SAN ANTONIO - Aug. 2, 2002 - The Emily Morgan
Hotel, one of the country's foremost "lifestyle" hotels, officially re-opened
with a lavish, gold-themed party following an extensive multi-million-dollar
interior renovation.
And just in time for the festivities, the Texas landmark was designated
as a "style" hotel by Utell, the prestigious hotel representation firm,
making it the only property of its class in the state of Texas.
Owners Westmont Hospitality Group and General Manager H.L. "Scooter"
Yates Jr. welcomed more than 600 guests to "Emily's Golden Night," where
they enjoyed a "Midas Touch" of sights, sounds and tastes.
Among the touches were "freeze" models adorned in gold paint from head
to toe and sporting custom-made golden bikinis, gold lame curtains and
bunting, exotic floral arrangements in huge golden urns, live music, romantic
vignettes staged by professional models in several rooms and at poolside,
and fine cuisine and cocktails from the Emily Morgan's new restaurant,
ORO -- created by cb5 Restaurant Management Group of Greenwich, Conn.
Gothic Yet Modern
The 14-story, 177-room hotel, next door to San Antonio's most famous
landmark, the Alamo, unveiled a completely transformed interior as decidedly
"urban chic" as its exterior is Gothic Revival from the 1920s. This contrast
of textures and appearance is a reflection of this city's love affair with
its past and its dreams for the future.
"It's a totally new hotel inside," Yates said. "We've kept what's best
about |
H.L. "Scooter" Yates Jr., general manager of the Emily Morgan Hotel,
gets the "gold treatment" at his party to celebrate the grand re-opening
of the hotel after a multi-million-dollar renovation. This golden "freeze"
model was part of the fun of "Emily's Golden Night," hosted by Yates and
Westmont Hospitality Group, which featured exotic golden decorations and
flowers, live music, a lavish buffet, golden martinis and romantic vignettes
staged by professional models in various rooms of the hotel. |
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Emily and enhanced the rest. We have created an experience that is the
personification of a mysterious Texas legend. This will be the destination
of choice for travelers who want a unique and very personal San Antonio
experience."
Utell's "style" designation is by invitation only and reserved for "exclusive
and individually designed hotels and historic properties that offer guests
a unique hotel environment, each with a character of its own."
That character includes a totally re-done lobby, from the glistening
polished stone floors to the coarse composition of the Texas limestone
walls. A double-sided fireplace is built into the limestone wall above
the majestic main staircase. Throughout the lobby, dark mahogany and burnished
brass frame contemporary furnishings in shades of tan and taupe are true
to the building's history and at the same time comfortable and inviting.
Many of the Emily Morgan's rooms and suites feature feather-top beds
and spectacular views of the Alamo and the San Antonio skyline. Contemporary
amenities include two-line speakerphones with data ports, work desks, sitting
areas and in-room refreshment centers. There is a fitness center with heated
pool and spa on the hotel's second floor. And as a special touch, all guest
rooms receive a complimentary copy of the daily New York Times -- and fresh
Starbucks coffee each morning.
The hotel offers more than 2,500 square feet of renovated meeting room
space with high-speed Internet access. It also offers catering services
and audio/visual equipment.
With its grand re-opening, the Emily Morgan Hotel publicly unveiled
its new, upscale restaurant, ORO, conceived by the famed cb5 Restaurant
Management Group of Greenwich, Conn., noted for critically acclaimed dining
concepts across the country.
A menu of modern Italian cuisine is presented in a setting of understated
elegance of soft lighting, secluded tables in dark woods, and high-backed
chairs and banquettes upholstered in a deep orange-gold fabric. Tall windows
look out at the gardens of the Alamo, just a few steps away. ORO's centerpiece
-- a large, square bar topped entirely by imported Mexican onyx, and underlit
to exude a warm golden glow -- already is attracting locals and visitors
alike with its relaxing aura and signature cocktail, the "Oro-tini." |