WHAT ’ S HOT DESIGN
Guestrooms at Marignan Paris employ a “ haute decoration ” aesthetic and blend wood , stone , marble and metal in a striking yet warm way .
Design updates in new guestrooms at Residence Inn by Marriott include enhanced bathrooms .
WELCOME HOME
Whether guests are traveling for business or pleasure , there is no denying they want the comforts of home on some level , and hotels are finding new ways to deliver in virtually every market segment .
Extended-stay brand Residence Inn by Marriott recently debuted its new Gen 9 guestroom in Cherry Creek , Colorado , near Denver . Design updates include bigger kitchen areas , a new color scheme and enhanced bathrooms .
The trend is just as pronounced in luxury properties . High-end residential designer Pierre Yavanovich led the recent transformation of Marignan Paris , and he styled the hotel to resemble a private mansion . The 50 guestrooms employ a “ haute decoration ” aesthetic and blend wood , stone , marble and metal in a striking yet warm way .
“ The convergence today between top-end hotel and residential design is one result of the increasing number of ultra-highnet-worth individuals — global travelers , mainly self-made , cash-rich and time-poor ,” offers Inge Moore , principal , The Gallery HBA London . “ They may have several homes around the world and frequently stay in luxury hotels . They expect every comfort and amenity immediately and see no significant difference between staying in one of their homes or in a hotel .”
NATURAL INSPIRATION
With spa treatments evolving to reflect nature and local surroundings , so too is spa design taking fresh approaches .
Sofitel
Philippine Plaza in Manila recently unveiled a new facility called Vietura . Designed by Manila-based Gruppo Espazio , the space aims to be sleek and natural thanks to warm lighting and a live vertical garden feature in each treatment room . “ It ’ s anything but clinical ,” notes Goran Aleks , general manager of Sofitel Philippine Plaza . “‘ Vie ’ means life and ‘ tura ’ means nature . We wanted to build off that , and create something people would find calming and comfortable .”
The new Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont The Palm , Dubai also takes nature as inspiration for its design , with a color palette based on attributes such as sand and the sea .
Nalu Kinetic Spa at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu , Hawaii , aims to bring its surroundings inside via dramatic window walls that allow guests to feel close to the power of nature outdoors . “ The stress level for all of us has greatly increased ,” notes Amy McDonald , principal of Tucson , Arizona-based spa developer Under a Tree Consulting , which led the design of the new spa at Turtle Bay Resort . “ Now there is more evidence of the direct effects even a photo of nature will have for people . We need more of that . I ’ d like to think that ’ s not a trend , but something that is here to stay .”
The design of the new Vietura spa facility at Sofitel Philippine Plaza aims to be sleek and natural thanks to warm lighting and a live vertical garden feature in each treatment room .
The new Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont The Palm , Dubai takes nature as inspiration for its design , with a color palette based on attributes such as sand and the sea .
38 HOTELS June 2013 www . hotelsmag . com