HotelChatter -

This Week in HotelChatter Commenting...The VIP Edition

juliana — 2008-11-21T16:30:17-05:00

This week we got two shout-outs from some VIPs--the CEO of TripAdvisor and the folks over at EasyHotel. Thanks for joining the comment fray.

· SteveK aka CEO of TripAdvisor lets us know that he has a strict Anti-Spam-Bot Policy. Thanks Steve!

· EasyHotel tells us not to be afraid of the Orange. We will try our best, thanks!

· MyTwoCents lets us know that the Westin Jersey City may actually open on January 20th instead of in February.

· Peg gives us the real scoop on the "cool" Villa Maly Hotel in Laos.

Villa Maly touts itself as being a five star resort. My impression of this hotel would hardly rate it two.

Will Calling the Hotel Really Get You a Better Room Rate?

juliana — 2008-11-21T15:31:19-05:00

Last week, we learned of some tips from Jane Engle at the LA Times on how to get the price of a non-refundable room rate for one that you could refund. Her biggest point was that calling the hotel in person may yield you a bigger discount and could possibly get you a refund if it was needed.

We at HotelChatter, while we love our computers, agree that actually speaking with a human reservations agent at a hotel can lead to better deals or better rooms and you often pick up information you would not find on the website. Like about the multi-million dollar restoration the hotel is undergoing that has shut down the pool and the restaurant

Corbett: Attend Edward and Bella's Prom at The View Point Inn

abigailmschilling — 2008-11-21T15:04:57-05:00

Yesterday we told you about hotels where Twilight the book was set and how they're smartly stealing the money from crazed fans.

Today we bring to you news about the where the Twilight movie was filmed. We know all you crazed fans already saw the movie at midnight last night, which is why tonight you should go to Edward & Bella's Prom at The View Point Inn. That's right, instead of seeing the movie again (you can do that tomorrow), you can live the movie by attending the prom where the prom scene was filmed. We can't believe it either.

Atlantic City: Another AC Hotel-Casino Put On Hold

AndrewC — 2008-11-21T14:57:10-05:00

Another hotel-casino development in Atlantic City bites the dust. The $1 billion "boutique" casino, hotel and resort due to be built on the Southern tip of the AC Boardwalk by Curtis Bashaw was supposed to bring style and class back to Atlantic City, much like Bashaw's other AC property The Chelsea.

Unlike The Chelsea, this project was supposed to be huuuge. It was rumored to have two hotel towers with a total of 2,000 hotel rooms, a 6-story condo tower, extensive banquet facilities, retail, a theater and of course, a casino floor which the Chelsea does not have.

Unfortunately, it joins the other huge developments in Atlantic City by MGM

Vancouver: St. Regis Vancouver Re-Opens Dec. 1st at $103 a Night

juliana — 2008-11-21T14:24:23-05:00

This week we saw one of the cheapest Ritz-Carlton rates in New Orleans for $100 a night and now we are witnessing one of the lowest St. Regis Hotel rates at $134CAD a night which is roughly $103USD. However, there is a catch--this isn't actually a Starwood-branded St. Regis Hotel. Nevertheless, a newly renovated hotel in this Canadian city is still a pretty good deal for a $100 is a deal.

The St. Regis Vancouver has just completed an $11 million renovation which has brought all of its 65 rooms and suite into the 21st century.

Led by Vancouver design icon Elaine Thorsell, the visionary behind masterpieces like Toronto's Ki and Vancouver's Gotham and Shore Club, the