Quirky hotel amenities: TPG staff, readers share their favorites
They're the perks that make a hotel stay more memorable. From the most predictable and basic like a couple of bottles of water, to much more original — and in some cases, downright unique amenities. Sure, some perks have been pared down or even discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic, but plenty remain.
As a kid I remember staying at an Embassy Suites hotels on vacation, and my parents ensuring that we were back from our daytime excursions in time to enjoy drinks and snacks at the "Manager's Reception." Years later, my wife and I hastened our trek back to the Westin Versa in downtown Napa to partake in the complimentary wine tasting (or at least, the wine tasting that was included in our daily resort fee).
When I think through amenities I've enjoyed while staying at hotels, I think of the giant complimentary paella snack at the Westin Grand Cayman where we spent our honeymoon, the dogs up for adoption (and pets and walks) at the Aloft in Asheville, North Carolina, and the Peloton bike I got to use at a Marriott in Virginia.
Honestly, though, most of these pale in comparison to the ingenuity of, and in some case quirky, amenities my TPG colleagues and some of our readers have experienced when we polled them.
To best lay this all out, I've categorized these unusual amenities.
Related: How hotel amenities can improve a business trip
Excursions and activities
Binoculars – Senior Aviation Business Reporter David Slotnick received them for the purpose of plane spotting at the Grand Hyatt Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). And Zachary Goldman got them for whale watching while staying at the Waldorf Astoria.
Lego Butler – Coordinating Editor Christine Smith remembers this from her stay at Ashford Castle in Ireland, where the property will deliver a set to children (for $44) along with its other perks "exclusively for (their) younger guests" like board games, homemade cookies and a personalized bedtime story.
Electric bikes – Director of Video Tom Grahsler was able to rent them while staying at the Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana. On an expansive property, he said having a motorized mountain bike was "awesome and fun."
Pulse book – Senior Writer Katie Genter found this in the lobby during her stay at the Andaz Capital Gate hotel in Abu Dhabi. It provided local secrets from past visitors, and was a good tool to get ideas on what to do, she said.
Other TPG readers mentioned gondola rides at the Hotel Kette in Venice, and complimentary guided horseback rides at the Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa in Costa Rica.
Comfort and luxury
Cars – Managing Editor Clint Henderson got to enjoy a Maserati courtesy car and chauffeur service during his stay in Italy at the Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan. Points and Miles Reporter Kyle Olsen remembers the complimentary day use of luxury Lexus cars at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas. Another TPG reader remembers one hotel where they offered a Rolls-Royce.
Get tucked into bed by Snoopy – This was a pre-pandemic favorite of Family Travel Writer Tarah Chief, offered at the Knott's Berry Farm Hotel in Southern California.
Heated toilet seats – Senior Hotels Reporter Tanner Saunders previously shared his enjoyment of this bathroom amenity available at lots of international hotels, which he first experienced during a stay in Japan. On the same topic, Ben Smithson remembers one hotel stay where there was a fireplace in the bathroom.
Related: Hotel views you'll want to see for yourself
Food and Drink
Rum and Coke – Senior Editor Benet Wilson recalls finding a six-pack of Coca-Cola and a bottle of Cruzan Rum while staying at a hotel on the Caribbean island of St. Croix.
Beer – Social Media Manager Mimi Wright remembers the beer on tap (to complement the shower beer fridge) at the BrewDog Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. Similarly, a TPG reader remembers the built-in brewery at the Grove, a "brewtique" hotel in Ontario.
TPG readers also chimed in about the late night peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the Le Pavilion New Orleans, champagne vending machines at Lennox Miami Beach, and similar machines vending wine at the St. Regis in Washington, D.C.
Music
Record Player – Director of Content Nick Ewen said he enjoyed this at the music-themed Elizabeth Hotel, a Marriott Autograph Collection property in Fort Collins, Colorado. Nick noted it was fun teaching his daughter a way to play music that did not involve an iPhone or Alexa.
Another TPG reader remembered a Sarasota hotel that offered ukuleles in their room.
Pets
"Borrowable" Dogs – Director of Content Andrea Rotondo took note of this option at the Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Colorado, where the hotel housed a St. Bernard that visitors could spend time with.
Other readers recalled dog cocktails at a Virgin Hotel in Dallas, dog massages at a hotel in Los Cabos, and goldfish pets for the length of your stay at the Kimpton Monaco in Denver and the Maximillian in Prague.
Related: Most Dog-friendly hotels in America
And then there are these amenities that are truly quirky
Ghostbusters slime – multiple TPG staffers and readers mentioned this quirk at the Curtis hotel in Denver, where there's a Ghostbusters-themed suite.
At various other properties, we heard about bunk beds built into book shelves, guitars and amplifiers available while staying in soundproof rooms, custom thread sewing kits to match what you packed, mineral water from nearby hot springs piped directly into room and shoes available for workouts.
Memorably quirky
From enhancing your visit to turning an otherwise routine stay into a truly luxurious one, or in some cases, just making your stay more entertaining, there's no doubt that unique amenities help form the memories we carry with us after a stay at any given property.
If there's any amenity you've experienced that's even quirkier than anything on this list, we'd love to hear about it! Connect with us on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages and let us know about your favorite quirky hotel amenity.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.