Hotel News We Noted: January 25, 2013

by McLean Robbins on

Welcome to this week’s edition of “Hotel News We Noted,” where we round up the week’s best, most interesting and just downright odd news of note in the hospitality world. Have a tip? Send us a note or leave a comment below.

News of Note: Hotel Industry Rebounding
Good news for the hotel industry, although perhaps not so great news for consumers seeking a deal. Early reporting from Smith Travel Research show that the hotel industry is growing, perhaps even rebounding to pre-recession levels. Houston, Nashville, New Orleans and Oahu are doing particularly well.

Hotel Opening of Note: Hard Rock’s new MEGAPOLIS in Panama
Panama has been a buzzy destination of late, with openings from brands like Westin and Trump, as well as a slew of other planned developments. The latest is the 66-story Hard Rock Panama Megaopolis (originally slated for 2011), featuring 11 bars, for restaurants and a nightclub, meaning the hotel is basically a mini Las Vegas or Atlantic City in Panama. The modern decor features a graphic rock artist wall that varies by floor and “tribal tattoo” themed carpets, HOTELS Magazine reports. Colors are bright, with orange, pink and purple playing a starring role. What do you think? Would you stay here, or leave this to the cast and crew of “The Jersey Shore”?

Openings We’re Excited About: The LEGOLAND Resort
If you’re a parent and reading this, we’d suggest you hide your screen from the kids. California is getting its first LEGOLAND Resort this spring (April 5, 2013, to be exact) and Mashable has a video (OK, really more like a glorified ad) that makes us wish we were 12 again. From a pirate ship and a castle to a bar just for the adults, this first Lego hotel in the United States is sure to be a kitschy yet clever hit. Think you’ve seen this before? Maybe you have – there are other hotels outside of the U.S., and a LEGOLAND theme park in Florida.

Weird Hotel Rooms Around the Globe
We sadly can’t take credit for this great roundup, but one of our favorite parts about this column is being able to share great hotel news we find ’round the web with our readers. A thanks to The Atlantic Cities for this package on the weirdest hotel rooms found worldwide, from former prisons transformed to hotels to ice hotels and capsule rooms. Have you seen a weird room not reported on in this column? Let us know and we’ll share it next week.


Coming up, we’ll round up some of the best over-the-top Valentine’s Day packages … so if you have an idea for sweet suite-style romance, send it over.

[Image Credit: LEGOLAND California Resort]

Hotel News We Noted: January 18, 2013

by McLean Robbins on

Welcome to this week’s edition of “Hotel News We Noted,” where we round up the week’s best, most interesting and just downright odd news of note in the hospitality world. Have a tip? Send us a note or leave a comment below.

Hotels to Spot the Celebs: Washington, DC’s Hottest Inaugural Lobbies
It’s officially here: Washington is celebrating its 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21. We’ve already covered how hotels are prepping for inauguration and some of our favorite over-the-top packages, but what about the best places for people watching? We’d park ourselves at the Four Seasons’ Bourbon Steak or Seasons, Adour at the St. Regis, Off the Record at The Hay Adams, the Round Robin bar at The Willard, POV or J&G at the W, Blue Duck Tavern at the Park Hyatt, the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Quill at The Jefferson or West End Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC. Washington Post’s Reliable Source is a great place to get the scoop on who is staying where this weekend … and who isn’t coming to town (Oprah, among others).

Tech-Free Trend: Leaving the Gadgets at Home
Could you go tech-free for a week or a weekend? Marriott seems to think so. They’re testing “Braincation Zones” at hotels across the Caribbean and Mexico, ABC News reports. This encourages guests to put down devices and truly relax. The article goes on to detail other hotels that encourage tech-free policies or tech-free zones. We’re totally inclined to put down our gadgets on vacation, but think that actually removing the ability to check email or make phone calls goes a bit far … we’d like the ability to make that choice on our own, thank you very much.

Hotel News of Note: QE2 to Become a Floating Hotel In Asia
Bloomberg Businessweek is reporting that the Queen Elizabeth 2, the former cruise ship that made waves in the luxury cruise space for more than 40 years is being converted to a floating hotel and will be docked in Asia. The property will open in 2014 and may move locations at some point, possibly to Dubai. How does the idea of staying in a floating hotel sound to you?

Hotel Openings: Tropicana Las Vegas
Hilton Honors members just found their next location for a Las Vegas vacation. The DoubleTree by Hilton has invested more than $200 million to renovate the 1,500-room, 35-acre resort. In celebration, Hilton is giving away monthly chances to win one million HHonors points as well as an ultimate Vegas vacation weekend on their Facebook page.

[Image Credit: ~MVI~ (running away from parties)]

Hotel News We Noted: January 11, 2013

by McLean Robbins on

Welcome to this week’s edition of “Hotel News We Noted,” where we round up the week’s best, most interesting and just downright odd news of note in the hospitality world. Have a tip? Send us a note or leave a comment below.

This week’s hotel news focuses heavily on the new – perhaps appropriate as we ring in a new year. We can’t help but get a bit of wanderlust as we explore these new properties, ranging from boho chic in Jamaica to marvelously modern in Oslo, plus a bit of news for your perusal.

Hotel (Re)Opening of Note: Miami’s Sense Beach House
There’s no doubt, Miami is hot in the hotel world for 2013, and when another new property opens, we’re always eager to bring you news. We “sense” this property will be more our speed than many other South Beach picks. The three-story, 18-room hotel is decorated and designed to mimic a luxe vacation home, complete with “Front Porch” bar, a dining room restaurant with farm-to-table fare, a game room with foosball and ping pong, and a rooftop pool and lounge. The rustic yet chic decor (seen above), with its reclaimed woods and warm colors, mimics a cozy hideaway more than South Beach glam, but that’s just fine with us. At $300 a night, it’s not overly pricey either.

Design Star: The Thief Strikes Oslo
Oslo’s first waterfront hotel has “stolen” the show since its Jan. 9 opening. The Thief Hotel, part of Design Hotels Group, is named after a tiny islet, Tjuvholmen, in Olso where criminals were brought to trial, nicknamed Thief Island. Today, the up-and-coming neighborhood, just a short boat ride away from the city proper, features many businesses and cultural activities. The hotel itself is a tribute to this neighborhood’s rising popularity (the hotel is next to the brand new Museum of Modern Art), with original artwork from an in-house curator, mod furnishings, and an exterior design by architect Renzo Piano. Rates begin from about $375.

Get Glam In Jamaica: The Geejam Collection’s Castle Is Coming
Jamaica has long been a favorite of jetsetters and budget beach seekers alike. Now Port Antonio has another reason to visit with the debut of the Geejam Collection. The first two projects to debut are the oceanfront 13-villa Trident Hotel and the landmark Trident Castle that has been converted into a luxury eight-room hotel, (opening March 15, 2013). The third is the Blue Lagoon Restaurant & Villas, set to open later in the year. Expect Apple TVs, villas with steam rooms and wet bars, a screening room and art gallery, yoga deck, a supper club with red 1917 Steinway piano, and rare cognacs and Cuban rums at the bar. Spring break for adults, anyone? Studio villas start from $750 in high season, castle rates from a reasonable $275.

Haute Hotel Of the Week (Celeb Spotting, Anyone?): The Beverly Hills Hilton
Anyone watching the Golden Globes this weekend? We sure are. Hollywood’s elite will descend on this ultra-famous Hilton for one of the biggest awards events of the season. The Los Angeles Times has a great roundup on the party scene – perfect for anyone wanting to camp out in a hotel lobby for some celeb spotting.

Psst – we’ll dedicate some of next week’s column to hotels where you can celeb spot for the other coast’s big weekend, the 57th presidential inauguration.

Hotel News We Noted: January 4, 2013

by McLean Robbins on

Welcome back, readers! We hope you spent the last days of 2012 and the first few of 2013 in good health, great spirits and an even greater location. We rang out 2012 at one of our favorite local escapes, Four Seasons Baltimore, and spent lots of time this season reflecting on all that we experienced over the past year.

Although we’re just a few days into 2013, the hotel world is already gearing up for a brilliant year. We’re always looking for ways to spice up the column, so we’ll welcome suggestions, tips and ideas from readers at anytime – just email us.

And now, without further ado, here’s this year’s first edition of “Hotel News We Noted.”

Hotel Week 2013 Means Great Deals in NYC
Hotel Week NYC™ kicks off on January 4 and runs through January 20, 2013, bringing a much needed boost to New York City’s economy after Hurricane Sandy reared its head. This 17-day event celebrates some of the city’s most prestigious hotels at a fraction of the cost ($100, $200 and $250 per night). Now 24 properties are participating, including some of our favorites; Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC, The James New York and Hotel Chandler are just some of our favorite hotels welcoming guests. View the full list of participating hotels here.

Even More Great NYC and DC Deals
Affinia is making winter travel affordable as well. Book between January 8 and 10 at any Affinia property in DC and New York and get 25% off the best available rate. That means that stays start at just $95 in DC and $129 in New York, a great deal at any time of year.
To book, visit www.affinia.com/JAN3DY, or call 866-246-2203 and mention promotional code JAN3DY.

Opening of Note: Fairmont The Palm
The first major opening of 2013 is in none other than the trendy location of Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made island shaped in the form of a palm tree. The 381-room Fairmont The Palm is located next to Burj Khalifa, the tallest freestanding building and The Dubai Mall, the largest retail development. We can’t wait to visit!

Fashion and Fun for JW Marriott and Nordstrom
Did you know that December was the most common month for engagements of the entire year? Now newly engaged brides and grooms the country over are scouring the globe for their perfect wedding location. If you’re a JW Marriott fan, enter their new Pinterest contest and the winner will get a $4,000 credit to the Nordstrom wedding suite, plus a a five-night stay inclusive of breakfast and spa treatments at their choice of one of the ten JW Marriott Resorts in the U.S. and Mexico, valued at $3,000.

Sweet Suite: Live Like “Downton Abbey” in Canada
One of our favorite shows returns for its third season (which we may or may not have already streamed online) this Sunday, and we’re borderline obsessed with all things Downton. For that reason, “The Manor Package” at Canada’s Oak Bay sounds right up our alley – and possibly yours too. Located in scenic Victoria, this waterfront town in British Columbia is one of our all-time favorites. The 999 CAD package includes:

  • Round-trip transfers by the Oak Bay Beach Hotel chauffeured Rolls Royce – between the hotel and any Victoria terminal (airport or ferry)
  • Two nights in a signature ocean view king guest room – including nightly turndown service
  • A full English breakfast each morning
  • High Tea served in the Conservatory
  • Dinner for two in the gourmet Dining Room
  • Personalized Butler service during your stay
  • Full access to the seaside mineral pools, steam room and fitness center.

[Image Credit: Fairmont The Palm]

Hotel News We Noted: December 21, 2012

by McLean Robbins on

By now we are all sure of one thing: the world has not ended. We did get a little scared last night, however, when a power station in Annapolis blew up and caused this massive light show explosion and caused power all over town to go out. That said, we’re pretty sure we’re okay, and so this week’s “Hotel News We Noted” will go on.

Hotel Trend of the Week: What’s Happening for New Year’s Eve?
According to Expedia.com, New Year’s Eve is one of the country’s leading days to book a last minute hotel room. Such bookings are up to 50% higher than similar bookings in November and the first half of December. Half of respondents said that they booked these rooms out of necessity – they had consumed a few too many drinks and elected to stay overnight. The second-most cited reason was “personal,” and the third was “whimsy” (27%). Where might these hotel rooms be booked? According to Hotwire, the ten most popular cities for New Year’s Eve revelry are Orlando, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York City, Miami, San Francisco, London, San Diego, Los Angeles and New Orleans.

Hotel Openings of Note: Ritz-Carlton’s first North American Reserve
Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has opened its doors after a long wait, making it one of our most noted 2012 openings. The new brand takes traditional Ritz-Carlton luxury to an “ultra-luxury” level, including private butler service, more spacious rooms, high-end amenities and a more boutique feel. The Dorado Beach property is situated on the former Laurence Rockefeller estate and features just 100 rooms and 14 suites. The resort features a full-service spa as well as a restaurant by acclaimed chef Jose Andres.

Hotels Coming Soon: Aloft Iraq
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced plans to open a new boutique hotel, Aloft Erbil, in 2015. The property will mark the launch of the Aloft brand in Iraq. This isn’t the brand’s first foray into the country, either. Earlier this year, Starwood announced plans to open a Sheraton Erbil as well. Thanks Hotels Magazine for the tip. You might also be interested in the Gadling exclusive series “Destination: Iraq.”

Haute Hotel Deal of the Week: Free Brunch at Kimpton’s Hotel Allegro
Want to toast 2013 in the Windy City? It just got a little more affordable. Hotel Allegro Chicago, a Kimpton property, is offering a complimentary “Recovery Brunch” on January 1 featuring cold pizza, a bloody mary bar, and bottles of water. Want to stay overnight? Rates start at $199 – a pretty good deal!

“Hotel News We Noted” will return on January 4 after a brief holiday hiatus.

[Image Credit: Dorado Beach]