NEWH - Spring 2020 - 43

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London

Rosewood Miramar Beach

How are the plans and build coming along on the new London
property?
Our project on Grosvenor Square is set to become one of our
most iconic properties as we transform the former U.S. Embassy.
The project broke ground last year and is helmed by esteemed
British architect Sir David Alan Chipperfield, who will reimagine
the mid-20th-century listed building through elegant interior
upgrades, while maintaining the integrity of the property through
the preservation of the building's original, Grade II-listed façade.
Have you noticed any trends in interior design?
Interestingly, I have noticed within the hospitality world the
growing trend of residential design style, which has been our
core philosophy for the last 40 years.
How important is it choosing the right designer for each hotel?
We have been quite lucky to work with an incredible group of
designers from all over the world. Each brings such a unique
perspective. It is critical though, when choosing a designer that
we ensure their innate understanding of our brand's Sense of
Place philosophy, so that permeates throughout all aspects of
the property. As design is a passion for both myself and Sonia
Cheng (CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group), we both take a very
active hand in the design process of all our properties, working

Salon Marie-Antoinette at Hôtel
de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel

intimately alongside our designers for both new projects as well
as renovations and smaller projects.
How are people's expectations of luxury hotels changing?
We look to the evolving needs and desires of luxury travelers
and innovate accordingly. Take wellness. We recognize that the
wellness needs of travelers have transcended the typical hotel
gym or spa, which is why we are revolutionizing wellness in the
hospitality industry with our pioneering holistic wellness concept,
Asaya, which recently launched its first urban destination in
Hong Kong at the end of 2019.
What plans and aspirations do you have for Rosewood?
We are always looking to create new opportunities for our guests
to experience travel in a meaningful way that enables them to
truly connect with new cultures and destinations around the
world. However, we're not focused solely on expanding our
footprint, but on continuously evolving. Beyond the opening
of new hotels and the signing of new deals, what is important
is growing the recognition of the Rosewood brand as one that
represents a differentiated approach to luxury hospitality-a
more modern and progressive hotel experience that reflects the
way we travel today. We take great care to look at each project
with a very custom and bespoke approach so that we can
give the new age of luxury travelers what they are looking for:
something unique and thoughtful.

NEWH UK Chapter board member Can Faik is an award-winning journalist and editor of Hospitality Interiors. He is renowned for
his far-ranging perspective on the hospitality industry worldwide and as the go-to guy for news, trends and developments. ❙❘❚

Spring 2020 43

NEWH - Spring 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Spring 2020