Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced its rapidly expanding Aloft brand will soon debut in Columbia, South Carolina. Aloft Columbia Downtown is scheduled to open in January 2016 in The Vista, the city’s recently revitalized epicenter for the arts, entertainment, shopping and dining.
Owned by Lady Vista, LLC, and managed by Lexington Hospitality, the new Aloft hotel will feature 108 spacious, loft-like rooms, forward-thinking technology and a lively, social atmosphere.
“Aloft will energize the lodging market in Columbia, South Carolina and cater to the next generation of travelers with its emphasis on design and live music offerings at the W XYZ Bar,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “The popular Aloft brand is growing at a phenomenal pace and expects to reach the 100th hotel milestone next year.”
Located at the corner of Lady and Lincoln Streets, Aloft Columbia Downtown will be part of a new mixed-use development in The Vista that will include 4,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. Once a bustling cotton warehouse district and commercial railroad terminal, The Vista has been redeveloped into the city’s premier arts and entertainment district, with more than 60 restaurants and bars, live entertainment including jazz and blues, numerous art galleries and specialty shops. Walking distance from the University of South Carolina, the new Aloft will also be close to Colonial Center Arena, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Publix Market and Columbia Museum of Art.
Hotel amenities at Aloft Columbia Downtown will include an outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center and 800 square feet of flexible meeting space, ideal for both business meetings and social gatherings. Guests and area residents will also enjoy live music performances featuring emerging local artists at the hotel’s W XYZ bar.
“Introducing Starwood’s stylish Aloft brand to Columbia, South Carolina is a win-win situation for everyone involved. This market is long overdue for a sleek, modern hotel, and we expect the signature W XYZ Bar to emerge as a leading destination in The Vista,” said Ajay Champaneri, VP, Lady Vista, LLC.
“Aloft is the perfect choice for Columbia, South Carolina’s revitalized downtown arts and entertainment district,” said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “The design-led Aloft brand has acquired an enthusiastic fan base and is rapidly gaining momentum in markets across North America.”
The Aloft brand’s innovative and exclusive initiatives set it apart. Aloft Hotels, the tech-forward, innovation hub for millennial-minded travelers, recently announced the appointment of A.L.O. as the hotel brand’s first Botlr (robotic butler) at its Cupertino property. This forward thinking innovation makes Aloft the first major hotel brand to hire a robot for both front and back of house duties. Additionally, every Aloft Hotel around the world offers live, free access to local emerging artists as well as some of the hottest bands with Live at Aloft Hotels programming at the W XYZ® bars.
