HotelsMag October 2012 | Page 35

GADGETS GALORE
What ’ s Hot : DESIGN
Design Hotels ’ San Giorgio Mykonos , open only from May through October , aimed to evoke “ the summer home of your coolest friend .”
Les Bancs d ’ Hiver , which popped up at The Plaza Athénée in Paris this past winter , was so successful the hotel plans to revive the concept this December .

‘ POP ’ CULTURE

Offering deals for just a limited time often boosts their appeal , which may help explain why “ pop-up ” spaces in hotels — often up and running for just a couple weeks — are such a hot trend .
The concept can even be applied to an entire hotel . Open only through October , Design Hotels ’ San Giorgio Mykonos offers 34
rooms designed by Michael Schickinger and Annabell Kutucu that aim to evoke “ the summer home of your coolest friend .” With the spotlight on origin and craftsmanship , carefully chosen accessories include traditional Greek woven-top stools , cotton matelassé quilts and polished cement counters . The 30-seat Cantina Restaurant and Bar ,
meanwhile , serves homestyle fare at long , roughhewn tables .
Even more common is the pop-up restaurant . This past spring , the Sheraton Park Tower , a Luxury Collection Hotel , Knightsbridge hosted a temporary version of acclaimed Indian restaurant Bukhara , whose permanent home is at ITC Maurya , New Delhi . The Plaza Athénée ’ s
first foray into pop-up restaurants — Les Bancs d ’ Hiver , which was located in the courtyard space where the Paris hotel ’ s iceskating rink sits and that served seasonal delicacies like mulled wine and cream of chestnut soup at long wooden tables — was so successful for its 10-day run last winter that the property plans to bring
back the concept this coming December .
“ Our guests are always looking for exclusive , beautiful and unique experiences ,” says Plaza Athénée Bar Manager Thierry Hernandez . “ The concept of pop-up restaurants also allows us to surprise our guests , demonstrating the hotel ’ s cutting-edge and innovative efforts .”
Digital bedside and desk tablets at The Peninsula Hong Kong allow guests to control all facilities and information throughout the room to their individual preferences .

GADGETS GALORE

Technology is changing not only the way travelers book rooms , do business and enjoy leisure time — it is also revolutionizing the way hotels are designed . “ We are seeing a much bigger emphasis on technology with all of our clients ,” confirms Nancy Nodler , principal at global design firm Gensler .
One of the newest examples of high-tech guestroom technology comes from The Peninsula Hotels , which spent HK $ 450 million ( US $ 58 million ) to enhance its 300 guestrooms at The Peninsula Hong Kong with — among other amenities — the latest and greatest technology . Digital bedside and desk tablets are pre-set in one of five languages — English , French , traditional Chinese , simplified Chinese or Japanese — and can change all facilities and information throughout the room to a guest ’ s preference . Via the tablets , guests can access hotel services , Peninsula ’ s new “ PenCities ” virtual city guide , lighting , thermostat , valet call and more . Rooms also feature a wireless all-in-one fax / printer / photocopier / scanner ; audio / visual centers with flat-screen , Blu-ray LED televisions ; and even LED touchscreen panels in the bathroom for access to terrestrial and Internet TV and radio . Perhaps the most amazing part — high-speed wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary .
www . hotelsmag . com October 2012 HOTELS 33