Recently acquired by The Hotel Group (THG), the South Bend [Indiana] Marriott, a 298-room property previously owned by Host Hotels & Resorts, has been rebranded a DoubleTree by Hilton.
"We are pleased to add the South Bend property to our growing portfolio of owned and managed hotels," said Doug Dreher, THG President and CEO. "This downtown hotel is the only large full-service meeting and event destination in South Bend, connected by skywalk to the Century Center Convention Complex and featuring nearly 150,000 square feet of flexible event space. In addition, the hotel provides some of the finest full-service amenities in the area, with two restaurants, a large fitness center, an indoor pool and more.
"By rebranding this property as a DoubleTree by Hilton with its Hilton HHonors® member program, signature Sweet DreamsTM by DoubleTree Sleep Experience, DoubleTree breakfast and a planned multi-million dollar renovation subsidized by the city of South Bend that is scheduled to begin in 2012, we believe the future DoubleTree by Hilton South Bend will quickly dominate the market," he said.
Lara Latture, THG Executive Vice President, said that upcoming property renovations will be made to all guestrooms and baths, meeting space, the lobby, public spaces, recreational areas and the atrium, which is shared by 1st Source Bank corporate headquarters and additional offices. THG will also make minor enhancements to the building’s exterior. The 10-story hotel includes a parking garage structure with 500 spaces that is shared with the adjacent office building tenants.
"We are confident that local businesses, meeting planners and those visiting the area’s universities will be impressed by the physical property changes and ‘wowed’ even more by the guest services that DoubleTree and THG will introduce," Latture said. "Members of the Hilton HHonors® program earn hotel points and airline miles for qualifying stays and can redeem points for free nights at all DoubleTree by Hilton hotels. In addition, guests will be welcomed with a warm chocolate chip cookie at check-in, experience a custom-designed mattress with an abundance of plush pillows and luxurious linens, receive complimentary gourmet in-room coffee and tea service, and much more."
Latture said the hotel will continue to offer two restaurants and indoor recreational facilities, including a fitness center and indoor pool. Minimal staff turnover is anticipated during the transition.
DoubleTree by Hilton is an international collection of more than 250 upscale hotels in more than 200 cities, 15 countries and five continents. In recent years DoubleTree by Hilton has reinvested more than $3 billion in amenities, services and style.
