GLOBAL UPDATE what ’ s hot
Have A STOGIE
Le Royal Monceau , Raffles Paris is targeting big-spending cigar aficionados this autumn with Le Club Viñales . The indoor / outdoor on-property enclave will be restricted to 50 members . To become a member , one must pay a yearly membership fee of € 12,000 ( US $ 15,500 ). Members may invite one guest , free of charge , to join them . For each additional guest , members must pay an extra € 100 ( US $ 129 ) per day .
When they join , members will be given a key for their own private humidor where their cigar collection will be stored and preserved . Other perks include an exclusive concierge service , made-to-order cocktails behind closed doors and invitations to private tastings conducted by Dom Perignon , Hennessy , Louis XIII and Glenfiddich . Members will also be entitled to additional benefits when using the hotel ’ s restaurants and guestrooms .
The hotel hopes the club provides deeper engagement for guests seeking exclusivity and promotes the property as a multifaceted leisure destination .
Service cinema
Short films are a major part of The Peninsula Hotels ’ Peninsula Moments brand revitalization . The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd ., Hong Kong , tapped directors Jean-Claude Thibaut and Antony Crook and production agency Ridley Scott Associates to create nine 90-second films showcasing the brands ’ luxury properties and how the staff creates inspiring moments of dedicated personal service for guests .
“ My main objective was to amaze the audience with real stories and authentic moments to capture the overall magic of The Peninsula Hotels , fueled by the staff ’ s genuine desire to
Fans can view behind-the-scenes photos from the short films ’ production .
inspire , with their unique approach to their work giving an original view on each city ,” Thibaut explains .
While specific costs of the film productions are not being disclosed , the company says the overall branding campaign cost millions of dollars . Behind-the-scenes photo galleries for each film are included on Peninsula ’ s brand website .
MARY-MAKING
The “ Mary Bar ” at The Out NYC ’ s restaurant , Ktchn
U . S . hotels such as The Out NYC , Boston ’ s The Liberty , Philadelphia ’ s The Rittenhouse and the Four Seasons Hotel Miami are now offering do-it-yourself Bloody Mary bars , which allow guests to choose the ingredients that go into the tomato-based cocktail .
The Out NYC ’ s restaurant , Ktchn , offers a “ Mary Bar ” at Saturday and Sunday brunches that it says has received unprecedented positive feedback , although it is too early to see what the overall revenue generation has been . Ingredients customers can choose include smoked bacon , capers , fresh peppers , picked veggies , cucumbers , cheeses , aged balsamic vinegar and olives .
12 HOTELS November 2012 www . hotelsmag . com