Tag: free wifi
View All TagsHotel News / Hotel Openings / Boutique Hotels / Canada Hotels / Halifax Hotels / Free WiFi / Good Rate / Affordable Hotels / Le Germain Hotels / → All Tags
Our Favorite ALTernative Hotel Brand Sets Up Shop in Halifax
We mentioned last year that ALT Hotels, baby sister brand of the chic Le Germain Hotels, was planning a Canada-wide expansion. They started in Québec City, then Montréal's Quartier Dix30, at Toronto's Pearson International Airport and now? Halifax.
The 169-room ALT Hotel opened at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Monday and is the fourth ALT in Canada. The hotels combine good design and stylish interiors with a “no-frills found here” concept that works.
Los Angeles Hotels / Hotel Openings / New Hotels / Free WiFi / → All Tags
Now, Here are Three Hotels in LA You Can Actually Book
This morning, we rounded up some of the planned luxury hotels coming to this world and while we're excited to stay in those future hotels, that's, like, years away at this point. We need something to satiate our new hotel fix now. Luckily, we don't have to fly around the world--just to Los Angeles. Here are three hotels that are now taking reservations:
· The Line Hotel, Los Angeles: The first Korean-American-inspired hotel in Los Angeles will open now on September 16. Rates on the website are going for about $349 a night, $319 if you use your AAA card. Inside the hotel will be a bar from the Houston Brothers, food options by Chef Roy Choi of the famous Kogi Korean BBQ food trucks and a "carefully curated" art boutique concept store. Los Angeles based designer Sean Knibb did the interiors.
· The Moment, Hollywood: This hotel was supposed to have its big moment in February but now it's happening on June 1. An introductory offer, called "Start Your Moment", has rates at $239 a night and includes two drinks on the Moment Roofdeck, breakfast for two and the staff's Hot Hollywood picks on sights, bites and activities.
· Palihouse Santa Monica: We got the scoop in March on the third hotel from the Paligroup set in a residential nabe of Santa Monica. Now it's your turn to peep the goods, starting on June 1. Rates are going for $299 a night and yes, that includes free WiFi.
[Photo courtesy of Paligroup]
Hotel WiFi / Hotel Technology / Dallas Hotels / ZaZa Hotels / Hotel Amenities / Free WiFi / → All Tags
The Hotel Zaza in Dallas Gets Serious About Their Tech Offerings
Often times, when we plead our case for free hotel WiFi, we hear that setting up a network or upgrading an existing network is an expensive investment for hotels and in order to recoup the costs, they need to charge guests to use the WiFi.
Now, every hotel is different but there are plenty of hotels out there that have been updating their networks to provide faster speeds and more bandwidth to guests and they still aren't charging for WiFi.
For example, The Hotel ZaZa in Dallas which recently added a new fiber data network throughout the hotel. Hotel president, Benji Homsey, explained the reason for the network upgrade saying:
We designed this network with special attention to the increased presence of Apple iPad, iPhone and Google/Android users in conjunction with the typical laptop usage. We want every Hotel ZaZa guest to have the best, from coverage and access points to best of breed fiber data network to the newly installed bedside power docks in every room.
And the charge to access the internet? It's still totally free.
Virgin Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel WiFi / Free WiFi / Chicago Hotels / Richard Branson / → All Tags
Virgin Hotels Will Offer Guests "Reliable, Fast, and Free" WiFi
**HotelChatter Exclusive**
On the heels of our 2013 Hotel WiFi Report, we've got some very good news from the upcoming Virgin Hotels. The hip four-star hotels from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin company will be offering not just free WiFi in their hotels but "secure, reliable and fast" WiFi. Glorious!
Here's what Doug Carrillo, Virgin Hotels VP Sales and Marketing told us:
Virgin attracts travelers who like to mix business with pleasure, whether they are checking their inbox during a getaway or checking out new restaurants and local entertainment inbetween business. Like our sister Virgin companies, we at Virgin Hotels will offer guests a distinct and better experience at a great value and product innovations that aren’t bells and whistles but that will result in a productive and enjoyable stay. We already love our guests so much that we plan to give them all the tech amenities they need -- starting with wifi that is secure, reliable, fast, and free.
Gay-Friendly Hotels / Hilton Hotels / Hotel Packages / Free WiFi / → All Tags
Hilton's New(ish) Campaign Aims To Gain More Gay Customers
In the important quest for the mighty "pink-dollar", the folks over at Hilton have introduced a creative way of attracting more gay and lesbian travelers to check-in to their hotels. Last week, the company re-launched a campaign to turn a few heads when it comes to same-sex relationships.
Hilton originally started the program in 2012, but have added more hotels and revamped the offering; the package will include perks like complimentary internet, two welcome drinks, late checkout and a full-year digital subscription to OUT magazine. Of course nothing says 'gay' like free WiFi and booze, right? Pfft. But hey, we'll take it. An effort is being made.
With a slogan like "Stay Hilton...Go Out", the brand plans to pull in the reservations by sponsoring some major gay-themed events around the world. From Chicago's North Halsted Marketdays to San Fran Pride, the chain is slapping their name on various gay events. Along with the sponsorship, they've created a gay newsletter highlighting major gay global events like Amsterdam Pride and Sydney Mardi Gras.
Hotel Technology / Hotel Cars / Free WiFi / Shangri-La Hotels / Hotel Amenities / → All Tags
Cool Amenity of the Day: WiFi On-the-Go
It's hard to believe that in 2013, there are hotels that charge for WiFi. We're not talking the budget places, either: while several wallet-friendly chains actually do provide comp internet access, it's the luxury brands that typically nickel-and-dime you for connecting fees, sometimes as much as 20 Euros a day (we're looking at you, Rocco Forte.)
In 2009, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts took a bold move and became the first international five-star brand to drop WiFi charges at all of their hotels, and later did the same for many of their Kerry and Traders brand properties. To keep up with technology—and their tech-savvy guests—Shangri-La last week announced that they are taking connectivity even further by offering free WiFi access in all their hotel cars by the end of 2013.
Airport Hotels / Aloft Hotels / Phoenix Hotels / Photo Galleries / Free WiFi / Hotel Amenities / → All Tags
A Trip Inside the Aloft Phoenix Airport
Yeah, we know: airport hotels are little more than a necessary evil.
Whether it's a delayed flight, a layover, a late arrival or a god-awful early departure the next day, our reasons for staying in one rarely involve the word fun. Or even "nice."
Imagine our relief then, when we arrived at the Aloft Phoenix Airport recently—after midnight, tired and cranky—and were rewarded with something closer to a city boutique hotel experience.
Check-in was fast and simple, and the front-desk guy made sure to tell us about the free WiFi. Bless.
Click through our gallery to check out our room and you'll understand why we wish we were staying longer than eight hours.
Hotel Reviews / Hotel Openings / Design Hotels / Amsterdam Hotels / Netherlands Hotels / Free WiFi / Madonna / Luxury Hotels / Boutique Hotels / → All Tags
A Look-See Inside Amsterdam’s Swanky Conservatorium Hotel
Amsterdam is kickin’ ass and takin' names these days. It's just that simple. With the re-opening scheduled this year of the Rijksmuseum after a 10-year reno and the Van Gogh Museum after a much shorter reno, the 400th anniversary of the canals, and the re-opening of the Stedelijk modern art and design museum, the city’s hopping.
Hotels, it seems, have all been preparing for the buzz of 2013: the Hotel de l’Europe had major work done, the Andaz Amsterdam opened its doors, as did the Conservatorium Hotel. Earlier this week we also told you about the opening of The Waldorf Astoria expected in early 2014 so everyone's getting in on the act.
They say a picture speaks a thousand words so have a look at the Image Gallery to see what your next trip to Amsterdam might look like.
Hotel Tech / Tech Hotels / Chicago Hotels / Hotel Technology / Apple Hotels / Hard Rock Hotels / Free WiFi / → All Tags
3 Chicago Hotels Bring Serious Tech to 'Silicon City'
Dubbed “Silicon City” for its booming tech scene (think Motorola, Groupon, Orbitz), Chicago is also blowing out its share of high-tech hotel interiors. These three Chicago hotels are going above and beyond to deliver the latest in-room tech toys.
In true rocker fashion, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago does show a little too much "morning after" with spots of chipped paint and ever-so-slightly worn interior, but the bright spots are pretty substantial—and we’re not just referring to the real-life rockers who show up here every time a music fest comes to town (recently Cee Lo Green and Pete Wentz ambled through). For starters, the floating Ghost Wall concierge screen in the lobby lets you check flight times, take photos, and browse Hard Rock’s selection of 20 available Fender guitars. But what we really love is the solo dining option at the hotel’s brand-new, totally playful Chuck’s Manufacturing restaurant (pictured above). It’s a techie's dream workstation complete with an outlet (and charger loans, should you forget yours), work light, bold Ikea-like acrylics, and funky bookshelves—all basically begging you to sip wine, work, and be cool.
Room Renovations / W Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Free WiFi / → All Tags
Wandering Into The W Union Square's New Rooms
Back in April we told you about the new look W Union Square rooms were sporting for the spring and just last week we checked in--room 1114--to be specific.
The new rooms are bright, bold, and if you get one with an actual view of Union Square you've lucked out, as the demand for them is high and availability low. You see, the W is the only hotel in Union Square for the moment, though more competition is coming this month and later this year (if the Hyatt Union Square gets a move on).
However, despite the fancy-dancy decor, we'll remind you that you're staying at the W for the location and the SPG points (and maybe a chance to run into Lindsay Lohan?).So, you're going to pay a steep price for that privilege, as this fall, most weeknights are coming in around $500 a night. Ouch!
Element Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Westin Hotels / Green Hotels / Free WiFi / Hotel Bicycles / → All Tags
7 Reasons Why We Still Love Element Times Square West
We have made no attempts to disguise our love for Element Hotels here at HC HQ. We just wish there were more of them.
Many Elements are found in suburban areas or near airports, like the newish Element Miami International Airport. But one of our favorites is the Element Times Square West.
We toured the property back in 2010 when it first opened, and recently had the chance to stay at the hotel while in NYC for a super-quick jaunt. Between the location near Times Square and Port Authority, the killer views from the little but somehow-still-secret rooftop, and all the thoughtful ways the hotel caters to guests of the 21st century, we were won over again, two years later.
Celebrity Scoop / Alanis Morissette / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Bars / Free WiFi / → All Tags
Alanis Morissette Sings 'Thank You' at Bryant Park Hotel (Perhaps for the Free WiFi)
Alanis Morissette is on the road again promoting her new album, Havoc and Bright Lights, and one of her recent stops in New York City was the Cellar Bar at The Bryant Park Hotel.
The singer performed a bunch of her greatest hits as part of preview event for Southwest Airlines' Live In the Vineyard sweepstakes. Here's a video of her singing, "Thank You" which the hotel posted on their Facebook page. We think this tune is muy apropos since the hotel began offering free WiFi at the start of the year.
But did Alanis actually enjoy the free WiFi at the hotel? These photos from the Daily Mail lead us to believe she may have stayed elsewhere as BPH doesn't have those steps at their entrance. Saddies. If you're interested in staying here, rates start around $375 a night in September.
[Front door photo: Terra.com]
