Tag: Hotel News
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The Catalina is Unapologetically a Party Hotel (And Thinks You're Into That)
As we mentioned earlier this week, we're just days away from the premiere of The Catalina, the reality show about the staffers at The Catalina Hotel in Miami.
Now, we've always known the Catalina is a party hotel but it looks like hotelier Nathan Lieberman is ready to make their predilictions for partying worldwide, or at least nationally.
The Miami Herald attended the show's premiere party at the hotel the other night and found Lieberman about to pose with his employees/castmembers in the bathroom when he asked, “Would André Balazs do this?” In our minds, we practically screamed, "Absolutely not!"
Fortunately, Lieberman backed away from the unprofessional photo op. Yet he's not afraid to hype up the hotel's partymonster attitude. He actually thinks it will help business!
Hotel Sex / Hyatt Hotels / Chicago Hotels / Gay Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
International Mister Leather Returns to Party at Hyatt's Largest Hotel
Ball gag, anyone?
It's that time of the year again, when thousands upon thousands from the LGBT and leather/BDSM communities come together for International Mister Leather, a long weekend convention in Chicago that's part tradeshow, part beauty pageant and mostly party. This will be the 34th annual if you can believe it, and the massive event returns to entirely take over Chicago's largest hotel, the 2,020-room Hyatt Regency (which is also the largest Hyatt in the world).
Typically the event is all fun (and it's the fifth most profitable convention that happens in Chicago) and a Chicago contact reveals that two weddings will be held at this year's shindig. Ah, but there's a dark side as IML falls into the midst of a heated debate between the Hyatt hotel and its union staff who've repeatedly protested, including this big walkout.
B Hotels / b2 Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Hype / Budget Hotels / → All Tags
B Hotels To Get More Affordable with Their New b2 Brand
It's been a while since we checked in with B Hotels and Resorts but we were generally pretty pleased with our stay at the B Ocean Hotel in Fort Lauderdale which offered modern guestrooms with fun amenities and free WiFi for a reasonable price (Our stay was $169 on Jetsetter.com). Now B Hotels is getting even more affordable with their new spin-off brand called b2 hotel.
b2 will be offer the same value-oriented amenities to guests as B Hotels but the properties will be more of a three and three and a half star experiences in smaller markets, as opposed to four star hotels in key destinations.
According to Ayelet Weinstein, CEO of B Hotels & Resorts, the b2 concept will also have a more streamlined operational and staffing model. Yet while going more of the select-service route, b2 will still offer the following B signature service: B In Touch amenities like complimentary iPad rentals, digital concierge touchscreens and of course, free WiFi; B Ambiance which includes mood lighting and signature scents and B Nourished food and beverage offerings with a signature restaurant concept and even, in-room dining.
Hotel Surverys / Consumer Reports / Hotel News / Hotel Deals / Hotel Booking Tips / → All Tags
Have You Gotten a Hotel Room for $107 Or Less This Year?
This room at The Signature at MGM Grand cost us $95 (without the $25 resort fee) on Expedia.
Well, this is interesting. Consumer Reports have released their latest survey findings and this year the average hotel stay is about to cost $107 a night, up five percent from last year.
Despite the increase, $107 seems like a good deal! We've paid about $100 a night for two of our hotel stays this year--The Saguaro Scottsdale and the The Signature at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. But last weekend at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe in San Diego we splurged on a room for $265 a night.
Admittedly, we have a thing for new hotels and boutique hotels and hotels in expensive cities like New York, London and Miami but even still, we don't often see a hotel for $107 a night. Perhaps we need to start going more budget. Consumer Reports says that Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham was the highest-rated of the budget hotels while Econo Lodge and Americas Best Value Inn.
On the luxury end, Ritz-Carlton Hotels earned top survey results while Westin, Hyatt and Embassy Suites Hotels also garnered excellent or good ratings.
But perhaps the most bit of useful info from the report are Consumer Reports tips to getting a good hotel deal.
Hotel Reopenings / Hotel News / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Cats / Hotel Pets / Matilda / → All Tags
The Cat Came Back: The Algonquin Will Reopen Tomorrow with Matilda In the Lobby
It's been a long winter (and spring) but soon things will be getting back to normal on "Hotel Row" aka 44th Street in New York City with tomorrow's reopening of the revamped Algonquin Hotel at precisely 10am. After six months and an $18 million facelift, everything will be back in its place, except better than before. And that includes the hotel's resident guest--Matilda!
To celebrate the hotel's reopening and the return of Matilda, you can book the Matilda Package which includes To celebrate its re-opening, the Algonquin has updated its popular Matilda Package to includes accommodations; continental breakfast for two; a welcome cocktail in the lobby, a Matilda coloring book, a feline-focused book called "Fabulous Felines" by Sandy Robins, a plush stuff Matilda cat and chocolates for the kids and a "CATabulous" eye mask to help you with your catnaps.
Rates for Matilda package start at $329 a night not including taxes. Meanwhile, regular room rates for tomorrow start at just $229.
Wanna see what the new rooms of the Algonquin look like? GO HERE for our extensive photo gallery!
Hotel Hype / Downtown Los Angeles Hotels / Korean Air / Hotel News / → All Tags
Korean Air is Not Playing Around When It Comes to Their New Downtown LA Hotel
It won't open until sometime in 2017 but when it does, the billion-dollar luxury hotel from Korean Air will include a sky lobby at the top of the building on the 70th floor.
The hotel, which will be constructed in downtown LA at Wilshire Boulevard and Figueroa Street on the site of the old Wilshire Grand Hotel, is hoping to be the second-tallest building in Southern California, just shorter than the US Bank Tower. And these days, where there's a tall-ass building there's also plans for a restaurant, bar and death-defying infinity swimming pool, according to the LA Times. (Shops, more restaurants, retail and office space will take up the lowers floors of the hotel.)
Edition Hotels / West Hollywood Hotels / Los Angeles Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Hype / → All Tags
OMG, An Edition Hotel is Going Up on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood
Right now, we're rubbing our eyes, double-checking our coffee order and studying our calendars to make sure it's not Opposite Day because we've just stumbled upon some badass news.
An Edition Hotel is being planned for West Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard. Patch.com has the scoop on the hotel plans after attending a recent West Hollywood Planning Commission meeting:
Edition wanted permission to increase to 190 hotel rooms, include a 5,000 square-foot “Crazy Box” nightclub adjacent to the subterranean parking garage and add eight feet to the building’s height for a 3,100 square-foot bar area adjacent to the rooftop pool. The Commission was fine with those changes.
Hotel Delays / London Hotels / London Hotel Openings / InterContinental Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
Here's One London Hotel That Won't Be Opening in Time for the Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympics are only two months away and we've been tracking the numerous hotel openings in London leading up to the event (You can see those stories here.)
But sadly, one hotel will not make it in time.
The InterContinental Westminster has pushed back its opening date from Spring 2012 to Spring 2013. This hotel has already been delayed once before, having missed opening in time for the Royal Wedding. (Hat tip to commenter guanche who pointed out the delay.)
We've been hearing about this property for a few years now but we're guessing its running into some issues with the renovations. The hotel was originally built as a hospital and was previously in use by the government as home for the Treasury Solicitor. Not an easy conversion task.
Still, ever hopeful, the hotel does have a Facebook page.
Comfort Inn Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Amenities / Choice Hotels / → All Tags
Comfort Inns are Getting Some Suite In-Room Charging Stations
Things at Comfort Inns are starting to get a little more comfortable.
The affordable hotel brand is in the midst of a massive brand makeover changing everything from the reception desks to the employee uniforms but most importantly, Comfort Inn is overhauling the guest amenities.
Last year, Comfort rolled out their new breakfast (called Your Morning Breakfast) with hot items and flavored waffles. By the end of next year, Comfort Inn's Truly Yours bedding program will have upgraded more than 234,000 beds and nearly one million pillows. Guests will even have a choice of a soft or firm pillow.
Hotel Openings / Chicago Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Opening Rates / Hotel Deals / → All Tags
Ivy Boutique Hotel Will Open in Chicago, Come Hell or Nato Summit
We’ve been excited for the opening of the luxe-meets-green Ivy Boutique Hotel in Chicago’s Near North neighborhood since February, when we first shared word on the new boutique digs. Originally set to open in April, the Chicago hotel still hasn’t opened and now with the NATO tornado in full effect (think blocked streets, closed museums, boarded-up storefronts), Ivy is instead hoping and praying for a late May opening.
“The city is being really wacky about occupancy,” said James Cazares, manager of Ivy Boutique. “Because of NATO they are behind.” Still, the hotel is preparing as if it will open any day now, wrapping up construction this week and preparing for final inspections next week. Ask us and we say count your lucky stars, Ivy—you’ve managed to steer clear the NATO chaos.
Hotel Renovations / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Hotel Reopenings / Montreal Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
The Ritz-Carlton Montréal to Reopen Its Ritzy Doors on June 1
The super-luxurious Ritz-Carlton Montréal is opening its doors once again on June 1 after an extensive renovation that saw it revamp its public areas as well as all of its rooms and suites.
This Grande Dame of a hotel has kept its belle époque style intact in its lofty lobby, Palm Court and Oval Room with coffered ceilings, much marble, and gold flourishes, but they’ve added a contemporary elegance by bringing in lots of whites, greys and textured woods.
The rooms and suites, too, are ritzy (sorry – we just couldn’t resist) with white, grey and yellow in abundance, modern lighting, and luxe decor. They’re a thing of beauty.
Hotel News / Steve Wynn / Hotel Condos / RItz-Carlton Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Penthouses / Penthouse Suites / → All Tags
Steve Wynn Is Moving Into the Ritz-Carlton Penthouse
When he isn't pricing new real estate in Macau, Las Vegas tycoon Steve Wynn is keeping his eyes peeled for a new home in Manhattan. And he's now found the house of our his dreams: the penthouse suite at the Ritz-Carlton Central Park.
The NY Observer reports that Wynn has nabbed the apartment for $70 million, and it sounds every bit as incredible as we imagine. In fact, if we weren't so busy finding out about all the new hotels opening up in Manhattan, we would be knocking on his door this very instant trying to get a peek inside.
Think he'd have us in for tea and a bit of hotel gossiping?
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