| August 23, 2005 - The time is ripe for a bold new generation of hotels
that offer more than simply the sophisticated modern style: hotels that
seamlessly combine that style with real substance, hotels which are literally
brought to "life" by genuinely warm and gracious staff who forge personal
connections with guests and embody the spirit of "Easy Living." Alden Hotels,
which will launch this September, are the archetype of this new generation:
a fresh breed of hotels which are a direct reflection of our lives and
how we choose to live. The hotels exemplify the lives we all seek to create
for ourselves: the unpretentious, "easy living" environment to which we
naturally gravitate, informed by a smart, savvy, cosmopolitan sensibility.
The name "Alden" has a rich heritage as part of the English language.
It translates to "old friend"- which is exactly how Alden will treat every
guest - like an "old friend," greeting them with open arms and a warm embrace.
At Alden, it's as if we are personally welcoming guests into our own home.
This tradition re p resents the very essence of hospitality.
| The launch of Alden Hotels marks the beginning of a new
chapter in hospitality. As travelers are no longer willing to settle for
style without substance, Alden provides the answer to 'what's missing in
the marketplace.' In contrast to the mass market chains and boutique hotels,
Alden Hotels offer each guest a friendly face and the warmth of the human
touch. At Alden you will experience unparalleled service that is world-class
- yet a world apart from the stiff, sterile white glove service of old-world
hotels that creates distance between guests and staff. At Alden, the emphasis
is on fostering a connection between guests and staff - providing guests
with an opportunity to truly express themselves and make their experience
uniquely their own, rather than the cookie-cutter hotel stays so pervasive
today.
The man behind this compelling new concept is Tim Miller, who spent
more than 16 years working with Ian Schrager to create a collection of
hotels unlike any the world had ever seen before: Morgans, Royalton, Hudson
and Paramount in New York City; Mondrian in Los Angeles; Delano and The
Shore Club in Miami; Sanderson and St. Martins Lane in London; and Clift
in San Francisco. He brings his iconoclastic approach and entrepreneurial
spirit to Alden where as President of the company he plans to build a collection
of small, intimate properties, starting with the prototype which will launch
in Houston in September.
"Style isn't something you buy. It's something you live. As much as
it is practical in form and function, the hotel you choose should also
reflect your state of mind. Alden is designed to capture your |
The Alden Houston Hotel
(formerly The Sam Houston Hotel)
1117 Prairie Street
Houston, Texas
|
imagination, while at the same time anticipate your every need, 24/7. And
you can never underestimate the importance of the human touch. From the
minute you walk through the door, you'll feel a warmth reminiscent of a
small town in the middle of one of the nation's largest cities. Our guests
will experience unparalleled service that is effortless, that anticipates
your every need and makes you feel as comfortable as you would in your
own home. 'Easy living' is as much about experiencing effortless service
as it is about appreciating great style. After all, it's all in the details,"
explains Tim Miller.
Located in the heart of downtown Houston, the first Alden Hotel will
feature a clean, simple, fresh design by Gary and Jane Whitney of Whitney
& Whitney that is thoroughly modern yet offers a gracious nod to the
hotel's historic past as a Texas landmark. When guests enter the lobby,
they are enveloped in a palate of crisp cream and rich chocolate brown
that creates a calming oasis that is both timeless and ever welcoming.
The property features 97 guest rooms, including 9 suites, with luxurious
touches such as supple brown leather padded headboards and Russian Labrador
granite bathrooms that sparkle with iridescent blue granite. An open and
airy second floor veranda offers a stunning setting for meetings and events,
providing a view of the local skyline and overlooking Houston 's historic
courthouse.
While travelers are accustomed to finding world-class hotels primarily
in international gateway cities such as New York or London, Alden offers
guests a welcome surprise -that same unmistakable world-class experience
in the heart of downtown Houston. Following the launch of its first property
in Texas, Alden Hotels looks forward to future acquisitions and expansion
into a number of markets around the country. In these markets, Alden is
poised to become the alternative for discerning travelers - travelers who
shy away from the large impersonal chain hotels and seek a more intimate,
personalized experience akin to spending time with a great "old friend,"
surrounded by all the comforts of modern luxury. Each Alden property will
be unique in its own right with its own distinct identity. Each hotel will
be informed, but not driven, by the local city since Alden's deep sense
of style and "easy living" transcend any one locality. Alden Hotels will
appeal to practically anyone who understands that life is more than just
'getting by' and who believes that a hotel is more than just a place to
lay down your head at night -it is a reflection of who you see when you
look in the mirror.
Tim Miller, President
Alden Hotels
Tim Miller, whose vision is the driving force behind Alden Hotels, brings
to his position as President of the company his own unique philosophy on
hospitality combined with more than 16 years of experience creating an
unparalleled collection of hotels with Ian Schrager - hotels that that
broke boundaries, set new standards for the entire industry and gave rise
to imitators the world over.
As the Senior Vice President of Brand Management, working side-by-side
with Ian Schrager for the better part of two decades, Tim Miller directed
the expansion of the brand, growing it from a single hotel - Morgans -
into a collection of 10 world-class properties, each of which became an
icon in its own right: Morgans, Royalton, Hudson and Paramount in New York
City; Mondrian in Los Angeles; Delano and The Shore Club in Miami; Sanderson
and St. Martins Lane in London; and Clift in San Francisco.
Although Tim was based primarily out of the New York City corporate
headquarters, each time a hotel opening was on the horizon, he relocated
to the launch city to personally oversee every detail and ensure that the
hotel's foray into the marketplace was a success. Tim was instrumental
in positioning the hotels at the forefront of fashion and entertainment
- and in developing a following for a genre of hotels that came to define
an era.
After originally moving to New York City for an opportunity in television,
Miller gave up a promising acting career to devote his attention full-time
to building Morgans Hotel Group with Ian Schrager. In one of those rare
"only in New York" happenings, he literally arrived in New York City on
a Thursday, interviewed for a position at the newly opened Royalton on
a Friday, and started working at the property that very weekend. He brought
to his career in hospitality a keen appreciation for the theatrical which
informed all of his subsequent work - In a sense, each hotel was a stage
in which the cast of characters changed constantly.
Coming from a large close-knit family in a small New England town, Tim
's distinct approach to hospitality is rooted in the hometown tradition
of extending a friendly welcome to all.
By starting out as a bellman at Royalton and interacting directly with
guests on a daily basis, he learned every aspect of the hotel business
from the bottom up. Along the way, through years of first-hand feedback,
he developed razor-sharp insights into what really matters to guests.
On this foundation, was born his philosophy that every guest interaction
is an opportunity to forge a personal connection that leaves a lasting
impression and ultimately defines the hotel for that guest. Over the years,
he cultivated a passion for perfecting the hotel experience.
Now he is stepping out on his own and unveiling Alden Hotels -- a bold
new breed of hotel for the 21st century informed both by his cosmopolitan
sensibilities, as well as his small town roots, where opening your doors
and extending a gracious welcome is a way of life. At Alden, everyone is
welcomed as an "old friend" - which is the meaning of "Alden" in early
English, as well as the foundation on which the entire company is built.
Alden Hotels will be distinctly different from both the so-called "boutique"
hotels and the mass market chains. In contrast, Alden will be a collection
of small properties that offer guests relaxed, modern sophistication, and
world-class personalized service in an environment where every guest is
welcomed as though they are entering our home.
It is a brand built on the recognition that a hotel's strength is a
direct reflection of the people behind it - it is the warmth and personality
of its people that bring Alden to life. To ensure that Alden's staff embodies
the spirit of the hotel, Tim has personally selected and hired them.
The Alden brand is simple, clean, fresh and unpretentious yet stylish
and cosmopolitan. Alden is about living a life of substance - with style.
Just like our guests. |
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