A (corona) Plan B for hospitality businesses.

What’s the new normal for the hospitality industry?

With current predictions showing tourism slowing down for the rest of 2020, many business owners in the hospitality sector might be wondering how to expand their offerings to reach their local communities. 

Here are six examples of out-of-the-box ideas that prove entrepreneurial thinking can help businesses flourish – even during a global health crisis and all while giving their guests a wonderful experience. 

“Stay a little longer” by 25 Hours Hotel 

Have you ever dreamed of living in a hotel? With a stocked mini-bar, room cleaning, and catered breakfast? 

As a solution to shortfalls in tourism and leisurely travel, the 25 Hours Hotel is piloting a new approach to marketing their services. 

Targeted at locals, people – and especially students with their reduced pricing model – are welcome to rent a hotel room by the month instead of per night. 

The chain has rolled out this new offering by collaborating with Instagram influencers. 

The student price is 999 Euros and, without reduction, the hotel room comes to 1.550 Euro, plus 10/15 Euros per breakfast.

Learn more: https://www.25hours-hotels.com/en/long-stay

Better Together by Zoku Amsterdam

Targeting couples, Zoku created a date night offering with an exclusive interactive dining experience prepared by Michelin Star receiver Joris Bijdendijk, Executive Chef of RIJKS. The offer also includes an overnight stay and (of course) a delicious breakfast.

At 473 to 494 Euros for two, the price is relatively affordable for people looking for a special experience.

Learn more: https://www.eventbrite.com/

Work from Home X aptm Berlin by Goal Girls

The Experience Design Agency Goal Girls teamed up with aptm Berlin, a shoppable apartment and event space, to host their community’s coworking experience. Guests can book a monthly pass, a part-time pass, or a day pass and then book a spot to cowork with the founders of the Goal Girls agency. This is a win-win collaboration because the Girls gain access to an Instagrammable workspace to co-create in with their fans, and their members and the apt space get exposure for their products and services. 

Learn more: https://www.goalgirls.de/workfromhome

Serres Séparées by Mediamatic

Sometimes, hospitality is also an art form. Especially in times of a global pandemic when what really matters is thinking of new ideas instead of giving in to how things have always been. Serres Séparées is a dining concept that uses small glasshouses to separate parties while offering them a unique gastronomic experience. The greenhouses protect the guests from the outside and other parties while offering a unique, intimate dining experience.

A two-person dinner costs 100 Euros, and the menu is 100% plant-based. 

Learn more: https://www.mediamatic.net/en/page/377850/serres-séparées-–-reservations

Home Suite Home

Can the hotel experience happen in the comfort of one’s own home? The hospitality experience designers Felix Burghardt and David Kiljstra knew there had to be a way to bring the best of hotels to people’s homes. 

With a curated box of local products, live online music and comedy sessions, delicious Easter breakfast, an all-day concierge service for the starting package, and a three-course dinner from one of Amsterdam’s best restaurants, the team created a unique experience for people in Amsterdam looking for an exceptional evening. The HSH packages were available over Easter weekend as a beta test and sold for 85 or 150 Euros. I’m curious to see what’s next and how they’ll adapt the concept. 

Learn more: https://homesuitehome.co

Halbpension by Vollpension 

One of my clients, Vollpension is a generational café and social business in Vienna that employs seniors to bake what they say are the best cakes in Vienna! Because of their unique business model, no governmental funding applied to help them pay the bills during the gastronomic closures, so the Vollpension team started a crowdfunding campaign so they could pay rent. Once restaurants were allowed to open again, the Vollpension team started charging by the hour with included drinks instead of by the order to make up for the losses. Then, with a 25% reduction, guests were also able to order from their regular menu. 

With 9,90 Euros by the hour settled in 15 minutes intervals, the café has been able to make half the usual revenue with just 25% of the usual guest capacity. 

Learn more: https://www.vollpension.wien

I’ll be joining HoCoSo’s Discussion Forum on the importance of experiences and communities on June 23 at 3 p.m. We’ll discuss ideas to help hospitality businesses bounce back as fast as possible. You can join us here: https://zoom.us/j/99621761872 

If you’re looking for fresh ideas or would like to work together with me and Jonathan from HoCoSo, please get in touch before or after the discussion forum. :)