Cynera Rodricks - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 12

2 min

Airbnb launches chef’s table experiences with Jamie Oliver

🍴 Jamie Oliver, alongside four chefs including Chris Bianco in Los Angeles and Elena Reygadas in Mexico City, will host small dining events in London as part of Airbnb's 'Originals' program launched in May. The program spans 260 cities, offering culinary experiences and more. Prices average $200 (£146.6) per person. Partnering with Netflix’s Chef’s Table, this initiative aims to bring cultural food experiences into the real world.

1 min

Whitbread appoints Jonathan Howell as NED and audit chair

💼 Whitbread has appointed Jonathan Howell as an independent non-executive director and chair of its audit committee, starting 1 January 2026. Howell, stepping down as CFO of Sage, has been with them since 2018. He previously served as CFO at Close Brothers Group and the London Stock Exchange Group. Horst Baier will remain as a committee member. Christine Hodgson highlighted Howell's international experience, which aligns with Whitbread's strategic priorities.

1 min

Vastint puts £500m Marriott hotel portfolio up for sale

📈 Property developer Vastint is selling a UK hotel portfolio valued at £500 million, advised by JLL and KPMG UK. The portfolio includes 15 Marriott-branded hotels with 3,230 rooms, operated by Hotel Co 51 UK. Located near city centers and transport hubs, it features the largest Moxy collection in Europe. With an average build age of five years, all properties have Green Key certification and LEED/BREEAM ratings, aligning with investor interest in sustainable operational real estate.

1 min

London’s Grade I-listed Custom House to be converted into 179-room hotel

🏨 City of London Corporation plans to convert the Grade I-listed Custom House into a 179-room hotel were approved by the planning committee. Former HMRC offices will feature a spa, health centre, and dining outlets. A 2,400 sq m public riverside space will replace the car park, offering 24/7 Thames access. Part of the 'Destination City' strategy aims to increase hotel rooms from 4,800. Chairman Tom Sleigh emphasized public access and the building's rejuvenation.

1 min

Classic British Hotels adds two Hogarths properties to its portfolio

🏨 Hogarths Stone Manor and Hogarths Solihull joined Classic British Hotels. 🏨 When? Recently. Where? Worcestershire and Solihull, UK. What? Hogarths Stone Manor offers 56 rooms and conference space for 200+ delegates; Hogarths Solihull provides 60 rooms and facilities for 300 guests. Why? Strengthen UK independent hotels. How? New partnership. Phillip Allsopp expressed excitement, while Andy Hogarth highlighted shared values in guest experiences and British hospitality.

1 min

Knighton Hotel in Powys brought to market for £599k

🏨 The Knighton Hotel, a Grade II-listed building in Knighton, Powys, is on the market for £599,000. Built in 1867, it features 18 en suite bedrooms, a two-bedroom guest apartment, and communal spaces. Recent restorations preserved its original charm while modernizing the interior. Currently offering room-only accommodations, the location near Offa’s Dyke Path and Glyndŵr’s Way makes it ripe for expanded trading or other developments. Christie and Co is handling the sale.

1 min

Village Hotels extends Bournemouth partnership into 11th year

🏀 Village Hotels extends its partnership with AFC Bournemouth into its 11th season, continuing gym and facility access for the club’s women’s, development, and academy players. Located near Vitality Stadium, Village Hotel Bournemouth offers a gym, pool, steam room, and spin studio. They'll have a presence on selected matchdays and support The Net, the club's business group. Faye Goddard from Village Hotels and Rob Mitchell from AFC praise the partnership's growth.

1 min

Grange Hotel reopens after multi-million-pound investment

🏨 In September 2025, the Grange Hotel in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, reopened after a multi-million-pound refurbishment. Located opposite the railway station, it now offers 56 bedrooms, including family and dog-friendly rooms, and two penthouse suites. The hotel can host events for up to 200 guests and features wellness facilities, such as a pool, sauna, and spa. General Manager Sam Gombos emphasized preserving its Edwardian heritage while modernizing the space.

1 min

EasyHotel introduces Apple Wallet room keys

🚪 EasyHotel, in collaboration with Alliants and Dormakaba, launched digital room keys in Apple Wallet at its London City Shoreditch and Paris Aubervilliers locations. Guests can access rooms and shared spaces using an iPhone or Apple Watch, with features like Express Mode and Power Reserve. This eco-friendly initiative, reducing reliance on 55,000 plastic cards annually, offers remote updates for room changes and check-outs. COO Louis Poisson aims to expand this technology to more hotels soon.

1 min

Offshore owners acquire three Ibis hotels

🏨 Three Ibis hotels in the North of England and the Midlands were sold to an owner-operator for an undisclosed amount. The hotels include the Ibis Lincoln, Ibis Chesterfield North, and Ibis Rotherham East, each with 86 rooms. Features include bars, restaurants, meeting facilities, and parking options. The transaction was managed by Christie and Co, with regional director David Lee highlighting the strong interest from investors in limited service hotels.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.