Category: Recent News

The Thanksgiving holiday occurring in the third week of November last year vs. the fourth week this year created significant performance fluctuations. However, the net result across the two weeks was positive with revenue per available room (RevPAR) up 8.8%.RevPAR increased 31.0% year over year (YoY) for the week ending 23 November then decreased 10.5% for the week ending 30 November.

A 168-room hotel has revealed how it manages to operate seamlessly with an ultra-lean team of staff thanks to a cutting-edge tech platform it launched with last year. The Zipper Hotel & Apartments, in Düsseldorf, opened its doors in November 2023 and has only ever required six members of staff to run it, thanks to powerful employee and guest experience tool Like Magic.According to both co-founders Otto Konstantin Lindner and Tobias Sebastian Oberdieck, the Zipper’s workforce is 80% smaller than that traditionally required for a hotel of its size – yet it operates at the same level of efficiency and quality thanks to Like Magic.

The highly anticipated Corinthia Brussels, situated on Rue Royale, opens today amidst the celebrated Maltese group’s global expansion. Formerly the Grand Hotel Astoria, this iconic Belle Époque landmark has undergone a complete transformation, now featuring 126 rooms and suites, and a subterranean spa. Following an extraordinary journey of rebirth, the hotel reaffirms its position as a cornerstone of Belgian hospitality, partnering with exceptional local talent to elevate its bar and dining experiences. It promises to be an unparalleled destination for both locals and international travellers.

As we approach the holiday season, hospitality businesses worldwide prepare for one of the most significant opportunities of the year: holiday events. Whether it’s a lavish New Year’s Eve gala, a cozy Christmas gathering, or a Thanksgiving feast, these events provide unique chances to showcase a venue’s capabilities, strengthen customer loyalty, and increase revenue.

At Accor, our commitment towards the inclusion of people with disabilities is deeply woven into our values and is brought to life throughout the year and on a daily basis. In 2015, we signed the Global Business and Disability Charter of the International Labor Organization (ILO), and we are also a member of the “Valuable 500” global initiative. Most recently, our partnership with Handiwork has opened doors to valuable opportunities, enabling individuals with disabilities to explore and thrive within the hospitality industry.

A stunning 7,000sqm rooftop public park, accessed by an outdoor staircase, is the signature feature of the 550-room The Social Hub Belfiore, opening in Florence’s San Jacopino neighbourhood in February. With an impressive 80,000sqm of total space, the hub will feature coworking for more than 600 people and facilities which include restaurants, bars, meetings and event spaces, a rooftop Olympic-length pool, and a public commercial avenue to help local businesses thrive. Near the historic city centre and great transport links, the modern structure will become a hub of innovation and creativity for locals, businesspeople, students, and visitors to the area and wider city.

A recent Shiji Buzz webinar tackled a question central to the hotel industry: Is the dream of a seamless, fully integrated hotel tech stack slipping out of reach as complexity grows? As more technology enters hotels, the tech stack becomes an unmanageable labyrinth. Integration, data security, and system management have become significant pain points for hoteliers. This discussion, moderated by Daniel Craig from Reknown and joined by Nikkie Singh from Shiji, Howard Phung from Pro-Invest Group, and Terence Ronson from Pertlink, discusses the current state of the hotel tech stack—its triumphs and deepening challenges—and offers a glimpse into the industry’s possible future.

The 11,000sqm, 310-room The Social Hub Porto will be located in Bonjardim, in the heart of the northern Portuguese city’s cosmopolitan city centre, within easy walking distance from Avenida dos Aliados and the Bolhão Market. Indeed, its position close to the University of Porto and the city’s thriving creative business district will make it a significant addition to the community. Indoor and outdoor features include a rooftop bar & pool, extensive food & drink options, coworking facilities complete with a media studio, and meeting & event spaces. A first for The Social Hub, the location will also offer 39 fully equipped residential apartments of up to two bedrooms for long-stay rent.

The 24,000sqm, 392-room The Social Hub Rome, slated to open in the Italian capital’s San Lorenzo area in March. It is designed to be ’a city within a city’, providing a ’destination venue’ embodying the spirit of the historic Ex-Dogana (railway customs house) which was located on the grounds. With three main structures, these include a new, contemporary main building alongside refurbished spaces now housing the Accademia Italiana and an outdoor-indoor event venue. Other standout facilities include a rooftop bar and pool with a view over the Eternal City, restaurants, a modern coworking space for 160 people and meeting & event spaces. The contemporary architectural style is designed to bring further life to an area known for its thriving university life and creative arts scene. A 10.000sqm public park connecting the spaces will be the hub’s showstopper.

Mews, the industry-leading hospitality cloud, now provides over 1,650 properties with its integrated multi-space management software, Mews Spaces. Over 1 million reservations in the industry have been booked via Mews Spaces, for co-working spaces, desks, day beds and more, creating more than €300 million in additional revenue for hoteliers.