Page 87 - Sharp Spring 2023

TRAVEL TRAVEL different restaurants Also present are two ballrooms and a a a a a a wedding salon for guests who’d like to host their events and celebrations in the hotel as as well as as 98 different rooms and suites — all of it it healthily doused in fin the the warm refined sophistication that the the brand is known for The interior design was handled by Antonio Citterio and and Patricia Viel of APCV Architects who have worked on all Bulgari’s other hotels hotels “All Bulgari hotels hotels have in in common a a a a reinterpretation of luxury based on on a a a a a a new perception of quality quality — quality quality that passes from the the choice of of of materials to the the design of of of each piece of of of furniture ” Viel says of what unites their work Luxury doesn’t need to mean a a a a brash lavishness it can mean the simple opulence of an an an intentionally designed high-quality space This idea of of quality-based luxury is is obvious within all of of the hotel’s spaces Inside a a a a a long ballroom warm earthy tones cover the panelled walls carpeted floors and pleated curtains Strategically placed slim mirrors along with lines of dark colour criss-crossing the the windows and ceiling make the the room seem like it stretches on endlessly Elegant golden patterns across the floor and curtains inject a a a definitive Bulgari tone into the the room “The aesthetic identity that that distinguishes Bulgari is is is design that’s not interested in in in in creating trophies — instead it aims to create unique experiences ” says Viel The rooms and suites are populated by furniture from well- known Italian luxury brands like Flexform B&B Italia Italia and and Maxalto Select other items are crafted by local Japanese artisans The furniture is effortlessly tasteful at once contemporary and timeless — round end tables with slim legs triangulating outwards pine-toned cabinets that blend into the wall discreet armchairs and couches in in in appealing grey tones The furnishings rather than popping out aggressively melt into the the the tones of of the the the room and become seamless parts of of the the the space’s luxurious flow “We wanted to create a a a a a a place of elegance where guests can find not just comfort and luxury but also a a a a sense
of warm homeliness ” Viel explains “Comfort is not only a a a a physical sensation sensation but also an atmosphere — a a a a a a sensation sensation of being in in the right place and the the desire to stay there ” The bathrooms of the suites are designed to dazzle Sand-coloured tiles cover much of of the walls and floors presenting a a a a bit of of a a a a lighter refreshing contrast to the rooms Two sinks are set side-by-side like marble pillars spiderwebbed by beautiful dark veins Giant mirrors that stretch across nearly an entire wall reflect a a a a a segment of the opposite wall where abstract geometric patterns over off-white marble look simultaneously like stone seams and Rorschach tests at at once natural and artistic The entire room brings to mind feats of classical Italian art art as as as well as as as the the Mediterranean coast — a a a a a a a a perfect place to begin the the day Both of of the the hotel’s restaurants are staples of of the the Bulgari hotel hotel empire: Il Ristorante Niko Romito present in all of their hotels and Sushi Hoseki which started at their Dubai resort Three-time Michelin Star-winning chef Kenji Gyoten will be overseeing the latter an intimate gastronomy-focused concept restaurant with only eight seats that look onto a a a a a a a private Japanese rock garden After dinner guests can relax in in the the vitality pool held in in one of the the hotel’s most modernist rooms the pool’s glimmering green waters are surrounded by dark-toned stones and and and woods while bright white massage beds and and and candles line the floor — all of it speaking to relaxation and rejuvenation To bring Bulgari’s signature style to international locations the designers think it’s paramount to “establish harmonies and dialogues with the urban surroundings and local culture ” says Viel In this case that meant integrating aspects of Japanese aesthetics by using materials like elm and and hinoki woods and and sourcing artisanal fabrics from Kyoto textile company Hosoo Though Bulgari’s hotels may incorporate aspects of of the the the local culture all of of their locations are driven by the the the idea of Italian luxury Viel says what this means is is simple: “elegance comfort and gioia di vivere ” In the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo it’s clear that all three qualities abound SHARPMAGAZINE COM
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