Radisson SAS Hotel, Durham

West Cork hotel furniture specialists ODonnells are delighted to have completed the fit out of their first Radisson SAS hotel project in the UK on time and on budget in just six weeks. All 208 bedrooms in the new 4-star Radisson SAS property in the centre of Durham feature quality casegoods and fittings manufactured by ODonnell. Previously they had manufactured and fitted out the bedrooms at the Radisson SAS hotel in Limerick.

Appointed by main contractors Sir Robert McAlpine, ODonnells worked closely with architects Red Box and designers Ward Robinson Ltd to achieve comfortable, practical and contemporary style bedrooms using a combination of walnut veneers and solids teamed with decorative laminates.

“We knew of ODonnell by reputation and expected them to deliver a quality product and service,” commented Michael Taylor, Associate Director at Ward Robinson Ltd. “ODonnell brought considerable practical experience to the project which manifested itself several times with value engineering solutions. Working in partnership, they took some of our design ideas and returned with practical products, solutions and recommendations which we then discussed and implemented.”

One of the main features of each bedroom is the Headboard. They were supplied in three sizes, 3.5m, 3m and 2.6m, and are constructed using both walnut veneer and laminate with leather-upholstered panels. Unusually for a furniture manufacturer, ODonnells were also able to supply the headboards and other casegoods with a “plug and play” electrical system so speeding up installation time. The headboards are fitted with the socket face plates, switches, light fittings and shades and were simply plugged into the electrical termination in the wall satisfying all electrical safety codes and building regulations.

All the bedside cabinets have red laminate backs with contrasting laminate tops and sides and, for durability, they also feature solid edge lippings.

ODonnell is proud of the levels of customer service they always deliver to a fit out project and the Radisson SAS Durham was no exception; to the extent that 26 different variations of wardrobe specification and fittings were manufactured and supplied. The larger suites have walk-in wardrobe units.

The standard wardrobe design features a modern “Open Hanging” section with contrasting laminates, plus two conventional enclosed hanging areas and a storage space for an ironing board.

The creative use of lighting is also a feature of the fitted furniture. The headboard has an integral lamp with a shade plus a personal reading light while the desk mirror has a hidden light fitted in the top to illuminate the glass. The wardrobe area also has an open central section finished in red laminate with a downlighter to highlight the tea and coffee-making facility. This design element is practical and lends a warm, sophisticated feel to the bedroom space.

The furnishing of each bedroom was completed with: flat-screen TV columns in red laminate; luggage racks in laminate, upholstery and walnut which were either freestanding or attached to the TV columns; desks with laminate sides and walnut veneer tops; full length mirrors with walnut veneer frames; dressing tables in laminate and veneer some of which feature a minibar; and finally sideboards for the larger rooms or suites.