Gogo Inflight Internet introduces all-you-can-eat monthly pass

by Scott Carmichael on

Fans (and heavy users) of Gogo Inflight Internet will be happy to learn that the company behind the airborne Internet provider now offers a monthly subscription to their service.

The new Gogo Inflight Internet monthly subscription can be purchased through the web portal on flights operated by AirTran, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and Virgin America – but the pass itself will work on all airlines equipped with the Gogo service. The new subscription product costs $34.95 for 30 days – and auto renews (unless canceled).

If you use Gogo more than three times a month on flights longer than three hours, this new plan is for you –

Gogo Inflight Internet is now available on over 800 aircraft across 6 airlines. Later this year, Alaska Airlines and Continental Airlines will join the lineup

Inside the $33 million makeover of the Four Seasons Los Angeles, Beverly Hills

by Melanie Nayer on


Los Angeles is no stranger to facelifts, nip-tucks and makeovers, but when a luxury hotel decides to go under the knife the finished product is worthy of a red carpet debut. The Four Seasons Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, finished its $33 million makeover this year and on a recent visit to Los Angeles, I got an inside look at the renovations, and learned why this hotel is so special to Hollywood’s elite.

The renovations spanned two and half years and in the end, all 285 guestrooms and suites, the ballroom, lounge, restaurants and pool and cabana areas were renovated. I met with General Manager Mehdi Eftekari to learn how the hotel managed the makeover while still operating at full capacity, and hosting celeb-studded parties, including some Academy Awards parties, with ease.

THE DECOR
Walking into the foyer of the Four Seasons Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, is like walking into a zen garden. Fresh floral bouquets greet guests and you’re suddenly overwhelmed by varying scents of freesia, lilies, roses and more as you make your way to the check-in desk. The lobby is draped in soothing yellow, golds and deep brown tones, and the same hues extend through the entire hotel, providing an inviting entrance no matter what floor you’re on.

THE ROOMS
The new design of the guest rooms pays homage to old Hollywood glamour. King-sized beds are positioned against white-gold headboards and each bedroom features a modern floral motif on the wall. New tan carpet infuses a splash of coral, plum or aqua into the mix and according to hotel staff, the carpets were custom designed to play off the owners’ love of flowers and gardens.


My favorite part of the rooms were the French doors that open to private balconies overlooking Beverly Hills, downtown Los Angeles or the Hollywood Hills, depending on which side you face. One-bedroom suites come complete with a living room area, pull-out sofa and desk space. Internet access comes at a fee, the only downside to staying at the hotel.

If you’re so inclined to stay in one of the hotel’s suites, you won’t be disappointed. Cashmere throws, grand pianos and Swarovski crystal are just a few of the perks that come with the suites. The rooms can be transformed from upbeat and inspiring to romantic and indulgent with the turn of a light switch. Walk-in closets in the suites are the size of some small apartments, so prepare to be envious (and start planning the renovations of your own closet back home).THE BATHROOMS

Each guest room’s bathroom has a stand-up shower and a bathtub, and comes furnished with all the proper amenities including robes and slippers, which I highly recommend you lounge around in. Truth be told, I spent a lot of time in the plush slippers and the best part is, you can take the slippers home for free (the robe will cost you $100). I’ll admit, the Four Seasons slippers are one of the best additions to my shoe closet.

THE RESTAURANT

Windows Lounge on the ground floor is the see-and-be-seen gathering spot for Los Angeles guests and Hollywood figures. At any given time you might see agents working deals, aspiring models looking for their next break, or you might catch a glimpse of your favorite celeb walking by. It’s important to point out the lounge isn’t a gawking spot for tourists. If you want to break out the camera, head down the street to Wilshire Boulevard and get your flashes ready. At Windows Lounge, order a glass of wine or relax with your favorite martini and you’ll feel like you’re part of the A-list crowd.

The lounge is a great spot to start before having dinner at the hotel’s new restaurant, Culina, Modern Italian. A blend of traditional Italian dishes with eclectic flavors make this restaurant worth the wait.

THE SPA, POOL & FITNESS CENTER

Ever wonder what it feels like to walk on a cloud? Step into the new pool and walk across the cushioned bottom, and you might get the sense of weightlessness you’ve been yearning for. Relax in one of the cabanas, which can be fitted with TVs, Internet access and food and beverages for the day for a fee. The restaurant on the third level offers poolside service amid gardens and orange trees, providing necessary shade for hot days.


The Four Seasons Spa features steam rooms, a sauna and a range treatments. For a truly relaxing experience, ask for your treatment from one of the poolside cabanas, where you can lounge in a chair and enjoy the fresh air while being pampered.

The hotel’s fitness center is the last piece of the puzzle to be renovated, but the current state of the center will get you pumped up to work out. Located poolside and set in an outside environment (with proper shades in the event of rain), the fitness center, while small in size, has treadmills, elliptical machines, stair-steppers, bicycles and a weight section. My perfect morning started off with a 5-mile run, followed by 20 minutes of elliptical training and ending with 20 minutes by the pool. Sometimes, a little ‘me time’ is necessary.

THE STAFF

When you stay at a luxury hotel, you expect luxury service, and the Four Seasons didn’t disappoint. I asked Eftekari how he managed to keep the hotel moving during the renovations, and he praised his staff who he said, “They believe in what they do.” It couldn’t be more apparent that the hotel staff love their jobs. From the check-in desk to the concierge to the maid service, everyone said “hello” with a smile and was eager to help with any request. The waitstaff knew when I needed more coffee, and even suggested a little protein in my diet when I had ordered only vegetables for lunch one day. When the last raspberry danish was given to another guest one morning, they made sure to save me one for the next day.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Imagine a place where Frank Sinatra might have played the piano late-night, or Lauren Bacall might have flipped her hair when Humphrey Bogart walked in the room, and you have the essence of the Four Seasons Los Angeles, Beverly Hills. If you listen closely you can the secrets of Hollywood’s elite whispering through the walls.

The bottom line: If you’re going to spend the money to stay in Los Angeles, you might as well be treated like a star and the Four Seasons Los Angeles Beverly Hills will gladly roll out the red carpet for you.

Photo of the Day (4.6.10)

by Stephen Greenwood on
For most of you readers in the Northern Hemisphere, Spring is (finally) here! That means it’s time to start dusting off that outdoor gear and getting out into the springtime sun.

This perfectly timed shot was captured on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri by photographer Graham Dodd. I love how the light is captured in this photo – and the incredible detail of the water particles suspended in the frame. Nice shot Graham!


If you have an amazing outdoor action shot that you’d like to share, submit it to our Gadling Flickr Pool! We might just feature it as our Photo of the Day!

What German McDonald’s thinks of New York City

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Apparently Germans really like to visit New York City. How else to explain a new Big Apple-inspired menu of cupcakes, now appearing at McDonald’s restaurants across Germany? According to food website Eater, the new German cupcake campaign features sweet desserts named after New York’s “tourist hot-spots,” including Chelsea, Central Park, SoHo and the East Village. The campaign appears to be a tribute to the New York’s never-ending cupcake craze, inspired by famous bakeries like the perpetually crowded Magnolia Bakery.

Each cupcake also comes complete with a trendy description and suitable New York-style “hipster” mascot. Did you know for instance that the East Village is home to all of the city’s most famous artists? Maybe 30 years ago. Even if it’s slightly off the mark, it’s always interesting to catch a glimpse of another culture’s take on your own. In a way, famous cities like New York have become global brands, exporting their cupcakes, t-shirts and grocery stores around the world.

Anybody seen these on the menu on a recent trip to Germany? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Visitor spending in U.S. drops for 15th consecutive month

by Tom Johansmeyer on


International visitor spending is still heading in the wrong direction. In January, travelers coming to the United States from abroad spent only $10.3 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, a decline of 3 percent from January 2009. In hard cash, that’s a drop of $310 million.

Travel receipts amounted to $8.1 billion in January – that’s money spent on travel and tourism-related goods and represents a fall of 1 percent from January 2009. This includes food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment and local transportation within the United States. Passenger fare receipts, the money spent on U.S. carriers and vessel operators, from international visitors fell 10 percent to $2.3 billion, with $300 million in spending disappearing from the same month last year.

January 2010 was the fifteenth month in a row in which spending on U.S. travel and tourism exports fell (when compared to the same month the prior year). Before the financial crisis took hold at the end of 2008, growth had increased for more than 60 consecutive months. Fortunately, the declines appear to be slowing. In December 2009, travel exports were off 8 percent.