citizenM has opened its second hotel in Washington, DC, with its first Chicago property set to open later this month, while Best Western has debuted two SureStay hotels.
citizenM Washington DC NoMa debuts
citizenM has opened citizenM Washington DC NoMa, its newest property in the nation’s capital.
Two years after the opening of the brand’s first DC hotel (Washington Capitol), the new 296-room, 10-story hotel marks its second location in DC.
citizenM’s art team commissioned DC native Hannah Whitaker to create “Circulations,” an art installation wrapping around the facade of the hotel. The mural features a female naturalistic presence that seems at odds with the pictures’ stark techno-futurism. She achieves the effects by carefully staging each shot of the same female subject in silhouette.
The interior of the hotel highlights “Vibrations,” Whitaker’s second piece for citizenM, a continuation of the facade artwork featuring dark stripes and flares of color. Within its rooms the hotel showcases works by local artists such as Andy Yonder, Charles Jean Pierre, Melvin Nesbitt, Nekisha Durrett and Tim Doud, filling the space with bespoke and eye-catching contemporary art.
In other citizenM news, the brand is set to open its first property in Downtown Chicago on Sept. 21. The newly constructed hotel, located at 300 N. Michigan Ave., is situated between the Riverwalk and Millennium Park.
The 280-room hotel sits within the 47-story tower which also includes 289 residential units and 25,000 square feet of retail space.
To mark citizenM’s arrival, Chicago native Nina Chanel Abney was commissioned to transform the building’s exterior 2,000-sq.ft. terrace and entrance walls into a gigantic abstract and vibrant Chi-town tribute. The inspiration behind her work is fueled by the dynamics of the contemporary media landscape and addresses topics of race, gender and politics. Known for her paintings, prints and large-scale murals with layered compositions, her figural works feature colorful hard-edged geometric symbols and shapes.
The property was designed by Chicago’s bKL, in collaboration with citizenM’s long-standing architecture partner Concrete to offer a streamlined, luxury experience—including high-tech amenities and living areas filled with contemporary art and furnishings such as Vitra, citizenM’s furniture partner. The hotel features a 24/7 gym and three societyM meeting rooms, available for half- and full-day hires to both guests and the public.
The facade mural is just the first piece of a larger portfolio that will give the new property an art collection that is distinct to Chicago. A whimsical neon piece entitled “Ding Dong Your Opinion is Wrong,” by Dutch artist Daniel van Straalen will be showcased prominently in the bar area, while works by Muntean/Rosenblum, Yngve Holen, Joel Mesler and more can be found throughout the hotel’s shared spaces. The rooms and interiors also drew inspiration from the local community, filled with a mix of contemporary art, photography and objects by local artists.
SureStay Hotel by Best Western Spring North Houston opens
The SureStay Hotel by Best Western Spring North Houston has opened its doors in Spring, TX.
The property recently completed a $600,000 renovation of its guestrooms, lobby and outdoor pool. The hotel features 74 guestrooms, with 42-inch flat-screen televisions, microwaves and mini fridges. Other amenities include a business center, outdoor pool, complimentary continental breakfast and free wireless internet.
“The SureStay Hotel by Best Western Spring North Houston provides guests with the excellent comfort, value and service they are looking for in a hotel stay,” said Rob Mentnech, managing director, SureStay Hotel Group. “We are thrilled to introduce visitors to Spring to this new and superior hotel experience.”
The property is near The Woodlands Waterway, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, the ExxonMobil Houston Campus and Old Town Spring.
SureStay Hotel by Best Western Morganton debuts
The SureStay Hotel by Best Western Morganton has opened in Morganton, NC.
The hotel features 43 guestrooms, including two suites, each with a flat-screen television, mini fridge and microwave. Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, guest laundry facilities, complimentary continental breakfast and free wireless internet.
“We are pleased to welcome the SureStay Hotel by Best Western Morganton to our rapidly growing portfolio of hotels across the country,” said Mentnech, “We believe guests will enjoy this property’s convenient location and that it will be an affordable, quality lodging option for travelers to this area for many years to come.”
The property is located outside the Blue Ridge and Black Mountains off Interstate 40 and is near downtown Morganton. It is near Lake James—a 6,812-acre lake—and South Mountains State Park. It is also near a variety of local breweries and wineries including Fonta Flora Brewery, Catawba Brewing Co. and Silver Fork Winery, as well as other top attractions like the Catawba River Greenway and the History Museum of Burke County.
