Affinia Chicago To Launch in April 2008

Chicago, IL (January 3, 2008) – Affinia Hotels will unveil the Affinia Chicago, at 166 East Superior Street, its first location outside of New York City in April 2008.  The Affinia Chicago (formerly the Fitzpatrick) will have completed a $25 million renovation to include all 215 guest rooms, lobby, new rooftop bar and 3,000 sq feet of meeting space.   Adding to the excitement is the Chicago debut of Marcus Samuelsson, of New York’s famed Aquivit, who will bring his signature culinary style to the Affinia Chicago with C-House, a seafood restaurant, as well as provide room service and catering throughout the property.  

To celebrate the opening of the Affinia Chicago, a special “Cityscape Shopping Package” is available now through May.  Priced at $259 per night, double occupancy, the package features a stay in a Junior Suite, town car service for two hours to visit Chicago’s hottest new shopping spots – such as Bucktown in northwest Chicago – a canvas organic shopping bag and listing of the top shops in the surrounding area.  For additional “retail therapy,” the package also includes two complimentary martinis of choice from the 35-drink specialty menu at Martini Park, River North’s newest playground for grown-ups.

       Known for providing customized experiences for guests at each of its hotels, such as fitness, tranquility, and location, Affinia is launching its newest concept at the Affinia Chicago, a Cityscape Hotel, which will also be rolled out in Washington, D.C. and New York in 2008.  As a Cityscape Hotel, the Affinia Chicago offers guests an urban escape centering around a new rooftop lounge on the 29th floor with an outdoor terrace, to which guests will literally “escape” to relax, socialize, work or host a private event.

       The Affinia Chicago will provide guests with special access to VIP services and amenities to help experience Chicago like a local, including:

·         Staff’s Top Picks lists which provides visitors with where-to-go and what-to-do advice from a team of local, on-staff culture experts

·         Handheld GPS devices to provide guests with the ultimate navigation tool as they travel throughout the city by foot

·         Affinia branded “experience kits,” available for guests to use during their stay or purchase if they would like to take it home, such as the BYOB Kit, including a guide to Chicago’s Bring Your Own Bottle restaurants, a neoprene wine carrier, a picnic blanket and discounts to nearby wine vendors; the Fit Kit, with yoga, pilates and a boot camp DVD, yoga mat and block, stretch bands and jump rope for in-room work outs; and, the Walking Tour Kit, which includes a pedometer, iPod Shuffle, City Walk deck of cards, city map and city guide book.

Affinia Chicago, like other Affinia branded properties, offers an array services and amenities designed to provide customized comfort to guests, including a six-choice pillow menu, the signature “Affinia Bed” covered with a down comforter wrapped in luxurious triple sheeting, a welcome drink on arrival, rotating library where guests can exchange their book with one from Affinia’s library of best sellers and associate top-picks, and SpAffinia, a selection of in-room spa treatments.

        “We’re delighted to bring Affinia’s distinctive customized comfort style, services and amenities to Chicago,” said Tom Brady, general manager of the Affinia Chicago.  “What’s particularly exciting with this hotel is the reception we’ve gotten from our guests, who have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Affinia hotel experience in Chicago,” he continued.

       With this emphasis on customized comfort, guest rooms have been designed to create an intimate, residential feeling and will feature a bi-level entry and combine an eclectic collection of upholstery, artwork and accessories custom designed for the Affinia Chicago.  Signature in-room elements include photography and silk screen prints of Chicago landmarks, a bamboo-like metal table and a classically designed camel back armchair with silver cotton twill upholstery.

Affinia Hotels, with prime locations in New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., are designed to provide business and leisure guests with an experience of total customized comfort.  New York hotels include the Affinia 50, Affinia Dumont, Affinia Gardens, Affinia Manhattan, and Affinia Shelburne (2008); the Affinia Chicago; and, in D.C., The Liaison Capitol Hill, An Affinia Hotel.  Operated by Denihan Hospitality Group, a privately-owned company with more than 40 years of hospitality management expertise, Affinia Hotels is a proud member of a worldwide alliance of hotels including Joie De Vivre in the United States, Thistle Hotels in the United Kingdom, Rotana Hotels in the Middle East and First Hotels in Scandinavia. For more information, visit affinia.com or call 1-866-AFFINIA.

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