Start saving for your plane ticket now - the Fontainebleau Las Vegas is opening Fall 2009 and it’s very green and very cool…

…with features from ECO-Mode Personal Thermostats to iMac laptops in all of the guestrooms, to 300,000 square feet of upscale retail space, an in-house destination management company and 58 meeting rooms!

The hotel is on track to become Silver-Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program.

Be sure to check out the rooftop pool, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas boasts the world’s largest!

Free and often wireless internet connections are becoming more common at hotels, much to the relief of our email, facebook, bussiness-addicted society…

…but have you ever wondered how safe those internet connections are?

Some faculty at Cornell University did ask that question, and their research found many hotel networks run on outdated or old security techlology - leaving you at risk for your personal or business information to be attacked by a hacker.

The research is a helpful analysis of hotel trends, and includes some great tips on how to keep your information safe if you are connected to an unsecure network…so check it out!

The study is available for free through Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research website.

Die-hard Democrats and Republicans alike can celebrate their candidates while staying at one DC hotel - The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel.

The Liaison is offering a “Pick Your Party” package for guests -

choose the “red” dining and nightlife guide to mingle with local McCain supporters and receive a copy of the Washington Times…

…or opt for the “blue” dining and nightlife guide to find Obama’s fans and get a copy of the Washington Post.

The packages also come with picnic baskets and “Not for Tourists” Washington city guides.

You can even buy a “Demodog” or “Republipooch” t-shirt for your dog!

Sheraton installed Microsoft Surface units in the lobbies of 5 of their hotels this week…

…Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch display built into a table top. There’s no mouse or keyboard - it uses touch.

It’s like a giantic iPhone, only better!

Hotel guests can browse pictures of the hotel, create playlists with the jukebox, and even find restaurants, bars, and entertainment in the city with 365-degree satellite maps.

Check out the Surface at these hotels:

• Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers – 811 7th Avenue 53rd Street, New York

• Sheraton Boston Hotel – 39 Dalton St, Boston

• Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers – 301 East North Water Street, Chicago

• Sheraton Seattle Hotel – 1400 6th Ave, Seattle

• Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport Hotel – 600 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame

Check out the roofless sand “hotel” in England that’s been built right on the beach…made from 1,000 tons of sand!

It took a combined total of four men 98 hours to create the project. Even the beds are made of sand!

There’s no roof, so guests can stargaze at night, and in the morning the tide laps at the entrance. Now that’s a real beachfront property!

The nation’s first LEED-certified hotel brand, element by Starwood, has just opened its first hotel!

element Lexington, in Lexington, MA, celebrated its grand opening on July 1. The property is a mix of smart design and eco-chicness. It will be the concept lab for the brand.

How do you think the element brand will impact non-eco friendly hotels? Will the environment impact your property selection for your next meeting? Or is element appealing to a niche market?

I came across an interesting article on msnbc.com about housekeeping practices in hotels…

…Some hotels are becoming such efficient working machines that rooms are being cleaned at very unaccommodating times for guests; cleaning rooms when guests are still present, for example.

Have you had any negative hosuekeeping experiences? What do you think the easiest way to avoid future problems would be?

MSNBC’s Christopher Elliott offers a few tips in his article, here are a few…

1. Use the Do Not Distrub Sign when you do not want your room cleaned and switch the sign to Please Service My Room when you would like their services.

2. Reuse your towels, etc. - limits disturbances and help conserve energy at the same time.

3. Reward good behavior - tip the maid when you are pleased with your service; it’s an easy way to communicate a job well done.