Hotels revamp in-room reading options

If you've ever stayed at a full-service hotel, you've probably seen a couple of magazines lying on a table near the bed. Often, they are local destination magazines that serve mainly as vehicles for ads trying to attract you to nearby attractions and restaurants. If you're lucky, you might get a national travel magazine. Now, a number of hotel brands are trying to re-invent the in-room reading experience by producing their own glossy magazines. Some are partnering with American Express Publishing and such national publications as Travel & Leisure and Food & Wine to provide content. Others are doing it themselves. Marriott International has launched three new publications in the past year. Hotel Check-in has the rundown: ALSO ONLINE: Sofitel hotels start a new children's channel TWITTER: Follow Travel's Nancy Trejos CAPTION JW Marriott Hotels and Resorts JWM by J.W. Marriott Hotels and Resorts: Launched last August, Marriott is calling this quarterly publication "the magazine of passionate pursuits." The inaugural issue took readers to Thailand, explored the healing effects of salt therapy, gave tips on making the perfect martini, and had a JW Marriott chef explore a Texas farm. "JWM is not just a travel magazine," says JWM Editor-in-Chief Mitzi Gaskins, also vice president and global brand manager for JW Marriott."These seasoned travelers are interested not only in travel, but also in topics like the arts, food and drink, the latest wellness or business trends. We know that our guests like details and insight, and that's what we deliver—not simply travel tips or restaurant recommendations." The magazine has a panel of experts from places such as Christies, Aromatherapy Associates, and Treasury Wine Estates providing content. Nutritionist Kerri Glassman and fitness guru Pamela Peeke also are weighing in on topics. Fashion coverage is prominent. ALSO ONLINE: Dorchester's London hotel gets binoculars for Olympics Autograph Collection Hotel Magazine, Autograph Collection CAPTION Autograph Collection Autograph Collection published the first issue of this magazine in January with the help of American Express Publishing and the creators of Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, and Departures magazine. It's no surprise that each issue showcases the boutique hotels in the Collection. This is the hotel's product, after all. But the magazine, which comes out twice a year, also has some interesting features. For example, each issue "decodes" a form of currency. The premier issue examined how Swiss bankers used elements of the franc note to ward off counterfeiters and celebrate Swiss cultural history. Each issue also features the signature of someone famous (i.e. Mark Twain and Lady Gaga) and tries to figure out the celebrity's personality through handwriting analysis. "Autograph Collection Hotel Magazine is intended to drive awareness of our hotel destinations globally, but also to communicate the true originality of each hotel by featuring unexpected and fascinating content not typically found in hotel and airline magazines," says Amanda Altree, senior director of marketing for Autograph Collection. ALSO ONLINE: Hotels get into the food truck fad R LIFE MAGAZINE, Renaissance Hotels CAPTION Renaissance Hotels Now on its third issue, R LIFE MAGAZINE has already won some PEARL awards, a prestigious award in custom publishing. The hotel has partnered with American Express Publishing to help come out with original content. Writers and photographers from Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure and Departures magazines are contributing. The magazine is not driven as much by advertising, unlike most magazines. The content to ad ratio is kept purposely low. Renaissance is Marriott's "lifestyle" brand. In keeping with that concept, the magazine features the latest travel, food, wine, shopping and other lifestyle trends. The current issue has a stories about the flavors of Bangkok, lesser-known museums, and Moscow. Each month, a hotel "navigator" spotlights a city and gives his/her best tips. "The magazine is not just about the Renaissance brand, but about the passions and wide-ranging interests we share with our guests," says Toni Stoeckl, vice president of Lifestyle Brands