New Wisconsin hotel smoking ban: big fines, no choice

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Wisconsin has just cracked down on smokers from out of state. It’s only the second state with a smoking ban that applies to every hotel room in the state. This differs from most smoking bans, like the one in Kansas, in which the properties can allow smoking in a certain percentage of guestrooms. Michigan is the only other state with a hotel smoking ban this severe.

The hotel business in Wisconsin wasn’t thrilled about the legislation and did push against it. The greatest challenge, however, seems to be convincing the guests that it’s not a scam – that the ban is actually the law. It’s a lesson worth learning, for guests, because the consequences are severe. Notes USA Today:

Wisconsin’s roughly 2,000 hotels post signs declaring their building a non-smoking facility. They’re also requiring guests to initial a statement promising to comply or face paying a fee. Hotels are charging penalty fees anywhere from $100 to $300, she said.

[photo by ell brown via Flickr]

Hyatt Hotels launches first branded credit card

by Melanie Nayer on

Hyatt Hotel customers will soon have a new way to earn rewards. The hotel company and Chase Card Services announced the launch of Hyatt Visa credit card. Use the card once and Hyatt members will receive two nights at any Hyatt anywhere in the world, redeemable within one year.

According to the terms, the Hyatt Card will include zero foreign transaction fees, three Hyatt Gold Passport points for every US$1 spent at a Hyatt property, no blackout dates and 15% bonus points for Platinum members. The card carries an annual fee of US$75.

“To further Hyatt’s mission of providing authentic hospitality, we have made significant enhancements and adjustments to our Hyatt Gold Passport loyalty program over the past two years to make it best-in-class. The Hyatt Card is another logical step in deepening relationships with our guests and welcoming new travelers into the fold,” said John Wallis, global head of marketing and brand strategy for Hyatt, in a press release.

Tokyo hotel builds hotel rooms for train lovers

by Melanie Nayer on

Whoever said hotels aren’t creative enough clearly hasn’t stayed in a Tokyo hotel.

While some hotels focus on zen environments or Michelin-starred chefs, other hotels look for the unique and quirky to attract guests. Enter: The Washington Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, the first hotel to build a large train set inside one of its rooms.

The hotel took a twin room from its 13th floor and remodeled it with a train set and model Tokyo Tower, a mosaic of the city’s neighborhoods and the resort area of Hakone. You can bring your own train to the room, or rent one from the hotel for approximately $12 ($1000 yen). The ‘railway room’ goes for about $300 (25,000 yen) and even overlooks the Shinkansen bullet train railway. The room is decorated with photos of old locomotives and offers railway-related DVDs.

How’s that for in-room entertainment?

[via Reuters]

Daily Pampering: Yoga retreat at luxe Chicago hotel

by Melanie Nayer on

Need a breather? We totally understand. The daily rigors of life can be complicated and every now and then you just need a moment for some uninterrupted meditation. The Elysian hotel understands, too, and has put together a yoga program fit for a celebrity.

The Elysian is adding a dose of Hollywood glamour to its Greco-Roman-inspired urban oasis by partnering with celebrity yoga instructor Mandy Ingber to host a restorative three-day/two-night Yoga Retreat Weekend from Sept. 10 – 12, 2010. Ingber will instruct on wellness principles and yoga poses that toned the bodies of Jennifer Aniston, Brooke Shields and Helen Hunt.

The yoga weekend will include three yoga sessions, smoothie breaks and an afternoon spa treatment.

The price? Rates starting at $1,445 including the yoga sessions, accommodations for two nights, an in-room welcome amenity, keepsake Lululemon yoga mat, and lunch and Q&A session with Ingber Book. Can’t you just feel the stress melting away?

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Hilton workers OK strikes at four Chicago hotels

by Melanie Nayer on

It’s going to get a little crazy in Chicago, at least as far as the Hilton is concerned. According to Chicago Breaking News service, Hilton Hotels workers in Chicago voted Thursday night in favor of a strike at the Chicago Hilton, Hilton O’Hare, the Palmer House Hilton and the Drake, a downtown Chicago hotel legend.

The unions – Unite Here Local 1 and Local 450 – told the Chicago news service that 96 percent of its members voted in favor of a strike. If this strike takes place, this would make the third group of hotel workers in nine months to rally against ‘unfair’ contract negotiations between Chicago hotels and the union.

Union contracts covering 6,500 workers at 31 hotels in downtown Chicago expired Aug. 31.