Audrey Gaffney Associates shortlisted for Restaurant Within a Hotel Europe Award in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2020.
The luxurious five-star Heritage Hotel was acquired by FBD Hotels and Resorts late 2018, and since then has undergone an extensive redesign in which Audrey Gaffney were appointed to re-imagine various areas within the hotel, most recently, the restaurant area. The now rebranded ‘Blakes’ restaurant, bar, afternoon tea area and the designated private dining room, have been transformed to reflect the luxurious, stylish and sophisticated setting that is the Heritage Hotel Killenard.
Ultimately, the main objective of the restaurant was to create a more welcoming experience for guests to enjoy and feel wholly relaxed in their surroundings. This is a design that delivered an opulent, luxurious and sophisticated scheme to reflect the five-star rating of the hotel.
The design relocated the breakfast servery into the main restaurant, which was incorporated seamlessly by creating a screened island area. This acts as both a division between the servery and dining area, as well as having an openness that invites the guests in.
Within the restaurant area, a soft romantic colour pallet of duck egg greens, stormy teals and dusky pinks are balanced by the added depth of strong monochromatic colours delivered through the bold geometric custom carpets that fill the floor space. Bespoke arching lights that are mounted onto low-level wall dividing areas of fixed seating, create a wonderful feature within the space and proudly claim their place as the central focal point.
The space has been fully transformed into a light, open and airy space that can be enjoyed from a breakfast setting right through to a more atmospheric evening dining experience. A stylish private dining space that now caters for groups of up to 35—40 people has been created. Glimpses and hints of the atmosphere of the restaurant can be felt through the reeded glazed screens that divide both spaces.
Throughout all areas, there is a strong mix of traditional elements that are offset and complemented by more contemporary aspects of the design. It is a combination of all these design elements that are conducive to the stylish, sophisticated and elegant result which has been warmly received by staff and guests alike.
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