ENFIELD, CONN. — The Crowne Plaza Enfield Springfield, a 174-room, full service hotel located off of Interstate 91 in Enfield, has been sold. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and lounge, banquet and meeting space, and a business center. A California-based owner/user bought the property and plans to convert it into a Holiday Inn. Joe McCann of Philadelphia-based Optimum Hotel Brokerage represented the undisclosed seller in the transaction.
HAZLETON, PA. — A new Candlewood Suites hotel has opened in Hazleton. Owned by American Hotel Development Partners, the five-story hotel contains 124 suites featuring fully equipped kitchens, executive desks and free high-speed Internet access. Hotel amenities include a fitness center and complimentary guest laundry. It is being managed by Harris Hotel Group.
MILWAUKEE — Dallas-based Aimbridge Hospitality and Milwaukee River Hotel have opened Aloft Milwaukee Downtown, which is located at 1230 Old World Third St. in Milwaukee. The 160-room hotel features a lobby area and bar, a fitness center, an indoor heated pool, wireless Internet access and a 24-hour food and beverage area. A 4,600-square-foot meeting and banquet space is currently under way at the hotel. Completion is scheduled for March 2010. The hotel is owned by Milwaukee River Hotel and managed by Aimbridge.
WACO, TEXAS — A new Homewood Suites by Hilton has opened within Waco's Legends Crossing mixed-use development. The four-story, 88-suite hotel is situated at the interchange of Interstate 35 and Highway 6, near Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center. It features one- and two-bedroom suites. Amenities include a swimming pool overlooking Legend Lake, a fitness center, a sports court, complimentary Internet access and approximately 1,100 square feet of meeting space. It is owned by Lalani Hospitality Group and will be managed by Lalani Lodging.
EVANSVILLE, IND. — Yerolemou and Son, an Evansville-based hotel and restaurant operator, has acquired Microtel Inn & Suites in Evansville. Local investment group Professional Developers sold the 83-room property for an undisclosed price. The buyer plans to renovate and reposition the property to the Econo Lodge brand. The Mumford Company represented the seller in the transaction.
KISSIMMEE, FLA., AND MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Winter Park Construction will begin a $16.6 million renovation of three Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts in January. The project includes the 1,450-acre Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee and two additional resorts in Myrtle Beach and Wisconsin. Winter Park has been tasked with upgrading 224 golf villas and 408 resort units at the properties. The phased renovation will be complete by December 2010.
DALLAS — Dallas-based Ashford Hospitality Trust has procured $145 million in non-recourse financing for the refinancing of five of its hotel properties. The portfolio totals 1,460 rooms and includes four Hilton hotels in California, Virginia, Florida and Oregon, and a Hilton hotel located in California. The financing package carries a 6-year term and includes a first mortgage provided by Prudential and a mezzanine loan provided by Wheelock Street. The loan was arranged by Hodges Ward Elliott. Proceeds will be used to retire a $75 million loan maturing next year and a $65.2 million loan maturing in 2011. The loan also provides $4 million for capital improvements to be completed over the next 2 years. Two Hilton-branded hotels located in New York and Michigan that were formerly included in the portfolio are now unencumbered.
LAS VEGAS — Vdara Hotel & Spa has opened at CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip. Located directly adjacent to ARIA Resort & Casino and physically connected to Bellagio, the all-suite hotel and spa, the first to open at CityCenter, is designed for those who enjoy the excitement of Las Vegas but prefer an exclusive, non-gaming, smoke-free environment.
NOGALES, ARIZ. — The 65-room Best Western Sonora Inn and Suites has opened at 750 W. Shell Rd. in Nogales. Owned by Tom Bhakta, the brand-new, non-smoking hotel offers amenities such as an outdoor heated swimming pool, a hot tub, a fitness center and a guest laundry facility. Located near the Mexico border, Best Western Sonora Inn and Suites will celebrate its grand opening today.
CLEARWATER, FLA. — Pure Water Hotel Group has opened the 146-room Best Western Clearwater Grand Hotel and Suites in Clearwater. The hotel is located at 20967 U.S. Highway 19. Features include an outdoor heated pool, fitness and business centers, 6,000 square feet of meeting space and the Bayside Bar and Grill.
