Two Axor projects win three awards at the European Hotel Design Awards 2011

Read article : Two Axor projects win three awards at the European Hotel Design Awards 2011

Tuesday 22nd November marked the annual European Hotel Design Awards at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge. Held on the eve of the prestigious 2011 Sleep Event, the black tie dinner was hosted by BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine and celebrated the very best in new hotel design from across Europe.

Recognised by the judges for their creative excellence and commercial viability, two of the winning projects - The Savoy Hotel and Four Seasons, Park Lane, London, both feature showers and bathroom fittings from international bathroom brand Axor, the designer brand from Hansgrohe. 

Following an ambitious £220 million restoration, the Savoy re-opened in October 2010 and won two awards ‘Interior Design of the Year’ for its lobby and public areas and one of the key accolades of the night ‘The European Hotel Design of the Year’.  A British icon since 1889, the new design successfully blends old and new while allowing English Edwardian and Art Deco interiors to shine with timeless elegance and glamour.  The Axor Montreux collection with its nostalgic, turn of the 20th century styling and modern technology was a perfect fit for the bathrooms in 215 of the hotel’s 268 guestrooms and suites.

Axor designers, Phoenix Design, combined clear, geometric shapes with pure, traditional elements such as filigree cross handles, ceramic detailing at the centre of each mixer handle and accessories such as wall lights with handmade crystal glass shades, soap dishes and towel rails.  Other unique reminiscences of the era include bridge mixer taps and a freestanding version of the bath tub mixer. All taps, shower and accessories are available with a distinctive brushed or polished nickel finish or, as chosen by the Savoy, the timeless option of polished chrome.

These latest two awards join a cavalcade of prizes to round off a successful first re-opening year including the ‘2011 Hot List’ from Condé Nast Traveller and ‘Favourite UK Hotel’ at the Telegraph Travel Awards.

The Four Seasons on London’s Park Lane won the top award ‘Architecture of the Year’ for conversion of an existing hotel building. Hansgrohe supplied its design-led, superbly crafted Axor Citterio bathroom collection to all 192 luxury guest rooms, including 45 one, two and three-bedroom suites with airy views across fashionable Mayfair rooftops and the greenery of Hyde Park. 

Axor Citterio was the ideal partner for the finely detailed bathrooms which feature delicate marble and brushed steel, enhanced by walnut and marble cabinetry and vanity mirrors with integrated televisions. There are over 70 individual items bearing the Axor Citterio label including a wide choice of mixers for basins, bidets and baths, as well as coordinating showers, showerpipes, bath tubs and accessories.  All are characterised by a strong geometric design with gleaming, perfectly crafted chrome surfaces and a harmonious combination of straight angular edges next to rounded curves.  Designed to perfectly blend into both modern and classic interiors, the line radiates luxury as an expression of quality, workmanship, expertise and added value.

Ben Reed, Contract Manager responsible for both the Savoy and Four Seasons hotels comments, “It has been a privilege to be involved with these tremendous hotel projects. The Savoy is steeped in history so was not only a great contract to win but crucial to get right in order to meet the exacting standards required of the hotel design team. With the Four Seasons, we worked very closely from start to finish with the client’s designers at ReardonSmith Architects, so I am delighted also to see the practice recognised and rewarded for their vision and talent with Patrick Reardon winning the award for ‘Outstanding Contribution’ ‘.

 

Axor, the designer brand of Hansgrohe AG, successfully realizes “Designer Visions for Your Bathroom". In cooperation with Axor, leading product designers, architects and interior designers develop their vision for the bathroom as a living space. The Axor collections offer a great number of unique and sustainable solutions to create personalised bathrooms of the highest aesthetic and technological levels. To date, Axor collections have been created by Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Jean-Marie Massaud, Patricia Urquiola as well as Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. They all contribute towards making life in and around the bathroom a little more meaningful and beautiful. The Axor brand is headed by Philippe Grohe.

 

Hyatt Centric Montevideo in Uruguay Opens Today

Read article : Hyatt Centric Montevideo in Uruguay Opens Today

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hyatt announced today the opening of Hyatt Centric Montevideo, the brand’s first hotel to open outside of North America, and the second Hyatt-branded property in Uruguay. The 178-room hotel is located in the bustling Pocitos neighborhood, a prime destination for guests to explore and discover the heart of Montevideo. Hyatt Centric Montevideo is in close proximity to many of the area’s business and leisure districts, including the World Trade Center, Montevideo Shopping and Ciudad Vieja, as well as La Rambla, the coastal avenue where locals meet daily to exercise, socialize and take in the city’s best sunsets.

“We are delighted to welcome the first international Hyatt Centric hotel to the charming city of Montevideo,” said Myles McGourty, senior vice president of operations for Hyatt in Latin America and the Caribbean. “Hyatt Centric Montevideo was designed to make guests feel welcome and connected with the heart of the destination. We are confident that this contemporary new hotel will allow for exploration and discovery, while introducing Hyatt’s well-known hospitality to both guests and residents.”

Arrival Experience

Guests can begin their journey cruising the Uruguayan coastline along La Rambla, the 19 mile (30km) waterside promenade near Hyatt Centric Montevideo. Upon entering the hotel, a large lounge welcomes guests as they make their way to the stylish lobby area. A stained-glass inspired ceiling invites natural light into the space and marks a central point that integrates the hotel’s restaurant, lobby and bar. The hotel design sets the stage for an authentic Montevideo experience and includes mosaic floors, eclectic ambiance and local artwork combined with modern luxury design, creating a touch of local culture. Large windows from the bar, deli and library offer sweeping views of the Rio de la Plata.

“We are thrilled to open our doors in Montevideo and present a hotel that truly captures Montevidean culture and innovative design,” said Guillaume Paupy, general manager of Hyatt Centric Montevideo. “Our team is ready to welcome guests and share their insider knowledge to help guests explore the best of the destination.”

Guestrooms

The hotel’s 178 spacious guestrooms, including 14 suites, balance the energy of the city with a calm, inviting respite. The minimal yet upscale features include contemporary furniture, destination-inspired artwork and modern colorful touches. Guestrooms offer impressive views of Rio de la Plata or the serene cityscape, and combine amenities to meet the needs of the millennial-minded traveler, including a luxurious plush bed, 47-inch LED TV (55-inch in suites), mini bar, large walk-in shower (additional bath tub in suites), generous work desk with enhanced lighting, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, premium bath amenities, JBL Horizon alarm clocks, a salon-grade hairdryer, concierge service, and 24 hour in-room dining.

Executive rooms and suites also have access to special services and amenities such as the rooftop lounge, which offers 180-degree waterfront views, continental breakfast, and evening cocktails, among other services.

Dining and Drinking

Hyatt Centric Montevideo features distinct dining options including breakfast, business lunches, intimate dinners, quick drinks or casual dining experiences designed to inspire food lovers during their journey to explore the best of local flavors.

The hotel’s signature restaurant Plantado features a regionally inspired menu offering locally sourced produce and classic Uruguayan favorites for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Behind the culinary concept and menu is the talented Executive Chef Federico Ferrari, formerly of Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires.

When the sun sets over the city, guests can retreat to the hotel’s vibrant Moderno Bar. Eclectic décor and scenic views complement creative signature cocktails, gourmet small plates and a unique selection of acclaimed local wines and artisan beers.

Additional food and beverage amenities include the Deli, a specialty market featuring Uruguayan olive oils and gourmet cheeses, freshly baked goods, local pastries, coffee and teas service, organic juices, to-go foods and other local goods.

Meetings and Events

Hyatt Centric Montevideo’s event facilities total more than 18,700 square feet (1,700 square meters), with each meeting room named after an influential female Uruguayan poet, a tribute to local literature. The fully integrated area features an elegant, multi-purpose ballroom and six sophisticated meeting rooms that provide an extensive range of options for upscale meetings, conferences, social events such as quinceañeras and weddings of all sizes, complete with state-of-the-art audio visual services and dedicated staff to assist in planning and execution.

Wellness and Recreation

Hyatt Centric Montevideo features a 24-hour fitness studio with the latest high-tech cardio and strength training equipment from Life Fitness®, and offers a massage treatment suite to relax and unwind, as well as a heated indoor pool.

Guests that like to take their workout outdoors will have the perfect opportunity to do so along La Rambla, the ideal spot for a walk, jog or to take one of the hotel’s custom-designed vintage bicycles for rides.

Hyatt Centric Montevideo is offering a special opening rate of USD $190 plus taxes for standard guestrooms, including breakfast. For full offer details, including terms and conditions, or to make a reservation, please visit hyattcentricmontevideo.com or call +598 26211234.

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one of its affiliates.

The Hyatt Centric Experience

Hyatt Centric is a brand of full-service lifestyle hotels located in prime destinations. Created for millennial-minded travelers who want to be in the middle of the action, Hyatt Centric hotels are thoughtfully designed to enable exploration and discovery. The lobby lounge is a launch pad providing guests with information about the most sought-after food, nightlife and activities the destination has to offer, sourced from a community of “in the know” local explorers. The bar and restaurant are local hot spots where great conversations, locally inspired food and signature cocktails can be enjoyed. Streamlined modern rooms focus on delivering everything guests wants and nothing they don’t, including environmentally conscious bath products, Bluetooth-enabled electronics and restaurant to-go delivery service. A team of associates are always available to aid guests in their discovery of the destination and make the most of their stay.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 12 premier brands and 652 properties in 53 countries as of March 31, 2016. The Company's purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to create value for shareholders, build relationships with guests and attract the best colleagues in the industry. The Company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences and vacation ownership properties, including under the Park Hyatt®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Andaz®, Hyatt Centric™, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt™,Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®,Hyatt Ziva™,Hyatt Zilara™ and Hyatt Residence Club®brand names and have locations on six continents. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

‘Fairytale’ Irish castle ranked in 25 best travel experiences in the world

Read article : ‘Fairytale’ Irish castle ranked in 25 best travel experiences in the world

A “fairytale” experience at Ashford Castle has been listed as one of the 25 best travel experiences in the world.

The listing was compiled by US travel advisor Chad Clark, who is aiming to certify travel “experiences” to create an annual list similar to what the Michelin Guide is for restaurants.

“You have the Forbes Travel Guide for hotel star ratings and Michelin for restaurants and Golf Magazine for the Top 100 courses, but there is nothing like that for experiences and that’s what everyone is looking for today,” he says. The ‘Certified 25’ is the “first of its kind in the travel industry”, he says, and the aim is to create an annual list of the best travel experiences around the world.

Experiences - and “experiential travel” - are the current buzzwords travel industry. For the ultimate travel bragging rights, it’s no longer enough to book a luxury hotel room in the five-star hotel with the best views of whatever piazza you happen to be in. Now it’s about “making memories through experiences”, according to travel advisors. Travellers want to actually do, see or learn something while on a trip, as opposed to lazing by the pool. It’s no surprise that the trend is particularly evident in the luxury travel market with wildlife safaris, Arctic cruises and active travel with learning experiences, such as photography courses, all on the increase.

Airbnb is also building on this momentum with its “experiences” section, where travellers can link up with locals in cities around the world. Other similar initiatives include Cool Cousin, which is soon to launch in Dublin. The Cool Cousin app provides a profile of locals who you can select according to your interests. You then receive their map of their city ,which is loaded with at least 25 of their favourite places, from restaurants to shops, as well as personalised advice.

Despite all the interest in the area, Clark believes it is hard to find the “best in class” experiences – there is no gathering of five-star experiences, which is where his “Certified 25” come in. The winners of the first annual listing were announced at the Virtuoso Travel Symposium in Las Vegas earlier this week. Virtuoso is a consortium of luxury and specialist travel advisors and agents and many of Clark’s listings are affiliates of the network, which has about 1,700 affiliates around the world.

Clark owns the Phoenix-based Chad Clark Travel Ventures. To create the Certified 25, he surveyed luxury travel industry suppliers and other travel experts, who submitted their best experiences from around the world. The winners were “chosen on their own merits of how cool the experience actually is”, he says. Reader beware however – money is no object when it comes to Clark’s definition of a “cool” experience.

A private showing of The Quiet Man in the 32-seat cinema at Ashford Castle is included in its fairytale experience – with Champagne and popcorn of course

Ireland’s sole listing is the “Ashford Castle Fairytale experience”. It includes private chauffeur transfers from the airport; two nights in a Stateroom; afternoon tea in the Connaught Room; falconry; a private showing of The Quiet Man in the 32-seat cinema at the hotel, with Champagne and popcorn of course; dinners in the Dungeon and George V restaurants; wine tasting; and meeting the estate’s Irish Wolfhounds. The price of your fairytale? From €4,350 in low season to €6,350 in high season.

General manager Niall Rochford says the castle is “privileged to represent Ireland and Irish tourism internationally as the only Irish property to be included in this inaugural list”. He describes Clark as someone “who has himself carved a career as a highly regarded and influential travel expert worldwide”.

“Our Fairytale Castle Experience offers guests the chance to experience the magic of Ashford Castle, offering the utmost in modern luxury and five-star hospitality in the unique setting of this historic castle.”

In Sydney, Clark’s list recommends you contact husband and wife team Jamie and Alex, aka Local Eyes Sydney, to give you the quintessential Sydney experience. This involves starting your day with early morning yoga or surfing on the beach before breakfast, National Park bush and beach walks. Jamie and Alex bring guests to their home for lunch and drinks before sailing to see Sydney Harbour’s icons up close from their classic cruiser, Iluka. The nine-hour “quintessential” experience will set you back €4,183 for two people, more than what most of us will spend on a 10-day trip Down Under. (Price comparison note: Flights from Dublin to Sydney average at €1,100 per person.)

For those with even deeper pockets (or a second home to sell) who also have an ethical travel conscience, safari company Singita offers a behind-the-scenes stay in their lodge and Sabora Tented Camp in Tanzania.

Grumeti Black Rhino Project, learning about their anti-poaching unit and local enterprise development" height="348" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3189875!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg" width="620" /> A six-night safari with Singita Safaris in Tanzania includes working with Grumeti Black Rhino Project, learning about their anti-poaching unit and local enterprise development

The experience includes learning about their wildlife re-introduction efforts, through the Grumeti Black Rhino Project; working with their anti-poaching unit first-hand; learning about their new canine law enforcement unit as well as their fund of local enterprise development. As for the cost…take a deep breath. The six-night experience costs €6,305 per person, which might not seem too wild for a luxury six-night safari experience. However, there is also a compulsory contribution of €42,500 ($50,000) per booking to support Singita’s conservation programmes. It is based on a minimum of two people and the maximum group size is six.

You might be glad to find out that the list also includes more affordable items to enhance your travel experience wherever it may be, such as the Kickstarter crowd-funded G-RO Smart Carry-on luggage.

features USB ports and a powerful battery, lightweight design, and a patented larger wheel making it easier to wheel on all terrain" height="348" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3189874!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg" width="620" /> G-RO Smart Carry-on luggage (from €380) features USB ports and a powerful battery, lightweight design, and a patented larger wheel making it easier to wheel on all terrain

The bag (from €380, g-ro.com) features smart technology such as USB ports and a powerful battery, slick lightweight design, as well as a patented larger wheel concept that means a bag that is easier to wheel on all terrain - from cobbled streets to airport walkways.

Photography company Flyographer (flytographer.com) also features. The company, founded in 2013, links travelers with professional photographers in more than 130 destinations so you can abandon your selfie stick and instead use a professional photographer to capture your holiday snaps…for a fee of €210-€550 depending on the number of locations and length of the session.

Other immersive experiences include a volcano adventure with Four Seasons Hualalai; Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival with Nomadic Expeditions; an overnight Yurt stay at Platte Canyon with Brush Creek Ranch Luxury Collection; and a banquet on a remote section of the Great Wall of China with conservationist William Londesay.

See the full list below, or for more details, chadclarksertified.com

Top 25 Travel Experiences in the World (for those with very deep pockets)

Cong, Ireland: Ashford Castle’s Fairytale Experience includes a “luxurious stay in a medieval Irish castle where guests are invited to take part in authentic Irish activities throughout the castle and its picturesque grounds”.

London, UK:Travel company Noteworthy - who create “unforgettable Exquisite British Experiences” - allow clients behind-the-scenes access to the “Changing of the Guards” and the opportunity to photograph the event.

London, UK: The Beaumont Hotel in London offers a ‘do-it-yourself’ ice cream sundae with 300 potential permutations in the resort’s Colony Grill Room. For Clark, this is (thankfully) only part of the luxury offering at the Beaumont, which adding personal touches to all client stays.

ice cream sundae with 300 potential permutations in the resort’s Colony Grill Room" height="348" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3189870!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg" width="620" /> The Beaumont Hotel in London offers a ‘do-it-yourself’ ice cream sundae with 300 potential permutations in the resort’s Colony Grill Room

Bhutan:Amankora Bhutan’s spiritual and cultural safari involves walks through ancient rhododendron forests watching black necked cranes, soaking in a hot stone bath; interacting with novice monks and dining in a rustic stone potato shed.

Wyoming, US: Platte Canyon Overnight Camp at Brush Creek Ranch is a luxurious camping experience that includes private outdoor activities, gourmet meals around an open fire, a large yurt and two traditional teepees with large decks located over the North Platte River.

New York, US:Chatwal Hotel guests can enjoy insider access to Broadway from the landmark building once home to the oldest theatrical club in the US. Guests have the opportunity to be part of the cast of a Broadway show.

Italy:Rosa Alpina Hotel bring guests on a journey through the Dolomite Mountains where guests hike in luxury from “hut to hut” while enjoying the gourmet food and wines.

Colorado, US:Limited “only by the imagination”, Colorado’s Dunton Hot Springs offers customizable experiences that are specifically tailored for each guest’s interests, including cattle driving, and horse riding.

Flytographer:Flytographer connects travelers with vetted local photographers for short, candid vacation shoots in over 200 cities around the world, providing both an authentic travel experience and unforgettable souvenirs.

Hawaii, US:The Four Seasons Hotel Hualalai offers a volcano with a private helicopter journey over the big island, a trip to a Rainforest Cottage Hideaway where you can hike, swim, explore the area around the volcano.

New York, US: The Greenwich Hotel offers a fully complimentary minibar in all rooms. This includes v “vintage favorite goodies” reminiscent of childhood combined with trendy new snacks with all-natural, vegan and gluten-free options. By the way, this is a mini-bar with a difference. Alcohol is excluded.

Utah, US: A stay at the Waldorf Astoria Park City offers beautiful snow-covered views of the largest ski and snowboard resort in the US. Don’t forget to take their signature vanilla mint chapstick on all adventures, according to Clark.

G-RO Luggage: G-RO luggage is specifically designed to accompany on-the-go travelers whether they are traveling around the block or around the globe.

China: With Imperial Tours, guests travel by helicopter over the Great Wall of China, landing at an isolated tower for a gourmet banquet with conservationist William Lindesay, who helped draft the law protecting wall.

France: Indulge in a progressive Parisian culinary journey at Le Bristol Paris, where they experience the French Art de Vivre, a decadent breakfast, a tailor made picnic and dinner at Michelin three-star restaurant, Epicure.

France:A meal at Les Prés d’Eugénie-Michel Guerard is described as capturing “the essence of French luxury, style, grace and elegance in a sumptuous setting”.

Ecuador: Metropolitan Touring offer a nighttime walk through the forest in search of nocturnal amphibians and insects, ending with a surprise (well, it was meant to be a surprise) picnic.

Minaret Station, New Zealand:Travel company Minaret Station bring clients on a helicopter tour of the Southern Alps in New Zealand before touching down in a deserted alpine meadow. Then it’s time to enjoy a gourmet spread of lobster pulled fresh from the sea, Minaret Station-sourced beef and lamb and award-winning New Zealand wines.

Mongolia: Watch Kazakh hunters at the Golden Eagle Festival in the remote Altai Mountains as these skilled hunters and their highly-trained eagles compete for the top prize. Nomadic Expeditions arrange this experience.

Amalfi Coast, Italy: Hotel Palazzo Avino’s “Sea of Love” dining experience aims to suspend guests between land and sea. Start with a boat trip to your private candlelit dinner overlooking the ocean.

Hotel Palazzo Avino’s “Sea of Love” dining experience aims to suspend guests between land and sea." height="348" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3189871!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg" width="620" /> On the Amalfi Coast in Italy, the Hotel Palazzo Avino’s “Sea of Love” dining experience aims to suspend guests between land and sea.

Peru:Experience the mystical beauty of Peru’s Lake Titicaca, the cradle of Andean civilization, through visits to a traditional community on the island of Taquile and hiking ancient trails surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountain landscapes.

Tanzania:Singita safari company offer behind-the-scenes insight into the work of the Anti-Poaching Unit in the Serengeti.

Singita Safaris offers a behind-the-scenes stay in their lodge and Sabora Tented Camp in Tanzania – once you make a $50,000 ‘donation’ to their wildlife preservation work" height="348" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3189876!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg" width="620" /> Singita Safaris offers a behind-the-scenes stay in their lodge and Sabora Tented Camp in Tanzania – once you make a $50,000 ‘donation’ to their wildlife preservation work

India:Guests of the Ultimate Traveling Camp at Thiskey enjoy a day “on top of the world” where they are immersed in the region’s unique rituals and have the opportunity to try their hand at archery, raft down the Indus River and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Australia: True North conducts adventure-cruises in Australia’s stunning Kimberley region, with daily off-ship activities, some via the ship’s onboard helicopter.

Australia:Tour Sydney with husband and wife team Jamie and Alex (aka Local Eyes Sydney) who invite guests to their home for lunch and onboard their classic cruiser, Iluka to sail up close to Sydney Harbor’s icons. The tour also includes a native bush walk and opportunities to surf, stroll or perform yoga at the world famous Manly Beach.

Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort Opens

Read article : Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort Opens

By: Hyatt Hotels & Resorts |  0 Shares     12 Reads

Opening sets new standard of luxury for Sanya Island in China

February 02, 2015 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort in Sanya on Hainan Island, China’s southernmost province widely known as "the Hawaii of China." The hotel marks the fifth Park Hyatt hotel in China, as well as the 35th Park Hyatt hotel in the world.

Situated on a stunning inlet and featuring a private lake and white-sand beach, Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort combines the luxury of privacy and exclusivity with accessibility, being a mere three mile drive from Yalong Bay, the island’s most popular tourist destination.

"We are delighted to introduce the Park Hyatt brand to Sanya," said David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. "This opening is a testament to our commitment to strategic, thoughtful and purposeful growth in China. The tourism and hospitality industry in Sanya has been booming in recent years, and we are proud that the Park Hyatt brand can be part of that growth. We look forward to welcoming travelers to our most premium brand, where we create sophisticated and enriching experiences."

"It is extremely exciting for us to open our doors in this incredibly unique location -- a place where our guests can enjoy privacy and exclusive access to our beautiful bay and beach overlooking some of the most breathtaking views in Sanya, all while remaining close to the vibrant Yalong Bay only minutes away," said Nicholas Lacey, General Manager, Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort. "Topped off with the elegantly designed spaces and personalized service that Park Hyatt hotels are known for, Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort will be a sanctuary for our many guests from around the world."

Design and Guestrooms

Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort was created by the award-winning Belgian architect, Jean-Michel Gathy of the renowned design-consultancy firm, Denniston. The strikingly modernist development comprises six standalone, arch-shaped buildings designed to allow chi, the traditional Chinese notion of energy, to flow unhindered between ocean and mountains. Set amid the lush landscape next to the beautiful Nan Hu Lake, the placement of every building and internal space has been carefully considered to maximize guests’ enjoyment of the breathtaking view. The six buildings are linked by wide walkways and are decorated with paintings and sculptures to create a tranquil and rarefied art-walk experience.

Designed to replicate the feeling of living in a private mansion by the sea, the sophisticated, elegant interiors are residential in style with a subtle Chinese sensibility. As in private homes, the spaces are wholly flexible. Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort features 207 luxurious guestrooms, including 26 suites and 17 villas. At almost 700 square feet, the standard rooms are among the largest on the island, and almost all of the guestrooms enjoy unadulterated views of the South China Sea.

Drinking and Dining

The ethos of the international culinary team at Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort is to offer a range of authentic Chinese and Western dishes that incorporate ingredients of the highest quality, sourced locally wherever possible. In keeping with the residential concept and ambience of a resort setting, guests are welcome to order from the menu or request bespoke dishes as relaxed and freely as they might do at home. The culinary team is primed to create unique and memorable dining experiences for guests, whether it is a champagne breakfast on the beach, a family barbecue in the villa, or a sunset supper on a yacht.

There are eight main drinking and dining venues: Dining Room, Cellar, Pool House, Pool Bar, Bath House, Library, Terrace and Tea House, following the notion of rooms within a large residence. At each establishment, guests can order from the menus of any of the other dining venues.

Dining Room is the main residential-style dining space offering Chinese cuisine focusing on seafood and steaks. Cellar is a cozy extension of the Dining Room, offering private dining in an intimate setting.

Next to Cellar, in a traditional Chinese-style building topped with ceramic-roof tiles, is Tea House. The impressive, light-filled space, featuring a mezzanine floor and a 30-foot high ceiling strung with myriad birdcages, will serve a premium selection of Chinese teas, an afternoon tea menu, and regional Chinese cuisine.

Guests can also enjoy Western and Chinese comfort food such as pizza, burgers or chilled noodles, either at Pool House, Pool Bar, or Bath House alongside the pools. Library and Terrace are also great choices for guests who want to relax and read a good book – or take in the ocean views – while sipping on a cold drink or a premium cocktail.

Meetings and Events

Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort aims to be the most desirable, upscale event venue in Hainan. The hotel features eight unique, residential-style event venues, ranging from 450 square feet to over 3,600 square feet. All venues feature an abundance of natural light, outdoor terraces and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and lighting.

Chamber is the largest indoor event space, measuring just over 3,600 square feet and comprising three separate spaces: a reception area, an open kitchen and a main dining area. Equally unique is Gallery, a long, 3,100 square foot space with paintings and sculptures decorating both sides to resemble an art gallery. The Salons are perfect for smaller, more intimate events. The almost 1,700 square foot Grand Salon with its 36-foot ceiling height and walls lined with wooden lattice, is an ideal venue for a wedding or gala dinner. The 6,500 square foot lawn in front of Pool House is ideal for atmospheric outdoor events.

Recreation and Activities

The recreation team has spent years researching and testing activities to offer guests the most unique and memorable activities during their time at Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort. Five separate pools – a 375 square foot pool, a children’s pool, a family pool, a spa pool and an indoor pool – are available to suit all types of swimmers. While at Camp Hyatt, kids and young adults will be both entertained and educated with activities like cooking classes and eco-activities by availing themselves of the latest toys and video games or simply by reading or resting in the "silent room."

With a focus on local culture, as well as marine and environmental education, the resort offers myriad outdoor activity options for all ages, include hiking, golfing and stargazing, along with tours to nearby attractions such as Butterfly Valley, Nanshan Temple, Yazhou Ancient City and the Ganzaling Nature Reserve. Water sports enthusiasts will be thrilled with Baifu (Fortune) Bay – a private bay right next to Sunny Bay – renowned for offering some of the best diving conditions in China, as well as being an ideal spot for boating and kayaking.

The Spa at Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort is due to open in late 2015. Located by the lake and accessed by buggy, the spacious, light-filled spa will be built in a traditional Chinese style and will feature a main, two-story building and eight freestanding villas around an open-air courtyard. The semi open-air villas will each include a couple’s treatment room, a private foot treatment room, a freestanding tub, a shower, a walk-in wardrobe and an oversized daybed. Meanwhile, the main spa building will feature four additional treatment rooms; three foot-treatment rooms, a TCM consultancy chamber and a lounge on the first floor. The floor below features a gym, a yoga studio and an outdoor infinity pool. Benefit-driven treatments will be carefully conceived to incorporate proven traditional Chinese practices, as well as the very latest in international spa techniques.

For more information on Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort, please visit the hotel’s website.

About Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt hotels provide discerning, affluent business and leisure guests with elegant and luxurious accommodation and offers them highly attentive personal service in an intimate environment. Located in several of the world's premier destinations, each Park Hyatt hotel is custom designed to combine sophistication with a distinctive regional character. Park Hyatt hotels feature well-appointed guestrooms, meeting and special event space for groups, critically acclaimed art, food and beverage programs, and signature restaurants featuring award-winning chefs.

There are currently 35 Park Hyatt hotels in the following locations: Abu Dhabi, Beaver Creek, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Busan, Canberra, Carlsbad, Changbaishan, Chennai, Chicago, Dubai, Goa, Hamburg, Hyderabad, Istanbul, Jeddah, Maldives, Melbourne, Mendoza, Milan, Moscow, New York, Ningbo, Paris, Saigon, Sanya Sunny Bay, Seoul, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna, Washington D.C., and Zurich. www.parkhyatt.com.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company’s subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences and vacation ownership properties, including under the Hyatt, Park Hyatt, Andaz, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Zilara, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Residences and Hyatt Residence Club brand names and have locations on six continents. As of September 30, 2014, the Company's worldwide portfolio consisted of 573 properties in 48 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the rate and pace of economic recovery following economic downturns; levels of spending in business and leisure segments as well as consumer confidence; declines in occupancy and average daily rate; if our third-party owners, franchisees or development partners are unable to access the capital necessary to fund current operations or implement our plans for growth; changes in the competitive environment in our industry and the markets where we operate; our ability to access the capital markets; and other risks discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which filings are available from the SEC. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Contacts:

Lillian Zhang
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts – China
+86 10 5928 1234
lillian.zhang@hyatt.com

Jamie Rothfeld
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts – Corporate
+1 312 780 6070
jamie.rothfeld@hyatt.com

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Five-Star Hotels in the Hamptons

Read article : Five-Star Hotels in the Hamptons

History and money are familiar bedfellows in Hamptons residential real estate: Even an imperfect piece of the past costs a pretty present penny. It’s a different story on the hotel side, where the twain hardly ever bed down. Classic luxury accommodations in historic buildings are rare on the East End, which is why the Hamptons has been saddled with that hyphenated-adjective “hotel-starved” for so long. (True, there are renovated motor courts with Frette sheets, but that’s more retro-chic than five-star.)

This year that distasteful descriptor comes a step closer to retiring with the opening of Topping Rose House, an 1842 Greek Revival mansion in Bridgehampton. (The fact that the effort took eight years to come to fruition tells you why such hotels are so scarce out here.) With Topping Rose in the mix, there’s now a trio of Hamptons properties where history and money have coupled to create hotels at a Relais & Châteaux level. Here’s how each plays on the past in its quest for a present perfect.

TO THE MANOR BORN
The 22-room luxury inn Topping Rose House adds cachet to Bridgehampton.

“I have always liked the juxtaposition of something edgy with something soft,” Alexandra Champalimaud, who designed the interiors of Topping Rose House, told the Financial Times this past January. She was referring to her fashion sense—black leather leggings from The Row, feminine blouse, sharply tailored blazer—but as she quickly confirmed in our interview, it’s her design sensibility in a nutshell. Which is why the rooms at Topping Rose have a Windsor chair (but painted black) at a midcentury trumpet-pedestal side table in real marble.

Juxtaposition is the thread that defines Topping Rose House, a 22-room luxury compound in Bridgehampton. It consists of the 1842 Greek Revival Topping Rose House, named for its original owner, Judge Abraham Topping Rose; a small addition; a 19th-century barn turned event space; and a L-shaped new complex that houses the spa and 15 “cottage” guest rooms.

“Everybody came out of the woodwork,” says Roger Ferris, the head of Roger Ferris + Partners, who designed the architecture and shepherded the project down the Via Dolorosa of approvals required. He’s referring to the cast of government officials, preservationists, historicists, and “not in my backyard” Hamptonites who sprang to life when it became known that Bill Campbell, a Hamptons resident and senior adviser to Jamie Dimon, CEO and Chairman of JPMorgan Chase, had bought the property and planned to turn it into a luxury hotel. (Simon Critchell, the former head of Cartier North America, and Tom Colicchio, who is in charge of the hotel and restaurant, are also partners now.)

Irony abounded, starting with Campbell’s interest in the place, which was sparked by the fact that “the property was grandfathered for a spa, restaurant, and hotel.” He was proposing exactly what the town seemed to want. The zoning itself is the result of 1970s horse-trading—"so it wouldn’t become a gas station,” says Campbell laughing. And Topping Rose House was on the verge of falling down by the time work began.

Ferris knows his architectural history—he talks fluently about façade punctuation (that’s doors and windows to the layperson) and proportion, and though emphatically modern, his designs reference classical architecture. See those 24-foot-high portals that punctuate the new construction? Now think of the Arc de Triomphe or the Arch of Constantine, and you’ll understand where he’s coming from.

Ferris built Campbell’s coalition of the willing by periodically getting the various constituencies in a room. “The restoration of the inn was not a difficult sell,” says Ferris. It was the small addition to the right—which houses an elevator and fire stair, neither of which could be worked into the original building—that caused a war. On one side were the architectural preservationists, intent on copying the style of the main house down to the last dentil. On the other was the Southampton Architectural Review Board, which wanted something modern but harmonious.

In the end, it came down to one word in the National Park Service guidelines for historical renovation: referential. Additions shouldn’t be copies, but there should be a familial resemblance, and they shouldn’t be attached to the original. It was hard for the purists to go against that. But of course you can’t ask guests to go outside to take an elevator. “Glass-hyphenated slits,” eight-foot- wide Starfire glass panels between the original building and the addition embody the peace treaty that Ferris finally struck, by underscoring the separation, but allowing for a sheltered passage from the main building to the elevators.

“The idea was to dematerialize the façade of the new buildings,” says Ferris, referring to the key design element, horizontal louvers that run from ground to roof on two sides. On the other two, fiberglass-laced cement slats, colored and baked to allude to weathered wood, float off the glass walls—“a veil,” says Ferris, who likes layering. (The louvers are also a privacy-screen.) In addition, Ferris moved and added to the barn on the property, placing it between the main-house addition and the new wing “to moderate the transition from the formality of the house to the dematerialized form.”

The rooms show off Champalimaud’s deft way with historical allusion, with the main-house rooms more traditional (iron four-poster beds, historically inspired bedside tables) and the cottage rooms done in a groovier dialect (cooler color scheme, platform bed, live-edge wood furniture). But even the main-house rooms have new coffee tables of white lacquered cubes. “It all feels good together, but it’s not perfectly matching—it feels like home,” says Champalimaud. 1 Bridgehampton–Sag Harbor Tpk., Bridgehampton, 537-0870; toppingrosehouse.com

HAMPTONS HIDEAWAY
The Inn at Windmill Lane is a stalwart getaway nestled within Amagansett.

This Amagansett property is a séance, a shingle-style mansion with muscular chimneys and eave and eyebrow windows called up through a combination of historical passion and very deep pockets.

The property is gorgeous. Sure, there are online mutterings about the lack of a pool, but that’s not because the owners are cheap—one look at the spacious marbled bathrooms will tell you that—but because their hands were tied by the past. They were only allowed to build on the footprint of the original building. That’s why reception is in what looks like a tollbooth up from the end of the driveway, and why there’s a vast lawn that could hold an Olympic-size pool, but is used for weddings.

That being said, the owners expensively embroidered the property where they could. See that regimental line of liriodendron trees along the brick walk? They were brought in.

And the rooms are beautiful, even the smallest double, which in the main house comes to 615 square feet. (In the main house, suite 5 is the most popular because of its vaulted ceilings.) The team wanted everything to be “timeless,” according to their very attentive concierges—and it shows. The bathrooms throughout are a lavishly expensive play of tiles and fittings, and the walk-in closets have built-in dressers.

The architect, Nicholas Botta, used wainscoting and molding throughout to create interiors that have the simplicity of a Shaker meetinghouse, but somehow come across as luxurious, not austere. That’s especially apparent in the three cottages at the back of the property, where you can wake up to clerestory window mullions boldly shadowed on a white arched embrasure. It made me say a prayer of thanks for being here. 23 Windmill Lane, Amagansett, 267-8500; innatwindmilllane.com

GARDEN OASIS
The Baker House 1650 suits all tastes in East Hampton.

And finally, here’s the past as heritage. Baker House is a 1650 home that in 1911 was transformed into an Elizabethan-style manor by that era’s Charles Gwathmey, Joseph Greenleaf Thorpe, the architect who did Grey Gardens among numerous other mansions, many in the gambrel style. Here, though, he went off on an inspired tangent, ransacking the Elizabethan playbook brilliantly: molded plaster ceiling paneling in the living room, coffered wood paneling in the lobby sitting room, tall eaves faced with strapwork (a decorative version of half-timbering), and those small-paned windows that give Elizabethan-style façades their inimitable rhythm.

I stayed in Maidstone, one of the top suites and a sonata of green. I’ve stayed in scores of luxury hotels around the world, but have rarely been so taken with a room. It’s not the largest or the most luxurious room that I’ve ever had, but it wraps you in a cashmere throw of the past—reproduction William Morris wallpaper of twirling tendrils, three-over-five small paned windows that look across to Mulford Farm, embracing armchairs, and a window seat long enough to stretch out on, which my companion promptly did, purring the afternoon away here with a book.

The garden feels like the English countryside: 200-year-old wisteria vines agony-twisted up to the crossbeams of an arbor, and cypress trees formed an honor guard down the far side of the property. Loungers were strewn about in front of the small pool, which has been beautifully worked into the landscape. Over the hedge, there’s an expanse of lawn with mature trees—hoop-skirted evergreens and obese rhododendrons ready to bloom—leading to the Carriage House, a two-suite compound with its own pool, much larger than the one behind the main house. (Baker House stands out among Hamptons luxury inns for having a pool at all, as it does for the small gem of a spa in the basement, which has its own pool, sauna, and jacuzzi.)

The room to get in the Carriage House is the Loft Suite, an open-plan garret of white, taupe, and beige with a big sleigh bed, a shower for two, and a deck flanked by gables. It’s $1,500 a night in season, and as you suspected, in season it’s always booked. However, I’d be quite happy waking up to see the hand-hewn wooden beams of The Hedges, one of the smallest rooms in the original part of the house. Past perfect. 181 Main St., East Hampton, 324-4081; bakerhouse1650.com

67" Black Acrylic Modern Rectangle Soaking Shower Freestanding Bathroom Bath Tub • $699.99

Read article : 67" Black Acrylic Modern Rectangle Soaking Shower Freestanding Bathroom Bath Tub • $699.99

See Details on eBay Watch Contact

$699.99 or Best Offer 10d, FREE Shipping, 30-Day Returns

Seller: smartchoiceproducts (9,555) 99.1% , Location: Hacienda Heights, California, Ships to: US, Item: 171347863258Condition: New, MPN: Does Not Apply, Brand: smartchoiceproducts, Shape: Rectangular Bathtub, Material: Fiber Glass, Type: Freestanding, Tub Finish: Acrylic, Tub Color: Black/White, Water Capacity (Gallons): 100.4,Details: #1 Home Improvement Store on eBay Range Hoods Kitchen Sinks Kitchen Faucets Shower Panels Bath Tubs Fireplaces Wine Coolers eBay Store Description: Rejuvenate and relax as you lay back into the smoothly contoured edges of the 67" freestanding tub. Measuring in at 66.93"L x 31.5"W x 22.23"H, this bathtub has plenty of space for you to enjoy. The distinct eye-catching style of a dark exterior, lined subtly around the edge with white that fills the interior of the tub, makes a statement in any bathroom. With a sitting area of 41.34" L x 19.69" W, this is the perfect addition to any bathroom design. 17 inches separate the bottom from the overflow. Make it stand out even more by pairing with your perfect filler. A mix of European and modern design transforms your bathroom so you can feel like you’re entering into a luxurious soak at a spa. All bathtubs come with Flexible Drainage Pipe. Delivered via freight shipping with curbside delivery to the lower 48 states. HI, AK, PR not included. Specifications: Outer Dimension: 66.93"L x 31.5"W x 23.23"H Sitting Area: 41.34" L x 19.69" W Overflow: Yes Depth of Overflow: 17" Water Capacity (gallon): 100.4 gallon Product Finish: Black Shape: Rectangle Material: Fiber Glass Coating: Acrylic Exterior Treatment: Smooth Interior Treatment: Smooth Adjustable Feet for Leveling: Yes Tap Deck: No Drain Included: Yes Drain Placement: Center Certification: US & Canada cUPC Warranty: 1-Year Limited Parts Warranty Additional Photos: Have questions on our product? Feel free to send us a message or call us at (626) 453-0550. Office Hours: 9AM - 5PM PST Payment We accept Paypal and major credit cards.Call us at (626) 453-0550 if you would like assistance with payment options Payment must be received within 7 days after the winning bid.Serious Bidders Only! If no payment is received within 7 days after the end of auction, a Non-Paying Bidder Alert will be filed with eBay. We are required to collect California sales tax when the Ship-To address is in California or you pick up your item.Positive feedback will be posted after payment has been received and buyer has received the item All of our listings require payment via Paypal. You can pay with any credit card on Paypal; however, if you do not have a Paypal account or you would like to pay by phone, please call (626)453-0550. Shipping The default shipping rate and method listed are for residential or commercial destinations within the continental 48 United States (PO Boxes not included).We only ship to the shipping address provided by eBay/Paypal with your payment. And we do not ship to these locations: PO Boxes, APO/FPO locations.Additional shipping fees are required for all other locations including, but not limited to: Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada and other countries outside the USA.We will make every attempt to process and ship all items within 1-2 business days of your cleared payment. Following order processing, please allow proper time for delivery. UPS Ground shipments arrive within 3-7 business days.We will update your eBay record with tracking information and send an e-mail confirming shipment. If 3 business days have passed since you sent payment and you do not receive an update through eBay or a tracking number via e-mail, please contact us immediately through eBay or phone at (626)453-0550.Good News for International customers, if your item is qualified for Canada shipping, you do not need to worry about any customs, import duties, brokerage fees, and tax, they are included in the item price or stated shipping charges. Returns We make sure the customer is 100% pleased. Our team ensures that orders are perfectly packaged to minimize room for damage, checked for the correct item and shipped on time. IF YOUR ITEM ARRIVES BROKEN PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BELOW: Inspect all shipments upon arrival and before signing delivery receiptsIf there is damage, you must refuse the order describe the damage on the delivery receipt. Simply write items arrived damagedIf the shipment is accepted and no damage is noted on the receipt, we reserve the right NOT to refund or replace your item/items Return Shipping Return shipping cost (the cost to send merchandise back to our store) is comparable to your cost of driving to any store for returning an item, which is not reimbursable. Therefore, we do not reimburse return shipping cost.If an item you received is defective, we will definitely replace the item with a new one; however, we do not cover or reimburse the shipping cost for returning defective merchandise back to our store. We will ship the replacement product to you at our cost, and use every good measure to ensure that the replacement order is processed quickly. Returning Items Please send us a message through eBay or contact us by phone at (626) 453-0550 (Monday-Friday, 9:00AM-5PM Pacific Time) to receive an RMA number.All returned merchandise must be in original condition, and must include the original factory box and factory packaging (e.g. foam, plastic, wrappings, etc.), peripherals (e.g. battery, charger, cords, straps, etc.), and all instruction paperwork. The RMA number or any other inscriptions must not be written or printed on the product box or packaging. Your refund process will be delayed if any of these conditions are not followed. To locate the nearest shipping outlet, you may contact the following carriers: UPS: (800) 742-587 FedEx: (800) 463-3339 USPS: (800) 275-8777 Returned merchandise that is lost or damaged during transit is solely the shipper's responsibility. It is important save the tracking information and to properly insure all merchandise being returned to Inspiration Home Improvement. Wholesales We are factory direct and specialized in offering a wide range selections of stylish bathtub.We offer competitive discount program to wholesales, hotel management, builders, and contractors!We value long term customers. Please email us or contact 626-453-0550 for quote and support information. Smart Choice Products © All Rights Reserved

•  Popularity - 1,814 Views, Super high amount of views. High amount sold, 5 Sold, 24 Available. Listed 1,219 days ago.

 Price -  Seller - Over 9,555 items sold. 0.9% negative feedback. Top-Rated Plus! Top-Rated Seller, 30-day return policy, ships in 1 business day with tracking. Over 9,555 items sold. 0.9% negative feedback. Top-Rated Plus! Top-Rated Seller, 30-day return policy, ships in 1 business day with tracking. Recent Feedback

Inside the Weekend Home of Your Dreams

Read article : Inside the Weekend Home of Your Dreams

May 18, 2017

Your second (or third, or fifth) house should be a place where life is simpler, the design is a little bit more loose, and the shower has glass walls. So we asked renowned designer Russell Groves for tips on how to build your dream retreat.

You made it to "weekend home" status, which means you're a hard worker or you're in finance. Either way, congratulations! Now comes the tough part, where you have to find the perfect place to indulge your leisure time. Somewhere that feels different from your everyday living situation, a house that's comfortable and inspiring in equal measure. And truth is, the best way to get what you want is to create it your damn self. Just like one couple from Palo Alto did when they bought the jealousy-inducing mod-cabin you're looking at here.

When they first saw the place, it was mid-way through construction, had a distinct knockoff French chateaux vibe, and was larger than they were looking for—(12,000-square-feet!)—but the setting, all 250 acres of it, was too perfect to pass up. They were looking for a place to escape bustling city life, entertain their extended family and friends, and experience the outdoors. Russell Groves and his team spent more than two years gut renovating the property. What they—and Groves—aimed to do was open up the space, make the outdoors come indoors, and create an escape hatch "that allows comfort and privacy." Unless you're in the shower. (You'll see.)

"This meant plenty of bedrooms and baths, a large open kitchen, an extra large dining room table, recreational outdoor spaces, and a charming goes home that allows comfort and privacy," says Groves. Now, the home is, in the words of the owners, magical, elegantly causal, open, and peaceful. Some elements of the original facade, including the stone, remain.

Tip #1. Location is Still Everything

Especially if you live in a city—most of Groves' clients are from Manhattan—you're probably looking for space, light, and air. That's not so hard to find. But don't just settle for the any old great outdoors. Hone in on the outdoors that gets you fired up, and work from there. "Adjacency to key elements, such as the beach, the woods, the lake, or the ski slopes is essential," says Groves.

Tip #2. Be a Little Weird

Just like a vacation, a weekend home is a place to break out of your normal routines. Including your default design vibe. "A weekend home provides clients, and us as their designers, with the flexibility and opportunity to stray further from the 'conventional,'" notes Groves. "Since these homes are used less frequently, clients are willing to be more daring and experiment with furnishings, accessories and art that they love, but may not want for a primary residence." Which is how you get a black coffee table made of ebonized petrified wood, or a custom Groves & Co. chandelier in the entryway that "emulated the starry sky," according to owner Adam Weiss. That said, no need to make your house into a fever dream of over designed furniture or accessories. Here, vintage chairs by Mira Nakashima and ottomans accent the living area.

Tip #3. Get High

This is going to blow your mind: when you're higher up, you can see more. "When building a new home, it's best to build on the highest elevation point, sitting the home on an axis resulting in optimal light and views," says Groves. Here, in Napa, the house sits high on a crest of the Mayacamas Mountains, a 130-acre ridge, at an elevation of 1420 feet above sea level, on the valley’s western edge. The view from the pool—during sunrise, sunset, and every sun in between—would make every one of your Instagram followers hate you so much. Aim for that.

Tip #4. Open Up a Bit

Particularly in a vacation house where guests will be wandering in and out through the day, the main hang-out space tends to be the kitchen, for an obvious reason: that's where the food is. Make sure yours is built for function and conversation. "Be sure to include an oversized island that provides ample room to prepare large family meals and for everyone to gather," advises Groves. An island-sized island lets everyone everyone gather around—and if they're smart, they'll take the hint to help with dinner.

Tip #5. Make Your Outsides Feel Like Your Insides

You're here to breathe deep, so don't skimp on the windows, and consider the idea of a wall to be more a suggestion than a requirement. The porch is basically an extension of the living room, and looks out over the valley below. When the 70-foot retractable window wall is open—and it often is, because why wouldn't you if you could?—the rear porch and double-height great room become one big, beautiful chill space.

Tip #6. Recognize that Work Always Comes on Vacation

We all know that "out of office" is a cruel euphemism for "still doing work, just somewhere else," which explains why the owners opted to install a bona fide office into their escape home. By having a dedicated (but still laid back) workspace that's out of the way of friends, guests, and freeloading family members, they can take care of business fast, then get back to the real task at hand: day drinking.

Tip #7. Put Seating Everywhere

Why? Because seating serve the double purpose of looking cool and setting the tone for how you'll use that space. Deep, cushy couches quietly invite people to sit and chat, or read a book. While stools in front of a fireplace (below) announce to guests that this is a house that appreciates s'mores.

Tip #8. Bath Time Can Be Sexy Time

Not necessarily sexy in the sex way, but sexy as in beautiful, relaxing, and, yeah, jaw-dropping. The master bathtub below is marble with a custom marble surround, behind a glassed-in shower with a view—and not just of who's inside. "Our favorite aspect of the master bath is how open it is to the outdoors, with infinite views of the peaked mountain tops," says owner Lynn Callaghan. And the guest bath (above) looks like it comes with an aperol spritz.

Tip #9. Treat Yo Self

It's a getaway home. Bless it with at least one major (and potentially absurd) luxury that you would never shoehorn into your everyday mansion. In this instance, the owners went with a lavish master bath that opens up to a private outdoor spa, offering his-and-hers open-air showers and a secret garden—all linked to the master bedroom, which also has a meditation space. If a Zen stroll through some azaleas isn't your taste, that's fine. It's your house. Install the movie theater/bowling alley/illegal growing room of your dreams.

Tip #10. Look Into the Flames

Whether or not your patio resembles that of a four-star hotel, you want someplace outdoors that you can gather round at night, drinks in hand, while telling old stories about each other that you'd never say in mixed company. And the key to this happening, more than the booze, is the fire. It's elemental, and magic, and extremely impressive if you can start one without using lighter fluid.

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