Tag: ian schrager

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To Secure The Future of 'Edition' Hotels, Marriott's Putting Its Money Where Its Mouth Is

January 19, 2012 at 9:08 AM | by | Comments (0)

Though we felt some faint ripples in the Edition pond back in October, it looks like things are moving along at a pretty steady clip. The WSJ is reporting that Marriott has invested $800 million of its own money into three of the five new Edition hotels it hopes to open over the next three years (Hmm, haven't we heard this one before?).

Those three properties include: the Berners hotel in London; the Seville Beach Resort in Miami; Abu Dhabi; Bangkok, and, of course, New York's Clock Tower (above). Consider Waikiki and Istanbul the "test drives" of the Edition brand. Now, it kind of comes down to a do-or-die situation. Either the five new hotels soar, or they sink fast. But with so much of its own money at stake, and Ian Schrager's reputation on the line, Marriott should certainly have the momentum it needs for lift-off.

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Hold the Phone: The Public Chicago Will Be Offering Rooms for Just a $1

Where: 1301 N. State Pkwy [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60610
January 10, 2012 at 8:45 AM | by | Comments (0)

We never once thought the rooms at the hot new award-winning Public Hotel in Chicago were too pricey (we stayed there on opening night for $135 and have recently seen specials for $100 a night) but it looks like hotelier Ian Schrager is staying true to his promise to make Public available to the public--because he's just announced the hotel's first ever ONE DOLLAR SALE.

For a 90-day period starting on a secret date, Public will offer three special guest rooms per night, each with a rate of just $1. Not $10, not $5, ONE DOLLAR.

Once the sale goes live, prospective guests have 48 hours to book a room for $1 within the 90-day booking period (meaning you can book your stay either 10 days or 90 days in advance.)

It is first come, first served so there is no time to think it over, text with your boyfriend, DM your roommate or ask your friends on Facebook if you think you should book it. You just book it. Right there, right away. And then you can use the savings to have a seriously gluttonous meal down at The Pump Room.

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Hotelier of The Year: The Public Antics of Ian Schrager

December 30, 2011 at 2:30 PM | by | Comment (1)

It's what you've been waiting all year for--The 2011 HotelChatter Awards! We'll be bringing you the best and worst of the year all day today and part of tomorrow. Agree or disagree with our picks? Air your thoughts in comments below.

Incredibly, in the history of HotelChatter Awards*, we have never given the Hotelier of the Year Award to Ian Schrager. But he's finally earned the honor in 2011 and that's all thanks to his well-executed vision for Public Hotels.

Sure, this year wasn't entirely perfect for Ian, thanks to a pesky lawsuit from the owners of the Waikiki Edition, now the Modern Honolulu, who claimed that Schrager has essentially bailed on the development in order to focus on Public. (You can read his official statement on the "frivolous" lawsuit here.)

He also gave up control of the Gramercy Park Hotel late last year which was pretty shocking, given how much fanfare went into the hotel's opening, the parade of celebrity guests who spent the night and how could we forget, the discriminating door policy for the Rose Bar.

But not only did we like what Public turned out to be, we liked how Ian took this new hotel brand public, if you will.

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Public New York Will Go Public in Three Years

November 14, 2011 at 10:29 AM | by | Comments (0)

Good news for people who love the Public Chicago hotel. Ian Schrager is officially bringing his new Public Hotels brand to the Big Apple. The WSJ reports that Schrager has teamed up with developer Douglas Durst to put in a 250-room Public Hotel in the lower 16 floors of a 56-story residential building in Manhattan's hottest new hotel nabe, Herald Square.

Much of what we found (and loved) at the Public Chicago--simple but stylish rooms, the Public Express room service, a happening restaurant and bar scene (over 10,000-sq.ft)--will be at the Public New York but along with a nightclub, a health club, pool and an outdoor garden. And for what it's worth, residential tenants in the building will also have access to the hotel amenities including room service. (Rents for a one-bedroom unit will start at $4,500 if you're interested.)

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All You Need To Know About The Public Chicago

October 11, 2011 at 4:15 PM | by | Comments (0)

Ian Schrager is hosting the official grand opening for his new Public Chicago today and as much as we'd like to be there (yes, we were actually invited) we've got other hotel business to attend to.

That said, since we visited Public Chicago last month and practically made out with it, allow us to show you all around the property...virtually. After you're done reading through our online diary and want to book a room, rates are currently hovering at $195 a night this weekend for a standard king.

If you're not in Chicago or don't have plans to go to Chicago, don't fret. Schrager is serious about his Public expansion plans as Business Week reports that he has acquired land in both London and New York for his next Public Hotels......aakdj;OIEU8920[paksjfal;wieu0[23prw;/. Sorry, we just passed out on our keyboard from excitement. Public is going worldwide! Shots for everyone!

We'll have more on the Public developments tomorrow but until then, here's all you need to know about the Public Chicago:

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What Does The Public Think of Public?

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1301 North State Parkway [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60601
September 27, 2011 at 4:53 PM | by | Comments (0)

We gave you the complete lowdown on Ian Schrager's brand new Public Chicago hotel the other week but today we decided to check in with the rest of the general public on TripAdvisor to see what their reactions are. And so far, so good. Or as good as it can be with just three reviews.

The first reviewer claimed to stumble across the hotel by accident but is now a devoted fan, especially of the delicious The Pump Room:

The other thing...I don't often eat in hotel restaurants, and I've NEVER done this before but I stayed two nights and ate lunch and dinner in the hotel both days. The Pump Room may very well be my favorite restaurant, so even if you aren't staying there definitely go for lunch or dinner. There's a great bar on the other side of the lobby too where you can get some some of the lunch entrees.

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Inside The (New!) Pump Room at Public Chicago

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1301 N State Pkwy [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60610
September 16, 2011 at 4:30 PM | by | Comments (0)

Like with any good meal, we saved the best for last. And we're talking about the revamped legendary Pump Room restaurant from Jean-Georges Vongerichten inside Ian Schrager's new hotel, Public Chicago.

Ok, now that we've got that loaded introduction (Pump Room! Vongerichten! Schrager!) out of the way, onto the good stuff. Oh but first, to be fair, while JGV designed the menu concept, the chef hard at work in the restaurant is chef Bradford Phillips, an Indiana native whose resume includes NoMI at The Park Hyatt Chicago. Now, onto the food!

So we actually took a seat in the hotel's Library Bar on the other side of the lobby hoping to sip a drink and eat some food away from the Pump Room scene. (It was opening night so there was lots of backslapping going on and PYTs clogging up the bar.) But a hostess told us that while they would usually serve food in the bar area, that was not happening tonight. There were, however, some cancellations for dinner and she could seat us in the Pump Room instead.

Eeeee, we hesitated because we were dining by our lonesome. But faced with the possibility of not having tasted the Pump Room before checking out, we said, F it and followed the hostess to a table along the windows and overlooking the hubub in the middle of the restaurant.

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Riding a Bike in Public, Er, At Public Chicago

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1301 North State Parkway [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60601
September 14, 2011 at 4:19 PM | by | Comments (0)

Our heart-on for Ian Schrager's newest hotel concept, Public Chicago continues with a look at the bikes in front for guests to ride.

We took one of these bad boys, Trek Bicycles, out for a spin on opening night down to Lake Shore and along the beach's bike path. With the wind in our hair on a beautiful warm Chicago evening, admiring the lake and the city views, everything seemed right with the world.

Nevermind that we were wearing tight-legged jeans which made for uncomfortable dismounting and new Chanel flats that got a little scuffed up, because it's life little pleasures like riding a bike that are important, right? Also, this bike ride had us wanting to make Chicago our boyfriend. Until the winter comes anyways.

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Public Express at Public Chicago is a Room Service Game-Changer

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1301 North State Parkway [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60601
September 14, 2011 at 11:11 AM | by | Comments (2)

Trust us, this brown-bag meal is awesome.

We hope you've had fun looking at some of the room photos and public spaces shots at the just-opened Public Chicago from Ian Schrager. As promised, we've got more to show you from the hotel starting now with Public Express, the Public Hotels' new room service concept.

We love room service but there are times when we just don't want to bothered with all the pomp and circumstance that comes with having room service delivered to your room--you know, the awkwardness of letting the waiter into your room, hoping you are not too disheveled looking and that there isn't any underwear strewn about, waiting uncomfortably while he sets up the tray and then hemming and hawing over giving an added tip.

But now with Public Express, you don't have to deal with any of that. That's because the simple meals and sides are delivered within minutes to your room and left at your door with just a sharp knock from the staffer.

Need a visual on how Public Express works? Peruse our step-by-step photo gallery below!

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Inside The Public Chicago Hotel

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1301 North State Pkwy [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60610
September 13, 2011 at 11:44 AM | by | Comments (6)

Yesterday on our latest hotel-hopping adventure, we landed at Chicago O'Hare Airport and caught a taxi cab into the city. When the cabbie asked us where we were headed, we decided to use the hotel's former name instead, "We're going to the Ambassador East Hotel in the Gold Coast, although it's going to be called something different now."

The cabbie nodded his head up and down in recognition at Ambassador East but once we got on our way, he asked, "What do you mean it's going to be called something new now?"

So we explained that the entire hotel had been renovated and was now going by a new name--Public Chicago. Our cabbie's reaction: "What? They couldn't come up with a fanicer name? That sounds like the poor house!" That had us chuckling in the backseat but we weren't laughing when we pulled up to the hotel.

The twinkling lights over the hotel's front entrance and the good-looking bellmen waiting in front had us gasping, "Gramercy Park!" Yes, just five years ago a taxi cab was dropping us off in front of another similar scene directed by the same man, master hotelier Ian Schrager.

But where Gramercy Park was cold and gothic inside, Public Chicago is warm and laid-back without sacrificing any of its high style and at the same time, achieving the perfect balance between affordability and luxury. In short, we like Public. A LOT.

For photos and video of Public Chicago, keep reading!

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We Take a Design Nerd Stroll Through The Delano

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1685 Collins Avenue [map], Miami Beach, FL, United States, 33139
August 31, 2011 at 12:30 PM | by | Comments (0)

Since it opened in 1994, the Delano Hotel has defined what it means to be a chic, South Beach boutique hotel.

Next year, its creative guru Philippe Starck will give the beach a new vision, with his work on SLS South Beach--mere steps away from the hotel that started it all. But can he top the ground-breaking work he produced for Ian Schrager at Delano?

After we took an 'ethos tour' with Delano GM Steven Hiblum, who pointed out the little quirks we'd missed on previous strolls through the lobby, and told us all about Starck's inspiration for his designs, we're not sure he can.

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Schrager + Living Social + Pump Room: A Flurry of Public Activity

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1301 N State Pkwy [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60610
August 12, 2011 at 1:47 PM | by | Comments (0)

The other day we noted that rooms at the soon-to-open Public Chicago had gone up just slightly to $215 a night but now there's a way to get a room for less--on LivingSocial.com.

The daily deal site has rooms at the hotel for $170 a night with a free upgrade to a superior king room. The catch is those rooms are good for stays in January-March, high winter in Chi-town. But you can pay just $25 extra and get a standard king from more bearable months of September to December. Or you could really splurge with $325 a night for a Loft King (again, available September to December.)

More perks include a custom designed Le Cabo candle, continental breakfast for two in the on-site restaurant Public Express, a welcome amenity of fresh fruit and bottled water and late check-out at 3pm.

The site is also offering tickets to the hotel's grand opening party on October 11--two for $900 or four for $2,500 and that includes a stay in a suite, breakfast for two in the Pump Room, champagne and truffles and a 5pm late checkout. (Ok, that last perk is awesome.)

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