DOWNTOWN HOTEL LAUNCHES UNIQUE TRAVEL PROGRAMS
In an effort to provide business travelers with all the comforts of home and more, the Downtown Los Angeles based Hotel Inter-Continental Los Angeles has recently introduced two new programs to take some of the stress out of business travel. Kids In Tow, a program that caters to executives who take children along on business trips and Just Like Home, a new room service menu that serves up home cooked meals to road warriors.
Kids In Tow
Responding to a rising trend among executives who take children with them on business trips, Kids in Tow caters exclusively to the needs of this special group. Available at the Hotel Inter-Continental Los Angeles and nine other Inter-Continental properties in North America, Kids in Tow gives youngsters 17 years old and under a free stay in their parent’s guest room, special meals, complimentary family films and a host of “junior” amenities.
“One of the more interesting shifts we’ve seen in business travel has been the growing number of executives who are hitting the road, whether by choice or necessity, with a child along,” said Lewis Fader, General Manager, of the Hotel Inter-Continental Los Angeles. “Today, due to an increase in dual-career couples, the desire of working parents to spend more time with their children, and the popularity of stretching work-related travel into weekend getaways, kids are becoming a common sight at the front desk,” he continued. Despite this growing trend some 12 percent of business trips involve a child — few hotel programs address the needs of business travelers with children, Fader noted. With its core market of frequent business travelers, Inter-Continental recognized the special demands of traveling families while remaining true to its customer base.
In addition to free stays and children’s meals, other key elements of the Kids in Tow program include:
? City Kids custom guidebook of children’s activities developed by the hotel’s concierge;
? Availability of baby sitting services;
? Amenities kit including night lights, wall outlet covers and special kids’ treats packaged in a colorful “take home” backpack;
? Pager rentals;
? A complimentary family-oriented movie.
Individual Inter-Continental hotels will expand upon the basic Kids in Tow program, with such offerings as nightly kids’ turn-down with a special toy; children’s fun kits containing bath toys, puzzles and bedtime stories; bottle warmers; jogging strollers; and supervised children’s outings at special rates, where available.
Another feature of the Kids in Tow program is a guidebook of activities for children and parents to enjoy in each of the ten Inter-Continental cities. The guidebook features recommendations from the concierge at each of the ten participating hotels, and is available upon check-in.
Just Like Home
Hard-working road warriors who hunger for a home cooked meal can now satisfy their comfort food cravings while curled up in their hotel room, thanks to a new room service program recently launched at the Hotel Inter-Continental Los Angeles. The Just Like Home menu plan, available at all Inter-Continental’s North American properties, reflects a growing trend among today’s business travelers to eschew late night outings and fancy restaurant meals in favor of “cocooning” unwinding alone with a hot bath, a good book and a simple meal.
“Many of us in the hotel industry have met traveler’s needs for technological perks, like in-room computer equipment and multi-line phones, that help the business traveler increase his or her productivity on the road,” noted Lewis Fader, General Manager of the Hotel Inter-Continental Los Angeles. “Yet our research shows us that, more than ever, today’s traveling executives also seek the simple comforts that make their hotel stay more like a true home-away-from home experience.”
With an emphasis on cozy fare like meatloaf and mashed potatoes and fried chicken, the Just Like Home offerings are a new addition to Inter-Continental’s existing room service choices, explained Fader. What’s more, each of the participating hotels will offer several delicious regional specialties that have achieved long-standing “comfort food” status among local residents. Here in Los Angeles, dishes include California Cobb Salad and Burritos with Rice and Beans.
For more information, check out the Inter-Continental’s website at www.interconti.com.
