HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE & DESIGN ISSUE 98 WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM
MANDARIN ORIENTAL RITZ – MADRID • TONY CHI • THE GRAND HOTEL – BIRMINGHAM
Lucca Recessed
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CONTENTS ISSUE 98 130
HOTEL REVIEWS
090
Mandarin Oriental Ritz
076
The Grand Hotel
083
The Star
090
The Newbury
096
Bodmin Jail Hotel
103
The Grove
108
Madrid
Birmingham © Paul Massey
Alfriston
Boston 108
Cornwall
Hertfordshire
Oku 114 © Mark Bolton
© James Andrew
056
Ibiza
Villa Copenhagen
120
The Tawny
130
Copenhagen
Staffordshire
FEATURES Meeting... Tony Chi
048
Meeting... Ole Sheeren
056
As he prepares to unveil another landmark renovation for Rosewood, acclaimed interior designer Tony Chi discusses family, building trust and planning his succession.
The founder of Buro Ole Scheeren reveals designs for his first fully integrated hospitality project and discusses the importance of bringing nature back to the built environment.
003
CONTENTS ISSUE 98 FEATURES
120
Spotlight... Ica
064
Shaping Up
136
The Sweet Smell of Success
144
Having orchestrated the design of hotels across the UK and Europe for the past two decades, Ica is planning for its next phase of growth.
A new generation of lifestyle hotels are raising the bar with their fitness facilities, developing holistic gym concepts that integrate design, programming and nutrition.
© Stine Christiansen
048
114
As hotels become multi-sensory spaces with appeal beyond the visual realm, can signature scents and the efforts of fragrance designers make a difference?
AHEAD 163
From a tented camp on Tanzania’s Serengeti Plain to a sleek newbuild on the doorstep of Dubai’s Downtown, the winners of AHEAD MEA are revealed to an audience of in-person attendees.
REGULARS Check-In 030 © Georg Roske
Drawing Board
032
The Lobby
067
Business Centre
152
Events 163 096
175
Bathrooms 175 Specifier 191 Check-Out
© Read McKendree
004
210
adv D+ / ph Marina Denisova
design Lorenzo De Grandis
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Welcome Change Ica create spaces where people, brands & businesses flourish.
Hospitality, Architecture & Interiors
ica.studio
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INTERCONTINENTAL LYON – HOTEL DIEU. FRANCE Studio Jean Philippe Nuel.
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WELCOME
ON THE COVER Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid © Manolo Yllera
Ratings Winner
A
t Sleeper, we regularly get invited on hard-hat tours
pair could quite easily have called time on their labour of love
of forthcoming hotels, with PR execs eager to whet
and sent the film crew packing, but they persevered, and the
our appetite with a preview of ‘the next big opening’.
three-part series documents in detail the entire journey, from
It usually involves donning a hi-vis vest and sturdy pair of
construction to completion. It highlights the design decisions
boots, taking a choreographed route around the almost-
made by Olga, from the size of bath towels specified to the
finished spaces – away from the loose floorboards or dangling
profile of the star logo. It follows her to Milan to select FF&E
cables – long after the contractors have clocked-off for the
and filmed her disappointment at the samples being not-as-
day. After all, a building site is no place for the prying eyes
expected, or “hideous” as per her straight-talking style. Alex
of the global press.
meanwhile takes a starring role as project manager and on-
So when Olga and Alex Polizzi – descendants of hotelier
site troubleshooter – with an offensive language warning –
Lord Forte – revealed they would be letting, not only the
which sees her squaring up to the contractors and whipping
media but the entire TV-watching population, behind the
front-of-house staff into shape.
hoardings of their under-construction hotel, we were more
The pair are pushed to their limit in the warts-and-all series,
than a little surprised. But while many of these so-called fly-
with Alex admitting the project was physically, mentally and
on-the-wall documentaries end up being a highly-polished,
financially draining, and Olga questioning why they took it
heavily-edited synopsis that barely scratches the surface of
on in the first place. In all, the hotel opened almost a year
the real issues faced, My Hotel Nightmare can be commended
later than planned and came in at £2million over budget; with
for its searingly honest account of designing, developing and
Olga’s two other hotels put up as collateral, the risk of losing
operating a luxury hotel.
everything was very real.
The initial plan was to let the cameras in to film the six-
Like all good dramas, this one had its fair share of tears
month transformation of The Star, a medieval coaching inn
and tiffs. Letting the cameras behind the scenes is a brave
in East Sussex, which would become the third property in
move for any hotel operation and it doesn’t always pay off.
The Polizzi Collection. Olga, who’s best-known for her role
Thankfully this story has a happy ending, as testified by our
as Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, was keen to
visit to the completed hotel. The no-nonsense approach of
add to her portfolio, while Alex wanted to put her money
the Polizzis, an innate love for all things hospitality and their
where her mouth was having spent 15 years telling people
natural charm shines through, making for a ratings winner on
how to run a hotel on TV show The Hotel Inspector. But no
the small screen and, more importantly, with staying guests.
sooner had the cameras started rolling, that the problems began. Rotten window frames, poor plumbing and crumbling structural beams resulted in significant unplanned works, leading to serious delays and spiralling costs. There were noise complaints from neighbours to deal with, as well as an ever-changing opening date and difficulty recruiting staff, and that was before the pandemic even took full force. The
Catherine Martin • Managing Editor
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Showrooms
London
Par is
Culemborg
Los Angeles
arte-international.com
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GUEST BOOK
108
114
© Gilles Bensimon
© Xxx
090
076
090 Olga and Alex Polizzi
114 MG & AG Arquitectos
108 Martin Hulbert
076 Gilles & Boissier
Embarking on their first venture as equal partners, mother and daughter Olga and Alex Polizzi transform a medieval coachhouse in East Sussex into a boutique hotel. Alex – best known for presenting long-running television show The Hotel Inspector – served as on-site troubleshooter and project manager, while Olga, Design Director at Rocco Forte Hotels, took charge of the interiors, opting for a nature-based scheme with botanical motifs to breathe new life in to the previously sombre spaces.
Having started the family business in 2012, Miguel Garcia Quetglas and Andres Garcia Castiella – the father and son duo behind MG & AG Arquitectos – have spent the last decade developing their signature style, in which they use the same construction materials as 500 years ago, adapting traditions to current ideals. Their latest venture, the laidback luxury resort Oku Ibiza, sees the pair eschew the island’s all-white aesthetic in favour of concrete modernist buildings softened by cedar wood shutters to create movement.
“I started designing the hotel about eight years before you wrote the first article, so it’s been quite a long process,” says Martin Hulbert as he flicks through Sleeper’s original feature on The Grove in Hertfordshire. Having masterminded the hotel’s original interiors in 2003, the designer has returned to write a new chapter in its ongoing story, taking a regenerative approach that sees the building adopt a homely and inclusive feel. “We didn’t want to completely destroy everything we had already created,” he notes.
“In the end, this had to remain a palace,” explains Dorothée Boissier of Parisian design studio Gilles & Boissier, who – together with partner and co-founder Patrick Gilles – completed the interiors at Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid. In restoring the Belle Epoque masterpiece, the couple wanted to let old and new voices speak in harmony, so maintained a sense of history through the introduction of traditional Spanish craft techniques such as leatherwork, embroidery and wood carving, while adding a contemporary twist.
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EDITORIAL
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Production Dan Seaton
Group Financial Controller Sarah Healey
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CHECK-IN
James Thurstan Waterworth With a passion for sourcing antiques, the founder of Thurstan takes a fantasy break to a 17th century villa in Menorca, where a treasure trove awaits.
Where are you?
Describe the hotel, your room and the view...
in the other corner. A scattering of covers,
The pared back but utterly sublime Menorca,
We enter the property via a long driveway
some of them spilling out onto the rocks, sit
hidden away on the south-eastern tip of the
surrounded by cattle, and are met by open
on natural platforms – my preferred spot. The
island, nestled between 17th century gardens and
kitchen gardens closer to the main house. The
glow of candlelight lends a gentle feel to the
farmland that spills out onto the cliffs.
building is a 17th century villa that has retained
space, while Congolese music from the early
its original features and is the beating heart
1980s plays softly in the background.
How did you get there?
of the public spaces. On the ground floor are
A short flight from London to the island’s small
two large living rooms, the first acting as an
Who are you dining with this evening?
airport, where we are greeted by a slightly rusty,
informal check-in and the second boasting
It’s an eclectic table comprising my wife,
burnt-orange Citroën Méhari.
views onto a stone terrace. Here sits the
musician Peter Gabriel, artist Barbara
restaurant, overlooking the ocean beyond and
Hepworth, comedian Eddie Izzard and sculptor
Who is there to greet you on arrival?
interrupted only by pine trees that sway slowly
Carl Aubock.
Claus Sendlinger, who I had the pleasure of
with the breeze. Elsewhere, an old barn finds
meeting recently and find the direction he is
new life as a spa with its own bar, living room
Who’s manning the stoves?
taking hospitality in incredibly inspiring.
and an outdoor pool, and a short walk around
Due to the setting and open-flamed dining
the cliffs, contemporary stone cabins form the
experience, Argentine chef Francis Mallmann
And who’s at the concierge desk?
guestrooms. Our suite is furnished with 17th and
is there to bring all his magic and theatre.
The team from Amanemu in Japan, the last
18th-century Spanish antiques and Mid-Century
place I stayed pre-lockdown. Humble, efficient,
armchairs positioned around the fireplace. A
And what’s on the menu?
caring and always accompanied by a smile.
bathtub out on the terrace, best enjoyed to a
There’s no official starter or main; instead,
spectacular sunset, completes the experience.
Mediterranean-style grilled dishes come and
Who are you sharing your room with?
go on sharing platters. For pudding we feast Who designed it?
on Brickell’s ice cream, made in Somerset with
The main house has been left largely untouched,
fresh milk from a herd of Holstein Friesian
Is there anything you would like waiting for
with age-old treasures from Kate Thurlow –
cows; they do a cinnamon toast flavour that is
you in your room?
an antiques dealer in London who specialises
out-of-this-world.
A fresh, ice-cold mint and lime water.
in early Spanish pieces. Architect Rudolph
My wife, daughter and dog Bini.
NOTABLE HOTEL PROJECTS Soho House (various locations); The Bradley Hare, Wiltshire www.thurstandesign.com
Schindler has designed the barns and newbuild
Would you like something to drink with that?
cabins, taking inspiration from the Menorcan
We’ll start with an Alhambra Reserva 1925 beer,
landscape and his house in Los Angeles.
followed by a light white from a local vineyard.
What’s the restaurant and bar like?
What’s in the mini-bar for a night cap?
Shaded by pine trees and set within the original
Dow’s Vintage Port 2011.
patio off the house, it offers boundless views to the ocean. There’s a small, rustic bar as we
What’s on your nightstand at bedtime?
enter the venue and a roaring Asado kitchen
The latest auction catalogues.
031
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Mantis BAHRAIN HAWAR ISLAND
Accor has signed a partnership deal with Edamah to introduce the Mantis brand to the Middle East, with a new resort on Bahrain’s Hawar Island. Slated to open in 2024, the 72-key project will comprise a beach resort encompassing overwater villas with direct access to the sea, five dining concepts, extensive sports and leisure facilities ranging from a waterpark to meditation spaces, as well as a private helipad. “We are noticing that travellers are now more than ever looking for authentic experiences when travelling, while remaining conscious of the environment,” comments Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey. “In fact, they are becoming even more aware of the impact that an increase in tourism has on the environment and heritage sites, which puts sustainability at the centre of seasoned traveller’s decision-making. Mantis is the ideal brand to address these concerns.” Situated on the west coast of the UNESCO-recognised Hawar Island, the property will be surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary making, it one of the first environmentally-focused projects in the region. Initiatives and systems will also be implemented to sort waste and reduce water and energy consumption to minimise impact. “The island’s pristine environment has been virtually undisturbed, resulting in a vibrant ecosystem which will appeal to nature lovers,” explains Amin Alarrayed, CEO of Edamah. “Our aim is to showcase this natural beauty while focusing on sustainability to preserve it for future generations.”
DRAWING BOARD
Dogpatch Power Station SAN FRANCISCO
Foster + Partners has revealed plans to transform
+ Partners. “Our proposals will deliver much-
a former industrial site in San Francisco
needed homes guided by a design approach that
into a mixed-use waterfront neighbourhood
is underpinned by people, sustainability and
comprising hotels, residences, retail outlets,
community, and rooted in the rich history of
F&B and up to seven acres of green space.
the place. Our aim is to give Dogpatch an urban
Slated for completion in 2035, with the first buildings expected to open by 2026, Dogpatch
034
inclusive 21st century live/work community.”
Power Station is flanked by the waterfront to
Inspired by the traditional courtyards and
one side and the Dogpatch neighbourhood to
alleyways of the area, the buildings are arranged
the other. The masterplan aims to stitch the
around a central space at ground level, which
site to the locale, reconnecting people with the
will be lined with retail and amenities such
waterfront and re-energising the area with
as daycare centres and parcel delivery areas.
homes, parks and jobs. As such, the practice
Pedestrian and cycle routes meander through
has designed two residential-led, mixed-use
the structures, while lower floors will house
buildings at the heart of the development,
several social spaces and co-working areas.
which seek to recreate an inclusive live/work
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Developer: Associate Capital Architecture: Foster + Partners, Herzog & de Meuron www.dogpatchpowerstation.com
framework to help create a vibrant, healthy and
community that features affordable housing.
The design is based on a series of interconnected two-storey elements within
“This project offers a unique opportunity to
a modular organisational grid that allows
reinvigorate an erstwhile industrial quarter and
for complete flexibility – both spatially and
infuse new life into this part of San Francisco,”
programmatically – while coming together as
says Armstrong Yakubu, Senior Partner at Foster
a dynamic assembly of stepped blocks.
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DRAWING BOARD
Six Senses Antognolla
Set within a 540-hectare estate featuring a 10th
demand for activity-based experiential travel
century Benedictine monastery and 12th century
and capitalises on the growth in the wellness
UMBRIA
castle once home to one of Perugia’s most
market, while taking advantage of the estate’s
powerful noble families, Six Senses Antognolla
unique natural resources and overcoming the
will bring 71 guestrooms and 79 branded
seasonality of similar resorts in central Italy.
residences to Umbria in early 2023.
understanding of the site’s topography, as well
interiors by Design Studio Spin, the luxury
as the use of local materiality in combination
resort will also be home to a wellness and
with more contemporary elements, and the
cultural offering, a cookery school and organic
reinterpretation of architectural traditions. As
farm, an equestrian centre and an 18-hole golf
such, the preservation of the estate’s original
course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
architecture is key to the development, while
The reincarnation of the site will see the
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Carabba & Partners, VIY Management Developer: VIY Management Operator: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas Architecture: Woods Bagot Interior Design: Design Studio Spin Main Contractor: Sacaim www.woodsbagot.com
036
The design also required a comprehensive
Boasting architecture by Woods Bagot and
historic castle and traditional borgo buildings
the new buildings will sensitively reflect the history, style and beauty of the location.
house the guestrooms and suites, while the
“Umbria really speaks to me. After many
existing main building will be remodelled as a
years of studying and living in the country,
destination spa and conference facility.
my connection to Italian people and culture
According to Woods Bagot, the masterplan
is strong,” says Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses
has been created to align with key trends in
Hotels Resorts Spas. “Six Senses Antognolla
the resort tourism sector and regional market
will touch the hearts of its residents and hosts
conditions. The concept caters to the growing
through honesty and respect for the land.”
DRAWING BOARD
One & Only Aesthesis
Kerzner International has signed a management
Following a partnership with health and
agreement with Grivalia Hospitality for One &
wellness brand Chenot, the development will
ATHENS
Only Aesthesis, a 21-hectare beachfront estate
also be home to Chenot Spa, offering tailored
opening in Athens in 2022.
programmes and treatments scientifically
Drawing inspiration from its surroundings,
designed to enhance guests’ vitality and
the 127-key resort will celebrate the Athenian
optimise health. A gym with indoor and outdoor
Riviera while showcasing elements dominant in
spaces rounds out the wellness offering.
Greek mythology, such as fire and water carved
“We are excited to be adding Athens to our
from a palette of natural stone and timber.
European footprint,” says Philippe Zuber,
The architecture will also pay homage to Mid-
CEO of Kerzner International. “This exclusive
Century design by way of high ceilings, woven
beachfront location is the perfect destination for
leather, muted tones and accent patterns. Like
guests to begin or end their Greek adventure.”
all One & Only resorts, the hotel will focus on
George Chryssikos, founder and Chairman of
exclusivity, with most of its accommodations
Grivalia Hospitality, adds: “Upon completion,
being secluded villas with private pools.
One & Only Aesthesis will be on one of the most
The F&B programme meanwhile comprises a
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Grivalia Hospitality Operator: Kerzner International www.oneandonlyresorts.com
038
cosmopolitan sites in Athens.”
beach club anchoring 1,600 metres of seafront
The property will continue the growth of One
as well as two signature restaurants that take
& Only’s European portfolio, following a recent
guests on a culinary journey of Greece via
opening in Montenegro and the forthcoming
mezes, seafood, meats and vegan delicacies, all
arrival of One & Only Kea Island in Greece later
of which are sustainably and locally sourced.
this year.
W W W.V I N C E N T S H E P PA R D.C O M
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Dunas KUWAIT
Jasper Architects has won an international design competition to build Dunas, an immersive oasis hotel located in the desert of Kuwait. Estimated for completion in 2024, the project will offer a unique opportunity for hotel guests to observe the desert from within. Inspired by elements of the natural sandy landscape, as well as the textures, shapes, colours and soft curvilinear geometries of the surrounding dunes, the 19,866m2 circular structure will feature a roof that folds down in a radial array, following the undulations of the desert dunes. Each curve will delineate the boundaries between the private suites, whilst the touchpoints will offer roof access via moulded stairs. Further blurring the boundaries between the resort and surrounding landscape, perforations of varying sizes in the roof will allow for direct visual access to the desert sky. Ranging between 554-600m2, each suite will include a spa salon and private swimming pool. also gain access to a relaxed environment at the centre of the hotel where collective gathering may occur.
040
© Jasper Architects
In addition to common living spaces, guests will
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DRAWING BOARD
Siro Boka Place
Kerzner International has launched a new
The guestrooms will be quiet sanctuaries
fitness and wellbeing brand, Siro, with the
with in-built features to ensure a good night’s
MONTENEGRO
first property in Porto Montenegro slated for
sleep, in-room gym equipment and plenty of
completion by the end of 2023. Conceived by
space to work-out or meditate. Alternatively,
interior design firm Atellior, Siro Boka Place
the managed residences will range from studio
will feature 96 guestrooms with fitness at the
apartments to three-bedroom duplexes and
heart of the concept, a rooftop pool and bar, and
penthouses designed with an elegant, pared-
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Developer: Adriatic Marinas Operator: Kerzner International Architecture: Holder Mathias Architects Interior Design: Atellior www.sirohotels.com
042
144 managed residences. Further facilities will
back aesthetic.
include a large gym, yoga studios, a fitness and
By contrast, the hotel’s public spaces will
recovery spa, and a cinema.
emphasise the social aspect of wellbeing.
“It is always very exciting to create the first
Sculptural bleacher seating in the lobby’s
property for a new hospitality brand, especially
amphitheatre zone will offer an informal and
when it is based in such a beautiful destination as
open-plan space where leather cushions add
Porto Montenegro,” says Una Barac, Executive
comfort to the typical stadium experience,
Director of Atellior. “Siro is about blurring the
whilst power points hidden within integrated
boundaries between hospitality, fitness and
tables create potential work hubs.
wellness. With health and fitness at its core, the
Elsewhere, the ground floor restaurant will
hotel’s interiors and facilities aim to encourage
serve a range of healthy options for lunch and
more people to achieve an invigorated lifestyle
dinner. Overlooking the UNESCO Bay of Kotor
while providing a fresh perspective on modern-
and Porto Montenegro, the pool will feature a
day luxury.”
bar that plays host to live DJs.
bdbarcelona.com Gardenias collection by Jaime Hayon contract@bdbarcelona.com
DRAWING BOARD
Botanic Sanctuary
Occupying the former convent site of Elzenveld
Taking charge of the main restaurant is
in Antwerp, Botanic Sanctuary will open later
Wouter van Tichelen, who will serve classic
ANTWERP
this year with 108 guestrooms and suites as
Belgian cuisine with a modern twist in the
well as four fine-dining restaurants, a botanical
conservatory of the Monastery Garden, home
bar and garden, and a spa reflecting a cloistral
to a wine cellar housing three compartments.
devotion to healing plants and herbs.
044
The hotel’s 1,000m2 spa meanwhile draws
The sensitive restoration of the 15th century
inspiration from monastic heritage and will
monastery has stripped away the fripperies of
focus on naturopathy, phytotherapy, traditional
times past to reveal ancient stonework and
European medicine, and ancient methods of
structures, with each guestroom championing
healing and prevention. Spanning three floors,
the historic significance of the complex while
the space comprises an 18m swimming pool,
channelling a Wabi-sabi approach to design.
sauna and Jacuzzi, alongside a lounge, vitamin
Bringing their Michelin-starred expertise
and herbal bars, and a bistro. A fitness club
to the city are Belgian chef Gert de Mangeleer
rounds out the wellness offer, hosting yoga,
and sommelier Joachim Boudens – who will
meditation and mindfulness classes that
recreate the West Flemish garden experience
energise the body and mind in equal measure.
in an intimate setting with its own glasshouse,
The property also features 18 conference
beehives and herb garden – as well as Dutch
rooms, a 421m2 exhibition hall and 2,450m2 of
chefs Jacob Jan Boerma and Thomas Diepersloot,
banqueting and events spaces, while an on-
who will introduce their shared passion for
site chapel from the Middle Ages serves as a
seasonal and regional products at Fine Fleur.
backdrop for weddings and private gatherings.
www.marcojoefazio.com creative agency
bespoke stone fabrication for over 50 years
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DRAWING BOARD
One Beverly Hills
Alagem Capital Group has partnered with Cain
At the heart of the development, the Botanical
International to unveil One Beverly Hills, a
Gardens will feature an elevated platform
CALIFORNIA
mixed-use resort in California designed by
overlooking more than 40 tree and 250 plant
Executive Architects Gensler, British firm Foster
species from 13 different regions of California.
+ Partners and landscape architects Rios.
The eight-acre haven – predominantly planted
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Alagem Capital Group, Cain International Developer: Aecom Architecture: Gensler, Foster + Partners Landscaping: Rios www.onebeverlyhills.com
046
Slated to open in 2026, the 17.5-acre
with water-smart landscaping and irrigated
site represents the unification of several
through an extensive greywater system – will
properties adjacent to the Beverly Hilton and
also encompass curated sculptures, water
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, with three more
features, shaded seating areas and two miles
sustainable buildings set to be added including
of pathways, while a community-based
two residential towers and a 42-suite luxury
conservancy – made up of One Beverly Hills
hotel, a fine-dining restaurant and 37 shared
residents, school and community leaders, and
ownership condominiums, all of which will be
representatives of the hotels – will oversee
set around eight acres of botanical gardens.
educational programming and operations.
The Beverly Hilton will also see extensive
“In its beginnings, Beverly Hills was
upgrades to integrate the gardens into the
agricultural flat land – a green oasis that fed
guest experience, with a new arrival drive and
a growing urbanity,” says Norman Foster,
lobby area, a restyled ballroom and pool, and
founder and Executive Chairman of Foster +
36 new poolside cabana rooms. Elsewhere, a
Partners. “A century later, we have seized on
38,000ft2 conference centre will be equipped
this as inspiration to create organic architecture
with advanced tech and outdoor breakout areas.
that merges with the surrounding landscape.”
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Meeting… Tony Chi As he prepares to unveil another landmark renovation for Rosewood, interior designer Tony Chi discusses family, building trust and planning his succession. Words: Guy Dittrich
E
ffervescent and engaging, Tony Chi has an enviable energy that spans years and time zones. More than three decades in the business and his enthusiasm remains contagious, entertaining audiences at design shows around the world with his charm and charisma.
Recently however, he was confined to his apartment in
Taipei, where his planned stay of a few days turned into months as the global pandemic took hold. Speaking from the Taiwanese capital, Chi describes how lucky he was to be able to straddle the world’s time zones: “My coverage of this globalisation is fantastic as I am able to play the full field – offence and defence at the same time.” Dealing with the studio, then the current Asia-based projects followed by calls to artisans and craftspeople in Europe. Chi is confident, yet doesn’t take himself too seriously. Of his ‘little place’ in Taipei, he explains: “I was born here, so it gave me a bit of a reminiscence, like an old diaper.” All said with a cheeky grin and sparkling eyes. Established over 30 years ago, the studio now occupies a large, loft-like space in Manhattan’s West Village, elegantly decorated with subtle Asian motifs, mid-20 th century
furniture and contemporary New York artworks. The firm’s portfolio extends from projects with Four Seasons in the
MEETING…
© Nacasa & Partners
At Park Hyatt Kyoto, tonychi studio created a sense of place through the influence of Japanese architecture and artisanal craftsmanship
050
early 1990s, Mandalay Bay and Bellagio in Las
Carlton Millenia Singapore was a winner for its
Vegas towards the end of that decade, and
Colony restaurant at AHEAD Asia in 2017 and
since then a whole raft of projects spanning
went on to be judged at a global level in 2019,
the globe – Lebanon, Australia, Switzerland and
while the Rosewoods in London and Hong Kong
Germany – for a roster of top brands including
have been recognised with multiple shortlistings
Park Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental and The Ritz-
and wins over the years at AHEAD Europe and
Carlton. More recently, he has become a go-
Asia – the latter went on to receive the ultimate
to designer for the resurgent Rosewood Hotels
accolade of Hotel of the Year in 2020.
& Resorts – following the 2011 acquisition by
One of Rosewood’s philosophies is a sense
the then New World Hospitality – and has
of place, and for Chi this leads to overarching
worked on the group’s properties in London,
descriptions of hotels in residential terms; he
their flagship in Hong Kong and the soon-to-
refers to Rosewood London as a “mansion”
complete Rosewood Carlyle New York.
and Rosewood Hong Kong an “estate on the
Chi explains that he wants guests to “feel
harbour”. These residential aspects become
confident, comfortable and emotionally
a tool in Chi’s world, enabling the studio’s
engaged” when they visit these spaces, and “to
designs to cut away, as he puts it, from the
remember something positive about themselves
generic commerciality of globalisation and
and everything around them – that it was a
allow a personality to shine through.
great experience.”
Chi easily makes the short jump from
Indeed the importance placed on experience
residential to family, with wife Tammy Chou
has seen tonychi studio do remarkably well at
and daughter Alison both working at the
AHEAD, the awards that recognise not only
studio. The designer relates at length about the
design but also guest experience. The Ritz-
importance of family. Prosaically he talks of the
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MEETING…
lost meaning of the dining room as family meals
of success, Chi refers not to the numerous
have become less common. Of course, he has a
accolades he has received nor the sparkling
solution, which will be seen in a forthcoming
hotels he has brought to life, but rather to the
project in Hollywood. But Chi also considers
fact that he is able to plan his succession.
family in the wider sense of trust.
In reimagining the East Wing at The RitzCarlton Millenia Singapore, tonychi studio designed a 1960s-inspired bar and lounge that evokes the warmth, intimacy and elegance of a private residence
“I decided in 2017 that I was going to start
Several key clients are discussed in terms of
working on my retirement. Not retirement,”
family, including the Chengs at Rosewood and
he corrects himself, “to step back and focus on
the Kwee family in Singapore, for whom he has
other parts of the canvas and allow someone
recently completed further work on The Ritz-
else to take the baton, or brush, to the control
Carlton Millenia Singapore. He discusses being
the canvas.” This succession will be led by his
part of these clients’ families and of the levels of
daughter, Alison, in the Managing Director role
trust he has developed with them. It’s personal;
and Paley as Creative Director.
he designed a home for the Chengs over 20 years
“Since 2019 and through the pandemic, it has
ago. Trust too in manufacturers and suppliers,
been a life-changing experience to take on a
many of whom he has collaborated with for
leadership role together with Bill, whom I’ve
long periods to deliver exactly the right product,
known for nearly three quarters of my life,”
something that has become increasingly
explains Alison, reflecting on their work to
difficult and important of late.
redefine the studio’s attitude towards design
And trust that he can leave his legacy of more
and living in general. The studio was always an
than 100 restaurants and 15 hotels in over 35
important part of her life and these experiences
cities around the world to his daughter and
from a young age fostered a focus on quality
long-term associate William – or Bill – Paley.
hospitality in the completion of her Masters in
Interestingly, when asked about the meaning
Finance and Hospitality from NYU.
© Felix Hug
052
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MEETING…
Chi sees his daughter’s strengths being in her
gave each other courage over the years,” Paley
ability to bridge not only the generations but
continues. “It was challenging and took a lot of
also her traditional Chinese family, American
discipline. But it could also be very liberating
upbringing and experience of European life,
and allowed us to create a design harmony that
having studied in Paris for a few years. In a
became increasingly well-received outside the
moment of brutal honesty, Chi recognises that
walls of the studio.”
he needed a reboot and was not able to go
Will the design needle change? “The needle
further, referring to the time he took Alison to
is in constant motion,” says Paley. “Every work
a restaurant he had designed and she described
we have completed as a studio has moved the
as “not fun”. To which Chi chided, “you don’t
needle. But the motion is barely perceptible,” he
know what fun is,” before today correcting
states of the “unified hand” that progresses and
himself, “I was wrong. And she was spot-on.”
evolves their work. And what should we expect?
Paley, described by Chi as his most-trusted designer, has seen the development of the
Rosewood Hong Kong took home multiple awards at AHEAD Asia and went on to receive the ultimate accolade of Hotel of the Year in 2020
054
“I cannot tell you because I don’t know what to expect – this is the joy of design!”
studio’s style during their 28 years together.
Chi has nurtured the growth of his studio
“As a group, our aesthetic preferences became
from a one-man firm to a globally renowned
fluid and merged,” he recalls. “I think for any
design philosophy and way of life. He may be
studio to find success there has to be a kind of
passing on the baton but with daughter Alison
mind-meld, otherwise it is hard to find a voice.”
and long-term confidant Paley stepping up,
Whilst Chi pursued a “brown-on-brown, beige-
tonychi studio will doubtless continue to steer a
on-brown” aesthetic with minimal “visual
path that delights both clients and guests in the
noise”, it was the courage of Paley that added the
world of hospitality design that they understand
pops of powder blue and bubblegum pink. “We
so well and clearly love so much.
Meeting… Ole Scheeren The founder of Buro Ole Scheeren reveals designs for his first fully integrated hospitality project and discusses the importance of bringing nature back to the built environment. Words: Catherine Martin • Portrait Photography: © Iwan Baan
W
hile most of the world has grappled with
rural China at the age of 21 to studying at the prestigious
remote working and communicating
AA School of Architecture in London – coming together to
through a screen over the past 18
shape the way he approaches design. “Over the course of
months, some forward-thinking types
my life, I’ve had the opportunity to visit over 100 different
have revelled in the fact that it’s
countries and simply observe,” he explains. “I grew up with
business as usual, already accustomed
architecture so from very early on I had an understanding of
to this so-called new way of life by the nature of their set-
what space does for people. I’ve always been fascinated by
up. For Ole Scheeren, the pandemic hasn’t had much of an
the psychology of spaces and how people use the buildings
impact on the running of his eponymous studio. Of course
we create; I believe it’s very important to incorporate that
there’s less travel, but in terms of day-to-day operations,
context into our designs.”
there’s little change. “I’ve been working virtually for the
Scheeren’s early exposure to the world of architecture
past 20 years, so our office was entirely used to the system
stems from his father, also an architect, and by the age of
that the whole world had to adopt,” he explains, speaking to
14 he was in the studio getting a head start on his future
Sleeper via Zoom from his office in Berlin. “I was travelling
career. An innate curiosity about the world and the belief
so much that I could not be with my offices all the time; we
that architecture could better contribute to its surroundings
already had a daily routine of working virtually with each
led to stints working and studying in New York, London
other in addition to the physical encounter, so it was a very
and Lausanne, but it was landing a job with Rem Koolhaas
simple transition.”
at OMA that really set him on the road to success. “It was
With offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, New York,
a fairly important period in my early career,” Scheeren
London and Berlin, and projects in all corners of the globe,
explains. “Altogether I worked with Rem for almost 15 years
Scheeren admits that his pre-pandemic schedule was a
and in that time I took on a variety of different projects.
little extreme: “I was on an aeroplane three times a week,
I was in charge of the Prada flagship stores in New York
visiting three continents every month,” he notes, adding
and Beverly Hills, which played on the experiential idea of
that the enforced stay-home has been an interesting life
architecture, and later on I built the entire Asia business
lesson. Though he’s more stationary for the time being,
for the company and led the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing.
Scheeren doesn’t seem the type to sit still for long. The
My projects spanned from small scale to one of the largest
German architect has travelled extensively through his
buildings ever constructed, so that gave me the experience
life, with every experience – from backpacking through
to do what I’m doing today.”
057
© Büro Ole Scheeren
© Büro Ole Scheeren
058
MEETING…
Abaca Resort in the Philippines is described as a succession of discoveries with cascading waterfalls and tranquil clearings in the rainforest sheltered by tree canopies
In 2010, Scheeren went solo and founded his own studio, making the bold decision to remain in Asia to differentiate from the Western firms who were exporting their designs to the East. “I wanted to find a much more direct engagement with Asia and so headquartered the company out of Hong Kong,” he notes, going on to point out the irony that he’s now found himself with a rapidly growing portfolio of projects in Europe and North America. This method of working paved the way for broad scope of projects, both territorially and in terms of typologies: for example, there’s the archipelago cinema – a screen and floating auditorium in Thailand’s Nai Pi Lae Lagoon; Fifteen Fifteen, a highrise residential development in Vancouver;
“I grew up with architecture so from very early on I had an understanding of what space does for people. I’ve always been fascinated by the psychology of spaces and how people use the buildings we create.”
provides a social melting point where people come and go and can be an important part of a larger urban ecosystem,” he enthuses. “Hotels play a key role in activating and animating parts of urbanity.” And what of mixed-use development in general, is there increased demand from clients to integrate more and more elements? “Our lives are an increasingly interconnected world where things no longer exist in the classical separations of this is where you work, this is where you sleep, this is where you eat; activities are coming to integrate and overlap in a very explicit way,” Scheeren explains, adding that the pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated a shift that was already in play. “This is where
and Shenzhen Wave, a new headquarters and
the role of architecture comes in, in bringing
innovation centre for a leading technology
all those different aspects of life together. If you
company. “It’s very exciting to move between
look at a lot of my work, it is an investigation
scales, to move between different architectural
of how we bring things closer together – not
typologies and to move between different
only work and life – but how we can bring the
cultures of the world,” Scheeren continues.
experience of nature to the built environment;
“We have a great team of 100 architects who
Abaca is a very explicit exploration of that.”
collaborate globally across continents and
Abaca Resort is the newly-announced project
help inform one project through the diverse
that will bring Scheeren’s ideas on architectural
experiences of another; it’s become a very
discovery to life. Located in Cebu in the Philippines, the 125-key hotel builds on an
interesting dialogue that we’ve established.” This idea of dialogue is one that touches every
domain,” Scheeren adds. “With every project,
existing property on the island of Mactan, and
aspect of Scheeren’s work, not only through
we have to investigate how we can contribute
is inspired by the region’s traditional vernacular
communication with his team but between
to the way people interact with architecture and
and tropical landscape. “This project tells a story
the buildings he designs, their surrounding
space, and how it can add to their lives; I believe
of discovery and surprise, a story of wonder and
environment and the people who use them.
architecture is an important component in the
curiosity, a story of the language of architecture
“Architecture is a highly specific discipline; it
creation of experiences and memories.”
and the power of tropical nature,” he confirms.
doesn’t look the same everywhere and shouldn’t
The creation of memories is regularly the talk
“It is a journey through the rainforest and the
serve the same purpose,” he explains. “Each
of hospitality design, and Scheeren has had a
exploration of habitable structures with places
project is a very specific investigation of a place,
hand in a number of projects over the years,
of rest and repose.”
of a culture, of a client, of a vision of what it can
including the Guardian Art Centre in Beijing, a
Having been approached by Abaca Group
contribute. This diversity and multiplicity really
gallery and exhibition venue that also houses
and Cebu Landmasters to collaborate, Scheeren
drives our interest.”
The PuXuan Hotel; Duo, a mixed-use tower
spent time at the existing nine-bedroom hotel,
While there’s diversity in the scope of
complex in Singapore with an Andaz on the
an experience that came to shape his eventual
projects, they share a common goal in aiming
upper floors; and MahaNakhon, another mixed-
design. “During my stay, there was a feeling
to shape the way people interact with spaces.
use skyscraper, this time in Bangkok and slated
of intimacy that allowed me to have this very
“Architecture should be an active part of the
to include a hotel. With so many of the studio’s
personal feeling of being in a particular place,”
city and of the urban environment, it should
projects incorporating a variety of uses, how
he explains. “That was the inspiration; how can
enable and empower its users in many different
important is a hotel in this context? “What’s
we reinvent this spirit on a different scale, in a
ways and I believe that we have a responsibility
interesting about a hotel is that it always creates
different way for the new hotel?”
to make a lasting contribution to the public
an anchor for a mixed-use development; it
The answer, according to Scheeren, lies
059
© Büro Ole Scheeren
© Büro Ole Scheeren
060
MEETING…
Empire City in Vietnam will include a hotel, residences and office space within a high-rise development guided by nature
“What’s interesting about a hotel is that it always creates an anchor for a mixed-use development; it provides a social melting point where people come and go and can be an important part of a larger urban ecosystem.”
in creating spaces that unfold and reveal
perfectly framed by the arched windows and
standalone, some forming part of mixed-use
themselves over time. “The way I have imagined
hanging gardens.
developments. There’s an urban resort with
the experience is as a succession of discoveries,
Cebu’s rich history of craftsmanship will
Hyatt, and a soon-to-be-announced project
like a journey through the jungle where you
also play an important role in the project,
with IHG. And while the all-important guest
suddenly find a path through the greenery and
with local artisans, materials and construction
experience is at the heart of the studio’s concepts,
it happens to lead to the lobby,” he reveals,
practices all taken into consideration. “We
Scheeren is mindful of the role of the operator.
“or you descend into a grotto that opens out to
want to work with local stone and locally-
“I think it’s important to have the operator –
waterfalls, pools and gardens; it takes you on a
available materials,” confirms Scheeren. “This
the people who will be running the hotel day-in
whole journey of individual moments through
has ecological benefits but it also makes for a
day-out, long after construction has finished
the project.”
more interesting story if a place is rooted in
– on board from the very beginning,” he notes.
It may sound like the stuff of fantasy, but the
local culture. There are other elements such
“Of course that’s not always possible, but I
blueprints show just what Scheeren describes,
as the furniture and fabrics; Cebu has a strong
believe that the more you can plan a project as
with lush landscaping, cascading waterfalls and
tradition in weaving, so this will become part
a fully integrated vision, the stronger it will be,
tranquil clearings in the rainforest sheltered
of the story too.”
the better it will work operationally, and the more exciting the experience will be.”
by tree canopies. Punctuated by pockets of
While the studio has a vast portfolio of
greenery, the newbuild tower element is a
projects spanning the globe, Abaca Resort
One of the larger projects on the boards is
vertical lattice of arches that stack, recess and
marks the first time it has designed a hotel in
Empire City, which is spread across multiple
protrude to form shaded balconies and floating
this way, taking on architecture, interiors and
buildings and will create an entirely new
pools in the sky. At ground level, the building is
landscaping for a fully integrated experience.
district in Ho Chi Minh City. Incorporating a
defined by arched colonnades that recall ancient
This approach is one that Scheeren believes
hotel, residences, retail and office space, the
archaeological structures rooted in the jungle,
is becoming increasingly important. “When
development is anchored by an 88-storey tower
with multi-level terraces and water basins
there’s one team hired to design the shell and
that will be a new landmark on the banks of
offering intimate areas for gathering.
another to do the interiors, there’s a lack of
the Saigon River. Although it’s a shiny new
Despite a ten-fold increase in keys, Scheeren
integrated vision,” he believes. “We have quite
glass-and-steel high-rise in a rapidly growing
is confident he can retain the intimacy and sense
a few projects at the moment where we are
metropolis, Scheeren’s concept is once again
of place he experienced on his first visit. The
providing a holistic service, creating not only
guided by nature. “We have designed a project
layered topography with a series of semi-private
the architecture but the interiors and landscape.
that really explores how Vietnam’s landscape
spaces at each level was a conscious decision,
Abaca Resort is a great example of what we
can become an integral part of the city,” he
as was the way in which the guestrooms are
can do and by approaching projects as a fully
describes, pointing out the mountain-shaped
designed as if individual villas carved into the
integrated plan, it results in a better experience
podium that echoes the country’s terraced rice
rock. The curves of the façade extend inside
for guests.”
fields. The multi-level podium will link the
to the doorways and selection of FF&E, and
As talk turns to the future, Scheeren reveals
three towers and also serve as a public garden
each room offers sweeping views of the ocean,
that he’s working on a number of hotels, some
with leisure and dining facilities, while on the
061
MEETING…
“I believe that the more you can plan a project as a fully integrated vision, the stronger it will be, the better it will work operationally, and the more exciting the experience will be.”
Duo in Singapore is a mixed-use development designed by Scheeren with an Andre Fu-designed Andaz hotel on the upper floors
upper levels, hovering terraces cantilever out
So has the pandemic and resulting shift in
from the building’s central axis. “We asked
the way people think about space affected the
ourselves, how can the verticality of a tower
design of these ongoing projects? It would seem
contain moments of spectacular nature?” says
not. Much like Scheeren’s approach to running a
Scheeren. “So we created a floating element that
global business, his ideas on the importance of
we call the Sky Forest, which will be part public
space have long been ahead of their time. “On
observation deck, part hotel and part restaurant
one hand, the pandemic has changed everything,
some 300 metres up in the air.”
but at the same time, it hasn’t really changed
The overarching idea is to reflect the energy of
my architecture in the sense that I’ve been
the city’s economic growth – the development
talking about this responsibility of space for the
will be home to a number of major global
past two decades,” he concludes. “I’ve always
businesses as well as start-ups and entrepreneurs
been interested in how we live and I think the
– yet crucially reconnect the urban environment
pandemic has encouraged people to consider
to the tropics. The undulating platforms of the
the importance of space more than ever before.
Sky Forest feature open-air bars and landscaped
There are certain qualities that we have always
walkways amongst water features and a variety
tried to develop through our projects – the
of indigenous plantlife. “We wanted to capture
integration of nature, outdoor space and fresh
the spirit of the tropical city, where life indoors
air, and the ability to oscillate between zones of
and outdoors plays an equally important
togetherness and zones of individuality. I think
role and the presence of nature is incredibly
all of these experiences are crucial to the quality
important,” Scheeren notes, adding that the
of our lives, and architecture plays a key role in
aim is to “reconcile the tension between the
achieving that.”
dense built environment and nature”.
© Iwan Baan
062
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Welcome Change Having orchestrated the design of hotels across the UK and Europe for the past two decades, Ica is planning for its next phase of growth. Words: Ben Thomas
A Holistic Approach Established in 2003, Ica is a 50-strong architecture and interior design studio dedicated to the international hotel market. With offices in Glasgow and London, the practice works across the UK, Europe and beyond, focusing on design, technical expertise and business acumen. Hotels in the pipeline: The Gantry, London (2021); Moxy Spinningfields, Manchester (2021); Virgin Hotels, Edinburgh (2022); CitizenM Victoria, London (2022); Marriott Tribute Portfolio, Edinburgh (2024)
W
e started the business with three of us and now
approach however is that we understand our client’s
there are more than 50, so a lot of things have
requirements first, then analyse the site, design to their
changed in the process,” says Ian Burleigh,
specific requirements and contextualise those. What we
Executive Chairman of Ica, as he looks back on the
achieve is a functional, efficient and workable solution
studio’s journey in the world of hotel design so far.
that’s fit for purpose but also responds to its location.”
“It’s taken a long time and a lot of hard work to create a team of people that share our values and skills.”
THE INITIAL FOCUS
064
With the financial crisis of 2007–2008, Ica saw a surprising upturn in business. The reason? Clients
Launched shortly after the turn of the millennium
were moving away from large-scale developments and
with a studio in Glasgow and a client space in London,
instead focusing on cost-effective refurbishments. This
Ica started life as an architecture and interior design
led to the growth of its interior design team, creating a
practice solely dedicated to the international hotel
single studio that enabled its architects and designers
market. From the outset, the firm focused on designing
to collaborate and cross-pollinate ideas.
not only buildings and interiors but also businesses, specialising in how they operate as well as aesthetics.
This inside-out, outside-in methodology has since allowed the practice to deliver either the entire vision
“What made us popular was that we gelled quickly
or work with existing partners to bring a project to life
with clients and from a personality point of view we
with its architectural expertise. Equally, Ica’s interior
were easy to get on with, listened to what they wanted
designers can join forces with external architecture
to achieve and tried to use the design tools we had in
firms but draw on decades of experience that comes
our box to assist them,” Burleigh continues. “It’s about
from the synergy between its in-house teams.
having your finger on the pulse within a market.”
Click here to find out more on Ica’s approach
A TURNING POINT
Such was the case at The Gantry in Stratford, a
Part of Ica’s approach also involved being well
visually remarkable yet equally buildable development
prepared and getting things right early in the process,
in London’s Olympic Park. Opening in November 2021,
meaning the team wasn’t reliant on fixing problems
the dual-branded project comprises an 18-storey Curio
down the line when on site. As such, the studio was able
Collection by Hilton hotel with 291 guestrooms, an
to apply its holistic ethos to different cities with ease,
artisan food market and a rooftop bar, as well as a
resulting in the expansion of its portfolio across the
17-storey Adagio Aparthotel. In designing the structure,
UK to the likes of Dublin, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Ica drew inspiration from New York’s Flatiron building
“A lot of architecture responds to context first;
and Stratford’s industrial past in equal measure,
the location, the adjacent buildings and their style.
reflecting the heritage of the area through every element
It is designed to those criteria and then the client’s
of design, materiality and function. A curved two-storey
requirements have to fit into that,” explains co-founder
podium, formed by an interplay with the geometry of the
and Design Director Chris Fegan. “A fundamental of our
hotel tower above, achieves a singular building aesthetic
SPOTLIGHT
that manifests in a skin of copper-coloured
“The hotel is testament to our ability to
more complex and challenging,” says Fegan as
fins, allowing the property’s appearance to
solve problems – in this case conservation
he reflects on the evolution of the hotel sector.
change through the day as the light shifts – the
issues – but remain focused on what needs to
fins themselves are reminiscent of the heavy
be delivered from a functional and operational
ADAPT AND INNOVATE
engineering from the borough’s railway era.
point of view,” Fegan enthuses. “This approach
The past 18 months has had its challenges too,
unlocked the very complex urban site.”
with Covid-19 changing the face of retail and
The industrial aesthetic has, however, been softened by the organic form of the building,
office space in city centres and investors looking
with relaxed curves providing landscaped
A REALISATION
pockets and green edges that echo Stratford’s
In late 2019, Ica started planning for its next
in use, Ica has seen an increase in hospitality
market town past – a time when it grew food
phase of growth, with the firm’s senior team
projects backed by institutional investors,
that fed the whole of London. The columns of
reviewing the connections across its large-
including the redevelopment of the former
green combine with a series of terraced spaces to
scale projects. It quickly became obvious that
Debenhams department store on Edinburgh’s
embed the landscaping within the architecture,
the link was one where a love of hospitality
Princes Street, for which the team is designing a
rising up through the structure towards the bar
meets commercial focus and design excellence,
luxury hotel that will make full use of the site’s
on the top level.
as evident at The Gantry and Virgin Hotels
views over the castle and gardens opposite.
to hotels as part of the solution. With this shift
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh delivers the same
Edinburgh, not to mention Marmalade on
Despite the testing times, the practice is
impact but in an entirely different way – with
the Isle of Skye, which blends creativity and
looking ahead with promise, knowing that its
the added pressure of combining three listed
commercial understanding.
ability to create design solutions that operate
buildings in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set
Looking at these developments anew led
within the former India Buildings in the heart
the studio to develop a new way of describing
efficiently while working in tune with the locale
of the city’s Old Town, the scheme aims to
its offer: ‘Welcome Change’, a philosophy
“We set up Ica not as an architecture
revitalise the long-neglected gap site, with Ica
underpinned by three key pillars: creativity
business, not as interior design business, but
preserving its historic elements while laying the
that is profitably applied, candid support for the
as a hospitality business, so that’s where the
foundations for Virgin to add its signature style
client, and a deep love of hospitality.
‘welcome’ came from,” concludes Burleigh.
will stand it in good stead for years to come.
across 222 guestrooms and suites, several F&B
“In terms of our approach to design, the
“The ‘change’ derives from our approach, in that
outlets – including a flagship Commons Club –
fundamental strategy has remained consistent,
we’re not driving the agenda of design, we’re
and meeting spaces.
but the projects we are working on have become
using design to drive our clients’ agendas.”
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THE LOBBY
Sweet Dreams In the age of smartphones, smart watches and the never-
lighting, hi-definition audio system and motorised base allow
ending pursuit to optimise every aspect of our lives, a standard
for customised relaxation, whilst a 70-inch screen and 4K
mattress and bedframe simply doesn’t cut it anymore. In
projector enhance the cocoon-effect by creating an immersive
response to the desire for the highly-coveted, but often
entertainment experience. HiAm also functions as a personal
unattainable, good night’s sleep, Italian furnituremaker
sleep coach thanks to integrated IoT sensors. In addition to
Hi-Interiors has carved out a unique position for itself as
tracking sleep data, the sensors collect environmental statistics
pioneer of the smartbed. Their latest innovation is HiAm,
such as air quality and optimum sleep temperature. “Italy is
a hi-tech four-poster bed dreamt up by Italian architect
the country of art and beauty par excellence,” explains Vinella.
and designer Fabio Vinella. Inspired by the ancient Roman
“With HiAm these values take on a new form in an evolved
concept of ‘otium’ – meaning leisure – HiAm brings together
product that, in combining design with technology, leads us to
wellness and entertainment through technology to spark
self-discovery, projecting us into a dimension in which leisure
physiological wellbeing and self-improvement. Promising a
assumes an active and extremely positive significance, just as
complete sensory journey, a built-in fragrance diffuser, smart
it did in classical antiquity.”
Circle of Life Radical Innovation announces the winners of its Parc Omega design competition.
With travellers increasingly seeking an escape
“Parc Omega’s mission is to raise awareness
from the bustle of overcrowded and built-up
about wildlife and local culture by creating
cities, hotels in rural settings are becoming
a memorable experience,” comments Claire
ever more desirable. With that in mind, Radical
Ruggieri, Chair of Batipart, the park’s owning
Innovation – an initiative that challenges creative
company. “We’ve been thrilled to follow these
thinkers to pioneer compelling ideas in travel
fabulous submissions and to work with our
and hospitality – launched an extension to its
esteemed jury to determine the winner and
annual design competition, calling for entrants
runner-up for the competition.”
to envision a 120-key hotel for Parc Omega in Quebec, Canada.
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A panel of jurors from the fields of hospitality, design and investment evaluated entries based on
The brief was to design a hospitality venue that
their originality, creativity, feasibility, viability
meets the needs of visitors to the region yet is
and impact, with the deciding factors being the
in keeping with the natural beauty of the 2,200-
best architectural design, best use of land and
acre wildlife park. Four-star accommodation,
the best sustainability plan; as a result, they have
restaurants, a bar, swimming pool, wellness
named Les Cercles du Lac, submitted by Stanislas
facilities and a multi-functional conference
Cheuvreux of WAW Architectes, as the winner.
centre were amongst the requirements, but
His concept nestles between the lake and a valley
ultimately, guidelines stated that it is imperative
with circular structures that echo the circle of
the hotel’s architecture, interior design and
life, an important symbol in Native American
methods of operation be aligned with the park
culture. The seven circular buildings fan out from
and its core values of sustainability, conservation
a central reception and each provide 360-degree
and wildlife preservation.
views of the park, while a network of connecting
THE LOBBY
pathways allow for immersion in nature. With a
Monolab Architects, which takes the dispersed
clear focus on minimising visual impact on the
approach to make full use of the site; Quttow House
site, Cheuvreux’s design sees a low-rise structure
by RHT Advisory, inspired by the longhouses
partly concealed beneath the tree canopy, with
built and inhabited by east-coast indigenous
the recreation centre integrated into the natural
nations; Le Retrainte by Ignacio Fernandez de
slope of the landscape. The architect will be
Castro, evolved from a passion for wood, water
awarded CA$10,000, and there will be further
and wildlife; Parc Omega Hotel by Bagua + Bhava,
discussions as to the realisation of the hotel.
designed to explore the relationship between
The competition’s runner up is Samsara
humans, animals and nature; and Park Omega
Lodge, submitted by Matthew Beerman of 25:8
Hill Hotel by Biophilic Architecture, in which the
Architecture + Urban Design, Canada, who will be
entire building appears to be immersed in the
awarded CA$5,000. Beerman’s concept – named
land beneath native vegetation.
after the Buddhist word for the cycle of death and
“Radical Innovation discovers and spotlights
rebirth – mimics the vernacular of a fallen tree,
creative thinkers from around the world
with the various facilities branching off from a
with ideas to propel the hospitality industry
central trunk housing the check-in and gift shop.
forward,” explains John Hardy, founder of
A sloping roofs pays homage to the rolling hills
Radical Innovation and CEO of The Hardy
of the region, allowing for the resort to blend
Group. “We were pleased to add this new design
seamlessly into the landscape, while a 25-metre
competition to the Radical family and are excited
observation tower captures views of the park.
to congratulate the winners of the competition.”
Les Cercles du Lac (above left) by Stanislas Cheuvreux of WAW Architectes has been named winner of the Parc Omega design competition, with Samsara Lodge (above) by Matthew Beerman of 25:8 Architecture + Urban Design coming in second place
Other entries given an honourable mention include: the nature-driven Seven Tales by
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THE LOBBY
Island Life W London teams up with artist Georgia Tucker to create a virtually immersive island getaway in the heart of the West End.
With countries both near and far constantly
The Escapist cocktail and Tropical Rocks dessert,
moving between green, amber and red travel lists
before being taken to their room where they will
in the UK, the idea of an island getaway feels
be greeted with a VR headset and soundscape.
more and more like a pipe dream. Luckily, W
From there, visitors will be transported to the
London has brought the island to us with the help
balmy beaches of the tropics without leaving the
of immersive technology artist Georgia Tucker.
hotel room, with the virtual holiday soundtracked
Set within the hotel’s signature WOW Suite, Tucker has created the Advena Island Escape as a
the ultimate escape.
way to break free from the monotonous everyday
As international travel gradually begins to
and explore the meaning behind a ‘sustainable
resume, the Advena experience will seek to
resort’, all without having to catch a flight. A
explore the ecological and social impact of
paradisal landscape of tropical fauna, colourful
tourism, in addition to provoking conversation
architecture, opalescent orbs and warm beaches,
around what travellers now seek from their
Advena integrates the virtual with the physical,
holidays and if the need for ‘Instagrammable’
creating an immersive experience through a
moments and experiences has eclipsed the desire
mixture of projections and vinyls, brought to life
for the destination itself.
via a VR headset.
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by lapping waves and swaying palms to provide
“I want people to find a sense of escapism
Those looking to fully immerse themselves
within this space and a sense of playfulness,”
within Tucker’s installation can opt for the
explains Tucker. “But I also want it to start a
Advena Island Escape package, designed to be
conversation – leading people to question why
enjoyed from the comfort of the W’s luxury
it is they travel, and the effect Instagram has
rooms and suites. Guests will be welcomed with
played on this.”
ST YLISH. ELEGANT. ICONIC.
DESIGNERS & MANUFACTURERS OF WORKSPACE FURNITURE WWW.GOF.CO.UK
Gresham Sleeper Advertisement September 2021.indd 1
20/08/2021 11:00
THE LOBBY
Pink Palace Champalimaud Design reintroduces a sense of Old Hollywood glamour to The Beverly Hills Hotel’s legendary poolside cabanas.
For over a century, the swimming pool at The
to reintroduce a colourway that complements
Beverly Hills Hotel has been the place to see
the original green of the hotel’s interiors. With
and be seen. On any given day, guests could
its distinctive hues and vibrant prints, the
catch the likes of Joan Rivers learning to swim
wallcovering remains intrinsically linked to the
freestyle or Katherine Hepburn diving in after a
hotel, even developing its own celebrity status
tennis lesson – fully-clothed. But after countless
amongst both designers and guests.
A-list parties and secret trysts over the years, the
The atmosphere surrounding the poolside
poolside was due a refresh. Tasked with restoring
retreats is established through details such
the legendary hotel’s 11 private cabanas was
as terrazzo coffee tables and basket weave
Champalimaud Design, who were asked to create
seating, while locally sourced peach pink tables
an inviting residential atmosphere whilst paying
perpetuate the palette. Although a trip to the Pink
homage to the property’s iconic design elements.
Palace’s pool is undoubtedly all about socialising
“What distinguishes The Beverly Hills Hotel
and people-watching, topiary walls act as space
from all others is its magical history,” reveals
“Vivacious and brimming with life, there is a
of the New York-based firm. “Through time it
particularly strong culture around the swimming
has been the destination of movie stars and
pool and cabanas,” notes Champalimaud. “The
socialites, kings and queens.”
cabanas hold prime seats to a mesmerising show
Champalimaud’s scheme sees pink-andwhite striped interior awnings complemented by a feature wall of banana leaf wallpaper made by CW Stockwell, who delved into the archives
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dividers, creating a sense of privacy.
Alexandra Champalimaud, founder and President
of beautiful people wading in clusters, chatting in groups as laughter permeates the air.”
O
ut of adversity comes opportunity,”
For Zoku, a brand that was arguably ahead of
as the saying goes, and never have the
its time, this shift towards a more nomadic way
words of Benjamin Franklin been more
of thinking feeds nicely into its work-meets-
relevant than today, with the pandemic forcing
play concept. As such, Meyer spoke of how the
hospitality businesses to rethink every aspect of
group has tripled its portfolio with openings in
their operations from the ground floor up.
Copenhagen and Vienna, both of which are now
So what lessons has the industry learnt over
renting out floors to businesses looking to unite
the past 18 months? What changes are for the
their workforces for days and weeks at a time.
better? And where are the new opportunities for
“What we’ve learnt is that the square-metre we
growth? These were just some of the questions
normally allocate for just one role can be used
put to panellists at the International Hospitality
for multiple,” he reflected. “Our mission is to
Investment Forum (IHIF) in September.
connect people, so while there may be challenges
IHIF has long been at the forefront of the
ahead for offices, we can be part of the solution.”
changing hospitality landscape and this year
Similar growth has taken place at Edyn, which
was no different, with a new pop-up event
launched Cove earlier this year in response to the
tapping into the rise of adjacent spaces – from
growing demand for flexible living. With sites
How Not to Waste a Good Crisis IHIF’s new pop-up event asks hospitality innovators how to get the best out of the most testing period in the sector’s history. Words: Ben Thomas
074
co-working to serviced apartments – during the
already acquired in Liverpool, London and The
crisis. Exploring investment beyond the hotel
Hague, McCall reiterated the need for hoteliers to
room, the programme invited owners, operators,
react quickly to the market: “Horizons are getting
architects and designers to share knowledge,
shorter and today’s world is unpredictable, so we
exchange ideas and shape the next generation.
must keep ourselves nimble and open-minded.”
Fittingly, three of those with experience in
And for Slow, a brand that was already in the
dreaming up forward-thinking concepts –
incubator pre-Covid with properties in Ibiza
Hans Meyer of home-office hybrid brand Zoku;
and Tulum, a more conscious approach to travel
Stephen McCall from Edyn, parent group of
sparked by the crisis is one that should stick
design-led aparthotel brand Locke and newly
around for the long-term. “The pandemic hasn’t
launched serviced apartment brand Cove; and
changed the world, it has accelerated the long-
Serdar Kutucu of hospitality collective Slow –
needed correction of many values and mindsets,”
were trusted with rounding out the pop up’s
explained Kutucu, adding that Slow will aim
proceedings, delving into how their companies
to educate guests on the movement at Marina
have capitalised on the events of late, why they
Marina – a creative campus that it will debut in
are ensuring that lessons are not wasted, and
Berlin’s Rummelsburg neighbourhood next year.
how they will approach the next step of recovery.
The answer to what the future holds for
Though social distancing and PPE were deemed
hospitality isn’t straightforward, and the road
as simply serving a purpose, plenty of takeaways
to recovery will be a winding one, but as Charles
were discussed as having promising prospects for
Darwin once said, “it is not the strongest of the
the industry in years to come, none more so than
species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it
the ability for people to work from anywhere.
is the one most adaptable to change.”
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Mandarin Oriental Ritz MADRID Rafael de la-Hoz and Gilles & Boissier team up to restore César Ritz’s Belle Époque masterpiece to its former glory, whilst adding a contemporary twist. Words: Agnish Ray • Photography: © Manolo Yllera
T
he legend goes that King Alfonso XIII of Spain had Madrid’s Ritz hotel built because he needed somewhere to host guests travelling for his wedding to Victoria
Eugenia of Battenberg. The illustrious location – right by cultural treasures like the Prado Museum, the commercial hub of Gran Via and leisure areas like El Retiro Park – would make it a fitting home for the great and good on their visit to the Spanish capital. A nice story, but a far-fetched one according to Spanish architect Rafael de la-Hoz, whose studio has handled a three-year transformation of this historic building. Instead, he says it is more likely that the hotel was part of the monarch’s wider ambition to put Madrid on the global stage, in particular by holding a World’s Fair in the city. Although this dream was never actually fulfilled, de la-Hoz argues that Alfonso’s ambition moved him to create a hotel that put the city on a par with its leading global counterparts – not just for tourism, but for national excellence in heritage and innovation. The regal commission was appointed to Swiss hotelier César Ritz, acclaimed for his properties in London and Paris. Madrid became his third, where he created an establishment whose aesthetics reflected the decorative styles of the Belle Époque that was sweeping across Europe at the time.
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Interiors maintain a sense of history with nods to traditional Spanish craft techniques such as leatherwork, embroidery and carved wood
Today, the Ritz brand speaks for itself. Synonymous the world-over with classic grandeur, it acts as a
shadow and the light – it gives a completely different look to the space.”
benchmark of prestige for establishments far and wide.
De la-Hoz adds: “The original roof must have
Now, over a century after its creation, this bastion
functioned very poorly in terms of acoustics, humidity
of world-class hospitality in Madrid has had a €100
and temperature.” Today, in contrast with the simpler
million revamp, reopening under the management of
technology available back then, the new, highly-
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
resistant glass-and-steel structure allows Madrid’s
Decorating the new 153-key hotel, interior design
bright sunshine to pour down yet protects from
studio Gilles & Boissier wanted to let the old and new
its searing heat. Beneath, guests enjoy afternoon
voices speak in harmony. “In the end, this had to
tea while a pianist provides musical ambience. A
remain a palace,” says Dorothée Boissier, co-founder
fragmented mirror sculptured by contemporary
of the Parisian practice. “But it’s good when you don’t
artist Juan Carlos García Pérez hangs on the walls,
know what is new and what isn’t.”
its geometric shapes in contrast with the softness of
The designers maintained a sense of history with
the linen and velvet furnishings. This is one of several
nods to traditional Spanish craft techniques such as
newly commissioned artworks found in the hotel. By
leatherwork, embroidery and carved wood. In the
the piano, a vibrant, modern tapestry by textile artist
guestrooms for example, the pattern embossed into
Clara Sulla has replaced the 17th century pieces that
the Cordoba leather of the headboards and embroidered
hung here previously, and the cocktail bar, Pictura,
thickly into the upholstered footboards is inspired by
is adorned with a series of portraits by photographer
Spanish bullfighter costumes.
Paula Anta of eminent Spanish cultural figures,
Downstairs in the Palm Court – the hotel’s principal
composed to imitate Spanish Golden Age paintings.
lounge area – interiors are floral and fertile, with
This bar area exudes the hue of a warm sunset; rusty
lush tapestry-style fabrics embroidered in botanical
shades of orange and brown blend with glistening
patterns. Four original sofas from the old hotel sit at
gold and brass, as if bathing the space in whiskey and
the centre, while Gilles & Boissier’s own new, bespoke
cognac. The original Ritz Madrid crest is engraved into
items populate the rest of the space. The most striking
the fireplace – the crown floating above the shield
architectural change is the installment of the glass
serves as a reminder that this has been royal property
ceiling overhead. The original 1910 hotel also had
from the outset; the new hotel still seeks to treat its
a glass roof here, reflecting a popular Belle Époque
guests like kings and queens with crowns embroidered
fashion, but it was built over around the mid-century.
into the doormats of each guestroom.
The architects have therefore revived the splendour of
Another symbol in the emblem is Madrid’s native
César Ritz’s vision by once again flooding the space
madroño strawberry tree. Overhead in the hotel’s
with daylight. The result is resplendent, allowing Palm
lobby is a new lighting installation by London-based
Court’s plants and trees to flourish, and breathing
design studio Haberdashery, whose botanical shapes
further life into the already rich interior design. “When
are inspired by this, and other local plant species.
you have such natural light, the decoration becomes
Come mealtime, dining experiences by Michelin-
more powerful,” explains Boissier. “The volumes are
starred chef Quique Dacosta await. The main
more interesting, the bright colours can receive the
restaurant, Deessa, offers a tasting menu of iconic
079
dishes that Dacosta has served over the years in
Although some purists were suspicious of
his signature restaurant in Denia, a coastal city
this much-talked-about makeover, López says
in the Valencia region. These include stingray in
sceptics have eaten their words at the unveiling
black butter sauce, a smoked eel rice dish served
of the finished product. There were concerns
with cherries, Denia prawn poached in sea water
about what an international brand like Mandarin
and a spectacular spread of caviar and fish roe.
Oriental might do to an institution so steeped
There’s
also
an
intimate
eight-seat
in Madrid’s history, but the result proves that
champagne lounge with a towering display
this is not so strange a marriage of cultures.
cabinet, an enchanting garden terrace open
The clue is found in the reception area, where
through the summer months, and, for the
a glass frame displays an antique 17th-century
first time in its 110-year history, the hotel has
embroidered fan made from lace and mother
introduced a spa, where soothing white marble
of pearl. Fans hold strong significance in both
and gold-tiled experience showers pair with
Spanish and Oriental cultures – the fan is also
palatial chandeliers designed by Preciosa and
the principal symbol of the Mandarin Oriental
specially adapted to suit the humid environment.
logo. The artefact’s origins – whether European
Another major change is the size of the
or Asian – remain uncertain. Complementing it,
workforce, which has more than doubled
a dynamic sculpture representing the movement
with Mandarin Oriental’s takeover. Though
of a flamenco dancer’s fan sweeps across the
there’s plenty of new talent, management were
wall behind the desk. Together, the two pieces
conscious to retain staff from the old days, who
act as a tribute to the power of this timeless
have witnessed quite the transformation – the
accessory to unite two worlds.
longest standing among them is Luciano López, a doorman who has worked here for 48 years.
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EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Olayan Group Operator: Mandarin Oriental Architecture: Rafael de La-Hoz Interior Design: Gilles & Boissier www.mandarinoriental.com
We are thrilled that luxury lifestyle hotel NoMad London, a collaboration with the Sydell Group and Roman and Williams, has opened its doors. As architect and lead designer, our design has sensitively refurbished and extended the Grade II listed Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station to create an outstanding destination in the heart of Covent Garden.
The Grand Hotel BIRMINGHAM Starwood Capital Group step-in to save a city landmark, enlisting Robert Angell to design a scheme befitting of its name. Words: Catherine Martin Photography: © Tom Mannion
I
n the 20+ years that Sleeper has been publishing,
developments that sit in harmony alongside the
we could probably count on one hand the
historic landmarks.”
number of hotels featured in Birmingham.
Bradshaw is right, the city is undoubtedly
Despite being the UK’s second largest city – with
in the throes of regeneration, spurred on
strong offerings for both business and leisure
in part by its status as host for the 2022
travellers – development here has lagged behind
Commonwealth Games. “All that was missing
its northern counterparts. New hotel openings
was a centrepiece,” he continues. “A landmark
have been few and far between, so when our
gathering place to serve as the crown jewel for
friends at Starwood Capital asked us to come
Birmingham’s renaissance into a truly global
and take a look at what they’ve been quietly
city of commerce, art and culture.”
working on for the last five years – with the
And this is where the group’s knack for
promise of a “remarkable transformation” – it
investing in the right asset, in the right
was hard to say no.
location, at the right time really comes into
“Birmingham has been under the radar for
play. Granted, the project hasn’t been without
global hotel investors in comparison to other UK
its challenges. Having lay empty for almost two
destinations like Edinburgh and Manchester,”
decades, it was originally planned as a Principal
confirms Cody Bradshaw, Managing Director
hotel before the brand and its assets were sold;
and Global Head of Hotel Asset Management
an initial opening date of Summer 2020 was
at Starwood Capital Group. “However we
postponed for obvious reasons; the November
believe the sheer scale of urban regeneration
launch lasted just a matter of days before
underway in the city centre is remarkable, with
shuttering once again; and the eventual opening
block after block of demolition on 1970s-era
in May 2021 was plagued by the ‘pingdemic’ of
buildings making way for modern mixed-use
dozens of staff being forced into isolation. But
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Isaac’s takes on a New-York-meetsBirmingham vibe and is clad in Metro tiles – just like those found in New York’s subway stations – in a deep shade of Victorian green
thankfully, the worst is over, and The Grand
vision, which is where Starwood Capital Group
Hotel has opened its doors with a look that’s
came in.”
befitting of its name.
Capital took on the remaining restoration and
scheme from Hortons Estate, an independent
operation of the building in exchange for a 175-
development group with a portfolio of office,
year leasehold interest in the hotel. With Hortons
retail and leisure properties across the Midlands,
Estate having already explored ideas with
which has gradually transformed the vacant
Robert Angell Design International, Starwood
ground-floor units around the perimeter of the
stuck with the plan and set about making the
building and brought in tenants such as Tattu,
scheme their own. “We were not only impressed
Gusto and The Alchemist. Occupying a prime
with Robert’s initial design work for the hotel
position on Colmore Row overlooking St Philip’s
as well as his track record delivering high-
Cathedral, the Grade II*-listed property was
profile luxury projects around the world, but
built by Isaac Horton to the design of Thomson
also his enthusiasm and willingness to consider
Plevins; it opened as a hotel in 1879 and has
alternative design schemes in-line with our
been in the Horton family ever since.
unique vision,” says Bradshaw. “Together
“Hortons had painstakingly restored the façade and structural elements as well as
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A deal was structured whereby Starwood
The hotel is in fact part of a wider mixed-use
we have delivered a sophisticated and elegant interpretation of modern luxury.”
activated all of the retail along Colmore Row,”
The vision was for a top-to-bottom overhaul
Bradshaw continues. “What remained was the
that would celebrate the history of the building
design, restoration and fit-out of the historic
yet usher in a new era of luxury, without the
interiors; they were in need of an experienced
stuffy trappings of a stereotypical grand dame
partner to develop and execute on a grandiose
hotel. Gone are the dusty old drapes, frightful
Guestrooms, such as the Grand Suite with vaulted ceiling, feature furniture from Parla and lighting by Chelsom
carpets and drab colour combinations, making
restored, from the marble pillars in the lobby
way for light, bright and vibrant interiors that
to the decorative plasterwork, mosaic tiled
carry off a look best described as contemporary
floors and sweeping grand staircase. New
with character.
elements are sensitively incorporated too – the
The 185 guestrooms – ranging from lofts
shapely frosted glass canopy over the entrance
beneath the eaves to a sprawling penthouse
for example doesn’t go unnoticed, nor does
– benefit from generous natural daylight
the lighting scheme throughout, developed
and marry dark timber casegoods with soft
by Manchester-based studio Artin Light to
furnishings in elegant citrus tones. Sleeper’s
dramatically enhance the historic details.
room, a Grand Suite, boasts a vaulted ceiling,
Inside, the hotel’s two main F&B venues
four-poster bed and plenty of space to work or
come with their own distinct identities. On
lounge; no expense has been spared in bringing
the ground floor, Madeleine Bar is a Parisian
this ageing building up-to-date, with power
chic lounge designed in rich tones of blush and
points in all the right places, smart TVs and
deep blue. By day, the space serves as a living
Marshall Bluetooth speakers on hand.
room offering morning coffee, light lunches and
Bathrooms meanwhile are Art Deco in style,
afternoon tea, with natural daylight flooding
with double-basin marble vanities, geometric
in through towering arched windows that are
mirrors and Crittall-style glazing to the
likely the envy of any newbuild. By nightfall, it
spacious shower and WC.
transforms into a moody cocktail bar, with the
In the public spaces, the character comes inpart from the architecture – an eclectic mix of
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dark timber panelling and sparkling chandeliers taking full effect.
French Renaissance, Victorian and Art Deco –
The restaurant meanwhile takes on a New-
with original features retained and painstakingly
York-meets-Birmingham vibe. Named Isaac’s
after the hotel’s founder, it has its own street
that combine period features with the latest
entrance – a seemingly derelict doorway covered
technology. For the wow-factor, the Grand
in graffiti – and plays on the idea that when
Ballroom is something of a showstopper, with
Horton was as the helm, the underground bar
its listed Louis XIV-style character restored to
was a popular haunt for travelling tradesmen.
its former glory and a lighting scheme once
In Angell’s new iteration, Metro tiles – just like
again playing a key role in highlighting the
those found in New York’s subway stations –
handsome detailing.
line the walls in a deep shade of Victorian green,
For Bradshaw, who has spent time in the
accompanied by curving leather banquettes by
city through the course of the restoration, the
Parla, which custom-made a variety of loose
project has been a been a highlight, not only
furniture and casegoods throughout the hotel.
for its design scheme but for the way in which
Brass light fittings and artworks curated by
the community has embraced the return of an
Elegant Clutter to pay homage to the hotel’s
iconic Birmingham institution. “We felt an
history complete the look. The cuisine
undeniable sense of duty to move beyond the
meanwhile is unapologetically New York with
boundaries of traditional luxury hotel design
American comfort food such as hot dogs, cod
in order to create a true sense of place,” he
and grits and cheesecake alongside brasserie
concludes. “Of the two dozen or so historic
classics including a seafood platter and 30-day
restorations Starwood Capital has completed
aged steaks.
across the UK over the last 10 years, involving a
The hotel also has a sunken garden terrace – a
capital investment well in excess of £350m, The
hidden gem of a space where General Manager
Grand Hotel Birmingham truly holds a special
Peter Kienast is planning a series of pop-
place in our hearts.”
up events – as well as ample meeting rooms
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EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Developer: Hortons Estate, Starwood Capital Group Architecture: Synergy Architects Interior Design: Robert Angell Design International Art Consultant: Elegant Clutter Lighting Design: Artin Lighting www.thegrandhotelbirmingham.co.uk
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The Star ALFRISTON Mother-and-daughter Olga and Alex Polizzi take on their first project as equal partners, overcoming countless challenges to transform a medieval coaching inn into a boutique hotel. Words: Emma Love • Photography: © Paul Massey
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he village of Alfriston in East Sussex has
project,” Alex continues. “I love The Hotel
a lot going for it: great walking along the
Inspector but I don’t want to be one of those
River Cuckmere, a handful of interesting
people who teach because they can’t do.”
independent shops housed in handsome timber-
The pair initially looked in Devon and
framed Tudor buildings, and the market town
Cornwall but could only find enormous money-
of Lewes practically on the doorstep. Yet the
pit Edwardian piles; then they stumbled across
former hotel at the centre of the high street was
The Star, not far from where Olga has a house.
gradually becoming more dilapidated. “As it fell
“I’ve always longed for the opportunity to
deeper and deeper into disrepair, it became more
open a hotel in Sussex,” she reveals. “When
and more attractive to us,” quips Alex Polizzi,
The Star Inn came on the market, Alex and I
who is best known for presenting long-running
were immediately interested. We want it to be
television show, The Hotel Inspector, in which
an integral part of the community and provide
she uses her expertise to help struggling hotels
a welcoming environment for all, from walkers
try to turn their fortunes around. In Alfriston,
to opera goers.”
the seasoned host has teamed up with her
They bought it at the end of 2019 and began
mother Olga Polizzi, Design Director at Rocco
what they thought would be a six-month
Forte Hotels and owner of Hotel Tresanton and
renovation; several lockdowns and countless
Hotel Endsleigh, both in Cornwall, on their
unexpected structural alterations later, the
first official joint project – Alex has previously
hotel finally opened in June this year.
overseen the restaurant at Tresanton and ran Endsleigh for several years when it opened.
The 30 rooms and suites, which range in size from 20m2 to 35m2, are split between a 1930s
“Rather foolishly, I thought this was a good
building and newer 1960s wing. Everything from
moment in my life to venture on a proper
plumbing to electrics, flat roofs and oak-framed
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Guestrooms take on a contemporary nature-based theme while the older parts of the building successfully marry original features with new interventions – such as the bronze picture lights in the Library, produced by TM Lighting
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windows is new, while rooms in the 1960s wing
that appear throughout. Wallpapers are by artist
now either come with a small private patio or
Mark Hearld and Lewis & Wood – “the majority
Juliet balcony. One of the biggest changes the
of them are coloured for us or the patterns are
pair made was demolishing an office block that
blown-up so they’re not too twee,” says Olga –
sat in the middle of the site, to add outside
while fabrics are by East Sussex-based Richard
space. “Although the hotel worked in winter
Smith. Aside from key pieces such as the Italian
because of the open fires, it wasn’t so attractive
linen that tops the Hypnos beds and Carrara
in summer as it didn’t have a garden,” says
marble in the bathrooms, sourcing locally – and
Alex. “We looked at the plans and realised that
employing local craftsmen, from upholsterers to
by pulling down a modern part of the building
blacksmiths – is a theme that runs throughout.
and sacrificing a bedroom or two, we could
“Partly this came from how difficult it was to
create a Mediterranean-style courtyard at the
get things from abroad with Brexit and Covid,
heart of the hotel. It has bought in so much light
but in a way, it made us focus our minds to
and air; it’s made a huge difference.”
buy locally. It’s been a pleasure because there
While Alex became the on-site troubleshooter
is so much talent in this part of the world,”
and project manager, Olga was naturally in
says Alex, citing antique pieces from Diana Kelly
charge of the design. “I always start by thinking
Interiors in Alfriston – she also helped collect
about where a hotel is and what the buildings
all the teapots and candlesticks – and Martin
are like. I want people to wake up knowing
Johnson in Heathfield as examples.
where they are and to feel a real sense of place,”
The latter was responsible for finding the
explains Olga of the thinking behind the rooms.
three-metre-long, 16th-century oak sideboard
Here, this translates to nature-based blue and
for the restaurant, which sits beneath Rob and
green schemes, and floral and animal motifs
Nick Carter’s Transforming Portrait Painting, a
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20-minute looped film in the style of a Dutch
been painted a natural brown and the wooden
Old Master. Perhaps the most eyecatching
tables are a joint effort by a local carpenter and
feature however is the monochrome Elizabethan
blacksmith. “I’ve really changed it up in the
design stencilled on the wooden floor by artist
inn,” continues Olga. “Everything was black
Amanda Lawrence. “It took six men to carry
and felt very dark, so we lightened it all up. I
the wonderful sideboard in and we made the
found one light in my loft and asked Thomas
doorways either side the right size so it fits
Gontar to reproduce it.”
exactly between them,” says Olga. “Then
Gontar, a local blacksmith, also made the
there’s the beautiful floor, which has made
wrought iron trellises in the courtyard, where
the restaurant really; it’s added something
stone walls and planting accompany botanical
unusual.” Completing the room are Carrara
print cushions and furniture by Vincent
marble tables, inherited chairs recovered in
Sheppard and Ethimo.
hessian and a triptych of white plaster reliefs
Sustainability was a consideration from
on the back wall, which Olga pinched from her
the outset so single-use plastics are banned,
bathroom at home.
there are biodegradable cane sugar refillable
There’s also a wood-panelled boot room in
bottles of Bramley products in the bathrooms
the ground floor corridor with wellingtons and
and glass bottles by the beds. “I can’t pretend
straw hats that guests can borrow; a private
everything’s perfect but I’m really happy with
dining room; and a cosy library where the
how well it turned out,” Alex concludes. “I said
reading selection is curated by Much Ado Books
to mum the night before we opened, no-one’s
– also on Alfriston’s high street – and includes
going to realise how much we’ve done because
a section dedicated to the local area, flora and
it all looks like it’s been here forever.” And that,
fauna. In the inn, the original beams have
of course, is exactly as it should be.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owners: Olga and Alex Polizzi Operator: The Polizzi Collection Architecture: Olga Polizzi, Jon O’Dwyer Interior Design: Olga Polizzi Procurement: Elmira Ebrahimi Landscaping: Olga Polizzi, George Carter Main Contractor: J H Payne & Sons Project Managers: Alex Polizzi, Paul Norton www.thepolizzicollection.com
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The Newbury BOSTON Jeffrey Beers, Alexandra Champalimaud and Mario Carbone join forces to restore Boston’s grand dame to its former glory. Words: Ayesha Khan Photography: © Nikolas Koenig (unless otherwise stated)
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sk any Bostonian what their idea of luxury is, and they’ll probably mention two things: Newbury Street and The Ritz. They will no doubt go on to regale you
with stories of how they had their wedding, first high tea, or a friend’s graduation party at what they always thought to be the fanciest hotel in town, perched at the edge of the manicured public garden and, of course, Newbury Street. Originally built in 1929 as the flagship to the nowubiquitous Ritz-Carlton brand, this storied property was the first in the country to offer a private bath for every guest and enlisted pioneering French chef Auguste Escoffier to create an enviable benchmark for hotel cuisine. After languishing in obscurity for decades, the grand dame has re-emerged following an extensive makeover to reclaim her rightful place as Boston’s ritziest hotel – pun intended. Helping her on her way were masterful architecture and interior design firm Jeffrey Beers International (JBI), luxury hotel interiors expert Alexandra Champalimaud, and chefrestaurateur Mario Carbone of Major Food Group, widely regarded as a modern-day culinary virtuoso. For the design of the public areas, developer Highgate had a clear brief for JBI. “It was never meant to feel alien or completely different from what the people of Boston had come to know and love,” explains Christina Zimmer, Highgate’s Senior Vice President of Design. JBI chose to imbue the space with a dark, sophisticated appeal by bathing the lobby walls in a signature grey-blue and laying Nero Dorato marble on the floor. “The palette is modern, strong and handsome,” says Jeffrey Beers. “The tones complement the history of the
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© Douglas Friedman
Celebrated designer and Boston native Ken Fulk together with chefrestaurateur Mario Carbone of Major Food Group have reimagined the restaurant as a chic Italian resort
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iconic property while providing a contemporary
this notion. “I am very partial to the hotel’s
and edgy feel.”
well curated art collection and the dialogue that
A staircase carpeted in the more saturated
exists between each piece, its location and the
cobalt tone widely known as ‘Ritz Blue’ and
surrounding design,” he confirms. As fate would
topped with a chandelier from Dutch maker
have it, his RISD compatriot Lynne Kortenhaus,
Brand van Egmond leads to the second level,
in her own right an esteemed Boston curator,
where the storied Ritz dining room and
was enlisted to choreograph the art salon, much
beloved Ritz tea salon – the setting of many
like elite art purveyor Isabella Stuart Gardener
a Boston memory – both sit. Rather than start
once did. “Most of the artists were selected
from scratch for the interiors on this level,
because they represented a modern take on
JBI chose to enhance elements original to the
art through a historic lens,” says Kortenhaus,
1929 structure. “A struggle we had through the
citing Dejuner 2020, a contemporised version of
course of the project was what to retain and
Édouard Manet’s Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe that
what to throw away,” Zimmer reveals. “Keeping
sits squarely behind the check-in desk and
some of the original design elements really
was commissioned from Maine-based artist
allows for authenticity. I truly believe if you
Elise Ansel. Other interesting contemporary
ripped everything out, the scheme wouldn’t be
reinventions include a ‘trophy head’ hewn
as successful.”
from fabric and repurposed table legs, and a
Integral to the design of these spaces is the
series of painted photographs by Amy Arbus
use of art to create what the hotel describes
in which modern-day portraits are inspired by
as a 21st century salon for the arts. An alum of
those of masters like Amedeo Modigliani and
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and an
Paul Cézanne. Kortenhaus likens the collection
artist himself, Beers was particularly fond of
to that of a personal residence, where guests are
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© Read McKendree
able to interact with, and in most cases, even touch, the pieces of art and sculpture.
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The hotel’s rooftop once housed a makeshift tent structure but has now been converted into
For the guestrooms, Champalimaud Design
the hottest table in town, where diners sip on
was at liberty to be generous with reinventing
Negronis while marvelling at 360-degree views.
the aesthetic. “A lot of the people who used the
Along with celebrated designer and Boston
building had never seen the rooms, so that gives
native Ken Fulk, chef-restaurateur Mario
you a little more latitude to do something new,”
Carbone imagined the restaurant as a homage
Zimmer says of the brief. “The spaces were
to a chic Italian resort. “This was the first Ritz-
fussy and heavy, so we wanted a comfortable
Carlton in America, so I started to think of this
room with touches of history and a palette that
Italian aristocrat that may have come over as
would be very soothing.”
the first of her generation,” he explains of the
Champalimaud’s first order of business was
story behind the eatery, aptly named Contessa.
to expand the bathrooms into the corridors to
Northern Italian cuisine and Carbone’s debut
make them more spacious. They then infused
venture into pizza delights amid a colourful
rooms with a neutral colour palette, adding
interior filled with plants – a nod to the park,
blonde woods and warm, indirect lighting
to be sure – are topped off by a scalloping
accents to create sanctuaries that deftly float
retractable roof.
above the public garden’s canopy. Personal
As the sun sets over Contessa, Boston’s grand
touches such as illuminated two-pane dressing
dame, who once defied soaring electricity bills
mirrors – a nod to the fashion houses of
during The Depression and turned on all her
Newbury Street – Frette robes and linens, and
lights to give the illusion of being full, shines
chaises on which to steal a nap by the window
once again. This time though, she truly is at full
add to the appeal.
occupancy, and may she be for years to come.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Developer: Highgate Interior Design: Jeffrey Beers International, Champalimaud Design, Ken Fulk F&B Consultant: Major Food Group www.thenewburyboston.com
Bodmin Jail Hotel CORNWALL Twelve Architects leads the conversion of a crumbling 18th century jail on Bodmin Moor in to a luxury hotel. Words: Lauren Jade Hill Photography: © Ian Kingsnorth
W
hen Matt Cartwright, Lead Architect for
skylight giving them the sense that something
Bodmin Jail’s conversion, embarked
new is happening,” Cartwright continues of the
on this project in 2016, he was faced
300-year-old penitentiary, regarded as one of
with a semi-ruinous landmark. “We were
the first modern prisons in the UK thanks to
working with a building that hadn’t had a roof
its individual cells, segregated male and female
for 70 years,” he says, explaining how attempts
areas and airy spaces for prisoners to live and
to demolish the building all those decades ago
work. “Entering through the historic walls and
only succeeded in bringing the roof down. As
looking up at the small windows, visitors get
a Grade II-listed site, built in 1779 during the
this sense of confinement. But then walking
reign of King George III as part of the Prison
into the atrium, which is now filled with natural
Reform by military engineer Sir John Call, every
light, they really feel its tranquillity.”
step of the transformation process had to ensure
On arriving at the reception of the atrium,
elements of historic significance were retained.
attention is drawn to the full-length skylight
High stone walls surround the ancient
overhead – through which guests have a
structure, comprising two prison wings – the
unique view of the tower – and the original
Civil Wing and Naval Wing – and the former
stone structure, now juxtaposed with modern
administration building linking the two
elements like steel columns, a glass elevator
together, which features a historic tower –
and ambient lighting. Reinstated walkways in
part of the original jail’s innovative ventilation
their original planned form lead to guestrooms
system – the old Governor’s Office and a chapel.
that flank each light-flooded wing’s upper
“Approaching the building from the town
levels, once home to those locked up for crimes
centre, the first thing people see is the jail’s tower, but then either side of that they see the
ranging from theft and arson to murder. “As residents walk up through the atrium
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Reinstated walkways in their original planned form lead to guestrooms flanking each lightflooded wing’s upper levels
and around each floor, they get a very linear perspective and feel the drama of the walkways,” explains Cartwright. “In the daytime, as the sun goes down and at night, they witness the beautiful calmness of the development but are also very aware of its history. It’s really thought-provoking as a building.” Twelve Architects designed the 70 guestrooms to feel like an inner sanctum, with luxurious tiled bathrooms sumptuous furnishings and sleek light fittings by Astro offsetting ancient stone walls, where original details like barred windows now meet an array of amenities including flatscreen TVs, well-stocked minibars, freestanding bathtubs and, in the Executive Rooms, Nespresso machines. The front door to each room is painted yellow, referencing the colours of the Duchy of Cornwall’s coat of arms, while the others – reclaimed from Wandsworth Jail – are finished in a light grey. From the padded headboards to the pleats on the backs of chairs, a vertical bar motif is subtly integrated throughout to pick up on the jail analogy of barred windows. During their stay, guests can also tuck in to casual fare at The Jolly Hangman Tavern, which features an al fresco dining area and caters for visitors of the redeveloped Bodmin Jail attraction, opened in October 2020. Those
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looking for more of a fine dining experience
Summing up the overall vision for the project,
can head to The Chapel Restaurant, which takes
Cartwright comments: “We wanted to retain the
cues from the hotel’s surroundings to serve
natural beauty of the semi-ruinous state that the
up Cornish favourites like roasted turbot with
building was in when we took it on and offset
saffron crushed potato. Housed within the site
that against lighter, more luxurious furnishings
where inmates once gathered for worship, the
and fabrics to achieve a juxtaposition between
space pairs the Gothic character of the original
old and new, with the skylight giving off the
structure with a stylish dining set-up.
impression that the atrium is still without a
Classic cocktails, local gins and champagne by the glass are offered at the Gin Bar &
brought back to life is a proud moment.”
Lounge, which is located just moments from
Rob Cox, Managing Director at Mallino
the restaurant in the jail’s now sumptuously
Development Group, adds: “From our first visit,
furnished
Office,
we could see the potential of this historically
distinguished by its rich velvet seating, wood
former
Governor’s
important but ultimately ruined building.
panelling, fireplace and floorcoverings by
Working closely with Twelve Architects and the
Newhey, who designed and manufactured over
wider project team, we were able to develop a
3,700m2 of bespoke carpets for the entire hotel.
clear vision and brief to deliver the property that
Meeting and events venues catering for up to
stands before us today. Alongside our recently
300 guests – the largest on offer in Cornwall –
completed museum, we feel that the hotel
and a fitness space aptly known as the Exercise
finally does justice to an incredible structure
Yard complete the guest experience, while an
that sat empty for so long. We are proud to be
Executive Lounge is soon-to-be revealed, and
part of its rich history and successful future.”
a spa and glamping site are both on the cards.
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roof for added drama. To see this building now
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Developer: Mallino Development Group Operator: Interstate Hotels & Resorts Architecture and Interior Design: Twelve Architects & Masterplanners Planning & Heritage Consultant: Montagu Evans Landscaping: Arup Main Contractor: C-Field Project Manager and Procurement: Total Project Integration www.bodminjailhotel.com
C O M P L E T E R E N O V AT I O N O F T H E H I S T O R I C G R A D E I I L I S T E D, B O W S T R E E T M A G I S T R AT E S ’ C O U R T I N T O A L U X U R I O U S B O U T I Q U E H O T E L .
Working in close collaboration with the professional team, BECK are delighted to have been the main
contractor on NoMad London. To find out more, please contact Vanessa Budd: vbudd@beckinteriors.com
The Grove HERTFORDSHIRE Having masterminded the hotel’s original design in 2003, Martin Hulbert returns to write a new chapter in its ongoing story. Words: Ben Thomas Photography: © Mark Bolton (unless otherwise stated)
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started designing the hotel about eight years before you wrote the first article, so it’s been quite a long process,” says Martin Hulbert as he flicks through Sleeper’s original
feature – published in 2003 – on The Grove in its library, a cosy setting that the designer has brought to life with tonal greens, earthy hues and contemporary artworks. Having graced the pages of Sleeper some 18 years ago with its melange of quirky features – think six-metre-tall giraffes and Perspex tables filled with feathers – the property is back for a second appearance after the renovation of its three dining spaces – The Glasshouse, The Stables and The Lounges – lobby and 189 West Wing rooms, all updated by Hulbert and his long-term colleague Jay Grierson thanks to the pair’s trusted relationship with the owner. Entering the hotel following a short drive through its leafy surrounds, it quickly becomes clear that Hulbert’s thoughtprovoking style and search for the unusual have not waned over the years, but given the seismic shift in consumer behaviour since the early 2000s, was the approach different this time around? Hulbert pauses to reflect before confirming that his biggest challenge was to acknowledge what had been created in the past whilst looking ahead and pushing the boundaries: “We did a lot of research into what the future guest may desire but we already knew the answer, which was to be more natural and inclusive. We didn’t want rules, so nobody has to conform, wear a shirt or be anything.”
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The Blue Lounge weaves rich, textured fabrics such as tweed and velvet with jewel-like teal hues, while handmade Irish linen and eclectic artworks adorn the walls
Part of the process also involved recycling
of gold offset by a palette of browns, blues
many of the building’s existing furnishings
and gentle creams that evoke a sense of calm.
and finishes, not only to preserve its character
Here, a new mirror and marble cocktail bar
but to champion sustainability, from salvaging
nestles within an original feature alcove, while
CDs to create a series of tables in the lobby,
in homage to traditional Georgian styles, the
to repurposing plates and spoons from the old
walls have been thoughtfully embellished with
restaurant into a piece of abstract art. “We
a hand-finished painterly striped fabric.
didn’t want to completely destroy everything we
Rounding out the spaces, and the setting from
had created,” says Hulbert of his approach. “A
which Hulbert reveals all of his new vision, is
lot of refurbishments take place every five to ten
The Library – a biophilic bolthole featuring
years, so the fact our scheme lasted 18 shows
mustard sofas, dark timber panelling, and
it stood the test of time and has worn well.”
handpainted fabric covers that flank its curved
The Grove’s shabby chic feel is perhaps most
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walls and echo the verdant gardens outside.
evident within its characterful drawing rooms,
The designer’s homely aesthetic feeds into
which interlink the ground floor of the 18th
the new F&B spaces too, which seek to bring
century mansion yet possess their own distinct
guests closer to those manning the stoves and
identity. As the name suggests, The Blue
bar. Signature restaurant The Glasshouse, for
Lounge weaves jewel-like teal hues with rich,
instance, now takes the form of a food hall-
textured fabrics such as tweed and velvet, while
style market where diners can interact with
handmade Irish linen and eclectic artworks
chefs and choose from a variety of cuisines
sourced by Hulbert himself adorn the walls.
thanks to its open kitchens and live cooking
The mood changes as guests enter the second
stations. The theatrical culinary experience is
lounge, or Newspaper Room, which sees touches
complemented by a palette of sumptuous ochre
© Chris Tubbs
© Chris Tubbs
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and rich earthy tones, while custom-made
While the communal areas are teeming with
kinetic sculptures dangle from the ceiling above
life, the guestrooms are havens of serenity,
airy voile drapes that give way to views of the
coupling neutral tones with dashes of green and
manicured courtyard and lush grounds beyond.
sepia that reflect the estate’s rolling hills and
At the neighbouring Glasshouse Bar, the
woodland. Sliding mesh doors have replaced
introduction of glass partitions create a
wardrobes for a more open feel, whilst the
seamless transition between the F&B venues
floors are lined with plush carpets by Ulster,
and the lobby, while over at The Stables, tan
and king size beds – topped with Lansdowne
leather seating and equine artworks tip their
Cashmere mattresses by Hypnos – are framed
hat to late English painter George Stubbs. The
by handwoven wall hangings from Italy.
latter also follows a regenerative agriculture
“We have a lot of creative freedom thanks to
movement that sees its locally sourced cuisine
our longstanding relationship with the owner,”
reject pesticides, artificial fertilisers and
concludes the designer as he kicks back in one
chemicals in favour of increasing biodiversity,
of The Library’s low-slung, teal armchairs after
improving water cycles and strengthening the
a tour of the hotel’s revitalised spaces. “They
world’s resilience to climate fluctuation, tying
trust us enough to understand our creative
in nicely with Hulbert’s considered approach to
process and how it will develop, knowing they
sourcing furnishings for the interior spaces.
are going to get a great result at the end of it,
“Our design has that bit of theatre that
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even if they’re not sure at first!”
everybody likes,” Hulbert enthuses. “We
The latest chapter in The Grove’s ongoing
wanted to create restaurants, bars and lounges
story may well have been written, but the tale is
that had their own atmospheres, where guests
most certainly not over yet, with Hulbert already
don’t feel like they have to sit up and be stiff.”
putting pen to paper on his next installment.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Developer: Ralph Trustees Operator: The Grove Architecture: Purcell Architects Interior Design and Art Consultant: Martin Hulbert Design Lighting Design: Kate & Sam Landscaping: Natasha Geldenhuys, Abby Evans Main Contractor: Komfort Services www.thegrove.co.uk
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Oku IBIZA Oku Hotels brings its laidback luxury to the White Isle, enlisting father and son MG & AG Arquitectos to create a modernist hideaway. Words: Emma Love • Photography: © Georg Roske
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n recent years, Ibiza’s hippy soul has been somewhat overshadowed by superclubs, superyachts and the super rich. Yet there are signs that the Balearic island’s holistic
side is slowly coming to the fore once again – particularly with the opening of Oku earlier this summer. Owned by Westfort Capital, which has relaunched two former Casa Cook resorts under the new brand – the other on the Greek island of Kos – the property is set on the outskirts of San Antonio yet feels like a world away. “San Antonio is an area which, at the moment, doesn’t have the best reputation,” confirms Enrique Mandl, Chief Operating Officer of Oku Hotels and General Manager of Oku Ibiza. “In recent years, mass tourism has taken over, but the area is changing back to its original beauty and we think that our concept of laidback luxury is perfectly positioned for this.” Casa Cook was a single building, so the company bought the neighbouring plot and tasked Ibiza-based firm MG & AG Arquitectos with designing two more. Eschewing the allwhite aesthetic synonymous with the island, the trio of lowrise, grey concrete modernist buildings are softened with vertical cedar slats that offer shade and privacy to the balcony of each room. “Although they are very modern buildings, we wanted to create a natural look,” explains architect Miguel Garcia Quetglas of the two-year project. “When you see the architecture from a distance it doesn’t stand out; it is well integrated with the planting and mountains behind. As guests open and close the wooden shutters, it gives the building movement, and at night when you see the rays of light shining out from the rooms, it looks wonderful.”
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The low-rise, grey concrete buildings are softened with natural colours and textures such as rattan, oak, hessian and stone, selected for their connection to nature
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Inside, the 184 rooms and suites, which range
been crafted in Bali, while jute rugs are from
from 23m2 to 138m2 – there is also a standalone
Rocaflor. “The modern bohemian aesthetic
180m2 four-bedroom villa with a private pool at
combines warm and natural colours and
the back of the property – are equally low-key.
textures – rattan, oak, hessian and stone – in
“We kept the rooms very simple and used only
a way that reflects the beach and pine forests
a few natural materials such as wood and stone,
around the hotel, connecting the design with
which are a similar colour to the sand on the
nature,” explains Mandl. Each room also
beach,” continues Quetglas, with Mandl adding:
features a black-and-white figurative artwork
“The design ethos of Oku is such a key element
by American painter and sculptor Steve Tepas,
of the brand. We are inspired by our Japanese
some on canvas, others on Japanese paper.
namesake concept, which is both a spiritual
“Steve believes in the power of simplicity and
and architectural notion meaning inner space.
his work instantly struck our team with its bold
The principals of Oku are brought to life in the
lines and monumental shapes,” Mandl recalls.
rooms through the meaningful use of space
Tepas’ work is the most striking feature of
and the Japanese Wabi-Sabi philosophy, which
the minimalist lobby too, which is housed in
champions a connection to earth.”
the original building and features a series of
Most of the furniture and accessories have
paintings that hang above its grey concrete
been designed in-house by LMEY Investments
reception desk, with palm front lights and
– a Westfort Capital shareholder – and produced
wooden cube tables by Australian-based
by Dutch interior design company Interiora,
company Water Tiger adding character. The
from the simple timber bed frames to drop-
other two buildings are located around the main
down black bedside lights and mango wood
pool – the longest on the island at 50 metres and
floor lamps. Brown linen modular sofas have
the social hub of the hotel – while there is also
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a smaller family pool by the third and a semi-
Healthy eating and Japanese influences
private pool for six swim-up rooms. “We are
converge in the two restaurants, both overseen
close to Cala Gració but there is not a direct view
by Executive Chef Mark Vaessen of Sushi Samba
of the sea, so it was important to have a pool
fame. The first is To Kima, where help-yourself
this size as the centrepiece,” explains Garcia,
breakfasts are eaten outside under a rustic
citing the palm trees, cacti and tropical planting
wooden pergola. Poured concrete floors, rattan
around the property as key to the design. “We
chairs and raffia pendant lampshades complete
wanted to give the feeling of being in a natural
the look, which is echoed at Oku Restaurant by
rather than an urban environment, so we have
the main pool and could act as a blueprint for
separated the hotel from the outside world, yet
future endeavours, which include several more
at the same time reflected the mountains and
hotels in the Mediterranean – the next to open
pine trees that surround us.”
will be Mallorca, slated for 2023 – as well as the
Around the pool, a glass-fronted gym is
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possibility of standalone restaurants.
kitted out with wooden equipment from NOHrD;
Of course, Oku Ibiza is not all holistic and zen:
there’s a yoga shala for early morning classes;
a DJ plays chilled-out house beats by the pool,
spa treatment rooms; and a juice bar opposite
there’s live music at the restaurant and guests sit
the actual bar, all of which tap into the hotel’s
at the laid-back bar until it closes at midnight.
wellness-first ethos. “Wellness and fitness are
“The most important thing is that people are
both fundamental to our brand, which is why
enjoying the hotel,” concludes Quetglas. “I have
we added a juice bar and host yoga retreats,”
visited several times since opening and it is full
says Mandl. “Next year, we want to focus on
of guests reading, swimming, spending time
attracting more families and guests looking to
by the pool. If the common areas are busy, we
incorporate fitness into their holiday.”
know that we’ve got it right.”
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Westfort Capital Operator: Oku Hotels Architecture and Interior Design: MG & AG Arquitectos Art Consultant: Steve Tepas Procurement: LMEY Investments Landscaping: E+B Paisajismo Main Contractor: Hermanos Parrot www.okuhotels.com
Villa Copenhagen COPENHAGEN The century-old Danish landmark undergoes a complete transformation to bring a new level of luxury hospitality to Denmark. Words: Guy Dittrich • Photography: © Stine Christiansen (unless otherwise stated)
E
xiting Copenhagen’s central station, a glance down the street sees the late summer sunshine sparkling off the dark glazed rooftiles of a monumental Neo-
Baroque building. Behind the stone and brick façade was once the Danish Central Post and Telegraph Head Office, which has now been transformed into a 390-room hotel, part of the growing collection of Nordic Hotels & Resorts. Villa Copenhagen is a tribute to the vision of Petter Stordalen, founder of the collection that includes similarly idiosyncratic hotels such as At Six and Hobo in Stockholm, Copperhill Mountain Lodge in Åre and The Thief in Oslo. Each is known for its independent spirit and design. Villa nudges up against the railway lines. The mail wagons used to roll up right beside the building to offload their cargo down to the basement for sorting and onward distribution. Either side of Heinrich Wench’s 1912 building are tourist attractions Tivoli Gardens and the city’s Meatpacking district. Nearby cranes are testament to the hotel as the cornerstone of the redevelopment of this new quarter of the city. The north-facing entrance leads to a square courtyard, which has been covered with a domed grid shell of faceted glass by architects Krook & Tjäder. Adjacent is another similar-sized courtyard under which lies the hotel’s main event space, now topped by the three mounds of a Hidden Garden. From here, an overlooking rooftop swimming pool is accessed by a substantial Corten-steel spiral staircase. The interiors have been led by two UK-based firms;
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Honouring Scandinavian design sensibility, F&B spaces pay homage to the building’s original stylistic features such as exposed brick walls at brasserie Kontrast and copper arches at breakfast spot Public
122
Goddard Littlefair took responsibility for the F&B
The F&B spaces within Villa were undertaken by
venues plus parts of the public spaces, while Universal
Goddard Littlefair’s sister company, F&B design
Design Studio (UDS) conceived the guestrooms, most
studio Epicurean, which was established, as partner
suites, the corridors and staircases.
Martin Goddard explains “because we believe F&B is
There is also the Earth Suite, designed by Danish
a specialism that needs a more 360-degree approach
architect Eva Harlou of Earth Studio. From the bricks
around ideas of service, animation and theatre”.
to the masonry work, sporting accessories and
Following with the idea of community connection,
furniture, all elements of the suite have a sustainable
Epicurean structured its overall concept for the F&B
profile – though you wouldn’t know it looking at the
venues around the idea of resonating with the locale.
shiny, mirrored finish on the lamellae that curve up
The studio’s ambition was to appeal to hotel guests,
the wall. Dutch manufacturers Auping supplied the
the general public and local residents by creating
bed, made from longlasting solid beechwood topped
unique yet informal spaces that each offer something
with their environmentally-circular Evolve mattress.
distinctive. Given that the Danes don’t like to show
Beneath the glass canopy of The Courtyard, the
off, the hotel’s main restaurant is of a more brasserie
large lobby has been curated by Shamballa Jewels,
than fine-dining style, while Public and T37 benefit
who also designed eight of the suites. The aim of this
from direct street access in a bid to lure in passers-by.
space is to draw in the local community through a
At Kontrast, exposed brick walls and a variety of
series of activations, such as pop-ups and live music,
seating types corral an open stainless-steel kitchen.
that feature alongside a more prosaic, design-related
“This is not a display kitchen,” confides Jo Littlefair.
retail offer. Reached via a ramp are three check-in
“It is the main event.” On the other main corner of
pods, each beautifully sculpted from three different
the hotel is T37, a play on the site’s address. The bar, a
coloured stone, their weightiness in strong contrast to
“strong space, stoic and grand” per Littlefair, occupies
the delicate, gold-painted shelving behind.
the former Post Office and is focused around four
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In the Earth Suite, all elements have a sustainable profile to them, from the bricks and paste used to the bed linen and Mater furniture
sturdy Arabescato marble columns beneath a restored
categories for their work on At Six in AHEAD Europe
coffered ceiling. A dramatic central feature of the bar,
2017. Colour schemes are heavily influenced by the
suspended from the ceiling, is a collection of leather
work of Danish master Vilhelm Hammershøi, who lived
satchel straps in reference to the bag’s former use.
nearby. The beauty of the northern light is captured in
Here and in the adjacent Playroom, a flexible, adult-
pale greens, greys and yellows. Heritage requirements
oriented event space, there are heritage-style rugs by
were strict and included the reinstatement of all
Ice International, soft leathers, plush velvets and a
windows and their surrounds. The new twin sets
variety of layers of lighting that ensure good ambiance
of double-glazing ensure guestrooms are totally
and comfort.
soundproofed. There was also much reinstalling or
Public, the downstairs breakfast area and neighbouring Rug bakery occupy the former sorting
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restoring of original period features such as cornices, panelling and architraves.
office. Using archive photographs, Epicurean saw the
“All that was left was a shell,” explains Head of
re-introduction of lights with draped flex and a play
Hospitality and Associate Director, Richard McConkey,
on original archways now recreated from ‘rescued’
of the starting point. “A repetitious grid of windows.”
copper. “We were visiting the site one day and saw the
In spite of this seeming conformity, there were in fact
copper being stripped off the roof of the post office and
more than 50 different room types over five floors.
had it saved for re-use,” explains Littlefair.
Some with four-metre ceilings and near full-height
Both Goddard Littlefair and UDS agree that no
windows, others with exposed timber beams and
crossover was encouraged by their joint client and yet
small roof-lights. The response to this was to create
there is a harmony between their styles. Separate and
a modular approach to wardrobes and dressing tables.
different, yes, but not conflicting. As Goddard Littlefair
A variety of furnishings in similar sized rooms cleverly
looked to the past so too did UDS, who were previously
provides change for repeat guests and the option of a
recognised in the guestrooms and hotel conversion
more work-focused or lounge space.
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Guestrooms combine Danish and European design with bespoke furniture and statement lighting pieces, while public spaces include furniture from Stellar Works and handtufted loose rugs by Ice International
© Andy Liffner
Essentially the guestrooms by UDS are calm, relaxing havens. Bed headboards are multilayered, sofa-like constructs. Daybeds and furnishings are mostly bespoke designs that speak of the crafted UDS design aesthetic. McConkey explains: “The hotel is businessoriented and the guestrooms have a residential quality to appeal to long-stay guests.” Contrast comes by way of mixing highpressure laminated wardrobe doors with solid walnut surrounds. Textured glass panels bring light into bathrooms to highlight the irregular, vitrified enamel glazing of each Zellige tile. Bathrooms see the oak herringbone parquet pattern repeated in the dark Nero Marquina stone, while sanitaryware combines the Raindance Select shower from Hansgrohe with the Axor Montreux collection at the basins. Its brushed black chrome – the Axor signature finish – contrasts neatly with the pale grey © Andy Liffner
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marble of the basin surrounds. “The mix of Danish and European design is a theme within the guestrooms,” reveals McConkey, referencing the customised Louis
Foto: Christian Kretschmar
Hamburg City
HOSPITALITY DESIGN
www.JOI-DESIGN.com
Poulsen black-and-white desk lamps and Finn
property extends to greater sustainability.
Juhl armchairs. Set against these is the playful,
Pedersen points to the conversion of the existing
dual-stemmed VV Cinquanta Suspension lamp
building as perhaps the single most important
designed in 1951 by Italian architect Vittoriano
sustainability story. At the same scale are the
Viganó and now produced by Astep, as well as
new windows and insulated roof. The 25-metre
a variety of bespoke lamps designed by UDS
long, stainless-steel-lined swimming pool
and produced by Flos. The fall of the light from
is heated by the excess heat produced by the
conical lampshades creates compelling patterns
hotel’s centralised cooling systems and is one of
in both corridors and guestrooms. One, a cone-
only two in the Danish capital. The banqueting
shaped lampshade in opaque white glass was
seating, the Nova Sea chair, contains 2.7kg
reproduced from an archive photo and involved
of ocean waste – mainly fishnets – and was
no less than 40 prototypes before being resolved.
developed for Villa in collaboration with Mater.
McConkey refers to the natural materials
And at a smaller scale still are the recyclable
that add a human level of variation. The use
There are indeed many stories at Villa
not replacement, and allows them to “wear in
Copenhagen. Just one of many is the magic
and not wear out”. Picking up on this, Peter
worked by Nordic Hotels & Resort’s Art Curator,
Høgh Pedersen, Managing Director of Villa
Sune Nordgren, with sculptures from Jaume
Copenhagen, comments: “Guests are definitely
Plensa and the lone, unique charcoal drawings
noticing the quality of the interiors and the
in every guestroom that each tell their own tale.
storytelling that goes with it. Both make for a
The big story is one of a new level of luxury
good connection with our guests.”
hotel for the Danish capital.
And such attention to quality across the
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wooden key cards.
of quality materials allows for their repair,
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Strawberry Properties Operator: Nordic Hotels & Resorts Architecture: Krook & Tjader Interior Design: Universal Design Studio, Goddard Littlefair, Shamballa Jewels, Earth Studio Art Consultant: Sune Nordgren Procurement: Holmris Designbrokers Main Contractor: Hent www.villacopenhagen.com
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The Tawny STAFFORDSHIRE Rural Staffordshire welcomes a cleverly conceived ‘deconstructed hotel’ spread across the verdant gardens of the 70-acre Consall Hall Estate. Words: Matt Turner • Photography: © James Andrew
T
he site of a former colliery is perhaps the last place
Another 21 timber pods are also available exclusively to
you would expect to find some 70 acres of beautifully
guests of popular wedding venue Foxhill Barns, which sits
landscaped gardens, but that is what the former owner
at a discreet distance from the main hotel.
of Consall Hall Estate, William Podmore, created over a fifty-
“We have been inspired to create a collection of bold
year labour of love to transform the grounds surrounding his
eco-conscious structures with sleek, expressive interiors,
family home. Under Podmore’s stewardship, the mining pits
against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty,” explains
and slag heaps were replaced with a quirky and eclectic mix
Managing Director William Scott-Moncrieff. As a result, each
of secluded gardens, woodland walks, semi-ruined follies,
guestroom is influenced by its surroundings, sympathetically
lily ponds and lakes.
designed by co-owner Sarah Reeves with luxurious touches
Now under new ownership, the estate plays host to
that intertwine with the natural environment. The Shepherds
The Tawny, a cleverly conceived ‘deconstructed hotel’ in
Huts are cosy and welcoming with Scandinavian-style
the heart of rural Staffordshire. New owners – locals Fran
interiors, eco-friendly wool-insulated walls, log burners and
and William Scott-Moncrieff, and Ben and Sarah Reeves
stargazing skylights. Private decking areas accommodate
– embarked on a joint venture in 2018, working with CTD
outdoor tin baths for the single units, whilst a handful of
Architects to provide an economically viable and sustainable
double-brace huts allow the addition of a spacious living area
future for the gardens.
and indoor freestanding bathtub.
Today, that stunning landscape is the backdrop to a variety
The Lookout Lodges meanwhile take an elevated position,
of standalone accommodations including Shepherds Huts,
with floor-to-ceiling windows maximising the views
Treehouses, Boathouses, Retreats and Lookout Lodges, all
across the lakes and valley of the estate. Features include
overlooked by The Plumicorn – an imposing double-vaulted
freestanding baths in the main bedroom, outdoor hot tubs
Corten-steel structure that houses the main restaurant and
and al fresco showers sheltered from other guests with
bar. A smaller reception annexe is housed in the original
rough-hewn, crenelated timber.
manor house.
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The Treehouses also command imposing views over the
At the time of Sleeper’s visit there were 20 rooms
gardens, their lofty interiors exhibiting a natural, rustic feel,
completed and construction underway on a further 14 cedar-
while the Boathouses offer a more romantic and secluded
clad hillside Retreat cabins on the eastern side of the site.
waterfront location overlooking the lakes to the south of
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At The Plumicorn globe pendant lighting and floral upholstered seating set the scene for Head Chef Chris Alexander’s dishes, made using local produce
the gardens. Two of the Boathouses can sleep four with the addition of an extra room with bunk beds. All accommodations are fitted out to a high standard with furnishings from Coach House and Style Matters, Hypnos beds, Farrow & Ball paint finishes, and decorative lighting by Pooky. The sleek, matte black bathroom fittings are by Crosswater, with all indoor freestanding baths by Victoria + Albert and the outdoor tubs by William Holland. The standalone lodgings are subtly integrated into the landscape, in marked contrast to the striking main building, which houses The Plumicorn, named after the tufts of facial feathers found on various owl species. Entering the restaurant, a games room to the left provides a pool table and board games. The Feather Lounge offers a shorter, more casual menu, served on Maisons du Monde side tables beneath Atticus gold pendants by DAR Lighting. Plans are also in the pipeline for The Perch, an intimate private dining space with access to a Chef’s Table. Upstairs, an events space provides overspill seating for the restaurant, but it’s the towering, double-height dining room that is the main
132
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event. Festooned with globe pendant lighting
The owners have also gone to considerable
and a living wall flanking either end of the
lengths to ensure The Tawny is sustainable as
space, the Style Matters seating is upholstered
well as sensitive to its surroundings, be it in
in bright floral fabrics. The kitchen, run by Head
the timber cladding used on the cabin exteriors,
Chef Chris Alexander, offers a menu inspired
the foundations engineered so as not to harm
by the quality local produce found throughout
tree roots, the food waste utilised as fertiliser
Staffordshire and the Peak District.
throughout the grounds, and the outdoor
The views from the outside terrace are spectacular, with steps and statuary leading
bathtubs that require no chemicals, just fresh warm water.
down to a protected outdoor pool that is heated
“We are delighted to be associated with this
all year round. From this central vantage point,
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revive and
five miles of meandering paths weave throughout
restore Consall Hall Gardens by the creation of
the grounds, leading to the many sheltered spots
this new leisure hotel,” says Chris Hesketh of CTD
and quiet nooks where guests can stretch out
Architects. “The contemporary building at the
on the yoga mats provided in each room, find
head of the gardens makes a statement befitting
quiet sanctuary to read a book, or enjoy a picnic.
this extraordinary project, whilst the innovative
The wildlife is abundant, as evidenced in the
range of rooms blend within the restored and
evocative names of various cabins and lodges:
conserved landscaped garden, originally created
Skylark Ridge, Owl’s Nest and Pheasant’s Roost
by the late William Podmore. The new owners’
for the Lookouts and Treehouses; Lapwing,
creative vision for the gardens will ensure their
Kingfisher or Oystercatcher for the Boathouses
long-term upkeep, sustainability and conserve
and Buttercup, Honeysuckle and Primrose for
their ecological value.”
the Retreats.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owners: Fran and William Scott-Moncrieff, Ben and Sarah Reeves Architecture: CTD Architects Interior Design: Sarah Reeves Main Contractor: Cumberbirch Construction Graphic Design: The Capture Factory www.thetawny.co.uk
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Shaping Up A new generation of lifestyle hotels are raising the bar with their fitness facilities, developing gym concepts that integrate design, programming and nutrition.
Words: Ben Thomas
T
he hotel gym has come on leaps
“We don’t just build rooms on top of a gym,”
and bounds in recent years, with a
said CEO Chris Norton at the International
new generation of lifestyle brands
Hospitality Investment Forum earlier this
elevating their fitness facilities to
month. “The idea is that our hotels are
USP status. Setting the pace with
positioned at the luxury end of the market.”
forward-thinking concepts that
With growth on the cards for Equinox in
raise the bar, these innovators are combining
Los Angeles and Chicago after its success in
mindful interiors with an understanding of
the Big Apple, others around the world have
training types, top-of-the-range equipment
followed suit by replacing plastics with leathers,
and nutritious cuisine to tap into the needs of
introducing organic materials such as timber
today’s health-conscious traveller, who want
and stone, and providing plenty of daylight
to maintain, and even improve, their physical
and greenery. Oku Hotels for instance, which
wellbeing on the road.
recently launched its first property in Ibiza, has
As reported in issue 96 of Sleeper, a handful
kitted out its gyms with handcrafted wooden
of properties were already putting serious
equipment by NOHrD that works in harmony
thought into the design of their workout spaces
with its bohemian aesthetic.
– Sir Victor Hotel in Barcelona uses natural
So why was the hotel gym so frequently
materials and plenty of daylight to create an
overlooked in the past? According to Matt
appealing environment for training, while
Aspiotis Morley, founder of gym design and
White City House in London features multiple
advisory firm Biofit Health & Fitness, it really
studios and zones for classes, weightlifting
comes down to numbers: “Floor space in any
and TRX workouts – but it wasn’t until luxury
hotel or resort is at a premium, with priority
fitness group Equinox announced its entry into
given to revenue generating solutions first.
the hotel sector in 2019 that the movement
This is where the lower-ground shoebox with
really gained ground; the brand’s first property
no natural light comes in – it ticks the box for
at Hudson Yards in New York – housing the
operators in terms of providing a facility but
largest club in its portfolio at 60,000ft2 – set
goes no further, leaving amateur athletes, yoga
a new standard with its facilities and services.
fanatics and Crossfitters largely unaddressed.”
“The first and most important element is to understand that fitness is too narrow a vertical upon which to build a wellbeing concept.” CHRIS PENN – STEEL HOTELS
Blurring the lines between hospitality, fitness and wellness, Siro Boka Place will offer performance-based activities and a spa featuring cryotherapy chambers, a Recovery Lab and red-light saunas
138
Kerzner International’s Senior Vice President
in-house athletes, nutritionists and technicians
of Operations Martin Chung agrees, explaining
– including Olympic gold medal-winning
that historically, gyms were neglected as fitness
swimmer Adam Peaty, recently named as Siro’s
wasn’t seen as central to the travel experience,
first ambassador – who are set to host a variety
but with guests now considering health and
of classes across hi-tech studios, state-of-the-
wellness as deciding factors when choosing a
art gyms and championship-worthy pools.
destination, gyms must stand out in a similar
Aside from its programming, Siro Boka Place
way to a dining offer. “In the past, holidays
– the brand’s first flag, designed by London-
were thought of as opportunity to indulge and
and Zagreb-based firm Atellior – will comprise
switch off from exercise, but that’s certainly not
96 keys with in-room equipment and plenty
the case now,” he says of the shift in mentality.
of workout space, as well as yoga studios; a
“Increasingly, travellers are looking to come
spa with cryotherapy chambers, a Recovery
back from trips feeling healthy, energised and
Lab and red-light saunas; and a restaurant
revitalised, with guidance from instructors,
serving nutritious dishes throughout the
trainers and specialist practitioners.”
course of the day. “Siro blurs the boundaries
In response to these shifting demands,
between hospitality, fitness and wellness,”
Kerzner has launched its own fitness and
says Atellior’s Executive Director Una Barac.
wellbeing-focused hospitality brand, Siro – or
“With health and fitness at its core, the hotel’s
Strength, Inclusiveness, Reflection and Original
interiors and facilities encourage people to
– which will make its debut in Porto Montenegro
achieve an invigorated lifestyle while providing
in 2023. Together with offering performance-
a fresh perspective on modern luxury.”
based activities such as sailing, cycling and
A similar approach has been taken by London-
skiing, the resorts will be manned by a team of
and Cyprus-based practice Kyriakos Tsolakis
© Biofit
Architects in Mykonos, where it recently completed
be looked at through either a soft or hard lens,” Penn
a wellness resort that aims to help professional
reflects. “At Birch, we look at wellbeing more through
sportspeople rehabilitate during the off-season or
the soft lens, looking at balanced wellness that
simply whilst on holiday. Designed specifically for
encourages happiness, emotional health, togetherness,
athletes, the retreat houses 12 luxury suites and two
positivity and a sense of freedom. Steel however looks
public pools alongside outdoor and indoor gyms with
through a hard lens, identifying ways to improve
top-of-the-range equipment, hydrotherapy pools
people’s productivity, efficiency and performance.”
and hot tubs for hydromassages, which ease aching muscles using the pressurised water jets.
In Norfolk, Biofit is working with private members’ club Fritton Lake on a barn gym that will launch this Autumn with a focus on highperformance sports equipment
140
Morley, who is working with private members’ club Fritton Lake in Norfolk on a barn gym that will
In the UK, Chris Penn – co-founder of lifestyle
launch this Autumn with a focus on high-performance
concept Birch – is targeting an active clientele with
sports equipment, also believes that there is no one-
his new Steel Hotels brand. Though details of its
size-fits-all approach to developing a successful
debut remain firmly under wraps as Penn continues
fitness concept. As such, he begins with three main
to seek out the right asset, the hotelier’s two-phase
strategic inputs: industry trends, an understanding
rollout will include the launch of rural resorts that
of guest profiles, and the hotel brand itself, which
immerse visitors in nature through swimming, cycling
can help steer the process: “Balancing these elements
and running, together with urban retreats that act as
means we ground the concept in market knowledge to
an extension to guest’s existing high-performance
minimise risk while ensuring it matches the training
networks – whether they be an individual, professional
requirements of the target guests and integrates
team or company.
smoothly into the personality of the brand.”
“The first and most important element is to
With the events of late leading to the temporary
understand that fitness is too narrow a vertical upon
closure of gyms worldwide, virtual and often individual
which to build a wellbeing concept, as wellbeing can
workout routines have also taken precedence. And
T U U C I E Q U I N O X W I T H A U T O M AT E D L O U V E R E D R O O F, L I G H T I N G A N D H E AT I N G
T U U C I .C O M
TUUCI29042021_SLEEPER_Creative_2021_cnt.indd 1
29-4-2021 16:56:42
© Georg Roske
with some travellers still unsure about using public
The pandemic has increased the desire to work up a
spaces, hotel groups have been quick to ensure that
sweat in the great outdoors too, with some brands now
guests can stay active from the comfort of their own
turning their attention to developing hybrid concepts
rooms. Morley himself has joined forces with Sani
that bring together both indoor and outdoor facilities.
& Ikos Resorts to create boutique experiences that
As such, Rixos Hotel Group has joined forces with
are more akin to what residents are accustomed to
Turkish gym brand Woodsman to design open-air
at home, while Kempinski recently partnered with
spaces that feature the latter’s all-wood equipment,
Technogym, and Westin is working with Peloton to
while at the forthcoming Tearose Hotel just outside
bring its classes to the guestroom.
Florence, opening in Q1 of 2023, Biofit is even creating
Taking a different approach that doesn’t involve hefty investment in hardware, aparthotel brand
The gym at Oku Ibiza has been kitted out with handcrafted wooden fitness equipment by NOHrD that works in harmony with the bohemian aesthetic
142
an on-demand equipment delivery service for those who want to train privately amongst nature.
Locke and Shangri-La The Shard have teamed up with
“Wellbeing design that creates healthy gym interiors
fitness app Fiit to offer a 30-day free membership
with functional benefits for the mind and body are
to all guests, providing access to more than 700
going to be big business,” concludes Morley, who cites
interactive workouts for the duration of their stay.
circadian lighting systems, indoor air purification,
Available via an in-room television app, the classes
non-toxic material choices and sustainable flooring
range from yoga and HIIT to barre and strength-
tiles as trends to watch out for in his latest hotel gym
based workouts, each led by one of the app’s global
report, as well as eco-cleaning protocols, biophilic
trainers. “Designing spaces that empower guests to
schemes that bring the outside in, and multi-sensory
maintain their day-to-day habits when they travel
experiences combining scent, sound and tactile
is central to our experience,” states Eric Jafari, Chief
finishes. “Why gyms have not harnessed such design
Development Officer and Creative Director at Locke’s
strategies yet is beyond me, but the revolution is
parent company, Edyn.
definitely coming!”
© Air Aroma, Lillie Thompson
The Sweet Smell of Success As hotels become multi-sensory spaces with appeal beyond the visual realm, can signature scents and the efforts of fragrance designers make a difference?
Words: Kristofer Thomas
A
study by the Sense of Smell
but perhaps all it takes is a dash of aftershave
Institute demonstrated that
to really charm guests and form a bond. It is not
whilst visual recall falls to 50%
uncommon for people to have a signature scent,
after three months, humans
something that is returned to time and time
can remember smells with 65%
again, so why should it be different for hotels, a
accuracy up to a full-year later.
medium progressively turning to individual and
Be this freshly baked bread or a mysterious odour
overarching identities for their properties that
in a public bathroom, the fragrance of a space
define both design and atmosphere.
sticks in the mind for better or worse. Indeed,
“Strategic application of aroma within
it is not only the scent that is remembered, but
the design process opens a deeper level of
how the scent made the smeller feel in that
communication with the consumer,” says
moment, as similar research from Mood Media
Maurice Joosten, Creative Director for @Aroma,
highlights that 75% of all emotions generated in
a scent marketing specialist with a collection of
a day are down to the olfactory sense.
hotel clients including Hampshire’s Heckfield
Combined, this synthesis of staying power and
Place and Marylebone’s The Prince Akatoki.
emotional resonance has become a touchpoint
“When implemented artfully, scent triggers
for hospitality concepts looking to make a
an often-unconscious response, engaging
subtle yet lasting impact. As travellers have
consumers more fully. Scents are able to
become increasingly motivated by the desire for
enhance a certain dramatic quality of a space
experience, the hotel marketplace has become
by adding notes that are light or heavy, soft
saturated with grand, swooping gestures in
or hard, masculine, feminine or androgynous,
hopes of standing out in the sizeable crowd,
active or quiet, and so on.”
“Strategic application of aroma within the design process opens a deeper level of communication with the consumer.” MAURICE JOOSTEN – @AROMA
Designed by Toshihiko Sakai, @aroma’s All In One Type professional diffuser creates aromatic spaces by releasing essential oils
146
At The Prince Akatoki, this work takes
audience than retail spaces, this sentiment can
the form of a signature scent built on notes
be directly translated. If guests like what they
of lavender. Drawing on Japan’s blossom
smell, they will be happier. If that same smell
season, it brings a hint of Eastern zen to the
can then engage them on a deeper level with
first project beyond the country’s borders for
some signature notes based on a hotel’s local or
Tokyo-based Prince Hotels & Resorts. Likewise,
cultural context, then it can function to uniquely
for the historic Fujiya Hotel in Kanagawa,
fuse branded content with lived experience –
which dates back to 1891, Joosten drew from
perhaps the ultimate goal for today’s luxury
the surrounding hills of Hakone to elevate
sector. “Scent marketing is more than just
proceedings with a scent rooted in place and
diffusing a pleasant fragrance in a space,”
geographical sensibilities. Via these methods,
explains Alison Lobay of Air Aroma, the scent
he notes that the fragrance is able to contribute
marketing and delivery system manufacturer
“a more intuitive understanding of the brand
with clients including Sixty Hotels, The William
narrative and values, while also contributing to
Vale and Virgin Voyages. “It is the art of taking a
customer loyalty”.
company’s brand identity, marketing messages
These tactics have long been used in the
and target audience, and translating these into
retail sector, where reports find that one-in-
a scent that amplifies these values. We are
three shoppers stay longer in a store because of
essentially creating a scent logo for brands.”
a pleasant scent, whilst one-in-five say a nice
At Brooklyn’s The William Vale, this logo
scent makes them more likely to buy something.
comprises notes of marine accord, sandalwood,
Whilst hotels benefit from a more captive
leather, tonka bean, frankincense and white
Armani Hotel Dubai
Rooms aren’t just for sleeping BUTLER VIP SERVING MODULE Designed in collaboration with luxury hospitality extraordinaire Armani Hotels, this flawless system is truly one of the world’s greatest. Celebrating the resurrection of in-room silver service, the Butler delivers seamlessly… cocktails, coffee, dessert, or a complete gourmet spread. This is a design feat worthy of its celebrity status.
Coffee
Dessert
Champage
www.ihs-design.com
© Lillie Thompson
Air Aroma’s Havana fragrance oil blends notes of Virginian cedar, whisky and oak with vanilla, incense and tobacco leaves
148
musk – a combination reflective of aesthetic
generate not only commercial clout but so too
touchstones in Carrara marble and glowing
the kind of cultural currency that sees guests
brass. This scent is subsequently delivered
consider their choice of hotel not only as a place
through the lobby by the brand’s own cold-air
to stay, but as an extension of a certain lifestyle.
diffusion technology, part of a wider range of
The rise of scent marketing may now play
modernist-inspired diffuser units that double
a different role however, as the pandemic has
as sculptural design elements in their own right.
seen the act of breathing, and likewise both the
“To create a signature scent, we work
presence and quality of ventilation, burdened
closely with our client to ensure the scent fits
with health anxieties. Never before have guests
seamlessly within their brand’s ethos, visuals,
been more aware of the air they breathe, and
auditory cues and overall message,” Lobay
soon the function of scent marketers will be
adds. “In addition to our ambient diffusion
to reassure guests a space is clean as much as
equipment, we also help brands capitalise on
it is stylish. The next step for this sector then,
their signature scent programme through sales
may be found in combining signature fragrance
of various retail items that we create, such as
tones with an element of purification, or at least
candles, reed diffusers and room sprays. This
crafting scents around this idea – giving the
allows a hotel guest to take the scent experience
concept of cleanliness itself a distinct scent
home and keeps the hotel at the front of their
profile that eases some of these concerns now
mind, encouraging a repeat visit.”
that the masks are coming off.
In a marketplace wherein hotels are required
In the meantime, scent remains one of the
to be so much more than shelter overhead and
most potent means of relaying brand standards,
a square meal, only those with a unique identity
local context and cultural signifiers in a manner
that stay in the mind of guests will go on to
that truly stays fresh in the minds of guests.
NOWHERE IN HOSPITALITY IS THERE A SHORTER PATH FROM FUTURE-FOCUSED CONCEPT TO REAL WORLD EXECUTION THAN A RADICAL INNOVATION EVENT.
AUGUST 2021
1
Radical Innovation challenges the global hospitality and travel industry by calling for new concepts and ideas to reimagine the future. Each year, submissions are received and reviewed by a jury of top industry thinkers. These select finalists present their concepts in front of industry influencers and investors where the audience votes to determine the winner. Since its founding, Radical Innovation has awarded over $200,000 to progressive architectural and hospitality-minded thinkers and provided unparalleled networking and mentoring opportunities. radicalinnovationaward.com
2
Produced by
Media Partner
Education Partners
PROFESSIONAL FINALISTS
3
1 / BioFrame by Arno Matis Architecture 2 / Float With Us by Ocean Builders 3 / Waterlust by Indidesign
STUDENT FINALISTS 4 / Game Hotel by Abdullina Adelina 5 / INNSERT by Vladislav Krayushkin
PRODUCT CATEGORY WINNERS
4
Co-Submissions: Complete Plate and Vase-Like Tissue Holder by Di Lu
5
Hotel Construction Pipeline Middle East & Africa A hugely diverse region when it comes to hotels – ranging from tented camps to city skyscrapers – the Middle East & Africa counts 904 projects in the pipeline, a total of 244,849 rooms. The UAE continues to be the most attractive market for developers and operators, and while Dubai remains top of the list – not only in the region but in global rankings too – other emirates are adding to their hotel stock. Conrad, Anantara and Radisson Collection properties are being built in Ras al-Khaimah, while Sharjah is set to see new openings from Emaar across the Rove, The Address and Vida brands. In Saudi Arabia – the second most active market in the region – Riyadh, Jeddah and Makkah all fall within the top five cities. Makkah in particular is of note for its large key counts; 33,804 rooms across 30 hotels equates to an average size of over 1,100 rooms per property. Elsewhere, Israel is emerging as one of the rising hotspots for new hotel development. The growing popularity of Tel Aviv as a holiday destination has led to a host of signings, with a Kempinski, Nobu and Mandarin Oriental all in the works along with an MGallery from Accor and LXR and Curio Collection ventures from Hilton. Locally-grown groups are also expanding their portfolios significantly; Browns Hotels has four properties in the pipeline, and Isrotel counts five.
Tophotelprojects is a data service to support the design, build, furnishing and operation of hotels worldwide. For more information visit: www.tophotelprojects.com
152
TOP CITIES DUBAI Projects 136 Rooms 41,659
MAKKAH Projects 30 Rooms 33,804
RIYADH Projects 43 Rooms 9,896
TEL AVIV Projects 27 Rooms 5,118
JEDDAH Projects 37 Rooms 9,139
MUSCAT Projects 19 Rooms 4,142
TBILISI Projects 16 Rooms 2,531
DOHA Projects 35 Rooms 9,149
RAS AL KHAIMAH Projects 17 Rooms 5,468
SHARJAH Projects 15 Rooms 2,610
TOP COUNTRIES
Projects Rooms
Projects Rooms
1
2
3
4
5
UAE 192 55,992
SAUDI ARABIA 167 72,592
ISRAEL 61 12,042
EGYPT 52 16,188
QATAR 44 12,700
6
7
8
9
10
TURKEY 40 7,249
MOROCCO 37 7,990
OMAN 31 6,181
GEORGIA 29 4,892
NIGERIA 25 6,064
BUSINESS CENTRE
CONSTRUCTION PHASE Of the 904 projects in the pipeline, 22% are in advanced stages of planning and over half (55%) are under construction. A further 10% are in pre-opening with circa 18,000 rooms set to come online before the end of the year.
VISION
Projects 11 Rooms 2,174
PRE-PLANNING
PLANNING
CONSTRUCTION
PRE-OPENING
Projects 102 Rooms 24,660
Projects 203 Rooms 55,880
Projects 500 Rooms 142,029
Projects 88 Rooms 20,106
GROUPS AND BRANDS Accor continues to be the frontrunner in the region thanks to new signings including a 160-key Fairmont on Saudi Arabia’s Ajdan Waterfront development; a Swissôtel in Çeşme, Turkey, due to open in 2022; and three properties in Djibouti – namely Pullman Living, Novotel and MGallery – amounting to 291 keys by 2023.
122 98 95 79 50
Projects
Projects
Projects
Projects
Projects
BRAND
PROJECTS
ROOMS
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
32
10,077
Radisson Blu
30
6,281
Radisson Hotels & Resorts
27
4,712
Novotel
22
6,391
Hilton Garden Inn
18
3,827
Doubletree by Hilton
17
3,384
Movenpick Hotels & Resorts
16
5,035
Millennium Hotels
15
5,073
Four Points by Sheraton
14
3,324
InterContinental Hotels
14
3,098
YEAR OF OPENING
2021 (18%)
2022 (36%)
2023 (15%)
2024 (5%)
2025 / UNCONFIRMED (26%)
153
HOTEL COLLECTION
BUSINESS CENTRE
The intelligence source for the hotel investment community
Recovering hostels attract interest
starting to improve, but remains up and down
the country. Vozpopuli reports that Accor is
across its portfolio, depending on local market
looking to expand its Jo & Joe brand, which
uncertainty. However, Safestay will look to grow
includes a mix of private and group shared
Leading hostel brands are looking to restart
again: “We’ve got our eyes very wide open.”
rooms, and has Madrid in its sights. Louvre is
their businesses as the pandemic wanes. But it
However, he believes it will be a few months
already scoping out Madrid for its Hosho brand.
seems they may be welcoming new investors,
before opportunities appear.
as well as returning backpackers.
Carlos Miró, director of expansion for Spain
For A&O, private equity owner TPG has
and Portugal at Hilton, said the group was keen
The niche was hit harder than hotels as
continued to provide support as the group
on cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga or
lockdowns hit. Even during times when
looks to further growth. It opened in Budapest
Seville as it rolls out its Motto brand – which has
they were able to operate, social distancing
last Autumn, has the Edinburgh site as its first
hostel-like elements such as connecting rooms.
regulations meant hostels could not use multi-
toehold in the UK market, and has further sites
Motto was originally slated to launch in London,
bed shared rooms at anywhere near capacity,
in Copenhagen, Florence and Heidelberg in the
but lost the site; to-date it is live in three US
further exacerbating cashflow issues.
pipeline.
cities, with a pipeline of 14 locations including
Queensgate Investments, which includes
Speaking at the opening of the Edinburgh
Generator hostels in its portfolio, announced a
site, CEO and founder Oliver Winter said: “In
EUR600m refinancing in March. Existing debt
this, our 21st year of operations, we now have
Ivar Yuste of PHG Group, who maintains a
with lenders HSBC, Société Générale and Aareal
properties in 24 cities and nine European
database of hostel operators, said the model -
Bank was refinanced, with a further EUR100m
countries and have ambitious expansion plans;
now refined for a broader audience – particularly
provided from Apollo Global Management. With
we are looking at multiple locations across the
lends itself to office conversions. “Buildings in
the refinancing complete, Queensgate CEO Jason
UK and Ireland.”
city centres are complicated, old and irregular,
its first European property in Rotterdam, due to open next year.
Gow commented: “With the millennial and
Hybrid brand Meininger currently has 30
but with this flexible concept you have many
generation Z customer base, we are confident
sites across Europe, and is opening five new
possibilities. More and more are adopting the
of a rapid and resilient recovery once travel
properties in 2021, having already launched
mixed concept where they mix conventional
restrictions are lifted.”
Zurich, Bordeaux and Geneva. “Our industry
hotel rooms with hostel rooms with bunk beds.”
Generator has 19 properties, of which it owns
is experiencing tough times and facing many
Yuste says the sector is ripe for expansion
17 freehold; in 2019, Queensgate also acquired
challenges caused by the pandemic and its
and for growing stronger brands: “It is the
US hostel group Freehand, adding its four US
consequences. However, we have been able to
only non-professionalised hotel segment, the
properties into the brand.
shift priorities, drive digitalisation and growth,
smallest in volume and the one that is most
including the five new openings for 2021,” said
dispersed at the chain and owners level. Nobody
CCO Doros Theodorou.
has consolidated it at a national level, much
UK-listed Safestay has sold its Edinburgh hostel to Germany-based operator A&O. The GBP16m deal represented a 22% premium to
And in a sign that major hotel groups are
book value for Safestay, which has been battling
paying greater attention to the hostel niche,
fixed costs on its portfolio through periods of
Louvre Hotels has quietly launched a new hostel
HA PERSPECTIVE
Covid lockdown. In a statement, the group said:
brand, Hosho. The first site, south of central
By Chris Bown: Before the pandemic, every decent
“The board believes this sale was the best option
Paris in Kremlin-Bicêtre, is offering beds in
hotel group realised they needed an extended-stay
to protect shareholders’ interests and place the
shared rooms from EUR20 per night. The site,
brand or two in their locker. With that box ticked, it
company in a strong position for when the
a converted office building, has 236 beds in 39
looks as though a hostel-style brand is fast becoming
market recovers, being able to take advantage
rooms. According to a report in Les Echos, the
the next desirable addition.
of new opportunities that are expected to arise.”
brand expects to draw in families, travelling
And why not? With A&O and Meininger hosting
Chairman Larry Lipman said that the sale was
groups and professionals, not just backpackers.
hundreds of school groups, here’s the opportunity to
a necessary step to support the business: “We
According to reports in the Spanish media,
hook those consumers when they are young - and
reduced our debt by 35%, and we’ve got some
several major hotel groups are now angling to
keep them in the brand portfolio through to the years
cash in the bank.” He also said occupancy is
introduce an offering in the hostel space across
when they’re high spending road warriors. Louvre is
less globally.”
155
the latest to spot this logic… who’s next?
reposition the venue to reach its full potential”.
34,000 beds by 2024 including some in the USA.
“It’s not like a normal year - but it’s
hostel space right now, and having survived the
Hard data and transparency will help transform the
promising,” said Ivar Yuste, partner in PHG
pandemic, those with the deepest pockets will
appeal of hostels.
Hotels & Resorts.
doubtless be looking for more growth. A&O is in a
Selenta faced the pandemic with around
good position, Accor has skin in the game, and now
EUR200m of debt, having spent EUR60m on an
Louvre is testing the water. Again, the hostel concept is diluting from its clichéd backpacker demographic
Little pain in Spain
unfortunately timed refurbishment of its Sofia hotel in Barcelona in 2019.
and joining the ever more blended world of hotel-
Spain’s hotels are facing a second summer of
Yuste said both deals look to have specific
like accommodation.
trade disrupted by pandemic restrictions. But
circumstances driving them. The Selenta sale
despite this, would-be investors are seeing
was driven by debt, with the owner looking to
precious few opportunities.
have used the hotels as collateral for funding
HA PERSPECTIVE By Andrew Sangster: Like other emerging
Two recent deals have seen new investment
other parts of his business empire. “The
accommodation sectors, the hostel market is far from
partners Bain Capital and Stoneweg make
logical move in this case will be to put in new
being a clearly defined category. Most commercial
aggressive bids to win hotels, ahead of other
management, and an international brand.”
operations offer facilities that can be loosely defined
private equity players, as they declare the
He said the H10 sale was driven less by debt
as hybrid, with dormitory-style accommodation
market one with an attractive medium-term
issues, and more as the Marbella property is in
offered in the same building as individual rooms.
opportunity. And other investors are gathering
a non-core location, and has reached a point
Most operators are still feeling their way as to
fire power, with Banco Santander and Signal
where major capex is required.
what works best: simultaneously chasing the family
Capital each putting in EUR100m to seed a new
market, school / youth group market and the youth
European hospitality opportunities fund.
“The general feeling is that now things are picking up – but I wouldn’t expect to see a lot
party market is not easy to pull off. As brands mature,
However, there are few signs of distress in
of transactions. The horizon looks promising,
there will be biases towards certain markets. But for
the country. Local experts suggest the main
so the expectations of sellers are going to be
now, most brands seem to be chasing all markets,
opportunities lie in the holiday hotspots of
more rigid.” Many Spanish businesses remain
styling themselves as both hostels and hotels.
the Balearics, Canaries and the Costas, as the
well funded, or well supported, with the
package holiday market further restructures.
exception of some with major exposure to lease
The emphasis is providing an affordable and central location, with some brands like Generator
The largest recent deal saw Bain Capital and
contracts; several operating companies have
particularly pushing the style and party element
Stoneweg win the bidding for Spanish hotel
got into trouble off the back of a major lease
and others, like Meininger, keener on promoting the
group Selenta, with a bid of EUR460m, beating
commitment.
family-friendly nature of their offer.
rivals including Goldman Sachs and Brookfield.
Yuste said the one exception to the deal
For property owners, the key sell is around
The company came with five hotels in
stalemate is likely to be in the holiday
profitability per square-metre. Dedicated hostel
Tenerife, Barcelona, Marbella and Valencia,
destinations such as the Canaries. “Tour
operators argue they deliver better than typical
having already sold off the Nobu in Barcelona
operators have been the ones taking the risk,
hotel brands. The push of hotel brand owners into
at the turn of the year in a bid to reduce debts.
packaging with flights.” But with the loss of big
the space, most notably Accor but also at the upper
That asset was snapped up by ActivumSG, for
name and small tour operators every year, come
end of the market with Hilton’s Motto, enables a
EUR80m.
opportunities for new investors to take hold of
direct comparable.
156
a significantly sized operator. It has plans to have
Private equity is doing quite nicely out of the
For Bain and Stoneweg, the aggressive move
hotels and move them into branded territory.
Meininger might be an entry point for a hotel
follows their first Spanish acquisition barely
Yuste himself advised on the conversion of
company wishing to grab a head start in the hostel
a month previously, as the pair look to build
a hotel in Benidorm, which was upgraded and
market. But its leased portfolio makes a sale to
a portfolio of Spanish hotels. They started
reflagged under Accor’s Mercure brand. “Accor
private equity or a resurrection of its IPO more
their campaign with the purchase of the H10
will change the approach of selling the hotel –
probable. The sale process underway at the end of
Andalucía Plaza in Marbella from seller H10 in
this is going to happen more and more.”
2019 was dumped in favour of a potential listing
a deal reckoned to be worth around EUR100m.
but this too met an untimely end at the start of the
Bain Capital director Fabio Longo said the 400-
longstanding real estate investor Sonae Capital
pandemic in March 2020.
Meanwhile,
in
next
door
Portugal,
room property will continue to be operated by
has decided now is the time to launch its own
A listing of Meininger would undoubtedly help
H10 in the short term, as they prepare plans
brand. The Portuguese listed group has interests
the profile of the hostel sector, particularly as it is
“to invest strategically in the facilities and
across a range of industries, and owns six hotels
BUSINESS CENTRE
in the country, with committed additional
6.3% and 4.2% respectively). Spain, which currently
that helps members become better travellers
openings in Lisbon this year, and Porto next
does not require tests or quarantine for EU travellers,
by saving them money so they can get more
year.
suffers a 3.7% fall in GDP with all travel remaining
out of every trip they take. You can save more
domestic.
to spend more on what you’ve been missing,
“The Editory is a brand that was created to reposition our hotels in the market as we
Countries that benefit from no international
prepare to open two more units in the main
tourism being allowed are the most likely to keep
urban centres of the country,” said Isabel
their borders closed. These include Norway, Canada,
The company claims many new subscribers
Tavares, director of Marketing & Sales at Sonae
Germany and Brazil (increases in GDP of 2.5%, 1.0%,
will more than make their money back on a first
Capital Hotels. The brand is “adapted to current
0.8% and 0.7% respectively).
booking, with “an average of USD350 savings
trends and with a focus on expansion”.
If borders are open, 14-day or 10-day quarantines
whether a quick weekend away or a postponed honeymoon.”
per stay”.
The group has set a medium-term target of
are required in the Philippines, China and the UK.
Hertz, as car rental partner, will not only give
a dozen hotels open by 2025. Pedro Capitao,
GDP increases here were 1.8%, 1.7% and 1.1%
subscribers instant ‘Five-Star’ status within
Director of Hotel Management commented:
respectively. Australia sees a 0.6% uplift if borders
their own loyalty scheme, but will also actively
“This crisis is another opportunity to focus in
are shut to all tourists, so its economy is benefitting
promote Tripadvisor Plus subscriptions to their
a very fragmented sector - I’ve heard about the
overall from its decision to keep all borders closed
own car rental customers.
focus for many years and haven’t seen any clear
until 2022.
signs of that happening.”
On a previous earnings call, CEO Stephen
This will create, I suspect, a temptation for
Kaufer commented: “We see a huge opportunity
governments with a negative balance of payments
ahead and fully expect that Plus is going to be
HA PERSPECTIVE
on tourism to reach for border controls at the first
a very exciting part of our future. Converting
By Andrew Sangster: When looking at the Spanish
sign of any resurgence of the virus. Given that
even a small percentage of engaged Tripadvisor
hotel market, it is important to distinguish between
this winter is widely predicted to see a rise in
traffic, not to mention the hundreds of millions
two parts – the resort market and the urban market.
infections, it would be a brave traveller to bank on
of visitors per month that are searching on
While the former is under significant pressure this
all international controls to disappear permanently.
Tripadvisor for hotels and experiences, implies
summer, the latter should be recovering at the same
A full recovery for the resort market looks unlikely
a potential long-term growth opportunity of
pace as the rest of Europe.
until at least 2023.
tens of millions of subscribers and a multibillion dollar recurring revenue stream.”
It is the resort market where the biggest anticipated action will be. With what will almost certainly be two years of difficult trading, it will be a bleak period for resort hotels. But most independent hotels are not particularly leveraged and will be able
“We’re absolutely dedicated to making a
Tripadvisor launches subscription service has
formally
win for hoteliers just as much as it’s a win for the travellers.” Speaking of a trial in the US, he added: “What we’ve learned over the past
to ride out even two years of difficult trading. If the
Tripadvisor
launched
its
couple of months is that a number of chains
family business is the hotel, selling it cheaply is not
subscription service to US customers, as it
and independent hoteliers really like what we’re
going to be an attractive option and the preference
looks to transition its business model out of
doing. They’re perfectly comfortable with how
will be to struggle on until better times.
the pandemic. The move comes as other hotel
we’re displaying the Plus, our merchandising,
Even next year, there is no guarantee of normal
groups, from CitizenM to Soho House, look to
how we require a traveller to buy a Plus
trading. Governments have shown a willingness to
the recurring revenues of subscriptions as a way
subscription in order to book at discounted
close borders, particularly where there is a negative
to build baseline income.
rate.”
A new, USD99 per year subscription will give
Kaufer said the model was about curation,
Analysts at Bernstein published a note about
Tripadvisor members access to a range of travel
rather than domination: “We don’t need every
governments interference in travel. It found a link
deals, including the promise of discounted hotel
property. We just need a few dozen in all the
between those countries that benefit from what was
stays. As well as savings on accommodation,
geographies that people are traveling to. So, it
called the “domestication” of tourism and those that
members will be offered discounts on
may take a little longer than others for some of
have kept restrictions in place.
experiences such as tours and attractions,
the chains to hop on-board, to see the benefit.
special car hire rates from Hertz, personalised
But we want to make sure all of their properties,
advice and flight deal alerts.
again, get the share of bookings that Plus will
balance on tourism.
In other words, the likes of Greece, Portugal, Iceland and Turkey are all offering no quarantines and tests on arrival. All these countries will see a
Lindsay Nelson, chief experience and brand
fall in GDP if all travel stays domestic (7.5%, 6.6%,
officer, called Tripadvisor Plus “a programme
be driving.” “The basic model we’re working with... is
157
BUSINESS CENTRE
that we’re encouraging hotels of all types to
the subscription paywall, any deal does not
identify a discount that we are able to pass along
need to be directly comparable to other, publicly
to the traveller. And we’re in fact passing along
quoted room rates. “It’s the pay gate that
the entire discount they’re able to offer to be
enables hotels to give us a discount that they’re
kind of the most beneficial to the consumer to
not putting out there on their own website or
get that consumer to book to the properties.”
through other channels and that’s what makes
“There is a minimum discount when we sign
our deals special. So, in the weeds I guess if the
up the hotels, but that is something that they
hotel is offering this discount – same discount
can kind of toggle up and down depending
on some other opaque discount site or packaged
on their demand needs at a particular point
with an airline flight – that would be fine with
in time. Of course, down the road, we could
us. But if it’s also on a deal that’s also on their
always choose to not pass along the full
own website, then it’s not going to work.”
discount to the consumer, but that’s not our
Also looking to major on its subscription
plan at the moment, as we want this to kind
business is Soho House. The hotels and clubs
of catch fire with consumers as quickly as
business has confirmed its intention to list in
possible. Maximising the discount is one way
the US, filing papers with authorities for a full
to do that and we’re still making our money
IPO. Emphasising its subscription business
on subscription and growing that recurring
value, the company will rename as Membership
revenue stream.”
Collective Group and list under the ticker MCG.
“If we have a lot of properties with a very
In an email, founder Nick Jones emphasised the
small discount, it doesn’t move the needle for
company’s digital offering to its membership.
us. But when we’re getting the 10%, 15%, 30%,
The group has a range of membership options,
40% discounts, those become best sellers pretty
depending on a customer’s usage and location.
quickly and we’re really helping those hotels fill that empty room and that’s why the whole
HA PERSPECTIVE
model is so powerful.”
By Chris Bown: Welcome to the new Secret Escapes.
“We’ve been in the lead generation business
Tripadvisor has launched something that’s not
for hotels, the transaction business just like
unique - but does promise to be different by having
the other OTAs for experiences, and now we’re
broad appeal. The company insists that if it gets
introducing this new direct-to-consumer
millions of sign-ups at USD99, then it doesn’t need
subscription model. So it’s not that other
to make a commission on the hotel deals it offers.
folks can’t, it’s that it’s a new way to think
However, it will surely move to a commission-
of something in travel. The challenge with
based model as it scales up – and invests millions in
somebody else doing it, a start-up or a new
promoting Plus along the way.
company, is that they may not have the traffic
For hotels, here’s another chance to try a new
to expose the subscription product to. But that’s
distribution platform that could help fill off-peak
not Tripadvisor’s challenge, we already have so
nights – and keep those offers away from pesky
much of the traffic.”
competition authorities, and the OTAs.
Kaufer acknowledged that a travel subscription is different to something such as Netflix or Amazon Prime: “Travel is more episodic, but the value that we’re presenting in this form of subscription is oftentimes much higher and can offer that instant savings. Because we have the traffic, we think we’ll be successful where others might be challenged.” Kaufer also pointed out that, as it is behind
158
Hotel Analyst is the news analysis service for those involved with financing hotel property or hotel operating companies. For more information and to subscribe visit: www.hotelanalyst.co.uk
THE LEADER LEADER IN IN MODERN MODERN ORGANIC ORGANIC DESIGN DESIGN THE
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Performance Data July 2021 vs 2019* (year-over-year % changes and absolute values)
Covid-19 Update: Challenges and Opportunities
CANADA
Owing to the reopening of the country, Canada posted its highest ADR since December 2019, while occupancy and RevPAR were the highest since February 2020. Further improvement is expected with the reopening of the border to vaccinated US travellers.
Recent months have presented plenty of ups and downs on the global hotel industry’s path to recovery. While recovery continues to play out unevenly, the only certainty is there are both challenges and opportunities ahead. In the US, pandemic-era performance peaked along with the height of a summer travel surge. As leisure travel waned in late July and early August however, so too did hotel demand. Such seasonality in the data is a sign of normalcy, but growing concerns around Covid-19’s Delta variant have reduced optimism around a return of business travel and groups post-Labor Day. Reflecting a later reopening, the UK is still on the rise and continues to lead Europe in performance recovery due to domestic demand. Other European countries are further behind because of an even later reopening, as well as additional restrictions on travel. In Asia, the Olympics were held behind closed doors, however Tokyo did see a substantial performance lift as hotels accommodated media, staff and teams who opted not stay in the athletes village. This great variance by country is expected to continue with a direct correlation to the pandemic situation in each region. Regardless, each country will remain at least primarily dependent on domestic demand sources with international travel only slowing returning for some.
STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for global hospitality sectors. For more information and to subscribe visit: www.str.com
160
Occupancy 27.6 % to 54.5% ADR 18.2% to CAD151.31 RevPAR 40.7% to CAD82.53
USA
ADR and RevPAR levels were the highest in US history on a nominal basis. When adjusted for inflation, both KPIs were lower than the all-time highs recorded in 2019. On an absolute basis, occupancy was the highest for any month since August 2019.
Occupancy 5.5% to 69.6% ADR 6.0% to US$143.30 RevPAR 0.2% to US$99.71
COLOMBIA
Occupancy and RevPAR levels were the highest in the country since February 2020 while ADR was the highest since January 2021.
Occupancy 25.8% to 44.7% ADR 5.3% to COP243,853.36 RevPAR 29.8% to COP108,944.04
PERU
A surge in Covid-19 cases and the ensuing movement restrictions implemented by the government lowered levels during the first half of the year. However, with most lockdown restrictions lifted on 1 July, ADR and RevPAR hit their highest points since March 2020.
Occupancy 56.0% to 26.3% ADR 17.8% to US$76.29 RevPAR 63.9% to US$20.09
BUSINESS CENTRE
UK
Occupancy and RevPAR levels were the highest in the UK since February 2020. ADR reached its highest point since December 2019.
Occupancy 23.4% to 65.0% ADR 16.9% to GBP87.04 RevPAR 36.4% to GBP56.54 INDIA SPAIN
Despite a dramatic fall in international arrivals, Spain registered its highest occupancy and RevPAR since February 2020 as well as its highest ADR since August 2019.
India’s occupancy was its highest since February 2020, while ADR and RevPAR were higher than every month since March of last year.
Occupancy 24.4% to 48.0% ADR 16.8% to IND4,173.40 RevPAR 37.1% to IND2,003.16
Occupancy 36.1% to 52.3% ADR 0.3% to EUR130.16 RevPAR 35.9% to EUR68.13
JAPAN
Thanks to the Olympics, Tokyo posted its highest occupancy in 17 months. Overall, Japan registered its best occupancy and RevPAR since February 2020 and highest ADR since January 2020.
UAE
EGYPT
Egypt’s occupancy level was its highest since February 2020. ADR was the highest for any month in STR’s Egypt database and pushed RevPAR to its highest point since November 2019.
With fewer restrictions for international travellers, UAE performance remains close to 2019 levels ahead of Expo 2020, now due to take place in October 2021.
Occupancy 45.5% to 45.2% ADR 10.5% to JPY13,190.54 RevPAR 51.3% to JPY5,958.40
Occupancy 11.2% to 56.5% ADR 5.1% to AED355.78 RevPAR 6.6% to AED201.06
Occupancy 22.5% to 57.0% ADR 5.1% to EGP1,519.48 RevPAR 18.6% to EGP865.79
*Due to the steep, pandemic-driven performance declines of 2020, STR is measuring recovery against comparable time periods from 2019
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AHEAD MEA
After a long and arduous 18 months of virtual conferences and Zoom events, the AHEAD community was more eager than ever to reunite in Dubai earlier this month, gathering at Caesars Forum, Bluewaters Island, to kick off the AHEAD awards season. With judges, sponsors and leading hospitality professionals all in attendance, the awards celebrated design and the guest experience at hospitality projects across the region, with winners announced in 14 categories. Each entry was discussed and deliberated by a 20-strong panel of judges chaired by Isabel Pintado, Senior Vice President of Design and Innovation at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. The judging day took place virtually in July, with the panel – comprising owners, operators, architects and designers – asked to assess projects on their commercial
viability, creative excellence and ability to provide a memorable experience. From a sleek newbuild on the doorstep of Dubai’s Downtown neighbourhood to a tented camp on Tanzania’s Serengeti Plain, this year’s diverse list of winners showcased the most ambitious and innovative projects the Middle East & Africa has to offer. “Despite all the challenges of the last 12 months, we are delighted to see that new hotels have been able to open their doors against all the odds,” says Awards Director Matt Turner. “This year’s winners are testament to the resilience of the sector, and the quality of design talent across the region.” Marking the first AHEAD event of the year, the resulting winners will now go on to compete against other regions, with worldwide champions set to be crowned at the next AHEAD Global edition.
www.aheadawards.com
B A R , C LU B O R LO U N G E THE CHURCHILL BAR AT LA MAMOUNIA – MARRAKECH, MOROCCO Oger Maroc / Jouin Manku The best bars, clubs and lounges within a hotel are successful at cultivating a distinct atmosphere, whether that’s of intimacy, exclusivity or originality. The sultry Churchill Bar at La Mamounia has managed to achieve all three. A tribute to the illustrious former Prime Minister, the lounge exudes British refinement in the heart of Marrakech. Judges praised interior design studio Jouin Manku for its choice of materials, detailing and lighting, applauding the “intimate, seductive bar” for its “beautiful execution with bold, often monolithic statement pieces”.
E V E N T S PA C E S / L O B B Y & P U B L I C S PA C E S
THE ST REGIS CAIRO – EGYPT Qatari Diar Real Estate & Tourism Investment Company Egypt / Marriott International / Mga-Hks / Michael Graves Architecture & Design With guests wanting to spend as much time in the lobby as their own rooms, designers are focusing their attention on these spaces more than ever. So, what set St. Regis Cairo apart from the rest? According to the judges, the hotel offers “an impressive, consistent design approach” with “many different stories to tell”, from the sky lobby through to the Astor Library. Later in the evening, The St Regis Cairo also took home the prize for Event Spaces, with judges recognising the grandeur of the main staircase as ideal for weddings.
GUESTROOMS FOUR SEASONS HOTEL DOHA – QATAR Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts / Pierre-Yves Rochon Celebrated for pushing the envelope on traditional Middle Eastern guestroom design was the newly renovated Four Seasons Hotel Doha. French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon has introduced lighter, sea-inspired colours to the accommodation whilst paying homage to Qatar’s heritage with mother of pearl inlays and decorative Arab motifs. “White minimalism is very bold in the Middle East,” noted one judge. “I believe it was a provocative gesture, and it worked perfectly.” Another highlighted “the beautifully executed balance of materiality, tonality and accents” that make the space feel “luxurious, comfortable and very much a Four Seasons”.
AHEAD
HOTEL NEWBUILD HOTEL INDIGO DUBAI DOWNTOWN – UAE Sunflower / IHG / Norr / Dsgn Design It’s one thing to renovate or restore an existing property, but to start a project completely from scratch is certainly a big undertaking. So, what made Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown stand out from the competition in the Hotel Newbuild category? “Hotel Indigo shows true commitment to the design narrative and consistency of the brief throughout as a true exemplar of a cohesive guest experience to all aspects of the hotel,” commented one judge. “The bravery of the project should also be commended to bring to the forefront regional art commissions that are not typical or cookie-cutter, showing a spirit of creativity and collaboration.”
LO D G E S , C A B I N S & T E N T E D C A M P S
SINGITA SABORA TENTED CAMP – TANZANIA Singita / GAPP Architects / Cecile & Boyd Lodges, Cabins & Tented Camps has become an increasingly competitive category thanks to a wealth of new openings popping up across Africa. This year’s winning project was the newly refurbished Singita Saborain, where Cecile & Boyd worked with GAPP Architects to retain the original essence and spirit of the camp while introducing remodelled interiors that capture the ultimate modern safari experience. One judge commented: “This lodge takes the tented safari experience to the next level. While sophisticated and luxurious, the design remains true to the concept of a canvas lodge that touches the earth lightly and the authenticity required by such a prospect.”
R E S TA U R A N T L’ASIATIQUE AT LA MAMOUNIA – MARRAKECH, MOROCCO Oger Maroc / Jouin Manku Jouin Manku clearly knows a thing or two about F&B spaces, so much so that it scooped another award, this time in the Restaurant category for its work on La Mamounia’s Asian eatery, L’Asiatique. What made the venue resonate with the judges was the well-balanced mix of cultural references. “A multitude of references can be tricky to take on,” explained one judge. “But the mixture of Asian elements and traditional Moroccan architecture and interior design elements work very well.” Another praised how well the interiors complement Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s culinary offering.
S PA & W E L L N E S S SENSASIA STORIES AT KEMPINSKI HOTEL MALL OF THE EMIRATES – DUBAI Majid Al Futtaim Group / Kempinski Hotels / Roar Over the past 18 months, taking care of the body and mind has become more important than ever, with travellers now choosing a destination based on its wellness offering. Tasked with designing a spa for Kempinski that not only looks good but creates an unforgettable experience, Roar utilised a restrained colour and material palette, striking architectural statements and statement lighting pieces to tell a story rooted in Asia. The judges hailed the interiors as “spot on”, highlighting the cohesion between the materials, lighting and overall design to create “a well-considered and detailed space”.
SUITE L’ESCALE RESORT MARINA & SPA – SEYCHELLES Winch Design / Add Locus Architects With the desire for private space at an all-time high, this year’s Suite category included a host of strong contenders. So, how did L’Escale beat off the competition? Making a departure from luxury yachts and private jets, Winch Design demonstrated versatility for its first resort project, utilising locally-sourced, natural materials thoughtfully selected for their tactility to create sprawling suites that foster a unique connection with Mahé. The judging panel commended the design team’s honesty, generosity and commitment to the interiors, as well as the “exquisite attention to detail while maintaining a consistent narrative across all elements.”
VISUAL IDENTITY SINGITA SABORA TENTED CAMP – TANZANIA Singita / GAPP Architects / Cecile & Boyd The Visual Identity award is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate how a project uses every detail of its branding to convey a clear image and message in line with the guest experience – from graphic design and digital marketing materials through to signage and physical collateral. Scooping the prize this year, Singita Sabora was described as having a “strong visual identity that doesn’t just support the brand but elevates it, expressing the destination and offering”. Judges also cited the retreat’s “unparalleled attention to detail” evidenced in the well-curated uniforms, “honest” typography and “impeccable” OS&E selection.
AHEAD
NEW CONCEPT THE RED SEA PROJECT – SAUDI ARABIA The Red Sea Development Company Judges were wowed by The Red Sea Project, a new development that will comprise nine islands with 50 hotels totalling up to 8,000 guestrooms, a town for 35,000 inhabitants and a new airport, all of which will rely on on-site generated renewable energy and sustainable practices. “This project is attempting to define not only a new type of responsible tourism as the new luxury, but also to open up a new global destination,” commented one judge. “It is a difficult challenge, but a postpandemic world offers a unique opportunity to present this type of transformative hospitality to an audience that is now much more aware of nature and her importance.”
HOTEL OF THE YEAR / RESORT HOTEL / L A N D S C A P I N G & O U T D O O R S PA C E S
SUSSURRO – MOZAMBIQUE Sarah Birkett & Adam Humphreys The project on everyone’s lips at this year’s judging day was the “achingly beautiful” Sussurro. So, it’s hardly surprising that the beachfront boutique hotel took home an impressive three awards on the night, including the most coveted of them all – the AHEAD MEA Hotel of the Year. Located on the secluded peninsula of Nhamabue in southern Mozambique, Sussurro was conceived to engage with the surrounding land and local community and speaks to the increasingly pressing nature of the climate crisis, which has resulted in more and more guests factoring in a hotel’s sustainability credentials when booking their next stay. As such, lodgings are constructed from only locally-sourced materials and are powered by renewable energy, while the guestrooms feature furniture created on-site and artisinal pieces obtained from sub-Saharan Africa. When picking their Resort winner, judges applauded the designers’ “sustainability ethos, energy efficient methods, environmental awareness and involvement of the local community”. And it wasn’t just the project’s environmentallyfriendly spirit that made an impression on the judges, with its landscaping and outdoor spaces also receiving an award for creating “an emotive feeling of wanting to visit”. Members of the panel cited the emotional desire to visit the resort as prompted by its open-air spaces, while others hailed the “seamless transition between indoor and outdoor” areas. And as to why Sussurro was named Hotel of the Year, the judges said it best: “Sussurro is quietly sophisticated barefoot luxury at its best. A perfect example of African minimalism without being contrived or too harsh in its realisation.”
9 SEPTEMBER 2021
16 SEPTEMBER 2021
3 NOVEMBER 2021
19 NOVEMBER 2021
CAESARS BLUEWATERS – DUBAI
VIRTUAL
FAENA FORUM – MIAMI
EVOLUTION – LONDON
www.aheadawards.com
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1.
2.
Radical Innovation
An architectural prosthetic, floating seapods
Hotel by Abdullina Adelina, from Kazan State
and an eco-sensitive buoyant resort have
University of Architecture & Engineering in
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
been announced as the finalists for this year’s
Russia, is a hospitality concept for gamers
Radical Innovation competition. The annual
offering guests the opportunity to experience
scheme, which invites hoteliers and designers
another world using virtual and augmented
to submit groundbreaking concepts in travel
reality, while Innsert by Vladislav Krayushkin,
and hospitality, received 80 entries from around
also of Kazan State University of Architecture &
the world, with the jury selecting finalists based
Engineering, proposes to make use of obsolete
on the creativity of their vision as well as its
gaps and alleyways between buildings through
feasibility and potential to impact the industry.
the creation of hospitality spaces. Both students
Arno Matis Architecture, Ocean Builders
will be invited to explain their designs alongside
and Indidesign will now go head to head to
the professional finalists.
Seeking groundbreaking ideas in travel and hospitality, the competition for bold thinkers unveils its finalists.
determine the US$10,000 grand-prize winner,
Since its founding in 2006, Radical Innovation
decided by an audience vote during a virtual
has awarded nearly US$200,000 to creative
event later this year.
talents who push the boundaries, and through
In addition to the professional concept finalists, Radical Innovation has named Di
its new Radical Labs division, will work with submitters to bring their ideas to reality.
Lu from Southwest University of Science &
170
Technology in China as winner in the product
Radical Innovation is produced by The Hardy Group
category; his entries include a vase-like tissue
with support from UNLV School of Architecture, the
box and innovative plate that incorporates a
University of Illinois School of Architecture, NYU
niche for soy sauce. In the student category,
Center of Hospitality, and media partner Sleeper.
two finalists have been announced: Game
www.radicalinnovation.io
EVENTS
3.
1. BIOFRAME ARNO MATIS ARCHITECTURE
2. FLOAT WITH US OCEAN BUILDERS
3. WATERLUST INDIDESIGN
Conceived by Vancouver-based Arno Matis Architecture, BioFrame is described as an architectural prosthetic that upgrades existing buildings through a modular clip-on frame designed to improve sustainable performance and structural capacity. The mass-timber hybrid structure is lightweight and prefabricated allowing for quick assembly, and promotes the adaptive re-use of ageing buildings rather than demolition. BioFrame not only improves a building’s visual appearance, it also increases natural light, greenery and fresh air through extra outdoor space on every floor. The additional space could be used by hotels as balconies to guestrooms and suites or a terrace for the restaurant, thus improving the wellbeing experience for visitors.
Following extensive research and development, Ocean Builders have created Float With Us, an oceanfront living concept made up of SeaPods that allow people to experience living on water. Perched 7.5ft above the waves and constructed from a fibreglass shell atop a steel and concrete foundation, the pods offer 800ft2 of living space across 2.5 floors and comprise a master bedroom, spacious bathroom, kitchen, lounge and patio. Having successfully trialled the concept off the coast of Thailand – where the structures also served to restore a marine ecosystem beneath the waves – the first SeaPod community is under construction at Linton Bay Marina in northern Panama and is expected to debut later this year.
Waterlust by LA-based Indidesign is a scalable, eco-sensitive resort that floats on water, with guests guided by the idea of exploration, free from the constraints and limitations of a permanent structure. The individual units feature pointed roofs for architectural interest, and each houses a hotel suite or facilities such as a dining space or spa, with interiors described as compact yet well equipped. The structures are grouped in clusters that, similar to the floating markets of Southeast Asia, are connected by buoyant platforms with additional outdoor space designed to enhance connection with the setting and reenergise mind, body and soul.
171
The Lobby 24 August 2021 COPENHAGEN
The Nordic hotel event returns with a stellar line-up of speakers, sponsors and supporters. Words: Guy Dittrich
172
I
t may have been the end of summer but it
handful from further afield. Keynote speaker
felt like new beginnings in Copenhagen last
Ilse Crawford, founder of Studioilse opened the
month, as against all odds, The Lobby took
talks programme using her portfolio of projects
place, bringing together luminaries from the
to illustrate her views on the importance of
world of hotel architecture and design.
community in design; highlights included a
Organised by Dorte Bagge and Mads
shake-up of Cathay Pacific’s airport lounge to
Arlien-Søborg with support from Sleeper and
emphasise the importance of people, and Ett
a committed group of sponsors – namely
Hem, a small guesthouse in Stockholm where
Kvadrat, Carl Hansen & Son, Auping, Louis
the owner’s investment in the front-of-house
Poulsen, Vola and Harman – the third edition
team makes the real difference.
of The Lobby emphasised the need to make real
Staffing was also a theme for the discussion
life connections, with the idea of community
around creating a better world, with Pia
serving as a fitting theme.
Heidenmark Cook, Chief Sustainability Officer
The event opened with a meet-the-speakers
at Ingka Group, a holding company of Ikea,
cocktail evening hosted by D Studio, a new
talking about the retraining of personnel to
multi-brand design destination occupying a
adapt to its new online model. Hotelier Eugene
composition of beautifully restored 18th-century
Staal meanwhile promoted the idea of hotels
military buildings in the freetown of Christiania,
being more like a nurturing family unit with
now home to showrooms from B&B Italia,
management providing guidance for their talent,
Maxalto, Arclinea and Flos.
and Mikkel Juel Iversen, founder of Under One
The next day, The Lobby proper took place
Sky, highlighted the efforts of his organisation
at Villa Copenhagen, with the 200 delegates
to provide support to rough sleepers in London,
comprising Scandinavians, Europeans and a
many of whom were employed in the hotel
EVENTS
industry. “It’s a vehicle of social change and
Embassies of Good Living, a premium hybrid
makes way for a zig-zag of connected trails that
a civic duty,” he explained of the care and
model for cross-generational living via a rental
allow guests to ski-in, ski-out of every room.
compassion provided by his team of volunteers.
model within a boutique setting. Suzanne
Picking up on BIG’s core value of “giving form
And volunteering was just one of the
Oxenaar, Artistic Director of Seven New Things,
to the future”, Ingels transfixed the audience
sustainable initiatives explored by Guy
spoke of her work at Lloyd Hotel & Cultural
with tales of creating habitable spaces on the
Heywood, Chief Operating Officer for Six Senses
Embassy, and the Sweets Hotel project that
moon in cooperation with NASA as part of their
Hotels Resorts Spas. Referencing educational
brought new life to Amsterdam’s historic
Artemis programme. Incredible detail was
programmes at several of the group’s resorts,
bridge houses. And Rob Wagemans, founder
simplified by Ingels as he related the enormous
Heywood revealed how the group’s insistence
of Concrete Amsterdam, looked at his studio’s
body of knowledge held about how life on the
that owners donate 0.5% of total gross revenues
work on the inaugural cruise ship from Virgin
moon could be realised. NASA aims to put the
to a local development fund is a deal-breaker;
Voyages as well as the “extravagant simplicity”
first woman on the moon in 2024 and BIG’s
the funds are then used to support initiatives to
of the recently opened W Osaka. “This is a new
moon station – “a little gem on the edge of a
help local communities. Heywood has been busy
generation of W,” he declared. “A little more
crater on the South Pole of the moon” – within
with five openings in 2021, a prelude to their
mature and not just a selfie moment.”
the decade.
first major urban resorts in Rome, London and
By far the most radical item on the agenda
Of the event, Patricia Holler, founder of
New York, after an earlier property in Istanbul.
was the presentation by Bjarke Ingels, Founding
Woid Concepts summed up, stating: “It was
“Our plans for sustainable and community-
Partner of BIG, who asked ‘can we hospitalise
wonderful to come home with a sack full of new
based activities in these urban settings will
space?’ Ingels began by presenting BIG’s hotel
inspirations, new acquaintances and deepened
continue the great work at our resorts just in a
credentials via two projects – a Scandic hotel
friendships – what a joy!”
different context,” Heywood explained.
in Aarhus with interiors by Stylt Trampoli
The Lobby was the return to real-life events
With The Lobby looking to the ever-changing
and a hospitality venture for Swiss watch
the hotel sector has been waiting for, and
world of hospitality for its programme, the
manufacturer Audemars Piguet – where the
audience heard from Jan Garde about The
“shredding out of the typical guestroom stack”
Sleeper was delighted be part of its success.
www.thelobbycph.com
173
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SPOTLIGHT BATHROOMS & AMENITIES With hygiene and cleanliness more important than ever, brands are re-examining how to make the washroom both functional and stylish.
Laufen The Kartell by Laufen Swiss brand Laufen and Italian company Kartell have reissued and expanded their joint collection of bathroom fixtures. The collaboration encompasses sanitaryware, washstands, faucets, showertrays and bathtubs, as well as furnishings and accessories. The relaunch expands on the original range, introducing new colours and finishes that can be combined in various ways to create open and adaptable spaces, challenging traditional bathroom designs. www.kartellbylaufen.com
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1. Tece TECEvelvet
2. Kallista Central Park West
3. Focus SB Bespoke Solutions
4. Roman Colours
TECEvelvet is a new type of toilet flush plate that is ultra-soft touch, super matte and completely resistant to fingerprints, scratches and cleaning agents. Designed by Konstantin Grcic, the plate utilises the innovative, award-winning surface material from Italian manufacturer Arpa Industriale – Fenix NTM – for the first time in a bathroom setting to give an extremely opaque, velvety matte appearance. A new generation of acrylic resins forms a closed surface too, preventing the penetration of dust and water. Available in six trend-driven colours, the plate is compatible with Tece’s universal cistern and can be integrated into a wallcovering for a smooth finish. www.tece.de
Kallista and Robert A.M. Stern Architects have collaborated on Central Park West, a chic brassware series that captures the sophistication of early 20th century design. The versatile collection comprises multiple sink and bath faucets, a full range of showering components and complementing accessories, as well as a shower door handle pull, towel bar and handle escutcheon – a first for Kallista. Crafted from solid brass, the pieces feature classic design references, engraved fluting and stepped details. Central Park West offers a complete bathroom solution designed to cater to both commercial hospitality and residential audiences. www.kallista.com
Focus SB enables hospitality designers to develop their own custom finishes based on its standard collection, for a bespoke design and finish solution across all electrical accessories specified throughout a guestroom interior. Offering a wide variety of faceplate styles and metal finishes, Focus SB’s in-house manufacturing capabilities allow designers the flexibility to specify quality metal bathroom charging sockets to match light switches and socket outlets, do not disturb and bespoke multi-service combination bedhead plates, in addition to bathroom brassware, metal fixtures and fittings, and finish details across a range of interior styles. www.focus-sb.co.uk
Representing a breakthrough in soft close hinged doors, the Colours range features hinges hidden inside an advanced hydraulic soft close system; luxury PVD brass components with a large designer handle; low iron 10mm glass and a silicone-free wall fixing system. From any point of release, the doors will close themselves quickly, until the final soft close operation. Available in 10 colours, the Roman Dam system adapts to link the wall fixing beneath the glass and door to give complete water integrity. Glassto-glass corner joints also negate any need for silicone sealant, as a specialist invisible seal is supplied with the side panel and is activated during installation. www.roman-showers.com
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1. Aliseo Me Mirror
2. Riobel Parabola
3. Perrin & Rowe Langbourn
4. Kohler Brazn
Engineered for maximum efficiency, Aliseo’s ME Mirror offers a modern sense of visual comfort and luxury. Multiple rotating pivot joints ensure a wide range of precise movements that provide the best possible angular reflection, while Aliseo’s pin-point halo illumination is powered by an SMD LED shadow-free lighting platform that guarantees visual clarity and comfort. The ME Mirror effortlessly integrates a moulded translucent acrylic canopy too, which emits a distinctive backside light that defines a space within a space. Known for its versatility, clean lines and modern aesthetic, the ME Mirror is a natural addition to any bathroom interior. www.aliseo.de
Canadian manufacturer Riobel is launching in EMEAA this Autumn, bringing its distinctive blend of North American flair and European panache to a global audience for the first time. The brand’s design language is exemplified by the Parabola brassware collection, which draws inspiration from a parabolic surface – the only surface that allows focusing of multiple elements into a single point. A winner at the Grands Prix du Design, Parabola’s sculptural shape and nuanced details demonstate Riobel’s mastery of geometric forms. Refined in a chrome finish or boldly sophisticated in black, the Parabola collection brings something fresh and exciting to the bathroom. www.riobel.design
Brassware is often defined as traditional or contemporary, but many bathrooms don’t easily fall into either category. Perrin & Rowe’s new Langbourn collection is similarly hard to classify. Specified in a Polished Brass finish, the range has a tradition feel, but in chrome it would suit any transitional or contemporary bathroom. As with all Perrin & Rowe brassware, Langbourn is cast by hand in England from a high-grade brass, before being precision-machined and handpolished. Every tap is fully water-tested as part of quality assurance. Langbourn is a comprehensive collection covering every format of bath and basin, with a choice of matching shower systems. www.perrinandrowe.co.uk
The Brazn suite from Kohler takes inspiration from the Modernist movement with pieces that combine the simplicity of minimalism with elegant, functional solutions. Available in Honed Black or White, the Brazn collection includes a freestanding bath, vessel basins, undercounter basins and three toilet options: a one-piece toilet that integrates tank and bowl and benefits from an elongated seat; a two-piece toilet; and a wall-hung toilet that enhances the clean aesthetic of the piece and space. The freestanding bath has been designed to support the curves of the body, while the vessel basin features an asymmetric front for both form and function. www.kohlercompany.com
HighLine Colour
B R I N G P E R S O N A L I T Y A N D H A R M O N Y I N T O T H E B AT H R O O M U n id ra in Ref rame Co l lect i o n i s a s e r i e s of b at hro o m ac c e s s o r i e s gro un d e d i n S ca n d in avia n d e sig n an d q ual i t y – w hi ch p ai red w i t h t h e award - w i nn i ng H i gh Li n e C o lo u r f loor d ra in s g i ve s yo u t h e o pp o r t u ni t y to match al l met al d et ai l s. Th i s i s yo u r o pp o r t u ni t y of ref rami n g t he b at hro o m ex p e r i e nc e.
www.unidrain.com
SPOTLIGHT
Geberit AquaClean Shower Toilet
PRODUCT INNOVATION Washing with water technology has always been at the heart of Swiss manufacturer Geberit’s product innovations. Its original shower toilet, the ‘Geberella,’ launched back in 1978 and brought groundbreaking technology to the market, with a WC enhancement solution and built-in spray functionality. The seat was also designed to fit virtually any ceramic bowl and came in a range of colours that matched with the bathroom furnishings of the day. Geberit’s AquaClean shower toilet was then introduced in 2011 and continues to pave the way for washing with water revolution today. ENHANCING THE GUEST EXPERIENCE From odour extraction technology that purifies the air to an automatic lifting seat that rises as the user approaches, AquaClean incorporates a range of features that have been designed to improve guest experience with wellness and hygiene front of mind. At the touch of a button, the shower toilet’s integrated spray function provides users with a
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fresh-out-of-the-shower feeling, with premium models also offering features like orientation lighting and heated seating. Designed by London-based architect Christoph Behling, each model brings with it a contemporary, compact wall-hung design that can complement any washroom aesthetic. SELLING EXPERIENCES As the trend for selling experiences and creating an escape continues, so too does the value of developing innovative products that build strong, positive memories and ensure customers keep coming back. Considering how we can improve both mental and physical wellbeing through a multi-sensory approach can also help transform the humble bathroom into a modern day sanctuary. Key to this approach for Geberit is biophilic design, which encompasses everything from surfaces and design choices, to air quality, ventilation, acoustics and lighting. www.geberit-aquaclean.co.uk/hotelowners
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1. Roca In-Wash In-Tank
2. Unidrain ClassicLine
3. Acquabella Acquawhite
4. Agape Evo 21
Roca’s latest innovation in shower toilets – the In-Wash In-Tank – combines maximum hygiene and greater freedom of installation. The Soft Air injection system provides an effective yet quiet flush, while its two simultaneous water outlets guarantee a stronger flow with minimum water consumption. The state-of-the-art In-Tank is combined with the advanced hygiene of In-Wash to offer a front and rear wash, with the In-Wash nozzle able to adjusted to reach delicate areas thanks to its oscillating massage, which also provides gentle drying. The removable nozzle disinfects itself before and after each use and includes an extractable tip for in-depth cleaning. www.uk.roca.com
First introduced in 2003, ClassicLine is the original linear floor drain that helped establish Unidrain. The patented wall and floor flanges, which enable the drain to be positioned against the wall while ensuring the surfaces remain 100% waterproof, were a game-changer in the drainage world. Unidrain has expanded the original design series to include six different options in brushed stainless steel: the Column, Stripe, Anniversario, Classic, Square and Inca, each with their own unique grating design. Available as matching brushed stainless steel soap shelves, the new patterns both create effective drainage and enhance stylish shower and floor surfaces. www.unidrain.com
Spanish bathroom manufacturer Acquabella’s new Acquawhite collection has made its UK debut. Inspired by the purest forms of nature, the range features refined and minimalist lines and puts the colour white centrestage. Made from Dolotek, Acquabella’s environmentally friendly, UV- and shock-resistant, easyto-clean and anti-bacterial material, the Acquawhite collection comprises a range of bathtubs, totems, basins and worktops for the contract market. Joining the growing Acquabella portfolio of trays, furniture, wall panels, shower columns and accessories, the series captures the popular spa theme, with more than a soupçon of hotel glamour. www.acquabella.com
Designed by Giampaolo Benedini, Evo 21 is a newly developed storage system inspired by the trilithion – the original architectural architype according to Benedini. The chest is closed only on the sides and bottom with two horizontal beams that give strength and stability, while the top can freely accommodate any Agape countertop washbasin including the new Undici range, also created by Benedini Associati. Conceived to offer ultimate simplicity in configuration and installation, Evo 21 brings together structural flexibility and creative freedom, with numerous potential combinations of materials and finishes offering a wide range of distinctive looks. www.agapedesign.it
Shower enclosure with Brushed Brass hardware, integrated solid surface panel and vanity unit. With a Matt White anti-slip shower tray, Onyx Dust vanity top and Natural Halifax Oak drawer unit
Roman has been designing and manufacturing showering solutions for over 36 years, and is home to the UK’s largest manufacturing plant. All Roman products are designed and created in Britain, offering the ultimate in quality, precision and craftsmanship. ▪ UK Manufacturer and Dedicated In-House Design Team
▪ Products Exceed all Compliance Standards
▪ Supplier to Major International Hotel Groups
▪ Promotes Sustainability and Circular Economy
▪ Experienced in Large Project Work with Bespoke Product Capability
▪ Global Manufacturer to over 60 International Markets
▪ Bespoke Joinery and Case Goods Manufacturer
▪ Solid Surface Fabrication of Basins, Vanity Units and Bathroom Structures
Visit our A&D Showrooms; London, UK: 648 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW6 2DU Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Cosentino Centre Kuala Lumpur, Jalan TSB 8, Taman Industri Sungai Buloh, 47000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
www.roman-showers.com
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1. Bette BetteEve
2. Malmo Stickdown Luxury Vinyl Tile
3. Vola RS11
4. Groupe GM La Compagnie de Provence
Designed by Dominik Tesseraux, BetteEve is a modern interpretation of the elliptical shape of the planetary orbits celebrated by Baroque artists and architects. The range comprises three models each made from glazed titanium-steel: an oval built-in bath with a 20mm rim that blends seamlessly with surrounding furniture; a rectangular built-in bath that allows flushmounted installation; and a freestanding bath, which is available in over 400 colours, including matte white, glittering midnight and flattering blue satin. At 180 x 100cm, BetteEve is a natural and comfortable bath that features symmetrical back rests, making it suitable for two to bathe together. www.my-bette.com
Malmo has updated its collection of stickdown luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring to include 13 new designs. Ideal for the bathroom, the flooring is water and slip-resistant, sound absorbent, naturally warm and suitable for use with water-piped underfloor heating. The new décors comprise seven planks, five tiles and a herringbone option, with designs spanning large square concrete and cement-effect tiles, elegant woodgrains and a chic light grey herringbone. Offering a durable 0.55mm wear layer with greater impact resistance than tiles, Malmo stickdown LVT delivers a smooth surface that is easy to clean and does not require ongoing maintenance. www.malmoflooring.com
In response to the global pandemic and a focus on hygiene, Vola has launched the RS11 as part of a new series of dispensers designed to make sanitation as inviting as possible. The RS11 dispenser is available in three configurations – freestanding, wall-mounted and table-mounted – to suit any environment. Comprising a wellproportioned one-litre capacity cylinder, the device is adaptable for dispensing hand sanitiser gel, foam and soap, and is easy to clean and refill. The extruded aluminium cylinder, available in black or white, is also resistant to fingerprints. Each option is available in the full range of 27 Vola colours and is powered by rechargable batteries. www.en.vola.com
La Compagnie de Provence has launched its third exclusive fragranced amenity line in partnership with Groupe GM. Designed in the heart of Provence, the hotel line is perfumed with the ‘Extra Pur’ collection’s bestseller, Olivewood. The range is offered in 40ml tubes of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and body milk, as well as scented soaps available in 30g and 50g. In line with Groupe GM’s Care About Earth programme, the packaging is made from a 90% plant-based material with a recycled plastic cap. The range also features the 300ml Ecopump in recycled plastic with a bio-resin pump, designed to reduce waste by dispensing the exact amount of product needed. www.groupegm.com
The original
Hands-free Dispenser
Sculptural and hard-wearing. Hand-made sustainably in Denmark. Explore the product on vola.com RS11/3 Freestanding hands-free sanitiser spirit, foam or fluid soap/sanitiser gel dispenser in brushed gold. Follow us on instagram for more inspirational design and architecture @vola.denmark VOLA INTERNATIONAL STUDIO 32-36 Great Portland Street London W1W 8QX Tel.: 020 7580 7722 | sales@vola.co.uk
VOLA UK LTD. - Highfield House 108 The Hawthorns Flitwick MK45 1F Tel.: 01525 720 111 | sales@vola.co.uk
vola.com
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1. Absolute Lifestyle Manila
2. Ritmonio Elementa
3. Schluter Systems Schlüter-Shelf
4. Ideal Standard Silk Black
Based in Hong Kong, Absolute Lifestyle is a boutique product design company specialising in the design and manufacture of elegant and luxurious products for the hospitality and residential markets. Its team of developers, interior and product designers, and hotel consultant have a deep knowledge of materials and designs suitable for the hospitality sector. With existing product lines and the ability to create bespoke solutions, Absolute Lifestyle caters to every budget and area of a project, while its sister company – hospitality consultancy AL Studio – specialises in decorative products, curated styling, procurement and installation. www.alhkg.com
Ritmonio has unveiled Elementa, a new collection of accessories designed to give everyone the opportunity to shape made-to-measure environments and to create new ways of embellishing spaces. Available in 19 finishes and various materials including stainless steel, the range comprises modules of various sizes and lengths, which can be assembled together according to taste or functional needs. Dynamic with a clean design, the individual elements can be combined to create unique and personalised combinations that respect the architectrual characteristics and mood of a space, from the classic shelf to toothbrush holders and soap dispensers. www.ritmonio.it
The Schlüter-Shelf range is a stylish addition to bathrooms, wetrooms and shower rooms. Available in five designs, various sizes and multiple finishes including brushed stainless steel and textured options, there is no end to the creative possibilities on offer. For refurbished bathrooms, most shelf variants can be easily retrofitted into the joints of tiled walls. Alternatively, for newbuild projects, all shelves can integrated into the tile assembly during the installation stage. To create a cohesive and coordinated look, the shelf design and colour can be matched to a Schlüter-Kerdi shower drain grate, as well as tile edge profiles. www.schluterspecifier.co.uk
Bathroom manufacturer Ideal Standard has launched a new Silk Black finish across a selection of the company’s Bathroom Collections ranges, which comprise taps and mixers, basins, toilets, shower trays, shower enclosures, furniture and accessories. Offering a contemporary alternative to traditional white and chrome bathroom suites, the new finish enables designers to elevate any room with an all-black effect or create visual contrast with a touch of black. Suitable for injecting new life into renovation projects as well as making a statement on newbuilds, the Silk Black finish can create an intimate and powerful atmosphere in any hotel bathroom. www.idealstandard.co.uk
WHITE TULIP www.duravit.co.uk
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SPOTLIGHT
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1. Sanipex Group Anthracite
2. Duravit White Tulip
3. Kaldewei Superplan Zero
4. Tom Dixon Travel Collection
The soft gunmetal hue of the new Anthracite brassware finish brings a fresh twist to contemporary bathroom design. Bagnodesign’s Revolution mixers, M-Line Showering and Options Round accessory collections now feature products available in Anthracite, including a variety of basin, bath and shower mixers, as well as accessories for a complete, comprehensive look. An alternative to the brand’s popular Matt Black and Zanzibar finishes, Anthracite pairs harmoniously with grey-toned marble tiles and slabs, in addition to organic textures such as natural stone and wood. It is also versatile enough to work across a range of design aesthetics, from traditional to modern. www.sanipexgroup.com
White Tulip is the first complete bathroom range created entirely by Philippe Starck for Duravit. The elegant silhouettes and shapes of the components within the series echo the organic silhouette of a tulip in bloom. Inspired by Starck’s love of natural forms, the collection features sophisticated sanitaryware, brassware, soft-close furniture and complementary heated mirrors with app-controlled lighitng. Designed to harmonise with all interior styles, White Tulip is available in various sizes and finishes including five colours in high gloss or satin matte lacquer and solid wood fronts in Natural Oak or American Walnut, complete with an anti-scratch and fingerprint coating. www.duravit.co.uk
Developed by Berlin-based designer Werner Aisslinger, Superplan Zero is a steel enamelled shower surface with an absolute floor-level finish. Characterised by elegant and precise lines, the surface becomes one with the floor as its narrow edges make it possible to tile directly up to the shower edge with near invisble joints. The waste is positioned close to the wall to ensure comforty and safety. The steel enamel base is both luxurious due to its glass surface, and thoroughly sustainable thanks to its durability and 100% recyclability. Created using a patented manufacturing process, Superplan Zero comes in a wide variety of colours and dimensions. www.kaldewei.co.uk
With expertise in designing interiors and products, Tom Dixon is bringing his aesthetic to a range of amenities for the first time, featuring the unique Underground fragrance – an evocative blend of ginger, cardamom and vetiver. “Underground is a reference to the hidden world of creativity that is always happening invisibly in music, fashion and art,” says Dixon. “It’s instantly recognisable, fresh, cleansing, unisex and rarely used in the perfume industry.” Available exclusively through Buzz, the collection is designed to elevate the senses and comes in a full range of formats, including large bottles with a custom-designed bracket solution. www.buzzproducts.com
TOUCH OF MAGIC High-tech material for an ultrasoft feel and extremely matte appearance. The TECEvelvet toilet flush plate made of innovative FENIX NTM®.
More insights, more highlights You can now also find these and other new products in our digital new products portal TECEspotlight. See you there! spotlight.tece.com
TECE GmbH | Hollefeldstrasse 57 | 48282 Emsdetten | www.tece.com | international-business@tece.de | T + 49 25 72 / 9 28 - 999
Only stands out if you want it to. Pure design. Complete creative freedom. The first shower tile: BetteAir. betteair.my-bette.com
*1 Further information on our guarantee terms
at www.my-bette.com
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Bolon Bolon by Patricia Urquiola Swedish design company Bolon has collaborated with architect and designer Patricia Urquiola to launch a new flooring collection. Comprising one design that comes in four colours – grey, beige with blue details, a claycoloured pink and a calm green – the range contains recycled materials, and has a high-performance classification of 33 Heavy commercial. While working on the series, Urquiola found a resemblance between the weaving technique of Bolon flooring and the Japanese tradition of Sashiko stitches. By developing, experimenting and combining the two, the colours, patterns and designs emerged naturally. www.bolon.com
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BRAND LAUNCH
L.Ercolani
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To commemorate over a century of furniture making, Ercol has launched L.Ercolani, a new refined luxury brand named after founder Lucian Ercolani. Combining Ercol’s past and future heritage, the brand is the new home to classic pieces such as the Butterfly chair and Studio couch, as well as original works from a collection of both international and homegrown designers. Inspired by the tactile, elemental beauty of wood, L.Ercolani reinvents and reinterprets Ercol’s unadorned aesthetic using solid ash and walnut. Made by expert craftsmen at Ercol’s 16,000m2 factory, L.Ercolani furniture maintains the founder’s approach of combining traditional furniture-making with state-of-the-art technology by using CNC machines alongside traditional approaches such as steam bending, dovetail, wedge and tenon techniques. “As we move into our 101st year of business, we are proud to launch a new British brand inspired by my great-grandfather,” says Henry Tadros, Director of L.Ercolani. “He believed in making furniture that was modern and honest,
designed and crafted to be cherished for generations. His iconic pieces from the 1950s inform our DNA, but much like Lucian always looked to the future, we too are looking to create a new collection, combining archival and original designs.” A standout piece from the launch is the low-slung Reprise lounge chair designed by Danish studio Norm Architects. Uniting Ercol’s woodturning and steambending techniques with classic 1950s Danish design, the weighty, spindle-back chair, worked in either solid walnut or ash, reflects L.Ercolani’s considered ethos and warm minimalist aesthetic. “By partnering with global design talents, we are challenging our perceptions, evolving our collections with fresh eyes and diverse perspectives,” Tadros continues. “United in our belief that the key parameters in quality furniture are form and function, we are creating thoughtful pieces with a distinct yet enduring presence, imparting a sense of home, heritage and belonging.” www.lercolani.com
The Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages
Please visit us: Stand 728 Cruise Ship Interiors Expo tableplacechairs.com | 0330 1222 117 | EC1V 7DA
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CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY
Sanipex Group The Coach House and The Stables, Ripon
Tuuci Falisia, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Portopiccolo
Named after their former functions, The Coach House and The Stables sit right on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Dales in Ripon. Situated in the oldest city in England, one might expect to find a traditional design style that pays homage to the history of the area – yet there is a contemporary twist to this conversion. The attention to detail by owners James and Ali Mortimer makes the project feel more residential, which in turn exudes a welcoming and intimate ambience across open-plan kitchens and five spacious bedroom suites decorated with luxurious soft furnishings and a carefully curated art collection by local creator David Stead. The same level of familiar luxury awaits in the bathrooms, all of which boast views over the rural countryside beyond and are equipped with lacquered Zanzibar finish brassware by Bagnodesign, one of Sanipex Group’s premium sanitaryware brands. Whilst each has its own individual sense of character, a common theme of rest and recuperation runs throughout the spaces, with sumptuous bathtubs and walk-in showers allowing guests to practice self-care and wash any troubles away. In the elegant master bathroom, conserved beams complement wooden countertops, atop which sit bold basins that wouldn’t be out of place in a trendy hotel bar. One might also expect the freestanding stone bath to be the centrepiece here, yet onyx-effect slab tiles by Del Conca – another of Sanipex’s brands – draw the eye in the form of a striking feature-wall behind the shower. www.sanipexgroup.com
Tuuci has supplied over 300 shades to Falisia, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Italy’s charming coastal village of Portopiccolo. Situated along a 300-metre shore area that also includes a private marina and yacht club, the property’s beach club has been equipped with the Bay Master FiberFlex Classic and Ocean Master M1 Zero Horizon models. Whilst both feature Tuuci’s patented bracket system, the former takes its inspiration from the windswept ocean and desert landscapes of the Baja Peninsula – incorporating flexible fiberglass struts that absorb punishing wind conditions, sudden gusts and corrosive salt air environments – and the latter takes a more minimalist approach to shade equipment design, maximising the overhead umbrella utility with a zero vertical canopy profile that provides a minimal fixture impact in any enclave. “We decided to use the Tuuci parasols in the two most iconic areas of the Portopiccolo Beach Club because the elegance, design and technology absolutely correspond to the style of Portopiccolo,” explains the hotel’s management team. Since it was founded in 1997, Tuuci has launched a wide range of products including classic umbrellas, cabanas and lounges in contemporary design as well as in vintage style, all of which are handcrafted. In addition to aesthetics, Tuuci attaches great importance to the long-lasting quality of its products and their ease of use. As such, a number of major hotel chains and luxury resorts have selected the brand’s products for projects around the world. www.tuuci.com
INTRODUCING THE HAMPTON COLLECTION Ideal for hospitality settings • Ask about our recover service for custom fabric shades
UNIQUE ASPIRATIONAL LIGHTING +44 (0)1420 82377 | enquiries@elsteadlighting.com | www.elsteadlighting.com
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SkLO Website Launch Sitting at the intersection of modern Californian design and centuries-old Czech glass tradition, SkLO has been supplying lighting and sculptural glass accessories to the hospitality sector for over a decade, with partners Karen Gilbert and Paul Pavlak crafting handblown collections that aim to achieve “the simplest expression of beauty”. The brand’s latest endeavour was to launch a new website that allows clients to experience its work and connect with the SkLO story, inviting architects and designers to discover the many colours and finish options on offer – from opaque and transparent to brushed brass, oxidised metals and polished nickel – with opportunities to tailor the look of fixtures to their projects. www.sklo.com
CASE STUDY
JOI-Design Fraser Suites, Hamburg Hamburg-based studio JOI-Design has revived the glamour of the Golden Twenties with the first Fraser Suites in their home city, creating a journey through time that highlights the hotel’s history as the listed headquarters of a former tax authority. Art Deco interior touches recall the style starting to emerge during the building’s 1910 construction and were inspired by the light and elegant details rediscovered during the renovation, while on closer inspection, elements echo the 1950s period of the property’s last major reconstruction following the war. Velvets in slate blue and platinum contrast with chocolate-hued marble cladding and plush carpet, all enlivened with gilt accents such as scalloped wall panels and a twinkling galaxy of illuminated ceiling lights. This palette of complementary colours brings a fresh lightness to the lobby’s heavy timber and stone elements, alluding to the many waterways of the maritime Hanseatic locale. In restoring the property, JOIDesign has revived the epochs of the past while sensitively transporting them to more modern times. www.joi-design.com
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THE PODCAST
Manufacturing experts at Wood Couture roll down their workshop sleeves and sit down at a microphone for their new podcast show. The Wood Couture Podcast launches with a series of interviews with personalities within the ecosystem of hospitality, design & leisure. The show provides a forum for discussing current and timeless information, sharing ideas, and getting to know the figures who help shape & influence the larger community. Among the many topics discussed in this pilot are sustainability, gender equality, the future of hospitality, and everyone’s favorite trigger word: value-engineering. However, the most interesting moments come from glimpses into the lives and quirks of the guests whom we typically put up on a pedestal. The audience follows Filippo Sona, a co-founder of Wood Couture and host of the program, who picks the brains of these legends and in the process learns who they are, what drives them, and what insights they can provide. The show has so far released episodes featuring Kristina Zanic, Luca Franco, Robbyn Carter and Neel Shukla as of this writing. It promises more engaging conversations and insightful commentaries as the show continues. All episodes are available on YouTube, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.
Sitting Down with Industry Rock Stars
www.woodcouture.com
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Nanimarquina Formula Contract Nanimarquina has launched a new contract division to provide bespoke solutions and address the needs of architects and designers. To kick-start the venture, the Spanish manufacturer has unveiled the Formula Contract collection, which has been created with sustainability in mind. Handmade in India and Pakistan, the series comprises five models and 30 colours, offering more than 250 possible combinations for both indoor and outdoor settings. The collection is also crafted using local fibres and recycled materials, from Eco-sheen and Jutex biodegradable to chemicalfree cleaning products and recycled plastic packaging. www.nanimarquina.com
Elstead Lighting Somerset by Hinkley The Somerset collection by American manufacturer Hinkley exudes a quiet and precise sophistication, fusing modernity and vintage elements such as a streamlined metal yoke and ring that frames either a white or clear G-bulb, together with understated turned metal knocks for an authentic touch. The pendants are suitable for use in bars and restaurants as well as above a check-in counter, while the semi-flush globes are ideal for corridors and rooms with lower ceiling heights. Offered in Heritage Brass, Brushed Nickel or Black finish, the range is available in the UK from Elstead Lighting. www.elsteadlighting.com
Wood Couture Shock Sticker Being prepared for setbacks is essential in hitting a hotel’s targeted opening date, especially when it comes to shipping and receiving new furniture. Helping to combat the undiscovered issues that arise when unboxing FF&E items, Wood Couture’s new Shock Stickers work as an indicator to determine whether a package has taken on a force more than normal handling or shaking, with a red mark signalling that the item within has potentially sustained damage. As such, the manufacturer can instruct its logistics partners to look out for the mark, allowing hoteliers to make agile responses rather than wait for shipments to arrive on site. www.woodcouture.com
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SPECIFIER
CASE STUDY
Newhey Carpets Telegraph Hotel, Coventry Newhey Carpets has manufactured carpet for the Telegraph Hotel in Coventry, which opened earlier this year under the operation of Bespoke Hotels following a two-year, £18million refurbishment. Home to the city’s newspaper for over five decades, The Telegraph Building now comprises 88 guestrooms, a 110-cover restaurant and a 160-seat function room, as well as two ground-floor bars and a rooftop bar overlooking Belgrade Plaza. Tasked with designing the interiors, Oliver Redfern of Squid Inc – who Newhey has worked with previously, providing custommade carpets for Manchester’s Grade II*-listed Hotel Gotham, also operated by Bespoke Hotels – specified the Atlas range from the brand’s wool-rich Connect Naturals collection, which features a pattern inspired by geometric design in warm contrasting greys. Bespoke Colortec carpets were also designed for the corridors, with inspiration drawn from the building’s original chequerboard flooring, while customised carpet was supplied for the function areas ahead of events taking place during the Coventry UK City of Culture 2021. In total, over 4,300m2 of wool-rich, heavy commercial carpets were expertly fitted by local contractor Midlands Flooring. “Working with Newhey on such a unique project in Coventry was a delight,” comments Redfern on the collaboration. “The firm’s Atlas collection offered the perfect Mid-Century vibe required for the project, whilst the bespoke designs brought about a connection to the building that added another layer to the retelling of its past.” www.newheycarpets.co.uk
Life Fitness The Stanglwirt, Austria
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Photo credit: www.nicksmithphotography.com
Life Fitness has teamed up with The Stanglwirt in Austria to renew its hotel gym with a revised concept that is precisely tailored to the requirements of today’s traveller who want to maintain, and even improve, their physical wellbeing while on the road. “We have noticed that our guests are increasingly asking for specific equipment or training methods,” says Björn Schulz, Sports Director at The Stanglwirt. For the planning of the new ‘Fitnessgarten’, the team has therefore been working with Markus Duller, Vertical Sales Manager DACH at Life Fitness, for the past year to curate the best possible selection for its residents. “We chose Life Fitness for several reasons,” adds Maria Hauser, Junior Manager of the wellness hotel. “On the one hand, the function of the equipment is perfect and well thought-out down to the last detail. Secondly, the look and feel is very high-quality.” Originally however, the collaboration was triggered by a recommendation from a very special person. “We came across Life Fitness through our friend and regular guest Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is passionate about training on Hammer Strength equipment,” Hauser explains. Among other things, the star actor used the apparatus while on the set of blockbuster film series The Terminator to keep in shape. After the end of filming, he sent the equipment – which remains in use as part of the hotel’s fitness facility – to The Stanglwirt and as a result connected the five-star resort with the team at Life Fitness. www.lifefitness.com
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AA Corporation
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Absolute Lifestyle
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Life Fitness
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081 212 020-021
Ligne Roset
024
Mandarin Stone
085
Arte
026
Minotti
008-009
Astro Lighting
002
Modio
022-023
BD Barcelona
043
Muzeo
101
Beck
107
Nanimarquina
133
Bette
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Naturalmat
073
Blue Air
211
Newhey
105
Chelsom Creative Matters
014-015 047
Cruise Ship Interiors Expo 207
Palecek Parla Perrin & Rowe
Decorex
204
Point
Design London
206
Radical Innovation
Downtown Design
205
RH
119 087 177 053 150-151 006-007
Duravit
187
Riobel
029
EE Smith
169
Roca
139
Elstead
195
Roman
EPR Architects
082
Sanipex
Focus SB
075
Schluter Systems
102
FW Lighting
199
SkLO
055
Gommaire
066
Sleepeezee
149
Gresham
071
Stellar Works
Hector Finch
037
Stone Circle
045
HICAP
201
Swtch
208
IHS
147
Table Place Chairs
193
HIX
202
Tece
189
TM Lighting
095
Hypnos
113
183 016-017
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Tophotelprojects
203
125
Tribu
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Ideal Standard
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Tuuci
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JC Hospitality
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Wall & Deco
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Klafs
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Wood Couture
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ICA ICE International
JOI-Design
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Lasting Impression
The passing of Peter Corby, inventor of the iconic Corby Trouser Press, reignites an admiration for the game-changing guestroom staple.
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From Sir James Dyson to Russell Hobbs, British
the trouser press became something of a target
innovators have streamlined many aspects of
in British comedy over the years – who could
daily life, becoming household names in the
forget Steve Coogan’s alter-ego Alan Partridge
process. Lesser-known but equally influential –
dismantling the contraption in his budget hotel
particularly in the world of hotels – was Peter
room as a means of alleviating boredom? Yet
Corby, the man behind the Corby Trouser Press.
sixty years on, the Corby Trouser Press is still
Inspired by the temperature controls aboard
going strong. Manufactured in Huddersfield by
Concorde, the inventor built on the technology
new owners Fired Up Corporation, the brand
developed by his father to incorporate an
has built on the global success of the pioneering
electric heating pad into a multi-purpose valet
device, expanding to produce a variety of hotel
stand. Billed as both ‘man’s best friend’ and
guestroom electricals ranging from irons and
the solution to baggy knees, the appliance was
hairdryers to kettles, minibars and even security
designed to hang a jacket and press trousers
safes. With innovation and engineering firmly
back into shape adding a neat vertical crease.
rooted in its DNA, the company has brought
As popularity grew through the 1980s, the press
the iconic device into the 21st century with the
was installed in almost every hotel room up
introduction of a sleeker Executive model that
and down the country, effectively solidifying
will ensure Corby’s legacy lives on in guestrooms
its cult status. Despite its ubiquitous presence,
around the world.
Sleep your best sleep with a quiet air purifier
In the highly competitive hospitality industry, wellness is a trend that is growing in importance. Hotel air quality management is an area that can provide great value to customers and be a competitive advantage, so it’s no surprise that hotel air purifiers are increasingly common. Page8 is one of London’s first hotels to protect guests from air pollution by placing air purifiers from Blueair in all 138 rooms.
The new Blue air purifier combines plug and play simplicity with signature Blueair performance, giving you clean air at the touch of a button. Equipped with Blueair’s unique HEPASilent™ filtration technology that effectively removes germs, allergens, dust, mold, pet dander and microplastics. With interchangeable premium pre-filters inspired by Scandinavian nature, Blue is designed to fit your personal style.
Today, our award-winning air purifiers create the safest environment for you and your family.
To learn more visit: blueair.com/gb/blueair-for-business-mow.html
