LoftyWords

Two New Loft Hotels!

It looks like the hotel industry has found out what loftywords readers already knew, loft living is very comfortable. Two chains are set to open new loft style hotels aimed at the midmarket and upmarket travelers.


W Hotels is launching aLoft. "aLoft will raise the bar in the select-service category, offering urban-inspired, loft-like guest rooms, enhanced technology services, landscaped outdoor spaces for socializing day and night, and an energetic lounge scene."

W Hotels parent company, "Starwood further announced that five company-owned sites are now in various stages of entitlements or development for aloft. These first aloft properties will be located in Lexington, Massachusetts, Tucson, Arizona, San Francisco Airport, Philadelphia Airport, and Cherry Creek, Colorado. The company also stated that its UFOC, or franchise offering circular, was effective as of today and that it would begin to offer aloft licenses to qualified hotel owners and operators. Starwood anticipates the first hotels to break ground in early 2006 and open in early 2007, with 500 properties worldwide expected by 2012." View the aloft web site for more details.

NYLO Hotels is developing a loft hotel chained aimed at a business and middle range travelers, with expected price points of $135.00 to $175.00 a night.

"NYLO Hotels offer a unique alternative for travelers who want a reprieve from the traditional, unemotional hotel experience. The breakthrough design calls for loft accommodations with soaring ceilings as well as The Loft, an energetic public area that will invite guests to work, shop, meet, drink, dine or simply relax. Designed for those who are seeking a more dynamic and entertaining experience at an affordable rate, NYLO Hotels brings residential loft-style living to business travelers who are weary of the same old business hotel.

Loft Accommodations
NYLO Hotels' bright, airy guest rooms will feature 11-foot ceilings; oversized windows, exposed-brick-and-polished-concrete walls, custom-made furnishings and beds dressed in luxury linens. A combination high-tech playground and remote office, each room will have a large flat-screen television, cordless phone, CD and DVD technology, and free high-speed internet connections."

Solar Backpack

Here's an item for the person who wants to enjoy the great outdoors but still wants the electronic comforts of home: namely, his techno-gadgets. This backpack has solar panels sewn into it and can recharge some of the smaller electronic items (cell phones, cameras, and such). This might seem a bit extravagant to some, but, if you've ever been out hiking or camping and forgotten to charge up your phone, you can see the advantage to having this item around. To learn more, click here or visit the online store at MoMA: The Museum of Modern Art.