The Suite Life

You may imagine the hotel of the future with robotic on-demand housekeeping, voice-activated room entry, and all kinds of other gadgets, which may not be far off, but InterContinental Hotels is looking beyond technology to the future of the environment.

Their new Innovation Hotel is a specially dedicated section of the IHG website that will showcase the hotel empire’s green efforts both now and for properties of the future. InterContinental isn’t looking at the future in terms of another century or even decade either, many of the green practices including low-emissions paint, solar roof panels, and recycled furnishings, could be in place within the next few years.

Let’s just hope other luxury hotels take the green out of their envy and put it towards their futures as well.

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Ritz-Carlton is adding yet another element to their luxurious atmosphere, designed to make you feel good. No it’s not plush robes and slippers, special bath amenities, or amazingly attentive service (they already have all that): It’s new “give back getaways” that help you feel good by helping others.

The Give Back Getaway is designed to hook into the new trend of “voluntourism travel”. When travelers, even luxury travelers, take a break from their busy lives, the like to reconnect and recharge, and volunteering can often spur those feelings, especially when matched by the comfort and service of a Ritz-Carlton.

For only $50-100 for a half day trip, Ritz-Carlton says guests can make a real difference in the local community in a variety of areas. All of the Ritz-Carltons will have at least one volunteer option, most being environmentally related. While critics say this is simply a ploy to make wealthy travelers feel better about themselves, the hotel chains insists there is real work being done, and coming home to luxury accommodations doesn’t make the work less valuable. In fact, imagine if this new trend spread and every guest donated half a day’s efforts and an extra $50 (about the price of tea service in many upscale hotels) to a local charity. Certainly even critics couldn’t ignore the benefits of paying it forward.

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By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

There has been lots of news about travelers wanting more unique and memorable travel experiences. This includes everything from ice hotels and private cliff-side dinners to building houses in South America.

Philanthropic trips have grown particularly over the past few years, attracting luxury travelers who want to completely escape their scheduled lives and get in touch with the reality of the world. However, a recent New York Times article discovered that many tours are going a (giant) step further, offering slum tours.

These controversial tours take travelers through dangerous and degraded neighborhoods that are typically hidden from view. India, South America, even here in the U.S. the slums are frustrated, struggling communities of people given very little to try and make a life for themselves. The experience is eye-opening to say the least. The best of the tours have the participants interact with the locals and help with humanitarian efforts such as filling filtered water bottles. But the educational and philanthropic goals are often overshadowed by the picture-taking, invasion of privacy and pitiful looks that are imposed on the slum residents.

Thus the controversy was born. Many of the tour providers give back to the communities either in services, helping build community centers, in donations, and encouraging locals to produce items for the visitors to purchase, creating a mini economy. But is this really Eco-tourism? Many critics still believe the small efforts aren’t enough and aren’t a fair exchange. They say the slum residents don’t really benefit from the intrusion of their turf. Yet, veterans of the tours say it changed their lives and opened their eyes, but will that new sense of reality last beyond the plane ride back home? It might.

Luxury travel comes in all forms, whether you want to relax from the comfort of your private infinity pool or trek through the jungle, traveling is always a mind-opener and wonderful experience. As luxury travelers explore more of their world, only they can decide which experiences will create the memories they desire and what is fair to the cultures they come to examine.

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By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

The names behind two of the most well known luxury brands, Ian Schrager and J.W. Marriott Jr. have officially launched their joint project of hotels under a new brand called “Edition.”

The two global names have been in talks for a while now, and publicly launched their new joint venture with the overwhelming support of partners and investors. This new brand may be centered around a lifestyle boutique hotel theme, but will definitely be a massive global brand with the strong support that has allowed the Edition team to double the original amount of planned properties.

The first destinations on the list for the unique hotel brand include two in Los Angeles, Paris, Madrid, Costa Rica, Miami, Washington, Chicago and Scottsdale. Edition aims to reach an widely untapped luxury hotel population that expects top luxury and amenities as well as a unique hotel experience. The hotels will each have imaginative architecture, interior design, and ambiance that caters to the growing population of hotel goers who see hotels as not just places to sleep, but as luxury destinations.

Edition will be innovative in every sense of the word, from design and conception to service and operations, including strong environmentally conscious programs.

There is sure to be much talk about the properties as they emerge (the first is not set to open until 2010) as the world eagerly waits to see the next generation of luxury hotels take their place among the world’s best.

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By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

In an ongoing crackdown since July of this past summer, Maui officials are breaking down the alternative world of unregistered and unlicensed B&B’s and condos on the island. And now these crackdowns have turned into mandatory shutdowns, wiping out the underground hotel culture that has carved a lucrative space for itself in hidden local crevices all over Maui.
Scattered between and off the path of the luxurious beach resorts, many tourists have opted for the more economical and more private options of staying at a rented condo or Bed and Breakfast during their stay in Maui. These bungalows, villas and condos offer amazing views, relaxation, and the chance to feel more like a local, which is exactly why Maui officials are cracking down.

Because these buildings are unlicensed, they do not follow zoning rules and regulations that other hotels do, and they are invading local communities not equipped for the traffic and demands of tourism. The B&B owners insist they don’t hear complaints from the community and tourists are unhappy at their being forced into what they view as a cookie cutter, in-authentic resort atmosphere.

But with the threat to the lush local agriculture and atmosphere that makes Maui so beautiful, there’s clearly a reason for the rules. Those who have previously rejected resort culture may have to open their eyes to the splendor luxury resorts can offer and the creative ways which one can ensure authenticity and fun without posing as a local. This includes special seasonal packages that can reduce costs, the endless activities and options to customize a trip, and the pristine beach-front locations that maintain the beauty and sense of escape Maui visitors lust for.

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