Schrager Talks Edition

Maybe only fascinating to us, but Hotels Magazine has a nice little podcast interview with Sir Ian Schrager, who openly discusses his Edition Hotels partnership with Marriott. Some of the major highlights:

· There are currently 9 hotels under development now, with 30 expected to be in the planning phase by the end of 2008.
· Marriott's goal is to get at least 100 Edition hotels within 5 years, but Schrager would love to get at least 300 or 400. As many as possible.
· Each hotel will be extremely unique, with a different design company being responsible for a different Edition.
· For the first time Schrager's company may choose to operate the restaurant spaces within the properties, rather than outsource them as he has previously done. Ian says he has a ton of different concepts they could roll out.
· Each Edition will be as green as possible

This really is a fascinating idea that will either prove to be extremely successful or a tremendous bust. At no other time has a single entity sought to create a line of hotels that are all completely different. We wonder how one relatively small firm such as Schrager's, despite the power of Marriott behind it, can really expect to source, develop and market 100+ properties around the globe. But we certainly wouldn't want to bet against this guy.

[Photo Credit]

Chelsea vs. Chelsea

A warning to those interested in visiting the new Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City. It seems there already is a Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City, except this one doesn't feature Stephen Starr restaurants or a super happening swimming pool. So what does it have? "The Chelsea Pub and Hotel is an eclectic Victorian located a block from the Atlantic City boardwalk and 1/4 block form the Tropicana Casino. The property features large rooms with private baths that sleep up to four people. A friendly pub is located on site with knowledgeable local bartenders and great food. The Chelsea has free lighted parking adjacent to the property." While the friendly pub doesn't seem to compare to the Fifth Floor, we do like the sound of free lighted parking, which is especially key in Atlantic City at night. Please double confirm that you choose the proper Chelsea Hotel before booking.

Riverview Getting It's Demo On

Courtesy of our friends at HotelChatter, things are moving right along at Eric Goode and Sean MacPherson's newest hotel venture, the Riverview. Interior demolition has begun, and we have to believe they are making moves to try and clear the remaining tenants. We have also come to learn that the dynamic duo is going to turn the magnificent tower overlooking the water into a lounge. Very cool, if they decide to let anyone in or serve non-guests drinks. But we also wonder what their tenants at Socialista are feeling? More on this to come.

Bringing the Fun Through the Tunnel

The Bridge and Tunnel sect sure do love the Manhattan nightlife. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, they invade the island looking for a good time. On the one hand, it's good for our local economy. On the other hand, well . . . You know the drill. Some folks are trying to upset that balance. It seems that Mark, Eugene and the whole EM Group are looking to invade New Jersey! Hoboken to be exact. The Houston's loving crew will be creating a new nightlife venue at the soon to be completed W Hoboken. We don't know many details as of yet, but you can imagine they would include some great outdoor space and of course, those killer Manhattan views that the Bo is famous for. Just another demonstration of why it's so important to know your customer base and cater to their need. If your NYC venues are at capacity every weekend, why not open a second venue closer to home. Look for this one to open this winter a bit after the rest of the hotel.

Is it or Isn't It?

A few weeks back, a reader fired off an angry salvo regarding some rude treatment in the lobby bar at the Bowery Hotel. You can read all about it here. It touched off a rather spirited debate in the comments, with many readers sharing experiences of being turned away or simply not served, even while hoping for an afternoon cup of tea. Other comments lamented the state of New York City, saying "WE HAVE BECOME A CITY AND A WORLD OF PARIS HILTONS. GOD HELP US." We posed the question to the hotel itself but received no response. We may have to gear up for a stealth run inside the quiet lobby ourselves to settle this once and for all. God help us indeed.


Got a complaint or a question? Please do let us know.

DeNiro's Hotel Hits the Web

Newyorkology (via Eater) comes through with the recently launched website for Robert De Niro and friends Greenwich Hotel. Ressies are being accepted for the first 3 weeks of April, when the hotel will then become the de facto home of out of town stars during the Tribeca Film Festival. Glamorous. Metro Travel Guide supplies the rest of the gory details about the rooms and property, including the Shibui Spa that "features a lantern-lit swimming pool and a lounge area". Best news - Ago will be delvireing room service to guests 24/7. Osso bucco all night. That's worth the $725 per night intro rate, right? Right.

A Socialist(a) Hotel!

Tis the season for sharing, so we were excited when our friends from HotelChatter checked in yesterday with a rumor they had heard a month back, saying "we hear that some undercover construction work has started at the Hotel Riverview at 113 Jane St." They also wonder if the Riverview is "Eric Goode and Sean MacPherson's new project." Oh, you mean this new project? What the HC team missed is that a certain doorman opened a certain Cuban themed bar and cafe in the Riverview basement. We're talking Socialista, and if this is true then we have found a mega project. It would fit with Goode and McPherson's penchant for rehab projects, but losing out on the bar/restaurant space with an already established operator is a tough sell for hoteliers that thrive on food and beverage service. Calls to the Riverview were met with expected gruffness, but we hope to learn more in the coming days. Happy Friday.

Rio in Space

First Jason Pomeranc. Now Space. Harrah's Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is on a deal making spree, poised to sign an agreement with Space, Ibiza's long running dance club to become the anchor nightlife tenant in the off-strip pink and purple tower. Semi-genius and semi-risky, as Rio is definitely at the bottom of destinations for twenty somethings that flock to Vegas to destroy themselves, but will the name Space bring any cachet this far from the Spanish Islands? Doubtful, but it may not matter. Rio needs a first class operator who knows how to produce on a large scale, and Space certainly fits that bill. Expect Carl Cox, Pete Tong and the rest of the Mega DJ set to start calling the Rio their home when they make their appearances in the desert. Just make sure your glow sticks are fired up.

His Name is Rio

Jason Pomeranc is at it again. New York, LA, Toronto, Washington DC. JP and his Thompson Hotel group are busy expanding like crazy, replacing Morgans Hotel group as the new hot boutique company. So we ask ourselves again: What's next? Well, Las Vegas of course. A Little Desert Birdy, a black necked stilt perhaps, checks in, saying "Jason Pomeranc has inked a deal with the Rio Hotel to develop a boutique hotel inside the Rio tower." Interesting Little Stilt. Very interesting. You would think that Sir Jason would avoid lending his name to a second rate Vegas property. But, dealmakers need to make deals, and getting business this close to the Strip takes more capital than the Thompson Group could put together. A shrewd play by a hotelier who is quickly emerging as a national player in this here game.

Developing.

Donovan Gets a House

Jason Pomeranc and his band of hotel building family members are in the midst of a major expansion. They just opened Six Columbus, the Gild is coming soon, and they are now pushing into other cities. Including Washington DC. That's where the name Donovan comes in. As in Donovan House. That's the name of the new hotel Sir Pomeranc will be opening on 14th Street in our nation's capital. Wonderful. The project, which is a converted Holiday Inn (sounds familiar), is partly financed by LaSalle Hotel Properties with the design work being done by Studio Gaia, the design force behind Tao Vegas and the now shuttered club Light. We are proud to present you with a first look at what the Donovan will look like. Think classic-post mod with a nod to the shagadelphic era of hotels past. You get what we're talking about. Expected opening is Spring of 2008, but with so many new projects coming on line at the same time, we think you can expect some delays.

Standard NYC Goes 2.0

The Standard NYC has been a long time coming. But has the lag time caused Andre and the Gang to lose their way? A Little Birdy found a listing on the oh so secretive aSmallWorld network from the Standard folks that reads:

We are opening a fantastic new project in NYC, The Standard New York will be anything but Standard. The question would be, what is it people/guests like to see at the hotel, what should be there and what should not be there. This is a question for the local NY'ers whom like to go out in the area and for future & existing guests.

Our LB notes, "Reeks of desperation: posting on aSmallWorld - surely, surely they must know what the hotel should & shouldn't be doing, without having to ask a load of trashy Euros, & i-bankers..." Yeah, we agree. Msr. Balazs is a successful hotelier many times over, and with his Meatpacking baby so close to the finish line, an effort like this is a little disconcerting.

We've got an idea for what should be there. An accessible hotel with courteous staff, comfortable beds, decent rates, and a few lounges open to anyone who may want to come by. It is a hotel, which nowadays seems easy to open, and difficult to get right.

Quick Hits: Stephen Starr Goes Taavo in Philly

You live in a house or apartment, but you only stay in a hotel room for a few nights. Damn that's a quick visit. This is a hotel edition of Quick Hits. Do you have a tip or link that may rock our world? Our telefax is always plugged in.

1. Stephen Starr, everyone's favorite Philly blowhard, is reaching into Freeman's Alley to bring a little Hell Square cachet to the Ill D. Starr has signed up Freeman's own Taavo Somer to help redesign his space at 706 Chestnut in Philly, which has been the home of a few previous Starr concepts that have bit the dust. Not only that, but Starr is planning to turn the rest of the property into a very intimate boutique hotel. Wonder where the Wonder Boy got that idea?

2. The Kor Group, the LA based boutique powerhouse, is expanding the Viceroy Hotel brand way beyond the beach. After a lengthy and difficult battle, the company recently got approval for the Viceroy Snowmass. As in Aspen. As in boo yah.

3. Our friends at Curbed don't believe there's any chance that Gild Hall can open its door by the end of this year. Oh yeah? Then why are they hiring?

Rumor Monging

Unsubstantiated rumor of the year, by way of a very special Little Birdy, who tells us, "my boss has a wedding at the St. Regis in Orange County in two weeks. He tried to book a room at the hotel but every room is booked. Rumor is Lilo is having her 'get out of rehab' party there that weekend, and every room got snatched." Take it for what it's worth. It was too funny not to share. Officially, a Lilo get out of rehab blow fest has to be the worst conflicting event you could have the weekend of your wedding. No doubt.

More to come later in the day. Stay tuned.

State of the City's Hotels

Last night, we had the pleasure of attending the Urban Land Institutes's panel discussion on the current state of the hotel market. Why? Well, because we find it interesting. Especially when Ian Schrager's partner and right hand man, Michael Overington and the force behind the Dream Hotel, Jay Stein, are on the panel. While there wasn't much gossip, they had plenty to say about the New York City hotel industry. Below, a paraphrasing of what we heard.

Michael Overington: At Ian Schrager, hotels are about giving the customer a personal experience. Their hotels have a soul, and design and service are their key to success. The company is currently looking for new opportunities in the City, but the insanely high prices [more on this below] has kept them from signing any deals. Neighborhoods under consideration: Hudson Yards, Lower Lower Manhattan, and somewhere in Brooklyn.

Jay Stein: We have three star and four star properties. Our three star customers, we could really care less about. The three star guests don't matter. Our four star guests are the ones we like and need to keep as repeat customers. Repeat business is key. People don't want cookie cutter hotel rooms anymore. After many years of practice, we are ready to open big with the new Dream Hotel in the Meatpacking District. The cost of building was close to $1,000,000 a key.

That kind of attitude about 3 star customers drives us crazy. If we pay, treat us right, and make sure we want to come back. How can you trust the same person to know how to treat you at a four star level if they don't know that every paying customer deserves high quality service? You can't. As for Schrager, we don't know if that service commitment means the same thing to us that it does to them. As for new properties, Ian and Co. have always searched for bargains in hotel properties, and they are always willing to go far from established neighborhoods knowing his name will bring customers. But at $1 mil a room, even he can't find a place to go. For now. Lenders are still willing to lend, and with that Marriott deal all locked up, you can be sure he won't be sitting out for long.

Taking a Turn for the Weird

Time for an update from the Grand Street Hotel, the little glass number from Brack Capital. A little birdy checks in, saying "this project is taking a turn for the weird, and seems that this will be an ego play for some over-zealous real estate dorks who decided they want their own hotel. I have also heard they are planning on installing a monster amount of led lights...this thing should be pretty tacky." Hmmm. Or it could just be super green, as LED's can be uber-efficient when used correctly. Either way, it's good to have some background on the place.

BONUS UPDATE: Just for you, we perused Brack Capital's website, learning that the Grand Street Hotel will officially have 114 rooms, and the required restaurant, rooftop pool and bars. That's bars, plural.

The Gilded Age

Jason Pomeranc is one busy birdy. Everyone has been waiting with baited breath for the long delayed Six Columbus to finally open and for the Thompson Lower East Side to wrap up construction sometime in 2008. In doing so, they have let their next hotel project slip right past them. But we can tell you all about it of course. This new one is downtown, and it's called Gild Hall. Located at 15 Gold Street in the Financial District, Jason P. and the crew have taken what is/was a Holiday Inn and are in the process of giving it the full Thompson. According to the website, Gild Hall will be ready for a soft open this winter. But according to us, it will probably a little bit later than that. More details to follow of course.

Breaking: Six Columbus Now Open

Just a few days later than they told us it was going to open, Jason Pomeranc's super delayed and super expensive hotel, Six Columbus, is officially taking reservations via its website. See the screenshot above. This weekend, you can score yourself a King Deluxe room for just $355 a night. Very reasonable introductory rates, but please don't expect prices to stay this low forever.

Central Standard Time

The Standard in New York City still isn't ready, but Andre Balazs’ hasn't put the rest of his expansion plans on hold. The next location? Central America baby. To be more exact, Costa Rica. Sir Andre will probably look to apply some of the spa-rific lessons he learned with the Standard Miami in this new venture, even though Costa Rica is so over. Very lovely, but over. You would expect the first international Standard to be somewhere a bit more exotic, but this is the safe play. Or the Standard play, as it were.

Flea Market Hotel

Soho. Once the mecca of downtown cool is now more of a quaint outdoor mall with some nice restaurants and very nice housing. We're fine with that. But what about that weird flea market on the corner of Howard and Broadway, just one block north of Canal? It's one of the few blocks that actually dead ends, with Howard being halted by Mercer to the West. Call us crazy, but it seems weird that this prime corner lot, surrounded by all that valuable property, would be used as a low end flea market. Well apparently, the owner of this lot agrees. The flea market's days are pretty much numbered, with the owner planning to build a hotel on the lot. A luxury hotel to boot. What else would you expect? Said owner/developer is in discussions with some heavy hitters about the restaurant and bar space, but no deals are in place. What's more, the adjacent buildings are either vacant or severely underutilized, meaning that we could be looking at much more than just a little boutique number.

Quick Hits: 50 Flips Out, Grand Street Hotel, Prada Party

Wrapping up the week with another killer edition of Quick Hits. Got a hit? Feel free to hit us.

1.Speaking of the VMA's, we just got our invite to 50 Cents Vitamin Water, Absolut Vodka VMA party in Vegas. If we had any clue how to work this thing, you would be seeing video of the flipping. We try.

UPDATE: We took it Lo-Fi, you can see still motion capture of all of the invite goodness. We are so handy.

2. More adventures in How to Name a Hotel. A Little Birdy checks in with an update from the new glass number going up on Thompson Street, saying, "the hotel in Soho from Brack Capital is going to be called the Grand Street Hotel. $200 million budget, 200 rooms." At least the guests won't get lost when they tell the cabbies where to drop them off.

3. Not tired of Fashion Week yet? Tonight is the big Prada party at their flagship store in Soho, and we hear that oh so super cool and oh so can you please play our Fashion Week party band LCD Soundsystem will be performing. Have fun kiddies.