A selfie stick user is capturing his Seoul, South Korea memories (Credit: Caitlin Martin)
A selfie stick user captures his Seoul, South Korea memories (Credit: Caitlin Martin)

While the selfie stick rage started last year as a hot global trend, now even hotels are jumping on the bandwagon. Yes, the obsession may prove we’re all a little vain, but it’s possible the selfie stick could be quite useful—especially when traveling. Not only can it help you capture a memory yourself, but you also don’t have to bother someone else to take the picture for you.

“They are great for solo travelers that want to capture scenery with them in it,” said Steven Wong, CEO, MiniSuit, a selfie stick developer. “They are also helpful in countries where there may be a language barrier and you can’t ask someone to take a photo.”

Here are a few ways hotels are incorporating selfie sticks into their experiences:

Four Seasons Hotel Houston started offering the must-have tech gadget in early January at the property because they noticed more guests were asking hotel staff to take their photos.

“We’d noticed an uptick in guests asking for assistance with photos, and while we could offer help while at the hotel, we wanted to ensure our guests captured great shots of their time in Houston,” said Laura Pettitt, a spokesperson for Four Seasons Hotel Houston.

InterContinental Toronto is also providing hotel guests a selfie stick for complimentary day use or for purchase at the concierge desk.

Hotel guests are using the provided selfie stick on the patio of the Spa InterContinental Toronto near the CN Tower above (Credit: Nicholas Lachman)
Hotel guests are using the provided selfie stick on the patio of the Spa InterContinental Toronto near the CN Tower above (Credit: Nicholas Lachman)

Kimpton has outfitted all of its hotels with selfie sticks. Guests are encouraged to post their best selfies using #AdoreThySelfie on their social channels. The brand will choose one winner a month in 2015 who will win a #AdoreThySelfie prize pick including a $150 Kimpton gift card, a selfie stick and the winning selfie blown up and framed. At the end of the year, all 11 monthly winners will be entered to win a grand prize of a two-night stay at any Kimpton hotel.

Kimpton’s The Muse New York is taking the #AdoreThySelfie promotion one step further with its “Forgot It? We’ve Got It!” photography kit. Guests of the hotel can loan out the complimentary kit, which includes:

  • Selfie stick, for those who want to be the star of their own adventure
  • GoPro and GoPro Fetch dog harness, so your pet can join in on the action
  • A variety of lens filters, to see the world from a new perspective
  • Mobile media case, turning your smartphone device into a filmmaking powerhouse
  • Quadropod, allowing you hands-free photo fun
  • Camalapse, offering 360 degrees of video and photo footage
  • Mobile camera flash, to brighten up even the darkest of photo capturing days

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa has recently launched “Your Spring Selfie,” inviting guests to capture their selfie in Coachella Valley with the help of a Bluetooth selfie stick. In addition to the selfie stick, guests are encouraged to pose on the “Selfie Spots” located throughout the 450-acre property and share their favorite images on Instagram with #SpringSelfie for a chance to win a room upgrade. The “Your Spring Selfie” package is available for reservation March 1 through May 31, 2015.

Dorchester Collection’s UK properties offer branded selfie sticks for guests staying at The Dorchester45 Park Lane or Coworth Park. The selfie sticks appear in each hotel color, branded with each hotel name, and are available from reception for hotel guests to use during their stay.

The Dorchester, 45 Park Lane and Coworth Park selfie sticks appear in each hotel color, branded with each hotel name (Credit: Dorchester Collection UK)
The Dorchester, 45 Park Lane and Coworth Park selfie sticks appear in each hotel color, branded with each hotel name (Credit: Dorchester Collection UK)

While the hotel isn’t giving out selfie sticks, Mandarin Oriental Atlanta recently celebrated Chinese New Year and held a selfie contest for guests taking photos at the event. During the event, the hotel included a station with a selfie stick and props for guests to take photos with.

If all of this hasn’t convinced you to use a selfie stick, Steven Wong notes selfie sticks have many uses beyond taking photos including as weapons for self defense (but he doesn’t recommend it). As a solo female traveler, I think he just sold me on the selfie stick.

Whether or not you’re a selfie stick fan, it may be worth trying one out at your next hotel stay.

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