Starwood giving thanks with its first ever Cyber Monday sale!

Starwood's Cyber Monday online promotion

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  A big thank you to all you readers and followers.  Here’s wishing you have a great break with friends and family.  Gobble gobble!

Now how about a Starwood deal?

Starwood is quickly positioning itself as a web savvy company.  In addition to its plethora of social media tools and sites, Starwood is now offering a special promotion for Cyber Monday.  For those who aren’t familiar with what that is, think of Black Friday but in the context of online shopping from your office desk next Monday.  Why should the brick and mortar retailers have all the fun?

Here’s the scoop on the online Starwood Cyber Monday promo . . .

For just three days starting on Monday, November 30 and ending on December 2, book a stay at one of the 50 Starwood resorts at savings of up to 45% on stays from Jan. 1 through April 30, 2010.  Here’s the link that you want to keep handy for next Monday:  http://www.starwoodexclusiveoffers.com/cybermonday-preview

The cancellation policy looks tough on this Cyber Monday promo though.  It looks like there’s no refund on cancelled reservations so make sure you’re definitely going or get trip insurance.

Just in case the 50 or so upscale Starwood resorts  just aren’t what you’re looking for, there’s always Hotels.com and its holiday sale.  Hotels.com was perhaps the industry pioneer of marketing online promotions specifically for Cyber Monday and Black Friday.  For the third year straight the website will hold online sales on both dates that will include over 200 properties in more than 100 locations selling at 50% off regular rates.

Just saw that Expedia is also having a Black Friday / Cyber Monday sale.  Get $25 off a hotel booking of $150 or more, book before Nov 30, and travel by Dec 21.

Holy crap! Starwood global headquarters is moving to Connecticut!

Goodbye White Plains, hello CT waterfront!

I had to read the news on WSJ twice before I actually digested the info.  It looks like Starwood is going to relocate corporate headquarters from White Plains, NY to Stamford, CT.  The WSJ article reports that Connecticut lured Starwood by offering government incentives worth up to roughly $90 million.  After reporting losses after each quarter this year, those incentives were probably like sweet, sweet nectar.

Here’s some additional info from the online sources . . .

Starwood will move to Harbor Point, a large mixed-use real estate development under construction in Stamford’s south end, which is currently home to accounting firm Deloitte.  The landlord, a local firm called Building & Land Technologies will shoulder some of the cost of the estimated $40 million renovation of the 250,000-square-foot space.  Starwood said the move would save 20% annually in rent.

The relocation, slated to be completed in 2012, will bring an estimated 800 jobs to the state, Connecticut Governor Rell said.  The incentives include a $9.5 million loan, as much as $5 million in sales tax relief and up to $75 million in tax credits.

“After an extensive search for new office space for our worldwide headquarters, it became clear that this particular space in Stamford was an ideal choice,” said Frits van Paasschen, president and CEO of Starwood. “Not only did the state of Connecticut provide meaningful incentives that translate to a savings of 20 percent per year in rent, but we will also have the opportunity to design office space that reflects Starwood’s leadership in global hospitality, design and brand-building, as well as our commitment to the environment and our communities.”

Stumbled on some professional photos of the new W Boston!

I just stumbled upon Oleg March’s Photography website which had some professional pictures of the W Boston on display.  There’s a bunch of great photo sets on this site, along with numerous hotel interior shots from NY and Greece from what I saw.

The W Boston, with its 235 guestrooms and suites (plus residences), opened up earlier this month in the city’s historic theater district.  It’s a good lookin building isn’t it?

Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader for W and Le Meridien puts it best when she says . . .

“As our 35th W Hotel and ninth hotel to open in 2009 alone, W Boston marks a true milestone in W’s global expansion into the world’s most exciting and vibrant destinations.  Renowned designers Bentel & Bentel have designed a landmark building that takes a modern twist on Boston’s historic green spaces, creating a true urban oasis for guests and locals alike.”

And read this tease of a description of the property from the official press release . . .

Envisioning a “virtual garden” concept, Bentel & Bentel’s design expresses this in myriad ways throughout the rooms and public areas of the hotel.  Steel tendrils that define spaces and create visual interest are at the same time both organic and industrial.  Falling water in the lobby is juxtaposed against interior and exterior glass and the dynamic interplay with what’s happening outside on Stuart Street and in the Theatre District.  A modern fireplace is positioned at the most acute angle of the building providing a “beacon” of light to those passing by, enticing them to come inside to join in the fun.  Throughout the day, light is subtly transitioned as it filters through the building’s impressive glass exterior into the thoughtfully created spaces within the hotel.

Photo: Boston City Walk

Like any 100 year old, the Palace Hotel could do without some stress

I was in San Francisco this past weekend and got to see with my own two eyes a hotel strike for the very first time.  It was taking place on the entire sidewalk up and down the Palace Hotel’s exterior.

As reported in USA Today, workers that are part of a local union were striking to protest the progress of contract negotiations.  What’s got everyone so riled up?  Apparently health insurance has gone up and the workers don’t want to pay for it themselves.

All the picketting and protesting from union workers could not have come at a worse time for the Palace hotel.  Last Friday, the hotel was celebrating its 100th year anniversary with a spectacular party underneath the famous glass atrium ceiling.  Unfortunately, the scene wasn’t so pleasing on the sidewalk, where protesters were banging drums and delivering chants through megaphones.

Just a little bit of history — The Palace was rebuilt from the ground up in 1909, three years after the devastating earthquake of 1906.  It was originally built back in 1875 and was considered one of the most luxurious and glamorous hotels in the world.

Hopefully Starwood’s chief negotiators will sort out this mess with the local union sooner than later.  With several other properties in San Francisco, including the W and the Westin St. Francis, more strikes are certainly a possibility.  Let’s cross our fingers they won’t take place.

Here are some pics in and outside the hotel right before the 100th year anniversary party . . .

Tourists don't look too happy do they?

Is this beautiful or what?