What Are The Hottest Hotel Amenities Right Now?
Hotel & Resort Ryan Rudnansky October 23, 2014

PHOTO: The Benjamin's extensive pillow selection (Courtesy of The Benjamin Facebook page)
Guests can be pretty picky at times.
Hoteliers know this all too well.
But the best hotels not only cater to the usual demands from guests, but also surprise guests with out-of-this-world complimentary amenities and services, from a complimentary food and beverage cart to authentic experiences to offerings that encourage a healthy and happy lifestyle.
And for those who want to spend a little extra, you’d be amazed at some of the luxurious services that are out there across this wondrous planet these days.
Here are hotel amenities and services around the world that deserve attention. And don’t forget to take photos of your experiences, as well.
Hyatt Palm Springs: Wow Cart
So much for paying $4 for a bottle of water via the in-room mini-bar.
The recently re-launched Hyatt Palm Springs features a “Wow Cart” that rolls by each guest room from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. delivering complimentary items including bottled water, soft drinks, fresh cookies, whole fruit, bite-sized candies, ice, cups and utensils and napkins.
Guests now camp by their room doors for holiday treats. Better than that strange man in a red suit who always crashes down your chimney.
Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten: Free Authentic Experience
The largest resort on the Dutch side of St. Maarten Island, Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten—courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts—delivers a fun guest experience every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The extravaganza includes a showcase of local artists’ work, live fusion Caribbean music and “mocktails,” or cocktails with a twist such as Virgin Daiquiris and Guavaberry Coladas.
It’s part of the Westin brand’s commitment to providing a truly authentic experience and connecting guests with the local people.
Of course, the gorgeous surrounding tropical scenery is included in the experience.
Hotel Wilshire and Hotel Palomar, Kimpton Hotels, Los Angeles: Health and Wellness
Given the ever-popular health and wellness movement, it makes sense that two L.A. hotels by the beach—where people are usually in pretty darn good shape—would offer extras that encourage exercise and healthy eating and drinking.
Hotel Wilshire and Hotel Palomar feature complimentary bike rentals for cruises down the boardwalk, as well as walking maps.
The hotels also boast an in-room yoga service that includes yoga mats, props, fruit-infused water and dried fruits and nuts.
The Kimpton properties even hold a “Social Hour” from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. complete with complimentary wine and cocktails (hey, fitness freaks also need to have a little fun, too).
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach: Tanning Butler
For those of you who aren’t incredibly tan and are tired of peeling like a ripe tomato every time you go out into the sun for 30 minutes (for those of you who are tan, get over yourselves), it may interest you that the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach features a tanning butler.
This tanning butler walks around the pool deck and beach area providing Evian facial sprays and a variety of sun-tanning products while even obliging to clean your sunglasses for you.
No more pretending you’re tan while hiding your farmer’s tan under a T-shirt. No more panning South Beach only to realize everyone looks more tan and beautiful than you do.
It’s time to treat yourself to some complimentary luxury. By the time you get back home, your friends and family won’t recognize you, thinking you are one of the latest hotshot celebrities that flips their hair back awesomely and wears cool shades.
Great Wolf Lodge: Free Photo Book
Photo albums are great for capturing moments you never want to forget (your grandma already knows this; you’ve seen the same photo albums every time you’ve visited her for the last 10 years).
Great Wolf Lodge also knows this, which is why every Great Wolf Lodge in the United States leaves a card in guests’ rooms to turn in for a free 20-page Shutterfly photo book.
Upon returning home, just visit the Shutterfly Great Wolf Lodge Photo Book website, enter the code from the card and begin uploading the photos you took during your stay.
You can capture little Billy’s expression the first time he saw the water park, or little Sally’s laughter, or Aunt Emma’s smile, or little Joey’s temper tantrum because the stay at Great Wolf Lodge wasn't long enough…um, we’ll just set that photo aside…
Great Wolf Lodge knows photo albums can last a lifetime. That’s why the Madison company makes it easy for guests to freeze the moments that brought so much joy.
XV Beacon, Boston: Free Lexus Ride
We've all watched one of those game shows where the host exclaims, “You can win a brand new car!” Some of us respond, “Forget owning it. I just want to ride in the darn thing.”
Well, the luxurious boutique XV Beacon in Boston offers a complimentary in-town Lexus courtesy service, so now’s your chance. Ride through the grand city and yell out the window, “I just won a new Lexus!” Or, you could simply enjoy the ride and not yell anything. The choice is yours.
On top of that, XV Beacon also offers a complimentary overnight shoeshine service. Wear your shiny shoes inside the Lexus if you are feeling really adventurous.
Pebble Beach Resorts: Free Kids’ Activities
If you are yearning to experience the California coastline, Pebble Beach Resorts offers a few kid-friendly complimentary services if you purchase the Pebble Beach Explorers Package (valid Nov. 23, 2014-Feb. 28. 2015).
Included in the Pebble Beach Explorers package: a one-night stay at The Inn at Spanish Bay, a scavenger hunt, a children’s holiday welcome gift, complimentary meals at Roy’s and STICKS (children 12 and under), complimentary golf at the par-3 Peter Hay Golf Course (children 12 and under), complimentary tennis at The Spanish Bay Club (children 12 and under) and a complimentary horseback trail ride (children ages 7-12).
The package also offers two-day tickets for the price of one to the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Did I mention kids get to play golf for free in Pebble Beach?
The Hard Rock, Chicago: Free Private Jam Session
That familiar feeling just washed over you again.
That’s right, you want to wail on a guitar and sing at the top of your lungs (it’s a natural human emotion).
Well, if you stay at the Hard Rock, Chicago, a free Fender guitar, floor amp and headphones are provided in-room for your own private jam session…or not-so-private jam if you plan on bringing your professional band/friends along with you.
And if you are just getting into music, just thrash your hair around and strum the guitar vigorously and yell random things and you will fit in just fine.
Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills: Free Lamborghini Ride
Those who have wandered around Los Angeles for long enough have probably caught sight of some pretty cool cars.
Well, at Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, you can be transported around in a Lamborghini Gallardo whenever you like…so there’s that.
Your friends won’t know what’s cooler…the fact that you are riding around in a Lamborghini or the fact that you are staying at the stylish L.A. hotel.
Everyone wants to feel like a celebrity at least once in their lifetime. At Four Seasons Beverly Hills, you have that opportunity.
Disclaimer: There is a speed limit drivers will not exceed: light speed.
The Benjamin, New York: NASA-designed Pillows
If you are a stickler about pillows (only the best pillows for my beautiful head!), then the Benjamin, New York has you covered.
Not only does the Benjamin feature a sleep concierge, one of the sleep concierge’s most popular items is a memory foam pillow... designed by NASA.
If you are unhappy with a pillow designed by NASA, then you may want to get that checked out. There is probably something abnormally wrong with you.
The Benjamin also offers sleep masks, ear plugs, blackout curtains, white noise machines and a lullaby music library. If you are a light sleeper (or simply someone who likes a good night’s sleep), you are going to love the Benjamin. The loudest noises known to man probably won’t wake you with this vast collection of sleep aides at your service.
Bonus: Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman and Four Seasons, Maldives
Granted, the perks at Six Senses Zighy Bay and Four Seasons, Maldives are by no means complimentary, but for luxury-minded guests, you may want to check them out.
At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, your in-room phone rings when manta rays are spotted, at which point you are whisked away by speedboat to snorkel with the rays.
At Six Senses Zighy Bay, to say you make a grand entrance would be an understatement. You actually paraglide into the resort accompanied by a professional.
For more, check out this infographic from Hotels4U.com.
Sponsored Content
-
Caribbean Paradise at Finest Resorts
Promoted by The Excellence Collection -
Plan with a Pro in ’23 and Save up to 70%
Promoted by ALG Vacations -
The Growing Luxury Villa Vacation Market: What to Know and How to Sell to Your Guests
-
Discover Princess Hotels & Resorts for Yourself on a Fam Trip
For more Hotel & Resort News
Comments
You may use your Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook information, including your name, photo & any other personal data you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on TravelPulse.com. Click here to learn more.
LOAD FACEBOOK COMMENTS