Starwood is opening a new Aloft in Manhattan’s Financial District. (Image: Aloft Hotels)
In hotel news, Manhattan’s Financial District is getting a new Aloft hotel; Starwood cuts the ribbon on a Westin in downtown Austin; Marriott adds a Courtyard in St. Louis; and Hilton debuts a Garden Inn at Orange County Airport and a Doubletree in San Bernadino.
An August 20 opening is planned for a new Aloft Hotel in Manhattan’s Financial District, according to Starwood’s website. The property at 49-53 Ann Street will offer Aloft’s trademark XYZ Bar, a 24/7 pantry, and a Re-Mix bar. It also has free hotel-wide high-speed Wi-Fi. Rates start at around $350.
The Westin Austin Downtown has a rooftop pool. (Image: Westin)
The 366-room Westin Austin Downtown is now open at the corner of San Jacinto Boulevard and Fifth Street in the Texas capital. It’s the second Westin in Austin, and the action here is on the rooftop of the 19-story property, where you’ll find a pool/bar called Azul as well as a 24-hour Westin Workout fitness center. Rates begin around $233.
Lobby area at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown St. Louis. (Image: Marriott)
The former Hotel Lennox in downtown St. Louis, closed for the past four years, gets a new lease on life when it reopens September 2 as the Courtyard by Marriott St. Louis Downtown/Convention Center. The property’s 165 suites have been converted into extra-large guest rooms with wet bars, refrigerators and 55-inch smart HDTVs. The building, which dates back to the 1920s, is on the National register of Historic Places. Rates start at $149.
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Entry lounge area at Hilton’s new DoubleTree in San Bernardino. (Image: Hilton)
In southern California, what was formerly the Hotel San Bernardino, an independent property in the city of the same name, has been converted into the 251-room DoubleTree by Hilton San Bernardino following a $10 million overhaul. Work on the hotel, which is 17 miles from Ontario International Airport, included all guest rooms, all 10,000 square feet of meeting spaces, and all public areas. Rates begin at $129.
Hilton’s new Garden Inn near Orange County Airport. (Image: Hilton)
There’s also a newly opened Hilton in southern California — the Hilton Garden Inn Irvine/Orange County Airport. It’s close to the 405 Freeway, a short walk away from the Irvine Business Complex, and not far from the South Coast Plaza mall. It’s got a 24-hour business center, a fitness center, free Wi-Fi and an indoor pool. Rates start at $110.
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The rehab Courtyard didn’t garner any mention by the St. Louis media. While the recent nasty weather may keep some from visiting, security in downtown is on the minds of both locals and travelers who family vacation revolves around a Cardinals home game. Business travelers would be greatly helped if the Uber issue is settled, ASAP.