Hotels + Resorts 24 Coolest Hotel Amenities, From Pie Turndown Service to Bookmarks That Turn Into Wildflowers Perks like these will make your stay extra sweet. By Talia Avakian Talia Avakian Talia Avakian is a lifestyle reporter based in Los Angeles with a love for outdoor excursions, off-the-beaten-path local finds, remote and historic hotels, and innovations in food. She was previously the digital news reporter for Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 6, 2024 Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan Close Photo: Courtesy of The St. Regis San Francisco Aside from style elements, what is it that really makes a hotel stand out? For some, it's the unique amenities — those special touches that make each stay even more memorable. Select hotels and resorts go far beyond the typical perks that most travelers are used to, like in-room coffee machines and turndown service with chocolates. Amenities are becoming more personalized and eclectic, from Champagne sabering to handwritten letters. Here's a look at some of the most creative hotel amenities out there, each meant to upgrade your stay from good to great. Pie Turndown Service Courtesy of Caldwell House Bed and Breakfast At the Caldwell House Bed and Breakfast in Salisbury Mills, New York, guests who book a stay during the month of September can enjoy a fresh piece of pie on the first night of their stay as part of its add-on "Pie on the Pillow" turndown service. This special perk starts right after Labor Day and runs through the end of the month, with fresh pies baked daily, including cherry, fudge, apple, pumpkin, and pecan, among other seasonal flavors. In-room Beer Taps and Shower Mini-fridges Courtesy of BrewDog The DogHouse by Brewdog is the world's first craft beer hotel, located inside its Columbus, Ohio, brewery — additional locations can now be found in Manchester, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen in the U.K. as well. Guests can enjoy a beer any time of the day thanks to in-room beer taps and showers that come with adjacent mini-fridges. A Podcast Studio If you've ever wanted to try your hand at podcasting, this is your chance. The Sinclair in Fort Worth has a professional-level podcast studio in its lobby, featuring Rode broadcast gear, soundproof walls, a two-mic setup, and large windows overlooking a downtown street. Puzzle Turndown Service Courtesy of Twin Farms At Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermont, guests receive a small wooden puzzle to take home thanks to a partnership with Stave Puzzles, a nearby puzzle company known for its intricate, handcrafted, and often confounding designs. In-room Arcade Games Courtesy of The Curtis Denver At The Curtis Hotel in downtown Denver, your visit starts with one of DoubleTree's standard warm chocolate chip cookies. But if you book a stay in the video game suite, you also get an in-room "Donkey Kong" arcade game alongside "Mario Kart"-inspired wall decorations, old-school board games, and other nostalgic details. Other rooms include a disco room with lava lamps, as well as several pop-culture-themed rooms dedicated to all things Barbie, talk shows, knock-knock jokes, sports, chick flicks, I Love Lucy, Star Trek, "Ghostbusters," and "Talladega Nights." A Broadway Experience Courtesy of The Chatwal The Chatwal's location just steps from New York City's Theater District means you get access to Broadway-inspired amenities like vinyl LPs from musicals, which you can play on the in-room Crosley record players, and an optional theater playhouse set up in the room with puppets for the kids to put on their own show. Wildflower Bookmarks Courtesy of The Betsy-South Beach At The Betsy, a family-owned luxury boutique hotel in Miami's Art Deco district, art is woven into every stay. With its nightly turndown service, you get a plantable bookmark made out of recycled paper and wildflower seeds. Guitars and Vinyl Record Players Courtesy of The Edgewater Guests staying in specialty themed suites at The Edgewater in Seattle can enjoy unique amenities based on the room they're staying in. In The Beatles Suite, you can enjoy a state-of-the-art stereo system and listen to Beatles CDs, while the Pearl Jam Suite comes with a Fender guitar and amp that you can use, as well as a record player and a rare collection of vinyl LPs. In-room Cocktail Stations Courtesy of The Troubadour Hotel New Orleans All the rooms and suites at The Troubadour Hotel New Orleans, part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, come with an in-room cocktail station so guests can mix drinks whenever they want. The station includes a recipe for the hotel's signature cocktail — made of bourbon, old fashioned mix, and San Pellegrino Blood Orange — as well as other liquor, bitters, and tumbler cups with straws for guests to take their drinks with them. Hunter Boots and Outerwear Courtesy of Weekapaug Inn The Weekapaug Inn in Rhode Island is a nature lover's paradise, with an on-site naturalist who leads excursions such as stargazing, biking, and bird-watching. To help guests get ready to head out, the hotel has a "Hunter Borrowing Closet" stocked with Hunter-brand boots and outerwear for both adults and children. Champagne Sabering Courtesy of The St. Regis San Francisco At St. Regis properties, one of the traditions is Champagne sabering, which dates back to the days of Napoleon. Sabering, the act of opening Champagne bottles using a saber or sword, is celebrated in different ways depending on the property. Designer Bag Lending Program The Four Seasons Hotel Houston knows how much of a struggle it can be to pack accessories for every outfit you wear on vacation. So, the hotel will lend you a designer handbag to take out for the evening. It has an outpost of Vivrelle, the handbag borrowing company, where you can pick from Gucci, Dior, Prada, and others. Popcorn Delivery Talia Avakian The Lanesborough is the only hotel in London that offers butler service for every room. One of the lesser-known amenities guests can request from their butler is a complimentary popcorn service, featuring sweet and savory popcorn selections that come straight to your room on a silver tray. Spice Sessions With Master Chefs Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts At The Oberoi Rajvilas Jaipur — one of Travel + Leisure readers' favorite hotels in the world — you can learn more about the spices used in Rajasthani dishes at the property's weekly spice talk sessions. In the one-hour session, you learn about the secrets of herbs and spices used to cook traditional cuisine from the hotel's spice connoisseurs. A BMW SUV Courtesy of The Wauwinet Travelers who stay at the White Elephant in Nantucket get access to the property's fleet of BMW SUVs on a first come, first serve basis. This is the perfect way to explore the island and its 82 miles of coastline. The brand's Palm Beach resort in Florida also offers the same perk. The Simple Request That Will Get You a Bigger Hotel Room for Free Homegrown Orange Juice Courtesy of Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa might not be the only hotel to offer guests freshly-squeezed orange juice each day, but thanks to the property's location across 45 acres of gardens and olive and orange groves in San Diego, the oranges come straight from the property's on-site groves. Fresh Artisanal Bread Courtesy of Zadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve At Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in San José del Cabo, Mexico, you can have freshly made artisanal bread each morning. It's delivered daily from 7 to 9 a.m. by El Panadero, who rides around the resort on his bicycle — listen for the chime of his bell to make sure you don't miss out. Extra Time at Iguazú Falls Courtesy of Belmond Hotel das Cataratas There are definitely perks to being a guest at the Belmond property, Hotel das Cataratas, the only hotel located inside Iguazú National Park in Brazil. Not only can you enjoy views of the UNESCO World Heritage waterfalls from the property itself — and in some cases, from your room — the hotel also offers exclusive viewing access before the gates open or after hours, when there are sure to be fewer crowds around. Free Yoga and Guided Nature Walks Courtesy of Nayara Springs Start each day of your stay at Nayara Springs, located within Costa Rica's legendary Arenal Volcano National Park, with a complimentary open-air yoga class. Those interested in learning more about the area's diverse wildlife can also opt for a free bird-watching walk with Pablo Castillo, the resort's expert nature guide, a special perk offered to guests each morning. A Luxury Yacht Courtesy of Gili Lankanfushi Guests of Gili Lankanfushi, a luxury resort in the Maldives, have access to a 45-foot Riviera yacht, which they can use to arrange for whale shark viewing, deep-sea fishing excursions, or dolphin-watching cruises. Feeling adventurous? Take it out for a spin among the atolls or treat your beloved to a romantic private picnic on a deserted island. Mindful Cultural Experiences Courtesy of Paradero Todos Santos Experiential travel is the name of the game at Paradero Todos Santos in Baja California Sur, Mexico, where guests can try activities like cooking classes, meditation, sound healing, yoga, and Temazcal, a traditional healing ritual. Those looking to be more active can opt for fitness classes, surfing lessons, scenic hikes, and morning bike rides, while other options include learning how to farm and garden sustainably alongside the locals. A Champagne Vending Machine At Lennox Miami Beach, you can treat yourself to a mini bottle of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Champs anytime you want. These personal portions of bubbly are sold via an upscale vending machine in the courtyard. You can borrow flutes from the lobby and take your libations poolside or make like a rockstar and drink it straight from the bottle. Necker Island's Sushi Kayak Courtesy of Virgin Limited Edition Guests of Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson's 74-acre luxurious and eccentric all-inclusive private island in the British Virgin Islands, are bound to encounter its famous sushi kayak — sushi served in the pool aboard a wooden kayak, delivered by a mermaid. Rock Star-level Amenities Courtesy of Pendry San Diego The Pendry in San Diego gives guests complimentary access to interesting amenities like skateboard rentals and Taylor guitars to strum in your room. You'll also be able to take a Cadillac out for a spin (for up to four hours) thanks to the brand's nifty Ride & Drive Program. Not feeling up for a drive? The concierge can arrange a ride for you — also by Cadillac — instead.