Hotel Operations

🏨 At the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) last month in Charlotte, N.C., attendees prioritized hotel technology investment, focusing on platforms with Open APIs for centralized guest data and streamlined payment processing. Key trends include AI, machine learning, IoT integration in hotel management, smart rooms, and cloud-based property management systems (PMS). Modern PMS is essential for data accessibility, affecting third-party solutions and overall hotel operations. Embedded payments within PMS are gaining attention for improving transaction efficiency and reducing fraud, while advanced analytics dashboards are sought after for deeper operational insights.

🏠 Christian Louboutin has acquired a stake in Experimental Group, joining Jean Moueix and Brookfield Asset Management as shareholders. Alexis Dyèvre is also taking a minority stake. The company plans openings in Val d’Isère, Rome, and Paris next year. Experimental Group owns 10 hotels across Europe and the US, and operates wine bars and cocktail clubs in New York, Paris, London, and other cities. The US expansion began in 2024 with a New York wine bar.

📈 All-day café and restaurant group Loungers reported a 24.7% increase in revenue to £353.5m and a 25.9% rise in adjusted EBITDA to £59.6m for the 53 weeks ending 21 April 2024. Profit before tax surged by 56% to £11.4m, while operating profit grew by 37.7% to £20.3m. In January 2024, Loungers opened its 250th site in Rochdale and launched 36 new venues throughout the year. The company created 1,200 jobs and invested approximately £39m across the UK, aiming to reach 665 sites. CEO Nick Collins cited consistent sales growth and improving margins for the record profits.

🌀 NOAA predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season with 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes, and 4-7 major hurricanes—averages are 14, 7, and 3, respectively. Hurricane Beryl, downgraded to a tropical storm, hit the Texas Gulf Coast causing power outages for over 2.5 million customers. The Texas Restaurant Association advises operators on disaster preparedness and recovery, offering resources from Ready.gov, Floodsmart.gov, and outlining pre-storm to post-storm strategies for business continuity.

🛠 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.

🍴 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.