TOP NEWS

🎠 Puy du Fou plans a €700 million theme park in Bicester, Oxfordshire, opening in phases starting 2029. Spanning 150 hectares, it will have 20,000 trees, 5 km of hedgerows, and 16 hectares of meadows. The park will create 2,000 direct jobs and 6,000 indirect jobs, attracting 1.5 million visitors each year and generating €500 million locally. It will feature historical shows and is easily accessible from London, located near the M40 and Bicester railway station.

by Linda Girrbach – Co-Founder & Head of Hospitality Consulting at RobosizeME Hotels have entered a new operational era. Costs continue to rise across energy, labour, and distribution while expectations…

📈 Hotels are increasingly making data accessible to all staff, not just management, as it aids in faster decision-making and aligns departments. Accessible analytics allow front desk and marketing teams to make real-time adjustments, while integrated systems connect PMS, RMS, and financial data for coherent insights. This democratization of data transforms hotels into agile, profitable entities by promoting evidence-based discussions and enabling every level of staff to act confidently.

🍹 Anna Sebastian, founder of Anna Sebastian Hospitality and Celebrate Her, highlights London's bar culture in Three Cents' fourth "Bar Attitude" episode. Featuring industry icons like Emma Murphy, Sandrae Lawrence, and Erik Lorincz, the episode discusses diversity and hospitality at venues like The Savoy and The Dorchester. Three Cents, a Greek premium mixer brand, partners for three years with 'The World’s 50 Best Bars', serving their mixers at the awards. Watch it on their YouTube channel.

🏨 Christophe Laure, trained at École Hôtelière de Lausanne, managed hotels in various countries before leading InterContinental Paris Le Grand from 2010. He transformed it into a cultural hub, managing over 600 staff and fostering collaborations with brands like Ladurée. In September 2025, he became Head of IHG's Luxury & Lifestyle Division in France and Spain. The Hospitality Awards 2024 will be held at this Parisian icon on November 25, highlighting his impact on European luxury hospitality.

🏨 October 2025: Amid global instability, the hotel industry grew since 2022, remaining resilient due to diverse operating levers. Record vacancy rates hit 19% in the US and 8.4% in Europe. The residential sector struggles with a 15% drop in major city transactions. 176 hotel projects identified; Europe and Africa lead with 40%, followed by Asia-Pacific at 31% and the Americas at 28%. Growth is seen in major cities and emerging markets like Poland and Vietnam.

📅 October 30, 2025, Milan hosted the Luxury Hospitality Conference at Meliá Hotel. Organized by Teamwork Hospitality, chaired by Mauro Santinato, it attracted 1,060 participants, 83 speakers, 52 partner companies, and 15 media partners. Key topics included innovation, luxury design, and human capital. THRENDS presented the "Luxury Hospitality Report 2025," offering data on Italian luxury hospitality. The event featured Michelin-starred chefs, discussions on AI, and an exclusive fragrance, "Essenza Luxe," enhancing the experience.

🏨 In Q3 2025, UK hotel investments surged 28% year-on-year, reaching £1.04 billion. Notably, London recorded £697 million in transactions, a 42% increase, while the South West saw a 360% rise to £180 million. Over 90% of transactions were single-asset deals focused on boutique hotels, reflecting investor preference for tangible assets. Domestic buyers accounted for 45% of acquisitions, with international investment increasing tenfold. Business rates reform in 2026 is set to benefit boutique hotels by reducing costs.

📰 U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms no SNAP funding from November 1st; 41 million Americans affected. Restaurants and chefs like Jose Andres and Sophia Roe respond with free meals and advice. DoorDash waives fees for SNAP grocery orders. Lily Allen and David Harbour's Brooklyn home is for sale, coinciding with Allen's album release. King's College study shows 22% stress drop after viewing art at London's Courtauld Gallery. James Turrell's largest Skyspace opens June 2026 in Denmark. BDNY Product Design Competition submissions close today.

📱 Ian Schrager was awarded the SevenRooms Icon Award on October 2025 during The World’s 50 Best Hotels ceremony in London. Known for pioneering the boutique hotel movement, his notable brands include Morgans Hotel Group, EDITION Hotels, and PUBLIC. In early 2026, Schrager plans to expand the PUBLIC brand to West Hollywood, Los Angeles. The new PUBLIC hotel will be designed with British architect John Pawson on the Sunset Strip. Schrager values industry recognition over mere success.