Read article : Make Your Bathrooms Inspiring With Beautiful Shower Enclosures and Frosted Glass
When designing a home most individuals focus on comfort and style.
The home is an extension of the resident’s personality and needs to project their personal style.
It is also the space one seeks maximum comfort in to relax after a long day. While a lot of people focus extensively on bedrooms and living rooms to balance these two concerns, they often forget about the bathroom.
The bathroom is an important part of one’s house but is often dismissed with the same structure.
However, with modern innovations in the field of design, there are now several stylistic options that can transform your bathroom and enhance its beauty.
One such revolution has been caused by toughened glass solutions that are aesthetic and resilient, making it the perfect element for a bathroom.
Luxurious shower enclosures
A common concern in many bathrooms can be seen in the shower area.
Most bathrooms have a shower curtain separating the two units which is hardly adequate to limit water spills.
Further, soon after it has been fitted, even the finest shower curtain turns wrinkly and spotty giving your bathroom an old and unkempt look.
Also, with the water spilling into the rest of the bathroom, there is a constant messy look that isn’t very appealing.
For the artistic individual, one can also opt for a unique pattern or design on the glass as well.
An intricate design can add creativity to the space while also blocking the view.
Sturdy shelves for all your products
Along with a good shower enclosure, individuals also need space to place all their products.
Options like wood and metal aren’t the best idea as they can rot and corrode at an extremely fast pace while also increasing the risk for termites and bacterial infestation.
Further, plastic trays or something similar can ruin the aesthetics of the whole space.
No longer does one have to wait for a vacation and hotel stay to experience a magnificent bathroom with stylish shower enclosure, but can enjoy them in the comfort of their home.
For individuals concerned with safety in association with glass solutions, modern advances take care of that too.
All these solutions are made from toughened or tempered safety glass that is five times stronger than regular glass.
A leading glass supplier in your city will be able to provide you with additional details on these products as well as help you pick the perfect solutions to uplift your bathroom.
Read article : Emerging Hotel Bathroom Trends | Hotel Industry Magazine
Boutique Hotels Featured Hotel Industry Trends Hotel Interior Design Hotel News
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Hotel bathrooms have come a long way from being purely functional and have arguably become one of the most marketable parts of the hospitality experience. As a result they are often used to sell the hotel to potential customers. But are your bathrooms on trend? We ask C.P. Hart’s Ian Dutch to explore the emerging hotel bathroom trends.
A strong trend we are seeing is the desire to mix and blend different materials and finishes. Designers and specifiers are experimenting with developments in materials and new combinations of finishes and surfaces, resulting in a more tactile and luxurious bathroom experience. Grey continues to be the dominant key colour trend and applied to bathroom furniture in particular, varying from the very light to the very dark with added elements of blue and green hues. This dominating palette is being mixed with the growing trend for natural materials and textured finishes over high gloss finishes.
Bathroom furniture units are being treated as design pieces in their own right, showcasing the beauty of wood or drawing upon contemporary new materials. Tactile textures are increasingly playing a more important role when it comes to planning high specification hotel bathrooms, with designers and specifiers thinking more about the way a bathroom feels as well as how it looks. Textured furniture pieces are also being stripped back to their wood form; a natural aesthetic has emerged as manufacturers celebrate the natural beauty of wood through distinctive grain finishes.
In addition to texture we are seeing experimentation in terms of sculptural shapes and forms, especially when it comes to brassware and washbowls, as small no longer means insignificant. Statement basins such as hand-blown lead crystal basins fuse Italian artisan craftsmanship with beautiful contemporary design. When it comes to brassware we are seeing graceful statement pieces that show an instinctive appreciation of the beauty of flowing water. Brassware in a gold or nickel material are being specified more at the top end of the market, while feature walls using gold leaf or metallic materials deliver a truly luxurious finish. Marble is being used as a form of wall art, applied alongside clean white sanitaryware and neutral walls.
The configuration of a hotel bathroom space is being reworked and re-examined, with bathroom and bedroom areas merging to create a hybrid space. At the heart of this is an emphasis on pampering which has become synonymous with hotel bathrooms. Contemporary baths are now deeper and more comfortable. The versatility of the latest composite materials allows more fluidity in shape and structure. Shower enclosures are becoming streamlined, but shower heads are now much larger in scale and replicate the cascading effects created by a waterfall or rainfall. Spa elements are becoming more practical to install, allowing guests to enjoy the luxury of steam in their room as part of an integrated shower enclosure (eliminating the need for additional space). It all comes down to personal comfort and relaxation, but translated in a way that works with the room layout.
The all-important vanity unit typically forms the centrepiece of the hotel bathroom, blending decorative and functional furniture elements to avoid a clinical finish and ensure the room becomes a living and breathing space in its own right. Large decadent vanity units that function as a dressing area for beauty treatments are also a key ingredient as they’ve become increasingly decorative in style and work as an extension of the hotel bedroom. Vanity units are being accentuated with strategic eye level lighting to enhance the experience and create a flattering effect. Mirrored cabinetry around the dressing area is multifunctional, offering 360° visual views through intelligent mirror placement, built-in shaver sockets and strategic internal shelving and storage for complete guest usability.
Technology is an ever-growing trend; from multifunctional brassware to all-singing, all-dancing showers, the bathroom is beginning to meet the needs of our technology driven culture, creating a more liveable space that strikes the right balance between design and experience. Digital showers emerged onto the market with button controls, but are now starting to feature simple touch screen controls that control the lighting, scents, varying water temperatures and pressures. And whilst digital showers are leading the way the rest of the bathroom is quickly catching up. Brassware is moving into a more digital realm, with manufacturers starting to incorporate technology in the form of a digital screen interface that controls flow and temperature. Baths will be able to be filled using a smart phone or tablet, and home spa elements are becoming more accessible and fit for purpose in the modern hotel as steam starts to be integrated into the shower enclosure.
Where specialist accessible design guidance is required, C.P. Hart believes that an impressive bathroom should have universal appeal. Each and every functional component of the bathroom has to be considered to ensure practicality and durability is achieved throughout the entire bathroom. C.P. Hart’s coordinated Accessible Design range by Hewi is testament to our belief that DDA compliance need not mean unappealing and utilitarian design. Sleek and minimalist in style, the collection has been designed to aid mobility around the bathroom, providing support through subtle recesses and support rails which perfectly complement the range’s minimalist aesthetic. Support rails are sculpted to ensure they are understated yet practical, featuring easy to grip contours for those requiring support when standing up or sitting down to use the WC, shower or washbasin. The rails are available in either a rounded or square profile, in addition to a variety of length options. The shower seat is geometric in its design and available in clean white or architectural anthracite that complement the minimalist finish. Manufactured from high quality materials, the seat has been designed to be both comfortable and slip resistant due to its lightly structured surface.
C.P. Hart Contracts works exclusively on building and refurbishment projects, from luxury apartments through to hotels and commercial developments. For more information visit www.cphart.co.uk/pro or call 0845 873 1121.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
There are parts of London, like Mayfair, where most of us can only aspire to live. Even if you shop on Bond Street and take tea at Sketch, actually living in Mayfair is out of reach for most Londoners. So, why not live the dream and staycation at The Westbury Hotel in the heart of Mayfair, just around the corner from many of London’s designer boutiques. Perfectly located for those who want to indulge in some top-end shopping, The Westbury is a classic five-star hotel with features that put it above many of the luxury hotel offering in London.
As London’s first 5-star American hotel, you might expect a few difference – the Westbury London was opened in 1955, the sister hotel of the original Westbury in New York City. The design still has an American luxury feel to it, with lots of dark wood and mirrors, larger than average London hotel rooms and marble lined ensuite bathrooms with tubs.
I was lucky enough to be offered an upgrade to a Corner Suite for my stay – something the same size as a London flat, with a living room complete with dining table to seat four and a large bedroom. Enough wardrobe space to encourage me to shop until I dropped and a stunning bathroom with a second powder room.
I didn’t really want to leave. At all.
Especially as the hotel had thoughtfully provided a bottle of wine, water, fresh fruit, a platter of cold meats, cheeses and pickles and a truly tempting plate of macarons and petits fours.
The wine obviously needed to be tried and you should never eat on an empty stomach. Most of the cheese and cold meats vanished…
And I can never resist a macaron or two.
My room came equipped with a Nespresso machine and pods. There wasn’t a kettle that I could see, though that may have been simply down to lack of looking on my part. I did, however, have a personal butler on call who I am sure would have obliged had I wanted tea, champagne or even caviar. And the Westbury offers a full room service from all three of their restaurants so if I hadn’t had a table already reserved at Tsukiji, the small but perfectly formed Japanese restaurant, I’d have indulged myself and just stayed in the room all evening. More of that experience in a separate post – there is far too much to cover to include details here. And, I’ve already tried the Polo Bar (and been back a couple of times). That leaves Alyn Williams at the Westbury – the hotel’s Michelin star fine dining restaurant – which I definitely want to try.
I was particularly impressed by the toiletries in the bathroom of the suite. Asprey’s Purple Water is probably my favourite of the luxury toiletries provided by hotels. With classic and restrained packaging, it’s something of a special secret. I love the light, citrussy scent and am always impressed by the overall quality of the products.
Turn down arrived promptly at 6pm and provided a comprehensive service, drawing the floor to ceiling curtains and packing away the decor cushions and throws. And, my guest for dinner turned up early enough to enjoy a glass of wine with me before we went downstairs.
There is something altogether luxurious about having dinner and just having to take the lift upstairs afterward. I slept like a baby in the large bed. Beautiful white cotton bed linen, fluffy pillows and a soft yet firm mattress all conspired to ensure the perfect night’s sleep.
Breakfast is served in the dining room used by Alyn Williams in the evenings. It’s a large and comfortable space with contemporary touches. There are neat pots of cereals, fruits, and yoghurts to one side. But, of course, it’s the a la carte breakfast that I look forward to when I am staying in a hotel.
Here there’s a good range of teas and coffees brought to you by waiter service, together with individual baskets of breakfast pastries so you don’t have to search out the last pain au chocolat!
The cooked breakfast was immaculate – I have to admit that since I was alone, I ordered a full English with eggs, just to check they were properly prepared. Of course they were.
After I’d eaten more than enough for the whole day I went back to my suite to pack up and (regretfully) go home.
But not without doing more than a little window shopping on my walk back to Green Park tube.
The Westbury is discrete and quiet. Tucked away off New Bond Street, it is somewhere I’d recommend to anyone wanting to stay in central London. Good size rooms, immaculate service and a level of comfort that is well above average combine to make this a great base. Suites like the one I stayed in would be perfect for a small family or for someone wanting to use the hotel as a base for business as the sitting room can be completely zoned off from the bedroom.
But, if you simply want the best of London’s shops on your doorstep I’d look no further than The Westbury.
Thinking of visiting London? Why not pin this post for later
The Westbury Hotel
37 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2YF, United Kingdom
‘When I first viewed our 1960s home, I couldn’t see anything good about it at all,’ remembers Elaine.
‘The whole house was dreadful. It was stuck in a time warp and everything was dated and falling apart.
‘I thought my partner Paul had lost the plot when he said he wanted to buy it, but once he explained his vision and we had the plans drawn up, I started to feel really excited,’ she continues.
‘It was the first big renovation project for both of us, but we just jumped into it head first.’
The owners: Elaine Avery, 46, a full-time mum and landlady, and her partner Paul Reid, 42, sales director of an insulation company, live here with their daughter Olivia, five, and Elaine’s son, Alexander, 17
The property: A five-bedroom, early-1960s detached house
The location: Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
What they spent: The couple’s bathroom cost around £13,000
Elaine had lived in a lot of places before meeting Paul, so this time she was looking for a ‘forever home’. The house was on a sought-after street and had a large plot, and the couple knew that they could add value by completely reworking the layout. They built an extension to include a large kitchen/diner, garden room and utility on the ground floor, plus two extra bedrooms and a home office on the first floor.
‘We sold our previous home quickly, and so we decided to move into rented accommodation during the five-month project,’ explains Elaine. ‘Around three-quarters of the house was knocked down and there was no water or electricity for a while, so it wasn’t feasible to live there.’
The original bathroom was a world away from the contemporary spa-like retreat that they now have. There was a small bathroom with a separate WC next door, which wasn’t conducive to family life, so the builders knocked down the dividing wall to create one large space. As the staircase was being turned around as part of their renovation plans, they were able to incorporate some of the landing area into the new bathroom. They also took some space previously occupied by the dated fitted cupboards along one wall, and from the extension on the opposite side.
‘The bathroom hadn’t been updated since the 1960s, and had a pink cast-iron bath with matching toilet and basin, as well as carpet on the floor,’ says Elaine. ‘I didn’t like having a shower over the bath and a big, high window near it. It definitely wasn’t to our taste, although my five-year-old daughter loved it as she said it was just like Barbie’s!’
While Paul focused on the structural side of the extension, Elaine was responsible for the overall look of the space. ‘It was quite hard to visualise, as it was going to change so much,’ she says. ‘I had to rely on the plans, so I found my mood board invaluable. I knew the style I was going for, as I’d looked through a stack of magazines for inspiration, and had an idea of the colours I preferred. Our previous bathroom was beige and cream, but this time I wanted grey, white and charcoal.’
The two essential items on Elaine and Paul’s wishlist were a freestanding bath and a wet room-style walk-in shower. ‘I wanted a freestanding bath from day one, but a modern style rather than a traditional roll-top,’ says Elaine. ‘It had to fit all the way to the floor rather than having legs, so that it won’t gather dust underneath and is easy to clean.’
After visiting various showrooms, Elaine found a beautiful egg-shaped bath at local store Your Home Improvements. ‘They gave me the idea of raising it on a plinth with recessed lights,’ she says. ‘We had plenty of space, and it adds an extra dimension and really showcases the bath.’
The couple were also inspired by the displays at nearby Domani Bathrooms. ‘Although I didn’t buy everything from there, only the basin console and chrome support arms, it gave me lots of ideas, such as having the double basins,’ explains Elaine.
‘We were careful to use the charcoal-coloured tile in the right proportions, as we were conscious that it was quite dark. I think it worked really well to have the bath and shower area darker than the rest of the room, as it gives a nice contrast.’
Polished-chrome radiators and a storage unit next to the basins finish off the space perfectly. ‘I decided to position a radiator under the window and have two towel rails, as it’s such a large room and I hate being cold,’ explains Elaine. ‘I was worried that three heaters might be too many, but it works well and means there’s always a towel within easy reach.’
The couple’s project went slightly over budget, mainly due to the cost of removing asbestos from the cupboards, but they tried to absorb any overspend by making savings elsewhere in the property. ‘I knew that if I spent a little extra on the bath, then I would be able to sacrifice having a wine cooler in the kitchen for instance,’ says Elaine.
Although the house still looked like a building site only weeks before they were due to move in, everything came together just in time. ‘I admit that I was getting worried, as we had to leave our rented accommodation,’ says Elaine. ‘The tilers were finishing off the bathroom after we moved in, but fortunately we were able to use our en suite for those few weeks.’
While admitting that she would never tackle such a big project again, Elaine loves spending time in her spacious new bathroom. ‘I’m proud of what we achieved, and we got a lot for our money,’ she says. ‘When I look back at the pictures, I can’t believe the transformation.’
‘Using several different suppliers helps to keep down costs. We shopped around to find the best deals, and compared prices online, as well as getting several quotes from plumbers for the fitting.’
‘Plan ahead and always make mood boards. For mine, I cut out pictures from magazines, took photos of hotel bathrooms and collected tile samples to make sure that it would all work together. Remember to take your mood board with you when you visit showrooms, too.’
‘I love the deep, egg-shaped bath — it’s so luxurious. It’s great for Olivia as there’s lots of space for her to play, but I love having a long soak with a glass of wine and my Kindle. I made sure we created a recess next to the bath so that I would have somewhere for my glass!’
‘I’ve added houzz.co.uk to my bookmarked list of websites because it has so many fantastic ideas. I find the designs on there very inspiring, and there were so many amazing photographs of the exact style of bathroom I was looking for. I found the idea for our tiled shelving recess on the site — it’s the little details that add wow-factor. It was also helpful for showing how using different shades and textured tiles could give us a contemporary spa-style space.’
‘The walk-in shower area is brilliant. It’s great to have the handheld hose as well as the fixed overhead rain shower as it’s invaluable for cleaning. The discreet shower screens with a barely-there look were also a good choice and add to the wet room feel.’
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.
“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.
“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
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
Read article : Beach Place Guesthouses in Cocoa Beach, FL
By VacationIdea Staff. Last Updated on August 16, 2017.
Beach Place Guesthouses is a collection of beautifully furnished and fully-equipped beach houses in a prime beachside location near Cocoa Beach. Ideally located for either a relaxing getaway or to explore Cocoa Beach, Beach Place Guesthouses comfortable home-away-from-home retreats with contemporary décor and furnishings, modern amenities, access to a peaceful, secluded beach and the Cocoa Beach Pier, and personalized concierge services.
Cocoa Beach lies just south of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and is often called the gateway to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The seaside city is renowned for its beautiful beaches, excellent waves for surfing, and relaxing, laud-back vibe. The city offers a plethora of things to see and do, including restaurants, cafés, and bars, museums – don’t miss the Florida Surf Museum, art galleries and the nearby Lori Wilson Park, which is home to an array of birdlife.
Weekend Getaways & Attractions near me: From NYC, Romantic Getaways, LA, Ohio, TX, PA, Florida, ME, SC, SF, Last Minute Travel, Places to Visit from San Diego, Romantic Weekend Getaways, Anniversary, Poconos, Sanibel Island
This resort-style hotel offers an array of amenities and facilities to ensure everything is on hand for a relaxing stay. Amenities include complimentary yoga classes every Saturday morning, barbecues on the communal barbecue deck, bonfires on the beach, hammocks in which to relax, complimentary use of beach towels, beach chairs, boogie boards, and umbrellas.
Some of the top things to see and do in and around Cocoa Beach include visiting the beautiful tropical forests of the Lori Wilson Park, learning to surf or enjoying the waves on Cocoa Beach, or exploring the Cocoa Beach Pier and the near-mile of the boardwalk which is packed with shops and restaurants. Visit the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop, the world’s largest surf shop, have lunch at Fat Kahuna’s Beachside Grille, enjoy a kayak expedition with Adventure Kayak or Fin Expeditions and venture through tropical mangrove forests, or have fun on a Space Coast Segway Tour.
Read article : Where to Stay in Antwerp: The Best Hotels and Neighborhoods
To help you out with the decision where to stay in Antwerp, we’ve put together a list of neigbourhoods and the best hotels in the city.
Antwerp is often left out when planning a trip to Belgium. Touristy cities like Brussels or Bruges easily obscure trendy towns of Antwerp or recently re-discovered Ghent.
However, from what we’ve experienced in Antwerp, it’s a vibrant, extraordinarily creative city full of history, so you’re doing yourself a favor by staying here longer, and exploring it for more than a day away from Brussels.
This is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Antwerp if your goal is to catch up with sightseeing. The old town is full of museums, lively squares, and a number of cafes, restaurants, and beautifully renovated bed & breakfasts in historical houses.
The area is very walkable, and you can easily access the riverbank. It’s also safe and quiet at night.
We stayed in this family-run boutique hotel for three nights, only a minute walk from the main square Grote Markt.
The luxurious interior with elegant decoration made us feel comfortable, as well as the immense space in the bedroom and bathroom. Hot tub, solid wooden writing table and sofa were also part of the room. Our room faced a small courtyard and a garden, so it was absolutely quiet during the whole day.
The breakfast is served in the dining room furnished with antique plates and furniture. If you’re looking for some insider tips on the city, ask the owners. They are extremely helpful, and knowledgeable, since Carl has worked at one of Antwerp’s museums. Check the latest price.
Luxury > Hotel ‘T Sandt Spotless, spacious rooms with an incredibly homey touch. The suites and rooms are bright thanks to big windows. Excellent location near the Grote Markt, good breakfast included. Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Aplace Antwerp City Flats & Suites Very tastefully decorated rooms and apartments in vintage style with modern elements. Apartments also feature a fully equipped kitchen. Pets allowed. Check the latest price.
Budget > Kathedraallogies Drie Koningen Unusual and affordable bed & breakfast in the historical center of Antwerp. You can choose from rooms with shared or private bathrooms. The property is a renovated building from the 16th century. Check the latest price.
Het Zuid is well connected to the city center and train station by public transport. We stayed here for a few nights and loved it here for its laid back vibes and a running path along the river.
In case you prefer cooking your own food and are hoping for some privacy, The Soul would be the best place to stay in Het Zuid. Modern studio with vintage interior offers an equipped kitchenette with a dining corner and comfy sofa, (which we found great after walking the city all day).
The apartment is located right in the heart of the south district, surrounded by many cafes and restaurants. By the way, you can grab a coffee, breakfast or lunch at the atmospheric Soul Cafe. In case you decide to cook, there is a big grocery shop within 5 minutes walking.
Our studio was clean, with a separated bedroom, bright seating area with a dining table and kitchenware, and a private bathroom. The place is also run by welcoming and easygoing owners. Check the latest price.
Luxury > The Glorious Inn In case you’re wishing for some extraordinary place to stay in Antwerp, check it out here. Thematically decorated rooms, classy furniture, and a very quiet location.
We stayed here only a night, but enjoyed the funky atmosphere of the room with a Sleeping Beauty theme. We won’t spoil the surprise, but the room was full of secret hints related to the fairy tale. You better come and check for yourself.
It featured a large and very comfy bed, a tea table with plenty of herbal choices. The highlight of the room was a bathroom with an enormous bathtub, candles, and high-quality toiletries.
Spoil yourself, and if you come during the week, make sure to have dinner in their restaurant downstairs. Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Maison Emile Stylish, modern, and clean rooms with a rich healthy breakfast. It features double and single bedrooms. Check the latest price.
Budget > Le Sud Very affordable and clean budget option with different types of rooms with shared or private bathrooms. Check the latest price.
The area near the Central Station is the oldest diamond center in Europe, and rumour has it they were playing around with diamonds long before the first traders in Hong Kong or New York.
Stay around on Friday or Saturday, and you’ll see the Jewish community walking to and from the synagogues here. Currently, more than 80% of the Jews in Antwerp are involved in the diamond trade.
There are more than 1500 companies involved in selling, cutting, and polishing diamonds in the city, and you can check out some of them on Pelkinstraat Street near the railway station, or in the boutique shops on the Appelmansstraat, Lange Herentalsestraat and Vestingstraat streets.
Always ask for the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) grading report when buying a gem. Read more about the history of Jews in Antwerp.
Located right in the center of the Diamond district, a couple of minutes walking from the Central Station. Luxurious 4-star hotel with an indoor pool, spacious rooms with writing desk. Suites available. Check the latest price.
Luxury > Park Inn by Radisson Antwerpen Spacious and super clean rooms, some of them with a great view. The hotel features a gym, and you can use sauna and swimming pool at the Health Club that is 100 m away. Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Queen A Antwerp Incredibly cosy rooms and common area, decorated with a great taste and sense for interior details. Very kind staff and excellent breakfast! Check the latest price.
Budget > Eden Hotel Simply decorated in pastel colors, and for a very reasonable price considering the proximity to the main railway station. Free tea/coffee station available. Check the latest price.
Rough and poor area in the past that has become a shopping area with lots of cafes now. Popular for its vintage vibes, great proximity to the centre and best Antwerp attractions. Safe and lively Southern neighbourhood in Antwerp.
Wonderful holiday home for family or groups of friends. It features three double beds, a seating area, washing machine, and a small kitchen. It’s centrally located, with many cafes and restaurants around. Check the latest price.
Luxury > Maison Nationale City Flats & Suites Ultra clean, beautiful, bright, and spacious rooms designed in black & white minimalistic style. Possibility to prepare your own food with the kitchenware. Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Kaai11 City Flats & Rooms A luxurious option for a mid-range budget. Situated near the Schelde River, most of the rooms have awesome views. Modern & elegant interior. Some suites come with a fully equipped kitchen. Check the latest price.
Budget > Antwerp Cental Youth Hostel Very cool place in a great location. Simple and clean with twin, quadruple, or dormitory rooms, all with private bathrooms. Buffet breakfast included. Check the latest price.
Het Eilandje means “Little Island,” and currently the area is boasting with loads of cafes, and some of the most distinct museums in Antwerp: MAS, which is a highlight of the Het Eilandje, and Red Line Star – a museum dedicated to the emigration waves that brought millions of European overseas, and the iconic Port House of Zaha Hadid.
It’s a cool area to chill out, enjoy an afternoon coffee, and make your artistic soul happy.
Original modern room with minimalistic décor. Clean and spacious rooms feature a shower or a bath. Very good breakfast included. Check the latest price.
Luxury > B&B Suites@FEEK This is something quite different. High ceilings, futuristic white design with a jacuzzi in the room. Great breakfast! Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Best Western Hotel Docklands Modern rooms of a 3-star hotel, some of them with harbour views and a balcony. Very friendly staff. Some rates include delicious breakfast. Check the latest price.
Budget The area doesn’t really offer budget options, but you can find a budget accommodation not far from Eilandje.
Condo Gardens Antwerp Simple, clean studios with a kitchen, great location for a very reasonable price. Check the latest price.
The area doesn’t have the best reputation, but only because of its multicultural nature, as it’s a home to 90 different nationalities.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a bit of an “underground,” creative area with music festivals, quirky bars, and a Moroccan & Turkish minority, which means great food, head to the Borgerhout.
Very stylish and comfortable B&B. You can stay either in an apartment for 2-4 people with kitchenware, or in a double room. Located in a beautiful old mansion from 1907. Minimalistic design with soothing feeling.
Luxury There aren’t any top luxury hotels in the area, although the B&B mentioned above can be considered a high-end choice of accommodation in Borgerhout.
Mid-range > B&B Antwerp Large, impeccable rooms with lots of sunlight, very tastefully decorated. The quadruple room also features a seating area and facilities like a coffee machine, fridge, and microwave. Check the latest price.
Budget > Kif Kef City Apt. Incredibly charming apartment with minimalistic design. Fully equipped kitchen, sun terrace and bike rentals (for an extra charge) available. Check the latest price.
Located in the east of Antwerp, famous mostly for its huge green area: the Rieverenhof Park. It’s the area of townhouses, and it’s not popular among tourists as it lacks Antwerp’s cultural vibes. However, it’s a good option if you feel like staying out of the city center.
There’s great cycling infrastructure. For the best Antwerp attractions you’ll need to take a tram or a bike to the city center. Or… go local and visit some of the Deurne’s cultural events.
Elegant & artsy rooms, some of them with a seating area. The place has a lovely garden, and delicious breakfast included. Very pleasant hosts. Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Luxury Suites Arendshof Modern & simple design, located in a quiet area. The suites are in a two-floor house with a living room and a jacuzzi. Breakfast for an extra fee available. Check the latest price.
Residential, trendy, silent and … the pricey area of Antwerp with convenient public transport. It’s popular for its art nouveau architecture. Over 170 houses in the neighborhood have the status of protected monuments, and most of them were built in 1900’s.
Zurenborg is a bit off the beaten path, as it lacks the typical tourist attractions, but is easily accessed by a short tram ride from the centre. Very worth a visit even if you don’t book a hotel here.
Apart from exploring the special architecture, you can stop by for a coffee, a lunch, or have a pint in one of plenty of Zurenborg’s cafes, restaurants, and bars.
Wonderfully minimalistic rooms with white & red décor. Super clean. Breakfast for an extra fee available, and you can prepare your meals also in the common kitchen. Close to the restaurants.
Luxury There are no luxury options in the area.
Mid-range > Amaaj Simple, neat rooms with private bathrooms and a bathtub. Great relaxing area. Check the latest price.
Budget > Alias Youth Hostel A fantastic choice for budget travelers. Clean, simple, with dormitories or double bedrooms with shared or private bathrooms. Tram stops nearby. Check the latest price.
Make a trip to the southern neighbourhood and visit Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum
Hopefully this ultimate guide on where to stay in Antwerp helped you to decide which hotel to book, and what attractions you can see in each neighbourhood.
Have a blast in this incredibly vibrant city, and in case we missed any district you’d recommend staying in or cool things to do in Antwerp we haven’t included here, please, leave a comment below.
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We stayed in this family-run boutique hotel for three nights, only a minute walk from the 
In case you prefer cooking your own food and are hoping for some privacy, The Soul would be the best place to stay in Het Zuid. Modern studio with vintage interior offers an equipped kitchenette with a dining corner and comfy sofa, (which we found great after walking the city all day).
Located right in the center of the Diamond district, a couple of minutes walking from the Central Station. Luxurious 4-star hotel with an indoor pool, spacious rooms with writing desk. Suites available. Check the latest price.
Wonderful holiday home for family or groups of friends. It features three double beds, a seating area, washing machine, and a small kitchen. It’s centrally located, with many cafes and restaurants around. Check the latest price.
Original modern room with minimalistic décor. Clean and spacious rooms feature a shower or a bath. Very good breakfast included. Check the latest price.
Elegant & artsy rooms, some of them with a seating area. The place has a lovely garden, and 
Wonderfully minimalistic rooms with white & red décor. Super clean. Breakfast for an extra fee available, and you can prepare your meals also in the common kitchen. Close to the restaurants.