News

Brand new The East London Hotel joins HotelREZ

Following a £38 million investment by Definition Capital, the East London Hotel is now represented under the HO chain code on the GDS.

EHL’s new Institute of Business Creativity (IBC)

Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne launches the Institute of Business Creativity, hosting the METRO Hospitality Lab for the development of novel training solutions in the hospitality industry.Launched in June 2018, the Institute of Business Creativity aims to build bridges between the business world and academia, and to produce relevant, highly impactful, practice-based research and solutions. Under the leadership of professors Marc Stierand, Institute Director, and Ian Millar, Institute Manager, this new structure will contribute to EHL's objective; to provide innovative educational models and to drive growth in the hospitality industry.

New segment at ITB Berlin 2019: Technology, Tours & Activities

Technology, Tours & Activities (TTA) is one of the tourism industry's fastest-growing segments. According to Phocuswright, the international travel research institute, tours and activities make up around ten per cent of the global travel market - more than rail travel, car hire and cruises combined.

Belfast’s largest hotel, Grand Central Hotel, joins HotelREZ

The historical Grand Central Hotel, opened July 2018, is the largest and most expensively constructed hotel project in Northern Ireland. Part of the Hastings Hotels group the iconic Belfast property is now represented under the HO chain code on the GDS.

New Meliá Hotels International introduces bracelets designed by Oracle to replace wallets and room keys

Meliá Hotels International and Oracle have developed a new bracelet, designed to serve guests as a room key and wallet during their stay. The bracelet uses Bluetooth and short-range connection capabilities to allow guests to unlock the door to their room just by placing the bracelet next to the lock, as well as enabling them to pay for hotel services such as meals in the restaurants and treatments in the spa. The bracelet has been designed with resort hotels in mind, utilising the Oracle cloud to facilitate payments across all resort services and featuring a completely waterproof design, allowing guests to leave their wallet in their room. Bracelets are linked to the Meliá App, allowing users to track their spending throughout their stay. Guests are also able to set maximum credit limits, receive receipts or cancel services on the app.

GuestCentric’s “The Digital Future of your Hotel” roadshow comes to Edinburgh on September 5

GuestCentric, the leading provider of cloud-based digital marketing software for hotels, has announced one more "The Digital Future of your Hotel" roadshow event, the first in Scotland. The workshop will take place in Edinburgh, September 5, at The Glasshouse Hotel. International leaders in hospitality and technology, namely OTA Insight and eRevMax, are also joining GuestCentric.

PREMIER SUITES joins HotelREZ in the UK

PREMIER SUITES, an international brand of serviced apartments managed by the PREM Group, has joined the HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts UK portfolio. The 10 UK based properties will be represented on the GDS under the HO chain code.

apaleo expands to the UK with appointment of Alan O’Riordan

apaleo, the award-winning technology startup seeking to revolutionize the hospitality industry, has announced the appointment of Alan O'Riordan to its management team. O'Riordan is the latest addition to the apaleo team as the company grows unilaterally across core business units like sales, development and more.

Leading Italian hotel management system partners with SiteMinder

One of Italy's most trusted providers of integrated hotel management solutions, GestioneAlbergo, has partnered with SiteMinder, the global hotel industry's leading cloud platform, to reduce manual labour for local hoteliers ahead of this year's peak summer season. GestioneAlbergo has integrated its property management system (PMS), Leonardo, with SiteMinder's distribution technology to enable hotel reservations made via online booking websites to be delivered straight to a hotel's front desk.

Discover How Nordic Choice Hotels Became One of the Most Innovative Brands in Norway

Nordic Choice Hotels, one of the largest hotel groups in Scandinavia, has pioneered innovation in multiple fields as a way to optimize service delivery across their diverse portfolio of hotel brands. With investigations into everything from space travel to food nanotechnology, it's no wonder why Nordic Choice Hotels is one of Norway's top 10 most innovative companies. In 2017, Nordic Choice Hotel adopted ALICE's hotel operations platform to help elevate their guest satisfaction and operational excellence.

AccorHotels launches a new ephemeral and mobile accommodation concept

Due to the success of its pilot project, which was initially tested at various cultural, sporting and artistic events throughout France, the innovative Flying Nest concept is now entering the commercialization stage in the B-to-B market.

Flying Nest: mobile, designer and ephemeral hospitality

With its bold design, this new concept of mobile and sustainable accommodation is in line with AccorHotels' innovative approach of constantly rethinking tomorrow's hospitality in response to a strong trend, that of guests expecting to enjoy exclusive and intense experiences.

AccorHotels' twofold objective is to provide its customers with unique hospitality experiences during outstanding events and to meet accommodation needs where hotel capacity is at saturation point.
"Originally developed for a B-to-B clientele (event organizing agencies, exhibition organizers, festivals, events, corporate clients, AccorHotels partners, etc.), the Flying Nest concept could also be offered to a B-to-C target in 2019", said Sébastien Dupic, New Business Senior Project Manager at AccorHotels.

A mobile and flexible accommodation concept

The Flying Nest accommodation solution uses converted marine containers, ensuring quick and easy transportation of the modules. To assemble the guestrooms and deliver this innovative concept in record time, AccorHotels has partnered with Capsa, a Lyon-based start-up specializing in the conversion of these modules.

Bold, modern design for comfort and connectivity

Ora-ïto, one of the most celebrated designers of his generation, has designed these mobile guestrooms. Created to offer a functional and pleasant experience, each island consists of six modules cladded with raw and natural materials and decked out with all the comfort of a hotel room (Sweet Bed by ibis bedding, private bathroom, air-conditioned living area and
Wi-Fi connection).

"The layout of the islands, the patio and the large windows connecting the inside of each room to the outside all provide guests with a totally immersive accommodation option at the heart of the experience", said Damien Perrot, Senior Vice President Design at AccorHotels.

An environmentally sensitive hospitality solution

In agreement with the Group's commitments and values, the modules have been designed with sustainability in mind: materials, techniques and equipment are all environmentally friendly (fair trade amenities, environmentally certified paint, wood cladding from environmentally managed forests, LED lighting, etc.), while the modules operate using green energy (grey water recovery, etc.).

Through the Flying Nest project, AccorHotels is reaffirming its commitment to serving its customers at all levels, including at cultural, sporting and entertainment events.


Key facts and figures of the Flying Nest concept

Specifications for 1 island
- 6 modules
- 5 guestrooms + 1 technical room

Dimensions of 1 island
- Floor area: 14x10 meters
- Height: 6 meters
- Approximate weight: 35 tons
- 4-meters gap required between each island
- ½ day assembly / ½ day disassembly per island
- 2 ½ days autonomy


​Flying Nest at the Rencontres d'Arles

The Rencontres d'Arles is the opportunity for AccorHotels to present its Flying Nest accommodation concept in the Parc des Ateliers, beside the Electrical Store, from July 2 through to 29, 2018.

innform.io, a new hassle-free eLearning tool for hospitality companies, announces a free July beta release

innform.io, the new hassle-free eLearning tool for hospitality companies announces a free July beta release. The SaaS tool comes with monthly multilingual readymade courses and a simple user experience.

This New London Hotel Is Proud Of What It Doesn't Have | forbes.com

Few hotel websites contain a proud list of amenities that they don't offer. But then again, the newly renovated London-based hotel Pilgrm is hoping to offer travelers a unique hotel experience. No more trouser presses, room service or minibars. No bellboys or doormen, it says on its website. What it does have is a sense of place, peace of mind, and purpose.

Van der Valk Hotels & Restaurants chooses IDeaS RMS to boost revenue and efficiency

IDeaS Revenue Solutions, the leading provider of revenue management software and advisory services, is pleased to announce that Van der Valk Hotels & Restaurants has chosen IDeaS Revenue Management System (RMS) to optimise revenue performance and improve efficiency at nineteen additional hotels.

HFTP Responds, Makes Changes to HITEC Europe 2019

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) announced several changes to the European Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) after the second HITEC Europe in 2018 failed to meet HFTP's high quality standards. After completing surveys, interviews and conducting additional industry research, changes to the program and exhibition have been made, including the re-location of HITEC Europe 2019. Originally announced for Amsterdam, and the location of the first-two years of HITEC Europe, in 2019 it will be located at the Palau de Congressos in Palma (Mallorca) Spain, scheduled for 10-11 April.

eDream Hotels strengthens offering to hotels, launches connectivity with SiteMinder

eDream Hotels today announces an integration partnership with the global hotel industry's leading cloud platform, SiteMinder, to enable hotels to more seamlessly attract and book guests online. Under the new partnership, hotels using both the eDream BOOKING engine and SiteMinder's distribution technology can manage their availability and rates in real-time between their hotel management system and their Brand.com website.

Marriott takes on Airbnb with new homesharing website - independent.co.uk

Marriott International, the largest hotel company in the world, is attempting to take on Airbnb with its own offering for the homeshare market. Launching Tributeportfoliohomes.com on 23 April, Marriott has a selection of more than 200 specially selected homes in London to choose from. The service is initially a six-month pilot scheme in partnership with Hostmaker, a London home rental management service. Guests can expect added extras such as a guaranteed in-person check-in and 24/7 phone support should there be any issues.

HEDNA Announces Diverse Speaker Lineup and Refreshing Program for Global Distribution Conference in Lisbon

HEDNA, the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association, has announced the speaker lineup and agenda for the 2018 Distribution Conference in Lisbon, Portugal from June 4 to 6, 2018. The gathering is the only event that connects the most innovative thinkers, hospitality professionals, technology providers and experts across the globe.

Harbour Hotels completes the first implementation of its new Point of Sale system from Xn protel

Global hospitality management software company Xn protel Systems has announced today that the stunning, super-yacht style, Southampton Harbour Hotel in the UK has successfully piloted its Point of Sale system, xnPOS. The implementation included both traditional terminals and mobile devices across the hotel's extensive F&B operation, giving staff the right tools to deliver service wherever it is needed. The xnPOS implementation also included interfaces to the Oracle Hospitality OPERA property management system and Procure Wizard's enterprise stock and procurement solution.