natalie addis

Distinctive Design Co. Designs NEW URBAN LOFT HOTELS in Germany
By: Natalie Addis; CEO Distinctive Design Co.

The Urban Loft Hotels designed by Distinctive Design Co. under the direction of Hospitality Investors Group, Frank Orenstein is set to begin implementation January 2006. UBM Development is looking to build a minimum of eleven hotels throughout Germany within the next year. This is a unique brand, offering the style and amenities of the world's leading upscale hotels at mid-scale rates. Redefining the mid-scale segment of the market with a new generation of hotels featuring loft accommodations that are well priced, boldly designed, dynamic, and fun.
The Hotels will feature a breakthrough urban-loft design with a red-brick-and-glass construction, creating the appearance of a multi-building streetscape. The sleek design continues inside the hotel in 11-foot-ceiling loft accommodations with oversized windows, exposed-brick-and-polished-concrete walls, and custom-made furnishings.
The heart of each Hotel will be The Loft. With soaring ceilings and open floor plan, this ultra-social common area will beckon travelers from their rooms day and night. Here, guests can work, eat, talk, sip coffee, have cocktails, check e-mail, read the paper, and relax in an area that feels like a living room. The Loft's amenities will include a 24-hour restaurant, bar, a state-of-the-art business center, free wireless Internet access, a comfortable working library, a sundries store, a game room with a foosball and billiard table, and (in pleasant climates) a terraced area. Additionally, the Hotels will have meeting facilities with advanced technology and a fully equipped gym providing his-and-her changing rooms, showers, and steam rooms.
The Hotels are designed on the premise that travelers appreciate innovative design and good value.

The New Generation of Hospitality
http://distinctivedesignco.com

Providing the Baby Boomers with the new generation of hospitality. With comfort and convenience as the primary consideration, Distinctive Design Company designs hotel and resort spaces to accommodate a diverse demographic.

Baby Boomers can be described as anyone born between the years of 1946 and 1964. But more importantly, Baby Boomers are ninety million strong, have the spending capacity of $2 trillion annually and an average of after tax annual income of $60,000.00. They also happen to be the most diverse demographic, the younger boomers, those in their early 40s spend most of their money on family and mortgages and are most likely to travel for business. While the older boomers, those in there 60s are capable of indulging in the “finer things in life” such as leisurely travel and other luxuries.

With years of experience in traveling under their belt, both business and leisure alike, Boomers are the most well traveled generation of our time. This life experience has allowed the Boomers to be particularly discriminating in their lodging choices, thus forcing the hospitality and design industry to increase their creativity, awareness and ability to accommodate more than ever.

The comfortably factor is vital. In recent years the emphasis on comfort and convenience has increased and is expected. Distinctive Design Co. has comprehensive designers who keep those two key factors in mind throughout the execution of design. This generation of clientele wants to be accommodated with all the conveniences of home in their hotel room, plasma TVs, iPods, high-tech gadgetry, luxurious bedding and mattresses, all the amenities they’ve grown accustom to.

Spa services are a must. Most luxury and large hotels have full service spa facilities on site. The mid-market hotels and small boutique hotels are now featuring spa suites with soaking tubs, a chair for a manicure/pedicure and space for in-room massages or Yoga/Palates sessions.

As designers, we also recognize that lobbies tend to double as a social scene. Seating arrangements should be in small groups to facilitate relaxed conversation and guest interaction. The single traveler on business should be able to engage in the social scene as comfortably as the traveling couple. The ideal situation for a reception area is to place it to the left of the entry allowing the patrons to feel comfortable in the new environment. Using visual contrast or a light feature will attract the eye and no signage should be placed closer than 15 feet from the entrance. The average person walks approximately 15 feet into a space before they have a chance to look around, placed any closer the guest might miss it.

Space planning to fit all the required amenities into a small hotel room becomes a fete for us as designers. However, in recent projects we have discussed building a model room exactly as it would lie out, then experiencing the room in its entirety as a guest would. The baby boomers are trail blazing the hotel industry, setting the trends and demands of the modern day traveler. The hospitality and design industry is following along closely to these standards as to not be left behind.

SPA TRENDS ON THE RISE
Interior Designer Natalie Addis
CEO; Distinctive Design Co.
www.distinctivedesignco.com

The popularity of spas has been on the rise in both the commercial and residential sectors. Spa savvy consumers are looking for a relaxing getaway from their busy lifestyles. Some prefer to relax in the privacy of their home. Others take a weekend trip to a top notch spa. Now, you too can have a private spa in the comfort of your home. An increasing number of people are creating luxurious spas in their homes. The bathroom is now a retreat featuring a minimalist style. A minimalist space is clutter free, surfaces are smooth, and lines are sensual. Home spas may also include small water features or river rock in the design. Jacuzzis offer a variety of water experiences: effervescence, chromatherapy, and hydro-massage. The result is a simple and elegant retreat. A home spa is designed to rejuvenate your senses and melt away the stress of the day. Those who prefer to getaway outside the home are visiting high-end spa retreats. These spas are designed with an oasis environment in mind. In these retreats, consumers are looking to experience spa treatments in private rooms. Typical room layouts include a massage table, Jacuzzi, plasma TVs, and fireplaces creating a relaxing private oasis for the guest ultimately blurring the lines between bedroom and bath. This has become the inspiration for the home spa.