The New Marriott Residence Inn

[venture]

Midtowner, I'm somewhat with you on this. For the most part...it is just a Residence Inn - who cares? For this board to throw the Marriott name in fron (versus in back like it is actually - Residence Inn by Marriott) is just making it more than it is. Yes it is another hotel with more rooms and it will be nice...but it isn't a true Marriott, Hilton, Double Tree, Embassy, etc. Just another middle market hotel that'll you'll find in nearly every town/suburb in the country.

[okrednk]

Midtowner, I'm somewhat with you on this. For the most part...it is just a Residence Inn - who cares? For this board to throw the Marriott name in fron (versus in back like it is actually - Residence Inn by Marriott) is just making it more than it is. Yes it is another hotel with more rooms and it will be nice...but it isn't a true Marriott, Hilton, Double Tree, Embassy, etc. Just another middle market hotel that'll you'll find in nearly every town/suburb in the country.

Isn't there a Hilton currently in the works????? So why build two? The Hilton/Skirvin is going to be a great hotel as well. Lets just be glad for what we have here in OKC and anyone who is interested in building. I am sure this new Marriot will still be a nice hotel, especially on the riverwalk. This is what the city has needed for bigger events and such and finally getting some, now people want to gripe about it.

[Midtowner]

I'm astonished that no one has seriously considered building a Hyatt Regency downtown or in Bricktown.

[venture]

Isn't there a Hilton currently in the works????? So why build two? The Hilton/Skirvin is going to be a great hotel as well. Lets just be glad for what we have here in OKC and anyone who is interested in building. I am sure this new Marriot will still be a nice hotel, especially on the riverwalk. This is what the city has needed for bigger events and such and finally getting some, now people want to gripe about it.

I wasn't saying we needed another Hilton downtown, yes the Skirvin will bring another upper market hotel to downtown. However, you are falling victim to the word game in progress...it is not a Marriott. It's a Residence Inn, which is owned by the Marriott company. That is like comparing a Hampton Inn or Homewood Suites to a full scale Hilton/Double Tree/Embassy Suites - just because they are owned by the same company. They aren't the same.

I think the main issue people have with this is that it is PRIME land downtown, on the canal...and the best they could do was a mid-market hotel?

[writerranger]

and the best they could do was a mid-market hotel?

The always elusive, "they,".....I think if Hyatt Regency or Doubletree wanted to be in Oklahoma City - they would be here. They aren't. It's not because "they" didn't build them - it's because Oklahoma City is not Dallas, is not Houston, is not Denver, is not Seattle, probably not even Indianapolis. It is Oklahoma City and we will continue to grow, build and one day, "they" will come.

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[jbrown84]

I think the older, Sheridan-facing section of the Galleria garage would be a great location for a Hyatt Regency overlooking the Myriad Gardens. Hopefully something like that isn't far off.

As far as I'm concerned, I'd take a mid-level hotel over a parking lot next to the canal any day.

[venture]

The always elusive, "they,".....I think if Hyatt Regency or Doubletree wanted to be in Oklahoma City - they would be here. They aren't. It's not because "they" didn't build them - it's because Oklahoma City is not Dallas, is not Houston, is not Denver, is not Seattle, probably not even Indianapolis. It is Oklahoma City and we will continue to grow, build and one day, "they" will come.

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Considering Double Tree is owned by Hilton - that would explain why they aren't looking here. Hyatt is in plenty of middle markets, so we'll see what happens. If you really want to focus on my using of the word "THEY" ... would it be better if I just name the developers instead? I mean, it has to be important to you since you spent so much of your post on it. LOL

I think the older, Sheridan-facing section of the Galleria garage would be a great location for a Hyatt Regency overlooking the Myriad Gardens. Hopefully something like that isn't far off.

As far as I'm concerned, I'd take a mid-level hotel over a parking lot next to the canal any day.

Well if you want to compare it between a parking lot or a mid-level hotel, the hotel is the defacto choice. Duh. I would like to see the Myriad Gardens and the Canal joined some how eventually, with a new hotel (like you suggested) over looking the area.

[writerranger]

Considering Double Tree is owned by Hilton - that would explain why they aren't looking here. Hyatt is in plenty of middle markets, so we'll see what happens. If you really want to focus on my using of the word "THEY" ... would it be better if I just name the developers instead? I mean, it has to be important to you since you spent so much of your post on it. LOL

I looked at the cities with Hyatt Regency's and every single city has more convention business than Oklahoma City.

I mentioned the "they" thing because it's always "they" who do things. I've always thought it kind of funny. But seriously, whose fault is it there is not a Hyatt Regency in downtown Oklahoma City? Could I build a hotel and brand it as a Hyatt Regency because I think Oklahoma City somehow has an inherent right to have one downtown? Whose fault is it?

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[BDP]

Give it another 10-20 years and then see if you are happy with new construction developments occurring.

If it all goes well, then this project will be one of the more embarrassing ones in 10-20 years. If OKC and the canal are only worth this kind of project in 20 years, then we have wasted a lot of money.

Right now it seems ok because the alternative is a parking lot, but like the Marriott Courtyard next to the Ford Center, it will hopefully look like a huge compromise in the near future. It is nothing more than a glorified motel, just like on Meridian or Memorial or I-44. It does not look like it belongs in a downtown area, especially on publicly enhanced property. If it is what we were trying to do with MAPS, then we probably should have spent our money elsewhere.

This hotel is not going to help us get bigger events. It will help us feed the ones that we are already getting and move those guests from Meridian to LB. The Colcord and Skirvin will do more for capacity and reputation that this one will.

So, while, yes we need the rooms, hopefully it is not going to be appreciated in 20 years or we're in trouble. I would love to see projects like this just outside of downtown as a sign of it being healthy, but I can’t really say that its being considered a “signature” project as much of a good thing overall.

[jbrown84]

I looked at the cities with Hyatt Regency's and every single city has more convention business than Oklahoma City.

Uh, Wichita...?

[writerranger]

Uh, Wichita...?

You're right. I didn't see Wichita. Now that I think about it I remember it and it's a very nice hotel. Wichita, by the way, is a city on the move. With a metro population at about half of OKC's population - they kick our butts in a lot of areas. For one, what's our equivalent of this?
http://www.visitwichita.com/NR/rdonl...nersGuide3.pdf
I think it is this:
http://www.okccvb.org/meetinokc.html
Pretty pathetic, wouldn't you agree?

Compare Century II versus the Cox Convention Center:
http://www.century2.org/

Wichita and OKC run neck and neck (or did until recently) on number of hotel rooms downtown. In fact, where does OKC rank versus Wichita in the Tradeshow Week magazine ratings for convention cities? I think they rank 200 or so cities. Does anyone know where OKC and Wichita fall in those rankings??

And as for Bricktown and Old Town - Old Town is nothing to sneeze at, (with a lot more retail to boot!):
http://www.oldtownwichita.com/

Again, keep in mind, they are half our size!

Sorry for the aside, but Wichita is a city we ignore - at our own peril.

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[brianinok]

Marriott Courtyard next to the Ford Center, it will hopefully look like a huge compromise in the near future. It is nothing more than a glorified motel

The Courtyard is nothing to sneeze at. To be sure, it is not a 500 room Hyatt. But, you need to remember something: hotel construction was seen as a much higher risk 4 years ago when it was being built. Not only was noone sure how far this downtown renaissance would go, but we were in the throws the post-Sept 11th travel slowdown.

Everyone who complains about the Courtyard might be interested in this fact: It is built to Marriott specifications-- not Courtyard specifications. It is a Marriott with a Courtyard name. The reason for this is two-fold: it is much cheaper up front and continuing to fly the Courtyard flag as compared to a Marriott flag (which probably helped make this a viable hotel project 4 years ago), and Marriott corp was concerned that there would be too many Marriotts in OKC (there were already two). The courtyard is a full-service hotel, just like the Sheraton and Renaissance. It is not a suburban Courtyard, it is what Marriott corp calls an urban Courtyard. At the bottom of my post are links to a couple other urban courtyards that Marriott corp considers this property a part.

I challenge anyone to get a hotel room at the Sheraton and at the Courtyard. The Courtyard is nicer! It is more modern and up-to-date.

I think another interesting point to make concerns the Hampton and Residence Inn. While I may not 100% agree with their location, we need those type of hotels downtown, too. We need a range to attract large conventions. We cannot possibly expect to get 8 4-start hotels downtown and that is it. That would be unreasonable. And, eventually, it would cause a number of those hotels to possibly fail, since they are competing for the exact same customer profile. It will be much better for OKC to have this growth in the high end and mid level areas. I know some of you are very disappointed that Hammons is not building an Embassy Suites downtown yet. Mr Hammons is smart. I think he understands that it was not the right time for an Embassy. Two Hilton products opening at roughly the same time could have been disasterous for both (I am talking about the Skirvin Hilton & would-be Embassy Suites). My guess is that Mr. Hammons will let the Skirvin open, see how it goes for a year or so, then (if the numbers support it) start construction of an Embassy Suites downtown. And who knows, it could be the first hotel in the Arts Quarter. Wouldn't that be nice?

Other urban Courtyards:
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/PHLDC
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/PITCY
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/WASCN
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DENCD
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/HOUDT

Our urban Courtyard:
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/OKCDT

[writerranger]

Thanks Brian, you make some good points. I love the Courtyard - their rooms, service, everything. In fact, after my disastrous experience the other day at Waterford Marriott; in retrospect I just wish I had gone to the Courtyard.

The links to the other "urban" Courtyards were interesting. I noticed all the others were old renovated hotels - very nice.

Good post!

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[floater]

A travel writer from the New York Times noticed the difference in the Courtyard too. He said that the Courtyard wasn't too different from the Marriott he had just stayed in before, saying in some respects it was even nicer. Personally, it would've been nice to have it fitted into a historic building like the other urbans. But I do like the way it matches the Ford Center. Gives the block a cohesive look.

I also think we need a hotel for the Arts Quarter. Performers shouldn't have to walk far to their venue (Civic or Stage Center). As someone said earlier, the Galleria space is ripe for a hotel. Perhaps that would be the ideal spot for Midtowner's Hyatt Regency.

[Patrick]

I actually disagree with some of the thoughts mentioned here about the Residence Inn. I think it will fit okay on the canal, and in downtown. It's not your typical two story, spready out, apartment-like Residence Inn. Most Residence Inns are two story and look more like sprawling apartment complexes. This is a 6 story building, with doors facing the inside. The brick is nice. Like the Courtyard, it won't be your typical suburban hotel.

We really need a variety of hotels in downtown. Not everyone can afford the Renaissance and Sheridan. Because the Residence Inn will have mostly suites, and because it won't be as expensive as the Renaissance, I think it will cater more to families, which is really what we're wanting to draw to Bricktown anyways. Right?

Someone posted a while back wanting suggestions on affordable hotels in downtown, for around $100 per night. We really don't have anything in that range. Courtyard comes the closest.

I'm just happy we're getting a hotel right on the canal. And we do need more.

How about Hammons building that Embassy Suites on the remaining pad next to Toby Keiths? Wouldn't that be a great space?

And saying the Residence Inn could be found on NW Expressway. Well, so could the Sheridan. It's just a big box, not unlike the Marriott on NW Expressway. It's more the location, not the way the hotel looks.

Now, if they were building a 2 story motel with exterior doors, like a typical La Quinta or something, then I think we should be concerned. But, that's not what's happening here.

[metro]

writeranger, you might also check out this link:

http://www.coxconventioncenter.com/

[writerranger]

writeranger, you might also check out this link:

http://www.coxconventioncenter.com/

Hi Metro,

Nice website for CCC. I wasn't actually comparing websites. I meant comparing the two convention facilties themselves. If you've been to Century II you would know what I mean. My point really is that there shouldn't even be a comparison due to Wichita being - literally - half our size. Yes, we have the Ford Center and Century II is convention and performing. But the primary comparison would be with the Cox Convention Center when comparing primarily convention facilities. Century II blows it away - in my opinion.

[soonerliberal]

I agree that the Arts district needs a hotel of its own and the area of the old Galleria garage would be great. However, I really wish the bus station would be either rebuilt and made a little more appealing or moved to another part of downtown (maybe upper west side, near the MetroTransit terminal?). I wish the city would do something to spruce that area of downtown up, because I honestly doubt many people really want to walk around that area at night.

Additionally, I feel the way Marriott is building the Residence Inn with a substansial amount of brick and much nicer quality than say the one by Crossroads Mall, it fits in well. There will eventually be an Embassy Suites or something to that caliber in the downtown/bricktown area, but until then, I think the Residence Inn is a welcome addition. It is much better having that than an empty pad site afterall.

[metro]

writerranger, I was just simply providing the website, nothing more or implying nothing.

[venture]

I actually disagree with some of the thoughts mentioned here about the Residence Inn. I think it will fit okay on the canal, and in downtown. It's not your typical two story, spready out, apartment-like Residence Inn.

How about Hammons building that Embassy Suites on the remaining pad next to Toby Keiths? Wouldn't that be a great space?

Now, if they were building a 2 story motel with exterior doors, like a typical La Quinta or something, then I think we should be concerned. But, that's not what's happening here.

The above quote is edited for space...anyway.

Two story Residence Inn? Where have you seen that? Most are at least 3 to 4 floors. Also a La Quinta with outside doors? Have you been by the one in Norman by chance?

As far as the pad by Toby Keith's...I hope you don't mean between them and Harkins/Earls. Waaaay to small.

[jbrown84]

No we shouldn't ignore Wichita, however despite Century II being cooler on the outside (sure looks like an arena though), I don't think it's anything special on the inside. It's old and worn out, much like the Myriad was. The Hyatt is nice but the city actually had to take over management of it when the original developer was regretting his decision to build such a huge hotel in a city smaller than Tulsa.

Also, the only other hotel in their downtown is a Radisson which is in a historical building similar to the Skirvin but not as cool. Their downtown ballpark is almost as trashy as Driller Stadium. Their arena is out in the boonies and it's smaller than the Cox Arena and much uglier. Old Town is okay, but the Spaghetti Warehouse there has gone out of business in the last couple years. Their arena football team has dropped one notch below af2 (what we are) and no longer can afford to play at the aformentioned arena. They also have terrible sprawl. Big shopping centers are being built in the eastern side of the city way out from anything. It would be the equivalent of multiple shopping centers going in at Council and Memorial.

So I think we still got a lot on them.

[Patrick]

However, I really wish the bus station would be either rebuilt and made a little more appealing or moved to another part of downtown (maybe upper west side, near the MetroTransit terminal?).

Actually it was announced awhile back that the bus station was going to relocate.

[Patrick]

As far as the pad by Toby Keith's...I hope you don't mean between them and Harkins/Earls. Waaaay to small.

It's not too much smaller than the pad where the Hampton Inn is being built.

[metro]

Actually it was announced awhile back that the bus station was going to relocate.

If I'm not mistaken, this was not announced but rather discussed. I usually stay on top of these issues and attend any planning meetings I can and to my recollection it was merely discussed. I know possible other uses for the current location included restaurants or housing. I personally like the architecture and history of the building, it just needs to be cleaned up.

[Patrick]

If I'm not mistaken, this was not announced but rather discussed. I usually stay on top of these issues and attend any planning meetings I can and to my recollection it was merely discussed. I know possible other uses for the current location included restaurants or housing. I personally like the architecture and history of the building, it just needs to be cleaned up.

You're probably right. I've ate and splet since then.