HUNGARIAN EDITION - A HOTELIER’S QUARTERLY INSPIRATION -THE RENOVATIONS ISSUE - HUF 1590
ISSUE NO. 2 - 2016
The style is unique inside and outside www.pecsisor.hu
THE FIRST CERTIFIED HUNGARIAN ORGANIC COSMETIC PRODUCT LINE PROFESSIONAL SPA AND WELLNESS CARE HIGH CONCENTRATION OF BIOACTIVE AGENTS STATE OF THE ART FORMULAS
www.biola.hu • Tel.: + 36 (76) 508-011 • info@biola.hu
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wellis.eu
YOU DREAM IT, WE REALISE IT! projekt@wellis.hu
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ellis Hungary Kft. plays a leading role among companies that distribute and manufacture wellness equipment in Hungary. From an initial selection of a few imported goods, it now offers a wide array of internally developed and manufactured wellness products. During the spring of 2010 a production hall of approximately 7,000sqm was built that can take several production lines with units equipped with robot technology to meet demand. Recently, Wellis has arrived at another turning point. As a result of outstanding product quality and heavy export activity, its products are present in nearly every European country. Constantly rising market demand and 21st century quality production technological requirements demanded a new production hall was built, where production can now continue on approximately 10,000sqm. Thanks to the new complex, opened in December 2015, it will be possible to achieve a huge growth in the capacity of the company in the coming time-period. Alongside all of this, some 20-25,000 families are able to enjoy the wellness experience provided by Wellis’ own-brand Hungarian “whirlpool” baths. Wellis Project is able to take on the construction of complete wellness and bathroom sections according to
the unique demands of each customer. Special attention is brought to the public areas of any hotels, health centres, beauty and fitness salons, sports facilities, thermal baths and other social spaces that have imagined a wellness department, which offers pleasant relaxation for their guests. Whether it be the construction of a massage tub, massage pool, shower and hydro massage cabin, heated relax beds, Finnish or dual sauna, steam shower and steam cabin, salt room, or even salt sandboxes, everything is attainable via Wellis’ excellent provider background! Among our latest achievements are our own design swim-spa swimming pools where the user can enjoy the benefits of a swimming pool and a massage pool at the same time. Thanks to its smaller space requirements, the swim-spa swimming pool can be the main attraction of a wellness department. Wellis products are of the highest quality; they are tested according to domestic rules and are licensed by the National Public Health Service (ÁNTSZ). Furthermore, as a result of their growing role on the international market, they also come under international standards. Its references show experience in the realisation of a wellness department that best fits each individual customer’s requirements.
Wellis was commissioned to design and construct the entire wellness department. Finnish and infrared saunas, a steam cabin and a dipping tub were all built-in, and a six-person Wellis Acapulco Deep In massage pool installed. Further references, without even attempting to be comprehensive, include:
Lifestyle Hotel Mátra – Hotel Szent Orbán Erdei Wellness – Zselic Valley Leisure Park – La Contessa Hotel & Conference Centre – Hotel Caramell – Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace – Hotel Anna Grand – Hotel Panorama – Király Thermal Bath BGYH Zrt. – Aquaticum Spa – Lágymányosi Sportcsarnok és Uszoda (Lágymányos Sport Hall and Swimming Pool) – Szolnoki Vízilabda Aréna (Szolnok Water Polo Arena)
Web: wellis.hu • Email: projekt@wellis.hu
HOTELIERINTERNATIONAL.COM HUNGARIAN EDITION PUBLISHER: ABSOLUT MEDIA ZRT. 1075 BUDAPEST, MADÁCH IMRE ÚT 13–14. TEL: +36 (1) 398-0344 PUBLISHER: THOMAS BOTKA CEO: BALÁZS ROMÁN roman.b@amedia.hu ADVERTISING: ERIKA TÖRSÖK torsok.e@amedia.hu DISTRIBUTION: SZILVIA IMRE imre.sz@amedia.hu PHOTO: ÁRPÁD PINTÉR HOTELIERINTERNATIONAL.COM PUBLISHER: INTERNATIONAL MEDIA GROUP, 17 HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON W1S 1HU EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: SARAH ANDREWS ART DIRECTOR: ERIC WITHAM DESIGNER: STEPHEN KELMAN CEO: SIMON GREVES simon-greves@intmediagroup.co.uk INTERNATIONAL LICENSING: KARL-HENRY EDSTRÖM karl.henry@intmediagroup.co.uk CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: NOÉMI LÁZÁR, ANIKO FENYVESI, PETER VENISON, MÓNIKA KÁDÁR, CHERYL-ANNE STURKEN, LIM SIO HUI, SUZANNE WALES, JODI HELMER, NICK DALL, BOYD FARROW, RON GLUCKMAN COVER IMAGE: HOTEL MOMENTS BUDAPEST ISSN: 2416-2949 The opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and/or persons interviewed and do not necessarily reflect the views of Hotelier International Ltd. Advertisers or their representatives assume full responsibility for the content of their advertisements, and for ensuring that this content corresponds with the laws and other normative acts of Italy and the country where the magazine is being published. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
INSIDE
ISSUE NO.2 RENOVATION ISSUE – 2016
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
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CONCIERGE A HOTELIER’S HELP DESK
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THE CONSULTANT Hard-earned lessons on making the most of a hotel renovation
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Q&A WITH STEPHAN INTERTHAL A conversation with the general manager of Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest about ambitious renovations in the pipeline
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Q&A THE RITZCARLTON BUDAPEST IS OPENING SOON A conversation with Marcus Loevenforst the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Budapest
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Q&A WITH HOTELIER IAN SCHRAGER Searching for magic: Talking with the creator of the Boutique Hotel Concept
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Q&A WITH YABU PUSHELBERG Offering options and creating intimacy: insight and advice on hotel design
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THE BEST: LOBBY OVERHAULS HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS PRISON HOTELS
68 78 88
PROFILES PARIS’ PENINSULA HOTEL Everything old becomes new again
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BEIJING’S ÉCLAT HOTEL A glorious celebration of art and beauty
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SHANGHAI’S BANYAN TREE Urban escapade: business meets pleasure ont he bund
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LAST LOOK
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NEXT ISSUE
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HUNGARIAN EDITION - A HOTELIER’S QUARTERLY INSPIRATION -THE RENOVATIONS ISSUE - HUF 1590
ISSUE NO. 2 - 2016
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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
There is no doubt; Budapest has placed itself on the map. This shining star of Central Europe has never shown such a beautiful image of itself. Heritage and culture, as our principal values, and most especially the built, historic environment, appear in all their consummate beauty, while the city welcomes travellers with an increasing number of new or renovated hotels. This year’s first issue of Hotelier International also touches on this topic; it deals with the theme of Renovation. In this issue we again strive to present inspiring content to the hotelier professional, as well as to connect demand with supply. Tourism in Hungary is developing intensely year by year, and that alone requires the development of the hotel industry. Our aim is to show good examples from the Hungarian and international professional environment, and to offer exciting stories of how iconic hotels are adapting to the changing times, how they redesign themselves and meet the ever-greater expectations of their guests. We interview Stephan Interthal, the GM of Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, who tells us the story of the latest renewal at his hotel. We present some interesting details about the latest gem to emerge in our capital, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Budapest, which has been transformed from its former self – Le Meriden Budapest – and will soon open its doors to guests. In our Concierge column, we report on some new hotel-related features this year in Hungary, hotel constructions, the renovation of social spaces, and we introduce some of our many noteworthy countryside hotels. Of course, we also once again present some truly outstanding ideas from the material generated by our international colleagues. Among these, perhaps the most exciting is the prison hotel theme, where we show how these sites – frightening to many – can be converted into luxury hotels or adventure tourism attractions.
The introduction of the work of some brilliant young interior designers is also well worth looking at. We trust this Renovation issue will delight our readers, offering wholesome entertainment, exciting professional discoveries, many new ideas and, above all, inspiration. We hope that this edition of our magazine will also become a valuable part of your professional collection. Your feedback is valued and important to us. Please, send us your opinions and share your ideas with us. We will be glad to present them in the columns of Hotelier International. In our next issue we will explore the ‘outdoor’ theme, presenting the world of terraces from both a Hungarian and an international perspective, ever faithful to our tradition. Until then, we wish you wonderful experiences and pleasant studying, and, above all, good business!
S I N C E R E LY,
THOMAS BOTKA — PUBLISHER
CONCIERGE ISSUE NO.2 2016 A HOTELIER’S HELP DESK
MOST IMPORTANT HOTEL PROJECTS, NEW OPENINGS IN 2016 W ith hotels increasingly vulner We hear ever more often about new developments in the hotel market in Hungary, and in Budapest in particular. Several large-scale projects are planned in the capital. Budapest to welcome The RitzCarlton in 2016. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has announced that another European capital will be added to its growing portfolio of destinations, with the opening of the luxury brand in the second quarter of 2016. The chain is known for its excellent service and exceptional attention to detail, and is due to reach 100 hotels worldwide by the end of 2016. The centrally located 192-room former Le Méridien hotel is undergoing a comprehensive renovation which includes the addition of a Ritz-Carlton Club, new luxury suites and fresh ideas in the hotel’s dining area. Hotel Moments Budapest – “Visit. Enjoy. Remember.” The Continental Group’s newest four-star hotel will open on 1 March 2016. The historic building is located on Budapest’s most beautiful avenue, Andrássy út, only a
few steps from the Hungarian State Opera and St. Stephen’s Basilica. The magnificent, newly renovated 19th century palace is marked by refined elegance, with a glass-roofed courtyard, and its 99 uniquely designed moder n rooms are available in three different categories. The cosy “Bistro Fine” restaurant welcomes hotel guests and the public alike and offers Hungarian and inter national specialties. Hotel Moments Budapest is managed by the Hungarian Continental Group company, which already operates two successful four-star boutique hotels here, namely Hotel Parlament and Palazzo Zichy. Small Grand Hotel Budapest – opening in the 1st quarter of 2016. The Small Grand Hotel Budapest combines
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the familiarity of a small hotel with the fabulous atmosphere of a grand hotel. The building is next to the luxurious Andrássy út and the historic downtown area, right on the doorstep of the vibrant old Jewish Quarter, which is full of restaurants, bars, clubs and buzzing nightlife. The hotel and its 107 rooms have the atmosphere of the golden hospitality era of the 1920s and 1930s, but equipped with 21st century comfort. Further ongoing projects: The design contract of Parisi Udvar in Ferenciek tere has already been signed, and should result in a five-star hotel by no later than 2017. Also, a five-star luxury hotel will open in the building of the former Ballet Institute on Andrássy út in the not too distant future.
CONCIERGE
HOTEL DEVELOPMENT AND REFURBISHMENTS 2015 was again a busy year in hotel development and the opening of “new-old” buildings and hot spots in the Hungarian capital. Prestige Hotel Budapest opened its doors in the spring of 2015 at the same time as its restaurant, a second location for Hungary’s first Michelin-starred restaurant. The hotel is dedicated to recalling past glories, combining vintage looks and classical elegance tailored to the demands of modern life. Serving tourists and business travellers alike, the inner city building on Vigyázó Ferenc utca (street) had long been an elegant upperclass residence. It was built in 186061 based on the plans of the famous architect József Hild, who designed several hundred houses, a number of which are in the neighbourhood. The redevelopment started 2014: the typical Dual Monarchy era character was kept, so the rooms open from what was a sixstorey inner courtyard, now a stunning foyer and internal space. The Costes Downtown restaurant, which just won a
Michelin star, is run by Károly Gerendai with the help of his team chef T iago Sabarigo, sous chef Petra T ischler and executive chef Miguel Rocha Vieira. Gerendai’s first restaurant on Ráday utca, Costes, was also the recipient of Budapest’s first Michelin star. Costes Downtown brings all the elegance and flair of the original eatery into this more relaxed setting. Aria Hotel Budapest is part of the New York-based Library Hotel Collection. Aria is the company’s sixth hotel, and the second European member of the franchise-chain (Aria Hotel Prague was launched in 2003). It is centrally located in Pest’s historic district near the Széchenyi Lánchíd (Chain Bridge) and beside St. Stephen’s Basilica. The luxury boutique hotel is an architectural masterpiece, with breathtaking inner spaces. It features
Unique and Unmistakable
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www.pellinicaffe.hu | info@pellinicaffe.hu | +36 1 477 7020
four wings of musically themed guestrooms and suites with iconic artists and composers of the opera, classical, contemporary and jazz genres. Its High Note Skybar – Budapest’s only yearround rooftop terrace with views of the whole city – quickly became one of the favourite spots in the capital. Both Aria and Prestige Hotel have been operating full houses since their opening. Kollázs Brasserie & Bar in the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest is the old Páva (“Peacock”) restaurant reopened under a new name. An excellent choice for business meals, five o’clock teas or dinners, the interior design recreates the elegant atmosphere of the legendary coffeehouse culture of Budapest. Bocuse d’Or Hungary award-winning chef Árpád Győrffy awaits guests with modern fusion dishes.
CONCIERGE
HOTEL MOMENTS BUDAPEST VISIT, ENJOY, REMEMBER
The Continental Group’s newest four-star hotel opens on 1 March 2016 on Andrássy Avenue, only a few steps from the Opera House and St. Stephen’s Basilica. The magnificent, newly renovated 19th century palace is marked by refined elegance with a glass-roofed courtyard. Amazing murals and fresco motives decorate the main entrance as well as the entrance foyer, forming a perfect harmony with the modern interior design. The amazing ceiling and the elegant, comfortable furniture guarantee the unique atmosphere of the lobby area. The Lobby Lounge offers a unique service with complimentary coffee, tea and mineral water 24 hours every day. Hotel Moments Budapest offers 99 beautifully designed rooms in three different categories, including the spacious “Andrássy Suite” with an amazing view of St. Stephen’s Basilica. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, minibar, safe, LCD TV, telephone, work desk and free wireless internet usage. Rooms with wall-to-wall carpet or wooden floors are available upon request. For meetings and events, the hotel offers a spacious conference room (90 sqm) with a total capacity of 80 people, offering natural light and equipped with in-built technical system, screen and projector.
If smaller areas are required, a soundproof wall can divide the conference room. Wellness facilities are also available free of charge for hotel guests, with gym, sauna and massage services on request. Wireless internet is complimentary in the entire hotel; additionally, three workstations are available in the historical staircase. The hotel’s Bistro Fine restaurant welcomes hotel guests and the general public alike; this is the place for a rich buffet breakfast, which is included in every room rate category, with a wide selection of warm and cold dishes, fresh fruits and vegetables and much more. As the main focus of the restaurant is to present famous Hungarian and international wines with a unique “Enomatic” system, wine enthusiasts can enjoy a wide selection of local and international products. Visitors can find delicious snacks, tapas variations as well as daily offers and an “à la carte” selection, all served by friendly and professional staff in an easy-going yet elegant and refined setting. The restaurant is the perfect venue for a business meeting, for lunch or dinner, but also a prime spot for family and friendly gatherings, corporate dinners and special events. When the weather is nice it’s best to enjoy the modern, innovative local and international dishes on our extraordinary terrace. For those with special dietary needs, a gluten and lactose free selection is also available.
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COUNTRYSIDE EVOLUTION Although Budapest is by far the best-known tourist target in Hungary, there are many other cities and wellness destinations worth visiting. Hungarian countryside destinations are developing and have a lot to offer! Explore the European Capital of Culture of 2010. Discover taste and quality in the Adele Boutique Hotel in Pécs, which opened in July 2015 and is one of the newest hotels in the city. The four-star hotel is located in a 19th century building that is under monumental protection. The main structure is more
than 200-years-old and was mentioned in documents dating as far back as 1712. The front is decorated with granite produced by Zsolnay, the well-known porcelain manufacturer from Pécs. The most famous inhabitant of the building, from 1858, was one Baroness Prandau (Miss Adele Cseh), for whom the hotel is now named. Since 2004, the building has been in private hands, with the owners determined to renovate it artistically and open it up for the public as a hotel. Adele is located in the heart of the city. The main square (Széchenyi tér), a popular meeting point, can be reached within a few minutes on foot. This unique location makes it possible to experience the best of the city’s lifestyle, cultural, nightlife and shopping highlights. New perspectives in Székesfehérvár: Best Western Plus
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Lakeside Hotel in Székesfehérvár offers modern styling and true four-star quality in the centre of the city, in a unique lakeside environment with 86 fantastic rooms. Comfort is guaranteed with a rich breakfast concept: the aim is to make breakfast to the most enjoyable meal of the day. Healthcare services are also accessible, and are included in the prices. “The home of wellness.” Experience the wonders of Lake Balaton in Siófok. The Hotel Residence superior in Siófok is one of the most beautiful hotels around the “Hungarian Sea”, and was completely renewed in 2013. The 57-room hotel is an exclusive and intimate little “jewellery box”, friendly and familiar, and even boasting a private beach located in a quiet garden suburban area, just 100 meters from the lake shore.
CONCIERGE
RENEWED PUBLIC PLACES Budapest is undergoing an accelerated phase of renewal: from a historic marketplace to Buda’s beloved running track and a popular excursion destination, everything is on the move! Klauzál tér Market Hall. This market hall was built during a period of “great market hall fever” in the capital. Around 1879 five market halls were opened in parallel. The first name of the square here was Stephans Platz, from 1874 it was renamed István tér, and only later did it became Klauzál tér. The building was renovated first 1987 and most recently in October
2015. Customers can access the brand new floor area by stairs, escalator or elevator. Farmers’ tables, catering units, fine bakeries, as well as traditional artisans await customers every day of the week. Running track at Margaret Island. The renewed running track on Margaret Island offers a pleasant spot for outdoor sports. The running lane is now equipped with a wider, rubberised and joint-friendly surface. The facilities were recently renovated, and there is a new information system. Simply warmup, and head of on this year’s first run! Budapest’s most popular walking area up in the Buda hills around Normafa welcomes anyone who would like to escape the noise and stress of the capital. The main walking path has been re-paved, and the trails leading from it are marked with useful
maps. The new benches are more comfortable than their predecessors, and the playground has been upgraded with fun wooden equipment. There are plans to further develop Normafa in upcoming years. The idea of making Budapest’s Danube banks more liveable finally got the green light. Eventually even the rakparts, the car lanes separating the riverbank and the city proper, could disappear. In the first phase of renovation, Pest’s lower quay between the public squares of Kossuth tér and Fővám tér will receive a makeover, followed by reconstruction of the Chain Bridge, the development of a bicycle path, and the renewal of Széchenyi István tér and Arany János utca (street). The hope is that the city will win back a lot of green areas in the process.
UNICEO® ORGANIZED ITS FIRST LEADERS MEETING IN BUDAPEST W ith a January 21 event at the Kempinski Corvinus Hotel UNICEO® (United Networks of International Corporate Event Organizers) the international association bringing together senior decision-makers in charge of corporate events representing blue chip companies launched the opening of its network in Hungary. As part of the development strategy, the association leaded by Monika Mantuano, will organize several events in the country, most of them in Budapest. The first event, at the Kempinski Corvinus Hotel on January 21, brought together more than 30 Hungarian companies. Monika Mantuano, commercial marketing manager at HP and Vice President of UNICEO Hungary said: ”This first event brought together Hungarian companies, Members and future Members of UNICEO. It was the first of its kind in our country and the kickoff meeting for UNICEO development. We are convinced that UNICEO will
Monika Mantuano, commercial marketing manager at HP and Vice President of UNICEO Hungary. contribute to greatly professionalize and improve its Members events and give a better visibility to our roles with regards to top management and the industry in Hungary.“ Debora Piovesan, Vice President for UNICEO International, noted the value that Hungary brings to the Network.
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“ Hunga r y is a n i m portant area for UNI CE O de v e lopm ent i n central E urope a s B uda pes t i s s tep by st e p c limbing t o t he top of the bes t E urope a n c it ie s t o organi ze corporate e v e nt s,” she sa id. “ We s trongl y bel i eve in t he suc c e ss of a n Hungari an bas ed UNI CE O Ne t w or k.”
CONCIERGE
HOTEL PARLAMENT, FEEL LIKE YOU ARE AT HOME…
In a prime Budapest location, the four-star Hotel Parlament (not a misspelling, that is the Hungarian version of Parliament) has been welcoming guests since 2006, offering 65 beautifully designed, comfortable rooms with modern equipment. All public areas and rooms have been totally refurbished for the 10th anniversary of our hotel, offering guests a friendly atmosphere with unique design. Rooms are furbished in “art-deco” style and equipped with airconditioning, minibar, safe, LCD TV, telephone, and free Wi-Fi. Hotel Parlament has elevated standards of services, with every guest receiving individual attention, and each piece of art or decor is carefully selected and placed for a new approach to the guest experience. Guests can enjoy the proximity of many popular destinations in the city. The Houses of Parliament, St. Stephen’s Cathedral,
the marvellous Danube bank and memorable World Heritage sites are located within just a few minutes’ walking distance from our hotel. Guests can enjoy the wide-ranging rich buffet breakfast, which is served in the hotel’s glass-roofed atrium. The Lounge Bar service offers complimentary coffee, tea and mineral water until 5 pm every day, while hotel bar welcomes guests from 5 pm until 1 am with delicious cocktails. Wellness services are available free of charge for hotel guests, with sauna and whirlpool facilities. For meetings and events the hotel has a comfortable conference room with a total capacity of 60 people, and a beautiful Library Room for smaller board meetings of up to eight people. For business clients, the hotel offers an Internet Corner with two workstations and office facilities. Wireless internet is complimentary in all rooms as well as in public areas.
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CONCIERGE
THE CONSULTANT HARD-EARNED LESSONS ON MAKING THE MOST OF A HOTEL RENOVATION Written by hospitality consultant: PETER VENISON Amber Palace, Jaipur, India
During my career in hotel management I was directly involved in and, in most cases, responsible for the renovation of more than 20 hotel and casino properties, the largest being Paradise Island Resort Bahamas, which was reborn as Atlantis. In some locations, such as Paradise Island, we continued to operate the hotel during renovations; in others we temporarily closed down. Here are some of the biggest lessons I learned – sometimes several times over!
Bigger is not necessarily harder Very large renovation projects allow one to employ more (and sometimes better) resources at the job, by way of project management, engineering consultants, interior designers and, most importantly, bigger construction companies. Large construction companies are likely to be able to throw more talent at the job, to understand the concept of non-performance penalties, and to value the importance of the contract due to its substantive nature. In other words, a major renovation job will command the attention of the companies involved; a small job might just be “fitted in” between other commitments and not given the priority that you expect. All the more reason to apply oneself to the management of a smaller project as if it were huge.
Obsolescence is the enemy of the hotel business Sometimes the subject property is just too far gone to renovate. It is essential that you recognize this and don’t take on tasks of renovation when the real answer is demolition. Consider the example of the Saint Geran Hotel in Mauritius. This resort was opened in 1972; at the time it was “cutting edge” in design. Over almost thirty years it was given several facelifts, but competition was growing and resort design was improving, not just in Mauritius, but in other competitive holiday destination islands. Around the year 2000 it was decided that to remain competitive the product would have to be substantially improved even though the resort, through superior service and reputation, was still commanding very high rates. Try as we might we could not figure out how to turn a 10ft by 10ft bathroom into a new millennium product. What to do? Despite receiving multi-million dollar offers to purchase the place, we knocked it down and rebuilt a state-of-the-art resort – all, I should add, in the nine months between the peak seasons of Easter and Christmas. It was the right thing to do; room rates immediately doubled!
Spend the bucks where you get the biggest bang If your renovation budget is stretched (and it will be!), spend more where more people will see it. More “wow” in the lobby will pay bigger dividends than in-room TV screens that are two inches wider than anyone else’s. If you renovate the bedrooms but don’t touch the lobby, many of your potential guests will never get to see what you have done. Paradise Island is a good example. When we acquired this run-down property it consisted of three tower bedroom blocks surrounding a pool and recreational area that was mostly concrete. The site and the beach, however, were superb, although the beach was separated from the pool by an ugly wall, which was just high enough to obliterate the view of the ocean from a deck chair. Our budget was limited but we built a 13-acre landscaped recreational water park and outdoor aquarium stocked with more than 20,000 tropical fish. We skimped and saved on redecorating the 1,000-plus rooms, but the impact of the public areas caused our occupancy AND room rate to double, almost immediately.
Think of a number and double it; pick a date and stick to it Your first ‘guestimate’ of what a renovation will cost will always be wrong. Likewise, your first estimate of how long the renovation will take. Renovation jobs will always uncover more unpleasant surprises than you imagined you would have to deal with. To combat the natural tendency of wishful thinking you must make sure that you have a very healthy budget contingency, but, at the same time, you must set an end date for the work, reinforced by penalty payments for nonperformance. Renovation jobs tend to stretch into the time available. Conversely, more resources get applied when time is of the essence, so you must limit this at the outset by announcing the date that you will re-open - and stick to it. Also, the more quickly you can renovate, the more likely you are to be able to retain the services of your tried and tested regular staff.
Author Bio: Peter Venison is the author of ‘Managing Hotels’ and ‘100 Tips for Hoteliers.’ A 50-year veteran of the hospitality field, he continues to work as a consultant to the international hotel and casino industry.
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Hotel newspaper offers fresh news of the world in print and electronic format with the name and logo of your hotel on top of the front page. As for the content, hotel newspaper is selecting the news of leading news agencies: top news, international
and European news, regional, business, science and sport news, as well as programme offers. It is a great opportunity for you to bring your own services closer to your guests, supporting marketing results with up- and cross-seling functions.
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Q&A STEPHAN INTERTHAL
Q&A WITH
STEPHAN INTERTHAL A conversation with the general manager of Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest about ambitious renovations in the pipeline. AN INTERVIEW BY: ANIKO FENYVESI
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Q&A STEPHAN INTERTHAL
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Q&A STEPHAN INTERTHAL
BEFOobRbE y The L
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Q&A STEPHAN INTERTHAL
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Q&A STEPHAN INTERTHAL
THE LOBBY Stephan Interthal has served as the general manager of Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest in two separate terms: first from 1997 to 2004, when he oversaw a full rooms renovation, and again since September 2014, when he took over the tail end of an extensive renovation project begun by his predecessor Emile Bootsma. That involved the complete renovation of the ground floor and lobby area, as well as the hotel’s food and beverage outlets. W ith extensive experience managing other properties within the group, including Kempinski Vier Jahreszeiten
Munich, the legendary Hotel Adlon Kempinski, and the Kempinski Lufthansa Centre in Beijing, Interthal also oversaw a EUR 20 million renovation project during his most recent post at the Baltschug Kempinski Moscow. After nearly four decades in the hospitality business, following a solid business education, Interthal has developed a hands-on business-centric approach, not only in the management of hotel properties but also in the way he handles renovation projects. But it’s his enthusiasm for these endeavours
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and focus on maximising results that help keep Interthal on track. Kempinski Hotel Corvinus was built in 1992 and is part of the mother company’s portfolio of 74 five-star hotels across 31 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Budapest property has 316 rooms and 33 suites, all of which are about to receive a major makeover with the help of Interthal and his team. HI: Can you speak about the most recent renovation project at the Kempinski in Budapest?
Q&A STEPHANCONCIERGE INTERTHAL
THE PROMENADE
SI: The last large scale renovations involved the refurbishment of the entire ground floor, the public areas and all the restaurants and bars, during an undivided timeframe of about six months, in the spring of 2013. In a retroactive review, this renovation completely changed the perception of the hotel, both physically and design wise from something a little dated and traditional to something hip and stylish. We were also able to add the updated elements of our F&B concept to the mix. Over the last one-and-a-half years, which is the time I’ve been at the hotel, I have taken over from my predecessor
who did a very good job with the renovations. The hotel’s repositioning and the bringing in of the numbers have also been managed very well. We are back at number one in our competitive set and are considered a market leader. HI: What renovation projects are in the pipeline? SI: We will be carrying out a renovation of the ballroom and foyer area on the first floor in July and August of this year. The ground floor designs will be introduced on this level by the same interior designer, incorporating similar design elements, but with slightly
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different features for the banquet areas, ballrooms and other function rooms. And in late 2016 we will begin renovating the salon side of the first floor, including the famous Corvinus salon for example, and other renovations will lead us into the first quarter of 2017. HI: As general manager, what is your role in the renovation process? SI: I manage and coordinate the whole project with my team. I work with the design office and the planning bureau. There are also the hotel’s proprietors who are financing the whole endeavour,
Q&A STEPHAN INTERTHAL
E BErFanOt GRiardino
Restau
as well as the management company and an architect’s office at the Kempinski headquarters in Geneva that all need to be kept in the loop. Fortunately, I have great freedom of movement, but I still need to keep all parties informed. I also have to ensure that we stay within the budget, which in this case is about EUR 2 million. It’s a lot of money for such a project and my job is to prove to the owners that there is going to be a return on their investment. In this industry you have to create a return in six to a maximum of eight years. In other parts
of the world where I have worked, such as the Middle East, the return period tends to be four to five years. HI: Can you talk a bit about the design process involved? SI: Our design bureau is MKV Design in London. Maria Vafiadis is the lead designer. We are also about to contract two designers for a competition to design two sample rooms each for our rooms renovation project to be launched in 2017. We will then build mock-up rooms using one of the two
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designs for a renovation that will likely take us three years to complete, since we can only do it one segment at a time, floor by floor. We are restricting our renovations to the first quarter of each year, otherwise we would be spending money on renovations while losing revenue, and that’s not viable. As with our last rooms renovation, which was completed between 2001 and 2003 while I was also general manager, our aim is to ensure that the design remains relevant for a decade. Many hotels carry
Q&A STEPHAN INTERTHAL
ÉS BISZTRÓ
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Q&A INTERTHAL Q&A STEPHAN JORDI CLOS
Q&A WITH
THE LIVING ROOM
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Q&A STEPHAN INTERTHAL Q&A JORDI CLOS
BEFOR
Lobby
E
Lounge
out renovations as a credit to the past but we want to create a debit for the future. So the entire concept has to be very well thought out. HI: How do you come up with the concept and what is your source of inspiration when searching for modern design ideas and cutting edge technological developments? SI: I have been involved in several renovation projects and lived in various parts of the world, so I have a great deal of professional experience to draw on. I am also very observant when I go to new hotels in search of design ideas. And of course there are plenty
of images readily available online. But the most important thing is that you have to come up with a viable concept that you can sell. That’s not to say that you have to limit the creativity of the designers. In the case of our banquet renovation project, we decided on elegant design in the ballroom and more innovative features in our meeting rooms. Ultimately, after you renovate something you have to sell it to a market segment. At the beginning of the design process we give the interior designers a concept and tell them how much we think it should cost but that this is only
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an estimate. Obviously this is not how designers create a concept but since the budget isn’t bottomless, we must give them something to work from. HI: Is there an overarching design concept for the public and private spaces of the Kempinski? SI: MKV Design London did the ground floor, including all the restaurants and bars and we’ve decided to take large elements of this design to the first floor. We’ll do something completely different in the rooms, but we will commission MKV for that as well, and a second design office out of London will also be involved in the contest.
STEPHAN INTERTHAL Q&A JORDI CLOS
We will build on existing concepts but we would like something elegant, sustainable, five-star yet contemporary. The generation of the last 20 years won’t be the same as the generation – the one we will be selling these rooms to – in the next 10-15. We have to cater to a new market, to the customers of the future. HI: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in carrying out such a project? SI: We have an international interior designer and a local planning and project bureau, and they were all involved when we did the ground floor renovations
two years ago. They are extremely professional and I think we are in good hands with them. But this will be the first time we will work with a local contractor. Fortunately, though, I think the quality of Hungarian craftsmanship is very good. My only real concer n is the timeline. The team has 60 days to retur n the space to us, and if that doesn’t happen we will be faced with some real challenges! But I am optimistic that all will go as planned. HI: What advice would you give to others embarking on a similar path?
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SI: You have to be able to make decisions and surround yourself internally and externally with the right people. You have to be a good moderator. You also have to know what you want, and once all stakeholders – who usually include the proprietors, the management company and local management – have decided on this, you have to make sure you stay on track. You mustn’t let yourself become a victim of too many opinions, otherwise you’ll stray off course. You should never lose sight of the big picture – what the design should be and what it will be. I consider myself a good moderator. I know what
Q&A STEPHAN INTERTHAL Q&A JORDI CLOS
direction I need to go and what the end should look like. Otherwise, I’m very flexible and I know how to listen. HI: Do you know what stood at this site prior to the Kempinski hotel? SI: It was just a piece of land, owned by the City of Budapest. This hotel was the city’s first international joint venture. The city provided the land and in return they were a participating shareholder. But they sold their shares about six or seven years ago. HI: If you could envision the ideal hotel, what would it be like?
SI: I would first have to look at who I want to cater to. I know very well and quite early on whether a hotel is good for me. I like hotels that make me feel good, and with which I can associate. At the Kempinski we don’t want to associate ourselves with the “home away from home” concept. When I go to a hotel I want to be in a hotel; the same goes for our approach here. We want to accommodate people, make them happy. To achieve that the staff need to be respectful but at the same time not too traditional. Customers should be met at an eye-height fashion. Being in the hospitality industry, we see
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ourselves as servants, but we don’t need to be devotees. Customers should come to a hotel because they like it, because it suits them… It has to do with empathy, with emotions. It’s not about features. You can have the perfect hotel with high speed inter net and staff that take care of your every whim, but if there is no interaction, no empathy, no warmth, no sense of connection, it can be the best hotel but it will not succeed. In the last 23 years we have positioned this hotel through very good service and I think that is the secret to our success.
Q&A JORDI CLOS
Always affordable but still high quality – is that possible? OPENING A LUXURY HOTEL IN THE COUNTRYSIDE HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONSIDERED A RISK Y VENTURE, AND THE FARTHER AWAY FROM BUDAPEST THE RISKIER. ANDR ÁSSY REZIDENCIA IN TARCAL, OPER ATED BY ACCENT HOTEL MANAGEMENT, HAS PROVED A SUCCESS STORY, HOWE VER; WE ASKED THE DEPUT Y CEO OF THE HOTEL, ESZ TER BRILLÓ, ABOUT THE RE ASONS BEHIND THAT. BY: MÓNIKA KÁDÁR
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MIELE
“One of the most important factors that we have taken into consideration from the beginning was planning for the long-term,” the hotelier said. “Because of its characteristics, starting a hotel requires a multi-year investment. Whether the building is in a ready condition or needs renovation, developing the required functions still costs a considerable sum. Of course, the guests only see the rooms and the social areas, but from the operational aspect, the service background is at least equally important. If the design of the kitchen or the laundry is inadequate and not fit for purpose, within a few years considerable sums of money will have to be spent again.” We have heard a multitude of chefs complain about inappropriately designed kitchens, but the daily problems caused to managers by laundries are mentioned more rarely. For those who don’t have enough space to operate their own laundry in their hotel, working with rented material may appear to be a good idea, although to the eyes of an expert the pricequality difference between one’s own textiles and those of an external service provider is always unquestionable. A hotel that aspires to be a four- or fivestar cannot afford to allow someone else to determine its textile design, which after all constitutes a significant element of its image. In the short-term, contracting a laundry might seem a good enough solution for many, but a few years later the surprise comes, when the expensively purchased curtains, tablecloths and bed linen become ragged, and new ones have to be bought. “We have always been determined – and continue to be – to provide the best possible service to our guests,” emphasized Gabriella Károlyi, the hotel’s housekeeping manager. “And the fact is that quality can only be sustained if it’s continuously attended to. We thoroughly considered our
options and we made the decision that only our own exclusive laundry could provide for the appropriate utilization of our money invested in textiles.” Andrássy Rezidencia selected the necessary partner for the establishment of the laundry by way of an invitational bidding contest. Numerous aspects were considered and, of course, quality was a fundamental requirement, but long-term operational costs were also regarded to be of at least equal significance. “Even though we indeed made our decision based primarily on operational cost, in the end we received much more than what we had expected,” the housekeeping manager admitted. “Miele has become a real partner for us; we not only received washing machines and driers in exchange for our money, but rather a perfect solution, a functioning system as well,” Károlyi explained. “Our cooperation started
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with the design. The experts of Miele thoroughly assessed what was required at Andrássy Rezidencia, and they prepared their proposal accordingly, which included everything from the design elements of the scene and its fixtures, through process organization, all the way to solutions connected to ventilation and air conditioning, water supply, sewage draining, environmental protection and energy efficiency, furthermore the anticipated operational cost.” Energy efficiency is behind the permanently low maintenance costs. In addition to its numerous patents, Miele is unparalleled in the fact that its machines spin textiles more effectively than usual, reducing moisture content to below 50%, which allows for more cost effective drying compared to competitors. As drying has the highest energy demand of all laundry processes, it’s the place where electricity consumption can be reduced most effectively.
MIELE
Kardos György, Professional Director Miele
Of course, energy efficiency extends far beyond this. Miele driers detect the moisture content not only of the textiles but also the air in the tumbler, thus they are capable of reducing the time and money spent on drying. Not insignificantly, this method contributes to the protection of sensitive, delicate textiles, and at any luxury hotel providing genuinely high quality there are, of course, plenty of these types of textiles. “In the beginning we didn’t even think it through, it struck us as a surprise how simple the operation of the laundry was: a single employee is sufficient,” recounts Károlyi. Miele’s own patents
and project-oriented methods are behind this as well. About 300 factoryinstalled programs are available for the laundry appliances, including numerous target-specific programs, depending on whether a hospital, hotel, restaurant or social institution is the user. Of course, the highest level of cleanliness is a fundamental requirement in every case, but other expectations are also easy to satisfy, since the Miele appliances are programmable via a user interface. Therefore, the most effective possible operation can be achieved on-site, based on actual needs, by programmes customised for a person, in the present case for the client. A further advantage
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is that an identical capacity drier is connected to a specific load capacity washing machine, thus the given quantity is easy and simple to manage. In addition to saving time and reducing human resource requirement, this also saves energy. “In the past eight years, significant experience has been accumulated, still when I enter the laundry it delights me to see how aesthetic the design of our appliances is, on top of their perfect operation,” confessed a Miele expert. One of the foundations of smooth and continuous operation is fast and
MIELE
Gabriella Károlyi, Housekeeping Manager Andrássy Rezidencia W ine & Spa effective service, which is particularly true in the present case, since Miele works with its own professionals, not external contractors. The same team managed the entire process, from making a proposal, through installation, all the way to maintenance. This is the practically unmatched advantage of the nearly 100-year-old German family enterprise. Considering the fact that, according to some industry sector opinions, Miele is 10-15 years ahead of other manufacturers on the market, from the aspects of technology as well as design, it’s natural that clients are still satisfied with their choice even after eight years have passed.
“In an environment such as Andrássy Rezidencia, the quality of textiles is especially important; all accessories must be worthy of the building and, of course, the five-star qualification, and not only for a few years,” warned Károlyi. Based on hotel industry experience, in the case of laundry service contracting the lifespan of even the highest quality textiles is shortened. Beautiful damasks and velvets may be ruined in as short a period as within two-to-three years. On the other hand, according to surveys conducted among Miele’s clientele, textiles washed in the company’s machines frequently retain their original beauty two-to-three times longer, contributing to the return of investment
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involved in the establishment of the laundry. Depending on which energy efficiency level system the client purchases, ROI may be as quick as within three years, which is also regarded as unparalleled on the market. Considering the fact that the European Union regularly subsidizes projects related to environmental protection and energy efficiency, this number might be even more favourable. “In the past eight years I have shared the operational experience of Andrássy Rezidencia with a multitude of experts, because I have become convinced that we made the right decision when we chose Miele,” concluded Károlyi.
Audiovisual services
for events in Budapest‘s five star hotels.
Ask for your tailor-made event! Our company was established in 2005 to answer the needs of those for whom the combination of sound and lights is not merely just a part of their daily routine. We offer a taste of life. Our goal is to combine professionalism and elegance in look and performance. The members of our team follow the project from the initial request to the end of the event. We strive to meet our partners’ unique needs during the entire course of the organization and
implementation stages. Nothing is impossible within the limits of our technical equipment, because our customers are of utmost importance to us. Our youthful dynamism is reflected in all aspects of our operations: promptness, exactness, reliability are our hallmarks. We keep pace with today’s intensive technological development; our knowledge covers the most recent fields of event technology. This is not just our job – this is our passion.
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WELCOMING GUESTS WITH PRINTERS Amber Palace, Jaipur, India
At hotels and conference events directional and informational signs are often necessary. Beside greeting cards, place cards and name cards, stylish brochures, menus and even information boards are all essential accessories when it comes to welcoming guests. Of course, all of this must be available on the type of quality paper befitting the venue, as well as in the appropriate graphic style and quality; not forgetting that it’s often needed immediately. Although modern digital print shops can satisfy the quality requirements, you also have to calculate the lead-time. In the case of stationary that is unique, and if it is only a small print run that is necessary, it is not cost effective to order from a print shop. And why would you bother at all, if a printer adequate for the purpose already exists today? Office laser printers are not always capable of meeting expectations at favourable prices and with sufficient flexibility. The range of applicable media is limited, and in the case of smaller devices the cost of colour printing may
be excessively high. Commercial ink-jet printers allow more creative and unrestricted use. They produce photo quality and manage numerous paper types, including many thick and non-standard surface paperboards. The manufacturers also usually offer media packages and a free visual publication editor application. On top of this, we only need to calculate with half the expenses and energy consumption of laser printers. The HP OfficeJet Pro 6230 ePrinter, the single-function model from the broad HP OfficeJet Pro product line, offers a solution with minimal investment for up to a few hundred pages per month. The multi-function HP OfficeJet Pro 8620 e-All-in-One, which can also offer digital document archiving, has a capacity of up to several thousand pages per month, and comes with modern Internet and fax-functions. The HP OfficeJet 7612 W ide Format e-All-in-One, which prints A3+ sizes, is excellent for printing extra-large boards and posters. All three models are easy to use from mobile devices as well.
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Q&A
THE RITZCARLTON BUDAPEST IS OPENING SOON A conversation with Marcus Loevenforst the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Budapest
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Q&A MARCUS LOEVENFORST
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Q&A MARCUS LOEVENFORST
THE EXACT DATE IS NOT KNOWN YET, BUT IT IS SURE THAT IN 2016 THE NEW MEMBER OF “HOTEL OF HOTELS”, THE RITZ-CARLTON WILL BE OPENED IN BUDAPEST
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Q&A MARCUS LOEVENFORST
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Q&A MARCUS LOEVENFORST
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE BUDAPEST AS THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE RITZ-CARLTON PORTFOLIO
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WHY IS THE RITZ CARLTON ATTRACTIVE FOR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS
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Q&A MARCUS LOEVENFORST
The exact date is not known yet, but it is certain that in 2016 the new member of “hotel of hotels”, The Ritz-Carlton will be opened in Budapest. It was already announced last year in Dubai on the Arabian Tarvel market: The Ritz-Carlton, won’t have a totally new building, but the hotel of Le Meridian – which
is under monument protection - will change its brand and become The Ritz-Carlton. The hotel is undergoing a wide renovation in the first half of 2016, and we have spoken about this and about plans with Marcus Loevenforst, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Budapest.
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HI: Why did you choose Budapest as the latest addition to The Ritz-Carlton portfolio? ML: Budapest, located in the heart of Europe, is an exciting location with great potential, so we are confident that The Ritz Carlton’s decision to open a brand new facility in one of the the world’s most vibrant and fascinating
Q&A MARCUS LOEVENFORST
cities is an excellent one as Budapest is attractive for business and leisure travellers alike. HI: What is the scale of the investment in the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Budapest? ML: The opening of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Budapest is dotting the i of a long process
that entailed the complete reconstructing of the historically preserved building at Elisabeth Square, as well as recruitment, marketing activities. We want to ensure we provide state-of-the-art facilities that enable the organisation of flawless and fully equipped business meetings, conferences or smaller business negotiations.
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HI: Who is your target audience? Why is The Ritz Carlton attractive for business travellers? ML: We aim to provide our services to a wide range of visitors, including business and leisure travellers. The facilities at their disposal will ensure an unparalleled and meaningful stay, since we offer fully equipped conference
Q&A MARCUS LOEVENFORST
rooms, comprehensive spa services, an in-house restaurant and a top notch The Ritz-Carlton Club. We hope to create an open, welcoming and hospitably modern atmosphere that attracts those who seek the utmost level of impeccable services, including locals. Business travellers of traditional and start-up companies alike are welcome
to conduct their meetings at The RitzCarlton Budapest as our business facilities ensure a secure, well-equipped and modern environment that convey the seriousness and standard of any negotiator. There are five elegant spaces for meetings that can hold up to 180 guests, making it ideal for conventions, as well as more intimate business lounges for smaller meetings.
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HI: What are your short- and longterm plans in Hungary? ML: With the opening of the latest addition to The Ritz-Carlton family, Budapest will experience a new level of hospitability and standard. In the long term, we hope to be the number one choice for those who are seeking the highest standards for their business or leisure travels.
Q&A MARCUS LOEVENFORST
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Q&A IAN SCHRAGER
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Q&A IAN SCHRAGER
Q&A WITH
HOTELIER IAN SCHRAGER S E A RC H I N G F O R M AG I C: TA L K I N G W I T H T H E C R E ATO R O F T H E B O U T I Q U E H OT E L C O N C E P T BY: CHERYL-ANNE STURKEN
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Q&A IAN SCHRAGER
Hudson New York
Ian Schrager, the celebrated New York City hotelier who revolutionized the entertainment and hospitality industry with his pioneer boutique hotel concept, is still pushing the envelope on hotel design. In fact, he shows no sign of ceding ground. In the fast-paced, cut-throat world of hotel development, Schrager is a game changer who casts a long shadow. In a candid chat with Hotelier International he shares his perception of where the hotel industry is headed, what he believes are the fundamentals to creating a unique and lasting hotel product, and what keeps him designing.
Hotelier International: You were quite young when you launched Studio 54 in New York City. Why do you think it was so successful, and did it influence the hotels you went on to create? Ian Schrager: Studio 54 completely reinvented and changed the nightlife scene in New York. It was the ultimate game changer. It brought people from all walks of life together, and when all these different people were in the room together, a certain magic happened. We had the same music and liquor that everybody else had. The only thing that distinguished us was this emotional, visceral experience we created. That magic set us apart. That’s the same approach that I take with my hotels. I approach it as if I don’t have a product, and I am seeking the same magic. HI: You are credited with designing the boutique hotel concept. What would you say are the five must-have elements?
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Q&A IAN SCHRAGER
Hudson New York
IS: Boutique hotel is a term that we coined over 25 years ago. All we wanted to do was create a hotel that we liked and that manifested our personal culture. So, product distinction, individuality, uniqueness, sophistication and cutting edge design. HI: You have partnered with Marriott International to create their boutique chain, EDITION. How different is it working with a giant, global corporation compared to designing your own one-off projects? IS: Since we invented the boutique hotel, everything has become monotonously similar. There is always room for something really unique and original. Always! So, the idea of doing the next generation lifestyle hotel that was completely distinct from anything else out there seemed to be a great idea, and an idea whose time had come. Bill Marriott is not my boss. He’s my partner, and I’m proud to say that. EDITION is about sophistication and simplicity
coming together, with great service and exciting food and beverage concepts. The operational expertise of Marriott will set it apart from every other lifestyle hotel. That, and that it has an original vision and ethos, rather than replicating another person’s idea. HI: The term ‘boutique hotel chain’ sounds like an oxymoron. What will hold the EDITION hotels together, since each will be designed to be unique to its locale? IS: Even though each EDITION hotel will look different and try and manifest the place it is in, they all have a common attitude and approach, and that’s something everyone can have and feel. HI: The London EDITION just opened. What do you think makes that hotel so special in a city full of great hotels? IS: Everything is special about the London EDITION. It provides a unique and elevated experience. It has unique visuals, which are very sophisticated but at the same time very simple. It has
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no contrivance or artifice. It’s very tasteful, comfortable, and yet edgy at the same time. On top of all of this, the staff are incredibly gracious and the service is outstanding. HI: What do you think of London’s hotel scene today? IS: Right now, it is bursting with energy and experiencing a cultural explosion in art, fashion, music, design and architecture. It’s an amazing energy I haven’t felt in quite a long time. We are lucky to be a part of that, and we try to tap into that zeitgeist. HI: You’re also working on your PUBLIC hotel chain. The first one opened in Chicago in 2011 in the old Ambassador
East hotel. You said your concept for it was ‘cheap chic’. How does it stand out from the competition in today’s hotel industry? IS: PUBLIC is a new kind of hotel, different from anything else. Great style, great sophistication, cool bars and restaurants, and all at a great value. It’s an unbelievable combination and totally unique in the market. HI: What is ‘luxury’ in the hospitality business today and what do you think has changed? IS: To me, luxury is about having great taste and providing a unique
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Q&A RANDLE SIDDELEY
PUBLIC Chicago
THE ONLY FORMULA IS HAVING NO FORMULA, BEING SUBVERSIVE TO THE STATUS QUO AND BEING UNAFRAID TO GO OUT AND BREAK THE RULES.
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Q&A IAN SCHRAGER
experience. It’s not about wealth or money. Being in the know and having great taste is what confers status and luxury. It has nothing to do with money any longer. What has changed in this approach is that the only formula is having no formula, being subversive to the status quo and being unafraid to go out and break the rules. HI: What’s the first thing you notice when you check into your hotel room? IS: I look at the lighting. If it’s well done and creative, it’s a good sign that this room has been well thought out. HI: Is there one key thing every great hotel should have? IS: Having art in a hotel is incredibly important. It allows people to experience and live art in a way that was previously only reserved for
the really wealthy. And, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the great artists of my time, including Robert Mapplethorpe, Julian Schnabel, Andy Warhol, Francesco Clemente and many, many others. HI: Do you yourself collect art? IS: I have some Picasso drawings, which I love. HI: Do you have a favorite architect that you like to work with? IS: I have a few favorite architects. In the past, I love Oscar Niemeyer. I love Mies van der Rohe. I love Antoni Gaudi. In the present I love Herzog and de Meuron, and I love John Pawson. The one common denominator with all these architects, even though
PUBLIC Chicago
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Q&A IAN SCHRAGER
New York City’s Gramercy Park Hotel
they might have different styles at different times, is that their work is simple and pure, without artifice, as well as being very smart. They all stand the test of time. HI: Let’s talk design. You have worked with many designers. Do you have a favorite? IS: I don’t have a favorite. I develop very personal relationships and lifelong friendships with all the designers that I work with. They’re all incredibly talented, and they’ve all become my friends, and they’re all capable of creating magic. HI: Your hotels are known for their distinctive design. What period or style of interior design do you prefer? IS: I can’t put any hard and fast rules on this. Liking a piece of furniture or liking a piece of architecture is an emotional response. It’s visceral, a lot like choosing a house or a car or a lover.
HI: Well is there a particular piece of furniture, say, that you would like to have in your home? IS: I’m interested in some of the Zaha Hadid and Donald Judd furniture pieces. HI: Of all the hotels you’ve created in the past 30 years, do you have a favorite one? IS: I don’t have a favorite hotel that I’ve created. They’re all like my children and all my favorites. I love them all the same. I guess, if anything, I love the one I’m currently working on. HI: Do you have any guilty pleasures you can share? IS: I don’t have any guilty pleasures. If I enjoy it, and it doesn’t hurt anybody, then I can’t be feeling guilty about it. HI: What is the one thing that makes you happy? IS: My family, and doing great work that astonishes people.
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Miami’s Delano Hotel
Q&A WITH
YABU PUSHELBERG O F F E R I N G O P T I O N S A N D C R E AT I N G I N T I M ACY: I N S I G H TS A N D A DV I C E O N H OT E L D ES I G N W I T H D ES I G N E R G L E N N PUS H E L B E R G AN INTERVIEW BY: LIM SIO HUI
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Q&A YABU PUSHELBERG
London Edition
There’s nothing flashy about the work of George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, but that’s where the magic of the Canadian interior designers lies. Their understated aesthetics and envelope-pushing take on luxury continue to reinvent hospitality design, elevating the hotel experience for today’s new generation of travellers. The Toronto and New York-based design studio Yabu Pushelberg has built a name for destination hotels with a unique energy
and identity, with sterling examples ranging from the London Edition or Four Seasons Toronto to W Times Square. Hotelier International: What do you enjoy about designing urban hotels located in big cities? Glenn Pushelberg: We think the idea of contextualism is overused in hospitality design. We are interested in capturing the essence – but not necessarily give literal interpretations – of the city it’s in. A hotel
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has to have the right ‘feel’ for a city and capture the mood of a place; this is far more important in our opinion than displaying iconography of that place. HI: Which are then some of the qualities that all hotels should have, whether they’re in the city or otherwise? GP: Successful hotels should be social centres, respond to their communities, be dynamic and interesting, and people should desire to be there.
Q&A YABU PUSHELBERG
London Edition
HI: Is there a general difference in your approach toward resort versus urban hotel designs? GP: Resorts, by nature, are typically in warmer climates, and the interplay between interior and exterior and the connectivity of architecture, interiors, and landscape is that much greater. We like to be able to art direct the entire experience - whatever the guest sees, feels and touches - in a way that feels united and will resonate emotionally with the user.
HI: What do you consider to be your most important role when taking on a hotel project? GP: To lead the process from our own experiences and to make the hotel fresh and new, with its own voice. To do this from a design perspective, but also from an operations and service perspective; to make sure the design supports and pushes those objectives. HI: You have a knack for designing public spaces that feel homely, with
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intimate compartments rather than one large space. Why is this important? GP: Today, people want to have choices. They want to be able to sit down to a great meal, grab a quick bite while working, or have a casual drink. They want to be able to choose what they want, where they want it and just as importantly, when. Breaking down larger spaces into smaller areas helps hotels gives people the choices they’re looking for. Creating intimacy is part of that, but it’s more about offering options.
Q&A YABU PUSHELBERG
BREAKING DOWN LARGER SPACES INTO SMALLER AREAS HELPS HOTELS GIVES PEOPLE THE CHOICES THEY’RE LOOKING FOR.
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Q&A YABU PUSHELBERG
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Guangzhou Presidential
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Q&A YABU PUSHELBERG
Four Seasons Toronto
HI: The designs of hotels are evolving so much these days it seems hard for older hotels to keep up with the competition. In your opinion, can existing hotels update themselves without undergoing a major renovation? GP: That is the dilemma! The way we live is changing so quickly and older hotels are set up to function in a way that doesn’t suit today’s lifestyle and expectations, which probably will require them to change at some point… HI: What are some of the most obvious changes? GP: First and foremost, business centres are passé, even having a desk in the room will become less and less important. Travellers today are working on smaller devices and aren’t necessarily looking for a traditional
‘work’ set-up. Work happens everywhere, anytime. People don’t divide their functions in the same way anymore, and because of this, we’re showing more ‘halfway’ seating that you can lounge, work, and eat at. HI: What are some other trends you’re observing in the hotel industry? GP: There is also movement away from formal concierge desks. Reliable information is so readily available online that the function of the concierge is changing and how they interact with guests is changing too. Along the same vein, the front desk is becoming smaller too. The process or experience of checking in is also becoming less formalized with newer technology. The way a lobby works is changing and morphing more and more with F&B.
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HI: Is there a common mistake you see hotels fall into too often? GP: Yes, the nature of large hotels is to rely heavily on service manuals and protocols that ensure brand consistency, but those same processes make it very difficult for them to react and be nimble and responsive to guests’ changing needs. HI: What seals a good hotel experience for you personally? GP: Assuming the creature comforts are met (great service, a great bed, lighting, bathroom etcetera), some dynamic of a social place is what seals the deal for me. Great places to watch people, see people come and go, work, dine and feel connected to the activity and vitality in the hotel.
THE BEST: LOBBY OVERHAULS
‘THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA BEGINS IN THE LOBBY OF THE PE ABODY HOTEL AND ENDS IN CATFISH ROW IN VICKSBURG.’ SO WROTE HISTORIAN DAVID COHN IN 1935 OF THE MEMPHIS GR ANDE DAME. THE PHR ASE BECAME PART OF LOCAL FOLKLORE, E TCHING THE PE ABODY’S HOTEL LOBBY, WITH ITS FAMOUS LIVE DUCKS, INTO POPUL AR IMAGINATION. OF COURSE A HOTEL DOESN’T NEED WILDLIFE OR WATER TO HAVE A GRE AT LOBBY. BUT AS THE FIRST THING YOUR GUESTS SEE, IT SHOULD INSTILL A SENSE OF EMBARKING IN A JOURNE Y. HERE ARE FIVE HOTELS THAT DO JUST THAT BY MAKING THE MOST OF THEIR UNIQUE ASSE TS. BY: SUZANNE WALES
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THE BEST LOBBY OVERHAULS
CARO HOTEL
VALENCIA, SPAIN www.carohotel.com BEFORE: In the oldest pocket of Valencia, the 19th-century façade of the Palacio de Marqués de Caro hid architectural layers spanning 2,000 years. Respecting the building’s historical and aesthetic significance whilst converting it to a 26-room luxury boutique hotel was an enormous challenge. The task was handed to Francesc Rifé, an award-winning Catalan designer whose work is renowned for its sobriety and linearity. AFTER: Rifé’s intent was to integrate the palace’s restored architectural and artistic features seamlessly into a tranquil interior of bold forms and fine, natural materials. Guests become seeped in the hotel’s antiquity, as each room and public area display an authentic treasure, from exquisite carved ceilings to second-century Roman plinths. Entered through glass doors set into the ashcoloured façade, the Caro’s elongated lobby features a majestic marble staircase dating from 1919, which leads to the rooms and suites. The much older stone arch is threshold to the Meta Bar and terrace, which faces a segment of the city’s original Arabic wall.
THE BEST LOBBY OVERHAULS
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FLORENCE, ITALY www.fourseasons.com/florence BEFORE: One the edge of Florence’s historic centre, the Four Seasons Hotel occupies two palazzi dating from the 15th and 16th centuries and 4.5 hectares of stunning gardens. In 2001, it was acquired by the Four Seasons Group. The restoration of the property was carried out under the close supervision of Italy’s Superintendent for Artistic Patrimony and Ministry of Arts and Culture. These institutions were in charge of identifying the exact period of each artefact, fresco, bas-relief and ornament inside, thus ensuring the property was restored to the utmost accuracy. Beyond a hotel, the Four Seasons Florence is more like a museum you can sleep in. AFTER: The Renaissance nobility were not shy of showing wealth, and the courtyards of their palaces were always spectacular. At the Four Seasons Florence it has become the lobby. The hotel’s most valuable artwork is the space’s bas-reliefs, work of the Flemish artist Jan van der Straet (1523-1605) that depict a cycle of mythological tales. The arches of the porticoes feature finely painted panels, whilst the upper windows are decorated with a delicate frieze. Guests can immerse themselves in the surrounding richness from jewel-coloured sofas, watched over by a replica of Bacchus by Michelangelo.
THE BEST LOBBY OVERHAULS
THE BEST LOBBY OVERHAULS
L’ HÔTEL FONTEVRAUD ANJOU, FRANCE www.fontevraud.fr BEFORE: Situated in the Loire Valley, the Fontevraud Abbey is one of the largest medieval monastic sites. It is famous for being the burial place of King Richard I (aka ‘the Lionheart’), whose tomb can be seen in the abbey. In the 1980s, the site’s Saint – Lazare priory was tuned over to a hostelry for visitors. Closed in 2012, it has recently reopened as the L’ Hôtel – a serene and technically brilliant work from the Jouin-Manku Studio. AFTER: Unable to alter the UNESCO-classified walls or ceilings, the architects turned constraint to opportunity and transformed the interior with innovative solutions and passive ‘micro architecture’. ‘A journey between tradition and modernity’ was their aesthetic aim for the hotel, which they have achieved with sharp yet elegant shapes set against the original architecture. L’ Hôtel’s lobby-bar is situated in the old chapel. Saint – Lazare’s monastic heritage has been subtly referenced in the long oak altar-like table. Cocktails aside, it’s a place to meet and learn; tablets have been fitted into the bar’s top, where guests can access multimedia about the Abbey’s history and cultural significance. Architect-designed screens soften the space and provide extra seating.
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THE BEST LOBBY OVERHAULS
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THE BEST LOBBY OVERHAULS
BANKE HOTEL PARIS
www.hotelbanke.com BEFORE: A belle époque landmark in the Opera district, the Banke Hotel was once the HQ of the Banque Suisse Français. It forms part of the Derby Hotels Collection, a group that is renowned for displaying valuable pieces of art, from Egyptian artefacts to art nouveau jewellery, in each of its hotels. (Jordi Clos, president of the group, is a renowned collector.) The Banke’s renovation process started in 2009 and came at a cost of €7 million. For its effort, the hotel was awarded five stars by the French Tourism Development Agency in 2014. AFTER: The Banke’s lobby hosts the building’s most spectacular element: a crystal dome set nineteen metres above floor level. Other original features that were restored to their former glory include the mosaic floor, the metal balustrades on the mezzanine and the banks old fine wood counters. As is the custom of Derby Hotels, the stylish new is interjected into the historic old in the Banke Hotel. Dramatic russet and gold wall and ceiling treatments, and fire-enginered furniture and curtains instill the Banke’s lobby with a striking 21stcentury ambiance. Domed glass display boxes hold the hotel’s unique ethnographic treasures, which include tribal necklaces from Papua New Guinea and talisman boxes from the Mali desert.
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THE BEST LOBBY OVERHAULS
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THE BEST LOBBY OVERHAULS
LA MAMOUNIA MARRAKECH www.mamounia.com BEFORE: La Mamounia is the most legendary hotel on the African continent. A famous landmark, it is surrounded by eight hectares of superb gardens wrapped in views of the Atlas Mountains. Winston Churchill, a regular guest, called it ‘the most beautiful spot in the world.’ He was joined by a long list of illustrious patrons, prompting the hotel’s expansion and forging its reputation as an ultra luxurious retreat for Europe’s elite and Hollywood’s rich and famous. In the following decades La Mamounia’s decor underwent several overhauls – none of which were deemed particularly successful. The most recent, completed in 2009, came at a cost of $176 million. AFTER: La Mamounia was transformed at the hands of Jacques Garcia, the French interior designer whose cache includes some of the most celebrated hotels and restaurants in Paris (including the hyper-fashionable Hotel Costes). His aim was to restore La Mamounia’s original and unique mix of arabesque and art deco styles. Using local artisans, the interior is relentlessly embellished with carved woodwork ceilings, zellige tile work, stucco plasterwork, low-light lanterns, shallow pools and tinkling fountains. The lobby is prelude to La Mamounia’s reclaimed opulence and tradition. Arabic hospitality is palatable upon arrival, as guests are immediately seated on a sofa and served mint tea and dates whilst a host deals with the formalities of check in.
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THE BEST LOBBY OVERHAULS
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THE BEST HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS
THE BEST: HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS IF WALLS COULD TALK, THESE HOTELS WOULD HAVE INCREDIBLE STORIES. PRIOR TO ACCOMMODATING GUESTS, BOUTIQUE HOTELS AROUND THE GLOBE WERE THE FORMER SITES OF FACTORIES, FORTRESSES, POLICE STATIONS AND PAL ACES. THESE FIVE HOTELS REPRESENT SOME OF THE MOST INTRIGUING PRESERVATION PROJECTS IN THE WORLD. BY: JODI HELMER
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THE BEST HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS
PAPER FACTORY HOTEL
LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK www.paperfactoryhotel.com A printing press in the lobby of the paper-factory-turned-boutique-hotel is just one of the design elements that honours the building’s industrial beginnings. Located in an up-andcoming neighborhood, the 123-room boutique hotel boasts original wood floors, metal siding and exposed brick. In the lobby, reclaimed wood walls, concrete floors inlaid with vintage newspaper clippings, and a towering spiral of books amp up the industrial vibe. Each of the guestrooms in the industrial building, which dates to 1912 and operated as a paper factory until 2011, is filled with one-of-a-kind pieces, including original artwork, rugs and lighting, that were purchased at flea markets and boutiques around the world. The renovation took two years to complete thanks to the determination of hotelier Gal Sela to preserve the original architectural details.
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THE BEST HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS
LOEWS
BOSTON www.loewshotels.com/boston-hotel It would have been criminal to tear down the building that housed the headquarters of the Boston Police Department for more than 70 years. In 2004, the iconic building transitioned from a precinct into a 225-room hotel. When Loews purchased the hotel in 2013, the boutique hotel chain renovated the building, retaining defining features like the “Boston Police Department Headquarters� etched into the limestone on the exterior of the building, the brass doors at the entrance and the original marble floors in the lobby. The renovation of the 1925 building included a restaurant redesign. The new Precinct Kitchen and Bar features vintage photos from the police department and a display case, curated by an historian from the Boston Police Department, filled with a rotating collection of artifacts highlighting the history of the department. The result is an arresting space that sentences guests to a great experience.
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THE BEST HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS
HOTEL DOWNTOWN MEXICO MEXICO CITY www.downtownmexico.com In the heart of Mexico City, Hotel Downtown Mexico was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic importance. It was built in 1670 as the palace of the Counts of Miravalle. After serving as a bank, hotel and private residence, it was abandoned. In 2007, local architecture firm Cherem Serrano Arquitectos began restoration efforts to bring the building back to life as a 17-room boutique hotel. Hotel Downtown Mexico opened in 2012. Architectural details like cobblestone floors and volcanic stones on the walls are original to the building. The hotel boasts countless significant decorative features, including a 15-foot thick wooden entrance door and the “El Holocausto� mural painted by renowned artist Manuel Rodriguez Lozano in 1945. In addition to stunning interior gardens, the hotel also features a living garden wall and rooftop terrace with a pool and sweeping views of the city skyline.
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THE BEST HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS
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THE BEST HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS
CAP ROCAT
MALLORCA, SPAIN www.caprocat.com Although Cabo Enderrocat was built in 1889 to defend the Bay of Palma, soldiers at the military fortress never participated in any conflict. In 2010, the fortress debuted as Cap Rocat, a luxury hotel with 25 suites on the island of Mallorca, Spain. Spanish architect Antonio Obrador honored the historical significance of the site (and local restrictions that prohibit altering the original architecture), turning the hotel into a stronghold of opulence. To make the best use of the features of the fortress, an infinity pool was added to the ramparts, and the military storage building overlooking the coastline is home to La Fortaleza restaurant. The terrace, once used to keep a watchful eye for enemies, is now a relaxing spot to take in the views. Each of the luxe suites, including the Double Fortaleza suite on the site of the former military barracks, offers amenities like private pools and terraces, offering the perfect spot to retreat.
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THE BEST HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS
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THE BEST HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS
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THE BEST HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS
CONRAD ST. JAMES LONDON www.conradlondon.com Located in the heart of Westminster Village in London, the 1903 building was used as a hospital before being purchased by the government and made into Queen Anne’s Chambers, where rooms were rented out to visiting dignitaries who needed to be close to the seat of power. It was turned into a hotel in 2011. Now under the Conrad banner, the hotel offers luxury accommodations in 256 rooms and 15 suites. The brick façade looks just as it did more than a century ago. Inside, three original fireplaces are still in use, adding warmth to the public spaces. To pay homage to its history as a government building, the space is filled with bespoke British art and political caricatures. To honor Churchill, a bottle of whisky, chocolate cigar and book of his famous quotes are among the in-room amenities.
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THE BEST PRISON HOTELS
THE BEST:
PRISON HOTELS
THE Y USED TO BE THE KINDS OF PL ACES YOU’D DO ANY THING TO AVOID SPENDING A NIGHT IN; NOW, THE Y ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT-AF TER HOTELS. BY: NICK DALL
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THE BEST PRISON HOTELS
FOUR SEASONS ISTANBUL SULTANAHMET www.fourseasons.com/istanbul It’s hard to believe that such a graceful and well-situated building was purpose-built as a prison. The Sultanahmet’s prime location is due to its proximity to the Halls of Justice, while its elegant design is a result of the communal living typical in Turkish prisons. The Sultanahmet opened as a hotel in 1996. Its 65 rooms are spacious, while the prisoners’ exercise yard has been transformed into a landscaped garden and the four watchtowers – all of which have excellent views of the city – now house the elevators. The Sultanahmet has 347 windows (apparently the original architect was more into style than substance), but these were soon covered with heavy bars, which have now been removed. The Sultanahmet is extremely proud of its history, and a former prisoner’s desperate engraving into a cell wall has been preserved for posterity: “All the world’s an inn – or that’s the tale. But Sultanahmet is a stinking jail.” How times have changed.
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THE BEST PRISON HOTELS
HET ARRESTHUIS
ROERMOND, THE NETHERLANDS www.hetarresthuis.nl/en Het Arresthuis was Roermond’s prison for nearly 150 years, from 1863 to 2007. In 2009, laborious restoration work commenced, culminating in its inauguration as a hotel in 2011. The first giveaways as to its previous life are architectural: cast-iron staircases, original cell doors and barred windows abound. But the designers did not leave it at this. Prisoners’ graffiti has been used as the motif on the hotel’s crockery and wall-hangings; the rooms are referred to as cells (each room actually comprises three cells knocked into one space); there’s a dedicated ‘mug-shot booth’ for guests; and the turndown service includes a chalk candy and a mint ball – a sneaky reference to the drug mules who were sent here. Hotel management is thrilled with the publicity the property’s curious history has brought both in the Netherlands and all over the world.
THE BEST PRISON HOTELS
THE BEST PRISON HOTELS
MALMAISON OXFORD, UK www.malmaison.com It doesn’t get more atmospheric or historic than Malmaison Oxford. The site was first used as a prison in the early 13th century and it retained this role until 1966. During those years the prison changed hands numerous times and saw multiple renovations. Most of the current hotel, which opened in 2005 after a two-year renovation project, is housed in the 1786 rebuild. The standard cell rooms are made up of what used to be three three-person cells. The chinked iron doors remain. The thick walls and high, barred windows (which don’t open) mean you won’t hear a peep from your neighbours. The prison governors’ quarters have been transformed into luxurious suites, while the restaurant is situated where the gallows used to be (though it has been blessed by a priest). Guests love visiting the one original cell that was left untouched, spindly metal bunks and all.
THE BEST PRISON HOTELS
THE BEST PRISON HOTELS
THE LIBERTY BOSTON www.libertyhotel.com Of The Liberty’s 298 rooms only 18 are found in the former Charles Street Jail; the rest are housed in a modern 16-storey tower, which creates a clear distinction between old and new. The jail was declared unfit for human habitation in the 1970s and only opened its doors as a hotel in 2007, after a $150 million renovation project. The jail was built in 1851 and was at the forefront of prison design at the time. It takes the shape of a crucifix, with four wings emanating from a central rotunda. This dramatic central point has been used for many of the hotel’s communal areas, including the striking lobby. The hotel’s cleverly-named signature restaurant, Clink, features vestiges of original cells while the trendy Alibi bar flirts with its history by hanging amusing celebrity mug shots on its walls.
THE BEST PRISON HOTELS
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THE BEST PRISON HOTELS
BEST WESTERN PREMIER HOTEL KATAJANOKKA HELSINKI www.bwkatajanokka.fi This site has been used as a prison since 1749, but the existing red brick building was built in 1888. It was designed to be “sinister from the outside and depressing on the inside”, although changes in correctional theory in Finland did make it more pleasant with time. The hotel, which opened in 2007 after a one year project which “cost more than a new building,” is steeped in history. It survived two bomb strikes during WWII and was home to many famous political prisoners. The original prison chapel, the second-oldest church in Helsinki, is used as an incredible banqueting area while the dungeon-like Jailbird restaurant oozes history. Two cells have been kept in their original state. The hotel also organises group ‘Escape’ and ‘Prison’ activities as well as themed dinners, all of which have helped to establish it as one of Helsinki’s quirkiest hotels.
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SCA LAUNCHES NEW TORK DISPENSER LINE FOR PREMIUM WASHROOMS
Easy to maintain and refill, saving time and effort for the “The results of a survey amongst more than 3,000 restaurant • cleaning staff. guests, carried out by Tork, show that the most important aspect No fingerprints and stains. The stainless steel is treated with of a restaurant experience is the taste of the food, followed by the • an invisible surface to prevent fingerprints and stains. cleanliness and tidiness of both the eating area and the washrooms. Nine out of ten guests think it is important that the washrooms maintain at least the same standard as the dining area,” says Virág “Accessories also contribute to Badar-Szabó, marketing manager of Tork. the harmony of washrooms on top of wall coverage, lighting, sanitaries and fittings, though they The new dispenser line harmonizes with its environment: • Timeless design. The artistic selection of refined materials are often neglected in Hungarian such as stainless steel and high finish plastic make the construction practice,” explains interior designer Cecília Lovas. dispensers long-lasting. • Horizontally brushed stainless steel provides a perfect balance “In accordance with current between blending in and rendering the surroundings in a warm international trends, I hope plastic will be replaced by stainless steel, and natural way. • Black contrasts create edge. The stainless steel is which has a more sophisticated contrasted by black details, bringing edge and dynamism and refined appearance, suitable in different washrooms thanks to the design. • A slim and floating impression. The narrow distance between the to its charismatic and clean appeal. It fits well with a combination of dispensers and the wall creates a beautiful drop shadow, making counters made of cast marble and synthetic resin floors, with sites dominated by wood and ceramic tiles, or even with minimalist rooms them look slimmer and almost like they hover over the wall. • Tork Image Design TM Line’s features bring state of the art and cosmopolitan interiors characterised by shiny surfaces,” she adds. functionality to both users and service staff: For further information please visit our special microsite showing a • Touch free dispensing. • A one-at-a-time dispensing system reduces towel consumption, virtual washroom: http://www.torkimagedesign.com/ producing a positive effect on the environment.
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PROFILES PARIS’ PENINSULA HOTEL
PARIS’ PENINSULA HOTEL E VERY THING OLD BECOMES NEW AGAIN BY: BOYD FARROW
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PROFILES PARIS’ PENINSULA HOTEL
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PROFILES PARIS’ PENINSULA HOTEL
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PROFILES PARIS’ PENINSULA HOTEL
The Peninsula Paris’ spectacular lobby—a weddingcake-white lounge adorned with mouldings, gold leaf and paintings meticulously patched up by some of France’s top artisans—gives a hint of the enormity of the hotel’s renovation project. The sheer scale of the restoration work is why the hotel took twice as long to renovate as it did to construct. This time around the stakes were far higher. Asia’s oldest luxury hospitality brand, Peninsula Hotels is legendarily picky about locations. And not only is this the company’s first property in Europe, it follows recent Parisian openings by Asian rivals Mandarin Oriental, Raffles and Shangri-La. In October, just two months after its opening, the wait and expense already seem worth it; occupancies are nudging 80 percent, and there is a three-month wait for a table in its Eiffel Tower-nuzzling rooftop restaurant. On a rainy Tuesday, the lounge is buzzy as glossy guests and slick staff glide through the morning ballet of meetings and refreshments.
Everything seems as reassuringly solid and permanent as the Arc de Triomphe, visible from the terrace. Yet the hotel’s unflappable director, Vincent Pimont, still gives the impression that he touches every surface he is about to sit on in case it is still wet. “It has been a long journey to get here,” he winces. “The challenge from the start was enormous. Basically we had to restore the architectural and design integrity of a late 19th-Century classic Frenchstyle building from scratch. At the same time, we had to integrate modern facilities, state-of-the-art technology and everything else that guests would expect from a Peninsula.” Restoring the building to its former splendour was a colossal undertaking, says Pimont. The building first opened in 1908 as one of Paris’ most celebrated “grands hotels”. Following the wartime occupation of Paris, the hotel was converted into UNESCO’s headquarters in 1946, and in 1958 it became the conference centre for the French Ministry
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PROFILES PARIS’ PENINSULA HOTEL
of Foreign Affairs, hosting events until 2009. By then, the interiors had been reconfigured and had fallen into disrepair. To painstakingly restore the marble, stucco, mosaics, tiles and paintings, Peninsula brought in generations-old family firms more used to working at the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. More than 1000 wooden panels were replaced. Around 40,000 pieces of gold leaf were put in by hand. Using limestone from the same quarries as the original building, the façade employed 20 stonemasons to restore the 10,000 square-metre area. Each flower took a stonemason three weeks to carve. However, the work required far exceeded the cosmetic. The building’s structure needed large-scale engineering work, while three basement levels had to be excavated. The latter work followed Peninsula’s own blueprint. “Each Peninsula must have an underground car park. This one holds 57 cars.
We also wanted a 20-metre pool and a spa in the basement. And we also had to have a control room for all the hotel’s IT operations. Getting permission from the heritage body and persuading the planning people that we could dig without disturbing all the nearby residents was a delicate matter. Oh, and the Metro station is a few metres away.” The process taught Pimont two lessons: don’t be afraid to tweak the plans when potential improvements present themselves; and, prepare to dig in your heels even when you are tied up in the stickiest of red tape. One change to the plans came when two important paintings were discovered under white paint on the ceiling of Le Lounge Kléber, the cigar lounge. After they were restored and cleaned over nine months by a specialist who has rescued paintings by Leonardo da Vinci at the Louvre, the walls were lowered and a glass ceiling installed to protect the paintings from the smoke.
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A bigger change was the decision to fashion out a second marble-floored lobby along the L’avenue des Portugais. As well as providing The Peninsula with a dramatic space in which to make a grand entrance, this area also brings a contemporary feel to the heritage building. A chandelier installation featuring a cascade of 800 crystal “dancing leaves” greets guests. The lobby serves another valuable purpose. “Women like marble floors so their heels can make a click-clacking sound,” says Pimont. “All Peninsulas have to have marble floors. In other rooms in the hotel there is a mixture of wood and marble to satisfy the heritage authorities. More resourcefulness was required to get the lobby bar the desired shade of white. The heritage organisations were insistent that the room had to be the original colour— which was an ugly shade of green. In what sounds more like
an episode of CSI than an interiors brainstorming session, a sample was sent to a lab in New York, where Peninsula proved that behind the green was actually a white layer. Pimont says he does not know what would have happened if the lab had revealed that behind the white was purple. Perhaps the most important lesson Pimont says he learned from the renovation experience is not to rush things. “When the planned opening keeps getting put back, you have more time to get everything perfect—not just the building but the staff and every other little detail. The worst thing is to rush things or open things in stages. Instead just hold your nerve and hope people like what they eventually see.”
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PROFILES PARIS’ PENINSULA HOTEL
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PROFILES PARIS’ PENINSULA HOTEL
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BEIJING’S ÉCLAT HOTEL A G LO R I O US C E L E B R AT I O N O F A RT A N D B E AU T Y BY RON GLUCKMAN
ALL HOTELS NOWADAYS EMBRACE ART, not merely to decorate rooms, but also to create inspiring, innovative displays in hallways, lobbies and public spaces. Yet few properties approach art with the passion of Beijing’s iconic Éclat Hotel.
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PROFILES BEIJING ÉCLAT
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PROFILES BEIJING ÉCLAT
The name translates from French as “glorious accomplishment,” an apt appraisal of this unique property, which took over a dozen years to build. Housed inside a huge glass pyramid, the hotel and adjoining mall showcase 100 installations, including works by Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí and renowned Chinese artists like Zheng Lu, Zeng Fanzhi, Liu Ruowang and Gao Xiaowu. The dazzling boutique property also boasts five dozen uniquely designed rooms, many with camp themes and spacious terraces, plus the first private-pool villas in the Chinese capital. Floor by floor, the look varies widely from classical European (with Riedel crystal and antique furnishings) to festive elegance (classic red décor and gorgeous panoramas evocating 1950s China). A sprawling display of bicycles not only salutes China’s grand experiment in people power, but includes one-of-a-kind models from Chanel, Coach and Ferrari. The bikes are playfully set alongside vintage gas pumps and a collection of toy Matchbox cars. Visitors can spend days marveling at the art, packed from basement to rafters. A few outdoor installations are tucked amongst an
artificial rainforest nurtured by the building’s eco-design. Yet the most astounding feature about this luxurious property is that the quirky fittings and museum-quality collections aren’t what grabs the greatest attention, at least initially. It’s the glass. Sometimes called the hotel inside the bubble, the Éclat’s futuristic design has won various environmental awards. Think a terrarium, only on gigantic scale. Occupying an entire city block in the leafy neighborhood of Ritan Park, near the popular entertainment district Sanlitun, Parkview Green houses Éclat, offices and a massive shopping mall inside a vast atmosphere-controlled glass structure designed to achieve energy savings in the challenging Beijing climate, which is bitterly cold in the winter, but scorching in the summer. Actually, there are multiple glass layers, which serve as membranes that circulate air, explained Wessel Kraus, general manager of the boutique hotel. Vents in the top of the structure release hot air in summer, and recirculate heat in winter, according to Arup, the engineering firm that built Parkview along with many facilities for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Launched a dozen years ago, the Éclat was originally targeted
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PROFILES BEIJING ÉCLAT
to serve the Olympics. But the ambitious project proved too complicated But it’s also a hotel, aimed at the top end of the Beijing market. to complete as originally scheduled. Kraus noted that so many design Éclat offers a group of suites with private pools, ranging up to $10,000 per and construction elements were unique that extra time was required every night. These are private enclaves, perfect for entertaining business guests, step of the way. with huge terraces, barbecues and kitchens. “This is not a copy and paste hotel,” he said. “It’s one of the Each suite is uniquely designed, often in flamboyant themes like world’s most unusual hotels. Every room is different.” Currently about “Darth Vader,” with designer Micheal Yeung’s futuristic furniture offset by five dozen rooms are available, but eventually there will be 100. “We’ve a Lego spaceship. “The Real BAPE” mixes Bape ape animals, chairs and been opening floor by floor. It took two years just for the fire brigade to crockery by Allessi, alongside Warhol-designed banana cushions. understand this building, so we could get approval.” The project has been Rooms in every category are packed with high-end comforts a long labor of love for Hong Kong real estate magnate George Wong, like Panasonic massage chairs, Bang & Olufsen audio and cappuccino an avid art collector who tapped his vaults to fit out the hotel. Standout machines. But playful elements abound. Each room features a 3-D TV works include the Warhol screen print “Giant Panda” in the hotel lobby, with viewing glasses and comical bedside lamps controlled by a laser gun. plus three dozen Dali sculptures displayed around the property. Old-fashioned claw foot tubs sprout giant hands, to cushion your head. “The art makes it such a unique experience,” says Kraus. “You Mini bars stock free soft drinks and local beer. - RG don’t even have to stay in the hotel. You can just walk around the building and enjoy all the fantastic art. There is nowhere else like this. It’s really a museum.”
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PROFILES BEIJING ÉCLAT
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Fine Dining on Smartphones
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SHANGHAI’S BANYAN TREE U R B A N ESCA PA D E: B US I N ES S M E E TS PL E AS U R E O N T H E B U N D BY: LIM SIO HUI
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PROFILES SHANGHAI’S BANYAN TREE URBAN RESORT
“When we first opened in Phuket twenty years ago, our philosophy was to offer a sanctuary for the senses that rejuvenates the body and revitalises the mind in a setting that promotes total relaxation. The hallmarks of the overall experience were private pool villas with verdant gardens and an Asian tropical garden spa”, shares Abit Butt, CEO of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. Fast-forward to today, and the tranquil Banyan Tree experience can also be found in the unapologetically chaotic Chinese metropolis of Shanghai. Taking up residence mere steps away from the waterfront of the city’s iconic Bund promenade, Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund quickly seduces the visitor with its breathtaking views of Huangpu
River and the Lujiazui financial district, accompanied by a soothing resort atmosphere that favours tactile, natural materials such as stone and wood, with a distinct use of earthy green in its granite and tinted glass. In a marked defiance to the incessant hustle and bustle of the concrete forest beyond its doors, generous square footage has also been given over to landscaping and water features; layers of bamboo and reflecting pools guide your arrival to the lobby, and once there, the entryway to the hotel’s signature spa – a highlight that spans three floors of the resort – is framed by a two-storey green wall cascading with lush greenery, setting off a sense of tranquillity even before guests enjoy Banyan Tree’s award-winning spa treats.
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PROFILES SHANGHAI’S BANYAN TREE URBAN RESORT
“It’s about creating the ambience for guests to relax after a hard day’s work, and our award-winning spas at Banyan Tree play a big role with that,” explains Butt. A relatively new offshoot of the hospitality group’s Banyan Tree brand, the urban resort first opened in Seoul in 2010, before Macau, Shanghai and most recently T ianjin in successive years. Every urban resort features a Banyan Tree Spa, says Butt, which is integral to the Banyan Tree experience. Just as the Singapore-based hospitality brand pioneered the concept of private pool villas in Phuket with the first Banyan Tree property, the urban resorts stand out for offering dipping pools in each suite. “Essentially, we wanted to recreate the essence of a resort experience and transplant it into a city hotel. Guests can retreat into their room and
soak in the relaxation pool while enjoying the views of the city’s skyline.” At Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund, rooms start from 60 square metres – the largest amongst hotels in the city – with all 130 of them endowed with floor-to-ceiling windows bestowing views across the Huangpu River and the awe-inspiring cityscape. The most popular are its romantic Oasis category rooms on the upper levels of the 12-storey hotel, which offer window-side dipping pools to soak in the views, together with Banyan Tree’s signature spa amenities as well as champagne and chocolatedipped strawberries available for order. It may be hectic outside, but life in the hotel is lived at a languid, luxuriant pace, with each room incorporating resortinspired luxuries such as a large living area, deep-soaking Toto
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PROFILES SHANGHAI’S BANYAN TREE URBAN RESORT
bathtub, deluxe walk-in rain shower and six-pillow menu, accented by a minimalist-luxe decor with intricate wall carvings and Chinese paintings. As Butt says, “urban hotels can learn from resorts how to make their guests comfortable and relaxed even in a city environment.” Yet city hotels differ because unlike with the carefree resort visitors, there’s a need to be more on the ball. “Guests are pressed for time so our service has to extra efficient to cope with their demands.” The success of Banyan Tree’s urban resorts stems from the brand’s hallmark hospitality, deeply rooted in its Asian heritage and values. Another big focus at Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund is food and beverage, which Butt points out is an important part of any resort. From the upscale Japanese sashimi and
sushi counter Tai Hei and the Western seafood restaurant Oceans, to Chinese restaurant Ming Yuan framed with views from the hotel’s serene garden, guests have a plethora of dining venues to choose from. The true jewel though, is TOPS, Shanghai’s first open rooftop bar with full 180° unobstructed views, designed to create a memorable dining experience for hotel guests. The mix of strategic offerings appeal to a wide range of travellers, with a balance between business and leisure guests. Shares Butt: “We have business travellers who extend their stay with us after their trip because of our resort facilities. We also have locals, city dwellers wanting an escape from the hectic bustle of the city for a ‘staycation’.”
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PROFILES SHANGHAI’S BANYAN TREE URBAN RESORT
SNAPSHOT: SHANGHAI’S HOTEL SCENE BY JOE BINDLOSS
The extravagance of colonial times lives on along the elegant Bund, where the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai gleams behind the proud façade of the 1910 Shanghai Club. Further along the Bund, the historic Fairmont Peace Hotel takes pride of place in Shanghai’s answer to the Chrysler Building. Founded as the Cathay Hotel in 1929, its emerald-green, Art Deco tower whisks guests back to the Jazz Age. Nearby, the Peninsula Hotel ruffled feathers as the first new building on the Bund in decades. Facing the Bund, the Pudong district is the China of tomorrow. Here, the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong fills the top floors of a crystalline glass tower. Futuristic towers never seem to go out of fashion in Shanghai. The Grand Hyatt offers landmark luxury on the upper floors of the landmark Jinmao Tower, while the paired Andaz and Langham hotels rise above the entertainment district of Xintiandi behind a circuit board façade that pays homage to traditional Chinese fretwork. The boutique hotel movement has arrived in Shanghai in style. Industrial design takes centre stage at über-urban Waterhouse at South Bund, while antique leather and reclaimed timber set the tone at Urbn near the French Concession, which strives to be China’s first carbon-neutral hotel.
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LUXURY BUDAPEST 2016 ASK FOR YOUR TAILOR-MADE HOTEL EDITION!
Luxury Budapest is a yearly published high-end table book featuring
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Luxury Budapest is the ultimate hotel destination book in coffee table format available in hotel rooms.
Published in Hungary by Absolut Media Zrt. Luxury Cities Media FZ LLC, twofour54, 77969 Abu Dhabi, UAE, www.luxury-cities.com
LAST LOOK
A SUCCESSFUL MERGER OF CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY, ON SHOW AT AMSTERDAM’S WALDORF ASTORIA BY: BOYD FARROW
The 93-room Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam doesn’t just look ravishing, it is a stunningly successful renovation project. Six 17th- and 18th-Century townhouses (two, former mayoral residences) have been combined to form one building along Herengracht, preserving a trove of historical details. One house has a magnificent wooden staircase by Daniel Marot, sometime architect to W illiam of Orange. Another is embellished with rococo decorations by the 18th-century Dutch artist Jacob Maurer. In fact, around every corner is some delightful period architecture or design flourish, while light floods in through the deep windows and bounces off pale marble floors. Perhaps the biggest trick the designers
at GA Design have pulled off is making everything feel so contemporary, from the brilliant white-panelled lobby to the Guerlain spa and pool. The main public room is a bright lounge off the lobby, overlooking a large courtyard. Here another successful union is consummated as the Waldorf’s signature Peacock Alley goes Dutch. The centrepiece is an armillary sphere, reflecting the Netherlands’ maritime tradition, while Delftware and colours from Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring consolidate the sense of place. Inviting nooks, painted rich Delft blue, also successfully merge the classic and contemporary.
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Hotelier International presents the latest news in the international hotel industry as well as innovative ideas and best practices from Hungary and around the globe. This quarterly publication is targeted at key decision makers in the industry and addresses a select theme in each issue. Our readers are typically the upper management of hotels, operational directors in the hospitality industry, food & beverage directors and managers and colleagues in purchasing departments. If you would like to share one of the most up-to-date and high calibre industry specific publication on the market with your colleagues, we offer pre-paid subscriptions, delivered directly to your door. The cost of one subscription, which includes four editions per year is HUF 6,390 per year, or a package of five subscriptions is HUF 27,800 per year (including VAT).
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