CapEx investments are expected to continue to increase dramatically in the year ahead as brands ratchet up the pressure on owners to complete PIPs [property improvement plans] and other renovation activity, much of which has largely been put off since the start of the pandemic.
Within the past week there have been a handful of significant renovations completed on branded hotels, including a high-profile hotel in Manhattan.
The New York Marriott Marquis just completed an extensive renovation. The comprehensive transformation includes newly designed guestrooms, restaurants, public spaces, as well as meeting and events spaces, that offer respite from, but are also inspired by, the electric energy of the city, according to the company.
Opened in 1985 amid the rejuvenation of Times Square, New York Marriott Marquis’ vibrant location provided inspiration for architecture and interior design firms Stonehill Taylor, which oversaw the redesign of the hotel’s public and event spaces, and Sawyer & Company, which led the design of the guestrooms and suites. Both firms drew from the 360 degrees of billboard lights experienced by visitors to Times Square, in addition to Stonehill Taylor centering the hotel’s renovation design concept on the theme of “Kaleidoscope of Energy”.
Meanwhile, the $140-plus million investment into The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA, which began with façade improvements last fall, has now moved to the interior with the renovations to the historic West Wing. While the exterior work by Complete Property Services continues, HITT Contracting, one of the largest and most respected commercial general contractors in the United States, is the construction firm of record for the far-reaching project.
HITT’s hospitality construction team, led by Senior Vice President Peter Lanfranchi, will restore and revitalize the guest rooms, public spaces, meeting rooms and restaurants throughout the iconic resort.
The Homestead’s rich history, which spans more than two and a half centuries, along with the natural beauty of the Virginia mountains, provided the inspiration for the designs, according to the company. WATG, a multidisciplinary design firms, and their interiors studio, Wimberly Interiors, collaborated with the Omni Hotels and Resorts’ design team to honor the resort’s legacy and carry it into the future.
Finally, Sonesta Irvine has completed an extensive $20 million renovation. Redesigned for both business and leisure travelers, the hotel offers dramatically updated guest rooms, a modern lobby, expansive social spaces for meetings and events and an exciting new dining destination, Haven Point Provisions & Spirits.
All 339 renovated guest rooms are designed to be comfortable, functional and serene, offering the perfect retreat after a long day of work or play, according to the company. Each room features new furniture, lighting and décor and includes a light, neutral color palette and airy wood tones to create a relaxing and cozy environment. New amenities include Keurig brewers, state-of-the-art televisions, spacious workstations and complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access. Many rooms and suites offer panoramic views of the Santa Ana Mountains.
The hotel’s lobby features comfortable, ample seating and communal tables with Wi-Fi connectivity. Guests can relax on an outdoor patio with a handcrafted cocktail in front of the built-in fireplace. Guests can take a lap and unwind in the indoor swimming pool. Guests can also revitalize body and mind while relaxing in the hotel’s fitness studio, which features Zen décor. The fitness space is outfitted with new sound and television systems and the latest Peloton and Precor fitness equipment.
