BUNK Amsterdam | Receives their first guests
11-6-2020
The last couple of months, Covid-19 created a lot of uncertainty but finally BUNK Amsterdam officially opens its doors to hotel guests. After the enormous renovation of the former Sint-Rita church in the north of Amsterdam, the monumental building offers space for 300 guests. BUNK is a hotel with hostel prices and a hostel with the quality and service of a hotel.
Earlier we wrote about the official opening of BUNK Amsterdam. One of our colleagues was also present at the press dinner and had a tour and explanation about this great concept.
What does the hospitality industry do in the context of the COVID-19 virus? | Inspiration June 9
9-6-2020
Since the first of June the Dutch restaurants and bars reopened. We already enjoyed the first terraces again and we also went out for dinner. Wonderful to be able to enjoy a restaurant visit again! But we’ve experienced first-hand that there is no rush to enjoy dinner or lunch, not even on the terraces. Let’s hope that everyone regains a little bit more confidence after the first effects of the relaxation of the corona measures become known. For the time being, it looks like the Dutch intelligent lockdown has worked so now we need more sun and better temperatures to enjoy our great terraces! We hope that you will be able to reopen or enjoy dinner or lunch in your country as well. We have come across some great articles as inspiration on what’s going on in the hospitality industry.
With this week links to articles about DIY ‘Social distancing crowns’ by Burger King in Germany and the trendiest suntan trend 2020 we spotted on the Instagram account of hotel Dexamenes in Greece! Both funny!
Another funny article is about a Covid-19 masks for dining out with a remote control mouth! And inspiration for other hotels; a nice gesture ‘Together again’ by Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites in Australia.
In the south of the Netherlands, in the city Maastricht, Dadawan restaurant reopened with robots as extra staff and check out the Smink mobile with which restaurant Smink delivers their @home menu. And created in Japan: the Norimaki Synthesizer, which allows us to taste video games!
Stay healthy and take care of each other! ^Team Horecatrends
What does the hospitality industry do in the context of the COVID-19 virus? | Inspiration May 18
18-5-2020
As noted last week, we here in the Netherlands are still in an ‘Intelligent Lockdown’ which means, we’re all working from home if possible and our high schools, universities, restaurants, cafés, gyms, leisure centers, museums, etcetera are closed. But we can take a walk outside and shop for food and even shop at hardware stores and garden centers. As from May 11 our primary schools have re-opened as have the day-care centres but also hair and beauty salons and physiotherapist are allowed to re-open.
As from the first of June restaurants will re-open with a maximum of 30 persons inside, and a social distance of 6 feet, terraces are re-opening as well without a maximum of guests. This, of course, if the Covid-19 casualties remain low. Our government created a path in which they think our economy has to restart, with no festivals, concerts or congresses till the first of September and even gyms aren’t allowed till then. In the meantime we keep spotting all kind of inspiration worldwide around the hospitality industry.
With this week links to articles about the Robot dog Spot that is used in a park in Singapore to warm people to observe a social distance. And the Restaurant Brands International Inc. (Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes) considers designing face masks as part of their uniforms.
‘Care by Roseate Hotels & Resorts’ is an interesting article for those hotels who aren’t sure yet what measures to take to implement a touchless hospitality. And Eleven Madison Park’s chef-owner Daniel Humm says the coming back of his famous restaurant is a question mark.
The Frontline Stays Program by Airbnb has had 100,000 nights booking in free or subsidized accommodations for first responders. And check out the red puzzle by Heinz Canada! Would be appreciated by European puzzle and ketchup aficionados as well, especially during lockdown.
Stay healthy and take care of each other! ^Team Horecatrends
The Inn at Little Washington | Mannequins at tables to mark social distancing
15-5-2020
Restaurant The Inn at Little Washington in Washington VA (1,5 hours west of Washington D.C.) is on track to be the first three-Michelin-star restaurant to reopen in the U.S. The open for the Memorial Day weekend with ‘fresh air’ lunches at the more than 20 acres of outdoor space with many beautiful gardens which is located all around the property. Allthough they open this Memorial Day Weekend to have lunch in the gardens, they have opted to wait until Friday, May 29th to open the indoor dining rooms. With restrictions on capacity, Chef Patrick O’Connell has decided that empty tables will be theatrically dressed with mannequins. The Inn is working with local companies Signature Theater and Design Foundry to create the sets. Tables that are unable to be seated with actual guests will be an entertainment and design touchpoint to keep things interesting. The Inn at Little Washington is known for being reverently irreverent as is felt through playful experiences, such as the cheese specialist with mooing cow cart that speaks exclusively in puns or the dining room dress code: “no wet bikinis.”
A charming solution for empty spaces! We came across another restaurant in Bangkok (Thailand), here the owner placed stuffed animal panda’s at the empty seats. A bit of humour in the dining room and an opportunity to make some fun photo’s for guests. Like with the mannequins… Look at the image in this Dutch article: In Gemany hotel Haase also uses mannequins to sit at the tables in their restaurant.
What does the hospitality industry do in the context of the COVID-19 virus? | Inspiration May 12
12-5-2020
As noted last week, we here in the Netherlands are still in an ‘Intelligent Lockdown’ which means, we’re all working from home if possible and our high schools, universities, restaurants, cafés, gyms, leisure centers, museums, etcetera are closed. But we can take a walk outside and shop for food and even shop at hardware stores and garden centers. As from yesterday our primary schools have re-opened as have the day-care centres but also hair and beauty salons and physiotherapist are allowed to re-open.
As from the first of June restaurants will re-open with a maximum of 30 persons inside, and a social distance of 6 feet, terraces are re-opening as well without a maximum of guests. This, of course, if the Covid-19 casualties remain low. Our government created a path in which they think our economy has to restart, with no festivals, concerts or congresses till the first of September and even gyms aren’t allowed till then. In the meantime we keep spotting all kind of inspiration worldwide around the hospitality industry.
With this week links to articles about the fact that the Belgians are asked to eat fries twice a week and in the USA you can order fresh DIY pasta kits at some restaurants, great inspiration for other Italian restaurants worldwide!
San Francisco and Seattle are limiting what delivery services can charge restaurants for processing orders, while New York and Los Angeles consider similar policies. And the North Sydney café shifted to grocery store during the lockdown.
The restaurant group Black Sheep in Hong Kong created a viral blueprint for reopening restaurants after a lockdown, a link to where you can download this blueprint.
International design and innovation office CRA – Carlo Ratti Associati launched Pura-Case, a wardrobe purifier to remove bacteria and viruses from clothes. And Cape Town Tourism sends tourists love letters!
Stay healthy and take care of each other! ^Team Horecatrends
Click on the title if you like to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
YtheWait app | ‘Smart Restaurant’ app or digital waiter
12-5-2020
Dirty menus, unhygienic order kiosks and the many separate apps will be a thing of the past, according to the developers of the ‘YtheWait’ app. Their innovative all-in-one Hospitality & Retail App, already helps hundreds of partners to efficiently manage and increase their sales. Your guests can make contactless reservations, order in advance, pay and rate via their mobile. To support the hospitality businesses, the use of the all-in-one application and all the services around it are free of charge until 1 July 2020. ‘YtheWait’ has a user-friendly module that also simplifies booking and table management.
We’re spotting more and more technical developments that will replace parts of the staff’s tasks. This YtheWait app can be a lot more effective, contactless capturing everything via the guests own mobile; from booking, to ordering, paying and rating afterwards. Still we get the sense that human service will be missed but right now the app is useful as your guest only has to touch her or his mobile. Once we go back to maximum occupation with a lack of good catering staff, this app could also be very useful.
What does the catering industry do in the context of the COVID-19 virus? | Inspiration April 29
29-4-2020
As noted last week, we here in the Netherlands are still in an ‘Intelligent Lockdown’ which means, we’re all working from home if possible, restaurants, cafés, hair salons, schools etcetera are closed. But we can take a walk outside and shop for food and even at shops, hardware stores and garden centers. Which means that our gardens are beautiful and everything is fixed at our homes ?.
As from May 11 our primary schools will re-open and also our daycare facilities, which means a big relief for parents working from home and teaching their children…. At this moment we’re working towards lowering the casualties of Covid-19 at the intensive care units. The next moment will be May 20 at which we hope our government will slowly restart our economy. In the meantime some hotels start to reopen in the Netherlands (they weren’t closed this period but most just didn’t have guests and closed voluntarily). They serve dinner and breakfast in their restaurants and hotel rooms, for hotel guests only! In the meantime we keep spotting all kind of inspiration worldwide around the hospitality industry.
With links this week to articles about DIY pizza kits by Blaze Pizza and a virus killing countertop robot, created by UVRoboclean. They try to fund through Kickstarter.
A great idea by Chick-fil-A, they sell their sauces separately! What sauce could your restaurant sell? It might even be a good idea to sell it through a local supermarket!
Ramadan has become a less social event for all Muslims, no prayers in the Mosque and no big family dinners after sundown. Fatafeat is inviting families to help create their very own ‘home of Arabic cooking’ this Ramadan. And a collaboration between Instagram & ChowNow, they created an order food sticker or button at Instagram.
A great wine label for Quarantine Wine, created by winery Nocking Point, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. IKEA UK shares their meatball recipe and Red Robin offers a ‘Build-Your-Own’ wing bar for home delivery!
the OG Cannabis Cafe in West Hollywood in California has re-opened as the world’s first cannabis and food drive-thru.
Stay healthy and take care of each other! ^Team Horecatrends
Next generation business model ‘Express Double Drive Through’ by Miami Grill
28-4-2020
Miami Grill, the iconic South Florida-based fast-casual restaurant brand, has announced the next-generation business model as its latest franchise opportunity, the ‘Express Double Drive Through’. Miami Grill had been working on the new offering even before the pandemic crisis but has now fast-tracked its development with several key investors already interested. The due-diligence period has been completed for this new offering that is in direct response to what the company believes will be an altered business environment in the post-COVID-19 world.
Aura Aware | Smart distance awareness device for social distancing
23-4-2020
The Dutch company Aura Aware created a smart distance awareness device which is a convenient reminder to your employees and customers to maintain healthy distancing. Staying 6 feet apart simply doesn’t come naturally. The Aura Aware is a smart distance awareness device that helps employees and customers remain a safe and healthy distance in public spaces.
What does the catering industry do in the context of the COVID-19 virus? | Inspiration April 21
21-4-2020
We are writing this article a few hours before our Prime Minister Rutte’s press conference in which we all hope to hear that there will be a little bit more freedom for everybody in the Netherlands. It’s already clear that no major changes are to be expected, but it would be very positive if milestones were indicated to work towards. One of the items for this will nevertheless revolve around redefining our personal space, the rule that is very difficult to put in place for smaller restaurants. In addition to the missing space, they won’t make enough turnover. For companies where the 6 feet distance can be met, it is also important to continue to deliver in addition to the missing turnover. We think that lots of guests will still order online, they love to eat out but are still afraid for contamination.
With links this week to articles about Starbucks who’s investing 10 million USD in aid for partners worldwide, and about a DIY ShackBurger Kit by Shake Shack.
Mask to Go, is an initiative in Hong Kong where about 35 vending machines are installed from which one can draw medical-grade face masks for free! And Disneyland also tries to keep in touch with their (potential) guests, among other things by sharing recipes via social media.
And an article about a door handle that kills 99.8% of all germs! In California wineries across the state created almost 80 virtual experiences, go to the Wine Institute’s website at Discover California Wines.
Stay healthy and take care of each other! ^Team Horecatrends
Click on the title if you like to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
The terrace of BUNK hotels in Amsterdam
BUNK hotels in Amsterdam - credits MichielTon.com
Pods in the BUNK hotels in Amsterdam - credits MichielTon.com
Pods in the atrium of BUNK hotels in Amsterdam - credits MichielTon.com
The atrium roof of BUNK hotels in Amsterdam - credits MichielTon.com
The atrium of BUNK hotels in Amsterdam - credits MichielTon.com
Pods in the BUNK hotels in Amsterdam - credits MichielTon.com
