WHAT ’ S HOT DESIGN
OLD AND
What ’ s old can be new again as hotel companies place ever-greater emphasis on meticulous restoration of historical properties .
The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts recently celebrated the opening of The Gritti Palace in Venice , following a € 35 million ( US $ 45.4 million ), restoration . The hotel ’ s Gothic shape dates back to 1475 , and it has been a luxury hotel since 1895 . The
NEW
interior design by Donghia Associates utilizes Venetian tapestries , unique pieces of furniture and local artwork .
The new all-suite wing of the Mövenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa in Singapore dates back to the 1940s and was once a barrack base that housed British artillerymen during World War II . Singapore ’ s DP Architects restored the space to include 62 suites with original features including colonial doors and high ceilings .
Paramount in New York City , dating back to 1928 , recently debuted a US $ 40 million renovation . Among the highlights from design firms Stonehill & Taylor Architects and Meyer Davis Studio is a two-story living room-style lobby with dark woods , sculptural chandeliers and richly textured furniture . “ Our primary goal was to highlight the building ’ s inherent beauty and grandness ,” says Christina Zimmer , principal , Stonehill & Taylor Architects . “ Today ’ s traveler is drawn to places with a rich story .”
The 61 guestrooms and 21 suites at The Gritti Palace , a Luxury Collection Hotel , Venice , utilize Venetian tapestries and unique pieces of furniture along with period colors .
The living room-style lobby at the restored Paramount in New York City is meant for socializing .
Philippe Starck is behind the design of Mama Shelter ’ s properties , including the brand ’ s latest location in Lyon , France .
Guestrooms at The Pod 39 Hotel in New York City feature a timeless , durable design in four room types and three color schemes .
DESIGN ON A
Cutting-edge design need not always come with a skyhigh rate .
Hostels ’ cheap prices long have been associated with bare-bones style , but hostel brand Generator is looking to change that . Generator ’ s eight European properties promise an average rate around € 20 ($ 26 ). But working with The Design Agency ’ s Anwar Mekhayech of Soho House fame , the hostels also feature playful , locally inspired design elements , particularly in public spaces .
Philippe Starck is behind the design of the Mama Shelter brand , so it ’ s no surprise these properties push
DIME
the design envelope . Starck takes inspiration from each hotel ’ s location in addition to incorporating playful elements , and Mama Shelter keeps rates low by investing only in the most important design elements , like a great bed and bathroom .
The Pod 39 Hotel in New York City weaves fun elements like ping pong tables and vintage furniture throughout its public areas , but Design Director Vanessa Guilford kept things chic yet simple in the 366 guestrooms , which helps make a rate starting at US $ 119 possible . The guestrooms feature timeless , durable materials in four different room types ( queen , double , bunk and single ) and three color schemes ( red with light-toned maple wood , blue with medium-toned maple wood and teal with dark-toned walnut wood ).
“ You can take the same space , color it three different ways and have three different feelings , yet maintain the same design undertone in its form to keep the interiors connected ,” Guilford explains . “ That ’ s just what we did here .”
36 HOTELS June 2013 www . hotelsmag . com