TRAVEL LOG

Sunny forecast for hotels

In another sign of a rebounding travel scene, a new report forecast higher hotel occupancies -- and rates -- for the peak season.

U.S. hotels during summer are expected to be fuller than they have been since 2000, according to projections by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which tracks trends in the industry.

Hoteliers are expecting to fill more than 69% of their rooms, the company said. That’s 2% more than last summer.

Room rates, averaging $85, will be 2% to 3% higher than last year but still shy of the peak in late 2000, said Cristina Ampil, PricewaterhouseCoopers’ senior lodging analyst in New York.

The increases will vary by the destination and by the type of lodging, according to the company.

Popular resorts and luxury hotels may increase their rates more than average, Ampil said.

And, she added, “Don’t expect many bargains there.”

On the other hand, some cities, such as San Francisco and Chicago, may have similar or even lower rates than last year because demand has been slow to bounce back, she said.

*

Sheraton

to add

more kiosks

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, after testing self-service check-in kiosks last year in New York and Boston, will add them to more than two dozen hotels in the next few months, including Sheraton Suites San Diego and the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.

Hilton earlier began a similar program.

Using a credit card at the kiosks, Sheraton guests can check in and out; produce and duplicate keys; change their room type; print out messages on their check-in receipt; and even view and e-mail their preferences, such as turn-down service and nonsmoking rooms. Members of Sheraton’s frequent guest program can order room upgrades.

Check-in or check-out takes less than a minute at the kiosks, said a spokesman for Sheraton’s parent company, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Human help will be available, he said.

*

New Orleans

streetcars

are back

New Orleans last week began running streetcars down Canal Street for the first time in four decades.

The new 5 1/2-mile route goes from the French Market to Canal Street, then through the central business district and into the midcity area.

A spur line along North Carrollton Avenue connects Canal Street to City Park, within walking distance of the Fairgrounds Racetrack, site of the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which opened Friday and ends May 2.

The retro streetcars have a welcome update: air-conditioning. The fare is $1.25 each way. www.neworleansonline.com.

-- Compiled by

Jane Engle