hotels mag - september issue 2015 - extract

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PASSION FOR HOSPITALITY SEPTEMBER 2015

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www.hotelsmag.com

FOSTERING A STRONG COMPANY CULTURE

REGIONAL PROFILE: AFRICA

WEBSITES THAT CUT THROUGH THE CLUTTER

GREAT HOTEL

RESTAURANTS

XX

XX

G E R M A N Y

„Ribbon“

„Sphere“

„Solid“

Present coffee and tea with style!

„Variation“

WWW.ZIEHER.COM

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REGIONAL PROFILE

AfricaWhile international hotel giants and regional players agree Africa is coming into its own, how and where they plan to capitalize couldn’t be more different. The easy answers about hotel development on the continent that applied in 2000 — or even 2013 — aren’t quite as right in 2015. In fact, even the questions are different.

DESIGN

HTL Karl JohanWhen Scandic’s fi rst HTL hotel opened in 2014, it offered a unique value proposition to guests: Leave out the unnecessary and enhance the quality of the necessary. The brand’s latest property, HTL Karl Johan in Oslo, Norway, continues to encourage guests to challenge their perceptions about the traditional hotel experience.

SPECIAL REPORT

Culture classIn 2014, Merriam-Webster named “culture” its word of the year, but hoteliers have long been focused on how to build cultures that enrich employees and, most important, serve guests and boost business. Consequently, HOTELS partnered with the Wall Street Journal to gather leaders from throughout the industry to discuss the unique intricacies of culture.

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 15 VOL . 4 9 , NO. 7

Design: HTL KarL JoHan

46 HOTELS September 2015 www.hotelsmag.com

Under-bed storage is just one unique feature of HTL’s guestrooms.

smartsimply

Scandic’s HTL brand appeals to no-nonsense travelers with innovative guest experiences featuring smart technology and personalized service.

by BriTTany FarB, aSSOciaTE EdiTOr

www.hotelsmag.com September 2015 HOTELS 47

When the first HTL hotel opened in 2014, it offered a unique value proposition

to guests: Leave out the unneces-sary and enhance the quality of the necessary. The goal was to provide guests with a simplified — but also impeccable — hotel experience.

The brand’s latest property, HTL Karl Johan in Oslo, Norway, con-tinues to encourage guests to chal-lenge their perceptions about the hotel experience. Formerly the Rica Travel Hotel Oslo (Scandic acquired the Rica brand last year), the hotel’s guests have been encouraged to use the distinctive space as a place to relax and recharge sans gimmicks.

“We created the HTL concept for the modern traveler who appreciates high-quality, personal service, modern design, the best city-center locations and smart digital solutions,” says Gül Heper, commercial manager at HTL.

Heper adds that HTL aspires to expand to at least 20 hotels in the Nordic region within the next � ve years. Current properties in addi-tion to HTL Karl Johan include HTL Kungsgatan, HTL Grensen and HTL Upplandsgatan.

Tech-driven experienceStarting before check-in, guests can begin customizing their experience. Travelers can check in on their way to the hotel, receiving a room key via their smartphones, or they can check in upon arrival on one of the hotel’s tablets in the lobby.

In one of HTL Karl Johan’s 108 guestrooms, guests can connect their smart device to the LED television. All guests have access to free Wi-Fi, several USB ports throughout the room, under-bed storage and creative � nishes

designed speci� cally for HTL.“All HTL rooms feature smart

details such as different knobs, bars and hangers in marble, brass or a velvet � nish,” Heper says. “All details in the room have been chosen based on their form, high quality and functionality.”

Despite guestrooms smaller than those in neighboring hotels, the HTL team doesn’t necessar-ily believe bigger is better. “The hotel industry is very traditional, and there is still a belief amongst guests that a larger room is auto-matically associated with higher quality,” Heper says. “However, the HTL concept has quickly received acceptance from guests from around the world, so we seem to have created a concept that appeals to many personalities.”

Heart of the brandThe Oslo hotel’s lounge trailed the opening by about two months in late August. The concept is considered to be the “pulse” of all of the brand’s properties and serves internationally influenced food and beverages. In fact, hosts in the lounge have replaced the traditional front-desk staff and are also equipped to provide guests with concierge services.

Although the hotel’s ADR and occupancy rates are not disclosed, Heper explains the HTL brand as a whole has already experienced quick success and has set high expectations. “HTL challenges practically every existing hotel by offering a product of high quality in � rst-class locations at a lower price than most competing hotels,” Heper explains. “As such, we see HTL’s competitors as everyone and no one.”

HTL KARL JOHANOPENING DATE: Began taking reser-vations May 2015; official opening was late August 2015

ACCOMMODATIONS: 108 guestrooms with double beds

LOCATION: The former Rica Travel Hotel Oslo

MANAGER: Therese Fredriksson

OWNERSHIP:HTL is part of the Scandic group owned by EQT (84%) and Accent (16%)

INTERIOR DESIGNER: Koncept Stockholm

DESIGN AESTHETIC: Timeless, calm and peaceful, with ele-ments of modernity and technology

NOTABLE AMENITIES: Mobile room key, free Wi-Fi, raindrop showers, under-bed storage, several USB ports, 24-hour check-in, HTL-specific virtual city guide

DESIGN: HTL KARL JOHAN


HTL Karl Johan in Oslo, Norway, was formerly the Rica Travel Hotel Oslo. Located in the city center, the hotel targets both business travelers and tourists.

Guests can check in upon arrival on one of the hotel’s tablets in the lobby.

Guests can also check in prior to arrival to receive a room key delivered directly to their smartphone.




All guestrooms feature “smart” finishes — including knobs, bars

and hangers for additional storage — designed exclusively for the

HTL brand.

Mirrors are also used in guestrooms as well as throughout HTL’s public areas to give a modern touch to the overall aesthetic.



The hotel lounge, seen here at HTL Kungsgatan, is

considered to be the “pulse” of all HTL properties, featur-

ing eclectic art, functional workspace and areas to

socialize with fellow guests. Along with a full cocktail menu, the lounge

also serves internationally inspired food.

Rainfall showers are standard in every guest bathroom.

hotels mag - september issue 2015 - extract

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