Miscellaneous

🏠 Luxury properties are enhancing exclusivity as more clients seek unique experiences. Creating a distinct identity is crucial to stand out in a sophisticated market. Design coherence and service excellence now drive core values, influencing differentiation and long-term appeal.

🏝️ Properties are enhancing their allure by integrating health and wellness offerings tied to nature. This approach provides calming, authentic experiences and is used strategically to differentiate in a meaningful, well-being-driven market.

🏠 Dezeen Awards 2025 winners announced in London: MAD (Architect of the Year), Tamil Nadu’s Earthscape Studio (Emerging Architect of the Year), Dimore Studio in Milan (Interior Designer of the Year), and Kyiv’s Mirzoyan (Emerging Interior Designer). London’s Studio Toogood (Designer of the Year) and Andu Masebo (Emerging Designer of the Year) were also recognized. MAD’s projects include the Fenix Museum of Migration, and Earthscape Studio is noted for sustainable designs in Kerala.

🎬 LOS ANGELES, November 2025: AEG and Marriott Bonvoy renewed their global partnership, originally started in 2013, to enhance international reach and focus on music. Marriott Bonvoy remains the exclusive hotel partner for venues like Crypto.com Arena, The O2, and events such as Coachella and Stagecoach. This collaboration, led by AEG Global Partnerships, integrates AXS ticketing, offering members seamless travel and event experiences. Key figures include Peggy Roe, Nick Baker, Erin Zinser, and Georgina Iceton.

🍳 Thanksgiving in late November marks a cherished time for family and community. After the family feast featuring turkey, mashed potatoes, and more, the focus shifts to preparing for a community festival starting the next day. The event will draw 10,000 to 20,000 attendees, featuring handmade crafts, global gourmet food, and live music at the Heritage Center. It's a unique experience shared with the community, blending tradition and cultural celebration.

🚧 Maywood Furniture Corporation, based in Maywood, NJ, has been manufacturing folding banquet tables in the U.S.A. for over 100 years. Their tables are featured in hundreds of hotels, banquet facilities, and party rental stores globally. They offer exceptional quality at competitive prices with friendly customer service. Their product range includes portable bars, benches, laminate tables, and platforms, serving markets like hospitality, education, religious institutions, and convention centers.

🍱 Simply Greek, a family-owned restaurant in Edinburgh, has grown from a 16-seat taverna to a 45-seat venue at 8 Union Street, near the Edinburgh Playhouse. Known for authentic Greek cuisine, it offers dishes like moussaka and souvlaki. Owner Dimitris Zarkalis celebrates customer support and invites guests Monday to Friday between 4-5.30 PM for a free mezze with orders. The restaurant embodies Greek hospitality with simple ingredients and big flavors.

📚 Nov. 25, 2025: Jannes Sörensen, founder of Kepler Hotel Group and the Kepler International Hospitality Academy, shares insights in a discussion with Matthias Huettebraeuker for Hospitality Daily.

🛫 Nov 25, 2025: Amex GBT is evaluating a possible sale after shares dropped 23% in a year amidst acquisition scrutiny. With American Express holding a 30.1% stake, the company's 2024–2025 CWT acquisition is under antitrust review in the US and UK. Competing in a crowded market with Booking Holdings and others, advisers are exploring interest from corporate travel platforms and private equity. The decision on potential sale remains open.

🍴 Bret Thorn, a Denver native, is the Senior Food & Beverage Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016. In 2006, he won the Jesse H. Neal Award. A Tufts University magna cum laude graduate, Bret also studied at Le Cordon Bleu and worked for ABC News in 1989. He authored entries in the Oxford Encyclopedia (2012) and the Oxford Companion (2015). Inducted into Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014, he resides in Brooklyn, NY.