Hotel Development And Renovations Continue In New York City's Red Hot Market

11/6/06

PR: Hotel Development



Contacts: Kimberly Spell, NYC & Company, 212-484-1247, nymedia@nycvisit.com



HOTEL DEVELOPMENT AND RENOVATIONS CONTINUE IN NEW YORK CITY'S RED HOT MARKET



-The City to Add More Than 13,000New and Renovated Hotel Rooms in the Next Four Years-


Note to editors: Images to accompany New York City travel stories are available at www.nycvisit.com/imagerequest. New York, NY (November 6, 2006) � New York City�s hotel inventory is expected to add nearly 13,000 new or renovated rooms by 2010, increasing the current inventory of 72,420. This surge in hotel development is specifically found in the smaller, mid-priced, limited service hotels throughout the five boroughs. A combination of record leisure and business travelers along with a robust Wall Street economy are responsible for the surge in hotel building. With hotel occupancy levels hovering at 85 percent and surging room rates, the hotel industry in New York City is realizing new trends. Mid-priced Hotel Development SurgesNew York City�s hospitality industry is trending toward new and improved hotels responding to business travelers� needs with renovations and new builds being done with the corporate customer in mind. More mid-range properties geared toward the business travelers are planting their flags in New York City � Comfort Inn, Four Points, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Wyndham Garden Inn to name a few. Fractional Properties Debut in NYCThis past summer the The St. Regis Hotel New York, one of New York City's most legendary hotels, opened its St. Regis Residence Club, giving members the opportunity to call the famed property their New York home. The residences include studio, one and two bedroom apartments on the 8th and 9th floors of the hotel. Hilton Hotels Corporation through its timeshare division, Hilton Grand Vacations Company is developing a 28-story timeshare property on West 57th Street in NYC, marking the first building designed exclusively for timeshare accommodations in Manhattan. Donald Trump has also announced plans to build a 411-room �condo-hotel� in SoHo, the first of its kind; each unit will be sold individually to investors who may use their property for a number of days annually. What�s Hot, Hot, Hot�The city�s first aloft Hotel property is scheduled for a mid-2008 opening in downtown Brooklyn. The full service hotel will be paired with a newly built Sheraton Hotel and the two will have 500 rooms, meeting space, and a host of upscale amenities. Another Brooklyn property, The 93-room Smith Hotel will open in April of 2007 with an additional 50 luxury residential condominiums. Lifestyle hotel and boutique properties are also trendy � Ian Schrager recently launched the Gramercy Park Hotel after a major renovation, The Duane Street Hotel, part of the Luxe Hotels Group is set to open in TriBeCa, and Intercontinental Hotels are poised to introduce their Indigo brand to the Chelsea neighborhood. LXR Luxury Resorts has just unveiled the London NYC (formerly the Rihga Royal Hotel) after a complete redesign by David Collins and Gordon Ramsay is set to open his first US restaurant there.New York City tourism is a $24 billion industry which generates $5.4 billion in city, state and federal tax revenues, further supporting essential services including the police and fire departments, public education, sanitation services and transportation infrastructure. Visitor spending supports nearly 330,000 jobs in all five boroughs. Millions of visitors each year enjoy live theater on and off-Broadway, an industry that contributes over $5 billion to the New York economy.Editor�s Note: Many of the city�s new and proposed hotel projects are listed below. Since plans change frequently, please contact hotels directly for additional information. Phone numbers have been provided wherever possible.

UNDER DEVELOPMENT(listed in chronological order of scheduled opening)


Fairfield Inn LaGuardia/Astoria � 87 rooms40-25 Astoria BoulevardAstoria, NY 11103Scheduled Opening: Fall 2006Hotel Mela � 235 guest rooms120 W. 44th StreetPublic: 877/452-6352, www.hotelmela.comScheduled opening: Fall 2006This property was formerly an office building.6 Columbus Circle � 90 rooms6 Columbus CircleScheduled Opening: Fall 2006Jason Pomeranc, who opened 60 Thompson three years ago, will expand his boutique-hotel empire with two properties in 2006. In addition to 6 Columbus Circle, Pomeranc will open a hotel on Allen Street on the Lower East Side in 2006. This is a renovated property.Hotel 373 � 78 rooms373 Fifth AvenueScheduled Opening: Fall 2006This new boutique property is located across the street from the Empire State Building.Press and Public: 646/688-1117This is a renovated property.Unnamed Hotel � 213 rooms171 Liberty StreetBrooklyn, New YorkScheduled Opening: Fall 2006Plans are to build an independent mid-priced property with limited service. This is a newly built property.Howard Johnson Midtown - 40 rooms449 West 36th StreetScheduled Opening: Fourth Quarter 2006Press: 973/496-0750This is a newly built property.Hilton Garden Inn Tribeca � 150 rooms 6 York StreetScheduled opening: First Quarter 2007This is a newly built property.Comfort Inn - 55 rooms279 Butler StreetPark Slope, Brooklyn Scheduled Opening: December 2006McSam Hotel, LLC Hotels is developing this newly built property.Unnamed Hotel � 108 rooms59-40 55th RoadQueens, NY Scheduled Opening: Late 2006This is a newly built property.The Downtown Hotel � 90 roomsGreenwich and North Moore Streets in TriBeCaScheduled Opening: 2007Actor Robert DeNiro and partner Ira Drukier have announced plans to build a $43 million, six-story luxury hotel planned in Manhattan�s TriBeCa neighborhood. This is a newly built property.Sheraton Four Points � 250 roomsFairfield Inn � 250 roomsEighth Avenue at 40th StreetScheduled Opening: 2007The Lam�s Group plans to build two mid-priced properties which will share a rooftop restaurant and lounge. Construction began at the end of 2005 and both should open in late 2007. These are newly built properties. The Lamb�s Club � N/A rooms130 West 44th StreetScheduled Opening: 2007Next on the agenda for Vikram Chatwal, owner of Time, Dream and Night hotels, is converting the landmark 1904 Sanford White-designed Lamb's Club at into a luxury hotel. Architect Thierry Despont has signed on to design. This is a renovated property.The Plaza Hotel � 282 rooms768 Fifth Avenue at 59th StreetScheduled to reopen in 2007Undergoing renovations and will reopen 282 hotel rooms and 152 condo hotel units. The hotel was purchased by ELAD properties and will be managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts when it reopens in 2007. Press: 212/715-7098, www.fairmont.com This is a renovated property.Ramada Hotel - 80 rooms416 BroadwayScheduled Opening: First Quarter 2007Press: 973/496-0750This is a newly built property.Hampton Inn Staten Island210 rooms1120 South Avenue at Lois LaneScheduled Opening: First Quarter 2007Press: 718/477-2100This is a newly built property.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 169 rooms119 West 28th StreetScheduled Opening: First Quarter 2007Hampton Inn LaGuardia Airport � 220 roomsScheduled Opening: January 2007Press and Public: 1-800-Hampton, www.hamptoninn.comThis is a newly built property.Hilton Garden Inn Chelsea � 175 roomsProjected opening January 2007West 29th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)This is a newly built property.The Duane Street Hotel � 45 rooms130 Duane StreetScheduled Opening: February 2007Hersha Hospitality is currently putting the finishing touches on this boutique property which is scheduled for 2007 opening in the middle of TriBeCa. This is a newly built property and part of the Luxe Hotels.Press and Public: 212/964-4600Comfort Inn � 78 rooms305 West 39th StreetScheduled Opening: February 2007Public: 877/424-6423, www.comfortinn.comMcSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.Sheraton JFK � 151 roomsSouth Conduit AvenueJamaica, New York Scheduled Opening: February/March 2007McSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.Fairfield Inn by Marriott � 154 roomsMidtown TunnelLong Island CityScheduled Opening: Second Quarter 2007The Lam�s Group plans to build this hotel on the Queens side of the Midtown Tunnel in Long Island City. This is a newly built property. The Smith Hotel � 93 rooms 75 Smith Street at Atlantic AvenueBrooklyn, NYScheduled Opening: April 2007Public: 718/339-2500, www.75smith.com Construction has begun on the aptly named Smith Hotel, slated for Smith Street. The 13 floor new build will open as a 93 room hotel with 50 luxury residential condominiums. This is a newly built property.Unnamed � 175 roomsWest 28th Street Projected Opening: Mid 2007 The Lam�s Group is planning a first class property in this Midtown West location. Holiday Inn � 226 rooms121 West 26th StreetScheduled Opening: July 2007McSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.Allen Street � 100 roomsAllen Street (between Houston and Stanton Streets)Scheduled Opening: Summer 2007Following on the success of his 60 Thompson hotel, Jason Pomeranc is developing this boutique property in the Lower East Side. The hotel will feature 32 luxury condominiums plus a spa, and swimming pool. This is a newly built property.Hampton Inn � 160 roomsWatt Street (SoHo)Scheduled Opening: Third Quarter 2007This Lam Generation property will include meeting space as well as a restaurant and lounge. This is a newly built property. The Standard � 344 roomsWest 13th Street between Washington and West StreetsScheduled Opening: Late 2007Andre Balazs� third foray into the New York City hospitality market with this new build in the Meatpacking District. A rooftop pool is planned. This is a newly built property.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 241 rooms124 West 29th StreetScheduled Opening: Late 2007McSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.Four Points by Sheraton Soho Village152 rooms66 Charlton Street (between Varick and Hudson Streets)Scheduled Opening: Fourth Quarter 2007The Lam�s Group is developing Starwood Hotels 14th New York City property which will be a moderately-priced lodging alternative in one of the city�s most vibrant neighborhoods. The hotel will feature 150 guestrooms including two luxury suites with hardwood floors, 20-foot high floor-to-ceiling windows and 42-inch plasma TV screens. Press and Public: 914/640-8496This is a newly built property.Sanctuary Hotel (Portland Square Hotel) � 115 rooms132 West 47th Street Scheduled Opening/Reflagging: Fourth Quarter 2007Major renovations are scheduled to begin in January of 2007 and, when work is completed on the $7.5 million renovation, the Times Square property will be a cutting-edge, deluxe hotel. Following renovations, Sanctuary will have 115 rooms versus the 147 now at Portland Square.(The property is open and operates as the newly refreshed Portland Square Hotel)Press: 212/247-2211 Public: 212/382-0600www.sanctuaryhotelnyc.comWyndham Garden Inn � 115 rooms20 Maiden LaneScheduled Opening: Late 2007McSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.This is a new build.Wyndham Garden Inn � 124 rooms37 West 24th StreetScheduled Opening: Late 2007McSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.This is a new build.Comfort Inn � 48 roomsWebster AvenueBronx, NY Scheduled Opening: January 2008This is a five story 42 room property. This is a new build.Wyndham Garden Inn � 228 roomsWest 36th Street (between 8 & 9th Aves.)Scheduled Opening: 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 162 rooms132 Fourth Avenue at East 13th StreetScheduled Opening: 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC - 4 hotels 80 rooms each244-254 59th Street59-02 Third AvenueBrooklyn, NY Scheduled Opening: 2008This is a new build.Candlewood Suites � 183 rooms339 West 39th StreetScheduled Opening: January 2008McSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 186 rooms337 West 39th StreetScheduled Opening: January 2008This is a new build.Holiday Inn Express � 210 rooms343 West 39th StreetScheduled Opening: January 2008McSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.Sheraton Hotel and Aloft Hotel � 500 rooms (2 hotels)Duffield Street (Downtown Brooklyn)Brooklyn, NYScheduled Opening: Second Quarter 2008These two new full service hotel properties will include meeting rooms, restaurants, a swimming pool and an open terrace.McSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.This is a newly built property.Comfort Inn � 60 Rooms61 Chrystie StreetScheduled Opening: August 2008Press: 301/592-5032Hotel Indigo New York122 RoomsLocation: 127 West 28th St. (between 6th and 7th Ave.) Scheduled Opening: August 2008Construction is scheduled to begin on the Hotel Indigo at the end of 2006. The new, 20-story boutique property will be owned by Fortuna Realty, LLC, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group. The nearly $50 million Hotel Indigo New York will house 122 guestrooms in a 20-story high-rise building and feature unique design elements including a rooftop garden, guest lounge, and a street level glass canopied outdoor sitting area with caf�. Other amenities will include a boardroom for small meetings and both wired and wireless high-speed Internet Access in all guestrooms as well as the lobby. Press: 770/604-5597 Website: www.hotelindigo.comManhattan Hotel � 300 Guest roomsMid-town West The Lam�s Group mid-town west property will be a first class full service hotel.Scheduled Opening: Third Quarter 2008The Paramount Hotel � 610 rooms235 West 46th StreetScheduled Re-flagging: Late 2008This Times Square property was purchased by Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts and will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment, following which it will be re-flagged. Press and Public: 212/764-5500 www.solmelia.com Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 70 rooms 153 � 75 Rockaway BlvdJamaica, NYScheduled Opening: Early 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � TBD rooms57 West 35 StreetScheduled Opening: Early 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 60 rooms23-51 83rd Street (Astoria Blvd./LaGuardia Airport)Queens, NYScheduled Opening: Early 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 112 rooms124 Water StreetScheduled Opening: Early 2008This is a new build.Sheraton Hotel � 360 rooms370 Canal StreetScheduled Opening: First Quarter 2008McSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 410 rooms 311 West 39th StreetScheduled Opening: Spring 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 80 rooms38th Street (between 3rd & 4th Avenues)BrooklynScheduled Opening: Mid � 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 2 hotels, 200 rooms each40-70 Delong StreetQueens, New YorkScheduled Opening: Mid � 2008 This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 200 roomsNevins and Schermerhorn Streets BrooklynScheduled Opening: Mid � 2008 This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 150 roomsEast 43rd Street (between 2nd and 3rd Aves.)Scheduled Opening: Mid - 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 200 rooms52 West 36th Street (between 5th & 6th Aves.)Scheduled Opening: Mid - 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 350 rooms99 Washington StreetScheduled Opening: Mid-2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 288 rooms585 Eighth AvenueScheduled Opening: Mid - 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 300 rooms98 Greenwich StreetScheduled Opening: Mid - 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC � 186 rooms50 Trinity PlaceScheduled Opening: Mid-2008This is a new build.Holiday Inn Express � 198 rooms505 West 43rd StreetScheduled Opening: Late 2008McSam Hotel, LLC is developing this newly built property.Unnamed Hotel/McSam Hotel Group LLC �144 rooms506 West 44th StreetScheduled Opening: Late 2008This is a new build.Unnamed Hotel � 90 roomsWest 37th StreetScheduled Opening: Fourth Quarter 2008The Lam Generation is developing this hotel property in the Bryant Park area. This is a newly built property.Hilton Grand Vacations Club � 161 roomsWest 57th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)Scheduled Opening: First Quarter 2009Hilton Hotels Corporation through its timeshare division, Hilton Grand Vacations Company is developing a 28 story timeshare property in NYC.Press: 407/521-3178 This is a newly built property.Gold Hotel Plaza650 roomsFinancial District Scheduled Opening: First Quarter 2009The Lam�s Group is developing this 650 room full service property which will include meeting rooms and a roof top bar.This is a newly built property.Trump SoHo � 411 Rooms246 Spring Street (between Varick and Sixth Avenue)Scheduled opening: 2009Donald Trump in partnership with Bayrock Group and Tamir Sapir has announced plans to build a condo-hotel, which would have 411 rooms. The luxury condo-hotel will have an outdoor pool, a screening room, restaurant and cocktail lounge, members library and event space. This property is envisioned as the city�s first �condo-hotel� -- every unit will be sold individually to buyers who might stay there from time to time, though they will not be used as residences.Press: 212/832-2000This is a newly built property.The Javtis Center Convention Hotel � 1,000 rooms11th Avenue between 35th and 36th StreetsScheduled Opening: 2010The hotel will have a minimum of 50,000 square feet of meeting, ballroom and pre-function space and will be connected directly to the Convention Center via an underground connection.This is a newly built property.RECENTLY OPENED/RENAMED(listed in chronological order)The London NYC (formerly Rihga Royal Hotel) � 564 rooms151 West 55th StreetScheduled Opening: November 2006This property has undergone a complete redesign, refurbishment and repositioning and has been renamed The London NYC. Part of LXR Luxury Resorts, the property features the designs of David Collins and acclaimed English chef Gordon Ramsay will open his first US restaurant Gordon Ramsay at The London NYC and the London Bar at the location. Press: 212/822-8165 Public: 212/307-5000This is a renovated property.Holiday Inn Express � 288 rooms 232 West 29th Street (between 7th and 8th Aves.)Opening: November, 2006Press and Public: 212/695-7200This is a new build.Wingate Inn Manhattan Midtown � 92 Rooms235 West 35th StreetOpened: September 2006Wingate Inns International opened their first Wingate Inn in Manhattan, a $20 million, 18-floor property in September 2006. Hotel facilities include a boardroom, meeting room, fitness room and 24-hour self-service business center. Press: 973/496-0750 Public: 212/967-7500This is a newly built property.New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridgeadded 280 rooms333 Adams Street, BrooklynConstruction Completed: September, 2006September 2006 saw the addition of 280 new rooms as part of a 24-story expansion to the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. This expansion also added 2,000 additional square feet of meeting space for a total of 656 guest rooms and 30,000 total square feet of meeting space. Premium retail space was added along Adams Street. The pedestrian plaza between Adams and Jay Streets will be improved with new street furniture, lighting and landscaping. A two-level pedestrian bridge links the expansion to the existing hotel. Public: 718/246-7000 www.brooklynmarriott.com Press: 212/704-8906 This is a newly built addition.Courtyard by Marriott New York Upper East Side210 rooms, 16 suites410 East 92nd Street at York AvenueOpened: September, 2006Just steps from Museum Mile and the most renowned healthcare facilities including Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital, this property features comfortable rooms with free high-speed Internet access, a fitness center with 50 ft. indoor lap pool, whirlpool, steam room, sauna and massage facilities. Business Center and meeting space to accommodate 122 people. Public 212/410-6777 www.marriott.com Press: 212/704-8906 This is a newly built property.Radisson Martinique532 rooms49 West 32nd StreetReflagged: August, 2006The former Holiday Inn has been reflagged the Radisson Hotel Martinique after completing a guest room renovation that included the installation of Radisson Sleep Number beds and flat-screen televisions, will also add additional meeting space and a supper club next year. Press and Public: 212/736-3800Fairfield Inn by Marriott JFK - 110 Guest Rooms156-08 Rockaway BoulevardJamaica, NY 11434Re-flagged May 31, 2006Formerly the Doubletree Club JFK, this property is under new ownership and management and just completed a full property renovation.Press and Public: 718/977-3300Doubletree Hotel JFK Airport - 386 Guest Rooms135-30 140th StreetJamaica, NY 11436Re-flagged: July 2006Formerly the Radisson Hotel JFK, this hotel is under new ownership and management and just completed a full $10 million property renovation. This property is the second-largest hotel at JFK Airport. Press and Public: 718-322-2300Marrakech Hotel NYC � 125 rooms2688 Broadway (at 103rd Street)Opened: Summer 2006The Marrakech is a newly renovated Moroccan theme hotel featuring Authentic Moroccan d�cor and room rates starting at $119. The hotel features Salon Arabe a lounge which features a fireplace, 42 inch plasma tv and state of the art surround sound system. Guest rooms boast upscale amenities such as flat-screen TV�s, European bed linens, Ecco bath essentials in-room coffee makers, CD clock radios and high speed Internet access. Phone: 212/222-2954This is a renovated property.Wingate Inn LaGuardia � 136 rooms137-07 Northern Blvd.Flushing, NYOpened: Summer 2006Press: 718/445-3300This is a newly built property.Gramercy Park Hotel - 186 hotel rooms and 23 private residential units50 Gramercy ParkOpened: August 8, 2006Ian Schrager�s latest hotel project has opened following a complete overhaul of one of the city�s truly legendary hotels. Public: 212/920-3300 www.gramercyparkhotel.com Press: 212/228-1500 This is a renovated property.Holiday Inn Express Brooklyn � 115 rooms 625 Union StreetBrooklyn, NYOpened: July 24, 2006 Press: 770/604-5597 Public: 718/797-1133This is a newly built property.The Rockefeller Center Hotel � 80 rooms25 West 51st StreetOpened: May 2006The Rockefeller Center Hotel is the first hotel in Rockefeller Center. Located at the top of Rockefeller Plaza, many guest rooms face the ice skating rink, Radio City Music Hall and St. Patrick�s Cathedral. The facility is state of the art, with instant registration, 24 - hour concierge, free high-speed Internet access and use of a computer and printer in a business lounge. The hotel will have a health facility, restaurant, bar and lounge. Press: 212/626-9382 This is a converted property.Econo Lodge Times Square - 50 Rooms302 West 47th StreetOpened: February 2006Press and Public: 212/246-1991Choice Hotels� newest Manhattan hotel located in the heart of Times Square offering affordable accommodations.Blue Moon Hotel � 22 suites100 Orchard StreetOpened: April 2006Manhattan�s only kosher hotel opened in April 2006 in a beautifully restored tenement building which creates the charm of Old World, late-19th Century Orchard Street while providing modern and chic amenities. Guests will experience Historic Americana through the hotel�s ethnic dining and live Jazz music. Press and Public: 212/533-9080 www.bluemoon-nyc.com This property has been converted from a tenement to a hotel.The Night Hotel - 72 rooms132 West 45th StreetOpened: February 2006Formerly the Best Western Ambassador, The Night Hotel is inspired by the pulse and passion of New York City, Vikram Chatwal's new property is a stylish petite hotel of distinctive elegance. Press: 212/777-3455This is a renovated property.Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Times Square � 357 suitesW. 39th Street & 6th AvenueOpened: December 2005The first Residence Inn by Marriott in New York City, this extended stay hotel is part of the Bryant Park Tower, a 43-story building that includes 96 studio and one-bedroom rental apartments, street level retail space, a bar overlooking Bryant Park and onsite valet parking. The hotel is owned by G. Holdings Corporation and operated as a Residence Inn.Press: 212/704-8906 www.marriott.com Hampton Inn Manhattan/Seaport � Financial District � 65 rooms320 Pearl StreetOpened: December 2005Press and Public: 1-800-Hampton, www.hamptoninn.com Holiday Inn Express Midtown-Fifth Avenue125 rooms13 West 45th StreetOpened: October 2005InterContinental Hotels Group opened their first Holiday Inn Express in Manhattan. The popular midtown location at Fifth Avenue and 45th Street is walking distance from many of the city�s most popular attractions including Grand Central Station, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and Fifth Avenue shopping.Press: 770/604-5597 Public: 212/302-9088 Hilton Garden Inn Times Square369 rooms790 Eighth Avenue at 48th Street Re-Flagged: October 2005In the heart of the theatre district this newly renovated hotel offers the business traveler a 24 hour complimentary business center, high-speed Internet and wireless high-speed Internet access in the lobby and indoor parking. This is the 250th Hilton Garden Inn and the first in New York City.Press and Public: 212/581-7000The Hampton Inn Times Square North300 rooms851 Eighth Avenue at 51st StreetRe-Flagged: August 1, 2005Formerly the Howard Johnson Plaza, the property has undergone a complete transformation including new guestrooms, bathrooms, changes to the exterior of the hotel and an expanded lobby and hotel entrance. Guests at the property enjoy a complimentary "On the House" Hot Breakfast each morning.Press and Public: 1-800-Hampton www.hamptoninn.comComfort Inn and Suites � 76 guest rooms60-30 Maurice AvenueMaspeth, QueensOpened: July 2005This new mid-market hotel is 1 � miles from mid-town Manhattan, 2 miles from LaGuardia Airport and offers free parking, airport shuttle and complimentary continental breakfast.Press and Public: 718/457-5555 www.comfort