Hotelier & Hospitality Design - December 2022

The perfect finish to any

GIVE THE ULTIMATE GIFT OF RELAXATION THIS CHRISTMAS

MONETARY VOUCHERS

A sum of money, chosen by you, which can be used towards any of Spabreaks.com’s experiences, offering complete flexibility and give your recipient the freedom to choose how they spend it. Monetary vouchers are available from just £30.

Vouchers are easily bookable online and offer 12-month validity, so voucher holders can choose when they want to enjoy their gift - ensuring they get to indulge in their spa experience at a time that suits them. In a bid to help spread the cost of Christmas for customers this year, all vouchers bought from the 24th October will have an extended validity period that will run through until the 24th December 2023.

• From the ultimate relaxation gift vouchers to at-home-spa gift sets, Spabreaks.com has the perfect present for everyone on your Christmas list

• Spabreaks.com gives the options of two types of gift: gift packages or monetary vouchers

• With all gifts, Spabreaks.com offers a range of optional gift sets to accompany the voucher, from aromatic candles to skincare sets

With the continued stresses and distractions that 2022 has provided, many of us are looking for ways in which to unwind & relax as we get closer to the festive period. With Spabreaks.com’s range of gift ideas, it is the perfect time to treat someone with the relaxation and wellbeing benefits of spa.

Be it an overnight spa break, a spa day or a gift voucher that allows your loved one the flexibility of choosing where and when to get away, there is something for everybody and all budgets with Spabreaks.com’s gift options.

Spabreaks.com offers two types of gift voucher, which can be redeemed at over 450 spas across the UK:

GIFT PACKAGES

These packages give you the opportunity to tailor your gift to include all the specifics: the spa, the treatments, and whether you have lunch, afternoon tea or stay for dinner. You choose the spa and experience; they choose when to use it.

Seeking to tailor the spa experience perfectly to each person on your list? Spabreaks. com has a range of gift packages at incredible venues across the country such as:

Doubletree by Hilton Chester Hotel

Enjoy a one-night bed and breakfast stay at this manor house hotel set in 12 acres of landscaped grounds. With space in abundance, groups will love the opportunities for dining and social time, but don’t forget to factor in time at the luxury Club and Spa. Its 14 treatment rooms mean it has ample space for larger groups, as well as a pool, steam room and rasul, which are fun to enjoy with family and friends. After a restorative massage or facial, make the most of the poolside loungers before planning how to enjoy yourself next. Offer includes a three-course dinner in the Garden Room & Terrace from a Table D’hôte Menu and 4 hours use of the spa facilities. From £88.50pp. More info here

Rena Spa at Leonardo Royal Tower Bridge Hotel

With Tower Bridge and the Tower of London on your doorstep,

there’s plenty to keep you busy with sightseeing, however when you’re ready to indulge in some serious relaxation, Rena Spa is an oasis of calm. Elegant facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, next to which you’ll find a Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna to spend time relaxing in. The spa is all about pampering, so you can expect to find an indulgent treatment menu to choose a range of beauty and holistic therapies from. Offer includes onenight bed and breakfast stay, a choice of 1 x 25-minute treatment, a bottle of Prosecco on arrival and 2 hours use of the facilities. From £103.50pp. More info here

Shangri-La, The Shard

Dip your toes in the highest sky pool in Europe with a mid-week staycation in the sky. Providing you with an unparalleled view of the city from a Deluxe City View Room, your day begins with a buffet breakfast for two in TĪNG restaurant. Make the most of your getaway with access to the hotel’s legendary infinity sky pool, as well as relaxing in the sauna or working out in the gym, all located on the hotel’s 52nd floor and open until 6pm. Treat yourself by adding a treatment to your stay, either in the spa or in your room for extra comfort. You can also

add dinner and drinks to your stay at one of the hotel’s array of restaurants and bars. Whether you fancy a tipple in Europe’s highest hotel bar, GŎNG, tucking into Asian cuisine with classic British gastronomy at TĪNG, or enjoying a local craft beer or Aperol Spritz at Bar 31, there’s something for every palate. From £465pp. More info here

If you’re unsure of the recipient’s favorite spa, or what they might enjoy, book safely in the knowledge that the equivalent monetary value of the voucher can be used towards an alternative experience of their choice.

With all gifts, Spabreaks.com offers a range of optional gift sets to accompany the voucher, from aromatic candles to skincare sets – all of which will allow recipients to enjoy a spot of at home relaxation as they eagerly await their upcoming spa experience.

With a range of gifting options and an array of wonderful spas across the UK, giving the relaxing gift of spa is easy this Christmas with Spabreaks.com.

For more information or to book visit www.spabreaks.com or call 0800 043 6600.

New Made To Measure Door Mats

There’s a vast number of entrance mats available for your home or business. However, it’s doubtful that one of the few standard-size options will be a perfect fit for your doorway. That’s why a made-to-measure door mat is an excellent idea if you want a mat that’s both functional and fits in well with the surrounding decor.

Birmingham-based matting specialists

First Mats have added two new options to their expansive range, which allow customers to order a premium quality mat in the width and length of their choosing rather than just being cut from a roll. The Premier-Plush mat is cost-effective, durable and attractive, with ten colours to choose from. For even more choice, the Ultra-Plush mat - a plain colour version of First Mats’ commercial Logo Mats - offers the same flexibility with a broader colour palette, including vibrant reds and cool blues.

Both new mats feature a nitrile rubber backing, providing a better grip on smooth floors than cheaper vinyl alternatives. In addition, a textured gripper backing can be chosen for carpeted floors at no extra cost, which latches onto carpet pile fibres. Both mats are machine washable and colourfast to prevent fading, with a high-density pile for a quality you can literally feel.

“We’ve always had a commitment to quality,” states First Mats Director Richard O’Connor, “Which is why these new commercial-grade mats are a superb addition to our range and a fantastic choice for our commercial and domestic customers alike.”

Each mat is made to order but can be delivered within seven working days to most mainland locations, with all delivery costs included in the mat price. See the First Mats website for more information or to order a new made-to-measure door mat using the simple online ordering form.

Click here for more information.

WHAT’S TRENDING IN AMERICAN CRAFT BEER

Lotte Peplow, Brewers Association American Craft Beer Ambassador for Europe, unearths the latest trends in the American craft beer world

The USA is widely credited with pioneering the American craft beer movement we see today and is perceived to be among the top brewing nations in the world. There are now 9,200+ breweries in the States, renowned for their innovation, creativity, brewing precision and high quality, fullflavoured beers.

As trend and style setters in the craft beer world, what starts over there often comes over here so below is a snapshop of what’s trending in American craft beer following a visit to the Great American Beer Festival held annually in Denver, Colorado and organised by the Brewers Association, the not-forprofit trade association for small and independent American craft brewers.

IPA

IPAs in their many iterations continue to dominate the American craft brewing scene with approximately one third of all sales. Well-made, high quality, classic IPAs featuring punchy, flavoursome American hops were highly prevalent as both brewers and drinkers alike sought a return to traditional flavours and

styles. The latest trend is for Cold IPA, a heavily dry-hopped ale/lager hybrid made using bottom fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures to give a clean, crispness with hop intensity and supreme drinkability. Within the IPA category, Imperial IPAs are driving much of today’s growth and hazy/juicy IPAs were also popular but slightly less so than 2019 levels.

Lagers and Lighter Styles

Lighter and more approachable styles were much in evidence with a return to less palate-challenging and more easy-drinking beers. Lagers including Helles, Pilsner, Oktoberfest, Festbier, Marzen, Bocks and much more all featured heavily.

Low and No

Alcohol-free beers account for a small but rapidly growing sector of the American craft beer with .5% of the total market. This may seem small but compared to other sub-sectors of craft beer it’s a big chunk. There were more examples of low and no alcohol beers than ever before with brewers showing high levels of ingenuity and

imagination, eg. Athletic Brewing Co’s medal winning Lemon Radler.

Wood & Barrel-Aged Strong Beers

Pastry stouts were less of a thing this year but intense, high ABV, rare beers were much sought after eg. Firestone Walker Parabola, imperial stout aged in Bourbon barrels for a year and The Bruery’s Ivoire, Bourbon barrel-aged ale.

The UK is the largest export market in Europe and second biggest individual export market accounting for 8.4% of all exports. American craft beer is available from select national wholesalers or direct at Athletic Brewing or the Cascade Club.

EYE CATCHING DINING FURNITURE

Wobbly tables can be a thing of the past thanks to the patented StableTable technology.

StableTable is a unique patented fully automated solution which is hidden with the pillar of the table base allowing the legs to adjust to uneven surfaces.

Available for both indoor and outdoor use in a range of heights, shapes and sizes. Can be supplied as base only or complete with a stylish OnTop 12mm Compact Laminate top.

Addison

Clipsham

Stowmarket

Wilby

Bohemia

Brandon

New Puerto Rico eco-resort by Studio Anyo goes offsite to deliver ‘unique’ tree-top living experience

UK architects Studio Anyo has been commissioned to design and project manage a new multi-million-pound eco resort on a Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.

The circa £10 million project will see the creation of a family of 12 seven luxury eco-lodges featuring four 1-bedroomed units, including a disability access unit, two 2-bedroomed units, two VIP units and four 1-bedroomed tree house units constructed offsite in the UK using the latest build techniques and MMC materials. Tree house units in the activity section as individual rental units are also planned along with a luxury customised tree house retreat experience.

These will then be shipped directly to Puerto Rico for erection on a seven-hectare site close to the El Hippie Waterfall on the edge of the El Yungue National Forest in the east of the country.

Once built for developer Namu Investment Group, they will become the eye-catching centrepiece of an ambitious and ground breaking sustainable eco-leisure destination that will also feature a fitness retreat, wild bathing, BBQs, tree top walkways and swings, cable cars, restaurants, a spa, and a coffee bean planting and tasting experience.

While still in the development stage, the eco-resort, which is scheduled to open for visitors in 2024, has been designed to incorporate a range of sustainable materials to create components assembled on-site to heighten enhanced levels of building fabric performance. Adopting the latest offsite techniques will reduce material delivery times and cut the construction site footprint while materials reclaimed from the demolition of existing buildings will be used in the construction process, delivering long term efficiencies.

Studio Anyo’s ‘carbon and energy positive, zero waste framework’ system will be utilised to create net biodiversity gains in the construction of its ‘Samlingen’ leisure accommodation, which has been designed to provide long term energy saving and sustainability benefits. Local skilled labour will also be employed to

support the supply chain and deliver a higher quality product, with minimum impact on and disruption to the local community.

The ‘Samlingen’ incorporates leading edge design to deliver contemporary leading edge leisure accommodation. The interior features a large open kitchen diner, ample storage provision, a master suite with ensuite private balcony, child-friendly bedrooms and exterior seating. Furthermore, the light is used to define the space in the ‘Samlingen’ style as the controlled views will relate to the passage through the unit opening out into stunning landscapes and vistas.

Renowned for its draw-dropping landscapes and stunning natural phenomena, Puerto Rico with its focus on conservation and ecology, is being seen as one of the fastest growing destinations for eco-travellers.

The travel lodge industry alone has generated $1 billion during the first half of 2022, according to the island’s official destination marketing organisation, Discover Puerto Rico

Studio Anyo was recommended for the project by Scotland-based glamping site designer and developer, Glampitect. CEO of Studio Anyo, James Walsh, who is overseeing the project design and development phases, said: “This is another ground breaking, exciting project for Studio Anyo. We have incorporated design principles to deliver modular sustainability and a bespoke experience with tree-level living spaces within the sanctity of the local forest and wider natural environment.

“As architects, we have drawn on our extensive knowledge and expertise of bespoke solutions and contemporary design to create a stunning project that will undoubtedly make a huge contribution to Puerto Rico’s burgeoning, dynamic eco-travel market.”

For more information visit: www.studioanyo.com

Studio Anyo’s designs for a new multi-million-pound eco resort on a Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.

Burnham Beeches Hotel

Burnham Beeches Hotel is a 4-star hotel located in Burnham, Slough. It boasts 10 acres of beautiful gardens and the hotel itself is a beautiful Georgian building that dates back to 1727. There is a well-equipped leisure club available for guests that includes a gym, swimming pool, sauna and hot tub. There is an onsite spa offering treatments such as facials, massages, manicures and pedicures at an extra cost. There is a restaurant, tea room and also a beautiful Georgian bar and lounge.

We were kindly gifted a stay at the Burnham Beeches hotel, which included a 30 minute treatment each, a 3 course dinner each, a one night stay in a superior double room and breakfast before departure. The stay also included full use of the leisure facilities.

Upon arrival at the Burnham Beeches Hotel there were grand pillars lining the driveway in. It was a stone driveway with a few dips here and there, so we took our slow drive down to find a space to park. There was ample parking available at you can see the hotel from the car park, along with some of the beautiful gardens. There were tables and chairs outside, and we commented that it must be very beautiful to sit out and enjoy the sunshine in the summer months.

Upon arrival to reception, we were pleasantly surprised to find our room was ready two hours earlier than expected. We were advised that unfortunately the lift was out of use, but someone would be happy to help us to our room should we need assistance. We were told where we could find all of the facilities we may need during our stay. We headed on up to our room which was situated on the first floor. Our key card wouldn’t work at first, but this was quickly rectified, and the receptionist came to make sure it worked.

We were very pleased with our room. There was a lovely big bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a big bath and plenty of towels for our stay. There were tea and coffee making facilities, an easy to use safe, big comfortable bed, table and chairs and a lovely view of the grounds from the window. There was a big television in the room on the wall also.

We were given robes and towels for the pool, so we headed there to check it out before going for our treatments. Upon arrival to the pool, we realised we were the only two there. There are changing facilities available and a small seating area for before or after your leisure time to unwind and have a drink of water. The pool isn’t huge, but it is big enough for a leisurely swim. There was a small hot tub big enough for two, although one of us did have to keep getting out to turn it back on again. There is also a nice sauna. We did not get a chance to have a look at the gym area, however did see people coming and going to use those facilities and it seemed to be popular.

We went back up to our room a little before the massage and received a call advising they were running a bit behind. We appreciated the call and it meant we could relax a little before. We walked down to the treatment area and sat in the waiting room. We were both asked to fill in a form before going one at a time for a back and neck massage. The massage room was beautiful. Lots of open space, candles and relaxing music. We both agree it was one of the most amazing massages we ever had, and we both came out feeling so relaxed and calm. The lady was very welcoming and professional.

Before dinner we had a drink in the bar area. There is lots of seating available and the rooms are beautiful. We entered the Brasserie which was just down the hall from the bar and we were promptly seated. We were the only people in there for a while and it was a beautifully laid out room. Tables were spaced out well so you wouldn’t

feel on top of each other if there was a full house. For our starters we chose potato and leek soup and duck pate. Both starters came out promptly and were both full of flavour and well presented. Between us for the main course we chose pork belly and chicken breast. Both were beautifully presented, tasted amazing and the portion sizes were more than enough. The chef then sent out some ring donuts with a chocolate topping. These tasted amazing. We had our pudding brought up to our room and we selected pecan pie and strawberry and peach eton mess. They were delivered by a young man called Abf who has also served us downstairs. He was so attentive and polite, a real asset to the hotel. We couldn’t fault the deserts, again presented beautifully with a taste to match.

After a restful sleep we went down to breakfast before checking out. We were shown to a table and offered hot drinks. Food available included a hot buffet consisting of bacon, eggs, sausages, beans, mushrooms and hash browns. There were continental breakfast items available such as cereal, cold meats, cheeses and croissants. There was fresh fruit laid out and an array of juices such as apple, orange and water. There was plenty available to fill yourself up before a busy day.

If you are looking for somewhere peaceful, with great scenery, amazing food and somewhere to unwind, Burnham Beeches Hotel is the place for you.

We had a lovely stay and wouldn’t hesitate to stay in the future.

Offers, pictures and more information can be found on their website

Did you know:

• 18-30% – increase in spend and visits attributable to loyalty programmes

• 6% – average difference between loyalty and non-loyalty checks

• 5-17% – percentage of total revenue driven by the most loyal 2-17% of customers.*

In addition, the level of inflation at which customer check size drops is 10%. Which is just about where we’re hovering in the UK at the moment.

Chris Cartmell, Chief Commercial Officer for NFS restaurant technology, said: “Clients want a more integrated omnichannel approach to client engagement, loyalty and feedback. Discounting to incentivise also needs a rethink.”

In response to this demand, NFS – provider of Aloha restaurant management software – have selected top customer experience platform Paytronix Systems Inc as their UK and Ireland partner.

NFS clients include top brands such as BrewDog, Dishoom, Marugame Udon Europe and Gaucho Paytronix seamlessly integrates with Aloha, improving client engagement, growing revenue and a better picture of client spend and preferences.

Chris said: “The secret of putting your restaurant at the heart of a friendly community is to combine a great epos system – that provides excellent customer service including tableside ordering and payment, or kiosk ordering – with a customer experience platform.”

This bolsters and grows your restaurant’s loyalty community in 5 ways:

• It allows you to provide a truly customised one-toone journey for your guests, combining data and marketing automation in one dashboard.

• You can personalise digital marketing to a customer’s behaviour and connected to their actual guest spend.

• You can create and deploy omnichannel marketing campaigns in minutes, using core design options that suit your customers’ needs.

• You can encourage increased order frequency by offering combined services – for example, restaurants who combine online ordering and loyalty programmes together report that order frequency rises by 18%.

• Loyalty becomes more enticing to customers. A system that integrates epos and customer experience platforms gives them more ways to enrol and provides more promotion types. The best practitioners say they gain guest participation of 50 to 70%.

* Source: Paytronix: Loyalty Report 2022 – download it free here: https://alohaepos.co.uk/annual-loyalty-report/

Customer experience set to reach new levels

Aloha – used by 140,000 outlets worldwide – enables tableside ordering and payment, swifter seating and table turn, stock and labour control.

Chief Revenue Officer of Paytronix Charles Gray said:

• Discover more: https://alohaepos.co.uk/

Restaurants value loyal customers – and the industry now needs them more than ever.

“Today’s market requires a strong technological solution to meet the changing needs of restaurant guests.”

Little Hotelier unveils the traveller trends set to transform UK’s accommodation industry

Analysing the survey data of 8,000+ travellers from 10 countries globally (including the UK), Little Hotelier has created the Changing Traveller Report: Small Accommodation Edition, uncovering the evolving plans, behaviours and perspectives of today’s accommodation guest.

From the report, there are five key trends for UK accommodation providers to be aware of in the year ahead.

Trend 1: Establishing a strong ‘billboard’ remains key to being booked online

In the survey data, it was found that 33% of travellers will begin their accommodation research on a search engine like Google, 21% will head straight to a specific OTA or travel website, and 10% will pore over social media to find inspiration, highlighting the need to establish a strong online presence from the outset.

Trend 2: Direct bookings and lasting relationships are there to be won

Booking directly with a property online is currently the second most popular reservation method for travellers globally, behind OTAs, highlighting an ongoing opportunity to secure increased profits. When on a property’s website, an easy and secure booking and payment method, content of the rooms and staff, and guest reviews are all top three considerations for at least 50% of travellers.

Trend 3: Travellers are craving unique accommodation experiences

When deciding whether they would consider returning to a property, the ‘little things’ that make an accommodation brand unique, for example the property’s scent, their artwork, or the restaurant’s music, are either “important” or “very important” to 66% of travellers.

Trend 4: Technology use is becoming more closely linked to booking success

Slow adopters of hotel tech will need to pick up the pace if they want to continue winning bookings consistently, with 64% of travellers saying their perception of a brand would be changed if they weren’t using technology effectively (i.e if their website is slow or their payment process wasn’t secure).

Trend 5: Authenticity and service will always be king

Travellers have made it clear that old-fashioned hospitality still rules the day when it comes to onsite experience, and expectations are higher than ever. As automating the check-in experience becomes more common, 88% of travellers still prefer it when a property’s staff are onsite when they arrive, while 61% now expect higher or much higher standards than pre-COVID when it comes to human-delivered services.

For Little Hotelier’s full report, click here.

North East Hotels Association (NEHA), which was established over thirty years ago is an organisation which offers support, guidance, and camaraderie with hoteliers as well as businesses associated and servicing this industry.

Believed to be one of the biggest of its kind in England, NEHA currently has 45 of the best-known hotels in the region and are the voice of the hospitality sector. Their aim is to speak out, influence and challenge the decisions made on behalf of their industry and have their voices heard. NEHA strives to make the lives of hoteliers an easier one and address some of the obstacles that often arise.

The organisation celebrated the success of the industry with the Excellence Awards and recognised the most deserving at a black-tie ball, which took place on Sunday October 2nd at The Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park, where over 370 guests were in attendance and were treated to a three-course meal and a live band. Winners and sponsors are attached.

Collaborating with key sponsors from the region, the ball highlighted the individuals / categories with awards given to the best, and recognising the excellence within the industry, against all the odds. Their aim - to seek out the best people, those that have gone the extra mile in providing exceptional service.

Anna Wadcock, General Manager of the Maldron Hotel and Sarah Harrison, General Manager of the Marriott MetroCentre at NEHA said: “It’s so good to be back after the most stressful two years that our industry has ever seen. Our staff have coped remarkably well and fought against adversity in a way that only people in the service industry could understand. We’re

grateful to all our members and sponsors who have supported us over the years and this years Excellence Awards Ball was a great evening for everyone.”

The contribution that hospitality industry has on the economy is enormous in the region, with over 4500 bedrooms and a spend of £70M on goods and services.

The hotel revenue alone exceeds £200M, with an economic footprint estimated at £616M.

Anna concluded:

“In an industry that employs in excess of 3,400 staff and influence in the region of 11,400 jobs, we hope that more hoteliers will consider joining NEHA, in order to get their voices heard.”

After a two-year break, because of the Covid pandemic, one of the hardest-hit industries, a hospitality organisation, came back fighting last night and proved that they may have been down, but they’re definitely not beat!

Sip Champagnes

Sip Champagnes is the UK’s leading Grower Champagne specialist, with a focus on newly discovered and fully independent producers that can’t be found anywhere else.

Sip Champagnes is the UK’s leading Grower Champagne specialist, with a focus on newly discovered and fully independent producers that can’t be found anywhere else.

The historic dominance of the big wine houses and supermarket champagne has meant that Champagne choice has been very limited in the UK, with small producers unable to access highend restaurants, bars, hotels and wine boutiques, which has meant consumers had little choice, until now…

Voted ‘Champagne & Sparkling Specialist Retailer of the Year’ in the 2022 Decanter Retailer Awards & ‘Specialist Online Retailer of the Year’ by The Drinks Business, Sip Champagnes is reinvigorating the grower Champagne market by introducing a raft of new names – available

both direct to consumer and for retail and restaurant sales.

With a collection of over 50 exciting growers – many of them brand new to the UK market – and a range of more than 200 cuvées, there are Champagnes to suit all styles and budgets.

• Reworking your wine list?

• Planning a corporate gifting surprise?

• Need a memorable bottle for a special meal?

With a client list that encompasses everything from local wine shops to Michelin-starred restaurants, Sip Champagnes can tailor packages to your specific requirements.

To find out more, visit sipchampagnes.com or get in touch: trade@sipchampagnes.com

– Decanter

“Newcomer Sip Champagnes has a laser-like focus on cutting-edge wines from the region and, in the words of one judge, ‘is changing the game for Champagne’.”

Sip Champagnes founders Peter Crawford

and

Daniel Blatchford

Tech will help hotels save this winter

RRunning a thriving hotel operation requires a 24/7, energy-heavy environment that produces a sizeable amount of waste. Hotel shared spaces need to be lit, powered, heated, cooled and catered – yet 92% of decision makers we asked are concerned about rising energy costs1

Operators are tuned into the importance of lowering buildings’ energy usage – 72%1 of decision

makers we surveyed confirmed they have targets in place to decrease their overall environmental impact, but 86%1 believe their business could be doing more work on this. Identifying sources of unnecessary energy use overnight is one way that operators can reduce a building’s carbon footprint, without incurring additional costs.

As well as rising energy bills, singleuse plastics have also been attracting particular media and consumer

scrutiny. A useful way to eliminate the need for single-use plastic in hotel spaces is to install energy-efficient equipment with product settings that boost a brand’s wider sustainable efforts, such as replacing refrigerated bottled water with water dispensers.

Consumer demand for a solution is there – 37%2 have confirmed they want the opportunity to refill water bottles or get a glass of tap water as opposed to using single-use plastics.

And in terms of energyefficiency, dispensers such as the BRITA VIVREAU Extra C-Tap offer up to five water types with a useful boiler standby/night mode, meaning it cuts energy consumption when it’s not in use.

The BRITA VIVREAU Top Pro can be incorporated seamlessly into high footfall areas, negating the need for vending machines. The Top Pro benefits from high energy efficiency and utilises R290, a natural refrigerant for a cooling technology with zero impact on global warming. Meanwhile, the BRITA VIVREAU Top Pro Still does away with the need for CO2 entirely.

The pressure is on for hotel operators to maintain the guest experience while reducing fuel consumption and tackling plastic waste. Hotels need simple solutions that can be implemented now, says Joshua Carter, Head of Key Accounts at BRITA VIVREAU.

Tapped is a rousing new bar on Grafton Street, centrally located in the thriving and energetic hub of Dublin City, Ireland. Tapped is a marriage of industrial style, colour pop transformation, breathing new life into an old building to attract a new, more modern generation of customers.

Design

Owned by Porterhouse Brewing Company, Tapped takes material inspiration from the brewery and mixes it with re-envisioned and highlighted raw materials to create a one-of-akind interior. The name is inspired by the fact that the majority of their offerings are on tap, with over 50 taps serving beers, wines, and even cocktails.

Third Mind Design were enlisted to transform the Porterhouse central (or you might even have known it as Judge Roy Beans) into a one of a kind venue with the longest bar in Dublin. The design team began by auditing the brewery, its construction and fabrication materials, and its products. They then applied them across the new venue in various interesting ways, and took inspiration from them for the refreshed branding.

The bespoke branding was inspired by the vast network of pipes in the brewery, and graphic elements were inspired by functional, industrial-style labelling. The logo is made up of intertwining pipes, while the labels can be seen across both physical and digital touch points, constantly drawing customers’ eyes from floor to ceiling. The website is designed in the style of these labels, and physical labels that identify certain objects of interest are attached to multiple elements of the bar’s interior – look out for a “Bar Stool”, a “Glass Brick”, and even a “Hole in a Wall”.

Sustainability was a key focus of the build and repurposing as many existing brewery elements as possible. Old kegs were repurposed for wall panelling and purpose-built furniture, bringing elements of the brewery to life throughout the venue. A conveyor belt element of the brewery inspired the design of a one-of-akind bar menu.

Hanging above the bar, the menu spans 12 metres in length and has 2 stacked conveyors, all hanging from the ceiling, allowing the menu to rotate. This functional art piece holds 120 individual menu boards that slowly revolve around 3 pillars with oversized cogs, further highlighting the mechanical nature of the design and function.

The material palette was whittled down 3 core materials and colours: cast concrete, stainless steel and powder-coated red metal. With the longest bar in Dublin, a single red line of powdercoated metal further highlights this and connects other spaces throughout the venue. Along its journey, the red line morphs into different materials and functions from metal to paint to timber to upholstery – all in red – and taking the shapes of tables, seats, lighting, and counters. This extends the length of the bar from 15 to over 100 metres in length.

Powder coated metal frames create bespoke, industrial-style furniture. Unlikely materials such as sleepers and concrete blocks are used to industrialise aspects of the furniture such as tabletops and seats. Ratchet straps are used to tie certain objects together and all the furniture is tagged with the brandspecific labels to weave the branding throughout the venue.

It was important to pay respect to the original building, which is an historical structure. Third Mind Design achieved this in several ways. Stripping back years of panelling that had been added in over time exposed beautiful old historical brickwork, as well as the structural concrete and steel that was added as reinforcement over the years. All of the exposed brickwork was cleaned and treated, and this allows the ‘old brick’ to contrast beautifully with the ‘future brick’. The “ghost’’ of the original archways was re-exposed and 4 drinking counters were crafted from solid glass brick topped with untreated metal, signifying transparency and the new life and use of the building.

Tapped opened its doors on 6th October 2022 and the project took 7 months from concept to finished build. The construction itself only took 2 months of that time, as the bar had to be closed for a minimal amount of time. The cost, including every single element from construction down to individual beer mats, was nearly €1 million.

About Third Mind Design

Third Mind Design is an award winning Irish design agency wholly owned and operated by husband and wife duo Max and Emily Fedorov. The company specialises in offbeat design and pioneering new design techniques and technologies. The studio and workshop is located in Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

The impact of furniture on a hospitality environment

Jason Brown, Director of Design & Development at Knightsbridge Furniture, highlights the impact the furniture choices you make can have on a hospitality environment.

First impressions are so important, when you first walk into an establishment, you can tell a lot just by scanning around the room. Take the lobby or reception areas for example, they’re the first room a visitor will see and they need to set the tone for the rest of the building. Client research will massively impact this, if you’re based in a busy city and a lot of people visit on business, they will probably be expecting something sleek, sophisticated and bright with lots of work stations, close access to plug sockets for charging devices and comfortable seating if they have to wait for long periods of time.

On the other hand, if you often get families and large groups visiting - you might consider something more family friendly with lots of soft furnishings and comfortable sofas, but nothing to encourage long periods of time spent in the lobby when it gets busy. Creating an environment that meets your customers’ expectations is key to them staying loyal to your brand.

Combining comfort and practicality can be a difficult balance, furniture pieces need to be easy to clean and manoeuvre if needed, but still comfortable and inviting. Vinyl fabrics are easiest to wipe down and clean quickly, whereas soft fabrics may require more in depth cleaning techniques. There’s no right material to use, it completely depends on your environment. Finding a balance between the two can be made simple by getting in touch with a contract furniture manufacturer.

When it comes to colour schemes, you can play it safe by sticking to neutral, earthy colours to create a calming environment. Alternatively, you can select colours such as red, yellows and blues to create a vibrant and exciting atmosphere. The colours you pick should align with your brand for consistency, while meeting expectations.

Knightsbridge Furniture is a contract furniture company that offers a range of commercial services for hospitality business. We have decades of experience crafting bespoke furniture pieces that are luxury, adaptable and versatile so you can create the perfect lounge space, waiting room, bedroom, dining room and/or foyer.

Furniture plays a key role in any hospitality business, so selecting the right furniture can be a challenge. You need to consider your clientele, what they will be expecting from the space, the size of the area and the colours and finishes you think will draw people in and make them feel welcome.

As you have read, there are many reasons why you should carefully consider the furniture you purchase for your hospitality business. Understand your customer and what they expect from you, consider the colours you use, the comfortability and the practicality of the furniture you select and whether the style of furniture you want really aligns with the feel of your brand. Working alongside a contract furniture company can take the stress out of selecting the right furniture for your space.

For further information please click here

THE FUTURE OF HOTEL HEATING

Gone are the days of plain, dull radiators & towel rails. The latest modern designs feature eyecatching shapes and bold colours, with many also ticking the box of being energy efficient. With designer styles making a statement in their own right, hotel heating has never looked so good. Nick Duggan, MD at The Radiator Centre, takes us through this rapidly developing market.

Hotel bathrooms play an important part of the guest experience and are often seen as places in which to relax and unwind during a stay. Indeed, the ‘hotel bathroomlook’ is so sought after, people try to recreate it in their own homes. Whether the interior is designed to give a luxurious spa-like feel or a simpler more pared-back atmosphere, one thing that shouldn’t be overlooked is the heating. For hotel bathrooms, this will usually take the form of a heated towel rail and there is a great range on the market. From large chain hotels to smaller

boutique destinations, the simple act of providing warm, fluffy towels is an easy way to make guests happy and therefore more likely to return. Depending on the size of the room, sometimes a radiator may also be needed and a simple heat calculator can help to determine whether this is necessary.

Hotel bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes and when planning the layout, finding space to dry towels is one of the key requirements. Whilst the standard ladder rail may now be considered a bit outdated and doesn’t always fit the space, modern alternatives are available in a wide array of interesting colours, styles and finishes. Horizontal designs are great for when wall space is short and can be placed in otherwise ‘dead’ spaces such as that above a bath. Curved designs are a good option for super thick fluffy towels and also give a stylish, elegant look.

The interior design of the hotel will usually dictate the radiator or towel rail chosen and there are plenty of options to suit all styles. Traditional style towel rails can be built to take advantage of modern manufacturing methods and controls. From the most luxurious to the most basic hotel bathroom, there is something different that can be made to work. Coloured bathroom radiators give a great opportunity to continue the colour scheme chosen for the living/sleeping space.

Boutique hotels have become very popular in recent years and are arguably the most individual, daring and unique with their interior decoration. With such expense and effort being put into creating the perfect look, adding a beautiful designer radiator or towel rail will give the perfect finishing touch. Many of the more artistic designs available are just as efficient as they are stylish too.

To read the full article click here

For more information visit: www.theradiatorcentre.com

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in the Dominican Republic is the island’s first and most luxurious resort, and a pioneering property when it comes to delivering elegant and discreet luxury in the Caribbean to its high net worth and A-list guests and residential community.

Founded almost 50 years ago, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas rapidly became the luxury destination for discerning travellers, homeowners, dignitaries, and celebrities seeking privacy, security, the highest standards of service, and an unparalleled offering of world-class activities, spread out across its 7,000 tropical acres.

Visitors can choose to stay in the resort’s fivestar hotel or to enjoy the seclusion of a luxurious Oceanfront villa. Expanding the choice of accommodations still further for 2023, Casa de Campo will shortly unveil its stunning Premier Club at Casa de Campo – 58 brand new suites with a private concierge. Designed for exclusivity, personalised service and privacy, the Premier Club sets a new standard of excellence for the property’s most discerning guests.

Casa de Campo allows visitors to indulge in their passions, with world-leading Pete Dye-designed golf courses, including Teeth of the Dog, the No.1 course in the Caribbean & Latin America; eight outstanding restaurants, including the totally redesigned Minitas Beach Club; a 370-slip Marina and Yacht Club; an expansive Equestrian & Polo Centre; a 245-acre Clay Shooting Course; stateof-the-art tennis facilities; and unlimited nonmotorised water sports on private, white sand beaches.

The resort will also be opening a brand-new destination Spa and Health & Wellness Center in the spring of 2023, positioning Casa de Campo as one of the finest wellness destinations in the Caribbean. The new, state-of-the-art facility and introduction of pioneering treatments mean that the Spa will offer a complete 360-degree fitness and wellbeing programme, and the ultimate in restorative relaxation and anti-aging treatments.

One of Casa’s most unique assets remains Altos de Chavón, a stunning 16th century Mediterranean-style village with restaurants, shops, a church, and stunning views, where guests can enjoy cultural and artistic experiences. These include pottery, traditional loom weaving and screen-printing lessons, an art gallery showcasing local and international talent, and an Archaeological Museum that features an extraordinary collection of indigenous objects that tell the early history of the Dominican Republic. All this is topped off by the opportunity to watch performances from global superstars in Altos de Chavón’s 5,000-seat Amphitheatre, inaugurated by the legendary Frank Sinatra, 40 years ago.

www.casadecampo.com.do

New Devon resort on track for completion by May 2023

L+R Hotels has announced The Mole Resort in Devon is on track for completion by May 2023. The resort is set in 125 acres of countryside near the River Mole, with Exmoor, Dartmoor and the famous North Devon beaches nearby.

The resort combines lodges, hotel rooms and dining with a range of activities. Fifteen premium ecoconscious lodges are already complete.

By summer 2023, The Mole Resort will expand to 58 lodges and a fully refurbished hotel as part of the circa £25 million redevelopment investment.

Adrian Bradley, leading the project for L+R Hotels said: “Our simple message is ‘fabulous stays and active days’, which is exactly what The Mole Resort is all about. Not only will our guests be able to relax in their lodges surrounded by spectacular countryside views, but there’s plenty for them to do, both within the resort, and with ready access to world-class beaches and outstanding countryside.

“From swimming, fitness classes, golf and tennis, to pickle ball and trout fishing, it’s the perfect place for families, groups and couples to do as much or as little as they like, and our resort team is excited to welcome them.”

Pure vacuum

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Perfect fit for your everyday basic sporadic needs & firsttime packaging experiences. Right at home in High Street butchers, fishmongers, deli shops & cafés where the vacuum packer is only used occasionally - plug and play ready!

Boxer 52 – UKs biggest tabletop model!

2 x 410mm seal bars and 520mm of usable space between bars - Perfect for vacuum packing long & bulky products such as loins, legs, racks of ribs, XL sausages, whole or filleted fish or for customers looking to speed up their vacuum packing process - plug and play ready!

Boxer 42 ACS + H2O – Perfect commercial grade Tabletop machine!

This is the model that all chefs must have. Perfectly at home in the kitchens of Michelin Star chefs like Chef Graham Garrett from the West House in Biddenden, Kent & The Mosimann’s Private Dining Club in Belgravia, London.

Why Henkelman UK?

• We have over 25 years’ experience selling Henkelman vacuum packers.

• Popular Henkelman vacuum packer models are held in stock for next day despatch and can be delivered within 24-48 hours to the UK mainland.

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• Floor models like the Falcon 52 and Marlin 52 & Polar 80.

• Double chamber models like the Polar 2-50, Polar 2-85 and the Polar 2-95 always in stock and readily available.

• Showroom located in Ashford, Kent. Book your visit to view the machines and discover their capabilities first hand!

• Henkelman UK has the most competitive pricing in the industry for the UK marketplace with models to suit all applications and budgets.

• We hold an extensive stock of vacuum packer spare parts – ready to be dispatched when you need them.

• What machine is best for me? Head over to our website FAQs to find out!

Tel: 0800 988 7033 Email: sales@henkelman.co.uk Web:

packaging technology 0800 988 7033 sales@henkelman.co.uk www.henkelman.co.uk Units 1-6 Mountain

is part

Distribution

Solstice AV has today announced its brand new partnership with Pudu Robotics, together with the creation of a new robotics division, designed to accelerate growth of the global-leading commercial service robots in the UK.

With the service delivery robot market predicted to grow to $100bn globally by 2030, Solstice is the first trade-only distributor to make commercial service robots available to the channel. Leveraging a local stock holding, rapid delivery, and a national network of over 100 qualified engineers, Solstice is set to enable resellers to enter this rapidly growing market with minimal investment in technical resource.

Leo Hu, UK Country Manager at Pudu Robotics, said: “We’re very happy to have Solstice as our first trade only distributor in the UK. Through Solstice and their reseller network, we will be able to address the challenges and needs of our customers with our award-winning commercial service robots and Solstice’s unique serviceled distribution.

“The commercial service robot market is growing rapidly with predictions stating that 25% of hospitality workers will be robots by 2030. Solstice will give us the local presence, an excellent reseller network, plus the on-site service and support capability we need to meet our customers’ needs.”

Lee Hooker, Commercial Director at Solstice, added: “Today, restaurants, hotels and retailers face daily challenges with attracting and retaining employees, as well as constantly spiraling costs. Pudu Robotics’ service delivery robots address all of these challenges, supplementing the existing workforce with reliable, efficient backup, and allowing staff to focus on what’s important – the customer.

“Research shows that adding robots to a hospitality business fills the staff gap, reduces costs and makes for happier employees and clientele. We will be providing local stock holding with a full-service offering, including on-site installation, hotline support and on-site warranty for all Pudu robots, giving resellers a fast entry into this rapidly-growing and exciting market, while allowing end customers to purchase from the existing suppliers they know and trust.”

pudurobotics.com

Solstice AV activates new robotics division to launch world-leading Pudu Robotics into UK market

challenger, Solstice, has launched a new robotics division, partnering with Pudu Robotics to introduce a range of commercial service robots into the UK mainstream marketplace

Fusion Interiors Group (FIG):

Setting the Standard in the Hospitality Design Industry

Established in 2007 by CEO Hilary Lancaster, Fusion Interiors Group (FIG) has grown to become an international name with its Global Studios spanning nine cities worldwide. The award-winning company is recognised for pushing boundaries and prides itself on its versatility and ability to produce a unique design specific to the client’s brief, leading the way in the hospitality industry. That is why the panel of experts at Luxury Lifestyle Awards has selected Fusion Interiors Group (FIG) as a winner in the category of Best Luxury Hotel Interior Design for Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic 2022.

This versatility is illustrated by the fact that FIG successfully bridges the two worlds of luxury and lifestyle with its collection of highly talented designers and their wide range of skill sets. Whether designing five-star hotels or edgy urban hotels, bars and restaurants, their passion shines through. Placing a high value on diversity and collaboration within the team, with clients, suppliers and fellow consultants, the studios work together to bring new influences and ideas, ensuring every project is like no other.

The company rebranded at the beginning of 2020, creating the FIG logo to represent the growth in their journey, using the FIG tree as a metaphor for their story.

The roots represent the foundation of the company structure and its values and principles, while the global studios form the branches which are brought together by the vision of the CEO to help shape the future of humanity through design.

The company’s philosophy is to bring the human touch to every project and relationship, establishing an ethos of trust with clients while producing unique awardwinning designs. Their work clearly demonstrates this at Club Med Miches Playa Esmerelda, which has deservedly been recognised with this prestigious award. The resort offers the ultimate natural luxury in one of the most untouched locations on the beautiful Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic.

FIG designed every area of the resort, the largest

five-trident Club Med in the world, to respect the natural surroundings and incorporate them into the interiors. The Village Centre is at the heart of the resort, which is divided into four differently-themed villages. This allows guests to discover four worlds within one resort. A genuinely extraordinary concept and one of the most ambitious in the company’s extensive portfolio.

“We are delighted to have been recognised by the experts at Luxury Lifestyle Awards with an award in the category of Best Luxury Hotel Interior Design for Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic 2022. We did a huge amount of research and worked hard to create a unique, inspirational and stunning design. The whole team is grateful to have their efforts acknowledged,” says Hilary Lancaster, Founder and CEO of Fusion Interiors Group (FIG).

Hospitality Design

Find out more about Fusion Interiors Group and its unique approach to design in the hospitality sector by visiting https://fusioninteriorsgroup.com/

If you are going to introduce Christmas music, or if you are already using music in your business, you’ll usually need a music licence. By purchasing TheMusicLicence you are supporting the future of music by helping to ensure its creators are fairly rewarded for their work. TheMusicLicence covers virtually all commercially released music available –millions of songs & recordings, including the most popular & well-loved music, not just from the UK, but globally

A hotel/B&B/ Guesthouse that is 400sqm or less and has 15 rooms or fewer could use background music in hotel bedrooms, corridors and foyers via the TV or Radio for £212.89. (excluding VAT). Cost examples are subject to change due to inflation.