The judging panel for AHEAD Europe - comprising architects, interior designers, hoteliers and industry commentators - follows a carefully developed judging process to ensure a rigorous and balanced approach, with the criteria for success based not only on creative excellence guest experience but commercial viability.
To learn more, download AHEAD's 2023 entry guidelines, which includes details on eligibility and a step-by-step guide on how to enter.
Entries for AHEAD Europe 2023 close on 28 July.
Christopher leads Hilton’s Architecture and Design team across multiple offices, overseeing and guiding design projects across Hilton’s Europe, Middle East & Africa region.
Chris has been designing and shaping international luxury, lifestyle, and full service hotels for a wide range of owners, developers, hospitality companies, celebrities and brands for over 20 years. Directing the design of all Hilton branded hotels in the region, he led the design of the first Waldorf Astoria, as well as most recently the category defining Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre, Hilton’s first lifestyle hotel.
Alba joined Design Hotels to manage the curation and qualitative growth of the member portfolio in EMEA.
Alba believes in visionaries with an imaginative spirit who dare to seek the unexpected and create original experiences for the traveler of tomorrow. Her multidisciplinary background and intuitive sense for aesthetics, culture and branding in the digital and physical space, let her shape the collection of Design Hotels members – and contribute to the strategic development and further evolution of the brand.
Previously, Alba spent six years successfully contributing to developing a digital lifestyle agency in London and Germany, where she worked with prestigious clients like Net-a-Porter, Alexander McQueen and Made.com.
As an Alumni of Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Alba has a solid understanding of the hospitality industry. Her curiosity for the lifestyle sector and appreciation for sophisticated design led to a Masters in Fashion & Luxury Brand Management at Istituto Marangoni in London as well as Interior Design courses at Central Saint Martin.
Christine is a Design Director with twenty six years of global design experience, specialising in hospitality design. Prior to joining Wave, Christine has held multiple leadership roles within the industry and most recently was the Vice President of Property Development - Asia TSA & Design for Standard International where she was responsible for the design strategy and overall technical excellence of Standard International’s expansion and projects within the Asia Pacific region.
Prior to joining Standard International, she was an Associate Vice President at WATG leading projects such as: Aloft Seminyak, Four Seasons Hanoi F&B Strategy and Interiors, Belmond Eastern & Oriental Presidential Suites & Spa, Marriott Kolkata, Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay, and Swissotel Xiangtan.
While Managing Director of AvroKO, Christine founded the Bangkok office and was responsible for the development, strategic and overall performance of AvroKO projects within the Asia Pacific region.
Prior to joining AvroKO, she was with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. where she began as a member of the Westin design team, translating new brand positioning around “Renewal” into memorable design expressions and global guidelines. Christine progressed to guide the design efforts in the launch of Starwood’s first eco-friendly brand Element Hotels. She shaped the creative direction for both Aloft and Element Hotels. Rounding out her tenure at Starwood, she returned to the Global Brand Design group providing direction for luxury brands St. Regis and The Luxury Collection.
Christine is a steadfast believer in the power of design- how it deeply impacts the human spirit, and the responsibility that designers have in shaping our world for the better.
Born in Rome, growing-up in London and currently residing in Paris, Federico explains his design thinking by comparing it to his barbecuing skills: nomadic but rooted in European traditions, informed by an experimental antipodean approach and with a twist of American confidence.
Federico leads the team that defines the design and product strategy and creates standards and concept guidelines for Accor’s luxury and premium hospitality brands, overseeing design initiatives to evolve the design, performance, guest experience and market development of their brands.
A qualified architect with over 20 years of experience in hospitality, focusing on the design of hotels, resorts, private residences and high-end retail, he delivers experience driven luxury projects and has overseen the development of innovative and award-winning destinations.
Federico’s strategic team is the key link between the Luxury, Premium, Lifestyle & Partner Brands and the Regional Design & Technical Services Teams, working closely with Operations, Marketing, Brand and Development, facilitating concept creation with the necessary market adaptations across the globe.
Iain is the founder and creator of The Aficionados, a highly sought travel reference for those who seek fabulous hotels that fuse effortless luxe, sound design and authenticity.
The Aficionados feature some 90+ European hotels, private-hire design houses and creatively inspired guesthouses alongside a rafter of more than 100 makers, producing an emporium of online travel culture and lifestyle. The company also publishes four style-led magazines: Blueprint Beauts, Farmhouse Fabulous, Casa Gorgeous and Neu Heritage.
Before setting up his company, Iain spent four years on a non-stop travel hike as Executive Vice President at Design Hotels AG, whereby his passion for architecture and hotel interiors flourished. Previously he enjoyed the high life at the French Taittinger group as regional Marketing & Sales Director - Concorde Hotels & Resorts for Hotel de Crillon Paris and the Martinez Cannes. Iain also lived in Berlin for ten years, moving there just after the Berlin wall fell. He worked for several years in publishing before returning to the hotel world and Kempinski Hotels as Director of Sales & Marketing, including the pre-opening of Hotel Adlon Berlin.
Iain is an enthusiastic entrepreneur with some 26 years of hotel marketing & brand experience, a keen lover of local hero concept hotels that are crafted, ooze personality, have a soul and were simply cast just for their neighbourhood.
Jese has developed an expertise on hospitality and F&B design, but his experience stretches across multiple sectors such as aviation, residential, retail and workplace projects. During the last 15 years, Jese has been based in the cities of London, Paris, Milan, Singapore & Melbourne where he has worked on projects in all 5 the inhabited continents, and has explored the ever blurrier boundaries between the hospitality world and other design sectors.
He has worked for a number of high-profile clients and brands such as Four Seasons, St Regis, Conrad, Jumeirah, British Airways and Hakkasan to mention a few. He has worldwide experience across all aspects of interior projects, from concept design through to final construction; however, his distinctive approach hinges on his expertise on the meaning of ‘brand’ in architecture and interiors, bringing forefront brand strategy and powerful storytelling to the very core of the design process in multiple projects.
Jonny is a Board Director of ReardonSmith Architects and has extensive experience in the delivery of luxury hotel developments. He joined RSA in 2011, and his leadership qualities, collaborative instinct and committed work ethic have ensured his swift promotion to board director.
Jonny is highly skilled in taking both new-build and refurbishment projects all the way from early inception to completion and his experience in the hospitality sector ranges from Grade II Listed heritage projects to high-rise developments. One of his projects, The Beaumont in Mayfair, London was awarded “Best Hotel in the World” upon its opening in 2014. During this project, Jonny worked closely with noted British artist Sir Antony Gormley bringing together art and architecture in a unique way. Most recently, he has acted as Hotel Operational Planning Consultant for Zaha Hadid Architects and is currently undertaking a similar role on an exciting new hotel development in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Jonny is also leading the architectural and design team on one of London’s most prestigious hotel schemes; the renovation of The Dorchester, a Grade II listed, 250-key hotel.
ReardonSmith Architects was founded in 1988 to provide a specialised architectural service dedicated to the hotel and hospitality industry in all its forms and is today an award-winning global leader in international hotel and resort design. The RIBA and CIAT Chartered Practice has an unrivalled track record in the restoration of luxury hotels in London and major European cities, an enviable reputation for the design of new destinations in Europe and the widest experience of hotel architecture across the entire spectrum of new-build and existing estates. The company’s achievement stems from a profound understanding of hotels – as an asset, an operation and as a guest experience.
Koen is responsible for overseeing architecture, interior design, and project management related activities for all Marriott brands globally.
Koen joined Marriott as part of the Starwood acquisition in April 2017, after ten years with Starwood. He has held a number of leadership positions in both Starwood and Marriott focusing on growth, speed to market and efficiency.
Prior to joining Marriott Koen worked as Project Architect on various international Hotel projects for several architectural practices in Brussels and London, ReardonSmith Architects being one of them.
Koen holds a Masters (Hons) in Architecture from Sint-Lucas in Brussels, an Executive MBA from London Business School and is a licensed Architect in the UK.
Over the past two decades, Maria has forged an impressive career in international hospitality design. After completing her qualifications in Spain and Italy, and gaining experience on Italian residential and hospitality projects, Maria’s spirit of exploration and cultural curiosity took her to the Asia-Pacific. There she joined a boutique firm in Melbourne, Australia, contributing to regional builds in Taipei and Shanghai, including the acclaimed The PuLi Hotel and Spa.
Maria joined Melbourne-based BAR Studio in 2010, where she has worked across all aspects of the award-winning practice, from leading teams in developing concept designs to seeing projects through to successful completion. Later, after a return to her home city, Madrid, Maria collaborated with BAR to establish the studio’s first European base. Today, Maria oversees BAR Studio’s European operation, serving as a client liaison and project lead on the firm’s luxury hospitality projects in the region.
Reda is a French architect, trained and graduated from the University of East London in Great Britain, under the direction of Elias Zenghelis and Eleni Gigantes. After a few years working for London based firms, mainly as a project architect for projects across Europe (Switzerland, France, etc.), Reda moved back to Paris. He then joined Thurnauer Architects where he acted as a design architect for 4 years.
In 1997, he founded AW² - Architecture Workshop in Paris. Stéphanie Ledoux, a graduate from the Ecole Spéciale d’Architecture, Paris, joined him in 2000 and became a partner in 2003. Both partners have led the studio in tandem ever since and play an active role in the design of each project.
With projects in 40 different countries, the studio has an international reputation for quality high-end design. Luxury hotels and high-end interiors are now an important part of its activity. The studio covers all project typologies including hospitality, residential, facilities, education, offices, and retail…
In 2006, Reda became a member of the board of AFEX (French Architects for Export) where he held several positions on the Board of Directors; until his election as President of AFEX in 2022.
Ria was born in Athens, Greece and completed her studies in the Architecture school of the National Technical University of Athens.
The sculptural approach of her design, deconstruction of fluid forms, was the inspiration for the name of the architectural studio, ELASTIC Architects, founded in 2005 together with Architect Alexandros Xenos, which is now an international architectural brand with a global portfolio that includes mainly hotel and mixed-use resort projects, with a clientele of Aman Resorts, Janu by Aman, One & Only Resorts, Marriott, Accor, Nammos Restaurants & Hotels, Nobu, Hyatt, The Edition, Brown Hotels, Banyan Tree Resorts etc.
Fortune magazine recognised her as a Trailblazer for her avant-garde design, she was awarded the World Woman Leader of Advanced Architecture by the Who is Who International Awards, and has been announced as Ambassador of Advanced Architecture.
Her projects have received multiple awards in America, Europe and England, and she has given important speeches on architecture, both in Greece and abroad.
Rob has practiced architecture for over 30 years working around the world on hotel, resort and branded residential design projects.
Having just completed The Londoner for Edwardian Hotels in London’s Leicester Square, Rob led the design from inception through planning permission and detail design while collaborating with Woods Bagot Architects, interior designers Yabu Pushelberg, and Arup engineers. This follows several London hotels where he was lead designer: Four Seasons at 10 Trinity Square, Firmdale's Ham Yard Hotel, Eccleston Square Hotel and various properties for Edwardian Hotels including the group's May Fair Hotel and newly refurbished Edwardian Manchester hotel.
His design approach – understand the brief and what the client goals are, then begin with the spatial design and the way people move through and interact with the space.
Rob continues to work with Edwardian Hotels, where he is Creative Director, as well as being a founding partner in Steul+Thompson Architects.
Rune is the Co-Founder and CEO of PURO Hotels. The group opened their first hotel in 2011 and currently have 7 hotels in prime locations in the major cities of Poland. Work has begun on a new hotels in Budapest and Prague, which are set to open in 2025/26, heralding a wider European expansion programme. A further two new hotels in Warsaw are also expected to open in 2024 and 2026, respectively.
With a strong passion for craftsmanship and design, Rune is deeply involved in the creative direction of PURO and leads the creative team. Working closely with the finest international interior design studios has led to the creation of unique and refined experiences of contemporary luxury. The commissioning of local artists and designers results in an authentic and crafted ambiance in tune with the neighbourhood of each hotel.
Rune is Norwegian and PURO Hotels has a strong sense of the Scandinavian spirit of ‘hygge’ in the way the hotels are run, their strong sense of local connection and their creative path.
PURO Hotels have been frequently shortlisted in Sleeper magazine’s AHEAD Awards, winning at AHEAD Europe in 2019.
With a career spanning over 25 years, Sam is an experienced interior designer with a passion for the hospitality industry and has established herself as a prominent figure in the field. Sam joined the InterContinental Hotel Group at the beginning of the year and brings a wealth of expertise and creativity to craft remarkable hotel interiors.
Throughout her career, Sam has collaborated with various hotel owners and operators, contributing to the transformation of numerous properties. Notably, she spent a decade at G.A Design, one of the industry’s foremost international hospitality design consultancies. During this time, she honed her skills and played a pivotal role in delivering exceptional design solutions for prestigious hotels worldwide.
With an impressive portfolio of successful projects and a commitment to excellence, Sam continues to shape the world of hospitality design, creating unforgettable spaces that leave a lasting impression on guests and clients alike.
Toni Black is an interior designer with experience heading large scale project in the middle east, Africa and Europe for over 18+ years. She began her design carer as a lighting design consultant working on iconic buildings and redevelopment projects for award winning practices then moving into interior design.
Toni's previous projects range from bespoke private residencies and palaces, shopping centres including hospitality developments of circa 150million GDV, and large airports developments.
Toni has a great understanding of space enabling her to create and re-invent exquisite balanced interiors. She has worked with clients such as; Marriott Courtyard, Luxury Collection, Autograph Collection, Fairmont, Sheraton, The Ritz Carlton, Le Meridian, Hilton, Park Inn, Burberry, Dubai & Jeddah International Airport.
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RH Contract provides a business-to-business partnership like no other in the industry. With our multi-category product assortment, unparalleled product design and curation capabilities, uniquely integrated interior design approach, the benefits of RH’s purchasing power, and our global supply chain and logistics scale, RH Contract has proven to be a unique, valuable project partner.
Visit siteThe brand Lasvit, founded in 2007 by Leon Jakimič, sheds new light on Bohemian glass and takes it into the next millennium. Lasvit combines the authenticity of glass craft with innovative technologies and creative craftsmanship. In a few short years, Lasvit has established itself as the authority delivering bespoke lighting sculptures and art installations made from hand-blown glass.
Collaborations with renowned designers and artists produce also unique glass collections. Nendo, Ross Lovegrove, Daniel Libeskind, Maarten Baas, Czech legends René Roubíček and Bořek Šípek are among those who choose Lasvit in order to embody their unconventional artistic vision, endow it with the precision and mastery of our glassmakers, and produce impressive creative oeuvre. This is a manifesto of Lasvit’s uncompromising mission: To transform glass into breathtaking light and design experiences.
Visit siteTOPHOTELPROJECTS is the heart of a global community of suppliers and decision-makers which initiates and supports the communication relating to building, design, furnishing, and operation of hotels.
We are a German research firm covering global hotel constructions, that over a decade branched out into hospitality events, media, and hotel design.
No other company comes close in supporting the hotel industry by efficiently combining different business areas into one integrated solution.
Ever since the hotel industry veteran Rolf W. Schmidt founded the company in 2009, our core activity is building the world’s most comprehensive directory of:
We took the complex, ever-evolving global hospitality industry and introduced it to our German sense of efficiency and sheer hard work.
Our research team of some 25 experienced professionals spends 1,800 hours a month researching hotel projects around the world.
Our database has been 10 years in the making, during which we gathered information on over 24,000 hotel projects and 120,000 related companies. Currently, our database has information on more than 6,500 ongoing hotel projects worldwide – important details included.
TOPHOTELPROJECTS today represents an exhaustive, ever-growing network of professionals from all major sectors of the hospitality industry: owners, developers, investors, brands, operators, architects, designers, and suppliers.
In 2019, TOPHOTELPROJECTS and Sleeper Media signed a strategic partnership with mutual co-investment. This partnership combines digital expertise and in-depth data of TOPHOTELPROJECTS with Sleeper Media’s leading hospitality offerings. It is all about synergy and a win for all sectors of the industry.
Visit siteAkula, a leading manufacturer of marine-grade outdoor furniture has established itself as a trusted partner for the world’s leading hospitality and cruise operators, offering an extensive range of solutions designed to meet the unique needs of these demanding environments.
With a unique dual focus on custom manufacturing and quick-ship capabilities, Akula stands out. This approach allows them to provide personalised solutions that cater to specific design and functionality requirements while running a quick-ship program that ensures timely delivery to meet tight project timelines. This makes Akula a preferred choice for clients who require bespoke designs and efficiency.
Engineered to withstand the rigors of outdoor environments, Akula's products are built to last. Every piece is manufactured to endure extreme conditions, including UV exposure, seawater, chlorinated water, and fluctuating temperatures, with minimal maintenance required. This commitment to durability ensures that Akula’s furniture not only enhances outdoor spaces but also offers long-term value.
Akula's global footprint, with offices in the UK, USA, UAE, and Hong Kong, underscores its worldwide reach and ability to serve clients across the globe. This international presence facilitates a deep understanding of market needs and ensures that Akula is not just a name but a global standard in outdoor furniture.
Akula’s success is rooted in its dedication to quality, innovation, and customer service. By continuously pushing the boundaries of design and technology, Akula remains at the forefront of the outdoor furniture industry, delivering solutions that are as robust as they are elegant.
Visit siteKALDEWEI – your worldwide partner for iconic bathroom solutions shaped from superior steel enamel. KALDEWEI’s extensive range of bathtubs, shower surfaces, and washbasins are ideally suited to the demands of the hospitality industry delivering an increased level of health and wellbeing awareness for your hotel. The smooth, non-porous glass surface not only gives you security against germs and dirt but is also the material of the future. KALDEWEI steel enamel is made of 100% natural materials and is 100% recyclable, so it’s good for your guests and the planet too.
To learn more visit KALDEWEI.com
Visit siteFounded in 1892 in Switzerland, LAUFEN has become one of the world's leading companies for sanitary ceramics. Today LAUFEN Bathrooms provided integrated bathroom concepts with high-quality products, ranging from sanitary ceramics to bathtubs and shower trays, furniture, faucets, and accessories.
Visit siteMaison&Objet (SAFI, a joint subsidiary of Ateliers d'Art de France and RX France) has been leading and bringing together the international decoration, design, and lifestyle community since 1994.
Its trademark is its ability to elicit productive international meetings, to drive the visibility of the brands that join its exhibitions and its digital platform, but also its singular instinct for highlighting the trends that will set the heart of the interior design planet racing. Maison&Objet's mission is to reveal talent, to offer opportunities for discussion and inspiration both online and offline, and to facilitate the development of businesses.
With two annual exhibitions and Paris Design Week in September, Maison&Objet serves as an indispensable barometer for the entire sector. Online since 2016, MOM (Maison&Objet and More) allows buyers and brands to continue their exchanges, launch new collections, and make contacts beyond physical meetings. Weekly launches of new products provide an ongoing boost to the industry. In 2023, Maison&Objet rolled out new digital services, and MOM also became a marketplace.
On social networks, discoveries are made on a daily basis by a community of almost 2 million active professionals on Facebook, Instagram (+1M followers), Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Xing, WeChat, and now TikTok.
Spearheading the Paris Capitale de la Création label, Maison&Objet is a catalyst for positioning Paris as a major magnet for international creative talents.
Visit siteDesigning and manufacturing everything in bathrooms.
Roca began life as a family business manufacturing cast iron radiators at a factory in Gavà, near Barcelona in 1917. Over the years, the portfolio gradually expanded and by 1929, Roca entered the bathroom environment for the first time. With an attentive focus on social changes, Roca has since been pioneering when tackling issues surrounding sustainability, design, and technology, and remains at the forefront of these innovations today. Today, Roca reaches over 170 countries, supplied by 76 production plants with more than 20,000 employees worldwide. After one hundred years, Roca is still proud to call itself a family business.
Visit siteVilleroy & Boch, formed in 1748, is a leading ceramics manufacturer steeped in European culture and history, and one of the biggest international premium brands in the areas of bathrooms and wellness.
Villeroy & Boch offers the finest and most innovative bathroom products and furnishing concepts for both private customers and property developers. The company is a pioneer in the realm of ceramic product design and innovation. Villeroy & Boch beautiful, high-quality products are hallmarks of French design flair and German engineering efficiency.
Visit siteInterdecor Design, with over 20 years of experience, we are proud to be considered the leading 5-star international interiors contractor within Europe.
Garnering an undisputed reputation amongst clients for our manufacturing capability and skilled team, we offer products, with a commitment to style, quality and value, ensuring absolute client satisfaction.
Professionalism is ensured throughout all stages, with Interdecor assuming control of the project from initial site surveys to completion, providing value engineering advice, sample finishes, prototype rooms, achieving strict budget requirements, and meeting tough delivery schedules and completion dates for all our clients. Interdecor has undertaken complex projects often requiring hand finishing, inlay, and intricate carving. Our team uses the latest computer technology and has access to constant training programs. Considering our expertise, dedicated management team, and project managers, we can confidently guarantee all our clients will be completely satisfied with our performance across all project stages. Our primary objective is to provide interior designers, contractors, major international hotel operators, and private clients with the highest quality bespoke furniture, upholstery, architectural millwork, and complete interiors for bedrooms and public areas.
Visit siteBECK was founded in 1994 to deliver world-leading interior fit-outs for the luxury, lifestyle, and museum sectors. We’re still privately owned and committed to producing world-class craftsmanship, whether on-site or in our bespoke in-house joinery facility.
We collaborate with architects and designers from our UK headquarters in Surrey, just outside central London, but our work takes us all over the world wherever clients demand outstanding interiors with unparalleled attention to detail.
Visit sitePreciosa Lighting elevates the heritage of Bohemian crystal through contemporary lighting designs since 1724. The company is built on centuries of tradition and the unique art of master glassmakers from Crystal Valley. We honour this heritage and craftsmanship by creating innovative lighting products that stand the test of time.
Our lighting styles range from individual luxury lighting to dynamic and interactive installations. As a global company, Preciosa cooperates with designers worldwide to create exclusive lights that reflect our spirit. Our historic chandeliers and contemporary projects can be found in hotels, resorts, fine restaurants, luxury residences, cultural institutions and on board yachts and cruise ships in locations as varied as New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Moscow or London.
Preciosa Lighting can create unrivaled emotional experiences by combining the traditional art form of chandelier craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. This knowledge is what drives our intention to unveil the symbolic as well as the aesthetic power of decorative lighting. It led us to create Preciosa’s Signature Designs which are highlighted by countless customization possibilities to perfectly fit the owner’s desires.
Signature Designs are authentic, timeless, and celebrate design. We are inspired by the allure of crystal combined with light. Creative craftsmanship is evident through the versatility of each light; customizable for space and its uses. Preciosa’s advanced use of technology is seen in every element of the design. They present contemporary styles with a timeless quality.
Visit siteClose to you
As a global manufacturer of sanitary products and installation systems, “close to you” is our promise. We have been operating as an independent, family-run business in close proximity to people and the markets for over 30 years. Curiosity about our customers’ world leads us to develop well-thought-out products and services and will continue to drive our innovative approach forwards in the future. Innovation, design, and high-quality standards are our main drivers. Our system solutions combine permanently safe functions with a timeless design. This combination is representative of the driving force behind our company – making good products even better.
Competencies
In front of and behind the wall. TECE’s areas of competence encompass outstanding sanitary design elements such as toilet flush plates including cisterns, prefabricated wall modules, a toilet with shower function, and elegant shower channels or shower profiles.
We support your international project activities by consulting you, providing the configuration of water supply systems, and preparing the accurate technical design of prefabricated wall modules. We assist you with the fulfillment of all relevant local regulations and environmental certification. You can rely on a fast, responsive, and reliable service.
Around 1’500 employees globally manufacture and serve clients – TECE products are available in more than 50 countries.
Visit siteAlarwool S.L. is a family business with over 60 years of experience in the textile industry. Its origins date back to 1950 in Alar del Rey, a small town in the Spanish province of Palencia (ALAR-WOOL) where the main economic engine was agriculture and sheep farming. That was when Don Pedro Cubero bought the only local industry, a textile spinning facility that belonged to the Count of Mansilla and which employed most of the population in the area. Spinning at the heart of Tierra de Campos, where there was more than 1 million head of sheep, guaranteed the best raw material for its yarn.
More than 60 years after its founding, Alarwool S.L. is still a family-owned and operated company, run by the same family that founded it and its principal activity is still the manufacture of custom woven wool rich carpets. At present it not only works with local raw materials but also selects the best wool form around the world to manufacture its carpets, which are installed in cruises, casinos and hotel chains worldwide, making Alarwool S.L. one of the world-leading custom carpet manufacturing company.
Alarwool S.L. makes its carpets according to the most demanding design, color and quality specifications, working closely with some of the most important design and architectural firms around the world. For the company it has always been a priority to keep all the workforce in Spain, so now all carpets are manufactured at its production plant in Crevillente, Alicante. Furthermore, it is important to note that approximately 90% of its production goes to projects outside Spain.
Alarwool S.L. offers a very personalized service, updating customers on a regular basis as to the progress of its project from the moment our designers begin to develop design concepts to the delivery of the material or installation. With a capability to produce over 450,000 square meters of carpets annually, Alarwool S.L. is one of the largest companies manufacturing high quality wool carpets for hotels, casinos and cruise
Visit siteCurated by Always Thinking in collaboration with the wider hospitality community, the Festival offers exciting new event formats which inspire connectivity, best practice and learning across the whole hotel eco-system.
Providing an inclusive space for hotel and F&B operators, designers, architects, developers, investors and thought leaders to share ideas for the productivity and growth of the sector.
Always Thinking is a business development consultancy that specialises in the built environment. With a no-bullshit approach, the team has helped leading names such as Make Architects, Goddard Littlefair and PDP London to develop focused business development strategy. Our research-based approach encourages communication through inquisitive questioning, intelligent conversation and client-centric thinking – there is no hard-sell.
Katie Tobin - katie@alwaysthinking.org
Karen Willey - karen@alwaysthinking.org
Instagram - @alwaysthinking_bd
LinkedIn - alwaysthinking
Expo. Talks. Installations and Social. HIX is designed for hotel design.
Last year, HIX welcomed over 3,500 guests and 200 exhibitors for a showcase of the latest and greatest in hotel design and experience.
Returning bigger and better for 2022, we’re bringing the hotel interiors community together for two days of networking, discussions and celebration against a backdrop of design installations, social spaces and a curated exhibition of Europe’s leading suppliers.
New this year is Collection, a curated edit of of 30 leading brands serving up a taste of their latest ranges in a space served by its own ‘mini-bar’ and curated playlist. Elsewhere, the Workshop Lounge allows guests to meet our expert speakers following sessions of an expanded talks programme exploring the latest hotel trends.
Northern Lights have been transforming spaces through artisan lighting for over 35 years, forming close collaborative relationships with some of the most influential and high-profile interior designers and architects globally.
Their passion & expertise has helped create some of the most iconic luxury bespoke lighting on a global scale, with their decorative fittings located in a wide variety of stunning hotels, restaurants, private residences, marine and commercial settings. From bedside lamps and wall lights to six metre bespoke chandeliers, their expert teams work closely to turn creative visions in to reality.
Well-considered design is at the forefront of everything; from the timeless, versatile and ever-evolving lighting pieces in the Signature Collection through to dramatically stunning bespoke lighting design. Blending 35 years of manufacturing expertise with generations of innovative product design principles enables Northern Lights to configure complex in-house manufacturing techniques in their UK facility to deliver spectacular, unique lighting designs that exceed their clients’ briefs.
Their skilled teams of designers and artisans have spent years developing their craft, focusing on the details to ensure Northern Lights is a name you can trust. By keeping as much of the manufacturing as possible under one roof, they are able to maintain full control from concept through to delivery. This commitment to carefully curated designs enables them to approach bespoke lighting in ways that very few other companies can.
“Northern lights are very proud of our in-house manufacturing capabilities. We create exquisite bespoke installations and some truly unique collections. We have particular expertise in glass techniques, metal fabrication and an extensive range of completely custom finishes, all produced in our own facilities. Our unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and new technology allows us to elevate any design vision, turning the sublime into the iconic.” - Donna Bruce, MD.
Visit siteLaunched in the US in 2019 by founder and CEO Adam I. Sandow, Material Bank has simplified the complex process of finding and sampling materials by providing a powerful digital marketplace combined with large-scale logistics. The platform allows architects, interior designers, and corporate buyers to search for hundreds of thousands of materials, such as paint, flooring, textiles, ceramics, tiles, acoustics, and wallcoverings, across hundreds of brands and order samples overnight delivery in a single box. With more than 500 brands and over 100,000 highly vetted members, including users at over 90% of the top 200 architecture and design firms and 20% of the Fortune 1000 companies, the platform has been rapidly adopted by the design community and continues to grow exponentially.
Material Bank seamlessly connects global manufacturers with specifiers and buyers while reducing friction and saving valuable time for design professionals. Its tools and services have created massive design efficiencies for its members and brand partners alike. In addition to improving the speed of finding and sampling materials, Material Bank provides a sustainable solution by consolidating samples from multiple brands into a single box, eliminating more than three million parcels from shipping to date.
Material Bank Europe, led by Philippe Brocart, will launch their platform with over 150 brands spanning all material categories. Their logistics facility, strategically located near the Roissy CDG airport in Paris, has been receiving inventory for several months in preparation for the launch. Its physical presence close to Paris will allow Material Bank to better meet the specific needs of its European specifiers. Proximity to key European regions allows Material Bank to personalise services and strengthen local relationships. This will position Material Bank for success in the region in the long term.
For more information about Material Bank, please visit: materialbank.eu
Visit siteThe Awards were first launched at the House of Lords in 2016 to recognise, celebrate and reward accessibility across hotels, restaurants and other public venues worldwide.
The judges focus on style, thoughtful design, innovation and liberty that delivers exceptional accessibility. The aim is to encourage hospitality industry bosses, architects and designers worldwide to consider ways in which they can address the current and future needs of disabled guests.
Visit siteAt Hästens, we strive for a world where people sleep well – one that’s more joyful, peaceful, and loving. Every day since 1852, we continue to honour our world-class craft in our factory in Köping, Sweden. That is why our master craftsmen consider and handcraft every detail of our bespoke designs using only the finest natural materials. We only use what we consider to be the finest natural materials. Sustainably produced and ethically sourced – so that those materials can be given a new life one day. A product that comes from nature wants to return to nature and that is how it should be. Hästens is a six-generation family business and has had the honour and privilege of serving as an official supplier to the Swedish Royal Court for three generations.
A night spent in our Hästens beds not only elevates the guest experience and provides a service level beyond expectations. It sets the tone for the day ahead. That is the beauty of quality sleep; it helps people to wake up feeling energized and with a fresh perspective. It makes the world around them appear brighter. Wellbeing is one of life’s greatest
luxuries, and increasingly, guests are looking to invest their time and energy into products, services and destinations that will enhance their health and life experience. The world is waking up to the value of sleep and the quality of a luxury bed pays for itself time and again. Our beds are designed to last for many years. Even after a decade of heavy use, you can be sure you are offering your guests the best possible sleep during their stay.
Uninterrupted deep sleep is what guests dream of when checking in. It is what they talk about after they leave. So, together, let us give them more than a sleep to remember by helping them to feel the best they have ever felt. Reawaken your guest experience with Hästens.
Visit siteHoad & More | Schneider Electric
Our companies came together to combine human-centric design with digital technology.
Hoad & More offers bespoke, quality switch plates with personalised aesthetics, while Schneider Electric delivers a wide range of digital technologies and services that enhance guest comfort and reduce operational costs.
Together, we create seamless, intuitive room controls that elevate the guest experience while addressing the rising demand for eco-conscious luxury.
Thanks to data captured from the physical world, we can personalise a guest experience while improving efficiency and reducing emissions to solve hotel owners' challenges and support responsible tourism.
This partnership is a game-changer for the hospitality industry, offering an unmatched blend of style, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology. By adopting these solutions, hotels can appeal to both luxury travellers and environmentally conscious guests, setting a new standard for modern hospitality that balances comfort with responsibility.