Sleeper 112

HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE & DESIGN

MANNA – ARCADIA • MEYER DAVIS • SO/ – UPTOWN DUBAI

Innovation meets timeless design in our new collection of contemporary lighting concepts for hospitality, residential, and commercial spaces Lighting designed to stand the test of time follow @astrolighting | astrolighting.com

CONTENTS ISSUE 112 061

HOTEL REVIEWS

078

Manna

046

Raffles

054

Cap Karoso

061

Pnoēs

067

Shinta Mani Mustang

073

SO/

078

Moxy Williamsburg

087

&Beyond Punakha River Lodge

092

Nobu

098

Arcadia Boston © Natelee Cocks

Indonesia Tinos

054

Nepal

Uptown Dubai

© Brandon Barré

© Alex Grabchilev

092

Brooklyn

Bhutan

Marrakech

003

CONTENTS ISSUE 112 FEATURES

098

Meeting... Meyer Davis

032

Meeting... Emlyn Brown

038

Further Forecast

104

Transforming Trevarefabrikken

106

Having built a robust portfolio of hotels, restaurants and retail experiences, Will Meyer and Gray Davis reflect on chance encounters, landmark openings and the art of storytelling.

Accor’s Global Senior Vice President of Wellbeing reveals how the group is expanding its wellbeing offer beyond spa and leisure facilities, taking in all aspects of a guest’s physical, emotional and mental health.

© Toby Mitchell

073

046

In its inaugural trend report, Design Hotels explores the future of travel, examining how new paradigms will influence the sector for years to come.

Jonathan Tuckey Design shares details of an ongoing conversion project in Norway, where a gentle approach showcases the historic building’s past.

REGULARS

087

004

119

Check-In

018

Drawing Board

020

The Lobby

040

Design Details

102

Business Centre

110

AHEAD

119

Floorcoverings

131

Specifier

139

Check-Out

154

INTRODUCING AURA FROM OUR VANGUARD COLLECTION. H A N D K N O T T E D , 1 00% P U R E C H I N E S E S I L K , 1 00 K N O T , 8MM CUT PILE, MADE IN NEPAL.

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2023-12-12 4:07 PM

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WELCOME

ON THE COVER Manna, Arcadia © Ana Santl

At Your Service he start of a new year is always a good time for an

T

As a hotel approaches opening, it can then be featured on

annual review; to take stock, set goals and plan for the

Sleeper’s website and on the pages of this magazine. It is

year ahead. Here at Sleeper, we’ve been doing just that;

here that we showcase the work of architects and designers,

taking a moment to reflect on the achievements of the last

crediting those involved in the art curation, lighting and

12 months, before looking to the future to map out the next

supply of fabrics, floorcoverings and furniture – all of which

12 months. For the magazine, that involves collating lists of

contribute to the narrative.

forthcoming hotel openings, pinpointing trends and planning

From here, projects are eligible to enter AHEAD – the

features. It also means reconnecting with our community and

global awards scheme that celebrates excellence in hospitality

highlighting the ways in which the wider Sleeper Media group

experience and design. While winning big is the goal, we

can support your business.

believe that there’s value in taking part too. Categories are

Following a number of investments and launches in

judged by a panel of industry experts, meaning that even

recent years, Sleeper Media now serves all those involved in

making the shortlist is a trusted mark of excellence that sparks

the creation of new hotels worldwide – including owners,

pride and generates exposure.

operators, architects, designers and product suppliers – with

And in the final stage of the Sleeper Media cycle, projects

a platform to support every stage of a property’s development,

that have featured in Sleeper or AHEAD are uploaded to

from concept to completion.

Sleepifier, the fully indexed and searchable archive used as a

At the start of the cycle, financing insight comes courtesy

source of inspiration and reference for the industry.

of Hotel Analyst, which is now within the extended portfolio

This 360-degree media service, spanning digital, print

through a strategic partnership. Confirmed projects then

and live events, brings opportunities to connect with peers,

enter the THP database, complete with details of leaders and

celebrate achievements and showcase products and services.

decision-makers; THP subscribers can tap in to the resource

It enables us to inform and inspire, and ultimately, support

to identify exactly when and where new developments are

you in the creation of new hotels. If you would like to find

happening, and what stage they are at.

out more about working with Sleeper Media, please don’t

When it comes to fit-out and specifying FF&E, Sleeper Sessions – a two-day programme of meetings and seminars,

hesitate to contact the team. In the meantime, I hope you find inspiration in this latest issue. Enjoy your stay.

interspersed with sustenance activities and networking opportunities – has proven to be an effective and efficient way to connect designer and supplier. This year’s events are set to take place in Thailand (5-7 March) and Portugal (7-9 May), the first of which features Phuket-Fest, our very own mini-festival on the beach.

Catherine Martin • Managing Editor

013

TRIBU.COM

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18/12/2023 16:30

GUEST BOOK

067

046

104

119

067 Aristides Dallas

046 Stratis Batayas

104 Sarah Doyle

119 Alexandra Champalimaud

Having spent 15 years building a successful design studio, Aristides Dallas was on the look-out for a fresh challenge, and so stepped into the world of hospitality to develop his own hotel. The Athens-born architect ventured to the island of Tinos to create Pnoēs, a three-villa property that takes its cues from the elements.

Earth is expressed by the cave-like habitats conceptually carved out of the rock; wind is symbolised by the white-washed cubic shapes floating above the earth; and water comes in the form of private pools.

“The hotel is my purpose in life at this moment,” reveals Stratis Batayas, the hotelier behind Manna Arcadia in Greece’s Peloponnese.

During summers spent in these mountains as a child, Batayas discovered an abandoned building and was immediately captivated by its energy, vowing to one day return and breathe new life into the crumbling walls. Thirty years on, the entrepreneur has stayed true to his word, enlisting the design talents of K-Studio to transform the former sanatorium into a luxury hotel that honours the past.

“We are committed to engaging in forward-thinking initiatives, challenging status quos and pushing the industry further in a circular way,” says Sarah Doyle on Further Forecast, a new trend report from Design Hotels.

Appointed as Vice President Global Brand Leader in 2022, Doyle is responsible for nurturing a community of hoteliers. She adds: “We hope hoteliers, designers, restaurateurs and architects alike will be inspired by this forecast to introduce new strategies and creative initiatives.”

Since founding her eponymous design studio in 1981, Alexandra Champalimaud has built a global portfolio of hotel projects, ranging from Raffles Singapore to Troutbeck in Upstate New York.

Believing that ‘good design begins with a story’, she is dedicated to expressing the individual character of a space through a deep exploration of its history, setting and, above all, people. In recognition of this, Champalimaud won the coveted Outstanding Contribution Award at AHEAD Americas 2023.

015

@SleeperMagazine

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EVENTS

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CHECK-IN

Tom Parker and Andy Goodwin The co-founders of Fettle take a fantasy break in Nicaragua, where island living takes the form of terracotta-tiled casitas by the sea.

Where are you?

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

blackberries and buckwheat followed by deviled

Little Corn Island, Nicaragua.

The hotel comprises a series of small casitas

eggs. For the main course, we dine on grilled

strewn along the beach. Each is very different

tilapia and pea and radish salad, topped with a

How did you get there?

and in contrast with the local vernacular. Our

drizzle of mustard and lemon dressing. And for

We travelled by bus through Central America,

particular casita is constructed from glazed

dessert, it has to be chocolate budino.

before taking a propeller plane in Managua to

bricks in a variety of colours, with some allowing

Big Corn Island. From there, we befriended

views out to the ocean and surrounding flora

Would you like something to drink with that?

a local who took us on his small and slightly

and fauna. It has a terracotta roof and a large

A Gold Rush for Tom and a glass of Argentinian

rickety lobster fishing boat on the quick hop

outdoor shower on the beach.

Malbec for Andy.

from Big Corn to Little Corn Island.

Who designed it?

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

Who is there to greet you on arrival?

Each casita has been designed by a different

Japanese whisky from The House of Suntory.

Legendary Swiss hotelier César Ritz.

person – ours is the work of French architect and designer Pierre Chareau.

And who’s at the concierge desk?

What’s on your nightstand at bedtime?

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.

Allen Reese, the concierge at The Georgian in

What’s the restaurant and bar like?

It’s a novel that sees Count Alexander Rostov

Santa Monica – he is knowledgeable, elegant

Sitting on a floating dock, the restaurant and

sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a

and charismatic in equal measure!

bar is packed to the brim with imported antiques

grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin.

and treasures from Europe and South America.

Who are you sharing your room with?

Murano chandeliers hang from the thatched

What’s your essential travel companion?

Argentine footballer Diego Maradona and punk

roof and illuminate 19th century French dining

For Tom, his favourite trousers from LA-based

poet John Cooper Clarke.

chairs, while the bar itself is made entirely

surf shop, Mollusk. For Andy, his sketchbook.

from copper, which has beautifully aged by the Is there anything you would like waiting for

saltwater and sea air.

Negronis, of course!

Would you like a newspaper or magazine in the morning?

you in your room?

Who are you dining with this evening?

A copy of The Times, please.

Broadcaster and biologist David Attenborough,

NOTABLE HOTEL PROJECTS The Georgian, Santa Monica; The Hoxton, Rome; Schwan Locke, Munich www.fettle-design.co.uk

Scottish painter Peter Doig, singer-songwriter

What toiletries would you like to freshen-up?

Regina Spektor, and artist Jessalyn Brooks.

Ecco moisturiser.

Who’s manning the stoves?

Early morning alarm call or late check-out?

Mary Attea, Executive Chef at The Musket Room,

Late check-out.

a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York.

Full English or continental breakfast?

And what’s on the menu?

We’ll go for a full English, with extra beans, two

We start with goat’s cheese mousse served with

fried eggs and hash browns.

019

DRAWING BOARD

DRAWING BOARD

Our Habitas SAUDI ARABIA

Sustainable hospitality brand Our Habitas has

landscape through its highly reflective glass exterior.

announced plans for three new properties in Leyja, a

The property will play host to global longevity experts,

new tourism destination in northwest Saudi Arabia.

combining contemporary wellness practices with

Developed by Neom, Leyja sits within a natural wadi

ancient rituals.

that has been carved between the mountains over

“This project is truly unique and visionary,” says

centuries. Starting from the Gulf of Aqaba coast and

Oliver Ripley, co-founder and CEO of Our Habitas.

winding inland, guests will walk from an experience

“The natural beauty is otherworldly, the architecture

centre to access each property, enabling them to take

and design remarkable, and the experience will offer

in the dramatic landscape.

our community an ever-deeper journey of discovery

The development will comprise a total of 120 guestrooms split equally across the three resorts –

and transformation – both of themselves and their connection to the natural world around them.”

named Home of Adventure, Oasis and Home of Wellness

Chris Newman, Executive Director of Neom’s Hotel

– each of which has its own distinct identity and

Division, adds: “Our Habitas pushes the traditional

purpose. With 95% of Leyja preserved for nature, the

limits of hospitality and offers inclusive experiences

architecture of the three hotels is designed to enhance

that engages guests’ imagination. This approach

the surroundings.

resonates with our ambition to be a catalyst for change

At Home of Adventure – a base for rock climbing,

in our industry. Visitors to Leyja can expect to be

mountain biking and horse-riding – the architecture

enchanted with a personalised experience, supported

traces the topography of the wadi for an otherworldly

by our wider tourism infrastructure.”

appearance. Further inland at Oasis – where guests can

In keeping with Our Habitas’ and Neom’s shared

indulge in stargazing rituals and culinary delights –

desire to redefine the future of hospitality, the venture

the hotel rises organically alongside the mountains,

was unveiled in a purpose-built metaverse. Those who

symbolising a balance between natural protection

tuned in for the announcement were treated to an

and strategic innovation. The third resort, Home of

immersive preview of the destination, experienced in

Wellness, will be a restorative retreat that mirrors the

next-generation pixel scale detail.

DRAWING BOARD

DRAWING BOARD

Anantara

Minor Hotels and its joint venture partner in China, Funyard Minor JV Co (China), has

gallery and 700m2 banqueting hall. The resort

SHAOXING

announced the signing of Anantara Shaoxing in

will promote health and wellbeing through

the country’s northeastern Zhejiang Province.

natural immersion, with facilities ranging from

Perched on the slopes of Mount Kuaiji, the

a hot spring-fed outdoor swimming pool and a

luxury resort – developed in partnership with

water landscape platform to an Anantara Spa

Shaoxing Lan Ruo Lake Real Estate Development

complete with yoga rooms and fitness centre.

Co – will be the first internationally-branded resort in the city when it opens in 2024.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Developer: Shaoxing Lan Ruo Lake Real Estate Development Operator: Minor Hotel Group, Funyard Hotels & Resorts www.minorhotels.com

022

and a secluded library, in addition to an art

“Eastern China has always been an important market for Minor Hotels. Shaoxing is blessed

Anantara Shaoxing will form the core

with rich cultural heritage and pristine nature,

of Taoyuanli Health & Wellness Town, an

making it an attractive tourist destination,”

integrated mixed-use community featuring

says Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor

specialty restaurants and organic supermarkets

International and CEO of Minor Hotels.

as well as comprehensive health and wellness

“Anantara’s reputation and know-how in

facilities, all set amongst landscaped courtyards.

creating

meaningful,

nature-integrated

The design of the hotel component is inspired

experiences for luxury travellers is crucial to

by a multi-deck luxury yacht, with clusters of

the development of the city and the region.”

low-rise buildings cascading towards Lanruo

Anantara Shaoxing will be the brand’s

Lake. In addition to the 120 guestrooms and

fourth opening in China, joining the recently

suites, the resort will feature two restaurants,

announced Anantara Anji and properties in the

a tearoom serving some of China’s best blends,

provinces of Guizhou and Yunnan.

K I LT B Y M A R C E L L O Z I L I A N I

PH BERNARD TOUILLON

ETHIMO.COM

SHOWROOM

L O N D O N / M I L A N / PA R I S

ROME / CANNES

DRAWING BOARD

Thuwal Private Retreat SAUDI ARABIA

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind

“It is the latest project we can reveal since we

The Red Sea and Amaala, has unveiled Thuwal

announced our expanded portfolio of projects in

Private Retreat – an exclusive buy-out only

2022, and it is significantly advanced in terms

island destination set for completion in 2024.

of delivery.”

Located on a 1.7-hectare islet in a coral

In line with RSG’s commitment to people

archipelago on the Red Sea coast, the resort

and planet, Thuwal will combine luxury with

offers ultimate luxury in complete privacy,

conscious sustainability. As such, the resort’s

and has been developed to meet rising demand

Executive Chef will prepare meals using fresh,

for ultra-private and hyper-customised

locally sourced ingredients, partnering with

experiences. Facilities on the island include

food producers in the area wherever possible,

a main three-bedroom villa and three one-

as well as collaborating with local artisans.

bedroom suites, as well as a beach club, gym and wellness centre.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Developer / Operator: Red Sea Global www.redseaglobal.com

024

The developer is also hiring from the local community, from butler services and haute

The creation of Thuwal Private Retreat

cuisine connoisseurs to technical specialists.

represents a new phase for RSG, with the

As part of this approach, RSG has also been

destination sitting separately to The Red Sea and

entrusted with refurbishment works at Al Wajh

Amaala developments, and as a wholly-owned

Airport, building a new international terminal

brand. There are no third-party hospitality or

as well as upgrading the existing terminal and

hotel operators involved for the first time in

infrastructure. The move will allow RSG to

RSG’s development history. “This is a milestone

provide more direct flights to the region for

for us personally,” says Group CEO John Pagano.

international guests.

ILBAGNOALESSI DESIGN STEFANO GIOVANNONI LAUFEN.CO.UK

www.instagram.com/laufen_uk

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06.09.23 15:00

DRAWING BOARD

Envi

Envi Lodges has partnered with Oman’s

events space to host community activities such

Ministry of Defence Pension Fund to develop

as markets and food trucks.

AL JABAL AL AKHDAR

a sustainable mountain lodge in Al Jabal Al

“Oman has always been a priority market for

Akhdar. Slated to open in 2025, the venture

us given the destination’s natural and cultural

marks the operator’s first foray in the Sultanate.

beauty,” says Chris Nader, co-founder of Envi

Located in the Hajar mountains some 2,000m

Lodges. “It is a privilege to develop our first

above sea level, Envi Al Jabal Al Akhdar will

project in the Sultanate in collaboration with

feature 40 luxury expedition tents designed by

Oman’s Ministry of Defence Pension Fund

Tenthouse Structure – a South African architect

and to support Oman’s tourism ambitions.

of tented wilderness projects.

Our guests will appreciate the unique blend of

With Envi Lodges committed to preserving the destination’s natural beauty, the construction of

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Developer: Oman Ministry of Defence Pension Fund Operator: Envi Lodges Architecture: Tenthouse Structure www.envilodges.com

026

outdoor luxury, adventure and sustainability that the lodge will offer.”

the eco-retreat will have minimal impact on the

A representative for the Ministry of Defence

environment, with each tent sitting on a deck

Pension Fund adds: “Partnering with Envi

fixed to the ground using eco-friendly anchors.

Lodges to open the first eco-lodge of its kind

Rewilding efforts will also be conducted to

in Oman is a strategic move that contributes to

regenerate the surrounding land.

the responsible development of the Sultanate’s

Facilities across the resort include private

tourism industry. The lodge will appeal to

swimming pools, a wellness centre and library,

the growing number of travellers seeking

as well as a farm-to-table restaurant supplied

eco-friendly accommodation and authentic

by the kitchen garden. There will also be an

destination experiences.”

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 .

S TA R T D E S I G N I N G T O D AY AT T U U C I . C O M / S H A D E S T U D I O

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DRAWING BOARD

The Newman

Kinsfolk & Co – a new hospitality management

light-filled brasserie seating 120 guests, with an

company founded by Paul Brackley – has

outdoor terrace and separate street entrance to

LONDON

announced it will open its first hotel in 2024.

attract passing trade. A cocktail bar is planned

Sitting on its namesake street in London’s

for the lower ground floor, while guests will also

Fitzrovia district, The Newman will comprise 81

be able to take advantage of two private dining

guestrooms, suites and apartments, a European

rooms for special occasions.

brasserie and cocktail bar, and an entire floor dedicated to wellness.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Operator: Kinsfolk & Co Interior Design: Lind + Almond www.thenewman.com

028

The spa meanwhile embraces Nordic simplicity,

blending

minimalism

with

Designed by Lind + Almond, the hotel’s

innovation and functionality. Facilities include

interiors are described as elegant and refined,

hot and cold experience cabins, an active salt

with stylish touches and eccentric quirks

therapy room and a hydrotherapy pool, as well

throughout. The design language nods to the

as treatment rooms, a meditation studio and a

spirit of Fitzrovia and iconic characters from

gym offering personal training services.

throughout its history; one being Nancy Cunard,

“We are delighted to announce The Newman

a bohemian queen whose signature bangles and

as our first hotel, here in Fitzrovia, where

polka dots subtly permeate the narrative.

Kinsfolk & Co began,” comments CEO Paul

The 81 guestrooms, some with private balcony,

Brackley. “The Newman will be a grown-up

showcase a contemporary Art Deco aesthetic,

and elevated but fun experience, where people

which extends to the top-floor signature suite

can enjoy thoughtful excellence across design,

featuring four bedrooms and a rooftop terrace.

service, food, and wellness – all sewn seamlessly

The hotel’s modern European restaurant is a

into Fitzrovian life.”

DRAWING BOARD

Rosewood Blue Palace CRETE

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Phāea Resorts Operator: Rosewood Hotel Group Interior Design: K-Studio, Afroditi Krassa www.rosewoodhotelgroup.com

030

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is set to make

yoga pavilion, three outdoor pools and dedicated

its debut in Greece with the reopening of the

areas for hydrotherapy treatments.

existing Blue Palace of the island of Crete.

“With a compelling landscape that has

Owned by Phāea Resorts, the property will

fascinated explorers for centuries, we are

undergo a full refurbishment before joining the

delighted to mark our entrance into Greece

Rosewood portfolio in 2025.

with this stunning resort,” comments Sonia

Nestled between the fishing village of Plaka

Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group. “Crete

and the port of Elounda, Rosewood Blue Palace

is an ideal location for creating meaningful

is set on a picturesque hillside overlooking a

connections that bring our guests closer to the

private beach, and is seamlessly integrated into

soul of the destination, taking them far beyond

its surroundings. The 154 guestrooms and suites

their expectations.”

will be redesigned in line with Rosewood’s Sense

Agapi and Constanza Sbokou, Co-CEOs of

of Place philosophy, with interiors by K-Studio

Phāea Resorts, add: “Through two decades of

to reflect Cretan tradition and identity.

dedication, Blue Palace has been our heart’s

Afroditi Krassa has been tapped to craft

endeavor, our family’s legacy, and a testament

the interiors of six food and beverage venues,

to the true soul of Crete – a history marked

including a beach club and all-day restaurant,

by exceptional service and attention to detail.

which will source fresh produce from local

We could not have found a better partner

purveyors and its own on-site organic garden.

than Rosewood, known for their mindful

Rosewood Blue Palace will also feature the

approach, timeless elegance and extraordinary

signature Asaya spa alongside a fitness centre,

experiences, for Blue Palace’s next chapter.”

Blossom Portable Light Bone china shade with dimmable LED light lasting up to 20hrs Designed and handmade in England originalbtc.com

Meeting…

Meyer Davis Having built a robust portfolio of hotels, restaurants and retail experiences, Will Meyer and Gray Davis reflect on chance encounters, landmark openings and the art of storytelling.

Words: Ayesha Khan

T

he story of Will Meyer and Gray Davis’

Driven by their entrepreneurial spirit, the duo started

rise to design distinction is a classic New

collaborating, first on freelance residential design.

York ‘make it there, make it anywhere’

In time, they co-founded their eponymous design

success story. It starts with a dream,

firm, enjoying a healthy mix of residential, hotel and

a one-way ticket and a modest starter

restaurant projects and garnering a string of awards

apartment, and leads to lavish private

for their designs, more recently for Nearly Ninth at

homes, exotic resorts and even a one-of-a-kind

New York’s Arlo Midtown, which was awarded best

tequila experience in the heart of Mexico.

Bar, Club or Lounge at AHEAD Americas 2022. It was

As the story goes, Meyer and Davis happened to be

at one such awards ceremony that a chance encounter

meeting with an old college professor in New York one

with Kemper Hyers, then at Starwood Capital,

day in 1998, when an earnest suggestion changed the

occurred. Together with Barry Sternlicht, Hyers had

course of their careers. “When he asked if the two of

been hatching a plan to transform Gansevoort Miami

us had considered starting a firm together, we looked

Beach into an eco-conscious hotel that would lead

at each other and thought maybe that makes sense,”

the charge on sustainability and the now-ubiquitous

Meyer recalls.

concept of biophilia.

It made perfect sense; Davis had graduated Auburn

“It was like a Hollywood script,” Meyer recalls.

University a few years before Meyer, they were both

“We came off stage at the ceremony and Kemper

from Tennessee and they shared a passion for interiors,

approached us with a proposition to design a hotel

despite their more formal architectural training. Since

with him, asking us to come to his office the following

moving to New York, Davis had enjoyed stints with

morning. He talked about his vision for the hotel and

John Saladino, Bill Sofield and Thomas O’Brien, while

brought with him some sand, linen, greenery and a

Meyer had interned with Peter Eisenman and been

piece of driftwood. He said he wanted the hotel to

mentored by Charles Gwathmey. In fact, they would

speak of sustainability in a subtle, beautiful way.”

later find out that their esteemed mentors were,

Davis adds: “I went down to tour the then-Gansevoort

like them, college classmates and therefore shared a

and called Will saying that I wasn’t sure whether we

common training background and approach to design.

could fix the place!”

033

MEETING…

MEETING...

Guestrooms at La Casa Dragones – an exclusive hospitality experience from the tequila house – channel the spirit of the historic Mexican location

“The idea is not to take the obvious route, but really get to know a place, creating an experience that can only exist there, and will slowly reveal itself through the guest journey.”

GRAY DAVIS

Ultimately though, the pair took the leap, and the

In his scheme for furnishings, Davis admits to being

game-changing 1 Hotels brand flagship launched in

influenced by Italian creatives like fashion designer

2015, putting Meyer Davis firmly on the worldwide

Emilio Pucci, as well as ancient paving patterns and the

hospitality design map. Not only were their designs

ornate marble flooring found in the public buildings

exciting and forward-thinking, they had proven their

and palazzos of Rome. The result is an almost Wes

architectural prowess, completely changing the way a

Anderson-esque aesthetic. Fascinating space after

guest approaches a hotel’s façade and moves through

fascinating space is swathed in colour and pattern,

its public spaces. The success of the hotel spawned a

giving a true sense of the vibrancy and whimsical

host of further hospitality projects for the duo, who

Dolce Vita that Rome is known for.

have since brought their design expertise to the likes

Now with offices in New York, London, Los Angeles

of Four Seasons, Auberge Resorts Collection and The

and Miami, Meyer Davis has plenty of projects on the

Ritz-Carlton.

boards. They’re hard at work telling the next chapter

Another career-defining moment came when the

of 18th century French crystal brand Baccarat in Miami

pair embarked on the conversion of two historic Roman

with branded residences, where opulent statement

buildings into the newly-opened W Rome. Meyer was

chandeliers combine with the playful elements of

keen to create what he refers to as a “glass gasket”

the city. Elsewhere, a newly-opened 72-key Four

between the two buildings – forming a modern time

Seasons Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, brings to light

capsule wedged between the two classic façades. “It’s

the dynamic vibrancy of the Baja Peninsula while

almost as if you can see time shifting in the space

echoing the laid-back, natural aesthetic established

between the buildings,” he explains.

at 1 Hotel South Beach.

Davis, typically known for more neutral, earthy

Back home, not far from where Meyer and Davis

palettes, was able to flex his knack for colour and

grew up, they have just launched a restaurant with star

pattern. “Rome is one of the most visited cities in

chef Michael Mina. Named Sorelle (meaning sisters

the world with an incredible collage of cultures and

in Italian) in honour of the sisters who ran a school

influences,” he says. “The city’s energy guided us

and orphanage inside the historic townhouses, the

to design the interiors as an interactive atmosphere

southern Italian eatery features painstakingly restored

through a mix of materials and furnishings. We were

period details juxtaposed with decidedly modern lines,

inspired by Rome’s layered environment and the

a theme that carries through much of Meyer Davis’

different marbles and stone used throughout the

work. The multi-level venue features sweeping views

city, which influenced us to design each room with

of Charleston’s low-rise skyline and encompasses

this same sense of individuality. We truly drew from

a market, central bar, wine room, pizza and pasta

Rome’s personality and magnetism,” he adds.

counters and a splendid grand dining room.

035

MEETING…

“It’s about conveying a story in a simple yet impactful way, creating something iconic that people will remember.”

WILL MEYER

In creating the interiors of W Rome, the duo were inspired by the layered materiality of the city

036

When asked about the most unique project

in the agave fields of Mexico. In the guestrooms

the firm has worked on, Meyer and Davis

and more private spaces, the team thoughtfully

are quick to smile and gush about La Casa

retained the patina with a healthy blend of

Dragones. At the headquarters of the top-shelf

found and custom-designed pieces.

tequila brand in San Miguel de Allende, one of

Although Meyer Davis is still a relatively

Mexico’s most historic towns, Davis was able

small design firm, its thoughtful, story-

to revive his flair for retail design and Meyer,

driven approach – one that blurs the lines of

who spends a large part of his time off at his

architecture, interior design and branding – truly

home in Oaxaca, channelled his love for the

does create inimitable spaces. “In designing

country. The historic home dates back to 1671,

hospitality, we tell a story with every choice

when it was the headquarters of the guards to

we make,” says Meyer. “It’s about conveying

the New Republic. “The generals and the cavalry

a story in a simple yet impactful way, creating

lived in these barracks and they helped plot the

something iconic that people will remember,

revolution – a spirit that is reflected in both

and carefully choosing what to do and what

the house and the brand. The challenge was to

not to do.” Furthering his business partner’s

bring a narrative to the house without ruining

thought in conversation just as much as he does

the patina that it already had, layering in these

in design, Davis adds: “The idea is not to take

more modern insertions,” Meyer explains.

the obvious route, but really get to know a place,

The resulting design language saw Meyer

creating an experience that can only exist there,

Davis imbuing the home’s public spaces, such as

and will slowly reveal itself through the guest

a tasting room and retail gallery, with a modern

journey.” The duo’s international portfolio of

flair, pairing clean lines and sleek, indirect

diverse projects proves this design MO many

lighting with the very Abyssinian stone found

times over.

Colour Calling Nu Collection

Nu faucets represent a purity of visual expression and a synthesis of essential design elements: form, shape and colour. A collection that strips away the artifice to arrive at the essence of its timeless design.

roca.com/nu

AAFF Nu_Sleeper_.indd 1

28/12/23 15:07

Meeting…

Emlyn Brown Accor’s Global Senior Vice President of Wellbeing reveals how the group is expanding its wellbeing offer beyond spa and leisure facilities, taking in all aspects of a guest’s physical, emotional and mental health.

Words: Cara Rogers

PROFILE Emlyn Brown Global Senior Vice President of Wellbeing Accor Since joining Accor in 2018, Emlyn Brown has brought his expertise to a variety of projects across the group’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio. With a professional background spanning the likes of Six Senses and Goco Hospitality, Brown was promoted to the role of Global Senior Vice President of Wellbeing in 2023, in which he delivers a range of strategies to enhance guest experience through design, operations and programming.

Brown’s approach to the company’s wellbeing offer is built around six core pillars: nutrition, holistic design, movement, spa, mindfulness and digital, which he uses to faciliate the implementation of Accor’s global wellbeing strategy, alongside providing support to each brand on its individual pathway.

H

ealth is wealth’, as the saying goes; an

experiences,” says Brown. “What this means, is

approach that rings increasingly true

a greater focus on smart design, sleep quality

in the hospitality industry. A focus on

and nutrition, as well as support for mental and

wellbeing is being driven by all parties, from

For Brown, this holistic approach takes in

out transformative experiences more and more.

every aspect of a guest’s stay. “Accor gives great

In 2022, nearly half (44%) of global travellers

consideration to how we extend our wellbeing

said they were hoping to take a meditation and

experiences,” he explains. “We do this through

mindfulness getaway, while 42% were keen to

design, operations and programming, while

book a ‘health hiatus’ to focus on mental or

also addressing environmental concerns such

transformative health (Grandview Research).

as reducing pollution, eliminating plastics and

From the owner and operator perspective,

producing our own food.”

wellbeing has become a major revenue driver,

With a variety of brands residing under the

with health-focused travellers willing to go the

Luxury & Lifestyle umbrella, Brown is responsible

extra mile and spend more for the sake of their

for tailoring wellbeing offerings to each of them,

mind, body and soul. The allure of good health

ensuring that the experience being delivered

is undeniable.

aligns with the guest expectation of that hotel.

One man who knows this all too well is

“We have spent the last few years refining how

Emlyn Brown, Global Senior Vice President of

we deliver wellness in a holistic and authentic

Wellbeing at Accor, whose role involves the

way for each of our luxury brands. Now we are

delivery of impactful concepts that enhance the

in a position of building those out, turning our

guest experience across the group’s Luxury &

vision into reality across the network,” reveals

Lifestyle portfolio. Since joining Accor in 2018,

Brown. “Each brand is empowered to shape its

Brown has made it his mission to implement

own unique service culture and craft its own

wellbeing strategies in all areas of a hotel, from

experiences. For example, at MGallery, we’ve

the guestrooms to the cuisine.

established a partnership with Yoga International

“Accor has long been at the forefront of hospitality’s move beyond the walls of hotel spas

038

emotional health.”

owners and operators to guests, who are seeking

to suit the brand’s target demographic, creating bespoke content and yoga flows.”

and gyms, and into the more holistic approach

At Raffles meanwhile, facilities are often more

of delivering personal and relevant wellbeing

extensive. Brown was involved from the early

MEETING…

stages in the recently opened Raffles London at

varying forms. “Many of our Raffles destinations

“More vegan-based menus are good for our

The OWO (pictured) – a hotel that is exemplary

incorporate classic Feng Shui practices and

guests, good for Accor and good for the planet.”

of Accor’s prioritisation of wellbeing. Inside, a

biophilia through colour, textures, lighting and

Predicting a rise in nutrition-conscious guests

Goddard Littlefair-designed Guerlain Spa spans

greenery, an approach that we call ‘Design for

in the coming years, he reveals that Accor will

an impressive 27,000ft2 over four floors, where

Harmony’,” Brown continues. “These concepts

be “pushing forward with more innovative and

facilities range from a gym and movement studio,

come to life through furniture placement

flexible menus” in response to research findings

to a swimming pool, steam and sauna rooms, as

designed to create a welcoming energy in the

that suggest more than a third of consumers

well as nine treatment suites and personalised

guest arrival area, optimal lighting controls in

around the world plan to increase spending on

make-up and perfumerie services.

guestrooms for restful sleep, and an abundance

nutrition apps, diet programmes, juice cleanses

of natural light in managerial and administrative

and subscription food services over the next year

offices to support employee wellbeing.”

(McKinsey & Co, 2021).

The group has also partnered with Pillar Wellbeing, founded by elite performance coach Harry Jameson to introduce personalised

At Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, biophilia is

programmes for guests, delivered by expert

exemplified in the layout of the beach villas,

opportunities around the social aspect of the

trainers along three key axes – movement,

which feature generous outdoor spaces teeming

spa. Feeling part of a community is vital to

nourishment and recovery. Health-conscious

with plant life and open concepts that welcome in

wellbeing, along with connections to nature,”

guests can also book a stay in a dedicated Lifestyle

the ocean breeze. And at Swissôtel, Brown reveals

he continues. “We are developing both urban

Suite, which comprises a private workout area

that Vitality Rooms are designed as serene

and resort-based bathing and thermal concepts,

with in-room equipment such as yoga blocks and

sanctuaries, equipped with circadian lighting

which are booming in popularity. For example, at

a TRX suspension trainer.

and bespoke air purification systems that filter

the upcoming Fairmont Hanoi, which is slated to

bacteria for clean air.

open in 2025, we are creating a private members’

With guests’ understanding of wellbeing

“We’re

also

looking

to

create

more

encompassing far more than simply a trip to

Brown knows that the key to staying ahead

the spa, Brown is working to craft rejuvenating

of the curve when it comes to tapping into

Ultimately though, integrating wellbeing into

and restful spaces through design as much as

new trends is to innovate. When quizzed about

hospitality design and experience isn’t something

programming. “Once the guest arrives, there is a

Accor’s forthcoming wellbeing developments,

that strays too far from the very purpose of the

highly discerning series of wellbeing experiences

he points to the need to introduce new dining

industry, concludes Brown. “In a way, this

– not just in the spa or in the fitness area – but

experiences, as well as the power of the social.

shift toward entrenching wellbeing strategies

a journey of fresh air, comforting sounds, visual

“One area where we see significant demand and

is a great acknowledgment of the efforts that

beauty, nutritional cuisine and uplifting social

the need for change – not only for our guests,

hoteliers have always made – creating welcoming

experiences,” he states.

but for environmental reasons – is more diet-

places where guests feel comforted, at ease and

diversity when it comes to our menus,” he notes.

happy – the very essence of wellbeing.”

Utilising design to enhance wellbeing takes

day spa and baths.”

039

THE LOBBY

Nature’s Bounty Luxury hospitality is often regarded as the antithesis of planet friendly, however Urban Villages and Aparium are seeking to change that perception with the 2024 opening of Populus – billed as the USA’s first carbon positive hotel.

The developer first revealed its plans in 2022, stating that both embodied and operational carbon will be offset across the hotel’s entire lifecycle, with initiatives ranging from sustainable construction techniques and an innovative high-performance façade to utilising renewable energy and establishing regenerative agriculture partnerships.

And the interiors will follow suit too, designed to complement the biophilic architecture by Studio Gang.

A first look at the scheme – by Wildman Chalmers Design in partnership with Fowler + Fowler Architecture – shows a deep respect for nature, paying homage to the native aspen tree, or Populus, to give its Latin name.

On arrival, the lobby is reminiscent of a forest floor, while a rooftop restaurant and bar feel as if dining amongst the canopy thanks to lush landscaping. Earthy tones such as russet, fawn and moss green are evident throughout, accompanying a palette of consciouslysourced materials and a thought-provoking art collection curated by environmentalist Katherine Homes. But there’s so much more to the scheme than meets the eye. The lobby’s hanging sculpture is constructed from 500 sheets of Reishi, a revolutionary leather-alternative by MycoWorks, engineered from the root structure of mushrooms with their patented platform Fine Mycelium. Wood-shingled walls are made from locally sourced beetle kill trees. Distressed slats on the ceiling are from reclaimed fencing. And carpeting

by Forth Surfaces is made from recycled materials that biodegrades in landfill.

“We approached Populus’ design vision from an experience standpoint first – thoughtfully curating colours, textures, and shapes that not only look beautiful, but appeal to all the senses and emotions, just as a walk through the forest would,” explains Heather Wildman, Principal and Design Director of Wildman Chalmers Design. “By taking cues from nature and partnering with local artisans, we hope to create a strong connection between the design of Populus and the earth and its surroundings.”

© Nephew

THE LOBBY

A Goop Getaway Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop has long been a

Goop x Fromental botanical wallpaper brings

tastemaker in the worlds of fashion, beauty, food

elegance and grace, and furniture comes courtesy

and wellness, offering best-in-class products

of collborations with CB2 and Furniture Marolles.

as well as tips and expert comment through

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Goop Villa without

its online presence and US stores. And now, in

beauty and bodycare products, so bathrooms are

celebration of its 15th anniversary, the lifestyle

stocked with the brand’s must-haves, including

brand is offering avid followers the chance to

cult favourite Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator.

experience Gwyneth’s style in a new way –

There’s also a dedicated Goop concierge to order

through a stay at Goop Villa, now open at The

clothing from G Label by Goop and have it

Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.

waiting in the wardrobe on arrival. Furthermore,

With interiors by New York–based designer

all guests of The Colony are able to experience

Ronen Lev, the two-bedroom villa blends the

Goop through curated menu additions at the

vibrant spirit of the beachside location with the

hotel’s Pink Paradise Café.

feminine, Parisian aesthetic for which Goop is

“We’ve always dreamed of a Goop residence –

known. Tactile materials such as rattan and

a place where people could immerse themselves

mohair feature alongside accents from heritage

into our world of gorgeous, meditative interiors,

Palm Beach brands, such as a handpainted palm

with luxurious clean beauty in the bathrooms

motif mural by Lilly Pulitzer studio artists, while

and elegant, timeless fashion in the closet,”

soft tones of blush and seafoam nod to The

Paltrow reveals. “We chose The Colony to create

Colony Hotel’s signature hues.

an experience we hope delights our community

Goop’s own designs are also on display; the

Scripting Synchronicity

and brings new people into our Goop universe.”

© Carmel Brantley

042

American designer Kelly Wearstler is known for her distinctive ideologies and vivid interiors, and her new book Synchronicity invites readers into this boundary-pushing world.

Marking Wearstler’s sixth tome and first in four years, Synchronicity has been produced in collaboration with Rizzoli and features words from design writer Dan Rubenstein, who spotlights Wearstler’s decidedly bold approach by profiling seven of her most recent residential and hospitality schemes. Collectively, the projects featured in the publication relay the designer’s ethos to “find synergy and consonance across the unexpected”.

While magnifying the realisations of Wearstler’s collaborative processes, the book explores each nuanced detail and how they come together to create monumental projects – a cohesive work born from synchronicity.

The exploration is achieved through exclusive photography and anecdotes that portray the designer’s unique eye and decisive touch, and there’s even a glimpse into new Proper hotels in Santa Monica, California and Austin. Each project is accompanied by insightful commentary, guiding readers through every space and the tactile furniture and materials that define the mood. In all, Synchronicity is a resource for rulebending yet elegant inspiration.

B

ack in issue 106, Dubai-based studio Ema

experience aimed at sustainable selection with

stated that if the hospitality industry were

the bonus being improved project efficiency.

to truly embrace sustainability, it must

By being involved from a project’s inception,

commit to a highly collaborative approach at a

procurement companies can significantly

project’s inception. Now, the practice has invited

influence the integration of sustainability and

key stakeholders to the table to discuss solutions

ethical sourcing throughout the entire process,

that will propel the eco-initiative forward. The

ultimately leading to more environmentally

first is London-based procurement company

conscious and socially responsible outcomes.

Bell & Knight, which explores how to prioritise

An example of this is the specification and

aspects of the process to help solve challenges

procurement of fabrics for upholstery, curtains

that negatively impact the planet.

and accessories. Currently, if fabrics conform to brand standard rules, they will be specified and

How can we transform hospitality into a

purchased, provided the price is right. Sustainable

sustainably responsible, global business with a

credentials haven’t been a priority until recently,

redefined perception of luxury? Rethinking our

mostly because the research and development of

drive for consumerist intoxication requires a

many products has been, and continues to be,

A Seat at the Sustainability Table London-based procurement company Bell & Knight discusses how sourcing and selection impact sustainable goals.

thoughtful and strategic approach, something

expensive. Naturally, all costs are passed down

already underway yet still in its infancy.

the chain, so the fabric ends up uncompetitive

Escalating the rate of progress and turning

and therefore marginalised.

a marginalised ethos into our second nature requires a multi-faceted, sustained effort.

As Ema emphasised in issue 106, if things are

suppliers to actively promote their credentials,

to change for the better, then we must all adopt

with some looking to replace their traditional

a more collaborative approach from the outset

ranges with recycled and recyclable products in

of a hotel’s development process. In the spirit

the next few years, depending on demand. It’s

of collectivism, a common, holistic goal must be

demand that’s the driver, as we know, and this

embraced by the industry if we are to slow down

is where we all play a vital role.

the current trajectory of the Earth – the outcome of which isn’t looking pretty.

044

It’s not all bad news, however. The eco voice is getting louder and there is a drive by fabric

Unless investment and legislation are put in place, the transformation will continue to be

Imagine a scenario where all hospitality

slow, with the outcome being too little too late.

stakeholders are gathered around the table,

Legislation drives demand, which reduces price

sharing the same ethically sustainable vision.

point and speeds up research and development.

An assembly that includes owners, operators,

And that’s not just for fabrics, but the entire

architects, designers and consultants. This may

FF&E spectrum, from furniture to lighting.

sound like your average kick-off meeting but

By addressing these considerations, hoteliers

there’s a difference – the focus isn’t on achieving

can pave the way for positive change in the

the most cost-effective project. Instead, it’s

industry, making eco-valuable interiors more

centred around a new generation of hotel guest

mainstream, accessible and economically viable.

collection KANSO pattern YUGEN

2024_02_Sleeper_Arte.indd 1

11/12/2023 17:01

046

Manna ARCADIA Greek hotelier Stratis Batayas entrusts K-Studio with reviving a former sanatorium in the Peloponnese, resulting in a sanctuary that is at one with nature.

Words: Nicola Chilton • Photography: © Ana Santl

D

eep in the Peloponnese mountains in

in life at this moment,” Batayas explains over

a far-flung corner of Greece, Manna

dinner on Manna’s terrace. So what makes the

appears between the fir trees as if out of

hotel so special? “I don’t think it’s tangible,”

nowhere. Looming into view around a curve in

he says. “It’s the energy. That’s why it’s so

the road, the first sight of this new hotel is at

different when you see a picture of the hotel, to

once unexpected and incongruous.

when you’re actually here.”

“It’s like an exclamation mark among the

There is clearly a special energy to the place,

trees,” says Dimitris Karampatakis, co-founder

felt through the wind in the trees, the enormity

of K-Studio, the architectural firm tasked with

of the night sky and the clear sharpness of the

bringing new life to the handsome stone edifice.

mountain air. The structure of the building

A former sanatorium constructed in 1927, the

itself plays into this energy too.

building only fulfilled its original purpose for

Intended as a place of healing when it first

a few short years before shutting its doors

opened in the early 20th century, the building’s

and lying abandoned for close to a century. It

original designs were by Swiss architects and

reopened in summer 2023 as Manna Arcadia, a

more in line with the type of structures found

member of Design Hotels.

in the Alps than in Greece. “We conducted a

For owner Stratis Batayas, making the hotel a

lot of research to understand where the initial

reality was a long and complex process. Having

design ambition came from and studied similar

spent summers in these mountains as a child,

structures in Switzerland to understand its

running along rivers and through trees, he fell

architectural culture,” Karampatakis explains.

in love with the abandoned building. Looking at

This research led to the realisation that when it

the hotel today through his eyes, it’s impossible

opened in 1927, the sanatorium was incomplete.

not to share his sense of wonder. His gaze is part

The original design had called for a symmetrical

disbelief, part pride. “The hotel is my purpose

structure with two identical wings flanking the

047

The hardness of the solid surfaces is tempered through the use of soft linens and sheep’s wool

main entrance. But only half had been built. “It

something that Karampatakis believes was

was as if the building became humble because it

likely done as a result of locally understood

was missing its other half,” he says.

technical processes or preferences at the time.

While the original plan had been for an

proposals

majesty in line with the typical notions of

authorities, promising to “give life back to a

beauty and perfection, the fact that it remained

building that was slowly dying” by preserving

incomplete made it “more human, more

as many elements as possible while returning

endearing and more emotionally approachable”

to the original roof design, rebuilding a second

for K-Studio. “It put us at ease and allowed us

structure that had collapsed over the years, and

to feel that there was room for us to be part

changing the internal layout to accommodate

of this,” says Karampatakis. “The building had

for contemporary hospitality requirements. The

already led a few lives over the last century, and

result is effectively a new building within an

now it was ready for the next one.”

old building, but one that embraces the original

The structure’s granting of heritage status as a monument, the highest level of protection

048

K-Studio and Batayas presented their

imposing structure with a weighty sense of

to

the

Greek

archaeological

history of the sanatorium and its subsequent role within the community.

of any type of building in Greece, added

“Our gut reaction is always to find a way

complexities to what was already a complex

to preserve heritage, as well as to give it a

project. The original designs had featured an

linear continuity that links all the way back, as

Alpine-style roof with a high pitch and the

well as optimistically to the future,” explains

possibility of dormer windows, but the finished

Karampatakis. “We didn’t want to engage in a

product had a roof that was closer to the Neo-

project in an artificial way to revive something

Classical styles in Greece with a lower pitch,

that was long lost, but rather to embrace the

WWW.BAGNODESIGN.IT

Across guestrooms and public spaces, there’s no unnecessary décor or ornamentation that takes away from the sense of space

history of its abandonment and the fact that, for half a century, it was a refuge for shepherds who would go to lunch with their sheep and play their flutes. We thought, if anything, that’s an even bigger part of its history.”

The materials used to transform Manna were inspired by those that had been broken or lost as a result of years of neglect and harsh weather conditions. Ioli Zavitsanou, cofounder of Monogon Office for Architecture, worked with Karampatakis to drive the technical aspects needed to bring the hotel to back to a habitable standard. “The stone of the old building is original, and where we’ve used new stone, we’ve managed to find materials locally that are very close to it,” she explains.

The hotel also incorporates new versions of other materials present in the original, like terrazzo and marble, weathered to avoid a look of newness that would sit at odds with the design intent. Zavitsanou and team worked on brushing, hammering and burning to give a finish that suits the surrounding rural environment, and a patina that serves as a reminder that the structure has been standing in this place for almost 100 years.

Inside the hotel, the interplay between space, materials and the outdoors feels seamless. The windows are open, allowing breezes, birdsong and light to enter the 32 guestrooms. This region of Greece has four distinct seasons, and it will be interesting to observe how Manna fits into each. Some of the forest-facing rooms feel made for cosy cocooning on winter days, spent wrapped up with a hot cup of mountain tea and watching snowflakes fall between the trees. Others are perfectly suited to summer, with large balconies for lounging in the sun and gazing at the stars at night.

050

One thing that is immediately noticeable

of the floors, walls and windows is tempered

when stepping inside Manna is the feeling of

through the use of complementary fabrics,

space, something that Karampatakis believes

soft linens and sheep’s wool, a nod to the days

contributes to the sense of luxury. “Luxury is

when shepherds would rest here. Furniture is a

what we don’t need, but want,” he says. “It’s

combination of bespoke and bought, with the

what’s beyond the necessary. For us, it’s more

latter featuring fabrics that render them unique.

about size and abundance, like large expanses

The vast majority of items are Greek.

of wall and columns, things that came about for

The result is a hotel that is at one with its

technical reasons but that give us an interesting

environment, drawing guests in with a sense

interplay of what luxury can translate into.”

of synchronicity with the seasons, nature and

There

052

or

its surroundings. It simultaneously embraces its

ornamentation that takes away from that

is

no

unnecessary

décor

history and heritage, without being limited by

sense. The result are spaces that feel relatively

it. The energy that Batayas describes as being so

simple yet rich in materials, allowing guests to

special radiates from every element.

interpret them in different ways each time they

“The property showcases the intention to

visit. “This is a new beginning for the building,

be inspired but not confined by heritage,”

and we felt that allowing for emptiness meant

concludes Karampatakis. “We have preserved

that life could creep back in,” he reveals.

the building while giving it new life with

The material palette leads to a simple

creativity and technical solutions pushed to a

colour palette, with greys, beiges and browns

higher level because of the project’s complexity.”

dominating, along with a touch of green on

Manna’s new evolution, as a place of warmth

some fabrics inspired by the evergreen fir

and welcome, is a fitting tribute that will take

forests that surround the property. The hardness

this handsome structure into its next life.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Stratis Batayas Investor: Otus Operator: Modus & Amplio Affiliation: Design Hotels Architecture: K-Studio, Monogon Office for Architecture Interior Design: K-Studio Lighting Design: Elefteria Deko Branding: MNP Athens Landscaping: Elli Paghalou www.mannaarcadia.gr

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ai170300731125_YDuk_FW23_236x275_SleeperMagazine-ok.pdf 1 19/12/2023 18:35:12

© Paolo Ferrari

054

Raffles BOSTON A quartet of design firms come together to introduce Raffles’ quiet luxury to New England.

Words: Nicola Leigh Stewart • Photography: © Brandon Barré (unless otherwise stated)

M

ore than a century after its launch in Singapore,

showstopper however is the monochrome 3D mural from MJ

Raffles has finally arrived in the Americas. Having

Atelier, which welcomes guests to the 17th floor lobby and

ventured across Asia, the Middle East and Europe,

brings together the flora and fauna of both Singapore and

the historic brand – part of Accor’s luxury portfolio since

New England.

2015 – eventually settled on Boston for its much-anticipated

Other nods to Boston include the fluted columns in the

US debut, taking a prime spot in the riverside Back Bay

atrium, a modern twist on the colonnades at the Boston

neighbourhood. With the deal announced in 2018, it took four

Public Library and, more subtly, the touches of copper, which

design studios four years to complete the project, starting

pay homage to famed Bostonian and master silversmith and

with The Architectural Team (TAT), who were tasked with

engraver Paul Revere, who helped develop copper sheeting.

envisioning the 32-storey glass tower amongst Back Bay’s

“You can see copper in many places throughout the hotel,

mix of skyscrapers, brownstones and listed landmarks.

from delicate touches on the shelving to copper lamps,”

Inside, New York-based Stonehill Taylor were handed the

explains Katie Cole, Interiors Associate at Stonehill Taylor.

keys to the 117 guestrooms, 30 suites and restaurant Amar,

“We wanted to fold classical Boston references into this

and naturally looked to Boston itself to create the individual

brand new glass building so that the interiors feel timeless.”

sense of place found in each Raffles hotel.

In the guestrooms, this timeless elegance has been created

“We talked about how it’s not New York, it’s Boston, and

with ‘quiet luxury’ shades of cream, taupe and mocha, and

there’s a different feeling between what the Boston client

prestigious materials such as padded leather headboards,

wants and what the New York client wants,” says Bethany

bespoke furnishings and marble bathrooms. The showpiece

Gale, Associate Principal, Stonehill Taylor. “It’s not flashy;

is the jewel box-style glass cabinet, which houses the mini-

there’s an approachability to the city and an element of it

bar and allows the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows

being down-to-earth. We felt that this hotel needed to be

to shine through. “Our objective with the mini-bar was to

classic and timeless, and feel connected to the place in a

create a feature piece in the room and something special for

tasteful and thoughtful way, with a high level of design,

the guest,” reveals Gale. “The idea to incorporate glass was

detail and luxury that the Raffles guest has come to expect.”

more unusual, especially in this smoked version, so we used

The tone is successfully set on entering the ground floor

it to create this beautiful glowing piece in the room.”

lobby, where guests are greeted from behind a chunky

Whilst all guestrooms have been dressed in the same classic

block of luxurious Nero Marquina marble carved in Italy by

style, more space in the suites means more opportunity to

specialists Decormarmi. The dusky pink floral wall panels

play around with accessories, and the neutral backdrop is

were also custom-made by Opuzen and are the first of many

animated with texture, fabric and colour, as showcased by

botanical references inspired by the greenery of Boston’s

the bespoke handmade rugs from Ice International. The final

chain of parks dubbed the ‘Emerald Necklace’. The studio’s

touch is an eclectic mix of artworks and black-and-white

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photographs of old Boston for a true pied-àterre feel, a nod to the city’s brownstones.

Outside the privacy of the rooms, the hotel is vast in both height and space, yet there are still custom elements, such as the carpets in corridors, meeting rooms and the ballroom, designed bespoke by Ulster. Despite the scale, the public areas were deliberately designed to be on the smaller side to foster a feeling of intimacy.

Case in point, the hotel’s sexy speakeasy, The Blind Duck. The 18th floor entrance leads to a low-ceilinged and low-lit mezzanine dressed with dark floral wallpaper, leather seating and marble tables, but overlooks the 17th-floor bar below to create an impressive sense of space, and the choice of two different soirées.

After cocktail hour, guests and locals can dine at one of three restaurants, the soon-to-open La Padrona, Raffles’ signature Long Bar – found in every property since its debut – or Portuguese fine-dining restaurant Amar. The hotel is open about Amar’s Michelin star ambitions (should the guide come to Boston), but Stonehill

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Taylor still wanted to create an approachable

dedicated entirely to wellness. Here the design

atmosphere, achieved through a soft palette of

fell under the remit of Rockwell Group, who

salmon pink with a fun pop of colour courtesy

also created the 147 Raffles Residences that

of the eclectic blue banquettes.

sit above the hotel and come with full spa

Across the floor in Long Bar, Studio Paolo

access. Offering a complete holistic experience,

Ferarri’s Verde Antico marble and emerald

the space comprises a fully kitted-out gym,

green upholstery hark back to Stonehill Taylor’s

private treatment suites with hydrotherapy

botanical references, with the overarching vision

baths, saunas, a steam room, ice showers

aligning with Raffles’ quiet luxury. “We wanted

and treatments courtesy of Guerlain, a new

Long Bar to express a quality of longevity, to

partnership for the brand, which launched at

feel as though it’s always been around,” says

Raffles at The OWO in London.

Paolo Ferrari. “Our ambition was to also create

The standout, however, is the light-flooded

something much more than what’s expected.

swimming pool, where the studio has deftly

This was achieved by harnessing the quality

combined the hotel’s contemporary design with

of age-old craft traditions and the sculptural

nods to nature. Contrasting textures of natural

treatment of materials like solid wood, precious

teak and grey porcelain stone surround the

stone and cast plaster.”

20m blue pool and bring to mind the rugged

Emphasising the monumentality of the

nature of coastal tidal pools. Above, the sleek

double height venue, Ferrari introduced built-in

reflective Barrisol ceiling mirrors the water’s

alcoves and low-lying furnishings – all custom-

waves and reflections of light from the circular

made by master artisans – while Mid-Century-

ceiling pendants and floor-to-ceiling windows,

inspired pendants and sconces offer a soft glow.

which frame the space with more spectacular

A change of pace comes on the fourth floor,

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views of the city.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Cain International, Noannet Group and Saunders Hotel Group Operator: Accor Architecture: The Architectural Team (TAT) Interior Design: Stonehill Taylor, Studio Paolo Ferrari (Long Bar), Rockwell Group (spa) www.raffles.com

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Cap Karoso SUMBA Culture and community take centre stage in Indonesia, where guests are invited to connect with the spiritual energy of the island.

Words: Emma Love • Photography: © Alex Grabchilev

A

lthough only a short flight from Bali,

with drawing up plans for the hotel, which

the under-the-radar island of Sumba

stands alone on its namesake white-sand beach

couldn’t be more different from its

to the west of the island. “With the architecture,

Indonesian neighbour, with little tourism

we looked to create something that could be

infrastructure and a unique identity that is

achieved with the relatively limited skillsets

rooted in the ancestral Marapu religion.

available,” he explains. “We decided on a

Both factors were part of the appeal for

Brutalist aesthetic but tempered to the tropics,

Evguenia and Fabrice Ivara, the French couple

with exposed concrete and rough walls made

behind Cap Karoso. “We first heard about Sumba

from locally sourced limestone.”

when we were in Bali, having a conversation

The decision not to replicate a traditional

with someone in a bar. He told us about a

village asethetic of thatched houses with peaked

nearby mysterious, otherworldly island,” recalls

roofs was a conscious one. “I think it’s more

Evguenia. “Coincidentally, my husband bumped

interesting to have thought-provoking design

into a real estate agent who was selling land

that speaks to who we are as Europeans rather

there. Nine months later, we went to explore;

than pretend to be Sumbanese,” says Evguenia.

what we found was a place so unlike anywhere

“The only place where it makes sense to take

else in Southeast Asia.” The pair – Fabrice

a traditional approach is the yoga platform and

with a background in finance and Evguenia in

spa; these are places where guests can connect

marketing luxury goods – had long shared a

with the spiritual energy of the island.”

joke about running a hotel together later in life.

In 2019, before breaking ground, the couple

Ultimately, they decided to take the plunge and

hosted a ceremony for 600 locals to request

bring their retirement dream forward.

ancestral approval. “The approval was really

Bali-based architect Gary Fell was tasked

important; if the hotel hadn’t been validated

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Sumba’s island culture has been infused across the hotel’s design, including through bespoke textiles and artwork

062

there would have been doubt that it is truly a

total – are also available to one side of the

part of Sumbanese life,” explains Evguenia.

resort, all of which have their own pool.

After gaining approval from the local

Interiors are courtesy of Jakarta-based Bitte

community, construction began. But, perhaps

Design Studio, who wanted to “engage the

unsurprising on such an undeveloped island, it

community to create pieces that are characteristic

was slow and challenging, with the hotel finally

of Sumba but with a modern French feel,” says

opening its doors in 2023. “Logistics are crazy;

co-founder Agatha Carolina. Between the studio

a lot of materials can’t be found on Sumba and

and the Ivaras – who commissioned bespoke

it’s impossible to only use a workforce from

textiles and artwork – the island’s culture has

here,” she continues. “There was no electricity

been infused throughout.

supply for the site initially. Now, although the

It starts at the minimalist reception, where

hotel is connected to the grid, it has solar panels

huge, handwoven panels in shimmering shades

to heat water,” adds Fell, who also chose flat

of terracotta by artist Kornelis Ndapakamang

living roofs for passive cooling.

are the backdrop to blocks of travertine marble,

The 47 guestrooms across the resort are split

which are used as a check-in desk. “I met

into four categories – the smallest are 42m2

Kornelis on one of my first trips to Sumba,”

studios, the largest are two-bedroom, 110m2

recalls Evguenia. “The panels were produced in

garden suites. Studios are positioned at the back

Bali, then he and the villagers used natural dyes

of the resort and elevated to facilitate an ocean

and did the weaving by hand.”

view from the balcony. Beach suites meanwhile

Tying guestrooms to the locale are custom

comprise indoor-outdoor bathrooms and living

hand-carved teak panels behind beds by Bali-

areas accessed via a sandy path away from the

based furniture designer and manufacturer Kalpa

water. Two and three-bedroom villas – 20 in

Taru, which pay tribute to ikat, an Indonesian

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dyeing technique; five unique patterns each

at a high, poured concrete table. All the dishes

represent a different animal. Abstract weavings

on the menu are inspired by what is in season

by Alexander Sebastianus, works on paper by

at the hotel’s three-hectare farm, found just a

Ines Katamso and wooden statues by artisans

few minutes’ walk down the road. Here, what

from Buku Bani village are also nods to Cap

was once unused, rocky land is now covered in

Karoso’s surroundings. All the furniture is made

fertile, organic gardens, from which ingredients

in Java, with most pieces by Bitte Design Studio;

are sourced that were previously unavailable on

exceptions include items like the oval bamboo

the island, including salad greens and tomatoes.

coffee tables by Sarah Ellison.

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Cap Karoso is “a place for interesting

The main social space is the Beach Club, an

conversations, and our residency programme

all-day restaurant and bar furnished with rattan

helps generate a sense of community,” notes

daybeds by the pool, black rope lampshades and

Evguenia, also referring to a roster of visiting

navy and white Pierre Frey cushions on wooden

artists and DJs from around the world who visit

stools. “We took our cues from the thatched

to share multi-disciplinary knowledge. As well

roof of the beach club,” says Carolina. “Natural

as bringing outside talent in, the resort and its

materials are a contrast to the concrete and

programmings encourage guests to explore their

raw finishes elsewhere, and the blue palette

surroundings, with excursions to traditional

complements the ocean vista.” Handwoven

villages and beaches, ikat workshops and twice-

napkins and table runners by Lana Daya, as well

weekly lectures on Sumba’s sacred ceremonies.

as pottery by Gaya Ceramics, complete the look.

Plans for the future include teaching local

Alternative eating spots are Indo-Basque

farmers how to grow crops organically, as well

tapas bar Apicine, and communal fine-dining

as hosting an artisanal craft market. A hotel,

experience Julang, where guests sit together

then, with culture and community at its heart.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Fabrice and Evguenia Ivara Operator: The Frenchman Affiliation: Design Hotels Architecture: GFAB Architects Interior Design: Bitte Design Studio Visual Identity: Maison Sagan Art Consultant: Isa Art Landscaping: Bali Landscape Company Main Contractor: Dharmawangsa Persada www.capkaroso.com

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Pnoēs TINOS Architect-turned-operator Aristides Dallas opens a threevilla haven in the Greek islands, where interiors draw from the surrounding natural elements.

Words: Catherine Martin Photography: Courtesy of Design Hotels

he Cyclades has become quite the hotspot

T

Perched on a hillside to the south of the

for hotel development in recent years,

island, close to a long stretch of beach known

with Mykonos and Santorini boasting

as Agios Fokas, Pnoēs is a place of tranquillity

countless new openings through the summer,

and relaxation, encouraging guests to leave

and the likes of Paros and Naxos increasingly

the stresses of daily life behind and breathe

attracting interest from owners and operators.

in the wild beauty of the island. A member

But away from the tourist hubs, the lesser-

of Design Hotels, the property comprises just

known island of Tinos is making its mark,

three standalone villas that sit in harmony

thanks to a new hotel from Aristides Dallas.

with the dwellings that dot the landscape, their

Having founded his eponymous studio in

distinct forms aligning with the architectural

2008 and built a sizeable portfolio of residential

style of both the location and the designer.

projects, the Athens-born architect was on the

“The architecture of Pnoēs is a physical

look-out for a fresh challenge, and so stepped

manifestation of the elements that define the

into the world of hospitality to create a three-

island: earth, wind and water,” Dallas notes.

villa hotel on Tinos. “In developing a hospitality

“Earth is expressed by the cave-like habitats,

project, several roles were required at the same

conceptually carved out of the rock to define an

time,” explains Dallas. “The architect who

experience of utmost protection and intimacy;

designs, the manufacturer who implements,

wind is symbolised by the white-washed cubic

the administrator who creates the identity of

shapes gently placed above the earth; and water

the company, and the operator who oversees

surrounds the villas, creating reflections and

the management and needs of the guest. It was

softening the forms.”

a personal challenge to discover all the aspects

The natural topography of the land results

that shape the different phases of a project.”

in a stepped elevation for the three villas, with

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Interiors play with scale and volume, with the bedrooms partially below ground level to offer sightlines across the surface of the pool

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each oriented to maximise a connection with the

and allow daylight to flood in, while to the other, an

surroundings and counter the impact of the infamous

outdoor terrace is designed for lounging as well as

Meltemi winds. Despite the sturdy cubic volumes,

dining, morning coffee and evening sundowners. The

there’s a lightness to the architecture that comes from

timber pergola rises vertically to serve as a privacy

an interplay between solid and void, light and shadow.

screen, before extending overhead for shading; though

Narrow passageways lead to airy openings, while a

functional in its purpose, the clean lines and angular

timber pergola angled to the diagonal creates shading

arrangement make for a striking visual feature. Native

patterns as the sun rises and sets. “The volumes,

grasses planted around the perimeter of the terrace

rotations and height differences are all architectural

bring added privacy and will eventually blend in with

decisions to solve the land’s constraints, yet create

the landscaping once mature.

unique design opportunities through transitions,”

The two en suite bedrooms are located on the

Dallas explains. “Those transitions are defined by the

lower level of the villa, and once again play with scale

way one moves through the property, passing from a

and volume to, as Dallas puts it, “redefine aesthetic

high- to a low-ceiling space, or from narrow to wide.”

perception”. Partially below ground, the bedrooms

Inside, the layout of the villa follows the same

are immediately cocooning, fostering a sense of

idea, playing with transitions to challenge the norm

tranquillity and introspection. A window aperture

and create a living space that promotes both privacy

positioned at height may at first seem an unusual

and connectivity. Accessed via the upper level, the

decision, but on climbing the few steps into bed, all

entryway leads directly into the lounge, where a

becomes clear; from here, the window aligns with the

low-slung sofa and chunky coffee table accompany

surface of the pool, allowing the sightline to skim the

a low-hanging pendant light, collectively adding

water to meet the horizon, or by night, gaze up at the

height and bringing an openness to the space. To

stars – another clever trick from Dallas to connect the

one side, sliding doors offer direct access to the pool

guest to nature.

The interior design scheme is intentionally minimalist, subtly marrying tradition with

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enjoyed at a local taverna or simply staying in to recharge.

contemporary. The earthy limewash walls are

As there’s no restaurant or bar on site,

reminiscent of Cycladic cave dwellings, with

the villas come equipped with a kitchenette

recesses that form shelves for a selection of

comprising cooking facilities, a fridge and coffee

sculptural vases and urns; artworks have been

machine. Each morning, a breakfast basket

sourced from Greek artists; and all furniture

packed with local produce – including bread,

is custom-made in line with traditional

pastries, cold cuts and honey – is delivered to

craftsmanship. The palette is made up of

the door, and in the future, there are plans for

natural and tactile materials, accompanied by

visiting chefs to host in-villa dining experiences

local walnut throughout to add warmth to the

and BBQs on the terrace, using produce from the

steel detailing and contemporary light fixtures.

hotel’s garden.

The bathrooms are worth a mention too,

For Dallas, this connection to the locale –

appearing as if they are carved into rock beneath

whether through the natural surroundings or

the earth. A continuous surface envelops the

the culture and traditions of the people – is

space, forming the basin and a deep sunken

key to creating an authentic experience. “Our

tub, where bathing by candlelight comes highly

inspiration is deeply rooted in the connection

recommended. With Tinos remaining blissfully

between Tinos and the natural elements,” he

quiet in comparison to the packed streets of

concludes. “We imagined a place where these

Mykonos or Santorini, a stay at Pnoēs is very

elements come together in harmony and the

much about relaxation and regeneration; days

restless soul surrenders to the silence; a place

are spent lounging on the terrace or strolling

where time stops, the spirit elevates and

along the beach, while evenings are best

tranquillity reigns.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Aristides Dallas Affiliation: Design Hotels Architecture and Interior Design: Aristides Dallas Architects www.pnoestinos.gr

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MADE TO TOUCH. DESIGNED TO CONTROL. LS 990 IN MATT GRAPHITE BLACK. You are welcome to visit us at: JUNG UK Showroom · 6 / 7 Albemarle Way · Clerkenwell · London Visit by prior arrangement: jung.group/london JUNG.GROUP/MATT

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13.12.23 14:40

Shinta Mani Mustang NEPAL Nestled between snowcapped peaks, a new mountain lodge designed by Bill Bensley is a treasure trove of local crafts.

he arrival into Jomsom couldn’t be more

T

The ideal site and property were hiding in

dramatic. During the 20-minute flight

plain view, it turns out. A few minutes’ drive

from Pokhara, the small propeller plane

from the airport up a rocky mountain road, at an

soars through the Kali Gandaki gorge – one of

elevation of 2,800m, is a two-storey structure

the deepest in the world – before landing at a

built in local grey Baglung stone and timber

tiny airport at the foot of the Himalayas.

in keeping with Mustang’s traditional Thakali

Not far from Nepal’s border with Tibet,

architectural style. Camouflaged against the

Jomsom is a gateway to Upper Mustang – the

Himalayan mountainside, the building would

so-called Forbidden Kingdom that was closed to

almost go unnoticed were it not for the golden

outsiders until 1992. Today, hikers and pilgrims

yak statue standing guard on the forecourt

journey there to visit the walled city of Lo

beneath the strings of colourful Tibetan prayer

Manthang and the ancient temple of Muktinath,

flags fluttering in the wind. It’s a welcoming

sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.

first impression, yet only a hint of the treasures

Lower Mustang is just as beguiling, with its Words: Lisa Kjellsson • Photography: © Elise Hassey

that await inside.

turquoise lakes, monasteries and villages, where

Shinta Mani Mustang, A Bensley Collection is

time seems to have stood still for centuries.

Shinta Mani’s first hotel outside Cambodia. The

Jomsom, which sits along the Annapurna Circuit

property is owned and operated by Kathmandu-

trekking trail, is an ideal base from which to

based Sherpa Hospitality Group, which has

explore the region. Despite being a one-street

lodges across the Everest and Annapurna

town, there’s no shortage of hotels, but until

routes and strong ties to the mountains – CEO

recently, they were of the basic guesthouse

Namgyal Sherpa’s mother, Pasang Lhamu, was

variety, and this is a place that deserves a hotel

the first Nepalese woman to climb Everest. The

as spectacular as its surroundings.

intention with the Jomsom lodge is to bring the

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Drawing on local craftsmanship and symbolism, Bill Bensley’s design sees Tibetan rugs alongside upcycled furniture

074

beauty of Mustang to the global stage in a way

Also raising the bar is the thoughtful interior

that does justice to one of the most remote and

design concept by Bill Bensley and developer

culturally well-preserved places on Earth.

Jason M Friedman, completed in collaboration

Designed by Nepalese architect Prabal Thapa

with Sherpa. Throughout the property, the

and built in 2017, the lodge is protected from

aesthetic draws on local craftsmanship and

the valley winds by berms and bioswales

symbolism, with handmade Tibetan rugs

incorporated into the landscape. The building’s

featuring alongside pieces of slate engraved

U-shaped floorplate creates an elongated

with Sanskrit poems and a generous sprinkling

courtyard at its centre, planted with native flora

of yak fur. Artwork includes Bensley’s own

and serving as a walkway to the lobby. Flanked

pieces, as well as drawings by the late Australian

by Nilgiri Restaurant and Aara Bar – the latter

artist and architect Robert Powell, who captured

named after a local liquor – the lobby opens to

Mustang’s traditional buildings in great detail.

an outdoor terrace to reveal panoramic views

The earthy tones of the region’s mountain

of the snowcapped peaks. Two wings running

landscape are echoed in the base palette,

alongside the courtyard house the 29 suites

complemented by flashes of colour seen on

– each with floor-to-ceiling windows – and

rattan chairs painted lime green, and orange

a 2,400ft2 events space, gym and spa, where

bed throws with whimsical goat appliqués.

a team of massage therapists are on hand to

Upcycling – another Bensley trademark –

help guests recover from strenuous treks in the

played a key role in the project. The designer

mountains. The USP is a consultation with a

scoured local antiques stores and junkyards for

local Tibetan medicine doctor, Tsewang Gyurme

discarded items that, with a little imagination

Gurung, whose knowledge of the ancient healing

and some TLC, could be turned into decorative

tradition goes back several generations.

objects. Bensley took a similar approach to

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sourcing materials and finishings too, for

unique, much like all of Bensley’s projects.

reasons of both sustainability and availability.

Though unlike his designs for Marriott, IHG,

Thapa, whose architectural work has a

Capella and Rosewood, Shinta Mani Hotels

strong emphasis on eco-conscious design

is the designer’s own venture, and one that

strategies and sense of place, appreciates

is particularly close to his heart. Aside from

the same ethos in Bensley’s interiors. “Once

providing a memorable stay, the group exists

again, Bill has demonstrated his brilliance by

to support the work of the Shinta Mani

seamlessly integrating traditional features into

Foundation, which benefits local communities

a contemporary context,” he explains. “His

and ecosystems. As such, Bensley is currently

skilful touch has not only transformed the space

collaborating with RH and Baker on two lines

but also captured the essence of Mustang with

of furniture, and a collection of Jim Thompson

its mystical atmosphere.”

fabrics – made from recycled materials, of

How Bensley was able to pull it off is no

course – for which all profits will go towards

mystery, however. Over the past four decades,

the various conservation and education projects

he has made more than 100 trips to Nepal,

of the foundation.

purchasing art and antiques for his own

As for the Himalayan mountain lodge, it may

famously eclectic home in Bangkok, so he

well see future additions that will further add to

knew just where to find the ornate chests that

the guest experience. “A swimming pool would

now adorn the lodge’s lobby. “I would rather

be wonderful, but my goal, if we can find the

salvage and repurpose junk than specify the

money, is to build a series of exploration camps

most expensive of Italian furniture,” Bensley

further up the Mustang Valley,” concludes

reveals. “I find it a great deal more satisfying.”

Bensley. “That is really what draws visitors to

As a result, Shinta Mani Mustang is distinctly

076

this remote land.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Sherpa Hospitality Group Operator: Shinta Mani Hotels Developer: Jason M Friedman Architecture and Lighting Design: Prabal Thapa Architects Interior Design, Landscaping and Art Consultant: Bensley Branding: HMD Asia www.shintamanimustang.com

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EST. 2015

LONDON - BIRMINGHAM

ELEGANCE, ENGINEERED W W W. JA DA M SA N D C O . C O M

SO/ UPTOWN DUBAI Ennismore reunites with Woods Bagot to bring the SO/ brand’s signature avant-garde style to the UAE. Words: Guy Dittrich • Photography: © Natelee Cocks

T

he angled glass façades of Uptown Tower by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) reflect brightly in the fierce sunshine of the Dubai emirate.

The 340m-tall building is the first of two towers anchoring Uptown Dubai, part of the development of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). Established in 2002 by the Government of Dubai, DMCC styles itself as the world’s most interconnected Free Trade Zone – a trading area free from customs duties. Amongst the most successful of those trades is in diamonds, so it is but a short step to the inspiration for the tower’s architecture and design.

Chicago-based AS+GG are masters of tall towers having worked on Burj Khalifa (at SOM) and Jeddah Tower, to name two in the region. They took the gemstone metaphor and worked it up with the addition of white strip lighting along the perimeter of each facet to become a line drawing in the night sky, adding further dynamism. AS+GG ensured Uptown Tower has been constructed using best-in-class sustainable practices, aiming to achieve LEED v4 Gold status for this first phase of the development.

Situated towards the southern end of the city on the road to Abu Dhabi, the mixed-use tower is home to SO/ Uptown Dubai. Above a podium base of parking and retail is the hotel’s entrance beneath a cantilevered porte cochère, adjacent to fragrant frangipani trees and a water feature.

Guests transition past the office floors of the DMCC to the 188 guestrooms on floors 35 to 45, above which are 227 branded residences with accompanying amenities including a co-working space, a gym and pool, crèche and cinema.

078

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The surfaces of the lobby’s massive structural elements, walls and ceilings comprise offset triangulated swathes of stone that mirror the architecture

080

SO/ Hotels was created in 2011 by Accor,

to this SO/ 2.0 approach as a repackaging and

and following the completion of Accor’s joint

re-booting of the brand that will see different

venture with Ennismore a decade later, it joined

narratives for each hotel.

other brands within Ennismore’s creative orbit

There is a lot going on in SO/ Uptown

such as Mama Shelter, The Hoxton and 25hours

Dubai. Pops of colour – turquoise, a spectrum

Hotels. And like at 25hours Hotel Dubai One

of reds, black and white, green, orange and

Central, the lifestyle operator collaborated with

gold. Textures of smooth marble, fluted glass

Woods Bagot on SO/ Uptown Dubai.

and macramé. A mix of materials – stone,

The brand is rooted in the worlds of fashion

wood, ceramic, glass and metal. Triangles are

and design and its cue words of avant-garde

omnipresent yet unobtrusive. The surfaces

and stylish are well-realised in Dubai. “As we

of the lobby’s massive structural elements,

are developing the SO/ brand, we continue to

walls and ceilings comprise offset triangulated

look not just at fashion but the wider creative

swathes of stone and mirror; a clear reflection of

industry that surrounds it – music, photography,

how the faceted façade reaches into the interior.

film and architecture,” explains Mark Eacott,

Patterns featuring white marble chevrons

Global Vice President of Design at Ennismore.

on bathroom floors, a convergence of more

The all-night fashion shoot for Vogue that took

triangles in loose rugs from ICE International,

place during Sleeper’s stay is a telling stamp

an angular pattern in corridor carpets that is

of approval. Currently the brand has eight

reversed in the stone lift lobby floors. Screening

operational hotels with another eight in the

is used extensively with bathrooms partitioned

pipeline. The latest in Paris, the first to have the

by triangular patterns in dark metal and a wall

Ennismore-touch, won the Hotel Conversion

of swivelling leaves of brushed metal in The

award at AHEAD Europe 2023. Eacott refers

Citronelle Club. Other wall finishes include

bespoke stone fabrication for over 50 years www.stone-circle.com

Lansgrove | HBA Residential

#stoneexperts #bringingstonetolife

Kaleidoscope of Nature by Capsule Arts sees origami birds fluttering against a vivid density of lush foliage

the interiors of guestroom wardrobes wallpapered with a geometrically patterned print (those diamond facets again), triangulated 3D wall panelling and shimmering iridescent glass in the Glambar beauty salon.

Amidst all this linearity are some curves. See the smoked glass banister of the lobby’s spiral staircase and the ornamental half archways of corridors and lift lobbies. A decorative U-shape element is also introduced to lighting, screens and wallpapers in the suites.

The newbuild hotel has a surprising sense of mystery; all is not quite as it first appears. This is due in part to the art curation by Art Painting Lab and Capsule Arts. Most striking is the latter’s kinetic piece covering the static columns of the lobby; a mesmerising experience on a grand scale. As guests walk past Kaleidoscope of Nature, lenticular technology sees origami birds fluttering and disappearing against a surreal and vivid density of lush foliage. Should it be a surprise that the birds bear a resemblance to the Bernache goose of Accor’s logo?

Added depth comes from a triptych of digital artworks depicting architectural forms by Alexandra Raynaud in the ballroom and pre-function area, the latter illuminated by a lighting installation of tubes and globes by Preciosa. The vast ballroom walls are covered with a subtle intertwining of classic European architectural drawings and Islamic geometric elegance by Aziza Iqbal. Artistic in their own right are the stepped, quarter spheres of the ceilings in the boardroom. An easy target for value engineering. Of this supremely tricky finish, Eacott comments: “We were pleased that DMCC remained committed to delivering the original

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design, with the final spaces looking much like

by vintage Parisian industrial lofts; at The

the renders, which is not an easy task.”

Citronelle Club, walls are of rustic, rough plaster

Further influence of the hotel’s façade on the

or abstract handpainted motifs lit by beautiful

art story is evidenced by Capsule Arts’ spin on

pendant lamps; and Savant sees a clever play

classical statues, from the turquoise version

on the SO/ logo. Standing at an unusual curving

of a Crouching Venus that welcomes guests to

acrylic orange bar counter, mixologists are ready

the pool bar, to the white armless figures in

to experiment with cocktails. Paradoxically

corridors daubed in gold paint. The same brushes

behind them a large, vat-looking cylinder allied

of gold are splashed on guestroom doors. “The

by an array of bright chrome and copper pipes

hotel goes beyond conventional design; it’s a

is more reminiscent of a brewery.

masterpiece of storytelling,” enthuses Rachael

In a land of superlatives, with new

Brown, co-founder and Creative Director of

skyscrapers popping up all the time, it is hard

Capsule Arts. “The seamless fusion of artistic

to keep up with the progress of this emirate.

concepts with the hotel’s ambiance makes SO/

The first tower of Uptown Dubai, and the whole

Uptown Dubai a beacon of innovation in the

development as envisaged by DMCC, is anchored

realm of art-infused hospitality.”

for the future by the forward-looking SO/ brand

Enigmatic too is poolside bar Lazulli, where

with its storytelling and varied amenities. “It

furniture from Sanipex Group sits by angular

was impressive to observe DMCC’s long-term

screens of twisted rope. Noteworthy too is the

commitment and master vision in creating

beautiful graduation from blue to pink of the

the new Uptown district in Dubai,” concludes

bar’s counter front.

Eacott. “The new SO/ sets the bar very high.”

Of the other food and beverage venues, the

SO/ will continue to sparkle as the next stage of

high ceilings of the bar, Celeste, are inspired

the DMCC development comes to life around it.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Developer: DMCC Operator: Ennismore Architecture: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture Interior Design: Woods Bagot Lighting Design: Studio Lumen Graphic Design: Genius Loci Art Consultant: Capsule Arts Procurement: The Parker Company Landscaping: Place Dynamix Main Contractor: Besix www.so-hotels.com

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Moxy Williamsburg BROOKLYN Lightstone ventures across the Hudson River to celebrate the industrial legacy of Williamsburg.

Words: Ben Thomas • Photography: © Michael Kleinberg (unless otherwise stated)

O

nce an industrial powerhouse packed

textures serving as the foundation of the

with factories, Brooklyn’s Williamsburg

scheme. From here, extensive glazing was

neighbourhood is now a hipster hang-

installed to bathe the interiors in natural light

out, lined with trendy cafés, art galleries and

and establish a visual connection with the

independent stores. While many of its former

locale, with double-height bi-folding doors

warehouses have been converted to residential,

opening directly onto Bedford Avenue.

hospitality or office use, their brick façades

The industrial theme carries through to the

remain, preserving the district’s legacy. So,

interiors, for which Lightstone Design Studio

when Lightstone set about opening a new Moxy

collaborated with California-based Basile

in the area, the group knew it would need a

Studio, known for crafting eclectic environments

design that harmonises with the surroundings.

that reference the past whilst remaining

Enter Stonehill Taylor, the New York-based

contemporary. Mitchell Hochberg, President

architecture firm that Lighstone has entrusted

at Lightstone, reveals: “Rather than creating a

for several of its previous projects in the city.

specific design story, we consciously broadened

“The architectural vision stems from the

the concept, reflecting Williamsburg’s melting

borough’s trading past,” says Hiten Gandhi,

pot character through inspiration from past and

Senior Associate at Stonehill Taylor. “The hotel

present, near and far.”

is reflective of warehouse lofts and features

With a free-spirited ethos in mind, design

brick, exposed concrete and pressed aluminium

details range from Bauhaus style in the Tel

detailing in the form of steel beams, which

Aviv-inspired Mesiba restaurant, to motorised

capture Williamsburg’s industrial character.”

liquor risers at Bar Bedford, which take cues

Such materials were selected to bring the

from New York’s historic automats. Alongside

desired aesthetic, with raw and authentic

the wide-ranging influences, the furniture and

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Characterised by curvilinear forms, light plaster finishes and travertine tabletops, Mesiba takes cues from Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus architecture

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finishes come from closer to home, channelling

oak and topped with golden fire light marble,

Brooklyn’s appreciation for craftsmanship,

which shimmers as the daylight shifts. Behind

nostalgia and unconventional creativity.

the bar, motorised risers fronted by black

Upon entering the lobby, 20ft-high exposed

metal grilles extend up to the ceiling, moving

ceilings evoke the lofty feel of a warehouse, with

up and down like dumbwaiters to showcase the

materials such as white oak, plaster and aged

1,500 bottles of wine and spirits on offer. “The

copper reinforcing the industrial theme. The

bespoke system pays homage to Williamsburg’s

blackened steel of the check-in pods meanwhile

manufacturing past as well as its modern-day

reflects the materiality of the Williamsburg

devotion to artisanship,” reveals Hochberg.

Bridge, which is honoured in the form of an

The artwork at Bar Bedford fuses past and

installation by Rare Culture. Comprising

present too, with New York-based artist Jessie

thousands of coloured crayons, the piece is a

Rubin producing a custom wallcovering that

Pointillist depiction of the bridge’s underbelly

honours the Pop Art movement through vibrant

at sunrise, offering a unique perspective of the

colours and layers of texture. In developing

landmark that helps set the design’s irreverent

the piece, Rubin handcarved stamps based on

tone. As does a display of handpainted

Brooklyn hallmarks – brownstones, CitiBikes

skateboards behind the check-in, created by

and cannolis – and used them to create an

local artists.

oil painting that was then converted into a

Bar Bedford is a continuation of the lobby,

wallcovering. The artist drew inspiration from

acting as a mixed-use lounge furnished with

the image of a studio with paint-splattered

Mid-Century Modern pieces upholstered in

surfaces, and to simulate years of creative

bold patterned, richly textured fabrics. The

output, she layered the walls with plaster and

showpiece here is the bar itself, clad in white

paint before distressing them.

© Michael Mundy

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Similarly layered is Mesiba, only here it’s the

As per the typical Moxy formula, the 216

Bauhaus movement that permeates throughout

guestrooms are compact and functional,

the space. The restaurant is characterised by

featuring space-saving solutions such as a fold-

curvilinear forms, white plaster finishes and

out desk, under-bed storage and a system of

a purposely pared-back feel that sees wood-

wall-mounted pegs that serve as a variation on

framed, etched-glass windows contrast with

the open closet.

travertine tabletops and a palette of mauve, tan and brown across upholstered seating.

Upstairs at Indo-Aussie lounge LilliStar, a

incorporated to ensure a connection to the local

Bali-meets-Brooklyn sensibility is brought to

neighbourhood. Perhaps the most notable is an

life via vintage-style furnishings in tropical

11-storey mural by British street artist D*Face,

tones, tables crafted from a range of materials –

visible from the Williamsburg Bridge. Depicting

think white oak, mosaic tile and concrete – and

a woman stuck in traffic, crying out ‘Get Me

a curved bamboo banquette that hugs the wall.

To The Moxy!’, the piece calls to the 10,000

In true New York style, the public spaces are

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Though the property follows the brand’s DNA in many respects, distinct touches are

commuters who cross the bridge each day.

rounded out by Jolene Sound Room, a 1970s

Hochberg concludes: “Each Moxy has a

and ‘80s-inspired nightclub that plays host to

distinct personality that reflects the locale, but

DJs and artists. Archways are formed from an

as our first New York City property outside of

assembly of speakers, while walnut and leather

Manhattan, Moxy Williamsburg’s location is a

add to the acoustics. However it’s the adaptable

key point of difference. We wanted to create a

lighting scheme that takes centre stage, with the

true fixture for the neighbourhood, facilitating

rows of marquee lights able to sync to the beat

authentic interactions between guests and

of the music for a multi-sensory experience.

locals. That’s when the magic happens.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Developer: Lightstone Operator: Marriott International Architecture: Stonehill Taylor Interior Design: Lightstone Design Studio, Basile Studio Lighting Design: Within Light Branding: Sideways Art Consultant: Rare Culture Procurement: HPG International Landscaping: Floratorium Main Contractor: Leeding Builders Group, MG & Co www.moxywilliamsburg.com

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26/10/2023 11:37

&Beyond Punakha River Lodge BHUTAN Expanding on its tailor-made tours across the continent, &Beyond ventures into the lush forests of Punakha Valley to open its first lodge in Asia.

Words: Emma Love • Photography: © Dook Photography

T

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he Kingdom of Bhutan has stepped into the

stay at several lodges as part of a circuit. “Currently,

spotlight in recent years – and not just because

most of the tourism focuses on the west and central

of its Gross National Happiness Index. Once

parts of Bhutan; Punakha is a good place to acclimatise

shrouded in mystery with restrictions on tourist

before moving on to Paro and climbing Tiger’s Nest,”

numbers, the Himalayan country regularly grabs

Sarma continues.

headlines for its carbon-negative status, and is often

Punakha River Lodge sits on 50 acres on the banks

named as a must-visit destination for its deeply

of the Mo Chhu river, although only seven of those are

spiritual identity, where Buddhist beliefs are built into

built on, with others used by neighbouring villagers for

the everyday. This environmental and cultural bounty

growing crops. When &Beyond found the land in 2016,

is appealing to travellers and luxury hotel groups alike

the main lodge and six tented suites already existed

– including &Beyond, which opened Punakha River

– the previous owner had the intention of creating

Lodge in September 2023.

a rafting and kayaking camp, which never came to

Although widely known as African safari lodge

fruition. “In order to preserve the rural landscape,

experts, the company has long offered tailor-made

the main lodge had been built in a traditional way,

tours in Southeast Asia, making a property of its

with wooden shingles on the roof that are tied to the

own in the region a natural next step. “If you look

main structure and then held in place with boulders,”

at the ethos of Bhutan and its approach to nature,

explains Thimphu-based architect Pem Gyaltsen, who

it works really well with &Beyond’s values, which

was involved in the original project and later re-hired

put conservation first,” says General Manager Rishi

by &Beyond.

Sarma. Punakha – often labelled the country’s larder

The first sight that greets guests on arrival is an

after its lush valley floor, covered with terraced rice

entryway filled with interesting objects, including

paddies and red chillies that are laid out to dry on

a narrow wooden ladder hanging horizontally and

corrugated roofs – is close to the capital, Thimphu,

a collection of brass and tin pots typically used to

and ideally located for the area’s visitors, who typically

make the local rice wine, ara. “We didn’t want the

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Interiors feature Bhutanese fabrics and furnishings to affirm a sense of place, while shades of blue are incorporated in a nod to the national flower

entrance to feel like a hotel so we turned it into

rammed earth stove in the outdoor kitchen. The

a gallery space with collectables. The idea is that

vision of South African Executive Chef Rudolf

it’s like someone’s home,” says Chris Browne,

van der Westhuizen, daily-changing menus

co-founder of South African firm Fox Browne

incorporate local ingredients into international-

Creative, which is behind the interior design of

style dishes such as yak bao buns and chicken

all &Beyond lodges.

ramen, followed by red rice brûlée or chilli

Moving further in, there’s a restaurant to one

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chocolate mousse.

side and a cosy lounge to the other, furnished

The tented suites are elevated on wooden

with velvet sofas in midnight blue, as well as a

platforms and each span 89m2 with canvas walls

serf-service bar, bukhari (wood-burning stove)

beneath a shingle roof. Importantly, they are

and another wall display, this time of vintage

blissfully snug inside. “They are very simple

raffia baskets typically used to carry water

Hemingway-style tents. Our job was to make

jars, which were sourced from the east of the

them homely with a Bhutanese edge,” confirms

country. “We always aim to bring a sense of

Browne. Key to the look are the headboards,

place, so decided to incorporate blue throughout

made from fabrics typically used for kira and

to tie in with the national flower,” continues

gho – Bhutan’s national dress – by Renew,

Browne, adding that the blue poppy emblem is

a textiles social enterprise that empowers

also embroidered onto towels and napkins.

disadvantaged girls and women. Cushions and

This sense of place continues in the F&B

throws are courtesy of CDK, which employs

offer, where pre-dinner drinks by the firepit

home-based weavers; and the beds themselves

are accompanied by snacks including spinach

are made by Ap Gembo in Thimphu.

hoentay dumplings and a national dish of

“We wanted to include as many pieces from

chilli and cheese, all cooked over a traditional

Bhutan as possible, but we did also look to

095

India for furniture, such as the beautiful bone

local materials such as stone and wood,” says

inlay dressing table and drinks trolley. The two

Gyaltsen, noting that the interiors share many

countries have a close relationship and we felt

of the same design features as the tents.

it wasn’t too much of a departure in terms of

Other new spaces created from scratch are

aesthetic,” says Browne. “The overall room

the yoga studio; teal-tiled pool with wooden

style is a mish-mash, with rustic textiles, plush

cabanas, loungers upholstered in blue geometric

velvet corner sofas and glam moments in the

prints and matching parasols; and an intimate

lovely brasswork.”

spa with two treatment rooms, where the

Bathrooms meanwhile were rebuilt to a more

signature therapy is a Bhutanese hot stone

spacious floorplate, with an outdoor shower,

bath. “We have repurposed whatever we could,

dual vanity units in local kadappa (black

so in the spa is the old wood-carved reception

limestone), and the centrepiece – a large brass-

counter that is now propped up as a piece of art,

panelled bathtub positioned beneath a skylight.

and we’ve repainted the outdoor chairs on the

“We couldn’t put windows in because of privacy

main terrace in navy blue to give them a new

so we dropped in the skylight instead; guests

lease of life,” says Browne.

love looking up at the sky while soaking in the bath,” Browne continues.

096

Perhaps unsurprising for those familiar with &Beyond’s social consciousness, future plans are

The property is also home to a pair of villas:

focused around community-led conservation,

the one-bedroom 150m2 River House in the style

and potential excursions to spot red pandas

of a traditional farmhouse, and a two-bedroom

and snow leopards in the wild. “Bhutan has

310m2 family suite, each with their own pool,

not concentrated on its wildlife and once you’ve

kitchen, dining and living space. “The language

seen all the cultural highlights, it’s a reason to

of the buildings was already set so we used

come back,” concludes Sarma.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Operator: &Beyond Architecture: Gandhara Designs Interior Design: Fox Browne Creative www.andbeyond.com

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PA R I S | N E W Y O R K | L O S A N G E L E S | M E X I C O C I T Y

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Luteca.com | @lutecafurniture

4/26/2023 10:13:42 AM

Nobu MARRAKECH Nobu Hospitality Group brings its Japanese sensibility to the Red City, marking the brand’s African debut.

Words: Abby Lowe • Photography: © Toby Mitchell

R

ising to take its place amid the skyline of Hivernage, the cosmopolitan neighbourhood built for French diplomats in the 1930s, Nobu Marrakech’s striking

façade is a reminder of the symbiosis between old and new that exists in every corner of this enigmatic, electrifying city.

“Capturing the essence of the city was paramount to us,” explains Ahmed Bennani, Owner of Hivernage Collection – the developer behind the property. “We wanted to create a sense of place and to ensure that guests get to experience an authentic Moroccan ambience throughout.” Consequently, riad-style courtyards, a spectacular rooftop restaurant with panoramic views stretching across the rust-red landscape, and of course, a signature Nobu Restaurant all contribute to the creation of a bustling social hub where the city’s wellheeled and super-connected eat, meet and sleep.

Formerly operating as The Pearl, the hotel has been given an overhaul to introduce Nobu’s Japanese sensibility to the Red City. Design details cleverly merge the international vibe with the notion of locality. Intricate tile-work, a colour palette inspired by the vibrant hues of Marrakech’s souks, and a rich selection of textures and materials are cornerstones of the communal areas, as well as the 71 luxe individual suites, each embodying the Japanese concept of Kokoro, which engages a spiritual connection with a destination.

“Our strategy was to honour Marrakech while infusing it with the contemporary style of Nobu,” Bennani continues.

“So handcrafted Moroccan furnishings, decorative pieces and an art collection curated in partnership with local artists all add an authentic touch.”

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Indeed, the hotel’s excellent art collection

that have become iconic to the property. This

is an open invitation to engage in Morocco’s

was the best way of paying homage to his

vibrant and growing arts scene. Works by

exceptional vision.”

acclaimed calligrapher Noureddine Daifallah

The Pearl Spa is one of the largest spas in

are dotted among lounges, corridors and suites,

the ever-expanding Nobu Hotels portfolio, and

paying homage to the beauty of Arabic script

a vital pillar of a property, where Moroccan

while highlighting its cultural significance in

heritage and culture rest at the fore. Sprawled

Morocco. Such pieces sit alongside compelling

across an expansive 2,000m 2 space that is

sculptures by Paco Di Angelo, and the spirited

peppered with relaxation areas, a heated indoor

paintings of Ivorian artist Mederic Toray, whose

pool, bubbling whirlpools, and steam and sauna

Expressionist-inspired work jumps off the

rooms, the spa offers quiet retreat from the

canvas with the same energy as street art.

near-constant cacophony of the city. And yet,

Away from modern artworks, great care was also taken to retain the building’s history.

just a few floors up, nods to the many dynamic personalities of Marrakech are ubiquitous.

A show-stealing circular structure with a

Returning to the hotel after a few sensory-

sculptural steel carapace, the property was

igniting hours exploring the nearby Djemaa El

originally designed by French architect Jacques

Fna, the market square that’s been thrumming

Garcia. “We wanted to incorporate Jacques’

with life for centuries is a pertinent reminder

original design elements from the previous

of the Red City’s unique identity, fusing past

hotel,” Bennani explains. “He is a master of

and present. “It is a celebration of the unique

creating opulent and captivating spaces, so

harmony between tradition and modernity,”

we made sure to preserve certain architectural

concludes Bennani. “And a testament to

features, decorative elements and ornate details

Marrakech’s enduring allure.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Hivernage Collection, MC Hotels Operator: Nobu Hospitality Group Architecture and Interior Design: Jacques Garcia (The Pearl), Nobu Hospitality Group (in-house team) www.marrakech.nobuhotels.com

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101

HOTEL CONVERSION

Palau Fugit

The Catalan city of Girona is known for its well-preserved buildings in the old quarter of Barri Vell, which stand in harmony alongside more contemporary newbuilds in the commercial centre, so when Isern Associats and El Equipo Creativo were tasked with converting an 18th-century palace into a boutique hotel, they drew inspiration from both past and present. “We sought to create a sense of high luxury without pretension; to respect the original architecture of course, but be fresh, elegant, surprising and at times a little disruptive,” say El Equipo Creativo, whose approach to the interior design scheme was influenced by the building’s two components – the original palauet and a modern annexe. Using the dual characters of the city – or the “two Gironas”– as a starting point, the designers introduced a variety of details dependent on whether in El Palauet (the original palace) or El Pavelló (the annexe). The two styles come together at La Placeta, a courtyard at the heart of the hotel that is home to a restaurant, cocktail bar and hidden spa, as well as a number of guestrooms. Cradled by stone archways and an original staircase, La Placeta is at first emblematic of the Old Town’s weathered stone façades and ageing ramparts. Modernday comforts come by way of the plush furniture, upholstered in warming hues of ochre and terracotta, resulting in a place to meet, eat and socialise. For the design team, this idea of re-introducing the palace to the social life of the city was essential to the success of the project.

© Salva Lopez

Further Forecast In its inaugural trend report, Design Hotels explores the future of travel, examining how new paradigms will influence the sector for years to come.

‘As today’s world leans more heavily into

a stronger appetite for deep connection, a

technology and connectivity, a countertrend

newfound appreciation of awe and wonder, and

transpires,’ states the foreward to Further

a search for life-altering experiences – all of

Forecast. ‘While algorithmic curation and AI-

which can be channelled into the development

driven convenience is speeding up innovation

of new hotels worldwide.

in the travel sector, a more human-centric approach to healing, community and dining is

THE AGE OF AWE

slowing down our drive to be it all and see it all.’

As science shows that experiences of awe can

But what does this mean for travel and

have a transformative effect, travellers are

hospitality? Offering a glimpse into the future,

increasingly seeking wondrous moments; 63%

Further Forecast – a new trend report from

of people in the Design Hotels Community

Design Hotels – explores six key themes that

Survey (comprising 1,789 responses) are

will shape the industry in 2024 and beyond.

willing to invest more money in out-of-the-

Produced in partnership with Soon Future

ordinary experiences. In hospitality, a growing

Studies, the 158-page report combines in-depth

appreciation of visual impact is explored

field research and stratigic foresight, together

through design, with bold use of colour and

with findings from the Design Hotels Community

pattern alongside statement furniture and

Survey and PESTE (political, economic, social,

inspiring artworks serving to spark awe.

technological and environmental) analysis to determine the role of travel in today’s society.

104

THE INTELLIGENCE ERA

The resulting mega- and micro-trends,

AI is also revolutionising the travel sector, with

featured alongside actionable takeaways for

technological advancements resuting in tailored

hoteliers, designers, architects and cultural

recommendations and intelligent planning

tastemakers, show a desire for new discoveries,

and booking tools. According to the Design

The six key themes identified by Further Forecast can be experienced at a number of Design Hotels properties including Patina Maldives (left), Hotel Terrestre in Mexico (above) and Eremito in Italy (right)

Hotels Community Survey, 54% of members

such as agriculture, construction, health and

travel, which is helping different age groups

have experimented with AI tools, platforms or

natural resource management. Amid growing

form meaningful bonds through experiences.

services such as ChatGPT in 2023, with 23%

concern over the long-term consequences of

of those people using it to plan their travels.

modern-day mass consumption, the travel and

ECOLOGY URGENCY

Beyond trip management, the goal for hotels is

hospitality sectors are beginning to tap into

Given the climate crisis, travellers are becoming

to utilise AI for mundane tasks, enabling front-

ancestral wisdom in hope of finding solutions

more conscious of their ecological footprint,

of-house staff to better serve guests in person.

for the next generation. Take food for instance,

with 43% of members surveyed stating that a

one of the most powerful drivers for travel: from

hotel’s sustainability credentials are important

the use of local ingredients to the reintegration

when booking a stay. Hotels must therefore

As the pace of everyday life continues to

of traditional farming and cooking techniques,

find ways to introduce natural elements to

accelerate, there’s an increasing desire for

inherited knowledge is shaping F&B strategies

create harmony between human-made spaces

stillness, intentionality and deeper connection.

of the future.

and the surrounding environment. As such,

REMEDIAL PURSUITS

30% of the those surveyed by Design Hotels

sustainability initiatives are driving innovation

expressed a preference for off-grid and nature-

CONNECTED QUESTS

immersed experiences, sparking a trend for

Following the pandemic, travellers are actively

everything from development and design to

healing escapes. From far-flung destinations to

searching for environments that foster the

sourcing and operations, as well as acting as

rejuvenating retreats that nurture mind, body

formation of relationships, which is in turn

a catalyst for the creation of new products,

and soul, demand for life-affirming travel is

influencing the development of community-

processes and concepts.

on the rise, resulting in a greater emphasis on

focused tourism. In its survey, Design Hotels

physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

found that more than half of participants are

To purchase Further Forecast or download a

seeking opportunities to connect with others

complimentary preview, visit the Design Hotels

on a deeper level, whether that be through

website. Sleeper readers can get 20% off with

Throughout history, the human race has

communal eating – gatherings where food is

code SLEEPER20.

demonstrated superior knowledge in areas

used as an icebreaker – or multigenerational

www.designhotels.com

ANCESTRAL WISDOM

across the hospitality sector, impacting

105

Transforming Trevarefabrikken

S

ituated on the island of Henningsvær in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, Trevarefabrikken originally opened in the 1940s as a carpentry workshop and a factory to produce cod liver oil, before closing and falling into disrepair. That was until four friends purchased the property in

2014 and began to consider its potential. “At first we didn’t

Jonathan Tuckey Design shares details of an ongoing conversion project in Norway, where a gentle approach showcases the historic building’s past.

have a vision,” explain owners Martin and Andreas Hjelle, and Mats and Andreas Alfsen. “We were simply fascinated by the nature of Lofoten, the community in Henningsvær and the history of Trevarefabrikken.”

Before long however, the two sets of brothers realised that this was more than just a summer project, and so

Words: Ben Thomas • Photography: © Andrea Gjestvang

set about transforming the structure floor by floor. A community living room with a café, bar and restaurant was the first space to be completed, and since then the owners have appointed London-based practice Jonathan Tuckey Design (JTD) to envision a sauna, pizzeria, wine bar and several hotel rooms. Having experienced the studio’s work first-hand at Michelberger in Berlin, the quartet knew they had made the right choice: “We were intrigued by their ability to transform an industrial building while

taking the existing materials and boundaries

in the sense that it was different to our more

into account, retaining its history and at once

procedural way of working,” says Tuckey. “We

telling a new story.”

were drawing on the spot, but we embraced it.”

The same sensitive design approach was

JTD’s designs have been implemented by

taken for Trevarefabrikken, which has many

the owners at their own discretion, much like

similarities with Michelberger in terms of

how the building has evolved itself over time.

scale, style and desired identity. According

And as the team have grown more confident in

to Jonathan Tuckey, the client’s brief was to

their tools and ability, the process has become

immerse himself in life on Henningsvær, and

an educational experience, enabling them to

from there, come up with a design approach.

work closely with the island community to

“The owners were more hands-on than most

ensure the project brings economic benefits

hoteliers,” he explains, adding that they didn’t

and recognition to the area.

want to lose the rustic feel of the property but

As detailed in the following pages,

at the same time, were looking to create a fresh

Trevarefabrikken remains an ever-evolving

hospitality concept.

work-in-progress, with those on site taking

With JTD leading the conceptualisation and

the time to consider and implement thoughtful

design, the Hjelle and Alfsen brothers entrusted

interventions that complement the existing

a cohort of local builders, friends and volunteers

fabric and its material elements. The result is

to carry out construction and carpentry work.

a refined yet handcrafted space that reflects the

“The owners would call us and say, ‘we’re

spirit of its surroundings.

building this tomorrow, please can you put together some drawings?’ That was a challenge

000

FROM DARK TO LIGHT “The extremes of light in Henningsvær is so dominant that it forms an integral part of the building’s language,” says Tuckey, noting that the spaces are almost cloister-like. As such, the corridors on the first floor have seen little intervention, kept purposefully in the dark to resonate with the cycle of long summer days and winter nights. Nuanced light flows into the corridors via transom windows above the doors to the guestrooms, reflecting off resin-polished concrete floors reminiscent of the surrounding sea. Original machinery punctuates the corridor, preserving the industrial memory and casting intriguing shadows, contrasting with mirrors placed throughout to further amplify the dichotomy between light and dark.

FROM THE SOURCE Following the locally inspired theme, almost all materials and FF&E were sourced from within a 30-mile radius. “Henningsvær is hard to access, so it makes sense to use items from close by,” says Tuckey. As such, timber elements were sourced from nearby islands, including for the furniture, panelling and shutters in the guestrooms. In the communal spaces, Tuckey suggested using sections of plywood to create 5m-long dining tables, but importing the material proved costly. Instead, the owners sourced larch trees – a sustainable solution that echoes both Trevarefabbriken’s and JTD’s wholehearted commitment to supporting local economies. And in the spirit of dugnad – a collective coming together for a common cause – Swiss carpenter Lorenzo von Holzen helped construct the guestrooms and wine bar; he now lives in Henningsvær with his Norwegian wife and has started his own carpentry workshop.

108

MATERIALITY MATTERS In keeping with the locale, guestrooms feature retained industrial details contrasted with bespoke timber joinery and a soft colour palette of seafoam green and cream. “We knew that sleeping surrounded by concrete could feel too harsh, so lined the rooms with timber panels that pay homage to the region’s fishing huts,” Tuckey explains. Concrete ceilings and floors are left exposed, while new services are concealed behind the timber panelling to maintain the illusion of minimal intervention.

In other spaces, the careful preservation of existing timber floors involved replacing rotting sections with poured concrete, harking back to the factory foundation’s original construction using wood-cast concrete. The result was the creative conservation of original features without disrupting the authenticity of the site.

AN EVOLVING EDIFICE “Trevarefabrikken will continue evolving, maintaining its journey as a never-ending story,” reveal the owners, explaining that the second floor remains a work in progress, with the opportunity to serve as an events space, flexible accommodation and/or a bar. The same goes for the old cod liver pool, for which ideas range from a cinema to a swimming pool that bolsters the wellness offer. On the third floor meanwhile, which is yet to be touched, there is the potential for further events spaces or more guestrooms. The Hjelle and Alfsen brothers are also refurbishing the chimney – the last of its kind in Henningsvær – behind which they are hoping to construct a suite. Tuckey concludes: “It’s an evolving programme – the owners live on site and operate the hotel themselves, so when they see possibilities, they give us a call.”

109

Hotel Construction Pipeline Global New hotel construction shows no sign of slowing according to a new report from THP, with the database showing a total of 7,623 projects in the pipeline globally, accounting for over 1.5 million rooms.

By region, Asia Pacific (2,652 projects) is the most active in the world, followed by Europe (1,985 projects) and North America (1,892 projects), and by country, USA claims the top spot ahead of China. Saudi Arabia has risen through the rankings thanks to the giga-projects currently under construction across the Kingdom, while Thailand enters the top ten following new signings from Accor, IHG and Yotel.

Honing in on key cities, London has overtaken Dubai as the most active metropolis, with its construction pipeline currently standing at 16,889 rooms across 93 projects. Notable developments heading for the UK capital in 2024 and beyond include debuts for Waldorf Astoria, Six Senses and St Regis, as well as new outposts for The Other House, Mandarin Oriental and Maybourn Hotel Group.

Though the numbers fluctuate on a daily basis – with a dedicated THP research team regularly adding new signings and updating design leads – it is expected that over 500,000 rooms will enter the market globally by the end of 2024.

TOP CITIES LONDON Projects 93 Rooms 16,889

CHENGDU Projects 57 Rooms 12,420

DUBAI Projects 72 Rooms 20,245

BANGKOK Projects 55 Rooms 14,079

SHENZHEN Projects 50 Rooms 12,989

NEW YORK Projects 43 Rooms 10,112

SHANGHAI Projects 70 Rooms 18,197

RIYADH Projects 52 Rooms 19,122

HANGZHOU Projects 46 Rooms 9,253

DUBLIN Projects 42 Rooms 6,478

TOP COUNTRIES

Projects Rooms

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

For more information visit: www.tophotelprojects.com

110

Projects Rooms

1

2

3

4

5

USA 1,529 295,349

CHINA 1,413 313,056

UK 457 61,054

GERMANY 311 47,602

SAUDI ARABIA 244 82,140

6

7

8

9

10

INDIA 234 36,643

AUSTRALIA 170 27,485

SPAIN 158 22,700

VIETNAM 142 46,421

THAILAND 137 31,802

BUSINESS CENTRE

CONSTRUCTION PHASE Of the 7,623 projects in the pipeline globally, 30% (2,297 projects) are in planning and 44% (3,346 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 251 Rooms 56,993

Projects 1,082 Rooms 215,910

Projects 2,297 Rooms 43,7129

Projects 3,346 Rooms 704,735

Projects 647 Rooms 119,930

GROUPS AND BRANDS Marriott International remains top of the rankings by number of projects in the pipeline globally, with development driven by its flagship brand. Hilton Worldwide follows closely behind thanks to the continued growth of Garden Inn, Hampton, Home2 Suites and Doubletree, though it’s the premium Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand that tops the chart (by project count).

878 Projects 735 Projects 511 Projects 501 Projects 367 Projects

BRAND

PROJECTS

ROOMS

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

112

28,936

Marriott Hotels

109

29,869

Hilton Garden Inn

108

18,277

Hampton by Hilton

95

13,962

Hotel Indigo

94

16,685

Home2 Suites by Hilton

76

10,273

Doubletree by Hilton

75

15,490

Crowne Plaza

73

18,515

Hyatt Regency

72

20,805

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts 72

18,285

YEAR OF OPENING

2024 (38%)

2025 (20%)

2026 (15%)

UNCONFIRMED (27%)

111

The intelligence source for the hotel investment community

Bleisure – here to stay

at the Alvarez & Marsal European Hospitality

over things, a trend that has followed on from

Investment Conference in London in November,

the Covid years and is proving to be more than

The blended trip was a pandemic phenomenon

Marriott CEO Tony Capuano commented:

just a passing fad.”

that is here to stay, as employees increasingly

“Blended travel is going to endure. The most

Also tested were attitudes towards ESG in the

opt to add personal time to a business trip. But

interesting data point we’ve seen is around

sector. “Growing ESG awareness is prompting

while there has been much talk of the impact

recovery per day per week, and it is Sunday

choices such as staycations, or travelling less

of bleisure, hotels have yet to fully grasp the

and Thursday. It is not easy to pivot on this,

frequently, but for a longer duration,” notes

opportunity, according to new analysis.

but we’ve had to think differently about what

the report. For many though, this remains an

offerings we provide and on what days.”

afterthought, not yet substantially impacting

A study undertaken by consultants Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), has shone a light on the

He added: “This should have real, long-

the choices they make over trips. The survey

scale and impact of the bleisure trip. It took

term implications for travel and hospitality

found that Middle Eastern consumers were

responses from over 3,800 consumers across

brands’ value propositions and distribution

more likely than Europeans to pay extra for

nine countries in Europe and the Middle East,

strategies.” A&M suggest this change will not

ESG-related considerations.

revealing key differences across national and

require substantial capex in the short term, but

regional attitudes towards blended trips.

hoteliers do need to consider the provision of

accommodation brand remains a key decider for

workspaces, or “boosting the offering of home-

travellers, with 60% saying it is the key factor in

like amenities and experiences”.

making a choice of where to book. Almost half

A&M extracted four key themes from the responses to the survey. First, consumer values

the

survey

found

that

an

are shifting as people prioritise travel over

Others suggest hotels need to do more to

said that decision would have been reinforced

other discretionary spending. Second, those

accommodate a bleisure booking. While business

by a previous positive experience, while 45%

in hospitality need to rethink their offer, as

travel may be recompensed by the employer,

said that the comfort of knowing what to expect

the blended trip is here to stay. Third, while

those additional leisure days could be paid for by

was important.

consumers are more switched on to ESG

the individual, requiring a hotel booking system

issues, they’re not currently motivated to pay

to accommodate that shift while allowing the

HA PERSPECTIVE

extra for greener travel. And finally, branding

individual to continue to stay in the same room.

By Andrew Sangster: The European Hospitality

still matters to consumers when they choose

The brands are also looking at reorienting their

Investment Conference, Alvarez & Marsal’s

room offer. IHG’s Crowne Plaza, for example,

variant on Deloitte’s European Hospitality Industry

“Our survey confirms the solidification of this

has been working on a WorkLife Room concept

Conference, was notable for the quality of attendees

trend, with three-in-ten travellers saying they

designed to let guests transition seamlessly

and speakers. There were interviews with two global

made a combined trip in the past 12 months,”

between relaxation, focused productivity and

major CEOs of which Marriott’s Tony Capuano

note the report’s authors. The findings are that

inspiration.

ended the day. On Bonvoy, Capuano spoke about the

accommodation.

112

Finally,

workers in the Middle East are the keenest on

“A new, agile generation doesn’t want two

partnerships with Uber and Allianz as extending the

bleisure trips, with almost three quarters of

opposing ideas awkwardly put together: they

loyalty scheme’s relationship with members. “Most

them having booked one. The lowest adopters

want flexible, fit-for-the-future spaces and

members see the relationship as transactional, we

are the British, with just 15% adopting the

services, from a brand that understands them,”

want it to be more emotional,” he noted. And of

trend. Amongst different age groups, Gen Z are

commented Ginger Taggart, vice president of

Artificial Intelligence, Capuano said that hospitality

most likely to have mixed up a trip. “The most

brand management for Crowne Plaza. “We

is a people business and that the role of AI was about

common bleisure arrangement was a business

know the future is about flexibility.”

enabling better customer interaction. This might be

trip with leisure at the end, and three nights was

The A&M survey also confirmed that there has

the most selected length of extension for work

been a shift in attitudes towards travel following

trips with added tourism.”

the pandemic, with nearly half of those surveyed

Looking forward three-to-five years, Capuano

The bleisure trip has been much discussed

noting their travel budgets had considerably

said: “Technology will have an increased role. The

by hotel executives, and the impact on demand

increased. “This shift in behaviour reflects

pandemic meant an acceleration of technology

is clear in their occupancy figures. Speaking

consumers’ growing emphasis on experiences

[adoption].”

call agents being instantly responsive or concierges delivering better service.

BUSINESS CENTRE

Confidence in hostels

he hoped to add four or five more hotels over

it will be a strong contributor to the group. Our

the next year.

trading performance over the last 18 months

The hostel marketplace has seen one of the

In mid-October, Hostelworld, which is

since we have been allowed to trade post-

accommodation sector’s largest refinancings

effectively a specialist OTA for hostels, reported

pandemic has shown that our market is in good

of 2023, as investors back a niche delivering

record performance, with close to EUR500m of

health. Demand and pricing have demonstrably

robust performance.

gross booking volume, up 38% year-on-year.

increased, which will increasingly benefit us as

Queensgate Investments, owner of the

Bookings across southern Europe, Asia and

we expand the portfolio with excellent sites

Generator Hostels business, has completed

Oceania destinations “remain ahead of pre-

such as this.”

a USD800m refinancing which has seen it

pandemic levels,” the group reported.

backed by Ares Management, Waterfall Asset

Also growing is hybrid operator Meininger,

Also pondering its future hostel holding is

which in September opened its first hotel in the

private equity investor TPG. Market rumour

German city of Koln. It followed that in October

The deal underlines the appetite among

suggests TPG has a potential buyer lined up to

by launching its first Polish property, opening

investors for the hostel niche, as it recovers

take over its A&O hostel operation, a deal that

in Krakow with 507 beds. Currently, Meininger

from a pandemic period that saw hostels hit

could be worth EUR800m. The business, which

lists 36 sites across Europe, with additions in

harder than hotels through lockdowns. With its

has grown to 39 hostels across 25 European

Barcelona and Tel Aviv in the pipeline.

younger demographic now travelling freely once

city markets, last reported half-year results of

And family-owned Clink Hostels has recently

more, performance is back on track.

more than EUR100m in revenues. It said first

opened its third site, in Dublin. The 628-bed

half occupancy at 72% was due to rise up to

property joins existing sites in London and

90% through peak summer months.

Amsterdam. The group has recruited Marc

Management and Varde Partners.

The Queensgate funding, totalling around USD800m, combines debt and a private bond

Roebersen, formerly at Generator Hostels, as

issue to cover the European business, plus pure

UK-listed hostel operator Safestay has got

debt to support the US arm. Ares backed the

back on the growth trail, having steadied its

European funding, which totals EUR450m and

business after the pandemic. In October, the

includes lending in Euros, sterling and Danish

company acquired a property in Edinburgh,

HA PERSPECTIVE

krone. Waterfall and Verde backed the US debt

enabling it to re-establish a hostel presence in

By Andrew Sangster: Covid lockdowns hit hostels

facility of USD331m.

the Scottish capital.

harder than most other accommodation asset

its new COO.

Tuvi Keinan, partner at Brown Rudnick, who

The GBP4.3m deal saw the company buy

classes. Not only was trading impossible during

structured the refinancing, commented: “Over

a listed six-floor building, half of which has

lockdowns but the partial reopenings were next to

the last few years, we have seen many global

previously traded as a hostel. Safestay will

impossible for hostels as well, given the emphasis

banks pulling back from sizable and more

refurbish half the property, which is vacant, to

on community interaction.

complex real estate finance transactions as a

create a 225-bed hostel that will be ready to

result of economic and market uncertainty,

open for the summer season.

But as the world returned to normal, the appetite for hostels has recovered beyond where it was

allowing direct lenders such as Ares, Waterfall

During the pandemic, Safestay was obliged

pre-pandemic. Hostelworld said last month that

and Varde to provide debt on a senior basis. This

to sell its previous hostel in the city, to provide

bookings in Central America, South Asia and

deal is a further example of this trend.”

essential survival cash. The 615-bed hostel was

Southern European countries were now ahead of

Generator says it expects to see 2023 revenues

sold to A&O for GBP16m in 2021. The group

pre-Covid levels.

of EUR225m from its 21 properties, as against

now has 17 operating properties, and with the

A pessimist might point out that this means

a 2019 figure of EUR180m. EBITDA is likely to

addition of Edinburgh will have a portfolio of

bookings in Northern Europe and the rest of Asia are

come in at around EUR75m, up 40% on 2022,

3,476 beds.

still below Covid, but the optimist retort is that this

“We never wanted to leave Edinburgh for

offers further tailwinds to the recovery. And revenue

In 2022, Generator took a step into third-

long and are delighted to return and link up

at Hostelworld in H1 2023 was ahead of revenue

party management, signing a deal to operate

with our other Scottish site in Glasgow,” said

achieved in H1 2019, supporting the contention that

the 605-room Paramount Hotel in central New

Safestay chairman Larry Lipman. “We feel

there has been a full recovery with more to come.

York. At the time, CEO Alastair Thomann said

confident, knowing this market as we do, that

and comparing with EUR50m in 2019.

What makes the allure of hostels so strong is that

113

they are filling a specific customer niche that more

results from Hyatt, Host and Park, who all noted

hotel, where airlines are increasing flights

traditional short-term accommodation types are

continuing improvement in occupancy. Hyatt

from Japan in the face of strong demand

weak at. Hostelworld sums this up with its mission

declared RevPAR up 8.9%, while at Park it was

from Japanese visitors. Baltimore also hailed

statement that it is seeking to ‘help travellers find

3%, dampened by one hotel closure, and 1.8%

the return of demand in New York, where he

people to hang-out with’.

at Host.

expects hotels in the city to benefit from the

“I think rumours of the decline of leisure

takes it beyond being simply an accommodation

have been greatly exaggerated,” said Mark

Hyatt continues to push for the lead in

solution. It is also, and more importantly for many

Hoplamazian, CEO of Hyatt. “And we are

portfolio growth. “We expect to maintain

customers, a bespoke travel solution.

seeing strength across the board. We continue

industry leading growth into the future enabled

It is a solution wanted by travellers who do

to see occupancy levels recover and the

by an 8% increase in our pipeline, reaching a

not want to sleep in a dormitory, as concepts like

month of September underscores this positive

new record of 123,000 rooms representing

Meininger, Generator and A&O demonstrate.

momentum, with occupancy down only 260

approximately 40% of our current portfolio,”

Perhaps reaching into this niche most effectively is

basis points compared to 2019.

said Hoplamazian. “We achieved 6.2% net

“Leisure travel remains at elevated levels, 22%

rooms growth and expanded our select service

above the third quarter of 2019, including a 30%

footprint in both the Americas and Asia Pacific

Other short-term accommodation brands are

increase over 2019 in the month of September.

regions.” The company has also added 8m new

focusing on the social aspect too, with Accor probably

Business transient revenue increased 19% and

World of Hyatt members, representing a 24%

the global major with the most sophisticated take on

has recovered to approximately 90% compared

increase in membership in the last 12 months.

the possibilities.

to the third quarter of 2019. Growth in group

But the deal landscape is looking bleaker, both

It is of course not the only thing travellers want,

revenue accelerated during the quarter and

for Hyatt and for the REITS. “We’ve proven that

and indeed some do not want social interaction at

finished up 13% in September compared to

we’ve created tremendous shareholder value

all, but the point is that the accommodation sector

2022.”

through a number of investments that we have

Generator’s North American brand Freehand which majors on the ‘social culture of a hostel’.

has to move beyond simply providing food and

Host’s Jim Risoleo reported a moderating

made in the past,” said Hoplamazian. “And

lodging. The anticipated corporate activity in the

of leisure demand, as the group had expected.

we will continue to look for those but absent a

hostel sector has mostly failed to materialise: the

Business transient demand improved 9% year-

predictable or a foreseeable need for cash, we

sale of Generator was pulled in favour of refinancing,

on-year, albeit it is still currently 20% behind

will continue to return capital to shareholders.”

the IPO of Meininger was a victim of Covid and the

2019 levels in terms of room nights booked. “We

And Host’s Risoleo said there were no new

exit of A&O’s private equity backers TPG has still not

expect international demand to be a positive

deals in the pipeline: “What we’re seeing today,

happened despite rumours of a EUR800m deal.

trend going forward. International inbound

is still a fairly significant bid-ask spread in the

There will likely, however, be a burst of activity

air traffic increased to 88% of 2019 levels

marketplace. There just isn’t a lot of quality

in the next few years, which will cause the sector to

in September, up from 80% in June. Most

product in the pipeline. We are talking to

receive the attention it deserves.

importantly, we are not seeing evidence of a

a lot of hotel owners, and we’ll just have to

weakened consumer at our hotels.”

wait and see how pricing trends as we get into

Park Hotels CEO Tom Baltimore was equally

2024. With respect to portfolio deals, we will

confident: “We have yet to witness any signs

look at everything that’s out there, and we will

of an economic slowdown impacting transient

look at it with an open mind. And if there is

demand. We are very encouraged by the strong

a transaction that we believe is accretive, we

The return of business travel demand is

group trends heading into next year with 2024

would certainly take it down.”

continuing to buoy hotel CEOs, as they face the

comparable group revenue pace backing 94%

plateauing of post-pandemic leisure demand.

versus 2019.”

Business travel: the same but different

114

local authority’s clampdown on Airbnb rentals.

The social connectedness of the hostel experience

The slowing deal pace is also hitting Hyatt, as the group continues to work on disposals to

And the return of one is more than balancing

And at Park, a strong rebound in international

meet a USD2bn divestment commitment by the

out the other, as noted in the latest quarterly

demand has been most notable at its Hawaii

end of 2024. All Hoplamazian could report was

BUSINESS CENTRE

that deals previously initiated were continuing,

HA PERSPECTIVE

with the hope that one asset disposal will close

By Andrew Sangster: It is clear that the people

in the next quarter, and another in early 2024.

predicting the end of business travel were wrong. But

With less to buy, attention is turning to asset

they were right in as much as travel after pandemic

enhancement. “We reached an agreement

lockdowns looks significantly different to travel in

with Hyatt to complete transformational

2019.

reinvestment capital projects at six properties

Marriott touched on this in its investor call.

in our portfolio,” revealed Host’s Risoleo.

The key point was that small and medium-sized

“Hyatt has agreed to provide us with priority

enterprises’ travel has recovered to where it was

returns on these investments. Additionally,

and beyond while the large corporates continue to

Hyatt will provide USD40m in operating profit

lag a little.

guarantees as protection for the anticipated

This is partly sustainability-driven cutbacks,

disruption associated with the incremental

and perhaps partly worries about the wider macro

investment. Our total investment is expected

picture too. But the lag in big corporate travel has

to be approximately USD550-600m.”

been made up in stronger leisure travel.

Park appears to be achieving closure on its two

So net travel demand looks similar to before,

problem assets in its portfolio. The company’s

albeit that Sundays and Thursdays are now much

decision to no longer cover the debt payments

stronger and there is a slight shortfall where the

on two hotels in San Francisco has led to the

previous peaks were in weekday travel. Probably a

two assets being placed in receivership, with

good situation overall in that travel over the week

Hilton continuing to manage them. This, said

now looks more balanced.

Baltimore, was good news: “Park will no longer

Owners of big box hotels like Host and Park

be obligated to fund any shortfalls for working

have not been as badly hit as some anticipated.

capital or for payments on the loan.” And, he

The recovery was slower than the broader market

added, there would be a special dividend to

where the properties were located in destinations

shareholders, as a result of a taxable gain from

that lack leisure appeal but the rebound in group is

“exiting the economic interest of these assets”.

now kicking in.

And proving that investing in asset-heavy

Hyatt shows the split well: leisure in Q3 was 22%

hotel groups is still very much in vogue, Rocco

higher than Q3 2019 but business transient remained

Forte has attracted a new investment from Saudi

at 90% of what was achieved in 2019. Group travel

Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has

was up 5% on 2019.

acquired 49% of the business. The move will see

Despite the slow current deal pace, Hyatt is

PIF buying out an Italian fund investor, which

confident things will pick up next year and it will hit

has held 23% since 2014, as well as acquiring a

its target of USD2bn of asset sales by the end of 2024.

further stake from the Forte family.

PIF has been building its investments in luxury in Italy, and this deal represents probably around EUR700m in value.

Forte has eight hotels in Italy, with pipeline projects in Milan, Arzachena and Naples. It also has a presence in the UK, Germany and Belgium.

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

115

BUSINESS CENTRE

2.

3.

4.

1.

Performance benchmarking for the global hospitality industry 1. SÃO PAULO

Large-scale events including World Combat Games and Future Investment Initiative boosted hotel performance in Riyadh in October, with the Saudi Arabia capital reaching record highs for RevPAR and ADR. Occupancy levels remained above 60% throughout the month (with the exception of three days), peaking at 94.8% on 23 October.

November 2023 (year-over-year % change) Occupancy 71.9% ( 5.0%) ADR BRL749.67 ( 20.7%) RevPAR BRL539.37 ( 26.8%)

October 2023 (year-over-year % change) Occupancy 77.5% ( 8.0%) ADR SAR1,055.28 ( 38.3%) RevPAR SAR818.05 ( 49.3%)

2. MADRID

4. JAKARTA

October 2023 (year-over-year % change) Occupancy 81.9% ( 2.0%) ADR EUR204.35 ( 23.1%) RevPAR EUR167.26 ( 25.6%)

November 2023 (year-over-year % change) Occupancy 79.8% ( 10.9%) ADR IDR1,030,269.24 ( 10.4%) RevPAR IDR822,163.52 ( 22.5%)

Madrid’s hotels posted their highest monthly RevPAR and ADR on record according to preliminary data for October 2023, with double digit increases year-over-year. The market’s occupancy was the highest for any month since October 2019, peaking at 95.5% on 3 and 4 October owing to a major trade fair.

116

3. RIYADH

Football, boxing, the Brazilian Grand Prix and a Taylor Swift concert were amongst the major events in São Paulo in November, resulting in record ADR and RevPAR for the city’s hotel sector.

RevPAR showed a 26.8% increase year-over-year, while occupancy topped 90.4% on 8 November, when São Paulo played Bragantino in the league.

Jakarta hotels recorded their highest occupancy since November 2011 according to STR data for November 2023, reaching an average of 79.8% for the month. RevPAR also showed significant year-over-year growth, bolstered by a Coldplay concert and IndoBuildTech Expo, which attracted over 78,000 visitors.

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

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

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Aman New York has cause for celebration as AHEAD Americas names its 2023 winners.

As AHEAD continued its tour around the globe to celebrate the best of the respective regions’ new hotel offerings, in October, it was New York’s turn to host the awards ceremony for the Americas. Bringing the industry together for a night of celebration, the third AHEAD ceremony of the year spotlighted landmark openings from across the region.

After receiving over 150 entries, ranging from a converted bank on New York’s Lower East Side to otherworldly prefab pods in the depths of the Antarctic, the expert judging panel had been tasked with whittling down submissions to a shortlist and, ultimately, a set of exceptional winners.

Kicking off the evening, interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud was bestowed with the Outstanding Contribution Award for her glittering career, which includes projects such as Raffles Singapore, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and Troutbeck in Amenia.

The ceremony continued with the individual categories, and SLCE Architects and Denniston had plenty of cause for celebration, with Aman New York winning in the Guestroom, Suite and Spa categories, as well as securing the prestigious Hotel of the Year accolade.

Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, the hotel was described by the panel as “a true sanctuary” that offers “serenity in the city” thanks to a

staggering 25,000ft2 dedicated to wellbeing, with three floors of health and wellness facilities such as a fitness centre, Spa Houses and non-invasive medical aesthetics services.

Also commended with multiple awards were projects from Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Pipping competitors to the post in the Landscaping & Outdoor Spaces category, Mexico’s Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo was victorious, with judges praising landscapers’ clever integration of a resort within the unique topography of a 3,000-acre private nature reserve. Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, also in Mexico, was triumphant in the Lodges, Cabins & Tented Camps category, with the treetop tents from Luxury Frontiers successfully elevating the treehouse concept.

With judges deliberating over all areas of the hotel, Ace Hotel Toronto was commended in the Lobby category. Designed by Shim-Sutcliffe Architects and Atelier Ace, the “exceptional” lobby is suspended from trapezoidal concrete arches by thin steel rods, drawing upon the neighbourhood’s history of manufacturing.

Other public areas deemed top of their class were the Event Spaces at Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection in California’s Napa Valley, where the judging panel praised the modern farmhouse’s “seamless execution between indoor and outdoor”.

AHEAD also spotlighted food and beverage venues, with Nubeluz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad named winner in the Bar, Club or Lounge category. A Modernist beacon atop the hotel, the Martin Brudnizki-designed venue was described by the panel as “beautifully glamorous”, with particular credit going to the cocktail bar’s “vivid materiality”. The best hotel Restaurant meanwhile saw the Rockwell Group-designed Sake No Hana at Moxy Lower East Side in New York come out on top. Tao Group Hospitality’s subterranean Japanese eatery was lauded for being “a cohesive and well-orchestrated experience that extends from the design to the detailing to the dining”.

Keeping a finger on the pulse of industry innovations, the panel also named winners in categories including Sustainability, Accessibility and New Concept. Solar-powered resort Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection, was described by the judges as “an educational sustainability experience”, while 1 Hotel Central Park was commended for wheelchair-accessible guestrooms and suites across all room categories. Finally, Skulpod’s climate-resistant shelters at White Desert Echo Camp in Antarctica scooped the trophy for New Concept – an embodiment of AHEAD’s commitment to recognising the most innovative hospitality experiences.

AHEAD

© Thomas Clark

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

RESORT

Nubeluz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad – USA Flag Luxury Group / José Andrés Group / Marriott International / Rafael Viñoly / Martin Brudnizki Design Studio

Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection – New York, USA Kristin Soong Rapoport / Phillip Rapoport / Zachary Kleinhandler / Auberge Resorts Collection / Electric Bowery / Ward & Gray

E V E N T S PA C E S

R E S TA U R A N T

Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection – California, USA Nichols Partnership / Selby Group / Auberge Resorts Collection / Overland Partners

Sake No Hana at Moxy Lower East Side – New York, USA Lightstone / TAO Group Hospitality / Marriott International / Stonehill Taylor / Rockwell Group

GUESTROOMS

S PA & W E L L N E S S

Aman New York – USA OKO Group / Aman Resorts, Hotels & Residences / SLCE Architects / Denniston

Aman Spa at Aman New York – USA OKO Group / Aman Resorts, Hotels & Residences / SLCE Architects / Denniston

HOTEL CONVERSION

SUITE

Nine Orchard – New York, USA DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners / Studio Castellano / Fernando Santangelo / Reza Nouranian Design

Aman New York – USA OKO Group / Aman Resorts, Hotels & Residences / SLCE Architects / Denniston

HOTEL NEWBUILD

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

St Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya – Mexico Grupo Alhel / Marriott International / Edmonds International / Chapi Chapo Design

Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection – New York, USA Kristin Soong Rapoport / Phillip Rapoport / Zachary Kleinhandler / Auberge Resorts Collection / Electric Bowery / Ward & Gray

H O T E L R E N O VAT I O N

O U T S TA N D I N G C O N T R I B U T I O N

High Country Motor Lodge – Arizona, USA Marc & Rose Hospitality / Synectic Design / Adean Studios

Alexandra Champalimaud

L A N D S C A P I N G & O U T D O O R S PA C E S Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo – Mexico Paralelo 19 / Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts / LegoRocha / Uribe Krayer / Estudio Esterlina

LO B BY Ace Hotel Toronto – Ontario, Canada Alterra Property Group / B-Right Group / Finer Space Corporation / ProWinko / Zinc Developments / Ace Group International / Shim-Sutcliffe Architects / Atelier Ace

ACC E S S I B I L I T Y 1 Hotel Central Park – New York, USA Starwood Capital Group / SH Hotels & Resorts / Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects / AvroKO

NEW CONCEPT Skulpod, White Desert Echo Camp – Antarctica White Desert / Skulpod

HOTEL OF THE YEAR LO D G E S , C A B I N S & T E N T E D C A M P S Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita – Mexico Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts / JSa – Taller de Arquitectura / Luxury Frontiers / EDSA

Aman New York – USA OKO Group / Aman Resorts, Hotels & Residences / SLCE Architects / Denniston

AHEAD

Clockwise from top left: Aman New York; Nubeluz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad; Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection; Ace Hotel Toronto; Nine Orchard; St Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya

AHEAD celebrates the highest echelons of European hospitality, with Carlton Cannes winning big.

The 2023 awards season drew to a close in November, with hoteliers, architects, interior designers and consultants gathering in London for AHEAD Europe. Taking their seats at Battersea Park’s Evolution, attendees spent the night celebrating the best in hospitality.

The evening’s theme of La Dolce Vita saw guests – garbed in ‘Bellissimo Black Tie’ – arrive to the spectacular sounds of an operatic performance during the opening drinks reception, before being seated for dinner and the awards presentation.

In opening the show, Christopher Webb, Vice President of Architecture & Design EMEA at Hilton, and Chair of the judging panel, spoke of the quality of this year’s submissions as well as the positive impact the hospitality industry can have on humanity. “What struck me this year, more than ever, was the relationship architecture, and design has on all our lives,” he explained. “The magical spaces you create, the atmospheres, and boundarypushing design we see all across the European landscape, but more than anything, the power of great design and hospitality to bring people together, to create a sense of place and define new experiences.”

After receiving a staggering 300 entries from over 22 countries, the judging panel –

comprising leaders from Accor, Marriott, IHG and Design Hotels – discussed the merits of each and every project, before casting their votes to decide the winners.

Hotel-wide awards were given to a diverse range of projects, with Ennismore’s SO/ Paris taking home the Lasvit-designed trophy for best Hotel Conversion. The panel hailed the transformation for its “strong vision of Paris through a new, unexplored lens” resulting in an “exuberant and evocative design that breathes new life” into the former office block.

In the Resort category, W Costa Navarino, designed by Tombazis & Associates Architects, K-Studio and MKV Design, came out on top.

And triumphant in the Newbuild category, Lanserhof Sylt – the state-of-the-art medispa designed by Ingenhoven Associates – was prasied for its “stunning architecture that perfectly sets the scene for the property’s core purpose of health and healing”.

When it came to food and beverage, Crosstree’s 1 Hotel Mayfair swept the board, scooping prizes for both its restaurant and bar. At Dovetale, Paris-based design firm Dion & Arles was praised for designing a restaurant that offers “a creative new twist on Mayfair’s dining scene”. And at Dover Yard, the dayto-night design envisioned by GA Group, was

commended by the panel for its “richly layered use of sustainable and natural materials”.

Further awards were given for specific areas of the hotel: in Spa & Wellness, The Attic Spa at Goldene Rose Hotel in Germany was named top of its class for its design by NOA; and in the Suite category, Montenegro’s Mamula Island – a 19th-century Austro-Hungarian fortress-turned-hotel – was triumphant, with We Studio commended for a “gentle touch design that honours the historic structure”.

Celebrating the people behind the design as much as the projects themselves, AHEAD named Italian architect Piero Lissoni – the mastermind behind AHEAD’s 2022 Global Ultimate Accolade winner, Shangri-La Shougang Park – as the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award.

The big winner of the night however, was the Tristan Auer-designed Carlton Cannes, which took home four trophies including the coveted Hotel of the Year accolade. Described by the panel as “a truly elegant property delivered with exquisite restraint and attention to detail”, the French Belle Époque beauty was victorious in the Renovation, Guestroom and Lobby categories. The panel concluded: “A beautiful example of taking an icon and creating something for the next generation.”

AHEAD

© Shaun Taylor

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

RESORT

Dover Yard at 1 Hotel Mayfair – London, UK Crosstree Real Estate Partners / 1 Hotels / Allford Hall Monaghan Morris / Studio Moren / GA Group

W Costa Navarino – Messinia, Greece Temes / Marriott International / Tombazis & Associates Architects / K-Studio / MKV Design / Scape Design

E V E N T S PA C E S

R E S TA U R A N T

Mona Athens – Greece House of Shila

Dovetale at 1 Hotel Mayfair – London, UK Crosstree Real Estate Partners / 1 Hotels / Allford Hall Monaghan Morris / Studio Moren / Dion & Arles

GUESTROOMS Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel – Cannes, France Katara Hospitality / IHG Hotels & Resorts / Tristan Auer / Richard Lavelle

S PA & W E L L N E S S The Attic Spa at Goldene Rose Hotel – Dinkelsbühl, Germany Hezelhof / NOA / Hoelzl / Häberlein

HOTEL CONVERSION

SUITE

SO/ Paris – France Cityhold Iconic Hotel / Accor / Ennismore / David Chipperfield Architects / RDAI / Notoire / Jordane Arrivetz

Mamula Island – Herceg Novi, Montenegro Samih Sawiris / Mamula Hotel Operating Company / MCM Architecture & Design / We Studio

HOTEL NEWBUILD

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

Lanserhof Sylt – Germany Lanserhof / Ingenhoven Associates

Hyatt Place London City East – London, UK Resolution Property / Berkeley Capital Group / Hyatt Hotels Corporation / Cycas Hospitality / Studio Moren / Goddard Littlefair

H O T E L R E N O VAT I O N Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel – Cannes, France Katara Hospitality / IHG Hotels & Resorts / Tristan Auer / Richard Lavelle

L A N D S C A P I N G & O U T D O O R S PA C E S Passalacqua – Lake Como, Italy The De Santis Family / Venelli Kramer Architetti / BAMO / Giovanna Longhi

ACC E S S I B I L I T Y One Hundred Shoreditch – London, UK Lore Group / Henley Halebrown

NEW CONCEPT Reethaus at Flussbad – Berlin, Germany Slowness / Monika Gogl / Cedric Etienne

LO B BY

O U T S TA N D I N G C O N T R I B U T I O N

Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel – Cannes, France Katara Hospitality / IHG Hotels & Resorts / Tristan Auer / Richard Lavelle

Piero Lissoni

HOTEL OF THE YEAR LO D G E S , C A B I N S & T E N T E D C A M P S Cabin Anna – De Biesbosch National Park, Netherlands Caspar Schols

Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel – Cannes, France Katara Hospitality / IHG Hotels & Resorts / Tristan Auer / Richard Lavelle

AHEAD

Clockwise from top left: Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel; 1 Hotel Mayfair; Lanserhof Sylt; Mona Athens; The Attic Spa at Goldene Rose Hotel; Mamula Island

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Bespoke flooring solutions cc-tapis.com

SPOTLIGHT FLOORCOVERINGS From handloom carpets to flooring made from Napoleonic-era trees, these are the floorcoverings paving the way in hospitality.

CC-Tapis Panoplie CC-Tapis Project – the contract department of CC-Tapis specialising in custom and certified flooring solutions for hospitality and commercial projects – has presented its first range of patterns and textures brought to life by an external designer. Panoplie by Patricia Urquiola sees the creative apply her affinity for materials, colour and texture to develop 12 textiles available in four colour combinations, creating an expansive collection of 48 different samples. Panoplie combines wool and Econyl, a new yarn made from regenerated nylon waste, to produce certified hand-tufted rugs meticulously made with irregular textures and effects. www.cc-tapis.com

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4.

1. Ulster Carpets Bespoke Carpet Design

2. Madera RH Guesthouse

3. The Rug Company Softscapes

4. Deirdre Dyson Graduation

Ulster Carpets’ design philosophy sees the brand take the large canvas offered by flooring to create bespoke carpet designs that wouldn’t look out of place in an art gallery. Working with some of the world’s leading carpet designers, Ulster demonstrates this concept in hospitality projects across the globe by creating products intended to leave a lasting impression. The brand’s designs are combined with its patented weaving technology, which gives designers the freedom to express their creativity. A fusion of design and manufacturing capabilities ensures that Ulster provides the highest quality products for the world’s leading hotels and cruise liners. www.ulstercarpets.com

Wood design and fabrication firm Madera installed herringbone pattern floors at RH Guesthouse, providing a high expression of quality European oak flooring. The wood was carefully sourced from wellmanaged forests in France, home to Napoleonic-era trees and logs with an average age of 160 years – perfectly complementing the 19th-century loft building that houses the Guesthouse.

Over 15,000ft of European oak was specified for the project, spanning guestrooms, hallways and common spaces. The floors were colour-sorted and graded for perfectly straight grain – the highest level of rift-sawn flooring that Madera offers. www.maderasurfaces.com

Inspired by natural Japanese landscapes, Softscapes is a new collection of four handloomed designs from The Rug Company, each available in two colourways. Ariso Midnight’s muted blue hues contrast with Ariso Pearl, a brighter alternative that reflects night turning to day. Sono Shell features a silk motif that echoes a shell’s sea-beaten texture, and Sono Salmon adopts a soft clay palette. Handloomed in silk is Ori Gold, complemented by the darker tones of Ori Lake, which channels a moody sky.

The final design is Edo – influenced by Japanese cherry blossom, Edo Blush uses a delicate pink shade, while Edo Porcelain leans into cooler tones. www.therugcompany.com

Deirdre Dyson has unveiled her 2024 carpet collection, Graduation. The wool and silk threaded carpet range takes inspiration from the natural world, using subtle and soft graduating washes akin to a watercolour painting. “Concentrating solely on colour, the subtlety and peacefulness of Graduation allows the designs to work seamlessly with any surroundings, just as a soft watercolour painting would,” says Dyson. “This year I have enjoyed going back to basics, using colour play and wool as my canvas to evoke the beauty of nature’s landscapes.

Importantly, my designs can also be made entirely bespoke to the colour choices of my clients.” www.deirdredyson.com

SPOTLIGHT

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2.

3.

1. Gan Handmade Rugs

2. Atlas Concorde Marvel Onyx

3. Creative Matters Redoux Passager

Gan rugs and accessories can be found in a number of hotels across the globe, including 7 Idras Hotel in Madrid. The property comprises a series of spacious and tranquil rooms designed by Kikekeller, as well as an art gallery and multiple food and beverage outlets. Gan has introduced its kilims – flat tapestrywoven rugs – to the hotel’s guestrooms, specifically its Rodas model. Versatile and modern, Rodas is characterised by the durability of jute, a natural and ecological fibre that contributes to a rustic aesthetic.

Gan has also been supplied to hospitality projects that include Six Senses Rome, for which the brand partnered with designer Patricia Urquiola. www.gan-rugs.com

Atlas Concorde has drawn inspiration from the onyx gemstone in the creation of its latest flooring collection, Marvel Onyx.

A range suited to creating evocative spaces thanks to the depth of its colours and sleek, elegant aesthetic, Marvel Onyx draws on the luminosity of the gemstone, which approaches on transparency, with precise details like delicate shaded veins.

The collection’s decorative potential finds full expression in the use of large-format slabs, which have been designed to combine sophistication with a touch of the ethereal. The new designs are in keeping with the style of all Marvel World collections, and with the luxury for which Atlas Concorde is known. www.atlasconcorde.com

Creative Matters and Loma Studio recently unveiled Redoux Passager, an exhibition at Paris Design Week seeking to embody innovation and responsible design. The installation transported visitors into a sensory world themed around water, highlighting Creative Matters’ dedication to sustainable practices in rug design through the use of eco-friendly materials like silk, wool and wood. The exhibition’s highlight was a circular furniture piece by Loma Studio, harmoniously paired with Creative Matters’ handmade rugs. The installation comprised five rugs and 19 carpet drops incorporated amongst an array of furniture, within which a large circular hand-tufted ceiling rug formed the focal point. The purpose of the exhibition was to encourage contemplation on water conservation and environmental challenges, highlighting the historical significance of water stewardship. For 35 years, Creative Matters has woven sustainability into its rug production, prioritising reduced water use and regenerative fibres. The brand has long offered imaginative and practical wall and floorcovering solutions to the hospitality industry, supplying hundreds of hotels across 28 countries. Using an array of productions methods that range from hand knotted to flat woven to hand-loomed, Creative Matters offers bespoke capabilities to hotels, ensuring designs coherent with all manner of interior design schemes. www.creativemattersinc.com

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SPOTLIGHT

Q&A

Object Carpet Daniel Butz, CEO Object Carpet’s CEO tells all about the brand’s Forum range, designed to bring personalisation to hotel floorcoverings.

Tell us more about Forum...

Forum is a versatile carpet collection that brings maximum creative freedom through 18 different designs, offering a range of looks that span from geometric to abstract, to floral patterns. Designers are also able to implement their own ideas through bespoke customisation processes.

What was the inspiration behind the collection?

Our textile designers Katrin and Mark Patel drew on a variety of countries, eras and industries. They wanted to lean into a wide pool of aesthetics to offer up a source of inspiration for interior designers creating their own customised floorcoverings.

How does Forum facilitate the creation of unique interiors?

Forum is the perfect medium for realising the individuality of a project and tapping into self-expression, thanks to the versatility and customisation made possible through its range of finishes and varied designs.

How can the collection be used in hospitality spaces?

It is designed to be used in a wide variety of spaces, including lobbies, guestrooms and hallways, as well as with an array of design styles. As a circular product that can be completely recycled after use, Forum contributes to a more sustainable and healthy hotel environment.

Tell us more about Forum’s sustainability credentials?

As a family-owned company with products made in our home country of Germany, sustainability is important to us. As such, in spring 2024, the entire Forum range will go circular, comprising only two materials – polyester and polyamide. This has a huge environmental benefit, with conventional carpets typically consisting of over 30 different materials. Maximising sustainability, Forum carpets can also be easily separated after use thanks to a click/unclick technology that sees a patented hotmelt adhesive used to separate the two materials by applying strong heat. The materials are then reintroduced into their original production cycles, ultimately reducing waste. Forum is also created in a way that avoids a negative impact on users’ health, with no harmful additives used. www.object-carpet.com

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BE CREATIVE FORUM BY OBJECT CARPET GOES CIRCULAR

meet

AMY

or create your own design

Zeitgeist demands room for individual, contemporary ideas.

Bringing individual ideas to life is a means of self-expression.

Self-expression needs a forum, where creativity can be unleashed. Here it is: FORUM for Great Ideas. FORUM is the inspiration for customized floors which offer a maximum of creative space. NEW: With an innovative product update, FORUM will consist of only two materials and is recyclable again and again.

Designed for endless Life! www.object-carpet.com/forum

SPOTLIGHT

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1. Ice International Embrace

2. Alarwool The Hoxton, Charlottenburg

3. Nanimarquina Haze

Ice International has unveiled Embrace, a hand-tufted rug collection designed with hotel guestrooms in mind. Embrace delivers a relaxing sensory experience through its use of round shapes and natural tones, which work to create an additional sense of comfort for the guest.

The poetic intertwining of soft tones and layers throughout the rugs tells a tale of dedicated craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty. Ice International has specialised in handmade knotted and tufted rugs and carpets for over 50 years, supplying floorcoverings to a range of global hospitality projects and meeting their varying design needs, including NoMad Los Angeles and Raffles Singapore. www.rugs.nl

Spanish custom woven carpet manufacturer Alarwool has supplied a number of bespoke rugs to The Hoxton, Charlottenburg. The hotel’s floors are dressed with hand-tufted and Axminster rugs, produced in Alarwool’s factory in Burgos, Spain. Designed to channel an Art Nouveau elegance, as well as the raw materialism of Brutalism, the hotel’s design nods to west Berlin’s rich architectural history – a strong narrative within which Alarwool’s products sit comfortably. As well as a repeat partnership with The Hoxton, the brand has worked on a number of hotel projects, including for Mandarin Oriental, Kempinski and Jumeirah. www.alarwool.com

Building on the success of its 2017 collaboration with Begüm Cânâ Özgür, contemporary Spanish rug manufacturer Nanimarquina has launched Haze, a series inspired by and exploring the interaction between different shades of colour. The collection sees the floorcoverings crafted directly on the loom, where the designer experimented with chromatic interactions and colour fading, mixing different tones together to create striking aesthetics. “At the loom, I developed a weaving technique that gradually shifted the predominance from one colour to another,” comments Cânâ Özgür on the production process. “The emotional feeling produced by this fading effect resembled the scenes in which atmospheric haze attenuates colours in nature.” The design was developed from two perspectives: on the one hand, the colours themselves and their interactions, and on the other hand, the exploration of texture through superficial graphic lines. The challenge then was to strike the right balance between graphic design, number of warps and thickness of weft. Haze is woven using 50% New Zealand wool and 50% Italian wool, a warm material that is durable and easy to look after, making it a reliable and stylish choice for hospitality settings. The Istanbul-based designer concludes: “This fibre restores in us that connection with earth and nature that we often miss so much in modern buildings.” www.nanimarquina.com

53 years of commitment to translating concepts into

rugs.

Zaltbommel | Dubai | New York | Paris | London www.rugs.nl

D I S COV E R

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SPECIFIER

SPECIFIER

J Adams & Co Strata British lighting manufacturer J Adams & Co has launched Strata, a new collection comprising a range of versatile pendants and wall lights that play with materiality and light refraction through reeded glass. At the centre of the range is the pendant; a linear design that sees two slim reeded glass tubes running parallel, linked by rounded brass endcaps to create the sense of a continuous loop. This structure is suspended from a brass core, featuring the brand’s signature Deco-inspired detailing. The reeded glass works to diffuse the light, casting an even, low-glare illumination onto the surface below and surrounding areas. www.jadamsandco.com

SPECIFIER

Tuuci Ocean Master M1 Cupola Miami-based manufacturer Tuuci has introduced two new silhouettes – Cupola and Polynesian – to its Ocean Master M1 parasol line. Featuring an elevated vent that facilitates continuous breeze beneath the canopy, the Ocean Master M1 Cupola maximises comfort while embracing traditional Mediterranean style with a sea scallop valance. To tailor the design through colour and pattern, enhancements such as double-sided canopies and accent binding are available on both the square and hexagon-shaped parasols. Like all shade structures in the Ocean Master M1 collection, the new designs incorporate a polished aluminium hub system and reinforced rib joints that provide added strength, even in strenuous weather conditions. Cupola and Polynesian are offered in 15 finishes including Aluma-Teak wood tones, neutral powder coat hues and the brand’s flagship polished titanium. www.tuuci.com

Vincent Sheppard Frida Vincent Sheppard has extended its Frida collection with a new dining chair that combines teak with tactile rope. Having spent several years developing the Frida lounge chair to achieve a balance of design expression and optimal comfort, the company has tapped into its knowledge of weaving and wood to produce the dining version. “The seat and back of the chair are crafted from a single length of rope,” explains CEO Coralie Claeys. “Weaving the rope onto the solid teak frame is a technically complex process, which takes a day to complete.

The handwoven seat elevates the design to a real piece of art.”

The new model is available in two finishes – Fossil Grey and Dune White – and maintains Frida’s silhouette, bringing together tactility with a sense of lightness and Scandinavian design aesthetics. The chair’s sturdy teak legs and rounded frame support a seat made from tightly strung rope. For additional comfort, users can add a cushion shaped to the curves of Frida without compromising on its Scandi style. Claeys concludes: “The Frida dining chair will add a statement and serve as an elegant welcome to hotel interiors.” www.vincentsheppard.com

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FROM PRACTICAL TO PURE PLEASURE Elevate the style of your bathroom with the Reframe Collection pedal bin – a perfect blend of functionality and sophistication. Its sleek and minimalist design, coupled with hidden mechanics, adds a touch of refinement to any space. Designed to withstand the rigours of daily use, this bin boasts stability and durability, with a lid that opens smoothly and won’t collide with your walls.

Available in five metallic finishes to complement any décor.

unidrain.com/reframe

SPECIFIER

COLLABORATION

DUXIANA X Rottet Collection

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Bed manufacturer DUXIANA and Lauren Rottet of Rottet Studio have come together once more – a relationship that began in 2008 when the pair worked together on The Surrey Hotel.

The partnership sees DUXIANA’s mattresses – known for their ergonomic design and customisable components – paired with Rottet’s handmade bed frames to facilitate a stylish and serene night’s sleep, uniting Swedish comfort with American design. The three frames, named Aspen, Baldwin and Essex, are topped by the DUX frameless mattresses. Sleek and contemporary, the Essex bed comprises a wooden frame with a leather, lacquer or wood headboard, wrapped in metal banding.

Nightstands with concealed drawers are recessed on each side, with integrated lighting offering a soft, ambient glow to surroundings.

Meanwhile, inspired by natural phenomena like the Rocky Mountains and the changing of the seasons, Aspen is a cosy, upholstered leather option with a graceful, curved headboard, while Baldwin is characterised by its use of leather and metal banding, with other RC

options available. A padded headrest adds support, while built-in wood and stone side tables provide a place for day or nighttime accoutrements. All designs are customisable through a variety of Rottet Collection fabrics, as well as wood finishes. Options like natural walnut and ebony are available, while metal details are offered in polished stainless, champagne, graphite and dark bronze. Stone finishes meanwhile include Carrara marble, Nero Marquina marble and Travertine. “United by our mutual dedication to excellence, we are thrilled to join forces with Rottet to elevate the bedroom experience,” comments Henrik Ljung, CEO of DUXIANA. “This partnership signifies a fresh chapter in bedroom decor, enriching the space with exceptional craftsmanship and groundbreaking design.” Lauren Rottet adds: “I couldn’t be more excited about collaborating with DUXIANA and offering the DUX frameless mattresses with the beds along with our gorgeous co-branded linens.” www.duxiana.com www.rottetcollection.com

DESIGN BROUGHT TO LIGHT Request or download the New Elstead 2024 Catalogues today. +44 (0)1420 82377 | enquiries@elsteadlighting.com | www.elsteadlighting.com

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CASE STUDY

Roda The Westin Palace, Milan Roda has supplied its designs to the Presidential Suite at The Westin Palace, Milan. Brought to life by Reveria Design Studio, the space includes an outdoor terrace, capable of hosting up to 80 guests, which has been divided into two areas – one for relaxation and one for socialising. The latter is furnished with Norma, a modular outdoor kitchen designed by Rodolfo Dordoni, comprising a freestanding island, with sink and fridge. The kitchen, specified in Roda’s Smoke colour, features a durable Lapitec top. Nearby, the Plein Air table, designed by Michael Anastassiades, is juxtaposed with Roda’s Harp chairs, which are characterised by their stainlesssteel frame and grey rope filaments. The relaxation area meanwhile is home to the modular, pentagonal-shaped Mamba sofas, the Arena daybed with its stone upholstered straps, and the Laze rocking armchair. The brand’s Double poufs are also accompanied

by Aspic coffee tables in cement, topped with exposed grit. www.rodaonline.com

CASE STUDY

Skargaarden Saltholm Skargaarden introduced its outdoor furniture to the recently opened Nobis Hotel Palma in Mallorca, located in one of the city’s oldest buildings. Helena Toresson, architect at Wingårdhs, was responsible for the interior design of the hotel, and tasked with creating a relaxed yet elegant outdoor experience. “We wanted a mix of local, Scandinavian products, and furniture that could match the grand environments it would interact with,” she explains. “Outdoor furniture should also be durable and of high quality.” Reconciling functionality, quality and design outdoors can be a challenge, the designer adds: “You have to think about how constantly exposed the furniture is. In this case, we are on the Mediterranean Sea and in the middle of a city. The sun, dust, winds, rain and even the pigeons must be taken into account.” The design team ultimately opted to use Skargaarden’s Kryss chairs and Saltholm sofas. “The Saltholm sofa group stands on a sun terrace in the middle of Palma’s old town, surrounded by narrow alleys and green gardens,” notes Toresson. “Together with umbrellas, tables and plants, Saltholm creates a comfortable lounge area for a coffee in the shade or a drink at dusk.” www.skargaarden.com

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SPECIFIER

Focus SB Ambassador Focus SB launched its Ambassador Wall Light at Decorex 2023 – the result of a design collaboration between the artisans at Gwyn Carless at The Light Yard and Focus SB’s in-house technical engineers and finishing experts. Made all the more stylish by three metal finishes comprising Jordan bronze, satin and antique brass, the product offers interior designers unique handcrafted bedside lighting pieces in clear, smoked and reeded glass shades, with bespoke options on enquiry. The glass shade details of each Ambassador Wall Light are cut using a ruler and glass knife, and bonded by hand at Carless’ Chesterfield studio, with edges also ultimately smoothed by hand. The long, thin rectangular glass shades are complemented by a Tubular Gold Flex LED filament dimmable lamp. Focus SB’s bespoke metal grid front plates and components include a selection of faceplate styles as well as its Ambassador range, available with traditional retractive light switches and controls. Precision engineered to order, they offer a variety of electrical accessory options and are specified by design consultants across the globe. The Ambassador Wall Light sees Focus SB continuing to lead its industry in the design and manufacture of striking luxury hospitality products. Gwyn Carless at The Light Yard meanwhile, established by founder and Director Jeff Fuller in 2013 and later rebranded in 2020, produces light fittings for numerous commercial and residential projects across the UK, Europe and North America. www.focus-sb.co.uk

Grohe Phantom Black German sanitaryware manufacturer Grohe has launched Phantom Black, a new premium colourway supported by the Grohe Professional sub-brand. Thanks to a lacquer-coating technique, Grohe Phantom Black products are more durable and resistant against corrosion, fading and scratches than Matte Black variants treated with powder coating. In addition, Phantom Black is more repellent to visible fingerprints, resulting in easier upkeep for high traffic environments. The Grohe Colours range, as well as its new Matte Black and Phantom Black finishes, are available across the full suite of bathroom products, including taps, showers, thermostats and flushplates, which are also available as glossy black variants and accessories to ensure a coordinated design concept that lasts. “We observe that consumers are becoming more design-savvy. They are looking for bathroom solutions that address their needs not only in terms of convenience and functionality but also allow them to make a design statement,” says Benjamin Kraus, Leader of Categories at Lixil EMENA, which owns Grohe. “This should be customised exactly to their personal taste. With our Grohe Colours collection, as well as the newest shades Matte Black and Phantom Black, we are giving consumers and professionals a curated palette to let their creativity flow. At the same time, they can be sure to enjoy their bathroom for a long time thanks to the classic colour selection and surface quality.” www.grohe.com

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SPECIFIER

LSA International Sculpt London-based studio LSA International specialises in the creation of contemporary handmade glass pieces. One of a number of new launches for 2024 is Sculpt, a collection with designs defined by stacked geometry and angular modern shapes. The carved wooden totems of Constantin Brancusi are referenced in the sculptural outlines of each mouth-blown vase and lantern, which are available in multiple colours. The products’ forms appear to expand and contract rhythmically, thanks to close attention paid to line, scale and equilibrium throughout the design process. The neck of each piece slants inwards or outwards, giving choice when arranging flowers, foliage and single blooms. www.lsa-international.com

Forest Group Hotel Track Forest Group, a leading manufacturer of drapery hardware systems, recently brought its window dressing expertise to W Sydney. The hotel boasts spectacular views of Darling Harbour, with uniquely contoured architecture maximising them. As such, a high-quality curtain track capable of following the building’s shape was essential, hence all rooms are equipped with Forest’s Hotel Track. As guests enter the suites at the W Sydney, they are welcomed by breathtaking panoramas, thanks to automatic curtain opening by the Forest Shuttle systems. Hotel guests can easily operate the curtains using a remote control, allowing them to enjoy the room’s amenities or get a good night’s sleep. www.forestgroup.com

Turnstyle Designs Part Hammered Turnstyle Designs has introduced the Part Hammered door hardware collection, which sees solid brass hammered by hand to create a bold design. Available in all of the brand’s signature plated and hand patinated living finishes, the new range is a reimagination of the Hammered collection. Turnstyle holds over 30 years experience in the luxury hospitality sector, with recent completed projects including The Langham Boston, Rosewood Vienna and L’Escale Resort Marina & Spa, Seychelles. Manufacturing all products in North Devon, England, Turnstyle is committed to sustainability, from carbon negative operation, to zero waste production techniques. www.turnstyledesigns.com

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SINCE 1935

Bespoke Mirror Manufacturing YOUR project, YOUR design, YOUR vision

website: waterbury.co.uk

telephone: 0121 333 6062

email: sales@waterbury.co.uk

SPECIFIER

Lightsculptures International Lighting Design Awards

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Lightsculptures had cause for celebration at the 2023 International Lighting Design Awards, where the Bangkok-based design firm, which specialises in decorative lighting design, manufacturing and installation, was victorious in three categories. The first installation to be commended, in the LED Exterior Lighting Design category, was the Pavillion Crown at Pavilion Damansara Heights Kuala Lumpur, which sees a piece standing at 25m wide and 26m tall integrated into the mall’s main entrance. The curved cladding pattern takes inspiration from a traditional Italian bugnato style, showcasing hand-blown glass ornaments in a princess-diamond cut. The ornaments were designed to reflect natural sunlight, creating a subtle sparkle without the need to activate the RGBW LEDs. The second victorious installation was Wai at Sofitel Sukhumvit Bangkok. Drawing on Sofitel’s French heritage and Thailand’s longstanding relationship with France, the sculptural chandelier reflects the traditional Thai greeting of the wai – a slight bow with palms pressed together. The gesture

was encapsulated through lighting that sees delicate petals from an orchid flower arranged to symbolise two hands coming together.

The creation was completed by incorporating 1,200 handcrafted water droplets made from recycled glass. The final successful lighting experience was at Le Meridien Saigon’s restaurant Akuna, a name that nods to the Australian Aboriginal term, meaning ‘flowing water’. As such, the design concept revolves around the three fundamental states of water: solid, liquid and gas. The journey begins with sconces in the lobby, a chandelier with dimmable down lighting in the private dining room and ten illuminated oversized droplets at the venue’s counter. A sculptural chandelier named ‘Waves’ meanwhile adds to the drama of the chef’s table. Comprising 300 pieces of Lightsculpture’s signature twisted Murano glass tubes, customised LED fittings and 800 pieces of straight glass tubes refracting light from spotlights positioned above, the fixture provides ambient lighting to the dining room. www.lightsculptures.co.th

DROPSPOT is a pendant that seamlessly combines both architectural and decorative aspects. It provides focused illumination without creating any glare, effectively directing the light exactly where it is needed.

VIVID COLOR AND NATURAL WHITES Color rendering is measured by TM-30 Rf while white rendering is measured by the SORAA internally developed whiteness rending index Rx. Both Rf and Rw require a smooth spectrum similar to natural light. Because of our full spectrum technology (violet to deep red), we’re able to accomplish this with ease.

At a restaurant or your kitchen or dining table you want food to look it’s best. Most foods, such as fish, fruits, meats, and vegetables, carry high amounts of the color red. If the light source aimed at those items lacks a high R9 value, the food could appear as the wrong color, which doesn’t seem very appetizing.

1000 / 1300

Double lights emission

Where the art of glass meets the art of lights

www.lightsculptures.co.th

sales@lightsculptures.co.th

SPECIFIER

Yves Delorme Spring Summer 2024

Waterbury Bathroom Accessories Bespoke Mirror Service

The Spring Summer 2024 collection from French luxury linen brand Yves Delorme invites users to meander through the Jardin des Plantes, telling the tale of a Parisian garden where nature and culture meet.

Collections include Parfum, made from organic cotton sateen featuring vibrant blooms and mint green foliage, paired with bold embroidered white towels and robes. The Parc design meanwhile is a take on Toile de Jouy, depicting oak, pine and walnut trees in a hand-drawn style, while jacquard design Faune is an elegant interpretation of an animal print in a golden sand shade. The colour of the season is the Veronese, a soft green available in the brand’s classic Athena collection, made from Supima cotton percale with a 500-thread count, or the Triomphe collection, made from organic cotton sateen with a 300-thread count. uk.yvesdelorme.com

Hotel guestrooms, bathrooms and public spaces are entering a new era of luxury with Waterbury Bathroom Accessories’ bespoke mirror service, crafted to cater to the discerning needs of the hospitality market. Thanks to the brand’s bespoke offerings, every detail of the mirrors can be tailored, from size and shape, to the choice of framed or frameless options, ensuring that the products can complement a range of interior design schemes, as well as meet users’ diverse needs. The guest experience can be improved through the use of demister pads to prevent condensation buildup, as well as touch sensors, while integrated LED lighting and built-in magnifying mirrors make the product all the more practical during use. www.waterbury.co.uk

Palecek Casey Palecek combines natural materials and traditional handcrafting techniques with contemporary designs to create stylish and durable furnishings. Outdoor furniture collection Casey, comprising an outdoor sofa and lounge chair, exemplifies this with its natural teak wood legs and frame. The backrest detailing uses handwrapped all-weather synthetic rope, available in a neutral taupe or black. The teak’s warm golden-brown colour will gradually change following exposure to the elements, transitioning to the silver-grey patina characteristic of finely-aged outdoor teak. Both the sofa and chair include loose seat and back cushions, customisable with a choice of stock or a customer’s own upholstery fabrics. www.palecek.com

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Forma provides a full range of superbly engineered products for any hotel, student, or residential project.

All products are manufactured in our extensive facilities in Italy, and deliver unrivalled levels of quality and detail, at very commercial prices.

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ADVERTISING INDEX ISSUE 112

Akula

051

Lemi Group

085

Alarwool

066

Lightsculptures

149

Arte

045

Ligne Roset

012

Astro

002

LSA

072

Beck

043

Luteca

097

CC-Tapis

130

Mandarin Stone

029

Chelsom

017

Object Carpet

135

Creative Matters

005

Oliver Hemming

155

Curtis Furniture

091

Original BTC

031

Deirdre Dyson

060

Respa

117

Del Mar Lighting

083

RH Contract

DUX International

156

Roca

037

EE Smith

118

Sanipex

049

008-009

Silent Night

059

Egger

129

Skargaarden

010-011

Elstead Lighting

143

Stonecircle

081

EPR

065

THP

152

Ethimo

023

Tribu

014

Forma

151

Turnstyle Designs

138

Gommaire

069

Tuuci

027

Ice International

137

Ulster

057

J Adams

077

Unidrain

141

JC Hospitality

086

Waterbury

147

Jung

071

Yves Delorme

053

Laufen

025

Ege

006-007

153

CHECK-OUT

Swamp Life

Life imitates film at a Shrekinspired getaway in the Scottish Highlands.

For the past two decades, children have been

at play. The ogre’s digs occupy a moss-covered

enchanted by the delightfully irreverent

tree stump in the mud-laden, murky-watered

adventures of Shrek and his roguish group of

swamp, and those lucky enough to spend the

friends. So much so, that since its 2001 launch,

night are able to kick-back amongst rustic

the movie franchise has expanded beyond the

furniture and patchwork accessories – designed

big screen to live shows, funfair attractions

to look just like those on screen. In bringing the

and merchandise, amassing a US$2.9 billion

film to life, guests were also encouraged to swap

fortune along the way. Now, the misunderstood

stories around the campfire, before enjoying a

ogre has ventured into hospitality, with a pop-

stack of freshly made waffles in the morning.

up accommodation offering bookable through

And naturally, it wouldn’t be Shrek’s Swamp

Airbnb. Set in the grounds of Ardverikie Estate

without Donkey, who has given the setting his

in the Scottish Highlands, Shrek’s Swamp offers

seal of approval. “Shrek’s Swamp is lovely.

a memorable stay for fans of the Dreamworks

Just beautiful. The perfect place to entertain

Animation classic. Reeling guests in with a

guests,” he says. “You know what I like about

playful reimagination of their favourite filmset,

it? Everything. The overgrown landscaping, the

the venture taps in to a trend of celebrating

modest interiors, the nice boulders, all of it. I

the nostalgic, an approach made all the more

can’t wait for guests to experience this muddy

powerful when there’s a wacky novelty factor

slice of paradise for themselves.”

© Alix McIntosh

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