What do you think of when you walk into a hotel bathroom, switch the light on and the fan starts automatically, meaning that its linked to the one and only light and you are forced to hear its noisy motor running whether you want to or not?
I think of Motel 8 and every hotel like it in its category. Hey, Motel 8 is great and I’ve camped in one more than once, especially on those long across country hauls. But I’d expect more from a so-called higher-end hotel.
I’m at the Hotel Max in Seattle which prides itself as the most artistic hotel in downtown Seattle. And yes, they have automatic fans with no option to turn them off if the light is on. Cheeezy…given that they are trying to be hip and higher end, the designer who went for that choice made a big mistake.
Their behind-the-counter staff needs a little coaching about customer service however I have to admit, the AM manager turned around a smoking room screw-up on a dime and with grace. Smart PR move on his part.
The hallways and rooms have the feel of a W, Paramount or similar-like hotel property, meaning the rooms are small but modern, the soaps say body and face in big white letters on matted black paper, and the housecleaning/do not disturb signs say Yup and Nope. This one tries to be hip at $240 a night, which I thought was high for Seattle.
The cool parts? They give you a cozy duvet, tons of white plush pillows, and the doors are plastered with black and white shots from established Seattle artists and photographers.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
