PHILADELPHIA? Starwood Hotels & Resorts recently brought the St. Regis flagship brand in its Luxury Collection here to Philadelphia. The St. Regis name ?is a world-renowned, integral part of our history, delivering to its distinguished clientele a benchmark of personalized service and unending attention to detail,? said Starwood Hotel Group CEO Juergen Bartels. Other St. Regis properties are located in New York City, Aspen, CO and Washington, D.C. In the fourth quarter of this year the Luxury Collection Hotel in Houston will also convert to the St. Regis brand. Approximately $5 million has been invested in the property in the form of soft furnishings. Marble surfaces have been refurbished and public space carpeting replaced where necessary. The refurbishment included new bedding with pillow-top mattresses and box springs in guest-rooms, as well as new king-sized down feather pillows and duvets in all rooms. All guestrooms have been equipped with dual-phone lines, cordless phones and 27-inch color televisions. Suites on the Astor Floors have fax machines and AM/FM clock radio/CD players. The Astor Floors will feature the St. Regis hallmark Maitre d?Etage butler service. The hotel will also offer 24-hour room service and concierge service. Starwood is also planning the development of a W brand hotel in Philadelphia. The company is currently in talks with actor/musician Will Smith and his brother, Harry Smith, owners/operators of Treyball Development, about the project. The proposed 160-room hotel would be located in NewMarket complex?s main building, the Glass Pavilion in Society Hill. This specific area has not been able to retain business for many years but industry observers feel the proposed hotel is cause for optimism. The deal is expected to move forward by the end of the summer, according to a representative for Treyball Development. Warren Marr of PricewaterhouseCoopers Philadelphia office believes that the ?NewMarket area lends itself to the boutique, eclectic character the Smith brothers are looking toward here. The W brand fits that definition… It?s a great location for weekend business.? Starwood had no comment on plans for the new W property.
