HD Talks Blog

Take Cover

I followed my normal routine this morning--took a shower, had some breakfast, and watched the news for what's going on in the world. Not only did I hear that it was going to rain here in New York City (this is not news to me since the whole summer has been washed out) but also, yet another fire has struck California. This time, affecting my family's turf--Rancho Palos Verdes. I called my uncle immediately to see if evacuations were taking place; what the scene was like; and of course, how he was dealing with this. He let me know that the fire was being contained and everyone was remaining calm. But what he also let me know was that nearby resort, Terranea, was helping evacuees and their pets by offering them a place to stay. "We made the decision as soon as we saw the situation on the news," said Terranea Resort spokeswoman Wendy Haase. 

A little background on the newly opened resort: the official opening was in June and it is beautiful--I got the chance to see it briefly in late May when I went to visit my family. Not only does the resort offer an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean, but also has 582 guestrooms (one shown below), eight restaurants, a spa, fitness center, and a 9-hole golf course called the Links at Terranea (you could see Catalina Island from the course). 

Not only were families offered rooms at the resort, but pets were greeted with treats from the bellboys. Thanks for lending a helping hand Terranea! 

A Penny for Your Thoughts

We've heard this story many times before. Game players who decide to play a scratch off game, thinking they won soon after looking at the card, only to find out that instead of striking it rich, they have gained nothing other than disappointment due to "a glitch in the system" or "human error". (One story comes to mind--the Daily News had a glitch in its Scratch n' Match contest that led hundreds of people to believe that they won $100,000, but of course, they didn't).

But finally, I heard about a positive ending to a situation similar to a failed sweepstakes. If you were looking for an inexpensive hotel rate at the Crowne Plaza in Quarto D'Altino (located just a little over 15 miles outside of Venice), then you may have found the deal of a lifetime--a two-night stay for just a penny! Yes, a penny. In minutes 1,400 room nights were booked and suspicions first led to a website hacker. As it turns out, it was human error. The deal was originally for a two-night stay at half the price (usually the hotel room rates run between $128 and $214 a night).

Now as I heard this story, I would have bet any amount of money that the ending was going to turn out just like any other--the hotel was not going to honor these reservations, when in fact, it was the hotel's fault. People were going to threaten to throw lawsuits around. An apology would be issued by the hotel. So when I heard the outcome, I was speechless (that doesn't happen often). InterContinental Hotels Group announced that it would be honoring all confirmations for this "weekend-for-a-penny offer". Wow. Just when I thought customer service and honesty were ideals of the past, IHG gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, there are still companies out there that value customer satisfaction. I'm singing your praises. 

Don't Forget the Toilet Paper

How do you make a dollar go a long way in a struggling economy if you are a hotel? How about offering a package that includes a stay with nothing but the bed? Yes, you heard me right. Gather your sleeping bag and camping supplies, it's time to check in to the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa.

At this San Diego inn, which just went through a $25 million dollar renovation, guests could opt for the special package, the Survivor Package, offering a truly "tentalizing" experience. Never slept in a tent? You have before but want to try it indoors? For just $19 a night, the inn will remove the mattress, frame, headboard, and pretty much everything else so that you could sleep in one of the 287 guestrooms in a tent as shown below. 

And as guests give up certain amenities, the price drops. 

The inn's website asks "How Low Will You Go? Name your price with our Survivor Package!": 

$199 without breakfast 
$179 without honor bar 
$159 without A/C or heat 
$139 without pillows 
$109 without sheets 
$89 without lights 
$59 without linens 
$39 without toiletries 
$19 without bed 

Just remember, no campfires allowed. But bring on the Kumbaya!

Lazy Summer Days

We've become a little tired this summer of doing things like "putting out a magazine", so we thought we'd hand off an issue to an industry superstar so we could head to the beach! OK, so not exactly, but we are handing over the editor-in-chief reigns to our friend Roger Thomas from Wynn Design and Development for our November issue. Roger came to our New York City offices to pour over almost 40 projects that we had collected, to come out with a feature well of design projects that is as tasteful as it is diverse. Over the course of a few hours we pondered everything from the difference between hand-drawn and CAD work, to the history of hotels, and most importantly, what exactly were those figs from Otto's marinated in?? 

We're extremely excited as this is our first Guest Editor Issue, and we'll be working hard over the next few months to bring you a collaborative effort between Roger and HD. Stay tuned! 

Seeing Green

We have written about numerous LEED certified projects, or projects aiming for LEED certification, but it was just the other day that I actually got to experience my first LEED certified project—the Hotel Indigo San Diego, which just opened a few weeks ago (just in time for the craziness that is Comic Con). And now I am hooked! Just walking in, you feel the difference. Open, airy, bright. It just feels good. I know, that may sound cheesey, but its true. 

And it is exciting. The hotel is the first LEED hotel in San Diego, and only the 7th in California, and the first LEED certified hotel for InterContinental in the U.S. It also helped that the hotel's architect Joseph Wong gave me a behind the scenes tour with the hotel's PR rep Robert Arends. (Locally based Wong worked on the project with Atlanta-based Design Directions International.) The best part was a sneak peak at the green roof (another first for the area).

A local feel was key, so much so that there is $300,000 worth of commissioned art pieces including one 12 stories up. Named Indigo Waters, the 40-foot exterior wall sculpture is made of 33 handpainted, laminated, and tempered blue-colored glass panels by local artist Lisa Schirmer.

Barely any light fixtures are needed thanks to Nano Walls that open up the lobby (helps that San Diego is having better-than-average weather right now). I am personally excited because the hotel is dog friendly and the Phi Bar and Bistro will have doggy happy hours starting in September.

I know locals will soon be grabbing a drink on the Phi Terrace, which has a perfect view into Petco Park. Would be better if the Padres were winning more games than loosing, but the cocktail list will be a draw of its own. It includes drinks made with the herbs from this floor's herb garden. Makes me wonder how I start my own garden.

Trail Mix or a Bikini?

I thought I had seen the evolution of the vending machine hit its pinnacle yesterday when I managed to buy Moroccan Chicken with Herbed Couscous from our brand new Fresh Direct machine in our company café. (Under 500 calories, and ready in under 3 minutes! I love technology!) But alas, today the Standard hotel has shown me that there's no price too high, no fit too tricky, that you can't sell literally anything from a vending machine...and somehow make it seriously cool. 

Through a partnership with the Standard, Quicksilver is reissuing its original boardshorts from the '70s and '80s (but with modern fits and fabric) and selling them and the above bikini in boardshort/bikini vending machines that will be located poolside at the Standard hotels, in Standard boutiques, and online.

We've now seen sex toys, microwaveable meals, and bathing suits sold this way, and it begs the question: what else could be sold in hospitality vending machines?