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The Grand Hyatt New York Has New Look, New
Standards with a $65 million Renovation

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NEW YORK - The Grand Hyatt New York has traded in its former 80�s glitz for a more stylish, contemporary look and has added the latest in hospitality amenities.  A stellar team of designers developed the hotel�s new image which features 1,311 completely refurbished guest rooms including Hyatt�s new �Grand Bed�, the new Manhattan Ballroom at the lobby level with state-of-the-art audio/visual capabilities, the new Manhattan Sky restaurant and bar overlooking 42nd Street, and the Commodore Grill and Lounge. 

The Grand Hyatt New York is the first Hyatt property to be outfitted with the new �Grand Bed�, which will be phased into the 123 Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt Hotels throughout the U.S., Canada and Caribbean. 

The hotel�s history dates back to 1918 when it first opened as The Commodore, an old-world European hotel.  In 1980, Hyatt Corporation partnered with Donald Trump to launch the Grand Hyatt in a renovation that revitalized the neglected Grand Central neighborhood and created Trump�s signature look of mirrored glass and highly-polished stainless steel. 

Looney Associates was commissioned to create the new look of the Grand Hyatt New York.  The Dallas design firm is best known for their design of the new rooms at Grand Hyatt Westshore in Tampa, Ballantyne Golf Resort in Charlotte, The Chattanoogan Hotel & Conference Center and the Marriott Orlando World Center. 
�Because the Grand Hyatt New York hosts a diverse clientele, including large groups, business travelers, international travelers and families, the design had to be universal in its appeal,� comments Jim Looney. �This was achieved by using a base color palette of rich golds, warm taupes, and shades of blue accents, creating a guest room which is a sophisticated, urban and relaxing.� 

Public Areas and Meeting Space

The hotel boasts over 55,000 square-feet in meeting space with two ballrooms and over 50 conference rooms, including the brand new Manhattan Ballroom and new glass-walled Chrysler and Park Avenue Conference Rooms at the Mezzanine Level.  The 19,000 square-foot Empire State Ballroom (formerly called the Grand Ballroom), which can be partitioned into five separate rooms, remains in its original �modified empire� design.

The Manhattan Ballroom, located on the lobby level, features two walls of glass windows overlooking 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, two-story high drapes, dramatic sconces mounted around the room, a �woven wood� accent wall, and a polished chrome ceiling with custom-designed amber chandeliers.  The state-of-the-art lighting system helps create a day or evening atmosphere to cater to a wide variety of meeting and reception needs.

The renovation of the main lobby will be completed in January 2005.  The lobby will feature new furniture, imported, custom-made carpets, and additional stone for a smoother look and feel, and will be outfitted with wireless hi-speed Internet access. 
The remodeled fitness center on the 35th floor features Stairmasters, Lifecycles, and free weights.  Eight flat-screen televisions with headsets are available for individual audio entertainment. 

Guest Rooms

At a cost of $55 million, the hallways and all 1,311 guest rooms were completely refurbished and rewired to reflect a modern, stylish sensibility.  The hallways - with its neutral beige walls, plush carpeting, and solid wood credenza with flanking consoles - combined with the neutral colors and uncluttered design of the guest rooms, create an elegant but relaxed atmosphere for the guests.  All furniture was custom-designed by Looney and Hyatt and manufactured by William Montague. 

The focal point of the room is Hyatt�s new �Grand Bed� which features a bed base, as well as a box spring with custom-designed fitted cover, creating a sleek and clean look, eliminating the need for a traditional bed frame and dust ruffle.  The mattress is a Sealy Posturepedic 720 Series, one of the highest quality mattresses on the market.  The �Grand Bed� has also replaced the bedspreads with 21 oz. down blankets, as well as 250-thread-count triple sheeting.  The top sheet features a decorative silk cotton stripe pattern in fine cotton twill made exclusively for Hyatt.  A decorative cummerbund in royal blue and gold sits at the end of the bed, adding a distinctive design element, while matching satin throw pillows provide a homey touch. 

Other design elements in the room include contemporary photography of New York architecture which was commissioned for the Grand Hyatt. The taupe-colored vinyl wallpaper by Chagreen is modeled after shark skin, and the heather-gray hue of the Clayton Miller carpet creates a classic tweed appearance.  All rooms feature a CD-clock radio and a flat-screen TV. 

The guest baths have been completely remodeled, utilizing light porcelain tiles and black granite pedestal sinks to visually open the rooms.  Design materials include imported stone flooring, mushroom-colored wallpaper, special Speakman shower heads, and rounded curtain rods to provide guests with more room. 

Each room features a work station and chair that are ergonomically designed with the modern business traveler in mind.  The contemporary desk lamp has power outlets at its base for laptop computers and the two-line dataport phone with speaker function further helps the business traveler work from his room.  Wireless, high-speed Internet access is expected to be live in the coming months.

Restaurants

The former Sun Garden Restaurant has been refurbished into the new Manhattan Sky restaurant and bar, with the same signature view of 42nd Street.  Orange-, red- and tangerine-colored lamps hang in clusters throughout the restaurant, offering a bright, whimsical look to the serene backdrop.  Culpepper, McAuliffe and Meaders, Inc. reconfigured the space to provide a focal bar in the restaurant with a back bar liquor display that features a colorful glass collage framed as artwork, which can be seen from the lobby entrance.  New furnishings combine to provide a modern look and feel to the restaurant.  The artisan design motif runs throughout the restaurant, with a variety of work by local artists and craftsmen encased in custom-designed Eucalyptus wood presentation niches with jewel-toned backgrounds throughout the restaurant. 

The Commodore Grill and Lounge, designed by Marcel Becquillard, was renovated to convey the ambiance of a classic New York lounge complete with cherry oak paneling, atmospheric lighting and semi-circular banquets � ideal for enjoying a leisurely meal.  The lounge and restaurant are connected by a cozy, circular bar.

About Hyatt
There are 212 hotels and resorts (over 90,000 rooms) in 43 countries around the world, operating under the Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt brands. 

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Contact:
Kira Kohrherr 
Public Relations Manager
Grand Hyatt New York
Ph: 646.213.6682
[email protected]
Also See: Hyatt Corporation Will Purchase the 143-unit AmeriSuites Chain from Affiliates of The Blackstone Group; Plans to Invest $150 million to Create New Brand Headed by Jim Abrahamson and Mike Leven / December 2004
Doug Geoga to Direct Hyatt's New Initiative to Restructure Domestic and International Business / March 2003


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