Market Trends

🏖️ JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, a design by BENSLEY, is a whimsical luxury resort on Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, themed around the fictional Lamarck University from the late 19th century. The resort features French colonial architecture with pastel hues, buildings representing various academic departments, and interior details embodying the academic narrative. Set along Kem Beach, it offers beachfront views, a village-like setting with native flora, and themed dining venues like Tempus Fugit, Red Rum, and Pink Pearl. Multiple pools and the Chanterelle Spa enhance the guest experience. Local culture and sustainable practices are integrated into the design. The project showcases the immersive storytelling and luxury of designer Bill Bensley, making it a unique fantasy-like indulgence for visitors.

🏩 On May 3, 2025, Dr. Michelle Ulor, founder of Kinos Studio, and Clay Bassford, founder of Bespoke Sound, discuss the impact of sound design in hotels. Ulor leads a research-led music psychology consultancy, while Bassford's company specializes in creating custom soundscapes for hospitality venues. The conversation is part of a Hospitality Daily Podcast episode, focusing on sound design as a potentially underrated aspect of hotel ambiance and guest experience.

🏡 Hotel de la Coupole in Sapa, Vietnam, is a striking example of Bill Bensley's design, blending French colonial style with local ethnic heritage. Inspired by 1920s Paris, it features bold colors, lavish décor, and a luxurious French train station theme. The grand entrance boasts Belle Époque elements, while rooms showcase Parisian and tribal influences. The Chic restaurant offers French cuisine, Absinthe Bar provides rooftop views, and Nuages Spa combines Eastern and Western treatments. The heated indoor pool mimics European bathhouses, adding to the hotel's opulent aesthetic.

💡 Marcus Steffen, Founder and Creative Director of Akarui, a London-based lighting design studio, is recognized for his experience in the industry and contributions to award-winning projects, including the Falcon Bar and No1 Lounge. With a Mechatronics degree from King's College London, Marcus has authored "Residential Lighting Design" and lectures at the Inchbald School of Design. Akarui Studio specializes in integrating lighting with architecture, focusing on the emotional and functional role of lighting. Marcus emphasizes a holistic approach to lighting, considering human experience, and has worked on challenges like low ceilings and heritage structures, employing discreet lighting solutions. His work in hospitality, particularly for spaces like the Falcon Restaurant and No1 Lounge, balances technical requirements with a sophisticated atmosphere, using light to define different areas and create inviting environments that adapt to times of day and seasons with automated lighting scenes.

🏡 The Nickel Hotel, owned by Method Co., will soft open on 1 May 2025 in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, with an official launch in late spring. This luxury property features 50 rooms and suites, a rooftop bar, lounge, and interior courtyard. Each room is equipped with a full kitchen, smart TV, washer and dryer, and a mini bar; some offer a balcony. Method Co. partnered with Capital Square for the hotel's development, designed by Method Studios and Morris Adjmi Architects. Method Co. also operates The Pinch in Charleston.

🍍 Gusto Snacks, valued at £1.2m and available in major UK outlets like Selfridges and WHSmith, now sells in Germany via Amazon. The company, founded in 2018 and launched in 2020 by Guiseppe Baidoo and Claudio Owusu, turns imperfect fruit into vegan, gluten-free, high-fiber, low-calorie snacks with no added sugar. Their 20g bags contain less than 80 calories. With 5 flavors, they plan new products by 2025. Guerrilla marketing and a Selfridges collaboration in 2021 enhanced their visibility.

🏨 Prabhash Bhatnagar authored a blog post on August 27, 2016, discussing the varied opinions of hotel administrators on the ideal index for measuring performance in revenue management, emphasizing the lack of consensus on occupancy and other metrics.

🍳 FB Society plans to open Shaver Hall, a 35,000-square-foot food hall in New York City's former Lord & Taylor building at 424 Fifth Ave, expected to open later this year. The hall will feature 11 food stalls, including an omakase concept, wine and cheese bar, steakhouse, and modern bodega. The Food Hall Co. and FB Society operate multiple venues including Legacy Hall in Plano, Texas, and Assembly Food Hall in Nashville, Tenn. Shaver Hall is named after Dorothy Shaver, Lord & Taylor’s president from 1945 to 1959. ZGF Architects designed the hall, paying homage to the building's rich heritage.