Grace International to Open The Scarlet Huntington Hotel in San Francisco in May 2014

Completing a $15 Million Renovation of the Huntington Hotel

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. March 26, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO - March 26, 2014 - Singapore-based hospitality group Grace International is pleased to debut The Scarlet Huntington, which will open in May 2014 following a $15 million renovation of San Francisco's beloved Huntington Hotel. Designed to kindle the imagination and take guests on an adventure for the senses, The Scarlet Huntington presents an inimitable style that is influenced by the city's vibrant heritage and reflects an international couture.

Embodied in the storied Huntington Hotel, The Scarlet Huntington's arrival will breathe life afresh into the crown of San Francisco's iconic Nob Hill, welcoming a contemporary grace and uninhibited luxury to a neighborhood that set the bar for glamour. With the hotel's new look comes a new name - The Scarlet - portraying an avant-garde style that draws inspiration from a deep Peranakan heritage - derived from the blended cultures of 15th century Chinese immigrants in modern-day Malaysia and Singapore - woven together with San Francisco's history and diversity.

"Located in the heart of one of the world's most vibrant and culturally rich metropolises, The Scarlet Huntington echoes the persona of its surroundings," said Fong Kah Seng, group chief executive officer of Grace International. "The revitalized hotel will introduce locals and visitors to the well-dressed and modern sensibilities that define The Scarlet, our signature hotel brand, while enriching the property's distinct character, signature hospitality, and uncompromising standards."

San Francisco-based interior architecture and design firm Forrest Perkins designed The Scarlet Huntington with the intention of capturing onlookers and inciting passion within discerning travelers and the surrounding community from the start.

Providing a warm and familiar welcome, the iconic red of the former Huntington Hotel's exterior - as displayed in the brick façade and illuminated sign high atop the hotel - will permeate the new aesthetic, representing the hotel's heritage while embracing the allure defined by The Scarlet. This underlying hue will be combined with opulent gold, sophisticated black and bright gemstone-inspired colors to convey sheer luxury and glamour. In preserving the integrity of the hotel, the bones of the building have been retained, including the black wood hand-carved door at the entrance of the hotel, crystal chandelier, crown molding, adorning arches, and the original mailbox chute from 1924 that will continue to be used by guests of The Scarlet Huntington.

Each guestroom - including three Signature Suites designed to stimulate the senses - will provide comfort amidst a setting of modern elegance. Adorned with whimsical lamps that set a dramatic mood with daringly dim lighting, the guestrooms also feature LED reading lights, USB ports and electrical charging stations for guests to utilize at their leisure, ensuring a seamless, accessible and relaxing stay. Bathrooms will feature hand carved vanities, lighted mirrors and a carefully curated selection of exquisite bath products.

Catering to guests as well as locals seeking bold yet intimate settings for business meetings and cozy dining venues, The Scarlet Huntington will present public and function spaces that reflect new furnishings and a brighter contemporary palette. The property's renovation includes a modernization of the hotel's original guest elevators, installed in 1922.

The Scarlet Huntington, further paying homage to the hotel's illustrious legacy and defining characteristics, will uphold a tradition of high-standards and gracious service, beginning with a familiar face, the former hotel's concierge, who has been serving guests at the hotel for the past 30 years. Upon reopening, the majority of The Huntington Hotel's devoted staff, including the General Manager, will return - many of whom have worked here for more than two decades.

In addition, other elements of The Huntington Hotel will remain intact, including the ever-popular Nob Hill Spa and Big 4 Restaurant, which will undergo subtle aesthetic changes that will open up the space, including fresh carpet, paint, reupholstery, and linen-free tabletops.

Grace International's introduction of The Scarlet Huntington comes a decade after the exciting debut of its premier property, The Scarlet Singapore. Centered on providing an unparalleled design experience of rich lushness and timeless grandeur, The Scarlet introduced the first luxury boutique hotel in Singapore, leading a design trend that set the bar for the region's boutique hotel movement. The Scarlet Huntington's arrival parallels that of her Singapore predecessor, representing another emblem of Grace International's vision to maintain an institution's beloved façade while introducing an uninhibited, arresting interior design experience delivered with gracious hospitality.

The Scarlet Huntington is set to open in May 2014 and is currently accepting reservations for stays starting May 6, 2014. For more information or reservations, visit thescarlethotels.com/sf.

About Grace International

Grace International is a Singapore-based luxury hotel group that manages the acquisition, conceptualization and development of boutique hotels, backed by a team of highly dedicated professionals of foresight and creativity. www.grace-int.com.