Bulgari’s name is emblematic of fine jewellery, but actually silverware is the true essence of the brand with an early origin. In the course of more than a century of development, Bulgari has set a new standard for timepieces, and in recent years, also made a continued commitment towards hospitality.
After Milan and Bali, Bulgari Hotel London is the third hotel project launched by Bulgari Hotels & Resorts. Opened in mid-2012, this luxury hotel is situated in Knightsbridge in the heart of London, a few minutes' walk from Hyde Park.
In terms of the overall design and interior, the property employs a silver theme which gives off an extravagant and elegant vibe, paying tribute to Bulgari’s silversmith origin. It is a nod towards the brand's design philosophy and lifestyle. Its façade is built with Portland stone, a material which is also incorporated into the construction of Buckingham Palace, the National Gallery and the British Museum. The hotel was developed according to the practices set by BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method). It would be a long story to explain what BREEAM really is but here are some examples - the hotel has undertaken a number of green initiatives, including placing ecologically-friendly bird and bat houses (aka boxes) on the rooftop. As the heroic Batman stays in superior suite, the bats should also have their own suite too. What a thoughtful idea! Besides, the hotel adopts energy-saving intelligent lighting while geothermal energy is wisely integrated into the building. A number of electric vehicle charging points are also available within the vicinity of the hotel, which was regarded as an advanced technology four years ago.
Among its 85 guestrooms (Superior, Deluxe and Executive) and seven suites (Junior, Studio, Deluxe, Knightsbridge and the Bulgari), Bulgari’s signature design concept is evident, as shown by the silk curtain with patterns inspired by Bulgari jewellery and the bed side table lamp by Bulgari’s silver candlesticks, whilst the mini bar is shaped as a sumptuous travel trunk. One of the suites boasts a host of amenities like fireplace, kitchen, dining room, office area and cloakroom, alongside a terrace overlooking spectacular views. Forget to bring your private chef with you? No problem! Apart from its top-class butler service, the hotel also offers catering service for suite guests. OK. Let’s take a break. We will explore more about this luxury hotel in the coming issue.
Bulgari製造的珠寶首飾出色之餘，原來銀器才是品牌的根、他們的歷史淵源。不過，在這一百多年的發展歷程裡，除了銀器和珠寶首飾之外，Bulgari的腕錶也不遑多讓。近年，品牌更染指酒店業。
倫敦的Bulgari Hotel，是繼米蘭和峇里島之後，品牌所開設的第三間酒店，在2012年中開幕。酒店座落於倫敦核心地區Knightsbridge，距離Hyde Park只有幾分鐘路程。酒店整體設計和內部裝潢均以銀色為主調，高貴優雅，反映Bulgari銀器工藝的品牌淵源，也展現品牌的設計哲學和所衍生的生活風格。外牆以波特蘭石建造，跟白金漢宮、國家美術館和大英博物館等倫敦著名建築物同出一轍。酒店亦依照嚴格的環保標準BREEAM來興建，那是什麼？詳細的我都不太清楚，但可以試舉少少例子。例如，為符合生態保護要求，酒店的屋頂附設鳥屋和蝙蝠巢。蝙蝠俠應該是住高級套房的，那些蝙蝠巢是讓真蝙蝠住，果然設想周到。另外，酒店採用智能省電照明系統；附近也設有電動汽車充電站，在四年前來說可算十分先進。酒店建築還裝有地熱能系統，善用地熱能資源，實在厲害。
酒店共有85個客房，當中包括7間套房，客房有Superior、Deluxe和Executive三種，套房則有Junior、Studio、Deluxe、Knightsbridge和The Bulgari五種。房間佈置充滿Bulgari設計元素，例如印有品牌珠寶圖案的絲質窗簾，以及靈感源自品牌純銀燭台的床頭燈，mini bar更設計成Bulgari特大旅行箱的樣子。其中一間套房附設多項設備，例如壁爐、廚房、飯廳、辦公室、衣帽間，以及景觀一流的露台等。酒店更可為套房住客提供butler service，沒有帶私人廚師同行？酒店亦可以為套房住客提供到會服務，放心。篇幅有限，下次再介紹Bulgari Hotel London。
