Richmond Hill achieves Carbon Neutral accreditation
Richmond Hill Hotel, situated atop the hill and only moments from the Royal Richmond Park, has been certified as a Carbon Neutral hotel.
The accreditation is awarded by Carbon Neutral Britain, the organisation which created the UK’s carbon offsetting initiative. The hotel has met and achieved all the initiative’s standards in measuring, calculating and carbon offsetting all organisational carbon emissions, with the long-term aim to be carbon zero in the future.
Carbon Neutral Britain was founded in 2020 and since has offset 500,000 tonnes of CO²e and planted over three million trees helping to stop climate change and provide essential habitats for endangered wildlife.
Richmond Hill currently has a Green Policy in place with a Green team that meet once a month to drive forward sustainability initiatives. The hotel is also a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, since 2014, and has a silver grading standard which demonstrates its commitment to sustainable environmental practices.
Diane Tapner-Evans, General Manager of Richmond Hill Hotel, said: “We are thrilled to have achieved this accreditation from Carbon Neutral Britain to highlight our efforts in driving forward green initiatives throughout the hotel.
“As a hotel, we continually aspire to achieve improvements in our environmental performance and lead the way locally however due to the age of the building, we have come across some obvious obstacles.
“However, this accreditation will help us to navigate the complexities of making a period hotel carbon zero, which is ultimately our long-term goal.
“I’m proud we have been able to reduce our carbon footprint by offsetting our carbon emissions, it’s a huge step in the right direction.”
Hotels and B&Bs to thrive in 2022 with the right funding
With hotels and B&Bs being one of the hardest hit business sectors over the last few years, financier 365 Business Finance reveals how such SMEs in the UK are now bouncing back – with the right flexible funding behind them ahead of the busy spring and summer seasons.
According to the London-based lender, specialising in merchant cash advances, the average amount advanced to hotels and B&Bs increased by 103%* in 2021, in comparison to 2020. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, the average amount advanced still increased by 43%.
Taking a five-year view, the data shows that from 2016 to 2019 funding for the hotel industry was increasing year-on-year, with a 53% average increase in the amount financed across that three-year period. Unsurprisingly, 2020 saw funding decline by 59% due to the knock-on effects of the pandemic and extended lockdowns, with the hotel industry starting to bounce back in 2021, returning to pre-pandemic levels.
2022 is anticipated to be a year of even further growth, as hotels turn to alternative finance such as merchant cash advances to make the most of the upcoming spring and summer holiday seasons.
Managing Director at 365 Business Finance, Andrew Raphaely, said, “SMEs in the hospitality sector have always been key clients of ours and we really appreciate how hard the past two years have been for them amid the covid crisis. Having said that, seeing now how hotels and B&BS in particular are emerging from the pandemic, with flexible finance assisting with refurbishments to cashflow, is incredibly inspiring and rewarding.”
In support of the UK’s hotel and B&B industry, along with advice on merchant cash advances and funding approval available within 24 hours, 365 Business Finance has released an all-new boutique hotel and B&B marketing guide as hoteliers prepare to make the most of the summer bookings rush.
Find out more about hotel business finance, contacting the knowledgeable 365 Business Finance team on 0207 1000 365 to discuss further how a merchant cash advance can meet the diverse needs of the hotel industry.
Industry trends and new products in the spotlight as HRC prepares to return
Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is set to return to ExCeL London on 21-23 March with a showcase of the most important hospitality trends and exciting new products to emerge over the past two years.
“Since the last edition of HRC in March 2020 we’ve seen a huge amount of innovation and creativity in the world of hospitality and foodservice” comments Event Manager Ronda Annesley. “This year’s event will be a not-to-be-missed reunion for the industry and a chance to discover all the trends, opportunities and products to grow your business in the years to come.”
Hospitality tech to revolutionise the industry
The past two years have seen a huge rate of adoption of hospitality technology, both from business owners and customers. Both HRC’s Hospitality Tech section and the content on the show’s Tech X stage will reflect the evolution of this part of the industry.
Suppliers at the event will be showcasing a wide range of innovative hospitality technologies, such as Kobas’ complete hospitality management system, Togo’s streamlined booking and marketing suite plus new products such Get Tasty’s mPoS handheld ordering with integrated payments, streaming TV from Atmosphere and Bella Bot from Hutech Robotics, the latest delivery robot designed by Pudu.
On the Tech X stage, brands including Honest Burger, Popeyes, Wahaca, Yummy Pubs and more will be discussing how hospitality businesses can best harness technology to increase profits and improve customer experience.
Dub Lee, Culture Systems Architect at Honest Burger and speaker at HRC 2022, comments: “Our customers and team members are now using technology in almost every aspect of their lives and have come to expect a level of convenience and tech savviness with the businesses they interact with. As the workforce gets younger modern, consumer grade tech will be essential to engage our teams.”
Tackling the industry’s staffing shortages
Staffing challenges are top of the agenda in the world of hospitality and HRC 2022 is addressing the issue directly on the Vision Stage, designed by Harp Design and curated by EXP101. A key session is ‘Tackling the industry’s staffing shortages’ on 21 March, where EXP101 Co-Founder Kieron Bailey will be joined by Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, Mark McCulloch, Founder of Hospitality Rising & Supersonic Marketing, Abi Dunn, Founder of Sixty Eight People and Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO of UKHospitality.
Day Three (23 March), John Mason, Co-Founder of Sideways will be joined by Leanne Tester, Learning & Development Manager at Pizza Pilgrims, Preeya Parker, Head of People at Grind and Avi Collins, Head of People at Tapas Revolution, will discuss what it takes to develop a new generation of hospitality workers.
HRC will once again be partnering with Hospitality Jobs UK for a conference dedicated to the issue of recruitment and retention, entitled ‘Hospitality’s Talent Conundrum.
Hospitality Jobs UK Founder Dawn Bowstead commented: “We will be offering innovative solutions for hospitality businesses to attract and retain candidates. Expect leading industry figures discussing their journeys, their solutions and the successes they’ve had with attracting talented employees. We will also be sharing government incentives, apprenticeship opportunities and how industry charities are supporting the sector.”
Suppliers are doing their part to tackle the industry’s staffing challenges, with exhibiting platforms like Stint offering a quick and easy way to integrate university students into front-of-house teams, Planday providing employers with flexible, collaborative staff rota software and new brand Moonworkers’ people platform helping hospitality businesses onboard, manage, pay and reward their team.
Showcasing high-end design solutions
Interior design has never been more important for welcoming customers back into hospitality, and HRC’s newly rebranded Design & Décor section reflects the importance of a strong brand and atmosphere in a hospitality or foodservice environment.
Design partners Harp Design and Accanto Interiors will be on hand at the show to provide complimentary consultations to show visitors, as will leading brands in the design & décor space such as Geberit, Villeroy & Boch & AEL Outdoor Solutions. The show will also see the launch of new businesses and products such as Supra Design, an interior architecture and design studio specialist.
The show’s Vision Stage will also welcome leading designers and architects such as Alon Baranowitz and Irene Kronenberg to discuss the very latest trends and challenges in this sector.
Celebrating culinary excellence
HRC will see the return of International Salon Culinaire for its 120th edition. This year’s competition has over 100 live and static challenges and displays, showcasing some of the UK’s best chefs. The first live edition of the competition since 2020 has introduced new categories including The Apprentice Challenge and Pub Chef of the Year.
The event will also welcome back The Staff Canteen Live, which will see 12 chefs, plus a chef they see as ‘one to watch’, recreate their favourite dishes and share their experience and insights with the live audience.
The line-up for 2022 includes Tom Booton, Head Chef, The Grill at The Dorchester, Sally Abé, Consultant Chef, The Pem, Gareth Ward, Chef Proprietor at the two-Michelin-starred Ynyshir and celebrity chef Tom Kerridge.
The Foodservice section of the event will be showcasing a wide range of new products in food & drink, from sangria in a can by Sangria Solsueño to the Nutella Muffin from Ferrero Foodservice to Candy Can Sparkling Bubble Gum drink from Pubby’s, and much more.
Toasting the pub sector
New for 2022, HRC will be joining forces with The Pub Show to bring a whole new offering to bar owners and publicans attending the event. This year’s show will see the addition of popular feature The Taproom featuring breweries Anspach & Hobday, Big Smoke Brew Co, Brouwerij Haacht, Full Circle Bew Co, Old Street Brewery and Siren Craft Brew.
There will also be a number of sessions on the Vision Stage dedicated to the pub & bar sector including ‘The return of the pub’, a must-see discussion kicking off Day One of the show and featuring Katy Moses, Founder & Managing Director of KAM, Steven Alton, CEO of the British Institute of Innkeeping, Louise MacLean, Business Development Director at Signature Pubs, Anthony Pender, Co-Founder of Yummy Pubs and James Nye, Managing Director of Anglian Country Inns.
The Pub Show at HRC will include suppliers focussed directly on the pub & bar sector, such as Flightcase Bars, who offer unique mobile draught systems built into rolling flightcases, draft beer quality consultants Avani Solutions and Digital Interlock Software, a company that has created innovative digital pump clips to remotely and digitally update a bar’s on-draft options.
HRC 2022 will take place alongside IFE, International Food & Drink Event, IFE Manufacturing and The London Produce Show, creating the UK’s biggest gathering of food, drink and hospitality professionals. View the full seminar programme, and register to attend, at hrc.co.uk.
Generator Madris launches Level Bar
Generator Madrid is pleased to announce the launch of the Level Bar, a new vibrant drinking spot nestled within the hotel, situated just a stone’s throw away from the bustling center of the Spanish city.
Open from midday, Level Bar is the perfect spot for a midweek coffee or cocktail catch up, or drawn-out weekend drinks with friends, and will soon be joined by rooftop bar La Terrazza, opening March 31st with unbeatable views of the city. Together these bars introduce new hubs for Madrid’s subcultures and young people. Giving a nod to the creativity and vibrance of the city, both Level Bar and La Terrazza will feature a curated lineup of local DJ talent from nearby DJ school, Inted Madrid.
The bar, on the ground floor of the hotel, features a refreshed cocktail menu from the bar team, including favorites such as mojitos and margaritas, and zesty twists that include strawberry and passion fruit mojitos, and the Mangolorian, made with Bacardi rum, PX liqueur, mango, mandarin syrup and lime juice. Finishing the menu are frozen options including a frozen pina colada, and a frozen strawberry daiquiri, perfect for warm Spanish afternoons that lead into evenings. Also on offer is a selection of draft and bottled beers, and wines beginning from £19 a bottle.
To accompany, a selection of tasty snacks, sharers and salads are available throughout the day, including sticky glazed roast pork ribs, pulled duck tacos, and calamari stuffed bao buns with coriander and lime.
Generator Madrid’s Level Bar is open now. La Terrazza will open March 31st.
Generator Madrid, Calle de Silva, 1, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Iconic Hollywood address to become The Aster, a private members’ club and hotel opening June 2022
The Aster is conceived around the deeply held belief that the next generation of private members’ clubs will embody the warmth, welcome and sophistication of the world’s best luxury boutique hotels. Launching in June 2022, this first-of-its-kind club will deliver a space designed to activate each member’s mind and body, where they can work, play, and stay, surrounded by robust programming in the heart of Hollywood.
Design-forward with personalized service, The Aster will provide members with unique indoor and outdoor amenities including a swimming pool, lounges, workspaces, bars, restaurants, a recording studio, a screening room, a cabaret lounge and a variety of spaces dedicated to health and wellness. Additionally, 35 luxurious all-suite hotel rooms - each over 700sq.ft in size, with workspaces and lounges - will be available for members and visitors alike. Hotel guests will have access to all member amenities during their stay, offering an exclusive look into the property’s unique membership program.
This adults-only members’ club and hotel, named after the native Aster flower which blooms in Los Angeles, will welcome a dynamic group of trailblazers and multihyphenates, all while transcending the stereotypical membership club. The Aster’s hybrid club-cum-hotel approach supports a diverse, ever-changing array of guests and experiences, free from any strictures.
The project is curated and executed under the creative, and attentive care of award winning Salt Hotels. The forthcoming launch will follow the hospitality brand’s most recent openings in 2021, Hotel Greystone (Miami Beach) and Hutton Brickyards (Kingston, New York), which will bring the brand’s portfolio to five unique properties, with The Aster presenting the first members’ club offering.
The property is situated in an impressive six-storey 95,000 sq.ft building on the iconic Vine Street between Yucca Street and famed Hollywood Boulevard intersection. The space has been strategically placed at the very heart of Hollywood making it just a stone's throw away from landmarks such as the Capitol Records building, Gower Studios and Netflix.
The Aster will welcome a fellowship of innovators, artists, and dynamos, providing unique spaces to bring work and ideas to life. A club where creative connections come naturally, members are invited to plug in or unplug, utilizing the variety of unique spaces.
Experiences at The Aster are designed to activate each member’s mind and body. Here, curiosities are awakened, and passions explored through a robust schedule of programming. From tranquil wellness experiences to moments of collective fun and celebration, The Aster will be home to the most fascinating partners Los Angeles has to offer. Members will have exclusive access to entertainment - including rare performances and new talent introductions - comedy, cuisine, education, wellness, fitness and art.
The property will also be home to a destination restaurant, available by reservation to members and visitors alike. Situated on the expansive 7,200 sq.ft rooftop space, the drinking, dining and entertaining destination will showcase panoramic views of the Hollywood hills, Downtown Los Angeles and beyond. Further details on this offering will be revealed at a later date.
“When we began developing the concept for The Aster, we sought to create a new type of membership club, by establishing a modern hospitality-led space for individuals in Los Angeles with a diverse range of backgrounds and interests, each with one commonality - the desire to connect” shares David Bowd, Founder & Chief Executive.
“As a result of the pandemic, we’ve noticed how the lines of work and play have blurred and there is an increased desire to live with flexibility and freedom. In creating The Aster we look forward to providing locals and travelers alike with meaningful spaces to meet, connect, work, dine and unwind, regardless of whether someone is a member or hotel guests” adds Kevin O’Shea, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer.
The Aster, 1717 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.instagram.com/theasterhollywood
The Hotel Barriere Le Majestic Cannes is in great shape
In 2022, our palace-hotel at 10, La Croisette will be launching its “A desire to…” array of unique packages to satisfy our guests’ yearning for shopping, romance, fine dining and family holidays. One theme that will be of particular interest to those keen to give their health a boost is our “A desire to get back in shape” package, which combines sport, effort and personal coaching with lots of pleasurable experiences and plenty of creature comforts!
We never listen to our desires enough, especially when they are telling us to take care of ourselves and to make tracks for the famous Croisette and one of France’s finest palace-hotels, the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic. This 5-star property in Cannes is putting a strong focus on relaxation and detoxing with one of the special offers in its brand-new “A desire to…” collection. Simply called “A desire to get back in shape”, this package for couples available from €1,611 is as unique as it is comprehensive.
The first ace up its sleeve is its personal coaching, with guests monitored throughout their stay by an experienced professional coach, providing a perfect opportunity to explore new training techniques and to take advantage of sound fitness advice that you can follow for the rest of the year. These recommendations are all the more beneficial given the variety of enjoyable activities included in the Majestic’s personalised programme, such as a fitness routine in the hotel’s hi-tech cardio-training studio, a “swimming” session in the hotel’s heated swimming pool, and two circuits along the Croisette, Cannes’ famous seafront boulevard: one a refreshing jogging workout, the other an equally invigorating Nordic hiking session, but which will still allow time to admire the stunning landscapes of the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins islands.
However, as most sports enthusiasts are aware, it’s not all about action – you also need to factor in periods of recovery, something that the health specialists at the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic have not neglected. Taking this on board, they have created three stages of relaxation. First up, an energy breakfast designed by a nutritionist and served in your room or in the famous Le Fouquet’s Cannes brasserie.
Secondly, a private yoga session which provides the perfect opportunity to work on your postures, breathing, concentration and flexibility. And thirdly, an individual sports treatment featuring a one-hour session of stretching techniques to remove any aches and pains in each muscle group and to learn how to manage your body to best effect.
After all this effort, lots of creature comforts are a fitting reward, something in which this palace-hotel excels – it goes without saying that the Cannes Barrière Resort’s flagship property is a master in pampering its guests! As part of its “A desire to get back in shape” package, the hotel has included a whole host of delightfully indulgent pleasures: accommodation for two in a Prestige Sea View room; free and unlimited use of the sauna, hammam and fitness centre in the Diane Barrière Spa, the hotel’s temple of wellbeing; a “healthy” VIP welcome that includes as basket of fresh fruit and fruit juices; and “house” gifts for every guest (sports bag, water bottle and bath sheet).
Not forgetting the memorable gourmet experience of a romantic dinner at Le Fouquet’s Cannes, where you can discover the menu designed by no other than Pierre Gagnaire, one of the leading names in French gastronomy. When it comes to health, a positive attitude is a great boost and the exquisite flavours created by one of the world’s top chefs will certainly help in this regard!
Lumley to launch a worldwide quiz night
QUIZZERS from around the world can take part in a first-of-its-kind quiz night at a medieval North East castle next month (March).
On Saturday 19 March, Lumley Castle Hotel, at Chester-le-Street, will give away a bumper £1200 prize package to the winner of its quiz.
And, because the event is being run on a cloud-based platform – players can join in from anywhere in the world.
The Lumley Castle Quiz is the brainchild of general manager Gordon Cartwright and players can opt to either take part in the event at the castle – where their ticket includes dinner at the four-star hotel – or remotely via a mobile or tablet.
Whichever they choose, the main prize of the night is The Lumley Experience valued at £1200 and comprising two nights dinner, bed and breakfast in the King James Suite, a helicopter tour of the North East, Champagne Afternoon Tea for two and a host of other treats and goodies.
Players opting to take part at the hotel will be able to view a giant LCD screen linked to the central quiz server, which will showcase the trend of answers and provide lllive updates on play.
Meanwhile players taking part remotely – and there could be upwards of 4500 - will be sent an access code on the day of the quiz to enable them to take part.
However, the winner won’t just be the player with the most correct answers at the end of the game.
Winning is also based on how fast players answer the questions with 10 seconds allotted for each answer – so, after 90 minutes of play, winning could come down to 100th of a second.
Spot prizes will be on offer throughout the evening as organisers Spin the Wheel 10 times to give random players the chance to win Lumley-based treats – from dinner for two in its Knights restaurant to tickets to its on-site Escape Room.
“By designing our own quiz platform for mobile devices we’ve created an event which up to 5000 members of the public can take part in, from anywhere in the world,” said Gordon Cartwright.
“And, because we’ve placed a cap on the number of people who can take part, the odds of winning are good.”
Players can either book to dine at Lumley and take part in the quiz at the Castle for £29.50, or log in remotely for £3.50.
Dinner for the quiz is served at 7pm with the big quiz starting at 9.30pm and a donation from every ticket sold will be made to Sunderland children’s charity Hope 4 Kidz.
The quiz is managed on a brand-new cloud platform and so everyone who participates must have a well-charged internet-enabled device on which to play.
For further information visit www.lumleycastle.com
The QHotels Collection launch Spa Academy
The recently re-branded The QHotels Collection have announced the formation of a new Spa Academy which will see the creation of new positions across the group and training and qualifications for existing Spa, Beauty & Wellbeing practitioners.
Sarah Abercrombie is the inspiration behind this initiative. She had the idea back in 2019 and has been working on the plan ever since, despite a hiatus due to the Covid Pandemic.
“I wanted to create an Academy that would encourage new people in to Spa and Wellbeing and fast track them in to a professional qualification,” she said. “And I wanted to create a system that would offer personal development and training to more certification for existing practitioners.”
Two years on and despite the pandemic, Sarah and the team at The QHotels Collection will launch the programme fully on November 1.
Ten newly created Apprenticeships have been identified who are new to the industry. They will have intensive training in a partnership with both the IBHA (International Beauty and Holistic Academy) and Elemis (Internationally renowned Skincare brand).
The unique training for The QHotels Collection Spa Academy will be under a certified “Well Being & Holistic Therapy” qualification recognised throughout the industry.
“We want to bring new people in to this very important sector, especially at this time,” said Sarah. “We are starting with a small group of ten but we see that this programme will very quickly escalate so that we can “Grow Our Own” professionals both for our group but also to enjoy a fabulous career in Beauty Therapy for their personal development and their futures.”
In addition, The QHotels Collection Spa Academy will help those already working in the industry to gain more professional qualifications which will be recognised in the UK and abroad.
Each member of The QHotels Collection Spa team will have a personalised development pathway programme to help them to become experts in the field of wellness, treatments and holistic therapies. And each individual will also be encouraged to explore their own wellbeing as part of the training.
“It is important that everyone on this unique programme is encouraged to explore and discover new ways to work on both a personal plan to encourage wellbeing management but also to understand more fully the needs of guests at the hotel,” said Julie Speed, Director of the IBHA.
“We have over 35 years of producing quality training and mentoring systems and the best Spa professionals in the country today. And we are delighted to have a unique plan in place for the training of The QHotels Collection Spa team.”
The group are planning for a number of people from beginners, improvers and Level 2 practitioners to pass through their training programme from now and during 2022 with a plan to expand the level of training and qualifications in the coming years.
Elemis Head of UK Spa and Salon, Sarah Bacon said: “This is such an exciting partnership for us. We are providing a unique and dynamic personal career pathway development especially for The QHotels Collection Spa team. But this also means a unique experience for hotel guests. We view this as three fabulous British brands coming together to benefit spa enthusiasts be they starters, professionals and those enjoying the expert treatments, to improve the industry and ultimately benefit the lives of both practitioner and consumer.”
An additional bonus to those involved in The QHotels Collection Spa Academy is that they will receive remuneration above the norm and be encouraged to progress to higher levels and a higher pay grade within a 20-month training cycle.
Participating Spa Academy Hotels:
Ashford International Hotel & Spa - ashfordhotel.co.uk
Belton Woods Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort –beltonwoods.co.uk
Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa - crewehallcheshire.co.uk
Chesford Grange Hotel – chesfordgrange.com
The Cambridge Belfry hotel & Spa - thecambridgebelfry.co.uk
Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort- dunstonhallhotel.co.uk
Norton Park Hotel & Spa - nortonparkhotel.com
Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort – oultonhallhotel.co.uk
Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort - slaleyhallhotel.com
Stratford Manor Hotel - stratfordmanor.co.uk
Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort - telfordhotelgolfresort.co.uk
The Park Royal Hotel & Spa - theparkroyal.co.uk
Delta by Marriott Nottingham Belfry - thenottinghambelfry.co.uk
Delta by Marriott Cheltenham Chase - thecheltenhamchase.co.uk
DoubleTree By Hilton Forest Pines Golf & Spa Resort - forestpineshotel.co.uk
DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry - theoxfordbelfry.co.uk
DoubleTree by Hilton Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort – thewesterwoodhotel.co.uk
Spend Saint Patrick’s Day With Hastings Hotels, Northern Ireland
Hastings Hotels is delighted to be launching brand new hotel packages to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Northern Ireland’s leading collection of hotels has launched St Patrick’s Day Long-Weekend packages at The Grand Central Hotel and The Europa Hotel so that guests can make the most of the long weekend. The package offers four nights for the price of three at both Belfast based hotels for guests checking in on 16th, 17th, or 18th March. For those who only wish to stay one night, all six Hastings Hotels will be offering a special rate. All packages include a full Irish breakfast each morning, as well as bowl of stew and pint to end the evening. Each visitor will be given a unique St Patrick’s Day Hastings duck to take home with them.
While enjoying a long weekend stay, guests should make sure to check out the Europa Hotel’s 50th anniversary interactive installation. The installation brings alive the rich history of Europa and it’s place in Northern Ireland’s peace story. Guests should be sure to grab a drink from the Observatory at The Grand Central Hotel, the country’s tallest cocktail bar.
‘St Patrick’s Long Weekend Packages’ available include:
- Europa Hotel in Belfast from £275pps for 4 nights on a B&B basis
- Grand Central Hotel in Belfast from £340pps for 4 nights on a B&B basis ‘St Patrick’s Overnight Packages’ available include:
- Everglades Hotel in Derry from £110pps on a B&B basis
- Stormont Hotel in Belfast from £120pps on a B&B basis
- Europa Hotel in Belfast from £130pps on a B&B basis
- Ballygally Castle in Antrim from £140pps on a B&B basis
- Grand Central Hotel in Belfast from £180pps on a B&B basis
- Culloden Estate & Spa in Belfast from £310pps on a B&B basis
To book a St Patrick’s Day Package with Hastings Hotels simply contact 028 9047 1066 or visit www.hastingshotels.com
*Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.
The Radisson Collection Hotel Palazzo Nani in Venice
The Radisson Collection Hotel Palazzo Nani in Venice is one of the most recent and prestigious realizations by Concreta, the Postalesio-based company specialized in high-profile contract for hotels, commercial spaces and residential areas, all sectors in which the Italian contractor from Valtellina has developed an experience that has led the company to a leading position in the national and international field.
The particular nature of this ancient Venetian palace and the complex logistics required by the execution of works in the lagoon, represented a challenge faced and won thanks to the combination of ‘attention to detail’ and ‘global approach’ that has always characterized the philosophy of Concreta.
THE STRUCTURE
The Radisson Collection Hotel Palazzo Nani is located in the heart of the Cannaregio district, a particularly suggestive and ‘authentic’ area of Venice, a fundamental route for the urban layout of the city since the Middle Age, when the Cannaregio Canal was the entrance to the city for those who came from Padua or Treviso through the lagoon routes. Rich in restaurants and ‘bacari’ (wine bar), shops and artisan boutiques, it is located not far from the Jewish Ghetto, with the quiet of its tiny streets and its unmistakable architectural imprint. From here you can easily reach the rest of the city on foot or by ‘vaporetto’; the Le Guglie ship stop is located right in front of the hotel. The Santa Lucia train station is less than 10 minutes away by feet.
The building that houses the hotel is a sixteenth-century historic building that belonged to the ancient Nani family, active in the political, social and cultural life of the Serenissima. Over the years, various properties have taken over and the building has changed its intended use several times.
It was a private residence, an Austrian barracks and, finally, a school. During the work on the site, objects and documents were found that testify to the previous lives of the building. Some of the finds, recovered and appropriately treated, have enriched the furnishings of the rooms and the garden. The façade is punctuated by a game of arches and elegant coats of arms in Istrian stone that seem to be due to the intervention of Alessandro Vittoria, who helped emphasize and enhance the preciousness of the building.
Prestigious brand of hospitality in the world, Radisson Group wanted to transform this historic residence into an enchanting hotel with 52 rooms and suites and 3 private apartments, which has become part of the Radisson Collection chain, where hospitality finds its highest expression in the offer of iconic structures, which reflect the character of the territory and the place, combining the atmosphere of an ‘authentic’ stay with the comfort of a high-profile design.
HISTORY AND CONTEMPORANEITY
For this hotel, Concreta created all the common areas on a project by Studio Marco Piva, according to a ‘box-in-the-box’ furnishing concept aimed at keeping intact the strong historical identity of the building, enriching it with a language of elegant contemporaneity.
Spaces are large and bright, some overlooking the Cannaregio Canal and offer chromatic shades recalling the nuances of the frescoed ceilings, in combination with seats with intense colors that refer to the expressions and values of the Territory, the colors of the water, the reflections of the glass, the interiors of the ‘gondolas’.
The realization of the common areas in this project takes on a very particular meaning, as the hotel was conceived as a place of hospitality that is not closed and exclusive but, on the contrary, open to the city and usable by those who wish to enjoy the Restaurant, the enchanting ‘secret’ garden – as are many of the Venetian gardens – and the relaxation of the lounge bar and lobbies.
The non-stop dialogue and full harmony that has characterized the collaboration between the designers of Studio Marco Piva and the Concreta team – from the choice of colors and materials to the sharing of prototypes – made it possible to translate the inspiring concept into a high-profile creation, fully respondent to the contents and needs of the project and the Client.
THE REALIZATION OF COMMON SPACES
In all common areas of the Radisson Collection Hotel Palazzo Nani you can read the sign of a formal balance of decorative effects, to leave the view free to enjoy these spaces and to collect the infinite suggestions coming from the lagoon city.
The main entrance of the hotel located on the ground floor houses the console-reception and gives access to the two restaurants and the lounge bar / breakfast room.
For the Private Restaurant, a milky white ribbed glass wall paneling was chosen to give rhythm to the space between the seats, a covering embellished with an integrated backlight. In the main restaurant, the focus point is made up of a sculptural monolith-filter, a large marble bench with upholstered seats in a soft teal velvet. A curvilinear bar counter dominates the scene and follows the floor islands. The covering is a textured carpet of white Venezia marble and Paradigma marble which contrasts it in a darker shade. The chromatic dominant of the spaces is the lagoon-green declined in its various shades.
In the lounge bar – which serves also as breakfast room – very dark colors have been selected running from wall to ceiling to create an immersive, enveloping atmosphere and to emphasize precious custom metal elements – such as the wall bottle holder – with a ribbed dark wood that gives rhythm to the wall, the motif of which is taken up by the striped ruby-colored upholstery that recalls the interior of a ‘gondola’.
The two lobbies in the ‘noble halls’ on floors B and C are characterized by being elegantly frescoed spaces, with ‘marmorini’, muses painted in the ovals above the doors of the second floor hall, fresco ceilings with Apollo, Venus and Cupid and Orpheus in Olympus.
These spaces have required particular efforts to harmonize the current intervention with the needs of a historic home that expresses its beauty and fragility. Thus, the recovered and cleaned historic ‘seminato’ floor was joined by a custom-made mobile furniture designed by Studio Marco Piva, of the same kind but in different colors in dialogue with the colors of the frescoes, with lounge chairs created in collaboration with Natuzzi, alongside tables, work tables and meeting tables always designed by Studio Marco Piva.
The gym, located on floor C, is housed in a frescoed room cleaned with the intervention of a company specializing in the restoration of works of art which has followed the restoration of all decorative elements of the building. The peculiarity of this space consists in the presence of large self-standing cylinders, almost high to the ceiling, handcrafted in metal bent by Concreta and fully equipped, with a high part with decorative and separation function and a base with cabinet function to contain towels, products, small tools and accessories and with an original metal mesh designed to separate while maintaining the lightness of a perforated surface crossed by light. Looking ahead, the area will also host a sauna.
The lighting project includes both custom and branded luminaires. The technical lights were created ad hoc in collaboration with Artemide and completed with large circular chandeliers and LED light sculptures from leading brands such as Italamp, Flos and Vibia. The decorative lighting was handled by Concreta. The large chandelier made up of opal glass spheres especially designed for this project stands out. The opalescence effect crosses the rooms and common areas like a fil-rouge and lights always refer to the transparency and reflections of the glass, to emphasize once again the strong relation with the Territory.
It is not surprising that in a project with a high content of historical and territorial identity like this one for Palazzo Nani, fabrics play a quite relevant role. Here, the declination of the textile elements and the chromatic choices are directly related with the comfort of the seat and the scenographic rendering of the context. Most of the fabrics that dress the hotel spaces are produced by Rubelli, a historic and prestigious Venetian brand. The bright velvets are by Rada Tessuti and the colorful rugs by Besana Carpet Lab play with the textures of the floors and give contrast and movement.
In perspective, even the large 350 square meters garden of the hotel will become a space to be enjoyed with a bar outside and open to the city. In the green, there are sculptures, statues, benches and sofas and two large stone bathtubs recovered during the works – coming from a quarry that is no longer active – and today returned to new life to tell the story of a distant past.
After the soft opening that took place in October 2021, the official inauguration of the Radisson Collection Hotel Palazzo Nani is scheduled for February 2022, during the celebrations for the Carnival of Venice.