Beyond "magic fingers" - various hotel amenities - Brief Article

Sunset, Nov, 1999 by Catherine Guthrie

These hotels give guests something a little different - well, maybe a lot different

Remember when a vibrating bed was considered a first-rate hotel amenity? Today, many hotels are so customer-oriented that even services considered luxurious a couple of years ago, such as spa treatments and massage therapists, are about as common as a baby bar of soap.

Sunset's mission was to seek the unexpected and zany in the way of amenities. We found them. So read on, and book early - we're not the only ones who have found these offerings irresistible.

DID SOMEONE ORDER A GOLDFISH? Check-in at Seattle's Hotel Monaco is pretty standard until the desk clerk pops the question: Would you like company this evening? If the answer is yes, a goldfish - complete with instructions for naming your new aquatic friend - is dispatched to your room. The chain's trademark goldfish service originated here when a liberal pet policy left petless guests feeling a little lonely. From $165. 1101 Fourth Ave.; (800) 945-2240 or www.monaco-seattle.com.

PERMISSION TO SLEEP IN CLASS. You'll have no fears of waking to a flying chalkboard eraser at McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland, where the only thing you'll be studying is the inside of your eyelids. In 1997 the McMenamin brothers turned the 84-year-old school's classrooms into guest rooms and kept the trappings, including each room's original blackboard. From $99.

TAROT: IT'S NOT, UST FOR PAGANS ANYMORE. Everyone knows you can't swing a cat in San Francisco without hitting a psychic, so it should come as no surprise that the Hotel Triton has one on retainer. No question is too small, whether it's life-altering advice you're after, or a prediction on when the fog will lift - and what it means about you if it doesn't. From $179. 342 Grant Ave.; (800) 4336611 or www.hotel-tritonsf.com.

THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY. Resist the pull of the television. Walk away from the minibar. It's time to grab the "Monopoly" game and reintroduce your travel partner to your competitive inner child. The lobby and guest rooms at the Serrano Hotel in San Francisco are stocked with cards, chess, checkers, and other board games, both traditional and ancient, for guests to enjoy. From $129. 405 Taylor St.; (877) 294-9709 or www. serranohotel.com.

DISCOVER YOUR STAR POTENTIAL. It's not every hotel where you can check in to the Invasion of the Body Snatchers room (505) or catch Vertigo or The Graduate in the lobby's theater, but the Hotel Bijou is anything but ordinary. By celebrating San Francisco's rich film history, it has found its niche among traveling cinemaphiles. Don't miss the 24-hour film hotline for information on where to see local shoots. From $99. 111 Mason St.; (800) 771-1022.

SHAKEN, NOT STIRRING. Want a bedside treat at the Prescott Hotel in San Francisco? Order a nightcap in your nightgown. Tuck yourself in, peruse the martini menu, and place your order. A mix master will be at your side shaking a made-to-order martini before you can say "Hold the olive." From $225. 545 Post St.; (800) 283-7322.

IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN. Beginning Thanksgiving weekend at Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego, guests looking for a late-night snack can raid the refrigerators to feast on tasty leftovers and rub pajama-clad elbows with the chef; $10 per person. From $235, $139 starting mid-November. 4000 Coronado Bay Rd.; (619) 424-4000.

FLOWER POWER. Spheres for aromatherapy are just one of the au naturel amenities at the Natural Bed & Breakfast inn in Tucson. Just squeeze a few drops of essential oil (lavender is a favorite) on the sphere, plug it in, and inhale the vibe. Guest rooms are arranged in the Eastern art of feng shui and come complete with air cleaner, humidifier, and natural sound machine. Don't miss the organic breakfast. From $65. 3150 E. Presidio Rd.; (520) 881-4582.

THAT'S A TALL ORDER. When it comes to serving the needs of tall guests, the Hotel Monaco in Denver doesn't come up short. High ceilings, long beds, tall door frames, and raised shower heads are just a few of the amenities that come gratis when you request a room for longlegged folks. Coming soon: lengthy robes and super-size towels. From $155. 1717 Champa St.; (800) 397-5380.