HotelChatter

In order, the article touches on:

· Increasing hotel fees: 'Nuff said.

· Lobbies as "social hubs": Yes, think of places like Home2 Suites and Aloft as an example of this trend, which aims to bring more guests into public areas to socialize. Or, you know, fart around on your smartphone for a few hours in the company of others...

· No more bathtubs: Are people really over the whole "take a long, luxurious bath in a hotel room" thing? Maybe people just don't have the time anymore? Whatever it is, apparently Marriott has done research that shows that "business travelers prefer showers to baths."

· More toiletry dispensers: Technically, you can almost always request a complimentary bottle or wrapped soap from the Front Desk. But then again, the environment will hate you.

· Smart Check-In: This feature, whereby guests can check in electronically before they actually arrive, is starting to pop up in a few of those Aloft hotels we mentioned earlier. And the new Hyatt 48Lex is experimenting with a new type of check-in system that whisks guests straight up to their rooms upon arrival, no lines, no nothing.

· Locally-sourced food: This can range from something as simple as a rooftop garden to more elaborate local items like artisanal cheeses and house-made granola. And really, who could protest against food, as long as it's delicious? Sure beats the same old-same old of packaged foods we always encounter in hotel minibars.

What about you? Maybe you would rather see hotel fees disappear and bathtubs increase in size? Let us know which way you're trending in the comments below!