EOS Hospitality Consultancy – Evolving hospitality through design and collaboration

The dawn of

a new day

and a new approach to hospitality

Hi, my name is

Nikki Herbst

I am a free spirited problem
solver and strategic thinker
specialising in luxury game
lodge hospitality.

I am a free spirited problem solver and strategic thinker specialising in luxury game lodge hospitality.

Eos (noun)

Greek goddess of the dawn

dawn

As the name ‘Eos’ suggests, my passion is to give new meaning to hospitality spaces by creating and curating a unique and holistic guest experience through design and collaboration, whilst retaining functionality and driving operational efficiency.

I have always been inspired by beautiful spaces and in the latter part of my hospitality career completed a course with the Interior Design Institute. This qualification is, complemented by three decades of experience working alongside some of the most renowned and respected lodge designers and consultants in Southern Africa, if not the world.

I love to create meaningful experiences for guests in a lodge environment and always ensure that each project is treated with the unique energy of the people and design story. I believe in teaching and inspiring people to become the best versions of themselves through their own understanding and uniqueness.

I believe that an establishment’s energy and culture will influence how the guests will walk away from their experience. Guests remember how we, as a team, connect and engage with them, and most importantly how we made them feel. It is our role to find these moments and to take them on a journey of self-discovery, adding meaning and purpose to their lives. I pride myself on fully immersing myself in a project and creating a very specific culture and service philosophy tailored to each client.

I am invested in creating green environments. I ensure that all design and material selections are not only beautiful but are sustainable and serviceable. I endeavour to source local bespoke products. In everything I design and develop, the human needs of comfort, security, privacy and aesthetic satisfaction are carefully considered. I look at comfort conditions (thermal, lighting or acoustic) as well as ergonomics which dictate the best dimensions for objects and furniture. I look at furniture as a design element, to ensure form, fusion and aesthetics.

I am a collaborator with both clients and consultants. I am passionate about developing solutions for you, the client, – or uncovering them together. I ensure that all my resources are satisfied to produce interior spaces and experiences that fulfil expectations, visions and goals. I also make staff satisfaction a goal in design while improving guest experience.

Bespoke and

versatile solutions

that reflect the authenticity of the lodge

Using expert insight and data-based predicting

I create fully customized and distinctive professional hospitality solutions that are not only found in the guest areas but also at the heart-beat and soul of the lodge through its people. These include:

TRAINING
MATERIAL
GOAL
SETTING
INFORMATION
GATHERING
DATA/SITUATION
ANALYSIS
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
CONTRACT
ADMINISTRATION
PLANNING AND
CO-ORDINATION
CONCEPT
DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN
SERVICES
EXECUTION AND
PROCUREMENT

TRAINING MATERIAL

Customized training modules will be created for each department’s unique needs. These will assist ground teams in training and onboarding new members.

PROJECT GOALS

Understanding and documenting stakeholder goals, objectives, and budgets with measurable outcomes to ensure alignment between stakeholders and the project team

DATA COLLECTION

Collecting data from stakeholders & staff through surveys and focus groups. Here people can express their opinions and give feedback.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Evaluate, assess and document your current environment to determine your strengths and weaknesses to make an informed decision on an enhancement plan.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The guidance of the process from concept to completion involves a comprehensive approach covering managing budgets, contracts, schedules, staff and resources.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

Managing the distribution of contract bids, reviewing contractor payment applications, reviewing of drawings, conducting field observations to efficiently close-out a project.

PROJECT COORDINATION

Overseeing all interior design scope, including architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire specialists, acoustical, audiovisual, food service, security and technology consultants.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Ideation, innovation and application of creative and strategic concepts that solve your hospitality needs and issues through a thoughtful and results driven approach.

DESIGN SERVICES

Designing unique and functional spaces that elevate the guest experience. This includes creating floor plan layouts and renderings, planning furniture, and enhancing decor.

SELECTIONS AND MATERIALITY

Selection of all interior building products, materials & finishes, equipment, signage and assemblies, lifecycle performance, environmental impact, and sustainability.

thoughts

Why we should work together

STRONG FOUNDATION

Inspiring

a cultural adherence and alignment that promotes collaborative initiatives, co-created with both clients and consultants, to build long lasting relationships.

CUSTOMER CENTRIC

Understanding

your guests intimately to optimise their journey, enhance all their senses and leave them feeling like they are a part of a family, with a longing to return.

FUTURE FOCUSED

Creating

seamless experiences today that will enhance guest experiences within tomorrow’s world using sustainable and serviceable solutions.

UNIQUELY ME

Living

and breathing your brand’s vision and purpose into green spaces that are a reflection of the hearts, minds and souls of the residents and guests that inhabit it.

Testimonials

Nikki Herbst from EOS Hospitality consultancy stands out as a rare calibre of trainer and facilitator whose expertise goes far beyond conventional classroom theory. Her extensive background in senior industry leadership gives her a profound, firsthand understanding of every moving part within the complexity of our people-driven, hospitality business.

What truly sets Nikki apart, however, is her intuitive and person-centric approach to the people who help deliver the experiences our guests enjoy in our logistically challenging locations across Africa. She effortlessly translates her real-world knowledge into highly practical training programs that resonate deeply with staff and immediately elevate their service delivery.

Thanks to her unique approach, our teams didn’t just acquire new skills; they build connections with each other and are able to form genuine guest connections more easily. For any hospitality organization looking to drive tangible, long-term performance improvement, Nikki is an invaluable asset.

Graeme Mann

Business Manager Isibindi Africa Lodges

I have had the pleasure of working with Nikki for many years.

She has played an important role in supporting Machaba Safaris as we continue to elevate and refine our guest experience. Nikki brings vast hospitality experience, hard work, and positive energy to everything she does. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to uplift and energise the people around her, which comes through clearly in her training and in the way she connects with teams.

Those who know Nikki will know her philosophy of living in the moment and truly savouring people, places, time, and events. This is reflected in her work and in the way she helps teams understand the importance of creating personal and meaningful moments for guests.

On a personal level, Nikki has also been an invaluable sounding board and support to me over the years. Her experience gives her a strong gut instinct for making the right calls in complex situations, and I have valued her perspective, honesty and advice.

I am deeply grateful for the support Nikki has given me and Machaba Safaris, and I would recommend her without hesitation.

David Kind

COO/CFO Machaba Safaris

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Nikki. Since we began collaborating with her, our lodge has seen a remarkable improvement in several key areas, directly contributing to an enhanced guest experience. From the outset, Nikki demonstrated a profound understanding of the nuances of hospitality and her years of experience shine through. Her approach was not only professional but also incredibly engaging and she has a unique ability to connect with staff at all levels, inspiring them to embrace new techniques and standards with enthusiasm. In terms of presentation, Nikki has brought a fresh perspective to the lodge, and she meticulously worked on every detail, from table settings to the overall ambiance, ensuring that our presentation aligns perfectly with our brand identity. Her attention to detail and creative flair have significantly enhanced our guests’ experience. Nikki collaborated closely with our culinary team, sharing valuable insights and innovative ideas that have elevated our menu to new heights with a focus on quality, creativity, and consistency.

We are incredibly grateful for her contributions and look forward to continuing this amazing partnership.

Melanie Parker

Head of Group Operations at Thornybush Game Reserve

Nikki Herbst of EOS Hospitality has played a great role in our post-COVID recovery. Naturally our business had some changes and as we began to grow it was important to have someone who could assist us in fine tuning our systems and to rebuild our teams. Nikki has a great understanding of hospitality, an exceptional eye for detail and is able to bring a great sense of fun to training and team building.

ANGUS SHOLTO-DOUGLAS

Managing Director at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

EOS has been a true asset to our business. Nikki’s years of industry knowledge, wisdom and leadership has helped drive our company into a new dimension, with a more cohesive and dynamic team. Her knowledge isn’t contained to one department but is far reaching and thus has an invaluable role in growing a hospitality business. I can’t recommend EOS enough for anyone wanting to breathe fresh life, leadership, skills and knowledge into their teams and business.

Lauren Ritchie

CEO of Rare Earth

Nikki has been a wonderful addition to the Ishara family. Her wealth of experience in the luxury safari industry, keen eye for detail across all aspects of camp operations, and personable approach make her a great team player and asset. She can feel the energy of a property, its staff, and owners, and will tailor what will work best for their particular needs, rather than having a ‘one size fits all’ approach for every client. Nikki’s passion for hospitality is at the core of her work. We are delighted to be working with her and together look forward to creating even more unforgettable, magical experiences for our guests.

Altaf Jiwa

Head of Marketing & Communications at Ishara

I have known and worked with Nikki for about 8 years and through new lodge builds to refurbishments , and then more recently we have carried out trainings together. In her capacity as a hospitality consultant – I have seen how her extensive experience in the industry means she has an incredible ability to devise relevant and meaningful strategies and craft amazing guest experiences – coupled with a formidable ability to enable teams to perform at their best! She really is able to add enormous value to teams and experiences!

Tamara Kirkwood

Owner of Collaborate Food

Nikki through EOS Hospitality was contracted to MalaMala to assist us on our journey to elevate our hospitality offering. This included documenting our guest journey touch points and then training the staff on how best to deliver exceptional customer experiences to our guest during their stay with us. As this is a continuous process, as such we are still on this journey, Nikki’s experience and contribution was invaluable.

Thabo Mosololi

Managing Director at MalaMala Game Reserve

We have been working with Nikki since 2010 and have only had professional and timeous business relations with her over the years.
She has a meticulous and precise way of communicating through information that she requires.
No matter the situation, Nikki always goes the extra mile to ensure the job gets done to the highest standard available.
She is approachable and easy to talk to – a real “people’s person” who is always friendly and professional.

Susan Du Toit

Director at Sew it Interior Manufacturing

Nikki has some of the most brilliant ways of seeing through complex issues and providing solutions for teams and experiences that really elevate the guest experience. Her passion for hospitality coupled with her extensive industry background – means she is well positioned to offer the most amazing comprehensive advice to clients across their hospitality businesses.

Tamara Kirkwood

Owner of Collaborate Food

I worked under Nikki for many years in the lodge industry and got to witness her keen eye for detail, strong management skills and love of hospitality. More recently she began supporting me with the growth, direction and strategy of Wild Again. She has been an invaluable asset and trusted confidante in this process.

Nikki has the ability to ask the right (often tough) questions and encourages growth through accountability. She is sensitive, practical, clear, energetically attuned and fun to work with. Nikki has the ability to grasp a brand and what it is that makes it special and bring the best of it to the fore. She has been a force of positive change.

Amy Attenborough

Founder & Private Guide of Wild Again

Working with Nikki from EOS Hospitality has been an absolute pleasure. She has brought much-needed structure and organization to our operations, ensuring that every aspect of our guest experience runs smoothly. Her dedication to refining and defining our brand at Summerplace Game Reserve has been invaluable, helping us establish a unique identity that truly resonates with our guests.

Beyond her strategic expertise, Nikki has also been instrumental in training and guiding our staff, equipping them with the skills and confidence to deliver an exceptional hospitality experience. Her passion, professionalism, and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for all she has contributed.

We highly recommend Nikki to any hospitality business looking to elevate their operations and guest experience.