Hotel Operations

🏠 In Amsterdam, The Social Hub is testing premium rooms designed for a "calming and functional private space," contrasting with communal areas. The year-long design process involved surveys, focus groups, and expert consultancies. Features include a hybrid space, king-size bed, rain shower, and a selection of motivational books. Italy's Rizoma Architetture leads the design with local and international partners. Following the pilot, the design will expand across the brand's portfolio in the coming years.

🍴 The Waterside Inn, a three Michelin-starred restaurant in Berkshire, reported a pre-tax loss of £181,000 for the year ended 31 December 2023, a downturn from the previous year's £814,000 pre-tax profit. Turnover slightly increased from £9.016 million to £9.064 million compared to 2022. Rising staffing, energy, and food costs were cited as the reasons for diminished profitability. The restaurant runs another establishment, Roux at Skindles in Maidenhead, and has implemented a tronc system and improved pay structure to retain staff. Future risks include UK income growth, consumer confidence, staff shortages, operational costs, political events, and currency fluctuations.

🍴 The Forge, part of Hotel Indigo Chester, awarded 2 AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence in 2023, partners with Aubrey Allen, Royal household suppliers, for its summer menu launch. Aubrey Allen selects the top 4% of British beef cattle, ensuring meat is ethically sourced and naturally produced. The 70-seater restaurant, opened Spring 2021, led by Head Chef Dan Regan, also offers fish, vegan, and vegetarian options. General Manager Scott Rankin highlights Aubrey Allen's 5-time Chef’s Choice Butcher Awards achievement.

🍽 In London, Knightsbridge's Sale e Pepe celebrates its Golden Anniversary by opening its summer terrace for authentic Italian dining. Offering 2-course lunches at £30 and 3-course at £35 with a bi-weekly changing menu, the terrace features chic navy blue décor and Italian white flowers. The menu includes classics like Vitello Milanese, fresh crudo, antipasti, and homemade pastas. Desserts like tableside-scooped Tiramasù are also available. The restaurant is a favorite among celebrities and royalty, maintaining high standards for 50 years.

🏡 The Hound, a modern-day coaching inn in Chiswick, opens Wednesday, 17th July, featuring a historic Victorian police station aesthetic. The venue includes a pub, two private dining rooms—main one seating 18 with a combined former prison cells design, outdoor courtyard with retractable roof, and south-facing terrace. August will see the addition of four boutique guest rooms. John Sparks, Executive Chef, collaborates with James Knappett of two Michelin-star Kitchen Table to serve British pub classics. Also offers live sports screenings, diverse beer and cocktail selections, and a children’s menu.

🏨 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.

🔥 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.