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Joie de Vivre heads east
Guestrooms at Hotel Lincoln highlight vibrant colors and accent pieces that reflect the property ’ s proximity to Lincoln Park Zoo .
San Francisco-based Joie de Vivre Hotels has brought its boutique spirit to Chicago with the opening of Hotel Lincoln in the city ’ s Lincoln Park neighborhood .
The hotel features 184 guestrooms with layouts ranging from studios to family suites outfitted with bunk beds . Each room highlights vibrant colors , art by Marwen and Project Onward , trunk-style faux crocodile nightstands and accent pieces that reflect the property ’ s proximity to Lincoln Park Zoo .
Chef Paul Virant crafted the in-room dining menu to reflect the seasonal , sustainable dishes served at Perennial Virant on the hotel ’ s ground floor . Elaine ’ s Coffee Call is a European-style coffee bar off the lobby , and next month , the hotel will open a rooftop lounge with capacity to accommodate 175 outdoors and up to 75 indoors .
“ Hotel Lincoln will serve as a community gathering place , where residents can relax in the heart of their own city , and visitors can enjoy a live-like-a-local experience ,” says General Manager Bob Shelley .
HOSPITALITY meets FASHION
Given that Lungarno Collection is owned by the fashion-famous Ferragamo family , it makes sense that the Florence , Italy-based hospitality group now offers suite guests an opportunity to purchase ready-to-wear “ Ferragamo Creations .”
The line — boasting prices starting at € 400 ( US $ 533 ) per item — includes bespoke items originally designed for celebrities , such as the court shoes worn by Marilyn Monroe in “ Some Like It Hot .”
“ We are celebrating the creativity , vision and legacy of Salvatore Ferragamo and combining the best of fashion and hospitality with this limited-edition line ,” says Phillip Haller , vice president of marketing for Lungarno Collection .
Ferragamo Creations include the court shoes worn by Marilyn Monroe in “ Some Like It Hot .”
Growth spurt
Travel and tourism ’ s direct contribution to the global economy is expected to pass US $ 2 trillion in GDP and 100 million jobs this year , according to the World Travel & Tourism Council ( WTTC ). WTTC identifies the following as among the strongest performers :
■ With 6.7 % growth , South and Northeast Asia will be 2012 ’ s fastest-growing regions , driven by rising incomes in India and China and ongoing recovery in Japan .
■ North Africa is showing signs of recovery in 2012 , with travel and tourism direct GDP forecast to grow 3.6 %. Morocco will be the region ’ s star performer , with 8.3 % growth .
■ Although civil unrest continues in some parts of the Middle East , there are some bright spots : Qatar will post 13.2 % travel and tourism growth .
UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai also notes that with growth comes added responsibility : “ Imagine how business models would be transformed if one billion people demanded sustainable practices from hotels and tour operators . Imagine how many would benefit if one billion people bought local produce or hired a local guide . These are small actions , but given the size of our sector , their impact would be huge .”
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“ The U . S . is the most competitive and mature hotel market in the world right now , but we are standing firm on our terms there , while our competitors are giving their brands away . That is not our perspective .” – Simon Turner , president of global development , Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide , in an interview at the Berlin investment conference in March
72 HOTELS May 2012 www . hotelsmag . com