Don't be left out of the loop on the latest luxury hotel trends for this year. We've got the scoop on what travelers are looking for from their VIP stays in 2014. From bars that come to you, to local literary partnerships, here are the top 10 trends to watch in the year ahead.
1. A New Spin on the Bar
Brunch guests at 45 Park Lane in London are treated to a Bloody Mary trolley stocked local market ingredients - from beef stock and horseradish vodka to chili syrup and spice gomme.
Out: Drinks and a cheese plate at the bar
In: Drinks and a cheese plate served tableside
Hotel restaurants bring the party to you with impressive bar carts drawn tableside.
2. A Sleep to Remember
Hotel Vermont in Burlington has a special bedtime menu with a long list of sleep-friendly amenities including a Lunaroma aromatherapy selection, Vermont flannel PJ sets, Vermont teddy bears, bedtime stories, and a hot toddy selection.
Out: Staying up all night
In: Sleeping all night
3. Text Your Request
The Nines in Portland offers its own "Nines Touch" app enabling guests to "chat" directly with hotel staff through their mobile devices to order room service, check out local events, arrange transportation and submit requests to the concierge.
Out: Dialing "0" to reach the concierge desk
In: Using your smartphone or tablet to reach the concierge…and book reservations
Hotels are inviting guests to make requests without saying a word.
4. Boost Your Bath
Hotel Madeline in Telluride, Colorado offers a "Bath Bar" and "Bath Barista" who comes to your room to customize your bath with bath salts, facial cleaners, facial oil and body oil infused with lemon, juniper, cardamom and more.
Out: BYO toiletries
In: Bath bars
Decadent baths have long been a favorite treat at luxury hotels. In 2014 many properties are enhancing their already lavish bath experiences with expertly drawn baths.
5. Ride in Style
Even as Citi Bikes take over Manhattan, Gramercy Park Hotel worked with Lorenzo Martone to create "the Christian Louboutin" of bicycles for guests. The bikes are all-white save for Martone's signature bright red chain.
Out: Designer suites
In: Designer bikes
Hotels are teaming up with designers to create custom bikes that express the style and individuality of the property.
6. All Aboard
Mongolian tour operator Nomadic Expeditions is unveiling four new rail trips for 2014, with trans-Siberian routes spanning from Moscow to Beijing and Ulaanbaatar to Moscow.
Out: connecting flights
In: Train tourism
One of the hottest travel trends for 2014, train tourism is breaking out in a big way, with tour operators adding rail excursions to their list of trip selections.
7. Local Libraries at Hotels
Hotel Vermont in Burlington has partnered with the Burlington Writers Workshop to publish new writing on a quarterly basis. Each guest room will be stocked with small books filled with original works by workshop writers for guests to enjoy onsite and take home.
Out: Buying a bestseller at the airport
In: Discovering a local author at your hotel
Hotels are taking the local travel trend one step further with local literary partnerships and amenities.
8. Cajun Goes Global
The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa is home to Executive Chef Michael Farrell who brings NoLa-inspired Southern Coastal style to the Caribbean with dishes like Shrimp and Grits and Seafood Gumbo.
Out: New Orleans cuisine in New Orleans
In: New Orleans cuisine in unexpected places
Like Vietnamese, Scandinavian and Korean cuisine before it, New Orleans-inspired fare is taking over menus in unexpected places in 2014.
9. Welcome Home
The Lodge at Doonbeg in County Clare, Ireland has a range of accommodation options including suites and cottages - all tailored with modern conveniences including full kitchens and living rooms complete with comforts of home like gas fireplaces and large book selections, plus bespoke furnishings, fabrics and hand-selected antiques.
Out: Hotel as an escape
In: Hotel as home
With short term home and apartment rental sites like Homeaway and Airbnb shifting hospitality towards homelike experiences, luxury hotels are offering more personalized options that don't skimp on luxury.
10. Exploring 2.0
Guests at The Dolder Grand in Zurich can enjoy an art history lesson with their stay courtesy of an Art iPad app that provides insider info on works in the hotel's impressive art collection, with pieces by Andy Warhol, Salvatore Dali and others.
Out: Walking tours
In: Experiential tours
Hotels are offering new ways to get up close and personal with their destinations.