THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008

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Aloft Opening Set For July 17

Rosemont's newest hotel, aLoft Hotel, 9700 Balmoral Ave., will officially open Thursday, July 17, according to hotel officials.

The $35 million, 126,292 sq. ft. hotel will feature 251 rooms, nearly twice the size of a typical aLoft hotel, according to company officials. It will also consist of loft-style rooms, with nine-foot ceilings and double windows.

"Continental Properties was chosen as one of the preferred developers for Starwood's aLoft brand because, like Starwood, we believe many business and pleasure travelers hunger for a fresher, more contemporary and design-aware lodging experience," said Paul Seifert, vice president for Continental Properties.

According to hotel officials, Continental's aLoft hotel experience will begin at the lobby "aloha desk," where guests will enjoy touch and go check-in; and "mix," the communal lobby area, where guests will be able to read, play a game of pool, have a drink or do work on their laptops, due to the hotel's top-to-bottom wireless Internet access. Nearby, friends will be able to socialize in "w xyz," the W-inspired bar, or stroll into "fuel by aLoft," a one-stop food and beverage area offering sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and beverages available to grab-and-go around the clock.

For anyone interested in a workout, guests can also enjoy the "charge" fitness center or dive in at "splash," the indoor/outdoor pool.

Each guest loft will also be considered a high-tech office and entertainment center featuring wireless Internet access as well as "plug & play," a one-stop connectivity center for multiple electronic gadgets including cell phones, mp3 players, and laptops.

All "plug & play"-connected devices are linked to the loft's large, flat-panel and HDTV-ready television.

Dallas-based Ambridge Hospitality will manage the hotel.