Hotel Beacon NYC Responds to Top 3 Guest Requests

The Beacon is set to open its first cocktail lounge and an on-site fitness centre - the three most common guest requests.

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. April 19, 2012

April 18, 2012 - Significant changes at New York's Hotel Beacon are set to transform the Upper West Side landmark into a hot spot for both travelers and locals. Tom Travers, general manager of Hotel Beacon NYC, said he decided to implement three major enhancements in direct response to every comment card and guest suggestion received since the property's previous renovation in 2010.

“There were three things that we kept hearing from our guests: they resented paying for internet, they wanted somewhere to work out, and they needed an upscale place to have a drink with friends or clients,” Mr Travers said. “So we have listened to our guests and we're giving them everything they need to enhance their stay.”

The first stage of the upgrade has already been introduced: free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms, the lobby and meeting spaces. Next, the Beacon will unveil a new 90-seat cocktail lounge and bar, which will also be open to the public, serving alcoholic drinks and afternoon tea. A new fitness centre, exclusively for hotel guests, is also scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

Cocktail lounge
The Beacon's new cocktail lounge is designed to fill a gap in the Upper West Side for tourists, corporate travelers and New Yorkers.

“The area around the Beacon has lots of bars, but these venues tend to be aimed at a younger crowd, mainly college students. Our guests said they wished there was somewhere where they could come home and relax after a long day,” Mr Travers said.

“The Beacon's urban, modern style cocktail lounge, off the main lobby area, will be perfect for travelers and business people, as well as theatre-goers before or after seeing a show at the Beacon Theater next door.”

Afternoon tea
The Beacon also plans to serve a traditional afternoon tea in the lobby and cocktail lounge between 3 and 6pm. “We expect that afternoon tea will be popular with our American, British and Australian leisure guests, and our corporate guests looking for a new way to entertain clients,” Mr Travers said.

Fitness centre Currently, Beacon guests had access to the nearby Equinox Gym and Spa for a $20 fee. While this day pass will continue to be made available, the Beacon's new fitness centre will have treadmills, elliptical machines and stationary bikes. The fitness centre is due to be completed in the lower lobby by the end of the year.

Free wifi in all rooms
Hotel Beacon has scrapped its $9.95 per day charge for in-room internet and introduced complimentary Wi-Fi internet throughout the property, including all guest rooms, the lobby and meeting spaces.

“Nine out of 10 comment cards asked for free Wi-Fi, so we have listened to the number-one request of our guests,” Mr Travers said. “We will also continue to provide two computers in the lobby for guests to print out boarding passes and check emails free of charge.”

For more details, see www.hotelbeacon.com.