HotelChatter

This fall, GEM is launching some more perks for guests-- three "neighborhood programs" to keep guests well informed about the goings on in their part of town as part of GEM’s "Your corner of the world" brand theme. The three informative programs are as follows:

· GEMmine: An ever-changing chalkboard, the GEMmine is located in the lobby, and lists the must-see local events and go-to neighborhood hideaways, from little known restaurants to up-and-coming bands and happy hour specials. The staff updates the GEMmine and guests are encouraged to post their own thoughts and share their own Big Apple experiences and finds.

· GEMwalks: The hotels loan guests complimentary iPods, pre-loaded with audio tours for areas including Chinatown, Little Italy, Meatpacking District and Times Square . Not your typical audio tour, the listener is able to step into the life of the narrators to explore local haunts and neighborhood streets.

· GEMtexts: In-room phone messages are a thing of the past. GEM guests can sign up to receive exclusive twice-daily hotel and neighborhood offers and updates, from sales at local stores to special discounts at neighborhood restaurants, on their cell throughout their stay.

In addition to these…informative…amenities, GEM also offers other great little free things like high-speed internet, Wolfgang Puck coffee, shoe-shine service, and bottled water. Now, these are supposed to be in addition to room rates that supposedly start at $159 a night. However, when we tried booking rooms mid-week in October, the lowest rates we could find were $209 in Soho, $249 at the Midtown location, and $269 in Chelsea. That seems a little high for these hotels, even if you do get a free iPod walking tour.