Healthy and sustainably sourced, too.

Hotels like to advertise that they offer all the comforts of home, only better. So why is it so hard to find healthy items like cage-free eggs, low-fat milk and grass-fed beef in the restaurants of most large full-service hotels?

Hyatt Hotels aims to change that and lots more. This week the company unveiled Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served, a soup to nuts food philosophy that in essence overhauls the entire food and beverage service for all Hyatt full service brands. The triple-tined aim is

to serve food that is locally sourced, harvested from sustainable sources and healthy to boot.

As you know if you’ve visited the restaurants at Hyatt’s New York City properties including the Grand Hyatt, healthy, locally sourced offerings have nibbled their way onto the menus – and into Hyatt culture — for a while. (The Andaz Wall Street even hosts a twice-weekly farmers market during warm months.) (more…)

After smartphones, can smart TVs be far behind? Hyatt thinks so.

This week the company announced plans to install new televisions with internet capability in the guest rooms of its full-service hotels in the US, Canada and the Caribbean over the next two years. Compared to standard flatpanel TVs, Hyatt’s new televisions are downright brainy.

The big screen.

Fingering a TV remote or a portable keyboard, guests can use the television to access Facebook or Twitter, order room service, contact an airline, request fresh towels or view local restaurant recommendations. They can stream a movie from their Netflix account, download a document to be printed or receive a message about a business meeting in the hotel. They can also, of course, watch TV.

It sounds like the ultimate on-screen mash-up – entertainment system, concierge, front desk and business center rolled into one. And it’s added proof, as if needed, that in-room technology has muscled past mattresses and creative mini-bars as the go-to amenity for hotel chains battling to be top dog. In short, it’s good news for guests. (more…)

Is Room Key the hotel version of the Empire Strikes Back?

Last week Roomkey.com, a new hotel search engine, went live. But instead of a third-party consolidator like Expedia or Travelocity, Room key is operated by a consortium of big-gun hotel chains whose properties it handles exclusively. (more…)