What to check out when you're checking in

IF YOU think a pillow menu and complimentary mini bars are avant garde, think again. Here, the hotel trends that are going to shake up next year.

The way we 'do' hotels is changing. Picture: Thinkstock.

FROM the hi-tech to the offbeat, here are Creative Holidays' picks for what you can expect to check out when you're checking into hotels around the globe next year.

1. Pillow Menus are so 2010. The Milestone Hotel in London offers guests a choice of soaps from a selection of world famous perfumeries on arrival. The soap tray has a wide range that is sure to liven up your ablutions, whether you prefer Pears Original or something a little more fancy like Crabtree & Evelyn's Aloe Vera, Sandalwood, Goatmilk or Lavender. News_Image_File: The milestone in London offers a luscious and extensive soap menu. Picture: Supplied.

2. Love to travel but had it up to your earphones with data roaming costs? The Mira Moon in Hong Kong provides guests with a Samsung phone for the duration of their stay with applications listing restaurants, directions and discounts for hotel guests. Nice!News_Image_File: The Mira Moon in Hong Kong offers guests a Samsung phone for the duration of their stay. Picture: Supplied

3. Bali and spas go together like strawberries and cream, but how about spa treatments for kids? The Sentosa Seminyak has a spa menu designed for your young ones. Children over 12 years old can partake in a foot treatment, body massage, mani and pedi or indulge together with the Mum and Me package.News_Image_File: Spa menus are in, whatever your age, at The Sentosa Seminyak in Bali. Picture: Supplied.

4. It's not unusual to see tourists touting iPads, but the Burj Al Arab in Dubai is offering a 24-carat gold iPad to every guest upon check-in. The iPads act as a 'virtual concierge' loaded with information on the hotel services, restaurant and spa menus, butler and housekeeping services among other options. Designed specifically for the self-proclaimed 'world's most luxurious hotel', they have been engraved with the hotel's logo. News_Image_File: A gold iPad for the duarion of your stay? Yes please! At Burj al Arab in Dubai. Picture: Supplied.

5. In a rush to check into your room so you can get to a business meeting or dinner reservation on time? New York's Affinia Hotels have a Chief Comfort Officer who trains staff to read the body language of guests. Standing with your feet facing outwards implies you're in a rush so don't be surprised if a staff member approaches you to expedite your check-in.News_Image_File: A Chief Comfort Officer trains staff to read the body language of guests at New York's Affina Hotel. Picture: Supplied.

6. Las Vegas has long held the title of being home to the largest hotels in the world. Twelve of the 20 largest hotels around the world can be found along the Las Vegas Strip, but the city where bigger means better has had an attitude shift and is welcoming its versions of the boutique hotel. The 181-room Nobu Hotel has opened in Caesars Palace, and three smaller properties will open in 2014 including the 188-room Gansevoort Las Vegas.News_Image_File: Small can be cool! The New boutique Nobu hotel in Las Vegas. Picture: Supplied.

Creative Holidays offers a range of exclusive accommodation and holiday package deals with the above resorts.