Sleeper May/June 2019 - Issue 84

MAY | JUNE 2019 MAY | JUNE 2019 W W W. SLEEPERMAGAZI N E.COM

84

Shinola Hotel

Jean-Philippe Nuel

Belmond Cadogan

The luxury goods brand ventures into hospitality with a handcrafted hotel in its home town of Detroit

The French designer brings his own style of classic elegance to Europe’s heritage buildings

Charm, character and craftsmanship come together at Belmond’s London debut

Featured lights: Side By Side

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Inside Sleeper M AY | JU N E 2 019

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Hotel Reviews

Features

Cover Story

062 Belmond Cadogan London

044 Meeting… Jean-Philippe Nuel Having spent 20 years developing a style entirely his own, and a client list featuring the best in the business, Jean-Philippe Nuel talks inspiration and the importance of history.

054 Shinola Hotel Detroit Luxury goods brand Shinola ventures into the hospitality arena with a handcrafted hotel in its home town of Detroit, where decidedly Shinola materials such as American walnut, blackened metal and textural leathers take centre stage.

068 Hotel Villagio Napa Valley 077 Cœur de Megève Megève 084 The Fife Arms Braemar 090 The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland 101 Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France 106 Hotel Indigo Victoria Station Manchester 113 Lock & Key Liverpool

122 Brand Standards… Teardrop Hotels Best known for its reimagining of unique spaces from Sri Lanka’s past, Teardrop Hotels reflects on building a portfolio of small, service-driven properties that champion the island’s rich history.

116 The Zed Rooms London 120 The Michelberger Berlin

Departments 024 Check In 026 Drawing Board 129 Business Centre Hotel Analyst 134 Business Centre STR 137 Events AHEAD 145 Events 149 Events IHIF 154 Events HI Design MEA 161 Product Profile Lighting & Control 180 Product Profile Window Treatment 183 Specifier 199 Product Profile Office Furniture 210 Check Out

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Cover Photography: © Nicole Franzen

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Contemporary furniture that defies expectations.

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Welcome

P

roviding spaces and services that meet the needs of the guest is the fundamental aim for any new hotel project. But what about a hotel that is genuinely for the people, by the people? A recent boom in crowdfunding has given rise to a number of new concepts that are turning the build-it-and-they-will-come approach upside-down.

A lack of financing options has led many budding entrepreneurs down the route of crowdfunding, resulting in an explosion of online platforms that facilitate fundraising, some catering specifically to the hotel sector. Perhaps the most high profile venture has been Amberlair, which bills itself as the world’s first crowdfunded boutique hotel. Critics may be quick to scoff at the first-time hoteliers, but their ideas will no doubt strike a chord with any operator trying to tap in to the millennial generation. Amberlair’s founders have taken the reverse approach to traditional hoteliers, by first building a following, long before breaking ground or even putting drafting pencil to paper. Investors (that’s members of the general public) can choose from a variety of rewards – from free room nights to having a suite named after them – depending on their level of financial input, but crucially, they get a say on the location, design and facilities of the property they’re helping to fund. Through crowdsourcing and social media, Amberlair has already built an online community of travellers, despite its first hotel – located in Italy, as voted for by the people – being a full 12 months from opening. Getting consumers to buy into a concept and feel part of something from day one is a great way to generate brand loyalty; not only does it show belief in the product, but gauges real interest from the very people who will eventually become the paying guest.

Well-known players are getting in on the act too. Last year, Mr & Mrs Smith reached its £1 million target within a day, having launched a crowdfunding initiative to accelerate the growth of its hotel and villa collection. The amount raised currently stands at £5.9 million, and is a strong indicator of the public’s interest in travel ventures.

Meanwhile, this issue of Sleeper features The Zed Rooms, a new hospitality project from Cuckooz, who are using crowdfunding to fund a co-working space with integrated pay-as-you-go crèche, while our sister publication Supper recently reviewed the debut hotel from Scottish craft brewery BrewDog, which secured a cool £26.2million from its legion of followers through an equity programme.

Start-ups remain a popular option for conventional investment sources, however it may be some time before crowdfunding competes with the likes of private equity funds or high-net-worth individuals. While there’s an element of risk involved in backing a business with a limited track record, a concept that puts the power back in the hands of the guests will be sure to capture attention.

Catherine Martin | Editor

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Guest Book

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© Sim Canetty-Clarke

SYBILLE DE MARGERIE

HAUSER & WIRTH

HENRY REEVE

SOL KERZNER

“I like the balance between tradition and modernity,” says Sybille de Margerie, whose studio recently completed the interior scheme for Cœur de Megève in the Alps, taking inspiration from nature to create a welcoming décor with curved furniture, organic materials and pure bright colours. The opening is the first venture from Steller Hotels, an owner-operator with plans to expand to Paris and Rome.

Iwan and Manuela Wirth – the Swiss entrepreneurs behind contemporary and modern art gallery Hauser & Wirth – have made their first foray in the hotel sector with the transformation a former Victorian coaching house in the Scottish Highlands. The duo joined forces with Russell Sage Studio and Moxon Architects to capt u re the d ramatic landscapes and rich cultural connections of the locale.

A s Di re c tor of I nter ior Design for IHG, Henry Reeve oversees the aesthetic of the neig hbou rhood- conscious Hotel Indigo brand, drawing from the locale to inform the detailed schemes within each property. Following the launch of Hotel Indigo Manchester Victoria Station earlier this year, the label reached a milestone 100 hotels worldwide, and now has its sights set on Bath and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Recognised at this year’s International Hotel Investment Forum with the Lifetime Achievement award, South African hotelier Sol Kerzner appeared via video link to discuss his glittering 50-year career, putting the country’s hospitality offer on the map with ambitious projects like the expansive Sun City, and the joys of founding and running South Africa’s most successful hotel company in Sun International.

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Four Seasons at the Surf Club, Florida – bespoke loungers by Joseph Dirand

Living the good life outside.

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© Sharon Derhy

Alon Baranowitz and Irene Kronenberg BARANOWITZ + KRONENBERG ARCHITECTURE

Having completed projects for Sir Hotels and W Hotels, Baranowitz and Kronenberg jet to Morocco’s Atlantic coast to take a fantasy break beneath the stars.

Where are you?

Legzira Beach in Morocco, where the Sahara meets the Atlantic.

How did you get there?

We took a sunset flight from Casablanca on board a Cessna 172 Skyhawk seaplane, which lands just in front of our private beach camp escape.

Who is there to greet you on arrival?

A local fisherman welcomes us with an icy pomegranate juice and a dash of vodka, served in intricate Moroccan glasswear.

And who’s at the concierge desk?

Nothing but a light breeze, a sunset and a bonfire.

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

A pair of Kharma Grand speakers playing Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy.

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

It’s a single white sail canopy stretching along the beach beneath the stars, against the backdrop of the Sahara dunes and the soothing ocean. The floor is covered with a jigsaw of handwoven Moroccan rugs rendering the entire scene with an air of Arabian Nights. The space entices us to rest, lounge, play and indulge, breaking every notion of formal living.

Furniture is scarce yet brilliantly curated, refined and inviting us to sit as low as the horizon. A sea of candles flicker throughout, a bed awaits and so

do the open-sky shower and spa. Service reveals itself upon request. Nature prevails.

Who designed it?

Naima Bennis, the late Moroccan fashion designer.

Testament to her talent is the interplay between tradition and modernity, paying homage to the transgender designs for which she was known. Her trademark black capes are hung just by the outdoor shower, dressing us twice a day with refined luxury.

What’s the restaurant and bar like?

The ocean is our restaurant. At dawn, our host leaves to negotiate the menu with the ocean. An ancient well that once clenched the thirst of exotic nomads now treasures our reds, whites and Moët.

Colourful jars of freshly squeezed lemons refined with rose water and young mint leaves adorn the intricate copper bucket, which rises from the depths on request. We choose our bottle and let our treasure disappear down into the darkened cold.

Who are you dining with this evening?

Just the two of us, beneath a shimmering blanket of stars and one enigmatic ocean.

Who’s manning the stoves?

Rene Redzepi is at the bonfire, fully engaged with the catch-of-the-day, while the speakers play Bill Evans’ Alice in Wonderland.

And what’s on the menu?

Each day brings a tasting menu of locally inspired

delights with a twist. To name just a few, there’s a morning shot of classic Moroccan harira with fried chickpeas in red pepper powder; sunrise orchids served on a crust of khobz bread with sweet ocean foam; a bowl of tidal seaweeds with crispy sardines, fried green chili olives and preserved lemons, paired with a chilled Vionta Albariño Rias Baixas 2016; aubergine fried in a cloud of sweet batter, spicy lubia and crumbles of ground lamb alongside a nice Rioja Alta Vina Arana Reserva 2009; and broken hearts of tomato taktouka comforted with smoked green peppers, garlic and spices.

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

A 28-year-old Zacapa rum.

What’s on your nightstand at bedtime?

A book, tablet and sketch book. One never knows what the night will bring.

Early morning alarm call or late check-out?

Very late check-out. We hate alarms of any sort!

Bath or power shower?

Power shower.

What toiletries would you like to freshen up with?

Diptyque.

Full English, continental or something different?

We go local wherever we are, it’s a great introduction to other cultures.

Names: Alon Baranowitz and Irene Kronenberg | Position: Co-founders, Baranowitz + Kronenberg Architecture | www.bkarc.com Notable hotel projects: W Amsterdam; Sir Joan, Ibiza; W Ibiza; W Prague; Mendeli Street Hotel, Tel Aviv

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Tree Houses DOLOMITES

Peter Pichler Architecture has developed a concept for a series of tree house guestrooms in the Italian Dolomites.

Taking the form of two-level units ranging from 35-45m2, the Milanbased studio’s Tree House hotel rooms create an extension to an existing hotel as a design-led guest experience.

Seeking to maximise connectivity between guest and surrounding nature, the geometric units have been designed with sharp, steep roofs in reference to the fir and larch trees populating the forest below, and set upon concrete foundations, with additional support provided by structural glass walls.

Constructed sustainably from local wood – stained black to integrate the units with the surrounding landscape – each features a small reading and lounge area on the lower level, and a bedroom and bathroom on the upper, the latter tucked away towards the rear of the structure. The two areas are connected by an internal stairway, with the glass walls acting to flood the spaces with light, whilst each unit has also been oriented to optimise views, removing any visible barrier between guest and forest. Interiors, meanwhile, are lined with untreated fir wood for a warm contrast against the cold exterior.

The project has been conceived with a ‘slow down’ ethos, pertaining to a form of tourism wherein nature and the integration of a project’s architecture and design within it plays a primary role in the overall guest experience.

“We believe that the future of tourism is based on the relationship of the human being with nature,” explains Peter Pichler, founder, Peter Pichler Architecture. “Well integrated, sustainable architecture can amplify this relationship, nothing else is needed.”

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Andaz The Palm DUBAI

Andaz Hotels has announced the Q4 2019 opening of Andaz The Palm Dubai, a 217-key hotel at the centre of Palm Jumeriah.

Capital Gate Abu Dhabi. Another property is also under development at urban beachside destination La Mer, set to be the first of the Hyatt Centric brand in the region when it opens in 2020.

HE Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, CEO of WASL Asset Management Group, comments: “Andaz Dubai The Palm will provide a standout hospitality experience for guests amidst a location famous for luxury and exclusivity. Due for completion ahead of the Expo 2020, this new venture with Hyatt will further enriches our portfolio and fosters the provision of exemplary hospitality experiences to Dubai’s growing tourism market. We’re excited to introduce the Andaz brand to Dubai and believe that the globally renowned Palm Jumeirah provides the ideal setting to realise this vision. The vibrant luxury property will attract travellers looking to fully immerse themselves in Dubai and engage them through unique programming.”

Designed by Glintmeijer Design Studio (GDS), the hotel will occupy a pair of 15-storey towers bringing together a fitness centre, spa, four dining concepts including a speakeasy bar, meeting facilities and 116 serviced apartments. The design scheme is inspired by the aesthetics of local artisans and artists, as well as Dubai’s established culture and heritage. Marking GDS’ first project completed from concept to opening in Dubai, the studio worked with client WASL Hospitality and interior architecture firm FG Stijl to develop the initial idea and elements that inform the wider project.

The hotel marks the first Andaz branded hotel in Dubai and the second Andaz hotel in the United Arab Emirates, joining Andaz

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“Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try.”

—Dr. Seuss

“The Hills of Grasse” by Tamsen Hall © Kalisher

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Corinthia Meydan Beach DUBAI

Corinthia Hotels has revealed a 2020 opening date for its first hotel in the Middle East.

“Corinthia Meydan Beach is an exciting addition to the region’s hospitality landscape, representing both a landmark milestone for us as a brand, and for Dubai,” says Matthew Dixon, Area Managing Director Middle East, Corinthia Hotels. “The energy, vision and quality of resources assembled for this project by Meydan means that this hotel is in the enviable position of offering the market something fresh and new; an interpretation of heritage, culture and service values that we feel have not yet been bought to the UAE. We are confident that this property will enhance the Corinthia brand in the region, brilliantly enhancing our existing portfolio.”

The project joins an existing Corinthia portfolio that includes properties such as the flagship Corinthia Hotel London, as well as established outposts in Budapest, Malta, St. Petersburg, Prague, Lisbon, Khartoum and Tripoli.

Located on Dubai’s JBR beachfront within the city’s marina, and created in partnership with investors Meydan Group, the 55-storey, 360-key Corinthia Meydan Beach Dubai will feature the region’s first ESPA Life-branded spa, multiple infinity pools, and views across Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Eye and white sand beaches below.

Designed by multi-disciplinary US-based studio AE7, the hotel’s defining aesthetic will draw inspiration from both its neighbouring beach and city environments, with a catalouge of rich details seeking to create a scheme paying tribute to the region’s penchant for architectural grandeur whilst also incorporating a series of traditional cultural visuals.

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Mandarin Oriental Etiler ISTANBUL

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has signed an agreement to manage a second hotel in Istanbul, Turkey.

through the upcoming opening of Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul, it is our intention to establish this second Istanbul property, uniquely located in the prestigious district of Etiler, as one of the world’s most impressive addresses.”

This marks the hotel group’s third venture in Turkey with Astas Holding, which owns Mandarin Oriental’s two other Turkish properties in Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum and Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul, the latter scheduled to open in 2020.

“We are delighted to be announcing a second Mandarin Oriental property in Istanbul, together with an exciting luxury residential project,” adds James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental. “Operating two complementary hotels in a single city is something that the group has already done successfully in Hong Kong and will soon do in London.”

Scheduled for a 2022 opening, the 158-key Mandarin Oriental Etiler, Istanbul will be set within one of three standalone towers in the eponymous neighbourhood, with the remaining two housing 251 Mandarin Oriental-branded residences. Comprising three restaurants and bars, 16 serviced apartments, a series of adaptable meeting spaces – with three outdoor areas and terraces – as well as a gym and swimming pool facilities. The project has been designed and masterplanned by Amsterdam-based UNStudio.

A spokesperson for owners and developers Astas Holding and Yapi & Yapi, comments: “Having strengthened our successful collaboration with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in Bodrum, and

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www.gandiablasco.com

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DNA TEAK

by José A. Gandía-Blasco Canales

20/03/2019 15:27:38

Skye Green Square SYDNEY

Crown Group has announced its third serviced apartment hotel will open within Sydney’s AU$575-million Infinity development.

“At Skye Suites, we endeavour to differentiate ourselves by offering creative and inspirational spaces to our guests, making their stay comfortable, enjoyable and memorable,” says Wayne Taranto, Crown Group Director of Hotels and Suites. “Skye Suites is redefining the boundaries of the luxury hotel experience with the seamless combination of the atmosphere of an urban resort, the convenience and comfort of an apartment and the amenities of a hotel.”

The first Skye Suites opened in 2017 in Pattamatta, as part of the Crown Group’s V residential tower, and featured 72 guestrooms alongside an outdoor swimming pool, gym and rooftop cocktail bar Nick and Nora’s by Speakeasy Group. The second – Skye Suites Sydney – landed within the Arc residential tower in 2018. With both designed by Koichi Takada, Skye Suites Green Square marks the third collaboration between Crown Group and the Sydney-based studio.

Slated for a mid-2019 opening, the Koichi Takada Architectsdesigned Infinity complex – itself a part of the wider AU$13 billion Green Square redevelopment scheme – will feature 326 apartments, a convention centre, plus retail and dining districts. The hotel element – Skye Green Square – comprises 90 studio, one- and two- bedroom apartments, all with access to a virtual concierge system.

Taking the shape of a 20-storey looped building on the corner of Botany Road and Bourke Street, the hotel will be in close proximity to the development’s planned train station and aquatic centre, as well as the already open public library and a co-working space set in the scheme’s underground atrium.

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Taking care of light

Nhow LONDON

NH Hotel Group has announced that its debut Nhow property in the UK will form part of London’s 250 City Road development.

Elsewhere, the hotel’s F&B programme features The Bell – a reimagining of the traditional British pub for its youthful target audience – whilst a bar, gym and three meeting rooms titled Laboratories will form its spine of leisure and event facilities.

“Located in a district marked by an industrial past and technological future, Nhow soaks up those contracts and plays with them in an unconventional and disruptive way,” states Project Orange’s description of the hotel. “The concept provides a space where tradition and innovation collide, and old London is reloaded.”

Joining the Foster + Partner’s designed, Berkeley-developed 250 City Road Development – a triangular site between the city’s Angel and Old Street stations – Nhow London’s guests will be in close proximity to a combination of residential, retail and F&B elements, all designed to naturally conserve energy and minimise noise.

Following hotels in Berlin, Rotterdam, Milan and Marseille, the brand’s Project Orange-designed Nhow London will follow a theme of ‘London Reloaded’, with interiors drawing influence from traditional British icons including the Royal Family, London landmarks and the Underground transit system.

Comprising 190 guestrooms across eight storeys – and incorporating visual elements including a Big Ben rocket sculpture in the lobby, tables featuring cockney rhyming slang and oversized gold bell lights reminiscent of the capital’s church bells – the hotel will combine bold colours, contemporary art and graffiti-inspired aesthetics with a focus on technology.

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Anantara MAURITIUS

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has revealed plans its first property on the island of Mauritius, set to open in Q4 2019.

history of Port Louis and emphases the use of natural, locally sourced materials such as basalt, volcanic stone and driftwood for a tropical, colonial beach house aesthetic. Elsewhere, fabrics and art selected for guestrooms provide contrast with accents of orange, ultramarine and royal yellow in a nod to the surrounding landscape.

Anchoring the F&B offer, speciality grill Sea.Fire.Salt will span both courtyard and beach, and joins a wider programme rooted in a blend of European, Asian and African influences, with most ingredients harvested locally and sustainably in line with the resort’s environmental commitments.

As part of a push towards greener operations, the resort will also incorporate solar technology, cultivate endemic flora within the hotel’s landscaping, and has pledged to eschew the use of plastic straws in-keeping with a recently introduced Anantara standard.

Landing as part of an integrated coastal development on the south-eastern shores 15 minutes from Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, the 164-key Anantara Mauritius Resort has been designed by Australian studio Ground Kent Architects in collaboration with the Office of Global Architecture in Mauritius, and features interiors overseen by Thailand-based Abacus Design.

Facilities include an F&B programme incorporating several dining options from a speciality seafood grill to a wellness-focused café, along with a 30m ozone-based swimming pool, a gym and signature Anantara Spa. The resort’s design seeks to reflect the country’s melting pot history, drawing influence from the rich architectural

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Collection Esedra

design Luca Nichetto —

ethimo.com Showroom Milan / Rome Paris / Cannes

Contacts info@ethimo.com +39 0761 300 444 Ph Bernard Touillon

Renaissance NEW YORK

SCG America and F&T Group have selected Renaissance Hotels to operate a 208-key project within the mixed-use Tangram development.

Comprising 1.2 million-ft2 of retail, entertainment, residential, office and F&B amenities, Tangram will open minutes from the New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports, and has been billed as ‘the new epicentre of Flushing’. Inspired by the arrangement of a traditional Chinese dissection puzzle consisting of flat pieces called tans, the project will seek to introduce urban lifestyle elements gleaned from Asian cities including Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo to the quickly rising Queens neighbourhood.

“We are thrilled to bring our Renaissance brand to the Tangram development, which is creating a new, vibrant and walkable destination in Queens,” says Noah Silverman, Chief Development Officer, North America, Full-Service Hotels at Marriott International.

“The hotel will set a new standard for lodging, dining and socialising for residents, neighbours and both business and leisure travellers.”

The Renaissance New York Flushing Hotel at Tangram will mark the Marriott sub-brand’s first property in Queens, and is set to features interiors by Wilson Associates within a structure by Margulies Hoelzli Architecture.

Slated for a 2020 opening in the Flushing neighbourhood, early plans tell of a distinctive arrival experience wherein guests enter a porte-cochere on 37th Avenue and are taken to a top floor lobby spanning the entire level, whilst a signature restaurant will be joined by two bars, a club lounge, a 3,500ft2 outdoor terrace and a fitness centre. The hotel portion will be directly linked to the wider development via an indoor passage to the shopping mall.

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collection EXTINCT ANIMALS pattern DODO PAVONE

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Avani VIETNAM

Avani Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of three new properties in Vietnam with investor Novaland Group.

blend of colonial and modern architecture, street side cafés and traditional shop fronts. Comprising 217 guestrooms, the hotel will form part of a 38-storey mixed-use complex alongside retail and residence elements, incorporating all-day dining venues and a signature spa. To the north-east, Avani Cam Ranh Resort & Villas will offer a lower-key alternative amidst the coastal region’s junglecovered mountains and ancient pagodas, featuring 300 guestrooms and suites, as well as 315 private villas, an all-day restaurant, bistro, beach club and 1,200m2 of meeting and banquet space.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, the parent company of Avani Hotels & Resorts, comments: “Vietnam is one of the region’s most dynamic economies with tremendous growth potential in both domestic and international tourism.”

Joining a Vietnam portfolio that currently features hotels in Quy Nhon and Hai Phone, the new Avani properties in Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau and Cam Ranh are slated to open in 2019, 2021 and 2022 respectively. Avani Vung Tau Resort – the project currently closest to completion – will be set in close proximity to the popular Asian destination’s historic trading port, and features both oceanfront and hillside guestrooms across 149-keys as well as a beach-facing dining experience.

Avani Saigon, meanwhile, will be located in the bustling District 1 of Vietnam’s largest city, with its design drawing from the locale’s

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R A D I U S collection designed by Manutti Studio.

More inspiration on manutti.com.

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MEETING

Jean-Philippe Nuel Having spent 20 years developing a style entirely his own, and a client list featuring the best in the business, Jean-Philippe Nuel talks inspiration and the importance of history.

Words: Lauren Ho | Portrait Photography: © Jean-Francois Jaussaud

T

he thing about trends is that they come and go. When it comes to hospitality design, in particular, it’s all about longevity and finding that sweet spot between timelessness and modernity. A skill that Jean-Philippe Nuel has masterfully honed over his 20-year career. And while the French designer says he doesn’t have a signature style, per se, he does have a distinct brand of classic elegance that has made him a firm favourite within the luxury hotel world.

“I don’t want to be trendy,” he says emphatically, gesturing at his surroundings.

“For me, it’s important to find a specific identity for each project and to find inspiration in the site.”

Following in his family’s footsteps, Nuel trained as an architect, graduating from Paris’ École des Beaux-Arts, before an early commission prompted an unplanned dabble in interior design, consequently redirecting his career trajectory.

“I would love to be able to work on both the architecture and the interior design, as it’s nice to have a vision not only of the decoration, but also of the space,” explains Nuel of his decision. “But it’s not easy to do both, so if I must choose one, then I prefer to work on the

interior design.” A savvy call for the designer who, over the years, has amassed a gold list of global clients that, along with some smaller boutique properties, includes all of the industry’s big players from Accor to Hilton, Radisson, Marriott and Meliá.

We are installed in a suite at La Clef Champs-Élysées, one of Nuel’s newest Paris-based projects and the latest opening from Singaporean luxury aparthotel company The Ascott. Nuel, like his ‘signature’ design aesthetic, is quietly discerning, his demeanour unexpectedly unassuming for someone who has been in the business for over two decades. The property itself occupies a classic Haussmannian-style pile from 1907, which Nuel has used to full effect, dressing the building’s original details in a modern palette of marble, polished brass and furnishings like the Lunar Highback Chair by Stellar Works and pendant lights

by Marzais Creations.

“The project takes inspiration from a rich architectural heritage and its exceptional location in the heart of Paris,” explains Nuel earnestly, while gesturing towards the large window that frames a hodgepodge of rooftops. “It’s not about decoration for the sake of it.”

“I don't want to be trendy.

For me, it’s important to find a specific identity for each project and to find inspiration in the site.”

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© Gilles Trillard

Above: La Clef Champs-Élysées occupies a classic Haussmannian-style pile from 1907, which Nuel has used to full effect

“It is a dialogue between the city and nature and heritage and modernity.

I like to mix my personal approach with heritage elements.”

the whole city from the rooftop and really feel its spirit, which is very unique.”

And so, with sleights of hand, the designer has kept the grandiosity of the spaces from being overwhelming by cocooning sprawling rooms into discrete spaces with modern furnishings, deploying a mixture of materials and textures, gently imposing a crisp neutral colour palette with natureinspired tones, and incorporating the city and history of Rome as its finishing touches.

The guestrooms, in particular, feature subtly lit Baroque-inspired ceiling frescoes that create the illusion of an open sky, while wateryblue hues and brass details are revealed through thoroughly modern furnishings and textures, like the rattan Colony Armchair by Skrivo for Miniforms, the Ligne Roset curved sofa, or the simple, angular marble and brass floor lamps by Flos. Downstairs, the public spaces revolve around standout statement pieces, such as the bespoke white marble and mirror drinks cabinet in the bar, or the marble mosaic floor that contrasts with the building’s original chequered tiles in the lobby.

The hotel’s crowning glory though is, no doubt, Settimo, the new seventh-floor rooftop space, which Nuel says is his favourite,

At the soon-to-open Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, this meant taking inspiration from the adjacent sprawl of Villa Borghese’s landscaped gardens, as well as from the building’s 19th-century architecture and fusing, as Nuel says, “the Italian La Dolce Vita heritage with the modern French Art de Vivre.”

The result is a classic Nuel intervention of carefully balanced elements that firmly thrusts the 78-key hotel – a former palazzo featured among the 190 historic buildings of Italy – into the 21st-century in a vibrant reawakening. “The idea was to create a dialogue between the elegance of French classicism and the opulence and generosity of Italian baroque,” explains Nuel. “It is also a dialogue between the city and nature and heritage and modernity. I like to mix my personal approach with heritage elements.”

In a way, when Sofitel decided to take the plunge and completely overhaul the faded hotel, it made perfect sense to tap Nuel, not just for their aligned approach, but because of his enthusiasm for the city.

“I love Rome. When I was an architecture student I used to go there to draw; for me it really is one of the most beautiful cities,” he says, almost nostalgically. “The hotel itself is a lovely building; you can see

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This Page: At the soon-to-open Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, Nuel has taken inspiration from the adjacent sprawl of Villa Borghese’s landscaped gardens, as well as from the building’s 19th-century architecture

admittedly not for the design, but for the views. Indeed, with widespread city vistas overlooking both St. Peter’s Basilica as well as the picturesque gardens, it’s no surprise that the designer has incorporated subtle botanical touches like the abundance of decorative plants; sensual curved sofas – designed by Nuel himself – upholstered in bottle green hues and palm-printed fabrics by Christian Lacroix for Designers Guild; and the light grey terrazzo floor, with mosaiced marble inserts that resemble fallen leaves.

“I like a project with a story,” says Nuel of Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese. “This project was unique for its position in the city, next to the gardens, but also it was a special building with a lot of character.”

It’s clear that, while Nuel has worked on a number of designs in new buildings, like the Innside by Meliá hotel within Charles de Gaulle Airport he just completed, it’s the heritage projects – including the InterContinental Hotel Dieu in Marseille

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Left: Nuel dressed the original features within La Clef Champs-Élysées with a contemporary palette of marble and polished brass

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and Paris’ iconic Art Deco Piscine Molitor, among others – that have his heart. “Projects in historical buildings can be difficult to work on,” he admits openly. “But I like them because they offer the freedom and variety – huge volumes and different spaces – that you don’t get with modern buildings.”

On this point, Nuel adds that the project he is most proud of is the 67-key Le Cinq Codet, an independent hotel housed within the bones of the former France Telecom building from the 1930s in Paris’ 7th arrondissement. In a refreshing departure from the complexity of corporate hospitality, Nuel says he was given free rein over the design and “treated the assignment like a personal project.”

As a result, there is a tasteful understatement and a comfortable affluence about Le Cinq Codet. Every objet fits into a room, every detail quietly unobtrusive, with Nuel using the soft curves, double-height windows and soaring volumes of the building as a chance

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Above: The Presidential Suite at the forthcoming InterContinental Lyon Hotel Dieu, a project eight years in the making that fuses simplicity and embellishment

to create a home-away-from-home feel with bookshelves that run the length of the walls, bespoke furnishings by Tom Dixon and Patricia Urquiola, and over 400 pieces of art including monumental photographs

by Jean-Pierre Porcher in the lobby and pieces by both established and young, upand-coming artists, from Christian Bassot to Véronique Durruty.

For some, Jean- Ph ilippe Nuel’s astonishingly fecund career could be considered to be at a point when one might invite wistful introspection. But there is the sense that Nuel has little time for introspection with the designer barely pausing to draw a breath, already hard at work criss-crossing the globe for Marriott in both Bahrain and Morocco, while setting up a brand new studio in New York, with the mission to expand his business stateside and jokingly, he says, to brush up on his English language skills.

Meanwhile, back in France, the designer has resumed his decadelong relationship with French cruise operator Ponant, having just completed designs for the brand’s new collection of luxury expedition ships, which are refreshingly breezy with lots of natural materials, handcrafted elements and subtle ethnic touches – like the

custom-designed Aztec-inspired rugs – in a palette of understated grey-blue tones.

“As these vessels are smaller and are able to access exclusive destinations, I decided to imbue a less formal ethnic-inspired design that combines luxury and nature,” explains Nuel.

Most notably though – and if all goes according to plan – after nearly eight years in the making, InterContinental Lyon Hôtel Dieu will finally swing open its doors this year. “This building was a former Hôtel-Dieu – hospitals that took in the needy – and is without a doubt, one of Lyon’s most magnificent buildings,” says Nuel passionately. “I am very excited to finally see this project realised after so many years.”

Indeed, the grand pile’s extravagantly ornamental architecture has proved the perfect canvas for Nuel’s ‘signature’ aesthetic of understated elegance, with the man behind the scheme finding inspiration in the contrast between simplicity and embellishment.

The fact that the design has not needed to be amended or revised in the eight years since his first sketches, is proof abundant of Nuel’s carefully honed, timeless approach.

“Projects in historical buildings can be difficult to work on, but I like them because they offer the freedom and variety that you don’t get with modern buildings.”

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Shinola Hotel DETROIT

The luxury goods brand ventures into the hospitality arena with a handcrafted hotel in its home town of Detroit.

Words: Ayesha Khan | Photography: © Nicole Franzen

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otown, the Big D, the Dirty D: Detroit’s many monikers testify to a rich history, coloured just as much with prosperity, music and culture as, in the recent past, with economic downturn and crime. But just as the resilient American muscle cars that were once made here, Detroit rises from adversity.

The city’s most recent renaissance is being spearheaded by Bedrock, a Detroit-born developer that has taken the initiative to revamp some of the most historic sites on Downtown’s main thoroughfare, Woodward Avenue, which once bustled as the shopping destination of the well-to-do. “We’re intentional about the role we play in revitalising Detroit’s downtown with small and large companies and retailers that love Detroit as much as we do,” says Dan Mullan, Bedrock’s president. Highlights in its roster of development sites are the defunct Hudson’s department store, and the former storefronts of the Singer Sewing Machine and T.B. Rayl companies, which have now been transformed into the debut hotel from luxury goods brand Shinola.

Smart, understated and impossibly cool, the hotel was the next logical progression for Shinola, a truly American-made brand with roots in watches, that has diversified to everything from bikes and leather goods to bespoke, handcrafted electronics. “The conversation about a hotel started early in the development of the brand when we were building environments, from retail stores to offices and our factory. The feedback we always received was that

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Above: San Morello features decidedly Shinola materials such as American walnut, blackened metal and textural leathers

our stores were beautiful and we knew this would translate perfectly in the hospitality space,” says Creative Director Daniel Caudill, who prides himself on being Shinola’s first employee, and acts as shepherd of the brand’s persona. “Detroit was in need of a luxury hotel, and this was the driving factor behind the design. We wanted it to be comfortable and truly American – modern with a touch of nostalgia, combined with the unexpected.”

Past a handsome red cast-iron façade and a marquee that simply reads ‘Hotel’, guests are immediately captivated by the double-storey living room, a space that embodies Caudill’s design pillars and the often-paradoxical identity of the city. Christine Gachot – co-founder of Gachot Studios and the designer behind Eaton Hotel DC – who was entrusted with crafting the hotel’s interior design story, explains: “This moment is really special because our goal was to design a place where guests and residents can come together and feel collectively at home. The textures are rich – my favourite being the gorgeous custom camel-coloured mohair sofas and sectionals that layer so beautifully with the brown leather sofas. This effect is reflected by the camel drapes outlining the blackened steel windows.”

Two focal points anchor the room: architecturally, the original banister and stair leading to the mezzanine space, and aesthetically, a glittering hand-appliqued art piece by American artist Nick Cave. Art is a major player in this space, with an expertly curated assemblage of

modern pieces combined with black and white photography lending the ‘nostalgia’ and ‘unexpected’ ordinates of Caudill’s design ethos.

“Shinola is a brand that is proud to be in Detroit, so it was important to represent the city creatively and support artists by displaying their work,” explains art curator Sara Nickleson of the locally-based Library Street Collective. Perhaps the most poignant of the salonstyle art collection that adorns all four of the space’s walls is Mario Moore’s painting, which, as Nickleson explains, was commissioned

by Shinola; it is a portrait of Moore’s friend holding a book on feminist theory while an image of lawyer and women’s rights activist Anita Hill hangs in the background.

The hotel has a vast array of food and beverage offerings, all set along an urban alleyway. Here, Shinola turned to Andrew Carmellini and NoHo Hospitality Group to create a variety of options, including the soon-to-open Penny Red’s, serving up buckets of fried chicken, and American beer hall The Brakeman, featuring rotating craft beers from the Midwest.

Through a nondescript alley door, the Evening Bar is one of Gachot’s favourite spaces. “The interior centres around the mahogany bar with focused lighting to highlight the eglomise mirror back bar, which we designed custom for the space. The inspiration for this piece was the historic murals of old Detroit,” she explains. “The space has serious sex appeal; it is a nice foil to the rest of the hotel.”

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Above: Birdy Room is a sunroom-style space with private garden, available for cocktail receptions and weddings

Set on a conversely grand scale, San Morello is the beating heart of Shinola Hotel’s dining offer, and, coincidentally, the hardest table to book in town. Centred around a show kitchen complete with wood fired oven, the lofty space features walls adorned in intricate tile work (a riff on something one may find in Southern Italy) with decidedly Shinola materials such as American walnut, blackened metal and textural leathers. Furniture and lighting was custom-designed for the space – bespoke, just like any of the brand’s products.

The experience at the hotel’s 129 guestrooms is one of a carefully crafted residence. Casegoods are custom-made by Amish artisans in neighbouring Ohio, their drawers opening to reveal inscriptions like ‘work hard, do good’; even the faucets – designed and developed

by Waterworks – are bespoke. Shinola goodies such as handcrafted turntables, speakers and alpaca blankets (all available for purchase, of course) ensure that the hotel’s branding is never forgotten. The irregular nature of a building comprised of several smaller structures, means that there are some 50 room types. “This required more than a bit of creative stamina from our team,” quips Gachot. “The end

result is delightful, though: you can stay at the hotel over fifty times and never have the same kind of room.”

While rooms in the Singer building feature sunken living spaces (a requirement so that the floor plates of corridors line up), those in the main building are defined by soaring floor-to-ceiling windows.

Reading nooks, replete with books from Caudill’s own collection, are littered throughout the meandering hallways.

Much like the city in which it’s set, Shinola Hotel’s sum total is one of adept craftsmanship, unpretentious Midwestern hospitality and a profound story. In summarising its design, Gachot says it best: “In our increasingly digital world, it’s easy to stay plugged-in and constantly move fast. Shinola’s considered, rigorous sensibility reminds us that our greatest luxury is time. We carefully considered this approach in the materials and treatments throughout the hotel, working with craftspeople, artisans, and artists to bring authentic humanity to the spaces. We’re always looking to tell a story rather than distract with something shiny. Our hope is that visitors feel anchored by that depth.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: 129 guestrooms | 2 restaurants | 2 bars | Private events spaces | Gym | www.shinolahotel.com Owner / Developer: Bedrock | Operator: Mac & Lo; NoHo Hospitality Group (F&B) | Architecture: Kraemer Design Group | Interior Design: Gachot Studios Art Consultant: Library Street Collective | Lighting Design: L’Observatoire International | Procurement: The Parker Company

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Belmond Cadogan LONDON

Masterfully reimagining a series of redbrick London townhouses, Belmond’s first London hotel weaves together locale, literature and heritage for an elegant document of the brand’s core values.

Words: Guy Dittrich | Photography: © Helen Cathcart

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elmond’s first London hotel is full of charm and character. Its design stories are born from the property’s history, and part of an aesthetic that captures elements of Knightsbridge elegance and raffish Chelsea, the two neighbourhoods between which it sits.

Crafted from a sequence of redbrick townhouses over five floors that wrap around a former corner bank, the hotel overlooks the beautiful private gardens of Cadogan Square, only accessible by local residents and lucky hotel guests.

The Belmond Cadogan Hotel is the brand’s first under management.

“As owners and custodians of heritage properties worldwide, we are delighted to be the trusted partner of owner Cadogan Estates on this incredibly important project,” explains Roeland Vos, Belmond’s CEO and President. “The careful restoration and understated design details rendered through expert craftsmanship celebrate the rich and quirky history of this building dating from 1887.”

Those design details are the work of GA Design in the guestrooms and public spaces, and Russell Sage Studio in the restaurant and bar, while the expert crafsmanship comes courtesy of Beck, who were tasked with the fit-out and construction across the entire property.

Owners Cadogan Estates used the redevelopment to enliven what was something of a no-man’s land on Sloane Street. Working with architect Michael Blair and designer Russell Sage on the masterplan,

the re-use of the corner bank as a bar with high ceilings, tall windows, mirrors and generous table spacing creates a bright volume that achieves this goal.

Sage was responsible for the interiors of the hotel’s tea room and chef Adam Handling’s eponymous Chelsea restaurant, as well as the aforementioned Chelsea Bar. A fabulous open-kitchen, its marble counter lit by copper pendant lamps and fronted with a voluptuous white, wave-like finish creates a suitable break between the bar and restaurant. Opposite, seating in a window alcove directly overlooks the action whilst the counter extends with high seating, perfect for singles, into one of two dining rooms.

The first is the former townhouse dining room of socialite Lilly Langtry, which also features a private entrance. All the ceiling and wall stucco detailing has been reinstated except that around the original mirror. The difference is undetectable.

The second has colourful wall panels framed within mouldings and a modern, circular stucco-patterned ceiling that matches a new chandelier. “The style may be seen as a restoration with many original elements carried through,” explains Sage, waving to the beautiful flower-patterned mosaic flooring adopted from Langtry’s former hall and now seen in the bar. There is also room for originality with the clever hybridisation in the separate tea lounge, where serving

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Above: GA Design’s public space schemes contrast original features against wood panelling and mosaic flooring

interiors. His literary interests are another theme. The walls of the lift lobby are fronted with shelves of leather-bound books, moulded and given a hand-applied metal finish. This is further interpreted as a repeating pattern in collateral and key cards. Stretching into guestrooms, in-room libraries are curated by John Sandoe.

The 54 guestrooms come in a range of heritage colours accented with wood, brass and plantation shutters at bathroom windows, whilst bathrooms themselves bring together a wide variety of handselected stone from quarries in Italy and Greece with modern pieces like Victoria + Albert Baths’ Ios tub. Morrison also highlights the hierarchy of room categories with, additional to larger volumes, different finishes and materials. For example, carpets range from inlaid to laid-on rugs, and wall finishes from painted to textured papers.

Sloane’s botanical interest and the influence of the gardens is seen in the patterns of corridor carpets and upholstery, and further across stylish staff uniforms by Fashionizer – wild-flower and rose-patterned dresses for housekeepers, heritage tartan for waiting staff and scarlet coats and black bowlers for doormen are a real step above the norm.

More contemporary elements have been added via lighting and art. The former includes some strikingly organic pieces such as those from the Branching Bubble and Agnes Chandelier collections by New York-based Lindsey Adelman. The art was curated by Minda Dowling of Artefact Hotel Art Consultants and includes some 430

tea is neatly sandwiched between breakfast and cocktails. Behind a counter, clever folding doors patterned with a Chinoiserie-style spray of blooms hide first the whiskies then the teas.

GA Design’s interiors throughout guestrooms and public spaces also reference the past. “We reimagined the old hotel, being sure to make it still recognisable for returning locals, with many reinstated elements but also those new and contemporary,” notes Jessica Morrison, Senior Designer.

In the entrance lobby, the original pattern of fan mosaic flooring and the detail of wood panelling are newly done, the latter now painted in light tones. The original fireplace is now on the opposite wall, still recognisable.

“The hotel’s design weaves the multiple strands of location, literary heritage and antique artefacts together with stylish modern furnishings to create a contemporary nostalgia,” muses Celia Geyer, Senior Vice President, Design, Construction & Project Development, Belmond Hotels.

Many, but not all of these ideas are rooted in the history of ‘local hero’ Hans Sloane, the 18th-century physicist and naturalist whose collections form the foundation of the British Museum, British Library and the Natural History Museum.

The travels of adventurer Sloane are referenced in coral-patterned carpets and iridescent blue Morpho butterflies decorating mini-bar

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Above: Accented with wood, brass and colourways from Zoffany’s paint collection, guestrooms fuse heritage motifs with contemporary touches

items, each specifically commissioned for the hotel in a process that lasted over three years with several iterations.

The narrative revolves again around the stories of Hans Sloane (abstract by Simon Casson), the gardens (Cadogan Oaks pastels triptych by Carla Groppi) and also references a famous guest in Oscar Wilde. A favoured symbol of his, a peacock, is sculpted in white and decorated with no less than 25,854 Swarovski crystals

by Columbian-born Clarita Brinkerhoff. “Perfect bling for the neighbourhood,” quips Dowling. Elsewhere, guestrooms all have a unique artwork above the bed. “Each has a different style that gives the room a specific vibe,” she adds.

As main contractor, Beck was instrumental in bringing the project to life, and GA Design has been particularly complimentary of the team’s quality and attention to detail across such a broad remit. Beck’s Board Director Edward Kent took the lead on the project, pointing out that it was a total gut job with only the façade retained internally, and therefore a significant undertaking for all involved. Over 250 tonnes of steel were used to support the

external walls, and then removed, indicating the complexity of a project where the postage-stamp-size of the plot posed another challenge. A sub-basement was dug with 141 concrete mini-piles, each 15-metres deep, to create support for the rest of the building – or rather buildings – whilst the interiors of the townhouses were removed at great effort and rebuilt masterfully from within.

Belmond Cadogan will be part of LVMH, the luxury goods conglomerate with a portfolio of brands including Bulgari and Cheval Blanc Hotels, following LVMH’s acquisition of Belmond for a reported US$3.2bn. “Since 2015, we have been on an ambitious path to expand and in partnering with the world’s leading luxury group, we recognised the opportunity to accelerate our evolution,” says Vos of the deal.

Highlighting the attention luxury labels are paying the world of hospitality, Belmond’s hook-up with a true giant of the sector will be watched with interest to see if there is any dilution of its renown as a luxury travel brand. With the Belmond Cadogan however, its values have only been strengthened.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: 54 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | 2 meeting rooms | Spa suite, fitness suite | www.belmond.com Owner: Cadogan Estates | Operator: Belmond | Architecture: Blair Associates Architecture | Interior Design: GA Design, Russell Sage Studio Main Contractor: Beck | Art Consultants: Artefact | Uniform Design: Fashionizer

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“The doormen in particular cut a splendid dash in their bright red checked overcoats..these staff uniforms deserve a nod.”

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Hotel Villagio NAPA VALLEY

Resonating with Napa Valley’s history as much as its current ambitions, SB Architects and HBA design a laid-back affair in the heart of Californian wine country.

Words: Abigail Lowe | Photography: © Will Pryce

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t is not supposed to rain in California, at least that’s what you’re led to believe in childhood. Yet here we are, staring at our iPhone screens in disbelief, because if the forecast is correct then it will be torrential rain every single hour we spend in Yountville. Fortunately, after tapping into reserves of classic British stoicism, we look on the bright side – there are worse places to be stuck during a storm than wine country, after all.

Staying at Napa Valley’s newest luxury offering, Hotel Villagio – an integral facet of the multi-million dollar renovation at The Estate Yountville alongside sister hotel Vintage House – helps too. A laidback, glamorous affair located in the heart of the valley, the project brought together SB Architects and Hirsch Bedner Associates with the sole aim of developing a space that resonates with the vibrant heritage of the area’s past, while simultaneously making a bold statement about its future intentions. Californian wines no longer exist in the shadow of their European competitors, and Hotel Villagio, set amongst 22 acres of verdant land, emanates the prestige to prove it.

In truth, this movement towards forging a unique Californian identity has been decades in the making. Arguably, it began as far back as 1976 during the famed ‘Judgement of Paris’, when a group of French wine judges undertook a series of blind tastings and instead of bestowing top honours to the predicted French competitors, tipped the scale in favour of a California white and red. It was a major

shock – and turning point – in the industry, one that went on to facilitate the globalisation of wine, and to cement California as a leading producer in its own right. New vineyards popped up like daisies in the aftermath.

These days, there’s no doubt that the region packs just as much clout as its European counterparts, and with the increase in large-scale, luxury developments like the properties at The Estate Yountville, this is becoming ever more clear. “The aim was to focus on California as its own top-rated wine region,” explains Kathleen Dauber, Partner at HBA Los Angeles. “The days of invoking France or Italy is over, California celebrates its own style, and Hotel Villagio reflects that.”

Indeed, there is something distinctly Californian about this property. It is palpable in the enthusiastic greeting you receive at the door; the easygoing vibe of communal spaces; and in the social undercurrent that weaves through each and every part of the hotel.

There is no stuffiness here, just a quintessential Californian welcome and a big smile to boot. “For us, it was important to create a space where guests could gather and socialise,” continues Dauber. “We wanted a hotel with a heart, to make something that was welcomed by the community.”

It makes sense then that the lobby is the hotel’s crowning glory. A vast, beamed room with huge floor-to-ceiling windows, it is sharp but without pretension, taking advantage of its natural surroundings by

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Opposite: Co-existing in a state of industrial-rustic unison, guestrooms feature rich palettes of leather, velvet and mahogany Above: The Villa is a luxurious five-bedroom, residence-style accommodation

inviting the outside in. The result is a carefree atmosphere that rests heavily on the unique synergy between colour, material and form.

“We worked very specifically with finishes that were rich and textured,” Dauber says.

“Nothing fake or imitated, just quality from selection to installation.”

Here, warm woods are juxtaposed by dark stone, whilst industrial-inspired, statement lighting by Jonathan Browning provides drama. It extends to the tactile appeal of the sofas and chairs, too. A mishmash of Organic Modernism, Lily Jack, Royal Custom and Bassam Fellows, inviting guests to perch fireside while stoking up a board game with a bunch of new friends.

The Bar at Hotel Villagio, set within the lobby, is another spirited meeting point for guests and locals. With vistas overlooking the resort’s private vineyard and a sleek James Perse pool table, it serves a menu of craft cocktails made using flowers from the on-site beverage herb garden, and does a solid job of

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Above: The Events Centre features a variety of spaces for weddings and corporate outings

convincing people to stick around. That’s if they’re not lured outside by the promise of sunshine – when it arrives – and the outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, or by the intoxicating scent of wellness emanating from The Spa at The Estate.

Meanwhile, each of the 112 guestrooms and 22 suites also co-exist in a state of industrial-rustic unison, effortlessly conveying a sense of relaxed masculinity. “Strong, contemporary elements were brought into the interiors,” explains Dauber. “Natural wood – both painted and exposed – creates focus and is contrasted by a series of clean painted wall planes.”

Evidently, there’s a simplicity to the canvas, but this is brought alive by a rich tapestry of textures, colour and structure. Leather, velvet and mahogany are accented with hand-knotted rugs, open-fronted iron closets, and bronze, branch-design ceiling fixtures. “We wanted the rooms to feel like an extension of someone’s home,” concludes Dauber. “Somewhere you know that you will have a great time.” A sentiment confirmed while sipping wine in front of the crackling, in-room log fire.

The bathrooms, too, are statements all on their own. Much like the rest of the hotel, they were totally restructured, so there’s now space for flouncing around in the soft, white robes provided. Drawing inspiration from the elemental, these spaces are finished with white Carrara marble by Emser Tile and floating concrete slab double sinks.

Nevertheless, it’s the clear glass shower enclosure and freestanding bathtub – both big enough for a small elephant – that really grab the attention. Again, these rooms speak of subtly organic elegance, confidently blurring the lines between interior and exterior.

Typically, the wayward sun reappears in the few brief hours before we leave, but regardless it’s great to see guests spilling out onto the lobby’s adjoining alfresco terrace. A bustling hive of activity, it is overlooked by specially commissioned artwork – the selection throughout the hotel overseen by Los Angeles- and Atlanta-based Canvas Art Consultants – that depicts the early founders and influencers of Napa Valley. It’s a fitting tribute to a legacy that’s done so much for the area, and an inspiring assurance of the fruitful years to come.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: 134 guestrooms | 1 bar | Event Centre | Spa, gym, swimming pool | www.villagio.com Owner: Brookfield Asset Management | Architecture: SB Architects | Interior Design: HBA | Procurement: The Parker Co | Art Consultant: Canvas Lighting Design: Illuminate Lighting Design | Graphic Design: Korn Design | Landscaping: M Studio | Project Manager: The John Hardy Group

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Cœur de Megève MEGÈVE

Sybille de Margerie balances tradition and modernity to create a contemporary mountain lodge for new owner-operator Steller Hotels.

Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: © Sebastien Tavares Gomes (unless otherwise stated)

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estled in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, in the shadow of Mont Blanc, the quaint village of Megève has been attracting the skiing elite for almost a century. Conceived by the Rothschild dynasty in the 1920s, it was the first purpose-built resort in the region, making its name as a playground for French aristocracy. Over the years, the resort has preserved its upmarket feel, with art galleries, boutiques and fondue houses lining the cobbled streets, providing refined après-ski following a day on the slopes.

Though it’s not just the skiing that’s a draw for visitors; Megève has been savvy in becoming a year-round destination, with golfing,

hiking, mountain biking and climbing amongst the most popular pursuits in summer months. It’s also a foodie’s paradise, with a handful of Michelin stars to its name.

Yet despite its high-living appeal, Megève has clung on to the ways of a fading era, its traditional chalets and horse-drawn carriages bringing a charm unseen in most European destinations. Or perhaps it’s that the hospitality offer remains pleasingly independent, with very few, if any, of the major fast food giants or coffee shop chains, and just one internationally branded hotel. Dominating the market are small B&Bs and family-owned guesthouses, many of which have

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This Page: Guestrooms and public spaces are furnished with quality pieces from European manufacturers, such as the solid walnut coffee tables by Hamilton Conte and cosy sofas from Fredericia

been passed down through generations. Cœur de Megève sits somewhere in-between; family owned yet with aspirations to expand, and marks the launch of Steller Hotels.

The group was founded by the Kampf family, who had been holidaying in Megève for decades before snapping up two adjacent chalets from which to build the business.

With the first task being to bring the buildings together, local agency ChatronMichaud Architecte, a specialist in mountain architecture and the construction of chalets, was drafted in to design a contemporary yet sensitive newbuild portion, housing an additional three guestrooms on the upper floors, and the lobby at ground level. The hotel’s location – a prime spot on the main street – was an important consideration for the ground floor, with the key aim being to open up the façade and create a connection with village life. As a result, the bar spills out onto the street, with communal tables catering to the après-ski crowd and cosy corners for

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Left: The colour scheme takes its cues from nature, with an extra injection of vibrancy in the soft furnishings and bespoke headboards

© Fabrice Rambert

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more intimate gatherings. Overhead heaters and seats lined with sheepskin mean that, even in the depths of winter, it’s the perfect spot for a warming glass of red. The bar also serves up a variety of snacks and small plates – the DIY fondue, in which diners can melt Alpine raclette cheese over an open flame, comes highly recommended.

For those wanting more substantial fare, the hotel’s restaurant offers home-cooking favourites, making use of local, seasonal produce and quality ingredients. Ferme de Renard in nearby Demi-Quartier supplies vegetables from the garden, fruits and jams, and milk-fed veal, while Eric and Martine Bouchex deliver fresh cheese daily from their mountain pasture at Col des Aravis.

The interior design scheme also looks to the Alpine surroundings for inspiration, with Sybille de Margerie taking the lead on the guestrooms, spa and public spaces to meet the brief of a contemporary mountain lodge.

“I like the balance between tradition and

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Above: The restaurant features cocooning booths decorated with a handpainted Fair Isle pattern

modernity,” de Margerie says of her work, which here translates to a reimagining of the original ski chalet. The sloping roof, deep eaves and shuttered windows are still present, but the interiors have an altogether fresher, lighter quality. “I attach a great importance to the fluidity of spaces, light and comfort,” she explains. “My work is equally highlighted by the attention to detail, the choice of materials and the harmony of colours.”

Guestrooms come in various shapes and sizes owing to differences between the two buildings; some have open-plan bathrooms, others come with a terrace overlooking the village, while family rooms sit up in the attic beneath the sloping ceiling. In true chalet style, there’s plenty of wood, from the solid oak ornamental birds that perch on the desk, to the brushed walnut panelling lining the walls; sandblasted rather than au naturale, so as to appear more refined than in traditional establishments, the overall ambiance being one of warmth and comfort.

The colour scheme also takes its cues from nature – the brilliance of the sun on the snowy slopes, for example – with an extra injection

of vibrancy in the soft furnishings and bespoke headboards. Standard and superior rooms feature bright shades of ochre or crimson, while suites are more subdued with a glacier blue palette.

The natural world makes appearances in the lobby too, where a lighting installation produced by Bocci is inspired by the lichen that grows at Alpine elevations. Other references to the locale are more playful, such as the Fair Isle pattern that decorates the cocooning booths in the restaurant, handpainted by artist Cécile Gauneau, or the mountaineers climbing the steep slopes printed on the curtains. Even the hairdryer is on-theme, coming from Aliseo’s Polar Fox range.

To the rear of the property, a cosy lounge with a central fireplace continues the contemporary lodge feel, while a spa with sauna, sensory shower and two treatment cabins completes the offer.

Now that its first property is up-and-running, Steller Hotels has turned its attention to expansion. The group already has sites secured in Rome and Paris, and with different design teams lined up for each, are clear in their intentions to create truly boutique hotels in the heart of lively neighbourhoods.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: 39 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | Spa | www.coeurdemegeve.com Owner / Operator: Steller Hotels | Architecture: Chatron Michaud Architecte | Interior Design: Sybille de Margerie | Lighting Design: ACL Landscaping: Kanope | F&B Consultant: FD Consulting | Project Manager: ACPH

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The Fife Arms BRAEMAR

Hauser & Wirth partners with Russell Sage Studio and Moxon Architects to transform a former Victorian coaching house in the Scottish Highlands.

Words: Ben Thomas | Photography: © Sim Canetty-Clarke

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ince its inception in 1856, The Fife Arms has long been a landmark in Braemar – the Aberdeenshire village home to one of the most famous Highland Games in Scotland. Set in the valley of Royal Deeside, deep in the Cairngorms National Park, the Victorian coaching house has been somewhat neglected in recent years, falling into a state of disrepair. Nevertheless, when first-time hoteliers Iwan and Manuela Wirth – the Swiss entrepreneurs behind contemporary and modern art gallery Hauser & Wirth – set eyes on the historic property, they were quick to spot its potential. Having transformed a nearby stately home into a private residence, bringing

their expertise to The Fife Arms was the next natural step, and so the duo sought out an ensemble cast of architects, designers, craftspeople and artists to reinvent the property.

Inspired by the dramatic landscape, colourful stories and rich cultural connections to the village, the transformation of the hotel brings together a profound respect for local history, a love of art and a strong sense of community, channelling the owner’s passion for heritage and craft through 46 guestrooms and suites, a restaurant overlooking the River Clunie, a cocktail bar themed on Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, and an eagerly-awaited village pub.

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Above: Guestrooms and suites feature distinct décor that pays homage to a place, person, event or activity integral to the legacy of Braemar

Tasked with masterplanning the project, Moxon Architects, a Crathie- and London-based practice, reinstated the entire building, preserving architectural details before elevating the functionality of the original space, reshaping its structure and extending at the rear to cater for new staff quarters. “We aimed to revive the landmark building through the careful restoration and discreet remodelling of the precious, historic fabric, whilst also dramatically improving the way in which the hotel operates,” says Aberdeenshire-born Director Ben Addy, who also works for The Cairngorms Trust and is a member of the Braemar Mountain Rescue.

Bringing his creative vision to the interiors meanwhile, designer Russell Sage echoes a strong local narrative through the layering of bespoke tweed, tartan and handprinted wallcoverings, which along with carefully chosen antiques and an extensive artwork collection, are woven into the fabric of the building. Sage, whose portfolio includes the likes of London’s Zetter Townhouse, The Goring and Kimpton Fitzroy, describes the project as the perfect scale for its “brave” owners, who he was introduced to through a friend: “The work that Iwan and Manuela have done in Bruton at Hauser & Wirth Somerset, turning a farm into an internationally recognised art gallery, sets the scene for what they have achieved here in Scotland,” he explains. “They were looking for someone to design a hotel that combines contemporary art with antiques, and to convey a sense of

storytelling. Those three very things are my absolute passion and forte, so it couldn’t have been more fortuitous – it was an absolute dream project for me.

“Iwan and Manuela ultimately wanted to create a space that was incredibly faithful to Braemar, as the hotel is in the centre of the village and really means something to the local community,” Sage continues. “At its heart is a passion for sharing creativity and paintings as stories. It’s not an art gallery, but rather layered art that works in harmony with the landscape and views out of the window.”

In keeping with the Wirth’s decades-long passion, art is central to the hotel’s DNA and becomes an integral part of the design story.

From Louise Bourgeois’ spider sculpture in the rear courtyard to a collection of Victorian taxidermy exhibits, more than 14,000 pieces of art, antiques and objects are thoughtfully woven into every room, corridor and corner, each placed not merely to provide visual pleasure but also to enhance the narrative. Guests are greeted in the lobby by a monumental 19th-century mahogany and pine chimneypiece reaching over three metres in height – discovered on the Montrave Estate near the Scottish town of Leven. The tour de force was carved by Gerrard Robinson with depictions of scenes from the work of native lyricist and poet Robert Burns, while other British works include paintings by famed wildlife illustrator Archibald Thornburn, as well as a canvas by Dundee artist John Maclauchlan Milne, and

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Above: Other guestrooms are a tribute to local characters including The Highlander, The Stalker, The Farmer and The Mountaineer

a delicate watercolour of a stag’s head painted by Queen Victoria herself. Works by internationally-based artists such as Zhang Enli, Guillermo Kuitca, Subodh Gupta and Bharti Kher are also present in the form of large-scale site-specific installations, while American artist, writer and naturalist James Prosek was tasked with designing the hotel’s handsome coat of arms and logo for the village pub, newly christened The Flying Stag. Though the era-spanning spirit of The Fife Arms is perhaps best expressed in the beguiling contrast between two bespoke chandeliers; one fashioned – according to longstanding Scottish tradition – from antlers ethically sourced by Gareth Guy of The Horn Shop in Braemar, while the other has been created by Los Angeles-based artist Richard Jackson, whose colourful interpretation of the Scottish decorative classic is an assemblage of contemporary cast glass antlers lit from within.

During the renovation, a number of artists were invited to take up residence in Braemar and immerse themselves in the locale. Among them, Scottish luminary Alec Finlay was commissioned to create ‘Gathering’ – a poetic guide to the Cairngorms using place names and their underlying meanings to explain the landscape, ecology and lives that have been lived in the area; words and lines from the book were then carved into custom-made wooden headboards in a selection of guestrooms. Meanwhile, Gideon Summerfield, a recent postgraduate from London’s Royal School of Drawing, sketched

portraits of the village’s several hundred residents as part of his ‘Characters of Braemar’ series, a selection of which hang in The Flying Stag, complementing black-and-white photographs taken at The Braemar Gathering by local photographer Steven Rennie.

Upstairs, guestrooms and suites feature bespoke furnishings as well as distinct décors that pay homage to a place, person, event or activity integral to the legacy of Braemar. Researched by consulting historians from Aberdeen University and translated into design elements, the stories honour celebrated figures like Robert Louis Stevenson, who began writing Treasure Island whilst in Braemar; and Frances Farquharson, the American fashion editor who married Captain Alwyn Farquharson of the neighbouring Invercauld Estate, while other guestrooms are a tribute to local characters including The Highlander, The Stalker, The Farmer and The Mountaineer.

“Every space needed a story, so we sourced original items belonging to the real people,” Sage explains. “The Queen Victoria Suite has her own personal objects in it, while the Indian Suite houses items that belonged to Abdul Karim. What that fostered was an incredible energy, and layered over that was thousands of paintings, from the local watercolour painter to Picasso, Bruegel and Lucian Freud.”

The rhythm of the Highland seasons continues at the hotel’s main restaurant, The Clunie Dining Room, where Executive Chef and Scotsman Robert Cameron cooks signature dishes like Aberdeen

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Above: The Flying Stag serves local beers, Scottish whiskies and spirits, and features an oak bar hewn by local building contractor Tom Addy

angus sirloin and red deer ossobuco over the open flames of a fire pit, designed by Swedish Michelin-starred chef Niklas Eckstedt. Across the lobby, the project’s embrace of the locale is best illustrated by the restoration of the original public bar. A place where Braemar residents rub shoulders with visitors from further afield, The Flying Stag offers local beers, Scottish whiskies and spirits, while an oak bar hewn by Tom Addy, local building contractor and brother of architect Ben Addy, ensures that locals popping in for a pint are safe in the knowledge that the pub is representative of its surroundings.

Elsewhere, a garden designed by Chelsea Flower Show medallist Jinny Blom gracefully links the main building to a spa offering treatments inspired by the flora of Scotland, while a boot room provides equipment for guests looking to discover the nearby ancient castles, hiking routes and seasonal outdoor activities with local resident and Ghillie (concierge) Ros Evans, or trained gamekeeper Ben Carter. General Manager Federica Bertolini, who moved to the area three years ago, also curates a programme of regular cultural events centred on heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary art,

including driving excursions with wilderness guide Ian Murray and local tours with Simon Blackett of Braemar Community Group.

Four years in the making, the monumental transformation of The Fife Arms was most certainly demanding, even for someone with Sage’s experience: “The challenge was the sheer volume, as it’s bigger than anything we’ve ever completed before,” he observes. “It’s so rich, so carefully put together to ensure it is completely true to the story.

But it’s not a museum, more a gloriously fun and silly place to be.

We hope it leaves a huge impact on people.”

And leave an impression it does, not only reflecting the Wirth’s dedication to contemporary art but also informing visitors of their awe-inspiring surroundings and reclaiming its crown as the heartbeat of Braemar. For Sage, who describes the project as a “genuine career highlight”, The Fife Arms serves as an example of how today’s hotel must evolve: “Every guest is a critic, every guest is searching for more, and hotels need to deliver on that promise. Luxury is not enough anymore, everything is a bit of luxury; it’s about winning a bit of people’s memory and their love for a place.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: 46 guestrooms | 2 restaurants | 2 bars | 2 meeting rooms | Spa | www.thefifearms.com Owner: Iwan and Manuela Wirth | Operator / Developer: Artfarm | Architecture: Moxon Architects | Interior Design: Russell Sage Studio Art Consultant: Hauser & Wirth | Graphic Design and Branding: Verb Design | Landscaping: Jinny Blom | Main Contractor: Tom Addy

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SIR New Collection Design: Francesc Rifé

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The Retreat at Blue Lagoon ICELAND

Basalt Architects and Design Group Italia overcome the challenges of Iceland’s unpredictable, lava-filled landscape to create an ultra-luxe hotel in wellness hotspot the Blue Lagoon.

Words: Ianthe Butt | Photography: Courtesy of The Retreat at Blue Lagoon

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ith its wild beauty, awe-inspiring natural wonders and otherworldly vistas, Iceland is firmly on the bucket list for many a traveller. New flight routes and a starring role in fantasy drama Game of Thrones have led to a rapid rise in tourism, and with it, a spate of new accommodation options. Ion Adventure Hotel made its debut in the southern town of Selfoss in 2013, with more recent openings including Deplar Farm in the remote Troll Peninsula, and Sandhotel in the heart of Reykjavik.

The latest addition, a twenty-minute drive from Keflavik Airport, realises the longtime vision of Grímur Sæmundsen, founder and CEO of Blue Lagoon, and benefits from its proximity to what has become Iceland’s most famous tourist attraction, with guests at the 62-suite spa hotel granted exclusive access to pools piped with the same geothermal waters, minus the selfie-stick toting crowds.

Built directly into an 800-year-old lava flow in the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, close to the main electric-blue body of the Blue Lagoon, The Retreat’s low-slung, grey concrete building sits as a boxy sci-fi continuation of the area’s once-molten lava ridges, bordered by a series of milky-blue geothermal pools and fields of moss-covered crags.

The design is a collaboration between Reykjavík-based Basalt Architects and Milan’s Design Group Italia (DGI), who led on interiors and experiential aspects, and draws heavily on the Blue

Lagoon’s narrative of the connection between man-made and natural elements. Often mistaken for a natural wonder, the hyperreal-hued waters of the lagoon were an unexpected by-product of renewable energy production at the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant. Packed with silica, algae and mineral salts, they were found to have healing properties, and locals flocked to bathe where the waters collected close to the plant until, in the nineties, Blue Lagoon – an artificial reservoir and spa – was created.

The Retreat’s smooth structure provides a pleasing contrast to the rough lichen-peppered rock it sits in, yet doesn’t look alien. “The overarching idea that the lagoon wouldn’t exist without humans resonated,” explains Sigurdur Thorsteinsson, Chief Creative Officer and Partner at DGI. “How humans and nature can contrast, yet coexist in harmony was a key consideration for us.” Colour palettes throughout the property feature charcoal, slate grey and rust red, representing earthy lava rock hues, while whites reflect silica, and warm browns and greens pay homage to the ever-present moss.

Much of The Retreat’s minimal concrete structure was precast remotely to avoid site damage, and was chosen for function over aesthetics; traditional building materials don’t react well to the geothermal waters, plus, the area is seismic, and often buffeted by strong winds and horizontal rain. Hardwearing and resilient concrete – treated with faceal oleo to reduce porousness – was the only viable

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Above: Reflecting an eco-friendly ethos, the wine cellar was built into a cavern of multi-hued frozen-in-time lava that erupted in 1226

where Icelandic sushi is nibbled by guests wearing white Rivolta Carmignani robes, admiring the steamy blue through long windows. A dimly-lit concrete corridor stretches downwards from the restaurant, punctuated by a sky-like colour pops as the water winds from outside beneath an interior glass bridge. High aluminium screens punctured with uneven holes – cut by water-jet and based on scans of a lava fragments – cast shadows across concrete walls, while at the deepest cave-like room, a self-guided spa ‘ritual’ involving lava scrubs and algae masks made using ingredients harvested from the lagoon takes place. The atmosphere falls between down-the-rabbit-hole Alice-inWonderland-ish anticipation, and a touch of disorientation. Either side of the corridor’s spine, various volumes house quirky spots to unwind, in one, water drips onto a glass ceiling via a series of tubes creating an aurally and visually calming experience, while another houses a row of Maffam black spherical hanging nests formed from string-like squiggles of basalt fibre, which demand to be swung in.

Steps lead outside into the lagoon, its staggered white concrete pool setup inspired by the travertine terraces at Turkey’s best-known thermal baths, Pammukale. Most of the concrete is already covered in a thin layer of chalky-look silica as though it’s becoming part of the landscape.

Other spaces reflect both a bringing-the-outside-in, and an ecofriendly ethos; the wine cellar was built into a cavern of multi-hued,

option. Similarly, the snaking Brazilian Jatoba wood walkways that wind between the cascading outdoor pools were chosen for being hardier than oak and spruce.

While Iceland’s unique landscape provides a dramatic playground for guests – outdoorsy staff lead hikes up nearby Mount Þorbjörn and helicopters swoop guests over the lunar-like countryside of the Reykjanes Peninsula – construction here was a challenging, adaptive process. Basalt Architects spent hours studying the lava’s minutiae to create their proposed layout, but plans frequently shifted. “Even if you can see cracks on the surface, you can only make an educated guess at how they develop underneath,” explains Hrólfur Cela, Partner at Basalt Architects. “Lava doesn’t necessarily break how you draw it.” This meant that some rooms ended up larger than predicted, while others incorporated interesting geological features as they gradually revealed themselves.

In the subterranean spa – a 4,000m2 space that descends three metres into the volcanic earth – a raw lava wall that erupts into one of the relaxation rooms was unplanned, but became a focal point. “It’s a fascinating way to work, a dance between the will of the designers and the land,” says Cela.

The spa itself is a true one-off. A jellyfish-like Bocci lamp is hung behind the desk, the organic shapes a nod to micro-organisms living in the geothermal water. Afterwards comes the spa’s own restaurant,

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This Page: A passageway flanked by high aluminium screens punctured with uneven holes – cut by waterjet and based on scans of a lava fragments – leads to the subterranean spa, where a raw lava wall that erupts into one of the relaxation rooms was unplanned, but became a focal point

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Above: Guests staying at The Retreat have exclusive access to geothermal waters, minus the selfie-stick toting crowds

with small private lagoon pockets on terraces. All have a floor-toceiling windows, and juxtapose raw concrete walls with warm walnut wood cabinets. Colour accents reflect the scenery; ground-floor Lagoon Suites have blue-hued watery touches, while the greenyyellow accents of the first-floor Moss rooms match the vistas. While the drama of the scenery outside is the focus, homeliness inside has been ramped up by cloud-like Quagliotti bedlinen, piles of Dux pillows, Axor by Hansgrohe rainshowers and a deep custom-made stone-acrylic bathtub.

Another flashpoint is the human-centric lighting, conceptualised

by Gudjón L. Sigurdsson from Icelandic brand Liska, then executed by iGuzzini. There’s no visible luminaire in the ceiling; instead it’s hidden under a textile layer, which makes the room’s main light seem like a glowing sun-like orb floating on the ceiling, and presets, ranging from energising through to cosy, can be selected to match your mood.

The marrying of design inspired by Mother Earth, with contemporary minimalism and modern technology makes a stay at The Retreat as much of a wonder as the Blue Lagoon itself.

frozen-in-time lava that erupted in 1226, a fireplace wall in the lobby is crafted using hardened magma bricks harvested during earthwork, while an impressive Chef’s Table in fine-dining restaurant Moss was created from a number of giant pieces of lava. Here, the culinary journey leads guests through the country’s seas, mountains, rivers, and farms, highlighting seasonal and regional ingredients such as scallops hand-caught by a diver from the West Fjords; reindeer sourced by a hunter from Eskifjörður; and pearl barley from Vallanes, an organic farm and one of the northernmost places on earth where grains are cultivated.

Furnishings were mostly custom-designed by DGI and produced by B&B Italia, with outdoor pieces by Paola Lenti and Kettal. The twolevel lobby lounge is full of subtle curving grey tables and vibrant teal armchairs that sit beneath a statement arrangement of Jodi Vilardell’s black carbon lacquered fibre and LED Slim lamps appearing to drip down like glowing stalactites, and draw the eye down to focus on the cerulean waters outside.

Guestrooms range from a standard 40m2 through to 200m2 affairs

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: 62 guestrooms | 2 restaurants | 1 bar | Library | Swimming pool, spa, gym | www.bluelagoon.com Owner: Grímur Sæmundsen | Architecture: Basalt Architects | Interior Design: Design Group Italia; Basalt Architects | Lighting Design: Liska; iGuzzini Graphic Design: Design Group Italia | Main Contractor: Jáverk | Consultant: EFLA

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Ultra-discreet loudspeakers for any location

British loudspeaker designer, Monitor Audio, has a range of speakers for every situation. Their ultra-discreet in-wall and in-ceiling speakers deliver a stunning audio performance whilst protecting the room’s décor. For more extreme environments, such as outdoor terraces or pool rooms, they offer a choice of speaker ranges, all of which deliver Monitor Audio’s award-winning sound.

monitoraudio.com

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Cheval Blanc ST- BAR TH ISLE DE FR AN CE

Jacques Granges and Madison Cox intertwine casual luxury and paradisal gardens at the newly revamped Cheval Blanc in the French West Indies.

Words: Lauren Ho | Photography: Courtesy of Cheval Blanc

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here is something rather lovely about St-Barths. The island, an overseas collectivity of France, blends the savoir-vivre of Saint-Tropez with the Caribbean’s mellow vibes, resulting in a particular sort of laid-back luxury set against a picturesque backdrop of craggy cliffs, intimate coves, stretches of white sandy beaches and a tumble of quaint red-roofed buildings that fringe sparkling yacht-speckled harbours. Perched on a hill at the northern tip of the island, overlooking the Baie des Flammands, Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France is back as a wildly improved version of its former self, having been completely rebuilt, expanded and refreshed following the

catastrophic devastation of Hurricane Irma, which flattened much of the tiny 9.7-square-mile island in 2017.

The same, but different best describes the revamp. “The biggest challenge was to improve our offering, but to keep the familiarity so that our returning guests still feel like they are coming home,” explains Christelle Hilpron, the hotel’s General Manager. “It’s all about the subtle details.”

Most notably, this begins with the entrance, which has been reshaped to include a circular driveway, creating a sense of exclusivity and arrival. This area also anchors the property, separating the

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Left: In the guestrooms, Jacques Granges has offset the sandblasted, bleached larch interiors with colourful printed fabrics, rattan, natural fibres and warm woods, revealed through a global collection of furnishings assembled to look like the home of a well-travelled collector

ocean-view accommodation, the restaurant and main pool, from the spa and the quieter, more tranquil garden suites and bungalows.

Here, American landscape architect Madison Cox – the man behind Marrakech’s Jardin Majorelle – was enlisted to boost the Maison’s gardens into a lush, tropical paradise that also functions as an artery, guiding guests to all of the property’s key areas. “The luxuriant vegetation framed by the windows truly forms living canvases, and outside, the architecture works in harmony with the flowers, the palms, the butterflies and the birds, creating an allencompassing artwork,” says Cox. Hilpron adds: “The gardens are very peaceful. After a day on the beach, it’s a nice balance to be able to come back to some privacy, to come home.”

Home is indeed at the essence of Cheval Blanc. Its low-slung, white-washed, timberslatted frames have been built to resemble traditional creole houses, while inside, French designer Jacques Granges has offset the sandblasted, bleached larch interiors with colourful printed fabrics, rattan, natural fibres and warm woods, revealed through a global

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Above: La Case de l’Isle and The White Bar feature rattan and wood furnishings against a garden and ocean backdrop

collection of furnishings assembled to look like the home of a welltravelled collector. “I thought a lot about my clients and those of Cheval Blanc; how they would love to live in this place, to feel at ease, appreciating this relaxed and free lifestyle.”

And so, Tibetan wool rugs by House of Tai Ping blanket bedroom floors; classic rattan chairs, cushioned with colourful Persian Ikat fabrics, are by California-based company Serena & Lily; handwoven werregue jars and trays are from Colombia; colourful artwork and tapestries are by Australian Aboriginal artists; the library shelves, bedside tables and sofas in some of the suites have been designed

by Granges himself; and latticed harem windows – architectural elements characteristic of Arabic residences – can be found in the entrances of the new rooms and some of the bathrooms, which also feature bold ceramic and resin stools from Paris-based Asiatides and Zellige tiles, traditionally handcrafted with non-refined natural clay extracted from the Fez region in Morocco.

Meanwhile, in La Case de l’Isle, the breezy in-house restaurant, rattan and wood furnishings designed by Granges are highlighted by a feature wall comprising a selection of decorative iridescent ceramic

plates by French artist Nelly Bonand. Here, against a cinematic ocean backdrop, chef Yann Vinsot serves fresh casual dishes inspired by the Italian Riviera by day, and by night, in a nod to the French Riviera, are dishes such as Normandy sea scallops roasted in foaming butter, and linguine served with tender shell fish, sea urchins, fresh herbs and drizzled with a sharp calamansi broth.

When not picking a sunbathing spot on the beach’s talcum white sands, or lounging poolside with a cocktail in hand, guests notch up the indulgence at the Cheval Blanc Spa – the only Guerlain spa on the island – with exclusive treatments such as the Sun Prelude Ritual, which prepares the skin for St-Barth’s tropical sun.

Taking centre stage amidst the lush gardens will be ‘The Constellation of Pegasus’ a moving sculpture made from glass pearls, by artist Jean-Michel Othoniel who, inspired by the stars, says: “The Milky Way surrounds you, embraces you. You are taken into the immensity of the sky while the sea disappears in the darkness.”

Coming soon will also be the addition of 20 new suites and a muchanticipated restaurant that will ensure guests never want to leave the exclusivity of Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: 61 guestrooms | 2 restaurants | 1 bar | Spa, swimming pool | www.chevalblanc.com Owner / Operator: LVMH | Interior Design: Jacques Granges | Landscaping: Madison Cox

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Hotel Indigo – Victoria Station MANCHESTER

Hotel Indigo brings its neighbourhood-conscious offer to Manchester, where a design drawing from the city’s industrial past eschews cliché for a detailed scheme of contrasts between old and new.

Words: Kristofer Thomas | Photography: © Veerle Evens and Evoke Pictures

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t might not have reached the promised land of Northern Powerhouse status, but whilst London has found itself gripped by the uncertainty of Brexit’s many textures, Manchester has blossomed. Seeing the largest increase of bar and restaurant openings in the country through 2018, hoarding the lion’s share of the football prestige, and claiming a major stake in Britain’s media economy with acquisitions of the BBC’s Salford outpost and production/education mega-hub MediaCity, recent history has certainly given credence to the local mantra that things are done differently here.

As such, Manchester has become an increasingly attractive prospect for hotel groups, especially those who recognise the value of the city’s established cultural capital alongside its rising business and leisure sector. Whilst many visiting will stop by for work in the city’s burgeoning shared office community, others will be drawn by its distinctive culture, or an interest in the extensive industrial heritage.

Weave the two together, and you might just be on to something.

No stranger to placing sensitive properties within distinctive locales, IHG’s boutique sub-brand Hotel Indigo predominantly seeks to integrate itself where culturally aware tourists and business guests

overlap, with Hotel Indigo Manchester – Victoria Station strategically placed by the titular transport hub as a base from which all of the city’s functions are a stone’s throw.

“When we began the process it was more of a case of what we shouldn’t include than what we should” explains Henry Reeve, Director of Interior Design, IHG. “Manchester has a lot of clichés around it, so we wanted to avoid that as much as possible – things like the bee are everywhere, and while it is an icon it can become a little overused.”

Set within a contrasting pair of buildings – one a former tea warehouse, the other a newbuild circular tower – the project interprets Mancunian past and present for subtly themed interiors that never stray into patronising cultural aping.

Rather, the brand’s reading is one more informed by the city’s industrial heritage than it is the oversaturated touchstones of the ubiquitous bee, the nostalgic slogans of a bygone rave era and other hollow cultural gleanings that have driven the city’s visual language as of late. With this in mind, Reeve and lead designers 3D Reid have focused their efforts on channelling the three guiding forces of press,

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Above: A circular ground floor bar traces the shape of the newbuild tower, wherein the hotel’s contemporary leanings are at their most explicit

Arkwright and tea, respectively referencing the nearby Printworks and Manchester’s history as a printing hub through the 20th century; industrial era entrepreneur Richard Arkwright and his cotton mills; and the former life of the building as a tea packing plant.

“We have the themes, but tried to avoid being too obvious,” Reeve adds. “For guests who love detail there’s so much to see, but it had to be woven in without being too explicitly theme-oriented; it was more about taking inspiration from these elements and interpreting them through a Hotel Indigo lens.”

Whilst these themes are most prominent within guestrooms, their presence trickles down throughout the hotel, not least in the five-storey atrium at its core, which houses a lighting installation constructed from iron pulleys, rope, and bespoke tea baskets doubling as shades.

Surrounded by exposed brick and pipework from the heritage portion of the hotel, the design here sets the spiritual tone for the wider scheme, whilst the openness of the atrium goes on to inform much of the ground floor, rearranged with great effort to accommodate three F&B outlets in M Café, the Mamucium restaurant, and a circular bar space curving with the shape of the tower.

“We like to approach Hotel Indigo F&B spaces as venues appealing to locals first, and being situated on quite a busy crossroads and tramline meant that we had people passing at multiple angles,” Reeve explains. “Because of this, we decided that the core of the building

should be for the stairwell, atrium and lifts, whilst the bar, restaurant and café would wrap around. In this sense, the hotel element is almost secondary, whilst the F&B – especially the café, which is set behind quite a striking façade in the old portion – is the initial draw.”

Serving up a menu of Manchester classics with a twist – think deconstructed Lancashire hotpot, Cheshire beef hash and Manchester tart – Mamucium, named for the early Roman fort a district over in Castlefield, channels the fusion of local charm and refined quality present throughout, whilst a popular afternoon tea service at M Café sees the northern lifeblood make a prominent literal appearance as well as metaphorical one.

Upstairs, tea is suitably established as inspiration for the heritage portion’s guestrooms, occupying the former tea plant’s maze of corridors. Channelled through the tones of china white and blue, carried across both ephemera and fixtures including fabric patterns and bathroom tiles hand-painted with scenes of the city, the theme’s most overt moment comes in the shape of a TL Contracts-sourced 3D feature artwork above beds with cups arranged within a frame.

Elsewhere, within the press category – housed along with Arkwright rooms in the circular tower – beds with bright leather headboards are flanked by lamps stacked on a stem of local literature, with these bespoke pieces in turn placed upon side tables that take on the profile of printers once opened. Likewise, Arkwright rooms

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Left: TL Contracts sourced the Loom-inspired artwork hanging above Arkwright room headboards – along with the rest of the project’s art – while rich cotton covers nod to the local entrepreneur’s cotton mill empire

incorporate loom-inspired art alongside rich, raw cotton covers on the bed in a nod to the entrepreneur’s cotton milling empire. But whilst these elements look decidedly to the past, contemporary lighting by Chelsom and loose furnishings by Furniture Fusion add a touch of decidedly modern elegance.

“It was an industrial powerhouse in its day, so we used lots of rich fabrics and velvets in these rooms,” Reeve explains. “The lounge chair in the corner of each was designed with a fanned-out, wheel spoke design recalling the shapes of the Spinning Jenny and the era’s weaving machinery.”

By taking inspiration from Manchester’s less-touted cultural currency, Hotel Indigo Manchester – Victoria Station eschews clichéd cultural readings for a scheme with veritable roots in Manchester’s past and present, figuratively and physically.

This formula is one serving the brand well, and with further UK openings set for Bath and Stratford this year – the latter within another unusual setting, in the form of a 16th-century structure butted up against a 1960s effort – the brand is building an English portfolio that impressively showcases what are now perhaps the overlooked histories of the country’s most densely historical settings.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: 187 guestrooms | 1 restaurant, 1 café | 1 bar | Private meeting room | Gym | www.manchestervictoria.hotelindigo.com Owner: UBH Manchester | Investor: CBRE | Developer: BH Group | Operator: Interstate Hotels & Resorts under IHG’s Hotel Indigo | Architecture and Interior Design: 3D Reid Main Contractor: Bowmer + Kirkland | Project Manager: Gleeds

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Lock & Key LIVERPOOL

Designers House of Sloane have used a host of British wallpapers and paints to restyle a row of Georgian townhouses in Liverpool’s Ropewalks district Words: Matthew Turner | Photography: © Be Bold Studios

W

e fell in love with the character and history of the property, and have worked hard to retain as many of the original period features as possible,” says Andrew Spencer of this set of listed Georgian buildings in the Ropewalks district of Liverpool, now transformed into 14-guestroom boutique hotel Lock & Key. Spencer and his partners Tom Bower and Michael Connolly acquired the property in 2015, opening a bar on the site in Autumn 2017, with the hotel following in December 2018.

The townhouses were built in the late 18th century as merchants’ housing for the roping industry that has given the neighbourhood its

latter-day name. It is a part of Liverpool known for its long cobbled streets running in parallel lines, allowing rope manufacturers to lay their goods out in long straight lines during production. Its proximity to the docks meant roperies dominated the area until well into the 19th century, but as with so many industrial revolution-era outfits based around Liverpool’s docklands, it disappeared and the buildings fell derelict.

Now however the Georgian shop windows have been faithfully restored, as has the original staircase, and, to a large extent, the layout. Fourteen bedrooms are spread across three floors, with petite

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Above: Each guestroom features a bespoke velvet headboard set against wallpaper sourced from the likes of House of Hackney and Woodchip & Magnolia

wetrooms cleverly tucked into the eaves and wardrobes occupying cubby holes and otherwise wasted spaces.

The surrounding area too has been transformed. Just around the corner, the Liverpool One development has seen one of the largest urban regeneration projects in Europe since the post-war reconstruction of the 1950s. The adjacent streets are lined with stylish bars, restaurants and nightclubs such as Wreckfish, Kazimier Garden and Furnivals Well – a former police station converted to a cosy cocktail bar. Slightly further afield, other districts such as the Baltic Triangle and the newly minted Georgian Quarter speak similarly of Liverpool’s reinvention.

Designers House of Sloane have been keen to differentiate Lock & Key from what they describe as “the city’s current hotel offering of dockland-chic, minimalist aparthotel and hen-night-glam styles.”

Decor features deep skirting painted in rich Farrow & Ball shades, peacock coloured velvets and brass hardware.

From the reception area, a staircase – enrobed in a thick-pile, chevron-patterned carpet – leads to eight bedrooms above, while a

further six are to be found along the ground floor corridor and up the rear staircase. All guestrooms feature bespoke velvet headboards; some are clad in wallpaper sourced from the likes of House of Hackney and Woodchip & Magnolia. Most offer a brass cocktail trolley loaded with local spirits and cut crystal glasses. Bathrooms are concealed behind pocket doors, and feature rainfall showers and full-size toiletries.

Gemma Tate and Lea Sloane, the duo behind House of Sloane are accomplished furniture designers, as well as having completed a number of residential and commercial interior projects across the UK. They have created the bespoke velvet cocktail chairs found in each guestroom.

“We were immediately struck by Lea and Gemma’s true passion for design. They were different to other interior designers, and have gone the extra mile in every aspect of their work.” says Spencer. “They have realised our original vision and enhanced it far beyond what we thought was possible given the nature of the building, as well as budget and time restraints.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: 14 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | www.lockandkeyhotels.com Owner / Operator: Andrew Spencer, Tom Bower and Michael Connolly | Architecture: Falconer Chester Hall | Interior Design: House of Sloane Graphic Design and Branding: Hotel Palette | Project Manager: Andrew Spencer

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The Zed Rooms LONDON

Hospitality start-up Cuckooz partners with mattress maker Simba to develop an aparthotel dedicated to the science of sleep.

Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: © Billy Bolton

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f you’re lucky enough to drift off as soon as your head hits the pillow, you might not realise there’s more to a good night’s sleep than simply bedding down; not only does the human body need to be in the right physical and emotional state, our surroundings – from temperature and lighting to noise and odour – can significantly affect slumber, and the unfamiliar environment of a hotel room doesn’t do much to help us switch off.

In a bid to provide quality shut-eye for the weary traveller, Cuckooz – a flourishing start-up – has partnered with mattress maker Simba to create a boutique aparthotel specifically engineered for sleep. Occupying a townhouse in London’s Tech City, the three apartments may at first seem like standard accommodation, however experts – together with experiential designers Studio Stilton – have spent nine months meticulously developing the concept, exploring every sensorial touchpoint to create spaces that are conducive to rest and relaxation.

The project has been brought to life by Charlie Rosier and Fabienne O’Neill, whose flexible workspace with pay-as-you-go crèche has been hailed a career-saver by working parents. Having opened their first Cuckooz Nest in 2018 and subsequently shaken up the co-

working sector, the duo came upon an opportunity to do something equally inventive in the hotel industry. “At Cuckooz we strive to be at the forefront of innovation within the hospitality sector and to push the boundaries when it comes to guest experience,” explains O’Neill. “Providing serviced accommodation goes far beyond a place to rest your head at night, it provides a comfortable, personalised option for those who simply don’t want to compromise the quality of their lifestyle despite spending days, weeks even months away from home at a time, and that’s what we wanted to showcase with The Zed Rooms.”

Each accommodation has the typical facets of a serviced apartment – living room, dining area and fully-equipped kitchen – however it’s the bedroom that is at the heart of the concept, or more specifically, the bed. Designed around the optimum conditions for sleep, the Simba Hybrid Mattress features 2,500 conical springs that support the neck, hips and spine, a layer of responsive memory foam that moulds to the body, and a breathable, hypoallergenic surface on which to lie. Coupled with Simba’s duvet and pillows, which actively regulate temperature, it gives the best chance of waking up feeling rested and refreshed.

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Above: The living room features colourways, scents and accessories that are conducive to rest and relaxation

Yet the project isn’t merely a product placement exercise for Simba; the brand – with its own resident sleep psychologist – has been instrumental in creating the concept. “We’re experts in the science of sleep, passionate about bringing to market products that innovate with purpose,” says Steve Reid, co-founder of Simba. “Sleep is an all-encompassing experience and every element matters. The Zed Rooms are an elaborate infrastructure of symbiotic components, geared entirely to honing quality sleep.”

Such components include soothing pink walls, blackout curtains and statement Tala lamps that emit calming orbs of light; a Lumie alarm clock that helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle by mimicking the sun; and organic pillow mist from Neom’s Scent to Sleep range, made from a blend of essential oils such as English lavender and chamomile. One of the bedrooms, The Loom Room, is designed for dreaming, with swathes of crisp, white linen seemingly floating above to ethereal effect, while the master bedroom has been inspired by the safety and snugness of the womb. Named The Woom Room, it features a spectacular cocooning bed, curvaceously carved in a pale timber to simulate being in utero and promote the deep REM sleep

that a foetus enjoys during the last few weeks of pregnancy; yes, you really can sleep like a baby.

Throughout the apartment, the team have tackled an insomniac’s every nightmare, not only in the interior design scheme, but in the promotion of healthy living, which in turn facilitates a good night’s sleep. Verdant plantlife naturally cleanses the air; there’s bunches of lavender on the coffee table; scent diffusers secrete essential oils such as bergamot, known to lower the heart rate; the fridge is stocked with oat milk, said to help the body produce sleep hormone melatonin; and dreamy artworks line the walls. Guests also have access to Calm, a meditation app for stress reduction – and before you point out that digital devices at bedtime are a no-no, the in-room iPad is fitted with a Ocushield to filter out blue light.

So what’s the verdict? Does a night at The Zed Rooms really aid sleep? It’s calming ambiance is a welcome respite from the frenetic city, and while The Woom Room has been something of a headline grabber, there’s substance to the concept too, backed up by scientific research and the sleep habits of more than 10 million sleepers.

Travellers need never have a sleepless night again.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: 3 apartments | www.cuckooz.co.uk Owner / Operator: Cuckooz | Developer: The Max Barney Group | Interior Design: Studio Stilton

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A

New Guestrooms at Michelberger Hotel

decade on from its 2009 opening, Berlin’s Michelberger Hotel has updated guestroom and lobby spaces with new schemes

by London-based Jonathan Tuckey Designs and Danish architect Sigurd Larsen respectively, whilst also adding 23 new keys.

Set within a former industrial lighting factory overlooking the Friedrichshain district’s Oberbaum Bridge, the revamp sees Tuckey counter the sparse notions of minimalism by layering over the hotel’s original features with the approach seeking to create a tension between the building’s past, present and future.

New windows added to the rear of the building bathe the scheme’s off-white plaster walls, sand-tone curtains and earthy furnishings in natural light, with each room crowned by wooden palisaded frames nodding to the articulation of an S-Bahn signal box outside the hotel.

Elsewhere, bespoke timber beds, desks and seating in Panzerholz wood links visually to the rustic timber sofas of Larsen’s new-look lobby downstairs, which marries suspended amber chandeliers

by Berlin Art Gras with exposed concrete for a more industriallyinclined scheme in reference to the building’s former life.

“This hotel is built around a creative community and so the shared experience is paramount,” says Practice Director Jonathan Tuckey.

“We feel that by taking aspects of the city and building them into the fabric of the interiors, we can create a series of spaces that can be enjoyed and shared by the guests, both new and returning.”

BERLIN

Ten years since opening by Berlin’s Oberbaum Bridge, Michelberger Hotel tasks Jonathan Tuckey Designs with creating its new look guestrooms.

Words: Kristofer Thomas | Photography: © Philipp Obkircher

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Reinvent to Revive TEARDROP HOTELS

Reimagining unique spaces from Sri Lanka’s past, Teardrop Hotels has created a series of intimate boutique hotels that tap into the locale for a distinctive guest experience rooted in authenticity.

Words: Elly Earls | Photography: © Benjamin Balfour

Founded in 2005 by Henry Fitch, Michael Davies, Charlie Austin and Viraj Premasinghe, Teardrop Hotels is a Sri Lanka-based collection of small, stylish, service-driven boutique hotels that champion the island’s rich history.

Teardrop Hotels Network as of April 2019 Hotels 6 Rooms 60 1 Countries

Teardrop Hotels takes historic or derelict buildings and restores them to former glories. Rather than mimicking what was, the boutique properties bring Sri Lankan tradition to life again in a contemporary way, blending into surroundings while standing out as special.

At each hotel, understated design and spectacular locations are matched with excellent yet unfussy service, fabulous food and drink and supreme attention to detail – from the cashmere shawls hand-carried over from Nepal, to the knitted hot water bottle cosies that are essential for misty, atmospheric nights in the tea plantations.

“While many other properties around Sri Lanka use antiques or reproduction antiques, we want to bring more of a contemporary feel to our properties,” says co-founder Henry Fitch. “We’re trying to do something a bit different to our competition.”

AN EVENTFUL FEW YEARS The last few years have been particularly busy for Teardrop’s founding team, which is made up of three school friends from the UK – Fitch (the sales and marketing man), Michael Davies (the property developer) and Charlie Austin (the tour operator), as well as Colombobased lawyer Viraj Premasinghe.

After seven years of operating one hotel near the airport in Colombo – Wallawwa – 2016 saw the longawaited opening of Fort Bazaar, a labour of love that was originally going to be the first Teardrop property, but was delayed several years due to planning issues. Tea plantation bungalow Camellia Hills, 10-key beach hotel Kumu Beach, and Southeast Asian restaurant Monsoon in central Colombo followed in 2017, and last year, two former tea estate managers’ bungalows – Goatfell and Nine Skies – brought the Teardrop hotel portfolio to six.

For Philip Weeraratne, founder of Colombo-based architectural and design firm PWA, who has worked on

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several Teardrop properties, the two newest bungalows epitomise the founders’ ethos. “They wanted to retain the essence of tea plantation hospitality but reinvent it in a contemporary manner so it would appeal to the modern-day traveller,” he explains. In many ways they have succeeded.

Taking afternoon tea on the terrace at Nine Skies, or curling up in one of the cosy high-backed armchairs by the fire with a book, you could almost believe you

had been transported to a bygone era if it weren’t for the contemporary lines of the specially-made wooden furniture, the fresh, natural colour palette and the sleek infinity pool with its flower-framed views of Sri Lanka’s rolling hills.

At Goatfell, a smaller property at four bedrooms compared to Nine Skies’ five, the colour contrasts are starker and the low ceiling living areas cosier. But the feeling evoked is the same – a sophisticated home away from home that preserves Sri Lankan tradition and hospitality, but never feels stuffy.

“We wanted to get rid of the baggage that bungalows like this might carry and really present things in a light, fresh way,” Weeraratne explains. “I particularly love the way the verandas and living rooms open out, how the light filters through, how the vegetation almost creeps into the veranda and how the spaces lend themselves to the outdoors.”

REGULATORY HURDLES Fort Bazaar is a 17th century, 18-guestroom renovated townhouse hotel, built around a traditional courtyard in the charming UNESCO-listed fort city of Galle. For Fitch,

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it demonstrates the extents to which the Teardrop team are prepared to go to turn heritage buildings into stylish boutique hotels.

“It was and still is a major challenge to get planning permission in Galle Fort; that’s why Fort Bazaar became our second project and Wallawwa was the first,” he notes.

“You have to do various different impact studies because it’s not just a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s also close to the ocean.”

The moment you set foot in the property, it’s clear the hard work has paid off. After a long and meticulous restoration process, Fort Bazaar is charming, quaint and fits right into the streetscape; it’s also welcoming and social, with contemporary design touches including the pressed tin ceiling in the restaurant, Church Street Social, and the animal print cushions in the guestrooms, which open out onto the beautiful, tree-lined courtyard.

“The client wanted this to be the watering hole for the whole of Galle Fort – and I think we’re getting there,” Weeraratne says.

TEARDROP VALUES While most Teardrop properties are restorations, Kumu

JOINING THE DOTS Teardrop properties are not only chosen for their aesthetics and suitability to be converted into boutique hotels; they also need to be within shouting distance of Sri Lanka’s tourist trail.

Before the 2019 Christmas season, a two-storey tea plantation property – Pekoe House – will open an hour outside Kandy. In addition, the team is exploring options near the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya and on the south coast between Mirissa and the redeveloped Hambantota.

Fitch aims to join the dots between Pekoe House in Kandy and Goatfell in Nuwara Eliya, so each of the tea country hotels is a two-hour drive from the next. By then, the ‘Teardrop Journeys’ team currently being set up will be available to give guests a tour of the entire portfolio. In the meantime, the team aren’t thinking too much about the rapidly growing tourist numbers (they soared by more than 10% between 2017 and 2018) or what their competition is doing. “Although we’re talking about six hotels, we only have 60 rooms so we need to concentrate on making sure the guests staying in those are happy,” Fitch summarises.

Weeraratne also hopes to be involved in future Teardrop projects, stating: “It’s refreshing to work with clients who are educated on design, art, leisure and hospitality but are determined to create a unique product that doesn’t exist anywhere else.”

Beach and Camellia Hills were built from scratch. But there are a few things that tie the entire portfolio together – starting with the service. “Our staff are enthusiastic and good at their job, but also understand that you don’t necessarily want to be waited on the entire time,” Fitch observes.

Elsewhere, there is the focus on experiences, whether that be whale watching in Galle, a tea factory tour from Nine Skies or mask-making at Kumu Beach. And since Fitch appointed an experiences and special projects manager – Cameron Raffan – in December 2018, the plan is to develop these further and add more of a ‘Teardrop twist’.

Teardrop also invests heavily in training its chefs and kitchen staff. “We try to use local ingredients in a contemporary way and our food is of a very high standard compared to most restaurants and hotels around the country,” says Fitch. Raffan will also be helping to improve the group’s sustainability credentials. The hotels already offer metal straws, refillable water bottles and plastic-free packaging, as well as supporting various initiatives around the island such as Volunteers to Assist Children with Disabilities.

“At all of our tea bungalows a percentage of revenue goes into a CSR fund,” he continues. “We’re working on how to distribute it in a way that’s sustainable rather than causing problems. We also want to develop the community activities around each of our properties.”

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THE INTELLIGENCE SOURCE FOR THE HOTEL INVESTMENT COMMUNITY

CitizenM valued at EUR2bn CitizenM has been valued at EUR2bn after Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC acquired a 25% stake in the company.

Founding shareholders APG and KRC Capital have also committed additional equity, giving the group EUR750m to invest in expansion.

The company currently has a portfolio of 15 hotels in eight countries and a development pipeline of 25 more sites. The group is targeting 20 new hotels in the US over the next five years, plus further expansion in Europe and Asia Pacific.

Rattan Chadha, founder and executive chairman, CitizenM hotels, and founder and president, KRC Capital, said: “We are excited to have GIC as our new investor.

This move will help strengthen our position as one of the leading affordable luxury brands in the industry. With our bold expansion plans for the coming years, we are thrilled to have the financial support of investors who trust our vision and are instrumental in securing our future success.”

“Hotels benefit from various mega-trends. Think for instance of the increase in global tourism, in part driven by an emerging middle class around the world,” said RobertJan Foortse, head of European Property Investments, APG. He also mentioned the growing importance for people to have experiences.

“Modern travellers are looking for experiences and tend to put less

value on material things. Travel is an important experience in their lives. Nowadays, modern travellers, including millennials, have different expectations when they are looking for accommodation.”

Lee Kok Sun, CIO, GIC Real Estate, said: “CitizenM represents an attractive value proposition of affordable luxury in urban markets.

It is well-received by consumers who are increasingly placing value in experience and authenticity. As a long-term global investor, we believe this is a good addition to our overall portfolio of quality assets, and look forward to partnering with the CitizenM management team to further add value to CitizenM as they expand globally.”

Earlier this year saw APG and GIC Real Estate launch a jointlyowned European hotel investment vehicle, Archer Hotel Capital, following last year’s purchase of a stake in AccorInvest by GIC, as the sovereign wealth fund looked to strengthen its long-term position in Europe. The Archer Hotel Capital portfolio comprised 11 hotels located in major cities across Western Europe with a gross asset value of around EUR2.1bn. All the hotels were formerly part of the Host Hotels & Resorts European joint venture, with APG and GIC Real Estate having bought out Host’s 33% stake last year for around EUR700m.

The shareholders intended to spend an additional EUR300m “to capitalise on opportunities to further enhance one of the best quality portfolios of its type in Europe”.

APG also has an investment of EUR100m in The Student Hotel, dating from 2015, when it said it planned to invest EUR600m over the next three to five years, taking it to 2018.

The first CitizenM hotel opened at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in 2008, followed by CitizenM Amsterdam in 2009; CitizenM Glasgow in 2010, and CitizenM London Bankside in 2012.

Rotterdam, New York and Paris locations followed in 2014. In 2016, two more hotels were added to the London portfolio: CitizenM Tower of London, and CitizenM Shoreditch. In 2017 the company moved into the Asian market, with its first location at Taipei North Gate and this year, CitizenM Shanghai Hongqiao became the group’s 15th hotel. Further Asian developments are in the works, with a brand new location in Kuala Lumpur next on the opening list.

The company, which prefabricates its hotels, is known for its innovative approach to distribution, having trialled listing on Airbnb and partnering with blockchain group Winding Tree, alongside Lufthansa and Nordic Choice. Lennert de Jong, chief commercial officer, CitizenM, told Hotel Analyst: “CitizenM is always on the lookout for new innovations that can have an impact to change industries and/ or business models.

“In the hospitality industry it is ridiculously expensive to get paid for hotels by their guests, very difficult and fragmented to authenticate an individual, and the power of distribution is with a handful of

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tech companies, that are charging heavily for this disintermediation.”

HA Perspective (by Katherine Doggrell): In an age where more brands are more, there are those looking to build the kind of real-life loyalty that comes with a brand you either love or hate. And CitizenM doesn’t mind much which. With 15 hotels there are enough lovers out there to fill all the rooms. With 30 hotels there will still be enough.

This latest cash injection of EUR750m, courtesy of the addition of GIC and an extra dollop of cash from the founders, may be a sum which you or I would be happy to find in our bank accounts, but isn’t going to take CitizenM to the kind of level where it is going to risk the hatred of ubiquity, as the company tells us that it is devoted to the owner/operator model, which does not come cheap.

These are not the only hotels belonging to GIC and APG, which launched Archer Hotel Capital with the former Host Hotels & Resorts European joint venture. When this correspondent spoke to them they confirmed that they were looking at rebranding, but to CitizenM? Unlikely given the brand’s newbuild mentality. But as the profile and expansion aspirations of the flag continue to grow, it is likely that owners are also going to come knocking, tempting the company with management and franchise contracts. At the moment, the integrity that can only come with controlling every aspect of service and real estate is intact. Temptation may be on its way.

HA Perspective (by Andrew Sangster): What sets CitizenM apart from its peers – other than not having a CEO – is its commitment to vertical integration. It wants to own (or at least lease) the property, run the property and then brand the property.

In many ways, the company is a throwback to how the hotel industry used to look 20 years ago, before the separation of assets and brand / management became commonplace.

But CitizenM is also the most modern of companies. It has embraced OTAs as an effective sales channel and it has employed the latest technology both with reservations and with back-ofhouse. Its senior team have been completely at ease with the advance of technology into the industry, a stark contrast with most other hotel groups. So the hotels are stateof-the-art in terms of maximising returns per square metre.

The company has also embraced change, seeing the potential benefits of innovators like the home sharing platforms and adopting the best ideas. It is also prepared to try things out: right now it is trialling co-working, charging people a fee to set up desk in the communal areas of some of their properties.

At first sight, the most surprising thing with CitizenM is why it has taken so long to roll out. Its first hotel opened in 2008 and it has grown at a modest pace since then.

One factor in this modest expansion (when compared to franchise or management brands) has been the heavy capital requirements and

seven in the year before, taking the group to a portfolio of 71 hotels.

The company reported occupancy was slightly below the previous year’s figure, at 76.5% (previous year: 77.3%) due to the new openings.

The development pipeline comprised 27 hotels across Europe.

Last year saw Motel One secure five further locations in Germany and a second in Prague.

The company reported a 22% increase in revenue on the year to EUR487m, with Ebitda up 23% to EUR150m.

Looking ahead, the group said: “Where market performance is concerned, we believe that demand will generally continue to be fuelled by two mega-trends: globalisation and urbanisation. Occupancy rates will come under pressure due to the strong increase in supply in most European markets. There are also latent risks caused by terrorism, Brexit and increasing protectionism.”

At Christie & Co, the company described the German hotel market as “still going strong” with many key metrics underlining the market’s strength, and investors’ interest in the top six cities remaining high.

The broker said that the continuing demand surge reflected the cities’ attractiveness and even as supply was increasing, most cities seemed poised to absorb this supply in the medium term. As in 2018, the top six expected considerable supply increases, which may, the company said, lead to below average performance growth in the short run. Depending on the trade fair

even with the backing of KRC Capital, the family office vehicle for the Chadhas, there are limits to a growth rate given the capital intensity.

Now, however, the company has built teams in the three major continental land masses – Europe, North America and Asia. Property development requires boots on the ground and with these in place, CitizenM looks in a position to deploy a lot more capital.

The company bills itself as a “fully integrated real estate developer; design and project management company; and a hotel operator”. It may indeed be tempted to drive a higher return on its money by moving into management but this would handicap its ability to innovate and push boundaries. By remaining tied to real estate, the company is likely to create the biggest long-term value by being differentiated from the competition. It brings an owner’s eye to exploiting the opportunities in how the hotels are run.

Growth threatens Germany Motel One reported a fall in occupancy in 2018, pulled down by an increase in the number of openings at the group.

The results came as Christie & Co warned of a short-term hit to performance in the country, as supply continued to rise.

At Motel One, the group opened nine new hotels in 2018, up from

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cycle in some markets, such growth may even be deferred to 2020.

Lukas Hochedlinger, managing director, Central & Northern Europe, Christie & Co said: “The German hotel market could once again shine in 2018, as demand continues to grow, and the market remains attractive for investors.

However, we expect competition to increase, as the report highlights the high number of rooms in each city’s pipeline. Nevertheless, increasing yields or a higher risk aversion cannot be observed to date.”

Patrik Hug, senior consultant advisory & valuation services at Christie & Co, added: “Currently, branded limited service hotels are most sought-after. Aparthotels have become tradable for institutional investors and are successful due to their lean cost structure. New concepts that combine co-working, sleeping, socialising and innovative food concepts are moving into the German market to meet the digital native’s needs, where the large hotel chains lack agility. Berlin and Munich continue to be prime spots on many wish lists for development, however we expect a greater diversity and interest in the other cities as well.”

Hug told Hotel Analyst that he was confident of Germany’s prospects, commenting: “When we look at the long-term growth, demand has always kept up with the supply increases, but the one area which is likely to suffer in ADR. What we have seen in the large markets, which are reliant on trade fairs, is that the supply has meant that there are fewer

peaks in pricing. The supply will be absorbed by new demand, as travel is getting easier and cheaper and hotel products are becoming more affordable.”

For investors, Hug said: “The cycle is at the top and it is hard to get a good deal – for some it is too expensive to invest in hotels, or the focus is shifting to B and C cities where there are still good deals to be made. It’s a bit more opportunistic.

The lease model isn’t going away, but most cities have become really expensive and you have to be ready to pay hefty prices, it’s really tough to get a lease which is sustainable – it’s interesting what people have started to pay. In Munich the top yield is probably 3%.

“There is still too much money around, but in the top six cities this is unlikely to be an issue because the hotels are branded, with good distribution.”

HA Perspective (by Katherine Doggrell): Motel One is still very much prey to ‘will they, won’t they’ sell off a chunk of the company, although Hotel Analyst understands that the current thinking is ‘won’t’, which is a great shame for Premier Inn, which surely needs to buy something chunky if it is to make growth in Germany a reality rather than just something which is told to investors who ask pointed questions about growth in the UK. Premier Inn would seem to be facing piecemeal expansion, but there is some hope on the horizon, with Hug pointing to the likely falling-by-the-wayside of many independent hotels which are

unable to keep up with the pace.

Eagle-eyed readers will recognise this as Premier Inn’s current strategy in the UK, so there is some comfort in sticking to the knitting. Whether that will make them a dominant force in this must-have market seems unlikely.

they will eventually make this clear.

A shift away from pure metalbashing and towards a more consumer orientated economy is inevitable. And the hotel sector will be a big beneficiary.

Slow start to Irish deals

HA Perspective (by Andrew Sangster): Change is coming to the German hospitality market and there is both short-term and longterm disruption on the cards.

The short-term comes from the over supply and the long-term disruption comes from the shift the German economy must make from being a huge manufacturing employer to being more services and experience economy orientated.

The supply threat is likely to have a meaningful impact on German hotel trading performance.

Germany does not, when compared to Europe’s other big economies – France, the UK and Italy – enjoy particularly strong room rates at its hotels.

STR is predicting double digit supply bumps in the four big German cities – Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich – and this is likely to see revpar struggling significantly. The word ‘meltdown’ has been used by some commentators in connection with the outlook The long-term picture is much better, however, as Germany has to move into a more sustainable position with its economy. While running huge trade surpluses looks positive, it is not a good thing for Germany’s trading partners and

Ireland saw EUR36m in hotel transactions in the first quarter, after recording more than EUR730m for the full year last year.

The imminent sale of the Conrad Hotel in Dublin was expected to drive renewed interest in the market, particularly at the higher end.

CBRE reported that four hotels in the country had been sold in the first quarter. Debbie Hugger, senior analyst, CBRE Hotels Ireland said: “The opening months of the year are generally slow in the hotel property market and 2019 has been no exception with very few hotel sales having concluded during first quarter despite a strong volume of activity underway in the sector behind the scenes. With negotiations continuing on a number of hotel transactions at present, and several new opportunities due to be formally offered for sale over the coming months, we expect a pickup in transactional activity in this sector from the second quarter of the year onwards.”

The market was awaiting the sale of the Conrad Hotel in Dublin, with local media reports suggesting that it could sell for EUR115m, which, at EUR600,000 per key, would represent a new high for the city.

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There were thought to be a number of interested parties bidding from around the world, with the hotel subject to a management agreement with Hilton.

Paul Collins, head of hotel investment properties UK & Ireland, CBRE Hotels, told Hotel Analyst: “The sale of the Conrad may unlock other deals, particularly in the four- and five-star sector.

On the transactions side, Dublin is booming, we are seeing a lot of US companies expanding and using the city as their European base, and the airlift continues to improve; there are two direct routes to China and the pre-clearance for the US has driven room sales. We’ve seen more Asian interest, mostly out of Singapore and interest from the US, from funds, private equity and hotel companies in the Irish market.

“Market conditions have been very strong, trading has been good.

We will start to see a slowing down, but we couldn’t continue at the high velocity we had been at. VAT has been increased and that has had an impact on rate, but we are still expecting to see growth. Occupancy is close to a peak, but is expected to stay strong. These fundamentals will continue, but not at the same rate.”

Concerns had been raised by some observers that new supply coming into the market, particularly in Dublin, would dampen performance. Cushman & Wakefield reported that 3,882 hotel rooms were in development in Ireland at the end of 2018, a 70% increase on the number of rooms that were in development at the

end of 2017. The company said that just over 1,300 rooms opened across 21 hotels in Ireland in 2018, with 1,000 of those 1,300 rooms being spread across 13 properties in Dublin.

Collins said: “We’re seeing activity in development. Over 12 years we had negligible net new supply. It’s only now that we’re seeing new supply coming through, but we’re comfortable because a lot of it is catch up. Our sense is that the secondary and tertiary markets may suffer when more supply comes into the city centre in Dublin.”

The end of last month saw Premier Inn announce plans for its third hotel in Dublin. Kevin Murray, head of acquisitions (North and Ireland) for Whitbread, said: “With significant bedroom requirements in the city we are actively exploring other live freehold and leasehold opportunities as we work to secure up to 2,500 Premier Inn bedrooms in Dublin.”

Other brands targeting the city including Motel One with Collins also highlighting Spanish and Portuguese hotel groups and “some of the new wave of budgets”.

When asked whether budget hotels would work in such locations with prices rising, he said: “A lot of development is in areas which are not in prime office locations, so they are cheaper” and could still be used by the budget operators.

While the sale of the Conrad was expected to be finalised imminently,

HA Perspective (by Andrew Sangster): There is a lot to like about the Irish hotel market: strong trading thanks to an economy that was the fastest growing in the EU in 2017, high demand for assets and limited supply.

One challenge is the relatively small size of the market. Take Dublin, truly a boom city right now. It has less than 20,000 rooms, way behind the UK capital which is north of 150,000 rooms. The danger with small markets is that it takes relatively modest changes in supply to create a big impact.

If Premier Inn does indeed secure 2,500 rooms in Dublin, this increase alone is enough to cause a supply shock.

Also, data can be misleading.

The EUR730m of deals in 2018 was so big due to just one deal, Tifco, going for almost half of the total at EUR305m. There are not many deals of this scale in the Irish market.

Looking forward, there seem more headwinds than tailwinds.

The economy has slowed markedly and is at extreme risk in the event of a hard-Brexit. Supply, however, continues to keep coming. There is enough demand right now to absorb the pipeline being built but a big negative demand shock would throw this out of kilter. Lack of scale makes volatility a real risk.

not all deals were going smoothly.

The Times reported that talks between Starwood Capital and Tetrarch to create a joint venture had broken down. Tetrarch had been planning an IPO, but delayed due to market turmoil.

HA Perspective (by Katherine Doggrell): Ireland has been very much the place to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for many investors, with hotel brands adding it to their must-have lists, but memories are long (in investor terms at least) and there remain fears that we could see a return to the days of the financial crash, where everyone, his dog and his aunt was developing a luxury golf course.

Those fears are irrational. The Celtic Tiger was fuelled by cheap debt poorly monitored and tax breaks to fuel development. There are no such tax breaks today, indeed the government now sees the hotel market as stable enough to increase VAT. Any market where everyone has to be is bound to see a certain competitive tension and those looking to buy into it need to be clear on what they’re offering. As with most other mature markets there is opportunity for five-star hotels like the Conrad and for the budget offerings at the other end. It is the mid-market where the questions are most likely to be posed.

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

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

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Ethiopia STR’s total-year 2018 performance data for Africa’s hotel industry paints a positive picture with growth in occupancy (+4.6%), average daily rate (+6.1%) and revenue per available room (+11.0%). Northern Africa was key in driving growth, reporting a RevPAR increase of 23.1% compared with Southern Africa’s 4.8% lift in the metric when reported in USD constant currency.

At the country-level, the small market in Ethiopia is a success story, with occupancy and RevPAR growth considerably ahead of the trend in the Southern Africa region.

Airport expansion in the capital of Addis Ababa will continue to be key in driving demand and investor interest by enabling 22 million passengers to be carried annually.

Following year-over-year demand growth of 14.1% in 2018, a considerable inventory increase is expected in Ethiopia in the coming years. The country’s current pipeline (construction and planning phases) comprises 28 hotels and 5,446 rooms compared with existing inventory of 32 hotels and 3,787 rooms. The Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa and DoubleTree by Hilton Addis Ababa Airport are among notable openings projected for 2019.

Projected Room Growth for Ethiopia +143.8% Pipeline 5,446 Existing 3,787

An improved political landscape has aided Ethiopian hotel performance growth, with Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s election as prime minister in April 2018 leading to peace with neighbouring Eritrea, the release of political prisoners and the return of previously banned groups.

But what does the future hold for Ethiopia?

Ahmed’s policies have led to backlash from parts of the population, which could threaten recent progress. Additionally, the impact of the tragic Ethiopian Airlines crash on 10 March has yet to be measured and could affect hotel performance across the remainder of 2019.

STR is the source for premium global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights, tracking 8 million rooms worldwide. www.str.com

Occupancy 57.7% +9.8%

Ethiopia

ADR ETB4,540.06 +1.7%

RevPAR ETB2,619.26 +11.7%

RevPAR USD74.25 +4.8% ADR USD123.48 +5.0%

Occupancy 60.1% -0.2%

Southern Africa

Performance Full-year 2018

2019.04.23 - Sleeper Advert.indd 1

26/04/2019 09:40:40

www.aheadawards.com

Amanyangyun named best new hotel in Asia as the industry gathers to celebrate hospitality design and experience.

AHEAD Asia made a return to Andaz Singapore in March, bringing together owners, operators, architects and designers to honour the region’s best new hotels. Along with Global Founder Sponsor Grohe and a host of supporters, attendees experienced an evening of Chinese-inspired hospitality, highlights of which included live guzheng music, traditional lion dances, and a feast of steamed dumplings and Beijing roast duck. The big stars of the night however, were the hotels that triumphed, and the creative and operational teams responsible for bringing them to life.

The sound of the gong, struck by Professor Keat Ong, President of Society of Interior Designers Singapore, kicked off official proceedings in The Garden Studio, before guests were led by lion dancers to The Glass House for the ceremony. Opening the show, Awards Director Matt Turner touched on the recent AHEAD Global ceremony, noting: “It’s a real sign of the strength of the hospitality design scene here that many of our global winners were projects that had won AHEAD Asia regional awards. Projects such as The Warehouse Hotel here in Singapore, Hoshinoya in Tokyo, and our overall Ultimate Global Winner, Alila Yangshuo. So tonight’s winners are in with every chance of going on to demonstrate they are the very best of the best at our next global finale in 2021.”

This year’s Asia competition attracted over 160 entries, representing some 70 projects from 18 countries across the region, ranging from the cities of Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Perth, to the beaches of Bali and national parks of Sri Lanka. Each project was assessed online to reach the shortlist stage, before the panel met in person for a day of deliberations.

Taking to the stage at Andaz, Guy Heywood, chair of the judging panel and Chief Operating Officer at Six Senses (formerly COO, Alila Hotels & Resorts) spoke of the rigours of the judging process, which takes into account operational efficiency, use of budget and space planning, as well as aesthetics and guest experience. Heywood went on to commend the commitment and dedication of his fellow judges, before passing over to TV star, chef and host for the evening, Angela May. Winners were announced by AHEAD’s loyal line-up of sponsors and supporters, with each taking home a crystal glass trophy designed by Lasvit.

In the hotly-contested Bar, Club or Lounge category, Bar Trigona at Four

Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur emerged as the winner, with AB Concept’s past and present scheme praised for its use of traditional materials to create a vibrant space that reflects modern Malaysia. The award for Event Spaces went to InterContinental Perth City Centre, where EDG Design won over judges with its relaxed and residential-style meeting suites, while other winners included Eaton HK for Renovation & Restoration, Wild Coast Tented Lodge in Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park for Resort, and Guntû – a waterborne reinvention of the Japanese ryokan – which triumphed in the newly introduced Transport category.

China’s new hotels fared well across a number of categories too, with Tsingpu Yangzhou Retreat – a 20-key property designed by Neri & Hu – commended for its masterplan, which sees guestrooms nestled amongst courtyards, lakes and plantations, while Shanghai’s The Middle House, designed by Piero Lissoni, was triumphant in both the Lobby & Public Spaces and Spa & Wellness categories.

The Outstanding Contribution accolade was this year awarded to Bill Bensley in honour of his achievements over the past three decades. In true Bensley style, the animated designer delivered a heartwarming address, touching on his stand-out projects and loyal team, as well as his new venture in Cambodia, Shinta Mani Hotels, which recently opened a luxury tented camp in the nation’s parklands.

But ultimately the night went to Amanyangyun – the final project of late architect Kerry Hill – winning four awards in total including the prestigious AHEAD Asia Hotel of the Year. The judging panel praised the team for their extraordinary efforts to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the region in what was a major restoration project. “We were honoured to acknowledge the legacy of Kerry Hill with several awards for Amanyangyun,” commented Turner after the event. “It is an ambitious feat of architectural and ecological conservation; a standout project in which the owner, operator and design team went above-and-beyond to preserve an important part of China’s history, creating a memorable guest experience in the process.”

A full list of winning projects can be seen overleaf, while photography of the event can be viewed online at www.aheadawards.com/asia.

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

HOTEL NEWBUILD

BAR TRIGONA AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR,

ROSEWOOD PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

MALAYSIA

Vattanac Properties / Rosewood Hotels & Resorts / Farrell /

Venus Assets / Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts /

BAR Studio / Bond Studio

NRY Architects / AB Concept

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

EATON HK, HONG KONG

INTERCONTINENTAL PERTH CITY CENTRE, AUSTRALIA

Great Eagle Group / Eaton Workshop / AvroKo

UNIR Australia / IHG / Woods Bagot / EDG Design

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

TSINGPU YANGZHOU RETREAT, CHINA

AMANYANGYUN, SHANGHAI, CHINA

Tsingpu Retreat and Cultural Development / Tsingpu / Neri & Hu

Shanghai Guyin Real Estate / Aman / Kerry Hill Architects

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

THE MIDDLE HOUSE, SHANGHAI, CHINA

AMANYANGYUN, SHANGHAI, CHINA

Swire Hotels / Piero Lissoni / Wong & Ouyang

Shanghai Guyin Real Estate / Aman / Kerry Hill Architects

RESORT HOTEL

TRANSPORT

WILD COAST TENTED LODGE, YALA, SRI LANKA

GUNTU, JAPAN

Resplendent Ceylon / Nomadic Resorts / Bo Reudler Studio

Setouchi Cruise / Yasushi Horibe Architect & Associates

R E S TA U R A N T

VISUAL IDENTITY

YUN HOUSE AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

AMANYANGYUN, SHANGHAI, CHINA

Venus Assets / Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts /

Shanghai Guyin Real Estate / Aman / Kerry Hill Architects

NRY Architects / AB Concept

NEW CONCEPT OF THE YEAR S PA & W E L L N E S S

TSINGPU YANGZHOU RETREAT, CHINA

THE MIDDLE HOUSE, SHANGHAI, CHINA

Tsingpu Retreat and Cultural Development / Tsingpu / Neri & Hu

Swire Hotels / Piero Lissoni / Wong & Ouyang

T H E O U T S TA N D I N G C O N T R I B U T I O N AWA R D SUITE

BILL BENSLEY

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE AT THE WESTIN PERTH, AUSTRALIA BGC Development / Marriott International / Hassell Studio / Bar Studio

THE AHEAD ASIA HOTEL OF THE YEAR AMANYANGYUN, SHANGHAI, CHINA Shanghai Guyin Real Estate / Aman / Kerry Hill Architects

7 MARCH 2019

18 JUNE 2019

13 NOVEMBER 2019

18 NOVEMBER 2019

ANDAZ SINGAPORE

FAENA FORUM MIAMI

CAESARS BLUEWATERS DUBAI

BATTERSEA EVOLUTION LONDON

GLOBAL FOUNDER SPONSOR

ORGANISED BY

TROPHY SPONSOR

FOUNDATION SPONSOR

GLOBAL SPONSORS

EVENT SPONSORS

www.aheadawards.com

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A Decade of Design

Crossing the Pond HI DESIGN AMERICAS

CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK

9-11 SEP

DMG Events, organisers of the HI Design portfolio, has announced the launch of HI Design Americas. Set to debut at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Florida from 9-11 September, the threeday business forum will continue HI Design’s established format of face-to-face meetings, seminars, product showcases and networking opportunities.

“HI Design is all about the projects and the people who make them happen,” says Portfolio Director Joel Butler. “The Americas is the biggest hotel marketplace in the world and this event is the next natural step for us. We look forward to delivering the much-loved HI Design experience and a fresh new addition to the American calendar.”

www.hidesign-americas.com

Clerkenwell Design Week will celebrate its 10 th edition in May, playing host to a series of design-led exhibitions, showroom presentations, talks and installations.

Set across three days, this year’s festival programme is tailored to reflect the culturally rich nature of the district, with highlights including an exhibition

by Fritz Hansen in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, as well as an outdoor cooking space serving food by Kitchen Architecture.

Also on the agenda is Conversations at Clerkenwell at the Moth Pavilion, a vast canopy of recycled fabric hovering over Spa Fields Park, designed by architect Pereen d’Avoine from London-based studio Russian for Fish. Exploring current industry topics as well as the latest products, highlights include a workplace panel with Sebastian Wrong and Erwan Bouroullec – taking place in conjunction with Established & Son’s installation – to discuss how good design can shape the workplace of the future, in addition to a talk between CDW Content Editor Max Fraser and Benjamin Hubert, in which the industrial designer will discuss his latest collaborations from across this year’s event.

Elsewhere, the event’s seven exhibitions – linked by a route running through EC1 – will each feature a different curatorial focus ranging from cutting edge international design to emerging talent, luxury interiors and the best of British design. Back by popular demand, the Light exhibition will host a lightingdedicated programme of standalone installations within the brick vaults of former nightclub Fabric. Exhibitors include Belgian-based manufacturer Wever & Ducré, as well as Swedish design brand Pholc, who are set to collaborate with a series of emerging designers to create lighting systems sharing a decidedly Scandinavian aesthetic.

Completing the festival are topic-led events at design showrooms, with participating companies from the world’s of furniture, lighting and bathrooms including the likes of Morgan, Bert Frank and Toto – the latter hosting a talk in partnership with Sleeper on hotel design and the changing guest experience. www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com

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Stateside Sensibility

16-21 MAY

WANTED DESIGN

WantedDesign has announced its 9 th edition, set to take place in Brooklyn’s Industry City from 16-20 May and Manhattan’s Terminal Stores from 18-21 May. Unfolding as part of NYCxDesign, the show’s programme will feature a selection of launches, workshops and interactive activities under the central theme of ‘conscious design’.

The city-wide event will also partner with Design Milk and Modenus for a series of talks and networking events including trade-focussed discussions, keynote speakers and conversations dedicated to regional hospitality design.

www.wanteddesignnyc.com

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International Hotel Investment Forum 4-6 MARCH 2019

Returning to Berlin for a look at recent industry developments and the challenges ahead, IHIF offered reasons to be cheerful and notes of caution.

Words: Kristofer Thomas

W

elcoming over 2,500 delegates to InterContinental Berlin for the 22nd annual International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), Alexi H. Khajavi – Managing Director EMEA & Chair of Hospitality + Travel Group, Questex – and Jonathan Langston, Chair of the IHIF Advisory Board, estimated that this year’s edition would bring together some EU€600 billion in hotel assets under one roof.

With an audience comprising leading hoteliers, investors, operators, owners and designers representing some of the world’s most prominent hospitality companies, this estimation was informed not only by the notable delegate list but the conference’s history as a key date for those seeking new investment opportunities and to rub shoulders with decision-makers.

Taking place from 4-6 March, the event followed a polarising year that saw the already uncertain Brexit process reach new levels of uncertainty, the fallout from the Marriott data breach spill into public consciousness, and the results of IHIF 2018’s own cautious economic predictions still lingering; there was certainly no shortage of topics for discussion.

WHYS AND WHEREFORES “Ladies and gentlemen: we have just survived a hurricane,” began Thanos Papasavvas, founder and CIO, ABP Invest, kicking off his global economic overview. With particular reference to the financial crash of 2008, Papasavvas outlined the social, economic and political factors the hotel industry had overcome in the past decade, before reminding the audience that, although the industry was still going strong, the resulting landscape posed new obstacles to face.

However, “true hurricanes do not happen often, and more importantly, economic hurricanes do not happen when you’re expecting them,” he added, emphasising the need for hoteliers and investors alike to understand these new obstacles, before setting the most potentially disruptive along a 0-12 Beaufort chart as a severity prediction.

In terms of the political, Papasavvas predicted light winds of 4-6, citing the strong possibility of a second Trump term, tensions between EU powers and the ongoing Brexit impasse.

Economically the forecast was lighter, placed at 3-4, with the lower rating on account of Papasavvas’ predictions of continued low borrowing costs, and a forecast that IMF rates will drop from 3.5% to 3.2%. “It’s not likely to hit hurricane levels – the central banks are on top of that,” he explained. “I expect central banks to contain ample liquidity, China and US to operate at lower levels of growth – but to maintain their size – and emerging markets to outperform due to the creation of middle classes – the drivers of the industry.”

Papasavvas’ social rating proved most severe, with an initial grading of 4-6 reaching a possible extreme of 10 when taking into account growing inequality, climate change and the role of data and big tech remaining under intense scrutiny.

“Calm? No, not with current social and political situation,” he concluded, expecting instead elevated volatility and uncertainty in some cases. “This industry is at the intersection of the political, social and economic factors, and whilst I expect interest rates to remain low, and the investment opportunities to remain available, they will be available in an elevated social and political environment.”

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Following this global perspective, Robin Rossmann, Managing Director, STR, took to the stage to focus on the performance of the hotel market. Opening with a look back at his 2018 predictions, Rossmann highlighted that whilst he expected the UK to be flat, London had performed better than predicted with 3% growth, although the impact of new supply was stronger than expected, impacting Edinburgh (-0.3%) and the regional UK (+1.6%, but lower than excepted).

A forecast of recovery for the EuroMed market following a period of terrorism anxiety proved correct, with Istanbul posting a 74% RevPAR increase and Egypt reporting 38.7% growth. These destinations, however, appeared to be drawing guests away from the Spanish resorts and islands market, with the Canary Islands seeing a 9% drop in RevPAR and Tenerife a 5% drop. Rossmann predicted this was due to Spanish resorts reaching their pricing capacity, and predicted that North Africa would benefit from the shifting demand.

Referring to Scandinavia as “a very strong and sophisticated market,” Rossmann pointed to region-wide RevPAR growth with Helsinki on top at +4%, Oslo with +3%, Copenhagen at +2% and Stockholm up 1%. Elsewhere, a world cup hangover in Russia saw Moscow’s RevPAR grow by 225% in July 2018, but a predicted 25% loss in terms of performance for the year ahead, whilst Brussels and Paris recovered well with Paris rising by 12% RevPAR and Brussels by 13%.

Whilst a mixed bag in terms of performance could see investors tightening their pockets, Rossmann ended on a positive note, stating: “The fundamentals remain strong for this industry; there’s significant potential for new product to enter the market and our sector is also getting

better at managing its hotels, which ultimately will help drive our performance.”

MONEY ON MY MIND “I remember back in 2000 it was almost impossible to persuade institutional investors to consider hotel investment,” began Chris Day, Global Managing Director of Christie & Co, as part of the Buyers and Sellers session. “How things have changed. Transaction trends in 2018 confirmed that hotels are now mainstream, and competing with other types of prime real estate.”

Citing sharpening yields, increased investment from the Middle East, buoyant investment in Spain and the attractive development of nontraditional segments, Day pointed to reasons to be cheerful, but offered oversupply, political risk and cost pressures as potential headwinds, as well as a widening buyers pool possibly increasing competition, and restrictions placed on the previously lucrative streams of Chinese and Singaporean investment.

Flipping the perspective, the Money Makes the World go Round panel invited prominent hotel investors to discuss the state of play. Christophe Vielle, CEO and co-founder of GCPH Hospitality, offered a note of caution, stating: “For me there are two main issues in the development of the hospitality industry. Labour – because it’s getting difficult to find people, even in Asia and booming markets like Japan – and the big five that are buying everything up. From an investment standpoint it’s going to be more difficult to get what you want, because at that point you’re just another customer.”

EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE Day two saw the ever-popular CEO and leadership strand give delegates a chance to hear from the men and women leading the industry forwards.

From the Inside Looking Out, a CEO-to-CEO session featuring Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, AccorHotels, and Mark Okerstrom, President and CEO, Expedia Group saw the pair offer their takes, with Bazin providing an update on his efforts to transform the culture of the French giant. “Transformation at Accor is over in terms of the fundamentals,” he mused. “It took us five years to shift the business model from asset

heavy to asset light, and to go from 80% to 50% dependent on Europe. What’s not over is working out whether we could cope with becoming a people service. We’ve been a very functional transactional company in the past, but now we must become much more emotional and aspirational.”

Elsewhere, responding to the question of whether Hilton needs any more than its current 17 brands, Christopher Nassetta, the company’s CEO, commented: “We need as many brands as our customers tell us we need… All of these ideas are years in gestation, and our attitude has been to grow our family of brands organically, not to do it through mergers and acquisitions. We’re essentially asking what it would take for a new customer to become loyal.”

Gathering the heads of IHG, Rosewood Hotel Group, Radisson Hotel Group, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and Deutsche Hospitality, the Adapting to Survive panel tackled emerging issues of labour automation along with established issues such as the lingering disruption of Airbnb. Sonia Cheng, CEO, Rosewood Hotels saw the positives of the latter, stating: “I think we should actually thank them, because it made us rethink the entire hospitality space and opened the eyes of traditional hoteliers for what consumers are actually looking for – authenticity, variety and sense of place.”

On the growing issue of sustainability and the hotel industry’s role in countering its effects, Rainer Nonnengässer, CEO, International Campus, reminded attendees during the Brave New World panel, that “from a purely operational view, minimising waste means lower costs for the removal of said waste, so they can go hand in hand.” However, Kike Sarasola, President and founder of Room Mate Group, went a step further, asking the audience a difficult question. “We’re the second biggest industry in the world, but what are we actually doing?” he asked. “I see a lot of companies doing little things, but as a sector we really should be much more conscious. Are we showing the world we really care at the moment?”

With more and more calls for major companies of all sectors to act and put their profits towards the global effort to combat climate change, the statement struck a chord. “We should be setting an example,” Sarasola concluded.

BEST OF THE REST A series of breakout sessions running parallel gave delegates the chance to hear from those involved in niche subjects, from the integration of a successful wellness element to Brexit. Discussing the latter’s potential impact on the hotel market, Kate Nicholls, CEO, UKHospitality, concluded a prominent issue was that “Britain had a reputation for strong and stable governance, which made it an attractive place to invest and build a business, but we’ve sacrificed that over the last two years.”

Elsewhere, during Form & Function, an F&B panel moderated by Supper Consulting Editor Heleri Rande and part of a dedicated F&B corner of the event, Tim Mutton, founder of Blacksheep, explained his approach to developing a hotel’s F&B concept, offering: “Whatever you’re bringing to the market needs relevance. Keep it simple, don’t do anything too trend-led, because you don’t know how long that trend will last, and right up to opening be prepared to adapt.”

Elsewhere, the annual Lifetime Achievement award was gifted to Kerzner International CEO Sol Kerzner, recognising his 50-year career and success in putting his native South Africa on the hospitality map with expansive and ambitious projects like Sun City, as well as his development of new concepts such as One & Only Resorts.

Unable to attend due to illness, Kerzner thanked the audience via video, with his daughter accepting the statue on his behalf. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Brian Kaufman received the Young Leader award, with the judges expecting big things from the founder and Managing Partner of The Kaufman Companies.

Whilst there are certainly dark clouds on the horizon in terms of political and social factors that could yet bleed into the hotel industry and its profits, IHIF presented its audience with a reminder that they have survived worse outlooks.

Whilst disruptors close in and the industry’s core values of human-based hospitality are tested by automation, attendees left the event safe in the knowledge that – in the words of Chris Day – hotel assets are very much now in the mainstream.

The next IHIF takes place from 2-4 March 2020. www.ihif.com

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You’re invited to meet the leading players in the field of interior design, equipment and technology for passenger ships. w er no ss t s i g a Re ree p f r u o rs for y terio n i e s in /pas mar m o .c expo

See what’s possible when innovative suppliers showcase their latest developments for the booming cruise and ferry industry.

11 – 13 September 2019, Hamburg marineinteriors-expo.com

HI Design MEA 6-8 MARCH 2019

The hospitality design community comes together in Sri Lanka for the region’s leading decision-makers’ forum.

Words: Ben Thomas | Photography: © Richard Pereira

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otel development in the Middle East continues to excite, with the Dubai Expo 2020, the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the staggering Saudi mega-city Neom only adding to the buzz in the region. Africa is witnessing significant levels of investment in hotel design too, and by 2035 is expected to be home to the world’s ten fastest growing cities. In hope of sparking new opportunities for the region, HI Design invited the hospitality design community to Sri Lanka’s bustling capital of Colombo for the 2019 MEA edition.

Held at the city’s Shangri-La Hotel, the three-day event continued its well-rehearsed programme of one-to-one meetings, networking opportunities and supplier showcases, while Sleeper’s Editor-at-Large Guy Dittrich curated a series of insightful seminars.

Those active in the region’s hotel development pipeline included a total of 55 buyer companies from hotel operators such as Marriott International, MGM Resorts and Wyndham Hotels to senior figures from the likes of Wilson Associates, Bishop Design and Stickman Tribe. Representing a selection of product sectors – from furniture, lighting and art to textiles, flooring and wallcoverings – 65 supplier companies included Tuuci, Janus et Cie and Kaldewei to Villeroy & Boch, RH Contract and Roca, with all looking to present their latest collections during a tightly packed schedule.

Welcoming attendees to the opening evening following a tranquil boat ride along the island’s Madu River, Joel Butler, Portfolio Director of DMG Events, underlined HI Design’s approach: “Whether you’re a buyer or supplier, you personify this incredible design opportunity, so please ensure you speak to the people you know as well as those people you don’t. The event is your chance to discover, explore and create tomorrow’s hospitality spaces and experiences across the MEA region. Network freely, work hard and enjoy Colombo.”

The following morning saw STR delve into the development of the Middle East and Africa hotel spheres with its performance and pipeline data. Philip Wooller, Area Director for the Middle East and Africa, STR, kicked things off with a look at the region’s hotel performance, brand growth, pipeline and shifts in profitability, as well as providing the audience with insight into what lies ahead.

Wooller began with a market overview, highlighting that tourist arrivals in the Middle East and Africa were up by 10% and 7% respectively in the past year, before analysing global RevPAR change as of September 2018 – noting that despite RevPAR falling in the Middle East by 5.7%, the region has seen demand growth over the past year and recorded 75.4% occupancy. The development pipeline has also increased by 56% – Dubai ranking high in the global hotel development update as it gears up to its Expo next year – although the new supply could have an effect on RevPAR post-2020. Equally positive was North Africa, which witnessed a sharp rise (27.2%) in RevPAR, and healthy pipeline growth (12%), while the south of the continent performed well with RevPAR up by 4.8%. Concluding with a look at Saudi Arabia, Wooller spoke of the Neom Project – the 26,500km2 transnational city and economic zone being constructed in Tabuk.

Later that afternoon, HI Design added some Sri Lankan spice to proceedings, straying from its traditional format to a double-bill of keynote speakers in conversation on stage. Two of Dubai’s seasoned designers; Paul Bishop, founder and owner of Bishop Design, and Kevin McLachlan, founder and CCO of NomadK Design, explored the opportunities and challenges of the region, before discussing the elements that matter most to them in hospitality design. Bishop, whose eponymous studio recently collaborated with triple-Michelin-

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trio began by discussing how to manage the expectations of local owners and international operators, with Thomson championing the use of local services and suppliers: “There’s a lot of people in Africa who want to do business, and they are making moves to get involved in hotels. Working with local architects also makes it easier to find fit-out contractors, so we try to harness native talent and invite them to be a part of our projects.” Linwood agreed, highlighting the importance of passing on knowledge to the continent’s aspiring architects, project managers and designers: “Functionality and efficiency may drive returns, but any hospitality brand has to integrate the personality of the place and people in each location. They must find ways to engage with the local community, and right now, hotels in Africa are like they were in Europe a generation ago. Things will change however, as more entertainment and leisure activities open as the region’s cities get safer.”

The panellists also explored how to better understand different regional climatic, cultural and business approaches, as well as how these can impact the success of a new hotel. “The expectations in Africa are much different to those in the Middle East, Africa and America,” stated Athanassiou, who has played a key role in the revitalisation of the Sheraton brand in Dubai. “From an operator’s point of view, hiring an experienced designer and ensuring interior details are kept to a minimum is key. Similar to Geoffrey Bawa’s approach, designers should reflect the surrounding landscape in a unified context and let the location speak for itself.”

Dittrich closed the session by challenging the speakers to think about the future of hotel design on the continent, and whether sustainability should be left to the camps and lodges cropping up across the region’s National Parks. Summarising with the belief that hotel design has moved on from traditional box concepts – particularly with the global players snapping up local operations – Linwood stated: “With the likes of Marriott, Accor and Hilton leading the way in Africa’s hotel development, expect to see them acquire a variety of properties.”

As the second day drew to a close, buyers and suppliers were invited to network amongst themselves, providing an opportunity to discuss upcoming projects and share their event successes before making their way to the farewell dinner. With its inaugural Americas edition set to debut in Florida in September, Butler thanked delegates for their participation before looking forward with promise.

star chef Massimo Bottura on Torno Subito, the newest addition to the W Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah Dubai, addressed the region’s diversity as a key factor behind its development: “People are taking on different views of design at present, especially in the Middle East.

There are ideas coming from a variety of cultures and demographics and that makes Dubai a melting pot.” McLachlan on the other hand warned that designers must not succumb to desensitisation, but rather gather experiences that form their future inspiration: “There’s a gulf of visitors coming to the Middle East and they don’t all have the same preferences as us. We as designers must have an open mind about innovation and risk-taking. I don’t think we value our mistakes enough, it’s the mistakes that are fascinating and it’s how you take them as knowledge to move forward.”

Looking ahead, Bishop urged fellow creatives to channel the demands of clients through visual narratives, using art as a fundamental element of the storytelling process: “Art has become an integral part of what we do with interiors. It isn’t just a piece of art that you hang on the walls anymore, it helps to convey a narrative and can be introduced in many forms and genres.”

Day two began with a presentation from Channa Daswatte, architect and protégé of Geoffrey Bawa – the Godfather of Tropical Modernism. Daswatte reflected on Bawa’s legacy, as well as the architectural genre he introduced, explaining that his signature style was partly born out of having to conform with socialist constraints in Sri Lanka during the 1960s: “Geoffrey was in a way forced to carve his own style due to politics. The politics in Sri Lanka at the time insisted that people find local alternatives, so although he had aspirations to be modern, the restraints on materials meant that he had to adapt in many ways.”

In addition to his residential, workplace and cultural projects, Bawa created a handful of hotels on the island – many of which remain open today. From Heritance Kandalama in Kalutara to Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle, each of his projects combined a light architectural structure with the landscape that surrounded it, ensuring it was appropriate for the climate and culture of the site. Daswatte concluded that in Bawa’s later years, he strived to leave behind meaningful buildings: “Geoffrey was always concerned about how his hotels would look in 100 years time. Would they be a beautiful ruin?”

The forum’s final seminar focused on hospitality design in Africa – a continent with 75,000 rooms in the pipeline, according to the 11th annual survey by W Hospitality Group. Sharing knowledge of working in the region were three expert panellists: Andrew Linwood, Head of Hospitality at Areen Design; Tatoum Athanassiou, Director of Interior Design for Global Design MEA at Marriott International; and Gail Thomson, owner and Creative Director of Purpose ID. The

HI Design MEA 2020 will take place at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, Jordan, from 4-6 March 2020, while the next Europe forum will be held in Sardinia from 5-7 June 2019. www.hidesign-mea.com

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A New Culture of Light LIGHTING & CONTROL

Smart, sustainable and human-centric lighting comes to the fore at Euroluce 2019, ushering in a new era of illumination.

Technological advances, the evolution of control systems and the miniaturisation of light sources have presented new opportunities for lighting designers, both with regards to individual appliances and larger installations. At Euroluce 2019, these new frontiers were explored in the form of smart, sustainable and human-centric solutions, sparking new aesthetic concepts not just for illuminating a space but also creating unique experiences for hotel guests.

In the quest for energy efficiency, a series of new systems combined traditional appliances with LED and OLED systems, using digital controls to ensure the desired results, while the growing importance of human-centric lighting – which analyses the effect of light on people’s emotions, wellbeing, health and motivation – was highlighted through

biologically efficient products that replicate the solar cycle by altering colour, temperature and intensity to provide healthier illumination.

Wireless solutions were also presented in abundance, demonstrating how portable light sources can be used for both indoor and outdoor settings, while fittings boasting adaptive intelligence underlined the increasing popularity of IoT ready devices in the ‘smart’ space.

Today’s lighting design sector is no doubt embracing new stimuli, coining modern aesthetics and decorative concepts. Minimalist shapes and soft colours are being counterbalanced by ornamental styles, while natural materials and artisan-inspired techniques are increasingly combined with hyper-technical assemblages, and petite lighting solutions are contrasted by the grandeur of dramatic objects.

Pictured: Nuvem by Slamp

NEXO LUCE Frame Table Lamp Part of its geometric-inspired Oxen collection, the Frame Table Lamp from Nexo Luce features an opal glass conic diffuser in white, which is framed by a metal structure in a satin champagne finish. The metal frame can be finished in black for a minimalist monochrome aesthetic, with suspension and floor versions of the lamp are also available. www.oxenluce.com

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CHELSOM Lunar Marking the latest addition to Chelsom’s Edition 26 collection, the Art Deco-inspired Lunar lamps feature heavy stone bases and backplates that sit within curved metal surrounds finished with glass globes secured by threaded metal rings. Available as part of a wider series of coordinated wall and floor lights, the lamps are offered in finish options of brushed brass with natural stone and opal glass, as well as satin black with grey stone and smoke glass. www.chelsom.co.uk

ALMA LIGHT Tribeca Designed by Jordi Llopis for Alma Light, the Tribeca collection comprises six models: a pendant with one shade, two overlapping shades or a linear ceiling plate and four shades, as well as a table lamp and two floor lamps – both also available with one or two overlapping shades.

Inspired by Art Deco styles, the light fittings are crafted from alabaster and textured black iron, while the floor and table versions are equipped with intensity dimmers. www.almalight.com

MARSET LaFlaca The LaFlaca floor lamp from Marset features a large profile that can act as a room divider, creating a partition of decorative light. Available in three sizes with different geometric shapes – a vertical rectangle, a horizontal rectangle and a square – the lamp’s metal structure lends its form to a wrinkle-free fabric, which envelops the frame. Inside, the LED light is provided by an alluring sphere only visible when the fixture is turned on. www.marset.com

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Canopy of Light M A N D A R I N O R I E N TA L J U M E I R A , D U B A I D Y N A M I C I N S TA L L AT I O N D E S I G N E D I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N WITH DESIGNWILKES

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HECTOR FINCH Zac Library Hector Finch has launched the Zac range, responding to demands for a modern yet classic task light that can be used over a desk or as a reading light over a bed. Offered in finishes including antique brass, bronze and nickel matte, the light nods to retro design with a spun metal shade and functional swivel arm. The versatile fitting joins a family of midcentury inspired products, including the Tom, Max and Onos ranges. www.hectorfinch.com

BOCCI 28 Bocci’s 28 range has been created through a fabrication process that manipulates both the temperature and direction of airflow into blown glass. The result is a slightly distorted sphere with an interior landscape of satellite shapes, including an opaque milk glass diffuser that houses either a low-voltage xenon or LED lamp. Designed by the brand’s founder and Creative Director Omer Arbel, the collection comes in five new understated shades: beige, grey, purple, red and yellow. www.bocci.ca

ASTRO LIGHTING Telegraph

Designed by long-time collaborator Ray Power – whose recent designs for LZF include the Air and Link ranges – Lola is a conical lamp with an intricate geometric pattern. Available in a number of sizes as well as LZF’s range of natural wood colours, the light features a complex veneer construction that is both accentuated and softened when illuminated.

Echoing mid-century modernism, the Telegraph series from Astro L ig hti ng feat u res a robust construction engineered for a lifetime of use. The collection’s table and wall luminaires each benefit from a top diffuser, while the reader model comes with Astro’s new micro-LED head for fully directional illumination.

www.lzf-lamps.com

www.astrolighting.com

LZF LAMPS Lola

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SPECIALISTS IN PRODUCING BESPOKE & CUSTOMISED FINE FURNITURE, LIGHTING & ARTWORK TO CONTRACT STANDARDS.

Let there be

Proving to be mindful, mobile and artistic, each creatively inclined light fixture highlights material substance and makes a radiant statement in any environment.

For more information, contact andy.clempson@rochdalespearsgroup.com

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PENTA LIGHT Impatto Designed by Stormo Studio, Penta Light’s Impatto series comprises an opal glass sphere over which a transparent fabric is stretched.

Born from the idea of capturing a cosmic phenomenon such as the falling of a meteor or star, the lamp channels Stormo’s aim to pursue a balance between aesthetics and functionality. www.pentalightgroup.it

JUNG Plug & Light Responding to the blurring of boundaries between living and working spaces, Jung has collaborated with its partners Insta, Gira and Brumberg to launch Plug & Light. The system uses a magnet to dock luminaires to a light socket, making the design more modular and flexible than before, while also enabling it to be adaptable to a variety of hospitality environments. In addition to the light socket, Insta has developed two LED light attachments that Jung provides to match its switch designs. www.jung.de

BRAND VAN EGMOND Galaxy Brand Van Egmond’s Galaxy collection takes the form of floor lamps, chandeliers or hanging lights, and comes in six finish options: copper burnished, black, brass, nickel, aged nickel and burnished brass.

Envisioned by designer, architect and founder William Brand, the lighting sculpture is characterised by the interaction of lines and globes, it’s shapes and forms offering a unique visual when viewed from different angles. www.brandvanegmond.com

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VINCENT SHEPPARD Light My Table Joining Vincent Sheppard’s range of outdoor pieces, the new Light My Table garland has been designed by Studiomie to create a roof of light for alfresco settings. The lighting solution can be combined with the brand’s Anton lounge chair and sofa, as well as the Rocco armchair with its graphic lines and curves, helping to generate a cosy and inviting atmosphere. www.vincentsheppard.com

SLAMP Nuvem Created by Miguel Arruda, Nuvem began as the symbology applied to a sculpture in 1980, before Slamp’s R&D team transformed it, creating folded and jointed, metre-long hexagonal sections. The modular system fills spaces with floating landscapes, creating ceilinglike constellations that are illuminated by bi-directional spotlights. The hexagonal elements are easily connected using a series of interlocking tabs, while a push and pull system allows the lamp to stretch or dilate. www.slamp.com

PRECIOSA Pearl Drop

Paying homage to modernist painter Tamara de Lempicka, Pedrali’s Tamara lamp takes cues from the shape of the headlights of early 20th century automobiles.

Created by Basaglia Rota Nodari, the suspension light is made from aluminium and powder-coated in various finishes, while its rounded yet angular lines provides direct illumination to the surface beneath.

Inspired by a 15th century painting, the Pearl Drop pendant by Preciosa is crafted from hand-blown glass opal spheres brought together with individual brass details. Designed

by Frank Tjepkema of Studio Tjep, the statement lighting piece is classic in its reference to pearls yet contemporary in the simplicity of its overall shape. Accenting both contemporary and heritage decors, the series uses its size and presence to balance at the intersection of tradition and modernity.

www.pedrali.it

www.preciosalighting.com

PEDRALI Tamara

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OCCHIO Mito Largo Occhio’s Mito Largo lamp is characterised by a circular head that floats atop a tapered, minimalist carbon body. Combining intuitive controls with features such as colour tone, the luminaire is offered in six refined surfaces including rose gold, bronze, matte gold, matte silver, matte black and matte white, while the carbon body is available in white or black.

Thanks to its sophisticated mechanism, the luminaire head can also be set at three heights. www.occhio.de

TRIBU Monsieur Tricot Designed by Ilia Eckardt for Tribù, the Monsieur Tricot lighting collection merges traditional craft techniques with high-performance outdoor materials and modern technology. The globe and drop lights provide a warm glow and cast elegant shadows, while the hanging and standing lamps are offered in colourways of white, linen, brick, moss and wengé – the latter can be easily operated by a user-friendly app, enabling the lamps to be grouped with timer functions. www.tribu.com

HOAD & MORE Infinity Light Hoad & More’s Infinity Light ceiling was born out of a collaboration with multidisciplinary firms WAGT and MBLD at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Oman. The system – made up of a series of metre-squared luminaires – was introduced by the British lighting consultancy to create a feeling of height within the property’s Al Khiran restaurant area, and when looked into from below gives the illusion of a neverending space. www.hoadandmore.com

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ALMA light STAR

Barcelona

Design by Cristian Cubiñá www.almalight.com

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BUSTER + PUNCH Heavy Metal Made using solid metals with Buster + Punch’s signature knurled detailing, the new Heavy Metal collection comprises a simple pendant light that has been designed to work in harmony with the brand’s other ranges and bulbs across all areas of the hospitality space. Industrial in look and feel, the series is available with four finish options: steel, brass, smoked bronze and matte black. www.busterandpunch.com

SERIP Voa Constructed from bronze and glass, Serip’s nature-inspired Voa range draws inspiration from the barn swallow. The movement and shapes of the bird’s funnel-like bodies and deeply forked tail is translated through a series of LED suspension and standing lights. Here, the decorative sculptures are aligned side-by-side in an organic and sharp textured tree branch, creating contrasts with the smooth and fluid shapes of their physique. www.serip.com.pt

NICHOLAS HASLAM Ambrina

Resource Decor’s Bubble Bubble table lamp features gold etching atop hand-blown glass, finished in glossy black or shiny white and balanced by an acrylic material.

Designed in collaboration with Palmer Earley, Creative Director of Nellcote Studio, the handcrafted light fixture also uses a white tussan fabric shade to cast a warm glow over interior spaces.

Designed by Paolo Moschino, Nicholas H asla m’s cord less Ambrina lamps are available in finishes of brass, chrome and bronze, while a variety of sizes including a standing lamp add to the collection’s versatility. Each model in the collection also features an integral shade and is supplied with a rechargeable battery.

www.resourcedecor.com

www.nicholashaslam.com

RESOURCE DECOR Bubble Bubble

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PLUG & LIGHT LED WALL LUMINAIRE IN LS 990 IN BLACK

Rethinking light Plug-in lighting moods. Plug & Light redefines lighting design. Perfectly dimmable LED light with spotlights or wall luminaires.

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STELLAR WORKS Hotaru Stellar Works has collaborated with Copenhagen-based OEO Studio to create its first lighting collection – Hotaru. Taking its name from the word ‘fireflies’ in Japanese, the series comprises a desk lamp, floor lamp, small pendant and large pendant, each characterised by a soft curved shade. Meanwhile, the lamp’s subtle bent metal arm, sculptural base and simple mechanical joint between the two are informed by analogue experiences such as playing vinyl on a record player or taking photographs on a camera. www.stellarworks.com

DERNIER & HAMLYN Annabel’s Working with Martin Brudnizki Design Studio to capture the ‘spirit of English eccentricity’ at Annabel’s in Mayfair, Dernier & Hamlyn revitalised vintage lighting to complement the heterogeneous mix of bespoke wallcoverings, textiles and furniture housed within the private nightclub. The manufacturer’s team of restoration specialists repaired frames and shades, rewired antique systems to modern standards and replicated items where required. www.dernier-hamlyn.com

TALA Magma Tala’s Magma range comprises the Magma Ceiling Light, Magma Floor Lamp and Magma Table Lamp, each combining matte black aluminium and steel frames with translucent, white discs made from Glaskeramik – a sustainable material formed of repurposed waste from broken solar panels. The collection also integrates Tala’s new Sphere light sources, which are exposed or shielded for an ambient diffused glow thanks to the suspended discs’ ability to rotate. www.tala.co.uk

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MLE LIGHTING Celeste Inspired by the Italian design of the 1950s, MLE Lighting’s Celeste range features a wall lamp characterised by a generous round uplighter and deep sapphire blue polished finish. Designed by Lotte Breithaupt of Fucina Architettura, the lighting solution also uses brass components to highlight the layers of time, the imperfections of the surface and the craftsmanship of the welder. www.mlelighting.com

BERT FRANK Rote Bert Frank’s Rote series comprises slotted, laser-cut satin brass and black diamond leaves fitted to an internally and externally illuminated brass ring. Designed in four versions: pendant, wall sconce, table lamp and chandelier, the lighting solution can create a focal point over small dining tables or be grouped as a centrepiece using small, medium and large pendants. Thanks to the latest LED technology, Rote is also available with Bluetooth dimming capabilities. www.bertfrank.co.uk

ESTILUZ Alfi

The Mirro series from Wever & Ducré has been created in collaboration with Austrian collective 13&9 Design and fashion designer Sabrina Stadlober. The lighting range incorporates a reflective metallic surface that resembles a mirror; the circular luminaire is available as a wall, ceiling, hanging, table or floor version and bathes spaces in warm atmospheric light.

Designed by José Manuel Ferrero of EstudiHac and developed by Estiluz’s design team, the Alfi luminaires are available in floor and pendant models. Conceived for optimum adaptability, the series is highly adjustable thanks to the independent movement of its light source components, which, coupled with open frames, allow for the creation of multiple configurations, mimicking the pins that help tailors craft multiple patterns.

www.weverducre.com

www.estiluz.com

WEVER & DUCRÉ Mirro

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FOREST GROUP | DS-XL LED

SILENT GLISS | Metropole

Forest Group has extended its Design Line with the new DS-XL LED system, a motorised curtain track combined with a unique lighting solution. Suitable for all types of medium weight draperies, the scheme can be controlled by a remote control or building automation system, and is available in two colourways: contemporary white and anthracite.

Alongside regular pleated heading, Forest Group also offers a more dramatic effect in the form of its Easyfold wave system.

Metropole is a curtain pole that functions like a track system, with gliders carrying the curtains to remove the need for rings or passing brackets. The series can be hand, cord or electrically operated, and comes in a number of pole sizes, colours and finishes.

www.forestgroup.com

www.silentgliss.co.uk

Draw the Curtain W I N D O W T R E AT M E N T S

Once an overlooked element of the guestroom, window treatments have come to light thanks to a new wave of drapes, shades and shutters.

BYRON & BRYON | Barnwood

DRAPILUX | Neutrals

Inspired by the organic ageing process of wood, Byron & Byron’s Barnwood collection comprises six designs available in eight natural finishes. For a rustic look and feel, the Saltash colourway is bound by rope with an earthy effect. Each piece is handcrafted

by British artisans and produced using sustainable timbers.

Developed specifically for hotel requirements, the Neutrals range from Drapilux comprises a trio of designs: Design 61, depicting a sketch of the Dubai skyline, Design 62, offering a large expanse of block colour, and Design 63, an abstract floral pattern. Drapilux also has the flexibility to cater to individual printing requests, meaning hospitality buyers can have their own bespoke pattern or logo printed onto the fabric.

www.byronandbyron.com

www.drapilux.com

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THE CURTAIN TRACK with a WOW-FACTOR

DS-XL LEDÂŽ Motorized System: designed to create visual impact

Curtain engineering by Forest FOR_Sleeper_advertentie_wowfactor_236x275_2019.indd 1

Controlling by remote or smart building automation systems

Motorized Curtain Track with integrated LED-lighting

www.forestgroup.com

11-04-19 11:17

HOXTON BY PERRIN & ROWE

P R O U D LY M A D E

IN BRITAIN

HOXTON. A NEW FORM OF LUXURY. Introducing Hoxton by Perrin & Rowe. British contemporary design made with traditional skills and state of the art technology.

Quality deямБned.

PERRIN & ROWE LONDON SHOWROOM DESIGN CENTRE, CHELSEA HARBOUR LONDON, SW10 0XE +44 (0)20 7351 3085 CONTRACTS@PERRINANDROWE.CO.UK

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PERRIN & ROWE CHINA SHOWROOM INTERNATIONAL PAVILION OF CIMEN MALL NO. 407, YISHAN ROAD, SHANGHAI, P. R. CHINA +86 21 54652118 SERVICECHINA@PERRINANDROWE.CO.UK

04/07/2018 10:40

Specifier P R O D U C T S & S E R V I C E S F O R H O S P I TA L I T Y D E S I G N

MANUTTI Flex Revealed during Milan Design Week, Manutti’s Flex seating system combines light visuals, comfortable materials and a sober profile, as well as contrasting elements of old and new by way of a wooden frame and aluminium legs. A structural platform is emphasised by crafted supports, whilst the shape of its rounded legs gradually transitions into the backrest’s oval shapes. www.manutti.com

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VICTORIA + ALBERT BATHS RAL Colours Victoria + Albert Baths has introduced a new colour service, allowing designers and users to choose from 194 RAL colour exterior finishes across the entire collection of freestanding Quarrycast baths and basins.

Resulting in 28,000 bath variants and 5,000 basin options in a choice of matte or gloss finishes, each is multi-layered using a special catalysed paint and hand-polished between applications. www.vandabaths.com

MATER Ocean

LAUFEN The New Classic

HÅSTENS Being

Reimagining a 1955 effort by Danish furniture designers Jørgen and Nanna Ditzel, Mater’s Ocean collection of tables and chairs is sustainably constructed from plastic waste retrieved from the sea. Scaling the pieces up by 5% to accommodate modern proportions, the series retains its light structure, repeated slat form and metal frame, with a total of 960g of waste going into each piece.

Designed by Marcel Wanders and debuted at ISH 2019, Laufen’s The New Classic collection re-interprets landmark styles in the bathroom brand’s own SaphirKeramik material. Encompassing washbasins, bowls, toilets, a bidet, bathtub, faucets, mirrors and accessories as well as furniture, the range combines versatile accents with a fusion of bohemian and cosmopolitan aesthetics.

Designed by Isle Crawford, Håstens’ Being range features a headboard upholstered in natural hemp fabric along with a hemp bedskirt with kick pleat corners and piped seams, as well as a down-filled lumbar cushion and white linen.

Championing natural fabrics and comfort both physical and mental, the components can be used separately as a complement to other Hastens products or as a complete experience.

www.materdesign.com

www.laufen.com

www.hastens.com

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LUXURY OUTD O OR FU RNITURE from

KA MA BY EGO PA RIS

EXCLUSIVE UK IMPORTER/STOCKIST FOR: DEDON • FISCHER MÖBEL • EGO PARIS EXPERT ADVICE FOR YOUR PROJECTS BESPOKE CUSHION SERVICE

VI S I T O UR TR A D E SHOW RO O M LEISURE PLAN, STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET, ESSEX, CM24 8HD D R O P US A LI NE TEL: +44 (0) 1279 816 001 / SALES@LEISUREPLAN.CO.UK

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BURGESS FURNITURE Bedroom Range Marking the brand’s 60 th anniversary, Burgess Furniture’s first Bedroom Range comprises four new chairs designed specifically for guestrooms and named after long-term employees. Walsh is available fully upholstered with a show-wood shell and high- or low- back options, whilst Yorath marries a singular polished aluminium base with a low, rounded profile, and Ryall boasts a wider seat and armless form. www.burgessfurniture.com

BRINTONS Quickweave Brintons’ customisable Quickweave collection has added a new colour palette and designs for 2019, with the Inception, Sequence and Odyssey options developed to reflect contemporary trends with complementary transitional styles such as plaids, stripes, geometric and abstract themes.

Texturing techniques including mottles, striés and fades have also been used within the patterns to generate a sense of depth. www.brintons.com

CARL HANSEN & SON Indoor-Outdoor Originally released in 1959, Danish architect Bodil Kjær’s IndoorOutdoor collection has been given a new lease of life with its addition to Carl Hansen & Son’s Design Classics collection. Comprising a lounge chair, small table, dining chair and table, a two-seater lounge sofa, swing sofa and sunbed, the range is inspired by Cubist aesthetics and reimagined with solid teak frames. www.carlhansen.com

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DIABLA Abstrakt Featuring original graphics by Jonathan Lawes, Diabla’s Abstrakt table incorporates visual styles based on colourful geometrics and a robust single-leg structure.

Bringing together shades of white, grey blue and pink, the designs have been adapted to suit both Abstrakt’s circle and square tabletop formats. www.diablaoutdoor.com

ICE Product Launched during Milan Design Week, Ice’s handtufted Gradient Lily rug has been designed by HRH Princess Margarita de Bourbon of The Netherlands as an interpretation of a lily in bloom, and transitions from 100% New Zealand wool on one side to 100% pure silk on the other for a distinctive set of visual interplays. www.rugs.nl

FLOS Belt All elements of Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec’s suspended Belt lighting system for Flos are suitably made of leather belts. Carrying the weight of the distinctive piece and connecting its LED lighting modules, the linear network is secured by buckles and launched as part of the brand’s expansive 50 th anniversary collection. www.flos.com

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CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY

RHA Furniture

Purchasing Services

Hard Rock Hotel London

Schloss Roxburghe

RHA Furniture has worked with GLH Hotels and its designers to supply custom-made furnishings for the bar and reception area of the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel in London. Forming the centrepiece of the property’s expansive Hard Rock Café, the bar area features an expansive ceiling with an array of colourful lighting that shines down on RHA’s stools, upholstered in red Sekers fabric with vertical stitching details and featuring brushed brass feet caps and footrests.

Elsewhere, the hotel’s lobby incorporates several RHAmanufactured, three-metre curved sofas facing the brand’s signature memorabilia walls, where guests can sit and view the star-studded collection in comfort and style. RHA’s own products – including the Aquila chair, Aquila Stool and Sanzio Lounge Chair – also appear throughout the project, guiding the aesthetic with gentle curves and rounded corners to create a welcoming aesthetic with touches of Hard Rock edge.

“Hard Rock is a world-class institution, and this building has stood at the intersection of British music and fashion since the 1930s,” comments Ian Fletcher, General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel London. “It’s sure to become a go-to London hotspot once again.”

Berlin-based consulting firm Purchasing Services has undertaken the complete purchasing process for all small operating equipment within the redeveloped Schloss Roxburghe. Previously the Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course, the 19th century property was acquired by investor 12.18, with Purchasing Services working to supply areas including the reception, F&B spaces and guestrooms with key operational items complementing an interior scheme

by Kitzig Design rooted in the project’s historical surroundings.

Sourcing nearly 5,000 articles from pillows and duvets to hairdryers, pencils, coat hangers, shoe polishing machines, umbrellas, luggage trollies, key fobs and more, Purchasing Services provided the designers with pieces that would complement a sense of contemporary comfort whilst creating an atmosphere of elegance, with a focus on natural elements to reflect the rural landscape.

The firm worked with both international suppliers and local makers to populate the hotel’s F&B concepts – including the pictured Restaurant Sunlaws as well as six additional spaces – with ephemera to emphasise the hotel’s character, combining existing historical equipment with modern concepts, creating scenes rooted in Scottish heritage with detailed notes of intrigue.

www.rhafurniture.com

www.purchasing-services.com

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OFFICES: OFFICES: GERMANY GERMANY SPAIN SPAIN UNITED KINGDOM UNITED KINGDOM UNITED STATES UNITED STATES MEXICO MEXICO

TM TM MAGLIA MAGLIA

AA NEW ERA IN INTEXTILE TEXTILELOOKING LOOKING COATED FABRICS NEW ERA COATED FABRICS WWW.SPRADLING.EU WWW.SPRADLING.EU

EXPERIENCE CENTRE

Jung Singapore

Technology specialist Jung has unveiled a new Experience Centre in Singapore, showcasing its latest innovations across a series of room sets that include a living and dining room, kitchen, en-suite hotel room and conference space.

The first of its kind, the showroom allows designers and developers to see, touch and experiment with technology that the German firm has to offer. Inside, all five zones use the proprietary KNX system with integrated smart technology, controlled using Jung’s switches, a touchscreen smart pad, smartphone or voice-activated device compatible with Amazon Alexa.

From the lights to the blinds, television, speakers and airconditioning, appliances in the living room are connected to the KNX system and can be activated through one device remotely, or on site. Across in the dining area, cove and pendant lighting above a central table is controlled by the brand’s eNet Radio Frequency system – a palm-sized device attached to the lights that is compatible

with the KNX system, removing the need to connect them using electrical cabling to the distribution board.

On show in the bedroom meanwhile, Jung’s Visu Pro Server comes with operational benefits such as monitoring for device failure and room occupancy status, while guest advantages include scene setting according to the time of day. Taking a similar approach, the conference space is illuminated by DALI MCU tunable white lights from Osram, which are linked to the KNX system and allow users to adjust the colour temperature to suit specific meeting agendas.

At the same time, the blinds, air-conditioning and projector can all be connected and activated with one click.

Completing the experience, the wireless system control area hosts Jung’s latest Lights and Blinds Management Devices, which can communicate wirelessly via radio frequency or Bluetooth with smart technology apps downloadable on digitial devices. www.jung.de

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What a Viu

Welcome to the bathroom of tomorrow.

The idea: Soft, organic inner forms meet geometric, precise outer contours. A fusion of different materials – ceramics, wood, metal, glass.

The purpose: Perfection from every angle, technology for maximum comfort. The result: Viu. Design by sieger design, realised by Duravit. What a Viu! Duravit London, open now. For more information visit pro.duravit.co.uk

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INNOVATION

Grohe 3D Printed Faucets

Revealed during Grohe’s annual ISH keynote, Grohe Atrio Icon 3D and Grohe Allure Brilliant Icon 3D mark a substantial innovation in both the contexts of bathroom design solutions and the medium of metal printing.

Created as extensions of the brand’s existing Atrio and Allure ranges, the pair of expressive faucets take the form of architectural statement pieces, their distinctive profiles created with Grohe’s own material recipe and billed as “water as a visual experience.”

“At Grohe, we believe that something completely new needs a bold vision,” explains Michael Seum, Vice President Design, Grohe.

“What is possible or not possible becomes a question of perspective.

With Icon 3D we are opening up a completely new way of thinking about product design in the future.”

With each component crafted from approximately 4,700 layers of 0.06mm thick printed metal, both the angular Allure 3D and slender Atrio 3D boast forging strength. Subsequently, each component is

mechanically treated on a CNC milling machine, followed by a manual grinding and brushing procedure. “Essential to us is that we retain our proven Grohe quality and translate it into a 3D-metalprinted product,” adds Thomas Fuhr, Executive Director Operations, Grohe. “For this, we have developed our own process, whose magic lies in the powder, a unique formula for the granules that we make.

With 3D metal-printing, we are ringing in a new era in production.”

For users this means a bold new presence within the bathroom space, and the possibility for innovations in form, function and aesthetics, whilst for designers the launch comes with the added benefits of a customisable concept, the technology allowing for bespoke, limited-run products. “This production method offers the option to design taps in small quantities according to the wishes of our customers,” Seum muses. “There are no limits set for individual personalisation.” www.grohe.com

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INTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES

FIND OUT MORE AT LIVINGDESIGN.COM

Brovägen 1, 18276 Stocksund, Sweden T: +46 8 755 17 65 info@livingdesign.com

COLL ABOR ATION

Ligne Roset Mercure Hotels

In response to the changing expectations of hotel customers, whether that be business and leisure travellers, Ligne Roset Contract has partnered with Mercure Hotels to create a shared vision for hotel planning of the future.

The French manufacturer has developed a new catalogue of guestroom concepts, each centred on creating an immersive experience through a combination of revisited classic design, modernity and comfort.

Adapting its existing portfolio of furniture and decorative accessories for hotel use, Ligne Roset’s new concept allows interior designers to customise a series of mass-produced products, from modifying the base of a chair to the upholstery of a seat or the finish of a table, while other bespoke items can be tailored to meet the financial demands of specific hospitality projects.

The alliance between the two brands was unveiled in the Ligne Roset Paris Bastille showroom, where for two weeks, Mercure Hotels’ managers were able to request the services of the brand for new developments and refurbishments. Visitors were welcomed by a mock-up lobby, accesorised by Ligne Roset, where they could discover the new products through a series of books and a video montage. A suite was also constructed to showcase how a guestroom space could combine design, comfort and contemporary elements, with a double-sided module offering a console and mirror on one side and a desk and screen on the other, while a workshop featuring moodboards and materials was set up to awaken inspiration and creativity. www.ligne-roset.com

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BE NCHMARK - OVO COLLECTI ON / TABLE - RHP - SLEEPER MAG

FOR TH E LOVE OF M AKING OVO Collection by Foster+Partners benchmarkfurniture.com

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18/04/2019 15:17

Out of Office OFFICE FURNISHINGS

As the definition of office space shifts with the rise of hotel co-working concepts, suppliers have adapted to the demands of the workforce.

A

s remote working flourishes, the freelance gig economy rolls on and companies hire ever-distant staff to support international ambitions, the parameters of what actually constitutes office space are blurring and becoming less rigid than ever before. Whilst dedicated office blocks still form much of the occupational landscape, and many are still expected to turn up and clock-in with the rest of the force, the office as a concept is undergoing a ground shift that has seen over 1,000 new co-working spaces open in the US – once the epicentre of strictly functional corporate space – in 2018 alone, with forecasts predicting that number to rise to 6,000 by 2022. Worldwide, researchers have predicted over 30,000 by the same year. Though many of us remain office-bound, there is

no doubt that new possibilities are opening up for what previously seemed like a steadfast model. As such, dedicated co-working brands including WeWork, Techspace, Impact Hub and MakeOffices have sprung up to capitalise on the demand for alternatives, setting up shop in major cities to accommodate a growing community of remote or independent workers. Likewise, hotels are getting in on the act too, with brands including CitizenM, Nordic Choice and Eaton Workshop dedicating floorspace to areas designed to both foster communal working and open up a potentially lucrative new revenue stream.

Introduced as both elements of attractive interior schemes and vital components of a functional office space, these products will have guests typing away and doing business in comfort and style.

199

BENCHMARK Ace Hotel London Benchmark’s bespoke 6.4m solid oak communal table within the lobby of Ace Hotel London was inspired by the traditional library table and features contemporary elements including a split of light down the middle and power points running along the length of the piece to cater to the city’s bourgeoning community of freelancers and remote workers. Seperate from its bespoke work the Berkshire-based brand has also created workplace-specific collections including Victoria (pictured on the previous page) which features a tactile form across executive, meeting and high models, available in elm, walnut and ash finishes. www.benchmarkfurniture.com

B&B ITALIA Jack Taking the form of a modular bookcase and storage system designed by Michael Anastassiades, B&B Italia’s Jack features a cable rolling tool and single hinge doots for a minimalist presence, and can be customised with shelves, drawers and flap door elements as a solution to office clutter. All elements are available in black and white, with Canaletto walnut available as an option for the top side of modules, along with four oak finishes of light, grey, black and smoked. www.bebitalia.com

KETTAL Space Divider A modular structure allowing users to create independent areas and functional zones, Kettal’s Space Divider comprises walls in a variety of sizes, colours and materials, all of which can be customised to adapt to the wide range of design schemes. The Space Divider also includes the option for additional LED lighting within walls, as well as the ability to carry shelves, plug sockets and USB ports. www.kettal.com

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Bankside Hotel, London.

Bankside Hotel, London.

Zenith Zenithoffers offersananallallembracing embracinghotel hotelcontracting contractingand andconstruction constructionservice serviceundertaken undertakenbybyexperienced experiencedprofessionals professionalswho who understand the importance of completing the project to the highest standards, on time and within budget. understand the importance of completing the project to the highest standards, on time and within budget.

Zenith Zenithhas hasa aspectrum spectrumofofskills skillsand andexpertise expertisethat thatcan canbebeapplied appliedtotoany anyhotel hotelproject, project,whether whetheryour yourrequirements requirementsare arefor for refurbishment, refurbishment,re-modelling re-modellingorornew newbuild, build,our ourexperience experiencewill willdeliver deliverhigh highquality qualityresults. results.

Visit Visitus: us:www.zenithltd.co.uk www.zenithltd.co.ukContact Contactus: us:zenith@zenithltd.co.uk zenith@zenithltd.co.uk

PEDRALI Arki Table Adjustable Adapting its existing Arki table specifically for workspaces, Pedrali’s Arki Table Adjustable presents users with a subtly incorporated heightadjusting element to meet the various demands and needs of not just one worker but a rotating cast. Available in white or black full colour versions, the table can be set between 740 and 1140mm and features a cable management unit and solid aluminium frame. www.pedrali.it

HUMANSCALE Infinity Light Combining torque inserts and springs for a balanced arm, the Infinity light by Humanscale allows for seamless adjustment between users and features a resilient frame to negate the damage expected with constant office use. The piece can be subtly integrated into hotel spaces as both a design-complementary element and key functional piece, with its 1500 lux illumination casting just a single shadow on the desk surface. www.humanscale.com

EXPORMIM Team

Ligne Roset’s Koya features a frame in anthracite stained solid ash, a work surface and shelves in matching MDF, as well as two decorative vertical stems for a touch of intrigue. Designed by Marie Christine Dorner, the desk can also be customised with fabric screens draped over the structure, creating a sense of opacity and privacy.

D e sig ne d by M a r io Ru i z , Expormim’s modular Team desk allows users to create multiple combinations of functional storage and surface units in symmetrical or asymmetrical formats. The desk is constructed from solid European oak wood, whilst the top can be customised with natural stone or upholstery. A lacquered version with folding doors on the lower module lends a distinctive identity.

www.ligne-roset.com

www.expormim.com

LIGNE ROSET Koya

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Curl up in style The elegant new Walsh High Back Chair and Ottoman... the perfect combination!

Bedroom

|

Casual Seating

|

Dining

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Meeting

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Conference

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F&B Equipment

Tel: 0330 333 9258 sales@burgessfurniture.com www.burgessfurniture.com Burgess Furniture Ltd, Hanworth Trading Estate, Feltham, Middlesex TW13 6EH UK

Defining your space

17116 Sleeper CDW half page ad 206x120mm AW.indd 1

03/04/2019 15:13

A FLORAL EYE-CATCHER The latest eye-catching fabric in the “Neutrals” range from drapilux creates a warm, homely atmosphere in the hotel. The semi-transparent fabric – Article 132 63 – excels by way of its modern design. The abstract floral pattern is interspersed with generous expanses of natural-coloured fabric.

More at: www.drapilux.com

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16.04.19 14:29

ISSUE 2 COMING SOON From the publishers of Sleeper and Supper, Starboard is a new publication focusing on the design and development of mobile forms of hospitality such as cruise ships, river boats, sleeper trains, aeroplanes and space shuttles.

www.starboardmagazine.com

Architectural Vision Panels

Create a feelgood environment.

For Doors & Walls

Complete glazing kits - Fire rated options - Easy installation

indoor • outdoor | residential • hospitality • commercial chairs • stools • lounge chairs • tables info@martaonline.eu • +31 6 430 30 426 • www.feelgooddesigns.eu

DERNIER & HAMLYN IS A BRITISH COMPANY SPECIALISING IN BESPOKE LIGHTING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE

+44 (0)20 8760 0900 info@dernier-hamlyn.com www.dernier-hamlyn.com

COMBINING THE SKILLS AND EXPERTISE REQUIRED TO TURN YOUR DESIGN CONCEPTS INTO REALITY

North 4 Design Ltd T: 0208 885 4404 www.north4.com

CONTACT TO ADVERTISE OR SUBSCRIBE: • SUPPER@MONDIALE.CO.UK • TEL: +44(0)161 476 5580

@SUPPERMAG

WWW.SUPPERMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Advertising Index AD Associates

212

Gommaire 148

Naturalmat 112

AHEAD 126

Hakwood 157

Nexoluce

Albrecht Jung

Hamilton Conte

175

012 & 013

Nicholas Haslam

97

Penta Light

51

Alger 163

Hector Finch

Aliseo 79

HI Design

Allermuir

HICAP 152

Point 89

Hoad & More

179

Porcelanosa 187

Alma Light

016 & 017 173

160

010 & 011

158 & 159

Perrin & Rowe

182

Arte 41

Janus et Cie

004 & 005

Preciosa 165

Artemide 177

JC Hospitality

014 & 015

Resource Decor

Assa Abloy

133

Kalisher 29

008 & 009

Astro Lighting

2

Beck Interiors

61

Kohler 100

Sofa Company

Benchmark 198

Laufen 203

Spradling 191

Brintons 115

Leds C4

169

Starboard 205

Chelsom Lighting

Leisure Plan

185

Stellar Works

37

LG Hausys

119

Style Library Contract

47

23

Claybrook 83

Kettal

Roca 189 49

Lignet Roset

18

Sunbrella 75

Dezeen 153

Living Design

195

Supper 207

Duravit 193

Mandarin Stone

105

Tarkett 73

Decor Walther

211

006 & 007

Restoration Hardware

167

EE Smith

209

Manutti 43

Tiger Leather

197

EPR Architects

135

Marine Interiors Expo

151

TL Contracts

111

Ethimo 39

Marset 35

Tribu 21

Expormim 76

McCue Fit

147

Tuuci 125

Fashionizer Couture

67

MLE Lighting

171

Vincent Sheppard

Ferreira De Sa Rugs

95

Modio Audio

128

Vondom 81

99

Warisan 144

Monitor Audio

143

Forest Group

181

Gandia Blasco

33

Morbern 121

Waterworks 31

Gervasoni 53

Muzeo 59

Zenith 201

208

www.eesmith.co.uk • 0116 270 6946 • Instagram @eesmithcontracts 25 Morris Road, Clarendon Industrial Estate, Leicester, LE2 6AL

© Clint Jenkins

The Suite Life EMPATHY SUITE, L AS VEGAS

A tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde? US$8 million. A platinumcast human skull encrusted with flawless diamonds? US$50 million.

A night in the Damien Hirst-designed Empathy Suite in the upper reaches of Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas? Also extremely expensive at a cool US$100,000 per night. Comprising two master bedrooms, a cantilevered swimming pool, a gym, two bathrooms and multiple lounges for up to 50 people, the project – designed in collaboration with Bentel & Bentel Architects and Klai Juba Wald Architects – is a strictly high-rolling affair. Incorporating Hirst’s distinctive artistic calling cards by way of six original pieces alongside furnishings

and textiles reminiscent of his designs – and not one but two bull sharks in formaldehyde for good measure – the suite ensures those wealthy enough to stay here get bang for their buck. However, where statement sharks, a 12-chair bar and a cabinet filled with cubic zirconias are the obvious draws, touches like the 104 stone butterflies embedded into the marble bathrooms, and drug-shaped vinyl appliqués in reference to the Pharmacy restaurant at Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery, reveal hidden depths to the decidedly flashy scheme. Perhaps out of reach for most of us, but who knows? All on red please dealer; I’m feeling lucky.

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Feasibility & Master Planning Branding & Identity Architectural Design Artwork & Dressing

606 Octagon Point 5 Cheapside London EC2V 6AA www.adassociates.london