#Trending This Week - A Cocktail-Forward Hotel Brand, Kidfluence, Robotic Massages, Foraging, And Pet Amenities Gone Too Far
Issue 252 • July 15, 2025
This week’s #Trending roundup focuses on the key revenue generators for many hotels: spas, alcohol, family travel, food, and pets. Here’s what you need to know in a quick three-minute read.
Can A Cocktail-Forward Hotel Survive?
It seems as though people are drinking less, exploring the sober-curious lifestyle, and opting for zero-proof cocktails. And yet a cocktail-forward lifestyle brand has just opened its first hotel. The focus here is on a bar and restaurant which truly anchors the lobby as well as an in-room minibar featuring curated spirits. With so many people also complaining about the high price of cocktails, can this hotel survive? Read more in Hotel Dive here.
Robotic Massages May NOT Be The Future
There has been a lot of chatter about robots taking on a greater role in hospitality from room service to kitchen duties. One area where we think robots are probably not going to excel is the spa. A first-hand experience recap from a leading travel journalist about her robotic massage netted less than stellar reviews. From an “onboarding” lesson prior to the massage (do you really want to have to learn something in pursuit of a relaxing hour?) to not being able to strip down, lying face down the entire time, having to manage controls, etc., it appears that aestheticians don’t have to worry about job security. Read more in The Wall Street Journal here.
Kidfluence Travel Is Becoming A Thing
Tour operators and CVBs are leaning into what is being called “kidfluence” travel. Children are taking the reins on trip planning these days, with tour operators and tourism boards offering itineraries designed by kids, for kids — and they are finding the resulting trips to be more imaginative, inspiring, and playful. A recent survey found 84% of parents draw inspiration from their child's imagination when planning a vacation, while 86% of kids said they want to help build the itinerary. Read more in Travel Weekly here.
Foraging May Be The Next Farm-To-Table Step
As people become more interested in connecting to a destination through its people and its food, we predict foraging is going to grow in popularity. When you think about it, going to the grocery store to buy ingredients or ordering food in has caused us to become disconnected from nature and food’s interconnectedness with the seasons. We also lose the opportunity to fill our diets with hyperlocal ingredients rich in flavor and nutrition. While many restaurants and chefs promote “farm-to-table” dining, we predict helping diners get out in nature to see where the local ingredients come from is going to grow in popularity. Read more about foraging in Eater here.
Pet Amenities Gone Too Far?
The pet industry continues to boom and more and more people are traveling with pets, so hotels are putting out the welcome mat with dog beds and pet menus, but one hotel may have gone a little too far. Here’s a pet package which includes — wait for it — a pup psychic! Billed as a wellness package for dogs, it includes a virtual reading with the hotel’s Pup Psychic in Residence, which will offer the pet owner “intuitive insights into your dog’s inner world—from temperament to secret quirks and preferences.” Read more at Fortune here.
And A Little Humble Brag…
JC Communications is beyond thrilled to announce our client, Fauchon L’Hotel Paris, was just named No. 1 Best Paris City Hotel by Travel+Leisure 2025 World's Best Awards.* We’ve been working with the hotel for close to seven years (it celebrates its seventh birthday on September 1st) and we could not be prouder for it to have finally received the recognition it deserves. Paris’ first gourmet hotel is no longer a best-kept secret!
