STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A new four story, 80-room, high-tech Best Western hotel is in the pipeline for Richmond Valley.

Developer Sal Faraone, a native of Italy who has built several hotels in Brooklyn, said he wanted to get involved in the Staten Island market due to the major development taking place across the Island. The hotel is also one of three new hotels being planned for the borough.

NEW CONCEPT

When Faraone was seeking a hotel brand, he set his sights on a new urban boutique concept by Best Western.

"This is a Vib (as in Vibrant) hotel that is a different concept for Best Western," said Faraone. "The rooms will be limited in terms of space, but we have a conference center, gym, lobby with a fireplace and meeting area, bar on the first floor, and a rooftop bar," he added.

The Vib concept allows guests to check in with their cell phones, said Lenny Rampulla, principal of the New Dorp-based Rampulla Associates Architects, who is designing the project.

"There won't be anyone at the check out desk, you'll walk up to a kiosk with your phone and you'll punch in your confirmation number. It's all going to be very slick and high end. The rooms themselves will be very slick, contemporary with open glass," he said.

There will also be an outdoor waterfall, he said.

LOCATION

Located close to the Outerbridge Crossing and several area restaurants and catering halls, Faraone said the area needed a hotel.

"We are ideally located near Ariana's. It will good for the people who drink and don't want to go home, or people who just want to find a place to stay," Faraone said.

Ground breaking is dependent on city Buildings Department approvals, said Faraone. The site is a manufacturing zone where hotels are permitted "as of right." Applications for permits have already been filed with the Buildings Department, Rampulla said.

VIB BRAND

Last summer,

announced five Vib deals.

"Since the launch of Vib we have had tremendous interest from hotel developers and are especially pleased with the response from developers who have not previously developed Best Western hotels," said Ron Pohl, senior vice president brand management.

"Vib is really gaining traction because it is the only boutique concept designed for the upper an mid-scale hotel segment and fills a niche that developers and customers want," he said.

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