SPOTLIGHT ON: The Independent Hotel Show 2024
With over 25 years experience in Independent Hotels and as hospitality experts, the Independent Hotel Show, in Olympia, London, is always on the Greenway Associates calendar. This year Greenway Associates’ Project Manager Lynn Lavenac attended and found the experience “both insightful and inspiring.”
The event offered a fascinating glimpse into the latest innovations shaping the future of hospitality, from sustainable design to cutting-edge technology.
Speakers on the Innovation Stage, at the 2024 Independent Hotel in Olympia, London
A selection of stands on the busy show floor, at the 2024 Independent Hotel Show, in Olympia, London
This year, we were delighted to have access to the Members Suite. As the show floor is so busy - the Members Suite is an area that provides a moment of calm to check emails, have a drink or a catch up with fellow hospitality professionals. This year the beautiful Members Suite was designed by Fido Fawo of Fibi Interiors, as pictured below.
“The Independent Hotel Show approached us earlier in the year, with an exciting opportunity to design the Members Suite. Embracing the theme “Beyond the Hustle & Bustle,” our goal was to curate a serene oasis that embodies tranquility and relaxation. As the Olympia venue is full of cold hard surfaces, this design brief was exactly the kind of challenge we love! We focused on warm tones and lighting, soft textiles and calming sensory touches, including a self-playing piano! The resulting space encouraged members to unwind for a moment and have relaxed conversations. The pictures speak for themselves. We also knew that installation was going to be a challenge, with a very tight time-frame, and many other contractors and installers setting up stalls simultaneously. Thanks to some extra planning and our experienced install team, we pulled it off and enjoyed the whole experience. ”
A key trend that stood out to our team, was the growing focus on centralised and automated Property Management Systems (PMS). As every modern hotel now requires a PMS to manage core operations—like reservations, guest check-ins, and housekeeping—efficiency is paramount.
Several stands also caught our attention, including:
Bonnecaze Rattan Furniture: A French company offering handmade, customizable rattan chairs. Based in the South of France with manufacturing in Indonesia, they stand out for their competitive pricing and shorter lead times compared to other French suppliers.
Bottle Up: Promoting reusable, plant-based bottles.
Era Bespoke Metalworks: An Istanbul-based company specializing in high-quality metal and marble work, with capabilities such as CNC machining. Lynn found their craftsmanship impressive and noted that good metalworkers are rare in the market.
Mass Furniture: Another Turkish supplier specializing in hotel furniture and joinery, with a London branch. Lynn was intrigued by their claim that their quality surpasses Portuguese furniture manufacturers.
Glass Design: A company that offers unique glass solutions like bubble glass and digitally printed glass. Their ability to incorporate fabric and artwork into laminated glass makes them an excellent choice for bespoke interiors.
Stoneglow: A UK-based scent company providing personalized fragrances for spaces, with a focus on sustainable options like vegan wax.
“This year’s Independent Hotel Show was a valuable experience that gave me fresh insights and innovative ideas to elevate the guest experience. I really enjoyed connecting with passionate professionals and industry leaders while discovering solutions to accompany our client into creating outstanding spaces.”
For Greenway Associates, events like the Independent Hotel Show are key to staying ahead of trends and delivering innovative, cost-effective solutions to our hospitality clients. Our learnings from the show will help inform our future projects, ensuring we continue to create outstanding spaces.