welp here is a recent snapshot of the hotel sector from greater clevelandia suburban media. the key part i think is toward the beginning of the article as it is nice & very positive in tone:
Checking in on the new hotels planned for Cleveland by 2016
By Janet Podolak, The News-Herald
POSTED: 09/21/14, 7:32 PM EDT | UPDATED: 1 WEEK AGO 0 COMMENTS
A rendering of the Kimpton Cleveland
Cleveland’s historic old bones are being revealed as the city prepares for the 2016 Republican National Convention with hotels, new transportation options and a bright new upbeat attitude among its people.
“There’s a new vibe and sense of confidence happening throughout Cleveland — something our community has not felt in decades,” said David Gilbert, CEO of Positively Cleveland, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, via email.
“Right now, Cleveland is enjoying a renaissance along with the benefits of billions of dollars in new public and private development and improvements. The city is stronger and healthier than it has been in a long time, and these new hotels capitalize on a growing tourism and meetings market here in Cleveland.”
Young professionals are taking apartments crafted from once tired, old buildings, updated to bring nearly 2,000 new residential options to downtown Cleveland. Their presence is making a visible difference when the folks already living downtown are out and about. Instead of streets that empty after 5 p.m. these denizens of an exciting new downtown are running errands, walking to and from work, and checking out the newest dining and entertainment additions to the pedestrianized East Fourth Street.
Some are even forgoing their cars and pricey downtown parking, opting instead to take advantage of an expanded downtown transit system and new bike lanes crossing to the West Side.
“The development of new hotels is crucial to putting Cleveland on the map as one of the fastest-growing mid-market destinations in the country,” Gilbert said. “Prior to the 2016 RNC, downtown Cleveland will offer 19 hotels providing nearly 5,000 rooms within a 15-minute walk of Quicken Loans Arena and convention center.”
The just-opened 156-room Metropolitan Hotel at the 9 (learn more about it at bit.ly/1uLmuVb) extends its 24-hour room service, indoor dog park, housekeeping, workout room and other amenities to those residing in the new apartments in a restored adjacent building. They’re rentals only because terms of the 9’s historic tax credit preclude apartment ownership for several years.
“We’ve had plenty of requests, though,” said Stefanie Allen, director of marketing. “The apartments have only been open a short time, and they are 95 percent committed to rentals, many of them long-term.”
By spring, the 1904 Beaux Arts Rotunda, landmark at the southeast corner of East Ninth Street and Euclid Avenue, will house an urban four-story version of Heinen’s, a homegrown, local-favorite supermarket.
Although the Rotunda’s beautiful overhead glass is often attributed to Tiffany & Co., that hasn’t been confirmed. But it will be preserved along with its striking mezzanine and interior murals depicting of the development of the Midwest.
The most visibly obvious of the new hotels targeted for completion before the Republican National Convention brings the eyes of the world and the need for many more beds to Cleveland is the $272 million Hilton Cleveland Downtown, which will connect with the new Convention Center by an underground walkway. The 600-room, 28-floor building will transform the city’s skyline from its corner at Lakeside and Ontario avenues, which are bustling with construction crews.
Work already has begun to reveal the original terra-cotta surface of the 1901 Schofield Building on the southwest corner of East Ninth Street and Euclid Avenue, opposite the Cleveland Trust Rotunda. In the 1970s, those beautiful details were covered to give it a modernized appearance, so the original surface hasn’t been seen for decades. It’s on its way to becoming Ohio’s first and only Kimpton Hotel, an upscale hotel group begun by visionary Bill Kimpton in 1981 with its first hotel in San Francisco.
Many of the Kimpton properties are adaptive reuses of solid old historic buildings just like the Schofield, which has long been vacant. The hotels are pet-friendly, typically host complimentary wine in their lobbies each evening and resist the cookie-cutter mold of many chain operations, embracing instead the beauty of old bones. Most have non-chain name restaurants on their ground floors, such as the Wolfgang Puck dining rooms found in early Kimpton hotels.
The Cleveland Kimpton, with 122 rooms, will also have 24 apartments on its top floors. Like at the 9, Kimpton apartment dwellers will share in the hotel amenities.
The $50 million redevelopment is targeted for opening a year from now. A ground-floor restaurant also is planned, although neither its chef nor its name has been determined, said Faith Yi, public relations manager for the San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.
Already-opened hotels include the 150-room, $20 million Aloft Hotel Downtown at 111 W. 10th St., in the bustling Flats East development and easy walking distance of the Warehouse District, the Cleveland Convention Center, PlayhouseSquare, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and all of Cleveland’s professional sports facilities.
The 484-room Westin, transformed from the former Crown Plaza, opened in spring at 777 St. Clair Ave. Just steps from the new Convention Center, its Urban Farmer restaurant is giving greatly needed dining options to that neighborhood.
“The chance to host the RNC in Cleveland affords us the opportunity to showcase the recent $16.7 billion worth of public and private investment that’s transforming the city into Ohio’s most populous, diverse region with a vibrant, walkable downtown with world-class amenities and exceptional facilities,” Gilbert said.
Courtyard by Marriott in University Circle opened in March at 2921 Cornell Road, adding 153 rooms adjacent to University Hospital’s new cancer center. It include an indoor pool, workout room and The Bistro, for eating, drinking and connecting.
Hotel Indigo Beachwood opened in June with 100 rooms at 3581 Park E. Drive. The $8 million hotel renovation touts the 3581 Bar & Bistro which introduces tastings of famed Cleveland culinary treasures, including Orlando Baking Company, Indigo Imp Brewery and Rising Star Coffee Roasters.
The Cambria Suites Avon, originally planned for opening this fall in Avon’s French Creek neighborhood, is accepting reservations for December and later at 440-695-1270. The $13 million, 133-room hotel’s website says it offers larger-than-traditional hotel rooms but a more intimate decor with separate work and living areas for its guests.
The Residence Inn in Avon is underway and targeted for opening next year with 116 extended-stay suits at Nagel Road and Interstate 90. The five-story hotel will be on Just Imagine Drive adjacent to the Cleveland Clinic Richard E. Jacobs Health Center.
Hyatt Place targets the opening of its 110-room Westlake property in spring 2016 in Crocker Park. The six-story building will include an indoor pool, fitness center, conference room and 24-hour food and beverage service. The shopping center’s shops and entertainment options will be right outside.
Details:
Aloft Hotel Cleveland Downtown
1111 W. 10th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
216-400-6469;
www.facebook.com/AloftCLE
Courtyard by Marriott in University Circle
2021 Cornell Road, Cleveland
216-791-5678;
http://www.facebook.com/CourtyardCle...iversityCircle
The Westin Cleveland Downtown
777 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, 44114
216-771-7700;
www.westincleveland.com/ metropolitan
Hotel Indigo Beachwood
3581 Park E. Drive, Beachwood, 44122
216-454-8000;
www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/beachwood
The Metropolitan at The 9
2017 E. Ninth St., Cleveland
216-239-1200;
www.metropolitancleveland.com
Kimpton Cleveland Downtown
Schofield Building, East Ninth Street and Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Lakeside and Ontario avenues, site of the old County Administration Building
Cambria Suites Avon
35600 Detroit Road, Avon, 44011
Residence Inn
33040 Just Imagine Drive, Avon, 44011
Hyatt Place Crocker Park
Crocker Park shopping plaza
Westlake
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