Blogs

A report from industry analysts, STR, shows that London’s hotel industry posted its highest revenue per available room (RevPAR) during the first three months of 2017 - the highest for any first quarter on record.

The average RevPAR level of £101.50 for the quarter showed an 11.3% increase compared with Q1 2016.
Occupancy was up 4.8% at 76.1% - the highest level since 2010.
The average daily room rate also reached a record level at £133.38.

Performance increases were seen across all London submarkets, with the highest levels in London’s West End, Earls Court, Kensington, Chelsea and South Central London.

Several factors may have influenced the growth including the devaluation of sterling as well as a late Easter this year.

London is now the development hotspot of Europe, with more than 13,000 bedrooms in the pipeline.

Details: http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles/137143/STR-Record-breaking-Q1-for-London-hotels

Details: Published: 08 May 2017; Hits: 3748

Jurys Inn is providing what it calls ‘creativity cushions’ – a bedside jotting pad to ensure visitors never forget a late-night moment of genius again.

Jurys Inn is currently trialling a range of ‘creativity cushions’ at selected hotels across the UK.

The creativity cushion is a wipe clean pillow which will allow guests to jot down notes or illustrations directly onto the cushion.

Jurys Inn appreciate that for entrepreneurs, business travellers, creatives or those who get their inspiration at midnight – forgetting those nocturnal brainwaves by morning can be very frustrating.

Based on research from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Jurys Inn has calculated that 12.45am is the prime time for our brains to be at their most creative, which comes just 90 minutes after the average British person falls asleep. It’s the time when many will have their most vivid dreams, ideas and moments of genius for the day ahead.

Suzanne Cannon, Head of Marketing at Jurys Inn said, “Great ideas often come when we’re least expecting it and so to save our guests the frustration of waking up and forgetting that inspirational thought they had in the night, we have our creativity cushion on standby”.

“Over 50% of our guests are business travellers and so it’s important to not only make their stay comfortable but as productive as possible too.”

Jurys Inns currently have 36 hotels across the UK with a range of meeting rooms, bars and restaurants and free wi-fi throughout.

Details: https://www.jurysinns.com/press_and_media

Details: Published: 03 May 2017; Hits: 3703

Q Hotels have decided that taking a walk, surrounded by nature and breathing in fresh air can boost creative thinking and improve engagement.

With this in mind Q Hotels have launched a ‘Netwalking Package’ at selected hotels.

Planners can arrange a meeting combined with an adventurous walk through the grounds of the Q Hotels and further afield, enjoying the scenery and landscapes along the way.

To ensure delegates stay ‘on track’ each hotel participating in the netwalking programme has planned specific routes for delegates to follow.

Q Hotels have also designed some exercises and activities which are available in the group’s Wellbeing Guide for bookers to share with delegates ahead of the day.

Q Hotels taking part in the netwalking programme include:
Stratford Manor in Stratford on Avon
Chesford Grange, Kenilworth, Warwickshire (pictured above)
Hellidon Lakes Golf and Spa Hotel, Northamptonshire
Slaley Hall, Northumberland
Dunston Hall, Norwich
Telford Hotel and Golf Resort, Shropshire
Belton Woods, Grantham
Forest Pines Hotel and Golf Resort, Humberside
Norton Park, Winchester.

Details: https://www.qhotels.co.uk/

Details: Published: 05 April 2017; Hits: 3735

Television action-man and presenter, Bear Grylls, is planning to bring his Bear Grylls Survival Academy experience to the Afan Valley Adventure Resort in Neath Port Talbot in south Wales.

Afan Valley Adventure Resort will be home to a range of adrenaline-fuelled indoor and outdoor activities and will be the first of its kind to open in the UK.

In addition a new 100-bedroom hotel is planned on site as well as a range of lodges.

The all-weather, all-year-round, resort is also expected to be home to three outdoor ski slopes, forest based zip wires and tree top adventures, bike trails, an Xtreme sport centre, a state-of-the-art aqua park, indoor trampolining, spas plus a central plaza with bars and restaurants.

So far the Afan Valley Adventure Resort is still at the planning stage.

Details: Published: 11 April 2017; Hits: 3845

Every year the company, Brand Finance, ranks the world’s biggest hotel brands based on familiarity, loyalty, staff satisfaction, marketing investment and corporate reputation.

Hilton was named the ‘most valuable’ brand last year closely followed by Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton and Holiday Inn – all international chains.

However the most ‘powerful brand’, was Whitbread’s Premier Inn. Premier Inn is largest hotel chain in the UK and almost exclusively British-focused.

Premier Inn scored highly on awareness, satisfaction and brand investment.

Premier Inn was the first mass market UK hotel brand to be advertised on prime time television following its creation in 2007 and has commissioned high quality, effective advertising (using comedian Sir Lenny Henry) ever since.

Commentators have pointed to the Lenny Henry ‘effect’ as one of the reasons for the group’s success.

Details: Published: 27 March 2017; Hits: 3686

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Refurbishment Round-up