Daily Pampering: Grand Opening gifts from New York’s newest Hilton

by Annie Scott on

The Hilton Manhattan East has opened its doors at 304 East 42nd Street, between First and Second Avenues.

You may remember the historic Tudor Hotel New York. Well, Hilton has bought the 1931 neo-gothic tower and given it a multi-million dollar renovation to include 300 luxury guest rooms furnished in sophisticated blue and earth tones, spacious marble bathrooms and state-of the art technology in the rooms, the fitness center, the 24-hour business center and the 3,500 square feet of event space. Naturally, full concierge and valet services are standard, as are Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Bath products. The hotel’s bar and restaurant, Tudor Neighborhood Bar & Grill, is a nod to the area and the hotel’s past.

If you book a stay for before September 7 by May 31, as part of the Grand Opening special, for $899 you can get two nights in a Terrace Suite for two, a complimentary bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne, daily breakfast for two and two Hilton Manhattan East hotel robes. If that’s a little steep, you can get lower rates for standard and deluxe guest rooms (starting at two nights for $599), and they’ll throw in the robes for free.

So, whether you’re into Hiltons or fine new Manhattan hotels, celebrate the launch of this historic and geographically convenient neighborhood’s auspicious new arrival — and for an added bonus, click here to join Hilton HHonors and earn double points for stays before June 31.

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Daily Pampering: Niagara Falls goes luxe

by Annie Scott on


The Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview has just unveiled their new Presidential Suites, two 50th floor rooms with astonishing views to rival any in the world.

“This new addition to our hotel is extremely exciting,” said Anthony Annunziata, VP of Marketing and Development, Hilton Hotel and Suites. “With the Presidential Suites, we are changing the way people see Niagara Falls, by offering guests superior accommodations, one-of-a-kind views of the Falls and exquisite décor, all of which are unavailable anywhere else in the area.”

The two 1,500 square foot rooms, which offer views of both the Canadian and American Falls, are adorned in chic shades of white, silver and black. The modern palette is made cozy with the use of lush wallpaper, elegant ornamental chandeliers and a king-sized bed with a striking warm brown headboard. Remote controlled blinds and an electric fireplace complete the modern theme.

The entire hotel recently underwent a $150 million expansion to include over 1,000 guest rooms, two new restaurants, and 40,000 square feet of conference and meeting space, as well as a 40,000 square foot recreational pool and spa. The stunning views from the 50th floor presidential suites can only be reserved for private guests or corporate functions by contacting Jim Graham at 905-353-7160.

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Business travelers will take upgrades over free food and web

by Tom Johansmeyer on

If you were traveling on business, which would you prefer: free in-room internet access, frequent room upgrades or complimentary breakfast? According to a poll of Hilton’s HHonors program, the room upgrade hit #1, followed by the free grub and finally comp’ed web access. Barbara De Lollis, of USA Today‘s Hotel Check-In column, speculates that this is because business travelers want comfort and can convince their companies and clients to pick up the tab.

Reading this article made me think back to my years on the road as a management consultant, and to my surprise, my behavior aligned with the survey results. Room upgrades mattered most. I’d get a bit more elbow room. It wasn’t about status, importance or even being able to run laps around my temporary living room. Larger guestrooms – and suites, especially – allowed me to put more physical space between where I lived and where I worked while on the road. When workdays stretch past 16 hours, it’s important to have any coping mechanism you can grasp, and being able to segment off the work space sure helped.

While I personally detest the hotel practice of charging for web access, it’s never an issue when I’m traveling on business. The companies and clients for which I’ve worked have picked up the tab without a second thought. When on vacation, I regularly had my companies pick up my internet tab, as well, a small price for them to pay to have access to me while I was away. Likewise, clients and employers pay for food. And personally, I’m rarely thrilled with the food offered at free hotel breakfasts and when I travel on my own, I usually pay for a good meal than suffer through a free one. Also, I never really ate breakfast during my road warrior days, and I know I wasn’talone. So, a free breakfast is really … well … worthless.

What’s missing from the survey, unfortunately, is club-level access. When I was on the road all the time, this was my favorite amenity. It gave me a place to go other than my room, where I could get a drink, grab a snack and unwind. Hiltons definitely delivered best on club lounges, with the two most memorable for me being the Hilton Embassy Row in Washington, DC and the Hilton in London, Ontario. The former was comfortable and great for networking, and the latter had the best club-level service I’ve ever experienced.

Lewis the Duck welcomes younger guests to Homewood Suites by Hilton

by Scott Carmichael on

Some hotels consider their pool to be the only way to entertain younger guests. Homewood suites by Hilton takes welcoming kids one step further by being the only chain in the world to publish a line of children’s books.

The books revolve around the adventures of an adorable wood duck called Lewis. In the books, you join Lewis on his trips. Not only are the books really well written and illustrated – they are also educational. In the first book, “Lewis the Duck and his long trip”, kids learn about hotels and how to locate a Homewood Suites (look for the duck!). In the newest book, “Lewis the Duck goes to Canada”, kids learn about our neighbors to the north.

The books are available in the “Suite Shop” at Homewood Suites properties, or online at the fantastic Lewistheduck.com. At that site, kids can also play a Lewis the Duck game or create their own Lewis luggage tag. The books cost $7.99.

One cute fact I learned – the books are written by the global head of Homewood Suites brand management – Bill Duncan. As we mentioned earlier this week, Homewood Suites are a great pick for families traveling with kids, and being able to read to your kids from a Homewood Suites may make their trip even more enjoyable.

Feds Try to Halt Starwood Suit of Hilton to Chase Criminal Charges

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Usually, it’s what goes on inside the hotels that is mysterious. Illicit trysts, quiet business deals and the occasional rendez-vous of spies (very occasional, I suspect) are what we’d love to believe happens in behind the closed doors of hotels up-market and down. The reality, however, is far more interesting. There is plenty of espionage going on in the hotel world, but it’s the hotels themselves – not he guests – who are getting in on the action … and now the feds are involved.

A lawsuit filed by Starwood Hotels against competitor Hilton may have to wait for a bit. Federal prosecutors believe that the civil litigation could impede the criminal investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is pursuing charges that could include conspiracy, computer fraud, theft of trade secrets and interstate transportation of stolen goods against Hilton, as well as two executives that that the company hired from Starwood.

According to the filing by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, “The government seeks a stay of discovery pending resolution of the criminal investigation.”

Starwood alleges that Hilton swiped confidential documents in an attempt to develop an offer that would compete with Starwood’s W Hotels brand. Before the civil effort can be put on hold in favor of the criminal investigation, a judge will have to sign off on the motion.

Hilton’s response to the filing, according to USA Today is: “Hilton Worldwide continues to fully cooperate with the Government’s investigation and supports the Government’s motion to stay discovery in the Starwood civil litigation matter.”

Not exactly earth-shattering.

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