Unveiled at KBB earlier this year, leading Spanish bathroom brand, Acquabella, is formally presenting its new Chrea range; comprising a stunning freestanding bathtub and basin.
The bath has a clever, ergonomic design to optimise comfort, practicality and enjoyment. The soft rounded shape offers a beautiful fluid look and is perfectly complemented by the gorgeous countertop basins.
The style informed large basins are moulded to deliver a contemporary sculptured look. Chrea is made of Dolotek, a resin and mineral material, renowned for its high technical performance, resulting in a super-smooth, impact-resistant anti-bacterial surface in purest white.
Product and POS available to Acquabella stockists in the UK
Lixil Corporation, parent company of the Grohe and INAX brands, has announced the opening of a solar park at its Albergaria production site in Portugal in line with the company’s global environmental strategy to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
2,270 photovoltaic modules will provide eight percent of the production site’s energy requirements with a total capacity of 1,500 kilowatts peak (kWp). It will also reduce the production plant’s CO2 emissions by more than 740 tons per year.
Duarte Cordeiro, Portugal’s Minister of Environment and Climate Action, and António Loureiro, mayor of the Albergaria-a-Velha Municipality, attended the inauguration of the solar park.
Duarte Cordeiro, Minister of the Environment and Climate Action said “I know that we will be able to accelerate Portugal’s transition to a carbon-neutral economy, while also promoting the competitiveness of our industry and our companies, through decarbonization, lower energy consumption and the promotion of endogenous energy sources.
“Portugal set the goal of increasing renewables’ share in electricity production to 80%, a target that was previously set for 2030 but that might be brought forward. This is the reason why our alignment with LIXIL is important. The inauguration of this solar park today is the perfect engagement we want for Portugal,”
Jens Harder, Leader, Manufacturing Fittings, LIXIL International, said, “LIXIL is innovating and scaling solutions to positively impact the planet. Using renewable energy sources is a key element to further reduce our carbon footprint. Since April 2020, plants in LIXIL International’s fittings production portfolio have achieved CO2-neutral operations, compensating for yet unavoidable CO2 emissions.”
The solar park consists of two sections: one with ground-mounted modules and the other with solar shaders (carports). In addition to generating energy, the solar shaders will help to protect more than 270 parking spaces from sun and rain. Connections will also be installed for charging stations for electric vehicles.
VitrA Bathrooms has appointed Rebecca Lowe as a specification executive. Rebecca is based at VitrA London, the bathroom brand’s striking flagship showroom and creative hub in Clerkenwell, London.
Rebecca joins the team with a wealth of specification and design experience, having worked for Simply Bathrooms and Easy Bathrooms. Rebecca holds a BA in Interior Design and will be responsible for working with VitrA’s architect, specifier, and consumer customers.
VitrA London showroom manager Nicola Friel said, “Rebecca brings a fantastic record in bathroom design. Her all-round knowledge of interiors and expertise with Virtual Worlds and AutoCAD will be a huge asset to the team.”
VitrA London is a destination showroom for bathroom design for commercial and domestic applications. The space includes stunning displays of VitrA ranges, including the recently launched Liquid collection, designed in collaboration with Tom Dixon.
“Working with VitrA is a chance for me to build my experience. VitrA offers innovative solutions for all elements of the bathroom. I am delighted to join the team at such an exciting time.” says Rebecca.
According to the organiser Fiera Valencia, it was “unfeasible” to run the event in June 2022 in Valencia, Spain, so it has been moved from February 27 to March 3, 2023.
The exhibition had already been put back from its original February dates to June because of the resurgence of Covid, but the rise in gas prices plus difficulties getting raw materials as a result of the war in Ukraine (which has seen prices of gas spike) has meant stoppages in production and adjustments to the workforce for ceramic manufacturers.
In a press statement, it said the reason for the cancellation was “because of the critical situation currently being experienced by the ceramic industry, which is facing huge uncertainty and unpredictable outcomes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
In addition to the increased costs of energy, further complicating the situation, the majority of clay reportedly comes from Ukraine and Russia and it is recorded as the 12th largest export market for Spanish ceramics last year.
Despite 25% more visitors having pre-registered for the show than in previous years, the number of exhibitors that pulled out of the event meant it was no longer commercially viable for it to take place.
Director of Cevisama Carmen Alvarez said: “We are very sorry for the problems that cancellation may cause, but what we have is an emergency situation that has arisen and that is preventing us from going ahead with the industry’s grand re-grouping we were so looking forward to.
“We do not want to let down the trade visitors who come every year from all over the world.”
As leading surface supplier continues its rapid extension in the UK and Ireland, CRL Stone has welcomed Joanne Quinn to its team, as sales merchandiser for Ireland.
In her role, Joanne will develop and nurture relationships stone fabricators, kitchen and bathroom showrooms, seeking out new opportunities to promote CRL Quartz and Ceralsio Ceramic surfaces throughout the region.
New to the industry, Joanne brings a wealth of business development and sales management experience to her position with CRL Stone, including the last two years spent as a freelance Retail Field Sales marketer.
Commenting on her sales merchandiser role with CRL, Joanne said: “I’m very much look forward to a new interesting challenge, supporting our customers with our most up to date samples and brochures, while helping them grow their business with our products.”
CRL Europe’s managing director Simon Boocock said: “Ireland is a key market for CRL Stone, with out customers our Irish customers serviced from dedicated warehouse facilities in Dublin where the full range of materials are held in stock. Joanne’s appointment will help us develop new opportunities and provide even stronger support to our existing customer base throughout Ireland.”
For more information call CRL Stone on 01706 863600 or visit www.crlstone.co.uk
Courtyard by Marriott has announced the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park, the first Courtyard by Marriott hotel in the South West of England.
The 250-guestroom hotel is set in a distinctive location in the vibrant city of Exeter, offering convenient access to Sandy Park Conference & Banqueting Centre. Renowned for its beautiful surroundings and easy access to the coast, Exeter is an attractive destination offering a rich cultural and art scene.
The hotel’s modern interiors, complete with timber walls and blue hues, create a welcoming ambiance, and the artwork and carpet design are a nod to the hotel’s famous neighbour, the Exeter Chiefs rugby club. Guests have three dining outlets to choose from managed by Executive Chef, Richard Hunt.
The Kitchen & Bar is an all-day dining venue offering international comfort dishes cooked with the very best of local produce, accompanied by local craft beers and spirits. The View restaurant, opening this May, is located on the top floor of the hotel with unbeatable, panoramic views of Devon’s countryside and coastline. Local produce will take pride of place on the menu with the finest local seafood, meat and vegetables. The Match Day Bar opens its doors on match days, perfect for gathering for a pre or post-match beverage.
The hotel also offers three flexible meeting and events spaces, a 24-hour gym and a car park with electric-car charging ports
It can be quite hard to get excited about a macerator. To most people, it’s just a white box that pumps away black water waste from a WC. Saniflo – the original inventor and leading manufacturer of the humble macerator – is dispelling this belief with its new, striking advertising campaign designed to stimulate ideas and boost sales for trade customers.
Saniflo emphasizes that when you consider the possibilities that a small white box affords, it can open up a whole new mindset to converting unused spaces:
Bathroom in an unused attic? It’s possible with a Saniflo.
Laundry in a cellar? Also, possible.
En-suite in the loft? A breeze.
The point is that when gravity drainage isn’t an option, a Saniflo usually is. So, for domestic and commercial customers this new, striking advertising campaign might just be the nudge they need to grasp what’s possible.
Ann Boardman is Head of Marketing and Product Management at Saniflo and was responsible for overseeing the concept. To test the idea, the graphics were used at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show at the NEC In Birmingham.
Ann says: “The new advertising campaign is a step in a different direction for us, as we really wanted to challenge perceptions and stimulate customers’ ideas of how to transform their spare spaces. We know what a Saniflo can help achieve, but we wanted to convey this to customers in a visually appealing manner. Feedback at the show absolutely vindicated the change and we are now rolling out the ads in the press, on social media and on future show stands and we encourage our customers to watch out for the ads and share them with their customers.”
Bathroom, appliance, sink & tap distributor, PJH, has further enhanced its class-leading online sales channel, the Partners Portal™ (www.partners.pjh.uk), adding a host of new functions, centred around supporting yet further its nationwide network of independent retailers and merchants.
Over the last two years, the Partners Portal™ e-commerce site has seen significant growth now accounting for approximately 70% of PJH sales.
Feedback from PJH’s “Voice of the Customer” programme, has helped guide the development of Portal features and functions to provide the ultimate online customer experience.
The ‘My Dealer Support’ zone of the Partners Portal™ has been re-designed to offer users the ability to use a suite of PJH marketing resources, conveniently packaged in one central hub and serves as a valuable ‘self-service’ tool for PJH’s customers to use.
For example, customers can now easily order marketing support material such as brochures, point-of-sale and furniture swatches, which PJH provides for both its own-brand ranges as well as other big brand names. The support zone also offers the ability to view Portal feature videos and ‘How To’ guides, as well as access and download all product data, pricing files and high-res product images – which is particularly handy for stockists who regularly request such collateral for their own marketing activities.
The whole dealer support zone puts the customer in control of accessing exactly what they need to support their own business needs and is updated constantly as products and marketing materials continuously evolve, so customers will always be up to date.
Live chat function
A new ‘Live Chat’ function has also been launched, a helpful customer support resource for enhanced communications, to help assist and resolve online enquiries faster. And other developments include a new function for account holders to make invoice-specific online payments, as well as a feature to add specific delivery instructions to individual orders.
Speaking about the upgraded Portal, Sally Hough, PJH’s Multi-Channel Marketing Manager, said: “The new features further enhance the appeal and usability of the PJH Partners Portal™, which continues to grow as a revenue channel month-on-month. The Portal is constantly evolving – in direct response to feedback – and we will continue to push forward with ever more innovative features and functions to provide our customers with great service and support.”
To find out more about the updated PJH Partners Portal™, contact PJH on:- Tel: 0800 8 77 88 99 or visit the web site: www.partners.pjh.uk
Ideal Standard has launched i.life, a total bathroom solution for the everyday.
i.life, A and i.life S are available now, having launched this month, with i.life B arriving in September 2022. The i.life collection was crafted in collaboration with Italian design studio Palomba Serafini Associati (PS+A) and enables users to create a bathroom they can enjoy day after day, with all the pieces needed to supportmodern living, from basins and furniture units to baths and toilets.
The i.life collections can also be mixed with solutions from other ranges through the Singular™ concept from Ideal Standard. Singular™ was specifically developed to streamline bathroom design and simplify the selection process, enabling architects, designers, retailers, tradespeople and end-users to create tailor-made spaces for every project.
Ideal Standard’s Chief Design Officer, Roberto Palomba, said: “The i.life bathroom collection is a true example of design that creates a backdrop to good living; design that fosters a safe space for life and love to happen, no matter what size or shape your bathroom may be. It’s a smart, versatile collection where design, comfort and hygiene come together beautifully and we can’t wait for our customers to experience it in their homes.”
i.life A
A selection of basins, toilets, bidets, baths, enclosures and furniture, i.life A is characterised by soft, rounded ceramics and accessible design, both practical and beautiful, i.life A helps to create a safe environment.
The basins in i.life A come in four different sizes and there are two pedestal options, with both elements combining to create a sculpture-like piece in the bathroom, making them easy to pair with other products throughout Ideal Standard’s portfolio through Singular™.
What’s more, all the pieces in i.life benefit from Ideal Standard’s industry-leading engineering and technology. The toilets of both i.life A and S feature RimLS+ hygiene technology to ensure the entire bowl is cleaned with every flush, while water-efficient functionality helps to support a sustainable lifestyle. The collection offers wall-hung and floor standing options for its bidets and toilets, with the toilets all benefiting from a soft-close seat for smooth operation.
i.life S
i.life S has a contemporary, space-saving, soft-square design, featuring a variety of ceramics and furniture – including basins, WCs, shower trays and vanity units. i.life S complements smaller spaces, and is perfect for ensuites and under-the-stairs bathrooms, with washbasins available from 45cm and vanity basins from 50cm. The vanity units and washbasin units offer further space-saving options, helping keep rooms neat and tidy while complementing the aesthetic look. A number of storage sizes, colours and handle options are available too, with one and two drawer vanity units available between 50cm and 80cm, making it simple to create the ideal bathroom for each individual project.
The ceramics and furniture of i.life A and S are also complemented by i.life’s bathing, enclosure and shower tray options which can enhance smaller bathroom spaces. The design-led baths feature a contemporary, curved style to match the wider range and are made of Idealform and Idealform plus ceramics, to ensure durability and heat retention. Multiple sizes of single and double-ended baths are available, with the water-saving options on offer restricting water use to just 139 litres, without affecting the internal size of the bath. This makes the bathing products in i.life a truly versatile choice.
The new i.life 8mm semi–framed enclosure range embodies quality and performance. At two meters tall, the enclosures feature slim, polished, aluminium profiles and long solid handles, for an elegant, modern aesthetic. The products are also timer-savers, with features like ‘IdealClean’ glass treatment and click and clean can reduce cleaning time by up to 90%, while soft-close slider options add an extra premium touch.
A wide choice of models is on offer, including; pivot, infold, one & two door sliders, corner entry, quadrant and offset quadrants, all in various sizes. Bath screen and 8mm wetroom options allow for alternative installations and layouts too.
Completing the i.life shower solutions, the Ultra Flat S shower trays are just 30mm thick, coming in over 25 different sizes and four matt finishes to create a cohesive look in any bathroom. The trays feature a robust gel coating that gives a textured stone finish and vital anti-slip properties, and with so many options available, i.life is a truly versatile selection.
Installation is easier than ever too with EasyFix®, reducing installation time by 30 per cent on the whole, with those products that feature EasyFix+® cutting times in half.
i.life A and S are available now, with i.life B available from September 2022.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of the 225-room Hyatt Regency London Stratford and the 127-room Hyatt House London Stratford in the heart of London’s luxury shopping and entertainment complex, Westfield Stratford City.
The openings further demonstrate Hyatt’s commitment to growing its brand presence in Europe and strengthening its brands in the UK’s capital.
Situated close to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the hotels are in close proximity to iconic sporting and entertainment venues such as the London Aquatics Centre, Lee Valley Velopark, London Stadium, and the home of the Premier League football club, West Ham United.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park boasts luscious green spaces and tranquil waterways, which can be taken in from the panoramic viewing platforms at the striking ArcelorMittal Orbit, the UK’s tallest sculpture.
“We’re thrilled to open Hyatt Regency London Stratford and Hyatt House London Stratford in this thriving area for business, shopping and culture,” said Glenn Findlay, general manager of Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House London Stratford.
“We have two distinctive, yet perfectly complementary hotels under one roof. I’m excited to be leading my team in welcoming World of Hyatt members, guests and customers, ensuring they have a delightful and productive stay with us.”
The apartment-style living in guestrooms feature fully equipped kitchens and flexible workspaces. Hyatt Regency London Stratford has over 3,000 square feet (305 square meters) of meeting space, and an expansive, open-air terrace and spacious and contemporarily designed guestrooms and suites.
“We are pleased to continue our relationship with Hyatt in the United Kingdom,” said Neil Maxwell, chief executive officer of M&L Hospitality. “Our strategy focuses on identifying key gateway cities with strong economic growth. Stratford is experiencing a real boom and today’s openings of Hyatt Regency London Stratford and Hyatt House London Stratford capitalize on this.”
Guestrooms
Hyatt Stratford
Designed by Scott Brownrigg architects, both hotels’ interiors mirror the connectivity of Stratford, referencing the Victorian Golden Age of train travel. This inspiration can be found in each of the hotels’ individual design.
For travelers looking for an extended stay, or a home-from-home while on the road, Hyatt House London Stratford offers 92 studios and 35 one-bedroom suites, all featuring fully equipped kitchens, free wi-fi and stylish living and working spaces. Guests can also enjoy 24-hour access to complimentary laundry facilities, the hotel’s modern gym and an inclusive breakfast. The modern apartment-style rooms at Hyatt House London Stratford take their cue from the rich color palettes of the 1920s, where jewel tones are adapted to the practical elements of the fully equipped kitchens and practical workspaces.
At Hyatt Regency London Stratford, guests can find similarities between the archways that mark the hotel’s entrances and those of London’s iconic railways. From rich velvet furnishings to fashionable marble fixtures, the structural design inspires bespoke detailing throughout the 225 luxury guestrooms, including 10 suites.
Food and Beverage
Guests at both Hyatt Regency London Stratford and Hyatt House London Stratford have direct access to the on-site Elondi Restaurant, serving a locally sourced and seasonally inspired East London menu in a relaxing setting. The sophisticated Elondi Bar and its spacious 538 square foot (150 square meter) terrace offer bespoke and classic cocktails, an extensive wine list, craft beers and delicious bar snacks, creating a vibrant and airy oasis.
Meeting and Event Space
Located within Hyatt Regency London Stratford and perfectly suited for a wide range of events, the three meeting spaces include The Stratford Suite, The Bow Suite and The Poplar Suite. Offering 2,000 square feet (195 square meters), The Stratford Suite is ideal for a large-scale event such as an awards dinner or a conference, while The Bow Suite or The Poplar Suite offer space for a meeting or private dinner, both benefitting from natural daylight and up to 645 square meters (60 square meters) of space. In addition to the meeting rooms, the hotel’s open air terrace is the perfect place for pre-event drinks and dinners.
Each meeting room enjoys natural light and is fitted with state-of-the-art technology including projectors, speakers, digital displays, and access to a dedicated on-site team to ensure that every event is exceptional.
Wellness Amenities
For those looking to keep to their routines while away from home, the hotels have access to the 24-hour fitness center, which offers state-of-the-art equipment from treadmills and weights to yoga mats and balls, along with fresh towels and watercoolers. Both hotels also offer a range of complimentary conveniences for World of Hyatt members and guests, including daily breakfast for guests at Hyatt House London Stratford and laundry services at both properties.
Hyatt House hotels are designed to welcome guests, including World of Hyatt members, as extended stay residents seeking the conveniences of home. Modern, apartment-style suites with fully equipped kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas provide guests a stylish and comfortable environment so they can better maintain their work and personal routines while traveling. At more than 120 locations, the Hyatt House brand delivers home-like amenities, neighborly service, and upscale spaces, including free hot breakfast for guests with made to order omelets; H Bar with a Sip + Snack menu; and indoor and outdoor communal spaces for productivity or relaxation.
For more information, please visit hyatthouse.com. Join the conversation on Facebook or Instagram and tag photos with #HyattHouse and #WhySettle.
About Hyatt Regency
The Hyatt Regency brand prides itself on making travel free from stress and filled with success. More than 220 conveniently located Hyatt Regency urban and resort locations in more than 30 countries around the world serve as the go-to gathering space for every occasion – from efficient personalized, high-touch business meetings to energizing family vacations. The brand offers stress-free environments for seamless gatherings and empathetic service that anticipates guests’ needs. Designed for productivity and peace of mind, Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts offer a full range of svices and amenities, including the space to work, engage or relax; notable culinary experiences; technology-enabled ways to collaborate; and expert meeting and event planners who can take care of every detail.
