The Embassy Suites Hotel New York City resumed operation in lower Manhattan on May 1st. The only upscale all-suites hotel based in the downtown area, the Embassy Suites Hotel New York City includes 463 two-room suites; a 14-story sunlit atrium; a restaurant, Unity, that showcases New American cuisine; and 15,000 square feet of event space. The hotel is part of Forest City Ratner Companies` extensive retail and entertainment complex in Battery Park City that includes a 16-screen United Artists Cinema, a 20,000 square-foot health club, five restaurants, and numerous commercial outlets.

The hotel, a flagship of the award-winning Embassy Suites Hotels®, added a vibrant element to Battery Park City when it first opened in June 2000. The hotel achieved the highest guest satisfaction scores during it first year of operation, while the Embassy Suites Hotels® brand topped the upscale segment with the “Highest Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Brands” award in the J.D. Power and Associates 2001 Domestic Hotel Guest Satisfaction StudySM, marking the third consecutive year that Embassy Suites Hotels® has received a top ranking in the study. The hotel was temporarily closed due to the tragic events of September 11th, and recently completed its repair and cleanup efforts. Bruce Ratner, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Forest City Ratner Companies, said “The reopening of Embassy Suites is a reflection of our continued confidence that lower Manhattan remains one of the most exciting and dynamic communities in the world, and a great place in which to live, work, or visit.” He was joined in his assessment by Mark Thomson, regional vice president and general manager for the Embassy Suites Hotel New York City, who said, “The resumption of operations in Battery Park City marks a proud moment for the entire Embassy Suites team. It`s great to be back and open for business in downtown Manhattan.” The Embassy Suites Hotel New York City is jointly owned by Hilton Hotels Corporation and Forest City Ratner Companies, an affiliate of Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises and the largest publicly traded development company and a major mixed-used property owner and developer in the United States.

The hotel`s luxurious suites provide each guest with a spacious living room and private bedroom, minibar, two telephones, two televisions, web TV, and complimentary high-speed Internet access. Tastefully appointed suites range in size from 450 to 800 square feet, larger than many apartments in Manhattan. Each guest not only enjoys a suite with all the comforts of home, but a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and evening beverages. Other amenities at the Embassy Suites Hotel include an iron and ironing board, hair dryer, safe, coffee maker, and plush terrycloth robes. The hotel is wired for the information age with a fiber optic backbone that provides fast, state of the art connectivity, and is equipped with three phone lines, voice mail and dataport.

The visual experience at the Embassy Suites Hotel New York City is truly impressive. Many suites have sweeping views of the Hudson River, New York harbor and the Statue of Liberty, or the Financial District`s breathtaking architecture. The hotel`s artistic centerpiece is the atrium`s dramatic 11-story centerpiece created by Sol Lewitt. Many other artworks are exhibited throughout the hotel, including murals by Pat Steir and pieces by world-renowned artists such as Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, and Ellsworth Kelly, and, reflecting the hotel`s lower Manhattan locale, paintings by pioneering downtown-based artists like Julian Schnabel, Jeff Koons, and Ross Bleckner. Guest rooms display commissioned prints by Elizabeth Payton, Sara Sosnowy, and Mary Heilmann.

Within walking distance of the Embassy Suites Hotel New York City are stunning views of New York harbor and the Statue of Liberty; Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange; scenic parks like Battery Park and South Cove; the romantic Hudson River Esplanade; the historic Castle Clinton National Monument; the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Museum of the American Indian; ferries to Liberty and Ellis Islands and New Jersey; the trendy Tribeca neighborhood; boat marinas, playgrounds and ball fields; and much more.

The hotel`s newly designed restaurant, Unity, is scheduled to open May 7. Under the direction of Executive Chef Walter Pledner and Restaurant Chef Gary Moran, the menu at Unity will feature traditional American cuisine with a modern twist, accompanied by a comprehensive international wine collection. The space, designed by Alexandra Champalimaud & Associates, reflects themes of harmony and patriotism.

A new attraction at the hotel will be the first Tribeca Film Festival, which will take place at the hotel and the neighboring United Artists Cinema from May 8th through May 12th. The festival was organized by the director and Oscar-winning actor Robert DeNiro, a Tribeca resident.

Members of the Hilton HHonors program can earn Points & Miles? for the same stay at the Embassy Suites Hotel New York City. HHonors is the only hotel program that allows any of its members to Double Dip® by simultaneously accumulating both airline miles and hotel points with the same stay.

Projects completed by Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) in New York City total over six million square feet of space with a value of $1.3 billion. Another 2.7 million square feet totaling $630 million are either under construction or in active development, and the construction of both the Embassy Suites Hotel New York City and the Hilton Times Square Hotel added more than 900 hotel rooms valued at over $250 million to the company`s portfolio. FCRC also formed a joint venture with The New York Times Company to develop and own the new 1.5 million square-foot New York Times building.

Embassy Suites Hotels® is the nation`s largest brand of upscale, all-suite hotels, and has more total suites than any of its competitors. Embassy Suites Hotels® is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company owns, manages or franchises 2,000 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world`s best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton®, Conrad?, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn and Suites®, Harrison Conference Centers®, Hilton Garden Inn®, and Homewood Suites® by Hilton.

To make reservations at an Embassy Suites Hotel, travelers can call 1-800-EMBASSY or visit www.embassysuites.com. Weekend packages at the Embassy Suites Hotel New York City are available.

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