John

qa - Whether you're on business or vacation, if you're sleeping in anything more sophisticated than a zippered sack, staying connected is a necessary part of travel. For years, a crusty USB jack and some intermittent Wi-Fi were enough to constitute a full suite of technological hotel amenities. How 2.0. Today's future-forward lodge has to offer in-room nightclub lighting and 3D television just to keep up with the Skywalkers. The new breed of techie lodging is no less a hotel than a Best Buy with blankets. These 10 wired hotels are tops among the gadget set. Hotel 1000's virtual reality Golf Club has more than 50 courses from around the world. Hotel 1000, Seattle Don't be fooled by the design-intensive vibe of this downtown Seattle hotel. Behind the chic décor and furnishings it's a fully networked technolodge. Highlights include a silent infrared doorbell with sensors that detect body heat (so housekeeping knows when not to interrupt), smart climate control settings, a digital do-not-disturb button and a 40-inch LCD HDTV that doubles as a digital art gallery, displaying works that you can personally select. There's video-on-demand, surround sound, satellite radio, high-speed Wi-Fi (included with room) and a slew of media hubs for every gadget imaginable. What's more, innovative plumbing enables the bathtub to fill from the ceiling, an intelligent mini-bar notifies the front desk when it needs stocking, Cisco video phones float around the hotel and a virtual reality Golf Club is swing-ready with more than 50 courses from around the world.