Property Marks The Eighth New York Lodging to Join the Portfolio
Hotel de Point opened its doors this summer as the newest addition to the Ascend Hotel Collection membership program fromChoice Hotels International.
The boutique hotel is located in the heart of the revitalizedCollege Pointneighborhood ofFlushing,Queens, New York, less than ten minutes fromLaGuardia Airportfor early morning flights.Hotel de Pointis steps away from shops, restaurants and nightlife. For travelers who wantManhattanstyle without the price tag, this property boasts high design, state-of-the-art green features, and 114 elegant guestrooms with market-driven opening rates from an affordable$139per night.
Ascend Hotel Collectionis a network of more than 75 upscale independent hotels, each with a singular personality reflecting its locale. As part of this eclectic network, the property maintains its independent brand identity. At the same time, it gains access to the global sales and marketing channels of one of the world’s largest hospitality companies. Ascend Hotel Collectionboasts a total reservation contribution rate from Choice Hotelsof more than 58 percent, the highest among the Choice family of brands. Being a member of the Choice Hotelsfamily, Hotel de Pointenjoys visibility before a network of more than 15 million Choice Privileges rewards members worldwide. It also acquires a presence on ChoiceHotels.com, one of the industry’s most visited websites.
Hotel de Pointis managed byReal Hospitality Group, based inOcean City, Md., and owned byQueens-based Point 128 LLC, with award-winning architectRaymond Chanas the project’s managing partner.
“Raymond has designed high-concept hotels and restaurants in gateway cities around the globe,” explainsPeter Reyes, the lodging’s general manager. “WithHotel de Point, he wanted to turn his ideas into his own place.
“Ascend Hotel Collectionintrigued us because it has this same goal,” Reyes continues. “It’s a simple, straightforward program. We gain the sales and marketing support of a global hospitality company, while still staying true to the owners’ original vision.”
Chic Retreat
Through the fall of 2012,Hotel de Point introductory rates start at$139 per night. The property is housed in a century-old building, originally a factory owned and operated by the inventor of the shower cap. A major renovation has transformed this space into a contemporary multi-use complex, home to the hotel as well as to the newShops de Point, featuring upscale shops, restaurants, nightlife, spa, pool, fitness center, conference facility and more. From the complex’s rooftop bar/cafe, guests take in spectacular views of theManhattan skyline and watch planes arriving and departing from LaGuardia.
Hotel de Pointoffers a respite from hectic travel with a soothing, contemporary design by Mr. Chan. Stepping into the lobby, guests find a neutral color palette of creams, browns and white, all bathed in the glow of soft LED lighting. Cream-colored Italian marble floors are offset by white textured walls with a wave-like pattern. A 20-foot Italian marble reception desk sits at one end of the lobby. It faces a custom-designed art wall with ultra-modern fireplace composed of glass rocks.
The lobby’s striking design is nature-inspired. The ceiling, for example, features a unique, architecturally designed lighting element in sky-blue embellished with tiny circles, like raindrops, recalling a fresh rainfall on a bright summer day. There’s a handcrafted central garden. Cushy white leather sofas invite guests to relax and hang out. The couches are backed by a “living wall” with slender cutouts, each holding a small vase and fresh flower with soft LED spotlight for dramatic effect. Complementing the look, lobby music features light jazz, with the gentle sounds of a waterfall playing between tracks.
“Every detail is carefully conceived to promote a sense of serenity,” Reyes explains. “Even the lobby scent ? Bamboo Green ? is fresh, welcoming and one-of-a-kind.”
Guestrooms: Cool and Comforting
The clean, contemporary design continues in guestrooms and suites, done up in muted greys, creams and white. Bright bursts of color come from floor-to-ceiling wall art with nature-inspired designs that differ from room to room. Among the custom furnishings here are white marble-top bedside tables and minibar with refrigerator and a comfy cream-colored leather armchair. Beds are plush with matching leather headboards and pillow-top mattresses draped in luxurious white triple sheeting and crisp white duvet.
Rooms have everything a tech-savvy traveler needs: fast and reliable Wi-Fi that’s also free, comfortable workstations and 46-inch flat-screen televisions with international channel options and Internet connectivity. Self-closing draws and cabinet doors help to assure a peaceful night’s sleep. Other comforting touches include aKeurigcoffeemaker and choice of down or hypoallergenic pillows.
Lined with marble walls and floor, bathrooms exude elegance to match the rooms. They come equipped rain showerheads, expansive white marble vanity and generously thick towels.
Earth-Friendly
Hotel de Point celebrates nature not only in its design, but also with a host of green features. The property uses solar power; energy-efficient, on-demand water heaters; recycled energy systems; and low-wattage LED lighting throughout.
In guestrooms, motion sensors automatically adjust lighting, heating and air conditioning when guests enter or leave the room. An air injection system for showers maintains water pressure, while reducing consumption. To further lighten their carbon footprint, guestrooms are outfitted with low-flush toilets and organic 100% Pure bath amenities in biodegradable bottles. Even the Do Not Disturb sign takes a back seat to sustainability. In its place comes a color-coded lighting system for guestroom doors; red signals privacy, and ?green gives a go-ahead for housekeeping services.
Close To The Action
Guests find scores of things to do steps from the hotel at the complex’Shops de Point. Savor sushi at The Buffet, a fashionable Asian fusion restaurant serving up lunch and dinner along with sweeping views of theManhattan skyline. Sip drinks in a lush garden setting at theView de Point rooftop bar/cafe, presenting additional opportunities to take in the famous skyline while watching arrivals and departures from LaGuardia. Explore the unique blend of specialty items that showcase the rich neighborhood culture at the 30,000 square-footKam Man Supermarket.?Choose here from Asian, Italian and continental spices, fresh produce, organic products, meats, cheeses and more. Top off your day with a treatment at the full-serviceLemon Tree Spa. Opening in September atShops de Point, a salinated indoor swimming pool available for a nominal fee to guests and the community. With its lack of harsh chemicals and use of reclaimed energy, the pool echoes Hotel de Point’s focus on environmental stewardship.
BeyondShops de Point, catch a Mets game at Citi Field, less than three miles from the hotel. Or, visitFlushing’sChinatown, perhaps not as well known asManhattan’s, but just as bustling and diverse. Midtown Manhattan is easily accessible too.The Hotel de Pointshuttle provides complimentary service to the train station two miles away. From there, theLong Island Railroadand the New York City Subway’s No. 7 Line whisk guests toGrand Central StationandTimes Square. Catch aBroadwayshow. Browse in the SoHo boutiques and Chelsea galleries. Take in a Knicks game or concert atMadison Square Garden. Visit world-class museums like theMetropolitan MuseumandMuseum of Modern Art. Then, return toHotel de Pointfor a peaceful night’s sleep and wake up refreshed for your early morning flight.
Choice Hotelsadded several other boutique properties toAscend Hotel Collectionthis summer, includingThe Blake Hotel,New Orleans; enVisionHotel Boston; andFederal Pointe Inn, Gettysburg, bordering theNational Military Park.
Membership in Ascend Hotel Collectiongrew 35 percent in 2011. The network made its debut in late 2008. Today, it presents a curated lineup of more than 75 upscale, independent hotels in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Scandinavia and the Caribbean. For more information about Hotel de Pointand Ascend Hotel Collection, visit www.ascendcollection.com.