Dining in: Top hotel room service
It's one of life's simple pleasures... sitting in a fluffy robe, tucked into a cashmere throw and overlooking a picturesque view from your guest room window at a luxury hotel while you dine on room service.
Gone are the days when room service is limited to soupy oatmeal and cold pizza. Today's luxury hotels have mastered the art of fine dining in your guest room, and have taken room service to a science, instead of simply a requirement. Today, you don't need to sacrifice good food for comfort. In-room dining has taken on a five-star service of its own, and it's worth staying in for.
On a recent trip to New York City, I arrived the Mandarin Oriental New York after a bumpy flight from Punta Cana to JFK. The weather in New York was rain, rain, and more rain, and the cab line at the airport was filled with travelers crammed together in the open air trying to shelter themselves from the storm while waiting for a cab. After 30 minutes in line and a 45-minute ride into the city, I arrived the hotel soaked to the bone, starving and in need of some serious down time. I ordered room service and anxiously awaited for my bowl of wonton soup and side of steamed vegetables to arrive. Less than 30 minutes later there was a knock at my door, and within minutes a white-tableclothed tray had been set up perfectly in front of the TV, decorated with silver utensils and a pink orchid in a crystal vase. The display was beautiful, the food was divine.
Departures Magazine recently pulled together some of their favorite hotels that do room service to perfection. Next time you're holed up in a hotel, consider dining in instead of dressing up to go out.
FULL ENTRYDrunk passengers, playboy pilots and life in the sky: Flight attendant reveals secrets of the industry in new book
What does a flight attendant really do? (Answer: more than you think.) What's it really like to deal with drunk passengers, suave pilots and potential terrorists? (Answer: it's tougher than you think.) What really happens when a flight is delayed, cancelled or worse, redirected to another location? (Answer: everyone's mad, not just the passengers.) Is it really a glamourous life at 35,000-feet? Flight attendant Heather Poole is dishing about it all - and sometimes more - in her new book "Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet".
I've known Poole for some time and have worked with her on a few different travel projects over the years, so I was eager to get my hands on this book, which broke into Amazon's top 100 best selling books on its very first day on the market. The book is a hilarious look at what really happens in flight, how flight attendants identify "problem" passengers (they're looking at you, guy with his fly open who smells like whiskey trying to board with first class while holding a coach ticket), and the real reactions and emotions that happen when there's an emergency. The book also details the life of a flight attendant on the ground, from sharing flats to scary cab rides and blind dates.
Poole is already working on her next book, but before she got too involved in that I sat down to chat with her about this book, and gain some insight on the most common questions asked from fliers today:
FULL ENTRYWould you stay in 'pod' hotel?
Hotels in New York vary in just about everything: size, function, price, location, design, food and beverage, and even guests. You can find a bed and breakfast in Chelsea, a hostel in Spanish Harlem, a budget-friendly family-focused midtown hotel with grand buffets, or stay in lap of the luxury on the East Side. Right in the heart of Hell's Kitchen, you can find one of New York's newer hotels - YOTEL New York. The hotel just opened last year and is already drawing in guests who want nothing more than a clean room and a cool vibe at a reasonable price. The one caveat: a majority of the rooms are under 200 square feet.
YOTEL gained popularity when it first opened at London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The concept was simple: give travelers a place to freshen up, grab a quick nap or even do some work in between flights or transfers. YOTEL was more than a "pod" room (most popular in Japan), better than an airport bathroom, and significantly less expensive than a city hotel. It took its design concept from the Japanese "capsule hotels", and added a bit more a space and a lot of technology. With only 12 hours to spare in New York City before catching a flight to Punta Cana (more on that soon), I opted to check out the YOTEL New York and see what all the fuss it about.
The first thing you should know about YOTEL New York is that looks are deceiving. The hotel takes almost an entire city block, but its the trendy, compact rooms that make an impact. The purpose here is function into form: take a small space and make it workable for travelers without making them feel claustrophobic or concerned about bumping into things in the middle of the night.
FULL ENTRYCondé Nast Traveler picks world's hottest new hotels, spas, restaurants for 2012
Still haven't chosen a hotel for your 2012 travel plans? Now that you've waited this long, you can check out one of the hottest new hotels for 2012, as chosen by the editorial staff of Condé Nast Traveler.
The annual list takes a look at 121 newly-opened properties in the North America, South America, Asia, and Europe, and identifies the new hotels that are worthy of your consideration, based on service, food, atmosphere and amenities.
Hotel Chocolat in St. Lucia features 14 cottages on a 140-acre plantation that’s been harvesting cocoa since the 1700s. Photo credit: Condé Nast Traveler
FULL ENTRYWhere does your hotel soap go?
Ever wonder what happens to your hotel soap and bathroom amenities after you've checked out of the room? You probably thought the products go straight in the trash, but in fact, they're one of the easiest things to recycle.
Aligning with Earth Day initiatives this year, InterContinental Hotels Group announced a partnership with Clean the World to recycle hotel soap and amenities from hotels in the United States and Canada, and distribute them in communities with limited access to hygiene products.
According to Clean the World, 9,000 children around the world die from acute respiratory illness and diarrheal diseases that can be prevented by washing with bar soap. As part of IHG’s Green Engage program (the hotel's sustainability system), Clean the World will have access to all the unopened and unused hotel amenities, which IHG hopes will reduce solid waste by 50 percent for each participating hotel.
FULL ENTRYAre you ready for a 'digital detox' vacation?
It was only a matter of time before detox hit the digital world. Between the iPhones, iPads, Blackberry's, bbm-ing, checking-in, Instagram-ing, liking, tweeting and pinning, it's clear: we are living in a digital world, and we're addicted to it. Admitting it is the first step. The second step is taking a vacation away from your technology (at least that what the hotels listed below hope you do).
Screen Free Week, the nationwide initiative by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, is challenging you and your kids to turn off your electronics and explore the world without being connected from April 30 - May 6. Are you up for the challenge?
For travelers who want to indulge in a week without screens, the following hotels are offering guests some unique outdoor activities for a discount, in order to help you kick the digital habit.
FULL ENTRYHemingway Hotels will celebrate author's love for travel
Key West and Cuba are rumored to be two locations where you might find the soon-to-be-open Hemingway hotels.
He was an intriguing - some would say complicated - person, for sure, but would his image make for a good hotel concept? According to the owners of his estate it would.
After all, Ernest Hemingway did love to travel...
A new brand of hotels, Hemingway Hotels & Resorts, will center around the lifestyle of Ernest Hemingway, according to hotel trade publication Hotel News Now (HNN). The Hemingway hotel idea has been in the works for some time now, and the concept is to celebrate the "unique travel experiences" of the famous author.
Hemingway Hotels & Resorts President Tuckey Devlin told HNN that plans are in place to open two to hotels a year with a goal of having a minimum of 30 hotels worldwide.
“We should have 10 years of gangbuster business in this industry now,” Devlin said. “I’d bet anything on five to seven years, at least.”
FULL ENTRYPHOTOS: China to open luxury underground hotel
File this hotel news story under: "They're going to do what?!"
While China has been leading the trend in skyscrapers for the past decade, architects and designers apparently decided to turn things upside-down for a change. According to CNN, China recently broke ground on the first luxury underground hotel near Shanghai.
Located at the foot of a 100-meter (approximately 328 feet) abandoned quarry at Shanghai’s Tianmashan, the 380-room resort will have three levels above ground and 16 underground, and will also offer spa services, a sports facility and an underwater restaurant.
Photo rendering courtesy of SHANGHAI SHIMAO PROPERTY GROUP/ ATKINS
FULL ENTRYWorkouts around the world: Top 10 scenic spots for exercising
With summer just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about breaking in your beach-worthy bod. The good news is that you can combine travel and exercise for an ultimate experience.
Pass up your hour gym date for a weeklong excursion at one of these stunning scenic spots around the world, perfect for burning calories while you xxxx.
To help you find some travel destinations that not only offer excellent views and spacious scenery, but also stimulate the want to workout, the members of travel website VirtualTourist.com (www.virtualtourist.com) put together a list of the "Top 10 Most Scenic Workouts", and some essential reasons why you should consider an exercise escape:
FULL ENTRY13 new retailers arrive Logan's Terminal C
If you've traveled through Boston Logan International Airport's Terminal C over the past six months, you've undoubtedly noticed some changes. Last July, Massport completed a $62 million renovation that consolidated the two smaller Terminal C checkpoints into one larger area, not only improving the look of the terminal but providing a more streamlined security process.
Today the terminal turns trendy, and is giving new reason for travelers to arrive a little earlier for their flights.
As part of the renovations,12,000 square feet was alloted to new retail and food space from pre- to post-security. From a dedicated spa to an iStore retailer, jewelry stores and a kid-approved games and toys zone, travelers with time to spare in the Boston airport will easily find a few new ways to fill space between flights.
The shops, which are managed by Westfield Concession Management (WCM), have been slowly opening one-by-one over the past few weeks, but I popped into Terminal C yesterday to see what's officially open for travelers.
FULL ENTRYRadisson survey reveals nearly half of Americans skip vacation
A new survey released by Radisson reveals that 48 percent of Americans opted not to take a vacation in 2011. Are you one of them?
Radisson announced the results of the national survey with Kelton Research that reveals the travel habits, or lack thereof of working Americans. Among them, the survey showed that 48 percent of Americans in 2011 passed on taking a portion of their vacation days, citing mounting work pressures as the reason for not taking time off. The survey of 1,000 adults, ages 18 and over, identified that workload and a reluctance to play catch-up were among the top reasons for not using all their vacation time.
But, despite the above reveal, what's more interesting is what American workers said they would forgo in order to gain an additional five vacation days in 2012:
FULL ENTRYHotels offering Tax Day filings, savings
You've heard of people using their tax refund for travel, but what about traveling to have your taxes done? That's the premise behind Andaz Wall Street's new "Accountant in Residence" program.
Guest checking into the New York hotel will be offered a free consultation with the hotel's accountant, certified public accountant Marc Albaum, who will file taxes for guests free of charge. You have to admit... doing your taxes in a 1,465-square-foot loft-style suite with 9-foot high windows overlooking New York's East River provides a much calmer atmosphere for doing the dreading annual deed.
The Buttonwood Suite at the Andaz Wall Street is where you'll meet with CPA Marc Albaum to file your taxes.
FULL ENTRYFamily travel: Ranking the top family-friendly hotels in the U.S.
Time to start thinking about summer vacations, but where to go? Family travel is the hot topic right now - I just posted about LXR Hotels' summer escapes for families, and now TripAdvisor has announced its 2012 Travelers' Choice Hotels for Families winners giving parents a plethora of options to consider for school break and summer vacation.
Exterior of the Trapp Family Lodge, one of my picks for the top family-friendly hotels
Before we get to their list, though, here are my top 10 hotel favorites for ultimate family fun, based on my own travel experience and recommendations from travelers:
- Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, Vermont
- Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
- Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado
- The Harbor View Hotel & Resort, Martha's Vineyard, Mass.
- Grand Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
- Four Seasons Hotel Boston, Boston, Mass.
- Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Hammock Beach Resort, Palm Coast, Florida
- The Sagamore Resort, Adirondacks, New York
- Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Marco Island, Florida
London calling: Deals abound for Queen's Jubilee and Summer Olympics travel
London is the talk of all towns right now. The city is gearing up for a remarkable summer, filled with parties, balls, and ceremonies - and that's just what the Queen is hosting! Across town at Olympic Park, the stadiums are preparing for the 26 sporting events, opening night festivities and award ceremonies.
For those lucky ticket holders with access to the games or a special invitation from Buckingham Palace to attend the Queen's parties honoring her 60 years on the throne (or for those of you who to see how London attempts to manage all of this) there are some great London travel deals for this summer.
Aerial view of Olympic Park, looking south through the Parklands. Photo: London 2012 Olympics Committee
FULL ENTRYLaura Ashley to open boutique hotel
The fashion firm Laura Ashley - famous for its flowery decor - unveiled plans to open a boutique hotel in the United Kingdom's Hertfordshire, according to The Guardian.
The paper says Laura Ashley bought the hotel (actual address still unknown) for around $9.2 million (£5.8 million) as a unique way to showcase its home accessories, furniture and decorations.
The hotel hopes to attract Laura Ashley fans to its 49 rooms, each outfitted with matching fabrics on the bed, sofa, curtains and wallpaper. The company's Chief Operating Officer, Seán Anglim, told The Guardian the hotel would become a "brand showcase" for its products and interior design service when it opens later this year.
FULL ENTRYFrom artwork to amenities, JW Marriott announces new partnerships at hotels
You've used the bathroom amenities and eyed curiously at the artwork in your hotel guest room, but have you actually ever thought about where they come from, or why those particular elements and amenities are there? Have you ever considered why your hotel bathroom soap has a particular scent, or why those three particular magazines were left on your guest room night stand?
Unique artwork and sculpture discovered in the JW Marriott Los Angeles LA LIVE hotel.
This week I'm at the Marriott International Global General's Manager conference in Los Angeles, where all the general managers of the brands within Marriott International are represented. While I was here, the JW Marriott brand took me through a tour of their partnerships and offered a little insight into why, and how, specific partners are paired with hotels.
The JW Marriott Brand Partnerships were launched in 2011 as a way to bring a bit more "lifestyle" into the guest experience. Using everyday concepts that we as guests use at home, (think: scented soaps, yoga mats, and magnets on our refrigerators with favorite quotes and funny sayings). JW Marriott created strategic partnerships with leading luxury brands in nutrition, culinary, art, culture, and wellness. The purpose, according to JW Marriott, was to "enrich the luxury experiences" that are relevant in guests' every day lives. What defines the "luxury experience" is different for every guest, which got me thinking about the variety of amenities I find in hotel guest rooms, and how many of those are part of my every day life.
For example, on a recent visit to the The Pierre New York I was enamored by the hotel's unique bed settings. The strategic placements of the pillows and one-of-a-kind Indian silk bed throws made me want to perserve the beauty of the bed, but at the same time it evoked the simple pleasures of sleep. On a much different angle, at the Renaissance Hotel 57 in New York City, one of the in-room guest room amenities are aromatherapy-scented foot wipes, meant to soothe your tired feet after a day of walking around Manhattan. Both of these in-room enhancements brought a unique aspect to the guest room, unbeknownst to me at the time. So when the JW partnership panels were displayed, I was eager to learn a little more about why each one was selected, and the type of influence they intend their products to have on hotel guests.
The bed display at The Pierre, New York
FULL ENTRYFamily travel: LXR Hotels offers summer escapes at steep discounts
Shuffleboard games and beach front access are big selling points at the Sanibel Sunset Beach Resort.
Now that we're done with school vacations and Spring Break, it's time to start planning your summer travel. The kids will be out of school, camp only lasts so long, and you'll need something to fill the time (plus, it's always nice to spend time together as a family).
To help get spark some summer travel enthusiasm, LXR Hotels & Resorts just launched its 2012 Summer Escapes deals, which not only discounts on room rates, but also gas credits and discounts on resort activities.
LXR Resorts & Hotels is a portfolio of independent hotels that span the U.S. and the Caribbean. The Summer Escapes package is available at participating properties (listed below) for travel from April 28 through September 30, 2012, and when you book three nights you'll get a fourth night free.
The best part: these properties are catering to the kids and adults, alike. LXR is offering a Kids Eat Free Meals All Day program, where kids 12 years and younger eat free at resort restaurants during their stay. For the adults, LXR will give you a $20 gas credit (which is deducted from your final bill), and a 20% discount on resort activities, including time at the spa.
FULL ENTRYNew website launches for luxury travelers and their pampered pets
Can't bear the thought of leaving home without your furry friend? Good news pet-lovers: a new pet-travel site just launched offering information and news about luxury hotels, travel and luxe spots that allow your pets while you're traveling.
More hotels have embraced the pet-travel trend, allowing guests and their four-legged friends to sleep in the lap of luxury while traveling. Boston's XV Beacon Hotel (photo), three Kimpton hotels (Nine Zero, Onyx and Marlowe), and the Charles Hotel are just a few of the local hotels that are pet-friendly. Take your pet outside the city and you'll need some help finding the best luxe home for them.
Enter: TheJetSetPets.com, the "luxury travel source for pampered pets on the go." The site has information on destinations, transportation, products and services that are pet-friendly for travel.
FULL ENTRYBoston's newest hotel, The Revere, to open April 18
On April 18, this blank marquis will be replaced with bright lights introducing The Revere hotel to Boston.
To most Bostonians, April 18 is the night Paul Revere made his famous ride alerting the patriots that the British were coming by sea. This year, April 18 will mark the date Boston's newest hotel, The Revere, opens.
As I reported a couple weeks ago, The Revere will overhaul the space that once was The Radisson and Stuart Street Playhouse. The new hotel will have 325 guest rooms, 30 deluxe suites, one presidential suite, a new lounge, and two theatre spaces.
I had the opportunity to walk through the hotel yesterday and get a sneak peek at what's to come when it officially changes names on April 18. The transition will be more than extraordinary, and provide locals and guests with a great new venue to consider in the Theatre District. Among my favorite additions to the hotel is the wall art in each room that features a Shakespearean quote (paying homage to its location in the Theatre District), and the secret little spots that the hotel created to provide allure and intrigue (something the Theatre District space has been lacking). I'm sworn to secrecy on these secret spots, but I have confidence that given enough intrigue you'll all find them on your own...
Here are some photos of the new site, which isn't completely ready for prime time but will give you a good glimpse of what to expect when it opens:
FULL ENTRYNew hotel booking site promises hotel refunds if room rate drops
Think you've been overpaying for the price of your hotel room? You might be right. That's where the new hotel booking site, Tingo, comes into play.
Smarter Travel Media launched Tingo(TM), the first hotel booking site that automatically rebooks hotel rooms at a lower price if the rate drops. To sweeten the deal, the site will then automatically refund you the difference to your booking credit card.
According to a news release from the site, Tingo "provides travelers with a simple proposition: Book a "Money Back" room and Tingo watches that room's rate to see if it changes." If the price drops, the site will rebook that same room at the lower rate at no additional cost to you. Sound too good to be true?
FULL ENTRYCustoms, culture and cuisine: Preparing for your international trip
There's a lot involved with planning your trip next trip, especially if you're booking international travel. Aside from finding the best flights, booking your preferred hotel room, cramming everything into a carry-on to avoid checked bag fees and setting up tours, reservations and transportation, there's the cultural aspect. Can you speak the language, describe the food, or barter with money? Do you know the appropriate cultural customs and manners to show respect and courtesy?
Many hotels are starting to offer classes, tours and introductions to the local culture in their destination (think: wine and cooking classes). In some cases, like with the Ritz-Carlton and National Geographic, hotels are giving guests once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to capture the beauty of the destination through premier partnerships. But there's also the opportunity for you to learn a little before you go.
That's where the Boston Center for Adult Education comes in. As your trip comes closer, consider taking a few classes to help you prepare for your excursions and become accustomed to the destination's culture prior to landing. In addition to the various language classes that are offered at the BCAE, I found a few others that offer a more in-depth glimpse into international customs and culture:
FULL ENTRYPlan ahead: National Park Week offers free admission in April
The annual National Park Week - a collaboration with the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation - will run April 21-19, inviting people around the nation to enjoy, explore, learn, share, and give back to America’s nearly 400 national parks.
The theme of this year's park week is “Picture Yourself in a National Park." Throughout the country, national parks will give visitors free admission to parks during the week so they can enjoy the scenery and snap photos of their adventures in the parks.
FULL ENTRYBoston hotels become the new venue for music lovers
You don't have to travel far, squeeze into tight spaces and press your luck for tickets to see some of the hottest new bands on the rise. Boston hotels are fast becoming one of the best venues for emerging musicians, drawing fans from across the city and nearby states who want to take in a great show in a trendy space.
Thanks to spacious rooftops, open terraces and ample bar space, Boston hotels have welcomed the likes of newer artists like Bad Rabbits and Matt Cusson, to award-winning acts Sarah Bareilles.
Before you spend your paycheck on front row seats, or if you're just looking for something new to do, take a look at who these Boston hotels are hosting for a music night out:
FULL ENTRYBeyond extraordinary: J.D. Power names the top service providers in travel
It's easy to complain to the airlines, hotels and rental car companies when you're dissatisfied with your stay or service. But, how many times do you actually compliment the company when things go well? Good reviews and feedback from travelers, as well as the bad, are what help make companies stronger. Understanding the likes, dislikes and wants from their guests help to create innovative concepts, new offers and personalized service.
My point: Next time you have a good experience, say something.
In the meantime, J.D. Power and Associates polled customer opinions of more than 800 companies in 20-plus industries seeking their thoughts on the ones that stood out for service. The top 5 percent of companies received the champion designation in the “2012 Customer Service Champions” report, released Wednesday. Among them are Ritz-Carlton, Virgin America, JetBlue and Hotel Indigo.
FULL ENTRYSpring fever means Boston hotel, spa deals
It's starting to feel a lot like Spring in Boston. Locals are slowly starting embracing the time change and enjoy after-work walks, the city's green spaces are being taken over by dogs and frisbees, and soon we'll start to see the dusting off of patio furniture at outdoor establishments.
On a walk yesterday around 5:30pm, I snapped this shot of Boston Harbor. I was flanked by Bostonians and tourists sitting on the gray slabs along the water at Long Wharf. Runners and joggers casually passed by, and many were just here to take in the great weather and fabulous sunset.
Shortly after tweeting my photo I learned of a few great spring offerings happening around the city:
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