W Hotels drops two landmark New York properties; Wyndham’s Fashion 26 enters NYC

by Melanie Nayer on


New York revealed its newest fashion accessory today: Wyndham Fashion 26 hotel, a luxury hotel in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood. Following a few months of delays in opening the trendy hotel, Fashion 26 finally greeted guests into the new art-and-style space.

The hotel is located across the street from the famous Fashion Institute of Technology, and set in one of New York’s trendiest districts. The hotel’s own accessories are created from fashion favorites including cutting room tables and camera lights, and the hallways will host a rotating art program, including some pieces from local New Yorkers and students at FIT. According to a press release from Wyndham, the hotel will feature luxury amenities including Frette linens, free wireless Internet and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries.

Fashion comes at a cost, though: rooms are currently priced starting at $299/night.

Meanwhile, Starwood’s W Brand is dropping two of its landmark New York hotels — The Court and The Tuscany. In a statement on Starwood’s website:

W New York – The Court and W New York – The Tuscany will be leaving the Starwood system on April 14, 2010 at 11:59 PM. Reservations for dates on or after April 14, 2010, at 11:59 PM will not be eligible for Starwood Preferred Guest membership benefits, award redemption or accrual.

According to HotelChatter.com, Starwood signed an agreement to sell W New York – The Court and W New York – The Tuscany to the St. Giles Hotel. The hotel’s new owner has agreed to honor all local negotiated rates previously signed by W The Court and W The Tuscany for confirmed reservations. For further information on St. Giles Hotels, please call 1-888-406-8588 or visit www.StGilesNewYork.com.

W Hotels currently has four hotels in New York City and is planning on opening the W New York – Downtown, later this summer.

Ground Zero hotel’s ‘selling point’ creates controversy

by Melanie Nayer on

A new Manhattan hotel is marketing its proximity to Ground Zero as a selling point, and creating a stir among those trying to preserve the memory of friends and family lost during the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.

The World Center Hotel, opened by Club Quarters Inc., is currently accepting reservations for its rooms that boast “floor-to-ceiling ‘window walls'” offering “unfettered views of the rising Freedom Tower and National 9/11 Memorial & Museum,” according to the hotel’s Web site.

In response to the controversy, the hotel issued this statement to Fox News:

“We at the World Center Hotel reference our location on our website and in our marketing because our location is an important part of our hotel’s identity. The World Center Hotel, being across from both the World Financial Center and the rising World Trade Center, was designed primarily for business travelers, but leisure travelers also appreciate our downtown location.

“Some guests may feel emotional about the proximity to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, however, and choose not to stay at our hotel. Others are encouraged that, after so many years, the site is finally being transformed into a fitting Memorial, and they want to see the progress being made there.

“Either reaction is entirely legitimate. We feel strongly that business and economic growth is good for our city, and that the rebirth of downtown New York City does not in any way diminish the remembrance of the tragic events of nearly nine years ago. We are very respectful of the emotions involved, and we share them. But, we are also proud to be a part of the long-term revitalization of Lower Manhattan.”

While Manhattanites continue to protest the PR campaign put forth by the hotel, the 169-room hotel continues to market to the 7.1 million people that are estimated to visit the 9/11 Memorial Preview site when it officially opens.

New York’s Fashion 26 is dressed to impress for April 15 debut

by Melanie Nayer on

All hail the hotel fashionista! Fashion 26, the New York hotel that’s putting a new face on fashion has finally confirmed its opening date: April 15. we just got word the opening has been moved up one week to April 5.

Fashion 26, Wyndham hotel’s latest Chelsea, New York offering is located at West 26th and steps from the Fashion Institute of Technology. The hotel will open its doors on April 15, but rumor has it a few guests are already booked for the soft launch the weekend prior.

I caught up with Deirdre Yack, Director of Sales and Marketing for Fashion 26, and got the inside scoop on a few fashion-forward trends hotel customers will find when they check-in:

Is there one room in particular you’re very fond of in the hotel? Our rooms are all very consistent in decor and size. The top two floors of the hotel are Club Floors, filled with extra features like Frette Slippers, glass digital scales, fashion magazines, larger and additional bath amenities, plus incredible views. Uptown view is of the Empire State Building, while the downtown views show off a really unique view of residential buildings, rooftop gardens, water towers – really fun and not often seen NYC views. I would say my #1 favorite room is 2208 – a Club King – you feel like you can reach out and touch the Empire State Building. Plus, Club Floors offer complimentary breakfast in Rare offering a great value to guests.

I’d expect a fashion-focused hotel to have some trendy apparel. What is the staff dress code like and who designed it? Wow – our uniform program is unlike any I have seen in my 13 years in hotels. Think traditional, classic American-style. Our General Manager, the owner and our designer Glen Coben all literally went shopping for ideas one day. They scoured their favorite upscale retailers and came back with a really fresh, high-end concept for our uniforms. A company called Top Hat custom made the uniforms for each department, using these samples. Let’s just say, I wish sales could wear the concierge uniform (a really cute grey jumper with skinny belt over a white man-tailored shirt). The doormen have Kangol hats for cool weather days, and housekeeping attendants have a simple pinstriped black dress with a charming kick pleat. The quality for everything is incredible – a soft, light merino wool.

How will Fashion 26 pave the way for “designer” hotels in the future? Our design and unique concept are born from our location in the garment district. Our fashion concept, commitment to detail, interest in the arts, all come straight from ownership to management – direct to our guests. That said, we are more concerned with our service and delivering the best possible experience to each guest than we are to being a “design” hotel or starting a new trend. We simply aspire to create an experience that brings fashion, art, hospitality and impeccable service together in a way that will impress and delight each guest. In fact, we have quite a few guests arriving as early as March 31 for our soft opening.

The hotel is currently accepting reservations on its Web site and don’t worry — you don’t need to don a pair of Jimmy Choo’s or know how to keep a shirt ruffle from feathering in order to check into these rooms.

Yotel hotel pods coming to New York

by Melanie Nayer on

Hotels come in all shapes and sizes. From luxury suites to standard rooms to hostels, there’s a hotel room for all sizes and budgets. Now, for those needing a quick nap on a dime, one more hotel type makes its way to the states: the pod.

The Yotel – a brand of sleeping pod hotels – will open a 669-room in New York City in 2011. The pod hotel will be located 42nd street and 10th and rooms will go for $200- to $250-per-night. According to a press release, the room are almost twice the size as its U.K. counterparts and will be called “cabins” instead of “pods.” The purpose, however, remains the same.

Yotel was established by YO! Sushi founder Simon Woodroffe and his partner Gerard Greene. Popular in the U.K., the Yotel charges £25 for 4-hour stays in their hotel cabins in Europe, as they are made to be a resting place for travelers who are waiting for flights.

But is it a good deal? At $200-$250 a night you could easily find another hotel room in New York, but location will be your concern. If you’re looking for midtown or Times Square, but don’t want a hostel, the Yotel might work. A press release said the Yotel cabins will have “relaxing purple mood lighting, rejuvenating monsoon rain showers, luxury bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi and a flat screen television.” There will also be a restaurant and bar, an outside terrace and business lounges at the hotel.

Before you go, be sure to check out Gadling’s Travel Talk TV!

InterContinental New York Times Square sets sights on LEED certification

by Melanie Nayer on


It’s already the largest new-build hotel in New York City, and now the InterContinental New York Times Square sets its sights on being the largest hotel to achieve LEED status.

Slated to open in July, the InterContinental New York Times Square will debut as the newest InterContinental Hotel in the city. Located on 44th Street just west of Times Square, the new-build hotel’s claim to fame is its size – the36-story hotel has 607 guestrooms each averaging 350 square feet, including an oversized bathroom complete with walk-in rain showers. There are 29 corner suites and a 2,700 square foot duplex Presidential Suite. It boasts 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space and 4,000 square foot ballroom.

Simply put, this hotel is huge.

But despite its size, the InterContinental New York Times Square hopes to make a difference. According to a release from the hotel, “The hotel will be one of the most environmentally responsible hotels in New York City and the largest new-build hotel to achieve LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Counsel (USGBC).” The hotel’s LEED certification was based on its use of sustainable materials such as solar panels, green roofs with drought-tolerant, plants, large windows, and an energy-generating elevator system.

The InterContinental New York Times Square’s sister property, the InterContinental Barclay, has been a New York hotel staple for years. If green is your game, this hotel is worth a look for your next New York trip.