Hilton offers running routes in voice-activated running app RunGo
12-10-2021
Although certainly no longer a new trend, it remains interesting that we regularly see collaborations between hotels and hotel chains and running organizations and apps. And sometimes the technical adjustment in the app is inspiring. We can imagine that a voice-activated running app works!
This time Hilton has entered into an exclusive partnership with the voice-activated running app RunGo. Three tailor-made routes have been created for 7 hotels in the Netherlands with the themes running, sightseeing and mindfulness. For hotel guests, the routes are ideal for discovering the nearest sights and keeping fit. Residents of all the Hilton hotels can also enjoy the routes!
Reading time: 2 minutes
Claridge’s ArtSpace opens with exhibition by Damien Hirst
12-10-2021
As the art world looks to London, Claridge’s, the legendary hotel in the heart of Mayfair, will unveil a newly created Claridge’s ArtSpace today, Tuesday 12th October 2021, the eve of Frieze 2021. Opening its doors for the first time, the space will exhibit a collection of work by artist Damien Hirst entitled ‘Sunshine’, presented by HENI. Claridge’s ArtSpace, which is accessed by an entrance on the newly restored Claridge’s façade on Brooks Mews, engineered by Jim Mackey, has been designed by John Pawson, to be a multi-functional space, set to house a café and art store (opening early 2022) as well as the permanent gallery.
Reading time: 3 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 40
6-10-2021
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends daily. 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 sleep-friendly ice cream from Nightfood for the grab-and-go shops in hotel lobbies, a stay in the ‘Nutmobile’ from MR. PEANUT® and Leonardo DiCaprio investing in a Dutch cultured meat company.
‘Change is Brewing!’ is the new flavor of Ben & Jerry’s in America, it remains interesting to read how they also translate their social background into their flavors. And at the Resort World Las Vegas, the art of aufguss, known all over Europe, makes it’s US debut at Awana Spa.
More and more companies are also introducing ‘healthy alternatives’ in their fast food concepts. Like in China where Yum China does this in their more than 6,000 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell shops. And Hard Rock International announces its 22nd annual PINKTOBER® campaign.
Another rebranded concept that focuses on staying in a city as if you were living there. YAYS, unlock the neighborhood with locations in Amsterdam, The Hague and Paris. And spotted in America: a limited-edition of Hendrick’s Gin-infused pickled cucumbers from Katz’s Delicatessen.
Reading time: 5 minutes
WOWorks creates ‘High Five Challenge’ to help end childhood hunger
31-8-2021
Living up to its name, WOWorks’ mission is to fuel the passions of its team members, guests, business partners and the communities they serve to help everyone live their best life. This translates into a commitment to create a “WOW!” place to work, dine, invest and live. To give back to its restaurants’ communities this fall, all four WOWorks’ brands – Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, The Simple Greek and Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh – have partnered with No Kid Hungry to kick off a multi-faceted fundraising campaign called the High Five Challenge with a goal of raising $400,000 (with a minimum of $125,000) which can help provide up to four million meals for kids in need*. According to new estimates, 1 in 6 kids in America could face hunger this year, but when guests dine at any WOWorks restaurant this season, they can ‘Join the Team’ in doing their part to help end childhood hunger in our communities.
Showing the guests commitment with ‘High Five Hand’ images and a ‘High Five Wall Icon Tracker’. Guests can also ‘earn’ a high value coupon!
Reading time: 2 minutes
Hyatt teams up with Gopuff to offer everyday essentials on-the-go in their Hyatt Place hotels
31-8-2021
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced a collaboration between the Hyatt Place brand and Gopuff, a go-to platform for consumers’ immediate everyday needs, such as drinks, snacks, over-the-counter medications, home and baby products and more, including alcohol in select markets.
In short: guest can simply scan the QR code placed in their rooms and common areas to order from Gopuff’ categories like travel essentials, spa retreat, movie night, office on-the-go and more. The items ordered online will be delivered within 30 minutes. Inspiring and interesting service!
Reading time: 3 minutes
Michelin-starred Swedish chef Niklas Ekstedt opens restaurant ‘Ekstedt at The Yard’ in London
30-8-2021
Next month, multi award-winning Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt will open his first restaurant outside of Stockholm, launching Ekstedt at The Yard, part of Great Scotland Yard hotel in Westminster. Set within the historic 5* hotel which was once the site of the Metropolitan police, the hotel’s new flagship restaurant will open on 17th September, bringing Niklas’ signature style of wood fired ‘old Nordic’ cooking to the UK for the very first time.
Nordic cuisine a little closer to home, we’re kind of jealous of those foodies living in London! We love the idea of the chef combining his Nordic cuisine with seasonal British products. The Great Scotland Yard Hotel opened last year with a ‘grand unlocking’.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 34
26-8-2021
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu 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 Restaurant Esmé in Chicago, founded by Jenner Tomasko (executive chef at Grand Achatz) who focuses on art and community with even a à la carte menu for ‘walk-ins’. Sounds like Chicago has a new culinary hotspot.
Starbucks opened their 10th ‘farmer support’ centre in Varginha, Brasil with the purpose to offer valuable resources to local coffee communities.
UPSIDE Foods partners with three Michelin star chef Dominique Crenn. Crenn will develop recipes and give culinary advise and if allowed she will use the lab-grown chicken in her restaurant. This is the first collaboration in the cultivated meat industry with a three star Michelin chef.
De Koningshoeven brewery is the first in the world to market a completely alcohol-free Trappist beer: La Trappe Nillis (0.0%). And McDonald’s published their Purpose and Impact Report of 2020-2021 with four impact points: Jobs, Inclusion and Empowerment, the Plant, Food Quality & Sourcing and Community Connection.
Duke’s Mayonaise started collaborating with Champion Brewing Company to produce the perfect beer that fits with a BLT sandwich: Family Recipe (5,1% ABV, 27 IBU). Kind of ‘Mayo Beer’. The new ‘food shopping’-app, Grownby, connects farmers with buyers. Wouldn’t it be great to have such an app as a cook? And getting messages like the strawberries are now ‘ready to eat’!
CandyCan gummy bears are gluten-free, plant-based, low-sugar, low carb and contain vitamins. Is it an idea to lay a bag of Gummy bears on top of a pillow for children visiting your hotel? Or to put a bag in a ‘Happy-Meal’ kind of box?
Oreo opened their first café in New Jersey. The café consists of a shop offering Oreo cookies and other Oreo treats, and fast-service where you can order Oreo treats. And in New York another sweet hybride is gaining popularity: the Croffle. This is a soft, buttery and layered croissant toasted in a waffle iron and sprinkled with different toppings.
Click on the title if you like to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
A craft beer hotel in Manchester | The DogHouse Hotel by BrewDog
24-8-2021
Independent craft brewer, BrewDog, has recently opened its hop-ly anticipated immersive, craft beer hotel: DogHouse Manchester. Located in the city centre, just five minutes from the Northern Quarter, beer fans can enjoy 18 rooms of bespoke BrewDog touches, such as in-shower beer fridges, draught beer taps and fully-loaded mini-bar, plus an epic taproom with 30 taps of craft beer and a rooftop bar perfect for stargazing.
We love some of the features at the DogHouse hotel, like the free beer for reusing your room towels; the 24-hour hotdogs, orderable via WhatsApp and of course the lobby bartender to check-in each guest with a complimentary beer. Or the canine package for the more than welcome four- legged friends, we wonder if this includes a beer for the dog as well? Or check out the beer shower!
Reading time: 2 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 33
20-8-2021
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu 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 the most spectacular off-menu dish at the rule-breaking Japanese restaurant Shuko in New York and to the ‘Cuisine Solaire’ by restaurant Le Présage in Marseille. It’s Europe’s first solar-powered restaurant.
In London you can enjoy cocktails and high tea’s at a disused train station, check out the great 1940s themed high tea video at Cahoots Underground in the article. Also opened in London: a new immersive cocktail experience, Mr. Tipsy’s Down The Hatch! With a lot of OTT-ness!
French food tech start-up Gourmey is working on lab-grown foie gras that could allow restaurants to continue to serve the highly-prized delicacy in an ethical way. Great news for foie gras lovers, it looks like it and the chef who tried it says it also tasted the same.
The new pizzeria Pazzi in Paris is staffed entirely by robots, from order-taking to prepping the dough to putting the pizzas in boxes. Check out the video, as guests you can follow your pizza being made!
We love the idea behind the ‘random acts of kindness’, as does Domino’s Pizza in the USA, they started their ‘Surprise Frees’ Promotion. Until November 21, 2021, they are surprising randomly selected fans with free menu items.
And a link to an article about the new ‘Taco Bell Defy’. The 3,000 square-foot restaurant concept located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, utilizes a two-story model for “the frictionless future of Taco Bell”.
Click on the title if you like to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
Late Rooms | Willy Wonka-inspired hotel room at the Chocolate Box Hotel
16-8-2021
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, a holiday booking site has paired up with one of its hotel partners to create a Willy Wonka-inspired stay. Guests can expect the full experience in the novelty room at the chocolate-themed hotel, including lickable wallpaper, unlimited in-room treats including a chocolate fountain and if they wish, a chocolate bath.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Hilton Hotels - RunGo
