Nicky's Non-Hilton Hotel

Nicky Hilton opening a pair of hotels in Miami and Chicago named Nicky O; boutique lodgings will not be affiliated with the Hilton chain

By Gina Serpe Jul 07, 2006 3:00 PMTags

A Hilton is checking in to the hotel business? Novel idea, indeed.

Nicky Hilton has announced plans to open a pair of Nicky O boutique hotels in Miami and Chicago this year, neither of which will be a part of the Hilton Hotel chain, which was founded by her great-grandfather, Conrad.

"I've always wanted to do it," Paris' little sis told People magazine. "I've been around hotels my whole life, and I know a good hotel when I see one."

Lest hip weary travelers fear that booking a room at Nicky O--the "O" presumably standing in for the heiress' middle name, Olivia--would be comparable to a stay at her family's middle-America-friendly chain, they can rest assured.

According to People, the boutique hotel's 94-room Miami location, set smack in the middle of Ocean Boulevard, will feature entertainment news tickers in the elevators (clearly, a girl after our own heart), a signature scent formulated specially for the lodging and rooms designed by friends.

Of course, a Hilton friend carries a little more cachet than just some random chum.

Case in point: One pal who's stepped up to lend a helping well-manicured hand is clothing designer Roberto Cavalli, who will design a $5,000-a-night penthouse at the boutique hotel.

The lobby as well will be a sight to behold, with plans for a giant chandelier and, apparently, enough marble to make even Donald Trump jealous.

"It's just so beautiful--and hot," Nicky Hilton told People, borrowing a phrase from Paris' lexicon.

As for the Chicago branch, which will open on the city's Printer's Row shortly after Miami's launch , plebeian wayfarers might feel a bit more at home there.

Though just a bit.

"Miami will definitely be a party destination, and Chicago will be a little more calm," Hilton explained in the magazine.

The 22-year-old heiress also said that while her family's opinions will be sought, words of wisdom will be the only assistance they'll offer the fledgling hotelier, who claims the potentially far-reaching powers of nepotism were not at play in the lodging deal.

"I'll go to my family for advice, but they're not involved at all," she said, adding that she also found the necessary funding for the project on her own.

The budding entrepreneur has a busy summer ahead of her. In addition to planning out the finishing touches on her hotels, she will also be shooting ads for her latest line of handbags from her clothing line, Chick by Nicky Hilton.

"This is my summer," she told the magazine.

Nicky O Miami opens its doors this November.