lodging
Latest
Hyatt Place bringing March Madness to traveling fans
For those who have already shed tears seeing that their upcoming business trip will take them away from their home during March Madness, we've excellent news. If there just so happens to be a Hyatt Place -- which is known for keeping sports fan on-the-go in the loop -- wherever you're headed, you (probably) won't miss a minute of the always unpredictable action. Announced today, college hoops fans staying at over 90 select hotels from March 20th - 23rd and 27th - 28th can book the March Basketball Package, which will give them a one-day subscription to DirecTV's Mega March Madness, early check-in on game day and a game-day snack pack including a pizza and drinks. Better still, the complimentary WiFi will enable you to stay connected to real-time stats, but we know your eyes aren't going to glance away from the 42-inch HDTV for long.
Conceptual hotel takes a note from the Death Star
We can't say with a straight face that the capital of Azerbaijan is high on our list of places to vacation at, but for Star Wars fanatics, the case could be different. Reportedly, Heerim Architects has dreamt up a couple of "lunar inspired" projects for the Asian country, one of which (Full Moon Bay) looks an awful lot like the Death Star. Granted, the building looks entirely different from varying angles, but we're choosing to focus on the one that brings back fond memories of light sabers blazing and wookiees waltzing. Truth be told, we've no idea if these facilities will ever break ground, but we're absolutely certain the powers in Dubai are already planning to recreate the entire Star Wars universe if this thing goes forward.[Via Inhabitat]
Hotel Terra Jackson Hole getting HD IPTV, HD VOD
For HD junkies planning a trip out west to experience some "real powder," make sure you put Hotel Terra Jackson Hole high on your list of places to stay. The boutique facility, which is located at the stunning Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming, is currently being developed in two phases. Once finished, it will offer up 132 rooms featuring Guest-Tek's OneView Media solution, which aims to deliver an undisclosed amount of free-to-guest HD channels via IPTV alongside a nice helping of video-on-demand content. Also of note, just 72 of the guest rooms will go live with the service this Spring, while the other 60 will be wrapped up in 2010.
IP-based VOD coming to Trump's New York hotel / tower
It's certainly not like The Donald to get left in the dust by competitors, and with all these high-class hotels making the move to IPTV, it follows logic that Mr. Trump would follow suit. Announced today, Trump International Hotel and Condominium is expanding its agreement with Microwave Satellite Technologies, which will enable the latter to install an IP-based video-on-demand solution into Trump's New York-based hotel and tower. The infrastructure will also support blazing fast internet connections, and the programming will reportedly be doled out to all 176 guest rooms "free of charge," but VOD purchased and interactive services will be charged on a per-use basis. 'Tis a shame the photo above is as close as we'll come to checking this out.
Dreampark's IPTV middleware bringing HD to hotel guests in Scandinavia and Russia
We're all about getting more HD to hotels -- after all, how else would an HD junkie stay sane on the road? -- and it looks like more could be headed to certain locales in Scandinavia and Russia. More specifically, Hoist Hospitality Group plans on distributing the system to some 15,000 rooms in the aforementioned areas, and the system itself will be provided by Dreampark. The firm's Dreamgallery IPTV middleware solution will reportedly be used to deliver an unspecified amount of high-definition content to an undisclosed amount of hotels, but here's to hoping that we find out more soon.
Five-star Thompson Toronto hotel to boast 42-inch plasmas
New York-based Thompson Hotel is branching out, and reportedly, it's getting set to break ground on a new building outside of US borders. Set to open in the summer of 2009, Thompson Toronto is slated to become yet another five-star hotel in the Canadian city when it opens at 550 Wellington St. W. at Bathurst. Apparently, the venue will consist of three high-rise towers with "floor-to-ceiling windows, 42-inch plasma TVs, private 40-seat screening rooms, and creative, interdisciplinary decor by Barcelona design studio Estudio Marsical." In case that wasn't enough, you'll also find an outdoor skating rink and a rooftop pool and bar, but sadly, we've no idea how many high-definition channels will be allowed to grace those PDPs.[Via HotelChatter]
London's Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel gets Artcoustic speakers
Remember those absurdly expensive (and extraordinarily desirable) Artcoustic speakers we peeked last month? If you're a few bucks short of being able to acquire your own, you may still be able to get a taste of what they offer. For guests checking into the 5-star Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel on London's Leicester Square, you can take a listen to the various Diablo monitors and DFS100-75 / DFS75-55 subwoofers that are placed throughout the hotel's reception area, lobby and hallways. Sadly, there's no word on whether or not suites have been equipped with any Artcoustic kit, but c'mon, you know you'll be spending your free time in the main foyer just hoping to see Baby Spice prance through.[Via Widescreen Review]
Hyatt Place gearing up to open 86 new hotels, bring HD to every one
Hyatt Hotels have long since been a safe haven for HD junkies on the run, so those who find themselves living out of a suitcase will certainly appreciate this news. Reportedly, a total of 86 Hyatt Place hotels have been approved for construction, and you'll find these new projects going up in a smorgasbord of American and Canadian cities. As expected, every single new Hyatt Place will offer guests complimentary WiFi, an eight-foot sleeper sofa, a 42-inch HDTV, at least 11 channels of HD programming, the firm's own Plug Panel and access to games on NFL Sunday Ticket and NBA League Pass to boot. For a list of cities where these gems are headed, be sure and give the read link a visit.
New York's Plaza Hotel getting 60 HD channels, not a dime cheaper
If you were sold on the fantastic HD system seen in the soon-to-open Water Club hotel in Atlantic City, NJ, you'll likely be booking your next stop to New York City at Plaza Hotel. Sure enough, Guest-Tek has been contracted to install the very same free-to-guest OneView Media Platform in the aforementioned NYC hotspot, which will soon give guests access to some 60 high-definition channels delivered via IPTV. Additionally, each of the 282 rooms will have access to a "large library" of HD video-on-demand content, and patrons can even use the AMX touch panel to "control their entertainment system, room lighting and temperature, and to order theater tickets, room service or restaurant reservations." Needless to say, we can't really see a reason to ever leave this situation until your checkout day arrives, but then again, we wouldn't want to be footing the bill for the stay, either.
Roomlinx launches In-Room Media & Entertainment solution for hotels
Though it doesn't sound as if Roomlinx's In-Room Media & Entertainment solution will be utilized at The Water Club, we'd sure love to see it (or something similar) installed in as many hotel chains as possible. Customizable for specific hotels, resorts, and timeshare properties, this system provides guests with a host of entertainment and interactive services courtesy of a Windows-based media console, wireless keyboard / remote and a mysterious 32-inch HDTV. Unfortunately, there's no word on where exactly these systems will be headed in the near future, but we're mildly satisfied just knowing they're out there, somewhere.
The Water Club hotel signs up for HD IPTV and HD VOD
Continuing the trend of high-class hotels having a thing for high-definition is The Water Club, a signature hotel by Borgata which is set to open its doors this summer in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The $600 million master plan development will feature 800 rooms and suites, each of which will have access to free-to-guest IPTV with HD service. Additionally, patrons can look forward to an unspecified allotment of HD VOD, and if you're curious as to what they'll be enjoying said content on, a 40-inch Sony LCD TV is the answer. The 100-percent digital Guest-Tek OneView Media HD system will reportedly utilize a set-top-box that supports MPEG2, MPEG4-AVC and VC-1, and while this all sounds mighty delightful, we've no clue how many Benjamins you'll be laying down (per night) to experience this yourself. A look inside is waiting after the jump.
Hotels being upgraded / converted en masse, HDTVs included
Those used to seeing an AmeriSuites hotel in the Crosswoods area of Columbus, Ohio may be wondering where it went. Reportedly, the hotel has been converted into a Hyatt Place in an attempt to "to reach a younger audience," and it's far from being the only one. Hyatt Corp. has been on somewhat of an upgrading rampage as it converts and upgrades a number of hotels to cater to the demanding traveler, spending around "$32,000 per room on Hyatt Place conversions." That cash is purportedly being used in order to add such niceties as wireless internet, large sofa sleepers, wet bars and most importantly, 42-inch flat-panel TVs with 11 channels of high-definition programming. Talk about home away from home.
aloft to open two fanciful Indian hotels in 2010, HDTVs included
We've seen a number of US hotel developments including those four delightful letters (that would be HDTV, for the uninitiated), but now a pair of options in India should enable those traveling to Chennai and Bangalore to enjoy such high-resolution niceties. aloft hotels has recently announced plans to partner up with Urbanedge Hotels Private Limited to open up a hotel in the two aforementioned areas, both of which will supposedly open in 2010. aloft Chennai is slated to feature 140 guest rooms while aloft Bangalore will include 170, and both locations will tout WiFi and the ability to connect cellphones, DAPs and other gadgetry to an unspecified "large flat-panel HDTV." Sounds like a visit is in order in just a few years, no?[Image courtesy of Hotel-Online]
East Memphis Embassy Suites getting facelift, two HDTVs per room
Those planning any future trips to Tennessee should put the East Memphis Embassy Suites atop their list for lodging, as each of the 220 guest rooms will soon house not one, but two LCD HDTVs. Reportedly, the $3.5 million renovation project will get underway next month, and when every single room is "completely gutted and remodeled," each one will boast new furniture, new kitchenettes and new carpet. Sadly, there's no mention of how many high-definition channels will be available, but it is notable that the aforementioned changes were put into place due to "guest preferences learned through surveys." HDTVs being expected in hotels? Absolutely.
Thompson Lower East Side hotel getting HDTV
We're sure it'll come as no surprise to anyone who has been keeping an eye on the progress of Thompson Hotels' forthcoming Lower East Side, but nevertheless, the five-star facility will indeed boast HDTV. Announced today, RCN has signed a multi-year deal to provide digital cable TV and high-definition services to all 140 guest rooms of the new hotel, which is set to open in Manhattan, New York in early 2008. Notably, we're not told whether any sort of HD VOD will be included, but the tricky part will be affording a single night stay to personally find out.
Hyatt's Plug Panel opens new world of connectivity to 42-inch HDTV
Hyatt Place has always had a soft spot for the traveling HD junkie, and it's reiterating said point by introducing a new Plug Panel in all of its rooms. Reportedly, the company is aiming to equip each guest room with a 42-inch HDTV by the year's end, and with that will come an integrated panel that allows patrons to plug in a myriad devices for big-screen interaction. The panel will readily accept a component input (with stereo audio), VGA / HDMI cables, audio via a 3.5-millimeter jack and the obligatory composite input. Additionally, each plate will be equipped with twin AC outlets, and just in case you'd overlooked it, each set will be able to receive 11 high-definition options. Looks like your travel plans just got a lot firmer, eh?
Phantom Entertainment returns, aims to infiltrate hotel rooms
Those terribly saddened by the recent drought of Phantom Entertainment news now have something to celebrate, as the current king of vaporware has seemingly inked an utterly worthless marketing agreement with ProGames Network to "place the Lapboard and Phantom Game Service content in [select] hotels." Reportedly, the two have agreed to place Phantom's not-yet-available wares into hotels found in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia (fancy, huh?), but to no one's surprise, neither firm mentions a target launch date.
Pricey Galactic Suite space hotel aims for 2012 opening
Believe it or not, booking a hotel in space may become a reality sooner rather than later, and if things go as planned, the Galactic Suite will actually be welcoming in guests sans gravity in just five short years. Folks who make the trip will be able to "see the sun rise 15 times a day and use Velcro suits to crawl around their rooms by sticking themselves to the walls," and while spas with floating water sure sounds like something we'd be interested in, the nightly fees are quite literally out of this world. How much? Try $4 million for a three-day stay -- better bring your camera, eh?[Via PCWorld, image courtesy of MSNBC]
Tangerine Global launches five new HD channels for hotels
Travelers looking for only the finest amenities when globetrotting should phone up any prospective hotels and ask if they carry the Tangerine Global lineup, as it just got five channels deeper and a whole lot more enticing. Apparently aiming at five-star locales that sport high-definition televisions in the guest rooms, these new alternatives could potentially spruce up your late night viewing if you're interested in the less-than-mainstream. Tangerine Green HD, Alive HD, Palate HD, Drive HD, and Adorn HD each present unique, niche content that touch fancies such as technology, health, food, vehicles, and style. If those Independence Day plans are still up in the air, be sure you find yourself in a Mandarin Oriental or Peninsula hotel (among others) -- just make sure you leave the room every now and then, cool?
Experimental space hotel hurtled into orbit
Although we're not quite ready to pony up for a ticket to space just yet, billionaire Robert Bigelow is thinking way into the future by trialing a space hotel. Dubbed Genesis II, the inflatable module could eventually be used as a "hotel in space" or double as a manned space station, and considering that it only inflates once it settles in orbit, the cost of launching is substantially decreased. The experimental craft was successfully launched on board a Russian rocket, and has since established communications and "beamed back a series of images of its expanding solar panels." This endeavor is just the beginning, however, as Bigelow envisions a "full-scale space hotel" to be named Nautilus, and if you're interested in helping out (and making $50 million on the side), you've got three years to "design a craft capable of carrying five people to a height of 250 miles."[Image courtesy of Bigelow Aerospace]
