http://www.hotelchatter.com/ Hotel Reviews, Hotel Ratings, Hotel Openings en-us Copyright 2008 - SFO Media 2012-02-14T08:52:27Z HotelChatter HotelChatter http://www.hotelchatter.com/images/hcwhite.jpg http://www.hotelchatter.com/ http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/7/14/155848/428 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/stregisbahiabahia.jpg" class="top"><p> We're sorry to ruin your Friday with this story about an outrageously expensive hotel fee but we feel you just had to know, especially if you were considering booking a stay at the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+St.+Regis+Bahia+Beach+Resort/local/4755"><b>St. Regis Bahia Bahia</b></a> in Puerto Rico.<p>A prospective guest and tipster emailed us the description of the <b>$60 resort fee</b> which is found on the hotel's <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/property/overview/announcements.html?propertyID=1961#policy12">website:</a> <blockquote><p>Guest will be charged $60 USD daily for a resort charge inclusive of tax. This includes: toll-free and local phone calls, high-speed wireless Internet access in public areas and guest rooms, a welcome cocktail amenity in each room upon arrival, beach and pool services including beach umbrellas, ice cold water &#147;spritzing&#148;, frozen grapes, electronic books juliana 2011-07-15T09:15:05-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/9/21/121030/731 <![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/32083/granmeliabeach.jpg" class="top"><p> <p><i>Clear skies above the Gran Meliá resort offer ideal conditions for stargazing</i> <p>You say Ursa Major, I say Ursa Minor; let's call the whole thing off. Actually, don't, especially not if you're stargazing in Puerto Rico. The country's <b><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Gran+Melia+Puerto+Rico/local/1105">Gran Meliá</a></b> resort is capitalizing on its remote location to push a vacation activity that Copernicus would have approved of: <b>star spotting (and we're not talking the Hollywood variety) and astronomy lessons on the beach</b> with an expert to point out everything from Cassiopeia to Orion, and everything in between. <p>Gran Meliá is a decidedly anti-urban resort that has largely built its reputation on being "green." Located a short drive away from San Juan, the hotel has banned Heidi Atwal 2009-09-21T14:01:08-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/8/12/24750/6796 <![CDATA[<p><i>We can't promise you this pool will have empty lounge chairs when you get there.</i><p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/wyndhamriopool.jpg" class="top"><p> Here's a status update you won't mind getting on your Facebook news feed: <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Rio+Mar+Beach+Resort+%26+Spa+-+A+Wyndham+Grand+Resort/ian/174527"><b>Wyndham's Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa</b></a> in Puerto Rico is giving its FB fans 40 percent off on stays during August and September. <p>Sign up on its <a href="http://www.facebook.com/wyndhamriomar">Facebook page</a> and you'll get a room for $119 per night. The deal can be booked through Aug. 31 by calling (866) 624-7926; just be sure to mention the fan discount. The fine print is that rates are subject to availability, blackout dates may apply and, obvs, you must be an FB fan. <p>There's a lot to be a fan Jennifer Kester 2009-08-12T09:29:33-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/3/10/15213/3532 <![CDATA[<embed src="http://services.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1321361467" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1447922213&playerId=1321361467&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://services.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="400" height="339" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed> <p><br> The <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Gran+Melia+Puerto+Rico/local/1105"><b>Gran Melia Puerto Rico</b></a> is a bit isolated, but hey, that is what many island goers are looking for. While you won't find the all night antics of San Juan right outside your door, you will find ping pong, pool, kid size chess, beautiful. Oh, and forgive us for the shaky walking, no, no one was drinking. <p> <b>Location:</b><br> Northeast of the island, between San Juan and Fujardo. You are going to need a car if you stay here and want to explore the island. Coco Beach is nearby, but for everything else you will have to drive down to the highway and drive the markj 2008-03-10T16:16:45-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2007/1/23/104247/392 <![CDATA[<p><b>[Ed. Note: This is the Bad Rate in our Good Rate/Bad Rate feature. This rate was valid on January 23, 2007 and is subject to change. Enjoy.]</b><p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/westin_bad_prico.jpg" class="imgborder"/><p>There's a little secret in the lodging industry that when a hotel announces the completion of some multi-million dollar renovation, you'll soon be paying for that fancy new "Balinese-inspired spa" whether you use it or not. Apparently guests of the renovated <a href="http://www.westinriomar.com/home.html"><b>Westin Rio Mar</b></a> in Puerto Rico will <i>really</i> be paying for it--to the tune of $509 per night. <p>If you thought an escape to Puerto Rico would be a way to get a Caribbean deal without getting a passport, well, let's say you'd be better off going to a Westin Tim L. 2007-01-23T11:06:52-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/