NH Hotels and Radio 538 present Hotel 538
6-10-2014
From 6 October on, listeners of the Dutch radio station ‘Radio 538’ can win tickets for a special event in collaboration with the NH Barbizon Palace hotel in Amsterdam. On the occasion of the Amsterdam Dance Event, NH Hotels and Radio 538 join forces and organize four evenings where the world’s best DJs provide a unique showcase in the Sint Olofskapel of the NH Barbizon Palace. These showcases are only accessible for the winners of the Radio 538-action. Of all these winners some may also check into Hotel 538: they win a dinner, a meet & greet, access to the showcase, tickets for a party during the Amsterdam Dance Event and an overnight stay for 2 persons in the NH Barbizon Palace. The performers in the Sint Olofskapel are Martin Garrix, Nicky Romero, Hardwell and Afrojack.
Kapellerput: Meetings in homely atmosphere
6-10-2014
The conference hotel Kapellerput in Heeze, The Netherlands, realized a new innovation for the meeting market. The new concept, ‘The house of’, offers a homely atmosphere where you can have meetings and brainstorms ‘like home’. ‘The house of’ consists of a kitchen and living room where groups up to 14 people can work in a relaxing way. A homey feeling is the key factor which is achieved with a retro 60s style look, large wooden tables, an outdoor patio, a fireplace and comfortable sofas. ‘The house of’ is equipped with modern technology, such as a wireless projector with sound system, Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
Previous actions:
Kapellerput keeps innovating in the area of conference rooms. They already realized a tree house in 2010 and an innovating meeting design in 2013.
How much was your stay worth?
2-10-2014
To promote the renewed Dorint Airport-Hotel Amsterdam launched a promotional campaign which allows guests to pay whatever they think the stay was worth. In terms of ‘how much was your stay worth?’ the hotel offers guests an overnight stay in one of the renovated rooms. On 24, 25 and 26 October, you can book a room, give online feedback and decide what you want to pay.
Pay-as-you-wish
This temporary pay-as-you-wish concept gives guests the chance to get acquainted with the hotel. It is also an ideal way for Dorint Airport-Hotel to receive feedback from their guests. And if guest share their positive experience through their social media, it’s quite a great way to promote the remodeled rooms.
Add a splash of color to your bath
2-10-2014
A floating, battery-powered, water drop that spreads a soothing light. Instead of candles, you can use this saver alternative in bath: the Rainbow Drop Bath Light of Firebox. It turns on automatically when touching water and floats calmly in the water. The luminous bulb spreads different colors, which has a soothing effect.
Small hospitable gesture
These Rainbow Drops could be a small hospitable gesture that your guest will remember: a soothing light that enables you (especially if you have jetlag) to relax while bathing.
The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam on Wallpaper’s shortlist, Best Urban Hotels
2-10-2014
The Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam has been called on the shortlist for ‘The Best Urban Hotels’ by Wallpaper.com. Mentioned on the list are those recently opened hotels that are nominated for their price ‘Best Urban Hotels’, amongst others The Mainport Hotel in Rotterdam. The list offers a 136 inspiring pictures with details from all nominated hotels. Great to scroll through if you’re looking for inspiration.
Success!
We wish all participants success of course, but in particular the Walldorf Astoria. This hotel opened in May this year and located in 17th century canal houses in the city centre is an asset to Amsterdam. The former houses were transformed into an impressive hotel provided with all necessary facilities such as a stylish fine dining restaurant (in cooperation with De Librije(***), Librije’s Zusje), Peacock Aley and the Vault bar. The interior of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, designed by GA Design International, is a combination of old elements of the 17th century and a luxurious design what gives the hotel its elegant atmosphere. In the December issue of Wallpaper the winner will be announced.
A Bicycle friendly hotel…
24-9-2014
Don’t leave your bike outside but take it with you to your room; In Japan, the Hotel Cycle is established as part of the Onomichi U2 building. The Onomichi U2 is a former storage place that has been turned into a hospitality venue with a hotel, restaurant, café and bakery. The hotel is situated on the coast of Hiroshima what is a popular place for bicycle tourists with its beautiful landscape and city. Each room has a bike rack so guests can store their bike when they’re not using it. The whole building of Onomichi U2 is designed for bicycle users: it even has a Giant bike service shop.
Ham Yard Hotel London
23-9-2014
The Firmdale Hotels are known for their eccentric British design with bright colors and a quirky sense of humor. Their new project, the Ham Yard Hotel, opened in the city centre of London, close to the Piccadilly Circus, in June. The hotel stands out for its striking design: the interior is a mash-up of colors, patterns, design motives and bold wallpaper. Especially the lobby has an inspiring interior with wool chairs, folk art and various types of lamps. The hotel has several playful public areas such as a bowling alley, a bar with a dance floor, a cinema and a rooftop terrace with olive trees and a vegetable garden. For inspiration, watch the video to get an impression. On the website of the Ham Yard Hotel are more pictures available.
The Future Hotel
18-9-2014
Researchers of the Fraunhofer Institute IAO developed a ‘Future Hotel’ together with partners from the hotel and their supply industry. Via the video you get a brief impression of the future opportunities for a hotel room. Examples are a mobile check-in via a smartphone; round shapes in the hotel room; innovative communication systems, systems that are voice controlled; the fiber of the glass that could be adjusted from see through to non transparent; the ability to change the color of the room; taps with a light and temperature display and a whirlpool with a heated wall, by infrared. The hotel bed of the future (‘an energy-bed’) provides an electric motor for swing movements that makes guests fall asleep more easily and rise and shine the next morning.
We have seen more hotel rooms of the future, striking similarities are the round curves in architecture, the use of the smartphone and the tap and the possibilities of changing the color in the room. We didn’t see the ‘energy-bed’ before…
In February 2013, another future hotel room was presented at the Fiturtech, the International Tourism Trade Fair, in Madrid, that was called the ‘ITH Room Xperience’.
Sand Hotel Friesland in Sneek
17-9-2014
We’ve spotted ice hotels and a hotel made of salt before, but this summer the first sand hotel opened. The sand hotel opened temporarily in the Dutch city Sneek in response to the annual Sand Sculpture Festival Friesland. The hotel is inspired by ice hotels located in Sweden and Finland but because of the limitations of sand the organization has chosen for a combination of high quality facilities hidden in a sand sculpture. The sand sculpture of nearly 8 meters represents the town of ‘Bedrock’ from the Flinstones. This design is chosen because of the Hollywood theme of this year. The initiative of a sand hotel is already a great success for the organization: several countries are interested in building a sand hotel as well. A night in the sand hotel in Sneek is bookable until 28 September.
Selfies are here to stay!
16-9-2014
Restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions can use the trends #selfies.
The Braggy
Regardless of your opinion, too narcissistic, often poor quality, you aren’t fond of those flashes of the phones of those young people, the #Selfie is incredibly popular. Especially during this holiday season it struck me how many people make selfies at tourist spots, in well-known restaurants, on the beach, drinking a cocktail etcetera and posted it on their social media channels. In America they already came up with a new term, ‘The #Braggy’, from to brag.
