NATIONAL REPORT—Soft-branded collections are beefing up their rosters. Here’s a look at some of the recent additions, both internationally and here in the U.S.
Galt House Hotel
Wyndham Hotel Group recently added Galt House Hotel in Louisville, KY, to its soft-branded hotel roster. The flagship hotel for the Trademark Collection by Wyndham brand, which will begin an $80-million renovation this June, becomes Wyndham Hotel Group’s largest single addition in North America to-date with 1,310 rooms.
With its hotel roots dating back to 1835, today’s two-towered Galt House Hotel features seven restaurants and lounges including Rivue Restaurant & Lounge, a rotating rooftop bar perched 25 stories high, and Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar, featuring more than 150 Kentucky bourbons and assorted whiskeys. It also has 53 meeting rooms spanning 130,000 sq. ft. of function space.
Upcoming renovations will refashion the hotel’s blended Midwestern spirit and Southern charm hospitality, according to the company. Major renovations include reimagining guestrooms and public spaces with fresh design, furnishing and finishes inspired by the food, bourbon, horses and colors of Kentucky, like spring-green, saddle-brown, aged-barn red, thoroughbred-blue and jockey-silk orange. The hotel will also introduce fresh culinary concepts to all dining concepts, including three new restaurants.
The Hotel Morrison
The Hotel Morrison in Dania Beach, FL, has joined the Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels International Inc. Located in the heart of historic Dania Beach, the Hotel Morrison offers complimentary shuttle transportation service, and is located close to Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Port Everglades and the beaches of South Florida, including the tranquil Dania Beach Ocean Park.
The 143-room, 100% smoke-free Hotel Morrison features a cool, soothing color palette that complements the property’s beach-inspired design aesthetic. The hotel also offers a pool and cabana, along with 1,300 sq. ft. of meeting space. Amenities include free WiFi, complimentary hot breakfast, as well as a wide range of other food and beverage offerings.
The Arbor Hotel and Conference Center
The Arbor Hotel and Conference Center in Lubbock, TX, has also joined Choice’s Ascend Hotel Collection. The 100-room hotel is located near Texas Tech University and popular local attractions, including the National Ranching Heritage Center, Buddy Holly Center and Science Spectrum & OMNI Theater.
The hotel offers free WiFi, complimentary hot breakfast, fitness center and outdoor pool. The property also has 3,000 sq. ft. of event space for up to 160 people, a hot tub and a lounge and bar.
Ocean Resort Casino
AC Ocean Walk’s 1,399-room Ocean Resort Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, will join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The $3- billion landmark property, which was recently acquired by AC Ocean Walk, will be situated on 20 acres on the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk. It is expected to open in summer 2018 and will be operated by AC Ocean Walk.
Ocean Resort Casino will be the eighth hotel in North America to open as part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt portfolio, which launched in 2016.
The expansive 6.4 million-sq.-ft. luxury resort will feature a 138,000-sq.-ft. luxury casino; 160,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting and convention space; 90,000 sq. ft. of flexible outdoor special event space; five swimming pools, including a salt-water pool; a sun deck with cabanas; distinctive dining from premier restaurant groups Garces Group and LDV Hospitality; and entertainment experiences that will feature lively day and nightclubs and a sports bar. The resort will include a 32,000-sq.-ft. on-site location of Exhale, Hyatt’s newly acquired fitness and spa brand, which will have 32 treatment rooms, a mind body studio and retail boutique. The new spa will be the first exhale experience to open within a Hyatt-branded property.
Niepce Paris Hotel
Hilton has opened Niepce Paris Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton. Located in the heart of the artistic district of Montparnasse, Niepce Paris Hotel is inspired by one of the most influential photographic artists of the time—Janine Niepce. The photographer’s famous shots are captured throughout the guestrooms, corridors and ceiling displays, adding a special touch to the hotel’s artsy ambiance.
Guests can choose from 52 guestrooms, including three suites. The rooms feature the latest technology with tablet control systems and high-speed internet. Suites also feature a separate living area.
The hotel’s main restaurant, La Verriere Paris, offers an array of French and international cuisine. In addition, Café ‘N’ Bar welcomes guests with a selection of wines and cocktails, alongside nutritious dining options. The hotel caters to small meetings with a 786-sq.-ft. meeting room. For those looking to exercise, the hotel provides a high-tech gym, available to guests.
Black Fox Lodge
This summer, Black Fox Lodge in Pigeon Forge, TN, will join Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The 178-room property will remain open to the public as minor renovations are completed, and expects to officially open as a branded Tapestry property by August 2018.
Located less than a half-mile from the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge, Black Fox Lodge includes 4,500 sq. ft. of event space, a resort-style pool with slide and scenic views of the Smoky Mountains.
Chartwell Hospitality developed Black Fox Lodge from inception to completion and manages the property.