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Hotel Interior
Design 2014
from the publishers of Hotel Business
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quotation, get in touch with our specialist team
on 0845 555 1212 or [email protected]
contents
Welcome
Looks 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outdated design will put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 Monk
Editor
@hotel_business
14
12
18
Contents
04 What’s New?
The latest innovations
and news from the refurb
sector
06 Thomann-Hanry
The Ritz
08 Airwave
Case studies
10 Clever Design Tips
and Tricks
We seek advice from some
big name designers on
transforming your
space for less
12 Liberis
Place Hotel and its
exclusive design
20 Liberis
Top tips
A new style of funding
14 Thomann-Hanry
21 Thomann-Hanry
Building cleaning
& restoration
The Goring Hotel
17 Forbes Hotel TV
22 Refurbishment Clinic
Lasting Impression
18 Get the Look
A peak inside South
We diagnose
some common
renovation queries
The Complete
Hotel TV Solution
from Samsung
W
ith sleek design, highquality LED picture, and
a host of commercial
features, Airwave’s Samsung
Hospitality TV Solution will leave your
guests eager to come back for more.
Smart Features
Coming soon
Entertain 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.
The 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.
Branded hotel
information services
What 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.
0845 555 1212 • [email protected]
www.airwave.tv
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
3
new releases
Product Spotlight
Company name: Authentic Furnitiure
Name 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.
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
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: £1,500
Contact: 01629 704 704,
[email protected]
What's
New?
Check out this selection of the latest products set to
inspire your refurbishment project
David Rockwell Launches
Layered Luxe Collection with
Shaw Hospitality Group
Rockwell 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
Contact
combining organic forms with linear divisions,
www.rockwellgroup.com
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 semiprecious 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.
4
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
1
Get a feel for the Orient
A 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 tones
Bold 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 semiprecious 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 prints
Not 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.
4
Monochrome with
bright accents
Black 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
Contact
0800 592 952
www.vispring.co.uk
Table Style
Wow your guests with a spread
fit for a king
Vispring Introduces The Hotel Devonshire
New bed offers 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.
The 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.
Contact
0208 8875 6011
www.tabletalkatvilleroyandboch.com
Whitbread Chooses Warings Furniture for £4m Design Contract
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
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”
of 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.
Nottingham Hotel Gets New Luxury Boutique Look
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.
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
5
thomann-hanry
Façade Gommage® Transforms
The Ritz in 16 days
With its unique scaffold-free cleaning system
6
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
thomann-hanry
The Ritz
Situated 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.
3,600m 2 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’
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
7
airwave case studies
Wonderful Sky views at
The Atlantic Hotel
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 InRoom 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.”
The Latest Edition
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
8
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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 Ltd
Lime Place, Rosier Business Park,
Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 9DE
0845 555 1212
www.airwave.tv
Unsecured
cash paid
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design know-how
Clever Design
Tips and Tricks
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
Patterns
Lucy suggests:
“When using a mix of
patterns such as floral
and geometrics ensure
the scale is the same.”
Soft Furnishings
Clear Sound
“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
“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
Light it up
Lucy Powles gives her
top tips on the different
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.
Meet the experts
Lucy Powles
Founder of design
service, Cocovara
www.cocovara.co.uk.
10
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
Sarah Ward
Interior designer and owner of
Sarah Ward Associates
www.sarahwardassociates.com
Alan O’Rourke
Managing director
Ruark Audio
www.ruarkaudio.com
design know-how
This ensuite bathroom at Ashdown Park,
East Grinstead has made its stained glace a
feature to detract attention from limited space
Shedding Some Light
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
“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
“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
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
11
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
of funding for
hotel refurbs
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
12
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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:
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
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/
liberis
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.
Paul Mildenstein, CEO Liberis
Peer-to-peer lending:
Asset-based financing:
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
This model allows SMEs to access faster,
more convenient funding by putting up
their assets – anything from inventory,
equipment, or accounts receivables – as
to borrow from many different people,
accepting the lowest interest rate offer
– meaning both the business and the
investor win.
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.
Kildrummy Castle Hotel
Historic hotel gets ready for season
Kildrummy 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
Kildrummy Castle, a grand entrance
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.
Kildrummy Castle, Alford, Aberdeenshire
“A business cash advance was
an ideal solution and we felt
Liberis were the only people who
really understood our business.”
“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.”
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
13
thomann-hanry
Smarten Up
Your Hotel For
The Big Day
With Thomann-Hanry, experts in hotel
cleaning and restoration
14
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
thomann-hanry
The Goring
The 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-today 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 ThomannHanry, 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
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
15
forbes
Are your televisions making a
lasting impression
‘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.’
Forbes Hotel TV asks the question…
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
‘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.’
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 inroom 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
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
17
interior inspiration
Get the Look L
Des Gunewardena and David Loewi specialise
in converting run-down buildings into world
class establishments. South Place is their first
venture into the hotel world
Hotel: South Place Hotel, London
Contact: www.designhotels.com, 0800 37 46 83 57
Added Extras
No detail has been left unattended in
the design of this room, such as large
Bang & Olufsen TVs and even a toaster.
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 longterm vision by Des Gunewardena and
David Loewi, owners of the restaurant
group D&D London. And with 30 highclass 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.
Get Tech Savvy
Rooms at South Place Hotel provide
many new technical features, ranging
from individually controlled climatezones to free WiFi throughout the hotel.
Working in Style
Business 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.
18
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
interior inspiration
A Touch of Art
Playful 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.
Comfort is Key
Highthread-count cotton bed linens
by Josephine Home add to the
comfort, while concealed lighting
under the bed elevates them above
the pure wool carpets.
Room for More
Stately wardrobes in rich oak provide
ample space for all the spoils from
local boutiques.
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
19
liberis
Choose a finance option that suits your business
Liberis’ Top Tips
for a successful refurbishment
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.
20
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
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
“Poor project
management will delay
you and increase your
project costs. Likewise,
interview all contractors
to assess their skills”
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.
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.
thomann-hanry
First Impressions Count
Is your hotel looking its best?
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, ThomannHanry’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
“First impressions
count – and never
more so than in the
hotel industry where
a more polished
façade can justify an
increased room rate”
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. ThomannHanry can undertake façade cleaning
and restoration to smaller inner city
residences as well as larger country
buildings.They’ve worked in Leeds, Bristol
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 ThomannHanry can help your hotel this year.
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
21
ask the expert
Refurbishment
Access all Areas
Q
We 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?
Clinic
We look to diagnose some of those important
questions when organising a renovation
Maintaining Standards
Q
What 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.
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.
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.
Starting Ground
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 allimportant 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.
Meet the experts
Jan Wilson
Managing director
RPW Design
www.rpwdesign.co.uk
22
www.hotel-magazine.co.uk
Ian Dutch
Head of projects (hotels)
C.P. Hart
www.cphart.co.uk
Omar Nicholls
Property director
QMH Hotels
www.qmh-hotels.com