Anne Roderique Jones — Travel Writer

The World’s First Vegan Hotel Suite is Here

aday — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 15:20:22 +0000

The World’s First Vegan Hotel Suite is Here aday Tue, 02/19/2019 - 10:20 /sites/default/files/styles/width_1440/public/content/blog-article/header-image/vegan%20suite%20header.jpg.webp?itok=xcs7_u2S Hilton London Bankside No animals were involved in the making of this stay. February 21, 2019

By Anne Roderique Jones — Travel Writer

We’re always following food and hospitality trends, and the latest hotel first reinforces the impact of a growing movement on both industries.

Veganism is more than a plant-based diet; it’s become well known and accepted as an entire lifestyle free of animal ingredients, products, byproducts or testing. According to GlobalData.com, the number of U.S. consumers who identify as vegan has grown to six percent. It may not seem like a huge amount, but that equates to a 600 percent increase from 2014 to 2017 — and the hotel industry is taking notice.

It makes sense that businesses are following the trend. We can buy vegan handbags, shoes and jackets. And on Feb. 6, the very first vegan hotel suite debuted at The Hilton London Bankside.

Hospitality & Hotel Management Instructor Kathleen Chamberlain says that today, people care more about sustainability, from the products they use daily to what they’re putting in their bodies — and that it’s not just about abstaining from the use or consumption of animal products. She says that a vegan hotel suite is a revolutionary idea.

“Professionals in the hospitality industry can benefit from working with trends to stay relevant and competitive,” Katie advises. “Trends attract people, and when industry professionals deliver, they gain rapid business, which means money and notoriety.”

The Vegan Suite at the Hilton London Bankside has its own in-room menu.

How is the suite vegan?

The suite looks a lot like any modern, smartly designed hotel room. There’s a sleek bedroom, bathroom and spacious living space, all created in partnership with design experts Bompas & Parr. The company relied heavily on Piñatex, a plant-based natural leather that uses pineapple fibers and is featured throughout various elements of the suite like the headboard, armchairs and sofa. The distressed stone-grey flooring is made with renewable and sustainable Moso Bamboo, and there are responsibly sourced (and super soft) organic cotton carpets. Locally sourced vegan treats are stocked in the complimentary mini bar, and toiletries come from Dr. Botanicals skincare and Seneeta Cosmetics — all vegan lines, naturally. From the in-room stationary (printed with vegan ink) to vegan cleaning products and a check-in desk, it’s ideal for the vegan traveler.

“Having a business that believes in preserving natural resources today that will not harm and only benefit the hospitality industry for years to come is well worth recognizing,” Katie says. “Many lodging properties today rely on synthetic materials to outfit their business for ease of care and upkeep, but this is not environmentally friendly. By utilizing vegan plant-based components in lodging establishments, businesses can promote a healthy, sustainable and non-damaging component in excess of reducing, reusing and recycling.”

Who is the customer?

After all, that’s where the idea came from. The inspiration for the suite was sparked by a vegan customer who was dissatisfied with the lack of vegan options when traveling for work. Now there’s a zero-stress lodging option for those with a vegan lifestyle. Since the suite launched, a representative for the hotel says the guests have been mostly couples, ages 22-36.

“As guests and lodging properties are making strides to be more aware and conscious of resources, both parties are seeing the effects of impact to the triple bottom line,” Katie says. “As society begins to see the benefits of consciously using resources, the trend will catch on!” And with a room this gorgeous, it’s easy to understand why.

Learn more about the importance of trends for tourism professionals in ICE’s Hospitality & Hotel Management program.

Tourism, Travel & Hospitality Management Food News Travel Vegan & Vegetarian

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2019 Hotel Trend Predictions

aday — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 17:37:43 +0000

2019 Hotel Trend Predictions aday Fri, 01/25/2019 - 12:37 /sites/default/files/styles/width_1440/public/content/blog-article/header-image/hotel%20header.jpg.webp?itok=QZhFls0u A travel website publisher shares hospitality industry insights expected to impact the business this year. January 31, 2019

By Anne Roderique Jones — Travel Writer

Working in a hotel is more exciting than ever — no matter what luxury level. Gone are the days of ho-hum guest rooms that serve only the purpose of sleeping and run-of-the-mill operations to manage them. We spoke with Laura Motta, the director of publishing at ShermansTravel Media, a website focused on value in travel, about what to expect in the industry this year.

Laura shares the scoop on hotel trends for 2019, from ditching fussy room gadgets to the hotel version of a West Elm.

Hotels Partnering with Lifestyle Brands

Laura says that hotels are now being tied to big consumer brands that aren’t directly in the travel space. A few examples: Japanese lifestyle retailer Muji is starting to roll out hotels in China and Japan that will feature the minimalist decor that you'd expect based on the store's products. There's also the Shinola Hotel in Detroit, which she says is really selling itself on the same principles that the watch brand uses: smart design and affordability. There's even a West Elm Hotel, which will open in Indianapolis in 2020, and New York City will be home to a Restoration Hardware-branded hotel in the Meatpacking District and an Equinox Hotel in the developing Hudson Yards neighborhood.

“Moving into the travel space makes good sense for these brands,” Laura says. “Their audiences already value style, decor and high-end shopping. It makes sense that this audience travels and wants those same values and aesthetics where they stay. Also — a bonus for these brands — these hotels will function as showrooms for their products. Likely every item in every room will be for sale.”

Wellness at the Forefront

Wellness and lodging now go hand in hand “whether it's in newer, better-equipped fitness centers, healing-focused spa treatments, organized fitness classes or running sessions in the neighborhood,” Laura says. “I know of a beach hotel that organizes this every morning along the shoreline, and the hotel's general manager comes along for the run.” While this isn’t necessarily a super new trend, she adds that, “it's becoming something that hotels and resorts will not be able to avoid or ignore. Wellness programs and support will become the norm among hotel amenities.”

Saying Goodbye to In-Room Tech

The trend of putting gadgets in each room — like iPads or phones to call the concierge — may be falling by the wayside. “Everyone carries one of those gadgets in their pocket anyway,” Laura says. “Who wants to fuss with two? Room technology in the future is going to be much more seamless and rely heavily on the gadgets that guests already own.”

Saying Hello to Excellent Dining

Laura says that ShermansTravel customers value the renaissance of hotel restaurants. “It's almost unthinkable now to open a hotel without some kind of compelling food and beverage program. These are places, too, where hotels expect their customer base to be made up of as many locals as travelers. So, it's partly about food and partly about creating a vibrant social scene.”

Resort Fees at Non-Resort Hotels

More and more hotels are adding that resort fee to the final hotel bill. These fees can cover anything from food service to the use of a property’s spa facilities. Laura says that you don’t have to be a resort to charge these fees. On occasion, the fee can be of great value to the guests. La Playa Carmel charges a $35 “amenity fee” that includes Wi-Fi, shuttle service to town, fresh-baked cookies along with fruit and iced tea in the lobby, afternoon sangria, a hosted evening wine reception, and a breakfast buffet with unlimited Champagne.

Going Super Local

From local craft beers in the lobby to art in the rooms, hotels are taking an active approach to showcase the best of their city. Laura says, “No one wants to sit in their hotel room and feel like they could be anywhere ⎯ or worse, nowhere, which is a vibe that lots of old-style branded hotels used to embody.”

Chains Putting Value on an Experience

Finally, Laura has a favorite hotel trend for 2019: “I love that the big-box travel brands — the Hiltons and Marriotts of the world — have caught on to the idea that everyone, not just their highest-end luxury customer, values beautiful design, great food and a hotel environment that's reflective of the destination.”

Learn how hotels adapt to trends in ICE's Hospitality & Hotel Management program. The first Monday-Friday afternoon schedule starts March 18.

Tourism, Travel & Hospitality Management Interview Travel

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