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The Stephen Starr Philadelphia Story

3/12/2008 at 12:49 PM
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It's common knowledge that restaurateur Stephen Starr has been sniffing around Philadelphia for some big-time hospitality industry opportunities.

Whether it be opening his own boutique hotel or just getting in on some ground-floor restaurant at an already well-established hotel, Starr is looking to beef up his hotel presence in the City of Brotherly Love.

Already Starr has done a bang-up job of getting his restaurant company inserted into big hotels like W Philly and Ft. Lauderdale (and possibly South Beach).

More importantly he's signed a letter of intent to take over the Sofitel Philadelphia's restaurant, lobby bar and lounge.

Now Illadelph Blog has done some analysis of Stephen Starr's presence in the city and it's all good.

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]

Hotel Reviews:
Sofitel Philadelphia

1 Comment - Add Yours by juliana

Comments


mytwocents
HotelChatter Member
Re: The Stephen Starr Philadelphia Story (none / 0)

Like Danny Meyer, the prince of NYC dining, Stephen is a palatable Philly legend. Not only does he know his food, he KNOWS his customers. 5-Starr hospitality at Alma de Cuba, Morimoto, Buddakan, the list goes on. If the hotel is his, we're there!

by mytwocents on 3/12/2008 at 1:25 PM


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