HOTEL KEYS
Bedding War
Westin's "Heavenly Bed" and Sheraton's "Sweet Sleeper" are in for some competition as numerous hotel brands gear up to increase their coil counts and fluff factors.
Hilton will soon begin introducing "Sweet Dreams" bed ensembles, including a plush-top mattress, down comforter and pillows, and 250-thread-count sheets. Among other Hilton brands, Doubletree will have "Sweet Dreams" by the end of this month. Embassy Suites has a variation: The pillows will be " hypo-allergenic cluster fiber that feels like down." Proving you get what you pay for: Sheets at Hampton hotels will be 200-thread count.
Next year you'll find the "Grand Bed" at Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt hotels. The mattress is a 13.5-inch pillow-top Sealy Posturepedic 720 series and will include "plush linens."
Marriott hasn't picked a cute name but will soon roll out high-end beds and bedding at its 2,600 hotels. Specs vary among the seven Marriott brands, but all promise 300-thread-count sheets.
The highest-end hotels have long had extra comfy beds, but even they are improving. Four Seasons Hotels, for example, recently added merino wool Anichini throws and Italian bed linens. (The new Hilton bedding simply "looks like fine European linen.") Crowne Plaza's new beds come with a sleep kit that includes an aromatic, sleep-inducing spray and CD.
TRAVEL TICKER
Priceline.com and Lowestfare.com said last week they will no longer sell Northwest tickets, due to a distribution dispute.
BARGAIN OF THE WEEK
Friends Fly Free
Fly to the West Coast on JetBlue and bring a friend for free. Details: "What's the Deal?," Page P3.
Reporting: Cindy Loose.
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