F & B
REINVENT , ADAPT , REPEAT .
WHAT ARE F & B OPERATIONS DOING TO KEEP REVENUE FLOWING ? JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING .
Stories contributed by JEANETTE HURT
IN-
ROOM
ENTERTAINMENT
Ovolo Hotels , like many other international brands , had to respond differently — and quickly — to how various countries handled the COVID-19 pandemic .
In its headquarters city of Hong Kong , the government requires that its citizens spend 14 days quarantined in a hotel room upon their return from international travel , choosing a hotel from an approved list .
“ We very quickly launched a long stay package , and we understood the feedback from guests , of the struggles of having to be in a hotel room for 14 days ,” says Tim Alpe , chief operating officer . It adapted the program as a “ Quarantine Concierge ” in July .
Besides in-room entertainment , fitness and spa options , a big part of the package was F & B : It included complimentary breakfast , a cup of barista-made coffee delivered to their door each morning , complimentary minibar minibar snacks and Ovolo ’ s signature Loot Bag , which is replenished daily . The package also included HKD $ 1,000 ( about US $ 130 ) in dining credits . Hotel guests who achieved a daily fitness challenge of 10,000 steps were rewarded with free , cold-pressed juice . On the last night of quarantine , a bottle of Spanish cava was delivered to their rooms .
However , “ probably the winner for the quarantine has been the social trolley ,” Alpe says . That ’ s a daily happy hour delivered to guests . “ Normally , we have a happy hour where we encourage people to come down to meet other guests , have a cocktail shaken for them and to meet managers . Instead , we packaged our social trolley and went door to door with our barmen , with the general manager or operations manager .” Cocktails like the hotel ’ s barrel-aged negroni or an espresso martini would be served , along with house wines and beer .
The mobile bartending station was outfitted with portable music . At around
24 hotelsmag . com January / February 2021