Last week’s blog delved into products trends, and of course we also receive far more amazing projects than we could ever hope to fit in our pages, or online for that matter. Not to leave them out, here’s a look at a few hospitality trends we’ve been seeing lately.
Historic Renovations
There seems to be a never-ending stream of landmark properties going under the knife—check out our piece in the March/April issue for further evidence. Take the iconic Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, which underwent an extensive refresh thanks to a multimillion-dollar investment from new owner Ennismore. The first phase included the addition of a new bar by UK design firm Macaulay Sinclair; 30 of the guestrooms are updated by Goddard Littlefair with a country estate vibe; and the more than 90-year-old hotel bar is being renovated by David Collins Studio.
The 1920s-style Auchterarder 70 bar, a new addition to Gleneagles’ Dormy Clubhouse.
In Manhattan, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has relaunched the 704-room InterContinental New York Barclay hotel after a $180 million renovation by Stonehill & Taylor and HOK that saw the lobby opening out to the grand Carrara marble staircase, the addition of artwork honoring the building’s 1920s heritage, and classical furniture.
A view of the grand stair at the InterContinental New York Barclay. Photo by Eric Laignel
Kids Clubs
Late last year Starwood launched its new family programs at Le Méridien and Westin properties. Le Méridien’s kids clubs (one of which was an HD Award winner this year) are inspired by the brand’s midcentury modern design and feature artwork, flexible seating, and elements that mirror the Le Méridien Hub lobby concept.
Paris-based interior designer Sophie Jacqmin, collaborating with hospitality company Barrière Group, has been tapped to craft three kids clubs at Hotel Le Majestic in Cannes, Hotel Les Nieges in Courchevel, and Hotel Le Normandy in Deauville, opening at the end of the year. The geometric spaces are designed to be an interactive environment offering both education and entertainment.
Sophie Jacqmin’s kids club concept at the Hotel Le Normandy in Deauville, France. Photo by Francis Amiand
Beer Bars
What’s summer without a cold one—or three? With beer culture more than exploding all over the country, it’s a focus at a number of properties (including a beer-centric hotel coming soon in San Diego), and some are incorporating whimsical touches slightly more appropriate for grownups.
The recently opened beach hotel the Asbury in the multibillion-dollar Asbury Park, New Jersey development by iStar (Anda Andrei, formerly of Ian Schrager Company, is creative director of the entire project—the hotel is a collaboration between her, David Bowd of Salt Hotels, Stonehill & Taylor, and Bonetti/Kozerski) includes loads of outdoor spaces, including the Beergarden, where a vintage aqua and white-colored VW van functions as a beer tap.
Beer flows from taps in a refurbished VW van at the Asbury hotel.
And in (beer mecca) Portland, Oregon, Provenance’s Hotel DeLuxe introduced the 19th Hole, a pop-up mini golf course featuring custom picnic tables, a food truck, and more than 50 craft beers (not to mention local wines and ciders).
The 19th Hole Beer Garden and mini golf course is located across from Portland’s Hotel DeLuxe.