A lobby as living room the hotel

9-10-2014

Last Thursday 2 October the flagship hotel of Mercure reopend, the Mercure Amsterdam City. The entire lobby, restaurant, the flexible workplaces and the lounge are merged in order to meet the changing needs of their guests: “People are travelling more than ever, they are aware of what they want and strive to achieve this. The call for comfort and authenticity is great. At the fully refurbished Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City we offer the high international standards that can be expected from an international hotel and at the same time we let guests get acquainted with local elements that give the hotel its own personal touch” according to Caro Eekelen, COO Accor Hotel Services Benelux.

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Gastronomixs goes international

8-10-2014

During this year’s Chefs®evolution, the international website Gastronomixs.com was launched. Gastronomixs is already familiar in the Netherlands and used by a lot of Dutch topchefs. Gastronomixs is an online platform filled with ideas, recipes and inspiration about food. It inspires chefs to create new dishes or to adapt existing recipes. This website contains all the classic cooking methods but also the latest techniques all ordened by ingredient or product. Gastronomixs.com is designed to simplify the culinary creative process! Watch their video for more information.

An extra floor of rooms for the Preston Palace hotel

8-10-2014

Hotel and leisure center Preston Palace in Almelo expands with the use of the Ytong Casco System of Xella. Expanding horizontally is impossible for the Preston Palace because of lack of space, so they chose for an additional floor on top of the hotel. The special system of Xella will be constructed with high speed, is fire resistance and is light in weight, which fits perfectly with the requirements of the hotel. The extension must be finished before the Dutch autumn-holiday (mid-October), so that the rooms can be sold during this holiday.

Pop-up ‘Region Table’ on a farm

7-10-2014

The gentlemen of the Gastrovan prepare a Burgundian meal in the farm of ‘Hoeve Biesland’ in Delfsgauw, The Netherlands, on 10, 11 and 12 October. The stable of the farm will be transformed into a pop-up restaurant that serves 4-course dinners and 3-course lunches. Gastrovan prepares a special menu using fresh organic vegetables of ‘De Groentenboerin’ (The Vegetables Farmer) and the organic beef, lamb and dairy products from the farm itself. The purpose of this event is to get people acquainted in a culinary and educational way with local and organic food.

‘The World’s Best Chefs’

7-10-2014

Here’s a video about the new television series ‘World’s Best Chefs’. It is a new series from Fox in which Katie Button, chef of restaurant Cúrate in Asheville, North Carolina, visits a number of three-star chefs; Grant Achatz, Ferran Adrià, Joan Roca, Alex Atala, Michel Bras, Daniel Humm, Gaston Acurio, Massimo Bottura, Andoni Luis Aduriz and Jose Andres.

We want to see this series in the Netherlands!

We can’t wait for this series to start in the Netherlands and we think a lot of chefs and foodies do too. Who is going to broadcast it?

Update: from 26 October on, 24 Kitchen will broadcast ‘The World’s Best Chefs’ in the Netherlands.

The story of KETEL1

7-10-2014

The Dutch jenever brand KETEL1 launches a new commercial this week. In this video campaign Bob Nolet, 11th generation of the KETEL1 family business, gives a unique insight in his life. For over 300 years, the family business in Schiedam brews this artisan jenever. A special aspect is that in each generation only one member of the family receives access to the secret recipe of the drink.

Previous campaigns:

KETEL1 feels strongly connected with personal stories. They launched storytelling video before with Dutch singers Joshua Nolet (Chef’Special) and Willem de Bruijn (Opposites) in the lead.

What would tour story be?

Another example of Storytelling; ever thought about the story you could tell about your restaurant or hotel?

NH Hotels and Radio 538 present Hotel 538

6-10-2014

From 6 October on, listeners of the Dutch radio station ‘Radio 538’ can win tickets for a special event in collaboration with the NH Barbizon Palace hotel in Amsterdam. On the occasion of the Amsterdam Dance Event, NH Hotels and Radio 538 join forces and organize four evenings where the world’s best DJs provide a unique showcase in the Sint Olofskapel of the NH Barbizon Palace. These showcases are only accessible for the winners of the Radio 538-action. Of all these winners some may also check into Hotel 538: they win a dinner, a meet & greet, access to the showcase, tickets for a party during the Amsterdam Dance Event and an overnight stay for 2 persons in the NH Barbizon Palace. The performers in the Sint Olofskapel are Martin Garrix, Nicky Romero, Hardwell and Afrojack.

Kapellerput: Meetings in homely atmosphere

6-10-2014

The conference hotel Kapellerput in Heeze, The Netherlands, realized a new innovation for the meeting market. The new concept, ‘The house of’, offers a homely atmosphere where you can have meetings and brainstorms ‘like home’. ‘The house of’ consists of a kitchen and living room where groups up to 14 people can work in a relaxing way. A homey feeling is the key factor which is achieved with a retro 60s style look, large wooden tables, an outdoor patio, a fireplace and comfortable sofas. ‘The house of’ is equipped with modern technology, such as a wireless projector with sound system, Wi-Fi and air conditioning.

Previous actions:

Kapellerput keeps innovating in the area of conference rooms. They already realized a tree house in 2010 and an innovating meeting design in 2013.

How much was your stay worth?

2-10-2014

To promote the renewed Dorint Airport-Hotel Amsterdam launched a promotional campaign which allows guests to pay whatever they think the stay was worth. In terms of ‘how much was your stay worth?’ the hotel offers guests an overnight stay in one of the renovated rooms. On 24, 25 and 26 October, you can book a room, give online feedback and decide what you want to pay.

Pay-as-you-wish

This temporary pay-as-you-wish concept gives guests the chance to get acquainted with the hotel. It is also an ideal way for Dorint Airport-Hotel to receive feedback from their guests. And if guest share their positive experience through their social media, it’s quite a great way to promote the remodeled rooms.

Add a splash of color to your bath

2-10-2014

A floating, battery-powered, water drop that spreads a soothing light. Instead of candles, you can use this saver alternative in bath: the Rainbow Drop Bath Light of Firebox. It turns on automatically when touching water and floats calmly in the water. The luminous bulb spreads different colors, which has a soothing effect.

Small hospitable gesture

These Rainbow Drops could be a small hospitable gesture that your guest will remember: a soothing light that enables you (especially if you have jetlag) to relax while bathing.

The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam on Wallpaper’s shortlist, Best Urban Hotels

2-10-2014

The Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam has been called on the shortlist for ‘The Best Urban Hotels’ by Wallpaper.com. Mentioned on the list are those recently opened hotels that are nominated for their price ‘Best Urban Hotels’, amongst others The Mainport Hotel in Rotterdam. The list offers a 136 inspiring pictures with details from all nominated hotels. Great to scroll through if you’re looking for inspiration.

Success!

We wish all participants success of course, but in particular the Walldorf Astoria. This hotel opened in May this year and located in 17th century canal houses in the city centre is an asset to Amsterdam. The former houses were transformed into an impressive hotel provided with all necessary facilities such as a stylish fine dining restaurant (in cooperation with De Librije(***), Librije’s Zusje), Peacock Aley and the Vault bar. The interior of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, designed by GA Design International, is a combination of old elements of the 17th century and a luxurious design what gives the hotel its elegant atmosphere. In the December issue of Wallpaper the winner will be announced.

Opening Market hall Rotterdam

2-10-2014

The city of Rotterdam has a new a new architectural landmark, The Markthal. Following Stockholm, Barcelona, Valencia and Copenhagen the first indoor market of the Netherlands opened yesterday, 1 October, in Rotterdam. The market hall has the size of a large soccer field and gives space to several entrepreneurs: about 100 fresh produce units, 15 food shops and 8 restaurants are located in this impressive hall. Besides that the market hall a culinary meeting point is, the building has 228 apartments build in the arch as well.

A restaurant, amongst others, located at the Markthal; BasQ Kitchen. We do wish all the entrepreneurs a lot of fun and success at this location.

What’s your choice? Apple or Pumpkin pie flavor?

1-10-2014

Dairy Queen asked their fans to vote on which flavor the preferred; apple or pumkin pie flavor. in September, their more than 4 million members of the ‘Blizzard Fan Club’ and their guests voted for the pumpkin pie taste to win (54%). Members of the ‘Blizzard fan club “get a monthly email with the ‘Blizzard of the Month’ and at registration and anniversaries, they get coupons. One could vote at a specially created website; #VoteApple Or #VotePumkin. Earlier we saw a social media campaign from Pizza Hut, where customers could think of for the fictional perfume fragrance a name. What could you do to involve your guests via social media to your restaurant, nightclub or café?

Fun packaging for kids

1-10-2014

After drinking milk or juice, kids can play with this packaging. Designed by Bora Yildirim, the main function of the packaging is that it can be reused after the drink is consumed. The Pinar Sut bottles have two designs which can be transformed into fun toys. The lids and empty bottles can be attached to each other and transformed into shapes such as flowers and robots. This way children are encouraged to finish their drinks so they can play. Great way to serve drinks to children! The patent for this packaging is still pending but we think it’s ideal for healthy drinks for kids.

Of course we did spot a lot of inspiration focused on children before: in 2013 we saw a Happy Meal diorama. ‘Horeca Vlaanderen’ (Hospitality Flanders) and ‘Vlaanderen Lekker Land’ (Flanders Tasty Land) published a guide for a child-friendly hospitality industry full of hospitable ideas and menu tips for kids. You can also search yourself for inspiration focused on kids: Note ‘children‘ or ‘kids’ in the search field of our website and find pages full of inspiration.

Essential: a marketing campaign should score locally

30-9-2014

In response to the article of the national marketing campaign, ‘Street Dine’ of the JRE (Jeune Restaurateurs d’Europe) in the Netherlands, Mr. Jan Vrielink, owner of, among others, the restaurant ‘Het Schellinkje’ in Meppel drew our attention to his campaign ‘Street-Dining’ organized in 2012 and 2013. As his restaurant is located outside the direct city center of Meppel he surprised shoppers with a prepared table, a glass of wine and an appetizer. A good example of what we want to achieve with Horecatrends.com (Hotel, Restaurant, Café trends): entrepreneurs who inspire each other to perform their own marketing campaign, adjusted to the capabilities of the organization and location. Most important is; the effect should be locally measurable! The action and the publicity in the local newspaper and on social media should inspire guests to come dine at your place. Learn how the employees of ‘Het Schellinkje’ have performed the campaign and the reactions from their ‘guests’…

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