Taking the Clock Radio to a Whole New Level with the Sangean WR-22

Just about every day you can check out a story or blog post on the newest in hotel technology trends. Many of these — property management systems, hotel management software, booking engines and the like — have significant back-end impact on guests. At Boston East India Hotels we are as tech savvy as any and use technology to make our hotels better and run more efficiently. But we also love to use new technology that is just flat out cool and can add to look and feel of the guest experience and make any stay even better.

One such cool technology is the Sangean WR-22WL Bluetooth/USB Table-Top Digital Tuning Receiver that we have in our guest rooms at The Daniel.

This is not your father’s clock radio!

The latest evolution of a product that changed the perception of home audio, the Sangean WR-22 has been praised for its detailed sound and for exceptional quality for a system of its size, just a mere 9.4 inches wide by 7.7 inches deep by 4.4 inches high.

What all The Daniel guests expect in a bedside clock/radio is handled with ease by the Sangean WR-22, but the device is so much more.

The Bluetooth-enable Sangean WR-22 allows users to listen to their favorite music wirelessly and simply from smartphones, iPods, tablets and PCs. No cables, no confusion and no frustration.

There is also a 3.5mm auxiliary input for other portable music players if desired, as well as a USB port for playing MP3/WMA files from a USB drive.

No matter how or where you store your music, the Sangean WR-22 can handle it and pump it back out through its tech-marvel, 3-inch 7W full range speaker that contains an enlarged magnet. It also has a ported bass tube specifically designed for dynamic bass compensation for richer bass and loudness compensation that gives better bass response characteristics, and helps the device deliver sound beyond its size. Music-heads will also love the rotary bass, treble and balance controls that can be used to further adjust the sound to specific liking.

To top it all off, the Sangean WR-22 is a sleek and modern upgrade on the traditional hotel bedside companion, with its smooth dark walnut finish, an extra-large, backlit custom LDC display with an adjustable dimmer, and an advanced AM/FM-Radio Data System tuner that displays information such as song titles and artists.

Additional features include snooze, adjustable tuning step, dual alarm timer by radio, buzzer or media so you can wake up to your favorite tunes.

Oh yeah, if you like, the Sangean WR-22 even has a fully functioning remote control, so all that cool technology can be harnessed from anywhere in the room.

Sangean Electronics has been pumping out products in the consumer electronics industry for almost 40 years, so it is no surprise that its Sangean WR-22 has received rave reviews from most major consumer products media outlets. The company is particularly known for its specialty receivers and the Sangean WR-22 is as special as they come.

Sangean’s advanced technology is why so many major brands rely on the company to produce their electronics for them and the reason why its own branded products are so well received.

Also, it is no surprise that users of the Sangean WR-22 say they love the system’s Bluetooth functionality, its ability to work easily with iPhone and iTunes, as well as the great sound from a small device.

At Boston East India Hotels we want to ensure that every guest experience is like no other and when it comes to in-room clock and music needs at The Daniel, the Sangean WR-22 was the only choice.

Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel is Maine’s Newest Music Hotspot

Listen up entertainment and music lovers, there’s a new place to be in Maine for the best in up-and-coming and hot musical acts — Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel. It kicked off this spring and is hosted by the hotel’s Coast Bar + Bistro. The Daniel has already etched itself into local performance lore with its musical hits, no cover charge for shows and food and drink specials. The crowds are growing and musicians are clamoring in line to be a part.

If you haven’t been out to witness the music event that has set Brunswick singing then don’t miss this week’s special Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel performance and extended three-day weekend of music with singer/songwriter Lauren Crosby on July 10 and the popular Gillen & Turk in for a special two-night stand on July 11 & July 12.

Fred Gillen Jr. and Matt Turk have been showcasing their vaunted blend of folk, rock and instrumentation up and down the Northeast since their 2008 CD debut “Backs to the Wall.” The multi-instrumental pair harmonize in song and feature guitar, bass, mandolin and an instrument bag-of-tricks that has brought them widespread acclaim and a loyal following. It’s their first stop at the Coast Bar + Bistro and their popularity warranted a special two-night stay.

Crosby is a perfect example of what makes Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel so great and she kicks off this special three-day weekend of music with the 6 p.m. to close Thursday night slot. She is a rising folkie bluesy singer/songwriter from Georgetown Island, Maine, who has been compared to legendary singers such as Janis Joplin and Edie Brickell. Fans have lauded her music for being real, raw and poetic. The Daniel is thrilled to offer a platform for a local talent like Crosby and also give a real treat to audiences who have never seen her wonderful voice on display before — and a welcome return to those that have already fallen in love with her sound.

Musicians are not the only stars of the show for Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel. The Coast Bar + Bistro is also in the spotlight and brings its “music” to the mouths of Thursday’s revellers with a mouthwatering spate of cuisine and drink specials. Great Thursday night deals include $4 draft beers, $3 bottled beers, $4 house wines and $5 mini tacos.

The Coast Bar + Bistro was recently rebranded, renovated and expanded with new interior décor, a bigger bar, additional seating and a capacity of 80 people. The bar features some of the region’s finest micro-brewed beers, hand-picked wines, and Brunswick’s largest selection of cocktails. The bistro offers a range of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, signature pizzas and entrees. Menus change throughout the year and feature cheeses, organic meats, produce and seafood from farmers and fishermen in Maine.

As part of the Troca Hotels collection, The Daniel is Maine’s newest lifestyle luxury hotel, and Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel also draws on the strength and tradition of Thursday Night Live @ The Sofala, a Trocal Hotels property in Goa, India.

Thursday Night Live @ The Sofala, which has been running strong for several years and over 100 shows, is credited with changing the game for the entertainment scene in Goa; artists from across India and around the world visit the hotel to perform and jam with the house band, Smoking Chutney. Recent performances have featured such well-known acts as Gypsy Kings, Chrystal Farrell, Gary Lawyer and Ricardo Vogt.

Thursday Night Live was created to provide guests of Troca Hotels properties, such as The Daniel and The Sofala, with a vibrant and unique experience, as well as turn the hotels into local and authentic social hotspots. This strategy scored big at The Sofala and the early returns are hitting top marks at The Daniel also.

Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel launched on March 29 with Eric Worthing, lead singer from Worthy Bones, performing a reggae-infused acoustic show, flavored by the sounds of the Grateful Dead and Sublime with his own jams and funky style of guitar playing.

Other featured acts have included: singer/songwriter/guitarist Aaron Nadeau, singer/guitarist Joe Gallant and an unplugged solo blues, bluegrass and country performance by Will Mallett of the award-winning Mallet Brothers.

Rest assured that Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel will only continue heat up and the best is yet to come, so hurry up and grab your spot for the newest and most vibrant Thursday hotspot.

The Daniel Hotel Blog Launches: Let Us Curate Your Guest Experience

Boston East India Hotels property in Maine, The Daniel, has kicked off The Daniel Hotel Blog, the ultimate place to mingle and satisfy all your guest curiosities and also to let you keep up on all the happenings around The Daniel and the independent lifestyle luxury hotel world.

As part of the Troca Hotels brand, the goal at The Daniel is to deliver exceptional and personalized experiences to our guests when they chose to stay with us. But we also want to make sure our guests always have The Daniel on their minds and, by following The Daniel Blog, will never really be that far away — and ready to return for another great guest stay.

Guests at The Daniel seek a curated, authentic and engaging experience during their stay and beyond. We offer inspired service that delivers on this desire and want to make sure our guests constantly feel The Daniel is always part of their travel experiences.

The Daniel Blog will keep our travelers connected with travel ideas, expert tips, upcoming events to watch out for and the latest The Daniel news.

Want some friendly advice on the latest travel trends? The Daniel Blog can provide that: “Memorial Day Travel Trends: Kicking off the Summer Across the U.S.” 

Want some insight on how The Daniel chooses from all the amenities lined up for a coveted spot at the hotel? Check out: “Hotel Amenities: What’s in Your Guest Room?” 

Are you a traveler that loves to bring along man’s best friend or your favorite pet on the road with you and want to know how The Daniel will fit your needs or the best tips for travel with pets in general? Dig in to: “Pets are Welcome: Travel Tips for Your Furry Friends.” 

Perhaps you are a foodie and already can’t get enough of The Daniel’s Coast Bar + Bistro. In this case, the Daniel Blog will have just the thing for you as you can check back in to learn about the latest dishes, recipes, drinks and general cuisine wizardry diners can expect from the Coast Bar + Bistro.

Fans of live music will want to keep up, to make sure they don’t miss the next hot performance of an up-and-coming act with Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel, which features live music every Thursday from 6 p.m. until close. Killer recent shows have included rising folkie bluesy singer/songwriter Lauren Crosby, singer/guitarist Joe Gallant and singer/songwriter/guitarist Aaron Nadeau. And the lineup promises only to heat up as Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel is now the place to be on Thursday nights.

Don’t expect this blog to just repost company press releases or only flaunt the latest The Daniel offerings. We know you want to be engaged, entertained and to explore all that is the traveling lifestyle. On that note, feel free to comment and make suggestions on what you want to see and hear. We are here to serve you first and foremost.

The Daniel Blog will also feature topics such as design, style, Q&A with staff members, photo essays and provide an eclectic insight into the wonderful Maine region that houses The Daniel.

So stay tuned! You won’t want to miss out.

Q&A: Checking In with Boston East India Hotels Director of Development and Marketing James Foster

As Boston East India Hotels Director of Development and Marketing, James Foster is responsible for overseeing marketing for the company’s hotels and villas, directing the development and public relations efforts, including planning for the global pipeline of assets under development.

Prior to joining Boston East India, James was a group marketing head and then a partner with Casa Boutique Hotels and General Manager at Casa Colvale in Goa. Under James’ leadership, Casa Colvale rose from obscurity to become one of the top vacation resorts and spas in India and the aspirational Goa destination for India’s celebrities and industrialists.

He started his career with The Appco Group, the world’s leading direct sales and marketing company with more than eight hundred locations in twenty-five countries on five continents. At the company, he pioneered loyalty card marketing for the hospitality industry and headed a group with over six hundred sales staff in eleven offices across the United Kingdom. He also worked for the company in France and as the Marketing Head for India.

A graduate of Harrow School in London, James studied law at the University of London. He is fluent in English and French and is certified under the Hilton Garden Inn University General Manager Program and has received a certificate of recognition in operations from Hilton Worldwide.

After living in India for nearly a decade, James moved to the United States in October 2013 to handle his responsibilities out of the company’s headquarters in the Boston area.

Hear what James has to say about his role with Boston East India Hotels and his background in the hotel industry:

Describe your job in five words or less.

Unpredictable, exhilarating, unconventional, fast-paced and entertaining

How long have you worked in hospitality?

I spent the first twelve years of my career working in marketing for a large London based company. I crossed over into hospitality in 2007 while living in India when I got the opportunity to become marketing head for Casa Boutique Hotels, a group of luxury boutique hotels in Goa. I was fortunate to head up some beautiful properties during my time in Goa, including Casa Colvale, which became one of the most highly rated lifestyle hotels in India under my tenure. Hospitality has been in my blood for a lot longer, my family own and manage a small hotel and golf course in the Loire Valley, one of the most scenic areas of France, a couple of hours drive from Paris.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The toughest part of my job is controlling my enthusiasm for all the incredible opportunities to purchase gorgeous hotels in stunning locations here in the United States and globally. If we had unlimited capital I would be buying hotels every week, but I have to be patient and pick the opportunities that will give us the greatest potential for delivering fantastic investor returns and the best experience for our guests.

What is the best part of working for Boston East India Hotels?

Working with such an accomplished and experienced team of hospitality professionals is a real privilege and gives me the confidence and motivation to keep pushing every day to grow the company. The travel and excitement of doing hotel deals in fascinating places all over the globe is a big plus too!

What are the short-term goals for your job?

Short term, I want to keep our projects, conversion and operations teams incredibly busy over the next twelve months by closing six more hotel deals. We have a very strong pipeline of projects in the U.S., U.K. and South Asia which will quickly translate into a great portfolio of lifestyle hotels for such a young company.

What are the long-term goals for your job?

My long term goal is to help build the world’s best portfolio of lifestyle hotels under the Troca Hotel’s flag. I believe that with the team we have built over the last couple of years we have an opportunity to compete with and outperform the larger brands in the lifestyle segment and develop a world class brand.

You made a big move to the United States to join Boston East India Hotels. What is your favorite thing so far about living in the United States?

The best part of moving to the United States is there is so much to see and do. After ten years of living in India, the long winter in Boston was very exciting for my kids who had never seen snow before and we made the most of the fantastic skiing in New England. We are now looking forward to an equally fun summer with so many interesting places to visit.

Who is a Troca Traveler to you?

A Troca Traveler is someone who knows what they like and need to ensure a luxurious stay in exciting locations around the world without the need for endless marble bathrooms and cookie cutter experiences that most luxury brands offer today. The Troca Traveler wants an authentic experience and prefers to be surprised by a unique aspect of our hotels or by our people going above and beyond their expectations, rather than knowing what they will get before they walk through the door.

Do you remember the first time you spent the night in a hotel? How old were you and where was it?

My earliest hotel memory is at a small beautiful ski hotel called Les Roches Fleuries. We would stay every year and I felt like I grew up with some of the fantastic staff.

What is your favorite place to travel to?

I spent a lot of time backpacking and traveling around Southern and Eastern Africa and I can’t wait to take my kids on extended trips to that fascinating part of the world.

What is your most surefire travel tip?

Be safe but not too safe when it comes to exploring the world. There are too many incredible experiences that can be missed if you stick to the beaten track.

Memorial Day Travel Trends: Kicking off the Summer Across the U.S.

For most, Memorial Day kicks off the summer season and as such is one of the most popular travel weekends of the year. AAA is predicting that 36 million Americans will travel this weekend — a post-recession high. From coast to coast, whether the weather cooperates or not, you can bet all will find a way outdoors or to that favorite destination that says summer is right around the corner. And, of course, the whole country remembers the fallen members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Maine community around Boston East India Hotels’ The Daniel joins together in celebration. The towns of Brunswick and Topsham unite on Memorial Day to honor this country’s heroes with the annual Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade. This year the parade is remembering D-Day, which celebrates its 70^th anniversary on June 6.

Brunswick is also set to host Maine Gov. Paul LePage for the “Fallen Warrior” ceremony that is open to the public and will feature an address from the governor.

Many of the areas’ summer enthusiasts will take a gamble on the weather and plan a trip over to nearby Georgetown and hit up the beaches at Reid State Park or Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg. Whether shorts and t-shirts or pants and heavy jackets and blankets are needed, the beach enthusiasts will not pass up the summer season’s first long weekend.

A recent survey by Expedia highlighted some of the best hotel deals for Memorial Day weekend and also examined some of the spots travelers are targeting.

While average U.S. flight prices are up five percent over last summer to $499 and the average daily room rate predicted for the summer is up three percent to $171, these increases are not going to be enough to keep travelers home.

The best deals for Memorial Day weekend? According to Expedia findings, in terms of the biggest price changes year-over-year, the places to be are:

• Chicago at Hilton Hotels, starting at $79 per night 
• Las Vegas at Wynn Resorts, starting at $359 per night
• Reno, Nev., at MGM Properties, starting at $150 per night 
•  Lake Buena Vista, Fla., at Hilton Hotels, starting at $99 per night 
•  Los Angeles, at Hilton Hotels, starting at $152 per night

Some other spots that Expedia found sharp drops in hotel prices for a Friday, May 23, to Monday, May 26, stay are in Panama City, Fla.; South Padre Island, Texas; Memphis, Tenn.; Providence, R.I.; and Ocean City, Md.

Search patterns show that Las Vegas, New York, San Diego, Chicago and Miami are the top destinations that travelers are looking for on the Web to find the best hotels deals.

In the spirit of Memorial Day, Boston East India Hotels has put together a list of a few other hot spots for travel over the three-day weekend.

Washington, D.C.

Memorial Day is about remembering this country’s fallen soldiers so there is no more patriotic place to celebrate this day of remembrance than the nation’s capital. Don’t miss the National Memorial Day Parade at the National Mall, the National Memorial Day Concert or the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Atlanta

In the heart of Georgia, visitors can get some traditional Memorial Day activities such as fireworks and military tributes at Stone Mountain Park. However, the Atlanta Jazz Festival also runs over the weekend for some great music. The free festival, which is held in Piedmont Park featuring some of the biggest names in jazz, is in its 37^th year and is attended by an estimated 150,000 people each day.

Miami

The March of Colors in Miami sets the tone for the weekend with a 21-gun salute at All Wars Memorial Park, followed by a parade through town. On the beach, though, partying rules the day with over 250,000 descending on the sand and surrounding clubs and bars for a weekend of music, dancing and plenty of sunbathing. The highlight of the weekend is the Best of the Best Concert on Sunday, held in downtown Bicentennial Park. The 10-hour concert features all Caribbean music and keeps the dancing going from start to finish.

Las Vegas

Perhaps not considered a traditional destination for Memorial Day weekend getaways, the three-day weekend is actually one of the city of sin’s busiest time of the year, right up there with New Year’s Eve. While gaming is always Vegas’ main draw, on Memorial Day weekend — up and down the strip — hotel pools are the hot spot for parties and special events. None is more popular than the Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace.

So whether your Memorial Day traditions lean more toward the traditional or you might want to take a chance on something new this year, Boston East India Hotels wishes you safe travels and a great holiday weekend!

Here's to pausing to watch the day go by...

We're a global lifestyle hotel company for sure. We're concerned about a range of issues from guest comfort and engagement innovation to our new CSR initiative. There's a lot that keeps me busy from when I enter the office early and the wee morning hours when I often leave. But when Brian Sette, our Senior Manager of Art & Culinary Concepts, told me his amazing pup Penny loved looking out the window and could do it for hours, I asked him to pull up a chair in my office to test it out. There she was. Perched on that chair. Watching the young kids walking in and out of Converse's world headquarters, across the street from us. Cheers to Penny for not letting the world go by without noticing and here's to working at a company where we can occasionally pause to watch Penny. 

Happy Sunday everyone!

---

Abhijit "Beej" Das
President & CEO

Boston East India Hotels LLC
21 High Street, Suite 300
North Andover, MA 01845 USA 

Pets are Welcome: Travel Tips for Your Furry Friends

There’s a great scene in the recent excellent debut of FX’s original series “Fargo.” Billy Bob Thornton’s character Lorne Malvo tries to check into a local motel in the show’s fictional setting of Bemidji, Minn., and is amused by the run down property’s Pet Policy — pets are allowed but it is $10 dollars more for a dog or a cat.

"What if I got a fish? Or what if I kept spiders or mice? What if I had bacteria?” Lorne asks, not sure that the motel’s Pet Policy of $10 more should be standard; it should depend on the animal.

While Lorne’s confusion on what constitutes a pet and the motel’s lack of established policy, and what actually constitutes a pet for that matter, is a bit silly. A good word to the wise — amateur entomologists should keep their bugs at home!

All kidding aside, it does illustrate a good example for hotel-bound pet enthusiasts — if you are traveling with a furry friend make sure to do your homework and figure out what options hotels have for you. Pet policies vary widely from dogs only, with no special pet services, to allowing a variety of animals complete with available pet beds, food bowls and even treats from the kitchen.

Our hotel, The Daniel, has a Pet Policy and it lets you know exact guidelines for bringing a pet.

Here is what we say at The Daniel:

We love animals! But, despite our unconditional love for pets, we are aware that many of our guests don’t share our love. Therefore, we do have a limited policy regarding your furry family members.

Pets are limited to dogs and cats. No other animals of any kind are permissible. We do have designated rooms that allow for pets, so you must inform us at the time of booking, as these rooms are subject to availability.

We require guests to sign a damage/pet waiver and make a $100 deposit, which will be returned after checkout if no damage occurs.

As the comfort and safety of our guests is of the utmost importance, pets must not bark or be aggressive; they must be trained and housebroken. Pets are not allowed in the spa, fitness or dining areas. Owners must not leave their pet unattended or leave the premises without their pet, unless prior approval has been made. Any pet or owners violating this policy will be asked to leave the hotel.

An AAA study found that 51 percent of American travelers would bring pets along on every vacation if they could, illustrating the demand for pet-friendly hotels.

The perhaps obvious number one concern for those wishing to travel with pets is actually finding pet-friendly accommodations. According to AAA, some of the things that matter the most include: finding places that accept pets (95 percent), learning about pet policies such as size limits and fees (49 percent) and getting details about available pet services (22 percent).

“Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook” offers some other useful tips.

It is great when hotels, such as The Daniel, have such a clear Pet Policy, but not all do and sometimes it can be difficult to find out.

Increasingly, pet lovers are turning to pet-friendly websites and social media to find pet-friendly hotels, even more so than traditional visitors bureaus, newspaper travel sections, magazines and guidebooks.

Pet Hotels of America is one of the best websites to check out. The site hawks 25,000 pet-friendly hotels in the United States through a specific search engine and pet travel guides for popular U.S. travel destinations.

If anything, websites such as Pet Hotels of America can be a real help in highlighting what travelers need to consider when bringing along a pet.

The Daniel offers up a few more local travel tips to keep your pets happy:

·         Nearby grassy areas

·         Neighborhood dog parks or pet friendly parks

·         Groomers or pet day care

·         Local veterinarian

So, load up man’s best friend and head on out. With a little prep it can be a pet-friendly travel world out there. As far as bacteria goes, though, Fargo’s Lorne Malvo is probably out of luck.