Bank of America getting into the luxury hotel business

[sabra]

Source: USA Today

Bank of America this fall's slated to open a new hotel across the street from its corporate headquarters -- and it's not a Holiday Inn.

Instead, the nation's largest bank is opening a new, eco-friendly Ritz-Carlton in a sleek 18-story building. The luxury hotel will have bi-level, penthouse "wellness center" (in other words, a spa).

If it weren't for the fact that Bank of America had taken $45 billion in TARP money, the hotel - instead of the owner - would've been the headline.

When the 147-room hotel opens, it will be Charlotte's first five-star hotel and the first-ever LEED certified hotel for both the city and the chain. That means it will meet a long list of certain criteria set by the Green Building Council, including water and energy efficiency, sustainability and indoor air quality. The hotel will be so green that the custom-designed employee uniforms consist of fabric made from regenerated plastic bottles. The hotel also will have the space for extravagant affairs with 12,000 square feet of meeting space that can fit up to 480 dinner guests.

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/hotelcheckin/post/2009/05/67364023/1

[NOW tense]

1. At least it is LEED ceritified..... n/t

[Amonester]

2. We're an EcologEmpire now.

The decay goes on...

[jobycom]

3. They will randomly change checkout times and fine you double the rate if you miss it.

[avaistheone1]

10. This sounds much like the bankers have been handling their credit card

customers accounts. I think it's pretty despicable practice.

[Occulus]

21. Charge 'em for the lice, extra for the mice

Two percent for looking in the mirror twice
Here a little slice, there a little cut
Three percent for sleeping with the window shut
When it comes to fixing prices
There are a lot of tricks he knows
How it all increases, all them bits and pieces
Jesus! It's amazing how it grows!

:D

[Blue_Tires]

4. i thought BOA was bleeding for money?

and they can afford THIS shit??

and ewww...I did NOT just read a lede like this in a major newspaper: "Bank of America this fall's slated to open a new hotel across the street from its corporate headquarters -- and it's not a Holiday Inn."
x(

[Turbineguy]

5. Housing for

Execs?

[Soylent Brice]

6. just fucking peachy, considering that i got something in the mail last week

explaining to me that we will begin charging me weekly for my online banking account, considering i've had free online banking through them for 2 1/2 yrs now.

assholes.

glad i could help them to afford their new venture.:sarcasm:

[Lorien]

7. WTF? A weekly online banking charge?

what's the fee? I suspect that EVERY bank will now begin this practice. :grr:

[Soylent Brice]

20. it says $5, for a minimum of $20 or more a month in access and usage fees.

[Debau2005]

8. BOA fees

After reading your post, I contacted my BOA branch, they told me they had no plans to charge fees for online banking.

[louis-t]

9. They did raise late fees for mortgage accounts

that used to be under Countrywide name.

[WriteDown]

12. Very unlikely...

Most of the time mortgage late fees are established in the signed notes and cannot be changed.

[louis-t]

16. I'm going to check cuz I swear the amount

is different now.

[WriteDown]

17. Cool... nt

[Soylent Brice]

19. that's weird. i have the letter in my hand. i'm going to have to call them again.

[aquart]

11. What a brilliant time to open a luxury hotel.

Did they get stuck with it in a foreclosure?

[sutz12]

13. Sounds a lot like a corporate jet without wings.

:shrug:

[nc4bo]

14. So I guess there'll be a "Your tax dollars at work" sign displayed during construction.

Silvestri says that Bank of America did not use TARP money to finance the hotel, still the bank does owe taxpayers $45 billion in TARP money.

Yea. Ok. Whatever. We believe whatever you say.

F BOA

[ddiver]

18. I guess the money in my right pant pocket is different from the money in my left.

[cpompilo]

15. How nice for them - they'll have a spa and luxury dining right across

the street where they can entertain other banksters. I personally would not wear clothing made from recycled, er, I mean regenerated plastic bottles - that stuff is made from petroleum and is toxic.