HotelChatter

The blog says:

As for Chez Colette, the Sofitel's three-diamond restaurant, we have had a few delicious meals there over the years. We haven't been in a while, but it certainly held its own in the past. (And again, excellent, uber-friendly service. And by the French no less!?!)

So, again, it might be sad to some of its regulars to see it go, however the prospect of bringing a new, original Starr concept to the space is too appealing to really get all that choked up about it.

Because Starr teaming up with the Sofitel is just plain good for the hospitality industry here. It will only incite further investment from other existing hotels and, ideally, even make Philadelphia more appealing and ripe to new hotels considering entering the fray.

Could Stephen Starr be the man to revitalize the Philly hotel scene? Only time will tell.

Plans for the Sofitel restaurant are still in very early stages and the W Philadelphia is not expected to open until 2009. His two restaurants inside the new Atlantic City hotel-casino, The Chelsea won't open for a while as well.

Also sources on Starr's boutique hotel plans of his own are extremely tight-lipped. In the meantime, if you live in the South Jersey/Philly area and need your Starr fix, there are 10 Starr restaurants in Philadelphia to hit up.

[Photo: Philly Mag]