DESIGN
The restoration of The Strand preserved the heritage at the heart of the hotel while creating a more relaxed , refined and glamorous setting for the times .
In fact , it has a following among today ’ s luxury travellers . There is even a cult who “ collects ” how many times and how often they have stayed in Sarkies brothers ’ hotels .
“ Heritage hotels have a great future and demand is better than ever ,” says Olivier Trinquand , vice president , The Strand Hotel & Cruise . “ I think travelers these days appreciate that colonial doesn ’ t have to mean fussy Victorian décor , starched linen and insisting diners dress for dinner in a jacket and tie .”
GCP Hospitality ’ s in-house projects , sourcing and marketing team , along with
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Bangkok-based P49 Design , rolled up their sleeves to create a modern space with colonial flair at The Strand . They were not afraid to use bold color schemes , accessories and contemporary lighting to achieve it , from the lobby to rooms and F & B areas . White , typical of colonial hotels , is enlivened by vibrant red .
Rattan furniture in The Strand Cafe was restored in red lacquer , and custom-printed , colorful wallpaper showing life in Myanmar from the early 1900s was hung . In the lobby are tall peacock-back rattan armchairs , another twist of modernity .
The Strand Restaurant has a high-vaulted ceiling , chandeliers and museumquality black and gold lacquer panels from Bagan .