Techy Amenities for Tweens at the Ritz-Carlton SoBe

September 3, 2008 at 5:53 PM | 0 Comments

Sometimes you have to wonder whether our traveling founding fathers and mothers were as big of pansies as we've apparently become.

Sure, airport security and delayed flights are a pain in the arse, and we clearly value a well-stocked minibar. But some of the "innovative" hotel amenities reported in Hotel Interactive's recent roundup smack us as, well, a bit silly.

After all--at the risk of going all Oregon Trail on you--let's take a moment to remember two old-school travel truths: covered wagons and fording rivers.

Seriously, what would Ma and Pa Ingalls say about luxuries like portable oxygen canisters (for a quick breather, courtesy of the Pan Pacific Vancouver) and in-room basketball courts (at The Palms in Las Vegas)?

That being said, presumably even Laura would have flipped for the Ritz-Carlton South Beach's amenities for tweens.

Aimed at 13-17 year olds who have outgrown their more-traditional kids program (like kite-flying and pirate treasure hunts), the Ritz's hands-on tech center includes Apple G5s with built-in iSight cameras, iTunes music, and digital cameras. (Picture hi-res action shots of buffalo being wrestled to the ground by Pa.) To which we say: Sa-weet!

And in case you truly go ga-ga over over-the-top hotel amenities, check out more of the amenities included in Hotel Interactive's roundup, from free mascots to e-butlers.

· At Ohio's Cherry Valley Lodge, parents can wash their hands of that pesky job of tucking their little ones in to bed. That's right, a rent-a-mascot will do the deed in addition to entertaining the children throughout the stay. On a more adorable note: The front desk is also stocked with free food for feeding the on-site ducks.

· The Quorum Hotel-Tampa gives cigar-rolling lessons each Wednesday, plus free massages six days a week.

· The ever-prevalent pillow menu includes a pregnancy pillow at Chicago's Conrad.

· St. Regis has upped the butler ante (that stalwart of über high-end hotel amenities)--equipping theirs with PDAs so guests can be in constant email contact.

· Family and friends can record customized wake-up calls for guests (though frankly, we're not sure why they would?) at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco.

[Photo: Heather0714]

Tags: Hotel Amenities / Kid-Friendly Hotels / Hotel Technology / Hotel Computers / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Miami Hotel Mambo

by KatieK

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