Dubai-based design practice Draw Link Group have been successfully shortlisted for the Hotel Design Award – U.A.E in the International Hotel & Property Awards 2014 with Hotel 72 by Hues.
Built more than twenty years ago as a residential building, this structure sits right on the edge of Sharjah’s picturesque Albuhayra corniche as Sharjah’s very first exclusive 5 star boutique hotel. The name of the hotel comes from the number of rooms available, hence H72, but the idea goes even further in that everything inside revolves around numbers, mathematics and equations. From place names to design concept, everything in this five star establishment is touched with logic and rationality, from the sleek outlines that permeate throughout the building, to the recesses and outcrops that are judiciously placed, projecting perfect angular shadows and giving depth. Sudden flashes of clever and upbeat colours unexpectedly appear, giving surges of emotions where only an instant before cold calculated level-headedness prevailed, as if the building and its décor wanted to toy with our perceptions and send us on a unique and stirring journey.
Walking into any of the suites at the H72, the first thing that strikes you is the simplicity and the straight forwardness of the contemporary lines. The design concept is clear: practicality and an open pragmatic scheme that is very pleasing to the eye. With each floor consisting of various types of modular and flexible suites that can cater to anything from single guests to whole families, each room contains the uppermost in quality on all the accessories and furnishings, with the measured use of stimulating and inspiring materials all the way from the floor to the ceiling.
With a main banqueting area that can seat up to 92 guests, but also with a private room for a more select dining experience, the modern and elegant eatery provides an all-day buffet with a wide selection of dishes and cooking stations. Insightfully lit not only by the elegant panelled ceiling but also by the natural sunlight coming through the surrounding bay windows that give onto the panoramic views of the corniche, the warm and subtle hued colors that emanate from the carpet, the walls and beautifully lit side panels create a delicious ambiance that perfectly complements the food. Situated on the first floor is the state-of-the-art business centre. With a maximum capacity of 160 people, the four separate rooms are ingeniously designed to be modular and sectional in order to accommodate every possible business meeting requirement. Each room is located around a central atrium that serves the traditional coffee break necessities, undeniably giving it a convivial and social feel, which makes for an ideal area for informal business banter between the more official matters.
No five star hotel would be complete without the perfect tools for its guests to relax and re-energise themselves, and with its pool, gym and spa the H72 has exactly that. Intended to be as soothing and galvanising to the mind as it is to the body, all three areas are designed in the same vein as the rest of the hotel: contemporary minimalist lines with comforting and gentle colours accentuated to the nth degree by indirect and refined lighting, with sudden explosive bursts of refreshing colours that can appear from anywhere, whether it be a wall, ceiling or even a piece of furniture perfectly situated in its calculated position.
When you enter the H72 there can be no doubt that this is an upbeat, contemporary boutique hotel with a fondness for fashionable and smart designs that instinctively conveys to anyone who walks in that this is a five star establishment. The choice of materials used, from the polished stone walls, marble floors and wooden touches that bring warm earthiness to the lobby, heightened by the zesty spurts of energising colours beautifully enhanced by linear indirect lighting, make you want to go in further, knowing that inside will be full of surprises. And the H72 delivers. Around each corner, whether it be in the coffee shop, reception or the glass encased gift shop, there is something new, something exciting and different to see, interesting features such as benches suspended from the ceiling or back-lit wall mosaics that will amaze even the most travelled guests.