True, this is what it says on W Hotels own website. But we came across this press release this morning about a loan for the hotel. There's a lot of financial speak that may confuse those of us without an MBA or even a basic Intro to Finance class, but this bit is clear as day:
W South Beach Hotel & Residences is currently under construction at 2201 Collins Ave. and is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2009.
And so now we wait.
Sorry to any SPG members who were hoping to use their points this season in Miami Beach. But we bet the neighboring Gansevoort South must be happy to have at least one full season to themselves.
There's tons of hotel news flying around this week and we don't have time to give each and every story the love and attention it may deserve, so you will have to settle for some news briefs.
· Hotel Shangri-La in Santa Monica Delayed: We've spent a lot of time today talking about hotel openings and delays here so it's fitting we end the day with another. The Hotel Shangri-La was to re-open tomorrow after a long renovations process. However, the reservations line says the hotel will open at the end of October. Meanwhile, the website is only taking bookings for after November 12th. Either way, it ain't opening tomorrow.
We always enjoy, and well, it drives us crazy at times too, watching hotel opening dates slowly but surely get pushed back. Some hotel operators are infamous for it, and some manage to keep it on the DL.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts is one of the companies that try to keep it on the DL but since some of their locations have such high visibility, it's impossible to not notice. After the jump, we run down some of the good and the bad in the Starwood portfolio as it pertains to hotel openings and delays.
There's tons of hotel news flying around this week and we don't have time to give each and every story the love and attention it may deserve, so you will have to settle for some news briefs -- today, we're focusing on Aloft because we've been slacking on our exhaustive, feverish coverage.
· Aloft Denver Doesn't Look So Ready: Supposedly, Aloft Denver is going to be opening on October 2nd. An HC operative sent in these snapshots of the property -- and, uh, raise your hand if you think they're gonna make it on time? [HC]
· Aloft Charlotte Delayed or Just Cautious?: Reader K. wrote in with a bit of a conundrum: he checked on availability online for the Aloft Charlotte -- which is supposed to open November 1st -- and the website says "Now accepting reservations for arrival on or after January 1, 2009." Does that mean the opening is delayed, or is S-wood just playin' it safe?
· The Brand Gets Some Pretty Damn Good Reviews: We swung by our ol' pal TA to check on guest responses to the brand as a whole -- and the majority of reviews are in the 4-5 range! Congrats, Aloft! [TripAdvisor]
As we told you earlier this month, The Echelon Project which was to include a Hotel Shangri-La as well as a Mondrian and a Delano has been put on hold until the credit markets get better. That means construction that has already started on the site has been stopped indefinitely. Here's what it looks like now.
While new projects have been delayed or crapped out completely in Las Vegas, we aren't noticing much of a downtown in Sin City just yet. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, visitor numbers and occupancy rates are down just a touch. But it's not hugely noticeable. The crowd at the Cher concert was nearly sold-out on Sunday, the gaming floor at the Palazzo was bustling last night (a Monday night) and traffic on the strip is still at a standstill.
So Vegas might be doing just fine with what it's already got.
There's tons of hotel news flying around this week and we don't have time to give each and every story the love and attention it may deserve, so you will have to settle for some news briefs.
· Calling Cards for Kids? : One parent was delighted to see that the Park Lane Marriott in London handed out "business cards" to their child-guests so they have the hotel's information on them in case they get lost. Awww....
[UPDATE: The hotel will actually soft-open on August 28, 2008 while the official opening is set at October 1st. Also, the hotel reportedly had over 4,500 applicants show up for a 2-day recruitment session. So there should be enough staffers on hand.]
Here's a twist on the usual China hotel stories: Instead of having no rooms available, this hotel has no workers available.
According to The China Real News, the Four Seasons Macau has bumped its opening from August to October -- and the insider tip is that they have a shortage of employees.
It's possible potential workers have temporarily fled the island to get guaranteed work for the Beijing Summer Olympics, which officially opens this coming Sunday.
A quick overview of the island's economy notes they're flush with gambling cash and tourists headed to Macau, with more federal economics boosts in store; but the New York Times Biz Section today reports, above the fold, that China is also having a massive economic slowdown. There's so much growth they simply don't have the manpower to support it all.
Whatever the case may be, The Four Seasons is taking reservations now for October -- according to the hotel's currency converter, "introductory" rates begin at US$436., "standard" rates are $461.
Or spring for the Presidential Package - for $2306, this one-night package covers you and your roomie's two one-way helicopter tickets from Hong Kong to Macau, and two one-way Super class TurboJET tickets from Macau to Hong Kong.
Wow. This is the most stunning hotel delay news yet and a very good indicator of just how bad the hotel industry is getting these days.
Morgans Hotel Group has announced they are putting their Echelon Las Vegas project, which would include a Mondrian and a Delano Hotel, on hold.
Morgans has made the decision based on their partner, Boyd Gaming's statement that the
"challenging" economic conditions and scary capital markets had forced them to delay Echelon construction. The official statement from MHG:
Given Boyd's announcement and the difficulties in the credit markets, MHG believes that the joint venture will be unable to secure financing at favorable rates and conditions by September 15, 2008. MHG does not intend to further extend the joint venture agreement on its current terms but expects to evaluate future proposals relating to the project with Boyd.
In other words: Mondrian Las Vegas and Delano Las Vegas? Crapped out.
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by juliana
Wow. This is the most stunning 
