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W Edinburgh marks milestone as W hotels expands iconic brand in the UK

Friday, December 1, 2023

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In the wake of the pandemic, the landscape of group travel and its impact on hotel sales has undergone significant transformations. The Rising Sales Leader Council has identified key trends shaping the relationship between group travel and hotel sales, reflecting the industry's response to post-pandemic shifts. Notable Shifts in Group Travel: Blurring Lines between Business and Leisure: Business trips now integrate personal or family vacations, reflecting a growing trend of combining work and leisure. Creative Networking Opportunities: Tradeshows and corporate events increasingly prioritize creative connections, utilizing community partners for memorable experiences beyond educational content. Increased Flexibility in Room Block Management: Greater flexibility in cutoff dates and early room block reviews enable hotels to closely monitor pickup, making informed business decisions. Strategies for Attracting New Business: Showcasing Property Uniqueness: Emphasizing the uniqueness of the property and its amenities is crucial when submitting room block proposals to stand out from competitors. Negotiating Favorable Terms: Hotels can adjust concession structures, including commission and rebates, to ensure financial viability while providing attractive rates for groups. Collaboration with CVBs: Leveraging Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) programs helps attract group business, fostering beneficial relationships within the local market. Offering Unique Amenities: Providing unique amenities or modifying common concessions enhances the hotel's appeal to groups, setting it apart in a competitive market. New Trends in Hotel Development: Immersive Experiences: New hotels prioritize dynamic, multi-purpose spaces to create immersive and shareable experiences for guests. Surge in Apartment Hotels: Rising demand for apartment hotels and vacation rentals leads to innovative approaches in short-term lodging. Growing Concerns of Group Business: RFP Response Times: Slow response times to Request for Proposal (RFP) submissions pose a significant challenge, potentially causing missed opportunities. Extended Negotiations: Increasing group concessions lead to longer negotiations, requiring strategic approaches to ensure mutually beneficial agreements. Complex Hotel Contracts: Event planners express concerns about navigating complex and strict hotel contracts, emphasizing the need for clarity to mitigate legal and financial risks. Adapting to the evolving group travel landscape requires strategic innovation and customer-centric approaches. As hotels navigate challenges and capitalize on emerging trends, the industry is poised to shape a future where unique experiences and collaboration define memorable group travel experiences.

W Hotels, a distinguished member of Marriott Bonvoy’s extensive portfolio, introduces W Edinburgh, a dynamic addition to the UK hotel scene. The property boasts unrivaled experiences, distinctive design, and the iconic Whatever/Whenever™ service. Featuring a rooftop deck with unprecedented 360° views and the W Hotels brand’s first Sound Suite recording studio in the UK, W Edinburgh is set to inspire musicians, podcasters, DJs, and artists, reflecting Edinburgh’s diverse influences. Situated in the heart of the revitalized St. James Quarter, the hotel combines world-class retail, entertainment, and dining.

Inspired by Scottish culture and history, W Edinburgh spans three distinct buildings, offering 199 rooms and 45 suites. The Ribbon Building, with a celebratory exterior façade, and James Craig Walk, a heritage-listed terrace from 1775, showcase locally rooted design influences. The Quarter House, newly built, complements the traditional Edinburgh architecture.

Designed by Jestico + Whiles, the interiors draw from coastal elements with ‘charred wood’ paneling, copper touches, and volcanic rock details. The Extreme Wow Suite, featuring iconic views of the Edinburgh skyline, offers a playful design, a rock bar inspired by the city’s volcanic origins, and an expansive private terrace.

Dining options include SUSHISAMBA, the first in the country, offering imaginative Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cuisine. The W Lounge reimagines Gaelic cuisine with a focus on local produce, while João’s Place, a Brazilian-inspired speakeasy, promises colorful evenings of music and cocktails.

W Edinburgh aims to be an evolutionary heartbeat of the city, featuring state-of-the-art event spaces, a professional-grade Sound Suite, Away® Spa partnered with Ishga, and a FIT® fitness center. The hotel’s programming and attention to detail position it as a cultural hub in the vibrant St. James Quarter, appealing to both locals and global guests.

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