Trending Activity Bars, Innovative Vending Machines, Brainstorming Top Ideas and a stay at a Top value resort

This month step into the world of Trending Activity Bars, Innovative Vending Machines, Brainstorming Top Ideas and how I am impressed by most recent stay at a top value resort.

Did this newsletter find its way to you through a forward? Don't miss out on future insights sign up here to join our rapidly expanding community of passionate hospitality professionals.

⭐️Join Us for The Hospitality Mentor Networking Event! We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Hospitality Mentor Networking Event on July 10 at the stunning Mayfair House Hotel & Garden in Coconut Grove, Florida.

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow hospitality professionals, share insights, and foster new relationships in a beautiful setting.

Event Details: Date: July 10

Location: Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, Coconut Grove, Florida

Tickets: Buy Tickets Here

🛎 Trending in Hospitality: Discovering Unique Activity Bars

Celebrating at Lucky Strike

This month, I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday at Lucky Strike. The experience was unforgettable as it perfectly blended food, beverages, bowling, and arcade games, all set in a fantastic environment with exceptional hospitality. This got me thinking about the concept of activity bars and their potential in the hospitality industry.

After some research, I discovered that London, England, currently boasts the top activity bar scene globally. These venues are redefining entertainment by combining traditional bar elements with engaging activities, making them a hot spot for both locals and tourists. Here are some standout examples and how similar concepts could be incorporated into hotels to enhance guest experiences:

London's Top Activity Bars

Fairgame | Canary Wharf
Fairgame brings old-school fairground games together with alcohol, offering nine nostalgic challenges like whack-a-mole and rifle ranges. Imagine having a similar setup in a hotel, where guests can unwind and compete in fun games right on the premises.

Whistle Punks | Oxford Circus
As Europe’s largest axe-throwing bar, Whistle Punks offers guests the thrill of axe throwing combined with a bar atmosphere. Hotels with sufficient space could integrate axe-throwing lanes, offering a unique activity that sets them apart.

Bounce | Farringdon, Old Street & Battersea
With ping-pong tables, cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere, Bounce has reinvented table tennis as a social activity. Hotels can easily integrate ping-pong tables in common areas or dedicated game rooms.

Flight Club | Shoreditch, Islington, Bloomsbury, Victoria
This bar chain takes darts to the next level with automatic scoring and virtual guides. Hotels can introduce modern dartboards, providing a twist on a classic pub game.

Electric Shuffle | Canary Wharf & London Bridge
Electric Shuffle brings shuffleboard into the modern era with high-tech versions of the game. This could be a great addition to hotel bars, encouraging guests to socialize over a game.

Activity Bars in the U.S. Doing It Right

Punch Bowl Social | Various Locations
With locations across the U.S., Punch Bowl Social combines gourmet food, craft beverages, and a variety of games including bowling, karaoke, arcade games, and bocce. This concept could be integrated into hotels to offer guests a diverse range of entertainment options.

AceBounce | Chicago, IL
Similar to Bounce in London, AceBounce in Chicago offers a fun environment with ping-pong, cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere. Hotels could replicate this by adding ping-pong tables and stylish bars.

Puttshack | Various Locations
Puttshack combines mini-golf with a bar and restaurant, creating a whimsical and entertaining experience. Hotels with ample space could create their own mini-golf courses to delight guests of all ages.

These examples from both London and the U.S. highlight the growing trend of activity bars, where the focus is on creating memorable experiences that go beyond typical dining and drinking. Hotels can learn from these innovative concepts and incorporate similar activities to enhance guest satisfaction. By offering unique and engaging experiences, hotels can attract a broader audience, keep guests entertained, and ensure they leave with lasting memories.

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, integrating such activities can set hotels apart from the competition and cater to the increasing demand for unique guest experiences. Whether through standalone activity bars or integrating these elements into existing hotel spaces, the possibilities are endless.

🍔 What I’m Eating: Discovering the World of High-End Vending Machines

Lately, I've been diving into the fascinating world of ultra high-end vending machines. These aren't your typical snack dispensers; they provide an enhanced experience for guests, offering a unique opportunity to try something new while also addressing labor shortages. Inspired by Japan's vending machine culture, I believe this concept can be successfully adopted in the United States, offering everything from hot meals to premium drinks.

Innovative Examples of High-End Vending Machines

Farmer’s Fridge
Based in the U.S., Farmer’s Fridge offers fresh, healthy meals through vending machines. These machines dispense salads, bowls, snacks, and beverages, all prepared with high-quality ingredients. The sleek design and touch-screen interface ensure a premium experience for users. Placing these in hotels can provide guests with convenient, nutritious options around the clock.

Yo-Kai Express
Yo-Kai Express, originating from Japan, specializes in high-end vending machines that serve hot ramen dishes. Using innovative technology, these machines can cook and serve gourmet ramen in just a few minutes. Incorporating such machines in hotel lobbies or dining areas can offer guests a unique and quick dining option without compromising on quality.

Cupcake ATM by Sprinkles
For a touch of sweetness, Sprinkles offers a Cupcake ATM that dispenses freshly baked cupcakes and cookies. This luxurious vending machine ensures each treat is perfectly preserved and presented. Adding a Cupcake ATM to a hotel can delight guests, providing a fun and indulgent experience.

PizzaForno
PizzaForno brings the Italian experience of fresh pizza to vending machines. These machines use robotic technology to prepare and bake pizzas on demand. Offering a variety of toppings and ensuring a hot, fresh product, PizzaForno can be an exciting addition to hotels, providing guests with a quick and satisfying meal option.

iPourIt
iPourIt offers a self-serve beverage dispensing system that allows guests to pour their own drinks, including beer, wine, and cocktails. This innovative system uses RFID technology to monitor and charge for each pour, providing a seamless and interactive experience. Hotels can integrate iPourIt to offer guests a unique and convenient way to enjoy their favorite beverages.

The Benefits of High-End Vending Machines in Hotels

Enhanced Guest Experience: These vending machines provide guests with convenient, high-quality food and beverage options, enhancing their overall stay.

Labor Efficiency: With labor shortages being a significant challenge, these automated solutions can help fill the gap, offering round-the-clock service with minimal staffing required.

Increased Revenue: High-end vending machines can drive additional revenue by offering unique and desirable products that guests are willing to pay a premium for.

Modern Appeal: Incorporating these machines can position hotels as forward-thinking and innovative, appealing to tech-savvy travelers and guests looking for novel experiences.

Exploring and integrating high-end vending machines can revolutionize how hotels provide food and beverage services. From gourmet hot meals to indulgent cupcakes, these machines offer a blend of convenience, quality, and innovation. Inspired by Japan's vending machine culture, it's exciting to see how these concepts can be adapted and embraced within the hospitality industry here in the U.S. Let’s look forward to creating new, memorable experiences for our guests through these sophisticated vending solutions.

📝 What I'm Working On: Creating Amazing Experiences Through Group Brainstorming

Steve Turk at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Miami

This month, I had the privilege of working with the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Miami, where we focused on harnessing the power of group brainstorming to create truly remarkable experiences. Without revealing too much, the aim of our session was to generate innovative ideas that would enhance the hotel’s offerings, delight guests, and inspire the team.

The Power of Group Brainstorming

During our brainstorming session, we used a structured approach to encourage creativity and collaboration among participants. This method proved incredibly effective, yielding 60 fantastic ideas that could revolutionize the guest experience and operational efficiency at the Mandarin Oriental. The beauty of this process is that it taps into the collective intelligence of the group, bringing together diverse perspectives and insights.

Key Outcomes

Innovative Guest Experiences: By focusing on what guests truly value, we were able to come up with unique experiences that cater to their desires for luxury, personalization, and memorable moments.

Enhanced Team Engagement: Involving the team in the brainstorming process not only generated great ideas but also boosted morale and engagement. The team felt valued and empowered, knowing their contributions could shape the future of the hotel.

Operational Improvements: Some of the ideas focused on streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and leveraging technology to provide seamless service. These suggestions could lead to significant enhancements in how the hotel functions daily.

Offering This Service to Other Hotels

The success of the session at Mandarin Oriental has inspired me to offer this group brainstorming service to other hotels. Here’s how it can benefit your property:

Tailored Brainstorming Sessions: I customize each session to address the specific needs and goals of your hotel, ensuring that the ideas generated are relevant and actionable.

Diverse Idea Generation: By bringing together team members from different departments, we can generate a wide range of ideas that consider all aspects of the guest experience and hotel operations.

Implementation Support: After the brainstorming session, I provide a detailed report with actionable recommendations and can offer ongoing support to help implement the best ideas.

Why It Matters

In the competitive world of hospitality, creating unique and memorable experiences is key to standing out and building guest loyalty. Group brainstorming sessions can unlock new possibilities and drive innovation, ensuring your hotel remains at the forefront of the industry.

If you’re interested in exploring how group brainstorming can benefit your hotel, I’d love to discuss it further. Together, we can create extraordinary experiences that leave a lasting impression on your guests and inspire your team.

💭 What I'm Inspired By: Value Resorts That Go All Out

I recently returned from a family trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, where we had the opportunity to experience two very different hotels: the Dockside Inn and Suites and the Portofino Bay Hotel. While the Dockside Inn and Suites is the most affordable value hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, the Portofino Bay Hotel is a premier, luxury option. Despite the stark difference in price points, my children and family ended up preferring our stay at the Dockside Inn and Suites. This experience highlighted the exceptional hospitality provided by both hotels, showcasing how value resorts can deliver luxury-level service.

Dockside Inn and Suites: A Value Resort That Shines

Dockside Inn and Suites, part of the Loews Hotels group, exceeded our expectations in every way. From the moment we checked in, the staff displayed impeccable hospitality skills that made our stay truly enjoyable. Despite being a value resort, the level of service we received was on par with what one might expect from a high-end hotel. The friendly and attentive team members made us feel welcome and valued, enhancing our overall experience.

Portofino Bay Hotel: Luxury and Convenience

Our stay at the Portofino Bay Hotel, another gem from Loews Hotels, provided us with the added benefit of access to the Universal Express Pass, allowing us to skip the regular lines at the theme parks. The hotel itself was stunning, with beautiful Italian-inspired architecture and luxurious amenities. However, despite the grandeur and convenience, it was the exceptional service at Dockside Inn and Suites that left a lasting impression on us.

The Secret to Success: Exceptional Training and Hiring

The common thread between these two contrasting experiences was the outstanding hospitality provided by the Loews Hotels staff. It’s clear that the company invests heavily in training and hiring the right people, ensuring that all guests receive top-notch service regardless of the hotel’s price point. This approach proves that great hospitality is not solely dependent on luxurious surroundings but on the genuine care and professionalism of the team.

Why This Matters

This experience has inspired me to rethink the value proposition of hotels. It's not just about the physical amenities or the star rating, it's about how guests are made to feel. The Dockside Inn and Suites demonstrated that value resorts could offer memorable and delightful stays by focusing on excellent service and hospitality. This has significant implications for the hospitality industry, showing that investing in staff training and development can elevate the guest experience across all hotel categories.

Our stay at Universal Orlando’s Dockside Inn and Suites has shown that value resorts can compete with luxury hotels in terms of guest satisfaction when they prioritize exceptional service. This trip has reinforced my belief that the true essence of hospitality lies in the warmth, professionalism, and dedication of the people who make guests feel special. Kudos to Loews Hotels for setting such a high standard and proving that great hospitality knows no bounds.

If you’re looking to enhance the guest experience at your property, consider focusing on staff training and hiring practices. By cultivating a team that embodies the spirit of hospitality, you can create unforgettable experiences for your guests, no matter the price point of your hotel.

🎙 Listen: The Podcast

If you’ve read this far, send me a short reply and let me know what you enjoyed most from this newsletter. See you again in July!

If you found this edition helpful, feel free to forward it on or leave a comment on my LinkedIn Newsletter to help spread the word about The Hospitality Mentor. It only takes a few seconds and makes a huge difference.

Cheers,

Steve Turk

Founder and Host of The Hospitality Mentor