Daily Pampering: Book $6 million Taj suite, name a Boston theater

by Melanie Nayer on

Always wanted to see your name in lights? Now you can, thanks to the Taj Boston.

For $6 million, you’ll get two nights in a Taj Boston suite and your name will grace The Boston Conservatory, Boston’s independent performing arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance and musical theater. Naming rights are just the start of the perks…

The ‘$6 Million Boston Conservatory Suite Weekend’ at Taj Boston, October 15-17, 2010 includes:

  • Naming rights to The Boston Conservatory’s new theater building performance complex
  • Private round-trip jet transport from anywhere in the world to Boston for two, and limousine transfers to and from hotel
  • Two nights’ accommodations in Taj Boston Presidential Suite, a 1,540-square-foot space with large parlor overlooking the Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue, dining room and kitchen area, spacious master bedroom and lavish marble master bath, with 24-hour butler service
  • Gift of a new Jaguar XJ to enjoy during your stay and then to take with you or garage in Boston, with lifetime valet parking privileges at Taj Boston
  • An exclusive itinerary of Boston Conservatory grand opening events, including ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours of “your” new theater building and Opening Note! performance on October 15; VIP reception, dinner and Opening Note! performance featuring guest artist on October 16, followed by post-performance Champagne and dessert after-party for patrons and performers Lifetime tickets for two to all Boston Conservatory performances, arranged by the Taj Boston concierge staff
  • A collection of commemorative items honoring your generous donation, including an engraved Christofle sterling silver platter, etched Tiffany Champagne glasses and a magnum of Cristal Champagne Rose
  • A festive farewell Sunday Champagne Brunch on The Roof at Taj Boston

Don’t have $6 million? No problem, for $4 million you can name The Boston Conservatory’s Main Stage Theater Auditorium and enjoy a weekend in Boston with all of the additional experiences, amenities and services listed above. For more information, contact Claude Dubois at Taj Boston, 617-536-6700.

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

Sir Richard Branson launches Virgin Hotels

by Melanie Nayer on

It’s official…the Virgin mega-brand is entering the hotel space. Our first clue? The launch of the Virgin Hotels website.

According to the website, the first hotels will open in North America and eventually go global. Branson promises to “re-define the customer journey from pre-arrival to check-out.” Each of the hotels will be at least four-star quality, said Branson, who is currently looking for partnership opportunities with property owners and developers.

Virgin Hotels is currently seeking 150 to 400 room hotels of “interesting, authentic and high quality” design. Branson states on the website that the hotels will feature communal spaces that offer “unique space where our guests can get work done, nourish and refresh themselves, meet other interesting people, or just take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.”

Where will the hotels open first? Rumor has it New York, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and Boston have been tapped as top destinations.

The website also includes a pledge from Branson that integrates Virgin flyers and loyalty program members into the project. We smell some more loyalty points programs…

Haiti’s first airport hotel set to open in 2012

by Melanie Nayer on

Recovery continues in the Caribbean island of Haiti as the first airport hotel readies to break ground later this year.

The $33 million project near the Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport will feature 240-rooms, offer restaurants, a fitness center, swimming pool, spa facilities and lounges. According to Luxuo, the hotel is designed with “a distinct Creole feel.”

Much of Port-au-Prince was destroyed following the earthquake on Jan. 12, including many hotels, and the airport was closed to commercial flights. Rebuilding continues throughout Haiti and Port-au-Prince in an effort to improve the economy and position Haiti for long-term recovery.

The airport hotel is scheduled to open in 2012.

InterContinental Hotels tests tiered WiFi options

by Melanie Nayer on

It’s not free, but it’s something…

The InterContinental Hotels & Resorts chain are experimenting with a system of tiered WiFi in a few of its hotels.

Guests at InterContinental Times Square in New York City, InterContinental Chicago and InterContinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco are being offered the choice of WiFi options: low-bandwidth WiFi for $10 or high-bandwidth service for $15.

InterContinental is not the first hotel company to test the tiered option – other hotel groups including some Hilton brands and Golden Tulip Hospitality Group have offered varying levels of WiFi access for a price, allowing guests to choose how much they want to spend. Still, we’re standing firm on the notion that hotel WiFi should be free.

Readers: What are your thoughts? Does a tiered WiFi plan seem logical?

Ritz-Carlton launches hotel loyalty program

by Melanie Nayer on

Luxury travelers rejoice: The Ritz-Carlton will finally start giving customers loyalty points in exchange for stays at Ritz hotels around the world. Ritz-Carlton officials will unveil the “Ritz-Carlton Rewards” program this morning at a press conference in New York City.

Why the excitement? Until now, Ritz-Carlton has remained Marriott’s only brand that doesn’t offer customers points for frequent stays. Starting Sept. 15, both Marriott and Ritz-Carlton guests who sign up for the new loyalty program will be able to earn and accumulate points for reward stays at Ritz-Carlton hotels, or use points toward experiences offered through specific partnerships. Some of the partnerships with the Ritz-Carlton rewards program include Vera Wang, National Geographic Expeditions photography workshops, and Neiman Marcus.

So how will Ritz-Carlton Rewards work? According to Barbara De Lollis over at USA Today’s Hotel Check-in column:

  • There will be silver, gold, and platinum status for the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program and each level will have the same requirements as Marriott Rewards.
  • Customers can be a member of either Ritz-Carlton Rewards or Marriott Rewards; not both.
  • Marriott Rewards platinum members who stay at a Ritz-Carlton will receive a complimentary room upgrade.
  • Ritz-Carlton Rewards members who earn platinum status will receive upgrades at Marriott hotels.

I’ll report on more details from this morning’s press conference, but until then… now’s a great time to start looking at Ritz-Carlton for your upcoming trip.