Travel Tidbits: Lavatories and Lobbiesby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 04 Mar 2007 11:36 AM LAVATORIES In a previous blog I detailed my recent 10-hour flight to Hawaii... with my two-year-old. (Oh, yes, it was quite an adventure.) What I didn't share with you was the good fortune we had to be seated in a bulkhead row (bulkhead row = more leg room), located not far from the restroom. My silent gloating ended abruptly when I noticed a long line forming around our seat area. There were at least a dozen people in line to use the two lavatories in our section. As I looked up, my eyes locked with a fellow passenger who shook her head and commented that the line for the restrooms at the back of the plane were just as long. Meanwhile, the line for the first-class lavatory (which cheap seat passengers were not allowed to use) was non-existent. My observation of the restroom logjam took place in January. Incredibly, just two days ago, I learned that American Airlines is now offering relief for cheap seat passengers with full bladders. Effective immediately the airline will allow coach passengers to use the lavatory in the first-class section. According to American, the rule change applies to domestic flights and to international flights leaving the United States. (The airline had been restricting coach passengers from using the first-class restroom since 2003.) Coach passengers rejoice---we can now use the lavatory located nearest to our seats. What a concept. LOBBIES How many times have you hung out in your hotel's lobby (minus the times you've sat there because you were locked out of your room)? If you answered, "never" you aren't alone. Many guests make a beeline from the front desk to their rooms and barely look at the lobby, much less spend quality time there. It's a practice hotel managers say they are looking to change. At major hotel properties across the country lobbies are morphing into party rooms. Several extended-stay properties' have introduced lobby happy hours complete with free food and beverages. Marriott is taking the concept a step further announcing it plans to redesign its lobbies to promote socializing. And, they aren't alone. Westin recently unveiled its new "Unwind ... A Westin Evening Ritual," which the hotel calls "a complimentary nightly social event." Examples of the new program include The Westin Excelsior, Venice Lido's event that teaches guests how to mix a perfect Bellini. Meanwhile, guests staying at The Westin in Tucson receive lessons on how to make guacamole. In addition, Staybridge Suites, which already hosts complimentary evening sundowner receptions and Wednesday barbecue nights at its Atlanta Perimeter-East property, is expanding its lobby-socializing program. Guests spending the night at Staybridge Suites Tallahassee in Florida will get to watch movies on a theater-like screen and enjoy complimentary popcorn in the lobby there. Related Articles: Traveling with Children: Finding the Best Hotel Room Travel Tidbits-News You Can Use Regarding Jet Lag, Long Security Lines and Frequent Flier Miles Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments NatureGirl1 (109) 04 Mar 2007 02:39 PMIf I was paying for first class and a bunch of people with kids who were whining about having to go to the bathroom started filling up my cabin, I'd ask for a refund.  Michele Cheplic |
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