Page 131 - HH Dec Jan

HOTELS

Wang explains, “There are uses of are creating new trends. Aligning the restaurant design with the hotel’s
behind-the-scene technology such as branding is crucial.
mechanical, electrical, lighting systems Design clearly dictates a guest’s choice. From contemporary décor with
that give the guests the comfort as well bolder colours to natural elements and avant-garde furniture to eclectic
as energy efficiency for the hotel. tableware, restaurants are trying to make a style statement through
At the same time, there are uses of their design.
technology in design that guests can The 18th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Pune offers panoramic views not only
appreciate and see such as mobile of the city but also the surrounding countryside where Pune’s rich history
check-in and testing of Robutlers in is ingrained. This significant past is captured and displayed into an
some of our hotels. Besides we have IoT interior for both the Indian bar and restaurant Aasmana, as part of the
(Internet of Things) smart guestroom concept i.e. East meets West.
that we are working on which could be
the guestrooms of the future with
voice-activated features and services “WITH EVERY RESTAURANT VYING
that will be customised for each guest FOR A USP SOME OF THE POPULAR
based on their profile and preferences.” BARS AND RESTAURANTS ARE THE
ONES WITH A COSY OUTDOOR
DESIGN DICTATES SPACE CARVED INTO THEIR
A restaurant’s design, in some cases, can FOOTPRINT OR TUCKED AWAY ON
be just as important as the food it THE ROOFTOP.”
serves. After all, eye-catching
photographs for Instagram are a must in Sumessh Menon,
Sumessh Menon Associates
the age we live in. While some are
reviving retro styles and patterns others
At Andaz Delhi, AnnaMaya’s interiors
incorporate Old Delhi in all its glory “IT IS FASCINATING TO TAKE
through sacks of spices and colourful SOMETHING OLD AND POSSIBLY
hand-painted glass windows like in FORGOTTEN AND GIVE IT NEW
Chandni Chowk as well as weathered LIFE...THERE AREN’T ENOUGH
wooden doors that are reminiscent of the RESOURCES TO CONTINUOUSLY
PRODUCE NEW THINGS.”
picturesque bylanes of Old Delhi’s markets.
Juxtaposed with this is a brown and Akshat Bhatt, Principal Architect,
white geometrical-tiled floor like the one in Architect Discipline, Delhi
markets and food halls in Europe. Together
these elements help to integrate the local
flavour with the look and feel of a
traditional European food hall.
Taking inspiration from Lippan Kaam, WORK WITH THE BEST
the mud and mirror art of Kutch, this Hotels engage the best interior designers and architects nowadays and
graphic can be seen displayed above the work closely with them. Akshat Bhatt, Principal Architect, Architect
buffet and show kitchen, adding strokes of Discipline, Delhi, enjoys challenges. “It is fascinating to take something old
colours giving it a modern touch. and possibly forgotten and give it new life,” he says.
Interior designer Sumessh Menon of He adds: “We are running out of space, forests, and water. There aren’t
Sumessh Menon Associates adds, “With enough resources to continuously produce new things. To that effect, we’ve
every restaurant vying for a USP, some of done a few projects – The Postcard Hotels in Goa, The Oberoi Grand in
the popular bar and restaurants are the Kolkata, The Oberoi, New Delhi – all of which are brownfield projects.
ones with a cosy outdoor space carved into These are now restored and redeveloped with a new identity. At The
their footprint or tucked away on the Oberoi, New Delhi we were also commissioned to design 12 luxury suites in
rooftop. More so in space-starved Mumbai, a span of six months. The client brief was to reflect the legacy of the iconic
outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces are much hotel while merging with the architectural context of the 1st century.”
more desirable such that there is the Design forms an innate part of the overall experience that a hotel offers
pleasure of alfresco dining while being in – it breathes life into an otherwise usual building. Guests are more likely to
close proximity with the lively energy of the select a hotel which communicates with them or unravels new stories and
bar inside. Vibrant and energetic design helps in creating visual memories thus making design an imperative
trends to carve out the perfect setting.” element for all hotels.

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