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Door to Door
So many of the stories we tell in Sleeper are about a journey, of sorts. The journey of a first-time hotelier as they overcome the challenges of getting a new venture off the ground. The journey of a designer as they develop a scheme and bring it to life. Perhaps even the literal journey of a guest as they navigate through the public spaces to their suite. But rarely, if ever, is the journey from home to hotel considered – until recently.
As the travel industry continues to evolve, the once-disparate domains of hospitality and transportation are growing ever closer. What began with a move to revolutionise the cruise experience through the recruitment of renowned hospitality designers, has led to convergence in all directions. A number of major hotel groups are diversifying from traditional models to design the entire away-from-home experience. Some are forging partnerships with transfer services on land and in the air – the Suite to Seat venture between Marriott’s St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London and Eurostar, for example, or Yotel’s rewards scheme with JetBlue. Others are developing their own forms of luxury travel: The Ritz-Carlton made a splash with its debut superyacht in 2022, while the first Four Seasons vessel is set take to the water in 2026, soon to be followed by Aman as it transports its sophisticated style and spirit to the seas. In return, cruise lines are creating landbased beach clubs with facilities to rival the world’s best resorts, and car manufacturers are bringing their signature aesthetic to interiors. Belmond meanwhile has been amongst the first to establish itself as a travel company, with a portfolio of hotels, boats, safaris and trains – the latter of which is said to be a key focus for the company through 2024. Ultimately, the goal for many of these operators is to create
a memorable travel experience, not only within the bounds of the hotel or even the local vicinity, but the entire door-todoor journey. It’s a move that is hoped will help build loyalty, tying travellers to a brand as they traverse road and rail, seas and skies.
This sector is explored in depth in Starboard, our sister publication focusing on hospitality on the move, but the way in which the two are coming together is really beginning to capture the imagination of hotel group leadership too. Behind the scenes, there’s plenty of talk amongst the big players as to how to further tap into the transportation aspect of the travel experience, something that became a topic of conversation at recent judging day for AHEAD. Marriott, Hilton and IHG have all made moves in one way or another. Perhaps the most interesting is from Accor, which has secured LVMH investment to accelerate growth of the Orient Express brand, which spans hotels, trains and ships. The venture also sees LVMH – the world’s largest luxury goods conglomerate – venture deeper into the experience market.
As a community that travels extensively for work and pleasure, we all know that transiting from airport terminal to hotel – and back again – can come with challenges. To know that every step of a trip, from the transportation to the accommodation to the cuisine, is in the hospitable hands of a luxury hotel operator, would undoubtedly make the journey all the more memorable.
Following countless trips to Alentejo to explore the harvest and production of cork, Belgium-born interior architect Cédric Etienne set out on an entrepreneurial quest to bring the natural and sustainable material into contemporary interiors. Under the banner of Studio Corkinho – which he co-founded in 2013 – Etienne was invited to Sleeper Sessions in Portugal, where he described his unique approach and led Sustenance workshops, helping hospitality specifiers and suppliers to carve their own cork creations.
088 Tara Bernerd
Tara Bernerd’s signature style of ‘approachable luxury’ has made its mark on hotels around the globe, from Los Angeles and New York to Osaka and Hong Kong. For her latest project, the designer has ventured to Munich, creating interiors for the first Rosewood property in Germany. In collaboration with the owner and operator, Bernerd has crafted an elegant scheme that gracefully combines old and new, taking inspiration from the listed architecture and honouring the “effortless chic of Munich”.
062 Ricardo Larriera
“To open a hotel, I think you need a certain level of naivety and insanity, mixed with vision,” explains Ricardo Larriera, as he reflects on opening his first hotel. Enamoured by the rugged beauty of the little-known Greek island of Folegandros, the former advertising director upped sticks from Australia and embarked on a mission to create a rustic retreat that harmonises with its surroundings. The result is Gundari, where architecture and interiors by Block722 are set to put the island on the luxury hotel map.
076 Tatjana von Stein
London-based interior designer Tatjana von Stein founded her eponymous studio in 2016, and has since introduced her bold aesthetic to hotels, members’ clubs and restaurants worldwide. Teaming up with Locke – the stylish aparthotel concept from Edyn – von Stein recently took her creative talents to Zurich, envisioning the brand’s debut property in Switzerland. Located in the Enge quarter, Locke am Platz is an ode to the city’s Modernist design heritage and is characterised by a vibrant colour palette and sense of drama.
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FRONT DESK
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief
Matt Turner m.turner@mondiale.co.uk
Managing Editor
Catherine Martin c.martin@mondiale.co.uk
Assistant Editor
Eleanor Howard e.howard@mondiale.co.uk
Editorial Assistant Cara Rogers c.rogers@mondiale.co.uk
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CHECK-IN
Pernille Lind and Richy Almond
The founders of Lind + Almond jet off for a fantasy break at a Geoffrey Bawa-designed resort amidst the lush jungles of Northern India.
Where are you?
In the mountains of Northern India.
How did you get there?
Via luxury steam train.
Who is there to greet you on arrival?
Basil Fawlty, on his best behaviour.
And who’s at the concierge desk?
M Gustave from The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Who are you sharing your room with? Each other!
Is there anything you would like waiting for you in your room?
A gin and tonic.
Describe the hotel, your room and the view...
Our hotel is surrounded by swaying palms and deep jungle teeming with tropical birdlife, looking out to snow-capped mountains in the distance. Smiling linen-clad staff welcome us in,
and we’re greeted by the scent of drifting incense and the sounds of a trickling water fountain. Our room has tall ceilings, exposed beams and stone floors, while wooden fans spin gently and bamboo blinds filter in soft dappled light. The space is filled with antique furniture, local artwork and curious ornaments.
Who designed it?
Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
What’s the restaurant and bar like?
The restaurant is located in a remote corner of the grounds, accessed via a winding footpath lit by oil lamp. Interiors are filled with pleasantly-worn rattan furniture, and there’s an open kitchen; the ambience is hushed yet anticipatory, with occasional flashes of fire from the kitchen and the smell of spices wafting through on a cool breeze. Curious cocktails are delivered on silver trays by barefoot waiters, and the soundtrack to the evening is a sitar accompanied by a chorus of chirping crickets.
Who are you dining with this evening?
Geoffrey Bawa is here, as is Julia Roberts, George Orwell, larger-than-life character Dame Edna Everage, and Scottish designer and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Who’s manning the stoves?
And what’s on the menu?
Grilled tiger prawns with chilli lime sauce to start, then the house curry, followed by the local speciality for dessert.
Would you like something to drink with that? Ice-cold IPA, whisky soda and tart dessert wine.
What’s in the mini-bar for a night cap? Vermouth.
What’s on your nightstand at bedtime? A Michael Palin travel book and a glass of water.
What’s your essential travel companion? Sunglasses, podcasts, face mist and a book.
What toiletries would you like to freshen-up? Evolve Beauty products.
Early morning alarm call or late check-out? Late check-out.
Bath or power shower? Rain shower.
And what’s for breakfast?
Tropical fruits and scrambled eggs, with mushrooms, tomatoes and herbs, or whatever the chef recommends.
Swimming pool, spa or gym?
An outdoor saltwater pool set amongst the trees and overlooking the mountains. NOTABLE HOTEL PROJECTS
Mark Dobbie and Andy Oliver, the chefs behind Thai restaurants Som Saa and Kolae, which we regularly visit.
The Ritz-Carlton Riviera Maya
MEXICO
Desarrolladora Arca and IMI Worldwide Properties have announced plans for The RitzCarlton Riviera Maya – a hotel and branded residences development on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.
Slated to open in 2026, the resort is set amongst 220 acres of lush tropical jungle and dense mangroves, opening out to a crescentshaped beach and the ocean beyond.
Designed by Sordo Madaleno, the hotel component comprises 300 guestrooms and suites, along with a range of leisure amenities including four swimming pools and The Lagoon – a family-friendly splash-play area. The resort will also have its own spa and racquet club with tennis and pickleball courts.
F&B outlets, brought to life by TalentChef, include an open-fire grill, a traditional Mexican bakery and an indigenous food market. Restaurant Central meanwhile is an open-air food hall featuring six venues, complete with an on-site distillery, wine cellar and speakeasy. The culinary experience also includes The Farmhouse, a farm-to-table concept; Excursion
Lounge for quick bites; and The Beach Club, the community’s social epicenter, located at the ocean’s edge.
“We are honoured to collaborate with Desarrolladora Arca to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to life on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, a key destination and market for us,” says Sarah Khalifa, Vice President of Mixed-Use Development, Marriott International. “We are excited to introduce a fresh and inspired path in luxury for the brand. The Ritz-Carlton Riviera Maya will be a flagship addition to our portfolio, setting a new benchmark for hospitality in the region, and we look forward to welcoming our esteemed owners and guests upon opening.”
andBeyond Suyian
KENYA
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Operator: andBeyond
Architecture: Nicholas Plewman Architects, Michaelis Boyd Architects
Interior Design: Fox Browne Creative www.andbeyond.com
Luxury experiential and conservation company andBeyond has unveiled plans to open a new property in north-western Laikipia, a wilderness area in Kenya. Slated to open in July 2025, andBeyond Suyian, will be an intimate safari escape comprising 14 spacious suites, all with a private plunge pool and outdoor shower. Amenities also include a gym and a wellness centre, equipped with two treatment rooms, a steam room and cold plunge pool.
For the design, andBeyond has teamed up with Cape Town-based Nicholas Plewman Architects and Michaelis Boyd Architects. Following over 30 years of collaboration with andBeyond – during which they have led the design and development of lodges in Botswana and Kenya – Fox Browne Creative has been tasked with bringing a distinct sense of place to the interiors.
The opening comes as the brand extends its lodge circuit in Kenya, announcing an Exclusive
Tourism Concession over the 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy. Forming part of a vital wildlife movement corridor, Suyian is home to a range of wilderness areas, including savanna and more than 16km of land alongside the Ewaso Narok river. A multi-decade partnership with conservation charity Space for Giants allows andBeyond to function as the sole luxury lodge and tented camp operator on the conservancy.
“Our expansion into Laikipia is the culmination of a long-held desire to increase our impact and lodge operating footprint in Kenya,” says Joss Kent, CEO and Executive Chairman of andBeyond. “Representing a critical piece of the Kenyan circuit, the area not only offers a world-class game experience but also aligns with many of our ambitious impact objectives in terms of securing and protecting endangered wildlife and habitat ecosystems, as well as enabling conservation through empowered communities.”
collection designed by Stephane De Winter
SIRO Olaya
RIYADH
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Developer: 80 Real Estate Company
Operator: Kerzner International www.sirohotels.com
Following the launch of SIRO One Za’abeel earlier this year, Kerzner International has signed new properties in Los Cabos and Riyadh, signalling the global expansion of the fitnessfocused brand.
Set to open in 2027, SIRO Palmilla will comprise 120 keys and a cluster of branded residences, 14 of which will be standalone villas. Developed by Fortem Capital, the hotel will form part of the new Palmilla Reserve masterplan located near Kerzner’s flagship One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico, offering sweeping views of the ocean and surrounding hills.
The Riyadh outpost meanwhile, represents Kerzner’s first foray into Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the Kingdom’s commitment to wellness as both a cultural and economic priority. Slated to open in 2028 within the city’s business and residential district, SIRO Olaya will feature 200 guestrooms alongside the brand’s signature fitness and recovery facilities, providing a
holistic hospitality experience. Developed by 80 Real Estate Company, the project will complement the region’s ongoing expansion in healthcare infrastructure and services.
“SIRO encapsulates the dynamic spirit of innovation that has been at the heart of Kerzner’s culture for over 30 years, disrupting the hospitality sector,” comments Philippe Zuber, CEO, Kerzner International. “SIRO is a direct response to the societal shift in attitudes towards sports and wellness, and was designed to be a rapid-growth challenger brand that enables Kerzner to expand our global footprint in the world’s most vibrant cities. The subsequent excitement we’re seeing among investors and developers is testament to the market demand for this revolutionary new concept.”
The growing SIRO brand complements Kerzner International’s portfolio of luxury and ultra-luxury resorts across the Atlantis, One&Only and Rare Finds brands.
La Maviglia
PUGLIA
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner / Operator: Ultimate Collection
Architecture: Oppenheim Architecture
Landscaping: Enea www.lamaviglia.com
Ultimate Collection has revealed plans for La Maviglia, a luxury resort in the Primitivo wine region of Puglia, slated for completion in 2027.
In total, the 202-hectare resort comprises a 70-suite hotel, 35 villas and an extensive golf complex. The hotel component will offer a selection of suites ranging from 60m2 to 400m2 with private terraces or gardens, as well as four culinary outlets, a state-of-the-art 5,000m2 wellness and medical spa, a large swimming pool set amongst landscaped gardens and a private beach club.
The La Maviglia Golf Complex meanwhile will centre around a world-class 18-hole golf course with a two-sided playable driving range and extensive practice facilities. The estate’s original Masseria will be transformed into a clubhouse, housing shops, dedicated events spaces and a Golfer’s Lodge with 20 deluxe double bedrooms, a landscaped fruit courtyard and lap pool with a spacious sun deck.
Miami and Basel-based Oppenheim Architecture has been enlisted to restore the 16 th-century Masseria and design the new interventions, while landscape architecture firm Enea has been tasked with harmoniously combining the built environment with olive trees, vineyards and ancient water features.
“Our design approach for La Maviglia is one of deep respect and integration with its natural and historical context,” says Chad Oppenheim, Founding Principal, Oppenheim Architecture.
“We meticulously studied the site, its colours, textures and the play of light, allowing these elements to guide our design process. By utilising local materials and traditional techniques, we aim to create a symbiotic relationship between the buildings and the natural landscape, ensuring the development feels highly sensitive and responsive. Its overall design will reflect the local heritage to create spaces that are both modern and timeless.”
Recess Hotel & Club
SAVANNAH
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner / Operator: Left Lane Development
Interior Design: Left Lane, Atelier Pond www.leftlanedevelopment.com
Left Lane will debut new brand Recess in 2026, following the successful opening of Hotel Bardo earlier this year.
The flagship Recess Hotel & Club will find home in Savannah’s Manger building, which originally opened in 1912 as Hotel Savannah, before being converted into an office building in 1977. Now, the property will be transformed into a 221-key lifestyle hotel and clubhouse that is rich in nostalgia, celebrating the creative undercurrent of the city.
Left Lane has partnered with Atelier Pond for the hotel’s design, devising a retro-futurist narrative for its 136 guestrooms, 23 suites and 62 bunk rooms. Envisioned to foster connectivity, the property will feature a number of communal spaces, including a ‘Rumpus Room’ – a dedicated social setting – on each floor. The core of the Recess brand however, is its clubhouse spaces, which occupy the lower, first and second floors.
Four F&B outlets will be in operation across the property, including Le Flâneur, a fresh take on the classic French brasserie and The Servery, a hidden gem with all-day food to-go. The lobby bar meanwhile will function as a central hub with a continuous flow of drinks. Additional public spaces include Kilter, a rooftop pool and garden oasis, and The Annex, a 6,500ft2, two-storey events venue that will double as a clubhouse complete with its own open kitchen concept, Coterie.
“We are driven by a commitment to the community and each of our hotels’ respective histories, striving to deliver nostalgic, layered spaces that inspire exploration and offer an authentic sense of place,” comments Jon Kully, Managing Partner at Left Lane. “We are building Recess as a magnetic cultural hub where the local community and travellers can create and find real-life connection in their very own clubhouse.”
Anantara Dragon Seseh
BALI
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner / Developer: Taryan Group
Operator: Minor Hotels
Architecture: John Dawes
www.minorhotels.com
Minor Hotels has signed an agreement with Taryan Group to manage Anantara Dragon Seseh, a newbuild resort and branded residences slated to open on the black volcanic shores of Bali in 2027.
Located a short drive from the southern coastal hotspot of Canggu, the resort marks the group’s fourth venture on the Indonesian island; in addition to existing properties in Uluwatu and Seminyak, Anantara Ubud is set to open later this year.
The forthcoming Anantara Dragon Seseh features 216 guestrooms and suites ranging in size from 52-120m2, each with panoramic views across the Indian Ocean. In addition to three F&B outlets – including a specialty Japanese restaurant and poolside bar – on-site amenities include three swimming pools, a beach lounge, a signature Anantara Spa, dedicated yoga and meditation studios, a fitness centre and a surf school, where guests can learn to ride the waves.
Envisioned by British architect John Dawes, the property’s striking curvilinear form draws inspiration from the mythical Barong of Bali, a dragon-like creature symbolising strength, grace and prosperity. The result is a cocooning structure topped by a shapely roof, with blaconies and terraces that blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, combining a contemporary elegance with the feeling of being amongst nature.
“Global travellers cannot get enough of Bali as arrivals grow well past pre-pandemic levels,” reveals Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International. “Today’s travellers continue to look for new ways to appreciate Bali’s rich heritage and the island’s diverse experiences. We look forward to partnering with Taryan Group to show travellers why Seseh Beach is Bali’s next hotspot by offering guests unforgettable experiences on the island.”
The Lana, Dubai.
Quinta de Valmarinha
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner and Interior Design: De Rosee Sa www.quintadevalmarinha.com
London and Lisbon-based studio De Rosee Sá has announced plans for a new boutique hotel in the countryside surrounds of Sintra, a Portuguese resort town and UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its Romantic architecture.
Slated to launch in 2027, Quinta de Valmarinha will occupy a 18th-century former farmhouse, nestled amidst vineyards. Responsible for both design and operations, De Rosee Sa aims to restore many of the property’s existing architectural details that are typical of historic Portuguese quintas.
“The transition into designing and operating in the hospitality sector is a natural extension of our passion for creating lifestyles through design,” explains Claire Sá, Director of De Rosee Sá. “Entering the hospitality scene allows us to extend our design philosophy to control not just aesthetics but also the overall experience.”
Upon completion, the hotel will comprise 32 suites, as well as a restaurant with a courtyard,
and a dining room with an open kitchen. Additional amenities include a heated outdoor pool, accompanied by a dedicated lounge and bar. A wellness hub meanwhile will feature a spa with four treatment rooms, alongside a gym, yoga studio, infrared sauna and steam room, in addition to a cold plunge and indoor pool. Five hectares of gardens will provide additional public spaces for guests.
“The property, once a rundown farm, stands out as one of the few historic properties overlooking the sea in this area,” explains Max de Rosée. “While initially looking for a holiday home, the property’s unique charm captured our hearts, leading us to consider a hospitality venture. Encouragement from heritage and tourism departments further solidified our decision. We aim to curate a design beyond aesthetics, focusing on atmosphere and guest interaction while offering an authentic immersion into local culture.”
SINTRA
Meeting… William Heinecke
Following a record year, the founder and Chairman of Minor International tells of his entrepreneurial path to building a hospitality empire.
Words: Guy Dittrich • Photography: Courtesy of Minor International
Affable and astute. Genial and generous. These are just a few adjectives to describe the selfmade William Heinecke, Chairman of Minor International. Such attributes are evident during a breakfast briefing overlooking the bay of Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort in Thailand, prior to an on-stage interview at Sleeper Sessions, the meetings forum for hospitality specifiers and suppliers. Heinecke is at ease and confident, ready to take on all manner of questions and queries. The evening before, he was chatting global geo-politics and bamboo in the company of the Mayor of Phuket.
Heinecke first appeared in the pages of Sleeper more than 20 years ago, as a participant of the magazine’s ‘A Quick Question’ feature, in which he was described as ‘the Richard Branson of Southeast Asia’. An apt portrait, given his clear entrepreneurial spirit and the breadth of his business interests, which emerged at an early age.
Born in Virginia, USA, Heinecke’s family moved around Asia – Japan, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur – before finally settling in Bangkok in 1963, where he attended the International School Bangkok. Aged 17, he turned down a US college education, preferring “a life of luxury in Thailand, where I didn’t have to make up my own bed each morning,” he reveals.
His parents told him he was on his own. And he cleaned up, literally. With the equivalent of US$1,200 of borrowed money, he set up an office cleaning business and another selling radio advertising time. By the time he was 21, he had made his first million, albeit with some diversions along the way. There had been no Plan B. Decisiveness and a fearless spirit were early indicators of his business ethos. When asked in the Quick Question article, “Is the customer always right?” his succinct response was “Yes, especially if it is me.” Of confidence, there is no lack.
In 2000, Heinecke penned The Entrepreneur, 21 Golden Rules for the Global Business Manager; a second edition was published in 2003, expanding to 25 rules. In it, he talks of foresight and identifying gaps in the market to fill. For him, a perfect hotel room in the Quick Question article had to have room service from top local restaurants. And he was already way down this track, having established a food delivery service via motorbikes in 1989. This enterprise speaks volumes of his vision given the almost ubiquitous presence of such services today.
Heinecke, the early adopter, dares to be different. He was quick to view resorts as an asset class. In the 1970s, he recognised that the Thai middle classes were beginning to spread their wings and that a trip to Pattaya – a short hop to the coast east of Bangkok – was a spending experience. He
took over an old hotel built by the US military for troops on R&R leave during the Vietnam War, and opened the Royal Garden Resort Pattaya in 1978, now known as the Avani Pattaya Resort. All just a decade after graduating high school. Another gap in the market to be filled came in the 1990s with the realisation that there was no deluxe accommodation in Chiang Mai – the largest city in northern Thailand. Following the adage if we build it, they will come, land was acquired and the Regent (now Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai) was realised. Inspired by classic Northern Thai architecture, the design of elegant two-storey guest pavilions was based on the ornamented teak and open-sided shelters of Lanna-era upper-class homes. Once a quarry, the property was transformed by Bill Bensley into a verdant Thai farming village complete with rice paddies and water buffaloes.
Heinecke founded Minor Holdings in 1970, reflecting his legal status at the venture’s founding. Now Minor International, the company continues to operate in three main sectors: hospitality, restaurants and lifestyle retail. Minor Hotels, the largest of the three, today includes over 550 properties with around 80,000 guestrooms in operation across eight brands in 56 countries.
As owner, operator and investor, Minor Hotels has a diverse portfolio. In addition to the group’s own brands, Minor Hotels owns managed properties in Thailand, such as Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in northern Thailand, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa and The St Regis Bangkok. The luxury brand Anantara Hotels & Resorts was launched in 2001 and now numbers over 50 properties and counting. This was followed in 2006 by a diversification into residential development via serviced living managed by Four Seasons, St Regis and later Anantara. There has also been significant growth by acquisition – Oaks Hotels & Resorts (2011), Tivoli Hotels & Resorts (2016), NH Hotel Group (2018) – which recently rebranded to Minor Hotels Europe &
“We make design decisions that are best tailored to each location and market, aligned with our Profit by Design belief that profit should be gained from the outset of an efficiently designed hotel.”
the underwater restaurant, Sea. The complete and sympathetic renovation of a 13th-century Capuchin convent built into the cliffside at Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel. And Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort, an eco-sanctuary built in harmony with nature, amidst mangroves.
Americas – and the Boscolo Hotels portfolio in Europe (2020), which have been rebranded to Anantara and NH Collection flags. This growth was not only in terms of the number of properties, but also of a wider geographical spread taking in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and China. Most notably, the NH Hotel Group acquisition took Minor Hotels from a regional player to the global stage, tripling its property count overnight.
When asked about the importance of design and experience, Heinecke responds: “We invest in every destination to create memories and experiences.” Over-delivery on expectation, and letting guests know you appreciate them, ensures repeat business, he continues. Taking the Anantara brand, Heinecke sees this as “a true version of a destination that embraces its surroundings and culture”. He ventures a few examples: the house reef at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas for snorkelling or viewing from
On design, he tells the story of collaborating with talents such as Bill Bensley. “He didn’t start working for us because we paid enormous fees, but the relationship has blossomed into a great friendship that ensures our hotel interiors and gardens are considered among the best in the world,” explains Heinecke. Design at Minor Hotels is coordinated by a Technical Services team, working with owners through the development, coordination and construction process. “We make design decisions that are best tailored to each location and market, aligned with our Profit by Design philosophy that profit should be gained from the outset of an efficiently-designed hotel,” says Heinecke. As the examples above indicate, sustainability is important to Minor. A group with strong resort origins, many of its hotels are set amongst nature. “We are responsible for being good environmental stewards and promoting biodiversity conservation,” notes Heinecke. Questioned that both are conceivably easier in equatorial and resort environments than more northern, urban climates, Heinecke is unequivocal: “Minimising our environmental footprint in the design and execution of projects is a constant across all our projects.”
In 2023 – a record year for profitability –Minor Hotels achieved a group-wide RevPAR increase of 22% versus the previous year. “2024 will likely be the biggest year for travel and another record year for Minor,” asserts Heinecke. “Our plans to increase the pace of openings and expand our brands reflect our bullish outlook for global travel in the coming years.” Up to 250 new properties are slated to be added to the inventory over the next three years with Anantara, Avani, Tivoli and NH brands expected to be key drivers of portfolio growth.
The portfolio includes the recently renovated Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel in Italy, and the forthcoming Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp in Zambia
“Minimising our environmental footprint in the design and execution of projects is a constant across all our projects.”
A release shared earlier this year also states that Minor Hotels expects to unveil multiple new brands in 2024 and 2025 to meet unmet consumer demand. More gaps in the market to capitalise on. Heinecke is coy on details, but personal ambitions to “build hotels in places I have not visited” could see further exotic destinations coming into play via new or existing brands.
Up to 250 new properties are slated to be added to the portfolio over the next three years, including the soon-to-open Avani Barbarons Seychelles Resort
There is more clarity on non-hotel experiences. These refer to a collection of related hospitality businesses, including culinary offerings such as Minor’s acquisition of London-based The Wolseley Hospitality Group, formerly known as Corbin & King; wellness – over 70 Anantara Spa and AvaniSpa locations and partnerships with Clinique, La Prairie and Vivid by Verita IV Drip Bar in Bangkok; and tented camps – Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp in Zambia, set to launch in early 2025. There are also sailing trips – Loy Pela in Bangkok and Mekong Kingdoms in Luang Prabang, Laos; and train journeys – The Vietage by Anantara in central Vietnam.
With almost 43,000 employees, Heinecke acknowledges Minor Hotels’ responsibilities to society and staff. “Society is like a forest – it won’t continue to flourish if we don’t replenish what we took out,” he quips. There is much support for this, evident in the 2021 founding of the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management in association with Les Roches from Switzerland, and Minor’s 2023 and 2024 certification as a Great Place to Work. Additional are foundations dedicated to protecting Asian elephants and marine turtles, and the Heinecke Foundation was established in 2000 to support less fortunate children of all ages who have outstanding records of academic performance. Heinecke is clearly a driven man, but he is also never far from a smile and a chuckle. Sleeper’s Quick Question feature always ended by asking the respondent what they would like to ask the next interviewee. Back in 2003, Heinecke asked: “Who would you most like to have help you raid the mini-bar?” His answer today is Sophia Loren.
PROFILE
Mary Alice Palmer
Founding Principal and Global Creative Director – Roam Interior Design
Formerly known as HKS Hospitality Interiors, Roam Interior Design is an independent firm with a global portfolio of luxury hospitality and residential projects. Based in Dallas and London, the firm operates under the leadership of Palmer, alongside Global Practice Manager and Principal Olga Acosta.
Current Projects:
The Ritz-Carlton, Portland (2024); Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua (2025); Mitsis Rhodes; Amaala Triple Bay Yacht Club, Saudi Arabia
Meeting… Roam Interior Design
Six months on from the inception of Roam Interior Design, the studio’s Founding Principal talks design philosophies, the impact of AI and future plans.
Words: Eleanor Howard
Over the course of 13 years, HKS Hospitality Interiors built an international portfolio of projects – Auberge Resorts Bishop’s Lodge in New Mexico and Esperanza Los Cabos amongst them – all completed under the umbrella of global architecture firm HKS.
That was until last year, when the division’s Founding Principal Mary Alice Palmer made the decision to rebrand as Roam Interior Design, an independently operated luxury design firm specialising in the hospitality and residential sectors. Under the leadership of Palmer, alongside Global Practice Manager and Principal Olga Acosta, the award-winning team of interior designers and interior architects based in London and Dallas now has the opportunity to work independently with external partners, as well as with its parent company, expanding the firm’s reach within the highly competitive hospitality design landscape.
Sitting down with Palmer in London, the conversation flows from design philosophies to the challenges of technology, to the firm’s plans for the future, which include a renovation for Mitsis in Rhodes and a new flagship for The RitzCarlton brand in Portland, Oregon, as well as the forthcoming Amaala Triple Bay Yacht Club.
Why did you rebrand HKS Hospitality Interiors? As we grew within HKS, it became increasingly
difficult to overcome the preconceived notions associated with a global architecture firm. I found myself continuously having to educate people on our unique perspective of looking at interiors from both an architectural and decorative standpoint. So, it became important for us to figure out how to communicate who we are and what we do to our market more effectively, with the help of a brand strategist. Ultimately, we decided to establish Roam as a separate brand to differentiate us from the overall firm.
What does Roam stand for?
The word Roam has many connotations so there’s some ambiguity to it that is valuable in communicating our story. We’re roaming away from HKS, and we’re roaming the world, discovering, creating and defining destinations.
How would you describe the Roam design philosophy?
We don’t have a house style. We want to create a cinematic experience for guests through interiors that reflect a sense of place and are deeply rooted in the history and unique characteristics of a location, from the culture to the art and even literature that inspires. Ultimately, we want to create a memorable narrative that the guest can engage with emotionally by fostering a connection with the surroundings.
Tell us about projects in the pipeline...
Our team recently completed The Ritz-Carlton, Portland, which has been shortlisted in the Restaurant category for AHEAD Americas 2024. Here, we were faced with the challenge of translating the city’s rugged individualism and spectacular landscape into a five-star luxury experience that the local community would embrace. In terms of projects on the boards, we’re currently working alongside WATG to help Mitsis in Rhodes redefine what their new brand looks like in physical form. We’re also working with Nikki Beach on a new project in Antigua, comprising a hotel, branded residences and the group’s signature beach club.
What trends are you currently seeing in the hospitality sector?
The ongoing discussion surrounding what luxury means today is interesting, because I think it’s no longer rooted in traditional formality. There are, of course, certain projects for which that classic luxury is still fitting, but there seems to be a real push to understand what a guest is looking for in a luxury destination.
How does sustainability impact your approach?
The firm at large has a distinct strategy that incorporates sustainability into every project as a baseline. Within our own research and advisory department, we have a team who are incredibly well-versed in coming up with ways that we can create better built environments. Several years ago, we launched Mindful Materials, a programme that helps us to select the best products in a material design environment by looking at what they are made from, as well as where they are manufactured in order to reduce travel distances where possible. We also implement Point of Decision Design (PODD),
“Ultimately, we want to create a memorable narrative that the guest can engage with emotionally by fostering a connection with the surroundings.”
which involves designing opportunities that subtly guide guests into making more sustainable or healthy choices. For example, we created a beautiful grand staircase in the lobby at The RitzCarlton, Portland, that will hopefully encourage guests to walk rather than use the elevator.
What challenges do you see going forward?
Our biggest challenge is the advancement of AI and how it is going to impact our work, both positively and negatively. One of the advantages of still being attached to a large firm like HKS is that we have access to their research into how we can manipulate AI and use it in a way that is beneficial rather than detrimental. For instance, when creating mood boards, if we’re looking for something specific to encapsulate the vision in our heads, we can input a description to an AI
programme to generate an image. The world is already moving incredibly fast, and that compels owners to shorten schedules and tighten fees. As AI increasingly comes into play, it raises the question of how technology will further impact owners’ expectations.
What are Roam’s plans for the future?
In addition to multiplying our wins within the categories in which we operate, we’re also considering reopening an office in Singapore. After having to disband the team during the pandemic, we recently travelled over to reassess the situation now Asia has recovered post-Covid. There’s so much happening in Australia and New Zealand, so we want to be in closer proximity to those opportunities, as well as projects in destinations like Indonesia and the Maldives.
THE LOBBY
Dystopian
Design
Hospitality designers are typically tasked with crafting interiors for shiny new skyscrapers and tropical resorts –places where business and leisure travellers feel at home, if only for a few days. How might the design process change, though, when envisioning interiors for situations that are less than idyllic? Spanish design studio Wanna recently explored this topic when faced with the challenge of creating an underground shelter to display at Casa Decor, an annual trade show held in Madrid. Delving into the role that interior design can play in the creation of emergency living spaces, the studio devised Cozy Bunker, a Brutalist-inspired subterranean refuge that combines two contrasting concepts
– wellbeing and survival. Reimagining the typical bunker, the concept serves as a hideout in extreme situations, but its design also makes for a welcoming environment – one that visitors might not want to leave. The structure’s sturdy architecture evokes feelings of safety and security, while the interiors, with glowing lights and soft materials, encourage relaxation and comfort, creating a dialogue that works to calm. The project, built with high-pressure laminates from Formica, metallic laminates from Homapal and surfaces from Fenix, also delves into the versatility of these materials and their potential for use in new realms of the design world. A new take on dystopian design.
The dawn of a new season in the hospitality world can bring a whole host of new offerings, from fresh interiors sparkling with bright coats of paint, to updated food and beverage selections that reflect the time of year. This year, to celebrate the launch of its summer season, London hotel The Dorchester has quite literally come into full bloom.
Demonstrating that the beauty of botanical doesn’t always take the form of a bouquet of fresh flowers, The Dorchester’s façade was recently brought to life by a new immersive AR experience, accessed via a QR code located just outside The Dorchester Garden. Once scanned, the installation unlocks a bespoke Instagram filter depicting The Dorchester Rose – the hotel’s signature pink flower, specially created by designer florist Philip Hammond in collaboration with Meijer Roses of Holland. The foliage comes to life as guests film the façade, growing up
the walls as it blossoms in shades of pale pink. Naturally, the seasonal celebrations have also involved more tangible activations, with the hotel’s garden transforming into a pink paradise with pretty parasols for the summer months. The space is the site of a new spritz stand that will see a range of beverages served to guests, developed in partnership with alcohol-free sparkling drinks brand Wild Idol.
A new ice-cream trolley meanwhile has also been rolled out, offering seasonal serves alongside a new adaptation of afternoon tea. Menu highlights include the Wild Idol Sgroppino – an elderflower sorbet blended with Wild Idol – as well as pastries inspired by the drinks’ tasting notes. A seasonal hamper is also available at Cake & Flowers, The Dorchester’s hybrid florist-patisserie boutique, and includes a floral bouquet, a box of bonbons and a perfectly chilled bottle of Wild Idol.
Atlas of Never Built
Architectural thought often centres around the cityscapes of the future, considering what our world might look like in 10, 100 or 1,000 years. And yet a new book, published by Phaidon and written by Sam Lubell and Greg Goldin, takes a different approach, reflecting instead on what could have been. A comprehensive, geographicallyarranged global survey of more than 300 extraordinary unbuilt architectural projects from the 20th and 21st century, Atlas of Never Built Architecture takes a deep-dive into the creations that have been dreamt up by influential architects, ranging from hotels and casinos, to museums and arts centres, as well as artificial islands and entire cities. Imagery includes sketches and digital renderings, offering insight into how the architectural projects were initially conceived. There are futuristic visions from the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, IM Pei and Le Corbusier, as well as proposals from more contemporary creatives including Norman Foster, Kengo Kuma and Zaha Hadid. Featuring projects at times impractical or fanciful, but always imaginative and ambitious, the tome demonstrates how our built environments could have looked very different indeed.
Whether it’s the goosebumps that appear when gazing at the hues of a hillside sunset. The sense of wonder whilst getting lost in a profound piece of art. Or the head-spinning intake of breath at the sheer scale of a city skyline. “Understanding these neurophysiological responses is crucial in an era where art, design and culture are vital ingredients to support our mental, physical and emotional health.” This insight, courtesy of Kinda Studios, finds home within a new 68-page report from Design Hotels, which delves deep into the impact of aesthetics, culture and environments on our brains, bodies and behaviour – an area of study otherwise known as neuroaesthetics. Produced in partnership with FSB, the report
to revolutionise the design process, whereby focusing on human emotion can create more impactful results – an approach that is crucial in hospitality settings. Landau states: “Hotels are especially significant in the field, as they are public, social spaces that also have a wider impact on the communities they inhabit.”
Delving deeper, the report explores four key areas of Designing for Belonging, Community, Transformation and Longevity. “The character, culture and shape of built spaces is linked to our sense of belonging – a feeling deeply ingrained in human nature,” the report reads. “Stemming from our evolutionary needs, this feeling of affinity and physical safety is essential for us to be present, connected and to flourish in
Design for the Mind
Design Hotels partners with Kinda Studios to explore the impact of aesthetics on the human brain, body and behaviour.
pairs academic data with cultural insight, case studies and interviews with experts such as pioneering neuroscientist Anjan Chatterjee, to provide an accessible tool kit detailing how to apply the field’s principles to design projects. “Our aspiration with this study is to arm our creative community with newfound knowledge, to design purpose-led spaces that don’t just look beautiful, but have an intentional impact on our behaviour, our wellbeing and on society as a whole,” explains Sarah Doyle, Deputy Managing Director and Global Brand Leader at Design Hotels. “It’s a manifesto for a positive future.”
With interior design typically prioritising visual aesthetics, the report highlights the importance of integrating neuroaesthetic principles into hospitality design, suggesting that, “to enhance the human experience, we need to understand the complex interplay between our senses, and how they work with our brains to prompt intentional emotions”. Robyn Landau, co-founder of Kinda Studios, believes this insight has the power
our environments.” Designing for Community involves maximising public spaces to drive social interaction and deeper connections – boosting the immune system and triggering the release of oxytocin – while Designing for Transformation is grounded in the observation that guests are increasingly willing to invest time and money in experiences that can redefine their relationships and worldview. The final element spotlighted in the report, Designing for Longevity, suggests taking advantage of the links between nature and human health – a process that benefits both people and planet. The integration of biophilic principles, including the application of biomaterials and incorporation of geometric patterns found in nature, is proven to soothe our nervous system and enhance cognitive function. The report concludes: “By placing nature at the heart of design, we can preserve our planet and shift our role from environmental takers to stewards – improving our health and longevity in the process.”
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Mondrian • Hyde
IBIZA
Ennismore breathes new life into a 70s beach resort for a dual-branded debut.
Entry into Ibiza’s increasingly competitive hotel scene has presented challenges for investors and developers in recent years. Strict planning laws and strong public feelings on environmental matters have made the construction of new hotels, particularly in the most alluring beachfront locations, all but impossible. Local antipathy towards both tourists and property developers, seen across the Balearic Islands, is likely to make the white-hot hospitality market of the White Isle even more difficult to penetrate. What limited opportunities remain are largely through the conversion of tourist hotels, originally built in the 1960s and 70s, now being extensively remodelled into luxury lifestyle offerings.
Ennismore has recently joined the likes of Standard, Six Senses, Nobu and 7Pines with not one, but two hotel launches, created through a development deal with ADH Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality wing of investor and asset manager Apollo Global Management. Mondrian and Hyde Ibiza is a twin property development that has seen a complete overhaul of an existing all-inclusive resort on Cala Llonga beach, originally built in 1972.
This is the first time the two brands have been co-located, but in many ways they are natural bedfellows, both with each other and Ibiza. “The two brands speak to Ibiza but in very different ways,” says Mark Eacott, Global Vice President of Design for Ennismore. “Hyde is more of a music-led, boho-chic brand with a festival vibe, which is reflected in the materiality, the textiles and the pops of colour in its design. Mondrian is more of a future-forward, culturally progressive brand with sleek and sculptural interiors.”
Both brands have their origins in LA nightlife. Hyde Lounge on Sunset Strip marked the brand’s debut before later expansion into hotels, residences and beach clubs. And Mondrian, lest we forget, was launched in West Hollywood in 1996 by that pioneer of both discotheques and boutique hotels, Ian Schrager. Both were under the stewardship of SBE, until Accor acquired them as part of its joint venture with Ennismore. Given this shared history, Ibiza feels an appropriate location for their first geographical coupling.
Mondrian and Hyde Ibiza officially opened in April 2024 following a soft opening at the end of the 2023 season. AIME Studios – Ennismore’s in-house creative team – worked with Spanish firms Beades Architects and Cuarto Interior on the project. Despite its proximity to the Old Town, the airport and Ibiza’s famed nightclubs, Cala Llonga has remained a relatively low-key location, notable for its setting in a naturally sheltered bay, flanked by lush pine-clad hills. This is one of the only beachfront locations on the island where guests can immediately access the hills on foot, enjoying the hikes that are an increasingly popular activity for healthconscious visitors. Its ferry terminal also offers regular services to Ibiza’s main harbour, Santa Eulària and neighbouring island Formentera. Across both properties, the interiors are not so much shoe-horned into the existing spaces, as flowing through them in gentle waves that blur indoor and outdoor, whilst referencing the local topography. In the 154-room Mondrian, sinuous, white-washed walls create cave-like
Cuarto Interior has created an unmistakeably Balearic aesthetic at Mondrian Ibiza, with whitewashed walls and touches of rattan, wood and stone
spaces that echo the abundance of natural grottos along the Ibicenco coastline.
“We were mindful of how the brand’s futureforward, fantastical DNA would work within the serene visual landscape of Cala Llonga in a way that felt natural and unforced,” continues Eacott. “The hotel bears all the aesthetic hallmarks of a Mondrian, yet there is a softness and an element of movement conveyed through structural curves, organic shapes and sculptural fluidity that is reflective of the property’s singular setting.”
The check-in is housed in a striking, oceanblue nook off the main lobby area, a deepsea diver’s outfit standing alongside the aquamarine acrylic front desk. “These confident injections of bold colour punctuate the serene, tonal landscape of the guestrooms and public areas, creating a ‘filter over reality’ experience; from the cobalt of the hotel’s statement pool table, to the almost unbelievable blue of the Mediterranean Sea glimpsed at every turn through the oversized windows,” notes Eacott.
Mid-Century furnishings in rattan, wood and stone create an unmistakeably Balearic aesthetic – its white flowing forms and natural materials echoing the famed fashion that the island’s bohemian inhabitants have made synonymous with Ibiza. The pillars breaking up the space bring to mind ‘Time and Space’ – a sculpture of standing stones made by Australian artist Andrew Rogers overlooking Ibiza’s mystical island Es Vedra.
Eacott adds: “Progressive materiality, futuristic furniture and unexpected artistic moments work to blur the boundaries of art and design and create an immersive cultural space familiar to Mondrian regulars. We worked in collaboration with London-based collective Gone Rogue on a considered curation of artists and installations that spark interest and engagement. Works such as The Kissing of the Sun and the Moon by Lauren Baker play with reflective materiality and lighting design to create a soft sensory experience, while Ash by Corin e van Voorbergen app ears at first
The boho-chic aesthetic is in further evidence in Hyde, albeit with more colourful interventions in the lobby and F&B spaces
glance minimalist, yet emerges as an intuitive, layered piece upon closer look.”
In marked contrast to the all-white backdrop of all-day restaurant Sun & Moon, and its adjacent grab’n’go coffee outlet Perq, Japanese restaurant Niko below is a darkly atmospheric space centred around its sushi counter, with wabi-sabi style tableware and furnishings setting the stage for guest chef residencies and theatrical entertainment. Guestrooms continue the light, flowing design scheme, featuring leather latticed headboards, organically sculpted light fittings and furnishings in natural materials. All rooms and suites feature private terraces, offering stunning views over Cala Llonga or the surrounding woodland.
The boho-chic aesthetic is in further evidence in Hyde, albeit with more colourful interventions in the lobby, where pastel wall tiles and upholstery to the central, circular banquettes introduce a more energetic vibe. The 401 guestrooms feature weathered wooden cabinets and headboards inspired by the dry
docks where local fishermen keep their boats. Pendant lamps are suggestive of their baskets, while bedside tables allude to jewellery on sale at Ibiza’s hippie market stalls.
Two pools, interspersed with plentiful lounge seating, hammocks and swing chairs, connect the two properties and offer immediate access to the beach on the Hyde side. Restaurants and bars meanwhile include Mexican ocean-totable concept Cuyo, pulsating poolside hangout Hyde Beach and the neighbouring Bungalow bar and restaurant – with the requisite DJs, copious cocktails and an international menu.
“There was a lot of debate about co-locating the two brands, particularly with the shared pool deck, but it has worked out very well. We have been really pleased with the positive response, not just from the guests but the ownership and the local community,” concludes Eacott. “We were mindful of other hotels on Ibiza and how competitive the market is here, but ultimately we stayed true to what we wanted to do and let the power of the brands do the work.”
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Operator: Accor, Ennismore
Architecture: Beades Architects
Interior Design: AIME Studios, Cuarto Interior
Art Consultant: Gone Rogue www.ennismore.com
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Gundari
FOLEGANDROS
Enamoured by the rugged beauty of a little-known Greek island, first-time hotelier Ricardo Larriera enlists Block 722 to create a cliffside retreat.
Folegandros has no airport, no beach clubs and an arid, rocky landscape unchanged for centuries. Farmers occasionally ride donkeys along the deserted main road, while some of the sandy coves can only be accessed by foot or boat. This low-key vibe and lack of development is precisely what convinced Australian former advertising director Ricardo Larriera to up sticks from Sydney and open his first hotel, Gundari, on the Greek island. “I heard about Folegandros from an old friend in 2018, then I came out and saw its beauty for myself,” he states. “Because it doesn’t have an airport or large cruise terminal, the growth of tourism is sustainable. It still very much has a Greek soul, yet Santorini is only a 50-minute ferry away.”
Larriera enlisted Athens-based architecture and interior design studio Block722 and together they began scouting for possible sites, settling on an 80-acre cliffside plot on the island’s southeast coast, marked by dry stone walls. “It’s a five-minute drive from Chora, yet no-one’s really been here – only goats. The location allowed us the opportunity to create a hotel that’s about raw luxury and seclusion,” he continues, citing Southern Ocean Lodge on Australia’s Kangaroo Island as somewhere with a similar concept. “To open a hotel, I think you need a certain level of naivety and insanity, mixed with vision. That intersection is perfect for starting a project like this.”
His brief was essentially for a subtle – and sustainable – design. “I knew that I didn’t want white boxes; the buildings needed to integrate into their surroundings,” he explains. “Now, from the ocean, you can hardly see them.”
Lead architect on the project Elena Milidaki recalls how Block722 and Larriera were aligned from the beginning. “We were lucky that Ricardo has the same vision as our studio,” she explains. “He appreciates the Cycladic landscape, the culture and traditions, and wanted to respect that. We decided on a low profile for the architecture, using stone excavated onsite and cement the colour of the earth.”
Construction was set to start at the beginning of 2020, then Covid hit. Eventually, it got underway in 2022, but not before over 600 seedlings were collected from the site and taken to nurseries on neighbouring islands to be nurtured. These have now been replanted amongst olive and acacia trees, ornamental grasses, agave and herbs. Of the 25 suites – which range from 35-70m2 of internal living space – seven are subterranean and built into the cliff, meaning they are kept naturally cool from the earth above. All come with solar panels and energy-efficient heat pumps, dreamy sea views and a plunge pool. There are also villas, with three and four bedrooms.
Inside, the look is rustic simplicity. “In general, our studio focuses on creating spaces that are very
serene. At Gundari, we have used a neutral palette, marble floors that feel grounded and warm woods for an interesting contrast,” explains Milidaki, listing the veneer bedhead, tree trunk bedside tables and wardrobes as examples. Much of the furniture is custom-designed by Block722 and made by Athens company Nitsolas, while Japanese-style paper lighting is by Akari and Parisian manufacturer Celine Wright. Thoughtful touches include olive-oil-based Greek Olive Era bath products, and, in the top-end suites, Pioneer turntables. “I’m an audiophile freak and given our idea of slow living, vinyl makes sense,” explains Larriera, whose 200-strong record collection is stored in a specially designed wooden cabinet in the living room-style lobby for guests to borrow. Stoneware vessels and objects by ceramicists such as Kallia Panopoulou and Maru Meleniou are displayed on the shelves above. Equally central to this space is a vintage tan leather sofa and armchairs, and the monolithic marble check-in desk carved with nature-inspired symbols by multidisciplinary studio Esto Association. As well as reception, the main building houses the Orizon restaurant and bar, which opens onto a
Chanelling rustic simplicity, the interiors are centred around a neutral palette, from marble floors to tree trunk bedside tables
bamboo-shaded terrace and 25m infinity pool. The seafood-focused menus are curated by Lefteris Lazarou, chef-owner of Michelin-star Varoulko restaurant in Athens, while the cocktail list comes courtesy of the mixologists behind Line, a bar specialising in fermentation. “My idea was to leverage other people’s expertise by partnering with the best of the best who are relevant to the Gundari concept,” says Larriera.
To one side of the restaurant is a second outdoor dining area. “The front terrace has the vista, but later in the design process we had the idea of a courtyard too,” says Milidaki. “In Chora, there are many little squares and we wanted to create that same village feeling. There’s no shade so it’s meant for the evening when the stone walls protect guests from wind and they can look at the stars while eating.”
There’s also a gym with an outdoor deck, where complimentary yoga takes place three mornings a week, and a subterranean spa with two treatment rooms. The latter will be expanded in 2026 as part of phase two, when
14 additional suites and villas are slated to open further down the cliff. Still to come before then is an intimate three-seater wine bar and a farm-to-table dining experience.
Other hotel-arranged activities are aimed at encouraging guests to get out and explore, ranging from winery visits on nearby Sikinos, to guided walking tours and cooking classes with the owner of iconic restaurant Irene’s. “A lot of our experiences are focused on regenerating the island’s culture,” notes Larriera. “For instance, Irene retired two years ago but we convinced her to host traditional cooking classes. The idea is to deliver something interesting and authentic to guests that also keeps her knowledge alive. Similarly, Poly who runs our Chora tour is an island original. It’s great that she is telling the story of Folegandros and sharing its history.”
It’s an approach that sums up the essence of Gundari: rooted design that leans into its environment, combined with an elevated offering that is set to put the island on the luxury hotel map.
Having been transformed into a diffused hotel, a once abandoned village in the rolling hills of Tuscany continues to evolve.
Words: Claudia Baillie
Photography: Courtesy of Castelfalfi (unless otherwise stated)
The concept of an Albergo Diffuso or ‘diffused hotel’ is nothing new. Devised in the 1980s by tourism consultant Giancarlo Dall’Ara, the idea was to restore buildings across entire historic estates, transforming ancient villages and rural farm buildings into luxury accommodation for discerning travellers looking for a more immersive and authentic experience. Over the past 20 years, the model has become so successful, both as a means of generating tourism, as well as rescuing settlements from decline, that diffused hotels have sprung up across Europe and beyond, with ventures having opened in Mexico, Japan and Bhutan.
The largest concentration – more than 150 properties – remains in Italy however, and among those burgeoning enterprises is Castelfalfi, a 2,700-acre estate scattered across the undulating hills that stretch between Pisa, Florence and Siena. At the centre of this idyllic expanse is an ancient walled borgo, one of Tuscany’s most scenic hilltop villages, once owned by the Medici and inhabited since Etruscan times. It was this spellbinding spot with its 360-degree panoramic views that charmed Indonesian entrepreneur Sri Prakash Lohia, who acquired the estate in May 2021 from German tourism group TUI. Marking Lohia’s first foray into hospitality, his vision was to make Castelfalfi a destination resort with community at its heart. “For developers, these buildings offer a priceless canvas interwoven with historic detail that’s rich for storytelling, but restoration is challenging and costly,” explains General Manager Roberto Protezione. “We have to work in a way that is compliant
and respectful of the heritage of the buildings, whilst also taking into account the expectations of modern travellers.”
The ambitious plan was to upgrade the estate as quickly as possible, just one of the reasons why multiple design studios were used across the project alongside a team of local experts. “Significant investment was also made in the agricultural estate that includes 62 acres of vineyards and over 10,000 olive trees, none of which had been managed for many years,” continues Protezione. “With the help of our Agricultural Director, Diego Mugnaini, the focus has been on improving the infrastructure to bring the production of wine and olive oil up to the highest standards using renewable energy and organic farming principles.”
Having re-opened in April 2022 under Lohia’s ownership, the estate has continued to evolve. New additions for 2024 include a theatrical restaurant, branded spa and newly re-designed suites, marking the culmination of an extensive transformation project that began in 2021 and
has resulted in amenities for both guests and locals. “Our community is extremely important and in addition to 50 residents in the borgo, we also have 39 business units including clothing shops, a gelateria, a pizzeria and a grocery store. Everyone can enjoy the piazzas, the botanical garden, the public pool and the restaurants, as well as the festivals we hold,” says Protezione.
At the heart of the site is the hotel itself, comprising 31 rooms in Il Tabaccaia, the old tobacco warehouse, and a further 115 rooms in the main building directly opposite. Here, two Castelfalfi Suites and two Castelfalfi Grand Suites envisioned by French agency Affine Design, are the newest and most elevated offering. With sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside, the latter can be connected to cater for larger groups or families with the option to accommodate staff and security too. Unique design details include headboards handcrafted from fine rope by French artist Véronique De Soultrait, and doors clad in intricate straw marquetry by Lison de Caunes, whose roster
Envisioned by Affine Design, the new suites feature handcrafted rope headboards and doors clad in intricate straw marquetry
Inspired by Barcelona’s 20th century architecture and Mediterranean design, Tura bathroom collection blends voids, linear forms, geometric shapes and sustainable elements. roca.com/tura
Tura Collection
of prestigious clients includes Cartier, Hermes and Le Meurice. Glistening mosaics by Italian tile afficionados Bisazza line the bathrooms alongside a palette of fine marble and polished travertine. “When we began the renovation, Affine stood out as their vision was completely in line with ours,” says Protezione. “We wanted guests to feel at one with nature, while being surrounded by a refined, comfortable interior.” In the picturesque valley below, six rural buildings have been transformed into luxury villas, all of which can be privately rented. The newest however, just a short walk from the hotel, is Casa Medici. A three-bedroom property with an open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting room, a private garden and direct access to the borgo’s ancient botanical gardens, it has been brought back to life by Lebanese practice Raëd Abbillama Architects. “It’s our first villa located within the hamlet and is perfect for guests who want a larger, private living environment without being too far from the services and facilities available in the hotel
and the village,” explains Claudia Tronci, Director of Project Development at Castelfalfi. “The emphasis was to offer contemporary living while at the same time conserving the villa’s history.” A charming forest mural, custommade cabinetry and a fossilised wood washbasin hewn by a local craftsman all add to the scheme, as does a feature table by Italian manufacturer Laurameroni, which takes pride of place in the dining room. Upstairs, the patina of the traditional terracotta floor has been preserved. Back in the main building, the RAKxa Wellness Spa – launched in Spring 2024 – is the first European outpost for the respected Thai wellness brand. Also conceived by Affine Design, the elegant space features soft lighting and gently curved shapes to evoke the feeling of relaxation and flow across its seven treatment rooms, two saunas, steam room, relaxation area and salon, though the highlight is a heated, granite-lined indoor/outdoor infinity pool, surrounded by cocoon-like relaxation areas. The gastronomic offering is rich and varied,
Olivina, designed by Blue Sky Hospitality, is dressed in a rich palette of regional materials, from terracotta and copper, to oak and olive
encompassing Italian trattoria and pizzeria Il Rosmarino (originally the ‘dopolavoro’, an informal restaurant, bar and meeting spot frequented by villagers after work), the golf course’s dedicated all-day dining Country Clubhouse, pool bar Giglio Blu and the hotel’s Ecrù Bar & Lounge, which backs onto an outdoor terrace furnished with chic pieces by Paola Lenti. Most impressive is Olivina, the main hotel restaurant designed by Henry Chebaane, Chief Creative Officer and Managing Director of multidisciplinary design studio Blue Sky Hospitality. “The space needed to be flexible in order to accommodate diners at breakfast, lunch and dinner and we also wanted to maximise the view,” notes Tronci. “The idea was to create a fully immersive Teatro del Gusto – a theatre of taste. Chebaane’s palette reflects the seasons of the landscape with elements of terracotta, copper, oak, bronze, grape and olive.”
Brand new during Sleeper’s visit, 25-seat gourmet restaurant La Rocca opened in the imposing medieval castle at the top of the borgo.
With two tasting menus devised by Executive Chef Davide De Simone, the aim going forward is for Michelin-star standards. “Here, we’ve left the historic space untouched – the landscape and the food will speak for themselves,” says Tronci. Later in the year, a two-bedroom penthouse suite by Tuscan menswear designer Stefano Ricci will debut in the same building. A dedicated Stefano Ricci boutique will also open in the village.
“The growth of experiential travel and the luxury traveller’s desire to fully immerse themselves in the local environment means we’re always looking at expanding and curating the range of activities available on the estate,” concludes Protezione. “From agricultural and food and wine-based pursuits to outdoor sports, evening wilderness safaris and truffle hunting, we want to offer visitors the most authentic experience of Tuscany. Our ambition is to continue to evolve into a destination where our guests will always feel revived, renewed and above all, inspired.”
Picture a serviced apartment from years gone by and it might not have been the most stylish of abodes. It will likely have been well-equipped, with living spaces and a kitchenette – all the practicalities required for a longer stay – but creative design was not necessarily at the forefront of the offer.
That was before the rise of the design-led aparthotel, driven in part by Edyn, developers and operators of serviced hotels and stylish long-stay accommodation across Europe. Launched in 1997 with the aim of offering a new level of flexibility that wasn‘t yet available with the traditional hotel model, the group comprises three brands – Cove, SACO and Locke. The latter is a design-forward, community-focused brand, with 15 properties in cities including London, Berlin and Manchester – each of which blend the practicality and autonomy of aparthotels with the character of a lifestyle hotel. The brand’s latest opening is Locke am Platz, an 80key property in the Enge quarter of Zurich, known for its expansive green spaces and proximity to the city’s famed lake. “Zurich was a natural choice for Locke – not only is it a business hub, but it is a cosmopolitan city that attracts many leisure travellers,” says Sam Sheridan, Commercial Director of Edyn. “It also benefits from a fantastic gastronomic scene with several Michelin-starred restaurants and vibrant nightlife, art and culture.”
Art Deco touches bring a sense of drama to interiors at Locke am Platz, with geometric-patterned curtains featuring alongside sculptural lighting
Each Locke property is brought to life by a new creative mind – for its debut in Switzerland, the brand partnered with London-based studio Tatjana von Stein. “We had been courting since before Covid while waiting for the right project to work on together,” von Stein reveals. “This one certainly was it, and it was wonderful to be able to design the full guest experience from start to finish.”
The studio’s starting point for the design scheme were the brand guidelines, which centre around creating a sense of place. “Locke really gives designers the freedom to propose a narrative to weave into the property, making it unique to each location,” she explains. “Our main sensibility was to work with the existing bones of the building, try to save what we could and bring a design narrative to life that was unique to the brand, location and building.” The resulting interiors draw on the city’s cultural identity, in addition to its architectural legacy. “We took time to really observe the site’s context,” she continues. “Life around the lake and the architecture around it, which oozes indulgent elegance and grandeur, as well as the city’s Modernist heritage, which you can see in its art museum Pavillon Le Corbusier, the Eichbühl Cemetery and even the Helvetica typeface, which was born here.”
Interiors are bold from the beginning, with a vibrant lobby setting the scene perfectly. “We’ve created a sense of theatre, transporting guests into a terracotta world when they first step into reception,” says the designer, referencing the sweeping curtains that cloak the perimeter of the room, cocooning the space and adding a touch of drama reminiscent of an old-world theatre. A central seating cluster breaks up the volume,
while foliage scattered throughout is accompanied by abstract sculptures and Classical busts.
The design language continues in the property’s boudoir-inspired accommodation, which comprises 40 apartments and 40 hotel-style suites – a first for Locke. “True to our ethos, our decisions are led by the local market and the destination,” reveals Sheridan. “As a destination, Zurich has that duality of guests looking for longer stays, as well as those who will pass through the city for a night or two while exploring Switzerland and Europe. We wanted to engage shortstay guests in addition to our usual demographic and offer flexibility for travellers.”
Inside, the eye is drawn to vivid red curtains that frame the bed, brightly-coloured abstract artwork scattered across the walls and a stripy red-and-white pouffe perched in front of a dressing table-style set-up. Art Deco touches bring an added layer to the design, from geometric-patterned curtains lining windows, to striking sculptural lighting and curved banquette seating that creates a cosy nook. The guestrooms aren’t without elements of warmth, with timber accents and soft tones of yellow and orange breaking up the otherwise bold colour palette. Given that many of Locke am Platz’s guests are checking in for longer stays, there is a lounge with a marble table that can be used for working and dining, as well as a fully-equipped kitchenette, decked out in the property’s trademark red hues.
Catering to all manner of dining preferences, the property is also home to restaurant Choupette, neighboured by a chic bar and lounge. A raised, carpeted lounge is guests’ entry point into the venue, wrapped in the same terracotta curtains as the lobby.
Here, curved sofas, low wooden tables and lowhanging sculptural lights create a stylish setting in which to recline with a drink. Continuing to take inspiration from the aesthetics of the Modernist era, a curved, green marble-topped bar is wrapped in bespoke decorative timber panels and paired with velvet stools.
Led by Head Chef Jaco Redelinghuys, Choupette’s culinary offer draws on that of a modern French brasserie, combining these traditions with Nordic touches such as preserving or pickling, and even Japanese fermenting techniques. Food is served in the main dining room, where the design takes cues from the Swiss Riviera – a landscape-inspired palette of greens and yellows providing a departure from the rest of the property. Furniture has been designed bespoke by von Stein’s studio, while velvet finishes by Yarn Collective have been integrated alongside accents of stainless steel, microcement and high-gloss paints. The restaurant is also accompanied by a private dining room, where details include a handpainted Classical-
style mural by Magdalena Julia Gordon that stretches across the ceiling, and a rug inspired by the residence of Italian architect Osvaldo Borsani. As is the case across the remainder of the hotel, interiors are sleek and indulgent, yet always playful.
The final word on the design comes from von Stein, who explains that the studio sought to create a narrative that would be fundamentally intriguing to guests, layered and multifaceted. “I think design is about incentivising behaviour,” she says. “I hope to transport guests into a little world where the deeper they go, the more details they capture. I want guests to feel a desire to keep exploring.”
Also encouraging guests to keep exploring, Locke currently has a pipeline of projects that will see it continuing to expand across Europe, with forthcoming openings that include a restored 17th-century convent in Lisbon, as well as the brand’s first outpost in France, set to give guests a taste of Parisian apartment living in the city’s Latin Quarter.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner / Operator: Edyn
Investor: Brookfield
Architecture: Monoplan
Interior Design: Tatjana von Stein
Art Consultant: Cramer & Bell
Procurement: Dodds & Shute
Main Contractor: Glaeser Projekt
Project Manager: Drees & Sommer
www.lockeliving.com
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www.barrandwray.com/spas
The Hoxton
VIENNA
Austria’s former Chamber of Commerce gets a Mid-Centuryinspired revamp courtesy of BWM Designers & Architects and AIME Studios.
If you were looking for an early prototype of the creative teams that drive many modern hospitality developments, you could do worse than look at the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop) of turn-of-the-century Austria.
Founded by architect and designer Josef Hoffmann, painter and graphic artist Koloman Moser, and their entrepreneurial patron Fritz Waerndorfer, its cross-discipline approach paved the way for the Bauhaus and Art Deco movements that followed.
Their work has been a significant influence on The Hoxton Vienna, a striking and successful addition to the portfolio of Ennismore’s fastgrowing lifestyle brand, which has waltzed its way into the Austrian capital’s hospitality landscape with a harmonious symphony of architecture, interiors, branding, art, food and fashion. Along with Ennismore stablemates 25hours and SO/, it’s a property that brings a more vibrant edge to the city’s somewhat conservative hotel scene.
The Hoxton Vienna is housed in the former
headquarters of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce – a listed Modernist structure originally designed by early 20 th-century architect Carl Appel. Ennismore’s in-house creative team AIME Studios has worked closely with Austrian practice BWM Designers & Architects to convert it into a hotel, retaining and replicating existing elements of the austere post-war building where possible.
“We are committed to preserving the architecture of the post-war period for future generations, and we took a particularly sustainable approach with this project. We converted the existing structure from an office building into a hotel without having to create a huge amount of additional space,” says Markus Kaplan, Partner at BWM. “We were able to create 196 guestrooms while leaving a really low ecological footprint.”
Its original stone façade has been recreated in Cipollino marble, with sculptural elements such as the portico and entrance portals restored to their original state, right down to
Food and beverage outlets explore Mid-Century era aesthetics from around the globe
the door handles. Ditto the terrazzo flooring in the expansive, double-height lobby, with its imposing, fluted aluminium-clad columns and black rubber stair-rails. “Our motto has always been to expand the city, meaning to understand the buildings and things that are already there rather than ignore them,” adds Kaplan. “This project has brought the starkness and austerity of post-war architecture to contemporary building culture. We’ve restored the façade to its former glory and given the top floor back its original clarity by removing additions from the 1980s.”
For the interiors, AIME Studios has taken its cue from 1950s architecture, with a multi-layered approach that mixes Mid-Century Austrian design with rich textures, geometric shapes and bold tiling. In the lobby, original travertine-clad walls and lush greenery provide an appropriate backdrop to ruby red sofas, vintage 1950s-inspired armchairs, rugs and Mid-Century lighting.
Consultants Sterling Art have curated artwork throughout the public spaces and guestrooms. A bespoke abstract botanical piece by Austrian artist, Rini Spiel, hangs proudly over the lobby. An oil painting of
façade by local artist, Rudolf Fitz, is another noteworthy piece.
F&B outlets and events spaces explore various aesthetics from different geographical locations in the Mid-Century era. Bouvier, tucked off to the right of the lobby, is an all-day modern bistro brought to life by Ennismore’s Carte Blanched. Its menu offers a Manhattanite take on European classics, created in partnership with Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske Valtierra, the duo behind New York’s Wildair. Design features include a chequerboard terrazzo floor, deep-red wall panelling, 1950s-inspired custom seating and retro advertising posters harking back to Mad Men-era Madison Avenue. A 70-cover terrace with fringed parasols, tiled tabletops and greenery will come into its own in spring and summer.
Subterranean speakeasy Salon Paradise is an underground cocktail bar influenced by the Beat Generation counterculture of the 1950s, and their jazz club hangouts. A vintage 1920s Hoffmann Konzertklavier piano takes centre stage alongside a burl-timber bar, around which are aged leather banquettes, textured fabrics and handwritten postcards
the iconic Konzerthaus
dating to the Prohibition era. Carte Blanched worked with Rory Shepherd of Paris’ Little Red Door for a drinks list, with libations named after characters in Jack Kerouac’s seminal beatnik novel On The Road: Sal Paradise (tangerine sorbet, tartaric acid and Sekt sparkling wine), the dessert-like Big Slim (peanut butter cognac, banana and cream) or the Old Bull take on an Old-Fashioned (white rye, white vermouth, vanilla and pine).
Up at rooftop bar Cayo Coco, it is Cuba not Kerouac that has driven the concept, with tropical interiors of rattan furniture, bright blue ceramic tiled columns and bold artworks that hark back to the golden age of travel in Havana. Bar snacks such as crispy coconut shrimp and chicharrones offer an alternative to the schnitzel and strudel that dominate most Viennese menus. The rooftop has seen the building restored to its initial state as envisioned by Carl Appel. An extension from the 1980s has been removed and the original roofline from the time of construction reinstated to create
a new rooftop bar, outdoor terrace and pool, which offer an almost 360-degree panoramic view over the city.
The Hoxton Vienna’s event spaces also mark a new direction for the brand. The Auditorium is the first theatre-style venue in the portfolio. Fashioned from an existing civic space, it has has tiered cinema-style balcony seating, striped walls, electric blue drapes, a large and flexible floor space, plus its own dedicated street entrance and two fully-stocked bars. Hovering above the roof of the auditorium is a new, lightweight single-storey structure, with an additional six rooms housing Hoxton’s signature Apartment concept, set around an open pantry with a kitchen that can switch to a bar in the evening. The design references the traditional Viennese Gasthaus, with its geometric tiling, clashing patterns, warm timber panelling and mohair upholstered chairs – subtle odes to the location’s traditions within a property that pushes boundaries amidst the city’s usual hospitality offer.
A trio of European design firms team up to transform the former Bavarian State Bank into Rosewood’s first hotel in Germany.
Looking out from Rosewood Munich across the redtiled rooftops of the Altstadt, the spires of several churches, including the twin towers of the landmark Frauenkirche, come into view. They are seemingly within touching distance from the terraces of the fifth-floor Houses, Rosewood’s name for its signature suites. You can hardly be more centrally located. The 132 guestrooms may not all have such grand views, but they have a shared identity that links the grandeur of Rococo and Baroque-style façades with the comfortable modern identity the city has carved out for itself.
The owners of the hotel are Schörghuber Group, a large Munich-based family business that includes construction and real estate under the banner of Bayerische Hausbau, and a hotel division, Arabella Hospitality. Together with operator Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, they have created the first new true luxury hotel in Munich for well over a decade. Its creation is the result of the co-operation and co-ordination of the specialists involved, as Trish Luyckx, Executive Vice President of Global Design & Project Services of Rosewood explains: “We carefully selected a group of designers and artists that align with our vision and can bring it to life. Our in-house team oversaw the project, ensuring that our concept was realised in collaboration with them.”
Tara Bernerd & Partners’ tranquil design scheme exudes luxury through rich materials and quality
Local architects Hilmer Sattler Architekten Ahlers Albrecht (HSA) were appointed in 2015, well before the operator was known. They were dealing with the amalgamation of two buildings; the façades of both fall under Denkmalschutz monument protection controls. The larger and more dominant of the two is the imposing solid sandstone edifice of the former Bavarian State Bank, completed in 1904, where the monumental stone staircases and stucco ceiling are also listed. Around the corner is the more decorative and genteel façade of Palais Neuhaus-Preysing, a former aristocratic residence. Bomb damaged in the war, it was restored in the 1950s and some refurbished interior elements from that time are protected.
Apart from these areas, the core of the hotel is new, and HSA had some fun with its reimagination.
The high-ceilinged, wood-panelled lobby surrounds an asymmetrical staircase leading down to the Wintergarten. Above the staircase is a deep ceiling recess lined with a contemporary diamond-patterned stucco – a modern interpretation of the entrance ceiling. The fully glazed elevation of the Wintergarten looks onto a covetable terrace, flooding the adjacent all-day dining room with light.
Upon the appointment of Rosewood and Londonbased interior designers Tara Bernerd & Partners, things really started to coalesce. “Working together with both at an early stage really helped to develop the room layouts so that all aspects of access and function could be integrated,” explains Project Lead Steffen Görn. Nevertheless, the original floorplate led to almost every room being unique and a rather complex arrangement of corridors. Or should that be characterful? After all, the buildings are old and were not designed as modern-day hotels.
Helping with orientation is the courtyard terrace,
some 120cm below street level. From here, and with the lobby and guestrooms above, the bar, restaurant and events spaces in the Palais are all accessible. A planted courtyard lies above the ballroom and provides total tranquillity for those guestrooms overlooking it.
There is tranquillity too in the interiors by Tara Bernerd & Partners. “We created a cohesive sense of soul, bringing the old and the new together,” explains Bernerd of this graceful combination, where it really is difficult to tell one from the other. The layout of the original buildings guides the quirky arrangement of rooms giving them a residential feel “honouring the effortless chic of Munich”. There is joy in patterns, muted and striking pops of colour, texture and finishes. And lots of luxury: in volumes - high ceilings accentuated by arched finishes; in the quality of materials - marble everywhere with bathroom floors like huge blocks of nougat; and in the quality of craftsmanship – assured joins, smooth finishes just waiting to be stroked, no snagging.
There is also an authenticity of materiality and form, which references Rosewood’s Sense of Place philosophy. Elements of traditional Bavarian costume are seen in the guestrooms. Loden wool upholstery in deep earthy greens, curtains and lampshades in grey linen, with tan leather table inserts. A blend of contemporary and geometric forms and patterns with gentle curves in sofas, armrests and side tables. Continuity in the shared vertical ribbed or fluted patterning in the glass doors and pale stone wall panels of bathrooms, the armoire and other furnishings. And local are a host of German suppliers with Hansgrohe and Duravit, Nymphenburg Porcelain and Klafs saunas amongst them. Natural tones – off whites, a very pale pink touch to guestroom walls accented by Wimmer parquet flooring, dark wood furnishings and Jung
craftsmanship
electric switches in a gently antiqued brass finish. Calming interiors. Glamorous, but never overdone.
The F&B venues exude a similar glamour introduced by Caroline Dippold, who runs her eponymouslynamed practice based just around the corner from the hotel. “We were amongst the last consultants to be appointed and were able to complement the subdued yet rich interiors,” she reveals.
Inspired by the city’s renowned jazz culture, Bar Montez is dark and moody. Focus is on the colourful and eye-catching stained-glass art piece crafted by Franz Mayer of Munich. The double-sided installation of stylised jazz musicians welcomes guests at the separate street-level entrance and down the stairs, it provides the backdrop to live nightly performances.
The space is flexible with a variety of sumptuous furnishings, intimate spaces and different seating heights. It can also be configured to reveal a dance floor. Eclectic lighting solutions were evolved in collaboration with Joern Siebke of Studio Lux Berlin, formerly with tonychistudio, a long-time collaborator of Rosewood. A large, multi-piece chandelier, subtle curves of light on the bar counter, a warming bottle
display and backlit mirror ceiling roundels create the mood. Bar Montez also conceals a speakeasy, of course, behind an unassuming door. Bottles of liquor are secured in cages behind a bankteller’s counter with a ‘penny floor’. It’s all red velvet and tassels, dark wood panelling and cut glass.
Brasserie Cuvilliés has a similar street-facing entrance on the opposite corner of the bank building. Here, Dippold borrowed from the neighbourhood’s old-fashioned shop entrances to deliver a subtle retail experience that leads downstairs to the restaurant. The space picks up on many of the traditional French restaurant motifs, while an assemblage of brass, marble and stripes add an Art Deco touch. “Materials that will patinate over time,” notes Dippold. Slabs of calacatta viola marble line the front of the open kitchen, to one side of which is a narrow return cleverly utilised for intimate counter seating. Around the columns of this semi-basement space, a variety of banquettes are arranged. Here too is a private dining room with a cooking station and its own separate unmarked street entrance. The majority of furnishings are customdesigned and crafted in Germany, accompanied by
The glazed Wintergarten looks onto a terrace, flooding the adjacent allday dining room with light
select pieces from European manufacturers, such as lighting by Chelsom.
At the heart of the restaurant stands a sizeable ceramic sculpture featuring playful Bavarian motifs. Created by Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory, it is just one of many locally commissioned artworks that sit alongside pieces from the Schörghuber family’s personal collection. London-based art consultants Double Decker curated these across a wide variety of mediums – the glass wall in Bar Montez, photography and textiles. Monochromatic, colourful, abstract, refined - they all tell stories of past and present. “We looked at the opulence of the building, the neighbourhood, the city and Bavaria to tell a united narrative that connects guests to their immediate surroundings and creates lasting memories,” explains co-founder Melita Skamnaki.
Other amenities include extensive events spaces such as the beautifully ornate and protected entertaining rooms of the Palais. Below the courtyards is the Asaya spa, an urban retreat
with a sauna, spacious Technogym fitness area and a private entrance for members. Both have timeless, arch-led interiors by Tara Bernerd & Partners and lighting by Studio Lux Berlin. Their lighting of the columnar architecture surrounding the subterranean hydro-pool is a subtle but decisive intervention. “Here we have created the impression of volume,” notes Siebke, of the calm and enveloping atmosphere, – “a real synthesis of light and space”.
The realisation of such a project sees plaudits for both operator and owner. Of Rosewood, Görn comments with regard to the historic and newbuild arrangement, stating the fortuity of having “a bespoke solution that allowed no real limit to the way in which the old structure could be used”. And from Bernerd: “Schörghuber Group were tremendous to work with, looking to create seductive interiors with an intelligent use of budgets.”
The result is a new level of luxury hospitality for the city, showcasing the combined and coherent efforts of all parties involved.
When Six Senses La Sagesse welcomed its first guests this spring, the milestone property for this sustainability- and wellness-focused brand became the first resort of its kind on the rugged coastline of Grenada’s verdant southeast. Set away from the main activity of the island’s tourism scene, the new retreat sits above a secluded cove across the Atlantic-facing clifftops of the Caribbean nation’s rural Saint David’s parish.
This offbeat setting is key to the overall resort experience, for which Simeon Halstead led the architectural design, while Range Developments saw its realisation. Bleu Design Consultants meanwhile took on the interiors, with Intramuro delivering the concept on-site. In each area of the design, tribute is paid to the location.
“We set out on a mission to ensure that our resort seamlessly blends with the natural landscape, harmonising with the surrounding vegetation of La Sagesse Bay,” explains the hotel’s General Manager, Thomas Fehlbier. “The innate tranquillity and purity of this
bay inspired us to repurpose materials such as natural stone, integrating them into the resort’s winding walkways for example, and we incorporated native trees like white cedar, rock fig and bluggoe banana into the landscaping,” he continues. “As our landscape flourishes, we envision a resilient biosphere coexisting with the changing seasons.”
In this verdant setting, just 56 pool suites and 15 standalone villas stagger the hillside, perched on the coastline’s clifftop and facing the wild silver-sand shores. Amongst the resort’s accommodation offering are five expansive four-bedroom retreats, which afford 270-degree views from their position on a bluff.
In each direction, the hillside leads down to a village-like cluster of common areas at beach level, with the panoramic spa set away on the edge of a lagoon. Landscaped gardens feature throughout the site, sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and verdant mountains.
An ocean-facing pool and the all-day-dining restaurant Callaloo are the heart of the resort,
with a boutique, library, Earth Lab, poolside Scoop Café, watersports centre and Alchemy Bar making up the rest of the complex. Maintaining the connection to Grenada’s Spice Island heritage, natural pathways meander through the gardens around the central wildlife-rich lagoon to the separate spa building and further along to the secluded beachside signature eatery, SeaFire.
The structures that make up the low-rise Caribbean village-like resort are contemporary yet understated, reflecting the architectural style of the region. The use of natural and repurposed materials was integral to the project’s sustainable approach, which also saw the development of the natural lagoon that is connected to the sea.
“Measures were taken during the resort’s development to deepen the water body, allowing small marine animals to enter and creating a safe environment for them,” explains Fehlbier. “The lagoon now naturally ebbs and flows with the tides, providing a haven for the marine and
wildlife. We really take pride in prioritising the conservation of local ecology.”
This connection with the environment is further enhanced by the integration of cultural influences into the design scheme. In fact, the island is home to talented craftspeople who use everything from coconut leaves to dried calabashes to make unique creations, some of which are displayed in the hotel. “Incorporating Grenada’s Caribbean identity into the resort’s interior design was a thoughtful process. We brought in the artwork of local artists to infuse each space with colours, textures and motifs that reflect the island’s cultural heritage.”
In the hillside pool suite, Caribbean and coastal inspiration is presented in a contemporary context. Dark wood and woven rattan furnishings meet white shutters and a blue and white colour scheme in the fabrics and soft furnishings, while local artwork depicting coastal scenes decorates the walls. In each accomodation type, floor-to-ceiling windows draw in the panoramic views, while terraces
Interiors feature artwork by Grenadian artists, infusing the resort with colours, textures and motifs that reflect island culture
with private pools provide a secluded outdoor space for taking it all in.
More vibrant spice-inspired Caribbean colours are brought into the resort’s common areas, from paprika cushions to turmeric-toned tiling.
The high-ceilinged main restaurant Callaloo is a light-filled, open space pairing white walls with dark wood tables, banquette and wicker-backed seating with emerald cushions. A dark-green tiled bar surrounding the open kitchen and palm print feature wall are then complemented by thoughtfully placed ocean-inspired ornaments, basketry and tropical greenery.
Callaloo spills out to the terrace of the poolside Panquai Breeze Bar, where pops of yellow, red and turquoise feature through cushions, bar stools and a patterned ceiling above the opensided bar. Dark wood, white walls, plantlife and natural materials such as bamboo define the other interiors, from the boutique to the Alchemy Bar, with the beamed library standing out for its patterned floor tiling and sculptural light fittings.
Providing the most serene setting, the Six Senses Spa spans two floors overlooking the lagoon. While the upper level houses fitness facilities, including a state-of-the-art gym, studio and yoga pavilion, the lower floor comprises the spa’s treatment rooms, hammam, biohacking suite and relaxation area. On the outdoor deck, hot, cold and therapy pools are joined by a sauna.
Set apart on its own stretch of coast, signature restaurant SeaFire is characterised by the same, natural, pared-back aesthetic. With much of the focus placed on the open wood-fire grill and raw bar, the venue is backed by the views over the sea that all tables face onto.
Despite the sophisticated yet organic resort that has been created, it’s perhaps unsurprising that it’s still the surrounding land and sea that captivates guests of Six Senses La Sagesse the most. As Fehlbier concludes: “Since our opening, our guests have consistently marvelled at the vast scale of the resort and its unmatched views over the bay, lagoon and ocean.”
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Developer: Range Developments
Operator: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
Architecture: Simeon Halstead + Associates
Interior Design: Bleu Design Consultants, Main Contractor: Intramuro www.sixsenses.com
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t’Huys Suites De L’Europe
AMSTERDAM
Local brands take up permanent residence at De L’Europe, bringing their individual style from the worlds of art, film, fashion and design.
To keep the spirit of De L’Europe alive during Covid-enforced closures, Amsterdam’s grande dame invited creative friends to move in and use its suites as a home and work space, something of a temporary artist-in-residence programme. So when restrictions were lifted and life resumed, it seemed a natural progression to invite designers back to create a permanent expression of their work in the form of a hotel suite.
Occupying an entire wing of the hotel, the collection of 16 suites has now been unveiled under the name ‘t Huys, an old spelling of the Dutch word ‘het huis’ which translates to ‘house’. Each suite not only showcases its namesake’s work and personality, but also immerses guests in their world of art, film, design or fashion, providing access not only to the designers’ own selection of jewellery, movies, haute couture and more during their stays, but also exclusive experiences such as private visits to ateliers. To complement the suites, a new ground-floor concept store stocks design pieces from the creatives involved, and is open to the public to give all travellers the chance to connect with the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
SISTERS JANSSEN SUITE
Bold femininity underpins the concept of the suite by Tisjia and Ziarah Janssen – Curaçao-born sisters now living in Amsterdam. The siblings have designed a space that brings their creative world to life, and with Grace Jones as their muse, also embraces a norules approach to expressing femininity. Inspired by photographs of Jones’ fearless fashion choices – one of the singer wearing a purple headdress and in the other, a barely there ensemble of orange-red coils – the sisters have split their suite into two monochromatic areas: an all-purple entrance dubbed The Witches Foyer and a bold red bedroom named The Womb. The latter has been designed to cocoon and embrace with plush carpet, tactile materials and of course, its bright red hue. Like many of the suites, The Womb also has a hybrid function, although in the Sisters Janssen world the idea isn’t to work; instead a huge raised bed finished with a velvet border is intended for daytime lounging, as well as nighttime slumber. Furnishings and accessories are a mix of lucky vintage finds such as the bedside lamps and curved mesh armchair, and bespoke pieces by Tisjia and Ziarah’s parents. Look out for shelves set around pouting purple lips from their furniture designer father, a collection of ceramic female nudes by their artist mother, and from Ziarah, a large mural that takes pride of place above the bed in a full-on celebration of the female form.
RONALD VAN DER KEMP SUITE
‘Hotel design but make it fashion’ could be a summary of Ronald van der Kemp’s stylish suite. The man behind RVDK, the world’s first sustainable couture label, was invited to create his own permanent suite after living in the very same space during Covid. The minimalist white walls are a contrast to van der Kemp’s signature designs, offering the ideal blank canvas to showcase the highly colourful designs. Case in point, the couture floral maxi-dress that hangs in the suite’s entrance, which was designed for the hotel’s 125th anniversary. In the bedroom, van der Kemp has put an ultra-modern spin on the traditional four-poster bed with a curtain of white fringing surrounding each side, and up above is a bespoke RVDK artwork to lie back and admire. Next door, van der Kemp has turned the room that he himself used as a workspace into a creative yet high-powered Devil Wears Pradastyle studio. Lining the walls are hundreds of glossy magazine clippings of RVDK on the pages of Vogue, Elle and more, which together act as a giant Ronald van der Kemp mood board. The only piece of furniture is a large glossy white table, accessorised with a rail of RVDK haute couture, which guests can borrow during their stay. Other perks of the suite are a kimono designed by van der Kemp and personalised with guests’ initials, and access to the designer’s studio, normally closed to the public.
SNOWSKY
VAN GOGH MUSEUM SUITE
Perhaps the most sensitive project, and certainly the most intense according to De L’Europe, was creating the Van Gogh suite as part of an exclusive partnership with Amsterdam’s iconic Van Gogh Museum. What could have easily become a clichéd pastiche of a man whose face and work is known the world over, instead is an elegant space that pays homage to the Dutch Post-Impressionist’s enduring legacy. Van Gogh’s natural subjects have informed the soft colour palette; think shades of mustard, rust and lilac grey, referencing his sunsoaked haystacks in Provence, or perhaps his famed sunflowers. In the bedroom, a blossoming bedspread combines all of Van Gogh’s florals in one bouquet, whilst in the salon, a desk takes its shade from The Yellow House painting that hangs in the museum. Yet, the design goes further than simply replicating colour palettes. After looking through the archives of Van Gogh’s personal letters and paintings, the museum curated a selection of special editions that are now on display in the suite, as though owned by a collector. Not only can guests view sketches and a letter to Van Gogh’s beloved brother, but they can also choose one of three masterpieces to be hung in the suite. To create further sensory immersion into the artist’s world, imagery is projected onto the ceiling above the bed, a sound system plays music inspired by Van Gogh, and in the bathroom, fragrances are inspired by what were believed to be his favourite flowers – almond blossom and sunflowers.
BIBI VAN DER VELDEN SUITE
While Bibi van der Velden currently calls Portugal home, the Dutch jewellery designer wanted to create an Amsterdam pied-à-terre near her studio, where she could gather friends and family. As with her jewellery and ceramic collections, which draw inspiration from the natural world, van der Velden took design cues from nature to create a soothing and organic space with views of the Amstel river. Sage walls, green velvet cushions and emerald glass vases reference the jewellery designer’s favourite stone – malachite – a large chunk of which has been placed in the suite as a striking accessory. Unsurprisingly, as a jeweller accustomed to working with her hands, van der Velden has favoured tactile materials throughout, from the fabric and timber headboard in the bedroom to the rich velour sofas and plush rugs in the salon. Even the all-vintage collection of furnishings, carefully curated by the designer, has a tactile feel with a mix of woods and matte and gloss finishes. To add a pop of colour to the subdued palette, Dirk van der Kooij’s iconic Meltingpot table sits in the dining area, surrounded by dining chairs upholstered in coral fabric. van der Velden has used various natural forms as decorative objects, from large slices of gemstones to vases of dried flowers and branches. The standout piece is a largerthan-life oversized necklace hanging on the wall, crafted from shells and a variety of coral to represent different elements of the sea.
HOTEL REFURBISHMENT
BEDFORD HOTEL PROJECT
VALUE: £650,000 IMPERIAL LONDON HOTELS
Complete refurbishment of the reception area, including a new external façade and resin-bound pathway. Total makeover of the bar and restaurant, with new WC facilities, along with comprehensive garden renewal to enhance the outdoor space.
DESIGN DETAILS
The Rounds
An increased desire to be amongst nature has resulted in a number of hotels expanding their offer, immersing guests in the great outdoors through new accommodation concepts nestled in the wilderness. With this in mind, Scribner’s Catskill Lodge – a boutique hotel in Hunter, New York – has opened a collection of cabins within its grounds; aptly named The Rounds, they have been designed by Post Company to harmonise with their surroundings.
“In 2016, we led the design, interior design and branding transformation of Scribner’s Catskill Lodge. We reshaped the hotel’s structure and style into a contemporary hideaway that honours the retreat’s eccentric personality,” says Jou-Yie Chou, Partner at Post Company. “For The Rounds, we wanted to create a new residential-inspired experience for guests.”
With an exterior clad in cedar shingles, the cabins take cues from the region’s small dwellings, in an architectural style typical of the Catskill Mountains. Scandinavian-style cabins and the Alpine huts of Chamonix also provided inspiration.
Each of The Rounds features 12 sides and a vaulted ceiling, joined together at the apex by an oculus skylight – a form that presented challenges for the design team. “Not having any standard 90-degree corners in these structures was certainly unique for us,” continues Chou. “The multiple facets and circular symmetry guided the programmatic language and locations – from the centralised seating area below the skylight, to the desk, bathroom layout, sleeping alcoves and built-in window seating. Each quadrant of the dodecagon was purposefully considered.”
Interiors have been crafted to foster a connection to the outdoors, with natural materials and a neutral-toned colour palette accompanying bleached pine flooring laid to accentuate the dodecagon shape. Completing the experience is a private deck with outdoor shower or Japanese soaking tub, where guests can bathe amongst the beauty of nature.
Design rooted in the locale can connect guests to their surroundings in an authentic way, integrating cultural traditions and native craftsmanship into the guest experience for a unique sense of place. This approach has informed the development of a new gathering space at Madwaleni River Lodge, a tented camp nestled in the wilds of South Africa’s Babanango Game Reserve. Known as a boma – historically used as a livestock enclosure in Eastern and Southern Africa – the structure has been envisioned by Luxury Frontiers to bring guests together amidst nature. Situated away from the main accomodation, the concept reflects the rich cultural tapestry of the reserve, its circular form inspired by the traditional Zulu beehive hut, with curving walls that
echo the organic nature of its surroundings. In creating the boma, Luxury Frontiers tapped into the skillset of the local community, collaborating with artisans to weave recycled timber around a steel framework – eradicating the invasive black wattle plant species in the process. As basket weaving is essential to the preservation of Zulu cultural identity, the structure is also designed to decay over time, meaning it can be rewoven in a cyclical process. Inside, candle-lit dining tables surround a central firepit, creating an atmospheric setting for a culinary feast. Further to being a meeting place for guests, the boma also serves to uplift the local community through the provision of jobs, all the while celebrating African craftsmanship.
LODGES & CABINS
Madwaleni River Lodge
Hilton Park Lane
Lab to Lobby
TFE Hotels trials a hospitality concept that operates in beta mode, resulting in a stay that constantly evolves in response to guest feedback.
Modular furniture, app-operated doors and a self-serve bar – these are just a few of the experimental ideas being trialled at MM:NT, a mini-hotel laboratory in Berlin that will operate in an ongoing beta mode, constantly evolving in response to guest feedback.
The concept is developed by Adina Hotels – an aparthotel operator owned by Sydney-based TFE Hotels – together with design strategist Philippa Wagner and German hardware systems and furniture fittings manufacturer Häfele. Located in Berlin’s Hackescher Markt, the compact aparthotel is currently conducting a two-month experiment whereby guests stay for free in exchange for real-time qualitative feedback on the design, public spaces and overall experience. With an agile learning process, the innovative approach to development will allow TFE to adapt and refine the hotel experience to meet customer needs and desires, as well as emerging trends. It will also assist the operator in bringing new brands and hospitality experiences to market faster and more efficiently than a traditional hotel build.
The trial sees guests recruited via social media test out six distinct rooms, each a different interpretation
of the brand manifesto, with variations ranging from design and storage solutions to room flow and bathroom styles, yet all designed using materials within the re-use, return or recycle phase. MM:NT operates with a self-serve model, providing easyto-use in-room digital functions controlled via a concierge web-based mobile app. For example, techsavvy guests can check-in, check-out, open doors, access shared amenities and communicate with staff all from their smartphones.
“MM:NT Berlin Lab exists to test market reactions to new ideas and innovations,” explains Asli Kutlucan, CEO at Adina Europe. “Our theory is that there is a cohort of Gen Z and Millennial travellers in particular who are open to new ways of interacting with hotel services. We’re therefore using MM:NT Berlin Lab to explore various hotel interfaces to see how we can adapt to changing behaviours and demands. Berlin is the ideal location for our beta hotel as it attracts the culturally curious and is a mecca for change-makers and creative minds.”
SETTING STANDARDS
Such an out-of-the-box concept begs the question – where to begin? Wagner and the TFE team first set
out to develop a design brief that captured their desire to maximise space without sacrificing experience, whilst also ensuring every aspect comes with consideration and purpose – for both people and planet. They also specified that the interiors should be flexible, with spaces that can adapt as and when required.
The concept is further built on four distinct design pillars: seamless interaction between digital and shared spaces; intuitive and efficient service, supported by enhanced design touchpoints and layout; standardised guestrooms to ensure brand consistency, along with public spaces that are unique to each location; and warm and welcoming interiors that soften the lab’s digital backdrop.
These pillars were presented to lead interior designer Acme – responsible for envisioning four of the guestrooms and communal areas – and to Viennese firm BWM Designers & Architects and Häfele, who conceived the remaining two guestrooms. MM:NT also enlisted London- and Hong Kong-based creative practice HATO to conceptualise the lab’s branding, visual identity and low-impact website.
SOCIAL SPACES
The beating heart of the lab is the Lounge, a public-facing lobby kitted out by Acme with plantlife, vintage pieces and recycled furniture, in line with MM:NT’s conscious hospitality ethos. Offering opportunities for guests to both relax and socialise, the sprawling space is divided into various set-ups.
Upon entry, guests are greeted by The Snug, a cosy corner featuring an olive green sofa upholstered with recycled polyester fabric by Vescom, a vintage tapestry rug in shades of pinks, purples and reds, and a small table made
“MM:NT exists to test market reactions to new ideas and innovations. We’re therefore using the lab to explore various hotel interfaces to see how we can adapt to changing behaviours and demands.”
ASLI KUTLUCAN
from recycled materials by Smile Plastics. It is here where guests will first interact with the lab’s unique self-serve model in the form of The Hub – built-in lockers and shelves where groceries, laundry and meals can be delivered. The Häfele-built structure also contains complimentary extras such as toasters, pillows, board games and salt and pepper, as well as paid-for upgrades such as hair straighteners, a steamer, yoga mat and further kitchen equipment, which are available upon request through the web app. “Within a 350-key aparthotel, there could be a toaster in every room, but probably only 20-30% of guests use it,” notes Wagner. “Yet every time someone stays in the room, it has to be cleaned, it will need to be serviced, which adds to costs. Our logic is that guests can have it for free, they just have to request to borrow it via the app as and when it’s needed.” The system helps to reduce consumption, the number of staff required for administrative tasks and the cleaning of unused items, enabling increased focus on delivering a great guest experience.
The self-serve journey continues at The Counter, a multi-purpose bar clad in ecofriendly tiles from Smile Plastics. By day, it functions as a café offering self-pour coffee and sandwiches, before morphing into a bar after 5pm serving locally-sourced natural wine and pilsner. An adjacent co-working area features a bespoke table also by Smile Plastics, surrounded by Snøhetta chairs manufactured using recycled ocean plastic in collaboration with Nordic Comfort Products.
BETA BEDROOMS
In the spirit of simplicity and transparency –two of MM:NT’s brand pillars – the guestrooms
are divided into three categories: Little, Middle and Big, each offering comfort and convenience in equal measure, with minimalist interiors that focus on textured materials. “We want to let the textures speak for themselves and create a soothing atmosphere for the rooms,” explains Wagner. “That way, there’s no need for any accessories, which keeps FF&E costs down – a saving we can pass on to guests.”
Designed by Acme, the largest guestroom comprises a compact kitchenette complete with a Foresso worktop made from recycled woodchip, and an open-plan living and dining area accompanied by a birch veneer table. Walls and flooring are lined with recycled sage green glass tiles, which then transition to bamboo, signifying a designated area for sleep and another for recreation. Acme has also utilised Häfele’s smart systems and lighting control, with three settings: vitality, social and relax. Based on a traditional 19 th -century Dutch design, the closet-bed is crowned by a Davide Groppi moon-shaped light suspended above. There’s also an extra fold-down bed for family use; modular and flexible furniture throughout allows the space to transform for various functions, from co-working to dining.
“Calm, uncluttered spaces are essential to the MM:NT Berlin Lab experience. Modular construction and using natural and recycled materials were essential to creating this,” says Friedrich Ludewig, Director of Acme. “Compact rooms with smart storage solutions and builtin features to make the most of the available square metre.”
Befitting of the good-things-come-insmall-packages adage, the two Little rooms, also envisioned by Acme, feature the essentials with modular storage to make the most of the
compact space. The interiors follow a similar design scheme, with bathrooms adorned in either vibrant terracotta or sage green tiles with recycled polyester drapes acting as partitioners. Despite having the most compact floorplates at 11-14m2, the Little rooms feature the largest vanities and beds from Swissfeel or Auping, alongside recycled post-industrial plastic waste sinks from Durat and rainshowers. Guests in these rooms also have access to the Little Lounge, fitted with a streamline breakfast bar countertop suitable for eating or working, as well as a selection of artworks by Berlin-based artists rented from agency Artiq.
“We made rich shared spaces possible by re-thinking typical apartment hotel layouts,” explains Ludewig. “For example, instead of each guestroom having its own small table and chair, we created compact bedrooms and a shared lounge, a social space for coworking, and somewhere to enjoy a drink or bite to eat.”
While Acme’s Middle Room takes signature elements such as tiling and furniture from
its larger and smaller counterparts, BWM envisioned an alternative interpretation of the 19m2 room category, with a modular design brought to life through pull out seating and foldable wall panels that double as a desk. The compact kitchenette is complete with a Foresso recycled worktop, and drawers and cupboards that are controlled by Häfele locks that can be opened through the concierge app.
Following Acme’s lead, the Viennese firm opted for a similar sage, beige and wood scheme to create a welcoming and calming atmosphere. Ambient lighting fixtures from Nemo Lighting, such as the Lampe De Marseille wall lamp and Flos Bellhop LED table lamps, cast a gentle glow, while soft furnishings add a touch of comfort and Mid-Century style, with the Hay Rey chairs upholstered in Kvadrat Steelcut Trio 416 and a black Normann Copenhagen stool complemented by a pale pink carpet.
Reflecting on BWM’s interpretation of the brief, Partner Erich Bernard comments: “Room 00:02 is not just a space; it’s a testament to
our commitment to innovative design solutions that prioritise both form and function. With its transformative features and sustainable ethos, 00:02 sets a new standard in contemporary living experiences.”
The remaining Room 00.03 was created by Häfele to showcase furniture and digital technologies designed to personalise the guest experience and enhance operational efficiency.
QUALITATIVE QUESTIONS
At the time of Sleeper’s visit, MM:NT Berlin was midway through its two-month trial period, welcoming guests for one, two or threenight stays. As the lab enters the next stage of the experiment, the MM:NT team will begin analysing guests’ qualitative feedback from videos and surveys input through the app and adjust the concept accordingly. With the hotel opening for official bookings in Summer 2024, the lab will continue to operate in beta mode, with future guests continuing to help shape the spaces and services on offer.
The Fairfield Feeling
As Fairfield by Marriott makes its debut in Europe, those behind the landmark opening reveal the process of creating a prototype.
In 1950s Virginia, John Willard and Alice Marriott purchased Fairfield Farm, a country retreat that embodied a peaceful, simple way of life. As the story goes, the pair hosted family and friends, business associates and dignitaries, with each stay centred around comfort and community. Fast-forward a few years, and it was this spirit that led to the opening of the first Fairfield by Marriott in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1987. Three decades on, the uppermidscale brand has expanded to a collection of almost 1,300 hotels across the globe, making it the second-largest in the Marriott International portfolio. While the vast majority find home in North America, recent expansion has seen new outposts land in Asia, Central and South America, and though Europe had long been on the radar, the group was yet to find the right spot for the brand – until now. In April 2024, Fairfield made its debut in Europe, with the landmark opening of Fairfield by Marriott Copenhagen Nordhavn.
THE ESSENCE OF FAIRFIELD
“The essence of Fairfield is to deliver a beautifully simple stay, grounded in warm hospitality,” says Mary Garris, Global Vice President of Classic Select Brands at Marriott International, speaking at a press conference on the eve of the hotel’s launch party. This essence centres around comfort and simplicity, with additional amenities limited to the essentials – a full-service restaurant, for instance,
is notably absent at the Copenhagen outpost. It’s a tried-and-tested formula that caters to the typical Fairfield guest, many of whom are business travellers seeking a quality yet fussfree stay.
“We know that the modern business traveller often wants to maintain their routine when they’re travelling and have all the services they could need – an uncomplicated hotel experience,” continues Garris. “Oftentimes, I prefer to stay at a Fairfield when I’m travelling for business because I want to be in and out, without all the fuss that I may get at a premium or luxury hotel. The Select tier of hotels and specifically the experience that we have designed for Fairfield speaks very much to the guest who’s looking for that.”
The brand sits within Marriott’s Select tier alongside the likes of Moxy and AC Hotels; described as a gateway brand, it’s often a guest’s first experience of the group portfolio, with evidence showing that travellers later progress to higher tiers for more luxury stays. As such, Garris emphasises, “it’s important to make the right impression”.
DANISH DEBUT
With the brand firmly established in the Americas and Asia, expansion to Europe beckoned. “We have a pipeline of over 400 hotels, and we are continuing to expand around the world,” reveals Garris. “Last year we opened properties in Cambodia, Puerto Rico and the Philippines, and in the coming years we’ll see properties
“We moulded the brand so that it doesn’t feel like an American brand entering Denmark. It was very important that we took Fairfield and its family heritage and made it Danish.”
SANNE FÆRGSTED, CORE HOSPITALITY
open in Thailand and the Dominican Republic.” The brand is also set to make its debut in the Middle East, with the first opening in Saudi Arabia scheduled for 2027.
For now, though, the focus is on making its mark in Europe. “Within the EMEA market, the upper midscale sector has some of the biggest growth opportunities,” says Piotr Stempkowski, Senior Director of Select Brands in the region for Marriott International, explaining why Europe makes for an appealing prospect. “We kept hearing from the development team, owners and franchisees that there were great opportunities in the region for a brand like Fairfield.”
Having scouted various locations for Fairfield’s long-anticipated debut on the continent, the development team eventually landed on Copenhagen. “It’s one of those cities with its own identity. It has an amazing reputation across the key source markets within Europe, and is a destination that resonates with US travellers,” notes Stempkowski. “We’ve also been successful in bringing our other lifestyle brands here already,” he continues, referencing AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen and the 2019 opening of Moxy.
While a city-centre site may have been an obvious choice for a brand debut, Marriott has been savvy in selecting a developing district. Nordhavn is a former industrial port currently undergoing transformation to create a waterfront destination, complete with a recent metro extension, cruise dock and Denmark’s largest marina nearby. It is also a
blossoming hub for independents and creatives, with new shops and restaurants continuing to sprout. Sanne Færgsted, Director of Operations at Core Hospitality, which manages the property, explains: “Nordhavn is a new area in Copenhagen, but we saw an established atmosphere, so we work to connect with the local community.”
A connection to the locale has been an important part of bringing Fairfield to Europe, according to the team behind the expansion. “We moulded the brand so that it doesn’t feel like an American brand entering Denmark,” Færgsted reveals. “It was very important that we took Fairfield and its family heritage and made it Danish. So we transformed its values in line with the Danish way of doing things – for example bringing in a sense of hygge by lighting candles in the evenings to create that feeling of cosiness. We also don’t have a restaurant, because we want people to go out and support local businesses – to be part of the area.”
CREATING A BLUEPRINT
Introducing the brand to an entirely new corner of the globe brought about a host of unique design considerations. Marriott’s approach to creating a new regional blueprint begins with its signature “modern, calm décor, which is an aesthetic that is timeless and classic,” says Garris. “Then we ask how we can adapt it for the location. We always start with that same foundation, then bring it to life based on what makes that region what it is, and what the
“The prototype has been designed to fit anywhere in Europe, with the option of localisation.”
KATE MOONEY, OCCA
To bring its European debut to life, Marriott teamed up with Occa, tasking the studio with creating a prototype for Fairfield properties across the continent
market demands in terms of aesthetics.” Garris references Japan as an example of how Fairfield caters to the local market. “We have over 30 hotels in Japan and most of them are located next to a Michi-no-Eki – roadside stations that bring to life the individual regions through cuisine and cultural elements. We drew on these elements to create hotels that are based on the materiality of the destination.”
For its European debut, Marriott teamed up with Occa, tasking the studio with developing a prototype for Fairfield properties across the continent. Getting to grips with the hallmarks of the Fairfield brand was an important element of the design process, as Kate Mooney, the studio’s founder, explains: “Back in February 2022, the global design team from the US came over to our studios in the UK for a full week’s immersion into the brand, unpacking what it stands for, its heritage and history,” she says. “Then we looked at how to apply the brand pillars, and what that means in a European setting. We started working on initial concepts
and facilities programming – considering what a European Fairfield needs in terms of room numbers, type of rooms, public areas and backof-house. Our prototypes aren’t just about the aesthetics, they take in the overall operational picture, too.”
Creating a blueprint that can be implemented across the region whilst still maintaining a sense of the locale presented an additional set of difficulties. “One of the challenges of creating a prototype for Europe is that we are a continent of 44 countries, it’s a very diverse territory,” she notes. “The approach we took was to bring a little of everything, from Northern European Scandic design heritage and furniture influences, to warm, Southern European hospitality. Everything that we incorporated – every colour, every texture, every piece of furniture – celebrates that diverse mix of cultures and their distinct approaches to hospitality. The prototype has been designed to fit anywhere in Europe, with the option of localisation.”
roduced from recycled plastic bottles collected from the ocean
The result is a property that is distinctly Danish, with Occa partnering with Mette Fredskild Studio and architects Henning Larsen to attain further local insight. Drawing on the Scandinavian aesthetic, the design team has opted for colour palettes and materials found in nature; both public spaces and guestrooms embody a sense of calm, manifested through soft blue and green tones paired with wooden accents and organic forms. “Coming out of Covid, people were just tentatively starting to visit hotels again,” Mooney explains. “So we felt that this was the time to create a hotel that makes guests feel instantly safe and relaxed, comfortable and clean as soon as they walk in the door. And nature does that.”
A closer look at the design scheme also hints at other European locations. “The colour scheme came from bringing together photographs of forests from Spain, Italy and England, and everywhere in between. Additionally, a lot of the furniture is sourced from iconic Danish brands,
many of which are actually by German or Italian designers, and manufactured in Slovakia or Poland,” she adds. “So while there’s a Danish design heritage, there’s a European influence as well.” Southern European traditions meanwhile manifest in the hotel’s social kitchen, a large, open-plan space that is the site of a relaxed breakfast buffet in the mornings.
Subtle references to the flora and fauna of Europe are also found across the property, for instance in photography that alludes to the continent’s landscapes. These elements, Mooney reveals, are the key to adapting Fairfield’s hotels across the continent. “The idea is that you can find the particular plants and natural elements that are specific to Spain or to Finland,” she points out. “So the artwork should change in subtle ways.”
By focusing on both the bigger picture and the smallest of details, the design team has succeeded in creating a hotel that is undoubtedly at home in Copenhagen, whilst also setting the tone for what is to come.
The new opening is distinctly Danish, with a sense of calm manifesting through a natureinspired colour palette, soft fabrics and organic forms
Hotel Construction Pipeline MEA
As Saudi Arabia works towards its ambitious Vision 2030 development plan, the Kingdom remains the most active hotel market in the Middle East & Africa, according to the latest data from THP, with 266 projects (86,264 rooms) currently listed in its database.
While Dubai continues to rank highest in the region by city, with 67 projects in the pipeline, Saudi Arabia has five locations within the top ten, notably Diriyah and Al Madinah – both of which will welcome giga-projects in the coming years. The holy city of Makkah also maintains its position as the top city by room count, with hotels typically larger to accommodate the annual influx of religious tourists.
Elsewhere in the region, Egypt continues to lead growth on the African continent, with IHG recently announcing the signing of two new Crowne Plaza properties in Cairo. Radisson Hotel Group is also bolstering its African presence with the addition of 1,200 new rooms, including Raddison Red hotels in Morocco and Nigeria, opening in 2027 and 2028 respectively.
In total, the Middle East & Africa has 1,019 projects listed in the THP database, accounting for 247,528 rooms. The region is set to add more than 60,000 rooms to its inventory in 2024, with a further 52,300 due in 2025.
TOP CITIES
DUBAI
Projects 67
Rooms 18,543
RIYADH
Projects 54
Rooms 19,488
JEDDAH
Projects 37
Rooms 9,237
TEL AVIV
Projects 26
Rooms 4,954
DOHA
Projects 23
Rooms 6,317
MAKKAH Projects 22
Rooms 24,676
CAIRO Projects 22
Rooms 5,073
DIRIYAH
Projects 20
Rooms 2,990
TOP COUNTRIES
MUSCAT Projects 19
Rooms 3,951
AL MADINAH Projects 12
Rooms 5,894
For more information visit: www.tophotelprojects.com
CONSTRUCTION PHASE
Of the 247,528 rooms in the pipeline, 54% (132,368 rooms) are under construction and 23% (55,587 rooms) are in planning. It is within these phases that interior design schemes and FF&E fit-outs are being implemented.
GROUPS AND BRANDS
Within the THP database, Marriott International holds the greatest number of projects in the pipeline across the Middle East & Africa. Accor follows closely behind, led by the midscale Novotel brand with forthcoming ventures in Riyadh and Makkah.
The intelligence source for the hotel investment community
Hostel to fortune
Real estate investor Azora is stepping up its activity in the hostel segment, as established players look for further opportunities now revenues have recovered.
Its Latroupe brand enters a booming marketplace, and other operators are also looking for expansion opportunities. Safestay has already added two properties this year, both in Spain, while A&O has cash to deploy in its quest to reach more than 40 European locations.
For Azora, now appears the time to accelerate its move into the hostel space after a pandemic delay. The group announced plans in 2019 to exploit the opportunity in hostels, acquiring properties in Madrid, Bilbao, Lisbon and Brussels specifically for conversion. At the time, Azora’s Javier Arus noted a structural shift in demand, prompted by the growing number of younger people who, thanks to Airbnb, were seeking different travel experiences.
The company has already established an operating platform and hostel brand, Latroupe, which was set up in 2021 to take on the converted properties, starting in Brussels and Bilbao. According to Saffron Consultants, who developed Latroupe, it “has the quality of a hotel with the social atmosphere and unique travelling experience of a hostel. The target audience is a new type of guest – a more mature backpacker, willing to spend more but wanting to have the social aspects of hostel life when travelling independently. The new concept also needed to entice young active families and working nomads”. Azora has said the aim is for the services of a four-star hotel, yet with hostel bed pricing in the mix for travellers on a budget.
In May 2023, the site in Madrid was launched.
In March 2024, Azora acquired two adjacent hotels in Brussels for a reported EUR18m, and more recently it has spent EUR55m buying Jacobs Inn hostels in Dublin and Barcelona
from seller Blackrock. The two assets have a combined 557 beds, and will be held within Azora’s European Hotel and Lodging Fund.
UK-listed hostel operator Safestay is on the growth track once more, having had to sell down assets during the pandemic. The company agreed two deals in Spain during April 2024, one an acquisition and the other its first management agreement. In Calpe, the company has signed a 20-year management agreement with the owner of a 120-bed hostel in the Costa Blanca destination. The property was a successful hostel operation prior to the pandemic, and following a refurbishment and rebranding, will open as a Safestay hostel in June. The agreement provides Safestay with a base management fee, and a percentage of revenue and profits above minimum targets.
“This is the first management contract signed by Safestay and we are already discussing other similar opportunities with the aim of adding an asset-light portfolio of hostels to sit alongside our expanding freehold and leasehold portfolio,” said Safestay chairman Larry Lipman.
In Cordoba, the group has paid EUR2m for Hotel Lineros, an established 30-room property that will be converted on a rolling basis to a 100-bed hostel. The group’s fifth hostel in Spain, it should benefit from its existing infrastructure. The group’s Edinburgh hostel, which has been refitted, will also open in June. It bought the GBP4.3m asset last autumn, which came complete with tenanted office floors, and has been working to create a 225-bed hostel in the Scottish capital.
According to the State of Hostels Report from Cloudbeds, ADRs recovered fully in 2021, indexed to 2019, and last year stood at 127% of the 2019 figure. “While 2020 and 2021 are outliers due to the pandemic, the pattern of steady RevPAR growth since then bodes well for hostels in 2024. Provided occupancy remains consistent, and hostels can maintain or increase
average rate through selective discounting and shrewd yielding of room inventory, there is room for additional growth in RevPAR.”
The report notes that around 70% of hostel bookings come via OTAs, and among those, the segment has its own dedicated player, Hostelworld. The company saw gross sales up 32% in 2023, to a record EUR619m on 22.7 million net bed nights. EBITDA swung to EUR18.4m, allowing it to pay down debt. Alongside its dedicated OTA function, Hostelworld has been building its membership model with its social network for travellers and hostel users, with members now accounting for 74% of bookings. The app-based platform has allowed Hostelworld to reduce its marketing spend, as a proportion of sales.
In March, hostel brand A&O revealed it has a further EUR500m to invest in growing its portfolio across Europe, as it focuses on converting office buildings or retail space. “We are flexible and we want to grow,” said founder Oliver Winter. “Whether lease or ownership, newbuild or conversion, our property expansion covers a wide variety of property types.” This summer will see the group open its latest venture in Florence, its 39th, where it has converted an office building into a 470-bed hostel. Winter’s wishlist for additional sites includes London, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Lisbon, Berlin, Munich, Prague and Amsterdam. The group recorded sales of EUR217m in 2023, from 6.1 million overnight stays, a figure up from 5.55 million the previous year.
Also waiting in the wings are investors Excem and KKR, who own the Cats hostel brand, with three properties in Madrid, plus sites in Porto and Lisbon. Prior to the pandemic, the pair were talking about expanding the brand to around 20 properties across Europe. While it has not added any more acquisitions since, the brand is offering to franchise properties.
For Blackrock, the disposal of the Dublin and
Barcelona properties would appear to signal the end of its involvement in hostels. It acquired a hostel portfolio in 2019, with three initial assets and a pipeline of six more, in Rome, Porto, Lisbon, Dublin and London as it teamed up with operator Amistat International. In 2020, Blackrock acquired the Jacobs Inn hostel in Dublin as joint venture partners Patron Capital and CoDE Pod Hostels flipped the asset just 16 months after buying it. Today, Amistat has just two hostels operating, in Barcelona and Ibiza.
HA PERSPECTIVE
By Andrew Sangster: Hostels are one of the most successful of the new hospitality niches that have emerged in recent years. They blend robust demand dynamics (pandemics aside) with an ability to generate profit per square metre that often exceeds more established segments like hotels.
But hostels took a big hit during the pandemic with their communal experience making them among the last of the travel segments to return to full health. During the Covid lockdowns, there was speculation in some quarters that hostel demand would never fully recover. The fears of a permanent diminution of hostel demand were, as we said at the time, unfounded. While it is true that some sectors of group leisure activity have suffered a lasting impact from Covid lockdowns, hostels have not. Examples of still struggling sectors are cinemas, where, according to the UK Cinema Association, admission figures in 2023 were 25% lower than in 2019; and nightclubs, where, according to CGA by NIQ, there are 37% fewer venues than at the start of lockdowns.
Hostels on the other hand have bounced back to exceed trading levels seen in 2019. Hostelworld, perhaps the best barometer of the sector, said that its net booking volume was at a record level in 2023, up 32% on 2022, and this positive trend was continuing into 2024. The bedrock of hostel demand has been school and student groups. A key appeal has been the consistency of this demand. New concepts are expanding the offering beyond these traditional markets into leisure and even business travellers.
While I am a little sceptical about how strong the business traveller demand can be, leisure, particularly family, is a huge area that is far from
being fully tapped. Juggling between the sources of demand is, however, tricky and requires experienced operators. One thing that is increasingly clear is not all operators are equal. And this is particularly the case in the arena of hybrid hospitality, that area of crossover between all the different sorts of niche hospitality-related concepts, from co-working to co-living, and from hostels to extended-stay.
It’s a question of finding the right operator and the right niche. Even a great operator will fail if their niche is too narrow. Too broad a niche, however, is almost as bad, as an operator will struggle to offer a differentiated consumer experience. Daring investors will take the plunge into new, emergent niches but expect significant additional returns to reflect this risk. More cautious investors will wait until niches establish themselves and have a track record. Hostels are well on their way to delivering that track record, and they deserve the corresponding rerating.
Buying brands
Hilton and Wyndham have both announced the acquisition of new brands, in a clear indication that CEOs now believe organic growth will not be enough to drive their businesses forward. The moves are also an indication that, in a tougher marketplace with flattening performance, there is a need to exploit segments in the hotel market that are underserved by their current portfolio of brands.
At Hilton, CEO Chris Nassetta announced the group has acquired the NoMad lifestyle brand, which it believes has the potential to become a 100-strong global luxury brand. The deal with brand owner Sydell Group, which Hilton is buying a controlling interest in, will provide Hilton with a single trading property in London from which to build out. A current second NoMad hotel, in Las Vegas, is not part of the deal, and will be rebranded. Sydell’s team will continue to manage the brand, while Hilton will contribute its development and property signing expertise. The company says there are already potentially around 10 more sites in negotiation.
Sydell is led by Andrew Zobler, who has
delivered a number of innovative hotel and F&B concepts, including The Ned, a hotel brand now managed by Soho House. The group previously had investor Ron Burkle as a substantial owner. Part of the group’s colourful past includes a 2024 lawsuit filed against Ennismore, with a claim that senior executives there interfered during negotiations to sell Burkle’s stakewhich was ultimately picked up by MGM.
“By pairing an already proven brand concept that’s ready for expansion with the power of Hilton’s commercial engine, we are accelerating our ability to drive growth in the luxury lifestyle segment,” said Chris Silcock, Hilton’s president of global brands and commercial services. And at Wyndham, now freed from the strictures of a potential takeover by Choice, the group has announced the addition of a new extended-stay brand, WaterWalk, by way of what is described as a strategic partnership. The deal gives Wyndham 11 properties immediately in the upscale extended-stay space, complementing its existing Hawthorn midscale brand and recently launched economy brand in the niche, Echo Suites. The brand was developed by serial extended-stay brand creator Jack DeBoer and launched in 2014, and has to date been growing in family ownership.
“Guest demand for the extended-stay segment reached record highs, which has been underscored by demand from owners and developers looking for new opportunities to partner with Wyndham,” said chief development officer Chip Ohlsson. “Our vision is to offer the industry’s most robust portfolio of extendedstay brands and the addition of WaterWalk marks an important step in that direction –helping ensure we have an offering in every segment, for every owner and for every guest.”
WaterWalk is different from other extendedstay brands as it straddles the space between serviced apartments and rental housing. Properties feature regular STAY-branded extended-stay suites, but also offer unfurnished LIVE units, which typically rent for much longer periods.
NoMad London is itself owned by Qatari
investors, and was created by Sydell from a former courthouse and police station, with 91 rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a museum. Delayed by the pandemic, the property opened in May 2021. Last autumn, lender Cohort Capital agreed a two year, GBP73m facility to refinance the previous syndicated bank debt against the asset. At the time, the lender declared the hotel was performing strongly, “and the F&B concept and plan is a compelling one”.
HA PERSPECTIVE
By Chris Bown: Hilton’s NoMad deal attracted a lot of attention, indicative more of the fuss around Sydell and its leader, than the scale of the proposition. After all, Hilton gets one working prototype hotel off the bat - the challenge will be replicating the magic in a multi-site rollout. Compare it with the recent Graduate Hotels acquisition, which already has a portfolio of trading properties, and more signing momentum. But if Hilton can get the NoMad brand book right, then they could have an interesting addition to their boutique and lifestyle offering. Wyndham, in contrast, looks to have picked up a far more interesting beast. WaterWalk will take it into a battleground with other extended-stay brands such as those in the portfolio of aggressively expanding Ascott. If it can in any way repeat the signing pace it has achieved with its Echo brand, then expect WaterWalk to expand its footprint quickly. But, in buying into a concept that blurs the lines between extended-stay and rental housing, Wyndham could be dipping its toe into another part of the accommodation landscape - and it may just find that there’s profitable potential there. In the UK, student accommodation provider Unite received a grilling from analysts when they signed up to experiment in the long-term rental market, worried about lower returns - but more recently, those fears appear to have been overblown; and Unite is growing its interest in that area. As Airbnb tries to ease its way into bed with several private rental landlords in the US, it might find Wyndham taking a look, too.
HA PERSPECTIVE
By Andrew Sangster: The
“there are too
many
brands” discussion is a somewhat tired debate that somehow never seems to go away. At Hotel Analyst, we have tried our best, pointing out, for example, that LVMH, Europe’s most valuable company by market capitalisation, seems to prosper pretty well despite having more than 75 brand houses, plus the near countless individual brands within these.
Dimitris Manikis, president EMEA at Wyndham, told delegates at this year’s IHIF that consumers will decide the future of brands. He is right. The problem is that for hotel brand companies, owners are also customers. To quote Manikis again, owners are core – “the essence” – for his company.
One of the problems with how the hotel sector has historically looked at brands is solely through the owners’ lens. So you have bizarre ideas like areas of protection that prevent brand companies from opening hotels close to each other. However, the most basic understanding of economics would show that having a density of the same company’s brands in a given location will help give pricing power to the brand owner, which will, in turn, directly benefit the property owner. It says something about how suspiciously property owners view brands and operators, that they would rather have the pseudoprotection of being the “exclusive” property under a particular badge than genuinely seeking to maximise the economic return for the property.
Meanwhile, hotel brand companies are making significant strides into becoming meaningful drivers of demand for property owners. Taking loyalty schemes beyond just points and into experiences will add real value and so will well-judged brand extensions. The move by Wyndham to strike a “strategic relationship” with WaterWalk is a significant step deeper into the residential market. The residential rental market has so far taken baby steps into the branded space. The entrance of a brand giant like Wyndham brings the loyalty and technology muscle the sector has lacked to date.
Also speaking at IHIF, Hilton’s CEO Chris Nassetta said adding partnerships on the experiential side was a critical part of Hilton’s loyalty platform. The programme would break through the 200 million member barrier this year.
On top of the experiential partnerships are distribution partnerships. Hotel Analyst has
previously discussed the challenges and opportunities of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World relationship. A similar deal with AutoCamp, the provider of camping experiences at US national parks and other natural settings, is less of a threat to existing franchisee relationships than SLH but has a lot of the same benefits.
Nassetta suggested that Hilton would not be buying many more brands, having struck the deal to buy Graduate for USD210m. This had the potential to grow to between 400 and 500 hotels, he claimed. The acquisition of NoMad was the “bullseye” in terms of addressing Hilton’s gap in the luxury lifestyle, said Nassetta. Hilton had been barred from entering the space until 2013 following the Denizen debacle that saw it sued by Starwood Hotels, then independent from Marriott. The 2010 settlement saw Hilton excluded from lifestyle hotels with court-appointed monitors ensuring it stuck to the court ruling. The extra decade Hilton has taken is perhaps overkill on legal compliance.
Partnering up
Major hotel groups are picking up small, regional players as they look to establish portfolio-level conversion opportunities to infill gaps in their global coverage.
IHG, Choice and Marriott have all announced new deals, collaborative in style, that will boost their growth numbers at a stroke. For IHG, a deal with Novum Hospitality will double its presence in Germany, while Choice’s deal in France will do similar for them. For Marriott, a group branding deal with a Japanese hotel developer and operator could be the first stage in larger growth plans there.
For incoming local partners, the lure of a big brand affiliation is the promise of consistently delivering more business that should exceed the associated fees payable to the brand machine. In times of tougher finance costs and inflationary pressures, the promise of the global distribution machines is attractive, as the post-pandemic travel resurgence transitions into flatter market conditions.
In Germany, the agreement between IHG and Novum will see all of the Novum portfolio and pipeline rebrand to IHG flags, a move that will, at a stroke, increase IHG’s global system size by 1.9%. Currently, that number stands at 108 operating hotels, with a further 11 signed to the development pipeline. The vast majority are in Germany, while eight are in Austria and outposts in the Netherlands and UK.
Of the total, Novum’s 52 hotels currently branded The Niu will become Holiday Innsthough the announcement has suggested these properties will retain the German name too, in a dual branding that “will combine the domestic presence of The Niu with Holiday Inn’s trusted reputation and global brand recognition to build a leading position in a key target market”.
A further 56 sites, currently under Novum’s Yggotel, Select and Novum brands will be rebranded under IHG’s newest brand designed specifically for conversions, Garnerimmediately giving that new brand significant European scale. A final tranche of Novum’s portfolio, its extended-stay properties that currently trade as Acora Living the City, will be switching to IHG’s Candlewood Suites brand. The pair have signed a 30-year agreement, and have mentioned that they may well look to work together on signing and adding further hotels into the arrangement. IHG has committed key money to help with refits to meet the brand standards.
In France, Choice Hotels has agreed a 20year strategic agreement with family-owned hotel operator Zenitude, which will see over 30 hotels switch to Choice brands, including Clarion, Comfort, Ascend and possibly a longstay brand. The move will double Choice’s presence in France. The plan is to shift the properties across during 2024 and 2025, and the project will be starting with a 460-room hotel at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, which will become a Clarion; the Hotel la Valadiere outside Montpelier, rebranding to the Ascend Collection; and the 110-room Clarion Aparthotel Toulouse Blagnac Airport. Choice says it will be supporting the refurbishment and updating of
hotels as they switch. Zenitude will manage the conversions, and manage the properties under franchise agreements.
A family-owned operator, Zenitude was founded in 2009 and today has over 40 hotels under management. The business has a strong pipeline, with ambitious plans to grow outside France. “For Zenitude, our collaboration with Choice is very important in order for us to be able to face the technical, marketing and distribution challenges that the hotel industry faces,” said Romain Lubrano, CEO of Zenitude. “Being supported by Choice will enable us to meet these challenges, respond to customer needs by upgrading our hotels in France, and expand into the EMEA region.”
And in Japan, Marriott has agreed a rebranding deal with local operator HMI, which will add seven properties initially to the giant group’s presence in the country. Four HMI hotels will rebrand as Marriotts, and three more will become Courtyard properties. While calling the move a strategic collaboration, few further details have been revealed as to how the pair have structured the arrangement. A longestablished player in the Japanese market, HMI has a total of 44 hotels open and trading, all currently under its own local brands.
HA PERSPECTIVE
By Chris Bown: At the end of the day, it’s a tough game to beat the big brand machines, if you’re a medium sized, mid-market operator. And, if your bank is breathing down your neck and making your debt refinancing look troublesome, or you can’t see your way to getting hotel RevPAR to where you need to be in the current market, then signing with the devil can suddenly look quite attractive.
Novum gets to keep its business at the scale it is now, remaining family owned. The bank will be off its back, as IHG helps to pay for property refurbishments over the next couple of years. And, in the case of new developments, it’s far easier to get backing for the construction of an IHG-branded hotel, rather than one that’s going to get a Novum name over the door.
For IHG, this is a great solution to cracking the
German market. Asset-light brand groups all struggle with Germany, where many hotels are owned by local pension fund investors who insist their properties must be leased - a liability the brand groups simply don’t want to shoulder. With Novum holding lease liabilities, suddenly there’s a way forward.
Similarly, the French Zenitude business appears to have decided that riding with a big brand will help drive in the customers, allowing the leaders of the business more time, and better margins, so they can concentrate on growth rather than survival. Choice, which has long appeared ambivalent about its business outside the US, is looking more and more internationally-focused.
Hotel Analyst is the news analysis service for those involved with financing hotel property or hotel operating companies.
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Performance benchmarking for the global hospitality industry
1. MADRID
Sporting events such as the Madrid Open and UEFA Champions League quarter-finals led to healthy performance growth in April, according to preliminary data from STR, with the Spanish capital reporting a 24.2% RevPAR increase year over year.
Daily occupancy peaked at 93.4% on Wednesday 24 April, averaging at 79.5% for the month.
April 2024 (year-over-year % change)
Occupancy 79.5% ( 6.6%)
ADR EUR184.20 ( 16.6%)
RevPAR EUR146.43 ( 24.2%)
2. BERLIN
Playing host to a number of corporate and leisure events throughout May has boosted Berlin’s hotel performance across all three metrics.
Occupancy hit 95.5% during CWIEME, an electrical engineering exhibition, while ADR and RevPAR spiked during stoner rock event Desertfest, which overlapped with the Global Business Summit.
May 2024 (year-over-year % change)
Occupancy 78.8% ( 2.6%)
ADR EUR133.90 ( 6.0%)
RevPAR EUR105.57 ( 8.7%)
3. TOKYO
Tokyo’s hotel industry reported record-high ADR and RevPAR in May, in keeping with a strong performance across Japan. In addition to events held at the 55,000-capacity Tokyo Dome, factors that have contributed to the increases include a later opening post-pandemic, above-average inflation and a rise in international demand.
May 2024 (year-over-year % change)
Occupancy 78.4% ( 4.2%)
ADR JPY 37,671.27 ( 44.0%)
RevPAR JPY 29,529.07 ( 50.0%)
4. SYDNEY
Sydney’s hotel industry saw improved performance across the three key performance metrics according to preliminary data for April, due in part to changes in the annual calendar. April 2024 benefitted from Easter and Anzac Day being separated by a lengthier time period than in 2023, providing clear weeks for corporate travel.
April 2024 (year-over-year % change)
Occupancy 72.6% ( 7.1%)
ADR AUD247.70 ( 0.2%)
RevPAR AUD179.86 ( 7.3%)
STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for global hospitality sectors.
For more information and to subscribe visit: www.str.com
EE SMITH CONTRACTS, AT THE PINNACLE OF SUPER-PRIME FIT OUT ACROSS ALL LUXURY SECTORS
Having received more than 350 entries from a host of countries across Asia and the Americas, AHEAD has officially kick-started its 2024 season, unveiling shortlists for both regions, with Europe and MEA to follow soon.
From soaring newbuilds to off-grid retreats, the shortlists span an expansive range of categories, including Guestroom, Lobby and Spa, as well as the wider Hotel Conversion and Newbuild. Each showcases the most innovative new hospitality offerings from the region, with judges searching in particular for projects that fuse creative excellence with commercial viability and – most importantly –outstanding guest experience.
The judging panel – comprising owners, operators, developers, architects, interior designers and industry commentators – reviewed entries online
before casting their votes to determine the finalists. Chairing the panel in Asia is Billie Khoo, Senior Design & Projects Director (APAC) for Hilton Worldwide, with senior representatives from HBA, Design Hotels and Avroko also making the expert line-up. And in the Americas, Ace Hotel Group’s CEO Brad Wilson leads a group of panelists hailing from Pierre-Yves Rochon, Marriott International and Chapi Chapo Design, to name but a few.
Over the coming weeks, the judging panels will meet in person in their respective regions, participating in a full day of debate and deliberation, in which every shortlisted project will assessed in detail. The resulting winners will be announced during awards ceremonies held at Weylin in Brooklyn and Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay in Singapore, each taking home a Lasvit-designed trophy.
Afew miles south of Lisbon, the coastal enclave of Comporta is evolving. Once a sleepy fishing village, the picturesque region is emerging as a prime destination for hotel development, with investors, developers and operators attracted by its rustic charm and traditional Portuguese ways of life.
A fitting destination, then, for the fifth edition of Sleeper Sessions – a design forum that provides specifiers and suppliers with opportunities to share ideas and collaborate on active hotel projects across the region and beyond. More than 200 delegates headed to Tróia Design Hotel, a contemporary resort situated on the shores of a nature reserve, for three days of symposia and sustenance.
The guest list comprised developers, operators, architects and designers including Avroko, Belmond, Rockwell Group and Six Senses, who were all eager to learn about the latest products and services on the market. Suppliers meanwhile represented a wide range of product segments, from sanitaryware and lighting to fabrics, floorcoverings and furniture.
Following Sessions’ signature four-pillar format, the event kicked-off with a scenic boat trip social along the Arrábida coast,
before Sleeper’s Editor-at-Large Guy Dittrich welcomed attendees during a sultry sunset reception on the hotel’s pool deck.
The Symposium programme began with an insightful presentation from Serdar Kutucu, CEO of Slow – a collective of people, places and projects designed to cultivate arts, crops and inner gardens. With several projects underway, Kutucu spoke of the Friends of a Farmer community-supported agriculture project on the Arrábida coast, where there are plans to expand with guest- and community-driven activities. “We aim to develop regenerative hospitality, cultivating cultural programming, whilst helping to preserve people and reintegrate their local culture,” he explains.
Kutucu also touched on the forthcoming Casa Noble in Lisbon, revealing how Slow is taking inspiration from Brazilian Modernism and the architectural traditions of old Lisbon to transform three historic buildings from three different centuries in the ancient Graça neighbourhood into a 13-key house and cultural salon that connects with their existing beach club. Reflecting on Slow’s design philosophy, he shared: “We try to challenge the designers we work with to truly innovate. We believe that
the hospitality industry needs more innovation in general and we want to be part of the driving force behind this.”
Showcasing a range of Portuguese perspectives in the second symposia session, a trio of architects and designers shared their experiences of working and living in the country. Madeiran maestro Nini Andrade Silva spoke of her vision for the forthcoming W São Paulo, while Samuel Torres de Carvalho of Lisbon-based STC Arquitetura delved into the classic characteristics of Portuguese architecture. British designer Jo Littlefair also reflected on her firm’s decision to establish a new studio in Porto: “We’ve been coming to Porto for so long and are continuously hooked back because there’s a simplicity, adaptability and willingness of people to create – hospitality comes very naturally to the Portuguese. We’ve also been able to work with all sorts of artisans to create unique pieces that we can bring to our hotel projects across Europe.”
Giving a further taste of what Portugal has to offer, four explorers at the forefront of contemporary Portuguese hospitality took to the stage the following day for a conversation traversing the country’s development potential
and the challenges they have encountered.
Benjamin Habbel of Aethos Hotels talked about the financial risks associated with the industry – “hospitality is capital intensive and it can take a long time to make a return on your investment”. Gonçalo Pessoa of Sublime Hotels concurred: “You need some luck. That’s what I believe happened with my project in Comporta – it almost fell into my hands. But you have to have the courage to set it up and follow through.”
Later that afternoon, José Gil Duarte, Managing Partner at hospitality consultant Horwath HTL, offered a snapshot of the European hotel market, supported by THP data. Duarte revealed that Portugal has a total of 87 hotels listed in the THP database – many of which are currently under construction – accounting for more than 14,000 rooms. Attention then shifted to focus on development hotspots along the Iberian peninsula, with Lisbon and Porto accounting for nearly 40% of Portugal’s pipeline.
Key takeaways from the talk include Duarte’s
observation of the shift in consumer spend from goods to experiences, with people searching for personalised and meaningful experiences; as a result, the profile of hotel guest is changing. He also explained that local dynamics and strategies are affecting tourism investment in individual countries, with Southern Europe “showing a rise in high-end and luxury projects”.
Rounding out the Symposium programme, the ‘Designing for the Modern Business Traveller and MICE 2.0’ panel saw design leaders from Ennismore, Hilton, IHG and Marriott discuss the future of business travel, from designing for digital nomads to reinventing events spaces. On the topic of generating revenue from MICE, Mark Eacott of Ennismore shared details of “a 45m2 intelligent guestroom that can transform into a meeting room, seminar space or a yoga studio in 45 minutes – without taking a single piece of furniture out the room” developed together with Studio Carter, while IHG’s Emma King shared information on a software tool developed by We Want More to calculate
environmental impact scores for materials based on carbon emissions and water usage to help designers make informed decisions.
Early evenings were spent unwinding through Sustenance workshops, which saw delegates partake in a range of activies, from wine-sipping and war stories with former BBC correspondent turned eco-lodge entrepreneur Alastair Leithead, to surfboard shaping with Gonçalo Menezes and Rodrigo Machaz and cork creativity led by Studio Corkinho founder Cédric Etienne, enabling delegates to continue conversations beyond their one-to-one meetings. The closing night brought attendees together for a memorable sunset social at the nearby Comporta Cafe Sol Tróia beach club, where conversations and connections continued late into the night.
The next Sleeper Sessions will take place in Asia in March 2025 – dates and location announced soon. To express your interest in attending, visit: www.sleepersessions.com
“I was dead impressed by The Lobby – it was super inspiring and familiar. Nice meeting so many new and interesting people – what an energy boost for the fall.”
Linda Ågren, Hotel Design Manager – Scandic
3-4 September 2024
Nimb – Copenhagen
Nipa
Cross-Generational Collaboration
The Lobby is the most inspiring hotel event in the Nordic countries, bringing the hospitality industry together in order to tackle key challenges affecting our planet and its people. The theme for this year’s programme is Youth, which represents the heartbeat of innovation, driving change and pushing boundaries in ways that can redefine industries such as hospitality. In today’s dynamic and rapidly evolving business landscape, harnessing the energy, creativity and fresh perspectives of the younger generation is not just a choice but strategically imperative.
Forward-Thinking Speakers
With Youth in mind, the line-up of speakers is set to spark new ways of thinking about crossgenerational collaboration across the sector.
Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien, founders of award-winning studio Doshi Levien, will discuss their captivating work that explores and celebrates beauty, plurality and diversity, while Rasmus Munk, founder of Copenhagen’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Alchemist, will explore his unique combination of art, theatre, science, visual tech, activism and gastronomy. Attendees will also experience the paintings of Apolonia Sokol, an artist living and working in Paris, whose work is considered among the most significant of her generation. Art, food and design – these are some of the ways to understand and drive hospitality forward, bridging the gaps between generations.
The Coolest Crowd
Meet the coolest crowd from the hotel business in Europe! It is as simple as that. We learn from each other when we gather at The Lobby – an inspiring and nourishing get-together where we network and exchange ideas for a better, more conscious hotel industry.
The Programme
3 September – 6-11pm
Meet the Speaker Exclusive Networking Event
Location: 25hours Hotel Indre By
4 September – 9:30am-5pm
The Conference
Location: Axelborg by Nimb
After-Party – 8pm
Location: 25hours Hotel Paper Island
Moderators
Dorte Bagge, Hospitality Strategist and Founder – The Lobby
Amy Frearson, Architectural Design Journalist
Ann Van Wetteren, Senior Concept Developer
Stay in touch with regular updates on The Lobby website and social media channels.
@thelobbycph
Doshi and Jonathan Levien Founders – Doshi Levien
2024 Speakers
SPONSORS
MEDIA PARTNER
Erik and Liv Johansen Founder and Designer – Stylt
Rasmus Munk Founder – Alchemist
Kris Keiller Brand Creative Direction and Design Manager – Patagonia EMEA
Hotel Management School Maastricht Researchers and students
Apolonia Sokol Artist and Art Historian Danni and Anemette Bühlmann Owners – Bühlmann Hotels
Nachson Mimran Co-founder – The Alpina Gstaad
Bruno Marti Executive VP of Brand Marketing –Ennismore / 25hours Hotels
HEADLINE SPONSOR
Spencer Bailey Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief –The Slowdown podcast
Christoph Hoffman Co-founder and CEO –25hours Hotels
SPOTLIGHT INDOOR FURNITURE
From plush armchairs to chic coffee tables, Scandinavian minimalism to Indochina-inspired inlays, take a look at Sleeper’s top indoor furniture picks.
RH Leo
Leo is a new collection by RH, comprising lounge chairs, a dining armchair and a fabric bar stool. Envisioned by Norwegian designer Line Svendsen to draw on the minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic, Leo is a combination of fluid lines and tailored contours, with a cradling barrel back, sculptural raked legs that impart a sense of movement and sloping arms that wrap around the seat. The frame and legs are fully upholstered by hand in high-quality fabric, while the seat and back are generously padded with high-resiliency foam. Available in multiple fabrics with shades ranging from Burnt Caramel and Sand, to Charcoal and Fog, the pieces are stylish and comfortable additions to an array of interior design schemes. www.rh.com
1. Parla Loop
Parla recently unveiled Loop, a new collection designed by Hines Fischer and Matthew Goodrich of New Yorkbased studio Goodrich. The second collaboration between the pair, Loop draws on their experience in the hospitality sector, seeking to reevaluate the design of public spaces in hotels.
The series comprises a sofa and lounge chair, with an oversized, enveloping frame that disperses the density of the foam throughout, maximising comfort. The furniture, available in either fabric or leather upholstery, aligns with market trends that see guests increasingly seeking interiors that can make them feel at home.
www.parladesign.com
2. SofaCompany Bespoke Furniture
The B2B department at Denmark-based SofaCompany offers customisation on all levels, from product personalisation to full bespoke solutions, crafted in collaboration with the brand’s in-house design team. “We have a dedicated team that’s with you all the way, committed to inspire you through a reliable and flexible collaboration,” says Niels Svolgaard, Business Sales Director at SofaCompany. “It’s one of the many reasons our clients keep coming back to us for future projects – because we’re able to combine great design with great practice.” The brand’s ethos centres around authenticity, and using furniture to make users feel comfortable and relaxed. www.sofacompanyprofessional.com
3. Gresham Office Furniture Elco
Gresham Office Furniture is spotlighting its capsule range, Elco, designed to be the perfect balance of style and function. Spanning a wide array of indoor furniture options, from comfortable lounge chairs and ottomans, to chic dining chairs and coffee tables, the collection showcases high-quality materials and craftsmanship through pieces designed to suit varied interior design styles. Each product is carefully crafted to provide maximum comfort and durability, with a particular focus on sleek design and versatility. Pieces in the range are made from responsibly-sourced materials, such as FSC-certified wood, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
www.gof.co.uk
4. Gommaire Nathan
Belgian furniture brand Gommaire creates timeless pieces that are inspired by the great outdoors, drawing on natural shapes, materials and textures. All products are envisioned in-house, centred around a slogan of ‘Organic Living’, as is demonstrated by stylish duo Club Nathan with Swivel and Pouffe Nathan (pictured). The deep green hues of the pieces in the range are reminiscent of vast evergreen forests, subtly bringing the outdoor world in through furniture design. Meanwhile, as with all of Gommaire’s upholstered furniture, fabrics are custom-designed to ensure the highest possible quality and optimal seating comfort.
www.gommaire.com
1. JC Hospitality
JC Modern – Indochine
JC Hospitality is a brand that excels in designing fine furniture and high-quality antique reproductions. For its Indochine collection, it has taken traditional art forms handed down through generations of craftspeople from Indochina, and fused them with modern techniques. The Emperor console table in dark red (pictured) features an altar-style top and a single drawer inlaid in red eggshell, set above a gold-leaf foil mix with a black gloss lacquer base. To achieve this, intricate mosaic work in crackled eggshell, delicately shaded through the application of heat, has been combined with rich metal foils washed in multiple layers of hardened lacquer.
www.jc-hospitality.com
2. John Lewis & Partners Business Expert Solutions
John Lewis & Partners Business is dedicated to working with an array of companies, including those in the hospitality industry. The team’s knowledge of its top brands and own-brand products, as well as strong relationships with buyers, facilitates insight into a wide range of trends and products. From beds and sofas, to duvets and lamps, the company offers a simple purchasing solution. John Lewis & Partners Business provides an exclusive trade discount to interior designers and architects through its Interior Design membership, which can be accessed via a short application.
www.johnlewis.com/business
3. Pedrali Ester Lounge
Italian furniture company Pedrali has expanded its Ester collection with a new lounge chair – a piece characterised by soft lines and harmonious proportions. Brought to life by French designer Patrick Jouin, Ester Lounge maintains the elegance of the armchair first presented in 2013, enhancing it with a softer form and increased comfort. Made from injected polyurethane foam with elastic belts, the chair’s proportions have been conceived to gracefully accommodate a wider, cosy seat, upon which a comfortable cushion rests. Jouin opted for a unique oval shape for the backrest, which is a defining feature of the entire collection, its form gently enveloping users. The curves of the backrest continue with the sinuous forms of the armrests, ending on the floor with refined die-cast aluminium legs, available in satinised aluminium, brushed bronze, antique brass or titanium. As for upholstery, Ester Lounge is covered with leather or fabric finishes in a wide range of colours, from bright hues to more neutral tones. Made from highperformance materials that ensure a balance of aesthetics and functionality, the product is well-suited to a range of hospitality spaces and interior design schemes.
www.pedrali.com
1. Arper Kata
Designed by Altherr Désile Park, Arper’s Kata chair celebrates the natural beauty of wood. Available in both lounge and chair versions, it takes inspiration from the bespoke pieces made by artisans. Its delicately-textured, custom-patterned shell is crafted from plywood, with a range of finishes on offer, including natural, black and rust oak. The chair is available with and without armrests, while comfort can be further enhanced through optional seat cushions or a fully upholstered shell. Lightweight in form and environmental footprint, Kata is designed with circular sustainability at its core, with FSC-certification and the ability to be easily disassembled.
www.arper.com
2. Fermob Studie
For the latest iteration of Salone del Mobile in Milan, French furniture manufacturer Fermob recently unveiled two new indoor products, including the Studie chair. Designed by Tristan Lohner, the new addition to the Studie collection is a lounge armchair in a warm natural oak finish. Featuring an aluminium frame with curved edges, the piece bears all the hallmarks of the range, while its seat and backrest have been envisioned to comfortably embrace the user. Studie is available in all the shades of the Fermob colour chart, making it easy to pair with any of the group’s own tables, and to incorporate into any kind of interior design aesthetic. www.fermob.com
3. Ligne Roset Vallée Blanche
Ligne Roset’s Vallée Blanche chaise longue, envisioned by Pierre Guariche, invites guests to recline on a long, refined silhouette. Originally manufactured by Les Huchers-Minvielle in 1963, the seat was conceptualised while Guariche worked on the creation of La Plagne ski resort, and is one of the designer’s signature pieces. This latest edition respects the original iteration, with a wooden structure upholstered with wool fabric, while high-resilience polyurethane Bultex foam provides enhanced comfort. The seat rests on a seamless chrome metal base, comprising two cut and folded sheets, which ensures maximum stability as guests recline.
www.ligne-roset.com
4. Ton Chair 314
Czech bentwood furniture company Ton has launched a contemporary redesign of its popular Chair 14. The product has been brought to life by Swedish design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune, and brings together the unexpected elements of bentwood and mesh. The designers have reinterpreted the classic morphology of Chair 14, crafting a circular seat that nods to the mathematical constant of pi through both form and name. The backrest and seat are made from cane weave, with a range of shades on offer. The chosen materials result in a lightweight product that is both stylish and pays homage to traditional craftsmanship. www.ton.eu
Atlas Concorde created its own brand to explore the potential of porcelain slabs in the design and creation of furniture. The Atlas Concorde Habitat product selection includes a range of dining and coffee tables – rectangular in shape or with rounded corners. Contatto, a small side table, is available with either a square or round top, while the brand’s remit also encompasses washbasins and mastertops, all of which demonstrate the technical and aesthetic characteristics of porcelain. Available in an array of colours, the furniture pieces can be seamlessly incorporated alongside Atlas Concorde’s wider range of tiles, ensuring a coherent design across interiors. www.atlasconcorde.com
2. Minotti Vivienne
Vivienne is a series of indoor seating by Italian furniture company Minotti that includes lounge armchairs, a bergère, a dining armchair and an ottoman – all well-suited to the creation of relaxed hospitality spaces. Designed by GamFratesi, the enveloping forms are built around a curved backrest, which in an interplay of volumes, creates an aesthetic that is sculptural, yet remains comfortable for users. Some of the pieces rest on a cylindrical metal swivel base –available with a chrome finish – that gives the impression that the chair is floating. The main body meanwhile is available in various colours and is fully upholstered, ensuring maximum cosiness.
www.minotti.com
3. Palecek Hadley
The Hadley Swivel Lounge Chair is an embodiment of furniture brand Palecek’s core values: timeless design inspired by the beauty of natural materials. The product sees the clean lines of a hardwood frame surrounded by sustainably-sourced, hand-twisted lampakanay fibre rope, finished in natural, white or charcoal. The seat and inside back can be enhanced by standard or deluxe cushioning with fixed upholstery, in a choice of complementary neutral shades and weaves. A smooth-gliding 360-degree swivel mechanism allows for enhanced comfort and practicality, while the product’s open-back design gives a light and airy feel.
www.palecek.com
4. Bernhardt Hospitality Fabric on Frame
Furniture manufacturer Bernhardt Hospitality offers a turnkey Fabric on Frame programme, providing seating suited to application in guestrooms, suites and public spaces, with a four- to six-week lead time. The initiative sees over 200 high-performance fabrics and leathers – including the newly-launched Ultrafabrics Faux Leather options –offered at a single price point for an array of indoor furniture products. Bernhardt Hospitality produces a wide range of seating designs, from the Merritt sofa (pictured), to loveseats and sleepers, sectionals, chairs, benches and ottomans that are built for long-term use in commercial environments.
www.bernhardthospitality.com
1. Stellar Works Taiko
Drawing on a commitment to EastWest harmony, Stellar Works’ Taiko range draws inspiration from the form of Japanese Taiko drums. A refined collection of minimalist side tables, crafted in collaboration with Amsterdambased Studio Stefan Scholten, Taiko is inspired by the instrument’s rounded shape, which makes for a visually striking design. Available in three sophisticated terrazzo combinations – ice rice white, colour gold and carbon black – the pieces seamlessly combine form and function. “The table is an expressive but functional design,” comments Scholten. “For me, it is a beautiful mix of Asian and Western culture.”
www.stellarworks.com
2. Freifrau Mia
Freifrau has introduced its first modular sofa, envisioned by Ilja Huber. Named Mia, the product’s modular design system allows for flexibility to suit varied spatial requirements. Mia’s eleven modules can be combined in various ways, from a classic three-seater sofa set to an extensive settee suite. The combinations can also be customised by adding standalone armchairs or additional cushions. “The guiding principle for my design approach was to have comfortable armrests and backs, and so I took my inspiration from generously-proportioned cushions,” says the designer. “This offers both an inviting, comfortable appearance and actual functional comfort.” www.freifrau.com
3. Curtis Furniture Hilton Leeds City
Curtis Furniture recently supplied casegoods for the refurbishment of Hilton Leeds City. Teaming up with British interiors firm Bell & Swift, the brand followed a design narrative inspired by the culture and energy of Leeds. Graphic patterns throughout nod to the movement of the city’s river, paired with organic forms and textures. Soft curves feature in the products’ design, including in bespoke pieces such as TV units, headboards and tables. With over 25 years of experience, Curtis is the UK’s largest manufacturer of casegoods, crafting and installing furniture for hotels across the UK from its 70,000ft2 factory in the heart of West Yorkshire. www.curtisfurniture.co.uk
4. Allermuir Bastille Lounge
Allermuir has unveiled Bastille Lounge, an evolution of its Bastille series, envisioned by Patrick Norguet. The new range comprises a chair, alongside two- and three-seater sofas, available in an array of colours. The design language mirrors the original collection’s generously contoured and curved silhouette, projecting a quiet confidence through timeless design. “I spend a lot of time drawing and researching to find the right style, like a musician finds their riff,” says Norguet. “Once found, I work to make the drawing as accurate and clear as possible, removing the superfluous to find the right character for the object. Bastille Lounge went through the same process.”
www.allermuir.com
MAISON
BATHROOM
MIRRORS LIGHTS
Decor Walther Of.Line
Launched at Salone Internazionale del Bagno 2024, Of.Line is a new collection of bathroom accessories envisioned by Offenbach-based designer Sebastian Herkner for Decor Walther. The range is characterised by a combination of innovatively crafted solid aluminium in shades of aqua, champagne and mocha, with handmade porcelain in natureinspired hues of shell, moss and reed. Of.Line brings a new element to Decor Walther’s diverse portfolio, covering classic accessories such as soap dispensers and bowls, towel holders and toilet brushes, as well as paper towel boxes, storage trays and trinket boxes in various sizes. www.decor-walther.com
Barcelona-based lighting manufacturer Bover has launched Kando, a new line by Joana Bover that combines aesthetic allure with functionality for both indoor and outdoor use. Named after the Japanese concept of Kando – which signifies profound emotional impact and satisfaction – the collection comprises luminaires that emit a soft, inviting light through unique materials; ribbon fabric for indoor settings and nautical cord for outdoor environments, elegantly encased in a sleek Teka wood structure that doubles as a handle for easy portability. A key feature of the Kando series is its adjustable colour temperature, offering settings of 2200K, 2400K and 2700K, making it versatile for various environments. Currently available in two sizes, with a smaller version planned for release by the end of 2024, Kando meets diverse needs. As Bover expands globally, the company continues its commitment to local craftsmanship and sustainable practices, delivering high-quality, innovative lighting solutions to enhance living spaces worldwide. www.bover.es
Occhio
Luna
Luxury German lighting brand Occhio presents Luna, a new series of six floating, celestial-inspired glass luminaires. The pieces feature the brand’s new patented fireball light source, which is set within a partially mirrored glass sphere to create a soft, glarefree yet powerful effect. Available in a variety of sizes, the range comprises wall, ceiling, table and suspended designs, with each piece bearing metal accents available in high-glass chrome or phantom finishes. Fitted with Occhio’s state-of-the-art technology, Luna can be controlled by contact-free, intuitive gestures. With the move of a hand, the light can be switched on or off, dimmed, brightened or set to a new colour temperature. An accompanying app – Occhio Air – can also be used to adjust settings, allowing the collection to produce myriad ambient lighting experiences. www.occhio.com
Bover Kando
S-CAB Brezza
Designed by Alessandro Stabile, the Brezza armchair offers an innovative take on outdoor comfort, wherein the frame and cushions engage in a surprising dialogue. The generous upholstery leaves the round metal legs exposed, lending strength and visual identity to the armchair. Exuding sturdiness and resistance, Brezza is also practical; the upholstered elements are easy to fit into the frame, while a simple gesture is required to remove, wash or replace the upholstery. “I chose fabrics made from recycled yarn and then designed a non-glue construction of the various elements,” explains Stabile. “The frames can be stacked to reduce the shipping footprint and consequently CO2 emissions.”
www.s-cab.it
RAK Ceramics RAK-Ingot Washbasins
Sanitaryware and surface brand RAK Ceramics has launched its newest innovation, RAK-Ingot Washbasins. Designed to captivate with its sleek shapes, the washbasins are available in four distinct profiles – oval (550x350x115mm), rectangle (500x350x100mm), circle (360x360x110mm) and square (400x400x10mm) – ensuring compatibility with a variety of bathroom layouts. The hallmark of the collection is its array of finishes – Matt Black, Brushed Nickel and Brushed Brass – which have been crafted to complement the current trend for metallics and unique textures in contemporary bathroom design. The RAK-Ingot Washbashins are engineered for seamless integration with the brand’s accessories, mirrors and taps, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic.
www.rakceramics.com/uk
Geberit AquaClean Alba
AquaClean Alba is a new shower-toilet combining Geberit’s sophisticated product design with streamlined features for ultimate hygiene. Patented WhirlSpray technology delivers a gently effective cleansing experience, while the quiet TurboFlush 2.0 system and an ergonomic, rimless ceramic design ensures optimum hygiene and cleaning of the pan. AquaClean Alba offers heated water, an automatic descaling programme and a remote-control with wall bracket and Geberit Home app integration, allowing users to adjust the shower temperature and spray arm position from their smartphone. Compatible with all Geberit installation systems, the toilet features monolith modules and AquaClean design panels to enable seamless integration. A removable cover provides easy access to the descaling agent fill and spray nozzle, while the control’s LED indicator and app alerts when descaling is necessary.
www.geberit.co.uk
Akula Silky
Akula has introduced the new Silky Collection, designed for both indoor and outdoor use, and manufactured from 100% UV-stabilised fabric. True to Akula’s marine-grade standard, the resilient structure stands strong against both sun and rain, maintaining its aesthetics in any outdoor area. The Silky collection is distinguished by the incorporation of unique multi-coloured yarns, adding a subtle yet distinctive effect, and high-quality stitching used in the finishing, ensuring durability and elegance. Combining softness, robustness and sophisticated design, the range is a versatile choice for any hospitality or commercial space. www.akulaliving.com
Roda Outdoor Design by Roda/Missoni
As part of Milan Design Week 2024, Roda and Missoni consolidated their new partnership with the launch of a new Outdoor Design collection. United by their innovative soul and sophisticated taste, the two companies have combined their talents to produce an aesthetic range of Roda furniture adorned with exclusive Missoni fabrics available in five different patterns – Riva, Bamboo, Opera, Spiga and Duna. The materials come in a variety of colours: from neutral sand and stucco tones to intense blues and greens, to vivid rust-red and orange. Produced and distributed by Roda, the range upholstered in Missoni fabrics includes the pentagonal and modular sofa Mamba, the theatrical daybed Arena (pictured), the iconic lounge chair Laze, the pouffes of the Double series, the Orson lounger and the Harp chair with armrests. Davide Pompa, Sales & Marketing Director of Roda comments: “With this partnership, that combines the knowledge of fashion and outdoor furniture, we aimed to create contemporary and recognisable design pieces, focusing on detail, elegance and quality.” www.rodaonline.com
Arte has unveiled Wild Silk, a fabric collection comprising three distinct types of silk – Katia, Pure and Ghicha – each with its own story to tell. The natural look and feel of this organic material adds a sense of timeless charm to any interior, striking a balance between understated elegance and the raw beauty of nature. Katia Silk (pictured) comprises a unique blend of 80% hand-spun Katia silk and 20% cotton. The former is harvested from the cocoons of a wild silk butterfly, after which the short, soft filaments are spun by hand into thick, irregular yarns. A harmonious blend with cotton yarns creates a contrasting matte-gloss effect. The irregularities in the threads lend this wallcovering a surprising texture and distinctive appearance. Katia Silk is available in 10 colourways, from Sandcastle and Papaya to Artichoke and Cobalt. www.arte-international.com
Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering has unveiled a collaboration with British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori, drawing on his dual heritage, as well as the themes of community and the power of affirmation. The playful patterns appear simple at first, but become mesmerising upon closer inspection. From Shower Me With Flowers, whose floral motifs are pared down to their most minimal elements, to the repetitive geometrics of Eyes in Reflection, each pattern tells a story unique to Ilori. “My collaboration with Momentum is a testament to the power of happiness created by strong community and storytelling,” explains Ilori. “Together, we aim to transform commercial spaces into playful, creative hubs that inspire, uplift and even heal.” www.momentumtextilesandwalls.com
Phillip Jeffries Flourish
Wallcoverings manufacturer Phillip Jeffries has launched its Summer 2024 Lookbook, featuring 17 new collections and 139 new items. “Escape to island living where gorgeous sunsets, lush botanicals and breezy afternoons inspire a carefree and luxurious style,” states the lookbook. “Authentic natural textures, exotic prints and vibrant colours embody a modern paradise.” Among the new launches is Flourish, a wallcovering depicting a serene garden landscape where birds rest among climbing botanicals and butterflies. Available in five colour palettes, Flourish uses laser-cut technology to create the scenic setting on authentic wood veneer. Artisans also hand-place metallic leaf for a luxurious, large-scale mural with colour, dimension and texture. www.phillipjeffries.com
Arte Wild Silk
Manutti
Stephane de Winter
The CEO and Head of Design at Manutti tells all on the brand’s design ethos, hospitality favourites and emerging trends in the outdoor furniture sector.
What defines Manutti’s design philosophy? Manutti’s unique DNA consists of intelligent design and craftsmanship. All the designers, craftspeople and suppliers we work with share a common goal: superior quality. We try to create designs that are functional, easy-tomaintain and evoke a feeling of summer.
What does your design process look like?
I usually search for ways to allow interiors to seamlessly flow into the outdoors. Outdoor furniture is often viewed from inside, so it is very important that the two complement one another. I also spend a lot of time browsing architectural trends and then envisioning what the perfect accompanying outdoor furniture would look like. When people sit on a Manutti piece, I want them to experience the feeling of summer –that’s why the sun is our key symbol.
How is Manutti a good fit for hospitality settings?
Hospitality settings require furniture that can withstand heavy use and varying weather conditions. Manutti’s commitment to high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship ensures that our furniture is not only stylish, but also durable and resilient. The wicker and rope used on some of our chairs, for example, is UVresistant and water-repellent. Manutti also offers extensive customisation options, including bespoke details and a variety of fabric choices, allowing hospitality clients to tailor our furniture to their specific needs and vision.
What is your most popular product for hotels?
The Flows sun lounger is one of our top products for hotel projects. It has a light aluminium frame, which is combined with the warmth of a handcrafted wood finish. Our Radoc dining chair and barstool are also popular, as is our modular Elements collection. Guest comfort is key in the hotel industry, and our ergonomic designs prioritise comfort without compromising on style.
Tell us about some recent hotel projects. We furnished the outdoor spaces at Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, delivering around 100 Sunrise sun loungers and dining chairs. Known for its sleek design and exceptional comfort, the collection perfectly complements the serene ambiance and luxurious design of the hotel. We also worked on the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, where our Sandua collection adds character to the beachfront and poolside areas.
Which trends do you see on the rise in furniture design?
One of the most significant trends is the growing emphasis on sustainability. Consumers and designers alike are prioritising eco-friendly materials and processes. Furniture made from recycled, reclaimed or sustainably-sourced materials is increasingly popular. Multifunctional and modular designs will also become key as living spaces become more compact, especially in urban areas. Pieces that can serve multiple purposes or be easily reconfigured to adapt to different needs are highly sought-after, with a shift towards maximising functionality without compromising on style.
What’s next for Manutti?
We are focusing on designs derived from nature – organic silhouettes and colours will be the main focus of next season’s novelties. We’re also continuing to invest in comfort. We really want to bring the comfort of the indoors to our outdoor furniture. This is already reflected in our most recent Muyu collection, where we adopt natural materials and elegant teak silhouettes. Manutti’s secret to success is time. We take time to get our designs right, and each piece is made to endure beyond fleeting trends, bringing people together to share moments under the sun.
www.manutti.com
Schotten & Hansen
Pit-a-Pat Table
Schotten & Hansen has teamed up with Kit Kemp Design Studio to launch the Pit-a-Pat Table in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Envisioned by Minnie Kemp, Design Director of Kit Kemp Design Studio, the table utilises an innovative magnetic technique developed by Schotten & Hansen. The magnetic insert is made up of wooden veneer pieces that are interchangeable. Two striking designs – London and New York – have been created with a silky lustre glaze finish. Available in three sizes – 1.8m, 2.25m or 3m long x 1.1m wide – the table has a sophisticated bronze frame decorated with a handcarved wiggle edge that softens the piece, alongside solid oak legs.
www.schotten-hansen.com
Kettal Insula
The Insula modular sofa is Patricia Urquiola’s updated take on the traditional seating found in Arab majlis, where community members gather to discuss events and local matters, receive and entertain guests and friends. It takes the form of a low, rational modular sofa in smooth shapes with a roll backrest, which serves as the design focal point and accentuates the horizontal. Insula combines carefully balanced proportions as an architectural element that can be subtly integrated into interiors or exteriors. Modular in design, it comprises an orthogonal aluminium base, with smooth lines and a comfortable seat cushion that comes in two sizes to allow for the use of different backrest types, such as individual, double or angular. In function, like the original majlis, the Insula sofa’s main purpose is for socialising. Its many configurations mean it can be adapted to all types of social gatherings, both indoors and outdoors: from an office reception area, providing a relaxing workspace, to a hotel lounge or outdoor terrace for sunbathing. www.kettal.com
Save the Date
20 & 21 November 2024
Join us at LiGHT 24, the UK’s only trade show dedicated to high-end lighting specification.
For those working in design, it’s the best opportunity in the UK to explore new products, access design talks, and network with those across the sector. Now into its third successful year, LiGHT 24 will take place at the Business Design Centre in London. Join thousands of other industry professionals for a fantastic two days of design inspiration.
From the publishers of:
ADVERTISING INDEX ISSUE 115
A Sensory Symphony
A new addition to Oxfordshire hideaway TreeDwellers immerses guests in nature’s soundscape.
Whether it’s the pitter-patter of rain, the rustle of autumn leaves, the concerto of crickets or the warble of birdsong, the sounds of nature are scientifically proven to have a positive impact on mood. With this in mind, TreeDwellers – a collection of organically-shaped treehouses in the Cotswolds – has introduced a new experience designed to immerse guests in the symphony of the surrounding woodlands. Described as the UK’s first ‘forest megaphone’, the nine-metre-long installation invites guests to take a seat between the conical-shaped amplifiers, where they can relax to nature’s soundscape. The experience takes users on a sensory journey through the forest, with the crunching of sycamore leaves, the flapping of a bird’s wings and the scurry of a deer amplified, stimulating alpha brainwaves and inducing a meditative state. The
concept – originally created by students of the Estonian Academy of Arts, and later developed by TreeDwellers – has been brought to life by Bear Woodcraft and Raven Roundwood Timber Frames, who have carved the megaphone from giant redwood and cedar. In a nod to the ancient Japanese practice of forest bathing, their aim is to harness the transformative power of nature, leaving guests feeling relaxed and restored.
“Sound meditation has always yielded powerful results for me on my personal journey. At TreeDwellers we sincerely want to go beyond simply offering a bed in the trees,” says Tim Rees, founder and CEO of TreeDwellers. “We have long experienced the forest’s profound impact on wellbeing and and it is a gift to be able to share this with our guests. The forest megaphone is not only a powerful tool, but a thing of beauty.”
