Architecture and design news:
hotels & hospitality
Firmdale Hotels unveils new-look Dorset Square Hotel in London
by Pete Hayman | 21 Jun 2012
Firmdale Hotels has announced the launch of the new-look Dorset Square Hotel in central London, following the completion of an extensive refurbishment programme. Husband and wife team Kit and Tim Kemp originally purchased the boutique hotel during the 1980s and have now reacquired it for the Firmdale portfolio, 10 years after it was sold. Kit Kemp has overseen the interior design of the renovated property, with the English country style
Six Senses spa for The Alpina Gstaad
by Tom Walker | 12 Jun 2012
Image: An artist's impression of the spa's hammam Six Senses Resorts & Spas has signed a partnership deal with The Alpina Gstaad, Switzerland to develop and manage the hotel's spa. Scheduled to open in December 2012, The Alpina Gstaad is set in the heart of the Bernese Alps and will have 56 rooms and suites. The boutique hotel will have a 2,000sq m (21,500sq ft) Six Senses Spa with a
Spa by Cinq Mondes opens at Five Hotel and Spa in Cannes
by Pete Hayman | 11 Jun 2012
Image: Spa by Cinq Mondes at Five Hotel and Spa Design Hotels has opened the new Spa by Cinq Mondes at Five Hotel and Spa in Cannes, France - a 250sq m (2,691sq ft) facility described as "a destination in its own right". Jean Louis Poiroux created the spa, which boasts four treatment rooms - one of which is a double - plus two saunas, a Turkish hammam, a scrub
Le Méridien opens first Algerian hotel in north western city of Oran
by Pete Hayman | 08 Jun 2012
Image: The exterior of Le Méridien's new Oran hotel Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts has announced the launch of its first Algerian hotel as part of a mixed-use oceanfront development in the north western city of Oran. Rockwell Group Europe have designed the Le Méridien Oran Hotel and Convention Centre, which is owned by Sonatrach and is located on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The signature Explore Spa is
New health spa proposed as part of County Durham hotel expansion
by Pete Hayman | 07 Jun 2012
Image: The hotel is planning the addition of a spa A new health spa is among a number of facilities being proposed as part of a major expansion of the historic Ramside Hall Hotel in Carrville, Durham. Ramside Estates was granted outline planning consent for the new extension in 2005, before a subsequent reserved matters application and listed building consent was approved in 2008. The project is now coming back
Radisson Blu Resort opens on Spanish island of Gran Canaria
by Pete Hayman | 01 Jun 2012
Image: The new resort overlooks the Atlantic Ocean A new 189-bedroom Radisson Blu-branded resort has become the Rezidor Hotel Group's first property to open on the island of Gran Canaria - one of the Spanish Canary Islands. Each of the guestrooms and suites has its own balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the interior design has been conceived and developed by Norway-based Sias Contract. Resort facilities include a 265sq m
Ritz-Carlton reopens Montreal hotel following CA$200m makeover
by Pete Hayman | 01 Jun 2012
Image: The historic hotel building in Montreal The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company (RCHC) has relaunched its "second Canadian jewel" in Montreal, following a major CA$200m (US$193m, EUR156m, £126m) refurbishment. First opened as a hotel in 1912, the Ritz-Carlton, Montreal building has been preserved and restored as part of the Provencher Roy + Associés -designed project. Public spaces throughout the hotel have been revamped and upgraded, while a spokesperson said that a
New central London property for Bulgari Hotels and Resorts
by Pete Hayman | 31 May 2012
Image: The new hotel includes a 2,000sq m spa area Bulgari Hotels and Resorts has opened its latest luxury property in the Knightsbridge area of London, UK - the 85-bedroom Bulgari Hotel and Residences, London. The new hotel has been developed in accordance with best practices for sustainable design outlined by the BREEAM environmental assessment method for buildings. Facilities include a 2,000sq m (21,528sq ft) spa, health and beauty area,
Accor announces opening of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit
by Pete Hayman | 29 May 2012
Image: Facilities include Le Spa with L'Occitane France-based hospitality group Accor has announced the launch of the new flagship Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel - the luxury brand's second property in Thailand's capital city. Facilities include the 414sq m (4,456sq ft) Le Spa with L'Occitane, which features seven treatment rooms and is the first spa in Thailand to offer products from L'Occitane. The treatment rooms each refer to a Thai and
Work starts on South Africa's Sandton Skye development
by Pete Hayman | 25 May 2012
Image: Sandton Skye is scheduled to open in 2014 Construction work is underway on the ZAR1.5bn (US$179m, EUR143m, £114m) Sandton Sky lifestyle development in the financial hub of Johannesburg, South Africa. The luxury residential and hotel scheme has been designed by local architect AMA and includes a ZAR8m (US$954,000, EUR763,000, £610,000) wellness spa featuring modern African and eastern design styles. Spanning 450sq m (4,844sq ft), the spa will accommodate 12
Former monastery opens as luxury spa hotel on Italy's Amalfi Coast
by Pete Hayman | 24 May 2012
Image: The new hotel includes an infinity-edge pool Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco are among the first guests at a new luxury boutique spa hotel housed in a converted 17th century monastery on Italy's Amalfi Coast. Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel and Spa is located on the cliff edge of Cape d'Orso and was restored by US businesswoman and director of the Sharma Foundation, Bianca Sharma. Howard Spa Consulting
California's Meritage Resort and Spa unveils US$40m expansion
by Pete Hayman | 22 May 2012
Image: The resort's facilities include Spa Terra The Meritage Resort and Spa - one of the largest resorts in California's Napa Valley, US - has unveiled new facilities as part of a major US$40m (EUR31.4m, £25.4m) expansion. Crush Ultra Lounge with six bowling lanes; a piazza with a spa/hot tub; an Italian-style café; and extensive meeting space have been created as part of the privately-financed scheme. A further 165 guestrooms
Four Seasons to open second hotel in Shanghai this summer
by Pete Hayman | 18 May 2012
Image: Facilities will include an indoor lap pool Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will open its second hotel in Shanghai this summer with a new 187-bedroom property in the heart of the Chinese city's Pudong district. Located to the east of the Huangpu River, Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai forms part of the new 55-storey 21st Century Tower in the district's Lujiazui business hub. Gensler are behind the exterior design
Montage Hotels plans to open new Los Cabos luxury resort
by Tom Walker | 16 May 2012
Image: James Bermingham, VP of Montage Hotels California-based Montage Hotels is planning to open a luxury resort in Los Cabos, Mexico - its first property outside the US. Located on the shores of Santa Maria Bay, the exact details of the property are yet to be confirmed but plans include a full-service spa, a range of restaurants and other leisure facilities. In a statement, Montage Hotels revealed that the architecture
New spa to open at Four Seasons Hotel Milano this summer
by Pete Hayman | 14 May 2012
Image: The spa will house seven treatment rooms Four Seasons Hotel Milano in Milan, Italy, has announced that its long-awaited spa, which has been designed by architect Patricia Urquiola, will have its soft opening next month after nearly 10 years in development. The new spa has been incorporated into the former 15th century convent following detailed planning, with the original 19th century vaulted ceilings preserved as part of the project.
GLA Hotels opens Selman Marrakech spa hotel
by Tom Walker | 09 May 2012
GLA Hotels has opened Selman Marrakech hotel in Morocco - its first managed property in the Moroccan resort city. The 56-room Selman Marrakech was designed by French architect Jacques Garcia and is owned by the local Bennani Smires family of entrepreneurs. Facilities include the 1,200sq m (12,900sq ft) Espace Vitalite Chenot spa, which houses seven treatment rooms, four hydrotherapy rooms, a hammam, two outdoor heated pools and a relaxation pool.
Santo Domingo hotel to become JW Marriott's first in the Caribbean
by Pete Hayman | 08 May 2012
Image: JW Marriott's new hotel in Santo Domingo Marriott International has announced that its luxury hotel brand, JW Marriott, is planning to open a new 131-bedroom property in the Dominican Republic - its first in the Caribbean. JW Marriott Santo Domingo is to be operated by the group under a management agreement with Grupo Velutini, the Panama-based subsidiary of Fondo de Valores Immobiliarios. A spa will form part of the
Melia Dubai marks Spanish group's entry in United Arab Emirates
by Pete Hayman | 08 May 2012
Image: The Yhi Spa's planned Vascular Path Meliá Hotels and Resorts, the Spain-based hospitality group, has announced its debut in the United Arab Emirates with the soft launch of the new 164-bedroom Meliá Dubai hotel. Located in the centre of Bur Dubai, the Marco Mangili -designed property is to open in two phases and includes the Titanic by Marco Pierre White restaurant offering European cuisine. The second phase will add
Hyatt plans Regency-branded hotel in Riyadh
by Pete Hayman | 03 May 2012
Image: Hyatt Regency Riyadh is to open in Q3 2013 Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the signing of a new management agreement that will see a new 257-bedroom Regency-branded property open in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Due to launch in Q3 2013, Hyatt Regency Riyadh will be group's seventh hotel in Saudi Arabia and will include a male spa housing six treatment rooms among its facilities. The hotel - the result
London's Shard opening date revealed
by Pete Hayman | 03 May 2012
Image: The Shard under construction last month HRH Prince Andrew will be among the dignitaries in attendance at the launch of The Shard - one of Europe's tallest mixed-use skyscrapers - in central London, UK, on 5 July. Qatari Prime Minister His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani will be inaugurating the 310m (1,016 ft)-high development – designed by Renzo Piano – along with the Duke of
Snoozebox announces Stock Exchange listing
by Pete Hayman | 01 May 2012
Image: Breare (left) conceived the concept in 2010 Snoozebox, the UK-based portable hotel and temporary accommodation concept, has begun trading on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The number of ordinary shares in issue on the group's entry to the market today (1 May) is nearly 52 million, with a total of 30 million shares placed with institutional investors. Snoozebox has said it will use the proceeds to
Hyatt agrees deal to run Cambodia hotel
by Pete Hayman | 26 Apr 2012
Hyatt Hotels Corporation is to open its first hotel in Cambodia after announcing the signing of a management agreement which will lead to the rebranding of a property in Siem Reap. The 107-bedroom Hotel De La Paix Siem Reap is to close on 30 June in order to receive an extensive renovation before reopening as the Park Hyatt Siem Reap during Q1 2013. Facilities at the hotel currently include the
SG$80m revamp for Pan Pacific Singapore
by Pete Hayman | 25 Apr 2012
The 790-bedroom Pan Pacific Singapore hotel is to benefit from a comprehensive SG$80m (US$64m, EUR49m, £40m) refurbishment of its guestrooms, restaurants and lobby area. It is the largest renovation programme to be undertaken at the property in its 25-year history and will include the creation of the new Pacific Club with panoramic views on the 38th floor. Australia-based interior design firm Chada are leading the scheme, which is scheduled to
De Vere Village to roll out room concept
by Pete Hayman | 25 Apr 2012
De Vere Village Hotels chief executive officer Robert B Cook has announced the launch of the new UpperDeck room concept, which is to be rolled out across the group's UK estate. UpperDeck is designed to provide a new "superior room type" to guests, with its hotels in Swansea, Solihull and Chester St Davids among the first to offer the concept. It is expected 20 rooms per property will be rolled
Green light for Southampton's waterfront spa hotel
by Tom Walker | 24 Apr 2012
Planning has been approved for a landmark £50m waterfront scheme at Ocean Village in Southampton. Southampton City Council planners approved MDL Marinas' 'super-yacht'-inspired project which includes a luxury spa hotel, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a rooftop champagne bar. MDL Marinas has teamed up with Harbour Hotels on the plans. The ground floor of the hotel will include a large open plan lounge, restaurant and bar which will extend out onto
Seri Chenang spa resort to open on Langkawi, Malaysia
by Tom Walker | 19 Apr 2012
The Seri Chenang Resort and Spa will open on the Malaysian island of Langkawi on 30 June. The privately-owned, RM5m (US$1.6m, 1.2m euro, £1m) boutique resort will offer accommodation in six luxury villas and also features a large spa villa. Created by the resort's owner, entrepreneur Dato Zainal Abidin, the design of each villa has been influenced by the architecture of traditional homes from six separate Malaysian states. The individual
Chapter Hotels to open Exeter property
by Pete Hayman | 18 Apr 2012
Chapter Hotels, the UK-based hospitality operator unveiled in 2010, has announced plans to open its second property within a 19th century former Exeter hospital building on 25 June. The 59-bedroom Magdalen Chapter is to occupy the city's West England Eye Hospital after a sympathetic restoration led by Bath-based architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. Facilities will include The Spa, which will boast four treatment rooms offering massages and mini-treatments from locally-based
Green light for luxury London scheme
by Pete Hayman | 13 Apr 2012
Singapore-based developer KOP Properties has received planning permission to convert the landmark 10 Trinity Square building in central London into a new luxury development. Work is expected to get underway on the transformation of the Grade II*-listed property during the third quarter of this year, with the Woods Bagot -designed project also involving Beijing, China-based Reignwood Group. A 120-bedroom hotel; a spa; a members' club; 41 serviced residences; a restaurant;
Second Pod Hotel to open in New York
by Pete Hayman | 13 Apr 2012
Pod Hotel will open its second location near Grand Central Terminal in New York City, US, in June, which will be modelled on the concept's successful Pod 51 property. The new hotel - Pod 39 - will contain 367 bedrooms ranging from 60-120sq ft (5.6-11.1m) in size and which have been custom-designed to offer comfort and functionality. Unlike the original Pod 51 hotel, Pod 39 will also offer en-suite bathrooms
Xiangshan Hot Spring and Wellness Center to open in 2013
by Tom Walker | 12 Apr 2012
Xiangshan Hot Spring and Wellness Center, a new US$25m (€19m, £16m) oceanfront spa and 'bathing attraction', is scheduled to open in China in August 2013. Located next to the Hilton Ningbo Xiangshan Resort, the centre is designed by US-based WATG and Thailand-based GOCO Hospitality and will incorporate a 6,000sq m (64,583sq ft) standalone building. The building will house 24 treatment rooms - including two suites and a spa pavilion. Meanwhile,
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Willmott Dixon delivers the social infrastructure that people depend on in their daily lives. We partner with our customers to focus on the services they want to provide, not just the building we construct, and we are committed to achieving a higher social purpose through our work.
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