Forget using an iPad 2 to connect to a hotel's services. At the Hotel Monteleone, all you need to get keyed in is your smartphone. The hotel has started a new Mobile Passport program that will give you access to your reservation—including room type, confirmation number, arrival/departure dates and room number—as well as e-concierge services from your iPhone or Android.

The way it works is that upon booking a reservation at the Hotel Monteleone, leave your email address. Then you'll receive a confirmation email and a personalized link to the Mobile Passport so you can start planning your stay right away. ]]> Jennifer Kester 2011-06-02T15:48:37-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/4/18/11711/6072

Earth Day is Friday, and if you are looking to mark the occasion, you can spend the night at a hotel. A number of hotels are joining in the eco-friendly celebration and are offering everything from organic meals to special spa packages to green-themed kiddie crafts.

Check out what three hotels are doing for Earth Day after the jump.]]> Jennifer Kester 2011-04-18T12:57:00-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/6/2/43237/24528

Grande dames may seem like the epitome of sophistication, but as Dame Elizabeth Taylor can attest, they all need a nip and tuck to stay current. So it's about time for New Orleans' grande dame, the Hotel Monteleone, to get a makeover.

Updates on the renowned Carousel Bar—its circular bar is tucked under a lit-up canopy that looks like it was stolen from the local children's carousel—started yesterday and are estimated to take place over the next several months. But you don't have to worry about missing out on the bar's famous drinks, since service will continue through construction. The renovations will add more seating to the bar and expand the entertainment areas. ]]> Jennifer Kester 2010-06-02T09:52:34-05:00 29.9542190 -90.068219 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/4/16/92338/3900 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/4sqday416.jpg" class="top"><p> Today is the <b>First Annual Foursquare Day!</b> Yes, the newest social media darling already has its own "day"! You can learn more about the Foursquare Day (aka "4sqDay") movement by reading its <a href="http://blog.4sqday.com/">blog</a> but what we're most excited about are the specials that hotels are offering Foursquare users for checking in on 4sqDay. <p>But don't get your hopes up too high. Most of these specials are simply food and beverage discounts and not any room rate deals. But hey, it is Friday so think of it as a way to get drunk faster. <p>For example in Chicago, at the <a href="http://foursquare.com/venue/2245152">Four Points Chicago Downtown Mag Mile</a> if you check-in (in the Foursquare sense) you can receive juliana 2010-04-16T10:31:19-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/10/19/11023/581 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/hweenkitty.jpg" class="top"><p> It's the most wonderful time of the year--<a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/halloween hotels"><b>Halloween</b></a>! Even better, our favorite holidays falls on a weekend this year so you can celebrate both Mischief Night and Halloween without having to deal with a hangover at work the next day. Although we can't promise you that your coworkers won't show up in witch, cat and devil costumes on Friday anyways. <p>If you're planning on taking your costumes to another city this Halloween, we've put together a list of five hotels that are close enough to the scary action in town but at which you can still get a good night's sleep. After all, who really wants to sleep in a room haunted by ghosts or juliana 2009-10-19T16:03:40-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/