RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
Nearly a full year ago, Columbus Underground asked the question, “Where are all the Boutique Hotels in Columbus“? The answer we’ve been hearing since then is that “They’re coming, they’re coming!”
For the longest time, The Lofts have pretty much held a monopoly on the boutique hotel scene downtown, with only a handful of small bed and breakfasts to offer them any sort of competition. But several ideas and concepts have emerged within the past year, including:
- In January, the owners of Yankee Trader decided to announce that they’re investigating the possibility of converting their building into a boutique hotel. Their location would probably serve them very well.
- In February, Pizzuti Co announced that they would be building a 10-story 160-room hotel in the Short North between High Street and Goodale Park. Just a few blocks north of Yankee Trader.
- And In June, a former OSU-Basketball-player-turned-developer announced that he was interested in building a boutique hotel concept near the corner of Gay & High. It would be replacing a current parking lot, and continue to add to the constantly developing Gay Street corridor.
Business First ran an article today about what it takes to develop a boutique hotel, the market factors at play, and specifically mentions a few details on these listed project. A short, yet interesting read for those who want to keep tabs on the independent hospitality industry in Columbus.
It would be nice to see a unique spa open along with one of the hotels, something that could be a bigger draw for the area as a travel destination. A hotel would be really nice in a pedestrian sense for the newly “hoppin” gay street corridor.
I hope a great hotel comes to Columbus! Not they’re we’re lacking, but anything that promotes more people coming to this town makes me a bit happy :-)
Unfortunately these things take a long, long, long time here.
i went to the Chris Rock show a couple weeks ago, and he started off talking about how they put him up at the nicest hotel in Columbus (The Westin) and the street was filled with bail bonds shops. i’m not sure the Westin the nicest hotel around, but it is up there for downtown spots. i would like to see at least a couple of these projects happen just to offer an option in an area with a little more appeal. hopefully, that section of High St will improve as well, but that, i think, will take much longer.
How do chains like the Ritz, Four Seasons, Conrad Hilton, Inter-Continental, etc…, decide to open up hotels in a given city? I mean, Cleveland has a Ritz and Inter-Continental. A couple of boutique hotels would certainly make up for the lack of the really high-end chains.
I would like to see more rooms available downtown, not only for the obvious economic benefit, but to be able to host some kick ass conventions and shows!
As long as the courthouse complex is there, the bail bond places will stay. Be thankful that you live in a justice system that dosen’t lock you up and throw away the key. I would say bail bond places are a progressive sign in that respect.
You know what would bring in more people to our hotels than just a convention center? A train station. That 3 C line can’t come fast enough.
Does this count as a boutique hotel?
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2008/08/25/ZONE0825.ART_ART_08-25-08_C10_5UB3THT.html?sid=101
“The Four Points is going to be a good product if they can get these prototypes out of the ground,” said Eric Belfrage, vice president of CB Richard Ellis Hotel Group. “Sheraton has one of the best handles on the ‘Gen-Y’ traveler.”
Jeff Shah said the Four Points hotel, when completed in June, will include a lobby with a 15-foot ceiling. Rooms will have wireless Internet; 37-inch, flat-screen LCD televisions; and sliding bathroom doors.
One corporate touch is what Starwood calls the “Best Brews” program, in which two local microbrews will be featured. Shah said the company hasn’t selected the beers to be poured at the Columbus hotel’s bar.
Four Points also has something called the “Four Pies” program that ensures four variations of the dessert are continually featured at its restaurants.
Gen Y Happiness = In the middle of nowhere by the airport, wifi, and four types of pie to choose from?
What more could you really ask for? Bring on the pie!