DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre Regina is among the top three finalists in the prestigious Hospitality Design Magazine Awards in the “Public Spaces – Midscale/Economy” category. This is the first time a hotel in Regina or Saskatchewan has been recognized by the Hospitality Design Magazine Awards. The hotel, owned and managed by SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts, became the first DoubleTree by Hilton in Canada when it re-opened in fall 2013 following a large-scale renovation.
Heavily influenced by Regina’s rich agricultural history, the design of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre Regina stems from the rural heritage of its surroundings while adding a modern twist. Formerly the Regina Inn Hotel, the property has 235 guest rooms, boasts a downtown location, and features the SilverBirch Conference Centre.
“It’s an honour to have DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre Regina named as a finalist by such a prestigious industry publication,” says Scott Calvert, VP of Design and Construction, SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts. “The hotel underwent an 11-month renovation during which we worked collaboratively with the interior design team of B+H CHIL Design. Our design teams demonstrated extensive creativity and created more unified and welcoming public spaces for our guests.”
Adds Calvert, “It was important to pay homage to the city while addressing the need for a business and meeting orientated establishment. So in addition to the lobby and the Wild Sage Kitchen & Bar, we decided to completely redesign all of the public areas and we added a signature SilverBirch Conference Centre with Connections Café. We also transformed all guestrooms into stylish, contemporary and comfortable rooms and suites while ensuring the design elements are consistently carried through the hotel.”
Says Adele Rankin, senior associate, B+H CHIL Design, “The overall design was inspired by Regina’s rich, prairie history and the region’s rapid industrial growth. Guests are able to experience Regina’s open skies and vast wheat fields through the use of blue and ochre and subtle wheat motifs in public spaces. To add in some contrast, we chose modern, contemporary upholstery and furnishings, which created a rustic charm. This struck a perfect balance between the old and the new, perfectly representing Regina’s rich, rural past and a thriving, industrial present.”
The HD Awards accepted a total of 400 entries worldwide, with a panel of industry experts judging the entries and deciding on the finalists. The 10th Annual Hospitality Design Magazine Awards will be held on June 4, 2014, in New York.