If you're a fervent hotel loyalty program member then you might be familiar with the term Mattress Runner.
These are people who just book hotel rooms to garner a certain amount of points that will either take them to the next loyalty echelon (gold, platinum, etc.) or earn them a free stay.
So the question for Mattress Runners is: What would you put up with for 50,000 points?
We have a first-hand experience of one guest who had much to complain about at a Holiday Inn near the Atlanta airport. Yet it turns out, all that grief made him loaded in Priority Club points. Mattress runners take note.
Last week, we had the chance to stay overnight in the brand new Holiday Inn Manhattan 6th Avenue, one of the first HI properties to sport the brand's more upscale look, which includes the upgraded logo and all sorts of the new, chic decor planned to hit all Holiday Inns by the end of 2010.
And while we admit that the hotel did look pretty sexy (especially, you know, for a Holiday Inn) we couldn't help but notice that it would have been a terrible hotel for having good old fashioned sexytime -- and sorry, Spitzerface and Edwards: secret affairs here would be totally out of the question.
The reasons why (and a full review) after the jump.
New hotel technology has gotta start somewhere and down in Australia, the University of Queensland's School of Tourism has been trying to get students to have some brainwaves for the future.
When we first heard about this idea we figured that a bunch of students who've only ever stayed in youth hostels might not have many brilliant ideas for the future of hotels, but the results were better than we'd expected.
USA Today was a day off on the opening of the report that the Holiday Inn Chelsea which said the hotel would open Thursday.
Our on-the-street intelligence actually confirms that the new hotel, one of the few Holiday Inns to sport the revamped logo and chicer interior, will be opening today and is already booked to capacity for the weekend.
Swinging by the scene yesterday at 125 West 26th Street and 6th Avenue revealed last-minute preparations like a mountain of recycling to do and four extra mattresses chilling outside. As we stealthily evaded security, we managed to peek into the small lobby and lounge area.
Right after we finished writing this bit about the newly renovated Holiday Inn in Palm Springs, we came across an article from USA Today about the new Holiday Inn opening up in Chelsea on Thursday.
And again, we all might be impressed with what we find.
The article reports that the new Holiday Inn will sport many of the upgrades (including the new logo/sign) that the brand is doing to all of its properties by 2010--at a whopping overhaul cost of $1 billion.
The revamped hotels preserve little from the past. The primary reminder is the splash of green in the Holiday Inn sign and entry lighting, recalling the old green-and-white-striped Holiday Inn towels.
Walking up to the Sixth Avenue Holiday Inn in Chelsea, guests see black Japanese-style planters and a modern steel-and-glass portico. At night, it is illuminated with that vibrant green lighting.
And there just might be a need for a "Vibe Manager" at this Holiday Inn as the hotel will be playing chart-toppers from artist like Jack Johnson, John Mayer and Kylie Minogue in the lobby.
This has gotten us very excited about Holiday Inn again, especially the bit about the brand not renewing contracts with locations that don't meet the new standards or are in areas that travelers perceive unsafe.
We actually think Holiday Inn will now be a force to reckon with. Watch out Aloft!
While it's definitely the off-season for Palm Springs right now, it's also the best time to take advantage of cheap room rates at some of the desert's best hotels. We'll be rounding up some of the Palm Springs area's (including Palm Desert) most notable hotels this month. Got any suggestions or questions? Let us know.
This is Palm Springs where roadside motels and inns have just as much appeal as the designer boutique hotels and luxurious five-stars, so we aren't surprised to hear that the Holiday Inn here gets killer reviews. But thankfully, it's not because the hotel is old and kitschy. It's actually a nice new hotel.
A smelly hotel in Northern New Jersey? Well, that's nothing new. But when the smell doesn't seem to be coming from the landfills of Secaucus, then you might have a problem. Which is exactly what happened at a Holiday Inn on Route 22 in Springfield.
Since we grew up close to Route 22 (Skate 22 anyone?), we can personally tell you it's not the most scenic strip in the Garden State. However, apparently there was a stank so bad in the Holiday Inn along this route that guests had to be evacuated AND have their eyes flushed out as a precautionary measure.
ABC 7 reports that the smell came from the 4th floor:
Between 50 and 60 guests reportedly complained of various symptoms, including coughing and eye watering.
As a result, all 37 rooms on the floor were evacuated, and the guests were treated in a decontamination tent in the parking lot. Their eyes were washed down as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, the fourth floor was aired out.
After three hours, the guests were allowed to return to their rooms. None had to be taken to the hospital.
There's no official word on what cause the foul odor but the hotel suspects it might be a prank.
You know how your local news is always rounding up the cheapest and the most expensive gas stations in your area? We're doing the same thing except with Hotel Gas Packages. Seen a gas package? Let us know.
This gas package was found by HotelChatter reader Steve at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Northeast which is right off the I-80. A convenient place for a gas package indeed.
AAA GASOLINE PACKAGE:
Enjoy a deluxe guest room and receive one 25 dollar gasoline card for every night that you stay with us.
72-hour advance reservations are required. AAA card must be presented upon check in. Name on card must match the name on the reservation.
The gas package cannot be combined with other offers but it is valid way beyond summer until December 31. If you're not a AAA member, don't sweat it. The hotel is also offering a Free Gasoline package which is the same deal as above and the $25 card is good for Shell gas stations.
However, buyer beware. The rooms under the AAA package start at $149 a night, while the "Free Gasoline" packages start at $164 a night. We definitely failed math more than once in our lifetime but we think that difference is about $15 right? So it's really only about a $10 savings on gas if you aren't a AAA member. Regular room rates start at $126 a night. Tricky Holiday Inn.
If you're a fervent hotel loyalty program member then you might be familiar with the term Mattress Runner. 
A smelly hotel in Northern New Jersey? Well, that's nothing new. But when the smell doesn't seem to be coming from the landfills of Secaucus, then you might have a problem. Which is exactly what happened at a 
You know how your local news is always rounding up the cheapest and the most expensive gas stations in your area? We're doing the same thing except with 
