In the Spotlight - Luxury Hospitality Magazine

Increased international travel, longer lead times, short stays and highly variable rates: SiteMinder’s Hotel Booking Trends highlights the dynamic new reality facing UK hotels

Anna Startin — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 09:33:12 +0000

A new report by SiteMinder, the name behind the only software platform that unlocks the full revenue potential of hotels, provides a wealth of insights for luxury accommodations, as increasingly sophisticated guest behaviour necessitates improved revenue management strategies. The report also reveals the 12 marketing channels driving the most revenue for UK hotels, with Mr and Mrs Smith and Off-Peak Luxury continuing to deliver. SiteMinder’s Hotel Booking Trends, based on more than 115 million hotel bookings, reveals that international arrivals at UK hotels grew by 17% year-on-year to become a majority, at 52% of all check-ins last year. This aligns with global trends, with SiteMinder’s data showing that international arrivals increased by an average of 33% across all markets. The top source markets for UK hotels were the US, Germany, France, Australia, and Italy. Meanwhile, in line with a strong rebound of outbound Asian travel, China’s Trip.com rose from eleventh to seventh place in SiteMinder’s list of top booking channels for UK hotels, while Agoda, popular among travellers throughout Asia, climbed one spot to fifth. Regarding the long-awaited return of Asian travellers, and Chinese travellers in particular, SiteMinder’s Chief Growth Officer, Trent Innes, says: “Hotels would do well to prepare [...]

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Emerging Leaders stage Grand Ball in aid of Brain Tumour Support

Anna Startin — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:15:39 +0000

A team of emerging leaders from De Vere Tortworth Court Hotel, near Bristol, have organised a Gala Dinner Charity Ball which they hope will raise thousands of pounds for Brain Tumour Support. The event will take place on 19 April at De Vere Tortworth Court, Wotton-under-Edge, and the organisers have set a target of raising £5,000 for the charity. Eight people, aged between 18 – 21, are currently on the Emerging Leader Programme at the hotel, and were challenged to plan and host a charity event, keeping costs as low as possible in order to maximise the benefits for the chosen charity. The EL Programme, which runs throughout the De Vere group of hotels, is an accelerated learning and development programme that offers real opportunities for people to carve out rewarding and successful careers in the hospitality sector. The after-effects of both Brexit and the pandemic has seen the hospitality sector struggle to find the staff it needs, and the EL programme is being seen as one way to show people that the industry is one which can offer opportunities for people to carve out a career for life. The in-depth 18-month, EL Programme enables future hospitality leaders to get [...]

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ILIV selected to create the iconic dining area at Lucky Cat, Gordon Ramsay’s new restaurant in Manchester.

Anna Startin — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:01:10 +0000

ILIV is proud to have been selected for the interior design scheme for Gordon Ramsay’s first major restaurant venture in Manchester the Lucky Cat. Located at 100 King Street in the iconic Art Deco Grade II listed building designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and built in 1935; originally the Midland Bank, this castle-like building is sometimes known as the ‘King of King Street’. London based design agency Russell Sage Studio, specialists in commercial and hospitality interior design, were the creative brains behind this unique project. The restaurant spans three floors and includes distinctive and quirky elements such as offering private dining in the underground bank vault, there are two additional private dining rooms, a bar and mezzanine for drinks plus the main restaurant on the ground floor. Leading British fabric manufacturer, ILIV were the ideal partner for this project. For this latest restaurant in the Gordon Ramsay Restaurants group the designers wanted to recreate the atmospheric and intimate style of Tokyo’s 1930’s drinking dens and “Kissa” jazz bars. For this they chose luxurious velvet fabrics from ILIV’s Hampton collection for the dining chairs, booths, and back seating in the main restaurant in the rich Blackberry colourway. The design blends the [...]

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CONRAD MALDIVES RANGALI ISLAND APPOINTS THOMAS HOEBORN AS GENERAL MANAGER

Anna Startin — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 11:37:21 +0000

A hospitality veteran, Hoeborn will lead the team in all aspects of hotel operations and performance. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is delighted to announce the appointment of Thomas Hoeborn as General Manager. A hospitality veteran with close to 40 years in the industry, Hoeborn’s new role will see him further drive Conrad Maldives Rangali Island’s ongoing commitment to luxury and innovative guest experiences. Jamie Mead, senior director, operations, South East Asia, said, “Thomas’ seasoned leadership acumen and track record in luxury hospitality will go a long way in further cementing Conrad Maldives Rangali Island’s leadership position in Maldives’ competitive luxury market. Through his deep-rooted understanding of the Conrad brand ethos, we are confident that Conrad Maldives Rangali Island will continue to elevate excellence and be the luxury hotel of choice for thoughtful, purposeful and conscientious travelers to this inspiring destination.” Hoeborn most recently served as Area General Manager in Central China, where he oversaw the operations and performance of eight Hilton and Conrad hotels, including the 728-room Conrad Shanghai. Prior to his stint in Central China, Hoeborn was Area General Manager of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan for Hilton’s multi-branded hotels in the region, and General Manager of the internationally-acclaimed Conrad [...]

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Luxury Hospitality Magazine speaks with Chef Daisuke Hayashi’s about Roketsu Restaurant

Anna Startin — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 14:38:51 +0000

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to speak with us, could you please tell us about your journey into the industry? When I was a child, I went fishing every week with my father and we would cook the fish that we caught. It was here that I started to enjoy cooking and learnt how to cook fresh ingredients. How long have you been working at the Roketsu Restaurant, and what do you love most about it? I’ve been working at Roketsu from the very beginning. I decided I wanted to open Roketsu and offer authentic Japanese cuisine abroad providing guests with an authentic Japanese dining experience. What is your signature cooking style? My cooking style is one that expresses the seasons by making the most of the seasonal ingredients. The heart of Kaiseki cuisine is the Dashi (stock) which is made from dried fish, and it is this that is considered the most important element of Japanese cuisine. Where is the restaurant located and does the menu focus on traditional Japanese Cuisine? Roketsu is based in Marylebone, London, and focuses on traditional Japanese Cuisine. What is Kaiseki dining? Kaiseki dining is a meal in which seasonal ingredients are [...]

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CYCLING TOUR DE SEARCYS RAISES OVER £22,000 FOR CHARITY

Anna Startin — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 14:32:49 +0000

British restaurateur and events caterer, Searcys, has donated over £22,000 to its chosen charities, following the fundraising efforts for the 2023 Tour De Searcys bike ride. Led by Managing Director Paul Jackson, 14 members of the Searcys team took to the roads for a 320-mile cycle across four days, starting from Inner Temple in London and ending in the town of Epernay in Champagne (France), home to Searcys’ own Selected Cuvée Champagne. This was the second tour, following the success of the first cycle ride in 2022 to celebrate the company’s 175th birthday and covered 175 miles between its London venues and the Pump Room in Bath. In total, the team raised and donated £22,257 to three charity partners; Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Adopt a School Trust, which provides culinary lessons to children, Hotel School, working with vulnerable and homeless people to get them back to work into hospitality, and Just One Tree, supporting the environment through replanting forests across the world. The funds raised by Searcys will sponsor 90 children within the Adopt a School programme to take part in a ‘Chef on the Farm’ visit, which provides disadvantaged children the opportunity to visit a local farm and learn [...]

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NOT A LIFESTYLE CHOICE! LONDON BUSINESS LEADERS SLEEP OUT TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS

Anna Startin — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:05:12 +0000

On Monday 20th November 2023, over 140 CEOs and business leaders across London, including some of the capital’s most prominent hospitality figures, will give up their warm beds to spend the night sleeping outdoors at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The initiative from CEO Sleepout UK pulls together those with powerful voices to raise awareness and funds for the homeless. With Suella Braverman’s reference to “lifestyle choice” when referring to the homeless using tents and the number of people sleeping rough rising for the first time in half a decade* as the cost-of-living crisis pushes more people on to the streets, raising funds has never been more vital. Hospitality leaders taking to their sleeping bags this year include Henrik Muehle, Managing Director of Flemings Mayfair Hotel; Martin Williams, CEO of Rare Restaurants; Edoardo Minoli of The Birley Clubs (COO); Vijay Sana, General Manager of Hutong, plus a number of leaders at Caprice Holdings including Dylan Ramsay (Commercial Finance Director) George Jones (Group Executive Director) Jon Davis (Chief Technology Officer), and Una O’Reilly, (Group Chief of People). London’s Corporate Ambassador for CEO Sleepout, Henrik Muehle, currently takes the lead on the fundraising board, securing over £19,000 in donations so far. Last year, he [...]

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Meet leading hospitality suppliers at HRC 2024

Laura — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:12:09 +0000

HRC, Hotel Restaurant & Catering, will welcome the hospitality community back to ExCeL London on 25-27 March 2024 to connect, learn and meet with quality industry suppliers. HRC is the ultimate business event for the UK hospitality industry, welcoming more buying groups and independent decision makers to meet face-to-face with industry suppliers of design, décor & tableware, professional kitchen equipment, hospitality tech solutions, and food and drink products than any other event. With a host of carefully curated features, HRC provides a hub of innovation and inspiration and delivers networking opportunities for exhibitors and visitors alike that can’t be found anywhere else on this scale. Over three days, buyers can take part in complimentary seminar sessions, uncover the latest trends, develop their knowledge and gain valuable advice from leading industry pioneers on the current issues influencing the hospitality sector. HRC is co-located with IFE, International Food & Drink Event, IFE Manufacturing, The Pub Show and International Salon Culinaire, collectively hosting the UK’s most comprehensive gathering of food, drink and hospitality professionals. Sign up to the HRC Newsletter to be notified when registration goes live >> https://www.hrc.co.uk/newsletter-sign-up

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Fettle unveils design for San Carlo Alderley Edge

Francesca — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 11:50:06 +0000

Fettle, the London and LA based interior architecture and design studio, has unveiled the interiors for San Carlo Alderley Edge in Cheshire, a sophisticated and contemporary restaurant offering authentic Italian dining. The project marks the fourth space Fettle has designed for the acclaimed restaurant group, following successful openings in Liverpool, Knightsbridge and St Christopher’s place in London. The scope of work for the project included a £3million transformation and full refurbishment of the 370 sq ft space and 205 cover restaurant. The restaurant features an impressive indoor-outdoor dining terrace that includes a retractable roof, allowing the space to be used all year round. The white pergola strung with crystal pendant lights, an open fireplace and an abundance of lush planting is reminiscent of a glamorous Italian garden. The bar features an Alicante marble top with high sheen timber and brass detailing to the front, adding a strong and dramatic focal point to the space. Stained oak bar stools with green leather seats wrap around the counter for guests to enjoy post dinner drinks in an intimate setting. The restaurant includes a terracotta and white patterned terrazzo floor, high-gloss timber and high sheen white painted panelling. A combination of green, gold and pink tones, a layering of patterned fabrics and textures creates [...]

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Cultural Significance Meets Modern Opulence: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental By Champalimaud Design

Francesca — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:39:54 +0000

Champalimaud Design returns this iconic landmark in Abu Dhabi to its palatial design splendour with overarching concepts originating from the destination’s layered and ancient history – a rich story of ‘The Land where the Ocean meets the Desert’ Champalimaud Design, the New York-based interior design studio, is committed to creating transformative spaces and unparalleled products in the residential, hospitality, and wellness spheres. The latest venture from the award-winning studio is the redesign of the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, the iconic beachfront resort in Abu Dhabi. Champalimaud Design has integrated a sense of place, emphasising high craftsmanship and weaving a contemporary sensibility through renovated Guest Rooms, Suites, Public Spaces, and Restaurants. The concept for the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is inspired by its position between one of the world’s largest continuous deserts and the aquamarine waters of the Arabian Gulf, telling a rich tale of ‘The Land where the Ocean meets the Desert’. The studio’s narrative was informed by an exquisite landscape of patterns shaped by nature and by the layered history of cultural exchange in Abu Dhabi. The redesign of the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental presents a vision of sophistication and modernity while authentically reflecting the traditions of the Emirates. [...]

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