TECH REPORT | John Brandon

Beyond the Business Center

Tired of spotty Wi-Fi and outdated workstations? These hotels are redefining business travel.

Christopher Silas Neal

 

Tired of spotty Wi-Fi and outdated lobby workstations? These hotels are redefining business travel with high-tech amenities.

Aria Resort & Casino

Walk into your room at the Aria in Las Vegas, and the shades automatically rise as the lights brighten. Rooms feature bedside touchscreens for controlling the shades, lighting, temperature, TV, and an electronic do-not-disturb sign. Resortwide Wi-Fi access costs $15 a day.
COST: $149 a night and up

Aloft

Check-in is a breeze at this trendy chain, which has 40 hotels in Phoenix, Beijing, and 38 other cities worldwide. Guests receive a keycard in the mail before their trip and a text-message room assignment on arrival day. The keycard even unlocks the door remotely when you near your room. Wi-Fi is free hotelwide.
COST: $125 a night and up

Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers

Starting in June, guests at this Midtown Manhattan hotel can hold videoconferences in a Cisco TelePresence suite for $500 an hour. The revamped property also has a lounge with printers and Windows 7 computers. In-room Wi-Fi costs $14.95 a day; access is free in the lobby.
COST: $239 a night and up

Joie de Vivre Citizen Hotel

Rooms at the stately Citizen in downtown Sacramento have free high-speed broadband, a Mac Mini computer with a webcam and wireless mouse and keyboard, and an iPod docking station. Joie de Vivre plans to add high-tech touches to more of its 35 boutique California hotels this year.
COST: $149 a night and up

John Brandon is a contributing editor at Inc. magazine and writes the Tech Trends column in every issue. He also writes the Tech Report column for Inc.com. @jmbrandonbb