Algonquin Hotel provides Kindle loans

Bob Russell · 12-06-2008, 04:33 PM

If you happen to be staying at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City, you can borrow a Kindle for your reading fix. The Hotel amenities web page says "Kindle available, loaded with your favorite audio book, in keeping with our literary tradition. However, it might still be a while until you see Kindles at your local Best Western.

According to HotelChatter, "The Algonquin has launched an 'eBooks on Demand' program which offers Kindles pre-loaded with 'a variety of best-sellers, modern classics' and even a few books written by the members of the hotels legendary Round Table (Fanny Herself by Edna Ferber, Love Conquers All by Robert Benchley). And if you request a book that isn't loaded on there, the hotel can add it for you.The devices are loaned on a first come, first serve basis at no charge, and can be used in the lobby or in your guestroom."

Via The Kindle Chronicles.

zelda_pinwheel · 12-06-2008, 04:38 PM

now that's classy service.

Donnageddon · 12-06-2008, 04:56 PM

Odd that the Hotel website would describe the Kindle as "loaded with your favorite audio book". Just adds more confusion to the actual use of the Kindle. And yes I know that you can listen to audio books with the Kindle as well, but that is certainly not the best description of the device.

zelda_pinwheel · 12-06-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

Odd that the Hotel website would describe the Kindle as "loaded with your favorite audio book". Just adds more confusion to the actual use of the Kindle. And yes I know that you can listen to audio books with the Kindle as well, but that is certainly not the best description of the device.

actually i did wonder about that as well. perhaps they also provide audio books.

FizzyWater · 12-06-2008, 05:00 PM

Amazon also owns Audible - and yes, the Kindle plays Audible audiobooks.

Donnageddon · 12-06-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

actually i did wonder about that as well. perhaps they also provide audio books.

I am sure they do, but this is the total description of the Hotel's Kindle service:

Kindle available, loaded with your favorite audio book, in keeping with our literary tradition

If I was unaware of what the Kindle was, I would certainly come away with the impression that the Kindle was just an audio book device.

zelda_pinwheel · 12-06-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

I am sure they do, but this is the total description of the Hotel's Kindle service:

Kindle available, loaded with your favorite audio book, in keeping with our literary tradition

If I was unaware of what the Kindle was, I would certainly come away with the impression that the Kindle was just an audio book device.

oh yes, i agree with you.

Donnageddon · 12-06-2008, 05:16 PM

Well I sent an email to the Algonquin General Manager Gary Budge to get this settled. I asked if getting a digital book was an option or if audio books were all that is available.

I will be amazed if I get a response, but will let MR know if I do.

zelda_pinwheel · 12-06-2008, 05:17 PM

nicely done.

eBookNerd · 12-07-2008, 11:19 PM

Kindle for use in a hotel...that's a smack yourself on the forehead, "why didn't I think of that idea"! Absolutely brilliant!
As as business traveler, I've spent lots of time lying awake in hotels at night, surfing the net, channel surfing on the TV (all 10 stations), and wishing I'd brought along a better/different book to read.

Madam Broshkina · 12-07-2008, 11:31 PM

Perhaps soon we might see the Gideon's Kindle.

bbusybookworm · 12-08-2008, 12:25 AM

The Sony reader could probably work just as well, if not better

(No chance of the guest buying too many books on the hotels tab

)

HarryT · 12-08-2008, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eBookNerd

Kindle for use in a hotel...that's a smack yourself on the forehead, "why didn't I think of that idea"! Absolutely brilliant!
As as business traveler, I've spent lots of time lying awake in hotels at night, surfing the net, channel surfing on the TV (all 10 stations), and wishing I'd brought along a better/different book to read.

According to your profile, you have three different eBook readers. Don't you take any of them with you when you travel?

astra · 12-08-2008, 07:54 AM

Nice service.

Dr. Drib · 12-08-2008, 08:34 AM

I want to know how a photo of my office got on this website.

I've told all my friends that I have an Olivetti typewriter and a butt-hard chair. That, along with tepid coffee and a can of cold beans is all I have when I'm working.

If my friends see this photo, they'll want to drink my champagne and eat all my chocolate chip cookies. I can't have this, I tell you.

Don

12-06-2008, 04:33 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Algonquin Hotel provides Kindle loans If you happen to be staying at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City, you can borrow a Kindle for your reading fix. The Hotel amenities web page says "Kindle available, loaded with your favorite audio book, in keeping with our literary tradition. However, it might still be a while until you see Kindles at your local Best Western. According to HotelChatter, "The Algonquin has launched an 'eBooks on Demand' program which offers Kindles pre-loaded with 'a variety of best-sellers, modern classics' and even a few books written by the members of the hotels legendary Round Table (Fanny Herself by Edna Ferber, Love Conquers All by Robert Benchley). And if you request a book that isn't loaded on there, the hotel can add it for you.The devices are loaned on a first come, first serve basis at no charge, and can be used in the lobby or in your guestroom." Via The Kindle Chronicles.

12-07-2008, 11:31 PM	#11
Madam Broshkina Manic Do Fuse Posts: 2,312 Karma: 3325462 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Sony 500, 505, 350, Kindle 3, DXG, nook, Irex DR800SG, iPad	Perhaps soon we might see the Gideon's Kindle. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Madam Broshkina; 12-07-2008 at 11:34 PM.

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12-06-2008, 04:38 PM	#2
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	now that's classy service.

12-06-2008, 04:56 PM	#3
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	Odd that the Hotel website would describe the Kindle as "loaded with your favorite *audio* book". Just adds more confusion to the actual use of the Kindle. And yes I know that you can listen to audio books with the Kindle as well, but that is certainly not the best description of the device.

12-06-2008, 05:00 PM	#5
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	Amazon also owns Audible - and yes, the Kindle plays Audible audiobooks.

12-06-2008, 05:16 PM	#8
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	Well I sent an email to the Algonquin General Manager Gary Budge to get this settled. I asked if getting a digital book was an option or if audio books were all that is available. I will be amazed if I get a response, but will let MR know if I do.

12-06-2008, 05:17 PM	#9
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	nicely done.

12-07-2008, 11:19 PM	#10
eBookNerd Connoisseur Posts: 68 Karma: 1000840 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: ebookwise 1150, Kindle, Sony PRS 505	Kindle for use in a hotel...that's a smack yourself on the forehead, "why didn't I think of that idea"! Absolutely brilliant! As as business traveler, I've spent lots of time lying awake in hotels at night, surfing the net, channel surfing on the TV (all 10 stations), and wishing I'd brought along a better/different book to read.

12-08-2008, 12:25 AM	#12
bbusybookworm Tech Junkie Posts: 1,027 Karma: 10080 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne	The Sony reader could probably work just as well, if not better (No chance of the guest buying too many books on the hotels tab )

12-08-2008, 07:54 AM	#14
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	Nice service.

12-08-2008, 08:34 AM	#15
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,614 Karma: 60184181 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	I want to know how a photo of my office got on this website. I've told all my friends that I have an Olivetti typewriter and a butt-hard chair. That, along with tepid coffee and a can of cold beans is all I have when I'm working. If my friends see this photo, they'll want to drink my champagne and eat all my chocolate chip cookies. I can't have this, I tell you. Don