Sleeper - Issue 92

HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE & DESIGN

BIRCH – CHESHUNT • LIRAN WIZMAN • LA RÉSERVE EDEN AU LAC – ZURICH

Capsule collection: Orb, designed by James Bassant

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CONTENTS ISSUE 92 HOTEL REVIEWS

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Birch 066 Cheshunt

Bermonds Locke

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Brownber House

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Hotel Brooklyn

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La Réserve Eden au Lac

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London © George Fakaros

Cumbria

Manchester 101

Zurich

Sequoia 101 Adelaide

Paris © Aaron Citti

© Edmund Dabney

Cours des Vosges

Maximillian 111 Prague

Domes Zeen Chania

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FEATURES Meeting... Liran Wizman

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Meeting... Forth Bagley

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A Blueprint for Sustainable Design

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Sleeper sits down with the founder of Sircle Collection to talk rebrands, reimaginings and reopenings.

Kohn Pedersen Fox Principal Forth Bagley checks in to discuss defining skylines and guilt-free luxury.

© Adam Firman

A sustainable business is one that looks after both people and planet says Juliet Kinsman, as she addresses the need to consider the socio-economic impact of every decision made.

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CONTENTS ISSUE 92 FEATURES

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The Great Dispersion

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As the travel market becomes guided by experience and authenticity, a contender emerges following a long gestation to challenge the traditional hotel model.

AHEAD 147

Celebrating the best new hospitality projects in the Middle East & Africa, the AHEAD MEA 2020 shortlist spans the length and breadth of the region, from the coastal dunes of the Namib Desert in the south, to the charming riads of Marrakech in the north. Š Matthias Aschauer

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Touch-Free Tech

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Spotlight... Villeroy & Boch

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In the second of a series of features exploring how hospitality can respond to a new standard of health security, we take a look at the products facilitating the contactless hotel of tomorrow.

With one eye on the future, German ceramic manufacturer Villeroy & Boch looks to preserve its identity while moving with the times.

REGULARS Check-In 028

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Drawing Board

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The Lobby

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Business Centre

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Radical Innovation

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Bathrooms 155 Screens 173 Specifier 179 Check-Out

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VDL Pavilion by Dion & Richard Neutra Molo Collection by Rodolfo Dordoni Band Collection by Patricia Urquiola Half Dome Lamp by Naoto Fukasawa Cala & Geometrics Rugs by Doshi Levien

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WELCOME

ON THE COVER Birch, Cheshunt © Adam Firman

Staycation, staycation, staycation

W

ho knew you could go island hopping off the coast

hovering around the 22% mark. Some properties have resorted

of Scotland? Laze on deserted beaches in North-

to heavy discounting – a luxury hotel on a Sunday night in

East England? Or explore ancient wonders in

September is a snip at around £180-per night, far below the

Wales? With international travel largely off the cards, 2020

usual rack rate – yet this still doesn’t seem to be enough to

has undoubtedly been the year of the staycation. Flight

lure nervous travellers back to the capital.

cancellations, hotel closures and confusion surrounding air

In this issue of Sleeper, we feature a number of the UK’s

bridges and quarantines have led many to shelve their holiday

new openings, from Birch in rural Hertfordshire, to Brownber

plans and stay closer to home, discovering new places to visit

House in Cumbria. And there’s plenty more new additions, both

in their own country.

within the cities and elsewhere, including boutique boltholes,

This has come as welcome news to the hospitality sector, in

sprawling country estates and remote coastal cabins.

the regions at least. Destinations such as Devon, Cornwall and

The UK isn’t the only nation to experience a staycation

the Lake District – typically playing second-fiddle to primary

boom. In tourist hotspots such as Barcelona, Dubrovnik and

and secondary cities when it comes to attracting both guests

Rome, locals have been able to enjoy their own city – without

and development dollars – have emerged as the winners, with

the crowds – for the first time in decades. And in Asia, hotels

the likes of Plymouth and Bournemouth recording occupancy

in Singapore and Hong Kong have been offering attractive

averages in excess of 90% in July and August. If you tried to

staycation packages in a bid to fill beds. With large-scale trade

get a last-minute booking at a hotel on the south coast this

events and corporate travel still on hold, hotels that rely on

summer, chances are, you’ll have been left disappointed.

the MICE market are in for a few more months of hurt, unless

Notably, this popularity has led to a surge in hotel buyer

they can find ways to host events in a safe way.

enquiries according to a new index from Christie & Co, with

For the foreseeable, leisure travel looks set to dominate

demand from investors up 84% in June as restrictions began

overnight stays. Whether the popularity of the staycation will

to ease. It could mean that developers and operators turn their

be shortlived once it’s safe to hop on an aeroplane remains to

attention to rural, or less typical locations, creating hotels

be seen, but for now, it’s a welcome boost.

with smaller key counts that are a fit with the local landscape.

But what of the major cities such as London, Edinburgh and Dublin, which usually attract the lion’s share of tourists?

It would seem that even nationals are staying away, not yet confident to venture to the urban centres for their weekend breaks for fear of mixing with others. According to STR, London has experienced its lowest occupancy on record,

Catherine Martin • Managing Editor

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collection KAMI pattern KOI

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Los Angeles

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GUEST BOOK

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© Jean-Baptiste Mondino

© SK2 Photography

© Adam Firman

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066 Chris Penn

089 Robin Sheppard

147 Pallavi Dean

094 Philippe Starck

Having developed an appreciation for craftsmanship, re-use and repair during his time as Managing Director at Ace Hotel London, hotelier Chris Penn – a Great Britain triathlete and cross-channel swimmer – decided it was time to revolutionise the hospitality sector in his own way. His new venture – with business partner Chris King – is a playful escape in rural Hertfordshire that delivers on ideals of collaboration, locale, the new luxury of imperfection and ultimately the creation of experience.

Following his own battle with Guillain-Barré syndrome, Robin Sheppard – co-founder and President of Bespoke Hotels – has become a key spokesperson for accessible design, launching the Blue Badge Access Awards to celebrate pioneering projects while drawing attention to the need for improvement across the board. As such, Hotel Brooklyn – the group’s latest property in Manchester – champions accessibility, featuring 18 rooms adapted for those with physical, cognitive and sensory impairments.

As founder and Creative Director of Dubai-based studio Roar, Pallavi Dean is an active member of the UAE design community and has worked on notable hospitality projects across the region. Dean’s latest role is to chair the judging panel for AHEAD MEA, which this year sees a record number of entries in the Lodges & Tented Camps category. Following a shortlist announcement in September, judges will meet via video link to decide the winners, which will be revealed in an online ceremony on 9 November.

“Personally, I have always dreamt of creating a yacht club; I love the special and festive atmosphere of the regatta, the people are happy, elegant, and time is suspended,” says designer Philippe Starck of La Réserve Eden au Lac, the new addition to entrepreneur Michel Reybier’s portfolio in Zurich.

Located on the shores of the city’s eponymous lake with views directly onto the water, the hotel fuses a maritime theme with witty nautical touches, immersing guests in Starck’s imaginary world as much or as little as they like.

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CHECK-IN

Samantha Drummond Having designed a number of integrated resorts across Asia, the Managing Partner of Habitus Design Group escapes for a fantasy break in a Tuscan castle.

Where are you?

And who’s at the concierge desk?

The cuisine is prepared to bring out the best of

I’m staying in a 14th century castle in Tuscany

Chef Cesare Casella; his knowledge of local

flavours and the ingredients are local. I really

where Leonardo da Vinci was once a guest of the

produce, culture and people is incredible, and

appreciate it when a restaurant provides local

family. Today, it is an exclusive retreat following

his personality is infectious.

farmers a platform to showcase the fruits of their labour. There is a magnificent planted

a meticulous conversion that has taken place over several generations, maintaining and

Who are you sharing your room with?

terrace for outdoor dining, and background

enhancing the rich heritage. Everywhere I look,

My family, they are my favourite people to

music is thoughtfully curated to evoke emotion.

there are views of Tuscan olive and wine groves

travel with, particularly my seven-year-old son,

and impeccable gardens with enclaves of private

who loves ordering up room service.

Who are you dining with this evening?

Maria Callas, Édith Piaf, Vivienne Westwood,

terraces from which to soak up the panorama.

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

Anthony Bourdain and Frida Kahlo.

How did you get there?

Our room honours the original architectural

I flew first class to the nearest airport, where

features but is not enslaved to the past. I

Who’s manning the stoves?

I was met by the hotel chauffeur, a man of a

enjoy well-curated rooms with an eclectic

Massimo Bottura, Chef Patron of Osteria

certain age who has lived here all his life. We

mix of antiquities, modern abstract art, local

Francescana in Modena, Italy.

talk about everything, from the region’s history

curiosities, plenty of books and sophisticated

and the best village restaurants to the meaning

amenities. The flooring is timber, seasoned over

And what’s on the menu?

of life itself. I cherish such conversations; they

the years and full of character, and the huge bed

To start, we sample the best local olives with

make for a perfect start to a relaxing vacation

is one I struggle to leave in the mornings.

sourdough and olive oil, followed by salad freshly pulled from the garden served with goat’s

full of sense of place.

Who designed it?

cheese. Then we eat homemade pasta with a

Who is there to greet you on arrival?

Only the best for my Tuscan idyll – Filippo

sauce made from locally-raised game, and for

There is something not only personal but

Brunelleschi, the founding father of Renaissance

dessert, something innovative incorporating

understated when the owner greets you. They

architecture and the designer of the dome on

vegetables such as beetroot and parsnip.

know just enough about me to make me feel

Florence Cathedral. The scale and indulgence

a special; I really respect hotels that do their

of his buildings is hypnotic; he was masterful

Would you like something to drink with that?

research before the guests arrive.

in his craft and had a unique approach to detail

A bottle of vintage wine from the Vosne-

that must have come from his training as a

Romanée region of Burgundy.

goldsmith. The latest interior refurbishment is by Patricia Urquiola; her sense of pattern

What’s your essential travel companion?

and colour is truly inspiring and she brings a

Anything that promotes sleep.

modern touch that feels totally in keeping.

NOTABLE HOTEL PROJECTS Marina Bay Sands, Singapore; Four Seasons Hotel Macao; Solaire Resort, Manila www.habitusdesigngroup.com

Early morning alarm call or late check-out?

What’s the restaurant and bar like?

Early morning alarm call. I like to get on with

Intimate and discreet, where every element

the day very early, as that’s when I feel at my

harmonises to create incredible memories.

most inspired.

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DRAWING BOARD

DRAWING BOARD

Lago Maggiore Retreat TICINO

Oppenheim Architecture has revealed its design concept for Lago Maggiore Retreat, a development in the southern region of Switzerland comprising 108 private residences, a 61-key boutique hotel, and spa and wellness facilities.

Embedded into the hills overlooking Lago Maggiore, the design arises from the uniquely varied landscape, where Alpine peaks and dense forests meet a Mediterranean climate, palmlined lakes, and Italian-influenced cultural and architectural traditions.

The retreat spans three sites, each with a different purpose: the first sees the existing village revitalised with a central square and local artisan shops; the second is a reimagined botanical garden dotted with pergolas, orchards and pools; and the third is a hamlet of secluded buildings amidst a chestnut forest. Throughout the project, materials have been selected to integrate the structures within their different settings. For the town, regionally aggregated stucco complements the urban context, whilst the botanical garden incorporates locally-sourced granite and the forest site has been created in chestnut reclaimed from retired barns and fallen trees.

“I have a long been fascinated by Ticino vernacular architecture and the creative use of the local materiality,” comments Chad Oppenheim, Principal, Oppenheim Architecture. “We wanted to capture the essence of this spirit and create something new yet connected to the past.” © Mir

DRAWING BOARD

DRAWING BOARD

Habitas

Global hospitality group Habitas has joined

of Habitas. “RCU’s approach to sustainable

forces with The Royal Commission for AlUla

development aligns very closely to our values

ALULA

(RCU) to create a new resort in Saudi Arabia’s

and DNA and in our mission to support local

Ashar Valley – a canyon-filled desert close to

communities. The world, now more than ever,

Hegra, the archaeological remains of the ancient

needs to create places for people to reconnect

Nabateans and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

with one another and with nature.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: The Royal Commission for AlUla Operator: Habitas Architecture and Interior Design: Habitas www.ourhabitas.com

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With the first 50 keys set to be delivered by

The development will be constructed using

Q1 of 2021 – more are expected later next year –

Habitas’ unique vertical integration method,

the resort will reflect Habitas and RCU’s shared

which sees sustainable materials manufactured

ethos on social and sustainable development,

in Mexico before being delivered and assembled

focusing on light touch tourism that emphasises

on-site to minimise its environment impact.

experiential luxury by way of cultural exchange.

Amr AlMadani, CEO of AlUla, comments:

This includes showcasing regional artisans,

“This agreement reflects our commitment to

localising food supplies and running experiences

making AlUla a global destination that offers

and classes hosted by native professionals.

visitors unique, authentic experiences as we

“From our very first trip to AlUla, we were

protect, share and celebrate our natural and

really inspired by the people we met and by

cultural heritage. Construction is under way, a

its natural beauty and heritage. Travel is an

fact that signals that we are actively opening up

incredible gift to create greater compassion and

new opportunities for regional and international

understanding in the world between different

investors in the hospitality sector while

people and cultures,” says Oliver Ripley, CEO

empowering and enabling our community.”

Four Seasons Kuwait at Burj Alshaya – Pure Sofa by Andrei Munteanu & Lanterns by Tribù studio

Living the good life outside.

Love it, live it, share it. www.tribu.com

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DRAWING BOARD

Bvlgari Hotel Roma

Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts has signed an

and will be translated through a design scheme

agreement to open a new property in Rome in

that balances the rigour of the stones used in

ROME

2022. Situated in the central Piazza Augusto

Imperial Rome, concise yet powerful details, and

Imperatore at the heart of the Campo Marzio

rich textures contrasting with the architectural

neighbourhood, the hotel is close to the Spanish

essentiality of the building.

Steps and the Bvlgari flagship on Via Condotti.

In total, the hotel will comprise over 100

Owned by Edizione Properties, who was

guestrooms, as well as Il Ristorante – a restaurant

assisted by CBRE Hotels in the tenant selection

curated by Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito

process, the magnificent building was designed

– and The Bvlgari Bar. Other facilities include

by architect Vittorio Ballio Morpurgo. Dating

a spa with an indoor swimming pool and gym,

back to the 1930s, it uses traditional Roman

whilst a Reading Room, containing a collection

materials and colours such as ochre Travertine

of precious volumes dedicated to the history of

marble and burnt red brick.

jewellery, will be available for guests to enjoy

As with other Bvlgari Hotels, Antonio

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Edizione Properties Developer: CBRE Group Operator: Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts Architecture and Interior Design: Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel www.bulgarihotels.com

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by appointment only.

Citterio Patricia Viel will oversee the project’s

“We are particularly proud to have secured

architecture and interior design, which will

such an extraordinary location for the new

blend Roman heritage with the contemporary

Bvlgari Hotel in Rome,” comments Jean-

and timeless Bvlgari style. A Latin inscription

Christophe Babin, Bvlgari CEO. “This hotel

on the building’s façade, reading ‘This is the

represents a remarkable achievement for Bvlgari

place where the Emperor Augustus’ soul flies

that will finally have its own ‘temple’ right in

through the air’, highlights the ruler’s vision,

the city where the company was founded.”

Riggs Hotel Washington, DC

DRAWING BOARD

The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa WYOMING

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Ron Harrison Architecture: Rowland + Broughton Architecture www.rustyparrot.com

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Following its destruction in a 2019 fire, The

“After a nationwide search, Rowland +

Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa in Jackson, Wyoming,

Broughton’s deep portfolio proved that they

has announced early details of its rebuild.

are capable of capturing the residential feel we

Designed by Rowland + Broughton Architecture,

wanted,” comments General Manager Brandon

a new 50,500ft2, three-storey, 40-key structure

Harrison. “They have the technical expertise

is currently awaiting approval ahead of a Spring

from hotel design experience and the bonus

2022 opening.

of experience in historic hotel renovations

“While the structure was completely lost,

and preservation of western architecture. The

the spirit lives strong,” comments owner Ron

team’s responsiveness to the intent and design

Harrison, who is leading the rebuild with his

guidelines has been impressive.”

son, Brandon. “The design team at Rowland

Sarah Broughton, Principal at Rowland +

+ Broughton understands how important that

Broughton, adds: “Being entrusted with the

notion is within a mountain resort community.”

opportunity to work with the Harrisons to bring

Emphasising natural materials including

this iconic lodge back to the Jackson community

wood and stone, the hotel’s exterior portion

is truly an honour. As a team, we acknowledge

will feature references to the original structure

the importance of recapturing much of the

whilst allowing the new façade to blend into the

ethos of the original structure. Maintaining

surrounding area.

distinctive exterior materials and giving a nod

The rusty parrot sculpture, which became

to previous design details will ensure that the

something of a mascot for the property, will

structure relates to its past as it moves forward

also be restored.

as a legacy project.”

DRAWING BOARD

El Nido Beach Spa & Resort PALAWAN

The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts has announced

With a focus on adventure, the resort will

the signing of El Nido Beach Spa & Resort, set

offer guests ‘Curated Journeys’ – the group’s

to open on the white sandy beaches of Palawan

bespoke travel itineraries. Exclusive to El Nido

Island, Philippines in 2022. Once completed, the

is the Adventure Park featuring alpine slides,

10-hectare beachfront estate will feature 96 pool

nature park stairs, rock gardens, fountain

villas with tropical ocean views, an adventure

ponds, a butterfly garden and a cable car.

park, dive centre, unique dining experiences and signature spa and wellness facilities.

“The new resort truly embodies our

bedroom villa with staged payments throughout

philosophy of delivering unique experiences to

the build. Buyers can expect guaranteed rental

our guests,” says Gordon Oldham, founder and

returns along with up to four weeks’ free usage

owner of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts. “We’re

per year, as well as Pavilions Hotels & Resorts

also very excited to be the first international

owners global benefits.

luxury resort brand in El Nido.”

Scot Toon, Managing Director, Asia, The

Featuring a mix of one- and two-bedroom

Pavilions Hotels & Resorts, comments: “El Nido

villas, as well as 20 Maldivian-style over-

is a rising star in island destinations within

water villas – each with private plunge pools

Asia. We’re looking forward to offering our

and direct access to the ocean where guests can

guests the opportunity to imbibe all that the

snorkel the house reef – the development is to

island has to offer.”

be built with minimal environmental impact and sustainability in mind.

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The resort also offers investment opportunities with prices starting from US$239,000 for a one-

A L L A P ERTO BY MATTEO THUN & ANTONIO RODRIGUE Z

Showroom L o n d o n , C h e ls e a H a r b o u r d e s i g n c e n t r e / M i l a n / Pa r i s / R o m e / C a n n e s ethimo.com

DRAWING BOARD

Lux* Grand Baie Resort & Residences MAURITIUS

Lux Resorts & Hotels has unveiled plans for a

kitchen, with a personal chef and butler on

new flagship property in Mauritius, set to open

standby. Guests can opt to spend days at their

in October 2021. Located on the north of the

own private pool and sun deck or visit one of

island, Lux* Grand Baie Resort & Residences will

the resort’s three communal swimming pools.

blend seamlessly into its tropical surroundings,

Elsewhere, Beach Rouge will serve locally

with interiors by British designer Kelly Hoppen

sourced cuisine for breakfast, lunch and

combining a neutral colour palette, elegant soft

dinner; Ai Kisu will offer Asian cuisine, with

textures and wooden accents.

an accompanying nightclub hosting sets from

The main complex will comprise 86 suites

international DJs and native musicians alike; ICI

and eight two-bedroom villas with private

will create artisanal homemade dairy and vegan

swimming pools, while an additional 24 luxury

ice creams, sorbets and popsicles; and Café Lux

residences will be connected via a footbridge.

will brew fresh organic own-blend coffee.

All rooms are set to overlook a sheltered beach

The hotel’s adults-only rooftop area, with

and lagoon, with floor-to-ceiling windows and

views of the Indian Ocean, will also be home

terraces maximising the views of Grand Baie.

to a 30m infinity pool surrounded by cabanas

To increase sleep wellness, the design team

and natural greenery, while additional facilities

has also collaborated with an acoustics expert

include Bisou, an inventive raw restaurant and

to eliminate external noise in the suites.

bar; a cookery school showcasing Mauritian

Spanning 420m 2, meanwhile, the threebedroom Beachfront Lux* Villa will offer direct access to the beach and features a fully equipped

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Operator: Lux Resorts & Hotels Interior Design: Kelly Hoppen Interiors www.luxresorts.com

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cuisine; and an open-air wellness space for meditation and yoga classes.

BAULMANN LEUCHTEN GMBH | P.O. BOX 11 54 | 59831 SUNDERN (GERMANY) FON: +49 (0) 2933 8 47 - 0 | WEB: BAULMANN.COM | INSTAGRAM: BAULMANN_LEUCHTEN ANZEIGE_BAULMANN_2020_09_01.indd 1

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DRAWING BOARD

Nor Hotel

Bergman Interiors has revealed renderings of

Inspired by the country’s many glaciers, the

a new seven-star spa hotel in Norway, which

spa draws strong reference from the movement of

NORWAY

will offer uninterrupted views of the Northern

the natural phenomena, celebrating its smooth,

Lights thanks to its remote Arctic location.

curvilinear forms. The soft flow of water will

The property will celebrate the refined metal

be re-interpreted as an artistic and functional

detailing and carvings of ancient Norwegian

ceiling installation concealing ventilation and

crafts, and reference elements of the surrounding

lighting, while a poolside relaxation area will

landscape through a rich base palette. Taking on

combine a timber floor and hand-carved timber

a sophisticated residential feel, lodge villas will

panels, which will clad structural columns and

be decorated with handcrafted timber panelling,

form a colonnade along the length of the space.

curated art pieces, feature lighting and open fireplaces framed by exotic stone.

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“We immersed ourselves in history and then snapped back to the 21st century; adapting,

In the main block of the hotel meanwhile,

reinventing and applying some of our many

guests will find a reception, bar and a Michelin-

influences with clever detailing, layering of

starred restaurant. Separated from the reception

materials or simply being inspired by the

by way of custom-designed screens honouring

seasonal colours found in nature,” says Kirstin

traditional Norwegian metal work, the

King, Design Director at Bergman Interiors.

restaurant will use a fully glazed sloping glass

“The aim was to create elegant interiors with

wall and anti-glare light fittings to guarantee

a simplicity in design that celebrates and

guests a full spectrum of the Aurora Borealis

maximises the views, bringing the outside in

without any interior reflections to distract.

through the use of local materials and textures.”

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Meeting…

Liran Wizman Sleeper sits down with the founder of Sircle Collection to talk rebrands, reimaginings and reopenings.

Words: Kristofer Thomas

L

ike most, Liran Wizman’s 2020 has

The Sircle story began in 2006 with the

been one of change, though even

acquisition of Park Hotel Amsterdam – an early

before Covid-19 forced the Sircle

20th century building in a prime spot between

Collection founder to temporarily

Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark reimagined by

shutter his hotels and step into the

FG Stijl – though by this time, Tel-Aviv-born

unknown, transformation had been

Wizman had already turned heads with the

afoot. Sircle Collection – formerly Europe

founding of Grand City Hotels Group in 2001; a

Hotels Private Collection – entered the new

hotel management company that quickly grew

decade with a new identity to boot; a rebrand

to become one of Europe’s largest.

that was as much about fresh beginnings as it

Previously a lawyer and economist before his

was the reimagined logo, name, website and

shift into hospitality development, Wizman’s

guest portal. Drawing inspiration from the

keen sense for potential, feasibility and the

group’s Sir Hotels brand – arguably its flagship

intricacies of a restless market have seen his

label with hotels in Berlin, Amsterdam, Ibiza

portfolio evolve to become one of the more

and Barcelona – the collection unites these

curated in the region. But while Park Hotel

with properties under the Max Brown and Park

Amsterdam – now Park Centraal Amsterdam

Centraal banners, as well as three F&B concepts

– was far from his first hotel in the industrial

and an extensive archive of artwork.

sense, it marked his first steps into the design

“It’s all connected, and shares the same DNA, so we wanted to bring it together and treat it as

side of hotel life – the culmination of a longstanding draw to the creative process.

such,” Wizman explains. “As a name, I think

“From the first moment we started working

Sircle really says a lot – it’s something we’ve

with hotels as investors, the idea that you could

managed to bring together as one family, to

truly turn around these properties with a bit of

connect all those dots.”

attention was a big draw for me,” he explains.

MEETING…

© Amit Geron

MEETING…

Sir Hotels fuse the comfort of a luxury project with the neighbourhood feel of something more affordable and authentic

“Seeing Park Centraal Amsterdam come together drew me in even more, and since then I’ve really liked to focus on design.”

Following the launch of this property and the formal beginnings of the collection in 2011, Wizman looked to emphasise this new focus with the announcement of the group’s first original brand in Sir Hotels – a label that would fuse the comfort of a luxury project with the neighbourhood feel of something

“For me, a hotel is something that needs to serve the neighbourhood and the city as much as it does the guest.”

preeminent hospitality figure, with a collection spanning multiple experiences, aesthetics and price points across the Dutch capital.

Four years of expansion – Sir stepped into Germany and Ibiza with Nikolai and Joan respectively, whilst Max Brown left home to set up in Vienna and Berlin – bring us up to the rebrand, with the threads all tied together to face the new decade. Alongside this, Wizman has also developed the aforementioned The Entourage

more affordable and authentic. Having adopted

Group with Yossi Eliyahoo – a hospitality-

Amsterdam as both his home and headquarters,

focused signature F&B turnkey solution

and made his mark on its market with both Park

responsible for The Butcher burger restaurant

Centraal Amsterdam and Momo – the latter

at Sirs Adam, Joan and Savigny, as well as the

the acclaimed Asian restaurant envisioned

Michelin star Duchess at W Hotel Amsterdam

under the F&B-focused The Entourage Group

in the former KAS Bank building, Mr Porter

moniker with Yossi Eliyahoo – Wizman’s first

outposts in Amsterdam and Barcelona, and

signature hotel translated the “big town”

Izakaya Asian Kitchen & Bar at Sir Joan in Ibiza.

feeling of Amsterdam into a property that

As much as design, the presence of a destination

tapped decidedly into its local community.

restaurant or F&B concept underscores many of

“For me, a hotel is something that needs to

the collection’s projects, playing into both the

serve the neighbourhood and the city as much

rise of hotel F&B and the desire to bring locals

as it does the guest,” he notes. “If you can have

and guests together under one roof.

a collection of spaces within your hotel where

“If you’re doing a restaurant in a hotel, I think

locals and guests can mix, then it can help you

it needs to be very defined – sticking to the brand

look at it as a destination within the city as

Lissoni was the right person because he’s a local

and identity, but with each element having its

opposed to just a venue.”

hero and he understands the market, whilst for

own,” Wizman notes. “A good example for me

Occupying a former diamond-cutting factory

Sir Adam (Amsterdam) we thought the way

is in Sir Victor, Barcelona, where we had a lot

– a fitting debut for a collection of reimagined

building looked out onto the water reminded

of space to work with and decided to create

gems – the 90-key Sir Albert was designed by

us of the Hudson River, so we brought in ICrave

Mr Porter; it’s clearly a standalone venue with

Baranowitz + Kronenberg to channel old world

from New York. We’ve been fortunate because

its own character, but also contributes to the

luxury with industrial leanings. Having worked

it’s always felt very natural.”

hotel. Here we also have the rooftop bar, again

with the duo for Momo, Wizman forged a strong

As such, each of the group’s hotels highlights

with its own branding. The borders are set, and

working relationship that would see them

a sense of character – those distinct identities

whilst you must be flexible elsewhere, I feel it’s

collaborate again for Sirs in Berlin (Savigny),

within the Sir catalogue as well as the youthful,

good to have a bit of competition between the

Barcelona (Victor) and Ibiza (Joan).

welcoming personality of Max Brown, the

managers of the different venues, which drives

“It’s a very personal process to work with a

third brand in the group’s offer. Intended as

them to maximise their territory.”

designer, because you need to speak the same

a back-to-basics alternative aimed at the

Though the rebranding of Sircle Collection

language,” Wizman adds. “When selecting

younger end of the market, the 2014 launch of

has rightly predicted an era that hotel character,

designers, we look at who has done work in

the label’s Amsterdam Canal District hotel and

branding and identity will drive engagement

the city, and then what the city needs. In Milan

2016’s Museum Square project and Sir Adam

and profit, there were few, however, who

(for the upcoming Edition, due in 2022), Piero

established Wizman as perhaps the city’s

foresaw that the entire sector would soon be

047

MEETING…

© Amit Geron

Blending elements of the modern steakhouse with those of a chic lounge, Mr Porter at Barcelona’s Sir Victor is the second outpost of its kind from The Entourage Group

048

in crisis. With the group’s primary focus lying

“This pandemic has shown us that personal

in a hospitality industry that would be forced

space should be prioritised even more,” Wizman

to close for a large part of the year, or else

states. “We want to give our guests the feeling

significantly reduce or transform its operations,

that they are extra safe and comfortable when

the risks were prominent.

they stay with us. We already have hotels with

Far from resigning the hotels to dormancy,

terrific public spaces that allow you to find a

however, the response to the most stringent

private nook, but still feel like you’re in the

lockdown measures saw Amsterdam’s Sir Albert

middle of the action. However, now I think we’ll

hosting healthcare workers, whilst Max Brown

need to incorporate this feeling into all of our

Canal District collected board games for the

future spaces.”

elderly. Elsewhere, the group’s Prints Without

In looking to the future of the group, Wizman

Borders initiative saw the company raise funds

concludes: “The keyword will be flexibility.

for Médecins Sans Frontières via the sale of

We realise that we really don’t know what the

prints sourced from the group’s very own

future will bring. 2020 has turned the entire

collection and hotels.

world on its head, and while we were always

Now beginning to emerge from the other side

nimble, we believe that this flexibility must

with the reopening of its portfolio and plans

permeate through every part of the experience.

to unveil Park Centraal The Hague later this

Whether its flexibility in terms of what the room

year and Berlin’s second Sir Hotel in 2021, the

can do for you, or flexibility in the booking

company will further trial tweaks including

policies. We understand that people need to

the total private booking of Sir Joan and the

book, cancel, work or stop and have fun on a

reorientation of guestrooms into office spaces to

whim, and we’re ready to make that as easy as

cater for the needs of a new working landscape.

possible for them.”

Š Camillerieparismode - Brian Grech

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

Meeting…

Forth Bagley Taking home a four-award haul at AHEAD Asia 2020 for Rosewood Hong Kong, Kohn Pedersen Fox Principal Forth Bagley sits down with Sleeper to talk defining skylines and guilt-free luxury.

Words: Kristofer Thomas

PROFILE Forth Bagley Principal Kohn Pedersen Fox

How did you approach creating a flagship for

almost impossible to build something of that height

Rosewood in its home city?

and density so close to the water again. From the

It was an interesting project that was tied to a much

very beginning, this idea pushed us towards an

broader urban regeneration plan by the owner,

architecture that didn’t call attention to itself.

Having joined New York-based Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) in 2005, Forth Bagley has overseen some of the most prominent urban development projects around the world, including Manhattan’s Hudson Yards and Hong Kong’s Victoria Dockside.

involving the repositioning of The Avenue of the

We completed The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong a

Stars and the introduction of a mixed-use lifestyle

number of years ago, where the aim was to create

district at the tip of the Kowloon Peninsula. This has

a new piece of the skyline and a business-facing

traditionally been a tourist trap, and one of those

destination, but for Rosewood we were explicitly

areas all cities have where locals don’t really go.

trying to take a very big building and break it down

The firm’s hand in designing Rosewood Hong Kong was recognised with a quartet of AHEAD Asia 2020 awards, naming the flagship project’s bar, restaurant, Corner Suite and ballroom event space as the region’s finest.

Upcoming projects: The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Dubai (2020); Mandarin Oriental Tel Aviv (2023); Rosewood Shanghai (2024)

The charge for Rosewood Hong Kong was really a

into a number of components. Every project is

wider urban proposition: how do you create a public

different of course; for Rosewood Bangkok it was

neighbourhood that locals want to keep returning

about creating an iconic piece of architecture that

to? A lot of this thinking was really informed by

would stand alongside the commercial corridor’s

our work on Covent Garden, where for 20 years

existing buildings, whilst in Guangzhou it was de-

we’ve been looking to gradually reposition the

constructing the notion of a totally symmetrical

neighbourhood into a place that residents want to

tower and adding some visual interest.

hang around.

Every time we approach these buildings, the ask

The Avenue of the Stars in Hong Kong is similar,

on the skyline is different, and you have to look at

and we talked with the operator about how we could

it not in ten-year increment but in centuries; these

create a hotel that does the same kind of thing: to

buildings leave cultural memories and can take

change the demographic in the lobby away from

society in certain directions.

tourists to include locals and residents as well.

How have you seen the APAC region evolve during When taking on large-scale projects that alter a

your time at KPF?

city’s skyline, what elements do you consider?

Throughout the history of the hotel room, there has

In the context of Rosewood Hong Kong, it’s probably

been an attempt to replicate a living or bedroom

the tallest building ever constructed that close to

space – something you might find in a house. The

the harbour, and will likely remain that way thanks

work we did with Hyatt in Tokyo and the Mandarin

to the zoning. The project itself was a renovation

Oriental in Hong Kong back at the start of the

off the back of an older envelope, and it would be

millennium was an attempt not just to separate

051

MEETING…

“There has been a significant redefenition of what luxury means, reorienting it towards a level of comfort as opposed to the traditional glitz and glamour.”

hotel from house, but to elevate the hotel into

Yards the iPhone hadn’t been invented, so in

climate and the aesthetic legacy of these places

an experience you could never imagine having

the space of that project we not only saw its

- themselves often intuitive responses to issues

at home.

invention, but its adoption as a ubiquitous form

of sustainability.

At that moment in time there was a conscious decision by many operators to switch the

of communication and entertainment, and all the change it brought with it.

paradigm, leading to this current boom in style.

In this sense, you’re now starting a project

are to incorporate smart technology into both

This was also tied to economic growth in China

from such a different place than you were 10

hotel rooms and hotel experiences, which can

that remains unparalleled in human history,

years ago, and in hotels this is especially true.

only have a positive environmental effect on

which has kind of become the driving force for a

It’s not just about ease of entry now, but creating

the buildings. In the reverse, it’s also about

lot of luxury brands. The confluence of those two

spaces in which people want to linger. Time is

consumption without guilt. In the next 10 years

things has influenced a lot of what we’ve seen in

becoming the most valuable commodity – if you

I would expect more emphasis on this idea, as

the last 20 years, and this will continue as well.

can pull people away from their phone or work

well as brands emerging that are totally focused

for just a minute then those projects tend to be

on the sustainable lifestyle.

What kind of design trends do you think will

viewed as successful.

drive the market in coming years?

In this industry we all fly, and lots of us feel terrible about it. An obvious development in

There has already been a significant redefinition

How did you apply this to your recent projects?

that sense would be airline and hotel operators

of what luxury means, reorienting it towards a

We were very conscious of not only creating

working to create a platform for consumption

level of comfort as opposed to the traditional

moments of beauty that people could record

where you feel simultaneously rejuvenated and

glitz and glamour. Some people just don’t have

and memorialise, but also cohesive experiences

guilt-free. I can’t really think of a greater luxury

the time to devote days to consuming luxury

that you really had to be in the place to fully

than that.

in the same way they used to, so now they’re

appreciate. Whether that meant the content

looking for comfort.

would change periodically with spaces that could

What does KPF have in the pipeline?

We started to see how this could work during

rotate and move, or whether the visuals were just

We’re working on a few of projects around the

our work on Rosewood Hong Kong, and how it

so special that this would be the only place to

world at the moment. We have The Royal Atlantis

has started to affect other elements. Electronics

see them, there was always the goal of creating

in Dubai set for completion next year; a Mandarin

for example, and the simplification of interfaces

a hotel that when someone said they’re going to

Oriental in the Mediterranean, and a couple of

- there’s one button for the blinds, one for the

Hong Kong then they would be recommended the

Rosewood properties in store too.

lights. Hotel guests are being asked to make

Rosewood without a second thought.

so many decisions every day, and the more

052

What I’ve noticed over the past five years in our work is just how eager owners and operators

2019 was a very strong year for us, and we came into 2020 on the back of openings like

the operator can reduce that, and simplify

How do you think the issues of sustainability

Park Hyatt Shenzhen and Rosewood Hong Kong,

an experience for the better, the more it will

and environmentalism will develop?

as well as the Rosewoods in Guangzhou and

resonate with the audience.

The conversations we’ve been having with

Bangkok, Bulgari Hotel Beijing, The Mandarin

operators and owners have been much more

Oriental Beijing and Aman Tokyo. The Aman has

How has technology played into the role of

urgent. 30 years ago people were building very

been open for a couple of years now, but it really

hospitality architecture?

universal responses to the hotel. You could go

set the tone for this group of projects.

Whilst hotels are competing with each other,

from Calgary to Tel Aviv and sometimes see

there is also a competition going on between

the same design. So with the emergence of the

physical spaces and digital applications. This is

sense of place philosophy, and the emphasis

a broader trend, but important because it shows

on mixed-use projects where the hotels are

what we’re asking architecture to do has been

integrated into 24-hour functions, we’ve seen a

elevated. When we started work on Hudson

rise in architecture that’s actually responsive to

THE LOBBY

Happy Campers After months spent in lockdown, the nation was undoubtedly

“We knew a lot of our guests were still weary to travel

in need of a break this summer, but for many, it was too soon

into cities, so we put our heads together and thought, let’s

to book a stay in the city. Thankfully, those clever folk at The

give them all the things they love about The Hoxton in the

Hoxton came to the rescue, opening a Hoxton-style camping

countryside,” says Sharan Pasricha, founder and CEO of

experience in rural Oxfordshire.

Ennismore. “The project gave everyone the opportunity to

Set in the grounds of the Grade II-listed Eynsham Hall,

escape to the great outdoors for a couple nights, and then

Camp Hox ran through August and comprised 12 lotus tents

spend a night with us in London at one of our three Hoxton

kitted out with a proper bed topped with duvets and pillows,

hotels whenever they’re ready to hit up the city again.”

greenery from Patch, and electricity to power a Roberts Radio

Although the camp was located close to Blenheim Palace,

and coffee-making facilities. Campers were also given access

Oxford and Stratford-Upon-Avon, guests were encouraged

to their own lockable washroom with hot shower and toilet.

to explore the surrounding countryside on foot, heading out

Available to book per tent or as a site takeover, ‘Hoxfordshire’ treated guests to breakfast bags each morning, a fridge stocked

for a ramble or borrowing one of the Temple Bikes available free-of-charge.

with goodies, and a bottle of Altano natural wine on arrival, as

Naturally, deep cleaning took place between each stay, but

well as an outdoor pour-your-own Graham’s Port and tonic

that wasn’t to take away from the experience, which immersed

bar, a BBQ with all the necessary cooking equipment, and a

guests in the great outdoors without compromising on the

free pot-washing service – meaning no-one had to worry

comforts of a luxury hotel.

about doing the washing up.

000

THE LOBBY

© Alex Filz

Italian Pastoral

056

As part of an ongoing expansion of South

The entrance to the spa is through a portal

Tyrol’s Apfelhotel Torgglerhof, noa* (Network

made from reclaimed timber, set within a curved,

of Architecture) has been working to bring the

semi-exposed concrete shell that tucks into the

rural spa hotel in line with the vision of its new

contours of the land. Inside, a central drinking

generation of owners.

fountain made from natural stone sits alongside

Having won a competition to design a multi-

a spacious lounge with open fireplace, as well as

stage expansion to the existing structure in

beauty and massage therapy rooms. An indoor-

2014, noa* has since overseen alterations to

outdoor infinity pool also passes through the

the project’s main building, as well as the

green façade, the connecting transition framed

establishment of a restaurant within an exterior

with Lucerne metamorphic gneiss rock.

shed and a series of 18 new guestrooms. Now

An adults-only area on the upper floor,

the studio has revealed its latest creation – a

meanwhile, features a Finnish sauna and

dedicated wellness facility designed to harmonise

cave-like steam bath, as well as a terrace with

with the surrounding landscape.

an outdoor shower. Characterised by curved

Billed as the new centrepiece to the resort,

wooden slats with large windows looking over

the building housing the spa has no north face;

the apple fields from which the hotel takes its

instead it seamlessly blends into a natural green

name, the upper floor also offers direct access

slope so that it is barely visible. To the southside,

to the Apfelsauna – an apple-shaped chamber

a glass and steel façade sits beneath a canopy

with a curving open staircase leading down to

draped in greenery and fragrant jasmine.

the hotel’s lushly landscaped gardens.

The smart choice. Everywhere.

Smart KNX-technology, international socket systems, refined design: installations from JUNG offer maximum comfort and flexible solutions for travelers from all over the world.

JUNG-GROUP.COM

JUNG_AZ_Bedsidepanel_USB_G+I_Hotel_236x275mm_EN.indd 1

03.08.20 11:52

THE LOBBY

Back to the Drawing Board Artist Sam Wood honours the signature style of David Collins Studio in a new series of hand-drawn sketches.

In celebration of its 35th anniversary, David Collins

inspired, challenged, and excited by a unique and

Studio has released a collection of illustrations

special project,” explains Rawlings. “You have

showcasing the best of its hospitality, residential

to ensure that each opportunity receives its own

and retail projects from around the world. Hand-

distinct vision, an idea that can be built as an

drawn by London-based artist Sam Wood, the

interior which will forever be iconic, successful

sketches honour the elegant and timeless

and enjoyed by many. By striving for layered

signature style of the firm, which was founded

perfection, perfect balance, and operational

by visionary designer David Collins in 1985.

obsession, we ensure that we give each and every

Featured projects include London institutions

interior the time it deserves. This approach has

The Wolseley and The Delauney, as well as The

never changed. And never will. The last 35 years

Connaught Bar, designed in 2008 to feature a

has seen us collaborate with a very special group

palette of platinum and pastels grounded by

of clients. Those who want to invest in great

distinctive British racing green and tobacco

design, on the understanding it will stay with

brown. Also presented in sketch form are Artesian

them. The understanding that doing something

at The Langham, Delaire Graff Estate in South

really thoughtfully means a lot more effort. 35

Africa, and The American Bar at Gleneagles,

years of iconic, timeless creations, and there are

Scotland, following its 2016 refurb.

plenty more to come.”

Since David’s untimely death in 2013, the studio has been guided by founding member and CEO Iain Watson, together with Creative Director Simon Rawlings. “As a designer I am always

058

Great British carpet since 1968

Creating beautiful carpets and rugs for the hotel and leisure sector.

Burnham Beeches – Laura Ashley Hotels

Proudly designing and manufacturing quality carpet since 1968.

w: newheycarpets.co.uk t: +44 (0)1706 846 375

Neil Holroyd Studio Publication: Sleeper

Issue: 92

Page size: 236 x 275mm;

Subject content: Burnham Beeches

Date: 21-08-2020

Print Deadline: 21-08-2020

Job Number: NEW-1062

Project Manager: Emma Whitehead, Newhey

Revision Number: Artwork

THE LOBBY

Carte Blanche If you could create a hotel room with very little

features; the bed is made from doors and a coat

restriction, what would it look like? That’s the

rack now acts as a lamp. Vibrant red, blue and

question Amsterdam’s Volkshotel put to ten

yellow tones were then added to reflect the street

emerging creatives last summer, as they pitched

colours where the items were found.

their proposals for new guestroom designs at the 177-key property in the city’s east district.

The two winning designers were given the

room has been adorned with intricate patterns

opportunity to make their concepts a reality and

and textures thanks to designer Arno Hoogland’s

the results are certainly unique – one taking

woodworking expertise. From the temple bed – a

its inspiration from waste on the streets of the

raised platform with a beautifully carved base –

Dutch capital, the other exhibiting a series of

guests can marvel at the tiling on the bathtub,

intricate woodworking techniques.

which conceals Amsterdam’s coat of arms, or

Channelling the notion that one man’s trash is

admire views across the Amstel river.

another man’s treasure, Lost & Found breathes

“In my work I like to appeal to the wondrous

new life into previously discarded items, with

nature of the user, so that people look at it and

designer François Duquesnoy leaving the details

think, how was this made?” says Hoogland. And

of the concept to chance by roaming the streets

perhaps he’s right, perhaps we have lost touch

of Amsterdam on the hunt for furnishings and

with the provenance of materials and the value

decorative accessories.

of craft. What both of these guestrooms show is

Duquesnoy was inspired by the unanticipated materials and used them to create bespoke

060

A stay in The Businessman’s Trip is one guests won’t forget either, as almost every surface in the

that the future of sustainable design lies in the ability to reduce, reuse and recycle.

A

ccording to data from STR, Europe’s

daily, with rates up to 50% less than the norm

hotel occupancy was down by a dramatic

and complimentary access to high-speed Wi-

73% in June. The seismic loss of appetite

Fi, dining credits, printing facilities and fitness

for travel caused by Covid-19 has undoubtedly

centres. The scheme has been rolled out at almost

taken its toll on hotels across the globe, but the

all of the brand’s city hotels worldwide, including

enforced shift towards remote working could

properties in New York, Paris, Geneva, Munich,

yet play into their hands, with an increasing

Barcelona, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore.

need for safe, accessible workspaces that offer

Meanwhile in Brooklyn, Wythe Hotel has joined

on-demand flexibility. As such, hotel groups

forces with workplace designer Industrious to

have begun renting rooms as daytime offices for

convert a selection of loft-style guestrooms into

remote workers, helping to recover lost revenue

private office suites for up to four employees.

while keeping people a safe distance apart.

Spanning the entire second floor, the spaces

Accor – whose recent research found that

are designed to support maximum productivity

29% (5.5 million) of respondents were finding it

while delivering personalised hospitality in a safe

hard to switch off from work with no separation

environment. Each is equipped with a private

between home and the office – has launched the

outdoor space, Wi-Fi and unlimited digital access

WFH: Working From Hotel With demand at an all-time low, hotels are tapping into the remote working trend by renting guestrooms as private offices.

Hotel Office concept, enabling its customers to

to The New York Times, together with printing

use rooms for work at 250 hotels in the UK and 70

services, a smart TV, and free coffee and pastries.

across Northern Europe, with further expansion

Contactless check-in also allows for seamlessly

due over the coming months.

safe entry upon arrival.

The service can be booked for a single-day or

“The companies that best navigate the future

five-day package, with rates typically cheaper

of work are going to be the ones that put choices

than an average overnight stay. Guests can also

in their employees’ hands, including the choice

earn points towards the Accor Live Limitless

of where and how they do their job best. So we’re

programme, enjoy the in-room amenities

thrilled to partner with Wythe Hotel to offer more

throughout the day and (subject to availability)

flexible office space that helps meet that demand,

make use of hotel facilities.

and meet it right now,” says Jamie Hodari, co-

“With millions of people adapting to new ways

062

founder and CEO of Industrious.

of working we have been inspired to support this

And the list goes on, with Rosewood, Zoku and

trend by offering a unique office experience,

Raffles just a few names among many who are

blending the need for quiet dedicated working

marketing the office-away-from-home-office

spaces with all the convenience and amenities

concept as a means of regaining some of the

of a hotel,” comments James Wheatcroft, Vice

income lost since the turn of the year.

President of Marketing, Accor Northern Europe.

The hospitality sector couldn’t have predicted

Looking to provide a similarly flexible

the extent to which Covid-19 would slam the

working solution, Mandarin Oriental’s Working

brakes on its operations, but what it has shown

from M.O. initiative allows businesspeople to

of late is that by pivoting swiftly, it can look

reserve guestrooms between 8am and 6pm

towards the post-pandemic era with promise.

‘Spice up your space’

The Candyland Collection of stools and storage

FORMITURA / +44 20 7795 3333 / Info@formitura.com

I

n the early 20th century following the outbreak

Designers will look to borrow from the

of tuberculosis, it is said that Modernist and

healthcare sector too, sourcing self-cleaning and

Minimalist interior design and architecture

antimicrobial fabrics that can be used for wall

spiked in popularity, largely due to the style of

and surface coverings, drapes and bedding, whilst

building allowing for more spacious interiors,

excess cushions and runners could be scrapped

clean lines, and less ‘clutter’. As hotel guests

altogether. A shift towards hard surface flooring

seek a hyperconscious level of cleanliness in

may see the erasure of rugs, deep-pile carpets

the current climate, will they once again show a

and porous surfaces, eliminating places for the

preference towards this ‘less is more’ approach

virus to hide. Manufacturers that already offer

in their choice of interiors?

smart and hygenic products will no doubt prove

Right now, in all walks of life, there has

popular with hotel designers and operators, and

been erasure. Whether this is on the streets,

those suppliers that have been able to amend

in supermarkets, cafés or hotels, objects have

their product lines will similarly benefit.

been removed to allow for more space and to

Coronavirus has forced the hospitality industry

make way for a more hygienic and healthy way

to respond as thoroughly and effectively as

of living, and designers are being challenged to

possible to ensure that the trust of the guest

Less is More Will designers have to express their flair through a Minimalist lens in a post-Covid world?

replace purely decorative items with a cleaner

is retained, which has subsequently revised

aesthetic to give guests peace of mind.

product technologies and interior styles. In a

Eclecticist and maximalist trends have seen

recent #SLEEPER2020 podcast episode hosted

decorative items used to excess in some of the

by Sleeper’s Editor-at-Large Guy Dittrich, Jean-

most luxurious hospitality projects across the

Michel Gathy, Principal Designer at Denniston,

globe. An abundance of objects, however, now

elaborated on this further, explaining that:

risk being seen as simply additional things that

“Because of coronavirus, hotels are going to

gather dust – and crucially germs – and require

be simpler, more zen. The design will become

extra cleaning. Minimalist approaches may come

paramount. With what we’re experiencing

into play, where designers will be forced to

now, interior designers are going to become

eliminate unnecessary items and make selections

more important; guests are going to look at the

that have the ability to enhance a guest’s physical

simplicity of a design in order to avoid nasty

and mental wellbeing.

corners where dust accumulates, where you can’t

In Asia, The Prince Hotel Hong Kong’s refurbishment plans were revised following Covid-19, after the operator, Marco Polo Hotels, decided the property needed to be more in tune with the inevitable future of the hospitality industry. Subsequently, the new design highlights greater spatial layouts, hard-surface flooring in place of carpets, and a smart use of materials that can be sanitised and cleaned easily.

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clean properly. I believe the simplicity of a design will come back into fashion.”

WHEN

GERMAN HOSPITALITY TRADITION Since 1985

www.aliseo.de

MIRRORS

MATTER

Birch CHESHUNT Former Ace Hotel London Managing Director Chris Penn and business partner Chris King plant the first flag for their new lifestyle brand in Hertfordshire.

Words: Guy Dittrich • Photography: © Adam Firman

B

irch captures the zeitgeist with a refreshing authenticity that effortlessly delivers on ideals of collaboration, locale, the new luxury of imperfection and ultimately

the creation of experience; a playful escape that speaks of craftsmanship, re-use and repair.

The hotel is reached up a long drive, the sort a grand country home deserves. Amidst the trees of its closely wooded flanks, a swing hangs teasingly, indicative of the goodhumour guests can expect. Birch (Handle.Silk.Comet), to use its full name, offers much. Drop-in bakery lessons anyone?

Join Tom and his four-legged friend for their morning tour of the farm? Perhaps a do-it-yourself barbeque at one of the several fire pits dotted around the grounds? Birch lifts the spirit with its feel-good atmosphere – the three postscript words in the name relate to the site using the nomenclature of What3Words’ location technology.

The 140-key property comprises a grand Georgian mansion, all red brick, turrets and towers overlooking a wide lawn. This is linked by The Hub, a co-working space, to a low-rise extension housing half of the guestrooms.

Countless meeting rooms are joined by pottery, music and art studios, a games room and screening room. There are two standalone units – the riding stables, a quadrangle including 31 guestrooms and fine-dining restaurant, The Zebra Riding Club. And then there is the wellness space, with an open gym finished in a fetching pale pink, plus spinning and exercise studios. All of this takes up just a small portion of the 55-

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The design scheme speaks of craftsmanship, re-use and repair, with flaws celebrated and exposed surfaces unpolished

acre estate, which is being patiently returned back to a

herb gardens. Foraging is an obvious activation, but it

working farm by Tom Morphew, founder of Full Circle

is also a venue for wellness with outdoor boot camps

Farms. A lido within one of the estate’s walled gardens

and woodland weights. Greenery is important within

will be ready in time for next summer.

the hotel too; guestrooms have terrariums and large

Opened in August, Birch is the brainchild of co-

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plants provide screening in public spaces.

founders Chris King and Chris Penn. King is a serial

Shoreditch-based architects Red Deer were selected

entrepreneur and Penn an experienced hotelier who

to lead the design process, with co-founder Ciaran

launched one of the UK’s seminal hotels, Ace London,

O’Brien describing their approach as aiming to “touch

back in 2013. As a Great Britain triathlete and cross-

the earth lightly”. He talks of creating unique spaces

channel swimmer, Penn’s original plan for the site

through the use of original materials and skilled

was to create a sports hotel where guests would be

craftsmanship. “We like to add as little as we can

treated as elite athletes, but the location wasn’t right

with the maximum effect,” says O’Brien of a style

and so Birch was born; the property is managed by

that delivers real punch. Take the circular reception

Penn and King through Birch Hospitality on a 10-year

station, faceted in deep jade-green mirrored glass that

lease from owners Aprirose, who acquired it from

brightens a relatively dark room. More audacious is the

Starwood Capital in 2018.

mansion house staircase painted deep Yves Klein Blue,

The hotel is a few minutes north of London’s orbital

together with the showstopping orb of its glowing

M25 motorway; an audience in the region of 10 million

pendant lamp, Luna by In-es.artdesign, which leads

people are within a 75-minute drive. According to

O’Brien to nickname the space ‘blue moon’.

King, the aim is to offer the luxury of time as well as

The strongest aspect of the interiors is the crafted,

space, bringing together nature, wellness, art and food

less-is-more appeal. “By engaging with craftspeople

with crossover effect. The estate has a farm-to-table

early on in the process, we were able to look at flaws

offer from chickens, pigs and sheep to vegetable and

more closely and see if there were stories that could

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All-day restaurant Valeries showcases table tops made from timber terrazzo by Foresso, a mix of wood chip waste and a bio-resin that gives a nougat-like effect

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be developed,” explains O’Brien, adding that plenty of

inspired by the patterns of daylight that ensure each

original materials are retained. Historic and cracked

room is unique. Double beds with elegant walnut

plaster has been exposed to reveal more recent

bases are by Curtis Furniture, while casework is

electrical chasing – “the past patina of failure shows

demountable following O’Brien’s maxim of touching

through,” notes O’Brien. Similarly, after the removal

the earth lightly. Wardrobes are replaced by valet

of several layers of flooring, the original tessellated

stands that epitomise the collaborative design process.

marble tiling at the entrance to all-day restaurant

Built around a base of sediment-cast plastics from

Valeries was discovered.

upcycler Charlotte Kidger is a wooden framework from

In such ways, the building has been allowed to speak

carpenter Jan Hendzel, to which a ceramic vase by

for itself. The approach could be viewed as merely

Louise Payne and metal bowl by Lucie Naujalis have

cost-saving, but the reality is that a few coats of paint

been added. This develops the local ethos Penn oversaw

or new floor treatment would be cheaper. The budget

at Ace. The original bathrooms were considered totally

has however been used carefully. The Japanese idea

viable and items were only replaced as required, with

of Kintsugi, which celebrates repair has also been

the main intervention being to spray paint tiles in

introduced. Damaged floorboards have been mended

pink, green and blue colourways.

with decorative copper patches nailed in place at a

Another cost-saving move was to retain power

cost of 50p each. Cracked floor tiles in Valeries are

socket locations. Twists of fabric-covered cabling

highlighted with an infill of sparkling gold resin too.

run exposed across the wall to Payne’s ceramic

Guestrooms in the new wing are relatively small

lampshades, which glow above bedside tables of

with low ceilings and have been decluttered to create

terrazzo or tree trunks from the estate. All the

a sanctuary free from TV, desk and minibar. Grey

lighting controls are surface-mounted, porcelain

concrete floors are softened with rugs and colour

toggle switches from Czech manufacturer Katy Paty.

blocks of pastel scattered across the walls; their shape

“They are so tactile that it is worth spending money on

them,” says O’Brien of yet another example of

retail port takes guests past the chicken coop

attention to detail that adds to the genuineness

to a growing orchard and herb garden that

of Red Deer’s design.

provides produce for The Zebra Riding Club,

FF&E is a mix of affordable new items

run by Irish chef Robin Gill. Named after the

such as the deck-chair seating in the cinema

animals that drew the carriage of the eccentric

with low-light Bicoca wireless table lamps by

Lady Valerie Meux, the last lady of the house,

Marset, along with soft furnishings by Concept

the barn-like structure welcomes diners with an

Contract and old or found items now restored.

array of seating options – lounge, banquettes

New are the table tops at Valeries, made from

and marble counters looking directly into the

timber terrazzo by Foresso, a conglomerate of

kitchen – while fabric pendants, brass wall

wood chip waste and a bio-resin that gives a

lamps and dark wood floors create cosiness.

nougat-like effect. Linen drapes and bed throws

Birch is a place to escape the demands of city

are unlined and unhemmed – the grounds team

life, and yet offers top-quality city experiences

trained to repair, rather than replace.

in terms of dining options and co-working

Artwork, curated in the main by Artiq, is

spaces. The variety of amenities appeal to all age

limited to public areas, while a tiled bar front at

groups and are suitable for business meetings

Links Bar will be pimped with a cartoon mural

and incentives. It is also about affiliation,

by Parisian illustrator Anna Ferrier. This bar

with carpenter Jan Hendzel describing it as

leads to The Hub, centred on the large circular

“collaboration of madness”. Penn agrees: “It

co-working Compass Table. Numerous private

is a madness but that is what makes it fun.” An

meeting rooms also line wide, sky-lit corridors

honest and genuine playground of wonderful

offering a variety of lounge and seating options.

experiences, light years away from the stuffy

A short stroll out past The Hub’s coffee and

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English country house hotel.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Aprirose Operator: Birch Hospitality Interior Design: Red Deer Art Consultant: Artiq Pillar Consultant: LRW Procurement: Benjamin West, Pure Fitout Contractors: Parkside, Mysons www.birchcommunity.com

LET’S FOCUS ON THE “WE” IN WELLBEING.

Chalet Anna Maria, Photographer Alex Kaiser, Austria

KOKON Corporate Campus, Liechtenstein

Courtesy of Faena Hotel, Miami Beach. Photographer Nik Koenig, USA

From the start of planning all the way to the finishing touches, we’re your partner of choice when it comes to bringing health-promoting sauna and spa solutions to life. Whatever your wishes are and whatever the spa trend is, together we can make it happen. After all, one thing is for sure: guests will be looking for a healthy lifestyle, more than ever before. And where better to find it than in the unique spa experience you offer?

Be inspired, discover your spa vision of the future at www.klafs.com

Bermonds Locke LONDON Sitting proudly in Bermondsey, Locke’s new outpost brings a touch of Southern Californian cool to the capital.

Words: Donna Salek • Photography: © Edmund Dabney

H

aving weathered the coronavirus storm far better than other sectors within the hospitality industry, extended-stay accommodations appear to be the

rising star amongst business travellers and holidaymakers; and for proof of their popularity, one need not look any further than Locke Hotels, who managed to keep almost all of its locations open throughout lockdown, and has pressed ahead to meet its opening date for Bermonds Locke – SE1’s new kid on the block.

Known for blending traditional apart-hotel formats with the design, F&B and programming of a lifestyle hotel, Locke has expanded rapidly in recent years throughout Europe, with a further seven properties in its pipeline, finding success in its laid-back luxury offering. Developed by Edyn, Locke creates destinations that inspire and connect through mindful design, and has typically worked with New York-based studio Gryzwinski + Pons for its past projects.

For Bermonds Locke, however, the hotel group appointed London-based firm Holloway Li, marking their first collaboration – a successful one, at that.

Bermonds Locke’s existing structure, originally built for use as an office building and described as having no regularised element to its floor plan, required much technical prowess to transform, for which the multidisciplinary studio’s architecture and interior design expertise proved to be a match. “Typically hotels have eight room categories,

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Large windows invite sunlight in, reflecting off the apartment walls and bringing the sunset colours to life

but in this one we have 143 guestrooms made

enter a generously sized open-plan space.

up of 53 unique types, meaning it was a huge

Creating a beacon above the check-in desk is a

challenge to deliver technically,” says Alex

glowing art installation representing the moon,

Holloway, the studio’s co-founder.

executed through the clever use of mirrors

Taking inspiration from the deserts of

inspired by Olafur Eliasson’s famous Weather

California, and nestled amongst the hubbub

Project installation at Turbine Hall, as well as

of Bermondsey Street, The Shard, Maltby

Phillip K. Smith’s art installation in Joshua Tree.

Street Market and Tower Bridge, Bermonds

“In the National Park, there’s a mirrored cabin

Locke has been designed as both a literal and

created by Phillip K. Smith that’s made from

figurative oasis in the capital city. The hotel’s

stratified mirrors,” explains co-founder Na Li

design takes inspiration from the Southern

of the artist’s 2013 project. “We really love the

California cool of Joshua Tree National Park

effect it created and we liked the idea of the

and the Mojave Desert – an idea that came to

moon and sun being a motif for Joshua Tree.”

the Locke team during an R&D trip. “The team

The open-plan space is also home to the

wanted to create an urban retreat that was a nod

co-working area, characterised by woven

towards Californian cultural themes,” Holloway

lampshades, industrial ceiling vents and exposed

confirms. “We wanted to stray from the typical

brickwork. Expertly crafted by Beck – who

references that hotels in the capital city make

completed the hotel’s fit-out to a high standard

by creating a new and exciting concept that sits

– concrete testing cubes destined for landfill

incongruously in the landscape of London’s

find new purpose as a plinth for six-metre long

scene. This gave us the chance to design with a

terrazzo-topped tables made from repurposed

little more imagination.”

materials – paying homage to nature, both in

Open up the doors at street level, and guests

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terms of aesthetic and sustainability. Adjacent

© Edmund Dabney

T H E DA I RY B E R M O N D S E Y, B E R M O N D S LO C K E , LO N D O N

Steel bars, typically used for reinforcing concrete, are cleverly used around guestroom beds to create a unique four-poster effect

meeting rooms, which will no doubt be popular amongst workers adjusting to life without offices, are sectioned off with animated corrugated glass – unofficially dubbed as ‘disco screens’ for their trippy illusions that, of course, are very much in keeping with the desert mirage theme.

Continuing from the lobby and co-working area is the hotel’s 58-cover bar and restaurant, which is decorated with sandy tones, terracotta, clay and an abundance of greenery.

Set to be led by a top chef – undisclosed at the time of writing – the F&B offering seeks to wow residents, draw in patrons from the streets, and make its mark amongst the area’s notorious food and drinks scene.

Lifts to the back of this space transport guests up to rooms arranged across floors that are defined by different colours and bring the gradient of the desert sunset to South London.

Lower floors are dipped in a selection of saturated pinks and oranges, whilst upper floors are decorated in blues, beiges and grey hues. In rooms, kitchenettes come with all the necessary appliances, together with cooking utensils and crockery. Large windows invite sunlight in, reflecting off the apartment walls and bringing the sunset colours to life. In rooms that are large enough to accommodate them, chunky concrete-looking seating booths, designed by Holloway Li

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and made in Turkey, are fashioned from resin

economy can generate a unique aesthetic and a

and defined by their rounded edges – a nod

new living experience.”

to London’s famous Routemaster bus; and in

Situated at ground-level, Bermonds Locke’s

others, the same ‘disco screens’ that appear

most exclusive accommodations are its

on the ground floor divide the space and add

generously sized, lofty ground-floor rooms,

another iridescent touch.

opening up onto outdoor bathtubs, and providing

Cleverly creating a design that worked

direct access to a courtyard that adjoins the

within budget, the designers explored the

lobby. Fit with a DJ booth, greenery, charming

brief in a material way that would allow

lights and comfortable outdoor seating, the

them to achieve a high-quality design using

space is ready and raring to welcome groups

unexpected construction materials. Holloway

for events once Covid allows.

explains: “For all the ironmongery, we used

It’s no easy feat for a hotel to slot into a region

steel reinforcement bars, which are typically put

as animated as Bermondsey and feel so instantly

inside concrete blocks to support them. We took

at home, but that’s just what this hotel does.

this and made them into intriguing features

Effortlessly becoming a staple hangout for locals

throughout the hotel.”

and a home-away-from-home for visitors,

One such smart application in the

Bermonds Locke captures the psychedelic

guestrooms are the frames that wrap around

experience of Joshua Tree, California – all from

the beds, creating a four-poster effect, finished

the comfort of South London.

with linen canopies that infuse old ideas of the concrete jungle with a new sense of sanctuary. Li adds: “By challenging the purpose of materials, we hope to highlight how a circular material

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EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner & Developer: Edyn Operator: Locke Hotels Investor: Brookfield Architecture: C+W O’Brien Architects Interior Design: Holloway Li Art Consultant: Artiq Procurement: Benjamin West Main Contractor: Beck Project Manager: Gardiner & Theobald www.lockeliving.com

It’s time we put #RetroFirst

Brownber House CUMBRIA The hoteliers behind Brownber Hall launch a new private hireplus offer overlooking the Howgill Fells.

Words: Catherine Martin Photography: © Jake Eastham

I

f there’s one type of accommodation that the

Walker however, closure wasn’t an option. In

UK does better than anyone, it’s the classic

2016, the duo left the stresses of London life

country house hotel. Set amongst rolling hills

behind and moved 300 miles north to realise

at the end of a winding lane, the archetypal

their dream of running a guesthouse. They

country pile with roaring log fire is a frequent

spent four years renovating and repositioning

sight in rural locations across the British Isles,

Brownber Hall – a Victorian mansion built

with many once occupied by aristocracy and

in the 1800s – and were in the midst of an

handed down through generations before

expansion project when Covid-19 took hold.

eventually being converted to hotel use. And

“We used lockdown as a time to rethink our

while the traditional look of heavy drapery,

offer,” explains Amanda. “Brownber Hall was

deep colourways and heady combination of

a small, very intimate hotel, so with the current

check and chintz may have served well in days

climate and people not being comfortable in

gone by, a new breed of hoteliers are favouring

public spaces, we were a nervous about being

a softer, lighter, more elegant aesthetic that has

able to reopen.”

effectively reinvented the country house hotel in recent years.

As it became clear they could no longer operate in the same way, Peter and Amanda made the

But when the global pandemic hit, the sub-

difficult decision to pivot to private rental, and

sector suffered more than most; what was

at the same time launch a second property in

originally a USP – cosy, intimate spaces that felt

Brownber House, which they acquired earlier

more like a living room than a lobby – became

this year. The four-bedroom farmhouse

a drawback, with prolonged social distancing

occupies the same estate as Brownber Hall,

measures forcing some to close their doors

overlooking the Howgill Fells and close to the

permanently. For Peter and Amanda Jaques-

market town of Kirkby Stephen. It was already

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The master bathroom features a freestanding bathtub by Claybrook, complemented by classic Burlington tapware

being run as self-catering accommodation, but Peter

A desire to cosy up in front of the fire resulted in two

and Amanda wanted to put their own stamp on it, and

wood-burning stoves in the property, while demand

so embarked on a full refurb. “We wanted to instil the

for a chair-with-a-view led to the addition of window

Brownber vibe,” says Peter, adding that there’s now

seats in every room; charming spots from which to

a harmony between the House and Hall. The look can

take in the countryside. The team also opted to remove

be best described as rustic luxury, as defined by the

the doors between kitchen and dining room, making

honest materials, nature-inspired colour palette and

for an open-plan layout that’s ideal for groups.

authentic charm. “The luxury we offer here is that you

“We aimed to create spaces that feel very homely

feel at home, relaxed and comfortable,” he continues.

and approachable, with good quality finishes that

“There’s a quality to the finishes and materials yet

are understated; they don’t feel too pretentious or

they’re simple and understated.”

precious,” continues Georgina. It’s the type of place

The interiors are the vision of Amanda’s sister, Georgina Rose, who previously worked with Soho

084

you can kick off your shoes and put your feet up without fear of ruining a cushion.

House, Make Architects and SCDA before setting up

Inspiration came in part from Georgina’s time at

her own studio. Georgina assisted on the design of

Soho House, with the designer opting for a layered

Brownber Hall remotely from Singapore, then moved

aesthetic that brings together an eclectic mix of

back to the UK earlier this year to take the lead on

furniture, fabrics and finishes. “We’ve sourced

Brownber House. “We wanted the two properties to

mainly from British suppliers and worked with locals,

feel related, but at the same time be unique,” she

including a local blacksmith artist, so there’s context

explains. “We knew from the outset that the House

to the palette,” she explains. The blacksmith in

would be self-catering and so built on what we created

question is in fact a local farmer who honed his skills

at the Hall based on the ways in which guests used the

fixing tractors; at Brownber he handcrafted the sturdy

various spaces.”

iron bed frames.

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There’s an upcycling element to the project too. Take

makes a statement atop marble mosaic tiles in blush

one of the sofas for example, which Peter and Amanda

pink. Classic Burlington tapware completes the look.

spruced up having found it close by to where they were

With demand for staycations at an all-time high,

living in Hackney. Or the armchair that once belonged

Brownber House has experienced a busy opening

to Amanda and Georgina’s grandmother, which has

month. Though Peter and Amanda were initially

been lovingly reupholstered at a small workshop in

apprehensive about pivoting to self-catering and

Keswick. Then there’s the cabinet of curiosities in the

missing out on the all-important guest interaction,

living room, a multi-drawer unit their parents had

they’ve come up with a solution that not only plays

for decades, which now houses all manner of books,

to the duo’s strengths, but brings further revenue.

games, DVDs and maps of the local area.

Offering what they call private-hire-plus, additional

Some pieces of furniture were found at auction;

F&B services include breakfast hampers, picnic baskets

others have been borrowed from Brownber Hall, or

and home-cooked meals, all made using local seasonal

inherited with the property and given a new lease of

produce. Having trained at Leiths, Amanda does the

life. Almost every piece has a story to tell. What started

majority of the cooking, while Peter has perfected his

out as necessity – having to work with what they had

sourdough, which comes freshly baked at breakfast

to a tight budget – has resulted in a certain charm

along with homemade preserve, eggs from the farm

that perhaps wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

and bacon from the local butcher. The meals – think

Even the elements that are all-new have character.

Longhorn Beef Bourguignon or Portobello Mushroom

The kitchen, from British Standard by Plain English, is

Wellington – can be prepared and left ready for guests

crafted from solid wood using traditional methods, and

to cook themselves, or via a full private catering

painted on site in a warming shade of sage green. Then

service, which has already proved popular with larger

there’s the master bathroom, where a freestanding

groups. Changing their business model was a risk, but

bathtub crafted from reconstituted stone by Claybrook

it would seem it’s paying off.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owners: Peter and Amanda Jaques-Walker Interior Design: Georgina Rose Studio www.brownber.co.uk

bespoke switches www.hoadandmore.com +44 (0)1525 222 364 info@hoadandmore.com

Suppliers of contemporary interior and exterior furniture and lighting Head Office, 11 Cecil Road, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA15 9NY T +44 (0) 161 926 9398 www.ps-interiors.co.uk sales@ps-interiors.co.uk

Hotel Brooklyn MANCHESTER Bespoke Hotels brings a taste of New York to the Cottonopolis, opening a Big Apple-inspired bolthole in the heart of the city.

Words: Ben Thomas Photography: Courtesy of Bespoke Hotels

M

anchester resonates with Brooklyn on

a restaurant and bar named after American

several fronts, from its industrial past

writer Damon Runyon, a mini cinema featuring

to its effervescent music scene. Culture

a projector and tiered seating in the lobby, and

and community are ever-present characteristics

a cosy lounge complete with blue velour sofas,

of both boroughs, not to mention the Victorian

an open fireplace and vinyl players spinning

architecture that lines the streets of each,

records from Mancunian artists.

standing as a testament to their history.

“Raw with a juxtaposition was the underlying

So when Bespoke Hotels unveiled plans to

design ethos, as we wanted to take cues from the

open a second property in the Cottonopolis

look and feel of its stateside namesake and blend

– following the arrival of Hotel Gotham in

that with Mancunian style,” Redfern continues.

2015 – longstanding design partners Squid

“The exposed concrete and steel structure of the

Inc immediately looked across the pond for

building formed the backbone to the interiors

inspiration. “Brooklyn is an eight-letter word

and from that we added layers, each becoming

for an aesthetic that layers décor from mixed

more refined and offering a sense of warmth –

periods and sources,” says Lead Interior

from red hand-thrown bricks to American Oak,

Designer, Oliver Redfern. “A palpable anti-

hand-blocked wallpaper, velvets and brass.”

slick, anti-corporate sensibility, a place where creativity and collaboration reign.”

Guests are immersed in this transatlantic fusion from the get-go; the lobby emulates a

Housed within a former bank on the city’s

Brooklyn avenue with its brick stone walls and

Portland Street, Hotel Brooklyn pays homage to

trees, while at once honouring Manchester’s

the New York suburb’s history from early 20th

Northern Quarter by way of mosaic floor

century to present day, channelling an urban

tiles. Beyond the reception area is The Stoop,

aesthetic throughout 189 loft-style guestrooms,

a grandstand-like structure – reminiscent of

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Reminiscent of townhouse steps in New York, The Stoop is a grandstand-like structure from which guests can watch movies on a big screen or enjoy a cocktail

townhouse steps in New York – where visitors

and offer diners an interactive experience whilst

can watch a movie on the big screen and enjoy a

still providing opportunities for cosiness and

cocktail, as well as The Snug, an intimate setting

tranquillity,” Redfern explains. “Designing

that takes cues from brownstone buildings and

the space to accommodate for potentially 378

their expansive drawing rooms. Both spaces are

guests at breakfast proved to be the biggest

finished off with bespoke geometric-style rugs

challenge. In the end, we decided that the best

from local design practice Studio Knot.

way to achieve this was to create a range of

All-day restaurant Runyon’s offers a flavour

cover styles throughout the front of house, so

of The Big Apple too, with Squid Inc using the

whether guests are after a bagel and coffee on-

tension lines of Brooklyn Bridge as its stimulus

the-go or something more leisurely like eggs

when devising the interior scheme, which

over-easy, there’s always a spot for them.”

couples exposed pipes and ducts with glowing

Up on the ninth floor meanwhile, Salvation

signage and furniture by UHS. The 96-cover

Bar balances influences from New York with

diner – taking its name from Damon Runyon, a

those from Manchester, channelling the latter’s

journalist known for his short stories celebrating

Haçienda days through a scheme that marries

the world of Broadway – is centred around a

exposed brick work, pop art and neon lights.

metro-tiled open kitchen, where signature

On the same level, 220-capacity events and

dishes such as Crab Flake A La Newberg, Billy’s

banqueting space Brooklyn Heights deep dives

Bacon Fried Rice, and Oscar’s BLT Wedge and

into its namesake and can be split into three

Hash Browns come to the pass.

distinct suites – Grace, Hicks and Montague –

“With its city centre location, we felt Runyon’s

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thanks to a series of flexible partitions.

needed the feel of an independent bar and

Ranging from studios to skyline suites,

restaurant. We wanted it to be unpretentious

guestrooms are furnished with Kappa Lounge

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and Banana Side chairs sourced by PS Interiors,

“There are around 14 million people living

vintage-style Goodmans radios and bedside

with a disability in the UK and there is no

lamps by Anglepoise. There’s also New York-

reason why accessible facilities should be any

inspired artwork by Elegant Clutter – who

less stylish than other areas in a hotel,” says Ed

have overseen art curation for the entire hotel.

Warner, founder and CEO of Motionspot. “Great

Completing the private quarters are cleverly

design is all about blending function and form,

angled bathrooms, which feature semi-opaque

and Hotel Brooklyn shows what can be achieved

windows and sustainable amenities like organic

when accessibility is considered as an integral

bamboo toothbrushes and ethically sourced

part of the design scheme from the outset.”

toothpaste, soap and lotion dispensers.

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There’s no doubt that Manchester has been

With Bespoke Hotels looking to set the

on an upward trajectory in recent times, not

standard in accessible design, as championed by

least thanks to the acquisition of broadcasting

Chairman Robin Sheppard – whose own mobility

mega-hub MediaCity but also its billion-pound

has been affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome

property boom, football prestige and thriving

– 18 of the property’s guestrooms have been

F&B sector. As such, the once industrial

adapted to meet the needs of those with physical,

powerhouse has become an increasingly

cognitive and sensory impairments. Conceived

attractive prospect for investors, especially

by accessible design company Motionspot, the

those that recognise the value of its established

rooms echo the wider narrative whilst offering

cultural capital alongside its rising business

elegant layouts and details such as basins with

and leisure sectors. Hotel Brooklyn only goes

integrated hand grips, removable matte black

to strengthen that appeal, echoing the grit and

grab rails, easy-to-reach storage and hidden

determination of the hospitality sector up north,

ceiling track hoists.

even during the most testing of times.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Developer: Marshall CDP Operator: Bespoke Hotels Architecture: Stephenson Studio Interior Design: Squid Inc, Motionspot Graphic Design: Christian Hills Design Art Consultant: Elegant Clutter Main Contractor: Marshall CDP www.hotelbrooklyn.co.uk

Cosy Cult Barstool _ Brooklyn Hotel

TABLE PLAC

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La Réserve Eden au Lac ZURICH Philippe Starck pulls off an imaginary yacht club theme with aplomb at the newest addition to Michel Reybier’s La Réserve portfolio in Zurich.

Words: Elly Earls • Photography: Courtesy of La Réserve Group (unless otherwise stated)

T

he two men behind the concept of La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich – Michel Reybier and Philippe Starck – are sailors at heart and it’s a passion that shows; every

moment at the property is a delight, with a witty nautical touch to discover.

The building, which has been a Zurich landmark since 1909, is located on the shore of the lake just beyond the opera house, with views directly onto the water. When Starck was approached to reimagine it as a modern hotel, without losing its historical essence, he felt there was no other option than a maritime theme.

“Personally, I have always dreamt of creating a yacht club; I love the special and festive atmosphere of the regatta, the people are happy, elegant, and time is suspended,” he says. “Then we found traces of that past; the bricks eaten away by the sea breeze, the mahogany panels, the pictures of sailboats, oars and boat hulls. There was no longer any doubt. This hotel is the very spirit of Zurich.”

Guests start their journey not at the grand entrance with its original Corinthian columns, but through a less dramatic side door. The cosy reception area is tucked into a nook on the left, the idea being that you immediately feel at home.

Well, as close to home as it’s possible to feel in a Starckdesigned imaginary yacht club.

Via ceiling-high wine display cases and exposed brick walls, the reception blends into what used to be the building’s main entrance hall but now connects the ground floor’s

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Š Stefano Candito

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Interiors reference the yacht club aesthetic with timber, leather, stainless steel and bronze featuring alongside artwork sourced by Muzeo

public spaces, Eden Kitchen & Bar. Light streams into

timber, stainless steel and bronze. Raw, noble and

the restaurant through large bay windows, bouncing

durable materials that recall the history of this place

off the dark green tiles of the open kitchen and the

inseparable of the water and the lake.”

metallic tables. Old portraits of captains sit proudly

The maritime theme continues as you head up

above the serving area, while tartan throws and

the grand staircase, past the stained-glass windows

cushions are strewn artfully across natural leather

designed by Starck’s daughter Ara, which dapple the

sofas and chairs.

carpet with red, purple, green, blue and yellow. One of

Guests can order food and drinks in either the restaurant or the bar across the entrance hall, which

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the most delightful touches is the guestroom numbers printed on racing sails.

features the same design cues – red wood, black and

La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich has just 40

white marble, light brown leather, exposed original

guestrooms, ranging from the smallest city room to

brick. The atmosphere in both is warm and relaxed

the grandest Eden suite. Most face the lake, some

and the quality of the materials is palpable.

with charming ironwork balconies, others with stone

When asked about the process of unearthing

terraces. The luckiest guests have their enormous beds

the building’s original features, Starck says his

in the centre of the room so they can wake up to the

intervention was minimal without being minimalist.

view. The palette mirrors the public areas with black

“I wanted to rediscover the soul of the place, to

and white marble, various shades of brown leather,

unveil lights and structural volumes by stripping the

shiny metal accents, original brick and mahogany-

old building of the frills in the interior that had been

coloured wood, while thick wool carpets contrast with

added over the years,” he explains. “In addition to

white net curtains. Most rooms feature a wonderful

the elements of the structure of the building itself

writing desk topped with an old map of Zurich dotted

that we have preserved, such as the brick walls, we

with polaroid pictures. You almost can’t stop yourself

have used materials that can be found on sailboats;

sitting down to write a letter to your sweetheart at

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home, who, it’s easy to imagine that you’ve been

beautiful terraces, which offer a 360-degree view of

separated from since the beginning of your long

Zurich’s historic centre, with the lake and Alps in

voyage. Another nautical nod is the blue and white

the distance. The menu features fresh fusion dishes

striped awning, which raises and lowers automatically

including a spicy langoustine cocktail, a delicate black

depending on where the sun is in the sky.

cod and four flavours of Japanese mochi.

Tempting though it is to stay in your room and

On the amenities front, there’s a small gym, while

appreciate every little detail – and Starck really has

one of the city’s most popular swimming baths, the

thought of everything – there’s another treat waiting

historic Seebad Utoquai, is less than a minute’s walk

on the sixth floor. Peruvian-Japanese restaurant

away; lounging on one of its wooden rafts, you can

La Muna was Starck’s favourite part of the hotel to

look back at the shore and take in the property in all

reimagine. “As I climbed into the ruins of the yacht

its glory.

club, I discovered in the bell tower a small hidden bar, without windows,” he recalls.

Today, the dome feels like a treasure trove, with

as much or as little as you like. You’ll only see the

quaint flowery sofas, lanterns, a jumble of nautical

yacht club if you’re looking for it. What shines through

images on the wooden walls and, if you look right

regardless is Reybier and Starck’s passion for the

up, an extraordinary collection of fixed skiffs and

project and commitment to preserving the building’s

kayaks forming a sculpture just below more of Ara

heritage while bringing it resoundingly up to date.

Starck’s colourful stained glass. Starck says: “It is a

As Starck sums it up: “It’s like rock and roll dancing

place filled with spirit; filled with the wind of the lake,

with the Queen of England; everything is classic, yet

the swelling sails, the youth of all those people who

nothing is classic anymore. La Réserve Eden au Lac

rowed, canoed and paddled.”

Zurich is a timeless blend of creativity, classicism and

But the best part is that it now opens out onto two

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The beauty of Starck’s design is that you can immerse yourself in the imaginary world he’s created

intelligence – like Switzerland itself.”

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Michel Reybier Hospitality Operator: Michel Reybier Hospitality, La Réserve Group Interior Design: Philippe Starck Brand Identity: Grégoire Gardette Art Consultant: Muzeo www.lareserve-zurich.com

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Sequoia ADELAIDE A classic-luxe lodge – and sister property to Mount Lofty House in Adelaide Hills – masterminded by hotelier David Horbelt is set to raise the bar when it comes to South Australian hospitality.

Words: Ianthe Butt • Photography: © Aaron Citti

T

aking ownership of a heritage property

where Korean chef Jin Choi serves up roasted

can be challenging, particularly when

onion, black baba ganoush and freekeh salads

it’s as historic as Mount Lofty House and

followed by peanut and dulce de leche mousse.

Estate. Since being built in 1852 as Gatsby-

With Mount Lofty House now cemented firmly

esque statesman Arthur Hardy’s British-

as one of South Australia’s finest hotels, Sequoia,

inspired country manor in the Adelaide Hills,

a new ultra-luxe 14-suite sister property, has

it has changed hands and personality often

opened within the estate. Whispers of a six-star

– sometimes a high-society hub, a beloved

classification feel timely, as Adelaide has long

family home, a commune, other times hit by

been fêted as a destination for discerning food

hardship and left to fall into disrepair. In the

trippers, yet doesn’t have much to offer when

1980s, devastating wildfires burned it to the

it comes to boutique accommodation.

ground, yet it rose phoenix-like from the ashes

A grand Corten steel entry gate and a high

when rebuilt by architect Ross Sterling and

dark timber fence skirted by a sandstone wall

transformed into a boutique hotel.

clearly marcate Sequoia as a distinct offering to

Come 2009 and hotelier David Horbelt – along

Mount Lofty House. Three 170-year-old giant

with business partner Malcolm Bean – had a

redwoods in the grounds give the property

compelling vision for the future, and prior to

both its name and its spirit: “Sequoias are the

buying the estate enquired about building new

planet’s tallest trees, they eclipse all others –

rooms on an escarpment within the grounds.

we aim to do the same with the hotel,” says

After purchase, Horbelt’s first order of business

Horbelt. The hotelier has form, with over 30

was upping the ante at Mount Lofty House itself,

years’ experience in running, owning and

with bedroom renovations and the creation of

refurbishing four- and five-star hotels, but

now three-hatted restaurant Hardy’s Verandah,

Sequoia is his most luxe project to-date.

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The open-plan bedroom and lower-level lounge is oriented towards floor-to-ceiling windows and a cantilevered balcony to ensure the panorama takes centrestage

14 suites are housed in four contemporary Australian

runs deep, with custom-made Spotted Gum joinery

Spotted Gum and sandstone buildings, which follow

and floorboards, a creamy WA Limestone feature wall

the curve of the valley rim. Basket Range sandstone

and fireplace clad in misshapen sandstone giving the

was selected for its longevity and locality – quarried

comforting feel of being clasped within the landscape.

10km away – and complements the stone of Mount

Warm woods and natural tones are livened up by

Lofty House. The flowing, step-down layout of the

Stephen Trebilcock’s native flora artwork, which

buildings was designed both to help seat the structures

hangs next to a bespoke gum wood platform bed with

into the hillside, and to capitalise on the bucolic

comfortable A.H. Beard mattress. Honey-coloured

Piccadilly Valley panorama.

cushions mirror the hues in Trebilcock’s depiction

Horbelt’s design vision – brought to life with plans

of blooming golden wattle, adding an uplifting glow

by architect David Frazer and built by South Coast

that’s heightened when sunlight streams in through

Construction – centred around making the most of

a trio of slender horizontal wall skylights.

the olive and chartreuse patchwork of rolling hills,

Balconies feature onyx-coloured wicker chairs by

peppered with vineyards and farms. Everything from

Mamagreen and bespoke silver-cushioned corner

the placement of suites – positioned to ensure the

daybeds by Reality Furniture. At night, the lounge’s

view only reveals itself once inside for the ultimate

Real Flame Gas fireplace comes into its own; a cosy

‘wow’ moment – to an open-plan bedroom and

spot to sip on a glass of local pinot noir or sparkling

lower-level lounge layout oriented towards floor-to-

water from the property’s spring-fed bore, which is

ceiling windows and a cantilevered balcony – ensure

carbonated and bottled on-site.

the panorama takes centrestage.

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Soft furnishings were a collaboration with interior

The aim within the suites was to create a quiet,

designer Georgie Shepherd, and the work of local

private space that would “offer escapism from the

suppliers and artisans chosen to reinforce Horbelt’s

real world,” says Horbelt. An of-the-land aesthetic

overall homegrown hospitality vision. Aubergine glass

pendant lamps by Llewelyn Ash, shaped like upturned

Horbelt’s homegrown hospitality ethos is as evident

wineglass bowls come from Adelaidean studio

outdoors as inside. Landscaping – by Adelaide Hills

Handmade & Found, while bespoke L-shaped olive

Lawns & Gardens, overseen by gardener David Tonkin

leather sofas and burgundy alpaca throws come from

– involved adding domestic shrubs such as banksia

Reality Furniture and Mokum respectively. Amanda

and grevillea, while fescue lawns bordered with

Dziedzic’s dainty amber-hued glass domes from cult

lavender attract bees and other native wildlife.

art gallery Jam Factory and Asser & Co. geometric ceramic vases liven up gum wood bookshelves.

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Enthusiastic staff embody the ethos too, sharing tips on which top-notch bars and restaurants to visit

The bathroom is all about neutral colours and natural

in Adelaide and beyond. Those who wish to stay local

light. Appelles Apothecary native botanicals toiletries

can pop over to Mount Lofty House’s Stables day spa

can be used in the slick, sci-fi look aluminium alloy,

or Hardy’s Verandah, while exclusive meet-the-maker

stainless steel and brass Synergii shower, or the swish

sessions with viticulture experts, supercar drives

Victoria + Albert bathtub, which is raised on a pedestal

through the Onkaparinga Valley and helicopter trips

and has Piccadilly Valley views in one direction, and

to the Coorong can be arranged for those wishing to

a private courtyard with water feature in the other.

go further afield.

A frosted screen between bathroom and bedroom

More reasons to linger at Sequoia are in the works,

is controlled by a button-touch through a KNX

including a communal fire pit accessed by a stone

automation system, which can also be used to

staircase set into the hillside, where stories of the

control the blinds, a riser TV and the bed’s motorised

estate’s original owners will be told, and an aquifer-

headboard. The system monitors guests’ movements

fed onsen with thermal pools to relax in. There’s

to conserve power and becomes intuitive over time,

no doubt Sequoia heralds the beginning of a new

switching on low-level lighting in the bathroom if

chapter for this storied estate, and it’s set to be just

nature calls in the middle of the night, for example.

as compelling as its past.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: David Horbelt Operator: Mount Lofty Operations Architecture: David Frazer Interior Design: Georgie Shepherd Art Consultant: Stephen Trebilcock Landscaping: AHLG Main Contractor: South Coast Construction www.sequoialodge.com.au

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Cour des Vosges PARIS Set in the regal surroundings of Place des Vosges, the latest opening from Evok Hotels honours Paris’ storied past.

Words: Matt Turner Photography: Courtesy of Evok Hotels Collection

E

vok Hotels is one of the most dynamic new

des Vosges on the former site of the Hôtel de

hospitality groups to emerge from France

Montbru, a sophisticated sense of residential

in recent years. Since its creation in 2014,

style pervades its 12 guestrooms and suites.

co-founders Romain Yzerman and Emmanuel

Contemporary design combines with period

Sauvage have developed properties owned by

objects, antiques and references in homage to

energy magnate Pierre Bastid into a portfolio

its location in Le Marais.

of six hotels (five in Paris, one in the French

The storied past of the French capital

Alps) each offering a unique take on luxury

reverberates through its walls. This is the oldest

inspired by its location. Further projects are in

planned square in Paris, and arguably its most

the pipeline in Venice, Madrid and Rome.

beautiful. On its inauguration in 1612, famed

Different designers have been employed

architect Jean Baptiste Androuet du Cerceau

to give each project a distinct look and feel;

– noted designer of several hôtel particuliers

Jean-Louis Deniot creating the classic French

in the city as well as the Pont Neuf – had

ambience of Nolinski, Christophe Tollemer

created the template for the residential squares

for the exclusive alpine luxury of Hameau de

that would proliferate across Europe, with its

la Volière, Philippe Starck for the immersive

uniform, regimented, red-brick façades and

eclecticism of Brach, and Tristan Auer for the

vaulted arcades.

risqué decadence at Sinner.

Through the 17th and 18th centuries it was

For its latest project, Cour des Vosges,

one of the most fashionable and expensive

designers Yann Le Coadic and Alessandro

addresses in the city – a favoured meeting

Scotto were enlisted to capture the art de vivre

place for aristocrats and nobles until the French

and elegance of an historic Parisian mansion.

Revolution not so much turned Parisian society

Tucked away behind the colonnades of Place

on its head as decapitated it.

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Lecoadic-Scotto has preserved this heritage,

candelabra lamps. More modern interventions

transporting guests back in time to this

include a four-poster bed reimagined as a

residence of a noble lineage of erudite scholars

stainless steel canopy that can be closed off for

and art collectors.

complete privacy, a small kitchen for en-suite

The structure of the building remains intact,

cooking and luxuriously appointed bathrooms.

blending a mix of 17th century splendour and

Throughout the property, there is a collection

1970s design. A discreet entrance sandwiched

of over 100 original artworks curated by gallerist

between the hotel’s own Salon de Thé and

Amélie du Chalard, alongside books selected

neighbouring bistro Ma Bourgogne opens

by independent bookseller Anatole Desachy.

onto a private courtyard. From here, rooms

Abstract modern paintings by the likes of

are distributed across four floors with painted

Frederic Heurlier Cimolai, Ludovic Philippon

wooden ceilings, original beams and windows

and Laurence Garnesson nestle up against

overlooking the brick pavilions in the tree-lined

ancient sculptures. Paper pieces by Marine Vu

Square Louis XIII below.

and Helene Durdilly are complemented by a

A roman bath is hidden out of sight on the

steel mobile by Alex Palenski. Eclectic it may

lower ground floor, open all day for guests who

be, but as with the design of the hotel, the

can also select in-room spa treatments using

transitions between Paris’ past and present are

Orveda products.

seamlessly layered, as another chapter in the

Antique mirrors and art pieces adorn the walls, accompanied by furnishings upholstered in pastel blue and pink fabric. Lacquered screens and sliding walls offer a flexible space along with old terracotta, azure tapestries and

story of this historic building unfolds.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner: Pierre Bastid Developer / Operator: Evok Hotels Interior Design: Lecoadic Scotto Art Consultant: Amélie du Chalard www.courdesvosges.com

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Maximilian PRAGUE A refurbishment of an Old Town favourite sees Conran + Partners usher Prague’s Maximilian into a new era by rooting it in history.

Words: Kristofer Thomas Photography: © Matthias Aschauer

A

cross Europe’s major cities, Old Towns

losing the historic or cultural context that drew

are often the last stands of history against

guests in the first place. This is true of all Old

creeping gentrification or wholesale

Towns, but for the most popular, storied and

regeneration – shorthand for a cultural

romanticised – think districts within Bruges,

authenticity that has emerged as a driving

Split and Warsaw – the weight on each side of

force in 21st century travel. With an increasing

the scale is only increased.

number of guests seeking stays with substance

One of the more densely historic and

beyond service and style, these original cores

continuingly popular Old Towns is Prague’s

have taken on added meaning; long popular

Stare Mesto – the original heart of the Czech

with tourists, they’re now instilled with a sense

capital, hugging a curve in the Vltava. With the

of the genuine and authentic – a valuable asset

public square as its centre, the immediate area

in a globalised market feeding mostly off the

contains the Astronomical Clock – the oldest

same global trends and consumption patterns.

clock of its kind still operating – set amidst

As

such,

these

Old

Towns

and

the

the five-building Renaissance Gothic Town

neighbourhoods surrounding them have become

Hall complex; the Baroque 17th century Our

delicate balancing acts, with operators eager

Lady Before Tyn Church; the Jewish Quarter’s

to capitalise on the consistent flow of people,

venerated synagogues; the Gothic Charles

but wary of intervening too heavily in the local

Bridge; the Romanesque Holy Rood Rotunda

fabric, with both the public eye and stringent

and a network of branching streets lined with

UNESCO officials watching closely. Change too

architectural styles spanning nearly 1,000 years.

little and a hotel may not offer a satisfactory

In this few square miles – the bustling Old

level of comfort or meet brand standards,

Town itself and a ring of neighbourhoods serving

but change too much and it runs the risk of

it – history is tangible, and most structures will

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The ground floor public spaces reference the clean lines of Czech modernist architecture with nods to Karel Teige’s poetic take on the avant-garde movement

have a tale to tell. One such structure is Maximilian, a

and the renovation of the ground floor to create a

hotel set within a row of 19th century buildings in the

new series of public spaces – not least the addition

shadow of Haštal church. The property opened in 1995,

of a library event space, bar, brasserie and café –

with a 2005 refurbishment ushering it into the new

the project has taken on an entirely new palette and

millennium, and now – 25 years after launch – the

aesthetic style, though remains rooted in the kind of

hotel begins another, with Conran + Partners tapped to

cultural substance that gives the area its continuing

bring the 71-key property into the 2020s; still within

appeal. Referencing the clean lines of Czech modernist

walking distance of the same Old Town, but part of a

architecture, along with nods to pioneering avant-

very different hospitality marketplace.

garde artist and critic Karel Teige’s poetic take on the

Maximilian is a brother of sorts to Hotel Josef, one

movement, the scheme looks to more recent history

of the city’s original boutiques, both falling under

than the gothic monuments around it for inspiration,

the ownership of Rudolf and Christian Ploberger and

though nonetheless highlights an equally important

originally designed by Eva Jiricna. Just a two-minute

era in the nation’s cultural making.

walk down the block, Josef is “iconic for its glass,”

“We were very much inspired by that period of

says Tina Norden, Partner, Conran + Partners. “It’s

time,” Norden explains. “Teige was very much a part

very cool and very minimal, but I think in many ways,

of the poetic modernist movement, which was never

what we were trying to do with Maximilian was create

so much about black and white and hard lines, but

something different, and to give it a real counterpoint.

instead looked to a softer side of modernism.”

If you like very distinctive, almost techno-architecture

The most prominent alteration sees the addition

then you have that option of Josef around the corner,

of Brasserie Maximilian, a contemporary brasserie

but this is perhaps a more humanist and engaging

overseen by New York chef Scott Van Wagenen.

style in that sense.”

Operating with a ‘local products, global flavours’

Comprising a guestroom update, a full spa makeover

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approach, the menu draws from community- and

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eco-driven farms and fishmongers within or on the

bathroom fixtures by Laufen and carpets by Brintons

outskirts of Prague – the fare itself exploring elements

connect the public spaces, as does an art programme

of Asian, American and Czech cuisine.

that mixes Tiege’s own photography with abstract

“A big issue with the hotel was that it didn’t have

painting and collage. The modernist theme branches

any kind of F&B element,” Norden adds. “There was

in two for the event spaces; the coloured block panels

nothing to draw people in that weren’t staying in

of the larger white meeting room nodding to the era’s

the hotel. One of the key things we were trying to do

more future-gazing ideals, whilst the stately wood-

was open it up more, so we now have a brasserie that

panelled library places itself in the movement’s

doubles as a breakfast spot on the ground floor, as

historical context.

well as a café – this process was really about creating a showcase window for the hotel from the street.”

Styled around simple geometry and clean aesthetics,

blue adds character. Options range from mini to

the brasserie is characterised by a lighting installation

balcony deluxe, with views out to the church and Old

designed by Sans Souci – a collection of sleek

Town. Most incorporate a small window nook, with

translucent hanging screens that set out the pastel

minimal black and gold lighting fixtures, pastel-tone

palette flowing through the wider hotel. Incorporating

furnishings and wooden flooring, with the deluxe

the soft pinks, bold blues, pale yellows and muted

option housed within the curve of the structure.

greys found extensively across the Old Town’s material

Whilst tourists heading to Prague old town are likely

palette – as well as in the works of Czech artists like

to be on the hunt for medieval or renaissance sights, or

Kybal, Čapek and the aforementioned Teige – the use

big statement moments like the Astrological Clock, the

of colour underpins the refurbishment, and is tweaked

narrative that anchors Maximilian takes the decision

throughout to suit the occasion.

to explore a lesser-appreciated yet just as storied

Furnishings by Konsepti and Vitra along with

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Whilst no major structural alterations have been made to guestroom layouts, a new coat of deep

period in the city’s cultural heritage.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owners: Christian and Rudolf Ploberger Interior Design: Conran + Partners Art Consultant: Dais Contemporary Contractor: Kališ a Krátkoruký www.maximilianhotel.com

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Domes Zeen CHANIA Inspired by the Greek concept of Ef Zeen, Domes Resorts’ Cretan outpost delivers a soulful take on the Mediterranean escape.

Words: Matt Turner • Photography: © George Fakaros

L

ocated in Chania on the Greek island of Crete, Domes Zeen originally opened for its first full season in summer 2019, as the first family-friendly outpost of Casa Cook

– the boho-chic resort concept launched in 2018 by Thomas Cook with adult-only hotels in Kos and Rhodes.

How things have changed in the intervening twelve months. In September 2019, Thomas Cook collapsed dramatically. Such sights are becoming more commonplace now in the advent of Covid-19, but back then, the sudden grounding of planes and cancellation of bookings, with countries scrambling to repatriate stranded travellers, was a rare and shocking occurrence.

The fallout left a number of hotels owned, part-owned or franchised by Thomas Cook facing uncertain futures.

Hotel investment had been a relatively recent diversion for the company, traditionally a tour operator, and most of the properties were held by Thomas Cook Hotel Investments Ltd in a joint venture with Swiss investment company LMEY. This afforded a degree of insulation from the parent company’s perilous financial state, and just before the liquidation of Thomas Cook Group, the investment fund was renamed Westfort Capital, distancing it further.

Inevitably, given the sprawling nature of the group’s interests, the subsequent restructuring, including its hotel

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Communal spaces and guestrooms alike blur the boundaries between inside and out, with 101 rooms ranging from suites to villas to pavilion-style bungalows

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assets, has been complex. Independent travel agent

luxury. We will continue to invest in the concept

Hays acquired the UK travel stores. A consortium

design and experience to grow Casa Cook into a global

backed by Norwegian entrepreneur Petter Stordalen

hotel brand.” Remo Masala, the original creative force

and private equity groups Altor and TDR Capital took

behind the brand, will continue to be involved going

over Ving Group, in which most of Thomas Cook’s

forward through his branding and marketing agency

North European assets were held. EasyJet and Jet2

Vision Alphabet.

took the airport slots. A variety of national subsidiaries

Meanwhile, the Kos and Ibiza Casa Cooks have now

were either disposed of piecemeal or liquidated. The

been rebranded as OKU Hotels, under the ownership of

group’s other hotel brands including Sentido, Aldiana

LMEY Investments, with plans for further properties

and Sunprime are being sold off.

in Mykonos, Bali and Miami still in the pipeline.

So what now of Casa Cook? In November 2019,

Back in Crete, the owner and developer of Casa

Chinese conglomerate Fosun International announced

Cook Chania, Domes Resorts, has rebadged the

it had purchased the Thomas Cook name and logo,

property under its eponymous brand, renaming the

along with the Casa Cook and Cook’s Club hotel brands,

resort Domes Zeen – a Luxury Collection Resort. The

for £11 million. The original hotel in Rhodes continues

partnership with Marriott’s soft brand makes sense

to trade as a Casa Cook. Fosun also announced the

given its other properties – Domes Noruz and Domes

launch of a new Casa Cook alongside a Cook’s Club

of Elounda (also in Crete) and Domes Miramare in

hotel, both developed and operated by Orascom under

Corfu – already have marketing and distribution

a franchise agreement, on the shores of Egypt’s Red

agreements with The Luxury Collection.

Sea in June 2020. Fosun has promised an accelerated

By-and-large, the original hotel remains intact,

expansion programme, its Chairman and CEO Jim Qian

notably its stunning design and architecture, a

saying: “Casa Cook is a fresh and modern lifestyle

collaboration between Lambs and Lions Berlin,

brand that brings a completely new idea of hotel

K-studio and Kristina Zanic Consultants.

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Described as “a modernist village for the luxury

Shickinger: “The architectural language of the

wanderer,” and “a manifestation of discreet luxury,

buildings set along the coastline, including the beach

slow-living and mindfulness,” the design concept is

club, concept store and pool transition to a bolder;

centred around the Greek concept of ‘Ef Zeen’, one of

more brutalist aesthetic, better prepared for the

those hard-to-translate concepts of wellbeing (think

exposure to the sea and salt air.”

‘hygge’ but with added sunshine).

season include a gastronomic restaurant, Enino,

combination of stone, wood, linen and wicker,

promising a ‘six-dish dive into the ingenuity and zest

all put together in a casually bohemian way, but

of Crete’s food’, to complement the existing, family-

with a designer’s keen eye for space, contrast and

friendly Beach House bar and restaurant. The more

composition. Clean-lined, mid-century furniture sits

spacious villas and pavilions now offer a ‘haute living’

against rough, organic surfaces, alongside a carefully

enhanced level of service. The Jungle Spa has been

curated selection of artworks and accessories.

completed, with its open-air treatment zones blending

Naturally tactile textures and traditionally handmade

seamlessly into the cascading landscape of the rest of

pieces bring a sense of timelessness, simplicity and

the resort and the natural surroundings of the Cretan

sophistication. Communal spaces and guestrooms

countryside beyond.

alike blur the boundaries between inside and out,

“The resort is a choreographed interplay of light,

with 101 accommodations – ranging from suites to

shadow and texture,” concludes Shickinger. “The

villas to pavillion-style bungalows clad in concrete

smooth concrete forms gradually separate and

and timber – descending towards the sea in a visually

transform into more brutalist structures that seem to

arresting programme of interlocking terraces, graphic

emerge, almost mythically, from the sand.”

forms and floating planes.

According to Lambs and Lions founder Michael

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New features introduced by Domes for the 2020

The resort’s interiors are an Instagram-friendly

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owner / Operator: Domes Resorts Architecture and Interior Design: Lamb and Lions Berlin, K-studio, Kristina Zanic Consultants Landscaping: Fytron www.domeszeenchania.com

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16.07.20 15:37

The Great Dispersion As the travel market becomes guided by experience and authenticity, a contender emerges following a long gestation to challenge the traditional hotel model.

Words: Kristofer Thomas • Translation: James Kenworthy

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et atop a pine-covered hillside looking

stays; a valuable asset(s) in the era of personalised

over Thimpu – the capital city of Bhutan

travel. Alone they offer individual snapshots of

– the country’s first Six Senses property

their respective corner of the country, though when

appears initially to be business as usual

considered together, the completed circuit offers

for the wellness-focused group, but there

guests an experience few others can.

is something different about this project.

In terms of scope, Six Senses Bhutan is the largest

Drive two hours south-west, swapping the forest

project of its kind, spread about an entire nation, but

lodge for a farmhouse and a valley of stepped rice

it is far from the first. Falling under the banner of the

paddies in Punakha, and you will still technically find

dispersed hotel – a model that sees the traditional

yourself within the same hotel. The same goes for

all-in-one offer broken up and scattered strategically

200km west, and a plot skirting the ancient temples

around a chosen area – the ambitiously realised

of Bumthang, where a modernist take on the district’s

property could perhaps be viewed as the concept’s

traditional wooden huts unfold amidst the firs. And

breakthrough moment, channeling the notion for the

so too in the mountains of Paro, where Six Senses

luxury crowd as it enters the branded mainstream.

Bhutan looks across a serene meadow, inspired by the

Whilst the ambition is clear, this project remains one

Buddhist monasteries dotting cliffs nearby.

of the looser interpretations of a bonafide movement

In total, there are five separate properties that fall under this hotel’s banner; The Master Lodge in Thimpu, and a circuit of four structures dispersed

that has both clear ideas of execution, operation and values, as well as its own story to tell.

across much of the country’s west and central valleys.

THE ORIGINAL

Each offers guests a different experience, from dining

Back in the early 1980s, Giancarlo Dall’Ara was a

in the ruins of dormant temples to excursions in the

young tourism consultant working with hotels along

remote Himalayan foothills, with a series of distinct

Italy’s Adriatic coast as the country began a period

designs to match. The Punakha element, for example,

of economic revival. Called to the north, he found

is rustic and styled around agriculture references,

few hotels to work with amidst the region’s clustered

whilst Thimpu draws from the white walls and shingle

towns and villages, busy with traditional housing

roofs of the capital’s architecture.

and tangible history. Following earthquakes in the

As such, guests can choose from five different

region, some even stood empty, or otherwise on the

locations, five different styles, and five different

edge. With his team, Dall’Ara applied his knowledge

Albergo Diffuso emerged in rural Italy, and saw historic buildings transformed into connected, immersive hospitality experiences

of the hotel market to this landscape, with the intention of creating a model that would aid in the recovery of these towns whilst eschewing established elements of a hospitality system that might potentially disrupt the local fabric.

As opposed to the hotel anchoring the village, the village would anchor the hotel; its components spread across existing structures – mainly houses – in a clean break from the stacked guestrooms template. The properties would operate under a single owner to provide a sense of continuity, with the experience characterised by immersion and authenticity.

Thus, in the town of Maranzanis, in the

“Those who choose Albergo Diffuso don’t want things made for tourists. They want to live the lifestyle of the place, and they want to immerse themselves into the local culture.”

GIANCARLO DALL’ARA

their surrounding communities; the latter’s participation and acceptance of the model key to its success.

More recently, Poreč, a resort town on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula became a convert, and the Locarno municipality of Corippo – a rocky outcrop of historic Ticino Granite blocks with slate roofing on the Swiss/Italian border – expressed interest too, both with sights set on the sort of revival this model was conceived to serve. But more on that later.

THE NEW WAVE Though the concept was born in rural Italy,

mountainous Friuli-Venezia Giulia region,

recent years have seen it stretch its wings

Albergo Diffuso was born.

and make inroads in different locales whilst

“We began to train young people with a view

retaining some of the core touchstones. In this

to the village’s touristic recovery,” Dall’Ara

sense, we can look to Asia for the contemporary

explains. “The idea came from a mix of my

take, where the dispersed model has been

experience with hotels and the utilisation of

adopted by a pair of acclaimed openings.

houses for tourism, and this gave me the spark;

Whilst over 15 square miles of Tokyo were

a model of hospitality comprising houses, but

destroyed during World War II, and Japan’s

one that also guarantees all the services of a

place on the continental plate lines has seen

hotel – from the reception, to the hall, to the

the capital hit by regular earthquakes, pockets

room service. I immediately became aware of

of history can nonetheless be found in the city’s

the concept’s potential, but I then took many

or the tourist itinerary. They want to live the

Shitamachi neighbourhoods – the traditional

years to define the standards necessary for its

lifestyle of the place, and they want to immerse

name for a cluster of wards along the Sumida

economic feasibility.”

themselves into the local culture,” Dall’Ara

River. The Yanaka neighbourhood in Taitō is

There is an inherent relationship between

continues. “For this reason, there must be

one such district, largely untouched by the

Albergo Diffuso and recovery – the model was

continuity between the Albergo Diffuso and the

destruction that levelled similar areas, and thus

born as a means to encourage guests away from

village. The intention is to have two halls; one

with much of its original low-lying 19th and 20th

cities and into the less-visited rural cultures,

inside of the hotel, another in the piazza – or

century architecture still intact. So too elements

with the intriguing lure of a stay that would

on the street where they can find the houses

of its culture – the slower pace of life at odds

see them become temporary residents of a

– and somewhere they can meet the locals.

with the hypermodern bustle over in the centre.

close-knit community. The typical kit of parts

These conditions can be found in a village,

The temple town’s winding streets are lined

included a series of guestrooms occupying

but not often in the city. There must not be

with two-storey wooden homes and shopfronts,

lightly converted houses, a central lobby area

a separation, but a permeability between the

and lead between cemeteries and shrines dating

with food available, and somewhere to interact

Albergo Diffuso and the land.”

back to the 1600s. Favoured by craftsmen,

with locals beyond those under the hotel’s

Today, there are over 40 such dispersed hotels

artists, flea marketeers and a large feline

employment. This simple, adaptable approach

operating in Italy, with more in the works, and

population, the neighbourhood’s comparatively

would see it endlessly tweaked and reworked to

Albergo Diffuso is now an official national

reasonable rent levels ensure a healthy mix of

suit the varied layouts of towns planned long

association working to promote the concept.

multi-generation locals, professionals and

before hotels were mainstays, with authentic

Properties in historic Monopoli on the southern

tourists, whilst civil society groups have fought

realism both its by-product and ace card.

coast, the town of Cabras on westernmost

hard to preserve the traditional streetscape.

“Those who choose Albergo Diffuso don’t

Sicily and Campagnatico – a commune in the

And though many of these structures now

want things made for tourists – they do not

Tuscan Province of Grosseto – all subscribe to

house cafés, galleries and other hallmarks of

want the service for tourists, tourist menus

the methods laid out, and by extension so too

gentrification, the tone is decidedly authentic.

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“Making use of the dispersed style, we aimed to create designs that would complement the function of each building, to generare encounters, experiences and information of the living city.”

UCHIDA DESIGN

Yanaka might have been spared from the

simultaneously affording a user-designed

decorated with cuisine-themed cardboard

severe economic decline experienced by the rural

stay for guests increasingly driven by mass

murals; clothing artist and Galerie Momogusa

Italian towns where the dispersed concept took

customisation and the demand for sustainable,

co-owner Akido Ando is behind the chic

root, but the two locales share some notable

personalised experiences.

uniform; and the paper miniatures of architect

characteristics. This is most obvious in the

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Naoki Terada find a fitting home in the small-

dense knit of historic residential architecture,

THE BIG PICTURE

but also in a wider commitment to communal

Looking several major cities south and as many

This collaborative approach is a smart decision

and structural preservation, as well as resistance

points up the market scale, we can see an early

in the context of the form – if the whole town

to the construction of newbuilds. Moreover,

indicator of what the dispersed concept might

is now your hotel, then it makes sense that the

both have been forced to adapt to serve a tourist

look like once it inevitably moves into the

scope of perspective should be much wider than

clientele seeking a level of authenticity perhaps

luxury boutique segment. Created by Uchida

a few individuals.

beyond the capabilities of a traditional model.

Design, The General Kyoto – formerly Enso

“The hotel responds to the different

Occupying spots in Yanaka, as well as

Ango – adheres to similar framework, but raises

neighbourhoods by way of inviting local artisans

structures in the strips of Nezu and Sendagi

the stakes with guestrooms at each of its five

or specialists to provide their know-how – such

either side – this trio of similarly storied

facilities, a more curated system compared to

as Japanese traditional cooking, Japanese crafts

districts forming the larger Yanesen area – the

the thrilling, let-them-loose spontaneity of

or Zazen meditation by a Buddhist monk, which

Hagi Studio-designed Hanare was conceived

Hanare. Scattered throughout urban Kyoto’s

creates a strong connection between guests and

under the notion that ‘the whole town can

Shimogyo Ward is an arts and crafts space, a

the local community, and a place closely linked

be your hotel’. The property’s five ryokan-

Japanese teahouse with an event space, a gallery

to the inheritance of local culture and lifestyle,”

style guestrooms are set in renovated houses

and guest kitchen, a restaurant terrace and bar,

the studio adds. “Instead of adopting the showy

at the quiet intersection of two inconspicuous

and a compact short-stay bunkhouse.

architectural design of commercial facilities,

scale guesthouse.

streets; the pool is a local Sento bathhouse that

“Making use of the dispersed style, we aimed

the design blends in well with the old rows of

guests share with locals; the souvenir shop

to create designs that would complement

houses in Kyoto and has led to the property

is a run of local businesses operating on the

the function of each building, to generate

gaining the trust and favourable impression of

area’s marketplace; and a branch of TokyoBike

encounters, experiences and information of the

the local community.”

provides rentals from the main thoroughfare for

living city – allowing guests to stay like they live

The General Kyoto may be hyperlocal in terms

guests to explore the town.

there,” the team at Uchida Design comments.

of guest experience, and the physical movement

All of this orbits Hagiso, a cultural centre, café,

“With each building having its own facilities as

between each space, but there is a global outlook

gallery and architecture studio with a check-

well as a degree of individualisation, the balance

in the project too – Swiss practice Atelier Oi

in and reception upstairs. Guestrooms share

of function as an element of a whole hotel has

designed the restaurant portion, whilst Paris-

a bathroom, encouraging visitors to venture

been dispersed too, creating the motivation for

based art director Philippe Galowich has

out and experience the traditional communal

guests to travel around and visit each.”

handled the varied project’s coherent visual

bathing, whilst the limited cafe menu and in-

Working with the studio at each facility

identity. In a world where more people than

room breakfasts turn attention to the vibrant

were a broader cast of contributors including

ever are travelling, relocating or passing

mix of stalls, fine or fast dining and informal

designers, artists, craftspeople, fashion

through, the definition of locality is blurring,

izakayas that guests will naturally come across

designers, landscapers and calligraphers, with

and the catalogue of design ideas on show here

as they move between facilities.

the intention to bring as varied a perspective

speaks to the international perspective of many

It may not be at the heart of the area’s revival,

of the local fabric as possible to proceedings.

emergent or evolving movements.

but Hanare has nonetheless recognised the

The arts and crafts space features work by

At its core, however, the dispersed hotel is

original model’s capabilities in the experiential

ceramic artist Masanobu Ando; the gallery

a concept tethered to community, and as the

sense, and applied these elements to both

and guest kitchen orbits the aesthetic of visual

idea of community shifts in line with the rise

preserve and showcase authentic culture, whilst

artist Katsuhiko Hibino – the entire building

of social media, globalisation and increased

Le Méridien Lav, Split, Croatia, furnished by SNS Group.

www.snsgroup.eu

“To make an Albergo Diffuso you do not have to build anything – it’s just a matter of networking houses and services.”

GIANCARLO DALL’ARA

Occupying spots in Tokyo’s Yanaka district, as well as structures in Nezu and Sendagi, Hanare was conceived under the notion that ‘the whole town can be your hotel’

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international awareness, it could prove better

steadfastly fused to the local land and people.

placed to fluidly adapt than the current model of

If the dispersed hotel is to be adopted and

consolidated experience. With this in mind, Six

translated into mainstream hospitality, it runs

Senses Bhutan resembles something of a great

the risk of becoming diluted. Those original

experiment in the concept’s bigger picture – the

Albergo Diffuso were born from necessity,

plot of structures on the country’s central valley

their function to revive and exist alongside the

a testing ground for an ambitious next chapter

communities they were welcomed into.

that sees our hero taking on the status quo.

THE FUTURE

Even Hanare and The General Kyoto – although interpretations of the model that err from some core tenets – are underlined by

In a travel market guided increasingly and

its sense of revitalisation, occupying historic

gradually towards a sustainable, ethical

architecture as the manifesto demands, with

product, the dispersed hotel model might just

the former a condemned cluster of art studios

raise the bar if it were to take hold beyond its

saved by a popular exhibition by the artists who

current niche. For the growing number of guests

once called it home. This narrative and organic

seeking circular, culturally sensitive and net-

symbiosis is arguably the source of the model’s

positive experiences, what is currently on offer

authenticity. To adapt the concept without this

may eventually not suffice, and this demand

in mind would surely be to lose the element that

will drive the major players to innovate, and

defines it, and likely the social, environmental

experiment with form as Six Senses have.

and commercial virtues that come with its

A chain of dispersed hotels, however, would be

intended execution.

a paradox in the context of its original purpose

“To make an Albergo Diffuso you do not

– that is, authentically individual properties

have to build anything – it’s just a matter of

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“Readily allowing the tourism industry to expand can destroy the culture of the town and its inhabitants.”

GIANCARLO DALL’ARA

The town of Corippo, Switzerland – a 300-person settlement on the Swiss/Italian border – is looking to adopt the dispersed model as a means to revive the region

networking houses and services,” Dall’Ara

consequences of their holiday with the

explains. “There’s no environmental impact,

knowledge that their stay will have some

and no social impact either, because Albergo

positive benefit – could prove the true definition

Diffuso does not attract mass tourism. We

of luxury in ten years time.

use the process of marketing dell’accoglienza

It may take some time for this shift to fully

– investing in people rather than traditional

occur, and to see the dispersed hotel as a viable

promotional tools – to generate positive word

alternative for large operators, but with 40

of mouth that does not result in over-tourism,

years of evolution and gestation already behind

so even the marketing is sustainable.”

it, and a variety of designers, architects and

The team at Uchida Design touch on this too:

brands showing interest, the dispersed hotel is

“In recent years, over-tourism has become a

doing well to establish itself as one of the more

problem – rapid changes and readily allowing

intriguing formal experiments in hospitality.

the tourism industry to expand can destroy the

In the last few years alone we’ve seen 28 of

culture of the town and its inhabitants. The

Amsterdam’s bridge houses transformed into

General Kyoto, on the other hand, is considered

the Sweets Hotel, whilst 25 canal residences

a sustainable development, where we addressed

became the sprawling Pulitzer. Elsewhere,

contemporary issues such as eliminating plastic,

a

adopting organic materials and cooperating

fishmongers became part of the four-suite

with local residents.”

Graetzhotel Neubau spread around Vienna’s

former

boat-building

workshop

and

In a market that is often scrutinised for its

7th District. All the while, the aforementioned

waste, emissions and disruption, experiences

Corippo soldiers on with the dispersed model

like those provided by the dispersed hotel

at the heart of its plan. Watch all these spaces.

– allowing guests to offset the less savoury

© Xxx

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R E D E F I N I N G C O N T R A C T I N T E R I O R S S T Y L E L I B R A R YC O N T R A C T. C O M

A Blueprint for Sustainable Design PART 2 A sustainable business is one that looks after both people and planet says Juliet Kinsman, as she addresses the need to consider the socio-economic impact of every decision made.

S

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ustainability isn’t merely about the

we’ve lent to other industries such as fashion,

construction or the hardware of a

which has driven surprising, results.” Uxua

hotel, or simply to do with scrutinising

had the bold ambition of wanting to save the

environmental impact; it’s about the hotel’s

traditional craft industry from extinction, where

effect on the welfare of human beings, today

they felt it was heading when Shevlin and ex-

and tomorrow. It concerns how we employ,

Diesel Creative Director Wilbert Das arrived in

from whom we source furnishings, the way the

2004. Over the years their collaborations have

design benefits community. Being ‘eco’ is often

made cover stars of the work of local artisans,

focused on mitigating negative physical impact

giving a new relevance to the traditional rustic

rather than actively striving for positive social

style. And as Shevlin acknowledges, nothing

impact, whether through cultural preservation,

persuades other businesses to emulate a

artistic enrichment, or through a strategy

competitor’s practices more than seeing they

that aims for longlasting health benefits for

are profitable. They have always aimed to

guests, team or the wider community. Simply

educate and empower as many of their village’s

put, sustainability is a hospitality business

residents as they can through their business

looking after all of its human stakeholders and

beyond employment, from setting up a Capoeira

considering the socio-economic impact of every

Academy to sponsoring numerous students to

single decision made.

further their education.

Using interiors to educate is powerful. “In the

In Mozambique, a compelling tale of how

leisure travel sector we have a great opportunity

a design hotel can do good is being written

to shape how our clients experience a

with the creation of Kisawa Sanctuary. The

destination,” says Bob Shevlin of Uxua in Brazil.

3D design aspect of this high-end low-impact

At this cluster of re-fashioned 16th century

intimate resort opening imminently in a WWF

homes in Trancoso, the ex-pat hosts have

National Marine Park was what first grabbed

always had it front-of-mind for guests making

press interest. But it’s about much more than

meaningful connections with local culture,

the innovative technology that involves printing

nature, crafts, while giving back to the former

tiling by alchemising sand and seawater

fishing village. “In our case, applying to local

(replenishable natural materials). It’s about the

social and environmental challenges the same

nurturing of the islanders and shaping a new

mix of creativity and professional competence,

cultural narrative for this super-low-GDP civil-

Sustainability Speak ACCESSIBILITY Sustainability is as much about inclusivity as equity and equality. Hospitality services should aim to invite everyone to have the fullest experiences, regardless of ability or age. Mindful hosts ensure people with differing needs – whether physical or mental – are not only catered for, but well-served. In the UK, Blue Badge Awards and Blue Badge Style showcase the most welcoming venues.

ECONOMIC NUTRITION CERTIFICATION MARK In the same way that labelling on food packaging represents calories or carbon footprints, this concept created by Fogo Island Inn provides transparency around where every penny spent on the cost of a room night or the price of a piece of their furniture goes. war-ravaged African country. What’s exciting

private-island resort Nikoi in the South China

when you speak to Nina Flohr, the creator of

Sea. “The local technique is more laborious and

this collection of one-bedroom bungalows, isn’t

uses more grass; as a result our Riau artisan

simply hearing about the next-level utterly

trebled his price and we ended up with a better

personalised guest experiences that await, but

product. In the end, the contractors were so

how this thoughtfully, slowly manifested project

impressed with the quality, saying it is better

has been cultivating creative talents in the

than what they get in Bali. Sudirman’s business

young generation of Mozambicans every step

is thriving, he now employs 25 staff and has set

of the way, when possibly previous prospects

them up so they can work at home, which is a

might have been limited to fishing. Spotlighting

rare opportunity in their culture.”

local weaving talents has been an excellent

On the other side of the world, Fogo Island Inn

example of how commissioning hundreds of

in Canada is a hotel that has won praise thanks

woven panels from a humble village material,

to its architectural good looks and beautifully

a hotel can have a significant socio-economic

designed interiors. But it’s the human aspect

impact. Culturally, Mozambique’s traditional

of the story of this hotel that’s extraordinary.

weaving technique is something that’s done by

Zita Cobb didn’t simply set up a nice-looking

women. Framed as a design feature in Kisawa’s

hotel powered by a social enterprise that talks

contemporary designs has instilled pride and

to luxury travellers, she created a business in

generated a much-needed income.

a tiny far-flung island that reinvigorated an

Nurturing talents in our neighbours,

entire economy, having previously been an

rather than defaulting to the easier option of

ailing fishing community. Unemployed boat

looking further afield for quick solutions, is

builders were redeployed as furniture-makers,

an investment that often pays off. Contractors

creating pieces that have become talking

building Cempedak in the Riau Islands, a less

points in hallowed design halls such as the

well-off part of Indonesia near Singapore, were

V&A Museum. “We are hyper-conscious about

keen to bring alang-alang grass from Bali for the

reducing externalities, and we demonstrate

roofs. “We introduced the Bali team members

our impact via our Economic Nutrition

to our local thatcher and they spent some

Certification Mark, which transparently shows

time helping improve his technique,” explains

where all money goes when a stay at the Inn is

Andrew Dixon, who also created sustainable

purchased,” explains Cobb. What’s notable in

ESG Investors are increasingly prioritising socially responsible and ethical businesses, using a measurement of environmental, social and governance criteria to weigh up potential beneficiaries. This considers how a business performs in terms of its impact on nature, what its relationships are like with employees, suppliers, customers, community, and assesses the governance by looking at the diversity of the board, executive and tax pay-outs and shareholder rights.

PROVENANCE The dictionary definition is tracing the source of goods, best known in relation to the history of the arts, now popularised by our scrutiny of the supply of food, fashion and furniture.

Sustainable ingredients and interior items are those that have not been industrially-farmed or mass-produced, but have honourable origins and are handmade, locally sourced, organic – from textiles to toiletries.

133

their spreadsheet, is Fogo’s proud investment

market. Those with physical limitations want to

in labour – in other words, people.

have a holiday somewhere beautifully designed

Dee Gibson, who created four-bedroom

134

as much as the next person.

boutique hotel Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka,

If you’re of a glass-full mindset, you’ll

is a professional interior designer. Founder of

appreciate that one of the silver linings to

Velvet Orange consultancy, she measures the

2020 has been a shift in narrative around social

success of her designs by how they make her

impact. Sustainability has become the theme of

clients feel. “A space should work functionally,

more conversations, and people quite simply

but it needs to spark all the senses,” says the

care more about how businesses impact on

first-time hotelier. The approach Gibson takes

all citizens. We’re understanding better the

with all of her design projects is what she calls

nuance and complexity of how creating a more

emotional design. “I believe that understanding

sensitive hotel is good for your ESG ranking,

the why behind a space is what’s most powerful.

making it more appealing to potential investors

The process of emotional design can be slower

and conscious consumers. Sustainability in

because of the layers of work behind the scenes.

hospitality requires deep thinking around

Overcomplicated technology, throwaway fixtures

long-term solutions. Tourism can help shine

and faddish design aesthetics result in quickly-

a light on social issues at a micro-level – and

forgotten buzzes, reflecting an unconscious lack

hospitality can communicate these seemingly

of respect for the environment.” Playing a role

stories to project a bigger-picture solution to

in the human aspect is not only recognising

all. We’re waking up to the need to highlight

emotions, but Gibson’s appreciation of

these issues through hotels and tell these in

handmade materials that tell the story of the

a compelling and heart-tugging way beyond

people behind that crafts that she features.

bragging about whether guestrooms have a

She prioritises commissioning a lampshade

flatscreen TV or Egyptian cotton sheets. Hotels

from a local artisan, or sourcing quality unique

that communicate on a deeper level have been

pieces that are a genuine legacy from the local

grabbing the attention of the new generation of

landscape. “With an import or mass-produced

more considerate travel experts.

cheap alternative, no-one in the community

“At Wa Ale in Myanmar, every single

benefits financially or emotionally – including

decision revolves around sustainability and

the guests,” asserts Gibson.

the hotel protects a marine park, which has

When talking about positive impact and

been transformative for the surrounding

humans in the context of sustainability, it’s

communities,” says Henry Comyn, co-founder

also important to consider the inclusivity of

of Joro Experiences, and now The Conscious

all environments and the importance of being

Travel Foundation. It’s a hotel created by Chris

able to accommodate every type of guest. Robin

Kingsley and his wife Farina, who are behind a

Sheppard, founder of Bespoke Hotels, has long

California-based family-run furniture business.

been pushing for good design to be a better

They wanted to create a lodge that was as green

bedfellow with disability-friendly facilities

as possible using mostly reclaimed materials

in hospitality. It’s not just about ticking the

and built by hand by local craftsman. “Every

right DDA (Disability Discrimination Act 1995)

guest contributes towards this movement and

boxes and delivering the statutory number

comes away educated and inspired about how

of accessibility-compliant rooms. It’s about

informed travel decisions can make an impact

creating beautiful abodes so that those living

on the world,” says Kingsley.

with compromise can enjoy the same standard

Sure, a new hotel will grab the attention of

of aesthetics. With almost a quarter of the

a recently launched collective of travel agents

world’s population living with a disability, it’s

with excellent design, but it’s their support of

a wonder that the hotel operators haven’t better

grass-roots socio-economic initiatives that will

cottoned on to this huge glaring gap in the

take those bookings over the line.

Juliet Kinsman is a sustainability editor and founder of Bouteco. Her new book, The Green Edit: Travel (Easy Tips for the Eco-Friendly Traveller), published by Ebury, is out now.

Luxury Hotel Collection

Since 1924, Sleepeezee is proud to have been working in partnership with world-class hotels to find the perfect sleep experience for their guests. www.sleepeezee.com/contract contract@sleepeezee.com E V E R Y T H I N G’S E A S Y W H E N YO U S L E E P E E Z E E

Hotel Construction Pipeline MEA While the full impact of Covid-19 on future hotel development remains to be seen, the latest data from Tophotelprojects shows a healthy pipeline across the Middle East and Africa. In total, the database counts 942 hotels – amounting to 264,669 rooms – in the construction pipeline; this does not include projects that are currently on hold.

Unsurprisingly, Dubai tops the list with 164 projects (52,282 rooms) in planning or under construction; that’s four times more than anywhere else in the region. Amongst them are several branded offers from Accor including a Raffles, SLS, 25hours and Mama Shelter, as well as an Aloft and Edition from Marriott International, and a number of DoubleTrees and Garden Inns from Hilton Worldwide. Locally grown operators continue to push ahead too, with new offers from Jumeirah Group, Emaar Hospitality and Rove Hotels in the works.

Outside of the UAE, Saudi Arabia has the largest pipeline thanks to Vision 2030, an ambitious strategic growth programme that aims to boost the travel and tourism industry. Among the projects in progress is Amaala, a 2,500-key ultra-luxury development on the Red Sea, and the recently announced Fairfield by Marriott Makkah Al Naseem, featuring 2,600 rooms within close proximity to the Grand Mosque.

TOP CITIES DUBAI Projects 164 Rooms 52,282

RIYADH Projects 44 Rooms 10,496

JEDDAH Projects 40 Rooms 10,451

DOHA Projects 36 Rooms 10,650

ABU DHABI Projects 21 Rooms 7,081

TBILISI Projects 17 Rooms 2,983

MUSCAT Projects 25 Rooms 5,290

MAKKAH Projects 30 Rooms 33,526

RAS AL-KHAIMAH Projects 18 Rooms 6,151

ISTANBUL Projects 16 Rooms 2,752

TOP COUNTRIES

Projects Rooms

Tophotelprojects is a data service to support the design, build, furnishing and operation of hotels worldwide. For more information visit: www.tophotelprojects.com

136

Projects Rooms

1

2

3

4

5

UAE 230 70,700

SAUDI ARABIA 171 76,563

EGYPT 56 17,351

TURKEY 48 8,862

QATAR 47 14,925

6

7

8

9

10

OMAN 37 7,164

MOROCCO 35 8,140

GEORGIA 28 5,021

NIGERIA 26 6,232

ISRAEL 26 3,473

BUSINESS CENTRE

CONSTRUCTION PHASE The majority of projects in the database are at an advanced stage – either under construction or in pre-opening – with a total of 225 projects set to open before the end of 2020. The data service counts just 4 projects in planning, signalling a possible slowdown in new development.

VISION

PRE-PLANNING

Projects 4 Rooms 728

Projects 90 Rooms 23,552

PLANNING

CONSTRUCTION

Projects 208 Rooms 61,475

PRE-OPENING

Projects 531 Rooms 150,721

Projects 109 Rooms 28,193

GROUPS AND BRANDS Accor leads the way by number of hotels in the pipeline across the Middle East and Africa, closely followed by Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide. Radisson Hotel Group meanwhile is set to bolster its presence in the region with new signings in Bursa and Makkah.

125 108 107 87 45

Projects

Projects

Projects

Projects

Projects

BRAND

PROJECTS

ROOMS

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

37

11,921

Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts

31

7,656

Radisson Hotels & Resorts

25

4,860

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts

22

7,129

Hilton Garden Inn

22

4,557

Doubletree by Hilton

21

4,312

Novotel

20

4,204

Park Inn by Radisson

17

3,378

Millennium Hotels

16

5,311

Marriott Hotels & Resorts

16

3,831

YEAR OF OPENING

2020 (24%)

2021 (29%)

2022 (18%)

2023 (8%)

2024+ (21%)

137

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08/07/2020 10:22:39

BUSINESS CENTRE

The intelligence source for the hotel investment community

Staycation boost

to the mayor of London, has called for more

such, we do expect to see a pick-up in distressed

support for hospitality businesses in London,

situations towards the later end of 2020/early

With lockdowns easing, but international travel

where a lack of international visitors means

2021.” Troup agreed: “I think some people are

restrictions in place, regional hotel markets are

low occupancy levels. Likewise in Edinburgh,

still trying to work out if they can take the

enjoying a strong boost.

occupancy is estimated to be at 23% for August,

business forward.”

Across the UK, coastal destinations are

after the city’s arts festival was cancelled. Neil

reporting strong bookings, with occupancies

Ellis, chair of the city’s hoteliers association,

HA PERSPECTIVE

ahead of 2019. Investors, too, have shaken off

has called for Scottish government support.

By Chris Bown: With international travel restricted,

their concerns, with transaction levels up and

Edinburgh Council has promised to imminently

staycations are the order of the day, and the UK’s

no shortage of buyers for properties coming

start a new marketing campaign.

consumers, fed up with home schooling their

to the market. The strength of interest is

“We are still selling hotels – there’s

children for the last three months, can’t wait to get

underlined by a new index launched by agent

evidence that some deals fell through and

away. Hoteliers will be breathing a sigh of relief.

Christie & Co, which tracks website registrations

have been revived,” said Troup. “There are

Coastal properties are trading at levels above those

by potential buyers. The index tracks activity

opportunistic buyers out there, but we’re not

of 2019, with fully booked periods and stronger room

across eight business sectors, including hotels

seeing any majorly distressed stock at the

rates; and there is evidence they are holding their

specifically. Christie says it saw a surge in buyer

moment.” Greenslade said he is seeing a real

nerve, and keeping rates strong. And, thanks to the

interest from the end of April as lockdown

mix of buyers, including those with cash to

generosity of the chancellor with his temporary VAT

restrictions started to ease, with enquiries

invest, some of whom are sector agnostic but

cut, they are keeping more of the advertised rate,

up 84% over the following eight weeks. This

see the hotel space as attractive, as well as small

too. But the good news operationally will be patchy,

compares with an average across all sectors of

hoteliers looking to add individual properties to

as right now bookings are dominated by the family

70%, suggesting hotels remain highly attractive.

their portfolios.

summer holiday. Tourist destinations and seaside

The agent also experienced an increase

As well as distress-driven listings, such as

in inquiries around development appraisals

two former Shearings hotels in Exmouth and

and strategic reviews. Buyers were interested

Bournemouth, Savills is also seeing owners

London specialist PPHE recently said it has

in both closed and open businesses, with a

go to market with the conviction that the

softened room rates in a bid to build occupancy. For

marked increase in searches for coastal and

fundamentals remain strong. Another former

investors, the taps are back on. While there may be

rural businesses.

Shearings hotel in Bath, previously run under

some concerns about performance over the next

“I think this staycation business is absolutely

its Country Living brand and owned by a private

few months, all are betting on the fundamentals

flying,” said Julian Troup, head of UK hotels at

consortium, has attracted strong interest, while

not having shifted. Sector agnostic investors will

Colliers, “but clearly there’s huge challenges in

for another of Greenslade’s listings, “the owners

be choosing hotels over the retail sector and offices,

cities in the UK.”

felt there was an opportunity now”.

areas where there are signs the lockdown may have

hotels will be doing well, while city breaks feel less attractive right now.

“As we enter the summer period, booking

However, Bonnejean warned there are still

websites and reservation platforms are

tough months ahead: “Post-summer, the

reporting unprecedented levels of enquiries as

market outlook is more uncertain. International

HA PERSPECTIVE

domestic guests are keen to escape for a leisure

travel and business demand, most particularly

By Andrew Sangster: There is a lot of conflicting

break in seaside and rural destinations,” said

MICE, will take time to recover and we do not

data floating around about the impact of Covid

Carine Bonnejean, managing director of hotels

anticipate the market to return to pre-Covid-19

and it is worth taking a moment to boil down the

at Christie. “This provides a great opportunity

levels until 2022 at the earliest. Unfortunately,

numbers to look clearly at what is happening. Back

for some hotels to capitalise on this short-term

over-rented or over-leveraged hotels may not

in May, the Office for National Statistics, the UK

demand boost and collect some well-needed

be able to wait that long and we have already

Government official data body, issued its Travel

cash liquidity.”

seen a few casualties. Additionally, government

Trends 2019 document. This showed that there were

However, city hotels are not experiencing the

support is being slowly phased out and deferred

40.9 million visits to the UK by overseas residents

same benefit. UKHospitality, in an open letter

payments will start to impact cash flows. As

and 93.1 million visits overseas by UK residents. With

shifted behaviours fundamentally.

139

the collapse of the air bridge to Spain on 27th July,

last year, according to data supplier OAG. Capacity

includes 49 Holiday Inn Expresses, and one

the non-opening of one to Portugal and the threats

in Western Europe was 35.6% lower. Most worrying

Hampton by Hilton. The group works alongside

about closing other air bridges, overseas travel

is that OAG said that at the height of the summer

a range of global brands, with many of the city

has become problematic, to say the least. The UK’s

season, 638 scheduled airlines are operating. A year

and destination properties operating under

Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised against

ago, in the same week, 716 were operating. Capacity

brand flags, including Hilton, Marriott, Hard

all non-essential travel to Spain, which renders most

for travel is being removed permanently, or at least

Rock and Fairmont.

travel insurance policies void. Only the brave and / or

semi-permanently. A good example is the fate of the

Iconic was launched in 2016, with L&R looking

foolhardy would set off on an international holiday

Airbus A380. Once hailed as the future of long-haul

to manage properties under its own luxury

in such circumstances. It is therefore a reasonable

mass tourism, it is currently flying just 3% of the

platform, with the aim of building Iconic into a

assumption to make that most overseas visitors

flights made in January.

collection of destination resort and capital city

are not coming to the UK and most UK people are

And while trying not to pile on too much gloom,

properties around the world. The grouping was

unlikely to head overseas. This means that there

it needs pointing out that the economic impact of

created by bringing together UK country house

is a net balance of 52.2 million people holidaying

the Covid crisis is still to largely impact. The Bank

properties Cliveden House, The Lygon Arms and

in the UK. While you can shave a few million from

of England said on 4th August that UK GDP was, at

Chewton Glen, combined with London hotel 11

that because some hardy souls have driven overseas

the end of Q2, 12% below Q4 2019. While GDP grew

Cadogan Gardens. This autumn, it will also add

or chosen to fly to those countries where it is still

in May, it stood 24% down from the level at the end

The Mayfair Townhouse to the brand, bringing a

possible to do so, or people simply choosing to stay

of Q4.

further 172 rooms in the capital to the portfolio.

at home, you still have a situation where there are

Things are changing, and the economy is set to

The property, created originally by combining

tens of millions of people seeking to holiday in the

show unprecedented growth off these lows, but it

seven houses in the street, was until 2018 the

UK above usual demand levels. Anecdotally, we can

is going to take time to get back to previous levels.

Hilton London Green Park. The addition of the

see the result with crowded beaches and booked-out

The BoE forecast has been characterised as saying

Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort is the first

holiday accommodation. It would require even more

the downturn is less severe but the recovery more

step in creating an international portfolio, and

naivety than somebody in the UK booking a Spanish

arduous. Unfortunately for travel and tourism, the

will be followed with two further additions in

Costa for this summer to believe that this blip bodes

outcome was as bleak as is possible with a near total

2021. The Venice hotel, with 196 rooms, has

well for UK tourism.

shutdown. A longer and slower recovery is only going

been part of the L&R portfolio since 2016. Then,

to exacerbate the challenges for the sector.

L&R took an equity stake alongside Italian

While many businesses have performed well by

asset manager Coima, buying into a EUR120m

adapting to the changed environment, huge swathes have not. Profitability remains a challenge across Europe and beyond. HotStats said that in June, GOPPAR stood at EUR-14.27 across the hotels in its

restructuring of the Lido di Venezia fund.

“We have ambitious plans for international growth,” said Iconic executive director, Petra

sample. While lockdowns were still in place in many

Hotel owner and manager London & Regional

Deuter. “Over the next few years we will see

territories during that month (including the UK), it is

Hotels is taking the next steps in building an

our collection continue to grow worldwide

still a dismal figure. This summer looks set to deliver

international luxury hotel collection within

as we further our reputation for sustainable

bumper trade to some leisure and resort destinations

its expansive portfolio. The company has

hospitality, preserving the life of historic

in the UK but across the industry as a whole, profits

confirmed its Venetian property, the Hotel

buildings. Each of our properties has its own

will remain elusive.

Excelsior Venice Lido Resort, will be placed

stories, traditions and personality.”

Business travel is the biggest component for profit and the outlook here is bleak: The Global Business

140

L&R Hotels builds Iconic

under the niche collection, and will be followed by additions in Greece and the US.

Coming in 2021, there will be a newly completed resort on the Greek island of

Travel Association published a survey in mid-

The move underlines L&R’s commitment

Mykonos, working with local partner Intrakat

July that found just 17% of European respondents

to growing a fully global portfolio under

on a project said to cost EUR80m. A 71-room

planning to resume travel in the next three months.

Iconic. L&R owns and manages an extensive

luxury hotel plus a dozen residential villas are

A worrying 23% said they were not planning to

range of hotels totalling around 17,000 rooms.

planned on an expansive 100-acre site. The

travel in the near future and 18% were unsure. And

Currently it groups its hotels under four

Mykonos project is one of three that L&R is

Europe was the most positive region globally. The

headings: Iconic, Atlas, a city collection and

involved with in Greece. In 2017, L&R bought

level of pain is likely to endure for some time.

a destination collection. Atlas is L&R’s UK

the Amanthus hotel in Rhodes, now refreshed

At the start of August just half (50.4%) of global

midmarket portfolio, all reopened following

as the Rhodes Bay Hotel and part of L&R’s

airline capacity had been reinstated to where it was

the UK’s coronavirus lockdown. The portfolio

resort collection. And in mid-2019, it acquired

BUSINESS CENTRE

the Titania hotel in central Athens, in a deal

HA PERSPECTIVE

reportedly worth more than EUR50m.

By Chris Bown: L&R, with its breadth of hotel

market, researchers at Savills noted recently that

Reviewing the European serviced apartment

In Florida, Iconic is aiming to open the

assets under management, is in a great position

“there are some indications that the sector has

Palm House, a property that L&R snapped up

to understand how different brands work in

been weathering the storm marginally better.

in mid-2019 in a USD40m deal, as a standing

different parts of the world. So it is interesting to

The reason for this marginal outperformance

unfinished project. Originally planned as a 79-

see the company opting to go it alone, rather than

can be attributed to its guest profile and the

unit condo hotel, the development had been held

select the convenience of a brand, when it looks

typical configuration of properties.” Aside

up with legal wrangles relating to its previous

to extract best value from its currently unbranded

from growing the pipeline, The Ascott has also

ownership. Redesign and remodelling are under

luxury properties. The big challenge is distribution.

opened six new properties so far this year.

way. Desmond Taljaard, managing director of

Were the Iconic properties dialled into a Tribute or

Of these, two are in China, plus Singapore,

L&R, told Hotel Analyst the idea behind Iconic

Autograph collection brand, that would be taken care

Australia’s Gold Coast, Osaka and the French

is clear: “It’s a collection, not a brand.” The

of. Setting out alone demands more concentration

city of Tours. The additions take Ascott close to

properties are united by common experiences,

on testing and measuring routes to market. Speaking

118,000 units in over 700 properties globally,

each having presence as a destination, with

at a recent conference, Taljaard said he expects a

and put it on target to hit 160,000 units by 2023.

history, and “gasp-inspiring” interiors or

further hollowing out of the mid-market. “I think

The group continues to expand by signing a mix

views. And a strong part of the experience

we’ll see some polarisation, that’s where I see some

of management contracts, franchise agreements

for the target guest demographic is about

repurposing.”

and, where necessary, leases.

specifically avoiding a strong brand presence:

Creating your own luxury collection presents

“Despite the challenges of Covid-19, this

“It’s no surprise to us that the brands branched

a great opportunity to take your own unbranded

demonstrates that our partners recognise the

out into collections.”

properties upmarket. He has also spoken previously

resilience of our lodging products and the value

With L&R’s broad experience of brands,

about the value – or not – of brands, in a market

Ascott brings as one of the leading international

Taljaard said the decision to add a property to

where reputation is garnered via newer media,

lodging owner-operators,” said Kevin Gohm,

the collection – or any other brand – continues

and experience is all. With the luxury of private

CEO of The Ascott. “We have a strong base of

to be on an asset-by-asset basis. He pointed

ownership by the Livingstone brothers, Taljaard will

long-stay guests who appreciate the comfort

to the Meridien in Barcelona, which is seeing

have the time to work out his best route to market –

of our spacious apartments where they can

its brand agreement being renewed; other

and how he can outperform the branded properties

live and work. This has enabled our serviced

branded properties within the portfolio may

in the portfolio. We’ll be interested to see how Iconic

residences globally to maintain robust average

move in another direction, as contracts come

takes shape.

occupancy rates. We have already taken steps to

up for renewal. While a fan of some aspects of brand distribution machines, he is also sanguine about the sometimes oblique “system and central marketing” fees and costs they can charge. Taljaard said marketing the Iconic

ready Ascott to be the accommodation of choice

Ascott leads apartment momentum

in a post-Covid landscape and will continue to cement Ascott’s position as a dominant lodging player and deliver more value for our guests and business partners.”

properties will be carried out in-house using

The Ascott, Singaporean group Capitaland’s

The company managed to keep many of its

“economically sustainable marketing, as it’s

lodging business, has enjoyed a record start to

locations operating as the pandemic spread,

much more of a targeted audience.” The group

2020, signing 25 new properties in the first five

providing a safe haven for both key workers and

is not averse to testing all routes to market,

months of the year.

returning nationals, many of whom needed to

for example listing its Nobu Ibiza Bay with the

The growing momentum, set against the

quarantine for a while. Its Ascott Cares regime,

Small Hotels of the World consortium, which

international upset of the coronavirus pandemic,

launched in May, has helped provide reassurance

Taljaard said “drives in specific leisure guests.”

represents a 139% year-on-year increase in units

for guests and is being rolled out globally. The

For future growth of Iconic, L&R prefers to

secured. Half of the new contracts are in China,

company has continued to double down on the

buy hotels: “We like to invest, to get the value

while the additions include Jayapura, Batam and

Chinese market, where a first rental housing

that we add.” However, to-date, the collection

Surabaya in Indonesia; Morocco’s largest city,

project has also been signed, providing fully

includes owned, joint ventured and managed

Casablanca; and Manila in the Philppines. The

furnished homes in tier one and tier two cities.

properties. “One of our great strengths is our

strong growth comes as consultants suggest

Tan Tze Shang, Ascott’s head of business

flexibility,” said Taljaard.

the serviced apartment sector has proved more

development for China, said the business there

resilient to the downturn than hotels.

is in recovery: “Since May 2020, Ascott has fully

141

BUSINESS CENTRE

resumed operations of our properties and we are

and a further London location. Into 2022, the

seeing encouraging signs of recovery driven by

pipeline includes Lisbon and Copenhagen.

the country’s strong domestic demand. With the implementation of green lanes between China

HA PERSPECTIVE

and other countries such as Singapore and

By Andrew Sangster: This optimism thing looks

Korea, we expect demand to pick up pace as

contagious. After months of bad news, winners

international travel gradually resumes.”

are beginning to emerge. And serviced apartments

In the second quarter, Chinese properties

are among the most resilient of all short-let

achieved occupancy above 70%, rising to 100%

accommodation segments. The appeal is due to

during the country’s May holiday weekend.

combining self-contained accommodation, which

In Europe, Savills note the continuing relative

means few facilities are shared with other guests,

undersupply of serviced apartments, and their

with the reassurance of a big company guarantee for

relative outperformance as a result. “The

cleanliness and safety. The best of hotels and private

relative outperformance of serviced apartments

accommodation.

over hotels during the Covid-19 crisis may be

This is not to say there has not been pain. Ascott

marginal, but it does reflect a trend seen over the

Residence Trust’s AGM in June made plain that

longer term highlighting the counter-cyclical

there has been plenty. The REIT has master leases

features of the sector during downturns.”

in place in Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South

Across Europe’s key gateway cities, Savills

Korea and Singapore, and management contracts

estimate serviced apartments account for

with minimum guarantees in the UK, Belgium and

7.9% of bed nights, a little ahead of Airbnb’s

Spain. The Japanese master leaseholder, WBF Hotels

market share. The team recently analysed these

& Resorts, filed for civil rehabilitation in late April and

markets, noting “even for those markets well

Ascott is engaged in discussions about rent relief with

represented for serviced apartments, such as

other operators too. It said: “We seek to find a middle

Paris and London, there was still an imbalance

ground that is sustainable for both parties”. To

suggesting room for further stock growth. Once

mitigate the decline in occupancies, Ascott and

demand fully recovers, we believe this will

its operators have had to look to other business

continue to be the case.”

opportunities such as providing accommodation

Savills say investor levels of interest remain

to people in self-isolation, healthcare personnel,

strong, and despite some hesitation due to the

workers looking for alternative work-from-home

coronavirus lockdown, they expect a number

arrangements and people impacted by border

of deals to complete during the second half of

shutdowns. Marketing is being focused on domestic

2020. “Serviced apartment yields across Europe

travel. The REIT had closed 15 properties since

remain relatively attractive, with an average

the pandemic and has subsequently opened three

yield spread of approximately 50bps compared

of these. It expects to open all the rest. It remains

to hotels. This is particularly favourable

confident about the sector: “Despite near-term

considering other markets such as Asia and

headwinds, we remain positive on the longer-term

Australia tend to see tighter serviced apartment

prospects of the hospitality sector. Historically,

yields in comparison to transient hotels.” One

tourism has shown an unparalleled ability to recover

brand expanding fast in Europe is Locke,

from a crisis and has proven to be a key driver of

backed by the edyn Group. The brand combines

international recovery.”

aparthotel accommodation with the feel of a

Despite current challenges, there has not been a

boutique hotel, and currently has four properties

significant change in transaction prices. The REIT

in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. This

said that the pandemic would have to be “long-

year, Locke will launch two more London sites

drawn for distressed transactions to appear”.

and in Dublin, followed next year by another Dublin site, two in Munich, Berlin, Cambridge

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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

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Flora - Promenade design by Santi Moix

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Covid-19 Update: Global Hotel Performance The global hotel industry continues to navigate through the early stages of performance recovery with eased Covid-19 restrictions, further reopening of economies and increased leisure and business activity around the world.

For the hospitality industry, leisure demand was the first out of the gate and will continue to drive recovery in most markets until the context for long-haul travel improves, large events are once again deemed safe in major cities, and group business returns. In the meantime, countries with stronger domestic leisure offerings have seen rising occupancy, but as July 2020 data shows, overall performance remains historically low in each world region.

No two countries are recovering exactly alike, but broad trends can be found via geography and similar Covid-19 caseloads.

Metrics reflect STR Standard methodology, which measures occupancy of all the open hotels in a market and tracks realised demand against realied supply. This methodology excludes temporarily closed rooms that could not be booked.

USA

The absolute occupancy level was the lowest for any July on record in the USA, but all three key performance metrics were up from June levels.

Occupancy 36.1% to 47.0% ADR 24.8% to US$101.76 RevPAR 52.0% to US$47.84

BRAZIL

The country’s metrics were up from the prior month, but absolute occupancy and RevPAR levels were the lowest for any July in STR’s Brazil database.

Occupancy 71.7% to 17.0% ADR 28.1% to BRL208.61 RevPAR 79.6% to BRL35.47

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

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

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Performance Data July 2020 (year-over-year % changes and absolute values)

BUSINESS CENTRE

IRELAND

Each of the three key performance metrics were up significantly from June, but occupancy and RevPAR came in lower than any other July in STR’s Ireland database.

Occupancy 62.6% to 32.6% ADR 24.6% to EUR106.94 RevPAR 71.8% to EUR34.85

UK

While up slightly from June, each metric was the lowest for any July in STR’s UK database.

Occupancy 67.1% to 28.0% ADR 36.3% to GBP66.74 RevPAR 79.0% to GBP18.67

CHINA

Each of the three key performance metrics were up from June, but ADR and RevPAR remained the lowest for any July on record in the country.

China’s occupancy was the lowest for a July since the global financial crisis.

Occupancy 18.5 % to 57.9 % ADR 15.5 % to CNY378.21 RevPAR 31.1 % to CNY218.81

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Each of the three key performance metrics were up from June. The occupancy level was the highest in the UAE since March.

Occupancy 40.7% to 37.8% ADR 3.6% to AED326.98 RevPAR 42.9% to AED123.44

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia’s occupancy was slightly lower than June, but ADR and RevPAR were up month-over-month. The ADR level was the country’s highest for any month this year.

Occupancy 47.4% to 31.9% ADR 12.9% to SAR520.11 RevPAR 54.1% to SAR165.70

AUSTRALIA

While up slightly from June, the absolute occupancy and RevPAR levels were the lowest for any July in STR’s Australia database. The ADR value was the lowest for a July in Australia since 2004.

Occupancy 44.6% to 41.4% ADR 18.3% to AUD143.58 RevPAR 54.8% to AUD59.47

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AHEAD MEA

Celebrating the best new hospitality projects in the Middle East & Africa, the AHEAD MEA 2020 shortlist spans the length and breadth of the region, from the coastal dunes of the Namib Desert in the south, to the charming riads of Marrakech in the north.

Whether an architectural wonder in the heart of Dubai, a Saharan escape in Tunisia, or a newbuild set on the foundations of an ancient city in Turkey, the projects will be judged on merits of creative excellence and commercial viability, with 13 prizes up for grabs including Guestrooms, Spa & Wellness, Resort and the prestigious AHEAD Hotel of the Year.

The Lodges, Cabins & Tented Camps category has also been expanded for 2020 thanks to a host of new openings across the continent, with judges feeling that more than four entries deserved a spot amongst this year’s finalists. Projects in South

Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia all make the list, with many focusing on light touch tourism that emphasises experiential luxury by way of immersing guests in the surrounding landscape.

Whilst the hospitality industry faces testing times, the AHEAD programme will continue to recognise the achievements of designers, developers, architects and operators alike, and this year is no different. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 9 November as part of a virtual awards presentation broadcast on the AHEAD and Dezeen websites. And after consulting with our loyal supporters who have expressed a desire to get back to face-to-face events, we’re delighted to be planning a screening party – a drinks and networking event in Dubai (should it be safe to do so), giving our local AHEAD community in the region a chance to come together.

www.aheadawards.com

AHEAD MEA SHORTLIST

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

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

Archer Bar & Eatery at Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch – Johannesburg, South Africa Amdec / Marriott International / Bentel Associates International / Source Interior Brand Architecture

Le Palais Ronsard – Marrakech, Morocco Aram Ohanian and Adriana Karembeu / Relais & Châteaux / Gil Dez

Infinity Rooftop Bar at Alwadi Hotel – MGallery – Doha, Qatar Msheireb Properties / AccorHotels / Gensler / Squire & Partners Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar at W Muscat – Oman OMRAN Group / Marriott International / HKS Architects / COWI & Partners / Rockwell Group St. Trop at Waldorf Astoria DIFC – UAE Ward Holding / Hilton Worldwide / Perkins + Will / LW Design

Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch – Johannesburg, South Africa Amdec / Marriott International / Bentel Associates / Source IBA ME Dubai at Opus – UAE Omniyat Properties / Melia Hotels International / Zaha Hadid Architects Vida Hotel Emirates Hills – Dubai, UAE Emaar Hospitality Group / Vida Hotels / Lulie Fisher Design Studio

LO D G E S , C A B I N S A N D T E N T E D C A M P S GUESTROOMS Four Seasons Hotel Doha – Qatar Constellation Hotels Holding / Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts / Pierre-Yves Rochon Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, De Hoop Nature Reserve – South Africa Natural Selection / Johnathan Hill / Four Mist The Farmstead at Royal Malewane – Hoedspruit, South Africa Liz and Phil Biden / The Royal Portfolio The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi – UAE Wasl Hospitality & Leisure / Marriott International / Stickman Tribe

HOTEL NEWBUILD Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch – Johannesburg, South Africa Amdec / Marriott International / Bentel Associates International / Source Interior Brand Architecture ME Dubai at Opus – UAE Omniyat Properties / Melia Hotels International / Zaha Hadid Architects The Museum Hotel Antakya – Turkey Asfuroğlu Group / Emre Arolat Architecture / DesignIst The Social House Nairobi – Kenya Lavington Hotel / Symbion Nairobi / Areen Design

Abelana River Lodge – Phalaborwa, South Africa Abelana Investor Company / Abelana Game Reserve / DSA Architects International / dsgn Design &Beyond Ngala Treehouse, Timbavati Private Game Reserve – South Africa &Beyond / Alexander + Walt / Fox Browne Creative Habitas Namibia Habitas King’s Pool – Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana Wilderness Safaris / Luxury Frontiers / Artichoke Lepogo Lodges Noka Camp – South Africa Lepogo Lodges / Yuji Yamazaki, YYA / Sarah Ord Interiors Puku Ridge – South Luangwa National Park, Zambia Chichele Safaris / Chiawa Safaris / Luxury Frontiers Zannier Hotels Sonop – Namibia Zannier Hotels / Zannier Hotels Interior

R E N O VAT I O N , R E S T O R AT I O N & CONVERSION &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge – Namibrand Nature Reserve, Namibia &Beyond / Alexander + Walt / Fox Browne Creative Four Seasons Hotel Doha – Qatar Constellation Hotels Holding / Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts / Pierre-Yves Rochon

L A N D S C A P I N G & O U T D O O R S PA C E S Anantara Tozeur Resort – Tunisia Qatari Diar / Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas / Agora Premium Le Palais Ronsard – Marrakech, Morocco Aram Ohanian and Adriana Karembeu / Relais & Châteaux / Gil Dez The Farmstead at Royal Malewane – Hoedspruit, South Africa Liz and Phil Biden / The Royal Portfolio The Oberoi – Marrakech, Morocco El Alami Real Estate / Oberoi Hotels & Resorts / Colliers and Partners

Le Palais Ronsard – Marrakech, Morocco Aram Ohanian and Adriana Karembeu / Relais & Châteaux / Gil Dez Long Lee Manor – Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa Investment Corporation Dubai / Shamwari Private Game Reserve / DSA Architects International / K/M2K Architecture & Interior Design / Landmark Studios

AHEAD

RESORT

SUITE

Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa – Abu Dhabi, UAE Marriott International / Godwin Austen Johnson

Anantara Tozeur Resort – Tunisia Qatari Diar / Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas / Agora Premium

Anantara Tozeur Resort – Tunisia Qatari Diar / Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas / Agora Premium The Oberoi Marrakech – Morocco El Alami Real Estate / Oberoi Hotels & Resorts / Colliers and Partners W Muscat – Oman OMRAN Group / Marriott International / HKS Architects / COWI & Partners / P49 Deesign / Rockwell Group

R E S TA U R A N T Bull & Bear at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre – UAE Ward Holding / Hilton Worldwide / Perkins + Will / LW Design Keystone at Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch – Johannesburg, South Africa Amdec / Marriott International / Bentel Associates International / Source Interior Brand Architecture Mina’s Kitchen at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi – UAE Wasl Hospitality & Leisure / Marriott International / Stickman Tribe Nammos Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Dubai – UAE SDS / Nammos Group / DXB-LAB Architecture / Elastic Interiors

S PA & W E L L N E S S Amani Spa & Wellness at The Houghton Hotel – Johannesburg, South Africa ASHVID Holdings / The Leading Hotels of the World / Boogertman + Partners / dsgn Design Away Spa at W Muscat – Oman OMRAN Group / Marriott International / HKS Architects / COWI & Partners / P49 Deesign Balans Spa & Fitness at The Museum Hotel Antakya – Turkey Asfuroğlu Group / Emre Arolat Architecture / DesignIst The St. Regis Cairo – Egypt Marriott International / St Regis Hotels / Michael Garves Architecture & Design

Four Seasons Hotel Doha – Qatar Constellation Hotels Holding / Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts / Pierre-Yves Rochon Le Palais Ronsard – Marrakech, Morocco Aram Ohanian and Adriana Karembeu / Relais & Châteaux / Gil Dez Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch – Johannesburg, South Africa Amdec / Marriott International / Bentel Associates International / Source Interior Brand Architecture

12 MARCH 2020

10 JUNE 2020

ORGANISED BY

9 NOVEMBER 2020

18 NOVEMBER 2020

DUBAI

LONDON

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21/08/2020 17:51

Radical Innovation

Radical Innovation – the annual awards

to enable entrepreneurs to be industrious while

programme that invites bold thinking in

enjoying their journey to wellbeing.

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

hospitality design – has announced the finalists

Winners in the Hospitality Product category

for its 14th edition, with this year’s submissions

have been announced as The Bruskin Glass

focusing on health and wellness.

Modular Shower by Belstone, described

Seeking ideas with the power to change the industry, the competition for hospitality pioneers unveils this year’s finalists.

Competing for a US$10,000 grand prize, Camp

as a technological leap into the future in

Sarika by Amangiri created by Luxury Frontiers,

environments where hygiene is a primary

Dream Pod by Populous and The Modern

concern; and Mio, a smart wellness mirror

Monastery by Indidesign have been selected to

designed by Arda Genç of Istanbul Technical

progress to the next stage of the competition in

University, to create a healthier, calmer

the Hospitality Concepts/Design category, and

environment in the guestroom.

will present their ideas at an event later this

Previous winners of Radical Innovation

year, where an audience vote will determine the

include Zoku, the Concrete-designed co-

winner. The professional finalists were chosen

working/living hybrid that opened in 2016, a

from 80 entries, with a jury of experts assessing

year after taking home the prize; and Connetic,

the creativity of each concept, as well as its

a modular concept by Cooper Carry Architects

feasibility and ability to impact the industry.

that aims to make use of underutilised spaces.

In addition to the professional finalists, the

152

panel examined a record number of student

Radical Innovation is produced by The Hardy Group

entries and eventually named Jieru Lin, a recent

with support from the University of Illinois School of

graduate of California College of the Arts, as

Architecture, UNLV School of Architecture and media

the winner. Lin’s Moment Hotel concept blurs

partner Sleeper.

the boundary between work and life, and aims

www.radicalinnovation.io

EVENTS

CAMP SARIKA BY AMANGIRI LUXURY FRONTIERS

DREAM POD POPULOUS

THE MODERN MONASTERY INDIDESIGN

Opened recently as an extension to Amangiri, North America’s first all-weather, yearround tented camp comprises ten pavilions surrounded by 600 hectares of wilderness in the heart of the Utah desert. Designed and developed by Luxury Frontiers, the tents are made from recycled plastic bottles, woven to produce a soft canvas that is durable, lightweight and long-lasting, able to withstand the region’s extreme weather conditions.

Interiors are characterised by bespoke walnut and leather furnishings, and etched timber headboards that echo the undulating landscape, while sliding doors open to a spacious outdoor deck with a firepit and private plunge pool. Overlooking the otherworldly landscape of sandstone formations, the backto-nature camp combines the touchstones of Aman luxury with increasing guest demand for more meaningful and contextual experiences.

Using existing technologies including 3D printing, hot air balloons and smartphones, Dream Pod is a series of lightweight, selfsustaining accommodations that would allow guests to experience personalised hospitality and the wonder of flight. Designed by the Kansas City office of Populous, the concept enables guests to fly solo or float as a part of a community, with an app to control ascent and descent. The Dream Pods are 3D printed with a durable lattice structure, and feature curved photovoltaics for capturing sunlight as well as moist gathering strategies to harvest water.

Each pod is fitted out with a bed, storage space, shower and waterless toilet, while dining and retail facilities are available at a docking station.

Seeking to redefine travel and hospitality, Dream Pod responds to the growing interest in less densely populated spaces following the global pandemic.

With quarries generally perceived as unsightly lacerations on the landscape, The Modern Monastery by LA-based Indidesign seeks to embrace rather than conceal, transforming decommissioned sites into unique guest experiences. Featuring a vertical set of rooms carved into the excavated rock face, the adaptive reuse concept reconnects the quarry to the wider landscape via a sense of calm and grounded energy inspired by natural wellness, with guests also connected to this journey.

Highlighting the dramatic scale and imposing sculptural quality, the quarry’s ridges hold the living units – each featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed stone surfaces – with layers connected via a mix of visible and hidden passages. Outside, empty cavities are filled with water for a series of reflective pools, contributing to a transformative journey of physical, visual and spiritual discovery.

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13/08/2020

9:35 AM

SPOTLIGHT BATHROOMS

Brands are pushing the boundaries in the sanitaryware sector more than ever, and with new visual and material innovations, the washroom as we know it is being redefined.

Over 400 Colours Bette German bathroom manufacturer Bette offers its baths, shower trays and basins in over 400 colours and also creates bespoke shades for large projects. Each product is individually manufactured in titaniumsteel, before the durable BetteGlaze enamel finish is applied and fired, providing an option of finishes: gloss, matte, shimmering and glittering. Keeping their good looks for many years, Bette’s products are easy to clean, 100% recyclable and come with a 30-year warranty, making them ideal for contract projects. www.my-bette.com

SPOTLIGHT

1.

2.

3.

156

4.

1. Rinse-Free Hand Gel Zenology

2. Rilievo Gessi

3. My/Me Mirror Concept Aliseo

4. The Designer Series Baulmann Leuchten

Zenology ensures that wellbeing is prioritised without compromising on the guest experience. With hygiene becoming more important than ever, guests will want and need to cleanse their hands when there is no direct access to water and soap whilst on the go. Zenology’s Rinse-Free Hand Gel in Citrus Nobilis scent with purifying and hydrating properties is formulated with 70% alcohol and reduces microbial growth. The gel is non-sticky and cleans, hydrates and absorbs quickly; coming in a recyclable and refillable pump bottle, as well as in 70ml travel size – the perfect pocketsized product to ensure hands remain clean at all times. www.zenology.com

Gessi’s Rilievo collection is one the brand’s many sensor tap offerings.

Designed by internationally acclaimed studio HBA, the product exhibits a circle inscribed into a square. The geometric and architectural form alludes to eternity and immutability, whilst the circle evokes eternal movement. The tap’s electronic detector can be connected to the regular electricity network or to a lithium battery, ensuring in both cases a minimum water consumption to eliminate waste.

Balancing style, emotion and functionality, the design gives a gracing touch and sight, making sure that the body and soul equilibrium takes centre stage in the bathroom. www.gessi.com

Aliseo has unveiled its new My/Me mirror concept. Known for its versatility, clean lines and functional beauty, the product is a natural complement to any bathroom interior design. Simply engineered for maximum efficiency, the mirror uses multiple rotating pivot joints to enable a wide range of precise movements that provide the best angular reflection.

Aliseo’s pin-point halo illumination is powered by an SMD LED shadow-free lighting platform that ensures visual clarity and comfort. The My/Me mirror effortlessly integrates a moulded translucent acrylic canopy too, which emits a distinctive backside light and defines a space within a space. www.aliseo.de

The Designer Series from Baulmann Leuchten is a collection of decorative lighting created specifically for the hotel sector. Handmade in Germany and boasting contract quality, the lights guarantee a long and service-free life during operation. The extensive series covers all aspects of guestroom lighting from LED reading lights, to pendants, wall sconces, table and floor lamps, as well as mirrors. All Baulmann mirrors are glare-free and use warm white LEDs with high colour-renderings. The LED mirrors’ discreet design makes them suitable for use in various spaces including bathrooms, hotel rooms and public areas, subtly adding a stylish touch. www.baulmann.com

Happy D.2 Plus. Design and technology perfectly combined.

The perfect combination of iconic design and innovative technology: the bathroom classic Happy D.2 Plus with harmoniously rounded corners in new variants. The unique Duravit technologies like the patented c-bonded open up new, individual solutions. Design by sieger design. For more bathroom design visit www.duravit.co.uk.

SPOTLIGHT

1.

2.

3.

158

4.

1. TECEnow Matte Black Tece

2. Frame Stellar Works

3. Round Bath Tina Frey Designs

4. Nexsys Kaldewei

Tece has introduced its TECEnow flushplate in matte black – a finish that stylishly emphasises the functional, simple design. The defined edges and flat structure of the plastic flushplate show that a reduced yet elegant design is also possible in the standard segment.

Boasting high-quality haptics, the mechanical flush buttons have rubber buffers for firm, pleasant feedback, whilst the plate offers the tried-and-tested dual-flush technology with water-saving small and large flush volumes. With the accompanying installation set and TECEnow spacing frame, flush-mounted integration is possible with very little effort required. www.tece.de

Designed by Nendo, Stellar Works’ Frame is a simple L-shaped steel system that has been designed for a multitude of purposes. “One of Stellar Works’ strongest characteristics is the design and functionality of its pieces, which means they can be used in both home and hospitality environments,” Nendo comments. In light of this, Frame can be hung on the wall as a towel rail, holding a mirror at two points, and can be transformed into a shelf. It is also customisable to use in combination with shelves and towel bars. There are also floor mirrors which allow Frame to be used as a freestanding mirror with garment racks. www.stellarworks.com

Tina Frey Designs has unveiled its Round Bath range, inspired by the soft qualities of rocks and driftwood that have been polished by the ocean and elements.

Bringing to mind naturally formed shapes, the products are available in solid black, providing a nice contrast and a dramatic, graphic look. When placed within a white space, the items resemble a painting of rocks strewn in a serene setting. Entirely handmade with care and crafted from resin, Round Bath provides an artisanal touch to an otherwise sterile setting. Whether used for organising the necessities in the bath, vanity or room, the multipurpose collection leaves much to the imagination of its users. www.tinafreydesigns.com

Available in a wide range of colours and the elegant shades of Kaldwei’s Coordinated Colours Collection, the Nexsys shower acts as a standout feature in the bathroom, providing surprising contrasts. The shower comes in 20 different sizes, with three surface options – polished gold, stainless steel or brushed red and gold – and arrives virtually ready to install. All of the elements are preassembled at Kaldewei’s factory, including the sloping support, waste channel and sealing tape. An easyclean finish is available upon request, and all matte colours can be treated with Kaldewei’s virtually invisible anti-slip Secure Plus finish for safety underfoot. www.kaldewei.co.uk

The Beyond Collection

The Beyond Collection creates a statement, its elegant curves and soft lines contribute to its sleek and contemporary design; making it the perfect addition to any bathroom space.

www.uk.roca.com

SPOTLIGHT

1.

2.

160

3.

1. Premium Flush Plates Geberit

2. Rainshower SmartActive Grohe

3. The New Classic Laufen

Geberit has unveiled a new selection of flushplate finishes, offering enhanced design flexibility for washrooms. The new colourways will expand the brand’s collections – Sigma 21, 20 and 30 – catering to a range of different styles, tastes and spaces. Industrial-inspired concrete and natural wood finishes have been added to the Sigma 21 and 50 collections, allowing designers to incorporate the latest interior trends into washrooms. Both new flushplates will also be available with a choice of brass, red, gold and black chrome metal detailing. Geberit has also expanded its Sigma 20 and 30 flush plate collections to include matte black and white. www.geberit.com

The Rainshower SmartActive is Grohe’s most advanced and luxurious hand shower to-date. The range brings innovation and more options to personalise one’s shower experience.

Its one-click showering feature is an ergonomic controller on the top of the hand shower which allows the user to select between three different spray patterns: Rain, Jet and ActiveMassage.

There is also a choice between a round or square design, available in either a chrome-plated spray face or whitemoulded spray face. Meanwhile, the products are available in up to 11 metallic finishes to ensure coordination with the rest of the bathroom. www.grohe.co.uk

Following Marcel Wanders’ collaboration with Laufen at Mondrian Doha – where he equipped 270 bathrooms with a mix of the brand’s standard products and bespoke pieces – the acclaimed designer has once again teamed up with the Swiss bathroom manufacturer, this time to create The New Classic.

Balancing both modern and traditional aesthetics, the collection comprises a bathtub, washbasin, bidet, toilets, bathroom furniture and accessories – all of which combine soft shapes and harmonious forms.

“Laufen’s brief didn’t ask for a modern collection, nor did it ask for a classic one. All it asked for was a collection that it didn’t already have,” says Wanders. “We wanted to create a perfect intermediate range that would build a bridge between the cold and rigid architecture and the subject standing within it. The New Classic creates this transition perfectly.”

Crafted from SaphirKeramik, the series features thin, elegant edges around the brims of its bathtubs and basins – an effect that is almost impossible to execute using other materials. The ceramic’s composition also incorporates corundum, a colourless component of sapphire that ensures the products are equally as robust as they are slender and stylish. www.laufen.com

unidrain.com

International Sales Manager: RenĂŠ Risom +45 2889 7490 / rer@unidrain.dk

minimalist; now you can bring it into your bathroom with Highline Custom floor drain.

Scandinavian design is known worldwide for its functionality whilst remaining elegant and

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HighLine Custom

SPOTLIGHT

1.

2.

3.

162

4.

1. William Gray Claybrook

2. Components Kohler

3. Bond Waterworks

4. Verde Karzai Ariostea

Claybrook for William Gray is a bath collection designed and curated by Will Meyer and Gray Davis of Meyer Davis – a globally acclaimed, New York-based design studio specialising in residential, hospitality and retail spaces. The William Gray offering comprises the Frame and Vessel collections. The former – pictured above – is characterised by smooth rounded shapes and sleek stone, whereas the latter offers a minimal group of square vessels. Offering a selection of baths and vanities, both collections feature a contemporary design that redefines luxury and incorporates natural stone to help create classic and stylish bathroom interiors. www.claybrookinteriors.com

Kohler’s Components collection has been designed for contemporary bathrooms that speak to the many facets of modern design. Every element, from spouts and handles to the accessories that complete the space, are designed to feel like a minimalist piece of modern sculpture. The range invites designers and consumers to create signature looks by combining a faucet spout with different handles, allowing them to bring a touch of their own personality into the room. Available in a dark, rich matte black finish, the Kohler Components faucets make a bold statement and add a heightened sense of sophistication into a number of washrooms. www.kohlercompany.com

Designed in collaboration with Gachot Studios, Bond is a contemporary series of bathroom fittings by Waterworks.

Inspired by the aesthetic movement of the 19th century, vintage lighters and modern industrial design, the collection is ideal for contemporary use. Design elements include the centuries-old engraving technique guilloché, done by skilled artisans in Italy. The range splits into three distinguishing series – Solo, Tandem and Union; each is denoted by stylistic differences tied to a common base silhouette. Solo is pure in form and function, Tandem boasts two additional design elements, and Union brings together three different design styles. www.waterworks.com

Ariostea has added to its Ultra Marmi catalogue with the introduction of Verde Karzai – a new surface that inspired the brand to study the rarest quarry materials and ensure a perfect reproduction of their characteristics. Verde Karzai has a compact base colour of intense green, with nuances of brown and veins in ochre and white. The dominating shades are those found in lush flora, which lend an intrinsic sense of wellbeing and serenity.

Beyond their primary use as floor and wallcoverings, the Ultra range is also used to provide technical solutions in architecture and personalised furnishing.

The slabs come in a range of sizes, with a Lucidato Shiny finish and 6mm thickness. www.ariostea-high-tech.com

www.monteleone.it

SPOTLIGHT

2.

3.

1.

164

4.

1. Everlux Finishes Roca

2. Polluce Monteleone

3. Happy D.2 Plus C-Shaped Duravit

4. Touchless Solutions Sanipex

Brassware is experiencing a revolution in terms of colour, and Roca has responded by introducing the new Everlux finishes in a variety of shades to complement its existing product offering. Everlux is a PVD coating that boasts excellent durability and is resistant to scratches and impacts.

Roca has created a range of colours with a gloss or matte finish, offering multiple combinations in the creation of sophisticated and resistant bathroom spaces, including Titanium Black, Rose Gold, Gold and Chrome, which are also available in a brushed finish. To complement the brassware, Roca has also introduced a range of colour options for its Beyond sanitaryware collection. www.roca.com

Polluce by Monteleone is a new mirror with rounded corners, exhibited in the image above at Hotel Mediterraneo Sorrento. Capturing the most current interior design trends, the mirror comes with a stylish frame in satin bronze and can enrich an entire décor with its unique features and high-quality materials.

Available in a number of colourways, it is possible to match all the metal details in the bathroom to convey a subtle sense of luxury. Every detail, fitting and space is carefully analysed and designed to contribute to the overall mirror and bathroom appeal. Monteleone’s expertise take bathroom solutions in the hospitality sector to new directions. www.monteleone.it

Duravit and Sieger have teamed up to create an extension to the Happy D.2 Plus series and present their new C-Shaped technology. The evolution of the C-bonded process guarantees that the ceramic washbasin and furniture run in parallel with no overhang or recess.

C-shaped has all the benefits of a ceramic glaze but is made entirely from DuraCeram, making it robust and easy to clean. The Happy D.2 Plus C-Shaped is available in two versions: with a ceramic, glossy white outer edge in combination with a vanity unit or metal console in chrome. The new washing variants can be combined with all elements from the Happy D.2 and Happy 2.2 Plus series. www.duravit.co.uk

Specialising in washroom specification for any space, Sanipex’s newly developed touchless programme encompasses everything from touchless flush valves, to 2-in-1 mixer and soap dispensers. The newest additions for 2020 have been propelled through the brand’s product development, catering to perceived new hygiene regulations; introducing a touchless shower valve and a range of sanitiser dispensers to specify the height of hygiene. The coloured RAL and PVD finishes create standout solutions and combine creativity with compliance.

The range allows one to design without limitation, avoiding the ubiquitous, utilitarian stereotype of hygienic design. www.sanipexgroup.com

• Shower Enclosures

• Anti-Slip Solid Surface Shower Trays

• Integrated Design Solutions

• UK Manufacturer

• Bespoke Product Capability

• Products Exceed all Compliance Standards

• Dedicated In-House Design Team

• Experienced in Large Project Work

• Global Manufacturer to over 60 International Markets

• Supplier to Major International Hotel Groups

• Solid Surface Fabrication

• Promotes Sustainability and Circular Economy

@romanltd

www.roman-showers.com

SIPPING

Touch-Free Tech In the second of a series of features exploring how the hospitality industry can respond to a new standard of health security, we take a look at the products facilitating the contactless hotel of tomorrow.

Words: Kristofer Thomas and Ben Thomas

A

s the hospitality industry slowly rolls back into

will inevitably see the process of adoption accelerated, and

action following the wholesale turbulence of the

to see what this movement may evolve into, we should look

Coronavirus pandemic, returning guest sentiment is

to the early adopters.

guiding changes in hotel function and form. Whilst much has

When CitizenM launched in 2008, its automated self-

been discussed around the physical changes to hotel design

check-in process was hailed as the model of the future, and

– not least socially distanced lobbies, carefully partitioned

these predictions appear to have been correct. Now the Dutch

restaurants and an abundance of new cleaning and hygiene

hotel chain has announced its contactless stay experience, all

protocols – it is perhaps a demand for the opposite, and the

tethered to an app that allows guests to create keycards, open

emergence of non-physical elements, that will define the

their door, order F&B deliveries, and control the in-room

coming era of hotel life.

experience from the comfort and relative safety of a phone.

Whilst bio-resistant materials and self-cleaning

Spending the pandemic downtime fast-tracking and rolling

components are all well and good, the average hotel guest has

out the technology, the brand will now tackle health security

spent the last six months being hyper-aware of every surface

fears with a combination of in-house cleaning procedures

and their potential role in the spread of disease, and as such is

and technology that affords guests greater control over

likely wary of contact with any unfamiliar fixture, regardless

unfamiliar environments.

of its certification. From check-in desk to guestroom, the

Where across the last two issues we’ve looked at the

journey through a hotel is one of contact – with pen, elevator

surface materials and office elements guests can expect to

button, doorknob, light-switch, TV remote, all hotspots of

see in the post-pandemic world, we now turn our attention

collected germs and handled countless times before it is your

to the products facilitating the contactless hotel of tomorrow.

turn. In a world where physical contact has been under the proverbial and literal microscope for much of the year, some adaptations will be required.

It should come as no surprise then that contactless technology within hospitality experiences are in demand, with a survey by hygiene specialist Citron signalling that 80% of the 7,000 asked would prefer an app that allows for touch-free check-in and out as opposed to the traditional model, whilst 73% sought a similar means of opening their guestroom doors. The technology for both is already available, yet still largely in the minority. The ground shift of Covid-19

000

Clockwise from top left: Grohe’s Bau Cosmo E infra-red basin tap; Gira’s G1 room operating device; Imagin’s CleansePoint Collection

WASH YOUR HANDS

mounted units. Comprising four bespoke

Cloud-based room management system

The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the everyday

designs – The Windsor and The Richmond in

SYMBIoT allows guests to control all in-room

necessity of hand-washing into the spotlight,

collaboration with DMA; The Henley and The

technology from their personal device too,

meaning products that optimise hand hygiene

Marlow by Imagin’s designers – the automatic

though without the need to download an app.

at hotels and in the workplace are soaring in

hand sanitisers use motion-sensing technology

The contactless solution can also be expanded

demand. One such solution is the Bau Cosmo

and come in a variety of optional finishes,

to offer real-time diagnostics on maintenance

E by German bathroom manufacturer Grohe,

colours and materials, while room numbers and

devices, meaning operators can track everything

an infra-red basin mixer made from composite

lights can also be added for use in corridors.

from lights to leak detection remotely.

movement before activating the water flow –

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

Similarly efficient is Gira G1, an intelligent

minimising contact with the faucet itself to

Amongst the least hygienic items in any given

control unit that can be used to control many in-

ensure germs from unclean hands do not linger.

hotel room, the television remote is a hotbed

room technology functions, from switching and

for germs – often overlooked in the cleaning

dimming lights to raising and lowering blinds

process (when did you last wash yours?) and

or controlling room temperature. Reducing

The need for touch-free hand sanitiser units has

surely the next component of the guestroom to

the number of touchpoints needed in hotel

expectedly risen in the wake of the coronavirus

be phased out along with the landline telephone.

rooms, the user-friendly system allows guests

crisis too, with automated dispensers becoming

Seeking to streamline the process whilst

to prompt functions by gesturing towards or

commonplace in hotel receptions and other

making a shared physical remote redundant,

touching a six-inch colour screen, which

public areas. As such, decorative lighting

the GuestConnect app by Philips Professional

displays large fonts and easy-to-understand

company Imagin has ventured into the market

Display Solutions allows guests to control their

symbols. The flush-mounted box is also

in partnership with architecture and interior

in-room MediaSuite TV with a mobile device,

equipped with an integrated proximity sensor,

design firm Dexter Moren Associates (DMA),

all the while retaining the design and layout of

meaning it is able to recognise when someone

launching the CleansePoint Collection of wall-

the buttons to remain universally easy to use.

approaches and switch on automatically.

polymer that uses motion sensors to detect

BE WISE, SANITISE

168

Clockwise from top left: Onity’s DirectKey mobile access solution; IGV Group’s On Air lift concept; FOH’s noncontact infrared thermometer

170

HANDLE WITH CARE

SAFETY FIRST

with antimicrobial cleaning. Developed in Italy,

Door handles are the perfect breeding ground

Whilst guest contactless technology and design

the automated device features a fast-acting

for bacteria and keeping them sanitised

will prove an important feature of hospitality

Absolute HEPA filter, which is combined with an

throughout the day can be an arduous task

going forwards, the same can also be said

activated charcoal membrane to continuously

for hotel staff. Looking to combat the issue,

for a property’s staff, who will equally desire

sanitise the air, and a UVGI LED light –

SanitGrasp’s no-touch pull handle reduces the

a safe workplace and means of working. For

automatically activated in the stand-by phase

risk of transmission between guests, providing a

the gradual return, when virus fears are still

when there are no passengers inside the lift –

hygienic retrofit solution for high-traffic areas.

looming overhead, staff will require a means

with hospital-grade antimicrobial properties to

The ADA-compliant, stainless steel handle

of making their hotel a safe place, with FOH’s

removing 99.9% of micro-organisms from all

features an angled opening with a rounded cap

non-contact infrared thermometer allowing

surfaces. Air is vacuumed from the cabin then

and easy to read, engraved instructions, helping

them to take temperature readings of guests for

channelled through pipes to the device, where

to implement new health and safety measures

instant readings with no need to break social

it is filtered and purified from any virus and

in lobbies, co-working areas and restaurants.

distancing regulations.

bacteria, before being circulated back to the lift.

Likewise, Onity’s DirectKey system uses secure

LIFTING THE LID ON HYGIENE

On Air by Italian lift manufacturer IGV Group

key credentialing and Bluetooth technology to

Stepping into an over-crowded elevator isn’t

and architects Studio Marco Piva was also

allow for contactless check-in and property

pleasant at the best of times, and even in the

launched with the aim of reducing exposure

access, meaning guests can download room keys

current climate with social distancing measures

to contagion. The elevator is equipped with

directly to their smartphone through a hotel’s

in place, lifts can feel like potent spots for

a range of advanced internal communication

loyalty app and bypass the front desk as a result

picking up infection. Conceived in response

systems, including virus-resistant, touch-

– eliminating the need to linger in high-traffic

to the transmission of Covid-19, The Platform

free and proximity-activated control panels,

areas and share communal touchpoints with

Lift Company’s CARe system uses innovative

multilingual voice interfaces, face recognition

staff and other patrons.

air and light technology to sanitise lift cabins

and remote control from a mobile device.

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SPOTLIGHT SCREENS

2.

1.

3.

4.

1. Protective Screens Roman

2. 360 Divide & SplitScreen Burgess Furniture

3. Frame Lite UHS International

4. Platoon Woven Image

To support the reopening of The Bowes Museum, Roman supplied ten 10mmthick, bespoke glass shields with brass fittings for its café, shop, offices and reception areas. The brand’s in-house design team created a range of bespoke drawings on a hotel specification level.

For the round shape of the reception desk, Roman incorporated glass-to-glass brackets to achieve a clean, curved finish – a testament to how the firm has created a safe yet stylish environment for the museum’s guests and staff. www.roman-showers.com

Burgess is helping the hospitality industry embrace a ‘new normal’ with its contemporary screens. The 360 Divide – inspired by pebble beaches – and SplitScreen offerings were originally designed to partition rooms or add privacy, however now they offer hotels the chance to follow distancing guidelines without compromising on style. Available in a choice of upholstery and finishes, each panel is covered in soft, high quality material to add intimacy and warmth whilst reducing noise. www.burgessfurniture.com

Frame Lite screens and dividers create safe spaces for social distancing. The products are manufactured with a steel frame in a powder-coated finish, using a polycarbonate infill to produce a light, unique and durable way of dividing public spaces. Inspired by Crittall windows’ signature style, the design lends a contemporary Art Deco feel. Available in a standard size that can be added to as a full or half screen, the units come with a choice between feet and joiner clips, or wheels. www.uhs-group.com

Established in 1987 and originating in Australia, Woven Image is an international interior finishes company with sustainability and design leadership at its core. The brand offers a vast range of room dividing screens to split areas and create pop-up spaces that can be used for a number of functions. Offering privacy within a room, the Platoon system is one of many products the brand has to offer, and is available in a wide selection of colours and with a choice between charcoal or cream joiners. www.wovenimage.com

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SPOTLIGHT

174

1.

2.

3.

4.

1. Connect Impey

2. Machu Picchu Screen Hamilton Conte

3. Clostra Ethimo

4. Classic & Zenith Series Skyfold

Impey has launched Connect, a range of bespoke divider screens that are helping hotels adjust to new health and safety regulations and prepare for reopening.

Available for immediate order, the units are made from 6mm-thick transparent, tempered glass encased in an aluminium frame, forming a physical barrier to help protect both staff and customers in these difficult times. Designed to offer quick and easy installation and manufactured using sustainable materials, Connect is available in a range of heights and widths. www.impeyshowers.com

Since its inception in 2009, Hamilton Conte has offered a complete range of interior furnishings created with storytelling at the forefront of its creative process. The Machu Picchu room divider is indicative of this philosophy, offering a stylish way to separate spaces. Adding an intriguing layer to design projects, the screen depicts a reproduction of Esther Lopez’ artwork, which takes its inspiration from the world heritage site. The form, colours and shapes make for a unique look and bold way of dividing rooms. www.hamiltonconte.com

With an original design that makes it unique, Clostra is a new idea that joins Ethimo’s extensive range of accessories.

Designed by Emmanuel Gallina, Clostra combines elements of teak and aluminium with the products – which come in two different shapes and sizes – taking inspiration from the texture and patterns of foliage. Their curved shapes alternate between metal and wood too.

For an extra touch, the base can be accessorised with a flower box, recreating the illusion of a vegetation wall. www.ethimo.com

Using acoustics, flexibility and design, Skyfold moveable walls are innovative and automated division solutions. The adaptable products accommodate varying group sizes and uses, all with the push of a button. When expanding a room, the walls fold vertically into the ceiling, maximising floor space for added capacity. Industry-leading acoustic ratings mean that events can occur simultaneously without disruption, and with a selection of finishes, the walls can be customised to complement any space. www.skyfold.com

INDOOR & OUTDOOR FURNITURE - DECORATION WWW.GOMMAIRE.COM

176

SPOTLIGHT

Innovating Since 1748 With one eye on the future, German ceramic manufacturer Villeroy & Boch looks to preserve its identity while moving with the times.

Words: Ben Thomas

F

or over 270 years, Villeroy & Boch has

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, when

transform bathrooms into wellbeing oases

built a reputation for innovation. The

cleanliness and hygiene standards have become

where consumers can refresh and recharge.

Mettlach-headquartered company –

paramount, this philosophy could help set the

Its ViPrint service, for instance, provides 20

whose beginnings date back to 1748, when

company apart from others in the industry.

bespoke decors for the Subway Infinity shower

François Boch, an iron master in the French

The rimless design of the DirectFlush WC,

trays, ranging from natural imagery and tile

village of Audun-le-Tiche, began producing

for instance, means it can be cleaned quickly

patterns to graphic structures, while invisible

ceramic dishes – has instilled a forward-

and thoroughly, with the interior of the bowl

jets developed for the whirlpool systems –

thinking DNA into eight generations of owners,

completely flushed thanks to a splash-free

available in gold, chrome or white to match

leading to the creation of stylish products that

flow of water that reaches a level just below

the colour of the bathtub – feature a flush-fit

set new standards in hygiene, environmental

the rim. Likewise, the ViClean-I 100 combines

installation and are virtually invisible in their

friendliness and efficiency.

the minimalist appearance of a conventional

idle state, only being driven out upon activation.

Now led by CEO Frank Göring, the firm

WC with the hygiene advantages of a shower

Pushing the boundaries when it comes to

operates manufacturing sites in eight European

toilet, featuring a HarmonicWave jet that

materiality, meanwhile, TitanCeram fuses

countries as well as in Mexico and Thailand,

moves backwards and forwards in a lateral

natural resources such as feldspar, quartz

crafting items for the bathroom, kitchen and

wave movement, DirectFlush technology and a

and clay to form an innovative ceramic that

living sectors, and distributing them to more

QuickRelease mechanism for easy removal of

allows for the creation of sanitaryware with

than 125 countries worldwide. This international

the seat. The system is also operated by intuitive

uniquely precise designs, extra thin walls and

reach has seen Villeroy & Boch featured in hotel

remote control or smartphone app, reducing the

clearly defined edges. Used to craft the popular

projects across the globe too, most recently at

number of touchpoints for users.

Octogan, Collaro and Finion washbasins –

Hoshinoya Guguan; a 50-key hot spring resort

Villeroy & Boch’s finishing processes make

designed by former Creative Director Kai Steffan

in Taiwan where guestrooms are equipped with

it difficult for dirt and limescale to stick to

– the material somewhat reflects Villeroy &

Memento and Loop & Friends washbasins; and

products too. Innovative surface technology

Boch’s overarching ethos, drawing on over two

The Museum Hotel at Europa-Park in Germany,

AntiBac suppresses the growth of bacteria by

centuries of production experience to open up

to which it supplied 1,000 pieces of Architectura

more than 99.9%, integrating antibacterial

new horizons for the future.

sanitaryware, from the Loop & Friends built-in

properties directly into bathroom ceramics and

And it’s this ever-present combination of

washbasins and bathtubs to the Memento hand-

WC seats, while CeramicPlus lets drops of water

tradition and innovation that has seen the

rinse washbasins and wall-mounted toilets.

form into beads, which simply drain away.

ceramic producer grow from a small pottery

Whether developing a new product range or

Aside from being germ-free, much of the

house in the picturesque countryside of north-

devising solutions for a hotel, being avant-garde

brand’s Bathroom & Wellness portfolio –

eastern France to an internationally respected

is integral to the brand’s approach, and as such,

comprising everything from ceramics, whirlpool

brand that, by sticking to its values, is shaping

it employs its very own Innovation Manager, Dr

tubs and shower systems to installation

the bathroom culture of today while keeping one

Peter Delwing, who strives to achieve what he

technology, bathroom furniture and faucets

eye firmly fixed on tomorrow.

calls an “innovation culture”.

– is design-led in equal measure, helping to

www.villeroy-boch.co.uk

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FEATURE WALLS FOR STUNNING INTERIORS DESIGNED | SOURCED | HANDCRAFTED | IN NORFOLK

riverbespoke.com

SPECIFIER

SPECIFIER

Chelsom Edition 27 Created specifically for the hospitality and marine sectors, Chelsom’s Edition 27 range brings together brass tones, textured Venetian glass and LED across an array of lighting pieces – each suitable for guestrooms, corridors, restaurants and other public spaces. More than 40% of the collection is completely new, and all pieces are available with LED light sources to accommodate the latest developments in technology and energy efficiency. “In all my years working within the industry, never has there been a more challenging yet exciting time to be designing lighting products,” says Chairman Robert Chelsom. www.chelsom.co.uk

SPECIFIER

Hoad & More Switch Collection

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Remember the wallpaper or carpet en route to the last hotel room you stayed in? Perhaps not. But ask the same question of switches or signage and you may receive an altogether different response, according Hoad & More. Touchpoints often stick in the memory, so making the right choice when bringing a hotel to life is crucial.

Having created bespoke decorative and feature lighting, as well as signage, switches and sockets over the past two decades, Hoad & More knows a thing or two about emphasising visual narratives. Counting Rosewood, Hilton and Marriott among its clients, the Hertfordshire-based design house – which describes itself as a collaborator, problem solver and thinker rather than a manufacturer – believes touchpoints are objects of communication.

“For me, design is like a detective story where the clues are the materials and processes, and it’s our job to stitch them together in the most beautiful way possible,” explains owner and Creative Director, Jona Hoad. “The satisfaction in achieving this is ultimately what keeps us creating products.”

As such, the company recently unveiled a series of customisable switches and sockets, which provide

guests with a unique touchpoint and allow designers to create a switch and socket that enhances the narrative of a scheme. The collection can integrate any technology and be adapted in size to accommodate different functions, from Do Not Disturb and Make Up Room buttons to switches, shade control and reading lights, meaning users can control in-room features from a single unit at the side of their beds.

The switches and sockets are also modular, so the edge detail and plate material can be coordinated with a variety of interior schemes thanks to metal, leather, stone and wood finishes. Designers can select push buttons, toggles switches and rotary dials in multiple shapes, sizes and finishes too – the latter available with inlayed or encapsulated objects. Hoad & More feels this offers a real step change in the market, being able to provide custom switches at affordable prices.

“Our strength comes from the variety of products we have designed over the years, each of which has influenced the other and fed into a diverse wealth of experience,” says Hoad. “For hotels, being able to stand out is more important than ever and our customisable and bespoke solutions help to achieve that.” www.hoadandmore.com

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 areas, they offer a choice of speaker ranges, all of which deliver Monitor Audio’s award-winning sound.

monitoraudio.com/install

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SPECIFIER

CASE STUDY

Internova Maslina Resort Croatian manufacturer Internova has supplied bespoke furniture to the newly opened Maslina Resort in Hvar, Croatia. Cuttingedge technology was complemented by craftsmanship to respect the territory and local traditions, with each item created through the customisation of shapes, sizes and materials. Oak and Iroko wood were used in decorating the guestrooms, from king size beds to headboards, wardrobes and built-in wooden bathtubs, while brushed brass elements were used to enrich. In the bar and restaurant, meanwhile, a Mediterranean-inspired design sees Iroko wood panels cover the walls, lava stone adorn the dining tables, and specially picked fabrics upholster the sofas and armchairs Terracotta flooring and natural Vienna rattan further enhance the laidback outdoor lounge. Bespoke armchairs surrounded by sofas give the space a touch of classic luxury too; the sleek padded style of the armchair’s seat and back boost its comfort quotient, while particular attention has been paid to the black piping around the backrest and seat to create an elegant haute couture. Located in the historic village of Stari Grad, Maslina – which translates as olive tree – was envisioned by native architect Tomislav Alujevic alongside interior designer Léonie Alma Mason and landscaper Thomas Seconde. Surrounded by olive groves and terraced vineyard, the eco-friendly resort – a member of Relais & Châteaux – features 33 guestrooms, 17 suites and three villas, nestled amidst two hectares of pine forest overlooking the Adriatic Sea. www.internova.hr

Vincent Sheppard Loop The Loop collection by Vincent Sheppard comprises a dining chair, lounge chair, foot rest, coffee table, side table, sofa and sun lounger. The design brings a light and airy look to verandas and terraces, allowing air to circulate through a tautly strung construction. Light to handle and easy to move around, the chairs are also stackable for added flexibility, and come in six finishes including terracotta, moss, black, taupe, beige/stone white and indigo. Loop joins the brand’s wider range of indoor and outdoor furniture, including the Kodo lounge chair by Studio Segers, which combines a powder coated aluminium frame with tactile acrylic rope and a rounded back to exude a warm ambience. www.vincentsheppard.com

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SPECIFIER

SHOWROOM

Kettal Casablanca Showroom Spanish furniture manufacturer Kettal has unveiled a new showroom in Casablanca, Morocco. Located in the city’s Gauthier neighbourhood, the space displays the brand’s latest furniture collections – including Band, Vimini and Mesh by Patricia Urquiola; Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s Stampa chair; Riva by Jasper Morrison; and Rodolfo Dordoni’s Bitta, Molo and Boma lines – both inside and outside thanks to a spacious terrace. The showroom builds on Kettal’s presence in over 80 countries worldwide and joins others of its kind in Marbella, New York, London, Miami and Barcelona, the latter just an hour’s drive up the Catalonian coast from the company’s production facility in Tarragona. www.kettal.com

Formitura Candyland Esti Barnes, founder and Creative Head of bespoke rug company Topfloor by Esti, has launched Formitura – a new furniture brand producing multi-use pieces for all ages. Operating from Topfloor’s showroom in Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, the firm will design comfortably soft and lightweight furniture, built to last using a customised polyurethane foam applied around a polyethylene inner. Its first four models, collectively known as Candyland, are designed by Barnes and aimed specifically at the kids and teens market. Together with residential, Formitura also has the hospitality and superyacht markets in its sights, with products featuring hidden storage as well as wipe clean and UV tolerant surfaces. www.formitura.com

Point Long Island Created by French designer Christophe Pillet for Point, the Long Island collection comprises 11 furniture pieces – including an armchair, a sofa and a chaise longue – and five tables featuring aluminium structures. Defined by straight shapes and slim lines, the modular pieces can be adapted to fit different spaces and according to Pillet, aspire to offer universal elegance and great comfort through simple design: “My goal with this collection was to make it as desirable and as well finished as a piece of indoor furniture, with a similarly detailed design,” explains Pillet, whose other ranges for Point include Summer and City. “I sought to create the feeling that these pieces have always existed.” www.point1920.com

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CASE STUDY

Monitor Audio Absoluxe Suites Monitor Audio’s Custom Install speakers have been featured at Absoluxe Suites, a unique hotel concept in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, comprising four themed spaces built around smart technology. Designed by installation brand Majik House and Aquajade Bathrooms, each suite reflects a different corner of the earth – from The Columbus and The Parisian to The Orient and The Oasis – and is fitted with simple yet effective Monitor Audio speakers throughout. “We chose the stereo mono C180-T2 In-Ceiling version speakers for two reasons; quality of sound and the seamless merging with the ceiling, as the aesthetics were important for this luxury establishment,” says Tim Burrow, founder of Majik House. “C280 In-Ceiling speakers were also used in the bedrooms and lounge to give an enhanced sound experience.” www.monitoraudio.com

SYMBIoT Cloud-Based Room Management System SYMBIoT is a cloud-based room management system that allows guests to check-in remotely, access their room and control all in-room technology from their personal device, without the need to download an app. The contactless solution also provides hotel operators with an easy to install and inexpensive to maintain package, which uses secure and stable Crestron hardware that eliminates the need for bulky on-site architecture. Cost savings can be achieved through streamlined housekeeping and maintenance, with front desk and safety information directed to guest’s devices by way of automated processes, while real-time operational insights can be shared via an intuitive dashboard too. Working alongside a hotel’s traditional infrastructure, the plug-and-play software can further be expanded to offer real-time diagnostics on other maintenance devices, from lights to leak detection. www.symbiot.co.uk

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design is here

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SPECIFIER

Janus et Cie Conic Janus et Cie’s Conic range is characterised by a simple silhouette, a sturdy frame and intricately woven olefin rope. Designed by founder and CEO Janice Feldman, the collection comprises an armchair and lounge chair that both stack to four in order to maximise available space, as well as an ottoman that fits under the lounge chair when not in use. Available in three neutral finishes – Chassis Silver rope with Chassis Silver frame, Fossil rope with Talc frame, and Shale rope with Graphite frame – the series can be paired with the brand’s Duo and Trig lines, together with its wider selection of café and dining tables. www.janusetcie.com

Preciosa Fractal Brought to life by Viennese designer Thomas Feichtner, Preciosa’s Fractal family features metal branches and hand-cut crystal plates that mirror natural motifs such as leaves, branches and roots of trees through a modular structure and reflecting patterns of light.

The chandeliers come in five sizes, each with a different number of fractals, and can be customised with gold, matte black or polished stainless-steel finishes. Single solitaires can also be used to achieve a contemporary look in a smaller spaces or can be clustered together in groups of three, five or seven pendants. www.preciosalighting.com

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HI Design hosted their first virtual offering to the hospitality industry with a Cook Along. It took place on Thursday 27 August and featured a celebrity chef, and 4 participating teams. Team one was Karen Hay (Indulge, Hong Kong), Bill Cheung (Global Allies and JC Hospitality), Jose Olivares (Buz Design) and Maher Akil (Preciosa Lighting). Team two was Leslie Lui, Stephen Luk, & co (Hyatt, Hong Kong), Team three was Paul Bishop (Bishop Design, UAE) accompanied by his Chihuahua, and Team four was Garrett Robbins (Brime Robbins, Spain).

Their cooking skills were put to the test as the audience voted from their favourite omelette based on creativity of ingredients and presentation.

The winning team was TEAM ONE, they created an amazing omelette with flavours from Scotland/Hong Kong/Colombia/North Africa to represent everyone on their team.

Thank you to everyone who took part and tuned in. HI Design looks forward to hosting a live event soon and reconnecting with everyone.

In the meantime, stay healthy and stay safe. n HI Design MEA 2020 – Dead Sea Jordan | 9 – 11 December n HI Design Europe 2021 – Madrid, Spain | 2 – 4 June n HI Design Asia 2021 – Cebu, Philippines | 22 – 24 September Are you ready to attend our events yet? Have your say by visiting www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/hidesignevents to complete this short survey or simply scan the QR code with your smart phone camera

MEETINGS | SEMINARS | NETWORKING | PRODUCT SHOWCASE G ET IN TO U C H | hides ig n @ d m g event s .com | + 4 4 78 8 9 72 0 2 9 4 |

THE VISUAL WORLD OF HOTEL DESIGN ... dive into the fascination!

www.TOPHOTELDESIGN.com

Over 400 colours to choose from.

That are always green.

Fill your life with naturalness – with high-quality baths, basins and shower trays made from 100% recyclable materials.

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ADVERTISING INDEX ISSUE 92

020-021

146

Gommaire

Albrecht Jung

057

Hector Finch

054

Preciosa

027

Aliseo

065

HI Design

190

PS Interiors

088

Architonic

185

HICAP

189

RH Contract

Ariostea

050

HMD Interiors

105

River Bespoke

178

Arte

024

Hoad & More

087

Roca

159

Astro Lighting

002

Hypnos Contract Beds

Rochdale Spears

035

Atelier Alain Ellouz

196

Internova

016-017

Roman Showers

165

Baulmann Leuchten

041

Janus et Cie

008-009

Sanipex Group

154

Beck

077

Katy Paty

071

Skopos

192

Bette

192

Kettal

006-007

Skyfold

061

Brentano

106

Klafs

073

Sleepeezee

135

Burgess

172

Kohler

037

SNS

127

Chelsea Harbour

018-019

Laufen

195

Stellar Works

Chelsom

012-013

Leisure Plan

113

Style Library Contract

Claybrook

103

Ligne Roset

022

Symbiot

079

Drapilux

121

Mamagreen

100

Tapeรงarias Ferreira de Sรก

043

DuPont

129

Modio

169

Tece

Duravit

157

Monitor Audio

181

Tina Frey Design

053

EE Smith

183

Monteleone

163

Tophotelprojects

191

EPR Architects

082

Muzeo

099

Tribu

033

Nanimarquina

143

Tuuci

171 093

Equiphotel

187

175

Perennials & Sutherland Group

Aa Corporation

151

010-011

014-015 131

115

Ethimo

039

Neolith

138

UHS

Formitura

063

Newhey Carpets

059

Unidrain

Front of the House

166

Nicholas Haslam

081

Vincent Sheppard

049

Geberit

110

North 4 Design

192

Wood Couture

005

161

193

CHECK-OUT

Sign of the Times

If ever the world was in need of a little reassurance,

if the words are empty because no one knows

it’s now. As the global pandemic continues to

what is going to happen in the future, it can still

impact every aspect of daily life, business leaders,

feel like a comfort,” he explains. “No-one can

economists and the general public alike are on

really tell you everything is going to be alright,

the lookout for signs that normal service will

but despite that, many times in my life I have

soon resume. One such sign has come in the

been very comforted by people saying something

form of a particularly poignant art installation

like that to me.”

at The Fife Arms – the Braemar hotel owned by gallerists Iwan and Manuela Wirth.

Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed offers a message of hope to guests arriving at the recently reopened Fife Arms.

Designed by Russell Sage in 2018, The Fife Arms is known for its art; over 16,000 works have

Created by Turner Prize-winning artist Martin

been integrated into the scheme, each with a tale

Creed, ‘Work No. 3435: Everything is Going to be

to tell. “Our art collection never fails to delight,

Alright’ sits in the grounds of Braemar Castle and

surprise and intrigue our guests,” notes General

marks the reopening of the hotel following its

Manager Federica Bertolini. “The installation of

Covid closure. The phrase has been used by the

‘Everything is Going to be Alright’ in the open air is

artist in a series of large-scale neon works since

an extension of our collection – and a celebration

1999 and draws on the comforting words Creed

of our glorious setting in the Cairngorms. It will

was offered by a friend. “If you are upset and

also be a very thought-provoking, but reassuring

someone speaks to you to try to help you, even

and smile-making, welcome to the village.”

© Sim Canetty-Clarke

194

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