Lobby concert during Earth Hour

8-4-2014

Every year the Ghent Marriott Hotel in Belgium participates in the global Earth Hour. Last Saturday 29 March they dimmed the lights again during Earth Hour for an intimate free concert from a jazz guitar player and a jazz singer of the conservatory in Ghent. Have a look at the Dutch Issue calendar and inspire yourself with the many (inter)national days you could pay attention to.

Body Dryer replaces towel

8-4-2014

A device that blows your guests dry after showering seems to come to the market soon. The Body Dryer by Tyler Overk collected via a crowdfunding campaign more than the required amount to go from concept to production. In September 2014, the first machines will be delivered. It could be a considerable saving in towel and washing cost if the technique functions. The devices, which sit somewhere between a hair dryer and scale, now costs about $ 150, – plus shipping.

Opening Crane hotel in Amsterdam

4-4-2014

Today opens the Faralda NDSM Crane Hotel in Amsterdam and is it possible to stay a night in one of the three hotel suites located in a historic ship’s crane (known as Crane 13). The suites are located at 35 to 50 meters high in the ship’s crane and offer a stunning view over the city and the IJ. A Jacuzzi is located on the roof in the open air. On 13 meters height Faralda Broadcasting Studio & Faralda Production Company is located. This studio will be used for productions of external parties, like TV programs and corporate events. In the past year the Frisian Franeker has restored and transformed the crane into the luxurious hotel with three high-end design suites.

Industrial interior of Generator London

3-4-2014

  • Generator Londen
  • Generator London 1
  • Generator London 2
  • Generator London 3

Generator London is one of the eight hostel accommodations of the Generator in Europe. Generator London opened in 1995 and now features 212 rooms. Designer Anwar Mekhayech (DesignAgency) worked in partnership with ORBIT Architects and converted the building into the hotspot of London. The impressive interior shows the industrial past of London and includes the eclectic culture, architecture and history of the city. Besides the modern industrial look there is a replica of a Routemaster London Bus inside. Generator London has an internet café, a lounge with game tables, a bar and a café where guests can have an artisan sandwich and drinks.

Give Back Getaways

3-4-2014

#Throwback Thursday. We started in August 2007 with horecatrends.com / hospitalitytrends.eu, in May 2008 we posted an item about the Give Back Getaways from the Ritz-Carlton hotel chain. With this program they invite their guests to join their employees in half-day volunteer tourism experiences that contribute something meaningful to the communities surrounding the hotels. Each Give Back Getaways project is unique to the destination. At the website of the chain you can see the whole list of possibilities. As example the video from the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, we can’t image that you don’t want to help!

Floating hotels

31-3-2014

Thrillist.com gives an overview of seven floating hotels around the world. Like the Salt & Sill, a floating hotel in Sweden with a modern Swedish interior or the Yellow Submarine that is inspired by the movie ‘The hunt for red October’ with Sean Connery. The video above is from the River Kwai Jungle Rafts Resort in Thailand. This unique floating hotel is located in the jungle of Kanchanaburi and only accessible by boat. The hotel is built of wood and bamboo, the rooms are simple and have a veranda with hammocks. Take a look at the complete list here.

Small gestures in hospitality 3

28-3-2014

  • Kleine gastvrije gebaren

March was a great start of spring, for us as guests and for your turnover as hospitality entrepreneur! In this edition you will find examples of extra services for your guests that you can offer without making large investments, because some gestures are so small that the guest barely registers it. With examples of the Hampshire hotel, Hotel Mitland, the Carlton Oasis and some inspiring, special sweets to be served with your cup of coffee or tea. Download the edition here.

The luxury resorts from Virgin

27-3-2014

#Throwback Thursday. We started in August 2007 with horecatrends.com / hospitalitytrends.eu, in April 2009 we posted an item about Richard Branson who had decided to open a number of boutique hotels for the richest guests in the world. He already had an island that he rented regularly. Meanwhile, there are some wonderful locations! We saw the above shown video from 2011 and find it unfortunate that we are not yet so rich ;-). The video is a bit long but show some beautiful locations and it might inspire other hotel  entrepreneurs.  Also, check out the V’LOG (Virgin Limited Edition’s blogs) page on the website.

Nocospray at Van der Valk Arnhem

11-3-2014

Van der Valk Hotel Arnhem is the first hotel in the Netherlands that cleans rooms with the ‘Nocospray “, this device removes all micro-pollutants biologically. The hotel works together with Dutch Smart Solutions for the pilot and it takes about half an hour to complete the cleaning with the Nocospray. During the pilot period, the hotel provides the cleaning as an extra service.

Street Lofts

7-3-2014

  • urbanauts 1Monika Nguyen
  • urbanauts 2Monika Nguyen

In Vienna you have Street Lofts. The Urbanauts project turned abandoned stores in design hotel rooms for adventurers. You can sleep in a spacious and comfortable Street Loft where the history of the former shop is still visible. Explore Vienna from your loft. Check in via a key-safe and for breakfast, spa or dinner they have made arrangements with the neighbors of the loft (nearest breakfast cafe etc …)  The brainchild of a group of local architects.

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