Rob Steul - Check In

Name:
Rob Steul

Position:
Hotels & Resorts Design Leader

Company:
Woods Bagot Architects
www.woodsbagot.com

Notable projects:
10 Trinity Square Hotel, London
Minthis Hills Resort, Cyprus
Millennium Hotel Liverpool
Trafalgar Hilton London
Raffles Swissotel Moscow
Le Bouchon, Mauritius


Where are we?
I lived in Jakarta for a long period, so I would be back on an Indonesian island east of Bali – Like Banda Naira. I love the country - the people, the language, art, music and food.


Who are you sharing your room with?
With my best friends... we each have our own suites and access to a central villa with a pool for food and relaxing.


Is there anything you would like waiting for you in your room on arrival?
Local currency to tip the bellman – I never have time to pick up cash beforehand.


And the owner / manager?
Gordon Campbell Gray.
Gordon has redefined the independent luxury hotel and has designed and operated them around his guests’ needs... luxury without waste, or as he says “concentrating on less material and making it exquisite”.


Describe your room...
Connected to outside gardens, multiple lounging locations, plunge pool and view – think Amankila. Room service, but only when called, I want to have total peace and quiet. The design is classic modern finishes with reference to the local vernacular style. And the sun is always shining.


Who designed it?
I did – of course, it’s my dream hotel!


What’s the view like?
An elevated terrace looks over the beach and out to sea, surrounded by tropical plants. I can sit there and just look at that scene for hours, with an occasional dip in the plunge pool or the ocean. The other great thing about the Indonesian islands is that many of them have active volcanoes which tend to be clearly visible in the early morning collecting puffy white clouds throughout the day.


Who are you dining with this evening?
1.    Bill Clinton
2.    Christiane Amanpour
3.    Bob Dylan
4.    ...and four good friends


Who’s manning the stoves?
The kitchen crew from Kozue in Tokyo


And what’s on the menu?
Starter: Miso soup
Main: Sushi – and lots of it
Dessert: Green tea ice-cream


Would you like something to drink with that?
Bombay Sapphire and tonic with a slice of lime


What CDs would like in your room?
1. Anything by DJ Tiesto
2. 10,000 Maniacs ‘Our Time in Eden’
3. Sarah McLachlan ‘Surfacing’
4. AC/DC ‘Back in Black’
5. REM - the works


What’s on the movie channel?
Everything I have at home and it’s included in the room price – I always channel surf


And a book at bedtime?
An atlas – I love maps, and planning my next move.


What’s in the mini-bar for a night cap?
Bailey’s on ice


Would you like a newspaper or magazine in the morning?
Magazine – The Week, The Economist and Private Eye for fun.


What toiletries would you like to freshen up with in the morning?
It would be great to have everything required (booked in advance) so no need to worry about carry-on at airport security.


Ironing board, trouser press or laundry? Laundry


Swimming pool, spa or gym? Gym


Early morning alarm call or late checkout? Late checkout


Bath, Jacuzzi or power shower? Power shower