Tag: hotel openings
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After 3-Year Delay, Four Seasons New York Downtown Is Back On Track
Three years ago, we told you to mark your calendars for the 2014 opening of Four Seasons New York Downtown. Well, here we are in 2013 and not much progress has been made. In fact, we were juuust getting ready to strike said reminder from our iCal when we stumbled across this article yesterday throwing our hopes back into the air.
The reports says that the project is once again moving forward—now that financing has been secured—and that the 185-room luxury hotel is now set for a 2016 opening. Originally, this hotel was slated to open in 2011 (ha!), though by now we've come to understand that projected opening dates mean diddly squat and any hotel that opens on time is a rare thing indeed.
But back to the Four Seasons: the report doesn't give us too much new information except that the building will be 926 feet tall (one of the tallest hotels in NYC) and that the lobby will be a three-story atrium with lounges, a ballroom, a restaurant, meeting spaces, and a spa.
Hotel Openings / Florida Hotels / Beach Hotels / Hotel Technology / Hotel News / Apple TV / → All Tags
There's a New Beachfront Resort Coming to Florida (With Apple TV Too!)
All right, so here we go: Apple TV is digging its heels in the hotel industry.
When The Pearl, a 55-room luxury resort, opens in July on Rosemary Beach Florida, it will offer Apple TV in all its rooms. Is it ironic that an establishment on a beautiful stretch of beach is upgrading your television-watching ability? Totally!
We've hashed out our torn opinions about the value of in-room technology and its effects on the art of travel, especially when it drives up the room rate, but we do know that there are many travelers who will be quite pleased by this news (some of us included!). For those who've just come out of hibernation, Apple TV will allow you to stream shows and movies from iTunes and Netflix right to your hotel room.
Hotel Openings / Hotel News / Sofitel So Hotels / Sofitel Hotels / Singapore Hotels / → All Tags
The Sofitel So Singapore Will Have Karl Lagerfeld's Touch and So Much More
When we heard Karl Lagerfeld was going to be involved in the design of Sofitel So Singapore, our minds were racing with questions: would there be chocolate versions of muse Baptiste Giabiconi to take a bite out of? Would Choupette be luxuriating around the lobby, recovering from its strenuous private-jet lifestyle (and tweeting about it)? Would the Kaiser himself take centre stage near the entrance, giving side eye to anyone who deigned coming in wearing - dare we say it - crocs? So many possibilities…
Naturally, we had to use the opportunity of being in Singapore to walk by the construction site on Robinson Road, but in order to ensure we got all the scoop for you, we also stopped by its pre-opening office for a chance to sit down with the hotel’s General Manager and Director of Sales. Read on for more on what’s being prepared behind the building’s neo-classical façade, scheduled to come together for a November 1st opening.
Celebrity Scoop / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Bars / Hotel Openings / Hotel News / → All Tags
Cameron Diaz Flirts With Strangers In Hotel Bars
Either Cameron Diaz has been reading HotelChatter, or she's got friends who keep a close eye on the NYC hotel scene. The Jade Hotel is still brand new (it officially opened just over two months ago) but that didn't stop the long-legged beauty from stopping by this past weekend.
The NY Post spotted Diaz hanging out at Grape & Vine, an intimate cocktail bar and bistro located behind the lobby. According to the spy:
"The bar area was so crowded, but Cameron and her friends sat right in front of the bar and joked around with the bartender . . . Most people were dressed up, but she was in a T-shirt and jeans, wearing flats with her hair up."
The article goes on to say that she "graciously spoke to a guy who was trying to flirt with her." We can't imagine ever trying to walk up to Cameron "Something About Mary" Diaz and asking for her number, but it's nice to know if we ever do see her in a hotel, we'd have a shot.
Meanwhile, we wonder if she surprised the bartender by ordering one of the bar's secret, off-the-menu cocktails that we wrote about last month. Or maybe her visit inspired them to name a whole new drink after her…
Diaz, who's in town filming scenes for her next movie, The Other Woman, didn't spend the night at the hotel (despite her admirer's best efforts, we're sure), but if you feel like resting your head in a place Cameron Diaz likes to hang out, rates here start at $280/night.
Hotel Openings / Turkey Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Spas / Shangri-La Hotels / Istanbul Hotels / → All Tags
Shangri-La Bosphorus Will Rain Crystals On You For $650 a Night
With plenty of new hotels heating up the scene in Turkey (Fairmont, Nikki Beach Resort, Four Seasons, to name but a few), it's no surprise that Shangri-La's shrewd crew of hotel planners wanted to plant their flag as well.
Over the weekend, the gorgeous Shangri-La Bosphorus officially opened its doors, with 186 guest rooms, a spa, and a three-story dome-shaped atrium capped with a skylight as well as a "massive Bohemian chandelier that rains crystals for two storeys." Oh, those Turks.
Hotel Openings / Boston Hotels / Boutique Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
Boston's Newest Hotel Has The Amenities You Need at The Price You Want
Well, looky here! A new boutique hotel has opened on the sly in Boston.
The Chandler Studios, a block away from its sister hotel, The Chandler Inn Hotel in the South End neighborhood, is comprised of just 11 studios and a one-bedroom suite, all decorated in a mod fashion (white beds, red accent furniture) with a industrial undertones (the hotel is located in a 100-year-old brownstone.)
But what the hotel lacks in size, it makes up for with some serious technology and necessary amenities like a virtual check-in via keyless entry system, complimentary wired and wireless internet, flat-screen TVs, complimentary phone calls within the U.S., fully-equipped kitchenettes, coffee-maker, walk-in shower and a hair dryer.
Check in for the Chandler Studios actually happens at the Chandler Inn Hotel where guests are given entry codes to the Chandler Studios building and their guest room. There are no staffers on-site but the Chandler Inn Hotel staffers are available 24 hours a day. Also, the rooms include daily maid service. Essentially, it's like staying in an apartment building but it's operated by a hotel nearby.
Best of all, this ultra private stay won't cost you more. We found a studio room with a queen bed for just $259 a night. Want a king bed? The rate bumps up to $319.
[Photo: Chandler Studios]
Hotel Openings / Hotel News / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Ritz-Carlton Reserve Hotels / Luxury Hotels / Japan Hotels / Kyoto Hotels / → All Tags
Konichiwa! Ritz-Carlton Kyoto To Open Next Year, Much More To Come
When we looked at the Ritz-Carlton Okinawa last October, we mentioned that a fourth Japanese property was in the works in Kyoto, the country’s former imperial capital and home to no less than 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Now, the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto is confirmed as opening on February 7, 2014, alongside a host of other new hotels being announced. We’ll give you a breakdown of what’s happening below.
Billed as an urban resort, the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto will have 136 rooms on the banks of the Kamogawa River, with views of the Higashiyama Mountains. Traditional Meiji house and courtyard architecture is incorporated into the building’s structure, and the hotel will have four dining options, as well as meeting facilities and a spa.
Celebrity Scoop / Marriott Hotels / Residence Inn Hotels / Family-Friendly Hotels / Cat Cora / Gay-Friendly Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Openings / Manhattan Hotels / → All Tags
New Residence Inn Midtown East Names Cat Cora "Mom of the Year"
Somehow a new Residence Inn opened in NYC on March 1st, and we heard not a whisper about it, until we were invited to their grand opening last week. The day happened to coincide with the brands third annual "Resident Mom of the Year" celebration, which always occurs near Mother's Day.
Sister hotel Residence Inn Times Square usually hosts this event (the first honor went to Holly Robinson Peete), however, this was an opportunity to showcase the new, 211-room Midtown hotel.
So, who was bestowed the honor of spokeswoman for Residence Inn's, all-suite, family-friendly properties? None other than Iron Chef, tv-host, and mama extraordinaire, Cat Cora.
Cat dazzled the crowd with her cute southern twang, warm personality, and ability to convince the crowd that cooking quinoa, stir fry, and parfaits is simple as pie in the hotel's kitchen.
Hotel Openings / Hotel News / Dublin Hotels / Ireland Hotels / Leading Hotels of the World / → All Tags
Dublin's Dockland Area Debuts The Marker Hotel
It's about that time when folks start preparing for their European vacation. The quandary is always the same though--where to stay that won't break the bank, especially when airfares to cross the pond can get outrageous this time of year.
Luckily we've found a happy medium and it's called The Marker Hotel Dublin. Opened on April 2nd, the city's Dockland area has received its first five-star property. But despite the ritzy status (it's become part of the Leading Hotels of the World), the 187-room hotel appears to be quite down-to-earth, yet trendy with a fun cocktail bar, the biggest roof bar in Dublin, and of course, walls dotted with whimsical Irish art.
b2 Hotels / Hotel Openings / Miami Hotel Mambo / B Hotels / → All Tags
The b2 Hotel is Now Open in Downtown Miami
There's no shortage of hotel options in Miami these days but the newly-opened b2 miami downtown, across from the Bayfront Park and less than a 10-minute walk away from the American Airlines Arena, is one hotel that won't break the bank.
All 243 rooms at the b2 miami downtown offer either city or bay views and feature modern furnishings and amenities such as the B-branded Blissful Bed, interactive HD LED TVs with web capabilities, built-in docking stations with USB port and MicroSD cords and Aveda bath amenities. And don't forget the free WiFi!
The b2 hotel is the second hotel from B Hotels and Resorts. The first B Hotel opened two years ago in Fort Lauderdale while The B Hotel Disney World will open this Fall. b2, however, is the more affordable B brand, promising guests all the signature services of a B Hotel like free WiFi, in-room dining, mood-lighting and more but at more affordable prices.
This b2 also features a new eatery from restauranteur Jeffrey Chodorow of China Grill Management called Biscayne Tavern. The spot is now serving up "the next evolution of comfort food" such as grass-fed beef burgers, oyster po-boys, short-rib pot roast and truffle popovers. (Don't fret, vegetarians. The menus has array of salads and pastas too.
We found a Chic City King for tomorrow night with free parking (normally $25) for just $128.15. Un-B-lievable! Perhaps we can trust this B after all.
Hotel Openings / Hotel News / Shangri-La Hotels / Shanghai Hotels / → All Tags
Shangri-La Debuts 2nd Shanghai Hotel and Delays London
At the beginning of the year we were hoping that after seemingly endless anticipation, end of June would be the time to finally whiz up to the heights of Shangri-La at the Shard in London. Latest word however is that we’ll all have to hold our breath until after the summer before that can happen, with opening of the hotel pushed back to September.
While we continue to wait, the group is offering something to tie us over though: the Jing An Shangri-La Puxi, its second hotel in Shanghai, due to arrive on June 29 in the city's west end. Its older sibling can be found in the eastern Pudong business district, looking impossibly small from high up its vertiginous neighbor.
Hotel Rebrandings / Hotel Openings / Langham Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Bars / Hotel Restaurants / Hotel News / → All Tags
How Will Langham Place Fifth Avenue's New Lounge 'Measure' Up To the Old One?
While Langham Chicago seems to be going through some minor delays, the wait is officially over with Langham's newly-rebranded property in New York. making its grand debut tomorrow.
Though we gave you a heads up about the change last fall, Langham sent out a formal announcement late last week, confirming that tomorrow, May 7, the former Setai Fifth Avenue will become Langham Place, Fifth Avenue. The announcement mostly tells us what we already knew, except for a few minor details. It turns out the hotel will indeed undergo some cosmetic changes—including new permanent artworks, updated decor, a Chuan spa, and a new lounge/bar concept.
And good news for folks visiting NYC this week: the opening of the new lounge, featuring a menu by former Maialino chef Jeffrey Seizer, coincides with the re-branding of the hotel tomorrow. So come hungry!
(For those of you wondering about the fate of the hotel's celebrated restaurant, Ai Fiori, rest assured. It's staying put for now.)
