TOP NEWS

🎨 VIN + OMI showcased their sustainable fashion collection at art’otel London Hoxton this year, transforming the hotel into a cultural hub. The art’beat programme includes exhibitions, workshops, and events, aiming for an immersive cultural experience. Upcoming initiatives feature artist residencies, a digital exhibition, and a Film House launch. The hotel houses a 135m² art gallery and a 60-seat auditorium. Sustainability and cultural relevance remain key, with curated design projects by Muza Lab further enhancing authenticity.

📈 Hotels are leveraging AI, as seen with Google's AI Mode in the EU, to transform operations and guest engagement. Booking demand for Christmas rises from August, peaking in autumn. Authentic reviews are crucial, with AI prioritizing genuine feedback. Ensuring clear, structured content aids AI visibility. Monitoring online reputation is vital, as AI can amplify impacts. Hoteliers should market Christmas packages early, encourage guest reviews, and maintain up-to-date data on platforms like TripAdvisor.

🏨 McKeever Hotels, a family-run business, unveiled its 'Beyond Now' strategy for growth and sustainability in Ireland and Scotland. By 2027, a £3m investment will help achieve four-star accreditation for The Lodge in Coleraine and Armagh City Hotel. The company plans a 10% occupancy increase, supported by a central reservations system. By 2030, McKeever aims for a £45m turnover and 600 employees, focusing on community engagement and sustainability. Their 40th anniversary is in 2026.

🏖 Chet Pipkin, founder of Belkin, has ventured into hospitality with Desolation Hotel in South Lake Tahoe and Hope Valley, California. His one-page business plan emphasizes staff development, guest experience, environmental education, and community engagement. The hotels aim to provide immersive experiences, leveraging the locations’ natural beauty and activities. Previously, the South Lake Tahoe site was a 1950s motel. The hotel offers easy access to hiking, beaches, and dining, embodying Pipkin’s values of simplicity and connectivity.

🛫 Business travel check-ins remain a pain point. Nearly 47% of business travelers face check-in issues, with 49% feeling stressed and 27% feeling unprepared for work due to these disruptions. Problems stem from poor communication of payment details, often sent separately, leading to confusion. With API-led payment integrations and virtual card adoption, hotels can streamline check-ins, enhancing efficiency and traveler satisfaction. The technology is available; now it's about commitment to implementation.

📈 WTM, November 2025: The smallest floor yet allowed attendees to walk it in 20 minutes. Amadeus and RateGain were prominent, while others, like Cendyn and Sojern, opted for smaller booths but bigger discussions. SiteMinder hosted an in-demand party, now expanded from 50 attendees to many industry leaders, including co-founder Mike Rogers. The emphasis shifted from AI buzzwords to practical applications. The event was smaller in size but richer in meaningful dialogue.

Updated 11 Nov 2025 Marriott International has terminated its licensing agreement with Sonder Holdings Inc., effective November 9, 2025, following a default by Sonder. The following day, Sonder announced it…

🍴 Barrière group reinvests in its F&B vertical, operating over 150 restaurants and bars in casinos, hotels, and independent properties. Hippolyte Gras, Director of Catering, and Julien Huel, Managing Director of Hotels and Catering, highlight the 2025 season's record performance. Gastronomy emerges as a central pillar of their strategy to enhance hotel unit volume and spending. Meet them at the upcoming Hospitality Asset Forum to learn more about their strategic repositioning.

📈 Amber Chastain joined Vision Hospitality Group as a breakfast attendant in November 2021. In less than five years, she became the general manager of Tru by Hilton Chattanooga Hamilton Place. Through Vision’s Gear Up program, Chastain completed a 6-week Level 1 training and a 6-9 month Level 2 training. By July of this year, she was permanently offered the GM position. Vision boasts eight general managers out of 38 who advanced through Gear Up.