HOTEL REVIEW
the Middle East, adjacent to the Emirate’s exhibition centre. The ExCeL Aloft follows ADNEC’s acquisition of ExCeL in 2008. It was built by McAleer & Rushe, the original owners of W Leicester Square, and designed by Jestico & Whiles, who were also architects for the Leicester Square property. The hotel is based on a “serpentine” plan, designed around a convex central spine containing the bedrooms. The central spine of the hotel has been finished with a bespoke, double�glazed cladding, which features a translucent ceramic frit pattern and solid back�painted spandrel panels. Inspired by the illusion of depth seen in some of Bridget Riley’s paintings, abstract horizontal stripes fritted onto the glass have been designed to emphasise the flow of the building. Specially-treated, stainless steel shingles appear green, blue or purple depending on the light and can even appear 096
MARCH / APRIL 2012 WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM
ABOVE AND LEFT: Jestico + Whiles’ interior design continues the linear, multi-coloured motif of the external design. The interiors have been furnished with a carefully selected palette of timber, Corian®, glass, porcelain and textured wallpaper, and selected artworks decorating the public spaces