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!
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
Trends we spotted | Week 42
20-10-2025
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:
- McDonald’s Netherlands launches their 2024-2025 Impact Report, working with local franchisees on sustainability and social impact.
- Ruby Hotels unveils a new art installation by Hugo Mulder DHM at Ruby Emma in Amsterdam, titled ‘Harness the Power of Nature’.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Station staff show their commitment to charity during events like the Dam to Dam Run and KiKa Run.
- Taste of Horecava by Gault&Millau 2026 offers a stage for top chefs and innovative partners in culinary craftsmanship from January 12-14.
- Morrow is developing future-proof coffee without beans, using upcycled natural ingredients sourced from Europe and the UK.
- The Connaught, the famous Mayfair hotel, launched its first book, written by Bill Prince and published by Assouline.
- The WHO and UNICEF release new global hand hygiene guidelines aimed at curbing the spread of illnesses. SC Johnson Professional welcomes the release of these new guidelines and recognizes hand washing as a strong foundation for creating safe and healthy environments
- McDonald’s Germany introduces a limited edition FRIENDS menu with collectible figures and an interactive hub in Hamburg.
Enjoy reading!
Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | Poké Perfect at Schiphol Plaza and M Social Hotel New York Downtown
17-10-2025
Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week, Poké Perfect opens its 15th, and largest, location yet at Schiphol Plaza! The healthy bowls fit perfectly with Schiphol’s goal to offer more variety, quality, and responsible choices. And M Social Hotel New York Downtown has opened, offering 569 rooms, their Beast & Butterflies signature restaurant, and a Metaverse experience connecting virtual and real worlds.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new and renovated concepts.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 41
13-10-2025
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:
- Waterman House will become the AMANO’s Group second hotel in London.
- ‘Claridge’s Life in Charms’ – a concept we love and it doesn’t have to be this expensive at other hotels!
- Bar Leone in Hong Kong has been named The World’s Best Bar 2025.
- Domino’s unveiled a crave-worthy brand refresh designed to make you say “Mmm”.
- Disaronno celebrates its 500th anniversary with five exclusive limited edition bottles.
- From the inspiring October agenda at WOLF Antwerp and Brussels; Pumpkin Soup, a Halloween run, a kids workshop to DJ Sets and more.
- To mark its 10th anniversary, Otomat is launching ‘Friends of Otomat’, a series of culinary collaborations, starting with a BASK Pepperoni pizza by Sam D’Huyvetter!
- In January 2026 TICA, the European purchasing partner for lifestyle professionals and The Stage, the leading platform for hospitality innovations, will jointly open a new purchasing location in the iconic former flower auction building in Venlo.
Enjoy reading!
Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | Loetje Oegstgeest, COBRA HOUSE, and Nova Hotel Amsterdam
10-10-2025
Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week, the city of Oegstgeest welcomes a new Loetje! A fresh COBRA location opens in Antwerp: COBRA HOUSE – not a copy, but a new chapter! And Nova Hotel Amsterdam proudly takes ownership of its historic building and a new generation takes over the management.
On October 30, Loetje will open its 38th location at the Klinkenbergerplas in Oegstgeest, featuring a warm interior, views over the water, and their familiar menu. COBRA HOUSE will open a new location in Antwerp on October 12, as the second location of the Antwerp-based COBRA concept. After thirty years of operation, Nova Hotel Amsterdam is now fully owned by the family-run B.K.A. Groep, the owners Marcel and Lily Berendsen also transferred the management to son Olivier Berendsen for further development and sustainability.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new and renovated concepts.
3 minutes read
Enjoy a unique Txokos-menu at Sagardi in Amsterdam
7-10-2025
For lovers of the Spanish, Basque cuisine! Until Sunday, October 19, Sagardi invites you to enjoy an exclusive tribute to the txokos — the gastronomic societies of the Basque Country. A rare opportunity to taste the soul of Basque culture, right in the heart of Amsterdam. This special Txokos menu celebrates the fifth anniversary of this Basque restaurant on Spuistraat, founded by chefs Iñaki and Mikel López de Viñaspre.
1 minute read
Singles Day 2025 - a solo trip to a Stayokay location
