Construction work will soon begin on two hotels and restaurant space planned for the intersection of 18th Avenue North and Highway 82 in Columbus.
And renovations have been completed at two Starkville hotels sharing the same management company as the Columbus developments.
A contract has been issued on construction of a 90-room Fairfield Inn and Suites to be located in Columbus, said local developer Mark Castleberry, noting crews should begin concrete work on the project in a couple weeks.
The hotel, which will feature an outdoor swimming pool, is scheduled to open in January.
Construction on a 110-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel for the same location is expected to begin in June or July.
“The Courtyard by Marriott will have the largest meeting space of any hotel in the Golden Triangle,” said Castleberry, adding the hotel, which likely will open in December 2011, also will house a Starbucks coffee shop and an indoor swimming pool.
Additionally, the site will house up to four restaurants, which are expected to open this year.
Castleberry reported a “large national chain, sit-down restaurant” is under contract for the site and “two restaurants are doing site plans.”
“They”ve visited the site and are very interested in the site,” he said, declining to name specific restaurants. “Especially in this economy, we”re very pleased about the activity we”re getting and we”ll open up with a couple of restaurants there.”
“In the Columbus area, we will bring hotels that have a name that people know and trust,” said Cristina Tapia-Bastow, general manager of Comfort Suites, one of the Starkville hotels owned by the Peachtree Hotel Group, which also will oversee Columbus” new restaurant and hotel development. “By us building and establishing our hotels in Columbus, we will ensure that travelers have not only a great place to stay, but a (memorable) experience with our hotels. This will not only be suited to consumer travelers, but business travelers, as well.”
Tapia-Bastow noted projected costs of $9.8 million for the Fairfield Inn and Suites development and $13.5 million for the Courtyard by Marriott development.
Renovations have been completed on two Starkville hotels — the 68-room Hampton Inn and the 76-room Comfort Suites, which were purchased by Peachtree Hotel Group in July 2008.
“In order to bring the hotels up to Peachtree”s exacting standards, the company spent about $2.5 million on renovations,” said Tapia-Bastow. “The renovations include new soft goods, carpeting, bathrooms, corridors and public space, for both hotels. The Hampton Inn features the new Perfect Mix lobby and the new Jump Start fitness center.
“In the Starkville area, the newly renovated properties have ensured that we continue to have repeat travelers, as well as secure long-term clients,” she added. “Both hotels have been able to offer more updated amenities to travelers. Between Columbus and Starkville, there are a number of new businesses that are deciding to headquarter here locally. Because of this we expect to have a lot of business travelers and we feel confident that our newly built and newly renovated hotels will be ideal for their traveling needs.”
The Columbus and Starkville hotels sharing the same management company, Peachtree Hospitality Management, allows for the development of a “culture or community within the Golden Triangle area,” said Tapia-Bastow.
“We will be able to ensure that all hotels are working for the same goals and using the same principles that we have built our reputations on, while being a part of the hospitality environment,” she explained. “Knowing the travelers will receive the same care and attentiveness at four major hotel brands in the area should bring and guarantee repeat travelers.”
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