Having built a storied portfolio of hotels, restaurants and retail, Lázaro Rosa-Violán reflects on his creative combination of art and travel to design memorable experiences.
Meeting... Billy Skelli-Cohen 044
Having doubled in size since the pandemic, boutique brand Beaumier is entering the next phase of growth, with a new CEO at the helm.
15 Years of Double Decker 046
Upon celebrating a milestone anniversary, the Founding Partners of Double Decker discuss the past, present and future of art curation in hospitality design.
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Own The Moment
For a sector that is often vulnerable to the impact of world events, from geopolitical conflict and humanitarian crises to natural disasters and cyber-attacks, hospitality continues to prove its resilience. To borrow the phrase from this year’s International Hospitality Investment Forum in Berlin, which took place in April to the overarching theme of Own The Moment, it seems that despite the headwinds, hotel groups are seizing the day and capitalising on opportunities to boost their portfolios.
Attendees at the three-day conference heard from leaders at all major hotel groups, and were treated to tales of strong performance, unabated appetite for investment and most importantly, record numbers of signings, not only in the main hubs, but established secondary cities, resort destinations and off-the-beaten-track. As previous years have demonstrated, there’s typically a specific asset class that leads the way. Boutique, economy, luxury and lifestyle have all had their moment in the spotlight, but it seems now more than ever, there’s growth potential across the board. When asked which segment presents the greatest opportunity for growth, one CEO simply answered, “all of them”.
A more diverse investor profile has led to a more varied transaction market, which in turn is spurring development across all segments. As many conference panellists identified, the blurring of lines between sectors is driving change, as are the ever-changing lifestyles of consumers. For instance, the same guest staying at a select-service hotel on one occasion, might also opt for a luxury experience on another occasion. As a result, operators are further diversifying their portfolios to ensure there’s a brand for every guest, for every stay.
This approach to own the moment and fully embrace hospitality in all its forms can only be a good thing for those at the forefront of creating new hotels. It can be seen across all regions, and is well-illustrated by a special report in this issue of Sleeper, focusing on future hotel development in India. After years of limited supply growth, the nation is now embracing its potential in a bid to meet incredible demand, and what’s interesting is the sheer variety of projects on the boards. They come from homegrown groups large and small, as well as international players – across all brand classes. There are newbuild skyscrapers in urban metropolises, the conversion of former palaces and refurbishments of heritage buildings, not to mention the private members’ clubs, lodges and safari camps in city, coast and countryside. These developments are catering to business and leisure travellers alike, as well as serving specialist markets such as wellness, religious and wildlife tourists.
The goal, for operators across India and beyond, is to be ever-present in key markets, with a wide variety of brands that cater to every traveller and their every trip. This approach keeps prospective guests within a hotel group’s ecosystem, so that whatever the occasion, they can own the moment.
Widely regarded as the pioneer of India’s boutique hotel movement, Priya Paul is known for her creative vision and contemporary style. As Chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, she is the driving force behind brands such as The Park and Zone Connect, as well as a growing collection of standalone properties in the heritage sector. At the newly opened Ran Baas in Patiala, the hotelier worked with conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah to bring wit and whimsy to a former royal residence, resulting in Punjab’s first palace hotel.
Born in Funchal on the island of Madeira, Nini Andrade Silva founded her atelier in 2006, and has since developed a style that combines storytelling with elements of the natural world. At W São Paulo, she celebrates Brazilian Modernist architecture through the use of angular geometrics and sinuous curves, which feature alongside natural light and a vivid palette of yellows and greens. “We wanted to transmit the colours of sunshine and of leaves, so that when you arrive, you know you’re in Brazil,” reveals the designer.
“There’s a strong personal investment in what I wanted to achieve here – this project is 10 years of my life,” says Adam Haddow, Director of SJB, on designing Sydney’s most anticipated hotel opening of the year. Situated a short walk from the architecture firm’s office and forming part of Wunderlich Lane –a mixed-use development linking Surry Hills and Redfern – The Eve is a neighbourhood hub that combines vibrant art, native culture and curated culinary offerings from the local community.
In the four decades since founding his architecture and design studio, Matteo Thun has championed a mindful and sitespecific approach to hospitality projects, combining sustainability with ecological sensitivity across construction, interiors and furnishings. Nowhere is this more evident than Chiemgauhof – a waterfront retreat on the shores of Bavaria’s largest lake, where a restricted material palette and considered craftsmanship combine to celebrate the beauty of the surrounding nature reserve.
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EVENTS
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DESIGN
Design Manager
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SUSTAINABILITY
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Fresh from an AHEAD Global win for Scorpios Bodrum, the founder of Studio MacBride takes a fantasy break to a Modernist resort on Portugal’s picturesque coast.
Where are you?
Somewhere along Portugal’s coast within an easy drive of a culturally rich city – perhaps just south of Lisbon.
How did you get there?
I travel by train, aboard The Flying Scotsman. The environmental benefits and ever-changing landscape make it a winner.
Who is there to greet you on arrival?
Jeanette Mix, owner of Stockholm’s Ett Hem, and legendary hotelier André Balazs.
And who’s at the concierge desk?
I’m a planner and a researcher, so I have most things mapped out already. However, I always trust recommendations from friends and I’m sure Claus Sendlinger and Serdar Kutucu from Slowness won’t let me down.
Is there anything you would like waiting for you in your room?
As long as there are clean towels and plenty of sparkling water, I’m good. But I do have a sweet tooth, so a little chocolate on the pillow wouldn’t go amiss.
Describe the hotel, your room and the view...
An extension of the landscape, the hotel is shaped by its surroundings rather than imposed upon them. Low, sweeping structures in concrete, timber and glass follow the natural contours of the land, blurring the line between indoors and out. Pathways wind through sculptural greenery to shaded courtyards and hidden terraces that
offer moments of solitude. The guestroom is sculptural in form, positioned to maximise both privacy and the panoramic views. Every material has been chosen for how it feels, how it ages and how it connects to the landscape, becoming richer over time. Plaster walls with a soft, organic texture catch the changing light, while a built-in daybed sits beneath wide windows that perfectly frame the coastline. Beyond the window, the horizon stretches out, cliffs and wild greenery meeting the sea. It’s a place that invites you to slow down and settle in.
Who designed it?
American architect John Lautner, whose work had a profound impact on me at the start of my career. His designs possess a cinematic quality, where light, materials and form come together to create an atmosphere of timelessness. He managed to capture that balance between the natural world and Modernist design, resulting in spaces that feel dynamic and immersive.
What’s the restaurant and bar like?
The heart of the hotel lies in its social spaces, where people share food, stories and laughter as the evening unfolds. The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed, while the interiors are Modernist in style with a rich textural quality and moody lighting. It’s nostalgic yet contemporary.
Who are you dining with this evening?
David Bowie brings the charisma and boundless curiosity; Irish comedian Dylan Moran the dry wit; filmmaker David Lynch the surreal storytelling; Belgian director and screenwriter
Chantal Akerman the thoughtful intensity; and American writer Joan Didion the razor-sharp cultural commentary.
Who’s manning the stoves?
Douglas McMaster, owner of London’s Silo –the world’s first zero-waste restaurant. His circular food philosophy is incredibly inspiring.
And what’s on the menu?
Calamari and Greek mezze to start, followed by braised octopus with potatoes, and lemon meringue pie for dessert.
Would you like something to drink with that?
A natural wine – less for the trend, more because I mysteriously avoid hangovers with it. I’ll leave the pairings to the experts – sommeliers Isa Bal and Anna Dolgushina.
What’s in the mini-bar for a night cap?
A perfectly pre-mixed Old Fashioned by cocktail maestro Mr Lyan.
What’s on your nightstand at bedtime?
A small pile of fiction books I always take with me on trips but never actually finish. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley has been to at least seven countries and I’m still only on page 37!
What’s your essential travel companion?
An unlined notebook and a fine-line pen.
Early morning alarm call or late check-out?
Late check-out, because my dog won’t be travelling with me. A lazy start is a rare treat.
DRAWING BOARD
Melkonian Capital Management and RAL Companies have announced the official groundbreaking of Mandarin Oriental’s first newbuild resort and residences in the Caribbean.
Scheduled for completion in Q1 2028, Mandarin Oriental Grand Cayman is set within a secluded enclave at St James Point, the island’s southernmost tip. Surrounded by 70 acres of tropical forest, it comprises a 91-key resort, The Beach House – a collection of 20 residences designed by Hart Howerton and Meyer Davis – and a further 22 residential units in an adjacent building known as The Ocean House. All accommodations facilitate indoor-outdoor living, with open-plan interiors and expansive terraces offering sweeping ocean views.
The design scheme aims to foster a connection with the surroundings through the use of natural materials, while facilities include multiple swimming pools and an oceanfront spa. Also on offer are various dining concepts, a club house and an events pavilion.
“Breaking ground on this new luxury resort and branded residences is a significant step toward delivering an unmatched experience on one of the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean,” says Ryan Melkonian, Managing Partner of Melkonian Capital Management. “Global demand to date has exceeded expectations, and as we move forward with construction, we are proud to unite renowned architects and designers with a storied hospitality brand to create this world-class destination.”
Mandarin Oriental GRAND CAYMAN
Eco-Resort
MALDIVES
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Developer: Aima Construction Architecture: Baca Architects www.baca.uk.com
Baca Architects, a London-based studio specialising in the design of buildings in, on or near water, has unveiled renderings of a new eco-resort in the Maldives.
Located in Baa Atoll to the north of Malé, the property is being developed by Aima Construction, and is set to launch in Spring 2027. It will comprise overwater villas and beachfront accommodation, as well as five restaurants, a clubhouse and treetop spa with individual treatment pods.
A key feature is the arrival pavilion – a sculptural form envisioned to resemble driftwood scattered along the shore. Inspired by nature, the structure blends organically into the landscape, signalling the resort’s commitment to its surroundings.
The overwater villas, meanwhile, are inspired by the manta rays that swim the region’s waters. Their distinctive body shape and graceful movements are mimicked by a
sweeping roofscape and curving façade, which opens out to a spacious deck and private pool. Back on land, the treetop spa nestles in the canopy to further immerse guests in nature. Spa pods centre around biophilic design principles, while open-air relaxation spaces offer panoramic views of the landscape. And rounding out the facilities, the five dining venues are rooted in local culture, drawing on locally sourced materials and handcrafted furnishings to create an authentic setting.
Central to the resort’s development and operations is its sustainability credentials, which focus on safeguarding the fragile ecosystem of the Baa Atoll. Floating solar panels will provide electricity, while an onsite biomass centre is to be powered by coconut husks. In addition, the use of prefabricated and recycled materials throughout construction will further minimise environmental impact, ensuring the resort is as sustainable as possible.
The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari
KENYA
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Developer: Lazizi Group of Companies
Operator: Marriott International Architecture and Interior Design: LW Design www.marriott.com
Marriott International has revealed plans to expand its luxury safari portfolio in Kenya with The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp. Slated to open in August 2025, the newbuild resort will sit amongst the tree canopy in the heart of Masai Mara National Reserve, offering prime views of the acacia-dotted savannahs.
Envisioned by LW Design, the 20-suite tented camp seamlessly blends the brand’s signature style with the unique culture and natural beauty of its surroundings. “The architecture and interiors have been designed as a dialogue with nature, ensuring the lodge doesn’t just sit within the environment, but actively participates in it,” explains Pooja Shah-Mulani, Partner and Design Director at LW Design. “Each tented suite features roll-up canvas walls, open-air lounges and al fresco showers that blur the line between indoor comfort and outdoor immersion. This connection to nature allows guests to become part of the landscape, fostering an unfiltered
connection to the rhythms of the wild.” The designer concludes: “What truly sets this property apart is our deep commitment to local sourcing – from materials and artisanal crafts to the stories embedded into the scheme.”
The experience will be further enhanced by a comprehensive F&B line-up, ranging from an elevated sky deck to a private wine cellar offering expert-led tastings and rare vintages. A traditional boma will also feature, where guests can gather around an open fire for a meal inspired by Maasai traditions.
Sustainability is at the core of the camp’s design and operations, employing initiatives such as solar power and rainwater harvesting to minimise environmental impact. Beyond environmental stewardship, the camp is rooted in the culture of the Maasai people, with local builders, guides and storytellers to create an experience that is not only immersive in nature, but also in heritage.
The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel & Residences
Dubai-based Almal Real Estate Development has unveiled details of its new hospitality venture, currently under construction in Ras Al Khaimah.
Slated for opening in 2027, The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel & Residences will be operated by Palladium Hotel Group, marking its first outpost in the region. Design & Architecture Bureau has been named as the lead consultant for the project, and Kristina Zanic Consultants is at the helm of interiors.
The sweeping architecture mirrors the movement of ocean waves, while interiors are based on the study of cymatics – the visual interpretation of sound waves. Aligning with the brand’s connection to music and entertainment, the guiding theme is woven throughout, creating spaces that embody energy and movement through key elements such as rich gradient hues and reflective surfaces. Layered textures mimic the flow of sound, while modular furniture and flexible layouts enhance the dynamic feel.
In the lobby, a custom light installation in the brand’s signature red pays homage to its hummingbird logo, and a sweeping digital display overhead adds a sense of movement.
For the 422 guestrooms and suites, Zanic has envisioned a colour palette that transitions from saturated hues in the entryway, to lighter, beach-inspired tones by the floor-toceiling windows. Further design details include statement headboards crafted from acrylic and mirror to reflect the setting sun; glass-walled bathrooms with gradient opacity to blur the lines between public and private; and mirrored ceilings for an edgy, playful touch.
Facilities across the resort include finedining restaurants, events spaces, a beach club and rooftop infinity pool, as well as a spa and state-of-the-art fitness centre. The project is strategically positioned next to the upcoming Wynn Island, making it a premier destination for those seeking vibrant, high-energy experiences.
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CHECK-OUT
Developer: Somera Road, Trestle Studio
Operator: Pendry Hotels & Resorts
Architecture: Earl Swensson Associates Interior Design: Post Company
Contractor: Clark Construction www.pendry.com
Pendry Hotels & Resorts is partnering with Somera Road and Trestle Studio to open a new property in Nashville in 2027, located in the growing Paseo South Gulch district.
Designed by local architectural firm Earl Swensson Associates and New York-based interior design studio Post Company, Pendry Nashville comprises 180 guestrooms and suites alongside 146 residences. Public spaces include a ground-floor restaurant and lobby bar, a writer’s room, library and a rooftop pool with its own F&B operation. There will also be 10,000ft2 of events space, including a ballroom with a private outdoor terrace. Interiors throughout are designed to exude southern sophistication, characterised by warm woods and burnished brass accents alongside an eclectic mix of vintage pieces and collected artworks.
“Pendry is going to be a game-changing addition to Nashville’s hospitality and residential offerings,” says Ian Ross, founder
and Managing Principal of Somera Road. “We couldn’t have found a better partner to usher in an unmatched luxury hotel and residential experience to the heart of the Paseo South Gulch. Their approach to design, service and hospitality is best-in-class and will perfectly complement the dynamic, culturally driven neighbourhood we are building in Nashville. Paseo South Gulch has positioned itself as one of the most unique and exciting destinations in the city and Pendry will only build upon this vibrant personality.”
Michael Fuerstman, co-founder of Pendry Hotels & Resorts, adds: “Nashville is one of the most exciting cities in America, bursting with vibrant energy and soul, and The Gulch neighbourhood feels like the epicentre of it all. We are honored to bring Pendry to this great city and look forward to creating something spectacular that pays respect to southern hospitality and features our unique perspective on contemporary luxury.”
A new private island retreat is set to launch in the Maldives in November 2025. Named .Here, the ultra-luxury offer is the vision of Seaside Collection, a group of hotels across the Maldives, Germany and Spain, co-owned by siblings Gregor and Anouchka Gerlach.
Located in the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, .Here is the second Maldivian hotel in the collection. It comprises two private islands, Somewhere and Nowhere, with nine multibedroom villas positioned between a serene lagoon and the open ocean.
The resort’s architecture is inspired by the curves of the traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, with pavilion roofs that rise like sails. The villas meanwhile are designed by Muza Lab to feature expansive decks, infinity pools and a private berth and jetty, with transfers provided by the resort’s own yacht. Inside, spacious living areas seamlessy flow outdoors, offering a direct connection to the surroundings.
Furthering a connection to the natural world, each villa is named after a type of coral native to the Indian Ocean. An educational booklet specific to the appellation offers insight into the life of the coral, encouraging further exploration of the local marine ecosystem.
On Somewhere, seven villas range in size from 1,117m2 to 1,396m2, with the four-bedroom accommodation featuring three swimming pools that create a cascading waterfall effect. The largest is the Presidential Villa on Nowhere, which spans 2,399m2 and features a selection of indoor-outdoor living spaces.
Rounding out the offer at .Here is a series of public spaces ranging from wellness facilities such as a spa and fitness centre, to a lounge and restaurant. The all-day kitchen, Dhoni, takes inspiration from the heritage of the Maldives, with a design that draws on the aesthetic of Boduberu dance, an ancient tradition of the Maldivian people.
Anantara Thousand Island Lake Resort
HANGZHOU
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Owner: Minor International
Developer: YouChao International Tourism Hotel Co
Operator: Minor Hotels www.minorhotels.com
Minor Hotels and its Chinese joint venture Funyard Minor have partnered with YouChao International Tourism Hotel Co to develop Anantara Thousand Island Lake Resort.
Scheduled to open in October 2027, the 160key property is located on the banks of Qiandao Lake in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. Spanning a total construction area of 36,0002, its design and programming are being developed to maximise the lakeside location.
The property is designed to accommodate a wide range of guests, from families looking for in-nature activities to business travellers making use of the multifunctional banqueting and meeting spaces. The F&B offer includes an all-day dining venue, tea garden and multiple speciality restaurants, while wellness will be catered to through a fitness centre, swimming pool, spa, tennis courts and forest oxygen bar – the latter set amongst the lush greenery that surrounds the property.
“We are honoured to collaborate with YouChao International Tourism Hotel Co to bring Anantara to Qiandao Lake,” says Eddy Tiftik, Vice President of Development for Greater China at Minor Hotels Group and a board member of Funyard Minor China. “This cooperation marks another significant milestone in our expansion in the Yangtze Delta region, while also showcasing our deep commitment and confidence in the Chinese market. We look forward to this project bringing positive economic impact to the local community and promoting the sustained development of the tourism industry.”
Tang Wenyi, Chairman of YouChao International Tourism Hotel Co, adds: “We look forward to working closely with Minor Hotels to promote the development of the hotel industry in the area, create more commercial and social value, and leverage Qiandao Lake’s immense potential as a world-class tourism destination.”
Nu Collection
Nu faucets represent a purity of visual expression and a synthesis of essential design elements: form, shape and colour. A collection that strips away the artifice to arrive at the essence of its timeless design.
Having built a storied portfolio of hotels, restaurants and retail, Lázaro Rosa-Violán reflects on his creative combination of art and travel to design memorable experiences.
As a child growing up between Tangiers in Morocco and the art-filled Spanish city of Bilbao, Lázaro Rosa-Violán was found to have a talent for painting. He was soon enrolled in private lessons with a talented mentor, but when she passed away, the youngster found himself living a dual life. “I would attend regular school with children my own age, then spend the rest of the day with adults studying Fine Arts,” he says, shrugging off his virtuosity with a smile. While these opposing influences could have been confusing for an eight-year-old, RosaViolán thrived, developing an aptitude for looking at the world in contrasting ways. “I have a different background and education to other designers, my eyes are ‘clean’ so I look at projects differently,” he notes.
After studying architecture at university, Rosa-Violán pursued a career as an artist, travelling around Europe and showcasing his work at various galleries. In fact, he never planned on being an interior designer. That was until a restaurant on the Mediterranean island of Formentera presented itself as a new opportunity. The newfound designer had limited resources at his disposal and was therefore forced to think outside of the box. “We didn’t have the budget to deliver interiors with expensive finishes and furniture, so we recovered industrial materials and second-hand items. We practically invented the art of reusing things – it all came out
of necessity,” he states. “The approach I took was to adapt to the building rather than try to introduce a completely new look and feel. Perhaps it was naïve at the time, but it’s still an approach I take today.”
After completion, the offers flooded in, and the repurposing of materiality and old-meets-new aesthetic has become something of a signature style. Today, 20 years after that first project, the Barcelona and Madrid ateliers are thriving, with more than 100 employees boasting a wide range of skillsets, from sketchers and sculptors to interior designers, architects and engineers. And still now, RosaViolán’s describes himself as an artist, his Instagram profile proudly stating: ‘trained as a painter, traveller by conviction and interior designer by instinct’.
The studio’s portfolio has grown too, now counting projects in over 40 countries and enabling Rosa-Violán to do something he has loved since childhood – grow through travel. “When I arrive in a new city, I go shopping, sample the cuisine and visit art and cultural sites,” he reveals. “I like to walk everywhere and usually go running in the morning – it’s a great way to get to know a city. I also take photos and have done for years, when we had cameras rather than smartphones; it’s like collecting emotions – I relate so much of my art’s origins to those photos.”
After gathering inspiration, the design process for RosaViolán is threefold. He bases his narrative on the distinct
pillars of historical, disruptive and sympathetic influences, producing interiors that are relatable, original and deeply rooted in the locale.
Perhaps one of the most emblematic projects of this approach has been The Ritz-Carlton NoMad in New York, where Rosa-Violán worked with long-time friend and collaborator, chef José Andrés, to tell the story of Hasekura Tsunenaga’s 17 th-century voyage from Japan to Spain, translating the cultural exchange into an immersive dining experience. Beyond a bar featuring historic sailing vessels, guests ascend a floral-tiled staircase to the main dining room, where a striking indigo and burnt orange colour palette is a hallmark of the East-meets-West, past-andpresent exchange. Every detail is rooted in authenticity, from traditional Japanese lanterns trimmed with Andalusian tassels to a mixology bar inspired by Castilian bookshelves.
Another notable project is Cotton House, an Autograph Collection property in Rosa-Violán’s hometown of Barcelona. Occupying an early 19th-century landmark and honouring the city’s cotton trade, the adaptive reuse project truly leans into the past, as seen in the display cases of fabrics in the restaurant and bar. Fireplaces, mouldings and millwork were carefully restored and the studio, which unsurprisingly also offers an art curation service, painstakingly selected each piece for the hotel.
Only You Sevilla meanwhile is a loving homage to Andalucia. Everything from the ornate woodwork to a colour palette that nods to the region’s bountiful olive groves brings a sense of place. Trimmings on furnishings serve as a relatable way to connect with Flamenco culture too, while the art in the sunbathed lobby is a disruptive take on tradition. Above, each guestroom is a Mediterranean oasis, defined by a light and airy ambience and earthy neutrals alongside terracotta tones and handcrafted wall tapestries.
“When we design a hotel, it’s not just for that project; we treat our clients as if we’re going to work with them forever. We value long-term collaborations.”
Currently on the boards are multiple hotels for ShangriLa in destinations such as Sanya, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore, in addition to a host of projects across the Middle East. But two of Rosa-Violán’s most cherished projects have brought him back to his beloved Madrid, the cultural capital to which he owes his formal art education and early career.
At the newly relaunched The Palace, a Luxury Collection hotel, Rosa-Violán chose to incorporate found pieces from the original property with more contemporary touches.
The 400 guestrooms feature custom-designed murals as a backdrop to the clean-lined furnishings in rich hues, while the public spaces celebrate the building’s grand 1920s architecture. The magnitude of such a project isn’t lost on the designer. “Participating in a project like this is a privilege; it’s an iconic hotel that means a lot to local people, so there was a certain expectation,” he quips. “We wanted to bring back the magic and glamour. By looking at the origins of the property, we introduced historical items back into the interiors, returning it to iconic status.”
His second Madrid project is a love letter to the city. “The Edificio Metrópolis is one of the most-photographed sites in the city,” he states, revealing that redevelopment will transform the landmark into a hospitality destination with a hotel, members’ club and 12 restaurants.
Even though Rosa-Violán has quite the rolodex of clients, from renowned chefs to global hotel brands including Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, he doesn’t take anything for granted. “Let me tell you about my boomerang theory,” he concludes. “When we design a hotel, it’s not just for that project; we treat our clients as if we’re going to work with them forever. We value longterm collaborations.” It is perhaps this warmth and humility, belying his obvious virtuosity, that endears Rosa-Violán to his always-returning clients.
Rosa-Violán’s approach of combining historical, disruptive and sympathetic influences is encapsulated in Only You Sevilla (top) and The Baazar at The RitzCarlton NoMad in New York (bottom)
PROFILE
Billy Skelli-Cohen
CEO Beaumier
Hailing from France, Billy Skelli-Cohen is a lifelong hotelier, specialising in highend hospitality and international hotel development. Before joining Beaumier in 2025, he was CEO of Zien Group, which owns and operates leading hospitality businesses including Eden Hotels. Prior to this, Skelli-Cohen founded and led Lore Group, which was responsible for creating hotels such as Sea Containers London and repositioning properties including Pulitzer Amsterdam and Riggs Washington DC.
Current Projects:
Le Val Thorens, Val Thorens; Le Fitz Roy, Val Thorens; Les 3 Valées, Courchevel; Capelongue, Bonnieux; Petunia, Ibiza; L’Alpaga, Megève; Les Roches Rouges, Saint-Raphael; Le Moulin, Lourmarin; Le Galiner, Lourmarin; Grand Hotel Belvedere, Wengen
Meeting… Billy Skelli-Cohen
Having doubled in size since the pandemic, burgeoning boutique brand Beaumier is entering the next phase of growth with a new CEO at the helm.
Words: Eleanor Howard
From a hilltop hamlet overlooking Mont Blanc to an Ibiza hideaway with views of Es Vedra, Beaumier is a burgeoning boutique hotel group taking European seasonal leisure markets by storm.
Formerly known as Les Hôtels d’en Haut –meaning the hotels above – the brand was born in 2011 with the opening of Le Val Thorens, a 70s-inspired alpine chalet situated at the heart of Europe’s highest resort, followed closely by Le Fitz Roy and Les 3 Vallées, solidifying its status as a winter destination operator. That was until 2015, when the group spotted an opportunity down south, acquiring and refurbishing boutique properties on the Côte d’Azur and Provence with great success.
This caught the attention of KSL Capital Partners, a leading investor specialising in travel and leisure. Following the acquisition in 2019, the group rebranded as Beaumier, named after 19th-century French explorer, geographer and writer Auguste Beaumier to better reflect the collection’s spirit of discovery, be that in the mountains, countryside or by the sea.
Today, the collection comprises 11 ‘soulful’ properties across France, Switzerland and Spain, with one new opening and an expansion slated for the summer. Following the recent appointment of Lore Group founder Billy SkelliCohen as CEO, the group is poised to enter its
next phase of growth. “I thought it would be an interesting challenge to take on this portfolio of seasonal hotels that is really hitting the mark with what high-end leisure clients want, and journey to the next chapter,” explains SkelliCohen, who brings a wealth of experience in international hotel development.
DESTINATION-DRIVEN DNA
Behind each Beaumier property is a destinationdriven DNA, with the location and heritage guiding every element of the hotel, from design details to F&B. So choosing the right spot is crucial to a hotel’s success. “We look in high-end leisure destinations for sites that are surrounded by beautiful nature,” he reveals. “The surroundings are as important, if not more important, than the property we’re buying.”
Whilst each property has its own individual identity informed by its environment, there is an aesthetic thread that runs throughout the portfolio. One of laidback luxury and residential comfort, that remains in constant dialogue with the destination.
At Capelongue in Provence, for example, interiors agency Jaune brought the outside in with exposed stone, ochre and terracotta. Meanwhile in Wengen, Swiss architecture firms Complete Works and Clavien & Associés used an abundance of natural materials at the newly re-
opened Grand Hotel Belvedere – from parquet flooring and granite to thick wool upholstery – to maintain a strong connection with the property’s alpine heritage.
CULINARY CREDENTIALS
Also intrinsic to the brand’s DNA is a decidedly epicurean focus. In fact, there are more restaurants than hotels in the Beaumier portfolio, from bustling brasseries to delicious delis. So, how do they justify this ratio with such low key-count properties? “From day one, F&B has been a very profitable part of our business and one that is deeply rooted in the culture of our group,” Skelli-Cohen reveals. “Our in-house capture ratio means most guests that stay with us eat on-site multiple times, so we like to give them options. We also work hard to demand the attention of local tourism.”
Beuamier achieves this by enlisting top culinary talent to create unique dining experiences that gain the approval of sought-after awards schemes and rating systems such as Michelin stars, as seen with La Table de L’Alpaga in Megève, where local produce is paired with a global inspiration to bring new perspective and creativity to the cherished culinary heritage of Savoie. Elsewhere in Saint-Raphaël, Chef Alexandre Baule presents a Michelin-starred celebration of the sea and sun at Récif within Les Roches Rouges.
EXPERIENTIAL ENVIRONMENTS
What sets Beaumier apart from other boutique brands, according to Skelli-Cohen, is a forwardthinking approach to hospitality that puts the guest in control of shaping their own stay.
“The traveller is becoming more and more sophisticated,” he notes. “They might visit somewhere twice and experience it completely differently each time. So while it is important that we bring local knowledge to our guests, it is equally important that there is breathing room for them to make their own journey. We feel it is our job to cultivate the best environment for them to create their own experiences.”
While trend reports in recent years point to a rise in experiential travel, with travellers making more destination-driven choices, Beaumier is taking a different approach. “We try to have that soul that exists across our portfolio,” he states. “So whether guests are surrounded by snow-covered mountains or beautiful vineyards, the idea is that our hotels are a comfortable and inspiring base from which they can create their own experiences.”
STEPPING STONES
When it comes to development, historically Beaumier has opted to acquire existing properties with great potential, rather than starting from scratch with a newbuild. Italy is a key market
of interest for the group, as well as further expansion across Spain. “We tend to buy properties or portfolios that already have some sort of DNA or soul, and make them better,” he explains. “We aim to create a beautiful refuge in a gorgeous environment that spreads beyond the boundaries of the hotel into the neighbourhood or region that we’re in, where there is plenty of fun to be had and exploring to do.”
And clearly, it’s a recipe for success – the company has experienced rapid growth, having doubled in size since the pandemic. Still, SkelliCohen remains cautiously optimistic about the future. “In recent years, Beaumier has evolved from a collection of hotels to a brand in quia short space of time,” he reflects. “That’s not an easy exercise for a business, it requires organisation and a cultural shift to give us the confidence to take some big stepping stones in the future.”
And that next step, according to Skelli-Cohen, is progressing from single-asset purchases to buying portfolios. “Beaumier has demonstrated its ability to enter a market and create something special. If we can keep doing what we’re doing and build out our platform, that will give us further opportunities for accelerated growth, whether that is acquiring another group or more than one hotel at a time,” concludes SkelliCohen. “While I don’t know exactly what that’s going to be yet, I’m very bullish for our future.”
15 Years Of Double Decker
Upon celebrating a milestone anniversary, the Founding Partners of Double Decker discuss the past, present and future of art curation in hospitality design.
From paintings and bas-relief to sculpture and decorative objects, the captivating collections curated by Double Decker have redefined the role of art in hospitality design. As the London-based studio marks its 15th anniversary, founders Melita Skamnaki and Wilhelm Finger reveal more about the journey so far.
ON THE INITIAL VISION
KEY HOTEL PROJECTS
Crowne Plaza
Paris Republique (2018)
25hours Hotel Dubai
One Central (2021)
Rosewood Munich (2023)
Four Seasons Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr (2024)
Four Seasons Mykonos (2025)
St Regis Mayfair (2025)
W Barcelona (2025)
When we founded Double Decker, we wanted to shake up the hospitality industry. At the time, art buyers were seen as suppliers rather than consultants, which felt like a missed opportunity. So, we decided to use our experience in museum and exhibition curation to reimagine the role of the hospitality curator, bringing a design-led aesthetic that doesn’t only fill spaces with nice art to look at, but elevates the guest experience. Our vision was clear: to take a smarter approach to curation in which the art is deeply attuned to the hotel, its location and culture.
ON ITS EVOLUTION
Having collaborated with over 2,000 artists on more than 50 projects, our journey over the past 15 years has been nothing short of expansive. What started as a sharp, design-led curatorial vision has evolved into a global operation. We curate everything from oneoff cultural exhibitions to bespoke art collections for high-end hotels and luxury cruise ships. We work across cultures, mastering the nuances of hospitality brands and honing an instinct for delivering art that not only fits, but defines a space. Our network of artists, craftspeople and fabricators continues to grow, allowing
us to compose collections with a sense of place and brand identity. The result is a house style that is futureproof, with collections that stand out. We have built this expertise the only way that truly matters to us – by travelling the world, from Europe to the Middle East to the US, and everywhere in between, absorbing local culture and engaging with regional art movements.
ON MILESTONE PROJECTS
Without a doubt, Cunard’s Queen Anne stands as a milestone. Building a narrative for a brand that has such a remarkable heritage presented a unique opportunity for us to push boundaries while honouring a quintessentially British legacy.
From sculptural statements to intricate tapestries and bold contemporary paintings, the collection was a masterclass in experimentation, making it both timeless and avant-garde. We pushed our collaborating artists beyond their comfort zones, exploring new mediums, unexpected materials and dynamic styles. Highlights were showcased at the British Academy in London and the historic Cipriani building in New York. These were two exhibitions that brought our vision to a wider audience, both met with remarkable success.
We also initiated a partnership with world-leading universities Central Saint Martins and Royal College of Art in London and Parsons School of Design in New York, offering young graduates a rare platform to create and showcase new work on a prestigious stage – the Vertical Galleries on board Queen Anne. For us, this segment of the collection represents more than curation; it is about shaping careers, fostering talent and redefining what maritime art can be. The numbers
“Art has shifted from a decorative afterthought to a defining element of hospitality design.”
speak for themselves – 4,500 original artworks and artefacts, sourced from an incredibly diverse pool of artists.
Another landmark project is Rosewood Munich. For the brand’s inaugural German outpost, we started from the idea of ‘Munich Stories’, and took an eclectic approach, mixing the city’s opulent Rococo style and its vibrant jazz scene, with nods to key chapters in the history of the city. From the beautiful and rebellious Empress Sisi to the 1972 Olympic Games, Rosewood Munich’s art collection includes paintings, prints, photography, sculptural works, ceramics and textile pieces, new commissions, installations, in-house designs and unique collaborations with specialist local artisans, represented through a fresh and bold lens.
ON CHANGES IN HOSPITALITY DESIGN
Art has shifted from a decorative afterthought to a defining element of hospitality design. Guests now expect bold, considered collections comprising bespoke commissions, sitespecific installations and statement pieces that complement a space and shape its identity. As such, operators, architects and interior designers increasingly recognise the role of the art consultant, bringing us in at the earliest conceptual stages. We collaborate on materiality, narrative and vision, ensuring that every artwork feels intrinsic to the space, the architecture, the location – even the cultural landscape. This level of curation doesn’t go unnoticed – guests feel the depth, the thoughtfulness, the sophistication, and that’s what sets a space apart and brings a new level of refinement to hospitality.
ON NEW HOTEL PROJECTS
Following the success of Queen Anne, we are teaming up with Richmond International once again to curate collections for new suites at The Venetian in Las Vegas, as well as the
A milestone project is Cunard’s Queen Anne, for which the studio curated 4,500 original pieces – the world’s largest art collection at sea
“Art will remain an essential language, not for decoration, but for connection – a powerful force that enriches, deepens and personalises the guest’s relationship with the space.”
prestigious St Regis in Mayfair. We are also developing a collection for W Barcelona, which will reflect the rhythm of this destination hotel. In Mykonos, we are working on the much-anticipated Four Seasons, with architecture by Nico Valsamakis and a design scheme by Rockwell Group and Wimberly Interiors. And finally, we are collaborating with 25hours Hotels for its new Heimat brand in the UAE.
ON THE NEXT 15 YEARS
With the experience we have gained in 15 years, we would like to see Double Decker thriving, with an expanded team and a portfolio including both hospitality and cultural projects that continue to push boundaries. Our focus will remain on doing what we love – curating with passion and precision – while being surrounded by a dynamic network of collaborators who inspire and challenge us. It’s about evolving, staying true to our vision, and continuing to shape spaces that resonate with their visitors and guests.
ON HOSPITALITY ART CURATION IN 2100
By 2100, hospitality art curation will be deeply integrated into the very essence of the guest experience. The role of hotels will be even more fluid – they will be spaces that evolve based on the needs and preferences of the people within them. With travel becoming increasingly borderless, guests will expect each hotel to reflect their journey, offering bespoke experiences that align with their evolving desires. Sustainability will no longer be a choice or an option. It will be a mandate woven into every corner of design, from architecture to artworks. As such, art collections will be diverse and immersive, from tactile sculptures to interactive installations, allowing guests to truly connect with the artists and their work. Art will continue to be an essential thread in the fabric of the hospitality experience, bridging the past, present and future. It will remain an essential language, not for decoration, but for connection – a powerful force that enriches, deepens and personalises the guest’s relationship with the space.
At Rosewood Munich, Double Decker took an eclectic approach to the art curation, mixing the city’s opulent Rococo style and its vibrant jazz scene
ELEVATOR LOBBY RUGS ON GOLD LEVELS, FOR FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM HOTEL , VANCOUVER, CANADA, WITH NIVEK REMAS WOOL AND PRISM NYLON, HANDTUFTED IN THAILAND.
CREATIVEMATTERSINC.COM LABEL STEP PARTNER – IMPROVING THE WORKING AND LIVING CONDITIONS OF CARPET WEAVERS, AS WELL AS PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY METHODS OF PRODUCTION. PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONRAD BROWN
THE LOBBY
Blurring the boundaries between contemporary art and industrial design, Italian studio Seletti has partnered with American artist Tracey Snelling to create Hotel Voyeur, a table lamp that mimics the façade of a hotel.
Crowned by a neon sign that casts a vibrant yet dimmable glow, the ‘building’ features six windows and an open door to explore the dynamic between public and private spaces. Peek inside and each displays a small screen playing looping videos of a staged hotel room, where seemingly ordinary moments become intriguing visual fragments.
To celebrate the launch, Seletti has transformed its flagship showroom in Milan into an immersive experience. The façade resembles the Hotel Voyeur lamp with illuminated windows –
which are in fact Samsung The Frame 4K TV screens – displaying the same vignettes. Inside, the showroom has been transformed into a guestroom, where visitors can interact directly with the artwork and become protagonists rather than mere spectators. Through an interplay of mirrors and projections, the installation challenges perceptions of space and privacy, turning life into a stage where everyday activities become an artistic composition.
“Hotel Voyeur embodies our constant desire to transform artistic visions into tangible objects, allowing people to interact with and reflect upon them in new ways,” says Stefano Seletti, Artistic Director of Seletti. “Just as Snelling’s work has evolved over time, this collaboration represents a natural step forward in making art a more integrated part of our daily surroundings.”
Hotel Voyeur
Putting Planet First
As demand for sustainable hospitality grows, IHG presents its first branded net zero carbon hotel.
Putting planet first is becoming increasingly important amongst consumers, with research showing that guests are now more likely than ever to choose a hotel that prioritises sustainability –whether through design or operations.
Demonstrating a deep commitment to the cause, IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its first branded net zero carbon hotel. Created in partnership with Zeal Hotels and Valor Hospitality, Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park has been designed to run entirely on renewable and solar energy with a goal of net zero operational and embodied carbon. And while the 142-key property has all the hallmarks of a typical ‘green’ hotel – including natural foliage and cuisine that champions locally-sourced ingredients – its real eco-credentials lie in the details.
Envisioned by ECE Westworks and Westworks Interiors, the hotel boasts a range of noteworthy features. It is the first building in the UK with Solarlab vertical photovoltaic panels as a rainscreen cladding system. It also follows the Passivhaus standard for ultra-low energy buildings and uses adiabatic cooling and heat
reversible pumps to enhance energy efficiency. Furthermore, construction materials have been chosen for their sustainable characteristics, such as Ecocrete, a low carbon alternative with up to 85% less CO2 than cement.
Collectively, these measures have earned the hotel a BREEAM Outstanding rating, and the approach extends to operations too. In all, it has been designed to minimise operational energy use, with the aim to achieve an EUI (Energy Use Intensity) of less than 60kWh/m2 – one of the lowest known in the UK.
“It has been more than a decade since we founded Zeal Hotels, with the intention of helping the hotel sector be net zero carbon by 2050,” comments Tim Wheeldon, Founding Director of Zeal Hotels. “By harnessing renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient designs and utilising innovative technology, we have created a space that not only provides comfort and luxury but also prioritises environmental responsibility. We are looking forward to sharing our knowledge with others to help accelerate the net zero carbon process across the sector.”
The Contain x Font Barcelona collection emerges from the fusion of Contain’s lighting solutions and our thoughtfully designed electrical mechanisms. With harmonized finishes, it enables unique and refined combinations, delivering exceptional visual integration that elevates any space into a harmonious and elegant setting.
BOOK FLEXO + BRIDGE COLLECTION
Immersive Installations
Artemest invites six internationally acclaimed designers to reimagine a historic palazzo for Milan Design Week.
Each year, Milan Design Week sees hundreds of brands vying for attention with their parties, product launches and installations. Increasingly, such gatherings focus on the visitor experience, inviting attendees to explore FF&E through staged roomsets. So to mark its 10th anniversary, digital marketplace Artemest created L’Appartamento, a celebration of Italian craftsmanship presented through the lens of internationally acclaimed designers. Staged within the historic Palazzo Donizetti, the brand invited six creatives – Simone Haag, Meyer Davis, Champalimaud Design, Romanek Design Studio, 1508 London and Nebras Aljoaib Studio – to reimagine a room, utilising furnishings and art selected from Artemest’s extensive network of brands and makers.
FOYER BY SIMONE HAAG
An elegant prelude, the foyer sees natural textures meet bold compositions, while colourful accents stand in harmony with the palazzo’s original charm.
GRAND SALON BY MEYER DAVIS
Described as an immersive space suspended between past and present, fantasy and reality, the Grand Salon demonstrates how classical palazzo interiors can be an ode to Italian modernity.
GUESTROOM BY CHAMPALIMAUD DESIGN
An artistic retreat inspired by the glamour of 1960s Italian cinema, where whimsical sculptures and handpainted wallpapers pay homage to La Dolce Vita.
DINING ROOM BY ROMANEK DESIGN STUDIO
The grandeur of convivial Italian gatherings is expressed by a dynamic mix of textures and materials for a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere.
ENTERTAINMENT ROOM BY 1508 LONDON
Inspired by private members’ clubs, this space is a reinterpretation of the 19th-century salon, designed to foster connection and creativity.
READING ROOM BY NEBRAS ALJOAIB STUDIO
The experience concludes with a quiet moment in the Reading Room, where key pieces such as a sculptural chaise lounge cultivate a relaxing atmosphere.
The Grand Salon by Meyer Davis
The Entertainment Room by 1508 London
The Reading Room by Nebras Aljoaib Studio
An Exercise In Balance
From Th8 Palm hotel to the National Academy for Childhood Development, Dubai-based studio Roar is no stranger to designing both hospitality and educational projects in the Middle East. Now the firm is drawing on this experience and combining the two to transform a disused government building in Abu Dhabi into the new Les Roches Hospitality University.
An exercise in balance, Roar took an adaptive re-use approach to retain the building’s Brutalist structure, whilst cultivating a dynamic educational environment for future generations pursuing a career in hospitality. Interiors have been thoughtfully crafted to support both education and experience. For example, adaptable classrooms serve as dynamic learning environments that can accommodate evolving teaching methods, while culinary training spaces blend durability with high-end finishes to mirror the standards of luxury hospitality. Mock hotel suites meanwhile, enable students
to gain hands-on experience with real-world service expectations.
Creating a bridge between the past and future, subtle nods to Emirati heritage are infused throughout the campus, from Al Sadu-inspired geometric motifs to communal areas that evoke the spirit of the traditional majlis. Carefully curated lighting and considered material selection ensure the raw Brutalist framework enhances the refined interiors.
“This was an opportunity to celebrate contrasts – where the ruggedness of exposed concrete meets the warmth of Emirati hospitality,” explains Pallavi Dean, founder and Creative Director of Roar. “We didn’t want to dilute the building’s original character but rather infuse it with the kind of elegance and adaptability that modern hospitality education demands. It’s about creating spaces that inspire, engage and prepare students for the industry in a way that feels authentic.”
L’Art de Recevoir
Cheval Blanc has released a new book detailing the brand’s unique approach to hospitality, blending art, design, wellness and gastronomy with soul and storytelling. Published by Assouline, the 196-page hardback mimics the style and spirit of a personal travel log, exploring how each property – known as a Maison – offers privacy, bespoke service and memorable moments. The Maisons, designed by renowned architects such as Jean-Michel Gathy, Jacques Grange and Jean-Michel Wilmotte, showcase timeless elegance and local craftsmanship relating to their specific heritage and location. Like guests on arrival, readers are immediately immersed in Cheval Blanc’s hallmark ‘L’Art de Recevoir’ (the art of hospitality). Continuing the journal format, handwritten notes can be found throughout the narrative, as if the musings of a friend on their travels. These are accompanied by more than 200 photographs capturing scenes from properties across the portfolio, such as fishermen delivering lobster to Cheval Blanc St-Tropez, Vincent Beaurin’s sun-inspired artwork in Randheli, and the Peter Marinodesigned lobby of Cheval Blanc Paris. In addition, the tome also offers a preview of the forthcoming Maison in Sardinia, slated to open in 2026.
Hotels have been stars of the small screen since the advent of entertainment programming in the mid-20th century, with their often-luxurious interiors serving as both real-life and fictional settings for horror, romance and mystery. Must-see shows have included fly-on-the-wall documentaries that offer a glimpse behind the scenes of day-to-day operations, and serialised dramas that chronicle the adventures of a glamourous guest.
Regardless of how a hotel or destination is portrayed on screen, such appearances have inspired a generation of travellers – so much so that in 2008, the term ‘set-jetting’ was coined to describe the growing trend of visiting the filming locations of major movies and TV shows. The
called idyllic lives unravelling to reveal secrets, lies and debauchery. The provocative plotlines and strong characterisation have led to a handful of accolades, though the winners in the context of this publication are the destinations featured on screen. The first series was filmed at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea in Hawaii, while the second ventured to San Domenico Palace, another Four Seasons hotel on the Sicilian shores of Taormina. It’s the latest series however that has really caught the imagination of travellers, right from the opening scenes that pan the pristine sands of Ya Nui Beach and junglecovered islands of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park. A number of hotels also feature as a picturesque backdrop to the antics. The Bamboo
The White Lotus Effect
Thailand’s hotels report a surge in bookings following the success of an award-winning TV series.
Words: Catherine Martin
phenomenon has only grown in recent years, and ratings-winners have become as much an endorsement for the places featured, as they are a binge-worthy watch for viewers.
Countless forecasters have spotlighted this growth, including Expedia Group, which tracks data-driven travel trends through its three booking engines – Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. “Expedia spotted set-jetting as an emerging travel behaviour in 2023, and entertainment on screen is still growing as a source of travel inspiration,” states the group’s Unpack ’25 report. “Two-thirds of travellers shared that movies, streaming services and TV shows have influenced their travel choices, and 36% say that TV and films are more influential on their travel plans than they were last year.”
Perhaps one of the most influential shows of late is The White Lotus, a dark comedy drama set in the various resorts of a global hotel group. Each series follows the exploits of employees and guests during a week-long stay, with their so-
Bar at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok makes an appearance, as does the hotel’s lobby, which was reimagined by Jeffrey Wilkes in 2019 to fuse Thai heritage with contemporary elegance. Ta Khai at Rosewood Phuket is amongst the F&B venues to wine and dine characters at mealtimes, while the villas at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui serve as the luxurious lodgings. There are several properties from Minor International too, from the treehouse-style Singing Bird Lounge at Anantara Lawana to the Bill Bensley-designed tropical paradise of Anantara Bophut. So well-received have their starring roles been that the two Koh Samui properties, along with Anantara Mai Khao Phuket, have reported a significant surge in interest. Traffic to the resorts’ websites rose 104% year-over-year during February, leading to a 41% increase in direct online bookings for the same period. The result is a phenomenon that has been dubbed ‘The White Lotus effect’ and effectively demonstrates the growth potential of a moment in the spotlight.
Matteo Thun creates an elevated lakeside retreat defined by his signature blend of minimialism and sustainability.
The unique quality of Chiemgauhof lies in its simplicity. These are the carefully considered words of Matteo Thun describing his latest project - a waterfront retreat on the shores of Bavaria’s largest lake.
His is a simplicity borne out of a restricted material palette, the quality of those materials and the precise craftsmanship applied to them. There is also a respect for sustainability, nature and the locale – Thun’s genius loci. There are moments of brilliance and bravura too.
Set on Lake Chiemsee within the Chiemgau Alps – 100km from Munich and 50km from Salzburg – Chiemgauhof was acquired by Ursula Schelle-Müller and Dieter Müller, creators of Motel One and properties such as Das Achental in nearby Grassau and Hotel Kitzhof in Kitzbühel. This new venture has been brought to life by Matteo Thun & Partners, led by Karola Gröger, head of the Munich office, together with Thun himself.
“I love the studio’s philosophy and always wanted a Thundesigned hotel,” explains Schelle-Müller sitting on the sunlit terrace overlooking the lake. Part of that philosophy is a respect for nature. The hotel’s handsome timber structures sit within a nature reserve, and given the abundance of mature trees, are barely visible during the summer months.
And such is the regard for nature that one particular pergola was built around the bough of a young tree so as not to damage it.
Of the materials used, the focus is on local woods including larch for the traditional roof shingles. Stone also plays a starring role, from the greys of Ceppo di Gré in public areas, to Ceppo di Pompei in the guest bathrooms, where it is beautifully matched by the satin cement finish of the Catalano Premium washbasins.
The seemingly all-wood exteriors beg comparison with Thun’s early hospitality work at Vigilius Mountain Resort, a property in the Dolomites with a similar north-south axis. Vigilius was environmentally ahead of its time with glass and lamella timber façade treatments, similar to that at Chiemgauhof, but this is the Bavarian Alps, so a different approach was required. “We tried to stay close to the culture of the location,” explains Thun. “The hotel looks very similar to the construction of the local farmhouses in the region.”
And indeed, it does. Three large barns are arranged in parallel on the north-south axis, allowing for the all-important sunset views. “We had to respect the original footprint of the farm buildings,” Thun notes. “Normally we would try to preserve the old buildings, but it was not possible this time.”
The next best thing was re-use – the foundations of the existing structures were processed and re-used. Local sourcing started here but included SchelleMüller’s appointment of main contractor Pfeifer, from nearby Rosenheim. Energy initiatives include photovoltaics, the use of recycled wood pellets, ground-source heat pumps and the local processing
of biowaste for natural gas. Sustainability extends to interior treatments too, with plush guestroom rugs made from upcycled fabrics and lambswool by LPG Studios in Aschau im Chiemgau.
The high volume of the entrance hall is bright and airy in the morning sunshine, and either side, symmetrical staircases step up to the guestrooms. Most suites have balconies and views over the lake towards the setting sun. So too the F&B areas of the lower level.
The three main structures are interconnected, with the majority of suites on the upper level. The southernmost building has four ground-floor suites, each with their own loggia leading to the lawns. The middle building sees regular suites sandwiching the two symmetrical Royal Suites, each featuring a lounge in the eaves with a fireplace and views to the distant Herreninsel Palace. The northern section, plus guestsonly lounge, the Boathouse, together cradle a garden that includes a sunken seating arrangement around a firepit and 18m stainless steel pool. Here, guestrooms are on the first floor to mitigate any noise issues. Below, the wide, glazed corridor overlooks this garden and doubles as a gallery for local artists and a lengthy dining room for special occasions.
Overseen by three-Michelin-starred chef Edip Sigl, the F&B offering is centred around the Chiemgauhof Restaurant, where chef Max Müller uses locally sourced ingredients to create modern Bavarian classics with utmost delicacy and flavour. The restaurant has two semi-private dining rooms and looks onto the wide terrace and lawns.
The Lakeside Bar meanwhile serves sushi using fresh
The main lounge is anchored by a Kachelofen heating stove, adorned with intricate clay tiles
fish delivered by boat from Fraueninsel. There are several different seating areas including a long and broad black-stained communal table, made from a single trunk. Acoustics are dealt with using carefully grooved timber ceiling. Reclaimed from old barns, it has a rich patina. Generally, ceilings here and in the Boathouse are dark-stained to create an intimate atmosphere. Touches of joy abound. Colourful Modernist floral patterns decorate the asymmetric stairway carpets. Petite motifs taken from the traditional dirndl dresses provide constancy between vertically striped corridor wallpaper and cutouts of the sliding bathroom doors. Other whimsical touches include regional antique furnture, often handpainted, as well as artworks from Julius Exter, an Expressionist of the Munich Secession who ran a summer academy at Chiemgauhof. There is also a Baselitz from the Schelle-Müller collection.
In the main lounge, amidst the Pierre Frey and Dedar fabrics, the Cassina and Carl Hansen furniture, pride of place is the Kachelofen.
The clay tiles of this heating stove were delivered across the water from Inseltöpferei Klampfleuthner on Fraueninsel.
On the grey stone plinth of the bar corner, the open mouth of an oversized dark blue ceramic koi carp waits to be fed. He is near the large gong, which is rung every evening at sunset to announce ‘blue hour’ – a time to reflect. These Asian-inspired moments mirror the simplicity of Thun’s hand. Guestrooms see this in the curvaceous Ofurò Onsen bathtubs designed by Thun and Antonio Rodriguez for Rapsel. Haptic and visually pleasing, there is added value when the line-up of the brushed-chrome Vola spout, the vertical and horizontal joints of the stone wall finish and the ceiling spotlight are so precise as to throw the perfect shadow on to the bath water. An exactitude seen across the property from swimming pool to balustrade.
Doubtless it was the time spent getting such results that prompts Gröger to comment on the process of developing the many elements of the property. “There was passion from all parties
to consider every detail,” she explains. “Often, we already had the answer, but every issue has been discussed.”
A case in point is the spa suites – as with the guestrooms, each has its own terrace yet with slightly offset lake views. Private Klafs outdoor saunas were added to these larger terraces. Further luxury comes with the automated rotation of the slatted roof to give shade, or in the winter months, to protect from heavy snowfall. Guestrooms are masterly restrained with plenty of space and use of wood. Colourways are muted – pale green entrance lobbies, textured clay wall finishes in neutral cream by Matteo Brioni. Other touches include a larch bathtub, Flos lighting and rimless Geberit toilets with integrated bidet function.
At Chiemgauhof, Thun’s hand is evident in the palpable exactitude of execution and closeness to nature. “Guests feel the perfection but don’t see it,” concludes Schelle-Müller. Perhaps this is because the combined grace and modern elegance shines through in every aspect.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner: Müller
Architecture and Interior Design: Matteo Thun & Partners
Main Contractor: Pfeifer www.chiemgauhof.com
The BoTree Marylebone
The Hoxton Shepherd’s Bush
The Resident Farringdon
The Standard
SINGAPORE
The Standard puts down roots in the Garden City, bringing nature-inspired interiors to the brand’s flourishing Asia Pacific portfolio.
For decades, Shangri-La Singapore was the only hotel amongst the lushly landscaped condominiums on Orange Grove Road, which sits at the fringe of the citystate’s famed Orchard Road. From the end of 2024 however, the vicinity welcomed a new neighbour – one with an entirely different personality.
The Standard Singapore, built on the plot of a former serviced apartment block, is a glossy construction with faceted elevations that catch the resplendent tropical light like a jewel. Standard International’s in-house design team conceived the hospitality brand’s fifth hotel in Asia Pacific together with DP Architects and Ministry of Design.
“At The Standard, we design spaces that break the mould; they are unconventional, dynamic and unapologetically irreverent,” says Verena Haller, Chief Design Officer, Standard International. “No two properties are alike, each blending old and new, rooted in local culture while surprising and delighting our guests.”
The success of the brand’s recent Thailand openings in Bangkok and Hua Hin set the bar high for The Standard Singapore. This also comes in light of Hyatt’s recent acquisition of the brand in an effort to expand its lifestyle offerings. Singapore’s City in a Garden vision has provided consistent inspiration to many hotels that set foot in the city.
Guestrooms feature Mid-Century Modern-inspired elements, from terrazzo countertops to timber panelling
It is the same at The Standard, but channelled through the lens of the brand’s singular, sassy style.
On entering the hotel, guests are immediately greeted by a terrarium-like installation built into the check-in desk. Conceived by artist Eric Tobua, Dreamscape pays tribute to the city’s nature and the iconic Gardens By The Bay. “It transforms into an otherworldly oasis, where reality blends with imagination,” Haller describes. “A shimmering blue pond with water lilies and Vanadinite crystals invites reflection and a deeper connection to nature.”
The hotel captures the city’s identity through wit, artistry and playfulness. “The Standard Singapore is truly one of a kind, even within our portfolio,” says Haller. “Its design is bold and contemporary, yet deeply connected to the city’s unique cultural fabric. It’s located in a prime spot near the Singapore Botanical Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Orchard Road, offering guests a perfect balance of city life and tranquillity.”
The lobby exudes a casual atmosphere through curving walls adorned with warm timber battens that lead guests towards Café Standard, where one
can perch at the bar or sink into retro-style seating for coffee and cocktails. Here, a band of full-height windows immediately draws attention to a capacious tiered garden that is perfect for outdoor events. A small waterfall and stepping-stones leading from the café’s al fresco courtyard encourages exploration.
This hidden enclosure links all of the hotel’s public areas together. At Café Standard, guests can glimpse or amble up to all-day-dining restaurant, Kaya at The Standard, or The Pool – curvaceous and lined with green candy cane-striped deck chairs and salmonpink umbrellas. The garden is thus a vital connector, with seating and artwork nestled along the way, encouraging guests to slow to a relaxed saunter rather than hurry along.
The building’s glossy exterior was conceptualised as ‘a billboard in an urban context’ to stand out in its location between two substantial developments, one being the Shangri-La. The angled windows help maximise visibility of the building over the longest distance when one approaches or departs from Orchard Road, which lies perpendicular to one end of Orange Grove Road. “The lenticular effect on the façade creates
dynamic visual experiences within the common spaces, especially at the courtyard,” says Shawn Teo, Senior Associate at DP Architects. Using two types of glass with differing reflectivity and tints allows the building to read as a shiny glass box while providing privacy for guests who look out of the 143 guestrooms through floor-toceiling windows.
It is not all glossy though. The architecture team left the structure of the guestroom block as béton brut, as if unfinished – a style that brings texture to the otherwise polished exterior. Edge columns set inwards give the appearance of an elegant floating glass box. This care to the architecture reflects the brand’s philosophy of creating unique experiences without compromising on comfort and attention.
Throughout the hotel, Ministry of Design founder Colin Seah wove in moments of discovery and delight. “Each space is designed to be disarmingly inviting, like being in the home of a good friend – your coolest and slightly cheeky friend,” Seah elaborates. At Kaya
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at The Standard for instance, creepers draping from ceilings and planters filled with greenery never let guests forget they are in the tropics.
“Along the perimeter walls, a customdesigned botanically-inspired wallpaper mural by artist Saran Yen Panya, titled Secret Mint Julep Party, adds humour and is also a contextual nod to Kaya being a restaurant in a garden space,” says Seah on the artwork that comprises 3D tapestry and brocade components. Kaya is named after a Singaporean jam made with eggs, sugar, pandan leaves and coconut milk. It is also a play on the word izakaya, which is the focus of the cuisine, mixed with local influences.
In the guestrooms, sunny, Mid-Century Modern-inspired worlds are played out in terrazzo countertops, yellow-and-white bathroom tiles and timber elements. Ribbed timber wall panels reaching upwards to the ceiling are a nod to a signature Standard feature found in other properties.
Seah shares that it took some novel ideas
to fit the minimum number of keys into the scheme without compromising on atmosphere and comfort. Typical rooms have millwork clothing racks rather than wardrobes, as well as a combined work-cum-dining table and built-in sofa serving as a generously sized multi-functional lounge area. Curved surfaces also give the illusion of movement and space.
The Standard Suite Room and Suite Spot Room feature corner glazed and double-height living areas. The larger Suite Spot Room has two bedrooms, a combined living and dining area and bar counter. These party-ready rooms are crowned by a giant rope-like ceiling lamp that twists through the void of the double-height living space.
All these elements work together harmoniously to create a hotel that is unique in the city-state, as Haller concludes: “The Standard Singapore uses design to tell a story of bold luxury and vibrant connections, seamlessly blending the city’s dynamic energy with The Standard’s playful spirit.”
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Developer: Invictus Developments
Operator: Hyatt
Architecture: DP Architects
Interior Design: Ministry of Design www.standardhotels.com
Fidelity Hotel
CLEVELAND
New Waterloo enlists Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture to repurpose a historic financial building into Cleveland’s first independent hotel.
Sitting firmly in America’s Rust Belt, Cleveland is a reemerging lakeside gem of art, music and architecture. Its quaint Downtown boasts the country’s largest performing arts hub outside of New York, the famed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a plethora of handsome Neoclassical buildings that form the city’s ‘Grand Canyon’.
However the particular quadrant where Fidelity Hotel sits also played host to the seedier, mob-driven Short Vincent, a two-block stretch that once featured burlesque clubs and dive bars. In the latter part of the 1900s, the decline of industry dragged Downtown Cleveland’s architectural stalwarts into relative obscurity, but NuovoRE, a developer dedicated to adaptive re-use projects, is hoping to change that. “The people of Cleveland are full of humility, but also pride. The name Fidelity stuck because there was a collective effort to give back to the city something that they needed,” says Chief Development Officer Heather Ciszczon.
The building previously served as offices for Fidelity Mortgage – hence the name – with a row of retail outlets at street level that were to be kept, as mandated by the City of Cleveland. “The building slopes down with the street and has stepped bays that used to house the likes of a haberdashery, convenience store or deli,” explains Ciszczon. “The City was very clear that they wanted us to maintain that connection with the street; just imagine you’re walking by at nighttime and the warmth draws you in.”
The interiors were conceived by Chicago-based firm Curioso in collaboration with Looney & Associates in Dallas
– their initial task being to plan the spaces according to the existing floorplate. “We had to imagine how to create a moment in the lobby, bar and dining room, but do so in a way that celebrates the building’s architecture,” says Daniel Pierce, Principal at Curioso. “That made us think about embracing smaller spaces – appreciating both the long view and the immediate view.” The lobby lounge features an amalgamation of grand, bank-inspired details near its lofty ceilings, as well as cosy residential nods such as antique rugs and salvaged period furniture.
The same challenge of verticality with limited lateral space continued down in the Club Room, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant and bar. Here, Pierce and his team carried out several studies to determine where best to orientate the bar, before finally arriving at a less-than-conventional solution of facing the back bar to the windowed street façade. The requisite ramp that compensated for the two-step level change was placed in the rear of the room and houses an art gallery, with the majority of pieces sourced from local artists. Artworks vary in medium, from textiles and prints to landscapes and collages crafted from old train tickets. Special effort was made to include artists from all ethnicities and unite them under a Cleveland-centric theme, much like the hotel hopes to unite a diverse set of guests with local visitors.
Two other retail bays were originally intended to be a street-facing coffee shop, but Ciszczon had to make a judgment call late in the design development phase to pivot, opting instead to use them as additional seating for the Club
Room. Today, these spaces reveal themselves to both guests and passers-by as teal-toned jewel boxes adorned with custom murals by fourth generation muralist Lari Jacobson. Guests can relax in rattan chairs upholstered with forest green Lily Jack fabrics as they decipher hidden Cleveland landmarks surrounding them.
“There is a procession the moment you come in through that original historic entrance of the building, and you have a choice – do you want to dive into that social activity or check-in, go up to your room and put a robe on,” says Pierce of the more intimate private spaces of the hotel.
Beyond a compressed reception featuring an Art Deco-inspired, book-matched mappa burl desk and artwork by local artist Lauren Pearce, guests pass original working mail chutes that lead to the hotel’s 97 guestrooms. The design team embraced the challenge of irregular shaped rooms that comes with adaptive re-use buildings, but Ciszczon does admit to abandoning the hotel’s back façade in favour of practicality. “We removed the rear
side of the property and rebuilt it because we needed to introduce double loaded corridors to accommodate more guestrooms,” she recalls.
Pierce goes on to explain his team’s thoughtful approach to the guestrooms: “We wanted it to feel like the pied à terre of a well-travelled friend with exceptional style.” Guests enter into a jewel box foyer featuring a spot-lit artwork.
“You put your keys down in the marble tray and exhale,” he continues. Further into the room, a custom armoire, luscious velvet headboards and mismatched burl and lacquer side tables present quite the amalgam of design styles.
“It’s not a period piece; it has components from different eras. It’s a generational arc of early 1920s to 2020s, and we like the idea of the furnishings playing together,” Pierce explains.
Marble-topped vanities featuring unlacquered brass are accompanied by bold wallcoverings. In the bathing area, delicate mosaic patterns inspired by those found during the restoration process provide the perfect counterpoint to the monolithic white oak floors.
In the showstopping Fidelity Suite, Pierce and his team flexed their space-planning muscles to create a floating bed enveloped in ornate, custom wallpaper. The suite pulls from the generational arc approach seen in the guestrooms and public spaces, utilising seemingly clashing furniture that unexpectedly works together. Reverent nods to Cleveland include plum blossoms in the custom-designed carpet and more mosaic motifs inspired by the building’s original decoration.
Charged with guiding the hotel’s influence on both guests and the local community, Director of Impact Caroline Dillabaugh sums up the modus operandi of Fidelity Hotel with a lasting thought: “Our ethos as a company is that instead of tearing down and building new, we take properties with a historic nature and bring them back to life,” she concludes. “We wanted to pay homage to the architecture and former life of the building without it feeling like a relic. Instead, it’s a place-based hotel for Cleveland and its visitors to engage with.”
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner / Developer: NuovoRE
Operator: New Waterloo
Architecture:
Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
Interior Design: Curioso, Looney & Associates
Visual Identity: Savvy
Art Consultant: Soho Art Consulting
Procurement: Benjamin West
Main Contractor: Whiting-Turner
Project Manager: JLL www.fidelityhotelcle.com
The Eve
SYDNEY
Sydney creatives unite to envision a community hotel that combines vibrant art, native culture and curated culinary offerings from the local community.
Billed as Sydney’s most anticipated opening of the year, The Eve has a lot of hype to live up to. It acts as a fulcrum to a regeneration project – an entire city block, renamed Wunderlich Lane – which lies between the boutiques of Surry Hills and the low-industrial and low-rent suburb of Redfern. It is a mix of residential and hospitality with a retail lane occupied by creative studios and businesses such as a barbers and opticians, a supermarket and grocers.
“Our vision was to deliver a precinct that celebrates the authenticity of the neighbourhood, whilst also bringing the energy of new people and businesses to the area,” explains Allan Vidor, Managing Director of Toga Group, responsible for the development. “Important to our vision is the legacy we create and leave for the communities in which we develop, and we see that Wunderlich Lane will be a place that people can live, work, stay and visit for many years to come.”
Its architect, Director of SJB Sydney, Adam Haddow, is a neighbour: “This block was my local supermarket and our office is just on Crown Street, so there’s a strong personal investment in what I wanted to achieve here. This project is 10 years of my life,” he reveals on a walk around the lane. “Toga Group own and operate hotels but also lead on property development and this one is pretty unique in Australia. When most people think of mixed-use, they think of an apartment building with a coffee shop below. What Allan realised is that in order to make this
place work for both retail and residential, he needed to attract a diversity of people, and the only way to do that is with a hotel.”
The street entrance is low-key. A groundfloor restaurant and bar runs along the front of the hotel, its large windows open to the street to attract passers-by. A Louise Olsen mural lines the vaulted ceiling and artwork from Vidor’s personal collection fill the walls.
This is the first space guests come to as they enter the hotel, already acting as a local hub for breakfasts and coffee meetings, through to lunch and then after-work cocktails and dinner. It’s a smart piece of social design that allows guests to tangibly feel a part of the community they’re temporarily residing within. Haddow talks about the entry sequence, stepping straight off the street into the small red-tiled entrance hall with the energy of the bar and all-day restaurant to the left, and then transitioning to the much quieter space of the lobby via a small flight of stairs, with a larger banquette and lounge seating custom-designed
by SJB, and details such as the leatherwork and lighting, all from local companies.
The lobby leads to a white cloister, exuberant foliage on one side and the entrance to an indemand Greek restaurant, Olympus, on the other. The fact that there is a direct entrance to a non-hotel F&B venue exemplifies the community feel. This cloister in turn leads to the lift lobby and ground-floor guestroom corridor. Purposefully not air-conditioned, the corridors are partially open-air, making the most of the city’s windy subtropical climate. “For us, there’s a beauty in the space of the corridors,” Haddow explains of the wide, semicarpeted space. “They’re spacious, with natural daylight; there’s something quite luxurious about feeling the breeze when you open the door to your room.”
In the guestrooms, attention is immediately drawn to the colour palette. The European pale wood aesthetic has been abandoned in favour of darker woods and dominant green hues: “The greens and pinks that we get in native
The lobby features statement banquette and lounge seating customdesigned by SJB, complemented by Louise Olsen artworks
The Lana, Dubai.
landscapes in Australia are, I think, some of the most beautiful colours, so we have used earthy tones,” explains Haddow. “This is a hotel that is rooted in its location but appeals to a global market. To that end, we’ve used local designers and craftspeople, as well as fabrics that pick up the flora and fauna of Sydney and wider New South Wales.”
The seating and rugs are custom-made, and feature alongside tall frog-hop mirrors and a slender built-in wardrobe positioned to creatively divide the bedroom and bathroom, with a wooden pocket door providing more privacy. The toilet and shower are in two glassfronted recesses, the shower room beautifully curved and tiled.
In response to a frustration with hermiticallysealed hotel rooms in which windows do not open, Haddow’s indoor-outdoor design focus ensures all ground-floor rooms have private circular terraces, while those on the upper levels feature Juliet balconies.
The Eve’s 102 guestrooms are spread across the ground to fourth floors – with the fifth floor for the pool and a second restaurant. While this space had already been conceived and fitted out by interior architect George Livissianis before the decision was made for it to be a Mexican kitchen and mezcaleria, the design matches the final iteration without any sense of revision –making perfect use of the colourful cane chairs, deep-red travertine tables, orange banquettes and Palladiana flooring.
Renderings show a mature array of planting around the hotel’s rooftop, so it is surprising to see it looking not hugely different just a few weeks after opening. Landscape Designer Daniel Baffsky from 360 Degrees talks about a “balance between installing mature plants whilst, at the same time, recognising and celebrating the patience required for other greenery to naturally integrate with the architecture”.
Reserved solely for hotel guests, the 20m rooftop pool is lined with burnt-orange Tuuci cabanas and continues the horticultural
interplay. “We felt that the pool should be centred and surrounded by an immersive garden,” Baffsky explains. “There’s a filigree relationship between what’s an intimate innerlooking space, and the outward views to the local district and some of Sydney’s landmarks beyond. The palms, frangipanis and climbers are intended to feel as though they have naturally colonised the rooftop; the native water gums provide shade, intimacy and privacy while also allowing views in and out of the pool garden.”
It’s rare that a newbuild hotel becomes an immediate part of the community, but the developers, architects and designers have successfully created a special addition to Sydney’s hospitality offering for guests and locals alike – Haddow included.
Such is The Eve’s success that it’s suprising to hear that this is in fact SJB’s first hotel project. And it has clearly been fun, as he reveals with a smile that he’s already working on two new hotels, which following the success of The Eve, will undoubtedly be equally anticipated.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner / Developer: Toga Group
Operator: TFE Hotels
Architecture and Interior Design: SJB, George Livissianis Interior Architecture
Art Consultant: David Stein & Co
Landscaping: 360 Degrees www.theevehotel.com.au
Namia River Retreat
HOI AN
Rooted in tradition, an all-villa retreat in Vietnam blends bioclimatic design and wellness in a soulful riverside setting.
Words: Naomi Chadderton
Photography: Courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
With its bustling waterways, vibrant markets and eclectic mix of architectural styles, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An can be something of a sensory overload. Yet just a short boat ride away, nestled amidst lush landscapes and tranquil waters, its newest luxury hotel is a true sanctuary of calm.
Located on an islet overlooking the Thu Bon River in a quiet nipa palm-lined neighbourhood to the east of Hoi An’s old town, Namia River Retreat is the vision of Tran Thanh Nam, CEO of HG Holdings, who grew up in the village and wanted to share his passion for Vietnamese hospitality. A chance meeting with Michelle Ford, CEO of Lumina Wellbeing, led to a fruitful collaboration, with the spa specialist introducing her signature approach that combines physical, visual, sensory and emotional elements, as well as those of the land. As such, the all-villa resort was conceptualised to immerse guests in nature, both through its design and programming. For the design, Charles Gallavardin and Tereza Gallavardin Zelenkova, co-founders of T3 Architects and Kanopea Architecture Studio, were enlisted for their commitment to sustainable and bioclimatic design principles, while interiors were conceived by Lifestyle Connected.
“Designing to promote wellbeing and respect for the environment is in our DNA, and this was exactly the brief we received from HG Holdings,” explains Gallavardin. “Having a branch in Vietnam, and knowing the small historic town of Hoi An so well, helped us imagine this project like no-one else.”
Driven by a desire to break away from the traditional architecture of the historic city centre, Gallavardin and his team drew inspiration from the surrounding countryside, finding their muse in the fishermen’s houses that line the river – particularly when it came to the resort’s 60 timber villas. Think thatched roofs, layers of natural materials and open-plan interiors in a calming colour palette developed with Lumina Wellbeing’s Creative Director Florence Mussou, who also works as a textile designer. Floor-to-ceiling windows open out to a private pool, while sunken bathtubs have been thoughtfully placed to offer views across the river. All of Namia’s furniture was made by hand within a 50km radius, while walls are dressed with local handicrafts – curious guests can visit the workshops of local woodcarvers, potters and weavers to learn about the centuries-old processes.
“The project’s quality lies in its understated elegance and the timeliness of its design,” states Gallavardin. “Vietnamese culture is everywhere, from the references to local architecture to the lighting, which, designed in collaboration with our partners Kobi Lighting Studio, preserves a certain layer of darkness so as not to feel too close to the city.”
As a self-proclaimed wellness-included resort, Namia stays true to its name, with stays revolving around the Lumina Spa. Defined by smooth stone walls and halo-like lighting, it is home to a welcome lounge with river views, two traditional apothecaries, eight herbal steam rooms and 12 treatment rooms, plus a river deck sauna and cold plunge. Guests are treated to a 90-minute wellness session per day, including a Hammam experience followed by a Vietnamese massage, cupping therapy, facial reflexology or acupressure therapy.
Treatments take place in huts, where the design is once again inspired by the vernacular. “We opted for an organic shape covered by a thatched roof and curved walls that envelop guests,” reveals Gallavardin. “We could even go as far as to say it refers to the
From armchairs to coffee tables, all furniture has been made by hand within a 50km radius of the resort
Inspired by the maternal womb, the spa is characterised by curved walls that envelop guests
maternal womb from which we all come, contributing to the feeling of serenity.”
The spa’s healing concept is centered around traditional Vietnamese medicine from the south, known as thuoc nam, with signature therapies and movement practices curated in collaboration with traditional herbalists and mindfulness experts from the across the region. There’s also an impressive daily programme included in the room rate, with everything from Tai Chi and silent mindful walks to sunset cruises and lantern lighting rituals.
The wellbeing approach extends to the F&B too, with fresh produce supplied by local fishermen and farmers who are practising regenerative agriculture. Guests can take their pick from two restaurants – The Merchant is rooted in Vietnamese cuisine with global influences woven throughout. Its circular form offers the widest possible panorama of the river from the upper floor, where guests can start their mornings with a healthy breakfast of fresh fruits, granola, eggs and coffee. Later in the day, the shellfish bisque and tamarind-glazed duck are a must-try.
Then there’s The Fisherman, designed in the shape of an arching nipa palm leaf to protect from the elements. The fare nods to local seafood, with a raw bar, sushi boats and yakitori grills. The kitchen uses organic ingredients from the resort’s herb garden and Hoi An’s Tra Que Vegetable Village, as well as produce foraged from the Cham Islands. Guests can also join cooking classes with chefs and buy Vietnamese gifts like tea, coffee, spices and honey from the
resort’s own marketplace, thereby supporting small suppliers.
In addition to a commitment to social responsibilities, Namia places sustainable practices at the heart of its design. Not only are mangroves used as a retaining wall instead of concrete reinforcements, but the grounds are also landscaped entirely with indigenous plants, and a bio-pond encourages birds, bees and butterflies to flourish naturally. In addition, packaging is made from local banana leaves, straws from rice flour, and custom-designed water fountains can be found around the resort to refill recycled bottles. Guests can also explore the resort on electric buggies and head to Hoi An riding a bamboo bicycle.
Furthermore, Gallavardin was keen to implement his expertise in bioclimatic design – which involves practices that consider the specific climatic conditions of a location, in this case the humid summers followed by an intense rainy season. “This translates to wide roof overhangs that protect the façades from
the sun and rain, and small openings to capture prevailing winds that allow a refreshing breeze to filter through the resort.” The natural ventilation also enables the buildings to cool without necessarily resorting to energyintensive air-conditioning. “It’s about doing more with less,” he explains. “Less energy, fewer resources and no chemicals make things easy to maintain and repair, limits technical problems and reduces maintenance costs.”
The resort also harnesses short supply chains and promotes local, bio- or geo-sourced materials such as wood, bamboo, thatch, water palms, stone, lime and plaster, all of which are natural. “At the end of the day, we really wanted to avoid imported or overly processed materials so that guests can feel the cultural identity of Hoi An. Standard hotels make no sense for designers like T3 and Kanopea because we fight against standardisation, especially in the world of hospitality,” he concludes. “If we travel, it is to feel a culture and evoke emotion.” And that is exactly what has been achieved.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner: HG Holdings
Operator: Lumina Wellbeing
Architecture: T3 Architects, Kanopea Architecture Studio
Affiliation: Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Interior Design: Lifestyle Connected
Lighting Design: Kobi Lighting Studio
Landscaping: LJ Group
Main Contractor: Viettel www.namiariverretreat.com
W Hotel
SÃO PAULO
Marriott International enlists Nini Andrade Silva to introduce its spirited brand to Brazil, delivering a fresh perspective on urban luxury.
Words: Shiraz Randeria
Photography: Courtesy of Marriott International (unless otherwise stated)
It is curious that the largest city in the southern hemisphere doesn’t boast many notable hotel launches. Rosewood opened in 2022 and Soho House two years later – both new to South America – but compared to similarly sized megalopolises, international openings don’t come around often, so the arrival of a W is big news.
Located in São Paulo’s leafy southern business neighbourhood of Vila Olímpia and adjacent to the bars and boutiques of Itaim Bibi, the 40-floor tower is a newbuild from Aflalo Gasperini Arquitetos with interiors by Portuguese designer Nini Andrade Silva.
Its entrance is demure for a W: at the ground floor, there’s a black-walled lift lobby featuring desert rose-like suspended lights – the first appearance of a geological design theme running throughout. The lift whisks guests past the W Residences, to the reception on the 24th floor, where the ‘Braziliance’ begins as they step out into a mezzanine comprising a reception desk, lobby bar and meandering lounge, all of which are bathed in a metallic lime-green light. Behind the check-in desk hangs a wall curtain of quartz crystals and glass banana leaves, whilst the bar displays matcha pastries during the day and Japanese-inspired cocktails by night. It’s all very Midori – São Paulo being home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan.
To bring a sense of place to the interiors, Andrade Silva was given free rein. “After Marriott invited us to do this hotel project, we researched colours and materials; they gave us free rein to design in a Brazilian way,” explains Andrade
Following the overarching yellowgreen scheme, guestrooms feature mirrored walls, leaf motifs and bespoke furniture
Silva. “The bar has a low ceiling and the yellow mirrors provide warmth during the day. We wanted to transmit the colours of sunshine and of leaves, so that when you arrive, you know you’re in Brazil.”
These yellow-green mirrors feature outside on the signature W statue in the entranceway, as well as in the guestrooms. It’s an unusual hue to use and Andrade Silva remarks that during early design meetings there was some scepticism. It does however bring a sense of place, and to that end, the designer was also keen to add pieces from local artisans: “With the lounge we used some very nice artisanal chairs from Brazilian designer Sergio J Martos – his Cobra chair in a bespoke colour combination and soft woven Yara armchair – and Esqueleto Gold bar stools from Pedro Franco.”
The lobby balcony overlooks the Baio eatery and bar below with an elegant and illuminated spiral staircase linking both venues. The double-height restaurant poses a stark contrast – airy, with full-length windows showcasing
the cityscape – whilst inside there are various brown tones, accented by an expansive onyx bar that lights up by night, along with rusty brown marble flooring, copper chains cascading on walls, chunky quartz chandeliers and large arboreal sculptures that float over the tables. Hugging the windows and occupying three full sides of the building, Baio feels like the convivial heart of the hotel, bright and sunlit from breakfast through to lunch, warm and inviting at night.
Upstairs, the 179 guestrooms including 16 suites follow the punchy yellow-green colour scheme, with mirrored walls and mineral and leaf motifs, such as the golden banana leaves in the corridors. According to Andrade Silva, the carpets are grey “because São Paulo is concrete” though splashes of colour come in the woven motifs in seating areas. All furniture is bespoke: “We designed everything in Funchal, including the frilly armchairs and sofa, and had it made in Brazil. With the wardrobes, we wanted something spacious and open, yet not
transparent, and the bedside tables have these eyes – Brazilians have beautiful eyes.” The irises on display also neatly complement the large glass laminated photo of an agate slice in each room.
The bathrooms have a clever modular feel to them, set behind twin-mirrored doors that slide open to reveal a wide marble basin counter and hanging strip light. To one side is the toilet compartment, to the other is the shower, everything attractively offset by copper Kohler fittings, which she says were chosen for their warming hue. The suites also come with a freestanding bathtub.
Lighting too, has been carefully considered. “Light is very important for Brazilians,” Andrade Silva observes. “If you go to restaurants and bars, you’ll see fantastic lighting, so it was important to me to introduce that in the rooms through different moments and moods.” There are certainly a range of main light options, but also lots of motion sensors: at night, a light turns on under the bed as feet touch the floor,
on approach to the bathroom mirrors and upon opening the large metal mesh wardrobe doors. The hotel’s top two floors are dedicated to the gym and Away Spa, with its giant whirlpool and walls of pleasingly tactile green pebbles. In addition to the rooftop pool deck, the L40 restaurant swaps the signature colour scheme for blues and the gold Esqueleto chairs for silver. “When you reach the top floor, you see the view of the city and we wanted to introduce a colour palette to reflect that,” she adds. “The outdoor chairs are from my Garota do Calhau collection, while the low tables with a sunken ice bucket are also made in Brazil.”
Nini Andrade Silva’s extensive work across the property revels in the country’s mineral and natural wealth, drawing on its national, invigorating spirit without resorting to cultural and design clichés. It is something that has made its mark, as she reveals with a twinkle in her eyes: “It’s always a pleasure to go to Brazil – the sunshine, the greens and the music – this feels like my first hotel.”
Drawing on Bintan’s maritime heritage, Tierra Design envisions a landmark resort that sets a new standard on the Indonesian island.
Words: Luo Jingmei • Photography: Courtesy of IHG
With a history tracing back to the early 3rd century, Bintan is the largest island in the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia. It was a flourishing trading post on the sea route between China and India, and has come under the control of the Chinese, British and Dutch. During the 12th century, it was nicknamed Pirate Island, as Malay pirates would loot merchant ships plying the surrounding waters; large quantities of Chinese ceramics, some from the early Song Dynasty have been found as evidence. Bintan was also home to sleepy fishing villages.
Such rich heritage became fodder for the team who conceived the island’s newest resort, Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach, which comes under IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio. “Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach is our third property under the brand to open in Indonesia, and a great showcase of the heritage, history and culture from the Riau Archipelago,” states Michael Beechey, Cluster General Manager of Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach and the adjacent Holiday Inn.
To bring the resort to life, IHG enlisted Bangkok-based Tierra Design and PIA Interior Company to envision the architecture and interiors respectively. “The consultants were given the opportunity to tell stories of Bintan based on the neighbourhood, using tales of folklore and a focus on the kelong, which is a staple part of Bintan’s coastal heritage,” notes Beechey.
Kelongs are offshore fishing platforms on stilts once prevalent across the region; there are still some around today. On arrival, guests are greeted by a reinterpretation of the kelong, passing under a timber-latticed, sun-speckled canopy with columns dipping into reflective pools, before reaching the expansive lobby. Here, the elevated vantage provides views of the resort and beyond.
“Designed to fully embrace its beachfront setting, the resort offers uninterrupted ocean views from arrival to every guestroom,” explains Martin Palleros, Director of Tierra Design.
“Inspired by local fishing villages and kelongs, its architecture blends rustic wooden elements, open-air walkways and nautical motifs. The design tells the story of pirates, explorers and island adventurers, creating an atmosphere rich in maritime heritage.”
The lobby is floored with a map of the central Riau Archipelago, topped by yellow and green ceramic stools that pay homage to the architecture of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate,
in existence from 1824 to 1911. Tackle rigging inspired by trading schooners rise from floor to ceiling, backing upholstery made with the indigenous batik dyeing technique.
“The open-lobby concept was designed to frame breathtaking ocean views and allow natural light and the sea breeze to flow freely,” Palleros highlights, adding that a palette of deep blues, sandy neutrals and sun-bleached wood reinforces the seaside context.
In the 120 guestrooms – ranging from 42m2 standard rooms to the 147m2 one-bedroom suites – large windows and open spaces blur the boundaries between nature and shelter. Interiors feature vibrant yellow walls accompanied by timber accents, rattan furniture and batikinspired carpets. The team also painstakingly sourced artefacts, such as vintage telephones and treasure box-like tissue paper cases, to evoke neighbourhood stories.
Wood, rattan and batik feature at SugarBeats Beach Club too. Created by Singapore-based EDG Design, it offers three culinary concepts
The lobby floor is lined with a map of the Riau Archipelago, while ceramic stools pay homage to the Riau-Lingga Sultanate
– Ocean Kitchen and Tiki Bar sitting side-byside, and the 16-seater Stix Satay Bar. The latter is a standalone shack decorated with glossy, chocolate-coloured tiles and a tall bar counter to encourage connection between chef and patrons.
In terms of the masterplanning, buildings are tucked among abundant foliage and water bodies, such as a lagoon separating the two resorts. For guests staying at Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach, there are two swimming pools to choose from: one fans out from SugarBeats, while the Voyage Pool is an elevated experience with cabanas and whirlpools. The fitness centre standing between is surrounded by glass so that one can break a sweat to views of the South China Sea.
One of the resort’s most intriguing features is the Sekisah Pavilion, which is used for events and weddings. Reached via a decked walkway, its architectural form recalls that of an upturned hull, and once inside, there is a mesmerising interplay between light and shadow.
The hotel also has earnest sustainability credentials. It has its own bottling plant to reduce the reliance on plastic bottles, and utilises electric vehicles to shuttle guests around the property. The plot’s ample water bodies are also due to the creation of a biotope to naturally cleanse the soil, which was formerly damaged due to bauxite mining. “It was highly acidic with poor drainage, making vegetation growth difficult,” explains Beechey. Soil remediation and adaptation, and the strategic selection of native plant species help create a thriving natural environment.
Clearly, every aspect of Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach has been carefully considered. It sets a new benchmark for Bintan, an island that has, until now, been left behind in the regional resort race that has made destinations like Bali and Thailand popular with international brands. Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach’s handsome architecture, rich narrative and beautiful setting will give other hotels on the island a run for their money.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner: Graha Agung Indahsentosa
Operator: IHG
Architecture: Tierra Design, Siura Studio
Interior Design: PIA Interior Company, EDG Design (F&B)
Art Consultant: Project Mei
Visual Identity: EDG Consulting www.ihg.com
DESIGN DETAILS
NEWBUILD Maison Heler
Throughout history, Surrealism has played an unlikely role in architecture, with exaggerated proportions and theatrical scale used to shape unexpected juxtapositions. For Philippe Starck, this fusion of art and design is a modus operandi, and it’s an approach that is exemplified in Maison Heler, a fantastical hotel that blurs the boundaries between imagination and reality.
Situated next to the equally eccentric Centre Pompidou-Metz in the Amphitheatre district of Metz, France, the Curio Collection hotel comprises a monolithic nine-storey tower, on top of which stands a 19th-century Lorrainestyle mansion. The juxtaposition between the minimalist concrete structure and traditional residence creates the illusion of a whimsical house floating above the city.
“Maison Heler is a game on uprooted roots,” explains Starck. “A symbolic construction of Lorraine whose historical identities create an inspiring intermediate state, where the houses and their fortress-like allure served as the central soil for this project and the surreal story of its owner Manfred Heler.”
Inspired by The Meticulous Life of Manfred Heler – a fictional narrative written by Starck – the whimsical property serves as a real-life extension of the imagined protagonist’s world, inviting guests to suspend their disbelief for the duration of their stay at the surreal landmark.
“Maison Heler was born of a surreal, poetic tale I imagined,” reveals Starck. “It is a hotel conceived as a habitable work of art, a literary principle crystallised in matter.”
To turn any creative stimulus into a design feature requires a great understanding and respect for the source material. But to take something already so revered and celebrate its grandeur in an immersive way, shows real commitment to the art of expression.
At Hilton Shanghai City Centre, interiors by Cheng Chung Design have been orchestrated to pay homage to the hotel’s pipe organ – a notable feature of the original property – resulting in an elegant harmony between architecture and musicality.
In the lobby, where a musical score is inlaid into the floorcoverings and the melodic compositions of Bach play on loop, the design unites the senses in a symphony of sight and sound. Perhaps the most striking example of the organ’s influence however, is in the tubular forms that feature in the restaurant, scaling floor to ceiling in a nod to the instrument’s trademark pipes. Sculpted through parametric modelling and rendered in a unified matte microcement finish, the eye-catching installation also serves to create seating niches, ideal for cosy dinners or moments of solitude.
Capturing the organ’s essence throughout the hotel fosters a connection between tradition and modernity, where local culture and sleek interiors allow the timelessness of musicality to permeate each guest’s stay.
LOCATION REPORT NORTH INDIA
Improved infrastructure and market diversification are fuelling a rise in domestic and international tourism, resulting in unprecedented growth for India’s hotel development pipeline.
Words: Catherine Martin
Perfectly proportioned and a masterpiece of artistic craftsmanship, the Taj Mahal stands proud as India’s greatest icon. Its marble façade, intricate carvings and symmetrical succession of archways, domes and minarets are a mesmerising sight, serving not only as a symbol of eternal love but a monumental icon of Indo-Islamic architecture. And while the mausoleum is a must-see on any trip to India, the country is so much more than its poster child, as the hospitality industry is now discovering.
Historically, new hotel development has focused on key cities: New Delhi as the nation’s capital, Mumbai as its financial capital, and the likes of Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata for their IT, pharmaceutical and trading activities. More recently, developers are looking elsewhere, venturing to smaller markets, lesser-known destinations and even into the wilderness to plant flags. A quick glance at the headline statistics and it’s easy to see why. India is the most populous country in the world, having taken the long-held title from China in 2023. It is the fastest growing major economy in the world, forecast to grow by 6.2% in 2025. And of note for the hospitality industry, tourism is set to soar. An electronic visa scheme has streamlined the entry process for foreigners, while Indians are travelling more than ever.
There’s significant investment in infrastructure too, making it easier to travel around the country. New road connections,
such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, have cut journey times in half, while there are in excess of 200 airports being planned for the next two decades, 40 of which are expected to open this year alone. A notable addition is the 90-million capacity airport in Navi Mumbai, a planned city that is shaping up to be the next major commercial hub.
The infrastructure boom comes in line with current and targeted tourism numbers. India recorded 9.66 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2024 and plans to hit 25 million within the next five years. The government has further announced ambitions to reach 100 million international arrivals by 2047. Though substantial, this is dwarfed by the domestic market: the latest data available from the Ministry of Tourism shows 2,509.13 million domestic tourism visits in 2023, a 45% increase on the previous year. And this is only set to rise as the market diversifies. In addition to the typical business and leisure travel, India’s growth is being driven by increased interest in wellness, religious and wildlife tourism, not to mention the thriving wedding sector.
In turn, new hotel development is accelerating at pace. In its India Hotel Market Review, published in April 2025, Horwath HTL stated that in 2024, supply increased by 14.4k rooms, 80% of which were newbuilds. The report also points out that 67% of the supply was in markets outside of the traditional top ten, denoting a widening spread for new development.
PERFORMANCE AND PIPELINE
Despite this influx of new supply, performance across all three KPIs has remained positive. According to CoStar, the market reported an ADR of INR7,948.40 (USD94.80) for 2024, marking a 7.5% year-on-year increase, while RevPAR achieved a 10.6% uplift to INR5,074.59 (USD60.52). Occupancy also held steady, averaging at 63.8% – up 2.9% on 2023.
The future pipeline is looking healthy too. THP has 407 projects listed in its hotel construction database, accounting for 62,534 new rooms across India over the coming years. Mumbai, Jaipur and Amritsar – all in the north of the country – are amongst the development hotspots, though it’s Bengaluru – a tech hub in the southern Karnataka state – that has emerged as the most active, with 26 projects (4,926 rooms) in the pipeline.
Much like the existing inventory, new development is being driven by homegrown groups as well as the major global players, and there’s a diverse mix of brands spanning budget and select-service to long-stay and luxury.
As per THP, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has more projects in the pipeline than any other group, led by growth in its Taj and Vivanta brands.
HOMEGROWN
GREATS
IHCL is in fact the largest hospitality company in India, with a portfolio of 380 hotels, including 137 under development across various brands.
The Tata Group subsidiary recently revealed that it made 74 new signings in FY2025, and is on course to achieve its goal of 700 hotels by 2030. Amongst those on the boards are a 100key SeleQtions in Punjab, a Gateway resort in Madhya Pradesh, and a 65-key Taj in Gujarat, set to occupy the majestic Palitana Palace. (A full report on IHCL will feature in a future issue of Sleeper.)
At Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, a major growth strategy is also in place. The Kolkatabased group, which owns and manages 35 hotels across the subcontinent, underwent a successful
IPO in 2024, raising funds for expansion and bringing the opportunity to build on a decade of strong performance. “Last year, we recorded an average occupancy of 93%,” reveals Vijay Dewan, Managing Director at Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels. “As a group, we have been performing at record occupancy of over 90% for the last 10 years, with the exception of the two Covid years.”
Speaking to Sleeper, Chairperson Priya Paul told of plans to double the group’s inventory to 5,000 rooms over the next four years, the first phase of which is already under way. “We are moving ahead to add 900 rooms across five hotels – three are newbuilds and two are expansions of existing properties,” the hotelier explains, adding that she likes to use a mix of Indian and international designers, both wellestablished and new talent. “We have The Park in Pune, designed by Project Orange and Urbnarc; there’s a mixed-use development with a hotel and residences in Kolkata by Gensler; and we’re opening a leisure property in Jaipur.”
Also in planning is a refurbishment of The Park New Delhi; an additional 99 keys at The Park Visakhapatnam, by Bangalore-based Khosla & Anand Associates; and a major expansion at The Park Navi Mumbai, with proposals for 250-275 new keys designed by Morphogenesis.
ITC Hotels is also building on the success of a recent IPO, following a demerger from its parent company. With 140 hotels across six brands spanning various market segments – including the luxury Mementos collection and premium boutique Storii – the group has reaffirmed its commitment to growth, having signed 14 new projects under the Fortune brand alone. Chennai, Goa and Indore are amongst the destinations confirmed, as well as its first international outpost, in Nepal.
For The Oberoi Group, which recently opened a wildlife resort at Bandhavgarh National Park, planning is under way for two new properties in Rishikesh in the northern state of Uttarakhand. Set on a 60-acre site by the Ganges, an 80key Oberoi resort will carry the luxury ‘vilas’
moniker, while an adjacent 120-key property will be flagged under the five-star Trident Hotels brand. Both are being designed by Bill Bensley and form part of an ambitious growth strategy driven by EIH, which includes 16 hotels, two luxury boats and a Nile cruiser to be completed by 2029.
Another of India’s homegrown greats, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, counts seven new hotels in its pipeline. Slated to open in 2026, a 140-key property in Sikkim marks the group’s first foray into Northeast India, while the long-awaited The Leela Palace Agra will feature 99 guestrooms with views of the Taj Mahal. Headquartered in Mumbai and owned by a Brookfield Asset Management-sponsored private real estate fund, the group is targeting 4,200+ keys by 2028.
The nation’s boutique operators are seeking expansion too. The Postcard Hotels – a relative newcomer founded in 2018 – counts no less than seven projects in its pipeline, adding to a portfolio of properties in Goa, Kochi and Karnataka. It’s most recent opening comprises a collection of luxury lodges nestled within a sprawling tea plantation in Assam, while forthcoming ventures include a newbuild tented camp and the conversion of historic buildings. The ambition is to create a network of individual properties, particularly in lesser-known destinations, and differentiating through design and cultural immersion. “India’s Northeast is vast and has so much to offer, but there are very few luxury hotels,” co-founder Akanksha Lamba tells Sleeper, revealing plans for a Golden Triangle-style circuit of smaller properties in unexplored regions. “We’re mindful of the strain a large resort can put on a destination, so our focus is on small-scale, experiential hospitality that is well designed, authentic and gives back to the local community.”
GLOBAL PLAYERS
The international hotel groups are recognising India’s potential too. A major announcement just a matter of weeks ago revealed that Accor
has forged a partnership with InterGlobe to ‘redefine hospitality in India’. In joining forces with the travel conglomerate, the objective is to create India’s fastest-growing hospitality business, with an ambitious target of 300 hotels by 2030. All will be flagged under Accor brands – including those within the Ennismore lifestyle portfolio – and comprise a Sofitel in Jaipur, a Fairmont in Goa and the recently announced Raffles Ranthambore, featuring 63 villas and 15 tented experiences envisioned by Ideas Architects and Design Wilkes.
The alliance will also see the two companies invest in Treebo, one of India’s leading branded budget hotel platforms, to develop the Ibis and Mercure brands through a license agreement. Under this venture, Accor will leverage Treebo’s tech-driven approach and efficient distribution systems to accelerate growth; the combined Accor and Treebo portfolio will create India’s third-largest hospitality player, with over 30,000 rooms. “This landmark partnership marks a transformative moment for Accor and its brands in India,” comments Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor. “By aligning with our long-term successful and trusted partner InterGlobe and bringing together the best of hospitality, tech and entrepreneurship in India, we are unlocking unprecedented growth potential in one of the world’s most exciting travel markets.”
In 2024, Marriott International strengthened its presence in India with the opening of Katra Marriott Resort & Spa, marking its 150th property. Last year also saw the group make a record 100 signings across Asia Pacific (excluding China), with over 21,000 rooms added to its development pipeline. India was named as one of the top growth markets, thanks to the likes of Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jaipur and Udaipur, a Moxy in Bengaluru, and a 182-key Edition in Mumbai, expected to open at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in 2028.
Hilton Worldwide has announced a number of new signings too, including the first Signia in Asia Pacific, set to debut in Jaipur in 2028. And
in a bid to capture demand from the emerging middle class, the group has signed a strategic licensing agreement with Nile Hospitality to open 75 Hampton-branded hotels in India, in destinations across the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Bihar. This follows a deal with The Embassy Group for 150 hotels under the premium economy Spark brand.
IHG is also partnering with local experts to expand, tapping into their market knowledge to ensure new supply aligns with the needs of the location. The group currently has 47 hotels operating across India, and a pipeline of 60 properties due to open in the next three-to-five years. The most recent announcements are for IHG’s new midscale conversion brand, Garner, which will debut in Etawah in 2026 and Kathua in 2027. There’s also a Crowne Plaza planned for Jim Corbett National Park, an InterContinental resort for Kasauli – a leisure destination in North India – and a 120-key Holiday Inn Express in Hapur, forming part of a larger development with 75,000ft2 of events space.
For Wyndham, growth is being fuelled by the domestic market, so there’s an active push on the economy segment in tier 2, 3 and 4 cities.
As such, the group has signed an agreement to open 40 Microtel-branded properties by 2031, each with a minimum of 50 keys.
Of the global players operating in India, Radisson Hotel Group boasts one of the largest market shares, having just hit the 200-mark, comprising 128 operational hotels (14,209 keys) and 77 (8,619 keys) under development.
The group’s growth in the region focuses on market diversification, and as such, expansion is across a wide range of brands; the latest
signings include a Radisson Blu in Lucknow and a Radisson in Rajkot, both in the north.
And finally, Hyatt has announced growth plans for India too, with a goal of operating 100 hotels by 2030 – double its current inventory. The group signed 21 new deals across India and Southwest Asia in 2024, in business hubs and resort destinations, as well as revered pilgrimage sites. Of note are the expansion of the Andaz and JdV brands, demonstrating the strong interest and demand of the Lifestyle Portfolio, plus the introduction of Destination by Hyatt. “2024 marked a watershed year for Hyatt in India and Southwest Asia, with unprecedented growth. We are excited to build on this momentum with even more aggressive expansion plans,” explains Sunjae Sharma, Managing Director, India and Southwest Asia, Hyatt. “The region’s travel ecosystem is evolving at a fast pace, with a growing emphasis on unique experiences, wellness and luxury. Hyatt is well-positioned to meet these demands, and we are excited to introduce new brands and experiences that will redefine hospitality in India.”
Redefining hospitality in India is a top priority for homegrown and global groups, and leaders have spoken of their commitment to sustainable development in a bid to avoid over-tourism. Perhaps what’s most interesting is the supply and demand equation. According to Horwath HTL, room demand continues to outweigh new supply by quite some margin – a claim that is verified by the double-digit performance growth of the groups Sleeper spoke to. As such, India is well positioned to prosper under this new dawn.
Ran Baas The Palace
PATIALA
Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels expands in the heritage sector, bringing wit and whimsy to a former royal residence for Punjab’s first palace hotel.
The final few kilometres of the journey to Ran Baas are a heady mix of sights and sounds, zigzagging through the narrow streets of Patiala’s bustling bazaar to a cacophony of beeping horns and animated chatter. Just off the central marketplace, towering ramparts give way to a forecourt, where the hubbub fades for an ecclesiastical serenity amongst the centuries-old buildings. Up ahead is the crumbling façade of Qila Androon, and to the left stands the richly embellished gateway to Ran Baas, a former palace turned luxury hotel from Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels.
The venture is the first of its kind in Punjab, and also marks the Indian operator’s expansion in the heritage sector, adding to a 35-strong portfolio of properties under brands such as The Park and Zone Connect. Led by Chairperson Priya Paul – widely regarded as the pioneer of the boutique hotel movement in India – the hospitality subsidiary was established in 1967 by her father Surrendra Paul, though its roots can be traced back to 1910 to this very state. “Ran Baas The Palace is particularly meaningful, with Apeejay Surrendra Group’s legacy beginning on Punjab’s soil in Jalandhar over a century ago,” explains Paul. “We are thankful for the Government of Punjab’s steadfast commitment to preserving and celebrating the state’s rich heritage and culture. Reviving this historic gem has been an extraordinary journey, reflecting our commitment to reshaping Indian hospitality.”
The site is indeed a historic gem, being among the oldest and most spectacular of the Sikh forts in the state of Punjab. Known as Qila Mubarak, the 11-acre complex was built in 1763 by Baba Ala Singh, the first Maharaja of Patiala, and served as a private residence spanning palaces, ceremonial halls, courtyards and walled gardens. Having been added to over the years, its architecture is a synthesis of late-Mughal, Rajput, Sikh and British colonial forms, resulting in a composition defined as ‘Patiala Style’.
After Patiala ceded to the Indian Union in 1947, the royal family moved away and Qila Mubarak was transferred to the Government of Punjab. For decades it lay derelict, with the passage of time taking its toll on the structures – walls collapsed, ceilings caved in and the palatial décor decayed. In 2013, a financial grant from the Central Government of India brought the funding needed to begin restoration works, but money soon ran out and it would be another decade before Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels stepped in.
Through a public-private partnership, the group has taken a long-term lease on an annexe within the vast complex. Ran Baas, meaning Queen’s Palace, was built as a guesthouse for the Maharaja’s esteemed visitors, and is now home to 35 suites, a spa, an all-day dining restaurant and bar. The architectural restoration and interiors have been completed by conservation specialist Abha Narain Lambah, whose own story is interwoven with that of the palace. “My association with this project goes back over 30 years, to when I was doing my master’s degree,” she explains. “I went to Ran Baas on a field trip; the roof had fallen in and there were pigeons everywhere, but I remember we lit candles and sat in the middle of the courtyard singing songs – I fell in love with the place.”
As one of India’s leading conservation architects, Lambah’s services were first called upon in 2013. “The
Suites and public spaces are full of character, featuring bold geometrics and rhythmic archways, as well as handpainted motifs of exotic birds that appear to flit from wall to wall
Government of Punjab appointed me as a consultant for the structural conservation, so we spent three years stabilising and meticulously restoring the dilapidated architecture,” she reveals, adding that the re-introduction of traditional building practices was crucial to the project. “We first had to find local craftspeople who were able train the younger workforce in historic construction techniques. We were then able to use nanakshahi brick masonry to rebuild the jack arches and lime plaster to restore the chini-khanas [niches], chhatris [domed pavilions] and jharokhas [oriel windows].”
At the time, the focus was to salvage and conserve the palace, though given its former use as a guesthouse, transformation into a hotel seemed a natural next step. “The entire Qila Mubarak had been subject to such abandonment that the structural challenges alone were enormous,” Lambah continues. “The government couldn’t think past this, and the funds were not enough to cover everything right through to re-use, however we did recommend that out of all the buildings, Ran Baas could operate as a hotel.”
The restoration project stalled, and it took several more years for the hotel conversion to really gain momentum. “Out of the blue, I got a call from Priya to say that they had taken the building on lease, and she asked me to be part of the project once again,” says Lambah. “After so long, it’s amazing to see Ran Baas finally being utilised.”
For Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, the project presented a rare opportunity to build its presence in the heritage sector, and though there was no question of a sensitive architectural restoration, Paul was eager to bring her signature sense of style to the interiors. “When we won the bid in 2021, I brought Abha and her team in with a clear brief,” she explains. “They are used to restoring palaces back to how they were,
Across the property, colours and textures are rooted in Mughal, Sikh and Rajput identity, while patterns are often inspired by elements discovered in the existing palace
but that was not my intention here; I wanted to take the design forward and do something creative and fun.”
With little of the interior décor remaining and very few archival images to refer to, Lambah looked to the historic architecture for inspiration, aiming to marry old and new, traditional and contemporary. “Though we were restoring a heritage building, when it came to new interventions, we wanted to be contemporary,” she reveals. “Our approach was to celebrate the rich culture of Punjab yet deliver it in a whimsical way.”
The cultural references can be seen across suites and public spaces, in lighting, fabrics and solid surfaces. Over the grand staircase, a custom chandelier by Klove Studio is evocative of jhumkas – the bejewelled bell-shaped earrings worn by Punjabi women. Furniture designs are based on the finials that top the domes of the fort. And wallpapers feature butti motifs inspired by local 18th-century textiles. Across the property, colours and textures are
rooted in Mughal, Sikh and Rajput identity, while patterns are often inspired by elements discovered in the existing palace.
Every one of the 35 suites is unique owing to the existing floorplate, though there are similarities in the design language, with distinct themes named after the royal family’s love of jewels. The Pearl Suites, for example, layer white on white as an ode to the Mughal idea of the ‘seven shades’ of the ethereal hue, while The Sapphire Suites showcase the palace’s signature shade of blue, seen in plush upholstery and handpainted motifs depicting exotic birds that flit from wall to wall. In line with Paul’s desire to bring wit and whimsy to the interiors, every space is full of character – from bold geometrics and rhythmic archways to a bespoke feature wall of India’s natural landscapes by de Gournay.
The public spaces are located around the hotel’s central courtyard, where a water fountain and yet more repeating arches cultivate a tranquil ambiance. The all-day dining restaurant plays to the strengths of
the Mughal-style architecture, with a neutral base palette providing the backdrop to the ornate mouldings and mesmerising multi-foil arches that accompany contemporary lighting installations and sapphire-blue upholstery. The bar meanwhile is a more opulent affair, characterised by a rich colour palette and sumptuous furnishings. Named The Patiala after the Patiala Peg – a generous measure of alcohol in Punjabi culture – its interiors are an ode to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. “He was the most flamboyant of Indian rulers, known for throwing lavish parties on trips around Europe, and his vast collections of Cartier jewels and Rolls-Royce cars,” Lambah explains, adding that a portrait of the Maharaja in the early 1900s inspired the design details, from dramatic drapes and Victorian chairs to velvets, tassels and gold accents.
In addition to the two venues, Ran Baas offers a selection of F&B experiences, driven in part by Deep Mohan Singh Arneja, a former chef who switched careers to become the hotel’s General
Manager. There’s breakfast in Rang Mahal, where walls are lined with original frescoes handpainted centuries ago with pigment dyes. Or dinner at Sheesh Mahal, an atmospheric chamber clad in mirrored mosaic tiles, each curved to reflect the candlelight to captivating effect. And Sunset Point, up on the rooftop, is the ideal spot to take in the palace complex to the upbeat melodies of the sitarists.
Further facilities at Ran Baas include ceremonial halls for banquets and conferences, and there are plans for a specialty restaurant. Elsewhere, a spa, gym and swimming pool somehow occupy the former royal kitchens –a transformation that is as mind-boggling as it is beautiful. The complexities of converting a building such as this into a luxury hotel are multifarious. Those close to the project talk of the greatest challenge being to balance old and new, but with the conservation expertise of Abha Narain Lambah and the vision and creative flair of Priya Paul, Ran Baas successfully repurposes an important piece of Punjabi heritage.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner: Apeejay Surrendra Group
Operator: Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels
Architecture and Interior Design: Priya Paul, Abha Narain Lambah Associates
Lighting Design: Lucent Worldwide
Visual Identity: The Brewhouse
Main Contractor: Rudras Interior Point www.theparkhotels.com
GREAT DESIGN MAKES FOR GREAT PROJECTS
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Taj Sawai
RANTHAMBORE
Indian Hotels Company enlists Studio Lotus to design a luxury resort in the wilderness, where interiors take inspiration from the flora and fauna of Ranthambore National Park.
Adesire to go off-the-beaten-track and explore far-flung destinations is one of the fastest-growing travel trends of recent years, serving as a driving force for the development of lodges, cabins and tented camps in remote spots such as deserts, mountaintops and deep in the jungle. Operators around the world have ventured out to the wilderness to create experiential stays amongst nature, and while Africa gets the lion’s share of tourists when it comes to the safari sector, India is abundant in natural wonders too.
Despite its dense population and staggering urban sprawl, the country boasts over 100 national parks and a further 500 wildlife sanctuaries, making it a prime candidate for nature-based hospitality. In the state of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is becoming increasingly popular for its tigerspotting credentials, not to mention the rich variety of flora and fauna across the protected site. So it’s here, just a few kilometres from the park’s entry gate, that Indian Hotels Company
(IHCL) has added to its portfolio. With a presence in various markets across India, the homegrown group has often looked beyond the typical locations to bolster its flagship brand.
“IHCL has always endeavoured to establish and position unique destinations on the global travel map,” commented CEO Puneet Chhatwal on the 2022 signing of the property. “Ranthambore National Park is a key tiger reserve in Rajasthan, known for its natural beauty; introducing the Taj brand will further elevate the tourism potential of this destination.”
The opportunity to open in the region came by chance, with the reflagging of an existing hotel in partnership with local outfit The Footprints Ranthambore. In its new identity as Taj Sawai, the resort comprises a main building that houses the majority of public spaces including a library, bar and all-day dining restaurant, along with 56 guestrooms and four suites across a series of low-rise cottages. Having only been built in 2019, the original property remained structurally sound, though its interiors were in
need of an upgrade. And so, Studio Lotus was brought in to take the lead. As one of IHCL’s approved design firms, the New Delhi-based practice has previously worked on Taj properties in Kolkata, Shimla and Gangtok, so is wellversed in the specifics of the brand. “The former hotel was independently operated, so our role was to refurbish the interiors to the standards of Taj,” explains Asha Sairam, Principal at Studio Lotus. “The building itself was in good condition so there were no architectural modifications required, but when we spent time on site, we observed some operational challenges and design limitations.”
In assessing the site, Studio Lotus found that there were issues with spatial arrangement and circulation, particularly with the positioning of the accommodation buildings. “The entire property is inward facing, fronted by a circulation path that is used by guests and housekeeping. This meant that passers-by could see directly into rooms on the ground floor,” Sairam describes, pointing out the lack of privacy owing to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The solution was to introduce more greenery, and plenty of it. Working with Roha Landscape Architecture & Planning, the team added columns to the façades to create a front veranda and layered fast-growing plants to screen from prying eyes.
The new interventions and lush landscaping have completely transformed the outdoor spaces, not only by the guest accommodation but across the entire site. A new arrival experience begins with a meandering boardwalk through native vegetation to a series of welcome pavilions set amongst water features. The poolside has been reinvigorated with more planting and an al fresco bar. There’s a small lake, extensive grassy lawns and gardens that supply the restaurant with fresh herbs.
The interiors are quite the transformation too. What was once a muted scheme somewhat lacking in sense of place and narrative, is now a richly detailed design that is in harmony with its surroundings. “As a studio, our designs tend to lean towards the vernacular; we always aim to be authentic and use colours and materials that are representative of a region,” Sairam explains. “Even though Taj Sawai is not a
tented camp, we wanted to create a safari experience so that guests know that they are close to the forest.”
Inside the guestrooms, there was some replanning required for better use of space, making way for a study, lounge area and walk-in wardrobe, plus the removal of an internal divider to create an open-plan living area anchored by an island bed. The under-utilised internal courtyards are now furnished with a freestanding bathtub, while the ground-floor rooms see the addition of a private plunge pool and outdoor lounge. For the fit-out, the aim was to bring a softer, warmer aesthetic, introducing crafts from across the region. “We could see the potential, but the existing rooms were very spartan,” reveals Sairam, adding that the initial intention was to retain elements of the scheme and elevate through the details. “We were mindful of the fact that the furniture was still quite new, so we wanted to repurpose as much as possible, but the modifications were too great, so the client opted to reuse it at another hotel.”
This allowed for more creativity with the furniture designs, the majority of which is made in Rajasthan and combines local craft. Wood carvings can be seen on wardrobe doors in a pattern inspired by the stripes of a tiger, while a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional bone inlay fronts the mini-bar cabinet. Block-printing has been used on cushion covers to create a textured design that follows the furrows of tree bark, and intricately carved black pottery – native to the surrounding Sawai Madhopur district –dresses shelves. Artwork too is custom designed, depicting characteristics of the forest and life within. These details accompany an earthy base palette with pops of terracotta, alongside Indian stone flooring and rattan ceiling panels.
In the public areas, interiors are inspired by a colonial bungalow hidden deep in the forest, with a narrative developed around the bold black-and-white marble floors inherited from the previous property. Machan, the all-day dining restaurant, has been layered with colour and character, most notable in the forest-green tiles of the buffet display and a statement ceiling feature that brings the natural world indoors. Tall rattan screens framing the windows help draw
Rajasthan crafts such as wood carvings, bone inlay and blockprinting make repeat appearances throughout the hotel
the eye upwards, while decorative ceiling mouldings celebrate the lofty volume. Studio Lotus has added central banquettes that subtly divide the dining room into zones, and other seating has been reupholstered.
At Stripes, a bar and lounge in the main building, Studio Lotus opted to open up a dividing wall to create a central island bar that services both spaces. “We wanted the bar and lounge to work in conjunction with one another, yet each have their own distinct personality,” Sairam explains. “The bar is dark and cosy with a masculine palette, while the lounge is light and airy, designed to be more communal.”
Rattan, carved wood and block-printing make repeat appearances, accompanied here by pink marble quarried in Rajasthan and black-and-white photography of the majestic Bengal tiger. The scenes have been captured by Archna Singh in Ranthambore National Park and come as an overt reference to the region’s top activity. Tiger-spotting safaris form part of every stay at Taj Sawai, however the leadership team has been savvy in creating a luxury resort that offers a wide range of facilities and activities on site. There’s a poolside grill and whisky lounge, and
plans for a specialty restaurant to attract diners from nearby hotels; a games room and billiards table; and a spa with treatment rooms and a relaxation lounge looking out to the forest. Meeting rooms cater to the corporate market, while a banqueting hall and vast lawns can host large-scale events such as conferences and celebrations. The outdoor spaces are also used for ball games, movie screenings and the daily high tea – a hugely popular pastime in which guests can sample local light bites to live music. There’s an Earth Lab – part of IHCL’s Paathya initiative – and activities such as pottery, stargazing, cookery and kite-flying. Though tigers run the economy here, their numbers are depleting, and it is hoped that Taj Sawai’s comprehensive offering will capture longerstay guests and contribute to a diversification of the region’s hospitality market. With the recent completion of a new expressway making Ranthambore National Park more accessible by road, global hotel groups are eyeing up opportunities to enter the lucrative safari market. Those properties that can create a memorable experience both with and without the tigers will lead the charge.
The Leela introduces a new concept in ultra-luxury hospitality, creating a palace-within-a-palace on the shores of Lake Pichola.
When Captain CP Krishnan Nair opened The Leela in Mumbai in 1986, his aim was to create a hotel of unparalleled luxury, where guests from near and far could delight in the splendour of Indian hospitality. These early aspirations served the hotelier well, and the now-globally renowned group has a portfolio of properties that celebrate the essence of India in a refined and elevated style – whether through architecture and design or programming and service philosophy.
In recent years, India has experienced rising demand for ‘unparalleled luxury’ and it’s a sector that is only set to expand given the growing affluence of the nation’s middleand upper-classes. In recognition of this, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts has launched a new concept characterised by elevated design, curated programming and hyper-personalised service. “The launch of Arq by The Leela represents our vision of reimagining luxury for the most discerning travellers,” comments Shweta Jain, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at
The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts. “This isn’t just another destination, it’s a continuous ascent into the true essence of luxury, where every detail is designed to be a personal exploration of beauty, creativity and indulgence.”
The inaugural venture carrying the Arq flag is at The Leela Palace in Udaipur, a landmark property on the shores of Lake Pichola. Following the hotel-within-a-hotel model that sees toplevel suites and exclusive-access amenities set in the bounds of a larger property, Arq by Pichola is billed as a ‘palace-within-a-palace’ –a collection of ultra-luxury villas that set a new standard for the group. The name itself derives from a Sanskrit word meaning purest essence, and for The Leela, it’s a classification that signifies quality, where every aspect is tailored to offer the very best of immersive indulgence. The experience begins with a chauffeur-driven transfer from the airport, before boarding a private electric boat for a serene cruise across the lake – a particularly memorable encounter by evening, as the hotel’s palatial architecture
Words: Catherine Martin • Photography: Courtesy of The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
comes into view against the setting sun. Then it’s on to the arrival jetty, where guests are escorted beneath the shade of a royal ceremonial umbrella while a troop of traditional singers, dancers and musicians put on a show. The final flourish is a rose petal shower – a festive custom that has become a popular welcome ritual in India’s hotels.
The regal welcome continues in the villa, where a soothing foot bath encourages guests to slow down and relax. There are personal touches too; on Sleeper’s arrival, a photograph posted on social media had been printed on edible paper and displayed in a frame made entirely of chocolate – an example of the attention to detail that makes for a memorable stay.
The villas themselves are in the expansive grounds of The Leela Palace, set within a private enclave fronted by a courtyard and butler station. The three tented structures previously served as the spa, but as consumer expectations evolve, conversion to accommodation was deemed a better use of space and a greater revenue-generator. The Lake Villas sit on the water’s edge and each comprise a master bedroom, spacious lounge and large outdoor deck with landscaped gardens and a private swimming pool, while the Family Villa comes with an additional bedroom and spans a generous 800m2. All follow the look and feel of the main hotel, envisioned by Bill Bensley and Jeffrey Wilkes to recall the grandeur of Udaipur’s former palaces.
Taking the lead on the design, PG Patki Architects was asked to create a secluded haven that aligns with The Leela’s standards of luxury and service. “The vision was to create an enclave of exclusivity, while reimagining Indian luxury through an intimate, immersive lens,” explains Principal Viraj Patki. “The design embodies The Leela’s hallmark of hyper-
personalised service and meticulous attention to detail, weaving Indian culture and craftsmanship into the very fabric of the experience. Every element, from the material palette to spatial flow, resonates with the brand’s commitment to authenticity and storytelling.”
Indeed, the richly layered finishes evoke a sense of quiet luxury, delivered here in a more restrained style than that of the palace. “In the villas, opulence unfolds not through ostentation, but through thoughtful details and sensory immersion,” Patki confirms. “Their location at the water’s edge also played a pivotal role. The palace interiors are defined by rich maroon, deep bronze and gold; in contrast, Arq draws from its natural surroundings, with lake-inspired blues, muted teals and serene creams to reflect the hues of the water, sky and lotus flowers.”
There’s deep reverence for traditional Rajasthani artistry too; timber floorcoverings are inlaid with brass in decorative patterns – a craft known as tarkashi – while the thriki technique has been used to create mosaic-like mirrored artworks that make for a dazzling feature behind the headboard. Lapis stone, known for its use in ceramics and jewellery, can be seen in the detailing, it’s saturated blue tone a colourmatch for the upholstery. Carpets and furniture are primarily custom-made in India, and sanitaryware is a mix of international manufacturers such as Kohler, Gessi and Toto.
The villas are well-planned to meet the needs of both corporate and leisure guests, with flexible spaces for work, rest and play, though the draw for many will be the elevated service and heightened sense of privacy. “Arq’s positioning as the rarest, the finest, the purest, demanded not just a visual transformation, but an experiential elevation that matches the discerning expectations of its audience. Our goal was to craft
The villas feature traditional Rajasthani artistry, such as timber floorcoverings inlaid with brass and thriki artworks crafted from hand-cut mirror
spaces that flow effortlessly, where textures invite touch and details reveal themselves slowly, rewarding presence and pause,” Patki continues. “Through thoughtful interventions, artisanal craftsmanship and a design language that harmonises subtle grandeur with quiet restraint, we were able to create an intimate offering that stands as the pinnacle of sophisticated luxury.”
Contributing to the elevated experience, a dedicated team of butlers are on hand to cater to every whim, whether it be an in-villa mixology class, wine tasting or a BBQ on the terrace. A private chef can be booked to create personalised menus, and there’s a not-to-bemissed floating breakfast overlooking the lake.
For those who do wish to venture out of the villa, the resort’s facilities are just a few steps away. The Dining Room serves world cuisine in an elegant setting, while Sheesh Mahal is a fine-dining restaurant right on the waterfront. During Sleeper’s visit, a special pop-up hosted by Amninder Sandhu, the chef
behind Palaash in the Tipeshwar wilderness, added another dimension to the resort’s F&B offer. With Sandhu’s all-female team hailing from tribal backgrounds, the event gives some indication as to the efforts made by The Leela in meeting ESG goals. Gender equality, community empowerment and cultural stewardship are amongst the responsible practices, as well as partnerships with the likes of Phool to upcycle flower petals into toxin-free incense sticks. Though such initiatives are group-wide, they do align with Arq and its target demographic, who are increasingly seeking luxury with a conscience. It’s still early days for the concept and, owing to its exclusive nature, executives are keeping quiet on when and where the next Arq will open. A members-only model with standalone clubs and restaurants could well be in the offing, but for now, The Leela Palace Udaipur has confirmed the acquisition of an adjacent plot of land to build five more villas –furthering the aspirations of its late founder in reimagining luxury.
Maintaining its lead as the most active hotel development market in the world, the USA continues to dominate the Americas construction pipeline, accounting for 73% of the total projects planned for the entire region, according to the THP database.
It’s no surprise then, that eight of the top 10 cities are located in the States. Miami in particular, is a popular destination for planting flags – both in the city’s financial district and beachside – with properties on the way from Virgin and the newly reestablished Starwood Hotels.
Elsewhere in the region, the Dominican Republic is continuing its upward growth trajectory following signings in urban and resort destinations. Punta Cana leads the way with 9,701 rooms across 25 projects under development thanks to ventures from Rosewood and Nobu, as well as 3,350-key all-inclusive mega-resort Moon Palace The Grand.
In fact, development is expected to increase across the Caribbean islands, with both the Bahamas and Puerto Rico adding to their inventory. The latter will be home to Reuben Brothers’ US$2 billion Escencia development, featuring hotels from Aman, Rosewood and Mandarin Oriental.
In total, the Americas is set to add 108,685 rooms to its inventory in 2025, with a further 93,789 due to open through 2026.
TOP CITIES
NEW YORK Projects 33 Rooms 11,160
MIAMI Projects 32 Rooms 8,362
LOS ANGELES Projects 27 Rooms 4,749
PUNTA CANA Projects 25 Rooms 9,701
NASHVILLE Projects 25 Rooms 5,467
AUSTIN Projects 20 Rooms 3,781
TORONTO Projects 19 Rooms 4,306
ORLANDO Projects 17 Rooms 4,957
TOP COUNTRIES
MIAMI BEACH Projects 17 Rooms 3,957
CHICAGO Projects 17 Rooms 3,755
For more information visit: www.tophotelprojects.com
CONSTRUCTION PHASE
Of the 371,295 rooms in the pipeline across the Americas, 37% (137,451 rooms) are in the latter stages of planning and a further 35% (130,541 rooms) are currently under construction, with interior design schemes and FF&E fit-outs being implemented.
GROUPS AND BRANDS
Marriott International remains the most active group in the region, having signed a record 608 deals in the USA and Canada in 2024. Hilton meanwhile is expanding its extended stay and select-service brands, with Home2 Suites and Hampton by Hilton collectively accounting for 13,446 new rooms across the region.
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India’s purple patch
Indian Hotels Company Limited delivered another record quarter, as the group rides tailwinds and benefits from a strong economy in its home market. “For the very first time in history, the quarterly EBITDA of IHCL crossed INR1,000 crores,” declared CEO Puneet Chhatwal. Domestic RevPAR was up 13% like for like, “on the back of demand continuing to outpace supply”.
During the third quarter, IHCL signed 20 hotels and opened eight. “In the current financial year for the period April to December, we have signed 55 new hotels and opened 20 hotels. We have set a new growth benchmark with 85 signings and 40 openings in the calendar year 2024, taking our portfolio to 360 hotels with an industry-leading pipeline of 123 hotels as of 31 December 2024.”
IHCL’s strong performance is not unique, as India’s hospitality sector faces a positive market outlook. Occupancy across the market is predicted to stay over 70% for the coming year, a level not seen since 2007. As a result, analysts expect RevPAR to continue to strengthen, with one pencilling in an expected 13-14% revenue growth for the upcoming year, with a modest reduction in the growth rate for fiscal year 2026. Strength in domestic tourism and business travel is seen as the main driver of demand, off a strong Indian economy. The MICE sector is being helped by a trend to move wedding celebrations to larger branded hotels.
Indian GBP growth is pencilled in at 6-6.5% for the coming year. Travel is growing strongly within India, with domestic air passenger numbers expected to rise 7-10% during 2025. Analysts suggest that international tourist arrival numbers, which have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, will take their time to grow further.
At Indian Hotels, a shift towards a more
capital-light structure, signing management contracts, has helped improve the pace of growth, as well as improving margins, said Chhatwal. “On the back of our capital-light growth strategy, our management fees in Q3 was INR177 crores, an increase of 32% over the same period last year.”
Expanding and invigorating the brand family has also helped: “Our new business verticals comprising Reimagined Ginger, Qmin and Amã Stays & Trails delivered a 40% growth in Q3 consolidated revenue.”
Occupancy is consistently around 78%, a level at which Chhatwal said there are opportunities to push rate. “There are more and more business delegations coming into India. So the demand on both business and leisure remains quite robust, which will help the standalone occupancy. And that is what is creating the higher rate.”
He remained confident that the business is in a robust situation: “Even if demand softens a bit, it will continue to outpace supply.” And then there is still the return of international tourists, which has been a slow burn for India - but is now being seen as a medium term tailwind. “Post-Covid, in certain markets, foreign tourists are beginning to travel. And at some point, those tourism-driven activities will also come to a normalisation plus 10% or 15% or 20%, and that would certainly help the luxury side of the portfolio.”
Chhatwal also pointed out that, for IHCL, accommodation is only part of the story. “When looking at our India business, rooms revenue is just half of the total revenue. The other half, which has significant impact, is food and beverage.”
Another hotel group hitting record revenues is Chalet Hotels, part of Indian group K Raheja Corporation. Its hospitality division delivered revenues of INR4bn, up 17% year on year, from occupancy averaging 70%.
Chalet operates 10 hotels currently, totalling 3,052 rooms under brands including JW Marriott, Westin and Novotel. It has a pipeline including the Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield, the Taj at Delhi airport and a new Hyatt Regency in Airoli.
Meanwhile, Indian conglomerate ITC has split out its hotels division, with the shares of the new company launched for trading from the end of January 2025. Terms of the demerger were previously agreed, with shares issued at a starting price of INR26. Existing ITC group shareholders were allotted shares in the new entity at a pre-agreed ratio, while the parent group will retain a 40% stake in the business. ITC will become the country’s second-largest hotel chain, launching with 140 hotels and 12,965 rooms. The newly freed management announced, on listing, plans to grow to 200 hotels within five years, off the back of an opening schedule of an average one hotel per month for the next two years. The shares slipped 5% after listing, off a price already discounted around 30%.
HA PERSPECTIVE
By Andrew Sangster: Horwath HTL has just published its India Hotel Market Review 2024. It paints a positive picture of a market that is growing faster than European hotel markets, driven by domestic India travel demand and improving room rates. Despite an enormous 32% increase in supply, RevPAR showed substantial growth of 10.7%. Occupancy remained slightly below 2019 but rates were well ahead.
The chain-affiliated hotel supply in India has now reached the 200,000 milestone, thanks to 14,400 rooms being added last year. The pipeline shows 105,000 more rooms by 2029 with two-thirds outside the top 10 cities.
The luxury and upper-upscale segments have, to date, exhibited the most strength, but the growing domestic market is a huge opportunity for
midscale and economy brands. The big beast in the country is, of course, IHCL, which has a market cap hovering around the USD14bn mark, much bigger than competitor ITC Hotels, which was valued at USD4.2bn on its debut at the end of January.
It is also worth noting that IHCL is now, market cap size-wise, a rival to many global majors. It sits between Accor’s current market cap of USD12bn and IHG’s USD21bn. IHCL’s market cap also exceeds Choice’s USD7bn and Wyndham’s USD8bn. If India is having a purple patch, it is IHCL that is donning the royal robes.
Sternlicht brings back Starwood Hotels
The Starwood Hotels name is to be revived by founder of the original Starwood business. Barry Sternlicht has regained control of the moniker and will use it once more by renaming his SH Hotels & Resorts business. The designation is returning nine years after the previous Starwood Hotels business was taken over by Marriott, with the name gently retired as the two businesses were amalgamated.
Sternlicht broke the news in an interview with the New York Times, in which he said he believes the move would raise the profile of his company, helping with recruitment as the group moves into a phase of openings across its three brands. Under the SH - now Starwoodumbrella are Baccarat, Treehouse and 1 Hotel. Along the way, Sternlicht has retained his Starwood Capital investment business, regularly buying and selling hotels and hotel businesses. More recently, he has involved himself in the SPAC trend, looking to establish more real estate and hotel investment vehicles.
In a media interview, Raul Leal, CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts, said that Sternlicht had retained a right to reclaim the Starwood name all along - and took it back a year ago. “Given
the growth we have coming, it was probably the right time to do it. We think it will certainly provide incremental growth in brand equity.”
Leal said the group will continue to prioritise quality over quantity.
The reimagined Starwood already has considerable traction across its brands. This year will see it open 1 Hotels in Seattle, Copenhagen and Tokyo, plus a 1 Hotel and homes project in Melbourne, with 114 residences alongside the 277-room hotel. The Treehouse brand will open in Manchester and Silicon Valley.
Leal added: “We’re going to be looking for opportunities to help grow the new Starwood platform all over the world. We have the capital to be able to do deals, and we’ll be out there looking to grow. It may not be Starwood 1.0, but we certainly respect the legacy of Starwood 1.0 and want to build on that.”
“We’re not going to be acquiring anything that doesn’t make any sense with crazy interest rates attached to it, but there are deals out there to be had.” He hinted that there may be “a couple” of new brands to be launched, with one possibly coming later this year.
Sternlicht launched Starwood Capital in 1991, when he was 31, initially investing in residential real estate. The business made its first investment in hotels in 1994, buying Westin Hotels, and the following year he acquired a REIT, Hotel Investors Trust. In 1997, he outbid Hilton to buy Sheraton Hotels for USD13.3bn. The following year, he launched his first brand, W. Some credit Sternlicht with creating the lifestyle hotel segment.
Starwood Capital continues to be an active hotel investor. The company started 2024 with a major purchase, buying 10 Radisson Edwardian hotels in London. The move took the group’s European portfolio to 47 hotels and around 10,000 rooms. Since then, it has sold a portfolio of London aparthotels to Pandox, in a GBP230m deal, and has disposed of Yotel Edinburgh.
HA PERSPECTIVE
By Chris Bown: At a time when many would be planning their retirement, it seems Barry Sternlicht is planning to shake up the hotel brandscape once more. Here is someone who, while entirely happy doing massive financial deals, is also keen to dive into the detail of what makes a hotel brand a success. The story of how Sternlicht upgraded Westin’s guestroom mattresses is just one example.
The renamed hotel group might also take a tilt at engineering the next move for some of Starwood Capital’s other holdings. Last year, Sternlicht failed in a bid to package up the group’s 1,871 UK rooms in its De Vere hotels, along with a couple of 1 Hotel trophy assets, into a SPAC. The excitingly named Jaws Mustang Acquisition Corp never took off, while Host bought one of the 1 Hotels, in New York. Time for a De Vere refresh?
HA PERSPECTIVE
By Andrew Sangster: Barry Sternlicht’s career is a good example of how early failure can lead to later success. He found himself out of a job in 1990 thanks to the collapse of JMB Realty, which, among other investments, had been a big backer of the Broadgate development near Liverpool Street station in London.
The early 1990s property downturn proved to be the opportunity Sternlicht needed to resurrect his career with the foundation of Starwood Capital in 1991 that was built on the acquisition of distressed apartment buildings thanks to the Savings & Loans crisis in the US.
Sternlicht then took to hotels in a big way, first buying Westin in 1994 for USD561m, founding Starwood Hotels in 1995, and then acquiring Sheraton for USD13.3bn in 1997.
But it was not all canny deal-doing. He was also an early pioneer of boutique hotels, creating the W brand. He turned the obvious into a huge commercial success with the introduction of the Westin Heavenly Bed and was one of the early backers of loyalty schemes with the 1999 launch of SPG.
While the deal flow has continued, the magic
stardust that Sternlicht sprinkled over his earlier hotel ventures has lost a little bit of its efficacy. Whether bringing his disparate collection of hotel assets together under the Starwood name will make much difference is doubtful. A new deal might.
IHG shines with Ruby
IHG has acquired Ruby hotels, adding the lifestyle business to its portfolio as its twentieth brand. A EUR110.5m deal will give European brand Ruby the opportunity to expand globally, at a faster pace.
The deal was announced as IHG revealed its fourth-quarter and full-year results. A sudden resurgence in the US helped lift fourth quarter RevPAR up 4.6%, also supported by a strong performance in EMEAA, up 6.9%.
Acquisition of the Ruby brand will deliver an immediate addition into the IHG portfolio of 20 operational hotels across Europe, plus a pipeline of a further ten properties. The Ruby Group will continue as operator of the existing properties, with an opportunity to add further managed properties as IHG works up a franchise offer for properties around the globe.
The deal has been structured to splice the Ruby operating business and founder Michael Struck to future growth. An incentive plan provides potential further payments that could total another EUR181m, should growth targets be achieved. These are staged in 2030 and 2035, triggered at 10,000 rooms and aiming to achieve growth to 20,000 rooms, or six times the size of Ruby’s current operational estate.
Struck said he had “carefully selected IHG as the right partner to take the Ruby brand and our international expansion to the next level”. He added: “The timing could not be better. Our unique solutions for efficient adaptive re-use of office space are in high demand, positioning us for strong growth.”
IHG CEO Elie Maalouf declared: “The urban micro space is a franchise-friendly model with attractive owner economics, and we see excellent opportunities to not only expand Ruby’s strong European base but also rapidly take this exciting brand to the Americas and across Asia, as we have successfully done with previous brand acquisitions.”
“We’re very excited about Ruby. It hits a spot in an area we’ve been looking. You’ve heard me talk previously about urban micro and people ask me, where would you look? We’ve been looking in that space and really preferring to acquire something so we can scale up much more quickly. First, we’re going to scale up in Europe, and then go to the US by the end of the year, and then start going east from there.”
Maalouf said Struck and his existing landlords would be staying with the business: “He’s got a handful of large institutional investors from Europe that are at the table with him. They’re going to remain owning the properties, but developing more properties, which is a built-in engine for us of growth in Europe, and they’re highly committed. And we built an incentive plan for them to do it that, frankly, is ambitious. But the more they achieve against it, the better it is for us.”
Ahead of Ruby, IHG reported gross system growth of 6.2% and net system growth at 4.3%. The group signed 106,000 rooms across 714 hotels, 34% ahead of 2023. And it was regions outside the US that led the charge, notably EMEAA: “Gross system growth was 9.6% with the opening of 24,000 rooms, representing the strongest annual performance ever delivered by the EMEAA region. The Novum portfolio contributed 10,000 of the room openings. Over 50,000 rooms were signed across the EMEAA region in 2024, again, a record performance and more than double 2023’s total. There were nearly 18,000 rooms that came with the Novum agreement as part of this.”
While RevPAR was down 4.8% for the year in Greater China, CFO Michael Glover was sanguine: “We remain very confident in the attractive medium and long-term growth outlook for Greater China, as reflected in the record level of hotel openings and signings seen in 2024.”
Glover was also not concerned about a rise in key money spending. “Key money is the biggest component of our net capital spend, and it doubled in the year to USD206m. 2024 was a year in which a number of strategically important growth opportunities presented themselves, and we did not shy away from investing in this future growth - nor will we as we move forward.”
Despite these outlays, there is cash on hand, enough for a new share buyback programme that will aim to return USD900m in 2025.
Maalouf was also confident that other income streams are coming: “We delivered a step change in the outlook for ancillary fee streams through our new arrangements on the sale of loyalty points to consumers, and exciting new co-brand credit card agreements in the US.”
“We’re not interested in keys without fees, right? We’re interested in growing the value of our business for our shareholders. And now there are varying fees by market, varying fees by asset class. There are certain incredible halo assets, which may have a different fee structure, but they’ve got to be creating value for us.”
HA PERSPECTIVE
By Andrew Sangster: Key money was yet again something of an obsession on the analyst call to discuss the results. IHG gave three reasons to explain the increase: the increasing number of upmarket properties being signed that require higher levels of key money; the scale of the Novum deal, which added 17,000 rooms; and the increased number of conversions. As with Marriott, IHG said that the amount being spent on a per-unit basis has not
increased (at Marriott, it went down a little). There is also no increase in lower chainscale segment brands such as those like Garner grouped under Essentials or in Suites.
The acquisition of Ruby looks like a smart move for IHG and it will give the company a lot of flexibility in Europe. The press release talked about “an industry segment characterised by high barriers to entry and space constraints, often referred to in the industry as ‘urban micro’”. Urban micro is a new one for us at Hotel Analyst, so it seems we have been mixing in different circles to the IHG bigwigs.
IHG have some form on this ability to name chainscale segments in a fashion few outside the company have ever used. Essentials? Premium? Both were coined at the IHG mint.
And while urban micro has been used in the past to describe brands like Motto (not very often), the term is usually used in connection with pod hotel concepts. Ruby is not that.
Nonetheless, a brand that is flexible enough to fit into small spaces, making it conversion-friendly is a likely winner. It was notable that IHG referenced “adaptive re-use” in its PR, pointing out that several existing Ruby properties are office conversions.
IHG has been a lot stricter than most of its rivals on keeping brands within swim lanes that don’t overlap too much. And it has not been afraid to evolve brands on the hoof. Hotel Indigo started out as an upper-midscale conversion brand and it now sits within the luxury and lifestyle category, having squeezed significantly better room rates on behalf of owners or perhaps having gobbled up more cash than anticipated in conversions, necessitating the move upmarket.
Ruby slots neatly below Hotel Indigo which is now deemed luxury and lifestyle, and above Garner, which sits in Essentials. Ruby is a particularly adaptable concept, perfect for picking up conversions.
How well Ruby stays in lane remains to be seen. Whether this is more about the physical aspects of the brand or some other less definable quality is a moot point. IHG has a better track record than most
of building brands that have some meaning for consumers.
Keeping Ruby founder Michael Struck engaged in the business is right out of Accor’s playbook. And IHG was transparent about how it has incentivised him. The initial payment of EUR110.5m may be followed by up to a further EUR181m payable in two stages, in 2030 and 2035.
Ruby is well suited to the European market, but IHG is focused chiefly on Germany on this continent. The other “priority growth geographies” are the US, Greater China, Japan (which was featured alongside Germany in the investor presentation), and Saudi Arabia and India (featured together in the investor presentation).
An interesting nugget of information was on the credit card fees. There has been US137m of cash inflow so far, with USD100m in 2024. Fee revenue, which was USD39m in 2023, is expected to double by 2025 and triple by 2028.
Selling points to consumers generated USD25m in fee revenue in 2024 and this will double in 2025. Another ancillary fee stream is branded residential which has more than 30 projects underway across five brands in 15 countries.
The IHG share price dipped after its results, like most of its rivals, but it has since made up that ground. For the past month, however, it remains down almost 5%.
The business model remains compelling. More than USD1bn was returned to shareholders during 2024 and more than USD1.1bn is going to be returned this year. Net Unit Growth came in at 4.3% and signings were up 34%, or 12% excluding the Novum deal.
Whether this free cash flow can be repurposed to accelerate growth even faster via acquisitions is doubtful, which means IHG is likely to continue trailing Marriott and Hilton. But deals like Novum and Ruby will at least keep the group in the chase.
Performance benchmarking for the global hospitality industry
1. RIO DE JANEIRO
Boosted by the annual Carnival, Rio de Janeiro’s hotel industry posted its highest RevPAR on record, according to preliminary data for March 2025. The market’s occupancy (92.4%) and RevPAR (BRL 2,256.71) peaked on Sunday 2 March, while ADR remained above BRL 1,000 for the duration of the event.
March 2025 (year-over-year % change)
Occupancy 80.6% ( 17.6%)
ADR 1,227.18 ( 86.1%)
RevPAR BRL989.06 ( 118.9%)
2.
MADRID
Madrid’s hosting of UEFA Champions League matches resulted in the highest ADR and RevPar for any February on record. Metrics spiked when Real Madrid played Manchester City on Wednesday 19 February, driving an occupancy of 84.9%. A trade fair for pet professionals also boosted performance later in the month.
February 2025 (year-over-year % change)
Occupancy 71.5% ( 0.4%)
ADR EUR153.35 ( 10.6%)
RevPAR EUR109.71 ( 10.1%)
3. BARCELONA
Barcelona’s hotels reported significant year-overyear gains for March 2025, with RevPAR up 30.5% on the same period in 2024, and an ADR uplift of 27.7%. The strong performance is primarily due to the four-day Mobile World Congress, which attracted a record 109,000 attendees to the Fira de Barcelona convention centre.
March 2025 (year-over-year % change)
Occupancy 77.3% ( 2.2%)
ADR EUR197.09 ( 27.7%)
RevPAR EUR152.42 ( 30.5%)
4. ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi’s hotel industry posted its highest February ADR and RevPAR since 2009, according to data from STR. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and International Defence Exhibition & Conference elevated performance on set dates, while the beginning of Ramadan on Friday 28 February had a negative impact on occupancy.
February 2025 (year-over-year % change)
Occupancy 86.8% ( 3.5%)
ADR AED873.51 ( 40.6%)
RevPAR AED758.37 ( 35.8%)
STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for global hospitality sectors.
For more information and to subscribe visit: www.str.com
by
Treehouse, Manchester
Photography
Brad Matthews
WHAT IS AHEAD?
Organised by Sleeper Media, AHEAD – the Awards for Hospitality Experience and Design – celebrates the best new hotels around the world, as well as the creatives behind them.
It is the only hospitality design-focused awards scheme with a global reach, with regional programmes in Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Europe.
THE CATEGORIES
There are 16 categories open to enter, taking in every aspect of a hotel. The same hotel can be entered into multiple categories.
Accessibility
Bar, Club or Lounge
Event Spaces
Guestrooms
Hotel Conversion
Hotel Newbuild
Hotel Renovation
Lodges, Cabins & Tented Camps
Landscaping & Outdoor Spaces
Lobby New Concept
Resort
Restaurant Spa & Wellness
Suite Sustainability
CRITERIA AND DEADLINES
Hotels that meet the following criteria are eligible to enter:
ASIA
• Eligibility: opened between January 2024 and April 2025
• Entry Deadline: 9 May
AMERICAS
• Eligibility: opened between January 2024 and April 2025
• Entry Deadline: 9 May
MEA
• Eligibility: opened between January 2024 and June 2025
• Entry Deadline: 6 June
EUROPE
• Eligibility: opened between January 2024 and July 2025
• Entry Deadline: 25 July
TOP TIPS TO ENTER
• What’s the story? Tell us about the design concept, the inspiration and selection of furnishings and finishes
• Don’t underestimate the power of a picture; high-quality professional photography is crucial (avoid renderings)
• Submit a video; videos are optional, but they do help to bring the project to life
• For conversion and renovation projects, be sure to include before and after images to show the transformation
THE JUDGES
AHEAD’s judging panels comprise over 60 industry-leading figures, including owners, operators and developers as well as architects, interior designers and consultants. 2025 panels will be announced soon.
THE PROCESS
After the closing date, judges view the entries online and independently score each project based on a set of criteria; entries that showcase exceptional design and functionality, whilst demonstrating commercial viability will fare well. The highest-scoring projects in each category are then shortlisted.
Following the shortlist announcement, the regional judging panels meet in person to discuss and deliberate the merits of every hotel shortlisted. They then cast their votes to determine the winners.
For further information, download AHEAD’s entry guidelines via aheadawards.com
Sleeper Sessions
4-6 March 2025
LANGKAWI
Specifiers and suppliers from Asia Pacific come together for the latest edition of Sleeper Sessions.
For its third Asia Pacific edition, Sleeper Sessions alighted on tropical Langkawi for a three-day programme inspired by the island’s natural beauty and rich biodiversity, with sustainability taking centre stage.
Early arrivals took a boat tour through the mangroves of Kilim Geoforest Park, hosted by natural tourism pioneers Junglewalla, before attending a welcome reception at Pelangi Beach Resort, set against the backdrop of a stunning sunset over the Strait of Malacca.
The next day kicked off with the opening Symposia session – a keynote interview with Ho Kwon Ping, founder of Banyan Group and recipient of the 2024 AHEAD Asia Outstanding Contribution Award. Entitled ‘The Banyan and Beyond’, the talk led guests through an extraordinary career of building a hotel brand into an industry leader in sustainability.
Other Symposia sessions throughout the event were curated around themes of environmentalism, eco-tourism and community enrichment. A discussion led by Bouteco founder and sustainability expert Juliet Kinsman, in conversation with Arnaud Girodon,
CEO of Datai Hotels & Resorts, and naturalist Irshad Mobarak, explored how island nations can evolve to become more sustainable models. Guests also heard from Colin Seah of Ministry of Design, Eric Leong of Minor International, Gemma Lim of Ormond Group and Justin Chen of Else Retreats on how heritage buildings can be repurposed for hospitality. Sen Soon Mun from Horwath HTL examined new hospitality developments across the region, while representatives from Six Senses, Accor and Hilton discussed the challenges of balancing ambitious pipelines with ESG frameworks.
In addition to the talks, the event incorporated Sustenance workshops curated in partnership with The Datai Pledge, an initiative developed to spotlight local culture and crafts. Furthermore, attendees took part in a series of curated oneto-one Sync meetings between specifiers and suppliers, crafted to foster new business relationships. And as always, Sleeper Sessions celebrated the Social too, with a closing party held at the Alice in Wonderland-inspired playground of Dash Beach Club. www.sleepersessions.com
Since its debut in 2022, WOW!house at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour has become a popular event in the industry calendar, serving as a lively and immersive showcase of creative talent.
Rising stars and established studios team up with Chelsea Harbour’s design collective to bring a purpose-built showhouse to life.
Each year, the interior design destination invites rising stars and established studios to bring a purpose-built showhouse to life, teaming up with brands and suppliers to craft full-scale room sets and outdoor spaces that invite, inspire and intrigue through an inventive use of materials, narrative styling and architectural vision. “WOW!house expands our global design community, celebrating creativity and opening doors to ideas, partnerships and possibilities,” explains Claire German, CEO of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. “These designers lead the way toward living beautifully – sparking conversation, championing expertise and original thinking.”
The designer selection process is one of collaboration between the Design Centre team and sponsors. “We consider the need for a diverse array of styles throughout the house,
whilst also achieving a balance between rising stars, established talent and even interior design legends,” continues German. “Each year it is essential to have international designers involved alongside our UK-based talent. This really widens the reach of the event and puts us on the map globally.” Often, the designer-brand relationships are already established, offering a natural platform to launch new collections or showcase long-term collaborations. In other cases, sponsors express a desire to work with an unexpected designer who will shine a fresh spotlight on their brand, introducing them to a new audience.
On a mission to continually elevate WOW!house, the Design Centre has enlisted Adam Architecture to revamp the arrival experience with a new façade, which offers a contemporary interpretation of Georgian architecture. “Every year, we strive to create more excitement and unexpected elements for visitors,” says German. “Their design embodies the traditions of classical architecture and
WOW!house
DESIGN CENTRE, CHELSEA HARBOUR
Words: Lucy Dempsey
Perennials & Sutherland Courtyard by Goddard Littlefair
McKinnon & Harris Garden Terrace by Randle Siddeley
Fromental Drawing Room by Chad Dorsey
Stark Curator’s Room by Brigitta Spinocchia Freund
“Our goal is to amaze and inspire visitors, giving them the opportunity to see a high calibre of interior design.”
CLAIRE GERMAN
works as the perfect invitation to gently guide the eye through a central door into a world of rich design, craftsmanship and history.”
Also new for 2025 are several room types including an entrance garden, powder room, snug and media room. “Our goal is to amaze and inspire visitors, giving them the opportunity to see a high calibre of interior design,” states German. “The beauty of WOW!house is how transportive it is; in one room, visitors will be steeped in history and in another they are immersed in a contemporary setting.”
The rapid rise of WOW!house is due, in no small part, to the rare freedom it offers designers to create without restrictions. “Naturally, interior designers are used to working with restraints and compromises when it comes to their dayto-day projects,” notes German. “So during WOW!house they really relish the fact they can pull together their dream room schemes.”
This freedom has sparked some remarkable results from an impressive roster of talent, united by a shared reverance for craft, a passion for collection and a cinematic sense of narrative.
Among this year’s line-up are renowned designers such as Kelly Hoppen CBE, Pirajean Lees and 1508 London, many of whom bring a wealth of experience envisioning hotel interiors to WOW!house.
For example, Goddard Littlefair draws on a recent boutique hotel project in Marbella to create the Perennials & Sutherland Courtyard Terrace, a sanctuary of calm that weaves together Andalusian gardens, Moorish architecture and North African influences. The McKinnon & Harris Garden Terrace by Randle Siddeley meanwhile, is conceived as a tranquil conservatory, balancing ornate trelliswork and lush planting with custom furnishings.
Elsewhere, Toni Black of Blacksheep presents the Shepel Home Bar as a place of warmth and welcome, where connection, conversation and culture flow freely. And Thurstan has envisioned the Hector Finch Snug as a lesson in contrasts, showcasing limewash and silk alongside antiques and textured linens.
In the Fromental Drawing Room, Chad Dorsey evokes the mood of a jazz-infused cocktail club, layering historical references with luxurious detailing. Handpainted and embroidered Fromental wallcoverings, plush textures and a bespoke Strike fireplace anchor the space in opulence and atmosphere. Taking a similarly thematic approach, designer Peter Mikic reimagines 1970s glamour with an Australian twist in the Benjamin Moore Dining Room. Bursts of yellow lend a playful edge, while earthy textures, bespoke embroidery and palettes inspired by indigenous art subtly nod to Mikic’s heritage.
And there’s so much more to explore. To heighten the immersive quality of each room, WOW!house layers sensory details. For example, Jo Malone London, the official event scent partner, has worked with designers to craft bespoke fragrances tailored to each room’s aesthetic, while curated playlists reinforce mood and ambience.
With each carefully choreographed sensory detail, WOW!house 2025 invites visitors to experience a world of design mastery, with no shortage of surprise. It promises to showcase industry-leading expertise, celebrating the delight of uninhibited creative partnerships.
To learn more about WOW!house 2025 and book tickets, visit: www.dcch.co.uk/wowhouse
THE WOW!HOUSE LINE-UP
Artorius Faber Entrance Garden by Alexander Hoyle
Adam Architecture Facade by Darren Price
Cox London Entrance Hall by Victoria Davar of Maison Artefact
Fromental Drawing Room by Chad Dorsey
Nucleus Media Room by Alex Dauley
Phillip Jeffries Study by Staffan Tollgård
Stark Curator’s Room by Brigitta Spinocchia Freund
Fortuny + Bonacina + Barovier & Toso
Primary Bedroom by Tomèf Design
House of Rohl Primary Bathroom by 1508 London
Treasure House Morning Room by Daniel Slowik
Perennials & Sutherland Courtyard by Goddard Littlefair
Sims Hilditch Courtyard Room by Emma Sims-Hilditch
Casa Branca Bedroom by Alessandra Branca
Samuel Heath Bathroom by Laura Hammett
Visual Comfort & Co Living Room by Kelly Hoppen CBE
Dedar Library by Pirajean Lees
Drummonds Powder Room by Nicola Harding
Benjamin Moore Dining Room by Peter Mikic
Shepel Home Bar by Toni Black of Blacksheep
Hector Finch Snug by Thurstan
Lopen Joinery Kitchen by Ben Pentreath Studio
McKinnon & Harris Garden Terrace by Randle Siddeley
One Company, Two Strong Brands
United by a shared passion for design, craftsmanship and innovation, Villeroy & Boch Group welcomes Ideal Standard into its portfolio to offer architects and designers a comprehensive range of bathroom solutions.
Words: Eleanor Howard
Over the past 275 years, Villeroy & Boch has built a reputation for quality, elegance and innovation in ceramic design, supplying hotels and residences with premium bathroom and wellness solutions.
Founded in 1748 by François Boch and Nicolas Villeroy, the brand is a pioneer of premium ceramics manufacturing, developing both innovative production processes and leading designs. From the iconic La Boule collection –originally conceived by Helen von Boch in the 1970s to showcase how tradition and innovation can coexist – to longstanding collaborations with renowned designers, architects and artists such as Luigi Colani, Paolo Tilche and Achille Castiglioni, the brand continues to draw on its deep-rooted heritage. Today, contemporary voices like Roberto Palomba, Gesa Hansen, Christian Haas and Studio Kaschkasch influence the creative direction.
Now, in a bid to become one of Europe’s largest bathroom manufacturers, the Mettlachheadquartered company has welcomed Belgian sanitaryware brand Ideal Standard into its portfolio. The acquisition marks the next stage of strategic growth for Villeroy & Boch Group, which now serves as the parent company. The new group came to life at ISH 2025, where the two brands exhibited together for the first time, showcasing an integrated portfolio of ceramics, fittings and furniture, tailored to premium and smart design segments.
“The acquisition of Ideal Standard marks a major milestone for the Villeroy & Boch Group, significantly enhancing our offering,” says Stéphane Lafarge, Head of Global Projects, Villeroy & Boch Group. “Ideal Standard brings deep expertise and a strong market position in fittings, perfectly complementing Villeroy & Boch’s longstanding ceramic legacy –particularly strengthening our position in the project business.”
Today, the combined strength of the two brands’ global footprint across Europe, MENA and Asia offers hotel projects around the world access to a wide range of products and specification support. For example, Villeroy & Boch enhances hotel bathroom experiences through a variety of elegant designs that foster comfort and style. With a focus on refined aesthetics and enduring quality, the heritage brand brings a sense of home to premium hospitality spaces. Ideal Standard complements this with smart, minimalist solutions designed for modern hotel environments, ensuring both style and functionality across en suites and public bathrooms.
While each brand has its own history and strong individual identity, they are unified by a mutual passion for design, innovation and craftsmanship. “Innovation is in our DNA –from engineering advancements that improve sustainability and efficiency to developing consumer-centric digital tools,” notes Lafarge.
“Our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to quality and a deep respect for the legacy of our brands.”
One such innovation is the Singular Configurator, an online tool created specifically to streamline the product selection process when conceiving bathrooms and washrooms. Covering all sectors from hospitality to healthcare, the tool enables architects and designers, as well as planners, installers and end-consumers to draw from Villeroy & Boch Group’s comprehensive 12,000-strong product portfolio – including both Ideal Standard and Villeroy & Boch – to create complete bathroom designs. Upon completion, the project pack can be downloaded along with all necessary documentation such as Environmental Product Declarations, BIM files and product sheets.
Ultimately, the combined strength of the two brands means the future is promising for Villeroy & Boch Group. “Our enlarged global footprint, our access to new growth markets, and our complementary product and channel strategies position us very strongly. We are confident that with our strong teams, clear brand strategies and deep understanding for the markets, we will achieve sustainable, profitable growth,” concludes Lafarge. “Our vision – to bring something special into everyday life – will continue to guide us as we shape the future of bathrooms together.”
singular.idealstandard.com
The Beauty of Bespoke
Following a decade of growth, Stellar Works launches a new website spotlighting its bespoke capabilities.
Words: Eleanor Howard
Born from a desire to challenge the outdated ‘Made in China’ stigma, Stellar Works has built a reputation for creating timeless pieces that furnish some of the world’s top hotels. Now, after more than a decade of global growth – furnishing the likes of The Londoner and The Ned Doha – the Shanghai-based brand is highlighting its bespoke capabilities.
“While bespoke has always been part of our offering, the spotlight has often been on our collections and designer collaborations,” explains Daisuke Hironaka, CEO at Stellar Works. “Now, we’re shifting focus to amplify our bespoke capabilities - showing the world what truly sets us apart: our engineering expertise and unique approach to custom furniture. For us, bespoke is more than just personalisation - it’s about designing a seamless relationship between space, function and atmosphere.”
Marking an important milestone in its development, Stellar Works has launched a new website that serves as a digital portfolio of custom projects. From Moxy Downtown LA to Noma Kyoto, the archive demonstrates the scope of the brand’s offering, from designing custom-made furniture to curating bespoke interiors to feature its existing furniture collections by collaborators, including Yabu Pushelberg, Avr oKO, Space Copenhagen and Neri & Hu.
“With this new platform, we are showcasing our advanced manufacturing techniques, sustainability efforts in Asia, and our
collaborations with leading architecture firms. Our Shanghai workshop combines global craftsmanship, led by experts from Chinese, French and Japanese backgrounds.
This diverse expertise ensures we deliver high-quality, custom designs with precision,” reveals Hironaka. “We simplify the process by offering a comprehensive solution - designing, manufacturing and delivering everything from standard pieces to bespoke creations. Whether tailoring collections to suit any aesthetic or developing one-of-a-kind pieces, we manage every detail in-house with our state-of-theart facilities and an extensive material library.”
The new website also provides insight into the 10-step process behind Stellar Works’ projects, from concept to completion, taking in the creation of furniture prototypes, fabrication and installation, along with timeframes for each stage. It details the range of craftsmanship offerings available, including leatherwork, woodwork and stonework.
“We bring in-depth expertise - especially in technical drawings and value engineering - shaped by over 40 years of Japanese hotel design experience. Our premium upholstery craftsmanship, honed through our partnership with Laval and rooted in French traditions, ensures durability and sustainability. We also integrate traditional Japanese carpentry to create pieces that are both structurally and aesthetically flawless. Our commitment to ecofriendly practices ensures responsible sourcing,
full traceability of raw materials and complete transparency for our clients.”
Most recently, Stellar Works furnished the newly reopened Dusit Thani Bangkok with over 150 custom designs and more than 2,000 bespoke pieces to complement André Fu’s reinterpretation of Thai design with a contemporary twist. From wooden screens with intricate patterns inspired by Thai craftsmanship in the Grand Lobby Bar, to bold yellow banquettes and armchairs that echo the neraby Lumphini Park, every detail reflects the brand’s dedication to artistry and precision.
“This project showcases how Stellar Works transforms hospitality spaces – our bespoke furniture doesn’t just make a space beautiful, it connects deeply with local culture, ensuring Dusit Thani Bangkok remains a symbol of Thai elegance for generations,” says Hironaka.
Ultimately, the brand’s success is rooted in its advanced manufacturing techniques, sustainable efforts and collaborations with leading design firms. “Stellar Works isn’t just a manufacturer - it’s a collaborative partner, bringing customised solutions to high-end hotels,” Hironaka concludes. “By combining natural materials with modern techniques, we deliver long-lasting quality that performs in high-traffic areas and reduces long-term costs for clients. This rare business model strengthens our position as leaders in bespoke hospitality furniture.”
www.stellarworks-bespoke.com
SPOTLIGHT LIGHTING & CONTROL
From radiant lamps and sconces to illuminated artworks, these are the luminaires shining a light on hotel interiors.
Northern Lights
A Journey of Craftsmanship, Culture and Artistry
The new lighting collections from Northern Lights take designers on a journey through craftsmanship, culture and artistry. Drawing inspiration from diverse traditions and the natural world, these designs blend masterful techniques with intricate detailing, combining rich textures with refined materials. Created for visionary interiors, the collections celebrate authentic design and age-old traditions, where sculptural silhouettes, delicate hammered textures and organic veined alabaster create a striking interplay, while bold statement forms are softened through materiality and refined detailing. Handcrafted in Britain, each piece can be customised with specialist finishes developed in-house, including organic patinas, smooth powder coat RALs and acid treatments.
www.northern-lights.co.uk
1. Humble Humble Lights
Humble cordless design lamps, equipped with intelligent features, are purposefully crafted to meet the dynamic demands of fine-dining restaurants, hotels and luxury terraces, harmonising ambiance and efficiency. The lamps’ long-life battery provides up to 140 hours of continuous illumination, reducing recharging time or the need for candles. All lamps within a 10-metre range can be operated simultaneously using a single remote control, and the wireless charger powers multiple modules at once, ensuring an organised and cable-free charging process. The IP65 waterproof certification ensures that the design lamps transition effortlessly to outdoor spaces. www. humblelights.com
2. Rothschild & Bickers
IP44 Bathroom Wall Lights
Established in 2003, Rothschild & Bickers are specialists in the art of handblown glass. Rothchild’s new IP44-rated wall sconces are meticulously designed to resist dust and water splashes. The sconces deliver soft, diffused lighting free from harsh shadows, while the handcrafted blown glass adds a refined, artistic touch to the functional luminaire. Available with diamond or fluted glass finishes, each option creates different yet captivating light patterns. Rothschild & Bickers now offer eight collections, available in corrosion-resistant polished brass and nickel, with the ability to customise through an array of colours and textures to suit each unique space. www.rothschildbickers.com
3. Original BTC Magnus
The Magnus range – a name derived from ‘magma’ reflecting heat and transformation – pairs a clean-lined silhouette with rich materials for a contemporary and characterful design. Available in a range of linear and intersecting configurations, the collection includes two-, three- and four-light options, as well as pendants with four or six shades. Each rests within a blackened bronze frame, offering a striking interplay of form and finish. Designed to suit both generous reception areas and more compact spaces, every shade is produced at Original BTC’s Oxfordshire glassworks, where skilled artisans continue to practise traditional craft techniques. www.originalbtc.com
The Caramel collection by Joan Gaspar uses decorative glass to create a circular form that envelops the light. Emitting a diffused, soft and warm reflecting glow, the luminaire highlights the decorative properties of the glass: when illuminated, it pulsates with life, and when turned off, it creates a graphic play on the wall. Placed in a line or grouped, the caramel series allows the creation of compositions on the wall like a mural, provoking an artistic discourse and enhancing the space with strong, colourful lighting. A lamp with two purposes – to illuminate and decorate – Caramel is available in three diameter sizes – 22cm, 28cm and 38cm – and in four colourways. www.marset.com
4. Marset Caramel
1. Talenti Kukà
Italian outdoor furniture manufacturer
Talenti has made its eco-design debut with Kukà. Designed in collaboration with Studio Adolini, Kukà is first and foremost a lamp with great aesthetic impact but extremely simple in its lines. Made from eco-friendly materials including ecoresin, a non-toxic, water-based polymer, Talenti’s rechargeable offering casts a soft and enveloping light. While retaining the ring of light at the base, Kukà’s lid can differ in size, transforming the piece into a sophisticated and comfortable coffee table. Finally, Kukà can also be transformed into a plant pot and contribute to making the environment even greener.
www.talentispa.com
2. Vibia Class
With Class, from Vibia’s Living the Indoor and Outdoor Experience collection, designer Sebastian Herkner reimagines the classic outdoor lamppost as a sophisticated piece of lighting design. Class combines clean geometric lines with quality materials, creating a light fitting that both adds character and transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. Thanks to its subtle and elegant form, Class creates a balance between functionality and aesthetics, blending seamlessly into gardens, courtyards and urban areas. Its warm and even lighting reinforces the sense of continuity between different spaces, providing an immersive and wrap-around experience.
www.vibia.com
3. Manutti Sandua
Manutti has unveiled Sandua, a collection of outdoor furniture featuring stylish lighting options that embody elegance and functionality. The luminaires are characterised by an organically-shaped woven shell, delicately cradled by a sculpted wooden base. Brought to life by German designer Robin Hapelt, Sandua’s fusion of natural materials and modern design sensibilities offers a fresh interpretation of traditional weaving techniques. Lighting within the Sandua range is both practical and visually striking – its remote control capabilities allow users to seamlessly tailor their space, whether a garden, patio or outdoor lounge area.
www.manutti.com
4. Tribù Monsieur Tricot
Tribù’s lighting collection, Monsieur Tricot, is a line of hand-knitted and crocheted lighting elements that transform outdoor spaces into enchanting settings. Designed by Belgian designer Ilia Eckhardt, the floor lamps combine traditional techniques with highperformance materials and contemporary innovation. In 2025, Tribù has introduced new wired models of the hand-knitted and crocheted lighting family, featuring a five-metre cable and an easy on-off switch. The Monsieur Tricot collection is CE-certified, and can be ordered in the 27 EU member states, the EFTA countries, as well as Switzerland, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. www.tribu.com
1.Sans Souci Beyond Perception
At Salone del Mobile 2025, Czech design and production company Sans Souci unveiled Beyond Perception, a showcase of light, glass and emotion that explores the interplay between lighting, perception and reality, revealing how design shapes the way people see the world. The display ranges from bold, decorative chandeliers and clean, minimalist structures to vibrant experiments with nano-coated glass on walls. The centrepiece from the Vitara collection is notable for its bold presence and dynamic lighting, while other collections, including Brush, Primrose and Flux Celestial, demonstrated the ability to tailor each piece to a specific vision. Sans Souci’s signature nano-coating technology – an innovation that shifts colour and light in response to its surroundings, adding depth and playfulness – was showcased in product lines Galileo and Branchy, where table and floor lamps and wall scones were introduced. www.sanssoucilighting.com
2.Zico Lighting Hospitality Dimming and Controls
Zico Lighting Control delivers precision and reliability for hospitality, luxury residential and commercial spaces. Designed and manufactured in the UK, Zico Lighting integrates advanced components originally developed for the broadcast and film industries, ensuring flicker-free operation and seamless dimming performance. Compatible with all major switch plate brands, Zico Lighting blends into any interior design scheme while offering intuitive, user-friendly controls. Its versatile architecture supports industry-standard protocols such as DMX, DALI, 0/1-10V and phasecut dimming, with options for emergency lighting integration and connections for security and fire detection systems. Engineered for efficiency, Zico Lighting provides high-performance lighting control at a competitive price, making it suitable for professionals seeking reliability and flexibility from illumination. www.zico.lighting
3.Point Zuma
Driven by the artistry of craftsmanship and inspired by creativity, Point has been producing durable furniture and outdoor solutions since 1920. With a conical silhouette that flows into a perfectly integrated handle, Zuma presents a collection of portable, rechargeable lamps that come in small, medium or large sizes, balancing simplicity and precision. The Zuma collection is crafted from high-quality aluminium and is available in two shades: mineral white and gunmetal grey. Its versatility and ability to blend seamlessly with other Point collections make it suitable for outdoor spaces, where it provides a sense of warmth and visual comfort. www.point1920.com
1. Chelsom Spring / Summer 25
Backed by an illlustrious 75-year history in the decroative lighting arena, Chelsom is a global brand that leads with design, accentuating a timeless aethetic and cohesive feel to its lighting while maintaining functionality, innovation and quality. The Spring / Summer 25 collection features a range of new products that showcase organic materials and neat proportions combined with the latest technology. Led by Will Chelsom and James Bartlett, the Chelsom design team has developed an array of brand-new decorative lighting designs that use a multitude of eclectic materials including brass, marble and alabaster, as well as travertine and glass.
Clifton Lighting delivers unique, highquality products with the flexibility to source or create bespoke solutions tailored to individual needs, as demonstrated with the Illuminati Signature Collection. The brand’s capabilities push the boundaries of LED technology while relying on the skilful nature of their artisans. Clifton Lighting meets the distinctive needs of luxury hospitality projects by offering products from the Signature Collection with next day delivery, conducting detailed site surveys and providing a bespoke, tailormade, and quick turn-around solution that considers the project’s existing control systems and lighting.
www.cliftonlighting.co.uk
3. Vincent Sheppard Bill and Bob
The Bill and Bob floor lamps in natural rattan create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. These lamps, which can be styled individually or paired together to accentuate their contrasting heights and designs, showcase beautifully organic shapes while adding texture. Their versatile design makes them ideal for a range of interiors, whether placed in a spacious hallway or a luxurious hotel lobby. Wherever they are, these lamps create a welcoming ambiance and demonstrate how Vincent Sheppard can combine a focus on quality and comfort with craftsmanship and an age-old technique to deliver qualitative, durable and appealing designs.
www.vincentsheppard.com
4. Pedrali Kawara
Taking its name from the traditional tile that adorns the roofs of sacred buildings in Japan, the Kawara collection was created in collaboration with Japanese designer Yusuke Kawai. Kawara is a versatile offering, available as a horizontal or vertical pendant, or floor lamp, with the option to choose between a single continuous element in extruded aluminium – giving the product a technical, clean and essential appearance – or adjustable modules connected by small joining rings to allow precise light direction, creating a more playful effect. Grooves running along the rounded back add elegance to the piece, introducing a refined aesthetic detail.
www.pedrali.com
1. Elstead Lighting – Quintiesse Forest Dawn
The Forest Dawn chandelier and Forest wall lights are both luminaires and objets d’art thanks to their natural rock crystal droplets. The washed Lucerne gold finish complements the quartz to create a sculptural piece, giving the chandelier a formal look while simultaneously echoing nature with its tree-like branches that hold the lamps. “When the opportunity arose to partner with both the team and the brand that Currey & Company have built, we could not have been more enthusiastic,” says Jonathan Lucas, Managing Director, Elstead Lighting Group. “The collection epitomises a brand where every product has been thought through with care and detail.’’ www.quintiesse.com
2. Hector Finch Simone
Established in the mid-1980s, Hector Finch has evolved from trading out of a small antique centre in the north of England into a brand that illuminates highly curated spaces across the globe. Exemplifying a Hector Finch product beautifully, the Simone shade is rooted in the Viennese Secessionist movement, with an added facetted lever to hold the knuckle joint in place. Simone features a spun brass wall plate, and the shade is pressed, with a lost wax cast joint. Simone is wired with GU10 lamp holder or can be used as a ceiling fixture, and is available in finishes including antique brass, polished brass, bronze, nickel matte or polished nickel. www.hectorfinch.com
3. Astro Coastal
The Coastal collection, rooted in Astro’s simplicity and durability, is where the brand’s minimalist aesthetic, engineering expertise and rigorous quality standards are showcased to the maximum, with a range of functional yet elegant designs that excel in challenging environmental conditions. For Spring 2025, Astro introduces new finishes designed to withstand harsh weather, combining durability with timeless elegance. Rigourously tested, the collection features an innovative PVD brushed brass finish and robust materials, including marine-grade stainless steel, pressed ceramic and concrete, ensuring long-lasting performance. www.astrolighting.com
Light Switches
With complicated lighting controls amongst the most frustrating touchpoints for guests, leading manufacturers are simplifying the switch.
Jung LS 1912
Since 1912, Jung has built a reputation for combining purist design and innovative strength. With the LS 1912 toggle switch, the company is building on this tradition and implementing it in a contemporary way. The toggle levers in aluminium, stainless steel, brass or polished chrome are available as cylinders, cones or cubes, and bring the mechanics of switching to life in a new way. With the addition of smart home functions, LS 1912 becomes an exciting hybrid that both references the past and points to the future. Jung exclusively offers light switches in the 63 original Les Couleurs Le Corbusier colours, handpainted to achieve an impressive depth of colour and matte surface.
www.jung-group.com
Font Barcelona
Balearic Collection
Designed in collaboration with Oriol Guimerà, the Balearic collection from Font Barcelona represents a fusion of nature, tradition and Mediterranean authenticity. Inspired by the Balearic Islands, the range captures the essence of the sea’s reflections, the natural ageing of materials, and the bright whites that define the Mediterranean landscape. Each piece evokes the Mediterranean lifestyle through soft tones, natural textures and handcrafted details that celebrate the passage of time. Balearic offers functional, versatile solutions for architectural and interior design projects seeking to build a deep connection with their surroundings.
www.fontbarcelona.com
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3 - 4 June 2025 Miami
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SPECIFIER
Designed by Luca Pevere, Erice is a seat named after a small medieval village in Sicily. Inspired by the weave of traditional Sicilian carpets, belts pass through holes in the chair’s aluminium tube structure, drawing a geometric pattern made up of alternating colour blocks. The weaving casts different shadow patterns depending on the point of view of the chair, while the profile of the seat draws a thin line that recalls the Sicilian rugs, complementing the extreme lightness of aluminium. To further increase comfort, Erice is available with an additional cushion and cordcovered armrests. www.rodaonline.com
Roda Erice
Duravit Balcoon
Designed by Patricia Urquiola, the Balcoon bathroom range combines timeless elegance with contemporary functionality. Featuring clear geometric forms and natural colours, the costeffective range includes high-quality ceramic items, furniture, faucets and bathtubs, all of which blend durable aesthetics and first-class finishing. Balcoon’s above-counter and handrinse basins feature the antibacterial DuraShield protective glaze, making them hygienic and easy to clean. Additionally, the faucets incorporate resource-saving features such as Fresh Start and Minus Flow, which save energy and water.
www.duravit.com
Lemi Group
Harmony Lounge
Lemi Group has introduced Harmony Lounge, a chaise longue that combines advanced technology and refined aesthetics to offer an elevated level of comfort and wellbeing. Made with precious materials, Harmony Lounge is characterised by a refined design that fits naturally into any environment. Designed to meet the specific needs of spa settings, the standard version of Harmony Lounge gently guides guests into the ideal position for total comfort with its elegant electric tilting movement. Alternatively, the premium version features vibro-acoustic technology and integrated heating that lulls the body with harmonic vibrations and warmth. www.lemispa.com
Creative Matters
Solace – Macrame Collection
At the reimagined Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, Creative Matters has collaborated with interior design studio Nivek Remas to create bespoke floorcoverings that enhance the hotel’s blend of coastal serenity and urban sophistication. Among the many custom pieces, Solace – from the Macrame Collection – is featured in the Gold Lounge. Pictured here in a rich ochre colourway and adapted to a custom size, it brings warmth and texture to the space. Throughout the hotel, Creative Matters designs reflect the natural beauty of the West Coast: moss green and cream striped rugs in the guestrooms evoke the contrast of forest and shoreline, while patterns in the elevator lobby recall a leafy canopy, guiding guests with organic rhythm. Each rug has been thoughtfully crafted to suit its setting, adding depth, texture and a strong sense of place to the overall design narrative.
www.creativemattersinc.com
Kaldewei Nuio Duo – Zen Edition
Conceived by Stefan Diez, the Nuio Duo bathtub is characterised by a flowing form reminiscent of water pools, with generous dimensions and ergonomic back sections, as well as a pronounced neck and shoulder area. Combining design with intelligent technologies, the Zen Edition of the Nuio Duo bathtub offers an immersive and holistic bathing experience thanks to features such as infrared heat, music and mood lighting. Employed to relieve tension and cultivate a sense of security, these innovative features can be operated and individually adjusted via an LCD control panel with an intuitive slider function.
www.kaldewei.com
Indian Ocean Latitude Outdoor Soda in Oyster
With a passion for innovation, Indian Ocean designs and manufactures luxury outdoor furniture using only the finest quality materials, finished to the highest specifications and focusing on every detail. Most recently, Indian Ocean has reimagined its Latitude Outdoor Sofa in a new Oyster textured fabric, which combines performance with contemporary design. The sleek modular sofa system is now upholstered in an innovative textured material woven from marine strength solution-dyed synthetic fibres, specially designed for outdoor use. Combined with quick-dry foam, it is also breathable and UV fade-resistant, as well as water-, soiland stain-repellent.
www.indian-ocean.co.uk
Kettal Tilos
Designed by Antonio Citterio, Tilos is a reimagining of 1950s and 60s outdoor seating crafted from bamboo and rattan using contemporary advanced technologies and manufacturing processes. Comprising armchairs, two-seater sofas, modular sofas and dining chairs created for outdoor living, the collection is defined by a distinctive shell made from metal and woven acrylic rope. Designed to cradle plush cushions while offering both comfort and durability, the shell is supported by a structural frame, available in either wood or metal, which provides a refined and versatile foundation. “With Tilos, the goal was to merge tradition and innovation, balancing artisanal references with the precision of contemporary industrial craftsmanship – creating pieces that feel both timeless and perfectly suited for today’s outdoor environments,” explains Citterio.
www.kettal.com
Toto
Neorest Matte
Japanese bathroom brand Toto has introduced the latest innovations to its market-leading Washlet portfolio. The handfinished Neorest collection of toilets and washbasins has been elevated by new matte black and matte white finishes, which are billed as ‘the essence of elegance and perfection’. Complementing these are splash-free automatic taps, now available in matte black and brushed nickel, empowering designers to push the boundaries within distinctive hotel spaces. Toto embodies extraordinary durability, functionality and hygiene, demonstrating how its technologically advanced products can inspire a bold, refreshed aesthetic to design.
www.gb.toto.com
Naturalmat
The Halstock
Inspired by the distinctive curves of 1970s aesthetics, The Halstock is a reimagining Naturalmat’s Budleigh bed frame. Characterised by exaggerated curves, an oversized headboard and low-profile FSCcertified oak plinth base, this new design showcases the British B Corp brand’s commitment to being both kind to the environment and making healthy sleep accessible to all. Joining a line-up of award winning designs, The Halstock is expertly handcrafted at Naturalmat’s Devon workshop using natural materials, including organic wool sourced directly from farmers on their doorstep in Southwest England. This new bed also benefits from an extra layer of breathable, recycled denim, which adds further cushioning and support to the upholstered headboard. Available in Naturalmat’s house fabrics. Despite the oversized headboard, the plinth base disassembles into three pieces, with sprung slats that allow it to fit through narrow doorways and into compact guestrooms.
www.naturalmat.co.uk
Premier Voile Fenchi IFR Recycled Sheer
Textile design house Premier Voile has unveiled Fenchi, a collection of sheer earth-toned fabrics that blend soft textures with a sleek shine. Not only is Fenchi Inherently Flame Retardant (IFR) for contract use, but it also comprises 73% IFR recycled yarns. Leading the way in both textile design and engineering, the yarn is coloured through a Dope Dyeing system, wherein the hue is created by extruding rather than making Greige yarn and dying it afterwards. This process uses significantly less water and energy in production, demonstrating Premier Voile’s commitment to ecological opportunities. The Fenchi range seeks to complement increasingly popular earth-toned interiors, whilst staying true to the purpose and function of a sheer fabric in hotel guestrooms or public areas. www.premiervoile.com
Inspired by the Greek myth of the same name, Icarus is a collection of Arte wallcoverings that blends unique, creative designs with technical innovation. Utilising materials never before incorporated into wallcoverings, the Icarus series is a celebration of craftsmanship, redefining the boundaries of what is possible. Penumbra (pictured) is made from handwoven strands of bakbak, which have been meticulously arranged in a wave-like pattern using a fine thread. The technique creates a graduated effect, to which this design owes its name: a penumbra is a half-shadow. www.arte-international.com
Arte Icarus
Borg & Overström T3
Borg & Overström designs and manufactures sustainable water coolers and tap systems for all hospitality, corporate, educational, healthcare and office environments. From a cup of tea to a glass of sparkling water, the elegant T3 tap takes a smart and sustainable approach to premium water, with striking aesthetics and intelligent design. Utilising advanced technology, the tap offers hot, chilled, ambient and sparkling four-way filtered water. Manufactured in the UK, the T3 features smart energy-saving EcoMode, saving up to 70% on energy use. With discreet ventilation and a minimalist design, the T3 can be installed even into marble for a seamless finish, elevating any bar area or breakout space. www.borgandoverstrom.com
Sutherland Furniture Crescent
Designed by Eugeni Quitllet, Crescent is a collection of outdoor furniture influenced by Parisian gardens and the famous Crystal Palace in Madrid. Characterised by a half-arc shape, each piece has been crafted with premium aluminium frames that can be powdercoated in 18 different shades. The Crescent Lounge Chair, Crescent Three-Seat Sofa and Crescent Dining Arm Chair combine contemporary frames with comfortable cushions. Designers can customise the Crescent table with either aluminium or teak tops. Furthermore, the dining table and coffee table retain Quitllet’s crescent motif in the base, resulting in an elegant form. Ideal for hospitality and commercial spaces, the Crescent Square Bistro Table and Crescent Round Bistro Table feature a simple base design, suitable for any aesthetic. www.sutherlandfurniture.com
Engagement Drives Returns
ADVERTISING INDEX ISSUE 120
Between Earth and Sky
A newly renovated sleep experience in Kenya takes immersion in nature to new heights.
Whether it’s through handcrafted décor by local artisans or cuisine that highlights native ingredients, hospitality experiences are typically curated to immerse guests in their surroundings.
At Ishara, a luxury camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara, a newly renovated accommodation offer takes this approach to new heights – giving guests the opportunity to sleep among the tree canopy.
Known as the Starbed Experience, the al fresco suite occupies an elevated platform that unites earth and sky, with the expansive plains of the wilderness reserve unfolding beneath. Having first launched in 2022 alongside the hotel’s riverside tented camp, the venture has recently undergone an upgrade to incorporate a bi-level extension with 360-degree panoramic views.
On the lower deck, a luxurious stone bathtub overlooks the untamed savanna, while the private
en suite features a rainfall shower. And on the upper deck, a canopied bed sits beneath a blanket of stars, where slumber is accompanied by the serenading sounds of nature. As dawn breaks and the sky’s hues change, guests awaken to the symphony of their surroundings – from the gentle gurgle of the river to lively birdsong and the distant roar of lions.
Further maximising a connection with the locale, the Madhani family – founders of Ishara – have incorporated a host of Masasi-inspired elements into the Starbed Experience, including ancient traditions and custom artefacts that tell stories of local craftsmanship. Elsewhere, the nine-month renovation also included the introduction of a photograhy studio and spa, with every detail designed to resonate with the spirit of the Masai Mara.
