TRENDING
ORLANDO ’ S NEW ETTE
tries to set post-pandemic trends
Ano-alcohol rooftop bar and a display laundry service ? What was Alex Ekbatani , founder and CEO of ette hotels , thinking for his first luxury hotel set to open in Orlando , Florida , this summer ?
“ ette ’ s cool factor is being a wellness-focused lifestyle hotel , meaning we are a zero-alcohol property . While we do not menu alcoholic beverages , at LIPA ( the rooftop bar ) we have a top-notch , high-quality mocktail menu curated by a world-renowned , mercurial mixology genius ,” Ekbatani explains .
A lot of people would think this is a very gutsy move , Ekbatani admits , but he says it was extremely well thought out . “ There is plenty of money in mocktails , as people don ’ t mind paying higher prices for these drinks with a spice-induced energy kick , rather than the sugar of alcoholic drinks and the next-day hangover ,” he says . “ We are setting a trend that we believe in very much . There are numerous companies that have introduced ‘ spirit-free ’ concoctions , a lot of them giants in the alcohol industry , ironically enough . They , too , see the same trend that we see . This world is evolving and making a move towards a health-focused lifestyle .”
But wait a minute : while the hotel will not be serving alcohol , its ‘ Secret Bring Your Own ’ code will allow guests to bring their own alcoholic drinks along with them .
Contributed By KATHAKALI NANDI
110 hotelsmag . com July / August 2021