Cobra X Boogie Bougie | A collab fueled by Antwerp’s electric dining rhythm
4-12-2025
Cobra, the Antwerp dining experience known for its eclectic energy, warm edge and late-night vibe, is teaming up with Boogie Bougie for a candle collection featuring two scents inspired by the Cobra atmosphere. With the opening of Cobra House, the second location on Markgravelei, Cobra now stands as one unified brand with a sharper and more expansive identity: vibrant tables, refined bites, and an ambience that pulls people in.
A special collab, we’re curious about the scent, and judging by the description further on in the article, it must be a good deal better than KFC’s ‘gravy-scented’-candles. 😉
2 minutes read
Conservatorium Hotel x Italian Jewelry House Pasquale Bruni | A sparkling Christmas tree
4-12-2025
We often write about collaborations involving Christmas decorations in hotels, particularly the iconic Christmas trees at Claridge’s and, recently, ‘The Jewel of the Season’ at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London. But Amsterdam also has several luxury hotels with remarkable festive decorations, including the Conservatorium Hotel. This year, the impressive 4.5-metre Christmas tree in the lobby has been decorated by the Italian jewelry house Pasquale Bruni. Following a successful collaboration with Cartier last year, the hotel is once again presenting a dazzling Christmas tree this season. The additional details, such as the festive atmosphere created around the violins at the entrance, are also wonderful to see and experience. We often stop by ourselves to soak up the ambiance, enjoying a cocktail, a glass of wine, or a meal at Barbounia.
2 minutes read
Marriott International introduces new brand ‘Series by Marriott’ | First 26 hotels open in India
4-12-2025
Marriott International continues its expansion across India with a new hospitality brand, ‘Series by Marriott’, shaped for modern domestic travellers. Its new collaboration introduces a collection that balances local identity, sustainable design, and globally trusted service standards.
2 minutes read
Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | L’ABEILLE Oegstgeest, Gastrovino PYK Deventer and Kafei in Leuven
1-12-2025
Every day fun new concepts open their doors. This week: L’Abeille in Oegstgeest, a warm and modern restaurant where Suzanne van Haaster showcases her love for refined, light dishes, with seasonal products and accessible flavours that guests quickly come to appreciate. In Deventer, Gastrovino PYK is moving to the Houtmarkt and simultaneously launching De Wynkantine: a cozy tasting room where wine, whisky and delicious bites take centre stage. And in Leuven, Kafei is opening a new location, where their iconic Japanese fluffy pancakes, colourful brunch dishes and specialty coffee can now also be enjoyed outside of Brussels.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new concepts.
3 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 48
28-11-2025
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- Qeet provides sustainable catering in the renovated Nederlands Fotomuseum , which opens in February 2026.
- Staff of the IHCP hotels in the Netherlands did collect toys for families in poverty through the Sintvoorieder1.
- Solid Wiggles creates jell-o cocktails with a creative, aesthetic twist.
- The Berkeley London launches luminous artwork ‘Aurora: Light in Motion’ by Rob and Nick Carter.
- Shower Hour IPA and Laundry Club Kölsch – Epic Cleantec launches beer made from purified shower and laundry water in California.
- McDonald’s introduces a temporary Grinch Meal with themed Grinch socks in the US.
- At the end of this year TRIBE The Hague Central will open as the second TRIBE hotel in the Netherlands and it will be the brand’s new flagship.
- The Social Hub invests €227 million in new B Corp hub in Edinburgh.
- The Hoxton opens in Dublin with the introduction of the first nightclub of this chain.
Enjoy reading!
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and De Beers London launch ‘The Jewel of the Season’
27-11-2025
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and De Beers London are joining forces for ‘The Jewel of the Season’, an enchanting experience filled with champagne, diamonds and culinary delights. From the sparkling Enchanted Lotus Bar to exclusive private appointments at De Beers, this is the ultimate festive season for lovers of gourmets and of luxury.
3 minutes read
Fairmont Wellness from Tokyo to Lake Louise | ‘destination inspired spa experiences’
27-11-2025
From rejuvenating spa sanctuaries to locally inspired rituals, Fairmont celebrates the art of wellness across its iconic destinations. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Accor’s renowned luxury brand, invites guests to discover their ‘destination inspired spa experiences’ that blend innovation, authenticity, and a deep connection to place. Across 96 hotels and resorts worldwide, Fairmont Wellness goes beyond traditional spa services, offering destination-driven programs that restore, recharge, and reconnect guests to both self and surroundings.
2 minutes read
Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2025 designed by Daniel Lee for Burberry
25-11-2025
Claridge’s, London’s legendary Mayfair hotel, has unveiled Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2025, this year designed by Daniel Lee, Chief Creative Officer of Burberry. This year a bit sustainable, Daniel Lee used surplus Burberry fabrics to create bows. The Claridge’s Christmas Tree will stand in the hotel lobby until Sunday January 4th.
Our own tradition is to always publish an article about the new Claridge’s tree! We love the idea of asking a designer to decorate the lobby tree and of opening the holiday season with a tree-lighting ceremony. It is inspiring and can be implemented at any level!
2 minutes read
Ozempic menu | Hype or something to it?
24-11-2025
A blog by Marjolein van Spronsen about the increasingly common ‘Ozempic menu’ popping up abroad. A recent article in The New York Times noted that 8 to 10% of Americans now use some form of Ozempic*. The article also gave several examples of how restaurants and bars are responding to this trend. Marjolein wonders whether more people aged 60 and over, like herself, might also prefer enjoying a ‘mini meal’.
This blog was previously published in Dutch on the Van Spronsen & Partners Group’s website.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 46
14-11-2025
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- On 28 November, Groningen will light up Europe’s largest Christmas ball at DOT Groningen, with music, mulled wine and hot chocolate.
- Firehouse Subs combines humor and flavor with the “Gravy Extinguisher”, a creamy turkey sauce for unexpected Thanksgiving.
- Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is collaborating with By Rotation. The “Dressed in Mayfair”-package offers accommodation, cocktails and personalized styling.
- Burger King is launching a limited edition Whopper advent calendar with 12 surprise boxes for extra festive fun in the run-up to Christmas.
- Suparnin, a restaurant in Guangzhou, and LITT, a bar in Dubai, have won the Best Restaurant and Bar Design Awards 2025. The We are EDN hotel in Amsterdam also won an award.
- Pak Pak Gauw pop-up in Het Industriegebouw from 17 to 22 November with street food, lunch, dinner, cocktails, DJs and surprising events, including a Drunken Lion Soundsystem party.
- Restaurant Flore nr. 3, Spectrum nr. 44 (fast climber), and Herberg onder de Linden (Discovery Award) from the Netherlands are recognised on the list of the best vegetable restaurants by We’re Smart.
Enjoy reading!
Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | CAMARAT Amsterdam, Bagels & Beans Gouda, and Loetje Tilburg
14-11-2025
Every day, we spot fun new concepts. This week: Restaurant CAMARAT opens in Amsterdam-Noord (North) and you can enjoy “The New Noord Cuisine” here, surprising dishes from the charcoal grill and late weekend drinks. Melissa & Malik take over Bagels & Beans in Gouda, their second Bagels & Beans location! And in Tilburg, the former Kantongerecht (court) is being repurposed as Loetje, with character, cosiness and the iconic steak in gravy.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new and renovated concepts.
3 minutes read
Rynbende Spirits launches exclusive Privateer’s Cask PX Sherry Finish
13-11-2025
The iconic Dutch brand Rynbende Spirits is proud to announce the launch of the Privateer’s Cask PX Sherry Finish: an exclusive limited edition jenever (Dutch gin) of only 466 bottles available. This special release marks a new chapter in the revival of the historic brand, which traces its origins to 1793 in Schiedam.
2 minutes read
‘Free Sleep at Fletcher Package’ | They can’t make it any easier, but they can make it more fun!
11-11-2025
Fletcher Hotels in the Netherlands responds to the Tax and Customs Administration’s slogan in the Netherlands with a playful twist. From January 2026, VAT on accommodation will increase significantly, making a weekend away more expensive for many Dutch people. The VAT on hotel stays will then increase from 9% to 21%. An increase of no less than 12%. The Tax and Customs Administration always says: ‘We can’t make it more fun, but we can make it easier.’ Fletcher Hotels turns this around: ‘We can’t make it easier, but we can make it more fun!’. With this in mind, Fletcher Hotels is introducing the ‘Free Stay at Fletcher Package’. Guests who come for dinner and breakfast can stay overnight for free. With this package, the VAT is 21% on €0, or 0. The package can be booked until December 1, 2025!
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 45
10-11-2025
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- Porsche Netherlands & Tomasu present Vat (barrel) 911 and have made a short documentary video about the production of this barrel of soy sauce and Tomasu’s quest for perfection.
- We already wrote about the ‘Lieve Amsterdammer’-campaign by the Eberhardjes foundation. This campaign was made possible thanks to a donation from the Rabobank, which has now been symbolically handed over.
- The 2025 Christmas tree in the lobby of Claridge’s hotel in London is being designed by Burberry’s Daniel Lee.
- KFC celebrated National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day (on November 9) last week with a ‘Size matters tour’ in major cities across the US.
- Maybourne, the British hotel chain, has announced that three of its British hotels have been included in the list of the world’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. With a link to the full list.
- The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, the largest culinary school chain in the United States, recently celebrated a milestone in its graduation season.
- Spotted on Instagram:
- a ‘French toast Flight’ at London’s first French Toast Café, Crome.
- A Starbucks ‘bearista’ cup in the US.
- Dolce VyTa’s Maritozzo, made even more festive with an adorable reindeer makeover for the Christmas season.
Enjoy reading!
CIMA Rooftop Bar & Terrace | Amsterdam’s newest rooftop bar with a Mexican flavour
10-11-2025
From Mexican roots to the rooftops of Amsterdam, CIMA Rooftop Bar & Terrace has opened its doors. The name ‘CIMA’, Spanish for ‘peak’, reflects its unique location among the city’s rooftops, where guests can enjoy intimate views of Amsterdam and its iconic skyline.
Our colleague Leonie has already visited CIMA: “A fun, original spot in Amsterdam with delicious food and cocktails. I can’t wait for summer — it’s going to be one of the best views in the city.”
2 minutes read
T-REX Glamping is now open at Dubai Parks™ and Resorts
7-11-2025
The world’s first dinosaur-themed glamping retreat invites families to sleep, dine, and dream among prehistoric giants. Dinosaurs have been spotted stomping through Dubai, and they’ve taken over Dubai Parks™ and Resorts. T-REX Glamping is a stay unlike anything else in the region. The retreat invites explorers and dinosaur enthusiasts to discover a new kind of family escape in the UAE, where premium experiences meets prehistoric adventure.
2 minutes read
Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | Les Petits Canelés and Baked Amsterdam
6-11-2025
Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week, Les Petits Canelés has opened its first shop in the Jordaan neighbourhood in Amsterdam, offering traditional and flavourful French canelés, also in surprising variations such as matcha, coffee, orange and coconut. Baked Amsterdam introduces a revamped baked potato in the Westerpark in Amsterdam. The baked potato has crispy skins, homemade toppings and is made of locally grown Agria potatoes, a contemporary twist on comfort food for a quick, nutritious meal.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new and renovated concepts.
3 minutes read
Solo out and about | Celebrate yourself on Singles Day at Stayokay
4-11-2025
Next week we will celebrate a day all about you: Singles Day! Singles Day once began as a playful counterpart to Valentine’s Day. In the 1990s, students from China came up with the idea of using November 11, a day with four ones (11/11), to celebrate singles. What started as a funny tradition grew into a globally recognized day. Stayokay is having fun capitalizing on that with special tips on Bachelor’s Day 2025!
Another great example of capitalising on special days! We always mention these, well in advance, in our weekly trend mail! You can sign up here.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 44
3-11-2025
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- Grubhub and Avride are launching a trial with autonomous delivery robots in collaboration with restaurant chain Wonder.
- Saudi Arabia Railways and Arsenale present the first luxury train in the Middle East, “Dream of the Desert”, which will launch in 2026.
- Dior introduces Haute Motherhood, a postnatal wellness program at Dior Spa Cheval Blanc Paris. It’s a great idea to offer special treatments aimed at small groups of guests, and as we always say, this can be done at any level!
- Regis Hotels & Resorts in the U.S. and Maison Ladurée are creating festive afternoon teas and Parisian elegance during the Christmas period.
- The Dutch franchise formula eazie has once again been nominated for Best Fast Service formula in the Netherlands in the YouGov Out of Home Formula Monitor 2025.
- THE BUTCHER is opening a temporary haute fast food pop-up at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport. This temporary location is the first step towards new branches of THE BUTCHER and Toni Loco, both concepts by THE ENTOURAGE GROUP, at Schiphol Airport.
- Hotelschool The Hague and House of Hospitality Amsterdam are organizing a masterclass in immersive technology for the Dutch hospitality sector on November 19. You will be able to experience AR/VR training courses that allow hotel staff to practice in realistic 360-degree environments!
Enjoy reading!
Stayokay Groningen | Former National Archives building will become a contemporary and sustainable hostel
3-11-2025
A new Stayokay hostel will open early 2027: Stayokay Groningen. With modern facilities, a lively café, and an open atmosphere, the hostel will be a meeting place for guests and residents of Groningen. In the coming period, the building will be carefully renovated with respect for its historical architecture and a strong focus on sustainability.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 43
28-10-2025
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- Circular bread made by the Top Bakkers Group on the menu at caterer Vitam.
- Fletcher Hotels opens padel courts in former airplane hangar near Rotterdam Airport: Padel City Fletcher Rotterdam Airport.
- Nisbets, Europe’s largest supplier of catering equipment, celebrates 25 years of operation in Europe.
- How SMARTLINEN® takes linen management to the next level.
- Oatly, the world’s largest oat drink company, has released its first The Future of Taste Report. And Burger King in Austria has become the first food service outlet to offer Oatly’s Baristamatic oat milk.
- Jack Simpson from Australia was crowned the 2025 World Barista Champion at Host Milano. The Dutch competitor, Zjevaun Janga, finished in the 31st place.
- ARTIS Zoo in Amsterdam recognized as Urban Night Sky Place by DarkSky International.
- Airbnb and Art Basel have announced a multi-year partnership across the fair’s flagship shows in Paris, Miami Beach, and Basel.
- The popular espresso machine manufacturer La Marzocco has partnered with the iconic Victorinox to launch a limited-edition Swiss Army tool designed for La Marzocco machines.
Enjoy reading!
Inspiration for the Holiday Season | From a sushi Christmas Tree to an edible pinecone
27-10-2025
We’re already in the third week of October, and more and more festive inspiration is popping up online. Pinterest remains a wonderful source of ideas, and this week we explored Christmas dishes. We found several fun creations that would look great on the menu of any grand café or bistro. We’re sure chefs could take these ideas to next level!
A bruschetta Christmas wreath, a sushi Christmas tree, an edible pinecone, and a Christmas bauble dessert are among our favourites. We also noticed that most restaurants share their Christmas menus on Instagram as plain text. In our opinion, a missed opportunity!
2 minutes read
50+ architecture for hotels | No low beds and definitely a ‘pee light’
24-10-2025
Recently, we had an interesting discussion among colleagues about 50+ architecture for hotels. When is a room truly suitable for guests aged 50 and over? Do older travellers really find a lower bed a problem? And how important is it that guests aged 50+ appreciate your hotel room? I belong to that target group myself, we travel as often as possible and almost always stay in hotels. Did you know that this target group accounts for over 40% of the Dutch population? And hotels don’t have many guests under the age of 20 either!
No matter how trendy the hotel concept is, we constantly run into plenty of fellow 50+ travellers! So, to answer that question about importance right away: yes, it does matter. One colleague also asked whether we really appreciate a so-called ‘pee light’. A ‘pee light’? Excuse me?
A blog by Marjolein van Spronsen
Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | Café-Bar Vita Lente and KFC Rome’s flagship store
24-10-2025
Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week: Café-Bar Vita Lente, the new hotspot in Amsterdam West from former Coulisse (*) owner Simon Witmaar. And on September 28, Kentucky Fried Chicken opened its first Italian flagship store in Rome.
KFC Rome boasts a truly unique location, not just for Italy, but for all of Europe. The store showcases many innovative elements in design, sustainability, service, and technology. At Café-Bar Vita Lente, fine dining has made way for a more relaxed atmosphere. The menu features robust, Southern European dishes, and plenty of wines by the glass, sherry, vermouth, and small bites made for sharing.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new and renovated concepts.
3 minutes read
BlueBlood restaurant in The Hague receives official ‘Authentic Peruvian Cuisine’-certification
23-10-2025
BlueBlood Restaurant is the first Dutch restaurant to be awarded the official ‘Authentic Peruvian Cuisine’ Certification, a prestigious recognition endorsed by Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL), one of Peru’s most renowned culinary institutions, and Marca País, the national symbol of Peruvian identity and culture. They will celebrate this certification with a special Peruvian Food Festival on November 2nd.
2 minutes read
Cobra X Boogie Bougie - A collaboration fueled by Antwerp’s electric dining rhythm
Cobra X Boogie Bougie - A collaboration fueled by Antwerp’s electric dining rhythm
