145

Albrecht Jung

111

159

Preciosa

019

Gommaire 161

Projects by Rochdale Spears

035

HI Design

PS Interiors

165

146-147

Aliseo 033

HICAP 187

Restoration Hardware

Andrianna Shamaris

ICE International

163

Roca 079

049

008-009

Apaiser 017

Janus et Cie

006-007

Skyfold 075

Astro Lighting

JC Hospitality

010-011

Sleep & Eat

002

012-013

Bacchuber 191

Kettal 004-005

Starboard 193

Beck Interiors

055

Kohler 140

Stellar Works

063

Benchmark 173

Latitude 027

Supper

148

Brintons 139

Laufen 131

The Hotel Show

185

Chelsom

195

Leisure Plan

117

The Plant

177

Curtis 053

Ligne Roset

014

Top Drawer

128

Darc Room

178

Living Design

127

Top Floor

167

Dernier & Hamlyn

071

Maison & Objet

153

Tribu 085

Designjunction 183

Mandarin Stone

080

Tuuci 091

Dezeen 151

Morgan

157

UHS 154

EE Smith

171

Nicholas Haslam

043

Vincent Sheppard

EPR Architects

120

North 4 Design

191

Vitra 099

Feelgood Designs

191

Penta Light

069

Vondom 029

Ferreira de Sรก Rugs

092

Perrin & Rowe

105

Warisan 169

Freifrau 196

Point 025

Furniture Fusion

Porcelanosa 112

057

192

Woolen Mill Fan Company

031

058

ISSUE 2 OUT NOW From the publishers of Sleeper and Supper, Starboard is a new publication focusing on the design and development of mobile forms of hospitality such as cruise ships, river boats, sleeper trains, aeroplanes and space shuttles.

To receive your complimentary copy, register online at www.starboardmagazine.com

Outside In LUMIPOD

Despite the efforts of wellness gurus and slow movements, the pace of modern living continues to accelerate. Who amongst us hasn’t considered dropping it all when that unread email counter ticks into three-digits, or simply escaping to a remote cabin in the wilderness? Well tired reader – Lumicene has the concept for you. Responding to the increasing number of guests seeking out tech detoxes, distance from the metropolitan bustle and a reconciliation with nature, the Lyon-based window manufacturer has created Lumipod, a 17m2 dwelling comprising a bedroom, toilet and shower area, all housed within a structure designed around the company’s signature cuved

glass. The concept uses six of the glass panels set within aluminium frames on circular rail, allowing them to slide open to eliminate the boundary between interior and exterior. Seeking to immerse guests in natural surroundings, the units incorporate burnt wood cladding that follows the traditional Japanese Shou-sugi-ban treatment method, and are constructed atop just four screw piles for minimal impact on the landscape. Alternative claddings are available for a range of environments and settings, and the Lumipod team is currently exploring a totally off-the-grid version for 2020, by which point escaping the rush may prove more a necessity than a luxury.

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S o la r fro m C h e l so m For fur ther information email: marketing@chelsom.co.uk

chelsom.co.uk

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HANDMADE IN GERMANY – FREIFRAU Sitzmöbelmanufaktur GmbH & Co. KG – www.freifrau.eu Modell: Marla Easy Chair High, Ottoman – Design: Birgit Hoffmann, Christoph Kahleyss

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04.06.19 15:08