Re: Skirvin Expansion / Convention Center Hotel?
Kerry, I don't consider Adams Mark to be a 5-star or even 4-star hotel but they are or were almost exclusively in the convention business, so that is what I'm basing my idea of a convention hotel on.
It has been a while since I've attended a convention, but when I did the rooms were not on the same level of exclusivity and luxury as those of W, Westin or even most Hyatts. Amenities in Convention Hotels are standard and the rooms are usually convertable with double beds - hardly what I would consider some of the brands you named. Service was geared toward the convention *usually meaning the meeting room(s), ballroom(s), exhibition room(s), and catoring - and hundreds/thousands of continuous rooms.
This is not the amenity offering I receive when I visit 4+ star Grand Hyatt, Hilton, or W-Hotel in Seattle, let alone the 4.5 star Four Seasons Olympic (Skirvin like) hotel that is nearby but it IS what I see when I visit the Seattle Sheraton [1,200+ room] 'convention' hotel. One thing to note is all of these branded hotels are within a block or so radius from each other and the Washington State Convention Centre (which coincidentally straddles I-5 - so Im sure OKC's convention centre could be made to straddle the rail line). . ...
I think having a 800+ room Hilton Convention Hotel north of the newly branded 'Conrad Skirvin' would speak very highly of OKC, since Hiltons are usually a solid 4 star.
One more interesting point for you all to note, the Washington State Convention Center also has a Grand Gateway Arch that spans Pine Street in Seattle, connecting an expansion area to the main centre. I wonder/HOPE this is the idea Marcus is shooting for. ....
Oklahoma City, the RENAISSANCE CITY!
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