Updated: Aloft Hotel will not have a Starbucks (but will serve its coffee)

McKibbon Hotel Management sent out a clarification about the purported Starbucks in the imminent Aloft Hotel at 51 Biltmore:

As a clarification, I wanted you to be aware that while we will be serving Starbucks brand coffees in our breakfast bar area, the offering is not a full Starbucks coffeehouse, but a “We Proudly Serve” limited menu offering.

We are aware and pleased to offer names and locations of at least 17 nearby coffee shops to our guests, along with a voluminous listing of local eateries and attractions in our concierge desk “A-List” guide, as well as on our website and IPad directories. We are also partnering with City Bakery to bring our guests fantastic local baked goods, and all of the artwork in the hotel, including guest rooms, will feature the works of local artists.

Make no mistake, the Aloft Hotel Downtown Asheville loves our city partners, and we will make every effort to tell our guests about the wonderful offerings of local downtown businesses!

Paula MacDonald
Director of Communications
McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc.

Here is the original release:

The Aloft Hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Asheville at 51 Biltmore Avenue, The hotel features 115 loft-style rooms (including four suites) with a contemporary, urban feel, along with unique amenities, including the W xyz® bar and dining with the Biltmore Balcony outdoor deck; Starbucks® coffee bar and breakfast; a third-floor outdoor pool deck known as Air Level, with cabanas and a bar overlooking the surroundingmountains; and a comprehensive art collection featuring local artists.”

And the new hires:

“McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc. is pleased to announce that Asheville residents Christine Kavanagh, Emma Kaye Ledbetter and Gary Steuber have joined General Manager Catherine Harris as part of the Aloft Asheville Downtown management team. The new hotel at 51 Biltmore Avenue is slated to open in August.

Christine Kavanagh is the Director of Sales for the hotel. An Asheville native, she attended University of North Carolina Asheville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in literature. She started her career in the event marketing industry, where she held a senior management position. Most recently, Christine worked as Corporate Sales Manager for Biltmore Farms Hotels.

Emma Kaye Ledbetter is another Asheville native who serves as Aloft’s Operations Manager. After receiving a degree in hospitality from Asheville Buncombe Tech in 2006, Emma joined McKibbon as a front desk associate for the Courtyard Asheville. She completed McKibbon’s Manager in Training program in 2007 and went on to serve as Assistant General Manager and Operations Manager for several McKibbon properties throughout the Southeast before returning to her hometown of Asheville to join the Aloft team. Emma volunteers for many local organizations, including the Manna Food Bank, Hands on Asheville, Full Moon Farms Wolf DogRescue and the Asheville Downtown Association. She is also a member of Asheville Young Professionals.

Aloft Asheville’s Food and Beverage Director, Gary Steuber, has been an Asheville resident for over 15 years. Gary has a degree in business administration and holds certifications as a Certified Food and Beverage Executive and a Certified Hospitality Supervisor. He is also a member of the Wine Guild of American Certified Sommeliers. Gary has worked as a Food and Beverage Director for Davidson Hotels, Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, and most recently the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville. Gary serves the community through several area organizations including March of Dimes, Manna Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Mission Hospitals, American Culinary Federation and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. He has also acted as Chair for Grove Park Inn Mind, Body Spirit Committee.

As the hotel moves closer to opening day in August, applications are currently being accepted for re:fresh room, laundry and public area talent; W xyz® bartenders and servers; chef and culinary talent; maintenance talent; front desk talent and a night auditor. Resumes and applications can be sent to Aloft Asheville Downtown General Manager Catherine Harris at info@aloftdowntownasheville.com or phone 232-2838 for more information.

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0 thoughts on “Updated: Aloft Hotel will not have a Starbucks (but will serve its coffee)

  1. matthew burd

    This is so “f”ing rediculous. What about the Double Decker Bus right next store. Normally they would have an oppertunity to object to direct compition moving directly next door wouldn’t they…

    • indy499

      Uh, you don’t get to “object” to getting competition. That’s primarily why it is called —– competition.

  2. Big Al

    “What about the Double Decker Bus right next store…”

    The only way Starbuck’s would compete with the double-decker bus would be to lower their prices.

  3. Orbit DVD

    Really reaching on this one.

    Looking back after writing that on two rum and cokes with some cold medication, I would say I was reaching a little bit…

    …or was I?

  4. NFB

    Well, you know how we loath chains downtown (Subway, Jimmy Johns, Urban Outfitters) except when we love them (Mellow Mushroom, Doc Chey’s, Marble Slab) and we don’t want big box stores in town (Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target) except when we do (Trader Joe’s, Greenlife/Whole Foods, and please give us a Costco and a Nordstrom) so we’ll see.

  5. Paula MacDonald

    As a clarification, I wanted you to be aware that while we will be serving Starbucks

  6. Stephen Lange

    As one of the local artists being given the opportunity to show work @ the Aloft hotel, I can attest to the flexibility, diversity and aesthetic of this newcomer to our fair city on the hill. Aloft hotels will be a welcome addition to an already vibrant downtown.

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