HotelChatter

Hotel Amenities / Hotel Grills / Hotel Room Service / Sedona Hotels / → All Tags

Order Up 'In the Raw' at Enchantment Sedona & Get Your Grill On

Where: 525 Boynton Canyon Road [map], Sedona, AZ, United States, 86336

Getting tired of the same ol', same ol' room service options? Cheeseburgers, club sandwiches, caesar salads... yawn? Then, you need to check into Enchantment Resort in Sedona and flip through the menu until you get to the section titled, Tastefully 'In the Raw.'

We had never seen such an option before, but we heartily approve: 'In the Raw' is a selection of barbecue favorites--raw meats--that are delivered to your room, with all the accompaniments, ready to cook.

Your grill is outside on your casita's patio--where it awaits your steak, along with this killer view...

more ›

Reader Reviews / Aloft Hotels / Phoenix Hotels / Airport Hotels / → All Tags

This Guest is High On Aloft Hotels

Where: 4450 East Washington [map], Phoenix, AZ, United States, 85034

We rarely ever get such glowing reviews of a hotel (that aren't planted by a PR person) but this one from a business traveler lady is really, really, really enthusiastic. She writes about a recent stay at the Aloft Hotel by the Phoenix airport:

Omg I love this place! Had to zip in and out of Phoenix for a quick business trip and unfortunately no budget for a great hotel and had to stay close to the airport. What a pleasant surprise! A cool and comfortable hotel that far surpasses your choices in the same price range. Beautiful room layout, fluffy beds, a hip and trendy lobby bar, better than average bathrooms, not to mention wall mounted tvs...... I will definitely be checking out if there are other Alofts when I travel!

Agreed. Aloft is a nice surprise for an airport hotel especially with free WiFi and a lively social scene downstairs. It's not always in the same price range as other airport hotels (sometimes it can be higher) but we found room rates at this Aloft for $124 this weekend, which, FWIW, beats the Courtyard By Marriott by $15.

Love or hate Aloft? Sound off in comments below!

Hotel Openings / Hotel Rebrandings / Hotel News / Hotel Design / JDV Hotels / Scottsdale Hotels / → All Tags

JDV's First Hotel Outside of California, The Saguaro, is Now Open

Where: 4000 N Drinkwater Blvd [map], Scottsdale, AZ, United States, 85251

Fresh off the news that Joie De Vivre Hotels has merged with Thompson Hotels, the California-based hotel collection has just announced the opening of its very first hotel outside of the Golden State--The Saguaro in Scottsdale.

Previously, this hotel was to be called The Drinkwater but the owners changed the name to Saguaro to reflect the hotel's tie to the Southwest region and the experience that will be offered to guests. Also, saguaro is a type of cactus and is prominently featured on the hotel's website and throughout the hotel.

more ›

Hotel Renovations / Hotel Fun / Hotel Events / Sedona Hotels / Auberge Resorts / → All Tags

Do You Look At This Renovation and Think: Opera?

Where: 301 Little Lane [map], Sedona, AZ, United States, 86336

Two years ago, we told you that the $25 million that L'Auberge de Sedona spent on its major renos was a symbolic expense, on account of the resort's 25th anniversary.

But the hotel doesn't stop there with extravagant ways of marking special occasions. Now that the refurb is complete--and to celebrate L'Auberge Sedona being named one of the Top 100 Hotels in the U.S. by our friends at Conde Nast Traveler--the hotel is putting on an opera.

Say what?

Yep, the hotel has teamed up with the Arizona Opera to host 'L’Opéra at L’Auberge' on November 17. The night will include a cocktail reception, fancy dinner and a performance by lead principals of Arizona Opera's production of Charles Gounod's Faust.

We think this new-look Spa Cottage pictured above is extremely pretty, but staging an opera to celebrate it? That's new to us. Although this does mean that you're close to a warm and cozy bed if you happen to nod off during the opera. (Hey, it happens to the best of us...)

more ›

Hotel News / Hotel Smoking / Ben Bethel / Phoenix Hotels / Hotel Technology / Hotel Amenities / blucigs / → All Tags

As Promised, The Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix is Now Selling blucigs E-Cigarettes

Where: 401 West Clarendon Avenue [map], Phoenix, AZ, United States, 85013

A couple of weeks ago, Ben Bethel, the owner of the Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix let us know that he would be selling e-cigarettes to his smoking guests. He told us:

We're tired of charging guests $250 for smoking charges, tired of deep-cleaning guest rooms after they're smoked in, and tired of chasing after guests who are smoking in our pool area and rooftop bar. So, we're going to start encouraging guests to use E-Cigarettes, to the point that I'm even going to sell them at the front desk.

Not long after our story went up, Bethel had partnered up with blucigs to sell guests their brand of e-cigarettes for $10 each. Now we can report that the hotel is selling blucig's disposables product line with flavor options of Menthol and Classic Tobacco.

more ›

Hotel News / Hotel Smoking / Ben Bethel / Phoenix Hotels / Hotel Technology / Hotel Amenities / → All Tags

The Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix Will Sell E-Cigarettes to Guests Looking for a Fix

Where: 401 West Clarendon Avenue [map], Phoenix, AZ, United States, 85013

The Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix is taking a novel approach to dealing with rogue smokers in their non-smoking rooms by selling them electronic cigarettes to puff on.

Owner Ben Bethel tells HotelChatter doing this will not only make the guests feel comfortable but also save him the hassle of trying to recoup the smoking fines. He says:

We're tired of charging guests $250 for smoking charges, tired of deep-cleaning guest rooms after they're smoked in, and tired of chasing after guests who are smoking in our pool area and rooftop bar.

So, we're going to start encouraging guests to use E-Cigarettes, to the point that I'm even going to sell them at the front desk.

I think this is a big issue for hotels, and could save guests a lot of hassle/frustration. Now they can smoke in the pool, on the rooftop bar, or even in their bed in their guest room.

more ›

Hotel Spas / Eforea / Hilton Hotels / Hotel News / Sedona Hotels / Arizona Hotels / → All Tags

eforea's Second Location to Open at Hilton Sedona

Where: 10 Ridge Trail Drive [map], Sedona, AZ, United States, 86351

Huzzah! Finally! A second eforea spa from Hilton Hotels will open in the U.S. soon! (There's currently two in Asia and one in Australia.)

Hilton peeps say that the 25,000-sq.ft. eforea spa at the Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa (formerly known as The Spa at Hilton Sedona) will open on October 5 for relaxation, including their solarium and a 25-meter pool overlooking Sedona's Red Rocks mountain range.

And much like the first eforea spa in New Jersey, Hilton Sedona's eforea spa offers guests the choice of three different types of "journeys" to embark on during their visit, such as the Essentials journey anchored by an advanced, non-invasive Signature Correcting Facial; the Escape with organic products, holistic experiences and traditional healing practices such as the Hilton Head-to-Toe revitalization treatment and lastly, a Men's Journey, made for men and featuring a variety of treatments form facials to massages.

more ›

Celebrity Scoop / Hotel Pools / Phoenix Hotels / Naked Hotels / Heidi Klum / → All Tags

Which Hotel Wouldn't Let Heidi Klum Go Topless?

Maybe it's the long weekend talking, but we think everyone just needs to chill out over the whole Heidi Klum topless sunbathing incident. In case you haven't heard, the 5' 9" TV host and former model admitted to Jay Leno on Thursday night that she was almost kicked out of a Phoenix hotel for ignoring a security staff member's request for her to cover up.

"I'm surprised you have a photo of me wearing a [bikini] top. I don't really like to wear tops because I hate tan lines." She makes a valid point, but then again, she's one of the world's highest-paid models. We're guessing if everyone had bodies like hers, we'd be seeing more topless action in hotel pools. A lot more.

more ›

Tanning Concierges / Concierges / W Hotels / Scottsdale Hotels / → All Tags

10 Tips From The W Scottsdale Tanning Concierge

Where: 7277 E. Camelback Road [map], Scottsdale, AZ, United States, 85251

As if this nasty-gross heat wave weren't proof enough, we are in the throes of summer. To take full advantage of the sizzling sun, the W Scottsdale has offered some tips on how to get a burn-free bronze.

The hotel's complimentary on-call tanning concierge will do everything from book you appointments for an airbrush tan in your room to give you advice on what to pack for your Arizona trip. Below are the tanning concierge's Top 10 tips to safe summer skin:

more ›

Hotel Rebrandings / Hotel Renovations / Joie De Vivre Hotels / JDV Hotels / Scottsdale Hotels / → All Tags

Joie De Vivre Will Open The Drinkwater in Scottsdale This Fall

The old Hotel Theodore formerly known as The Mondrian Scottsdale nee James Scottsdale has finally gotten a new identity, The Drinkwater, which comes from the hotel's location on Drinkwater Boulevard. (That name came about in honor of Scottsdale's former four-term mayor, Herb Drinkwater.)

If you recall, the hotel was snapped up by Joie De Vivre Hotels back in February and when it reopens in the fall will actually be JDV's first hotel outside of California.

Right now, the place is undergoing some "reimagination" to showcase the spirit of the Southwest as envisioned by architects Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat of Stamberg Aferiat Architecture.. The hotel is not closed but there is limited availability.

more ›

Fourth of July Hotels / Music Festival Hotels / Scottsdale Hotels / Fairmont Hotels / → All Tags

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Really Loves America

Where: 7575 E. Princess Drive [map], Scottsdale, AZ, United States, 85255

At the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, the Fourth of July will turn into the First, Second and Third of July. The Arizona hotel will throw a three-day festival with concerts to mark the patriotic holiday.

The Fourth of July Freedom Fest will go down all weekend long with a 75-minute concert each night under the stars on the hotel's Lagoon Lawn. The concerts will also be shown on the big screen at the South Pool, in case you want to take a dip while you watch.

more ›

Hotel Trends / JW Marriott Hotels / Tuscson Hotels / Teen Lounges / → All Tags

Are Teen Lounges The Newest Hotel Trend?

Where: 3800 W. Starr Pass Boulevard [map], Tucson, AZ, United States, 85745

This might be the perfect place for Rebecca Black's follow up to her mocked hit smash single, "Friday."

Over Easter weekend, the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa in Tucson opened their new Blur Lounge, a teens-only place where kids can socialize with each other and try out the latest cool gadgets like iPad2s, Playstations's 3Move game system and Xbox 360. There's also a movie area with a 46” LCD HDTV and a library of DVDs. We call dibs on High School Musical 1, 2 and 3!

Even though the place isn't quite as sexy as the Atlantis' teen nightclub, Crush, the Blur lounge will host a "Poptail Hour" every Saturday night from 6pm to 10pm where teens can make their own signature soda drink, play in Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 challenges and catch a movie in the theater.

more ›