Conservatorium Hotel x Italian Jewelry House Pasquale Bruni | A sparkling Christmas tree
4-12-2025
We often write about collaborations involving Christmas decorations in hotels, particularly the iconic Christmas trees at Claridge’s and, recently, ‘The Jewel of the Season’ at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London. But Amsterdam also has several luxury hotels with remarkable festive decorations, including the Conservatorium Hotel. This year, the impressive 4.5-metre Christmas tree in the lobby has been decorated by the Italian jewelry house Pasquale Bruni. Following a successful collaboration with Cartier last year, the hotel is once again presenting a dazzling Christmas tree this season. The additional details, such as the festive atmosphere created around the violins at the entrance, are also wonderful to see and experience. We often stop by ourselves to soak up the ambiance, enjoying a cocktail, a glass of wine, or a meal at Barbounia.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 48
28-11-2025
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:
- Qeet provides sustainable catering in the renovated Nederlands Fotomuseum , which opens in February 2026.
- Staff of the IHCP hotels in the Netherlands did collect toys for families in poverty through the Sintvoorieder1.
- Solid Wiggles creates jell-o cocktails with a creative, aesthetic twist.
- The Berkeley London launches luminous artwork ‘Aurora: Light in Motion’ by Rob and Nick Carter.
- Shower Hour IPA and Laundry Club Kölsch – Epic Cleantec launches beer made from purified shower and laundry water in California.
- McDonald’s introduces a temporary Grinch Meal with themed Grinch socks in the US.
- At the end of this year TRIBE The Hague Central will open as the second TRIBE hotel in the Netherlands and it will be the brand’s new flagship.
- The Social Hub invests €227 million in new B Corp hub in Edinburgh.
- The Hoxton opens in Dublin with the introduction of the first nightclub of this chain.
Enjoy reading!
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and De Beers London launch ‘The Jewel of the Season’
27-11-2025
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and De Beers London are joining forces for ‘The Jewel of the Season’, an enchanting experience filled with champagne, diamonds and culinary delights. From the sparkling Enchanted Lotus Bar to exclusive private appointments at De Beers, this is the ultimate festive season for lovers of gourmets and of luxury.
3 minutes read
Fairmont Wellness from Tokyo to Lake Louise | ‘destination inspired spa experiences’
27-11-2025
From rejuvenating spa sanctuaries to locally inspired rituals, Fairmont celebrates the art of wellness across its iconic destinations. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Accor’s renowned luxury brand, invites guests to discover their ‘destination inspired spa experiences’ that blend innovation, authenticity, and a deep connection to place. Across 96 hotels and resorts worldwide, Fairmont Wellness goes beyond traditional spa services, offering destination-driven programs that restore, recharge, and reconnect guests to both self and surroundings.
2 minutes read
Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2025 designed by Daniel Lee for Burberry
25-11-2025
Claridge’s, London’s legendary Mayfair hotel, has unveiled Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2025, this year designed by Daniel Lee, Chief Creative Officer of Burberry. This year a bit sustainable, Daniel Lee used surplus Burberry fabrics to create bows. The Claridge’s Christmas Tree will stand in the hotel lobby until Sunday January 4th.
Our own tradition is to always publish an article about the new Claridge’s tree! We love the idea of asking a designer to decorate the lobby tree and of opening the holiday season with a tree-lighting ceremony. It is inspiring and can be implemented at any level!
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 46
14-11-2025
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:
- On 28 November, Groningen will light up Europe’s largest Christmas ball at DOT Groningen, with music, mulled wine and hot chocolate.
- Firehouse Subs combines humor and flavor with the “Gravy Extinguisher”, a creamy turkey sauce for unexpected Thanksgiving.
- Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is collaborating with By Rotation. The “Dressed in Mayfair”-package offers accommodation, cocktails and personalized styling.
- Burger King is launching a limited edition Whopper advent calendar with 12 surprise boxes for extra festive fun in the run-up to Christmas.
- Suparnin, a restaurant in Guangzhou, and LITT, a bar in Dubai, have won the Best Restaurant and Bar Design Awards 2025. The We are EDN hotel in Amsterdam also won an award.
- Pak Pak Gauw pop-up in Het Industriegebouw from 17 to 22 November with street food, lunch, dinner, cocktails, DJs and surprising events, including a Drunken Lion Soundsystem party.
- Restaurant Flore nr. 3, Spectrum nr. 44 (fast climber), and Herberg onder de Linden (Discovery Award) from the Netherlands are recognised on the list of the best vegetable restaurants by We’re Smart.
Enjoy reading!
T-REX Glamping is now open at Dubai Parks™ and Resorts
7-11-2025
The world’s first dinosaur-themed glamping retreat invites families to sleep, dine, and dream among prehistoric giants. Dinosaurs have been spotted stomping through Dubai, and they’ve taken over Dubai Parks™ and Resorts. T-REX Glamping is a stay unlike anything else in the region. The retreat invites explorers and dinosaur enthusiasts to discover a new kind of family escape in the UAE, where premium experiences meets prehistoric adventure.
2 minutes read
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
50+ architecture for hotels | No low beds and definitely a ‘pee light’
24-10-2025
Recently, we had an interesting discussion among colleagues about 50+ architecture for hotels. When is a room truly suitable for guests aged 50 and over? Do older travellers really find a lower bed a problem? And how important is it that guests aged 50+ appreciate your hotel room? I belong to that target group myself, we travel as often as possible and almost always stay in hotels. Did you know that this target group accounts for over 40% of the Dutch population? And hotels don’t have many guests under the age of 20 either!
No matter how trendy the hotel concept is, we constantly run into plenty of fellow 50+ travellers! So, to answer that question about importance right away: yes, it does matter. One colleague also asked whether we really appreciate a so-called ‘pee light’. A ‘pee light’? Excuse me?
A blog by Marjolein van Spronsen
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!
Christmas at the Conservatorium Hotel - a collab with the Italian jeweller Pasquale Bruni 
Beautiful Holiday Season details at the Conservatorium hotel in Amsterdam - credits Ashkan Mortezapour
Beautiful Holiday Season details at the Conservatorium hotel in Amsterdam - credits Ashkan Mortezapour
