Miscellaneous

🏠 Restaurant design is crucial for guest experience, impacting everything from layout to acoustics. Efficient layouts improve staff workflow and guest satisfaction. Lighting should adapt subtly through the day. Materials must balance aesthetics and acoustics. Seating should mix comfort with capacity. Hotel restaurants face unique challenges, needing flexibility for varied demands. Avoid common mistakes like overcrowded tables and poor lighting. Thoughtful design integrates atmosphere and operations, enhancing both guest experience and marketing potential.

🏨 The Arundell, a country hotel in Lifton, Devon, is on sale for £2.5 million. Owned by Simon Village and Arabella Monro, the property features 21 en-suite bedrooms, a two-bedroom cottage, and a four-bedroom staff flat. It offers a gastro pub, café, and historic event space. The hotel has access to over 22 miles of private fishing and a fly-fishing school. An EV charging hub with 16 Tesla chargers served over 26,000 vehicles in 2025. Christie and Co are managing the sale.

🗺 Navan is acquiring Smartrips, a Brazilian travel management company, to integrate it fully into its platform by the end of July 2026. This move shifts $185 billion in Brazilian corporate travel transactions onto Navan's own systems, eliminating the need for partner sites. Following previous strategies used in Germany and India, Navan consolidates corporate travel by owning the entire booking process. This acquisition includes IATA credentials and local expertise, enhancing Navan's control in Brazil.