9 Ways To Make Your Hotel Stay Much More Fun Slideshow
When you're traveling, it's easy to forget things — a camera, workout clothes, even something as simple as a book — but hotel hospitality is a wonderful thing. Over the past few years hotels have been stepping up their game to accommodate the needs of guests and frequent travelers. The idea is to make you want to keep coming back to the same hotel or at least use the same hotel chain on other trips in the future.
For that reason (and to make your stay as seamless and enjoyable as possible, of course) hotels will provide luxury, name-brand products for their shampoos, conditioners, and lotions. You'll usually get adapters, chargers, and Wi-Fi access for free as well, along with room robes and slippers for ultimate relaxation.
However, lately hotels have been offering fun perks to keep their guests entertained. For instance, Marriott Hotels in 17 places throughout Latin America and the Caribbean offer GoPro rentals for you to take with you on your adventures and later share your experience with the hotel. Other hotels, like the Even Hotels of New York, are also going above and beyond to accommodate people's wellness needs — since many travelers now enjoy continuing their fitness activities while vacationing but may sometimes forget their workout gear or yoga mats.
A GoPro
Hotels want to make sure you're enjoying your stay, and that you'll share your wonderful experience with others. In an effort to keep up with new trends and adventurous travelers, some hotels will allow you to rent out a GoPro for the day to capture all of your awesome moments. There are about 17 Marriott Hotels that will let you rent out a GoPro HERO4 camera to record your experiences.
Kids’ Entertainment
Younger children get restless easily. If this is an issue for you when traveling, try asking the front desk if they have any entertainment for kids. Many hotels will have crayons and paper for them to doodle, and some even have items such as bath toys.
Yoga Mat
For the yogi who didn't have space in their suitcase to pack a yoga mat, this is a great perk that hotels will offer (usually for free, or a small charge). The Even Hotels chain in New York is one of the most notable hotels offering this amenity. The hotel has completely embraced the wellness traveler's needs with a standup desk in the room as well as yoga gear already waiting for you in your hotel room.
Workout Gear
Hotels such as the Westin, Omni, and Fairmont will offer guests various workout items upon request. Some of the items you can ask for include workout clothes, sneakers, and even an iPod. For a $5 charge, the Westin Hotels encourage you to pack light and use their New Balance workout clothes and sneakers.
Board Games
Sometimes you just want to relax in your hotel room and have a nice family night in, especially if it's a rainy day outside. If you don't feel like watching TV or exploring the hotel, you can ask for board games at places like the Corinthia Hotel and the Dorchester London.
Kindles
Leave it to luxury hotels like Trump Soho and The James New York to offer guests Kindles for poolside reading. Other hotels may not be as technologically advanced, but will still offer a selection of books you can choose from if you forget to bring your own reading material.
Shows
Hotels in Las Vegas will sometimes offer free show tickets if you are staying in the hotel, or packages that you can request at a discounted price. For instance, Treasure Island will give its guests two complimentary tickets to Cirque du Soleil when they book a three-night stay at the hotel.
Netflix
In 2016 it was announced that Netflix would partner with the in-room entertainment company Enseo to bring their streaming services to hotel guests. The Marriott Hotels currently offer this amenity, but Netflix plans to expand to other hotels and stream to over 130 countries.
Movies
Some hotels will set up outdoor theaters for movie screenings, while others may have a theater on the premises — like the Atlantis in the Bahamas. When you arrive, ask the front desk what events are happening on the property and, if you're already sure they have a theater, what movies are scheduled to be shown.