Nestled in the heart of the New Forest village of Brockenhurst in the UK’s Hampshire region, the Cottage Lodge bills itself as an “eco chic” bed and breakfast built with sustainability in mind. Nowhere is that focus more evident than in its solar-powered Standing Hat room, which was constructed from locally sourced Douglas Fir. Bamboo flooring, a handmade bed and a woodburning stove are also on hand, but perhaps most interesting of all is the room’s pedal-powered TV, which is “perfect for those who want to reduce their impact on the environment and get fit at the same time,” the hotel explains.

Is there any end in sight to the pedal-powered revolution? Hoteliers around the globe: this one’s for you!

Website: www.cottagelodge.co.uk/brockenhurst-standinghat.html
Contact: enquiries@cottagelodge.co.uk

With the slogan ‘Who needs money, beautiful people travel free!’, the site pairs up men with money and women with looks as a new twist on online dating. Founded by Brandon Wade, who has previously launched SeekingMillionaire.com and WhatsYourPrice.com, Miss Travel acts as a platform for “generous” travel-lovers who are looking for company on their trips and who are willing to donate their frequent flyer points to enable those less wealthy to join them. Users of either gender can sign up as an Attractive Traveler or Generous Traveler — although the site generally assumes that women will make up the former and men the latter. Attractive Travelers can use all of the site’s features for free, while Generous Travelers must pay when they want to communicate with another user. Daters can fill out their information on their profiles, as well as details about their traveling plans or wishes. The concept invites users to chat about destinations as a conversation starter, before they decide on a trip together. While the focus is on romantic relationships, the site can also be used by those looking for friendly company. The video below explains the service:

The company are keen to stress that this service is not for escorts, and is trying to position itself as a genuine dating/friendship service. The service is sure to be controversial despite this, and is there room for yet another dating site?

Website: www.misstravel.com
Contact: press@misstravel.com

Some 180 high-income Chinese recently spent USD 88,000 each on a tour to the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel Seoul, which is home to the Possom Prestige anti-aging clinic. Included in the trip were shopping, sightseeing and plastic surgery at Possom Prestige, which is part of a growing class of such establishments known as “meditels”, or in-hotel clinics. A full-treatment package at the clinic offers eight nights at the hotel along with a stem cell treatment ranging from USD 8,768 to USD 43,800, according to a report on Elite Choice.

Austerity measures may be in place in much of the world, but the desire for self-improvement persists unabated. Medical and hospitality entrepreneurs — this one’s for you!

Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Seoul/Default.htm
Contact: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Seoul/Contact/Default.htm

Australian-based mmMule has already been connecting tourists with locals who may need goods from abroad. The idea behind the site’s new arm – AngelMule – came from a trip co-founders Andrew Simpson and Avis Mulhall took to Rwanda, where they visited an orphanage carrying a much-prized football. In Andrew’s words: “It was the most amazing experience to turn up at the orphanage with a football and see the ecstatic reactions of the kids who had been using a plastic water bottle to kick around…” Aiming to provide a platform for other travelers to have a similar experience, AngelMule enables visitors to set their current location and destination and search for posts by non-profit organizations in need of goods. If a match is found, users can then message the organization to arrange a delivery. Charities can list the items they need travelers to bring, as well as the reward they are willing to offer. These can range from a hug to accommodation, or a tour of the local area.

AngelMule gives travelers the chance to have a unique experience abroad as well as give something back to the communities they are visiting. How else could you put a charitable twist on something that travelers are already planning to do?

Website: www.mmmule.com
Contact: www.mmmule.com/contact-us

Similar in concept to Spain’s Spotfav – which uses webcams and crowdsourced reports to show which coastlines are currently experiencing good weather – the Netherlands-based site offers users the option to search for all destinations between their minimum and maximum preferred temperatures. Translated as ‘Where The Sun Shines’, WaarSchijntdeZonWel.nl obviously can’t guarantee great weather, but a search engine based on temprature increases the likelihood of sunshine at the chosen location. The site also offers recommendations based on historical data and gives a monthly ‘Sunfactor’ rating to each area so visitors are able to easily compare and contrast.

WaarSchijntdeZonWel.nl has incorporated a feature that taps into an important factor for holidaymakers when deciding on a trip abroad. It is currently only offering travel options from the Netherlands. Perhaps this is one to replicate in your part of the world?

Website: www.waarschijntdezonwel.nl
Contact: info@leads2travel.nl

The Turkey-based site has a simple layout, with two options to click on depending on whether the user would like something brought in or are planning to visit a different country. Those heading abroad can fill in a form explaining where they are travelling from and to, the dates of their trip, and what they will be willing to bring with them. Locals wanting an item from elsewhere can pick their location and requested object, as well as what they are willing to offer in return. This can range from cash to a tour of the area, an item of similar value, or an offer of a meal. Alternatively, tourists can offer to bring something as a gift, with no repayment expected. Each post is then advertised on the site in a similar fashion to a bulletin board. PleaseBringMe.com aims to help users receive items that may be expensive or difficult to import. It could also contribute to reducing carbon emissions through travel by combining tourist and courier journeys.

Much like craigslist, Gumtree and similar services, PleaseBringMe.com is an online platform for arranging real-world interactions, but shifts the regional aspect to a more global approach. A supply-demand model that could be adapted specifically for businesses?

Website: www.pleasebringme.com
Contact: info@pleasebringme.com

Situated on New York City’s Fifth Avenue overlooking Central Park, Taj Hotels’ The Pierre recently underwent a USD 100 million renovation that updated 189 guestrooms and suites as well as the hotel’s banquet and public spaces. Now, through a partnership with New York-Presbyterian plastic surgeon-in-chief Dr. Robert Grant, the hotel gives cosmetic surgery patients a luxury place to recover after their operation. Included in the package is someone to organize billing and pre-register the patient’s room, a private escort to the room, extra ice, towels and pillows delivered each day, continental breakfast via room service, a menu specially designed to promote healing, and Dr. Grant’s on-call services around the clock. Masseuse, spa and stylist services are available as well for an additional cost, as is car service to and from the cosmetic procedure. Pricing begins at USD 650 on top of the USD 600 per night or more for the hotel room, according to a Gadling report.

Cosmetic procedures are performed around the globe every day, and it’s a safe bet that there’s a sizable proportion of patients who would like — and can afford — some extra pampering. Hoteliers around the globe: time to seek out some partnerships of your own?

Website: www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/Grand-Palaces-And-Iconic-Hotels/The-Pierre-New-York/Overview.html
Contact: nora.walsh@tajhotels.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Once escorted to the villa they’ll be staying in, guests at the Viceroy Riviera Maya are visited by a staff “soap concierge” carrying large blocks of a variety of artisanal and locally made soaps along with a sharp knife, according to a HotelChatter report. With scents such as lemon, chocolate, rosemary, peach, melon, cinnamon and oatmeal, the soaps are reportedly made by local residents according to ancient Mayan traditions. The soap concierge cuts personal bars large enough for guests’ stay, but more is available for purchase in the hotel’s new gift shop.

There are at least as many ways for hotels to differentiate themselves as there are unique locations, but personal soap service is one we hadn’t seen before. Hoteliers around the globe: Like Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ perfume room service, this is one you need to be thinking about!

Website: www.viceroyrivieramaya.com
Contact: www.viceroyrivieramaya.com/contact

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

The hotel accepts guests accompanied by domesticated animals of all types and charges no extra fees for the privilege, regardless of the pets’ weight or size. Rooms come with food and water bowls, as well as a dog bed and a complimentary bottle of water and treats. Clean-up bags are provided and all pets are welcomed personally via a special board located at the front of the hotel. Through the concierge, travelers can arrange a pet grooming service, walking tours courtesy of The Tails of Two Cities and an animal relaxation session from Posh Pooch Massage. Bridget Pilloud, a pet psychic from Pets Are Talking, is also working with the hotel to enable visitors to get answers to questions directed at their animals. On hiatus until July 2012, Bridget charges USD 110 for a session of 20 minutes with a pet. Residents at Hotel Monaco are also being offered the Portland Unleashed Pet Package, which features a USD 20 LexiDog gift certificate, trail mix (suitable for both humans and dogs), an Oregon micro-brew beer and a map of other pet-friendly locales in the region.

Catering for pet owners is nothing new, but Hotel Monaco has gone the distance in its quest to make its premises a haven for animal lovers. How could you tailor your services to those with four-legged friends?

Website: www.monaco-portland.com
Contact: www.monaco-portland.com/monpmn_talk.html

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Launched just last month, Plus One Berlin’s Kreuzkölln space was designed by two Berlin-based architects using a combination of new and salvaged materials, and is located in close proximity to “friendly cafes, small hidden bars and popular restaurants”, in the company’s own words. Featuring a kitchenette, balcony and multifunctional living space, the apartment can sleep one to three people at a time. Even more interesting than the specifics of Plus One’s accommodations, however, is the fact that guests get access to the company’s stable of 28 local residents, chosen for their knowledge and passion for the city. When making their reservation, guests are given a login so they can browse the locals on staff. Once they pick one, they can indicate when they’d like to meet up with that person for an experience such as dinner at a local hangout, for example, and for how long. Plus One’s nightly rate of EUR 120 includes both accommodation and one experience with a chosen local for every two- to three-night stay.

Tourism is not just about accommodations, after all, but about experiences and getting a taste of local flavor; who better to provide that than hotels, in partnership with local guides? Hospitality entrepreneurs around the globe: one for inspiration!

Website: www.plusoneberlin.com
Contact: info@plusoneberlin.com

The Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program offers three membership levels based on how often guests stay at the company’s hotels. Focusing on members in the top-tier Platinum level, the new Your24 service is available to those who have spent 75 nights or more at a Starwood Hotel. In such cases, members can now pick their check-in and check-out times, so that a member who chooses to check in at 10pm on one day, for example, won’t have to check out until 10pm on their day of departure. The hotel hopes that the new initiative will ensure guests are able to enjoy a more leisurely stay over a 24 hour period, regardless of when they arrived.

It was only yesterday that we saw Bloc Hotels offering guests the features they value most, and being able to enjoy a full day’s stay — regardless of check-in time — would surely be another such feature. Hospitality providers around the globe: take note!

Website: www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/news/news_release_detail.html?Id=StarwoodShakeUpStatus
Contact: www.starwoodhotels.com/corporate/contact_us.html

By adapting modular building techniques and technology from Japan and around the world, Bloc Hotels can be built twice as quickly as a traditional hotel, the company says. Customer research, meanwhile, has helped the hotel zero in on the luxury details guests care about most: “One of the findings was that during short stays guests don’t normally unpack their bags, removing the need for excessive storage facilities and desk space. They also told us they prefer not to eat in budget hotels, so we build Blocs close to nice restaurants and bars so that they’re easy for guests to access them,” the company explains. With the resulting savings, the first, 73-room Bloc Hotel — situated in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter — can offer important extras “such as really powerful drench showers, super fast wifi, luxury linen, state-of-the-art flat screen HD LED TVs, plus fresh locally sourced pastries and Nespresso coffee from self-serve machines.” Room rates begin at GBP 90 per night and no parking is provided.

Offering high quality at low prices is always going to be an attractive proposition, and Bloc Hotels have managed to achieve this through careful research, revealing what their customers really want. Hoteliers around the world, time to apply similar thinking to your own establishments?

Website: www.blochotels.com
Contact: info@blochotels.com

The idea for Rambler came about when founder John Roa met a fellow traveler on an uninspiring trip to Iceland who was completing a to-do list set by a friend — including tasks such as “Find a street sign with more than 25 letters” and “Find puffin being served on a menu”. Inspired by the experience he created Rambler, where visitors to the site can view the existing challenges posted by other users and gain points for completing them. Those with the most points can get their name onto the Rambler Leaderboard, introducing a competitive element to traveling. Users can also suggest challenges based on things they have done abroad, setting the amount of points received for carrying them out.

Adventurers looking for a fun way to experience a country without sticking to the beaten path could be inspired by Rambler. Those involved in travel and tourism industries, one to partner with?

Website: www.ramblerhq.com
Contact: www.about.me/johnroa

Residents staying at any of the participating Rosewood hotels in North America or Saudi Arabia will be able to call the service up to their room 24 hours a day, receiving a selection of ten fragrances presented on a silver platter. According to a PSFK report, the service caters for both men and women, with the list currently including perfumes such as Chanel No. 5, Daisy Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford for Men and Bulgari Pour Homme. The Fragrance Butler hopes to save tourists from having to pack their expensive or fragile perfumes and colognes while enjoying a potentially larger selection than in their own collection. Reminiscent of Springwise-featured Scent of Departure, each hotel will also feature a perfume specifically chosen to evoke the nature of the city in which it is located. For example, the hotel chain has selected Hermes Eau De Merveilles for travelers staying at the Carlyle in New York and Givenchy Dahlia Noir for the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas.

It was only a few months ago that we covered Ogomo, an e-commerce site offering a range of travel-size products that can be delivered directly to the travelers’ hotels. Hoteliers around the globe, how else could the travel experience be improved by providing tourists with services that ease the burden of packing?

Website: www.rosewoodhotels.com
Contact: www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/contact/contact_form/