|
HBA
MAKEOVER TRANSFORMS HONG KONG’S ROYAL PLAZA HOTEL INTO CONTEMPORARY RETREAT
DESTINATION EVOKING BRITISH RETRO CHIC
Global hospitality design
leader HBA (Hirsch Bedner Associates) has transformed Hong Kong’s dated Royal
Plaza Hotel into a contemporary ‘retreat destination’ evoking a British-retro
inspired design in a multi-million dollar makeover.
Following a two year refurbishment, it has now re-opened paying nostalgic
homage to the colonial era – inspired by its proximity to a railway built by
the former British governors and the ‘old world’ ambience of charming
traditional markets nearby.
A retreat-style ambience is additionally conceived to reflect the hotel’s
distinctive rural outlook overlooking a green valley beside the Lion Rock
Tunnel in Mong Kok – rare among Hong Kong’s city centre hotels – which
“invited an illusion of escaping from a buzzing city to a serene, rural
area”.
HBA refurbished the Royal Plaza in its entirety, from 700 guest rooms to the
hotel drop-off, lobby, bar, restaurant, Club Lounge, recreational facilities,
public areas, function rooms and ballrooms, which were extended to better
cater for MICE business.
|
Mathew Lui, Partner at HBA,
comments: “Guests are greeted by classical elements of English retro from
the moment of arrival in the Lobby. The ceiling is a modern version of the
round curvy forms of colonial British style, contrasting with stylish
modern furnishing for a contemporary design twist to the era”.
Metal and wood twisted slats, round-corner finishes and dark metal screens
with patterns reminiscent of English retro accentuate the design concept,
while chic leather chairs and sofas beneath exaggerated lamps and a blend
of dark and light stone flooring provide a compelling, cool contrast.
Completing the edgy ambience, sculptured ‘botanical garden’ art on a wall
beside reception mimics the natural scenery of the neighbouring valley.
|
|
|
|
Newly-renovated guest rooms
in elegantly muted caramel palette are minimalistic, designed to attract
the younger generation of travellers. Purple carpeting with copper-coloured
organic patterning symbolises the hotel’s ‘retreat’ concept, providing a
vibrant contrast to a large black glass mirror and textured walls with
selected wood panel finishes, timber work desk, chair, and night tables.
Never boring, no two fittings inside a room are the same, with
HBA-designed bedside tables and lamps throughout. Glass
separates the bathroom, used to subtly extend the space. Here, high-grade
black marble and custom metalwork, including a ceiling-suspended towel
rack, evokes a luxurious feel, while the typical rounded corners of the
English retro detailing continue through the design of the vanity mirror,
counter, and ceiling design.
|
|
Royal Club Floor guests can
bask in the glow of an earthier palette in a world of contemporary comfort
from designed ergonomic chairs. Mini bar cabinets inspired by vintage
travel trunks add a whimsical touch of nostalgia, while light beige marble
floors and grey stone walls add spaciousness to glass partitioned bathrooms
with bathtub TVs.
On the top floor of the hotel, the Executive Lounge for Royal Club Floor
guests is bathed in natural light through skylight metal screens, with
floral carpeting and curved ceiling design again echoing the overall
English retro theme.
|
|
|
|
At the end of a
red-carpeted “catwalk”, an “English gentlemen’s bar” named Lion Rock after
the dramatic view of its legendary scenic namesake through floor-to-ceiling
windows is cool and moody in dark palette, with club-style leather sofas,
dimmed lighting, and dark timber walls. Ice column-shaped tables where
guests mingle at the entrance are designed to resemble “liquor on rock”. A
long marble-topped bar with custom-made wooden cabinetry pays tribute to
English clubs of old.
|
|
In contrast, the new 550sqm,
pillar-less Grand Ballroom is themed after famous flower markets in the
neighbourhood, highlighted by giant flower-shaped crystal chandeliers.
Purple and blue add a romance touch for wedding banquets, while high-gloss
light wood veneer walls with bronze metal trim bring warmth to the luxury
space. Walls are adorned with luxurious purple and gold fabric, as well as
onyx and blue marble selected for their earthy qualities. Brown tinges in
the stone and beautiful veins in the marble draw attention toward a floral
carpet. New LED technology means the room lighting can be adjusted to
create different mood effects, while a stepped ceiling design elongates the
room and gives rise to the feeling of three distinct areas, which can be
separated by floor-to-ceiling screen doors.
|
|
|
|
Signature Chinese
restaurant Di King Heen adopts the auspicious colour red as its theme,
representing joy and celebrations in Chinese culture. With design inspired
by the Chinese myth of the red string of fate tied by Goddess Yue Lo (月佬),
the venue is styled with red checkers and red/gold stripes along the wall
panels. As a wedding venue as well as fine Cantonese dining room, these
nuances allude to the red string of fate symbolising couples tied in
matrimony. Organic gold leaves and warm- coloured floral patterns flow
through the carpet and wall paneling, and in the centre is a bird-nest
patterned lattice screen, evoking the famous Chinese delicacy.
|
|
As a sanctuary of tranquility, the Health Club
& Spa was inspired by surrounding natural greenery, as well as
contemporary interpretation of English retro, with organic motifs, dark
timber, grey colour and textured fabrics. Developer Sung Hung Kai’s
landscape architects designed an outdoor swimming pool that stretches the
length of the building; a separate Jacuzzi pool is located at one end,
separated by a cushioned sofa area that HBA furnished to draw guests
maximize use of the space.
|
|
About HBA
World-renowned as the “Number 1 Hospitality Design Firm” (Interior
Design) and honored in 2013 at the Hospitality Design Awards, Perspective
Awards, Boutique Design Awards, and the European Hotel Design Awards,
HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates unveils the world’s most anticipated hotels,
resorts, and spas. Leading the hospitality interior design industry since
1965, HBA remains keenly attuned to the pulse of changing industry trends
governed by today's sophisticated traveler. The company’s international
presence, depth of experience, and detailed industry knowledge enables them
to identify interior design trends at their source, make definitive
predictions about new directions and innovations, and influence design
standards at a global level. HBA’s ultimate objective is to add value,
raise standards and enhance the brand of a project's owner and operator.
HBA creates the signature look of traditional luxury brands, independent
contemporary boutiques, urban resort spas, world-class residences,
restaurants, casinos, and cruise ships. From continent to continent, each HBA
interior is the result of a unique and sensitive response to location,
architecture, and client vision. With over 1,000 designers around the globe
in 16 offices and a recent expansion in Asia, HBA is a true global company
with more than 75% of its employees now outside the United States. HBA’s
international presence, combined with its extensive knowledge of the interior
design industry, has facilitated the ability to rewrite the language of
design with each new project.
For HBA in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Thailand, Manila,
Melbourne, Dubai, New Delhi, Moscow, Istanbul, Los Angeles, Atlanta, San
Francisco, and Londonvisit www.hba.com.
HBA’s expert designers are available for interviews and comments on hospitality
and residential projects as well as industry trends in markets worldwide
(with emphasis on China, Singapore, the UAE, USA, and Europe).
|
No comments:
Post a Comment