Hotel Operations

🏡 The Hound, a modern-day coaching inn in Chiswick, opens Wednesday, 17th July, featuring a historic Victorian police station aesthetic. The venue includes a pub, two private dining rooms—main one seating 18 with a combined former prison cells design, outdoor courtyard with retractable roof, and south-facing terrace. August will see the addition of four boutique guest rooms. John Sparks, Executive Chef, collaborates with James Knappett of two Michelin-star Kitchen Table to serve British pub classics. Also offers live sports screenings, diverse beer and cocktail selections, and a children’s menu.

☕ Hotel guests now expect barista-quality coffee, with 75% rating in-room coffee as poor or average, per a UCC Coffee survey. 30% would not return to a hotel due to poor coffee quality. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Hawaii offers a choice of soy, almond, coconut, and oat milk, highlighting the importance of variety, including non-dairy options. Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa emphasizes alternative methods like pour-over travel packs to maintain quality. Automation and advanced machine technology, such as Schaerer's 'Twin Milk System', are employed to meet high guest expectations and provide convenience for staff. Regular cleaning and calibration of coffee machines are essential to prevent failures and ensure optimal brewing. Sustainability practices include recycling coffee grounds for compost, as done by Outrigger Kona Resort.

🏨 Hospitality Technology (HT) expands its Hotel Visionary Awards for 2024, adding new categories to honor innovation in the hotel industry. Nomination deadline is September 13, 2024, with winners announced at the Hotel Technology Forum (HTF), November 18-20 at Terranea Resort, California. Awards include Innovation Awards for technology in various categories, Partnership Award for hotelier-vendor collaboration, Rising Star Award for individuals with less than five years in the industry, and Lifetime Achievement Award for at least 15 years of service. Finalists notified by October 4, 2024.

🏡 The Independent Hotel Show London announced its awards shortlist, recognizing achievements in three categories including Independent Hotel of the Year, with past winner The Headland participating as a judge. Held on 15-16th October at Olympia London, the event introduces two new awards: Hotel Rising Star and Best Hotel Design of the Year. Winners are chosen by judge assessment and a public vote. Voters can support their favorites online.

♿ American Express Global Business Travel survey in June 2024 found 50% of disabled UK workers declined job offers due to travel requirements, with 65% feeling unable to travel for business. Surprisingly, 61% canceled crucial trips over accessibility issues, while 63% perceive able-bodied colleagues advancing faster career-wise. Despite 74% viewing business travel as career-critical, 48% report a lack of understanding about travel needs, 31% experience inadequate hotel accommodations, and 37% encounter prejudice. Amex GBT's end-to-end accessibility solution, launched with IBM in December 2023, offers specialized service through the Travelers Requiring Specialty Assistance desk. Over a dozen customers have since adopted the framework, extending its benefits to Amex GBT employees.

🔥 New barbecue fusion food truck, Sí Baby-Q, opened in Austin on May 4, featuring a 125-seat patio. Chefs Simone Tong, Matt Hyland, and pitmaster Jonathan Lagos collaborate, offering dishes like mala-spiced pulled lamb shoulder, brisket with Indonesian long pepper, and SXSE smoked chicken using post oak for a milder smoke to complement South Asian spices. Menu also includes sandwiches and creative sides such as queso y pepe and smoked kimchi, alongside beers, seltzers, and sakes.

📺 The Grove Hotel, UK, known for hosting celebrities like Tom Cruise and Kylie Minogue, partnered with PPDS for an entertainment upgrade, installing 225 Philips MediaSuite TVs with Google Cast and Netflix. The TVs, networked over a Tiger TMS PMS and PPDS CMND, offer enhanced in-room entertainment and customised experiences in the West Wing and the Grade II listed Mansion House. Philips MediaSuite TVs feature seamless casting, access to apps, and regular updates to reduce e-waste.

🏩 The Grove Hotel in the UK, a luxury retreat frequented by celebrities, has enhanced its in-room entertainment by installing 225 Philips MediaSuite TVs, powered by PPDS. Newly fitted TVs feature Google Cast and Netflix, providing personalized content and seamless streaming for guests. Following the initial installment of 189 TVs in the West Wing, 36 additional TVs were added to the Mansion House's rooms and suites. The project showcases a unique hospitality solution, integrating with a Tiger TMS PMS and PPDS CMND platform for tailored guest experiences. Location: Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire, UK.

📺 The Grove Hotel, UK, enhances guest experience with 225 Philips MediaSuite TVs, offering Google Cast and Netflix. The TVs provide seamless streaming, personalized content, and are networked over a Tiger TMS system using PPDS CMND. The upgrade includes 189 TVs in the West Wing and 36 in the Mansion House, aligning with guests' preferences for streaming services. Philips MediaSuite TVs support sustainability by receiving regular updates, minimizing electronic waste.