A STAY WITH A DIFFERENCE

Hotels are getting increasingly creative in their approach to the guest experience. We asked some very well-traveled people for some of the things they have recently experienced and liked.

“The business traveler,” says Jody Merl, “wants to be inspired York there is an artist-in residence who will help you be a collector for a day.”

Mary Gostelow, who travels over 300 days a year (www. girlahead.com) recently stayed at the Lux* Belle Mar in Mauritius and found goodies like a new bike with her initials on the front espresso machine; and four printed full-size English newspapers thanks to satellite.

Doug Gollan, founder and former editor of Elite Traveler, says the Lungarno Group of hotels in Florence run by the Ferragamo family of shoe and fashion fame, are unique and worthwhile. One, the Continentale, “has a modern minimalist interior and a lovely deck for views of the city. The service is personal, but very dolce vita.”

Bob Von Ness of Preferred Hotels, says the brand new ART Hotel in Denver, with two art galleries, is a “contemporary hotel rooted overlooking the Rocky Mountains and Denver skyline.