UK: The 73-key Staybridge Suites Cardiff, an extension of the Holiday Inn Express at Cardiff Bay, is set to open early next year.
It is the extended stay brand’s first property in Wales and will be operated by First Inn Ventures under franchise from InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
The communal spaces feature a fireplace, communal kitchen and dining area, and roof terrace with views across Cardiff Bay, as well as a 24-hour convenience store, gym, laundry facilities, and meeting room.
The interior design for the scheme has been undertaken by HLM Architects’ Cardiff studio, which is also delivering the architectural and landscape design for the project, as well as overseeing construction, working with South Wales-based contractor Carter Lauren.
Lisa Don, HLM’s interior lead based in the Cardiff Studio, said: “Design-savvy consumers are looking for experience-driven design that responds to their location and provides a clear sense of place, and we seek to incorporate something unique, different, eclectic and authentic in our hotel interiors.”
“Creating a clear identity was a key element of the brief for this project, alongside practical considerations for long-stay residents, such as creating a sense of community, comfort and convenience. The rooms have been designed to provide a home from home, and communal areas such as a coffee bar and lounge have been designed to encourage residents to meet and relax. As the Staybridge brand is so new to Wales, we had relative freedom to create a truly unique, regional and user-centric design, rather than rely on a prescriptive brand standard.”
Matthew Thomas, associate architect and hospitality, leisure and culture sector lead for the Cardiff Studio, added: “The operational requirements of this type of building are complex, and we have built on the Cardiff Studio’s hospitality experience to ensure we deliver the standards required by IHG for its buildings. Securing the scheme post-planning, we undertook an optimisation exercise, ensuring that the brand standards and operational aspects of the design have been achieved, whilst improving customer experience. It is great to be delivering this unique development for Cardiff as we continue to build on HLM’s diverse portfolio of hotel and leisure schemes.”
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