Tag: hotel news

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And Another Hotel Restaurant Fails To Launch

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 30 Kenmare Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10012
February 10, 2012 at 9:41 AM | by | Comments (0)

Despite a last ditch attempt last month to re-invigorate the space with some leather banquettes and a large communal table, Ellabess, The Nolitan's restaurant, has closed until further notice. A post on Eater confirms that the owners hope to come up with something new by this spring, though for now the plan seems unclear.

Bizarrely, this news comes just three weeks after the abrupt closing of Pillar & Plough over at Hotel Williamsburg. Granted, those guys are in the process of transitioning to new ownership, so they're (kind of) off the hook. But what's the Nolitan's excuse? As far as we know, nothing about the hotel itself has changed. And after all that build-up, too...

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Revel in Atlantic City Will Open Hotel Reservations on March 5

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 500 Boardwalk [map], Atlantic City, NJ, United States, 08401
February 9, 2012 at 1:15 PM | by | Comments (0)

Gamblers and Jersey Shore lovers alike rejoice! Revel, the crazysexycool-looking casino-hotel complex on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, has just announced today that it will open up reservations for its 1,800 hotel rooms and suites starting March 5. The hotel will then soft-open on April 2 with the hotel fully functional and seven restaurants open.

But come May 25 and Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer for the Jersey Shore, all of Revel's restaurants, performance spaces, gaming, spa, nightlife and daylife will be open. And they sound freaking amazing, especially Revelry, located 61-feet above sea level and which will house restaurants, shops, nightclubs and a performance space for 700. Revel will also open The Mezz, a theater with a capacity for 5,500 people and we're betting the InOut Pool which begins inside near the lobby and flows outside, will be a big hit.

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Autograph Adds A Few Vintage Pieces in Miami and New Orleans

February 9, 2012 at 10:25 AM | by | Comments (0)

Well, if it isn't Autograph Collection, inching ever closer to its goal of world hotel domination. Last month saw the brand add a second NYC property to its portfolio (the lesser-known, but architecturally striking Carlton Hotel); meanwhile, yesterday, it was announced that Autograph has picked up an additional three hotels—two in Miami and one in New Orleans.

Each of the hotels has some sort of historical significance. For example, despite a very recent opening, The Saint Hotel has actually been around since the early 1900s, and indeed, that New Orleans jazz heritage plays a big role in the hotel's artwork, public spaces, and general "Southern classic" appeal.

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Now What's Your Excuse? Westin Rolls Out New Guest-Approved Fitness Studios

February 9, 2012 at 9:30 AM | by | Comment (1)

Now it's almost mid-February, you may have forgotten all about those pesky little things called New Year's Resolutions. Especially if they involve sweating up a storm. But Westin Hotels hasn't!

Westin Hotels & Resorts is transforming the fitness centers at each of its 186 hotels around the world, based on research into what guests want in a hotel gym. The new design means new equipment, more floor space for stretching, yoga and other mat-based work, and something called blue-light therapy.

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JW Marriott Marquis Dubai to Be Tallest Hotel in the World

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
February 8, 2012 at 4:36 PM | by | Comments (0)

Well it looks like Marriott Hotels won't be relinquishing their title of "World's Tallest Hotel" anytime soon. Though that distinction belongs currently to the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong come later this year, it will be wrested away by the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai.

Marriott made the announcement today saying that the two towers of the 1,608-room hotel will stand 1,164 feet tall, making them just 85 feet shorter than the Empire State Building. And unlike other hotels in buildings this tall, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai will be entirely dedicated to hotel operations.

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It's Probably Never A Good Idea To Sneak Up On A NYC Hotel Maid

February 8, 2012 at 10:54 AM | by | Comments (0)

The New York Times ran an interesting piece today on a contract reached between union members and the major NYC hotels that employ them. Among other tidbits, we learn that hotels will soon be providing employees with their own personal panic buttons.

The decision, clearly influenced by a certain scandal at Sofitel New York involving a certain IMF chief last year, is a sure victory for housekeepers and room-service waiters and waitresses everywhere.

As long as they don't get button-happy, of course, and start panicking every time a door slams shut. But still, the less we see of this kind of thing, the better.

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Trump DC Will Open Across The Street From The White House

February 8, 2012 at 8:41 AM | by | Comments (0)

It was announced this morning that, after much consideration, Trump will be the one to revive DC's floundering architectural relic, the Old Post Office, by turning it into a 250-room hotel. According to the Washington Post, quite a few investors and developers (including Hilton) had their eye on the building, which dates back to the 1890s.

Though Trump and his daughter Ivanka have plans to do it up Trump-style (think wall mosaics, temperature-controlled chocolate labs, Louis Vuitton-inspired wine bars), the plan—for now, at least—is actually to preserve the hotel's heritage.

"I think the historic facade of the building will be the greatest signage of all," Ivanka told journalists yesterday. Because, as we all know, it's what's inside that counts.

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Trump Unveils Slick New Website Encouraging You to 'Live the Life'

February 7, 2012 at 12:51 PM | by | Comment (1)

Now that Trump Hotels has seven hotels in their collection, they must have figured it was about time to upgrade their website--TrumpHotelCollection.com.

While the old site was very traditional and anchored down by exterior shots of the Trump Hotels, the new site shows off what life is like inside a Trump Hotel using nearly full page photos of hotel "guests". And this being Trump, the Trump experience involves gorgeous wealthy couples doing fabulous things like dining, drinking, shopping, dancing, getting fitted for new clothes, tanning by the pool, watching the chef cook in the kitchen and feeding each other mystery sushi. As for room photos, those seem to have been imported over from the old site so not much new to see here.

The site also gives curious guests the options of live chatting with Trump Hotels and the ability to click-to-call with the Trump Attaché service. And with a consistent booking widget on every page, there's no need to go back or head to the home page to book a room. Plus, if you now hold a Trump Card, you can sign into your account directly from the site.

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The Veil Has Been Lifted From Waldorf-Astoria's Presidential Suite. Now What?

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 301 Park Ave [map], New York, NY, United States, 10022
February 7, 2012 at 9:20 AM | by | Comments (0)

Barring the possibility that you're a former President—or that you don't mind spending $10,000/night—then you've likely never caught a glimpse of the Waldorf-Astoria's Presidential Suite. Why? Because until recently, the hotel has never allowed photography inside the suite.

Lucky for us, the NY Daily News has taken on the oppressive task of video touring the entire space—from gleaming top (the crystal chandelier in the master bedroom) to well-polished bottom (the black-and-white tiled bathroom floor).

Now, the goods are out in the open for all to see. So, what do you think?

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The Cassa Hotel in NYC is Now a Viceroy

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 70 West 45th Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10036
February 6, 2012 at 4:55 PM | by | Comment (1)

Well this is a very bit of surprising news--The Cassa Hotel on West 45th Street in Manhattan now belongs to the Viceroy Hotel Group. Looks like the Year of the Dragon is getting off on a good foot for the hotel!

Management of the Cassa (whose owners filed for bankruptcy last April) was officially transferred to the Viceroy Hotel Group on January 20th and the hotel now belongs to Viceroy's Urban Retreat Collection. This also marks the first NYC hotel for the Viceroy group (finally!)

It doesn't appear as if much will change throughout the hotels 165 rooms and suites but the hotel is getting a new restaurant from Chef Laurent Tourondel--BLT American Brasserie which will serve classic American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We reported on that opening back in Aprilbut it looks like it's really happening this time, and soon.

Interested in staying at the new, improved and Viceroy-ized Cassa Hotel? Rates for next weekend were going for just $279 a night for a deluxe room with a queen bed. Suites were starting at only $479 a night.

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Opening Night at The Belgraves Was Not Without (Quite) a Few Teething Problems

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 20 Chesham Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1X 8HQ
February 6, 2012 at 12:57 PM | by | Comments (2)

So Belgraves – Thompson’s first hotel outside of the US – opened Wednesday night, and we were seventh to check in on opening night. What to expect? Well, according to the hotel:

Belgraves interprets the Thompson luxury experience in London, joining an ongoing creative movement in design, dining and art that is currently forging the “new Britannia”

Them’s some big promises. Anyways, we brought you pictures of the rooms and the public areas last week; this week, it’s time to talk our experience. Did it live up to our (high) expectations?

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Whatever They're Planning, It Better Not Be Another Westin Times Square Eyesore

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 212 E 42nd St , New York, NY, 10017
February 6, 2012 at 12:35 PM | by | Comments (4)

Two weeks ago, we learned that Host Hotels had purchased the New York Helmsley and was planning on re-making it into a Westin. Now, we find out that $65 million is being poured into the building for what they're calling an "extensive re-branding initiative."

Fine. The part that gets us, though, is when they mention that the entire facade of the building is gonna be transformed as well. Ah, real monsters! We desperately hope Westin isn't sketching out a repeat of their purple-and-blue stripey Times Square mess (which we once upon a time dubbed one of the ugliest hotels alive). For a 774-room hotel in midtown Manhattan, we're not sure what kind of "statement" Westin will be going for, but hopefully nothing big. A nice scrub-down and maybe some window replacements should do the trick nicely.

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