http://www.hotelchatter.com/ Hotel Reviews, Hotel Ratings, Hotel Openings en-us Copyright 2008 - SFO Media 2013-06-19T10:56:39Z HotelChatter HotelChatter http://www.hotelchatter.com/images/hcwhite.jpg http://www.hotelchatter.com/ http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2013/6/17/142131/224 <![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/98243/FSWD061.jpg" class="top"> <p> Well, color us surprised. <b>Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World</b> might still be a year away from opening, but hot on the heels of its GM <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2013/6/6/155423/9189/hotels/Who's_Going_Where_and_Doing_What_in_the_Hotel_Industry%3A_June_2013">appointment</a>, the apparent interest in the 434-room <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2013/2/5/155328/8491/hotels/Four_Seasons_At_The_Magic_Kingdom_Gets_A_Website">resort</a> is already so significant that a first series of rates for meetings and groups has been released. Talk about planning ahead. <p> We&#146;ll get to those rates in a second, but alongside there&#146;s an indication <strong>what us normal people will be paying to live it up with Mickey.</strong> Unfortunately, the same seems to hold true here as it does for Disney <a href="http://www.jaunted.com/story/2013/6/6/63112/70508/travel/C%27mon+Mickey%3A+Disney+Raises+Theme+Park+Prices+Yet+Again">itself</a> these days: <strong>bring your wallet</strong>. Rooms will start at $595 in September 2014, going up to JasonD 2013-06-18T09:04:21-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2013/6/5/14921/01860 <![CDATA[<P><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/36985/Epic.jpg" class="top"> <p>Now that we know rooftop and terrace season is alive and pippin', we'd be remiss if we didn't address one thing--<strong>these booze-fueled outdoor antics can get pricey.</strong> It seems the higher the floor the bar's located, the more expensive the drink! <br>That's why we decided to head south to that delicious city called Miami where you can find a variety of hotspots showcasing happy hours for a song. Some are rooftop situations, others aren't. The point is you can have a good time without breaking the bank. <p><b>We urge other hoteliers to figure out a way to emulate these four fantastic bars.</b> <p><strong><a href='http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel/local/1636'>EPIC Hotel:</a></strong> <br>This Biscayne Blvd hotel's Area 51 rooftop terrace has a nightly "<strong>Veuve Chanize 2013-06-12T15:54:42-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2013/5/14/155438/432 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/thepearlrosemarybeach.jpg" class="top"><p> All right, so here we go: <b>Apple TV</b> is digging its heels in the hotel industry. <p> When <a href="http://www.thepearlrb.com/"><strong>The Pearl</strong></a>, a 55-room luxury resort, opens in July on Rosemary Beach Florida, it will offer Apple TV in all its rooms. Is it ironic that an establishment on a beautiful stretch of beach is upgrading your television-watching ability? Totally! <p> <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/10/11/865/54362/hotels/Mini_Rant%3A_Is_Hotel_Technology_Killing_the_Art_of_Travel%3F">We've hashed out our torn opinions</a> about the value of in-room technology and its effects on the art of travel, especially when it drives up the room rate, but we do know that there are many travelers who will be quite pleased by this news (some of us included!). For those who've just come out of wakeandwander 2013-05-16T14:01:19-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2013/5/12/194614/803 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/metropolitanresort_econolodge1.jpg" class="top"><p> Say goodbye to the <strong><a href="http://www.orlandometropolitanresort.com/">Metropolitan Resort</a></strong> on International Drive in Orlando. This fall, <strong>it <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2013/05/09/LA10791">will become</a> the world's largest Econo Lodge with a "whopping" 297 rooms.</strong> <p> A small part of us chuckles that the world's largest Econo Lodge will humbly boast under 300 rooms, but we suppose it's a nice step for the typically small motel chain as far as novelty goes. Perhaps more important than the size of the property is the <b>extra perks that are not normally seen at Econo Lodges such as an on-site delicatessen and free in-room Wi-Fi, coffee makers, refrigerators, and ironing boards.</b> It will also have a partnership with the adjacent YMCA Aquatic Center, allowing guests free access wakeandwander 2013-05-13T12:36:31-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2013/4/6/214319/4979 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/113893/pestana_south_beach_pool.jpg" class="top"><p> The <strong><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel/local/5333">Pestana South Beach Art Deco Hotel</a></strong> opened this morning in Miami where the old Hotel Milejan used to be (don't we sound like your grandparents?), <b>becoming the first Portuguese-owned hotel to open in the States.</b> The property offers 97 rooms and suites throughout four historically preserved Art Deco buildings, a retro cafe (see photo below) and a pool bar set on a 1940&#146;s inspired patio with an outdoor pool (see above). <p> Pestana picked South Beach for the location of its initial US property because of the area's existing reputation and popularity among its current clients in Europe and South America. <p> &#147;North America is a very attractive and strategic market for the Group Pestana. wakeandwander 2013-04-08T11:55:20-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/