Author: Igor

  • Assembly Hotel, London

    Assembly Hotel, London

    On our recent trip to London we were invited to stay at Assembly, a new hotel connecting guests to the heart of the city through its mantra ‘Get Up and Go’. If you love feeling the energy of London and being nearby to the main attractions keep on reading to find out why Assembly Hotel is the perfect place to stay.

    www.assemblyhotels.com


    Located in the West End, just next to Leicester Square underground station, and with Soho and Covent Garden on the doorstep, Assembly is designed for curious travellers who want to explore the city and experience London like a local.

    The moment you walk into the hotel you can feel the urban vibe. The pink bunnies in the reception area – a recurring theme in the rooms and the rest of the hotel – and the friendly staff greet the guests and provide all the information you might need about the city and its secret spots. That’s why Assembly is perfect for those individuals who want to explore London and then have a place with all the essentials to spend the night, and get ready for another day of exploring.


    The striped back rooms have been created to recharge. Designed by architects Scott Brownrigg, the 4 different types of rooms (Snug, Nest, Pad and Den) are inspired by iconic London fashion designers Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Gareth Pugh, with recognisable elements from their designs incorporated into the rugs, beds and other details of the space.


    Assembly doesn’t have unnecessary room amenities like overpriced mini bars or telephones but you will find comfortable beds, different pillow sizes and walk-in showers – everything you need for a good night’s rest. The stunning views from the rooms will make you feel even more immersed in London’s bustling streets but without the noise thanks to the incredible sound proofing.


    The hotel experience is completed with a rooftop terrace that will open really soon and that also offers great views of London’s skyline and its iconic landmarks such as the London Eye or The Shard.

  • A visit to IED Innovation Lab in Carabanchel, Madrid

    A visit to IED Innovation Lab in Carabanchel, Madrid

    We recently visited the new space of Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Carabanchel, Madrid. IED Innovation Lab is conceived as a design playground for transformation projects – whether it is exploring new food possibilities with a Michelin-starred chef or engaging with local businesses and neighbours.

    IED Innovation Lab provides new design experiences and tools for companies, public institutions, neighbours, students and creatives to come together and work on their projects revolving around transformation. This space, located in a former furniture factory, has been renovated to host meeting areas, a fabrication workshop that students from IED can use to complete their assignments, a canteen which will soon be open to creatives working nearby too, a rooftop with amazing views of Madrid’s skyline and 6 labs dedicated to exploring ideas around different topics: Fab Lab, Media Lab, VR Lab, Green Lab, City Lab, Business Lab and Food Lab.

    IED Innovation Lab operates on the basis of 6 principles, all conceived under a holistic approach in order to tackle design problems from a new perspective.

    Matchmaking: IED Innovation Lab provides access to the largest creative community in Madrid, facilitating collaborative projects between people and organisations with similar goals.

    Empowering: Design should be accessible to everyone, that’s why IED Innovation Lab works to put it into the hands of the people and businesses that need it the most.

    Playful: Creative, fun and messy exploration are some of the key elements when approaching a design project.

    Unbound: As an unresolved and self-organising place, the roles shift and transform based on the personalities, relationships and ideas that inhabit the space.

    Humanistic: The sense of community and the relationship between the individual and society are strong at IED Innovation Lab, bringing a new dimension to design and the way problems are solved.

    Formative: Everyone is a student at IED Innovation Lab, helping each individual to grow their multidisciplinary knowledge and develop new areas in which they can apply their skills.

    Still at its early stages, IED Innovation Lab will open its doors officially in early autumn 2018. You can find more information about the current projects and plans for the upcoming months on its website:
    www.iedinnovationlab.com

  • Paraíso Festival 2019: Our Highlights

    Paraíso Festival 2019: Our Highlights

    We recently talked about Paraíso Festival, an electronic music festival taking place in Madrid that has become one of the best music experiences in the city due to its carefully curated line-up, its connection to art and sustainability and its goal to serve as a platform for local DJs, producers and artists.

    We attended its second edition on 14-15 June and asked illustrator Laura Flores to join us and do live drawings of some of our highlights from the festival.

    Illustrations by Laura Flores and photographs by Sharon Lopez, Rodrigo Mena and Arturo de Lucas.

    The atmosphere

    Even though 25.000 people attended Paraíso, 40% more than last year, the festival didn’t feel crowded and it was easy to find a seat to eat or some free space at the multiple relaxation areas. The complex where the festival takes places is also pretty compact, which makes it easier to move from one stage to another if you want to make the most out of the line-up.

    The diverse line-up

    Paraíso is mainly an electronic music festival but this year’s line-up felt much more diverse, with a variety of genres especially at the main stage, Escenario Paraíso, with performances by the likes of Rhye, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Maribou State, Mount Kimbie or Channel Tres.

    The Escenario Club was home to live sets and performances by artists like Peggy Gou, IAMDDB and Jacques Greene. Whilst Escenario ABSOLUT brought to Madrid an eclectic mix of performers from South America, Africa and Europe such as Nicola Cruz, Kampire, Young Marco and Kalabrese.

    Rhye playing at Escenario Paraíso, food prepared with seasonal and local produce, Channel Tres performing, one of the many relaxation areas and Mount Kimbie on the stage

    The art

    Several art installations took over the festival space, creating ephemeral pieces that questioned our relationship with the environment. English artist and mathematician Paul Friedlander created a 5 metre light installation called Dancing Wave, architecture studio Terrario Arquitectura built a piece made of 180kg of inflatable beach mattresses, Argentinian artist Melisa Zulberti engaged attendees with her performance Dentro, architectural group TEXTWO created a modular structure called Urban Espora that served as a seating area and Fine Arts students from Universidad Complutense designed the Paraíso Totem.

    Escenario Nido

    For its second edition, Paraíso Festival has decided to give more visibility to local and emerging artists, DJs and producers. Escenario Nido (Nest Stage) served as a platform to discover electronic sounds from Madrid with sets and sessions by Dos Doggos, El Cuerpo del Disco, Estatua de la Libertad or Guacamayo Tropical.

    Melisa Zulberti’s installation ‘Dentro’, the Paraíso Totem, ABSOLUT’s ice cocktails and Escenario Nido

    The Food

    Festival food doesn’t have to be bad or unhealthy. Following its sustainable ethos, Paraíso Festival collaborated with award-winning chef Rebeca Hernández to curate 14 food trucks offering a delicious menu based on seasonal and local produce. Burgers, tacos or pizza were just a few of the many food offerings that we could try during this 2-day festival.

     

     

     

  • Zampa

    Zampa

    Founded by Bárbara Mayer, Zampa is an Argentinian womenswear brand based on the production of garments made of noble materials and manufactured using fairly traded practices through artisan partnerships.

    Bárbara was born in a small town in the Argentinian Patagonia spending most of her childhood surrounded by wool producers and she inherited her passion for handmade textiles from her grandmother. Inspired by her roots and after studying Fashion Design at University of Buenos Aires, Bárbara started Zampa with the objective of showing the process behind the manufacture of garments: from raw materials to final products.

    Zampas’ ethos reads “Natural fibres are created by the planet, not made by humans”. Inspired by nature, the human body and their interaction, Zampas’ garments are made of noble materials such as raffia, cotton, linen and merino, llama and alpaca wool. According to Bárbara, “all these materials have their own identity, characteristics and express a particular message. So that the product is cosy and warm in a poetic way.”

    Bárbara aims to learn from textile traditions, through the artisans and producers she works with in order to generate clothes and objects with history. Her garments tell stories – from the materials and their connection to nature to the design itself – and are manufactured with the idea of creating pieces that aren’t governed by fashion trends, designing a revolutionary product with a strong identity.

    www.zampapatagonia.com

  • Hotel Trends: 4 Factors that Will Shape the Hospitality Industry

    The hospitality industry has a unique path to negotiate. On the one hand, the need for a seamless guest experience means the industry is always quick to embrace the latest technological innovations. However, technology can be cold and impersonal – not attributes that sit comfortably with a business heavily shaped by human interaction, exceptional service standards, and personalization.

    A balance needs to be struck between these two components. This is incredibly relevant today, as the rise of technologies like AI, the Internet of Things, and Virtual Reality are reshaping consumer expectations and industry norms.

    In this article, we examine the factors that are guiding the hospitality industry towards a brighter future for the business and the people it caters to.

    1. Artificial Intelligence and Personalization

    This one probably isn’t a surprise to anyone, the rise of AI is well-documented and is transforming industries across the board. The hospitality sector is no different.

    AI’s ability to process and analyze large volumes of data in real time allows for unparalleled customization of services, from tailored room preferences to bespoke travel recommendations.

    Among the ways this technology is being implemented are:

    •       Chatbots for customer service: Providing 24/7 assistance, handling reservations, and swiftly answering inquiries.
    •       Data analytics for personalization: Tailoring guest experiences by analyzing preferences and past behaviors.
    •       Virtual concierges for tailored recommendations: Offering personalized service options and recommendations through AI algorithms.

    There are still plenty of rough edges to AI, but its potential to boost guest satisfaction and – importantly- retain a “human” touch will ensure that this remains a trend for years to come.

    2. Sustainability Practices

    Consumer behavior is increasingly influenced by the need to opt for sustainable options. Additionally, much of this trend is being dictated by a need to be compliant with environmental legislation. However, many establishments are demonstrating a commitment to sustainability that goes beyond this.

    This commitment will grow as businesses recognize the value of integrating sustainable practices not just for compliance, but as a core part of their brand identity and as a method for increasing their customer base.

    Among common strategies employed in this approach are:

    •       Energy-efficient operations: Implementing renewable energy sources and energy-saving technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
    •       Waste reduction strategies: Emphasizing recycling programs and reducing single-use plastics to minimize waste.
    •       Sustainable sourcing: Prioritizing locally sourced and organic products to support local communities and reduce transportation impacts.

    These efforts not only cater to the eco-conscious traveler but also contribute to a more sustainable future, showcasing the industry’s role in environmental stewardship. The Good Hotel in London is a prime example of a hotel that takes a “next-level” approach to sustainability and social responsibility.

    3. Contactless Technology and Mobile Integration

    The adoption of contactless technology and mobile integration within the hospitality industry is a direct response to the changing expectations of today’s travelers. These innovations offer enhanced convenience and safety, streamlining the guest experience from check-in to check-out.

    •       Mobile check-in and keys: Allowing guests to bypass traditional front-desk procedures, directly accessing their rooms with a smartphone.
    •       Contactless payments: Facilitating smooth, secure transactions for services and amenities without the need for physical cash or cards.
    •       Personalized mobile services: Enabling guests to use their devices to control room settings, order room service, and more, tailored to their preferences.

    Today’s tech-savvy consumer expects safer and more efficient service and the increasing integration of contactless and mobile technologies is indicative of the industry’s response to this.

    Managing these changes requires a clear plan for both daily operations and long-term growth. Many property owners now look for expert guidance to help them navigate the shift toward more efficient business models. Working with a dedicated partner like Roam Hospitality makes it easier to implement these new standards without losing focus on the guest experience. This type of support helps hotels stay competitive as traveler needs change. It also ensures that every part of the business stays aligned with modern industry trends.

    4. Advanced Safety and Security

    The need to keep focused on the human touch is seen in the increasing integration of advanced security systems. These systems are both discrete and effective, adding peace of mind to guest experiences without them feeling like they are staying inside a bank vault.

    Again, this is a tricky balancing act that advanced and innovative technologies are helping to achieve:

    •       PTZ security cameras: Offering wide coverage and the ability to zoom in on details, PTZ security cameras enhance surveillance capabilities significantly and discretely.
    •       Access control systems: Ensuring that only authorized individuals can access certain areas – including guest rooms –  improving overall security.
    •       Cybersecurity measures: Protecting guests’ personal and financial information through advanced encryption and secure networks.

    By integrating these advanced technologies, the hospitality industry is setting new standards for safety and security, ensuring that guests can enjoy their stay with confidence.

    Innovation and Sustainability: Shaping Tomorrow’s Hospitality

    We are living in an age of rapid change and global uncertainty. Staying relevant in such a time is challenging, but it is a challenge that the hospitality industry is rising to. By integrating innovative technologies and sustainable practices the sector is not only underscoring its commitment to environmental sustainability, it is also underscoring a commitment to an enhanced guest experience.