HotelChatter

Room Mate Grace Lobby, NYC

Not consistent across the chain, however, are the personalities of the hotels: each Room Mate hotel is designed differently, with a funky, modern feel that reflects its location. The names of the hotels — like Mario, Leo, Laura and Oscar — are supposed to emphasize each hotel's distinctly different personality.

More importantly, the names function in harmony with the Room Mate philosophy, which "invites guests to feel as though they have an 'in-the-know' friend in every city who has a comfortable and beautiful place to stay, knowledge of all the best cultural and nightlife events, and a no-frills attitude." Mario, Leo, Laura and Oscar are your friends.

When we asked what types of guests his hotels generally appeal to, Kike said, "we look for anyone who wants to take care of their money. We're a fun, friendly affordable and sexy chain." As far as that "fun" part goes, the evidence is right here in NYC: Room Mate Grace still has that pool in the lobby, and the nightlife scene is pretty bumpin'. Guests and non-guests can have drinks dry at the lobby bar or wet from the swim-up bar on any night, no matter what the weather.

With fourteen hotels already open worldwide and four more in the works — Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Madrid, and Barcelona are on the way in '09 — the chain is growing internationally quickly. And Americans can expect two new "in-the-know" friends to pop up soon: the company has its sights set on a Room Mate in South Beach and another NYC property ("New York already has a girl, so this one has to be male," Kike says) in the future.