Loft Liewensstil Hoteler NYLO Hotels Opens in a new window Éischt Property

– At the close of the year, NYLO Plano at Legacy became the first loft lifestyle hotel to open in the United States, according to executives at NYLO Hotels. The pioneering hotel, NYLO’s inaugural property, is in North Dallas.

As a brand, NYLO (www.nylohotels.com) features fun gathering spots, whimsical décor and myriad amenities for tech-savvy travelers. Stepping into the NYLO Plano lobby, for instance, guests see pod chairs hanging from high ceilings and signs for free WiFi. Chandeliers are made of glass shaped like antlers. Staffers bustle about in uniforms by Project Runway alum Daniel Vosovic.

With singular style and amenities, Atlanta-based NYLO is giving the mid-priced hotel category a makeover. The brand has an aggressive growth plan of 50 hotels open or under construction nationwide by 2010. Flying in the face of homogenized lodgings, NYLO aims to serve travelers seeking an alternative to the traditional, one-size-fits-all, limited service chains.

At the 176-room NYLO Plano, introductory rates start at $89.00 (weekends) and $169.00(week nights) through the end of February. The new-construction hotel is on a mission to make travel engaging and fun with its array of innovative lifestyle amenities.

“Travelers are looking for a unique experience, not just a place to work and sleep,” says John Russell, CEO, NYLO Hotels. “This trend is strong in other sectors. What Starbucks, IKEA and Mini Cooper have done in their industries, NYLO is doing for business and leisure travel.”

Don’t look for NYLO in gateway cities. Great boutique hotels are plentiful there, Russell explains. Unlike its design-centric predecessors, NYLOs are planned for thriving suburban and secondary markets, where land is less expensive, and business is brisk. NYLO Plano’s 2,665-acre Legacy community, for example, is home to the national or regional headquarters of some 50 companies. They combine with the community’s upscale shopping; dining; and proximity to major airports, roads and recreation to create strong demand for business and leisure travel.

NYLO is headed by a team of industry veterans, including Michael Mueller, president and chief development officer, who created the brand concept. True to the vision, NYLO Plano is high-end yet highly affordable, luring travelers and locals with these singular charms:

Urban Loft Design: Interiors feature brick walls, exposed ductwork and polished concrete floors. Ceilings exceed 10 feet. The look is spacious and bright, thanks to open floor plans, oversized windows and floor-to-ceiling window walls.

Dallas-Meets-Soho-Meets-South-Beach Décor: In the restaurant and bar next to the lobby, pink cowhide scatter rugs accent the polished, stainless steel bar and more glass antler-inspired chandeliers. There are ultra-suede banquettes. Giant glass doors open to a 6,000-square-foot, central courtyard with huge barbecue pit, infinity pool and outdoor stage with D.J. hookup.

Nearby, the 24-hour business center has computers and faxing and photocopying services, all complimentary. The library and game room invite guests to work, meet or just relax. This cozy area welcomes with the plush pod chairs, plenty of books and a custom billiards table, its glossy white legs Art Deco-inspired.

“NYLO Plano’s personality is one-of-a-kind,” explains Patrick O’Neil, the property’s general manager and senior vice president of operations, NYLO Hotels. “There’s simply nothing like it in North Dallas or any place else for that matter.”

The interior of each NYLO will be different, an eclectic mix that channels its locale. The brand’s second property, NYLO Warwick, opens this summer near Providence, R.I., and the Narragansett Bay. If NYLO Plano’s persona is urban cowboy, the Warwick hotel promises an equally imaginative nautical decor.

The hotels are designed by Stephane Dupoux, award-winning designer of high-end restaurants and clubs around the globe. Among Dupoux’ works are Buddha Bar and Cielo, New York City; Pearl and Nikki Beach, Miami’s South Beach; and Cocoon, London.

Chic Guest Lofts: NYLO Plano’s guest rooms, called guest lofts, have brick walls, polished concrete floors and ceilings exceeding 10 feet. Among the star amenities is NYLO NYTE. More than a year in the making, this custom bed by Simmons Bedding Company invites a blissfully comfortable sleep with a Beautyrest® pillow-top mattress topped with luxurious, white bedding and linens. In the 300-square-foot NYLO Loft, giant windows admit plenty of sunlight. This standard guest loft has custom lighting and furniture, including a couch, dresser and ottoman in soothing espresso, khaki and bamboo hues. An oversized desk on wheels gives guests flexibility to work wherever they are most comfortable. For a room with a view, the 350-square-foot Glass Loft features a window that spans an entire wall. NYLO Plano suites range from 450 — 615 square feet, with living area, sleeper sofa and Bose® sound system. The top-of-the-line the Lifestyle Suite comes with a 600-square-foot terrace with the capacity to entertain 60 people.

Luxury with a Smile: NYLO’s exclusive Gilchrist & Soames bath amenities feature a rich yet subtle berry-and-citrus fragrance. The fine line of toiletries are in unusual square bottles, recalling NYLO’s logo that encases the four-letter name in a signature square.

NYLO’s branding comes with a special kind of pampering designed to make guests smile. “BODY WASH” says the bottle of botanicals “for the ultimate power shower.” “Raising the bar on cleanliness” promises the square package marked “SOAP.” Instead of the typical “Do not disturb” card, guests petition for privacy with a square “SHHH” sign dangling from the doorknob.

Tech-Savvy: Signs note “FREE WIFI,” available throughout NYLO Plano. Guest lofts have free wireless and wired high-speed Internet access as well as 32-inch flat-screen TVs with high-definition programming and iPod-compatible audio system.

Eco-Friendly: “Wind power supplies approximately half of NYLO Plano’s energy needs,” O’Neil explains. “For Energy Star certification, the hotel also has one of the most robust, Web-based utility-managed software systems available to track conservation and cut consumption.”

In guest lofts, lights turn on automatically when guests enter and shut off automatically when they leave. Additional green features include recycled paper in desk pads and folio binders. NYLO’s exclusive line bath and body products comes in recycled bottles. The pure botanicals are biodegradable and DEA-free with no chemical preservatives like Paraben.

Allergy-Friendly Too: At NYLO Plano, the entire second floor — 45 rooms – houses allergy-friendly guest lofts from Pure Solutions North America. For the comfort of travelers who suffer from allergies, asthma and other respiratory illnesses, each guest loft has hypoallergenic bedding. A medical grade air purifier is designed to keep air clean, giving it the fresh, crisp feel of a mountaintop. Furniture is stained with tree-seed oil to further reduce allergens and dust. NYLO is committed to having at least one Pure Floor, with all guest lofts incorporating the comprehensive, seven-step purifications system, in each of its branded hotels. To keep air clean, the properties will be smoke-free.

Showcase for Local Arts: Works by local artists hang on NYLO Plano’s walls in the common areas, corridors and guest lofts. In each of its markets, NYLO invites area artists to submit original works. The NYLO Plano Art Competition drew more than 500 pieces. Depicting everything from passion and nature to rodeos and rock ‘n roll, the resulting display spotlights the creativity, wit and swagger of the Dallas art scene. The display places better-known local artists alongside new ones, bridging the gap between established and emerging art. Works are available for sale, from which 90 percent of profits will go to the artist and the rest to charity.

NYLO’s line of music, called “NYLO Uncovers,” showcases local ascendant artists too. The debut CD, with original works by two Texas musicians, is played and sold at the hotel.

24-7 Global Cuisine: It would be easy to get lost in NYLO Plano’s art and design, but the food in the restaurant demands attention. NYLO’s so-called healthy-alternative, global cuisine mixes fresh ingredients with Mediterranean flavors and urban flair. Culinary gems include: Tabil Spiced Chicken, Grecian Spiced Lamb & Thai Spiced Beef Skewers, Fennel Encrusted Salmon Atop Herb Dashi Broth, Grilled Free Range Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetable Ragout & Balsamic-Sage-Brown Butter.

Can’t decide which to choose? NYLO Plano’s inventive tasting menu makes everything easy to try. It features an array of small plates that mix and match to accommodate cuisine enthusiasts with a yen for anything from light bites to three-course feasts. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, offering a choice of sit-down meals or grab-and-go fare. Between traditional mealtimes, the versatile menu work round-the-clock to make tasty warm meals and snacks available 24-7.

Hotel As Runway: Among NYLO Plano’s engaging extras is the 24-7 fashion show. It spotlights staffers in apparel by designer, author, fashion blogger and Project Runway finalist, Daniel Vosovic. The unique clothing line, NYLO Wear by Daniel Vosovic, is a 20-piece collection for frontline workers and fashionistas. The versatile, mix-and-match clothing line includes sweaters, skirts, pants, blouses, shirts, jackets and more. Line extensions are in the works for such accessories as luggage, handbags, Dopp kits for men, robes, jewelry, belts and outerwear. Each piece features Daniel’s signature clean lines and sophisticated styling. Later this winter, the casual, fashion-forward apparel will be available for consumers to buy in the NYLO Plano boutique shop and online.

High-Tech Gym: The hotel’s 24-hour fitness center houses steam rooms, shower, changing rooms and a fully equipped workout area with high-end cardiovascular fitness equipment from global leader, Life Fitness. Mixing exercise and entertainment, guests plug their iPods into the equipment and control playlists from the console. They watch television and iPod-delivered movies and listen to the radio from the equipment’s FM radios and large, integrated LCD screens with touch technology. In addition to seamless iPod® integration, the innovative equipment offers Virtual Trainer, USB memory stick connectivity and visually appealing workout landscapes. A mini workout display enables fitness buffs to monitor their progress while viewing entertainment.

“The equipment is easy to use,” O’Neil notes. “Guests continue their exercise regimens on the road, with the same high-end cardio equipment found in the best gyms and health clubs in the country.”

Unexpected Extras: A favorite perk is the free local and domestic long distance phone calls. Guests enjoy free WiFi throughout NYLO Plano and free WiFi and Ethernet in guestrooms. Also for free: bottled water; faxes; printouts; parking; and shuttle service to area shopping, dining and entertainment.

Innovative Meetings, Events: Finally, NYLO Plano houses 1,800 square feet of bright, open meeting space in five designated rooms. The 6,000-square-foot courtyard with grill is is host to everything, from barbecues and get-togethers with friends to tented parties and corporate events. The hotel’s three 250-square-foot boardrooms have the latest projection and audio-visual equipment. With retractable walls, they can transform into larger spaces. Like the Lobby and The Loft, boardrooms feature a giant glass wall for guests who want to open the drapes and bring a bit of the outdoors into their meetings.

NYLO Plano at Legacy is convenient to the Dallas Tollway, expansive Stonebriar Mall, thriving Shops at Legacy, Dr. Pepper Ballpark, StarCenter and major DFW Metroplex airports.

In addition to its Warwick hotel under construction, NYLO plans to break ground early next year in Las Colinas, Tex., also in suburban Dallas. Another groundbreaking is scheduled for the second quarter in Broomfield, Colo., in the Denver/Boulder high-tech corridor. The company is committed to having 50 properties across the country through a combination of hotel that are open or under construction by 2010.

About NYLO Hotels
Atlanta-based NYLO Hotels offers a new class of hotels that combines the dynamic qualities of urban residential loft-style living with the best-of-the-industry features of leading hotel brands. The properties will feature bright, spacious loft accommodations; state-of-the-art business center; gym; and 24-hour, healthy-alternative restaurant and bar. They will cater to travelers seeking an energized alternative to the bland, one-size-fits-all experience typically found in mid-priced lodgings. For more information, visit www.nylohotels.com.