Recently in Aloft Category

Peter Foreman is the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Sheraton Haikou Resort in China and thelobby.com's expert on the region.

Construction started in 2004 and earlier this year, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) opened its newest terminal, T3, which is designed by Foster and Partners. T3 is now the world's largest terminal, and if you can, imagine Heathrow's terminals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 all under one room, with an additional 17% more floor space - that's the size of T3. The roof of T3 is red in color (meaning good luck in Chinese) and the building is in the shape of a dragon, complete with 'scales' that flood the interior with natural day light to save on lighting costs.

Starwood has a number of hotels in Beijing, including the recently open, aloft Beijing Haidian, the Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian, and the St. Regis Beijing, which reopened earlier this summer after a full renovation.

"Aloha" from the SPG party celebrating the launch of Starwood's eighth hotel brand, aloft. Select SPG members got a sneak peak at what the aloft hotels will look like and were treated to a heart-pumping performance by Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child.

Pulling up to the prototype hotel housed in a warehouse in Hawthorne, New York, I was pleasantly surprised to be guided downstairs to what could have been a hot club in any major city in the world, a distinction few equal price-level hotels can claim. The décor was strictly modern without being alienating. Guests mingled, laughed and flirted in the open, airy lobby designed to do just that: promote social interaction. One guest professed her love of the lighting of the WXYZ bar in which, "Everyone looks good!"

When it came time for Michelle Williams to perform, the crowd was a little startled to be taken out of their reverie. But as the performance began, it was clear that Ms. Williams could get even the most eclectic crowd fired up.

Guests were treated to complimentary signature aloft drinks like wild blueberry highballs, cucumber collins and pineapple chipotle margaritas as well as a sampling of hors d'oeuvres. My only regret of the night was having left only having sampled the delicious watermelon martini!

This evening, select SPG members and thelobby.com's own Hanna Kim received a sneak peek inside the newest addition in the Starwood family, a prototype of an aloft hotel. Reporting from the event, Hanna shares with us some first-hand accounts.

In the design desert of generic business/travel hotel, aloft will stand out as an urban oasis. Think staying at your cooler, hipper cousin's (you know the one you always secretly wished you could be) tricked out loft in the city.

Upon entering the lobby, guests are greeted by an open space designed to promote social interaction. There you'll find the sexy w xyz bar, re:fuel, the 24-hour food and beverage area and the spacious re:mix lounge, complete with pool table.

Here's a great way to rack up the Starpoints and check out a new concept in hotels at the same time. To celebrate the launch of aloft hotels, its new lifestyle brand, Starwood is offering SPG members an unprecedented eight Starpoints for every U.S. dollar spent on stays at any aloft hotel worldwide until December 31, 2008. That's quadruple the base earning, and a sweet enticement to experience the latest thinking in hotels and hospitality. aloft, a vision of W, is shaking up the lodging industry with urban-influenced design, cutting edge technology, sassy style, and a social atmosphere. Expect large, loft-inspired social spaces and guest rooms, the finest amenities, landscaped outdoor spaces, and a lobby with a bar and pool table that transforms from a place of business and relaxing during the day to an eclectic social scene at night. You'll never feel cramped at aloft, as all the rooms have nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows, but the best feature just might be the ultra-comfortable signature bed, which is perfect for the blissful sleep you need to be at your very best. More than 18 aloft hotels are scheduled to open between June 2008 and December 2008, so take a look at the upcoming locations and start planning your journey. To take advantage of this special offer, visit www.alofthotels.com/8to1.