Sleeper - Issue 88 (February 2020)

QUINTA DA COMPORTA – PORTUGAL • AHEAD WINNERS • JAO CAMP – OKAVANGO DELTAHOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE & DESIGN

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003CONTENTSISSUE 88HOTEL REVIEWSQuinta da Comporta 056PortugalCrossroads062MaldivesStock Exchange Hotel 072ManchesterParamount House Hotel 078SydneyJao Camp 082Okavango Delta, BotswanaNative088ManchesterMarket Street Hotel 095EdinburghChapter Roma 101RomeKafnu Alexandria 107Sydney101072088© Manolo Yllera© Giulia Venanzi© Keith Collie056

004CONTENTSISSUE 88FEATURESMeeting... Paul D. Taylor 034Following a year that saw Stonehill Taylor wrap up an iconic transformation and scoop two AHEAD awards, President and founding partner Paul Taylor talks creating hotels for the city that never sleeps.The Lobby 045From pop-ups to installations, The Lobby explores hotel life in all its forms.Postcard Hotels 112With its sights set on 50 openings in five years, The Postcard Hotel is seeking to shift the luxury hospitality paradigm in India and beyond.AHEAD128The 2019 winners of AHEAD’s Europe and MEA programmes are announced at ceremonies in London and Dubai.DEPARTMENTSCheck-In020Drawing Board 022Business Centre 114Events125Floorcoverings145Specifier157Check-Out 178© Robert Rieger048052082145095© Dana Allen

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015It’s hard to believe that just 20 years ago, ace existed only as a playing card, indigo was described as a deep shade of blue and W was just another letter of the alphabet. The past two decades have brought new brands, categories and concepts to the fore, along with a colossal rise in the number of guestrooms. Back at the turn of the century, no-one had heard of the sharing economy, Marriott was celebrating its 2,000 hotel opening (it now boasts a 7,000-strong portfolio), thand millennial-minded hotels were still in their infancy, much like the generation they would eventually serve.As we enter not only a new year but a new decade, it seems as good a time as any to take stock, reflect on past achievements and look ahead to the future. At Sleeper we’ve been doing just that. In celebration of our 20 anniversary thyear, we’ll be producing some special content – both in print and online – exploring two decades of hospitality design. We’ll also be hosting a series of talks, discussions and networking events throughout the year, and in line with Sleeper’s modus operandi to connect communities, we would like you to help shape the content. What topics or themes would you like to see discussed? Should we be delving into the idea of transformational hospitality? Exploring the rising popularity of slow travel and how it will impact design? Or questioning whether the sector really is doing its bit to reduce waste? Email us at [email protected] or join the conversation online at @SleeperMagazine using the hashtag #Sleeper2020. The sessions will run in partnership with leading brands, hosted at showrooms, new hospitality spaces and major trade shows. Building on the success of recent ‘Heads-Up’ events in Dubai and London, exclusive brunch talks will also take place prior to all AHEAD ceremonies through 2020, with guests invited to hear from the judging panel, and meet with the design and development teams behind the shortlisted projects.On that note, we have also announced the dates and venues of our four regional awards schemes; AHEAD Asia will take place on 12 March at Andaz Singapore; AHEAD Americas returns to Miami’s Faena Forum on 10 June; the AHEAD MEA ceremony is at Caesars Forum Bluewaters Dubai on 11 November; and AHEAD Europe will crown its winners on 18 November at Exhibition, a newly restored Grade II-listed space in White City London. Turn to page 42 for the info you’ll need to enter and attend.Elsewhere in the portfolio, the next Sleepover will take place in Bali from 17-19 May, marking the first time the networking event for hospitality innovators has ventured to Asia. We’re delighted to reveal that we’ll be working with Ronald Akili and his team at Desa Potato Head, an innovative creative centre where music, art and hospitality meet culture, wellbeing and sustainability for a new type of holistic experience. We’ll be travelling to Bali in the coming weeks to explore the island and curate a programme that allows attendees to experience new concepts, identify future business opportunities and gain insight from those at the forefront of hospitality, design and travel – you can register your interest online at www.sleepoverbali.com.In the meantime, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support over the past 20 years, and who knows, maybe in the next two decades we’ll be reporting on the first hotel in space. 2020 and BeyondISSUE 88QUINTA DA COMPORTA – PORTUGAL • AHEAD WINNERS • JAO CAMP – OKAVANGO DELTAWWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COMHOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE & DESIGNON THE COVERQuinta da Comporta, CarvalhalWELCOMECatherine Martin • Managing Editor

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017GUEST BOOK072 GG HospitalityFormer professional footballers-turned-hoteliers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs first ventured into hospitality five years ago with the launch of Hotel Football, an upscale property inspired by the beautiful game that overlooks Old Trafford. Now, the ex-teammates have reaffirmed their love for Manchester, collaborating with Turkish design studio Autoban to transform the city’s former Stock Exchange into a boutique hotel that respects the history and heritage of the Grade II-listed building in which it resides.088 Pablo Flack and David WaddingtonBest known as the dynamic duo behind Bethnal Green’s Bistrotheque and Ace Hotel London’s Hoi Polloi, restaurateurs Pablo Flack and David Waddington will look to replicate their success in the capital with an adaptation of Bistrotheque for Manchester’s newly minted Culturplex. Occupying a Grade II-listed former warehouse alongside a Native aparthotel and an expansive range of programming, the new outpost channels the breezy vibe of the original whilst building an equally loyal following. 101 Marco CiliaFollowing a career jump from business and finance to hospitality, Chapter Roma owner Marco Cilia cut his teeth working under Anouska Hempel at Blakes London as GM, then Carlos Couturier and Moisés Micha of Grupo Habita as the duo launched Hôtel Americano. Having learnt the boutique ropes from some of the best, Cilia now applies his education to The Eternal City’s latest bolthole – a refined and minimalist project balancing industrial chic with detailed historic sensibilities. 056 Miguel Câncio MartinsDesigner turned hotelier Miguel Câncio Martins views architecture and design as the intersection between psychology, philosophy, science, economy, technique, precision and endless amounts of imagination. Having previously designed hospitality projects including Paris’ Bhudda Bar and Montreal’s W Hotel, he now channels this catalouge of concepts and an undercurrent of tradition throughout Quinta da Comporta, a sustainable boutique in the town he considers a home away from home. 101088056072 © Robert Rieger © Manolo Yllera

FRONT DESKStrawberry StudiosStockport, SK1 3AZ, UKTel: +44 (0)161 476 8390www.sleepermagazine.com POWERED BYPORTFOLIO@SleeperMagazineRetail cover price (where sold): £7.95. Annual subscription rates (6 issues): UK: £65.00 • Europe: £85.00 • RoW: £110.00Subscription records maintained at Sleeper Media. Sleeper (ISSN: 1476-4075 / USPS: 21550) is published bi-monthly by Mondiale Media Ltd and is distributed in the USA by RRD/Spatial. Pending periodicals postage paid at South Hackensack, NJ. Send address changes to Sleeper, c/o RRD, 1250 Valley Brook Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA • Mailed by Spatial Global • Printed by Buxton PressEDITORIALEditor-in-ChiefMatt [email protected] EditorCatherine [email protected] EditorKristofer [email protected] EditorBen [email protected] AssistantDonna [email protected] EditorRichard [email protected] DittrichEditorial InternEleanor HowardBUSINESS DEVELOPMENTRebecca [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ManagerDavid [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] & MARKETINGBrand DirectorAmy [email protected] ManagerLela [email protected] & MarketingMillie [email protected] & ReadershipHayley [email protected] [email protected]@mondiale.co.ukAHEADGlobal SponsorshipLorraine [email protected] DirectorAmanda [email protected] Credit ControllerLynette [email protected] Accounts AssistantKerry [email protected] AssistantIdaira Canellas [email protected] Walsh

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021Having wowed the Sleep & Eat crowd with a dynamic and vibrant concept guestroom, twenty2degrees Creative Director Joe Stella sails to the Mediterranean to soak up the sun in a fantasy palazzo. Joe StellaCHECK-INWhere are you?In a recently restored palazzo, on the grounds of a small private island in the Mediterranean and the weather is perfect.How did you get there?Sailed from the Sicilian coast on an Italian super yacht.And who’s at the concierge desk?Surprisingly, the actor Christoph Waltz. He has a lead role in a new Wes Anderson film and is doing a stint on the island in order to get into character.Who are you sharing your room with?My wife, SJ. We have travelled far and wide together, but are always drawn back to the Mediterranean; the perfect Summer weather, the freshest food and the warmest of the people. Is there anything you would like waiting for you in your room?Afternoon sunlight, a cool breeze, the sound of the sea nearby, and freshly made mezcal margarita’s with pink grapefruit and lots of chilli. Describe the hotel, your room and the view...?An amazingly ornate renaissance building that was partly decaying prior to its refurbishment and has recently been restored with contemporary additions. The result is a blissfully harmonious balance of contemporary and Renaissance architecture. The island’s landscape is rugged, its contours and tones a feast for the eye; nearer at hand, the palazzo’s enchanting gardens offer just the right manicured touch surrounding the main hotel building. Who designed it?Hotel lobby and guestrooms by Wes Anderson, restaurants by AvroKO, cocktail bar and dining room by Kelly Wearstler, contemporary architectural additions by Neri&Hu, music by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, and an eclectic mix of art adorning the walls by Paul Insect, Mike Ballard, Rebecca Horn & Kate MccGwire. What’s the restaurant and bar like?There are three restaurants at the hotel, but tonight we dine off-site in the Old Hop House on the estate. Its original circular structures seem to be similar to the Trulli you find in Puglia and there is a raw, rustic appearance to the exterior. However, when you enter you are met with a space that contrasts the outside magnificently. Its recent refurbishment is both avant-garde and calm, designed yet unconventional. Light pastel coloured, hand rendered walls are coupled with warm timbers and soft, bright hand woven rugs. Each circular space houses one large circular communal dining table in the centre, perfect for sharing both a meal and stories.Who are you dining with this evening?Anthony Bourdain, Ettore Sottsass, Nick Cave, the local wine maker, and of course my wife SJ.Who’s manning the stoves?My good friends from Sood Family take Italian cuisine to the next level and do fantastic pop-ups across London. They would be in their element here and would shine in this environment.And what’s on the menu?The main course is freshly caught seafood, barbecued over coal and paired with an unknown bottle of chilled wine that was handed to me by a friend in Lisbon on a recent trip to Portugal. Followed by an Italian cheese and Australian honey degustation for desert and a boozy citrus sorbetto cleanser. All accompanied with my aperitivo of choice, a Stellaspritz – using one of the Stellacello Pompelmo liqueurs I concoct myself.What’s on your nightstand at bedtime?I always have a small sketchbook on the nightstand in case an idea springs to mind during the night. The most bizarre ideas come at the most unexpected times.Would you like a newspaper or magazine in the morning?I ban reading the newspaper while travelling. Relaxing holidays and world news are kind of an oxymoron. Swimming pool, spa or gym?An outdoor infinity pool with a majestic view.NOTABLE HOTEL PROJECTSThe Dixon Hotel London; Hyatt Regency Nairobi, Marriott Prague, Marriott Budapestwww.twenty2degrees.com



RosewoodDOHARosewood Hotels & Resorts has announced a planned 2022 opening date for Rosewood Doha Lusail City, the brand’s first property in Qatar. Featuring 185 guestrooms, 173 serviced apartments and 300 residences, the project will be created in partnership with Arkaz Investment and forms part of the US$45 billion Lusail City development – a mixed-use scheme spanning 38km and four islands with 19 residential, entertainment and commercial districts. “Rosewood Doha and Rosewood Residences Doha will create a new and differentiated benchmark for ultra-luxury hospitality in the region,” says Sonia Cheng, CEO, Rosewood Hotel Group. “We are honoured to be a part of Qatar’s ambitious vision and will be thrilled to see it realised in the coming years. This project represents our third outpost for the Rosewood brand in the Middle East; building on our unwavering dedication to innovation and service excellence, it exemplifies our strategy of thoughtful growth in the region.”Housed within two distinctive towers conceptualised by the Arab Engineering Bureau and Chief Architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah, the hotel will seek to respond to its surrounding environment whilst reflecting the cultural context of the uber-development it forms a part of. Amenities are set to feature eight culinary outlets including a bistro, lobby lounge, coffee shop, deli, three specialty restaurants, and cigar and entertainment lounges, whilst a 1,500m ballroom and multiple event 2venues will host a variety of functions. A signature spa and Manor Club executive lounge complete the offer. “We are delighted to join hands with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, renowned for its one-of-a-kind collection underpinned by its iconic A Sense of Place philosophy,” adds Aman G. Shahani, CEO, Arkaz Investments. “We are proud to showcase the rich culture of Qatar as well as our visionary and innovative ambition for the future through Rosewood’s uniquely sophisticated lens and become the new lifestyle destination for Lusail City and Qatar.”DRAWINGBOARD

DRAWING BOARD024Kisawa Sanctuary – a series of 12 luxury bungalows set in a 750-acre stretch of Mozambique forest – has announced a summer 2020 opening date. Seeking to combine cultural celebration with environmental conservation on Benguerra Island, the development will feature a mixture of one-, two- and three-bedroom accommodations individually housed within one-acre plots. Each will feature its own beachfront access, private swimming pool, shaded day area, outdoor kitchen, massage hut and pantry, whilst an F&B programme is set to incorporate two beach clubs, a lagoon-style swimming pool, the Baracca beach bar, and a library and lounge. Intended as a light touch against the landscape, with deep connections to island culture and nature, the interior design scheme will incorporate the work of local artisans and materials – including traditional Mozambican weaving, thatching, carpentry and textile techniques – whilst the construction process throughout will employ innovative 3D sand-printing technology, commissioned specifically for this project. A standalone spa specialising in traditional Chinese medicine – and contained within a structure with architecture inspired by the island’s thatched houses and community buildings – completes the offer. “My mission for Kisawa is to create a level of hospitality and design that to my knowledge, does not exist today, a place that inspires feelings of freedom and luxury born from nature, space and true privacy,” says founder Nina Flohr. “We have used design as a tool, not as a style, to ensure Kisawa is integrated, both culturally and environmentally into Mozambique.” Kisawa SanctuaryMOZAMBIQUEEXPRESS CHECK-OUTDeveloper: Nina Flohr, Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studieswww.kisawasanctuary.com



DRAWING BOARD02625hours Hotel Company has announced its second hotel in Copenhagen will open in early 2024. Located in the city centre on the island of Christiansholm, the 128-key 25hours Hotel Paper Island will feature architecture by Cobe and interiors by Stylt Trampoli, the latter having previously designed the brand’s Düsseldorf outpost in 2018. When complete, It will join 25hours Hotel Copenhagen in the city, slated to open in 2021 with interiors by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio and architecture by BBP Arkitekter.“The only thing better than one hotel opening in a new city is two openings!” explains Florian Kollenz, Chief Development Officer, 25hours Hotel Company. “We’re very proud to be working on the new hotel project with CØ P/S, a consortium consisting of the pension fund Danica and project developers Nordkranen and Union Kul.”The project takes its name from the district’s former life as a storage place for the large rolls of paper used by Danish newspapers. More recently, the island has emerged as a popular urban destination, with cultural institutions including the city’s Opera House nearby, and a new public park, waterfront cultural centre and promenade all in the works.“At 25hours, food and drink should and must play a central role,” Managing Director Michael End adds. “We’ll be working on Paper Island with both brand new and proven partners. As well as a restaurant and café on the ground floor, a rooftop bar is also planned. At the moment, my favourite part is the two house boats in front of the hotel for which we are currently evaluating various concepts, including a sauna and bar.”Further upcoming openings from the brand include properties in Florence and Dubai, both of which are set to open in 2020. 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino has been designed by Paola Navone and occupies a former bank building in the Tuscan capital, whilst 25hours Hotel Dubai – the group’s Middle Eastern debut – will feature interiors by Woods Bagot. 25hours Hotel Paper IslandCOPENHAGENEXPRESS CHECK-OUTInvestor: DanicaDeveloper: Nordkranen, Union KulOperator: Accor, 25hours Hotel CompanyArchitecture: CobeInterior Design: Stylt Trampoliwww.25hours-hotels.com

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DRAWING BOARD028HDHP – a social enterprise by HDH Capital – has appointed Pritzker Prize-winning architect Ryue Nishizawa to design the second Shishi-Iwa House. Set to open in 2021, the eight-key property is nestled in the woodlands of Karuizawa, a mountain resort in Japan’s Nagano prefecture, where it will reside on the same street as its Shigeru Ban-designed predecessor. Similar to the first, the project aims to provide guests with a sanctuary for reconnection, fostering intellectual creativity whilst paying homage to traditional Japanese residential architecture. Comprising a cluster of 10 interconnected pavilions based on the shaku-kan grid system – prefabricated offsite and intended to yield minimal waste – the retreat will be constructed primarily from locally-sourced hinoki cypress wood.“We are honoured to have Ryue Nishizawa as the master architect for our second project,” explains Huy Hoang, Director of Shishi-Iwa House and CEO of HDH Capital Management. “His design philosophy is defined by transparency, a mastery of scale, and dismantling to create an environment that eliminates borders.”Featuring common areas including a library, shared living rooms and kitchenettes, a tea house, bath house and catering kitchen, the project’s atypical architecture is intended to create different degrees of privacy, whilst a series of hidden alleys and courtyards seek to instil a sense of discovery. Gardens will be planted with hundreds of maple and cherry trees whilst a collection of 17 -century silk screens thwill complement the historic leanings. “Nishizawa’s works are always beautifully simple in ideas but extremely complex in execution,” Hoang adds. “We are thrilled that the public will finally have the opportunity to stay in a retreat designed by Nishizawa, marking the next development of Shishi-Iwa House collection.”Shishi-Iwa HouseNAGANOEXPRESS CHECK-OUTDeveloper: HDHPArchitecture: Ryue Nishizawawww.shishiiwahouse.jp

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DRAWING BOARD030SHA Wellness Clinic has revealed plans to take its integrated medical and holistic concept worldwide, with its second project set to land in Mexico in 2021. Building on the success of the original Alicante facility, the 100-suite SHA Mexico will be located in Cancun, across the bay from Isla Mujeres. Conceptualised by Mexican architecture studio Sordo Madaleno and interior architect Alejandro Escudero, the property will be located in seven hectares of flora and fauna, and in close proximity to a white-sand beach. Incorporating the brand’s sustainability principals, the construction process will employ predominantly natural materials and renewable energy sources in order to minimise environmental impact. The interior scheme, meanwhile, will combine Mexican ceramics, marble, wicker and locally-sourced fabrics for a calming aesthetic. Landscaping by Maat Handasa will seek to connect the resort’s outdoor and indoor space for a seamless transition. Offering health programmes personalised to meet the needs of each guest, SHA Wellness Clinic combines scientific medical practice with natural remedies, with elements of genetic, mental, lifestyle and nutritional healthcare also present across the group’s efforts.Since 2008 and the launch of the first project, the founding Bataller family have overseen a long-term expansion strategy that will subsequently see plans announced to open properties across all continents. Following the Mexico launch, the group will prepare for the 2023 opening of SHA Emirates at Aljurf, a 120-key, AED6 million property in Abu Dhabi developed in collaboration with Imkan. With architecture overseen by MYAA and BSBG Concept, the property will further include 293 residential units.SHA Wellness ClinicCANCUNEXPRESS CHECK-OUTOwner: The Battaler FamilyArchitecture: Sordo MadelanoInterior Design: Alejandro EscuderoLandscaping: Maat Handasawww.shawellnessclinic.com

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DRAWING BOARD032Hard Rock International will expand its European hotel portfolio with the 2023 opening of Hard Rock Hotel Prague, the company has announced. Adding to its 75-country brand presence, the 523-key project will overlook the Czech capital’s Letna Park, bringing together amenities including a rooftop swimming pool, sky bar and Rock Spa as well as branded gym, retail, and event spaces.“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work on this hotel with Hard Rock International, which will be the operator and tenant of the property,” says Michal Viktorin, Director of developer EP Real Estate. “It is undoubtedly a respected hotel chain that will complement the existing portfolio of Prague hotels. For EP Real Estate, this is a key project in the domestic market, which we have been paying maximum attention to since the initial planning stage.”Combining architecture by Pelčák a Partner Architekti Prague and interiors by British firm Fuse Studios, the design will seek to bring the brand’s signature style to Prague’s Old Town by way of distinctive elements such as the property’s feature wall – a 5,900ft soundwave 2of moving light spanning three floors by the lobby bar – as well as a curated selection of music memorabilia. Elsewhere, the F&B programme is set to incorporate the Sessions restaurant as well as the Constant Grind Coffee & Bar, serving light bites through the day and doubling as a cocktail bar at night. “Prague is a striking favourite amongst European capital cities and has experienced great development in its tourism industry in recent years,” adds Todd Hricko, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Hotel Business Development, Hard Rock International. “Hard Rock is honoured to announce the arrival of its music-infused presence to this beautiful city following two years of work on the project.”Hard Rock PRAGUEEXPRESS CHECK-OUTDeveloper: EP Real EstateArchitecture: Pelčák a Partner architekti PragueInterior Design: Fuse Studioswww.hardrockhotels.com

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MEETING…It is Veteran’s Day in New York City, and the annual 20,000-strong parade is halfway across Chelsea by the time I reach the Stonehill Taylor offices. On its route north from Madison Square Park – walking a mile and change up FifthAvenue until they reach the Diamond District and 46 Street – the procession will rarely find thitself more than a few blocks from a hotel the firm had a hand in. The NoMad on 28 will see ththem off, with Moxy Chelsea located just a few minutes walk east. Ace Hotel unfolds on the left a couple of blocks later, so too St. Regis as they close in on St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Then The Whitby, more or less overlooking the finish line to play them out. Up in the office, we meet in a room showcasing a selection of trophies and awards the 87-person firm has received. Amongst the highlights are a brace of AHEAD Americas awards from 2019; one for the eponymous restaurant at NoMad Las Vegas – where the studio translated its acclaimed concept for the original NYC project to the sin city strip – alongside two finalist places for their interior design scheme at the Eliza Jane Hotel – a heritage project built within seven internally conjoined historic warehouses in New Orleans – and their work as architect at the Moxy Chelsea, a 37-storey industrial greenhouse inspired newbuild, atop which the ambitiously realised Fleur Room sits. A year previous, the firm had taken home the Suite award for its architectural work at The Whitby.Later in the conversation, Paul D. Taylor, President of Stonehill Taylor, will tell me that he faced a challenge when starting out, in that he had won no prizes at the time, and thus lacked the valuable networking and social currency they provide. When I point to the veritable haul behind us, he laughs, and explains “don’t worry, I saved those for later”.The Stonehill Taylor portfolio stretches from Portland to Fort Lauderdale, and across the hospitality, residential, education and health sectors, though above all, it has become a specialist in New York hotels.Meeting…Paul D. TaylorFollowing a year that saw Stonehill Taylor wrap up an iconic transformation and scoop two AHEAD awards, President and founding partner Paul Taylor talks creating hotels for the city that never sleeps. Words: Kristofer Thomas • Portrait Photography: © Gerardo Vizmanos

MEETING…

MEETING…037Born and raised a couple of stops South in Greenwich Village, then educated over the river at the Pratt Institute, Taylor would have walked past the buildings that his company’s work would come to define often. If ever the term stomping ground was applicable in such a global industry, the veteran architect could lay solid claim to The Big Apple being his. At school, Taylor excelled in maths and science, whilst his artist parents oversaw more creative endeavours at home. Applying for his new school’s art programme in fifth grade, Taylor’s mother was called in to explain why the ten-year-old had submitted an adult’s work as his own. For a while he saw himself a scientist, but success in a later competition had him reconsider. “Add math, science and art together and you get architecture,” a friend had remarked. Completing a five-year college programme in four, Taylor was a practicing interior architect at 22, and hired by what was then Lundquist & Stonehill by 24.In an era when interior design was something of an afterthought, Taylor was tapped for his keen aesthetic eye, bringing a valuable presence to the table that would see him holding a 50% stake in the firm upon Oliver Lundquist’s retirement in 1986. Early success came in the form of a project for investor Harry B. Macklowe, as production architect for the interiors of what is now the Millennium Hotel off Times Square. Disrupted by the savings and loan crisis, however, the project saw its investor go bankrupt, and Singapore’s CDL, who already had a controlling interest in the Millenium Hotel chain worldwide, snap up the site along with a controlling interest in the Plaza Hotel. As the seemingly doomed hotel’s listed architect, Taylor was called in by Chase Manhattan to work on the property before it was handed over, then subsequently became the chain’s Master Architect when the transaction was complete. A decade and 10 major projects later, Taylor returned to New York having cut his teeth across the country, with one of his final undertakings in this role the restoration of the Millennium hotel in Lower Manhattan following 9/11. With Stonehill set to retire, and Taylor having uncovered an exceptional niche, he found himself back home, ready to step back into the firm and begin the impressive run of work that brings us to today. The studio became Stonehill & Taylor, before the ampersand was dropped as part of a sleek 2017 rebrand. “It was perfect because we could do the whole thing,” he explains. “Covering both architecture and interiors allowed us to really think about the bigger picture and consider the experience.”Balanced between its interiors and architecture departments – which work together and independently across the studio’s slate of projects – Stonehill Taylor has forged close collaborations with hoteliers and developers who value the breadth of the firm’s operational scope. Beyond architecture and design, Taylor explains that he and his company have long looked beyond the traditional responsibilities of what he refers to as the “capital A” architect. “I have always taken a bigger role than asked,” he says. “At first it was how we made business, but now it’s the reason people come to us. I’ve always been flexible working in a given situation and would never want to say this is what architects do, no more, no less – if it’s a great project we’ll go above and beyond.”At the Millennium Hilton restoration this meant overseeing board reports, insurance claims, consultancy recruitment and more on top of his role as a designer; an on-the-job education in everything else that goes into a hotel besides design. This fluency later saw him connect with Tim and Kit Kemp of Firmdale Hotels – advising the duo on suitable Manhattan locations for the group’s US debut, The Crosby Street Hotel – then facilitate their vision of fusing New York’s metropolitan spirit with Firmdale’s decidedly British flavour. Eight years later, when the Kemps returned to explore the possibility of a follow up, Taylor’s firm was an obvious choice for partner, and the special relationship bore its second fruit in The Whitby. Likewise, with Sydell Group Taylor oversaw the first NoMad hotel – working with designer Jacques Garcia to emulate Paris’ Costes Hotel – then its Las Vegas counterpart that channels elements of the original. An ongoing agreement with Manhattan-based developer Lightstone has seen Stonehill Taylor design the architecture for five Moxy hotels in New York alone, subsequent to having played a large role in defining the brand’s playful character. “As a designer you’re helping to identify the business and model as much as you are colours that match and the right set of curtains.” he says. Two more Moxys are currently in the works in Bowery and Brooklyn, but whilst differentiating five identically branded hotels within the same quilt of urban fabric may sound like a daunting task, each of the series has gone on to develop its own coherent identity. The corten steel exterior grid and the greenhouse-esque façade cladding Moxy Chelsea, for instance, remain a far cry visually from the neon dazzle of Moxy Times Square, and even further from the bohemian Moxy East Village. Each bears the Moxy name and level of service, though each demonstrates a level of detail drawn from the locale that only a New York native would be familiar with. This “As a designer you’re now helping to identify the market and model as much as you are colours that match and the right set of curtains.”Moxy Chelsea channels the spirit of New York’s flower district by way of a greenhouse-esque façade in corten steel

MEETING…038partnership in particular has afforded Taylor a vantage point from which to observe the habits and values emerging across the incoming class of younger guests. “Each generation is a little bit different from the last, but also a little bit the same,” he notes. “There are two factors that will determine the direction of the hospitality industry. The first is the high cost of real estate in urban contexts, and the shrinking of room sizes this results in – because if you cannot justify a project financially in this market then it will not be made. The second is the hotel as a destination, which it now must be in itself, and not simply somewhere to explore a location from. There must absolutely be a sense that, in choosing a hotel, the guest is creating a key part of their overall experience. When these ideas reach across to other price points there will be a drastic redefinition of what luxury really means.” However, Taylor has perhaps already played a part in this redefinition with the 2019 launch of TWA Hotel occupying Eero Saarinen’s iconic former JFK terminal, where the firm designed guestrooms and public spaces and worked with a team of four other studios to transform the landmark structure’s function whilst simultaneously retaining, channelling and continuing the spirit of its form. “That was a big one,” Taylor smiles. “What we did there actually plays into one of my favourite concepts from throughout my career – returning something back to what it never was. TWA was never a hotel, so how did we achieve this? Well, the word authenticity is very tricky, and thrown around loosely these days, yet in those guestrooms there are three authentic things Saarinen did – the womb chair, the tulip table and executive chair, which are still as contemporary as any designer working today. He never knew it would be a hotel, but those spaces feel coherent, like they are part of the history and journey through terminal.”Indeed, a close reading of Saarinen’s vision in tandem with a deep-dive of TWA and jet age aesthetics resulted in one of the year’s “There must absolutely be a sense that, in choosing a hotel, the guest is creating a key part of their overall experience.”Having overseen the creation of the original NoMad for Sydell Group, Stonehill Taylor translated the celebrated concept to Las Vegas for a standout new addition to the strip© Benoit Linero

E X C L USI VE CAR PE T S A ND R UG Swww.deirdredyson.comLOOKIng thrOugh from the Looking glass Collection

MEETING…040most talked about openings, with the firm’s work ensuring what was never a hotel feels like it always has been. Within guestrooms, the studio’s own product designs sit alongside Saarinen’s to create schemes that recommence the building’s story as opposed to simply channelling it. Saarinen himself once worked and roomed with Taylor’s former boss, Lundquist, designing information packets for the OSS, a wartime intelligence agency and predecessor to the CIA. It may have taken a while, but the brief connection came full circle. “I was very proud of how our work feels sympathetic with the whole experience, whilst still allowing Saarinen to be the hero,” he notes.Though the project may differ vastly from comparable price points, TWA perhaps signals a sea change, with guests ready to pay premium rates to experience a unique kind of statement design. It may be a few more stops on the subway than Taylor is used to, though doubtless opens a new chapter in both the contexts of New York’s hospitality scene and the firm itself’s more recent history. Whilst Taylor admits that expanding the studio’s slate of international projects could benefit their sustainability long term, business remains strong in New York, with the city recording the highest national levels in occupancy, ADR and RevPAR benchmarks through 2018, making it the best performer in the country – one that shows no signs of slowing down. Designing a resort in the Bahamas would certainly be nice, he acknowledges, however it is perhaps the many years that Taylor has spent traversing the streets directly below us that now sees him a paradoxical expert in creating hotels for a city they say never sleeps. By the time I leave the office, the Veteran’s Day parade has almost finished its march, the route following a spine of prominent hotels that trace both the manner in which the Big Apple’s hospitality landscaped has changed, and the hand in which our man in New York and his studio have had in changing it. A major reimagining of Eero Saarinen’s TWA Terminal at JFK airport saw the studio transforming the function of a landmark piece of American architecture whilst continuing its story© David Mitchell

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2020 DATES ANNOUNCEDAHEAD ASIATHURSDAY 12 MARCH 2020ANDAZ SINGAPOREAsia 2021 will open for entries in August 2020, for projects completed between September 2019 and August 2020AHEAD MEAWEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2020CAESARS FORUM BLUEWATERS DUBAIOpen for Entries: From 2 March 2020Criteria: For projects completed between January 2019 and February 2020AHEAD AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2020FAENA FORUM MIAMIOpen for Entries: Until 31 January 2020 Criteria: For projects completed between November 2018 and December 2019AHEAD EUROPE WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2020 EXHIBITION LONDONOpen for Entries: From 1 April 2020Criteria: For projects opened between June 2019 and May 2020

For tickets and more information on how to enter please visit: www.aheadawards.comCATEGORIES• BAR, CLUB OR LOUNGE• EVENT SPACES• GUESTROOMS• HOTEL CONVERSION• HOTEL NEWBUILD• HOTEL RENOVATION & RESTORATION• LANDSCAPING & OUTDOOR SPACES• LOBBY & PUBLIC SPACES• LODGES, CABINS & TENTED CAMPS• RESORT• RESTAURANT• SPA & WELLNESS• SUITE• TRANSPORT• VISUAL IDENTITYFOUNDATION SPONSORORGANISED BYPOWERED BYGLOBAL FOUNDER SPONSORGLOBAL SPONSORS

‘Hyatt’s first UK opening for their Unbound Collection at Great Scotland Yard was a technically demanding project that sensitively transformed the Edwardian army recruiting office and its retained brick and stone façades into a vibrant and characterful hotel.’Nick RaynerDirector, EPR ArchitectsThe GreatScotland Yard HotelWhitehall, LondonUnbound Collection by Hyatt

Over the past 25 years, Design Hotels has been at the vanguard of original hospitality experiences, curating a global collection of independent, design-led hotels that go beyond the basic bed and board. In celebration of its anniversary, the collective has released The Design Hotels Book 2020, presenting in-depth profiles of 25 newly opened hotels that are reshaping the international hospitality landscape and changing the way we think about travel. From the converted wine tanks of Dexamenes Seaside Hotel in Greece to the immersive arts programme at Kazerne in the Netherlands, each property has established itself as a benchmark in the industry, emerging as a beacon for pioneering design, extraordinary engagement and communal development. Groundbreaking architecture and thought-provoking design unite the profiled hotels, a number of which have been crafted by the leading architects and designers of today, including Vincent van Duysen and Japan’s master of minimalism, Tadao Ando. Tasked with capturing the character and visual identity of these properties were award-winning photographers Robbie Lawrence, Jake Curtis, Danilo Scarpati and Nacho Alegre, whose images are woven throughout a series of 16-page features that explore the original concept, generative design and community relationships of each hotel. Within its pages, The Design Hotels Book also details the individual properties that make up the entire collection, tracing the defining styles and movements from this era, as well as the visionaries bringing them to life. “These hotels stand out because of the people behind them,” says Design Hotels CEO Peter Cole. “These are true originals, whose passion, sensibility and vision shine through in the minutest details of the guest experience.”A Different Kind of BookingA new book from Design Hotels explores 25 trailblazing members that are rewriting the narrative of modern hospitality. THE LOBBY

THE LOBBY046It is not uncommon for hotels to place destination dining at the heart of their concepts, but what happens when a particular food item becomes their true focal point, design inspiration and all-encompassing raison d’être? Hotella Nutella of course! Ferrero, ‘The Makers of The Original Hazelnut Spread’ have created a pop-up in Napa Valley inviting superfans of the delicacy to an unforgettable bed-and-breakfast experience centred around the much-loved spread.Featuring larger-than-life jars of Nutella and hazelnut-and-cocoa spread-inspired furnishings, the concept follows in the footsteps of the Nutella Cafés in New York and Chicago, giving Nutella-aficionados unexpected ways to celebrate their love for the spread through immersive activities that highlight the best of the brand. This includes interactive breakfast sessions dreamed up by the Nutella Weekend Breakfast Chef Team, a panel of notable culinary talent. Iron Chef and Food Network celebrity judge Geoffrey Zakarian will show guests that breakfast for dinner has never been easier with Nutella, while chef and TV personality Tanya Holland will infuse her modern Southern breakfast recipes with the magic of the spread. Elsewhere, Dancakes – the famous pancake artist team whose creations have become viral sensations – will also be on-hand to teach fans how to make their own pancake designs that can be enjoyed with – you guessed it – Nutella.“Hotella Nutella reimagines the joy of the hotel stay with a special breakfast experience that allows fans to enjoy Nutella in new and different ways,” says Todd Midura, Vice President of Marketing at Nutella North America, Ferrero. “We hope our guests learn how to recreate the magic of Hotella Nutella at home, giving them more opportunities to gather with friends and family to enjoy a special breakfast.”Although Hotella Nutella is only open to a few lucky competition winners, it may well inspire a sweet, new hospitality concept for the future.Suite SpotThe makers of Nutella unveil a pop-up hotel that invites superfans to celebrate their love for the hazelnut-and-cocoa spread in new ways.

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THE LOBBY048THE LOBBYA new study from Element by Westin shows that more than a quarter of Americans live in a different city than their childhood or college friends and family, and often depend on long trips to see each other. With this in mind, Marriott International has unveiled its Studio Commons concept, providing an innovative solution for groups looking to spend time together in a more private setting while still enjoying the convenience of a hotel room.Element’s Studio Commons communal rooms are designed to appeal to a variety of different needs throughout the year – whether that be friends and families travelling together to celebrate special events such as a family reunion or birthday party, or co-workers looking to collaborate on a project. Anchored by four private guestrooms, travellers can cook, collaborate and relax together in shared More in CommonElement Hotels debuts an innovative communal living room concept to foster opportunities for meaningful IRL connections.kitchen and living room areas, allowing them to live as they do at home without having to compromise space, comfort or amenities. The communal spaces range from 600-650ft , while 2each of the four adjacent guestrooms range from 250-280ft . 2The Studio Commons layout debuted at the new Element in Scottsdale in June 2019, followed by Boulder, Colorado in July. Additional Studio Commons units are expected to be rolled out at Element Hotels opening in Sedona, Sacramento, Ontario and Minneapolis within the next year, and are slated to be featured at all new Element Hotels signed after the first quarter of 2017. “We all know that humans are inherently wired for connection,” comments Toni Stoeckl, Global Brand Leader, Element Hotels, and Vice President, Distinctive Select Brands, Marriott International. “As a brand that has always been focused on helping travellers stay in their element while fostering a sense of community, Element Hotels’ new communal room concept enables travellers to come together and celebrate what’s most important to them – the relationships in their lives. Whether you’re taking part in a group bike ride or cooking a meal with your group in our fully equipped in-room kitchen, we hope this will give all our guests the chance to slow down, reconnect with the ones who matter and remind themselves about what they value as important.” Prior to this official roll-out, Element Hotels piloted its Studio Commons concept at Marriott’s first-ever pop-up innovation lab in Downtown Los Angeles. Underscoring the goal of continuously innovating the guest experience with an eye on design and technology, the interactive model hotel experience allowed the brand to crowdsource real-time feedback from industry professionals, hotel guests, associates and the general public.“Element Hotels is always looking for ways to continue to innovate in the longer stay space, so this new design concept is an exciting next step for the brand,” adds Aliya Khan, Vice President of Design, Global Design Strategies, Marriott International. “Through our research we learned that Element’s guests value being able to replicate their home environment while travelling, so separating their sleep and work spaces were particularly important with this new offering.”

Hotel The Ritz Carlton BerlinTapeçarias Ferreira de Sá, S.A. | Rua Ferreira de Sá, 50 - Silvalde , 4500-629 Espinho | T:(+351) 227 333 070 | [email protected]

THE LOBBY050During his lifetime, Karl Lagerfeld’s indescribable creativity and extravagant lifestyle influenced creatives around the globe. Having overseen the transformation of Chanel into an international super-brand and dabbled in hospitality projects, the legacy of the fashion designer is now being immortalised by Oetker Collection in an exhibition curated by Kiki Kausch. Hosted by Brenners Park Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Karl Cool features a collection of works created especially for the event. Among the exhibitors are renowned contemporary artist Gregor Hildebrandt, international graffiti artist MadC, light designer Susanne Rottenbacher, and photographer Kiki Kausch, whose first work was in fact a portrait of Lagerfeld.“Our hotels are places of interchange,” comments Frank Marrenbach, CEO of Oetker Collection. “Creating space for unplanned encounters with contemporary art is also important to us. Now, we are taking the next step. Artworks can for the first time be experienced on our premises before appearing at exhibitions or galleries. Not only are the artists placing their confidence in us, but are presenting us with this magical moment.”Karl KoolSome guests will settle for a fridge magnet as a means to remember their favourite hotel experience; a souvenir that can be carried through customs without much fuss then promptly forgotten during the un-pack. For others though, only needling a permanent reminder directly into their skin will suffice. Guests in the latter camp then, will be pleased to learn that Anantara Siam has their back – possibly quite literally – as it gears up to welcome Sak Yant master Ajarn Neng Onnu to the hotel for private sessions through 2020. Also known as bamboo tattoos, Sak Yant is the intricate process of hand-engraving sacred cultural designs onto the body with a traditional Khem Sak – a metal rod passed between masters of the craft. Popular amongst Thai natives and Hollywood A-listers alike, the designs often take the form of ancient geometric patterns, prayer symbols or deity marks, with many believing the tattoos to hold magical powers of luck, protection and fortune. With over 10,000 happy customers under his needle, Onnu has garnered acclaim as one of the country’s foremost tattooists. His sessions at Anantara Siam will be performed in the privacy of a suite, with a ceremony to bless both art and body, leaving the subject with a permanent reminder of their stay. “We are honoured and thrilled to welcome Ajarn Neng to one of Bangkok’s most exclusive addresses and to offer our guests an authentic, once-in-a lifetime experience that is a quintessential Thai tradition,” explains Daniel Simon, the hotel’s General Manager. “Perfectly blending an elegant location with an indigenous experience, every detail has been carefully considered to ensure the traditional sacred tattoos are executed with the utmost care given to hygiene and comfort.” Whilst guests may not come away with magic powers, they will leave with a lifelong reminder of their time at the Anantara flagship. With the brand’s motto stating Life is a Journey, there can be few more effective milestones than this. Ink Tank© Paul Schirnhofer© Tom Hoops