A mezzanine corridor gives access to smaller conference room and a view to the break out area outside the main conference room

Where windows are at the ends of corridors, in the Conference area for example, then they are treated thoughtfully to create almost abstract constructivist artworks, with the minimalist furniture set against equally minimalist architecture outside providing a construction of rectilinear shapes. Much as I dislike the emptiness of much minimalism there is something very aesthetically pleasing about this arrangement. I must confess to rearranging the seating in situations like this as I pass, to reset the symmetry I assume the designer intended…

Similar vignettes appear elsewhere, in small meeting areas or outside the restaurant, in the reception lobby and conference breakout zones, all adding to the impression of a beautifully controlled mix of strong contemporary materials –steel, wood, stone and glass. The strength of the architecture is balanced by the interior designers own strong use of symmetry and careful placement of these vignettes creating a human feel to otherwise hard spaces. Skilful use of colour and light, including spiral chandeliers in strongly coloured materials also help this carefully structured balancing act.

Relaxation room type. Rollover to see how the designer uses timber to mark out room door area.

In the restaurant area this aesthetic is not as successful. Whilst the lounge area between the lift lobby and the restaurant is attractive, the creation of a balcony moves the window line inwards and away from the light leaving the restaurant area itself feeling a little like a bunker. I would imagine in the strong summer light this effect would be more marked, although balanced by the guest by being able to sit outside to dine (although this area is now where the smokers have been banished to under the local anti-smoking ordnances).

At night the area is more attractive as the use of up-lighters in the floor line, and semi-glazed screens help to create a more open feel that cannot be achieved in competition with the strong Mediterranean light of daytime.

Everywhere in the hotel the light and the windows dominate and this is no different in the bedrooms. The relaxation rooms use cool calm colours to balance the room, and the clever use of the table cum desk to behind the bedhead, very effectively setting it apart from the bedroom area itself also helps to create a sense of place.

The bathroom in the relaxation rooms is equipped with a spa bath into the end wall tiling of which is set a waterproof television, complete with a floating control pad, giving new meaning to watching the soaps. The bathroom space has been allowed to become slightly larger than normal at the expense of the bedroom in what is an effective decision as it has allowed for a separate toilet and bidet area as well as a separate shower stall, creating a superb luxury bathroom. ‘Bath wars’ are complimenting ‘bed wars’ in the battle for guest loyalty, and this iteration will, I’m sure be much copied,as it's a winner.

Other bedroom colour schemes are warmer (not that the relaxation room colour schemes are cold, just cool and ‘laid back’) and pick up on the corridor colouration which is ochre and timber. Doors to rooms are inset in alcoves along the corridor length with the whole inset area being timber lined. (Although the hotel is relatively new, already some of the timber veneers used are breaking away). The corridor carpet has stripes running lengthwise shading across the width in a subtle manner,but this tends to emphasise the length of the corridor and give it a slightly tubular feel.