by , 4:00 PM EDT, October 4th, 2004
HotelChatter, a Web site that follows the latest, most exciting news in the hotel business, reported today that a recent trend in high-end hotels is to offer their guests iPods loaners. The story was based on a report from USA Today that noted "trendy iPod players are available for use pool side at Las Ventanas al Paraiso resort in Los Cabos, Mexico." HotelChatter adds:
Other hotels who have jumped on the bandwagon are Le Meridien Cyberport in Hong Kong, where guests can borrow minis while using the exercise room (the catch there is it sounds like you have to exercise to get the mini perk), and the One & Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas where guests can not only borrow an iPod, but also have the staff fill the iPod with personal fave's to listen to during your stay.
Somewhere, Steve Jobs is letting out an evil Austin Powers-like laugh.
You can find the original report at HotelChatter, and USA Today's short piece can be found at the newspaper's Web site.
Phenomenon - n.
1. An occurrence, a circumstance, or a fact that is perceptible by the senses, especially one in relation to a disease.
2. pl. phenome·nons An unusual, significant, or unaccountable fact or occurrence; a marvel. (see iPod)
OK, we added the bit about the iPod, but the point is valid. When luxury hotels are offering their guests loaner iPods, and will pay a staff member to fill it up with your favorite tunes, you definitely have a phenomenon on your hands.
Also, we think we heard that laugh the folks at HotelChatter mentioned ringing forth through Silicon Valley a couple of weeks ago. We can only presume it was Steve Jobs.