Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind touch to your vacation? Every hotel offers special amenities and services to pamper guests, but some just have that extra touch of creativity. Check out these unique hotel services for some out-of-the-ordinary experiences when you need some rest and relaxation.
The Benjamin Hotel, New York City
You may just get the best sleep of your life staying at The Benjamin for the night. Led by sleep medicine expert Rebecca Robbins, the Rest & Renew program is specially designed to put guests in a sleepy mood. The program includes a pillow menu based on sleep positions, in-room spa treatments, bedtime snacks and meditation sessions available on demand on guest room phones. If you have difficulty sleeping in an unfamiliar environment, the Rest & Renew program also provides sleep masks, blackout curtains, ear plugs, noise machines and even a music library filled with lullabies. For restless little ones, The Benjamin provides child-sized pillows, bathrobes and a fully stocked library of books perfect for bedtime.
Hotel Commonwealth, Boston
Be completely immersed in Bostonian culture with the signature suites at Hotel Commonwealth. The hotel’s luxury suites are themed with an eye for local flair and intense detail. The Fenway Park Suite is perfect for Red Sox fans, complete with a walk-out balcony with original Fenway Park seats, a coffee table signed by Red Sox players and an unrivaled view of Fenway Park itself. The Terrier Suite emulates Boston University, with touches of the institution’s signature colors, university photos and images of the four-legged mascot sprinkled throughout the room. The Reading Suite is a book-lover’s paradise with a reading nook, literature-inspired details and more than 50 novels signed by authors who have stayed at the hotel.
Edson Hill, Stowe, VT
There may be nothing better than cozying up to a blazing fireplace, but first you need to get the fire started. Luckily, Edson Hill can take care of everything with its fireplace concierge service. Kick up your feet and relax while the concierge lights a toasty fire for you. Enjoy a dip in a soaking tub while taking in the sounds of a crackling fire and enjoying breathtaking views of Vermont’s snow-covered landscape. This hotel perk is the perfect way to wind down after a long day of sightseeing and exploring.
Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay
We love our furry friends, but we can’t always take them everywhere (although we’d like to). At Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay, there’s no need to worry about your dog while you’re on vacation. The hotel offers a variety of dog-friendly suites and accommodations for your pup. Welcome packages are provided upon check-in with dog treats and waste bags. The doggie butler service will check on your pet during the day, provide daily walks on the hotel’s beach area and keep them company while you’re out of the room. Text updates and photos will be sent directly to your phone to keep you worry-free. Your dog can even get a taste of room service with healthy recipes that they’ll love, made with fresh vegetables and proteins.
The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, CO
If you ain’t afraid of no ghosts, you can dive deep into the realm of the paranormal at The Stanley Hotel. Serving as the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s novel, “The Shining,” you very well may run into your share of specters on your vacation. Night tours are available to learn about the hotel’s history and noteworthy guests over the past century, with a view of the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. For those seeking a spooky night’s sleep, the hotel offers a variety of guest rooms with high paranormal activity, including Stephen King’s famous Room 217 and Room 401, a favorite of TV’s “Ghost Hunters.”
Hotel Derek, Houston
Looking for a fun way to unwind? How about a pillow fight? Hotel Derek provides the perfect pillow fight package for you to unleash your inner child. Your room will be stocked with extra soft pillows for your nighttime brawl. When you’ve finished your workout and a winner is crowned, relax and wind down with some warm chocolate chip cookies and chilled milk. This unique hotel service will bring back some fond childhood memories, guaranteed.
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Thailand
This resort will give you an up-close-and-personal encounter with the resident elephants, rescued from illegal logging camps, Thailand’s streets and elephant shows. Join the pachyderms on their daily walk as they munch on leaves, cool off in the river and socialize with each other. Learn about elephant biology and behavior, as well as the conservation efforts of the elephant camp from a local expert. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort also offers peaceful yoga sessions and relaxing gourmet picnics with your new gentle giant friends in the fields nearby.
Henn na Hotel Maihama Tokyo Bay, Japan
Want a blast from the past? Or, more aptly, a leap into the future? At the Henn na Hotel, you’ll find yourself face-to-face with dinosaurs. Well, dinosaur robots anyway. The hotel was awarded with the title of the world’s first robot hotel by the Guinness Book of World Records. The multilingual robot velociraptors – looking dapper in their bellhop hats and bow ties – will tend to your check-in and checkout needs, while a robotic arm stores your luggage. Guest rooms are equipped with Chu-ri-chan, a smaller robot that resides on bedside tables. It controls the lights and provides weather forecasts and wake-up calls. If you find the all the robotics a bit unsettling, human hotel staff is available 24 hours a day.
Have you taken advantage of any unique hotel services during your travels? Share in the comments!
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