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Finn Hudson Was Kicking It at the Mandarin Oriental

Here's a look at what some commenters said on HotelChatter recently. Wanna join the discussion? Sign up and become a member. Or use your Facebook account to log-in. And don't forget to follow HotelChatter on Twitter.

Corey Monteith aka Finn Hudson from "Glee" was most likely tweeting from the Mandarin Oriental in Columbus Circle as pointed out by both a commenter and a Tweeter. But we're just wondering, how did he get up on the roof? (That's his TwitPic above.) We've been to the MO before and didn't notice a rooftop bar but perhaps we missed it. Comment away if you have the answers. Here's what other commenters are saying:

· The Richardson Hotel in Perth also goes all out with in-room coffee maker.
· L'Auberge Sedona is not the only hotel in Sedona worth checking out.
· In defense of couples massages.
· Using Amex points to book hotel rooms.
· Jade Mountain is too pricey.

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Hilton's New Logo is Rather Retro

Here's a look at what some commenters said on HotelChatter recently. Wanna join the discussion? Sign up and become a member. Or use your Facebook account to log-in. And don't forget to follow HotelChatter on Twitter.

· Hilton's New Old Logo?: A commenter tells us that the new logo we saw introduced this week is really the old logo just flipped on its side with new colors.

If you remember, Hilton had a red logo up till about 15-20 years ago (look at this, it's the 3-sided Las Vegas Hilton)...it's on the right in this pic. Now look at the new silver/gold one. Basically, it's the red one, but turned sideways.

Clever, Hilton, very clever.
· Some folks are willing to wait for The Chatwal to open
· IHG's Key To Change promotion did not go well
· Le Meridien San Fran, not so pricey?
· W Barcelona has a virtual tour on YouTube (all CGI)

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More Than $200 Seems To Be Too Much for a Hotel Room

Here's a look at what some commenters said on HotelChatter recently. Wanna join the discussion? Sign up and become a member. Or use your Facebook account to log-in. And don't forget to follow HotelChatter on Twitter.

The other day we asked you just How Much is Too Much For a Hotel Room? And we've got a lot of great remarks from the HotelChatter/Jaunted crew about how much they would pay. It seems like $200 is our limit. But we don't have deep pockets. What do you think?

In other comment news:
· A reason why the W Atlanta may used "sliding doors."
· A Voss Water bottle inspired shower sounds claustrophobic
· Someone's Not a Fan of Miami
· Speaking of South Beach, the W South Beach Concierge Comments
· The new Ritz-Carlton Charlotte will offer city views from its spa

[Photo: Ryan Charles/HotelChatter Flickr Pool]

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Marriott Hotels May Have a Thing for Fugly Carpeting

We know, we know. You don't need to tell us again that hotels pick dizzying carpet patterns for their guest rooms, hallways and meeting rooms to hide stains and the signs of wear and tear they undergo but seriously, there are better ways to go about it. Marriott, we're talking to you.

A commenter on our post over the fugly carpeting going inside the eagerly awaited JW Marriott at LA Live pointed us in the direction of another Marriott offender--The Marriott Hunt Valley near Baltimore. Good lord, we just got the spins. Is this really necessary?

In other noteworthy comments:
· A bad stay at the Miramonte Resort & Spa
· Spa Week continues next month at Ft. Lauderdale Hotels
· You Tell Us Your Outrageous Parking Fees

[Photo: Mhaithaca]

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Zach Braff Also Likes To Chill at The Jane Hotel

Here's a look at what some commenters said on HotelChatter recently. Wanna join the discussion? Sign up and become a member. Or use your Facebook account to log-in. And don't forget to follow HotelChatter on Twitter.

· The Jane is Not Just for The Olsen Twins; Zach Braff Spotted
· Ew, Stray Viagra Pill Found in Hotel Room
· Are In-Room Computers a Bad Idea?
· Y'all Think The 'Bike & Fly' Program at Aloft PDX is Insane
· Yet ANOTHER bad Criss Angel "Believe" Review

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Don't Get Your Hopes Up About Ace Hotel Chicago

Here's a look at what some commenters said on HotelChatter recently. Wanna join the discussion? Sign up and become a member. Or use your Facebook account to log-in. And don't forget to follow HotelChatter on Twitter.

· Someone's Actually Been Inside the $15,000 Penthouse at the Fairmont SF
· Another Bad Criss Angel Review
· Ace Hotel Chicago? Maybe, kinda, ok, um, not really.
· Someone made us a reservation at Mr. Chow at the W South Beac!
· The "Do you tip your housekeeper" thread still lives!

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Trump NYC Wants You To Know It's a 5-Star Hotel, Thank You Very Much

Here's a look at what some commenters said on HotelChatter recently. Wanna join the discussion? Sign up and become a member. Or use your Facebook account to log-in. And don't forget to follow HotelChatter on Twitter.

· Trump NYC is a Five-Star Hotel and Don't You Forget It: Earlier this week, we commented on the shady meet-up between former lovers Rihanna and Chris Brown and we couldn't help but wonder why this downtown duo would have a meeting at the Trump NYC. Sure, we know that it's a fave hang-out for Disney's Tween stars but we expected something a little edgier for these two pop stars. But "fans" of the Trump were quick to remind us that the hotel is a five-star property, with a "discreet" staff, "exceptional service" and "stunning views." Er...thanks for telling us that. Btw, Donald: give your PR team a raise.

Some other interesting comments:
· Somebody turn that Chicago building into a hotel, quick!

· The Ritz-Carlton at LA Live might also have fugly flooring

· Alain Ducasse is not a "Celeb-ish" chef. He is a CELEB Chef.

· Indeed, the Paradise Tower at the Hard Rock BETTER be an awesome hotel.

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About That Hotel's Twitter Billboard...

Here's a look at what some commenters said on HotelChatter recently. Wanna join the discussion? Sign up and become a member. Or use your Facebook account to log-in. And don't forget to follow HotelChatter on Twitter.

· A Hotel Uses a Billboard to Advertise Their Twitter Account: A few folks chimed in on this story via our comments section and of course, via Twitter. Let us just say that we applaud hotels who have gotten into Twitter and other social media outlets. It's a great way to connect with present, past and future guests.

But let us find you through tweets, retweets searches, @replies, follow days and other Twitter paths within the site. There's no need to fling it in our faces with your billboard and your press releases. Putting a link to your Twitter feed on your website is one thing, taking out a billboard to advertise your Twitter presence is another.

Much like when hotels wanted to get hip to blogging, being "real", genuine and conversational always worked the best. And while we understand hotels are businesses that need to make money, the audience can only tolerate so much self-promotion.

Some other interesting comments:
· More Angry Ace NYC Residents

· Do cute boys come with the Entourage bungalow?

· Even MORE thoughts on the "Do you tip your housekeepers?" thread

· Metallica band members spotted at Hotel Arts in Barcelona

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Everyone Has Something to Say About The Four Seasons Concierges

Here's a look at what some commenters said on HotelChatter recently. Wanna join the discussion? Sign up and become a member. Or use your Facebook account to log-in. And don't forget to follow HotelChatter on Twitter.

· Even more reports of the Concierge "shifts" at Four Seasons Hotels:

It was revealed to me several months ago that the Concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta were "relocated" from their prominent location in the lobby to an out-of-sight "cubbyhole" adjacent to the Front Desk where they are requested to work both desks.

· Is Sarah Palin working for the Four Seasons?

· Meanwhile, anyone can become a member of the Les Clefs d'Or

· More thoughts on the "Do you tip your housekeepers?" thread

· The Barclay New York "smelled like feet"

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The W South Beach Concierge Promises to 'WOW' You

Here's a look at what some commenters said on HotelChatter recently. Wanna join the discussion? Sign up and become a member. Or use your Facebook account to log-in. And don't forget to follow Jaunted on Twitter.

· Here's Who To Look For When You Want Some 'WOW' at The W SoBe

· Keep Those Hotel Preston Amenity Suggestions Coming!

· Is This the Summer of Hotwire Deals?: Gregbodenlos writes:

Toronto has been a Hotwire favorite destination of mine this summer, as I have scored 2 great deals at Downtown properties for cheap over the past 3 weeks. I booked the Delta Chelsea for a weekend getaway with my girlfriend on a June weekend for $60/night, and then booked my friend a room at the Sheraton Centre for $71/night, also a four-star property, a few weeks later.

There were some downsides in terms of hotel parking and snobby front desk clerks, but Dude, you're getting a deal.

· Someone Else Weighs in on the Housekeeper Tip Thread.

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So Many of You Have Been Fantasizing About The Perfect Hotel Amenity

We're switching things up slightly here and moving our weekly comments section to Thursdays from Fridays, giving you a full day before the weekend to read over what your fellow hotel geeks are saying.

· What's Your Fantasy Hotel Amenity?: We just launched our new contest yesterday and already so many have dropped in your suggestions for The Hotel Preston's next amenity. We have to say the suggestions are great and it's gonna be tough to choose. Think your idea for an amenity tops all the rest? Enter it here.

In other commenter news:
· A Good Tip on Upgrading Your Hotwire Reservation: IsleofMan tells us his trick:

I've had good luck with this tactic... book on Hotwire or Priceline then contact the GM giving them my confirmation number and any status I may have in their program. I'm guessing more times than not the GM tells an admin to do the upgrade without noticing it's an opaque booking, then the admin does it since the GM said to. I've got some of my best upgrades ever using this method (corner suite at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, WOW suite at the W Atlanta midtown, 2-floor suite at the Hilton MIA).

We're going to have to try that next time!

· $115 for the New Four Points in Times SquareTimbo212 got a great rate at the Four Points inside the Tri-Pack BT hotel on Travelzoo. We can't wait to hear about your stay.

· Should the Bellmen Take Your Bags Without Asking?: Here's what you had to say: It depends. You could be tired or you could not want to come off cheap.

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Just Because Your Keycard is Recyclable Doesn't Mean It Won't Work

We're switching things up slightly here and moving our weekly comments section to Thursdays from Fridays, giving you a full day before the weekend to read over what your fellow hotel geeks are saying.

· Biodegradable Key Cards That Actually Work: After we posted a story about the James Hotel in Chicago and its new recyclable keycards, an employee with the Jumeirah Essex House in New York tell us that his hotel's environmentally friendly keycards actually do work:

We found our answer in bioPVC cards. These cards look, feel, and work just as well as the old plastic cards. (We didn't want to give our guests a keycard that looked like cardboard and might disintegrate if used as a drink coaster). The beauty of these cards is that you can reuse them an almost infinite number of times, and if a couple happen to end in the trash, they are 100% biodegradable, thus not harming the environment. Yes, they do cost a couple cents more a piece, but we've been able to easily offset the cost with other energy saving initiatives.

Thanks Andres!

In other commenter news:
· We Agree: The Lawsuit Against Hilton is NOT "Good Press"

· Next Year's Geek Hotels List Might Have to Include a Role Playing Game Library

· Observations on Paris Hilton's Recent Stint at mur.mur at the Borgata

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