Sometimes you have to wonder whether our traveling founding fathers and mothers were as big of pansies as we've apparently become.
Sure, airport security and delayed flights are a pain in the arse, and we clearly value a well-stocked minibar. But some of the "innovative" hotel amenities reported in Hotel Interactive's recent roundup smack us as, well, a bit silly.
After all--at the risk of going all Oregon Trail on you--let's take a moment to remember two old-school travel truths: covered wagons and fording rivers.
Seriously, what would Ma and Pa Ingalls say about luxuries like portable oxygen canisters (for a quick breather, courtesy of the Pan Pacific Vancouver) and in-room basketball courts (at The Palms in Las Vegas)?
That being said, presumably even Laura would have flipped for the Ritz-Carlton South Beach's amenities for tweens.
There's tons of hotel news flying around this week and we don't have time to give each and every story the love and attention it may deserve, so you will have to settle for some news briefs.
· Calling Cards for Kids? : One parent was delighted to see that the Park Lane Marriott in London handed out "business cards" to their child-guests so they have the hotel's information on them in case they get lost. Awww....
Someone we know stayed at the Aloft Lexington with a child and was surprised to find it totally kid-friendly, from the cool things to do on-site to the oddly large number of kids present during his stay and even right down to the air mattress that they bring into the room for the kiddies.
Here's what it's like:
They call it Camp Kids.
They come in and blow up an air mattress and put some caterpillar sheets on it. Then they let the kids pick out some sugary snacks.
The rest of Aloft seems pretty kid-friendly whether or not you are a real kid or just a grown-up one. The hotel features an indoor swimming pool and the re: mix (XYZ) lobby/lounge features flat-screen TVs and a pool table. Oh yeah, and a bar.
However, there is an age limit on the Camp Kids program. You gotta be 12 and under to score caterpillar sheets and sugary snacks. Fudge, we just missed the age cut-off.
It's hard to believe that Orlando-area hotels have gotten even more kid-friendly, but it's true.
The Loews Portofino in Orlando has just unveiled its Dr. Seuss kids' suites. The two-bedroom suites have a king bedroom for Mom and Pop and a kids' room with two twin beds and Dr. Seuss decor.
Upon entering the suite, colors and patterns are everywhere, from the vibran blue carpet that is sprinkled with a pattern of lighter blue dots to the beds, which appear to be a part of "Who-ville" with Seussian forms inspired from Horton Hears a Who Book. Buildings teeter, trees drop and machines work in impossible way.
Fortunately for parents, their bedroom is normal and free of any Dr. Seuss interior design scheme. The Loews group in Orlando has several other kids suites available. There are Jurassic Park-themed suites at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort and musical kids' suites will debut later this year at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Starting rates for kids' suites at the Loews Portofino is around $500 a night.
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by KatieK
