Classing up the Party in Havasu
By Tara Mastrelli
Photography courtesy of Havasu Hotel Partners, LLC
T
hough over-the-top images of party boats,
spring breakers, and Girls Gone Wild may
have scared other hotel owners and designers
away from Lake Havasu, Arizona, Brett Miller and
Graham Downes saw potential. “The lake is filled
with boats—the inexpensive ones are in the
hundred thousands—and we thought this town
is ready for something nicer, better,” says Miller,
president of development company EatDrinkSleep,
who collaborated with architect Downes previously
on Tower23, the first lifestyle boutique hotel in San
Diego’s Pacific Beach. “I would say that with a regular
slapped- together model room, you’re going to get
total disrespect,” adds Downes, “but we know that if
we give them a good room they may treat
it better.”
The duo set up shop alongside the London Bridge
on the shores of the lake, turning a rundown inn
into HEAT, a sleek space that is years ahead of the
surrounding accommodations. “The name really
captures the spirit of the city,” says Miller. “It’s hot,
private balconies. Designed to promote “a lot of taken to a new level with oversized party showers,
the entertainment’s hot, the boats are hot and fast
commingling,” only a translucent drape separates featuring a center pole and dual heads, while private
and sleek.”
the glass-enclosed shower and Jacuzzi from the cabanas and patio daybeds promote lounging at the
And the hotel is hot. White-hot interiors dominate,
bed area, and another drape separates the living 4,000-square-foot outdoor bar and lounge deck.
with millwork echoing the streamlined look
room and balcony. “There are four components, but “It’s like a little oasis,” says Downes. “We wanted to
of a party boat. The 25 guestrooms feature
there’s visibility all the way through,” says Downes, completely raise the bar, and we did. No one will
contemporary custom furniture, cocktail bars, and
founder of his San Diego-based namesake firm. In
surpass us in Havasu.” •
the Inferno Suites (there are six), commingling is
www.heathotel.com
58 GS MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBE - 020 7833 3772
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60