Hotels Raise the Bar With Unique Rooftops

While rooftop bars (like this one) are a pretty popular hangout among city dwellers, some luxury hotels have gone above and beyond the usual dine in the sky concept. Think: opening the space up to four-legged guests, outdoor movie haven and hotel garden. Intrigued? You’ll find all the details below. 

Who Let the Dogs Out? (On the Roof)

Hyatt Centric, that’s who. In July, Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami launched its brand new Wooftop Park. The newly-designed roof works as a space for guests and locals to take their dogs to play or just relax. And since all Hyatt Centric properties are furry-friendly, the park makes complete sense. At Wooftop, owners will find toys and treats, aka a doggy oasis. And Hyatt Centric’s GM said it best: why would guests take their dogs out onto the hot Miami asphalt when a cool rooftop hangout awaits?

Photo: miami.com

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane…

Nope, it’s Skylawn at Embassy Suites Midtown Manhattan. Located on the hotel’s third floor terrace, this new rooftop concept is 5,560 square feet of landscaped perfection. The venue can host groups as little as 40 or as large as 200 people. Guests can relax on the comfortable couches, watch an outdoor movie on the lawn and drink handcrafted cocktails from the bar.

Photo: Rooftop Cinema Club

Rooftop Views Just Got Sweeter

With Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile’s honey bees. At this hotel, the ninth floor roof isn’t for relaxing. Instead, it houses a massive garden, honey bees AND solar panels. Over 25 herbs and veggies get their grow on in the garden, all for the homemade food served at the hotel. The fresh honey is used in hotel granola, salad dressings & this special honey IPA. And the solar panels soak up the sun to power the hotel’s fitness center below. This property gets an A+ in sustainability, what do you think?

Photo: Chicago Tribune

Of all the unique rooftop uses, which is your favorite?

Want blog content and more directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list  for marketing news and insights sent to your inbox every month. 

,

All You Need to Know About Pop-Up Shops

Whether it’s changing an entire brand (throwback to iHob) or spending millions on commercial spots (hey Tide), marketers are always trying to grab consumers’ attention. So what’s the latest trend? Pop-up shops. See how big brands are using them and why hotels should, below.

Big Brands Are Popping (Up)

Basically brands are setting up temporary retail spaces to show off new products or attract new customers. This summer the Museum of Ice Cream and Target partnered to open The Pint Shop, an interactive pop-up in NYC. The shop (which is still open) shows off unique flavors that are now available in most Target stores. In July, Taco Bell transformed a San Diego steakhouse into the futuristic Taco Bell pictured in the 90s classic Demolition Man. The fine dining Taco Bell was only open for one weekend to celebrate the movie’s 25th anniversary.

Okay, But What About Hotels?

There are two ways that hotels can merge with the pop-up platform- they can create a pop-up for their own brand, or they can provide the space for other businesses’ pop-ups.

Let’s explain.

A pretty well-known brand called Black Tomato launched “Blink” not too long ago. Blink sets up one-of-a-kind temporary luxurious stays in some of the most remote locations. Guests stay in the custom pop-up abode before it is taken down and never rebuilt. This business model works great for Black Tomato, but it might be a little tricky for someone like the Mandarin Oriental. Instead, established hotel brands can offer their space for business pop-ups. For example, NYC’s Paramount Hotel offered up some of its space for the Tony Awards pop-up shop. Paramount provided the perfect location (street-level, AC, free Wi-Fi) & the pop-up shop attracted extra attention to the hotel; a win-win.

What do you think of hotels using pop-up shops as a new marketing tool? Comment below!

Want blog content and more directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list  for marketing news and insights sent to your inbox every month. 

Surprising Summer Travel Trends

What’s more surprising than the Conrad opening the world’s first underwater villa? These summer travel fun facts! Take a look at our infographic below and see for yourself.

summer travel fun facts

Want blog content and more directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list  for marketing news and insights sent to your inbox every month. 

Hotels Say No More Plastic Straws

Did you know that in just one day, Americans use and dispose of 500 MILLION plastic straws? That’s enough straws to circle around the Earth 2.5 times! But some restaurants and hotels are finally saying no more. You can read more about the impact of straws and brands that are banning them, below.

But First, Why Are Straws So Bad?

  • Most straws are made out of “type 5” plastic, which cannot be recycled by most curbside recycling services
  • Plastics cannot biodegrade, meaning they will never naturally break down and become part of new organic material
  • Instead, straws break into tiny pieces that often end up in our oceans and are consumed by marine wildlife
  • In fact, straws are the 11th most-found ocean trash in cleanups

Knowing all of this, restaurants like Starbucks are vowing to eliminate their single-use plastic straws. And hotels are starting to jump on the trend.

Which Hotels?

Over the last year, hotels have realized that they are some of the biggest plastic straw users in the world. The Hilton Waikoloa Village recorded using more than 800,000 straws in the year 2017 alone (thankfully they’re now banning straws). Big brands like Marriott International, Four Seasons, AccorHotels and most recently, Hyatt have also pledged to eliminate plastic straws. But, this doesn’t mean straws are completely gone. Instead, brands are looking towards more environmentally-friendly alternatives.

Like What?  

Paper straws, produced by Aardvark have been popular among many establishments. They come in a variety of designs and take only 45-60 days to completely decompose. Paradise Cove Beach Café in Malibu uses uncooked noodles (and even offers a gluten-free option). The Mandrake Hotel in London offers straws made from rye stems, made by German company Bio-Strohhalme.

Are you going to say no to plastic straws? Make it official and take The Last Plastic Straw pledge.

Want blog content and more directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list  for marketing news and insights sent to your inbox every month. 

The World’s First Underwater Residence

It’s official, the hospitality industry has outdone themselves this time. Thanks to the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort, you can now stay in the world’s first undersea villa. Unbelievable views, luxurious service and probably a little fear can be expected with its opening in November of this year.

Meet The Muraka

With the resort already boasting a subterranean wine bar and underwater restaurant, it was only a matter of time before they launched a suite below the surface. Opening in November 2018, The Muraka (meaning coral), gives guests the chance to dream 16 feet beneath the ocean, surrounded by 180-degree views of marine life. This massive suite can host up to nine guests, spanning across an upper and lower level. The 5,921 square-foot upper level includes two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen, bar and dining area. Down below lies the much-anticipated undersea suite. Two decks complete the floating fortress, with an infinity swimming pool and views of both the sunrise and sunset.

But That’s Not All

Sleeping with the sharks is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this residence. Guests will also have access to the resort’s yachts and speedboats, along with water sports, like jet skiing. Other perks include daily spa treatments, 24-hour butler service, a personal trainer, yoga instructor and private chef. Booking rates have not yet been announced, but we imagine they won’t be cheap!

Who else is making waves?

While this might be the first underwater residence, it’s actually not the first underwater hotel room. A few years ago, Airbnb awarded the winners of an online contest a night with the sharks. The winners slept in a small chamber submerged in a tank filled with 35 live sharks (HA, no thanks). And in other news, The Ritz-Carlton is making waves with its new luxury yacht collection. At least here guests will get to sleep a safe distance from the sharks!

Would you stay in this underwater villa? Comment below!

Want blog content and more directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list  for marketing news and insights sent to your inbox every month.