Marriott to open long-stay hotel next month
A new long-stay hotel operated by Marriott will open in late September following a $10-million renovation of the former downtown Quality Suites hotel at 250 Dougall Ave.
Construction on the TownePlace Suites by Marriott was launched two years ago and, following extensive renovations, guests will soon be invited to stay at the new apartment-style hotel — a first of its kind for Windsor.
“It’s a reflag and massive renovation,” said Gordon Orr, CEO for Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island. “It will be a very nice option for visitors to choose from.
“This will provide guests a longstay option and provide them with amenities they would have at home.”
The nine-storey hotel will offer either rooms or suites — 128 in total — that include a full kitchen with stovetop, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave. The suites will include separate living room and dining areas.
“There is a strong need for a hotel like this among corporate people visiting here for work and (who) need to be here for (an) extended period,” Orr said.
Other potential customers are people relocating to the city who have not yet found a permanent residence, out-of-town construction employees who work in Windsor, even small families visiting the area who may desire something more than a traditional hotel room.
The new Marriott hotel is owned by the Sunray Group, which operates a variety of hotels across Ontario.
“Our view is the market in Windsor is under-served in extendedstay locations,” said Kenny Gibson,
president of the Sunray Group, based in Toronto.
“We think bringing this product to Windsor will enhance the overall offerings.”
He noted the low Canadian dollar will be attractive to U.S. residents who need to stay in Windsor for business or even a spillover for those doing business in downtown Detroit.
“It will be corporate folks, a lot of them who are active in the auto (sector) who need to be in Windsor for more than the typical one- or two-night stay,” Gibson said. “We think Windsor is up-and-coming and is really under-served with this type of offering.
“This is one of the larger investments we have ever made in a small community. We are real bullish on the Windsor market.”
He expects the new Marriott hotel will have approximately 40 fulltime and part-time employees.
Orr noted how the new hotel is perfectly situated across from the bus terminal, which is convenient for out-of-town sports fans going to a game on the tunnel bus to Detroit.
It will also be in close proximity to Adventure Bay water park, the Chimczuk Museum complex, plus the riverfront parks and trails, he said.
“We are very excited because visitors also like to see a new product and this one has complete renovations that will be a nice complement to other hotels in our downtown core,” Orr said.