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Hotel Interior Design 2014

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Contents

WelcomeLooks are important. No matter how friendly or knowledgeable your staff are inside your hotel, an ugly exterior and outdated design will put guests off straight away. The pictures that potential customers see of your hotel will undoubtedly be what clinches the deal, so while a great description and appealing price will help promote your offering, nothing sells like images of a beautifully designed and groomed hotel.

So if your current look doesn’t quite cut the mustard, then a little makeover could be just what your hotel needs to encourage new custom. Whether it’s your bedrooms needing a bit of TLC, or a lick of paint and some new fixtures in your restaurant, we can help.

In this supplement we arm you with the right information, new products and designer tips and tricks to help you on your way to design stardom. We hope you find it an enjoyable read,

Zoe MonkEditor @hotel_business

04 What’s New? The latest innovations

and news from the refurb sector

06 Thomann-Hanry The Ritz08 Airwave Case studies10 Clever Design Tips

and Tricks We seek advice from some

big name designers on transforming your space for less

12 Liberis A new style of funding14 Thomann-Hanry The Goring Hotel17 Forbes Hotel TV Lasting Impression18 Get the Look A peak inside South

Place Hotel and its exclusive design

20 Liberis Top tips21 Thomann-Hanry Building cleaning

& restoration 22 Refurbishment Clinic We diagnose

some common renovation queries

12

18

14

0845 555 1212 • [email protected]

The Complete Hotel TV Solution from Samsung

W ith sleek design, high-quality LED picture, and a host of commercial features, Airwave’s Samsung

Hospitality TV Solution will leave your guests eager to come back for more.

Branded hotel information servicesWhat better way to generate extra revenue and promote hotel services, facilities and special offers than directly to guests via their TVs? Samsung’s LYNK SINC system is fully branded by Airwave to include hotel logos, images and videos.

Smart FeaturesEntertain your guests with a wide variety of online apps such as BBC iPlayer, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and even allow them to play out their own content wirelessly from their devices, making them feel truly at home. The Samsung Smart Hub allows you to select the most relevant global and local apps to suit your guest mix.

Coming soonThe new Samsung HW-H610 Sound Stand.. It’s an ideal solution for those who want a soundbar for a stand mounted TV. With its sleek design, active crossovers and vibration reduction technology, it’s the perfect balance of design, space efficiency and sound quality.

new releases

4 www.hotel-magazine.co.uk

Check out this selection of the latest products set to inspire your refurbishment project

What'sNew?David Rockwell Launches Layered Luxe Collection with Shaw Hospitality GroupRockwell Group has developed its first broadloom carpet collection with Shaw Hospitality Group, a Georgia-based flooring manufacturer committed to producing sustainable, cradle certified flooring. The collaboration is the result of a long, ongoing relationship between Rockwell Group and Shaw.

The new collection encompasses Rockwell Group’s interest in both natural elements and the modern grid.

A variety of compositions were created combining organic forms with linear divisions, layering these elements into tonal shifts creating richness and depth. The varying degrees of cut and loop piles add textural effects complimentary to the patterns, and further enhance the upscale look and feel of the carpet.

Inspiration for the collection came in many different forms, including semi-precious stones such as Malachite & Quartzite and vintage furniture exhibiting natural weathered abrasion. Heirloom rugs and textiles from central Asia guided the tone of the collection. Raku pottery with its inherent cracking influenced the focus on texture.

The collection features an abstracted tiger’s eye pattern overlaid with a shifting grid; a herringbone pattern with tonal shifts; and motifs in distressed and weathered finishes. The collection will be offered in neutral tones and other colour palettes.

Rockwell Group is the first broadloom collection to be produced on Shaw’s state-of-the-art four-colour Colour Point loom. This new manufacturing technology creates detailed results with a limited number of colours to create a high quality, richly-hued woven carpet from solution dyed yarns at a competitive price point for the hospitality market.

Contactwww.rockwellgroup.com

Company name: Authentic FurnitiureName of product: The Cosy Squire Fabric Wingback Description: The Cosy Squire Fabric Wingback chair (pictured in Merino lambswool Hyde Park Check fabric) is handcrafted in Derbyshire and inspired by the classic designs of years gone by, brought up to date with velvets and soft lambs wool fabrics by Authentic Furniture.What are the selling points? This chair is handmade in Derbyshire. It comes with a choice of sumptuous British velvets or super soft Abraham Moon lambs wool fabric and is then hand finished with piping detail on the front of the arms. It also has a feather infill base cushion. It is available with Authentic Bottle foot, and has been handcrafted using British reclaimed wood.

Product Spotlight

Suitable for: The Cosy Squire Fabric Wingback chair has a super soft and warm feel when finished in Authentic Furniture’s lambs wool fabrics.Price: £1,500Contact: 01629 704 704, [email protected]

Four Interior Design Trends for 2014 James Hardy, head of Europe, Alibaba.com shares his top tips on what fabrics and furnishings to look out for this year

1Get a feel for the OrientA taste of the exotic is perfect in a relaxing lounge area or

bedroom, offering a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Though they may have never really been away, oriental styles are definitely on the rise again this year. Rich colours and textures are set to be extremely popular, especially when it comes to fabrics such as bed linens and cushions – look for purples, turquoises and even pinks. Opulent satins and subtle velvets are also ones to watch.

2 Gemstone tonesBold colours will never go out of fashion, but this year is likely to

see some particularly strong gemstone shades coming through. Emerald green is slightly darker than the tones that have been popular recently, but offers a touch of class with a contemporary feel. The same is true for sapphire blue and ruby red, but remember the semi-precious stones too.

Some suppliers are looking to offer worktops or coffee tables in styles reminiscent of amethyst, agate or tiger’s eye, and this means there’s a range of intriguing aesthetics out there to explore. Don’t just think about fabrics – consider furniture such as tables and even cupboards that will pique customers’ interest.

3 Building and city printsNot a particularly obvious choice, building prints are likely to reach

their potential this year. Look for linens with special designs – photographic images are often seen as too busy for bedding, but more abstract prints, or even those that look hand-drawn, bring a welcome note of individuality. There are also plenty of canvas prints and posters available to spruce up the wall space.

4Monochrome with bright accentsBlack and white are often

staples in any hotel, just like they are in the fashion world. But monochrome patterns interspersed with blocks of a single bright colour can cast the aesthetic in a whole new light. Think about black and white patterns contrasted with cushions or throws in vivid, bold shades like royal blue or mustard yellow. Simple textures will help complete the look while staying true to its minimalist spirit.

new releases


Table StyleWow your guests with a spread fi t for a kingThe 2014 Fashion on the Table collection from Villeroy & Boch offers a range of trend led pieces in ceramic and glass to accentuate your tableware. The collection is updated annually to make sure it is always in keeping with the latest tableware trends.

Fashion for the Table offers a variety of shapes, colours and materials, giving you unlimited options for creating individual table arrangements. All table creations have been designed to reflect fashion trends, while delivering high quality products, which meet the specific demands of the hospitality and catering industry.

Vispring Introduces The Hotel DevonshireNew bed off ers hoteliers maximum comfort and style British luxury bed maker, Vispring has created The Hotel Devonshire bed especially for use in hotels. The eponymously named bed is entirely handmade by Vispring’s master craftsmen. It is generously filled using the best platinum certified pure British fleece wool, sourced from farms in Devon, where Vispring’s factory is based.

Woollen beds offer hygiene and longevity benefits because wool is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, as well as a durable material that can withstand constant use. Wool is also naturally fire retardant and so fewer harsh chemicals are required to meet British fire safety standards.

Beds with woollen fillings also draw moisture away from the body and release it into the air, maintaining a clean and hygienic sleeping surface. Due to wool’s complex cell structure, the Devonshire is a very breathable bed, which will keep guests cooler in the summer, yet warmer in the winter months.

In addition, The Hotel Devonshire has been designed to take advantage of the lightweight nature of wool, which makes flipping the mattress a lot easier for housekeeping staff.

A historic building in the centre of Nottingham has undergone a £1.5m transformation into a new boutique hotel, bar and brasserie.

The Bentinck Hotel is located on Station Street and now boasts 13 luxury bedrooms furnished with comfortable beds, flat-

screen televisions, power showers, and free WiFi.

The building dates back to the 18th century and has been developed to a high standard, while still maintaining many of its traditional period features.

“It is great to see such a beautiful building brought back to its

former glory,” commented Ken Burt, owner of The Bentinck Hotel.

“We are offering guests the choice of 13 individual luxury bedrooms, all with their own modern amenities and individual features.

“Being home to the Capital FM Arena, Trent Bridge, Nottingham Castle

and the two football stadiums, the city has some of the best leisure venues in the county. With the new train station opening soon, The Bentinck Hotel is perfectly placed to offer both short and long stay accommodation at the gateway to Nottingham,” Mr Burt adds.

Hospitality Group, Whitbread has chosen Warings Furniture for a £4m contract to supply and design furniture for part of its coffee shop, restaurant and hotel outlets over the next two years.

The major deal will see Warings Furniture provide all internal and

Nottingham Hotel Gets New Luxury Boutique Look

Whitbread Chooses Warings Furniture for £4m Design Contractof brands were essential factors in selecting Warings Furniture.

“This is the largest single contract win for Warings Furniture to date and comes during a year of significant investment in the business including new warehousing, software system upgrades and recruiting in excess of 30 new staff across all departments,” explained managing directors and owners Graham and Rachael Waring.

“This is a massive contract for us and we’ve worked hard over the past two years to win Whitbread’s business. It is testament to the quality of our people and products, our excellent 30 year track record in the hospitality sector and our ability to provide an exceptionally high level of product and service,” added Mr Waring.

external furniture pieces for more than 2,400 sites across the entire Whitbread portfolio including Premier Inn, Costa Coffee and Brewers Fayre.

Work started at the company’s Norfolk headquarters and manufacturing base in September. Since then it has delivered to more than 100 sites, with many more to follow in the coming months as part of Whitbread’s new opening and refurbishment programme.

Paul Barber, buying director at Costa, explained that the ability to develop new ideas and concepts for different briefs and to supply in quantity for a portfolio

“This is the largest single contract win for

Warings Furniture to date”

Contact0800 592 952www.vispring.co.uk

Contact0208 8875 6011www.tabletalkatvilleroyandboch.com

thomann-hanry


With its unique scaff old-free cleaning system

Façade Gommage® TransformsThe Ritz in 16 days

thomann-hanry


The RitzSituated in Piccadilly, The Ritz is one of London’s most celebrated hotels. Unfortunately, over time the British weather and pollution slowly affects the appearance of the stone façade. To bring it back up to their impeccably high standards, The Ritz’s management selected Thomann-Hanry’s unique ‘façade gommage®’ cleaning system.

3,600m2 of Portland stone and Cornish grey granite, including intricate moulding and decorative carving, was cleaned in just three weeks. Any other option would have taken four to six months.

Crucially, no scaffolding was required. The operatives gained access to the walls from a special cabin supported and manoeuvred by a crane on the ground below. The unique benefit to the client being that room occupancy remained unaffected during the work, saving the hotel thousands in otherwise lost revenue.

Stephen Boxall, Managing Director of The Ritz said, “We are delighted with the results of the recent clean to the exterior masonry of the hotel. We were particularly conscious that the work did not cause any inconvenience or disturbance either to our hotel guests or to pedestrians and traffic in Piccadilly. The efficiency and speed with which Thomann-Hanry were able to complete the project has been quite astounding.”For more information on how Thomann-Hanry can help your hotel, contact them on 0203 188 7820 or log onto www.Thomann-Hanry.co.uk’

airwave case studies


Wonderful Sky views atThe Atlantic Hotel

The Latest Edition

T he Atlantic Hotel is perched on the South West coast of Jersey and enjoys one of the most spectacular views in the Channel

Islands.To ensure that the view is just as

stunning inside the hotel, Airwave recently upgraded the TV System and installed Samsung 39” LED Hospitality TV’s at the 50 bedroom Hotel, which also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant.

This hotel is the first in the Channel Islands to offer guests the full ‘Sky In-

Room’ experience, with up to 500 TV and radio channels many in HD – providing a truly ‘home from home’ TV experience.

Wayne Bowring, Key Account Manager of Airwave Europe commented ‘‘A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, The Atlantic is a fine luxury hotel. We worked very closely with the management team to ensure installation could be completed as part of the annual closure for maintenance during January. We are very pleased to have been selected to carry out the installation at this fabulous

property. The guests will now be able to enjoy an unrivalled selection of television programmes in the comfort of their hotel rooms.’’

Patrick Burke the owner of the Atlantic said, “We are proud to be the first hotel in the Channel Islands to adopt the Sky In-Room solution. We place great emphasis on providing luxury and comfort and by installing the very latest technology we can ensure that guests arriving at the hotel in 2014 can look forward to an outstanding in-room TV offering.”

W hen Marriott opened their new flagship property, The London Edition, they chose the latest OneView

Media solution from Guest-tek, bringing cutting-edge technology as well as an unparalleled user experience.

Airwave partners with Guest-tek and has managed the full installation including the latest EA790 Hospitality series LEDs from Samsung, and also provides fully responsive onsite maintenance.

OneView Media, powered by

Samsung’s H-browser technology provides blockbuster video on demand and free to guest interactive services. Other features include the ability to brand the screen and harness the powerful direct marketing options that are broadcast to your target guest or group.

The unique MyAway option enables interface with guests personal devices such as tablets and smartphones enabling them to seamlessly send content to the TV screen, or even watch hotel generated content, like movies, on their own device.

Airwave Europe LtdLime Place, Rosier Business Park,Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 9DE0845 555 1212 www.airwave.tv

Airwave Europe Ltd

Unsecured cash paid back ONLY as you earn.

90%

design know-how


No matter how big or small your hotel, there are always small changes that can help you get the best out of your establishment. We caught up with some interior designers in the know to share their advice

Light it upLucy Powles gives her top tips on the diff erent types of lighting available and how to use them to your advantage

■ Spotlights in the ceiling have to be dimmable in order to control the mood of a room. You either want a bright light, which is useful in order to compile tasks and a soft light, which is perfect for relaxing in a bubble bath with some candles.

■ In the bedroom, switches should be located both near the door and next to the bed. This way you won’t have to get out of bed to control the light.

■ If you want to add a wow factor to a space, I recommend using a beautiful and unexpected chandelier or table lamps with sculptural bases. They suddenly become decorative elements as well as functional ones.

■ Artwork needs to be appropriately lit in order to enhance each single detail. LED is great when it comes to lit joinery units and staircases. It creates a diffused and rather sophisticated illumination.

■ If you want to add luxury elements and innovation, light can also be controlled by applications downloaded on both iPhones and iPads.

■ Maximise the benefits of natural sunlight, but at the same time you want to be able to control how much sunlight is allowed in a space. I always use a layer of sheers on window treatments and a second layer with lining that allows a total blackout.

■ A north facing room will have less sun compared to a south facing room. To maximise the natural light facing north, using mirrors that reflect light or glass panels will be beneficial.

Soft Furnishings“Leather is one of my favourite materials for use in interior design. Both comfortable and extremely luxurious, it is a perfect solution for cinema rooms, bedrooms and chic studies and looks great when stud detail is incorporated to follow the hide’s shape. It always looks and feels amazing to walk barefoot on,” – Lucy Powles

Clever DesignTips and Tricks

Meet the expertsLucy PowlesFounder of design service, Cocovarawww.cocovara.co.uk.

Sarah WardInterior designer and owner of Sarah Ward Associateswww.sarahwardassociates.com

PatternsLucy suggests: “When using a mix of patterns such as floral and geometrics ensure the scale is the same.”

Clear Sound“Keep rooms modern and up to date by fitting them with a music system or DAB radio. These can be colour matched to the interior, so no need to redecorate. Adding a radio to a hotel room can add ambience and keep the hotel in tune with technology trends,” – says Alan O’Rourke

Alan O’RourkeManaging directorRuark Audio www.ruarkaudio.com

design know-how


Small Spaces“When dealing with a small space use mirrors to create the illusion of a larger area. Whether fixed on wardrobes with chic door knobs or framed and hung as you would a picture. Also, an inset mirror in a panel always looks very sleek and contemporary,” – Lucy Powles

Colour Schemes“Always work on warm or cool tones in a scheme and keep within the same family for a cohesive look. A mix of textures creates depth, but stick to a tonal theme. Don’t panic if you see something in isolation and it doesn’t work, wait until you see the whole scheme together before deciding if it works,” – Lucy Powles

A burst of colour can transform a room such as this one at Hotel Indigo Birmingham

This ensuite bathroom at Ashdown Park,

East Grinstead has made its stained glace a

feature to detract attention from limited space

Shedding Some Light“Our tip would be don’t make the lighting in a hotel room too complicated. Nothing is more annoying than getting into bed and being unable to work out how to turn all the lights off. Either make it obvious or make sure the master switch cuts all lights out (and puts them on again). Obviously you’l need good lighting in desk area, bathroom and bedside lamps that work – little spotlights are great for insomniacs who don’t want to disturb a sleeping partner!” – Sarah Ward

liberis


Northop Hall Country House

Hotel, Flintshire, North

Wales. Individually furnished

rooms reflect the charm and

splendour of this former

Victorian country house.

A new style

hotel refurbs of funding for

R egular upgrades and refurbishments are vital to ensure your hotel stays competitive and attractive to customers. Guest

expectations are higher than ever and with sites like Trip Advisor directly impacting on customer bookings and reputation, you can’t afford to be shabby, only chic will do.

Whether you’re just lifting the decor, replacing soft furnishings or adding new amenities, it’s essential the finance you invest reaps the maximum return. But where is that finance available from these days?

Traditional banking and loan models don’t provide the flexible, simple help that most hoteliers need for such projects and, more importantly, the funding is harder the come by. Latest figures suggest that the scale of the SME funding gap in

sources for hoteliers and forcing the SME funding sector to innovate. The funding landscape for the hospitality sector is beginning to look more diverse and vibrant and hoteliers should be aware of the rapidly growing alternatives to traditional lending.

Business cash advance: This is an area that is seeing considerable growth and is very successful and popular in the US. One of the companies leading the way here in the UK with business cash advance is Liberis, which to date has given more than £70m in funding to small businesses advancing between £2,500-£300,000 each time. How it works is that the business owner receives an unsecured cash injection that is repaid based on a set percentage of the business’s future credit/

the UK is huge, with estimates from £29bn to £59bn. So what are the finance options for hoteliers needing to fund upgrades and refurbishments?

Ironically the economic crisis has brought a much-needed shake-up, opening up opportunities for new funding

liberis


Paul Mildenstein, CEO Liberis

Kildrummy Castle, Alford, Aberdeenshire

Kildrummy Castle, a grand entrance

Kildrummy Castle Hotel Historic hotel gets ready for seasonKildrummy Castle Hotel is a 16 room mansion set in the breathtaking Grampian Highlands in Aberdeenshire amongst some of the world’s most beautiful scenery. Run by Claude Berquier and her daughter Elise Schawlb, the hotel combines the style and elegance of a bygone era with the comforts and service of a modern first class hotel.

Having bought the business less than two years ago, Claude felt it was time to update some of the tired decor and furnishings ready for the 2014 season.

“We needed to bring this fabulous hotel up to the standard that such a beautiful building deserves. Investment in decoration had not been

made for many years and we needed to upgrade it so we can develop the business.

“As a very young company we found funding options limited; there’s no support from banks when you’re a new small business. A business cash advance was an ideal solution and we felt Liberis were the only people who really understood our business.

“We’ve refurbished the main entrance and some bedrooms and bathrooms too. As an old mansion, the building has a very strong character and we wanted to highlight this by giving each room an individual theme, but making sure we respect the original ambience of the building.

“Having owned an interior design company before, I’ve been able to use my design knowledge to really help enhance the original features of the house; the wood work is amazing and we still have some of the original tapestries.

“We would love to have spent more money, but you have to be realistic when building up a business. My advice for other hoteliers undertaking a refurbishment is to make choices that will benefit the business and not to please yourself.

“The business cash advance from Liberis

enabled us to invest in the business and at a time that suited us, given we are so seasonal. It was a pleasure to deal with them. They are very professional and I would recommend their business cash advance to other hoteliers who need immediate funds for projects like this.”

“A business cash advance was an ideal solution and we felt

Liberis were the only people who really understood our business.”

security against a loan, instead. It’s a good option for businesses that might have lower credit ratings and thus could face untenably high fees – or even be rejected – with a more traditional loan.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution so it’s important to take advice and make an informed decision. But it does seem that that funding opportunities for hoteliers are back out there.

debit card receipts until the full payback amount is reached. In short, the money is paid back only as the business earns, so it’s completely linked to cashflow; in slow months, you’ll pay back less and in busy months you’ll pay back more.

According to its CEO, Paul Mildenstein, “The simplicity and flexibility of the Liberis model is a real bonus for hoteliers — one cost, agreed at the outset, with no time limit on repayment, so it fits perfectly with the seasonal highs and lows of the business. Plus we don’t judge how our customers want to spend their money, so we don’t need to see the refurbishment plans.”

Crowdfunding: The idea here is that everyone around you is a potential investor. In the past few years this has been used as a more realistic alternative to traditional venture capital. It enables large numbers of individuals to support a project by contributing a small amount of capital towards a total funding target. The return on investment can either come in the form of rewards (products) or equity.

Peer-to-peer lending: This is allowing consumers and wealthier investors to lend to many creditworthy businesses at once, and thereby spread their risk. This then enables the business

to borrow from many different people, accepting the lowest interest rate offer – meaning both the business and the investor win.

Asset-based fi nancing: This model allows SMEs to access faster, more convenient funding by putting up their assets – anything from inventory, equipment, or accounts receivables – as

thomann-hanry


With Thomann-Hanry, experts in hotel cleaning and restoration

Smarten Up Your Hotel ForThe Big Day

thomann-hanry


The GoringThe Goring Hotel, the 100-year-old 5-star ‘town house’ hotel in Belgravia where Kate Middleton spent the eve of her wedding to Prince William, had its external stonework cleaned just five days before the Royal Wedding using Thomann-Hanry’s patented façade gommage® masonry cleaning system.

Thomann-Hanry was commissioned because façade gommage® is both fast and eco-friendly and does not require any scaffolding.

An operative works from an enclosed cabin on the boom of a specially adapted vehicle so cleaning can start within two hours of arrival on site.

No water or chemicals were used in the cleaning process and there was no disruption to hotel’s day-to-day business, so there was no need for costly room closures. Thomann-Hanry completed the cleaning in less than 48 hours, just in time for the big day.

Mark Styles, Managing Director of Thomann-Hanry, said: "We were delighted to be involved in ensuring Kate, her friends and family saw the Goring Hotel at its very best and look forward to helping to enhance numerous other UK hotels in 2014."For more information on how Thomann-Hanry can help your hotel, contact them on 0203 188 7820 or log onto www.Thomann-Hanry.co.uk

forbes


T he above reviews were left on the largest hotel review site in January 2014. Evidently, the in-room guest television makes

a considerable, and lasting, impression. In fact, if you read reviews about a hotel, there will invariably be opinions given on either the size of the TV, the number of channels available, or the functionality of the in room entertainment system. Notably, in today’s world of social media, any criticisms announced through forums such as Tripadvisor, or on Facebook or Twitter are done so without the hotelier having any capabilities to edit or approve them.

When looking to refresh a hotel room, the television can be one of the simplest items to change, and make a dramatic statement. Guests expect a home from home experience in a hotel, and demand the latest technology. Clearly the trend for domestic televisions to be increasing in size has impacted upon guests’ expectations of their hotel televisions. If a guest is accustomed to watching a 50” screen at home, a 19” or 22” may no longer be decreed as adequate in their hotel room.

Essentially, guests require a television that is up to date and easy to navigate,

and hoteliers need to ensure that the television is energy efficient, and boasts of all of the key components that are becoming requisite within the industry. All of our hotel televisions have intrinsic features such as menu lock and volume control, which help to ensure that guests have a comfortable experience, and are undisturbed by televisions in adjoining rooms. Furthermore, these functions help to relieve hoteliers of some of the most prevalent television maintenance and reconfiguring issues.

Forbes’ rental packages offer inclusive backup service, which further alleviates hoteliers of the encumbrance of television difficulties. In the event of television failure or technical problems, we offer a same day service. This gives our clients the peace of mind that the room can remain operational at all times.

One of the arguments for not updating the television is the requirement for a large initial capital expenditure. This can be circumnavigated with our affordable rental packages, which are inclusive of the installation and set up the TVs, and free up clients’ cash reserves.

Another key advantage of updating the TV is that it can now be part of your key marketing avenue. This opportunity

should not be missed. For example, with the Philips range of Hotel Easysuite TVs, they can be commissioned with your own bespoke welcome message and dedicated hotel info pages. The pages can be designed to drive marketing activity around key hotel revenue areas, such as restaurants and bar and spa facilities.

The pages can also be employed as an advertising space for local businesses, which drives a further revenue stream.

We have our own in-house design team that can develop the pages around your brand theme. This is great feature for the guest. Some of our clients have used this feature to eradicate the need for in-room stationary, thereby saving on printing costs.

Essentially, upgrading in room televisions need not be an astronomically expensive project. However, it is essential to consider the impact that the televisions are making, both upon your guests and your business. There are three elements in the guest room that are fundamental in making the right impression; the bed, the shower and the television. None of these can afford to be overlooked.

Contact Forbes Hotel TV on 0845 070 2331 or email [email protected] for more information

‘The TV remote was not working and there were only 5 channels tuned into the TV, not even Freeview standard.’

‘We stayed here for two nights. Basic room. TV only worked on two channels and remotes did not work.’

‘Luxury room with lake view and television. Room was average, view was excellent but TV did not work as per all TVs in the hotel.’Forbes Hotel TV asks the question…

Are your televisions making alasting impression

interior inspiration


Get the Look

Hotel: South Place Hotel, LondonContact: www.designhotels.com, 0800 37 46 83 57

L ocated at the crossroads of London’s financial centre and its colourfully vibrant East End, South Place Hotel opened its

doors for the first time back in September 2012. This hotel is the result of a long-term vision by Des Gunewardena and David Loewi, owners of the restaurant group D&D London. And with 30 high-class restaurants throughout the world, it is no wonder that 3 South Place Bar & Grill naturally found a home at this hotel too. But this wasn’t the only thing, long term business partners, Gunewardena and Loewi brought to the hotel. They also pulled together bespoke interiors by Conran & Partners within the signature style of Allies and Morrison architects.

Added ExtrasNo detail has been left unattended in the design of this room, such as large Bang & Olufsen TVs and even a toaster.

Working in StyleBusiness travellers will appreciate the spacious work desk with a recessed media hub and multinational sockets, as well as AV and IT connections, and chairs by the Finnish-American designer Eero Saarinen.

Get Tech SavvyRooms at South Place Hotel provide many new technical features, ranging from individually controlled climate-zones to free WiFi throughout the hotel.

Des Gunewardena and David Loewi specialise in converting run-down buildings into world class establishments. South Place is their fi rst venture into the hotel world

interior inspiration


Room for MoreStately wardrobes in rich oak provide ample space for all the spoils from local boutiques.

Comfort is KeyHighthread-count cotton bed linens by Josephine Home add to the comfort, while concealed lighting under the bed elevates them above the pure wool carpets.

A Touch of ArtPlayful prints, paintings and installations by London artists are exhibited in both public and private spaces, and the hotel offers the perfect opportunity for up-and-coming artists to showcase their talent.

liberis


“Poor project management will delay you and increase your project costs. Likewise,

interview all contractors to assess their skills”

A s well as being a big cost to the business, a refurbishment of any kind is disruptive, so it needs proper consideration and

planning. How do you want the hotel to be perceived, what really needs doing and what can you afford are all questions that need to be answered.

The team at Liberis has advanced millions to the hospitality sector for stock and refurbishments, and has some useful tips to share.

Don’t wait – plan for some element of upgrade every three to five years. Don’t leave it until you start losing business thinking that holding off will save you money. It will cost you more dearly in the long run.

Ask your guests - before you start anything, survey your guests to find out what they’d like to see changed or upgraded or take stock of guest comments from over the past few years. It’s free market research amongst your

Schedule your refurbishment – it’s rare to be able to refurbish an entire hotel at once, so decide if you should do partial closure or refurbish room by room. Plan in detail and place importance on the most frequently used areas or those most in need of work.

Employ the right people for the job – if it’s a small refurbishment there might be someone in-house who could act as project manager, but make sure they’ve got the right skills otherwise it will be a false economy. Poor project management will delay you and increase your project costs. Likewise, interview all contractors to assess their skills and be sure to benchmark prices for a job.

Communicate wisely – you might want to tell everyone what’s happening, but only mention the refurbishment to guests who will actually be inconvenienced, so you don’t deter people unnecessarily. Accept the fact that you will lose some guests and, whilst the return on investment will be worthwhile, do what you can to keep the losses minimal. Also keep employees informed so they can avoid placing guests near refurbishment work.

Liberis’ Top Tipsfor a successful refurbishment

most important audience and the feedback could save you time and money.

Choose a finance option that suits your business – most refurbishments are done when business is quiet, so how will you manage paying back your finance? As well as traditional loans and overdrafts, consider new products such as business cash advance which offers greater flexibility and is more linked to cash flow so you only pay when you can.

Choose a finance option that suits your business

thomann-hanry


F irst impressions mean everything in the hotel business and these can be made when your guests very first lay eyes on

your building.Many hotels believe the only way of

cleaning and conducting servicing to their exteriors is through erecting scaffold, but what if there was another way?

Thomann-Hanry is the leader in building cleaning and restoration – and hotels are no exception. With its unrivalled scaffold-free ‘façade gommage’ system it’s easy to see why every hotel on Park Lane, London has used them for their exterior cleaning work. Whether stone, terracotta or metal façade, Thomann-Hanry’s specialist and expert techniques can transform your hotels exterior in no time at all.

Work is undertaken from a cabin fixed to a hydraulic boom which runs up and down the hotel façade. As scaffold is not used, work commences within two hours of being on site and is completed within days. The Dorchester’s 5,000m² took just fourteen days to complete. Disruption to guests is absolutely minimal and business continues to function as normal throughout the operation.

“Thomann-Hanry’s ‘façade gommage’

system is the perfect solution for cleaning the exterior of hotels. Their unique system meant we were able to clean three elevations, including the main entrance without disruption to our guests and we were able to keep all our rooms available throughout. The set-up and cleaning process is remarkably quick

and other major UK cities, as well as London, and can meet your requirements wherever the location.

“Although most work is completed in London, we frequently undertake projects throughout the UK. Our system consistently offers impressive results, is incredibly quick and ensures building security is maintained throughout, an important consideration when undertaking work on hotels. First impressions count – and never more so than in the hotel industry where a more polished façade can justify an increased room rate, and potentially entice guests considering alternative locations.” comments Mark Styles, Managing Director, Thomann-Hanry.

A test clean can be undertaken before a project starts so you can be confident of the quality of finish before the investment. Equally, it’s worth bearing in mind their expertise also extends to restoration work, as well as interiors and surveys if it’s more than a straight forward clean required.For further information visit www.Thomann-Hanry.co.uk or call 0203 188 7820 for a brochure, test clean or informal chat about how Thomann-Hanry can help your hotel this year.

as they do not use scaffold and most importantly, the results are outstanding.” Andrew Churchill, Chief Engineer, The Dorchester comments.

But it’s not just the big London hotels that benefit from their work. Thomann-Hanry can undertake façade cleaning and restoration to smaller inner city residences as well as larger country buildings.They’ve worked in Leeds, Bristol

Is your hotel looking its best?

First Impressions Count

“First impressions count – and never

more so than in the hotel industry where

a more polished façade can justify an increased room rate”

ask the expert


Q I'm considering a major refurbishment to bring our hotel in line with a

more modern design, but this is a completely new field for us, so am not sure where to start – can you help?

A Mr Nicholls says: Investing in the refurbishment of your property is a major

and costly decision so it’s key that you deliver a refurbishment that exceeds the expectations of your stakeholders.

In my years of working in the hospitality industry, I have

seen how hotels often see themselves as a ‘castle’ almost defending themselves from selling through design that is both uninviting and ironically, inhospitable.

It’s key to work with your operations team throughout as the hotel needs to be able to function as well as look great. A good way to do this is to carry out a sensory exercise with both shareholders and the hotel’s operational team. We begin by investigating how people feel when they first step into the hotel, as this really sets the tone for the entire visit.

Our operations team look at the impact the hotel’s surroundings have on every sense and we discuss in detail how the difference between elements such as the right level of lighting or style of music

can impact on how the guests feel during their stay and we then make sure that the team implements any key findings in the final design.

The bar and restaurant of your property should have their own style and not be neglected as these are standalone features and should be capitalised on. Bedrooms are of course all-important and the quality and design should exceed what guests can enjoy at home.

The key to a good design is to have guests regard the hotel as a place to relax whatever the reason that they are visiting.

Starting Ground

Refurbishment

ClinicWe look to diagnose some of those important questions when organising a renovation

Meet the experts

Jan Wilson Managing directorRPW Design www.rpwdesign.co.uk

Omar NichollsProperty director QMH Hotels www.qmh-hotels.com

Ian DutchHead of projects (hotels)C.P. Hart www.cphart.co.uk

Access all Areas

QWe are taking steps to renovate the bathrooms in our bedrooms and want to ensure we have an

offering suitable for guests with disabilities – what do we need to consider when installing new elements?

A Mr Dutch says: Meeting the demands of Part M and DDA doesn’t mean a hotel bathroom has to feel functional; accessible

design can be inspirational, luxurious and well-conceived. When we design a DDA bathroom we are always looking to create an inclusive space that meets the practical needs of every visitor, but also delivers an aesthetic that complements the hotel’s overall design narrative.

Managing the challenges of accessibility comes down to creating a multifunctional space that considers absolutely every requirement the hotel guest might have. Key aspects to take into account are the overall layout of the room and how this can be best used to create space for a turning circle or transfer area for wheelchair users. Does the central washbasin offer stability and it is easy to move around? Complementary accessories will also further enhance the experience for the user. Support rails are also the cornerstone of a well-designed accessible bathroom, providing solidity for safety and grip features for those requiring support when standing up or sitting down to use the WC, shower or washbasin.

The specification process can often be complex, so working with a DDA bathroom specialist is essential as they will help you make the right product choices and guide you through the process to ensure the end result is compliant with accessibility legislation.

QWhat advice would you give to hoteliers so they can ensure their investment is successful,

long-lasting and fresh years after a refurbishment has been completed?

A Ms Wilson says: For the best return on investment, the correct specification of materials and finishes, and the use of good

durable, natural materials are always the right choice. Once a refurbishment has been completed, the maintenance manual should be followed, so materials are looked after appropriately.

If the building is listed, the relevant authorities’ requirements will need to be applied. Carry out scrapings to unearth the history of the building and involve heritage authorities in the process. You must be true to the architecture and go with a design appropriate to the history of the property and the original interior. This is how the process starts. Beyond that, there is absolute freedom, for example with furnishings, lighting, and technology.

Maintaining Standards

Money is key – allocating the right budget for the right job is fundamental. Prior to commencing any project, the owner, operator and designer must reach an agreement as to what they want to achieve and how much money they want to spend to ensure the outcome meets everyone’s aspirations.

There also has to be good relationship among the whole team, and this includes not only the designer and the client, but also the project manager, the contractor, the procurement company, architects, and anyone else involved.

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