
The new Renaissance Midtown in NYC has an interactive digital guest information board. (Image: Renaissance Hotels)
U.S. hotel openings this month include a high-tech Renaissance in Manhattan, a stylish boutique property near San Francisco’s Union Square, another Hyatt at Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport, a Westin in a center for the energy industry outside of Houston, and a new Aloft in Arizona.
The newest Marriott property in the Big Apple is the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel at 218 W. 35th Street, near Seventh Avenue. That’s a short walk from Penn Station/Madison Square Garden, Macy’s, Herald Square, Javits Center and the Garment District (now called the Fashion District). Marriott calls it New York’s first “digitally enhanced hotel,” since its public areas feature interactive digital art installations; there’s also a four-story-high digital clock on top of the building. It has an all-day casual restaurant called Rock & Reilly’s, as well as a Planet Fitness health club. Non-prepaid rates start at $309.
Related: 5 newest business class hotels in New York City
The former Prescott Hotel in San Francisco – at 545 Post Street near union Square – has reopened following a renovation as the Hotel Zeppelin, a member of Viceroy Hotels. The 196-room property’s decor now sports a psychedelic/summer-of-love vibe. There’s a lobby-level café/bar/lounge, and guests can contact the concierge at any time, from anywhere via a downloadable app or SMS text. A 1,300-square-foot game room features a basketball wall, skeeball, shuffle board, and a giant electronic Bingo board. Rates start as low as $135.
Hyatt already has a Grand Hyatt and a Hyatt Regency at Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport, and now it has opened a Hyatt Place there as well. The new 137-room Hyatt Place DFW is at 2350 Global Drive, near the airport’s south entrance in the Southgate Plaza development. It has a full-service restaurant and bar, a fitness center, indoor pool, meeting rooms, 24-hour market with freshly prepared and prepackaged food, free Wi-Fi, parking, and shuttle service to the terminals. Guests are entitled to free breakfast as well. Advance purchase rates start at $180, standard rates at $199.
The Woodlands, Texas – located just north of metro Houston – is a hub for some giants of the oil and gas business, including ExxonMobil, Chevron Phillips, and Anadarko Petroleum. And now it’s the site of a new Starwood property called The Westin The Woodlands. The new 302-room Westin is located on Waterway Square, close to all kinds of shopping and dining options. Amenities include a fitness facility with infinity pool and spa, a bar and a restaurant with seasonal cuisine, meeting rooms, and guest rooms equipped with the usual Westin features like the Heavenly Bed, large work desk and so on. There’s also a Westin Executive Club with free food and drinks for Club-level guests. Rates start at $274.

The new Aloft Hotel in Scottsdale has the brand’s signature W Xyz Bar and Re:Mix Lounge. (Image: Aloft Hotels)
Starwood has set a March 29 opening date for a new Aloft hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona (although the website notes that no rooms are available until April 19). The new hotel at 4415 North Civic Center Plaza is Starwood’s third Aloft in the Phoenix area (others are in Tempe and at the airport). The new Aloft is in Scottsdale’s entertainment district, close to the old town and Fashion Square Mall. It has the usual Aloft amenities and services – W Xyz Bar, Re:fuel market, 24/7 pantry and Re:Mix lounge, along with free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout. Rates start at $148.
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