Nostalgic hotel amenities

As we described in our most recent newsletter, Nostalgia Marketing is driving trends in 2011, and nowhere is this more evident than in the nostalgic sweets trend that’s popping up in hotels. Fun desserts, the kind that kids love, are making a big comeback, grabbing the spotlight from the usual chocolates on the pillow, fruit plates and cookies at the front desk.

Some recent examples, courtesy of USA Today….

Call downstairs for sourballs, gumdrops and other treats delivered by the “Candy Man” (Sean Murphy, a front desk staffer who enjoys donning a straw hat and making guests’ days a little sweeter) at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, A Four Seasons Hotel. Wearing a candy striped outfit, he rolls a candy cart to rooms and dispenses sweets from local shop Candyality for $5 per half pound. The Candy Man will also reveal whatyour candy choices say about you…according to Candyality: competitive (sugary), good listener (fluffy), negotiator (crunchy), creative (colorful).

Kimpton’s Palomar Chicago also offers Candyality’s Chicago-made treats in the lobby each afternoon — free, in big jars — including DOTS, Tootsie Pops, Lemon Heads, Junior Mints and more.

On weekends, guests at the Duane Street Hotel in New York get an unusual turndown service: a cart carrying marshmallows created by the hotel chef in unusual flavors such as cardamom and lavender.

And at London’s 41 Hotel near Buckingham Palace, guests can “plunder the pantry” free all day and night, grabbing treats that include power bars, dried apples, pistachios, cookies, sweets, etc.

Also gaining big favor are ice pops, seen at some of the toniest resort pools in the US and Mexico, in exotic fruit flavors and some spiked with liquor. Look for our upcoming not-to-be-outdone versions at the Marquis Los Cabos in Mexico.