Hoosta Magazine

Claus Sendlinger, founder of Design Hotels
Sendlinger, whose hotel group prides itself on its design, says: “Minimalism is going strong. It is really difficult to get right, but you can still have an 80sq m room with two pillows on the floor and have it look cosy. You just need to get the textures and the lighting right.” He rubbishes the idea that service in design hotels is poor: “If it was, why would people pay so much to stay there?” He added: “Staying at a hotel should be an event. It’s about sharing a philosophy of life.”

Thierry Douin, general manager of the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
“Highly personalised treatment of guests” is the way forward, says Douin. Shangri-La has a computer system that keeps a detailed “guest history” of customer likes and dislikes. For example, if the guest likes to go jogging a map with routes will be left in their room. If they don’t like to have their bed turned down, that will be noted for their next stay. “If you use IT subtly it can be great,” says Douin. “People say: ‘How did you know that?’ The information can be as detailed as which side of the bed slippers should be placed. There’s a Guest History Manager at each Shangri-La hotel.”

Gordon Campbell Gray, owner of One Aldwych in London and Carlisle Bay in Antigua
Lavish, OTT places will start turning off guests, who are developing a new understanding of luxury, says Campbell Gray: “Some hotels are jaw-droppingly ghastly: hoteliers seem to think that if people have money they want something flash. There’s no understatement, and so much ostentation. You get picked up in white Rolls-Royces with music menus. It’s bull****. On the beach people ask: ‘Can I clean your sunglasses?’ It’s pretentious.” He believes luxury will be about being careful about carbon footprints, tasteful art, and touches such as freshly squeezed orange juice.

Via The Times
March 29, 2008