The more affluent traveler often still appreciates the opportunity of taking advantage of cheap travel options, be they cheap airplane tickets, staying in discount hotel rooms or purchasing discount travel packages. However, frequently it is the little things that determine which hotels they ultimately select.
Conde Nast Traveler has identified special hotel offerings that allow individual hotels to stand out:
Best bedtime snack was found at Rhode Islands Ocean House with its fresh sugar coated doughnut holes.
Best alfresco shower was at Turtle Beach Bungalows on St. Kitts with its copper fixture rain shower, covered by a awning of seat grape leaves only a few steps from the beach.
Best disappearing act was at the Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown, New Zealand where TVs are concealed behind a photo of Milford Sound in guest rooms.
Most heavenly sound track was heard across the lagoon in the GoldenEye in Oracabessa, Jamaica every Sunday as hymns are sung in churches.
Best spot for a moonlit swim was at Playa Vik in Jose Ignacio, Uruguay at its black granite pool.
Best period detail was found at the minibar at the Art Deco Chatwal, in New York City which offers Varga Girl playing cards and candy cigarettes.
Best high tech bath was at the Kempinski Hotel River Park in Bratislava which offers push button temperature control and digital display for the bath and shower.
Best house beer named after a dog was Montys Belgian While Ale, a specially made local spicy brew named for a Bernese mountain dog found at Utahs Montage Deer Valley resort.
Most effective, decadent hangover cure was at Torontos Thompson Hotel. It is called a Brunch Burger and is a hamburger with a sliced glazed doughnut serving as the bun.
Wittiest door sign was found at the Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania where a knotted rope means do knot disturb.
The coolest beach break was at Thailands W Retreat Koh Samui with its mini freezers stocked with ice cream bars and cones scattered around the property.
Best city wheels were at the Waterhouse at South Bund in Shanghai which rents vintage scooters with sidecars.
Most eclectic impulse buying opportunity was at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas where retro vending machines sell everything from Vosges chocolates, fashion tape, and limited edition artworks.
The sweetest parting gift was the brownie, lollipop, lip balm, or hand sanitizer guests are offered at checkout at the Andaz 5th Avenue in New York City.
The most stylish parting gift was at Hyderabad, Indias Taj Falaknuma Place, where cuff links or impressive glass bangles, each of which is made locally, are given at checkout. www.cheapfares.com