NEW YORK -- The city's newest luxury hotel, the Parker Meridian Hotel, defied traditional inn-keeping suspicions and opened for business on Friday the 13th.
The hotel, owned by the Jack Parker Corp., a subsidiary of Air France, opened on the inauspicious day because in France it is considered a lucky day, a hotel spokesman said.
The hotel did not push its luck, however. The formal ribbon cutting ceremony was delayed until next Friday, and the 40-story building does not have a 13th floor.
The Parker Meridian is located at the site of the old Great Northern Hotel on West 57th Street. It has 600 deluxe rooms, 97 rental apartments, two roof-top deluxe suites, a gourmet restaurant, and an athletic center.
Room rentals, normally $95, are being offered at the introductory rate of $79.
