TRAVEL SPECIAL.................... Year of intimate travel

Year of intimate travel



From sleep research to perfect selfie spots ­ a lot is going on behind the scenes to make your travel holiday package a personalised one

SELFIE-SAVVY HOTELS

No holiday is absolute without `braggies' in today's age. For the uninitiated, braggies are selfies you take on your exotic vacation and post them on social media to brag about your wonderful experience. Everything from the view from your hotel suite to the cuddly bed and the surrounding landscape makes for braggies. Fanning this widelygrowing obsession, hotels around the world are offering selfie sticks to their visitors at the time of check-in. Amit Agarwal, marketing manager of a top website for hotel bookings, says, “Hotels even have designated selfie spots ­ great places for self-portraits, where there is ample room for using the selfie stick without disturbing other guests. Some are also coming up with contests, enticing guests to post their best selfies, tag the hotel in the picture and win free food and stay; an idea that works in favour of both parties.“

That's not all. Some resorts offer an instruc tion manual on `How to get into the selfie-snapping mood' as part of their selfie package.

TRAVEL TO SLEEP BETTER

With hotels sorting out your bedtime routine with an array of sleep centric lighting and furniture, your hotel room might just become the best place to catch up on some quality sleep. Avid traveller Parushni Aggarwal says, “I have stayed at different kinds of hotels in different parts of the world and realised that they are increasingly focusing on a good night's sleep. Right from applications installed in the electronic systems, headboards that help cut ambient noise by 30 per cent, aromatherapy in rooms to help one relax and get over jet lag and an ambient music list that includes comforting soundtracks, hotels are thinking of new ways to help visitors snooze better.“

They are also hiring professional sleep researchers to ensure the right feather count in pillows and the thread count in bed linen. Therapeutic and or ganic cotton mattresses with later al rotation, a wide choice of pil lows and softer lighting options are other services offered.

DESTINATION CELEBRATION

“It's Sneha's birth day! Let's ring in her 21st in Greece!“ While destination weddings have been popular for a while now, this year sees a rising trend of friends and families travelling together for more intimate occasions like milestone birthdays or anniversaries. Says Romil Ratra, director of hospitality at a 5-star hotel in Mumbai, “City hotels are perfect for such quick getaways as they are easily accessible and offer a plethora of entertainment op tions in and around the property.“ Research conducted by a leading holiday maker reveals that Maldives is one of the most popular destinations for celebra tion-oriented travel. Short haul destinations like Singapore and Thailand are also on the `to-go' list among Indians.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

In a world where travel is becoming an integral part of life and mostly a means of connecting with the self, an ideal hotel stay is one that feels like home. That explains the demand for more and more exclusive service apartments and homestays. Guests can choose to participate in minor household tasks or experience five-star support at the push of a button at the latest fully-serviced luxury apartments. These cosy properties focus on minute details, right from the tonality of linen, flooring and walls to the way the space smells. All this can make a huge difference in the way the guest feels. Ratra says, “Large and comfortable so fas, low tables, chandeliers, are all important elements. The space should al low informality and conversations and encourage the guest to leave their rooms to mix and mingle, thus making the hotel a home away from home. A scientific study says familiar-feeling décor helps enhance guests' levels of serotonin (happy hormone). Also, keeping in mind the increase in the number of solo travellers, especially women, hotels are being sensitive towards creating an environment for casual sit-in groups and community dining tables.

CROWD-SOURCED REVIEWS

Most of us refer to reviews written by other travellers before making a hotel booking. But it is not necessary that people who have reviewed that place have the same tastes, budgets and interests that you do. Travel enthusiast RC Dalal says, “People travelling with children have a different set of requirements from a solo traveller. Someone looking to stay with a child and reading a review of a business traveller might not find value in the hotel. But specifically-refined reviews work very well.“ A recent New York Times article recommended how to find your “travel tribe“, which is a budding trend. The key is to understand which sites have travellers who are more like you.

Other trends to look into Airports will follow your every move:
You phone might start buzzing as soon as you're at an airport; it could be location-specific alerts that tell you about nearby currency-exchange counters that offer best rates, cafes, snack counters and some integral travel tips for the non-frequent flyer.

The fourth class of seats:
With airlines looking to convert train travellers into air travellers, they are introducing attractive offers that are making flights accessible to a large segment of people. Many airlines have set the bar high with the so-called `fourth class' of seating. They are offering friendlier fares paired with business-style perks and amenities, including greater seat pitch, better meals, privacy dividers, and airport lounge access.

Charity on a holiday:
The feeling that comes from doing a bit of charity takes away all the guilt of spending a bomb on your vacation. A lot of nonprofit hotels are coming up. The next time you book a hotel, check if it has a tie-up with any organisation that works to identify development goals in local communities and encourages guests to bring necessary supplies with them.

shikha shah

TL24MAY15