FOOD & BEVERAGE
IF IT FEELS LIKE A HOTEL GEARED TO TOURISTS , IT WON ’ T APPEAL TO LOCALS . IF IT APPEALS TO THE LOCALS , IT WILL APPEAL TO TRAVELERS . THAT BUILDS A VIBRANCY .
– ALEX GHALLEB
people can curl up with a drink by the fireplace , and the lobby bar opens up into the lobby itself . Live music , several times a week , along with activations like cheese and wine tastings , create an energy that draws people there , Buleje said .
“ The lobby is just as important as any restraint on our property ,” Buleje said . “ It sets up our guests for the day .”
In the winter months , Grand Geneva guests grab a drink or a snack , and they typically gather at the big , wood-burning fireplace . “ They really like to cozy up ,” Buleje said .
The energy in the space he said has to change and evolve as the day progresses into night . “ We change it with the music ,” Bulege said . “ We have a grand piano in the lobby lounge , and we play live music throughout the day , and right now , three o ’ clock is the biggest time , to get the right energy to create the right environment . Sometimes we add a cello to the piano , and other days we have an acoustic guitar . Our music program is very big , and it ’ s something we will have to grow .”
At the Grand Geneva , the grab-and-go options in the lobby have to match the “ grand ” ambiance of the rest of the hotel , and one way to do that is through their croissants and croissant sandwiches . “ It ’ s a 72-hour labor of love ,” Buleje said . “ We make our croissants from scratch every day , and we have someone coming in at 4 a . m . every morning to bake them . On weekends , we ’ re extremely busy .”
Like the croissants , the hotel ’ s lobby bar , as well as the other bar offerings , makes everything from scratch , including the simple syrups for cocktails and coffee drinks . “ As hoteliers , we have to think like stand-alone restaurateurs ,” Buleje said . “ We have to offer things ( other places in the area ) don ’ t .”
The beverage side of operations in the lobby should be just as important as the food offerings . “ We just re-did our entire beverage program ,” Buleje said .
Four Corners Slice Shop at The Hoxton Poblenou in Barcelona .
76 hotelsmag . com Jan / Feb 2023