HotelChatter - djk

Hotel News Briefs :: Everyone Wants to Be a Hotelier These Days

Jenna — 2008-09-04T16:53:25-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/househotel_lame.png" class="imgborder">· <a href="http://www.nysun.com/real-estate/to-make-ends-meet-more-risk-eviction-to-run-hotels/85183/">New Yorkers Are Running "Hotels" from Apartments</a>: Risking eviction, more and more New Yorkers are making some extra dough by running makeshift hotels out of their apartments. They're essentially making money off of someone else's property, but the $50 to $150 a night rates hold an appeal for guests because they are certainly cheaper than most alternatives. [NY Sun]· <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/09/144_30572.html">JW Marriott Seoul to Get a Makeover</a>: Is Seoul the new hip hotspot for cool hotels? The JW Marriott Seoul is all set to undergo a $13 million renovation. [Korea Times]· <a href="http://curbed.com/archives/2008/09/04/construction_watch_on_the_down_low_at_the_standard.php">The Standard NYC is Nowhere Near Finished</a>: Curbed has photos of the Standard NYC's current status -- and it's nowhere near finished. Still, they'll

Los Angeles: Hotel Happenings :: "Tea Time" at Hotel Palomar Westwood's BLVD 16

juliana — 2008-09-04T16:25:06-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/teatimeblvd16.jpg" class="imgborder">We all know that <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Kimpton%20Hotels">Kimpton Hotels</a> love their daily wine and cheese-tasting hours in the lobby, but have you ever wanted something a little stronger, a little more fulfilling?Well, if you're staying at the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Hotel+Palomar+Westwood/local/1148">Hotel Palomar Westwood</a> in Los Angeles, then you're in luck.The hotel's excellent BLVD 16 restaurant just announced a Happy Hour from 4-7pm where diners can score select items from the bar menu at 50 percent off. Such items include Marinated Olives, Wild Mushroom Crostini, Crispy Local Calamari, Herb Kennebec Fries, Summertime Tempura, and Charcuterie.The restaurant/bar is also serving new "Special-Teas" cocktails at $6 a piece.And because of the tea-fusion cocktails, the restaurant is calling their Happy Hour "Tea Time." Ha! While we

200 Starwood Hotels In China by 2011 (100 Hotels is Sooo Last Month)

AndrewC — 2008-09-04T16:01:23-05:00

<![CDATA[ <img align="right" src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/Starwood_logo_white.JPG" class="imgborder"> Ok, so after we wrote about <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Starwood%20Hotels">Starwood Hotels</a> announcing their <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/8/5/31440/29763/hotels/Starwood_Continues_World_Takeover_with_100th_China_Hotel">100th hotel</a> in China, HC member bangerang <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/comments/2008/8/5/31440/29763/1#1">commented</a> by saying he still doesn't believe that Starwood will reach that goal. Well, bangerang, we hate to break it to you (and all those other Starwood Hotels & Resorts doubters), but 100 Starwood hotels in China is sooo last month. On Monday, an article in the <a href="http://www.hotelsmag.com/articleXML/LN844576108.html?nid=3457&rid=839694676">South China Morning Post</a> quoted a Starwood official who said they are expecting to have 200 hotels in China by 2011. Most of these additional developments are occuring in seaside destinations throughout the country. Apparently Starwood never expected the economy in China to

Hilton Garden Inn Lands in Costa Rica

Jenna — 2008-09-04T15:58:59-05:00

<![CDATA[<img align="right" src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/hgi_costarica.jpg" class="imgborder"> We love <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Hilton%20Garden%20Inns">Hilton Garden Inns</a>. The experiences we've had with most of the new HGI's over the last couple of years -- the big, fluffy beds, the flatscreens and the overall chic look of the newer properties -- always makes us feel clean and comfortable no matter where we are. Now, some people may frown upon flying outside of your home country and staying at an American big-box chain hotel the same way they may frown upon an American forgoing the local cuisine to stop into McDonald's while abroad, but we'd totally consider staying in an HGI wherever we went because they're clean and consistent and affordable and just nice. Needless to say, we were

The HotelChatter Guide to Great Hotel Sex

Jenna — 2008-09-04T14:56:40-05:00

The HotelChatter Guide to Great Hotel Sex

Ever had totally crappy sex in a hotel? Sometimes it's your partner's fault (and sometimes it's yours -- lay off the whiskey, friend), but there are always aspects of your sexytime experiences that depend largely on the venue.

Whether you're a shady politician, a newlywed on your honeymoon or just a horny hotel guest lookin' to pick up a stranger in the lobby bar, we've put together a list of criteria to look for to help you determine if your hotel is the right place for your sensual rendezvous.

· The Room
· The Amenities
· The Bathroom
· The Common Areas
· The Linens