Sleeper November/December 2014 - Issue 57

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2014

Mondrian London

Tony Chi

Shangri-La at the Shard

Tom Dixon builds a special relationship with Sea Containers House

The provocative perfectionist on ‘invisible design’

How the challenges of building Europe’s highest hotel were overcome

Inside Sleeper NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2014

57

Hotel Reviews

Features

Cover Story

050 Shangri-La at the Shard London

042 Meeting…Toni Chi The New York-based designer returns to his birthplace to design three signature restaurants for Mandarin Oriental, Taipei.

034 Mondrian London Agua Bathhouse & Spa, set in Mondrian London at Sea Containers, embraces the Hollywood glamour, renegade origins and bold nature of the aspirational Mondrian brand. The new hotel, complete with 359 guestrooms, two bars, one restaurant and a cinema, is the work of Design Research Studio under the creative direction of visionary Tom Dixon.

060 The PuYu Wuhan 068 Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza 075

Miss Clara by Nobis Stockholm

080 Hotel Sahrai Fez 087 Dorsett Shepherds Bush London 092 Conrad Algarve

Location Report Paris 100 Introduction 102

Molitor

109

The Peninsula

116

Hôtel Plaza Athénée

124

Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower

Departments 016

Check In

018 Drawing Board 131

Business Centre Hotel Analyst

136

Business Centre Top Hotel Projects

171

Company Profile Kettal

177

Company Profile Italian Chair District

183

Product Profile Fabrics, Wallcoverings & Surfaces

194

Specifier

218

Check Out

147 Events Asia Hotel Design Awards 2015 Sleeper unveils the shortlist for the inaugural Asia Hotel Design Awards revealing an exciting diversity of talent across all sectors.

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Enjoy the view through the eyes of Jacuzzi 速

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Visit the Jacuzzi Original Wellness Hotel section on our website or contact our EMEA & Asia Hospitality Director Marcus Hawtin: 速

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Guests will be accommodated at Mama Shelter, and will be amongst the first to experience the new Soho House Istanbul – an exclusive new venue in a converted palazzo overlooking the Golden Horn.

We have created a programme of tours, talks and networking events that celebrate Istanbul’s unique position as a cultural crossroads where East-meetsWest.

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Welcome

T

hroughout the Autumn, we’ve been organising a series of special ‘Sleeperx10’ events around the world to celebrate our tenth anniversary and the September debut of the new look Sleeper Magazine.

These kicked off with bowling, karaoke and cocktails at Firmdale’s new hotel, Ham Yard in September, followed by a party at Janus et Cie’s recently opened showroom in Singapore at which the finalists of the Asia Hotel Design Awards were announced. In October, we hosted an event closer to home for invited delegates of The Annual Hotel Conference to join us for drinks at the 12th floor bar of Living Ventures’ new venue, Manchester House.

The celebrations don’t end there. Following BDNY and the Gold Key Awards, Sleeper is co-hosting an after-party at cloudbar, citizenM Times Square, in honour of its designers Concrete being chosen as 2014 Designer of the Year.

Many more awards will be bestowed upon various architects and designers from across the continent at the European Hotel Design Awards in London on Tuesday 26 November, and for those able to make a speedy recovery, Sleeper is also the main media partner for the Sleep after-party, taking place the following evening at the new rooftop bar of Mondrian London (this month’s cover story, reviewed on p.34-40).

In organising these events, it has been noticeable that some hotels are beginning to up their game in terms of the event spaces they offer. Bland conference and banqueting suites in subterrenean basements are being jettisoned in favour of daylight flooded meeting rooms, and rooftop event spaces with spectacular views (with the basement areas more likely to be used for a spa or fitness centre). Those event facilities that do remain underground can be designed much more creatively than has traditionally been the case. At a time when many hotel groups are adapting to the changing needs of business travellers, creating free-flowing multifunctional spaces on their ground floors, dissolving the traditional distinctions between lobby, restaurants and business centres, it should be remembered that face-to-face encounters are just as important an element of business travel as drinking cappucinos whilst Skyping via free WiFi. MICE might be the industry’s traditional acronym for meetings and events, but it doesn’t mean delegates should be kept in the dark.

Catherine Martin | Editor 011

Guest Book

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© Peer Lindgreen

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147

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© Romain Cabon

TOM DIXON

CHRISTOPHE PILLET

KHIRSTIE GUNN MYLES

YABU PUSHELBERG

“For us a hotel is a dream job, it allows us to work in so many different typologies – spas and bars, restaurants and bedrooms, conference rooms and corridors. The idea that we can create a complete universe that people can live in for a night or a week, what’s not to like?” says Tom Dixon of Mondrian London. The recently opened property from Morgans Hotel Group is Design Research Studio’s largest project to date.

French designer Christophe Pillet has completed designs for two hotels in this issue of Sleeper. Hotel Sahrai, Fez’s first contemporary boutique hotel, combines the materials and colours of Morocco with the craftsmanship intrinsic to Fez’s identity. Pillet was also involved in Accor’s ambitious Pullman Paris Live project, which involved the renovation of Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel. and Pullman Paris La Défense.

As Vice President of Design and Engineering at InterContinental Hotel Group, Khirstie Gunn Myles oversees design efforts across IHG’s portfolio of brands in Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Myles also chairs the 17-strong judging panel for the inaugural Asia Hotel Design Awards, set to take place on 12 March 2015 at Parkroyal on Pickering, Singapore. Following intial scoring, the shortlist for the awards has been announced.

Canadian design duo George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg have confirmed their attendance in London for Sleep, Europe’s leading exhibition and conference for the hotel design and development community.

The pair will take to the stage to discuss their latest hotel projects, which include the European Hotel Design Awards nominee, The London Edition, designed in collaboration with Ian Schrager.

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Front Desk

EDITORIAL

ADVERTISING

DESIGN

Editor-in-Chief Matt Turner m.turner@mondiale.co.uk

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Š Tommy Matejka

Allen Chan, Anwar Mekhayech & Matthew Davis DESIGNAGENCY

Founders of the dynamic Toronto-based practice, DesignAgency, escape to the Mayan ruins of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula for some ocean-front respite.

Where are you?

Tulum, Mexico

local textiles. An uninterrupted view of the ocean is visible beyond the edge of our pools.

How did you get here?

We arrived by private jet to the new Tulum Airport, where we were greeted by an awaiting Mercedes G-Wagon – to make Anwar feel at home. From there we had a twenty-minute drive to the beach and hotel through ruins and hillsides.

Who designed it?

Isay Weinfeld. He has a unique sensibility of designing spaces that flow easily from the interior to the exterior. His bold architectural moves and use of materials are amazing. His architecture gestures are grand, yet the spaces are very approachable on a personal scale.

Who’s at the concierge desk?

A young, polite and extremely friendly local.

And the owner / manager?

No-one noteworthy because that would ruin our anonymity. But we do spot hotelier Alan Faena in his white hat on the beach as we head to lunch at nearby Posada Margherita.

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

A chilled bottle of Lallier Premier Cru Rose champagne, fresh fruit and flowers in Mexican ceramic bowls and vases, and a fully-stocked complimentary bar.

Who are you sharing your room with?

Our significant others… they’d never forgive us if we didn’t bring them.

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

Our rooms are in separate private villas, embedded into dense vegetation flowing straight into the ocean. Inside, the spaces are cool, with stark white and concrete bases outfitted with a rich mixture of

What’s the restaurant / bar like?

In the evening the beach is cleared for tables on the sand, interspersed between enclaves of palm trees just a few metres from the ocean. There’s an open fire pit kitchen and bar, enclosed by white painted concrete walls with plaster and wood accents.

Who are you dining with this evening?

To start, just the six of us. However our group will naturally expand as the night goes on, as it always does.

Who’s manning the stoves?

Renowned Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann is supervising the grill.

And what’s on the menu?

Starter: Ceviche Main: Pork shoulder roasted with salt, pepper and garlic Dessert: Churros with Mayan spicy chocolate.

Would you like something to drink with that?

Pisco sour with the ceviche, and then pinot noir would be best with the pork.

What’s playing on the iPod? 1. Art Department, The Drawing Board 2. Florence and the Machine, Lungs 3. Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited 4. The War on Drugs, Lost in the Dream 5. Les McCann, Talk to the People What’s on the movie channel?

It’s too beautiful outside; there’s no way we’ll check.

And a book at bedtime?

Mekhayech: Marcel Wanders, Pinned Up: 25 Years of Design – the catalogue to his current exhibition at Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum Davis: A book... in a place like this who needs to escape? Chan: I’m determined to finish a book I’ve been reading for five years now, Event-Cities 2 by Bernard Tschumi.

What’s in the mini-bar for a night cap?

Flights of reposado tequils.

Would you like a newspaper in the morning?

Don’t worry about it, we’re here to escape.

What toiletries would you like to freshen up with?

Bath products, signature fragrances and other exclusives from local Coqui Coqui spa.

Bath, jacuzzi or power shower?

Jacuzzi.

Swimming pool, spa or gym?

Swimming pool and our own private beach.

Name & Position (L-R): Allen Chan, Principal; Anwar Mekhayech, Principal; Matthew Davis, Principal | www.thedesignagency.ca Notable hotel projects: Generator Hostels Worldwide; Hyatt Regency Cleveland; The Ritz-Carlton Toronto (redesign of public areas); Skyline Hotels & Resorts (multiple properties)

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215 Chrystie NEW YORK

Ian Schrager has unveiled designs for 215 Chrystie, a new hotel and residential complex scheduled to open in downtown Manhattan in 2016.

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron, the 28-storey building will house a 370-room hotel topped by 11 custom, one-of-a-kind residences with interiors by the acclaimed British designer John Pawson. The concept behind 215 Chrystie Street expands on Schrager’s idea of ‘Effortless Luxury Living’ which he coined for his first two residential projects, 50 Gramercy Park North and 40 Bond, to describe apartments offering the best of both worlds – the benefits of ownership combined with the services and amenities of a world-class hotel.

Jumeirah NANJING

Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, has announced three new management agreements to operate luxury hotels and resorts across China.

community on a 136 hectare private island and is expected to open in 2018. The mixed-use development will consist of a golf course designed by Tom Doak, 60 residential villas and a luxury hotel comprising 140 guestrooms including 26 suites. Denniston International has been appointed as the project architect.

The third property, Jumeirah Wuhan, is set in a prime city centre location near to the existing Hankou business district. The project is a mixed-use development which comprises high-end office space, retail, residences, parks and a luxury hotel. Site preparation work is ongoing and the anticipated opening date is 2020. Designed by Foster and Partners, the property will feature 200 guestrooms including 23 suites, as well as function space and a business centre. Both properties in Wuhan and Haikou are owned by subsidiaries of Yuexiu Group, a Guangzhou-based property development company.

Designed by Zaha Hadid, Jumeirah Nanjing is currently under development and expected to open in 2016. Located approximately 40 minutes drive from the airport and a one-hour train ride from Shanghai, Jumeirah Nanjing is set in the Hexi new business district and in close proximity to office buildings and a conference centre.

The mixed-use development will comprise office and retail space, a conference centre, a four-star hotel and a luxury Jumeirah hotel with 250 guestrooms, an all-day dining and Chinese specialty restaurant, Talise Spa and an indoor swimming pool.

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Capitol Singapore SINGAPORE

International landscape architecture practice Grant Associates has unveiled designs for Capitol Singapore, a $1.1 billion mixed-use redevelopment of a heritage site in the city’s civic district.

Capitol Singapore also includes the restored public realm, a new civic plaza at the heart of the integrated development as a focus for city events and activities together with residential roof gardens and sprawling terraces.

Grant Associates has been responsible for all the landscape and public realm design for the scheme, working closely alongside the scheme’s lead architect, Richard Meier & Partners Architects.

Further highlights of the landscape strategy include The Galleria, a sheltered street reminiscent of historic open-air markets for dining and events, and a new civic plaza at the heart of the development that encapsulates spaces for performance, nature, exhibition, recreation and relaxation.

The first phase of the integrated development is due to open late 2014 with the residences to follow in 2015.

The site comprises three conservation buildings – Capitol Building, Stamford House and Capitol Theatre – as well as a newbuild, and will be the city’s first integrated luxury lifestyle development featuring residential units, an upmarket retail mall, and the Capitol Theatre.

The hotel element – The Patina – will be the flagship for the recently launched Patina Hotels & Resorts. Blending heritage contemporary interiors with modern technology, highly personalised service and a world-class art collection, the property features 157 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, a signature restaurant and exclusive club lounge. Interiors are being designed by Jaya International.

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Nobu at Four Seasons DOHA

Rockwell Group has been appointed to design the world’s largest Nobu restaurant, a newbuild addition to Four Seasons Doha.

feature many art installations that Rockwell Group commissioned for this project. As the city is famous for pearl diving, Rockwell Group will reference this past in many layers of the design.

Resembling a coiled shell, elliptical ribbons of river stone capped with bronze accents will form the exterior of the structure, creating the three-tiered levels of the restaurant. Inside, it will feature an expansive 192-seat interior dining area, intimate 10-seat sushi counter, two private dining rooms, and an 82-seat rooftop lounge that encompasses both indoor and outdoor seating options.

“We’re thrilled to be designing our studio’s first newbuild, freestanding Nobu restaurant in the world,” says David Rockwell, founder and President of Rockwell Group. “The building’s organic form and prominent position on a peninsula will be a striking addition to Doha Bay.”

The hotel has partnered with acclaimed Chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa for the opening of the first and only restaurant of its kind located at a Four Seasons in the Middle East region.

With a prominent location anchoring the northern end of the city’s Corniche, the 2,400m2 Nobu Doha will showcase the very best in culinary experiences matched by panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf. The menu will feature Nobu’s signature new style Japanese cuisine, as well as new creations infusing local ingredients.

While exhibiting the iconic Nobu elements of natural, rich materials that reflect the cuisine and rural Japanese roots of Chef Nobu, this location will also reflect the specific history of Doha, and

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Kameha Grand ZURICH

Lifestyle Hospitality & Entertainment Group has announced the latest addition to the Kameha Hotels & Resorts portfolio, Kameha Grand Zurich, will open in March 2015.

the property. Designs will also pay homage to Swiss culture through small creative touches such as chocolate patterned wall panelling and mini bars styled on bank vaults.

Examples of the unique suites available at the hotel include the Poker Face Suite, which features a roulette table and Kameha poker cards and will be a showcase of gaming extravagance. For those with fitness and wellbeing in mind, the Serenity Suite will offer light and airy interiors, creating an intimate and healing atmosphere with yoga accessories and scented candles.

The hotel will also feature a Japanese fine-dining restaurant, the Puregold Bar, a cigar lounge and a shisha lounge, fusing elegance with authentic Arabic tradition. In addition to the six private business suites, conference facilities are available for up to 960 people in the Dome, a 700m2 event space designed to inspire creativity.

The international lifestyle hotel offers contemporary architecture by TecArchitecture and neo-baroque interiors from world-renowned designer Marcel Wanders. A modern day sanctuary, the property embraces technology and style, offering a range of 245 guestrooms including six business suites, 11 individually designed themed suites, a King Kameha Suite and an exclusive Space Suite designed by the visual artist Michael Najjar.

The fusions of colour and structural design are the brainchild of award-winning Dutch designer Marcel Wanders whose creativity and trademark mix of materials and techniques are evident throughout

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Hilton Tushino MOSCOW

Dexter Moren Associates has revealed designs for two Hilton hotels as part of the Tushino 2018 masterplan.

Hilton Garden Inn Tushino also includes red coloured soffits to make visual connections between the Hilton Garden Inn logo, the brand aesthetic of FC Spartak, and the architecture of the stadium.

Metal canopy structures with ETFE pillows form the porte cochere, whilst backlit polycarbonate panels give a translucent effect to the end elevations.

Hilton Tushino comprises a curtain walling façade system, also designed in a diamond-effect pattern. The cladding is a combination of clear glazing and ‘shadow box’ white painted aluminium spandrel panels with occasional dotted ceramic fritting. A glazed porte cochere canopy with white metal lattice work and dark stone cladding on certain wall areas around the base of the building also feature.

DMA has also designed the 12,000 seat arena and four large entrance pavilions which sit alongside the 47,000+ seat stadium.

Located within the FC Spartak Tushino Masterplan, the development is centred around the Otkritie Arena, FC Spartak Moscow’s new home and a key venue for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Appointed by Tushino 2018, Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) has developed proposals for a Hilton Garden Inn and five-star Hilton located on the Volokolamskoe highway to the north of the stadium.

With the ambition to provide a visual connection between the Garden Inn, the Hilton and the Otkritie Arena, façade designs for both hotels are based on a diamond-effect pattern inspired by the FC Spartak Moscow insignia.

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W Brisbane QUEENSLAND

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced an agreement with Shayher Leisure Holdings Pty Ltd to debut the iconic W Hotels brand in Brisbane, Australia.

W Hotels back to Australia for some time, and as an emerging and vibrant international city, Brisbane presents the perfect opportunity for the W brand’s re-entry in the market,” comments Andrew Taylor, Director of Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Pacific Region. “Brisbane has evolved into a sophisticated city off the back of growth in both the commercial and residential sectors, and continues to emerge as a mature, stylish and progressive destination for the new generation of global travellers who seek out contemporary luxury.”

Located by the Brisbane River, the mixed-use development is a joint venture between Shayher Group and Pau Jar Group of Taiwan and will be comprised of three separate towers – W Brisbane will occupy one tower, while the other two will be used for premium office, commercial space and high-end residences.

Designed by DBI Architects and scheduled to open in early 2018 as part of a mixed-use development, W Brisbane will bring a new interpretation of modern luxury to the west end of the central business district, overlooking the Brisbane River.

W Brisbane will offer 305 stylish guestrooms, including 25 suites, as well as more than 960m2 of meeting and event space, a 24-hour business centre, spa, state-of-the-art workout facility and an indoor heated swimming pool. In addition, the hotel will house three restaurants and bars.

“We have been looking for the right location and partner to bring

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Al Azizia Holiday Inn MAKKAH

London-based architecture, interior and product design practice Areen Hospitality has been appointed to design the world’s largest Holiday Inn following a landmark agreement between InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Makkah Real Estate Company.

culture incorporated into the style to give a sense of location. Clean lines and unfussy detailing, comfortable yet robust furnishings and modern decorative elements, will provide all the comfort and modern technology needed for religious travellers. Geometric patterns typical of Arabic culture are used throughout the project with a contemporary direction in the form of screens and wall finishes.

“We are honoured to be working on such a prestigious project with one of the world’s most well known hospitality brands,” says Andrew Linwood, Head of Design, Areen Hospitality. “The scale of the challenge is exciting and we believe our response to the interiors meets this challenge with a fresh interpretation of how to incorporate local culture into an international brand.”

Elsewhere in the Middle East, IHG has recently opened Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown.

Located in Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the newbuild Al Azizia Holiday Inn will comprise 1,238 standard guestrooms and 44 suites built in two 25-storey towers. It will be the first Holiday Inn on the pilgrimage route.

Anticipated to open in 2016, the property will also house three food and beverage outlets including an all-day dining restaurant catering for 800 guests, a 2,500m2 conference room, and 1,000m2 fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool.

The interior design is contemporary with details of the local

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28/10/2014 11:18:52

Mondrian LONDON

Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio has worked with EPR Architects to create a scheme inspired by the Anglo–American relationship for Morgans Hotel Group’s new London hotel Words: Matt Turner | Photography: Niall Clutton

“I

was interested in the idea of the Anglo-American relationship – trying to pick the best of London and the best of New York,” says Tom Dixon of his designs for Mondrian London.

“When we looked at the building, and its proximity to the river, we thought it looked like a giant transatlantic cruise liner that has docked on the Thames.”

In fact, this brutalist monolith of a building was originally designed as a hotel by Centrepoint architect Richard Seifert, though that plan was never realised. Instead it became the offices of shipping firm Sea Containers upon completion in the mid-1980s. American designer Warren Platner – best known for his furniture designs for Knoll, as well as the ill-fated Windows on the World restaurant atop the World Trade Center in New York – was commissioned to repurpose Seifert’s original designs.

Developer Archlane Ltd secured planning permission to redevelop the site in 2011. Morgans Hotel Group were signed up by asset manager Deerbrook to operate a Mondrian hotel, designed

by Design Research Studio – the interior and architectural design

Above: In the lobby, a giant copper wall feature inspired by the hull of a ship leads from reception through to the restaurant, alongside a blue resin sculpture referencing British naval heritage and American pop art

wing of Dixon’s eponymous brand, within an external envelope

by TP Bennett Architects, which also contains the new London headquarters of advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather and sportswear brand Puma.

Design Research Studio took the golden age of transatlantic ship travel as their departure point: “We’ve got this dramatic copper hull, inspired by the Cutty Sark, that sweeps in from outside, through the lobby and into the restaurant – that forms a backdrop for the whole stage setting,” says Dixon. A giant sculpture in the heart of the lobby, resembling the links of an anchor chain rendered in bright blue resin, alludes to both maritime heritage and American pop art.

Other nautical references include a scale model of a cruise ship loaned by the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, and the porthole style lighting behind reception.

The Anglo-American theme is more than just a design narrative, explains Dixon: “The hotel is being operated by an American company in London. And on one side of the hotel, we have an American chef, Seamus Mullen, using the best British produce from nearby Borough Market. On the other, one of London ‘s leading contemporary cocktail bar operators [Ryan Chetiyawardana of White Lyan in Hoxton] has created a cocktail menu inspired by both Prohibition-era New York and botanical British ingredients.”

The Sea Containers restaurant has a classic American diner aesthetic,

with a yellow submarine suspended from the original concrete ceiling coffers, above a stainless steel bar counter, surrounded by scalloped, mustard banquettes and burgundy leather dining chairs. Tom Dixondesigned Glass Bead and Glass Top pendants illuminate the space.

In Dandelyan, the aforementioned cocktail bar, a backdrop of racing green panelled walls and parquet flooring is accented with polished brass fittings and vivid pink banquette seating. The Den area in between the restaurant and cocktail bar features an eclectic selection of vintage furniture, alongside naval instruments such as a deep sea divers helmet, a telescope and a pair of binoculars.

With 359 guestrooms and suites, a restaurant, two bars, spa, meeting rooms and cinema this is the largest commission to date for Design Research Studio. EPR Architects were enlisted to work with Dixon’s team on the internal planning, structural design and services.

“The building is a T-shape,” explains Tom Hupe of EPR Architects.

“Although from the outside it looks like a straightforward series of boxes, the amount of variation within is incredible. The south block contains 240 standard guestrooms, but it was the opportunity to create suites on levels three-to-five of the north block, with stunning views of the Thames, which really opened things up. You would assume that the building having originally been designed as a hotel would make it easier. Although we had access to the original plans, the 1960s guestroom footprints were much narrower than you would

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Above: A yellow submarine sculpture is suspended from the original ceiling coffers above the stainless steel bar in Sea Containers restaurant

have nowadays so everything had to be completely reconfigured. We had to work around the existing structure of the building, which is very delicate, despite being heavyweight in appearance.”

Contractor Byrne Group was employed to undertake the substantial redevelopment of the building, not just to create the new hotel but also to open up the frontage to the River Walk, insert office space through the east and west wings and construct a new office building in the south west car park, including ground floor retail space.

The biggest architectural intervention is the addition of a glass block at the top of the building. As Tom Dixon explains, this enhances the cruise ship liner appearance of the exterior, as well as accommodating the twelfth floor rooftop bar Rumpus Room.

Warren Platner’s work on Sea Containers House in the 1970s led to commissions to create the interiors for two of his lesser known projects, the Sealink cross-channel ferries Fantasia and Fiesta. These works have informed Dixon’s approach to the rooftop space, which he likens to the ballroom of a ship, with an Art Deco inspired bar in patinated brass, deep red banquette seating, and a cluster of Moooi Raimond lights set within a polished brass, mirrored ceiling void.

The hotel’s location in the curve of the Thames between Blackfriars Bridge and the Oxo Tower means the outdoor terrace – the deck of the ship if you like – offers uninterrupted views to St Paul’s in one direction, and Westminster in the other.

Many of the bedrooms and suites also offer river views. “We wanted the rooms to have a feeling of a cabin, with everything fitted,

compact and properly thought through,” says Dixon. Gun-metal grey woodwork and brass detailing feature alongside bespoke artwork and furniture from Tom Dixon. Suites also feature desks inspired

by Dixon’s Slab furniture series, Gubi Cobra table lamps by Greta Grossman, and Warren Pletner’s wire armchairs for Knoll.

O’Donnell Furniture supplied bespoke casegoods and cabinetry: “The standard bedroom furniture consists of one seamless unit which flows from the entrance door to the bedroom wall, including a wardrobe with pink internal drawer unit, integrated bathroom door, curved minibar unit with open display section, floor-toceiling headboard and integrated wall panelling.” The marble lined bathrooms feature vanity units in brushed stainless steel, custommade stone sinks and Corian counter-tops.

Chelsom supplied the specialist lighting solutions to the guestrooms.

Matte black fittings with brass features accentuate the bold colour palette. Fixed to the headboard, wall lights feature oversized brass rotary dimmer switches and multi-directional teardrop heads with retrofit LED light sources housed behind a frosted glass lens to offer both reading and mood lighting in a soft white ambient tone. The desk lamps feature an oversized tubular head and large brass rotary dimmer switch, while the conical spun metal shades of the floor lamps are finished in brass and lined in white.

Other details include glass coathooks, large bedside lamps with simple, intuitive dimmer switches, and beautifully engineered brass trays for keys and loose change.

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Mondrian London At Sea Containers

Managing Director Aodh O’Donnell: “This Mondrian project pushed the boundaries of our bedroom casegood manufacturing processes. We like to think that our attention to detail and dedication to craftsmanship has helped maximize the functionality of this cutting-edge design and delivered a quality solution to what must be one of the most stylish, design-led hotel projects in London this year.”

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Above: Standard guestrooms feature gunmetal grey casegoods by O’Donnell Furniture, bespoke keytrays by Tom Dixon, and specially designed bedside lamps with oversized brass rotary dimmer switches by Chelsom.

Elsewhere, Chelsom also refurbished a series of more than 30 original Cliff Tribe wall lights dating back to the 1950s including double lights and triple pendants. The original Sea Containers fittings were taken off site and refurbished by a team of restoration experts at Chelsom’s factory where they were cleaned, refinished and rewired to incorporate retrofit LED light sources making them compatible with the exacting energy requirements outlined in the brief.

“What’s fantastic about designing a hotel is you’re not just designing one space,” says Dixon. “Agua Bathhouse & Spa is my first spa for example.” Spa guests check in at the original reception desk for Sea Containers House now relocated to the basement. The spa has been inspired by the traditions of ancient bathhouses, to create the feeling being submerged in a dreamscape of underwater tranquility.

The centrepiece of the design is a brass sculpture resembling a water droplet, surrounded by relaxation areas behind sheer drapes. There are six spacious treatment suites and a steam room connected by luminous pathways and curving limestone walls.

Another first for Dixon was the opportunity to design the 56-seat

cinema: “My memories of cinemas from the period of this building in the early 70s were of dense, saturated colour and graphic shapes.”

Acoustic panels, reminiscent of the bolts holding together a ship’s hull, are combined with luxuriously upholsered cinema seating. At weekends, Curzon take charge of programming to show the arthouse films, with midweek dedicated to private screenings. There are also six flexible meeting and event spaces.

The ‘special relationship’ theme even continues through to the lifts, where floor-to-ceiling photographs depict various American and British figures: an astronaut (actually Dixon in a 70s spacesuit) alongside a Pearly King in one; a tattoed semi-naked male model and Queen Elizabeth 1 in another.

“For us a hotel is a dream job,” concludes Dixon. “It allows us to work in so many different typologies – spas, bars, restaurants and bedrooms, conference rooms and corridors. We don’t like to impose a singular style on a place, we like to provide surprises and a journey through the space. The idea that we can create a complete universe that people can live in for a night or a week, what’s not to like?”

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 359 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | Spa | 6 meeting rooms | www.mondrianlondon.com Owner: Archlane Ltd Operator: Morgans Hotel Group | Architecture: TP Bennett / EPR Architects | Interior Design: Design Research Studio For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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Creating Unique Guest Experiences Sea Containers House A luxury hotel that embodies the elegance of a transatlantic 1920s Century cruise liner.

Southwark, London ‘Our brief for Sea Containers House gave us the unique opportunity to convert this landmark building back to its originally intended use as a high quality hotel, and in doing so, bring life and activity to this area of the South Bank.’

Tom Hupe Associate Director EPR Architects

Lead Designer / Hotel Architect EPR Architects Interior Designer Design Research Studio

+44 20 7932 7600 architects@epr.co.uk www.epr.co.uk

MEETING

Tony Chi Creator of poetic spaces with a soul, Tony Chi places people at the heart of his luxury hotel designs. Here he shares details of his landmark projects across Asia and his passion for creative development.

Words: Neena Dhillon | Photography: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Taipei (unless otherwise stated)

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always gravitated to designing public, rather than private projects.

He’s a social creature who prefers to stay at a friend’s house when he travels – indeed, he couldn’t imagine visiting a city for pleasure unless he knew somebody who lived there. He admits to finding the hotel environment a lonely one. Fortunately, he has many friends dotted around Asia and takes every opportunity to visit his 90-year-old father who now resides in Taipei. Taiwan remains special – it is the designer’s birthplace and the country to which he bid farewell as a young boy when his family emigrated to America in the 1960s. Upon arriving in New York – which at that time was still segregated by gritty neighbourhoods – Chi found himself on the Irish, Italian and Puerto Rican side of town. “I didn’t have many Chinese friends so communicating was a real challenge,” he recalls. “I spent a lot of time alone and to pass that time, I started to draw. You know, my parents thought I was a mute because I didn’t speak until I was five years old. Of course, nowadays, I enjoy talking very much!” Chi does speak at speed but he is equally open and quick to laugh, finding humour in the subjects we bat around.

At his New York primary school, a teacher gave him paper because he couldn’t respond to questions in his new language. The boy wrote down the two words he’d seen at the airport – ‘TO NY’ – and his American name was decided for him. Young Tony, who remained passionate about drawing, went on to art school, studied architecture and planning at university, before specialising in interior design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. A period at the firm of Charles

nvisible. Dictatorial. Aggressive. Tony Chi does not shy away from non-conventional language when it comes to describing his design philosophy. But then the self-confessed “control freak” has spent the past three and a half decades developing his own design vocabulary, a vocabulary that calls for a fine balance between science and art – based on form that follows function – and in which the chaos of everyday life is contained.

One gets the sense that Chi connects so productively with the hotel industry because he understands the grind of travel. When Sleeper catches up with him, he’s back at his New York studio after a week in Asia, the region where his hotels and restaurants thrive within some of the world’s most populous cities. When he presented the concept for the award-winning Park Hyatt Shanghai, he started with the word ‘silence’ because he wanted a contrast to the craziness of the streets below. That’s what he means when he talks about ‘invisible design’ – a desire for people to feel before having to think when they enter one of his hotels, for the senses to be engaged before thought. “You know, my spaces are quite dictatorial, they manipulate people in positive ways,” he explains. “I use aggressive interior architecture, drawing on a well-constructed set of parameters, to guide people, to touch them on a sensory level.”

Chi’s brand of rigid interior architecture relies heavily on geometry and the idea of containment – containing the chaos of light, people and movement so effectively that his designs almost disappear.

People, above all, figure largely in Chi’s thoughts. That’s why he’s

“You know, my spaces are quite dictatorial, they manipulate people in positive ways”

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Above: Chi’s rhino head from Paris found a home in the French Brasserie at Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

Morris Mount followed – during which time Chi learned much from the man who designed nearly 300 restaurants in his lifetime.

Having started to carve out his own reputation in restaurant design, Chi founded a studio in New York in 1984. tonychi and associates has since become synonymous with some of the most glamorous American eateries as well as growing its portfolio globally over the years, including for big-name chefs such as Alain Ducasse and Wolfgang Puck. Back in 1987, the Wall Street crash prompted Chi to think about diversifying and he went over to Asia – a region that gave him the freedom to practice and perfect his designs in the hospitality field. A small sample of the studio’s restaurant credits today might include Blue Duck Tavern, Asiate, Sunda, Nomi, Umu, Spoon, Namu and Koko – and they really do span the globe.

Eventually hotel owners stood up and took notice, seeking an extension of Chi’s expertise from restaurants to interior design of their entire properties. “I wanted to get involved with restaurants because people are happy, emotionally aroused, when they come out to eat,” he points out. “I never thought I’d go into hotels but owners and operators could see how competitive my restaurants were. Moving into hotels allowed me to create spaces that catered to people 24/7. The scale of such projects, enough scale to build places with a soul, also turns me on. For me, it’s never just a case of giving

birth to a hotel environment, you have to think about who will be raising that child too.”

Having been an owner of restaurants, Chi comes to hotels with an innate understanding of operations and economic viability. He is sore that on his recent Asian trip, he had to part with $40 for a breakfast: “How can hotels expect to compete with neighbourhood restaurants unless they are prepared to charge people reasonable prices and generate volume?” He also worries about the lack of ownership that often besets hotel restaurants: “If I own a restaurant, I will have sunk my life savings into the venture and will feel a sense of ownership. In the hotel industry, there is a tendency to promote people too quickly so a restaurant manager soon becomes the head of food and beverage. This means there’s never one passionate person to take ownership and build a business. That’s why I loved working on the Mandarin Oriental, Taipei – there is a team there that had sleepless nights considering the possibilities of its dining spaces.”

Questions about viability and volume have indeed played a part in the work that tonychi and associates undertook at the Mandarin Oriental, Taipei, which opened its doors in May. Of the dining, leisure, shopping and hotel experiences that make up the lifestyle complex, situated in one of Taipei’s most affluent addresses, it is specifically the three signature restaurants that bear the design hallmarks of tonychi

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Above: Bencotto features a trattoria component set around an informal bar and open kitchen

“For me, it’s never just a case of giving birth to a hotel environment, you have to think about who will be raising that child too.”

and associates. Chi and his team, who led the restaurants’ conceptual development in partnership with Lin Ming-Chun, the hotel’s owner, were keen to ensure that Bencotto in particular attracted a clientele beyond hotel guests. “We didn’t want anything pretentious for our Italian – which is a very popular cuisine in Taiwan,” says Chi. “As the hotel is located in one of the oldest, most elegant city neighbourhoods, we set out to create the mother of all neighbourhood restaurants – warm, rustic and creative.” With direct access from the street, Bencotto features a café or trattoria component set around an informal bar; an open kitchen that serves to animate the space; a dining room without stuffy tablecloths; and finally a private dining room. Chi is sensitive that guests should never feel alone if they are the first to enter, so the open kitchen and bar around which staff work means there is an area that is always busy. Chi’s signature ‘invisible’ wine cellars are here, and the oversized lighting features are pertinent since they are made from the wine bottles the team happily consumed over the course of the project.

Just as Italian was an obvious fit for the new hotel, the necessity

to offer a Chinese restaurant was a given. Ya Ge specialises in Cantonese dishes but Chi has sought to reflect the Han people in its décor, thereby covering almost all Chinese provinces. As he was interested in the poetry of Chinese life, he incorporated bonsai – which can take 50 years to perfect – into his scheme. Adding layers to his “symphony of China” are decorative art pieces with a splash of modernism from Osage Gallery, custom-designed lighting by colleague David Singer, representations of the art of calligraphy, and tea salon furniture adjusted in height for a relaxed dining experience. There is also a beautifully grounded palette of understated materials, with blackwood providing formality in contrast to informal cane.

For the third signature restaurant, an especially hardworking concept was required. “Hotels often want all-day dining but I don’t believe that catering for hotel guests in this way makes financial sense,” says Chi. “By its nature, when a venue is set up for all-day, people don’t want to return for dinner. So the third option became our wild card. To deliver critical mass to the large space, we thought about a French Brasserie with a lifestyle component.” Here, the

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© tonychi and associates

Above: tonychi and associates is currently designing Rosewood Hong Kong

main dining hall presents a contemporary brasserie menu conceived with universal appeal. Although the space has scale, intimacy is introduced through reflective finishes including a cracked mirrored ceiling and wonderfully idiosyncratic touches, such as a rhino head.

“I’m always shopping for bits and pieces without specific projects in mind,” laughs Chi. “My rhino comes from Paris and found a home here!” Chi’s French Brasserie is then elaborated upon with a tea salon, which takes care of all-day dining needs; a sweet shop where Chi imagines mothers bringing their kids for a treat; a magazine shop vertically integrated with Ya Ge below so diners who have indulged in a Cantonese meal can pop up for French dessert; and finally a high-end perfumery developed in collaboration with Fueguia 1833.

Chi, who has a second home in Buenos Aires, knows Julian Bedel, founder of the Argentinian fragrance house. “Trying on scent is such a seductive gesture,” Chi observes. “I loved the idea of working this into the retail aspect of the space.”

Increasingly across hotel projects, Chi takes a creative leadership role. His 50-strong-team at his New York studio – comprising the five disciplines of architecture, interior design, industrial design, decoration and lighting – often assumes a strong hand in the creative development of hotels. Even when collaborating with external architects, Chi likes to ensure that buildings are designed from inside out, that there’s no disconnection. Chi has a strong relationship with the Hyatt Group and has this year completed renovation of suites at Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow. He is also engaged in the development and interior design of Grand Hyatt Chengdu and Grand Hyatt

Residences Gurgaon, both due for completion in 2016. Work for Ritz-Carlton on its new property in Mumbai is immersing the studio further into India, with Chi acknowledging that attaining the level of quality he demands takes perseverance in this emerging powerhouse of a country. And his relationship with Rosewood goes from strength to strength. Having contributed rooms and suites to the brand’s London hotel, he is now occupied with the interior design of the forthcoming ground-up Hong Kong property plus renovation of The Carlyle in New York.

There is no question that Chi seeks to embed each of his projects within its respective culture – he doesn’t believe in cookie cutters.

So in Hong Kong, for example, the city’s colonial heritage will be reflected in the design. Nonetheless, is there a signature Tony Chi look? “I hate that thought,” he cries. “It’s so narrow-minded. It’s never about a Tony Chi hotel. We use our vocabulary to write a different story each time, finding the best of a respective culture and bringing that home to the hotel so it has its own timeless personality.”

And does he find it hard turning down work? “You know, we don’t take on lots of projects at the same time, just as I’ve no interest in expanding the studio,” he replies. “Some hotels for me are nonstarters because we have to work with operators who believe in our vision. Sometimes, I’m not the right guy. You see, we only build chapels for believers!” And is there any ambition still left unfulfilled for the designer? “Oh yes,” he concludes. “I would love to design a complete masterplan in Italy so we can demonstrate absolutely how hotel development is our way of life.”

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Shangri-La at the Shard LONDON

A multi-faceted project team has overcome a range of significant challenges to deliver a luxury hotel in London’s new architectural landmark.

Words: Matt Turner | Photography: Courtesy of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

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irst, the statistics. The Shard is currently Europe’s tallest building. The hotel that occupies the 34th-52nd floors is the highest on the continent (if you discount those that sit on the Alps). It’s also amongst the most expensive in London – rates at the time of going to press were around the £450 a night mark.

Indeed, the luxury on offer at Shangri-La at the Shard is very much measured in numbers – the 4,250 kilo chandelier in the lobby, the 3,700 pillow cases, the 1,000 thread-count linen on the beds, the 900 vases scattered around the hotel, and the 500 umbrellas on hand to keep guests dry.

Next, the logistics. In many ways, it’s a wonder the Shard got built at all. Developer Irvine Sellar first acquired Southwark Towers – a PwC occupied office unit at London Bridge – in 1998. When the government signalled its support for high density developments by major transport hubs, Sellar sat down for lunch with architect Renzo Piano in Berlin to share his ambitions for a ‘vertical city’ towering over the Thames. Despite initial reluctance – Piano saying he hated tall, fortress-like buildings – after a few sweeps of his pen, he had famously signed up for the project, and the iconic form of the Shard was already sketched out on the back of a napkin.

That meal was merely an appetiser for a long and arduous journey.

Sellar survived the attentions of London’s planning authorities and a public enquiry, only for the financial crisis of 2008 to bring the

project to the brink of collapse, before various Qatari based funds came to the rescue.

This sovereign wealth intervention may have secured the financial support, but there was still the small matter of bringing Piano’s tapered vision into glass, steel and concrete reality. The construction team overcame multiple challenges – sub-zero temperatures, gale force winds and the Thames breaking through the protective dam amongst them – to create the building. It was a process described, with some understatement, as “exhilarating and testing in equal measure”. Pioneering engineering methods were used, such as topdown construction, where foundations are dug while the core is built up – a first for the UK. Over one 36-hour period – employing 700 lorry-loads, one every three minutes – the team poured 5,400 cubic metres of concrete.

The years of hard work finally came to fruition in 2012, when the external envelope of The Shard was completed and officially opened by the Prime Minister of Qatar. But that was only the start of the project for the team tasked with inserting a hotel on floors 34 - 52 of the building. Shangri-La had been one of the first tenants to buy into Sellar’s vision back in 2005. But it wasn’t until seven years later they were first able to begin creating the hotel they signed a thirty year lease for.

The initial designs, drawings and specifications were produced

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Above: TING restaurant on Level 35 features a design palette of oyster greys and golds, alongside translucent screens adorned with Chinese ink paintings

in Hong Kong, by local consultants such as design architects AGC Design Limited, working in close co-operation with Shangri-La’s head office.

Sweett Group were one of the first London-based consultants to be brought on board, having worked with Shangri-La across Asia through their Hong Kong office. For the Shard, they provided contract administration and project management services.

They soon realised the scale of the challenges involved, highlighting the need for the Hong Kong generated design to comply with UK and EU regulations. Other risks were identifed to both the smooth running of the project, and the quality of the finished product – not least The Shard’s unique shell and core structure, the restrictions of site delivery, and the Shangri-La design team’s unfamiliarity with the UK contractual environment.

As a result, Dexter Moren Associates were appointed as executive architects. Project Architect John Harding explains their involvement thus: “We assisted Shangri-La’s own design management team on site with technical issues associated with the design and construction of the project. We helped turn Shangri-La’s interiors scheme into buildable designs whilst ensuring protection of the concept. This ranged from assisting with Building Regulation compliance, to helping with services coordination and everything in between. It was actually a wide ranging function, but in essence was to help

bring some quite ambitious designs which existed in the minds of the designers, into physical existence.”

He highlights “access, movements and tolerance,” as the biggest challenges in delivering a hotel project at this altitude: “Getting access to the upper floors during construction has been difficult when so many contractors, some of whom are employed on other projects within the building, have been competing for a limited number of lifts. Imagine trying to build a hotel on the Northern Line during rush hour whilst transporting materials and people at the same time and you’ll get the picture. Also The Shard moves and sways, particularly during high winds, and these movements have to be allowed for in the construction to prevent cracks appearing and joints opening up. All of this is bound up in the tolerances required to permit such movement but allow everything to hold together. It sounds alarming but really is imperceptible to the building users.”

These challenges are confirmed by Sweett Group’s Director of Project Management Paul Graham: “Shangri-La really focus on the quality of the environment, high quality finishes and a very high level of mechanical and electrical services. Achieving that level of finish means marshalling a global supply chain, ensuring imported, often bespoke, products meet with UK/EU regulations or sourcing alternatives where that isn’t possible. But the biggest challenge was not getting the materials to the UK – it was transporting them the final

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HONG KONG | LONDON

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Above: In the guestrooms, cherry wood cladding, delicately embroidered fabrics, and custom made carpets combine to create a luxurious understated feel

few hundred metres upwards to site.” To compound the difficulties involved, The Shard’s tapering form means every single one of the hotel’s 202 rooms is different. This limited the opportunities to prefabricate components, with Sweett Group setting up a suite of ‘consolidation centres’ in nearby Silvertown, where materials were delivered and sorted into packages for the various floors.

The team at the sharp end of dealing with these logistical challenges was Chorus Group, who were brought in as fitout contractor in late 2013, following the departure of the original contractor John Sisk & Son. Other significant members of the project team included structural engineers WSP (London); M&E engineers WSP (Hong Kong); Gardiner & Theobald, who acted as cost consultants; and MNP who were commissioned by Chorus to resolve technical issues involved with specialist fixing of marble cladding and finishes.

Various interior design practices were involved in the project alongside Shangri-La’s in-house team. Steve Leung Designers originally worked on the guestrooms and much of the public areas.

The majority of the public areas were completed by LRF Designers, who stepped in for the final stages of development, while Andre Fu of AFSO designed the Gong sky lounge bar and pool on level 52.

All of which brings us on to the aesthetics. The end product certainly doesn’t hold any surprises to alienate or alarm ShangriLa’s regular guests. There are contemporary Oriential touches but

it is reassuringly conservative in style. Ultimately it is all about the incredible vistas from the floor-to-ceiling windows that envelop the hotel, and the interiors do nothing to detract from those views.

At the ground floor entrance lobby on St. Thomas Street, shimmering gold-shaded artworks featuring Chinese ink painting accompany a pastel yellow floral patterned carpet. LÁNG, the hotel’s artisan deli on the ground floor, is accented with white and wood coloured tones with a bespoke Wedgewood teacup chandelier providing a focal point.

In the lobby proper on level 35, grey marble floors, contemporary sculptures and pale grey wingback chairs frame the views of iconic London landmarks, which are particularly impressive through the double-height glass windows of the grand staircase leading down to the private event space on level 34. Also on level 35 is TING restaurant and lounge, featuring a Chinoiserie design theme and dominated by oyster grey and gold hues, enlivened with rich colourful accents such as golden translucent screens lined with Chinese ink paintings. Dark wood flooring leads to the main dining room ,where the space is defined by metal screens with Oriental elements, and lantern-inspired pendants.

REN, LI and YI, the hotel’s three interlinking event spaces are decorated with dark wood veneer, champagne gold fabric wall upholstery, and crystal chandeliers.

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Above: Andre Fu of AFSO designed the infinity pool and Sky Lounge on Floor 52. A pair of ivory paint scrolls appear to float above the pool

The 202 guestrooms are each unique in shape and size but their design is uniform, with the exception of the signature suites which were being redesigned by FM Design of Italy at the time of writing.

The remainder are decorated in a modern style, influenced by Chinese arts. Finishes of marble, cherry wood and delicately embroidered fabrics combine to create a luxurious, understated feel. Bathrooms feature deep soaking tubs by the windows and Toto washlets.

On the 52nd floor is Gong, the sky-lounge area designed by Andre Fu of AFSO and conceived as ‘a world of eclectic chinoiserie, infused with Fu’s signature modern Asian sensuality’. The design ethos of the venue is inspired by the mythical aspect of dou-gong – a unique historical structural element of interlocking wooden brackets that was deployed significantly in traditional Chinese architecture.

Upon entering, guests are greeted with a series of full-height hand-gilded panels in silver-foil. Behind them is the seven metre long Imperial Bar, made of solid Arabescato Orobico Italian marble.

The adjacent Champagne Bar is decked in hues of mauve purple and accented with a ‘cabinet wall’ in rustic hammered metal. Fu has also deployed a rustic palette of flamed Imperial Grey marble and untreated smoked ash timber, contrasting the embossed leathers, hairline bronzes and gloss lacquered panels in shades of toffee brown and deep cinnabar burgundy.

Opposite, an infinity pool sits beneath a pair of over-sized ivory ‘paint scrolls’ that appear to float directly above the entire pool.

Even here, in the final part of the hotel to be completed, there were further technical hurdles to overcome to ensure condensation didn’t mist the windows. Hotel guests have exclusive use of the pool until the evening, when it becomes an extension of the bar.

Standing here, 600ft above London looking down on St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and Westminster, it’s easy to understand what attracted Shangri-La to open a hotel in this most challenging of locations.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 202 guestrooms | 2 restaurants | 1 bar | Gyp, pool | 3 event spaces | www.shangri-la.com Operator: Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts | Architecture: AGC Hong Kong (Design Architect); Dexter Moren Associates (Executive Architect) | Interior Design: Steve Leung Designers (initial guestroom design & public areas); AFSO (Sky Lounge); LRF Designers (public areas) FM Design (signature suites) For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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The PuYu WUHAN

Urban Resort Concepts continues to transform the luxury hospitality landscape in China with its second handcrafted hotel, rooted in the heart of the country.

Words: Neena Dhillon | Photography: Courtesy of The PuYu

B

etween them, the four founding partners of Urban Resort Concepts (URC) have more than 90 years’ experience in hospitality – and of that, 50 based in China. Previously affiliated with global chains such as GHM, Oberoi, Peninsula and Raffles, like-minded hoteliers Markus Engel, Bernd Koehn, John Laing and Patrick Chen decided to put their combined track record to good use, joining forces to unveil the first of their independent, bespoke, luxury hotels back in 2009. The PuLi in Shanghai has since been namechecked in ‘best hotel’ lists by Condé Nast, Tatler and Wallpaper, putting URC on the travel industry map and stoking the interest of Chinese developers. Having opened a second five-star property in Wuhan, the brand will launch urban resorts in Beijing, Chengdu and Xiamen within the next three years as well as in Kuala Lumpur, its first location outside China. Not content with growth at the top end of the market, the ambitious group is also set to announce diversification into the mid-level price bracket with a brand called UR House, set for aggressive expansion.

“Our starting point for URC was to offer a genuine alternative to the conventional five-star product in China,” explains CEO Markus Engel. “There was a need for tailor-made hotels that felt rooted in their destinations through contextual design, without falling back on pastiche or formulaic recipes. Clearly positioned as contemporary urban resorts, they should act as facilitators to the cities in which they are based while providing an intuitive guest experience.” Locations are key to URC’s proposition but so is the brand’s approach to service. Recognising that travellers, who have paid premium room rates, become nonplussed by add-on hotel

Above: Jade Garden introduces decorative touches that represent prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture

charges, URC includes breakfast, wireless internet access and a fully stocked minibar with alcohol as part of its rate. Indeed Engel says that URC is looking to absorb other idiosyncratic charges, such as over-the-top laundry fees, into inclusive rates moving forwards.

While the international metropolis of Shanghai was a logical choice for URC’s inaugural property, Wuhan, located in Hubei Province, may not have been an obvious candidate for urban resort number two. But this strategically placed, second-tier city holds potential for developers and hoteliers alike. As the home of prospering Optics Valley, Wuhan serves as a regional base for the country’s optoelectronics industry as well as other high-tech, telecoms, manufacturing and R&D facilities.

Over 60 universities cater to a student body of one million-strong, while the city, a natural transportation hub found at the crossroads of central China, also boasts the country’s largest urban lake. Rising 25-storeys high within the Wuchang District, The PuYu opened its doors as a discerning destination for the region’s corporate and business communities as well as leisure travellers, expected to increase in numbers as tourism develops.

Melbourne-based Layan Design Group, which also worked on The PuLi, was enlisted to inject the new hotel with an authentic narrative reflecting Wuhan, albeit expressed through a 21st century product of understated elegance and poise. The Australian firm’s responsibilities stretched from masterplanning and architecture to

designing custom-made furniture, fixtures and fittings plus sourcing artwork and antiques. Revealing the story behind the project, Layan founder Johannes Hartfuss explains: “We always try to infuse our designs with a sense of place. Wuhan is known as the cradle of ancient Chu culture and so Chu artefacts and traditions – such as bronze smelting, weaving craft, embroidery, literature and fine arts – inspired us. We interpreted the essence of this culture in a modern way, though, through our use of colour and richness in materiality.

Where possible, we have worked with local materials, or those that are recycled or from renewable sources.”

Core materials of local granite and espresso-hued sandblasted timber are evident from the sleek hotel entrance onwards. As guests arrive, pieces of jade suspended in the air chime melodically in response to the wind. This musical installation, along with many other artefacts sewn into the fabric of the hotel, pay homage to historic objects displayed at Hubei Provincial Museum, including a set of bronze bells discovered in a royal tomb, thought to date back to 433BC. In another nod to ancient Chinese culture – which invests mythological creatures such as dragons and guardian lions with particular significance – carved stone and bronze animal sculptures are dotted around The PuYu. Made from bronze, a striking display of lotus references the indigenous flora and is another recurring motif.

To evoke a sense of grandeur, voluminous spaces such as the lobby

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This Page: Core materials of local granite and espresso-hued sandblasted timber are evident from the sleek hotel entrance onwards

take on human scale through the considered use of contrasting materials, detailed decoration and atmospheric lighting designed by consultancy, The Flaming Beacon.

Sweeping swathes of granite, punctuated by pools of light, lead into vestibules with decorative displays at their centre.

Contemporary seating creates pockets of intimacy around the 33-metre-long bar, which serves as reception, check-in and refreshment station. Wood for The Long Bar is reclaimed from a ship, while floor-to-ceiling bookshelves interlace 3,000 titles, jade, bronze and ceramic artefacts. Hung throughout the lobby, alluring rice paper paintings are an uplifting addition by local artist Wang Bin. “A contemporary artist skilled in traditional techniques, Bin produces pieces that are subversively humorous and beautiful as well,” says Hartfuss. “For us, he has reinterpreted an old Chinese communal scene in a witty and contemporary way. We love using emerging artists to create real pieces of art for our hotels.” The strong presence of local artwork in juxtaposition with modern lighting features continues into The PuYu Lounge, where beautifully crafted latticework

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Above: The PuYu’s grand ballroom is dominated by a bronzed metallic ceiling that dazzles with handsome circular lighting installations

screens and lacquer objects echo local customs once more.

While hero materials such as granite and timber unify the hotel’s spaces, Layan accentuates this base palette with special finishes.

Shagreen wall panels line the lifts, for example, while bronze tiles distinguish a spiral staircase and carved stone friezes adorn the fullservice spa. Even in the most contemplative areas, including URSpa with its embroidered and sculptural allusions to nature, the aesthetic remains substantial, timeless, elemental.

But there are changes in atmospheric pace as guests navigate the range of accommodation, leisure and MICE facilities. The PuYu’s grand ballroom is dominated by a bronzed metallic ceiling that dazzles with handsome circular lighting installations, adding drama to the multifunctional venue. In contrast, the 308 rooms and 24 suites are realised with the understatement of a private residence, drawing on generosity of space, louvred screens, tactile fabrics, sculptural artwork and panoramic vistas to promote a feeling of retreat.

Under the direction of executive chef Rick Bartram, dining is another core component of The PuYu’s offering, and the three

restaurants have allowed Layan to introduce additional materials.

All-day dining restaurant Soho! is smartly styled in light-hued timber, leaving vibrant displays of fresh ingredients to capture the eye. Signature Italian restaurant Damiano boasts a central show kitchen but here suave finishes include warm copper and butterflied marble. Serving modern Cantonese and Wuhanese cuisine, Jade Garden introduces decorative touches that represent prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture; an abacus feature wall welcomes guests, while the restaurant’s largest private dining room is home to a table on which catfish dance on black glass, encircled by pebblecoloured mosaics. Collections of stone and porcelain figures in both Jade Garden and the glamorous rooftop WaiTan Bar hark back to Chu idols displayed in Hubei Provincial Museum.

Despite the scale of this urban resort, The PuYu never overwhelms or loses its sense of place. In balancing grandeur with intimacy, and engineering a sympathetic union between Chu culture and modern design, Layan has produced an emblematic hotel that stands apart as a destination in its own right.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 332 guestrooms | 3 restaurants | 2 bars | Spa | Ballroom | www.thepuyu.com Owner / Operator: Urban Resort Concepts | Architecture & Interior Design: Layan Design Group For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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Hard Rock Hotel IBIZA

Jestico + Whiles complete Hard Rock Hotel’s first European property, where Mediterranean touches meet music memorabilia.

Words: Elly Earls | Photography: Courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza

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hen Hard Rock Hotel opened on Ibiza’s Playa d’en Bossa, records were broken for the iconic brand, the White Isle and the global culinary scene. Not only is the property Hard Rock’s first European outpost, it’s the island’s largest five-star hotel, and home to what is being marketed as the most expensive restaurant in the world, gastro-sensory Sublimotion, where meals come in at an eye-watering €1,500 a pop.

In design terms, the sprawling new addition to Ibiza’s increasingly popular luxury hotel scene, which is a merge of what was originally two classic beachside hotels, pays homage equally to its Mediterranean location and the Hard Rock philosophy.

Indeed, while the memorabilia collection that epitomises Hard Rock is on display everywhere from the public areas to the most expensive suites, and the huge concert stage that plays host to over 2,500 revellers is a focal point, Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza is about much more than rock n’ roll.

“Beyond the context of the global brand, there was a desire for the hotel to respond properly to its locale,” recalls James Dilley, Associate Director and head of hospitality and interior design at

Above: All 493 guestrooms have a view to the sea with the rooftop Rock Star Suite fitted out with floor-to-ceiling windows and a 340ft2 terrace

Jestico + Whiles, the firm behind the hotel’s concept. “So the exercise was not one of stamping out standard, universally applicable ideas.

It was expected that the specific cultural, geographical and historical context would be respected and, in the case of Ibiza, this could not be richer. We were tasked with infusing the Hard Rock lifestyle with Ibizan overtones and undertones, not least its more recent focus as a centre for innovation in music, performance and events.”

When it came to colours and materials, this meant bleached linens, ceramic stone and various types of wood, used, for example, on swinging, latticed cocoon chairs in the lobby and for the weathered furniture in bright, sea-facing Sessions breakfast restaurant, designed to offer a reviving experience to post-partiers after a heavy night.

“We limited the palette to natural materials, which have always been a part of Ibizan life,” says Dilley. “The benefit of this is that when the natural textures are washed by coloured light, they change completely and in this way we were able to manipulate the perception and the experience depending on the time of day or night as well as event and atmosphere.”

This balance of theatre and Mediterranean flavour is particularly

evident along the internal street, starting at the entrance and culminating in a striking viewpoint to the sea, which was carved through the property to ensure that the original two hotels – the Club Don Toni and Hotel Don Toni – worked seamlessly together.

“The main bars and restaurants spill across this street, or are easily visible from it. There are no walls or partitions, the spaces are defined only by materials and by lighting,” continues Dilley. “It creates a great inside/outside Mediterranean passeggiata, which can be turned into a catwalk depending on the occasion. It’s always about theatre and performance.”

But there’s also somewhere to escape and rejuvenate – whether that’s in one of the two huge pools, featuring in-the-water, mosaicdecorated sunbeds, or the hotel’s signature Rock Spa, a 1,347m² space with a pool of its own and a variety of other indoor and outdoor spaces, all designed again in natural materials and inspired by aspects of the island including its underwater landscapes, indigenous flora and fauna, and the famous iridescent lizards.

Of course, music is never far away, with rock tunes pumping through underwater speakers in the main pools and the spa’s

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Above: Furniture throughout the property is supplied by Gandia Blasco, Pedrali and Sywawa. Other pieces include Tribu’s Mood sofas and daybeds in the Rock Spa. Lighting is by Frandsen Group and Artemide

courses, each of which takes guests on a journey – complete with sights, sounds, smells and specially composed music – to a different culinary destination. This is achieved through state-of-the-art technology, which means every surface in the all-white room can be projected onto; at one point, you’re in the North Pole enjoying an icy gazpacho, but a moment later, descending into fiery hell with a wagyu steak.

Other eateries include a beach club, a rooftop sky lounge, Floyd’s cocktail bar and another of Roncero’s dining concepts, tapas restaurant Estado Puro, also designed by EstudiHac. Featuring natural materials and textures including travertine, oak and teak, as well as unmistakable Hard Rock touches – like the ‘Ham Rock corner’ where you’ll find a large neon ham reminiscent of the iconic Hard Rock guitars.

“When guests leave the hotel, we want them to remember that they stayed at the Hard Rock Ibiza, not just a Hard Rock Hotel,” concludes Dilley. “The experience is as much about the physical environment as it is about the Hard Rock philosophy.”

signature massage table outfitted with speakers that vibrate to the rhythm of chill-out music. “Rock Spa is a signature space of all Hard Rock hotels, but this is particular to Ibiza in that, while it serves as a space for revival, it had to balance its functions as a retreat and as a playground,” Dilley notes.

The 493 guestrooms, 235 of them suites, all have a view to the sea and were designed by local practice Flaquer Arquitectos. They range from uber-relaxed (the deluxe swim-up rooms have exclusive access to yet another pool, this time long and winding, which meanders past the main stage area) to rock star glam, where the rooftop Rock Star Suite is fitted out with floor-to-ceiling windows, its own bar and a sprawling 340ft2 terrace.

The dining options are equally diverse, ranging from casual snack spot Munchies by the hotel’s main stage, to the exclusive Sublimotion, with space for only 12 diners to experience two Michelin-starred experimental Spanish chef Paco Roncero’s craziest culinary concept yet. Designed by Spanish practice EstudiHac, Sublimotion is closer to a stage show than a meal. The experience is made up of 14 tasting

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 493 guestrooms | 5 restaurants | 8 bars | Spa | 6,490ft2 event space | www.hrhibiza.com Owner / Operator: Palladium Hotel Group | Interior Design: Jestico + Whiles; Flaquer Arquitectos (guestrooms); EstudiHac (Estado Puro) For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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Miss Clara by Nobis STOCKHOLM

Nobis Group add to its collection of hotels and restaurants with a 92-key property in a former all-girls school, refurbished by Wingårdhs.

Words: Guy Dittrich | Photography: Courtesy of Design Hotels

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he cadmium façade of this 1910 corner building on the bustling boulevard of Sveavägen in midtown Stockholm glows warmly in a setting sun that picks out its Art Nouveau detailing. The entrance is of stone, grandly carved, with a threshold worn by the feet of generations of pupils. Miss Clara by Nobis Hotel occupies a former all-girls school, the Ateneum, and its name comes from the progressive first headmistress Clara Stromberg.

A Design Hotels member, the property is owned and operated

by Nobis Group, who run some of this culinary capital’s finest dining establishments along with several hotels. Many of these, the

Operakällaren restaurant, Nobis Hotel and Hotel Skeppsholmen, were designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune.

Wanting to try something different on this occasion, the Gothenburg-based studio of Gert Wingårdh was chosen to look at the guestroom layouts and interior design. Wingårdhs were also working on the whole city block that includes the hotel, luxury residential units and an adjacent 19,000m2 office and retail space. Approximately 98% of Wingårdhs work is newbuild, so their appointment was an interesting choice for a heritage building. However as Wingårdh explains, only the original façades were protected of the building that

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This Page: Local firm Gemla created the bentwood bed head while Örsjö supplied lighting Previous Page: Bathrooms, accessed by sliding glass doors, are fitted with a mix of brassware from Hansgrohe and local supplier, Mora

was converted from the school to an office block in the 1950s.

Nevertheless, the history of the building has been sensitively handled with the original staircase and its ornate and high metal balustrade untouched. “The interiors are in tune with the Art Nouveau legacy,” enthuses Wingårdh, “but we have still invented new things.” Notably the Thonet-inspired bentwood bed head and complementary ‘foot’, composed of a chair back. Created by local firm Gemla, this is just one of the whimsical characteristics of the guestroom that evokes the époque’s fresh femininity. Alongside the flowing lines of the bed head is the use of fine sheers, at the window, naturally, but also to provide privacy for both the glazed bathroom unit and separate toilet. Plus they are used to curtain off the clothes hanging space.

Other more practical details, masculine even, indicate the architectural pedigree of Wingårdhs. The use of space is key amongst these and tells the story of the design.

Wingårdh explains that focus groups looking at the hotel’s positioning provided the key word of ‘respect’ and its particular importance to female guests and the desire for privacy in general. Thinking of the guest arrival sequence that invariably takes place in the evening, the first instinct is to draw the curtains. “We started the design from the windows back,” describes Wingårdh. “The first thing we dealt with was this contradiction of involving the usually curtained off windows into the design by layering and offering seating in the window.”

In front of each window is a deep sill. This has recessed LED uplighting in front of the double-glazing, decorative brass radiator covers and still enough depth to house spacious drawers, open shelving, plus an easyto-use drawer mini-bar by Dometic. There is also a small padded cushion on the sill to encourage gazing out at the cityscape.

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Above: Bark tanned leather walls, bronzed mirror and bentwood chairs by Jonas Bohlin for Gemla feature in the restaurant

The sills have been custom-fitted to within millimetres and made from dark wood. So too the parquet wood flooring by Kasthall in a fiskbens mönster, or herringbone pattern. This is a typically deliberate move away from the Scandinavian love of blonde woods, and unusually the floor treatment continues up the wall to dado rail height. This makes for quite a severe look but one that is eminently practical for protection against suitcase damage.

More practical features include the shadow gaps at ceiling edges, often hiding LED strip lighting that acts as a good ambient light source. Other lighting comes in the form of articulated wall-mounted lamps slightly modified from the range by Box Arkitekter for Örsjö.

These provide directional bedside lighting and a task light for the chaise longue. Bathrooms, accessed by sliding glass doors, are tiled with regional stone from both Ödland and Estonia and fitted with a mix of brassware from Hansgrohe and local supplier, Mora.

The entrance lobby is clearly laid out. At the end of the reception desk is a counter-high workstation area next to a Chambre Séparée that has direct kitchen access, making it ideal for private dining.

Linking this area to the bar is a corridor at the rear of the lift core, which has been cleverly widened to create the Ballerina Room.

Decorated with large-format photographs of a ballerina in training (actually the niece of the developer) this feminine touch is the only artwork in the hotel. There is a collection of 1970s coloured glass vases in a glazed wall-display between the lobby and restaurant. Like the leather club chairs next to the bar, the vases have been borrowed from the Operakällaren following a refurbishment there.

The restaurant is adjacent to the bar with access between the two split by a broad pillar that has been enlarged to make a serving station. With seating a mix of banquette and the Vilda range of bentwood chairs by Jonas Bohlin also for Gemla, the restaurant has a bistro feel to it. Bark tanned leather walls by Tärnsjö are matched by bronzed mirror.

Nobis has produced another fine hotel that complements the others in the portfolio, both in terms of market positioning and design style.

The more direct design approach of Miss Clara by Nobis makes for a hotel that is very usable and attractive to the busy traveller.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 92 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | Gym | 2 meeting spaces | www.missclarahotel.com Owner / Operator: Nobis AB | Original Architecture: Hagström & Ekman | Architecture & Interior Design: Wingårdhs For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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Hotel Sahrai FEZ

Christophe Pillet combines Moroccan tradition with contemporary style in the remake of a former summer palace.

Words: Natasha Edwards | Photography: © Klaus Mellenthin

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ailed as Fez’s first contemporary boutique hotel, Hotel Sahrai, designes by French designer and architect Christophe Pillet, occupies a splendid position on the site of the summer residence of Marshal Lyautey, resident-general of the Protectorate of Morocco from 1912 to 1925. With views over the city and its ancient medina, it’s perfect for a hotel that plays with East and West, the materials and colours of Morocco, and the craftsmanship intrinsic to Fez’s identity.

Catering both to Western visitors and the nation’s trendy new young middle classes with its French and Moroccan restaurants, Givenchy Spa, infinity pool and DJ bar, Sahrai marks a courageous move by young hotelier and entrepreneur Anis Sefrioui in a city where the hotel offer has previously been split between small traditional riad hotels within the medina, and large resorts outside.

Although Pillet has designed the interiors of several hotels, notably the Sezz properties in Paris and St. Tropez (with three more to come) and the recent renovation of two Pullman hotels in Paris, this is the first time he has done both the architecture and interior design. It’s not the first time he has worked with Sefrioui however, a collaboration which began when he was called in to design a sandwich bar that

never happened, going on instead to create the spa for Riad Fès, owned by Sefrioui’s family, and the Maison Blanche restaurant in Casablanca, as well as several private villas and apartments for Sefrioui and his circle.

“I wanted to do a hotel that is clearly in the language of today, but at the same time, I wanted a relationship with a town that is very traditional,” explains Pillet. “It was necessary to inscribe it in a continuity that is both cultural and temporal. Even if there is a stylistic rupture, the colours of this hotel are the colours you find in the medina and the materials are the materials of the medina, it is a mainly mineral universe, hence the choice of stone,” he continues, referencing the widespread use of beige Taza limestone, broken up by planted courtyards, canals and pools.

Pillet enjoyed playing with the floorplan, which is not as simple as it first appears. There are courtyards that don’t join up and three floors of bedrooms, yet a staircase that climbs in a single flight from the hall to the rooftop. “It is like a riad but in reverse, so that one is enclosed outside and not within,” continues Pillet. “There are several places where the exterior comes inside. If you leave the doors open, you don’t know where the frontier is between outside and inside.”

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Above: Intricate Hispano-Mauresque carved plasterwork, copper lanterns and tall Fassi jars feature in the guestrooms

This contines in The Givenchy Spa – designed according to a concept overseen by Patrick Ribes – where one of the five treatment rooms features a private terrace with views over the city. Elsewhere, natural light filters through the mashrabiya latticework and the understated décor harmoniously combines leather, wood and stone.

Although the brief allowed Pillet plenty of freedom, the client did insist that he respect the site’s history by incorporating a vaulted gallery, symbolic of Lyautey’s residence, which became Les Arcades with its shaded seating and marble bar.

Inside, one is immediately struck by the contrast between the clean lines of glazing, unadorned stone and entire walls in intricate Hispano-Mauresque carved plasterwork found in the guestrooms, behind reception, in the spa and in Amaraz. Copper lanterns, ceramics and tall Fassi jars also make repeat appearances.

“Moroccan architecture is an architecture of ornament, it is not like modern architecture, which is about structure and volumes,” explains Pillet. “I said to myself, if I put ornament, I don’t know how to do it as people do traditionally here. I will veneer it. Normally, this carved plaster is meant to surround doors or windows, but I used it like a wallpaper as a Westerner would do on a flat surface. I found it amusing to say that there is this relationship with tradition but

a relationship that is a bit more brutal, to use ornamental material without it becoming ornamentation.”

The 50 large, light guestrooms are conceived as simple rectangular boxes, the plaster wall facing natural stone, with an entirely glazed façade and glass-sided bathroom where a sunken bath in black or white marble is tucked away so as to not obstruct the view. The configuration varies slightly from room to room. In some, the orange Shin bed by Piero Lissoni and manufactured by Porro is placed as an island gazing at the view with desk and bathroom behind; in others, it is pushed against the wall; in a few, the bathroom is positioned directly against the window. Furniture is pared back and modern, with a long, open hanging and shelving unit, while a white plastic 1960s Cobra table lamp sits alongside handmade lanterns.

“When you enter, everything is there, you don’t need to search. The idea was to do it a bit like a loft, a holiday universe that is very open, very free. The discovery is more the view,” says Pillet. He designed some pieces especially for the hotel, including the Sahrai chaise longue in the bedroom and Sahrai armchairs for bars and terraces, manufactured by Living Divani in Italy. “The furniture is inspired by travel furniture that folds, with legs in a cross and cushions that are rudimentary in their design but refined in their execution. I didn’t

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seek to do ‘Moroccan’, because I am not, but to express my idea of Morocco through Western eyes and of today,” explains Pillet.

In Amaraz, the Moroccan restaurant, vertical wooden slats that divide the space suggest a minimalist version of North African screens, whereas the rooftop bar is definitely of this age, with armchairs and circular banquettes reflected in a glossy black mirror ceiling and almost invisible glass façade so it merges with the roof terrace furnished with sofas and high metal chairs.

The second restaurant, Relais de Paris, is a more sophisticated, formal offering, serving a Parisian brasserie menu that will particularly appeal to red meat lovers.

A few details changed as the project progressed. Wooden floors in guestrooms were replaced by carpet, and Pillet didn’t get as many lanterns in as he would have liked: “In the corridors, I wanted guests to walk through a sort of art installation, a tunnel of lamps in different shapes, like when you go into a lighting store and there are thousands of lamps hanging from the ceiling.”

On the other hand, the number of large ceramic jars increased, as

Pillet worked with local craftsmen to respect yet reinterpret their art without succumbing to the folkloric. “Craftsmanship is the symbol of Moroccan culture,” says Pillet. “It is very important, yet at the same time I find that it is poorly exploited. The craftsmen today are confined in a sort of professional ghetto where they do nothing but make presents for tourists. When we did the vases, I redesigned the silhouette. Afterwards, they showed me the traditional motifs which I mixed like a sort of bad cookery. Sometimes for them it was a bit sacreligious. I learnt from them that these things had their raison d’être, a sense born a long time ago, and they understood that finally they could do something else with this exceptional savoir-faire than simply repeat the same thing.”

This balance between cultures, between minimalism and ornament, marks Pillet’s interpretation of the Moroccan hotel experience: “What interests me in hotels is the experience. I find that a good experience of Morocco is this mix of aridity – further south in Morocco, the houses are in dry, raw clay – and over that is a layer of things that are very cosseted, very rich.”

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 50 guestrooms | 2 restaurants | 2 bars | Spa and health club | 1 meeting space | www.hotelsahrai.com Owner/Investor: Anis Sefrioui, PGS Invest | Architecture & Interior Design: Christophe Pillet For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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Dorsett Shepherds Bush LONDON

Dorsett Hospitality International takes its first steps outside of Asia with the transfomation of the Grade II-listed Shepherds Bush Pavilion.

Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: Courtesy of Dorsett Hospitality International

T

he history of Dorsett Hospitality International is a relatively conclusive one, with the brand remaining family-centred and operating solely in Asia until the opening of Dorsett Shepherds Bush in 2014, marking an expansion into foreign markets.

With design completed in-house by Senior Vice President of Interior Design, Wendy Chiu and team, subtle Asian infused elements are visible throughout, remaining true to the Dorsett brand. “In terms of design, we strive to ensure continuity in translating the Group’s culture and philosophy of creating an original experience that captures the best of both worlds, where Asia meets Britain,”

explains Chiu. “The major challenge lies in mixing the right elements to create a timeless environment that will stay fresh and exciting, yet true to the Dorsett brand elements, and not overdoing something.”

Deriving from an eclectic blend of cultures, the design of the hotel is described by Chiu as “an excellent showcase of Asia’s heritage, of warm hospitality intertwined with interiors.” She continues: “We loved the historical and heritage aspect of the building and felt that this would be a fantastic platform to create a nice design story board”.

Housed in the old Shepherds Bush Pavilion Cinema, a Grade IIlisted building, the entire façade has been preserved, with a complete

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Above: In-house restaurant, Pictures, offers a brasserie-style space, complete with private dining room and outdoor terrace

newbuild taking place behind. “We worked on design factors of the interior, riding on the building’s history,” illustrates Chiu. Evidence of its former life is clear throughout, with industrial cinematic lighting illuminating the lobby and stills of Hollywood icons Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe lining the walls of Pictures, the hotel’s allday dining brasserie style restaurant. “Thriving on the historic of the building, we have inserted many cinema art pieces including the specially commissioned Audrey Hepburn portrait created from film rolls,” Chiu continues.

The original building was designed by Frank Verity for Israel Davis and opened in 1923. Its imposing structure won the RIBA London Street Architecture Award for the best façade, while inside provided an imaginative twist on a conventional cinema of the time. The Pavilion Symphony Orchestra often accompanied the films, as well as colour lighting effects being used. Although the original interior work was largely destroyed in World War II, Chiu has worked to preserve as much of the original intention as possible: “We love the dramatic theatrical space of the atrium, and deliberately enhance this space with the use of black and gold throughout to offer a dramatic sense of arrival.”

Dorsett took on the challenge to revive the, then derelict, building, with work beginning in 2012. The project saw a large demolition, retaining only the façade, and adding a contemporary glass roof over what is now the Pavilion gym and spa. Spanning eight floors and featuring 317 rooms, natural daylight is in plentiful supply,

flooding the oriental themed space through numerous floor-to-ceiling windows. With relaxation in mind, Chiu describes the colour schemes applied: “We opted for themes that are neutral and relaxing. For public spaces, we adopted a fuss-free approach – simple and sleek design with neutral colours as a background, with many reflective areas to create a clean yet glitzy environment.”

The vast, luxurious lobby welcomes guests, and leads through to the Jin Bar – meaning ‘gold’ in Mandarin – thus reflecting the tone of aesthetic decoration that is prominent. “I adopt the French toile methodology, the timeless elegance of floral pattern, and experiment with leather,” continues Chiu, “which is especially great as leather exudes a rich warmth and a wide range of styles to play with”.

The techniques favoured by Dorsett’s design team filter through the remainder of the hotel, as Asian design fuses with traditional techniques favoured across Europe. “We used Toile de Jouy style with a Chinese architectural complex scene, which features illustrations depicting different nationals, denoting the migration of cultures from around the world,” describes Chiu. “In addition, we have bespoke chandeliers in corridors and curtains of crystals surrounding the skeleton, creating a Western and Chinese fusion.”

Purchasing and installation management company Chris Garrod Global procured all guestroom and public area furnishings for the hotel, using its expertise in the UK and European markets to introduce new suppliers to Dorsett’s current list of Asian companies.

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Chris Garrod Global Limited, Corporate Office, Marble Arch Tower, 55 Bryanston Street, London, W1H 7AA T: +44 (0)203 510 0050 E: chris.garrod@chrisgarrod.com W: www.chrisgarrod.com

LONDON • DUBAI • MUMBAI • HONG KONG • ATLANTA

Left: Jin, the hotel’s atrium bar, is situated beneath a glass ceiling, allowing a flood of natural daylight over the golden-themed space

playing an intrinsic role and corresponding furniture present in both dining areas and guestrooms. Meanwhile, elegance is preserved with guest bathrooms featuring marble throughout, creating a clean cut and classic feel.

The spirited essence of Dorsett is not forgotten, though, as birds are referenced subtly throughout the design scheme.

Symbolising freedom and travel, this reference is often evident in Dorsett properties in Asia, and has now been brought to the brand’s UK location. “In the old days, birds were used as a method of communication, and we have always used this symbol to create and showcase the fun and playful side of Dorsett hotels. We have used it extensively throughout the corridors and in the guestrooms, with our bespoke lighting,” says Chiu.

Speaking of the brands current expansion, and pipeline comprising a further eight hotels – including another in London – Chiu comments: “I want to learn about the different cultural elements around the world, and infuse these elements with our Asian roots,” suggesting exciting times ahead for the brand.

With 22 hotels currently in operation, Dorsett Hospitality International is undergoing expansion both within and outside of Asia. Upcoming projects include two openings in Malaysia with Dorsett Hartamas and Dorsett Putryjaya, the 410room Silka Tsuen Wan in Hong Kong, plus another property in London. The 13-storey Dorsett City, London will neighbour Aldgate tube station and 18th century St. Botolph Church, and build on the brand’s presence in the capital.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 317 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | Spa | 3 meeting rooms | www.dorsetthotels.com Owner / Operator: Dorsett Hospitality International | Project Architect: Flanagan Lawrence Ltd | Interior Design: In-house team headed by Wendy Chiu For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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S&T Interiors UK

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S&T Interiors UK offers a specialist joinery, fit-out & main contracting service for the luxury hospitality, prime residential and commercial sectors. S&T assures quality that will redefine your project, coupled with the capability of executing projects between £500k to £20m.

S&T Interiors (UK) Ltd, 55 Bryanston Street, Marble Arch Tower, London, W1H 7AA Tel: +44 (0) 207 859 8390 | Email: contactuk@stcgroups.com | Linkedin: stc-llc | www.stinteriors-uk.com Part of Services & Trade Company LLC

Conrad ALGARVE

Located in upmarket Quinta da Lago, set within the Ria Formosa National Park, Conrad Algarve is the first European resort for Hilton Worldwide’s luxury brand.

Words: Matt Turner | Photography: Courtesy of Hilton Worldwide (unless otherwise stated)

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he Moorish influence on the Southern coast of Portugal has been a long lasting one. ‘The Algarve’ has its origins in the Moors’ word for the West – ‘al-Gharb.’ The Arabs and Berbers ruled the Iberian peninsula from the 8th to the mid13th century, until Christian conquistadors eventually drove them out. Even now, eight centuries later, the architectural legacy of that period remains in the ornate chimneys, azujelo tiles and whitewashed walls of the Algarve’s buildings, and the almond, fig and orange trees that surround them.

Conrad Algarve, opened in September 2012, offers a modern take on an 18th century Portuguese palace, mixing contemporary design with Moorish influences. Its interiors blend luxurious furnishings with references to the local surroundings and Portuguese history.

The clean lines and open spaces benefit from the abundant natural light with which this region is blessed.

Motifs such as tuberia flowers, typical of the region, can be seen throughout the property – adorning everything from the bedroom panelling to the mosaic patterns in the steam room. Filigree patterns, and elemental references to fire and water are also recurrent themes.

Above & Opposite: Guestrooms and suites feature furnishings by RHA Furniture and Viriato, alongside fabrics by Zimmer + Rohde, Harlequin Harris, Sunbury Design, and Jab; leathers by Andrew Muirhead, Futura Leathers and Moore + Giles, and wallcoverings by Dixon Turner and Vescom

The long calcada tiled avenue which leads from the entrance gates is typical of palaces built during the 18th century, flanked by long reflective water pools, fountains and palm trees. On Sleeper’s visit in Summer 2014, the residential apartments either side of the avenue were still unoccupied – a hangover from the financial crisis that continues to be felt in the Algarve’s real estate market. But the hotel is clearly a popular choice with families enticed by its comprehensive array of facilities.

A variety of designers and architects were involved in bringing the project to fruition. Sigma Architects were the concept architects, working with local practice Palmer Grego Arquitectos, who produced the construction drawings and details. Miguel Cancio Martins (MCM) and Sigma Interiors worked collaboratively on the standard guestroom scheme. MCM were then to carry out the interior design for the suites, the Gusto restaurant, and spa, with Sigma handling the rest of the public areas.

In the latter stages, UK-based practice Rethink Interiors were brought in by Hilton Worldwide, working closely with Hilton’s Global Design team, taking over all of the suites, restaurant and spa areas, re-specifying much of the FF&E, replanning the spaces, and seeing the entire project through to completion.

Says Chris Webb, Senior Director Interior Design for Hilton

Worldwide: “Rethink Interiors undertook the design of the public areas, suites and spa of the Conrad Algarve and tirelessly worked to create a luxury residential aesthetic with a sense of place and glamour following the departure of the initial interior designer MCM Design.

The FF&E and details Kate developed transformed these spaces and her flair in material selection greatly improved the design and quality of the hotel as a whole.”

An extensive art collection, curated by consultant Art Catto enhances the design scheme of the lobby, with regular exhibitions by famous Algarvian artists complementing the permanent pieces on display. Bespoke chandeliers by lighting designer Beau McClellan help to break up the huge domed atrium: “As we have a lot of natural light in Portugal I wanted to take advantage of that,” says McClellan. “All the hand blown glass drops have a special mirror coating that reflects the ever changing surroundings, transforming the chandeliers in to art pieces. Through out the day the mirrors are constantly changing depending on the weather outside or the reflection of those who pass by the installation. At night this coating becomes transparent to reveal the lit element inside the drops.”

Reception desks and seating in the lobby were supplied by RHA Furniture, as was much of the furniture throughout the hotel. The four reception desks feature thick Carrara marble tops, and Zimmer

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This Page: Lighting designer Beau McClellan was commissioned to create three chandeliers for the hotel: two for the main lobby and one for the spa.

Opposite: RHA Furniture supplied seating in all public areas, spa areas and various suites, including custom joinery for coffee tables, reception desks, cabinets, credenzas, meeting tables and AV units.

(Left) In the Gusto restaurant and bar, highlights include a custom-made club table in solid oak, measuring five metres in length; as well as over 40 custom-made dining tables with Woodlam Rosewood silk laminate tops. Other items include Allure dining chairs, Luce SG bar stools for the club table, and Sella high stools in the bar area.

(Bottom) In the Louro restaurant RHA supplied all banquette seating, custom-made from natural oak with deep buttoned inside backs upholstered in Andrew Muirhead leather. (Right) In the ballroom 500 specially designed Palace stacking chairs were specified, produced to a special size using a JAB fabric from Carlucci di Chavasso

Š Vasco CÊlio

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Above: The pool area in the spa is flooded with natural daylight. Outdoor furniture to the spa was supplied by Loom Crafts

+ Rohde floral faux leather upholstery, with chairs by Porada.

154 guestrooms and suites are spread over six floors. All offer calming design schemes, and balconies with views over the gardens or pool and surrounding areas. The Roof Garden Suite and Conrad Suites are particular highlights – the former a 300m2 suite featuring Labyrinth credenzas by Cattelan, Emu’s Heaven outdoor planters, Latina chairs by Frag and additional furnishings by Flexform.

The various eating and drinking options throughout the hotel also blend traditional Portuguese influences with a modern lightness of touch. Michelin-starred chef Gusto Beck has collaborated on Gusto, an upmarket Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar where translucent spherical lightshades, an open fireplace, and deep comfortable seating combine to create a sophisticated atmosphere.

The main ground floor restaurant Louro offers modern Portuguese cuisine, with a series of al fresco spaces around an outdoor fireplace, a chef’s table and a private dining room complementing the main indoor dining area.

The Lago Lounge, located to the right of the atrium lobby, is a relaxing environment for classic cocktails, champagne, teas and patisserie. A custom-made bar counter and drinks counter by RHA

Furniture was inspired by the design of a Louis Vuitton suitcase.

Custom-made seating is made with American walnut frames, and a mix of fabrics and leathers by Osborne & Little, Panaz, and Moore + Giles. Tables are radial veneered in walnut, to a bespoke design by Rethink Interiors. Poolside restaurant Dado has a South American influenced menu, and also offers a generous BBQ brunch in the shaded gardens at weekends.

The 1800m² Conrad Spa features a tranquil sun terrace with impressive views and includes a sauna, steam room, hydro massage heated pool, sensory showers, plunge pool and ice fountain. Five treatment rooms, each with outdoor cabana, bring an alfresco element to the spa experience. There is also a sports lounge, the ‘Little C Palace’ childrens club and a variety of flexible event spaces, from an impressive ballroom complete with panoramic views to six spacious meeting rooms boasting natural light and modern design.

For those who can tear themselves away from the extensive landscaped gardens and variety of pools the hotel offers complimentary transport to nearby beaches and golf courses, but really this is a resort with enough facilities to keep most guests entertained for the duration of their stay.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 154 guestrooms | 3 restaurants | 3 bars | Spa, 3 pools | Ballroom, meeting rooms | www.conradalgarve.com Developer: Grupo Imocom | Operator: Hilton Worldwide | Architecture: Sigma Architecture and Interiors (Concept Architect); Palmer Grego Arquitectos (Local Architect) | Interior Design: Rethink Interiors; Miguel Cancio Martins (MCM Design); Sigma Architecture and Interiors For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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PARIS Regularly topping the charts for both tourist arrivals and hotel performance, Paris proves there is still room for growth across all sectors.

Words: Catherine Martin

I

Despont has been commissioned to design the interiors for the iconic Ritz Paris, currently undergoing major refurbishment; and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has been appointed to manage the legendary Hôtel de Crillon, expected to re-open in 2015 after a complete restoration overseen by architect Richard Martinet. The hotel will also feature two suites designed by Karl Lagerfeld. Meanwhile Jean-Michel Wilmotte is currently overseeing the three-year renovation of Hôtel Lutetia, which closed in April, and the historic Hotel du Louvre is being transformed into an Andaz.

Another of Paris’ original majestic hotels, formerly the Grand Hotel Terminus at Gare Saint-Lazare, is being refurbished by Richmond International and will reopen as Hilton Paris Opera early 2015. And an ambitious scheme from LVMH will see the historic Samaritaine department store transformed into a flagship Cheval Blanc by architect Edouard François.

But Paris’ pipeline isn’t all about five-star luxury. Ranking amongst the top youth travel destinations in the world, the city is crying out for well-designed lodgings that are geared towards the next generation traveller. CitizenM opened a 230-room property at Charles de Gaulle Airport earlier this year, soon to be joined by a refurbished Pentahotel. And in the centre of Paris, London-based owner and developer Ennismore has announced it will bring its Hoxton product to the 2nd Arrondissement, an area gaining a reputation for its alternative café culture, hip bars and restaurants. Also on the boards is Jean-Pierre Marois’ transformation of former celebrity hangout Les Bains Douche, rumoured to be a hotel and private members club, and a 369-key Meliá hotel in La Défense.

Aiming to address the shortage of budget beds, design-led hostel Generator will open in the emerging 10th Arrondissement thanks to further investment from Patron Capital. Accommodating up to 950 guests in a range of dorms, private rooms and luxury penthouse apartments, Generator Paris will be the largest property in the group’s portfolio and will feature interiors by The Design Agency.

It’s clear that there is still huge appetite for hotel investment across all sectors, and in a market with high barriers to entry due to lack of land and assets, there is little risk of oversupply. With record tourist arrivals expected in 2014 and a steady flow of new supply, Paris’ reign looks set to continue.

t is the number one tourist destination in the world, and for many of the 85 million who travel to France every year, the city of Paris is the main attraction.

Enticed by gourmet dining, stylish boutiques, some of the greatest artworks in history and an instantly recognisable architectural icon, tourists flock to Paris in their droves. With a record 36.9 million overnight stays in 2012 and top-three rankings across all key performance indicators, is it any wonder that Paris’ hotel market continues to go from strength to strength?

Adding to its already impressive resumé, Paris, along with London, is also the world’s most sought-after market for investors. According to Jones Lang LaSalle, hotel investment volumes in the city increased by 47% in 2013, reaching approximately €1.3 billion, a record year since 2005. This was due to large portfolio and trophy assets transactions, a trend that has continued in 2014 with the €344.5 million purchase of Paris Marriott Hotel Champs-Elysees by the Chinese group Kai Yuan Holdings Limited, and an offer from Qatarbased investor Constellation Hotels Holding Limited to purchase InterContinental Paris Le Grand for €330million.

Hotel groups continue to plant flags in the city, aiming for a multi-brand presence in a market that is able to support a wide range of product types. In addition to those featured in the following pages, recent openings include the 110-room Renaissance Paris Hippodrome de St. Cloud, a country house style property designed

by Jean-Philippe Nuel; Marriott’s AC Hotel Paris Porte Maillot; and IHG’s 57-room Hotel Indigo Paris Opera.

Perhaps the largest venture in terms of scale is Accor’s Pullman Paris Live project. In 2012, the Paris-based group announced it would revolutionise the interiors of its five Parisian hotels located in the key districts of Montparnasse, Bercy, Tour Eiffel, La Défense and Charles de Gaulle Airport. Over the past 30 months, eight designers including Christophe Pillet, JOI Design and Didier Rey have refurbished a total of 2,510 guestrooms and 26,000m2 of public space. The last to complete, Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower, opened in April 2014.

Continued demand for trophy assets has led to an influx of new luxury hotels and multi-million Euro refurbishments: Hong Kongbased Peninsula Hotels opened its first European property in August following a four-year renovation; French-born designer Thierry W.

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Clockwise From Above: An ambitious scheme from LVMH will see the historic Samaritaine department store transformed into a flagship Cheval Blanc; The former Grand Hotel Terminus at Gare Saint-Lazare is being refurbished by Richmond International and will reopen as Hilton Paris Opera early 2015; Meliá is soon to open a 369-room hotel in La Défense; Generator will open a 950bed hostel – its largest to date – in the emerging 10th Arrondissement thanks to further investment from Patron Capital

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Molitor PARIS

This famous Art Deco swimming pool complex has been reinvented as an urban resort by interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel.

Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Abacapress / Boris Zuliani

I

t may not be as familiar or famous as the Tour Eiffel, Notre Dame or the Pompidou, yet the Piscine Molitor still holds a special place in Parisian history.

Opened in 1929, for six decades Molitor was the most popular swimming baths in Paris. Located between the Roland Garros Stadium and Parc des Princes on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, it was originally designed in Art Deco style by architect Lucien Pollet to resemble an ocean liner.

Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller – who would go on to find fame playing Tarzan in the 1930s and 40s – officially inaugurated the pool complex. In 1946, the bikini was paraded poolside for the first time at a fashion show for its designer Louis Reard. It was later used as an ice rink until the 1970s, eventually falling into disrepair in the 1980s, yet Molitor continued to exert an influence on French cultural life. Following its listing as a historical monument in 1989, and failed attempts to convert it to apartments, it became an artists’ hangout, popular with the demi-monde. The all-night raves held in its derelict, graffiti strewn walls were legendary.

Having been saved from demolition, the building sat unused

Above: The outdoor swimming pool area is surrounded by three terraced storeys of bathing cabins, resembling the deck of an ocean liner

throughout the 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century. It took a collaborative proposal led by Sebastien Bazin, bringing together Colony Capital; Accor (where Bazin is now Chairman and Chief Executive Officer); and industrial group Boygues with architects Jacques Rougerie, Alain Derbesse and Perrot & Richard, to secure its future. Their redevelopment has seen the restoration of the two pools and the addition of an MGallery-operated hotel, comprising 104 guestrooms, 20 suites, a restaurant by celebrated chef Yannick Alleno, two bars, a Clarins spa, sports halls, sauna and extensive meeting facilities.

Perrot & Richard were the heritage architects, tasked with rediscovering the authentic colours, materials and finishes that had been buried under layers of paint over the years. Renowned marine architect Jacques Rougerie consulted on the renovation of the pool areas, with Derbesse Delplanque Architectes & Associes co-ordinating the project, and designing the newbuild component which houses the guestrooms.

The development team sum up their new vision in three simple words: “Pool, Art, Life.” The swimming pools – one indoor, one outdoor – are unique in Paris, and still very much the raison d’etre of the building: “These monumental emblems are the foundation of its architecture. At Molitor everyone is a potential swimmer, a would-be sunbather.” The mosaic and glass surrounds of the indoor

pool, and the sunloungers aligned around the outdoor one, heated all year round to 28c, create the feeling of an urban resort in the heart of the French capital.

Jean Philippe Nuel of Agence Nuel conceived the interior design as “a journey through time – from the building’s beginnings in the 1930s to the project today. Its original Art Deco character, its graffiti period, and the contemporary modernity that transcends the space – this polymorphic character gives the project its original and sitespecific identity.”

The starting point was the restoration of the historic 1930s spaces.

The striking yellow exterior paintwork, stained-glass windows by artisans Louis Barillet and Damon & Turlan, ornate restaurant ceiling and the original ticket office were all reinstated, with new elements carefully inserted where necessary.

There are extensive references to the building’s artistic history. The spray-painted 1984 Rolls Royce Corniche parked in the lobby was bought by Sebastien Bazin from Eric Cantona, who had previously commissioned street artist JonOne to tag its bodywork. In the restaurant, large-scale photographs by Thomas Jorion show the graffiti-covered walls before demolition. The specially commissioned lithographs on display in the guestrooms are available for sale, and new works, curated by street art expert Magda Danysz, are continually being added.

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Above: The restaurant, by Yannick Alleno, features bespoke banquette seating by Ligne Roset, a carefully restored ceiling and original mosaic floors

The circulation spaces around the building feature numerous black and white photographs of bathers from the 1930s and 40s, and framed vintage posters of Jantzen-style divers. Carpet designs reference the timeline of the hotel – from Weissmuller’s stint as a lifeguard in the 1920s to the urban art of the 1990s.

Furniture is eclectic and loosely arranged, mixing vintage finds (such as a room divider salvaged from department store La Samaritaine) with specially commissioned items including bedroom armchairs, manufactured by Ligne Roset to a Jean Philippe Nuel design which evokes the furniture of the 1940s.

At the corner of the outdoor pool, the lobby opens out into a triangular shape at the centre of the project. Exposed ducts and cable criss-cross the ceiling, with a cluster of 1960s Semi pendants by Gubi suspended above the Rolls Royce. Curtains, mirrors and stainless steel finishes help to break up the space, whilst specially-made rugs reflect the yellow ochre of the exterior, as does the upholstery of a bespoke Ligne Roset ottoman.

The bedrooms – many of them hidden behind beach-hut style cabin doors on the three storey horseshoe of terraces around the outdoor pool – are decorated neutrally, the pale colours offset by artworks and porthole style windows that again reference Molitor’s history.

The spa and sports facilities occupy generous spaces over two levels of the building, offering 13 treatment rooms, including two 50m2 private suites, steam rooms, saunas, library, herbal tea room, and a hair salon. An extensive rooftop terrace overlooking the cityscape has been conceived by landscape gardener Thierry Dalcant as a hanging garden of aromatic herbs and flowers.

“Molitor is a legendary place for Parisians,” says Jean-Philippe Nuel. “People know it for different reasons: some for its days as a swimming pool, others for its years as a hub for graffiti, and it’s this complexity that I love. Molitor is a fascinating character. The idea of the design is to offer an opportunity to share an unique experience that relates to the whole project – a total immersion in the quirky atmosphere of the place.”

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 124 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | Spa, 2 pools | 400m2 meeting space | www.mltr.fr/en Owner: Colony Capital, Accor, Boygues | Operator: Accor | Architecture: Perrot & Richard (Heritage Architect); Alain Derbesse (Executive Architect); Jacques Rougerie (Swimming Pool Renovation) | Interior Design: Agence Nuel For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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For more information, call +44 (0) 1908 904860, write info@teledex.com, or visit www.teledex.com. © 2014 Cetis, Inc. Product specifications and descriptions in this document subject to change without notice. Cetis™, Teledex®, TeleMatrix®, Scitec®, Aegis®, Teledex iPhone™ and ExpressNet® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cetis, Inc.

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The Peninsula PARIS

The Peninsula Hotels makes its European debut with a meticulously restored mansion featuring Asian touches from Chhada Siembieda Leung.

Words: Natasha Edwards | Photography: Courtesy of The Peninsula Paris

F

or its first hotel in Europe – opened in August after four years of work – Peninsula has thought big, very big, proclaiming vast rooms and “spectacular new standards” of luxury and comfort in a prestigious Paris location, occupying an entire block near the Arc de Triomphe. It’s a return to origins for the building, constructed as the Hôtel Majestic in 1908, later briefly home of UNESCO, before becoming an international congress centre under the aegis of the foreign office, and it’s no surprise to learn that the previous mansion on the site was modelled on Versailles. The conversion took on two facets, on one hand, restoration and restructuring by architect Richard

Martinet of Paris-based Affine, on the other, injecting Peninsula style in an East-meets-West vision by interior designer Henry Leung of Hong Kong-based Chhada Siembieda Leung Ltd, originally brought in to design the Chinese restaurant Lili before his remit was extended to the public spaces and guestrooms. Luxury, craftsmanship and technology are combined with occasional artworks, a whiff of retro in the sailor-hatted bellboys and customised 1934 Rolls Royce, and an attention to detail that general manager Nicolas Béliard likens to “what one finds on private jets and boats”.

The structural work, overseen by Martinet, who has a swathe

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Above: The roof terrace of L’Oiseau Blanc offers spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower Opposite (Top): Leung worked with Lasvit to create Dancing Leaves, a hovering installation of 800 handblown glass leaves

of grand hotel renovations behind him including Shangri-La Paris and Four Seasons George V, involved the creation of three basement levels for hotel services, staff quarters, car park, spa and indoor pool; reinforcing foundations and modifying the supporting structure; and the restoration of the bows and flowers on the façades by stonemasons from Degaine. Although the exterior could not be altered, Martinet added two striking glass and steel angular canopies over the main entrance on Avenue des Portugais and over the terrace on Avenue Kléber in a reinterpretation of the classic Parisian marquise. One other daring change is in the sixth floor French restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, where the trademark zinc of Parisian roofs has been replaced by clear glass to provide a view that curves round from the Eiffel Tower to Sacré Coeur, acting like an extension of the roof terrace.

Inside, the historic reception rooms were restored, or in places recreated, as a showcase of French craftsmanship, described by Martinet as a process of rediscovering the vestiges of rooms “lost in the numerous brutal changes” as a “scenic frame for a contemporary and liberated project”. The high ceilings and huge volumes of the ground floor have been largely preserved, while opening up

perspectives that traverse the entire building. The all-day dining room has been returned to a neoclassical feast of carved and gilded columns, stucco friezes, mosaics and frescoes. Furnished à la Louis XV, it also provides a direct entrance to the hotel from Avenue Kléber, with movable, tinted, articulated glass screens to separate the dining areas from passageway. In the Kléber Bar, where the Vietnam peace accords were signed in 1973, rocaille oak wood panelling was taken down, restored and regilded, removing layers of green paint, before being remounted.

In contrast, Lili, the dimly lit Cantonese restaurant dominated by a carved wood dome, is like a trip to China in black lacquer and scarlet.

It is also designed by Leung, who had previously designed restaurants and bars for Peninsula in Beijing, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Manila. “This Chinese restaurant was a challenging and interesting opportunity for us,” he explains. “The existing architectural envelope is very nice, with statues and mouldings, so we tried as much as possible to not disturb it. As the first time our company is present in Europe, this is a good stage for us to show our Asian hospitality, a good chance for cultural exchange. We started to be inspired by the

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theme of a stage and then opera as a link for these two cultures to dialogue with each other.

Only two fifths of the restaurant is covered by our decor, the rest of it is still exposed, leaving the angel cornice and adding some Chinese elements.” At the entrance is a portrait of ‘Lili’ in fibreoptics, and tying back the curtains are four gigantic tassels, the largest ever made by Passementaries Declerq, original suppliers of Paris’ Opéra Garnier.

After the extravagance of the public spaces, the 166 bedrooms and 34 suites are comparatively sober, in a reduced palette of cream, muted grey and dark varnished wood.

The bedrooms have a distinct air of Shanghai’s 1920s Art Deco quarter, with a geometrical graphic quality created by dark, polished wood around cornices and doorframes, although says Béliard, for Peninsula it was more a question of seeking a timeless style.

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FOR THE PENINSULA PARIS Art Glass Sculpture Dancing Leaves Lasvit Product Designer / Luděk Hroch The breathtaking sight of magically flying leaves from Parisian plane trees, typical for Paris and the Elysées district, induces a feeling of dancing – dancing leaves which may in turn just make us want to dance.

LIGHT DESIGN EXPERIENCE www.lasvit.com

Above: Lili, the Cantonese restaurant dominated by a carved wood dome, is decorated in Oriental style with a palette of black lacquer and scarlet

“We try to do something that is contemporary but won’t age,” he says. “The testimony of a good design is when it lasts over time.”

For Leung, the style, also suggested by the macassar desks and glass and chrome desk lamps, reflects the beginnings of modernity when the hotel was built, but he insists: “At the same time we have been inspired by the neighbourhood of the Champs Élysées, its famous boutiques and haute couture. The refinement of handcrafted, custommade features like the headboard, with the cutting of the leather, its patterns and workmanship, the crystal handle on the TV cabinet and the trunk idea in the dressing room are all inspired by haute-couture fashion.” As well as Fiona Murray, who designed the bedheads, Leung worked with several suppliers in Europe. Bathrooms are black and white marble affairs constructed around an oval rotunda, with large baths, separate showers and Toto toilets. Some features, such as long corridors in the suites, and walk through dressing room – here with trunk-style leather handles on the drawers – are typical of the Peninsula formula, though the constraints of the existing building, with ceiling heights that are different on each floor and the sloping

walls of the mansarded upper storey, meant that elements such as the TV cabinet had to be adapted for each floor.

The apparent classicism hides an impressive array of technology and an estimated 2.5km of cabling for each room. Tablets by the bed and inserted into the desks allow control of heating, curtains, TV, radio, films or music on demand, get information or order room service in eleven languages. Even the light switches, for those who don’t wish to use the tablet, have been replaced by LED touchpads.

Perhaps one of the most striking features is back in the reception hall. As the brief requested something hanging from the ceiling in the reception area, “For Paris, I felt that we have to welcome people with something very artistic,” says Leung. Rather than a chandelier, he designed ‘Dancing Leaves’, a hovering installation of 800 handblown glass leaves, which contrasts with three rocks beneath; a reference to “the Parisian plane trees outside on Avenue Kléber,” says Leung, who worked with glassmakers at Lasvit, to the extent of travelling to Prague to see a full-scale mock-up before it was installed leaf by leaf in Paris, “shimmering like diamonds when you look up”.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 200 guestrooms | 4 restaurants | 3 bars | Spa | 3 meeting spaces | www.peninsula.com Owner: Katara Hospitality | Operator: The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels | Architecture: Affine | Interior Design: Chhada Siembieda Leung For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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23/10/2014 14:51

Hôtel Plaza Athénée PARIS

Studios d’Architecture Ory & Associes leads the refurbishment of one of the city’s palace hotels, with interiors by Bruno Moinard, Marie-José Pommereau and Jouin Manku.

Words: Guy Dittrich | Photography: © Eric Laignel (unless otherwise stated)

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he abundance of red geraniums in the window boxes that adorn the elegantly detailed façade of the Hôtel Plaza Athénée are the hotel’s signature colour. Since its opening in 1913, the hotel has always been considered one the city’s self-categorised ‘Palace Hotels’, a fact reconfirmed by the formal designation of Palace Distinction when it was introduced in 2010 by Atout France, the French Agency for Tourism Development. Like several of the other Parisian grand dames, the Hôtel Plaza Athénée has recently undergone a significant refurbishment.

However unlike the works on some of the other hotels that were a reaction to being omitted from the new classification, the refurbishment at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée is well considered.

Admittedly the work was begun during the year of the hotel’s centenary celebrations but the plan had been in the offing for some time. The gradual acquisition of three neighbouring properties presented the opportunity to integrate them into the existing hotel, part of the Dorchester Collection. The result is six new guestrooms, eight suites, a ballroom and two new event spaces. At the same time the majority of the rest of the hotel was also refurbished. The result of this is a revamped lobby, a new-look venue for the Alain Ducasse fine-dining restaurant, an extraordinary new mise en scène for Le Bar, and subtle changes to several other public spaces plus upgrades to guestrooms.

Work on the 208-room hotel – completed within the 11 months the hotel was closed – was coordinated by Jean-Jacques Ory, Président of Studios d’Architecture Ory & Associes. This is a remarkable achievement given the historic nature of the site and the range of

crafts that needed to be coordinated. And even more astonishing when compared to the ongoing closures of both the Ritz Paris and Hôtel de Crillon, each currently for more than two years. “During the majority of the works there were around 500 workers on the site,” explains Ory of the programme undertaken by main contractor Vinci, the world’s largest construction company by revenue.

Having won the competition for lead architect, Ory and longstanding General Manager Francoise Delahaye then selected interior designers from amongst France’s finest. Bruno Moinard for the public spaces, Marie-José Pommereau for the guestrooms and Jouin Manku for the gastronomic restaurant and bar.

“We wanted to keep the largely classical Parisian look to continue to attract the hotel’s existing clientele,” explains Ory of the importance of both continuity and heritage in the scheme. Along with an expected air of newness, the overall feel of the renovation is one of lightness.

Fresh paintwork is a given, but this old lady feels totally rejuvenated.

Moinard has added a new curved reception desk that is topped, like the new concierge desk, with a sizable chunk of white marble.

His circular central carpet has a radiating crystalline pattern that mimics the chandelier above. The surrounding columns are now hung with large mirror-finished vases. The adjacent La Galleria also sees new carpets and reupholstered furnishings but here the real trick has been to release revenue-generating space from what were the toilets.

The matching of the finish on the new composite stone columns is unnoticeable and a great example, according to Ory, of the artisanal skills or French savoire faire. There is no way of knowing these new spaces have not been there forever.

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Above: Guestrooms are a modern interpretation of traditional French Regency style Previous Page: Semi-circular, silver-backed banquettes feature in the Alain Ducasse restaurant

A specialist in classical French Regency style, Moinard had a field day in the new Haute Couture ballroom with its ornate patterning.

No less than seven chandeliers hang from the 5.75-metre-high ceilings that allow for a mezzanine balcony. He also turned his hand to the Art Deco finishes of the brasserie, Le Relais Plaza that originally opened in 1936. Here, more space has been won for the bar area that sits beneath a spectacular hunting scene frieze. But more noticeably a new, street level window now brightens up the raised rear dining area that sits within the lampshade-like pleats, made from fibrous plaster that cover this high-ceilinged internal volume.

The whole building above the brasserie was acquired and is now home to the eight new suites with interiors by Pommereau. Two of these are signature Eiffel Tower suites where the monument is seen picture-like, through silver-framed windows. Above the Harry Winston jewellery store are a further six new guestrooms that overlook the haute couture street of Paris, Avenue Montaigne. These can be transformed into a single apartment unit. Pommereau has offset the common colour tone of these spaces, a livable soft grey, with primrose, deep red or a purple-mauve mix. Damask and plain silks from the top couture houses are used at the windows and on the armchairs and beds.

Lavish and plush, Pommereau’s interiors here are a modern interpretation of the traditional French Regency style found in all but two floors of the original hotel rooms that are organised around a central courtyard. The other two floors follow a beautiful Art Deco aesthetic. Many of the existing rooms of the hotel have newly renovated bathrooms with the extensive use of bright Calacatta greyveined marble from Carrara.

Pommereau’s work emphasises the sense continuity that comes from her 14-year long connection with the hotel. Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku have an equally long connection with the Hôtel Plaza Athénée. However despite designing the first interiors for the Alain Ducasse restaurant back in 2000, any sense of continuum in the latest, third iteration is not immediately apparent.

Ducasse has adopted a new menu that focuses on only fish, vegetables and cereals. Jouin Manku wanted the design to also tell the guest that something has changed. “Our design is the first amuse bouche,” explains Manku. “We wanted to introduce a human lightness that was not detrimental to the extraordinariness of the room.” From specifically designed tableware to the elegant, foldable One_Shot.MGX stools made using a 3D laser printing process, Jouin Manku has designed pretty much everything. The open-pore

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Above: Dramatic ceiling treatment in Le Bar is made up of ruched folds of deep blue material

tabletops of French oak, used without tablecloths for dinner, and the topstitched leather furniture speak to this human touch.

Astonishingly eye-catching are the semi-circular, silver-backed banquettes, reminiscent of the cloche de service used for dramatic effect when serving in classic restaurants. Here they serve a smart purpose. The curved banquettes that reflect the crystal chandeliers are limited to three tables near the entrance of the restaurant making them now much more sought after than usual. They provide a moment of pause for guests entering the restaurant and also some privacy for those seated there.

The sense of evolution in the restaurant’s design will be apparent to regular guests. The metal mesh curtains of the first incarnation design have been re-used within new glass screens. The lamella pattern used in screens from the second generation have been reinterpreted in the subtle white finish of the concave, throne-like surround of the La Cabane table, where only the best of the wine list is available.

Jouin Manku’s work in Le Bar is totally new. Within, of course, the historical envelope of this wood panelled volume. In a straightforward

reflection of the haute couture culture of avenue Montaigne that lies beyond the bar’s terrace is the dramatic ceiling treatment. “Like a cloud drifting through the room we wanted to give the space a big smile,” explains Jouin of the ruched folds of deep blue material.

Beneath, a new curved bar counter replaces the former long bar.

This is another eye-catching piece made from clear resin ‘infused’ with what appears to be whispers of smoke – a technique developed after much research and development and prototyping by Jouin Manku. Amidst the bespoke leather-upholstered furnishings and sophisticated lollipop-style standard lamps is another operational benefit. Observing that the area around bar counter was used more for standing guests, Jouin Manku used a slimmer depth to the surrounding seating, where guests now ‘perch’ at the same height as those standing.

The refurbishment of the Hôtel Plaza Athénée delivers in equal measure a sense of everything being the same, just new, whilst simultaneously providing operational and guest-friendly benefits together with a healthy dose of creative drama.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 208 guestrooms | 4 restaurants | 1 bar | Spa | 5 meeting spaces | www.dorchestercollection.com Architecture: Studios d’Architecture Ory & Associes | Interior Design: Bruno Moinard, Marie-José Pommereau, Jouin Manku For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower PARIS

Designed by Christophe Pillet, Pullman’s new flagship opens its doors, marking the completion of an ambitious overhaul of its Parisian portfolio.

Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: Courtesy of Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower

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n late 2012, Pullman announced it was to revolutionise the interiors of its five Parisian hotels with refurbishments scheduled to last until the first quarter of 2014. The ambitious overhaul, baptised ‘Pullman Paris Live’, would involve no less than eight design teams, the renovation of over 2,500 guestrooms, and the reinvention of 26,000m2 of public areas.

The simultaneous refurbishment of five hotels in one city over such a short period of time is a feat that no other hotel group has dared attempt. But with investment from each of the hotel’s owners and support from parent group Accor, the upscale brand has reinvented itself on home turf.

In March 2013, Pullman Paris La Défense was the first to reopen, followed by hotels in Montparnasse, Bercy and Charles de Gaulle Airport. The final unveiling, and perhaps the most anticipated, was its flagship, Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower.

Facing the Trocadéro and located just steps from the city’s greatest architectural wonder, the property has always been blessed with an enviable location. But with little upgrading since first opening as a Hilton in 1966, it was in dire need of attention.

The hotel was originally designed by Raymond Loewy, a Frenchborn industrial designer whose inventions – notably the Shell logo

and streamlined Coca Cola bottle – are still in circulation today.

Loewy spent much of his professional career in the United States and this influence has been recognised in the hotel’s new identity, not least Californian-inspired restaurant. Formerly an American-style steakhouse, the newly-named Frame is a French-Californian brasserie that embodies the spirit of the west coast in a quintessentially Parisian setting. Injecting such Parisian flair is locally-based designer Christophe Pillet, responsible for the refurbishment of the entire hotel.

With open panel dividers and a décor featuring wood and mirrored columns, the restaurant is both open and intimate. Tables close to the open kitchen benefit from the theatre of chef Alain Lobsar perfecting his Californian-inspired dishes, while those by the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a taste of Parisian street life. Seating – in the form of Ezy tub chairs designed by Pillet and manufactured by Offect – is upholstered in effervescent yellow and adds a splash of colour to the various tones of grey and taupe.

Despite its American cuisine, Frame also demonstrates an appreciation for homegrown produce. Many of the ingredients found in the dishes are handpicked from the hotel’s own garden, a surprising addition for such a centrally located city hotel. Spanning 600m2 and brought to life by a dedicated team of urban gardeners, the jardin

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Above: The lobby is furnished with a range of lounge chairs and a low-level flexible sofa system designed by Pillet and manufactured by Offect

pieces of furniture are once again Pillet’s own designs. The Frenchman was also responsible for the refurbishment of the 382 guestrooms at Pullman Paris La Défense and there are clear similarities between the two. All rooms have free WiFi as well as Quadriga’s Personal Media Network solution and a Bose docking station. Pullman is thought to be the first hotel brand to have adopted this revolutionary technology which facilitates seamless use of both the hotel’s and the guest’s technologies and makes the room an integrated environment where the TV, smartphone and tablet are synchronised to offer an unlimited range of services and content.

While its location will predominantly attract the leisure traveller, Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower’s facilities also cater to the corporate guest. At the basement level, a ballroom, 23 flexible meeting rooms, and a connectivity lounge developed in partnership with Microsoft, are suitable for small or large-scale meetings. For those looking for a less conventional business environment, Pullman has created the Business Playground, a concept that is to be rolled out worldwide.

Created by designer Mathieu Lehanneur, the space reflects the brand’s ‘work hard, play hard’ motto and offers what it calls ‘a playing field for ideas’. The key element to the room is the table, reinterpreted

by Lehanneur as a poker table with a cushioned leather edge that encourages delegates to lean forward and play, or engage in conversation. Made from fibreglass, Corian and leather, the table

potager provides over 60 varieties of fruits and vegetables as well as seasonal herbs, freshly laid eggs for Sunday brunch, and homemade honey produced by the resident bees. Furthermore, the incredibly fertile vegetable patch produces all salad served in the restaurant, a standard that will continue year-round thanks to the ability for 12 of the raised beds to be converted to weather-protected polytunnels.

In addition, the garden is committed to being 100% organic and eco-friendly with its design based on the bio mimicry of ecosystems.

Many of the fruits and herbs grown on site are also used by Pullman’s mixologists to create distinctive cordials and syrups, such as sage vodka and house infused thyme cognac. The bar, a continuation of Frame, also offers a Vinoteca with an extensive range of still and sparkling wines by the glass, expertly chosen by Olivier Poussier, winner of the Best Sommelier in the World.

The adjoining lobby is a multi-purpose space furnished with a range of lounge chairs and low-level flexible sofa system, again designed by Pillet for Offect, adding a vibrant red that can be seen throughout the property.

The 430 guestrooms range from the 26m2 classic room with garden view, to the 110m2 Eiffel Suite complete with 18m2 balcony and a spectacular vista of the city. Rooms are classified by view with the interior design following a contemporary scheme of soft muted greys, textured wallcoverings and splashes of colour in the upholstery. Key

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Above: Guestrooms are classified by view with the interior design following a contemporary scheme of soft muted greys, textured wallcoverings and splashes of colour in the upholstery

Vice President of Global Marketing for Pullman. “Whether they are staying for business, leisure or both, our objective is to offer our guests a cosmopolitan, vibrant and in style experience. The designer element in our hotels will be reinforced by the brand’s commitments in the field of contemporary art.”

Adds Pillet: “These renovations anchor the brand in a contemporary, audacious and modern reality. Interior design is not a stance, but a modern-day language that serves the simple, practical, easy experience offered to guests.”

But, according to General Manager Rene Angoujard who joined Accor in 1976, it isn’t just the design that has been a success. The close working relationship between Pullman and Pillet has also resulted in a hotel that is operationally efficient. Angoujard, whose expertise lies in new openings, has commended Pillet for taking the time to understand the operations of this particular property, and willingness to tweak his designs accordingly. He concludes: “It’s one of the very few hotels I’ve seen where the designer has done something that is easy to manage in operations and is comfortable for the guest.”

also incorporates technology and connectivity options. Guests can control the sound and visual environment as well as the lighting via an all-in-one solution provided by Crestron.

The Business Playground also features a dedicated relaxation area known as Pullman Canopy Break, and a cabinet of curiosities housing unusual objects and books curated to inspire and stimulate creativity.

The hotel’s crowning glory is undoubtedly the Trocadéro private event space on the 10th floor. The flexible 300m2 venue features floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass roof through which the tip of the Eiffel Tower can be seen. A wraparound terrace completes the offer and allows spectacular panoramic views of the city.

The opening of the property marks the completion of the Pullman Paris Live project in which design has been key. Guestrooms are brighter and blend comfort with modernity, and the public areas focus on interaction, providing spaces for work, entertainment, meetings and socialising.

“Our brand project offers a new approach to upscale hospitality in which design plays a key role,” explains Xavier Louyot, Senior

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 430 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | Gym | 23 meeting rooms | www.pullmanhotels.com Operator: Pullman Hotels & Resorts | Interior Design: Christophe Pillet For full photography of this project and details of the companies involved visit www.innspec.com

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06/08/2014 14:27

THE INTELLIGENCE SOURCE FOR THE HOTEL INVESTMENT COMMUNITY

TUI marriage makes for massive hotelier Travel groups Tui AG and TUI Travel have revealed more details of their planned merger, which management of both companies have now agreed to proceed with. At the heart of the company’s strategic plan is the growth of its vertically integrated business, meaning the combined TUI will be looking to add more hotels and cruise ships to its inventory.

The deal will create the world’s largest integrated leisure tourism business, and the pairing are clear that they want to protect their “content”, adding to the key inventory that will allow them to sell holidays with key components that cannot be accessed by any other route. Subject to the ratification of shareholders at a meeting towards the end of October, the new organisation will start taking shape by the year end.

Unsurprisingly, there are promises of efficiency savings from the combination of the two businesses. Potential cost savings are promised of “at least EUR45m per annum” while the unified tax structure should cut around seven points from the group’s taxation percentage, dropping it to 24%. By learning from the better performing parts from each of the two businesses, there are further profits to be generated. TUI Travel’s Magic Life clubs, for example, achieve 5% better occupancy than its German counterpart’s hotels and resorts - and each 1% improvement

in occupancy delivers around EUR6.1m of additional profit, it is reckoned.

As far as hotels are concerned, the merger prospectus talks of “an asset-right business model” that will include an optimal mix of owned and managed hotels and cruise ships.

Under Tui AG’s management, these elements have already been growing in scale, and the merged company promises to add more than 90 extra hotels, and two more cruise ships.

A credit facility of EUR1.55bn, and EUR600m medium term loan will provide the funds to acquire these assets. The total of 90 combines existing individual plans from TUI Travel to add 60 hotels, and Tui AG to add 30 hotels, by the financial year 2018/19.

The company states that it expects each hotel to typically contribute around EUR1.4m to Ebita. “This reinforces the combined group’s competitive advantage versus nonintegrated leisure travel businesses through further control over the end-to-end customer experience,” the prospectus notes. Currently, Tui AG has 50% of its hotel inventory under management contracts, with 9% leased or franchised, and 41% is owned.

Notably, the prospectus hoists a for sale sign over Tui AG’s stake in container shipping business HapagLloyd. Yet it is less clear about the future of the online accommodation and specialist activity businesses, saying the group will “maximise their growth and value”. There has been some speculation that non-core businesses such as the Laterooms booking site could,

potentially be sold off.

Tui AG currently has more than 230 hotels, with 155,000 beds, in its portfolio, making it already Europe’s largest holiday hotelier. It also has seven cruise ships currently, and was planning to add 30 more hotels and two more ships in the next couple of years. And the pair are already experienced at working together. Tui AG provides around 15% of the hotel content that TUI Travel sells; of the rest, TUI Travel delivers 10% from its own properties, with 75% delivered by third parties.

For some time now, TUI Travel has been pursuing a strategy of offering “unique holidays” - meaning packages that cannot be purchased via another travel agency. They offer a competitive advantage, and aim to deliver a superior customer experience - they also generally get booked further in advance, and aim for strong repeat business. Already in its own business plan, TUI Travel had targeted growing its proportion of unique holiday sales to 76% of its business by 2016-17; and to support this, to add a further 60 hotels by the financial year 2018/19.

In addition to combining the pair’s business growth tracks, the prospectus suggests the combination of a strong sales channel will also encourage other “content providers”. Hotel and resort owners will, it says, want to sign sole agreements with a winning team; enabling the group to grow with an optimal mix of owned, joint venture, managed and third party hotels.

The vertical integration model

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can deliver significant operational benefits, notes the prospectus. In the three years that TUI Travel has run the Magic Life clubs, it has taken occupancy from 77% to 85%.

HA Perspective (by Chris Bown): Here is a substantial travel business that already operates hundreds of hotels, and is looking to take on more. According to The Otus European brand report in 2013, Tui AG has 139 hotels and its 34,000room count puts it not far behind Wyndham in scale in Europe.

TUI Travel has 43 hotels - so the combined pair will start with more than 45,000 rooms - making its portfolio larger than Starwood and Choice in Europe.

Yet unlike the global hotel brands, it is not in the market of selling single nights; instead, it wants to market a package including travel and board exclusively via its own distribution channels - which include a strong high street presence of shops that were once called travel agents.

It is also a major hotel investor.

Tui AG has an investment in hotels and resorts of around EUR1.9bn.

And with plans to add plenty more, it has a war chest to buy - as well as sign operating agreements.

The vertically integrated model works well within the leisure space.

Center Parcs, which provides an allin accommodation, entertainment and food & beverage offering (though customers do have to make their own travel arrangements), is running at practically 100% occupancy; and on the strength of its performance across its UK sites,

owner Blackstone is now said to be mooting a flotation. And a bid battle is in full flow over Club Med, which similarly to Center Parcs offers an all-in experience at its clubs - and similarly to Tui, also operates some of its own retail outlets.

Not everyone is convinced of the vertical integration model. Former UK high street travel retailer Ian Smith, who headed the Lunn Poly agency chain, recently declared in a speech that controlled distribution of in-house products risks driving customers away. That is true, in as much that those same customers can find all the choice they want online. But, if they want the human touch when booking, they have little alternative, thanks to the demise of old-fashioned whole of market travel agents; it’s Thomas Cook, or TUI. Additional comment by Andrew Sangster: Tui is usually overlooked by the hotel industry. But it is an increasing threat that should not be dismissed.

The main point of attack has historically been in the resort business and the likes of Melia will know only too well the power of vertical integration and the challenge of breaking it down.

But Tui has a growing and effective online presence.

It is challenging hoteliers’ own distribution systems through both wholesaling and direct to consumer offers. And unlike other online rivals, Tui has its own base of hotel rooms to leverage in the market.

Newly-split Accor tells positive story

in Ebit, thanks to HotelService performance. Also doing well were the Americas, up 21.5% overall, while France - reported separately - saw a 3.6% fall in Ebit. Here, though HotelServices delivered an improved contribution, HotelInvest saw returns fall. Elsewhere in Europe, both the UK and Benelux markets saw solid demand.

Having recruited former Orange innovation executive Vivek Badrinath earlier in the year, Accor is now looking to improve its digital and online connections. A new digital guest solution initiated in April will be rolled out to 1,000 hotels by the end of the year, with a digital roadshow promised this autumn, while its Le Club loyalty programme is improving its member offering. Accor generated 32% of its gross revenues through the web in the first half, and initiatives including a four-year football sponsorship (see below) are dedicated to driving that figure up.

HotelInvest now has an interest in 1,369 hotels, of which it owned 368 at the end of June. Three quarters of these are in Europe, and 95% are budget, economy or midscale segment properties. Of the total, 56% of the properties are on variable leases, while 24% remain on fixed leases. The gross asset value is put at somewhere between EUR55.5bn, with the ROI calculated at 8% for the owned assets, and 15% on the leased hotels, producing an average 10.6%.

A more detailed breakdown of the HotelInvest portfolio reveals the 336 fixed lease properties are delivering an Ebit margin of just

Accor improved like for like revenues 2.8% in the first half of 2014, as the group accelerated its new strategy of being both a hotel operator, and a hotel owner via its new HotelInvest division.

Earnings at EUR219m were up 17.6% compared with the first HotelInvest assets, now valued at over EUR5bn, are delivering a 10.6% return on investment.

“The group’s transformation is well under way,” said CEO Sebastien Bazin. “The strong results for the period, with an increase in margins, reflect good momentum and the work of highly committed teams to deploy our new strategy. We have significantly increased resources and completed major acquisitions and restructuring for HotelInvest in the first half; in the second half, we will focus in paritcular on deploying the HotelServices strategy built around innovation, digital solutions and brands.”

Growth continues apace, with 12,284 rooms added in the half year, and the pipeline now standing at 144,000 rooms. Performance at HotelServices saw every market except France improving (the home market “remains a concern”) and full year Ebit is expected in the range EUR575-595m.

Following its internal split, Accor now reports Ebit by region as a group, and per its operating and property units. The combined figures showed Asia Pacific delivering best, with a 23.3% improvement

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0.8%, while 44 properties listed under “other” - ie those not owned, or rented on fixed or variable leases - are pulling the results down, with a negative 18.3% Ebit margin.

During the half, deals on a further 25 properties were restructured, improving the situation at 18 leased and seven owned properties.

The company is poised to grab further acquisitions as it sees opportunities, having drawn together further financial firepower in the first half. A EUR900m issue of loan notes and EUR1.8bn syndicated credit line were put in place, attracting strong demand from participants that enabled Accor to strike deals at record low interest rates.

Following the end of the accounting period, the company has been busy buying more assets for HotelInvest. In the UK, it has purchased a EUR89m portfolio of 13 hotels from investor Tritax.

The package includes 12 Ibis and one Ibis budget hotels, in UK city locations including Birmingham and Manchester.

The deals have not all been one way, however, as recently two Novotels in the UK were sold to an investor, Fairview Hotels, and franchised back.

“These transactions demonstrate Accor’s ability to act swiftly in implementing the strategy announced nine months ago,” said HotelInvest COO John Ozinga.

“It’s an important step forward in the significant restructuring that we are leading with HotelInvest, fully aligned with our objectives which include creating value by optimising

return on capital employed, while strengthening our position as the largest owner of economy and midscale hotels in key European markets.”

Once again, the purchase is effectively a buy back, with Accor having operated the hotels since 2001 under variable leases, opting to sell them to Tritax in 2005.

The deal will give HotelInvest an immediate portfolio rationalisation opportunity, as three F1 branded hotels Accor already owns, adjacent to Ibis hotels in Liverpool and east London, are to be debranded and integrated as extensions to the Ibis properties.

Accor has said it will use debt to fund the purchase, with the deal reducing off balance sheet debt by around EUR39m, improving Ebit and increasing HotelInvest’s net operating income by 0.5%.

The company has also been busy cranking up expansion in Australia, with two major new projects announced, as it opened the 311 room Ibis Adelaide, its first Ibis hotel opened in the country since 2008. In Sydney, it will brand a new 616 room Sofitel, scheduled to open in 2017; the development is being forward funded by local investor Jerry Schwartz, who already owns the city’s Mercure. In Brisbane, it has signed to open a 368 room Ibis, the largest in the region, which should take its first guests in 2016. The AUD90m project will be developed by Dubai developer Action Hotels.

And in its home French market, Accor has signed a four year deal that ensures its accorhotels.com

booking portal gets in front of soccer fans. The agreement with the French football federation will see Accor sponsor the French national team, junior and women’s teams, as well as supporting national and amateur competitions.

sub-budget brand (technically, on standard industry definitions, it is a budget brand with Ibis, Premier Inn et al being economy brands), with its separate bathrooms, never really caught on in the UK and is becoming ever harder to find in Europe. It has been reinvented, however, for the Indian market, where the brand is expanding.

HA Perspective (by Chris Bown): What was one is now effectively two - and seeing Accor’s performance figures split down the middle for the first time means more to make sense of. The operating business, HotelServices, is enjoying an uptick in all its key markets, with the exception of the home French market, which is still languishing in recession.

And while there’s been lots of exciting action at HotelInvest, the challenge going forward will be in clearly explaining to Accor’s shareholders that the property acquisitions are delivering, against the performance targets set. Already Accor is declaring a 10% variability in the value of the properties somewhere between EUR5bn and EUR5.5bn, we are told - which means that the Ebit figure is harder to read. When the properties were held by others, at least they had a clearer open market value.

The real value of HotelInvest may be not in protecting the group against rents struck too high, but in active asset management. In the case of the Tritax UK deal, the purchase also allows Accor to extract some value from its three Formule 1 hotels in the UK, which it owns, by converting the 253 rooms across the three sites to extensions for adjacent Ibis properties. The

London to add 10,000 new rooms Over 10,000 new rooms are expected to open in London over the next two years, with the focus on the budget sector.

According to the latest forecasts from PwC, future growth was likely to be affected by the rise of sharing platforms such as Airbnb.

The company said that at the end of June there were around 23,000 rooms in the development pipeline in UK due to open over the next two years, with 10,000 of these in London alone.

The new room supply, which includes hostels and serviced apartments in addition to standard hotel rooms, is off the 2012 peak, which saw 18,665 rooms open in one year, 10,689 of them outside London.

While budget hotels comprise almost 23% of current supply they make up a 50% of the total pipeline, including in London (for 2014 and 2015). In contrast, the mid-market sector encompasses 42% of current supply but only 3% of the UK pipeline. The four- and

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five-star segment account for almost 40% of the active pipeline and four star rooms are expected to grow by over 3,600 rooms over the next three years.

David Trunkfield, hospitality and leisure leader at PwC, said: “The UK economic recovery is gathering pace and should bring good news for London and regional hotels as travel and consumer confidence pick up. However, the hotel sector does face ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, both in the UK and further afield, as well as other challenges.

“New products and business models could represent a challenge for existing hotels. An example is the potential impact of so called sharing economy models such as Airbnb.

“Sharing economy platforms provide new entrants and individuals the opportunity to present travellers with non-hotel alternatives in large scale under a trusted brand, and travellers are taking them up on the offer. Sharing platforms such as AirBnB are growing rapidly, and are expected to continue to do so. Some of this growth could come at the expense of hotels - hoteliers need to look at what steps can be taken to ensure the impact on the hotel industry is minimised.”

In the serviced apartment sector, over 1,300 rooms opened in 2013 and to date in 2014 and a further 1,740 rooms “could”, PwC said, open in the apartment sector in 2014/2015 under brands such as Adagio, Urban Villa, Roomzzz, Bridgestreet, Go Native, StayCity,

Cheval, Marlin and Staybridge Suites.

Liz Hall, head of hospitality and leisure research, PwC, said: “Overall, the general feeling is that supply is not currently an issue.

However, in some areas more new hotels may exacerbate any demand weakness. We would expect the development pace to accelerate more steeply as economic growth takes hold and access to financing improves.

“In counterbalance, there have been warnings that in the UK’s big cities hotels face competition for land from residential and office developers. This may impact the development pace as it gets harder and more expensive to acquire sites.”

The company forecast that hotels were set to benefit from the expected economic growth. The first half of this year saw the capital’s occupancy averaging 80%, ADR average GBP136.60 and revpar reached GBP87.30 - up 5.5% driven mainly by rate increases of over 3%.

Overall for 2014, PwC expects London to see marginal 0.5% occupancy growth taking occupancy to 83%, almost 3% ADR growth to GBP140.52 and 3.4% revpar growth to GBP116.41.

Hall said: “The continuing economic recovery and strong travel fundamentals means that in 2015 for London, PwC forecast occupancy to pick up quite briskly with a 1.5% gain taking occupancy

to 84% and a 3.6% growth in ADR will mean rates of over GBP145 - GBP5 higher than 2014. This combination will drive a 5.1% revpar advance to take yields to GBP122.”

Outside London, PwC expects 3% occupancy growth to take occupancy to 75% – the highest for 14 years, almost 4% ADR growth to GBP62 and 7% revpar growth to GBP46.37. For 2015, the group forecasts occupancy growth to moderate, with a 1.6% gain taking occupancy to 76%. It anticipates 4.3% growth in ADR to almost GBP65, driving revpar growth of 6% to take yields to almost GBP50.

Looking at likely M&A activity in the sector, the company predicted that deals would be up 40% on the year. Looking to 2015, the company said it believed strong revpar growth would continue to drive deal volumes, “though these may be slightly lower in the Provinces than 2014 with the slight decline in forecast revpar growth and the potential lack of equivalent supply of portfolio deals”.

It added: “We believe the private equity houses will remain active and interested buyers, especially where there are opportunities to make potential cost savings through the integration of hotel portfolios with existing management platforms.

Middle East and Asian investors will also be significant players in London, though in the long term this could leave the market less

liquid, as they tend to hold their assets longer term.”

The forecasts came as Accor announced what will be London’s biggest budget hotel, in the Trocadero complex. The site has been the subject of a number of proposed developments over the years, but the 583-room Ibis Styles Piccadilly Circus looks to be the winning choice, with plans to open in 2017.

Accor will also open MGallery Leicester Square hotel in the Victory House heritage site towards the end of 2016, which will have 80 rooms. The future has indeed been budgeted for.

operator UOL has just bought the site and will create a Pan Pacific instead. But with construction yet to start, an opening is unlikely before 2018.

The pipeline will also be tightening. Planning authorities have signalled a firmer approach to the loss of office space to alternative hotel and residential uses. Much has already been lost to conversions, but with the UK economy improving they are keen to ensure businesses have room to locate and grow in the capital. The housing market, too, has meant developments are often worth more as flats, than as hotel rooms.

HA Perspective (by Chris Bown): London continues to draw in visitors, with the result that hotel rates and occupancy levels remain high. As one agent noted wistfully a while back, the UK capital seems to have a canny knack of absorbing extra hotel capacity. Visitor numbers are at a high, with the capital’s airports reporting record breaking numbers recently.

And pipeline figures do not always translate into new supply. Annie Hampson, director of planning at the Corporation of London, speaking at a conference recently, noted: “There are quite a lot of committed schemes that remain to be built out.” One example is a city development to create a Four Seasons, which received planning approval in 2011. Singaporean

Hotel Analyst is the news analysis service for those involved with financing hotel property or hotel operating companies.

For more information and to subscribe visit: www.hotelanalyst.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8870 6388

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CONSULTANTS

SUPPLIERS CONTRACTORS INNSPEC

OWNERS AND OPERATORS

Innspec is a new online platform dedicated to hotel design and specification, brought to you in association with Sleeper Magazine.

It’s a tool created for the hospitality industry to support the delivery of new hotel projects by enhancing the connections between the companies involved.

Whatever your involvement in hotel design there are plenty of benefits to adding your profile to Innspec. Sign up today on www.innspec.com

DESIGNERS

Event Diary & News Maison & Objet Paris www.maison-objet.com

HI Design Asia Kota Kinabalu www.hidesign-asia.com

26-27 NOV

Sleep London www.thesleepevent.com

BDNY – Boutique Design New York New York www.boutiquedesignnewyork.com

14-15 JAN

Hotel Investment Forum India Dehli www.hifi-india.com

3-7 FEB

Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair Stockholm www.stockholmfurniturefair.se

11-12 NOV

Deloitte EHIC London www.deloitte.co.uk

14-17 JAN

Heimtextil Frankfurt heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

2-4 MAR

IHIF Berlin www.berlinconference.com

25 NOV

European Hotel Design Awards London www.europeanhoteldesignawards.com

17-20 JAN

Domotex Hannover www.domotex.de

10-14 MAR

ISH Frankfurt www.ish.messefrankfurt.com

5-7 NOV

9-10 NOV

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23-27 JAN

26-27 NOV

Nature By Design

Uniting Nations

12-15 MAY

MAISON & OBJET AMERICAS

SLEEP

Maison & Objet has announced further expansion with Maison & Objet Americas, set to launch in Miami Beach in May 2015.

Building on the event’s success in Paris and the 2013 launch of Maison & Objet Asia, the new venture is part of a global strategy to capture new markets and enable exhibitors to reach economically dynamic regions. With 200 selected brands on board, the event is designed to provide the sector’s players with a new way of doing business and boosting their profile, as well as bringing together design professionals from North and Latin America. www.maison-objet.com

Sleep has announced Swedish design studio Stylt Trampoli as the creator for this year’s Sleep Bar, created in association with Sleeper Magazine. Created afresh every year, the one-of-a-kind, imaginatively designed bar continues to be the centrepiece of Sleep, an attraction for all who attend. Stylt Trampoli has envisioned a fresh and vibrant concept that will weave flora and fauna into a nature-based design inspired by the Business Design Centre’s past life as the Royal Agricultural Hall.

Creative Director Erik Nissen Johansen comments: “We specialise in creative solutions based on solid strategy, and the Sleep Bar will be an example of how

26-27 NOV

you can combine storytelling with customer insights to create an experience that engages and inspires.”

He adds: “Our ambition has been to create an experience that could work as a commercial business in its own right. An industry show like Sleep has a captive audience, but at the end of the day the visitors are guests, with the same high expectations as anyone else.”

The bar will be open throughout Sleep with a ‘cocktail hour’ and late night opening until 8pm on 26 November. www.thesleepevent.com

© Georgia Glynn Smith

25 NOV

Tune In EHDA

Sleep Talking SLEEP

Canadian design duo George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg are set to take to the stage at this year’s Sleep conference in a session hosted by Sleeper Editor Catherine Martin. The founders of the Toronto-based studio have made a name for themselves in hospitality design with a portfolio that includes W New York Times Square, Public Chicago and Waldorf Astoria Beijing. Working in collaboration with Ian Schrager, Yabu Pushelberg also designed The London Edition, shortlisted for a European Hotel Design Award, and the recently opened Park Hyatt New York. This session will take place from 14:10-14:40 on 27 November and is part of a two-day programme of keynotes, round tables and panel debates. Attendees can register for free online. www.thesleepevent.com

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TV and radio presenter Katie Derham has been announced as the host for the 2014 European Hotel Design Awards. The former ITV anchor, who now presents arts programmes for the BBC, will host the awards ceremony alongside industry writer and commmentator Guy Dittrich. The glittering ceremony takes place on 25 November at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London. www.europeanhoteldesignawards.com

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Sleeper x 10 LONDON

Firmdale Hotels’ Ham Yard played host to Sleeperx10, sponsored by Ligne Roset and Robena Contract Furnishings, celebrating a multitude of achievements, washed down with bowling, karaoke and cocktails.

Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: © Sven Eselgroth

T

he past couple of months have been as eventful as ever for Sleeper, celebrating the magazine’s official 10th anniversary with a redesign, expansion of the Hotel Design Awards into Asia, the announcement of Istanbul as the location for next year’s Sleepover event, and the launch of Innspec, an online platform dedicated to hotel design and specification. All of these feats accumulated to create the Sleeperx10 celebration, held at the recently opened Ham Yard Hotel in the heart of Soho, London.

Hosted in the Croc Bowling Alley situated in the basement of Tim and Kit Kemp’s latest venture, Sleeperx10 adopted the theme of the Coen Brothers classic The Big Lebowski, serving White Russians to industry insiders, with a specially curated soundtrack by Music Concierge and karaoke for the more outgoing, MC’d by ‘The Dude’ himself, Erik Nissen Johansen of Stylt Trampoli.

Sleeper would like to thank Ligne Roset and Robena Contract Furnishings for their support of Sleeperx10.

Row 1: Jess Tully at Stock; Wimberley Interiors and WATG; Peter Tisdale at That Property Group Row 2: Jan Willem Den Ridder and Laura Den Ridder at Dolce Hotels & Resorts, Colin Hobart at Aukett Swanke, Rod Taylor and Tomas Taylor at Taylor Global Row 3: Lorna Mangan at United Designers, Jamina Davidson at Ink Associates, John Brunton at Hansgrohe; Ken Mackay at Mackay + Partners, Mary Fox Linton at Fox Linton Associates, Catherine Martin at Sleeper; Carina Wan at GA Design; Row 4: Nick van Marken at Deloitte, Bridget Baker at Bridget Baker Consulting, Melvin Gold; Adam Mursal at Tower 8

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A

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Asia Hotel Design Awards Shortlist Party JANUS ET CIE – SINGAPORE

As part of the ongoing Sleeperx10 celebrations, the Asia Hotel Design Awards shortlist party was held at Janus et Cie’s new Singapore showroom.

Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: Courtesy of Janus et Cie

L

ocated next door to the iconic Raffles hotel, Janus et Cie’s new Singapore showroom was the perfect location for the Asia Hotel Design Awards shortlist party. Architects and interior designers of the shortlisted projects attended en masse along with members of the judging panel, friends of Sleeper, and senior executives from Janus et Cie’s global team.

The shortlist party was part of Sleeperx10, a series of events celebrating the magazine’s 10th anniversary.

In mid-October, an evening drinks celebration took place during The Annual Hotel Conference, in Sleeper’s home city of Manchester at Living Ventures Group’s latest venue Manchester House. In November, the Sleeperx10 celebrations continue. In New York Sleeper is co-hosting a BDNY afterparty at the cloudbar, CitizenM Times Square, in celebration of Concrete’s 2014 Gold Key Design of the Year Award. The final celebration is on 26 November, when Sleeper is the main media partner for the Sleep afterparty at Mondrian London.

Row 1: Eva Yen, Fency Tahir, Myra Ong at Wimberley Interiors; Camilla Bottke, Peter Fries Bottke at byBottke; Row 2: Soren Clausen at Janus et Cie, Julian Miaja, Isabelle Miaja at Miaja Design Group; Janice Feldman at Janus et Cie, Matt Turner, Amy Wright at Sleeper; Row 3: Wilson & Associates team; Peter S Tjioe at PT Prospek Manunggal Era Industri, Soren Clausen at Janus et Cie; Richard Hay at HayArchitecture Ltd, Karen Hay at Stickman Tribe; Row 4: Soren Clausen, Betsy Sweat at Janus et Cie, Luc Lejeune, David Hodkinson at Noor Vietnam Ltd; Tracy Heywood, Guy Heywood at Alila Hotels & Resorts

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F FL LU US SH H II N N S ST TY YL LE E with aquadomo loo flush-plates with aquadomo loo flush-plates

kramergasse 4-8, 1010 vienna-austria kramergasse 4-8, 1010 vienna-austria p h o n e + 4 3 (1) 5 3 3 4 2 9 8 , i n f o @ a q u a d o m o . c o m p h o n e + 4 3 (1) 5 3 3 4 2 9 8 , i n f o @ a q u a d o m o . c o m w w w. aq ua d o mo. co m w w w. aq ua d o mo. co m

PA R KR OYA L O N PI CKE R I N G , SI N G A P O R E TH U R SDAY 1 2 M A R CH 2 01 5

Shortlist Announced After much anticipation, the finalists of the Asia Hotel Design Awards have been announced, revealing an exciting diversity of talent across all sectors.

F

rom a sprawling resort in Phuket to an urban high-rise in Chengdu, over 150 projects were entered into the Asia Hotel Design Awards, further confirming the strength of the hospitality design industry in the region.

“We are delighted that the entries into the inaugural Asia Hotel Design Awards were the highest calibre of quality and creativity,” says Matt Turner, Awards Director and Editor-in-Chief of Sleeper.

“The competition was very close and the finalists can be proud to have been voted as the best in their category. Asia is the world’s fastest growing region for new hotel design and development, with Singapore at its hub, and we are excited to recognise the diversity and talent of the designers and architects raising the bar for imagination and excellence in this rapidly changing region.”

Following a preliminary round of scoring, the shortlist was announced at an event hosted by Janus et Cie at their new Singapore showroom. The 17-strong judging panel – chaired by Khirstie Gunn Myles, Vice President Design & Engineering, Asia, Middle East and Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group – will spend the coming weeks visiting the shortlisted hotels before casting their final votes.

The judging process for the awards has been developed to ensure a rigorous, robust and balanced procedure is followed to select the final winners in each category. The criteria for success are based not only on creative merit, but also on commercial viability. As well as projects that are aesthetically impressive, the judges will be looking for evidence that winning designs have met the needs of client and customers alike, demonstrating a sensible use of budget to contribute to the guest experience as well as the ‘theatre’ of hotel life.

Winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony, taking place at Parkroyal on Pickering, Singapore, on 12 March 2015. The evening will also see the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award announced as well as the Asia Hotel Design of the Year.

Launched by Sleeper, organiser of the successful European Hotel Design Awards, the Asia Hotel Design Awards is part of Singapore Design Week and will run alongside Hospitality 360°, International Furniture Fair Singapore and Maison & Objet Asia.

See the full shortlist overleaf. Tickets for the AHDA ceremony can be booked online at www.asiahoteldesignawards.com

JUDGING PANEL Bill Bensley, Founder & Principal, Bensley Design Studios; Ian Carr, CEO, HBA; Angela Chang, Design Director-Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Marc Dardene, CEO, Patina Hotels & Resorts; Jean-Luc Fourrier, Founder & Director, JLF Associates; Andre Fu, Founder, AFSO; Guy Heywood, COO, Alila Hotels & Resorts; Jennyfer Lacroix, Corporate Director-Design, Raffles Hotels & Resorts; Brian Lum, Regional Vice President-Design and Planning, Hyatt; Julia Monk, Senior Vice President/Director of Hospitality Design, HOK; Khirstie Gunn Myles, Chair of Judges and Vice President Design & Engineering, Asia, Middle East and Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group; Lyndon Neri, Founder, Neri & Hu; Loh Lik Peng, Founder, Unlisted Collection; Rajiv Puri, Senior Vice President Projects & Development, Minor Hotel Group; Ariane Steinbeck, Managing Director, Gettys; Brian Williams, Managing Director, Swire Hotels; Paul Matthew Wiste, Regional Director of Development-Design Asia Pacific, Jumeirah

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The Shortlist THE ARCHITECTURE AWARDS

HISTORICAL BUILDING

NEWBUILD (RESORT)

NEWBUILD (URBAN)

1888 Hotel, Sydney, Australia

By Shed Architects

Aqua Mekong Luxury River Cruise Boat, Mekong River

By Noor

Holiday Inn Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand

By SODA

Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand

By Nava Studios

Park Hyatt, Changbaishan, China

By David Baum

The Castle Hotel, Dalian, China

By WATG

Orange Hotel Ximending, Taipei, Taiwan

By T.K. Wang

Point Yamu by COMO, Phuket, Thailand

By Denniston

The Puyu, Wuhan, China

By Layan Design Group

The Scarlet, Singapore

By Aedas

Sanak, Bali, Indonesia

By D’apres Nous Design and Build

The St. Regis, Chengdu, Sichuan

By Aedas

THE INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS

BAR

BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS

CAFÉ, BAR OR ALL DAY DINING

EVENT SPACE

Anti:dote at Fairmont, Singapore

By EDG Design

New World Makati Hotel, Manilla, Philippines By White Jacket

Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand By P49

Grand Hyatt Shenyang, China

By HBA

Cook & Brew at The Westin, Singapore

By FBEYE International

Ovolo Southside Hotel, Hong Kong

By K plus K Associates

The Westin Hotel, Chongqing, China

By CCD Cheng Chung Design

Hyatt Regency Chongming, China

By Wilson Associates

The Puyu, Wuhan, China

By Layan Design Group

Social at The St. Regis, Chengdu, China By KokaiStudios

The Castle Hotel, Dalian, China

By HBA

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Japan

By Remedios Studio

The Shilla Seoul, Korea

By Remedios Studio

The Puyu, Wuhan, China

By Layan Design Group

The Shilla, Seoul, Korea

By Remedios Studios

The Woods at Four Seasons, Sydney, Australia By Dreamtime Australia Design

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Japan

By Remedios Studio

Grain at Four Seasons, Sydney, Australia By Dreamtime Australia Design Manhattan Bar, Regent, Singapore

By Distillery Royal Plaza Hotel, Hong Kong

By Mathew Lui and Simon So

LOBBY, LOUNGE & PUBLIC AREAS Fairmont, Singapore

By EDG Design

RESTAURANT

SPA & WELLNESS

SUITE

Flint Grill & Bar at JW Marriott, Hong Kong By EDG Design

Heavenly Spa by Westin, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia

By AW Lake Spa Concepts

Andaz Tokyo Suite, Tokyo, Japan

By Tony Chi & Associates

Point Yamu by COMO, Phuket, Thailand By Paola Navone

Seminyak Italian Food at Double Six, Bali, Indonesia

By HC2 Architecture

The Puyu, Wuhan, China

By Layan Design Group

Shinsen at Shangri-La, Shenyang, China By Stickman Tribe

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Japan

By Remedios Studio

Shiseido L’Osier, Tokyo, Japan

By Pierre-Yves Rochon

Waldorf Astoria, Beijing, China

By Yabu Pushelberg

The Kitchen Table at W Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand By SODA

Point Yamu, COMO Shambhala by COMO, Phuket, Thailand

By Paola Navone Chi Spa & Pool Shangri-La Lhasa, Tibet, China

By LTW Designworks The Puyu, Wuhan, China

By Layan Design Group, AW Lake Spa Concepts The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Japan

By Remedios Studio

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Naumi Hotel, Singapore

By White Jacket St. Regis Lijiang Villas, Lijian, China

By HBA The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, Japan

By Remedios Studio The Shilla Seoul, Korea

By Remedios Studio

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Sleep: The Hotel Design Event 26-27 NOVEMBER 2014

Sleep announces its much anticipated conference programme featuring industryleading headliners, thought-provoking panels and engaging round tables.

S

leep, Europe’s annual destination for hotel design excellence, hand to answer your questions about hotel design and development. promises a raft of forward-looking features this November Hot topics under discussion throughout the two days include the with opportunities to engage, explore and experience what’s revolution of Aparthotels with a panel of experts exploring how new in the dynamic hospitality landscape. design can help differentiate where there is little opportunity for Digitalhotel is an exciting new industry development to be unveiled service to deliver customer satisfaction; and the recent emergence at Sleep, showcasing a full-scale prototype of the Whitbread ‘hub’ of peer-to-peer lodging and what it means for the hotel sector. In room concept to be rolled out across urban sites. A partnership addition, Jeremy Blake, Partner at Purcell UK, brings his expertise between modular specialists Polcom and Peter Dann, along with to a discussion about the advantages and obstacles of transforming BIM.Technologies, visualisation experts Soluis, and architects Studio historic buildings into award-winning hotels. As a regular participant Ånyo, the model demonstrates how BIM technology assimilated with at Sleep, Blake considers the event to be a major highlight in the 3D virtual reality can create a streamlined solution from concept industry calendar: “The range of speakers and topics throughout the to construction, delivering better value, two-day conference are always relevant, performance and quality for operators. thought-provoking, informative, and even Running alongside, the Sleep sometimes controversial,” he says.

Conference attracts celebrated names in New to the event and showcasing the global hospitality and offers audience benefits of well-appointed outdoor spaces members an unparalleled chance to is Above & Beyond. Curated by Phil Jaffa, engage with industry stars, influencers founder of Scape Design Associates and and big thinkers. Opening the conference furnished by Kettal with surface and light is restaurateur Jeremy King, who, having sourced by Cullinan Interior, this special just launched his debut hotel, The feature dedicated to landscape design will Beaumont in London’s Mayfair, will offer provide ideas and inspiration for creating an insight into how the art of successful rooftop bars, restaurants, terraces, pool restaurant management can be translated decks and gardens.

Jeremy Blake, Purcell UK into the world of luxury hotels.

On the main exhibition floor, exhibitors Conference headliners include the brightest design personalities are getting creative through stands that engage visitors with their in the business. George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, in London products: Interface will offer a tactile experience of natural surfaces for the European Hotel Design Awards, will share the inspiration that echoes the ‘biophilia’ premise of its HumanNature flooring behind their striking contemporary hotel designs that include Public range; tech-company Busch-Jaeger’s interactive moodboard will invite in Chicago and The London Edition, while award-winning duo attendees to mix-and-match material finishes with the company’s Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku will reveal their thoughts about the super sleek room control systems; and Grohe, lead sponsor of Sleep interiors they created for projects like Mandarin Oriental and Plaza for the ninth year running as well as host of the VIP Lounge, will Athénée in Paris. showcase its new Eurodisc Joystick, a powerbox that enables infrared The ever-popular Round Tables return offering a unique opportunity faucets to generate their own electricity. for architects and designers to engage in one-to-one conversations The Sleep Event, incorporating the conference, exhibition and with senior hospitality executives. Table hosts including Eugene Staal Sleep Set, will be held on 26-27 November at the Business Design from Carlson Rezidor, Ana Nekhamkin, Director of Lama Urban and Centre, London. The entire event is free for pre-registered visitors.

Christian Youens, Principle of Cedar Capital Partners, will be on www.thesleepevent.com

“The range of speakers and topics throughout the two-day conference are always relevant, thoughtprovoking, informative, and even sometimes controversial.”

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Above Left: Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku will take to the stage to discuss their latest projects Above: Conference headliners George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg will share inspiration behind their striking hotel designs Right: The new Above & Beyond feature showcases the benefits of well-appointed outdoor spaces Below Right: Interface are to offer a tactile experience of its HumanNature flooring range Below: Jeremy Blake, Purcell UK, brings his expertise to a panel discussion on heritage hotels Left: Restaurateur Jeremy King is to showcase his first hotel, The Beaumont

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28/10/2014 10:22

London Design Festival 13-21 SEPTEMBER 2014

London Design Festival returned for its 12th year, with hotel-related concepts stealing the show, emphasising the strength of the hospitality design industry.

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xpanding in size every year, London Design Festival increasingly continuing growth of the Yoo brand. Speaking of the company’s attracts renowned hotel designers participating in specially people-led concept, Hitchcox commented: “Philippe designed all of commissioned features, rising numbers of exhibiting suppliers these beautiful objects, and I thought we should bring all of these and attendees from all corners of the world. into buildings, and work with great developers around the world to 350,000 visitors from 75 countries saturated nine days of events, help people design their interiors.” with highlights including London Design Landmark Project A Place Making his presence known elsewhere, Philippe Starck also Called Home. Situated in tourist hotspot Trafalgar Square and opened 100% Design at Earls Court, attracting over 30,000 visitors, conceived in collaboration with Airbnb, four designers – Jasper including architects and interior designers in abundance. The show Morrison, Studioilse, Raw Edges and Patternity – were invited to has welcomed a notable expansion, following its beginning as a create their interpretation of ‘home’. The results revealed each unique boutique design show, to becoming an international event with global idealisation of home, representing what characteristics are most reach, featuring pavilions dedicated to emerging brands, international valued when ‘home’ is not an option. design, interiors and eco design, amongst others. Visitors to the event Housed in the Victoria & Albert John Madejski Garden, another were greeted by glass manufacturer Lasvit’s Ice chandelier, designed landmark project transpired in the form of Zaha Hadid’s Crest with architect Daniel Libeskind. sculpture, commissioned by ME by Meliá.

Other design destinations littered London, The precision-engineered, aluminium shell including designjunction at the central spanned the courtyard pool and provided 1960s Sorting Office, Design Centre Chelsea rest stop for those attending V&A’s Harbour’s Focus/14, Tent and Superbrands programme of talks and workshops.

London in the east, and Decorex, housed in Meanwhile, Ace London Shoreditch the picturesque Syon Park. posed as the Shoreditch Design Triangle With the official year of the Georgians hub, hosting design-focused installations dominating the theme, installations gracing Philippe Starck such as Super Stimuli. Four designers, Decorex’s entrance were inspired by A Fabien Cappello, Martino Gamper, Michael Marriott and Bethan Rake’s Progress, a series of eight paintings by English artist William Laura Wood, reinterpreted an area of the hotel acting as an artificial Hogarth. Highlights included renowned furniture designer Nigel stimulus, resulting in installations that provoked visitors to explore.

Coates’ eclectic display alongside Russell Sage and Fromental’s The Across the Thames, CitizenM Bankside celebrated a shared Orgy, and Kit Kemp’s showstopping collaboration with high-end ‘passion for design’ with Vitra, as the duo presented The Secret brand de Gournay. Other creators included Harlequin London, Garden. Vitra’s iconic Eames Wire Chairs decorated the hotel’s public Lulu Lythe of Soane Britain, Timorous Beasties, Shaun Clarkson spaces, accompanied by green foliage, creating a secret garden escape and interior designer Peter Phan. Accompanying the high level of in the middle of the city for the duration of LDF 2014. design participants was a seminar programme of industry-respected Showroom parties and evening events were plentiful too. names, including Daniel Hopwood, Nigel Coates and David Archer Development and design company Yoo inhabited Tate Modern for with Julie Humphryes of Archer Hymphryes Architects, discussing its 15th anniversary, where guests were offered a flashback through Civic Architecture as Modern Luxury Hotels. the creative journey of global projects, alongside sweeping views of Collectively, the 395 separate events comprising London Design the London skyline. Founders John Hitchcox and Philippe Starck, Festival 2014 resulted in a record year, generating an estimated with CEO of Yoo Hotels Marco Nijhof, hosted over 200 industry £45million in new business revenue for participating companies, guests, and offered an insight into their inspiration and pride in the reaffirming London’s place on the design trail.

“There were no features at the first 100% Design, now it looks amazing and full of sparkle.”

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Clockwise From Right: Ace hotel housed Super Stimuli, allowing four designers to interpret an area of the hotel; Airbnb’s A Place Called Home featured an installation from Studioilse, which questioned the definition of home; The entrance to Decorex International featured eight installations inspired by 18th century artist William Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress. Designers included Nigel Coates, Kit Kemp and Russell Sage; Zaha Hadid’s precision-engineered aluminium Crest commissioned by ME by Meliá occupied the central pool of the Victoria & Albert John Madejski Garden

© Ed Reeve

© Ed Reeve

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Hot.E 17-18 SEPTEMBER 2014

High demand and strong occupancy sees a return to growth for Europe’s hotels, with the UK leading the way in performance and pipeline.

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he Hotel Investment Conference Europe (Hot.E) returned to London in September attracting the continent’s top hotel development and investment leaders. Entitled ‘Turning Up The Volume’, this year’s new programme format made way for additional networking opportunities, including two evening receptions hosted by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and Jumeirah Group.

Held at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, the two-day event opened on a largely positive note with the results of a pre-conference survey indicating an optimistic outlook for 2015. Plenary sessions kicked off with a keynote from David Smith, Economics Editor of the Sunday Times, who also stated that growth is returning to the Eurozone, albeit tentatively. Looking to consumer confidence as an indicator, he explained that the UK was back to pre-recession levels with current growth around the 3% mark. According to Smith, other European markets looking strong for 2015 include Ireland, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

However he warned that two of Europe’s largest economies, France and Italy, looked particularly weak while others were near stagnation, dragging down the continent’s overall outlook.

Turning attention to hotel performance, Elizabeth Winkle, Managing Director of STR Global presented the latest data collected from its network of rooms across Europe. Demand measured over the past eight years showed positive growth for the last 54 out of 56 months, a trend set to continue thanks to a rise in international tourist arrivals. According to Winkle, this translates to strong occupancy growth in excess of 60% across Europe. Room rates have also seen a return to growth following a disastrous 2013. Even the once-doomed PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece and

Spain) are seeing strong demand growth with renewed interest from tourists bolstered by flat supply. On the flip side, supply was said to be outpacing demand in Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Ukraine and Croatia.

Looking to the future, 11% of the global pipeline’s 1.32 million rooms are in Europe, and leading the way is the UK, where some 41,000 rooms are planned.

A second market outlook came from Mark Clacy-Jones, Vice President of Research at IPD, who reported that the European hotel sector continues to gain ground as an accepted property asset type with a total return of 6.6% in 2013, outperforming the wider market total return of 5.9%. Over the 13-year history of IPD’s panEuropean data series, hotels have proved to be the least volatile of all sectors with particularly robust performance during the downturn.

Hotels outperformed retail, office and residential property types in 2013, highlighting its shift from an alternative property asset class towards a mainstream sector. Of the twelve countries measured, the UK saw the strongest performance in 2013 with a total return of 11.2%, more than double the 2012 figure of 5.2%.

With a primary focus on the capital markets (debt and equity) and where the investment opportunities lie in Europe, the panel sessions began with a Money Hall, in which leaders from the International Hotel Investment Council shared their views. Tim Helliwell, Head of Hotels at Barclays Bank, stated it is the “year of the borrower” following 2013’s “year of the lender”, while Billy Skelli-Cohen, Director of Hotel Acquisitions & Development at Deerbrook Group, believed that the hotel industry will continue to be robust, particularly in London.

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Cody Bradshaw, Senior Vice President of Starwood Capital said there was a healthy amount of competition in the market, a view shared by Majid Mangalji, President of Westmont Hospitality Group, who added that investors have to move quickly to get in on a deal.

In a change to the usual format, the afternoon’s programme, entitled The Hot Session explored a variety of hot investment markets, niche sectors and other opportunities in a series of intimate group discussions. Opportunities in the Balkans, Spain, Germany and Turkey were on the agenda, as was a look at the lifestyle sector, luxury hotels, social media and OTAs. Highlights on day two included a focus on the UK, currently enjoying increased investment activity, as well as a look at leases and REITs in the Money Hall. In addition, a gathering of global hotel leaders in The View From The Boardroom, saw an esteemed panel give their take on the latest market issues, trends, opportunities, and what needs to be done to meet the challenges ahead and drive growth in Europe. Guestroom technology, staff training programmes and retaining talent in what is a high-demand job were all cited as challenges faced on a daily basis, however the issues certainly weren’t shown to be halting hotel development.

Gerald Lawless, President and CEO of Jumeirah Group, took the opportunity to announce the Dubai-based group’s entry into the lifestyle sector with its new Venu brand, while Radha Arora, President of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts revealed plans to invest further into Europe following the opening of Rosewood London.

In all, it was a largely positive outlook for Europe’s recovering hotel industry, a far cry from Hot.E’s inaugural conference in 2011. www.europehotelconference.com

Africa Hotel Investment Forum 29 SEPTEMBER-1 OCTOBER 2014

Optimism, growth and a host of new project announcements point to a promising future for Africa’s hotel industry.

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onsidered the final frontier for hotel development, Africa is a continent that is ever more prevalent in the pipelines of international hotel groups. A market that is hugely undersupplied, the race is on to plant flags in key destinations and gain loyalty from the growing middle-classes.

But, as with any emerging market, progression here is challenging. Desperately trying to leave its turbulent past behind, Africa continues to be haunted by a global perception of war, disease and extreme poverty. While this still exists, Africa is changing. Parts of the continent are prospering, or at least self-sufficient, rich in resources such as gold, diamonds, crude oil and coffee. And the nation is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world. Its tourism sector is gaining momentum too. International tourist arrivals reached a record 56 million in 2013, and investors, hotel groups and owners from across the region and beyond are eager to get a slice of the action.

This hotspot for development was the focus for the fourth African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), taking place at Sheraton Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Aptly themed ‘Reaching New Heights’ the three-day programme of conference sessions and networking opportunities attracted over 500 delegates as well as government officials representing Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya.

The host nation of Ethiopia was high on the agenda with new projects announced by Accor, Marriott, InterContinental Hotels Group and Wyndham, boosted by reports of 10% GDP growth over the last 12 months. Opening the conference, His Excellency Amin Abdulkadir, Minister for Culture and Tourism for the Federal

Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, expressed the need to develop the country’s infrastructure to support growth in tourism, a sentiment echoed

by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, also in attendance.

Speaking to the audience, His Excellency the Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, said that his government has taken significant steps to support and assist the development of the tourism and hospitality industries. The recent establishment of the National Tourism Transformation Council, chaired by Desalegn, and the Ethiopian Tourism

“For us, the key is finding the right partners, finding the right location, and finding the right brand to go with it.”

Michael Wale, Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Organisation, has led to the formulation of a Sustainable Tourism Master Plan, emphasising the importance of the sector on Ethiopia’s economy.

Desalegn called for all those present to “come and invest” in the country.

Taking a broader view, Dr. Martyn Davies, CEO of Frontier Advisory, delivered a thoughtprovoking speech on Africa’s future. Addressing issues of economic growth, demographics, national security, politics and diversification, he asked: “Is Africa the next Asia?”

Putting his musing into perspective, he explained that by 2050, Africa’s population

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is expected to reach 2.7 billion, double that of China. He also revealed that of the ten fastest growing economies in the world, seven are on the African continent, and by 2025, Nigeria will be a $1 trillion economy, the first in Africa to hit such a milestone. Meanwhile, the economies of Ethiopia, Mozambique and Tanzania are expected to grow by 8.1%, 7.7%, and 7.2% respectively between 2011 and 2015.

Despite such promising statistics, Davies expressed concerns that Africa will never reach the potential it should. There are issues of infrastructure, terrorism, and security, particularly pertinent in light of the 2013 attack on Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, which took place a few days before AHIF opened last year.

The ease of doing business in Africa was also a concern. The majority of countries on the continent have significantly dropped down the World Bank Group rankings as their economy has grown. One of the few exceptions is Rwanda, ranked 32nd, having climbed 126 places since 2007. It is now deemed the easiest place in Africa in which to do business.

Throughout the event, a number of initiatives aimed at boosting tourism and hospitality were presented: a scheme that allows travel between Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda on a single visa was commended; Ethiopian Airlines highlighted new routes, both within Africa and to and from key destinations, particularly in Europe, making it the largest network of any African airline; and Grant Thornton’s Global Leader of Hospitality and Tourism, Gillian Saunders, presented on how the liberalisation of Africa’s skies could spark significant growth. Liberalisation between 12 of the 54 African countries would lead to an increase

of over one million tourists and a need for 40 additional 160-room hotels.

Focusing in on the hospitality industry, Thomas Emanuel, Director of Business Development, STR Global, presented the latest findings from the benchmarking company which tracks the performance of 118,000 rooms across the continent. According to Emanuel, data for the year-to-July 2014 showed falls in both RevPAR and occupancy in Northern Africa, down 3% and 5% respectively. Southern Africa was more positive reporting a 6.3% increase in RevPAR and a 0.1% decline in occupancy. However, the analyst was quick to point out that there were significant fluctuations month to month.

Performance varied dramatically from country to country, particularly in terms of average daily rate (ADR), ranging from US$64 in Egypt to US$275 in Nigeria. The resort destination of Mauritius also showed strong ADR of US$234.

Occupancy results were also mixed. For the year-to-date, only five countries – Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania – reached 60% occupancy. Honing in on key cities, Accra and Dar es Salaam recorded the strongest occupancies of over 70%, and Abuja and Lagos the highest ADR. Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, showed a phenomenal ADR of US$357. In fact, when put in a global context, Abuja outperforms the better established markets of Paris, Dubai, New York and London. At the other end of the spectrum, Sharm el Sheikh was suffering low ADR of just US$47 due to the discounted package deals on offer, and Cairo’s occupancy dropped to 38%.

Other takeaways from Emanuel’s presentation included the fact that there are still 12 countries in Africa with no branded supply, signifying a huge opportunity for hotel groups able to break into new markets. Elsewhere, the balance between supply and demand also spelled opportunity.

Offering their perspective on such a promising landscape, the CEO’s of major hotel groups in the region spoke of the huge value brands can bring, particularly in a destination that is new to travellers. Having opened its first hotel on

the continent in Cairo in 1971, Starwood deems Africa a tremendous opportunity. “For us, the key is finding the right partners, finding the right location, and finding the right brand to go with it,” commented Michael Wale, President of Europe, Africa, Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The group recently announced the entrance of the W brand into Morocco, with W Marrakech anticipated to open in 2017, as well as the expansion of its presence in Nigeria, with the signing of Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene, scheduled to open in 2015. “This is a land of wonderful opportunity,” continued Wale. “It is Africa’s time, without question.”

Wolfgang Neumann, President and CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group, was also bullish on

“We did the deal on the basis of a common culture...

Marriott is the future of Protea and Protea is the future of Marriott.”

Arthur Gillis, former CEO, Protea Hotels

development across the continent, naming Nigeria and South Africa as key markets. Deals were announced for new hotels in Uganda and Ghana, along with the ambitious target of doubling its room count from 12,000 to 24,000 rooms by 2020. Neumann also expressed a desire to further establish Radisson Blu in key markets, and the potential of Radisson Red owing to the fact that 70% of Africa’s population is under 30, falling within the new brand’s target audience.

Hilton, which opened its first hotel on the continent in 1969 in Addis Ababa, took the opportunity of AHIF to unveil its new modular build prototype. According to Simon Vincent, Executive Vice President & President, Europe, Middle East & Africa for Hilton Worldwide, one

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of the real challenges is getting deals out of the pipeline and open. This new concept, constructed in China by CIMC Modular Building Systems, will go some way to alleviate construction costs and quality issues in Africa, as well as speeding up delivery to market. Hilton will bring this solution to Africa for Hilton Garden Inn, which currently has nine hotels under development, confirmed for locations including Lusaka, Uyo and Lagos.

A newcomer to the hospitality scene, Mangalis Hotel Group, announced Yaas Hotels, a new brand in the economy segment, which according to CEO Olivier Jacquin, will bridge a gap in the market at the two- and three-star level.

Amongst the panelists, it was considered particularly important to find the right partner who has experience operating in this part of the world, as well as having an administrative presence on the ground. Jean-Jacques Dessors, CEO, Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa, Accor, proved commitment to the region by revealing that the group has set up a new development office in Casablanca, and also announced that it has signed 11 new contracts so far in 2014, representing some 1,700 rooms.

Despite such a busy pipeline, W Hospitality Group’s Managing Director Trevor Ward questioned whether there was much development actually happening, with only a handful of new openings so far in 2014.

A particular highlight of the three-day event was Breakfast With A Champion, an onstage interview with Ethiopian athlete Haile Gebrselassie. Having won two Olympic gold medals, four World Championship titles and set 27 world records, he is widely considered the greatest long distance runner of all time. Still a keen runner – “a day without running is not a day,” he quipped – Gebrselassie is now a businessman with interests in a cinema, a car dealership and an organic coffee farm. The athlete has also diversified into hotel development and owns three properties including Haile Resort Hawassa in Southern Ethiopia. His motivation behind investing his hard-earned cash into hospitality, he explains, is having spent 24

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years travelling to various races around the world and staying in all manner of hotels. Gebrselassie encouraged others to follow suit and invest while there is still opportunity, and revealed plans for a collection of five or six hotels.

Another highlight saw Arthur Gillis, former CEO of Protea Hotels, and Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International, interviewed on stage about their landmark deal which completed earlier in 2014. With the possibility of international hotel groups relying on mergers and acquisitions to build their presence in Africa, this was a particularly interesting topic. Marriott’s acquisition of South Africa-based Protea Hospitality Group transformed its presence in Africa, nearly doubling its portfolio in the region to more than 160 hotels and 23,000 rooms. Gillis told how he sold Protea before only to buy it back, so why Marriott? “We did the deal on the basis of a common culture,” he explained, adding that Kyriakidis’ promise to secure the jobs of 16,000 employees was key, not the size of the cheque.

Despite an initially sceptical board and a difficult post-merger integration period, both parties were extremely happy with the outcome and Kyriakidis hinted at the possibility of taking Protea outside of Africa. Concluded Gillis: “Marriott is the future of Protea and Protea is the future of Marriott.”

While it is clear there are significant opportunities for hotel groups, there are a number of challenges to overcome. Aside from lack of infrastructure, the threat of terrorism, and health issues surrounding the Ebola outbreak, owners face a difficult finance landscape. Helaway Tadesse, Senior Vice President at Zemen Bank explained that hotel financing only accounts for around 5% of most banks’ portfolios, while Stuart Cook, Managing Director of Protea Hotels in East Africa said that the lack of long term funding stalls or kills a lot of projects in the region. And according to many panelists, it is very difficult to structure a deal without a known brand on board. This surely opens up a world of possibilities for the international players. www.africa-conference.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS Carlson Rezidor is to extend its African network with new properties in Uganda and Ghana. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Kampala – Carlson Rezidor’s first property in Uganda – will feature 195 keys and will open in Q4 2016 in Kampala’s prime business district. The Radisson Blu Hotel Accra Airport, The Exchange in Ghana will comprise 207 keys and welcome its first guests in 2017.

“We are committed to the African continent,” explained Wolfgang M. Neumann, President and CEO of Rezidor. “We aim to establish Radisson Blu as the leading upper upscale brand in the region – present in capital cities and financial and economic hubs – and to pursue the scaled growth of Park Inn by Radisson in high potential primary and secondary destinations.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is to expand presence in northern Africa with W Hotels. The entrance of the brand into Morocco with W Marrakech, anticipated to open in 2017, will bring cuttingedge design and contemporary luxury to the vibrant, cosmopolitan city. The group has also signed a deal for Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene in Nigeria. The new development will be the first high-rise tower in Ikot Ekpene, as well as the first purpose-built internationally branded hotel in the town.

Hilton Worldwide announced the signing of agreements to open two additional Hilton Garden Inn hotels in Nigeria. The 220-room Hilton Garden Inn Abuja Airport, expected to open in the second quarter of 2017, will be operated under a management agreement with Oneplus Holdings Nigeria Ltd. The 150-room Hilton Garden Inn Owerri, expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2017, will be operated under a management agreement with a private investor.

Wyndham Hotel Group announced the signing of a management agreement for its first property in Ethiopia, the 136-room Ramada Addis, due to

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open in 2015. The new addition expands Wyndham Hotel Group into its seventh market on the African continent and follows an announcement that the company plans to introduce its flagship Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand to Kenya. With more than 940 rooms now in the pipeline across Africa, Wyndham is set to more than double its presence in the region over the next three years.

InterContinental Hotels Group has signed a management agreement with Tsemex Hotels and Business Plc to develop Crowne Plaza Addis Ababa. The 210-key hotel represents the entry of IHG into Ethiopia and adds to the company’s growing presence in Africa. The property is due to open in 2016.

Accor has confirmed its first hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for early 2017. Pullman Addis Ababa will be located in front of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Conference Centre and will feature 330 guestrooms, two restaurants, meeting space and a connectivity lounge. Accor also announced it will open Pullman Nairobi Westlands, its first hotel in Kenya, in 2017. The group has signed a total of 11 new contracts in Africa in 2014 so far, representing some 1,700 new rooms.

Marriott International continues to gather momentum with a packed schedule of 30 property openings across the continent by 2020, nine of which will open by the end of 2015. With a strong eye on the extended stay segment, a new Residence Inn by Marriott Kampala Kololo has been signed bringing the total property count under the Protea Hotels and Residence Inn brands in Uganda to three. A raft of further openings will follow in 2015 across the continent with new hotels in South Africa, Nigeria and Uganda, as well as Marriott International’s first properties in Ethiopia, Ghana and Rwanda.

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The Annual Hotel Conference 15-16 OCTOBER 2014

Technology took centre stage at this year’s Annual Hotel Conference, which was aptly themed ‘The Future is Now’.

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ver 600 delegates gathered at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate for the everexpanding Annual Hotel Conference, which has increased in both size and success unremittingly since its creation 11 years ago.

As a sign of the times, delegates were invited to download the conference app, allowing interaction between speakers and delegates, and offering a depth of information surrounding the event, tying in effectively with the latest addition to the event’s programme: Tomorrow’s World.

The new area showcased various examples of technology, aiming at enhancing the hotel industry and guest experience. The topic of technology versus tradition was prevalent in many of the 15 talks throughout the two-day conference, with keynote Alex Polizzi, discussing it extensively.

The renowned hotelier – daughter of hotel designer Olga Polizzi and presenter of television series The Hotel Inspector – asked: “How much change can we bear?” Seemingly opposing the extensive use of technology in hotels, an opinion only reiterated by her emphasis on the importance of human interaction, Polizzi continued: “People are fascinated by technology, but I’m fascinated by people. There is no replacement for genuine customer service; technology can enhance, but not replace guest interaction. Nothing can replace this.” Technology-adverse opinions aside, Polizzi acknowledged the need for development, stating that no business can stand still, and must change to remain relevant, as well as recognising the need for social media.

Contrasting Polizzi’s “traditional” views, Steven Daines, Chief Executive Officer, Accor HotelServices for the UK, Ireland, Benelux, Switzerland, Russia & CIS, highlighted the importance of using technology while on the

CEO panel. He commented: “We use iPads, this allows staff to free up time for guests who actually want interaction.” Accompanying the topic of technology for guest use was the need for faster implementation of innovative developments, as flagged by Shane Harris, CEO at Jupiter Hotels. “As an industry, we are shockingly bad at innovations,” he stated. “Check-in with iPhone?

Airports were doing this six years ago. We also used to be ahead in F&B, but without reinvention, gastro-pubs have taken over.”

“As an industry, we are shockingly bad at innovations... Check-in with iPhone? Airports were doing this six years ago.”

Shane Harris, Jupiter Hotels

Another industry development that cannot be ignored is Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), which provoked strong responses amongst panellists questioning “global marketing tool or devil in disguise?” Simon Bennett, owner and Managing Director at Augill Castle commented: “The relationship starts when a guest decides to stay with you – what type of experience do they want?

OTAs have disrupted that relationship.” However, panellists acknowledged that the external agencies “filled a gap online,” and are, of course, a good global marketing tool – with global being the key word for independent hotels. Moderator Brian Reeves, GOPPAR Digital, highlighted another threat for hotels in the form of search

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tool Google Hotel Finder, which offers users the ability to find hotels and book via a smartphone.

With the industry filtering through to external multinational corporations, and the suggestion of Apple’s future involvement in a travel platform, hoteliers are justifiably concerned. “What if they take over with something better?” asked Tom Magnuson, CEO at Magnuson Worldwide, linking to the earlier suggestion that the hotel industry must implement innovative changes with more immediacy than before.

Looking to economical matters, Sebastian Burnside, Senior Economist at RBS Group, addressed rising interest rates and national pay increases. “Firms have reduced borrowing, as a sector the profits are higher than the late 2000s.

The sector can cope with the rising interest rates,” he noted. In relation to pay increases affecting only the top 10% of earners, Burnside advised that this 10% accounts for one third of all hotel customers.

In conclusion, top end hotels will see little effect on demand.

David Bailey, Senior Director, Head of Consultancy at CBRE Hotels, presented the Market Overview, stating that “we have now left the recovery stage and entered increase”. Looking at the UK, the supply landscape demonstrated that 90% of closures from 2007 to year-to-date 2014 are independent hotels, with brands dominating openings. Likewise, 2014 will see 21 fewer hotels in operation, yet 1,004 new rooms, suggesting that guests are swapping independent hotels for branded ones.

This year’s case study focused on the local area of Manchester, taking a look over the previous 15 years of supply, occupancy and ADR in the city.

The study found that MICE demand is increasing, with 16,061 rooms predicted by 2017 compared

to just 6,135 in 1990, acknowledging the city as a hub for development in the foreseeable future.

There was also talk of a number of new developments – aimed at attracting both the leisure and business traveller – set to debut over the next two years.

HOTEL GOTHAM Formerly a city centre landmark, Midland Bank headquarters on King Street, Manchester, is set to reopen as an exclusive hotel in the heart of the city.

Hotel Gotham by Bespoke Hotels will open in April 2015, housed in a neoclassic-design building designed by Victorian architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Construction of the project is being completed by Marshall Construction Group and design by Squid. inc. Robin Sheppard, Chairman at Bespoke Hotels commented: “Hotel Gotham is really taking shape now. The construction team and design partners are on track to deliver an exceptional hotel, in a beautiful historic building.

“We think there is a gap in the market for an upmarket hotel and venue, and this wonderful Lutyens building provides the perfect backdrop.”

The multimillion pound transformation will see the original structure, built by engineers Whinney, Son and Austen Hall between 1933 and 1935, with carvings created by local sculptor John Ashton Floyd, converted into a Japanese and Tuscan inspired hotel.

Manchester Council Leader Sir Richard Leese commented on the hotel catering to the city’s increasing demand: “It is a fantastic building and it is great to see the building having a continued future which will bring jobs and life to that area.

We have seen the hotel occupancy figures, and it is obvious that we need more hotel rooms.”

The hotel will include 60 rooms and suites, featuring private indoor gardens based on an individual exotic theme. Plans also include a restaurant, private members bar and roof garden.

THE MANCHESTER GRAND Allied London has revealed plans for an event hotel for Manchester city centre, to be located in the former Granada headquarters building.

Development of the project is slated to begin in 2016 with a planning application expected to be submitted by the end of the year. It will be a key part of the first phase of development of the new neighbourhood of St. Johns.

Levitt Bernstein Associates has been appointed as architect of the development, which constitutes

“We have seen the hotel occupancy figures, and it is obvious that we need more hotel rooms.”

Sir Richard Leese, Manchester Council Leader a 25-acre masterplan sitting strategically between the city’s Castlefield district and Spinningfields business quarter. The hotel will feature 200 guestrooms and suites as well as four restaurants and a number of bars, including a rooftop members club.

Michael Ingall, Chief Executive of Allied London, commented: “With the development of St. Johns, we’re creating a new neighbourhood in the heart of Manchester. A place that distinguishes itself by its unique cultural history, diverse mix of inhabitants, rich context and its position at the crossroads of Manchester’s network.”

He added: “The Manchester Grande event hotel fits perfectly with this vision. The first of its kind in the UK, the hotel is being modelled on the likes of the hotels in New York, Miami and the Far East, where the focus is on food and beverage as well as nightly events including major

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performance, music, film, theatre and arts and club events. The hotel will bring to life the four purpose built integral former sound-proofed studios, where the Beatles played their first ever live TV performance. The purpose built production green rooms, dressing rooms and rehearsal rooms will be incorporated into the hotel and entertainment complex.”

Allied London intends to retain ownership of the complex and work with best in class partners to deliver each component of the project.

HOTEL FOOTBALL Launched by GG Hospitality and first announced at The AHC a few years ago, plans for Hotel Football are now coming to fruition with the brand’s inaugural hotel set to be located in Old Trafford, Manchester.

The four-star hotel is slated to open in December 2014, and will be housed in a ten-storey building just yards from Old Trafford football ground, home to Manchester United Football Club. Aimed at football fans, GG Hospitality says that it will offer “the ultimate match day experience”.

Despite strong ties to the neighbouring football club, Ryan Giggs, Director at GG Hospitality and Assistant Manager at Manchester United, and former captain Gary Neville, also Director at GG Hospitality, commented that the hotel will welcome fans of all clubs. Hotel Football will incorporate Café Football, a GG Hospitality restaurant chain with one existing branch in London, as well as a conference centre and five-aside football pitch on the roof.

The next Annual Hotel Conference will take place in Manchester on 14-15 October 2015. www.theahc.co.uk

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Kettal MADE IN SPAIN

Passed through generations of the Alorda family, Kettal tells the tale of the ambitious Manuel Alorda, building a furniture empire after spotting a perfect opportunity for his homeplace.

Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: Courtesy of Kettal

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visit to the Barcelona seaside is not complete without it, and neither is Kettal’s notable timeline; the deck chair has become a staple of the furniture brand’s image.

Dating back to the company’s origins, the folding deck chair was the brainchild of the brand’s founders, originally made in beech wood and sold at fairs across the region. But stepping back a little further, the birth of Kettal as we know it is fascinating.

Kettal’s founder, Manuel Alorda, first visited Germany when working at the family-run hotel, along with his father-in-law to scope out the country’s furniture scene. Whilst in the country, German furniture brand Kettler was the duo’s target due to its reputable image in the outdoor furniture industry at that time. “Everyone was making garden furniture, folding aluminium pieces,” comments Alorda. “I thought it was a great opportunity for Spain.”

Upon their return, work on the soon-to-be Kettal factory began just outside Barcelona, and the company skyrocketed from there.

Adopting alternative publicity techniques and setting itself apart instantly, the company dropped Kettal beach balls from aeroplanes, leaving children below scrambling for a piece of the brand. The entrepreneurs then printed one million catalogues, distributing them door-to-door, something that nobody else was doing at the time.

The first products underpinning this campaign were made for the beach and campsite, something close to the Alorda family heart.

The creation of Kettal’s first deck chair was greatly appreciated by consumers, and sales of the chair had to be restricted with a traditional ticketing system, so as to limit orders and create calm amongst the boom in demand. The Alu Piccolo collection followed giving Kettal its first big success in 1966/67, closely trailed by the

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Above: The new Winter Garden pavilion by Kettal Studio comes in larger dimensions, offering a completely closed space within tempered glass sides, or the removal of sides, and even ceiling, to create a pergola

Bambú collection. Telling of the time, all products were still riveted, differing from the modernised welding process that is now in place at the Spanish factory. Fast-forwarding almost five decades, and a new company Vice President in Manuel’s son, Alex Alorda, Kettal’s values remain firmly intact. 99.9% of the products are EU made, emphasising the importance placed on quality and with most of the production process completed by hand, the options for bespoke creations are endless.

The philosophy of the company is long-term, focusing on the criteria of the contract market as standard, in turn, all products are of the highest specification.

“We are a company of detail,” explains Alex Alorda. “You don’t even have to think about quality, and that is the biggest complement.”

In addition to EU quality standards, Kettal places emphasis on innovation, labelling it “an attitude and state of mind”.

Continuing with the Kettal mentality of originality as paramount, the refurbishment of the company’s head offices has created a space that directly reflects the brand’s outlook. “The office must be an extension of the company values,” explains Alorda. “It must be homely and family driven, as staff are an extension of the family.”

Further incorporating customers into the close-knit brand, interaction is encouraged within the in-house meeting room, which stocks a variety of all fabrics and finishes on offer for projects. This makes the design process an all-involving one, and somewhat fun.

Along with the recent renovation, closely coinciding with the brand’s 50th anniversary in 2016, Alorda has also brought all production back to the locale by selling two of the factories further afield, as well as updating the infrastructure, abolishing any hierarchical systems and placing all management on one level.

This new streamlined model allows higher customer satisfaction, as bespoke pieces are more readily available from the factory, and access to senior members of the company is instantaneous. “The company had three factories, but it was impersonal and had no soul, so I brought it back to locality,” states Alorda.

“We take time to talk to our customers, and react fast. There is no ‘no’, we believe that anything is possible!”

Alorda also holds the belief that all collections need to work together, allowing an interchangeable play between ranges. “All collections must talk with each other, and I am a big fan of the eclectic style,” he explains. This is echoed with the launch of five new rope colours, including green, grey and dark grey. These can be combined, which is important for the contract market as they can complement interiors and other existing designs, such as a bar or restaurant.

“I don’t trust trends,” comments Alorda, “I like concepts that last and timeless can be a trend. The brand needs to fit the customer and design.” In terms of design, Kettal stick to the “quality over quantity” motto, and work with a select number of prestigious

Kettal places emphasis on innovation, labelling it “an attitude and state of mind”

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Above: The Kettal Maia collection has seen an evolution, with the Kettal Maia Rope by Patricia Urquiola being released earlier this year

“The designer doesn’t give a design and we say Hallelujah!

We work together and communicate.”

designers including Jasper Morrison, rope and standing on teak legs, the Patricia Urquiola, Rodolfo Dordoni and combination emits warmth.

Hella Jongerius.

The strength of Kettal’s collections “The designer doesn’t give a design is demonstrated through the evolutions and we say Hallelujah!,” states Alorda. that take place each season, as opposed “We work together and communicate. to complete product reinvention. This We enter separately and both work is further demonstrated with the new Alex Alorda, Vice President together and learn. It makes us Winter Garden Pavilion by Kettal stronger.” This attention to detail is Studio, an extension of the Kettal evident through the four years that it takes from the seed of an Pavilions range. Designed to provide shelter, shade or protection idea, to completion. “Because we work so much, it has to produce from rain and wind, the pavilion offers a completely closed space, something that means something. We have to make a difference in as well as the option to remove sides to create a pergola. Finished what we do. Oh and have fun!” in tempered glass with sliding doors and casement windows, the New products for the brand this year include two new collections ceiling of the structure also offers the option of removal, allowing

by Patricia Urquiola; Kettal Roll and Kettal Maia Rope. Kettal Roll sunshine to filter in. converts a regular backrest into two separate wraps, with a connection Speaking about the direction in which the brand is heading, it made by contrasting straps. As the cushions act as a focal point, the appears up is the mutual answer. “We no longer produce for stock aluminium frame structures the chair and provides a contemporary but for demand, saving millions. Our company overhaul will be base, as well as a pin-point for the cushions to connect to. Meanwhile completed in February 2015 and we are in a very good position for the evolution of the classic Kettal Maia collection, Kettal Maia Rope the future!” concludes Alorda. adds a lightweight design to the range. Hand-braided with nautical www.kettal.com

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29.09.14 08:22

Italian Chair District TAKE A SEAT

A hub of innovation, originality and tradition, the Italian Chair District creates more than just chairs, bringing together companies of all skills and sizes, with importance placed on quality and environment.

Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: Courtesy of ICD, Moroso and Montbel

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ooking as far back as the 18th century, Austrian artisans travelled to the north-eastern region of Friuli, Italy, utilising the country’s bountiful land and rivers for production, and inadvertently forming the Italian Chair District. Following World War II, the economy grew and the 1960s saw design develop alongside the growth of production. Carlo Piemonte, Director of Italian Chair District (ICD), comments: “I remember when I was younger, I would think who is sitting on all of these chairs?” This success and expansion, however, could not be maintained wholly through the economic difficulties of the 1990s, when many niche companies in the market closed.

Two decades and a recession later, the district is once thriving again.

The Agency for the Development of Industrial Chair District was launched in the area in 2008 and oversees 650 regional companies,

100 of which go to market. Its role is two-fold, representing the sector throughout the world, and supplying innovative services and marketing strategies. This has given the companies of the land a direct connection to the market, using publicity, events and innovation to promote the uniqueness of the products. With importance placed on quality and the locale of Friuli, steps are taken to ensure the authenticity of products, as well as its components, such as the origins of the wood, which is based on a lifecycle assessment.

ICD is also a Green District, using FSC and PEFC certifications.

“Every person in the supply chain must be certified,” explains Piemonte. “The wood is supplied from Europe as there is not enough forest in the district. The wood supplier must have these certifications.” Due to the stringent specifications in place, ICD assists smaller companies to become certified. “Producing chairs is a way to

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Above: The Patricia Urquiola-designed modular system (love me) Tender for Moroso offers separate elements, which can be combined create a number of versatile compositions in a range of heights and sizes

“Producing chairs is a way to follow our tradition, certifications help us to move forward to a more complete product”

follow our tradition, certifications to interior designers and architects, help us to move forward to a more simply to demonstrate the breadth of complete product.” possibilities with this unique art. Due All stages of production have the to the niche nature of Italcurvati, it ability to be sourced from the region can be difficult to reach customers, alone, with both large and small making the network extremely companies contributing. Benefits beneficial.

Carlo Piemonte, Italian Chair District of this include the proximity of Another crucial aspect of the factories and showrooms, as well region is the reputable label of Italian as ease of communication and quality assurance. During Sleeper’s design. According to Franco di Fonzo, President at leather specialist visit, each stage of production was apparent, starting at the primal Frag: “Italian product is welcome everywhere. It is an artisan product, stage of importation and cutting from family-run company Stacco, not construction.” These expectations require a high level of attention to wood bending at Italcurvati, through to large scale production at to quality and design, achieved through the employees of Frag, the likes of Cizeta, Frag, Gervasoni, Moroso, Montbel and Gervasoni. who each have more than ten years of experience in production. A The importance of locale is reiterated when visiting a selection of similar measure is taken by Moroso, whose employees have extensive brands comprising the ICD network, including second-generation production skills. “They need to have knowledge about the product, company Cizeta. Growing in the field of development, Export and also have passion,” comments Alberto Gortani, Managing Manager Simone Cavassi, explains: “One of the benefits of the area Director at Moroso. “We don’t rush people, what we need is a good is having many skilled companies with specialities. We find the skills product and quality.” that we need, for example wood bending.”

The high standard of products created by the companies in Italcurvati, founded in 1959, is a wood bending company that the district has resulted in increased volume of work within the supplies to furniture brands in the area. The company is shrouded in contract market, namely high-end hotels. Local brand Potocco secrecy, creating its own machines and revealing minimum know-how recently upgraded its product line, a move that correlates with the

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“Italian product is welcome everywhere. It is an artisan product, not construction.”

company’s aspiration to become a One way for companies to reach global brand, focusing largely on customers is via the ICD created 3D the contract market and bespoke Configurator app. Demonstrating each work with architects and interior company’s abilities and adaptability, designers, which constitutes over brands of all sizes can reach a target Franco di Fonzo, Frag 60% of Potocco’s orders. audience easily, especially beneficial Another contract-focused for small brands who would not have member of ICD is Montbel, now headed by second generation an international reach otherwise. Explains Piemonts: “The app can owner Manuela Montina as President. Upcoming hotel projects for show endless possibilities... ideas can be sent to clients, who can the international brand include African Pride Avalon Hotel and Spa change aspects of the design. It is also useful for different time zones and Sheraton Algeria. “The biggest work is in in Africa right now,” and immediacy.” concludes Montina, “however the USA and EU are growing.”

The online platform demonstrates just one of the ways in which When speaking of contract-focused brands residing in the Friuli ICD assists its members in gaining an international client base and region, Gervasoni is one of the most prominent international promoting a global presence. Joint exhibitions, including Salone companies, with sub-brand Very Wood catering entirely to the del Mobile, Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair and showrooms in contract market. Gervasoni itself provides for both contract and Cape Town and Bahrain International Design Week, also assist the residential, with designers such as Patricia Urquiola and Marcel brands in developing connections further afield. However, the truly Wanders contributing to its expanding portfolio, along with the noticeable characteristic that Italian Chair District has to offer, is the talents of Artistic Director Paola Navone. “We are working on sense of originality and community that fills each company, becoming products that merge the two brands,” explains CEO Giovanni apparent in the final product.

Gervasoni, emphasising the group’s focus. www.italian-chair-district.it

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17/10/2014 10:04

Fabrics, Wallcoverings & Surfaces STYLE VS SAFETY

The balance between safety and style can be a difficult task, but with increasing awareness, the result is a fusion of the two with little need for compromise.

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ot only do hotel interiors require soft furnishings be a bigger mix of strong relief textures inspired by the fashion world. durable and longlasting, safety regulations call for stringent Virile and rigorous atmospheres are warmed up by seductive textures requirements to be met, if not exceeded. With concerns such and bright accents.” Fabrizio believes that the necessity of giving as fire retardancy ongoing, manufacturers must ensure that design is more sensations of comfort to international travellers, “who are used balanced with the safety of end users. Although these specifications to high quality luxury,” is also key to driving future trends. “Our are nothing new to the world of design, brands are increasingly fabrics and wallcoverings interpret this idea of comfort, elegance and learning novel ways to incorporate safety elements as standard, sophistication,” he concludes. without compromising on style.

Meanwhile, Kirkby Design proposes that refined metallics will play Trevira, manufacturer of high-tech polyester fibre and filaments, a large role, juxtaposed with other natural materials such as matte supplies to textile brands, allowing varnished wood and wools. Jordan them the security of controlled Mould, Design Director at Kirkby quality when creating new collections.

Design explains: “The new Mondrian While importance is placed on hotel is a good example, the coppersurpassing regulations, the company clad hull-like reception faces a wall of is continuously developing new natural looking wood cladding in Tom components to ensure that design is Dixon’s signature style, incorporating also at the forefront of the business. nature and glitz.”

Svenja Fromm, Business Development The desire to make a lasting Manager at Trevira CS comments: impression appears to be a consistent Jordan Mould, Kirkby Design “Permanently flame retardant Trevira driver, Mould says: “There is an

“There is an obvious desire to create an impact, and hotels are an oppurtunity to create spaces with a ‘wow’ effect.”

CS fabrics meet important fire standards worldwide. The variety of yarns produced by us and our partners has grown tremendously over the years. The yarn spectrum is vast – from bouclés, thin and thick yarns, chenilles, low melt component yarns up to woollen, silk and linen look.”

Speaking of driving trends, Nicolo Favaretto, CEO at Rubelli suggests that design is being driven by both aspects. “We need to find the right balance between safety and design; we meet the safety regulations by using fabrics in Trevira, and use customer requirements to create design collections.” Past trends have seen lacquered surfaces and metallic effects, however the 2015 contract collection will see “more vibrant and vivid colours,” describes Favaretto, an opinion shared by Raffaele Fabrizio, Director at Dedar. “We see that fresh colours are extremely popular,” comments Fabrizio. “I expect to see

obvious desire to create an impact, and hotels are an opportunity to create spaces with a ‘wow’ effect. It enables creativity and a more experimental approach.” This comment is reflected with Rubelli, also favouring natural-appearance design such as linen, raffia and ethnic themes for 2015.

Speaking of Paola Navone’s recent appointment as Art Director of Dominique Keiffer by Rubelli, Favaretto says: “I thought that Paola would be the best person because she is able to interpret the brand, as she has always been a fan of the collection and understands customers’ requests. Moreover, she has a point of view which is different from the ‘Venetian’ one.”

Although contract regulations continue to be paramount for textiles, increasing techniques and innovations mean that design and safety work simultaneously, from conception to end product.

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FARDIS Lin’um Created using a selection of innovative techniques, the latest collection from wallpaper brand Fardis is a quartet of textured linen wallcoverings. The new Lin’um range includes Belfort, a wallcovering with textured effect, which has been crafted using a traditional pleating technique, complemented by Asina, Plumont and Rochelle. Intricately designed Asina is created by needle punching linen for a decorative fi nish. Special woven wallpaper Plumont has a two-tone effect, whilst Rochelle’s metallic pigments add a contemporary touch to the classic design. www.fardis.com

ULTRAFABRICS Dwell Pioneer in the polyurethane synthetic leather industry, Ultrafabrics has launched Dwell, an organic texture formulated with Ultratech technology. Dwell provides a matte aesthetic and emulates the soft feel of suede, with a palette comprising a fresh mix of 11 tone-ontone colours. Essential neutrals including Wild Honey and Cliff are offset by saturated hues such as Sizzle and Heritage Blue. The collection is manufactured using proprietary Takumi technology, a performance hallmark, synonymous with durability. www.ultrafabricsllc.com

BEAUMONT & FLETCHER Cellini SKAI Soroma Skai upholstery covers combine an elegant appearance with an authentic feel, with designs including the exotic grain pattern of ostrich or mantra ray, or reminiscent of genuine classics such as skai Soroma EN with the appearance of stitched rhombuses. The applications are not limited to guestrooms, with skai adorning lobbies, conference rooms, bars, restaurants and fitness areas. The material can be used for its classic application of padded seating or furniture, as well as wallcovering. www.skai.com

Beaumont & Fletcher’s Couture Range features rare fabrics catering to highend interior designers. The exclusive collection includes pieces that are hand embroidered in extraordinary materials, including gold and silver threads, freshwater pearls, crystals and semi-precious stones. Each order is bespoke and can be embroidered on the customer’s choice of backcloths from silk velvet to organza sheer, woven linen or hand dyed leather. www. beaumontandfletcher.com

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HARLEQUIN Momentum For autumn 2014, Harlequin has produced two fashion-forward collections of woven fabrics for its Momentum range. New additions include an innovative collection of sheers and structures, and a range of decorative plains, all of which work together seamlessly to create a harmonious effect. Momentum 5 comprises four textured upholstery fabrics including rustic tweed, while Momentum 6 encompasses eight eye-catching drapery designs. www.harlequin.uk.com

TREVIRA Exhibition Trevira collaborated with partners at the recent Mood exhibition in Brussels. Fabric manufacturers with a broad variety of products presented their latest Trevira SC collections at the fibre manufacturer’s stand, including Delius, FIDIVI, Müller Zell, Pugi, Wintex, along with Mario Cavelli. An exclusive Trevira VIP Lounge was also offered to visitors, available for meetings and discovering the benefits of Trevira. www.trevira.com

“Permanently flame retardant Trevira CS fabrics meet fire standards worldwide” - Trevira KOBE Mystic

JAB ANSTOETZ Monsoon by Chivasso

The romantic Mystic collection from Kobe mixes contemporary and classic interior design fabrics inspired by the mysterious Gothic style period. The range features rich velvets, innovative 3D jacquards, lace looks and printed burnouts, suitable for window decoration, upholstery and contract wallcoverings. Kobe also offers a wide range of 100% Trevira CS fabrics, which are regarded as the highest quality in fi re retardant fabrics.

The new collection from Chivasso is inspired by the freshness and energy of tropical rain, which causes everything to blossom into new life. Featuring vibrant colours and vigorous designs, the textiles transform furnishing schemes into interiors with charm. Bold prints and texture feature across the 37 fabrics and wallpapers in an array of fresh hues, available in three themes: Jungle, New Hampshire and Vintage. www.jab-uk.co.uk

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Quality wallcoverings made in East Peckham, Kent Established 1889 l

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ACRYLIC COUTURE Panels Using extravagant inlays and artistic colour combinations, Acrylic Couture panels use acrylic glass and exclusive materials to create customised designs. Whether luxurious, mystical, refi ned or graceful, the designs are created to offer a highlight for the senses, transmitting light and reflections via the acrylic glass nanoparticles.

Application possibilities include interior and exterior design, spa and wellness areas and feature displays. www.acrylic-couture.com

EDMUND BELL Cranborne Collection High-end curtain lining specialist Edmund Bell has added two new collections to its product portfolio. The Cranborne Collection combines natural prints in a palette of colours with a contemporary feel. The patterns incorporate the organic flowing beauty of leaves, a nostalgic bird pattern and soft stripes. The Discovery Range is a textured, woven effect blackout fabric, available in 29 colours.

As well as being a design-led fabric, the range includes a blackout coating and meets international flame retardant standards. www.edmundbell.com

SHOWERWALL Rustic Travertine Waterproof laminate wall panelling system, Rustic Travertine, reflects the latest trend for stones and granites in neutral colours. Rustic Travertine is one of six new design additions, extending the Showerwall range to 39 laminate designs in total.

Responding to demand for easyliving neutrals, Rustic Travertine Gloss, Natural Marble Gloss, and Bianco Stardust have been added to the range, as well as bolder statement stones such as Breccia and Grigio Marble.

MAYA ROMANOFF River Bed Incorporating hand-painted pigments with metallic details, River Bed from Maya Romanoff resembles petrified wood or birch bark as the dimensional paper provides the elegant, calming presence of nature. Custom colours are available, with the product handcrafted in the Maya Romanoff Chicago studio. www.mayaromanoff.com

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Diversity of style

Madigan by Stylish fabrics suitable for contract interiors www.romo.com

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16/10/2014 10:36

SAMUEL AND SONS Toscana The new Toscana collection from Samuel and Sons comprises a range of trimmings and tassels made from the fi nest Italian leather.

The collection exhibits classic influences of equestrian detailing in the braided cords and borders, while using novel embellishments in the stud borders and understated sophistication of the Nubuck piping. Toscana’s studded borders combine soft leather with patina silver and gold hardware in a range of fi nishes and colourways. The colour palette of the collection is made up of black and chocolate tones, complemented by earthy hues and lighter neutrals. www.samuelandsons.com

RUBELLI Luxury Collection by Studioart Rubelli London has launched the Luxury Collection by Studioart, innovative leather walls for interiors. The new metallic leather panels provide a dramatic backdrop, showcasing the metallic geometric trend. Using multiple combinations of dimensions, shapes and patterns, from delicate tesserae to bold tiles and stunning metallic leathers, new and exciting geometric possibilities for interiors can be created. www.rubelli.com

“We expect to see a bigger mix of strong relief textures inspired by the fashion world” - Dedar DEDAR Rafia & Metallo

ENA SHAW CONTRACT Hampton by Hilton Ena Shaw Contract has provided fi nishing touches for the recently opened Hampton by Hilton Sheffield.

Following an extensive renovation, transforming the existing building into a hotel, the manufacturer of soft furnishings delivered voiles and curtains, made to measure for each guestroom and reception area. The bespoke creations complemented existing designs, creating a light, airy and luxurious feel throughout. www.enashawcontract.co.uk.

Dedar has introduced four new versions of the hand crafted moiré textile wallcovering with laminate effect. Inspired by traditional Japanese wallcoverings, Rafia & Metallo is a high-performing, practical product, owing to the quality materials used.

The wallcoverings consist of jacquard fabrics backed with non-woven fabrics, made from yarns that create the same unevenness and delicate sheen of vegetable raffia, but with the advantages of not fraying. Easy-to-clean, light resistant and long-lasting, the textile is also fi re-retardant. www.dedar.com

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High-class contract fabrics T he Sleep Event L o n d o n Stand M39

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22.10.14 10:03

SAUM & VIEBAHN Country Chic Designed to enable complete furnishing from a single source, Country Chic is the result of an expansion of Saum & Viebahn’s contract fabrics programme. The new range encompasses flameretardant, robust and easy-to-clean deco drapes and upholstery fabrics. Each new fabric makes a different statement, from rustic to romantic to modern, through classically elegant, it offers a variety of possibilities to create highlights in every room. www.saumundviebahn.de

ARTE Galena Inspired by the elements as a force of nature, Galena gains its name from a deserted city where nature has overgrown the footsteps of the people. The collection is varied, with eight different patterns, each with its own colour palette. Highlights of the collection include Unit, a concrete tile pattern in which the joints are visible, Cresta with a tactile concrete print, and Bloom, the most spirited and colourful reference in the Galena range. A traditional and modern wallcovering, Galena allows interpretation of a modern classic. www.arte-international.com

GRAHAM & BROWN Illusions

VILLA NOVA Makela Wallcoverings Aiming to add essential pattern and texture to any interior scheme, Villa Nova has launched Makela Wallcoverings. The collection of statement designs features vibrant patterns and simple geometrics, subtle beading, radiant metallic highlights and vivid colours. Alongside interpretations from the Makela and Avebury fabric designs, the range also includes a simple, tonal stripe. Makela Wallcoverings are presented in an array of neutral shades with nuances of colour, through to more intense feature tones. www.villanova.co.uk

The latest collaboration between Dutch designer Marcel Wanders and Graham & Brown is inspired by mystery.

Illusions is a masterpiece collection with each design not quite as it seems. The geometric and typographic patterns exhibit regal qualities with a luxurious fi nish. Extravagant yet delicate, the nine patterns are grouped into five categories which create their own sense of illusions through various surface treatments and visual manipulations. Highlights include the Heart & Tulip pattern, resembling a carved wooden surface, available in mahogany, ash and birch. www.grahambrown.com

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Trevira CS Advertisement „Fabric for Ideas“ Size 236x275mm for Rubelli „Sleeper Nov. 2014“

www.treviracs.com

FABRIC FOR IDEAS

Plan with more safety.

With the new flame retardant Trevira CS fabrics.

Diversify your designs.

With the challenging designs of the product Rubelli Venezia from Rubelli.

Expect more. www.rubelli.com Anz_Fabric-for-Ideas_engl_236x275_Rubelli_2014.indd 1

17.10.14 11:24

Specifier P R O D U C T S & S E R V I C E S F O R H O S P I TA L I T Y D E S I G N

B&B ITALIA Almora Designed by Doshi Levien to evoke feelings of warmth and hospitality, Almora is named after the Indian region that offers a breathtaking view of the Himalayas. The armchair is made up of two conical frames, one for the seat and one for the backrest, placed on a swivel base. The headrest is made from curved oak wood and padded on the inner side, while an ottoman with round base and partly padded seat acts as a footstool. Almora marks the debut of a new partnership between B&B Italia and Doshi Levien, and the launch coincides with the unveiling of B&B Italia’s recently re-styled London showroom. www.bebitalia.com

194

More nuances. More elegance. More versatility: The Starck bathroom series with the coordinating furniture programme. Just one example from the comprehensive Duravit range – sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, accessories, bathtubs, wellness products and saunas.

To find out more: Phone 0845 500 7787, info@uk.duravit.com, www.duravit.co.uk

TOP FLOOR Script Esti Barnes’ Top Floor has launched the Script collection, a collaboration between Barnes and contemporary calligrapher Hassan Massoudy. Comprising of nine new rugs and wall-hangings, the range is inspired by Massoudy, whose bold take on the ancient art of calligraphy is world-renowned. The result captures the energy of the original artwork and reflects a blend of Middle and Far Eastern styles, a marriage of art and interior design.

The nine designs are handmade substantially in silk and can be customised to create bespoke pieces. www.topfloorrugs.com

INTERVIEW

Barber & Osgerby Vitra Home Collection 2014 Following your longstanding relationship with Vitra, how do you ensure that each new collection has something new to offer?

Each project starts with a list of ‘needs’ and inevitably, innovation is required. Vitra welcomes experimentation and invests heavily in prototyping so we can always try out new things, however ludicrous they seem at the beginning.

When working alongside other designers on the Home Collection, how do you ensure consistency?

All the designers that work with Vitra have their own strong identity and that is why Vitra has chosen to work with them. We never get to see the projects of the other designers, so it’s always interesting when the new work is unveiled!

What is the most important aspect of product design when it comes to hotels?

Practicality. When you get to your room you need everything to work intuitively. Nobody wants to figure out how their lamp works.

Do you have a favourite piece of the collection?

Probably the Marisposa sofa – it was our answer to the observation that people use the sofa so many different ways nowadays. Mariposa can serve as both a formal and informal platform.

O’DONNELL FURNITURE MAKERS Mondrian London O’Donnell Furniture Makers has provided casegoods for Mondrian London’s 359 guestrooms, reflecting the marine-inspired design of the hotel. Solid brass handles for the cabinets, and a richly coloured hand-painted fi nish for wood panelling contrasts with the magenta interiors of the wardrobe, drawer and storage units. Working with Design Research Studio, the attention to detail and craftsmanship helped to maximise the functionality of the cutting-edge design for the design-led London property. www.odonnellfurniture.com

www.vitra.com 196

www.beckinteriors.com HOTELS – MUSEUMS – RESIDENTIAL – RETAIL – LEISURE – BESPOKE

TOM DIXON Beat Table

HARRISON SPINKS Contract Collection

SHAW HOSPITALITY GROUP Natural Curiosities

Additions have been made to the Tom Dixon Beat family, inspired by the sculptural simplicity of traditional water vessels used in India. Both table and floor lights have been incorporated into the collection, featuring a slender articulated arm that can be adjusted to direct the light beam. Solid brass componentry and iron sand cast bases create an iconic footprint, with products available in black and brushed brass, as a floor or table light with a prominent switch.

Harrison Spinks has announced the launch of its new Contract Collection, set to be previewed at Sleep 2014. Drawing on over 100 years experience, the comprehensive new range of individual mattresses consists of a Harrison Range featuring the Revolution spring system, and a Somnus Range of unique pillow top mattresses, featuring the Sensa iP intelligent Pocket Spring System. Both ranges feature luxurious natural fi llings and certified fabric technology BugGuard.

Designed by renowned architect David Rockwell and Shaw Hospitality Group, Natural Curiosities further explores elements found in nature, building upon the fi rst collaboration between the pair. Many patterns used explore the effect of light and shadow on natural surfaces, while others reflect a more textural and abstract approach. Various manufacturing technologies, such as dyeinjected print, tufted and computerised yarn placement offer high quality aesthetics for various hospitality projects.

www.harrisonbeds.co.uk

www.shawhospitalitygroup.com

www.tomdixon.net

VITRA Mariposa Sofa The Mariposa Sofa combines soft upholstery with an ingenious adjustment mechanism, making it possible to individually tilt the side and backrest elements for various resting positions, while remaining protected from any hard, structural elements. The hidden function allows the slim side and back elements to be silently adjusted when direct force is applied, but remain stationary when natural pressure from resting occurs. The flexibility allows guests to determine a position that is most suited. Furthermore, the depth of the sofa means that two people can sit at opposing ends and comfortably face each other, offering a cosy spot for conversations or resting alike. www.vitra.com

198

MEISTERSTÜCK A masterpiece of German engineering excellence.

In Germany MEISTERSTÜCK means masterpiece.

What better way to describe this fully enamelled, free-standing bath. MEISTERSTÜCK blends visionary German engineering excellence with a stunning design. Crafted seamlessly in KALDEWEI steel enamel with a 30-year guarantee.

MEISTERSTÜCK CENTRO DUO OVAL

www.kaldewei.co.uk • tel: 01480 498 053

PROTOCOL New Showroom

GIRA KNX

MAJESTIC Mondrian at Sea Containers

Supplier of contract furniture, Protocol, has relocated to a new showroom, allowing the company to showcase the large collection of furniture that it has to offer. The new location in Brentwood, Essex, spans approximately ¼ acre of land and is easily accessible from London. The 3,500ft 2 showroom showcases the latest product ranges from UK and European manufacturers, in a modern and ecological environment.

Offering a variety of intelligent building control products, design to enhance security and improve convenience to both hotel guest and operator, Gira’s KNX system provides building management throughout hotels. The controls optimise energy usage, contributing to reduced operating costs. Intelligent building management also enables both centralised control for public spaces, while allowing guests individual guestroom control.

Majestic aims to create innovative design solutions for architects and designers, as demonstrated in the recent project at Sea Containers, London. Featuring Majestic’s discreet and elegant WC/shower dividing doors, privacy is offered in a guestroom set up where the bathroom is open-plan. For the project, 10mm glass doors were provided, hinged off a glass panel. With the belief that functionality does not have to mean compromising design, Majestic offers both.

www.gira.com

www.majesticshowers.com

www.protocoluk.com

LASVIT Dancing Leaves Dominating the main lobby of The Peninsula Paris, Lasvit has left a trace of its artistic vision in the form of its ‘Dancing Leaves’ glass art installation. Designed by Ludek Hroch, the installation is made of 800 hand-blown glass components shaped as leaves, a nod to the tree that line the famous Parisian boulevards. The glass leaves circle the hollow centre of the installation, offering the illusion of being carried by a gust of wind before falling gracefully to the ground. www.lasvit.com

200

SLEEP

RECHARGE

REVITALISE

NATURAL SLEEP COMFORT FOR THE HOSPITALITY MARKET For further information contact:

THE QUEEN’S AWARDS

Contracts Division

THE QUEEN’S AWARDS

FOR ENTERPRISE

FOR ENTERPRISE

I N N O V AT I O N

S U S TA I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T

2013

2013

TO HARRISON SPINKS

TO HARRISON SPINKS

Stephen Truswell Harrison Spinks Contract Sales Director Tel: 0113 205 5200 Email: info@harrisonspinkscontract.co.uk Visit us at The Sleep Event, Stand G39 - Gallery

TRADELINENS Spa Range

SAMSUNG Staron

HYPNOS Lansdowne Royale

The latest Spa range from Tradelinens has been developed with guests in mind and includes a selection of contemporary spa products, ranging from 400gsm to 650gsm for ultimate comfort and luxury. The collection features bathrobes, towels, headbands and more, all available in a range of colours including white, slate, chocolate and beige.

Inspired by nature, Staron by Samsung SDI’s Architectural Products Division embody pure and diverse animal forms.

The distinctive furniture pieces act as highlights in any environment, as the unique design is combined with Samsung’s acrylic solid surface material Staron, delivering unprecedented levels of performance and increased durability.

Bed manufacturer Hypnos has designed a pocket spring mattress, Lansdowne Royale, and combined it with a designer headboard, Vicotira Euro-Slim. Offering zonal support, the mattress features a three zoned ReActive pocket spring system. Each spring senses body shape and weight distribution, providing total spinal and body support. To regulate body temperature, Lansdowne Royale is upholstered with soft, breathable layers such as British wool, Talalay latex and eOlus and conforms to fi re retardant regulations.

www.thebestbedlinenintheworld.com

www.staron-samsung.com

www.hypnoscontractbeds.com

GROHE F-Digital Deluxe The Grohe Spa F-Digital Deluxe collection offers a state-of-the-art shower and spa experience, complete with Bluetooth technology. The upgrade allows a variety of iOS and Android-based devices to use an app to control the collection’s light, sound and steam settings. From coloured lighting and relaxing steam, to playing music, the shower can be transformed into a private and personalised experience. The latest wireless technology is easy to retrofit, and will allow users complete freedom in controlling all F-Digital Deluxe therapeutic functions. www.grohe.com

202

N e w E a u Z o n e P l u s U l t r a B e s p o k e . T h e e p i t o m e o f l u x u r y, t a i l o r - m a d e , e x p e r t l y m e a s u r e d a n d i n s t a l l e d b y M a t k i ’ s s p e c i a l i s t I n s t a l l a t i o n T e a m Beautifully engineered in the UK

F O R I N F O R M A T I O N O N M A T K I ’ S M E A S U R E A N D I N S T A L L S E R V I C E A N D T O R E C E I V E A B R O C H U R E C A L L 01 4 5 4 3 2 2 8 8 8 | W W W. M A T K I . C O. U K | M A T K I P L C , B R I S T O L B S 3 7 5 P L

PS INTERIORS Syrma

MUSIC CONCIERGE Asia Expansion

INTERIOR SUPPLY Portfolio Expansion

Syrma is conceived as a visually light product, combining many intertwined wires. This appearance of lightness is achieved by a metal mesh and a perimeter of rod. In order to obtain a comfortable seat it comes with a capitonĂŠ pad fi xed to the mesh and is available in copper, white or dark grey. The collection includes chair, armchair, highbacked armchair, footstool and pouf. Syrma is available in the UK from PS Interiors.

Music consultancy service Music Concierge has announced the opening of a satellite office in Hong Kong, headed by Peter Day. Catering to high-end hospitality brands worldwide, Music Concierge offers a creative solution for forward thinking companies seeking to enhance their brand.

With a regional presences in Hong Kong since 2009, the company prides itself on a well-respected Asian client list, providing a solution for leaders in hospitality across Asia. Music Concierge will also provide the soundtrack for the inaugural Asia Hotel Design Awards in 2015.

Interior Supply has announced it has expanded its portfolio to include leading suppliers such as Poltrona Frau, Cassina, Giorgetti, Montbel and Fendi. With the addition of Wall & Deco wallpapers, Limited Edition Rugs and Contardi Lighting, the supplier now offers a one-stop location servicing complete design requirements. The broad collection of products are provided alongside extensive technical knowledge and quality assurance.

www.ps-interiors.co.uk

www.interiorsupply.co.uk

www.musicconcierge.co.uk

BRIGHTEN YOUR WALLS Framed Prints Specialising in supplying and installing framed pictures in hotels for over 20 years, Brighten Your Walls offers a selection of framed prints to enhance any space.

Sizes vary depending upon the space, varying from small frames for hanging purposes, or large images for public spaces. Brighten Your Walls are able to offer guidance on enhancing walls, as demonstrated recently at the Arden Hotel, where products where selected to complement refurbished guestrooms. www.brightenyourwalls.co.uk

204

Above and

beyond

Experience the innovative power of textile interior design at the world’s largest platform for contract textiles. Feel the latest trends more intensely and comprehensively than ever before. Come to Heimtextil, the ideal venue for all architects, planners and interior designers who want to know what is driving the industry forward.

Heimtextil Theme Park “Experience” – Trends 2015/2016.

A new departure in Hall 4.0

7-001_HT_CC_Sleeper_236x275_gb • CD-Rom • ISO 39 • CMYK • ar: ar:7.08.2014

14 – 17. 1. 2015

DU: 7.8.2014 GB

For further details and tickets visit contact-contract.com info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83

CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY

Kaleidovision

Innovations

Generator Hostels

Comfort Inn & Suites Kings Cross London

Digital agency Kaleidovision has joined forces with Generator Hostels to enhance the guest experience for the growing band of European travellers.

With Generator properties in Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Hamburg, London and Venice, Kaleidovision worked alongside the existing interior design of the hostels. The localinfused designs by Anwar Mekhayech at DesignAgency also incorporate the trademark Generator look of urban and chic, as well as encouraging social media interaction.

Aisha Nanor, Head of Music at Kaleidovision says: “The client wanted to do something that reflected the local culture and remain very hip, enabling guests to experience the city by having the hostels serve as a music guide.” According to Kaleidovision, Generator required more than a music service, as they wished to link with internet radio and synchronise with added screen and social media content.

The programme also includes the Generator Live online streaming platform for DJ interviews, live residences at Generator properties for emerging artists and external partnerships with other venues.

Innovations is currently working on the major refurbishment of Comfort Inn & Suites Kings Cross London. The refurbishment specialists have undertaken the complete project, ranging from the original design concept to the completion of the hotel.

With phase one completed, the hotel’s breakfast area has been expanded into a larger space, with a number of design accents.

The area includes French Oak Karndean flooring and a map of London spanning the wall, overlooking the vibrant space.

Design elements considered for the concept include the functionality of the space, with practical components being intertwined with the aesthetic of the hotel. It is also important that the refurbishment maintains the brand identity, aligning the concept with the other four Comfort Inn’s nearby, hence there is a generic element incorporating artwork of London imagery throughout, whilst introducing elements that identify with the Kings Cross area, particularly in the new suites and guestrooms. www.innovations-hotelrefurbs.co.uk

www.kaleidovision.co.uk

206

+44 (0) 1908 327100

sales@efchairs.com

www.efchairs.com

BUILDING FOR HOTELS

INDEPENDENT CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY CONSULTANTS Cost Management · Project Management CDM Co-ordinator · Construction and Property Tax Construction Management · Development Management Development Monitoring · Dispute Management Facilities Management Consultancy · Programme Management Risk Management · Sustainability · Whole Life Costing

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL

CONTACT Theo Constantinides Gardiner & Theobald LLP 10 South Crescent, London, WC1E 7BD T: +44(0)20 7209 3000 | t.constantinides@gardiner.com sleeper jan-feb 2014 s410.qxp_Sleeper Nov-Dec 2011 07/01/2014 16:59 Page 1

mrfdesign.co.uk

mrf

www.gardiner.com @gt_llp

s410 wingback

Axor Citterio E Axor Universal A c c e s s o r i e s

T h e E S S E N C E o f L U X U R Y. A bathroom collection and a range of accessories that enhance everyday life, as well as the bathroom itself. pro.hansgrohe.co.uk/axor-citterio-e

AXO-3952-14_Axor_Citterio_E_AZ_236x275_SleeperMagazin_RZ.indd 1

02.10.14 14:01

Sark half page v5:Layout 1 28/10/2014 14:22 Page 1

Sark collection Velvety feel fabric for indoor upholstery

The integration of a subtle two tone effect is certain to appeal to Designers, Specifiers and Operators looking to bring style and sophistication to seating and headboard projects within contract environments.

BETTEFLOOR SIDE

Sark Cream

Exclusive design - smoothly hygienic.

Made from high-grade steel/enamel with a 30 year warranty.

Design: Tesseraux + Partner

For further information and samples T: +44 (0)20 8205 0050 | www.aguafabrics.com www.bette.co.uk

sleeper_100x245_BetteFloor Side.indd 1

Sleep Show: Visit us at stand M24B

30.04.2014 08:53:26

Upholstered in Sark collection

Unbelievably soft with a velvety feel, the Sark collection is made up of 16 alluring colours from a warm mauve and wine to the cool yet striking tones of zest and sky.

BurgessForum_Sleeper_206x120_FINAL.indd 1

13/08/2014 15:55

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT OF LUXURY INTERIOR ACCESSORIES HOTELS • YACHTS • INTERIOR DESIGNERS • PRIVATE CLIENTS

We will be attending The European Hotel Design Awards on the 25th November and Sleep Event on 26th November.

If you would like to meet to discuss your requirements please contact us on 01434 604 181 or studio1@cubbins.co.uk

www.cubbins.co.uk

Expressive and authentic, beautiful and tactile, the new Allura luxury vinyl tile collection from Forbo opens up a world of bespoke design possibility.

To view the new collection or request a presentation, simply visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/allura

creating better environments

Visit us at Stand G14 at The Sleep Event, London 26 - 27 November 2014

TEL 44 (0) 121 333 6062

SALES@WATERBURY.CO.UK

G5929 Sleep Ad 3.indd 1

...add a touch of elegance

WWW.WATERBURY.CO.UK

21/10/2014 14:26

Stylish & Contemporary Wallcoverings • Home & Residential • Hotels, Restaurants & Bars • Office & Retail

Available in a range of colours and styles Stylish and elegant wallpaper with the added advantages of sound and heat insulation, ideal for stove and fire surrounds

For info, ideas & inspiration...

www.dupre-luxuria.com

13 d an ry St le n al s o gn G e u esi Se D

Tel 01782 383000 Email info@dupre-luxuria.com

ALL CLEAR! WITH demista™ Proven with a faultless track record for nearly 22 years. Universally accepted

by Architects, Interior Designers & Specifiers as the No.1 Mirror Demister Internationally Approved, Low Energy Consumption, 100% Efficient & Maintenance Free. Various Voltages. Bespoke to Order For product information contact: Tel 01923 866600 Email sales@demista.co.uk Web www.demista.co.uk

EB Sleeper Advert October 14 v4_Layout 1 15/10/2014 16:40 Page 1

A NEW SPA RANGE

We are excited to announce our new Spa range of towelling products in both super-luxe white and contemporary spa colours. Our passion to provide the best in all that we do, and our reputation for service and quality, makes us the UK’s leading bed linen and towelling company.

TRADELINENS – a company that truly understands 5-star hotels and the needs of their guests. Excellent service with honest advice.

T: 01442 843769 E: sales@tradelinens.co.uk A: The Old Granary, Mile Barn Farm, Dagnall, Herts, HP4 1QR

THE DISCOVERY RANGE FROM EDMUND BELL FABRICS New textured woven effect blackout 29 enticing colours 3 pass blackout coating Stain repellent Meets international flame retardant standards Available in narrow & wide width

WE HAVE THE STARS BEDDING TO SUIT YOUR HOTEL’S REQUIREMENT

Model : SUITE 712 - SIMMONS

Information contact: M. Anil Pitteea Mob: 00 33 (0)6 18 90 28 41 Tel: 00 33 (0)2 99 94 78 18 apitteea@hotelys.com

www.hotelys.com

VISIT: www.edmundbell.com EMAIL: sales@edmundbell.com CALL:+44 (0) 1706 717070

M R . L I G H T 1 1

Q U AY S I D E

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W I L L I A M

SLEEPER SHOWCASE

130x80_Layout 1 11/08/2014 16:32 Page 1

L I M I T E D

M O R R I S

WA Y

.

LO N D O N

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S W 6

2 U Z

W W W. M R L I G H T. C O . U K S A L E S @ M R L I G H T. C O . U K TEL. 0207 352 7525

TRADE SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT M O N D AY T O F R I D AY 1 0 . 3 0 A M

>

6.00 PM

C L O S E D S AT U R D AY A N D S U N D AY

LIGHTING

Manufacturer & Distributors of Fine Lighting

Matki Swadling Invincible thermostatic showers, available in Chrome and elegant Nickel and Antique Gold finishes.

01 4 5 4 3 2 2 8 8 8 | W W W. M AT K I . C O. U K

Download new catalogues at elsteadlighting.com

RingofenstraĂ&#x;e 3 A D-53424 Remagen-Kripp

fon: +49 (0)26 42-9 07 88-30 fax: +49 (0)26 42-9 07 88-32

info@acrylic-couture.com www.acrylic-couture.com

The Best Value Art and Mirrors for Hotels ART GLASS INTO ARCHITECTURE

We have been specialising for over twenty years in supplying and installing framed pictures and mirrors for hotels.

LIGHTING SCULPTURES GLASS WALLS CHANDELIERS

www.wearekolektiv.com +420 724 007 845

www.picturesandmirrorsforhotels.com T: 0117 972 3938 E: tim@brightenyourwalls.fsbusiness.co.uk

Innspec PROJECT DIRECTORY Innspec is the new online platform for hotel design and specification from Sleeper.

Below is a small representative sample of companies involved in some of the projects reviewed in this issue.

For the complete list of all those involved, and full photography of all projects, please visit www.innspec.com

CONRAD, ALGARVE

DORSETT, SHEPHERDS BUSH

Interior Designer: Rethink Interiors Ltd Interior Designer: MCM Design Concept Architects: Sigma Architecture and Interiors Supplier (Artwork): ArtCatto Operator: Hilton Worldwide

HOTEL SAHRAI, FEZ Designer: Christophe Pillet Supplier (Furnishings): Living Divani Supplier (Furnishings): Tacchini Supplier (Lighting): Martinelli Luce Owner: PGS Invest

SHANGRI LA AT THE SHARD, LONDON Designer: Dexter Moren Associates Supplier (Sanitaryware): Toto Consultant: Gardiner & Theobold Contractor: Chorus Group Operator: Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Designer: Flanagan Lawrence Ltd Lighting Designer: Eq2 Light Consultant (Quantity Surveyor): McBains Cooper Contractor: Ardmore Owner/Operator: Dorsett Hospitality International

MISS CLARA BY NOBIS, STOCKHOLM Designer: Wingårdhs Supplier (Carpets): Ogeborg Supplier (Lighting): Örsjö Contractor: Skansa Owner/Operator: Nobis AB

THE PENINSULA, PARIS Designer: Affine Supplier (Furnishings): Laval Consultant (Spa): Hydroconcept Monaco Contractor: Campenon Bernard Construction Operator: The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd

HARD ROCK HOTEL, IBIZA Architect: Flaquer Arquitectos Interior Designer: Jestico + Whiles Supplier (Furnishings): Pedrali Supplier (Lighting): Artemide Owner/Operator: Palladium Hotel Group

MOLITOR, PARIS Interior Design: Agence Nuel Supplier (Furnishings): Ligne Roset Supplier (Lighting): Gubi Consultant: Perrot & Richard Architects Operator: Accor

THE PUYU, WUHAN Architect: Central-South Architectural Design Institute Interior Designer: Layan Design Group Supplier (Lighting): Philips Dynalite Consultant (Lighting): The Flaming Beacon Operator: Urban Resort Concepts

To see the complete list of suppliers, contractors, consultants, designers and owners, please refer to www.innspec.com or contact the team at geoff@innspec.com or becki@innspec.com

Advertising Index Agua Fabrics

210

Excalibur Furniture

207

Muraspec

187

Albrecht Jung GmbH & Co KG

127

Feuring Hotel Development Europa GmbH

121

O’Donnell Furniture Makers

039

Alger International

002

Forbo

212

Orangebox

Aliseo GmbH

067

Gardiner & Theobald

208

OW Hospitality

023

Allermuir Ltd

015

Hamilton Litestat Group

212

Pedrali Spa

027

Altfield Ltd

031

Hansgrohe

209

Protocol Ltd

219

Andrianna Shamaris Inc

141

Harlequin

047

PS Interiors

107

Aquadomo

146

Harrison Spinks

201

Roca

073

Arte

085

Heimtextil

205

Romo Fabrics

189

Artemide

013

HI Design

144 & 145

Rubelli

193

Astro Lighting Ltd

083

Hotelys

214

Sahco

169

Baal Artisans

049

Hypnos Ltd

181

Sanipex Group

129

BCFA

160

Innovations Hotel Refurbs

149

Saum & Viebahn GmbH & Co. KG

191

Beck Interiors Ltd

197

Innspec

138

Schramm

071

Bette GmbH & Co. KG – UK

210

Interface Europe Ltd

025

Services &Trade Co. LLC

091

Burgess Furniture Ltd

211

Interior Supply

123

Shaw Contract Group

029

Cetis Inc.

108

J.T. Kalmar GmbH

045

Skai Contract Vinyls

086

Chelsom Lighting Ltd

037

Jab

166

Sleep Event

142 & 143

Sleepover

008 & 009

Chorus Group Ltd

033 & 052

Jacuzzi Spa and Bath Ltd

006 & 007

004 & 005

Chris Garrod

089

Janus et Cie

021

Summit Furniture (Europe) Ltd

175

Consentino

099

JL Furnishings

135

Terzani Srl

158

Crosswater

057

Kaldewei

199

Tradelinens

214

Cubbins

211

Karndean Design Flooring

115

Trevira

179

Deloitte EHIC

130

Lasvit

113

Ultrafabrics Europe Ltd

185

Demista

213

Laufen Bathrooms AG

220

Umbrosa NV

163

Dixon Turner Wallcovering Ltd

182

Lefroy Brooks UK & Europe

074

Vincent Sheppard NV

170

Drapilux

176

Ligne Roset

010

Vitra

077

Dupre Minerals Ltd

213

Living Design

173

Warisan

079

Duravit

195

LRF Designers Ltd

055

Waterbury

213

Edmund Bell & Co Ltd

214

Maher Reynolds Furniture Ltd

208

West One Bathrooms Ltd

165

Ege

065

Majestic Shower Company Ltd

059

EPR Architects Ltd

041

Matki

203

217

One Day Walk ANDAZ LIVERPOOL STREET – LONDON Andaz Liverpool Street is encouraging guests to take a walk with the unveiling of the second in its year-long East London street art series, Room With A View. Created by Patrick Vale and Paul Davis, One Day Walk provides a unique and off-the-wall perspective of East London. The installation was inspired by the notion of being a flâneur, someone who walks with a purpose only to be in tune with their immediate surroundings, considering the history and the stories that these streets now capture. Vale and Davis’ own ninehour journey starts simply with a bacon sandwich at their favourite breakfast spot, then takes them to the area’s monuments including

Hawksmoor Church, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Brick Lane, Columbia Road and the River Thames. Each landmark has been hand-painted and illustrated in Andaz Liverpool Street’s second Street Art Room, allowing those who stay a personal insight into the artists’ musings.

Vale’s illustrations of the city’s historical architecture sit alongside Davis’ observational drawings and overheard comments of what modern life is like in London’s East, exuding its creative vibe through its places and people. Through One Day Walk, the artists aim to inspire its viewers to follow the path of a flâneur, if only for a day, to truly understand the soul and livelihood of the city.

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Inspiration the new collection 2014

[e] sales@protocoluk.com [w] www.protocoluk.com [t] 020 8591 6770

HEART MADE. HAND FINISHED. Created with Swiss precision and high quality demands. Combined with the love for detail, exceptional bathroom concepts come to life: LAUFEN ILBAGNOALESSI One, design by Stefano Giovannoni.

The Hotel Design Event.

26–27 November 2014.

Business Design Centre, London.

Stand Number: G21