Sapphire House Antwerp
19-5-2022
Opening – Sapphire House Antwerp, the long awaited Marriott hotel in Antwerp, opened its doors this week. The five star hotel is the first hotel in the world that is completely plant-based. This five star hotel is located on the 16th century site of the Antwerp Stock Exchange and was carefully renovated with the idea to protecting international cultural heritage. Sapphire House Antwerp has 139 rooms, all unique and with their own character, a plant-based bistro PLANTn, a lively cocktail bar, and a gym. It promises to be a unique hotel experience for every guest…exactly like nothing else.
Royal Spelt starts first 100% organic bitterballen and kroketten factory
17-5-2022
Royal Spelt has opened the first 100% organic bitterballen and kroketten factory in Nieuwegein in the Netherlands in mid-May 2022. Owners Fabienne Muller and Michael Kapoen started this factory to have full control over the production. The reason for this was the control over of the entire production process. Royal Spelt draws stock from fresh vegetables and herbs instead of stock grains or powder. In its own factory, Royal Spelt can take all the time needed for the cooking process of the spelt ragout (salpicon) and the recipe remains a (family) secret.
Lowlander introduces the first-ever alcohol-free craft beer on tap
17-5-2022
Botanical brewer Lowlander presents the very first alcohol-free craft beer on tap. Alcohol-free beer is an integral part of the Dutch market and already accounts for one in twenty of all beers consumed. Lowlander is proud to increase consumption choice with this innovation, by making two of their best-selling non-alcoholic botanically brewed beers available on tap: the 0.00% Wit and the 0.3% I.P.A..
Trends we spotted | Week 19
13-5-2022
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 amongst others the small blocks of Parmigiano Reggiano at the McDonald’s in Italy! Might be inspiration for the McDonald’s in the Netherlands, we have great cheeses as well!
Karen’s Diner is coming to the Netherlands, this chain from Australia serves ‘great burgers with very rude service’. We had to explain to our older colleagues what a ‘Karen’ is, do you know it? And Domino’s Pizza Germany launched the Nutri-Score on products and an A-Pizza ‘Fitness Fan’.
The legendary cruise ship Queen Elizabeth 2 becomes an Accor branded hotel: MGallery Hotel Collection. After renovation it will be permanently located in Port Rashid, Dubai.
Lowering the temperature on a terrace: aerMist. We have already experienced a similar system in San Francisco and the Far East, but perhaps also useful in the north of Europe with the rising temperatures?
The Belgian brewery ‘Scheldebrouwerij’ has created a new, fresh look for their special beers. And the Fletcher hotels introduced their own private label in skincare products: BLUE Collection by Fletcher.
TRIBE Amsterdam City is a design hotel for adventurous travellers
12-5-2022
The newest addition to TRIBE is located in Gare du Nord, a new area in Amsterdam North, and right by the North metro station. The TRIBE Amsterdam City is located next to the Mercure Amsterdam North Station hotel. The modern and arty interior should particularly attract travellers looking for Amsterdam’s cultural underground scene.
Mercure Amsterdam North Station opened at Gare du Nord
12-5-2022
Opening – Mercure has opened a new stylish four-star hotel next to metro station Noord in Amsterdam. The North/South line takes guests to the city centre within 5 minutes, making Mercure Amsterdam North Station the perfect base for visitors to our capital. This new Mercure hotel has 110 modern rooms, equipped with all the comforts you would expect, such as free Wi-Fi, comfortable beds and a flat-screen TV. Guests also have access to an all-day social hub and a coffee bar that transforms into a cocktail bar in the evening, serving low-alcohol cocktails developed in collaboration with top French bartender Matthias Giroud. They can also take advantage of the fully equipped 24/7 gym.
NEO KVL hotel by Tasigo | Located in the building of the old KVL leather factory in Oisterwijk
10-5-2022
Opening – The charming village of Oisterwijk in the Dutch region Brabant has a new four-star hotel: the NEO KVL hotel by Tasigo. The design hotel has 68 modern furnished rooms, a restaurant, spa, meeting rooms, 2 hotel bars including the Sky rooftop bar and an impressive atrium. The hotel is located within walking distance of the center of Oisterwijk and 500 meters from the Oisterwijk train station. It also has access to a private parking lot.
IJsvogel is the first real brewer’s grain ice cream in the Netherlands
9-5-2022
IJsvogel (Kingfisher bird) is a new and unique vegan waste-free ice cream. This collab from ice cream makers IJsbaart and beer brewery Bird Brewery uses brewer’s grain, a residual product from the brewing process. Then, through a unique process, the brewer’s grain is turned into milk. This forms the basis for the ice cream mix. The basis is finally flavored with a Russian Imperial Stout beer, chocolate and coconut. The brewer’s grain ice cream will be launched on May 13, 14 and 15 during Festivalk at House of Bird in the Diemerbos near Amsterdam.
UMI by Imperial Heritage Caviar | Caviar inspired by Asian influences
6-5-2022
Imperial Heritage Caviar, the premium caviar house in Belgium and favorite of many celebrity chefs, launches their newest addition: UMI. Elisabeth Colman, new generation of the Colman family, owners of Imperial Heritage Caviar, was stimulated by the Asian influences in our modern cuisine during the company’s constant search for innovative flavours. They developed a brand new caviar with a surprisingly different pearl. The new caviar is called UMI by Imperial Heritage Caviar (‘Umi’= ‘sea’ in Japanese) and will be available exclusively in a selection of fine dining restaurants. UMI will also have two ambassadors: restaurant Cuchara** and restaurant DIM Dining.
Trends we spotted | Week 18
6-5-2022
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 amongst others ‘Asia’s 50 Best Bars’, sponsored by Perrier has been won by cocktailbar Coa. And the premium quick-service restaurant known for its Chicken Fingerz™, wings and signature sauces, Zaxby’s® celebrates Mother’s Day with Zax Family Packs and a family portrait! Inspiration for Father’s Day?
‘Apaches de Paris’ is a bar clandestine, immersive in Paris in which you can infiltrate gangs. Located in the Musée Grévin. This original 1.5-hour adventure with two period drinks is open till June 30.
Un Dimanche au Cinéma – the French title for the open-air cinema on the Champs-Élysées on May 22, Organized in partnership between TCM Cinéma, Häagen-Dazs and the City of Paris. Hilton boosts eco-conscious travel across properties in Asia Pacific to reach their ‘Travel with Purpose’ 2030 goals.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the introduction of the ‘Caption by Hyatt’ brand with the opening of the Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis in Tennessee summer 2022. And Denmark becomes the first country to introduce a climate label for food.
In a claimed world-first, Japanese innovators have created chopsticks which artificially create the taste of salt. And Dominique Ansel, the creator of the cronut, is celebrating the hybrid croissant-donut’s nine-year anniversary with a 60-piece NFT collection.
