Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!  I hope everyone’s holidays are full of good cheer and festivities.   I’ll be at Lake Tahoe carvin up slopes and trying not to eat it after not snowboarding for a couple years.

A friend of mine who works at Starwood sent me a corporate holiday e-card. A bit cheesy, but thoughtful nonetheless.   I’m going to pay it forward and pass it along to you all . . .

About a month ago, I was doing a distribution channel analysis for class on The Andaman, a stunning resort in Langkawi, Malaysia that offers both beach and rainforest proximity.  I just found out that this property has joined Starwood’s Luxury Collection portfolio of hotels and will certainly receive a nice boost in distribution breadth.

Starwood already has a Westin and a Sheraton in other areas on Langkawi island, but The Andaman will offer a product that’s a bit more ritzy and indigenous to the local area.  This makes it especially fitting for a Luxury Collection, which prides itself on offering some of the world’s most unique properties with an emphasis on history and heritage.  The resort hotel will have 186 rooms and suites that are surrounded by the clear waters of Datai Bay and a historic rainforest.

For you SPG folks, The Andaman will be a category 4 (requires 10,000 Starpoints per night).  In case you’re not so familiar with Langkawi and where the heck it is, here’s a Google map.

The addition of The Andaman is so recent that it’s not even on Starwood’s Luxury Collection list of new additions.  Check out what else is coming down the line here.

Source: Hospitality Biz

Every once in a while a friend shares something funny and brilliant by e-mail. Today, Tiffany Cooper, my dear friend and colleague from the real estate group at Starwood Hotels dropped this into my inbox and I felt compelled to share it with you all.

Please enjoy How the Grinch Stole Business, by Tiffany Cooper:

Every Hotelier down in Hotelville liked Business a lot.
But the Grinch, who lived North of Hotelville did NOT.
The Grinch hated Business! The whole peak season!
Now, please don’t ask why, no one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn’t screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that his lapels were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all,
May have been that his own hotel portfolio was two sizes too small.

But, whatever the reason – his brain or his lapels,
He stood there, illogically hating the hotels,
Staring down from his un-Heavenly bed with a frown,
At the beautiful-lit properties below in their town.
For he knew every Hotelier down in Hotelville beneath,
Were busy now setting their Best Rate Guarantees.
I must stop Business from coming…but how?”

Then he got an idea – an awful idea,
THE GRINCH GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!
“I will freeze the market, no financing = no deals!
No new construction to be had, that is sure to make them reel!
No new alofts, no Ws, no Sheratons – not one!
With no money to build, Hoteliers will have no more fun!”

And all the Hoteliers, in their Sweet Sleepers asleep,
Had no clue the Grinch had such a tight hold on the Street.
“They’re finding out now that no hotels will be built!
They’re just waking up! Oh my – what a jilt!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
Then the Hoteliers in Hotelville will all cry BOO-HOO!”
“That’s a noise,” grinned the Grinch,
“That I simply must hear!”
So he paused, and the Grinch put a hand to his ear.

And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low, then it started to grow…
But the sound wasn’t sad? How could it be so?!

He stared down at Hotelville, the Grinch popping his eyes,
For what he then saw was a shocking surprise!

“We’ll CONVERT,” they all said, “We’ll build up our Brands!”
We’ll PIP those independents that are in need of a hand!
We’ll sharpen our pencils, focus on the right things,
We’ll use this down time to plan and own the upswing!”

He hadn’t stopped Business from coming – it came,
Granted new development was slower, but it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?
It came with White Tea. With Whatever/Whenever too!
It came with ReFuel, The Link and Best Brews!”

And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.
“Maybe Business,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a bank.
“Maybe Business, perhaps, comes from a clever think-tank.”

And what happened then?
Well, in Hotelville they say,
That the Grinch’s own portfolio,
Grew three sizes that day!
He acquired a brand that wanted to sell,
Then opened the market with a ring of the bell,
“Debt financing is back – it’s time to grow, grow, grow, grow!
Commission those studies, get to work on FiMos!”

And back came the market, no more Hotelier’s lament,
And he, himself – the Grinch – broke ground on his very first element.
- – - – - – - – - -
May your holidays be filled with joy and love; and may 2010 return us all to a time of opportunity.

–Mark Heisler

The sunset in Honolulu - where the days never last long enough (Jerry Garrett Photos)

HONOLULU, Hawai’i

A neighbor tells me that a trip to Honolulu is “like having to fly five hours to get to Orange County.”

Yes, there are similarities: the palms, the weather, the traffic. But what makes Honolulu all that special, or unique – or worth the long flight to get there? Where is the “Hawai’i-ness” in Honolulu? I’ve got 36 hours to find out.

First stop: Chinatown

Did you bring an Aloha shirt or dress? There’s a Hilo Hattie’s, right in the airport (Note: HH also has a store in Orange Co., ironically) , though it’s pricey. But deals on colorful Hawaiian apparel everywhere (when you get home, you’ll smile: ”I wore that in public!”). Chinatown’s a great place for vintage Aloha clothing, at dirt cheap prices

Why pay more?

($3-$5 for Reyn Spooner, Tori Richard, Kahala, etc).

Get lei’d: You can buy leis anywhere, but Chinatown has the best. The freshest. Most beautiful selection. Least expensive ($5-$15!). Male or female, a lei is always in style in Honolulu; wear it and love it while you’re in town – because the agricultural inspection grinches at the airport will take it from you and throw it away, when you leave. (Past security, they will sell you the same lei for $35.)

For dinner in Chinatown, try Legend Seafood. Freshest lobster in town: under $25. Vegetarians: Try Legend’s meat-free annex next door.

Last stop: Chinatown, too

While in Chinatown, try to take in a show at the Hawaii Theatre. Or at least look inside this lavishly restored 1922 treasure. On a recent night, the Brothers Cazimero (island idols) were scheduled to serenade a mostly local audience. Many performances finish with everyone in the audience – yes, including total strangers – holding hands and singing  the hauntingly beautiful state song “Hawai’i Pono’i”. You may need a hankie.

BTW, where should you stay? A personal favorite is the Royal Hawaiian, the first resort (built in 1927) on Waikiki Beach, and still the “Pink Palace of the Pacific”, despite what Sheraton has done to usurp its once-lush gardens for more high-rises. The original building has the Royal Hawaiian’s most authentic rooms.

The Pink Palace of the Pacific - the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach

But why spend a lot for a hotel these days, while tourism is down, and bargains abound in Honolulu? Besides, if you spend much time in your room on this trip, you’ve missed the whole idea behind 36 hours here.

Loco for moco

Eat breakfast early; most places stop serving it too early, IMHO. Loco moco is an island favorite: fried eggs on hamburger patties on top of rice – smothered in gravy. You can almost feel your arteries harden.

Work that ballast off with a climb to Manoa Falls.

Manoa Falls - worth the hike

It’s a bit hard to find: Up a canyon behind the University of Hawaii campus. But it’s a magical, gentle mile-long climb through a lush rainforest, adorned with tropical flowers, exotic fruits and weird creatures – to a pristine 160-foot-high waterfall. Souvenir vendors at the parking lot will loan you a walking stick for the sometimes slippery journey; be honorable and return it afterward. This place is not overly touristy, even though it is reputed to be O’ahu’s second most popular hike (other than climbing Diamond Head – a worthwhile alternative, if you don’t mind the crowds).

For lunch, assuming your loco moco feast has been atoned for, try a Hawaiian plate lunch – usually some kind of beef, pork or fish with “two scoop-a-rice” (plenty of soy sauce) and macaroni salad or a veggie or two. The Rainbow Drive-In on Kanaina Avenue is an authentic hang-out for this.

Hanauma Bay - swim inside a volcano crater

Blue Hawaii

Afterward, take in an arts/craft show in Kapiolani Park (there’s always one), or sample the famous surf at Waikiki. Too many tourists? Water not gorgeous enough? Try public beaches nearby by at Ala Moana park and Magic Island, Papaoneone or pay the $10 admission to Hanauma Bay Nature Park (in a hollowed out volcano crater). Try to find blue water that color in California.

There are sublime jogging, biking and rollerblading trails all through Honolulu, and some quintessentially Hawaiian sights to see along the way, like

Bo Tree at Foster Botanical Garden

any of the five botanical gardens in town, or elegant ‘Iolani Palace (America’s only royal residence).

At sunset, you should be drinking a mai tai (complete with a little umbrella and pineapple wedge) at

La Mariana Sailing Club

La Mariana Sailing Club – O’ahu’s last honest-to-goodness tiki bar. The iconic and popular proprietess, sadly, passed away in 2008. But her picture and a small memorial still stand guard in the lobby. La Mariana is not easy to find – out behind some steel buildings on the road to Sand Island (another great in-town beach). It is not to be missed. The sunset? You will probably miss it here – because you can hardly see it through the forest of sailboat masts in the marina, tiki god carvings around the restaurant. But, order another mai tai; you won’t care. The food is not as famous as La Mariana’s cocktails (see Mai Tai No. 2 recommendation).

The view from the Hau Tree Lanai Restaurant on Waikiki Beach

The Kama’aina Choice

An alternative dinner suggestion is the Hau Tree Lanai Restaurant at the far end of Waikiki; locals love it, and they know the menu boasts grass-fed beef from a Hawaii ranch. Almost like dining in Argentina! But $$$$!

If you’re still in a romantic or festive mood, try a little dancing, poolside at one of the Waikiki hotels, such as under the giant banyan tree at the Moana Surfrider.

Dawn petrol

Breakfast, seaside at the Royal Hawaiian is unforgettable, especially if you ask the server for their magnificent macadamia nut pancakes (which are not on the menu any more). Served with hot, real maple syrup or lilikoi jelly.

Early risers should not miss a sunrise walk along Waikiki Beach, before the city comes alive. The beach is deserted, seas are glassy, the waters impossibly blue, and the waves perfect. The surf calls to you – like it did to surfing pioneers like Duke Kahanamoku (see his webcam here) and King Kamehameha I (see his famed statue here) – and you’ll want baptize yourself in the calm, warm waters and gentle swells. You are a Honolulu convert now.

Get baptized in the blue Hawaiian Pacific; you're a convert now

If you stop for coffee, know that the Starbucks locations here (and only here) sell bags of 100 percent Kona coffee. The ubiquitous Honolulu Coffee Co. is also a good source for Kona. Sharp-eyed shoppers might even rarer beans from Maui, Lana’i and Kauai. You’ll be tempted – and well advised – to take a few bags home.

Stock up on macadamia nuts and other silly souvenirs (flip-flops, anyone?) at one of the zillions of ABC Stores in town. Why do they need so many ABC Stores – some of which are next door to each other? Like Hawaii’s raindrops, no two are exactly the same.

I’m cheating here on the 36-hour time limit. But you will be sorely tempted too, as well. If you’ve truly tried to avoid the tourist trap luau shows, fire dancers and silly designer shops, you’ll realize at least three things: That this is the one place to experience the original Hawai’i, at its heart, it’s nothing like Southern California; and 36 hours is not enough.

Jerry Garrett

December 15, 2009

People are pissed about Hilton’s loyalty points devaluation next year, and I don’t blame them.  As some of the company’s most loyal guests consider bringing their loyalty elsewhere, the likes of Intercontinental, Marriott, and Starwood are woo’ing them with promotions and all this chit chat about how their points will remain at the same value.  Here’s a quote from Bob Behrens, VP of Marriott Rewards:

“We are not making changes that would negatively affect the Marriott Rewards point structure.  In fact, we are looking for ways to make things more positive for our members next year.”  This was in a recent Hotel Check-In article on USA Today.

But is it just corporate greed and P&L accountability that’s driving these devaluation decisions?  Probably.

But then I came across an article on how a few big league scammers are finding zero risk ways to accrue points at no net expense.  I’m talking about hundreds of thousands of points.  Read this entire WSJ article or the remarkable excerpts below:

At least several hundred mile-junkies discovered that a free shipping offer on presidential and Native American $1 coins, sold at face value by the U.S. Mint, amounted to printing free frequent-flier miles. Mileage lovers ordered more than $1 million in coins until the Mint started identifying them and cutting them off.

Coin buyers charged the purchases, sold in boxes of 250 coins, to a credit card that offers frequent-flier mile awards, then took the shipments straight to the bank. They then used the coins they deposited to pay their credit-card bills. Their only cost: the car trip to make the deposit.

One FlyerTalker, identified by his online moniker, Mr. Pickles, claims to have bought $800,000 in coins. He posted pictures of the loot on FlyerTalk.

He says his largest single deposit was $70,000 in $1 coins. He used several banks and numerous credit cards. He earned enough miles to put him over two million total at AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, giving him lifetime platinum-elite status — early availability of upgrades for life and other perks on American and its partners around the world. He also pumped miles into his account at UAL Corp.’s United Airlines and points into his Starwood Preferred Guest program account.

And people wonder why points get devalued.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has expanded its Westin brand in India with the opening of the new Westin Pune Koregaon Park. Located in close proximity to the airport and railway station, the 277-room hotel  is the second Westin property in the country and offers panoramic views of the Mulla-Mutha River.

Each room is furnished with the signature 10-layer Westin Heavenly Bed, spacious bathroom with separate bathtub and rainforest shower, LCD television, high-speed internet access, telephone with voicemail function, workdesk, in-room safe, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. Guests can also choose to stay in the WestinWORKOUT room with its own fitness facilities, or the Executive Club rooms which offers access to the Westin Executive Club Lounge.

The hotel features 5 restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. Taste offers international fare, while the all-day dining restaurant Daily Treats presents western specialties. Westin’s signature Italian restaurant, Prego, is available to serve up pizza and pasta dishes, with QBA introducing Cuban cuisine to Pune. For a local touch, Kangan offers the best of Indian dining. Guests can retreat to Mix@36 in the evenings after a day of business for a sundowner and light snacks.

As a business hotel, the Westin Pune Koregaon Park offers 8 unique meeting venues totalling 1,050 square meters of convention space for business travellers and event planners. Each venue is supported by state-of-the-art facilities and the hotel’s business center. For recreation, guests can head to the oudoor swimming pool for a refreshing swim, enjoy a session at the WestinWORKOUT gym, or proceed to the Heavenly Spa for soothing wellness therapies.

The Westin Pune Koregaon Park follows New Delhi’s Westin Sohna-Gurgaon Resort & Spa. The brand will be opening another 5 hotels in India by 2012, including the Westin Mumbai Garden City, Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, Westin New Delhi Gurgaon, Westin Jaipur Infotech City and Westin Kolkata Rajarhat.

For more information, visit www.westin.com.

Damn, y’all.  I travel way too much.  I don’t remember exactly when I started collecting the card keys from my business trips, and I’ve never counted them all, but I couldn’t help taking a quick look through a portion of the collection which I found a moment ago.  Each card here represents one week not spent in my own bed, and you can see the stack on the right there which I didn’t even go through.  The crazy part is that I’m pretty sure these are from the past year only.  If I had a dollar, right?

Today was a big day for Vegas with the opening of the first hotel, Vdara Hotel & Spa, in the CityCenter complex after five years of development planning and construction.  The development is co-owned by the Las Vegas-based MGM Mirage and Dubai World, the investment arm of the Persian Gulf state.  ”It’s going to be party central around here for a few weeks,” said Jim Murren, CEO of MGM Mirage.

I wonder if they’ll party so hard they fall behind on their debt like Dubai.  By the way, does anyone else find the irony in Dubai’s delinquency when it is a criminal offense for residents to fall into debt?

In other Vegas news, the WSJ reported that Harrah’s is continuing its plan to purchase the Planet Hollywood.  Apparently Harrah’s has been negotiating to acquire more of Planet Hollywood’s $860 million debt, which is in default.

Picture: LV Review Journal

Hanno fatto da apripista per tutti i prodotti dell’agroalimentare
PORTO CERVO WINE FESTIVAL Campagna di marketing in Russia di Starwood e Regione

Marco Bittau, , 30,11,09
PORTO CERVO. La campagna di Russia questa volta è stata un successo. E vale un brindisi con calici di buon vermentino di Gallura. Almeno dal punto di vista turistico, Mosca è sempre più vicina. Così deve aver pensato la delegazione sarda (amministrazione regionale e manager Starwood, il colosso alberghiero che gestisce i grandi hotel a 5 stelle della Costa Smeralda) che per due giorni, dal 26 al 28 novembre, ha esibito i vessilli del Porto Cervo wine festival (prossimo appuntamento, a maggio, per l’edizione 2010) nella vetrina internazionale della Russian wine fair.
In realtà, la «guerra» turistica per mettere le mani sul succulento mercato russo era già a buon punto, ma la partita non si poteva fermare all’industria delle vacanze di lusso o al mercato immobiliare (gli oligarchi dello zar Putin continuano a comprare ville da favole nella costa gallurese, da Porto Cervo a Porto Rotondo). Così la Regione ha lanciato una imponente campagna promozionale nei mercati esteri più sensibili (a cominciare proprio da quello russo) per sostenere le aziende sarde del settore agroalimentare. Sono interessati i produttori del comparto vitivinicolo, lattiero caseario, e poi la carne e i salumi. In pratica, da alcune settimane molte aziende sarde hanno cominciato a esportare in Russia i loro prodotti destinati a rifornire le cucine dei ristoranti di fascia alta che, soprattutto a Mosca, non mancano. Così come non mancano i consumi, a cominciare proprio dal vino. Vermentino e non solo, sempre di qualità eccellente e di costo non proprio contenuto.
«In pratica – ha spiegato l’assessore regionale Andrea Prato presentando il programma di iniziative – si tratta di utilizzare il canale turistico, già consolidato, per promuovere anche i nostri prodotti dell’agricoltura». L’assessore parla di scambi culturali, di sinergie tra i territori e di strategie condivise tra soggetti pubblici e produttori privati. Tradotto dal politichese, significa provare a superare i campanili e i provincialismi per affermare un unico marchio di qualità per i prodotti della Sardegna da proporre nei mercati internazionali più ricettivi.
Dalle parole ai fatti, il progetto di esportazione dei prodotti sardi ruota sul concetto di qualità e di eccellenza. Partner ideale è la Costa Smeralda con i suoi alberghi di lusso, simbolo di un modello turistico che proprio sulla qualità a qualunque costo (sempre molto alto, invero) ha posto le fondamenta sin dai tempi pionieristici dell’Aga Khan, negli anni Sessanta. Franco Mulas, ozierese, general manager degli hotel Starwood, conferma: «Puntiamo su mercati e iniziative che possano da subito raccogliere la voglia di Sardegna e di Italia che riscontriamo all’estero. Non a caso siamo in Russia, dove il riscontro è certamente più che positivo».
Proprio perché il marchio Costa Smeralda è sinonimo di prestigio senza compromessi, nella vetrina della Russian wine fair la Sardegna non poteva che esibire il meglio dell’enologia di casa, vale a dire produttori come Argiolas, Cherchi, Capichera, Contini, Pala, Tenute Soletta, Cantina del Vermentino e Trexenta. Accompagnati da prodotti top nazionali come Castello Banfi, Col d’Orcia, Ferrari, Capannelle e Livon. Tutti nomi che incutono rispetto. Poi arriveranno anche i formaggi, i salumi, le carni e altri prodotti dell’alta gastronomia sarda. Il meglio, sempre e comunque, per accontentare palati fini e portafogli gonfi di rubli. Denaro sonante da spendere e spandere a tavola nelle prossime vacanze estive in Sardegna, in Costa Smeralda, e adesso, gelido inverno, anche nei ristoranti eleganti della capitale.

What’s more American than spending Thanksgiving at a historical site? Four score and a few years ago my dear friend Jessica drove from Los Angeles to meet me in San Diego where I was meeting my father and his girlfriend for Thanksgiving dinner. Starwood had a four night special at several hotels in the area. At first I chose the Westin, where I was promised a suite. However, at the very last minute I decided to try something new and booked four nights at The U.S. Grant. The property was newly rehabbed and was all the talk on the blogosphere. The room I choose had a jacuzzi.

When I got off the plane I realized I left my toiletry bag at home! I called the hotel prior to ask for assistance. At the hotel I entered through a side door which through me for a loop. The decor was classic but plush. I asked for an upgrade and they laughed and handed me my room keys. Again, being a Starwood property I was entitled to an upgrade.

As I slid my room key my excitement peaked. Then BAM! My room was the size closet. The bed and flatscreen TV were great but thats all that seemed to fit in the room. I called the front desk. Again, they claimed I had to pay for an upgrade. I know the hotel was empty, it was very obvious they didn’t know who they were messing with. Realizing sometimes you can’t win I decided to check out this “wonder-tub”. The jets were intense and the water changed pretty colors. It was like a disco in a jacuzzi. This is what I was paying for. Then I saw there amenities. They were from some British bath company I have never heard of. I strolled downstairs to ask the concierge if they wouldn’t mind getting me some Bliss amenities from the W Hotel around the corner. Both hotels were Starwood so I figured this wouldn’t be a problem. They said “yes”. Days went by and nothing happened.

After a night of partying with Jessica at a MSTRKFT show we decided to buy our own booze and keep the party going. At one point I literally fell over this random chair almost knocking over the flatscreen. It was a good thing the bed was in reach. In fact I could lay in bed and touch anything in the room. We took some videos and eventually passed out.

Soon we realized everyone at the hotel was over 60 years old. We did not fit in. For what we were paying we could of had our suite at the Westin across the street where we stayed once before or a normal room at the W Hotel. The looks we were getting mirrored the same from the move “Pretty Women”. Even the staff was awful.

I decided to seek out the GM. I explained to him that I have the smallest room. The concierge never kept their one promise I asked and the staff was terribly rude. I asked him for a scissors and threatened to cut my gold card in front of a large group of guests checking in. He broke down and apologized. Just then Jessica strutted over in her heels and short skirt. There was an awkward moment. The GM looked at me and stated “I will give you 20,000 Starpoints for your troubles.” I dropped the scissors and walked away.

FYI – The U.S. Grant ended up being featured on an episode of “The Real Housewives of Orange County”.

2 mints on the pillow when all was said and done.

Serena Lullia, , 27/11/09
PORTO CERVO. Il vino come pozione magica per incantare i vacanzieri di bassa stagione. Su questa linea la Starwood, il gruppo che gestisce i quattro hotel super lusso della Costa Smeralda, ha costruito l’evento “Porto Cervo wine festival”. La rassegna dedicata ai vini isolani questo week end è tra i protagonisti della fiera internazionale “Russian wine fair”. Nell’aprile scorso i più importanti produttori di vino della Sardegna e d’Italia si erano incontrati e confrontati all’hotel Cervo. A margine dei dibattiti erano stati presentati i big dell’enologia italiana e sarda. Una iniziativa con la Regione come partner di eccezione. Un esperimento che ora viene esportato a Mosca. «Questo vuole essere il primo di una serie di appuntamenti da promuovere in diversi paesi – afferma l’assessore regionale all’Agricoltura, Andrea Prato – per far conoscere le nostre produzioni e soprattutto per aprire nuovi canali commerciali, non su mercati a caso, ma in quelli interessati a instaurare con le aziende sarde un rapporto costante. Puntiamo su mercati e iniziative che possano da subito raccogliere la voglia di Sardegna e di Italia». La Starwood è certa che le eccellenze sarde possano avere ottime chance di successo in Russia. «Oltre a essere uno dei principali mercati di riferimento per i nostri alberghi – dice Franco Mulas, area manager Starwood-Costa Smeralda – quello russo è uno dei più interessanti a livello mondiale anche per il consumo di vino». E sui vini di pregio delle cantine isolane, in particolare su quelle galluresi puntano Consorzio Costa Smeralda e Provincia. Parte questa domenica l’evento “Autunno in cantina”, quattro giornate nelle cantine di Arzachena, Monti, Berchidda, tra desgustazioni e concerti di musica classica.

Several years ago while I was living in Chicago I planned a Christmas trip to Phoenix. For some reason the train got me to the airport early so I splurged $50 on the United Red Carpet Club to relax and get some breakfast. When I got to the gate, I explained I was a Premier member and the gate agent handed me a first class ticket. This was going to be good seeing I was on the second level of a mammoth plane. I had a few drinks in my fantastic seat. The flight attendant offered more. Formerly being in the airline industry, I knew they were having engine issues. The plane sat for four hours and I was trashed. Finally the flight was cancelled. The wonderful flight attendant emptied his mini-booze bottles in my bag.

Now I had to fend for a flight to Phoenix with 350 other flyers. Then I remembered I had my all-day Red Carpet Pass and there was an agent present with no customers. Rather than waiting in line with the masses I darted to the agent who not occupied in the club. Every flight was full. I asked her to get me to LA seeing I could always drive to Phoenix. There was one seat in first on a flight leaving in 30 minutes, however I would have to fly from LAX to Phoenix on Christmas day and spend the night in an LA hotel. I made my flight and landed in LA.

Before the plane took off I called Starwood seeing if their were any rooms at an airport hotel. All the rates where cheap so I went with the Westin. Being a Gold Card Member at Starwood you get an upgrade and your ass-kissed among other amenities. When I arrived, exhausted, there was no ass-kissing from the bitter queen behind the counter. Maybe all the running around made me look like crap or it could have been the reek of booze oozing from my pores. All I got on Christmas Eve was a regular room. The room looked like an ordinary Westin room, except the bathroom. The bathroom needed some major bloody rehab. I was scared to take a shower.

My father gave me permission to order room service on him since I was stuck at an airport hotel on Christmas Eve. We never got to celebrate our special Christmas Eve tradition of champagne and caviar ever again. I don’t remember what the hell I ordered. I know I ordered lots of diet coke for my mini-booze treats and something about a cheese cake that tasted like a “no-bake cake.” When I woke up in the morning I was hung over and had to wait 30 minutes in the freezing cold for the airport bus to take me back to LAX. Good news was I got United to pay for the hotel and provide a voucher for $350! I don’t care what people say, I love United more than most airlines.

1 and 3/4 Mints

Starwood's Cyber Monday online promotion

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  A big thank you to all you readers and followers.  Here’s wishing you have a great break with friends and family.  Gobble gobble!

Now how about a Starwood deal?

Starwood is quickly positioning itself as a web savvy company.  In addition to its plethora of social media tools and sites, Starwood is now offering a special promotion for Cyber Monday.  For those who aren’t familiar with what that is, think of Black Friday but in the context of online shopping from your office desk next Monday.  Why should the brick and mortar retailers have all the fun?

Here’s the scoop on the online Starwood Cyber Monday promo . . .

For just three days starting on Monday, November 30 and ending on December 2, book a stay at one of the 50 Starwood resorts at savings of up to 45% on stays from Jan. 1 through April 30, 2010.  Here’s the link that you want to keep handy for next Monday:  http://www.starwoodexclusiveoffers.com/cybermonday-preview

The cancellation policy looks tough on this Cyber Monday promo though.  It looks like there’s no refund on cancelled reservations so make sure you’re definitely going or get trip insurance.

Just in case the 50 or so upscale Starwood resorts  just aren’t what you’re looking for, there’s always Hotels.com and its holiday sale.  Hotels.com was perhaps the industry pioneer of marketing online promotions specifically for Cyber Monday and Black Friday.  For the third year straight the website will hold online sales on both dates that will include over 200 properties in more than 100 locations selling at 50% off regular rates.

Just saw that Expedia is also having a Black Friday / Cyber Monday sale.  Get $25 off a hotel booking of $150 or more, book before Nov 30, and travel by Dec 21.

Goodbye White Plains, hello CT waterfront!

I had to read the news on WSJ twice before I actually digested the info.  It looks like Starwood is going to relocate corporate headquarters from White Plains, NY to Stamford, CT.  The WSJ article reports that Connecticut lured Starwood by offering government incentives worth up to roughly $90 million.  After reporting losses after each quarter this year, those incentives were probably like sweet, sweet nectar.

Here’s some additional info from the online sources . . .

Starwood will move to Harbor Point, a large mixed-use real estate development under construction in Stamford’s south end, which is currently home to accounting firm Deloitte.  The landlord, a local firm called Building & Land Technologies will shoulder some of the cost of the estimated $40 million renovation of the 250,000-square-foot space.  Starwood said the move would save 20% annually in rent.

The relocation, slated to be completed in 2012, will bring an estimated 800 jobs to the state, Connecticut Governor Rell said.  The incentives include a $9.5 million loan, as much as $5 million in sales tax relief and up to $75 million in tax credits.

“After an extensive search for new office space for our worldwide headquarters, it became clear that this particular space in Stamford was an ideal choice,” said Frits van Paasschen, president and CEO of Starwood. “Not only did the state of Connecticut provide meaningful incentives that translate to a savings of 20 percent per year in rent, but we will also have the opportunity to design office space that reflects Starwood’s leadership in global hospitality, design and brand-building, as well as our commitment to the environment and our communities.”

I just stumbled upon Oleg March’s Photography website which had some professional pictures of the W Boston on display.  There’s a bunch of great photo sets on this site, along with numerous hotel interior shots from NY and Greece from what I saw.

The W Boston, with its 235 guestrooms and suites (plus residences), opened up earlier this month in the city’s historic theater district.  It’s a good lookin building isn’t it?

Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader for W and Le Meridien puts it best when she says . . .

“As our 35th W Hotel and ninth hotel to open in 2009 alone, W Boston marks a true milestone in W’s global expansion into the world’s most exciting and vibrant destinations.  Renowned designers Bentel & Bentel have designed a landmark building that takes a modern twist on Boston’s historic green spaces, creating a true urban oasis for guests and locals alike.”

And read this tease of a description of the property from the official press release . . .

Envisioning a “virtual garden” concept, Bentel & Bentel’s design expresses this in myriad ways throughout the rooms and public areas of the hotel.  Steel tendrils that define spaces and create visual interest are at the same time both organic and industrial.  Falling water in the lobby is juxtaposed against interior and exterior glass and the dynamic interplay with what’s happening outside on Stuart Street and in the Theatre District.  A modern fireplace is positioned at the most acute angle of the building providing a “beacon” of light to those passing by, enticing them to come inside to join in the fun.  Throughout the day, light is subtly transitioned as it filters through the building’s impressive glass exterior into the thoughtfully created spaces within the hotel.

Photo: Boston City Walk

Welcome to the most wonderful place to stay during the most wonderful time of the year. Sheratons of the Twin Cities invite you and your loved ones to experience the Minneapolis area this season for pre and post-holiday shopping.

Your experience includes:
$100 Macy’s® gift card each night of your stay
Macy’s 10% Discount Visitor Coupon for each night of your stay
Great night’s rest on our Signature Sweet Sleeper Bed™
Offer valid all days of week for stays November 16 – March 31, 2010

The rate for this hotel is $140 so this a very good deal for anyone in the Minneapolis area.

I was in San Francisco this past weekend and got to see with my own two eyes a hotel strike for the very first time.  It was taking place on the entire sidewalk up and down the Palace Hotel’s exterior.

As reported in USA Today, workers that are part of a local union were striking to protest the progress of contract negotiations.  What’s got everyone so riled up?  Apparently health insurance has gone up and the workers don’t want to pay for it themselves.

All the picketting and protesting from union workers could not have come at a worse time for the Palace hotel.  Last Friday, the hotel was celebrating its 100th year anniversary with a spectacular party underneath the famous glass atrium ceiling.  Unfortunately, the scene wasn’t so pleasing on the sidewalk, where protesters were banging drums and delivering chants through megaphones.

Just a little bit of history — The Palace was rebuilt from the ground up in 1909, three years after the devastating earthquake of 1906.  It was originally built back in 1875 and was considered one of the most luxurious and glamorous hotels in the world.

Hopefully Starwood’s chief negotiators will sort out this mess with the local union sooner than later.  With several other properties in San Francisco, including the W and the Westin St. Francis, more strikes are certainly a possibility.  Let’s cross our fingers they won’t take place.

Here are some pics in and outside the hotel right before the 100th year anniversary party . . .

Tourists don't look too happy do they?

Is this beautiful or what?

Marriott International has announced the launch of a new brand within its portfolio. The Autograph Collection will comprise of upper upscale and luxury, independent hotels with distinct personalities in major cities and destinations around the world.

The Bethesda, Maryland-based company has plans to add up to 25 properties to the brand in 2010. The iconic hotels will be grouped according to the unique experiences they offer to guests, ranging from boutique arts, resort getaways, to historic and urban-edge encounters.

The Autograph Collection combines the experience of an independent hotel with the product and standards of Marriott’s other full-service hotels. Each hotel will be featured on the group’s sales and marketing platforms, with affiliation with the Marriott Rewards guest loyalty program. The properties will also be required to maintain high levels of guest satisfaction and quality assurance to remain part of The Autograph Collection.

Marriott International joins rival hotel groups Hilton Worldwide and Starwood Hotels & Resorts in managing a portfolio of independent luxury hotels under the Waldorf Astoria Collection and Luxury Collection brands respectively.

For more information, visit www.marriott.com.

Touch technology help non-tech industries improve business, efficiency, and their bottom lines.

The SMART Table brings touch to masses and classes. Photo: SmartTech

We all oohed and aahed when Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone came out because of how cool it was, especially its multi-touch capability that let us flick through photos and “pinch” and expand photos and websites.

Now, with Microsoft (MSFT) Windows 7 specially formatted for touch capabilities, and everyone from manufacturers to hotels touting their tough capabilities, we know human contact with computer screens is more than a gimmick — it’s here to stay.

Touch is already a big business — estimates indicate that sales will be more than $3.66 billion for this year and will catapult 145% to almost $10 billion in the next five years.

Only half of that revenue is coming from consumer electronics (i.e. cell phones, digital frames, etc.) — the rest is from retail, hospitality and more. What many people forget is that this 30-year-old technology has been integrated in non-tech industries for years — mainly as a way to improve efficiency, but never as a centerpiece.

So, we decided to take a look at the best of the rest and highlight the most innovative, business-savvy ways other industries are implementing touch technology — and helping improve their bottom line.

Retail: Ralph Lauren (RL) started playing with touch technology three years ago. David Lauren, senior vice president of advertising and marketing, says the company was inspired by the movie The Minority Report and how the entire world was immersed in touch technology. So Lauren decided to embed a 67-inch image touchscreen in their store windows to let potential customers browse through merchandise before coming in. (Brings new meaning to the term “window-shopping.”)

Another example is from bridal shop Priscilla of Boston, which began integrating touch into its store to not only increase efficiency but also add to the customer experience and lessen frustration for brides. Before brides (and bridesmaids) had to wade through clunky and thick catalogs, now brides only have to pick a color, dress features and they’re presented with remaining options. They can also watch video of how the dress moves down the runway if they’re still about trying on a gown.

The touch shopper has been a huge success, says Jeremy Capello, director of marketing. The conversion rate, which is the ratio of purchases compared to browsing, has doubled in its Philadelphia store since the launch of the touch shopper at the beginning of October.

Banking: BBVA Compass, a regional bank based in Alabama and a member of the BBVA group, started implementing what they call a “virtual banker” in six of their branches in September. Instead of having to wait for a banker, customers are taken to a separate room and presented with a touchscreen.

The customer is then connected to a live banker in any BBVA Compass branch via webcam. The banker then helps the customer with a split screen — half is the webcam and the other half is the touch — so that the level of personalization and interactivity emulates an in-person interaction.

BBVA Compass is “bridging the real and virtual world” in order to best serve their customers, says Alejandro Carriles, senior vice president and director of research and development. Not to mention, it’s extremely cost effective (implementing the technology costs under $10,000 per brand). Expect to do more transactions Jetsons-style — BBVA Compass will roll out the “virtual banker” to 70 more branches next year.

Hospitality: The Sheraton Hotels and Resorts has really embraced touch technology. The company, a unit of Starwood Hotels & Resorts (HOT)  had implemented touch tables two years ago and now is in six hotels.

The touch table-tops were initially used just to listen to music and purchase items from the hotel, but Sheraton is now developing software that will better fit customer needs and demands, says Hoyt H. Harper, Sheraton’s senior vice president.

For instance, a new application will allow the touch table-tops to recognize items such as wine glasses so that customers can simply place their glass of sauvignon blanc on the table and the touch table-top will tell them about the wine, how it was made and what are the best food pairings from the bar. It’s been a great investment, says Harper who has seen customer satisfaction increase for guests who use the touch table-tops.

Education: Smart Technologies, the makers of the interactive SMART Board whiteboard have also introduced the SMART Table to classrooms. Already in more than 500 schools, SMART Tables have been an incredible success already both for business and for students.

New York’s Verrazano School has used SMART tables in its classrooms since May, and teachers say it’s helping low-performing students with their cognitive skills. “They don’t realize that they are actually learning, because the table has many activities that incorporate fine motor and gross motor skills,” says first grade school teacher Joyce Li. Not exactly a business, but definitely investing in the future, says principal Gregg Korrol, who feels that the SMART table has only helped improve classroom dynamic and encouraged students to participate more in the learning process.

Greener Hotels for a Healthy Planet!
The Hotel and Lodging “giants” and “empires”, major hotel chains like Hyatt, Westin and Starwoods, Marriot and some more others offer world-class, superior accommodations in their all environmental friendly hotels all over the world.
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W Hotels has opened its 35th property with the unveiling of the new W Boston, marking a milestone in the brand’s ongoing expansion. Located in the heart of Boston near Chinatown and the Theater District, the hotel is designed as a ‘virtual garden’ concept and is the result of a collaboration between local architect William Rawn, TRO Jung|Brannen and New York-based Bentel & Bentel. The building’s glass facade enables light to be subtly transitioned as it filters through into the interior spaces, while the designers have made use of falling water and a modern fireplace to create visual interest of the interior.

The hotel features 235 guestrooms and suites, ranging from W Hotels’ signature Wonderful Room to the Extreme WOW Suite, vividly-designed with high-energy interiors familiar to guests at sister properties around the world. Each room is furnished with the W bed and pillow menu, a spacious bathroom with separate bathtub and rain shower complemented by amenities from Bliss, flat-screen televisions with CD/DVD player and iPod docking station, high-speed internet access, dual-line cordless telephones with voicemail feature, workdesk and a munchie box/minibar.

Dining at W Boston promises to be a gastronomic experience with outlets offering gourmet food and drinks from Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and master mixologist Sasha Petraske. Market by Jean-Georges serves a multicultural menu inspired by Asian, French and Italian influences and prepared with ingredients from the New England region. The cozy W Bar boasts stylish spaces to mix and mingle over drinks and light snacks, while Descent, scheduled to open early next year, will be an exclusive underground spot with cocktails created by Sasha Petraske of New York’s Milk & Honey fame.

Business travellers at W Boston requiring conference facilities will have 9 spaces available to them, including the 177-square meter Great Room. Each meeting space is equipped with complete audio-visual support and a teleconferencing system, with business and secretarial services provided by the WIRED business center. Guests seeking a workout can do so at the SWEAT fitness center, or indulge in the variety of spa treatments available at Bliss Spa.

W Boston is the brand’s ninth hotel to open in 2009. W Hotels is on track to double its portfolio by 2011, with new hotels scheduled to open in Athens, Bangkok, Dubai, Hollywood, Koh Samui, London, Marrakech, Paris and Shanghai.

For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

Today was Career Day at Cornell.  Aside from climbing up the slope in the rain while wearing my Sunday best, I was really looking forward to networking with recruiters from Starwood, Kimpton, Marriott, Expedia, and a cool company called Nor1.

Now that my interview with Expedia is over and the networking is done (at least for today), I’m ready for a quick break to reminisce about a recent stay at the W Fort Lauderdale.  Today’s rain really made me miss those warm southern Floridian days.

If I could sum up the new W Fort Lauderdale in a few words, I would describe it as the ultimate bachelor beach pad.  Aside from the modern beach design and the primo oceanfront real estate, it’s got a knockout pool party scene with some of the hottest bodies in southern Florida.  The W Fort Lauderdale takes the pool party lifestyle to the 10th degree with a rooftop pool, a live music DJ crankin out jams, and a huge deck that overlooks the Atlantic.  If you enjoy people watching, this is your weekend scene.  If you really enjoy people watching, then ditch your lounge chair and make your way to the steps that cut through the pool into the lobby below.

No idea what I’m talking about?  Check out the pics below and pay attention to that glass structure in the middle of the pool
. . .