Sleeper 107

HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE & DESIGN

ATLANTIS THE ROYAL – DUBAI • JOUIN MANKU • SOUTHALL FARM & INN – FRANKLIN

Montreal Round 220

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CONTENTS ISSUE 107 116

HOTEL REVIEWS

105

Atlantis The Royal

076

Too Hôtel

086

Pillows Hotels Maurits at the Park

093

Southall Farm & Inn

098

Hôtel Dame des Arts

105

La Zambra

110

Faern Arosa Altein

116

Hotel Mestari

122

Sun Street

129

Hotel Des Horlogers

134

Dubai Paris © Ludovic Balay

Amsterdam Franklin

076

Paris

Mijas © Romain Richard

Switzerland Helsinki

086

London

Vallée de Joux

FEATURES Meeting... Jouin Manku

056

Meeting... Ewald Damen

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Paris-based design duo Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku discuss the inner workings of their creative approach, exploring how they break down the boundaries between architecture, interiors and objects.

© Jérôme Galland

As designers increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into the design process, the Creative Director of Virgile + Partners explains why striking a balance is key.

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CONTENTS ISSUE 107 FEATURES

093

Design Details

142

AHEAD

147

Sleeper Sessions

152

Focusing on the specifics that contribute to the overall experience, we visit a new suite that takes inspiration from the coastal caves of Halkidiki, and a converted palazzo near Milan, where guests feel as if they are stepping into an old masters’ painting.

Marking the culmination of regional awards schemes in the Middle East and Africa, Asia, Americas and Europe, the winners of AHEAD Global 2022 are announced, with a London landmark taking top honours.

Following the success of the inaugural Sleeper Sessions in Mykonos, specifiers and suppliers in hospitality design head to Danang for three days of symposia and sustenance.

056

142

REGULARS

© Benoit Linero

098

169

© Heather Durham

004

Check-In

038

Drawing Board

040

Business Centre

158

Outdoor Furniture & Accessories

169

Specifier

185

Check-Out

194

INTERCONTINENTAL LYON – HOTEL DIEU. FRANCE Studio Jean Philippe Nuel.

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RH.COM/CONTRACT Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection Waimea, Hawaii Winner of two AHEAD Europe Awards (2021)

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21/02/2023 16:24

Create, innovate.

Design.

www.kettal.com

.

Sandua collection

designed by Robin Hapelt

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outdoor luxury

@manutti_official

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31/01/2023 16:27:54

L O N D O N

BY EDC 77 MARGARET STREET - LONDON W1W 8SY T. +44 020 73233233 - INFO@MINOTTI.CO.UK

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FOR A PERSONALISED TOUCH IN YOUR BATHROOM G R O H E AT R I O P R I VAT E C O L L E C T I O N

The Red Dot award winning Atrio Private collection represents the ultimate icon of elegance and precision: With its design focus on the natural shape of the circle and its pure geometric clarity, the GROHE Atrio products are available in various finishes and different size options, matching any interior design in the bathroom. The design aesthetic spans from minimalist to classic, while at the same time remaining true to the series’ design features. Clear lines and round shapes characterise the timeless appearance. grohespa.com

F O R A P E R S O N A L I S E D TO U C H

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Acoustic carpets engineered for a more comfortable indoor environment To promote personal well-being and a more comfortable indoor environment, our acoustic carpet backings are designed to absorb sound instead of reflecting it. At Ege Carpets, we’ve been rethinking the carpet industry since 1938. Weaving together timeless Danish design, long-lasting quality, natural comfort and progressive sustainable thinking, we craft wall-to-wall carpets, rugs, carpet tiles and planks for commercial buildings, hotels and cruise ships.

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sustainable design at your feet

02/02/2023 09.57

THE CLOSER YOU GET, THE MORE LESS BECOMES We like to think of ourselves as part of a tradition that’s truly Scandinavian. On the other hand we’re inspired by everything from early American shaker style to Bauhaus.

We believe that less really is more. We make ideas tangible. You should be able to grasp the concept of a piece, it shouldn’t be an intellectual process.

Obviously there’s a risk of becoming either pretentious or boring, possibly both, unless something is added to this.

Our furniture exudes a sense of effortlessness that’s almost provocative (a lightheartedness even) and a character defined by pure craftsmanship in production and material selection. And perhaps most apparent: the details that reveal themselves to you over time; the ingenious solutions that elevate simplicity to something sublime. No fuss, no extras.

Simply less becoming even more.

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02/03/2023 11:40

FOH ® is your global hospitality solutions partner.

GUESTROOM | BATHROOM | F&B | SPA

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City Collection

by Christophe Pillet

18/01/2023 11:37:58

WELCOME

ON THE COVER Atlantis The Royal, Dubai © Brandon Barré

Make It Memorable

S

tanding out in a crowded market is no easy feat in the

programme of activities curated to nourish mind, body and

current climate; whatever the situation, we often find

soul – the ultimate aim being to share experiences and make

ourselves jostling for attention, eager to be at the heart

meaningful connections that continue long after the closing

of the action or get a piece of the pie. In a bid to be heard,

dinner. In Danang, new friendships were formed while

there’s often a temptation to go bigger, shout louder or pull

crafting lanterns; jokes were shared over the art of wrapping

a stunt, but there’s a far more effective way to have impact:

the perfect Vietnamese spring roll. There was even a sense of

make it memorable.

togetherness in the flow of a sun salutation. Perhaps the most

It’s an approach that has been mentioned time and time

memorable moment of the event came in the hour of reckoning

again in the making of this issue of Sleeper. Design duo Patrick

for the bamboo pavilion, which had been constructed by the

Jouin and Sanjit Manku spoke of creating spaces and objects

skilled hands of attendees across two days. Waiting with bated

that “evoke emotion”, the belief being that the stronger the

breath as the vertical supports were removed, there was a

emotional reaction to something, the more memorable the

collective cheer when the structure stood unaided, followed by

experience. It’s a view shared by Beatrice Girelli, the designer

an overwhelming feeling of being part of something special.

behind Southall Farm & Inn in Franklin, who created a scheme

It’s a memory that will last beyond the confines of the

that “stimulates all the senses”, even olfactory, as it’s thought

event, with the manual labour, problem solving and challenges

to be the most dominant in memory recall.

overcome all part of the experience. Better still, it’s the

A memorable guest experience was one of the key

connections made that will be remembered: the design director

differentiators amongst the winners of AHEAD Global. And

who helped to secure a bamboo cane, or the furniture-maker

at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, the architectural brief to Kohn

who put the final rod in place – a connection that might just

Pedersen Fox was to create the “most memorable building in

come in handy in a future hotel project. So next time you’re

the city” – surely a mission accomplished given the hotel’s

looking to make an impact in world of hospitality design, keep

instantly-recognisable status, despite having only opened a

in mind that it’s not always about making a statement, it’s

matter of weeks ago.

about making it memorable.

The make-it-memorable mantra can be applied to all manner of situations, and is exactly the objective of Sleeper Sessions. Following a hugely successful launch in Mykonos last year, the latest edition recently took place in Danang, and it was here that I was reminded of the power of a memorable experience. Yes, there were name tags and an intense schedule of specifier-meets-supplier meetings, but there was also a

Catherine Martin • Managing Editor

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GUEST BOOK

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116

068

© Will Pascall

098

French entrepreneur Laurent Taïeb has been calling on the talents of Philippe Starck for over 20 years, collaborating with the acclaimed designer on a number of restaurants and bars. Their most recent project, described by Starck as a “castle” presiding over Paris, sees his whimsical style combine with the architectural vision of Jean Nouvel. Guided by Taïeb’s creative eye and passion for emotive experiences, the pair have created a fantasy-inducing hotel that plays with angles, scale and volume.

© Mickaela Tombrock

© Jerome Galland

086 Laurent Taïeb and Philippe Starck

116 Anna Burles

098 Beatrice Girelli

068 Sir Paul Smith

Together with her husband and graphic designer Christopher Trotman, Anna Burles founded West London studio Run For The Hills in 2012, combining expertise in art, branding and interior design.

Having built a portfolio spanning restaurants, workspaces and private residences, the pair have now completed their first full-hotel commission – Faern Arosa Altein in the Swiss Alps. Here, interiors deliver traditional Alpine charm with a contemporary twist, creating a fresh lifestyle escape for the next generation of après ski.

As co-founder and Design Director at Indidesign, Beatrice Girelli has over two decades of experience in the A&D sector, with a specialist focus on luxury hotel design. Her latest project, Southall Farm & Inn in Franklin, Tennessee, occupies a working farm that provides sustenance for all the senses.

In addition to a programme of immersive experiences, the rural setting has also inspired the interior design scheme, with reclaimed timber used to craft furniture, fulfilling the mantra of living off the land.

Sir Paul Smith is better known for applying his signature stripes to shirts and sneakers, but thanks to a collaboration with Rocco Forte Hotels and Olga Polizzi (also pictured), the legendary fashion designer has brought his eccentricity to Brown’s in Mayfair.

The new suite – named in Smith’s honour – combines vintage furniture and handpicked artworks with soft furnishings from his debut home collection; there’s plenty of quirky detailling too, including a sculpture that resembles Smith’s first canine shopkeeper.

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FRONT DESK @SleeperMagazine

EDITORIAL

DESIGN

FINANCE

Editor-in-Chief Matt Turner

Design Manager David Bell

Finance Director Amanda Giles

Production Dan Seaton

Group Financial Controller Sarah Healey

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Managing Editor Catherine Martin

c.martin@mondiale.co.uk

d.bell@mondiale.co.uk

d.seaton@mondiale.co.uk

Deputy Editor Ben Thomas

b.thomas@mondiale.co.uk

Assistant Editor Eleanor Howard

e.howard@mondiale.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Cara Rogers

c.rogers@mondiale.co.uk

Editor-at-Large Guy Dittrich

a.giles@mondiale.co.uk

s.healey@mondiale.co.uk

Group Credit Controller Lynette Levi EVENTS & MARKETING

Commercial Lead Kirsty Studholme

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Accounts Assistant Kerry Dolan k.dolan@mondiale.co.uk

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Marketing & Events Olivia Mavers

CORPORATE

Content & Research Ellie Foster

Chairman Damian Walsh

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Data & Marketing Lauren Blain

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Business Development Rob Hart r.hart@mondiale.co.uk

PORTFOLIO

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Annual subscription (6 issues): £120.00. Subscription records maintained at Sleeper Media. Sleeper (ISSN: 1476-4075 / USPS: 21550) is published bi-monthly by Mondiale Media Ltd and is distributed in the USA by RRD/Spatial. Pending periodicals postage paid at South Hackensack, NJ. Send USA address changes to Sleeper, c/o RRD, 1250 Valley Brook Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA. Mailed by Spatial Global • Printed by Buxton Press

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EDITION 28

NEW COLLEC TION

AR R IVI N G M AY chelsom.co.uk

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xxx

© Cerruti Draime

CHECK-IN

Raphael Navot Fresh from picking up Maison & Objet’s Designer of the Year accolade, Raphael Navot journeys deep into his imagination for a fantasy break in the desert.

Where are you?

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

Who’s manning the stoves?

In a remote location, somewhere in the desert.

It’s a speakeasy residence that allows guests to

Everyone, directed by the elders’ guidance.

touch base, rejoice and reconnect. A collection How did you get there?

of private villas are carved into the rock and look

And what’s on the menu?

I do not remember.

out over soft white sand dunes and chalk crystal

Lush green vegetables and lean meat, comforting

phenomenons, while communal spaces are

stove dishes and fresh pastries.

Who is there to greet you on arrival?

crafted from limestone bricks and plaster cones.

Two women dressed in cashmere gowns,

The interior is unexpected yet comforting; there

Would you like something to drink with that?

together with an elderly man in a linen suit and

are no armchairs or sofas – comfort is offered by

Natural wines as well as tangy cocktails made

accompanied by his golden jackal.

carved bench-like structures topped with linen

from fresh fruits and local herbs.

mattresses. Deep blue, handmade Kilim rugs And who’s at the concierge desk?

and silver-green vegetation flow from one salon

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

There is no concierge desk, it is more like a

to the next, accompanied by gentle streams and

There is no mini-bar. Each villa has its own

salon suspended over a neverending landscape

freshwater ponds.

kitchen stocked with fresh fruits, nuts and local snacks that I have never seen before.

of white desert; fresh and peaceful.

Who designed it?

Who are you sharing your room with?

It was not premeditated by a designer, but

What’s on your nightstand at bedtime?

An Arctic fox and some birds.

rather composed over several years in a natural

A book of poems in an unfamiliar language, with

manner. The people who conceived the resort

incredible illustrations. There’s also a button

Is there anything you would like waiting for

actually live here, and so designed it according

that I press to activate the bed to make slow

you in your room?

to their way of life.

wave-like movements that lull me to sleep.

source, oval plums and lemon grilled almonds.

What’s the restaurant and bar like?

Early morning alarm call or late check-out?

There is also a library of books on geology,

There’s no back-of-house; instead, cuisine is

There is no alarm nor check-out time. I wake

some pressed cotton paper and small blocks

prepared in a large open-plan kitchen, where

up and leave whenever I am ready.

of watercolours made from natural pigments

elderly men and women guide younger family

found in the surrounding landscape.

members and friends in a festive moment of

Bath or power shower?

togetherness. They arrange the fresh dishes on

There’s a ‘water room’ – which is very different

a central wooden structure, where guests can

from the standard bathroom – where I can bathe

either join them or take away what they wish.

for hours.

Who are you dining with this evening?

Swimming pool, spa or gym?

Russian-American computer scientist Lex

The spa is partially carved into the mountain

Fridman. We are having a casual yet honest

then cantilevers out over the desert; it’s a

conversation about semantics, and are later

journey of wellness with natural caves, pools

joined by the old man and his golden jackal.

and ponds to discover.

Fresh spring water from a local underground

NOTABLE HOTEL PROJECTS Hotel National des Arts et Métiers, Paris; Hôtel Dame des Arts, Paris www.raphaelnavot.com

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DRAWING BOARD

DRAWING BOARD

The Chedi Trojena SAUDI ARABIA

General Hotel Management (GHM) has announced a strategic agreement with Neom Hotel Development to manage The Chedi Trojena, slated for completion in 2026.

Nestled in the Gulf’s mountain peaks, the hotel will form part of the development’s ‘Relax’ cluster, which serves as a sanctuary for reflection, recreation and rejuvenation through world-class wellness programmes. Its design has been conceived to blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape while nodding to Trojena’s futuristic architecture, and interiors are set to honour the kingdom’s rich history.

The wider Trojena development – which incorporates six distinct clusters catering to different needs – will feature multiple hotels and resorts as well as over 100 indoor and outdoor experiences and 30km of ski slopes.

“Trojena redefines the understanding of ultra-luxury hospitality and mountain tourism,” says Philip Gullett, Executive Director and Region Head at Trojena. “With GHM’s international acclaim in operating iconic resorts globally, we share the same resolve to elevate the travel experience for discerning guests. The Chedi Trojena will serve as a luxurious sanctuary in the Gulf’s first outdoor ski resort, where world-class sporting events, art exhibitions, concerts and cultural festivals will be staged.”

GHM is the second hotel partner confirmed for Trojena, joining Ennismore, which will open 25hours and Morgans Originals properties within the development.

DRAWING BOARD

DRAWING BOARD

Waldorf Astoria San Miguel de Allende MEXICO

Hilton Worldwide has signed its third Waldorf

Architecture & Construction for the Caribbean

Astoria in Mexico, with the launch of a hotel in

and Latin America at Hilton. “We are excited

San Miguel de Allende set for early 2025.

about introducing our brands in locations like

Owned by Peakair Group and developed

San Miguel de Allende. The city’s timeless

by Skyplus Developments, the newbuild will

surroundings and recognition as a luxury spot

comprise 120 guestrooms and 24 branded

make it a natural fit for Waldorf Astoria.”

residences, as well as a destination-inspired

The opening will strengthen Hilton’s

spa, a rooftop with pools and relaxation areas,

presence in Mexico, following the launch of

an art gallery and a local artisan crafts store.

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Conrad

The culinary offer will include three restaurants,

Punta de Mita, Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, and

two bars and a coffee shop.

the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Cancun. It

Set within a UNESCO World Heritage Site

also forms part of Hilton’s broader expansion

surrounded by the city’s colourful Spanish-

plans in the country, with 90 hotels currently

colonial buildings, the property has been

in operation across 12 brands, and a further 25

designed by Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos to bring

properties in the development pipeline.

a calming ambiance, with plantlife set amongst

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Peakair Group Developer: Skyplus Developments Operator: Hilton Worldwide Architecture: Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos www.hilton.com

042

recurring archways and serene courtyards.

Dino Michael, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Luxury Brands at Hilton, comments:

“As global interest in luxury travel continues

“San Miguel de Allende has been recognised as

to rise, we are well positioned to expand across

one of the most enchanting cities in the world

the Caribbean and Latin America,” says Juan

in recent years, and we are thrilled to marry that

Corvinos, Senior Vice President of Development,

appeal with the iconic Waldorf Astoria brand.”

ethimo.com

P h BERN A RD TO U I L L ON

S W I NG + C r o ss b y PATR I C K NORG U ET

Showroom

L o n d o n / M I L A N / PA R I S

Rome / Cannes / Cologne

DRAWING BOARD

The BoTree

The BoTree – a luxury hotel situated at the

residential in style, with a reception area that

intersection of Marylebone and Mayfair in

is separated from the bedroom and lounge

LONDON

London’s West End – has revealed an opening

through the use of sliding panels, bringing a

date of July 2023.

sense of privacy.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Rishi Sachdev Operator: Shiva Hotels Affiliation: Preferred Hotels & Resorts Architecture: EPR Interior Design: Concrete www.thebotree.com

044

Capturing the spirit of ‘village’ life while

The 29 suites – ranging in size from 31-78m2

reflecting the prestige of a central London

– will feature a personal bar and integrated

location, the 199-key property features several

cocktail station for entertaining, while the

bars, a live music club and two restaurants, one

Presidential Suite comes with its own outdoor

of which will offer rooftop views across the city.

terrace offering views over Marylebone.

There will also be a screening room and gym.

“The BoTree combines uncompromising

For the exterior, EPR has devised a lattice

standards with a purpose-driven approach to

skin that extends from the corner entrance up

establish our own form of luxury,” explains

to the top floor, while lighting consultant DPA

Rishi Sachdev, founder of The BoTree and

has illuminated the façade as well as the public

Managing Director of Shiva Hotels. “Conscious

areas and guestrooms.

luxury, as well as our core values of truth,

Interiors are being envisioned by Amsterdambased studio Concrete, with the scheme set

love and compassion, will drive our business decisions in this new hotel.”

to feature natural and bespoke finishes such

Sister property to Middle Eight and The

as parquet oak flooring, handwoven rugs

Guardsman – which opened in London in 2021 –

and marble tiling, paired with vibrant bursts

The BoTree will become a member of Preferred

of colour. Guestrooms are designed to be

Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection.

Auteur & Éditeur.

DRAWING BOARD

Nihi Rote

Following the opening of Nihi Sumba in East

“We are excited to be collaborating with the

Nusa Tenggara, Nihi Hotels has unveiled plans

Nihi Hotels team to open the second Nihi resort

WEST TIMOR

to expand in Indonesia with the launch of a Nihi

in Indonesia, following the many successes

Rote in early 2024.

achieved at Nihi Sumba,” say Michael Schwab

Located on a secluded corner of Rote Island in

and Greg Sarkissian, representing the owner’s

West Timor, the off-grid resort will comprise 25

consortium of PT Bo’a Development Group. “We

thatched-roof private pool villas that overlook

are confident this will provide a complementary

a stretch of unspoilt coastline on Bo’a beach.

guest experience and continue to boost the

The accommodations will be spread across 6.7 hectares of land, with one-, two- and

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: PT Bo’a Development Group Operator: Nihi Hotels www.nihi.com

046

tourism exposure and growth for this eastern region of Indonesia.”

three-bedroom options in beach and garden

Plans are also afoot for Nihi to expand outside

environments. There will also be a treehouse

Indonesia, with sights firmly set on Central

featuring three guestrooms, and a hilltop villa

America. Having secured a plot of land on

with views over the surrounding landscape.

the Costa Rican coast, Nihi owner Christopher

Communal areas are to include an all-day

Burch and CEO and Partner James McBride will

dining restaurant, a boathouse and a beach

open Nihi Santo Tomás in 2025. Located on

club serving snacks and sunset cocktails. On the

a 1,000-hectare site amongst a collection of

wellness front, a spa, gym and yoga pavilion

residential estates, the development will include

will be accompanied by an equestrian centre and

a restaurant, beach club, two polo fields and

organic garden, while a retail outlet and market

stables, as well as a spa, boathouse, organic

complete the facilities.

garden and chocolate factory.

Multi Form

Ph. Andrea Ferrari

Enjoy moments and rituals that illuminate us with their lightness www.rodaonline.com

Estendo sofa, design Luca Pevere

Outdoor Happiness

DRAWING BOARD

Desert Resort

Bar Orian has released details of a futuristic

The resort will therefore take the form of a desert

desert resort, designed in collaboration with

khan, with geometric square proportions and a

ISRAEL

Lambs & Lions Studio. Scheduled to launch in

large courtyard at its core. The courtyard itself

2025, the property will combine an otherworldly

is based on its ancient use as a central place for

‘Space Oddity’ setting with elements of the

preparing meals, meeting and dining, though

region’s ancient khans, historically used as

here will act as a pocket garden, providing a

resting places for merchant voyagers.

haven from the intense sun and strong winds.

Located in Israel’s Judean Desert overlooking

Landscaped planting and a vegetable patch –

the Dead Sea, the 109-key property is being

growing produce for the restaurant – are also

developed by Fattal Hotel Group and will be

part of the scheme.

operated by 7Minds, a collection brand of boutique hotels acquired by Fattal in 2021.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Developer: Fattal Hotel Group Operator: 7Minds Architecture: Bar Orian Architects Interior Design: Lambs & Lions Studio www.experimentalgroup.com

048

Across the resort, construction materials including exposed concrete and washable plaster

In developing their concept, Bar Orian

have been selected to harmonise with the raw,

established two key planning principles based

earthy tones of the desert surroundings, while

on the location. Firstly, they sought to maximise

interiors by Lambs & Lions combine 1960s

open spaces, natural light and airflow to foster a

Retro Futurism with a neutral palette. The

connection with the landscape, meaning every

juxtaposition of angular forms and soft curves,

suite features floor-to-ceiling windows facing

coupled with contemporary interpretations

the desert as well as a private outdoor terrace.

of Bedouin colours and textures, will further

The second principle is grounded in an

cement the property’s design in its location –

intention to protect guests from the elements.

both culturally and geologically.

DRAWING BOARD

St Regis Costa Mujeres Resort MEXICO

Marriott International has signed an agreement

George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand

with AB Living Group – a new real estate

Leader at St Regis Hotels & Resorts. “We are

development firm launched by the founders

thrilled to expand St Regis’ footprint in Mexico

of SHA Wellness Clinic – to debut its St Regis

and look forward to bringing the brand’s

brand in Costa Mujeres in early 2025.

celebrated rituals and traditions to this vibrant

Situated on a 3.5-hectare site along the

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Developer: AB Living Group Operator: Marriott International Architecture: Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos www.st-regis.marriott.com

050

and sought-after destination for future guests.”

Mexican peninsula, St Regis Costa Mujeres

Alejandro Bataller, Vice President of AB Living

Resort has been envisioned by Sordo Madaleno

Group, adds: “Our choice of St Regis is based on

Arquitectos, whose scheme sees an L-shaped

a shared vision of luxury hospitality, standards

structure with stepped terraces providing

of service, tradition and excellence. St Regis is

balconies at every level, and floor-to-ceiling

also a leader in the luxury branded residential

windows offering views of Isla Mujeres to the

segment, a component that plays a major role

east and Cancun to the south-east.

in this project.”

In addition to the 158 guestrooms and 80

Marriott International currently operates

branded residences, plans for the resort include

three St Regis properties in Mexico – in Mexico

three distinct F&B venues, multiple swimming

City, Punta Mita and Riviera Maya. Additionally,

pools, a beach club, fitness centre and 470m2 of

the brand is slated to make its debut in Los Cabos

meeting space.

in 2023. The wider St Regis portfolio comprises

“As the St Regis brand continues its growth in

15 resorts, with plans to expand further in the

the world’s most glamorous leisure destinations,

Caribbean, North America, North Africa, Middle

this signing represents a pivotal moment,” says

East and Asia Pacific.

www.jardinico.com

DRAWING BOARD

The Emory

Maybourne Hotel Group, the operator behind The Berkeley, Claridge’s and The Connaught,

celebrated

LONDON

will open its fourth London property in winter

Vongerichten will introduce his popular ABC

2023 with The Emory.

concept of fresh, local and conscious cuisine

Designed by the late British architect Richard Rogers and Senior Partner Ivan Harbour of

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Operator: Maybourne Hotel Group Architecture: RSHP Interior Design: Rigby & Rigby, Champalimaud Design, André Fu Studio, Pierre-Yves Rochon, Rémi Tessier, Patricia Urquiola www.maybourne.com

052

Leading the culinary offer meanwhile, French

chef

Jean-Georges

to London for the very first time, following its success at his beloved Manhattan outpost.

architectural firm RSHP, the sail-like structure

“This is our first new London property

aligns with the treetops of Hyde Park, while

in 50 years, and we believe it will be a truly

its understated entrance on Old Barrack Yard

groundbreaking new addition to our hotel

brings a sense of privacy.

family,” says Gianluca Muzzi, CEO of Maybourne

Inside, the Knightsbridge hotel comprises

Hotel Group. “We plan to bring the inspiration

60 suites set over nine floors, topped by a

and creative energy that have made our other

penthouse designed by Rigby & Rigby. Each

hotels so notable, whilst also making The Emory

floor will showcase the aesthetic of a world-

a world-class hub of art and culture. This

renowned interior designer, from Alexandra

opening cements our vision and commitment

Champalimaud, André Fu and Pierre-Yves

to growing Maybourne Hotel Group, and heralds

Rochon to Rémi Tessier and Patricia Urquiola.

a bold new future for the company.”

Facilities include a four-storey spa featuring

Upon completion, the hotel will become

a 22m swimming pool, while the jewel in the

the group’s sixth outpost, including its two

crown will be a guests-only rooftop, which

international sites – The Maybourne Beverly

offers panoramic views across the capital.

Hills and The Maybourne Riviera in France.

DRAWING BOARD

Kempinski Al-Madinah MEDINA

KCA International has revealed the interior

The palm tree element carries through to

design scheme for Kempinski Al-Madinah,

the guestroom corridors too, with a lighting

slated to debut in Saudi Arabia in Q4 2023.

pocket in the ceiling used to cast shadows of the

Located near the Grand Madinah Mosque, the

palm leaves. Complementing this play on light

300-key hotel will feature several restaurants

and dark is a deep green palette that honours

and lounges, as well as a spa and swimming

emerald gemstones – the leitmotif for the

pools, a conference centre and a ballroom.

hotel’s colour scheme, which references sacred

The building’s modern expression was the

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Operator: Kempinski Hotels Architecture: Mohamed Harasani Architects Interior Design: KCA International Main Contractor: Sarh Attaqnia Construction www.kempinski.com

054

places in Madinah and across the country.

starting point for KCA’s scheme, which sees

Guestrooms also channel a sense of place

elements of the Hejazi style fused with a

through Hejazi-inspired accents and specially

jewellery box narrative. The firm will also pay

designed Quran Stands. Larger rooms and suites

homage to Madinah’s history, reinterpreting

are situated on the upper levels, while the 10th

key elements within a contemporary setting.

floor is dedicated to the Royal Suite, which

As such, the main lobby is centred around

comprises several bedrooms, a private lobby,

a feature wall and 3D art installation inspired

various majlis, spa rooms and dining spaces.

by Hejazi architecture, with the same pattern

As for the F&B offering, the main all-day

mirrored in the carpet. Elsewhere across the

dining space spotlights Bedouin-inspired

space, a grand staircase reflects the jewellery

patterns and materials, while a fine-dining

box theme, while gentle lighting pockets

restaurant adopts textures and details unique

accentuate the light and shadows of palm trees,

to rawashin – a distinctive Hejazi architectural

Saudi Arabia’s national emblem.

style featuring latticed wooden bay windows.

projects@northern-lights.co.uk

northern-lights.co.uk

Meeting…

Jouin Manku Paris-based design duo Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku discuss the inner workings of their creative approach, exploring how they break down the boundaries between architecture, interiors and objects.

Words: Ben Thomas • Portrait Photography: © Benoit Linero

W

e had a mutual friend,” says Patrick

Reflecting on this ideology, the duo reference one of

Jouin, co-founder of Paris-based design

their early residential projects, during which they designed

studio Jouin Manku, on the chance

a swimming pool that doubled as an artistic masterpiece

meeting that led to his decades-long

when not in use. “We’re hired to solve a problem,” Manku

partnership with Sanjit Manku. “Sanjit

explains. “But while solving that problem, we can go above

was looking for a couch to sleep on in

and beyond. There’s always an opportunity to make things

Paris, so he could visit every patisserie in the city, and I was looking for an architect. In the end, I found the architect and he found the couch.”

better, to be creative with creativity.”

From Alain Ducasse’s Plaza Athénée in 2000 to the recently designed Mutigny Resort in France’s Champagne region, this

“You could call it serendipity,” adds Manku, who explains

mantra of “good is not good enough” has permeated through

that the initial creative spark that was clear from day one has

each of the studio’s projects to-date, with its 50-strong

only flourished with the passing of time. Having attended

team all pushing towards the same goal. “We’re pretty

the school of architecture at Ottawa’s Carleton University

good at communicating our philosophy to people,” Manku

and completed a stint at Yabu Pushelberg in Toronto, the

explains. “How can we go further than normal, developing

Kenyan-born architect packed his bags for the French capital

something that is extraordinary on every level, both for the

and set about bringing his holistic approach to the European

client and those experiencing it? That’s what gets us up in

market. “People kept asking me why I always felt the need to

the morning.”

reinvent the wheel,” Manku recalls of his desire to conceive

For Jouin and Manku, going above and beyond means

every element of a project. “They would say, ‘why do you

taking responsibility for each and every element of a

design the furniture? Why don’t you just buy it and make

project, erasing the lines between architecture, interiors and

life easier for yourself?’ Then I met Patrick.”

objects. To achieve such synergy, the pair draw inspiration

With his background in product design, and time spent

from centuries of old, when artisans would apply their

alongside French visionary Philippe Starck, Jouin shared

skills across multiple disciplines. “During the Renaissance,

Manku’s passion for envisioning spaces, objects and

craftsmen were architects, sculptors and painters all in one,”

experiences that evoked emotion. “When we began working

claims Jouin. “There were no boundaries – Michelangelo

together, we didn’t care whether we were designing a

even designed doors and staircases! Our way of thinking is

building, a table or a smell,” says Jouin. “The question was,

exactly the same.”

how could we move people emotionally?”

In the context of hospitality, this means developing a

057

MEETING…

© Alan Keohane

© Eric Laignel

MEETING…

At La Mamounia (top) in Marrakesh and aboard Celebrity Edge (bottom), Jouin Manku looked to channel intimacy and grandeur in equal measure, creating a spirit that resonates with the clientele

“How can we go further than normal, developing something that is extraordinary on every level, both for the client and those experiencing it?

That’s what gets us up in the morning.”

series of interconnected moments and experiences that

The project also highlights the duo’s desire to connect

are inextricably linked. At Hotel les Haras in Strasbourg

hotels with their environment, absorbing social, cultural

for instance, the overarching narrative centres around

or environmental aspects – becoming “porous” as Manku

the equestrian world, with the site’s former life as a stud

puts it. “Traditionally, hotel operators would bring part of

farm providing the interior design inspiration. As such, the

their culture to a place, which often resulted in the hotel

practice deliberately limited the range of materials used,

being guarded against the culture around them. Today

with solid wood, natural leather and blackened or brushed

however, hotels can offer travellers a condensed version of

metal brought together to honour the original purpose of the

the destination. So, if someone is in Paris for instance, how

building in a contemporary manner.

can we make them feel like a Parisian?”

This connection between architecture and interiors is

This approach was also evident when Jouin Manku applied

a common thread throughout the studio’s work, and the

its expertise to the ocean in 2018, collaborating with Royal

thought of the two disciplines presenting different narratives

Caribbean International to dream up the grand plaza and

is one that Jouin believes is disturbing. “It simply doesn’t

main dining atrium aboard Celebrity Edge. “When someone

work,” says the designer, expressing the importance of

calls and asks you to design a cruise ship, it’s an interesting

taking a holistic approach.

reaction,” Jouin quips, noting that the cruise sector hasn’t

The relationship between exterior and interior transcends

always enjoyed the best reputation. “However, pre-air travel,

aesthetics too, with the experience a crucial component in

sailing was the most glamorous way to get around. It wasn’t

encouraging guests to spend time in a space. “How many

about getting from A-to-B. It was about enjoying the ride

times do people say a project looks better in pictures than

for as long as it takes. Our ambition with Celebrity Edge was

in real life?” Jouin notes. “The experience must translate,

to celebrate the romanticism of being at sea.”

and that’s the art of what we do as designers. It’s not a

To resurrect that feeling, the studio designed a piazza-

photograph, it’s a three-dimensional space. Hopefully in our

inspired space that tapped into the idea of see-and-be-

projects, guests connect with elements they didn’t expect.”

seen, with a circular bar and multi-level lounge beneath a

Many of these connections involve nature, or what Jouin

voluminous chandelier to channel intimacy and grandeur

Manku calls a “sensual relationship between bodies”,

in equal measure. So popular the atrium proved, that the

developed through fluidity and organic forms. “Corners

cruise operator asked the designers to repeat the scheme

are sharp,” claims Manku, highlighting the rigidity of

on a second vessel, only this time the atrium would be 10m

straight lines. “Getting rid of this aggression doesn’t mean

larger. “We soon realised that the same concept wouldn’t

everything has to be gloopy – because we love tension – but

work,” according to Jouin. “Everything changed with those

rather releasing pressure.”

extra 10 metres. We had to come up with a different plan, so

Such was the case at Mutigny Resort, which takes cues from the natural beauty of France’s Champagne region.

began to look at opera houses and how we could continue the social elements of a piazza on several levels.”

With this in mind, the architecture offers a constant visual

Celebrity Edge isn’t the only project that Jouin Manku

connection to the surroundings – from the forest and its

has been asked to revisit, with Hotel les Haras another

undergrowth to the horizon with its valleys and vine-covered

example following its success. Having envisioned the initial

hillsides – while the interiors feature a palette of organic

interior scheme in 2013, the partners returned in 2020 to

materials that pay homage to the winemaking process.

design a brand-new wing, housed within a 19th century

059

MEETING…

“There’s always an opportunity to make things better, to be creative with creativity.”

Inspired by the building’s former life as a stud farm, the interior design scheme at Hotel les Haras brings together solid wood, natural leather and blackened metal

building across the street. Devising a unique

touch The Churchill Bar because it was deemed

identity for the extension while maintaining

too important by the owner,” says Jouin. “As a

a sense of unity with the wider development,

result, the space stayed where it was, but lots of

the pair borrowed natural materials such

other things had changed around it.”

as wood, leather, linen and cotton from the

With the restaurants and bars of the property’s

original property, combining them with new or

first iteration moved to another wing, the centre

reimagined furniture.

of activity had shifted. “The energetic pulse of

For Manku, the approach didn’t change

the hotel had gone elsewhere; the bar was left

the second time around. Instead, the creative

as a vestige and the axis it previously occupied

process involved identifying where the guest

now led to a spa,” Jouin continues. “So, our job

experience could be tweaked and enhanced

was to rebalance the flow by inserting a magnet

without detracting from the DNA. “Clients want

that pulled guests over.”

spaces that come alive, but there is always a

In doing so, the studio transformed the

weak point that we can make better,” he

adjacent venue into a tearoom, while The

explains. “It’s beautiful to constantly criticise

Churchill Bar was turned into an intimate six-

your work and direct energy into improving

seat haunt with a cinema next door. “When

things; that’s our gift to the client. It should be

working on an existing property, the key is

a living space, rather than gathering cobwebs.”

to recognise what we should keep, what’s

At La Mamounia in Marrakesh meanwhile,

unexploited and what we can add,” Manku

the studio is currently refreshing further aspects

explains. “It’s not always about refreshing

of the interiors, having reinvented several of its

the bones of the building, but shifting the

restaurants and bars in 2020. “The property had

emotional spirit so that it resonates with the

been revamped by Jacques Garcia, but he didn’t

new clientele.”

© Nicolas Matheus

060

Form and function converge in Vincent Van Duysen’s luxury performance fabrics, rugs and Franck furniture for Perennials and Sutherland. | perennialsandsutherland.com

MEETING…

© Nicolas Matheus

Having implemented its holistic philosophy

Jouin goes on to reveal that the pair are

on land, sea and in the air – with Manku

collaborating with partners who are “pushing

revealing that the studio is currently working

hard” to better the world, developing hotels

on its first private aircraft – the practice is now

that benefit the local community and set new

on a mission to build a legacy. “Lots of people

standards for ESG. “Whatever we do must be

are great tastemakers,” says the architect. “But

worth it,” he emphasises. “The question we’re

we want to turn the mundane into something

being asked, is how can we honour what’s

extraordinary, flipping spaces so they vibrate in

already there but usher in a new era?”

a manner that makes people say, ‘I don’t know why, but I need to be here’.”

Jouin nods, adding that the studio looks to

journey of their endeavours rather than singling

bring a meaningful design scheme to every

out a favourite. “They’re all equal,” Jouin

project. “We’re striving for more and itching

reflects. “We design projects for our clients but

to find out how we can go further – it’s part of

especially those who sleep and eat there.”

human culture.”

The architecture at Mutigny Resort offers a visual connection to the surroundings, while the pared back interiors pay homage to the winemaking process

062

With every project unique, it comes as no surprise that Jouin Manku emphasises the

Reinforcing this people-centric philosophy,

In the near future, Jouin Manku hopes to

Manku adds that the process is what makes

achieve this with four ongoing hotel projects

him smile the most. “We push ourselves to

in the Middle East and Asia, from cities such

go further than normal, because we can only

as Tokyo, Hong Kong and Marrakesh to desert

ask our team to go above and beyond if we’re

islands. “Not one project looks like another,”

doing it too. Some designers are happy to stick

reveals Manku of the quartet. “Each is tailor-

to the norm and they’re good at that, but what

made to the DNA of the environment as well as

we’re looking to create is spaces that break

the client’s ambition.”

convention. That’s our norm.”

The emotion of light.

TYPHA

design by Calvi Brambilla

ilfanale.com

Machine Learning

EWALD DAMEN CREATIVE DIRECTOR VIRGILE + PARTNERS

As designers increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into the design process, the Creative Director of Virgile + Partners explains why striking a balance is key.

Words: Ben Thomas

064

“I hope that artificial intelligence doesn’t replace

HELPING HAND

my job,” laughs Ewald Damen, Creative Director of

While AI will undoubtedly have an impact on

London-based design studio Virgile + Partners, as

interior design going forward, Damen stresses the

we sit down to discuss the impact the technology is

importance of striking a balance between man and

having on designers.

machine. “My fear is that if AI is taken too far, we’re

Despite being a buzzword across several industries

in danger of losing design integrity,” he reveals.

in recent years, AI throws up as many questions as

“The software has its place within the design

it does answers; figuring out the software’s place in

process, but for us to rely on it would be a scary

the design world will be complex, but the benefits

prospect. There’s often a team bouncing ideas off

are evident.

each other, and to lose that would be a disaster.”

From streamlining the concept stage to offering

Like Virgile + Partners, many studios are therefore

personalised design solutions, Damen highlights

employing AI to automate certain parts of the design

how AI can be a tool for good, so long as the

process, freeing up time for their teams to focus

technology co-creates alongside humans rather than

on creative tasks like how guests will experience a

replacing them.

space. “Today’s traveller is far more aware, thanks

ANALOGUE VS ALGORITHM

in part to the algorithms embedded in social media platforms,” says Damen. “Instagram paints the

Like many, Damen began his career using analogue

perfect picture of any environment, and that has

techniques, often cutting out ideas from magazines

influenced how customers engage with hotels. They

and hand-sketching his concepts before refining

must now ensure that the experience lives up to the

them with CAD software. Today, he describes that

image portrayed online, and our job is to help brands

process as “shorter but more in-depth”, with

achieve that.”

significant energy spent on understanding the client’s vision as well as the locality of a project.

POWERING PERSONALISATION

“The way we work has changed,” says Damen. “The

Tapping into his retail expertise, Damen believes

web allows us to cipher through hundreds of images,

that the evolution of AI will help hotels to create

with algorithms filtering results based on our

more personalised experiences for their guests, with

preferences. That access aids the research stage.”

the technology providing learnings about individual

Thanks to AI-powered design tools like Planner5d

customers in order to generate a profile pre-arrival.

and InteriorAI, designers can also generate ideas and

“The digital element of retail today is more subtle,

layouts based on a set of inputs – such as room

focusing on personal devices and omnichannel

size, style choices and budget. Some even enable

commerce, and that is trickling through to hospitality

clients to test furniture, paint colours and finishes

via booking methods and personalised services.”

in a virtual space, while InteriorAI can modify a 2D

This level of customisation will almost certainly

image into 16 pre-selected aesthetics from biophilic

feed into the design of hotels, with AI systems

to Baroque.

potentially recommending room types based on

“There’s a wider shift yet to come in hospitality,”

a guest’s previous choices or personal style. For

Damen forecasts, pointing out how AI can help to

designers like Damen, this will mean embracing the

determine the fundamentals of a project. In the hotel

technology to produce more tailored solutions, while

sector for instance, the technology could be used for

placing the human touch at the heart of the creative

cost calculations and minimise risk by conducting

process. “AI is evolving in front of our eyes,” he

full 3D co-ordinations of new or existing structures

concludes. “While its future application remains

– saving both time and money for clients.

unclear, we must appreciate its capabilities.”

Sleeper-Outdoor Furniture feature.indd 1

27/02/23 09:47

THE LOBBY

Water for All Mask Architects designs an eco-conscious safari concept for Africa, which produces its own water autonomously using air-to-water technology.

Minimising the environmental impact of a project is high on the agenda for developers in today’s hospitality market, particularly in fragile ecosystems such as Africa. So, when Italian architecture firm Mask Architects set about designing a new safari lodge concept, the studio sought to create much more than just an idyllic getaway.

Billed as the world’s first eco-tourism development in Africa, Baobab Luxury Safari Resort aspires to exist not only as a luxury residence, but to provide solutions to issues arising from environmental concerns. “With this project, our goal is to make the most basic need of water accessible rather than a luxury, and to prevent hunger, thirst and the diseases and deaths it causes,” say Mask Architects’ founders Öznur Pinar Çer and Danilo Petta.

The resort would autonomously produce its own green energy and water, with each lodge using air-to-water technology powered by transparent solar device-covered curtain glass. According to Mask Architects, the innovative system would produce water from humidity, with filters placed inside wood-covered aluminium lattice poles that parametrically encircle the façade. The system would provide for in-house guests staying at the resort, as well as those living in the surrounding community, many of whom have no access to clean, running water.

Perched within the canopy, the sustainable lodges – which take their inspiration from the ancient Baobab tree – draw on the typology of a community settlement, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior. A swimming pool is integrated on the top floor, providing views of the safari zone, while an interaction balcony allows guests to view the freely roaming wildlife. The structure itself is crafted from local beechwood, and the modules can be arranged in various configurations, ensuring they work in harmony with, rather than damaging, their landscape.

As the tourism industry evolves, travellers are increasingly looking for hospitality experiences that offer a transformative experience without compromising on luxury. The opportunity to give back to the community while enjoying home comforts might just be the answer.

THE LOBBY

Earning His Stripes Legendary fashion designer Paul Smith swaps shirts for suites in a collaboration with Rocco Forte Hotels.

068

Sir Paul Smith is better known for applying his

In a nod to his brand’s story, the doyen has

signature stripes to shirts and sneakers, but

also incorporated pieces that pay tribute to the

thanks to a collaboration with Olga Polizzi,

flagship store in Mayfair, including a Maharam

Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, the

headboard and geometric rugs for The Rug

legendary fashion designer has brought his

Company inspired by the building’s iron façade.

whimsical style to a grand dame in London,

Further acknowledgements to those he has

dreaming up a new suite named in his honour.

partnered with over the years include the Type 75

A paragon of the Brit’s eccentricity, the space

lamps for Anglepoise, together with sofas, tables

draws on Brown’s Hotel’s past as a haunt for

and leather goods from his Everyday Life range

literary icons, combining bespoke and vintage

with DePadova.

furniture with handpicked artworks, brand

And it wouldn’t be a Paul Smith suite without

collaborations and soft furnishings from his

a dash of humour. From banana door handles to

first-ever home collection.

‘fire dogs’ – custom-made to resemble Homer,

“Just like Brown’s does with its rooms, we

Smith’s first canine shopkeeper – the designer

design every shop differently to celebrate the

has graced the space with his unique sense of

area’s individuality,” says Smith. Celebrating

style. There is, of course, still space for those

his own individuality on this occasion however,

famous stripes in the form of fireplace tiles.

the designer selected art and design books

“The suite is bright, happy and full of fun,”

from his personal collection, while items like

explains Polizzi, who has become a regular at

a Christopher Simon Sykes’ photograph and a

Smith’s store on Albemarle Street, just a few

1970s leather desk chair by Mario Bellini were

doors down from the hotel. “He has caught the

sourced from Smith’s office in Covent Garden.

feeling of Brown’s yet with a Paul Smith twist.”

THE LOBBY

Silence, Please!

Italian architect Lorena Alessio envisions a modular retreat where peace and quiet are the order of the day.

In today’s fast-paced world, moments of

religious symbolism. As such, Alessio’s design

calm are considered a luxury, meaning off-

reinterprets the Romanesque architecture of the

grid accommodation often tops the list for

Asti region in a contemporary way, with the

peace-seeking travellers. Looking to serve this

hermitage turning its apse eastwards to catch the

increased desire for respite and serenity, The

morning light. Inside, asymmetric shapes relate

Retreat for Silence by Italian architect Lorena

to the building’s functions; the living spaces

Alessio allows guests to reconnect with nature

are located on the south side of the structure to

and enjoy isolation.

utilise the light and warmth of the sun during

Commissioned by Asti-based firm Salus

the day, while the central space is dedicated to

Hominis Foundation, the concept forms part

personal care, with a spa-like bathroom and a

of the PoplyHouse project, which offers a new

table positioned close to the wall for reading

construction solution for modular structures.

and studying. A sliding door opens to reveal a

The Retreat is planned for the hills of Montiglio

semi-hexagonal sacred space to the building’s

in Italy, though its lightweight structure – with

rear, with an embracing atmosphere and tatami

metal feet rather than foundations – means it is

floorcoverings. Illuminating the space is a central

easily transported to any setting.

glass window in the apse, as well as two roof

The 25m2 modules stem from Alessio’s study of

openings on the north and south sides.

poplar buildings, which are typically crafted from

Designed with sustainability in mind, the

plywood and constructed using an interlocking

structures are also self-sufficient thanks to

joint system – no screws required.

photovoltaics, solar energy, water collection and

In line with the goal of creating a retreat, both the architecture and interiors evoke a

a battery in case of an energy shortage – making them restorative for both people and planet.

© Giada Daga

070

↗ Andaz Hotel, England

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hotel can be so much more than a place to

A

From interior design and artworks crafted or

refuel and get some rest, according to Alex

co-created by local artisans to menus celebrating

Malcolm, founder of Jacada Travel, the

rich culinary heritage, a hotel most certainly can

company on a mission to create positive impact

be a ‘third place’ that immerses travellers in the

through conservation and sustainable tourism.

engaging company of locals and other guests.

First and foremost, a hotel serves as a gateway for

its vital place in the fabric of a destination is a

travellers to explore and immerse themselves in

gateway into the true soul of a city or country.

a destination. Beyond the comforts of home, the

Whether it is encounters in a hotel’s public

best hotels seamlessly immerse their guests into

areas or the immersion that guests get from

the spirit and culture of a place. In his book, The

experiencing on-site amenities or unwinding

Great Good Place, American urban sociologist Ray

in their rooms, authenticity is key. There’s a

Oldenburg wrote of ‘first,’ ‘second,’ and ‘third’

big difference between genuinely reflecting a

places, with the first two being home and work.

destination and putting on a hollow façade.

The third are those locations where people gather

Sophisticated travellers can tell immediately.

A property that understands and celebrates

for good company and engaging conversation.

At Jacada Travel, we strive to work with

Gateway Getaways Jacada Travel explores how hotels can become third places, immersing guests in the culture and community of a destination.

Words: Alex Malcolm

072

Through time, third places have also proved

properties that are truly committed to social and

to be immensely important for social change;

environmental upliftment and make it a visible

think taverns during the American Revolution,

part of their daily operations. It’s one thing

London coffee houses during the Enlightenment,

to employ from nearby communities, source

and cafés during the French Revolution.

ingredients from local suppliers and build on

Oldenburg sees these third places as the heart of

conservation efforts, and quite another to share

a community. A hotel has the potential to be the

those priorities with guests, inviting them to

same for travellers in a new destination.

become part of the story and gain a genuine

Above all, a hotel should be a place that makes

understanding of where they are staying.

guests feel truly at home. Comfortable, inviting

A hotel, resort or camp that genuinely fuses

rooms and welcoming staff can make all the

multiple facets of a destination under one

difference. From the quality of furnishings to

roof narrows the gap between welcoming a

thoughtful touches in rooms and exemplary

stranger and bidding goodbye to a traveller who

service from the front desk, restaurant and spa,

has gained insight into a destination not only

everything adds up to the immersion of guests

through myriad experiences, but also by choosing

into a new place, culture and community.

more than just a place to rest their head. Hotels

Taking this notion a step further, I’ve found

can play a fundamental role in a traveller’s

from my own personal experience that hotels,

experience, providing valuable context and a

resorts and camps that have left a lasting

framework for understanding both a destination

impression on me have been shaped by their

and its cultures. They have the power to deliver

surroundings as well as a sincere connection to

value beyond its daily rate, that is. In my view,

the communities and cultures around them.

you can fit an entire country into a hotel.

GERMAN HOSPITALITY TRADITION Since 1985

www.aliseo.de

Hotel Hair Dryers Cosmetic Mirrors Bathroom Accessories Guestroom Accoutrements

W

ellness travel has become one of the

at UK-based consultancy Pillar Wellbeing,

industry’s fastest growing sectors

which is overseeing the wellness spaces for the

since the pandemic, and hotel groups

forthcoming Raffles London at The OWO. Placing

have responded by ramping up their wellness

equal emphasis on movement, recovery and

offerings; cognitive health scans are now being

nutrition, Pillar’s plans for the property include

offered alongside massages, while recovery

a members’ health club, programmes focused

rooms are giving new meaning to R&R.

on strength and stress relief, and a tailored

Tapping into this growing focus on physical

nutritional menu created by chef Joey O’Hare.

and mental health, Accor has joined forces

This shift towards more mindful hospitality

with business advisory group Well Intelligence

projects isn’t limited to the premium end of the

to produce a white paper exploring eight key

market either, with Brown noting that four-out-

pathways for navigating business, society

of-five Accor guests are seeking to enhance their

and leadership, as lifestyles move towards a

physical and mental state every day. “77% of our

future where human wellbeing and fulfilment

guests globally, irrespective of demographic,

are prioritised. “The report demonstrates that

age group or country, are making a daily step to

wellbeing must be recognised as an imperative

improve their health and wellbeing,” he reveals.

Health to Wealth Following the launch of its Health to Wealth podcast series, Accor releases a white paper on wellbeing beyond the hotel.

Words: Ben Thomas

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if we want to maintain the equilibrium of our

“That’s not just within luxury or ultra-luxury,

lives, society and planet,” explains Emlyn Brown,

but also in our eco and mid-scale hotels.”

Global Vice President for Wellbeing at Accor.

Titled

The

Road

Map

Towards

Across its 40-plus brands, the operator has a

therefore introduced a health and wellness

Transformational Wellbeing Culture, the white

platform grounded in six core pillars – nutrition,

paper is part of the group’s ongoing Health to

holistic design, movement, spa, mindfulness and

Wealth series, which includes the launch of a

digital presence. Recognising that wellbeing is

12-episode podcast featuring leading thinkers

much more than a component of hospitality,

as well as an entrepreneurial start-up challenge

Accor hopes to play its part in the emerging

held in collaboration with VivaTech. Drawing

wellbeing economy, helping people and

on the body of insight shared by the podcast

communities achieve this sense of equilibrium.

speakers, the report reaches into every area of life

“Our own experience in hospitality has shown

– from finance and nutrition to personal fitness

a strong demand for wellbeing delivery that

and data privacy – to understand what wellbeing

extends way beyond spa and fitness,” Brown

means in that context, and to find a way towards

concludes. “For all businesses, wellbeing exerts

its fulfilment. The idea is that if wellbeing is

a push and pull factor. The push is societal stress;

the destination, then wellness translates to the

concerns about the environment and individual

choices we all make in the pursuit of that end.

stresses that push people to improve their own

“If you have a garden and make the soil as

health and wealth. The pull is the aspirational

fertile as it can possibly be, then whatever you

dimension. Why would any company not

plant in that soil will grow better,” says Harry

want to be embracing and supporting people

Jameson, co-founder and Chief Wellness Officer

transforming to a healthier way of living?”

SleeperUK_Advert_FP_Issue107_v4FA.indd 1

14/02/2023 3:09 PM

Atlantis The Royal DUBAI Kerzner International assembles a team of international talent to envisage a new landmark for Palm Jumeirah, with a design that makes waves amongst a sea of skyscrapers.

Words: Nicola Chilton • Photography: © Brandon Barré

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ntering Dubai’s new Atlantis The Royal is nothing

down into manageable chunks. “Rather than trying

short of breathtaking; through walls of fire and

to create an iconic form, we wanted to develop an

water, guests are greeted by a glass-walled lobby

iconic set of experiences,” explains Gamburg. “If the

with 12m high ceilings, masses of glimmering marble

experiences were irreproducible, they would result in

and fish-filled aquariums. The effect is dazzling.

something special that could never be taken away.”

From conception to completion, this was a resort

By doing so, the firm moved the building away from

that was always going to make waves. It was also a

the vagaries of architectural fashion; in other words,

project that required the collaboration of many great

the experience will remain relevant whether the

talents to create elements that would meld seamlessly,

architectural style changes or not.

from lead architects Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Dubai is a destination in which hotels are tourist

(KPF) to interior designers GA Group, water feature

attractions in their own right. They also play a

specialists Wet, and landscape designers SKS Studio

disproportionately large role in the daily lives of

and 40North. And there’s plenty more that worked on

residents. This isn’t something that Gamburg and

the restaurants and spa.

his team took lightly. “We had to be attuned to the

The brief put out to the initial design competition commissioned by Kerzner International, operators

people,” he recalls.

of Atlantis, was to produce “the most memorable

The fact that Dubai is both an urban and a seaside

building in the city”. According to Elie Gamburg,

destination also presented an interesting challenge

Principal at KPF, it was a tall order. “Architecturally

in terms of guest expectations. “People want the

and in hospitality terms, everything possible has been

experience of indoor-outdoor living with the beach

done in Dubai,” he says. “There’s not a form we can

and the water, but also to have the creature comforts

conceive that doesn’t exist.”

of a residential-style building,” says Gamburg. To

KPF approached the ambitious brief by breaking it

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fact that what we were doing would matter a lot to

achieve this, and to create a combination of elements

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not usually found in a vertical structure, KPF

facilities and extensive events space. The

decided to “pull the building apart”, opening

structure itself weighs in at 178m tall and 500m

up “gaps” for sky courts and terraces, gardens

long, with 43 storeys at its highest point and a

and pools at height, all of which dictated the

90m sky bridge. According to Gamburg, if you

ultimate shape. These “gaps” also serve an

were to take Atlantis The Palm and rotate it

environmental purpose, providing shade and

90 degrees, it would fit in Atlantis The Royal’s

capturing lateral winds. “We’ve lengthened the

central void.

degree of time it’s comfortable to be outside

But the building’s block form and the

in Dubai from six or seven months a year to

intentional spaces within take away the feeling

around 11 by taking advantage of these natural

of heaviness. “When guests are out in the pool

synergies,” Gamburg reveals.

or on the beach, they don’t feel like there’s

Rather than a solid form, Atlantis The Royal

a big wall behind them because they always

became a collection of individual Jenga-

perceive the smaller elements that make up the

like blocks, with openings throughout and a

development,” says Gamburg.

dramatic central arch. “We like it when people

One of the challenges faced by interior

say it looks like Jenga or Lego because it means

designers GA Group was to give the vast

they understand that it’s made up of individual

internal spaces a human scale while creating

pieces and is not just one enormous structure,”

an impressive sense of arrival. Similar to KPF’s

adds Gamburg.

approach, the GA team also chose to break the

There’s no getting away from the fact

property down into smaller sections, combining

that Atlantis The Royal is big. The building

bursts of drama with human-centric elements.

houses 795 guestrooms and suites, 231 private

“There are macro moments, and between them,

residences, 17 F&B outlets, 3,000m2 of wellness

micro moments when guests step into pools of

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Photographed by Douglas Friedman in Marfa, Texas

Designed by Parisian duo Gilles & Boissier, Pan-Asian restaurant Ling Ling serves reinvented Cantonese fare against a moody backdrop accentuated by golden tones

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quietness,” explains Executive Design Director

they have the ability to relax,” he confirms.

Terry McGinnity. “It was a challenge, because

“They can use the balcony and pool in a way

we were constantly recalibrating the scale as we

that connects them to the outdoors and all the

navigated the design.”

elements that make up the hotel’s story.”

For McGinnity, some of those key human-

It was also important that the new

centric moments include the understated

development retained some of Atlantis The

poolside spaces of Nobu by the Beach, shaded

Palm’s DNA, and water is a central theme that

by palms with views up to the main building,

runs throughout both properties. At Atlantis The

and the sunken lounges that sit opposite Wet’s

Palm, the experience focuses on the underwater

Skyblaze fire and water fountain. It’s moments

world, whereas at Atlantis The Royal, water is

like these that speak to the fact that, at its heart,

expressed in a completely different way.

Atlantis The Royal is still a hotel, he says, and

“Instead of descending underwater, which is

needs to feel like one to those staying in it. “It’s

what you’d expect, we inverted it and brought

fantastic having a moving population coming

the water up, so now guests are in sun-filled

through and enjoying the facilities, but we also

sky courts yet still have the water experience,”

want hotel guests to relish their stay.”

says Gamburg. At Atlantis The Royal, guests

Away from the epic moments, McGinnity and

can dive into a pool attached to the suites or

his team have designed guestrooms and suites

penthouses and are effectively swimming in

that are calming, airy and filled with light, yet

the sky. “It’s counter to how people normally

still feel intimate and personal whether they’re

experience water; the feeling of being in the air

entry-level or lavish penthouses. “We want

yet still underwater is one-of-a-kind.”

guests to feel that their room is a retreat if it’s

GA Group incorporated water into its design

busy downstairs, so that when they step inside,

narrative too, connecting it to the history of the

TO

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TURNI N

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Follow us @dernier_hamlyn info@dernier-hamlyn.com www.dernier-hamlyn.com

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tora esign, res d , e r tu c manufa Lighting llation and insta

tion

destination. “We love the idea of the nomadic

Atlantis The Royal has grand ambitions, and

tribes’ journeys and the fact they moved from

many rooms to fill. It also needs to attract a

oasis to oasis to find water,” McGinnity reveals.

regular stream of outside visitors to fill its

There is also reference to the rare rains in the

restaurants. The property’s sheer size means

UAE, embodied in the dramatic metal sculpture,

that it’s unlikely anyone will experience all of it

Droplets, designed by McGinnity himself and a

during one stay, so there’s a need to give guests

focal point of the lobby. “The idea for Droplets

reasons to return.

was to create a dramatic moment for guests as

“We want all of the destinations within the

they enter the ground floor, which tells the story

hotel to feel like they’re much more than the

of the precious nature of water in the region,”

sum of their parts,” McGinnity concludes.

he explains. “Our goal was to tell this story in

“Our hope is that guests to break them down

a unique way. The sculpture is about a journey

and feel like they can explore, so that even

to something worthwhile.”

after five days of being here, they can still be

The archway is another element of the Atlantis DNA that has been incorporated into

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pleasantly surprised by something they hadn’t yet discovered.”

the new property, becoming a large central

It’s a sentiment shared by Gamburg, who

void rather than a more traditional arched

believes the building itself has a role to play.

form. “The void is a powerful visual image,”

“If we as architects and designers have created

says Gamburg. “Most buildings are read as an

something that makes people want to revisit

object – in the Burj Al Arab it’s the sail form, for

and experience the way a certain garden works

the Burj Khalifa it’s the central spire – and it’s

or how a view through something makes

unique to read a building for the shape it makes

them feel, then we have managed to achieve

in the leftover space.”

something truly special.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Operator: Kerzner International Architecture: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) Interior Design: GA Group, Jeffrey Beers International, Bluehaus Group, Bates Smart, Sybille de Margerie, Gilles & Boissier Lighting Design: Light Touch Art Consultant: Jam Jar, Capsule Arts Procurement: Cairncross Martin Landscaping: SKS, 40North Main Contractor: SsangYong, Besix Project Manager: Turner Middle East www.atlantis.com

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Too Hôtel PARIS Entrepreneur Laurent Taïeb unites the worlds of Jean Nouvel and Phillipe Starck for a theatrical castle presiding over the French capital.

Words: Guy Dittrich • Photography: © Jérôme Galland

J

ean Nouvel and Philippe Starck. It’s quite a headline act. Two French greats with nothing to prove, brought together to create Too Hôtel in the unassuming 13th

arrondissement of Paris. The main acts, architecture and interiors respectively, in a show directed by entrepreneur Laurent Taïeb.

All good stories have a beginning, a middle and an end.

This one starts in one of the slightly dimmer quarters of the City of Lights, an area that became the Little Asia of Paris following an influx of refugees from the Vietnam War in the 1970s. By the ‘80s, a university campus had opened and the twitches of gentrification began. On an abandoned site on the left bank of the River Seine and adjacent to a broad swathe of tracks leading to Gare d’Austerlitz, the development of the Tours Duo skyscrapers began in 2011. Enter stage left, Jean Nouvel, with a proposal that challenged and dared.

Two mirror-covered towers twist and tilt this way and that.

A dancing couple that embraces and releases. Their heads inclined in mutual acknowledgement. “Our two actors are expressive and alive,” says Nouvel of the concept. “They speak to one another.”

Initially, both towers were to be for office use only. But by 2015, the wisdom of hospitality as a catalyst for urban revival saw a change of use that led to the addition of a hotel component. Operated by Groupe Laurent Taïeb under

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In the guestrooms, Starck has combined flashes of orange with masses of chrome and mirror, while humorous touches include animal prints in high corners

a franchise with Accor’s MGallery, the hotel itself

hotel does not fulfil the strict five-star categorisation

occupies the top section of the lower tower, floors 17 to

of French hotels, but with 139 rooms at a minimum

27, providing visitors to the 9,000-capacity complex

of 24m2, a decent size for Paris, the four-star rating

with luxury accommodation on their doorstep.

feels just right. Le Labo toiletries and fully automated

The heroine in this story plays hard to get – signage

blackout and sunscreen blinds elevate the experience.

is discreet, and once inside, the tease continues. A

The rooms are something of a Starck attack, with

huge cathedral of concrete is the opening scene. A

plenty of product from the designer’s brands. There

curtain of copper mesh hangs from the high ceiling.

is the Black Forest bathroom combo of Duravit basins

Exposed concrete rises above the elevator bank. Tucked

and Axor Hansgrohe brassware. The pleated shades of

away on the left is a glimmer of light. The reception,

the bedside lamps from the Romeo Babe series by Flos

Philippe Starck’s first act in a play of fantasy and fun.

are another Starck leitmotif. Plus, for Starck of course,

Make no mistake, the city in which the hotel’s

there is masses of chrome – the heated towel rack that

narrative plays out takes a starring role. As one of the

stands up from the bathroom floor is a nice touch.

very few tall buildings in Paris, all guestrooms feature

And extensive use of mirror. The two are combined in

large windows offering views – some guests will go

a smart, space-saving sliding door system that closes

eye-to-eye with the Eiffel Tower. As the lighthouse

off the entrance lobby, wardrobe and bathroom. Its

lamp sweeps over the Seine basin at night, a lucky

sharp geometry is offset by the gentle gesture of a

few will also catch it in the eye. In an Oscar-winning

casually draped bed throw made by Elvang from

move, Nouvel has oriented the windows at the end

recycled Alpaca wool.

of guestroom corridors with the tower, meaning all residents can have the same experience.

Enveloping all of this, Starck has had fun with the idea of a “castle” presiding over Paris. There is

And the sunset too. Starck brings these colours

humour in a selection of small animal prints adorning

in with flashes of orange glinting in the guestroom

random high corners. Room numbers themselves are

carpets by Ege, and in the glaze of solid ceramic

announced with a non-sensical text playing on their

bedside tables. The colour spectrum is completed

phonetic sound in French. There are muscular-styled

by the grey stone of comfortably large bathrooms –

exercise weights, again in chrome. And for those in

where the showers have deep built-in seats – as well

need of more physical activity, the 17th floor fitness

as raffia and Japanese straw-effect fabrics for walls

centre sees Technogym equipment sat on a lemon-

and bed headboards. Wide sills further encourage

yellow floor, with large windows looking on to a

guests to linger over those views. A pair of binoculars

gardened terrace complete with a Jacuzzi.

invitingly placed for a little voyeurism, or a glass of

This introduction to Starck’s world between reality

wine perhaps? The mini-bar is there for guests to

and dream continues. “Of course, as in all castles,

stock with their own purchases and room service

there are mysterious things happening. But still very

is replaced by a collaboration with Uber Eats. More

poetic,” he comments. And the poetry carries through

choice, what’s not to like? With no room service, the

to the hotel’s restaurant, 100m up. Its narrow entrance

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walkway alongside a cedarwood bar counter

to a mix of Asian fare. Starck plays on an old

brings contrast with the soaring volume ahead.

whisky bar style with hammered zinc tabletops,

Fully glazed on three sides, with Paris laid out

surrounded by an assortment of leather and

in front of diners, the 6m-high ceiling takes

rattan lounge chairs all set on antiqued rugs.

the breath away. Nouvel accentuates the height

To cope with the acoustic issues of running

by covering it in dangling Oscar-style gold

a thumping club scene here, the whole venue

vanes. Feeling dwarfed by the ceiling heights,

is structurally disconnected from the cement

Starck’s fantasy heads off on a surrealist,

tower on a series of poles.

Alice-in-Wonderland path, or should that be

Further enticing guests is a video installation

yellow brick road? Huge easels and equally

played through an array of arched, faux windows

huge canvasses have been introduced to

etched on the interior wall. The sensation is one

emphasise that shrinking feeling. Furniture is

of looking out through the windows at a looping

oversized, including a series of double porter

succession of evocative movies, with themes

seats arranged in front of a glass wall – their

ranging from nature to romance. Judging by the

ensconcing cosiness provides real privacy

amount of social media activity the installation

overlooking the River Seine.

garners, it is fair to say that on a cold, foggy

The views are even more enchanting from the

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night in Paris, the virtual beats real life.

rooftop terrace of Too TacTac restaurant and

After a captivating middle that shows how

bar; at 120m, the space is the highest public

accessible good design can be, this story has

platform in Paris. The scenery wraps around

no end. It is a show that will run and run. The

the venue, topped by a dark, black triangular

audience get the chance to experience the savoir

Battleship Galactica-like volume that houses

faire of striking architecture and the fantasy of

the building’s M&E. A buzzing crowd is treated

interiors fashioned by two master artists.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Groupe Laurent Taïeb Developer: Groupe Valotel Operator: Accor Architecture: Jean Nouvel Interior Design: Philippe Starck www.toohotel.com

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17/10/2022 14:53

Maurits at the Park N

Pillows Hotels AMSTERDAM

The reinvention of a former university in Amsterdam Oost, seeks to reconnect the built environment with surrounding parklands.

Words: Catherine Martin • Photography: © Stefan Müller (unless otherwise stated)

ew hotel openings in Amsterdam are

contributing land to the park – it seemed the

few and far between, since the city

perfect opportunity to meet multiple objectives.

put a moratorium on development in

The building, designed by Jan Bernard

the densely packed tourist districts, but away

Springer and completed in 1908, previously

from Dam Square and the central canal belt,

served as a medical laboratory for the University

Amsterdam Oost is emerging as an attractive

of Amsterdam, and though its handsome red-

place to plant a flag. Along with craft breweries,

brick façade still stood proud, the condition

neighbourhood cafés and a growing number

of the interiors was in decline. A floorplan for

of independent stores, the district is home

the building’s conversion had been inherited

to Oosterpark, a green oasis that encourages

from the previous owner, however Amerborgh

visitors to explore at a more leisurely pace.

were unconvinced, and invited Office Winhov

Here, new hotels are permitted so long as the

to submit a proposal having been impressed

development adds value to its surroundings,

by their conversion of a former bank into W

criteria that chimes with the approach of

Amsterdam. The studio examined the site

Amerborgh, a management group investing in

and existing plans and proposed moving the

activities that contribute to their community.

extension to the side wing, a repositioning that

Having spearheaded the launch of Pillows Hotels

would open up the entire rear façade to the park

in 2017 – making its debut in historic buildings

rather than disconnect the heart of the building.

in Zwoller, Deventer, Brussels and Ghent – the

Their concept also reduced key count from 120

group was on the look-out for its first five-

to 88, making for more spacious guestrooms,

star outpost. So when a majestic building on the

and focused on celebrating the building’s

perimeter of Oosterpark became available – its

original features while ensuring harmony with

permit for conversion to hotel use dependent on

the new elements.

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The interior design scheme by Studio Linse brings a softness to the otherwise robust material palette, with light, earthy tones accompanied by plush velour and brass detailing

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“The project was complex, combining adaptive

buildings, but we’re also very clear about the difference

re-use, a new wing extension and strengthening the

between the two. It was important not to lose the

relationship with the surrounding park,” explains Uri

essence of the original building, we want to celebrate

Gilad, co-founder and Partner at Office Winhov. “Our

it,” Gilad confirms. In the new wing for example,

approach is about bringing the old and new together

the transition between the buildings is on show, the

with a balanced new programme, careful integration

original façade becoming a feature of the guestroom

of the extension and refined use of materials.”

corridors. And in the existing building, a highlight is

The integration of the extension has been well

the glazed tiling that extends up walls, stairwells and

thought through, with Office Winhov rightfully

overhead to the vaulted ceilings, to which Gilad notes:

avoiding a contemporary glass insertion, but nor

“As a company, we’re particularly interested in the

did they want to “fake it” with a carbon copy of the

transformation of monumental buildings, so we said

existing building. The solution sympathetically shows

from day one that we would retain and restore the

continuity, not only visually through the similar

original features.”

pairings of windows, but in materiality too. “It’s not

Perhaps the most notable restoration has been in Van

a hard contrast, but if you look closely, you will see

Oost, a fine-dining restaurant occupying the former

that the new building is a more modern brick and is

museum hall. Having succumbed to water damage and

richer in colour,” says Gilad, adding that the bricks

rot, the floor was beyond repair, while an ill-judged

are made bespoke by Petersen Tegl.

remodelling in the 1980s had blocked off views to the

The deliberate yet subtle contrast between old

park. Gilad reveals that flooring was replaced, ceiling

and new continues inside, with a close working

beams restored and the windows were once again

relationship between Amerborgh, Office Winhov and

opened up to the park, offering elevated views across

interior designer Studio Linse ensuring a harmonious

the tree canopy. The biggest challenge however was

integration. “There’s a continuity between the

the acoustics, with the solid surfaces reflecting sound

© Courtesy of Pillows Hotels

© Courtesy of Pillows Hotels

095

around a soaring double-height volume, making

tabletops and banquettes immerses diners in the park

for an uncomfortable ambiance. A central insertion

in a different way, enhanced by a leafy tree growing

housing a prep kitchen and guest cloakroom helps

from the server station.

break down the space, also partitioning the bar from

Throughout the hotel, the interior design scheme by

the main dining room, while acoustic panels are

Studio Linse brings a softness to the otherwise robust

unusually suspended above. “Typically the panels

material palette, with founder Paul Linse opting for

would be glued to the ceiling, but we felt in doing

light, earthy tones accompanied by plush velour and

this we would lose some of the character,” says Gilad.

brass detailing. It’s an elegant aesthetic that gives the

“We want to respect the original building, not pretend

architecture space to breathe, and manages to be both

it’s something it’s not.”

calming and inviting while encouraging guests to step

The result is a surprisingly intimate space, which,

096

outside and take a leisurely stroll through the park.

in daylight hours, has an ever-changing panorama

Further contributing to the surrounding community,

thanks to the swaying trees just outside the window.

Amerborgh has constructed new pathways that connect

Come nightfall, subdued lighting focuses attention

the hotel to the park, meaning that in summer, the

on the creative cuisine of Floris van Straalen, who

brasserie will likely attract passing trade in the families

combines innovative flavour combinations with

and day-trippers who spend their weekends out in the

exquisite presentation.

fresh air. A giant birdcage on the lawn is expected to

In keeping with the brief, the design of the hotel

draw feathered friends once the planting grows in, and

successfully cultivates a relationship with the park.

there are also plans to introduce picnic baskets stocked

In the new building, oak-cased windows frame views

with local delights, available for guests to take away

of the expansive lawns from guestrooms, while the

and dine in the shade of the trees. Completing the

ground-floor brasserie spills out on to the terrace.

offer, a rooftop bar slated to open in the summer will

Back inside, the use of oak across window slats,

bring a bird’s-eye view to the experience.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Ownes: Amerborgh Operator: International Hotel Management Group Architecture: Office Winhov Interior Design: Studio Linse Landscaping: Sant & Co Main Contractor: Kondor Wessels www.pillowshotels.com

Custom Flooring. Integrated Millwork. Bespoke Furniture.

Design by KUB Captial Photograph by George del Barrio

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3/3/23 12:21 PM

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Southall Farm & Inn FRANKLIN Indidesign elevates the Southern design aesthetic at a rural retreat in the Tennessee countryside, where a working farm provides sustenance for the senses.

Words: Ayesha Khan • Photography: © Taggart Sorensen

S

pread across 325 acres of Tennessee countryside, Southall Farm & Inn is a study in self-sufficient tourism. Not only does the property – comprising an

inn, spa and 16 self-contained cottages – pride itself on being set on an established working farm, but the design and construction of the buildings was also executed with sustainability, authenticity and local engagement in mind.

“The idea was to elevate the Southern design aesthetic and inject architectural quality with a certain softness,” explains Beatrice Girelli of LA-based studio Indidesign. “We wanted to retain materiality and a handcrafted quality, and at the same time create a style that is unique to Southall.”

Girelli and her team went so far as to use timber that was cleared from the site in the making of furniture, fulfilling the mantra of living off the land – which here includes apple orchards, herb gardens and an apiary producing ample honey. And these facilities are not only tended to by the farmers. Southall offers residents a programme of truly immersive experiences that include sessions on seed propagation in the barn, wine tasting in the jammery and an encounter with the local bees – all topped off with a soak in the expansive mineral pool overlooking the rolling hills.

The surroundings cultivate an altogether slower pace of life, as do the interiors. Once guests enter the lobby – a doubleheight space in the main house – they are immediately

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The interior design scheme in the cottages and main house has a crafted yet contemporary feel, with furniture by local makers

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enveloped in Southall’s inimitable design message;

main house, the broader theme of authenticity is

one that shuns the kitsch rendition of a Southern

channelled through several variations. “The inn

farmhouse and replaces it with a smart, crafted

is the more hotel-like experience,” she explains.

and decidedly contemporary aesthetic. A prime

“We chose a fresh and playful aesthetic with plenty

example is the strung rope and cane rocking chair

of high-contrast,” Girelli notes, pointing out the

– a Southern design staple yet reinterpreted here in

signature Southall blue dark-stained millwork. The

a new way. Across the resort, all furniture has been

pièce de résistance is the Tennessee Presidential

custom-designed by Indidesign and crafted by

Suite, which showcases bold patterns, daring

local makers, while artworks were commissioned

design gestures and a collection of found pieces

from talents like lifestyle curator Ceri Hoover and

and provocative artwork.

illustrator Richard Bowers. But perhaps the most

What truly sets this property apart however are

memorable installation across the property is one

its cottages, which range from rambling hillside

created and lovingly installed by Girelli and her

abodes with wood-burning stoves to treehouses

team, who spent months combing the American

built on stilts. In the Hillside Cottages, Girelli

west for an assemblage of cowbells – some dating

devised what she refers to as “a guestroom in the

back to the 1800s – before stringing them between

woods” with bespoke wallcoverings by Nashville-

columns in the lobby.

based New Hat depicting scenes from the forest.

Girelli also sourced imposing bronze chandeliers

Light timber floors and whitewashed wood

from Mexican artist Isabel Moncada, while at

chandeliers from Arteriors presiding over lofty

adjacent restaurant and bar Sojourner, bespoke

pitched ceilings complete the look.

furnishings and lighting complement a colourful

By contrast, the Arbor Cottages are elevated high

wallcovering that showcases the local flora and

above the tree canopy and offer sweeping views and

fauna. Across the 62 rooms and suites in the

cantilevered outlooks. “I wanted the treehouses to

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feel rustic and adventurous,” says Girelli. “The

custom-designed by Brown – and offers

bed is low and we decided to bring the copper

guests a direct link to the agrarian lifestyle

bathtub into the bedroom. The idea was to

that Southall promotes. Inspired by a barn,

design a space that is self-contained and feels

the cathedral-like venue is centred around a

truly special.”

communal table crafted from timber reclaimed

Girelli’s favourite story of authenticity – a

on site, while wooden flooring is from Brown’s

heartwarming tale in a project she admits

childhood friend and owner of Nashville-based

was a six-year labour of love – is that of the

Textures Flooring. Artwork was also produced

artwork. “We initially hired two art consultants

by a collective of local artists, and completing

to source local art but what they came up with

the aesthetic are found pieces like an antique

didn’t feel authentic,” she recalls. “So we ran

sorghum mill-turned tasting table.

a competition for all those involved in the

Looking back on what she refers to as one of

project; everyone from the architect to the

her most fulfilling projects, Girelli concludes:

electrical engineer to those working on the

“It’s a matter of creating an experience that is

farm submitted something, and that became

stimulating for all the senses – tactile, auditory,

the guestroom art package,” Girelli reveals,

visual and aromatic. That’s what guests

revealing that her own black-and-white line

remember about time spent at a place and makes

drawings also take pride of place on the walls.

them want to go back.” From the self-curated

Reinforcing the hyperlocal theme, signature

artwork to a bespoke candle that Southall

restaurant Mary Amelia serves seed-to-plate

developed with Ranger Station Fragrances of

cuisine under the tutelage of famed Nashville

Nashville – poured into a signature Tennessee

chef Tyler Brown. The space is home to an

whiskey glass – the property offers thoughtful,

impressive show-kitchen – with equipment

unforgettable moments at every touchpoint.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Developer: Paul Mishkin Operator: Southall Architecture: 906 Studio Interior Design: Indidesign Visual Identity & Branding: Perky Brothers Lighting Design: RNLD Landscaping: CSDG Main Contractor: McHugh Construction, Old Hillsboro Building Company Spa Consultant: Segerberg Spa Consulting www.southalltn.com

Located in Kruisem - Belgium

A unique outdoor experience concept Discover a unique outdoor living experience like nowhere else. 30 high-end outdoor brands show their products in no less than 12 atmospheric gardens. Architects, designers, planners, but also individuals will get inspired by the latest innovations and trends in outdoor living.

www.noa-outdoor.com

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paolomoschino.com

Hôtel Dame des Arts PARIS Raphael Navot brings the artistic culture of the 1920s to the present day at a former civic building in the French capital’s Latin Quarter.

Words: Ben Thomas Photography: © Ludovic Balay

I

’m the glue between a collection of people,”

parties and intellectual discussions, where

says Jerusalem-born designer Raphaël Navot

people from all over the world could get drunk

as we discuss his approach in the Apothem

on philosophy. We celebrate that culture.”

Lounge at Maison & Objet, an immersive

To bring this celebration of ideas to life,

installation that he describes as a “theatre

Navot worked closely with EQ Hotels and a team

piece” fusing texture, colour, light and sound.

of trusty craftsmen to channel the creative spirit

Tapping into the notion of interior design as

synonymous with the locale, selecting design

a form of scenography, the lounge epitomises

elements and materials that honour its Parisian

Navot’s passion for French savoir-faire and

context while propelling the neighbourhood

traditional craftsmanship – something that is

into a modern era. “I work independently

evident in his latest hospitality project, Hôtel

so rely on others in their own domains,” he

Dame des Arts in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

reveals. “Sometimes the client brings people on

Set in the heart of Paris’ Latin Quarter, the

board, other times I like to use local artisans,

109-key property was originally constructed

and on certain projects it can be a single person

in the 1950s, though its interior inspiration

who specialises in something. There is no set

harks back to the ‘20s when poets, writers and

structure in curating the team.”

performance artists would gather in the area.

True to his eco-friendly ethos, the designer

“We wanted to tell the story of the

also requested that materials be both noble and

international artists who once resided here,”

natural, meaning they could develop a patina

Navot explains. “In the early 20th century,

over time. This organic aesthetic is palpable as

the neighbourhood is where creatives were

soon as guests enter the lobby, which features

interacting; the city wasn’t so separated or

Navot’s sculptural Moon sofa as well as a black

categorised. Cafés and restaurants would host

granite welcome desk with sculptural wooden

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In the guestrooms and suites, muted tones of beige, grey and brown complement warming woods, porcelains and bespoke furniture designed by Navot

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extrusions, mounted on burnt end-grain timber

The natural theme carries through to the rear

flooring covered in a protective resin. Across

of the property, where a garden courtyard serves

the space, walls are clad with slatted timber

as an extension of the restaurant. A major draw

frames that form part of a continuous thread

for Navot when asked to design the hotel, given

throughout the hotel, while ceiling coffers

his love for bucolic environments, the space

flaunt a rippled pattern that mimics the inside

features a collection of upholstered seating

of a tree trunk.

and benches beneath the building’s original

From here, Navot has created a natural flow

brick awning, as well as bamboo decking, wild

to the hotel’s French-Mexican restaurant,

vegetation and a white pebble wall that reinforce

conceptualised by Matthieu Alfandari, former

the organic look and feel.

Operations Director at Experimental Group.

And the outdoor offering doesn’t stop there,

Custom-made furniture pieces such as cast

with a rooftop bar framing picture-postcard

aluminium tables and copper-lined dining tables

views of the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur and

were dreamt up by Navot and his “expanding

Notre-Dame Cathedral thanks to the building’s

circle” of artisans, while cross-hatch window

height advantage in the area. “It’s the eye of

patterns mirror the original architectural

a storm,” says Navot of the central location,

elements above. To soften the existing beams,

describing it as the “belly button” of Paris.

the team also introduced textile shades and

The cleverly crafted conversion of the former

complementary materials such as solid wood

hotel is evident below ground too, where a

and layers of linen voiles. “The F&B space is

basement is now better utilised as boardroom-

important for the chronology of the hotel,” he

come-cinema, and a low-ceiling gym deceives

confirms. “I like the idea of the flow not being

the eye with a new sculptural timber roof – one

sectorised. It’s a natural influx.”

of many curved elements introduced by Navot to

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decrease stress levels and add a feminine touch.

behind the headboard take their inspiration

“The area of St Michel and proximity to Notre-

from the Mid-Century layout of the windows.

Dame were the reason behind the hotel’s name,”

Much like how La Nouvelle Vague looked to

says Navot. “But it also refers to a lady rather

give film directors full creative control over

than a saint. We have lots of saints already, so

their work in the 1950s, Navot’s commission

chose to move away from that.”

with EQ Hotels saw the designer handed

The designer’s creative nous is perhaps best

the creative reins for Hôtel Dame des Arts,

displayed in the guestrooms and suites, which

devising an interior scheme that champions

differ in shape and size due to the existing

the neighbourhood’s artistic innovation with a

floor plate, with some offering balconies with

refined finish. One that literary icons of former

Kilt dining armchairs by Ethimo. Working on

times would happily have called home.

each individually, Navot incorporated bespoke

“For me this project marked a second

furniture and artworks – of which there are

chapter in Paris,” Navot concludes, pointing

700 across the property with links to the locale

to his previous work on Hotel National des

– alongside two pieces from his collection for

Arts Et Métiers, an homage to French savoir-

Roche Bobois, which sit atop carpets by Ege.

faire straddled between the Marais and the

Despite the modernisation of the interiors,

Montorgueil district. “Hôtel Dame des Arts was

which sees muted tones of beige, grey and

a new challenge; the building was originally

brown fused with warmer woods and porcelains,

constructed for civic purposes, rather than

Navot was keen to revisit some classic

hospitality, so we had to come up with bespoke

features. Inverted mouldings on the walls are a

solutions throughout. It’s the type of hotel

contemporary interpretation of the traditional

where if you like a room, then remember the

French moulure, while solid wood extrusions

number, because no two are the same.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: EQ Group Operator: EQ Hotels Architecture: CALQ Interior Design: Raphael Navot Lighting Design: Decret Design Art Consultant: Studio Saint Lazare Procurement: Argenta Landscaping: Horticulture et Jardins Main Contractor: Tetris Project Manager: Pyramid DM www.damedesarts.com

La Zambra MIJAS After nearly a decade of closure, Andalusia’s iconic Byblos hotel undergoes a complete transformation, reopening as a minimalistic retreat within Hyatt’s Unbound Collection.

Words: Agnish Ray • Photography: Courtesy of La Zambra

ecluded and atmospheric, the latest arrival to the

S

Muted and minimalistic, La Zamba’s whitewashed walls

Andalusian coastal area of Mijas is tucked well away

mimic Andalusia’s pueblos blancos – or white villages

from the flashy seafront, nestled among golf courses

– with nearby Mijas being just one example. Touches of

and private estates. Half an hour’s drive from Málaga Airport,

bougainvillaea and lavender add colour, as do the blue

the town has long been a hotspot for European sunseekers,

ceramic roof tiles that were preserved from the previous

but the new property feels fresh and contemporary.

hotel. Passages of water also trickle throughout, a feature

La Zambra is new, though the site’s reputation precedes it; until 2010 it was the Byblos, a hideaway known for merriment

Seville’s Alcazar.

and relaxation in equally healthy measure, capturing the

Architect Tomeu Esteva says the transition between spaces

heyday of the Costa del Sol. Princess Diana was famously

is crucial to the concept of Andalusia’s Islamic architecture,

papped topless here – despite its claims of privacy from

which he has tried to capture in the layout. “It’s all about

prying eyes – while Julio Iglesias and the Rolling Stones are

the journey,” he explains. “A sense of discovery, mysterious

among the other names dropped by those familiar with the

sequences and crossing thresholds.” The walkways reflect

glitzy hangout.

this idea, guiding guests between covered and open-

After nearly a decade of closure, London-based investment firm Intriva Capital poured nearly €50 million into reviving

air spaces, from one patio to another, with cool cement underfoot encouraging barefoot reverie.

the site, appointing hotel management firm Marugal –

One of the main walkways leads to Bamboleo bar, a

which operates 12 properties across Spain, Portugal, France,

semi-circular, copper-coloured space with ochre, ruby and

Switzerland and the UK – to take on the new incarnation that

mustard furniture. The rounded edges of the sofas, armchairs

opened in Autumn 2022.

and rugs create a vintage modernist feel, while the doors to

Light, air and movement define the design of the 197-key property, which Marugal operates as a franchise with Hyatt

110

inspired by Moorish palaces like Granada’s Alhambra and

the back lead to outdoor seating, rolling grounds and two swimming pools.

under The Unbound Collection. Spacious, high-ceilinged

Bamboleo is among a series of F&B spaces overseen by

interiors are flooded with sunlight, while large windows

Basque chef Iker González Ayerbe. The atmospheric Picador

expose gardens populated with cypress and palm trees. The

for instance is designed like a welcoming Andalusian tavern,

eye is drawn from front to back through several layers of

with wooden beams, colourful tiled floors and a square

carefully placed arches.

central bar to perch at, accompanied by flamenco tunes.

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Characterised by neutral tones and natural fabrics, guestrooms showcase traditional Andalusian craftsmanship

The mood is friendly and the food is

a crafts co-operative in Mijas, where they can

flavoursome; squid croquettes are rich bitesize

learn about age-old traditions like esparto grass

explosions, which the sommelier suggests

weaving. The atelier also houses ceramics,

washing down with a blanc de noirs champagne.

dress-making and leatherwork practitioners.

The octopus is marinated in chimichurri, topped

While sun and sea keep this region thriving

with dollops of kimchi mayonnaise and served

in the warmer months, golf takes over in the

in a pool of frothed potato, with a rosé moscatel

winter; a 2020 study valued the overall impact

from Málaga winery F. Schatz making for a

of golf tourism at nearly €3.3 billion per year.

refreshing pairing.

Mijas is home to 12 golf courses and La Zambra

The all-day dining offer at Palmito meanwhile ranges from a casual buffet breakfast in the

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has direct access to two of them, predicting 30% of its annual clientele to be aficionados.

morning to an ambient dinner in the evening.

And for wellness lovers, La Zambra’s spa

Here, Barcelona-based interior designer Sandra

innovates in areas from ayurveda, shiatsu and

Tarruella went for a sombre, stony colour

reiki to Indiba radiofrequency therapy. Said to

scheme that evokes the use of lime mortar

be the largest in the Costa del Sol, spanning

in traditional Andalusian villages. Textured

over 2,000m2, its extensive offer ranges across

walls, microcement flooring and herringbone-

five journeys: relax, heal, reconnect, vitalise and

patterned rugs create an earthy feel, while large

glow, with a selection of traditional, innovative

circular lamps are crafted from rattan and a wall

and holistic treatments under each. Bespoke

installation has been created using straw hats.

scents and teas accompany the experiences,

The decoration hints at the hotel’s passion for

which include certain signature treatments like

local craft traditions, which guests are invited

shibori facials on a Swaywaver bed and anti-

to experience through visits to Puerta del Agora,

ageing rituals using La Foux spring water.

Our design for The Hoxton, Shepherd’s Bush unites the vibrant and unique Art Deco characteristics of the local area with The Hoxton’s signature open-house aesthetic

Clockwise from top Architecture: The Hoxton, Shepherd’s Bush Executive Architect: TRIBE London, Canary Wharf Architecture: The BoTree, Marylebone Interiors: King Street Townhouse Gym and Spa, Manchester

@eprarchitects | www.epr.co.uk

It was over a decade ago that Spain’s financial

A new era means a new audience. La Zambra’s

crisis forced the Byblos’ closure, and today,

target demographic has a different sense of

destinations like the Costa del Sol yet again

luxury today; less excessive and opulent, more

face economic hardship. But the team behind La

refined and minimalistic. “We’re trying to get

Zambra are confident about bouncing back, and

away from the flashy image that the Byblos used

General Manager Joost Kruissen sees its opening

to have,” says Kruissen. “That did great in the

as part of a wider renaissance in the region.

1980s and ‘90s but it’s not a product that could

“Ten or 15 years ago, Marbella dipped

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function nowadays.”

slightly,” he explains. “Suddenly it was less hip,

When Esteva visited the Byblos as a guest

while places like southern France, the Balearic

around 30 years ago, he remembers “a

Islands, Tulum and Mykonos began to grow.”

mishmash of styles” full of details, columns,

Previously at Formentera’s Gecko Hotel &

cornices and different patterns. “It was fun,”

Beach Club – also a Marugal property – Kruissen

recalls the architect, “but we’ve opened the

lived in Ibiza for a decade. Now a south coast

property up and lightened the interiors to make

local, he believes things are looking up here, with

everything feel more human and gentle.”

the development of Malaga’s capital city adding

To create something fitting with its location

to the region’s other longstanding success

and context, his studio Esteva i Esteva wanted La

factors, like its climate and infrastructure.

Zambra to convey values of austerity, simplicity

“What’s happened here in the last five years

and imperfection. These represent the essence

is certainly marking a before and after,” he says.

of Andalusian architecture, he explains, while

“Malaga has gained so much quality in culture

also evoking the vision of a new generation with

and gastronomy, and investment in the area is

greater appetite for all things slow, local and

huge, so it can go back to what it used to be.”

carefully crafted.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Intriva Capital Operator: Marugal Architecture: Esteva i Esteva Interior Design: Esteva i Esteva, Sandra Tarruella Interioristas Project Manager: CBRE www.lazambrahotel.com

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Faern Arosa Altein SWITZERLAND Hoteliers Romain Semmel and Thibault Catala partner with Run For The Hills to a bring seventies-inspired resort to the Alps.

Words: Gilly Hopper • Photography: © Romain Ricard

S

urrounded by an imposing mountain landscape, the understated ski resort of Arosa in the Swiss Alps is best known for its glistening slopes and charming wooden

houses. But now there’s a new attraction in town, following the arrival of Faern Arosa Altein in December 2022.

Nestled in the heart of the Schanfigg Valley, the property joins a wider collection of Swiss lifestyle hotels founded

by Romain Semmel and Thibault Catala, who are actively working on rebranding sites in Sils Maria and Wengen having recently launched an outpost in Crans-Montana.

The group’s Arosa property resides in a building originally designed by architects Schäfer & Risch and dating back to 1916, when it served as a private pulmonary sanatorium called Altein. After the sanitorium’s closure in 1931, the site was converted into a sports hotel and during WWII was temporarily used to accommodate internees. Post-war, the development returned to its former use as a sanitorium, before being acquired by hotel group Ferienverein in 1979.

Now, in its latest iteration, the structure has undergone an extensive refurbishment that spans from the entrance lobby and guestrooms right through to restaurants and breakout spaces. With skiing a central part of life in Arosa, the hotel needed to reflect that lifestyle and appeal to a variety of demographics – from families to business travellers and a younger, experience-conscious crowd. To bring the vision to life, Semmel and Catala partnered with London-based design studio Run For The Hills. “We developed our interior

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In the lobby, a Wes Andersoninspired reception area harmonises with the building’s archways while a silver-hued carpet nods to the slopes

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concept to honour the property’s heritage, whilst also

sized balconies are a focal point, with outdoor seating

creating a fresh lifestyle escape for the next generation,

dressed in sheepskin.

channelling the spirit of chic millennial high-altitude

There’s a practicality as much as a playfulness

living,” says the studio’s co-founder and Creative

to the designs too; Alpine-patterned textiles engulf

Director Anna Burles. “It delivers traditional Alpine

the armchairs and characterful lamps are displayed

charm with an urban twist.”

on the vanities, while white-tiled, terrazzo-floored

The hotel seeks to foster a community of nature-

bathrooms featuring black framed showers provide

loving, altitude-living folk, and despite being medium

respite after a day on the slopes. Downstairs, there’s

in size, has a boutique sensibility. The Wes Anderson-

also a dedicated wellness area comprising a heated

inspired reception area harmonises with the lounge-

pool, steam room and sauna facilities, in addition to

style lobby’s archways, while its silver-hued carpet

a roster of treatments, for post-slope relief.

with carve-like markings offers a stylish nod to the

Much activity occurs on the lower-ground floor,

slopes. Check-in can be completed in the lounge,

where most of the hotel’s food and beverage offering

fringed by wooden stools and pouffes, before ascending

is located. At the base of the marble staircase, a large

to the guestrooms scattered across the floors above.

tree greets guests and marks the centre point of the

Varying in size and shape – from cosy abodes for solo

buffet. “We selected a busy floor tile to create a visual

travellers to family suites sleeping up to five people

landing at the buffet,” says Burles, adding that a

– the 126 accommodations play with form through

light-white sprinkle on the tile, reminiscent of falling

contemporary joinery styles and softly curving custom

snow, connects site to setting. A few steps on, guests

headboards. Beds are toed with green Swiss cross

enter Zus Brasserie, a spacious venue where zoning

woollen blankets which, as Burles explains, “ground

has been actively applied, employing bouclé and wool

the design in Switzerland” while a nature-focused

upholstered chairs, booths and sofas of varying sizes,

aesthetic is consistent throughout and generously

heights and direction. Mixing modern and vintage-

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style furniture, busier upholstering is countered

the spirited art collection in the bar and across

by terrazzo stone tabletops, while pendant

the hotel is full of personality. Snaps by American

lighting and lofty pillars work to draw the eye

photographer Slim Aarons hang amongst an

up towards the stucco ceiling. Colour tones span

amalgam of works that serve to modernise the

snowy neutrals to forest greens, while mirrors

space, while up in the guestrooms are more

are cleverly hung from ironwork rails to bounce

quirky compositions and graphic pieces. “The

light and reflect the nearby mountains.

more abstract art was inspired by shapes and

Serving as the hotel’s half-board restaurant, a

On the top floor, Alpensand Panoramic

the venue: “The restaurant turns over lots of

Restaurant & Social Club is a trendy hangout

covers because like many ski resorts, everybody

offering views of the valley from its expansive

has breakfast within in a short window of time,”

balcony. For those seated inside, attention

notes Burles. “There’s a need for space, so two

is drawn to a collection of tongue-in-cheek

rooms between the brasserie and the bar serve

artworks referencing the retro theme. Perhaps

as overflow.”

the most alluring space across the hotel, its

The Alchemilla Parlour Bar is set within

1970s décor – think jazzily patterned rugs and

a panelled library bedecked with nook sofas

houndstooth-backed chairs – is enriched with

and upholstered armchairs, which circle black

wallpaper from Mindthegap’s Tyrol collection

veined stone tables. At the centre of the space

that speaks to its fun-loving atmosphere.

– and arguably the action – the wraparound

In a locale with Arosa’s retro credentials,

bar serves creative pours, including signature

Faern injects a sense of playfulness, community

cocktail Camera Shy.

and modernity to its surrounds. Go tell it on

Channelling 1970s vintage ski photography,

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forms in the building,” remarks Burles.

level of practicality was required when designing

the mountain.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Operator: Vertell Asset Management Architecture: Michel Duc Interior Design: Run For The Hills Branding: Remi Lefevre Project Manager: MEC Project Management www.faernresorts.com

The Other House, South Kensington

Made in the UK | since 1997 info@curtisfurniture.co.uk | 0113 248 0605 | www.curtisfurniture.co.uk

Hotel Mestari HELSINKI Studio Arcibella injects new life into a former building association headquarters in the Finnish capital, creating a lifestyle hotel characterised by a masculine leitmotif.

Words: Guy Dittrich • Photography: © Aaro Artto (unless otherwise stated)

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elsinki’s latest hospitality haunt, Hotel Mestari, takes

H

“It was Kristiina who came up with our masculine lifestyle

its name from the Finnish word for ‘master’. Rather

slogan,” quips Peitsalo, quick to note that this has nothing to

fittingly, the hotel is owned by the Association of

do with gender. Rather he references inclusive ideas around

Master Builders, whose offices still occupy a small part of

aesthetics, quality, values and culture. And financial viability

this sturdy, six-storey corner block in an artisanal quarter of

too. This red thread is more to do with materiality and the

central Helsinki. The interior design by Kristiina Michelsson

celebration of construction itself.

of Studio Arcibella follows an industrial aesthetic, with the

And the construction offers huge flexibility. The 237

masculine leitmotif a constant; raw materials and exposed

guestrooms are stratified into some eight categories, though

elements combine with delicate artworks, soft furnishings

there are at least 30 different configurations. Operationally,

and clever acoustic and spatial solutions.

the hotel offers guests the chance to enhance their stay with

Originally built in the 1930s, the building was later

a selection of experiential packages such as Cool Down, a

renovated in the ‘60s. For its most recent transformation,

stress-relieving range of teas and spa products, or Movie

the association invited some 30-plus developers to pitch for

Night with snacks and woollen socks.

the project, including Primehotels, which currently operates

Within a relatively tight floorplan, Michelsson has also

seven properties across Finland. “We saw great potential

realised a variety of harmonious public spaces catering for

in its functionality and efficiency,” explains Board Member

all – from party and private events spaces to quiet booths

and Partner Tomi Peitsalo, who has significant experience

and co-working areas. Standalone, street-level tenanted

of bringing major global brands to the Nordics.

units provide further options with coffee shops, beauticians,

Having won the project in 2018, Primehotels in turn asked

hairdressers and a private gym, to which hotel guests have

a number of studios to consider the interiors. Studio Arcibella

access. An assortment that can be tailored by the owners.

was selected, thanks to Michelsson’s ability to grasp and

Masculine lifestyle might perhaps be slightly contradictory

interpret the proposition. “I respected that Kristiina listened

for the Master Builders but it is strong, clear and to the point.

and closely followed the brief,” says Peitsalo as he nods

All attributes of Michelsson. And strong she needed to be,

towards Michelsson. The pair share a good level of trust

as there were doubters around some proposals. Take the

following several collaborations for Glo Hotels, now part of

hotel’s courtyard, for example. Was it worth removing the

Nordic Hotels & Resorts’ lifestyle portfolio.

plaster render on the walls to reveal the brickwork? Yes, as

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The hotel’s guestrooms combine oak flooring, grey and beige tones, and fixed furnishings in blackstained wood and steel

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they now add real character. With a new glazed

to replicate the external lifts typically seen on

roof came acoustic concerns. So, reconstructed

construction sites.

parts of the inner walls were sprayed with a

Michelsson swipes through images on her

sound-absorbing finish. Then came colour

phone to highlight the extent of the excavation

choices. Michelsson wins again with a warming

and the material inspiration. “We encouraged

terracotta. Finally, and most significantly, the

workers to leave the patina of their craft on the

insertion of a platform above part of the seating

materials,” she explains. For example, the four

at Latin Bistro & Bar Maestro 51. Success here too,

substantial steel tubes that support the glazed

with the delivery of a significant new revenue-

roof of the courtyard are pleasingly imperfect,

generating space that simultaneously provides

to the extent that they look like they could

a more atmospheric volume underneath and

have been originals. The shuttered concrete

choice for guests. Michelsson enthuses about

structural elements from the 1960s works,

her collaborative relationship with Peitsalo: “It

Michelsson’s “structural mysteries”, have been

was wonderful to work with Tomi because it

left exposed wherever possible. Their sturdy

was actually other people saying no.”

reliability softened by the wood plank relief.

The interiors major on exposed materials –

On the high ceilings of the top floor rooms, the

brick, as well as corridor ceilings suspended

beauty of these tapered beams has been boldy

with a host of M&E, and scaffolded platforms

highlighted in a stark black.

used in a series of double-height guestrooms to

Guestrooms are otherwise largely similar,

create lounge cinemas. Expanded sheet metal

even if their configurations vary. Soaring single

is aplenty too, its diamond pattern decorating

pane windows are triple-glazed – essential for

in-room hanging spaces and mini-bar units.

the climate – and bring in natural light. Artworks

The interiors of the lifts are also lined with it

made from pressed steel and copper meanwhile

Geometric

by Benedito Design

New Decorative Collection

© Niki Soukkio

hang above each bed, reflecting the colourways

in 1932 to show ironworkers sitting on a steel

of the rooms that combine oak flooring, the

beam suspended high above Manhattan. Used

greys and beiges of walls and curtaining – with

throughout the hotel, the image reinforces the

blackout qualities, again necessary for the long

hotel’s masculine leitmotif, paying homage to

summer days – and fixed furnishings in black-

the art of craftsmanship. On the opposite wall

stained wood and steel.

hangs an elemental rusted re-bar grid.

All these latter elements, including a chaise

Here and in the corridors, the raw ethos of

longue that cleverly transforms into a useable

the interiors is enhanced by Ege’s Industrial

bed, are designed by Michelsson – a furniture

Landscape range by Tom Dixon. Produced with

design specialist. Studio Arcibella also turned

the look of a natural patina, the collection

its hand to the lighting, both internally and on

mirrors the rough aesthetic of a city through

the façade. In collaboration with Helsinki-based

seven designs, including Coal – which reflects

Saas Instruments, Michelsson designed two

the substance that powered the Industrial

stylish lamps: one, the i-Beam, referencing a

Revolution – and Iron, imitating the gradual

steel girder, and the other a glass ball chandelier.

disintegration of the oxidised metal surface that

The latter is seen in the flexible events spaces,

126

generates a random hued patination.

where partition walls allow for up to 13 room

Initially built as offices, Hotel Mestari has

configurations. The audio-visual set-up also

seen a variety of tenants over the years, with

means all events guests can watch the same

stints as a cinema, dinner-and-dance venue,

presentation at once. Seating 140 people, the

and most recently a nightclub. Its latest

most spacious room features a full-height

iteration, a clever and well-executed lifestyle

image of the famous black-and-white Lunch

hotel envisioned by Primehotels and Studio

atop a Skyscraper photograph, originally taken

Arcibella, could just be the best yet.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Rakennusmestarien Säätiö Operator: Primehotels Architecture: APRT Architects Interior Design: Studio Arcibella Main Contractor: Lehto Group www.hotelmestari.fi

IMAGINE. DREAM. CREATE. D I S C O V E R U N L I M I T E D S H A D E C U S T O M I Z AT I O N .

START DESIGNING TODAY AT TUUCI.COM/SHADESTUDIO

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9-1-2023 14:37:28

Sun Street LONDON Bowler James Brindley taps into the history of a Georgian terrace, designing a boutique hotel that provides intimate scale next to its modern neighbours.

Words: Matt Turner • Photography: © Nick Smith

here’s a small irony in the fact that this

T

Yet step into the hotel and guests are

new boutique property, named after the

instantly transported into a series of warm,

brightest star in the sky, sits very much

elegant spaces, where the doorman greeting

in the shadows of the glistening edifices that

them wears the kind of bowler hat that used to

now dominate the City of London. Sun Street,

be commonplace in the financial heart of the

launched by Bespoke Hotels in October 2022,

city, and the service is delightfully discreet.

forms part of One Crown Place – a new mixed-

Once upon a time, this part of London was

use development comprising two prismatic

home to warehouses serving the local furniture

towers of high-end residential and commercial

and printing trades. The façade of one of these

office space, with retained historical elements

warehouses on Earl Street has been restored,

at their base.

alongside a 1970s block and the original terrace

In many ways, this new city block – designed

that houses the hotel’s 41 guestrooms and suites.

by architects Kohn Pedersen Fox – encapsulates

And it is this history that designers Bowler

the changing face of London in microcosm. A

James Brindley have tapped into, creating an

sensitively restored Georgian terrace of six

extravagant and sophisticated scheme inspired

townhouses, with an unreconstructed corner

by the history of the building and surrounding

pub at its end, sits cheek-by-jowl with the

neighbourhood.

gleaming towers that now accommodate wealthy

Each of the six townhouses’ ground floor

apartment-dwellers and corporate office

areas has a distinct look and feel, unveiled in

workers. That its developers, infrastructure

layers as guests proceed from one intimate

conglomerate MTD Group, are based in Malaysia

space to the next. There are multiple lounges

reflects the foreign investment that has poured

and bar areas, a library and a wood panelled

into EC1 over the past 30-plus years.

dining room, beyond which lies The Orangery

129

130

in a light-flooded central courtyard sheltered under a vaulted glass roof.

The interiors were taken back-to-brick, with period elements such as skirting boards and cornices recreated to provide an authentically Georgian architectural backdrop to the design theatrics. A custom chandelier in the lobby comprises 41 miniature service bells – one for every room – in reference to the nearby Whitechapel Bell Foundry, makers of Big Ben and the Liberty Bell. Pencil drawings lining the walls also acknowledge the dual career of the building’s original architect George Dance the Younger, a renowned portraitist for famous figures of the day. Exotic touches and more tropical colours nod to the Malaysian roots of its developer, while wallpapers – by House of Hackney, Daniel Heath, Scalamandré, St Jude’s and Style Library – depict a phantasmagoria of griffins, winged serpents and other mythical beasts in bold splashes of green, turquoise and gold. In another homage to the building’s heritage, a traditional 19th century colour palette

131

of faded browns and blues has been updated and

marble, solid brass and glass complemented

enhanced in richer tones, with velvet curtains,

by burgundy leather headboards, patterned

antique leather sofas and trunks combining to

fabrics and wallcoverings. All rooms feature a

create a feel that is part Victorian gentleman’s

rich colour palette offset by hardwood flooring

club, part late-night lounge.

by Havwoods and rugs by London House Rugs,

A recurring artistic motif is The Google Bird, a

and carefully chosen furniture from the likes of

fictional creature discovered by Bespoke Hotels

Stellar Works, Rough Living and PS Interiors.

founder Robin Sheppard when researching a

Inviting daylight through Georgian-style

former resident of the original terrace: “One

shuttered windows, bathrooms are finished

of the houses which make up the fascia of

with vivid glazed porcelain tiles and natural

the hotel was occupied by a former Bank of

stone, as well as walk-in drench showers

England Governor, Vincent Cartwright Vickers,

and classic fixtures from Crosswater, Duravit,

between the wars. His hobby was drawing and,

Villeroy & Boch.

as a way of entertaining his young children,

Bowler James Brindley’s design has combined

he invented some imaginary birds that he

elegant Regency references with contemporary

christened the Google Birds. We have bought

touches, providing a backdrop for an eye-

up every available copy of his original books

popping collection of artwork and imagery that

containing his drawings and used the imagery

sets this intimate boutique property apart from

throughout.” Other artworks depicting classical

other hotels in the City of London. As General

figures, vases, sculptures and architecture were

Manager Jake Greenall says, it is “a hotel with a

curated by art consultants Adam Ellis Studio.

heartbeat” and one that provides intimate scale

Guestrooms continue the theme through casegoods by Design & Create in wood veneers,

132

and historical context to the modern mixed-use development it neighbours.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Developer: MTD Group Operator: Bespoke Hotels Architecture: Kohn Pedersen Fox Interior Design: Bowler James Brindley Art Consultant: Adam Ellis Studio, Tomkinson Churcher Graphic Design: Christian Hills Design Main Contractor: Revo Leisure Services Project Manager: KeyTask Management www.sunstreethotel.com

Lara Gabrielle Interiors | Jaysam Contractors | Marco Joe Fazio Creative Agency

#stoneexperts #bringingstonetolife www.stone-circle.com

bespoke stone fabrication for over 50 years

Hotel des Horlogers VALLÉE DE JOUX Audemars Piguet enlists Bjarke Ingels Group to design a hotel that honours the craftsmanship of its timepieces while encouraging guests to connect with nature.

Words: Catherine Martin • Photography: © Christophe Voisin (unless otherwise stated)

134

he tradition of watchmaking in Vallée

T

The museum made its debut in 2020 in a

de Joux dates back centuries, with the

newbuild structure tucked behind the original

picturesque region widely regarded as

workshop – a historic house that continues to

the birthplace of Swiss horology. Its inception

serve as the company headquarters. Almost

came in the 1700s, when farmers were unable

invisible from across the valley, it takes the form

to tend the snow-covered land through the

of a glass-fronted spiral built into the landscape,

long winter months and so started making

the shape inspired by the spring of a watch and

timepieces using surplus iron from the local

conceived by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). It was

mines. Over the years, the craft gained prestige

during the construction of this project that BIG

for its mechanical precision and quality of

was asked to expand its remit and design a

finish, becoming known as ‘haute horlogerie’ to

hotel component directly alongside, replacing

represent the highest standard in watchmaking.

the existing lodgings that were no longer fit

Today, the valley is still home to several

for purpose. Taking a similar approach, the new

watchmakers, many of whom have opened their

building also follows the contours of the land,

doors to offer guided tours, becoming tourist

only this time in a linear zig-zagging pattern,

attractions in their own right. Audemars Piguet,

much like the route taken by a skier traversing

founded in the village of Le Brassus in 1875, has

the slopes. There’s a clear synergy between

gone a step further, creating first a museum to

the two, and though contemporary, combine

tell the story of the timepieces, and now a hotel,

aspects of tradition and locale. “In designing

the idea being that horologists can come from

the museum, our aim was to respect what was

afar to observe the watchmaking process, then

there already, but create something new that

stay on a few days to explore the surrounding

has its own identity and adds to the context,”

mountain trails.

explains Daniel Sundlin, Partner at Bjarke Ingels

© Maris Mezulis

135

In the bar, giant lights are shaped like the bedrock of the nearby lake, their scale creating a cocooning effect to counter the high ceilings

Group. “The museum is nestled into the landscape

predominant materials are concrete and mass timber,

behind the historical building waiting to be discovered;

which are used both in the structural elements and

this idea of discovery and using topography as part of

exterior cladding. Enveloping the building, a system

the design was also the driver for the hotel.”

of interwoven timber louvers inspired by the log cabin

The resulting hotel appears as a sequence of stepped terraces, which work twofold in minimising the visual

136

aesthetic provide shade for the façade, enhancing the building’s energy performance.”

impact on the valley and bringing guests closer to

The glazing has also been selected for its

nature. “It was important that the look and feel of the

performance – particularly significant given that the

hotel integrates with its surroundings, so a major part

valley-facing façade comprises floor-to-ceiling, wall-

of our development process was to explore options

to-wall windows fronting all 50 guestrooms. “This

that break down scale,” Sundlin confirms, adding

specific glass is highly reflective,” Sundlin points out.

that the sloping tiers create a gentler perception than

“The more it reflects the light, the lower the energy

typical monolithic slab construction.

needs of the building.”

Sensitivity to the surroundings has been a key

The use of glass, concrete and mass timber extends

consideration across the entire development. In line

inside too, fostering a fluidity between indoors and out,

with Audemars Piguet’s commitment to sustainability,

both in terms of materiality and spatial organisation.

the hotel has achieved a Minergie-Eco certification

The form of the building, for instance, means corridors

for its energy efficiency and responsible construction.

aren’t stacked on top of one another in the typical way;

Photovoltaic panels and a green roof are amongst

instead, there’s a continuous path from the top floor

the initiatives implemented, supported by a well-

down to the lobby and out to the trails that cross the

chosen material palette and intelligent architectural

valley – not a stair in sight. And, like the valley, the

methods. “A lot of the decision-making for the project

material palette is natural and honest, with little in

was based on performance,” Sundlin explains. “The

the way of ornamentation. In fact, the entire interior

The architecture and interiors are designed to bring guests closer to nature, with features including a sculptural installation in the lobby depicting a network of tree roots

design scheme – led by Pierre Minassian of AUM – is very much inspired by nature. Setting the scene, a sculptural installation suspended over the lobby shows a network of tree roots as if underground, while a string curtain behind reception represents the thread-like mycelium.

At check-in, a curvilinear desk has been inspired by ammonites found in the glaciers that once covered the valley, its repeating timber grooves representing the chambers of the shell. And in the adjacent bar, giant lights are shaped like the bedrock of the nearby lake, their scale creating a cocooning effect to counter the high ceilings.

The lighting features can also be seen in the restaurant – named Le Gogant in honour of a giant fir tree – where chairs and banquettes curve softly to mimic pebbles by the lake and colossal slabs of stone, carved on site to represent the nearby peaks, effectively separate the dining room from the service area.

The natural world makes its mark on the guestrooms too, most noticeably in the use of timber across surfaces and furniture, but also in the leaf-like lighting installation over the bed, which casts a therapeutic glow come dusk.

Then there’s the frosted glass that separates the bedroom and bathroom, printed in designs that follow the contours of the valley.

What may come as a surprise in a hotel owned by Audemars Piguet, is that there’s little reference to the brand. Or at least, not on the surface. According to General Manager André Cheminade, it was important that the hotel be

138

Providing you with the best

LE AVE THE REST TO US

140

embraced by the entire community, once again

canton. Ceramic vases are made in a workshop

becoming a meeting place for watchmakers –

on the shores of Lac du Joux; bottled beers are

even those from competitive ateliers – as it was

from Septentrion, a craft brewery founded in the

historically. For this reason, the Audemars Piguet

valley; and the coffee is roasted in the nearby

name doesn’t hang above the door. And a gallery

village of Vaulion by the Roger family. The hotel

space in the lobby isn’t there as a shop window

also filters its own drinking water, making a

for branded luxury goods; instead it holds a vast

donation to Jura Vaudois Nature Park for every

library of books on the genre of horlogerie. The

bottle sold.

relationship between watchmaking and the built

Hotel des Horlogers also seeks to give back

structure is rather more intelligent. “What I

to its guests, though in an altogether different

find interesting about the watchmaking process

way; the gift of time. Everything runs like

is that that every component has a purpose and

clockwork here, so there’s no agonising wait

every material choice is carefully considered –

at check-in or lengthy queue for the breakfast

a watch is designed to last,” explains Sundlin.

buffet, making time to enjoy a leisurely glass

“Architecture is quite similar in that sense. We

of wine while taking in the panorama, or relax

were very much inspired by the idea of letting

in the sauna, beautifully crafted by Klafs. The

the materials and the performance of the

hotel’s philosophy is perhaps best illustrated

building become an integral part of the design.”

by the humble pencil that sits on the desk. A

For François-Henry Bennahmias, Audemars

functional writing tool, of course, but thanks

Piguet’s CEO, it was also important that the hotel

to a biodegradable seed capsule at its tip, it can

gives back, in much the same way as the group’s

be planted after use to grow thyme. In a clever

own foundation. As such, the vast majority of

play on words, the text engraved along the shaft

wares within the hotel are from the surrounding

simply states, Make Thyme.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Audemars Piguet Architecture: Bjarke Ingels Group Interior Design: AUM Execution: CCHE Environmental Engineer: Alterego Concept Façade Engineer: BCS Façades www.hoteldeshorlogers.com

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17.03.22 17:50

DESIGN DETAILS

SUITE

Ekies All Senses Resort Gone are the days of luxury being defined by sleek surfaces polished to a high shine, with today’s travellers often favouring a more natural aesthetic that recalls the rustic way of life. This shift has been the motivation behind the look and feel of Ekies All Senses Resort since it first opened on the island of Halkidiki, and ever more so in the collection of new suites launched for 2023. “We celebrate our Greek roots in a contemporary way, using natural and unrefined materials combined with unique pieces by notable designers,” explains hotelier Alexandra Efstathiadou, who is led by an ongoing commitment to evolve facilities. New villas, a treehouse restaurant and an organic farm have been added in recent years, while the latest enhancements include the upgrade of 12 suites designed in collaboration with Agarch+ Architects and Rania Stamataki. Interiors are inspired by the caves that dot the island’s coastline and feature organic materials such as concrete, terracotta and clay – often left untreated to showcase their natural beauty. Mosaic tiling is made from Halkidiki stone, desks are crafted from raw marble from nearby Thassos and Kavala, and the hand-beaten iron furniture is made by renowned metalworker Yiorgos Vargiamis. “High aesthetics, simple forms and clean lines are some of Ekies’ fundamental characteristics that define our approach to architecture style and interior decoration,” continues Efstathiadou. “We always aim to design relaxing and welcoming rooms based on natural elements, which at the same time work as a platform for the creativity of local and international artists. Therefore, we invested in unique local craftsmanship, in international design objects and in contemporary Greek artwork to create an inspiring place to stay, where authenticity enhances the essence of living in nature.”

DESIGN DETAILS

HOTEL CONVERSION

Vipp Palazzo Monti Despite dating back thousands of years,

liveable installation will create a dialogue

frescoes remain a compelling art form in

between contemporary industrial design

modern times – just ask the millions who

and historic craft, with Vipp’s minimalist

flock to see Michelangelo’s masterpieces

furniture and lighting set against a

every year. Acknowledging this creative

backdrop of Venetian treasures. Heading

heritage, Danish design brand Vipp is

up a voluminous staircase framed by

placing frescoes centre stage through

pastel frescoes, guests will find a hallway,

its conversion of a 13th century palazzo

salon and bedroom, where they can feel as

as part of Milan Design Week. Since

if they are stepping into an old master’s

2017, the mansion has hosted over 200

painting. “Celebrating contemporary art

artists-in-residence under the aegis of

and design in classic frames, the interior

curator and founder Edoardo Monti. In

scheme unveils a sophisticated dialogue

April, the ephemeral venue will take on a

between old and new,” explains Cloos

new dimension, melding art, design and

Mølsgaard. “Historic ornamentation

hospitality via a pop-up hotel experience

forms a complementing contrast with

that fuses Scandinavian Minimalism

Vipp’s industrial design heritage. They say

with Baroque Maximalism. Realised by

that opposites attract. I call it chemistry

Danish designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard, the

in its purest form.”

© Irina Boersma César Machado

W W W.V I N C E N T S H E P PA R D.C O M

T H E C A R LT O N T O W E R J U M E I R A H

SCAN ME! Working in close collaboration with the professional team, BECK are delighted to have been the main contractor on The Carlton Tower Jumeirah. To find out more, please contact Vanessa Budd: vbudd@beckinteriors.com

A H E A D G LO B A L

Diverse, elemental, soulful and crafted – these are just a handful of the words used by the judging panel to describe the AHEAD Global 2022 winners during a virtual ceremony hosted by Sleeper’s Editor-at-Large Guy Dittrich.

Marking the culmination of four regional awards schemes, AHEAD Global saw triumphant projects from the Middle East and Africa, Asia, Americas and Europe compete head-to-head across 18 categories to be named the best of the best. The panel of owners, operators, architects and designers were tasked with assessing each project on its commercial viability, creative excellence and ability to provide a memorable experience – this time on a global scale.

As part of the judging process, the panel were tasked with identifying trends prevalent both worldwide and within their respective regions.

The big winner of the ceremony was The Londoner, scooping three awards including the highly coveted Ultimate Accolade. “As a project that started in 2008, The Londoner is a real milestone in the Edwardian Hotels family’s 45-year history, bringing with it lots of challenges right up until opening, from constructing a 16-storey building in the heart of London’s West End to opening in the midst of a global pandemic,” said Krishma Singh Dear, Head of Design at Edwardian Hotels. “Receiving recognition and accolades of this sort, particularly from the AHEAD Awards, reaffirms our team’s dedication to the project.”

The virtual ceremony is available to watch online in full, where you can view the winning presentations and hear the judging panel share their thoughts on the triumphant projects.

www.aheadawards.com

A H E A D G LO B A L 2 02 2 W I N N E R S

B A R , C LU B O R LO U N G E

R E S TA U R A N T

Punch Room at The Madrid Edition – Madrid, Spain KKH / Archer / Marriott International / Edition Hotels / ISC Design Studio / François Champsaur / John Pawson CBE

The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – London, UK Maximal Concepts / Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group / BradyWilliams / Woods Hardwick

E V E N T S PA C E S

S PA & W E L L N E S S

The Londoner – London, UK Edwardian Hotels London / Woods Bagot / Yabu Pushelberg

The Bathhouse at Castello di Reschio – Perugia, Italy Count Benedikt Bolza / BB for Reschio / Lorenzo Maria Galeazzi / Katherine Kokkinides

GUESTROOMS

SUITE

Monastero Arx Vivendi – Arco, Italy HM Monastero / Network Of Architecture (Noa*)

Kálesma Mykonos – Greece Alogomandra Sunset / K-Studio / Studio Bonarchi

HOTEL CONVERSION

TRANSPORT

Shangri-La Shougang Park – Beijing, China Shougang Group / Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts / Lissoni Casal Ribeiro

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express – Paris, France Belmond / Wimberly Interiors

HOTEL NEWBUILD

VISUAL IDENTITY

The Londoner – London, UK Edwardian Hotels London / Woods Bagot / Yabu Pushelberg

Carlyle & Co. – Rosewood Hong Kong, China Rosewood Hotels & Resorts / Studioilse / Yang Rutherford

H O T E L R E N O VAT I O N & R E S T O R AT I O N

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay – Singapore UOL Group / Pan Pacific Hotels Group / FDAT Architects

Hotel Terrestre – Oaxaca, Mexico R&B+K Constructora / Grupo Habita / Taller de Arquitectura X / Fernanda Romandia & Diana Backal

L A N D S C A P I N G & O U T D O O R S PA C E S

NEW CONCEPT

Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape – Bali Banyan Tree Holdings / Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts / Gede Kresna / Ramawijaya International Design / Studio Tana

Desa Potato Head – Seminyak, Bali PTT Family / OMA / Andra Matin

L O B B Y & P U B L I C S PA C E S

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Shangri-La Shougang Park – Beijing, China Shougang Group / Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts / Lissoni Casal Ribeiro

Lolebezi Safari Lodge – Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia African Bush Camps / Fox Browne Creative / Jack Alexander

LO D G E S , C A B I N S A N D T E N T E D C A M P S

U LT I M AT E A C C O L A D E

Playa Viva – Juluchuca, Mexico David Leventhal / Playa Viva / Nomadic Resorts / Jorg Stamm / Regenesis

The Londoner – London, UK Edwardian Hotels London / Woods Bagot / Yabu Pushelberg

RESORT Habitas AlUla – Ashar Valley, Saudi Arabia Habitas

AHEAD

Winners at AHEAD Global include (clockwise from top left): The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park; Habitas AlUla; Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay; The Londoner; Hotel Terrestre; and Desa Potato Head

2023 ENTRIES NOW OPEN CALLING ALL ARCHITECTS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS, D E V E LO P E R S A N D H OT E L I E R S . . .

If you recently worked on a hotel, resort or similar hospitality project, it could be eligible for an AHEAD award.

Since launching in 2017, AHEAD celebrates outstanding new hospitality projects each year, recognising everything from guestrooms and suites to hotel bars and restaurants.

V I S I T A H E A D AWA R D S . C O M T O L E A R N M O R E USE CODE AHEAD10 FOR 10% ENTRY DISCOUNT

20 SEPTEMBER 2023

27 SEPTEMBER 2023

19 OCTOBER 2023

PARKROYAL COLLECTION MARINA BAY - SINGAPORE

W THE PALM - DUBAI

WEYLIN - NEW YORK

ENTRY DEADLINE

ENTRY DEADLINE

ENTRY DEADLINE

28 APRIL

28 APRIL

28 APRIL

17 NOVEMBER 2023 EVOLUTION - LONDON

ENTRY DEADLINE 2 8 J U LY

Sleeper Sessions 21-23 February 2023 DANANG

L

aunched in the pandemic to meet demand for a more intimate event that is insightful, inspirational and effective for business, Sleeper Sessions made its Asia Pacific debut in February, attracting

specifiers and suppliers from across the region for a programme of symposia and sustenance.

Held at Sheraton Grand Danang, the event followed the format of the

Following the success of the inaugural Sleeper Sessions in Mykonos, specifiers and suppliers in hospitality design head to Danang for three days of symposia and sustenance.

inaugural Sleeper Sessions in Mykonos last May, only this time with a focus on hospitality experience and design in Vietnam.

In attendance, developers, operators, architects and designers – all actively working on hotel projects throughout Asia Pacific and beyond – included AB Concept, Azotels, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and Zaha Hadid Architects, who were eager to discover the latest product solutions and services on the market. Making up the supplier guest list, B&B Italia, Hansgrohe, Preciosa and RH Contract joined specialists in art curation, drapery, switches and surfaces, presenting their wares to

Words: Catherine Martin Photography: © Tin Nguyen / Courtesy of Sleeper Media

a captive audience.

Across the three days, the programme fell into four key areas: Sync – a series of scheduled meetings between specifier and supplier; Symposia – thought-provoking conversations with a sense of place; Sustenance – meaningful activities that nourish the mind, body and soul; and Social – hosted dinners and evening networking in a relaxed setting. The ultimate aim? To share ideas, strike up new friendships and make meaningful connections that continue long after the event has wrapped.

152

EVENTS

WHY VIETNAM?

THE BEAUTY OF BAMBOO

Vietnam has one of the most active development

The beauty of bamboo was explored in depth at Sleeper

pipelines in Asia Pacific according to data from THP,

Sessions, first in a Symposia session led by Louis

making it a prime location for Sleeper Sessions. The

Thompson, founder and CEO of Nomadic Resorts.

country has a total of 138 hotels listed in the THP

Thompson opened with a look at the uses of bamboo,

database – either in planning or under construction

pointing out that every part of the plant has a purpose,

– accounting for over 50,000 rooms. Following full

from the fresh shoots used in culinary creations to

reopening after the pandemic, international tourist

the leaves and branches for biomass fuel. He went on

arrivals are soaring, and what’s notable is the

to showcase the furniture, lighting and fully formed

demographic spread, with travellers ranging from

structures made using bamboo, referencing the work of

backpackers to honeymooners to high spenders.

Vietnamese firm Vo Trong Nghia Architects as well as

This is echoed in the variety of hotels on the boards;

hospitality projects in the Nomadic Resorts portfolio. At

architects and designers in attendance at Sleeper

Wild Coast Tented Lodge for example, bamboo is used

Sessions revealed just some of the projects they’re

to craft a striking chandelier over the bar, while at Playa

working on – a Four Seasons in Hanoi, a Hyatt

Viva in Mexico, it forms treehouses, a dining tower and

Regency in Halong Bay and a Wink Hotel in Danang.

a yoga pavilion. In the Sustenance session, Thompson invited attendees to experience building with bamboo first-hand. Ably supported by Taboo Bamboo Workshop and installation artist Holland, Sleeper Sessions built a bamboo structure from scratch, first creating a lattice, then raising and bending the frame to form a curving pavilion on the beach.

153

CREATIVE CUISINE

THE ART OF STORY-TELLING

Also spanning Symposia and Sustenance sessions, star

Story-telling is at the heart of hospitality experience and design,

chef and culinary ambassador Peter Cuong Franklin

impacting every aspect of a guest’s stay, from the way they

ventured into the delights of Vietnamese cuisine.

interact with a space to the memories it forges. With this in

Speaking about his restaurant, Anan – the first in Ho

mind, four speakers were asked to explore the challenges and

Chi Minh City to be awarded Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

opportunities of working in Vietnam, using their own projects as

in 2021 – the chef explained his approach to “new

a point of reference. Clint Nagata, founder and Creative Partner

cuisine” and strive for authenticity. Inspired by the

at Blink Design Group told the tale behind the creation of Regent

country’s vibrant street food scene, Cuong Franklin

Phu Quoc, while Piya Thamchariyawat, Principal and Senior

combines fresh ingredients sourced from local

Creative Director at EDG Design talked about delivering emotion

markets with French culinary techniques honed during

through design, stating: “New luxury guests are looking for

his Cordon Bleu training. The chef also showcased

experiences and brands with soul and intention, not just glitz

his skills in a live cooking demonstration, in which

and glamour.”

attendees participated in perfecting the Vietnamese

Virginie de Paeuw, Design Director at The Design Lab, spoke

spring roll. And with the imminent arrival of the

of the “positive learnings” from her extensive experience in

Michelin Guide in Vietnam, he stated: “The food scene

Vietnam, which includes working with Six Senses, Mandarin

is constantly changing here. With Michelin coming,

Oriental and Aman as they enter the market. And David

I think the dining scene will grow tremendously,

Hodkinson, co-founder and Design Director at Studio Noor,

particularly in Ho Chi Minh City. It will attract more

discussed the supply chain challenges faced in the region in the

talent and improve quality.”

early 2000s, as well as his pride in the completion of Azerai Ke Ga Bay, where every surface and piece of furniture is designed and made in Vietnam.

154

EVENTS

MARKET SNAPSHOT

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Firmly rooting Sleeper Sessions in its setting, Symposia

Networking opportunities across Sleeper

sessions throughout the event offered a snapshot of

Sessions extended to the more leisurely setting

the hospitality market in Vietnam. Mauro Gasparotti,

of the poolside, bar and evening receptions

Director at Savills Hotels, explained how the increase

hosted on the hotel’s lawns. The closing night

in tourist arrivals – particularly from China and Korea

brought attendees together for a barefoot

– has been a driver for new development, encouraging

dinner on the beach, where lanterns cast an

international groups to build a presence in the

atmospheric glow across the sand. A campfire

country. He also revealed that the resort destination

beneath the bamboo pavilion was a focal point

of Phu Quoc has seen significant growth over the past

for the evening, where guests were invited

decade, while there’s increasing interest in Vietnam’s

to pen their hopes and dreams for the future

mountainous regions.

and tie it to the bamboo, making for a lasting

Further giving a taste of the nation’s offer, David

memorable moment.

Kaye, Brand Director at Wink Hotels, took attendees on a culture trip, journeying from the sprawling cities of Ho Chi Minh, Halong and Danang, to the coast and

The third Sleeper Sessions will take place in

countryside. He explored heritage, contemporary

Dubrovnik from 9-11 May 2023, while the next Asia

design, tourism and dining destinations, and how

Pacific edition will be in Phuket (dates announced

such themes have contributed to the changing face

soon). To express your interest in attending, visit:

of hospitality, closing with a look at the Wink Hotels

www.sleepersessions.com

portfolio and its bold approach to affordable luxury.

155

WE WILL ME

#3 DUBROVNIK 9-11 MAY 2023

#4 PHUKET FEBRUARY 2024

www.sleepersessions.com

MEET AGAIN

Hotel Construction Pipeline Asia Pacific Asia Pacific continues to lead the way as the most active region in the world for new hotel development, with 3,205 projects in the pipeline according to the latest data from THP, amounting to a total of 743,537 rooms being planned.

By country, China eclipses the rest of the top ten with 1,519 projects on the boards; by comparison, second-place India counts 192 projects and third-place Australia has 180 projects. Naturally, the People’s Republic monopolises the urban landscape too, with nine out of ten most-active cities being in China. Shanghai jumps above Chengdu to claim top spot, while Wuhan makes the list as it emerges from the impact of the pandemic.

Elsewhere in the region, New Zealand reports promising growth with 24 projects listed in the THP database. Auckland has attracted interest from international players including Marriott, IHG and Accor, with the latter set to bring Ennismore brands Hyde, Tribe and Jo&Joe to the city in 2024.

The launches will join Accor’s expanding portfolio across Australasia, which includes SO/ Melbourne, Mondrian Gold Coast and 25hours Hotel Sydney – all of which are slated to open by the end of 2025.

TOP CITIES SHANGHAI Projects 65 Rooms 14,914

HANGZHOU Projects 45 Rooms 8,705

CHENGDU Projects 57 Rooms 12,223

BANGKOK Projects 44 Rooms 10,871

SHENZHEN Projects 53 Rooms 13,639

NANJING Projects 40 Rooms 8,708

GUANGZHOU Projects 48 Rooms 11,325

ZHUHAI Projects 39 Rooms 8,631

Projects Rooms

158

SUZHOU Projects 35 Rooms 7,053

TOP COUNTRIES

In all, Asia Pacific is set to add almost 300,000 rooms to its inventory in 2023, with a further 170,000+ due to open through 2024.

THP is a data service to support the design, build, furnishing and operation of hotels worldwide.

For more information visit: www.tophotelprojects.com

WUHAN Projects 36 Rooms 7,764

Projects Rooms

1

2

3

4

5

CHINA 1,519 339,726

INDIA 192 29,747

AUSTRALIA 180 30,098

VIETNAM 138 54,864

INDONESIA 118 21,044

6

7

8

9

10

THAILAND 116 28,795

JAPAN 83 18,763

MALAYSIA 65 19,821

PHILIPPINES NEW ZEALAND 24 57 3,640 13,606

BUSINESS CENTRE

CONSTRUCTION PHASE Of the 743,537 rooms in the pipeline, 22% (763 projects) are in the planning phase and a further 59% (1,794 projects) are under construction. It is within these phases that interior design schemes and FF&E fit-outs are being planned and implemented.

VISION

PRE-PLANNING

PLANNING

CONSTRUCTION

PRE-OPENING

Projects 61 Rooms 12,377

Projects 352 Rooms 72,616

Projects 763 Rooms 162,398

Projects 1,794 Rooms 440,457

Projects 235 Rooms 55,689

GROUPS AND BRANDS Of the global hotel groups, Marriott International has the largest pipeline in Asia Pacific, led by the growth of its signature brand. The operator has also announced plans to expand its select-service portfolio in Greater China, with 30 new hotels expected to open across brands including Moxy, Aloft and Element.

432 Projects 300 Projects 294 Projects 268 Projects 200 Projects

BRAND

PROJECTS

ROOMS

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

73

19,319

Hilton Garden Inn

60

11,836

Marriott Hotels & Resorts

59

17,644

Citadines Apart’hotel

59

11,279

Hyatt Regency

57

13,901

DoubleTree by Hilton

57

12,446

Hotel Indigo

56

10.926

InterContinental Hotels

48

11,088

Crowne Plaza

47

11,391

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts

46

12,080

YEAR OF OPENING

2023 (38%)

2024 (23%)

2025 (9%)

2026+ (7%)

UNCONFIRMED (23%)

159

FULL FIT-OUT CONTRACTOR TO EUROPE’S BEST HOTEL, THE LONDONER

W W W. E E S M I T H . C O . U K

@ E E S M I T H C O N T R AC T S

BUSINESS CENTRE

The intelligence source for the hotel investment community

The first to blink

discussions around what happens next. Steve

combined with the relative attractiveness of

Goldman, managing director at Starwood

hotels, means that the brakes are already off

The economic shocks of recent months have

Capital Group, said all the major private equity

in dealmaking circles. “Among the real asset

slowed down investment activity in hotels, as

players have cash to deploy. “We’re all waiting

classes, it’s one of the most inflation resistant.

in other asset classes. But with investor cash

for three or four months to see what happens.

Deals are happening now – the pace picked up

piling up, it’s a bet on when, rather than if, the

If it doesn’t look like a tsunami, we may all

at the end of last year, and it has continued.”

hotel market picks up once more.

start to flow in because the fundamentals are

The investment market is quietly reassessing

inherently good.”

Harrington said he believes there will be minimal distress from debt that needs to

the situation, according to agents. Those eyeing

Gilda Perez-Alvarado, global CEO, JLL Hotels

be refinanced this year – even if costs will

problematic debt refinance later in the year

& Hospitality, said the sector in general is poised

inevitably rise. “I do not see any great desire

are looking at options, which could include

to see action. “We have a lot of debt maturities.

from lenders to foreclose – they will be flexible,

disposals or approaches to alternative lenders.

We have a lot of debt extension tests that are

debt will be repriced, and there are new lenders

And, with operational businesses delivering

not going to be met. And most importantly, we

out there too.”

good cashflow, agents mention several deals

have a lot of capex needs in our sector. These

The repricing of debt has certainly encouraged

that have unravelled previous positions.

are great catalysts for a great wave of product

new lenders into the space. Cushmans recently

to move. I know there’s been talk about this for

advised on the refinancing of GBP200m of debt

a while. But time’s up.”

for Vivion Investments, which saw M&G provide

As Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) noted in its recent 2023 forecast: “Certain buyer groups, such as private equity and REITs, will probably play a

She added that opportunities are already

the senior debt in a five year deal. The debt has a

smaller role this year given the wider pressures

out there. “If you look at what’s available for

fixed 3.95% margin, with a bullet maturity due

on their businesses.”

investment right now in Europe, you could buy

in October 2027, and with other cash facilities,

Private equity is, for now, sitting and

one of the world’s most attractive portfolios.

enabled Vivion to pay off an existing GBP272m

assessing the situation. But it will not be a long

There are assets that are irreplaceable and

outstanding facility.

wait before opportunities are spotted. Jon Gray,

currently available for investment in Paris,

COO of Blackstone, said on a recent earnings

London, Rome, Geneva and Barcelona.”

Hubbard said that the loan, secured against a part of Vivion’s UK hotel portfolio, comes from a

call that key property asset classes remain their

“There are a few things happening off-

lender with further appetite. “They’re an active

preferred investments: “Given our concerns

market, but not much openly,” said Jon

debt market team and they understand the UK

around rising interest rates and inflation, we

Hubbard, head of hospitality for EMEA at

hotel market, but they’re quite forensic about

concentrated over 80% of our current real

Cushman & Wakefield. Across the firm’s Europe

their business.”

estate portfolio in sectors where strong cash

capital markets team, he said “we’re not seeing

The combination of rising debt prices, in

flow growth could help offset these headwinds,

much discounting across Europe. I think there

addition to pressure on asset pricing, means

including logistics, rental housing, life science

has been a repricing in London, but there’s not

some owners are now looking to sell up or

office, hotels and data centres.”

been a lot of evidence.”

restack their debt. Situations opening up

And CEO Steve Schwarzman confirmed

“We’ve been observing a slowdown in the

include ground rents, as well as an opportunity

Blackstone’s place in the market: “With almost

M&A market since the third quarter of 2022,”

for operational businesses to plough cash into

USD187bn of dry powder, we have more capital

added Frank Croston, partner at Hamilton-

their assets.

than almost any other financial investor in the

Pyramid Europe who not only manages

Whitbread, for example, recently purchased

world to buy assets opportunistically when

hotels, but supports clients making hospitality

its Premier Inn in London’s Holborn, paying

values are low and liquidity is scarce.” The

investments. He expects the slowdown to abate

up to GBP40m for the 153-room asset. The

company is looking to pull in further third-

by mid-year, as inflation and debt costs settle.

deal provided cash for the seller, M&G, to meet

party investment capital for a fresh European

“We’re seeing no lessening of the strategic

redemption requests in its Secured Property

opportunistic investment fund during this year.

desire to grow in Europe.”

Income Fund. M&G had backed the hotel in

And at the Americas Lodging Investment

Andrew Harrington of AHV Associates

Summit 2023, there were plenty of panel

explained that the pressure on funds to invest,

2017, leasing it to Whitbread on completion.

“We’ve just acted for a client where we

161

bought in a ground rent,” said Hubbard. “It’s a

no longer lending. “There will be an evolution over

There will still have to be adjustments, according

nice time in the market for an operator to buy

time as people get used to the changed environment

to Bruhl: “We are seeing the birth of a new real

back in.”

for real estate debt,” said Howard. Covenant

estate cycle. We’ve kept our powder dry. Buyers have

requirements had increased, leverage was down

tomorrow’s prices and sellers have yesterday’s.”

HA PERSPECTIVE

and lenders were underwriting substantial further

By Chris Bown: While the private equity investors

declines in value.

wait for the market to return to a point where they

“You cannot have the risk-free rate above real

estate investors fails to capture the opportunities

can more comfortably jump back in, there appears to

estate returns. It has to be two to three points above,”

that exist in certain occupational markets, as PGIM’s

be plenty of smaller, quieter skirmishes taking place.

Howard explained, noting that the private sector will

Barrett pointed out.

Those with a refinancing later in the year are

align itself with the Net Asset Values of the publicly

now scoping out their options – off-market sale,

quoted companies.

The macro position is not controllable for real estate investors but the occupational markets, at

ground rent deal, or an approach to a new lender

The problem with lending at the moment was

least in terms of which ones are the best bet, is a

– and it is these sorts of deals, as opposed to big

the unaligned expectations. Howard said that she

controllable. Hospitality has rarely, if ever, looked

portfolio disposals, that are keeping agents busy

thought borrowers were getting 50% LTV but the

so comparatively good as it does today.

right now. And the shifting sands of debt cost, set

borrower would think it was 40%.

against positive cashflow from operating hotels,

David Matheson, managing director and head of

are throwing up fresh opportunities. The Premier

real estate at Starwood Capital Group, agreed that

Inn Holborn deal is not the only situation where an

liquidity had left the system and was impacting the

operator is buying back their hotel, we understand.

cost of financing. But it would take a long time to

2023 has brought a pair of new brands, as the

work its way through the system, he added.

large international hotel groups look to further

While the real opportunists are doing the smaller

Time for more brands

slice and dice the customer base.

deals, the big guns will spend the next couple of

As an example of the shift in debt pricing, he cited

weeks poring over results presentations from the big

an examplar logistics deal financed at 55% LTV a

Hilton has come up with Spark, an economy

hotel groups, due imminently, for signs of market

year ago would have an all-in financing cost of 3.5%.

brand firmly tilted at grabbing conversion

weakness – or a signal that it’s time to jump back

That same deal today would be 6.5% to 7%.

opportunities. Accor has launched a new

How long the correction would take depends

collection brand aiming to have broad appeal.

on inflation and recession, said Matheson. He

And the Virgin group has opted to combine its

HA PERSPECTIVE

feared some people were beginning to believe in

various hotel and accommodation enterprises

By Andrew Sangster: At DLA Piper’s 5th International

an “immaculate disinflation”. The key was getting

under a new collection umbrella.

Real Estate Summit, held in London at the start of

through the next couple of years.

in, as the water’s just fine.

Spark, says Hilton, is a new “premium

February 2023, speakers and delegates repeatedly

Philip Barrett, global head of business and

economy” brand “to meet the needs of guests and

returned to the question of the change in debt

investment operations at PGIM Real Estate,

owners seeking value, quality and consistency”.

markets over the past year.

commented: “The last time we had negative leverage

Up front, the company is presenting the brand

was 15-plus years ago. Free money is clearly over

as a cost-effective conversion opportunity for

and we are having to educate staff.”

owners, making a virtue of its simplicity. There

Natalie Howard, head of real estate debt at Schroders, captured sentiment with her comments during the opening panel session: “We have seen

Leverage is a tool and not the answer, added

is a promise of digital check-in, and a free

a fundamental shift in the availability of debt.

Barrett. PGIM focused on unleveraged returns and

breakfast offering built around a “signature”

European banks can longer extend and pretend as

some strategies used no leverage. The yield for

bagel bar, and suggestions of a USD85-100 per

it costs them more capital.”

10-year Gilts was above 12% as recently as 1990,

night price point.

Every bank in Q3 last year said it was on pause.

And this won’t change in the foreseeable future, warned Howard.

162

This somewhat dismal capital markets outlook for real estate investment from more generalist real

pointed out Barrett.

Hilton says it has already signed more than

The most optimistic note was struck by Martin

100 deals across the US, and the first Spark

Bruhl, chief investment officer of Union Investment

branded hotels will open before the year-end.

The result has been the expansion of alternative

Real Estate. He argued that there was so much

As to an international roll-out of the brand,

lenders, rapidly in the UK and more gradually in the

money around that debt will come back quicker than

Hilton told Hotel Analyst: “Based on the

Eurozone. But even some alternative lenders were

people currently think.

research we conducted to build the brand, we

BUSINESS CENTRE

anticipate that Spark will begin in the US where

franchise contracts, with hotels in China,

“It’s almost like those of us a few years ago

we believe we can quickly scale up. The brand

France and Australia opening later this year.

who predicted no let up in the number of new

will focus on markets that will benefit from

“Collection brands are one of the highest growth

brands, were onto something,” added BVA

consistency in the premium economy segment,

hotel categories. There’s three times more

BDRC’s Bland. “It’s a question of fundamentals,

including untapped markets where Hilton has

signings in collection brands than traditional

so long as consumers crave something different

not previously had a footprint. From there, we

brands, over the last three years.” He pointed to

and hotel companies seek system growth, the

will continue to look for future opportunities to

the limited investment, flexibility of franchise

forces driving more brands will be greater than

expand the brand globally to meet the needs of

contracts, and immediate return on investment

the forces driving fewer. The world’s a pretty

even more guests and owners.”

as attractions for hotel owners.

big place, so brands don’t need to be fully global to nonetheless become significant.”

This is Hilton’s second brand launch in recent

Handwritten is looking for an average 50-150

months, following the announcement of Tempo

room count, but will consider larger properties,

last autumn, which will launch with a large

depending on location. Hotels will need to offer

HA PERSPECTIVE

hotel in central New York.

round the clock services, but a full-service

By Chris Bown: Spark feels like a real departure

According to Matt Schuyler, chief brand

restaurant is optional. “We want to continue the

for Hilton, taking it into a new area of the market

officer at Hilton: “In looking at the economy

growth – independent hotels are increasingly

frequented by brands from Choice and Wyndham.

category, we saw a segment that has grown

seeking the strength of Accor’s powerful sales

Perhaps Hilton executives are reacting to having

dramatically but lacks consistency, providing

and distribution, as well as keeping tight control

watched those more lowly brands power through

us an opportunity to deliver on the needs of

of costs.”

the pandemic, filling their rooms with essential

this underserved segment of travellers.”

The addition means Accor now has more than

“In many respects the important thing here

40 brands, contrasting with 12 a decade ago.

is not actually the specific brand in question,

And Yazbeck said, the group is signing more

it’s the ‘by Hilton’ in the endorsement, which

than one hotel a day on average.

travelling blue collar workers – and then grabbing strong leisure demand as the world reopened.

In some respects, Hilton has been here before. It launched Hampton into the economy space, only to

our research shows does an enormous amount

A couple of days before revealing Handwritten,

see the brand gather its own momentum, and head

of heavy lifting all over the globe,” said

Accor also announced a new platform pointed

upmarket from its launch positioning. The upset at

James Bland, director at BVA BDRC. “Not all

clearly at helping it brand up more serviced

getting the positioning wrong was surely more than

endorsements work as hard, of course, but when

residences, and even residential developments,

offset by the far better than expected room rates.

you have one that is so well-known globally,

in future. Accor One Living aims to group

In the UK, we heard of a modern, well-located

you can be pretty confident that whatever you

together a number of services to support

Hampton booking at higher room rates than a Hilton

apply it to will benefit.”

developers and investors who are considering

in a nearby town, as an example of how strongly

And Accor has added its third collection brand,

how to maximise residential development

consumers took to the brand – or perhaps reflecting

the Handwritten Collection, this time looking to

values, notably where those elements are being

how shabby some Hiltons were allowed to become.

a broader mid-market of independent hoteliers.

planned alongside a branded hotel or resort.

And Accor’s foray into much broader scale

The addition joins MGallery and Emblems

Jeff Tisdall is heading the new platform,

collection branding follows a much slower, more

and meets, said the company, an increased

which he said was “based on the tremendous

niche, gentler start with MGallery and Emblems.

desire from independent hoteliers to link to a

success that we’ve earned as a leader in the

Handwritten will surely grab plenty of signings –

marketing and distribution system with scale.

branded residences and mixed-use category.

already, there are commitments from across Europe

“We noticed there was a gap for a midscale

Accor One Living will deliver unmatched

as well as Asia, with the lofty ambition of 250

plus collection brand,” said Camil Yazbeck,

value to our investment partners as we build

signings by 2030. We wouldn’t bet against it.

global chief development officer for Accor’s

extraordinary places to live, work and play for

new premium, midscale & economy division.

a new generation of homeowners, guests and

HA PERSPECTIVE

“Independent hotels have realised even more

global explorers.”

By Andrew Sangster: Who are hotel brands for?

during the pandemic how they need Accor’s

Accor currently counts more than 135 branded

This may seem like a daft question but they serve

distribution while retaining their individuality.”

residence projects open or in development,

two distinct audiences: property owners and guests.

under 22 of its brands.

The global hotel brand companies, who are all asset-

The group has signed 800 keys into its

163

BUSINESS CENTRE

light – with the arguable exception of Hyatt – have

would define this in terms of Maslow’s hierarchy of

to straddle both constituencies, including Hyatt.

needs. Accor wants its brands to be at the pinnacle

In the asset-light business model, profits are

It is similar to what leading brand owners in other

net unit growth. Only in the first do guests matter

industries have been doing for years. LVMH is an

most. Royalty rate and NUG are impacted by owner

obvious example but perhaps easier to understand

relations more, although a brand’s ability to attract

are car brands. An Audi and Skoda are essentially

guests is obviously critical here too.

the same cars, both built on the same Volkswagen

A new brand like Spark by Hilton has to show a

platform. But they appeal to different customers.

degree of brand preference by guests, but it needs to

Marriott’s absorption of Starwood has been

smash it out of the park in terms of its appeal with

brilliantly executed but some critics suggest

owners. Get the owner proposition right and there

something of the specialness of Starwood’s brands

is a virtuous circle; more signings mean a stronger

has been lost. Keeping the flair and genius of brand

network, which means better guest recognition,

founders is challenging and tough to do within a

better RevPAR and ultimately then more signings.

corporate culture like Marriott’s.

But there is more to the evolution of the current

The Accor structure has – so far – been able to

brand architecture than this. Accor is perhaps the

retain the talents of one of the founders of 25hours,

best example of a company that is taking the hotel

Christoph Hoffmann, and the founder of Mama

brand to a different place.

Shelter, Serge Trigano. This means that the unique

The historic structure of brands as being related to

abilities of entrepreneurs like this can work within

chain scale segment has been completely disrupted,

the framework of a global brand company with

at least in the lifestyle and luxury division. There are

much greater resources. If Accor pulls this off, then

myriad overlapping brands and the notion of ‘swim

it will have a significant advantage over its blander

lanes’ has been abandoned in a push to deliver

corporate behemoth rivals.

idiosyncratic offers that can result in deeper and more meaningful connections with guests.

The emergence of the lifestyle hotel trend, sometimes called the boutique hotel movement, has

Within Accor, the power brands division –

been accompanied by this tension between size and

officially titled Premium, Midscale and Economy, is

personality. Older readers may recall the public row

perhaps less of a mélange but there is a clear overlap

decades ago between boutique hotel entrepreneur

between Swissotel, Movenpick and Pullman. And

Gordon Campbell Gray and Juergen Bartels, then

this division has a structure similar to other hotel

head of Le Meridien. Campbell Gray became furious

brand companies. The real difference, however, is

with Bartels’ assertion that it was possible for a big

the Luxury and Lifestyle division, which is grouped

group to execute a roll-out of a boutique chain. The

not on geographic lines but under four brand houses.

argument was that by definition, boutique meant

Accor has described this approach as being based on

small hotel and small chain.

that of luxury brand companies like LVMH.

The failure of the Bartels project with Le Meridien

A lot will depend on execution, but Accor is on to

was primarily down to financing but investors have

something. It understands that hotel brands are no

nonetheless remained suspicious about whether

longer purely about service but about delivering an

boutique or lifestyle hotels can deliver at scale.

experience. The service element, the delivery of a

Success at delivering on the promise of its Luxury

clean room, comfy bed, good shower and access to

and Lifestyle division will be transformational for

quality F&B, are table stakes for hoteliers.

Accor; and it will be a boon for the rest of the hotel

Today, guests want to have something of meaning that leaves them with memories. Social psychologists

164

of this pyramid, to be delivering self-actualisation.

driven by three variables: RevPAR, royalty rate and

sector, as it will certify that the industry is entering a new era of brand development.

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

BUSINESS CENTRE

1.

2.

3.

4.

Performance benchmarking for the global hospitality industry 1. London

For the opening month of 2023, Bangkok posted ADR of THB4,338.82 – 21.5% above the January 2019 level – marking its secondhighest on record. Occupancy and RevPAR remained below the pre-pandemic comparables by 19.7% and 2.4 respectively, despite an uplift in demand from international Chinese visitors following the country’s reopening.

Occupancy 76.8% ADR GBP206.87 RevPAR GBP158.89

Occupancy 67.5% ADR THB4,338.82 RevPAR THB2,930.15

2. Abu Dhabi

4. Melbourne

Abu Dhabi’s hotel performance held up in January 2023, with occupancy only marginally lower than pre-pandemic levels. Notably, the highest daily occupancies, peaking at 88.5%, were recorded on week nights, pointing to increased business travel. ADR and RevPAR meanwhile far exceeded recent comparables for the month, surpassing 2019 by 14.6% and 6.6%, respectively.

Occupancy 72.4% ADR AED508.45 RevPAR AED368.16

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3. Bangkok

London hotel performance remained steady in December 2022, with ADR and RevPAR coming in higher than the 2019 comparables for an eighth consecutive month; ADR was up 31.0% to GBP206.87, while RevPAR rose by 25.1%. Occupancy peaked at 93.7%, though like the rest of the year, remained below the 2019 comparable (-4.5%).

Melbourne’s hotel industry recorded its highest monthly ADR on record according to December 2022 data from STR, surpassing the 2019 comparable by 27.2%. Average occupancy for the month remained below pre-pandemic levels (-14.3%) however the removal of Covid restrictions in Victoria, along with the Australian Open in January, are expected to lift performance for Q1.

Occupancy 67.7% ADR AUD236.53 RevPAR AUD160.22

STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for global hospitality sectors.

For more information and to subscribe visit: www.str.com

HOSPITALITY FURNITURE FOR ANY LOCATION, INDOORS AND OUT featuring the Landskape outdoor lounge range, Clarkson dining chairs and Lamstar tables.

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SPOTLIGHT OUTDOOR FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES From weather-resistant sofas to outdoor lighting, we share our top picks for products that enhance al fresco hospitality spaces.

B&B Italia Cordoba Outdoor B&B Italia has enhanced its Cordoba armchair range with the introduction of an outdoor version made from new materials. The natural teak frame is combined with a polypropylene-reinforced canvas cover, particularly suitable for al fresco settings. To emphasise the harmonic and relaxed image of the armchair, the covers are offered in nature-inspired colours such as green, blue, brick and dove grey. At the end of its life cycle, all the components from Cordoba Outdoor can be separated and disposed of following the path most suitable for each material. “The Cordoba chair is a timeless design,” says Mike Holland, Head of Industrial Design at Foster + Partners. “The ergonomics have been finely tuned to provide the highest level of comfort and support.” www.bebitalia.com

SPOTLIGHT

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1. Carl Hansen AH Outdoor

2. Freifrau Leyasol

3. Point Origin

4. Roda Eden

Simplicity, clarity and logic were the guiding design principles for Alfred Homann when designing the AH Outdoor series for Carl Hansen. The collection comprises 11 pieces of untreated teak furniture, including dining tables and chairs, a bench, lounge tables and chairs and a lounger – all of which can be mixed-and-matched. Homann’s sense of soft shapes is paired with a rigorous aesthetic, as evidenced in the curved armrests, backrests and seats, where the braces elegantly grip the frame with hand-polished joints. The tables and chairs are stackable for ease-of-storage, exemplifying Homann’s understanding of form and function. www.carlhansen.com

Design duo Birgit Hoffmann and Christoph Kahleyss created the original Leya model for Freifrau, which is now regarded as one of the new classics. To celebrate the chair’s 10th annniversary, the brand has commissioned an outdoor version, Leyasol, characterised by a filigree, weather-resistant wire frame in any airy shell shape that mimics feminine lines. Each frame is complemented by a removable soft cushion filled with high-quality artificial down. The Leyasol collection comprises lounge chairs with ottomans, a bar stool, swing seats, rocking chairs and two couches. Without supports, Leyasol looks like a work of art and a metal object at the same time. www.freifrau.com

Envisioned by Mario Ruiz, Origin is a collection of outdoor furniture comprising stackable tables, sofas, loungers, armchairs and chairs. The minimalist range is crafted from powder-coated aluminium, which is both durable and 100% recyclable. The surface of the seats and backs of the chairs and loungers are made using texiline, while the cushions are upholstered in fabrics with resistance against sun exposure. “Origin looks like a simple collection, and it is,” explains Ruiz. “In fact, that’s the intention behind its design and is its defining feature because, despite what one may think, simple, straightforward pieces are the most difficult thing to design.” www.point1920.com

Italian designer Rodolfo Dordoni has created the Eden sofa system for Roda, the brand’s first sofa collection to feature a structure that unites weather-resistant teak and painted stainless steel. The Eden system comprises one-, two- and three-seater modules as well as backrests that are fitted in a crossover and a hexagonal module. “The Eden system is an expression of synthesis, a project that draws on Roda’s expertise in terms of manufacturing processes and use of padding materials,” Dordoni comments.

“It combines all these elements according to a more international, contemporary and versatile approach compared with the earlier collections.” www.rodaonline.com

S U S TA I N A B L E L U X U R Y O U T D O O R F U R N I T U R E , M A D E I N B R I TA I N

Discover the Tamarindo Collection: A New Standard in Luxury Outdoor Living 572 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW6 2DY, London • +44 (0)207 262 8614 • enquiries@cocowolf.co.uk

www.cocowolf.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT

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1. Coco Wolf Tamarindo Swivel Drum

2. BD Barcelona Gardenias

3. Contardi Babu

4. Manutti Sandua

The Tamarindo Swivel Drum range is part of the recently launched Coco Wolf luxury outdoor furniture collection.

With its swivel base, the seating option features an ergonomic backrest that provides added comfort and support for a relaxing experience. Both versatile and customisable, Tamarindo Swivel Drum can be combined with the Tamarindo Round Dining Table to create an intimate dining area. Crafted in the UK using the finest materials, the swivel drum has been designed with luxury and durability in mind, boasting outdoor performance fabrics that bring not only sophistication but also weather- and fade-resistance to exterior environments. www.cocowolf.co.uk

BD Barcelona has enlisted Spanish designer Jaime Hayon to design Gardenias, a new collection of garden furniture. Subtlety, beauty and memory are omnipresent in its design, alongside a determination to make the range broad, varied, multipurpose and open. Gardenias translates the typically rigid image of outdoor metallic furniture into a romantic form with organic shapes often seen in timber furniture. Two years in the making, the series combines cast aluminium in curved form with extruded aluminium in the side sections to meet the demands of commercial use. BD Barcelona plans to expand the range with sculptural vases, terracotta planters and more. www.bdbarcelona.com

Babu was born from Contardi’s collaboration with Massimiliano Raggi, creating a bright and unexpected glow in outdoor spaces. The collection has a strong personality, thanks to the presence of a large lampshade, made using threedimensional digital printing onto outdoor fabrics. A light that conveys depth and plays optical games with hypnotic charm, and is offered in two texture variants: Textile, with velvet trimmings, and Tribal, characterised by overlapping geometric shapes. The technical fabrics and steel base – treated for greater corrosion resistance – are also storm-proof, making Babu a longlasting product for commercial settings. www.contardi-italia.com

Designed by Robin Hapelt, Sandua is an organically-shaped seating and lounge range comprising dining chairs, lounge chairs, daybeds, footrests and a selection of rechargeable remote-controlled outdoor lighting solutions. Distinctly different from one another yet perfectly in sync, each piece in the series is an ode to true craftsmanship. Using two materials, Hapelt developed the collection’s signature Dicord weave – a new handwoven combination of rope and flat wicker, based on traditional Indonesian weaving techniques. Sandua is available in either a natural teak or teak scuro base with the option of dark anthracite or light pepper finishes. www.manutti.com

The best room is Often outdoors

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SPOTLIGHT

NOA Outdoor Living

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Belgian manufacturer Renson has developed Outdoor Living, a 30,000m2 inspiration park bringing together 30 high-end outdoor furniture and accessories brands. Designed by garden and landscape architecture firm Buro Groen alongside concept agency Maister, the park is divided into 12 individual settings, ranging from a modern urban garden to a luxurious villa with a pool and pool house, a wellness outdoor complex, a practical outdoor office, and an accessible village green or hotel plaza. Each area enables visitors to witness various outdoor living brands come to life.

“NOA Outdoor Living is a logical evolution in a vastly changed landscape, where people are no longer looking for a single product such as a patio cover, outdoor furniture or flooring, but for a comprehensive solution or full concept for the garden,” explains Paul Renson, CEO of Renson.

“Together with the high-end brands, all experts in their fields, NOA Outdoor Living has become not only a full experience concept but also an ecosystem where, through cross-fertilisation, partners help each other to develop.”

The park features furniture by Extremis, Royal Botania and Coco Wolf, as well as floorcoverings from Schellevis, Duofuse and Vande Moortel; wooden patios and fences by Carpentier; and acoustic material by Petac.

TV screens from Caerus Vision accompany speakers by Escape, while Bega and Kreon present lighting. Kitchens are from Cubic Outdoor Living, with barbecues by Ofyr, and Amani exhibits modular solutions. Elsewhere, al fresco shower solutions are from Axor, while Alpha Wellness presents saunas, whirlpools and spas. Sun protection and outdoor living is

by Renson and Corradi, while Limited Edition showcases carpets, fabrics are by Sunbrella, and Deknudt presents mirrors.

Hilde Baekelandt, Commercial and Concept Manager NOA, comments: “You can’t get this kind of outdoor living experience anywhere else; atmospheric scenes, designed according to the latest innovations and trends offer architects, designers, planners and their clients a special glimpse of outdoor living.” www.noa-outdoor.com

PARIS | NYC | LOS ANGELES | MEXICO CITY

Contemporary design inspired by Mexican heritage

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SPOTLIGHT

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1. Vincent Sheppard Cleo

2. Jardinico Nature

3. Ethimo Baia and Costiera

4. Barlow Tyrie Napoli Parasols

Vincent Sheppard has launched the Cleo outdoor dining chair, which is available in three colour combinations: Fossil Grey, Dune White and Sage Green. Cleo’s slim profile is crafted from two aluminium parts, one of which forms the arch on the backrest, while the other extends around the back to become the armrest.

Woven polypropylene rope creates the characteristic back of the chair, while it is also used around the armrests for an extra degree of comfort. “The Cleo dining chair hides many artisanal challenges,” explains CEO Coralie Claeys. “Weaving the rope back so it offers maximal support in the right places requires the skills of an experienced craftsman.” www.vincentsheppard.com

The Nature collection by Jardinico comprises a complete dining setting that highlights the beauty of premium raw teak. For 2023, the outdoor furniture manufacturer has expanded the range with a low dining table and accompanying low dining chair to create a relaxed posture. The Lewis low dining armchair, which also exists in a higher version for traditional dining, is made using seagrass rope supported by a sturdy powdercoated aluminium frame for extra comfort, as is the case with all Jardinico dining tables and benches. The Nature seating options can be accompanied by cushions filled with a high performance all-weather foam developed for outdoor use. www.jardinico.com

Ethimo has teamed up with Christophe Pillet to produce a new range of outdoor furniture for the nautical world.

The yacht range comprises two new collections, Costiera and Baia, which come in two seating versions. Costiera is characterised by voluminous cushions, with seats constructed from technical padding to define the structure. Baia meanwhile features soft cushions resting on a base bordered by a system of fabric-upholstered panels. Together, Costiera and Baia amount to more than 20 modular lounge and sundeck pieces, which can be mixed-and-matched to furnish spaces of different types, sizes and shapes. www.ethimo.com

Napoli Parasols provide stylish, robust and simple-to-operate shade from the sun. Barlow Tyrie parasols are engineered to function easily – to tilt or pivot with a telescopic mechanism that allows larger parasols to close over a dining table. The parasol struts are crafted from eucalyptus with a matte urethane finish, accented by either nickel-plated, solid brass or stainless steel fittings, and are complete with a storage cover. The parasol fabric is made using Sunbrella’s solution-dyed, Teflon-coated acrylic yarn, which helps to disperse water. Designed to be used with a base, all parasols are available as a standard, freestanding, floor-fixing or in-ground version. www.teak.com

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1. Skargaarden Böste

2. Janus et Cie Rondo

3. Glatz Twist

4. Palecek Outdoor Lighting

During Stockholm Furniture Fair, Swedish outdoor furniture producer Skargaarden unveiled Böste – a Scandinavian interpretation of Thomas Lee’s iconic Westport Chair, designed by Stefan Borselius and named after his hometown in southern Sweden. The brilliance of the Westport’s original design lies in the angles from the seat to the back and from the legs to the seat. Borselius’ interpretation is a durable, carefully processed version in powder-coated stainless steel and FSC teak, which can be left outside year-round. The armchair has rounded edges and soft shapes, and over the years the surface will acquire a silver-grey patina. www.skargaarden.com

Janus et Cie has taken inspiration from classic, barrel-back chairs and MidCentury silhouettes to create Rondo. The new seating collection launches with five pieces: an armchair, barstool with arms, counter stool with arms, lounge chair and ottoman. Rondo’s curved backs cradle the body for added comfort while tapered, conical legs maintain clean, spare lines for a sense of minimalism and lightness. Handwoven seats and backs in an open, geometric pattern invite a play of shadow and light. Rondo’s powdercoated aluminium frames are available in two finishes – Graphite/Shale and Talc/ Fossil – with a combination of two ropes in complementary tones. www.janusetcie.com

The flat parasol roof, handy crank and ergonomic swivel mechanism of the Twist parasol reflect Glatz’s ambition to create sustainable inventions. Twist is easy and convenient to open at hip height with just a few crank rotations.

It also offers stepless tilting and can be rotated 360° using the practical clamping lever. Together with the flat parasol roof, the white and anthracite powder-coated aluminium frame and ribs create a modern, floating look. The canopy is also self-tensioning thanks to its flexible ends, while the mast features an internal steel pipe for which a lower pole is available, so the parasol height can be adjusted to ensure the right amount of shade. www.glatz.ch

Furniture, accessories and lighting manufacturer Palecek has launched a new outdoor collection that combines its expertise in wicker, rattan and other natural materials with the playful nature of light. Whether whimsical, handcrafted or modern, Palecek has the light sources for accenting, dramatising or setting the mood in any exterior space.

The newly expanded outdoor lighting categories offer the best of both worlds; style and craftsmanship are paired with engineering and durable materials that withstand damp or wet environments.

Palecek Hospitality lamps are wired, tested and UL certified with the highest attention-to-detail. www.palecek.com

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1. Minotti Quadrado

2. Élitis Acosta

3. Varaschin Tibidabo

4. Tribu Nomad

Inspired by Japanese Metabolist architecture of the 1950s and ‘60s, as well as the classic teak duckboard used in the yachting industry to facilitate the outflow of water, Quadrado is a modular system comprising suspended square platforms that furnish outdoor spaces with lightness and flexibility. Developed

by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, the range features wooden bases and padded cushions, as well as backrests in a special fibre woven with a wicker effect available in two colourways: Mud or Licorice. The seating elements are interspersed with wooden surfaces that boast trays or candle holders that can be arranged with an interlocking effect. www.minotti.com

Founded by Patrice Des Grottes in 1988, Élitis has built a reputation for creating luxury fabrics and wallcoverings used across Europe. The French manufacturer’s latest launch is Acosta, a new collection of indoor-outdoor fabrics inspired by the shadow patterns cast by the sun as it moves from Mexico to California.

Comprising six different designs, Acosta conjures a world vibrating with cool energy, that of yellow and ochre earth troubled by the radiant sun. With this new range, Élitis hopes to encourage spontaneity and living in the open air, so much so that the fabrics are available as voile curtains, capturing the light as soon as the rays pass the window. www.elitis.fr

Designed by Calvi and Brambilla, the Tibidabo collection draws inspiration from a weave akin to the forms of nature as well as the book Drawing A Tree by Bruno Munari, which teaches readers how simple it is to understand the structure of the plant as it thins and branches towards the sky. Varaschin has developed the range by adding a new bronze finish.

The darker and warmer shade, which references the plant world, is suitable for a variety of outdoor environments – from residential to contract, and from coastal to mountainous settings. The original finish completes the chromatic proposals of the wider collection, joining Perla and Grey Brown. www.varaschin.it

Having extensive knowledge and experience in teak processing, Tribu was able to guide designer Monica Armani from concept to final design, balancing soft shapes, subtle lines and skill. The Nomad chair is a sculpture on its own, with each face connected and the backrests working in harmony.

In addition, Armani worked on shaped cushions, which are couture objects that dress the seats just like a tailor-made suit; the cushions propose comfort as well as a unique design aesthetic. The Nomad armchair is a fitting addition to the brand’s Nomad collection, which represents a refined and durable design for discrete and exclusive luxury. www.tribu.com

Sleeper Media – the leading brand for hospitality experience and design.

Visit the store to receive your copy. www.sleeper.media/store

SPOTLIGHT

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1. Tuuci Mega Max

2. RH Tavira

3. Kettal Plumon

4. Leisure Plan Swingrest by Dedon

With sizes ranging from 490x490cm to 740x740cm and engineered to withstand wind gusts up to 75mph, Tuuci’s Ocean Master Mega Max defines a new scale of parasols and suits all large outdoor space shade needs. The parasol allows multiple tables or lounge areas to be easily shaded with a single device, opening the possibilities for flex and multi-use areas.

The expansive shade structure is well suited for commercial and hospitality applications as well as quick-service restaurants. Available in a selection of colours and finishes, the Mega Max provides the ability to deliver varied experiences effortlessly and quickly throughout the day and night. www.tuuci.com

RH’s Tavira collection is informed by a streamlined Postmodern sensibility.

Envisioned by Dutch designer Piet Boon, the boldly scaled silhouette is made from solid teak with a handcrafted, deeply drifted finish that highlights the wood’s rich grain, with its pure, pared-down volume seemingly shaped by coastal elements. Available in two finishes – Dirfted Weathered Teak and Drifted Natural Teak – the Tavira Chase is sourced from untreated, premium teak with a deep texture that again emphasises the wood’s grain. Sculpted cushions create the seat structure, while the finish will weather to a silvery grey with exposure to the elements. www.rh.com

Designed by Patricia Urquiola for Kettal, Plumon is an outdoor furniture collection based on the concept of clothing; on dressing and undressing furniture. For Plumon, Urquiola has designed a light structure, on which a tailored and padded dress is moored, or wrapped. This ribbed padding, characterised by stitching – as well as being an aesthetic feature – fulfils the comfort of the product. It is the fit that guides the aesthetics. With a few simple gestures, the dress is placed on the rigid teak structure and embraces it. A comfort that is also emphasised visually, thanks to the padded dress that generously also embraces the armrests and the outside of the backrest. www.kettal.com

While it shares half of its name and much of its basket-like structure with Dedon’s Nestrest, designer Daniel Pouzet’s latest creation, Swingrest is in a class of its own. From its 180o rotating top to its suspension system, Swingrest comes in two natural colourways with an optional fabric curtain that provides shade and privacy, while still allowing for an unobstructed view from within.

Since the mid 1980s, Leisure Plan has specialised in sourcing outdoor hotel furniture collections from European manufacturers such as Dedon, Ego Paris and Fischer Möbel, assembling a portfolio of collections that add originality and uniqueness to outdoor settings. www.leisureplan.co.uk

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SPECIFIER

SPECIFIER

Chelsom Edition 28 Following its 75th anniversary in 2022, British lighting brand Chelsom has revealed plans to present a brand-new collection at Clerkenwell Design Week this May. Designed in-house by Robert and Will Chelsom, Edition 28 comprises a range of decorative lighting styles, created specifically for hospitality, marine and residential projects. The launch will also include the complete makeover of the company’s existing lighting collection as well as a new sub-brands – all presented on a new website and catalogue. This is the first time Chelsom has exhibited at Clerkenwell Design Week, with the brand set to showcase its designs at a private exhibition space in Old Sessions House. www.chelsom.co.uk

Q&A

Preciosa Michael Vasku and Andreas Klug, Creative Directors As Preciosa gears up for Salone del Mobile, the brand’s Creative Directors explain their desire to connect people through light.

How would you describe Preciosa’s approach to design?

We have two approaches. Firstly, we craft bespoke solutions, and secondly, we aim to connect people through light; when asked by interior designers to prepare our vision for a lighting installation, we look to capture emotion via interactive elements, dynamic effects and kinetic movement.

What role does lighting play in the guest experience at hotels?

There’s not one single role, it differs from project to project. The most interesting aspect of our work is identifying the role of lighting within the context of a space, a brand or a city. Lighting can spark a conversation in a public area, or create a photo opportunity. But even the approach for the latter differs between a photograph for social media and one that serves as one’s memory of a trip. Finding the best solution and executing it well is central to the success of a hotel.

How do you balance craftsmanship with new technology?

The word balance implies that there is a contradiction between craftsmanship and technology. We strongly believe that we unite these two aspects, which profit from one another. This is the case throughout the entire process, from a design sketch to engineering to production. Our installations would lose much of their magic if they didn’t include a visible human touch.

Tell us about some of your most recent hospitality projects...

We recently completed Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, where the client wanted something unique that would stand out within the brand’s upscale aesthetic. Our lighting installations can be seen throughout the reception, lobby, dining areas, ballroom and spa.

We have also supplied a multi-layer chandelier to The Ritz-Carlton Amman, which brings classic elegance to the modern interiors.

What plans does Preciosa have for Salone del Mobile 2023?

We will continue to develop our vision for emotional and interactive installations. In 2022, we presented a more artistic concept by producing a musical instrument of light. This year, we will explore the field of music further through a technological solution for hospitality spaces, which allows our decorative lighting to react to background music. Pushing the boundaries for hotel design, our installation synchronises a three-dimensional sound system with spatial, crystal lighting that results in a truly immersive experience. www.preciosalighting.com

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SPECIFIER

CASE STUDY

Northern Lights Heythrop Park Working with DesignLSM, Northern Lights has supplied Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire with bespoke light fittings, adding contemporary notes to the Grade II-listed, 18th century manor house as part of its renovation. In the hotel’s restaurant, Market Kitchen, satin steel pendants – of which there are eight and 12-light iterations – now span the length and breadth of the space, each complete with handcrafted ivory cotton conical shades. Moving into The Orangery tearoom, Northern Lights’ ring pendants softly illuminate the venue and complement its pastel furniture, while gold satin fixtures comprise a handcrafted outer ring that houses an integrated LED strip, as well as a central dish that discreetly hides a single uplight. In the Brassey Bar meanwhile, named after the property’s original owner Thomas Brassey, fixed satin gold and matte opal lamps now sit atop an impressive 2.5m wide handcrafted gantry, produced by the lighting manufacturer’s Derbyshire-based artisans. Across the room, rustic walnut furniture is delicately lit by an array of matching lamps with soft glass diffusion. Finally, the hotel’s theatre has been brought to life by a set of dazzling arched lights. Bringing the entire room together is a 4.4m-wide pendant, featuring over 100 individual bulbs across 18 arms. Rounding out the theatre’s bespoke lighting solutions is a 4.4m-high satin gold oval pendant, which harmonises with a series of other fixtures – using 30 bulbs – that bring sparkle to the interior design scheme. www.northern-lights.co.uk CASE STUDY

Cooper Carry Conrad Nashville US architecture firm Cooper Carry has completed the design of Conrad Nashville, a 234-key luxury hotel that brings a boutique experience to Music City. The property is one component of Broadwest, a larger mixed-use project from Propst Development and Chartwell Hospitality. Uniting the design character of the interior and exterior schemes through the guest arrival experience, Cooper Carry has incorporated granite and polished metal detailing into the porte cochère and entrance façade, which provide a sense of exclusivity and are influenced by upscale urban street shop windows. In this case, the merchandise on display is the hotel’s elegant multi-level lobby, bar, restaurant and grand staircase, designed by New York-based interior design firm Champalimaud Design. It was also the intent of the design team to abstractly incorporate references to Nashville’s geography, climate, art scene and food culture, as well as its undeniable influence on the music industry. A condominium tower placed over the hotel meanwhile offers views to nearby neighbourhood the Gulch and the downtown Nashville skyline, with the verticality of the 34-storey building emphasised using extended mullion expressions that rise the full height of the structure. These mullions provide relief from the sun, as well as adding texture and shadow to the ever-changing façade appearance. Selected guestrooms also incorporate inset and covered balconies, creating small exterior rooms that expand the outdoor living experience. www.coopercarry.com

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REPORT

Geberit Hotel Guest Experience Report

Swiss bathroom manufacturer Geberit has partnered with industry experts to release its Hotel Guest Experience Report for 2023, which investigates the current hotel landscape and takes a deep dive into trends such as inclusive design, wellbeing and automation in the sector.

INSPIRING WELLBEING From design and layout to functionality, a hotel can have a major impact on guests, often sparking new ideas and perspectives.

Wren Loucks, CEO and Creative Director at London-based interior design studio Be-kin, believes that hotels are like a sensory design playground, where visitors can explore how design affects their senses.

Whether it’s the texture of tiles or the colour palette, lighting and acoustics, every detail can affect a guest’s sense of rest and relaxation.

For Geberit, it is therefore important that the bathroom experience is calming; the brand’s orientation light, for instance, allows the spaces to remain soft and subtle at night-time, with a gentle beam – available in seven colours

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– activated by a proximity sensor. The light function is offered with three products: the DuoFresh odour extraction unit, the Monolith range and the AquaClean shower toilet.

INCLUSIVE DESIGN In the report, Loucks also examines inclusive design and looks at how properties can innovate through designs that support social sustainability. With nearly one-in-five working adults across the UK having a disability, it is vital that hotels are designed inclusively. “Whilst inclusivity must be considered throughout hospitality settings, the bathrooms and spa facilities are particularly important,” says Loucks.

Amenities such as stylish grab rails and a level access shower can be installed to support those using mobility aids or a wheelchair.

Shower toilets, including Geberit’s AquaClean collection, can also help to promote inclusivity as they offer guests an independence that is harder to achieve with a traditional WC. www.geberit.co.uk

SPECIFIER

SHOWROOM

Sanipex Group Clerkenwell Showroom Sanipex Group has brought its luxury interiors brand Bagnodesign to Clerkenwell, with the opening of a new gallery in the heart of London’s design district. Inspiration can be found across the twostorey building, where the A&D community can meet to network, brainstorm and view the latest products from the brand first-hand.

New launches on the ground floor include Orology – a sleek and contemporary mixer collection that draws inspiration from watch bezels – as well as the minimalist Bristol range, the natureinfluenced Alpine series, and Stereo FM, which takes its cues from the smoky sounds of the jazz era. Elsewhere, Sestriere presents a distinctly modern aesthetic with basin and shower mixers in a glossy PVD gold, while the Revolution range pays homage to the clean, utilitarian lines of machinery from the Industrial Revolution, with its brassware, furniture and sanitaryware available in finishes such as anthracite, brushed nickel and matte black. The basement meanwhile is home to additional bathroom settings, a dedicated outdoor living space, plus a meeting and entertainment area for hosting industry events. Established in 1994, Bagnodesign is now present in over 40 countries, and specified by leading architects and interior designers for commercial projects across the globe.

The Italian-led brand offers complete solutions for luxury bathroom spaces, combining quality, comfort and innovation through a design-led approach. www.sanipexgroup.co.uk

Sanderson SS23 Bedding Sanderson has added four new nature-inspired designs – Crane and Frog; Emperor and Peony; Fusang Tree; and Lotus Leaf – to its range of bedding for SS23. Inspired by painted silk, the handdrawn Crane and Frog collection tells the story of English water gardens. Printed on 100% BCI cotton, the design’s Emperor ducks, characterful frogs and regal koi carp pair with irises and roses to recreate the spirit of the 1930s. In contrast to its blousy Victorian contemporaries, Emperor and Peony is a Chinese-inspired take on a 1920s Jeffrey & Co archive design adorned with large peonies and tropical butterflies. Also printed on 100% BCI cotton, and with a 200 thread count and plain reverse, the four sizes of duvet cover include a concealed transparent button fastening. The third series within Sanderson’s SS23 range is Fusang Tree, which features decorative patterned leaves and flowers. A large-scale design, it has been produced to look like the original block print housed in the company’s archive. Printed on 200 thread count polycotton, Fusang Tree’s four sizes of duvet cover are available with an ivory reverse and concealed button opening. Finally, Lotus Leaf is a unique interpretation of the tropical flower’s long-stemmed leaves, which reach skyward across the range’s duvet cover and matching Oxford pillowcase. Hand-drawn by the Sanderson studio, the collection represents the delicate foliage found amongst traditional water garden ponds, with gravure inks adding to the pattern’s tonality and fluid style. www.sandersondesigngroup.com

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FOH London – Stone by Room360 The latest addition to the Room360 portfolio is the extension of its London and New York collections in a stone colourway. London’s unique tone and detailed composition provides a standout look for interior spaces, while its formulation of premium and durable materials results in a long-lasting product. The New York – Stone range meanwhile is constructed from a high-gloss composite with a structured finish, delivering function and fashion in equal measure. Both collections are also easy to mix-and-match, with low case pack minimums stocked at FOH’s European distribution centre. 2023 is set to be a big year for Room360, having recently launched an array of innovative and functional hotel amenities, as well as being joined by sister brand Front of the House to become one single global hospitality provider under parent company FOH. www.roomthreesixty.com

Lee Broom British Capsule British designer Lee Broom presented a selection of new products within the British Capsule at this year’s Maison & Objet exhibition in Paris. The focal point of Broom’s exhibit was the 4m-tall Hail light from his Divine Inspiration collection, which is inspired by the shards of light and shadow produced by lancet windows in church arches. Hail’s elongated, fluted form – fabricated in aluminium with asymmetrically positioned reeded glass lightbulbs – was complemented by two Vesper Duo lights, hung at a 3m drop height. Formed using extruded aluminium, Vesper takes its cues from Brutalist sculptures and Modernist cathedral lighting, with rectangular cubes connected by illuminated spheres. Resembling a dining room, the set was bathed in a palette of greys and brushed silvers, with furniture pieces including Broom’s Musico table and Musico chairs, created with hand-bent, twisted stainless steel tubes. The display was accessorised with Fulcrum candlesticks in Nero Marquina marble, as well as a Split mirror, formed with a precision cut slice that shifts the mirror from its original position to reveal an oak-trimmed section of the black frame. www.leebroom.com

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SPECIFIER

HIMACS Marmo HIMACS has introduced a new colour palette, Aurora, to its Marmo collection. Inspired by the northern lights, the palette features subtle and strong shades, marble-like aesthetics with delicate veining, and semi-translucent effects that allow designers to play with light and shadow. Suitable for hotel use thanks to its nonporous qualities, the range is easy to clean with seamless joins that prevent dirt and germs from accumulating. Highlights of the new colours include Aurora Midnight, a rich black finish with specks of white, and Aurora Canyon with a soft, creamy finish. Combining practicality and aesthetics with the benefits of HIMACS, the material can also be thermoformed to create curvaceous designs. www.himacs.eu

Sub Zero & Wolf Undercounter Refrigerator The Undercounter Refrigerator range within Sub Zero & Wolf’s Designer series offers convenience and style while preserving food, wine and beverages in a range of hospitality settings.

Featuring fully customisable exteriors and assorted functions, the collection seamlessly integrates into any space, with the ergonomic touch control panel on the refrigerator and beverage centre redesigned to match the brand’s full-size Designer series, meaning the LED lighting and temperature control are more intuitive than ever. Using a dual installation kit, models can also be paired sideby-side in sleek fashion, with a variety of custom undercounter options to choose from. www.subzero-wolf.co.uk

Oliver Hemming Drama New to the Oliver Hemming collection for 2023, Drama is a highfidelity stereo Bluetooth speaker combining a classic look and feel with optimum performance. Its 77mm fibreglass cone woofers and twin passive bass drivers are complemented by two 43mm silk dome mid-to-high range tweeters that provide an orchestral sound.

Finished in ebony veneer, the speaker also boasts a curved etched stainless steel grille, with its elegant form adding a sculptural focal point to a range of interior spaces. Hidden under the veneer on the top of the system is a wireless charging unit, while rounding out the features are two USB C charging ports, as well as the latest Bluetooth 5.1 and Aptx HD from Qualcomm. www.oliverhemming.com

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The meeting place of hospitality innovators and game-changers Hear from global CEO powerhouses

Keith Barr

Sébastien M. Bazin

Chief Executive Officer IHG Hotels & Resorts

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Accor

Join senior leaders. Connect with top brands.

Rub shoulders with forward-thinking investors, owners and developers at the leading annual conference and exhibition for the global hospitality industry.

15 – 17 May 2023

Berlin, Germany

ihif.com

ADVERTISING INDEX ISSUE 107

Aliseo

073

Ligne Roset

005

Astro

002

Luteca

175

Barlow Tyrie

085

LZF

196

Beck

146

Madera

097

Chelsom

037

Mandarin Stone

Clerkenwell Design Week

184

Manutti

012-013

Coco Wolf

171

Minotti

014-015

Cooper Carry

109

Modbar

128

Creative Matters

168

Muzeo

071

Curtis

121

Naturalmat

115

Dernier & Hamlyn

083

NOA

103

EE Smith

160

Northern Lights

055

Ege

020-021

Oliver Hemming

195

Elitis

045

Palecek

179

EPR

113

Paolo Moschino

104

Ethimo

043

Perennials & Sutherland

061

FOH

030-031

137

Point

032

Freifrau

034

Preciosa

069

Girones

053

RAK Ceramics

026-027

RH Contract

006-007

Gommaire Gresham Grohe

028-029 092 018-019

Roda

047

Sanipex

075

Hector Finch

049

Skargaarden

024-025

HI Macs

165

Sleepeezee

139

IHIF

192

Stellar Works

022-023

Il Fanale

063

Stonecircle

133

Sub-Zero & Wolf

079

Table Place Chairs

167

Janus et Cie Jardinico

016-017 051

JC Hospitality

177

Tece

141

Jung

091

THP

183

Kettal

010-011

Tribu

008-009

Kohler

081

Tuuci

127

Leds C4

125

Varaschin

065

Leisure Plan

173

Vincent Sheppard

145

193

CHECK-OUT

Thinking Inside the Box

Saudi Arabia reveals plans for a giant cube-shaped skyscraper in its capital city, offering a gateway to another world.

194

Saudi Arabia has become something of a testing

landmark tourist attractions spread across two-

ground for experimental design in recent years,

million square metres of floor space. But perhaps

with architects freely able to play with proportion,

the most wondrous aspect of the project is its

scale and materiality thanks to a growing number

integration of innovative technologies. Mukaab

of ambitious developments on the boards.

is billing itself as the world’s first immersive

Following the high profile launches of giga-

destination offering an experience created by

projects such as Neom and The Red Sea – where

digital and virtual technology, with holographics

schemes are becoming ever more outlandish

transporting visitors to another world; space

– New Murabba Development Company has

pods, flying dragons and underwater adventures

revealed its plans for Mukaab, a town square-

are just some of the scenes set to play out across

style project in central Riyadh. Spanning 400m x

the soaring atrium. As to whether this concept

400m x 400m, the giant cube-shaped skyscraper

will extend to the hotel components is yet to be

is thought to be one of the largest structures

announced, but with a total of 9,000 guestrooms

in the world – big enough to house 20 Empire

planned for the development, it’s likely that a few

State Buildings. Its design draws inspiration

of the more forward-thinking hoteliers eyeing up

from the modern Najdi architectural style, while

a presence in the region will jump at the chance

facilities include hotels, private residences,

of offering their guests the experience of sleeping

retail, dining and recreational parks as well as

beneath an ever-changing virtual landscape.

Oliver Hemming

Oliver Hemming

Pick me up in Vegas

hd

expo + conferences Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas 2-4 May 2023

DANDELION lamp

by Burkhard Dämmer

Handmade Wood Lighting Since 1994

Wood touched by Light

www.lzf-lamps.com

Jaleo Restaurant, Chicago, USA Photography: Regan Baroni

hello@lzf-lamps.com