Hotels recast themselves as their city's social hubs
To grow profits and to fight back against the challenges posed by Airbnb, they also aim to entertain non-guests
New York
BASED on a wave of new hotel amenities ranging from bowling alleys to theatres, the future of hospitality looks a lot like the past, when hotels were social hubs. Competitive forces and a basic business drive to boost revenue are producing a new class of hotels with entertainment features that go beyond the celebrity chef-run restaurant in the lobby.
Set to open in 2018, the Ramble Hotel in Denver will have a screening room showcasing the work of local film-makers. The upcoming Omni Louisville Hotel, opening in Kentucky in March, will have a speak-easy that includes a bowling alley. The new Line DC hotel in Washington hosts a radio studio off the lobby, where guests can listen in to live podcast recordings.
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