The Best of UK (Hospitality) vol. 8

JW MARRIOTT HOTEL NARA BY G.A GROUP

G.A Group have been shortlisted for Lobby/ Public Areas- Asia Pacific Award in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2021.

The brief was to provide interior design for a luxury new-build hotel, in a contemporary but timeless style, which subliminally immerses the guest in the wonders of the area and is unique to the setting and culture of Nara. In line with the company philosophy – Restless Curiosity – our first step in developing the design scheme for this project was to explore the location: Nara. By doing this, the designers gained a deeper understanding of the cultural landscape. This allowed them to get a feel for the iconic elements of the city and, in turn, to appreciate what makes it so important as a worldwide destination, famous for its ancient temples, dramatic landscape, historical buildings and, of course, the Nara deer.
The aim was for the guests at the JW Marriott Hotel Nara to receive a warm sense of arrival. The reception and lobby design is purposely not overly formal but instead more relaxed, and welcoming, rather like that of a Grand Residence. Although the structure of the building is steel, they wanted to bring timber beams into the lobby space, a feature so distinctive to the Temples and ancient houses of Nara. Traditional influences reimagined in a contemporary style can be seen throughout the entirety of the hotel, but most prominently in the Guestrooms.

Tonik Associates have been shortlisted for Hotel Under 200 Rooms – Global Award in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2021.

The design brief was to create a luxury club style hotel in tune with its surroundings offering sumptuous public and private areas with a focus on luxury with “purpose’. This hotel offers the guest the total private club experience, the public areas are intimate and bespoke. Art pieces and furniture were curated to reflect the intimate nature of the clubs mantra and attention to detail in material, furniture and artifact choice was a key driver for the interior team. The ground floor lounge and lower ground floor bar and restaurant act as one space to reflect the club ambience. The raised ceiling height in the bar restaurant and abundance of natural light flow into this intimate space adding to the connectivity.
The ground floor snug area maintains the quality of the public space and provides an enclosed area for privacy. Due to the tightness of the site the bedrooms on each of five floors are irregular in size and shape, to accentuate the bespoke nature of the offer 3 themes were introduced into the design of the private spaces. The themes were reflections of the hotel’s neighbourhood and history. This meant that all the rooms have an individual look and feel whilst maintaining the hotels DNA of Luxury and understated elegance. Bespoke bathroom design and fittings and natural finishes compliment the sumptuous material choice adding to the bespoke nature of the space. The upper floors of the hotel are dedicated to spacious residences, with bespoke kitchens and lounge areas some with external terraces add an extra dimension to the properties offer and accentuate the club feel encouraging a longer stay.

HOTEL UNDER 200 ROOMS GLOBAL WINNER 2020 – TREEHOUSE LONDON BY KEANE BRANDS

The project scope was the full conversion of the existing Saint Georges Hotel on Langham Place in London into the world’s first Treehouse Hotel. Working with the brand owners, SH Hotels & Resorts and the hotel owner/developer Cairn Group, we were tasked to design and create a place that feels more home than hotel, an oasis that refreshes, inspires and delights, in Marylebone – one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

The development comprises a ground floor entrance and lift lobby with coffee bar, 95 guest rooms, including 15 suites, over floors nine to fourteen, a 15th floor bar and restaurant and a roof extension housing a new 16th floor VIP rooftop bar with wrap around terrace and stunning views of London.

Every detail is imagined through the carefree, optimistic lens of childhood and balanced with distinctly modern sensibility. The hotel features an abundance of unique surprises, charming amenities and thoughtful programming: cosy guest rooms with cuckoo clocks and sleeping bag throws, resident horticulturists who give tours of local gardens, books clubs and poetry slams.