Marriott, Choice Open Hotels in the Big Apple

NEW YORK— Marriott International and Choice Hotels have opened new properties in the city that never sleeps. Here’s a look:

Dual-Branded Marriott Opens on Site of Historic Christ Church 

After approximately two-and-a-half years of construction, the dual property Fairfield Inn and SpringHill Suites New York Manhattan/Times Square South recently opened on the site of the former Christ Church Presbyterian Church. The new hotel building retains the historic church’s windowed chapel wall and distinctive architectural character, which is now a part of the exterior facade.

The dual-branded property, which shares a single entrance, has been designed to appeal to both business and leisure travelers.

The 286-room Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Times Square South offers guestrooms on high floors with natural lighting and a modernized design. Amenities include free hot breakfast and a Market for round-the-clock snacks and beverages.

The 284-room SpringHill Suites New York Manhattan/Times Square South offers guestrooms with separate living and sleeping areas decorated with West Elm furnishings. Complimentary WiFi and hot breakfast is included.

The properties share Bar 1905 for small bites and signature drinks, a 24/7 fitness center, and a 2,000-sq.-ft. meeting and event space able to accommodate up to 135 people.

The original Christ Church at 338-344 W. 36th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues was opened in 1905. Over the years it operated the Sick Children’s Aid Society, provided meals for the indigent, accommodated sailors and soldiers during World War I, became the strike headquarters of the Ladies’ Apparel Shipping Clerks Union, hosted the Circle Theatre Company, and in 1975, was ultimately taken over by the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health. The complex was sold in 2014 to the McSam Hotel Group which developed the site into the new hotel property.

Comfort Debuts Two in Brooklyn and LIC

Comfort hotels, franchised by Choice Hotels International Inc. has continued its nationwide expansion with the opening of two hotels in Brooklyn and Long Island City, NY.

The Comfort Inn Prospect Park-Brooklyn, is located in the South Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. The 84-room Comfort Inn Prospect Park-Brooklyn is a short subway ride away from Manhattan.

The 94-room Comfort Inn-Long Island City is the latest newcomer to the redeveloped industrial area of Long Island City, home to corporate offices of JetBlue Airways, Silvercup Studios and Altice USA. The NYC Subway’s F-train is nearby and gets into midtown Manhattan in two stops.

The Comfort Inn Prospect Park-Brooklyn was developed by Prospect Brothers Realty LLC and the Comfort Inn-Long Island City was developed by Surjeet Kaur and Balbir Sandhu.