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!
Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | Poké Perfect at Schiphol Plaza and M Social Hotel New York Downtown
17-10-2025
Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week, Poké Perfect opens its 15th, and largest, location yet at Schiphol Plaza! The healthy bowls fit perfectly with Schiphol’s goal to offer more variety, quality, and responsible choices. And M Social Hotel New York Downtown has opened, offering 569 rooms, their Beast & Butterflies signature restaurant, and a Metaverse experience connecting virtual and real worlds.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new and renovated concepts.
2 minutes read
Museum Villa and Essense Food & Events | Contemporary art meets culinary storytelling
6-10-2025
Experiencing art with all your senses: that’s what the new partnership between Museum Villa and Essense Food & Events makes possible. Essense becomes Villa’s permanent partner in high-end hospitality. Together, they create unique experiences where art and gastronomy merge, with culinary storytelling as the guiding thread: “Where every bite tells a story.”
2 minutes read
Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | Bouillon d’Amsterdam, Friethuys Schaijk and Spaghetteria Leiden
22-9-2025
Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week, the concept of Parisian bouillon restaurants is also coming to our capital city early next year: Bouillon d’Amsterdam! A renovation of Friethuys Schaijk and in Leiden, preparations are in full swing for the opening of a Spaghetteria location.
Bouillon d’Amsterdam in the Hotel Die Port van Cleve promises high-quality food at a fair price! With dishes at affordable prices (€3 to €16), the owners aim to appeal to a big audience. Friethuys Schaijk, owned by Bart Bernsen and Luuk Vos, was renovated in three weeks and has a fresh, contemporary design for a traditional snack bar. And in Leiden, a new Spaghetteria location will open at Lange Mare 40, in October.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new and renovated concepts.
3 minutes read
Opened in Amsterdam, restaurant char.d
22-9-2025
Top chefs and friends Dean Baker and Slava Nazaryan have realized their shared dream with the opening of restaurant char.d on Utrechtsestraat in Amsterdam. The name refers to charring, a cooking technique in which ingredients are slowly grilled over charcoal or wood, or prepared at high temperatures. At char.d, modern barbecue techniques and high-quality, fresh ingredients take center stage, resulting in a simple yet flavourful menu full of depth and complexity.
2 minutes read
DoubleTree by Hilton Rotterdam Centre and Haven Hotel Rotterdam officially opened
19-9-2025
On Thursday, September 18, two renovated hotels at the Leuvehaven in Rotterdam were officially opened: DoubleTree by Hilton Rotterdam Centre and Haven Hotel Rotterdam, Curio Collection by Hilton. Both are located directly on the Maas River with views of the Erasmus Bridge and within walking distance of iconic city highlights such as the Markthal, the Maritime Museum, and Kop van Zuid. The hotels are directly connected but each offers its own distinctive experience.
2 minutes read
Pak Pak Gauw opens pop-up in Het Industriegebouw in Rotterdam
Announcing the 2025 Best Restaurant & Bar Design Awards winners - credits Nour El Refai Photography
Celebrate a whopper-ful time with Burger King's limited edition advent calendar
DOT Groningen - Europe's largest Christmas ball lights up Groningen
Firehouse Subs® launches limited-edition gravy extinguishers for Thanksgiving 
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair and By Rotation redefine sustainable luxury 
