Designing for a New Era of Stay: Four British Brands Unite for a Clerkenwell Hospitality Talk
This May, Hypnos, Newmor Wallcoverings, Ulster Carpets and The Panaz Group will come together in Clerkenwell to co-host an industry event focused on one of hospitality’s most significant shifts: how design is responding to changing patterns of stay.
Titled ‘Designing for a New Era of Stay’, the event will bring together a panel of hospitality and design professionals for a candid, design-led conversation about how the sector is evolving, and what that means for the spaces being created now.
As guest expectations continue to change, the traditional hotel room is no longer the only model shaping hospitality design. Travellers are increasingly seeking flexibility, autonomy and interiors that feel more personal and residential, while still delivering the quality, service and operational performance expected from hospitality environments. From serviced apartments and aparthotels to branded residences, members’ clubs and hybrid travel models, this evolution is influencing brand strategy, investment decisions and the way interiors are being designed and specified.
Hosted by Alys Bryan, Editorial Director of Design Insider and Marketing Director of Commercial Interiors UK, the discussion will feature:
– Sophie Borel, Senior Project & Design Manager, Cheval Collection
– Kalindi Juneja, CEO, PoB Hotels
– Joanna Knight, Managing Director, Joanna Knight Interiors Ltd
– Arun Rana, Design Director, Accor Group, Europe & North Africa (Premium, Midscale, Economy)
Together, the panel will explore the shift from traditional hotels to a broader mix of hospitality formats, how longer stays and hybrid models are changing design briefs and material specification, and how spaces can feel personal and lived-in while remaining robust enough for commercial use.
The event takes place at the Ulster Carpets Studio in Clerkenwell. The discussion will run for approximately 45 minutes, followed by a Q&A, before the evening continues with food and drinks, giving specifiers, designers and hospitality professionals the chance to connect and continue the conversation.
In advance of the event, each of the four sponsor brands was asked to reflect on a question that adds further context to the themes being explored on the night. Their responses offer an insight into how materials, products and finishes are helping shape hospitality spaces for a new era of stay.
Hypnos: Does a hospitality mattress need to perform differently for long-stay guests, and what should designers consider when specifying for that shift?
David Baldry, Group Managing Director: A hospitality mattress does not need to perform differently for long-stay guests, but it does need to perform consistently over time. As stays extend, guests expect the same level of quality, comfort and support they would experience at home.
For designers, this means specifying mattresses that balance immediate comfort with long-term performance. Support, breathability and durability are essential, ensuring the mattress maintains its level of comfort night after night, and reducing the need for frequent replacement. A high-quality, handcrafted mattress also brings lasting value for the brand, demonstrating that the guests sleep experience has been considered and is front of mind. Natural, breathable materials such as wool can further enhance temperature regulation and overall sleep quality. It is about delivering consistent comfort and reliability, reinforcing a high-quality guest experience whether the stay is short or extended.
Newmor Wallcoverings: How can wallcoverings be used to deliver a homely welcome in hospitality settings, particularly serviced apartments, while still meeting the performance standards needed in commercial interiors?
David Johnston, Managing Director: Wallcoverings play a key role in shaping first impressions, helping to create a welcoming, homely feel while maintaining the integrity of a commercial space. In serviced apartments in particular, there is a growing expectation for interiors to feel more personal and residential. This can be achieved through the considered use of pattern, texture, and colour, introducing warmth, softness, and a sense of familiarity. At the same time, performance remains essential, with wallcoverings needing to be durable, easy to maintain and suited to high-traffic environments. The result is a balance of comfort and character with practicality, ensuring spaces feel inviting and lived-in, while meeting the demands of commercial use.
The Panaz Group: How do textiles help communicate the narrative of a hospitality property, from drapery through to upholstery, while also meeting the practical demands of the setting?
Ulster Carpets: In luxury hospitality settings, how important is the quality of materials when designing for spaces that need to endure guests staying for a night or for a year?
Joyce McIvor, Contract Sales Director UK & Ireland: In luxury hospitality, material quality is fundamental, whether a guest stays for one night or a year. Carpets must do more than perform, they need to retain their visual integrity, so the space feels consistent over time.
This means considering not only durability, but how construction, colour and pattern maintain clarity and depth throughout the life of the interior. Carpet also plays a key role in the guest experience, providing comfort underfoot and contributing to a sense of warmth and refinement. Ultimately, it is about visual and physical longevity, ensuring a space continues to feel considered, comfortable and of a high standard, whether experienced briefly or lived in over time.
Designing for a New Era of Stay – Event Details
Date: Tuesday 19 May 2026
Time: Audience arrival from 4.00pm, followed by panel discussion and Q&A, then food & drinks into the evening
Venue: Ulster Carpets Studio, Unit 1, Compton Courtyard, 40 Compton Street, London EC1V 0BD
Co-hosted by: Hypnos, Ulster Carpets, Newmor Wallcoverings and The Panaz Group