At a time when The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is cutting back on some of its signature flourishes (as in trimming its huge floral budget and closing high-end restaurants during slow periods), New York-based G Worldwide is launching a new luxury lifestyle hotel design specifically "for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-sexual (LGBT) travelers, their family, friends and supporters."
Although G Worldwide claims its "inspiring" gay-friendly collection of hotels, resorts and vacation clubs will be a first, hoteliers such as Juan P. Julia Blanch, founder and head of the Axel Hotels chain, would take issue. His design-led properties in Barcelona and Buenos Aires already have pushed LGBT lifestyle hotel design to the cutting edge as part of a branded identity.
What is new is that G Worldwide wants to create a big-brand, international presence. Initial plans call for openings in New York, Las Vegas, Wilton Manors, Fla. and Palm Springs, Calif. in 2011 and 2012. And then there's the design star power behind the concept: Christopher Coleman, known for mixing industrial and slick materials; Mark Zeff, synonymous with sexy, senuous spaces (such as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and New York's Night Hotel) and trending-setting architect Alejandro Zalez. Michael Cotten, production designer/conceptualist and artist (yes the same one who worked with Michael Jackson, Carrie Underwood and Steve Wynn International), will design the nightlife venues.
So what will they deliver to make a new statement about how lifestyle hotel design looks when tailored to this growing market? Here's a preview:
Water features and a mix of chairs and more social seating energize the rooftop night club's design.
Materials make the statement in these luxurious contemporary public spaces in the Wilton Manors project.
It's not just companies like Axel Hotels and G Worldwide that are addressing opportunities in the LGBT market. McDonald's Corp.'s plans to air its "Come as You Are" commercial on French television. The ad shows a gay teen phoning his boyfriend to say he "misses him" while his father orders their food. According to the fast food giant, the controversial TV spot was intended to simply send a message that its burger restaurants welcome diverse customers.
Although G Worldwide claims its "inspiring" gay-friendly collection of hotels, resorts and vacation clubs will be a first, hoteliers such as Juan P. Julia Blanch, founder and head of the Axel Hotels chain, would take issue. His design-led properties in Barcelona and Buenos Aires already have pushed LGBT lifestyle hotel design to the cutting edge as part of a branded identity.
What is new is that G Worldwide wants to create a big-brand, international presence. Initial plans call for openings in New York, Las Vegas, Wilton Manors, Fla. and Palm Springs, Calif. in 2011 and 2012. And then there's the design star power behind the concept: Christopher Coleman, known for mixing industrial and slick materials; Mark Zeff, synonymous with sexy, senuous spaces (such as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and New York's Night Hotel) and trending-setting architect Alejandro Zalez. Michael Cotten, production designer/conceptualist and artist (yes the same one who worked with Michael Jackson, Carrie Underwood and Steve Wynn International), will design the nightlife venues.
So what will they deliver to make a new statement about how lifestyle hotel design looks when tailored to this growing market? Here's a preview:
Water features and a mix of chairs and more social seating energize the rooftop night club's design.
Materials make the statement in these luxurious contemporary public spaces in the Wilton Manors project.
It's not just companies like Axel Hotels and G Worldwide that are addressing opportunities in the LGBT market. McDonald's Corp.'s plans to air its "Come as You Are" commercial on French television. The ad shows a gay teen phoning his boyfriend to say he "misses him" while his father orders their food. According to the fast food giant, the controversial TV spot was intended to simply send a message that its burger restaurants welcome diverse customers.
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