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Desigof
the Times
COMPANY PROFILE
Hoteliers and restaurateurs who held back on refurbishing their premises during the early days
of the recession are now realising that the time has come to start reinvesting in their product.
But a makeover doesn’t have to mean a big expenditure. By hiring a professional design and
refurbishment firm, hospitality operators can save money on the cost of renovating, as well as a
lot of time and heartache in managing the project, says ARLENE McINTYRE of Ventura Design.
The Skylon Hotel before (below) and after the Ventura
makeover (above and right).
T
he chances are, five years into the
downturn, you’re looking around
your premises and noticing that it’s
starting to look a little lacklustre. Wear and
tear is hard in hospitality, but with trade
under pressure during the tough years of
the bust, the capital expenditure required
for upkeep may have been a challenge.
After several years placing any
refurbishment work on hold, however,
hoteliers are realising that they can’t
put it off any longer. The good news is
that this doesn’t mean an extravagant
investment. Arlene McIntyre, the creative
force behind Ventura Design, explains
that a new look can be achieved on any
budget. ‘By hiring a professional firm
to design and fit out your premises,
you can actually save money. We offer
a one-stop-shop, providing a complete
refurbishment solution. Taking the project
from conception to completion, we create
a fresh new look for your business, supply
an extensive range of durable furnishings
and products, and install and fit out your
premises efficiently and cost-effectively,
ensuring that you get the biggest bang
for your buck. We can cater to every job
whether big or small and we will work
within your budget and make your budget
work for you.’
Ventura Design relishes the diversity
that comes with managing both small and
large scale projects, says Arlene. ‘Working
with boutique businesses enables us
to provide a bespoke service to suit the
character of the hotel or restaurant and we
supply an extensive range of Irish-made
products tailored for individual clients. For
larger hotel renovations, we work with our
Case Study
Styling the Skylon
partners who have 12 years experience as
hotel furniture agents. They are currently
refurbishing a number of large, 800guestroom hotels in Dubai and can provide
a collection of products to suit high-volume
projects.’
The beauty of working with a
professional design and refurbishment
firm is that it takes all the stress out of a
refurbishment, enabling you to concentrate
on what you do best – running your
business. ‘We project manage everything
and oversee every step of the process
so you can rest assured that you won’t
have any nightmares,’ says Arlene.
Ventura Design’s experienced team of
tradesmen are all Irish, giving you the
added assurance that when you purchase
new fixtures and furnishings the products
are 100% Irish made and sourced locally.
‘We also provide a full follow-up service
so you can be safe in the knowledge that
we are always at the end of the telephone
if you need us. It’s not like dealing with a
Chinese factory that you’ll never hear from
again. We stand over our quality and we’re
always there to offer support.’ u
Ventura Design was enlisted by Best Western
Skylon Hotel in Dublin to give a fresh new
makeover to a number of guestrooms.
The design firm, headed by interior
designer Arlene McIntyre, was first tasked
with revamping four of the hotel’s bedrooms
in advance of Westlife’s sell-out swansong
at Croke Park and the McEniff Hotel Group
was so pleased with the results that the team
has since signed Ventura up to refurbish an
additional 18 guestrooms, as well as update
the foyer.
With the pressure on to get the job ready for the
all important Donegal match at GAA HQ, Ventura
completed eight rooms in three days, giving a new
lease of life to the tired hotel rooms.
‘We warmed the rooms and gave them
a fresher feel using brighter and happier
colours,’ explains Arlene. ‘In just three days
we completely updated the rooms, with
new painting and decorating, new carpets,
curtains, furniture and fit out. The feedback
from guests has been really positive. ’
To find out how Ventura Design can work with you and breathe new life into your hotel or restaurant,
visit ventura.ie, e: [email protected] or call Arlene McIntyre on 087 244 6464.