Droog's New Hotel In Amsterdam Opens September 16th. See All That It Has To Offer.

At the historical centre of Amsterdam, on September 16th, 2012, Droog will open a hospitality experience like no other. Hôtel Droog is a place where you can come for a drink, a bite to eat, exclusive shopping, exhibitions, beauty advice, a stroll in the garden, a lecture series, or even a bed for the night. Featuring the Droog Store, Gallery, Dining Room, Fairy Tale Garden, Beauty at Cosmania, Fashion at Kabinet, Products at Weltevree, and the one and only Bedroom, Hôtel Droog is conspicuously housed in 700 square metres in a 17th century building, promising to be a new cultural home in the heart of Amsterdam.




“The concept of a hotel has been reversed. Whereas a hotel is usually mostly about sleeping, here we have enlarged and emphasized all the aspects that many hotels also offer and made them central to the hotel experience—and it even has a room to sleep in,” says Renny Ramakers, co-founder and director of Droog. “Hotel Droog brings all of our activities under one roof—from curation to product design, exhibitions and lectures—and invites people to plug in as they choose.”

The new hotel, a 10-room member-only hotel, concept restaurant and exhibition space was designed by Tokyo-based Atelier Bow-Wow.


above: a model of the building shows the inner courtyard

Leaving the canal-facing front façade intact, Atelier Bow-Wow created an intricate inner courtyard façade inspired by Amsterdam’s historic architecture.



above: an early rendering of one of the hotel's rooms

The hotel restaurant will host new concept dinners by invited designers and chefs, improvising with local market left-overs and practicing the act of eating slowly yet attentively.


above: An initial rendering of the restaurant included a smoking space

The street level will house an on-going program of Droog exhibitions and events.

EXHIBITIONS at GALLERY

The Gallery is an exhibition space curated by Droog or by specially invited curators. This prominent and beautiful 160 square metre space features the latest in design, art, and fashion and previews upcoming developments in the creative industry. The Gallery aims to create a dialogue between design and society by hosting workshops and discussions.

ESCAPE at FAIRY TALE GARDEN

Enter a magical fairy tale garden. Designed by French Designers Claude Pasquer and Corinne Détroyat, the courtyard has been transformed into a shelter for biodiversity, where natural and artificial elements intermingle.

All elements are functional, attracting, feeding, watering, and providing respite for birds, butterflies, insects, flowers, edible plants and humans alike. Mixing seamlessly with abundant plantation, synthetic turf covers the winding pathways to create a sense of stillness. The garden is a real mixture of serenity and joy.

FOOD, DRINKS & DISCUSSIONS at THE DINING ROOM
The Dining Room is a simple, elegant and airy room that overlooks the flourishing garden. Enjoy some of the neighbourhood’s finest homemade recipes or freshly made smorrebrod sandwiches.

The menu is bound by one philosophy: simple, healthy, delicious dishes created with well-sourced and seasonal ingredients.

The Dining Room is open for lunch and special events, lectures and performances. In honour of the building’s history as home of the textile guild, Droog commissioned Dutch artist Berend Strik for a reinterpretation of Rembrandt’s famous De Staalmeesters, a painting that once hung here.

SLEEP at THE ONE AND ONLY BEDROOM
The top floor of Hotel Droog is for guests who might like to stay the night or more. Central but quiet, the brightly-lit space, with bedroom, living area and kitchen, provides a superb view over Amsterdam rooftops.

DESIGN at DROOG STORE

The Droog Store is an open atmosphere where you can interact with the Droog experience. Featuring small and affordable products along with limited edition pieces, each piece has been designed to enhance daily life and has its own story to tell. The store also sells the ‘Friends of Droog’ curated collection, products from other labels that match the Droog aesthetic and concept.

BEAUTY at COSMANIA

At COSMANIA you will find beautiful, affordable and very special international cosmetics brands that can’t be found anywhere else in The Netherlands. All beauty brands presented have their own unique story to tell. The unique principles of COSMANIA’s brand philosophy are exclusivity to the Netherlands and an open attitude that invites interaction with visitors. Openness comes in the form of honest product reviews, valuing visitor’s opinions and experiences with the products, and inviting visitors to help determine the collections.

COSMANIA is always open to advice on international brands you may have seen on your travels or in magazines that you’d like to see and share with other cosmaniacs.

FASHION at KABINET


KABINET is an intimate place where you can find exclusive fashion labels represented within this fashion salon. KABINET features some of the best eclectic designers of recent years including Isabel Marant, Maison Martin Margiela, and Hussein Chalayan. These sit beside other hand-picked luxury brands and a carefully curated selection of avant-garde designer pieces. KABINET has introduced a collection of unique fragrances to complement the cutting edge mix of womenswear, menswear, jewellery, accessories and design brands.

PRODUCTS at WELTEVREE
Weltevree is a Dutch product label that develops and produces authentic products with a focus on outdoor living.

Whether it’s the iconic Dutchtub (shown above) that allows you to enjoy the pleasure of bathing outside, or a stove that brings the crackling fire into your kitchen, Weltevree brings rawness, sensuality and a closeness to nature into your life. Featuring products that are distinctive, original and of excellent quality, Weltevree aims to deliver a quality experience that satisfies our primary desires.

press release information and images courtesy of Droog and Weltevree

Photography of hero image: Thijs Wolzak
Address: Staalstraat 7B, 1011 JJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 7pm / Sunday 12 – 5pm (Mondays closed)
Website: www.hoteldroog.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HotelDroog

The New Bulgari Hotel in London is a Sumptuous Jewel for Business or Pleasure.

The new Bulgari Hotel in London is set in the heart of Knightsbridge, the city’s most prestigious neighborhood. It is a perfect expression of the Bulgari aesthetic of timeless glamour. Innovative artistry and a lavish use of precious marble and silver blend harmoniously, exuding an understated elegance.



The quality of the service, magnificent elements such as the spa, pool and private screening room (all shown in this post) , and the distinguished location beside Harrods and Hyde Park all contribute to an uncompromising sense of excellence.




The Design



The first new luxury hotel to be created in London for 40 years, every element is an authentic expression of the Bulgari aesthetic. The architectural and design studio of Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Partners created the sleek architecture and refined interiors for a fluent, congruent appearance, together with a selection of rich furnishings and textiles made exclusively for the hotel.



The contemporary design concept concurs with Bulgari’s silversmith origins and Britain’s noble manufacturing traditions: silver forms the unifying theme. Details include custom-made silk curtains that feature silver patterns derived from an 1800s silver brooch by Sotirio Bulgari, and the spectacular handcrafted solid silver chandeliers, which dominate the Ballroom and are set to become the most impressive pair of silverware pieces made this century.



The design is complemented by state of the art technology and many sustainable features.


Rooms and Suites


The 85 luminous rooms and suites at the Bulgari Hotel & Residences are beautifully spacious; they are, in fact, the largest in London. Many look over Hyde Park and Knightsbridge and each is an oasis of comfort and sleek luxury. Every element demonstrates Bulgari’s famous attention to detail. Exquisite marbles, fine woods and unique detailing blend English style with Italian heritage.




Many furnishings are exclusive to Bulgari, creating a unique intimate feel. Rich, refined Italian silk fabrics feature an elaborate floral and foliate pattern inspired by the silver Bulgari Chatelaine. Sleek contours and rounded edges are redolent of the golden age of nautical travel. Even the mini bar resembles a sumptuous travel trunk.




The large bathrooms feature freestanding baths and showers in exquisite Marquina marble and white glass. Each bedroom offers a 42” LCD TV with connections for guest media devices, Nespresso coffee machine, complimentary wireless Internet and Bulgari amenities.




The Suites at the Bulgari Hotel in London are an expression of the contemporary ethos of Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel and Partners, influenced by a rich Italian heritage. Each Suite has an elegance and warmth created by fabrics designed and woven in Italy, silk wallpaper, contemporary chandeliers in Murano glass, vintage Moroccan carpets from the Beni Ouarain tribes, showers in ivory onyx and unique touches such as the table lamps inspired by classic Bulgari silver candlesticks.

The Bulgari Suites I-VII are of peerless magnificence.


Each provides two bedrooms with king size beds, a master bathroom with combined steam and shower room, a contemporary kitchen with the latest appliances, unique Bulgari silver and lavish furnishings in the generous living area - some with open fireplaces - and a spacious dining room that accommodates 10 guests, perfected by the Butler Service.



There are spectacular views across Hyde Park and Knightsbridge, enhanced by the balconies in some suites. Bulgari I is the largest suite. All three suites on the top floor can be booked for complete privacy and exclusivity. From 170-221 sq m /1829- 2378 sq ft.

Bulgari Spa, Nail Salon and Fitness Centre


Set over two entire floors the Spa comprises a 25m swimming pool, vitality pool, thermal experiences with ice fountains and cooling showers, relaxation room, 11 treatment rooms offering exclusive bespoke Bulgari treatments for the face and body, a fully equipped fitness centre and nail salon. There is also a private spa suite for two people with its own dressing room, steam shower and private relaxation room, treatment room and oversized hydro-massage tub and treatment room with a backdrop of spectacular green onyx.



The Bulgari Spa is one of the largest in central London - and one of the most exclusive. It is very spacious yet intimate, creating a sense of tranquillity. Crafted from onyx, oak, Vicenza stone and Italian glass mosaics, the Spa blends a contemporary Italian design ethos with the dramatic visual heritage of Bulgari.





The centrepiece of the Spa is a 25m swimming pool created from sandblasted Vicenza stone, lined with green and gold leaf glass mosaic tiles and surrounded by columns and relaxing cabanas.:



By contrast, the Vitality Pool invigorates and excites. Lined with gold leaf glass tiles, it features air and water massage jets to relieve tired and aching muscles and increase circulation; a spectacular waterfall that stimulates one’s sense of sound, sight as well as touch; and water heated to the perfect soothing temperature:


Il Bar & Il Ristorante



Moving through from the hotel entrance, past contemporary and 17th and 18th century Roman silver pieces from the private Bulgari collection, one encounters the spacious granite-clad lounge and, ultimately, the theatrically dramatic space of Il Bar. With its own exclusive entrance from Knightsbridge Green, this is the new place to be in London. It leads down a sweeping staircase to Il Ristorante, with three further private dining rooms, led by noted Head Chef Robbie Pepin.

Private Dining Rooms


Il Ristorante offers three further private dining rooms at the Bulgari Hotel in London for an exclusive, private experience. Perpetuating the glamorous ambience, they feature fabric wall coverings and white cupola ceilings illuminated by light. They seat 8, 10 and 12 guests, or 18 guests when two rooms are combined.

Stunning Board Rooms, Meeting Rooms, Ballrooms and even a Cinema are available for special occasions and professional presentations:





Bulgari Hotel & Residences London, 171 Knightsbridge, SW7 1DW, Tel 0207 151 1010, Fax 0207 151 1011



all images and information courtesy of Bulgari

Click here for more information and reservations.