GATHERING at The Hotel Show, which took place recently in Dubai, UAE, suppliers provided a glimpse into the hotel room of the future as well as the past, with a range of products running from the practical and cost saving to those that exude five-star luxury. Among the exhibits were throne chairs in shocking pink and purple; caviar beauty creams designed as pillow presents; a personalised mattress system; peacock feather fans and the world’s first luxury Islamic clock. The latter, presented by UK-based Smith of Derby, has excited much interest among hotels and interior designers, according to representative Jane Arnold, who said she had been overwhelmed by the response. Also new in the region is the Aquaroll bead hydromassage, in its first showing outside of France – the device contains 30,000 glass beads in water which are agitated to provide a treatment that exfoliates, massages and rejuvenates hands, feet and calves. Company president Thierry Favreau said the device had been released in France last year and was already a hit with spa and beauty establishments, and for thalassotherapy and physiotherapy. 'It improves circulation, removes dead skin and has anti-ageing benefits and we have had enquiries at The Hotel Show from many hotels and even one major exhibition venue,' he said. Elsewhere at the show, Burdawtg presented its global innovation Perfectclime, an innovative heating and cooling concept combining infrared short-wave technology and a cooling nozzle. And another innovation for luxury wellness was demonstrated by the Klapp Group of Germany which displayed its new Noir caviar range for hotels including body cream and hair products, VIP gifts and a night cream which can be used as a pillow present, replacing the traditional chocolate sweet. 'After introducing this line in Germany last year, we are exhibiting at The Hotel Show for the first time and see the Middle East as a market with great potential,' said export manager, Frank Klett-Loch. Other show stoppers included moon and throne seats from Desert River; new concept rollaway beds that fold in to small cabinets from Romanian company Joboloct and the Solitaire Punkah swinging ceiling fan with a wingspan of 2 m, featuring 240 peacock feathers and gold finishings, which was sold on the first morning by Oliver Kessler Design. Also new for the region were exercise cycles that can be hooked up to generate electricity, already in use in a Danish hotel that offers free meal vouchers for guests who reach certain levels of wattage. According to exhibition director Frederique Maurell, the quality and breadth of products on display was an encouraging sign that the Middle East hotel sector had resumed its pace of development and innovation. 'We know hotels and resorts here like to be at the forefront of design and The Hotel Show this year has given operators and designers a host of new ideas to take away.'