New Wyndham Hotel Opens in Manhattan’s Chelsea

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has opened the newly constructed 280-room Fashion 26 - A Wyndham Hotel on West 26th Street in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood and nearby Fashion District.

The latest addition to Manhattan’s hotel cityscape, the fashion-themed hotel offers distinctive services and amenities including signature Crumbs cupcakes at check-in, innovative dining at specialty hamburger haven RARE Bar & Grill, and radio-frequency guest room keys that unlock doors with the wave of a hand.

The 22-story glass and steel tower, conceived by Peter F. Poon Architect P.C., stands across from the Fashion Institute of Technology, the hotel’s neighbor on the opposite side of Seventh Avenue. Designer Glen Coben took inspiration from the Fashion District’s history for the hotel’s fashionable look and style. Coben’s custom-designed wooden reception desk in the hotel’s lobby was modeled after a fashion studio cutting-room table, with iron legs common to old-fashioned sewing tables.

Guest corridors throughout the hotel will be the setting for a rotating art program, featuring contest-winning photography created by students at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Setting the stage for the hotel’s exhibits, the hotel’s own After Mondrian (Fashion 26) display by installation artist Devorah Sperber is crafted from colorful spools of thread in homage to Piet Mondrian’s paintings of the city.

“Fashion 26 – A Wyndham Hotel makes an exciting statement about architectural imagination, refined service and unique amenities in one of the city’s most vital and vibrant neighborhoods,” said Jeff Wagoner, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts president. “We are proud to build on our strong presence in New York City and offer business and leisure travelers another great hotel option in Manhattan.”

The guest experience is further enhanced with upscale touches including daily turndown service, premium Frette linens and terrycloth towels, complimentary wireless Internet service, custom-designed hardwood furniture, Gilchrist & Soames bath products, and special edition, fashion-inspired cupcakes, made exclusively for the property.

Staff uniforms are equally stylish, taking inspiration from design houses like Faconnable, Pink and Ralph Lauren. The custom-created merino wool uniforms will be complemented by Kangol knit hats for the doormen.

The hotel’s hip RARE Bar and Grill pays tribute to the great American hamburger, and its RARE View rooftop bar and lounge will open late spring with creative cocktails to be served with dramatic views of the Manhattan skyline.

 The hotel offers meeting space for up to 80 attendees and a boardroom suitable for up to 14 people.

 Insomniacs will appreciate the business and fitness centers which is open 24 hours a day. The fitness center is outfitted with Cybex cardiovascular and resistance training equipment.

“Having worked on this project since its inception two years ago, it is wonderful to see this unique combination of fashion, hospitality and exemplary service come to fruition,” said Paul Celnik, founder of Mode Hospitality, which manages the hotel and assembled a seasoned executive team led by General Manager Wayne Schneider.

In celebration of the hotel’s opening, introductory room rates begin at $299 through 31 June 2010.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Flights, Codeshare, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Videos, Wyndham, Chelsea, New York