Design Hotels introduces two limited edition books

Design Hotels has recently launched the new Design Hotels Made by Originals book containing backstories, anecdotes and insight into the driving forces and creative spirits behind the chain of hotels. The book is in addition to the annual publication The Design Hotels Book Edition 2011 which showcases 200 member hotels in 120 destinations across the globe.

Design Hotels Made by Originals features 33 stories on the people behind the member hotels, written by international journalists and illustrated by renowned photographers and artists. Originals presented include Shahé Kalaidjian, owner of the Hotel Sezz Saint-Tropez, who gives a glimpse into his world of polo, travelling and life on the Côte d’Azur, and reflects on his long friendship with designer Christoph Pillet. Also featured are the entrepreneurs behind the Germany-based 25hours Hotel Company, a group of properties that will have two new additions this year in Vienna and Hamburg. Design Hotels presents both the Made by Originals and Book Edition 2011 books in limited collector’s editions, wrapped in a specially designed cardboard carrying case by Berlin-based MaginWulf Studios. These are priced at €69.00 and are available to buy at www.designhotels.com/shop, member hotels and selected book retailers worldwide.

New W Hotel to open in Leicester Square next month

This February 2011, W London - Leicester Square will open its doors to the public. Situated on the corner of Leicester Square and Wardour Street, on the site of what used to be the Swiss Centre, the building stands 10 storeys tall, and uses translucent glass which will change colour according to the time of day or happenings in the hotel or the city. Taking inspiration from its surroundings, W London - Leicester Square will deliver a variety of unique guest experiences and initiatives that highlight the brand’s passions within film, fashion, music and design. The new hotel will feature 192 guest rooms, including 17 suites, three WOW suites and one Extreme WOW suite, as well as offering guests an Away Spa with a focus on detox and refuel.

W London – Leicester Square is accepting reservations, including group arrivals and event bookings, from 14 February onwards. To celebrate the exclusive debut, there is an opening offer from £269.00 per-room per-night. Tour the hotel online at www.wlondon.co.uk/showme.

SHOP at The Savoy launched this week and announces news for 2011

SHOP at The Savoy is a new bespoke shopping experience available throughout the hotel as a virtual shopping space. Highlights of SHOP's launch services include:

The SHOP Collection No1 - a selection of handpicked, iconic products. Each season, the quarterly collection is overseen by consultant Yasmin Sewell and hosts pieces from London’s design talent. This season includes Anya Hindmarch, Dunhill, Boodles, Stella McCartney and Bottega Venetta.

Fetch Fabulous - SHOPS 'fetching finders' are on hand to to source gifts from all around London. Personal Shoppers are also offered to help find ideal gifts.

Bespoke London - a selection of London's crafts brought directly to shoppers at The Savoy - in the hotel room or the main hotel areas. This includes tailors, jewellers, milliners and perfumiers.

VIP Shopping - in which guests can be chauffeur driven to department store and boutiques while enjoying VIP privileges during their stay.

SHOP Services and the SHOP Collection are available throughout The Savoy and at www.shopatthesavoy.com in addition to the SHOP AtoZ Guide of Insider’s London and the SHOP TV channel in every room at The Savoy. The SHOP Boutique will launch from early March.

Heathrow's first boutique hotel, The Stanwell, has launched

The Stanwell, Heathrow’s first boutique hotel has officially opened providing the local business community and Heathrow passengers with a new and alternative to the big airport chain hotels. Situated three miles from the M25 and Heathrow’s T5 in the 13th century historic village of Stanwell, The Stanwell was the first airport hotel to open at Heathrow in 1951. Now, following a multi-million pound refurbishment and extension, the Stanwell gets a new lease of life with 54 bedrooms, Zamora’s restaurant, the Atrium Lounge Bar and Knyvett meeting rooms. Set in almost an acre of grounds, the hotel’s semi-rural location belies its proximity to the world’s busiest airport.Special opening rates start from as little as £75.00 for the Classic Double rooms.
The accommodation includes Classic & Deluxe Doubles and Executive Kings, some with balconies, plus The Stanwell Suite with en suite bedroom, lounge, dining/ boardroom and guest facilities, perfect for the business executive or family. Styles and decor vary from rooms in the original Victorian House to the Stables across the courtyard with ground floor rooms leading onto their own patios; and through the atrium the new Garden Rooms, some with French windows opening onto the lawns. Event space can accommodate up to 50 people for business meetings or social events. Named after Lord Knyvett who lived in Stanwell and was accredited with arresting Guy Fawkes in 1605, The Knyvett Room has easy access on the ground floor and natural daylight and measures 60m². Suitable for small meetings, training, and private lunches & dinners and small weddings. The hotel has 45 private parking spaces. Executive chef Manuel Zamora is back with his newly designed a la carte restaurant “Zamora’s” relocated to incorporate al fresco dining on the patio overlooking the rear gardens. The modern, contemporary eaterie is launching a new “eclectic European” menu with speciality dishes.

New Sisley partnered U-Spa Barrière opens in Cannes

The new U-Spa Barrière, with which Sisley has signed a 3 year partnership, has just opened its doors at the Majestic Hotel, Cannes. Created by interior designer Pascal Desprez, it contrasts white marble with precious wood, in a minimalist aesthetic. 4 treatment rooms (including one double), sauna, hammam, relaxation room, fitness room and a water paradise cabin: a multi-sensorial journey under a series of showers with olfactory, auditive and visual environments to stimulate the senses. The Sisley Menu at the Majestic Barrière offers a wide range of facial and body treatments including phyto-aromatic facial and body treatments, targeted facials (youth, radiance, extreme comfort, restorative, pureness), Sisleÿa anti-aging facial or intensive hydrating anti-ageing facial, zen harmony body massage, intensive hydrating treatment, slimming and firming treatment, back treatment, exfoliating treatment and Sisley beauty rituals.

Moschino re-interprets Starck designed chair

Moschino has re-interpreted the ‘Mademoiselle’ chair, created by Philippe Starck for Kartell in 2004. The chairs are used to furnish a selection of rooms in Maison Moschino; the new Moschino hotel opened this month 2010 in Milan. ‘Wallpaper’ is a Mademoiselle chair covered in gold brocade fabric, a theme carried through the ‘Wallpaper’ room. ‘The Bow’, pictured here, is a Mademoiselle chair that furnishes the room of the same name; the space like the chair is decorated by coloured bows. ‘Wallpaper’, ‘The Bow’, ‘Alice’s Room’, ‘Sleeping in a Ballgown’ and ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ are names given to the different rooms – totalling in 16 different design concepts – that have a design inspired by fairytales. The chairs can be purchased to order at the Maison Moschino boutique.

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