Mandarin Oriental Miami | 20 Years of Hospitality celebrated with a ‘Platinum Wedding and Honeymoon’ offer
4-2-2020
In honor of the hotel’s 20th anniversary, five-star Mandarin Oriental, Miami is gifting newlyweds the honeymoon of a lifetime with the ‘Platinum Wedding and Honeymoon’ offer. Named for the traditional 20th anniversary gift of platinum, the offer includes a seven-night honeymoon at any Mandarin Oriental hotel worldwide when booking a wedding at the Miami hotel.
Great initiative by this large key player within the hospitality industry, showing the importance to always keep utmost attention for creating exceptional and unforgettable guest experiences (no matter how large the organization is). A great example for other chains? Although this ‘Platinum Wedding and Honeymoon’ offer has a high price tag it might be an opportunity for other chains as well, a kind of ‘all in one wedding’ offer.
Trends we spotted | Week 5
3-2-2020
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, among other links to articles about ‘Truth & Tonic, the first plant-based café on the Strip in Las Vegas and at an ATM outside of the new Vagabond venue in London, dispensing a glass of prosecco!
Other articles are about CHEW, another personal and reusable straw and an eco-friendly chocolate bar by Kit Kat, flavoured and sweetened with cacao fruit!
The Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid will reopen its doors in the summer of 2020 and Beyond Meat had another collaboration with Dunkin’ this time! A limited edition of the Beyond D-O-Double G Sandwich with Beyond Sausage!
And a very important development in Spain Aqua Abib created a solar-powered system that turns salt water into drinking water and commercial salt. Big, bigger, biggest – At the Lamanna’s Bakery in Scaborough Canada they created very big pizza slices and even sweet ones like The Donut Slice!
‘Tempo by Hilton’ | An elevated and approachable new lifestyle brand
28-1-2020
Hilton launched ‘Tempo by Hilton’, an approachable lifestyle brand curated to serve a growing segment of ‘modern achievers’ who seek a hotel experience that reflects their ambition. By combining thoughtful design and diverse lifestyle partnerships, ‘Tempo by Hilton’ provides hotel owners and developers with a highly scalable brand that is both uplifting and within reach for future guests – all powered by an efficient service model.
Trends we spotted | Week 4
27-1-2020
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, among other links to articles about the loss of the third Michelin star by L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, Restaurant Paul Bocuse and the most expensive bottle of gin ever is made by Skully Gin!
The Fairmont in San Francisco created a temporary and controversial solution for their very busy breakfast buffet and you’ll be able to enjoy ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ in London as well!
Karma the food rescue app, will install 100 communal smart fridges across Sweden, the UK and France. And in New York, the meat-free sushi restaurant ‘Beyond Sushi’ is expanding., they will open their 7th location.
Click on the title if you like to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
Booking.com | Twenty epic unique places to stay to kick start 2020 New Year’s resolutions
24-1-2020
This holiday season, Booking.com, the global travel leader with a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, is encouraging consumers to book a trip to help kick start 2020 New Year’s resolutions. In an effort to offer inspiration, Booking.com is custom designing 20 incredible experiences available for guest bookings, with each “Resolution Suite” themed to align with 20 of the most popular New Year’s resolutions for 2020. Booking.com has encouraged consumers to #BookYourResolution to help them come true.
Great marketing campaign by booking.com. Unfortunately only available in the US and hopefully the lucky ones that had the opportunity to stay in one of their resolutions suites are probably even more motivated to have their resolution come true! The suites were available for 2 nights as from January 17th! It might be a great 2021 New Year’s resolution for Booking.com to create a likewise campaign in Europe, preferably in Amsterdam!
Ferm Fatale l The world’s first zero sugar probiotic mocktail
22-1-2020
Ferm Fatale, the world’s first zero sugar probiotic mocktail, is kicking off the New Year with the official launch of a line of shelf stable, raw, vegan, organic, probiotic non-alcoholic beverages. At only 22 calories and zero sugar per bottle, Ferm Fatale’s mocktails offer an alternative to typical beverages loaded with sugar and alcohol, giving consumers the freedom to enjoy a healthier choice while socializing.
Mirabeau Rosé Gin | Perfect to make pale pink cocktails
17-1-2020
Mirabeau Rosé Gin, a sophisticated dry gin with a category redefining spirit, created by Alex Ignatieff, the gin brand director of Domaine Mirabeau in France. The Rosé Gin is made with the scented grape alcohol extracted during the dealcoholisation process when making the lower alcohol and vegan rosé of Mirabeau, Forever Summer. Together with the chosen botanicals, this small batch gin stands out in the growing pink gin category. Mirabeau Rosé Gin is a true gin with juniper being a dominant component. The delicate signature flavours come from traditional distillation with no need for sugary additions.
Like all the light pink rosés and sparkling rosé from Domaine Mirabeau, the gin looks beautiful and might be an asset for cocktails like Mirabeau Rosé Gin Fizz Recipe or a festive Punch cocktail recipe, in the article you will find a video about how to make the latter! The Domaine Mirabeau also sells 5 distinctive rosés, rosé with low alcohol and vegan (Mirabeau Forever Summer Rosé) and prêt-à-porter cans of rosé to go!
KINGSTAIRS | Burger King gave away free Whoppers in the Bronx
17-1-2020
To celebrate the DVD release of the movie Joker, Burger King gave away free Whoppers delivered to residents of the Bronx in New York City. This because they have been suffering through tourists from all over the world climbing the ‘Joker stairs’ on Shakespeare Avenue! Burger King said anyone living in the same borough as the now-famous stairs could get a free Whopper delivered by Uber Eats until January 12 if they used the code KINGSTAIRS.
Another example of a viral marketing campaign to promote a local happening. So if your city has its own special circumstances….. like a famous Instagram spot, use it to promote your product through social media. And we all know that residents in cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris etc. ‘suffer’ due to the influx of tourism. Play with it!
Trends we spotted | Week 3
16-1-2020
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, among other links to articles about Selfridges that has a café with an adult-sized slide in its window and about Lets Golf!, they transformed the city of Groningen into a minigolf park.
During the Hotelnacht (the hotel night) 2020 in Amsterdam (the 18th of January) you can participate at Taiko Bar’s Asian Karaoke Night at the Conservatorium hotel. Or visit the Pulitzer x Lindt during the Hotelnacht 2020. They’re creating a chocolate heaven!
In December the first vegan cheese shop opened in Amsterdam and in London a pop-up cheese-themed hotel will open! An idea by Café Rouge.
Le Prestine in Antwerp, the new restaurant for Sergio Herman is looking for staff, they will open this April. Also a link to ‘The Jungle Bubble by Anantara’ in Thailand, watching elephants from your bed and bubble! And inspiration for a children’ playground from Beijing, the Baoyan Park Children’s Entertainment Park.
nhow Amsterdam RAI | Amsterdam has a new icon
13-1-2020
General Manager Hermann Spatt personally welcomed the first guests of nhow Amsterdam RAI on January 10, 2020. It is the second nhow hotel to be opened in the Netherlands. nhow Amsterdam RAI is located between the RAI Convention Centre and the A10 highway, making it attractive for organizers, exhibitors and visitors to national and international exhibition and conference markets. Schiphol Airport is a ten minute drive by car or train and the tram will take you to Dam Square within six minutes. The building was designed by the architectural firm OMA. nhow is the lifestyle brand of NH Hotel Group and the hotel in Amsterdam has 650 hotel rooms and nine multifunctional event rooms on the 23rd floor.
The BrewDog AF Bar, the alcohol free beer bar & BrewDog’ ‘Drink All You Can Jan’
9-1-2020
‘The BrewDog AF Bar’ is the brewery’s first fully alcohol-free bar. Independent Scottish craft brewer BrewDog have opened their first bar dedicated to alcohol-free. The BrewDog AF Bar is the world’s first alcohol free beer bar and will offer 15 taps of draft alcohol-free craft beer. The bar has opened in central London and will be the first of the company’s global bars to feature a line-up solely devoted to drinks without alcohol. In addition to this, BrewDog will be running ‘Drink All You Can Jan’ across all bars. The initiative offers drinkers unlimited refills of BrewDog alcohol-free beers in all bars for the entire month. And with 24% of beer drinkers choosing more low or no-alcohol options (according to the Mintel, UK Beer Market Report 2018), the brewery are piloting a new concept for their bar division, with a view to rolling it out across the UK and into Europe.
It’s the time for alcohol free drinks: in the Netherlands we spotted amongst others the first pop-up Bar 0.020 in Amsterdam and the new menu for alcohol free drinks at NRC café in Rotterdam. With Dry January it’s wise to serve your guests at least the possibility to drink alcohol free. Our colleagues Robin, Nick and Leonie tried some drinks last week and they were kind of surprised on the sweetness of most mocktails! So if you’re buying or creating alcohol free drinks, not everybody has a sweet tooth!
Pulitzer’s #StoriesToStay | Pulitzer Amsterdam’s 50th anniversary
9-1-2020
This year Pulitzer Amsterdam is celebrating their 50th anniversary and 2020 is going to be all about ‘Stories To Stay’. The hotel which is located at the canals of Amsterdam, is famous for its unique design, inspired by the stories and history of the twenty-five historical buildings alongside the canals; timeless charm combined with historical elements and comfort of the modern age. Pulitzer Amsterdam is celebrating this golden year by bringing an homage to the stories that took place behind the doors of these houses.
Alternative to the breakfast buffet
3-12-2019
A blog by Marjolein van Spronsen about sustainable breakfasts in hotels. She no longer believes in large buffets and recently came across a nice solution.
For years I have been surprised by the lavish breakfast buffets in hotels, with cooking islands where your eggs, pancakes, waffles, French toast and so on, are prepared freshly. International hotels prepare the most incredible dishes for their guests, smoked salmon is almost always available and sometimes even oysters. More than enough choices for everyone! Now however, I have reached an age where I tend to eat less, and if I look at what others get stuffed on their plates, I am always surprised! I sometimes even have the urge to point out to my fellow buffet users that the pancakes with maple leaf syrup don’t have to be on the same plate with their salmon.
Collabs & Crossovers
3-12-2019
Enjoy the blog by our colleague Niek Timmermans from Van Spronsen & Partners hospitality consultants. He blogs about the trendy collabs & crossovers, how hip and popular are they in 2019?
Earlier this year, Leonie van Spronsen wrote a blog about crossovers, how she felt 2019 could have been the year of crossovers. She kicked it off with an example of the Emmy Cheeseburger Dumplings of Mimi Chengs in New York. Two hospitality entrepreneur comrades that created a dish out of their individual bestsellers. We also have an example of this in the Netherlands, the Taiko X FEBO authentic FEBO snack wall in Tunes bar with limited-edition langoustine frikandels and Wagyu burgers specially created by chef Schilo van Coevorden.
SCRAEGG | From the fastest scrambled eggs to the smallest canteen in the world
3-12-2019
2018 was the starting point for SCRAEGG: Presented as ‘the fastest scrambled egg in the world’, the compact device with a steam nozzle quickly became centre of attention at trade fairs because using different flavors, a fluffy scrambled egg could be conjured up in seconds. Without a pan, without fat and without an unpleasant smell. Just one year on, SCRAEGG still supplies the world’s fastest scrambled eggs in a wide range of variations. But it also produces a tasty selection of other meals and snacks, such as quinoa cups, loose potato mash, soups, creamy porridges and even fine desserts and small cakes.
At the HOST international hospitality trade fair in Milan, Italy, SCRAEGG was recognized as the most groundbreaking innovation. The FCSI Start Me Up Innovation Award was awarded for the first time in 2019 by the Foodservice Consultants Society International and Electrolux Professional. The jury of experts honoured the SCRAEGG patented steam nozzle system, which prepares different meals in a matter of seconds.
Fresh food robot ‘Sally 2.0 by Chowbotics’ will be rolled out worldwide
2-12-2019
The world’s first fresh food robot, Sally 2.0 by Chowbotics enters a new phase with a new user interface, hardware enhancements, and an expanded menu with meal options for any time of day. Sally 2.0, the newest iteration of its widely-popular fresh food robot, which first came to market in 2018 and is currently in action at more than 70 locations including offices, college campuses, hospitals, and more. The enhanced model features a larger tablet display, a stunning new user interface, wheels for increased mobility, and improved servicing features that reduce operator refill and cleaning time. In addition to Sally’s flagship salad and grain bowl offerings, Sally 2.0 now offers breakfast and snack options such as Açai bowls, fruit, yogurt bowls, and more. Thousands of people can now experience these enhancements at several new deployments across the country and around the world.
We wrote about the Robot Sally back in 2017 and wondered when we will see the first fresh food robots like Sally in Europe. Stated at the website of Chowbotics is that they work with the Compass Group, Sodexo and in the press release it says that Bonduelle, the French international plant-based food company, recently ordered a first set of 50 robots for France. Earlier this year, the two companies joined forces to create the Cabaletta brand and set an exclusive partnership for deployments at foodservice outlets throughout mainland Europe. “We believe offering salads and other plant-based food through easy to access kiosks will be a key trend for the future,” says Elodie Levrier, Project Director, Bonduelle. So anything for your food outlet or kiosk?
Trends we spotted | Week 48
29-11-2019
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, among other links to articles about a snowman sculpture trail you can walk in London Bridge this Christmas and start-up Air Protein creates ‘air meat’ using protein-producing microbes discovered by NASA.
Gucci and Massimo Bottura will open the second Gucci Osteria at a rooftop in Beverly Hills and we found an adorable package deal: last summer you could enjoy a ‘puppies & prosecco’ package at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Denver.
US-based Sweetgreen is using Artificial Intelligence tech and personalised service to attract customers to its latest restaurant in New York. And a link to the full list of the 100 Best chefs in the world 2020 according to the French restaurant Le Chef, with 6 Dutch chefs!
Tokyo’s 13th Michelin Guide has been released last week and KFC also tested plant-based chicken in Canada for one-day. They want to introduce plant-based chicken in 2020.
Online pop-up Dunkin’ shop | Exclusive holiday merchandise
25-11-2019
The search to find the perfect present for the Dunkin’ lovers in your life can now be all wrapped up. Dunkin’ launched its first-ever online pop-up Dunkin’ shop in the USA in November, offering a selection of Dunkin’-ized holiday gifts that fans can’t find anywhere else. From apparel like a holiday sweater, one-piece pajamas and joggers to accessories like scrunchies, a fanny pack and an electric guitar, the limited-edition, fun and festive items currently featured on Dunkin’ Shop will be on every Dunkin’ fan’s holiday wish list.
Although most merchandise is only available in the USA we think the web shop is inspiration for restaurants with a large fan base! And although it’s original we’re sure it isn’t the first online pop-up shop! We spotted the FEBO web shop (check out their pajamas in photo 8 at this article in Dutch) in the Netherlands back in 2018, with all kind of merchandise of this Dutch snackbar brand.
Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2019 by Christian Louboutin | ‘The Loubi Express’ steams into Mayfair straight from Paris
22-11-2019
Claridge’s, London’s legendary Mayfair hotel has unveiled the Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2019 in the hotel lobby, created by long-time friend and guest, designer Christian Louboutin. Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2019, celebrating its 10th anniversary, is accompanied by The Loubi Express, a glittering red train stationed in the snowy forest clearing of the lobby, with a plethora of wrapped gifts atop the train, making their way from Paris to London to spread festive cheer.
Hotella Nutella | The sweetest hotel pop-up of all will open in Napa Valley in 2020
22-11-2019
A dream comes true for Nutella fans over the whole world, a pop-up Nutella hotel will open in January 2020 in Napa Valley, California. Inspired by Nutella®, The Original Hazelnut Spread®, the exclusive one weekend only pop-up will treat three Nutella super-fans and their guests to an unforgettable breakfast experience that showcases new and exciting ways to enjoy the hazelnut spread. Consumers interested in vying for a reservation for the weekend of January 10-12, 2020 can apply for the chance to win a visit to the property by going to the website of Hotella Nutella, and creating a video that demonstrates how Nutella makes their mornings special. Nutella fans can also find full contest rules here.
Earlier this year we wrote about the pop-up Taco Bell Hotel and the Airbnb Barbie home. It looks like marketing departments of famous brands found their way into the hotel world! We wonder when their will be pop-up in a Dutch hotel?
Trends we spotted | Week 47
22-11-2019
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, among other a link to an article about the new concept of Jamie Oliver, Jamie Oliver Kitchen. The first two restaurants will open this month in Bali and Bangkok. And Coca-Cola System introduces KeelClip to its multipack cans.
Christmas inspiration from London: the ‘over the top’ decorations at restaurant 34 Mayfair and the Narna-themed wonderland outside restaurant Ivy Chelsea Garden. And to remain in the Christmas spirit: an ‘Elf’- inspired suite at the Club Wyndham Midtown New York City.
Delicious news at the website of Eater about the famous Danish Smørrebrød! A couple of chefs are reviving this traditional dish. And the latest news on the ‘Cités des vins et des Climats’ in Beaune, Burgundy.
A special and very expensive ‘Feeling Pretty’ arrangement of the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills. Just a weekend to experience the movie ‘Pretty Woman’ including shopping!
Mr. Berry’s wants your coffee to taste better ad personal
22-11-2019
Mr. Berry’s is an online e-commerce platform where a consumer can discover his or her own personal coffee taste through a machine learning algorithm. A machine learning algorithm? Machine learning is used all around us to allow consumers to make choices. Spotify does it with your music. Youtube works with your related videos. Your bank uses it to monitor your expenses. But the biggest example of this is of course Google.
Mr. Berry’s applies 21st-century technology to an outdated coffee market. An initiative of Floris de Laat who organized the pop-up ‘The Cone Masters’ in 2017. With this pop-up you could, very Instagrammable (#coffeeinacone), drink your coffee from an ice cream cone filled with chocolate. He now wants you to enjoy coffee that suits your taste.
The Drinkworks® Home Bar by Keurig® | Cocktails, brews, wines and more
18-11-2019
The Drinkworks® Home Bar by Keurig® is a first-of-its-kind appliance that combines innovation and user-centric design, making it easy for consumers to prepare bar-quality cocktails at home with the touch of a button. The Drinkworks Drinkmaker calculates the precise amount of water and carbonation needed for each proprietary Drinkworks pod, to deliver an exceptional cocktail experience, every time. The Drinkworks pod portfolio features over twenty different recipes crafted with in-house mixologists and beverage scientists including classics like the Moscow Mule and the Old-Fashioned, complemented by newer offerings such as Lemon Bubbly and Whiskey Sour.
The Drinkworks® Home Bar by Keurig® is at this moment only available in California, Florida and Missouri. We wonder when we will see the first ones in hotel lobbies or rooms and of course in Europe!
Trends we spotted | Week 46
15-11-2019
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, among other a link to an article about Blend 32 Kitchen & Bar in the Hilton Groenplaats in Antwerp, Belgium. And we spotted the Ben Nevis beer by the Northern Monk Brewery, priced at £1,000 for 330ml!
Accor, the world-leading hospitality group and the Alibaba Group recently announced a strategic collaboration to develop a series of digital applications and loyalty programs to improve the consumer and traveller experience over the next five years. And did you ever taste green caviar?
Barcelona-based Glovo, one of the world’s fastest-growing on-demand delivery players, recently announced that it has acquired Poland’s largest food delivery platform, Pizza Portal. And did you already tried the Rebel Whopper at one of the Burger King locations in Europe?
And a link to an article about The “Restaurant Industry 2030” report, on which the National Restaurant Association partnered with American Express and Nestlé Professional, examined the key indicators shaping the future of the industry. And Heineken joins mayor beer companies with ditching the plastic 6-pack rings.
In Seoul, Stylenanda’s store sells makeup, clothing and accessories in a five-floor space inspired by the hotel and hospitality experience. Deliveroo launched a ‘Pickup’ service in the UK.
For Christmas inspiration we invite you to check these two articles about the ‘floating’ tree at Liberty, London and the Serra Alpina at Eataly NYC Flatiron. Nhow Amsterdam RAI will open its doors in the first quarter of 2020, this month they organized a Nhow Crew Fest!
Zero-waste restaurant SILO | Second location opened in London
14-11-2019
Yesterday, Wednesday 13th November SILO, the world’s first zero-waste restaurant SILO by award-winning chef Douglas McMaster, joined CRATE Brewery, in their Hackney Wick home, The White Building. A zero-waste pioneer, Douglas’ innovative approach is threaded throughout the whole restaurant and its supply chains: from trading directly with farmers to composting any leftover scraps into compost, the continuing aim is to ‘close the loop’ in the food production process.
Back in 2014 we wrote about restaurant SILO in Brighton, back then had just opened his restaurant after being funded with crowdfunding, so it’s great to notice that the sustainable initiatives of chef Douglas McMaster pay off.
Conscious hotels is going to expand in Europe
Finger Sporks at KFC
Fletcher Hotel Rotterdam -Airport
Pike Place - Heritage Market Starbucks - credits Joshua Trujillo
SkyDrop Delivery Drone
The Good Wine collaborates with the Made Blue Foundation
Topping out Maritim Hotel Amsterdam
 in Groningen gives students 50% discount)
