sbe Launches a Series of Art, Design and Food Collaborations at Hudson Hotel

NEW YORK, March 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- sbe, the leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hospitality venues globally, today announced that it launched a series of art, design and food collaborations at Hudson Hotel. The iconic midtown New York hotel, Hudson is located within walking distance of Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, Central Park and the theater district.

The inaugural program is a collaboration with Assouline, the world-renowned luxury publishing company, to produce a one-of-a-kind library experience. The curated collection has been installed in Hudson's Library Bar location on the main level of Hudson Hotel. It focuses on photography books from the worlds of art, fashion, travel and design—displaying Assouline's approach to culture, luxury and lifestyle.

"We are excited to continue to collaborate with Assouline, who we have had a longstanding partnership with at SLS Beverly Hills," stated Michele Caniato, Chief Brand Officer at sbe. "This program will bring fascinating publications to the Library Bar at Hudson Hotel, which was designed by the renowned Philippe Starck, offering an ideal environment to hang out, read a book, meet with a friend or work."

The Assouline books presented at Library Bar include: The Light of Paris, The Light of New York, World of Departures, The Big Book of Chic and Tequila Cocktails, among others. The cocktail program reflects a menu of impressive craft cocktails inspired by Assouline's Connoisseur Collection cocktail books.

"Contemporary libraries are the new oasis in our modern way of life. We design libraries for people to disconnect from the digital world, and take time to dream, time for inspiration and reflection," stated Prosper Assouline, Founder of Assouline.

An event to celebrate the launch of the collection was held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Author Brian Van Flandern signed copies of one of the featured books, Tequila Cocktails. The book is the fourth in Van Flandern's series of award-winning cocktail books and shines a spotlight on the history and production of quality tequilas. It explores the smoothest, best-tasting tequilas from Jalisco, Mexico, with flavors so good that adding salt or lime would be gilding the lily, featuring Casamigos, a collaboration between George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman. The featured tequila cocktails at the event were Tequini, Tequila Mockingbird, House of Friends, Tropical Rose and Pink Gringo.

Library Bar contains all the classic elements including: high ceilings, elegant wood paneling, walls lined with books, a large working fireplace, a 75-year old billiard table and antique rug and furniture. This is infused with some contemporary trappings, including: a large Ingo Maurer purple dome lamp, a series of humorous black and white photographs by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, among other playful surprises characteristic of Assouline custom libraries. It combines Old World refinement and contemporary creature comforts.  Created together by lifestyle visionaries and innovators, sbe and Assouline bring guests a seamless union between culture and hospitality. 

The collaboration with Assouline is the first in a series of activations that sbe will bring to Hudson Hotel. sbe is also working with other contemporary artists and companies for future programs.

Designed by Philippe Starck, the 876-room Hudson Hotel is stylish, democratic, contemporary and youthful. It has several places for entertainment and relaxation including: Hudson Common, a modern-day beer hall and burger joint with nightly entertainment; Hudson Bar, a quintessential New York cocktail bar and lounge; Sky Terrace (open seasonally), an English garden with breathtaking views of New York City; and Private Park, a garden oasis in the middle of a vibrant city.

About sbe
Established in 2002 by Founder and CEO Sam Nazarian, sbe is a privately-held, leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hotels, residences, restaurants and nightclubs. Through exclusive partnerships with cultural visionaries, sbe is devoted to creating extraordinary experiences throughout its proprietary brands with a commitment to authenticity, sophistication, mastery and innovation. Following the acquisition of Morgans Hotel Group, the pioneer of boutique lifestyle hotels, sbe has an unparalleled global portfolio featuring 23 world-class lifestyle hotel properties in 9 attractive gateway markets and more than 136 global world-renowned hotel, entertainment and food & beverage outlets. The company is uniquely positioned to offer a complete lifestyle experience - from nightlife, food & beverage and entertainment to hotels and residences, and through its innovative customer loyalty and rewards program, The Code, as well as its award-winning international real estate development subsidiary, Dakota Development - all of which solidify sbe as the preeminent leader across hospitality. sbe will continue its expansion with 13 hotel properties opening in the next two years (some with residences), including the SLS Park Avenue, SLS Seattle, Mondrian Doha and Mondrian Dubai. The company's established and upcoming hotel brands include SLS Hotel & Residences, Delano, Mondrian, Redbury, Hyde Hotel & Residences, Clift, Hudson, Morgans, Royalton, Sanderson and St Martins Lane. In addition, sbe has the following international acclaimed restaurants and lounges: Katsuya, Cleo, The Bazaar by José Andrés, Fi'lia by Michael Schwartz, Umami Burger, Hyde Lounge and Skybar. More information about sbe can be obtained at sbe.com or by downloading the sbe App.

About Assouline
The first luxury brand dedicated to culture, Assouline began with the belief that a book artfully crafted and highly considered in its visual content can open our eyes and minds. Over two decades, guided by our passion for knowledge, culture, and travel, we have extended our vision to create all that can be desired in a chic library, from lavishly illustrated books and special editions to unique decorative accessories. In autumn 2014, Assouline celebrated its twentieth anniversary by introducing the Maison Assouline international flagship showcasing our complete world of culture and lifestyle, situated at 196A Piccadilly in London, a beautifully restored landmark Grade II listed building designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1922, a stately presence in the St. James's neighborhood.

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Media Contact:
Kati Bergou
Rubenstein Public Relations
212 805 3014
kbergou@rubensteinpr.com

SOURCE sbe