Market Trends

🎼 New York-based Gachot Studios redesigned The Metropolitan Opera's patrons lounge, the Keebler J Straz Lounge, at Lincoln Center. The 1,861-square-foot space features textured wallpaper, black granite, brass accents, and furniture from Roche Bobois customized for all ages. The studio, founded in 2012, took inspiration from the original designer Billy Baldwin. The project included Elle Décor magazine collaboration and was photographed by William Jess Laird.

🏨 In the week of September 22-28, 2024, U.S. hotel industry showed year-over-year growth: Occupancy rose to 68.4% (a 2.6% increase), the Average Daily Rate (ADR) reached $170.24 (7.5% up), and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) climbed to $116.50 (10.2% higher). New York City led the Top 25 Markets with the highest upticks: Occupancy soared by 11.4% to 93.2%, ADR jumped 52.8% to $523.69, and RevPAR grew 70.1% to $488.32, influenced by the United Nations General Assembly. Meanwhile, San Francisco faced a RevPAR decline of 17.6% ($177.81), and Nashville saw a 5.5% drop ($136.06). Effects of Hurricane Helene on southeast markets are still to be assessed.

🏨 On October 4, 2024, Jennifer Clay, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Appellation, discussed the importance of hotel design in guest immersion and operational leadership. Key points included hotels embodying local culture [01:58], evolving designs using local materials and artisans [02:34], the selection process of design elements [04:12], the importance of balancing aesthetics and functionality [07:03], and ensuring the hotel's physical product matches its advertised experience [08:11].

🍸 The 2024 hospitality trends report by af&co and Carbonate highlights the revival of "Clarified Classics" cocktails, using milk clarification and alternative methods like agar agar or a centrifuge. This technique, which originated in the Victorian Era, enhances flavor and texture in cocktails and is gaining popularity among bartenders nationwide. Carbonate, a creative agency, produces this annual report with af&co, which is recognized by major publications like The New York Times and Forbes.

🏨 Jennifer Clay, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Appellation, is recognized for her creative thinking and results-oriented leadership in the hospitality industry. Clay has an international background with experience in brand compliance for luxury hotel groups such as Mandarin Oriental, The Peninsula, and Six Senses, and leadership roles in Napa Valley resorts. She focuses on guest experience, service, loyalty, and maintains Appellation’s industry leadership through defining experience standards, brand partnerships, and directing an experiential learning program.

🏖 In Hilton's annual Trends Report, 2025 is dubbed the 'Year of the Travel Maximizer,' with travelers seeking to balance relaxation with high-impact adventures. Key findings include: 70% of travelers are active on vacations; 58% revisit childhood destinations with their children; 63% value digital room keys; 25% of solo travelers bring pets; 30% travel with 'frolleagues'; 70% of parents consider children's preferences in vacation planning; 50% book restaurants before flights; 25% are sober-curious; revenue from Hilton Worldwide Sport Sales tripled from 2019 to 2024, with youth sports driving 80% of the growth.

🍸 On October 2, 2024, the Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood released the 'Tales of the Old Town' cocktail menu, in partnership with Bacardi, featuring eight signature cocktails inspired by Edinburgh landmarks. Each cocktail reflects its namesake story, such as the Mercat Cross and Greyfriars Bobby. The hotel collaborated with Invisible Cities to offer a self-guided tour of landmarks connected to the cocktails, starting from Canongate Kirk. Lead Bartender Yubaraj Tiwari highlighted the menu's connection to Edinburgh's history. For more, visit marriott.com/edimh and invisible-cities.org.

🍹 The Paloma, a mixed drink from Mexico, combines tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime juice, and is gaining popularity in the U.S. with a 57% increase on restaurant menus over four years, now found on 7.7% of menus. Market research by Datassential shows 27% of the U.S. population recognizes the Paloma, especially among Hispanic consumers. Restaurants are customizing the cocktail by adding spices or syrups. Click to explore the Paloma's presence in a New York City restaurant menu.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, oversees food and beverage trends reporting. Host of "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast, he wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008), reported in Thailand for Manager magazine and Asia Times (1992-1997), and covered the 1989 Tiananmen Square events for ABC News. His column won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, he's a Phi Beta Kappa Tufts graduate (1990), studied at Le Cordon Bleu (1986), and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier (2014). Contact: [email protected]

🌺 St Michaels Resort in Falmouth sponsors the Oyster Festival for 20+ years. 2024's festival is canceled due to costs, but St Michaels will host an autumn event, celebrating oysters and community. Features include live music, chef demonstrations by Jude Kereama and others, gourmet street-food, oyster shucking competition, and local crafts. Free entry until 6pm, then £2 for charity. Acts include Will Keating, Soul Sensations, Culdrose Military Wives Choir, and Oggymen. Nigel Carpenter confirms festival's return on 9-12 October 2025. St Michaels also sponsors Falmouth International Arts and Book Festivals in October.