It’s tempting to put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door after a long day traveling or sightseeing and skip turndown service since, at most hotels, all that means is housekeeping will pull your blanket back and maybe – just maybe – leave a mint or a piece of chocolate on your pillow.
Here are 10 hotels that go way beyond that. They’ll leave you a special gift – and a warm feeling of contentment before you head off to dreamland.
The George | Christchurch, New Zealand
The George gives every guest a teddy bear — Photo courtesy of The George
Nothing transforms a hotel room into a bedroom quite like a teddy bear, and The George provides you with your own fuzzy friend – named George, of course – at turndown along with chocolates and bottled water.
George is yours to take home, and the popular cuddly companion even has his own Facebook page where guests share their photos of him around the world. Add your own, and feel connected to your fellow George lovers.
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Receive three new books to take home at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills as part of the Bedside Reading program — Photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
At the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, each guest receives three hot new books – everything from fiction to memoir to self-help – on the first night of their stay, as part of the ingenious Bedside Reading program.
This is great for so many reasons, including the fact that a University of Sussex study found that reading before going to sleep can reduce stress by a whopping 68% and help insomnia. Best of all, you get to bring the books home, so you don’t have to worry about finishing them before you check out.
La Palomilla Bed and Breakfast | Mexico City
Let the worry doll at La Palomilla Bed and Breakfast take away all your concerns — Photo courtesy of La Palomilla Bed and Breakfast
That tiny little Worry Doll lying on your pillow may turn out to be your new traveling companion. Made locally out of wool and colorful textile leftovers, each one is dressed in traditional Mayan style and provides a giant service.
"You whisper your worries to them at night, as you would a confidant," says owner/innkeeper Alessandra Pérez-Cirera, "and you sleep better knowing they’ll work while you rest to ease your troubles." Now, that’s service.
Washington School House Hotel | Park City, Utah
Bring home your own cozy blanket from Washington School House Hotel — Photo courtesy of Washington School House Hotel
Built as a school in 1889, and named after George Washington, this boutique hotel is listed on the National Historic Registry and it offers a pretty revolutionary turndown service for its 12 rooms and suites.
Every guest receives a soft blanket monogrammed with Washington School House’s initials to take home. And each night you’re treated to a unique amenity at turndown, from the hotel’s signature playing cards to miniature desserts made in-house by pastry chef Callie Mundy. You'll look forward to returning to your room at night.
The ART | Denver
Guests at the Art Hotel get coloring books to relieve the stress of traveling — Photo courtesy of The Art Hotel
It’s no surprise that a hotel called the ART is so creative with its turndown service.
Not only does this Denver hotel offer adult coloring books and colored art pencils to provide a sense of calm and give you a chance to relax, but they also treat you to a custom ART palate of homemade custom chocolate bars that looks as beautiful as it tastes.
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun
You'll want to collect all of these handmade keepsakes from Grand Residences Riviera Cancun — Photo courtesy of Grand Residences Riviera Cancun
Every night, guests at Grand Residences Riviera Cancun find a different delicately-created and hand-painted keepsake displayed on their bed.
Made by artisans in the state of Jalisco, there are half a dozen of these fantastical creatures on rotation at any given time, and you’ll want to stay long enough to be able to bring home every single one of them.
Origin Hotel Red Rocks | Golden, Colo.
Origin Hotel Red Rocks provides Jolly Ranchers for the sweetest dreams — Photo courtesy of Ryan Dearth
Origin Red Rocks, the official hotel of Red Rocks Amphitheatre, is located in Golden, which was not only Colorado’s first state capital, but was also home to the first Jolly Rancher.
Bill and Dorothy Harmsen founded the iconic candy company in 1949, naming it Jolly Rancher to honor its hospitable western roots. The hospitality continues today with Origin Red Rocks providing Jolly Ranchers and a bit about the candy’s history for turndown service. Talk about sweet dreams.
Panama Jack Resorts | Cancun and Playa del Carmen
Local artisans make these beautiful Mexican folk art sculptures gifted to guests at Panama Jack Resorts — Photo courtesy of Panama Jack Resorts
To celebrate its vibrant local culture, guests at Panama Jack Resorts in both Cancun and Playa del Carmen receive a treasure chest holding a brightly-colored Mexican folk art sculpture.
These alebrijes are made by local artisans. One of the most popular alebrijes is a turtle, representing the resort's seasonal turtle release program, when over 10,000 eggs are hatched and the babies make their way from the beach to the ocean. The alebrije is a beautiful souvenir of this special experience.
Conrad New York
Four-legged guests get their own turndown service at Conrad New York — Photo courtesy of Conrad New York
At Conrad New York, dogs are considered VIPs – Very Important Pets – and they receive treats of their own before retiring for the night.
They also receive a fashionable bandana for walking down the streets of Manhattan in style.
Sparrows Lodge | Palm Springs, Calif.
At Sparrows Lodge, this rustic crate is filled with goodies every night — Photo courtesy of Sparrows Lodge10best
In keeping with its casual and natural design aesthetic, Sparrows Lodge packs their nighttime amenities in a rustic but cheery crate.
The concept came from the idea of providing a turndown service that didn’t disturb guests. The crates are left outside each room in the late evening and are filled with fresh towels, bottled water and a homemade cookie from the house chef.
