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ICE! by the Gaylord Hotels returns for the 2025 Holiday Season

4-8-2025

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This winter, the iconic holiday attraction ICE! by the Gaylord Hotels returns to six U.S. resorts, offering guests a magical walk-through world of hand-carved ice sculptures, live shows, and family-friendly Christmas activities. The event features over 2 million pounds of ice, sculpted into scenes from classic holiday stories by master artisans from Harbin, China.

We wrote about ICE! by Gaylord Hotels back in 2023, but who doesn’t love this iconic holiday tradition? It’s also a great reminder to start planning your own Christmas event. This experience is especially inspiring for smaller hotel or restaurant chains looking to create memorable, guest-attracting holiday moments.

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 31

1-8-2025

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At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:

• Tomorrow (August 2) Pride Amsterdam’ Canal Parade is celebrated. A great beer to enjoy during the Pride and beyond is the IPGAY by Queer Beer. A tropical summer beer with a statement!
• At Lotti’s Bar in The Hoxton hotel in Amsterdam, you can enjoy a glitter brunch during the Pride. And The Jollof Club from August 7 through September offers refined African cuisine by chef Nicolas Aquaa.
• Le Bristol Paris is celebrating their centenary! They unveiled the Eden Suite, a lush 6th-floor sanctuary dedicated to wellness luxury.
• ‘Une collab gourmande’ between Deliveroo × French Bandit’s. Order a meal for yourself and receive a pet toy! A great way to target pet owners? We love the pizza slice and baguette toy!
• Glacerie Enzo & Lily Libre in Paris. Here Lionel Chauvin creates spectacular ice cream flavours – like glace hot dog or glace bouillabaisse. But we love to taste his glace Fraise des bois blanche.
• Immersive restaurant pop-up of ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ in Santa Monica. Subway® sends fans to their Happy Place!
• A great example of a family room! We love the Rocket Room, spotted at the Shangri-La Singapore.
• Center Parcs De Vossemeren is the first location of this brand that unveiled their completely renovated restaurants. A collab with Albron.
• Design hotel brand TRIBE, part of Accor hotels, is expanding rapidly in Europe, with among others a new location in the Netherlands, TRIBE Den Haag Centraal.

Enjoy reading!

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#Fairmontlovesdogs | Paw-fect offerings at the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

31-7-2025

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To celebrate International Dog Day on August 26, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of Accor, invites guests for heartwarming stays that go far beyond being simply ‘pet-friendly’. With the motto #FairmontLovesDogs, the hotel group celebrates this special day across its global portfolio, but Fairmont offers luxury service and pampering for dogs all year round at its iconic locations. Guests are encouraged to share their encounters with the Canine Ambassadors and pet travel stories using the hashtag #Fairmontlovesdogs.

We personally met the dog from Fairmont Château Whistler back in 2019—such a sweetheart! (Check out the hotel’s new canine ambassador). Just like the sweetheart Bella, the dog of hotel & Michelin-starred restaurant De Bloemenbeek. While the many dogs at Fairmont inspired us to adopt another one ourselves, our office dog Jimmy was already enjoying playtime with Bella during our visit to the hotel and restaurant. This article highlights some great examples of how you can pamper your guests’ four-legged friends: dog-friendly city guides, dog macarons, embroidered doggie bathrobes, and more.

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 30

25-7-2025

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At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:

• Eataly makes its Dutch debut at Schiphol Airport! Enjoy their Italian specialties at Lounge 1.
• For its Summer 2025 menu at the EMEA markets (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Starbucks took inspiration from Treviso, the birthplace of tiramisu. The result? A Tiramisu Cream Cold Foam.
• Another Coffee trend spotted in the US: the Iced Coconut Water Americano.
• Essendi, a leading hotel owner and operator in Europe, announces a strategic partnership with Workplace Pride during Pride Amsterdam 2025. The agreement was signed in their INK Amsterdam hotel.
• KFC’s new marketing campaign features a serious Colonel who ‘would not be happy’ about the brand’s recent market share loss. See how they’re taking on this challenge.
• Lawa blends ‘Mario Kart and Strava’ to make movement fun for teens and brands. Available in the Netherlands and it’s possibly interesting for amusement parks, too.
• Mattel recently launched the first-ever UNO Social Club in Las Vegas—an immersive game night experience combining competition, fun, and social connection. More locations are on the way!
• Spotted on Instagram: ‘unbreakable glasses’ by Djuce Studio. Made from Tritan copolyester and we love the way they look!
• Would you like to play a golf game at your wedding? We’ve also spotted fun mini golf games to enjoy with friends!

Enjoy reading!

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Stayokay Eindhoven adds pods and family rooms after renovation

24-7-2025

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Stayokay Eindhoven has recently completed an extensive renovation, which includes the addition of innovative pods to its room offering. Located in a former Philips factory on the vibrant Strijp-S site, the hostel now presents itself as a fresh and accessible accommodation option for a wide range of travellers. Both the rooms and common areas have been updated while preserving the characteristic charm of the historic building.

2 minutes read

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De Lola | The new pod hotel in The Hague’s ‘De Haagse Bluf’

17-7-2025

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As of July 16, 2025, you can experience a new way to stay in The Hague. De Lola Podshotel has opened in ‘De Haagse Bluf’ – the very first true pod hotel in The Hague and the Netherlands. No standard rooms here, but cozy sleep pods: compact, stacked cocoons with everything you need for a comfortable stay right in the city center. De Lola brings the smart and efficient sleep concept, already popular in global cities like Tokyo, New York and London, to the Netherlands. The hotel features 62 pods accommodating up to 70 guests, and a contemporary food concept and a stylish retro 70s-inspired lobby.

2 minutes read

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The Social Hub supports the trans community with ‘Shout it from our Roof’ Initiative

14-7-2025

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With the launch of its ‘Shout it from our Roof’ initiative, The Social Hub is giving trans people across Europe a platform — literally and figuratively — to show the world who they are. Everyone is welcome to join the Pride event at The Social Hub Amsterdam City on July 30, starting at 6:00 PM, to celebrate.

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 28

14-7-2025

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At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:

• Nazuna Inc. which operates friendly, luxurious machiya inns in Kyoto, has launched a new experienced-based recruitment model: ‘Stay first, then interview’. An inspiring approach?
• Wouldn’t it be great to have a cookies ATM at your favourite bakery? In Darwin, Australia The Cookie Lab has just that: its very own Cookies ATM.
• The Lobby in Amsterdam has once again affirmed its status as a top wine destination, earning two Wine Spectator’s 2025 Restaurant Awards and they start Cork-Free Mondays.
•  Using local events in your marketing strategy is a classic tactic. The Ivy Collection gives us with a great example with their Centre Court Melting Bombe during Wimbledon.
• As of July 1st, McDonald’s Switzerland has introduced a new twist on their iconic McRaclette burger: a chicken version.
• The Aussie Jawssie cocktail and the Sharky Temple mocktail are back at Outback Steakhouse locations across the US. We love the names and the presentation!
• Check out this interesting on QSR Magazine about KFC’s bold new brand: Saucy by KFC is shaking up the fast food world.
• At International Hotel Capital Partners (IHCP), employees can save for personal dreams through their innovative Bucketlist Programme. Here is a great example of how it works.
• On Thursday, July 17, the terrace of WOLF Food Market in Antwerp will once again transform into an open-air cinema. Expect a screening of the movie Pulp Fiction, a Campari Spritz and an exclusive live BBQ by Rambo.

 Enjoy reading!

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New Summer Drinks | Will we also go for a Sarti Spritz, a Matchatini or a Spicy Sauvy B?

8-7-2025

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We’ve been enjoying glorious summer weather for a few weeks now, and the popular seasonal drinks are already known. Mocktails, cocktails, spritz variations, rosé, and white wine remain favourites. Still, we’re seeing some new developments, both here in the Netherlands and around the world. Hard seltzers have firmly established themselves here in the Netherlands, especially at festivals, and alcohol-free beer is becoming increasingly popular. We’re curious whether summer drinks like the Sarti Spritz, the Matchatini, Osan Drinks, Established, and wines such as Kaiken Disobedience from Argentina will become more common. We do have our doubts about the Spicy Sauvy B, but luckily, the choice is yours!

3 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 27

4-7-2025

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At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:

• It’s a Dutch tradition, herring parties to celebrate ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’! This year for the for the 30th time, the Hilton Amsterdam received the first keg by fishmonger Jan van As.
• Chef René Redzepi and the team behind restaurant Noma are heading to Los Angeles in 2026.
• Airbnb is official partner of the Tour de France till 2027 and will offer unique experiences to enjoy the Grande Boucle and the communities surrounding the route.
• Dutch hostel chain Stayokay has launched a playful new campaign: ‘This is not a hostel!’
• With rising temperatures, cooling becomes increasingly important. Skycooler provides a refreshing solution for terraces, sports facilities, events, and smaller indoor spaces.
• Hotel brand ibis continues its European expansion, with recent openings in Belgium, Spain, Estonia, Germany, and upcoming locations in Poland and Hungary. The brand now boasts over 2,500 hotels worldwide.
• Thai street food brand Kaimug is the first restaurant in Germany to introduce a robot chef: the Omni by Botinkit.
• At their recent Leadership Experience event, Starbucks announced their first generative-AI powered solution, Green Dot Assist. This system will support their baristas and other green apron partners.
• Accor’s newest luxury brand, Emblems Collection, blends a storied legacy with a visionary redesign. Fiftheen hotels are in the pipeline, including Rimrock Banff, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa near Bath in the UK and the Elatos Resort in Greece.

Enjoy reading!

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