The Keating
by Pininfarina
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Destination Desire
Not everything in the hotel minibar is edible these days - or is it?

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Maybe George Michael put it best in the ‘80s: "Sex is natural, sex is good, not everybody does it, but everybody should." Back then of course sex was still somewhat taboo, but with songs about young women dabbling in lesbianism topping the charts, it’s become apparent that not only is hetero-monogamous sex no longer a hush-hush topic, but that the bar for cultural shock value has been raised quite a bit. In the hospitality industry, what was once relegated to motels with hourly rates has become the focus of the next must-have amenity in luxury hotels. Whether it’s offering sensual products in the minibar or seductive stay packages, hotels are expected to go beyond just providing the bed, and help guests actually fulfill fantasies.

In the Box

The No.1 way hotels are satisfying guest requests are with simple intimacy kits. In the minibar at Hotel Victor in South Beach, Miami, guests find a mini vibrator, lubricant, and condoms all cleverly packaged in a tasteful zipped up case by Mile High (a company that provides both intimacy kits as well as tech products for people’s on-the-go lifestyle), while famed French company - Kiki de Montparnasse - provides similar intimacy offerings in the spa. "When people are away from their normal routine, they are more willing to let go of inhibitions and enjoy new surroundings," says Chesa Crouch, vibe manager at Hotel Victor.

The Tease Kit by Mile High, found in Gansevoort Hotels in New York City and South Beach, includes a quiet massager, lubricant, two condoms, and a lipstick mirror all packaged in one discreet case available in three colors. Mile High also offers the Seduce kit for a serious night (or day) in. the kit is divided into the "appetizer" section, which includes scented cloths, cinnamon breath mints, a pocket mirror, blindfold, and do not disturb sign; and the "main course" complete with lubricant, massage oil, a feather tickler, massager, pleasure ring, and condoms.

Kiki de Montparnasse works with hotel clients, first choosing the kit that’s the right fit, then working with them to align the logo, color scheme, and language. "Hotels are looking for exclusive product selections and design elements that speak specifically to their unique stay experience, from sleek modernism to eclectic vintage, and their guest profile," says Jamil Moen, who heads public relations and brand communications for the provocative brand.

In-Room Plus, a supplier to large hotel chains including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and boutique hotels such as the Dylan and Joie de Vivre properties, offers a Passion Kit complete with sexy scratch-off lottery games, glow in the dark massage oil, femme fresh wipes, and oral fixation mints as well as the Lover’s Paint Box from Kama Sutra. "The trends have led us to introduce a variety of kits - the more novelty, the better," says Elizabeth Jones, director of sales for personal care and intimate product company In-Room Plus. "Every hotel has an image to uphold, so we see the hip, sexy properties putting logos on intimacy kits while other hotels entertain the idea of offering the kit, but would prefer to do it in a more discrete manner."

"We want to keep everything consistent at our hotel…so we made sure everything, including our intimacy kits used the same colors and simple, sleek design," says Edward Kaen, founder and CEO of San Diego’s luxury lifestyle 35-room Keating Hotel.

All About the Package

Hoteliers are also thinking outside the box (so to speak). One of the key contributors to helping get guests in the mood is the new breed of romantic getaway packages that go beyond strawberries and champagne. For example, the Naughty or Nice package at the Keating Hotel allows guests to have a late check-out, slip into silk pajamas, and enjoy Naughty Turn Down Service with a Weekender Kit including honey dust (kissable body powder) and a feather applicator, love liquid, and kissable balm. "We like to offer an experience with our stay, so we opened our ears to our customers," says Kaen.

W Hotels has partnered with sexy beauty and lifestyle brand Booty Parlor to deliver packages for the ladies (bachelorette parties and girls getaways), and the ability to order their products via room service. "Guests can order our massage oils, lingerie, and other sexy items alongside their cocktails," says Booty Parlor co-founder Charlie Myers, noting that requests have gone beyond traditional lingerie: their most popular offering is a remote-controlled vibrating panty. "I think consumers have always considered hotels to be important destinations for building romance and intimacy." Kiki de Montparnasse also offers a room menu with prices ranging from a leather crop to crystal pasties.

The Indulgence Escape Package at Gansevoort properties includes chocolate body frosting and a Book of Erotic Games by Kama Sutra. "These packages have been a hit with our guests and sold quite well as guests appreciate fun and creative ideas from hotels," says Elon Kenchington, COO of the Gansevoort Hotel Group. "Hotels are responding by thinking outside the box with things like intimacy kits."

Marquis de Fad

Some of the latest intimate products are not for the faint of heart. Guests can dabble in some light S&M with an all-natural candle with wax that transforms into massage oil, restraint tape, and 24-karat gold handcuffs, courtesy of Kiki de Montparnasse, whose products can be found at Thompson Hotels and Andre Balazs properties. "As our partnerships have focused exclusively on luxury and boutique hotels, this attention to the intimacy kits in particular speaks to the desire for hotels to ensure that every detail of the experience is as exquisite and memorable as the elements with which guests regularly engage," says Moen. And though some of the more risqué elements may seem new to a routine sexual repertoire, Moen insists that they’re not: "Guests are not necessarily more provocative - hotels are acknowledging the need to embrace the fantasies f guests with a luxurious and singular approach."

Kenchington is also seeing a rise in risqué requests. "For the hotels who have been at the forefront of this trend, we are seeing items in the kits getting more creative and risqué - things like sex dice, handcuffs, lingerie by Age Provocateur and La Perla." He says requests for vibrating couples’ rings, bonding tape, and intimate delicacies are also increasing.

So is the industry’s increased libido sustainable? "I think it is something that will never go out of style," says Kaen. "Who knows, maybe our designers will design the next trend and a line of intimacy products." Hd

www.kikidm.com; www.thekeating.com; www.gansevoorthotelgroup.com; www.bootyparlor.com; www.inroomplus.com; www.milehighkit.com