Montblanc and Claridge’s launch ‘Love Letters from London’ by Charlie Child
5-2-2026
This Valentine’s week, Montblanc and Claridge’s come together to celebrate the art of handwritten romance with ‘Love Letters from London’. To mark the launch of the new Meisterstück Romeo & Juliet writing instruments, Montblanc invites everyone to put pen to paper and share heartfelt messages with the people who make life meaningful. For the first time ever, the legendary Mayfair hotel Claridge’s partners with Montblanc to present ‘Love Letters from London’, appointing British artist and poet Charlie Child as Claridge’s first-ever Poet-in-Residence during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day (10th–13th February 2026).
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 5
3-2-2026
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:
- Airbnb has partnered with chef-led meal delivery service CookUnity to provide prepared meals through Airbnb Services, aiming to simplify dining for travellers and local residents.
- Thompson Hotels collaborates with BERO to expand non-alcoholic offerings and bar programming.
- McDonald’s Germany launches new platform, for everyone who is really hungry.
- AMMOS AMAALA is the first resort of the AMMOS group in the Middle East, located in Saudi Arabia. The resort will open this spring.
- Pizza Hut Dubai hosted a fine-dining Supper Club nobody saw coming.
- ALL Accor has recently announced the launch of its ALL Accor app in ChatGPT designed to enrich the experience of its growing customer base.
- McDonald’s in the US debuts exclusive McNugget® Caviar just in time for Valentine’s Day – at no cost to fans.
- Restaurant Nela in Amsterdam introduces the Family Friendly Affair brunch on Sundays.
- Bagels & Beans has turned 30. What started in 1996 as a quirky café on Ferdinand Bolstraat in Amsterdam has grown over the past thirty years into a unique franchise formula with almost 90 locations throughout the Netherlands.
Enjoy reading!
abc kitchens introduces a seasonal vegetable bouquet for Valentine’s Day
2-2-2026
For the first time this Valentine’s Day, abc kitchens has elevated a classic romantic gesture. In place of flowers, guests will be presented with a seasonal vegetable bouquet, a one-off creation curated by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Executive Chef Ben Boeynaems. Gifted to every table booked on the evenings of 13th February and 14th February, each bouquet is paired with a take-home recipe from Ben, bringing a taste of abc home and extending celebrations beyond the restaurant.
1 minute read
Restaurant JAQ celebrates Valentine’s Day with an exclusive dinner Inspired by Atelier JAQ
30-1-2026
On Saturday, February 14th, Restaurant JAQ in Rotterdam will host an exclusive 3-course Valentine’s dinner featuring cava and specially crafted cocktails. During the evening, guests will be immersed in the artistic world of Atelier JAQ. This special night is dedicated to love, creativity, and gastronomy, offering a refined experience for couples or friends who wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a unique way.
2 minutes read
Longevity & Wellbeing Club Surrenne launches retreats at the Maybourne Riviera
26-1-2026
Surrenne, the wellness and longevity club founded in London and located within The Emory hotel in Belgravia, is launching a new series of four-night transformational retreats at Surrenne Riviera, set within the clifftop Maybourne Riviera on the Côte d’Azur. Extending beyond private membership and hotel guests, the retreats bring Surrenne’s signature philosophy—combining science, ancient wisdom and nature—to a wider audience.
We recently wrote about ‘Longevity Everyday’ by Novotel, both examples of which show that the concept of longevity can be interpreted broadly!
2 minutes read
Novotel introduces ‘Longevity Everyday’ | Wellbeing as standard
23-1-2026
Novotel, part of Accor, presents ‘Longevity Everyday’, a global strategy with which the hotel brand aims to structurally integrate wellbeing, vitality and sustainability into the daily experience of travellers. With more than 600 hotels in over 60 countries, Novotel is responding to the growing focus on physical and mental health while travelling. Whereas many wellbeing programmes are complex or exclusive, Novotel makes healthy choices practical, accessible and applicable.
2 minute read
Inspiration for 2026, from 2025
8-1-2026
Approachable inspiration, trends and highlights from 2025 that can be easily applied to your own business in 2026. A whitepaper to scroll through when you need ideas.
You can download the whitepaper for free on the next page.
Mastercard Hotelnacht 2026 | The Art of Balance
8-1-2026
On January 17 & 18, during the Mastercard Hotelnacht (Hotel Night) Amsterdam, the city will revolve around wellness, energy and unique hotel experiences. During Mastercard Hotelnacht, the most beautiful hotels in the city open their doors to residents of Amsterdam, offering a weekend full of one-night-only experiences. Visitors from outside Amsterdam can also take part in the experiences. The 2026 edition is all about The Art of Balance: the perfect mix of wellness and celebration, calm and excitement – in true Amsterdam style. Hotelnacht is the perfect opportunity for residents of Amsterdam and other curious visitors to experience the city in a completely new way.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 51
19-12-2025
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:
- Spotted in New York: the push pop sushi van Suka Sushi!
- Horta Grand Café & Art Nouveau Room in Antwerp, are celebrating their 25th anniversary, marked among other things by the launch of a unique coffee table book.
- Leonardo Hotels is expanding its portfolio in the Benelux with the dynamic lifestyle brand NYX Hotels. The former Eden Hotel will be divided into a Leonardo hotel and NYX Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandt Square.
- Frites Atelier, the innovative fast casual concept from Michelin-starred chef Sergio Herman, opened its first Frites Atelier London location on Saturday December 13.
- Early December, Hotel Des Indes in the Hague, officially opened the Anna Pavlova Champagne Lounge and unveiled the Pavlova Christmas tree. Anna Pavlova was a famous ballerina and regular guest of the hotel. Beautiful theme!
- Chipotle has teamed up with travel brand BÉIS, to launch an exclusive travel essentials collection inspired by Chipotle’s iconic packaging. Béispotle: ‘The To-Go Collection’.
- Last weekend, PoPPo, a hyperlocal micro-mall, was launched in Amsterdam North in the 600 m² former Blokker building.
- A Pizza Wrap-Up by Domino’s Pizza Belgium, highlighting, among other things, which city consumes the most pizzas from the brand and which pizza is the most popular in Belgium.
- Early December, Albron opened a coffeecompany location at Amsterdam UMC. It is the first coffeecompany outlet in a hospital environment.
- On Monday, December 15, the Top 50 best Italian restaurants were announced, including a separate Top 50 for restaurants outside Italy. Restaurant Aroma Italian Fine Dining from Vaassen once again earned a place on this prestigious list, ranking 48th. Restaurant Pianeta Terra in Amsterdam ranked 31st.
Enjoy reading!
What’s your breakfast strategy?
15-12-2025
In September 2025, I was quoted in a BBC Travel article on changing breakfast experiences. The article, titled “Is it time to retire the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet?”, explores how breakfast habits around the world are evolving — and which traditions are here to stay. Some trends are obvious, such as the growing focus on healthier dishes and products. Others, like the continued desire for abundance resulting in waste, are more open to debate. This article reflects our perspective on breakfast strategy. ^Marjolein van Spronsen
3 minutes read
Montblanc and Claridge’s Launch ‘Love Letters from London’ by Charlie Child
Montblanc and Claridge’s Launch ‘Love Letters from London’ by Charlie Child
