The chances are, five years into the downturn, you’re looking around your premises and noticing that it’s

starting to look a little lacklustre. Wear and tear is hard in hospitality, but with trade under pressure during the tough years of the bust, the capital expenditure required for upkeep may have been a challenge.

After several years placing any refurbishment work on hold, however, hoteliers are realising that they can’t put it off any longer. The good news is that this doesn’t mean an extravagant investment. Arlene McIntyre, the creative force behind Ventura Design, explains that a new look can be achieved on any budget. ‘By hiring a professional firm to design and fit out your premises, you can actually save money. We offer a one-stop-shop, providing a complete refurbishment solution. Taking the project from conception to completion, we create a fresh new look for your business, supply an extensive range of durable furnishings and products, and install and fit out your premises efficiently and cost-effectively, ensuring that you get the biggest bang for your buck. We can cater to every job whether big or small and we will work within your budget and make your budget work for you.’

Ventura Design relishes the diversity that comes with managing both small and large scale projects, says Arlene. ‘Working with boutique businesses enables us to provide a bespoke service to suit the character of the hotel or restaurant and we supply an extensive range of Irish-made products tailored for individual clients. For larger hotel renovations, we work with our

partners who have 12 years experience as hotel furniture agents. They are currently refurbishing a number of large, 800-guestroom hotels in Dubai and can provide a collection of products to suit high-volume projects.’

The beauty of working with a professional design and refurbishment firm is that it takes all the stress out of a refurbishment, enabling you to concentrate on what you do best – running your business. ‘We project manage everything and oversee every step of the process so you can rest assured that you won’t have any nightmares,’ says Arlene. Ventura Design’s experienced team of tradesmen are all Irish, giving you the added assurance that when you purchase new fixtures and furnishings the products are 100% Irish made and sourced locally. ‘We also provide a full follow-up service so you can be safe in the knowledge that we are always at the end of the telephone if you need us. It’s not like dealing with a Chinese factory that you’ll never hear from again. We stand over our quality and we’re always there to offer support.’ u

COMPANY PROFILE

Case studySTylIng The Skylon

Ventura design was enlisted by Best Western skylon Hotel in dublin to give a fresh new makeover to a number of guestrooms.

the design firm, headed by interior designer arlene McIntyre, was first tasked with revamping four of the hotel’s bedrooms in advance of Westlife’s sell-out swansong at Croke Park and the Mceniff Hotel Group was so pleased with the results that the team has since signed Ventura up to refurbish an additional 18 guestrooms, as well as update the foyer.

With the pressure on to get the job ready for the all important donegal match at Gaa HQ, Ventura completed eight rooms in three days, giving a new lease of life to the tired hotel rooms.

‘We warmed the rooms and gave them a fresher feel using brighter and happier colours,’ explains arlene. ‘In just three days we completely updated the rooms, with new painting and decorating, new carpets, curtains, furniture and fit out. the feedback from guests has been really positive. ’

To find out how Ventura Design can work with you and breathe new life into your hotel or restaurant, visit ventura.ie, e: info@ventura.ie or call Arlene McIntyre on 087 244 6464.

Designof the times

The Skylon Hotel before (below) and after the Ventura makeover (above and right).

hoteliers and restaurateurs who held back on refurbishing their premises during the early days of the recession are now realising that the time has come to start reinvesting in their product. But a makeover doesn’t have to mean a big expenditure. By hiring a professional design and refurbishment firm, hospitality operators can save money on the cost of renovating, as well as a lot of time and heartache in managing the project, says ARLENE McINTYRE of Ventura Design.