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Hey Y'All, Avia Savannah's A-Comin'

Where: 14 Barnard Street [map], Savannah, GA, United States, 31401

Life works in mysterious ways. Just as we were shoving one of Paula Deen’s red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting down our throats, we find out about Avia Savannah—which has Bobby Deen, Paula’s son, on its list of tastemakers! Not quite sure what an Avia tastemaker is just yet, but crazy, right?!

We dug a little bit and apparently Avia has reached out to celebrated locals to get their insider recommendations for the surrounding areas of its hotels, and the Savannah outpost—the first of four Avia-branded hotels to open in 2009—is conveniently located just steps from The Lady & Sons, Paula’s flagship restaurant, which we happened to stop by last Labor Day and were confronted with an hour-long wait for a table at 11:30 a.m. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. So we’ll say that so far, Avia Savannah has got at least one thing right.

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Tags: Avia Hotels / Hotel Hype / Hotel Renderings / Napa Valley Hotels / → All Tags

First Look at The Avia Napa Renderings

Where: Napa Town Center [map], Napa, CA, United States, 94559

Last week we informed you that Avia Hotels was getting in on the boutique hotel chain game. While the new boutique property Avia Savannah is scheduled to be the first of the chain to open--in December 2008--it's the Avia Napa property we're seeing the most of. Normally we don't like to run renderings instead of photos, but these are the first look at what could turn into a big brand.

The Napa location will be at the Town Center, and plans call for 141 rooms and suites. Some rooms will have soaking tubs and all will have working fireplaces and olive wood floors. We're also eager to see more of the swiveling flat-screen entertainment center.

After the jump, a look inside Avia.

Related Stories:
· Avia Hotels Jumping on Boutique Bandwagon [HotelChatter]
· Napa Hotels [HotelChatter]

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Tags: Hotel Openings / Avia Hotels / Hotel Hype / → All Tags

Avia Hotels Jumping on Boutique Bandwagon

Do you ever think to yourself, "The world needs even more boutique hotels?" We don't. But that's too bad for us: Avia Hotels are coming in 2008.

The first property will be in Savannah, Georgia, and is scheduled to open at the end of next year. Following soon after will be hotels in Long Beach, California, Napa and north Houston. The company behind the brand is LodgeWorks, the outfit originally behind Residence Inn and Summerfield Suites.

At this early stage, plans call for each hotel to have a bit of local character, with menu offerings and decorations designed to match the area. (Wine stuff in Napa, grits in Savannah, etc.) Espresso bars and evening cocktail parties are also in the works. We're not sure about the boutique moniker on a corporate hotel brand but, hey, sounds like Avia's making an effort.

Related Stories:
· Avia Hotels [Official Site]
· Hotel Openings coverage [HotelChatter]