ATLANTA The W hotel, which opened in 1999, is part of an industry trend sparking construction of boutique hotels here.
Traditionally considered a “chain” city, Atlanta is seeing an increase in boutique hotels in development or under consideration.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which owns the W brand, said it might consider a second hotel in Buckhead or midtown. Also, a partnership that includes Crow Hospitality Investment Group of Atlanta plans to buy the Days Inn in Midtown and spend $23 million to convert it into a boutique hotel with condos on top. Another boutique hotel is being considered by Robert Loudermilk Jr., president of Aaron Rents and part of a partnership that plans to develop the site of the old Cabana Hotel. In addition, a spokeswoman for San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group, which helped pioneer the concept, said Atlanta “is on our target list of places to look at, especially with our developments in Washington, D.C., and New Orleans. Its a natural.”
(9/6/00)
Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution