The refurbishment is expected to include all guest rooms andpublic areas. New amenities will include high-speed wirelessInternet access. Aspen Group vice president Howard Jacobs tellsGlobeSt.com there is no firm start date or budget for therenovation project, but says details should be hammered out "in thenext 60 to 90 days."

The property will be marketed as an upscale boutique hotel. Thenew room rates have not been released, but should be competitivelypriced with other city boutique hotels such as the Claremont Hotel,the Warwick and the Mayflower Park Hotel.

The Aspen Group has owned the Vance Hotel since the mid 1980s.The company is affiliated with Gordon Sondland, who is involved ina 25-story hotel and condominium tower at the corner of FirstAvenue and Madison Street, on the site of the former Warshal'sSporting Goods store.