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In case you missed it: How Marriott landed Gwen Stefani

Making the music moves: Gwen Stefani recently partnered with Marriott International to play an exclusive gig at the newly opened Renaissance Downtown Hotel in Dubai. The night came about as a direct result of the company’s partnership with Universal Music Group, which homed in on Marriott’s dedication to all things rewards. That collaboration means Marriott rewards members can now use points to get passes to concerts, a move which this Forbes piece says reflects the growing number of consumers who value experiences, not products. —Chloe Riley

Gwen Stefani during a 2015 concert | Getty Images
Gwen Stefani during a 2015 concert | Getty Images

Airbnb’s niche buy: The US$31 billion home-sharing network is adding to its empire with the acquisition of a startup aimed at the disabled traveler. TechCrunch’s story dissects the deal and dives into the particular challenges – and potential opportunities – available in catering to this market, especially as Airbnb grapples with negative press amid attempts at regulation. —Barbara Bohn 

 


The left-leaning hotel: I know the hotel industry leans toward the conservative side, but you must be able to appreciate someone who recognizes an opportunity and acts on it. Meet Eaton Workshop, a hotel opening in spring 2018 in Washington, D.C. Its target market: Democrats. Even more intriguing is the developer, Katherine Lo, daughter of Langham Hospitality Group founder KS Lo. —Jeff Weinstein

 


Slide into points: A resort in Sandusky, Ohio recently opened a waterslide equipped with video gaming technology. Users hit targets to collect points (and can also control what music they listen to and level of difficulty) and they’re also able to track those points on their smartphones even when away from the resort. The slide, a US$ 1.3 million investment, is also one of just a handful within the U.S.—C.R.

 


“A lovely cheese pizza, just for me”: When it comes to hotels, the advance of the holidays basically equates to an onslaught of cutesy, winter-themed offerings. The best yet in these early days has to be New York Plaza’s “Home Alone 2” package complete with access to a ’90s-inspired menu, a paint can with copies of all the films, and an in-room “over-the-top ice cream sundae,” so you can best channel your inner Kevin McAllister glutton. —C.R.

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