by Josiah on July 24, 2010
Unique art is one of my favorite hotel amenities, especially when it’s created by local artists.
Four Seasons Hotel Denver, set to open this fall, will showcase nearly 1,200 original works of art by contemporary Colorado artists, enhancing the hotel’s modern design concept. The unique collection will be on display throughout the 45-story building, creating a gallery-like setting that will rival a private art museum. “We are thrilled to support the local arts community and showcase amazing works created by artists from across the state of Colorado,” says Thierry Kennel, general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Denver, noting that 90 percent of the pieces on display are by local artists.
[story via Green Lodging News, photo from the Flickr group they set up - brilliant idea!]
by Katie on July 20, 2010
by Josiah on July 17, 2010
Traveling light, but need something printed? If you’re staying at The Sax Chicago, you’re in luck.
HotelChatter reports that guests can print up to 8 pages for free from their mobile phone, iPad (or laptop).
To print from your laptop, you have to upload your documents to the hotel’s PrintSpots website to receive a release code. And to get a release code for your smartphone, you must e-mail your document as an attachment to a designated Sax Chicago PrintSpots e-mail address. That confidential code allows you to retrieve documents from the hotel’s printer.
Very useful for printing out boarding passes, documents, or anything else for the flight back…
The folks at Hotel Chatter recently reviewed the Andaz 5th Avenue. The service?Exceptional. The rooms? Surprisingly spacious. But what really earned raves were the complimentary snacks.
“Amenity Madness: You see the mini-bar when you first walk in, and if you know anything about Andaz, you know these goodies are yours for the taking. As long as it’s not booze. There are North Fork Potato Chips, a Jacques Torres dark chocolate, a gluten-free energy bar, sodas including Boylans and Fizzy Lizzy drinks, and waters both flat and sparkling.
In the bathroom, the amenities are from C.O. Bigelow and smell yummy.”
Take note, hoteliers. Tiny, tasty touches can tip the scales in your favor.
Have you ever encountered a complimentary mini-fridge?
Jonesing for an eco-friendly foray into nature, but not quite outdoorsy enough for a rough-and-tumble camping trip? You might find your happy medium at the Safariland Treehouse Resort, or The Paws Up Resort.
Safariland Treehouse Resort — Masinagudi, Tamil Nadu, India
- The resort’s 6 eco-friendly cottages, which are build from local materials and bamboo, run from $250-$400 a night.
- Situated near a renowned game-reserve, you’re likely to spot roaming elephants (especially if you visit right after monsoon season). For a guaranteed wildlife encounter, just visit the nearby elephant rehabilitation center and nursery.
- An Indian breakfast, lunch and dinner are served onsite.
- Additional amenities: analog phone line, kid-friendly, complimentary newspaper, 20+ capacity conference room, laundry service, room service, multi-lingual staff, non-smoking rooms
The Paws Up Resort — Greenough, Montana, United States
- Their all-inclusive family “glamping” package costs $2,413 a night. What’s a comfy hassle-free night under the stars worth to you?
- Paws Up elaborates; “Tent City is an award-winning canvas community featuring six cavernous luxury tents nestled right on our Montana ranch property at the foot of towering pines among spectacular natural boulders.” A lovely concept, but unfortunately named, considering the recent associations people have with the term “Tent cities”.
- Greenough, however, is a perfectly awesome city name! I read it as, “Green-Enough”: the perfect balance between posh amenities and natural immersion. Well played, Montana naming committee of yore.
- More “glamping” amenities: “Charming solar lighted paths will take you to the bathhouse where you’ll have your own private master bathroom featuring heated floors, Montana-sized shower and vanity, and organic spa products allowing you the opportunity to freshen up before or after your day of adventure in pure Paws Up luxury.”
- Plus, “All tents feature The Last Best Bed®, fine linens, art on the walls and, yes, electricity.” Score.
Looking for even more luxurious eco-amenity options? Check out Hotel Chatter’s Best Place to Go “Glamping”.
Today, I edited an interview with Apostrophe Hotel’s delightful owner, Isabelle Lozano, for www.hotelmarketingstrategies.com. She discusses her boutique hotel’s 16 individually imagined rooms, passionate staff, and online marketing philosophies. How cool is this piano key-adorned ceiling?
When choosing amenities, Isabelle wonders, “what would I like to have in my room? Of course, a comfortable bed (these are not so common in Parisian hotels), to be able to watch a DVD or hear a CD, internet connectivity like at home, good showers and jacuzzi baths — that’s the part that is a bit more than what you can have at home. I believe the best way to personalize is to think about, ‘what would I do?’. You know? It’s like a pastry. If you go to an industrial bakery, or if you ask your grandma to do it, the taste will be different. In our branch, I think it is exactly the same.”
A photo-sampling from Apostrophe’s fantastic and frequently updated site:
Check out the rest of Isabelle’s interview, here!
And I’d love to know: how important is this amenity to you? Are you more likely to return to a hotel that offers unique atmospheric opportunities?
This July, Egypt’s Taba Heights — a luxury Red Sea resort — presents the latest in mineral-therapy: a 100-meter salt cave.
The chamber’s floor, walls, and even stalactites are composed of precious Dead Sea mineral salts, the air is charged with iodine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, bromine and selenium; even the lighting is designed to be therapeutic.
If, after 45 minutes in the chamber, guests yearn for more blissed-out salty benefits, they can select between a range of eco-friendly and 100% natural Red Sea salt cosmetics, lamps and candles.
I can’t personally attest to the powers of mineral salts beyond their ability to make my skin super silky smooth, but here are the chamber’s proposed health benefits:
- Beneficially influences mood and well being.
- Provides energy to revitalise strength and good health.
- Aids the treatment of many ailments, including dermatological diseases, nervous system disorders, metabolic disturbances, digestive tract problems, underproduction of hyperthyroidism, heart disease and illnesses of the respiratory tract.
- The lighting will promote positive feelings and the colour therapy will calm the senses and soften the mood.
- The air in the cave will also aid health and will include iodine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, bromine and selenium.
So readers, have you experienced any of these salty benefits? Did this post inspire a trip to Taba Heights, or just a sudden onset of intense thirst?
Kimpton Hotels and their “wonderful and bizarre” amenities got us thinking about what other unusual creature comforts hotels are giving to their guests lately. Lo and behold, we actually came up with not one but five of them to choose from!
1. Sleep Concierge at The Benjamin New York
The Sleep Concierge are committed to their slumber-seeking guests, and honor just about any request. Looking for the perfect pillow? The ideal spa service? The Sleep Concierge and their “Sleep Menu” have got you covered.
2. Bath Sommelier at The Fairmont Hotel Chicago
The Fairemont Chicago’s bath sommelier offers hand-drawn “serenity baths” in mint, pepper mint, chocolate, milk, mud, sugar or citrus for the most delicious relaxation ever.
3. In the Doghouse at The Nine Zero Hotel
Boston’s Nine Zero Hotel has a specific “In the Doghouse” package for those who travel with their four-legged friends. Pet sitting, pet grooming, pet walking and pet massage, even pet bowls and pet beds in your room, are included in the package.
4. Celebrity Rider Packages at The Hotel Sax Chicago
The Hotel Sax Chicago Celebrity Rider Packages let you party like a rock star! The hotel staff will find out a requested celebrity’s personal preferences and requirements and duplicate them for you, minus the annoying paparazzi lurking outside your window.
5. Subject-Based Rooms at The Library Hotel; Suite!
Enjoy some biblio-therapy at the Library Hotel, where guests choose between 66 eclectically theme rooms. There’s an entire floor dedicated to Literature — poetry, the classics, erotic literature; you name it, they’ve got it. More options: Astronomy, Botany, Law, Eastern Religion, Money, and New Media. Finally, a consequence-free way to snooze in class.
What’s the oddest hotel amenity you’ve encountered?
by blogger on March 26, 2010
A service completely free of charge, during your stay at the Chateau Marmont, you can request three sheets of stationery plus envelopes bearing your name.
[ Via HotelChatter ]
by blogger on January 28, 2010
Still on-track to open this Spring, the Chatwal New York will be offering more than just mints on your pillow. Art Deco Chatwal playing cards will be available in the guest rooms, complete with a silver storage case reminiscent of a flapper’s cigarette case.
[ Via HotelChatter ]
