News and Trends

01 April 2021 Accor’s Ibis Styles London Gloucester Road is the first Accor hotel in Northern Europe to provide a fully digital experience with contactless solutions at each step of the guests’ stay. The hotel will provide an experience that is quick, safe and easy, with contactless solutions that rethink the guest journey from arrival to departure. The digital eco-system will include features such as online and mobile check in, in hotel payment, the ‘Accor Key’ – a digital key solution, digital F&B services and guest relations via Whatsapp throughout the stay. The innovative adaptation of the experience at the London hotel is the first step in an ambitious roll-out plan which will impact at least 50% of hotels across all brand segments in Europe in the next five years. “We know that guests increasingly seek contact-light travel and hotel experience that is easy to use, and we want to ensure they can do just that,” said Carla Milovanov, SVP Customer Technology Services, Accor. “Thi...

06 April 2021 Accor is bringing its Novotel and ibis brands to the £260m NewcastleGateshead Quays regeneration scheme. The agreement with Gateshead Council, its development partners Ask Real Estate and independent investment manager, PATRIZIA (Ask:PATRIZIA), will see the dual branded hotel established on the quayside of the 587,000 sq ft development. Designed by AHR Architects the 172,000 sq ft hotel forms a central part of the arena-led, mixed-use scheme on Gateshead’s waterfront. Vine Hotels will undertake the management of the hotels on behalf of the Council. Sir Robert McAlpine is appointed to deliver the scheme, including the hotel, with construction expected to start in Spring for an anticipated opening in 2024. The 187-room Novotel will feature the global brand’s newest public space and bedroom design concept, due to be launched later this year, in addition to state of the art meeting rooms and conference facilities, a gym and restaurant with views over Newcastle and the River T...