HotelChatter

a while back, aloft hotels opened in second life, a sort of virtual world where you have avatars that can look like you or what you want to look like. in this second life, your avatars can have jobs, buy land and travel. and when they travel, they can stay at an aloft hotel.

well, thanks to the reaction from second lifers, aloft hotels--the real-life version--is undergoing some changes.

Critics said the hotel was empty, which could harm a brand a year out from its real-world opening. Fast forward nine months to May, and the hotel is about to reveal a new design strategy in the virtual world based on input from Second Life residents.

Visitors to the virtual hotel commented on design features in public spaces, guest rooms and the hotel's exteriors. Some of the changes, which will make it to the real-world hotels, include radios in the guest room showers, additional seating in the re:mix lobby, and display and support of local artists.

This was perhaps a genius idea on Starwood's part. Unveil their new hotel brand, aloft, in a virtual world for a test before actually building a real hotel. That way, they can get feedback on design and amenities without having to spend any money buildling a real hotel.

But aloft second life won't last forever. the campaign will end the actual aloft opens in 2008.

Related Stories:
· Aloha aAction News [YouTube]
· Aloft Hotels to First Open in Second Life [HotelChatter]