2025 will be a year when technology will play a central role in every area of conferences and meetings from operations to marketing. Demand will polarise with luxury growth continuing while at the other end, automation, efficiency and productivity will be critical to success.

These will be the key trends in the sector according to Wyboston Lakes Resort.

Steve Jones, CEO, believes “we will see further polarisation of offerings in sectors that are labour heavy.

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The Wesley Euston, a sustainable hotel in the heart of London, is undergoing a refresh of its reception area to enhance both the hotel's aesthetic and the overall customer experience.

Scheduled for completion by December 20th, the newly designed reception area will showcase a sleek, modern look, enhancing the check-in and check-out experience for guests.

James Barr, General Manager at The Wesley, said, “We’re excited to reveal our new reception which will reflect our high standards of customer service whilst aligning with our environmental and sustainable ethos.

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Radisson Hotel Group has launched its lifestyle RED brand in Ireland with the opening of a hotel in Galway.

The hotel was developed by the Rhatigan Group and designed by the Dublin-based architectural firm Henry J Lyons.

The hotel boasts 177 guest rooms and suites, all equipped with Chrome Cast technology. It also features the Claddagh Bar & Grill on the ground floor, Lena’s Rooftop Bar & Restaurant with seating for up to 140 guests, and several meeting and event spaces spread across two floors.

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KE Hotels has entered into new management agreements to acquire three Hampton by Hilton properties, marking a significant step in its plans for expansion across the UK.

The KE Hotels portfolio has now expanded with the addition of Hampton by Hilton Newcastle, Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street, and Hampton by Hilton Sheffield. These properties join an impressive line up that includes Moxy Manchester, Linton Lodge Oxford, and Hotel Indigo Newcastle.

These three acquisitions strengthen the company’s strategy to target 'various market segments' through collaborations with leading hospitality brands.

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Parkdean Resorts has committed to expanding its support for the armed forces in 2025 by donating more than 200 holidays, valued at over £150,000, to members of the military community and their families.

In 2024, Parkdean Resorts donated 185 holidays across 21 of its holiday parks through partnerships with the Army Central Fund, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

The breaks were awarded in recognition of the beneficiaries' service, providing military personnel with much-needed respite and support for their recuperation.

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The Northcote Obsession Food Festival is set to return to Northcote in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire between Friday 24th January and Sunday 9th February 2025.

The festival, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary, is known as one of the most prestigious, important and internationally-recognised gourmet festivals.

Obsession is Northcote’s annual celebration of the finest food and wine, first established in 2001 as one of Europe’s premier gastronomic events, with guest chefs traveling from all over the world.

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Whitbread has appointed the former Chief Executive of Boparan Restaurant Group to lead its newly restructured restaurants division.

Joe Teixeira has been named Managing Director of Whitbread's branded restaurants division, where he will oversee brands such as Beefeater and Brewers Fayre.

This appointment comes as the group plans to streamline its struggling branded restaurant division by exiting 126 sites and converting approximately 100 of them into Premier Inn hotel rooms over the next two years.

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The Wildhive Collection has acquired Eshott Hall, a 17th-century manor in Northumberland, marking its second property after the launch of Wildhive Callow Hall in Derbyshire, which opened in September 2021.

Eshott Hall, acquired from The Robert Parker Collection, will continue operating as usual until late 2025, when it will transition into a Wildhive hotel. Plans include a full refurbishment of the main house and the development of experiential accommodations in nature, similar to Wildhive Callow Hall.

Eshott Hall's central location between Alnwick and Morpeth makes it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding countryside and coastline.

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Whitbread PLC, the parent company of Premier Inn, has expanded its London development team by appointing Sam Murphy as the new Project and Programme Manager.

This marks the fifth addition to Whitbread’s development team this year, as the company continues to invest in its expansion program across the UK and Ireland.

Sam will report to Whitbread’s Head of Construction (London & South) and will oversee the delivery of new Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels across London and the broader South-East region.

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Simon Ulph has been named head chef at the Michelin-starred Northcote in Lancashire.

He will work under Executive Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen, who joined Northcote in 2001 and became Head Chef in 2004.

Ulph joins Northcote from the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in the Lake District, where he served as Senior Sous Chef under Executive Chef Ollie Bridgwater at the Michelin-starred Source restaurant.

Ulph spent a year and a half at the Gilpin.

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Travelodge has finalised contracts for a new hotel in Douglas, marking the company’s first location on the Isle of Man.

Travelodge has signed a 30-year lease agreement with local developer Tevir Group, with Whitestone Retail & Leisure representing Travelodge to finalise the deal.

Planning permission has been approved for the construction of a standalone, new-build Travelodge with 80 rooms and an on-site restaurant, 85 Bar Café. The project is part of a mixed-use development that will also include two new grade-A office buildings.

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Virgin Money has completed a £51 million refinancing deal for the Hotel AMANO located in London’s Covent Garden.

Hotel AMANO Covent Garden represents the Berlin-based AMANO Group's first international location. The group owns, develops, and operates a portfolio of 15 hotels.

The London hotel was developed by Manex Properties, a joint venture between AMANO and Excellion Capital, with Woods Bagot’s London Studio serving as the lead architect and interior designer.

Philip Rokeach.

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Wyboston Lakes Resort is proud to announce that it has once again achieved the prestigious MIA Gold accreditation from the Meetings Industry Association (MIA), reaffirming its commitment to excellence in the meetings and events industry.

The Bedfordshire hotel, conference and training centre achieved the highest possible level of accreditation from the sector’s nationally recognised standard for service providers in business, meetings and events, after a panel of independent industry assessors scrutinised it against a robust checklist of criteria.

The process includes legal compliance.

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The Grand, York has appointed Adam Dyke as its new General Manager. With over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Adam’s arrival heralds a new era for the esteemed five-star hotel, celebrated for its commitment to exceptional guest experiences.

Adam Dyke, a seasoned professional in the hospitality industry, brings a wealth of experience from various prestigious roles. Most recently, he was Group Operations Director at Luxury Family Hotels, where he refined his expertise in luxury service and leadership. Prior to that, he spent nearly four years as Operations Director at Artfarm, overseeing a unique art.

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Luxury Indian hotel group Oberoi is set to debut its first property in London.

Grosvenor and EIH London Investments Ltd have announced that the Oberoi group will open a hotel on the corner of Brook Street in Mayfair, as part of the broader South Molton development.

The mixed-use development will also include housing, cafes, shops, restaurants, community and leisure spaces, along with two office buildings spanning Brook Street and Davies Street.

South Molton is set to become a new gateway to Mayfair.

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Travelodge has made its first freehold acquisition, purchasing an office building in London’s St Paul’s area as part of its strategy to diversify its property portfolio.

The acquisition of Genesis House on Godliman Street follows the budget hotel company’s outreach to more than 100 of the UK’s largest office owners to explore potential conversion opportunities.

The Travelodge OpCo Group will self-fund the freehold purchase, with Lewis & Partners advising the sellers.

The 24.

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Five-star hotel resort Rockliffe Hall, located in the North East of England, has submitted two planning applications, one of which includes the creation of a purpose-built dining venue.

The first planning application aims to gain approval for a purpose-built pavilion that will feature a flagship restaurant, while the second application is focused on restoring the hotel’s Grade II-listed Old Hall.

The proposals include the construction of a 584-square-metre pavilion, with exterior design elements inspired by the colonnaded architecture and materials of the Old Hall.

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Dakota Hotels has announced the appointment of Mark Spanton as the General Manager of its Newcastle property, set to open in Spring 2025.

Mark Spanton has been a key member of the Dakota team since 2020, initially joining as Deputy General Manager at the boutique hotel group’s Manchester location. He was later promoted to General Manager of the Leeds property in 2022.

Under his leadership, Dakota Leeds has earned numerous industry accolades, including awards for Best Restaurant and Best Chef at the Oliver Awards.

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Lesya Batsuk has been promoted to Group Finance Manager at Hotel Co 51, where she will lead the company’s Finance Department. A seasoned financial leader with 17 years of strategic accounting experience, Lesya is known for her strong skills in budgeting and planning.

Before joining the hotel management company in 2021, Lesya spent over eight years in a senior financial management role at Intertrust Group. There, she gained valuable experience working with international clients, adeptly managing statutory regulations across various European jurisdictions and adapting to diverse reporting technologies.

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Gareth Banner, the group managing director of The Ned in the City of London, has been awarded the prestigious title of Hotelier of the Year 2024.

He was commended by the judges for his exceptional leadership and ability to manage one of the most intricate hotel and members' club operations in the UK.

The Ned opened in 2017 after a £200 million redevelopment of a Grade I listed former City bank, making it one of the year's most anticipated openings.

Since the Ned's high-profile launch.

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