New Hotels; New Offerings; Double Points!

Hotel changes abound! Here are several hotel improvements you may want to check out! Some even offer double hotel points!

DoubleTree by Hilton recently opened the newly rebranded MDR Marina del Rey – a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. Hotel renovations will continue updating the property with contemporary design upgrades, enhancements to the outdoor lounge areas and the addition of six new guestrooms all to be completed by February 2014. This property is located only 4 miles from the Los Angeles International Airport and Santa Monica Municipal Airport.

Another new DoubleTree is the DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Downtown, which used to be the Atlanta Marriott Downtown. The hotel is featuring a special opening promotion, offering double Hilton HHonors points for travel completed Thursday through Sunday, between April 1 – September 30, 2013.

DoubleTree by Hilton recently opened the newly rebranded DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Greenway Plaza. This property is located near Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX — not far from Houston’s Intercontinental Airport (IAH). To mark the opening, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston Greenway Plaza will offer double Hilton HHonors points for travel completed through June 30, 2013.

Crowne Plaza recently unveiled a multi-million dollar hotel renovation of the Crowne Plaza Miami International Airport. Their focus was on making guests feel comfortable in every way, and the architects and designers were given a full list of customer needs and expectations and spent $6.5 million revamping this property. The most visible changes to the hotel include a total redo of every guest room, an updated lobby, bar and restaurant. Public spaces, guest corridors and the business center were upgraded, and the latest in high speed internet coverage was added.

Renovations are also occurring at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Scheduled to begin Oct. 1, the five-month project will include a complete redesign and refurnishing of all Spa Tower rooms, upgrade of the award-winning, Serenity by the sea Spa, and a drastically enhanced lobby, that will provide guests with a breathtaking view of Florida’s Emerald Coast.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas has introduced a new In-Room Dining menu which meets travelers’ increasing desire for customizable in-room cuisine. This customizable in-room dining are inspired by guests who wish to hand-select basic ingredients or simple dishes they would typically enjoy at home. The hotel’s in-room dining menu hence allows guests to design their own burgers, salads, pasta, and breakfast dishes, with a broad selection of choices available for custom-ordering. While I have not yet been a guest at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, they must have heard me asking for this! Always trying to eat healthy, I really like this idea of made-to-order salads, sandwiches and more.

And speaking of healthier food, JW Marriott hotels are now offering healthy menu options for kids! Available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the JW Kids Menu is divided into three sections – “Kids Nosh,” “Big Kids,” and “This, That & the Other” – offering a variety of large and small dishes that focus on a healthy twist to comfort food favorites. Meals are accompanied by an artistic activity book, crayons and a take-home reusable cup with the menu teaching important nutrition information along the way.