Triplex Rooftop Pool Complex, Spa, Ballroom, Dining and Retail Under One Roof

The Gansevoort Hotel Group, known for pioneering the rooftop pool, will open its fourth, and most upscale property this summer, with the opening of Gansevoort Park at the corner of Park Avenue and 29th Street.  The 249-room urban resort promises an uptown experience with a downtown vibe, while elevating the rooftop pool to new heights.

Just as Gansevoort’s first location in the Meatpacking District is credited with spurring the neighborhood’s transition from gritty to chic, Gansevoort Park aspires to invigorate this corridor of the city on Park Avenue between Madison Square and Gramercy Park. Built from the ground up on what had formerly been Marathon bank, Gansevoort Park will be the crown jewel in a number of new hotels from Eventi to the Carlton, Roger, and Ace, to cut a swath across 29th Street from East to West.

The peerless amenities at Gansevoort Park include generously proportioned guest rooms and suites, many with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows, a heated indoor-outdoor pool; six distinctive event spaces; unobstructed views of the Empire State Building; four fireplaces; exhale spa including a yoga and core studio; fitness room; sauna; Ballroom; Asellina, an Italian trattoria and an infusion liquor bar operated by the One Group; a duplex corner retail space and Cutler Salon.
The dramatic three-story lobby, guestrooms, penthouse suite and pool area are being designed by architect Stephen B. Jacobs and interior designer Andi Pepper (the team responsible for Gansevoort Meatpacking). Manhattan-based ICRAVE is designing Asellina and the infusion bar.  ICRAVE has established a reputation for creating many of New York’s and Los Angeles’ most successful nightclubs and restaurants including the recently opened Provocateur, STK, Koi, Tenjune, One Little West 12th, and Villa in Los Angeles.

Gansevoort Park’s design is decidedly contemporary with some classical references and inspiration drawn from a peek-a-boo aesthetic of 1940’s glam.  Noted photographer Deborah Anderson’s sensual art will be integrated throughout the hotel on walls, table tops and in guest rooms.

“We are creating a sophisticated and fun-filled environment with first-rate service, all under one roof,” said Michael Achenbaum of WSA Management, Ltd., who is developing the property.

The rates at Gansevoort Park will start at $495 per night.

Gansevoort Park is being developed by WSA Management, Ltd, Centurion Realty, LLC, and Levine Builders.

Other Gansevoort Hotels: New York (Meatpacking District), Miami Beach and Turks and Caicos Islands.

… A new hotel, a new address, elegant and confidential …LE BURGUNDY PARIS

Spring and its bright days will greet the opening of a new deluxe boutique hotel in the
heart of Paris.
Ideally located where the rue Duphot meets the rue Saint-Honoré, Le Burgundy Paris,
the new intimate, confidential address brings elegance and delicacy to hotel luxury.
Architects and decorators have crafted a refined, exclusive decor, blending
contemporary furniture and luxurious materials while favouring space and light.
Le Burgundy Paris, a veritable showcase of precious and uncommon “objets d’art”,
devotes a large space to contemporary art. Under the impressive atrium window, Guy
de Rougemont offers a unique piece representing softly-curved femininity. Artists and
their works compose, in the purest harmony, this charming space.
Faithful to the 5 stars that have already been set aside for it, Le Burgundy Paris derives
its distinction from its exquisite, personalized service.

Comfort
The suites Vendôme, Royale, Malesherbes, Saint-Honoré, pay tribute to the splendour
of a mythical district while raising the luxury of their references.
51 rooms and 8 suites offer a modern, refined luxury promising a contemporary
atmosphere combining contentment and cosiness. This same refinement lives in the bathrooms, where light-coloured stone, black marble
and chrome accessories delicately coalesce.

History and References
Le Baudelaire, quiet and cosy bar, is impressive with its monumental fresco by Marco
del Re, bringing the verses of the “Flowers of Evil” to life.

Delights and Tradition
Opening onto a quiet patio, the restaurant, your rendezvous with French-style good
taste, offers delectable, innovative dishes that delve into traditional French cuisine.
Entrusted with this culinary art is Pierre Daret, a talented chef, renowned in the world of
haute cuisine.
Escape for the senses
A veritable zen retreat, the spa offers a wide range of services entirely devoted to your
wellbeing. Be tempted within this timeless place, where you will find a hammam, a
sauna, a fitness centre, single and double massage rooms and a beautiful pool’s
inviting aqua waters. A unique experience, promising serenity…
Le Burgundy Paris, luxurious guest house, is a beautiful lesson in style, with just the right touch of warmth for those wishing to live “à la parisienne”.
A contemporary luxury, in the pure respect of the past.

A message from the Hotel Indigo Patagonia in Puerto Natales, Chile

New Room, Restaurant Designs, Service Concepts Unveiled

As part of its Ambition 2015 plan, Carlson today unveiled a comprehensive strategy for its Radisson brand. As one of the world’s leading brands, Radisson® is being positioned to deliver vibrant, contemporary and engaging hospitality characterized by the Yes I Can! service philosophy. The positioning is being supported by a series of innovations including new room concepts, new restaurant concepts and a series of new service concepts focused on the guest experience. The strategy for Radisson will entail an investment program of up to USD 1.5 billion in North America, focused on establishing flagship hotels in key U.S. cities and on upgrading the existing portfolio.

“With 422 hotels in operation and 90 in the contracted pipeline, Radisson is one of the most well-known and fastest-growing brands in the world, delivering market leading guest satisfaction and achieving superior RevPar penetration internationally,” said Hubert Joly, president and CEO of Carlson. “We have crystallized the success formula for the brand, improved it and are using it as the foundation for its future development.”

As part of this strategy, Carlson announced the global roll out of five new room concepts – And Relax, Naturally Cool, New York Mansion, Ocean and Urban. All of the concepts share a vibrant and contemporary design, the use of bold colors and lighting, and a comfortable feeling.

The global strategy also includes two new restaurant concepts. Filini will offer an upscale, sophisticated Italian cuisine, while rbg is a bar-and-grill concept in an inviting, contemporary setting.

The strategy also introduces a range of service concepts covering the key touch points of the guest experience including, for example, Business Class and three-hour laundry. Business Class will offer customers the best available room, breakfast, turn-down service, upgraded bathroom amenities, a daily newspaper and other amenities depending on the market.

As part of this strategy, the Radisson brand will be tiered across the upper upscale and upscale segments. Radisson Blu will be applied to the upper upscale segment and Radisson “Green” will be applied to the upscale segment. Both will share the same brand essence – vibrant, contemporary and engaging – the same style and many of the service concepts. The differentiation will primarily be location based – key location in a primary city versus a secondary market. It will typically be reflected in the level of investment that goes into the property.

The strategy will include the implementation of the brand’s new global standard operating procedures, a new quality assurance program and intensive training programs. The strategy will be supported by investments in marketing, sales and distribution as part of the overall Carlson Ambition 2015 plan.

“We have seen the power of the brand internationally and the very attractive return from renovating to the new standards,” Joly said. “The brand is poised for significant growth around the world and we expect to grow the portfolio to at least 600 hotels by 2015.”

Radisson Blu Hotels on stylehotelsweb:

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Copenhagen

Radisson Blu Hotel, Marseille Vieux Port

Radisson Blu Hotel, Berlin

Radisson Blu Hotel, Cologne

Radisson Blu Media Harbour Hotel, Dusseldorf

Radisson Blu Hotel, Frankfurt

Radisson Blu Hotel, Leipzig

Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel, Reykjavik

Radisson Blu Farnham Estate Hotel, County Cavan (Ireland)

Radisson Blu Style Hotel, Vienna

Radisson Blu Hotel, Lucerne

Radisson Blu Hotel, Zurich Airport

Radisson Blu Metropolitan Hotel, Paris

Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Sun Gardens, Dubrovnik

Radisson Blu es.Hotel, Rome

Radisson Blu Hotel, Birmingham (UK)

Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow

Radisson Blu Hotel, Liverpool

Located on the pristine, lagoon-ringed Haa Alifu Atoll which is fringed by powder-white beaches and has unspoilt leafy jungle at its centre, the 35-acre resort comprises 83 Maldivian-style villas, three restaurants, four bars and a luxurious spa. Each villa comes complete with a private pool and butler.

The Beach House Maldives has joined Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. With effect from 1st March 2010, the resort has been renamed, ‘The Beach House Maldives, The Waldorf Astoria Collection’. In celebration, guests at the resort were invited to join the inauguration ceremony, and became a part of a new chapter in the exclusive resort’s history.

Located on the pristine, lagoon-ringed Haa Alifu Atoll which is fringed by powder-white beaches and has unspoilt leafy jungle at its centre, the 35-acre resort comprises 83 Maldivian-style villas, three restaurants, four bars and a luxurious spa. Each villa comes complete with a private pool and butler.

“An independently branded hotel since 2007, The Beach House Maldives has built a solid reputation for world-class luxury and quality that epitomises the Waldorf Astoria name,” said Martin Rinck, President Hilton Worldwide – Asia Pacific. “The Maldives remains one of the most sought-after luxury leisure destinations in the world, and we are delighted to be able to offer our guests the unique experience of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts on the beautifully private and breathtaking island of Manafaru”.

The occasion was marked by the unveiling of a specially commissioned Maldivian sculpture in the resort’s newly created Art Gallery, which showcases local art and culture to guests. As the sun set, the festivities continued with a party and DJ set, followed by a Gala dinner on the beach and live band.

Hilton Worldwide’s management team has been in situ at the resort since 1st July 2009 and has overseen a number of key developments as part of the US$58 million renovation project, which has led to resort becoming the first Waldorf Astoria property in Asia Pacific.

John Vanderslice, Global Head Luxury & Lifestyle, Hilton Worldwide, commented, “Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts features a collection of landmark properties around the world, each ranging in elements of modern grandeur to timeless classics, and all renowned for their individuality, refinement and unparalleled service. The Beach House is no exception and we are delighted to extend our portfolio to Asia Pacific.”

The resort’s four restaurants and three bars have been redesigned to incorporate local heritage and ingredients with global influences. Including over-water fine-dining restaurant Saffron, a Tapas and Sangria bar with a Maldivian edge at the Mediterranean-themed Salt Water and martinis and cocktails inspired by Waldorf Astoria properties around the world at Infiniti; each dining experience offers a local twist.

The new Art Gallery showcasing local art together with a café serving traditional Maldivian High Tea has also just been introduced. And from 1st March, 30 Degrees is the smallest and most exclusive restaurant in the Maldives, offering private dining in a glass-floored over-water pavilion.

New wine experiences created by renowned Master of Wine, Ron Georgiou, include the introduction of a wine-tasting journey at the underground Cellar restaurant. And for those looking to truly experience a desert island getaway, neighbouring private island Medafushi offers a wealth of experiences including a four-poster bed on the beach complete with lanterns, chill-out tunes and food.

Upgraded villa and restaurant interiors and new spa programmes from UK based Aromatherapy Associates, Ayurvedic philosophies and traditional Maldivian treatments are also in place, with developments to the Kids Club, and new designer retail boutiques.

The opportunity to sample an insight into the history of the Maldives will be on offer with excursions to the nearby island of Utheem, home to a Sultan’s Palace. Transfers to the resort have also been improved with a direct 75-minute seaplane transfer offered as an alternative to a domestic flight and boat transfer.

Beach House Maldives, The Waldorf Astoria Collection, is located on the pristine, lagoon-ringed Haa Alifu Atoll which is fringed by powder-white beaches and complemented with an unspoilt jungle-filled interior. The 35-acre resort comprises 83 Maldivian-style villas, three restaurants, four bars and a luxurious spa. Each villa comes complete with a private pool and butler.

YO! Founder Simon Woodroffe OBE and YOTEL CEO Gerard Greene conceived the innovative YOTEL cabins to provide a flexible and convenient ‘first class’ hotel experience at affordable prices. Inspired by first-class airline cabins YOTEL Times Square, located at 42nd Street and 10th Avenue will be part of Related Company’s 1.2 million square foot, 60 storey LEED-Silver complex which will include residential units and the Frank Gehry designed Signature Theatre. The flagship YOTEL property is being co-designed by The Rockwell Group and Softroom and will feature a restaurant, bar, meeting rooms, a Club Lounge and the largest hotel outside terrace space of any hotel in New York.

Simon Woodroffe, Founder of YO!, said of the New York launch: “YOTEL will bring a unique mix of fun, excitement and luxury to New York and all at an affordable price. YOTEL has a fantastic energy about it which New York’s 44 million visitors a year will love”

Achingly cool and chillingly efficient YOTEL will offer customers a perfectly designed 16sqm (170sqft) of private space in which to relax, refresh, connect and sleep, a true haven of calm. Luxury bedding, rejuvenating monsoon rain showers, relaxing purple mood lighting and YOTEL’s ‘techno wall’ with flat screen TV, and complimentary WiFi will now soon be on offer to those visiting the Big Apple.

YOTEL CEO, Gerard Greene stated: “A solution to boring and expensive hotels YOTEL uses radical design to offer the customer an exciting product and better value for money. Not satisfied with airports we are now transferring a successful brand to city centres across the globe.

Following a major investment by partners IFA Hotel’s & Resorts and openings at Heathrow, Gatwick and Schiphol, Amsterdam airports, YOTEL has established itself in the hearts of international travellers and media alike by collecting industry awards and rave Trip Advisor ratings. Last year, YOTEL won the prestigious Business Accommodation of the Year at the Business Travel World Awards.

“We’re very excited with the opening of YOTEL New York as this is our fourth property to open. YOTEL is different from other investments we have in the hotel sector and we truly believe it represents the future. It is a brand that is going to grow exponentially in the next few years” said Joe Sita, President of IFA Hotel Investment.

After Sezz Paris, Shahé Klaidjian brings his concept to Saint-Tropez. Is it the famous Place des Lices or the enormous yachts which attracted him? One thing is for sure, the Sezz Saint-Trop’ is definitely on its way to become the worthy representative of its Parisian counterpart. Opening is planned in June 2010.

The set designer Christophe Pillet stacks up again and signs a project as uncluttered as his elder: « We have chosen an atmosphere as uncluttered and distinguished as in Paris, but adapted to Saint-tropez’s environment. It is, above all, a holiday hotel. Each room will be fit up with a minimalist style, little furniture, each room being a creation achieved within the idea of timelessness ». (Source L’Hôtellerie restauration – 22/01/2010).

The Sezz Saint-Tropez will be located in the heart of the Pinède and its swimming-pool will be surrounded by a woody park. It will also provide a restaurant (named Colette in honor of the authoress) managed by the awarded chef Pierre Gagnaire, a Dom Perignon bar, a Payot spa and 37 rooms including 30 junior suites and 2 villas. The architecture entrusted to Jean-Jacques Ory, was realized according to an ecologic thought process and uses material like sandstone and oak. Rooms open onto the gardens.

Room’s prices from 450 to 750 €,  suites from 1 600 to 2 200 €.

Grosvenor House Dubai Offers Panoramic Sea Views, 12 World Class Restaurants and Lounges and Two Michelin Starred Chefs in one of the World’s Most Unique and Exceptional Destinations

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. today announced the debut of its renowned Luxury Collection brand in the United Arab Emirates with the addition of Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai. Located on the exclusive Dubai Marina, the prestigious 45-story Grosvenor House hotel first opened its doors in 2005 and quickly became one of the world’s most acclaimed hotels.

Custom-designed to celebrate the essence of Dubai, the hotel seamlessly blends exquisite Arabian décor with contemporary sophistication. Offering the latest innovations in technology and design, Grosvenor House features 422 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, suites and apartment suites, world class cuisine, a state-of-the-art fitness facility and spa, business areas equipped with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled premium service with butlers on call 24 hours a day.

“The Luxury Collection is a portal to the world’s most enriching and desirable destinations, where nothing less than an exceptional level of service, perfect location and indigenous personal offerings will do,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “Celebrated for its exceptional location, luxury amenities and breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf, Grosvenor House adds another jewel to The Luxury Collection portfolio.”

Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe’s most iconic hotels, today The Luxury Collection is a glittering ensemble of more than 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries across the globe including Hotel Danieli, Venice; Hotel Imperial, Vienna; Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens; Patios de Cafayate, Argentina; SLS at Beverly Hills and The Phoenician, Scottsdale.

“We are excited to bring the promise of The Luxury Collection brand to the United Arab Emirates with the debut of Grosvenor House, Dubai. This hotel is a true expression of its destination, making it the perfect addition to The Luxury Collection,” says Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “The property’s sought-after location, impeccable service and sumptuous interior will ensure a unique and enriching experience for all our guests.”

Grosvenor House, Dubai also provides guests with an exceptional choice of dining experiences with 12 different world-class restaurants and bars to choose from. These include Rhodes Mezzanine, which offers signature modern British cuisine with French flair from Michelin starred celebrity chef Gary Rhodes. The menu includes dishes such as White Tomato Soup and the British favourite Bread and Butter Pudding. The hotel also offers the equally esteemed modern Indian restaurant Indego by Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia, who is renowned for his Home-smoked Tandoori Salmon. In addition, Grosvenor House is home to Dubai’s only Buddha Bar, the world famous bar and restaurant with outlets in Paris, London and New York, which is known for its unique food and eclectic atmosphere.

The number of rooms at Grosvenor House, Dubai will almost double next year when a second, identical tower opens. The second tower will add a total of 323 rooms, suites and apartment suites to the hotel’s inventory providing even more style and unparalleled service for global explorers to discover.

Note: Grosvenor House was previously a Le Meridien Hotel, also a Starwood Hotels’ brand.

Source: tripadvisor’s Travelers’Choice Hotel Awards 2010

1. citizenM Hotel, Amsterdam City

2. theWit, A Doubletree Hotel, Chicago

3. W Fort Lauderdale

4. Smyth, A Thompson Hotel, New York

5. The Standard New York

6. AC Cordoba Palacio

7. hampton hotel, Dublin

8. Gansevoort Turks+Caicos, Providenciales

The Circus Hotel, Berlin (not on stylehotelsweb)

10. W Hong Kong

Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers opens its doors at the crossroads of Scandinavia

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened its first hotel in Denmark with the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers.

The 366-room Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers stands 85 metres tall with stunning views over the Copenhagen skyline and the whole Oeresund region. The hotel is located minutes away from Copenhagen International Airport and a stone’s throw from the motorway, underground and overland train stations providing easy access to attractions such as Tivoli, the Royal Castle and Nyhavn. This makes the hotel ideal for business and leisure travellers alike.

The hotel has a bar and a Scandinavian restaurant as well as 3,500 square metres of meeting room space made up of 12 flexible meeting rooms and a large ballroom that can accommodate up to 800 guests.

The Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers is one of the world’s greenest hotels with EU Green Building and Green Key certification. The hotel is a member of the UN Global Compact. The hotel building is on a journey to becoming carbon neutral. Environmentally responsible technology is used throughout the hotel, including:

- The first groundwater-based cooling and heating system in Denmark, expected to reduce the energy used in the hotel for heating and cooling by almost 90%

- Low energy lighting and hand dryers

- The largest solar panel park in Northern Europe to be integrated into a building, covering all the hotel’s sunny facade.
All bedrooms are equipped with designer furniture, a flat screen TV, adjustable air conditioning, a mini bar and a safety deposit box.
The hotel is operated by Copenhagen Hotel Management under a 20 year franchise agreement with IHG.

Allan L. Agerholm, CEO and co-owner of Copenhagen Hotel Management said: “Our location is known as the crossroads of Scandinavia because it’s the access point for Denmark, Sweden and other Nordic countries making it a great destination for domestic and international business travellers. Crowne Plaza hotels are designed for guests who enjoy business travel and want to make the most of their stay and we felt that Copenhagen needed a hotel like this.”