Luxe Hotels Lure Customers with Insane Amenities

August 21, 2008 at 10:35 AM | by Jenna | 0 Comments

So, the hotel industry? Not doing so great this year. Not even in Beijing. But, MSBNC reports, the fanciest hotels are all doing their best to stay afloat, and they continue to lure wealthy heads onto guestroom pillows worldwide. Their secret strategy?

Why, baller amenities, of course.

At most high-end properties these days, flatscreen TV's, iPod docking stations and other high-tech gadgets pretty much come standard, so the luxe hotels have opportunities to distinguish themselves by offering super high-touch service.

Not surprisingly, butlers have become more and more popular in luxe hotels and there are more than 150 hotels with butler "programs" -- individuals assigned to anticipate and cater to a guest's every whim -- around the world.

The article even discusses something called a baby butler at the Keswick Hall-- which sounds like a nanny to us, really. Essentially, a baby butler does all the things mom is supposed to be doing...up to and and including rocking the baby to sleep "while mom soaks in the tub." Lord.

Other baller amenities and services high-end hotels are using to distinguish themselves?

The Ritz Madrid places monogrammed bathrobes in guests' closets prior to their arrival. Jade Mountain in the Caribbean places a poem on the pillow at turndown (an original poem? 'An Ode to the McDonalds I Saw You Sneaking Through the Lobby at Breakfast,' perhaps?)

And then there's this, which makes us giddy with glee:

Four Seasons Resort Nevis in the West Indies, guests can contribute to local conservation efforts by paying to adopt an endangered sea turtle, which has been tagged with a satellite transmitter for research purposes. Adoptive guests then monitor their turtles' migratory patterns via an Internet-based program.

A sea turtle! For rich people that prefer the air to the sea, Banyan Tree Phuket flies guests by private plane to a secluded island to eat breakfast and watch the sun come up.

Apparently, these over-the-top services and little touches here and there that differentiate luxury hotels from one another and keep guests interested.

Now if you'll excuse us, we seem to have found that sea turtle tracking site.

[Photo: Juice Images via MSNBC]

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