Category: Recent News

Waldorf Astoria makes its Nordic debut, unveiling a new era of luxury in the heart of Helsinki. Owned by M&L Group and operated by Hilton under the Waldorf Astoria brand, the landmark property spans four beautifully preserved historic buildings, designed by Finnish architects Evert Lagerspetz and Armas Siitonen. Waldorf Astoria Helsinki features 116 elegantly appointed rooms, including 32 suites, inviting guests to experience timeless elegance, Nordic sophistication, and the kind of personalised service that has defined the brand for over a century.

The Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World is unveiling a wealth of investment opportunities in Italy’s hospitality sector, with an exclusive pavilion showcasing the country’s new golden age of tourism.

For much of the late twentieth century, hospitality education was a model of how academia could work hand in hand with industry. The UK led the world in creating postgraduate programmes that balanced academic rigour with real-world relevance, producing graduates equally at ease in boardrooms and hotel kitchens. These programmes nurtured qualities such as leadership, resilience, creativity, and good people management, essential to an industry built on human connection.

Over the summer, a pink yacht docked off Marassi Marina in Egypt’s North Coast offering on-board beauty services by the Egyptian brand, Beauty 911 had appeared on my Instagram feed. I had no plans of going to Egypt but within minutes of seeing this Instagram reel, my August plans became experiencing the pink yacht with my girlfriends before the summer ended. What I felt in those moments, unfolding a scenario I hadn’t planned, is today’s traveler letting curiosity, preferences, and desire drive every decision. One captivating idea, one scroll-stopping image, can completely rewrite their travel.

Orient Express La Minerva presents its opulent signature suites, deeply rooted in Roman history yet infused with a modern spirit. Each distills the soul of Rome and the codes of the railway legend: spaces conceived as richly layered cabinets of curiosities, where original frescoes converse with golden coatings, deep walnut and Rosso Verona marble.The suites bear names that connect with history: Stendhal, Obelisco, La Minerva, and Orient Express. Stendhal, honouring the illustrious guest; Obelisco, recalling the Piazza’s iconic monument; La Minerva, a tribute to the guardian goddess; and Orient Express, a celebration of the house’s legendary travel legacy. Each, in its own way, creates an intimate scenography that weaves together the magic of Rome and the imagination of travel.

Opening this December, Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin marks Rosewood’s debut winter resort and its second property in mainland France. Situated within the Jardin Alpin enclave of Courchevel 1850, one of the world’s most iconic ski destinations, this extraordinary retreat reimagines the glamour of Courchevel’s 1960s golden age while embracing the vibrant spirit that has long defined the French Alps. Here, exclusive ski concierge services are complemented by inviting accommodations – including three signature houses epitomizing alpine luxury – creating a destination for discovery and adventure.

Having worked in the hotel business for over four decades, I know most people think the numbers are the “hard” part of hospitality. There’s a common belief that the financials are best left to professionals who can sort out the complex interplay between the different departments of a hotel. It’s just too challenging and complicated for anyone who didn’t go to accounting school.

As winter approaches, GCSTIMES is bringing more than just innovation to the heart of hospitality — we’re bringing warmth, creativity, and sustainability to the forefront.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how organizations hire talent. Today, AI is not just a tool but a partner that supports and enhances human decision-making across all six distinct phases of the hiring process, from receiving applications to extending job offers (see Figure 1).

Technology shouldn’t get in the way of hospitality. It should make it effortless. That’s the thinking behind the Mews Summer Release, fittingly named Smooth Operations. It’s designed to create more fluid, connected experiences for both guests and teams, with automation doing the heavy lifting in the background.