John Moriarty (right) checks into the Colonnade Hotel with the help of Thomas O'Connor and Jennifer Ruiz.
(Evan Richman/Globe Staff)
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Now that the holiday madness is over, it's time to think about planning your winter vacation, whether it's a ski retreat, Caribbean getaway, or just a relaxing weekend in the city.
But that long-awaited February respite might be clouded by some bad news for hotel travelers: Room prices are expected to rise this year by almost 6 percent, thanks to high occupancy rates. That's according to industry analyst Bjorn Hanson of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
But there's good news, as well. You can expect personalized treatment and one-of-a-kind offerings, from pooch-pampering packages for the global Fido to a lodging experience more reminiscent of home sweet home. The American Automobile Association reports that residential-inspired design and amenities feature the latest technologies, improved bedding, and stylish bathrooms with designer amenities.
It's the details that separate a so-so hotel stay from a memorable one. At the Hotel@MIT, for example, robots from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Artificial Science Lab are displayed in the lobby, wireless Internet is hooked up to networked laser printing, and duvet covers are tucked in under whimsical blankets printed with scientific formulas. Across the river, the ultra-luxurious Four Seasons provides young visitors with kid-size bathrobes, bedtime milk and cookies, and their own toiletries. The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square offers ice skating in the winter and a year-round rooftop swimming pool.
But how can travelers get the best rates and suitable amenities, especially in a room that is sight unseen? A study released by the Cornell University Center for Hospitality Research said third-party providers such as Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity usually offer lower rates, but checking a hotel chain's website is also a good way of finding room availability. And the sure-fire way of booking a suitable, low-rate room is an old-fashioned technique: Picking up the phone and calling.
David Colella, general manager of the Colonnade Hotel in Boston, said generic booking websites can offer good prices, but travelers typically end up with what he calls "run-of-the-house rooms." But, he said, "if you call the hotel directly, you have a better chance to get what you want, whether it's a room by the pool or a room with a view."
In addition, if you call ahead and notify the staff that you're traveling with children, many hotels will provide kid-friendly essentials, such as a refrigerator or bottle warmer, childproofing items, and a selection of children's DVDs, toys, and books.
Hotels range from luxury ($500 to $600 a night and up) to midrange ($100 to $250), and on the bottom rung, economy ($50 to $100), with the main difference being the service, said David Gibbons, general manager of the Taj Boston.
"At the low end of the market, you're almost checking yourself in," Gibbons said. "You'll also see a difference in the size of the room and the level and quality of decor. Different organizations have varying checkpoints of quality criteria."
No matter what the price range, today's hotels are often wired door-to-door to accommodate both business and leisure travelers, with WiFi, MP3 connectivity, flat-screen televisions, DVD players, and, for kids, PlayStations or the ability to hook up game machines.
"Technology is right on top of the list of things that guests ask about," Colella said.
And, of course, there are the standard amenities, including a coffee machine, a minibar, a fitness center, on-site restaurants and bars, complimentary toiletries, iron, alarm clock, and blow dryer.
Take a tip from Gibbons of the Taj: When he travels, he doesn't hesitate to speak up about what he wants. "Never be shy. Tell the hotel why you're coming and what you need, whether you're going for a business trip or your 25th anniversary. Our job is to customize your stay."
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
