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The W New York Downtown Will Get Its BLT On

Where: 123 Washington Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10006

Despite news that Starwood’s third-quarter profits have declined 64 percent, work continues on the W New York Downtown Hotel. And let us be the first to say that we're happy about what's cookin' in the kitchen.

Some time back it looked like Trump SoHo would be getting a Laurent Tourondel BLT restaurant, but then came news that the two brands did not play nice:

“BLT Restaurants are recognized for a particular style of food and service which ended up not being what the Trump Organization was interested in,” said Jimmy Haber, Managing Partner of BLT Restaurant Group.

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Tags: W New York Downtown / Hotel Openings / Hotel Delays / W Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / → All Tags

W New York Downtown Shoots For December 1st, 2009

Where: 123 Washington Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10006

Today in "good luck with that one" news: we never thought we'd see the day, but the W New York Downtown seems to have selected an opening date.

For a long time, the hotel's website was sittin' pretty with an "Opening 2010" splashed up across the top, and the only news we were hearing about the place were coming in the form of updates on the latest construction disasters and some rather upsetting outdoor terrace views.

However, the site doesn't have a whole lot of info about the hotel itself (no amenity lists, bookable rooms or particularly groundbreaking renderings — well, except for this one of the sky bar, above), but at least there's a date, right?

Not to be those people, but we're going to guess the actual opening might arrive sometime in March or April of 2010. But we'll see, won't we?

Tags: Green Hotels / Hotel Hype / Manhattan Hotels / Eco-Hotels / → All Tags

New York Gets a Second Chance at a Green Hotel

Greenhouse 26, we hardly knew ye. New York's got a new "green" boutique hotel gunning for environmentally friendly LEED certification: 50 West Street.

The 65-story new build, set to debut in 2011, will recycle its demolition waste and use sustainable and renewable materials to construct its green roof, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, automated blinds and energy control systems. The property will have 280 residential units and 155 hotel rooms, all of which will have energy efficient glass façades to make use of daylight while also filtering out those oh-so-harmful UV rays.

The groundbreaking took place Friday--complete with an organic breakfast and blessings by a reverend and a rabbi, according to The Observer--so it looks as though 50 West Street has a much better chance of coming to fruition than Greenhouse 26, if for no other reason than God willing it so.

[Photo: The New York Observer]

Tags: Hotel Pools / Manhattan Hotels / Marriott Hotels / → All Tags

Swimming in Manhattan at the Marriott

Where: 85 West Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10006

It's true, it was 79 degrees in Manhattan yesterday...a few degrees more and we'll need a beach. Or a pool. How about a hotel pool?

The Gansevoort's rooftop pool sounds fantastic, with its views and situation, but what is one to do when just a swim is in order, not a stylish scene? Plus we just want our water to sound like water, instead of music piped into the pool, which the Times Square's Hotel QT boasts as one of its aquatic perks.

The kicker is these hotel pools are off-limits -- both are restricted to guests, so muster the stamina to try and sneak in, and steel yourself to be booted before you ever hit the water.

A guaranteed option of hotel and water in Manhattan is The Marriott at The Financial Center. They offer an all-day fee of $25 to use their pool, fitness center, and as many towels as you can wrap around your waist. Children get in for $15.

A reservationist at the hotel reveals that they also offer annual pool passes for $650.  This actually beats the prices on yearly dues for some of the more affordable health clubs.  That's pretty darn smart.

Hint to hoteliers: It would be great if more hotels opened their doors to non-guests to use their season-friendly facilities; pools are an excellent place to begin.

[Photo: Edyson]