There’s no doubt that the iPad has helped revolutionize travel, delivering unsurpassed convenience and a wealth of at-your-fingertips information to travelers on the move. Hotels, cruise lines, airlines, and restaurants have been quick to jump on the tech-trendsetter bandwagon by offering iPads as loaners for patron use, or even as stand-in tour guides, sommeliers, and more. But very few have the budget or broad-mindedness to offer complimentary iPads in every single guestroom. That’s why we’re so impressed by the recent announcement of Belgium's Hotel Heritage to do just that. The high-end Relais & Chateaux property, set in the heart of the historic city of Bruges, is in fact the first hotel on the European continent to provide an iPad2 in each and every one of its 24 luxury guestrooms.
An entirely complimentary amenity, which rolled out earlier this month, the iPad2s come preloaded with a selection of music, movies, and apps, including a welcome video from the property, area maps, select travel apps, games, tourist information about Bruges, a selection of international newspapers, and more. Guests are free to tote their in-room iPads about town with them, too, for the duration of their stay. Other tech-friendly room features include free WiFi access, as well as a flat-screen TV, which can be hooked up to the iPad to serve as a larger format screen.
The hotel is situated near Bruges’ Market Square and is set within walking distance of many of the city’s most popular attractions; fall/winter weekend rates start at about $310/night. www.hotel-heritage.com
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