Happy sailing: The Queen Mary 2 is among the cruise ships that caters to meetings. Credit: KMJ.
By Mark Chesnut
For most travelers, cruises bring to mind things like a Caribbean vacation or family travel, not a business trip. But today’s increasingly high-tech cruise ships can be ideal settings for corporate and organizational meetings, conferences and private events. (more…)
Special Edition: Marriott's sole Edition property is in Istanbul for now, but growth is in store.
By Mark Chesnut
It’s taken a while, but Marriott International’s Edition brand, the so-called lifestyle hotel chain developed in conjunction with hotelier Ian Schrager, is getting ready to grow. As a result, travelers will soon have new options when choosing New York hotels or planning a Miami vacation. (more…)
Reading room: the Taschen Library at the Trump Soho Hotel in New York City.
By Mark Chesnut
Sure, ebooks have made it easier for travelers to bring all the reading material they need when on the road. But a growing number of luxury hotels have introduced their own stylish collection of coffee table books and even business books — so whether you’re planning a Mexico vacation or hopping among New York hotels, you can find a worthy alternative to that well-traveled iPad. (more…)
Connectivity: an in-airport sample of the Lobby Zone at the Courtyard by Marriott Chicago O'Hare.
By Mark Chesnut
Travel isn’t what it used to be, and neither are hotel lobbies. Among the latest examples of the evolution of lobby design is Courtyard by Marriott, which has introduced a new concept for its public spaces, in what the company says is a reflection of changes in how people want to experience hotels. (more…)
Fall for Autumn: London's rustic hues near Tower Bridge. Credit: az1172.
by Kristin Dillon
While crowds flock to the picturesque towns of New England for fall vacations, international cities unwind a notch to render local character (and cheap hotel rates). From the Salon du Chocolat in Paris to fall foliage in Central Park, see what the harvest yields among the panoply of peep in London, Paris and New York City. (more…)
Roman profile: The Boscolo Palace Roma is a new member of Marriott's Autograph Collection.
By Mark Chesnut
The Autograph Collection, Marriott International’s new brand of independently named and owned hotels designed to suit the needs of business travel and upscale family travel and vacations, is adding six more hotels, bringing the total count now to 26.
The new brand, which launched in 2010, gives travelers access to a variety of independent luxury hotels even as they maintain loyalty to Marriott’s guest program. (more…)
Grand entrance: The new facade at Le Meridien Barcelona
By Mark Chesnut
Business travelers as well as anyone planning a Europe vacation can get a peek at an artistic new lobby concept unveiled by Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts, when they check into the Le Meridien Barcelona.
The new lobby concept, called Le Meridien Hub, debuted in Barcelona in June and is to be introduced in the coming months at all of the brand’s hotels; the next property slated for the conversion is the Le Meridien Istanbul, in November. (more…)
Fast forward: Check-in kiosks at the Yotel in New York City.
By Mark Chesnut
Whether you’re heading out on business or enjoying a Europe vacation or New York vacation, you’re more likely than ever to find technology playing a role in making your hotel stay go smoothly. But looking to the airline industry may provide the clearest vision of how hotels will operate in the future.
As with seemingly every aspect of modern life, smartphones are an increasingly helpful resource during hotel stays. Ritz-Carlton, for example, now offers its World Concierge service on Foursquare, the location-based mobile program. Using a smartphone, travelers can now check into locations and landmarks in 25 countries for tips provided by Ritz-Carlton concierge staff from all 75 Ritz-Carlton properties. (more…)
Celebrity Silhouette takes its maiden voyage from Hamburg, Germany, on July 23.
By Kim Windyka
The latest in the Solstice class of cruise ships, the Celebrity Silhouette finally reveals herself on July 23 for her 7-night inaugural sailing through Europe from Hamburg, Germany. The ship offers a twist on all of the unique features that past cruisers on the fleet have come to know and love, along with some exciting offerings that they’ve never seen before.
The Hilton McLean shows off Hilton's new lobby concept.
By Mark Chesnut
Hilton is in growth mode. And that means new hotel options for travelers around the world, with new properties debuting in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the United States.
Among the latest openings are the Hilton Bodrum Resort & Spa in Turkey, the Hilton Windhoek Hotel in Namibia and the Hilton Queenstown Hotel in New Zealand. Also new is the Hilton New York Fashion District, which opened in February as Hilton’s fifth New York City hotel, as a rebranding of the former Fashion 26 hotel. (more…)
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