Hotel Operations

🛠 Häfele, a provider of hardware solutions, has partnered with Like Magic to create 'Work and Sleep' hotel rooms, allowing operators to transform spaces using digitally-enabled furniture and advanced software. The concept reduces costs and increases room utility. Ibis Styles hotel in Nagold, Germany, pilots the technology, integrating keyless entry and personalized services. Like Magic's platform enables 80% of staff tasks to be handled from one system, offering a digital guest journey and reducing staff pressure.

📱 Simone Puorto interviewed Natalie Kimball, VP of Strategic Accounts at Shiji Distribution Solutions, during HITEC 2024 in Charlotte. Kimball highlighted Shiji's transition from concept pitches to launching live products within a year, aiming to ease labor shortages in hospitality by streamlining hotel content distribution. The Content Hub, developed over five years, centralizes data to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Shiji, having acquired Ice Portal, now offers a comprehensive platform for hotel content management, continually evolving based on customer feedback.

🍴 Located at Henrietta Experimental hotel in London’s Covent Garden, the Parisian-inspired restaurant Henri is a collaboration between Experimental Group and chef Jackson Boxer. Opening follows Cowley Manor Experimental's success. Menu features Parisian bistro cooking with snacks and entrees starting at £4 and larger dishes from £15 to £30. Cocktails named after French icons and a French-focused wine list. Interior combines Art Nouveau and British pub elements, paying homage to the historic market. Henri contributes to London's trend of rustic, accessible French bistros.

📖 Chef Paul Ainsworth, after his dessert featured on the Great British Menu banquet in 2011, is releasing his first cookbook "For the Love of Food," reflecting his culinary journey and his move to Cornwall. Ainsworth, proud of the diverse offerings at his three eateries—The Mariners Public House, Caffè Rojano, and the Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth at No6—aims to showcase this diversity in his book. Despite economic challenges, Ainsworth's establishments are thriving, focusing on both fine dining and casual culinary experiences. "For the Love of Food" is published by Pavilion Books with an RRP of £26.

📖 Chef Paul Ainsworth released his first cookbook "For the Love of Food" after his "A Taste of The Fairground" dessert featured on the "Great British Menu" banquet in 2011. The book reflects his culinary journey and includes recipes from his career, inspired by his move to Cornwall. Ainsworth owns three different eateries: The Mariners Public House, the Italian Mediterranean Caffè Rojano, and the Michelin-starred flagship Paul Ainsworth at No6. Despite the challenging financial climate, his businesses are thriving in Cornwall. "For the Love of Food" is published by Pavilion Books with a retail price of £26.

🍝 Chef Director Ben Tish releases his fifth cookbook, "Mediterra," covering the entire Mediterranean basin. The book highlights regional cuisine from Spain, France, Slovenia, Croatia, and more, aimed at home cooks. It includes unique twists on classics and lesser-known dishes like Croatian fritules and Palestinian knafeh. "Mediterra" spans 304 pages, with must-try recipes like Baked crab with Oloroso and marjoram, published by Bloomsbury for £26.

🍝 Chef Ben Tish releases his fifth cookbook, "Mediterra," offering a comprehensive guide to the Mediterranean basin's cuisine. The book, retailing at £26 by publisher Bloomsbury, spans 304 pages and is divided into Northern Shores, Eastern Shores, Southern Shores, and Islands, with recipes from less known dishes like Croatian fritules to twists on classics like gnocchi with bottarga. Notably, Tish directs the kitchen of Cubitt House and has a history with Norma, Salt Yard Group, and Al Duca. Recommended: Baked crab with Oloroso and marjoram.

🏠 Häfele, a hardware solutions company, partnered with Like Magic to create "Work and Sleep" hotel rooms, allowing operators to transform spaces for various uses with digital furniture and software. This innovation aims to generate new revenue and cut costs by utilizing rooms otherwise vacant. The ibis Styles hotel in Nagold, Germany, is testing the concepts, incorporating keyless room technology for enhanced guest services. Like Magic's platform integrates a booking engine, guest and employee interfaces, streamlining 80% of daily tasks and enabling guests to perform actions such as check-in and food ordering via smartphone.

🏨 Häfele strategically partners with Like Magic to innovate 'Work and Sleep' concept for multifunctional hotel rooms. Digitally-enabled furniture and advanced software allow rooms to transform into offices or meeting spaces. This collaboration targets reducing costs, activating empty rooms for new revenue, and providing seamless reconfiguration. Innovations include adjustable lighting and web-app for amenity access. First implementation is at the ibis Styles hotel in Nagold, Germany, aiming to enhance guest experience and operational efficiency. Like Magic’s platform centralizes hotel management, enabling 80% of daily staff tasks and digital guest journey, including keyless room access via smartphones.