HotelChatter - Tag: Stephen Brandman

Toronto: Thompson Hotel Toronto To Open (Like a Lion?) in March

juliana — 2009-11-10T16:21:20-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/thomptoronto1.jpg" class="top"> While <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/thompson hotels">Thompson Hotels</a> is busying itself with "Thompsonizing" <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/11/4/113358/015/hotels/On_December_1st_The_Hotel_Sax_Chicago_Will_Be_Thompsonized">The Hotel Sax</a> in Chicago, they shan't forget about our neighbors to the North. When we last checked in with <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Thompson+Hotel+Toronto/local/877">Thompson Toronto</a>, it was June and they were hinting at a 2010 opening. Judging from Thompson's past hotel opening delays we figured Summer 2010 would be a kind estimate. But Thompson co-owner <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/stephen brandman">Stephen Brandman</a> has told us they are looking at March 2010 and they seem very confident in that date. Now, the old adage says "March comes in like a lion but goes out like a lamb" yet we say that with the Thompson's penchant for soft-openings, TT will come in like

Chicago: On December 1st, The Hotel Sax Chicago Will Be Thompsonized

juliana — 2009-11-04T13:10:52-05:00

Room 1433 at Hotel Sax Chicago.

We received a couple of tips lately that there was something brewing with Thompson Hotels and usually when more than one tip comes in, we know something's up. But today we have confirmation that indeed The Hotel Sax in Chicago, best known for its RockBand studio and where we recently shacked up the other week, is turning into a Thompson Hotel.

The conversion will officially happen on December 1st and while the hotel was recently renovated a few years ago, we fully expect the place to get "Thompsonized."

The Thompson Dudes Form 'Do Not Disturb' Restaurant Group

Jenna — 2009-05-01T11:35:18-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6929/libertine2.jpg" class="top"> Big news out of <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/thompson hotels">Thompson </a>today. First up: remember how we reported on some <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/4/29/102740/354/hotels/Cha_Cha_Cha_Changes_at_DC_s_Donovan_House">cha-cha-cha changes</a> at Cha inside the <A href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Donovan+House/local/994">Donovan House</a>, near and dear to our hearts because of <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/2/9/95945/65442/hotels/In_Which_We_Meet_Hanson_at_Donovan_House_s_Cha_Restaurant">a Hanson sighting</a> and some delish sushi? We knew <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/todd english">Todd English</a> was out and Toronto chef <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/susur lee">Susur Lee</a> was in (the same chef behind Shang at the <A href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Thompson+LES/local/31">Thompson LES</a>), but we didn't know the name was changing too. 'Cha' is now 'Zentan', and "the menu will feature favorites from Shang in NYC and his restaurant, Lee in Toronto, as well as a selection of sushi, sashimi and Asian crudos." The new Zentan is set to open June

Hollywood: Some Folks Hate the H&M Ads On the Hollywood Roosevelt

Jenna — 2009-01-13T11:14:58-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6929/rooseveltad.jpg" class="top"> On the East Coast, New Yorkers are not happy with <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Thompson%20Hotels">Thompson Hotels</a> due to their failure to open <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Smyth+Tribeca/local/870">Smyth Tribeca</a> in a timely fashion or <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/1/12/15638/1130/hotels/Smyth_Tribeca_Delayed_Yet_Again">open it at all</a>, really. We're not sure if they're adding finishing touches or what. Meanwhile, over on the West Coast, some people are unhappy with Thompson because they've been making too many, er, "finishing touches" to the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Hollywood+Roosevelt+Hotel/local/11">Hollywood Roosevelt</a> building. And by "finishing touches," we mean plastering the architectural landmark building with ads for a Swedish clothing company. Whoops! From <a href="http://www.citywatchla.com/content/view/1915/75/">LA's CityWatch blog</a>: <blockquote>The Hollywood Roosevelt first sported huge supergraphic ads in 2006. The company that installed these 6,000 sq. ft. plus ads, In Plain

Ithaca: Thompson Partners With Cornell to Breed Baby Pomerancs

Jenna — 2008-11-10T09:00:10-05:00

Cornell University's renowned School of Hotel Administration (full disclosure: this HC-er's alma mater, where she learned everything she knows about hotels that the Internet couldn't teach her) has just announced a partnership between its Center for Hospitality Research and Thompson Hotels.

Thompson's co-owner, Stephen Brandman, will now sit on the research center's advisory board, contributing his insights and hopefully sharing the secrets to the "sophisticated but personal approach to service" Thompson is known for.

Turning the Cornell Hotel School into a breeding ground for baby Jason P's, perhaps? Maybe...