Outdoors | KRG Hospitality

Granville Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at night

February 22, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Restrictions: What’s Different in BC?

Restrictions: What’s Different in British Columbia?

by David Klemt

While face mask and proof-of-vaccine requirements remain in place throughout British Columbia, some Covid-19 restrictions are no more.

“By following the science and looking out for each other, we are now in a position to carefully ease many COVID-19 restrictions,” said BC premier John Horgan last week.

Per reports, the second-dose vaccine rate of eligible residents in BC is over 90 percent. That, along with a dip in hospitalizations, are likely contributing to this easing of restrictions.

Premier Horgan denies that the “Freedom Convoy” protests influenced BC’s decisions.

What’s Different Now?

The most relevant news pertaining to hospitality operators impacts capacity and guest behavior.

Restaurant, bar, lounge, and nightclub operators have reason to feel a sense of relief. This is due to several favorable changes to Covid-19 restrictions.

First, capacity restrictions for the venues above have been lifted. This return to 100-percent capacity is likely the most welcome change for BC operators.

Second, table limits. In short, those are also no more. No longer are parties limited to six guests or less.

The third restriction (at least the order I’m addressing them) is the return of mingling. That’s right—guests can socialize amongst other tables once again.

Fourth, there’s no longer a Covid-19-specific limit dictating liquor service hours.

Fifth, down goes the plexiglass. Operators can remove their plexi barriers. However, given the past two years of restriction whiplash, it could be smart to store and not toss our or destroy them.

Finally, and this is perhaps the greatest return to a semblance of normalcy, dancing is back. For nearly two years, the province of BC has been the town in Footloose. But as of now, guests are free to dance once again.

It’s important to note that workers will follow their employers’ Covid-19 safety plans.

What Else is Changing?

Unfortunately, what’s in the pipeline for further easing of restrictions is unknown.

Currently, masks are required in a restaurant, bar, lounge, or nightclub when a guest isn’t in their seat. Also, guests must still present the BC Vaccine Card for scanning to gain entry. Two doses of an approved vaccine are required.

BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, will “revisit” current restrictions on March 15. Dr. Henry will do so again in mid-April.

So, while there is cause for some optimism that life could return to normal in BC by April or May, we simply do not know for sure. Indeed, should another Covid-19 variant lead to a rise in infections and hospitalizations, now-lifted restrictions could conceivably return.

However, while Dr. Henry believes as we do that “hope is not a strategy,” there is room for optimism. With capacity, mingling, and dancing restrictions lifted, operators can once again offer guests a sense of normal life.

Image: Jerry Coli from Pixabay

Toronto, Ontario, Canada skyline viewed from harbor at dusk

February 21, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Restrictions: What’s Different in Ontario?

Restrictions: What’s Different in Ontario?

by David Klemt

Changes involving Covid-19 restrictions have come to the province of Ontario, Canada, the location of the global KRG Hospitality headquarters.

Las Vegas is home to KRG’s American headquarters. The state of Nevada eliminated its indoor mask mandate nearly three weeks ago.

Ontario’s restriction-easing plans should be welcome news for current and future operators throughout the province.

Per Ontario premiers, these changes are due to a reduction in Covid-19 hospitalizations. Reportedly, further pandemic-related changes are due today, with more coming down March 14.

What’s Different Now?

Most notably, indoor capacity restrictions for restaurants and bars are no longer in place. However, this is somewhat nuanced at the moment.

Per the current reading of Ontario’s public health measures, only venues that require proof of vaccination may return to 100-percent indoor capacity.

As the order reads, the following businesses are subject to “no capacity limits [indoors]…where proof of vaccination is required:

restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;
casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments;
cinemas; and
indoor areas of other settings that choose to “opt-in” to proof of vaccination requirements.

Operators of stadiums, arenas, and concert venues may now operate at 50-percent capacity

Nightclubs and other establishments that serve food and/or drink and have “dance facilities” and also require proof of vaccination are restricted to an indoor capacity of 25 percent.

Again, these changes are reportedly temporary. The province’s premiers and several outlets report that Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted further in March.

What Else is Changing?

Clearly, the biggest planned change involves proof of vaccination.

The province of Ontario appears to be embracing optimism. Additionally, one can argue that premiers are choosing to reward Ontarians for helping drive down hospitalization rates.

Should the plan be followed, should hospitalizations not increase, proof-of-vaccination requirements will be lifted March 1. In fact, Ontario’s mandatory vaccine passport system will also be lifted on March 1 if everything goes to plan.

Additionally, indoor capacity limits will return to 100 percent “in all indoor public settings.”

However, on March 1, face coverings and the “active/passive” screening of guests will remain in place. Also, operators can choose to require proof of vaccination voluntarily.

Reporting on what to expect by March 14 is murky. Analyzing Ontario premier Doug Ford’s words regarding these developments may offer a clue.

“We will need to keep masking in place for just a little bit longer,” said Ford. Perhaps Ontario can expect mask requirements to be lifted by or on March 14.

Of course, a certain level of skepticism regarding Ontario’s restriction-lifting plan is justified. Optimism is healthy but it’s not a business strategy.

That said, allowing for cautious optimism, the province’s plans is still welcome news. If Ontarians remain patient and vigilant, life and operations may return to normal in just three to four weeks.

Image: Alex on Unsplash

September 21, 2021by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

The Outdoor Experiential Movement

The Outdoor Experiential Movement

by David Klemt

When we think of a hotel or resort, we tend to picture a traditional property with hundreds of rooms and suites.

However, the consumer craving for unique experiences is changing our collective perception of resorts as we know them.

While not an entirely new take on resorts, concepts that embrace the great outdoors and nature are gaining in popularity.

The Great Outdoors

Of course, we can attribute the development of new outdoor resort concepts to the pandemic. After all, the demand for outdoor experiences has exploded since Covid-19 brought the hospitality industry to its knees.

But the desire by humans to be one with nature isn’t new. Perhaps , though, health and wellness, #vanlife, festivals, and Instagram pages devoted to stunning outdoor photography have simply amplified many people’s drive to worry less about their chosen resort’s rooms and more about the surrounding landscape.

This interest in and demand for new takes on resorts and hotels speaks to several trends investigated during Hospitality Design Expo 2021. As we touched on last week, these key trends influencing hospitality design are sustainability, an interest in maximizing outdoor areas and experiences, and immersion in local culture.

Working with the Landscape

There are several ways to approach this type of concept.

For example, Ryan Miller, chief brand officer for AutoCamp, offered two big tips for designing for what he dubs the “outdoor experiential hospitality movement.” During HD Expo 2021 in Las Vegas, Miller said views should always receive priority. That tips ties directly into another big takeaway: designers can create memorable moments by working with grades.

Founded in 2013, AutoCamp boasts an exclusive contract with Airstream to design “suite trailers.” The brand’s approach focuses on immersion coupled with convenience and comfort. A clubhouse features luxury amenities, there’s an F&B program, meeting rooms are available, and guests have access to a general store.

The approach, says Miller, ensures the brand is able to capture guests who normally would eschew camping and outdoor experiences.

Kona Gray, principal at EDSA and a landscape architect with nearly three decades’ experience, says that “designing with nature matters.” Designers need to understand the value in the land on which a resort or hotel will sit. And no, Gray doesn’t mean the monetary real estate value.

That understanding will help designers to work with the land, not around it, and become stewards of the land. There’s an ROI, says Gray, from the outdoors that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Different Approaches

Hannah Collins, founder and principal designer at ROY Hospitality Design Studio, and Carlos Becil, chief experience officer at Getaway, represent two concepts with very different takes on the outdoor resort concept.

Collins and ROY designed Yonder Escalante, and other Yonder escapes are planned for the future. Like AutoCamp, Yonder utilizes Airstream trailers. However, the property also features modern cabins that stand out against their Airstream counterparts while complementing the landscape.

Additionally, Yonder also features a modern clubhouse. Guests are encouraged to socialize rather than isolate to enjoy the outdoors. There’s also a decidedly sexy vibe to Yonder, which features private bathhouses, outdoor (private) showers, and a massive hot tub in the pool area.

Getaway also features cabins. And, of course, the focus is on an immersive outdoor experience. However, that’s where the similarities between Getaway and Yonder end.

As the name implies—well, outright expresses, really—Getaway provides its guests with an escape. In fact, when exploring the website to reserve a cabin, there’s no “locations” tab. Instead, locations are found under the heading “Escape From.”

Properties are located about two hours from the nearest major city. There are no check-in desks at Getaway properties. Guests won’t interact with Getaway staff in person. Cabins are 50 to 150 feet away from one another. There really isn’t WiFi or high-speed cellular service at a Getaway location.

In other words, Getaway doesn’t encourage socializing. Instead, the brand values unplugging, immersing one’s self in nature, and recharging.

Give ‘Em What They Want

If guests want to experience more of the outdoors, meet that desire. Truly, it’s soon going to be an expectation.

That doesn’t hold true only for hotels and resorts—restaurants, bars, entertainment venues should take heed as well.

As sustainability, health and wellness, and a desire to convene with nature grow stronger among consumers, operators who provide unique outdoor experiences will thrive.

Don’t get stuck inside and left behind.

Image: Airstream Inc. on Unsplash