After the elevator magically read my room card and swooshed me away to the 25^th floor in about five seconds, I quickly found the door to room 2501.  As instructed, I waved my key card in front of the doorknob and the door clicked open.  Entering with luggage in tow, I spotted the television screen that brightly proclaimed in bold white letters:

Martha Hale,

Welcome to the Hyatt Regency New Orleans!

I quickly unpacked my camera and returned to the lobby to shoot some photos.  Glass, steel, marble . . . and light surrounded me.  Light was built into everything from the front desk in the lobby, to the bar shelving in the lounge, where cocktail glasses glowed bright blue, reflecting the electrified cobalt shelves that held them.

Amazed, I returned to my room and waved the key card in front of the doorknob. Settling into my PJs, I hit the “guide” button on the TV remote.  I glanced at the screen options that allowed me to order anything from food to extra pillows and towels.

I pondered.

Diet Pepsi (click), cup of ice (click), submit order (click).  I just couldn’t resist!