Besides providing stylish accommodation and excellent cuisine, a number of hotels are offering guests complimentary access to a range of cultural, social and entertainment options in the city, helping them easily tap into the local scene. Below are five examples:
DUBAI
Armani Hotel
Housed in Dubai's latest landmark, the Burj Khalifa, the hotel is in the heart of downtown Dubai teeming with entertainment spots such as the Dubai Mall. Guests staying in the Armani/Signature Suite and the Armani/Dubai Suite can get up to five complimentary tickets to enjoy At The Top, the observation deck of the skyscraper.
What's so special? The exclusive viewing facility – which can be difficult to get into as it is usually fully booked – sits on top of the tallest building in the world (for now), offering visitors amazing views of the city.
LONDON
Andaz Liverpool Street
As this hotel’s philosophy revolves around architecture and design, it makes sense to provides guests opportunities to visit local museums and view current shows. Andaz's most recent partnership is with the Design Museum’s Wim Crouwell exhibition. Together, they collaborated on a specially designed guestroom, which drew inspiration from the graphic designer's work. The lucky occupant receives two complimentary tickets for the exhibition at the museum, which unfortunately is ending this week.
For its next project, the hotel will be working with the London Design Festival in September to offer similar art-oriented benefits.
What's so special? Crouwell is a Dutch graphic designer and typographer best known for the futuristic Gridnik typeface that changed the design zeitgeist in the Netherlands during the 1960s. The exhibition has allowed visitors a comprehensive look at his works spanning over 60 years.
London.liverpoolstreet.andaz.hyatt.com
MALAYSIA
Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
In 2008, Le Meridien unveiled the chain-wide “Unlock Art” programme, put together by its cultural curator, Jerome Sans. The initiative offers guests access to affiliated contemporary art institutions in any city where it has presence. In Kuala Lumpur, Le Meridien has partnered with Gallerie Taksu, which invites guests to special art exhibitions as well offers them a 10 percent discount on purchases at the gift shop.
What's so special? Gallerie Taksu is one of the city’s most popular art venues, with branches in Singapore and Langkawi. Its artists “in residence” programme is highly sought after.
SINGAPORE
Royal Plaza on Scotts
This hotel prides itself on offering personalised services to its most frequent patrons. Guest preferences are noted with the help of a customer relations team. Avid readers are provided Borders bookstore vouchers, while movie buffs receive complimentary cinema tickets. Massage enthusiasts will be issued vouchers for body therapies and foot reflexology, provided by nearby facilities.
What's so special? Guests will feel at home every time they return to the hotel as the staff continuously strive to meet every guest’s personal needs or interests.
THAILAND
Aloft Bangkok-Sukhumvit 11
When this property opens later this year, guests can use their room key to access Bed Supperclub for free, which is located directly opposite the hotel.
What's so special? Bed Supperclub continues to be labeled Bangkok's hottest, high-end watering hole. It offers a "dining in bed" experience, funky décor and entertainment from great DJs to theatre performances.
Alisha Haridasani