At Avendra International, our reach across Europe allows us to support independent hotels like Hotel Ariane in Belgium with the strength of a global procurement network – while delivering personalised, localised service. Located in the heart of Ypres, Belgium, Hotel Ariane is a well-established, family-owned hotel that has grown significantly since opening in 1997. Originally a 36-bedroom property, it now boasts 62 rooms, a popular restaurant open to non-residents, and serves a balanced clientele of both tourists and business travellers.
At the helm is owner Natasja Feliers, who has steered the hotel’s growth and evolution over the past two decades. As a family-run, independent hotel, she has always looked for ways to maximise operational efficiency without compromising on quality or service.
“We’ve come a long way since we first opened. There’s no comparison from when I started. We’ve expanded, opened the restaurant, and grown our guest profile, but procurement was always a challenge until we found the right support.”
The Challenge
Before partnering with Avendra International – originally under the Trinity Purchasing brand – Hotel Ariane’s procurement was time-consuming and fragmented. As a standalone hotel, securing competitive prices from suppliers was an uphill struggle.
Natasja explains, “As a small family-run hotel, we always struggled to get good deals. Quotes were always stand-alone, and it was time-consuming constantly calling around to find better prices. It felt like we were doing it all alone.”
In 2010, Hotel Ariane joined Trinity Purchasing (now Avendra International) in search of a more structured, efficient and cost-effective procurement model.
Financial Benefits
“At the start, I compared everything – prices, services – and we saw big differences. Avendra International team always deliver value and we trust their approach.”
Avendra International, as part of a group purchasing organisation with $20.5 billion in buying power, is able to secure improved prices and terms from suppliers.
“Avendra International carry a lot of weight with suppliers because they represent many others. We feel like we’re part of a bigger group. That makes a real difference in terms of how suppliers engage with us and the value we get.”
Procurement Partnership
Over the past 15 years, the partnership between Hotel Ariane and Avendra International has evolved into a fully integrated consultancy relationship.
The Avendra International team provide comprehensive support that extends far beyond simple price negotiation – from supplier benchmarking to product pricing reviews.
“They help us compare suppliers and give us pricing benchmarks so we can make informed decisions – not just based on cost, but also on service and product quality. It’s great to have a choice and a standard to measure against.”
Supplier Partnerships
Even in areas where Natasja feels a strong obligation to support local suppliers, Avendra International helps ensure commercial value is retained, allowing her to suggest new partners and still benefit from the group’s collective negotiation strength.
“I still want to support local businesses when possible, and Avendra International helps us factor that in too. They’re flexible and understand our values as a family-run hotel.”
When it came time to refurbish parts of the hotel, Avendra International provided access to trusted preferred partners, streamlining the selection process and ensuring a smooth project delivery.
“The partner we worked with on our refurbishment came via Avendra International. It’s reassuring: you know you’re working with someone with experience who’s been vetted. They offer great ideas too, often things we hadn’t even considered.”
Consultancy Support
Crucially, the relationship is not just transactional, it’s consultative and built on trust. Avendra International’s account managers visit the hotel quarterly, offering ongoing insights, forward planning support, and a chance to take stock.
Natasja explains, “Time goes so fast in this industry. It’s good to take an hour or two every few months with someone who knows the market, helps us to take a step back and see the bigger picture. They’re like another member of our team – always there when we need them either at the end of the phone, email or in person.”
Enhancing Operations
The operational benefits have also been significant. The Avendra International team offers proactive support, stepping in to resolve supplier issues, manage deliveries, and remove the day-to-day friction from procurement.
“If something goes wrong, for example an incorrect delivery or a missing product, they sort it for us. If a supplier is causing issues, they push for changes. For example, we had deliveries arriving too early and disturbing guests with the truck’s cooling machine noise. Avendra International stepped in and got it fixed without any issue or distraction, allowing me and my team to focus on other priorities.”
Waste Management Solutions
Another standout area has been waste management, where new environmental regulations have required changes in processes and compliance.
“The Avendra International team keeps us informed and helps us meet all the new requirements – like separating leftover food waste. They do the research, so I don’t have to. It’s a huge relief knowing they’ve got it covered so we remain compliant at all times.”
Conclusion
For Hotel Ariane, the partnership with Avendra International has delivered long-term value, operational efficiency, and trusted consultancy support, all underpinned by a relationship built on loyalty and respect.
“I would recommend Avendra International with no hesitation – I’ve always been impressed,” says Natasja. “Even though they’ve grown and are now part of a larger organisation, the personal support has stayed exactly the same. That’s why we’ve stayed with them for 15 years. I trust them. They know our business and deliver what they say they will, without fail. They’ve got our back.”
We are here to help
If you want to enhance your hotel’s procurement efficiency and savings, or learn more about our tailored solutions, get in touch: Hello_Ireland@avendra.com.
