TheBirthOfAHotel Archives

Articles tagged “TheBirthOfAHotel”

Birth Of A Hotel: A Purely ‘Presidential’ Bathtub

by McLean Robbins on Nov 8, 2012

It may be four more years for President Obama, but the presidential suite at Capella Washington has yet to be inaugurated. The latest on-property amenity, a 6-foot-wide bath stone tub, was installed earlier this week. We can even envision a Republican and Democratic bath-off … the hotel has two 1,300-square-foot presidential suites.

We wonder what high-rollers will be bathing in it on opening day.

“The Birth of a Hotel” is a Gadling-exclusive series that details what happens as a hotel prepares to open. Follow along with the articles and updates at “The Birth Of A Hotel” page, here. We’d also love to hear from you, our readers. If you have a topic about hotel development or trends that you’d love to see explored, email us or leave a comment below.

[Image Credit: Capella Washington D.C., Georgetown]

Birth Of A Hotel: It’s All In The Details

by McLean Robbins on Oct 23, 2012

One of the aspects of hotel builds we’re finding most interesting is the level of attention to detail paid to even the smallest elements of a hotel build. The photos above and below are from Capella Washington D.C., Georgetown’s model room. They may look like just a half-finished bathroom wall, but several weeks ago, it was a fully functional bathroom. The property team felt that the space as designed didn’t suit the needs of the potential guest – the shower area wasn’t large enough, the handles placed too high in the wall, and the tile too light. And so out it went, to be replaced by a more friendly design.

In the final product, all rooms will feature a large media wall (which will house the flat-screen television) as well as a touch pad display on the entry wall, which will allow guests to see the day’s weather as well as control all aspects of their in-room comfort, including temperature.

[Photo credit: McLean Robbins]

Birth Of A Hotel: Site Tour (Video)

by McLean Robbins on Oct 19, 2012

Last week, we were able to take a site tour of the soon-to-open Capella Washington D.C., Georgetown, including a sneak peek at its rooftop deck, which will boast an infinity pool as well as views of the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center and more.

It’s hard to believe that this shell of wood and wires will soon become a functioning hotel. We eagerly look forward to documenting the developments over the next few months. But for today, we bring you a bit of video from our tour, plus an interview about what guests can expect from General Manager Alex Obertop.

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[A special thanks to H.E. Robbins productions for their video editing assistance. The voiceover, videography and images are from yours truly.]

Birth Of A Hotel: Building A Living Room

by McLean Robbins on Oct 16, 2012

We took our first site tour of Capella Washington D.C., Georgetown’s interior this past week and are very excited to show you what we’ve found. One of our favorite images is actually this great shot, above, of the unfinished “Living Room,” the heart of the hotel’s ground level. Instead of a formal check-in desk, the hotel will feature a cozy living room where guests can relax with a book or glass of wine. Above, you’ll see the space as it currently stands, and below, the rendering of the finished product.

You’ll note that the builders actually sacrificed a room in order to bring this space to two levels.

Birth Of A Hotel: And Then There Was One

by McLean Robbins on Oct 12, 2012

Capella Hotels and Resorts will have only one United States property as of early 2013, we’ve learned. The Atlanta-based brand will lose their New York property, The Setai New York, after a sale to Great Eagle Holdings earlier this week. The $229 million purchase means that the 60-floor hotel and condo development will be rebranded under the Langham Hospitality Group in January, Hotels Magazine reports.

This isn’t an entirely shocking development. Capella’s hotels are typically much smaller than the 214-room New York property, and hotel rebrandings are a relatively common occurrence.

“Our entire team worked diligently to establish The Setai as one of the premier luxury hotels in New York City in a location that was not considered part of the traditional luxury hotel corridor,” says Horst Schulze, chairman and CEO of Capella, in a statement printed on GlobeSt.com. “Additionally, we were able to create an atmosphere and reputation that led to residential real estate sales for the owners.”

The New York property was the second Capella hotel in the United States. The $200 million Capella Telluride, which opened at the very beginning of the economic downturn in 2008, closed in 2011 and was later re-opened as Hotel Madeline Telluride.

Never fear, however. Capella is rumored to be scouting other United States locations following the opening of Capella Washington D.C., Georgetown in early 2013, as well as an additional location in a major European city.

As for NYC, Schulze says, “New York City remains a prime location for the Capella Hotel Brand” and looks forward to “announcing our return in the near future.”

Capella Washington D.C. managing partner Bruce Bradley says that he is optimistic about the growth of the brand, stating, “We’re big relationship investors … the concept [Capella has] is one that has the potential to be the leading hotel brand in the world.”