Luxury Hospitality Magazine

Multimillion-pound football entertainment dome prepares for launch

Anna Startin — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 11:22:26 +0000

Football and hospitality pro team develop industry first Final preparation is happening at the multimillion-pound Ballerz dome arena – a new competitive socialising concept backed by big names in the footballing world. Ballerz is being launched by former professional footballers Rio Ferdinand, Bobby Zamora, Roberto Carlos and Mark Noble, alongside property frontman Nick Weir and a team of sport and hospitality industry specialists. It will be a first for football-focused entertainment and the UK’s most immersive competitive socialising space. The 30,000 sq ft Ballerz arena is located at Landsec’s Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, one of Europe’s leading retail and leisure destinations. There has been £3 million investment in the Ballerz concept and fit-out, with exclusive tech developed to create the immersive experience. The 500-capacity all-weather dome features an interactive skillzone and 5G pitch with stadium-style seating, players’ tunnel, pro changing rooms, and real-time pitch technology with big screen action replays on the sidelines. It will also be home to the Ballerz Cafe and Players’ Lounge, which will offer a full menu of light bites, mains, cocktails and drinks. The venue has been designed to host evening entertainment and corporate events too. Ballerz co-founder, Nick Weir, who is also managing [...]

The post Multimillion-pound football entertainment dome prepares for launch first appeared on Luxury Hospitality Magazine.

Palé Hall Hotel Celebrates Culinary Excellence and Sustainable Practices with Retained Accolades under New Head Chef Sam Griffiths

Anna Startin — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:28:04 +0000

Palé Hall Hotel, nestled in the serene landscapes of Snowdonia, proudly continues its legacy of culinary excellence and sustainability with the retention of its prestigious Green Michelin Star. The hotel’s Henry Roberton restaurant has also been reinspected and awarded 3 AA Rosettes under the leadership of new Head Chef Sam Griffiths. These accolades reaffirm the hotel’s unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled hospitality experiences while championing environmental stewardship in the heart of North Wales. Palé Hall Hotel’s dedication to sustainability is exemplified by its clean, completely carbon-neutral source of electricity, produced from an on-site hydro-electric generating plant. This pioneering initiative, recognized with Wales’ first Green Michelin Star in 2021, underscores the hotel’s unwavering commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint while providing guests with an eco-conscious luxury experience. Further bolstering its culinary prowess, Palé Hall Hotel proudly retains its 3 AA Rosettes, following reassessment with Sam Griffiths at the helm. A testament to the exceptional quality and innovation showcased in its fine dining restaurant, The Henry Robertson Dining Room. The culinary team continues to push the boundaries of gastronomic excellence, sourcing locally wherever possible to support Welsh farmers and reduce carbon emissions. “While we are immensely proud of our team’s culinary achievements, [...]

The post Palé Hall Hotel Celebrates Culinary Excellence and Sustainable Practices with Retained Accolades under New Head Chef Sam Griffiths first appeared on Luxury Hospitality Magazine.

New boutique ‘Hotel Indigo Coventry’ opened its doors on 24 January!

Anna Startin — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 09:00:36 +0000

Hotel Indigo Coventry opened its doors on 24 January after the completion of a multi-million-pound project which took just 19 months from start to completion. The stunning, boutique new-build property reflects the unique ethos of Hotel Indigo, part of the IHG Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, by creating an immersive hospitality experience that draws on the history, rhythm, and pulse of Coventry’s vibrant city, for both leisure and business guests. The hotel features ‘Cogs Restaurant & Bar’ which celebrates the amazing growers’ and producers in Warwickshire and the British Isles. The kitchen is open and fully integrated, allowing the Chefs to be a part of the diner’s experience. The Bar, with 100 seats, is both stylish and captivating, creating the perfect atmosphere for pre- and post-dinner drinks. The hotel also boasts a Fitness Suite, a Wine Wall, and an intimate Meeting Room for up to 12 people. Just as no two neighbourhoods are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are alike. Each is designed to uniquely reflect the local culture, character, and history of the surrounding area. Comprising of 101 stylish bedrooms, the rooms are designed around three themes reflecting the vibrance and style of Coventry’s historic neighbourhood – The Spinning [...]

The post New boutique ‘Hotel Indigo Coventry’ opened its doors on 24 January! first appeared on Luxury Hospitality Magazine.

Heritage hotel and wedding venue gives guests 21st century EV charging

Anna Startin — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 13:43:28 +0000

Abbey House Hotel & Gardens has tied the knot with electric vehicle charging network Be.EV to install 10 EV charging bays at the grade II-listed luxury hotel and wedding venue. The site is the largest ultra-rapid charging hub on the Lake District’s south coast, and the chargers will be available to hotel guests, the general public, local businesses and NHS workers – all of whom can access them via the national Be.EV network. It’s the largest public charging network in the North West, and boasts an impressive operational availability rate of 99.6%. On Wednesday, Be.EV and Abbey House representatives and the general public gathered to celebrate the launch of the site, with over 2,750 miles of free charging given away by Be.EV. Drivers who charged their car on the day, or use the site this week, will also be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a free one night stay at the luxury hotel. The site contains two state-of-the-art Kempower ultra-rapid chargers and three fast chargers – a carefully considered mix to meet the local area’s increasing demand for EV charging. The ultra-rapid Kempower chargers mean that drivers can charge their EV to 80% in as little as [...]

The post Heritage hotel and wedding venue gives guests 21st century EV charging first appeared on Luxury Hospitality Magazine.

Hand Picked Hotels Launches Challenge – What Apprenticeship Do ‘You’ Want to Complete?

Anna Startin — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 13:38:52 +0000

Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of 21 privately owned, luxury country houses and coastal retreats in the UK and Channel Islands, is launching a new initiative. With apprenticeships continuing to prove a popular way for people to learn on-the-job and be paid-to-learn, the team is encouraging people both within and outside of the business to proactively write to the team and apply for an apprenticeship to enhance or kick-start their career in hospitality. The new initiative from Hand Picked Hotels puts the onus on individuals to take control of their career and learning. Running a hotel business requires a number of different roles and specialisms outside of the traditional ‘front of house’ and ‘back of house’ positions. Looking to secure the best talent and those who are motivated to learn, the team wants people – both within and outside the business – to reach out to Hand Picked Hotels and outline what apprenticeship they are interested in completing, and why they should be selected for that role. Putting the onus back on individuals to proactively secure the right opportunity for them, within a fast-paced and exciting industry. Hand Picked Hotels has always been a strong supporter of apprenticeships as a [...]

The post Hand Picked Hotels Launches Challenge – What Apprenticeship Do ‘You’ Want to Complete? first appeared on Luxury Hospitality Magazine.

Three ways technology can take luxury to the next level

Anna Startin — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 13:20:23 +0000

By Rebecca Kelly, VenueScanner CEO At heart, what makes an experience feel like a luxury is indulgence, comfort, and ease – and there’s nothing like technology for making life easier. But it’s got a lot more potential than that. Tech can take a stately, striking or unusual space and make it into something really special, for guests and owners alike. Here’s how. Use tech to get ahead of the trends In the last few weeks, spurred by the likes of Saltburn and The Traitors, we’ve seen 117% more enquiries on VenueScanner for castle locations. Look at Google Trends to see how interest in certain moments has raised or declined over time. And you can turn that insight into targeted promotion through your digital marketing channels, like social media. Tech can help with that, too. AI tools offer an easy, cost-effective way to plan and create content. And once you’ve hooked their attention, you can use video and virtual 360 tours to give potential customers a sense of the space from afar. Make everyone’s stay seamless Tech-enabled online booking, check-in and check-out are pretty much the standard now, even if you’re also offering a personal touch to guide them through it. [...]

The post Three ways technology can take luxury to the next level first appeared on 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 [...]

The post 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 first appeared on Luxury Hospitality Magazine.

Hotel, Restaurant & Catering | 25 – 27 March 2024, ExCeL London

Laura — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 09:48:10 +0000

HRC, Hotel, Restaurant & Catering, returns to ExCeL London on 25-27 March for an immersive dive into the future of hospitality, offering invaluable networking opportunities, a chance to explore the very latest trends, and a firsthand look at the new innovations in foodservice. With its commitment to showcasing innovation, fostering connections, and providing a platform for the latest trends, HRC continues to be the heartbeat of the hospitality industry and a must attend for operators looking to take their customer experience to the next level. From exploring avant-garde design spaces to delving into the forefront of technology to sampling the very latest food & drink, HRC promises an unmissable experience for industry professionals. As the countdown begins, mark your calendars for this unmissable event and join us at HRC to witness firsthand the evolution of hospitality and the exciting future it holds. Find out more and register today >>

The post Hotel, Restaurant & Catering | 25 – 27 March 2024, ExCeL London first appeared on Luxury Hospitality Magazine.

DRAMA QUEEN BLUETOOTH TV SOUNDBAR – FABULOUS STEREO + BEAUTIFUL STYLING

Laura — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 09:42:16 +0000

DRAMA QUEEN is a bold and beautiful high fidelity stereo Bluetooth speaker / TV soundbar for the luxury customer who is looking for something that looks stunning and has a fabulous sound. Equipped with the latest Bluetooth 5.1 and AptX HD from Qualcomm, it’s stereo performance will seduce your senses in every way. Finished in real ebony veneer, it has an etched stainless-steel grille, and the curve of its body will add a sculptural focal point to any interior. Fitted with HDMI for TV, it also has an RCA PHONO input for use with an external stereo turntable. What is AptX HD? Qualcomm AptX HD was designed for high resolution audio. This enhanced codec supports 24-bit music quality over Bluetooth, which means listeners can hear even the smallest details in their music, making it indistinguishable from true high resolution audio. For more information: www.oliverhemming.com

The post DRAMA QUEEN BLUETOOTH TV SOUNDBAR – FABULOUS STEREO + BEAUTIFUL STYLING first appeared on Luxury Hospitality Magazine.

Nicholson’s Pubs Collection announces major refurbishment of the Doggett’s Coat and Badge

Anna Startin — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:34:45 +0000

Opening 15th February 2024 ! Nicholson’s Pubs Collections is proud to announce a significant investment in the extensive refurbishment of its iconic establishment, Doggett’s Coat and Badge on Blackfriar’s Bridge, London. The new venue is set to open its doors to the public on the 15th of February 2024. The investment in the pub has been directed towards enhancing various aspects of its facilities, specifically, the focus has been on upgrading the bars, meeting spaces, and private hire areas within the pub. Additionally, improvements have been made to the extensive outside drinking and dining areas, creating a more appealing and comfortable environment for guests to enjoy unrivalled views of the Thames. The unusual name pays tribute to Thomas Doggett, the organiser of the London Bridge to Chelsea rowing race along the Thames, which is said to be the oldest continuous sporting event in the UK. First held in 1715, the race takes place in July each year and runs over four miles and seven furlongs. The winner of the boat race would be awarded a waterman’s coat and badge, hence the name ‘Doggett’s Coat and Badge’. When Doggett died in 1721, he left instructions in his will for the race [...]

The post Nicholson’s Pubs Collection announces major refurbishment of the Doggett’s Coat and Badge first appeared on Luxury Hospitality Magazine.