Page 23 - April 2021
P. 23

“What attracts us to new properties is the excitement   maintained the core values within our team. I believe trust,
        of  creating  a  new  location  with  lots  of  experiences  for   freedom, imperfections, not taking yourself too seriously
        our guests. This is how we remain innovative, by becoming   and just a touch of anarchy are important. Last but not
        inspired by the project, the people involved and of course   least,  we  believe  in  just  creating  hotels  that  possess
        the destination as well.”                     character and soul,” explains Hoffmann.
          For  their  current  portfolio,  the  brand  ensures  these   As we near the end of the interview the topic turns
        destinations  remain  attractive  and  exciting  by  involving   towards  e-commerce  and  social  media  and  the  part  it
        unique concepts and content, concentrating on ambiance   now plays in the customer experience, and when we ask
        and  design  and  always  offering  customer  service  that   Hoffmann  about  how  the  company  has  adapted  to  the
        includes personality, honesty and authenticity. Finally, the   increasing importance of online retailing and social media
        sites always retain a sense of locality. Whenever 25hours   channels, he explains that these are not new concepts in
        are creating a new concept an aim is to focus on the locals   hospitality or with 25hours Hotels, as 80 per cent of their
        and the neighbourhood to offer guests a sense of the area   rooms  are  currently  sold  online  via  their  own  website,
        in which they are staying.                    platforms or online travel agents. As for social media, they
          During  the  pandemic,  the  company  has  always   are not of critical importance but Instagram has become
        maintained  they  should  stay  open  and  operating  when   the relevant platform for them for brand building through
        at  all  possible,  to  offer  shelter  for  those  not  travelling   owned and earned content.
        and those that have been able to travel. It is small things   On  the  horizon  is  a  partnership  between  Accor  &
        like  this,  showing  the  determination  to  remain  open  to   Ennismore,  whose  merging  within  the  hospitality  sector
        assist with customers’ needs even when things are difficult   will offer 25hours a new platform to operate from and
        that make 25hours Hotels stand out in the packed hotel   new avenues to pursue.
        sector and retain customer loyalty.            “This will be a great opportunity for us to grow globally.
          Having enjoyed a successful operation to date, what   Of  course  we  have  to  be  careful  that  the  brand  DNA
        does  Hoffmann  consider  the  key  drivers  behind  this   adapts in a healthy way but this opportunity looks set to
        to be?                                        be a great opportunity to 25hours Hotels truly alive and
          “Through  our  expansion  and  growth,  we  have   kicking for a long time to come,” concludes Hoffmann.
                                                                          APRIL 2021 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 23
   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28