Sherman's Travel

Free breakfast may be standard at many hotel chains, but what about something to pick you up at the end of the day? With Sheraton Hotels rolling out a new premium wine program in partnership with Wine Spectator, we’ve rounded up a few of the other spots to get your drink on without stepping out the front door.

Available at 240 properties worldwide, Sheraton’s initiative features Social Hour wine tastings three to four nights a week where you’ll be able to sample vintages from the new Wine Spectator-approved menu. However, be warned that the tastings cost $5 in North America.

All Kimpton hotels (except Sir Francis Drake in San Francisco) do a nightly Wine Hour where guests can meet the general manager and enjoy a glass of vino.

Similarly, Embassy Suites properties host nightly Manager’s Receptions with beverages and appetizers. Note not all hotels are able to serve booze, due to individual state liquor laws.

Hyatt House, the newly rebranded extended stay concept, has an Evening Social, with days and inclusions varying by location. It could consist of a cheese tasting as well as wine and beer.

Promoted as something of an “anti happy hour,” the Affinia Comfort Hour is a chance to partake in free snacks and drinks, as well as try out items from the “comfort cart” like specialty pillows or an Xbox Kinect.

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I’ll admit, with only the tiniest amount of shame, that there are times when I turn into a crazy cat lady. Meeting Fa-raon, the fluffy, white Birman (pictured), at Hotel Le Bristol in Paris may have been one of those times.

Embarrassing girlish squeals and baby talk aside, hotel pets add to the unique character of a place and make it seem that much friendlier – especially for the kiddos. And who doesn’t like looking at cute animals?

Some hotel brands make pets an official part of their staff, like Kimpton’s “Directors of Pet Relations” (also known as playful puppies) or Fairmont’s Canine Ambassadors.

Others are less “pets” and more “animals that happen to live at the property,” such as the ducks that parade through the Peabody hotels each day, or the giraffes that hang out at Giraffe Manor in Kenya.

Whether feathered or furry, teeny-tiny or two-stories tall, we can’t get enough of these hotel pets. Check out all the adorable photos on our new Pinterest board!