7 coolest hotel amenities

By Lesley Kennedy

There was a time when folks would be pleased that their hotel amenities included free tiny bottles of shampoo, a newspaper delivered to your door each morning and perhaps an in-room coffee maker. But today’s hotels are standing out by offering their guests everything from pillow menus to in-room cardio machines to all-you-can-eat ice cream. Here are seven amenities we wouldn’t mind taking advantage of (but we’ll still take the mini hair products, thank you very much).

Planning an adventurous trip this summer? Check out the fantastic Travelocity deals currently featured at ShopAtHome.com for extra savings on hotels.  

For the insomniac: Trouble sleeping on the road? At New York hotel The Benjamin, you’ll find a Sleep Concierge who will assess your sleep habits, help you select from a dozen pillow menu options, hook you up with a bedtime snack (a peanut butter & jelly sandwich on banana bread is the signature treat) or book you a sleep-inducing massage at the hotel spa. Also find sleep aids for kids (books, robes) and pups (doggie bed, dog robe). We’re getting sleepy, already.

For the wanna-be rocker: Channel your inner Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix or Jeff Beck by strapping on a Fender guitar when you stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago. The instrument (choose from 20 options) will be delivered to your room — bass guitars and Fender amps are also available — as are headphones so your neighbors won’t complain. (Find deals for Hard Rock Hotels here.)

For the bicycle enthusiast: Explore Central Park on wheels from Bobbin Bikes when you stay at New York’s Surrey Hotel, where rentals are free for guests. Think you’ll work up an appetite? Snag a picnic basket with treats from Café Boulud to bring along.

For the snow-bound: Skiing gets a luxurious upgrade at the Four Seasons Resort Vail, where the Ski Concierge will hook you up with all the gear you need to hit the slopes — you’ll even find warmed boots in your personal locker, along with free hot cocoa and muffins, as you prep to head out on the mountain.

For the beach-lover: Long to snag a little alone time with your mate during your family getaway to The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.? This luxury hotel pays special attention to kids — offering an entertainment center for the young ‘uns, along with day and night camps.

For the sugar fiend: Stay in the Hãagen-Dazs “Sweet Suite” at the Hotel Triton in San Francisco, and find chocolate, vanilla and dulce de leche candles, a waffle-textured bed throw and — hooray! — an ice cream cabinet stocked with the company’s ice cream. All you can eat? We may need to book an extra night.

For the fitness fanatic: There are no excuses for skipping your workout when you book a yoga or cardio room at participating Hilton hotels. In McLean, Va., for example, the Yoga Room gets you extra space complete with special flooring, a full-length mirror and Gaiam yoga accessories. If you’re looking for something to really get your heart pounding, the Cardio Room comes with a Precor AMT (Adaptive Motion Trainer), custom workout bench and strength training accessories (think hand weights, resistance bands, stretch mat, stability ball). Hope you packed your tennis shoes.