Silent Night 2024 | Mandarin Oriental celebrates ten years of ‘the Art of Stillness’
3-12-2024
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group recently announced their 10th annual Silent Night, which will be hosted on December 8th, 2024. They will celebrate ‘the Art of Stillness’, the global tradition invites guests to immerse themselves in a night of mindfulness and disconnection and dedicate a break from the busy holiday season. In commemoration of this milestone year, The spas at Mandarin Oriental have elevated annual activations to include the Silent Retreat, an immersive, sensory journey designed to foster self-discovery and peace.
We love their Silent Night initiatives, we wrote about them last year in our ‘Trends we spotted, week 47’. More time for stillness and reflection is very now! Last week we wrote about the Zencember© initiative of Bagels & Beans.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 48
2-12-2024
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:
- Wheat flour brand NACARINA from Costa Rica created a cake replica to celebrate the historic reopening of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. The official reopening is on December 8th this year.
- UNESCO and Relais & Châteaux announce a partnership for sustainable development in harmony with all life on earth.
- CollaBEARation Build-A-Bear & KFC®: Bears in KFC outfits!
- Zara opened Zacaffé in Madrid, Zara by Castro coffee shop and a coffee shop concept store in Athens.
- Clone, the European foodtech startup from Paris that has raised €105 million in funding, is officially launching in the Netherlands.
- Collaboration of restaurant Parkheuvel (**) with Parkcafé Parqiet.
- SOUS celebrates 2-year anniversary and kicks off Christmas.
- ‘Wie zoet is krijgt lekkers! (Those who are sweet get treats) – This year MR PORTER Steakhouse, Bar & Lounge, IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen & Bar, THE DUCHESS and MOMO Restaurant, Bar & Lounge are offering a unique interpretation of a Sinterklaas classic on Thursday December 5: the chocolate letter.
- And from Instagram: the Louis Vuitton dog collection. Would fit nicely in luxury hotels that allow dogs!
Enjoy reading!
Christmas inspiration by the Conservatorium Hotel, Pulitzer Amsterdam, Fauchon l’Hôtel Paris, Great Scotland Yard hotel and Le Meurice
2-12-2024
Our second Christmas article includes examples of hotels that invite friends and/or designers to decorate their Christmas tree. In the Netherlands we have some hotels with trees decorated by artists, like the Conservatorium Hotel and the Pulitzer hotel. But we spotted more inspiration like the Wish Tree of Fauchon l’Hôtel Paris, the afternoon tea’s at Le Meurice in Paris and their Bûches de Noël (Yule Logs) by Frederic Grolet. And the Afternoon Tea at the Great Scotland Yard hotel looks very Christmassy! Some great examples by luxury hotels. Who knows some of it might inspire you!
Reading time: 2 minutes
Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Don Utrecht, Daruma Crêpe and BunBun Amsterdam
28-11-2024
We spot fun, new concepts every day. This week: Don Utrecht, where you can enjoy coffee made with Neapolitan Kimbo beans and tasty Italian panninis, luxury sandwiches, salads and pastas. Daruma Crêpe where they make the Instagrammable ‘Crème Brûlée Crêpe’ and more; they have opened a shop in the Nishimarket in Rotterdam and have pop-ups in Amsterdam and Leiden. BunBun sells croissant buns in the centre of Amsterdam. They make 7 Bun flavours, 3 savoury and 4 sweet, every day.
We wish all these entrepreneurs and their teams lots of fun and good luck with their new restaurant, pop-ups and bakery, more details below!
Reading time: 2 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 47
26-11-2024
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:
- Spotted on Instagram: A Snowglobe Christmas Cocktail! A G&T with edible white glitter and edible crocs and frozen Rudolph cream on hot chocolate!
- Holiday season inspiration from Australia, Outback Steakhouse launched Steakmas, with a ‘Koala on the Walla’.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill recently announced it is bringing back three of its best-selling merchandise in their ‘All I want is Chipotle’
- Restaurant Spetters in Breskens has been named ‘Restaurant of the Year’ by restaurant association JRE-Nederland.
- KULT Kefir is an innovative Belgian brand which sells an organic, healthy drink based on water kefir. You can order it at different restaurants and bars and it’s now also available in supermarkets in the Netherlands.
- Youtuber Kaj Gorgels and culinary influencer Colin Knopper are opening burger restaurant Drippy’s in Rotterdam in cooperation with the CEO of the restaurant chain ‘De Beren’.
- McDonald’s will launch their McValue platform in US Restaurants next year!
Enjoy reading!
Bagels & Beans celebrates Zencember© | All you need is less
26-11-2024
Need to relax and recharge between the festive rush? You can do so at Bagels & Beans throughout December. During Zencember©, you can drop by their locations for a zen moment. They will also help guests with personalised Christmas cards and the most beautiful wrapped gifts. And they also serve stress-relieving drinks and bagels, musical assistance and hand yoga!
2 minutes read
Christmas inspiration | Like an arty Christmas tree, decorations, delicacies and music at luxury hotels
25-11-2024
We love the fact that some hotels invite friends and/or designers to decorate their Christmas tree. We’re always looking forward to the arty Christmas tree of the Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair, this year decorated by designer Sir Paul Smith. The arty Christmas tree just outside the Connaught hotel has been decorated by influential British artist Conrad Shawcross RA. But we also always love the decorations at the Plaza hotel in New York, the Bûches de Noël in France and more. A list of luxury and fancy Christmas trees, decorations and traditional delicacies by luxury hotels. Who knows some of it might inspire you!
5 minutes read, scrolling goes much faster but you’ll miss the best details!
Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Cheesecake Project, Massalia and Surf & Turf
21-11-2024
We spot fun, new concepts every day. This week, the artisan cheesecakes of the Cheesecake Project in Amsterdam, they created their own recipe for Basque style cheesecake. Massalia, a French-Greek restobar, which recently also opened in Amsterdam, where you can enjoy the influences of both French and Greek cuisine. And Surf & Turf, which opened its doors in Utrecht this September, where you can enjoy a refined selection of fish and dry-aged meats.
We wish all these entrepreneurs and their teams lots of fun and success with their concepts. More information below!
2 minutes read
‘Subway’s Fresh Forward 2.0’ positions the chain for the future
19-11-2024
Subway has unveiled their new global restaurant design. Subway®, one of the world’s largest restaurant brands, is introducing ‘Subway’s Fresh Forward 2.0’. Rolling out globally in 2025, the next iteration of its global restaurant image is designed to further enhance the guest experience, improve convenience and help drive franchisee profitability.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 46
18-11-2024
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:
- A cool way to serve a ‘girl dinner’ for 2! Done at Restaurant Villa Orange in Amsterdam.
- NH Collection celebrates its 10th anniversary across Europe with an Anniversary Spritz, as cocktail and mocktail.
- Papa Johns Pizza and Aviation American Gin are spicing up the cocktail scene with the ‘Cini Tini’.
- The Ron Gastro Bowls are back at Poké Perfect! This winter Ron Blaauw created the Beef Rendang bowl and a Tempura Shrimp bowl.
- Dave’s Hot Chicken chain is giving away hundreds of free sandos in East London on November 20th.
- A great NYC tradition: the adult happy meal. Now also available at the Conversatorium Hotel in Amsterdam.
- Waddle into wonder, the Penguin Parade Sculpture Trail in Fleet Street Quarter is now open!
- IKEA has opened its first Swedish restaurant on a UK high street.
- Cahoots Postal Office has officially landed in Borough Yards, London. Through a life-size postbox you step into a 1940s-inspired cocktail den.
- An snow or ice maze in Poland: Snowlandia in Zakopane!
Enjoy reading!
Dive into Christmas | At the HUMBUG immersive Christmas Dive Bar
15-11-2024
Dive into Christmas, to cheer up Santa! This November, London’s magical immersive Christmas dive bar, HUMBUG, is back in town and, this time it promises to be even bigger, even better and even more raucous than before. Shaking things up for the festive season, the team at HUMBUG will be firing up the snow machines and sprinkling a little mischief into the magic at the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane from November 14th – December 31st, after a fully sold-out season last year.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Café Paloma, Bistrot Le Béret and Café Toulouse
14-11-2024
We spot fun, new concepts every day. This week: Café Paloma which opened in September and features South American cuisine and Paloma cocktails. Bistrot Le Béret recently opened in Medemblik, a real French bistro with mostly classics on the menu. And Café Toulouse opened recently in Leiden, also serving French cuisine but with a Sicilian touch! Three concepts with intriguing details.
We wish all these entrepreneurs and their teams lots of fun and success with their new restaurants, more details below!
2 minutes read
Hotel The Diamond opens in the center of Amsterdam
12-11-2024
Opening – Every diamond is created under extreme pressure, resulting in a unique and enduring final product. Such is the case with Hotel The Diamond, located in the impressive building of the same name on the Leidseplein in Amsterdam. This long-awaited five-star boutique hotel with 36 luxurious rooms will open its doors on November 15th, right in the bustling heart of the capital.
3 minutes read
An immersive Christmas Light Maze with a shopping village and Christmas magic
11-11-2024
We couldn’t find an immersive Christmas Light Maze in Europe yet, howevere correct us if we are wrong. But we love the idea, another fun event to visit with the family instead of just meeting each other for Christmas dinner. Inspiration for Holiday Season events!
Enchant Christmas, creates the beloved holiday event known for its World’s Largest immersive Christmas Light Maze, shopping Village, and magical atmosphere, and its newest creation, Classic Christmas. This year they are also launching ‘Kids Light Up The Night’ during select event dates this season.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 45
11-11-2024
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:
- Horecava 2025: this is how top chefs see the future of the hospitality industry: socially engaged, innovative and exceptionally delicious.
- Thomas Baeyens, the chef of restaurant L’Amitié in Antwerp, recently launched his new project: Sardineshop.be. Tinned fish as the perfect apero during the holiday season.
- Brasserie Appelmans & the Absinth Bar in Antwerp exists 20 years, keep reading to find out how they celebrate. We love the idea of the mini-bar offer!
- On the menu of the Dutch McDonald’s, a McDonald’s X Old Amsterdam burger, their ‘year-end-burger’!
- Another Airbnb icon: House sit for Paddington and The Browns in their London home.
- Spotted on Instagram: a great way to make cheesecake lollies, done by Lolly Bakery!
- Four Seasons celebrates ‘World Kindness Day’ with food at the heart.
- Hilton celebrates their ‘Global Week of Engagement’ and partners with Keep America Beautiful.
Enjoy reading!
Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Restaurant Noos, Hotel Rumour and Los Cosmos
7-11-2024
We spot fun, new concepts every day. This week in the spotlight the Spanish restaurante Los Cosmos and Hotel Rumour in Leiden and restaurant Noos in Terneuzen. Three totally different concepts with beautiful details.
We wish all these entrepreneurs and their teams good luck with their concepts. More details below!
Reading time: 2 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 44
5-11-2024
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:
- A new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort opens on May 22, 2025: Universal Epic Universe.
- Sir Paul Smith is designing the Claridge’s Christmas tree 2024. It will be unveiled on November 20th.
- McDonald’s in Budapest introduced the McDonald’s Nyugati Lounge with DJ’s and live music, every Friday and Saturday. We think this idea might work for more locations!
- How about a game of ‘Glow in the dark Padel’? It’s possible at the Sand Dune padel club in Dubai. Inspiration for other padel clubs or for Family Entertainment Centers?
- New in New York City, a great spot for a picture with NYC in the background: The Skylift at the all-new Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center.
- Did you already spot ‘sealed burgers’ or in France ‘Disco Burgers’? We recently spotted the Sunny Pockets with other ingredients than just burgers. It originates from France.
- Selling stamppotten (stew with mashed potatoes and vegetables) in the winter instead of ice cream! Done by DROOMijs in Nijmegen and more Dutch ice cream parlours!
- For those visiting the Horecava, check out the way to experience some of the Netherlands’ leading chefs up close in the exclusive Chef’s Table setting of Taste of Horecava by Gault&Millau.
Enjoy reading!
Restaurant La Môme | In Cannes, Monte Carlo and as of January in The Berkeley in London
4-11-2024
In January 2025 French restaurateurs Ugo and Antoine Lecorché will bring the glamour of the French Riviera, past and present, to The Berkeley in Knightsbridge, with an iteration of their sophisticated restaurant La Môme.
2 minutes read
Le Petit Restaurant in Rotterdam serves ‘bistro-plus’ dishes
1-11-2024
Hostess-sommelier Chantal de Raaf and chef Rolph Hensens recently opened Rolph’s Deli – Le Petit Restaurant in Rotterdam. They transformed their Rolph’s Deli at the same location into an cozy modern French bistro where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails.
2 minutes read
Rooster & Wolf Fine Rum | Unique blend provides Caribbean taste sensation
1-11-2024
Ten years after launching their Fine Brandy, quirky Dutch spirits brand Rooster & Wolf is now launching a unique Fine Rum. Founder Rick van der Wolf spent no less than three years distilling and blending it. The result is a powerful yet refined rum, in which you will taste fruit, vanilla, chocolate, toffee and subtle wood tones.
2 minutes read
Fresh take on classic flavors at renewed Lotti’s at The Hoxton
31-10-2024
Makeover – Lotti’s, the vibrant meeting place of The Hoxton Amsterdam, is getting a fresh start on Novenber 11th with a new culinary team, updated menu and contemporary interior.
2 minutes read
Food & Events Essense | Characteristically rebellious on a gastronomic level in the catering industry
31-10-2024
Jeroen Robberegt and Jasper Gronert bring exceptional culinary experiences with the new Food & Events Essense. They will create extraordinary experiences with their clients. That’s how they do it at Essense – the high-end catering company that wants to set a new standard in the field of culinary events.
Reading Time: 1 minute
Trends we spotted | Week 43
29-10-2024
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:
- A White House Dinner will be held at Kasteel de Wittenburg on election day, November 5th! Following the elections in the US with America expert Willem Post and United States correspondent Michiel Vos!
- Chef Dominique Crenn from Atelier Crenn (***) is joining chef Viki Geunes at restaurant Zilte (***) in Belgium for an exquisite four-hands lunch and dinner.
- From greenhouse to theatre hall: three out-of-the-box settings for an inspiring fair at the Midden Nederland Hallen in Barneveld.
- Spotted on the Instagram of the Dutch Travelling Sisters, Bossche Bollen ice cream that went viral this summer. Created by Bakkerij (bakery) & Lunchroom Royal ’s-Hertogenbosch.
- Gastro-Mexican restaurant OAXACA in Amsterdam, celebrates its first anniversary with special dish for Día de Muertos. This dish ‘Enchiladas with Tres Moles’ can be tasted until November 10th!
- Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort celebrates 37th anniversary by inviting guests to share their love story on social media with #DearBucuti.
- A Lover’s Curse dessert and bloody cocktail for a spooky Halloween at MOMO Restaurant, Bar & Lounge in Amsterdam.
- Mövenpick hotels celebrate their ‘Kilo of Kindness campaign’ every year between October 14th and November 15th.
- The Hard Rock International and Lionel Messi celebrate their continued partnership with ‘Captain Messi’ superhero toys, a children’s menu and a retail collection.
- And inspiration through Instagram: a Tiramisu Shop has also opened in Amsterdam. And have you ever heard of a Hotpot Cinema?
Enjoy reading!
Restaurant chain ‘De Beren’ raises funds for KiKa with The KiKa Burger
28-10-2024
From November 1st to the 30th 2024, restaurant chain ‘De Beren’ raises funds for KiKa (Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij, Children Cancer free foundation) with a new campaign: The KiKa Burger. A burger designed entirely by children who came in contact with this disease and have been cured after intensive treatments.
1 minute read
Young entrepreneurs | The latest hospitality concepts in the Netherlands
28-10-2024
Highlighting a few of the latest hospitality concepts from young Dutch entrepreneurs. This month we are highlighting Caffé Combo and a fun retail concept, Sjaan in the Jordaan, both in Amsterdam. Furthermore, Café Claire in Utrecht and a great charcuterie concept called Bar Boteco in Amersfoort. Also the IJssel Restobar in Deventer, Restobar Tuur in Rosmalen and Bistro Amice in Warmond.
We wish all these entrepreneurs the best of luck with their endeavors!
Below is a list of 7 of the latest hospitality concepts.
2 minutes read
Silent Night - Celebrate 'The Art of Stillness' at the Mandarin Oriental Hotels
Silent Night - Celebrate 'The Art of Stillness' at the Mandarin Oriental Hotels
