April 29–Aloft Hotel, part of a boutique line from Starwood Hotels, is building a 136-room hotel at 2434 Nicholasville Road. It’s scheduled to open in 2017.
Aloft was launched in 2008 as a more moderately-priced brand that would appeal to younger customers who would someday graduate to the higher-priced W.
Aloft spokesman Chelsea Enselsaid in an e-mail that Aloft’s amenities will include the Re:Mix Lounge, W XYZ Bar, Motion Fitness Center, and Re:Fuel, a self-serve gourmet eatery that includes mix-and-match meals and make-your-own cappuccinos.
Starwood research indicates that Aloft customers are more likely to book online and provide feedback via social media.
Starwood’s brands also include Sheraton, Four Points, St. Regis and W Hotels. Aloft has hotels throughout the United States, Mexico, England and Canada as well as in Abu Dhabi and India.
In addition to the Aloft, a couple of other hotels are soon to open on other parts of Nicholasville Road.
Hilton Hotels and Resorts is building a 103-suite Home2 Suites Hotel behind the Trader Joe’s store at 2326 Nicholasville Road. Home2 Suites is described by Hilton as “a hip extended-stay hotel experience” that promises “to always provide our guests with earth-conscious products and services they can feel good about.”
The Home2 Suites is scheduled to open in June.
Closer to the University of Kentucky and downtown, the Greer Companies real estate development firm is building a Hampton Inn hotel at Nicholasville Road and Southland Drive. That hotel is scheduled in August.
Cheryl Truman: (859)231-3202. Twitter: @CherylTruman.
