WiFi, Toys, & Tequila — 11 Boutique Hotels With Awesome Free Amenities
In July, Spain-based Room Mate Hotels, (which figured out the magic of providing no-charge WiFi to guests back in 2005—two years before the iPhone was even born), began offering guests a portable 3G wireless router with 100MB of data at no extra charge. Yup, instead of shamefully trying to find that Starbucks or any local cafe just to use their free WiFi, you can now connect from anywhere in town with the pocket sized router that’s included with your room.
We hope every hotel copies this incredible perk, and while we’re dreaming, here are 11 other boutique hotels that are setting trends that all others should follow.
The Dorsett Mongkok — Hong Kong
A free smart phone to use is a great perk while traveling abroad. (Photo: Dorsett Mongkok, Hong Kong/Facebook)
Free Amenity: A smart phone
This swanky hotel set in the bustling Kowloon neighborhood gives you a free cell phone with unlimited 3G data, a personal WiFi hotspot, and the ability to make local and international calls.
Crawford Hotel — Denver, Colo.
Trains and toys will keep your tots entertained at the Crawford. (Photo: Crawford Hotel)
Free Amenity: Toys (for kids)
If your toddler even thinks about whining, the concierge at Crawford Hotel will greet you with a red wagon full of complimentary toys. After that, take them downstairs to watch the trains—this place is located directly above Union Station.
Related: Hotels With the Most Amazing (Free!) Amenities
The Chanler at Cliff Walk —Newport, R.I.
Free s’mores and a great view – what more could you want? (Photo: The Chanler at Cliff Walk/Facebook)
Free Amenity: S'mores kit
Sometimes it’s the small things that matter, like finding all of the ingredients to make s'mores in your room. And The Chanler doesn’t just give you the ingredients — there’s a fire pit complete with cooking sticks overlooking the Atlantic Ocean just outside.
The Swag — Great Smokey Mountain National Park/Asheville, N.C.
With all of this great mountain scenery to explore, your new walking stick is sure to get plenty of use. (Photo: The Swag/Facebook)
Free Amenity: A personalized walking stick
The name of this romantic, nature-lovers’ 14-room hideaway says it all. Before mastering your swagger out hiking on the trail, each guest receives some swag—a hand-crafted walking stick made with foraged persimmon, yellow wood, and hickory.
The Cape (a Thompson Hotel) — Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Free tequila? Si, por favor! (Photo: @cubichi27/Instagram)
Free Amenity: A bottle of 100% Blue Agave Tequila
First thing you’ll notice in your room at The Cape is the jaw-dropping views of the Sea of Cortez and her white sandy beaches that stretch right up to the hotel (from every room). Then, guests will quickly notice the complimentary hand-etched crystal bottle of Realeza Mexicana 100% Blue Agave Tequila, produced exclusively for The Cape—the perfect precursor to a day in the sun.
The Society Hotel — Portland, Ore.
Visiting Portland for the first time and need some recommendations on places to go and things to do? The Society Hotel’s got you covered with your own personal concierge. (Photo: Thinkstock)
Free Amenity: Your own person
Think you need to drop a lot of cash for some posh amenities? Think again. When The Society Hotel opens in October in Portland’s Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, guess will get their own personal concierge. The rooms range between $75 and $135 a night, and the concierge will be available via text 24-hours a day to snag dinner reservations, tell you where to shop, and they say, even let you know how to get free drinks at local bars.
The Gwen — Chicago, Ill.
Should you eventually want to turn in after a night on the magical rooftop terrace, a complimentary sleep elixir will help you sleep like a baby. (Photo: Starwood Hotels & Resorts)
Free Amenity: Sleep Elixir
Sleeping pills at turndown, free of charge! Just kidding—sadly, that probably isn’t legal. In lieu, The Gwen (opening this September in the facade of the historic McGraw-Hill building, a few blocks from the lake), will leave guests a fresh pressed sleepy-time juice just before the night hours.
The Gritti Palace — Venice, Italy
As if staying in a room that looks like this, right on the Grand Canal wasn’t enough, you also get some sweet handmade slippers. (Photo: Starwood Hotels & Resorts)
Free Amenity: Handmade slippers
The 21-rooms at this historic mansion-turned-boutique hotel are meant to feel like a private residence. So it’s fitting that they provide you with slippers, handmade with Rubelli fabric, as a gift you can take back to your real home.
The Ivy — Baltimore, Md.
With such cozy rooms, a great courtyard, and free booze and snacks, you might never leave the hotel. (Photo: The Ivy Hotel)
Free Amenity: The Bar-moire
Set in Baltimore’s quiet historic neighborhood of Mount Vernon, rooms at The Ivy come with a hand-painted armoire stocked with booze and snacks that you don’t have to pay for. Before you show up, tell them your preferred potion and they’ll make sure you’re good to go.
Related: The Most Over-the-Top All-Inclusive Hotel Amenities
816 Hotel — Kansas City, Mo.
Two free drinks a day? Cheers to that! (Photo: 816 Hotel)
Free Amenity: Cocktails at the bar
Before heading out to experience KC’s booming foodie scene, head to the bar at 816 Hotel where a flash of your room key lands you two free cocktails. Or use your freebie later as a nightcap—there’s no time constraint on your daily allowance of two complimentary drinks from the bar.
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo — Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Since your days at the resort will be full of pools, sun, and sand, you’ll be extra thankful for your free hat to help keep you cool. (Photo: Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort)
Free Amenity: Headwear
The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo is located on one of the best stretches of sand in all of Costa Rica, and to help you keep all that sunshine at bay, men get a fedora and women get a large brimmed hat. Plus, two pairs of flip-flops, all of which you are free to take back home.
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