Paul James

Boston's Liberty Hotel Joins Luxury Collection

The owners of the luxe Liberty Hotel in Boston, a National Historic Landmark built in 1851, have inked a deal to make it part of Starwood's Luxury Collection portfolio, its very first in Boston. Located in a historic former jail at the foot of Beacon Hill overlooking the Charles River, The Liberty Hotel is a 300-room "urban retreat infused with a distinctive personality that honors the building's rich history while imparting contemporary vibrancy." The building preserves the original structure's commanding 90-foot central rotunda, soaring ceilings, exposed-brick walls, and authentic portions of its historic jail cells. Three floors of balconies are restored prison catwalks, and the property includes a landscaped courtyard designed to be a hidden gem in the Beacon Hill neighborhood.

"We are proud to welcome The Liberty into our unique collection of hotels and resorts that celebrate distinctive heritage and authentic character," notes Paul James, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. "With the building's rich storied past and mysterious character, The Liberty is destined to be a coveted destination for global travellers and an unparalleled way to discover Boston." The hotel is owned by a joint venture between HEI Hotels & Resorts (HEI), the nation's fastest growing private owner/operator of hotel real estate, and Cambridge, Mass.-based Carpenter & Company, Inc. The Liberty Hotel is anchored by several restaurants, CLINK, Alibi, Scampo, and the Liberty Bar. CLINK is designed with vestiges of original jails cells that create cozy nooks for an intimate dining experience.

Gallery: The Liberty Hotel, Boston

Tags: Beacon Hill, Boston, Liberty Hotel, Luxury Collection, luxury hotel, Paul James, St. Regis, Starwood

Brooke Shields Celebrates New St. Regis Resort

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events, Celebrity Shopping

Brooke Shields, pictured above with St. Regis Global Brand Leader Paul James, toasted the opening of the famed brand's 21st hotel, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico, at a cocktail party at the legendary St. Regis New York Wednesday night. The glamorous fête also celebrated the unveiling of the St. Regis Collection by Alexis Bittar, a collection of jewelry created exclusively for St. Regis in honor of the brand's latest luxe destination. Each piece in the St. Regis Collection pays homage to St. Regis' founding patroness Caroline Astor, mother of John Jacob Astor who opened The St. Regis New York in 1904, and her famed jewels which she displayed at New York's premier social events. For the celebration, hosted by stylish socialites Olivia Chantecaille and Ren Grady, Zani Gugelmann, Mary Alice Stephenson, and Lucy Sykes and Euan Rellie, the St. Regis New York's second floor was transformed into a warm, inviting salon where guests discovered the storied hotel's enchanting rooms.

With glowing candlelight and beautiful flower arrangements situated amongst rich wood tables, elegant sofas and leather club chairs gracing the rooms, the setting suggested an intimate home harkening back to the days of the private residences found in the iconic hotel during John Jacob Astor's time. Throughout the festive evening, guests enjoyed live music from Kat Edmonson as she crooned classic jazz numbers while accompanied by a five piece band, paying tribute to the St. Regis New York's jazz history; the hotel has played host to some of the finest jazz musicians since its opening over a century ago. Party-goers were also treated to a special menu of hors d'oeuvres created by celebrated chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Vongerichten is the Chef of Fern, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort's highly anticipated and recently opened signature restaurant.

Tags: Alexis Bittar, Bahia Beach, Brooke Shields, celebrity, events, jazz, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, John Jacob Astor, Kat Edmonson, luxury hotels, Olivia Chantecaille, party, Paul James, Puerto Rico, St. Regis, St. Regis Bahia Beach