INTERNATIONAL NEWS CONTENTS Kiridara Resort (Luang Prabang, Laos) The Ritz-Carlton International Financial Center (Dubai, UAE)
Kiridara Project Overview Kiridara is an elegant, contemporary boutique hotel located in the mystical city of Luang Prabang. Designed to take full advantage of the magnificent Mount Phou Si views, Kiridara's the hotel's 24 guest rooms have balconies and courtyards and are surrounded by native Champa trees. The interior features stone walls and warm polished timber floors accentuated by cool cottons. Luang Prabang is a popular tourist destination. Notable as a UNESCO world heritage site, the city is well known for its ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries. Project Details 1. Type of Business: Boutique hotel 2. Open Date: June 2011 3. Construction Commencement: 2006 4. Location: Luang Prabang, Laos 5. Target: Holiday travelers wanting to explore the ancient city of Luang Prabang. 6. Number of rooms: 24, ranging in size 33-75 sqm 7. Gross Floor Area: 3,500 sqm 8. Construction Cost: 15 million baht (US$ 500,000) 9. Room Rate: Starting at around US$ 120 per night (grand opening promotional rate) 10. Managed by: Ativa Hospitality; www.ativahospitality.com 11. Architect: Atelier of Architects; www.atelierofarchitects.com 12. Website: www.kiridara.com
Location Map Luang Prabang is in northern Laos, about 1 hour and 45 minutes by plane from Bangkok. The resort is a 5-minute drive from Luang Prabang International Airport and 2 minutes from central Luang Prabang, with easy access to the popular surrounding tourist sites.
Nestled into a hillside, Kiridara is surrounded by native teak forests, offers panoramic views of Mount Phou Si. Infinity pool
Reception area. Restaurant.
The spa. Products used are locally sourced and blended, supporting Kiridara s ethos of sustainability whilst nurturing indigenous crafts and artisans.
Layout of 1-bedroom unit L ayout of 2-bedroom unit
Deluxe room. Interiors feature stone walls and warm polished timber floors accentuated by cool cottons. Superior room.
Premium room.
The Ritz-Carlton International Financial Center Project Overview The Ritz-Carlton Dubai International Financial Center covers an entire city block. The property also contains a 341-room hotel, 124 executive residences, 300 condominiums and luxury retail. The hotel and executive residences were designed by HBA. Inspiration for this 14-storey limestone building came from grand European hotels like the Ritz in London and Paris. The designers used the 1940s French Art Deco as the design style reference because the period represents chic luxury as well as more forward thinking in the design approach. Things familiar to The Ritz-Carlton guests fine crystal chandeliers, Oriental carpets are used but not necessarily in a traditional manner. The result is a contemporary interior that is chic, streamlined and friendlier to the current generation of The Ritz-Carlton guests. The project is HBA s ninth Middle Eastern property. Other projects by this design company include the Taj Palace Dubai, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anatara, Amethyst Lounge Beirut and two Abu Dhabi St. Regis hotels (opening later this year). Project Details 1. Type of Business: Mixed-use development in a Financial Center. 2. Open Date: January 2011 3. Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates 4. Concept: Glamour of grand European hotels of the 1940s with a modern interpretation. 5. Number of rooms: 341 guestrooms and suites, including two Ritz-Carlton Suites, 124 serviced apartments ranging in size from 125-350 sqm 6. Architect and Interior Designer (Hotel and Executive Residences): Global hospitality design company HBA; www.hbadesign.com 7. Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Location Map The Ritz-Carlton is located in the Dubai International Financial Center at Gate Village in central Dubai.
Exterior of the 14-storey limestone building.
The hotel main lobby is a tribute to the heritage of a renowned French Art Deco interior designer Jean-Michel Frank. Limestone walls and floors are accented with Frank inspired straw pattern inlaid wood, while elevator doors in polished metal feature his hallmark starburst pattern. Chandeliers in the Ballroom Wing and on the Mezzanine floor are inspired by jewelry designs from Cartier and Bulgari. Centerpiece is a striking ceiling featuring azure Swarovski crystals by Lasvit. Not only does it add a distinct Art Deco feel to the hotel, but it also serves as a uniting element for the lobby, mezzanine and podium levels. Stunning in the daylight and at night alike, the coral reef still looks its best against the night sky.
The carpets are very colorful designs of primarily Eastern inspiration, with border ornaments taken from jewelry designs.
Lobby lounge and terrace.
Can Can restaurant.
Center Cut restaurant.
Above and below: Nr 5 lounge and bar.
Wine storage. Meeting room.
The spa. The palette of the spa is cool and the space serene, with white marble, glass mosaics and pale blues and greens.
The palette for the guestrooms and suites is pale ocean blue and gold with cream walls and Anegre wood detailing.
Rooms are upholstered in creamy silk in a pattern that matches the color of the drapery.
The study is wood paneled in Tiger wood and the bedroom has handmade area carpets and silk upholstered walls. There are three different guestroom plans with variations within each, 50 suites, including two Royal Suites, and a Club Lounge.