You’ve had a great day abroad. You saw awesome sites, ate fabulous food, and took fantastic pictures. Now you’re back at your hotel and you just want to unwind and perhaps share some of the highlights of the day with all your Facebook friends. But something is preventing you from being the envy of all those friends. No internet connection. Are you kidding?
According to a survey by hotels.com, the number one amenity factored in a hotel booking decision is free wifi, and with good reason. We live in a technological world and feeling disconnected can easily give every one of us a panic attack. Luckily, hotels are now better understanding this need and some are offering free wifi. Luckier still, they’ve identified our need for more than that and have upped the ante on amenities. Gone are the days when a hotel room was just a place to sleep.
So, let’s clarify what amenities are, exactly. Are they just the pocket sized toiletries that come free with the accommodation? Well, not exactly. Technically they are any benefits of a property that contribute to the guest’s comfort. With that as a definition, here are three hotels with attractive amenities.
The Bowery House, New York City
Back in 1645, before the Bowery became NYC’s latest gentrified cutting edge street, the hotel’s first lodgers were ten families of freed slaves. What a history! At a mere $85 a night, you’ll get more a lot for your dollar with their amenities: free high-speed wifi, Dutch inspired bicycles for rental, an international newsstand, the Bowery Bodega, a roof garden overlooking the New Museum of Contemporary Art, 300 thread count sheets, Ralph Lauren towels, heated bathroom floors, and a gorgeous private living room on the 3rd floor. This list definitely got me psyched.
Hotel Mediterraneo, Rome
The Hotel Mediterraneo is one of four hotels from the Bettoja Hotel group, the oldest and largest private hotel group in Italy. It is literally a “ten-story dream” with original 1930’s Deco décor and discrete touches of luxury. Ten suites on the top floor have terraces with Rome’s most beautiful view of the dome of St. Peter’s at the Vatican. Enjoy a drink from the Roof Garden bar, work out in the fitness area, relax with room service, and use the Tom Thumb tourist e-guide and the multiple meeting rooms. Oh, and of course there’s free wifi.
www.romehotelmediterraneo.it/en
The Ritz Carlton Millennia, Singapore
If the view of the Singapore skyline or Marina Bay doesn’t take your breath away, their 4,200 piece contemporary art collection will. With works by David Hockney, Frank Stella, Dale Chihuly and Andy Warhol, the collection has a museum quality to it and is valued at $4 million. There are guided tours by podcast. Don’t have an iPod? No biggie, borrow one from the concierge. Additional amenities include high speed wireless, power adaptor sockets, iPod dock, dual mood lighting systems, rain showerheads and anti fog mirrors. We can see how the hotel got its five stars.