lagniappe
GLOOMY FORECAST
There are more dark clouds than silver linings in Europe , according to DLA Piper ’ s European Hotel Outlook Survey for 2012 . Citing over-valued assets and difficulty raising finance , 84 % of respondents think the hospitality market will see little or no growth in the next 12 months .
‘ SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL ’
No two guestrooms are the same at The
Pod 39 .
Other findings from the annual survey include :
� Only 12 % of respondents feel that the industry is well prepared in the face of another downturn .
� Despite the Eurozone crisis , 40 % of respondents think it is a good time to invest in the PIIGS countries ( Portugal , Italy , Ireland , Greece and Spain ).
� Only 8 % said they would look to invest in Greece over the period .
� Spain came out as the most favored investment destination , with 26 % saying they would consider investing there .
Notes Nigel Knowles , DLA Piper ’ s managing partner and co-global chairman , “ Despite the uncertain conditions , there is a general feeling that the market has changed permanently , and it is time to stop waiting for the rebound and learn to operate successfully in a difficult environment .”
Element Hotels is debuting bikes in its fitness centers that enable guests to generate electricity while they exercise .
PEDAL POWER
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide ’ s Element Hotels brand is combining its commitment to travelers ’ health and fitness with its green design sensibility in a unique way . In March , Element Miami International Airport debuted stationary bikes with pedal-powered generators that enable guests to generate electricity and charge their own personal electronic devices as they exercise . To mark the launch , Starwood President and CEO Frits van Paaschen even joined a group that took to the bikes to power laptops and flat-screen plasma monitors to create a “ virtual ribbon cutting ” on screen .
The pilot program is headed next to Element Lexington in Massachusetts , and Starwood plans to ultimately introduce it across the entire Element portfolio .
Five years after opening the original Pod Hotel on 51st Street in New York City , BD Hotels plans to unveil The Pod 39 in New York ’ s Murray Hill neighborhood this month .
The 367-room Pod 39 promises ultra-affordable rates starting at US $ 119 and a “ small is beautiful ” aesthetic thanks to guestroom details from designer Vanessa Guilford such as custom modular furniture , shutters instead of drapes and white subway-tiled walls in the en suite bathrooms . The hotel will feature
HOT
TYPE a casual-dining concept focused on international tacos in addition to a 17th-floor outdoor lounge and a great room to serve as a library , workspace and communal center .
“ From the moment we opened five years ago , we attracted a self-selecting community of individuals who really relish travel and the social experience around it ,” says Richard Born , principal with BD Hotels . “ It ’ s been an exciting process because it feels like we ’ re capturing the essence of travel , which is discovery .”
“ For a long time , we didn ’ t pay attention to the minority 30 % wanting more healthful options . But we have learned that 30 % is of such high importance . Those options are differentiators that help them choose us , and it becomes a business generator .” – Susan Terry , vice president of culinary operations for Hyatt Hotels Corp ., during a panel discussion at the 2012 Protein Innovation Summit — presented by HOTELS and sister publications Plate and Meatingplace — about selling healthy menus to skeptical consumers
72 HOTELS June 2012 www . hotelsmag . com