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Uncovering the benefits of a dry hotel

Glenn Nobbs, GM of Millennium Place Barsha Heights, on how an alcohol-free hotel can be an asset

by Hotelier Staff
Uncovering the benefits of a dry hotel

To have or not to have? That is the question. But to have what, do I hear you ask? A cold one, a glass of grape, or maybe one that is shaken and not stirred. But why?

Let’s take a closer look at what happens when you partake. After 30 seconds of consumption, a number of changes occur to the body, like the slow-down of chemicals and pathways your brain uses to send messages, mood changes start and reflexes slow. Coupled with dehydration, headaches and cotton mouth that come the following day before even factoring in the risk of injury or potential social implications.

What seems like a wonderful way to unwind, isn’t always the best decision for all in hindsight. It’s no wonder that “detox” periods have become more popular, as well as “dry” hotels.

But who says that a “dry” hotel has to be boring? When you walk into one, it is very hard to spot the difference so quickly. Such hotels still provide a great arrival and welcome experience, comfortable and luxurious accommodation, a variety of cuisines to choose from as well as exceptional service.

In fact, when you look at the country and region where we live, it really provides, in itself, the perfect reason to have such a business. Automatically, there is a large percentage of the population that become your key source demographic. Add to these the international traveler who are often embarking on their pilgrimage and looking for places to stay that are halal.

It may seem as though the target guests stop there. But we also have to consider, for example, a regional, state, or international sports team who need to ensure temptation is not close by for their players. Or a family looking for a safe, quiet place to take their young kids without the risk of thumping late night loud music, or raucous party goers.

In fact, it is interesting to have personally welcomed international tour series of Germans, Australians, Brits, Russians, and others from countries who are known to enjoy a tipple, without complaint of no such beverages being readily available in the hotel.

As with the rise and acceptance of dry hotels we have seen the food scene shift to a more conscious style of preparation and cooking. Just look at the continued success of outlets in the region that promote being meat free, or organic (or both).

For years we have been seeing this trend towards leading healthier lives and as it continues, I think we will also see the rise in demand for hotels to keep pace. Already, many have by becoming 100 percent non-smoking, or have an outlet that is serving organic food, so the next logical step has become creating entire spaces without alcoholic beverages.

With the amazing choices that are available in the market now, guests can enjoy similar beverages served without the guilt (or the hangover). Take for example, Twenty9 Lounge and Café situated in the hotel I manage, Millennium Place Barsha Heights, where you can have your mixed drinks tasting and looking just as the ‘original’, while enjoying the fact that it is alcohol-free. Or relish a bottle of hops with 0 percent alcohol but retaining 100 percent of the flavor.

Across the globe we’ve seen movements in many sectors prompting a balanced lifestyle that puts health and wellness at the forefront. With that in mind, all it takes is a continued cultural shift to see the already growing sector of dry hotels becoming more popular. And with communities expecting the corporate giants to become more socially responsible for people’s wellbeing, especially following current events, dry hotels will be here to stay.