VRTNI NAMJEÅ TAJ - DalCasa

Na zadnjem katu hotela nalazi se područje s bazenom /The swimming pool area at the top floor of the hotelAs a concept, Hotel Básico and its “quotes” from the culture of Mexican everyday lifepresent an impossible combination of a car-tyre store and an untouched, exotic Latin-American beachWritten by: Nikola ÈelanPhoto: www.designhotels.comCounterculture and contradiction – those arethe words that could describe the approachused while creating Hotel Básico in Playa delCarmen, Mexico. Promoters build it up as “astrong revision of Mexican nationalism combined withpopular distinction points, which serves as entertainmentfor local and foreign guests”. Style, glamour, essence ofthe environment and the local national spirit, as well asyouth in every shape and form, are the characteristicsthat distinguish Básico from all other top-design hotels.The fascinatingly original idea of its creator Hector Galvanfeatures “quotes” from the culture of Mexican everydaylife, such as schools, traditional snack-bars – “cantinas”,and even the oil industry…The physical performance of the hotel itself is really glamorousand unusual, due to it using a mixture of concreteand Caribbean sand, while it all serves a purpose of fittingthe colour and structure of the building into its environment– the beach and the coastal ambience. Sandedcement floors with red details, as well as many similar materialsand features, are a lot more than merely a throwbackon the typically Mexican atmosphere and contextof life – they are particularly inspired by the local popularculture. Interiors combine numerous plants with rich coloursof the construction elements, while emphasis is alsoput on usage of recycled materials, resin, unusual pipestructures, different types of wood, colours, cotton, andeven the most bizarre structures like car tyres, plastic,glass, even elasthan ribbons and fabrics.Another genius idea that was used in organization andarticulation of hotel activities and services is, for example,the unification of the reception and the hotel bar,which coincidentally has a ceiling that is fifteen metreshigh. Therefore, instead of a tidy-looking receptionist offeringyou the keys to your room, that duty will be givento a barman who will serve you with your favourite latinococktailin the process. The entire entrance to the threestoreyhotel offers the impression of an open market withno windows or doors.The fifteen rooms are situated on the first two floors of thehotel. White concrete walls and original designed floorswith overexposed details, such as complex electric installations,create a unique atmosphere prior to entering therooms themselves. The beds are particularly surprising, asthey are filled and surrounded with the most unexpectedobjects, which still turn out to be useful and functional.Some of those objects include white polaroids used forrecording most the most interesting moments, as well asa notebook that can be filled with suggestions for shoppingand entertainment in nearby objects. They also in-85