Getting wet at the W Hong Kong . . . it doesn’t get much better than this!

I want you to forget about the guestrooms of the W Hong Kong.  Forget about the 42″ HDTV with laptop A/V connectivity that’s tucked away behind a sliding mirror.  Forget about the rainforest shower that can be conveniently left exposed to the main guestroom should you choose not to slide the mirror doors shut.  And also forget about the harbor views from the wall to wall windows which you can shut out instantly with the automated blackout shades.  We all knew these things would kick ass anyway.

Forget about all this because the real deal is really up on the 76th level . . . the rooftop pool.  Unlike traditional infinity pools that create a pool water meets ocean water illusion, this one makes you feel as if you’re swimming up to an urban cliff that towers above the Kowloon and Hong Kong cityscapes.  Turn around in the pool and there’s an amazing mosaic wall of dreamy-themed butterflies and clouds.  If you’ve had enough of the pool water, hop on over to the hottub with a killer view of the Hong Kong skyline.  The new ICC tower obstructs part of the view, but at least you can look at the people working at their cubes and be thankful you’re not one of them.

Just three levels below on 73, there is an incredible fitness center with stairmasters and treadmills that overlook the Hong Kong skyline.  This must be one of the highets gyms in the world.  I cut my workout short so I could maximize my time in the sauna and steamroom.  After a good sweat, I showered up (which by the way I have never used so many water jets in a single shower) and soaked my cares away in yet another hottub complete with more massaging jets than any grad student could ask for after his final exams.

Here’s a couple more photos of the pool, and one shot that gives you a really good idea of just how high up this 76th floor rooftop pool is!

A big thank you to Sunny at the W Hong Kong who shared a couple of photos with me.  My poor camera died at the tail end of this trip.

My jaw dropped when I saw the W Hong Kong rooftop pool

Glass doors open up to an ethereal pool overlooking Hong Kong. Oh yeah, don't forget you're on the 76th floor!

I think I’ve died and found the gates to cool heaven.  After a grueling hell week of presentations, papers, and final exams, I decided to check myself into the W Hong Kong . . . will post some more pics up later.  Time to indulge a little in the good life!

Thanks K-Tjen for this sharing

Own an Acura? Get your W Hotels discount!

Did you know that you can reserve a complimentary ride in an Acura MDX (7-passenger SUV) during your stays at W Hotels?  And did you know that if you actually own an Acura, you can get a members’ only discount at W Hotels?

Yup . . . Acura owners are entitled to receive a 50% discount off their second night stay PLUS a room upgrade when available at W Hotels in the USA and Canada.  It looks like this promotion is in celebration of the renewed partnership between Acura and W through 2010.

Escape with an irresistible offer for Acura enthusiasts, only. Experience W Hotels’ insider access, spectacular style and incredible destinations, all with 50% off your every second night stay and an upgrade to the next available room type. Whether you stay 2 nights, 4 nights or more, take your tomorrow to indulge in Whatever/Whenever® and beyond.

Offer is valid for reservations booked and consumed between June 15, 2009 and March 31, 2010 and requires a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday check-in.

Here’s the full T&C.

One of the best hotel websites out there, and it belongs to Aloft

Check out the new Aloft microsite . . . a place where you can get up close and personal with the new Aloft brand standards and rock out to some cool tunes as well.  With colorful graphics and sharp photos, this my friends is The Aloft Experience.

The new Aloft brand debuted in 2008, so if you haven’t had the chance to visit one just yet, visit the new Aloft microsite to get a guided tour of the hotel.  Throughout the tour there are small captions that describe in greater detail some of the unique features of Aloft.  The new site definitely introduces the flavor of the brand in a new twist, especially since we’ve not seen these microsites for any of the other Starwood brands.  Here’s what Brian McGuinness, SVP Specialty Select Brands, had to say . . .

“Created to inject style and energy into the staid, traditional select service segment of the hotel industry, Aloft delivers urban-influenced, open and vibrant design, and a buzzing social atmosphere at an affordable price point,” said Brian McGuinness.

In conjunction with the launch of the new site, Starwood is running the Aloft Explore, Amuse + Win sweepstakes.  This promotion gives you the chance to win a super grand prize of ONE MILLION Starpoints, which is enough for over 25 airline trips or over 140 free nights at Aloft hotels.  There’s also a “Click-to-Win” promo where daily winners can get cutting edge tech and travel gadgets including notebooks, digital cameras, GPS systems, and MP3 players.  Click here for your chance to win big.

So what are you waiting for?  Go check out the new Aloft brand microsite, enter in the contest, and if nothing else jam to some of the tunes or enter the sweepstakes.

What can the new SPG iPhone app do for you?

Screenshot of the new SPG iPhone app

Starwood has entered the world of iPhone applications with the first version of its SPG app.  Members can now access their SPG account on the go!  You can check your current Starpoints balance as well as details pertaining to your upcoming stays.

Here’s some more information thanks to iPhone Download Blog . . .

• Access to SPG account, including Starpoints balance, recent activity, stays needed to reach the next level and more.

• View upcoming stay information including map to hotel from your current location and call hotel directly from your iPhone.

• Search, book and view hotel information and photos for 890+ hotels globally across nine brands.

• Access customer support around the globe.

• Browse TheLobby.com blogs to stay updated on the latest travel trends and insider information.

What about this *wood blog?  Feeling really left out now.  :-(

Anyway, I think the second bullet point above is huge.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to google the name of the hotel I’m staying at, then memorize the street address, and then type it out into the Maps app with my fat fingers.  I have probably a 20% success rate on the first try.  This new SPG app should quickly eradicate this annoyance!

The initial feedback on FlyerTalk is positive for the most part.  Great job SPG!

Read Jaunted? Like Starwood? Enter this Competitours contest!

Summer airfare to Europe is hardly cheap, despite the downturn and the feast of discounted fares that we have been seeing lately.  To make things a bit more economical (i.e. free if you’re lucky), Jaunted is sending two of its readers  to compete in Competitours.  This competition is an “Amazing Race” for the masses, and the two lucky readers will travel to Europe in late July on a secret itinerary while completing unique challenges.  Unlike the Amazing Race, the challenges in Competitours are based on creativity and not necessarily the fastest completion time. 

If that’s not enough fun for you in itself, Starwood is also giving the grand prize winners up to 40 free nights at Starwood Hotels.  

From the Jaunted website . . . 

Teams will document challenges via portable videocam for judging, while vying for a worldwide travel spree grand prize, featuring Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.

Competitours offers an unprecedented pay-AFTER-travel policy of the registration fee which covers international airfare, double occupancy lodging, Eurail Pass and grand prize eligibility of up to 40 Starwood hotel nights, up to airfare for four and up to $6500 spending money. Eight-day trips cost $1999 per person with longer trip options available.

Click on the image below to find out more about how to enter Jaunted’s competition.