ROANOKE, Va.
Benchmark Hospitality International was selected to operate the historic and iconic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, located in Roanoke, Virginia. The hotel's long-time general manager, Gary Walton, will continue to lead the property's team of hospitality professionals.
Additionally, the property will join Curio – A Collection by Hilton by month-end, a global set of upscale and luxury hotels handpicked for their unique character and personality. The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center is now a part of the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brand portfolio.
"Our team is honored and excited for the opportunity to enhance and build upon the tremendous success that The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center has enjoyed throughout the past 20 years," said Alex Cabañas, CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International. "Joining Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, and becoming a part of Curio – A Collection by Hilton, brings additional resources and opportunities to better serve our guests here in southwest Virginia, and leverage Benchmark's partnership with Hotel Roanoke's sister property, The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center.”
A landmark and legend in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, The Hotel Roanoke was originally built in 1882 by the Norfolk and Western Railway to accommodate affluent travelers vacationing amid the scenic wonders of the Shenandoah Valley. Over the years the hotel has hosted presidents, governors, theater and sports stars, attendees for political conventions, and Miss Virginia competitors. Restored in 1995 to its turn-of-the-last-century splendor and Southern charm, The Hotel Roanoke is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America.
The adjacent conference center, built in 1995, is a member of the prestigious International Association of Conference Centres and meets the organization's stringent membership requirements.
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center provides 63,000 square feet of meeting and event space, spanning 35 meeting rooms, a fixed-seat lecture hall, two boardrooms, conference center lounge and two elegant grand ballrooms accommodating up to 1,400 guests. The property's Business Center offers full conference support, including personal computer stations and administrative services.
The Hotel Roanoke offers 330 deluxe guest rooms, all non-smoking. There are 19 suites, including the luxurious Governor's suite, a penthouse with a private elevator, dining room and terrace with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is perfect for corporate entertaining. The private Executive Floor includes a number of exclusive services for guests, such as a dedicated concierge, complimentary continental breakfast and evening cocktails in the newly renovated Executive Lounge.
Comprehensive upgrades and renovations on all guest rooms and meeting spaces are currently underway and being implemented to ensure there are no disruptions for guests. Taking care to respect The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center's historic significance, renovations will reestablish the iconic structure as a world-class leader in hospitality. Work is expected to be finished by July 2016.
