Hotel Operations

🏨 Hospitality Technology (HT) expands its Hotel Visionary Awards for 2024, adding new categories to honor innovation in the hotel industry. Nomination deadline is September 13, 2024, with winners announced at the Hotel Technology Forum (HTF), November 18-20 at Terranea Resort, California. Awards include Innovation Awards for technology in various categories, Partnership Award for hotelier-vendor collaboration, Rising Star Award for individuals with less than five years in the industry, and Lifetime Achievement Award for at least 15 years of service. Finalists notified by October 4, 2024.

🏡 The Independent Hotel Show London announced its awards shortlist, recognizing achievements in three categories including Independent Hotel of the Year, with past winner The Headland participating as a judge. Held on 15-16th October at Olympia London, the event introduces two new awards: Hotel Rising Star and Best Hotel Design of the Year. Winners are chosen by judge assessment and a public vote. Voters can support their favorites online.

♿ American Express Global Business Travel survey in June 2024 found 50% of disabled UK workers declined job offers due to travel requirements, with 65% feeling unable to travel for business. Surprisingly, 61% canceled crucial trips over accessibility issues, while 63% perceive able-bodied colleagues advancing faster career-wise. Despite 74% viewing business travel as career-critical, 48% report a lack of understanding about travel needs, 31% experience inadequate hotel accommodations, and 37% encounter prejudice. Amex GBT's end-to-end accessibility solution, launched with IBM in December 2023, offers specialized service through the Travelers Requiring Specialty Assistance desk. Over a dozen customers have since adopted the framework, extending its benefits to Amex GBT employees.

🔥 New barbecue fusion food truck, Sí Baby-Q, opened in Austin on May 4, featuring a 125-seat patio. Chefs Simone Tong, Matt Hyland, and pitmaster Jonathan Lagos collaborate, offering dishes like mala-spiced pulled lamb shoulder, brisket with Indonesian long pepper, and SXSE smoked chicken using post oak for a milder smoke to complement South Asian spices. Menu also includes sandwiches and creative sides such as queso y pepe and smoked kimchi, alongside beers, seltzers, and sakes.

📺 The Grove Hotel, UK, known for hosting celebrities like Tom Cruise and Kylie Minogue, partnered with PPDS for an entertainment upgrade, installing 225 Philips MediaSuite TVs with Google Cast and Netflix. The TVs, networked over a Tiger TMS PMS and PPDS CMND, offer enhanced in-room entertainment and customised experiences in the West Wing and the Grade II listed Mansion House. Philips MediaSuite TVs feature seamless casting, access to apps, and regular updates to reduce e-waste.

🏩 The Grove Hotel in the UK, a luxury retreat frequented by celebrities, has enhanced its in-room entertainment by installing 225 Philips MediaSuite TVs, powered by PPDS. Newly fitted TVs feature Google Cast and Netflix, providing personalized content and seamless streaming for guests. Following the initial installment of 189 TVs in the West Wing, 36 additional TVs were added to the Mansion House's rooms and suites. The project showcases a unique hospitality solution, integrating with a Tiger TMS PMS and PPDS CMND platform for tailored guest experiences. Location: Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire, UK.

📺 The Grove Hotel, UK, enhances guest experience with 225 Philips MediaSuite TVs, offering Google Cast and Netflix. The TVs provide seamless streaming, personalized content, and are networked over a Tiger TMS system using PPDS CMND. The upgrade includes 189 TVs in the West Wing and 36 in the Mansion House, aligning with guests' preferences for streaming services. Philips MediaSuite TVs support sustainability by receiving regular updates, minimizing electronic waste.

📺 The Grove Hotel, UK, upgrades its in-room entertainment with 225 Philips MediaSuite TVs, featuring Google Cast and Netflix. Located near Central London, frequented by celebrities like Tom Cruise and Kylie Minogue, the hotel's initiative is part of a comprehensive refurbishment. Guests can now cast content from devices to TVs without extra hardware, with data cleared upon checkout. The TVs, networked over Tiger TMS and customized with The Grove's branding, support tailored guest experiences. PPDS' commitment ensures regular software updates, enhancing longevity and sustainability.

🏠 NUMA Group, Europe's top operator of a digital hospitality platform, has acquired lifestyle apart hotel brand Native Places, previously a part of Native Holdings, led by founder Guy Nixon. Over 800 units in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow join NUMA's portfolio, which will reach over 7,300 units. NUMA now manages €2bn in real estate with over 6,500 rooms and apartments across 34 cities in 14 European countries. CEO Christian Gaiser aims to strengthen NUMA's UK market presence, while Olivia Immesi remains CEO of Native Places post-acquisition.