NEED TO KNOW | TRAVEL NEWS, STYLE, TIPS & TRENDS

Web surf poolside at the W in Westwood-Los Angeles

By Valli Herman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
03:49 PM PDT, August 09, 2007

In July, the W in Westwood-Los Angeles became the first hotel on the West Coast to install hand-held computers that let guests order food, drinks and spa services or even surf websites about area attractions, directly from their poolside lounge chairs. When it's time for another piƱa colada, they order electronically rather than wave to a waiter.

The water-resistant devices can be programmed with names and preferences of guests, said Julie Werbitt, chief executive of Tiare Technology of New Jersey, which created the system. For example, when it's time to order a cheeseburger, the program asks how it should be cooked and what kind of cheese it should have. And hold the fries; bikini season isn't over.


Comments? Email travel-feedback@latimes.com

Where am I?

Amelia Earhart spent a lot of time at this airport in the 1930s.


Cruise air-sea packages

Video:When you book a cruise, should you book your own flights or take the cruise line's package?

My Trips

Subscribe to the Daily Deal blog Daily Travel & DealBlog

Miley Cyrus parties non-stop at Disneyland Sweet 16 birthday celebration
Miley Cyrus celebrated her Sweet 16 birthday at Disneyland on Sunday with a jam-packed sche...
Read more »

SIGN UP Newsletter_icons

Taking restless Southern California on vacation

Los Angeles Times e-mail newsletter, delivered every Thursday


Expedia
  • Departing from:
    Depart:
  • Going to:
    Return:

Subscribe to this section    

Subscribe to
Save and share