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Tags: Hotel Technology / City Inn Hotels / Business Traveler Hotels / London Hotels / → All Tags

Feeling Perky at a City Inn? There's a Special Something in the Air Con

Where: 30 John Islip Street, London, United Kingdom, SW1P 4DD

We already knew that City Inn – the budget UK hotel chain that hates to be called a budget hotel chain – was the perfect choice for geeks with its in-room iMacs. But we didn’t realize quite how committed it is to creating your working environment.

According to the brand, they use an enhanced fresh air conditioning system, which pumps a high amount of oxygen into the room and freshening up your little grey cells. Yup, just like they do in the casinos in Vegas. Apparently, they say, this “keeps people more alert during meetings” and “ensures they wake up feeling refreshed”.

Could there be any basis in this? When we looked round the Westminster branch earlier this year, we felt pretty perky – but we assumed that was the excitement at trying out the iMac. Here’s hoping that if such a thing as magic air con really exists, the rest of London will be adopting it soon…

Tags: Anti-View / Convention Center Hotels / InterContinental Hotels / San Franciso Hotels / Business Traveler Hotels / → All Tags

Lovely View of the HVAC at InterContinental San Francisco

Where: 888 Howard St [map], San Francisco, CA, United States, 94103

You know the scene. You open the door to your brand new hotel room, run over to the window, open the blinds and bam, you are hit with the anti-view. Maybe you are looking down a dirty alley, witnessing a drug deal, staring at an air shaft in the face, or seeing a brick wall. Whatever you are viewing it is not extremely pleasurable. Help out your fellow hotel mavens by uploading your anti-views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number with the not-so-easy-on-the-eyes view.

This morning we let you know that the chef at the Intercontinental San Francisco would be leaving the property to fight it out on "The Next Iron Chef" and as we were browsing for photos of the hotel, we came across this anti-view. Eee.

Then again, this hotel is adjacent to the Moscone Convention Center, making it the best choice for folks who plan on spending most of their days in the convention hall. But as large as the hotel looks, there are only 550 rooms in the hotel--22 per floor and as you know, InterContinental is a chi-chi business traveler brand.

So hopefully, the amenities in-room--like flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, bathrobes and especially, the private in-room bars--make up for some not-so-chi-chi convention center views.

Tags: Dubai Hotels / Jumeirah Hotels / Business Traveler Hotels / → All Tags

Jumeirah Emirates Tower :: A Good Spot to Meet a Sheik for a Drink

Where: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

In Dubai money still seems to trump religion and culture. The teeny tiny sliver of a country is a mere desert road trip from Saudi Arabia and Oman, and just an abra jaunt from Iran and Iraq. But Dubai is more green zone than red zone. Dubai's like Macau without the gambling. Disneyworld and Kings Dominion by the Arabian Sea. And again, the Las Vegas of the Middle East. It's also a great place to find yourself slinging back shots with a Sheik -- indoors that is.

more ›

Tags: Hotel Services / Crowne Plaza Hotels / Business Traveler Hotels / → All Tags

Crowne Plazas Abroad Introducing 'Personal Hoteliers'

Geez, the folks in the Middle East are really crazy about their hotel experiences aren't they? What with the indoor ski resort in Dubai and the planned leaning Hyatt Hotel in Abu Dhabi, there is just no stopping these ultra-luxe destinations.

The latest craze is apparently Personal Hoteliers which first launched in Dubai but is now being offered at Crowne Plaza Hotels throughout the Middle East and Africa.

From the moment a booking for a Club room is made, a member of the Personal Hotelier team will be assigned to the guest. A personal hotelier will be helping guests with everything for business needs, such as updating a presentation, printing documents, making reservations at a restaurant or spa and even personal shopping.

But before you get your hopes up about Andre Balazs faxing your legal documents while wearing a Chippendales outfit, the Personal Hotelier is really just a fancy term for another fancy term, "business butler." Also, the service is only available to guests who book is available to guest who book Club rooms or are staying on the Crowne Club Floors. Of course, if you get a Personal Hotelier of your own (Mrs. Marriott: we're not talking to you!) you must let us know how it went.

Tags: Motorcycle Hotels / Business Traveler Hotels / → All Tags

The Iron Horse Hotel is More Affordable Than We Thought

Where: 500 West Florida Avenue [map], Milwaukee, WI, United States, 53204

In profiling the upcoming Iron Horse Hotel, which is a business traveler/hog enthusiast's dream hotel, we mentioned that because of the modern luxury decor and amenities rooms would probably be priced at around $300.

However, a hotel rep emailed us to say that wasn't so. Rooms would actually range from $179 to $319. Yay! It's totally affordable. Now we just need a reason to visit Milwaukee. Any ideas?

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