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Caribe Royale Orlando and Buena Vista Hotel renovate, add HDTVs
Thinking of heading to Central Florida? If so, you should probably keep both the Caribe Royale Orlando All-Suites Hotel and the Buena Vista Suites Hotel in mind when traveling on down (or up, we guess). The pair has just announced a $25 million upgrade that will begin on both properties in August, and you can bet the two are getting more than a good spraying of air freshener. Visitors who check in May 2009 / late 2008, respectively, will see all new carpet, drapes, furniture, and best of all, a 42-inch flat-screen HDTV in the living room. Oh, and there's the 37-inch HDTV in the bedroom -- that's pretty appealing, too. Pack your bags!
P Hotel and Spa picks SuiteLinq for in-room interactive services
Headed up to Happy Valley to catch one of the greatest spectacles in all of college sports later this decade? If so, The P Hotel and Spa has a room with your name on it. The recently planned luxury condominium hotel (slated to open in early 2009), which is located in State College, Pennsylvania, is aimed squarely at "upscale alumni and football fans that frequent the Penn State University Campus," and the in-room amenities are looking quite nice. Each of the 100 suites will boast a large-screen HDTV as well as interactive content and broadband internet via SuiteLinq. Guests can expect "a variety of on-demand entertainment," and while a specific layout of high-def options weren't detailed, we know those Nittany Lions fans won't accept post-game highlights in anything other than HD.
LodgeNet bringing HDTV / broadband to Loews Hotels
Look out, avid travelers -- LodgeNet is at it again. After announcing that it would bring HD to 17,000 hotel rooms in early 2007, the company is now talking up an agreement with Loews Hotels. The deal will bring a comprehensive HDTV and broadband internet solution to US and Canadian Loews properties, meaning that 8,000 rooms across all 18 Loews hotels will be upgraded. Guests who find themselves in one of these venues for the night will soon be enjoying HD movies and TV, video-on-demand and the DirecTV Sports package to boot. Unfortunately, there's no word as to when the new services will be implemented, but the sooner the better, we say.
MGM Grand at Foxwoods to utilize TV-to-Internet advertising platform
As the media giants look for more creative ways to snag our attention even for just a brief moment, Horizon Media is partnering with Backchannelmedia to introduce an all new method at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods, which opens on May 17th. Hailed as the "first ever" of its kind, the TV-to-Internet click-through advertising platform will enable viewers to point and click at icons / links / etc. on their TV screen with their remote. Upon doing so, their broadband connected PC will be directed to a related website where the viewer can learn more about a product or actually make a purchase. We're also told that WCVB-DT (ABC) Channel 5 in Boston will be the first broadcast TV station to sign on and utilize the technology, but there's no mention of other stations following suit. We'll admit, the idea is pretty ingenious, but whether or not it'll actually work as advertised (ahem) remains to be seen.[Via TVWeek]
Jamaica's The Palmyra Resort & Spa opening with cable HDTV
Looking for something a bit more elegant than just another hotel? If you've been toying with the idea of shipping yourself off to Jamaica this fall for a nice dose of R&R, you may want to put The Palmyra Resort & Spa on your short list. After all, you can't make it a whole week without a little high-resolution action, right? Said venue is being launched by the former president of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Horst Schulze, and aside from luxurious amenities throughout the place, you can expect 299 well-appointed guest rooms with HDTVs, "cable HDTV" (that's programming, we presume) and high-speed internet. Sound too good to enjoy for just a week? Call these guys up -- you can buy yourself a private residence if you've got the scratch.
Ten best technology-infused hotels in Chicago get listed
Considering the absolute mess that O'Hare International is, we'd wager that you'll end up there a time or two on business or pleasure ventures. If so, chances are you'll be anxious to tune into a bit of HDTV after a long day in the Windy City. The Chicago Tribune has taken the liberty of breaking down the top ten best tech hotels Chi-town has to offer, and unsurprisingly, Hyatt properties -- you know, those with the Plug Panel -- were ranked quite highly. Additionally, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago is currently undergoing a pricey technology renovation that will be completed in 2009, and while it's not mentioned (could have something to do with all those construction workers still in the bathrooms), we'd imagine the Chicagoland aloft will hit the list next July.
aloft Dulles-North hotel sets sights on November opening
Just in case the recently revamped Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center isn't close enough to all the action for you, aloft is getting set to bring its traditionally modern style to a new hotel in Ashburn, Virginia. The 136-room aloft Dulles-North is merely minutes away from the Dulles International Airport, and besides being near a plethora of shopping and dining options, it also offers each guest free WiFi, their own flat-panel HDTV and a "one-stop connectivity" panel for interfacing with gizmos in tow. No word on just how pricey a night in this place will be, but you can find out for yourself starting on November 6th
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center: now with HDTVs in every room
Ever wonder what a $6.2 million renovation can do? It'll buy 284 32-inch LCD HDTVs, that's for sure. At the Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland, that's exactly what has been added to its guest rooms, and all eleven floors have now been refreshed with the oh-so-useful "plug-in panel" that enables patrons to sync up their travel gadgetry with the in-room flat-panel. You'll also find wireless internet and more HDTVs in the lobby downstairs, and the free on-site parking makes you feel as if you're much further away from D.C. than just a half hour.
HDTV-stocked aloft hotel coming to Jacksonville, Florida
Not planning on heading to the Windy City just to check out one of those fanciful new aloft hotels? How's about Jacksonville, Florida? Sure enough, one of the aforementioned hotels is heading to the Sunshine State, and it's slated to include 136 HDTV-equipped guest rooms when it welcomes guests in next January. Aimed at "youthful-minded travelers," the building is being constructed with a number of "intuitive technologies and atmospheric public spaces." aloft Jacksonville Airport, as it'll properly be known, will be located just minutes away from JAX and under a half-hour from the downtown area. No word on HDTV programming that'll be available nor nightly rates, but it won't be long now before you can find out in person.
Trump's Las Vegas Hotel / Tower gets Cox HDTV, LG LCDs
Earlier this year, we heard that Trump's New York Hotel & Tower would be showing its guests with all sorts of IPTV goodies; now, we've learned that The Donald's Las Vegas counterpart will be fetching services from Cox Communications. The two have worked together in order to deploy a triple-play solution, giving the hotel voice, video and data services from the same provider. To the patron, this means that a host of HD channels / VOD material will be available on the 42-inch / 32-inch LG LCD HDTVs (located in the bedroom and living room) and the 19-inch LG flat-panel in the bathroom. In case you're hoping to get connected, each room will also have Ethernet jacks as well as 802.11a/b/g WiFi access. As for paying your tab for the week? Let's just say we hope the slots treat you right.
Philips' VTrack watermarks content recorded with camcorders
Certainly not the first watermarking scheme we've seen of late, Philips has introduced a new method that it hopes will thwart any plan to snag sensitive PPV material and distribute it illegally on the intarnetz. The VTrack solution, set to debut at NAB Show, is aimed at hoteliers who enjoy offering up PPV films well before the DVD release date. The company will be integrating the technology -- which makes content captured via camcorder traceable -- into its 26-, 32-, 37- and 42-inch HDTVs, and if someone does set up their own bootlegging studio and then share it with everyone on the web, content owners can unearth the time, date and location of the deed. In Soviet Russia (and hotels with Philips sets), content watches you.
Acentic Panorama HD-ready platform ready for five-star hotels
For those traveling to select parts of Europe (on the company's dime, of course), you may get to enjoy an all new entertainment delivery system if you're greeted with Acentic's Panorama. The high-end platform is aimed squarely at five-star lodging facilities and promises to deliver "in-room digital broadcast, on-demand and interactive TV services in hotels." Aside from boasting a new graphical user interface, the HD-ready system enables guests to access content on the web, check out on-demand material and tune into hundreds of broadcast TV channels with the "use of the DVB-C standard and support for IP applications." As of now, Panorama is already entertaining patrons at Arora International's Sofitel London Heathrow, and it should be deployed soon to the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour and The Cavendish London.
aloft opening HDTV-equipped hotel in Chicagoland
Sure, a trio of aloft hotels opening halfway across the world is fine and dandy, but how's about getting one right here in the US of A? Sure enough, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced plans to construct an aloft facility in the outskirts of Chicago -- Bolingbrook to be precise. The venue is slated to house 155 guest rooms and be located in The Promenade on the Windy City's southwest side. Of course, each room will feature wireless internet and a smattering of connectivity options all linked into a flat-panel HDTV. Unfortunately, it'll be July of 2009 before you can check in for a night or two, but at least you know where to steer your travel plans if heading this way.
aloft bringing luxurious hotel to Abu Dhabi
Nah, it won't be open for guests before this year's GITEX conference kicks off just down the way in Dubai, but Starwood Hotels & Resorts is moving forward with plans to erect its first aloft hotel in the anxious-for-HD Middle East. If you'll recall, two such venues are slated to open their doors in India just two short years from now, but the one pictured above should be completed in Q4 of 2009. Aside from being right in the heart of the Capital Center, every last guest room will include WiFi and an entertainment center packed with a flat-panel HDTV and a selection of ports in order to link up gear that patrons may have on hand. Of course, it still won't hold a candle to the mighty Burj Al Arab, but it'll keep HD junkies from going into withdrawals while out on business / vacation, for sure.
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]
