HotelChatter

The only buzzkill is community boards who refuse to hand out liquor licenses as a way of keeping the neighborhood quiet.

For instance the hotelier behind Hotel 41, Benjamin Soleimani, is planning a seven-story boutique hotel in downtown NYC (where else?) on the corner of Bond and Lafayette Streets. It's name: Bond NoHo Hotel. It will have 86 hotel rooms and a 5,000 sq.ft. area to rent out for parties. But he's probably going to run into liquor license problems as the community board recently vetoed a license for a restaurant on the block.

Someone who's "downplaying" the impact of hotel nightlife is Michael Pomeranc of Thompson Hotels who talks about Thompson LES.

"Since this will predominantly cater to people staying in the hotel, it will keep a serene atmosphere in the neighborhood," he said. The project, with which Mr. Pomeranc is aiming to draw "Hollywood types, celebrities, and VIPs," will also have 142 guest rooms and a swimming pool.

So Thompson Hotels doesn't expect locals to hang out at Thompson LES? We highly doubt that.

[Photo: Myles Noton]

Related Stories:
· Nightlife Options Awaken Amid Hotel Boom [NY Sun]
· 60 Thompson to Get Some Competition in Soho [HotelChatter]