Philippa Kaur

Latest story

163 Shares99 Views

Inntelo AI raises £506,000 pre-seed to accelerate rollout of AI concierge in hotels

by

UK-based hospitality technology company Inntelo AI has raised more than £500,000 in a pre-seed funding round to fuel its commercial growth. It follows impressive early traction, with multiple hotels adopting its AI Concierge platform.
The £506,000 round was led by venture capital fund Haatch and its partner British Business Bank, with participation from Look AI Ventures. The round also included support from several angel investors, including former executives from Trip.com, DocuSign, and others. It follows an earlier £120,000 investment from Antler, the world’s most active early-stage investor, at the company’s inception.
Inntelo AI has developed an innovative platform for hotels that combines guest and team communication seamlessly, leveraging both conversational and agentic AI to improve the guest experience while delivering real operational efficiencies. The Inntelo AI Concierge automates guest enquiries via WhatsApp or phone and converts them into coordinated tasks, improving team responsiveness across all departments, including housekeeping, maintenance, food and beverage outlets, spas, and any other services the hotel provides.
While all industries are undergoing AI transformation, hotels face unique pressures: growing competition, rising costs, and the need to attract a new generation of workers. At the same time, real estate owners, brands, and operators are re-evaluating their models as AI becomes capable of delivering human-like guest interactions and improving team coordination at scale.
Inntelo’s solution is built with deep domain expertise and aims to benefit all key stakeholders – hotel guests, teams, brands, and owners. The company has already gained traction with both independent and franchised hotels, including Radisson and Wyndham branded properties in the UK, UAE, and across Europe, with more hotels currently being onboarded.
The seed funding will help accelerate the company’s commercial growth, expanding sales and marketing while supporting ongoing customer deployments and integration with property management systems.

Inntelo AI was co-founded by CEO Asif Alidina, who has previously worked for over a decade in hotel housekeeping and facilities management. The hands-on experience of the startup’s leadership team – combined with a newly announced global advisory board of senior operators, technologists, and academics from companies including Accor, Fairmont, and Hilton – ensures the company’s solutions are aligned with real-world hospitality needs.
Asif Alidina, Co-Founder and CEO of Inntelo AI (pictured), said: “Hospitality’s AI transformation must be led from within the industry. Too often, hotels have struggled to adopt new technologies because they were developed without real operational insight. We’re incredibly excited about this new era, where the hospitality sector can not only embrace technology earlier than ever before, but also lead the way for the wider real estate and service industries.
“AI can improve guest experiences and create better working environments for hotel teams. That’s the future we’re building toward, and this round gives us the support to move faster and go further.”
Fred Soneya, Co-Founder and General Partner at Haatch, added: “Inntelo AI has all the hallmarks we look for in a high-potential startup – deep sector knowledge, real operational insight, and a product solving a clear pain point in a large, global market. We’re excited to back Asif and the team as they help hotels unlock the power of AI to transform the guest experience and streamline operations at scale.”
Angelo Burgarello, Partner at Look AI Ventures, added: “At Look AI Ventures, we invest in transformative AI technologies with the potential to reshape entire industries. Inntelo AI perfectly embodies this vision. What immediately stood out to us was Inntelo’s ability to bridge the gap between guest expectations and hotel staff operations, something most solutions address only partially. The result is a unified, elevated guest journey and highly efficient hotel staff coordination. We were particularly impressed by the team’s deep domain expertise and the capabilities of their product. We’re proud to support the Inntelo team on their mission to redefine hospitality through AI-driven innovation.” More

More stories

  • 163 Shares99 Views

    in Residential

    Inntelo AI raises £506,000 pre-seed to accelerate rollout of AI concierge in hotels

    UK-based hospitality technology company Inntelo AI has raised more than £500,000 in a pre-seed funding round to fuel its commercial growth. It follows impressive early traction, with multiple hotels adopting its AI Concierge platform.
    The £506,000 round was led by venture capital fund Haatch and its partner British Business Bank, with participation from Look AI Ventures. The round also included support from several angel investors, including former executives from Trip.com, DocuSign, and others. It follows an earlier £120,000 investment from Antler, the world’s most active early-stage investor, at the company’s inception.
    Inntelo AI has developed an innovative platform for hotels that combines guest and team communication seamlessly, leveraging both conversational and agentic AI to improve the guest experience while delivering real operational efficiencies. The Inntelo AI Concierge automates guest enquiries via WhatsApp or phone and converts them into coordinated tasks, improving team responsiveness across all departments, including housekeeping, maintenance, food and beverage outlets, spas, and any other services the hotel provides.
    While all industries are undergoing AI transformation, hotels face unique pressures: growing competition, rising costs, and the need to attract a new generation of workers. At the same time, real estate owners, brands, and operators are re-evaluating their models as AI becomes capable of delivering human-like guest interactions and improving team coordination at scale.
    Inntelo’s solution is built with deep domain expertise and aims to benefit all key stakeholders – hotel guests, teams, brands, and owners. The company has already gained traction with both independent and franchised hotels, including Radisson and Wyndham branded properties in the UK, UAE, and across Europe, with more hotels currently being onboarded.
    The seed funding will help accelerate the company’s commercial growth, expanding sales and marketing while supporting ongoing customer deployments and integration with property management systems.

    Inntelo AI was co-founded by CEO Asif Alidina, who has previously worked for over a decade in hotel housekeeping and facilities management. The hands-on experience of the startup’s leadership team – combined with a newly announced global advisory board of senior operators, technologists, and academics from companies including Accor, Fairmont, and Hilton – ensures the company’s solutions are aligned with real-world hospitality needs.
    Asif Alidina, Co-Founder and CEO of Inntelo AI (pictured), said: “Hospitality’s AI transformation must be led from within the industry. Too often, hotels have struggled to adopt new technologies because they were developed without real operational insight. We’re incredibly excited about this new era, where the hospitality sector can not only embrace technology earlier than ever before, but also lead the way for the wider real estate and service industries.
    “AI can improve guest experiences and create better working environments for hotel teams. That’s the future we’re building toward, and this round gives us the support to move faster and go further.”
    Fred Soneya, Co-Founder and General Partner at Haatch, added: “Inntelo AI has all the hallmarks we look for in a high-potential startup – deep sector knowledge, real operational insight, and a product solving a clear pain point in a large, global market. We’re excited to back Asif and the team as they help hotels unlock the power of AI to transform the guest experience and streamline operations at scale.”
    Angelo Burgarello, Partner at Look AI Ventures, added: “At Look AI Ventures, we invest in transformative AI technologies with the potential to reshape entire industries. Inntelo AI perfectly embodies this vision. What immediately stood out to us was Inntelo’s ability to bridge the gap between guest expectations and hotel staff operations, something most solutions address only partially. The result is a unified, elevated guest journey and highly efficient hotel staff coordination. We were particularly impressed by the team’s deep domain expertise and the capabilities of their product. We’re proud to support the Inntelo team on their mission to redefine hospitality through AI-driven innovation.” More

  • 175 Shares129 Views

    in Residential

    Inntelo AI appoints global advisory board to accelerate innovation and growth in hospitality tech

    UK-based hospitality technology company Inntelo AI has announced the formation of its global advisory board, comprising renowned hospitality leaders from the UK, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
    Inntelo AI has developed a conversational and agentic AI tool for hotels. Its AI Concierge works alongside hotel teams to enhance guest experiences and streamline daily operations. Guests can easily access concierge services and resolve any issues via WhatsApp and phone calls, which are initially answered by an AI agent available 24/7 in multiple languages, ensuring seamless and consistent support. Tasks are then automatically assigned to staff, and the hotel teams are coordinated to improve speed and reduce friction in daily operations.
    The company’s new board brings together senior operators, developers, academics, and technologists with experience across global brands such as Accor, Fairmont, Hilton, Wyndham, and Choice Hotels. Their insights will guide Inntelo AI’s ongoing product development and expansion.
    The news follows a string of new clients using Inntelo AI, including hotels in the UK, Portugal, and Dubai.

    Asif Alidina, Co-Founder and CEO of Inntelo AI, said: “AI is entering almost every sector with incredible speed, unlocking new efficiencies and business models across the board. In hospitality, it’s critical that this transformation is guided by those who understand the industry inside and out. Too often, solutions are built without deep operational context. At Inntelo AI, we’re taking a different approach, partnering with world-class hospitality leaders to ensure AI enhances both the guest experience and the working lives of hotel teams, without losing the human touch that defines our industry.
    “I’m incredibly excited to have these highly respected leaders shaping our strategy. Their insights have already made a powerful impact, and I can’t wait to share the results of their contribution as we grow globally.”
    The advisory board includes:

    Tariq Valani, UAE: Former SVP at Accor, with global leadership experience at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and a Global Board Director at HFTP, the organisers of HITEC.
    Mary Doogan, UK: A strategic advisor to hotel owners with over 20 years’ experience      managing portfolios in the London luxury market.
    Dr. Andriew Lim, NL: Chair of Entrepreneurship Hub, Hotelschool The Hague, one of the top ten hotel schools in the world.
    Dr. Altaf Sovani, CA: Author of “Labor Crisis in Hospitality,” former Academic Chair at Algonquin College, and was named one of the 30 Most Influential Educators in Global Hospitality.
    Anoob Saban, UK: Owner of Brilliant Hotel Group, which operates nine independent hotels across the UK, including Radisson and Wyndham properties.
    Jesus Espinar, UK: General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton, London Victoria, with over 20 years of hotel leadership experience at Hilton and NH Hotels.
    Hemal Patel, USA: A seasoned hotel owner and operator managing properties under the Wyndham and Choice Hotels brands across the US.
    Alnoor Gulamani, CA: Experienced developer and hotelier who operates the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Toronto, among other assets, and is on the Board of Directors of the Hotel Association of Canada. More

  • 150 Shares99 Views

    in Vacation Homes

    These Design-Forward Floating Homes Let You Live on the Water in Style

    The classic houseboat has been given a rather chic makeover across the pond.

    A series of luxury floating homes, set along a crystal-clear freshwater lake in the U.K., have just popped onto the market with moorings available in Silverlake, a secluded vacation retreat nestled in Dorset. The 10 houseboats, brought to life by Koto design firm and developer Habitat First Group, allow you to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing creature comforts.

    There are a few types of Koto’s floating homes up for grabs: Uku, an about 215-square-foot one-bedroom pad designed for short-term visits, and Shio, a nearly 510-square-foot two-bedroom oasis geared toward longer stays. There’s also a larger version of the Uku that measures just under 270 square feet, if you want a little more space.

    The deck is the perfect perch to connect with nature.

    Koto

    A cut above traditional houseboats, Koto’s design-forward structures strike a perfect balance between form and function. The decidedly modern interiors are fitted with large windows, so you can take in the surrounding landscape. The open-plan living quarters also feature engineered timber floors and plastered white walls, resulting in an understated elegance throughout. All of the furniture and accessories are sourced from companies in the U.K. that use natural materials. The kitchen and the bathroom can be bespoke, too: in the washroom, for example, you can opt for a freestanding tub, an integrated bath with an overhead shower, or just a shower alone.

    Each home is equipped with a partially covered deck, meaning you can relax and unwind amid Mother Nature all year round. And if you really want to up the ante, you can choose to upgrade your pad with a sauna, a hot tub, or a solar battery.

    Silverlake has plenty of amenities for you to enjoy, too, including tennis courts, forest playgrounds, and a games area. Even better, the Silverlake Lido and Clubhouse will join the fray in 2026. The new spot will include a restaurant called Firefly, an outdoor heated pool, and a spa with hot tubs and treatment rooms.

    A glimpse inside the floating home’s living room.

    Koto

    “We’ve created these houseboats to feel modern and luxurious, yet deeply rooted in place, peaceful spaces that foster a slower pace of life and a closer connection to nature,” Johnathon Little, Koto’s cofounder, said in a statement. “We’re delighted to bring them to life at Silverlake, an ecologically vibrant setting in Dorset that reflects our commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment.”

    The best part is Koto’s floating homes are a bargain. The Uku starts at around a modest $196,000 (£145,000). Once you inquire about the property, the team will set out to build your abode. The first owners are expected to move in in 2026. That’s your next holiday home sorted, then.

    Authors

    Nicole Hoey
    Digital Editor

    Nicole Hoey is Robb Report’s digital editor. While studying at Boston University, she read, wrote and read some more as an English and journalism major. A class taught by a Boston Globe copy editor…

    Read More More

  • 113 Shares129 Views

    in Residential

    Trump tariffs could freeze Bank of England base rate

    The inflationary effects of President Donald Trump’s tariffs mean the Bank of England could keep the base rate at its current level for longer, according to an economist.
    While cutting the base rate from its current level of 4.5% could be a way to stimulate the economy, tariffs tend to have inflationary effects that would only be exacerbated by lower interest rates.
    Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, said: “I remain unconvinced that the base rate will fall to 3.5% by the end of the year.
    “Tariffs by their nature tend to be inflationary, so while the Bank of England may need to stimulate the wider economy, they will also be concerned about inflation.”
    The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee will next meet on the 8 May. On 20 March the MPC voted to hold the base rate at 4.5% by eight votes to one.
    The UK’s comparatively low tariffs could potentially attract some foreign firms looking to sidestep higher duties elsewhere.

    The UK is subject to a 10% tariff, compared to 20% across the EU.
    Crosthwaite added: “While I don’t think that the direct impact of the tariff regime will affect the UK construction sector significantly, the indirect impacts could well be substantial.
    “The uncertainty for businesses is likely to act as a brake on investment at a time when the government is keen to attract private investment to fund infrastructure delivery.
    “In addition, firms may well rein in any investment planned on fixed capital until they have an understanding of the potential hit to their bottom line from the tariffs.
    “However, on the flip side, and assuming that the quoted tariffs are long-term and can’t be negotiated via a trade deal, then, given the UK’s lower tariff rate relative to other countries, foreign businesses may look to the UK to set up manufacturing plants here so they can avoid some of the higher-level tariffs.
    “An example of that is Apple moving some of its production to India, which has a lower rate relative to China.” More

  • 150 Shares169 Views

    in Vacation Homes

    Inside the Lavish Thailand Villas Featured on ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3

    While we’d happily skip the occasional murder at but we’d absolutely check into the HBO show’s jaw-dropping filming locations, the Four Seasons Koh Samui, for instance, Thailand’s stand-in for the latest White Lotus retreat in season three. 

    But why stop there? If you’re curating a White Lotus-inspired itinerary, you’ll be thrilled to know that several of the show’s most stunning properties aren’t just for drooling over on the TV—they’re available for rent. Take Gary-Greg’s tropical hilltop villa, for example, or hotel manager Sritala Hollinger’s exotic Bangkok mansion. Here, we’re uncovering the real estate marvels they used to film the hit HBO show and how you can stay there while you wait for season four.  

    Sritala and Jim Hollinger’s Bangkok Mansion

    Siri Sala Villa in Bangkok appeared as the Hollingers’s home in season three of The White Lotus.

    Oliver’s Travels

    By the end of episode six, Rick (Walton Goggins) and Frank (Sam Rockwell) manage to secure an invitation—under false pretenses—to the Bangkok residence of White Lotus co-owner Sritala Hollinger (Lek Patravadi) and her husband Jim (Scott Glenn). Their mansion is, in reality, Siri Sala Villa, a serene $4,700 per night retreat nestled along the tranquil Bangkok Noi Canal.  

    The villa mixes sleek, modern luxury with the charm of traditional Thai stilt houses. Think lush gardens, a canal-side saltwater pool, and plenty of quiet spots to relax away from the city’s hustle. The villa’s three separate “ruen” (traditional houses) house a total of six chic bedrooms, while the design honors Bangkok’s rich history with upcycled wood and antique details. Plus, you can enjoy curated experiences like private cooking lessons, Muay Thai training, and cultural tours. And for foodies, resident chefs whip up meals using herbs grown right on the property. If you want to channel your inner White Lotus character, this is where to do it.

    Gary’s Hilltop Hideaway

    Two properties, including Villa Amaravida in Phuket, starred as Gary’s villa in The White Lotus.

    Fabio Lovino/HBO

    If you couldn’t take your eyes off the jaw-dropping mountaintop villa of the shady operator Gary (Jon Gries), who fans will recall went by Greg in the last season, now you can stay there without any of the tension—well, hopefully. The scenes at Gary’s house were actually filmed at two properties: the modern Samujana Villa 12 on Koh Samui and the luxurious Villa Amaravida, perched atop Cape Yamu in Phuket.  

    The latter is an eight-bedroom masterpiece available for rent at $5,698 to $13,650 per night and is where most of the interior scenes were shot. This 43,000-square-foot gem blends sleek Scandinavian minimalism with traditional Thai elegance. The property offers top-tier amenities, from a state-of-the-art gym and a multi-court sports complex to three pools and two rooftop Jacuzzis. For a bit of adventure, kayak or paddleboard on the villa’s private beach. Looking to chill? There’s a 12-seat cinema room for binge-watching past White Lotus installments, plus an indoor entertainment zone with a second pool, foosball, and sunbeds. Elsewhere, the roughly $8,048-per-night Samujana Villa 12 features seven bedrooms and a sprawling pool, its design resembling a series of white shoeboxes stacked along the hillside.

    Villa Jacinta  

    Villa Jacinta on Koh Samui was also used as a filming location for The White Lotus season three.

    Onefinestay

    Villa Jacinta, also part of the exclusive Samujana resort in Koh Samui, comes with a cinematic twist. The $1,995 per night residence, featured in The White Lotus, though it’s not entirely clear what scenes were filmed there, was designed in a striking Cubist style. The four-bedroom home is bathed in natural light, with airy whites, soft grays, and luxe creams echoing a sleek Hollywood Hills mansion. Each ensuite bedroom boasts sweeping views of the Gulf of Thailand, three with private balconies.  

    The villa also features a sunken open-air living area, a dining room, two chef’s kitchens, a media room, and a gym. Outside, guests can soak up the tropical scenery from the rooftop terrace or take a dip in the infinity pool. A dedicated concierge team ensures a seamless stay, handling everything from airport transfers to dinner reservations. 

    Authors

    Abby Montanez

    Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…

    Read More More

  • 213 Shares159 Views

    in Residential

    Overseas clients key to growth for brokers, but finding lenders and navigating policy changes are major challenges

    While most UK mortgage brokers are keen to grow their customer base internationally, finding suitable lenders and dealing with the complexities of government policy are proving to be significant obstacles when taking on non-UK clients, new research from RAW Capital Partners has found.
    The Guernsey-based specialist lender commissioned an independent survey of 300 UK mortgage brokers. It found that while just 35% “frequently” work with non-UK resident buyers, over three fifths (62%) are actively seeking to expand their overseas client base.
    More than half (60%) of the brokers surveyed said they have noticed an increase in demand from overseas in the past five years, while 63% expect this demand to rise or remain consistent in the five years ahead.
    However, RAW Capital Partners’ survey also found that brokers face notable challenges when seeking mortgages for non-UK residents buying property in the UK. For instance, two-thirds (66%) of brokers said the introduction of new policies since the Labour government came to power have led to overseas clients requiring greater support from brokers, particularly in helping them understand stamp duty reforms and private rental sector regulation.

    Additionally, 62% of UK mortgage brokers feel there are too few lenders that are willing or able to work with non-UK clients.
    Tim Parkes, CEO of RAW Capital Partners, said: “The demand for UK property from overseas investors remains perennially high, and brokers are clearly responding to this by actively seeking out ways to grow their client base internationally. Indeed, with economic turbulence commonplace across many countries around the world, we’ve seen investors shifting focus to the UK to reap the benefits of its historically strong, stable and resilient property market.
    “However, the inability or reluctance of mainstream mortgage providers to lend to non-UK residents, typically because of the extra due diligence required, has left brokers and international buyers in a difficult position. Now, with many brokers expecting interest from international buyers to rise in the coming years, it is more important than ever that the specialist finance sector fills this gap.” More

  • 100 Shares159 Views

    in Residential

    US commercial stock most in need of redevelopment

    Some 44% of office buildings in the US are seen as outdated and in need of investment, analysis from commercial real estate firm JLL has found.
    This compares to 34% in Europe, as some countries are ahead of others in terms of decarbonising commercial stock.
    New York, Washington DC, Paris, Chicago and London are particularly behind, where JLL estimated you’d need to spend between $242 to $320 billion to bring them up to date.
    Cynthia Kantor, CEO, project & development services, at JLL, said: “The commercial real estate landscape is at a turning point as property owners and cities look to establish long-term viability of existing buildings and districts, in the face of evolving experiential and spatial preferences, increasing regulatory pressures, climate risk and changes in real estate demand.

    “By proactively assessing and addressing outdated and at-risk buildings, owners can unlock significant value, create a more sustainable, resilient built environment and drive future returns.”
    JLL said public authorities that focus on regeneration of specific major building are making a big difference, given that it attracts workers back to office-heavy business districts, and serves to revitalise neighbourhoods for visitors and residents.
    Phil Ryan, research director at JLL, added: “The full potential of existing assets, both those nearing the end and earlier in their lifecycle, can only be realized through collaboration between stakeholders and by considering how various levels of obsolescence interact
    “Owners and cities should assess how their portfolios holistically fit into their respective built environments and how a variety of factors contribute to their ability to respond to changing locational preferences and new sustainability and development regulations to create future value.” More

  • 63 Shares129 Views

    in Residential

    Global News Archives – PropertyWire

    Global News Archives – PropertyWirehttps://www.propertywire.com/category/news/global-news/ UK & International Property News ServiceTue, 13 Apr 2021 20:50:51 +0000en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2Barings Announces £250m Real Estate Mandatehttps://www.propertywire.com/finance/barings-announces-250m-real-estate-mandate/ Wed, 14 Apr 2021 06:00:45 +0000https://www.propertywire.com/?p=26227Barings has announced a £250m real estate debt mandate with The Phoenix Group for its matching adjustment portfolio. In partnership with Phoenix, Barings will build a […] More