McLean Robbins

Ana Steel's inner goddess is doing backflips. You can now hear the juicy details of the cult favorite "50 Shades of Grey" live via in-flight audio book on Virgin Atlantic.

The book follows the exploits of Anastasia Steele, a virgin who meets a wealthy businessman with particular tastes in the bedroom. It has already sold over 10 million copies.

"'Fifty Shades of Grey' has quickly gained notoriety as a 'naughty novel,' leaving some women embarrassed to read their copy in public. We want to give our female passengers the chance to enjoy the book in an intimate way, without prying eyes. Of course, we can't promise to spare any blushes and can't be held responsible for any risqué behavior that listening to the recording inspires," said Sarah McIntyre, Virgin Atlantic spokesperson.

These audio books are a feature of the planes' InFlight Entertainment Systems.

Let's just say we think you'll be able to tell who is listening by the squirming and shocked facial expressions. We hope nobody decides to try out some of the book's signature moves in the airport lavatory, either.

Greetings, friends. Here's to hoping that everyone in a hotel tonight is there because they are enjoying an extended Fourth of July vacation, and not because they're still without power from last weekend's storms or Colorado's devastating wildfires. It seems like the end of the world might be nigh after all – so this week, in addition to your standard Hotel News We Noted on openings, trends and new developments, we've got a special Mayan package at one of our favorite resorts.

If you have news, tips or comments, please feel free to drop us a line via email.

Resort We Want to Visit: NIYAMA Per AQUUM
Dying for a trip to the Maldives? Sure, so are we. If you suddenly find yourself on the other side of the world, be sure to check out NIYAMA, the area's newest resort, featuring the world's first underwater music club, a 24-hour spa, a coral adoption program, tribal cooking over hot rock grills and in-room delis for midnight snacking. Sounds amazing, right? If any of those perks aren't your thing, the Per AQUUM brand also has a polo estate in Dubai and another property in the Maldives, Huvafen Fushi.

Here, we take a deeper dive into one of the coolest jobs in the hospitality industry – a sake sommelier.

Four Seasons Baltimore's beverage manager Tiffany Dawn Soto wants you to know two things – first, that sake is pronounced "sa-keh" and not "sa-kee" and second, that you should never, under any circumstances, do a sake bomb.

"So many people think that sake is just hot sake – that battery acid you drink at 3 a.m. with bad sushi!"

Authenticity means everything to the Western World's most famous female Master Sake Sommelier, or kikzake-shi, which translates to a loose cross between sommelier and educator.
The 30-year-old has traveled to Japan more than two dozen times to further her sake education, and it shows.

She leans in, her bright red hair and pale, almost Irish-looking visage at odds with her flawless pronunciation of Japanese terms. In a 101-level Sake tasting video, Soto teaches patrons the basics. She starts with the most basic, Junmai.

"Junmai very simply means that sake is un-messed around with. It has four ingredients: rice, water, yeast and a mold called koji." She goes on to talk about Yamahai (also called Kimoto) sake, which she says "uses a traditional brewing method that presents as a caramelized, earthy texture" or, in layman's terms, "goes great with spicy food." Another she describes as "a little more filling, probably not something you'll want to have at the all-you-can-eat sushi bar."

Taking budget-chic to a new level, this Scotland-based "truck-o-tel" has some unique amenities for those looking to take car camping for a test run.

Inverness-shire-based owner Walter Micklethwait turned his 1950s Commer Q4 into a moving hotel of sorts, complete with beds, chairs, a gas stove and a cabinet. The adjustments, he says, cost him £1400, and the hotel is dubbed the Beer Moth, for reasons, which we do not know.

The truck was formerly displayed in its original state in the Manston Fire Museum in Kent. Micklethwait raised the roof, added an oak parquet floor rescued from a Tudor mansion, a double Victorian bed, added snooker table slate to make a heart and put in a fire escape for a staircase.

He charges £450 per week for the accommodations.

What do you say, would you rent the Beer Moth for a week? You can book it via the reservations team at Inshriachhouse if you so desire.

We just returned from a week of international travel, and let's just say that the international lounge is one of our favorite perks of traveling business class. Sadly, our connection in Charles de Gaulle was far too short (read: we ran from plane to plane) to catch their new S4 satellite in terminal 2E or Air France's brand new lounge, which opened late last week.

If you're flying with Air France or any of the SkyTeam partners through Paris, the $580 million euro new satellite offers 10,000 square meters of boarding area for international passengers and 3,000 square meters of lounge, the largest in the Air France Network.

Aéroports de Paris has paid particular attention to the needs of its passengers, offering traditional French shops and restaurants as well as 25,000 square meters dedicated to the boarding lounges – the equivalent of 128 tennis courts.

A museum will also shortly be opening at the satellite, presenting original works from famous museums in Paris.

Air France's new $16 million euro, 620-seat business class lounge is a welcome respite for international travelers, offering numerous places to unwind and plug in as well as Wi-Fi access, digital tablets and computers. You can snag hot and cold foods (they have a risotto bar!) as well as beverages (great French wine!) and a variety of presentations focusing on French cuisine at your convenience.

Our favorite part about the facility? The on-site Clarins spa. What can we say? We're beauty product junkies. Their business class and premium economy vanity kits already come with moisturizer but really, who wants to primp at 36,000 feet? Three dedicated treatment rooms offer body and face touch ups, and ten dedicated showers let travelers refresh as needed.

Of course, you could always just relax on one of the lounge chairs, but that wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

Has anyone test driven the lounge yet? Is it as nice as photos suggest, or do you have another favorite? Weigh in with your comments, below.

Gallery: Air France's New Paris Lounge

Any traveler will tell you that a good hotel bed is a key component of traveling. Hotels have recently gotten wise, hawking their beds, pillows and sheets on their websites as well as via new programs designed to help you sleep better – anything to save us from Ambien.


Swissotel Berlin - The Science of Sleep
Swissotel Berlin just announced a new sleep package developed by somnologist Dr. Michael Feld. They say you can achieve "bio-psycho-physiologic regeneration" through techniques like light therapy, power napping, mountain-air breathing, aromatherapy, special nutritional supplements and a sound pillow. On request, a polysomnography (detailed sleep analysis) can be booked in combination for 60 Euro per reservation. The package includes:

• wake-up and calm-down drink
• bright-light-lamp session or light-to-go headset in the morning
• aromatherapy in the morning and evening
• use of PowerNap Lounge
• use of mountain-air generator
• sound pillow at night


The Benjamin - Sleep Concierge
Midtown New York's The Benjamin has the city's only Sleep Concierge, an in-room sleep menu and a 12-choice pillow menu. Guests can enjoy:

· Complimentary consultation with the in-house Sleep Concierge, who can recommend the right pillow for guests' sleep patterns or have a bedtime snack sent up

· The Benjamin's hallmark 12-choice Pillow Menu (any combo of pillows delivered right to your room)
· Accommodations with everything needed to set the stage for a perfect night's sleep: blackout drapes, double-paned soundproof windows and The Benjamin Bed, a Serta® mattress created exclusively for the hotel

The Setai Fifth Avenue - Spa treatments that promote sleep
The Setai Fifth Avenue's "City That Sleeps" program plays off of New York's famous nickname. The hotel's Auriga spa offers a variety of treatments that are timed to the phases of the moon. Playing off that theme, the "City That Sleeps" program includes a nighttime in-room massage and turndown service with aromatherapy to aid in restful sleep. Guests also receive a calm-inducing elixir crafted from local ingredients.

Greetings from Evian, France, land of the famed water, where I've been scouting hotels and spas all week. As usual, in Hotel News We Noted, you'll find the best news, notes and trends from the hotel world this week.

Have a story or a tip? Send it our way via email.

Hotel Promo: Social Media Day
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts are getting into Social Media Day, June 30, with a special promotion. Restaurants and lounges across the Fairmont brand are offering a complimentary "app" from 3 p.m. through closing, tomorrow, June 30. You can find the social updates on the hotel's Twitter, Facebook and FourSquare pages. If you choose to dine, you'll also receive a one-time 25 percent discount through August 31, 2012. We champion Fairmont for "going social" and wonder why more hotels aren't playing along!

All Eyes on London: Celeb Spottings
We, along with the rest of the world, have our eye on London this summer, thanks to that little thing called the Olympics beginning next month. But two London hotels are getting a bit of an early boost. The luxe Corinthia Hotel had a most distinguished guest earlier this week in the Prince of Wales, who toured the hotel. A-List guests also included Rihanna, who unfortunately was evacuated from the hotel yesterday after a small fire broke out. You win some; you lose some, Corinthia! Our favorite Spice Girls also announced a new musical at the St. Pancras Renaissance, where they shot their debut music video, Wannabe.

Amnesty for All: The Waldorf=Astoria New York
The Waldorf=Astoria is seeing to take back its history by calling on past guests to return hotel items that may have secretly checked out when they did. Past guests are encouraged to return all items predating 1960 with no questions asked during the amnesty period running now through Sept. 15. During the amnesty period, the hotel's staff will evaluate returned items, selecting the best to be displayed on the hotel's Facebook page; top returned items will then be showcased in the lobby museum. Start searching for those teacups, spoons and bathrobes, ladies and gents!

Happy Birthday: Raffles
The Singapore-based Raffles chain is celebrating its 125th birthday this year. Congratulations to the famed hotel group, which now has sister properties in Paris, Dubai, Cambodia, the Seychelles, Beijing and the Holy City of Makkah. Openings are happening in Manila, Istanbul, Jakarta and Hainan in China, over the next two years.

"New York City Subway Stairs" from Dean Peterson on Vimeo.

Whether it's a health hazard or a quirk of New York living, we're not sure, but this unique subway station has one stair set a fraction of an inch above all others, causing nearly everyone who visits it to trip.

This amusing video catalogs a day's commute. We'll be watching our footwork at the 36th Street Station!

It's finally summer, and outside isn't the only thing that's warm in this week's edition of Hotel News We Noted. Here, we explore some of the world's most sizzling new hotels and promotions, as well as cool amenities that can keep you traveling in style.

As always, if you have a suggestion or a comment, feel free to email us.

Hotel Trends: U.S. Hotels Catering to Chinese Travelers
Chinese travel to the United States is up 36 percent over last year, to the tune of more than $1 million. This article from the Seattle Times explored what that means for hotels. Chains like Marriott and Hilton have already rolled out special programs for tourists, while Starwood and The-Ritz Carlton have relocated managers to China to help them gain cultural awareness. Fairmont has just rolled out a new Chinese menu. Just one example includes the nation's strict hierarchy – employees should not be placed on a higher floor than their boss, no matter the room type. Chinese guests are also not housed on floors with the number four, which sounds like the word for "death" in Mandarin – a strange request for a U.S. audience, but something that these tour groups have greatly appreciated. And, at the tune of $5.7 billion per year spent by the Chinese in the United States, or $6,000 per traveler, hoteliers can't afford not to take note.

Cool Perk: Leave the Workout Gear at Home, Thanks to Westin
Westin is making it easier than ever to stay fit on the road (and still avoid checked bag fees). For $5, guests can get an entire New Balance outfit – from a sports bra to shoes – delivered to their room as part of an exclusive gear-lending partnership with New Balance.

Money We Wish We Had: Larry Ellison Buys Lanai, Two Four Seasons
Oracle CEO and billionaire Larry Ellison has gone and done it again. This time, he bought Lana'i, one of Hawaii's seven islands, which has not one but two Four Seasons Resorts. Purchased are the 236-room Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay and the 102-room Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele. We didn't realize this was even possible, but apparently it is – he purchased the island to the tune of $500 or $600 million from David Murdock, another billionaire.

Unique Amenity: An On-Site Bagpiper
Guests at Sea Island's (image of their luxe property The Cloister above) can relax after a day of shooting school or playing one of the resort's three championship golf courses and enjoy the sounds of the resort's resident bagpiper, who plays on the golf course every day at sundown. Shockingly, this isn't the only U.S. hotel to offer the amenity – the Inn at Spanish Bay near Pebble Beach has the same thing. Who would have thought?

Soon-to-Open: Hotel BPM, Brooklyn
It's no shock to us that Brooklyn will be the home base for the boutique Hotel BPM, or Hotel Beats Per Minute in Sunset Park. The hotel, opening August 1, has one cool program we're keeping an eye on – guests can request one song that will be played throughout the hotel sound system at some point during their stay. At just $139 a night for the opening rate, it might be worth it to go and request something terrible like "Ice Ice Baby" or country music just to see the reaction of other guests. Sorry, we're terrible.