LOS ANGELES — The biggest changes for lifestyle hotels in 2022 will be in the food and beverage space, said Evolution Hospitality President Will Loughran.
Speaking with Hotel News Now during the 2022 Americas Lodging Investment Summit, the recently appointed head of Aimbridge Hospitality's lifestyle division said while his company spends a lot of time pondering the future of food and beverage, it's often not focused on the "flagship restaurants" on property.
"Where we're also seeing [change] is in the grab-and-go's," he said. "How do you make a much better grab-and-go that has an appeal and a better product whether you're staying at a three-star hotel up to a five star? We see a lot of creativity coming in that area."
Loughran was promoted to president at Evolution in January from the role of chief operating officer and has been with the company since 2015, the same year it was purchased by Plano, Texas-based third-party hotel management firm Aimbridge. Evolution operates Aimbridge's portfolio of more than 90 lifestyle and boutique hotels and resorts.
He said grab-and-go concepts done well can supplement the need for all three meals at hotel restaurants in some circumstances, and changes should be focused making offerings "less but better."
Changes in this space were already happening pre-pandemic, Loughran said, but have been accelerated and amped up by the pandemic.
"People were tired of the candy bars and soda options in the room," he said.
He said refining offerings will be key.
"People are probably fine not having 30 options on a breakfast menu if there are four or five very good items," he said. "They're okay with that."
For more from HNN's interview with Will Loughran, watch the video above.