honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, July 24, 2008

Many hotels now offering you a room with a tech view

By Kim Komando

For years, hotels have tried to provide the best creature comforts and services. And now, many are adapting to the digital age. So when you book hotel rooms, pay attention to the amenities offered.

These days, Wi-Fi is standard at many hotels. Some provide free service in the lobby. You may need to pay to use it in your room. Interestingly, lower-priced hotels are more likely to offer free in-room high-speed Internet access than pricey establishments.

Getting online is just the beginning. Many hotels provide 24-hour business centers stocked with computers and printers. Others offer far more tech amenities. Here are just a few:

MGM Grand, Las Vegas: Each suite has a high-definition flat-panel television, and many suites have several. There are even sets built into the bathroom mirror.

To complement that, you'll find a DVD player and an advanced stereo system. There is also Internet access in each room.

Additionally, a remote control helps you adjust settings in the room. You can close the drapes or change the temperature with the click of a button.

The Four Seasons, Manele Bay, Hawai'i: At the Four Seasons, you'll find flat-screen TVs and DVD and CD players in rooms. Some also offer stereo players for your iPod. The rooms are also equipped with both wired and wireless Internet access.

The hotel has an entertainment center guests can use that contains large flat-panel TVs. If you are missing your Microsoft Xbox or Sony PlayStation, guests can play free in the hotel's public video game room.

Hotel Sax, Chicago: The Hotel Sax has partnered with Microsoft to launch The Studio: An Experience by Microsoft. In the entertainment lounge, guests can try Microsoft's newest technologies.

There are Xbox games, laptops and a music library downloadable to Zunes. There's also a home theater setup for watching select movies.

You'll find Xbox 360s and improved sound systems in the rooms. Every room has instant messaging to the concierge. Guests can also communicate with concierges outside the hotel with text messaging.

Pod Hotel, New York: Like many other hotels, the Pod offers flat-panel TVs and Wi-Fi access. You'll also find iPod docking stations.

But the Pod has something unusual: It has created a social network for guests, to exchange sightseeing advice or make arrangements to meet up.

Other options: Of course, these hotels may be out of many travelers' budgets. But you'll find tech-savvy hotels in your budget. Decide what you need and how much you're willing to spend. Then start asking the hotel questions.

Most travelers need Internet access. So ask about the costs of that. Are entertainment systems provided in the rooms? High-definition TVs are becoming more common. Surround sound systems are less common. Ask about iPod docks.

DVD players in the room are handy, especially if you are traveling with children. Most rooms won't include stand-alone gaming consoles. But you may be able to rent an Xbox or Nintendo Wii, although you may have to pay by the hour for it.