HotelChatter

Tags: Snapshot / Halloween Hotels / Hotel Staffers / Hawaii Hotels / → All Tags

'Tinkerbell' Tends the Garden at the Kona Kai Resort

Where: Key Largo, FL, United States

Before we left on Friday to celebrate the Halloween weekend we Tweeted for hotel staffers working in Halloween costumes over the weekend to send us some pics. And we have to say, Tinkerbell at the Kona Kai Resort, a B&B in Key Largo, Florida is the best. Not only does she look cute, but she's actually still able to water the garden. Where form meet functionality.

Rates here start at $244 a night but they do not take online reservations. Go here for booking information. Thanks for sending this in, Tinks!

We're still accepting hotel Halloween costumes if you want to send 'em along. And don't forget to follow HotelChatter on Twitter!

Tags: Hotel Woes / Wyndham Hotels / Hotel Staffers / Hotel News / Hotel Recession / → All Tags

Wyndham Worldwide Will Cut 4,000 Jobs

The "I has a sad" kitty is now the unofficial image of the recession.

We knew the hospitality business would suffer greatly in this economy but news like this is always a bit shocking. Wyndham Hotels has announced that it will be undergoing a major restructuring in its timeshare division at the expense of 4,000 jobs. BusinessWeek reports:

Wyndham said in a statement that it is scaling back the scope of its timeshare business as a way to cut its reliance on asset-backed securities. The company did not return a phone call seeking comment. The job cuts represent about 12 percent of the company's overall work force. The pullback will result in charges of up to $75 million to be taken mainly in the fourth quarter.

Wyndham has about 32,000 employees globally. The layoffs will happen in the first quarter of 2009. This cannot be fun for the folks at Wyndham, just sitting and waiting.

Do you work at Wyndham? Let us know what the mood is like.

[Photo: icanhascheezburger]

Tags: W Hotels / Hotel Staffers / Hotel News / W Talent Shows / → All Tags

Know Your Exits: W Hoboken Now Hiring

Where: 335 River St [map], Hoboken, NJ, United States, 07030

[UPDATE:] Here are some more detes about the hiring fair which IS indeed being called a W Talent Show.

Monday, December 3, 2008 – January 2009
Monday – Friday: 9am – 6pm
Saturday 12/6: 10am – 3pm
*Subsequent Saturdays will be based on initial turnout and demand.

The W Hoboken is expected to open on February 26 and further proof that the opening day is nigh is the recruitment center (no mention of a talent show here) that is open for the next six weeks: NJ.com reports:

The W is running a recruitment center at 1203 Hudson Street (behind the uptown Starbucks) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays for the next six weeks. You must go there to apply. They will be fulfilling all positions to run the hotel.

In a time where layoffs are escalating across all industries, there's something comforting about the W Hotel hiring people. Anyone interested in applying for W Hoboken, we only ask that you know what Taylor Ham is.

Tags: W Hotels / Hotel Delays / Hotel Staffers / Hotel News / → All Tags

W Fort Lauderdale Opening in Early March, So They Say

Where: 401 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard [map], Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States, 33304

The last bit of news we heard on the W Fort Lauderdale was that it would be opening in January 2009. But according to this article on the W Talent Show--otherwise known as a hiring fair--that the hotel is holding, doors won't be open to guests until early March.

W Fort Lauderdale will be the brand’s introduction to the Florida market. Located on Fort Lauderdale’s beach, the 517-room, 23-story, two-tower hotel will offer ocean, Intracoastal Waterway and downtown views. The hotel will include a Stephen Starr restaurant, a 4,000-square-foot Bliss Spa and its signature bar, Whiskey Blue.

That will be two new Ws for Fort Lauderdale South Florida this spring as the W South Beach is expected to open in late April. Meanwhile, the talent show is being held at the Galleria Mall from now through Saturday from 10am. to 7pm.

Now, there's just one thing that makes us a weeee bit concerned. The hotel's own website says it's opening March 1st but that reservations aren't being taken until June 1st. Oy. Hopefully, that's just a typo.

Tags: Halloween Hotels / One Republic / Celebrity Scoop / Hotel Staffers / → All Tags

Hotel Allegro Hosts Halloween Party and One Republic Drops In

Where: 171 Randolph Street [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60611

For those of you who may have thought celebrating Halloween at a hotel was lame, think again. The Hotel Allegro hosted a Halloween and pumpkin carving contest during their regular wine-hour. And the rock band One Republic (you know 'em as "It's too late to apologiiiiize") popped in and mingled with the staff and guests.

While there are no pics of One Republic yet, we did get a few snapshots of the hotel staffers all dressed up. Those are actually the costume contest winners above. And because we know you love dogs in costumes as much as we do, there's a special one thrown in after the jump.

more ›

Tags: Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Overservice / Hotel Staffers / Tips / → All Tags

Adventures in Overservice :: Crossing the Ladies' Room Line

Where: 4012 Central Florida Pkwy [map], Orlando, FL, United States, 32837

If you've been fortunate enough to stay at a Ritz-Carlton, you know that "Ladies and Gentlemen" is not a euphemism for the restroom -- but rather how the company refers to its staff. So, when we last stayed at the Ritz-Carlton at Grande Lakes in Orlando, we deigned to ask one of these comely "Ladies" stationed in the lobby where we might find the nearest ladies room. Instead, found ourselves being escorted to the threshold of the powder room.

This was somewhat of an awkward moment that left us wanting to point out that we no longer wear Pull-Ups and, in fact, can go potty by ourselves.

more ›

Tags: Overservice / Hotel Staffers / Marriott Hotels / Tips / → All Tags

You've Been Overserved

Where: 400 S. Collier Boulevard [map], Marco Island, FL, United States, 34145

Ok, maybe we would need some help if we had this much luggage with us.

Think back on your most recent hotel stay. Was there an instance -if only a fleeting one--when you couldn't wait to escape some overzealous hotel staffer who was hell-bent on giving you "an experience" that you could go home and eagerly share with your friends?

For example, we still can't stop talking about a stay of more than a year ago at the Marriott Marco Island Hotel in Florida. As soon as our cab pulled up in front of the hotel, a bellman was opening the door while a second was attempting to whisk our luggage away, into that purgatory where it seems to disappear for hours after checking-in.

When we politely objected, we found ourselves in a verbal volley of courteous "please-ma'am-allow-me" and "thank-you-but-really-I-manage-it."

more ›