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HBA / Hirsch Bedner Associates, the leading global hospitality design firm, has a long history with HNA Hotels Group, having designed Tangla Beijing, the Tangla Sanya and other HNA properties. The company was honoured by its appointment to develop the interior architecture for the Tangla Brussels. The opportunity to define style for a world-class brand, born in China and positioned to redefine the high-end hotel experience, is one HBA takes on proudly.
The Tangla Hotel, Brussels is a significant property for a number of reasons. It is the first Tangla Hotel in Europe and its location in the capital of Flanders, Belgium – not to mention the capital of the European Union – significantly elevates the visibility of this Chinese luxury brand on the world stage. At the same time, the Tangla Brussels is the first HBA-designed hotel in Belgium. For both Tangla Hotels and Resorts and HBA, this property is a defining project.
Launched in 2009, Tangla Hotels and Resorts is a brand under the HNA Hotels Group, with the avowed goal of becoming the top Oriental hotel brand. The five-star Tangla Brussels was designed to be a showcase of Chinese luxury standards abroad and constitutes a major step toward achieving that goal. HNA purchased an existing four-star hotel -within walking distance of the Chinese embassy and the Chinese delegation to the European Union- for the purpose of developing the premier high-end property in proximity to Brussels Airport. The nearly €40 million transformation included a significant expansion of the earlier hotel’s footprint, increasing the number of guestrooms to more than 180. As a result, HBA’s work included both renovation and pure design in order to develop an interior in line with the brand-defining Tangla Beijing, but with its own character. The style is unexpected in Belgium, a very sophisticated transitional contemporary feel. The colours are soft, and the atmosphere is tranquil. Detailed for Western European standards, but distinctly Tangla in it influences, here restrained elegance achieves a comfortable luxury without extravagance or needless ostentation.
Tangla Hotels and Resorts derives its name from the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains. These majestic and mystical snow-capped peaks soar more than 5,000 metres into the bright blue sky. These pristine, snow-capped mountains symbolise the serene and peaceful relaxation that comes from life in harmony with nature.
Spaces
Ultimately, the Tangla guest will find the design delivers a more peaceful experience than nature itself can bring. Every finish, surface, fabric and colour was selected to calm and relieve guests of concerns of the busy, urban world outside.
The water elements of the Tangla Mountains informed the hotel’s public areas: soft clouds, crystal ice, pure snow and flowing rivers. The lobby is a serene vista of cool colours and clean lines. The light stone floor is accented by a beautiful dark stone water feature, a Feng Shui element that creates positive energy in the space. A delicate sculpture like a stylised snowflake floats gracefully above the water feature. Clouds from the top of the mountain inspired the pattern in both the carpet and the crystal-adorned ceiling of the bar. In the pool, a feature wall of green and blue glass represents the water which flows from the mountain toward the sea.
The guestrooms take inspiration from the mountains as well, using the whites, greys, and light oak of the Tangla Beijing to create a calming space. Large scale floral patterns and blossoming trees are a motif which ties the guestroom back to China and to nature. The light marble clad baths are stunning in their simplicity: seeming to glow with a subdued light, as if carved into the clean snow.
The Tangla Brussels steakhouse is a destination restaurant in itself. Distinct from the cool, refreshing style of the public area and rooms, this space is inspired by the world’s great wine cellars. Its walls are clad with panels of wooden wine crates, decorated with the winemakers’ logos, creating a playful and comfortable dining space. The wood ceiling is vaulted after European wine cellars. An ornate, multi-panelled screen of metal filigree, patterned after the Tangla Hotel logo is installed in the centre of the dining area.
In addition to delivering a world-class design, the Tangla Brussels project showcases the advantages of HBA’s global reach and international staff. Based at HBA Singapore, Mr. David T’Kint, the principal designer on this project, is a native of Brussels, with long experience developing hotel interiors throughout China. Thus, HBA was able to bridge the many cultural and geographic challenges facing a Chinese company developing a luxury property in Europe.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
