Sleeper 41 - March/April 2012

HOTEL DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT & ARCHITECTURE

www.sleepermagazine.com

ISSUE 41 MARCH / APRIL 2012

MARCH / APRIL 2012 CONSERVATORIUM / PUBLIC – CHICAGO / W – PARIS OPÉRA

CONSERVATORIUM

PUBLIC CHICAGO

HARMONIOUS DESIGN FROM PIERO LISSONI 41

KELLY HOPPEN

•

Z HOTELS

W – PARIS OPÉRA

IAN SCHRAGER MEETS THE AMBASSADORS •

NEW YORK LOCATION REPORT

ROCKWELL GROUP IGNITE THE CITY OF LIGHT •

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Contents Features

Guestbook

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030

Margaret McMahon

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New York Location Report

042

Hôtel Americano

050

The Nolitan

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Mondrian – Soho

066

Dream Downtown

072

Conservatorium – Amsterdam

080

W Paris-Opéra

086

Public – Chicago

092

Aloft – ExCeL

103

Z Hotels – Soho

KELLY HOPPEN Hoppen began her career as an interior designer aged 17, becoming known for a signature style of muted colours combined with Eastern influences. She has recently been working with the Lux Collection – a portfolio of resorts across the Indian Ocean, which has inspired her fantasy hotel stay in Mauritius.

086 IAN SCHRAGER Following a stuttering start for his Edition partnership with Marriott in Hawaii, the original boutique hotel pioneer is back in the game, with the launch of his latest solo project, Public, in Chicago. He recently announced five new Edition hotels including a conversion of the famous Clock Tower in Manhattan.

050 MATTHEW GRYZWINSKI

124

Outdoor Furniture & Accessories

141

Art in Hotels

Departments 013 014 016 109

Welcome Check-In Drawing Board Event Diary

110 146 158 162

Head Office The Specifier Design Directory Check Out

Matthew Grzywinski is one of the founding partners of New York City-based practice Grzywinski+Pons.

Last year the duo completed their first hotel project – the Nolitan in New York. “We wanted to foster a connection to the neighborhood,” says Gryzwinski of their designs for the hotel.

050 AMADOR PONS Pons is the other partner in Gryzwinski+Pons. ”We treat project constraints as opportunities to catalyse innovation,” he says. “Every commission is rife with challenges – zoning restrictions, code, budget, schedule, political concerns. Our process engages these realities as inspiration rather than impediment.”

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Welcome I have found myself staying in some small hotel rooms recently. Not that I am complaining. Bigger is not always better when it comes to guestroom design.

COVER STORY: Converted from a former bank in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter, Conservatorium is the latest venture from Alrov Luxury Hotels. Piero Lissoni, who also worked with the group on the launch of Mamilla in Jerusalem, has created a succession of luminous spaces around a soaring glass atrium.

It’s a perk of this job that I get to stay in some very luxurious hotels, and I’m enormously appreciative of the generosity shown to me by many of the properties we review in putting me in their most spacious rooms, or upgrading me to a palatial suite. But sometimes, all you want is a place to put your bags down and rest your head. I have stayed in suites where it has taken twenty minutes to walk around turning the lights off – assuming of course you can find the switch in the first place (a cliché perhaps but easy to locate and simple to operate lighting controls are a basic guestroom function that still seems to elude many designers). Often I’d be happy to trade a a large room for a good location, since I do not particularly enjoy sitting in hotel rooms, no matter how beautiful their design may be. Recent overnight stays in the likes of Hi Matic in Paris, the Michelberger in Berlin and Z Hotel in London have all been in rooms that might normally be described as compact (‘cosy’ is the Michelberger’s euphemism) but I have enjoyed these hotels just as much as, and in some cases more than, apartment-sized sleeping quarters in five-star grande dames. A busy travel schedule coupled with a reluctance to spend too much time away from home mean I often don’t check in until late and have to leave early the next day. Under these circumstances, a smaller room can be a blessing. Less space to unpack all of one’s belongings, fewer places to lose things in the rush to pack and leave. Space constraints can result in more interesting design solutions as well. All too often, designers seem to think of a hotel guestroom in two dimensions – a footprint into which certain items must be fitted in a neat arrangement with enough space between the different elements, like pieces on a board. But it is noticeable in hotels such as those I have mentioned that the designers have engaged with the space in three dimensions, looking not just at how bits of furniture can be sat on the floor, but how componentss can be stacked up, arranged vertically, condensed into a smaller area, slotted together more effectively...or indeed, whether they are necessary at all.

Front Desk Editor Matt Turner m.turner@mondiale.co.uk Assistant Editor Catherine Martin c.martin@mondiale.co.uk International Advertising Sales Stephen Quiligotti s.quiligotti@mondiale.co.uk Advertising Sales Becky Thomas r.thomas@mondiale.co.uk Rob Hart r.hart@mondiale.co.uk Design Dave Bell d.bell@mondiale.co.uk Advertising Production Dan Seaton d.seaton@mondiale.co.uk Finance Director Amanda Giles a.giles@mondiale.co.uk Accounts Donna Barlow d.barlow@mondiale.co.uk Faye Riley f.riley@mondiale.co.uk Marketing & Subscriptions Laura McLaughlin l.mclaughlin@mondiale.co.uk Chairman Damian Walsh d.walsh@mondiale.co.uk Publishers Sleeper Magazine Ltd Waterloo Place, Watson Square Stockport, SK1 3AZ, UK Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8390 Fax: +44 (0)161 429 7214 www.sleepermagazine.com Retail Cover Price (where sold): £7.95 Annual Subscription Rates: (6 issues) UK: £63.00 Europe: £78.80 RoW: £105 [$168] Two year rates available on request Back Issues: (subject to availability) UK: £10.00 Europe: £12.50 RoW: £17.00 To subscribe visit: www.sleepermagazine.com or call +44 (0)161 476 8395 Sleeper (ISSN 1476 4075) is published bi-monthly

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Check-In Where are we? Mauritius How did you get here?

Private Jet or BA seat 2A. I love being on a plane – it’s where I have time to clear my head Who are you sharing your room with?

My man.

Is there anything you would like waiting for you in your room on arrival?

A refreshing fruit juice to help me feel rehydrated after the long flight – my favourite is coconut water, fresh lime and crushed mint!

Who’s at the concierge desk?

Pascal Bertrand GM of LUX* Belle Mare – he is amazing and the most attentive individual who has worked in the industry for years. He always greets me with the biggest ever smile when I see him.

And the owner / manager?

Definitely Paul Jones, CEO of LUX* Island Resorts – I have known Paul for a long time and he is so inspiration, calm and fun. He has a wonderful energy and I truly believe he is one of the best hoteliers in the business who totally understands what his customers want and need.

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

I’m in a pool villa, my sanctuary – it is so peaceful and makes me feel in harmony. The walls are neutral with accents of colours which I see amongst nature in the island – something which is at the heart of my work with LUX* Island Resorts. There is no clutter, no booklets advertising things I do not need or will look at – there is a blank journal so I can write and draw thoughts when I’m sitting on the beach.

My bed is so comfortable and the linen feels amazing against my skin. There is a subtle 014

MARCH / APRIL 2012

and pleasant scent in the air. And when I look out of my doors and windows I see the most incredible view of sea and sand, it takes my breath away every morning. When I open my patio doors I step straight on the sand as I walk a few yards to the sea – paradise!

Who designed it?

Picasso – I love his work!

What’s the restaurant / bar like?

The restaurant is just amazing, the atmosphere is relaxed and there is the most incredible fresh food and fresh juices available.

The bar is buzzing, it has a great atmosphere and the cocktails look and taste like heaven!

Who are you dining with this evening?

1. Natasha Corrett (my daughter) 2. Savannah Miller (my step-daughter) 3. Sienna Miller (my step-daughter) 4. Marilyn Monroe 5. Elizabeth Taylor Who’s manning the stoves?

My daughter who is an extraordinary organic gourmet chef and owner of Honestly Healthy – a range of balanced and alkaline vegetarian foods also featured on LUX* Island Resorts menus – she knows all my favourite dishes!

And what’s on the menu?

Starter: Honestly Healthy dips with lots of crudités Main: Steamed fish, quinoa and salad Dessert: Raw chocolate Would you like something to drink with that? Fresh fruit juice and water What music is on the iPod on your inroom docking station?

1. Ed Sheeran 2. Etta James

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3. Marvin Gaye 4. Plan B 5. Average White Band What’s on the movie channel?

1. Warhorse 2. My Week with Marilyn 3. Dolce Vita 4. Episodes (TV Series) 5. Lots of romantic comedies And a book at bedtime?

Synchrodestiny by Deepak Chopra What’s in the mini-bar for a night cap?

Grey Goose Vodka Would you like a newspaper or magazine in the morning?

Yes Harpers Bazaar, Vogue and Glamour.

What toiletries would you like to freshen up with?

I love all Jo Malone toiletries.

Kelly Hoppen is one of the world’s most famous interior designers, known for her signature style of muted colours with an Eastern influence. She is currently working on Lux* Island Resorts’ collection of resorts across the Indian Ocean. Her ideal fantasy hotel stay sees her land in Mauritius.

Name: Kelly Hoppen Position: Owner Company: Kelly Hoppen Interiors Notable projects: Currently working with LUX* Island Resorts’ collection of innovative Indian Ocean resorts, including three hotels on Mauritius, one in the Maldives and one on Ile de La Réunion – all relaunched in December 2011.

Previous projects include Murmuri Hotel in Barcelona and Royal Mougins Golf Club in the South of France.

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THE DRAWING BOARD

THE DRAWING BOARD PORTO MONTENEGRO // DUBAI // LONDON // LIVERPOOL // NEWCASTLE // FREETOWN

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CHEDI KHORFAKKAN SHAJAH, UAE Luxury resort and hotel group GHM, has announced plans for new boutique properties in locales well beyond its traditional geographic base in Southeast Asia, including The Chedi Khorfakkan in Sharjah, pictured here. Over the next four years, as new hotels come online in China and Switzerland, in India and the United Arab Emirates, GHM expects to double the size of its portfolio.

The developments include the two properties under contrsuction in Suzhou, China and Andermatt, Switzerland. In Kona, Hawaii GHM is collaborating with Pritzker Architecture Prize-winner Tadao Ando on

the development of a new 32-villa property situated on a hardened flow of lava.

Also in China, GHM has launched a new hotel brand, Ahn Luh, in collaboration with China’s largest tourism group and a prominent real estate developer. The first two Ahn Luh properties are scheduled to open in two-tothree years. New development deals are also in the planning stages for Cuba and Brazil.

“In our first 20 years, we pioneered resorts in some of the world’s most up-and-coming destinations, from Ubud on Bali to Quang Nam in Vietnam, establishing an ambitious presence with hotels that melded lofty, contemporary design with exquisite, local architectural elements,” comments Hans Jenni, who co-

founded GHM with Amanresorts visionary Adrian Zecha. “In this, the first year of our third decade, we’re engineering the moves on a five-year plan of growth the likes of which we’ve never seen.”

GHM has earned a reputation for refined hotel designs, having worked with some of the world’s most sought after and creative designers.

“Because so many of our guests tend to spend a lot of time on property, we feel an additional, creative responsibility,” adds Jenni.

“Each of our properties is not merely a hotel or a resort, but a setting, a destination in its own right, and thus, an opportunity to create a space that’s not easily forgotten.”

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THE DRAWING BOARD

REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO MONTENEGRO Regent Hotels and Resorts has been named as the operator of the first hotel to be developed in Porto Montenegro, the new marina destination on the coast of Montenegro, masterplanned and designed by ReardonSmith Architects.

The hotel’s interiors are by Pisano Atelier.

Work on-site has already begun and the luxury hotel, with detail design also by ReardonSmith, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2014. The inspiration for the architectural design of Regent Porto Montenegro came from the exquisite houses that grace the Adriatic coastline,

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and responds to the classical manner of the grand palazzos of the Italian lakes. While the hotel’s scale and style is imposing amongst its smaller residential and retail neighbours, the relationship with them is also clear; all the buildings are clad in Montenegrin stone and render, with terracotta roof tiles, and the arcade that wraps around the hotel echoes the arched colonnades that are typical of the region’s architecture.

Directly on the Boka waterfront and with a large inlet – Venice Square Basin – to one side, the hotel gives its guests an exclusive connection with sea and marina.

All guestrooms and apartments offer sea and mountain views; the restaurants, bars and

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banqueting hall are sea-facing and the main entrance on the street side of the building is located to frame the view of the water beyond for guests arriving by car. Alternatively, they may arrive by Porto Montengro’s private Riva speedboat in Venice Square.

Regent Porto Montenegro comprises 34 large guestrooms and 46 serviced residences which will be for sale and available for return into the hotel rental pool when not in use by the owners. Two four-bedroom spa penthouses, each with a plunge pool and surrounded by large terraces, top the two sea-facing wings. Designed for maximum flexibility, they can be locked down in different configurations to release additional

guestroom and spa capacity to the hotel. Two two-bedroom penthouses top the central section of the fifth floor, and also have views down to the tranquil water garden outside and across to the Boka. All the guestrooms and apartments have generously sized balconies.

Guestrooms are typically 40-45m2, excluding outdoor terraces. The retail street-facing elevation is set back behind planting and a water sculpture allowing easy access by car to both the main and the VIP entrances.

Promenading along the arcade, guests will find the indoor/outdoor spaces of a patisserie café with its own bakery and the all-day-dining restaurant, the main lobby and a library. Sunken terraces surrounded by water channels provide secluded arbours for al fresco eating and drinking. Inside, the double-height atrium includes a grand café style tea lounge and leads out onto the water

garden with its reflection pool. A feature of the garden is a submerged stone path leading to an island in the middle of the pool. When the island is required, the surrounding water level is lowered, exposing the path and providing a truly exclusive area for private dining.

A grand staircase leads to the first floor, on which the main banqueting hall extends the length of the hotel between the two wings.

This floor also has a green roof that provides a private garden for guests. Again, views from the banqueting space over the water garden and towards the marina and sea are superb, with the extra twist of the hotel’s main, outdoor pool directly outside its glazed doors.

Also on the first floor, the Regent Spa includes an indoor pool and the Regent Yacht Club with a members area comprising a lounge and several private rooms.

The interior design of both Regent

Porto Montenegro and the residences, by Pisano Atelier, will be sophisticated and contemporary with regional Montenegrin references. The construction of the hotel will coincide with the expansion of the marina from 185 to 370 berths, 50 or more of which will be for yachts over 45 metres, and a new refit and maintenance facility for superyachts, as well as the continuing development of apartments, boutiques and restaurants.

“The four years since we began to masterplan Porto Montenegro, transforming a decommissioned naval base into a worldclass destination, have been engrossing and enormously rewarding,” says Ross Blunt, Associate Director of ReardonSmith Architects. “This is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ project. The new Regent Porto Montenegro will undoubtedly be the outstanding hotel along this part of the Adriatic coast.”

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THE DRAWING BOARD

JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS DUBAI At the peak of the property boom, Dubai’s Rosa Rayhaan, Burj Al Arab, Address Downtown and Emirates Towers were the four tallest hotel buildings in the world, symbolising Dubai’s newfound status. Now the Emirate has a new contender for the title of “tallest dedicated hotel building in the world.”

The 1,608 guestroom JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is due to open at the end of this year in two phases, with the first section featuring 807 rooms. At a height of 355 metres, the twin tower hotel is just 26 meters shorter than the Empire State Building in New York.

The hotel is targeting the lucrative and increasingly important events market in Dubai, which currently does not have a hotel of sufficient scale to host such large groups.

In addition to the dining and entertainment options, the hotel will have two ballrooms, 24 meeting rooms and 5,100m2 of event space.

General Manager Rupprecht Quietsch believes Dubai’s links with emerging economies, particularly those of the BRIC countries will allow it to attract luxury business travellers from around the world, whilst tapping into the United States $106bn events market. “The potential to cater for the growing needs of the global business community is huge and we believe the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is uniquely placed in that regard,” comments Queitsch. “The hotel will fill a long identified gap in the market where groups, meetings and conventions of up to 1,000 people can meet, sleep and dine under one roof, in one location. There are businesses of this size choosing various cities around the world in which to meet, but until now, Dubai has not had a single location of this size to accommodate this type of group.

In simple terms, we will establish Dubai on the global conference market landscape.”

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THE DRAWING BOARD

TOBACCO DOCK LONDON Dexter Moren Associates’ design for a destinationled hotel and aparthotel at East London’s Tobacco Dock has been granted planning consent by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Working with international developers Al Mubaraka, the project forms the first stage of a wider masterplan which will regenerate this important part of London.

Fronting The Highway between Chigwell Hill and Wapping Lane the new development will include a 242guestroom full service boutique hotel and 63 apartments with a hotel bar, restaurant and café spilling out to a publicly accessible piazza. A dramatic six-storey entrance atrium will provide a strong visual connection between the Grade I-listed St Georges-in-the-East Church Tower and the Tobacco Dock entrance. The hotel façade design takes inspiration from the area’s industrial warehouse aesthetic and uses traditional brick detailing and metal windows. The aparthotel is differentiated through the use of terracotta cladding in a matching hue.

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THE DRAWING BOARD

BALTIC TRIANGLE LIVERPOOL Plans to build 201 apartments, a 170bed hotel, and circa 500m2 of mixed commercial space in Liverpool’s Baltic/ Cornhill are being submitted to the city council later this month.

Neptune Developments are submitting the planning application for the £45 million scheme which includes proposals for four buildings on the site. The first will contain 159 apartments and circa 200m2 of leisure and retail space. The second will contain 42 apartments, with the third and fourth as outline applications for a 170 guestroom hotel and a building with uses which could include health, leisure, offices or residential 024 000

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units.The Baltic/Cornhill site is on Wapping, opposite the King’s Waterfront and near to the Liverpool One retail area. Plans by Windsor Developments to develop the site in 2006 were halted when developer went into liquidation and the site has been mothballed ever since.

Steve Parry, Neptune Developments’ Managing Director comments: “This is a key site in the heart of Liverpool and its proximity to the Liverpool Echo Arena and Conference Centre, Liverpool One, and of course our Mann Island scheme, make it a very attractive proposition.

“We are working closely with the city council and with local residents to ensure

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that our proposals are absolutely right for the area and we look forward to turning what is currently an eyesore into the final piece of the jigsaw for this vibrant area of Liverpool,” he adds.

Balfour Beatty has been brought on board as the contractor for the scheme which is being designed by Liverpool-based architect Falconer Chester Hall.

The plans also include the completion of the underground car park to create 330 spaces for residents, employees and other visitors, and the creation of a pavement café and other planting and landscaping work. Subject to the planning process, Neptune hope to be on site as early as summer this year.

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THE DRAWING BOARD

ROOMZZZ NEWCASTLE, UK Expanding aparthotel brand Roomzzz has announced its fifth site, through a franchise agreement to convert Friar House in Newcastle city centre – a Georgian House originally built in the 1700s.

Roomzzz Aparthotel is currently undergoing a sympathetic restoration programme on the Grade II-listed building which will house 44 luxurious apartments and suites including a duplex penthouse.

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Originating in Leeds the brand was established in 2006 and remains steadfast with its strategic positioning in the hospitality industry. The brand has made a documented impact within the industry from a design point of view, as well as being a serious innovator in the industry from an operations perspective.

Head of Roomzzz Aparthotel UK Mark Walton comments: “Our franchise team’s methodology is focused on delivering prime locations which match our brand’s principles.

We also have a proven track record of

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delivering not only groundbreaking industry averages but of developing an operations system which allows us to work on bucking trends within the marketplace. We are incredibly proud of our ability to break moulds and drive innovation which ultimately are the springboard to our brand expansion.”

Mark Walton concludes: “The Roomzzz Aparthotel franchise model is accepted as an exciting investment. We are in discussions with several more franchisee partners including a site in Glasgow.”

THE DRAWING BOARD

HILTON FREETOWN CAPE SIERRA FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE London-based design practice Areen Hospitality has been appointed to undertake the interior design for the Hilton Freetown Cape Sierra, located in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital and the economic and financial heartland of the country.

Hilton Worldwide signed a management agreement with Cape Sierra Hotel Company Ltd to develop the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Sierra Leone in August 2011. The new property will be prominently located in Aberdeen, Freetown, overlooking the local coastline, which includes one of the largest natural harbours in the world.

The hotel will have 200 rooms, including 60 executive standard rooms and 20 suites, and feature a business centre, health club, outdoor pool and five restaurants and bars. The hotel is due to open in 2014.

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Patrick Fitzgibbon, Senior Vice President, Development, Europe and Africa, Hilton Worldwide comments: “Hilton Worldwide has enjoyed a presence in Africa for more than 50 years and our commitment to the continent remains as solid as ever. We have opened five hotels in Africa already this year and we’re confident Hilton Freetown Cape Sierra will prove to be an important addition to our growing portfolio.”

Dave Horton, Global Head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts adds: “For generations Hilton has led the way into emerging markets. Our brand enjoys a pioneering reputation for successfully establishing hotels in new and diverse markets.

This signing is a true reflection of this spirit and we look forward to bringing our first class facilities and service to Sierra Leone.”

Andrew Linwood, Head of Areen Hospitality comments: “We are delighted to have been appointed on our first project

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in Sierra Leone and we look forward to delivering innovative and high quality interior design in keeping with Hilton’s International design standards, within this fast emerging region of West Africa.”

Sierra Leone’s emerging market economy is experiencing year-on-year growth as investment in the minerals and energy sectors drives business confidence.

Keith Aki-Sawyerr, Managing Director of Cape Sierra Hotel Co Ltd comments: “As commercial interests in the country grow, there is a requirement for more top quality hotels to meet the needs of the growing numbers of overseas visitors. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is the ideal partner to provide the standards and strong brand needed to ensure we develop the leading hotel in the city.”

Hilton Worldwide currently has 34 hotels across the continent of Africa with another eight in the development pipeline.

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MEETING…MARGARET MCMAHON

Wimberly’s Way Words: Catherine Martin Photography: Courtesy of WATG / Wimberly Interiors

Former Wilson & Associates Managing Director Margaret McMahon takes the reins at WATG’s newly-launched interiors practice and tells of her aspirations to match the success of its architecture counterpart.

“Tomorrow morning, I’m going to Regent’s Park for a long walk,” announces Margaret McMahon with some relief, as Sleeper arrives at WATG’s London office. Sinking deep into her chair after a whistle-stop tour of the beautifully extended Georgian townhouse, it transpires that this has been a hectic week for the designer. In fact, it has been a hectic year.

Since April 2011 when WATG President and CEO Mike Seyle announced her appointment, McMahon has stepped up to the challenge of expanding and differentiating the interiors division in her new role as Vice President and Managing Director of Wimberly Interiors.

Labelled ‘a design studio of WATG’, Wimberly marks a new phase of growth for the renowned architectural practice, and naturally, Seyle wanted a respected figure at the helm: “Margaret’s industry experience and creative genius make her a superb addition to our strong interiors team and will further cement WATG’s reputation as the premier global hospitality design firm.”

Of course, designing interiors is nothing new for WATG. Along with Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Interiors has serviced the hospitality industry since the

days of the firm’s namesakes George ‘Pete’ Wimberly, Gerald Allison, Gregory Tong and Donald Goo. It is, however, the first time the discipline has been run as a separate entity.

“The perception was that WATG were an architecture firm dabbling in interiors,” explains McMahon of the previous set up. “They had been practicing interiors for more than ten years but were unable to elevate to the level that architecture is at,” she continues. “The difference now is that I’ve come in at management level so we have a strong strategy for moving forward.”

Despite the considerable distances between Wimberly’s five offices, McMahon’s role involves overseeing the firm globally, working with Studio Directors Rhonda Ramussen in Irvine, Rachel Johnson in London, Mary Suenaga in Honolulu, and Martin Hawthornwaite in the new Singapore office.

Her first task has seen her travel to each of the offices, “assessing the teams, figuring out strengths and weaknesses, and really looking at the model that they currently design under.”

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of architectural documents and FF&E for a project, but McMahon believes this creates a “Jack of all trades, master of none” environment.

“The model that I think works,” she explains, “is creating specialties within a design studio. We have interior architects who live, eat and breathe interior architecture, and we have FF&E designers who are focused on selecting finishes, fabrics, furniture, and lighting. When the two specialities come together and coordinate, they create truly great interior architecture and interior design, so that’s how we’re changing the model.”

McMahon has most recently opened an office in New York, where she is based.

Occupying the seventh floor of an historic building in Soho, the six-strong team comprises three ex-Rockwell and three ex032

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Wilson & Associates employees.

McMahon herself is something of a Wilson veteran having spent 27-years under the mentorship of Trisha Wilson. It is a time that she remembers fondly and so begs the question, why leave? “People are perplexed as to why I left Wilson. I’d created a successful team and a successful business heading up the New York office,” she explains. “But I felt that I had done everything I could there and that my team could absolutely go on without me. Now it’s about developing a whole new team and sharing my experience,” she adds.

“I never would have left Wilson for any other company except WATG.” During her tenure, McMahon built an impressive portfolio of international hospitality work, including InterContinental The Barclay in New York; Four Seasons

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Hotel Cairo, Egypt; Fairmont Monte Carlo in Monaco; and The Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, in Orlando, Florida.

Educated at the University of New York and the Parsons School of Design, McMahon puts her accomplishments down to the teachings of Trisha Wilson. “Our training was about truly great design rather than a specific style,” she explains. “We didn’t want people to walk in and say this is a Wilson project, we absolutely catered to our clientele. We never went in with a pre-conceived notion of what it should be, and Wimberly is very much that way too.”

Staying true to WATG’s principles of cultural authenticity and environmental sensitivity, Wimberly Interiors is also guided by its namesake, who was designing destinations with a sense of place over sixty years ago. In the words of George ‘Pete’

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PREVIOUS PAGE: Guestrooms for boutique hotel chain Ji, in Rupnagar, India THIS PAGE: Wimberly Interiors is currently working on the interiors of The Ritz-Carlton Tamuda Bay, Morocco. The landmark project incorporates a 100-key hotel, golf villas, marina apartments, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, conference facilities, ballroom, spa and health club, and a waterfront village with retail and food and beverage outlets

Wimberly: “The value of good design – what a building looks like and how it feels to people – can be rung up on a cash register.”

With the words of Wimberly ringing in her ears, McMahon’s leadership approach is through teamwork with the Studio Directors across the five offices. “I’m the face of moving us forward but we absolutely function as a group,” she explains.

“We all confer with one another to talk about fee structure, who is the best fit for the client and who has the best experience for a particular project. It’s about bringing the best to the client and the best to the project, because at the end of the day that’s what’s most important.”

Consultation with a “wish-list” of clients has helped define the association between Wimberly and WATG, and while McMahon believes there is a real legitimacy in being affiliated, she is in 034

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OUTDOOR&PASSDOOR

Cristal Box design José A. Gandía-Blasco Flat design Mario Ruiz

www.gandiablasco.com GANDIA BLASCO T. +34 902 530 302 SHOWROOMS ANTWERP BARCELONA DOETINCHEM ISTANBUL LISBOA LOS ANGELES MADRID MALLORCA

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MILANO NEW YORK OORDEGHEM PORTO

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MEETING…MARGARET MCMAHON

full support of a healthy separation. It is anticipated that Wimberly will work hand-inhand with WATG on some projects, however the next step for McMahon is to forge relationships with other architectural practices to ensure that the practice is recognised in its own right.

“I wouldn’t say we’re the new kids on the block, but we certainly have a lot to prove,” believes McMahon. A project that may well put Wimberly on the map however, is The Ritz-Carlton Tamuda Bay, located on the Mediterranean Sea in Morocco. Scheduled to open later this year, the Reserve Resort has been designed by WATG to include a 100-key hotel, as well as golf villas and marina apartments. The low-lying wetland site will also feature an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, conference facilities, spa and 036

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health club, and a waterfront village with retail and food and beverage outlets. Wimberly is currently working on the interior design in a solution that weaves indigenous flavors into their design and service.

Other projects underway include The RitzCarlton Panama, a boutique hotel for Ji, in Rupnagar, India, and Accor Pullman Hotel in Lavasa, India, to complement the adjacent convention centre which opened in 2011.

As Sleeper was going to print, Wimberly also confirmed the signing of a 300-key JW Marriott hotel and convention centre and a 150-key Oberoi within the New Marina Casablanca development in Morocco.

Concludes McMahon: “While we have a great portfolio, we want to run with the big dogs. It’s going to take some work but we’ll get there.”

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ABOVE: Wimberly has confirmed the signing of a 300-key JW Marriott hotel and convention centre and a 150-key Oberoi within the New Marina Casablanca development in Morocco.

WATG are responsible for the architecture and masterplan

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handheldimage.com Art Work commissioned for The Alphen Manor Hotel Cape Town

LOCATION REPORT

MADE IN MANHATTAN Photograph of Manhattan skyline taken from Hotel Americano rooftop, courtesy of Grupo Habita

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Manhattan continues to be one of the world’s most dynamic hotel development hotspots, where new supply is readily absorbed into an inherently strong market, and innovation abounds, ďŹ nds Matt Turner.

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MADE IN MANHATTAN

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or a city that never sleeps, New York sure has a lot of places where visitors can do just that.

Manhattan’s hotel market moves at the breakneck pace that pretty much everything else – with the exception of traffic and immigration queues – does in this dynamic city. Website hotelchatter.com offers a light-hearted, gossip-driven look at the latest hotel news and is particularly up to speed on developments in the Big Apple, often dispatching photographers to get the first amateur shots of new openings. It is the scourge of PRs who promise over ambitious opening dates for new hotels, holding them to account when projects then suffer inevitable delays. In the intro to it’s ‘Master List of Hotel Openings 2012’ hotelchatter.com notes that this year’s list of New York hotel launches is shorter than last year’s, with just ten openings slated for 2012, compared to 16 in 2011(although some of these were ultimately delayed until 2012).

Consultancy HVS offer a more scientific analysis of hotel development in their annual Manhattan Hotel Market Overview. In the introduction to its 2011 edition, President and Founder Steve Rushmore says that 62 new hotels opened in Manhattan between March 2008 and February 2011, but that this influx of hotels had minimal effect on the occupancy of existing properties. All this despite the industry facing what has been widely acknowledged as the biggest recession since the depression of the 1920s. “Manhattan boasts a diverse and expansive economic base; the area benefits not only from its standing as the world’s financial capital, but also from its status as a leading leisure destination.

Such attributes translate into very strong lodging demand fundamentals for the area.”

Compared to the recession of the early 1990s. where RevPAR collapsed below its 1987 levels for six consectuive years, this time around, despite the depth of the recession and the increase in supply, RevPAr has remained 10% above that of 1987. This, says HVS, highlights 040

“the inherent strength of the Manhattan lodging market.”

It is this strength which has emboldened developers and investors to continue to add new hotel rooms to the city’s stock, regardless of the macro-economic climate.

Supply is expected to increase by a further 8% between 2010 and 2013 – an estimate which only includes hotel projects that are under construction and have secured funding, not those that are in planning or subject to finance. Rushmore asserts that “future increases in supply are expected to be absorbed and thus are not anticipated to affect the recovery period.” These strong underlying fundamentals are bolstered by other factors such as Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s vision to attract 50 million visitors annually, a target it is on track to achieve.

Some even argue that its cheaper to build a new hotel in New York than it is to buy an existing one. Arch hotelier Ian Schrager has been quoted as saying “As long as a newbuild is around $400,000 to $500,000 a key, you can build all day long in New York because it’s in line or below what you would pay for an existing building.”

The diversity and quality of New York’s hotels are propelled forward by the strength of competition, in a market where indepedent boutique hotels battle it out with flagship properties from major hotel groups.

New entrants such as Mexican hoteliers Grupo Habita, and UK-based Yotel have touched down in New York. The city’s is soon to get it’s first “gay, straight-friendly” hotel – The Out in Hell’s Kitchen. Upscale brands such as Hyatt, and Conrad are about to join the fray in Union Square and Lower Manhattan respectively. Hyatt are on something of a roll, with Hyatt 48 Lex (August 2011) following Andaz hotels opened on Wall Street and 5th Avenue in 2010. Another property – a Park Hyatt designed by Christian de Portzamparc and Yabu Pushelberg – is slated to open close to Carnegie Hall in 2012.

Meanwhile Marriott has put its money

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where Ian Schrager’s mouth is, investing $165m in the purchase of Manhattan’s iconic Clock Tower building to develop an Edition hotel. Another significant opening due for completion in the next twelve months is NoMad hotel at 1170 Broadway. The property is currently being developed by Sydell Group, owners of the phenomenally successful Ace Hotels in New York and Palm Springs as well as the Saguaro in Scottsdale Arizona. They promise a Parisian-inspired lifestyle hotel that speaks to the building’s architectural heritage, with interiors by Jacques Garcia. André Balazs has taken over the Cooper Square hotel, for conversion to his Standard brand although the East Village property is expected to be more intimate and residential in feel than the high octane Standard in the Meatpacking district.

Further afield, there are signs that some of Manhattan’s magic is beginning to rub off on the surrounding areas of New York City.

Starwood has expanded its fast growing Aloft brand into Harlem and Brooklyn. King & Grove, a new hotel group by former executives of Morgans Hotel Group, has taken over the management of the infamous Hotel Chelsea and swooped on Brooklyn’s new Hotel Williamsburg shortly ahead of its launch.

More intriguing still, the The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is currently looking at options to develop Eero Saarinen’s iconic 1962 TWA terminal at JFK Airport into a 150-guestroom hotel.

Despite such activity, HVS concludes that “as the economic recovery continues, we anticipate that the additional new supply will be absorbed. Consequently the Manhattan lodging market is expected to remain undersupplied.”

HOTEL REVIEW

Mexican hoteliers Grupo Habita have arrived in the art gallery district of Chelsea, with a glass and steel structure by architect Enrique Norten, featuring interiors by MCH Arnaud Montigny.

Hôtel Americano NewYork Words: Matt Turner Photography: Courtesy of Grupo Habita

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rupo Habita have shown some cojones in choosing to open their first property outside Mexico in New York. Their choice of location – a non-descript street on the North West fringes of Chelsea – may look strange at first. But look closer and you realise this is an area with up-and-coming status. The historically low rents of the neighbourhood have acted as a magnet for the city’s artists, and many of New York’s best galleries are now located here, as Chelsea’s art scene has gradually crept northwards towards Hell’s Kitchen. As far back as 2001, this quiet corner of West 27th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues, attracted nightlife guru Amy Sacco who launched her Bungalow 8 club here. More recently, immersive theatre group Punchdrunk have brought ‘Sleep No More’ – billed as a film noir version of Shakespeare’s unmentionable Scottish play – to the McKittrick, an abandoned hotel next door to Americano. The High Line, a disused railtrack reinvented as urban garden, has recently been extended North of

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THIS PAGE: MCH Arnaud Montigny’s room design includes bespoke wooden bed platforms and polished stainless steel desks, Jasper Morrison lamps, and yellow felt pouffes by Eric Jourdan.

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HOTEL REVIEW

the Meatpacking district, bringing it within close reach of the hotel. A construction boom has followed in the wake of zoning regulations, including new buildings by Shigeru Ban, Jean Nouvel and Frank Gehry.

Grupo Habita have been Mexico’s hottest boutique hoteliers for over a decade. Their properties are unique. Every hotel has been approached as a one-off by Habita’s Creative Director and co-founder Carlos Couturier, working with different architects and designers for each project. Indeed the most surprising thing about the choice of architect for this project – Enrique Norten of Ten Arquitectos – is that they have worked with him before, on the launch of their very first, eponymous Hotel Habita in Mexico City back in 2004.

Hôtel Americano may not have as strong a sense of place as properties such as Azucar, Basico or La Purificadora which are firmly

rooted in the history and culture of their surroundings. But it does acknowledge the Latin American background of its owners, while encompassing a variety of international influences appropriate to the melting pot of New York, not least the French heritage of Couturier himself (note the circumflex above the ‘o’ in Hôtel). Norten’s ten-storey edifice is a glass structure encased in a metal mesh façade that references the industrial spirit of the surrounding neighborhood. Along the exterior, a glass-enclosed elevator shuttles guests between the street-level restaurant and rooftop terrace. The rooms are designed

by French designer Arnaud Montigny, best known for his work at Parisian boutique store Colette. Quality craftsmanship, raw materials and midcentury design classics are combined to create spaces which feel like a mix of urban ryokan – as evoked by

ABOVE: The Americano restaurant features black leather banquettes, Arflex BBPR dining chairs upholstered in yellow or khaki felt, beneath Foscarini Allegro and Allegreto lights.

Tables are in carrara marble, with white lacquered glass walls OVERLEAF: The lobby cafe and ‘to-go’ bar

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the Japanese style wooden platform beds – and artist’s loft space – raw concrete floors with designer furnishings by the likes of Eric Jourdan and Richard Lampert. Amenities are immaculately curated: Alessi ‘Optic’ alarm clocks by Joe Colombo, Japanese Imabari washcloths, soft washed denim bathrobes and felt wool slippers, Alpaca wool throws, Apple iPads. Every item has a tactile quality, whether its origins lie in rustic Mexicana, Japanese bathing rituals, Italian design of the 1970s, or cutting edge Californian technology.

Many of Habita’s Mexican hotels are renowned for their nightlife and they are evidently hoping to bring some of that party spirit to the new hotel, although the rooftop area was closed for the installation of a new canopy on Sleeper’s visit in November – Manhattan having a somewhat less reliable climate than Monterrey or Mexico City.

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HOTEL REVIEW

ABOVE: The Bar Americano is a concrete bunker-like space with white leather ‘Low Pad’ chairs by Jasper Morrison for Capellini and glass lamps by Christophe Pillet

In the concrete bunker-like Bar Americano, white leather chairs by Jasper Morrison sit alongside glass lamps by Christophe Pillet.

The El Privado lounge combines grey wool carpets and vintage chairs with Cini Boeri sofas and Jo Colombo lamps.

On the ground floor, The Americano restaurant serves cuisine billed as ‘Latin fare meets French flair’, where chef Joseph Buenconsejo’s menu offers soup du jour or ceviche aji amarillo, and the entrecôte grillée comes in the form of Black Angus NY Strip Steak with chimichurri on the side. It’s a light, spacious room with an outdoor terrace, overlooked by large Foscarini Allegro and Allegreto lights, with Arflex BBPR dining chairs upholstered in yellow or khaki green felt providing contrast to the monochrome 048

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backdrop of black leather banquettes and white lacquered glass walls. Room service comes in beautifully presented Bento boxes – another nod to the Japanese influence of the guestroom design.Yet for all the cosmopolitan influences, Americano is a hotel that connects its guests to the local community. The in-room iPads are loaded with recommendations for nearby restaurants and galleries as well as a concierge programme and curated music.

For those who want to venture further afield, Manhattan-made Bowery Lane Bicycles are available. Indeed Carlos Couturier can often be seen pedalling around the local neighbourhood. Just like the hotel he has created, he may have roots in France and Mexico, but he is equally at home on the streets of Manhattan.

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EXPRESS CHECKOUT Hôtel Americano 518 West 27th Street, New York, NY 10001 USA Tel: +1 212 216 0000 www.hotel-americano.com

„ 56 guestrooms and studios ‰ The Americano, Lobby Café, Grill at La Piscine

 Bar Americano, El Privado private lounge + Outdoor rooftop terrace, pool and cabanas; Indoor & outdoor private event space Owner: Grupo Habita Architect: Enrique Norten / Ten Arquitectos Interior Design: MCH Arnaud Montigny

HOTEL PREVIEW

The Nolitan NewYork Words: Matt Turner Photography: Š Floto + Warner

Designers Grzywinski+Pons have created a hotel that connects to its local neighbourhood, for owners Veracity Developments.

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any New Yorkers would take issue with Veracity Development’s assertion that “Nolita is one of the last quintessential places offering a real New York experience.” If you are looking for an authentic slice of Italy in New York, locals are more likely to point you in the direction of Queens, Staten Island or The Bronx than Little Italy. Much of the original district has been absorbed by neighbouring Chinatown.

The pervading smell is that of pork dumplings and char siu rather than pizza dough or red sauce. What remains of Little Italy’s historic base on Mulberry Street is heavy on the cheese – a tourist pastiche of Disneyfied shopfronts, fake accents, and restaurants offering a poor imitation of Italy’s worldrenowned cuisine. North of Mulberry Street, meanwhile, the gentrification that has swept downtown New York has exerted just as much influence here. The writing was on the wall as soon as real estate developers christened this area NoLita, in much the same way as they had already rebranded nearby SoHo (originally denoted the area South of Houston

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Street), and Tribeca (which refers to a triangle of land below Canal Street).

Nonetheless, the develeopers of The Nolitan have had enough faith in the district to name their hotel after it. They say it retains an atmosphere hard to find in other parts of New York. And there is some truth in that, as a stroll amongst the boutique stores and corner bistros of Mott Street, Elizabeth Street and Mulberry Street will confirm.

“It’s a place full of commerce, culture and New York characters,” says Edmond Li, Owner of Veracity Development. “With The Nolitan Hotel, I hope to share this place with citizens of the world, while creating a hub for the neighbourhood that year-round residents can enjoy.”

The hotel was designed by Grzywinski+Pons, a New York City-based practice whose principals Matthew Grzywinski and Amador Pons worked closely with Veracity to create a property that reflects and enhances the character of its surroundings.Says Matthew Grzywinski: “ We especially wanted to foster a connection to the neighbourhood at the street level and we played with the section

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THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE: The design of the hotel emphasises connectivity with the architecture of Nolita. The ground floor has a glass façade, integrating the hotel into the neighborhood around it. Some guests can enjoy the street life from their private balconies; other guests can enjoy floor to ceiling windows in their rooms that provide an unobstructed view of the neighborhood and the Manhattan skyline

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of the ground floor: we dropped the restaurant dining room and a portion of the lounge two feet below the street level and left portions of both the restaurant and reception double height. We wanted to abstract the view of the street and its vehicular traffic with this lower perspective from the dining room and also added a ceramic frit to the glass there.”

In the lobby, the double height glass provides more of a direct unfettered connection to the street. Within the guestrooms channel glass is alternated with fully transparent panels centered on dramatic sightlines. “By using a low iron glass we avoided the melancholic effect of northern light with a greenish cast and instead the frostiness fortifies the daylight for a bright cheerful effect. Privacy and/or views can be maintained without sacrificing daylighting.” says Grzywinski.

Public spaces comprise a lobby lounge, restaurant and rooftop area. The lounge features a sunken seating area with tobacco brown leather banquettes, lush fabrics and a library curated by Phaidon Books. Angled mirrors set into the shelving above the bookcase emphasise the double height ceiling.

Chandeliers by David Weeks, and wingback chairs by James UK create a modern take on a mid-century design aesthetic.

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HOTEL PREVIEW

ABOVE LEFT: Guestrooms feature Splügen Bräu pendant light by Flos and Eames chairs

by Vitra against a backdrop of oak floors and exposed concrete walls ABOVE CENTRE: The sunken lobby lounge has chesterfield type seating, with wingback chairs by James UK. Angled mirrors above the bookshelves of the Phaidon-curated library emphasise the ceiling heights

Epicurean Management (the company behind respected NYC eateries such as Dell’Anima, L’Artusi and Anfora) were brought in to launch the Ellabess restaurant when the hotel first opened. Custom-made oak tables and chairs, Austrian white oak floors, and a white Carrera marble bar combined to create a pleasant enough environment, but at the time of writing, it had just been announced that the restaurant had closed. Evidently this was one part of the hotel that failed to make the desired connection with its local neighbourhood. Plans are afoot to relaunch the restaurant in the spring, and it is being used for private events in the interim.

The Nolitan’s management will be hoping for better luck with its rooftop terrace, which should come into its own in the summer months. Offering 2,400ft2 of deck space with sweeping city views of the city, the landscaped rooftop offers seating which can be configured for special events or private parties, with shaded canopies for sunny days and an 056

outdoor fireplace for chilly nights.

Guestrooms come in a variety of shapes and sizes (eight types to be exact). Design features include hardwood oak floors and Corian® accented bathrooms. Against a backdrop of exposed concrete, vintage Vitra desk chairs are complemented by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni’s Spungen Brau lights for Flos. Most guestrooms have an open bathroom layout. Says Matthew Grzywinski: “The material palette for the entire project was chosen to be elemental rather than a surface treatment and the intention is that – with use and age – the materials will develop a patina or richness rather than become shabby. We used European Oak floors finished so as to look unfinished, exposed concrete, ceramic tile, leather, felt, blackened steel – all real, elemental finishes that share the characteristics of warmth, texture and authenticity. Bathed in that northern light via the channel glass the interiors trade none of their cozy cheerfulness for sophistication.”

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EXPRESS CHECKOUT The Nolitan 30 Kenmare Street, New York, NY 10012, USA Tel: +1 212 925 2555 www.nolitanhotel.com

„ 55 guestrooms and suites  Ellabess restaurant ‰ Lobby Lounge Bar + 2,400 ft2 rooftop event space Developer / Owner: Veracity Development Architecture & Design: Grzywinski+Pons

HOTEL REVIEW

Mondrian NewYork Words: Matt Turner Photography: Courtesy of Morgans Hotel Group

Benjamin Noriega Ortiz has created interiors based on Jean Cocteau’s fantasy cartoon ‘La Belle et la Bête’ for Morgans Hotel Group’s first property in downtown NewYork.

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t has long seemed anomalous that New York’s original boutique hotel group had its presence clustered not in the hipster hangouts of Soho or the Meatpacking, where rivals such as André Balazs Hotels and Thompson Hotels are represented, but in the theatre district of mainstream Midtown.

Now however, the launch of Morgans Hotel Group’s latest property, Mondrian Soho, has seen the company make its long awaited downtown debut.

“The addition of Mondrian Soho to our portfolio marks a significant moment in the evolution of the Mondrian brand,” says Marc Gordon, President of Morgans Hotel Group. “We are looking forward to adding our unique style of hospitality, nightlife and entertainment, innovative culinary concepts, design and impeccable service to the rich culture landscape of Soho.”

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The sale of two of Morgans Hotel Group’s original New York properties – Morgans and The Royalton – to an affiliate of FelCor Lodging Trust for $140 million in April 2011 followed by the sale of its two London properties for $300 million to Middle East investor Capital Hill Hotels Limited, has seen Morgans Hotel Group begin its journey down a path well trodden by larger hotel groups. It is divesting its ownership of hotels in order to concentrate on hotel management, branding and operations. And in this transition Morgans Hotel Group is focusing its efforts on rolling out its Delano and Mondrian brands. Mondrian is already established in LA, Miami and Scottsdale Arizona, with properties in London, Doha and Nassau also in the pipeline.

For the Soho property, Cape Advisors and Morgans engaged Barry Rice Architects and H. Thomas O’Hara Architects to realise a delicate vision for the building itself – a classically proportioned modern glass tower with themed, eclectic interiors that would sits comfortably on a city block cornering Crosby and Grand Streets.

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Benjamin Noriega Ortiz, who previously designed the Mondrians in Los Angeles and Scottsdale for Morgans, was commissioned to create Mondrian Soho in collaboration with the company’s in-house design team.

His design draws inspiration from Jean Coucteau’s 1946 French fantasy film ‘La Belle et la Bête’, an adaptation of two French fairy tales. Noriega’s vision was to “awaken the imagination and invite guests into a fantasy that will offer them an escape into a light and simply pleasant state of captivation.”

The fantasy feel, which will be familiar to anyone who experienced Philippe Starck’s earlier work for Ian Schrager, begins as guests enter Mondrian through a lush green garden topiary façade on Crosby Street. The story of ‘La Belle et la Bête’ begins to unfold in the lobby, where a powdery French blue colour palette unifies a series of seating vignettes over a pale oak floor. Casual and eclectic seating groups, featuring custom furniture designed

by Noriega, echo the whimsical environments of other properties within the group.

Restaurant Imperial No. Nine, located just off the lobby, sees Chef Sam Talbot

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ABOVE: The 1,170ft2 penthouse suite at Mondrian Soho offers stunning views of the surrounding skyline and has two terraces, one facing north, the other south

Taps, showers and accessories. Beautifully handcrafted in Britain since 1820.

Showroom now open at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour

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HOTEL REVIEW

BELOW: Guestrooms have a palette of white, silver and powder blue. Chrome desks, marble foyers and translucent doors create a light, airy feel

introduce a sustainable seafood concept within a 150-seat restaurant. In keeping with Noriega’s dream-like theme, a cluster of crystal chandeliers hangs over a large, mirrortopped communal table. White washed oak floors and sandy-beige walls are accented with antique mirrors. A long bar clad in whitewashed oak and cream coloured stone allows casual dining, whilst sand colours and textures rub up against subtle references to ocean motifs.There is also a garden annexe to the restaurant, where further crystal chandeliers sit above potted plants and natural ficus trees, all beneath a glass roof. A zinc-topped, potting shed-style bar features wood shelving and plants. The centrepiece of the space is a delicate over-sized glass sculpture created by acclaimed artist Beth Lipman – another reference to Cocteau’s story in which seduction takes the form of an elaborate feast, prepared nightly. A double-sided cottage swing – a Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz signature also present in the lobby of LA’s Mondrian – completes the casual playfulness of the room.

To create the basement nightclub Mister H, Morgans’ Regional Director of Entertainment Sal Imposimato teamed up with Armin Amiri – a sometime actor and New York nightlife entrepreneur who started out as doorman at Amy Sacco’s Bungalow 8. Mister H is a fictional character embodying old New York, and Soho’s Chinatown surroundings. The rich, red room is accented with an eclectic collection of Chinese furniture, lanterns and ephemera, reminiscent of an authentic Chinatown market. The bar is lined with Chinese imports and references to the “year of the rabbit” are evident in various original artworks throughout the room. The Feng 062

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From left to right: Entrance Lobby, The Royal Mirage Resort, Dubai, UAE; Conference Room, Dallas, Texas; Bedroom, Asia Park Hyatt, Seoul, Korea; Restaurant, Hotel Eurostars Madrid Tower, Madrid, Spain.

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HOTEL REVIEW

Shui design blends an abundance of reds with plush cushions, fabrics, decorative lamps and mirrors. a neon sign on the wall features the words “LoVe, HaPPy, drunk” in Chinese letters, summing up the spirit of the bar.

Amiri parted ways with the hotel as Morgans completed its acquisition of Las Vegas based food and beverage consultants The Light Group in November 2011.

The hotel’s 270 guestrooms include four suites, each featuring a terrace, and a grand Penthouse on Mondrian’s 25th floor.

Saturated blue corridors with custom carpet adorned with a rose vine design provide entryway to the elegant jewel-box rooms featuring large dramatic mirrors, another nod to the ubiquitous French fairy tale. Some rooms also feature a marble foyer and bar 064

area, shiny chrome desks and translucent doors offering entry to the bathroom. Chrome night tables and sconces offset white beds, floor-to-ceiling windows and 10-foot high ceilings. This is billed as the tallest building in Soho and its 1,170ft2 Penthouse event space features both a 70ft2 north-facing terrace and an additional 1,100 ft2 south facing terrace.

The views are simply awe inspiring, taking in a panoramic, vista of the New York skyline with a quite different perspective to those offered by the skyscrapers of midtown.

It may have taken nearly three decades for Morgans to make the journey from the original, eponymous hotel launched by Ian Schrager in 1984 to Lower Manhattan, but their arrival has been every bit as dramatic as Noriega Ortiz’ fairytale design.

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EXPRESS CHECKOUT Mondrian Soho 9 Crosby Street New York NY 10013, USA Tel: +1 212 389 1000 www.mondriansoho.com

„ 270 guestrooms and suites and penthouse apartment

 Mister H ‰ Imperial No. Nine + 19 meetings rooms of various sizes Developer: Cape Advisors Owner / Operator: Morgans Hotel Group Design Architect: Barry Rice Architects Architect of Record: H. Thomas O Hara Architects Interior Design: Benjamin Noriega Ortiz

Iconic Design.

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HOTEL REVIEW

Dream Downtown NewYork Words: Matt Turner Photography: © Bruce Damonte / Edward Menashy

Handel Architects have converted a 1960s, Albert Ledner-designed building to Vikram Chatwal’s latest Dream hotel.

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ream Downtown is the kind of hotel you might usually expect to find in Miami or Las Vegas.

A hole punched through the core of the building accommodates a beach club and heated pool, the glass bottom of which also forms a translucent ceiling to the lobby lounge below. Nine of the hotel’s 316 guestrooms have direct access to the pool, where cabana boys are armed with cool towels and Evian mist. The PH-D rooftop lounge on the top floor houses a nightlub, all state-of-the-art lighting and Italian marble.

Billed as a “fashion-forward lifestyle hotel” Dream Downtown is very much a party place, and in the past, its owner Vikram Chatwal, has had something of a reputation as a party person. The son of Hampshire Hotels founder Sant Singh Chatwal, he juggled careers as a hotelier, male model and sometime actor in the late Nineties. A

regular fixture on ‘Most Eligible Batchelor’ lists, Chatwal had a cameo in Zoolander, and was as likely to feature on Page Six of the New York Post as he was in Vogue. That was before he married Indian model Priya Sachdev, and set about building his hotel group internationally. Midtown Manhattan properties – Night, The Time, Stay and the original Dream hotel, were joined by sister Dream outposts in Bangkok and Cochin.

Back in Manhattan, his eponymous hotel company opened Dream Downtown in summer 2011. Located between two of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in New York, Chelsea and the Meat Packing District, the hotel is the result of multi-million dollar renovation of an iconic Albert Ledner building by Handel Architects. A throughblock site, fronting both 16th and 17th Streets, adjacent to the Maritime Hotel, accommodates 316 guestrooms,

OPPOSITE PAGE: Handel Architects have clad the sloped façade of Albert Ledner’s 1966 National Maritime Annexe with stainless steel tiles, adding new porthole windows to loosen the rigid grid of his original design ABOVE: The bar area within the Marble Lane steakhouse

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LEFT: The Marble Lane restaurant features 200 hand blown glass light fixtures by John Pomp Studios surrounded by teak wood slats and leather banquette seating ABOVE: Nine of the hotels 316 guestrooms have direct access to the beach club and pool at the heart of the hotel

multiple dining venues, an expansive rooftop lounge and VIP lounges, and extensive fitness facilities with spa services.

The building was conceived in 1964, when the National Maritime Union of America commissioned New Orleans-based architect Albert Ledner to design a new headquarters for the Union, on Seventh Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets. Two years later, he designed an annexe for the headquarters on the site where Dream currently sits. A flanking wing for the annexe was eventually converted to the Maritime Hotel. In the 1970s, the Union collapsed and the buildings were sold, being used for various purposes in the years that followed, until Chatwal acquired it in 2006. “The spirit of Ledner’s 1966 design for the National Maritime Annexe has been preserved along the 17th Street exposure, where the sloped façade was clad in stainless steel tiles, placed in a running bond pattern as in the original mosaic tiles of Ledner’s Union building,” explain Handel Architects. “New porthole windows were added, one of the same dimension as the original and one half the size, loosening the rigid grid of the previous 068

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design, while creating a new façade of controlled chaos and verve. The tiles reflect the sky, sun, and moon, and when the light hits the façade perfectly, the stainless steel disintegrates and the circular windows appear to float like bubbles. The orthogonal panels fold at the corners, continuing the slope and generating a contrasting effect to the window pattern of the north façade.”

The 16th Street side of the building, previously a blank façade when the building served as an annex, was given new life. Here, the skin is constructed of two perforated stainless steel layers, its top sheet of holes a replication of the 17th Street punchedwindow design and the inner sheet a regular perforation pattern. The outer rain screen is punctured with porthole-shaped Juliet balconies for the guestrooms and peels up at the ground level to form the hotel canopy and reveal the hotel entrance.

The original through block building offered limited possibilities for natural light.

Four floors were removed from the centre of the building, which created a new pool terrace and ‘beach’ along with new windows and balconies for guestrooms. The glass

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HOTEL REVIEW

LEFT AND ABOVE: The PH-D rooftop lounge features Italian marble, Macassar ebony and nickel finish glass, with state-ofthe-art audio visual systems. The 1,500ft2 terrace has stunning views over Manhattan

bottom pool allows guests in the lobby glimpses through the water to the outside (and vice versa). Light wells framed in teak between the lobby, pool and lower level levels allow the space to flow.

TAO and Strategic Group, the company behind Lavo Italian restaurants in both New York and Las Vegas, and The Marquee club and pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, were brought in to develop and operate the food and beverage outlets including the 150-seat Marble Lane restaurant, a lobby lounge, The Beach pool café/bar and the PHD rooftop lounge, also designed by Handel Architects. Marble Lane restaurant, billed as a ‘steak joint and bar’, nestles beneath 200 hand-blown round glass light fixtures designed by John Pomp Studios, surrounded by teak wood slats, warm, dark wood flooring and a ceiling that mimics the night sky. Anish Kapoor etchings adorn both ends of the restaurant. Perforated black Ferrari leather banquettes by Poltrona Frau punctuate the perimeter of the room, and marble tables of white Carrara are paired with circular 070

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bentwood chairs lined in glossy black and white patent leather.

The Beach at Dream Downtown is located on the second floor of the hotel and spans 4,800ft2, completed with imported sand, cabanas and Cote d’Azur inspired chaises lounges. PH-D Rooftop Lounge is located on the 12th floor of the hotel, and features finishes such as Italian Portoro marble, Macassar ebony, nickel finish glass and three of a kind amber Venini glass chandeliers.

State-of-the-art audio and light and audio systems span across the 2,900ft2 of the venue, which also features a 1500ft2 outdoor terrace.

The views across Manhattan may be stunning but Chatwal Hotels & Resorts are looking beyond New York to the emerging markets of Asia. Having already established a presence in Bangkok and Cochin, they recently announced plans to franchise the Dream and Night brands in India and beyond through a global partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, hoping to build 100 hotels in ten years with an initial investment of US$200m.

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EXPRESS CHECKOUT Dream Downtown 355 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011, USA Tel: +1 212 229 2559 www.dreamdowntown.com

„ 316 guestrooms and suites ‰ Marble Lane Steakhouse, Romera NYC Â PH-D Rooftop Lounge, The Beach pool bar Electric Room + Multifunctional event and meetings space Owner / Operator: Vikram Chatwal Hotels / Hampshire Hotels & Resorts F&B Operator: TAO Strategic Group Architect & Interior Designer: Handel Architects

HOTEL REVIEW

Italian designer Piero Lissoni has worked with Alrov Luxury Hotels on the conversion of a former bank in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter to a 129-room luxury hotel.

Conservatorium Amsterdam Words: Guy Dittrich Photography: © Jim Ellam / Venuez

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he heart of the Conservatorium Hotel is its lobby – a vast volume encapsulated in glass. The sky, high overhead, gives the space an almost limitless quality. The lobby occupies half the courtyard within the U-shape of an historic former bank turned music conservatorium in the Museums Quarter of Amsterdam. The 129-guestroom hotel opened in December 2011, ahead of the re-openings of the Stedelijk Museum, across the street from the hotel, and the nearby Rijksmuseum that are both nearing completion.

The Conservatorium Hotel is managed

by Alrov Luxury Hotels, part of the Israelibased Alrov real estate company, and will join The Set, a new hotel collection launching in 2012 that will also include the Café Royal in London (due to open in June 2012) and thereafter by the Hotel Lutetia, Paris. Alrov’s investment in the Amsterdam property stands at over €100 million.

The group has worked with Piero Lissoni – the Italian designer who previously worked with Alrov on the launch of Mamilla in Jerusalem. Working with the austere beauty of Daniel Knuttel’s original architecture, Piero Lissoni has created a succession of luminous spaces based around the soaring glass atrium, into which he has interposed striking modern architectural elements. Contemporary furniture is mixed with classic mid-century modernist pieces as well as occasional vintage finds from Asia. “We tried to engage the historical building with the new one and, at the same time, to give a strong identity to the new architecture,” explains Lissoni of his work in Amsterdam. His additions to the property are distinctive with his favoured hard materials such as metal, stone, glass and wood

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ABOVE: The Tunes bar has a selection of gins, paying homage to the Dutch provenance of the spirit, together with an extensive list of both traditional and innovative cocktails, a gourmet fusion tapas menu and an elevated smoking lounge.

LEFT: Almost half of the rooms have been configured into duplex layout with oversized functional windows and exposed structural beams

clearly defining the new elements. They are an enthralling contrast to the redbrick and stone detailing of the centenarian building with its high, arched corridors and beautifully patterned mosaic flooring.

The lobby insertion is a perfectly logical solution to create a workable hotel. “It was a starting point,” clarifies Lissoni, “We defined and designed the final form and all the details.” The lobby structure is reduced to its minimum, conferring on it a luminosity that is all the more remarkable given that within the volume there is room for two lift shafts adjacent to series of stacked meeting spaces.

These are linked to the hotel on one side by glassed-in bridges high above the lobby space and on the other by an angular metal switchback staircase stepping up from the lobby floor.

The metal staircase, here and within the hotel’s bar where it leads to a separate mezzanine smoking lounge, is a repetition of that which Lissoni installed at the 074

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THIS PAGE: Piero Lissoni has worked within a building originally designed by Dutch architect Daniel Knuttel in the 19th century. The building served as a bank for 77 years before becoming Amsterdam’s premier music conservatorium

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Mamilla. “Of course, I wanted to create an architectural signature, a liaison between these two different projects that are now part of the identity of the Alrov group,” says Lissoni.

Stair treads in the duplex guestrooms that make up half the hotel’s inventory are also made of black steel. Together with the ample use of mirrors, glass balustrades and the geometric layouts of the Travertine marble in the bathrooms they make the guestrooms literally edgy. Glass balustrades might be a housekeeping challenge, so too the step up into guestrooms on lower floors, but they do make the best of the views from the enormous windows. This aspect coupled with the deep pile rug, running out across the dark smoked oak floorboards from underneath the Living Divani sofa, and a sumptuous bed throw help soften the room aesthetics.

Contract teams from B&B Italia, Cassina and Poliform – Italian furniture 076

manufacturers with whom Lissoni has worked in the past – were involved here, and the precision of their workmanship is impressive.

Guestroom doors open within millimeters of sliding cupboard doors. The same pair of sliding doors keeps the corridor entrance uncluttered but sliding out and over the front of each other means that only one cupboard can be opened at once. More accuracy is seen in the joins of glass, steel and wood, or the fit of unfeasibly thick bathroom doors, lined on the inside with marble.

The guestroom design is not without fault.When desk chairs are drawn back for use in certain rooms one leg sits up on the thick carpet unless a very odd seating angle is adopted. Get up from the chair and even guests of average height will bump their head on a pendant lamp. There are no suitable towel rails or even hooks within the bathrooms and the bright yellow, freestanding metal

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ABOVE: The Tunes restaurant, under the direction of celebrated Dutch chef Schilo van Coevorden eschews traditional fine dining in favour of local authentic dishes based on seasonally sourced products RIGHT: Piero Lissoni has created a succession of luminous spaces based around a soaring glass atrium lobby, into which he has interposed striking modern architectural elements

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ABOVE LEFT: Many of the guestrooms have mezzanine levels. Lissoni has worked with a host of Italian furniture manufacturers to supply pieces for the hotel, many of them custom-made ABOVE RIGHT: Bathrooms feature sharp, angular designs in Travertine marble

hanging rail in the bedroom is a far from practical solution. Other elements also pick up this signature colour – the glass top to the desk and the little string light switch on a standard lamp are neat touches accenting the overall dark tone of the guestrooms.

Lissoni admits that the hotel is a work in progress. “We are in a very dynamic process with the hotel just starting up... and each day new needs are popping up which we support by adapting or re-designing part of the interiors,” he explains.

Gourmet restaurant Tunes overlooks the hotel’s other restaurant, the Brasserie, located in the lobby. Here Lissoni has used a mix of seating heights including lounge chairs, bar seating at high tables (or at a wall-counter which is great for single diners) and a large round table for what Lissoni describes as a “sharing experience” within this all-day-dining option. The random positioning of bright green coloured chairs is as refreshing as the eclectic buffet breakfast served from an iced table.

Separating the Brasserie from the lounge area of the lobby is a glass-walled library out of which poke fig and olive trees, rooted in the basement Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Retreat.

The shelving of this open library comprises walls of deep glass boxes. The same design 078

element is repeated for the display of bottles in the bar and crockery in Tunes. In the lobby, food-related books are found on the Brasserie side and art/design/photography tomes on the lounge side. The lounge itself comprises a series of islands of low seating defined by rugs made from re-purposed Kilims and other Asian-sourced carpets.

Underneath the lobby is the bright white space of the Akasha spa. Over 1,000m2 and two levels, the design of this urban spa is a class apart. Based around the four elements of Fire (a gym oversupplied with Technogym and Life Fitness machines to allow for the anticipated 250 local members), Air (an exercise studio separated from the gym by the trees that peer through the lobby’s library), Earth (a lounge concept) and Water. This final aspect is reached via a white staircase besides a vertical garden and leads to a lap pool, a Watsu pool (for underwater shiatsu massage), hammam and four treatment rooms that ‘float’ on water.

The quality of materials and craftsmanship of the interiors at the Conservatorium Hotel are excellent. The practical oversights are mostly these are rectifiable and should not detract from Lissoni’s stunning lobby insertion that works on so many levels to create a fabulous hotel experience.

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EXPRESS CHECKOUT The Conservatorium 27 Van Baerlestraat, 1071 AN Amsterdam, The Netherlands Tel: +31 20 570 0000 www.conservatoriumhotel.com

„ 129 guestrooms ‰ Tunes, Conservatorium Brasserie  Tunes Bar [ Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Retreat + 6 meeting rooms, retail outlets Owner & Operator: Alrov Luxury Hotels Architecture & Interior Design: Piero Lissoni

Sanitaryware, bathroom furniture, bathtubs, shower trays, wellness products and accessories: Duravit has everything you need to make life in the bathroom a little more beautiful. More info at Duravit UK, Milton Keynes, Phone 0845 500 7787, Fax 0845 500 7786, info@uk.duravit.com, www.duravit.co.uk

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HOTEL REVIEW

“T

he question I asked myself was how do we bring the glamour of the opera into this building?” says Diego Gronda, Creative and Managing Director of Madrid-based Rockwell Group Europe. W’s fifth European address had to combine “the energy of New York with the sophistication of the French capital” but also respect the wedge-shaped 1870s Haussmannian building, a former bank, whose façades, entrance hall, period fireplaces and (some) rooms are listed, and, above all, the presence of its mighty neighbour, the Palais Garnier, one of Paris’s iconic monuments, across the street. As Eva Ziegler, W Global Brand Leader, who works with the external designers to establish a distinct

W Paris-Opéra Paris Words: Natasha Edwards Photography: Courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Rockwell Group Europe has created a hotel which combines the restoration of an historic Haussmann building with contemporary interiors based around the central design concept of ‘The Spark’.

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design narrative for each location, puts it: “We aim to be a leader in our category in terms of design but with all the globalisation of hotel brands, we don’t want cookie-cutter design.”

“The conventional thing in the 21st century is to go out and do the most outrageous thing in a historic building, but we think that W is about an experience,” believes Gronda, who came up with The Spark, a wall of light that forms the hotel’s centrepiece – perhaps thanks to that frequent misconception that the ‘City of Light’ epithet is about lighting (when it actually refers to the Enlightenment), but no matter. Although The Spark concept was there from the start, it involved a long design process, experimenting with various materials 082

and maquettes, including glass blocks and resin, before choosing the final structure that Gronda developed in collaboration with the “amazing people” from Frandsen Group in Denmark. Made from enamelled steel and Plexiglass in graphic black and white pixellated dot patterns, with programmable LED backlighting, the light can be altered in intensity, colour and tempo, according to the time or to suit a specific event, and to give the building a glow that will emanate to the exterior. “We wanted a mutating space, not a passive area,” says Gronda. In fact, he toned down the initial concept: “We were afraid that all glass would be too overwhelming. We are not doing this for designers but for people coming to stay. We have to know when to

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ABOVE: The Living Room features pale grey banquette seating with cushions in David Rockwell’s new fabric range for Jim Thompson. A manga style artwork by Shobo Shobo adorns the mirror at the end of the room RIGHT: The Arola tapas restaurant, under two Michelin-star chef Sergi Arola, features flamenco red accents to the design

step back, it’s not a monument to our ego.

How do you equate the ‘wow’ of the design, with a place that is also welcoming.”

The Spark’s undulating form brings dynamism and fluidity to the classical Haussmannian lines and also resolved the problem of a complicated floor plan, creating a central feature that disguises the stairwell and two small interior courtyards to give the impression of one unified volume. A third courtyard at the end of the entrance hall has been glazed over to create an atrium for the lifts.

Conceived as a molten core, the stairwell is painted red, while lifts have buttoned red upholstery, that could equally well refer to the red damasks and velvets of Palais Garnier.

Gronda continues the meltdown metaphor in references to the Haussmannian building: cornices fragment, while classic herringbone parquet is echoed in metal lines set into the black terrazzo floor downstairs and in grey bedroom carpets, where the pattern fizzles out towards the core – “it respects the chevron pattern of parquet but in a very contemporary way.”

With cocktail culture at the heart of W’s lifestyle approach and the ambition of attracting Parisians as well as visitors, The Spark pays a key role in creating different ambiences in the public spaces. In the W Living Room, pale-grey leather banquettes, sprinkled with eclectic cushions in Rockwell’s recent fabric range for Jim Thompson, can

be arranged in different configurations, either isolated or as a communal space.

Small bronze-coloured tables take up the cornice moulding motif – as do three metallic lacquered-wood reception desks across the entrance hall. In keeping with W’s young fashion-music-design credo, there’s a DJ booth inserted into The Spark and a mangastyle wall drawing by Shobo Shobo (alias French artist/designer Mehdi Hercberg) on the end mirror. The bar, which can be entered through the lounge or by an independent street entrance, features a small island Champagne bar and enormous, sweeping Martini bar in shiny black resin. Armchairs and high bar seats in black buttoned leather with scarlet piping add drama but also suit

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ABOVE LEFT: Room designs feature built in desks, Louis XV style armchairs, open bathrooms with rectangular units combining basin and minibar, and theatrical black dressing tables ABOVE: Frandsen Lighting created “the Spark” – a central lighting feature around which the design concept is based

the Napoléon III period.

On the mezzanine level, the Arola restaurant has been designed for Spanish executive chef Sergi Arola’s contemporary take on tapas. Flamenco-style red rose motif fringed place settings could come out of a play

by Lorca and agua potable ceramic plaques are modelled on Barcelona manhole covers.

With 91 rooms and suites in eight categories, the five floors of bedrooms follow the dominant black and white colour scheme, with blue, amber, red, green or cream accents in upholstery, curtains and bedcovers. Here The Spark treatment recurs but in a more discreet form: dressing corridor windows, as a long panel outside each door, and repeated in varying forms inside the rooms. The furnishings are surprisingly eclectic: panelled bedheads that disintegrate towards the spark; thick glass and steel built-in desks; low black leather sofas; revisited parquet carpet and wire 084

chandeliers; Louis XV style bergère armchairs where the decor has melted away on one arm.

A large wooden wall element contains the TV, fold-down luggage rack and assorted niches for books or artworks. Some rooms feature open bathrooms, where a rectangular unit incorporating the basin and minibar provides the divider between bedroom and bathroom, while some suites have walk-in wardrobes and theatrical black dressing tables.

For the “Extreme Wow” suites occupying the prime corner spot, the original architecture is largely left to speak for itself, with floor to ceiling windows, period fireplace and panelled doors, but dressed up – one door conceals a voyeuristic view of the glass-sided shower, and the three-meter-diameter circular leather bed, occupying centre stage beneath the circular ceiling moulding, can be pulled apart with sofas on either side. “It’s really a party room,” concludes Gronda.

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EXPRESS CHECKOUT W Paris Opéra 4 rue Meyerbeer 75009 Paris France Tel: +33 1 77 48 94 94 www.wparisopera.com

„ 91 rooms and suites ‰ Arola Restaurant  Living Room bar [ Sweat gym + Two meeting rooms Owner / Developer: Meridia Capital Operator: W Hotels (Starwood Hotels & Resorts) Interior Design: Rockwell Group Europe

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HOTEL REVIEW

Ian Schrager’s latest venture sees the transformation of The Ambassador East and its legendary Pump Room into the first property of a new brand that sets about reinventing the hotel experience.

Public Chicago Words: Catherine Martin Photography: Courtesy of Public Chicago

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lmost thirty years after introducing the boutique hotel, Ian Schrager is shaking up the hospitality industry once again.

The entrepreneur – known for his pioneering concepts that have revolutionised both the entertainment and hospitality industries – has launched a “new class of hotel” built on the ethos of being inclusive rather than exclusive, making good design available to all.

Since the early days of creating Studio 54 and The Palladium (with late business partner Steve Rubell) Schrager’s career has been defined by an instinct for the direction of popular culture. In 1984 he made his hospitality debut with the opening of Morgans Hotel, an instant hit characterised by personalised service and home-away-from-home ambiance. The New York property has come to influence a generation of hotels, not only for Morgans Hotel Group, and become known as the original boutique hotel.

Success followed with the Royalton Paramount Hotels, in which Schrager again broke with industry convention by introducing ‘lobby socialising’, a concept in which the hotel lobby became a new kind of gathering place for guests and local residents alike.

Schrager made his comeback in 2010 as he embarked on a partnership with Marriott International to develop Edition, the next chapter in the lifestyle story that aims to “radically rethink and catapult the boutique/ lifestyle category hotel into the present by capturing the spirit of the times”. So it comes as no surprise that his latest venture – Public – tackles a new market of opportunity. “I’ve always been interested

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in the value end of the market, and love the idea of making good design available to everybody,” he explains, pointing out the potential in the “ripe and vulnerable” limited service model. “But there was nothing new, all the hotels looked alike and everything had been reduced to a formula,” Public Chicago opened in October 2011 in the city’s Gold Coast. Described as having a “passionate focus on what guests actually want, need and is essential today”, it takes elements from the luxury, lifestyle, and limited service models.

In its former incarnation as The Ambassador East, the hotel was hugely popular for its Pump Room restaurant favoured by stage and screen legends Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin and Cary Grant. Whilst retaining an air of sophistication, Schrager’s creation is markedly different. Far from being a hotel that only the rich and famous can afford, Public is designed to cater to the public.

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There are some reminders of the former hotel’s heydey however, notably a light installation over the entrance that is made up of a series of glass chandeliers rescued from the original Pump Room.

At the heart of the hotel is the Living Room and Library, flexible and functional spaces that go by Schrager’s ‘lobby socialising’ concept.

Communal tables, a make-shift self-serve business centre complete with 21.5-inch iMacs, high-back wing chairs, and custom armchairs in 100% baby alpaca provide a range of places to work, rest and play.

Featuring 20-foot ceilings, original wood paneling and a natural limestone-coloured concrete floor, the Library has been restored as a fresh interpretation of the traditional English Gentleman’s Club. Chesterfield sofas, darkened oak armchairs upholstered in long-haired Mongolian lambswool, and a roaring fireplace are complemented by an eclectic collection of antiques, coffee-table books and board games.

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The interiors are distinguished by a refined no-look, no-colour approach in what Schrager calls a rejection of “design on steroids”. “We didn’t want to do anything over-designed and we don’t want to have a specific look,” he explains. “We want it to appeal to all kinds of people and so relied on good taste and the belief that less is better,” he adds. “It’s harder to do something very very simple that’s comfortable and warm, without sacrificing on the glamour.”

While the overall concept was created by Schrager, his long-term associate and closest confidante Anda Andrei directed the process with collaboration from interior design firms Yabu Pushelberg and Gabellini Sheppard.

Public’s F&B offering, The Pump Room, reflects a modern version of the old Pump Room, complete with the famous Booth One, the Frank Sinatra booth, and over 3000 framed photographs of celebrity guests who have dined here. Four distinct dining areas,

Silestone Authentic Life 236x275+3 ING.pdf

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ABOVE AND LEFT: Guestrooms continue the no-colour colour palette and feature armchair upholstered in natural linen and accented by raw steel nail heads, as well as a blackened steel desk and leather-seated Thonet chair accessorised with sheepskin throw

including an indoor sun terrace and private dining room, each with its own personality, function separately or work together as one harmonious environment. The main sunken dining area features custom half-round banquettes with solid rift-cut, bleached oak table tops on oil-rubbed bronze bases and pays tribute to the original round booths.

Overhead, a dramatic multi-dimensional lighting installation by Milan’s Dimore Studio is made up of 500 individually cast resin orbs of different sizes and finishes.

The bar area, candle-lit at night, features a double-vaulted ceiling gilded with 12-carat gold-leaf that serves as a backdrop for bottles displayed on a floating, illuminated glass shelf.

Public’s 285 guestrooms are surprisingly spacious and continue the refined approach and no-colour colour palette. Custom beds (the same as in Schrager’s own home) feature 300 thread count Frette linens and a broompleated throw, while rift-cut bleached oak 090

MARCH / APRIL 2012

wall paneling incorporates the nightstand, overlooked by classic black steel lamps by Luxo.

Rooms allow for a sofa or armchair upholstered in natural linen and accented by raw steel nail heads, as well as a blackened steel desk and leather-seated Thonet chairs accessorised with sheepskin.

While the guestrooms have come under fire from some critics, Schrager is true to his word that the hotel appeals to all, with no over-thetop design features or offensive décor. Schrager admits that the hotel is a very personal expression inspired by his own home, but far from it being an ego trip he firmly believes: “I think the only way to distinguish yourself is to do something really personal. That’s the only way to really be authentic.”

As to whether Public will have the same impact on the industry as Morgans Hotel did, only time will tell.

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EXPRESS CHECKOUT Public Chicago 1301 North State Parkway Chicago, IL 60610 USA Tel: +1 312 787 3700 www.publichotels.com

„ 285 guestrooms ‰ Pump Room  Library & Coffee Bar + Living Room, Screening Room, business centre, meeting rooms, fitness centre Owner: Ian Schrager and iStar Financial Operator: Ian Schrager Company Overall Concept: Ian Schrager Director of Design & Architecture: Anda Andrei Interior Design Collaboration: Yabu Pushelberg and Gabellini Sheppard

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HOTEL REVIEW

Aloft Excel London Words: Rhian Owen Photography: Tim Crocker / Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Starwood’s Aloft brand has made its UK debut in a hotel adjacent to the Excel exhibition centre, designed by Jestico + Whiles for owners ADNEC.

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A

loft is a juggernaut of a hotel brand. Its roll out as been described by its owners Starwood as “the fastest ramp-up in hospitality-industry history,” as well as the most global. Since its debut at Montreal Airport in 2008, the brand has quickly spread its wings across the States, opened its first European hotel in Brussels, and debuted in Abu Dhabi in the Middle East as well as Bangkok in Asia. It expects to have 70 hotels worldwide by 2013, with a flurry of openings planned for Asia. Now it has arrived in the UK with the launch of Aloft London ExCeL. On regenerated Royal Victoria Dock, the property is adjacent to London’s ExCeL Exhibition Centre, a 25-minute journey from

094

central London on the District Light Railway.

“The influx of investment in East London ahead of the Olympics including the arrival of Aloft, is proving hugely beneficial,” says Brian McGuinness, Senior VP of Starwood’s Aloft, Element and Four Points by Sheraton brands.

“More than £11bn in investments is set to flow into the capital before 2012, funding a range of new developments. We are proud to be part of this regeneration project, bringing a brand new concept to an area we believe will be much sought after from both business travellers and consumers.”

The launch follows the opening of Aloft Abu Dhabi, where Starwood worked with ADNEC, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, to open the brand’s first hotel in

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PREVIOUS PAGE, THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE: The building’s ‘serpentine’ layering reduces internal corridor lengths and brings natural daylight into the central lift core lobby whilst addressing the site restrictions generated by complex service infrastructure surrounding the exhibition centre

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the Middle East, adjacent to the Emirate’s exhibition centre. The ExCeL Aloft follows ADNEC’s acquisition of ExCeL in 2008. It was built by McAleer & Rushe, the original owners of W Leicester Square, and designed

by Jestico & Whiles, who were also architects for the Leicester Square property. The hotel is based on a “serpentine” plan, designed around a convex central spine containing the bedrooms. The central spine of the hotel has been finished with a bespoke, double�glazed cladding, which features a translucent ceramic frit pattern and solid back�painted spandrel panels. Inspired by the illusion of depth seen in some of Bridget Riley’s paintings, abstract horizontal stripes fritted onto the glass have been designed to emphasise the flow of the building. Specially-treated, stainless steel shingles appear green, blue or purple depending on the light and can even appear 096

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ABOVE AND LEFT: Jestico + Whiles’ interior design continues the linear, multi-coloured motif of the external design. The interiors have been furnished with a carefully selected palette of timber, Corian®, glass, porcelain and textured wallpaper, and selected artworks decorating the public spaces

HOTEL REVIEW

gold in the right lighting conditions.

Jestico + Whiles also handled the interior design and there is a noticeable cohesion between the two; the treatment of the internal spaces continues the linear, multi-coloured motif of the external design. Coloured light panels, reminiscent of the façade treatment, decorate the guestroom corridors. And the multi-coloured interior is also extended to the meeting rooms.

Modern and affordable, the brand aims to redefine the mid-market hotel sector. Features such as the easy check-in with “touch-ngo kiosk”, free WiFi, a 24-hour gym and 098

self-service canteen instead of a restaurant, highlight the brand’s playful and functional nature. “Aloft hotels are designed for the savvy, self-reliant traveller,” McGuiness says.

“It is an affordable, design-led product with a focus on accessible technology, comfort and convenience.”

McGuiness adds: “One thing I always appreciate when staying in Aloft hotels is how our guests use the public spaces. It is clear that people feel comfortable in the re: mix lounge at Aloft London, whether they are checking their emails, holding an impromptu meeting with colleagues or mingling over

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ABOVE: The hotel has a Re:charge fitness centre – open 24/7 for guests’ gym fix day or night and the Splash swimming pool – an oasis of calm where guests can de-stress and re-energise

AKITA WEAVES & WALLPAPERS www.zoffany.com | 0845 123 6810

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HOTEL REVIEW

ABOVE LEFT: Ulster Carpets supplied the carpets throughout, creating a stripe design using 16 colours for the corridors and meeting rooms in keeping with Aloft’s signature style ABOVE: Signature elements of the Aloft brand include the Living Room lobby and w xyz bar with pool table LEFT: Guestrooms feature furniture by Interdecor and Distinction, textiles by Kvadrat and Ultra Fabrics. Wallcoverings are by Tektura, Vescom, and MDC Wallcoverings

some cocktails at the w xyz bar.” Aloft offers a lively alternative to the impersonal atmosphere of many business hotels located near ExCeL. The social element of the re: mix lounge with its free pool table and the w xyz bar works well. “What we enjoy about the hotel is that it’s not a home away from home, it is something different,” says John Whiles, founding Director of Jestico + Whiles. “It’s that theatre we like. We want to pull people out of their bedrooms, there’s nothing worse than staying in your room watching TV, and we want people to go the public areas. Some hotel’s ground floors are pretty deathly, the Aloft is lively.”

The loft-style bedrooms are more spacious than you would usually get in central London and rates start at £120 per night. All rooms have two large windows, a platform bed, a 100

42-inch TV and docking station, and a walk-in oversized shower room separated from the bedroom by mirrored doors. Some rooms are even pet-friendly.

Jestico + Whiles has tuned and developed the interior design to evolve the Aloft guidelines into a site-specific design, whilst also adapting the brand to suit the UK market.

Concludes Whiles: “The building continues our challenge to the accepted norms of hotel design through the integration of the theatre of materials and activity where the architecture and interior design become one holistic treatment. The hotel clearly enhances the experience of the location to create an iconic sense of place at this important entrance to the new International Conference Centre, so vital to the future of London.”

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EXPRESS CHECKOUT Aloft London ExCeL 1 Eastern Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1FR, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 3203 0700 www.aloftlondonexcel.com

„ 252 guestrooms including 12 suites ‰ re:fuel by aloft, a grab and go eatery Âre:mix and w xyz [ 24-hour fitness suite, splash pool, sauna and steam room + 5 meeting rooms Owner: ADNEC Operator: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Architecture & Interior Design: Jestico + Whiles Contractor: McAleer & Rushe

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HOTEL REVIEW

Hotelier Bev King, working with architects Harper Downie, has launched a new hotel brand offering a prime location at “outof-town” prices.

Z Hotels Soho Words: Matt Turner Photography: Tom Sullam

“I

’d had enough of the corporate world. I was fed up of working for somebody else and decided it was time to do something on my own,” says Bev King, founder of Z Hotels.

King was formerly COO of Thistle Hotels, following stints as General Manager at The Cumberland and then as a regional manager of Thistle’s London properties. “If I’m honest with you, most London hotels are outrageously overpriced and deliver really shockingly bad value for money.”

King is hoping to put that to rights with the launch of Z Hotels, a new privatelyowned and funded hotel group created by King with former colleagues from Thistle, which launched its first property in Soho in November 2011.

“Concentrated style, an out-of-town price, and a prime location, offering everything

needed for a couple of nights in town,” is King’s description of the new hotel which offers compact, neatly designed rooms for rates starting at around £100 per night. Even during busy periods the rates do not rise significantly higher. By contrast, he says, well known budget brands with hotels nearby frequently see rates rise as high as £200. “We want to build lots of Z Hotels that all deliver value for money rather than building one and making as much as we can from it.”

The 85 guestroom property is a conversion of twelve Georgian townhouses. Architects Harper Downie have had to be inventive in their use of space, with each guestroom configuration adapted to fit the building.

A series of spiral staircases and walkways, timber-clad in Scandinavian style, link the various buildings, so that some rooms are accessed via external balconies rather than WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM

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ABOVE: Orchard Interiors have provided bespoke furnishings for the guestrooms. Devon based organic mattress specialists Naturalmat are providing Z Hotels with mattresses for their first three openings in Soho, Victoria and Liverpool hotel.

LEFT: The hotel comprises 12 Georgian townhouses organised around a central courtyard

internal corridors. A central courtyard offers outdoor space, rare in this heavily developed area of London, an area King feels will come into its own in Summer.

Guestrooms are designed with the “Urbanite Stay” in mind, and feature the latest 40-inch LED High Definition Samsung TVs with all Sky Sports and Sky Movies channels available at no extra cost, power showers, bespoke furniture by Orchard Interiors and iPod docking stations. Features include quartzite and glass finishes in the en-suite wetroom, leather headboards, luxury mattresses hand-made in the UK, and wood panelling on the walls. Wi-Fi throughout the hotel is free.

The hotel’s location just off Cambridge 104

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HOTEL REVIEW

ABOVE: The hotel’s layout uses timber clad external walkways and spiral staircases to access guestrooms, which are simply furnished and equipped with the latest Samsung TVs offering all Sky Sports and Sky Movies channels within the room rate

Circus puts it right in the heart of one of London’s most vibrant areas surrounded by restaurants and bars of Soho and Covent Garden. Just a few steps from the hotel, Belgian moules-et-frites chain Leon de Bruxelles has recently opened its doors, and Szechuan restaurant Bar Shu is on nearby Romilly Street. For more upmarket dining, The Ivy and Atelier Joel Robuchon are just a short walk away. Nonetheless, the hotel has its own café, adjacent to the ground floor lobby and with its own street entrance, offering light snacks in a relaxed urban style.

Says King: “As a team, we saw a gap in the hotel market and an opportunity to define a new category based around short-stay city centre accommodation. We know that when visitors to cities book their accommodation, a central location and reasonable price point are the key factors in making their decision as to where to stay. But customers also want a 106

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stylish interior, flatscreen TVs and free Wi-Fi as standard. We believe you shouldn’t have to compromise on one to have the other, which is why we have launched Z Hotels. Whether in London or elsewhere, all our properties will be centrally located, design-led hotels at an affordable price.”

The company is currently on site with another property at Victoria in London, and King says they are actively seeking other sites, with offers on several properties in the pipeline. Although the focus is primarily on London, they will also look at other opportunities when they arise, including a new hotel on Liverpool’s Dale Street on which they expect to start construction in March.

“We’re the developers, we put the whole thing together we do it all ourselves, start to finish, funding, design, building – it’s all us.” Quite a change from the corporate world, but one he seems to be relishing.

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EXPRESS CHECKOUT The Z Hotels 17 Moor Street, London, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 3551 3701 www.thezhotels.com

„ 85 guestrooms ‰ Cafe Bar Developer / Owner / Operator: Z Hotels OCS Architect / Interior Design: Harper Downie

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C lo u D o u t D o o r lo u n G e C o l l e C t i o n · D e s i G n m a r k G a B B e r ta s ( lo n D o n )

L I V E O U T S I D E T H E B OX s u p e r B ly C r a F t e D t e a k , w o v e n , a l u m i n i u m a n D s ta i n l e s s s t e e l o u t D o o r F u r n i t u r e

G lo s t e r , C o l l i n s D r i v e , s e v e r n B e a C h , B r i s t o l , B s 3 5 4 G G t e l . + 4 4 ( 0 ) 1 4 5 4 6 3 1 9 5 0 · Fa x . + 4 4 ( 0 ) 1 4 5 4 6 3 1 9 5 9 e - m a i l . i n F o @ G l o s t e r . C o . u k · w w w. G l o s t e r . C o m

EVENT DIARY

Event Diary 2012 MARCH

KBB

APRIL

MAY cont.

MAY cont.

CHIC – China Hotel Investment Conference

HI Design EMEA

Clerkenwell Design Week

Birmingham

Split, Croatia

London

4-7 March 2012

Shanghai

10-12 May 2012

22-24 May 2012

www.kbb.co.uk

18-20 April 2012

www.hidesign-emea.com

www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com

www.chinahotelconference.com

IHIF – International Hotel Investment Forum Berlin 5-7 March 2012

CHRIS – Caribbean Hotel MAY

SEPTEMBER

HD Expo Las Vegas 15-17 May 2012

Maison & Objet

www.hdexpo.com

Paris

& Resort Investment Summit

The Hotel Show

Miami

Dubai

Singapore

7-8 May 2012

15-17 May 2012

Hot.E

9-12 March 2012

www.chrisconference.com

www.thehotelshow.com

London

HOLA – Hotel Opportunities Latin America

Boutique Hotel Summit 21-22 May 2012

100% Design

Miami

www.boutiquehotelsummit.com

London

www.berlinconference.com

Hospitality Asia

www.hospitalityasia.com.sg

Saloni 2012 – Salone Internazionale del Mobile

London

7-11 September 2012 www.maison-objet.com

19-20 September 2012 www.europehotelconference.com

Milan

8-10 May 2012

20-23 September 2012

17-22 April 2012

www.holaconference.com

www.100percentdesign.co.uk

www.cosmit.it

Event Focus: Saloni 2012 What?

Now in its 51st year, Saloni takes over Milan Fairgrounds with its series of exhibitions including Salone Internazionale del Mobile.

When & Where?

17-22 April 2012 at Milan Fairgrounds, Rho Who? A total of 1,729 exhibitors are confirmed for 2012. The 2011 edition was attended by 282,483 trade operators.

Special features?

• Salone Internazionale del Mobile – Taking over 14 pavilions, Italian and international furniture manufacturers showcase their latest collections.

• International Bathroom Exhibition – Expanded for 2012, this space is already sold out with 170 major bathroom players exhibiting. Organisers believe the novelty this year lies in the huge range of natural products on offer.

• SaloneSatellite – Dedicated to creative minds under the age of 35, this year’s SaloneSatellite will see 15 interpretations of the ‘Design<->Technology’ theme.

Around Milan?

For the duration of Saloni, the city of Milan becomes a design hub with open showrooms and breakaway events Superstudio, designjunction, Ventura Lambrate and Zona Tortona.

More info? www.cosmit.it

© Saverio Lombardi Vallauri

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Starwood buys Design Hotels stake Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to acquire 49.8% of Design Hotels from Arabella Hospitality, one of Starwood’s longtime partners in Germany, for an undisclosed fee.

Starwood is now the largest shareholder in the company, with founder and CEO Claus Sendlinger holding 12.94%, private investor Oliver Schmidt holding 5.24% and 32% held by other individual investors via a listing on the Munich stock exchange.

Design Hotels, which provides distribution, sales, marketing and consulting services for hotels, has a portfolio of over 200 member hotels in 40 countries. In 2010 the company had a turnover of EU9.4m. The first half of 2011 saw sales up 13%.

“This is an investment presented to us by a longtime partner,” said Starwood president and CEO Frits van Paasschen.

“With our own passion for design and innovation, we have long admired Design Hotels. As a shareholder, we are delighted to have a seat at the table of this dynamic company.”

Arabella Hospitality has recently re-focused its hotel strategy mainly on ownership and asset management and as a result chose to divest its shares in Design Hotels. Starwood will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of Design Hotels, nor will Design Hotels participate in any of Starwood’s centralised delivery systems including 110

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reservations and Starwood Preferred Guest.

Last year saw the Schörghuber Group dissolve ArabellaStarwood Hotels & Resorts, its joint venture with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, a move which was intended to allow Schörghuber to focus on owning hotels, rather than managing them.

ArabellaStarwood was founded in 1998 with the aim of protecting the Arabella brand and expanding it in the German-speaking and Majorcan markets, a strategy which changed at the start of 2007, when the JV was extended until 2037.

Under the revised agreement, further Starwood brands, including Westin, Le Méridien and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, were added to the group’s remit. The Arabella name was transferred to the group’s complementary tourist offers, which include golf and a vintage car business.

Following the dissolution of the JV, the sale of the group’s stake in Design Hotels marks its ongoing attempts to move towards an ownership-only model in the hotel market. Starwood continues to manage or franchise 20 of Arabella Hospitality hotels in Europe.

Founded by Sendlinger in 1993, Design Hotels is planning to continue its expansion, with the CEO commenting: “Having Starwood with its leading global footprint and lifestyle brands as an investor is a further validation that Design Hotels is a strong brand of global relevance as we continue to grow and focus on our niche in the New Luxury hotel segment”.

HA Perspective: Out of the global majors it is Starwood who has so far grasped most clearly that they are in the business of luxury brands rather than just running hotels. While InterContinental is

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leading the pack in the midmarket, innovation at the top end has been dominated by Starwood.

The acquisition of Design Hotels thus makes sense for Starwood in having exposure to a collection of cutting edge independently owned hotels.

How much further Starwood takes the relationship remains to be seen. There is certainly an argument for creating a franchise concept along the lines of Marriott’s Autograph whereby the Design Hotels properties can plug into Starwood’s reservation system and loyalty scheme while retaining their own identity.

Whichever way it plays out, the deal seems a sensible card for Starwood to be holding.

Consolidation looks the only play The depth of the challenge facing conference hotels in the UK provinces was highlighted at the start of this year by two stories: Principal Hayley’s buyback of six hotels and the decision by De Vere to sell properties to focus on its mid market Village brand.

While the two separate deals have been presented as positive, the underlying logic points to a difficult environment.

Hotel operator Principal Hayley has bought back six hotels which it previously sold close to the height of the market in 2006. The six are Hotel Russell, London, the Royal York Hotel, Metropole Leeds, George Edinburgh, Palace in Manchester and Selsdon Park in Surrey.

The reacquisition was arranged in two parts, with the hotelier signing 175 year leases on the properties, and their freeholds being bought by new landlord and long term property investor Pramerica funds.

Lloyds has provided finance for the transaction.

The 2006 sale and lease back to property investor Aaim saw the six properties change hands for GBP275m, while Principal signed 25 year agreements to run them.

The repurchase is reported to have been at around GBP200m.

With the confidence provided by the lengthy lease agreements, Principal is now in a position to benefit from any major investments in the properties.

Bedroom refurbishments are ongoing, while the group is rolling out its new Tempus restaurant format across the chain.

“We are very pleased with this transaction,” commented chairman Roger Devlin. “The fact that we are backed to expand at a time when many hotel groups are being sold or restructured, is a reflection of both our performance and our prospects.”

Principal’s portfolio extends to 24 hotels and conference venues, of which 22 are in the UK, one in Paris and one in Barcelona. In 2009, it bought the Connaught Rooms in London, and Glasgow’s Central Hotel, which was then refurbished ahead of a 2010 opening.

Meanwhile, changes are afoot at De Vere, with the arrival of Robert Cook, the former boss of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, as chief executive of De Vere Village.

The group is understood to have put five hotels on the market in a bid to raise GBP65m to help fund the roll out of the Village brand.

Three hotels are shortly to come to market - Southampton’s

Grand; Bournemouth’s Royal Bath; and the University Arms in Cambridge - with two others, the Barony Castle at Peebles and an unwanted Village at Daresbury in Warrington, earmarked for disposal too.

Village, which is an unusual mix of health and fitness clubs, restaurant and hotels, is currently 26-strong. But a further 18 are in the pipeline.

HA Perspective: The sale of the six freeholds by Principal Hayley at first sight looks like a win for the business owners, selling the freeholds at the top of the market and then buying them back with the benefit of a GBP75m haircut. But the original backer of Principal’s big growth spurt in the boom, private equity house Permira, is understood to have written-off its GBP200m investment.

In fact, it is yet another example of the hubris of the boom years.

Hayley Conference Centres was bought for GBP358m in May 2007, just months before the credit crunch took hold ending such sprees. The then owner, Alan English, pocketed about GBP62m from the deal.

The buyer of the six freeholds was aAim Lagonda, a fund that had been set up by the aAim, the celebrity-backed property investment business that was put into administration at the end of 2008.

Six months prior to going bust, aAim had been seeking to sell the six freeholds for an, even then, astonishing GBP350m. Not surprisingly, given that debt had by then already left the market, there were no takers.

And it is debt that is the link throughout with the Bank of Scotland, now subsumed within Lloyds, playing the critical role

funding Principal, aAim and De Vere owner the Alternative Hotel Group.

During 2009 both Principal and De Vere endured a torrid period of trading with both making losses.

While the initial plan for both groups had been to hold rates, desperation quickly set in and a price war developed which has effectively wiped out the original equity in the businesses and left even the senior debt looking stressed.

Sales have picked up, but there remains significant market pressure, particularly given the current weakening economy.

Lloyds has clearly decided it is in for the long haul, bailing out the aAim investment to keep the six hotels within the control of Principal. The opportunity is now surely to combine Principal with De Vere to create a conference hotel group that has reasonable pricing power.

The industrial logic of Principal De Vere with a span-off Village looks compelling. Whether it is enough to overcome the other obstacles to putting the companies together remains to be seen.

Park Plaza renames as Carlson franchisees tidy up Park Plaza Hotels is picking a new name as it joins fellow Carlson master franchisee Rezidor in adopting a new approach for the New Year.

Park

Plaza

made

the

announcement as part of a trading update which showed turnover up 49% in 2011. A strong performance in London, new hotels and increased ownership accounted for the growth, with like for like revenue up 15%.

Boris Ivesha, President and CEO, commented: “Our 2010 openings and acquisitions have had a very positive impact on our overall performance in 2011. In the primary markets in which we operate we continued to benefit from high levels of demand. We are also pleased to report progress on delivering our development pipeline, which will add further value to the group in the near future.”

The company, which listed as Park Plaza Hotels when it arrived on the London AIM market in 2007, is also planning to revive the PPHE name. An extraordinary general meeting at the end of February sees shareholders voting on a proposal to rename as PPHE Hotel Group Limited.

The change will help clarify the company’s association with the Park Plaza brand, which is owned

by Carlson, but which PPH has exclusive rights to operate in 56 countries. However, its portfolio already includes other hotel activities, such as art’otel and Arenaturist. The former has hotels in Berlin, Cologne, Dresden and Budapest, and openings planned in London and Amsterdam.

Arenaturist, which PPH has a stake in, is a leading holiday company in Croatia running 2,868 hotel rooms and apartments, and seven campsites.

The PPHE name has long been associated with Park Plaza, dating back to 1989 when PPHE Group and the Red Sea Group first worked together, taking over the Mandarin Park Plaza in Eindhoven.

Chinese plant the flag in NewYork and Brussels Chinese airline Hainan Airlines has made clear its commitment to growing its hotels business, after an abortive start in 2011.

In January it broke ground on a hotel investment in Belgian capital Brussels, and in February followed up by completing a hotel purchase in New York.

Hainan is part of HNA, a larger Chinese conglomerate with interests in several other Chinese airline companies, airports, hotels, logistics, tourism, retailing and finance.

HNA has cast its eyes over two major hotel opportunities in recent months, in Spain and India.

Although ultimately backing out of both, they provide an insight into HNA’s appetite for international growth. And it appears to be modelling a business approach taken in previous decades by European and US companies that delivered the core of some of today’s major hotel groups.

HNA’s earlier abortive sorties included a deal to acquire a substantial slice of Spanish hotelier NH Hoteles would have involved an injection of EU329.9m, and a potential tilt at Aman Resorts would have required a bid of more than USD300m.

The Spanish deal, first mooted in May 2011, unravelled towards the end of the year, with HNA apparently getting cold feet as executives watched the Eurozone turmoil. It may still lead to the Spaniards getting involved in

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Hotel Analyst

managing Chinese hotels, but for now the idea of taking a stake in the NH portfolio is off the table.

It was at the beginning of 2012 that HNA was linked with the Aman Resorts portfolio, a global chain of 25 luxury resorts up for sale by Indian owner DLF. But having received no feedback on its bid - and with DLF complaining bids had come in lower than hoped - HNA cancelled its interest.

In Brussels, HNA has interests in three hotels. It bought the 126 room Sodehotel La Woluwe located close to the Chinese embassy, formerly owned by Belgian airline Sabena, in 2007.

The hotel is managed by Best Western, and will be reflagged under HNA’s Tangla brand as its reshaping is completed. A major extension that will add 181 rooms, restaurants and seminar facilities, due for completion in 2013 and lifting the hotel to fivestar standard.

Two other Best Westernbranded hotels, the 64 room Premier Carrefour de l’Europe, and 71 room Best Western Wavre are listed on the HNA Hotels & Resorts. The three Brussels hotels were the first foreign additions to HNA’s portfolio of more than 40 hotels and resorts.

With a vertically integrated travel and aviation group, it is clear HNA is following the business logic Western airlines used when creating their own hotel groups in earlier decades. Hainan Airlines has already announced a 50% increase in capacity on its Beijing to Brussels route, from the current four flights a week to six a week by the end of 2012.

“We have put an eye on other investment opportunities in Europe but I don’t want to reveal details at this early stage,” said Zhang Jinsong, chief representative in charge of Hainan Airlines’ 112

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European operations, speaking at the ground breaking ceremony.

Across the Atlantic, HNA’s first foray into the US market was revealed in February. The Chinese paid a reported USD130m for the Cassa Hotel and Residences on 45th Street. HNA has asked the Viceroy Group to manage the luxury hotel and it has become the fourth in their Urban Retreat collection. The property has 165 rooms and suites, and was completed in 2010.

Where next for HNA? Expect hotels in Hainan’s other current European destinations - Budapest, Berlin, Zurich and Moscow - to be on the shopping list.

HA Perspective: HNA might be taking the initial route of US airline Pan Am, which founded InterContinental and grew the chain by adding hotels in major cities where it established routes, but HNA is hardly likely to end up with the same end result.

Pan Am had first mover advantage, opening a chain of international hotels before anything similar existed. HNA is competing against a number of established and entrenched brands.

Chinese capital is undoubtedly a significant force in the international hotel industry. But Chinese hotel brands will need more than organic or single asset activity if they are to ever match the existing global majors.

Marriott’s latest (balance sheet) Edition After much waiting, and a false start, Marriott has got its

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Edition boutique brand off the ground. But the creation of the new, hip chain has come at a price - the cost of purchasing no less than three of the city centre properties that will open in the near future.

Five key locations were announced in late January, in Manhattan, Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, Los Angeles and Gurgaon, India. The five add to previously announced Miami Beach and London locations, while the Edition in Istanbul is already open.

The first Edition, which opened in Hawaii in 2010, is no longer part of the brand, following a falling out between the owners and Marriott, culminating in the former changing the name and tearing up the management agreement in summer 2011.

It now trades as the Modern Honolulu.

Marriott has paid USD165m for the Clock Tower at 5 Madison Avenue, an iconic structure.

Marriott president Arne Sorenson insists it “will become a flagship for the Edition brand, and one of New York’s most compelling places to stay.” Constructed in 1909, the block was headquarters offices for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

Edition was created in partnership with Ian Schrager, to be a cool, style-led brand that would enable each location to have its own character, while still being a clearly identifiable brand in the market.

Marriott has been threatening the market with a hip new hotel brand for more than four years, as it tried to keep up with Starwood and their cool W chain. Sorenson suggested the process would now accelerate: “While the rollout of the brand was slowed by the global economic downturn, we

remain strongly committed to this brand.... We have a number of other exciting projects under way which we expect to announce in the coming months.”

In Bangkok, the Edition will be part of a planned mixed-use development with one of the city’s tallest towers. In Abu Dhabi, the hotel will be part of the Al Bateen Harbour complex.

Miami Beach and London are both conversions, respectively refurbishments of the Seville Hotel and the London Berners, and are due to open in 2013.

Marriott bought the traditionally styled 193 room London hotel in late 2010 for a price believed to be in excess of GBP60m, shortly after acquiring the 12 storey beachfront Seville for USD57.5m.

The team expects to have six of the hotels operating, across three continents, by 2015.

HA Perspective: The Wall Street Journal headlined its article “Marriott Delivers Late Editions” in a report that highlighted the USD800m of investment Marriott is having to make in the acquisition and refurbishment of the three key properties.

Marriott has often been a byword in the hotel industry for conservatism but with a number of recent initiatives it is trying hard to hang out with the “cool kids”, as Starwood will no doubt be flattered to be described.

Apart from Edition, Marriott has tried to bring a much stronger style element through in its Renaissance brand and it is even trendifying its core-brand Marriott, dumping swirly carpets and armoires.

But let’s not get carried away on two fronts. Firstly, Marriott is not about to embark on some major property buying spree. The capital it is deploying is to kick start the

new brand and will, in the jargon, be recycled as soon as possible.

It is a pattern the company has done repeatedly before with a recent European example being the new Courtyard just outside of Paris.This was built and opened by Marriott in 2009 as the prototype for a brand refresh. It was then sold on to investor Algonquin at the end of 2010.

The second thing Marriott is not going to do is transform itself into a style icon. This is the world’s biggest manager of hotels where most of its guests are road warriors jobbing for unglamorous companies. These guests are not part of the cutting edge media set and do not want the surprises that come from being in such a group.

Of course, Marriott has to offer something fresh and contemporary but it needs to retain mass appeal.

Mind you, it would still be fun to see Andy Warhol style prints of Bill behind the reception desk.

Rezidor and Carlson combine brands Carlson and Rezidor have announced the formal linking of their businesses under a single banner, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. The tie-up launched at the end of January cements a 17 year association, and promises to further accelerate the pair’s aggressive growth campaigns, taking their hotel brands into new regions.

Together, the two claim 1,300 hotels in 80 countries across

brands from Radisson Blu to Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites, Park Plaza to Missoni.

“Carlson and Rezidor have a long, common history and have grown together over the past 17 years,” said Hubert Joly, president and chief executive officer, Carlson. “Going to market as one is a next and natural step. We are leveraging the strengths of two great companies to create value for all our stakeholders.”

“The goal of this development is to generate more attractive financial returns for the owners and greater value for all shareholders, to be perceived by business partners around the world as one global hotel company, to offer more compelling and consistent value propositions to the guests, and to offer global career and development opportunities to the staff,” said Kurt Ritter, president and chief executive officer, Rezidor.

The publicly stated targets for the combined group are USD400m in additional revenue, and an increase of nine points on the revpar index by 2015.

Specifically, around 3-4% of this is expected to come from revenue generation; 2-2.5% from fee growth, and 0.5% from cost savings and from better capital utilisation.

Helping towards these will be a global sales team, partnerships with travel intermediaries, including Carlson’s Wagonlit agency, and development of the Club Carlson loyalty scheme.

There will also now be an imperative to align brands globally, and the potential for economies through global sourcing.

The combined portfolio is strong in the mature markets of Europe and North America, where 918 of its 1,070 hotels are located (figures from Q3, 2011), with

a pipeline of 116. Radisson Blu claims the biggest development pipeline in Europe, with 7,100 rooms in development, while Park Inn is the second largest at 5,900 in the mid-scale segment. In Russia, the CIS and Baltics, the group is the leading operator with more than 10,000 rooms.

Elsewhere, the group claims the biggest pipeline in sub-Saharan Africa and claims to be the largest and fastest growing international hotel chain in India but is less strong in China. Outside Europe and North America, the group has 137 hotels open and 109 in development.

The association between Carlson and Rezidor dates back to 1994, when Rezidor signed a master franchise agreement handling the Radission brand in Europe.

In 2002, a fresh agreement saw Rezidor responsible for expanding Carlson’s Park Inn, Country Inns and Regent brands across EMEA. In 2005, the franchise agreements were renegotiated as Carlson took a 25% stake in Rezidor. This was raised to 42% in 2006, when Rezidor listed on the Stockholm stock exchange, signifying the end of ownership by the SAS airlines group. Since then Carlson has increased its stake to just over 50%.

The two separate corporate entities will remain in place. The privately owned, Minneapolisbased Carlson will keep its interests in restaurant brand TGI Friday’s, and its Carlson Wagonlit travel agency. Rezidor will remain listed on the Stockholm market, with headquarters in Brussels.

HA Perspective: This deal has something of the having your cake and eating it about it. There is perfect industrial logic in putting together the hotel interests of the two companies. But, equally,

there are very good reasons why, for the sake of the independent shareholders in Rezidor, they ought to be kept separate.

The inherent conflicts of interest in running a company which has one part listed and the other privately held are obvious and yet nothing was mentioned in the official release about the merger. This surely will be a source of tension for the group going forward, even if half of the listed company is owned by the privately held Carlson.

For competitors of Carlson Rezidor there is also cause for concern as the US business is stirred from its slumbers by a reinvigorated management team.

Some of this team, COO Thorsten Kirschke and brand supremo Gordon McKinnon came across from Rezidor.

And with the Radisson brand being respan as Radisson Blu along lines laid out by Rezidor, there is certainly a case for arguing that there has been a reverse takeover, at least by management if not by Rezidor’s owners.

Back in December last year at Rezidor’s investor day there was discussion of “leveraging Carlson synergies”. This deal is probably as leveraged as synergies can get.

Hotel Analyst Having read these four pages of Hotel Analyst we hope you want to find out more.

To sample visit: www.hotelanalyst.co.uk/sample For more details visit: www.hotelanalyst.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8870 6388

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Focus on ... Top Hotel Projects: Mövenpick Hotel Paris

Mövenpick Hotels has its 100th hotel in sight Swiss hotel chain takes over Courtyard by Marriott in Paris – 19 hotels with more than 6.200 rooms under construction 27 new hotel projects are still to come: Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts attempts to keep up with the growth process of the large hotel groups. Now the 100th of the Swiss hotel chain has been announced. From 2013 the Courtyard by Marriott Paris- Neuilly will be operated under name of Mövenpick Hotel Paris.

A multi million Euro refurbishment programme is on the agenda. As the building operation will be done floor by floor to limit guest disturbances the best way possible, the hotel will remain open during the entire reconstruction period with the completion scheduled for 2014. All rooms including bathrooms will be completely redesigned with a well harmonised colour concept to reflect a fresh and contemporary ambience.

A number of the public areas have undergone a recent rejuvenation The concept idea of the traditional French Brasserie was given a new definition and has been implemented in the restaurant “Victor Hugo“. Purposely designed, cheerful patterns in contrast with clear elements of interior decoration, dark coloured wooden and an open fire place emphasise the modern and easygoing atmosphere.

“We are very proud to operate this fantastic hotel property. It is an ideal addition to our strongly expanding hotel brand which encompasses thre main principle: the highest customer satisfaction, quality and culinary expertise. This house provides us with very high potential for the future, as Paris represents one our key strategic markets. Being a Parisian myself, I put my heart and soul in having this project become of the hippest locations in town”, says Jean Gabriel Pérès, President and Chief Executive Officer Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. After the scheduled opening of the new Mövenpick Hotel Ankara in spring 2012, the Mövenpick Hotel in Paris the Swiss hotel chain will have enlarged its portfolio to 21 hotels in total. In recent times Mövenpick lost out on three projects in Germany (Stuttgart, Lübeck and Bielefeld), one project had to be called off.

Hotel Construction Projects (Best of) Project name Clarion Hotel Airport Clarion Hotel Scandic Hotel Marriott Espoo Doubletree by Hilton Park Inn by Radisson All Seasons Hotel Amedia Hotel B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa Holiday Inn Express Falkensteiner Hotel Margareten InterContinental The International Riviera Resort Courtyard by Marriott Corinthia Beach Resort Jumeirah Marrakech Resort

Become a Mövenpick Hotel: Lobby at Courtyard by Marriott Paris Neuilly Operator:

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts

Rooms:

282

Hotel Type: Luxury Renovation: Completed by 2014 Source:

www.tophotelprojects.com

+4,000 further global top projects on www.tophotelprojects.com ... FREE TRIAL available

Destination Stockholm/Sweden Trondheim/Norway Arhus/Denmark Helsinki/Finland Perm/Russia Novosibirsk/Russia Munich Berlin Zürich St. Gallen Vienna Tripolis/Libya Monstir/Tunisa Algier/Algeria Sharm El Sheikh/Egypt Marrakech/Morocco

Operator Choice Choice Scandic Marriott Hilton Carlson Rezidor Accor UMC Turicum Management IHG FMTG IHG Wyndham Marriott Corinthia Jumeirah

Hotel type First Class First Class First Class Luxury Economy First Class Economy Comfort First Class Economy First Class Luxury Luxury Business Luxury Luxury

Rooms 414 400 228 272 224 150 160 120 60 150 184 393 50 247 220 280

Scheduled Opening November 2012 April 2012 June 2012 March 2013 November 2013 Early 2014 November 2012 October 2012 June 2012 March 2013 March 2013 Early 2014 Summer 2012 Early 2014 Early 2013 Early 2013

Source: www.tophotelprojects.com About tophotelprojects.com®: As one of the leading databases for hotel leads, www.tophotelprojects.com offers more than 4,000 detail sheets of all important hotel development projects worldwide. Every month more than 150 new hotel projects are being added and over 350 project sheets are being updated. Outsource your daily hotel project research - have instant online sales lead access. Request your free of charge guest login on www.tophotelprojects.com

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Europe’s only b2b conference for the boutique and lifestyle hotel sectors

London May 21 and 22 2012 www.boutiquehotelsummit.com The boutique hotel sector is booming. Both small independents and large multi-nationals are investing heavily to establish a presence in this exciting market. Hotels tailored to this sector are opening at an ever-increasing rate, defying tough economic conditions. Discover what makes this vibrant sector of the hospitality industry tick and learn from the experts at Europe’s only b2b boutique hotel conference. Join your fellow industry professionals to find out about the very latest trends in sales, marketing, branding, finance, design and much more, at Boutique Hotel Summit 2012.

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For conference agenda and ticket sales visit www.boutiquehotelsummit.com For speaker and sponsorship enquiries contact Piers Brown: piers@boutiquehotelsummit.com, +44 (0)208 340 7989 Follow us on Twitter #BoHoSummit Sponsors and Media Partners include:

PRODUCT PROFILE

T

he past decade has seen the hospitality industry’s outdoor landscape change dramatically.

A space that was once equipped with decaying chairs left to perish out of season, has now been transformed into a year-round living room, fully furnished with sofas, dining sets, lighting, and even carpets.

This revolution has been driven by the need to offer more space, whether it be a terrace for al fresco dining, landscaped gardens for relaxing, or the feeling of a larger guestroom that blurs the boundaries between inside and out.

According to Heather Naylor, B&B Italia London’s General Manager, the aim is to create a comfortable extension of the living space. “Our effort is to go beyond the single product through realising a complete 124

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outdoor landscape,” she explains, adding that accessories such as candles, vases, scatter cushions and poufs now form a crucial part of the business.

The range of furniture options has expanded too. “Outdoor furniture has become more sophisticated, moving away from the limited rattan options and towards creating exterior ambiances with elegant L-shaped sofas and high-back chairs,” adds Naylor.

In addition, the development of synthetic fibres has led to textile manufacturers adding new lines of high performance fabrics to their collections. Floorcoverings are also catching on, with the likes of Tai Ping Carpets creating its first collection of outdoor rugs designed to withstand sunlight, rain, and extreme temperatures.

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Jan van der Hagen, Managing Partner Sales & Distribution, Dedon, believes that the outdoor market will continue to develop with a crossover from premium indoor furniture brands. However he warns: “The approach of designing outdoors is totally different to furnishing indoor spaces due to the fact that the material used in the outsides need to withstand very tough climate conditions.”

The sustainability of the materials used is another key factor. Says van der Hagen: “At Dedon, outdoor living is our reason for being, so it should come as little surprise how seriously we take our commitment to the environment. We are fully committed to leading our industry in the protection, conservation and long-term improvement of the environment, both by creating the

Indoor / Outdoor While manufacturers continue to design furniture and accessories for outdoor living spaces, plant life is making its way indoors to form interior landscapes.

world’s highest-quality, longest-lasting woven outdoor furniture and by continually improving our own environmental performance through the adoption of ever more sustainable processes, methods and materials.”

While taking the indoors outdoors has become common practice, the reverse is a growing phenomenon. Organic living walls and interior landscapes are sprouting up in the public spaces of hotels wanting to promote a ‘green’ lifestyle. The recently opened Hotel Icon in Hong Kong, Hotel Lone in Rovinj, and Bella Sky Comwell in Copenhagen, all feature interior planting in a bid to blend the natural surroundings in with the interiors, or alternatively create a sanctuary in an urban environment.

London-based interior landscape

designers, Indoor Garden Design, has created architectural planting for hotels such as The Zetter, Four Seasons Park Lane, and St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, as well as living art installations and sculptures.

“Introducing plants into any hotel is beneficial to the people that inhabit that space,” explains Director Ian Drummond.

“Aside from the physical health benefits, they can influence mood and create a visual impact... More than that, they can become part of the fabric of the building – they create partitions, places to rest – the list is endless,” he adds.

Green walls are popular in exterior architecture but to bring them inside is a complex process, as Drummond explains: “Considerations such as sunshine, moisture levels, irrigation, heat and draughts all have

to be factored in, because the health of the plant is as important as the aesthetic. Our design schemes are also about the actual pot that the plant lives in. We spend a lot of our time sourcing new materials for pots and troughs – it’s imperative that they become part of the design story.”

An innovative new product that offers a maintenance-free solution is Moss Tile, from Italian company Benetti Stone Philosophy.

Made using lichen, the tile does not require irrigation or fertilisation, it doesn’t have to be pruned, and can be placed in rooms without natural daylight.

Turn the page for the latest product launches from a wide range of outdoor furniture and accessory suppliers.

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Pic: Courtesy of Kettal

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PRODUCT PROFILE

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B&B ITALIA HUSK OUTDOOR B&B Italia has extended its outdoor collection of furniture with Husk Outdoor by Patricia Urquiola. Like the indoor version, the armchair is made from recycled and recyclable materials, highlighting B&B Italia’s keen awareness of environmental sustainability. In addition to recycled materials, the production process is designed to ensure that all components are put together so they can be fully disassembled, thus simplifying the recycling process and reducing the environmental impact. Husk Outdoor features a hard Hirek shell and a set of soft cushions. The body is white, while the fixed seat support is available in painted shades of white, black, orange, acid green and sky blue. Cushions come in two versions and are covered with a technical fabric in white, beige, orange, acid green, or sky blue.

Tel: +39 031 795 111 www.bebitalia.it

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GLOSTER ASTA New for 2012, Gloster has launched a stackable dining chair with removable covers that can be easily replaced for a new look. Constructed from stainless steel rods, bent and welded to create a continuous curved form, the chair is available with or without arms in a range of colours.

Tel: +44 (0)1454 631 950 www.gloster.com

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ALEXANDER ROSE WOVEN HUT New to Alexander Rose’s contract collection, the Woven Hut takes inspiration from the North American Indians with its wigwam-style design.

The seat is made from high-density polyethylene fibres woven onto a lightweight aluminium structural frame, and the cushions can be matched to suit any colour scheme.

Tel: +44 (0)1444 258 931 www.alexander-rose.co.uk 126

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ANDREU WORLD BRISA Andreu World’s woven band-finish seat collections are now available with the co-ordinating Brisa folding chair. The polypropylene woven band used in the seat and the backrest is available in white, sand, earth brown and graphite.

Tel: +34 96180 57 00 www.andreuworld.com

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PRODUCT PROFILE

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FLOS KTRIBE F3 OUTDOOR The KTribe F3 Outdoor floor lamp, designed by Philippe Starck with Dedon, is an extension to the already successful indoor version for Flos. Providing a softly diffused light, KTribe F3 Outdoor can withstand atmospheric conditions thanks to its galvanised structural parts, die-cast aluminium base and stem, and chrome finish. The diffuser is made from braided coloured PVC tubes.

Tel: +44 (0)20 3328 5140 www.flos.com

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DEDON CITY CAMP The City Camp collection created by Austrian designer Annette Hinterwirth offers a new interpretation of the Dedon concept of the outdoor living room. Taking inspiration from the base camps of ancient explorers which served as gathering places away from all infrastructure, Hinterwirth has conceived City Camp as an all-in-one outdoor living unit for modern nomads.

Available in two versions, a four-poster double daybed and a sprawling fourposter garden swing, City Camp features wrap-around curtains for shade and privacy, an abundance of cushions, and elegant leather belts.

Tel: +34 93 208 0903 www.dedon.de

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GANDIA BLASCO TROPEZ Made from thermo-lacquered aluminium profiles, plastic fabric and porcelain plate, the extensive Tropez collection from Gandia Blasco comprises a bed, chaise lounge, armchair, sofa and modular sofas, poufs, high and low tables, a stool and benches. The removable fabric cover is available in a variety of colours including white, sand and black.

Tel: +34 96 291 13 2 www.gandiablasco.com 128

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LIGNE ROSET GRILLAGE Designed by Francois Azambourg for Ligne Roset, Grillage is a mesh chair made from a sheet of metal, which is then folded origami-style to create the seat. Grillage is available in black, blue and white and an optional quilted cover can be added for comfort.

Tel: + 44 (0)8707 777 202 www.ligne-roset.co.uk

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PRODUCT PROFILE

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KETTAL VIEQUES Designed by Patricia Urquiola, Vieques comprises a modular sofa, a dining chair, club chair, and rocking chair with teak armrests. The collection is characterised by the combination of an aluminium frame with a new and revolutionary three-dimensional fabric, ‘Nido d’Ape’, created exclusively for Kettal.

Tel: +34 93 487 90 90 www.kettal.es

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VONDOM STONES Stones is the new flowerpot and furniture collection designed by Stefano Giovannoni and Elisa Gargan for Vondom. As the name suggests, the aim was to develop elements that can be found in nature, creating a synergy between the natural and the artificial landscape. Stones is available in a variety of finishes and colours, and with energy saving or RGB LED lighting.

Tel: +34 96 23 98486 www.vondom.com

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CANELINE DIAMOND Created by Johannes Foersom and Peter Hiort-Lorenzen for Cane-line, the Diamond series of outdoor furniture has been enhanced with a new highback armchair and additional design options. It is now possible to specifiy the collection – comprising a dining chair, lounge chair and sofa – with a woven frame complemented by Tex upholstery.

The series is also now available in white.

All pieces can withstand high as well as low temperatures and are UV resistant, while the cushions have a core of quick drying foam, so they can be left out in the rain and used shortly afterwards.

Tel: +45 6615 4560 www.cane-line.com

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BRIDGMAN CHARCOAL MIXED Bridgman has been supplying durable, low maintenance outdoor furniture to the hospitality industry for over fifty years. Its five ranges of dining, lounging and sunbathing products are handwoven using the best quality Hularo® weave and are finished to the firm’s ‘4 Seasons’ standard. New to the range is Ash and Charcoal Mixed (pictured).

Tel: +44 (0)20 8804 7474 www.bridgman.co.uk

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INSPIRATIONAL OUTDOOR FURNITURE

Head Office & Balham Store 155-163 Balham Hill London SW12 9DJ Tel: 020 8675 4808 balham@indian-ocean.co.uk

Chelsea 90-100 Sydney Street London SW3 6NJ Tel: 020 7352 9902 chelsea@indian-ocean.co.uk

Chiswick 430 Chiswick High Road London W4 5TF Tel: 020 8994 5838 chiswick@indian-ocean.co.uk

Hampstead 25-27 Market Place London NW11 6JY Tel: 020 8458 5252 hampstead@indian-ocean.co.uk

Please call 0800 111 4844 to request a brochure www.indian-ocean.co.uk

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PRODUCT PROFILE

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KENNETH COBONPUE CABARET Kenneth Cobonpue’s new Cabaret collection of indoor/outdoor furniture features fabric-wrapped foam tubes, woven on to a steel frame. The easy armchairs and high-back sofa are complemented by occasional tables with stitch-style detail.

Tel: +1 888 889 9005 www.kennethcobonpue.com

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INDIAN OCEAN LATITUDE British outdoor furniture supplier Indian Ocean has unveiled Latitude, a new collection of contemporary seating for Summer 2012. The stainless steel frame is furnished with soft, natural feel cushions, made from an innovative UV fade-resistant and water repellent fabric combined with quick dry foam.

Each modular piece is 90x90cm allowing endless versatility to create shapes to suit the space and occasion. Coffee and Lamp Tables are also available in reclaimed teak or sleek grey HPL, with scatter cushions in taupe, white or turquoise.

Tel: +44 (0)20 8675 4808 www.indian-ocean.co.uk

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SUMMIT FURNITURE SMOOTHIE Summit Furniture has added new lounge and dining offerings to its Smoothie collection, created by LAbased artist Alwy Visschedyk. New pieces include a tall table, two coffee tables, and a dining set, each crafted from the highest quality plantationgrown teak, a sustainable resource and Summit hallmark.

Tel: +1 831 375 7811 www.summitfurniture.com 132

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TRIBÙ MOOD Belgian outdoor furniture manufacturer Tribù has unveiled the Mood, a collection of chairs and sofas featuring a teak frame combined with pleated bands made from weather-resistant and environmentally-friendly yarn.

Highlights include the club chair and spacious daybed, pictured.

Tel: +32 89 61 27 50 www.tribu.com

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Pure Range

Mocha Range

P.J. Bridgman & Co. Ltd. Barnbridge Works, Lockfield Avenue, Brimsdown, Enfield, EN3 7PX, England Tel: +44 (0) 20 8804 7474 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8805 0873 Email: sales@bridgman.co.uk Website: www.bridgman.co.uk

PRODUCT PROFILE

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EMU MARCEL An alliance between Emu and the studio of Chiaramonte-Marin has produced Marcel, a modular sofa that can be arranged in an infinite number of ways. Consisting of only three parts (the base, the curved backrest and the straight backrest) Marcel is made completely from steel. Its cushions are manufactured from the new Soft Ware fabrics designed exclusively for Emu with excellent resistance to sun rays and bad weather conditions.

Tel: +39 075 87 40 21 www.emu.it

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VINCENT SHEPPARD ROY Lloyd Loom specialist Vincent Sheppard has been exploring new materials for its outdoor furniture and has subsequently launched Roy, with a galvanised steel frame and recyclable resin seat for total waterproofing.

Tel: +32 56 46 11 11 www.vincentsheppard.com

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JANUS ET CIE JANUS FIBER Janus et Cie has recently debuted a versatile collection of lounge and dining furniture, handwoven using innovative synthetic fibers exclusive to the manufacturer. “JanusFiber is a creative fusion of nature and science,“ comments Janus et Cie President Janice Feldman. “Design, craftsmanship and technology all come together to create an array of weaves, colours and finishes that will harmonise with natural or other synthetic materials.” The integrally-coloured material also offers superb performance characteristics, including resistance to ultra-violet light, moisture and microorganisms. Feldman concludes: “Each piece is made using materials of lasting quality and offers an exceptional lifecycle – the ultimate measure of a ‘green’ product.”

Tel: +1 212 752 1117 www.janusetcie.com

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CASSINA TOKYO Designed by Charlotte Perriand, the Tokyo chaise longue is composed of twelve curved wooden strips in teak, beech or bamboo. The mattress comes with water-draining polyurethane upholstery and stain resistant polyester yarn coated in PVC and treated with an exclusive formulation.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7014 5980 www.cassina.com

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Amebaâ&#x20AC;Ś

Infinite compositions.

Design by Pete Sans AMEBA, a new pendant concept adaptable to every space and to every need and preference.

AMEBA is formed by 5 different shapes that can be combined to offer an infinite range of compositions.

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In website www.vibia.com you will find all the information and 3D files

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Specialists in exceptional lighting configuration, providing creative architectural and decorative explanations, for all applications.

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LSE LIGHTING LTD 6 Great Western Business Park.

McKenzie Way. Worcester, WR4 9PT. UK. T. 0044 (0)1905 22243. M. 0044 (0)7887788707 sales@lselighting.com

PRODUCT PROFILE

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TAI PING CARPETS OUTDOOR RUGS Tai Ping Carpets has unveiled its first outdoor rug collection designed to resist rain and sunlight. Finelvo’s polypropylene fibre, with its soft touch and natural look, is ideal for floral, earthy graphics and organic shapes, while Batyline’s new PVC fibre gives Tai Ping’s outdoor rugs their three-dimensional flair. With its sophisticated designs, the outdoor collection lends an elegant feel to any outdoor setting with its generously-sized square, rectangular and round shapes.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7808 9650 www.taipingcarpets.com

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CONTARDI MUSE OUTDOOR Originally designed by Tristan Auer for the Muse restaurant at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, Montecarlo, Contardi’s Muse Outdoor will be available in a rechargeable battery version from April 2012. The IP65-rated lamp with stainless steel frame comes in black or ivory and is available in three sizes and as a suspension.

Tel: +39 0362 301381 www.contardi-italia.com

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PEDRALI / PROTOCOL TETRIS Designed by Marco Pocci and Claudio Dondoli for Pedrali, Tetris is an illuminated bar counter suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The modular piece is eco-friendly, 100% recyclable, and can be equipped with a brushed stainless steel worktop that is resistant and easy to clean. Tetris is available in the UK through Protocol.

Tel: +44 (0)20 8591 6770 www.protocoluk.com 136

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VITEO PURE Viteo’s Pure collection of outdoor furniture features modular elements made from teak, concrete, Corian and aluminum that can be connected via a rail. The highlight of the collection is the unique fire table with barbecue for a cozy evening around the campfire.

Tel: +43 3453 20662 www.viteo.at

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PRODUCT PROFILE

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AKULA LIVING COLONIAL Akula Living has added to its Colonial collection with new options of dining and lounge outdoor furniture. The all-weather rattan furniture is 100% recyclable and constructed from Rehau and Sunbrella raw materials. Pictured is British TV presenter and property developer Sarah Beeny, who has specified a number of pieces from the Colonial collection at Rise Hall in East Yorkshire.

Tel: +44 (0)1937 862 705 www.akulaliving.com

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ZUCHETTI SHOWER COLUMN Zuchetti has expanded its collection with a new freestanding shower column in stainless steel, specific for outdoor use. Designed by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, the shower features a generous curve, 300mm rain head and joystick mixer.

Tel: +39 0322 954700 www.zucchettikos.it

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FAMEED KHALIQUE CHELLA OUTDOOR FABRICS Chella’s luxury performance textiles are the industry’s first solution-dyed acrylic fabrics created to withstand sun, rain and freezing temperatures. Despite being made from acrylic, Chella textiles recreate natural fibre constructions like linen, velvet and chenille so are soft to the touch. Chella’s luxury performance textiles are available in the UK from Fameed Khalique.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7490 5524 www.fameedkhalique.com

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NEOTERIC LUXURY BORA BORA DAYBED Neoteric Luxury has introduced the new cocoon-like Bora Bora Daybed, handwoven in environmentally-friendly fibres, with optional canopy. Cushions are made from reticulated outdoor foam and Greenguard® certified fabrics.

Tel: +1 305 438 2842 www.neotericluxury.com

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BARLOW TYRIE TÊTE À TÊTE Barlow Tyrie has collaborated with US designer Laura Kirar for its new 2012 collection, which marries traditional weave techniques with modern aesthetics. Specialising in interior architecture and design, along with product design for the home furnishings market, Kirar has created a unique triaxal weave pattern for the seating and dining pieces, as well as the Tête à tête day bed. All are available in two colours of Java and Driftwood.

Tel: +44 (0)1376 557 600 www.teak.com

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Alternatively contact our subscription department on +44 (0)161 476 5580 or email: subscriptions@mondiale.co.uk

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Pics: Courtesy of the Saatchi Gallery Londonhe Churchill

PRODUCT FEATURE

Work of

Art As a number of hotels form partnerships with galleries and artists, the role of the art consultant is becoming increasingly important.

Art is such a personal expression, it seems curating a collection that caters to the masses is practically impossible. The variety of paintings, photography, sculpture, fine art and graphic art is endless, and their effects often profound.

Should a hotel designer choose a collection that is easy-on-the-eye, black and white photos of the surrounding area or a simple canvas in colours that co-ordinate with the furnishings perhaps? Or should they opt for wacky abstract sculptures and exclusive originals?

Either way, each project is unique and, according to Minda Dowling, founder of specialist hotel art consultants, Artefact: “A successful hotel art collection should function on a number of levels. It should reflect the hotel’s design and location, as well as being sympathetic to the environment in which the work will be shown.” Dowling adds: “As the

hospitality industry becomes increasingly competitive, hoteliers now recognise that art can make their properties unique. Hotel designers also look at art as a way to make their projects distinctive and attractive to an ever more sophisticated clientele.”

Artefact’s mission is to help hotels create art collections that will not only enhance the interiors but will also engage their guests.

One brand that puts art at its core is art’otel.

The collection of European hotels not only fuses architectural style with art-inspired interiors, but displays original works consisting of paintings, sculptures and photographs designed or acquired specifically for the property, rendering each a unique art gallery in their own right.

Art is so ingrained in the DNA that guests can even book a hotel by selecting their favoured artist rather than preferred location. Art’otel aficionados will no doubt be on tenterhooks as to the unveiling of collections at the new Amsterdam and London properties, slated

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PRODUCT FEATURE

Pic: Courtesy of Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill

to open in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts also takes its association with art to the next level with its Unlock Art programme. The brand has created unique partnerships with inspiring cultural experiences nearby select Le Méridien hotels, accessed by the Unlock Art pass found in the guestroom. In addition, each keycard is a work of art itself, created exclusively by LM100 members selected for their creative talents. Recent additions to LM100 include Turkish artists Yasemin Baydar and Birol Demir of mentalKLINIK, who have also created an installation at the new Le Méridien Istanbul.

Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill has embarked on a unique partnership with the Saatchi Gallery that celebrates the dynamic cultural mix of London through installations in the public areas of the hotel. The Saatchi Gallery will produce three individually-themed exhibitions across the year, creating a cultural playground where guests can interact and participate in a dialogue with the works. In 142

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addition, from 1 February to 30 April 2012, a Limited Edition Saatchi Gallery Suite enables guests to sleep amongst a collection of works, some interactive, some soothing.

Meanwhile, Andaz 5th Avenue in New York has introduced its third artist in residence in tbd Art – a rotating art series. Claudia Gold will paint her ‘View of New York – Today’ on a set of doors leading to the hotel’s bar. “Art is an integral part of Andaz 5th Avenue and we strive to find new ways to support art and design,” comments General Manager Jonathan Frolich. “We are delighted to launch tbd Art with such a diverse group of talented artists so that guests and New Yorkers alike can experience a unique view of New York City.”

The hotel’s previous collaborator, tattoo and graffiti artist Mister Cartoon, also offered staying guests their own permanent artwork in the form of a tattoo. The hotel world’s first tattoo artist in residence perhaps?

These collaborations mean those responsible for curating a hotel’s art collection have a

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THIS PAGE: The Limited Edition Saatchi Gallery Suite at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill enables guests to sleep amongst a collection of works. The suite also features furniture from Republic of Fritz Hansen PREVIOUS PAGE: Images courtesy of the Saatchi Gallery London, including (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) Rafal Zawistowski, Judas, 2011; Georg Herold, Untitled, 2010; Boo Ritson, Slot Player, 2006; Jean-Paul Gaultier – Classique (Artic Fox), 2008; and Dexter Dalwood, The Liberace Museum, 1998

PRODUCT FEATURE

huge job on their hands in matching works to interior design, ambiance, clientele and location.

Handheld Image is one such consultancy that collaborates with designers and architects to bring the work of top photographers and artists to the hotel industry. Established in 2000 by Peter and Kimberly Lavery, Handheld offers both limited edition artworks and artistic production tailored specifically to each project.

At St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, photographer Peter Lavery was commissioned to create pieces under the theme of time and travel, journeys past and present. Original artefacts found in the hotel, including a battered bowler hat, an old silver fork, a torch, and embossed playing cards were all incorporated in a solution befitting of the hotel. In addition to individual projects such as Coworth Park in Ascot and Cameron House in Loch Lomond, Handheld Image is art consultant for Hotel du Vin, Malmaison, and Village Hotels. The UK-based company also has a comprehensive library of images and a print studio where 144

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Pic: Courtesy of Handheld Image

LEFT: In addition to individual projects such as St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, Coworth Park in Ascot and Cameron House in Loch Lomond, Handheld Image is art consultant for Hotel du Vin, Malmaison, and Village Hotels

artworks are created in-house. Purple Canvas is another such consultancy supplying artwork to the hospitality industry. Based in Munich, Berlin and London, it offers in-house design, manufacture and framing, delivery and installation. Landmark projects include Burj al Arab in Dubai, Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London, and Mandarin Oriental in Prague.

With offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and London, Soho Myriad offers creative services to hotel groups Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz-Carlton and St Regis. The firm has provided art consulting services for the past twenty years earning it an unprecendented reputation in the industry.

Interior design firms have also been known to cross over in to the world of art. Canvas is a newly integrated global art affiliate within Hirsch Bedner Associates and offers a full range of services with an intimate knowledge of the hospitality design industry. From budgeting and concept planning to procurement and installation, the comprehensive art consultancy

is focused on enhancing exceptional hospitality interior designs with well-conceived and fully realised art collections. Formerly known individually as International Art Collaborative (Atlanta), Art Group International (LA), and HBA Art Singapore, these three consultancies (plus a new division in Hong Kong) have joined forces under one collective name. Although a new entity, Canvas collectively has over thirty years of experience supporting HBA projects around the world. “We’ve developed an unrivalled grouping of artists, consultants and designers whose work speaks for itself,” comments Matthew Whitaker, Director of Canvas Atlanta.

“Making their talents available to hospitality and other luxury design firms that share our belief in the power of art to transform aligns perfectly with our long-term vision. Canvas will deliver the same high-caliber results already evident in properties as diverse as The St. Regis Atlanta and Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok – both superlative examples of seamlessly integrated art collections.”

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REPUBLIC OF FRITZ HANSEN SERIES 7 Republic of Fritz Hansen has introduced the iconic Series 7 chair in a new range of wooden veneers and complementary colours. The stackable chair has been stripped back to basics to reveal its original and natural qualities and is available Maple, Ash, Beech, Cherry, Oregon Pine, Elm, Oak, Walnut and Dark Stained Oak. The new shades include White, Light Grey, Dark Grey, Black, Yellow, Orange, Red, Petrol Blue and Sage Green.

Tel: +44 (0)844 800 8934 www.fritzhansen.com

NATURALMAT Z HOTELS Naturalmat has supplied its organic mattresses, made entirely from sustainable raw materials, to Z Hotel Soho, the first of a new brand that has opened in London. Naturalmat are pioneers in natural fibre technology and have developed innovative raw materials such as organic lambswool, which is anti-dust mite, anti-mosquito and anti-moth for use in its bedding products. Other materials found in a Naturalmat mattress – all biodegradable – are mohair, cashmere, horsetail hair, organic coir fibre, and natural cottons from environmentallyconscious sources. The Devon based manufacturer will also provide Z Hotels with mattresses for its forthcoming openings in London and Liverpool.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7985 0474 www.naturalmathotel.co.uk 146

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BOLON ARCHITECT FRIENDS Swedish flooring company Bolon has entered into partnership with world-famous French architect Jean Nouvel. Their first joint venture was unveiled at Stockholm Furniture Fair, where Nouvel designed an interpretation of Bolon’s new 2012 collection, Create, that challenges gravity and traditional ideas of flooring. The Bolon Inspiration Tool, a web-based tool that can be used to design interior settings with Create as the backdrop, was also launched.

Tel: +46 (0)321 53 04 00 www.bolon.com

KIRKBY DESIGN EDGE Kirkby Design has launched three hardwearing upholstery collections that introduce new spicy shades of Turmeric and Saffron, jewel-like shades of Ruby, Amethyst, and Peridot and natural tones of Sandalwood, Limed Oak and Pinecone. Edge is a robust, polyester cotton hopsack weave accompanied by a medium scale, two tone chevron.

Tel: +44 (0)1623 750 005 www.kirkbydesign.com

LU XU RY A LUMINIUM SEATING

Twist

Ergo II

sales@efchairs.com www.excalibur-furniture.com +44 (0) 1908 327100

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GLOBE ZERO 4 CLOSER Danish furniture brand Globe Zero 4 has launched a number of new collections at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2012, including Closer, a stackable upholstered bar stool. The light construction is made up of a metal frame that runs in one endless movement around the stool, and an upholstered seat pad.

Tel: +45 70 26 66 04 www.globezero4.dk

LUXURY HOTEL COSMETICS ANATOMICALS Luxury Hotel Cosmetics has announced the addition of funky UK brand Anatomicals to its extensive portfolio. Cleverly-named products include “are you looking to get picked up?” Energising Body Wash, “get your filthy hands on me” Lime Hand Soap, and “not another rough day please” body lotion.

Tel: +31 (0) 252 235 536 www.luxuryhotelcosmetics.com 148

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ZOFFANY AKITA WEAVE New from Zoffany, Akita Weaves are woven in Silky Trevira CS and have a beautiful drape as well as being fire retardent and washable. The five designs are suitable for contract and domestic interior furnishings, curtains, bedcovers and cushions. Akita features a stylised floral motif inspired by traditional kimonos and is available in nine colourways, while Umi uses a sophisticated weave construction to imitate the effect of light reflecting on water, and Mitsu has been adapted from the glazed pattern on ceramic pots.

Tel: +44 (0)845 123 6810 www.zoffany.com

STEPEVI COUPAGE Stepevi has launched two new rug collections as it continues to use highly technical processes to develop its own yarns and produce innovative designs.

Coupage has been designed around the cultures and history of villagers in Turkey, using patches from various hemp flat weaves. Each rug is unique in colour, design and weave giving a natural and traditional look.

Coupage is available in seven colourways.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7376 7574 www.stepevi.com

Contract Fabrics

Trust the Experts

www.skoposdesignltd.com

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Morgan Furniture has produced a new standalone brochure that spotlights its inspiring collections of dining, pedestal, coffee and console tables. Rather than being presented by table type however, the glossy, picture-led content is organised by collection, all of which have been created under the auspices of, or directly by, Morgan Design Director, Katerina Zachariades.

UK manufacturer Aqata has issued its Complete Collection 2012 brochure, brimming with shower enclosures, showers and accessories, including new additions to the Spectra range.

This contemporary, frameless collection of shower enclosures, walk-ins and bath screens is the fastest-growing range within Aqata’s portfolio and is set to expand further with exciting new launches planned for 2012.

OW Hospitality has announced plans for global expansion with the investment of an estimated USD$30m to double its production capabilities within three years.

With the addition of three new high speed Axminster looms at its Cairo, Egypt manufacturing facility, three additional Axminster looms in its Tianjin, China facility, and two further looms at an unnamed location, the company expects to be manufacturing Axminster carpets on three continents by 2015.

Based in London, OW Hospitality is the contract division of the Oriental Weavers Group, a multinational collection of companies headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

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LOCATEL ECLIPSE MIRA Multimedia solutions provider Locatel has launched a new portal designed to address the needs of threeand four-star hotels to offer high quality, revenue driving interactive services, without the need for major investments in equipment, networks or running costs. Eclipse MiRa, bundled with Philips MediaSuite TVs, provides online interactivity and entertainment services using existing coaxial cable or wireless local area network. Features of the new portal include news and information feeds, customised language interfaces and messaging, a wide range of TV and radio channels, and on demand blockbuster films.

Hotels can further tailor onscreen content and drive revenue by adding targeted in-house promotional offers and advertising.

Tel: +44 (0)20 8961 7979 www.locatel.net

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VILLEROY & BOCH +SOUND Villeroy & Boch are proud to announce the launch of their +Sound mirror to the UK market.

The illuminated mirrors in the Memento collection and the More to See mirror programme offer a premium sound system integrated invisibly into the mirrors, as well as compatibility with all Bluetooth devices, MP3 players and smartphones.

Tel: +49 (0)68 64 8 10 www.villeroy-boch.com

BACKHAUSEN JAZZ Backhausen has launched the Jazz collection of interior textiles characterised by a stylized diamond as a recurring element. This geometrical pattern is an elegant eye catcher in the shimmering three-dimensional upholstery fabrics as well as in the coloured decorative fabrics. The entire collection has been produced by using the new inherently flame retardant DIOLEN® SAFE yarns that meet international standards for application in commercial areas. www.backhausen.at www.diolen-safe.de

 

 design Steven Smith

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Organic mattresses made by hand in Devon At Naturalmat we don’t just make mattresses, we make the very best and most comfortable, natural fibre and organic mattresses from our purpose built premises in the heart of Devon.

We use entirely sustainable and renewable raw materials to produce a premium, long lasting product that we are proud to supply to some of the leading hotels of the world.

• Sustainable • Anti bed bug • Made to last

• Natural fibres • Anti allergy • Natural luxury

Sleeper 1-4 pg 120x100mm portrait.indd 1

99 Talbot Road, London, W11 2AT 020 7985 0474 info@naturalmat.co.uk www.naturalmathotel.co.uk

10/02/2012 10:32

SLEEPER SPECIFIER

JAB ANSTOETZ BLACK & WHITE The latest collection from JAB Anstoetz is Black & White, a chic and eyecatching range of upholstery fabrics that is rich in contrasts.

Black & White features 43 upholstery fabrics including luxurious velvets, irregular white lattice structures, three-dimensional effects, dots and floral bouquet motifs.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7348 6620 www.jab-uk.co.uk

DELTA FAUCET VIRAGE The Virage bath collection from Brizo, manufactured by Delta Faucet, refines the timeless geometry of a graceful arcing spout with an unexpected twisting, turning effect. This detail is carried through every element of the collection, from the faucet handles to the showerheads, as well as the coordinating accessories. All are available in five finishes of Polished Chrome, Venetian Bronze, Brilliance Brushed Nickel, Brilliance Polished Nickel, or Brilliance Brushed Bronze.

Tel: +1 317 848 1812 www.deltafaucet.com 152

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HI-MACS SLEEPBOX SleepBox is a contemporary and organic piece of furniture, designed as a place of comfort and relaxation within airports, offices or other semipublic spaces. The sinuous life-sized object features a solid, smooth and uniform shell made from HI-MACS®, and contains a leather covered mattress. The project was designed by Caspar Lohner at the Chair for Computer Aided Architectural Design [CAAD], Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich and produced in collaboration with Kläusler Acrylstein AG, the exclusive distributor for HI-MACS® in Switzerland.

Tel: +41(0)22 879 54 84 www.himacs.eu

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LAUFEN PALOMBA Blurring the boundaries between masculine and feminine forms, the Palomba range from Laufen is described by its designers Ludovico and Roberto Palomba as the “fingerprint of nature”. The collection includes a wide range of sanitaryware and furniture options designed specifically for hotel. Underlining its commitment to the hospitality sector, Laufen has announced it will be unveiling new additions to the Palomba collection at Salone del Mobile in Milan in April.

Tel: +44 (0)1530 510 007 www.laufen.co.uk

www.burgessfurniture.com Stacking Chairs | Tables | Accessories

Introducing the NEW

ORVIA

Tel: +44 (0)20 8894 9231 Fax: +44 (0)20 8894 2943 Email: sales@burgessfurniture.com

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The Lodge Verbier Switzerland Sir Richard Bransonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mountain retreat (Virgin limited edition)

57 Knowl Piece,Wilbury Way, Hitchin, SG4 0TY Tel: 01462 483131 Fax: 01462 680808 sales@castellobaths.co.uk www.castellobaths.com

1928 Hypnos Sleeper Ad 100x245 aw OL.indd 1

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OSBORNE & LITTLE CABRETTA VINYL As part of its Metropolis Vinyls 2 collection, Osborne & Little has launched two robust, heavyduty vinyl wallcoverings for commercial use. Cabretta Vinyl features a trellis of stitched diamonds printed in relief, while Crocodilo Vinyl is a realistic interpretation of crocodile skin.

Tel: +44 (0)20 8812 3000 www.osborneandlittle.com

JIM THOMPSON THE SPOTLIGHT COLLECTION Jim Thompson has collaborated with architect and designer David Rockwell on a new collection of hospitality fabrics. The Spotlight Collection reflects Rockwell’s interest in the effect of ever-shifting light on geometric and natural patterns in two colour directions – modern metallic surfaces, and rich hues found in nature. Twelve different patterns highlight warm golden bronze mixes with sleek silvery platinum hues, while bold colours such as teal, coral red and purple punctuate the palette.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7368 7700 www.jimthompsonfabrics.com 156

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CHAD LIGHTING EVENING Chad Lighting has unveiled its new Evening collection of wall and desk lamps, defined by bone china shades. Revered for its properties of diffusion, the china is complemented by bright chrome, brushed nickel or bronze metal finishes.

Tel: +44 (0)121 707 7629 www.chadlighting.co.uk

HUMANSCALE LIBERTY CHAIR Conceived by industrial designer Niels Diffrient, the Liberty chair by Humanscale is a revolution in work place seating. With its tri-panel construction and Form-Sensing Mesh Technology, the chair takes the benefits of common mesh seating – breathability, durability, sustainability and aesthetic appeal – to the next level and provides the body-friendly support required of superior ergonomic seating.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7566 7990 www.humanscale.com

Product Portfolio

Vivid Lighting has launched the Scar-LED from Trizo 21. The flexible low-energy range is available in different colours, lengths, beam angles and with the option of a switch. www.vividlighting.co.uk

Agua’s new Juno collection – comprising 13 contemporary colours – is designed to tone with a wide variety of modern schemes and has the added benefit of being anti-microbial with a stain resistant finish. www.aguafabrics.com

Hunter Douglas Hospitality has introduced the Juxtapose Collection of fabrics for bedding and drapery. The nine new designs include a mix of organic and geometric patterns in colorways from soft neutrals to bolder jewel tones. www.hunterdouglashospitality.com

Elliptical styling is the key to success for the new Funky range of tapware, a show-stopping addition to the Deva Contemporary Collection from Methven UK. Attention to detail results in oval styling throughout the entire design, from the body to the lever and the spout and base plate. www.deva.org.uk

DemistaTM low-energy heated mirror pads fitted invisibly behind mirrors and R & D Marketing’s CosyfloorTM underfloor heating provides gentle warmth for bare feet in the bathrooms. www.demista.co.uk

Thanks to the creativity of Planika’s designers, the highly innovative Fire Line Automatic has gained an entirely new form. The burner is now available as wall mounted, freestanding, or in casing. www.planikafires.com

Philip Watts Design has launched a range of new door numbers available in two finishes of satin brushed and bright polish. www.philipwattsdesign.com

Headboards from Mille Couleurs are upholstered with the best quality materials available and with a premium attention to the details. They offer a sleek, modern design and are handcrafted individually. www.mc-london.com

New from English Georgian, the William Kent Sofa has a highly carved frame finished in 23.5ct gold leaf. It is currently on display at their showroom in Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, London. www.englishgeorgian.com

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Designers Directory Below you will find contact details for some of the interior designers of the hotels reviewed in this issue, as well as some of those whose work has appeared in Sleeper Magazine in the past.

We hope that you find this resource useful in allowing you to contact designers you may be interested in working with on your own projects in the future.

HOTEL AMERICANO MCH Arnaud Montigny 15 Rue Danielle Casanova 75001 Paris France Tel: +33 (0)1 40 20 43 45 www.mch-montigny.fr

W PARIS Rockwell Group Europe Calle de Alcalá 21, 9th Floor 28014 Madrid Spain Tel: +34 91 524 1870 www.rockwellgroup.com

THE NOLITAN Grzywinski+Pons Ltd 594 Broadway Suite 1214 New York, NY 10012 USA Tel: +1 646 536 2716 www.gp-arch.com

PUBLIC CHICAGO Ian Schrager Company 818 Greenwich Street New York NY 10014 USA Tel: +1 212 796 8400 www.ianschragercompany.com

MONDRIAN SOHO Benjamin Noriega Ortiz BNO Design 75 Spring Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10012 USA Tel: +1 212 343 9709 www.bnodesign.com DREAM DOWNTOWN Handel Architects 150 Varick St, 8th Floor New York, NY 10013 USA Tel: +1 212 595 4112 www.handelarch.com

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ALOFT LONDON EXCEL Jestico & Whiles 1 Cobourg Street London NW1 2HP UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7380 0382 www.jesticowhiles.com

CONSERVATORTIUM Piero Lissoni / Lissoni Associati Via Goito 9 20121 Milano Italy Tel: +39 02 6571926/42 www.lissoniassociati.com

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Yabu Pushelberg 88 Prince Street, 2nd Floor NY 10012 New York USA Tel: +1 212 226 0808 www.yabupushelberg.com Gabellini Sheppard 665 Broadway, Suite 700 NY 10012 New York USA Tel: +1 212 388 1700 www.gabellinisheppard.com

Z HOTELS Harper Downie Gate House 1 St Johns Square London EC1M 4DH UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7490 7674 www.harperdownie.com

Advertising Index Aliseo GmbH Germany B&B Italia Barlow Tyrie Limited Beck Interiors Ltd Bossini SpA

57 164 55 143 2

Excalibur Furniture

147

LSE Lighting

Feuring Projektmanagement

163

Lutron

Gandia Blasco Gloster Furniture Ltd Handheld Image

35 107 37

135 63

Maher Reynolds Furniture Ltd

151

Maya Romanoff

83

Naturalmat

151

Boutique Hotel Summit

123

Hansgrohe

105

OW Hospitality

41

Bridgman PJ & Co Ltd

133

Happy Sauna s.r.l

147

Procure It Direct

137

Burgess Furniture Ltd

153

HD Expo

117

Protocol Ltd

Castello Baths

154

HI Design

Chad Lighting Ltd

153

HOLA

CHIC

118

Hospitality Services Plus SA

CHRIS

116

Humanscale

Consetino Contardi Lighting Dedon

89 108 006 & 007

119 & 121 122

69

Purple Canvas

149

Roset Hotels & Contracts

12

49

Samuel Heath

61

65

Sanipex LLC

115

Hypnos

154

Schulte Elektrotechnik

102

Indian Ocean

131

Skopos Design Ltd

149

Indigo Living Ltd

97

Stepevi

25

Delta Faucet Company

29

Kaldewei

91

Summit Furniture

Delta Light UK

71

Kettal

33

The Hotel Show

120

Design Centre Chelsea Habour 004 & 005

Krista

127

Top Hotel Projects

114

Design LSM

154

Laufen Bathrooms AG

Distinction Furniture and Beds

101

Leisure Plan

79

Leisure Plan

Duravit EE Smith Contracts Limited

155

Loewe

27

47

Tribu Furniture

23

008 & 009

Tuuci Europe BV

129

010 & 011

Vitra

139

21

Zoffany

99

The 2011 US annual subscription price is $168.00. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named Air Business Ltd, c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: Send address changes to SLEEPER, Air Business Ltd, c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA.

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By

To see the new Harlequin Lighting Collection, Visit Elstead’s stand - Hall 3, C4 at the Interiors Show.

A 20 page catalogue is now available.

T: +44 (0) 1420 82377 W: www.elstead-lighting.co.uk E: enquiries@elstead-lighting.co.uk

Coworth Park, Ascot

A revolution in LED illuminated NFC smart poster displays for enhanced customer engagement experiences

www.smartposter.co

T: 0800 970 1313

Wool Classics specializes in providing bespoke axminster, wilton, hand tufted and hand knotted carpets and rugs in a diverse range of fibers to the world’s leading hotels.

For more exclusive service please visit our show room in Chelsea Harbour. 1st Floor South Dome, Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, London, SW10 0XE Tel: +44 (0) 20 7349 1560, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7352 0108 pr@woolclassics.com, www.woolclassics.com

T I L LY S T: 0 2 3 9 2 2 5 2 5 2 5 E: sales@tillysinteriors.com W: www.tillysinteriors.com

Tillys PO Box 330 Waterlooville PO7 9BX

Illuminated Room Numbers

by Jona Hoad Design info@ jonahoad.com www.jonahoad.com +44 (0) 1525 222364

SLEEPER SHOWCASE

The Vitrifrigo A+++ energy efficiency luxury range of minibars from 25 to 55 Litres chosen by the world’s leading hotels.

www.a3solutions.co.uk Call: 020 7199 8210 info@a3solutions.co.uk Ref: 0312

akula sleeper ad_Layout 1 14/02/2012 13:14 Page 2

ALL WEATHER RATTAN FURNITURE

All around the World…

DESIGNED F OR LIFE

Hoteliers in the know choose Huet Doors PREMIUM QUALITY WITHOUT THE PREMIUM PRICE TAG w | akulaliving.com t | +44 (0) 1937 862 705 e | info@akulaliving.com

www.huet-doors.co.uk

Mattresses made by hand in Devon

hotel 99 Talbot Road, London, W11 2AT 020 7985 0474 info@naturalmat.co.uk www.naturalmathotel.co.uk

Eliminate steam from your mirrors forever.

Specified worldwide. Fits any mirror.

Internationally approved. The pads are low cost, simple to fit and maintenance free.

Various voltages. Can be custom made. www.demista.co.uk Email. rd@demista.co.uk Tel. +44 (0)1932 866600 Fax. +44 (0)1932 866688

Tel: +44 (0)20 8205 0050 Email: info@aguafabrics.com Web: www.aguafabrics.com

CHECK-OUT

A Room for London

David Kohn Architects and artist Fiona Banner have created a onebedroom installation based on the riverboat which inspired Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’.

David Kohn Architects’ design, created in collaboration with Fiona Banner, was the winning entry in an open competition to create a temporary room on one of the most visible sites in the British capital for Alain de Botton’s Living Architecture and Artangel. Despite being perched on a public vantage point above the Southbank centre, visitors’ privacy is completely protected. The structure is inspired by the riverboat captained by Joseph Conrad whilst in the Congo in 1890, a journey echoed in his famous novella ‘Heart of Darkness’. The pyramidal steel mast makes reference to one of London’s architectural highlights, the spire of Hawksmoor’s Christ Church. The interior timber-lined walls are reminiscent of boats of ‘old’, but are boldly coloured in magenta and turquoise.

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Feuring Projektmanagement is a Project Management and Development Company based in Germany and specialised in 4 and 5 star projects for the Hospitality Industry throughout Europe. Our mission is to ensure the completion of the highest standard on time and within the budget.

Our Projects Andaz Hotel, Amsterdam, Netherlands Concorde La Fayette, Paris, France Concorde St. Lazare, Paris, France Dolce La Hulpe, Brussels, Belgium Domhotel, Frankfurt, Germany Doubletree by Hilton, Košice, Slovakia Grand Hotel Kempinski, Hight Tatras, Slovakia Hilton Garden Inn, Davos, Switzerland Hyatt Regency, Düsseldorf, Germany InterCityHotel, Düsseldorf, Germany InterContinental, Davos, Switzerland InterContinental, Geneva, Switzerland Jumeirah Hotel, Frankfurt, Germany Jumeirah Hotel, Mallorca, Spain Kempinski Hotel River Park, Bratislava, Slovakia Le Méridien, Barcelona, Spain Le Méridien, Munich, Germany Le Méridien Etoile, Paris, France Le Méridien, Split, Croatia Le Méridien, Stuttgart, Germany Le Méridien, Vienna, Austria Le Royal Méridien, Hamburg, Germany Le Royal Méridien Bristol, Warsaw, Poland Lutetia, Paris, France Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, Spain Mandarin Oriental, Geneva, Switzerland Mandarin Oriental, Munich, Germany Mandarin Oriental, Paris, France Mandarin Oriental, Prague, Czech Republic Mövenpick Hotel & Casino, Geneva, Switzerland Mövenpick Hotel, Stuttgart Airport, Germany Mövenpick Hotel, Zurich airport, Switzerland Radisson SAS, Rostock, Germany Swissotel, Dresden, Germany The Cumberland, London, UK

Hotel project development

Feuring Projektmanagement GmbH Heinkelstraße 19-21 DE-73230 Kirchheim unter Teck

Hotel project management

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+49 (0) 7021 73 60-0 +49 (0) 7021 73 60-60

www.feuring.info info@feuring.info

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CANASTA | DESIGN PATRICIA URQUIOLA 17 - 22 April 2012 B&B Italia/Maxalto at B&B Italia Store, via Durini 14 Milan - store.milano@bebitalia.it - B&B Italia Outdoor at Fiera Milano, Rho, Hall 16 / Stand D24 C29 info T. +39 031 795 213 info@bebitalia.com www.bebitalia.com - UK Agent: Keith De La Plain T. +44 786 0419670 keith.delaplain@btinternet.com

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