hospitalitystyle.com

(December 2008) posted on Mon Nov 03, 2008 EST

Irish Blend: The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt near Dublin exudes elegance throughout, whether guests are soaking at the spa or downing a pint in the pub.

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By Val Hunt

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German interior designer Peter Silling isn't afraid of curves and colonnades. He contends that opulence can be embraced in modern luxury hotels. As owner of Cologne-based Peter Silling & Associates (formerly Hotel Interior Design), he makes his point with Ireland's first Ritz-Carlton hotel-a new-build, 200-room five-star property on the grounds of the historic Powerscourt Estate near Dublin.

Silling couldn't have asked for a better location as a source of inspiration. The Powerscourt House, a castle built in the 13th century, was completely renovated by German architect Robert Cassels in the 18th century. Today's visitors to the Powerscourt Estate come looking for this traditional style of luxury, and it made sense for an equally luxurious hotel brand to pick up this design cue for its façade.

"The Palladian architectural style along with the use of rich materials and intricate stucco moldings help create that aristocratic yet genuinely Irish experience," Silling explains. Local accents weren't always part of Ritz-Carlton's look. But this upscale member of the Marriott International family moved beyond its highly standardized design template to a blend of signature elements and influences unique to each property's surroundings.

"We adhered to the company's wishes for a design that expresses a sense of place based on the history and the location," Silling says. So frequent guests of Ritz-Carlton hotels can enjoy all the high-end standards and amenities in a setting that naturally lends itself to sumptuousness.

While Palladian style dominates the exterior, another hallmark of traditional Irish luxury flows through the interiors. Mirroring the feel of the 18th century Irish take on Georgian style, the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt is clad up to its millwork in easygoing elegance. Dark mahogany borders pastel-colored wallpaper. Floral curtains hang in the guest rooms where fine fabrics cover the custom-made furniture. Sculpted white wooden trim rises to meet the soft, neutral ceilings typical of the simple elegance of the period. Oriental rugs adorn hardwood floors. Guests also tread on Irish sandstone and imported Portuguese marble.

Gordon Ramsey's namesake restaurant on the hotel's third floor follows the aristocratic ambiance characteristic of the Ritz-Carlton brand with light-colored hardwood floors and crisp, white linens covering the tables. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed by billowing draperies showcase the views of the mountain. The more intimate, exclusive-feeling Sugar Loaf restaurant, clad in dark woods, also has its pinkies raised. Plush furniture and marble fireplaces give the Georgian décor a modern twist.