Rihga Royal Re-opens as The London NYC
Includes Chef Gordon Ramsay's First Restaurant in the US
NEW YORK, NY, November 2, 2006. A ceremony to mark the transition of the famed 562-room Rihga Royal, at 151 W. 54th Street into The London NYC was held on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 2:00 PM. The ceremony was attended by The Honorable Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Acting British Consul Jon Benjamin who joined together to raise the flag of the newly named hotel that will celebrate the best of what both cities have to offer.
Redesigned by famed Irish designer David Collins (best known for his work on Nobu Berkeley Street, The Blue Bar at the Berkeley, Claridge's Hotel), the Rihga Royal Hotel will re-open its doors as The London NYC, unveiling a complete redesign of the entire hotel. The London NYC will also feature the debut of Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay's first restaurant in the US; the on-premises concierge services of Quintessentially; and a complete upgrade of the bathroom environment by bath purveyor Waterworks.
A prized property within the LXR Luxury Resorts collection, The London NYC boasts the ideal location at the very center of New York City, and by uniting style with substance, will capture the essence of both its namesake cities - worldly, sophisticated and with an incomparable energy to mark the transition into The London NYC, and as a key component to New York City tourism. Everything has been custom designed, from the rooms and public areas into luxurious spacious interiors, creating a refined living environment through the careful re-invention of the former architecture of the 54-story structure, originally built as a residence by architect Frank Williams.
"The transformed London NYC will be a fantastic addition to our City," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Last year, 42.6 million tourists visited New York City, spending over $22 billion. Hotels create good-paying jobs for New Yorkers in all five boroughs and are a vital part of the tourism industry. That's why we've worked so hard to encourage new hotel development and maintain existing hotels. The opening of The London NYC will help ensure that we offer our visitors the best hotels in the world - and that we continue to attract more and more visitors."
"This is a historic event, as we introduce an entirely new concept in luxury - one that is not just personalized, but customized. An incomparable hotel encounter that lets the guest dictate the experience - and surrounds them with the utmost in style and design, showcases the hottest culinary scene and delivers otherwise unattainable access to New York City's most sought-after attractions," said John Ceriale, CEO LXR Luxury Resorts. "This hotel represents the launch of a new point of view on a modern hotel."
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
