Trade in 10 plastic water bottles for a free night at Starwood’s Element Hotel

by Amy Chen on

You’ve probably seen the reusable eco-chic totes that proudly proclaim “I’m Not A Plastic Bag.” Well starting today (April 5), now you can book the “I Am Not a Plastic Package” at participating Element Hotels — in exchange for turning in 10 single-use plastic water bottles at check-in, you can get a free night at a Element property if you’re one of the first 100 people to call 1-877-ELEMENT and mention the promo code GOGREEN.

The eco-friendly Starwood offshoot currently has locations in or just outside of Baltimore, Denver, Dallas, Houston, and Las Vegas (about 15 minutes from the Strip), as well as suburban areas such as Lexington, Mass. (about a 30-minute drive from Boston) and Ewing, N.J. (about 40 minutes from Philadelphia, 1.5 hours from Manhattan). Each extended-stay property has rooms with in-room kitchenettes, Energy Star-rated appliances, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and low-flow faucets — and green amenities such as complimentary bike rentals and electric car charging stations.

Though the idea is to reduce the use of disposable water bottles, I have to wonder how many people are going to actually pack 10 empty water bottles in their carry-ons or suitcases. Even so, if you are among the lucky 100 to book this Earth Day promotion, please don’t buy 10 water bottles at the nearest store once you arrive, guzzle the water (or dump it out), and then present the bottles at check-in. We all know that’s not the point.

Details: The Earth Day promotion is limited to 100 rooms at participating Element properties, where room rates typically start at $125 per night. If you are among the first 100 people to book this package, your one-night stay must be redeemed between April 22 and 25. To qualify for the free room, you must bring and turn in 10 water bottles at check-in. In addition to the free night, you’ll get a free Element-branded reusable water bottle to remind you of how it’s possible to save a little green by being green. Room taxes are also waived, but you are responsible for any incidentals. Limit one free room per guest.%Gallery-73514%

Pack travel candles – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Travel candles solve a few of the typical hotel room woes, particularly for budget travelers:

1.) They mask the scent of overpowering cleaners (or worse, but let’s not go there).
2.) They provide a soothing, romantic ambiance.
3.) Some scents, like lavender, help you fall asleep easier in unfamiliar surroundings.

Several companies, including The Travel Tin Company, make portable travel candles that are clean burning (no wall smudges or waxy drips) and safer than regular candles since they’re contained in a tin.

For under $10, travel candles go a long way in creating a comfortable atmosphere in your hotel home away from home.

Bring clothespins and sleep in – Hotel tip

by Meg Massie on

Why is it always impossible to close hotel curtains all the way? It’s always that little sliver of light that shines through the crack in the hotel curtains that’ll wake you up on a vacation morning when you very much want to sleep in.

Remember to pack a few clothespins in your bag whenever you travel, and wake up on your own terms by pinning the curtains together.

Closing that little gap will keep your room a lot darker by blocking the morning sun. You’ll also block the street and other outdoor lights at night.

Hotel Review: JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton wake up downtown L.A.

by Melanie Nayer on

L.A. LIVE – the sports and entertainment complex that envelops the Nokia Theater and STAPLES Center – is hoping to change the way people view downtown Los Angeles. Thanks to the stadiums, restaurants, nightclubs, shopping and outdoor pavilions that opened in October 2007, downtown Los Angeles was revived with a faint heartbeat. Now, two new hotels are opening their doors in an effort to wake up the district and give people a reason to spend the night in downtown L.A.

The J.W. Marriott Hotel Los Angeles and Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles make up the $2.5 billion building in heart of the L.A. LIVE complex, boasting 1,001 rooms total (878 rooms in the J.W. Marriott and 123 rooms at the Ritz-Carlton and Ritz-Carlton Residences). While the hotels share the space as part of the luxury brand’s global portfolio, the two brands maintain their individuality in design and style.

J.W. Marriott hotel designers took advantage of the lobby’s open frame. The neutral colors on the walls and rugs are contrasted with modern furniture in reds, purples and animal prints, emphasizing the enormous space while still giving travelers a comfortable place to rest upon arrival. A few steps past the check-in counter, however, and you’re transported to a futuristic display of lights, mirrors and lots of action.

The hotel is home to one of L.A.’s newest dining destinations, L.A. Market. The full-service restaurant created by the “Rock-n-Roll” celebrity chef Kerry Simon is sourced from organic, sustainable and local sources, and combines his flare for everyday foods with his bold personality. The sushi pizza is a favorite of hotel employees, and Simon’s signature burgers are worth every bite. The Mixing Room – located across the lobby from the restaurant – takes guests on a mixology escapade of signature cocktails and cosmic creations in an all white-and-gold furnished space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Nokia Plaza.


The J.W. Marriott guest rooms occupy floors 4-12 and are substantial in size and stature. There’s a 4000-square-foot fitness center and a pool for those who want to soak in the California sun. While guests of the J.W. Marriott have access to the Ritz-Carlton’s 8000-square-foot spa, some areas of the hotel remain exclusive to Ritz-Carlton clientele.If the J.W. Marriott is the meeting space of L.A. LIVE’s grand collection, the Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE is the area’s exclusive retreat.

In contrast to the J.W. Marriott’s bold lobby design, the Ritz-Carlton entrance is dimly lit from a Swarvoski crystal chandelier set against deep mahogany wood. Recognizable on the outside by its glass facade, one of the most mesmerizing parts of the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, is its variations in the color of blue glass on every floor. Symbolic of the ocean or the sky (depending on how you like to view hues of blue), the LEED-certified structure almost looks as if its draped in diamonds when viewed from the right angle. Guests of the Ritz-Carlton have exclusive rights to the 3,400-square foot Club Lounge, rooftop pool and private fitness center.

Ritz-Carlton’s 123 guest rooms and private residences are located on the upper floors of the building but the pièce de résistance of this gem is the 24th floor restaurant, which offers views of Los Angeles from every table. During my tour of the hotel, a private dining area and wine cave were under construction, but will open in time for its first guests on April 2.

The outdoor pool on the 26th floor is also exclusive to Ritz-Carlton guests and comes shaded with cabanas and a rooftop bar and restaurant. If you’ve ever wondered what Los Angeles looks like from above, this is the spot to be.

While it’s likely you’ll be visiting the hotels as a guest, it’s worth noting the building’s gargantuan meeting space. With almost 100,000-square-feet at its disposal, the hotel is primed for conferences and events of all sizes.

The J.W. Marriott is currently open to guests, and the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles will take its first reservations on April 2. Spending time in downtown LA just got a little more exciting.

Disconnect the video games – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

When checking in to a hotel, ask the front desk to disconnect the video games from the TV.

When someone plays the games, the front desk automatically charges your room. If you’re unaware that your children have been playing video games while you are in the shower, you may have a surprise on your bill.