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| Berlin, 13 June 2007 |
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The Ultimate Nordic Experience
Ten extraordinary hotels and one hundred reasons to visit
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- The Nordic countries are known for their mystical light, warm, welcoming people, extraordinary nature, cosmopolitan cities and of course, outstanding design. design hotels™ introduces its 10 member hotels in the Nordic countries and reveals the 10 best reasons and little known facts that will have design enthusiasts and experience-craving travellers set off to pack their bags.
What’s more, design hotels™ is offering five lucky winners, plus a companion, the chance to sample the Nordic Experience. By simply signing up on the design hotels™ webpage, visitors will be enrolled in a competition to win a two night stay in each of two Nordic design hotels™. Winners will be announced in November. www.designhotels.com/nordicexperience
Each hotel concept exemplifies unique aspects of the Nordic cultures, but there is one attribute common to all: each offers an experience that cannot be found anywhere else.
Hotel Skt. Petri – Copenhagen, Denmark
1… Danish architect Erik Møllers Tegnestue is behind this successful renovation of a former department store. 2… it has a prime location in the heart of Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter. 3… it offers the best of Scandinavian design: simple pared-down style and to-the-point functionality. 4… the design and everything down to its kitchen utensils is kept in artist Per Arnoldi’s tricolour scheme: bright whites contrasting with cool blues and vivid hues of red. 5…with 268 rooms and event space for up to 250 it’s the perfect setting for meetings and major happenings. 6... changing art and exhibitions give the public areas a cosmopolitan flair. 7… Bar Rouge is a lounge lizard haven, where weekend djs add to the velvety vibe. 8… travel industry members voted it the Best Danish Hotel in 2006. 9… The Book, is the hotel’s own city guide and the webshop retails “favourite things”. 10…with the idea that dogs need vacations too, the Pet Pampering Programme is run by staff trained in canine psychology.
www.designhotels.com/sktpetri
The Three Sisters Hotel – Tallinn, Estonia
1… comprises three 14th century buildings in a nearly perfectly preserved medieval town. 2... just like three sisters, each building has its own character: bohemian, classically chic, entertaining.
3… during the refurbishment, a ceiling fresco was discovered under 14 layers of paint. 4… the Piano Suite is named for its grand piano and a top floor room still features the wooden crane used to hoist wares. 5... an intriguing nest of chambers, walkways, secret staircases and galleries lead to the 23 rooms. 6... to keep the historic character, wooden staircases, window shutters and doors were crafted by hand. 7… its wine bar has won much acclaim and offers monthly tastings. 8... the Library, Piano Suite, and Angels Room provide an intimate atmosphere for meetings and gatherings. 9...contemporary additions include internationally designed furniture and sleek marble and granite bathrooms. 10... like Tallinn itself, the hotel is a testament to both Estonia’s cutting-edge modernity as well as its richly preserved history. www.designhotels.com/threesisters
Klaus K – Helsinki, Finland
1… it’s inspired by Finland’s national Kalevala epic, a story that tells of genesis, sorcery, brave heroes, fair maidens and forces of evil. 2… each space reflects a chapter in the story. 3… it’s housed in a 19th century building that was also the landmark Klaus Kurki hotel for 65 years. 4… one of its three restaurants is themed: Finnish movies of the 1940s. 5… it was recently announced winner of the World Hotel Award 2006. 6… each guestroom’s design picks up on one of the epic’s emotional themes: desire, passion, mysticism or envy. 7… the ballroom is a Renaissance-inspired space. 8… the hotel is also home to the city’s first day spa. 9… the champagne bar is built into the reception. 10… for further indulgence, guests hit the in-house club. www.designhotels.com/klausk
101 Hotel – Reykjavik, Iceland
1...its exterior represents the country’s strength and character; the interior reflects its soul. 2… guestrooms have free-standing bathtubs that can be filled to the brim with geothermal water. 3… features contemporary Icelandic art within the hotel. 4… the interiors are an eclectic composition of polished black and metal with softer touches in wood and white. 5… Edwardian-style chairs and commissioned sofas are amongst the seating options as are designs by Philippe Starck, Piero Lissoni and Eero Saarinen. 6… the building dates back to the 1930s and was once home to the Icelandic Social Democratic Party. 7… Ingibjörg S. Pálmadóttir is the designer and owner of both the hotel and the nearby 101 Gallery. 8… guestrooms give a warm welcome with heated oak floors. 9… neighbouring the Icelandic Opera House, it holds a commanding presence in Reykjavik’s centre. 10… the restaurant is amongst the trendiest in town. www.designhotels.com /101hotel
The Other Side – Neiden, Norway
1... located where Norway meets Russia and Finland, the hotel offers an extreme-climate take on modern luxury. 2… recreational activities include King Crab safaris, salmon fishing and midnight sunbathing. 3… guests can pack light in winter: they’re welcomed with polar-proofed wear. 4…some rooms have a separate bathhouse, allowing maximum experience of the environment. 5…its owners are a husband-wife team, professional dog mushers and created the concept while in a Malaysian rainforest. 6…panoramic views include the tundra, salmon rivers and the Barents Sea. 7... the building layout is based on traditions of the local Sámi people, imbuing it with a sense of unearthly magic. 8... Twelve houses are laid out in groups of three, following a pattern of a shaman drum. 9… Elemental forces feature big: the Wind House is perched in the air, the Water House over a pond and the Fire House in front of an enormous ritual fireplace. 10... Russian design elements, adorn the Goddess Suites as well as the Other Side of the Moon restaurant.
www.designhotels.com/theotherside
Grims Grenka – Oslo, Norway
1… exotically Norwegian, the style combines Eastern mysticism and sensuality, influenced by the country’s extraordinary nature, colours and sounds. 2… it’s a hotel as well as a lifestyle experiment mixing modernist design with the vibrant experience of London and New York. 3. the rooms feature various colour schemes; green for summer, blue and white for winter and gold for mystery and decadence. 4… a highlight is its rooftop lounge with cabana beds for relaxing to the djs tunes. 5…it’s ideally situated in the historical and most urban part of Oslo. 6…the 42 rooms and, especially, the 24 suites, offer lots of spectacular space that seems to go on and on. 7... taking the in-room bar a step further, guestrooms feature a Maxi Bar outfitted with a cocktail shaker and drink recipes. 8… the Tea and Cocktail Bar puts an emphasis on organic raw ingredients. 9… an urban spa will be opened in 2008 and plans for a private cinema are underway. 10…its Asian-fusion restaurant is inspired by Hakkasan in London and Tao and Buddakan in New York. www.designhotels.com/grimsgrenka
Avalon Hotel - Gothenburg, Sweden
1... it’s a destination in itself, where architects Semren & Månsson have made innovative use of modern and classical materials. 2… dramatic effects are with shape and form including ceiling height and angles. 3... the earth-toned interiors are offset by luxurious materials and lighting effects ensure visual harmony. 4... a rooftop pool and penthouse terrace offer spectacular views of Gothenburg. 5… 24 of the 101 spacious rooms have an “open bath solution” where the bath is centred in the room. 6…others are equipped with a private gym, alternatively a sauna, fireplace or a bubble bathtub. 7…superbly located in the heart of the city, it’s ideally situated for business and pleasure. 8… the hotel’s character and soul is expressed in a subtle use of interior, exterior, light and sound. 9…Avalon Restaurant & Bar offers international cuisine with influences from the Swedish kitchen. 10… it includes a separate wine room, providing an ideal space for private dining. 10…Guestrooms are equipped with the latest technology including a Bang & Olufsen audio system and DVD players. www.designhotels.com/avalonhotel
Elite Plaza Hotel – Gothenburg, Sweden
1… in restoring parts of a century-old building, the designers created a masterpiece of refined tradition. 2… all the original features of the palatial building have been preserved, from the stucco ceilings to the English mosaic floors. 3… an entire floor was recently refurbished and 25 rooms were converted into 12 new suites and spacious double rooms. 4… it was originally built for the Svea Fire and Life Insurance Company and later housed the University of Gothenburg. 5… the Swea Hof Restaurant and Bar is one of Sweden's top ten restaurants and features a dramatic 20-metre high glass roof. 6… neo-classical architectural highlights are juxtaposed with modern art to great effect. 7… the conference halls represent different time periods, from the 18th century to 2000. 8… the Wine Archive holds tastings from its well-stocked cellar. 9… whiskey and beer tastings can be arranged at The Bishop’ Arms pubs. 10… The Maharaja hall has a rooftop penthouse, which is listed as a historical site. www.designhotel.com/eliteplaza
Hotel J – Stockholm, Sweden
1… J boats of America’s Cup history have inspired its name as well as interior design. 2… the brick building from 1912 has been transformed into a stylish shrine to seafaring. 3… it has its own guest harbour for 25 boats. 4... in 15 minutes guests can sail from the city to Nacka Strand–it’s close to the centre yet a world away. 5… meeting spaces are stimulating environments, perched at water’s edge. 6... the rooms are situated close to both the big city and the islands of the Archipelago. 7… in winter the north wind whips the water outside while in the living room a fireside seat soothes the soul. 8… in summer, breakfast is served in the tranquil garden while waves gently lap the shore. 9... natural materials and quality linens abound, as does distinctive craftsmanship – like that of a fine boat. 10… sharing the same concept as the hotel, Restaurant J is known for its excellent fish as well as its views. www.designhotels.com/hotelj
Nordic Light Hotel – Stockholm, Sweden
1… the dazzling work of lighting architect Kai Piippo gives the hotel both its name and claim to fame. 2… an ever-changing mosaic of colours add to the electric atmosphere of the public spaces. 3... the central location is prime, just steps from the Arlanda Airport Express rail link. 4… the wine cellar boasts Scandinavia's finest collection of American wines, and storage is available for favourite vintages. 5… at night the façade of the early 1960s era building is transformed by windows that glow in subtle hues. 6… guests can change their room’s lighting theme to suit their mood. 7… couples are indulged by Nordic Love, a weekend stay in a Mood Room with lots of surprises and extras. 8… specially developed meeting concepts can be booked along with 8 light-filled conference rooms. 9… in addition to massages, guest can book light therapy in their privacy of their room. 10... “Nordic Life” is a custom guide to the best selection of hot spots in Stockholm. www.designhotels.com/nordiclight
--Ends—
Note to Editors:
High resolution images and fact sheets on the hotel can be downloaded from the design hotels™ new Virtual Press Office: www.designhotels.com/press
Should you require additional information, please contact the design hotels™ press office:
press@designhotels.com
tel.: +49-(0)30-420940-29
For reservations, please visit the website at: www.designhotels.com
or telephone the appropriate design hotels(tm) toll-free number:
Europe, China: 00 - 800 - 37 46 83 57
USA, Canada: 1 - 800 - 337 46 85
Brazil: 000 - 800 - 37 46 83 57
Australia: 0011 - 800 - 37 46 83 57
Hong Kong, Singapore: 001 - 800 - 37 46 83 57
Japan: 010 - 800 - 37 46 83 57
South Africa: 09 - 800 - 37 46 83 57
Company Information: design hotels™
design hotels™ represents and markets a hand-picked collection of more than 150 hotels in over 40 countries across the globe. Established in 1993, as the first of its kind, the company offers unparalleled specialist knowledge from conceptual branding through to market trend consultancy and international representation.
The member hotels are independently owned but united by a commitment to individuality, progressive design and cultural authenticity. The quality and the diversity of the design hotel’s portfolio offer cosmopolitan travellers a unique way to choose and experience unconventional and creative approaches towards luxury and hospitality.
design hotels™ provides services ranging from public relations and marketing to global sales and revenue & distribution management. As of 2007 the company has an expanded service portfolio to include consultation in hotel development.
The company has its headquarters in Berlin and branches in London, Barcelona, New York, Singapore, Bali and Tokyo.
design hotels™ is a registered trademark of design hotels AG (a German Joint Stock Company)
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