Hotel - Hospitality

Hotel F&B to grow as hoteliers 'wake up' to opportunities

14-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Food and beverage (F&B) offerings in the UK's hotels are set to improve and grow over the next few years as hoteliers 'finally wake up to the opportunities available to them' according to a new report by MCA Insight.

The Master Innholders names 2017 Scholars

09-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

The Master Innholders has announced the 20 hoteliers who have won places on its 2017 hotel management scholarship programme.

Accor buys stake in boutique hotel brand 25hours

08-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

AccorHotels is ramping up its bid to woo the millennial market by buying a 30 per cent stake in German boutique brand 25hours Hotels.

The Fusion Group of Companies adds Dunblane B&B to portfolio

01-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Scottish hospitality group The Fusion Group of Companies has added Dunblane B&B Chimes House to its growing portfolio.

ASK THE EXPERTS

How to personalise the hospitality experience for different nationalities

31-Oct-2016 By Joel Brandon-Bravo

With the UK benefiting from an uplift in visits from international travellers Joel Brandon-Bravo of Travelzoo discusses why and how hospitality businesses can personalise the experience for international guests to help build loyalty from all markets.

Roomzzz Aparthotels to open 97-bedroom aparthotel in York

31-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Planning permission has been granted for a new 97-bedroom Roomzzz-branded aparthotel in York, expected to open in summer 2018.

Former Firmdale director Carrie Wicks joins Leeu Collection as CEO

31-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Carrie Wicks is now chief executive of the South Africa-based Leeu Collection, after her shock departure from the role of operations director of Firmdale Hotels in January.

Andrew Brownsword pledges to rebuild Royal Clarence hotel after fire

31-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham

Andrew Brownsword, the owner of The Royal Clarence hotel in Exeter, has pledged to rebuild the historic building after it was destroyed by a fire last Friday (28 October).

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 24/10 - 30/10

28-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

From the industry’s reaction to the Heathrow expansion, to the best pub of the year, we revisit some of the week’s top stories

SMALL TALK

Ashdown Park Hotel GM Ben Booker on maintaining successful independence in hotels

28-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham

As Ben Booker approaches his 10th year as general manager at Elite Hotels Group's Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex, he shares his tips on running a successful independent hotel

Dalata Hotels buys Clayton Hotel Cardiff for £24m

26-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham

Irish hotel operator Dalata Hotels has bought the freehold interest of the Clayton Hotel in Cardiff for £24m.

Historic Ury House to re-open as boutique hotel in 2020

26-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

The team behind Andy Murray’s Cromlix Hotel are to transform the historic Ury House in Aberdeenshire in to a 50-room boutique hotel and restaurant.

Premier Inn plans hub expansion

25-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

Premier Inn is planning to double its number of high-tech hub hotels following strong half-year sales at the chain.

Marriott to launch dual-branded Moxy hotel in Slough

25-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

Marriott International is to launch its millennial-targeted Moxy brand in Slough as part of a ‘two-in-one’ hotel development.

China's HNA Group buys 25% stake in Hilton

25-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

Chinese tourism and aviation conglomerate HNA has bought a 25 per cent stake in the Hilton hotel group, the companies said yesterday.

Springboard announces Awards for Excellence 2016 shortlist

24-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

Industry charity Springboard has announced the shortlist for its 2016 Awards for Excellence.

DoubleTree by Hilton to make Hull debut in 2017

24-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

Hilton Worldwide has revealed plans to bring its high-end DoubleTree brand to Hull as the area gears up for its stint as UK City of Culture in 2017.

Locals are key to your hotel’s success, say expert hoteliers

21-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Local business is key to the success of your hotel, whether it’s an urban hub or country house, according to hotel experts.

People on the Move in Hospitality: October 2016

20-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham

October has seen a number of high profile appointments across the hospitality sector, including new food and beverage directors at Macdonald Hotels and Fairmont St Andrews and general managers at The Aviator Hotel and The Dorchester.

Another Place hotel collection plans six hotels in 10 years

19-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham

Another Place, the hotel collection set up by Watergate Bay Hotel managing director Will Ashworth last year, has outlined its growth strategy, aiming for six hotels in 10 years.

Hotels by design: Flexibility and tech are the future, says AHC panel

17-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Multi-functional lobbies, flexible workspaces and formerly ‘luxury’ technology coming as standard – these should be the design priorities for hotels today.

ASK THE EXPERTS

How to create a boutique hotel room on a budget

17-Oct-2016 By Sam Stokoe

Sam Stokoe, hotel interior design specialist and director at Newman Gauge, gives her top tips to creating a boutique hotel on a tight budget.

UK's regional hotel market to experience further growth

17-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham

The UK's regional hotel market is predicted to grow considerably over the next two years, according to research by JLL, as new developments in cities outside London attract a growing number of corporate and leisure guests.

Hyatt builds European team to grow regional presence

17-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham

American hotel company Hyatt has expanded its European team to enable it to grow the presence of its Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric and Hyatt Place brands in Europe.

Small Talk

Oliver Heywood on the future of Flat Cap Hotels

14-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The North West-based hotel group – inspired by openings such as design-led The Pig, Firmdale Hotels, and The Hoxton ‒ first opened as the restaurant The Vicarage Freehouse in 2014, before progressing to add a 20-bedroom hotel to the site in 2015.

Futureproof your hotel: Industry experts share their top tips

14-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham & Hannah Thompson

The ‘pace of change’ is moving at its fastest ever rate, according to Danny Pecorelli, managing director of Exclusive Hotels and Venues and, like it or not, the hotel sector is having to move with it.

The battle of the bookings: How hotels can work with, not against OTAs

12-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson & Emma Eversham

As the industry gears up for two major hotel events in the next few weeks, experts have agreed that online travel agents (OTAs) may not be the ‘necessary evil’ they are made out to be, and may actually offer many features designed to help, rather than...

Alexander Hotels and Utopia Spas acquires Barnett Hill conference venue

12-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham

South East-based hotel company Alexander Hotels and Utopia Spas has acquired conference venue Barnett Hill in Guildford.

Shiva Hotels launches anti-slavery hospitality charter and roundtable

10-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Shiva Hotels is aiming to raise awareness of modern slavery within hospitality after piloting a new anti-trafficking scheme at its DoubleTree by Hilton in London, and a roundtable set for 2 November.

Marriott seeks tech start-ups for hotel deal

10-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

Marriott is looking to boost its digital operations by offering two tech start-ups the chance to test their ideas in its European hotels.

CitySuites to launch flagship Manchester site

06-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

A new accommodation brand designed to bridge the gap between hotels and serviced apartments is set to launch its first building in Manchester in 2017.

Independent hotels best placed to face up to industry challenges

03-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham

The independent hotel sector may have diminished in size, but is best placed to face the challenge of industry disruptors and meet the future needs of the modern traveller, according to hotel industry consultant Melvin Gold.

Grosvenor exits Peninsula Hotel Hyde Park joint venture

30-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

Property firm Grosvenor has exited the joint venture it set up with Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels (HSH) to develop the £500m Peninsula London Hotel on Hyde Park Corner.

Simon Rogan named Chef of the Year at AA Hospitality Awards 2016

27-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

Simon Rogan has been named Chef of the Year at the 2016 AA Hospitality Awards.

Travelodge appoints technology officer to drive digital growth

27-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

Travelodge has appointed its first chief technology officer as part of a plan to innovate its digital operations.

Jupiter Hotels purchases three hotels under Holiday Inn and Mercure

26-Sep-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Jupiter Hotels has announced that it has purchased three hotels under its umbrella – the Holiday Inn Darlington, Holiday Inn Dumfries, and Mercure Sheffield Parkway – off a reported guide price of £12m, as part of a wider expansion push.

Choice Hotels ramps up UK expansion plans

26-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

Choice Hotels International is preparing to ramp up its UK expansion plans as part of an ‘aggressive’ European growth strategy.

What's on at The Independent Hotel Show 2016

26-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

The Independent Hotel Show returns to London’s Olympia on 18-19 October with a busy two days of inspiration, advice and networking opportunities for the UK’s luxury and boutique hoteliers.

Marriott completes $13.6bn Starwood merger

23-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

Marriott International has completed its $13.6bn acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and immediately announced plans to link up the group’s guest loyalty programmes.

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 19/09 - 23/09

23-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

What were some of the top stories in hospitality this week? Here's our pick.

Pentahotels puts focus on UK as it secures first London site

22-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

The managing director of German hotel chain Pentahotels says the UK is an 'important market' for the expansion of the brand with more than 30 new locations currently under scrutiny.

People On The Move In Hospitality: September 2016

21-Sep-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The back-to-school month brings a host of new appointments, including Yu Sugimoto as new head chef at The Square, Alicia Storey at the Passford House Hotel in Lymington, Jim Slater as managing director of Chipotle in Europe.

Starwood Capital Group to launch Principal hotel brand

20-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

Private investment firm Starwood Capital Group is to launch a new urban lifestyle hotel brand called Principal.

Hotels risk losing business to Airbnb, says BDRC Hotel Insights panel

16-Sep-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Hotels are almost certainly losing business to the sharing economy platforms such as Airbnb, a panel has suggested at this year’s BDRC Hotel Insights Forum 2016.

Dominvs Group sells three UK hotels off guide price of £12m

13-Sep-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Dominvs Group has sold three branded regional UK hotels to Asian company Fico Corporation for an undisclosed sum off a guide price of £12m.

Australian StayWell Hospitality Group to expand into the UK

12-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

Australian-owned hotel management company StayWell Hospitality Group is to expand its UK business through a new partnership with Fiveways Hospitality.